With city officials from the Pisa region as well as the the craftspeople who made her possible looking on, El Leon took to the water last weekend. She’s hull number one in the Mangusta GranSport series, and specifically the first GranSport 54.
The 177-foot (54-meter) megayacht started on spec several months after the series’ formal announcement, in 2015. Mangusta’s management team isn’t abandoning its longstanding focus on fast maxi yachts. Rather, it’s complementing that with long-range, more traditional cruisers. The GranSport series is a fast-displacement, all-aluminum series. Therefore, it offers more efficient fuel consumption throughout the full speed range compared to semi-displacement yachts. As a Gransport 54, El Leon should see a top speed of 30 knots with four 2,600-hp MTU diesel engines. She should also see a range of 3,500 nautical miles at more leisurely speeds.
Alberto Mancini, who has styled the full Mangusta range, lends some family looks to the new series. El Leon has similarly sharp lines that convey high performance, with a bulbous bow promising more efficiency and comfort. The owner of El Leon clearly liked the combination, signing the contract as the first GranSport 54 buyer in September 2016.
So far, Mangusta is not disclosing decor details about El Leon. Naturally, the owner could personalize the arrangements. Neither is Mangusta revealing the layout. However, the owner kept at least some of the original configurations. These include a skylight in the master bath that’s actually the glass bottom of the hot tub one deck up. A pool accompanies the hot tub, too. Cocktail hours can take place on the flying bridge, given a bar amidships. So, too, can various meals, thanks to a dining area forward. El Leon additionally has a beach club with three fold-down platforms.
With a beam of 29’5” (9 meters), El Leon should feel quite spacious inside. Finishing touches continue to go aboard, in preparation for delivery for the summer season.
Leave a Reply