CALACATTA GOLD MARBLE
A NEW YACHT CONCEPT
by Paola Bertelli- ph. courtesy by Omikron Yachts
Able to charm and surprise lovers of both motor and sail yachts, the OT-60 marks the arrival of the Omikron Yachts yard in the market. It’s a functional, efficient 18-metre craft with uncluttered elegance. Juan Kouyoumdjian handled the hull lines, Lorenzo Argento the exterior and interior design and interior décor is by Ciarmoli Queda Studio
OT-60 is a motor yacht that looks beyond contemporary norms. This aerial view shows the shape of the hull and bowsprit for anchor deployment, a typical sail yacht feature
S“low yachting” is the philosophy behind the OT-60, where the word “slow” encompasses a love for the sea combined with aware, relaxed sailing and the typical lifestyle of the Greek islands against the background of the sundrenched rhythms of the Mediterranean.
OT-60 is the first model by Omikron Yachts, a brand that is part of the Greek Olympic Marine group. In 2019 the group revamped and renamed its long-established Olympic Yachts yard, which became Omikron Yachts.
With innovative design, high construction quality and an ecologically-aware approach, this intriguing18-metre craft offers new, fresh, perspectives on the motor yacht, chase boat and navette concepts – so it should come as no surprise that in 2024, the year the yard and the yacht made their debut, the OT-60 won three important prizes, the European Powerboat Award in the Long Range Yacht category, the World Yachts Trophy as Revelation of the Year and the Best of Boats Award in the ‘Big Boats’ category. The influence of sail yacht design is evident in the hull shape and
deck details – inevitable, really, as the team behind it included expert sail yachtsmen like the hull designer Juan Kouyoumdjian, a top designer better known as Juan-K, who in the racing world has been responsible for many winning boats, and Lorenzo Argento, another name closely linked to sail and racing, who created the exterior design and interior layout. Interior decor is by the Ciarmoli Queda Studio.
It’s a yacht that’s “designed to sail without sails”, as the yard likes to describe it, and this is embodied by the simple, functional, efficient and very seaworthy design that expresses the “slow yachting” concept with great elegance and comfort. This philosophy has also encouraged a move towards more sustainable solutions without increasing complexity and costs for the environment and owners. The coachroof features large, glazed surfaces - when the aft windows are open the cockpit and dinette integrate smoothly, thanks to details like the flush deck, uniform floor and complementary furnishings. The large, sociable space that is created is equipped with sofas and tables. Two side stairways connect the cockpit to the
The opening windowed partitions (above) make it possible to create a large space comprising the dinette and cockpit. Double height for the kitchen area (below), which is drenched in natural light flooding in through the large coachroof windows. The design is clean and functional throughoutthis is even more evident when the yacht is under way (opposite page)
Natural materials, neutral colours and tactile finishes invite guests to relax in total comfort. Above, the helm console shares the dinette space. The three guest cabins on the lower deck (a four-cabin version is also in the works) with the full-beam owner’s cabin forward (left) and two cabins aft. The yacht has been optimised to sail at a relaxed speed of around 10-12 knots
bathing platform. A classic sunpad is located forward.
The lack of flybridge is a deliberate design choice, as on a yacht of this type and size it would compromise the sleek, casual style.
The interior colour palette is made up of light, neutral shades, with natural fabrics and bright, fresh spaces inviting relaxation. The central area of the lower deck is especially interesting - not all the lower deck is actually “below deck”. Coming down the stairs, guests land in an open-concept, double-deck height annexe that comprises galley and dining area. This space is very bright, exploiting the light streaming in through the coachroof windows.
There are two planned layouts, with three or four cabins fore and aft of the galley.
The hull and engines are optimised for easy-going sailing at speeds of 10-12 knots while sipping frugally at the fuel, consuming only about 1.25 lt/h. According to research carried out by Omikron, these are the ideal speeds for laid-back sailing, as they enable passengers to enjoy the pleasures of the voyage and on-board life while travelling from one destination to the next. omikronyachts.com
