Last December’s launch of 54-meter (177-foot) Ability capped a remarkable second half to 2005 for Italy’s CRN shipyard. The Ferretti Group company sold 17 yachts—each between 30 and 72 meters—during that six-month stretch, an extraordinary accomplishment by any standard. So it wasn’t surprising that Norberto Ferretti and his management team were in festive spirits at the launch of this displacement yacht, Hull No. 119, despite the rain showers blowing into Ancona off the Adriatic.

Ability’s fluid exterior lines are by Zuccon International Project. The interior layout and décor resulted from a collaborative effort between Zuccon and the owner Andreas Panayiotou, who has a long-standing relationship with CRN. (Panayiotou was to take delivery of a Custom Line 128, but switched to the steel-and-aluminum Ability.)

Ability under way (note the open owner’s balcony, forward main deck.) (Click image to enlarge)

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These requests included two of the yacht’s most innovative interior features: the gymnasium in the stern section of the lower deck and the balcony in the owner’s cabin on the main deck.

The full-spec gym, sauna and steam room are housed in an area that would ordinarily be taken up by the tender garage, a change that presented some design challenges to CRN’s technical office. Instead of the regular transom door, there are two sliding glass doors that open onto the swim platform, which has a fold-down extension to provide 19 square meters of "beach," complete with pop-up cleats for securing the tender. Developed in accordance with MCA recommendations, these watertight glass doors are made from twin panes of tempered glass sandwiched around an intermediate polycarbonate layer, for an overall thickness of 40 millimeters (1.6 inches). The glass can be covered with metal storm covers for long crossings in rough seas, but project manager Danielle Pascutti thinks these will only be necessary for the worst weather conditions: "During sea trials in high seas we put the yacht in full reverse and the aft platform was completely underwater, but not a drop of water entered the gym area." The gym provides access to the garage and side-loading 6.8-meter Novurania tender, and there is a second entry from the main deck.

With a plan for chartering, the owner and Nigel Burgess sought out the best in noise attenuation. In addition to floating floors and walls throughout, the entire engine room is lead lined. The result is an extremely low 48 decibels in the owner’s suite, 55 decibels in the guest cabins and the bridge, and 57 decibels in the salons. CRN also analyzed simulated vibration levels from the engine room, props and drive shafts. As a result, the technical team increased the diameter of the drive shafts by 10 millimeters and added an intermediate bracket to prevent whirling vibrations. Further, prop-maker Rolla conducted additional tests for noisy cavitation and pressure pulses, and recommended using six-blade propellers.To accommodate 12 charter guests, Ability’s GA includes three VIP cabins, one on the upper deck and two on the lower deck, plus two twin single guest cabins with Pullman bunks. But Ability is still very much a private vessel and the art deco–inspired décor reflects Panayiotou’s personal tastes. "I’ve seen too many bland yachts with cherry paneling and cream carpets, so I wanted to create a feeling of continuity between the rooms but make each area distinctive." Thus, the interior design spec calls for seven different wood finishes, including walnut, maple, myrtle and Tanganyika.

Cushion covers in the salons are of mink, rabbit and fox fur, combined with "crocodile" leather or plush velvet upholstery. A Steinway grand piano has pride of place in the main salon, while Versace wall lamps and a Philippe Starck chaise lounge complete the furnishings in the owner’s suite. The bathrooms display travertine and marble in rose and gold, the master highlighted by Saint Laurent accessories.

The engine room houses twin Caterpillar 3512B diesels that can drive the yacht at an official top speed of 15 knots, although 16.8 knots were recorded during sea trials.

A believer that a happy crew makes for a happy ship, the owner specified that the crew mess/lounge area and six ensuite cabins be finished to a level comparable with the guest areas.

CRN
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www.crn-yacht.com