Each week, we place a spotlight on the world’s finest superyachts for charter. This week, BOAT looks at the 72.1-metre Stella Maris,which was delivered in 2013. Her striking profile and masculine design have always provoked interest in the industry, yet her charter potential remains second to none…
She’s more than 10 years old, yet the 72.1-metre VSY superyacht is still a definite head-turner with her beefy hull and cool gun-metal colour scheme. Delivered in 2013, she was an almighty achievement for the relatively young shipyard at the time, not just in design, but technologically too. Today, she remains a fabulous fleet member and a versatile yacht for charter with plenty of tricks up her sleeve.
Stella Maris has been credited for her technologically advanced systems that reduce environmental impact, including the sewage treatment plant, double soot scrubbers on all engines and advanced solutions such as the dynamic positioning system to avoid anchor damage to the seabed.
The yacht’s exteriors were penned by Espen Øino, who set out to create exteriors that would strike a “perfect balance between form and function, innovation and technology, comfort and aesthetics.” Her hull colour (also carefully selected to follow this set of criteria) is a DuPont Metallic Grey. It's beautiful from the outside, but it all makes sense when you step on board.
The yacht's interior is certainly contemporary but filled with interesting features such as blue marble bathrooms, twin hot tubs, and an enclosed garden that extends over two decks. The interior was styled by Michela Reverberi and has a calm and neutral colour palette with interesting accents that you don’t see too often across the charter market.
Key Features
LOA: 72.1m
Year: 2015 (2018)
Builder: VSY
Guests: 12
Crew: 19
Stepping on board, you’ll notice the unusual arrangement first, followed by the huge windows and then the interesting use of colour that infuses the space. Flecks of green work their way into the hand-tufted rugs and wall coverings, a nod to the impressive glass-covered vertical garden that spans over two decks. The jungle-like vertical garden also functions by filling up a vibration-laden space to create a calming atmosphere. This is one of two aft saloons, both of which are surrounded by glass.
Stella Maris has a volume of 2,114GT and together with Laurent Giles Naval Architects, Øino, the owner and the build team were determined to use every bit of it. On the charter market, this is a great benefit with huge amounts of space for families, friends, or corporate charters. Free from clutter, the spaces on board feel light and open, which was the intention with glass tables, so they wouldn’t obstruct the feeling on board.
Central in the yacht is an elegant glass lift wrapped by a wide staircase. It’s a little different from your standard superyacht lift too, with no car that goes up and down. Instead, it has a platform that slides up and down in a glass tube.
Life on board Stella Maris
Accommodation on board is for 12 with the main deck forward given over to the guest cabins. This includes four doubles and two twins with an almost identical layout – another good charter asset, eliminating any potential arguments on cabin choice.
Located above the bridge is the owner’s deck, which opens into a lobby with an office before a central dressing room. An Ottoman is flanked by two stylish Brazilian blue marble bathrooms port and starboard before the bed, forward which is set before a semicircle of floor-to-ceiling windows. The principal charter guest also has access to a private deck.
To ensure a relaxing atmosphere on board, VSY had a specific noise target in mind: silence, which was quantified as 46 decibels at 15.5 knots in sea state 2. Because glass can amplify the resonance of the engines, VSY contracted a US-based acoustic expert to make this happen.
Guests can access a menu of services and information from anywhere aboard. Tap the screen and it’ll show the yacht’s route and when she plans to drop anchor. Also, the crew can let guests know when the pool will be filled, heated and ready, when massage openings are and even if guests would like breakfast delivered to their cabin.
Wellness on board was a big focus in the initial brief and came to fruition in the form of two spa pools, a sauna, a hammam, a dedicated massage room and a gym all within the lower deck beach club.
Toybox
8.3-metre limousine tender
8.3-metre open tender
Castoldi inflatable Jet rescue
Two Wave runners
Three Seabobs F5S (new 2022)
Fly board
Paddle boards
Kayaks
Four electric bikes
Inflatable slide
Floating Aqua Park
Floating swimming pool
Floating baby swimming pool
Water Skis
Wake Board
Kneeboard
Banana
Beach set up set (chairs, tables, umbrellas, gazebos, BBQ)
Snorkel equipment sets
Diving sets
Fishing equipment
Where will Stella Maris be cruising?
Stella Maris is available for charter with World Yacht Group with a weekly rate from €720,000. She will be cruising in the Western Mediterranean.