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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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New Zealand expatriate Neville Crichton is a sailing man through
and through. Since the age of 12 he has owned more racing yachts than he can
easily recall, as well as a string of superyachts, many of which have pioneered
new technology.
 Photograph by Bryce Taylor. (Click image to enlarge)
By his own admission, a boat needs a mast and sails to really
stir his passions, but his latest acquisition is a 41-meter (134-foot) luxury
motor yacht. The irony of that decision is diminished when Crichton declares
that the principal purpose of the handsome tri-deck, Como, is to serve as
a floating home and tender for his racing maxi, Alfa Romeo, a high-tech,
canting-keel 100-footer that he campaigns with great distinction at major
regattas around the world.
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"I will use the boat principally to feed and entertain crew,
guests and media during maxi regattas," says Crichton, who lives in Australia.
"It will mainly be in warm locations, especially the Mediterranean, where most
of these events take place."
But, even if motor yachts are not his first love, Crichton has
nevertheless invested his customary keen attention to detail to this project—and
the result comes together in a beautifully realized package.
Noted designer Ed Dubois of Dubois Naval Architects says:
"Como represents another fine example of Alloy Yachts’ boatbuilding and
engineering expertise, and we are delighted with the result. She is a ‘go
anywhere’ vessel and has an accommodations layout which reflects the owner’s
very extensive experience."
The salon (top) is bright with marble flooring and stainless steel accents, such
as the light fixture (bottom). Photography by Martin Fine. (Click images to enlarge)
Indeed, Crichton’s experience as a superyacht
owner puts him in a very rarefied club. He has built six sailboats over 100
feet. Como is his first motor yacht over 100 feet, although he earlier
built a 60-footer and has owned a number of production motor yachts through the
years. Como is the ninth vessel he has had built at Alloy Yachts in
Auckland, New Zealand, and the seventh designed by Dubois Naval
Architects.
Taken as a body of work, his superyachts represent a
significant, possibly unmatched contribution to the world fleet, not just in
terms of their number, but also because of their technological innovation and
development. Esprit, Espada, Corinthian, Sovereign,
Kokomo and Destination Fox Harb’r saw a steady progression in size
from 106 feet to 134 feet, as well as a steady injection of sometimes bold leaps
in technology, many of which have since become industry standards. They include
the first superyacht carbon fiber mast, the first in-boom furling system and the
first employment of bow and stern thrusters.
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