Each week we place a spotlight on one of the world’s finest superyachts for charter. This week, BOAT takes a closer look at the 83.5-metre Savannah, a yacht beyond her time that continues to shine almost a decade later…
With a striking metallic hull and contemporary profile, the 83.5-metre Feadship Savannah certainly isn’t a yacht that flies under the radar. Delivered in 2015, she is a project that now almost ten years later, still looks futuristic and one of the most remarkable superyachts available for charter. Quite simply, this striking superyacht remains the ultimate head-turner which is why we want to take a closer look and make her the latest Charter Yacht of the Week…
Key Features
Following her completion, Savannah quite rightly swept the boards at the 2016 World Superyacht Awards, thanks to her cosmic metallic profile, elegant design and masterful engineering. In fact, her delivery marked something of a turning point for the industry as she was one of the fleet’s first truly "eco-conscious" superyachts to hit the water thanks to her first-of-its-kind hybrid power plant.
Designed inside and out by Cristina Gherardi Benardeau and Marcello Bozzarelli, of the Parisian design house CG Design, Savannah is a striking accomplishment on the design front. As guests board, they are presented with a vast saloon on the main deck, which exists as an open space. The saloon is on the same level as the nine-metre pool, which melds into the space through sliding curved-glass weathertight doors open and stacked invisibly out of the way. An integral feature of the overall design, the pool was created with input from artist Cecily Brown, as is covered in various blue and green glass tiles to create an abstract mosaic painting from above.
A psychedelic video wall also lines the passage between the two saloons on the main deck and there is a catwalk connecting the saloon and dining area of the owner’s deck.
Arguably the most famous element of Savannah – aside from her exterior profile – is the Nemo Lounge. Located aft, the semi-submerged sheet of glazing in the hull provides a view that peers under the surface of the sea. Complete with two levels of sofas, the space can also be converted into a cinema, fitted with a drop-down screen that covers the glass wall. Positioned aft, it is in one of the most stable parts of the yacht with stadium-style seating for spotting marine life above and below the waves. Its considered something of a bonus room where one can relax before the hypnotic marine life frolicking before you.
Stainless steel is used bountifully throughout the yacht, in the form of polished columns and furniture. But the metallic theme continues in the painted surfaces too as Savannah is the first superyacht to be given a complete metallic finish (even the undersides of the exterior decks are painted Sea Foam metallic green).
Accommodation on board is for 12 guests across six cabins, including a VIP, two doubles and two convertible cabins making up the five guest cabins forward on the main deck. In each of the guest cabins, the walls and bedheads are gently curved at the edges, creating glamorous cocoons with wool and silk carpets, velvet upholstered bed frames and silk floor-length curtains heightening the effect.
But it’s the huge master suite that is the true stand out feature with an enormous skylight, a separate dressing room and a spa-like bathroom. The space leads out to a large outdoor lounge, an office, a private saloon and dining area and a service pantry.
Why is Savannah the perfect charter yacht?
Being one of the most expensive superyachts available to charter, she naturally sits at the very top of the market. The gleaming metallic beauty is also a hive of activity, with a spa, a gym and beauty room. For entertaining on board, head up to the private sun deck with its own DJ station and BBQ grill. Art buffs will also enjoy the impressive collection of modern works on board.
There isn’t anything that Savannah couldn’t offer you. For family charters, not only does she have a large amount of space, but a countless list of toys, fit for everyone. In addition to her four tenders, guests will find two Yamaha stand-up Jet Skis, two Seadoo Spark Jet Skis, two Jet Surfs, four sea bobs, a Laser sailing dinghy, four mountain bikes, an inflatable slide, and the list goes on.
If it’s shore-based activities you’re after, pop the Roubaix bikes into one of the two tenders and zip across to some challenging terrain.
With a big focus on wellness, guests can smash out an adrenaline-pumping workout in Savannah's fully-equipped gym before heading to the spa to relax in the hammam and enjoy a massage or beauty treatment, courtesy of the onboard masseuse and beautician.
What’s special about Savannah?
To this day, Savannah has upheld a gleaming reputation as one of the finest superyachts on the water. Not only is this down to design, but exceptional build quality, thanks to Feadship and pioneering technology.
She features a first-of-its-kind hybrid propulsion system, blending a main diesel engine, three gensets, a megawatt of storage batteries and an azimuthing thruster. The technology can be linked back to Japanese passenger ships, but this is the first in yachting circles. The result is a significant reduction in emissions and "fuel savings of some 30 per cent" at the time of launch, according to Feadship CEO Henk de Vries. Despite these economic factors, she can achieve speeds of up to 17 knots.
A true and undeniable head-turner, Savannah is nothing short of iconic and capable of delivering unforgettable charters that only very few yachts could compare to.
Savannah is available to charter with Edmiston with a weekly rate from €1,200,000.
Savannah at a glance:
Length: 83.5m
Built: 2015 (refit 2020)
Maximum speed: 17 knots
Builder: Feadship
Guests: 12
Cabins: 6
Crew: 26