Aboard the Yacht Kiboko 4, Performance Blends With Beauty

Some may question whether sailing superyachts can deliver “real” sailing. If there’s any doubt, just spend some time aboard the yacht Kiboko 4. The owners are passionate, experienced sailors who know exactly what they want to experience when on the water. Primarily, it comes down to feeling in touch with the water while having welcoming, relaxing spaces for quality time with their children.

This is the fourth sailing superyacht from Southern Wind Shipyard for these owners, who plan to cross the Atlantic for the first-time adventures. The familiarity with the shipyard and Southern Wind’s dominance in the “small” sailing superyacht market were strong factors. (Kiboko 4 is nearly 108 feet, or 32.8 meters, LOA.) So, too, was broad freedom for customized engineering and creature comforts. The owners wanted a strong performer for faster passagemaking as much as for racing in regattas.

While the lifting keel and engineering take care of the performance side, Nauta Design took care of addressing the family-focused needs. The studio is familiar with the owners, having had a hand in their previous Southern Wind projects. “We wanted to create something that embodies the owner’s vision of blending performance with beauty,” says Massimo Gino, the studio’s CEO. The owners expressed a desire for a modern, marine-inspired ambience with warmth and geniality in good order. The result aboard the yacht Kiboko 4 is “a space that feels both modern and timeless, offering an environment that invites relaxation and enjoyment.”

For instance, an abundance of natural-toned woods welcome the family in the saloon and staterooms. The saloon is an especially good example, with sunlight spilling in through the large windows and the equally large skylight. Light oak covers some of the walls alongside linen-like fabric. Light oak also lines other vertical surfaces, plus doors, furniture bases, and bed frames throughout. Darker walnut brings out details throughout, too. (On a related note, wood from sustainable forests is used as decking, also as directed by the owners.) Handmade Mallorcan fabrics add playful appeal while augmenting the warmth alongside leather and eco-leather inlays. Half hull models and images of sea life serve as striking artwork.

Further aboard the yacht Kiboko 4, the owners added their own special touches. Each of the en suite baths—four staterooms serve the family—shows off the matriarch’s choice of copper and stainless steel hardware combinations.

With the aft coachroof resembling a stylized lightning bolt, also from Nauta Design, aboard the yacht Kiboko 4, the performance purpose is clear to yacht watchers. Her anticipated competitiveness in regattas will convey that purpose all the more. Yet, on many summer weekends and week-long vacations, the owners simply will enjoy togetherness with their growing children. A 16-foot (5-meter) dinghy and the tender-garage-turned-beach-club will play large roles. You might even see the owners handling sailing duties on occasion, for that “feel” of the water they simultaneously desire. For them, this is as real as it can get.

Nauta Design nautadesign.com

Southern Wind Shipyard sws-yachts.com