The 46.22-metre semi-displacement motor yacht Como features a modern bow and whaleback sheer. Como’s exterior design reflects the owner’s very specific ideas. Como comprises two and a half decks – an exception for Feadship in recent times when most projects have had four or five. The wheelhouse is slightly recessed into the main deck structure, re-emphasising the streamline of the design while creating a gigantic outside deck.
Pure custom creation
On Como custom means an unprecedented use of glass panels all the way round the yacht, sliding windows on the flybridge and main deck that facilitate a wide range of outdoor/indoor scenarios, a radically different mast design, a rotating floor in the main lounge and an exceptionally large refrigeration capacity.
Perfect craftsmanship
On Como, perfect craftsmanship can be seen in her exterior metallic paint, which was praised by the class association as being truly unprecedented in its beauty. Inside and out, Feadship’s carpenters had a field day making the myriad small details and intricate design features in dark timber.
Meeting the owner’s fondness for stainless steel was very challenging in places with countless super-thin strips required. And the way this has all been blended with white marble to create a compellingly clean interior is, in itself, a true work of craft.
Innovations
On Como, innovation is instantly apparent in the pioneering use of glass. The extent of the challenge of using such giant glass structures with such immense curves cannot be overstated. The answer was to place the superstructure glass on top of the metal rather than setting it into it, creating a continuous surface.
The bulwark windows measure almost seven metres in length while the portholes in the hull are the maximum allowed under class for that location. Tests on the latter included dropping a steel ball from six metres onto the glass structure as well as the most stringent pressure tests. Como truly stretches the physical limitations of glass as they were understood anno 2014.
There wasn’t a single boat that led me to Feadship. Rather it was the pedigree and quality for which Feadship is renowned, which is a key component in the excellent resale value of Feadships.
Speedy look & feel
Como has a ‘two-and-a-half deck’ layout in order to incorporate the owner’s specific request for a climate-controlled flybridge that serves the raised pilothouse lifestyle he so enjoys. The wheelhouse is slightly recessed into the main deck structure, re-emphasising the speedy look & feel of the design while creating a gigantic outside deck. Combined with the awesome metallic hull and imposing mast design, it all makes for a truly magnificent sight.
Sun deck
The sun deck with the flybridge is the owner’s favourite spot. A wonderful party area for up to fifty people is completely covered and surrounded by glass, which can be lowered to facilitate a nice breeze or raised to create a giant terrace protected from the elements. A bimini with a composite beam slides out, removing the need for fixed stanchions on the deck.
The ventilation system also allows for heating as well as cooling for evenings when there is a slight chill. The choice of Macassar ebony for an outer deck is unusual and required some special lacquering solutions.
Among the other highlights here are a pop-up TV, a ‘proper BBQ’ to reflect the owner’s New Zealand roots, and a splendid marble-clad cocktail bar. The latter also contains provision for a crane as the sun deck is the MOB location when Como embarks on transatlantic trips. Meanwhile, the back end of the wheelhouse slopes down from the front into a fully equipped control station for outdoor helming.
Main deck
Interior designers Redman Whiteley Dixon have devised a masculine yet calming ambience based primarily on high-gloss Macassar ebony, with white marble in the bathrooms. Nero Portoro marble is used for centrepieces such as the bar unit that straddles the sliding glass doors between the main lounge and the aft deck. The ingenious sliding door mechanism allows this whole area to become one piece.
Main lounge
The main deck is the most used when at sea. Its lounge is bathed in natural light while the ceiling is made out of real mirror-raised stainless steel. An ingenious seating circle rotates using air cushions depending on use: slide 90° to watch the 82-inch TV or swivel the other way to face the aft deck and connect with the guests enjoying the dining area with dedicated sunshade.
Giant windows
Further forward, the owner’s quarters include an office and dressing room, with giant windows offering a grand panorama from the bedroom.
Lower deck
Como’s lower deck is home to four delightful guest suites; two doubles aft and two twins forward. All are spacious and the views from the beds which have been placed transversely instead of in the usual longitudinal pattern are truly spectacular, both when at anchor and at sea.
Greek marble
The bathrooms feature a wealth of white marble from Greece that the owner originally saw at a friend’s house. Finding this same marble in sufficiently large slabs of the required quality was an enormous task for the Feadship team responsible.
I’ve owned many boats in my life and the quality that I have received on Como is light years ahead of my previous boats.
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