SuRi: Extending the dream
Sometimes life finds you in unexpected places, as discovered the owner of M/Y 'SuRi'. Over three refits, he has transformed the commercial crabbing vessel first into shadow boat and then a luxurious explorer yacht in its own right…
Sometimes life finds you in unexpected places, as discovered the owner of M/Y SuRi. Over three refits, he has transformed the commercial crabbing vessel; initially it became a shadow boat for his 50m Hakvoort M/Y JeMaSa, but later it evolved into a luxurious explorer yacht used as the primary base for the family’s adventures.
SuRi is on the cusp of completing a 36ft extension, taking her from 170ft up to 206ft, which took place at Bay Ship & Yacht Co. in San Francisco this year. The mid-body extension saw her literally cut in half and a plug that had been built beforehand in a hangar off-site to exacting measurements was skillfully positioned to give her the extra length and an additional 7,000 square feet of space on board. For the adventurous owners and charterers, she has an impressive collection of tenders and watersports equipment, which are accommodated in the newly expanded garage. The extension also added four guest cabins, increased the lounge space and expanded the sun deck, with a centrally positioned pool and high-tension awnings. An exciting new feature includes a lower deck media room with two four-by-six-foot ‘windows to the sea’, which give guests a unique perspective of the marine life surrounding SuRi’s hull.
Extensions are complex projects that involve a wide collaboration from the naval architect, designer and shipyard to the captain and owner. TheSuperyachtOwner.com asked some of the team about the project and how owners can plan for a successful extension project:
THE YARD: ERIC HABERLI, BAY SHIP & YACHT CO.
How can owners work with yards to give the best outcome on a project like this?
The final stages of a project are always the most stressful for the owner, crew and yard. This stress can be reduced by doing the following:
- Spend the time and resources to fully understand the scope of the refit upfront. Try to also have a feel for the unforeseen that may surface. This is where input from the captain and chief engineer will be valuable.
- Develop all drawings and specs needed.
- Have all drawings approved by the classification society before construction starts.
- Stay focused on the completion of the project and good project management.
- Eliminate changes.
THE NAVAL ARCHITECT: BORIS KIRILLOFF, KIRILLOFF & ASSOCIATES
What is the advantage of extending a yacht rather than starting a new project from scratch to meet an owner's needs?
By doing an extension we were able to build that much more capability into the boat without having to build a new yacht; not having to wait [the length of time it would take] for a new yacht to be completed was very attractive [to the owner].
THE INTERIOR DESIGNER: JEFFREY BOTWIN, HERRINGBONE DESIGN
What was the most exciting thing about this project for you as a designer?
The challenge to create an expanded variety of destinations within SuRi without losing sight of the scale. Even after adding 36ft of mid-body, the yacht still feels intimate and understated in its luxury. Each destination has a different function, but the look and feel of the spaces are beautifully integrated with what existed previously.
Where is your favourite place on SuRi in her newly reimagined state?
Tough question, but if I have to choose one: the hold deck – media room, an area that serves a multitude of functions. It is first and foremost a fantastically scaled and ultra comfortable space for movie viewing with the added surprise of the “windows to the sea”. These windows are surrounded by “fender ottomans”, which provide a gathering place for those on board to gaze into the ocean and appreciate the sea life.
SuRi is on the cusp of completing a 36ft extension, taking her from 170ft up to 206ft, which took place at Bay Ship & Yacht Co. in San Francisco this year. The mid-body extension saw her literally cut in half and a plug that had been built beforehand in a hangar off-site to exacting measurements was skillfully positioned to give her the extra length and an additional 7,000 square feet of space on board. For the adventurous owners and charterers, she has an impressive collection of tenders and watersports equipment, which are accommodated in the newly expanded garage. The extension also added four guest cabins, increased the lounge space and expanded the sun deck, with a centrally positioned pool and high-tension awnings. An exciting new feature includes a lower deck media room with two four-by-six-foot ‘windows to the sea’, which give guests a unique perspective of the marine life surrounding SuRi’s hull.
M/Y SuRi sits launched in the waters of San
Francisco after her 36ft extension
(photo by Sandra Compain)
Francisco after her 36ft extension
(photo by Sandra Compain)
Extensions are complex projects that involve a wide collaboration from the naval architect, designer and shipyard to the captain and owner. TheSuperyachtOwner.com asked some of the team about the project and how owners can plan for a successful extension project:
THE YARD: ERIC HABERLI, BAY SHIP & YACHT CO.
How can owners work with yards to give the best outcome on a project like this?
The final stages of a project are always the most stressful for the owner, crew and yard. This stress can be reduced by doing the following:
- Spend the time and resources to fully understand the scope of the refit upfront. Try to also have a feel for the unforeseen that may surface. This is where input from the captain and chief engineer will be valuable.
- Develop all drawings and specs needed.
- Have all drawings approved by the classification society before construction starts.
- Stay focused on the completion of the project and good project management.
- Eliminate changes.
M/Y SuRi before her extension. She has an additional
7,000 square feet of space in her new configuration
7,000 square feet of space in her new configuration
THE NAVAL ARCHITECT: BORIS KIRILLOFF, KIRILLOFF & ASSOCIATES
What is the advantage of extending a yacht rather than starting a new project from scratch to meet an owner's needs?
By doing an extension we were able to build that much more capability into the boat without having to build a new yacht; not having to wait [the length of time it would take] for a new yacht to be completed was very attractive [to the owner].
Her newly expanded living space includes a lounging area
with panoramic views and protection from the elements
(rendering by Herringbone Design)
with panoramic views and protection from the elements
(rendering by Herringbone Design)
THE INTERIOR DESIGNER: JEFFREY BOTWIN, HERRINGBONE DESIGN
What was the most exciting thing about this project for you as a designer?
The challenge to create an expanded variety of destinations within SuRi without losing sight of the scale. Even after adding 36ft of mid-body, the yacht still feels intimate and understated in its luxury. Each destination has a different function, but the look and feel of the spaces are beautifully integrated with what existed previously.
Where is your favourite place on SuRi in her newly reimagined state?
Tough question, but if I have to choose one: the hold deck – media room, an area that serves a multitude of functions. It is first and foremost a fantastically scaled and ultra comfortable space for movie viewing with the added surprise of the “windows to the sea”. These windows are surrounded by “fender ottomans”, which provide a gathering place for those on board to gaze into the ocean and appreciate the sea life.
The 'windows to the sea' will provide a thrilling perspective for
the guests on board (rendering by Herringbone Design)
the guests on board (rendering by Herringbone Design)
In Issue 5 of The Superyacht Owner, which will be at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Esther Barney discusses with her owner SuRi’s unlikely metamorphosis, what most excites him about her new design and why – after all the refits and heavy financial investment – it’s all been worth it.
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