As the old saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover. This especially holds true for Polaris, by Rossinavi. The 230-footer (70.2-meter) may look like a Caribbean-to-Mediterranean cruiser outside and a glamorous superyacht inside. However, she is far more. From a quite-specific prerequisite for her hull design to an equally unexpected general arrangement, she is the ultimate expression of custom yacht construction.
Let’s start with the hull design. The owners commissioned the yacht for polar conditions. In fact, their brief required compliance with the Finnish-Swedish ice-class rules allowing navigation in light ice conditions. They intended to pursue adventures in parts of the Arctic and Antarctic, plus the Baltic Sea in wintertime. Therefore, Rossinavi, in consultation with Arrabito Naval Architects, constructed Polaris with beefed-up hull scantlings and encouraged features like heated sea chests and warm-water de-icing capabilities.
Additionally, the owners stipulated the full-displacement steel project should have a bulbous bow and azimuthing pods, the latter for better maneuverability. Diesel-electric propulsion was a must, too, with a contractual top speed of 17 knots in traditional diesel-only mode. The shipyard complied with all of this, and says that the yacht can see 6,000 nautical miles at 12 knots under one diesel engine and one genset.
All of these structural and performance provisos suit the way the owners want to live aboard, of course. More appropriately, they live the way they want to live—not how nearly all other megayachts, regardless of them being semi-custom or custom, are arranged. So, for example, hundreds, if not thousands, of these yachts have master suites forward on the main deck. Not Polaris. Instead, the master (at top) is part of an entire owners’ deck one level up. In its place on the main deck: a spa with a dedicated gym as well as separate massage and steam rooms. According to Rossinavi, the husband truly enjoys spas, so he wanted one with a view. To that effect, the gym has sliding glass doors along the side deck.
Speaking of views, all meals aboard Polaris come with excellent panoramas. The owners thoroughly embrace the notion that the great outdoors is the place to be. Therefore, Polaris’ dining area is alfresco, aft on their deck. It connects to a welcoming lounge with a crystal piano and backlit onyx panels that partially hide a wine cellar. Taking the formal dining room’s typical place inside on the main deck is a small cinema. Ebony walls and old Hollywood artwork set a striking scene.
If you’re getting the impression that Polaris’ owners prefer highly detailed design, you’re correct. The overall ambience onboard is quite formal, with —emphasis on formal. The owners requested that Enrico Gobbi – Team for Design fashion details like Baccarat crystal walls to mimic a favorite hotel in New York. Additionally, the crystal walls flank a waterfall, sandwiched behind glass. The owners liked the idea of seeing and subtly hearing the gentle cascade.
Though the abundance of crystal dazzles the eye, we’d be remiss to not mention a few other special features. For example, a significant-size settee just forward of the wheelhouse outside is for the crew. Additionally, Polaris has a “mini me” tender, with styling by Gobbi. The tender’s construction took place at Rossinavi, too. The owners can even board her directly from the mothership, to starboard, thanks to a fold-down balcony with deploying stairs.
Notably, this is not the first Polaris by Rossinavi. The owners took delivery of a same-name superyacht back in 2014. Just as now, back then they requested a number of special features, like a sundeck pool that can fill with seawater (pumped from below decks), and a waterfall flowing from the hardtop. So, will there be a third Polaris by Rossinavi with even more specialized requests? Only time will tell.
Arrabito Naval Architects arrabito.com
Enrico Gobbi – Team for Design teamfordesign.com
Rossinavi rossinavi.it
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