Every month, superyacht owners reveal where they are in the world and share their future plans. BOAT speaks to the owner of the 59.4-metre Rossinavi yacht Akula about where they spent their first season on board and their plans to roam the far reaches of the world...
Owner of Akula
Length: 59.4m
Year: 2024
Location: Portsmouth, UK
You’ve done a huge amount in your first season. Do you know how many miles you’ve logged?
We have covered 8,350 nautical miles, visiting seven countries: Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, France and the UK. We spent 90 per cent of this time either sailing or at anchor. The main ports we visited included Olbia, Naples, Kephalonia, Crete, Rhodes, Bodrum, Palma, Gibraltar, Vigo, Bilbao, Nantes, St Malo, Plymouth and more... My wife and I were on board for most of the season, sailing for more than 20 weeks.
From all the countries you’ve visited in 2024, can you pick a favourite?
It’s a very difficult choice – each country and area was incredible. From the fantastic food and art in Italy to the ancient ruins in Turkey, the great kayaking spots in Portugal and Galicia (Spain), and the amazing onshore excursions in Brittany and Cornwall. The memories, like the wonderful people we met along the way, are unforgettable.
What inspired the decision to take Akula to the UK? And where was the best fish and chips?
The UK was one area we’d never explored before. It was incredible, if you can tolerate the rainy days. There’s so much history and natural beauty, and it’s probably one of the best places for river runs by tender. The tides can sometimes be a challenge, but with experience and good preparation, it’s all manageable. The best fish and chips? Rockfish in Dartmouth! A lovely lady called me “my love”, and the chips were unlimited!
What are your plans for this winter?
Akula will stay in Portsmouth for maintenance and preparation for our 2025 polar region trip and scientific research support.
What can you tell us about that trip?
We’re still defining the precise route, but we expect to visit Scotland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, Iceland and Greenland. After that we’ll head down the East Coast of the US, aiming for the Caribbean and ultimately Central America.
Has anything surprised you about Akula?
Yes! The yacht’s diesel-electric system is so quiet that you hardly notice when she’s moving – there is no vibration or noise. Her fuel consumption is impressively low, giving her an autonomy of more than 10,000 nautical miles.
Has she had to tackle any big seas on this grand shakedown?
We were lucky not to encounter major rough seas. The only exceptions were some areas in Greece and the Balearic Islands, where we faced winds over 60 knots and waves over 2.5 metres. Akula handled these conditions brilliantly.
You’ve been to some ports that don’t get a lot of superyacht traffic. Did she attract a lot of attention?
Yes, once you leave the Mediterranean, you don’t see many yachts. We often ended up featured in local media or on Instagram.
After spending so much time on board, is there anything you would now change?
For long voyages “simple is better”. With Starlink, there’s no need for overly sophisticated AV systems since everything can be streamed. A dedicated crew gym and a safe, reliable way to board from a tender in rough seas are essential features. For northern cruising, all exterior furniture should be high quality and securely fixed.
First published in the January 2025 issue of BOAT International. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.