
SUPERYACHT #509 September 2004
Article selected from our quarterly magazine dedicated to the largest
and most luxurious boats with information, interviews, technical
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Article by Fabio Petrone
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FEADSHIP "UTOPIA"

A DREAM THAT'S ALREADY REALITY
Delivery time is perhaps the only problem that
"torments" someone who has decided to buy one of
those really big superyachts. You need only think
that from the moment of signing the contract to the
delivery date of a 70/80 metre vessel there are
about three years to wait, apart from exceptional
cases. The exceptionalness of this Feadship "hull
667", built by the Dutch yard De Vries, perhaps lies
in this: one of those boats that many dream of but
few can buy, already built but never used. An owner
who ordered it but then, unfortunately, died shortly
before delivery date. "Utopia" is ready at the quay
for anyone who wants to buy her for 75.000.000
euros. Cayman Islands flag and "MCA" standards
observed, as a corollary to the various
classifications of excellence she enjoys.
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TECHNICAL DATA
LOA: 71.60 metres
Beam 11.40 metres
Draft 3.59 metres
Maximum speed: 16 knots
Cruising speed: 12 knots
Range at cruising speed: 5.000 miles
Fuel tank: 157.000 litres
Water tank: 37.600 litres
Helicopter fuel: 3.800 litres
Petrol reserve: 950 litres
Engines 2 x 2.000 HP Caterpillar 3516B DI-TA Mk1
For further information
Feadship Holland: Zijlweg 148C; p.o. box 5238; 2000
GE Haarlem; The Netherlands; tel. +31 (0) 23 524 70 00;
fax +31 (0) 23 524 86 39; e-mail info@feadship.nl;
web site: www.feadship.nl.
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We went to
see this steel giant with aluminium superstructure
on our recent visit to Holland where the yacht was
having the final touches added before she is put on
the market. "Utopia" was initially to be designed as
a 58 metre yacht but the customer, urged on by the
desire for a boat of absolutely top level content,
confirmed that the definitive length should be
234'11", equal to 71.60 metres, thus taking the yard
into its biggest and most complex construction ever.
There are no less than six decks. To describe them
in detail would require a good deal more space than
we have available here so we shall limit ourselves
to what struck us most during our visit aboard.
First off, the boat fully confirms the fame of this
Dutch yard in terms of quality, evidence of which is
practically everywhere. Very careful work,
micrometric assemblies and a level of finish that
leaves you astonished are found in each individual
detail of this construction, notwithstanding its
size and complexity. Aesthetically "Utopia" reprises
certain solutions already successfully expressed by
De Voogt Naval Architects in "Wedge Too", also for
Feadship. Rounded lines towards the bow in the forms
of the upper decks, then plenty of glass set between
one deck and the other, supplying a special feature
of the exterior, "slimming down" the forms and at
the same time providing a high level of interior
light. The bow is very appealing, high up and
soaring over the water, while the stern, decidedly
lower, is successfully integrated in side view with
the forms of the upper bridges which, precisely aft,
are fully dedicated to life in the open air. The
interiors are the work of the Redman, Whiteley and
Dixon design team who developed the whole middle
deck for the owner's exclusive use. The owner's
cabin features a spectacular view from the forward
windows and a terrace with Jacuzzi pool, comfortable
deck chairs and sun-beds. The owner's en suite
bathroom contains a second Jacuzzi, this time a
"simple" tub, plus shower cabin, two washbasins and
the WC in a separate room. Just aft on the port side
there is a great wardrobe room followed by the
mirrored gym which is equipped with a small service
area and kitchenette, while on the starboard side
there is a large room furnished as a studio for the
owner. A feature of the amidships zone of this
deck - and the others - consists of the access stairs, the owner's very
large, the crew's, on the port side, somewhat
smaller. Lastly, towards the stern, the "sky lounge"
opens up, a saloon with a fine fireplace, facing
sofas, a card table and a corner bar, directly
overlooking the external deck where there is a large
dining table seating 14, plus sun-beds and so on.
The next level up is the wheelhouse deck. Over and
above a spectacular bridge there is the captain's
cabin, his office and a series of service rooms
including one from which the various sophisticated
on-board audio-visual systems are managed. The open
part of the deck aft is actually a helicopter pad
equipped with a military-derived system for rapid,
safe blocking of the aircraft even in unfavourable
weather conditions.
Above, partly protected by a top in composite, is
the sundeck, complete with the umpteenth Jacuzzi, a
bar, service furniture with grill, sink etc., sun-
beds and various chairs.
For the guests there are three important VIP cabins
on the main deck, together with a guest lobby, a
huge pantry and two galleys with refrigeration cells
and a full range of professional accessories. Aft on
the same level we come to the formal dining room and
the main saloon, both extending the whole width of
the vessel and well correlated in terms of
décor. From the main lounge there is direct
access to the cockpit which is roomy enough to
comfortably accommodate the umpteenth dining table
seating 14 and is linked to the stern bridge by a
double staircase set in the transom. There are
another two guest cabins on the lower deck, this
time with twin beds but again with en suite
bathrooms. The crew's quarters are on the same
deck - no less than 6 double and 2 triple cabins -
plus technical rooms, storerooms etc.. What
literally makes you swoon is the engine room which
extends on the lower deck from amidships aft. The
size is "monumental". Though sophisticated it is so
well organised as to appear "elementary" in its
management of not only the propulsors but also all
the accessory apparatus it contains. An almost
aseptic unit supervised by an engineer operating
from a room set in a dominant position, an actual
"director's cabin", soundproofed and equipped with
the best that technology can offer. Farther aft
there are two garages for the two 8.5 metre tenders,
separated by a room for checking the fire prevention
systems, and then plenty of space for shipping jet-
skis, dinghies and anything else.
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