SIMPLY IRRE SISTIBLE

TEXT BY JULIA ZALTZMAN

Originally launched in 2011, the 55-metre After You (ex-Quinta Essentia) offers ample space to unwind, a raft of modern amenities and a dedicated, professional crew of 13. Delivering an unrivalled charter proposition for up to 12 guests, After You proves an irresistible option for families, couples and friends.

After You sits within a coveted size range that combines accessibility with large entertaining areas. Since its extensive nine-month 2022 refit which gave the boat a striking Aristo blue hull, Kingston grey superstructure and an entirely refurbished interior, the sporty charter vessel has become even more in demand in its Mediterranean and Caribbean cruising grounds.

“We charter throughout Europe during the summer months, often with multiple charters in Italy, Sardinia and Greece, before crossing the Atlantic to the balmy Caribbean,” says rotational chief officer, Kevin Dumont. “The owner is keen on extensive Pacific cruising in Patagonia and Alaska too, which gives us a worldwide cruising itinerary outside of peak season.”

After You was acquired by the current owner in June 2021 and quickly underwent a refit with the aim of making the yacht a unique charter platform. British designer Mark Berryman was commissioned to reimagine an onboard environment that meets the owner’s needs while also appealing to a broad, year-round charter market.

“The family loves blues and pops of colour, which repeat throughout the yacht as soft furnishing accents, but the ambience is largely relaxed and calming with neutral tones and tactile fabrics that carry international allure,” says Berryman. “These complement some of the yacht’s original features, such as the lacquered bulkheads that have been kept for contrasting effect.”

Consistency runs throughout, with new furniture commissioned in ebony macassar and bog oak to match existing features. The onboard experience centres around guest comfort, with soft wool carpets underfoot, leather venetian blinds that let guests control the interior sunlight, and distressed European oak flooring for a chic yet durable finish.

“The redesign was all about light and shade celebrating subtle lifestyle elements on board that have a story to tell, such as the fantastic collection of bourbons displayed in the main deck bar,” says Berryman.

Leathers in plain, woven and embossed patterns bring a softness to the interior, while on the exterior decks, flexibility rules. The coffee tables rise to incorporate a sun pad for reclined seating. When it’s time for lunch, the sun pads are removed, and the height further increased, creating seating areas for dining. All the deck areas can be configured differently giving flexibility to the entire exterior, but key to the offering is the opulent sun deck which puts wellbeing to the fore. It incorporates a wellness spa with gym, treatment room, sauna, hammam and relaxation area forward for vistas and vino.

“The owner is an experienced charterer,” says Dumont. “He bought After You to enjoy with his friends and family, but he knows what charter guests want.”

Top of his must-have list were the latest water toys for the whole family to enjoy, from jet skis and Seabobs to e-lifts, wakeboards, kayaks and paddle boards. A collection of inflatable platforms sits at the stern meaning all the toys and all 12 guests can be accommodated in the water at the same time.

Alongside delivering a seven-star service, the multilingual crew possess a range of skills to help guests make the most of their time on the water. These include jet ski instructors who offer training and guidance, onboard dive masters who accompany both novice and experienced divers, as well as supply all the necessary equipment, and kite surfing instructors.

“We have everything you can imagine for a 55-metre yacht,” says Dumont. “It’s a gold set up, from which guests can take their pick. As fun as that is, our main priority is always safety, which is why so many of our crew are also qualified instructors. Our sous chef is one of the fastest kite surfers in the world, clocking speeds of up to 46 knots. She travels way faster than the yacht at full speed,” smiles Dumont. Should it rain, there is also a cinema.

Not many 55-metre charter yachts incorporate four rotational chefs, but with the owner prioritising excellence in onboard gastronomy, After You enjoys a head chef who creates mouth-watering culinary dishes for guests, and a sous chef who keeps the crew fed on nutritional goodness. Oenophiles will also appreciate the well-stocked wine cellar, with wine pairings available on request.

After You is a resplendent charter platform, with a limousine tender for stylish guest transfers and a 16-metre sportfishing boat for active days away from the mothership. From morning swims in the pool to sunset drinks in one of the yacht’s two Jacuzzis, few charter yachts can offer a comparable onboard experience.

The refit

After You’s refit in La Ciotat, France, included a full exterior paint respray and an entirely new interior/exterior proposition to ensure that comfort and style reign supreme. Key to the charter-friendly concept is guests’ enjoyment regardless of age, ability or interests, which is why the refit focused on creating such an impressive entertainment set up.

The original tender garage was converted into a luxurious beach club that the entire family can enjoy together – adults drinking in the views while the children play in the water. In lieu of this change, the yacht’s foredeck was reconfigured to neatly store four jet skis and the cinema. When it came to digital entertainment, the yacht’s technology package was stepped up a gear. Now equipped with the latest in AV/IT, it includes Apple TV, Bluetooth audio, 100-inch TVs in every salon and super-fast internet connection.

When the sun has set, the main deck aft converts into a dance floor on which to party the night away, with karaoke, a 5000-Watt sound system, disco lights and a colour changing illuminated name board to set the mood.

Complementing the yacht’s shallow draft –a Heesen calling card – and a long explorer range, After You’s refit ensured the yacht’s transformational deck space offers all the amenities and extras any guest can dream of.

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