Flexplorer 165 Yacht to Ace the Competition With a Pickleball Court

Cantiere delle Marche is incorporating some of the most unusual requests it’s received so far, aboard one of its largest megayachts so far, too. The Flexplorer 165 yacht it’s building for an American client will have a pickleball court. She’ll further have treatment areas for the hardest-core players to soothe aching muscles.

Short for “flexible explorer,” Flexplorer brings together the ability to stay at sea for long periods with the creature comforts more typical of so-called white yachts. The Flexplorer 165 yacht should cover a lot of territory, considering a range of 4,800 nautical miles at 10 knots. Her traditional yachting features include four guest staterooms below decks and a main-deck master suite. Ten crewmembers will have five cabins, while—further following tradition—the captain will have a cabin by the wheelhouse.

Just a few months ago, Cantiere delle Marche signed a contract with a European customer for the first Flexplorer 165. Though the two 165s share the same naval-architecture and styling studio, namely Hydro Tec, they have much different amenities. For instance, the already-mentioned pickleball court, on the upper deck, is just one. It’s not the simplest addition, requiring extensive structural changes to the deck, including extending its overhang. To prevent balls from going into the water, carbon fiber poles support an all-around net. Two viewing areas accompany it, too, one being immediately next to it. The other, meanwhile, is on the sundeck above.

a pickleball court will be aboard this Flexplorer 165 yacht

An intense game of pickleball can take a toll on the body. Luckily, the owner of this Flexplorer 165 yacht has a solution for that. With Design Unlimited, he’s creating a massage area and gym on the same deck. Not far from the sundeck viewing area, meanwhile, there’s yet another wellness space. Specifically, it focuses on thermal therapy, with a sauna and an ice pool with temperatures from 46 to 54°F (8 to 12°C).

These aren’t the only notable amenities onboard, either. Interestingly, the upper deck will support touch-and-go helicopter operations when desired. Additionally, its overhang provides cover for a big tender-stowage space and an overhead crane to launch them. The toys that will stow there include PWCs and a 23-foot (7-meter) tender, easing overboard thanks also to fold-down bulwarks. (Yet another tender, 16 feet/5 meters, will sit on the upper deck. And, two more PWCs will sit on the sundeck.) Those same folding bulwarks will make the main aft deck into a welcoming alfresco lounge when the toys are in the water. The owner of this Flexplorer 165 yacht has requested a bar and a heated pool, accompanied by freestanding furniture.

Since accessibility is important to the owner, an elevator connects every deck. Enjoyment on land is further important, so two healthy stowage areas will keep a variety of recreation-oriented gear. One is in the lazarette, with the other beyond a hull door near the crew area. The crew will use that same hull door for provisioning. On a related note, a walk-in freezer will be aboard, as will a garbage room intended for keeping waste up to two weeks.

the CdM Flexplorer 146 yacht with Winch Design emphasizes sustainability

Prior to the signing of the two Flexplorer 165 projects, Cantiere delle Marche’s biggest contract was a Flexplorer 146 (above). In keeping with the shipyard’s emphasis on customization, that yacht will have a nearly entirely sustainable interior (below).

Cantiere delle Marche cantieredellemarche.it

Design Unlimited designunlimited.net

Hydro Tec hydrotec.it