| Moonen 94 |  |
"We build just three or four yachts a year," said Emile Bilterijst, managing director of
Moonen Shipyards. "Owning a Moonen means you are joining an exclusive club."
I had the good fortune to make the passage between Cannes and
Monaco aboard Moonen’s new 94-foot semi-displacement cruiser, Nilo. "Get
out your stop watch," said Bilterijst, "and see how fast we reach our max speed
of 26.5 knots." | Click on the Specs tab at top to see complete list of resources. |
Driven by controllable-pitch propellers, the alloy yacht did
indeed accelerate rapidly. Plus, we managed to keep our rosé wine glasses
squarely on the sun deck’s dining table.
 Gracing a corridor is a reproduced 1513 world map. (Click image to enlarge)
The 28.94-meter Nilo is the first of the Moonen 94 Alu
Fast Yacht Series. The design originated from the four-cabin 84 series. Designer
René van der Velden was asked if he could come up with a slightly larger version
of the popular 84 that was lighter and twice as fast. In coordination with naval architects Stolk Marimecs, the concept went from paper to launch in less
than two years. Particularly noticeable when comparing the two boats is
Nilo’s semi-displacement, round-bilge shape with finer lines. She is
decidedly narrower in the bow, although she is only 10 centimeters wider than
the 84. She has a 97-ton displacement.
Conceived as a floating summer home, Nilo’s Art-Line
interior is light and airy. Her interior paneling is warm, honey-toned
anigre. (Click images to enlarge)
Her higher length-to-beam ratio helps provide a smooth ride and
greater fuel efficiency. At 11 knots, she consumes just 70 liters of fuel per
hour (including generators), which gives her a range of 2,600 nautical miles.
While she is not actually MCA-classed, she has many MCA characteristics,
such as watertight bulkheads. She is extremely quiet and vibration has been
kept to a minimum.
Nilo was built for a hands-on Turkish owner who knew
exactly what he wanted. While there are accommodations for two crewmembers aft,
this owner likes to drive himself. Since her launch in spring 2007, the yacht
has logged 5,000 miles from Holland throughout Scandinavia, back to Holland and
to the Med. She has weathered 40-knot winds and seas in excess of five meters
without a problem.
Her home base is in Turkey. Conceived to be a summer home on
the water, interior design firm Art-Line ensured that all spaces are light and
airy. Nilo boasts an ample swim platform "beach," a well-shaded aft deck
and an expansive flying bridge with a bimini top. When entering the main salon
from the cockpit, there is an immediate sense of openness. Those aboard are
treated to an unimpaired visual sightline clear through to the pilothouse.
Windows are low so that guests can see outside when seated. The internal
sculptural staircase forward leads below to the accommodations deck, as well as
up to the flybridge.
 Nilo’s higher length-to-beam ratio has the dual benefit of
providing a smooth ride and greater fuel efficiency. (Click image to enlarge)
There is a generous master suite, a VIP forward and two double
cabins. The interior paneling is warm, honey-toned anigre. The quality of the
workmanship is superb. Fabrics are sunny yellows and greens. One of the oldest
known world maps from 1513 by Piri Reis was replicated in leather by a Turkish
artist and graces the corridor between the cabins. Bilterijst is all for the
bas-relief because it weighs a lot less than the mirror that was originally
slated for the same space. Like a musical theme and variations, portions of the
map are repeated in each of the guest cabins. Reminiscent of classic sailing
yachts, the windows in the bedrooms are true nautical portholes that open to let
in fresh air. In fact, preferring a natural breeze to air conditioning, the
owner made a special request that the boat be able to survive the night on
battery power alone, without having to run the generators. Bilterijst calls Nilo a "pocket-size superyacht." If you want to join
the exclusive Moonen owners club, you’d better get your order in now. Build
slots for the immediate future are full, but Moonen would be happy to
accommodate you with one of its previously owned yachts and put you on the
waiting list.
Contact
Moonen at +31 73 6210094.
www.moonen.com
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