Columbus Yachts is taking decided aim at the upper end of the megayacht market. With one 230-footer (70-meter) already in build, last fall it announced scant details about a new contract, simply termed the Columbus Classic 80M. It’s now revealing far more information. What’s more, the Italian builder reveals it’s been taking a different approach to construction.
At 261 feet (79.5 meters), the new megayacht is a significant jump up from its largest delivery to date. She’s the Columbus Sport Hybrid 40M, measuring 131 feet. However, the management team feels comfortable with the move. It’s due to its parent company’s half century of experience with shipbuilding. Columbus Yachts belongs to the Palumbo Group, which has shipyards across Italy and in Spain that build and service cruise ships, cargo ships, and of course yachts.
Two of the shipyards are engaged in the construction of the Columbus Classic 80M. The Ancona-based yard is handling the aluminum superstructure, while the Naples-based yard is building the hull. Furthermore, they’re building simultaneously. In fact, the hull and superstructure will join together shortly after the hull arrives in Ancona later this month. As a result, Columbus Yachts says it’s shaved eight months off typical delivery time.
Francesco Carbone, Columbus Yachts’ general manager, admits this “required a complex organization, on different levels.” Palumbo Group’s background certainly helped. However, it still wasn’t easy. Gianpaolo Lapenna, Columbus’ project and product director, adds, “The implementation of the process has been a challenge on several points of view: structural, engineering, constructive, and logistical.” Part of that challenge included constructing a new, larger shed in Ancona. Lapenna says it’s nearing completion. It will eventually simultaneously house two megayachts up to 361 feet (110 meters), too.
As for the six-deck Columbus Classic 80M, Hydrotec and the builder jointly styled her to reflect classic ocean liners. The relaxation spaces spanning the nearly 43-foot (13-meter) beam, though, are thoroughly contemporary, with simple lines. That’s not to say that she’s simplistic. The Columbus Classic 80M has a circular glass elevator connecting the five guest-accessible decks. (The sixth deck is the under-deck, for stores and the crew gym. It has a service elevator for access to all decks.) A waterfall spills down into the 23-foot-long (7-meter-long) pool on the sundeck, as seen at top. The waterfall further separates the pool, with current-creating jets, from the hot tub. Not to be left out, the hot tub is tucked into the mast, encircled on three sides, with the waterfall serving as the forward “wall.”
As you’d expect, the owners get prime real estate aboard the Columbus Classic 80M. The upper deck is theirs to use alone, or to welcome special guests on occasion. The master suite contains a lounge for the latter. Six suites await guests on the main deck, though a seventh cabin is below decks if needed. Friends and family can enjoy the beach club (above), with a sauna and folding partitions to three sides. Alternately, they can pass the popcorn in the cinema on the upper deck.
The 19-person crew, accommodated in eight cabins, will see to guests’ safety and enjoyment. That enjoyment should include long-range cruising. The Columbus Classic 80M should see a range of 6,000 nautical miles at 12 knots. And, the twin MTUs should provide a 16½-knot top speed.
Delivery should take place in 2018.
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