When the Palumbo Group took over the ISA Yachts shipyard a few years ago, Giuseppe Palumbo, CEO of Palumbo Superyachts, wanted to honor the history of the brand’s best seller, the stylish and swift ISA Sport 120. This led to creating the ISA Super Sportivo series with the designer Marco Casali and naval architecture firm Studio Arnaboldi. The first in the series, the ISA Super Sportivo 100 GTO, ticked the right boxes for one client. His yacht, Aldabra, hit 55 knots during sea trials.
ISA nicknames her a “silver arrow” due to her paint highlighting Casali’s energetic styling, plus her performance. Triple 2,000-hp MAN engines with hydrojets power the thrilling speeds. The carbon fiber construction in her hull and superstructure contribute to the performance, too. Additionally conveying her speedy purpose, large air intakes sit prominently above the hardtop. Understandably, furnishings and even flooring are weight-minded. Interestingly, the decks use a closed-cell foam material (marine-grade, of course). ISA says it’s further soft underfoot, easy to maintain, and resistant to getting hot in the sun.
Sizable glass calls more attention to the megayacht’s looks. The most prominent panels are 54-square-foot (5-square-meter) double-curved ports forward, flanking a gull-wing door. Opening glass panels are overhead in the hardtop, too. The combination of these protect guests enjoying the casual ambience of the main deck, while still making it feel airy. Four leather armchairs accompany electrically raising carbon fiber tables. The tables can serve as either coffee tables or dining tables. Alternately, the four-person crew can cover them with leather cushions.
More leather highlights the below-deck areas aboard Aldabra, as do carbon fiber and steel. While the owner requested five staterooms in total, the ISA Super Sportivo 100 GTO offers a choice of three, four, or five. Regardless, buyers can personalize the rooms—which the owner of Aldabra certain did, in requesting a leather lounge right at the window in his suite.
Carrying a 13-foot (4-meter) tender in a garage and fitted with a transformer swim platform, Aldabra will premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September.
ISA Yachts isayachts.com
Marco Casali – Too Design marcocasali.com
Studio Arnaboldi studioarnaboldi.it/
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