Eye-catching exteriors, a well-considered layout and an “obsessively” client-orientated crew make 66 metre Okto a superyacht you won't forget in a hurry. She is currently available to charter with Camper & Nicholsons. BOAT takes a second look at one of the charter fleet's favourites.
Key details
Delivered in 2014, Okto remains the official flagship of Italian yard ISA Yachts - the recently delivered 65m Resilience is the yard’s largest yacht built since it merged with Palumbo.
Her needle-sharp exterior comes from Andrea Vallicelli, and the glossy black paintjob (a part of which was freshly done in 2022) and pewter superstructure have certainly made it “hard not to draw eyes”, according to Camper & Nicholsons retail and charter broker Bobby Bigio.
The aft deck pool is another attention grabber; it takes no notice of Okto’s relatively narrow beam, and stretches out invitingly across 6.5 by 4.7 metres.
Meanwhile, interiors come from the late Alberto Pinto, who has put his signature in the crisp black and white colour palette and simple styling enlivened with occasional flourishes. Accommodation is for 11 guests split across six cabins, with complement for a crew of 16.
Why Okto is the perfect charter yacht
At her core, Okto is a box-ticking chameleon. She can be a family-friendly funhouse, a floating party zone or a wellness oasis. The layout is “very inclusive for whoever's on board,’ says captain Aydan Longmore, while the crew can adapt and adjust to offer a “tailored experience” and “personalised service”.
These details are what the crew “obsesses” over. “The second that someone mentions any small change or preference, no matter how insignificant, we immediately communicate that in the group,” says Longmore.
A regular addition to New Year’s Eve festivities in St Barts, Okto is a bit of a party girl. A-listers have been spotted kicking back on her decks, which incidentally are coated in modern Esthec teak that is billed as “high-heel friendly” - ideal for visitors who don’t want to part with their Manolo Blanhiks.
The aforementioned pool is also kitted out with lights and contraflow currents, while the 80 square metre upper deck is home to 1,000W speakers fed by Videoworks.
When it comes to cocktails, the crew take their menu seriously. "For an easy crowd-pleaser on a hot day, we make an organic watermelon and cucumber martini," says Longmore. "For our signature, we make a Red & Black Ship." But the most asked-for cocktail is a spicy skinny margarita, whipped up by chief stew Aly Nielsen with a generous splash of Tabasco and plenty of tequila and Cointreau.
But when it’s time for some post-party detox, Okto’s active and energetic crew are on hand to help. A few years ago, the crew crossed the Atlantic, completing one rep of exercise for every nautical mile, “which sounds like nothing”, admits Longmore, “but it builds up”.
Her toy chest is bursting with tech for guests to make use of, and her clean, uncluttered foredeck - when not in use as a dancefloor - practically invites a morning yoga session watching the sun rise. There’s also a well-equipped gym perched on the top deck and a cinema suite, which is home to a popcorn machine.
What’s special about Okto?
Serenity has been ingrained into Okto, with high-performing insulation that promises a truly silent, vibration-free ride. Each of the cabins is its own bubble that offers seclusion from the rest of the yacht.
“If it is privacy the principal is after, breakfast on the master cabin balcony is the perfect place to welcome in a new day,” says Cristabel Nye, retail charter broker at Camper & Nicholsons.
Longmore agrees, adding that the balcony is special because “once you've been instructed on how to use it, everything is pretty much automated with one push of a button,” meaning that a guest doesn’t need to call a crew member to open it. Better still, a precise air curtain creates a barrier to keep insects out and air-conditioned air inside.
Read More/The sublimely silent 66m ISA superyacht OktoThe indoor-outdoor connection is evident across the yacht, with a fluid, "open-plan" configuration between decks. "From the main deck aft by the pool area, you can see right the way through the main dining area, right to the coffee area," says Longmore.
"And no matter where you are, you feel included in the area, but you've also got your own space," he adds. If someone is having a conversation in that area, it won't disturb anyone nearby because "they're far enough away that you aren't completely separate. But you can see the person in that space, you don't have to go looking for them," says Longmore.
And as Longmore points out, the best part about being on a boat is being able to appreciate the area you're in. Okto has plenty of deck space to facilitate that.
Elsewhere, the galley is another onboard highlight. Head chef William-Pitt-Brooke comes from a Michelin-starred restaurant background, as does his sous-chef. "I've never worked with better chefs," attests Longmore. "Every time I go into the galley they're producing something new. They rarely repeat things - they're always tailoring [their dishes]."
Okto charters from $480,000 p/w plus expenses with Camper & Nicholsons.