Daring clients spur on equally daring superyachts. Just ask Vripack, the Dutch design studio developing a pioneering expedition vessel for a young thrill seeker.
“He’s an adventurous, boat-loving owner who also happens to be a highly experienced helicopter pilot, a very experienced sailor, and an avid diver,” Vripack’s co-creative director Marnix Hoekstra said in a statement. “He’s always on the move and wanted a yacht that can keep up.”
Project Supernova will be based on a 177-footer that Greek shipyard Cosmo Explorer delivered in 2013. The existing vessel will be converted into a bigger and badder steel explorer, gaining an extra 20 feet, a reshaped bow, and a new custom interior. The full-displacement 197-footer is also outfitted for transoceanic voyages, with a plush interior ensuring comfort on long stints at sea and a ton of amenities providing endless entertainment on the water. Supernova has a top speed of 15 knots and a range of 5,500 nautical miles, if you’re wondering.
High on the owner’s wishlist was the ability to dive in warmer climates and heli-ski in colder climates. To that end, Supernova is equipped with a large helipad on the bridge deck aft and an integrated crane that can launch and retrieve toys or tenders. It also sports two 39-foot storage containers that can hold everything from bikes and scooters to beach buggies and cars. To facilitate further exploration, Supernova features an expansive beach club with fold-out platforms that provide direct access to the sea and a dive center stocked with all you need to traverse the underwater world.
As for the interior, the owner requested a contemporary take on classic American decor with a masculine feel. Dark wood paneling is contrasted with a subtle palette of grays, blues, and browns. Similarly, leather and bronze accents play against the textured walls and oak furniture. The juxtaposition between hues and materials is perhaps best illustrated in the main salon where a hammered rock centerpiece sits next to a soft calf-skin bar.
As the owner wanted a “no door design,” Vripack opted for an open-plan layout similar to a loft-style apartment. Drop-down balconies in the main salon, mirrored surfaces, and glass walkways connect seafarers with their surroundings and create a sense of flow. A large full-beam VIP sits on the main deck, while four guest cabins can be found on the lower deck. Up top, the dedicated owner’s deck features an oval-shaped owner’s suite with access to an outdoor lounge and fire pit.
Other highlights include a forward cigar lounge that can double as an office, a “treasure cabinet” that holds all the owner’s trinkets, and a living wall that brings the outdoor world in. To top it off, literally, the sundeck offers a Jacuzzi, bar, sunbeds, and panoramic views.
The best part is Supernova could be yours. Due to a “change of plan,” the original owner is no longer tied to the project and the explorer is now for sale with IYC. His loss could be your gain. For more information, contact IYC.
Click here to see all the photos of Supernova.
