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Aquila

Story

Pendennis re-delivered the 85.6m motor yacht Aquila in June 2016, after an extensive 12-month refit programme.

Aquila is the largest yacht yet to be refitted in the UK, and the scope of the work undertaken included an impressive revitalisation of all five deck levels. To facilitate the extent of design and technical changes required, the interiors on Aquila needed to be stripped back to bulkheads across most areas. The team completely updated the social spaces, modernised technical systems and lighting, and restyled the boat across an area of over 750m2, the scale of which was unprecedented by any of the suppliers in such a short time period.

Significant enhancements included reconfiguring the Owner’s suite along with the addition of a 60m2 private deck area, repositioning the Jacuzzi to the forward Sun Deck, and integrating a cinema into the Main Salon. Technology upgrades as part of the yacht’s five-year survey included a new AV and IT system, radomes, air conditioning and fresh air handling systems, along with the rebuild of the four generators. A complete infrastructure repaint by Pinmar completed the refit works.

Redman Whiteley Dixon (RWD) and Susan Young Interiors were commissioned to reformulate spaces and improve flow between each area of the yacht. A mix of dark wood finishes, pale leather panels with nickel trim and many new special surface materials all interplaying together to offer subtle style variations throughout the interior. Susan Young and her team focussed on conceptualising a magnificent chandelier that cascades 11.2m (40ft) through four deck levels, comprising of over 850 individual hand-blown glass pieces. Other key details, such as the patterning of the parquet wood floor that mirrors the ceiling detail in the Owner’s Salon, are complemented by bespoke furniture and meticulous atmospheric lighting design. The vision of the interior designers was realized with installation by German-based interior specialists Metrica.

In order to effectively manage a project of this scale Pendennis assigned four project managers, each with responsibility for specific aspects of the programme. They facilitated effective communication between all partners, which consisted of a combined international team of over 1,000 people at the peak of the project. The unwavering support from the Captain and crew was also a key contributor to the refit’s success. Thanks to efficient planning and collaboration between the many hundreds of people involved at each stage of the design, specification and execution phases, the team delivered on time, a truly remarkable rebirth of this beautiful yacht. We believe that this project set a new benchmark for large yacht refit programmes.

Burgess continues to represent Aquila as part of their Operational and Charter Management fleets, fully restyled, refreshed and ready to serve her Owners and charter guests in the next chapter of her story. www.burgessyachts.com

Spec

Builder Derecktors

Year of Build 2010

Former Name Cakewalk

Type Motor Yacht

Exterior Styling Tim Heywood Designs & Redman Whiteley Dixon

Interior Design Redman Whiteley Dixon & Susan Young Interiors

Construction Steel hull, aluminium superstructure

LOA 85.6m

Beam 14.3m

Draft 4.2m

Max Speed 18 knots

Pendennis Refit Year 2016

Awards Winner: Best Refit World Superyacht Awards 2017, Winner: Best Refit - ISS Awards 2017

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