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Palmer Johnson’s first composite series yacht, Alter Ego, packs a lot of volume and vitality into a 123-foot raised pilothouse design.
by Kate Simpson
photography by H. Shaw McCutcheon
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08/01/2005
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| Palmer Johnson 123 |  |
At first glance, the pearlized paint shows that this isn’t your
typical gelcoat job. Then, almost subconsciously, the eye perceives the
protrusion of the radar arch beyond the yacht’s full body, creating the illusion
of a narrow boat penetrating through the full beam. This clever strategy makes
the widebody salon below just a consequence of the design, not the leading
factor. In addition, the top deck carries the pilothouse’s smaller width aft,
where the slender aft overhead adds to the yacht’s sleek appearance.
Meanwhile, inside the main salon is a space befitting a
150-footer. And the galley forward is big enough for a chef to whip up a
banquet. "The boat was built around the galley; it is not leftover space. People
want the best food on yachts, so you have to give someone the proper environment
to create it," says Lenard, adding that there is an astounding 30 feet of
counter space.
 The wheelhouse is a true megayacht bridge, encompassing both
excellent working and observing spaces. The helm is equipped with all Raymarine
navigation electronics. (Click image to enlarge)
Forward on the main deck, the yard and designers created a
master suite that belongs on a tri-deck yacht. Instead of the country kitchen
found on many midsize raised pilothouse yachts, the space is given over to a
spacious king-bed suite with his-and-her baths running athwartships forward. "It
is a true large yacht for someone who doesn’t want a large yacht," says Kelsey.
To maintain privacy, windows facing the port and starboard sidedecks were
purposely kept below the eye level of anyone passing outside.
Nuvolari-Lenard designed Alter Ego after
working on the 212-foot Perini Navi Felicità west – a
modern adaptation of a classic gentleman’s sailing yacht. "We took the
experience and language from the Perini and transported it into this boat," says
Lenard. "The interior has the spirit of light. It is soft, not too
chateau-like."
A tone-on-tone theme of the fabrics and satin-finished joinery
runs throughout. The fabrics, by Italian company Rubelli, play on texture
variations rather than color. Bulkheads are cherry while much of the
furnishings, such as the beds and nightstands, are walnut. "It’s like
bringing pieces into a finished house," says Lenard. "You can feel the
depth." Elegant dark wengé flooring in the main salon integrates with the
two-toned joinery and "floats" the lighter wood dining chairs.
Palmer Johnson’s "big-boat" mentality shines through in the
quality of construction. Alter Ego is built like a superyacht, not a
production boat. As Lenard says, laughing, "It would be against the mother
program for them to do any differently!" The wheelhouse, sporting Stidd
captain’s chairs, offers excellent visibility from the helm even with the master
stateroom below. The spacious engine room shows the sophistication of the big
builds with copper-nickel piping, Soundown exhaust silencers and Delta "T"
ventilation. Performance is a respectable 20 knots from twin MTU 16V 2000s.
She’s also exceptionally quiet. Kelsey started up the engines
at the Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show for two clients, one of whom ended up
buying her. Most builders wouldn’t dare expose any rattle or risk smoking up the
dock, but Kelsey had nothing to fear from the yacht’s floating interior and
rubber-gasketed doors. Neither of the clients could tell when he shut down the
engines. "We insulated this fiberglass boat the same way we insulate all of our
aluminum boats. If you take the technology from a louder material and translate
it into fiberglass, the results will be even quieter," says Kelsey. Under way,
decibel levels register as low as the 40s.
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