28 Sep 2012

Moonen launches largest superyacht to date

By William Mathieson

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Moonen Shipyards has launched its largest superyacht to date, Sofia for a repeat client. As well as being the largest build in Moonen's history, Sofia also features a unique three-seater submarine. After sea trials and her delivery in November, the displacement yacht will head across the Atlantic for an extended cruise in the Caribbean.

At the launch ceremony, which the owner attended, he suggested that he was already considering another build. The Moonen yard too, is upscaling, with a yard expansion in the offing that could see its capacity to build bigger extended.

During the build the owner decided to extend the yacht by a further 1.5m in order to accommodate a submarine capable of seating three passengers instead of the originally specified two. This involved the creation of a unique launching system which, like the rest of the superyacht, has fully met all the requirements for Lloyd’s and MCA classification. According to Moonen, no other luxury motoryacht in this size range has a submarine that can take three people to depths of 100m.



Stolk Marimecs was responsible for the naval architecture, with the design a collaboration between Rene van der Velden and the Moonen design team which they describe as a "rugged adventurous look with modern superyacht style elements".

A spokesperson for Moonen described the interior as an "exceptionally bright and open [space], with "large windows bathing the living spaces with light." Art-Line Interiors' design features oak wood, Zabrano and Concetto marble.The focal point is Sofia’s atrium, executed with a custom piece of Concetto art made and supplied by Ceaser Stone in Israel.



The owner placed a great emphasis on technology with custom touches such as an integrated foil bridge, a full Kaleidoscope video server with multi-room control (including lighting, blinds and climate control) via i-Pad, a galley equipped with professional stainless steel equipment, a thermal camera in the top mast, and an MOB system with personal tracking.



Related Links

Moonen Profile | Moonen Website

Art-Line Interiors Profile | Art-Line Interiors Website

Stolk Marimecs Profile | Stolk Marimecs Website

Rene van der Velden Profile | Rene van der Velden Website

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