3 minute read
Malcom McKeon
MALCOLM MCKEON
APEX 850 is an exciting, infinitely elegant concept. Topped by a towering 107m rig, the 85m will be both the world’s largest sloop-rigged superyacht and the world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht. All it needs now is the final finishing touch of a visionary owner
by Mary Hegarty
Introducing the spectacular Apex 850 which has a completely flush deck topped by an ethereal white glass superstructure and seems to float like a feather on the water despite it huge scale. Note the al fresco dining area between the helm and the full-beam doors. Inside the main saloon enjoys 360-degree views of the sea
Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design creates exceptional yachts for visionary people, delivering a whole new level of styling, performance and comfort. McKeon himself has been one of the superyacht’s top designers for over 30 years with more than 50 of the craft in his 200-strong motor and sailing portfolio coming in at over 30m. One of his latest creations is the APEX 850 which is ready to start building at the Royal Huisman shipyard. All this bold concept now requires is the finishing touch of an inspired owner who will also save themselves two years in development time. The Apex 850’s sleekly elongated hull has a gentle sheer and a reverse bow. Although it floats like a feather on the water, its scale is spectacular. An ethereal all-glass superstructure shimmers on deck, creating a pivotal 200 sqm single-level social space. Its ‘white glass’ has no reflections and so takes the minimalist ethos of the APEX 850 to new extremes. Continuous glass sides create virtually see-through exterior panels yet are also a main structural component. An al fresco dining area sits between the helm and the full-beam superstructure doors. Inside the main saloon enjoys 360-degree views, with the sea omnipresent. The glass doors can drop out of sight into hidden cassettes, completely opening the space to the elements and creating uninterrupted deck spaces that run from stem to stern. This, of course, further blurs the divide with the sea. The APEX 850 can accommodate up to 12 guests in five superb cabins. The 250 sqm owner’s suite is aft with a huge bed on the centreline, a private lounge, walk-in closet and a spacious en suite bathroom with adjacent sauna. There is even a private kitchenette
The sea is omnipresent, be in the saloon, the forward cockpit with its Bedouin-style canopy, or the 50 sqm swim platform, gym and social area. Even the full-beam superstructure glass doors drop into hidden cassettes, to open the interior to the world outside
plus direct access to the beach club, which doubles as a cinema room with floor-to-ceiling glass on either side. All of the winches, furlers, mooring cleats, anchor gear, etc. that might normally adorn the flush deck have been secreted out of sight along with two 8m tenders. Ahead of the mast, the forward-facing guest cockpit focuses the eye on the horizon and supercharges the feeling of speed, intensifying the sensory impact of the surrounding seascape. The snug, intimate forward cockpit can be shaded by a romantic Bedouin tent-style canopy. The transom and a section of deck swing out and over the water to reveal an expansive 50 sqm swim platform, gym and social area. Lastly, the 85m hull also packs twin carbon rudders and an 8.5-to-5m retractable keel that provides balance and stability as well as access to shallower harbours. www.malcolmmckeonyachtdesign.com
