SUPERYACHT #497
September 2003
Article selected from our quarterly magazine dedicated to the largest
and most luxurious boats with information, interviews, technical
articles, images and yachting news
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Article by
Fabio Petrone
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FEADSHIP "WEDGE TOO"
Philippe Starck, one of the most fashionable designer and architect of
the moment for his originality and creativity.
Famous for having been artistic director at Pierre Cardin for having
designed the furniture of the Elysee palace - residence of the
president of the French republic - and for designing numerous
premises in Paris, New York and Tokyo, who was awarded many times
prizes in the sector of industrial design for his work which has
become a symbol of elegance, has also signed this "Wedge Too", his
first "test" in the world of superyachts.
Of the boat, built with
steel hull and superstructure in aluminium at the Dutch shipyard of De
Vries, which due to its 65 metres of length is the largest Feadship
ever made, Starck is responsible for both the exterior and interior -
the naval architecture is in the hands of De Vogt studio - offering
shapes, which are often essential but enriched by architectural
details and decor, sometimes spectacular, making it interesting, and
in some ways innovative, interpreting fully the creative keynote of
the French designer.
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TECHNICAL FEATURES
Loa: 65,00 M
Width: 11,00 m
Draught: 3,35 m
Fuel tank: l 126,150
Water tank: l 26,400
Motorization: 2 x 2,000 HP CAT 3516B
Maximum speed: 16,5 knots
Cruising speed: 13 knots
Range at speed of 13 knots: 4,700 miles
Generators: 3 x 200 kW Caterpillar
Desalinators: HEM of 32,000 litres overall per day
Propellers: Van Voorden
Conditioning system: Heinen & Hopman
Classification: ABS.
For information please contact: Feadship Holland B.V. - Zijlweg 148c -
P.O. Box 5238 - 2000 GE Haarlem - The Netherlands - Tel +31 (0)23
5247000 - Fax +31 (0)23 5248639 - Web: www.feadship.nl - E-mail: info@feadship.nl
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This is evident at a glance, observing the boat
in its fullness, where the almost essential lines in the hull are
completed by rounded decks and literally "studded" with glass
surfaces, embellished by oil treated teak profiles, which follow on
one from the other without any solution of continuity along the
periplus of "Wedge Too". In addition to the purely aesthetic aspect,
homage to the vessels of the 30's, this solution has clearly given an
extraordinary light to all of the interior settings, guaranteeing a
panoramic view of sure delight, especially from the three upper decks.
The interiors are characterised overall by a very personal fitting out
with areas where lighting is very well cared: lighting points never
from the top but from low level, strategically positioned - the
conspicuous use of prestigious woods -the used woods cover an area of
approx. 700m2 - with a furniture based on maximum practicality, but in
which we find a richness of detail and complement of furniture,
typical of the more luxurious and "à la page" homes.
Prestigious pieces, true and proper "gems" of antiques are not
missing, but also prestigious marbles, finely worked crystals and
sumptuous tapestries, which Starck, in a calibrated mix of old and
new, has skilfully inserted a little everywhere, make the compartments
homogenous if none other than for the taste and personality, in a
succession of settings, more or less coloured and suffused but always
perfectly enjoyable. Access to the hull is by the main deck, ahead of
the large lounge, where, on the left, we find a comfortable stairway
giving access to the upper deck, entirely reserved to the owner and
his family. Starboard is a corridor that leads to the dining area,
characterised by a suggestive door and large table, both polished,
whose maximum capacity is for 16 fellow guests. Nevertheless, the room
is able to accommodate another 24 people who can find room at other
smaller tables, to the left and right. Stern side, as we have said, is
the "main lounge", a room of sizeable dimensions, able to hold two
gigantic L shaped sofas, deep enough to be able to hold also lying
guests. There are a table with chairs in glass, sophisticated lamps
inspired by the operas of Salvador Dali and even a "throne" with
workmanship in silver. Always on this deck are three spacious VIP
staterooms, fitted with en suite bathroom, in addition to a large and
fitted out galley. As we have said, the second deck is entirely
dedicated to the owner and his family. Here there is also a large
lounge area, exquisitely furnished connected to the master suite by a
long corridor, composed of a succession of atriums. The "owner's area"
has two cabins for relations, three wardrobes, one technical room,
which includes one of the three laundries on board, and the "master
stateroom". This boasts an exceptional panoramic view, 180° of a
view projected bow side, which can be enjoyed directly from the double
bed. The furniture complements, in this case also, are of absolute
value, with parts in gold and period furniture, but where there is a
large colour plasma TV inside a Louis XVI writing desk. Higher up
again is the "bridge deck", slightly more contained in size with
respect to the lower decks, but still beautiful and largely panoramic.
Here, in addition to the commander's quarters and the radio room, we
find the control station of the boat, probably the most traditional
setting on the "Wedge Too", located in a dominating position and
fitted with the best accessories available on the market. The sun deck
boasts a fitting out dedicated entirely to sunbathing and swimming,
with a large pool and furnishings which are only sundeck and chairs
that are extremely comfortable. Another four guest staterooms are
located in the lowest deck, all characterised by a common style of
architecture and furniture, offering an excellent level of privacy. On
the lower deck is the engine room, big enough to easily accommodate
the two Caterpillar 3516B, each of 2,000 HP, able to push the boat at
a maximum speed of 16,5 knots with an estimated range of about 4,700
nautical miles. There is a lot of other space for stowage of material,
and finally, the quarters for the over 20-man crew of this boat.
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