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Alloy’s 134-foot Como intended for a sailor’s tender moments.
by Ivor Wilkins
photography by Bryce Taylor and Martin Fine
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08/01/2007
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| Alloy 134 |  |
Thriving on competition, Crichton has raced motorcars at a high
level, but racing yachts is his abiding passion. His superyacht projects have
run parallel with a veritable fleet of racing yachts and have often drawn
heavily from technical advancements developed on the racing circuits.
This latest project has had something of a long genesis.
Crichton started planning a large motor yacht with Dubois Naval Architects early
in the new millennium. The original plan was to commence building at Alloy
Yachts after S.Q.N., the 128-foot motor yacht, launched in 2003.
But Crichton gave up his building slot to a friend, and his own motor yacht
project went on hold.
Top: The owner’s
suite. Photograph by Martin Fine. Bottom: The aft cockpit has an outdoor dining table and a
curved sofa that follows the contour of the transom. Photograph by Bryce Taylor. (Click images to enlarge)
In the meantime, the award-winning Ad Lib
was built. In the nature of these projects, Ad Lib, at 131 feet, was a
development of S.Q.N., and now Como, at 134 feet,
represents further refinement.
Stretching the vessel just over three feet in overall length
and extending the rake of the bow and stern has subtly altered the aesthetics,
presenting a lower overall profile. "The additional length, combined with 300
extra horsepower in the engine room, has also boosted performance by about 2.5
knots," says Crichton.
The vessel is powered by twin 1,550-hp Caterpillar diesel
engines with a cruise speed of 16 knots and a top speed of 17.5 knots. The
impeccable machinery installation has plenty of space and light. The engine room
treadplate of polished aluminum, with tread patterns perfectly matched at all
the joins, emphasizes the precision and care that has gone into the entire
engineering and finish of the vessel.
 Photograph by Ivor Wilkins. (Click image to enlarge)
With her deep blue hull and metallic silver
superstructure, the yacht’s sleek lines are enhanced by the uninterrupted sweep
of black glass windows along the main deck and stylish stainless steel louvers
that wrap around the aft side coamings and the forward superstructure. The
window line further assists the external aesthetics and the internal experience
by being lowered 2.5 inches; the sense of light and the views from the expansive
salon are glorious.
Internally, the extra length has allowed the salon, owner’s
suite and engine room to be enlarged and the weight distribution shifted
slightly aft. The interior design is by British-based Redman Whiteley Dixon. The
most striking element of the design is the white marble flooring throughout.
Combined with the large windows and the strong linear definition of the
furniture, the overall impression is of a contemporary space with light pouring
in from all sides.
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