Back in the 1920s, elite executives traveled from their summer homes on New York’s Long Island to their offices in New York City via yacht. The yachts, adept at cruising quickly, came to be known as commuter yachts. Ocea Yachts is putting a contemporary twist on the concept, with the Ocea X47.
The megayacht’s naval architecture is from the late Michel Joubert. Before his untimely death in 2016, Joubert was half of the Joubert-Nivelt studio. With Bernard Nivelt, he spent three decades designing thousands of yachts. (In fact, the studio turned out both power and sail projects, with Joubert penning most of the former. They included models for Beneteau.) While Ocea Yachts has offered a few commuter-esque projects, the yard and Nivelt both credit Joubert with adapting the commuter concept this time.
While commuters were coastal cruisers, the Ocea X47 is for offshore operations, too. The 7’1” (2.15-meter) draft puts sheltered waters within reach, while the performance permits itineraries to far-flung shores. Furthermore, “the narrow hull is efficient,” adds Nivelt. Powered by a pair of 1,300-hp Caterpillars, the yacht should top out at 17 knots. Cruise speed should be 15 knots. Best range: 3,000 nautical miles.
Joubert’s signature is evident even in the styling. Rather than the curving lines typical of commuters, the Ocea X47 has angular ones. Nivelt says the fine, vertical bow is a particular personal touch. Joubert paid additional attention to practical matters, he adds. “The spacious bow leaves plenty of room for stowing dinghies, freeing up the lazarette and the decks.”
With a beam of 27’9” (8.5 meters), the megayacht features interior design by Franck Darnet Design. With accommodations for 12 in the owner’s party and 11 crew, the Ocea X47 is open to personalization. Darnet recommends making good use of oak. Even with her gross tonnage of 450, Darnet says it’s best to make spaces look larger. “It can, of course, be made darker with walnut or ebony, or on the contrary brighter with lighter-colored woods,” he mentions.
Centrally listed with Ocean Independence, the all-aluminum Ocea X47 has an asking price of €23.5 million (about $27.354 million at press time).
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