explorer yacht wiki

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.css-2dkvzr{--animation-delay:100ms;}@media (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference){.css-2dkvzr{opacity:0;will-change:opacity;-webkit-transform:translatey( 1em );-moz-transform:translatey( 1em );-ms-transform:translatey( 1em );transform:translatey( 1em );}.css-2dkvzr:not(.hidden .css-2dkvzr){-webkit-animation:animation-1mi33xo;animation:animation-1mi33xo;-webkit-animation-duration:800ms;animation-duration:800ms;-webkit-animation-timing-function:ease-in-out;animation-timing-function:ease-in-out;-webkit-animation-fill-mode:forwards;animation-fill-mode:forwards;-webkit-animation-delay:var(--animation-delay);animation-delay:var(--animation-delay);}}@-webkit-keyframes animation-1mi33xo{from{opacity:0;-webkit-transform:translatey(1em);-moz-transform:translatey(1em);-ms-transform:translatey(1em);transform:translatey(1em);}to{opacity:1;-webkit-transform:translatey(0%);-moz-transform:translatey(0%);-ms-transform:translatey(0%);transform:translatey(0%);}}@keyframes animation-1mi33xo{from{opacity:0;-webkit-transform:translatey(1em);-moz-transform:translatey(1em);-ms-transform:translatey(1em);transform:translatey(1em);}to{opacity:1;-webkit-transform:translatey(0%);-moz-transform:translatey(0%);-ms-transform:translatey(0%);transform:translatey(0%);}} dare to be different.

Welcome to the world of Xplorer. A world of infinite adventures where superyachts and expedition yachts combine. A unique crossover of unlimited luxury and boundless exploration. For innovators. For people who forge their own path, with a clear goal in mind. Avoiding the ordinary, exploring the remote and experiencing the new. Enjoying the limitless beauty of what life has to offer. Choose from one of the three models in the portfolio to get started on your Xplorer adventure.

Infinite Adventures -

With her bold exterior lines inspired by the natural world she has been built to adventure in, the Xplorer 60 brings together everything you need to venture far and wide with superyacht luxury. Featuring an Ice Class hull, interiors by H2 Yacht Design and award-winning DNA, this innovative hybrid Xplorer could be yours in just a matter of months. The first of this 60-metre Xplorer series is available for delivery in Spring 2025.

The Xplorer 80 has proved to be the design that has it all. Bringing extensive capability, unrivalled autonomy and above all luxury space and lifestyle to the most extreme corners of the globe. At the same time, she has looked right at home amongst the world's most prestigious superyachts around the Med and Caribbean whilst still standing out from the crowd. With multiple configurations possible and room to carry everything you could ever need, your dream of exploring the world just got a lot closer.

Xplorer 105

Right at the top of our Xplorer range, this yacht represents what has instigated our status as the market leader in luxury expedition yachts. This concept design incorporates decades of shipbuilding and superyacht building as well as expedition know-how, practicalities and developments. A future facing Xplorer geared up to become the master of the seas and adventures alike.

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Built for Adventure: Everything You Need to Know About Today’s Explorer Yachts

What is an expedition or explorer yacht .

Most yachts are designed to cruise inland and coastal waterways but in reality, very few are built to voyage the world’s oceans. It is only these bluewater vessels, known as explorer or expedition yachts, that can take you on adventures to the most remote, spectacular, and pristine corners of the globe.

A few decades back, these long-range motoryachts were called “ trawlers ” after the commercial fishing trawlers they often resembled, topped by enclosed pilothouses that frequently featured reverse-slanted, “ North Sea ” windshields. But over the years, the trawler yacht category became crowded with “wannabe” boats that only looked like their rugged offshore counterparts. In reality, many of them were unable to venture very far from the coast.

Enter the true explorer yacht – a vessel that is purpose-built to be seaworthy and self-sufficient enough to serve as a luxury platform for oceangoing expeditions that are virtually without limits.

“ The whole idea of an expedition yacht is how the owner intends to use his or her boat. We are working on the first Cheoy Lee 107 Explorer project now. It’s a boat capable of going practically anywhere in the world ,” said Jon Overing of Overing Yacht Design , the naval architect who collaborated with Cheoy Lee Yachts on its new Explorer Series .

“ The whole idea of an expedition yacht is how the owner intends to use his or her boat. We are working on the first Cheoy Lee 107 Explorer project now. It’s a boat capable of going practically anywhere in the world ”

What gives an expedition yacht “go-anywhere” capability?

It’s not just one single aspect of the vessel’s design, construction, or outfitting. With the world’s best explorer yachts, it’s the entire package.

“ I think any viable explorer yacht has be based on a full-displacement hull. That type of hull makes a better sea boat than a semi-displacement or planing hull … Full displacement hulls also inherently have more volume, and you need more volume to fit the mission profile for an expedition yacht. ”

Rugged and reliable:

What to look for in explorer yacht design and construction, full-displacement hull.

Sufficient speed

Historically, full-displacement vessels tended to be slow through the water, making up in seaworthiness what they lacked in speed. “ The image in everyone’s mind was a 10-knot boat, but it doesn’t have to be that way ,” Overing said. Today’s full-displacement hull designs, notably our fast-displacement hullform that Overing has developed for the Cheoy Lee Explorer Series .  Overing’s fast-displacement hull combines superior seakeeping, optimum range and efficiency at 9 to 10 knots with the capability of running over 14 knots if needed to avoid a storm or make up time in a tight itinerary. With a speed/length ratio of 1.6 – 1.7, the Overing fast-displacement hulls are capable of well exceeding theoretical hull speed allowing higher speeds if the owner chooses the higher horsepower options.

Bulbous bow

Seaworthiness

Practical profile.

Take the Cheoy Lee Explorer Series , for example. These multi-deck yachts sport graceful superstructures that are skillfully wrought in aluminum by Cheoy Lee Shipyard artisans . They feature spacious on-deck gathering areas, including flybridge, bridge and lower aft deck lounges, designed for sunbathing, dining and entertaining. They even boast aft beach clubs that are ideal for launching myriad watersports adventures.

“The exterior styling of an explorer yacht doesn’t have to look like a tugboat. It can be modern, classic, traditional – however you want,”

At the same time, however, expedition yacht design should address the long, rough passages the yacht will frequently face. Typically, these yachts have high bulwarks, full pilothouses and Portuguese bridges designed to protect the yacht from seas breaking on deck. The new Cheoy Lee Explorer 132 , which features an aft-pilothouse design is an excellent example of form following function while still displaying an eye-catching profile.

High-tech construction.

Classification.

“ It’s another system of checks and balances you are bringing into the project. I view it as an insurance policy for the owner ,” Overing said, adding, “ If you are building a good boat to begin with, there’s not a lot of cost difference in building it to class. ” Cheoy Lee Explorer Yachts are available built to Lloyd’s ✠ 100A1 SSC Yacht Mono G6 classification.

Fuel tankage.

Commercial-grade equipment.

Maximized storage..

Well-laid-out crew areas.

Bespoke owner/guest accommodations.

Satellite communications.

Tenders & toys., have it your way:, building a new explorer yacht.

There are pre-owned expedition yachts on the market today that come in all makes, models, sizes, vintages, and levels of bluewater capability. An owner who elects to purchase a brokerage boat is best advised to develop a mission profile for his or her desired vessel in advance and then choose the boat that ticks off the most boxes on that list. How far do you want to go? How many guests do you want to bring with you? It’s important to determine all your desires and needs before you start shopping for a yacht.

“ It’s always a compromise with a pre-owned explorer yacht. It’s someone else’s design for another owner ,” said Panu Virtanen, vice president – sales, Cheoy Lee Shipyard North America. He added, “ Who built it and how was it built? Does it have maintenance issues? It’s important to find out. ”

Use a surveyor with a proven track record to determine whether there are any hidden problems with the pre-owned yacht. And if you decide to go ahead with the purchase, many brokers recommend keeping a budget in reserve to refit the vessel. You may need to update the electronics and stabilizers, and you probably will want to change at least some of the furnishings and the soft goods. The yacht also may need its classification certificate renewed. “ That can be an expensive process ,” Virtanen cautioned.

Building a new explorer yacht with a reputable shipyard, on the other hand, will ensure you get the vessel that fulfills your individual dreams for global exploration. “ You can get exactly what you want ,” he said.

The shipyard can help you to put together a team dedicated to designing the best expedition boat for your mission profile, including members of the shipyard’s management, design and engineering teams, the yacht’s naval architect and interior designer, along with your captain, yacht broker, and yacht management company, if you so desire. This “ dream team ” will be dedicated to creating an explorer yacht that is unique to you.

“There is no ‘perfect boat’, but when you build one, you can come extremely close to getting the explorer yacht that is perfect for you”

Do you want a main-deck master suite with panoramic views so you can see spectacular scenery you when you wake up each morning? Do you want to be able to cook breakfast for your family yourself in an eat-in galley on a sunny Sunday morning? Would you like to be able to soak in a Jacuzzi on the flybridge, watch a film on the foredeck, or fish from the aft deck? Or do you fancy a beach club where you can lounge virtually at eye level with the sea, hop onto a Jet Ski whenever the mood strikes you, and enjoy a cocktail while your yacht’s underwater lights attract an “ aquarium ” full of exotic fish? “ There is no ‘perfect boat ’, but when you build one, you can come extremely close to getting the explorer yacht that is perfect for you ,” Virtanen said.

Who builds the best explorer yachts?

If you plan to build a new explorer yacht, it’s important to consider working with a shipyard that has a commercial shipbuilding pedigree in addition to a proven reputation for launching high-quality luxury yachts. Longevity, integrity, and family are key factors behind a successful shipyard. Few shipyards around the globe can boast more than 150 years of experience under continuous operation by the same family, like Cheoy Lee.

“ Cheoy Lee Shipyard has 150 years of experience in building commercial vessels that operate 24/7 in demanding conditions. That is the philosophy of the commercial side of the company, and it carries over to all the explorer yachts that we build as well. ”

It’s also important to research other expedition yachts the shipyard has launched in the past. Have they won awards and voyaged 200,000 nautical miles through most of the world’s oceans in a decade, like the 146’7” Cheoy Lee expedition yacht Dorothea III ?

“If you plan to voyage far, you need to be able to rely on your yacht in any conditions anywhere in the world. That experience is what you look for in a shipyard when you are building a true expedition yacht.”

“ Cheoy Lee Shipyard has 150 years of experience in building commercial vessels that operate 24/7 in demanding conditions. That is the philosophy of the commercial side of the company, and it carries over to all the explorer yachts that we build as well ,” Virtanen said. “ If you plan to voyage far, you need to be able to rely on your yacht in any conditions anywhere in the world. That experience is what you look for in a shipyard when you are building a true expedition yacht .”

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• Cars, Jets & Yachts

Octopus: On Board the Original Explorer Superyacht

Fresh from an extensive refit, Octopus is ready to become one of the world's most spectacular charters.

By Ellie Brade

Built in 2003 for Microsoft co-founder, the late Paul Allen, and sold to her current owner in 2021, the 414-ft Octopus is one of the world’s largest private yachts . At the time of her launch, she was the biggest explorer superyacht ever built. Little detail was known about her until she was first put up for sale in 2019. With Octopus now available for charter following a two-year round-the-world adventure, we take a closer look at one of the original explorer yachts.

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Construction

Effortlessly pairing adventure with high luxury, Octopus is the ultimate explorer yacht. She remains as impressive and timelessly stylish as the day she was launched 19 years ago. The work of a powerhouse design and build team, she was built in Germany by Lürssen , with naval architecture by Espen Oeino and an interior by Jonathan Quinn Barnett. “She is arguably the most iconic and versatile megayacht in the world,” says her lead charter broker Gayle Patterson of Camper & Nicholsons . “There is nowhere on the four corners of the Earth that she cannot go.”

Octopus’s core purpose was to cruise extensively and see the world. A fast-growing number of explorer-style yachts have followed in her wake, but it would be hard to find many that were designed and equipped so well for this purpose, or many that have ticked off so many destinations. With a range of 12,500 nm, Octopus can go just about anywhere and she has certainly made the most of that ability.

[See also: How to Charter a Superyacht]

Octopus’s core purpose was to cruise extensively and see the world / ©Camper & Nicholsons

Helicopters can be stored on the helipad or a giant internal hanger / ©Camper & Nicholsons

She was the first of the big explorer yachts and was also significant as one of the first major solo projects for her naval architect Oeino, who is today considered one of the masters of superyacht design. According to Oeino, one of the bigger challenges was meeting the owner’s brief that that none of the many tenders, water equipment or helicopters be visible when the yacht was underway.

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Oeino’s resulting design was a timelessly elegant, yet hardy exterior with a distinctive blue hull and white superstructure. Equipped with an Ice Class 1A hull, Octopus can navigate through sea ice with ease. Other key design elements include two helipads, which are positioned on the bow and stern, and a huge hangar for storing the helicopters.

Creating a yacht that still felt personal despite her gargantuan size was an important goal for interior designer Barnett of JQB Ltd. “It was a challenging task to make 9932GT over eight decks feel intimate and comfortable, safe and secure over every possible sea state for guest combinations from two to 24,” says Barnett.

“We developed an overall theme of timelessness with warmth and security for family fun and security when exploring vast open oceans and unseen coastal landscapes; I used soothing and calming colors with open graining and limestone course, satins, and matte finishes for natural textures.”

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Despite her enormous size, Octopus retains an intimate and personal feel inside / ©Camper & Nicholsons

The entertainment deck includes a 15-person cinema / ©Camper & Nicholsons

When creating the interior, the JQB team were able to take full advantage of Lürssen’s exceptional capabilities to create a very personal and visually stunning design. “The worst mistake, as far as I was thinking, would have been for us not to ask enough of Lürssen,” says Barnett. “It was clear to me that their skills and technology could produce details and quality beyond even our ability to imagine it.”

A core part of the interior design brief was to incorporate the owner’s many passions and hobbies, which meant utilising and co-ordinating a large team of specialists in their field. “We called upon the expertise of recording artists, studio and art museum lighting techs, aviation and submarine operations techs, librarians, art curators, telecommunications experts and so many more,” says Barnett. “Success looked like playing first violin with the greatest orchestra assembled by a living Einstein for Jimmy Hendricks and Captain Nemo.”

Life on board

The resulting yacht is extraordinary. Spanning eight decks, with her length of 414ft and beam of 68ft, there is certainly no shortage of space or features on board. Able to host 12 guests across 13 cabins, with numerous different cabin configurations available, her 42 crew ensure no guest need ever lift a finger.

Those 13 cabins include an owner’s master suite with its own elevator, two VIP cabins on the observation deck, seven doubles and three twins. Each cabin is its own private sanctuary, but it is the shared guest spaces that really shine.

Popular interior spaces include the entertainment deck with its large 15-person cinema, library, observation lounge, gym and wellness hub. Guest-accessible observation lounges are positioned at each extremity. “Deck Eight provides a window to the horizon and stars, while the underwater glass-bottomed observation lounge on Deck Zero gives wondrous glimpses into the watery depths,” says Barnett.

[See also: These are the Yacht Interior Designers to Know]

Octopus is able to host 12 guests across 13 cabins / ©Camper & Nicholsons

The underwater glass-bottomed observation lounge gives wondrous glimpses into the depths / ©Camper & Nicholsons

The beach club on Octopus / ©Camper & Nicholsons

A huge swimming pool is located on the bridge deck. “The spectacular pool area leading into the newly furnished beach bar is a well-used on board, as is the 7m pool, which has a retractable floor that can be raised to create a central dance floor,” says Patterson. “This deck area also boasts a large Jacuzzi, a pizza oven, BBQ grill and Tandoori oven.”

Throughout the yacht, numerous spaces for sunbathing and relaxing are found inside and out, with equally plentiful options for every dining style whether formal, relaxed or al fresco.

While her design features are impressive, so too is a vast list of toys and tenders which are testament to the fact that when it comes to exploration and enjoying the ocean, Octopus means business. These include no less than seven tenders, a full dive center with a hyperbaric chamber, an SUV for exploring onshore, electric foils and an ROV (remote operated underwater vehicle).

Where is Octopus heading?

As one of the world’s most traveled yachts, Octopus has undertaken a lengthy list of expeditions, and frequently acts as a base for scientific exploration expeditions. Highlights include the recovery of the bell from the wreck of the historic HMS Hood and discovering the wreck of the WW2 battleship IJN Musashi off the Philippines.

The new owner is reportedly keen to continue this legacy of marine protection and discovery. It is therefore fitting that over the next two years, Octopus will be doing what she does best – traveling the globe once again. Fresh from a refit, she is in peak condition and ready to go.

Fresh from a refit, Octopus is in peak condition and ready to go / ©Camper & Nicholsons

“Notable destinations in the plan are Costa Rica and Cocos Island in spring 2022, French Polynesia and Thailand in summer 2022 and Antarctica this coming winter,” says Patterson. “The world is her oyster.”

Octopus is available for charter through leading yacht company Camper & Nicholsons from $ 2,200,000 per week. Contact camperandnicholsons.com

[See more: What are Explorer Yachts?]

Ellie Brade

Latest in luxury, the explorer.

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9 Things You Didn’t Know About the 253-Foot Expedition Superyacht ‘La Datcha’

Two helicopters, a professional dive center, an on-board hospital, and other standout features are hallmarks of a world-class explorer yacht., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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The 253-foot bronzed La Datcha (meaning “summer house” in Russian) was commissioned by Russian billionaire Oleg Tinkov to be the ultimate adventure vessel. It’s an ambition the boat has more than lived up to, remaining one of the few yachts in the world to have braved the remote Russian peninsula of Kamchatka and even Antarctica.

La Datcha is one of Damen’s SeaXplorer series and was originally meant to be a 236-footer, before the design was extended by another 17 feet to cater for Tinkov’s extensive list of expedition toys, equipment, and operations. So much so, in fact, the entire layout of the main deck aft was reimagined into an enclosed, functional work area for storing toys and tenders. The space includes a dedicated garage for a 30-foot RIB that is launched through a shell door, and a second custom rescue limousine tender designed by Fassmer to be a mini-me of the mothership.

The sharp-edged exterior by Azure Yacht Design is inspired by the jagged edges of polar ice shelves—a theme that continues throughout the boat in both its decor and style, such as the glass-encased elevator that spans all six decks. Delivered in 2020, the expedition superyacht’s globetrotting is set to continue into 2024, with an adventurous year-long charter itinerary that will include Antarctica, the Sea of Cortez, French Polynesia, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. Micronesia and Southeast Asia are in its sights for 2025.

Here are nine cool facts you didn’t know about one of the world’s most serious explorer superyachts, now available to charter with TWW Yachts.

Icebreaker Hull

La Datcha was the first purpose-built icebreaker yacht compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s Polar Code. Built to cruise from the Arctic to Antarctica and able to power through 16-inch-thick ice, it has retractable stabilizers and Damen’s signature Sea Axe hull to help with drifting ice floes and submerged logs. The enclosed bridge wings also give panoramic visibility and protection for watchkeepers in bad weather.

Two Helicopters

La Datcha is one of only a handful of yachts equipped with two Airbus H125 helicopters. There is a primary helideck on the upper deck aft, a second standby deck, and a shared below-deck hangars. Both helis are stored on the main deck aft. When it’s time to take flight, they’re raised by a lift to the fully certified open flight deck. Tinkov is a passionate heli skier—for which two helicopters is a prerequisite for yachts operating outside the range of rescue services and a regulatory requirement in Antarctica. His ski guides organize bespoke heli-skiing trips across uncharted terrain. It’s a natural extension for the billionaire whose portfolio of boutique hotels carry a sports theme, ranging from ski chalets in the French Alps to villas in Cabo San Lucas in Baja California. The yacht’s two snowmobiles are also on hand to collect weary guests after a testing ski run.

Triton Submersible

When not flying in the sky, guests are exploring beneath the waves thanks to the certified dive center equipped with a decompression chamber and a three-person Triton submersible with a depth rating of 500 meters. A wood-paneled dedicated mudroom on the main deck aft is where guests return to after diving or skiing, and where expedition gear is cleaned, dried, and stored. It also doubles as storage for the heli-ski gear.

25 Specialized Crew

The 25-strong crew’s skillset is as varied as the yacht’s itinerary. That includes the captain, who holds an ice-pilot license and polar-code advanced qualifications. There are four commercial diving instructors with Nitrox certification, two submersible pilots, one submersible engineer, two helicopter pilots, and two helicopter technicians. And of course, a wealth of watersports, wellness and fitness instructors.

Elaborate Wellness Center

There are wellness centers, and then there is La Datcha’s shrine to wellbeing. With direct access to the beach club and gym, it includes two Jacuzzis—one inside, one on deck—a Turkish Hamman, a sauna, and a dedicated massage area. It’s rounded off with a stalagmite ice fountain with LED lighting (the only one of its kind on a yacht) for a frosty shock of cold ice on exiting the hot sauna.

Private Hospital

A dedicated medical room may be a luxury that few yachts have the space to afford. But La Datcha ’s onboard hospital is essential for when guests take part in higher-risk activities in remote regions. It has quarantine facilities, dedicated air-conditioning and sewage systems, and care from a trained ICU nurse. It also holds a full suite of Tempus equipment (used to monitor all vital signs of patient) and a mobile blood analysis machine that produces and prints results in nine minutes after a sample is taken.

The Interior is by a Residential Designer

The yacht’s interior is penned by Russian designer Vasiliy Shprits, who had never designed a yacht. Tinkov’s brief to bring “wildlife” aboard is shown through features like the iceberg-shaped bar in the salon, alongside jellyfish-shaped lamps and fish-themed tables. Contrary to the flashy bronze exterior, the interior features natural oak, leather, marble, onyx, stone mosaics, and wool rugs. The main and lower deck is dedicated to water, while the upper deck is devoted to earth.

Elaborate Staterooms

Six guest cabins—including two masters and two VIPs—sleep 12 guests, each with a walk-in closet and en suite bathroom. In addition to the crew’s quarters, there are two more twin-bunk cabins to accommodate up to eight expedition specialists who join private trips and charters to bring another layer of expertise. These include ski instructors, volcanologists, naturalists, professional fishing guides, photographers, and polar region experts. 

Full Autonomy

Fitted with enhanced fuel tanks, La Datcha can keep autonomy at sea for up to 35 days. Refueling is done via a tank carrying around 10,000 liters of aviation fuel (which is safer to store on board than gasoline), giving the yacht a 5,200-nautical-mile range when cruising at 12 knots.

Click here to see more photos of La Datcha.

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Doggersbank is a story of seaworthy endurance. The rugged offshore design, named after a large sandbank in a shallow area of the North Sea and brought to life by Vripack founder Dick Boon in 1968, continues to excite adventure-seeking owners around the world.   The pocket-sized explorer’s robust pedigree derives from its design characteristics. The high bow for traversing rough waters and ample tank capacity for long distance exploration. With a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, a Doggersbank is a true seafaring ambassador for Dutch quality and precision naval architecture.   Today, the Doggersbank Offshore build package gifts clients the chance to own a new build based on an existing platform, with the benefit of shorter lead times, proven performance and safety records, and fully updated systems.

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First look: Inside 77m explorer yacht 'La Datcha'

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By Katia Damborsky   30 December 2020

Showing off her chalet-style interiors, incredibly well-equipped dive centre and expansive locker of toys and accessories, your first look inside 77m (253ft) motor yacht 'La Datcha' proves that her explorer capacities match her luxury calibre. 

One of the most exciting yacht deliveries of 2020, La Datcha departed Dutch yard Damen as one of the most well-equipped expedition yachts in the global charter fleet.

She is designed for long-range cruising and is currently chartering in the Seychelles as part of La Datcha's world charter itinerary . This ambitious tour will see her travel to the snow-capped islands of Russia all the way to the unspoilt beauty of Papua New Guinea. 

Wherever she cruises, La Datcha will transport guests in the lap of luxury. New images give us a closer look at her warm, refined interiors and the six-star on-board amenities that guests can expect on a luxury yacht charter . 

The yacht's ambitious charter itinerary will see her cruise in the remotest Russia and the paradise of Papua New Guinea.

One of La Datcha's principal functions is as a heli-ski platform, and her interiors have been designed to reflect the chic styling and warm tones of a luxury chalet. Boutique design studio Vasiliy Shprits is responsible for the yacht's interior styling, and the design team have chosen neutral shades that complement which ever destination the yacht cruises in. 

The main salon offers a sumptuous seating area, as well as a bar that's been sculpted to look like a block of ice. A skylounge is on hand for evening entertainment, while an observation lounge moulded into the hull of the yacht is just another feature which sets this yacht apart from the rest. 

Sitting 9m above the waterline, it offers a superior vantage point to watch the yacht's cruising grounds unfold around her.

One of La Datcha's principal functions is a heli-ski platform, and her interiors have been designed to reflect the chic styling and warm tones of a luxury chalet.

Accommodation is provided for 12 guests in six cabins, and this includes two Owner's suites that make her perfect for large families looking to charter together.  Each cabin has been thoughtfully-appointed with an en suite and all the latest audio visual equipment. 

As well as her elegant appearance, motor yacht La Datcha also has a host of hidden features that set her apart from the crowds.

She houses storage for multiple tenders and toys including a bike shed, a 3-person submersible and Snow Scooters.

When it comes to amenities, this is where La Datcha really shines. As well as 2 commercially-registered helicopters that allow her to undertake heli-ops in Antarctica , La Datcha also has two decks almost entirely devoted to recreation.

Here, you'll find storage for multiple tenders and toys including a bike shed, Jet-Skis, Seabobs, a range of toys and a 3-person submersible and Snow Scooters. The bicycle locker even includes models favoured by Tour de France winners. 

During her time chartering around the Indian Ocean, guests can also enjoy access to a fully-equipped dive centre which has everything you need to explore the underwater sights of the Maldives and Madagascar. 

Guests can warm up in the Turkish Hamman or cool down under an invigorating ice shower.

After a busy day of activity, La Datcha has a variety of spa facilities for guests to take advantage of. Guests can warm up in the Turkish Hamman, cool down under an invigorating ice shower, or lie back in the treatment suite and indulge in a decadent massage. 

Aside from good looks, La Datcha is also a capable vessel with a polar-class Ice Hull and autonomy for up to 40 days at sea.  She is one of the few yachts in the charter fleet that is truly prepared for expeditions on the White Continent- a destination that only a few people have chartered in. 

The yacht has a polar-class Ice Hull and autonomy for up to 40 days at sea, making her ideal for chartering on the lesser-explored White Continent.

If you'd like to be among the first to charter M/Y LA DATCHA, please get in contact with your chosen yacht charter broker . 

To compare this yacht against others in the charter fleet, you can view all luxury expedition charter yachts . 

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77m Damen Yachting 2020

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Your Head Start Gift! Kickstart Your Explorer Yacht Journey By Understanding How To Work With Your Shipyard. FREE DOWNLOAD

M/Y 'Vanguard' Hull #2  XPM78

Explorer yacht vanguard.

Vanguard is a long-range explorer yacht built to go to places and cover distances inaccessible to most pleasure craft.

What explorer yachts?

Explorer Yachts are a distinct class of vessels emerging from yards in New Zealand (Cira Marine), Holland (Aluboot), the UK (Arksen), Taiwan (Nordhavn), and Turkey (Bering and Naval Yachts). They are built mostly of aluminum with rugged construction, stability, excellent sea-keeping ability, shallow draft,  redundant systems, and often extreme range approaching some 7000 NM. 

Vanguard - our Explorer Yacht

Vanguard XPM-002 is the second in a series of 'eXtreme PassageMakers' 78-foot explorer yachts, with the first XPM-001 being M/Y 'Mobius'. Naval Yachts are also building a 85 Foot XPM (as yet unnamed). The closest existing equivalent to M/Y 'Vanguard' is the FPB 70, designed by Steve and Linda Dashew and built by Circa Marine. Many physical similarities exist though the two hulls differ in several significant ways.

Build - our Explorer Yacht

Vanguard uses commercial-grade equipment throughout. The equipment you find on a frigate, oil rig supply vessel, USCG Cutter, or deep sea fishing boat, you will find similar on Vanguard. She is designed to be navigated by a crew of 2 experienced sailors.  With duplicated critical systems, she can run on both or a single engine with the trailing system feathered to minimize drag. She carries an advanced Hybrid Drive and has DP( 0 ) dynamic positioning to get into those awkward locations and stay there!

A 6.5kW solar array and over 140kWh of electrical storage capacity provide total independence from shore power. Praxis Automation provides control and displays systems. Steering mirrors small naval craft and comes from Wills Ridley, self-pitching propellers, and drive lines from Bruntons. Engines are John Deere 4045 M1 rated driving through Esco Power hybrid stepper drives and twin disc final gearboxes.   Helm equipment is Wills Ridley and Furuno commercial navigation running Time Zero Professional. We also installed a purpose-designed shallow draft  diesel-powered water jet tender from Habbeke. 

Planning- our Yachting Journey

Lastly, we have been blessed to partner with Eyos Expeditions who proved ongoing advice on our build and planning for our intended high latitude destinations. 

We hope you enjoy reading about our own Explorer Yacht - Vanguard, her build, and her ongoing journeys as we take her from an idea to a traveling reality. 

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EXPEDITION SUPERYACHT HANSE EXPLORER

EXPEDITION CAPABILITY

Hanse Explorer is a true expedition yacht in every sense. Ice-classed and built to handle the most challenging waters, she is a go-anywhere yacht under exclusive EYOS management, available for charter in some of the world’s most remote places. 

DESIGNED AND BUILT FOR PURPOSE

For those looking to be truly immersed in a destination, Hanse is the perfect choice. Her two longtime captains have worked on the ship for over 10 years and on all expeditions with EYOS. She has a level of expedition expertise and capability that no other expedition yacht has. She has a true expedition spirit that permeates everything on board.

FULL SPECIFICATION

Description

Built for both tropical and polar waters, Hanse Explorer carries two Mark-IV Zodiacs for landing on remote Pacific beaches or pushing through Antarctic brash ice. Newly installed (2020) retractable stabilizers keep her steady at sea. 2021 also brought a multi-million dollar refit to provide the yacht with a new, contemporary look.

Whether diving in the remote reefs of Melanesia utilizing the yacht’s advanced dive center or cruising through the Norwegian fjords, you’ll find the yacht perfectly suited for expeditions.

Hanse Explorer’s accommodations for 12 adventurous guests are smart and nautical. A spacious saloon and adjacent dining room feature large windows to bring stunning scenery indoors. An expansive aft deck is used for frequent al fresco dining.

A large Owner’s cabin opens onto a secluded deck, and up top, a new Jacuzzi and outdoor seating awaits.

Her professional crew understands the unique needs of expedition clients, whether multi-generational families or a romantic escape for a couple. There is a genuine spirit and expedition camaraderie that develops onboard, with many clients repeating charters on her year after year.

Nimble and stout, Hanse Explorer has repeatedly proven herself for those seeking an immersive, intimate adventure in the planet’s most remote regions.

Key Features

• New 24 ‘7” RIB – C Series dive tender
• 4 Lefeet sea bobs
• Nitrox Dive Center
• 4 double kayaks, 1 single
• 2 stand-up paddleboards
• 10 semi-dry suits for kayaking and paddleboarding
• Refit interior and exterior lifestyle spaces
• Ice Class Hull
• Stabilizers

Gross Tonnage

HANSE EXPLORER VIRTUAL TOUR

EXPEDITION EQUIPPED

• 2 x 2 Person Aire Sea Tiger Kayaks
• Dive Compressor
• Nitrox Scuba Diving Equipment
• Fishing Equipment
• 2 Zodiac Landing Crafts

THE VAST WILDERNESS IS WAITING, WHERE COULD SHE TAKE YOU?

Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands

Far removed from the familiar cruising circuit, these South Pacific nations are a hidden jewel. One of our favorite dive/ snorkel destinations, Vanuatu offers enchanting surprises and unforgettable memories to those who journey here.

THE VAST WILDERNESS IS WAITING, WHERE

COULD SHE TAKE YOU?

From its vast, towering glaciers to its unique and resilient wildlife, Antarctica offers a breathtaking and otherworldly landscape that has fascinated explorers, scientists, and adventurers for centuries

Papua New Guinea

Nestled in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, Papua New Guinea is a land of captivating contrasts and unparalleled natural beauty. This diverse nation, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous surrounding islands, boasts a rich tapestry of cultures, languages and landscapes.

French Polynesia

Beyond its renowned overwater bungalows and crystal-clear turquoise waters, this paradise is a mosaic of diverse islands, each boasting a unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty.

South Georgia and The Falklands

These Southern Hemisphere jewels, situated amidst the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, beckon intrepid travelers to explore their rugged beauty and extraordinary biodiversity.

Enveloped by towering mountain ranges, ancient glaciers, and a coastline that weaves through fjords and bays, Alaska is a landscape of extremes. Its pristine ecosystems host a remarkable array of wildlife, from grizzly bears patrolling salmon-filled rivers to orcas gracefully navigating icy waters.

Chilean Patagonia

This remote region captivates explorers with its dramatic scenery, where nature’s forces reign supreme. Iconic landmarks like Torres del Paine dominate the skyline, and turquoise lakes mirror the untamed beauty of their surroundings.

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La Datcha: The 77m bronzed explorer built for heli-skiing adventures

Designed for the paths less travelled yet still glamorous to its core, 77 metre La Datcha is as unconventional as superyachts come. BOAT discovers its many charms .

The Russian word datcha means “a second home in the countryside”. The French definite article la adds a touch of elegance. La Datcha certainly seems a fitting name for this 77-metre from Damen Yachting’s new SeaXplorer range , a boat sophisticated enough for Mediterranean bays but built for adventure in faraway places.

• On board SeaXplorer 77 expedition yacht La Datcha on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula

From day one her owner, Oleg Tinkov , made it clear that although he intends to spend time on board, he wants La Datcha to generate revenue. Tinkov is a self-made man known for building several brands, including his greatest pride, the online Tinkoff Bank. His La Datcha Tinkoff Collection comprises luxury boutique hotels with a sports theme, ranging from ski chalets in Val Thorens and Courchevel in the French Alps, to villas in Cabo San Lucas in Baja California (ideal for offshore fishing and watersports). This ultra-luxurious explorer yacht is the latest addition to the portfolio and is being offered for charter in remote areas such as Kamchatka in the far east of Russia, Antarctica and Papua New Guinea.

Born in a coal-mining town in south Siberia, Tinkov, who currently resides in London, lived for a time in the US and studied at the University of California, Berkeley. He has travelled the world extensively, from Madagascar to Greenland. Likewise, his yachting experience is diverse – from a Pershing he uses to entertain guests of the La Datcha palazzo in Forte dei Marmi, Italy, to superyacht charters in the Seychelles and Maldives.

“Once we even rented an ice-breaker,” says his daughter, Dasha Tinkova, marketing and sales director of La Datcha Tinkoff Collection. With a passion for extreme sports, Tinkov is a devoted heli-skier. Having explored the Alps, he started to look for other destinations and soon realised that the best way to get to places such as Kamchatka or Alaska would be aboard a superyacht. But what kind of superyacht?

“Oleg Tinkov had considered buying a yacht for some time and was attracted by the clean vertical lines of the Amels 199 [now the Amels 206 ] Limited Editions design, with its axe-bow,” recalls Rose Damen, managing director at Damen Yachting, parent company to Amels. “But once he saw the SeaXplorer concept, his eyes turned to that design.”

Born at the onset of the explorer yacht boom, the SeaXplorer concept was designed for remote adventures. The first hull, 62-metre Anawa , launched in October 2019. “We had taken the new IMO Polar Code and Ice Class into consideration when developing the SeaXplorer,” says Damen. It therefore has retractable stabilisers and a strengthened hull to withstand drifting ice floes and submerged logs, while enclosed bridge wings offer panoramic visibility and protection for watchkeepers in bad weather.

While Tinkov was drawn to a 65-metre iteration of the SeaXplorer design, he soon realised it could carry only one helicopter, which was not sufficient for his plans. Stefano Feltrin is managing director of La Datcha and the technical supervisor who oversaw the explorer’s design and construction. He explains their requirements thus: “As we will operate outside the range of rescue services, we will need the ability to fly two helicopters simultaneously for safety reasons; while in Antarctica, regulations require two choppers for heli-skiing or heli-safari. So we went for a 72 metre. This was later extended to 77 metres to allow for a full range of watersports, including a dive centre and submarine operations.”

This is a vital aspect of La Datcha : as well as being able to get to remote destinations, her treasure trove of tenders and toys will allow guests to thoroughly enjoy themselves when they arrive. To this end, an important feature is the 9.26-metre custom rescue boat/limousine tender, built by Fassmer, which, when mounted in its open bay on the mothership, completes the exterior perfectly. Designed to the owner’s brief, it follows La Datcha closely in both style and colour.

To accommodate such accessories for exploration, the traditional superyacht layout was significantly revised. The whole of the main deck aft is an enclosed and purely functional working area devoted to a garage for a 9.1-metre RIB tender by Insider Yachts, launched through a shell door, and for two Airbus H125 helicopters that are raised by a lift to the fully certified open flight deck on the upper deck aft. This arrangement allows crew to launch tenders and quickly prepare helicopters for flight. Refuelling is done from a tank carrying approximately 10,000 litres of jet fuel, which equates to approximately 40 hours’ flight time or a 5,000-nautical-mile range.

“The remote nature of these cruising areas with their lack of shoreside infrastructure, means the yacht needs to be comfortable and self-sufficient for extended periods. This philosophy extends to all aspects of the design, from spaces for the owner and guests, to being able to carry all the equipment and supplies you may need to use the yacht as a launchpad for adventure,” says Rob McCallum of EYOS Expeditions, which was chosen by Damen Yachting as a partner in the development of the SeaXplorer range. Having completed more than 1,500 expeditions in remote areas in the last 20 years, EYOS was integral in proposing and realising up to 155 design features to ensure every SeaXplorer, including La Datcha , is a truly capable vessel.

The challenge for La Datcha’s designers, Azure , was to make this potentially brawny vessel look dynamic, yacht-like and well proportioned. The initial brief from Damen Yachting at the inception of the SeaXplorer design was to create “a powerful, head-turning hybrid that merged the strength and heritage of the Damen Sea Axe hull and lines with the traditional beauty of an Amels,” says Erik Spek, director of Azure, “while making her clearly recognisable as part of the Damen Yachting fleet.” Azure drew inspiration from the play of light and shadow on the jagged edges of polar ice shelves.

Inside, La Datcha has six decks and, helped by her 14-metre beam, boasts an impressive volume of 2,560GT. The central part of the upper deck contains the main saloon and an inside/outside dining saloon with an adjacent pantry. The bridge deck also hosts a saloon, with another dining area. Guest cabins are divided between the forward sections of both main and upper decks, with the master suite foremost on the main deck.

The lower deck aft hosts a wellness centre with spa and gym, while forward on this deck are 10 twin-bunked cabins for officers and crew and three twin-bunk cabins for expedition staff. The hospital, a formality required by class, includes full quarantine facilities and dedicated air-conditioning and sewage systems.

Perhaps the most striking feature of La Datcha is the enclosed observation lounge in the nose of the bow on the upper deck, with a 270-degree panoramic view and adjacent open deck from where guests may enjoy the scenery. This area was designed so that those on watch can see forward and operate the vessel safely, while guests also benefit from superb views.

The core idea of La Datcha’s design is to catch every magic moment of natural beauty and wildlife. Wherever guests are, they can get their gear together easily, ready for adventure. The layout allows simple movement throughout, up to the observation lounge or down to the tender bay. On their way to and from adventures, guests need a place to don and doff protective gear that has got wet or dirty. And this is the purpose of the spacious mudroom located on the main deck aft, where expedition gear is cleaned, dried and stored, ready for the next outing (the room also serves as storage for the heli-ski gear).

But while she’s an explorer through and through, La Datcha is also a genuinely luxurious yacht. The owner wanted the interior to be simple and natural but chic and unusual at the same time. His chosen interior designer, Vasiliy Shprits, and his team from St Petersburg, Russia, had never designed a yacht but the owner did not want the interior of La Datcha to look “yachty”. “My goal was to make the interior look like a luxurious land-based residence,” says Shprits. “Not too much fixed furniture or smooth edges. No polished surfaces, no gold, no Swarovski crystals. Instead, some nice loose furniture, natural oak, leather, bronze, natural marble and onyx, stone mosaics or wool rugs.

“We are really grateful to our knowledgeable German interior subcontractor, Vedder, who guided us kindly and wisely throughout the interior design and who has done the impossible,” he adds. “For instance, by finding a way to produce an incredible iceberg-looking bar for the main saloon or invisibly fixing bronze insects [he calls them “termites”] over the bedheads in the second master cabin according to our vision of bringing ‘wildlife’ aboard, or allowing us to place a distinctive bronze sculpture by Giò Pomodoro in the observation lounge.” Promemoria, meanwhile, produced much spectacular furniture for the design.

The interior palette is subtle, not flashy. The main deck and lower deck decor revolves around a water theme while the upper deck is devoted to earth. Jellyfish-shaped lamps from Wired Custom Lighting in the gym and coffee tables with silver fish in the master cabins play out the water theme beautifully. The pattern of decorative panels in the main saloon may appear traditionally Russian to some, but for others it will evoke a Mexican vibe. The theme of fire, particularly important to the owner, is reflected in the stunning bronze hull paint and the fireplaces in the upper deck saloon.

There’s also an egalitarian aspect to the interior. The layout accommodates two similar master suites as well as a VIP suite, plus three guest cabins on the upper deck – a layout that allows the owner to offer equal accommodation when inviting two business partners or friends. A 2.2-metre ceiling height, meanwhile, gives the cabins an exceptionally spacious feeling.

Of course, a true expedition yacht is unthinkable without a spa and wellness centre. On La Datcha it offers direct access to the beach club and the fully equipped gym. A traditional hammam and Finnish sauna made by the German spa specialist Klafs are supplemented by an LED-lit stalagmite ice fountain that allows guests to enjoy the contrast of cold ice on hot skin after a sauna. “Unlike conventional ice fountains, this one grows upwards and it is a truly delightful attraction, especially with changing LED background lighting,” says Martin Schaidnagl, the responsible project manager at Vedder.

All these features have already attracted lots of interest. “Can you imagine, La Datcha is already booked for 18 consecutive weeks,” says the owner with obvious pleasure. “It is a record in the superyacht industry, and we are really proud of it.” Victoria Verhovskaia, charter fleet manager at Edmiston , who is responsible for La Datcha’s charter bookings, says part of the interest stems from the unconventional itinerary. That included the Kamchatka Peninsula in spring and summer 2021. From September to May, Kamchatka is covered with powder snow from Siberia, making it perfect for heli-skiing, but after the snow melts, the area’s 160 volcanoes and the Valley of Geysers, impossible to reach without helicopters, are also great to explore.

“We already hired the best heli-ski and local guides to serve our guests,” says Alistair Reid, captain of La Datcha . Looking to the future, the yacht is heading for Antarctica in the second half of 2021, returning to Kamchatka in 2022, and stopping off to cruise in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands on the way back north. “There is a new generation of adventurous yacht owners that are keen to maximise their experiences, exploring some of the most remote regions on Earth,” says McCallum. “It is great to see La Datcha’s owner embrace this spirit of exploration and really use his yacht for the adventures she was designed to make.” And it’s not just Tinkov who’ll appreciate her: La Datcha will appeal to all who seek luxurious adventure – ice fountain and ice bar included.

This feature is taken from the March 2021 issue of BOAT International. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue

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