Columbus M/Y Big Naan

The first of the Crossover line to hit the water, the design of this 42-metre yacht reflects the explorer spirit combined with a New York loft style. It’s the result of a harmonious collaboration between Columbus Yachts, the Hydro Tec studio for the exteriors and naval architecture and Hot Lab for the interiors. The project is inspired by a desire to surprise without excess by striking the right equilibrium of innovation, art and nature

by Désirée Sormani -

ig Naan marks the opening a new Columbus Yachts story. The first in the Crossover line, this 42-metre yacht looks to the future with an exciting flair for the unexpected. We stepped on board the Big Naan at the recent Cannes Yachting Festival. Its initial impact is created by its identity as an explorer of the seas – the angled surfaces and volumes shifted towards the bows, together with the steel displacement hull with bulbous bow and flat aft sections, evoke the geometry of research vessels – Explorer craft, in fact. Once aboard it’s clear that you’ve entered a different dimension, one created by choices and solutions that are far removed from those adopted for work boats – this yacht invites you to experience a relaxing voyage amid the most skilfully curated design, where the stylistic code is one of a refined elegance. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Big Naan bears the signature of two centres of yacht-building excellence - Hydro Tec is responsible for the exterior lines and distribution of the spaces while the interiors are by Hot Lab.

The project was also driven by a close, harmonious collaboration with the owner. The yacht was inspired by a desire to surprise without relying on over-the-top choices – it is based instead on a pleasing equilibrium of innovation, art and nature.

The layout of the spaces reflects a concept that has been carefully developed to encourage socialising while providing privacy. The generous communal areas have no rigid barriers and offer unexpectedly elegant, intimate settings. The spacious aft cockpit, furnished with sunpads and sofas, is an inviting open-air lounge with a 17 cubic metre saltwater hydromassage pool set like a jewel in its surroundings. It segues into the yacht interior as a natural extension of the main saloon. This lounge, divided into living and dining areas, features a balanced colour palette with natural tones like warm grey, beige and cream, embellished with artistic details, design furnishings with their own touches of colour. A special niche in the entrance hosts a striking pop art piece, lending character to the setting.

The combination of materials is an intriguing feature, with marbles, metallic mesh and dark cabinetry emphasising just how much attention has been lavished on the details and creating a contemporary feel for this yacht. Every space is versatile and polyfunctional, and the decorative objects and travel mementos help personalise the yacht even further. However, while the style evokes a New York loft, large windows also provide a closer contact with the sea. Generous seats and long benches along the windows encourage relaxation and nature-watching. The lighting is provided by spots and LED strips, which play an important role without ever seeming invasive – in fact, together they enhance the natural light and mould the volumes. They also create different scenarios as the light changes throughout the day. In this way, Big Naan becomes a true home away from home.

The colour palette creates a coherent suite linking all the spaces – light tones, metal details and shiny surfaces alternate perfectly. Even the owner’s area features this play of delicate contrasts – located forward on the main deck, it features a pleasing combination of elegance and functionality. It incudes a sizeable walkaround suite with study at the entrance and large wardrobe, as well as a dressing table with chair by Amur and an elegant bathroom with central shower. The lower deck, though, is entirely the guests’ domain. They are hosted in four cabins, two VIPs, a guest cabin with double bed and a double that can be transformed into a triple with a bunk bed. The Armani wallpaper on the lower deck ceilings is an especially elegant choice, as is the use of glass integrating a metallic film with different textures. This plays a purely decorative role, as do the metallic effect varnish, steel and brushed titanium on the walls, bed bases and nightstands. The expansive open areas encourage socialising – the sliding side doors of the upper deck terrace, for example, establish a seamless dialogue between this space and the media/gaming room, furnished with a Minotti sofa and wide screen TV. The sun deck, measuring 12 metres by 7 metres accentuates the impression of being in a loft on the sea that this yacht provides – in the shade of a large hard top stands a custom Roda table in teak for informal meals, plus a bar with stools, while further forward is an extensive living area with two conversation sofas. To aft is an area for sunworshippers, with loungers and sofas. Down in the cockpit once again, attention focusses on the hidden area of the pool whose glass sides provide light for the well-equipped gym. This space is designed to provide maximum flexibility, as it can also be a massage room or even a spa. www.columbusyachts.it

When the 5.9 metre tender has been launched by a crane built into starboard wall, the first to be granted Solas certification, the cockpit is transformed into a huge aft lounge. In the opening image, the intimate open-air lounge in the bows. The yacht boasts a wealth of open-air socialising areas that are ideal for relaxation

This image illustrates the care devoted the details – a snack bar next to the professional galley. The owner requested this as a breakfast nook. Opposite page, two more views of the living area. Above, the pop art piece and the comfy sofas by Eichholtz with poufs by Gervasoni. Below, the dining area with custom table by Minotti lit by a made-to-measure lamp. The American bar in the living area entrance, customised in metal with weave pattern welcomes visitors

Exterior Design

Sergio Cutolo, Founder of Hydro Tec

Below, the pool illuminates the gym, a space that would otherwise be dark. Opposite page, the large open aft deck that welcomes visitors and the yacht under way, showing its attractive explorer craft lines. Two 742 kW C32 ACERT Caterpillar engines give the yacht a cruising speed of 12 knots and top speed of over 14 knots

The Big Naan project was born from the perfect synergy between Hydro Tec and Columbus Yachts, combining technical expertise with creative vision. The project stems from the desire of the shipyard’s management to produce a yacht that merges the technical characteristics of a true Explorer—consistent with the yard’s commercial tradition—with the demands of a younger clientele increasingly attentive to design and onboard comfort. The lines defining Big Naan’s hull and superstructure are inspired by those developed in other successful Columbus projects, from the 40 Sport Hybrid series to Dragon: strong and masculine lines integrated into a composition of great balance, carefully designed to ensure generous interior volumes while maintaining a continuous visual connection with the exterior through large windows seamlessly incorporated into the outer profile. Numerous design and construction challenges were addressed in the development of Big Naan. Among the most interesting is the integration of the large structural glass pool in the beach club— the largest in its segment. This distinctive feature is not only aesthetically and functionally striking but also creates a spectacular effect as natural light passes through the pool into the Gym, located aft of the engine room, illuminating a space that would otherwise be dark and underutilized. The expansive aft area forward of the pool transforms into a vast beach club that flows seamlessly into the interior salon. The presence of the large open aft deck does not compromise interior spaces, which remain spacious and bright, featuring an unexpectedly large and panoramic sun deck—enhanced by the roll bar design that incorporates extensive glazing. The interior layout has been conceived to maximize both functionality and elegance, with generous communal spaces and private areas.

Interior Design

Enrico Lumini, Co-founder Hot Lab

The interior design of Big Naan expresses a quiet yet powerful sophistication. The owner’s brief called for a yacht that would feel “urban yet timeless” — a private retreat blending contemporary art, architectural precision, and tactile comfort. The result is a refined environment where light, texture, and geometry merge in an unbroken narrative. Throughout the yacht, contrasts are handled with delicacy: dark metallic ceilings meet soft woven fabrics; backlit marble details frame artworks in vibrant tones; and precision-cut perforated steel forms the spine of the main staircase, a sculptural core glowing from within. The palette balances strength and softness — bronze, graphite, ivory, and brushed nickel — creating a visual rhythm that is simultaneously masculine and serene. Each space reflects Hot Lab’s “Architecture for Voyagers” philosophy: spaces are not static but evolve with light and purpose. The main saloon, with its bespoke lighting installation and seamless connection to the aft deck, becomes a social theatre; the bar, the breakfast counter and the magnificent dinner table tell every guest a different story, one of their own. The owner’s suite, by contrast, is an intimate composition of tactile surfaces and muted tones. Everywhere, the materials are genuine — stone, metal, wood, fabric — used in ways that celebrate their intrinsic beauty. Innovation lies not in extravagance, but in restraint. Every joint, every junction, every shadow line has been considered to achieve the emotional precision the client desired. The interior of Big Naan is not a statement of excess, but of balance — a reflection of contemporary Italian elegance at sea.

The palette of the yacht everywhere balances strength and softness — bronze, graphite, ivory, and brushed nickel — creating a visual rhythm that is simultaneously masculine and serene. Below, the stairs down the lower deck with decorative glass details integrating a metal mesh. Right, the walkaround owner’s cabin and below, a guest cabin with ceiling decorated with Armani wallpaper. Note the velvet bedhead with tubular pattern, and the interesting play of light created by the lighting design

The upper deck outdoor area is the perfect spot for relaxation. Every on-board space invites guests to appreciate its beauty and enjoy conversation and contemplation. Backed by over 60 years of experience in the commercial vessel industry, in 2008 the Palumbo family invested in the luxury superyacht market, creating first the Columbus Yachts brand then the Palumbo Superyachts division

Gianpaolo Lapenna General Manager at Palumbo Superyachts

The Columbus Crossover Series embodies the evolution of the explorer yacht concept, encompassing models ranging from 42 to 57 meters. The series merges the robustness of a commercial vessel with the refined elegance and comfort expected of a modern luxury yacht. Developed by Hydro Tec in collaboration with Palumbo Superyachts, the series was driven by an ambition to create yachts capable of true ocean-going range while maintaining a strong aesthetic identity consistent with the Columbus design language. The design brief called for vessels that combine endurance, functionality, and a refined lifestyle in a balanced and harmonious way. To meet this goal, the naval architecture was developed on a proven and reliable displacement platform featuring a hightensile steel hull and an aluminium superstructure—a combination that ensures strength, safety, and efficiency without compromising elegance.

Regarding the first model, M/Y Big Naan, the hull form—optimized through computational fluid dynamics (CFD)—features a bulbous bow and flat, well-balanced aft sections to deliver excellent hydrodynamic performance, low fuel consumption, and remarkable seakeeping stability. The active stabilization system, featuring four electric fins, guarantees comfort in all conditions, both underway and at anchor.

A technical challenge that became a defining element of the project was the integration of a structural glass swimming pool within the beach club area.

Beyond its visual impact, the pool’s glass walls act as a load-bearing component of the hull, enhancing both structural performance and the diffusion of natural light into the lower-deck gym. This innovative feature exemplifies the design’s dual focus on aesthetic refinement and engineering ingenuity. With its clean, purposeful lines, expansive glazing, and strong architectural coherence, Big Naan perfectly expresses the Columbus vision: a yacht where exploration and elegance coexist, and where innovation serves emotion. The shipyard is currently constructing an additional Columbus Crossover 42 and a Columbus Crossover 47, further expanding this distinctive line.