Even with all of today’s high-tech computer programs, many megayachts still start as hand sketches. Tommaso Spadolini is sharing some of his initial sketches for a current client, for a 141-foot (43-meter) explorer. More so, he is sharing the thought process behind the design. What follows is therefore not just the first sketches of the 43-meter Spadolini explorer. Ultimately, thanks to his own words, this an inside look at how a yacht designer helps a customer’s ideas go from thoughts to something tangible.
The owner came to Spadolini much the way other clients do: He liked one of his designs. Specifically, the owner admired the lines of Aslec 4 (below), which Rossinavi built in 2012. Her nearly plumb bow as well as the low-profile superstructure greatly appealed to him. Of course, the owner also had some other ideas in mind. His yacht needed to remain below 154 feet (45 meters), slightly smaller than Aslec 4 but simultaneously larger than his current yacht, a 118-footer (36-meter). In addition, his yacht needed more of a big cockpit than an aft deck, even larger than what Aslec 4 has. Above all, though, the area needed to be practical, and multi-functional.
We’ll let the designer, who celebrated four decades of yacht design last year, take it from here in explaining how the 43-meter Spadolini explorer yacht came about:
Firstly, he wanted a big, open cockpit on the main deck aft that can be covered with awnings for shade. You can see from the initial sketches that we’ve emphasized this area by having handrails instead of raised bulwarks, which provide unobstructed views out to sea from both the open deck and the main salon.
Apart from being something of a design statement, the grand transom staircase can be raised to access two side-loading garages. Because the client intends using the yacht for long-range cruising and exploration, he wanted decent-sized tenders. and there is space for two 5.5-metre tenders in the garage bays. We’re also looking into the feasibility of building the hull to Ice Class.
He had fewer requests regarding the interior layout, which has a classic arrangement with four guest cabins on the lower deck and the owner’s stateroom in the wide-body section on the main deck forward. He wanted his cabin to be filled with natural light, hence the very large side windows.
The 43-meter Spadolini explorer, to feature a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, is still in development. The good news is, Spadolini says she is about 70 percent finalized in terms of profile and interior arrangement. Technical specifications are a priority right now, with the interior design to follow.
Notably, the owner does not seem to have a specific shipyard in mind. “We’re keeping our options open,” the designer puts it. Though, he cannot help but have a preference of his own. “As an Italian, I’d obviously be happy if the boat was built in Italy!”
Because the client prefers to spend his time on board in the open air or on the main deck closer to the water, the upper deck lounge on the bridge deck is comfortable but deliberately modest in size.
Design Studio Spadolini spadolini.it
Leave a Reply