If ever there were apt words to describe a yacht whose appearance instantly conveys her purpose, they’re “sleek, modern, and unfussy.” Toby Allies, managing director of Pendennis, says this in describing the engineering platform for the yacht Fox. But, it’s equally perfect to sum up how her owner wanted a compact, robust, no-nonsense adventure yacht for global travels. They further hint at how she’s not the main focus of those travels. In an industry where some portray the yacht as the destination, this owner knows otherwise. As Ian Sherwood, the owner’s rep from Burgess, explains, “The star is the destination.”
Delivered in the spring of 2024, the 114-foot (35-meter) yacht Fox results from an unwavering brief. Full custom construction, with a steel hull and engineering backbone that both mean business, were imperative. The ethos was in lock step with her name, too. While Fox was in build, Pendennis revealed that the inspiration was Robert Were Fox, a 19th-century British geologist and inventor. Primarily, he’s renowned for inventing a dip circle as a practical aid for polar navigation. In fact, this invention led to the discovery of the South magnetic pole.
Equally important was the ability for the yacht Fox to be “mission-specific,” Sherwood says, thanks to two 2½-ton-capacity cranes on her vast aft deck. “The owner treats her like a giant Lego set,” he continues. Depending on the mission, the 1,114 square feet (103.5 square meters) of deck area has held everything from two 24’6” (7.5-meter) tenders to a personal sub and a Land Rover. Only what the owner and guests plan to use on a particular journey comes along. The size of the tenders alone would be enough to make her stand out. However, those hefty cranes naturally necessitated detailed engineering and design studies, as did their loads and resulting impact on stability.
This isn’t to say that the owner of the yacht Fox treated creature comforts as afterthoughts. Quite the opposite. In fact, he had clear ideas on how to have fun onboard—emphasis on fun. To that end, the vast aft deck has already doubled as a dance floor for 50 people. A DJ deck overlooks it from the upper deck. On a related note, the decking can stand up to these parties one week and switching of watertoys or land craft the next. What looks like teak isn’t. It’s Tesumo, an engineered product employing wood from fast-growing trees. Decking and interior-design firms liken it to teak, since it’s as durable and aesthetically pleasing. A few custom yachts already use it or are delivering soon with it, but Fox is the largest to date.
A clean, crisp, interior sets the scene for conversations about last night’s party or the upcoming day’s adventures. Here as well, the owner had a clear vision, collaborating with Q London for cozy spaces to keep everyone comfortable but not to detract from the mission-specific goal. Her compact LOA still allows for a main-deck master suite and excellent stowage, including hidden luggage closets in the main-deck foyer.
Arguably one of the coziest and most welcoming rooms onboard the yacht Fox is the “snug.” Since it’s immediately aft of the DJ deck, it’s a perfect private party lounge. On voyages or at anchor, it’s more like an observation lounge, since the settee faces the wall of glass aft. What sets the snug apart more, though, is a beautiful wine display just around the corner in the foyer. Guests can sip their favorite vintage while strategizing over a game of chess.
Additionally featuring an ice bath nestled into the side deck near the master suite—a favored morning ritual for the owner—and accommodations for eight guests, the yacht Fox may not be seeking adventures with this owner for much longer. He’s actually planning a larger yacht, so this 114-footer is for sale, for €18 million (about $20.7 million at press time). She’s therefore seeking another adventurer at heart to continue plying waters off the main paths. Fox easily could cater to a young family’s wanderlust, remaining independent of shore for stretches of time. Alternatively, she could cater to charter guests in daringly different destinations. After all, as Sherwood says, the star is the destination—and Fox knows how to shine the spotlight.
Burgess burgessyachts.com
Pendennis Shipyard pendennis.com
Q London qlondon.com
More About the Yacht Fox
LOA: 114’3” (34.9 meters)
Beam: 25’3” (7.7 meters)
Draft: 7’2” (2.2 meters)
Guests: 10 in 5 staterooms
Engines: 2/1,015-hp Caterpillars
Range: 3,000 nautical miles at 9 knots
Builder: Pendennis Shipyard
Stylist: Tansu Yachts
Naval Architect: Pendennis Shipyard
Interior Designer: Q London
Leave a Reply