“There is a distinct family resemblance, but as a shadow vessel, her prime function is to support the bigger yacht.” The well-known designer Cor D. Rover says this in regards to a 118-footer (36-meter) whose hull just turned at Alia Yachts. Her name is confidential, but not her identity. She is the Project Phi shadow yacht, whose delivery will take place next year.
Project Phi, of course, is a highly anticipated motoryacht in build at Royal Huisman. Rover is the stylist for that megayacht, too. He and the owner talked about a technically innovative design for years, before the owner signed the contract with Royal Huisman. Similarly, the naval-architecture studio Van Oossanen is working on both yachts.
Project Phi shadow yacht landed at Alia Yachts after the owner visited the shipyard, according to Gokhan Çelik, its president. Çelik also says that the primary goal, and challenge, is “it has to be fast but also versatile and efficient.” Van Oossanen designed a Fast Displacement XL aluminum hull form for performance, following many discussions with the captain. Therefore, expect the yacht to see a 21-knot top end and 4,200-nautical-mile range at 12 knots, with twin Caterpillar engines. When needed, the Project Phi shadow yacht will venture far ahead of the main yacht. For example, she can arrive in the day’s destination and have all toys ready for when Project Phi herself arrives with the owner and guests. Similarly, Project Phi can take off for a new anchorage while the shadow vessel’s crew reloads and preps for the next adventure.
To carry watertoys,plus a car, the shadow yacht has about 1,690 square feet (157 square meters) of cargo deck space. A hefty crane can extend out about 38 feet (11.5 meters) to launch the tenders. “She’s basically a workhorse,” comments Rover. Additionally, as you might expect, she has crew’s quarters, plus a big laundry. Beam is 27’6” (8.4 meters). This benefits not just the crew’s accommodations but also a 355-square-foot (33-square-meter) workshop on the main deck.
“This is a very interesting project for us which we foresee will provide a platform that can be adapted to meet the growing needs of other superyacht owners,” says Gokhan.
Alia Yachts aliayachts.com
Cor D. Rover Design cor-d-rover.com
Van Oossanen Naval Architects oossanen.nl
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