Cantiere delle Marche 43m Acala

A true explorer on a discreet scale, the 43-metre Acala is a culmination of Cantiere delle Marche’s prowess for building immensely capable explorer yachts. Featuring a layout that is ruthlessly logical and utterly unconventional, and low-key interiors where beauty and functionality go hand in hand, she is destined for long range, remote cruising in the utmost comfort

by Bryony McCabe -

Andreoni

ph. courtesy by Leonardo

ithout a universal definition, the term “explorer” is used all too often to describe standard yachts with utilitarian aesthetics. But surely one necessity of an explorer yacht is an ability to safely and comfortably access destinations that are out of the reach of conventional yachts. In this sense, full-custom Acala is a true explorer yacht. Commissioned by experienced owners who enjoy sailing to archipelagos lost in the expanses of both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Acala incorporates all the characteristics and features they have come to learn they need within just 440gt.

Acala marks a new collaboration between Cantiere delle Marche and Horacio Bozzo Design, who designed her conspicuous exterior. The result has been more than satisfactory: the dramatic profile featuring a raked bow and compact superstructure captures the very soul of an explorer vessel while combining it with the elegance of a luxury yacht.

Guest areas are spread over three decks plus a sun deck, with an interior layout that sleeps 12 guests across six suites. A large lobby sits between the main salon and guest night quarters, while the full beam main deck forward is dedicated to owners and guests. Three large VIP suites and an owner’s suite on the starboard side are flooded by natural light from large windows and two further twin cabins are located on the lower deck.

An intimate salon on the main deck and a large panoramic sky lounge on the upper deck with dining area have been designed and decorated for indoor relaxation and entertainment. A particularly large cockpit features dining and lounging areas, a swimming pool and lots of space to relax. A large and partially shaded sun deck perfectly integrated into the profile provides the social hub for guests with al fresco dining, bar, vast sunbathing area and a second swimming pool.

Acala’s design by Mexican designer Simon Hamui is luxurious and relaxed at the same time. The style is aesthetically pleasant and logically coherent with the exterior look of the yacht and with the owners’ way of living on board. The owners wanted warm and welcoming interior spaces and wellappointed exterior areas for outdoor living.

Consistency and homogeneity of the interior decoration was another key request, and the result is unerring: the internal environments highlight a neatness and formal rigour combined with comfort, while subtle colours create a relaxing atmosphere.

Acala is a pure explorer and, therefore, she needs a high level of independence. The engine room is one of the sources of that independence as its redundant equipment allow to sail far and wide and to reach remote areas of the globe where it is impossible to access any sort of assistance. Her range of around 7500 nm at 10 knots will also be extremely useful. An expansive lazarette provides a very large storage area needed for many cruising necessities, water toys and diving equipment.

Since her delivery, Acala’s owners have almost never left the yacht. Having spent the summer cruising all around the Mediterranean, her itinerary will soon take her further afield to truly fulfil her vocation of remote cruising. www.cantieredellemarche.it

Acala’s severe profile with a raked bow and compact superstructure captures the very essence of an explorer vessel and combines it with the elegance of a luxury yacht that will stand the test of time.

Opposite page, Acala has a full displacement naval architecture by Sergio Cutolo/Hydro Tec and is designed to ensure excellent comfort and total safety as she fulfils her owners’ desire to explore far-flung destinations. Opening page, the upper deck salon allows for indooroutdoor relaxation and entertainment

Exterior Design

Horacio Bozzo, Horacio Bozzo Design

The aim of our work is to see the owners’ desires take shape and the owners recognising themselves in it. Designing an explorer yacht for such an experienced owner who grew up around boats and understands yachting perfectly was very gratifying.

Acala’s profile, characterised by a raked bow and compact superstructure, captures the very soul of an explorer vessel and combines it with the elegance of a luxury yacht that will stand the test of time. Large windows on the main deck, whose mullions seem not to join the superstructure, are undoubtedly the signature features of her exterior design.

Below, Acala features a thick and robust steel hull and light aluminium superstructure, while her exterior shapes, volumes and lines compose a harmonious geometry. Opposite page above, a large and partially shaded sun deck perfectly integrated into the profile provides the social hub for guests with al fresco dining, bar, vast sunbathing area and second swimming pool. Below, the al fresco dining area on the sun deck benefits from protection from the elements and is served by a dumbwaiter

All shapes, volumes and lines compose a well-balanced geometry, while her roomy body encompasses luxury social areas and very large and comfortable crew quarters – as requested by the owner whose plans include long-term cruising to reach the farthest corners of the world. A beam of 8.60 metres provides large interior spaces while allowing enjoyable side passages as found on a much larger vessel. There is also a consistency between the shape of the bow and the curve of the stern and a balance between length and volume.

The most amazing areas on board includes the huge saloon on the upper deck, which opens onto the stern terrace and has uninterrupted views on both sides thanks to floor-to-ceiling glass surfaces. The large sun deck is enjoyable even on windy days as it is protected by windbreakers doors. The crew quarters are another highlight, whose dimensions and finishes are something never seen on a yacht of Acala’s size.

The use of spaces and volumes to create highly enjoyable living environments has been calculated to the last centimetre, square centimetre, and cubic centimetre.

Harmony on board Acala is not accidental as I’ve tried to find the right balance between functionality and beauty by combining the scientific approach of a naval architect with the artistic touch of a passionate designer.

Above, an extremely comfortable owners’ suite to starboard is flooded by natural light from large windows and the extensive use of wood continues the consistency of the interior decoration

Interior Design Simon Hamui, Simon Hamui Design Studio

Given the longstanding and trusting relationship established with the clients from previous projects, the approach to Acala’s interiors was straightforward in terms of use and practicality. The client’s vast experience with yachts, and how they use them, was key to the logical and pragmatic approach to the overall layout and space distribution.

Understanding how the family and their guests live as a group when traveling determined the specific function, style and capacity of all indoor and outdoor spaces. All decisions were made in collaboration with the owners and, thanks to our excellent relationship, the project development was smooth and enjoyable.

For the aesthetic approach, we chose a very neutral and natural palette for all materials on board as the owners wanted a very calming and relaxing atmosphere. The woods used to get the desired result includes wire-brushed oil-finished oak for the wall panelling, ash wood for the flooring, aged figured eucalyptus for the cabinetry in the owner’s suite and grey ash wood and grey sucupira wood in the guest cabins. All cabinets feature leather inserts in different nuances, including beige, orange, grey, powder blue. We designed most of the furnishings and added just a few pieces by renowned manufacturers and selected artworks to provide Acala with a very personal character. For the ceilings, we designed felt-like panels with longitudinal strips of the same wood used in the wall panelling to create a welcoming ambiance, like a cocoon, that keeps you comfortable when you are inside. The use of indirect, soft lighting and careful mirror placement serve to expand the perception of the rooms.

The overall idea was to create a very informal, relaxed and carefree environment without sacrificing sophistication and well-appointed details in order to match the owners’ lifestyle.

Above, an intimate saloon on the main deck and, below, a large panoramic sky lounge on the upper deck with dining area have been designed and decorated for indoor relaxation and entertainment. The interior design is focused around a neutral and subtle colour scheme, as well as the use of a variety of woods for wall panelling, flooring and cabinetry. As a result, the interiors match the owners’ lifestyle by feeling luxurious and informal at the same time, meaning that guests feel at ease in both beach clothing during the day and formal dress for the evening

This page, Acala’s build was a complex project involving the most detailed and comprehensive specifications Cantiere delle Marche has ever drawn up. The result is a high level of comfort and independence.

The Shipyard

Vasco Buonpensiere, CEO, Cantiere delle Marche

Iam delighted with, and proud of, this milestone launch. The trust this owner put in Cantiere delle Marche gives us the highest reason of pride. It is a statement of appreciation for both our yachts and ourselves as a team who are always committed to owner satisfaction. The mutual trust established between this client and the CdM team has been pivotal to the successful completion of such a complex project.

CdM’s strategy to dedicate one slot per year to fully custom projects has proved to be successful and extremely important for the technical growth of the shipyard. Building these one-off vessels is a great opportunity for our team to learn something new and to work out of our comfort zone: this is the only key to move forward and improve, in our opinion, and that’s why we opted for this strategy The work on Acala’s technical specifications was extremely detailed and lasted almost 12 months to achieve a double result: to build a 43-metre yacht with the most detailed and comprehensive specs we have ever drawn up and to proceed with no need for major modifications as construction progressed. In the light of these approaches and procedures, within the team we joke that we have built the smallest 80-metre yacht ever built!

Acala is an extraordinary explorer yacht built for an extraordinary owner who is a true explorer himself. The layout of the yacht is fit for purpose and highly functional. Whoever has the chance to visit Acala feels it: she actually casts a spell on all go on board. Her exterior design boasts elegantly shaped lines and her interior is extraordinarily comfortable and welcoming. There is nothing astonishing or glamorous on board Acala, but what you see is the essence of elegance – something rarely seen on yachts where most features are meant to surprise or show how expensive they are.

Below, large windows on the main deck are undoubtedly the signature features of her exterior design. A beam of 8.60 metres provides large interior spaces while allowing enjoyable side passages as found on a much larger vessel