Yacht Moonshine Setting Sights on San Diego

The sixth Martinique series superyacht from Moonen Yachts is officially christened. The owners of the yacht Moonshine flew from their yacht’s soon-to-be home in sunny San Diego to do the honors last week.

At 119 feet (36.3 meters) and a volume of 345 gross tons, the steel-hulled project resulted from the owners wanting a few specific things. Primarily, they wanted to tailor the size and style. Though previous Martinique deliveries are all slightly longer, Moonen Yachts permits adapting the LOA. “The size was important because they wanted to keep the yacht at a specific location which had a 119-foot limited length,” explains Neal Esterly, their broker from Fraser Yachts.

the launch of the Moonen yacht Moonshine

Although they kept the styling elements, like the full-height windows and disappearing sliding saloon doors, the owners of the yacht Moonshine did put their imprint throughout the interior design. Hollander Yacht Design, based in The Netherlands, collaborated with them. Notably, this is the first Moonen project for the design studio. Hollander co-founders Simon Hollander and Alexandra Nicolaescu created the company in 2019, having previously worked for other Dutch design companies. Appropriate for the yacht’s name, the tones all draw inspiration from the light of the moon. “The end result is a yacht that keeps you entertained and surprised every time you turn a corner,” Nicolaescu says. “The owners emphasized the importance of infusing distinct personalities into each area of the yacht based on its function.”

For example, the main deck shows off soft colors, including silver and beige, further calling to mind the light and dark sides of the moon. The bridge deck, meanwhile, has “a darker, more enigmatic atmosphere,” Nicolaescu explains. Hollander adds that overall, “The amount of special materials from different suppliers is quite something.” It’s because the owners knew just what they wanted to achieve. “We also ended up custom making furniture,” he notes. Throughout it all, the owners relied on tools like virtual reality and 3D renderings, plus of course shipyard visits, to shepherd their vision.

drawing of the dining area aboard the Moonen yacht Moonshine

Sea trials should confirm a top speed of 17 knots and long-range cruising speed of 10 knots.

When the owners of Moonshine take delivery in a few weeks, they plan to enjoy time exploring the Mediterranean. They’ll also cruise the Caribbean before sending the yacht to San Diego. “From day one, they have challenged us to refine the yacht to their tastes and intended use,” notes John Bechtold, Moonen Yachts’ project manager. “And that has certainly been successful.”