Custom Line 50 Yacht Creates Niche in Crowded Segment: Megayacht News Onboard

Twenty-five to 30 years ago, a megayacht in the 164-foot (50-meter) range wasn’t nearly as common as it is today. Additionally, the size was entirely custom. The plethora of semi-custom options that have sprung up since then might seem like one big blur, without much differentiation. That problem doesn’t affect the Custom Line 50 yacht series, however. In fact, Custom Line offers several striking standard features that competitors either don’t offer or rarely incorporate.

The most highly touted amenity, which caught the attention of the owner of the yacht Asante, hull number one, is the upper-deck owners’ suite. More appropriately, it’s the dedicated owners’ deck, with the stateroom fully forward and a family room, with sliding glass doors to each side, aft. Of course, future customers can request a more traditional skylounge. But, having an entire deck for private time and family-only time is more the domain of the 200-foot-plus (61-meter-plus) market. The 807 square feet (75 square meters) of space for the sleeping area is special, too, with direct access to a forward seating and sunning lounge.

In envisioning the Custom Line 50 yacht as the flagship of Custom Line, the Ferretti Group wanted big thinking for other areas. Its in-house naval architects and Filippo Salvetti, responsible for styling, re-imagined the beach area. Typically, beach clubs, including alfresco ones, are usable only at anchor because they rely on opening side and/or aft platforms. Why not, Salvetti and the Ferretti Group thought, make it usable underway, too, without it being an indoor area? When cruising, the Custom Line 50 yacht has a cockpit-like space for sitting and enjoying the ride (above). With her anchor firmly in place, the infinity pool just above it is a good choice. But, so, too, is asking the crew to fold down the two cockpit bulwarks and deploy the transformer platform (below). Now, there’s extra space for slipping into the water, boarding watertoys, or whatever you wish.

Either underway or at anchor, just shy of 700 square feet (65 square meters) of seating and cocktail space sits beneath the upper deck’s overhang. Since it’s further at the entrance to the saloon, it’s a good transition area. It’s also a good adults-only area, in proximity to a bar that separates it from the sunning area farther aft.

Several more guest amenities stand out, like how just four staterooms accommodate them—capable of holding eight to 10 people, depending on customer choice. However, the design and build team, including APV Architects for interiors, also take several crew areas into special consideration. Firstly, the upper-deck pantry for the owners and family is a healthier size than you’d expect. It’s also conveniently just one level up from the main galley. Secondly, since the owners get the full upper deck, the wheelhouse is on the main deck as well. It’s somewhat akin to a raised pilothouse, for better sightlines—also providing room below for crew cabins to split across two decks. Thirdly, every crew cabin is an en suite arrangement—again, a rarity for this size range.

As much as semi-custom superyacht builders say clients can arrange spaces as they wish, some don’t allow relocating bulkheads. That means owners have to really like the standard amenities. The standards aboard the Custom Line 50 yacht certainly warrant a closer look. Those, more than this being the first all-aluminum project from Custom Line—built in the same yard as sister company CRN—will satisfy current customers seeking a way to step up. They may just do the same for competitors’ customers.

ACPV Architects citterio-viel.com

Custom Line customline-yacht.com

Filippo Salvetti filipposalvetti.it