On the Water Master
On the Water Master Craft In contrast to the dynamic lines of the exterior, the yacht’s interiors are soothing, focused on natural elements such as soft stones and tactile woods Flying Fox has a bounty of amenities, from the helicopter pad, previous page, hammam, top, tenders and sea toys, bottom, to the remarkable transverse pool, facing page The German shipyard is not the only superstar to take part in the yacht’s creation: renowned Norwegian designer Espen Oeino is responsible for the eye-catching, muscular exterior lines – as well as the dove-grey hull, which may set a trend for future builds. But it’s the onboard features that shine brightest of all, in particular the extraordinary spa area. Spread over two decks and 400 square metres, it’s unrivalled in the superyacht community. On the lower deck, a huge whirlpool takes centre stage, capable of switching between icy and steamy water in just ten minutes thanks to dual hot and cold tanks. Surrounding this, Japanese-style shoji doors separate a variety of rooms – and can also be collapsed to enjoy the vast space as a whole. There’s a relaxation room, a sea lounge, a large sauna, a stylish hammam made entirely with white Jerusalem stone and – in a first for a yacht – a CryoSauna. Used to treat pain relief and aid muscle recovery through extreme cold temperatures, this two-chamber machine can go as low as -110° Celsius. The spa continues on the bridge deck with a beauty centre, wet and dry massage rooms and a fully equipped gym with professional trainers, including some with military backgrounds and yoga specialists. The greatest technological innovation is the transverse swimming pool (as opposed to the usual bow-to-stern placement), which measures 12 metres by three metres and posed significant difficulties. “The challenge was the movement of the water – if the vessel is rolling, keeping the water within the pool is difficult,” explains Florian Preuss, project manager for Flying Fox at Lürssen. “We ordered extensive model testing at the University of Duisburg- Essen with a 1:10 scale model mounted on a pedestal that moved according to seakeeping analysis of the vessel – so simulating real conditions. Lürssen identified the solution as two retractable baffles that create a kind of gate in the middle to break up the volume of water, so it can’t build up momentum.” Beyond the pampering and play centre, Flying Fox is truly a home on the ocean, with up to 25 guests accommodated in 11 cabins – all with private sea terraces. The upper deck is taken up by the master suite which offers panoramic views over 46 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM
the bow and a commodious living space that includes a dramatic bathroom with stunning mosaic details. In contrast to the dynamic lines of the exterior, the yacht’s interiors are soothing, focused on natural elements such as soft stones and tactile woods. The colour palette is entirely calm: the fabrics are unobtrusive beiges and whites, which emphasises the stone and wood details and plants, which add a splash of green both inside and out. The abundant flora was of particular importance to designer Mark Berryman. “Large trees and plants add life and soften an interior space,” he says. “Flying Fox takes this one step further and has the large integrated planting troughs connected to a state-of-the-art irrigation system.” Engineers can track the status of the plants and ensure the greenery stays fresh. Such attention to detail abounds in every corner of the yacht. An elegant limestone spiral staircase, for instance, takes guests from the ten cabins on the main deck to the two-storey salon with a wood fireplace and a 24-seat dining table. Diners benefit, too, from a versatile galley that can prepare meals on a teppanyaki griddle or Josper charcoal grill and in rotisserie or tandoori ovens, among many other methods. For after-dinner relaxation, there’s a cinema with Dolby Atmos surround sound. As comfortable as life is on board, there are also ample ways to escape – for sea adventure there is a comprehensively equipped dive store area with a three-seat compression chamber, countless water toys including classic Sea-Doo jet skis, and nine tenders. For exploring on land, a 12- seat helicopter is situated on the sun deck helipad. Like every aspect of this majestic yacht, the toys combine power and grace with a host of innovative touches – making Flying Fox, like so many Lürssen yachts, a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Flying Fox can be chartered through Monaco-based Imperial and is the only superyacht of its size in this market. Available in the Mediterranean for the summer season, she will be cruising in the Indian Ocean in winter. imperial-yachts.com; lurssen.com • Technical Specifications LOA: 136m Beam: 22.5m Draught: 5.1m Top Speed: 20kn Cruising Speed: 15kn PHOTOS GUILLAUME PLISSON CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM 47
