The 87-metre EXPV concept by Harrison Eidsgaard in collaboration with Feadship takes a completely fresh and unconventional approach to what large yachts – especially explorers – should look like.
Peder Eidsgaard, founder and partner of Harrison Eidsgaard and Jan-Bart Verkuyl, Feadship Director / CEO Royal Van Lent Shipyard talk about the 87-metre EXPV concept by Harrison Eidsgaard in collaboration with Feadship.
Jan-Bart Verkuyl, Feadship Director / CEO Royal Van Lent ShipyardWe’ve collaborated with Harrison Eidsgaard on various projects and they always throw a few challenges into the mix
In a radical departure from the norm, the owner and guest quarters are completely separate, hence the distinctive ‘split’ superstructure with the owner’s private space in the forward section and the guest area aft.
The two deckhouses are served by separate staircases and elevators but they are also connected, of course; in this case by a floating Glass Bridge and the Ocean Lounge, effectively an expansive beach club on the lower deck amidships with folding platforms on both sides, an indoor swimming pool and a large skylight in the deckhead above.
The concept is based on the premise that the owners have their own residence and there is a separate guest house for friends and visitors. Owners can spend weeks on board in full privacy, but also interact with their guests in the Ocean Lounge in the middle of the boat.
Collaborating with Harrison Eidsgaard means a few challenges are always thrown into the mix. The Glass Bridge was one such challenge that Feadship Studio De Voogt engineers had to work out. Suspended in mid-air, it’s a completely new idea and quite a feat of engineering.
See through the Glass Bridge while standing by the flagpole in the stern of the yacht, between the Bridge’s split helm console and all the way to the bow. The hydraulic side platforms in the Ocean Lounge are not at water level but slightly higher, which means they can be deployed in quite rough conditions without wave slapping or risk of flooding. Sliding glass doors also mean the flush deck platforms can remain open at night or in cooler climes.
Large tenders are stowed on the open deck – as befits any explorer yacht – above the Ocean Lounge under the Glass Bridge. EXPV offers space for two 13.5-metre tenders without height restrictions. In a side-opening garage under the foredeck more tenders and toys can be carried.
Right at the bow on bridge deck level is a cosy nook that can be used for both sunbathing and dining. The Owner’s Office is located behind the wheelhouse, with a full-beam and very private Master Suite on the deck below. At the very top is the owner’s observation lounge with full-height windows and a private terrace overlooking the foredeck.
The heli-deck above the observation lounge is fully certified and has direct access to the owner’s apartment. The helicopter can be used almost as a tender for commuting to and from the yacht on day trips. It hugely extends the area they can visit and is used frequently, but because it’s on the forward deckhouse there is minimal disturbance for the guest activities in the stern.
Inspiration for the guest accommodation came from a feature of cruise ships whereby the most desirable staterooms are always facing outboard and also aft. In a completely new solution on a superyacht, there are six guest suites arranged around the stern on two deck levels and all have beds facing out to sea with private terraces. The staterooms can also be combined into very specious VIP suites depending on the number of guests on board.
Peder Eidsgaard, founder and partner of Harrison EidsgaardIt might seem like an extreme design, but if you examine the individual elements, they all make perfect sense.
