|
|
|
Built for an experienced yachtsman with a case of wanderlust, Lürssen’s ice-classed expedition yacht Northern Star has put thousands of miles under her keel in her first year.
by Andrew Dwight
photography by Onne Van Der Wal
|
12/01/2005
|
| Lurssen 207 |  |
An experienced seafarer with decades of knowledge accumulated on all types of vessels, the owner of 63-meter Northern Star views the trendy cruising grounds in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean with a “been there, done that” attitude. Instead, he took his new Lurssen yacht on an inaugural cruise in the frigid waters around Labrador and Newfoundland. According to all reports, it was the most enjoyable voyage he has ever made.
Northern Star’s owner runs the biggest commercial fishing fleet in North America, so he is no stranger to the brutal conditions boats and their crews encounter in heavy seas and rough weather. His many years spent under sail aboard ocean-racing yachts have added even more layers of knowledge and insight into how yachts should be built. In Northern Star, he decided to build a long-range, go-anywhere vessel with a reinforced ice-class steel hull.
| Click on the Spec and Design tab at top to see complete list of resources. |
 The owner’s extensive maritime background is apparent in his choice of the shipyard and designers for the project. Exterior stylist Espen Oeino, known for several of the more spectacular Lurssens launched over the past decade gave Northern Star her seagoing character as an exploration yacht fit for extended passagemaking. His design included massive volume within her displacement hull and aluminum superstructure, and open decks for guest comfort and unimpeded crew operations. Well-planned spaces inside and out on six deck levels reinforce the sense that this is a boat designed just as much for work as she is for pleasure. (Click image to enlarge)
Northern Star’s interior was designed by Pauline Nunns in consultation with the owner’s wife, and is in many ways reminiscent of a French country farmhouse. Serena Williams-Ellis provided decorations that reinforce the theme. The overall effect is one of understated rustic charm, resulting in a comfortable, homelike atmosphere. Special touches include hand-painted murals, a fireplace, myriad antiques and white tongue-and-groove-planked overheads that evoke sailing yachts of an earlier era.
The yacht has sleeping accommodations for a dozen guests and a crew of 15, plus space for an additional systems technician when needed. Befitting an owner who wants to see the world from his yacht, the master suite is located forward on the upper deck, where windows on three sides provide panoramic views from a stately perch. A forward-facing seating area is positioned at the perfect vantage point. The king berth is on center line with his and her bathrooms just aft; one with shower room, the other with tub. The owner also has a private study on the main deck below, with its own marble-trimmed bath.
Four guest staterooms with ensuite bathrooms lie off an oak-
paneled corridor on the main deck. Two are configured as kings, the others as twins; all are large. The fifth VIP cabin, located on the lower deck, can serve as an alternate owner’s stateroom when the yacht is in heavy seas. The crew quarters are closer to amidships than in their customary position in the bows, ensuring they too will have a comfortable ride in rough conditions. The galley is also on the lower deck, in keeping with the owner’s desire to facilitate crew movements on board.
The outdoor lounge, is just aft of the fitness room on the stern of the bridge deck. The spa and casual seating are designed to provide a comfortable escape for post-workout relaxation. The bar offers juices as well as cocktails. (Click images to enlarge)
Northern Star may be efficiently designed for work, but she offers plenty of opportunities for play. Both her sun deck and upper deck provide expansive exterior spaces for sunbathing, dining or lounging. The bridge deck features an enclosed gym and a 10-person spa pool. The tender fleet includes a rigid hull inflatable, a Boston Whaler, two Honda personal watercraft, two sailing dinghies and four kayaks. She also carries a full complement of fishing gear, water toys, water skis, wakeboards and diving and snorkeling equipment for 12.
|
|
|
|
|
; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
; function voidFunc() { } voidFunc();)
Email This
Printer Friendly Version
Reprints & Permissions
Most Popular Searches