In two years’ time, the steel plates that you see welding together in this footage will no longer be visible. As large as they are, they are just a few small components of the 197-foot Damen Yachting SeaXplorer 60.
Damen Yachting began cutting some of those steel plates last September, since it decided to build the megayacht on spec. The project is part of a larger series that inaugurated in 2015. The shipyard recognized a real desire among some yacht owners and guests to go beyond the usual cruising grounds. Clients weren’t turning their backs on destinations like the Mediterranean or the Caribbean, though. In fact, the owners and guests wanted to enjoy all that these traditional locales offered, along with venturing farther afield.
Therefore, the Damen Yachting SeaXplorer 60 should be capable of 6,000 nautical miles at an 11-knot cruising speed. Simultaneously, this strong-looking superyacht can remain independent of shore for up to a month. (Off-the-beaten-track destinations don’t typically have much infrastructure.) Additionally, to appeal to adventurous souls who’d like to venture as far north as Svalbard or even as far south as Antarctica, the hull meets Polar Class requirements. All of that engineering comes from Damen Yachting’s own naval architects. The exterior looks, meanwhile, are from Azure Naval Architects.
Since this project is a spec build, potential buyers might draw inspiration from current Damen Yachting SeaXplorer owners. The owner of La Datcha has been pretty active lately, visiting Singapore and Japan before heading across the ocean to explore South America. Heli-skiing trips in far eastern Russia are on the itinerary, too, since he’s from that country.
Because delivery is set for 2024, buyers have abundant opportunity to customize her layout and features. An enviable 3,000 square feet (195 square meters) of alfresco space is under cover, for instance. Some of it can serve as a dive center, or a cabana-oriented area complete with a bar. A certified helideck can accommodate a helicopter of your choice. If you don’t plan to take a long a helicopter, however, this big space could be a basketball court with pretty cool views. It could be an overall sports area, too, considering it measures 1,615 square feet (150 square meters), and some owners of yachts have set up badminton nets and more outside.
Your imagination and creativity can make the interior just as fun and inviting. H2 Yacht Design is attached to the project right now, at the invitation of the shipyard. The design studio has a few suggestions for staterooms accommodating 12 in your party. It further recommends going with a soft, neutral decor, to keep your attention on where you’re cruising. But ultimately, it’s up to you and your adventurous mindset.
Azure Yacht Design & Naval Architecture azure-na.com
Damen Yachting damenyachting.com
H2 Yacht Design h2yachtdesign.com
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