|
|
|
The Far East gave the world gunpowder and pasta. Now it presents another innovation.
by Jonathan Webster
photography by Kevin Miller
|
04/01/2005
|
| YANTAI RAFFLES 289 |  |
To date, Asean Lady has performed flawlessly, riding out
the recent tsunamis in Southeast Asia. Anchored in Phuket’s Patong Bay, she
was largely unaffected, due in part, says Chang, to her well-balanced center of
gravity and the quick reaction of her captain and crew. (See Tsunami Survivor.)
"A good friend of mine was recently with us in Thailand –
earlier in December – and he remarked that he felt like he was on land and not
really on a boat. I’m not convinced that is necessarily a good thing, but it
definitely provides serious testimony for how stable she is," says Chang.
That stability allows passengers to make good use of the
vessel’s 20,000 square feet of interior space, an area that has been
meticulously designed and overseen by Annie Chang, Brian’s wife. The generosity
of the living quarters is due in part to the extra space provided by the bridge
linking the main hull and outrigger. For example, the master suite comprises a
cavernous 1,600 square feet, larger than many penthouse apartments. And, unlike
many yachts, Asean Lady is bright with natural sunlight throughout
because of the openness, perspective and sheer number of windows – many at
angles not commonly seen on large yachts.
"We’ve already had a party with more than one hundred and
eighty guests and it wasn’t remotely crowded," says Chang. But Asean Lady
is by no means a floating hotel. She accommodates a maximum of 20 guests in
eight beautifully decorated suites.
The rich interior is detailed in a traditional Chinese style
using predominantly local stone and woods carved by area craftsmen. The decks
are fitted out with thousands of yards of teak from the forests of Papua New
Guinea.
Chang has fielded several serious inquiries for similar builds,
at least two of which he expects to come to fruition over the next 18 months.
But, he says, "I’m realistic, I do not see a trend coming, at least not yet.
Time will slowly make owners more comfortable with our concept, but there will
be no spectacular growth.
"I do see yachting projects growing to where they will acquire
more technology with a greater emphasis on reliability and less on look and
feel. As time passes over the next ten and twenty years, you will see the
influence this yacht will have on the design and build principles of future
yachts, much as the proas of the Pacific have so fundamentally inspired
our yacht, our Asean Lady."
|
|
|
|
|
Email This
Printer Friendly Version
Reprints & Permissions
Most Popular Searches