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SHELL ISSUE - n° 18 - 2019 - € 10
The Art of Sailing
Custom Line Nav
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QUART ERLY - P.I. 31/03 /2019 Intern ationa l € 10, Spedizione in Abbon Chf 10,50 , UK £ 7,50- Poste Italian amento Postale e S.p.a. - 70% - LO/MI
[ MEGAYACHT ]
A yacht inspired by a challenge – to sail 100 miles with the lowest possible fuel consumption. This innovative project with a green soul slims down without compromising on luxury and design quality, opening new paths towards sustainable sailing by Désirée Sormani - ph. courtesy by Amer Yachts
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ustainability, recycling, safeguarding our
the exterior decks instead of the traditional teak, as it is
seas and their wildlife, high performance
very light, totally water-resistant and rot-proof. It has a high
combined with design excellence – these are
mechanical resistance and an anti-skid surface, it doesn’t
the concepts and qualities underpinning the
stain or perish, needs no maintenance, is not uncomfortably
new Amer Twin 94, the star of the recent boat
hot underfoot and is pleasant to walk on. It’s also easy to
shows in Cannes and Genoa. The yacht’s performance and
instal and has acoustic and thermal insulation properties. The
respect for the environment has even earned it RINA Green
interior flooring is in lightened wood, and high-tech panels
Plus notation, with the highest possible points score. This
developed by the aerospace industry are used for insulation
was possible because the Permare yard – in collaboration
in the engine room. Ultralight wallpaper made with fabrics
with Volvo – has adopted a revolutionary propulsion system
using microminerals creates a lunar surface effect in the
comprising two IPS1350 engines. This is the first time it’s
interiors, and much of the resin used is vacuum-moulded.
been used on pleasure yacht of this size, and it has generated
Weight has been kept down by mounting lithium batteries.
a reduction in consumption and noise, with a consequent
In all 20 tonnes (the equivalent of four elephants!) has been
increase in comfort levels. But this yacht is about more than
saved compared to a megayacht of the same size. The new
just engine efficiency – the green build philosophy also means
Superfici company in La Spezia has done some interesting
that the Amer 94 is designed with solutions that optimise
work, 3D- printing the helm console. The yacht is in fact
weight, starting with the materials – cork was chosen for
a sort of testbed for using recycled materials which, with
The Amer 94 twin’s sleek lines. Designed to be eco-sustainable, the yacht features special software created in collaboration with the Tethys Institute supporting marine conservation with a focus on large marine vertebrates. It will suggest guidelines for behaviour in the presence of cetaceans when underway. Opening photo, the cork exterior walkways and teak interior flooring coordinating with the green velvet sofas attest to the yacht’s green credentials
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no moulds used in production, cut delivery times as well
special galley – it’s divided into two by a central passageway,
as streamlining the installation of navigation instruments,
and each section can be separated off by sliding glass doors.
which fit perfectly inside the pre-cut and pre-drilled surfaces.
One is the work area, the other, with fridges, is where the
The yacht’s green spirit is also evident in the interiors. Guests
owner can prepare cocktails. In this service area in the stern-
are made to feel at home in a large saloon where the warm
bow walkway the walls are covered with wallpaper made of
colours of teak magically alternate with the green velvet of
natural mineral fragments, once again highlighting the yacht’s
the sofas and the upholstery, while the eco-leather walls and
eco-sustainable credentials.
wooden blinds, both light green, create a link between the
On the lower deck a lobby gives access to the three cabins
two warm tones. Teak plays the main role, providing a play
(the layout can be changed to four on request) with the
with the orientation of the natural grain in the flooring,
master suite amidships and two guests cabins aft. There is a
then on the walls, shaping a curve that connects floor and
fourth VIP cabin in the bows, reached via a second staircase
furniture units.
from the deck. The master suite is sober and elegant, with an
The circular sofa amidships is striking – it’s there for comfort,
original interwoven leather and fabric headboard by Dedar.
but also conceals a central staircase down to the lower deck.
It’s very textural, and at first glance it looks like a mosaic.
It serves as a transitional element between the living and
One wall in the forward guest cabin is made from fragments
dining areas, just like a fountain in the centre of a large
of natural mineral - respect for Mother Nature is evident
piazza. Further forward, behind the pilothouse, is a very
everywhere. www.ameryachts.it
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Above, the saloon. Note the stairwell in the centre acting as a focus for the lounge and to separate off the conversation area (also in image to left) with bespoke green velvet sofas and two Flexform Feel Good chairs. To side, the master suite Dedar headboard with interwoven fabric and leather. Opposite page, top, the cockpit with bespoke table and Stanley chairs from Philip Stark by Magis has two side staircases leading to the aft platform
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Exterior Design Barbara Amerio
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mer 94 boasts gutsy, sporty lines. Its sleek shape is even more obvious when underway – the Volvo IPS engines keep the yacht trimmed straight on the water, creating an image of power. We chose to open up the hull a little with large windows to increase the amount of light in the lower deck. Some boats seem to have rends and tears, but we prefer clean lines. We increased the dimensions of the glass sections, but without going too far, because glass is a heavy material. The Amer 94’s hull is an already-existing type for this kind of engine. By opting for two engines instead of three we gained a lot of space in the engine room. We had to replace the gyroscopic rotor with electric fins in carbon, and we’ve improved hull performance by painting it with a film that lasts for four to five years and contains no toxic substances. In line with the yacht’s green personality, the paints and varnishes used are all eco-compatible. Spacious open-air areas provide close contact with nature – the flybridge has larger spaces for the sunloungers, and also features a rigid rollbar that provides shade. The roomy aft cockpit is a versatile space with a large platform and an original seat, because the Amer 94 is designed to be enjoyed most of all at anchor in open water, in close contact with nature.
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The second helm station is on the spacious fly deck, with console in 3D-printed recycled materials, and a number of comfy sofas shaded by the rollbar. To aft, the sun deck is furnished with Kettal sunbeds. The exterior fabrics are made from top-quality recycled materials by SumbrellaŠ. Bottom, a relaxation area in the bows, the perfect spot for enjoying a view of the sea
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Interior Designer Stefano Tini, Architect
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he interiors of the Amer 94 are a reinterpretation of the 1960s-70s values, a clear example of the Rationalist style, harking back to a period that saw the birth of modern Italian design. We began with a careful analysis of the interiors of the period, when mahogany and teak were the main materials used on board yachts. We drew special inspiration from the school of Giovanni Michelucci, one of the greatest Italian architects of the 20th century. He promoted the artisanal use of materials, especially wood, and created furniture “sculpted” in solid wood. As a result, teak plays a dominant role on the Amer 94, especially in the flooring, made from large 40 x 60 cm boards. The wood grain is oriented from side to side to open out the space, then the wood rises in a sort of curve to link the floor with the solid units. We chose an extremely light-coloured solution for the walls, using materials like eco-leather and varnish, complementing the deep green of the velvets on the sofas. It was an audacious choice because green doesn’t usually feature on board a yacht, but it celebrates the “green” philosophy behind this yacht’s construction. Green was also
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to have appeared in the exterior livery, but we eventually decided to stick to a classic look, offering the green version as an option. The saloon with central staircase lies at the core of the design. We at the yard love this central positioning of the vertical connection, and we include it in our designs wherever possible. We’ve tried to create a close relationship between the interiors and the natural world outside. For artificial lighting we worked with Foresti and Suardi, who made extremely light bespoke spotlights to our design. This lightness is also to be seen in the microhandles by Razeto & Casareto, specially made for this yacht and for all the furniture designed for the Amer 94. We also included some iconic pieces of Italian design like the four dining chairs, the MR 10 Rattan chairs by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll and two Feel Good armchairs by Flexform for watching the TV that drops down from the ceiling. A lot of thought has also gone into all the fabrics, which are made from natural fibres or recycled materials, like the exterior items by Sunbrella.
Above, the dining table with four Mies van der Rohe by Knoll MR 10 Rattan Chairs. A great deal of thought has gone into all the fabrics made with natural fibres. On the lower deck, the teak is complemented by a wool and natural coconut fabric by Jab. The furnishing fabrics are by Designers Guild
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The Shipyard Barbara Amerio, Ceo Permare Group
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he yacht was created with the intention of beating a record – to sail around Italy without refuelling and with low consumption – and that’s what we achieved. Of course, we approached the problem from several angles and the design was modified to shed weight and enhance rigidity. It was made easier by the fact it wasn’t a commission – the yard itself chose to build it, unfettered by outside tastes and preferences. We spent a lot of time on this project, and worked in close collaboration with Volvo Penta, because we had to be certain that the two engines would work perfectly. We imagined a very young owner for this design – the new generations are more open to ideas of eco-sustainability. The yacht is also perfect for the charter market. Amer 94 twin was created for the Mediterranean (remember the challenge we mentioned earlier) but it’s actually ideal for any stretch of sea. It’s also suitable for the American market, where people aren’t familiar with the use of IPS engines in superyachts. The yacht is designed to weigh less, consume less and generate lower emissions. Sooner or later all yards will have to fall in line with this thinking. Regulations will force them to do so, clients will demand it and there will more finance available for eco-sustainable projects.
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We want everyone to know about this yacht, it should be understood and, above all, tried out. People have already shown a lot of interest in it, and we’re working to apply these solutions to a larger model, and on an even more demanding design, a hybrid electric, a natural development of what we’ve done with the Amer 94. The yacht inspired a lot of people, and the research involved in the meant that the entire team gained great satisfaction in achieving the100-mile challenge.
Amer Twin 94 was launched in August 2018. It was designed to be capable of sailing round Italy without refuelling. The yacht even obtained RINA Green Plus notation at the Genoa Boat Show with 147 points, the highest number in its category
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