ISSUE 4 / 2016-2017
YOUR CARIBBEAN MAGAZINE
Mighty M a rt i n i q u e : T h e c h oice is yours
L aunc h o f f irst
M oonen M atica
I nterv ie w w it h
ow n e rs of Bijoux
R e f its to remember
SO ME M AGA Z IN ES A RE IRRE PL AC E A BL E
W h e r e in th e wo r l d wi l l yo u ta k e yo u r ?
Live it up
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he word Caribbean conjures up some very distinct images in most of our minds… Blazing sun and turquoise waters for sure, lots of delicious food and bubbly vibes certainly, some serious relaxation no doubt, and, yes, above all fun. It was this spirit of enjoyment that underpinned our decision to dub the next generation of Moonen motoryachts the Caribbean series. These boats can, of course, sail wherever you like in the world, so the name is suggestive of an ambience and lifestyle rather than a location.
This fresh and contemporary look at motoryachts ranging from 85 to 160 feet was conceived by Moonen together with René van der Velden. As such, it incorporates the finest technological advances and latest design insights. But all of the Caribbean yachts will also emphatically be a reflection of how their owners prefer to spend their time on board. This point has already been illustrated with the first Matica model, launched in time for the 2016 summer season. As you can read on page 38, the owners of the Moonen Caribbean Bijoux had a great deal of say in her development – and the results are nothing short of spectacular. We are also currently building a Moonen Martinique. You can read about its particular attributes and the opportunities this yacht offers you to join the Caribbean fun on page 8. Of course, Moonen remains very busy with other projects too, such as the refits we completed over the last year on Etoile d’Azur (page 48) and Nimbus (page 66). There is lots happening at Moonen right now, and we are looking forward to an exciting future. Let us share this future with you: come meet us soon and let’s discuss more in person.
Emile Bilterijst Managing Director
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ISSUE 4 / 2016-2017
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H ot, H ot H ot. . . t H e S t U n n I n G CARIBBEAN SERIES
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M a G n I f I c e n t M a Rt I n I q U e : t H E B E s t I n H e R claSS I NNovAt I oN s I n H I G H - t e n S I l e St e e l B e lla ! M art i n i qu e ’ s s t ri K i n g i n t e ri o r aHead of THE GAME I n v e n t i v e b y t ra d i t i o n t H e n e W ca R I B B e a n M o n I to
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Th e maki n g o f B I J O U X : S H a p I n G t H E FuturE o f M oto R yac H tS t H e I n S I d e Sto Ry o f t H e f I R S t M at I ca B e auti f ul B i j ou x : t H e f irs t j e W e l i n t h e m o o n e n caribb e a n croW n
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t H e e l e ga n t r e f it o f e toil e d ’ a Z ur Wine & dine t H E d Eli G H t s O f d EN B O s C H
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thE L iFE A ND timES O f A m o o n EN C hEF th e M O O NEN f l e e t p o RtS o f call
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t H Ro U G H H a R d S H I p S to t H E s tA r s
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a W e lco M e R e t U R n : t H E R E f i t O f Ni M B U s H ot o f f th e p r e s s y O U R yaC H t o U R p R I d e
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The Caribbean series
Hot, hot hot... T h e s tu n n i n g
Caribbean series It’s good to be in the news and the announcement of Moonen’s Caribbean series certainly generated lots of press. With the first Matica now launched and the first Martinique under construction, it is good to reflect on the main elements of this exciting new range of motoryachts that synthesise everything which makes spending time on a Moonen such a joy.
M
oonen has a strong reputation for building premium quality motoryachts in the 25 to 55-metre range, backed up by decades of experience and satisfied owners around the world. All of this and more was poured into the development of the Caribbean series, offered in various sizes and with a wide range of options, yet all tied together by an overarching philosophy of maximising the pleasures of being in close proximity to the water.
Distinctive and timeless style
The Caribbean series was designed by René van der Velden, winner of the World Superyacht Award for the exterior styling and naval architecture on CaryAli and Showboats Design and ISS awards for the same project. His design showcases a cool modern twist on the classic Moonen look. The result is a distinctive and timeless style which is combined with all the attributes that have made the Moonen brand so well known.
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All the models benefit from a superior seakeeping performance, low fuel consumption, very low noise and vibration values, exquisite finishing, low operational costs and a high resale value. These common themes aside, we are offering you many options for customising and adapting the interior and facilities of your Caribbean yacht. As you can read on page 18, the interior of the first Martinique is being styled by Nauta Yachts. Meanwhile the interior design brief for the recently launched Matica was given to the Adam Lay Studio in England, which recently won a World Superyacht Award for its work on the sailing yacht Inukshuk, and several Showboats Design Awards. See page 36 for an interview with Adam and the owners. There are seven models available for you to choose from, all of them long-range cruisers which offer you the finest family-fun experience:
THE Caribbean SERIES
Caribbean SERIES
The Marina is approx. 85 ft and offers accommodation for eight guests in four cabins
The Montserrat is somewhat longer at around 100 ft and also carries eight guests
The Matica is a raised pilothouse yacht of 100 ft in length with a very distinctive stern. It has five cabins for ten guests
The Mustique also offers accommodation for ten guests in five suites, but with a longer length of circa 112 ft
The Martinique is approx. 120 ft and features five luxurious suites for 10 guests
The Marquis has six suites, offering accommodation for 12 guests in a length of around 140 ft
The largest Caribbean of all is the Monito, which is circa 160 ft and has six spacious guest suites.
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MagnificenT Martinique:
THE BEST IN HER CLASS Construction of the first example of the new Martinique range is going to plan and the project offers a fantastic chance for a client to be having fun on the water in a truly special motoryacht by the end of 2017. While the revolutionary high-tensile steel hull and aluminium superstructure were being built, Moonen’s R&D department continued to enhance the operational and cost efficiency of this 37-metre / 120 ft superyacht from our Caribbean series.
T
12 guests. Our current thinking is for an owner’s suite, two VIPs and two guest cabins in a size that fits three kids or two adults. There is room for seven crew in four spacious cabins – if crew enjoy being on a boat, so do the owners!
We deliberately chose to make the boat both family-friendly and good for charter should clients wish to make the most of these opportunities, offering five large cabins for up to
The Martinique has a large garage in the lazarette which can store a decent six-metre tender inside the hull. There is an option to have a crane installed on the bridge deck to store all kinds of water toys. In terms of outdoor relaxation there’s something for everyone with distinctive areas for private relaxation and family fun: the sun deck, two lounging/seating areas on the flybridge aft and fore, a very pleasant breakfast/dining zone on the main deck aft and a super sunbathing/swimming platform aft. The clear connection between the latter two makes it easy for the entire on board party to spend time together when they choose. >>>
he contemporary design of the Martinique reflects the latest thinking in comfort and style after we consulted many owners and brokers about what they felt might be missing in the market. The layout was designed from the inside out so that the Martinique will be an absolute pleasure for owners and guests to spend time on, incorporating different areas to which people can retreat. In doing so we created some 290 square metres of luxury and crew area, plus 180 square metres of al fresco space.
Family friendly
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Magnificent Martinique
Experience matters
One of the exciting elements of this first Martinique build is the use of high-tensile steel for the hull, a genuine innovation for a vessel of this size. You can read more about the thinking behind this decision on page 14, but in essence the main reason for this choice of material is to reduce weight, which in turn means less draught, a lower resistance and savings on fuel consumption. Although the craftsmen at Moonen fully understand the theoretical issues of using high-tensile steel, it is the practicalities of deploying a new material for the first time on such a major build that have been occupying their time. “This has been an exciting opportunity for them to work with a thinner steel and construction that is normally used in high-end industrial applications,” says Director of Operations Sietse van der Zee. “A sophisticated project like this reinforces the reason why only top craftsmen with a
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great deal of knowhow and expertise are employed at Moonen. And they have certainly risen to the challenge.” The main hull structure has been completed and the superstructure process is proceeding smoothly, with both the main deck and bridge deck sections being built to the highest possible standard in aluminium.
Optimising the desig n
As the hull construction was taking shape, its design and shape were precisely optimised using CFD calculations. “Leveraging on Moonen’s rich experience with fast displacement boats we opted to add propeller tunnels to the Martinique,” continues Van der Zee. “One of the goals was to offer a limited draught – which will be a vital feature when the yacht’s owners are exploring wonderful places like the Bahamas – combined with comfortable sea going and a low fuel consumption at cruising speeds.
“This requires large propellers and CFD calculations have been used to optimise tunnel shape and the positioning of the appendages on the hull. The designers and engineers have shaped the hull and the tunnels in an optimum way within the set parameters in order to achieve the best possible propulsion outcome.” The Martinique has an impressively long range, handy not only for transatlantic cruising but also in being able to tank at economical stations. For instance, fill up 35,000 litres in Gibraltar and that should keep you going all summer on an average cruising pattern for a much lower price per litre compared to somewhere like Monaco.
Keeping it quiet
A tremendous amount of work has also been done on keeping the weight of the yacht as low as possible and in ensuring the best possible noise & vibration >>>
Magnificent Martinique
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Magnificent Martinique
attenuation properties. The generators will be double-flex mounted on air cushions, the pipe routing has been optimised and the overall insulation has been examined to a highly sophisticated degree. The estimates for noise are now way below the industry average, which will further increase comfort on board.
vista will generate a genuine ‘wow-factor’ when one first enters this impressive space, and the windows also add a further touch of class to the overall profile of the Martinique. On a more practical – yet still aesthetic – front, the layout of the mooring equipment has been optimised with the bollards set on steel islands to avoid contact with the teak deck.
“Combined with her exceptionally comfortable seakeeping performance and low cost of ownership, we are convinced that the Martinique will change the way people view steel-hulled motoryachts,” says Van der Zee. “Keeping the yacht efficient in terms of maintenance and operational costs was a clear area of focus during the development of the Martinique: from the layout of the engine room to the user-friendliness of and ease of access to all the equipment, efficiency of operation has been given a priority.”
Meanwhile the interior designers from the Nauta Design studio in Italy have been coming up with an array of ideas that require flexibility in the interior layout (see page 18). “It is very inspiring to see specialists from different disciplines working together to find the perfect solution for each area of the yacht,” adds Van der Zee. “This first cooperation between Moonen and Nauta Design has been very professional and the interior will feature a refined simplicity, clean lines and a significant use of natural light. There is still time for new owners to work closely together with the project team to define the interior atmosphere to their own personal preferences.”
Wow factor
Another enhancement generated by the Moonen team during the development process was to augment the splendid views of the water offered by the windows in the master suite. The panoramic
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With the design and engineering process complete, the Moonen production team is now working to ensure that the innovative and charter-friendly Martinique lives up to her potential as the best superyacht available in this size.
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I nn ovat i o n s in
high - t e n s il e steel One of the many exciting aspects of our new Caribbean series is the choice to build the hull of the larger models - the Martinique (SEE BELOW), Marquis and Monito in high-tensile steel. This is a genuine innovation for superyachts between 120 and 160 feet. But what is high-tensile steel? And why have we opted to pioneer this metal on our new range? >>>
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high-tensile steel
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n a nutshell, the advantage of using high- tensile steel is that the construction can be made lighter and yet have the same strength as ‘normal’ steel. When paired with a smart slender hull design, this will give a projected top speed of approx. 17 knots for the Martinique, for example, combined with low fuel consumption at cruising speed. That’s an impressive performance for a steel-hulled vessel.
By the twentieth century steel was the only practical ferrous material and was available in various alloys. In essence, steel is iron alloyed with carbon and other trace elements in order to adjust its characteristics: the higher the carbon content, the stronger and harder the steel. Nowadays the most common material used for shipbuilding is mild steel Grade A.
Before we get into the technical side of the story, we need to briefly go back in time to see how steel and other metals have been used in the past. In fact, it has taken centuries of development to reach this stage as wood was the material of choice for most of man’s history on the water.
Hig h-tensile benefits
The first all-metal boat recorded was a 70-foot riveted iron barge called Trial, built by John Wilkinson in 1787 in England. His idea was seen as a – somewhat dangerous – joke at the time as everyone knew that iron was heavier than water and would sink. Except it didn’t, of course, and by 1819 the first all-iron hulled barge was being unveiled in Glasgow. The Vulcan stayed in commercial service until 1875, by which time the use of metal was entirely accepted. You can see a replica of this fascinating self-propelled vessel today in the Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life.
High-tensile steel is the name given to the stronger, carbon-rich alloy steels and is available in several grades. Generally speaking, stronger alloys open up the possibility to design thinner structures and lighter constructions with the same level of strength. Mechanical properties such as strength and elongation depend on the alloy matrix composition: each alloy type has a different impact on the building process due to the special requirements related to welding, manufacturing and procurement. Although ultra-strong alloys can offer a dramatic reduction in scantling thicknesses on bigger boats, their use requires special building techniques. This applies especially in terms of welding procedures, compatibility with other structural components and heat pre/post treatment.
Strong properties The choices we made
Metal hulls became increasingly popular as they proved stronger than nailed, screwed and bolted wooden structures. Iron was an improvement on wood for large boats and for supporting the incredible weight of the colossal steam boilers of the nineteenth century. But iron is not particularly strong for its weight so engineers began to look at building vessels in steel, which has a much higher tensile strength and greater elongation. By 1891, more than 80 percent of the new steamers under construction were made of steel rather than iron.
One of the key decisions we made during the development of the Caribbean series was to choose for the AH36 grade of high-tensile steel. This is not new for shipbuilding as it is used in the fabrication of special parts for commercial craft, especially when heavy loads are involved. AH36 has improved mechanical properties compared to standard steel grade A (see diagrams) while keeping a good level of weldability and a reasonable and realistic building process. The use of high-tensile steel in the yachting industry is unusual as AH36 is more expensive and extra attention is required during the design/certification and building processes. The Caribbean series has, therefore, been a huge challenge for the entire engineering. Moreover, among all the requirements included in the design brief, there was also the request for reaching speeds higher than standard (mild steel) displacement vessels while maintaining low fuel consumption and high comfort levels.
Replica of the first all-metal boat
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high-tensile steeL
Careful research
More speed
An extensive research study into basic building materials was started by the Moonen R&D department. This proved that, when combined with an ultimate hull design and a special lightweight outfitting, stronger steel could become a genuine innovation, fulfilling most of the requirements included in the design envelope. It also became clear to us that only some models in the Caribbean series could benefit from this new approach, as increasing the strength of the construction material does not really have a positive effect on vessels less than 100 ft in length. This is mainly due to the fact that Class authorities will not accept plate-thicknesses less than a certain minimum.
In addition to allowing us to construct a lighter yacht at an acceptable cost, having the hull built in high-tensile steel provides other benefits too. What we have seen is that clients prefer the safety and strength of steel, but not the lower displacement speed. High-tensile allows us to save weight and – combined with a clever hull design – offer a fast displacement yacht with greater speeds than traditional full displacement hulls. Add in the advantages of Moonen’s Enhanced Length Principle and you have superyachts that are strong, durable and efficient. We’re certainly on to something here…
We therefore decided that the hulls of the Marina (85 ft) and Matica (100 ft) would be built with standard shipbuilding steel Grade A. On the other hand, the Martinique (120 ft), Marquis (140 ft) and Monito (160 ft) were the right sizes for the development of this new concept: a stronger material for a lighter structure. Fully compliant with Lloyd’s Register and easily available on the market, the AH36 will make the hull construction of these models 16% lighter than their ‘normal’ steel equivalent.
The mechanical properties of Grade A steel plate vs AH36 high-tensile steel: TENSILE strength (MPA)
YIELD strength (MPA)
ELONGATION A%
Grade A
400 - 520
235
22
AH36
490 - 630
355
21
The chemical composition of Grade A steel plate vs AH36 high-tensile steel:
GRADE
C MAX
SI MAX
MN
P MAX
S MAX
Grade A
0.21
0.50
> 2.5C
0.035
0.035
AH36
0.18
0.50
0.90 1.60
0.035
0.035
GRADE
C MAX
SI MAX
MN
P MAX
S MAX
P MAX
S MAX
0.015
0.02
0.35
0.20
0.40
0.08
0.02 0.05
0.05 0.10
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Nauta YACHTS
B ella ! M artini q ue ’s st ri k i n g i n t e ri o r
The fantastic interior design for Martinique Hull #1 comes from the boards of Nauta Yachts in Italy. As project manager Martino Majno explains, the cool, contemporary design has a broad appeal and there is plenty of room available for future owners to place a very personal stamp on their yacht.
As one of the first superyachts from Moonen’s groundbreaking Caribbean series, the expectations are high for the Martinique. Martino Majno, project manager at Nauta Yachts, has been involved with the design from the outset. “Our briefing was to create a contemporary and practical interior design which would be attractive to a broad public,” he explains. “The first impression people will have when stepping aboard the Martinique will be her refined simplicity, clean lines and use of natural light. This is a yacht that is ideal for families, with no sharp corners or edges. We were asked to generate a relaxing atmosphere with a solid base and everyone agrees that this has been achieved.”
An evolution in desig n
Martino and his team have also been involved in the evolution of the layout. “We helped refine the general arrangement together with the structural engineers, the experts at Moonen and exterior designer René van der Velden. This assured that the interior design would match the external aesthetic, among other things by placing oversized windows in the master suite to add splendid views from within and charm to the exterior profile. We love the exterior design of the Martinique and its ingenious use of light.” In addition to working on the clean geometry and pure lines that define the interior spaces, Nauta Yachts has carried out a great deal
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of research into finding the right materials. “We have combined a desire for a rich, high-quality yacht built by one of the most well-known yards with materials that are resistant. The choice fell on teak, a 70/30 division of matte and gloss finishes, white linens and clear fabrics: together they generate a very calm atmosphere.”
Comfort and style
The Martinique reflects the latest thinking in comfort and style, with the master suite on the main deck providing panoramic views. Other highlights include a spacious ‘country kitchen’ galley, a large saloon and outside space on the wheelhouse deck, an expansive swimming platform and an engine room designed for easy maintenance. “The boat has a great energy and it has been a pleasure to work on her. We have a very good relationship with the yard and the Moonen craftsmen are positive and productive. The Martinique has a clever layout with lots of attractive features in places like the owner’s suite and the lower deck. The use of grey stone is very cool and so too is the architectural approach to the lighting system. Everyone at Nauta Yachts is looking forward to completing this project with the new owners and adapting it further to their preferences.”
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The Moonen Martinique
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A w ealth o f c h oices
There are so many options available with the Moonen Martinique. Here we see a version with an arch mast (compare with the straight mast on page 8) and a stunning ice-blue coloured hull. How would you like your Martinique to look?
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inventive by tradition
Moonen 100 Explorer
Moonen 82 Alu My Way The Moonen 82 Alu My Way deployed sophisticated tunnels to optimise propulsion. Her semi-displacement hull shape offers minimum fuel consumption at low speeds and high comfort at all speeds. These assets have since been taken a step further with CFD calculations in the development of the Martinique.
Ahead of the game
The Moonen 100 Explorer benefitted from CFD work which optimised her bulbous bow and hull lines for minimum resistance and the lowest possible fuel capacity for a maximum range at 10 knots. The efficient hull shape, sophisticated weight-saving measures and highly efficient propellers and engines also reduced costs and minimised environmental impact.
The report described the average Moonen owners as experienced and passionate sailors who enjoy being involved in the design and construction of their vessel. This very much fits the profile of our clients as we understand them… Men and women who are cautious in their approach because they want to ensure that they have the very best quality possible in the size and price range in which Moonen operates.
The strength of a brand has a key role to play in every market, and the superyacht sector is
Age-old skills alone are not enough in the 21st-century superyacht world, however, and Moonen is also recognised as being inventive due to the innovative technologies and solutions we find. These are deployed not only to meet owner requirements but also to underpin the long-term strategy and growth of the company. You expect state-of-theart engineering onboard a Moonen superyacht so we won’t dwell on that here but it is good to look at some of the ways in which we have been and continue to be inventive.
Inventive by tradition
no exception. Moonen has an excellent reputation for its ability to combine traditional values with forward thinking solutions. And a recent market intelligence report concluded that Moonen offered one of the finest price-quality ratios anywhere in the world available today.
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The market intelligence conclusions described Moonen as being ‘inventive by tradition’. In addition to the inherent quality of our boats, it flagged up other traditional values that have been passed down over the decades such as reliability, seaworthiness, craftsmanship and a genuine commitment to achieve perfection wherever possible.
Smart solutions
At the heart of our approach is a commitment to incorporating smart technical solutions from the world of commercial shipping wherever possible. A good example of this in practice is the controllable pitch propellers that were first introduced
inventive by tradition
Moonen 124 Northlander
Moonen 42-metre Sofia
The Moonen 124 Northlander won an ISS award for the way a partly enclosed area on the bridge deck and fixed bimini on the flybridge provided intermediate steps between the interior and outdoor zones. The central spiral staircase was encompassed by a mirrored atrium and topped by a ‘mushroom’ skylight that popped up to give access to the sun deck.
In addition to her extraordinarily low noise and vibration levels (see below ), the 42-metre Sofia was the first yacht of this size to carry a private submarine. The build had started with a two-seat submarine when the owner asked to switch to a three-seater. This decision influenced the entire design and called for inventiveness par excellence.
on the Moonen 94 Nilo in 2007. The combination with highly efficient hydrodynamic tunnels at the stern and twisted rudders earned Nilo the Trophée de l’Innovation award in Cannes. Three years later the Moonen 99 Alu Phoebe also benefitted from twin Caterpillar C-32 ACERT diesels driven by controllable pitch propellers in a sophisticated system that offered major fuel savings. Some of the other innovations of recent years that have earned Moonen a reputation for being ‘inventive by tradition’ are explained in the sidebars above. Meanwhile the yard is busy breaking new ground with the use of high-tensile steel on some models within the new Caribbean series. In developing the 120-foot Martinique (see page 8), we have deployed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to optimise the hull, the hull
appendices and the shaft lines, minimising resistance as well as noise & vibrations. This is one of the reasons why we believe that the first Martinique will change the way people see steel-hulled motoryachts when it is launched next year.
Resourceful refits
But that’s in the future. And it’s not just new-build clients that benefit from these sorts of innovations. All the Moonen owners who return to
read in the articles on page 66 and 48 respectively. For both new projects and refits, Moonen is very much at the forefront of sound and vibration attenuation. A recent advertisement from one of our competitors claimed that the yard had launched the quietest motoryacht ever in the 30 to 50 metre size range, quoting levels of 49 dB. It is only fair to point out that the custom Moonen Sofia, launched four years ago, recorded sound levels of as low as 40 dB in her staterooms, with sound levels never exceeding 46 dB at 12 knots service speed. A maximum vibration level in her staterooms and lounges of 0.3 to 0.4 was recorded, compared to an acceptable Class 1 level of 1.8. This is why Moonen can genuinely claim to set the benchmark when it comes to sound and vibration control. Inventive by tradition indeed…
Inventive by tradition indeed the yard for a refit at Moonen have the option to upgrade their yacht’s technologies and systems to the very latest options, in addition of course to their personal requirements. The recent refits of Nimbus and Etoile d’Azur highlight the point, as you can
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The new C aribb e a n M o n ito It is our pleasure to share with you the first designs for the 49-metre (160 ft) Monito, the largest fast displacement motoryacht in our acclaimed Caribbean series.
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The Moonen Monito
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his superyacht was developed in response to requests for a Caribbean that would be as large as possible without exceeding the 500 GT mark. Thanks to options such as a foredeck saltwater pool and up to five guest cabins below, the Monito offers you the finest luxuries the superyacht lifestyle has to offer.
reduces ownership costs. For our R&D department, the challenge was to push the limits to create a well-balanced yacht, with the ambience of a much larger vessel and features normally found only on much larger yachts. We are proud to say we have succeeded.
This flagship of the Caribbean series also provides a standard of comfort and quality unrivalled in its price range and gross tonnage level. You can choose to partner with various interior designers in order to ensure a style that is all your own, depending on whether you wish to focus on purely private use, a charter friendly set-up or a concept for global exploration.
The art of fine-tuning
Fast and efficient
Designed in compliance with Lloyds and MCA requirements, the Monito fully deserves to be called a fast displacement motoryacht. Moonen’s Enhanced Length Principle (ELP) concept and the exceptionally efficient design of her round bilge hull – which will be built in high-tensile steel – allow for a top speed of 18 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots.
One of the key aspects of the design brief was versatility, allowing you to make your own mark on the Monito and fine-tune the solid foundations of the concept in accordance with your personal preferences. The model is ideal for owners who are looking to charter their yacht as well as those who prefer to keep things entirely private.
Rede f ining su p eryac h t li f e below 50 0 GT
Crucially, the Monito is also so economical in its fuel consumption that it has a transatlantic range of 4500 nautical miles at 11 knots while carrying just 55,000 litres. What’s more, you will enjoy some highly impressive seaworthiness and seagoing qualities, including stabilization under way and at anchor, and Moonen’s renowned noise and vibration attenuation. Once in the Caribbean (or wherever the journey takes you), its limited draught will ensure that the Monito can easily reach idyllic tropical waters for those private moments that would be off limits to many other vessels. In addition to offering superior volume and design flexibility, the Monito comes in at just under 500 GT. This offers you significant advantages in terms of operational efficiency and
An excellent example of this is the options aimed at maximising the pleasures of being in close proximity to the water, a key philosophy of the Caribbean series as a whole. The stern area of the Monito can be customised to a variety of interpretations of the beach club life, with a wealth of open spaces and loose furniture. The huge, easily accessible swim platform can be arranged in several ways, while the adjacent multifunctional transom space can be transformed into a spa, a gym or simply a place for deep relaxation.
Pooling resources
We have created even more flexibility in the forepeak area forward of the lounge and wheelhouse on the bridge deck. This features a recessed tender bay with lifting platform – a storage solution that saves lots of gross tonnage, allowing it to be invested in the luxury areas of the boat instead. The entire forepeak is occupied by a lovely teak terrace, which will play host to many alfresco pleasure moments. >>>
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The Moonen Monito
Our R&D department is currently working on ways in which the tender bay can also be used as a saltwater pool once the vessel has been launched. The ultimate goal is to create an endless swimming pool for a proper workout. Of course, owners who prefer to spend their time in the sea will be able to opt out of this extra. Impressive interior Once you add in the sun deck, the Monito has an extraordinary 350 square metres of exterior teak deck areas – and the option to install up to four external bars. The interior accommodations are equally impressive. The pièce de resistance is the 60 square metres set aside exclusively for the owners on the main deck. This full-beam stateroom includes his & her bathrooms, a walk-in closet and a private study. The lower deck houses four well-appointed VIP suites. This can be replaced by five guest cabins on yachts that will be chartered extensively or require a nanny cabin, say. There is also an impressive captain’s cabin on the bridge deck and four high-class double crew cabins on the lower deck.
Another layout version accommodates 12 guests in six suites and 11 crew members in six cabins. Regardless of the way the layout is decided, privacy for the owners and their guests is assured by the carefully considered deployment of dedicated areas and stairs. Excellent facilities are also found in the professional 22 m² galley, which features a food lift running between the main and bridge decks.
The final word The Monito is named after a small island in the Caribbean, and in Spanish the word has many meanings, including handsome and beautiful. We are convinced that this yacht has all the options and features to accommodate private guests and charter cruises, offering a superlative time on the water for you, your family and your friends.
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The Moonen Monito
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The Moonen MATICA
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The Moonen Matica
Th e ma k ing o f B i jou x :
Shaping
the future
OF motor yachts As the launch model of the Moonen Caribbean series,
the 30-metre Matica Bijoux was always going to be a very special project. As the owners explain on page 38, the eventual result, delivered in June 2016, exceeded all their expectations. The interior designers are also delighted as you can read on page 36 but let us begin by taking you on a photographic tour of the first Matica in the making.
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Laying the foundations Building a hull and creating the core superstructure from raw metal materials may look like heavy labour – and it is – but this is also work for highly skilled craftsmen. The hull is literally and metaphorically the foundation of every new build, requiring great skill and accuracy every step of the way. Moonen yachts are renowned for their seaworthiness, and that all starts from the moment the keel is first laid.
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Keeping apart The steel hull and aluminium superstructure have to be built in two different construction halls to keep the two materials separate. You cannot grind and cut steel in the presence of aluminium as any particles picked up can later cause corrosion. The long lines of the boat that typify RenÊ van de Velden’s design for the Caribbean series are already becoming apparent.
Transporting the hull Once completed, the hull sails on its own bottom to be united with the superstructure. You can already see the spot where the entire transom will feature a giant hatch and the fixed stairway on the starboard side that will connect to the swim platform which results when the hatch is open.
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Moving the superstructure The superstructure is too large to move on public roads so a barge is required to take it to our main facility in Den Bosch. Everything revolves around just-in-time delivery, with all the components that need to be built into the hull being completed the day before the superstructure arrives.
Two become one After many months of design, construction and engineering, a key moment of truth arrives. The hull and the superstructure fit together like a glove without any modifications required. Now it is time for more millimetreprecise work as the outfitting of this superbly crafted yacht begins.
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Curvaceous beauty With the fairing of the superstructure almost complete, the beauty of the new Caribbean series and the curvaceous windows on the main and bridge decks become apparent. The lovely recess in the hull is also clear as the modern aesthetic of the Matica really comes into her own. Much of the evidence of true superyacht build quality is never seen by those who board the finished product. An amazing amount of wiring has to be perfectly installed throughout the vessel, and it all comes together in the nerve centre which is the wheelhouse. Kilometres of cables are meticulously wired up by our electricians who work closely in tandem with the carpenters.
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Time to launch The big day arrives as Bijoux is launched in the presence of the owners and their family. The decision to combine an all-black underbody with a grey hull and white superstructure (with a hint of grey) was made at a relatively late stage in the build and is fully vindicated.
Although they’d visited the yard on a number of occasions during the project, the owners are thrilled that their yacht looks even better in the water than they had imagined. Once again, a client’s confidence in Moonen is rewarded by the yard’s craftsmen giving their all.
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ADAM LAY STUDIO
A DA M L AY STU D I O
T h e i n s i d e s tory o f th e f ir s t M atica One of the many exciting aspects of the first Matica project from Moonen’s Caribbean series HAS BEEN our cooperation with the Adam Lay Studio in the UK. This WAS the first time we HAD worked together with this experienced interior design studio, which was chosen by the owners of the yacht. Moonen Magazine spoke to the owners and husband-and-wife team Adam and Kelda Lay about the creative process behind Bijoux’s impressive interior.
A
dam Lay has been designing yachts for 20 years. After brief periods spent working for a UK-based naval architect and a production boat builder, he joined John Munford Design in Southampton. Adam spent eight years working for this master of the traditional gentleman’s yacht interior, during which time he was involved in the J-class sailing yacht Velsheda, several Feadships – including Northern Light, Barbara Jean and Detroit Eagle – the 70-metre Benetti motoryacht Reverie, and the 54.80-metre Alloy Yachts sloop Tiara. With a wealth of experience under his belt, Adam felt the time was right to set up his own studio in 2003.
An apt pedig ree
Adam and his wife Kelda have since worked on many high-profile interior projects. These included the entire interiors of the 44 and 45-metre sailing yachts Salperton III and Salperton IV and the 61-metre Lürssen motoryacht Lady Kathryn V, a refit of the iconic J Endeavour, and the design for the interior and cockpit areas of the quintuple award-winning Frers/Baltic sailing yacht Inukshuk. While Adam’s latest projects had been in Turkey and in New Zealand, he was delighted to return to the Netherlands. “Working with the Moonen team on the new Caribbean series Matica model was a wonderful experience,” he says. “Once the fixed joinery was designed, Kelda – who is also a qualified interior designer – and I set about sourcing and specifying furnishing fabrics together with the owners.”
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A sense of purpose
As experienced sailors, the owners of Bijoux had a resolute design brief in mind. “The design and ambience we wished to bring to life incorporated contemporary and cosy elements, with lots of natural light,” they explain. “Adam worked with us on achieving a sense of space defined by clean lines and highlighted by beautiful fabrics and wonderful abstract art.” “A major consideration regarding the fabrics was durability,” the owners continue. “We have teenagers who bring lots of friends on board throughout the summer – need we say more? At the same time, it was crucial to have a modern, calming atmosphere, as we intend Bijoux to be our place for fun and relaxation.”
ADAM LAY STUDIO
Forag ing for fabrics
Kelda Lay describes the process that followed the establishment of the design brief. “We make regular trips to the exclusive Design Centre Chelsea Harbour in London to source fabrics for our projects. Rather than trying to keep multiple fabric books in our Hampshire studio up-to-date, we find the Design Centre – a mere one-hour train trip away – a fabulously rich source of decorative fabrics and inspiration, which is always up-to-date.” “We spend time foraging through fabric books to find suitable samples,” Adam continues. “These are then sent to our oak-framed barn in Hampshire where we lay them out on the vintage plan chest which stands in the centre of our studio. We often find that our initial instincts regarding a fabric scheme find their way into the final presentation to the owner via a series of combinations with which we play around. Showing a small selection of fabrics early on is hugely beneficial to the ultimate fabric selection process. This was certainly true for the Matica project, and it enabled us to agree on the fabric scheme on the first presentation!”
The rig ht principles
When asked if Adam had successfully met the design brief, the owners are very enthusiastic. “It has been a true pleasure to work together with Adam. He was great at helping us work out design principles and this has resulted in an ideal boat for the whole family. Furthermore, his attentiveness and calm demeanour were wonderful for us as we lead very busy lives.” As well as fabrics for blinds, sofas, chairs and cushions, Adam Lay Studio works with Gillian Weir Limited, a trusted supplier of bed linens and accessories.The chinaware, glassware and linen for Bijoux were chosen according to the same principles of classic simplicity. “Adam has guided us brilliantly, creating a perfect balance of aesthetics and practicality,” the owners add.
Team work
“The team at Gillian Weir work very hard to supply us with beautiful presentations of linens and towels that blend harmoniously with the main fabric scheme,” Adam says. “Likewise, the chinaware, glassware and linen are meticulously sourced to ensure a lifestyle that feels rich and inviting. And we work closely with the owners to make the necessary selections from the options supplied.”
“We source every little detail, right down to the soap dispensers,” Kelda points out. “Often, this includes the soap itself! The same goes for waste paper baskets, trays, tissue box covers, candles and coasters.” Adam Lay Studio was also in charge of the exterior deck spaces, which Adam and Kelda shaped to suit the interior colour scheme. “On every project we can source all exterior fixed upholstery fabrics and any scatter cushions that may be required, producing hand-drawn sketches to show the owners how each seating, lounging or sunbathing area will look when completed,” Kelda adds. “This typically includes stitching and piping details to make sure the finish is impeccable. We have a fantastic selection of tried and tested exterior grade fabrics that are resistant to UV rays, sun screen and saltwater, and even some that absorb the heat of the sun and radiate heat after the sun has gone down!”
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Owner’s story
B eauti f ul B i j ou x : t h e f irst j e w el i n t h e M oo n e n Ca ri b b e a n c row n
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Owner’s story
Delivered in June 2016, Bijoux is the first motoryacht in our exciting
new
Caribbean
semi-custom
series
to
see
the light of day. As launch customers, the owners had a major influence on the design and layout of this 30-metre the
story
words
of
sailing the
Matica.
build
in
Here
their
their
own
previous
experiences as they
is
and
W
e had never even considered owning a motoryacht when we moved to Majorca at the turn of the millennium. Having just sold our own company, we relocated to the island to enjoy the climate and have some quality time with our young family. But boats are everywhere in Majorca, and we soon became those typical people who often wander along the dock admiring the yachts without actually sailing on any of them.
prepare
for their new cruising life on board beautiful Bijoux.
It wasn’t until 2002 that we finally took the plunge and bought an Azimut 63.
That summer was not only our first serious boating experience – it was also the moment when we and the kids realised what a phenomenally enjoyable time you can have as a family out on the water.
Moving up
Our next business venture – which we founded in the UK – prospered, so we soon sold the Azimut and bought a larger Ferretti 731. This was a whole different class of boat, on which we would eventually have eight happy years of cruising. >>>
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Owner’s story
Although our company wasn’t immune to the 2008 financial crisis, we managed to weather the storm and keep the Ferretti. I think it’s a testament to how much we love our boating that we found a way to justify retaining such a luxury asset at such a difficult time. Five years later we had another piece of good luck in business and decided the time was right to think about owning a bigger boat. It was Simon Goldsworthy at Camper & Nicholsons who introduced the idea of moving up a fairly substantial notch to a steel-aluminium Dutch boat, something we had never previously considered. Simon pointed out that, while the process of having a boat built to your specifications requires more work and attention, it is also a lot more fun, especially if you like project-based work – and we do. It was a real 180-degree turn for us, but we never looked back.
Coming to Moonen
Having done the necessary research and realised how much goodwill there is for the yard in the market, our eyes were firmly on Moonen. It turned out that the stars were perfectly aligned in the spring of 2014 as we could acquire an interim boat from Moonen, the 94-foot Infinity, while waiting for our new Matica motoryacht to be built. This was a great chance to get used to a larger boat while developing the first Matica yacht with Moonen.
We spent a whole season on Infinity in the Med, and can say without hesitation that she was a revelation. The quality of the build was in a different league from anything we had experienced and spoke volumes about the workmanship at the Moonen yard. Infinity is built in aluminium as opposed to GRP, which gives a completely different feel, very sturdy and stable in the water. GRP boats flex a lot and creak and groan – they all do, it’s the nature of the material. With a boat built to Moonen quality standards, you can be in your suite when the captain relocates the boat early in the morning and not even notice that she’s moving. Everything is robust and quiet, and works very well.
Looking forward
From the moment the contract was signed for the new Matica, we had a very productive relationship with all members of the project team. Monthly meetings were held at the offices of Camper & Nicholsons with the Moonen project team, exterior designer René van der Velden and the interior design team from the Adam Lay Studio. The people from Moonen have been absolutely brilliant. In the exterior design and the actual build, René was able to offer a fresh and modern aesthetic with considerable enthusiasm. And since we’ve always admired the work of >>>
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Owner’s story
Adam Lay’s studio, we were thrilled that he agreed to work on the interior design. Together they produced a yacht that corresponds one hundred per cent to what we wanted as a family. We wished for a boat that would be beautiful, yes, but also – and especially – comfortable and practical. Bijoux was intended as a floating holiday home for our family, not a showpiece. We don’t aim to impress, but to enjoy ourselves. The key themes are clean lines, symmetry, balance, proportion and lots of natural light. And you feel this as soon as you step on our Matica – there is an immediate feeling of ‘now this is really nice’. Adam has done a completely outstanding job, generating an atmosphere that is calm and comfortable in every regard.
200 GT mark. We wanted a full-beam master suite, which meant we had it located on the lower deck instead of on the main deck. Other notable elements we introduced in the interior include fresh air ducting in all cabins – things get stuffy on boats that are just recycling air. We also built a much more sophisticated galley than anything we’ve had before. We really feel for chefs on boats where the owner has given no consideration to practicality, ergonomics or the general feel of the workspace. This is why we built an ample, comfortable and well-equipped galley to ensure a happy crew. Utterly delig htful
Accommodating ideas
Moonen is a highly respected yard, and with good reason given its history. At the same time they were also incredibly accommodating regarding our requests to introduce new elements in the aesthetic. In almost all cases, Moonen agreed with our suggestions. This meant we have had a lot of influence on the design of the first Matica, and we hope our ideas will benefit other owners in the future.
T h e yac ht has exceeded all our expectations in ev ery
Examples of suggestions we made include specific shapes for the windows on the boat and a distinctive appearance for the flybridge. We wanted very clean lines across the stern, and worked hard to unclutter that area. Many superyachts today have an open transom with a staircase on either side, but we opted for a fully closed transom with only a small swimming platform for use by the crew. The entire transom of Bijoux is now instead a giant hatch that opens aft to form a big swimming platform. This area is connected by a stairway to the main deck. We love this combination of form and function. And we got the biggest possible tender, which was quite a challenge from a technical perspective.
res p ect
On the whole, we are impressed with how Moonen maximised the interior volume while remaining just under the crucial
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As the yacht took shape, we had many opportunities to come to Holland. These visits were always a pleasure, and the people at Moonen were utterly delightful to work with. Having dealt with business people and manufacturers from other countries, we were quite fascinated with the Dutch tendency to be hesitant and humble, and then turn around and impress you with a truly remarkable feat of design and engineering. We saw this illustrated many times during the build of Bijoux, and now she is finished we are experiencing it in reality.
The yacht has exceeded all our expectations in every respect. The captain and crew, who have a great deal more sailing experience than us, have said they cannot remember ever having been on a quieter or more seaworthy vessel. The soundproofing is remarkable as is every aspect of the noise and vibration attenuation programme, which is one of the specialisms at the Moonen yard. We knew we were in for a treat when the results of the sea trials came in. The owner’s suite and main lounge on Bijoux measured only 51 dB (A) and 50 dB (A) at a cruising speed of 11 knots, even though the suite is adjacent to the engine room and the salon directly above. Past experience has shown us that beauty in a boat isn’t enough – it is what goes on behind the panels which give you the most pleasure (or aggravation).This aspect of Bijoux is already a delight. >>>
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A class of her own
the furniture, the fine detailing… This is an exceptional design that has been interpreted in an exceptional way by the yard.
The comfort is in another class in many other ways too. You feel it all around you as you walk on deck or within the interior. It’s in the quality of the materials, the solidity of the furnishings – nothing creaks or moves unless it’s supposed to. The craftsmen from Moonen have done an outstanding job with the panelling,
I also love the way in which the project managers have constantly gone the extra mile to add the smaller aspects that we may never thought about which bring this yacht to the highest possible standards. All in all, it’s been great fun building Bijoux and we are genuinely thrilled with the final result.
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Refits
Th e elegant re f it o f Etoile d’A zur One of the refit projects we have successfully completed over the past year was of the Moonen 97 Etoile d’Azur. The Moonen yard is a familiar place for the yacht’s captain, Tristan Le Brun, who was also skipper of the Moonen 84 Etoile d’Azur when she enjoyed an extensive refit here four years ago. We caught up with Tristan in Monaco during a busy summer of sailing to find out how things were going.
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Refits
Why did the owners of Etoile d’Azur upg rade to a larg er Moonen?
Why did you come to Moonen for a refit?
There were two main reasons – a desire to make longer cruises in person and the wish to have more options for chartering the yacht when not using her themselves. We received an excellent price for the Moonen 84: around 75% of the new amount despite her age and engine hours. Her original build quality and the refit at Moonen made a huge difference on the market and preserved the boat’s value.
As the owner likes to keep his yacht in a pristine condition, it made perfect sense to take the ‘new’ Etoile d’Azur back ‘home’ too and bring her fully in line with his wishes. The work included a new paint job, sprucing up the teak deck and a technical overhaul from top to bottom. It is obviously very important to ensure that your yacht is super reliable and up to date when you are chartering to offer the best deal of experience to guests.
The Moonen 97 was purchased during the 2015 Palm Beach show. Launched in 2008 as Sofia II, this displacement cruiser is ideal for extensive exploration. It was a sign of the adventures to come that the first time I started her engines was to cross the Atlantic and, to the best of my knowledge, she’s the first Moonen 97 to do so on her own bottom. She behaved beautifully all the way but I expected nothing less having already done transatlantic crossings with the Moonen 84. The owner and I believe that a good yacht is meant for such trips and Moonens are of course reliable, seaworthy and superbly designed.
No major layout changes were required during the refit because the Moonen 97 is already an excellent yacht in this respect. Etoile d’Azur offers a great deal for her size, with good accommodation for up to five crew members. The twin guest cabin can also be converted into a double, meaning we can comfortably welcome up to four couples on board for a charter holiday. She is also spacious enough to carry a lot of toys, and we have a Jacuzzi, a six-metre tender, two jet skis, kayaks, paddle boards, all sorts of diving & fishing equipment and much more besides. >>>
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Were you pleased with the results of the refit? Yes, everything was completed to schedule. We left GrootAmmers at the start of May and headed for Gibraltar, where the owners stepped immediately on board. They spent months with us as we enjoyed some fine cruising around the Balearic Islands, the south of France, Malta, Croatia and Montenegro. We have completed our commercial registration for charter purposes and plan to spend this winter in the Caribbean and next summer in the Baltic region. The owners are very happy with the refit and the condition of the boat. We changed the colour of the hull from white to deep blue and this made her look very luxurious with a true classic touch. Like all Moonen motoryachts, Etoile d’Azur is of an exceptionally high quality, extremely reliable and quiet. We could easily do a circumnavigation on this world traveller… The only limits with a yacht like this are yours! If you are interested in chartering Etoile d’Azur please contact: info@myetoiledazur.com
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Out and about
w ine & dine Th e d e l igh t s o f D e n B o sch
D
en Bosch has one of the largest, most well-preserved historical urban cores in the Low Countries. In the Middle Ages, it was second only to Utrecht in size and historical importance, and much of this heritage is preserved today – unlike most other cities in Holland, Den Bosch has retained its ramparts, and the entire old centre is a protected area. There are many fortresses around the city, which remained a key garrison town until recently.
Cathedral city One of the main attractions is St John’s Cathedral, for which the first stone was laid in 1220. The size and wealth of sculptures on this Gothic complex are astounding: the 96 flying buttress statues are unique in the world. Den Bosch also hosts the oldest remaining brick house in the Netherlands, de Moriaan, which dates back to the early 13th century. The City Hall is a 14th-century Gothic building that was transformed in the style typical for Dutch classicism in the 17th century. The old urban heart of Den Bosch rests upon a canal network called the Binnendieze. In the Middle Ages a river called the Dommel ran through the city. It was developed into a canal system of some 22 km, which in turn was gradually built over due to cramped conditions in the city. Parts of this waterway have been renovated, and it is now possible to take guided subterranean boat trips through it. As in much of the rest of the Netherlands, the forefathers of today’s Bosschenaars used ingenious techniques to build on the water. Multiple arches were built to bridge the spans between support points – in fact, the arches over the Binnendieze are so strong that multi-storey houses could be built on them. Smart engineering and construction in Den Bosch is not only found at the Moonen yard!
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Out and about
Owners’ representatives and crews attending refits and new projects at Moonen will find a wide variety of cultural pursuits, many of them thoroughly Dutch, in and around the charming city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch (‘the Duke’s Forest’). It’s why we are pleased to call Den Bosch - the much more pronounceable name that is usually used - our home base. ‘S-HERTOGENBOSCH / THE NETHERLANDS
A gourmet paradise
Carnival and other events
Den Bosch is the capital of the Dutch province of North Brabant, whose inhabitants are famous for their love of delicious food and drink. The city is teeming with fine restaurants, such as Sense (www.senserestaurant.nl) or Noble (www.restaurantnoble.nl), situated on the water. The highly regarded Restaurant Fabuleux (www.restaurantfabuleux.nl) is located in the historic centre, on a street lined with beautiful old buildings.
Den Bosch is rightly famous for its many annual festivities. Around February/March the city changes its name to the nonsensical Oeteldonk and normal life is paused for a few days as carnival comes to town. There are parades every day, many with intricate floats. Other annual events include: • Jazz in Duketown around Pentecost, with performances by famous and lesser known bands • Theatre Festival Boulevard in early August • Bourgondisch ‘s-Hertogenbosch during the first week of September, where restaurateurs present themselves and visitors sample a wide variety of foods • Maritime ‘s-Hertogenbosch, which takes place every two years in September, is Holland’s largest historical inland sailing event. For three days, visitors can see a huge collection of classic and traditional inland vessels and downtown is abuzz with the festivities. • One day each year, in June, Den Bosch is the prime opera city of the Netherlands. The Parade, the city plaza surrounded by chestnut trees, becomes a place of pilgrimage for admirers of opera and classical music.
The Korte Putstraat (‘Short Well Street’) is one of the most famous streets in Den Bosch, enjoying national fame. Its cosiness mainly comes from the many beloved restaurants, catering facilities and other gourmet establishments located there. The street has a broad selection of cafés and kitchens, and bustles with hospitality and culinary delights.
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Chef’s story
T h e l i f e an d t imes o f a en c h e f Claire Junca and her husband Christophe have spent over twenty years at sea working as chef and skipper on various yachts. They currently hold these posts on board the Moonen 97 Nimbus, which recently completed a refit at our yard. In this special article, Claire explains what it is like to live and cook on a Moonen.
I
was always around boats while growing up, as my parents were big boating enthusiasts. It was during a circumnavigation with them 20 years ago that I met my future husband, who was captain of our boat. I joined Christophe in the yachting industry shortly after at a time when husband-and-wife teams were quite common. Such a team might be the only crew on small boats, where the wife would also be the chef. This is exactly what we did at first, and how I became a chef. I had always enjoyed cooking, and I realised that I thoroughly enjoyed doing so professionally. The experience acquired over years of work and several courses has allowed my cuisine to reach the kind of level required for work on luxury yachts. We have worked on several motoryachts as well as sailing boats, and Nimbus is our third Moonen. I have loved working on each of them: it’s a true pleasure to sail on a well-built vessel.
Cooking with a view
Nimbus has a wonderful, well-equipped galley located on the main deck – with a lovely view from my main work station no less. The layout of the galley is perfectly organised, and there is plenty of
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Chef’s story
strategically positioned storage – pantries, drawers, etc. During a recent refit at Moonen, we fitted a superb new oven and expanded our capacity in terms of fridge and deep freezer space. The extra storage room means we can sail as far from a market as we like now. Another great thing is Nimbus’ quietness and stability: being a full displacement yacht, she sails very smoothly and is exceptionally quiet at anchor. Working as an on board chef is a very interesting job which requires skill and specialisation. The most important thing is to be organised – this is also the largest difference from working as a chef on land. Smart provisioning is crucial, as is spacing out consumption: the products that spoil fast have to be used first. This means designing the week’s menu to ensure that earlier meals contain more perishable products.
Favourite spots
We’ve been sailing all around the world for quite some time, and I have favourite spots and contacts all over the place – from the Côte d’Azur to the Baltic and South Pacific. This ensures that I can provide the quality the owners expect, while also making it
easier for me to try out new things. It’s terrific to go shopping at the source: in France my go-to places are the city market in Antibes, Marché Forville in Cannes, and the fish market in SaintTropez. The Netherlands has great shops that sell all kinds of products from across Europe – French, Italian, anything you need. My favourite cruising area so far has been the Baltic Sea. It’s quieter and there are fewer yachts than in the Mediterranean, which means you get lots of pristine anchorages all to yourself. The landscapes, cultures and cuisines are very different from your standard cruise experience, and are often quite exotic.
We are family
A big bonus with Nimbus is the crew: we’re like a small family who lives and works together. I’m also delighted with the rapport we have with the owners and guests. This is definitely one of the highlights of the job: you learn their preferences and dislikes and get to introduce them to novel experiences and cuisines. Of course, I do have my own style and tendencies: I’m crazy about desserts, for instance, with pride of place going to the saint-honoré. And my favourite cuisine is – you guessed it – French. Naturellement.
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THE MOONEN
FLEET YN: 121 | Moonen 2100 | 1981
YN: 122 | 1500 NY | 1984
YN: 123 | 1500 Trawl
YN: 124 | 1850 MY | 1985
YN: 130 | Moonen 65 | 1986
YN: 131 | Moonen 48
YN: 132 | 1600 MS
YN: 133 | 1400 Klipper | 1986
YN: 134 | Moonen 48
YN: 140 | Prestige 62 Alu | 1987
YN: 141 | Moonen 52 | 1988
YN: 142 | Moonen 63 | 1989
YN: 143 | Moonen 85 | 1990
YN: 144 | Moonen 65 Au | 2012
YN: 150 | Moonen 80 Alu | 1992
YN: 151 | Moonen 68 | 1991
YN: 152 | Moonen 105 Alu | 1994
YN: 153 | Moonen 58 Alu | 1993
YN: 154 | Moonen 58 | 1993
YN: 160 | Moonen 63 Alu | 1995
YN: 161 | Trintella | 1994
YN: 162 | Moonen 64 | 1995
YN: 163 | Moonen 68 Alu | 1996
YN: 164 | Moonen 83 | 1998
YN: 170 | Moonen 75 Alu | 1999
YN: 171 | Moonen 120 | 2000
YN: 172 | Moonen 72 | 2000
YN: 173 | Moonen 89 Alu | 2001
YN: 174 | Moonen 84 | 2001
YN: 180 | Moonen 84 | 2005
YN: 181 | Moonen 96 | 2005
YN: 182 | Moonen 114 expl | 2006
YN: 183 | Moonen 84 | 2006
YN: 184 | Moonen 94 Alu | 2007
YN: 190 | Moonen 97 | 2008
YN: 191 | Moonen 99 Alu | 2009
YN: 192 | Moonen 97 | 2010
YN: 193 | Moonen 97 | 2011
YN: 194 | Moonen 133 | 2012
YN: 125 | Moonen 85 | 1985
YN: 126 | 1600 MY | 1984
YN: 127 | 1850 MY | 1984
YN: 128 | 1400 MS
YN: 129 | 58’ LRC | 1985
YN: 135 | 1600 MY
YN: 136 | Moonen 85 | 1987
YN: 137 | Moonen 68 | 1988
YN: 138 | Moonen 63 | 1988
YN: 139 | Moonen 85 | 1989
YN: 145 | Moonen 85 | 1990
YN: 146 | Moonen 65 | 1990
YN: 147 | Moonen 62 | 1990
YN: 148 | Moonen 85 | 1992
YN: 149 | Moonen 72 | 1992
YN: 155 | Moonen 58 | 1994
YN: 156 | Moonen 84 Alu | 1992
YN: 157 | Moonen 72 | 1993
YN: 158 | Moonen 83 | 1995
YN: 165 | Moonen 83 | 1996
YN: 166 | Moonen 64 | 1997
YN: 167 | Moonen 108 Alu | 1997
YN: 168 | Moonen 86 | 1996
YN: 169 | Moonen 68 | 1998
YN: 175 | Moonen 84 | 2002
YN: 176 | Bradford 92 | 2003
YN: 177 | Bradford 90 | 2003
YN: 178 | Moonen 84 | 2002
YN: 179 | Moonen 84 | 2004
YN: 185 | Moonen 94 Alu | 2007
YN: 186 | Moonen 84 | 2007
YN: 187 | Moonen 97 | 2008
YN: 188 | Moonen 84 | 2008
YN: 189 | Moonen 124 | 2008
YN: 195 | Moonen 100 expl | 2012
YN: 196 | Moonen 82 Alu | 2012
YN: 197 | Moonen Martinique | 2017
YN: 198 | Moonen Matica | 2016
YN: 199 | Moonen Martinique | 2018
YN: 159 | Moonen 82 | 1994
ST’ BARTS
Port s o f call
Subtly capitalising on its stunning natural beauty, tropical climate and Old World flair, Saint BarthÉlÉmy has long been synonymous with glamour, not least of the nautical sort. This is most apparent during the spring regattas of Les Voiles de Saint-Barts - organised since 2010 - and, especially, St Barts Bucket - the first of which dates back to 1995. But St Barts is much more than just a seasonal playground for the world’s sailing yacht glitterati.
N
estled in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean, Saint Barthélémy is in many ways unique among its neighbours. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, it was only permanently settled by Europeans in 1763. Too small, too rocky, and too dry to be part of the sugar economy of the larger islands, it instead became a base for French buccaneers preying on Spanish galleons. Monbars the Exterminator,
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a famous pirate of noble French descent, is said to have been based at St Barts, where his treasure is believed to still be hidden. From 1784, and for the next hundred years, the island was the only Swedish Caribbean colony, prospering as a neutral port that welcomed all the players in the colonial wars. The island was returned to France in 1878, but the free port status and mercantile tradition still survive today. Indeed, unlike the rest
of the French Antilles, St Barts is not part of the European Union.
Intimate
The island can be said to have arrived on the world stage in 1957, when David Rockefeller bought an estate there. It has since welcomed a steady stream of glamorous visitors drawn by
ST’ BARTS
its natural charms. The local authorities understood at an early stage that largescale development would be neither attractive nor profitable on such a small island, resulting in small-scale building permits and intimate, elegant hotels. Unlike most other Caribbean destinations, St Barts also has a thriving rental market for private villas and apartments. Together with neighbouring St Martin, it has by far the best gastronomy in the Antilles. There are many restaurants here catering to all palates – and many of the hotels have chefs trained in the finest hotel schools in France. Traditional Creole dishes include stuffed crab, fish or blood sausage, cristophine (squash prepared with codfish), and the popular deep-fried codfish fritters known as accras.
Sheltered
Of course, the most fascinating aspects of Saint Barthélémy are linked to the interplay of sea and land. There are reefs all around the island, mostly in shallow waters and clearly visible. The entire north and east coasts of the island are fringed by beautiful coral reefs – made up of 51 different species – some of which are part of a huge 1000-hectare marine reserve. The vulnerable habitats in this zone are protected and accessible to scientific observations only. The local authorities take environmental matters very seriously. Unlike that of other islands
in the Caribbean, St Barthélémy’s original fauna is practically intact, although it has retreated due to urbanisation and farming. Marine mammals and turtles remain common, and there are more species of nesting birds here than on any other island in the Antilles. The island sports 15 or so white sand beaches (called Anse – the French word for cove – to reflect their topography), all of which are public and free, and few of which ever get crowded. They fall in one of two categories depending on whether they are leeward, i.e. protected
Th ere ’s more to St Barts th an th e buc k ET
from the prevailing winds by the island itself, or on the windward side – some of the latter are nonetheless sheltered by reefs, and the others are popular windsurfing destinations. The beach of St-Jean especially features facilities for watersports, as do Grand Cul-de-Sac and Toiny, which is very remote and features strong currents. More protected beaches include Lorient, which is very long and features plentiful shade, Flamands, which
is very wide, Le petit Anse, beloved of the locals and their children, and Grande Saline, popular with nudists. There are salt ponds around the Anse de Grande Saline, and the marshy area is a habitat for mangroves and tropical birds.
In a league of its own
Saint Barthélémy’s spa and wellbeing facilities are second to none in the Antilles. And shopping is in a league of its own: the island being a duty free port, it offers abundant retail opportunities of every kind, from roadside vendors to elegant marble-floored shops that would not be out of place on Avenue Montaigne in Paris. The capital Gustavia melds French, Caribbean and Scandinavian influences with all the vibrancy of a global crossroads. Leisure activities for which the island is ideal include scuba diving, deep sea fishing, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and water skiing. Visitors can even go on submarine trips. But more than anything, it is the yachts and related watersports that capture the imagination. Sailing and motoryachts can be rented for a day or afternoon, and St Barts features excellent marina facilities fit for the refined tastes of the world’s sailing aristocracy. In that sense, the beautiful boats that dock here and the superyacht lifestyle they exude and transmit will always be emblematic for this exquisite island in the sun.
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T hrough har d s hi p s
to the stars At the helm of the 42-metre custom Moonen Sofia is Sally-Ann Konigkramer, one of an elite but growing group of female captains. Moonen Magazine spoke to this spirited skipper about her humble beginnings and becoming captain of a major superyacht at just 28. This is her story.
SALLY-ANN KONIGKRAMER / Captain of Sofia
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Captain’s story
I
have worked on board Sofia for more than four years now, having joined as first officer during the final stages of construction. This was quite an experience in itself: to be with a yacht from the beginning is a treat for any crew member. You become part of her life story, getting to know all the nooks and crannies from day one: in a very real way, you mould the character of the vessel – and she shapes yours. Being promoted from first officer to captain on board a boat like Sofia is truly special, to a degree that I suspect many people would not understand. It was by no means easy – I’ve had to walk a difficult road to get where I am – but every single step has been worth it. I’m well aware that this is just the beginning of a whole new chapter in my life and there will probably be many tough times ahead. But with the optimistic, confident people around me, and an owner who has always supported me unconditionally, I have no doubts about sailing the seas with Sofia in the coming years.
Learning the ropes
I grew up in a close-knit family in South Africa. While we certainly weren’t rich, we never wanted for anything. I was always near the ocean, whether fishing with my father, sailing on boats belonging to my friends’ families, or riding the four-wheeler up and down the sand dunes near our holiday home at Banana Beach. I’m hugely grateful for my family. My parents taught me well – how to make the right decisions, to stand up for myself, to take the bull by the horns. It’s in no small measure thanks to my upbringing that I have had the confidence to reach where I am today and become captain of Sofia at the age of 28. When I joined the yachting industry I was only 20 years old, and I can’t say I truly understood or appreciated what it would entail. I did, however, know from the start that I wanted to be captain one day – and that meant being an attentive listener and hard worker. And if things sometimes didn’t make sense to me, I did them anyway. On a boat, it’s crucial to trust your leaders – a crew can only operate optimally if it functions as a well-oiled machine.
Getting to where I am today took hard work, to be sure, but also support from the people around me. Frank Catsuris, the French captain of Blind Date during my service as deckhand, believed in me from day one. He spent a whole day in Simpson Bay Marina teaching me how to drive the 10-metre tender Intrepid. I remember that day like it was yesterday. There was no stopping for a cup of tea, lunch or even water and there was certainly no room for a tender heart, what with the rest of the crew watching me repeatedly being lectured by the captain. So long as I didn’t give up, he didn’t give up on me. I left Blind Date being the best tender driver she had ever had.
G etting to the top
No place for a tender heart
These are the kinds of experiences and memories which have influenced my way of leading and teaching. I left Blind Date with a solid foundation – not just for work in this field, but for life itself. I was now a strong woman, not a young girl, absolutely certain that one day my dream of being captain would become a reality. I had no intention of giving up until I had achieved that goal.
The first charter boat on which I worked was the 42-metre Blind Date. One time, I spent five days blading windows. I remember waking up on the fifth morning, wondering how I was ever going to become captain like this. To this day, I can still see that window in my mind’s eye.
Next, I became a chase boat driver for the media, starting with the Louis Vuitton Trophy Cup 2009. Those who follow the America’s Cup know the thrill of being there among the racing syndicates. It was certainly one of the absolute highlights of my career to date. >>>
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Captain’s story
Joining Sofia
I worked on several different vessels after that, and learned a lot from each. However, Sofia stands head and shoulders above the rest as the yacht on which I have grown the most as a person and a crew member. Not only did I push myself further than I ever knew I was capable, I also learnt that it can be a lonely road to walk to the top. Nonetheless, Sofia could never work so smoothly, or respond so well, if it wasn’t for the great rapport we have with the owner and, especially, among the crew.
A mag nificent yacht “Sofia is a truly magnificent vessel, and I’m very proud of her,” Sally-Ann says.
“She was built to be strong and
There comes a moment in a captain’s life that she knows has the power to make or break her. For me, this was during a passage down to Mexico in December 2014. We left Port Everglades in extremely rough weather, and the odds were stacked against us. Despite everything, we managed to arrive in Mexico on Christmas morning. We looked like old salty sea dogs, but we certainly had the biggest smiles on our face!
bold, and exudes all the passion involved in her construction. I have experienced bad weather and rough seas with Sofia many times, but I’ve never doubted her capabilities for a second”
Launched in 2012, Sofia is a twin-screw, long-range
Above and beyond
semi-explorer-type displacement motoryacht. Her highlights
Being female, I expected that I might be disadvantaged, but I have never once felt discriminated against on the basis of my gender – especially not on Sofia. I don’t think the guys on board ever think of me as a woman first – and for this I am grateful. It speaks volumes about the integrity, respect and trust that we have for each other.
include a sun deck with a large seven-person whirlpool bath, a full-beam master stateroom, and a three-person submarine. “Going through the training to pilot this underwater vessel was truly unique, a phenomenal experience
I would never have been able to accomplish what I did if I hadn’t had the right team behind me – one bound together by trust, honour and loyalty. Even now, I can feel overwhelmed and yet grateful in the space of a single day. But I am always infinitely proud to be a part of Sofia.
and an amazing opportunity,” Sally-Ann remembers.
A perfect balance
“I have so many memories on board Sofia that I could write a book about them,” Sally-Ann muses. “When people ask me about her, I find myself saying the same things over and over. I can’t shower enough praise on the owner, who is really the best I’ve ever worked for. And the crew are absolutely amazing – I am genuinely grateful for them. In this industry, it can be very difficult to find a balance between the work, crew and owners, but I can honestly say that anyone who steps on board Sofia will immediately feel the loving, almost family-like environment we have created here.”
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REFITs
A welcome return:
Th e r e f i t o f Nimbus Captain Christophe Junca is a familiar face to everyone at Moonen, having spent many months at the yard over the past decade working on the refit of Phoenix and the build of Livia. Over the past winter Christophe returned to Den Bosch to oversee the extensive refit of the Moonen 97 Nimbus.
The refit of Nimbus was the third time you have lived and worked with us here in Holland, Christophe. Please tell us
more comfortable, spacious, quiet and convenient to spend extended periods on board. A longer range was also important as they intend to explore the US coast, Caribbean and Scandinavia.
a little about your career...
I’ve been a captain since 1999 and initially came into contact with Moonen in 2005 when my wife Claire and I oversaw the refit of Phoenix (ex- Gogar Lass). This was our first experience of the enormous difference Moonen quality makes in practice. We enjoyed sailing this Moonen 84 until 2010, when I became Livia’s project manager. By then we had the first of our two children so it was good to be on a secure, solid and very reliable boat that is made to sail the world without any troubles. We eventually left Livia in the summer of 2013 and spent the next two years running the refit of a 32-metre sailing yacht called Lunar Mist. This was fun but it was good to be asked by the owners of Nimbus to come back to working on a motoryacht!
What does the Nimbus project involve?
The new owners are a couple who previously owned several highend sports fisherman yachts. They were looking for something
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As experienced owners they recognised that Moonen offered the best possible quality in the 30-metre range and were pleased to find Nimbus (ex- Alaska), which was launched in 2011 and didn’t have a huge amount of hours on the engine. After buying the boat in cooperation with Moonen Brokerage and Fraser Yachts, the owners appointed me as captain and asked my advice on where best to refit Nimbus. Having worked on two previous projects at Moonen, I recommended bringing the yacht ‘home’ where she would get the best possible treatment. Once the owners saw the quality of the work here they actually increased the activities even further.
The boat was in good condition. Why did they decide on a refit?
With their plans to cruise so extensively the owners wanted to remould the yacht to their own tastes and requirements. We therefore renewed ninety percent of the interior, which was a significant undertaking in its own right. The audio-visual systems were upgraded, as was the navigation and communication on
the bridge. We leveraged on the latest engineering thinking at Moonen in terms of noise and vibration attenuation, adding special air cushions on the generators, making changes to the main engine exhaust, and mounting all pipes and hydraulics on rubber anti-vibration and anti-noise brackets. Lots of improvements were also made on the power management front. Nimbus’ mast was rebuilt in order to fit the new navcom devices and we also installed 4G Wi-Fi on board. Add in a new paint job and a custom designed bimini to offer additional shade on the aft deck and you have quite some work. At the time of her relaunch Nimbus was completely up-to-date in every respect.
You sound pleased with how
Captain Christophe Junca is a familiar face to everyone at Moonen
weeks ahead of schedule in order to take a tour through the Netherlands. Moonen succeeded in making this wish come true and the owners were delighted to spend a week viewing the amazing colours of the tulip-filled Dutch landscape at that time of year. The fact that Holland was the warmest country in Europe during that week in May, outstripping even the South of France, was a bonus!
everything went on this refit? Any final thoug hts on this project?
Yes, I am. Everyone did a great job, including all the suppliers – you feel very confident at Moonen as a captain because of the long-lasting relationship between the yard and its co-makers. I know the people well, which is an advantage for me as captain and the owners. I was also impressed with the flexibility of the Moonen team. The owners asked if their yacht could be made available four
Each Moonen has her own character and every owner their own input on how life is spent enjoying time on board. It’s been interesting to watch over the years how things change in terms of the way people are sailing and the different owner wishes. When you come to a yard like Moonen you know these diverse requirements can all be met and it was a real pleasure to work with the craftsmen here again on Nimbus!
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Welcome visitors
HOT OFF THE
PRESS
“Looking at their schedule, we knew that the journalists would have a very busy morning before arriving in Den Bosch,” says marketing manager Dorien Bilterijst. “We decided therefore to create a very nice area for them to relax and enjoy their late afternoon and evening at Moonen. As you can see from the smiles our plan worked: one of the journalists commented on this photo by saying that it looks like we’re in Moon’aco!”
Journalists im-press-ed
One of our favourite events of the year is when the world’s leading journalists visit the Moonen yard as part of the HISWA Holland Yachting Group Press Tour. We never take their presence for granted as the reporters can choose which HYG members they visit during their week in the Netherlands. The fact that all 15 opted to come to see us this time round was very pleasing.
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The tents were set up in front of the first Moonen Caribbean Matica, Bijoux, which had just been launched at the time. After a presentation by Moonen CEO Emile Bilterijst, the press went on board Bijoux for an exclusive tour in the company of Moonen director of operations Sietse van der Zee and Nicky van Zon, project manager for Bijoux. The journalists seemed very impressed and there was lots to discuss over a tasty BBQ organised together with fellow HISWA Holland Yachting Group members Kuiper Dutch Marine Panels and DMS Holland. All in all it was a very successful visit and we look forward to welcoming everyone back again at the 2017 Press Tour!
Meet the team
Your yacht
our pRide
The core team of craftsmen, engineers, project managers and office personnel at Moonen Shipyards take enormous pride in their work. Whether creating brandnew superyachts like the recently finished Bijoux (pictured) or completing firstclass refit projects such as the Moonen 97 Nimbus (in the background), their passion to achieve the best on behalf of our clients is one of the main reasons why Moonen is such a great yard to partner with. We also work closely with designers, leading marine equipment supply companies and other specialised co-makers to ensure that every Moonen is a delight for their owners. It would be a pleasure to welcome you to the yard, show you around our excellent facilities and introduce you to the dedicated Moonen team.
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Colophon Cover photo: Dick Holthuis Photography The Moonen Magazine is a publication of: Moonen Shipyards bv P.O. Box 3186 5203 DD ’s-Hertogenbosch The Netherlands +31 73 621 00 94 www.moonen.com Concept, Layout/Design: Sorpasso Frieke Ontwerpatelier Photography: Dick Holthuis Photography Support & material from various participants Artist Impressions: René van der Velden Nauta Design Moonen Shipyards Printed by: GM Productiemanagement
Copyright: © 2016 Moonen Shipyards bv
Except as permitted under current legislation, no part of this work may be photocopied, stored on a retrieval system, published, adapted, broadcast, transmitted, recorded or reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the copyright owners. While great care has been taken throughout this magazine to ensure accuracy, the publishers shall be under no liability or responsibility in negligence or otherwise howsoever in respect of any information, advice or inaccuracy herein or omission herefrom.
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SOME THINGS ARE UNMISTAKABLE
travel to www.moonen.com
MARINA
MONTSERRAT
MATICA
MUSTIQUE
Launch 2016
Moonen Shipyards bv | ‘s-Hertogenbosch | The Netherlands | www.moonen.com
MARTINIQUE Launch 2017
MARQUIS
MONITO