Magnificent Interiors of a Mega Yacht

Unlike the conventional interior designs, there are points to consider when designing yacht interiors. Foremost, yacht interiors have to contend with living at sea. For that matter, yacht interiors must be made of the most durable materials to withstand ultraviolet rays, constant moisture, and salt for an extended period at least, if not for a lifetime.These are among the challenges in choosing the fixtures and materials to use in the interiors of a sea vessel. However, another point to consider when designing yacht interiors is to have it provide the grandeur, luxury, and comfort of a fine home.
Of course, it should not eliminate the main reason of being at sea, and that is to view fleeting sceneries. Experts suggest of fixtures made from 24-karat gold plate to protect them from rust.
Aside from that, a heavy lacquer as well as plastic may also be used to protect metal interiors from acquiring rust. The effects of moisture on materials over time are staggering, and for that synthetic carpets and anti-microbial carpet pads can effectively protect the flooring.
Don’t forget to creatively use natural lighting in the bedroom, a top skylight perhaps?

The pictures used in this article are of the minimalist interiors from the futuristic Wally yacht design.

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Is This The Ugliest Yacht Of The World!!

This post is unlike the regular ones that you generally see on our blog. When you think of yachts you tend to think of beautiful pictures of yachts and their proud owners. Here is a different story. Even before the yacht has been launched the ‘Sigma’ has already earned the title of “The Ugliest Yacht” according to this blog. The Sigma has been designed by the legendary Philippe Starck, not a yachtsman but surely a fantastic designer.

The owner’s name has been kept confidential without any possible trace. Although there are rumors that the yacht belongs to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, there is no confirmation on the same.




A Militry Piece of equipment – that’s what I think of first when I see this yacht. I guess the only thing that makes it look like a Non- Millitary equipement is the White color.

According to one of the blogs of the Wall Street Journal “Frankly, Sigma is a bit scary. With its razor-sharp hull and Northrup Grumman aesthetics, Sigma looks more like a cruiser for Darth Vader’s navy than a family pleasure boat for the Mediterranean”
The contract was announced in December 2004 by Blohm + Voss, a sister company of Nobiskrug (both are under the umbrella of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems). Originally scheduled for a 2007 launch the Sigma will now be launched in 2008 due to some technical delay.
After a look at the sigma I am not surprised that the owner’s name hasn’t been disclosed. Probably he would get angry mails from yachting enthusiasts complaining about the money wasted for the Sigma.


There is one more contender for this “prestigious” title the ‘Asean Lady’ built in 2004 has also been in close competition to the Sigma which can easily earn the title. It was built for Brian Chang, CEO of Yantai Raffles. While the design is unique and does make one wonder at the makers imagination, to me the Asean Lady looks like a Airport Control Tower shifted onto a Yacht.



I guess in most cases such yachts are experiments which may or may not work out as planed. The 118 yacht wally is a good example. Some may love the design but others may find it an eyesore. Do let me know your thoughts on the yachts. If you think there are more names to that list do let us know. Read more...

GigaYachts : “Wally Power” The Racing Diamond!

Wally Yachts is a maritime design and manufacture company based in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Founded by wealthy Italian businessman Luca Bassani in 1994, Wally Yachts hit the ultimate in terms of futuristic and functional design!
PingMag chatted with Wally founder Luca Bassani about the ultimate luxury plaything.
Here are a few interesting questions:

PingMag: I read that your father bought you your first boat when you were ten.
L.Bassani : “My father was passionate about sailing: He believed that that was a very healthy activity, physically and mentally. He was convinced that bringing my brother and especially me - because I was more passionate - on a sailboat would be very good for my instruction, for my culture, for my soul. He even spoiled me with sailing, because he did not want me to have another type of passion that could have been less healthy.”
PingMag: Like fast cars?
L.Bassani : (Laughs) Yes, exactly. My brother was very passionate about fast cars and racing rallies, and my father was scared about that. He said No. Go sailing! Whatever you need, ask me. But stay on a sailboat!

PingMag: Your powerboats feature a very flat design and resemble futuristic space ships or naval vessels. How did you come up with that? Tell us about the 118 WallyPower, your ‘Racing Diamond’
L.Bassani : Functionality means the way the boat sails through the waves, and then also the comfort on deck: to achieve a kind of silence on board whilst running the engines. At the end, it is about features that really could improve the comfort on board, not only through simple design but from the boat’s basic functionality. So, I had some ideas about the hull design and then we tested those in the water tank. At the end, it all brought out this kind of form that is close, as you say, to a navy ship. This is understandable because, actually, all the navy ships are really conceived and designed only for functionality, not for comfort. That is why it was obvious that even our study was bringing out the same results.Then, speaking of the design, for example the shape of the structure came out from a simple concept: From the beginning I had the idea to make the superstructure of the boat as transparent as possible from the inside. The answer was glass - as much glass as possible. And once you have to use so much, you have to take flat and not round panels, because it will become too difficult to build. So, the first result was a kind of gem; a diamond.
Also, I have to say that for any owner, probably the beauty of his yacht is the most important feature. At the end, even with the form for function, you want to build, to design something with nice proportions… we used carbon fibre because it was the lightest and most rigid material you would use for an aircraft, for example. Structurally, it is the best we can use.

PingMag: Moreover, what distinguishes your ships from others is the absence of any visual distractions on deck. I guess this is also a part of your functionality approach?
L.Bassani : That comes from the final aesthetic as, once you have designed this nice shape, it`s a pity to destroy it with all of the antennas, the dome for the satellite, etc.

PingMag: Distinctively, you chose architects like Lazzarini Pickering or Sir Norman Foster to work on the interior design. Apart from your architectural approach, I saw on your website that you have a greater vision: The 3D views of your planned WallyIsland look huge – and at 99 metres (325 feet) long, this boat will be gigantic! Please tell us about the concept of such a mega-yacht (and why there is loads of space for either a tennis court, three helicopter ports or a tropical garden).
L.Bassani : Today, all of these mega-yachts of that size built or under construction are made only for indoor life with a lot of interior space. But you`re missing an exterior area, where you can enjoy the sea, the view, the wind. That was the principal idea. Second, another functional approach: A long and low-shaped yacht is much more ‘sea-worthy’ than a short and tall one. If you can keep the centre of gravity of the boat as low as possible, then it is going to be safer and more comfortable when you have a rough sea. The WallyIsland has a longer and lower hull with very little superstructure - which is going to roll much less. To build a big yacht like this, it takes three years. If we are lucky, we’ll be able to see the first one in that time…

PingMag:I see. One last thing: How did the WallyPower get into the Hollywood blockbuster The Island?
L.Bassani : The director called Monica, my assistant, saying that he was going to do a movie and that he was interested in having it in.
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For sure, the WallyPower fits quite well into the image of a high-tech, aerodynamically shaped future. The 118 WallyPower martial racer: get it for around 17 million Euros (US$26 million)! The racy 118 WallyPower's superstructure is made of carbon fibre and laminated composite glass. 17,000 horse power make these 118 feet, or 36 metres, quite speedy... And the WallyIsland is a mega yacht with all the comforts and amenities to live onboard full time, that is completely independent and self-sufficient, and features improved nautical characteristics compared to those of similar size yachts.

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