Superyacht
ABEKING & RASMUSSEN EXCELLENCE: A MODERN MASTERPIECE
Built for an experienced Owner, Abeking & Rasmussen’s Excellence is more than just a superyacht; she’s a work of art.
Julia Mastetiurina
Abeking & Rasmussen’s Excellence is one of the most technologically advanced and sophisticated yachts of our time. She is unlike any existing vessel and features a whole set of intriguing design solutions. It was these futuristic details that got her Owner interested in the project back in 2015.
CUTTING STYLE
With a length of 80 metres and a beam of 14.5 metres, Excellence is naturally svelte. Her arrow-like shape is exaggerated by an aggressively raked reverse bow – arguably one of her most outstanding features. This wave slicing bow is also the reason Excellence’s two 2,029 hp MTU engines can push her through the waves at 17 knots and make transatlantic crossings at 13 knots. With a cruising range of 4,500 nautical miles she can take you wherever you may wish and in comfort too, courtesy of Quantum Marine XT fins.
The original concept of the yacht that was originally presented by Winch Design was modified slightly during the build. The main deck lost its helipad – which made way for the sharp, ‘eagle’ bow and shell balconies have been added to the rounded decks, which cut into the glass structure. They were elegantly integrated into the overall style, and the practical benefits of their appearance are obvious. The protruding side flare is an ideal viewing position for difficult maneuvers, and from here, you can see the entire area from stern to bow. Excellence’s colossal two-storey glazing is certainly one her many innovations, as is the staircase.
A LOOK INSIDE
Approaching the 80-metre superyacht by tender and you’re not entirely sure what to expect. As you step onto the platform, (which also serves as a beach club), you try to guess what’s hiding behind the bold exterior.
Excellence’s entertaining nature becomes apparent once you see inside the garage: a small RS200 sailboat, paddleboards, water skis and boards, several kayaks, a Seabob, jet skis, inflatable trampolines and slides – all this along with two Hodgdon limo tenders.
Once onboard, guests can sit at the bar with a cocktail, or climb up to the main deck and enjoy a dip in the glass-bottom pool. The barstools are located in the water, but they are removable in case there are guests who want to swim.
Surprising decor: Going by her futuristic exterior, one would expect Excellence to have a minimalistic, black and white interior. In reality, she’s warm, fun and inviting.
The main salon exudes a calm, relaxed atmosphere. Deep semi-circular sofas and armchairs revolve around the coffee table, emphasising the rounded shape of the area.
Passing through a formal dining room with an equally exquisite dining set, you enter the foyer – another breathtaking onboard area. The large atrium extends over three floors: the main deck, bridge deck and ends at the Owner’s deck. To navigate between decks, you can use either the staircase which is trimmed with marble, wood and luxurious carpet, or the elevator. This is an attraction on its own merit with the glass booth allowing guests to enjoy panoramic views through the same glass of the superstructure. At the same time, you can also appreciate the steel frames, which support the glass panels. “In general, the supports should have been covered with a layer of insulation, but then the Owner intervened and suggested not to lose this space. As a result, we painted them in metallic colour and left them open. The result is a technologically advanced atrium and an excellent view overboard,” says senior project manager Jens Bottke.
GUEST SPACES
Moving forward on the main deck you will find six double guest cabins. All of them are the same size and similar in layout, but this is where the similarities end. Each of the staterooms is uniquely decorated with over 30 types of marble. You won’t have to go far for entertainment either: on the same deck there is a gym, a spa area with a sauna and a cinema for nine people with excellent sound insulation.
Closer to the stern there is a skylight, which, thanks to sliding doors, can be connected to the alfresco dining room. On the open deck, the colourway echoes the exterior – white and silver in the upholstery with teak edging.
The original concept of the yacht that was originally presented by Winch Design was modified slightly during the build.
The Owner has a separate deck with apartments featuring panoramic windows and a circular terrace. Aft is a cozy salon that opens up to the Jacuzzi lounge on the open deck. In short, there is always a choice – to enjoy relaxing on the private deck or visit the sun deck with guests, where there is another Jacuzzi with a bar.
The Owner’s study is located on the deck above, adjacent to the bridge. This is an interesting space with natural tobacco leaves as decoration on the walls. The area can also be transformed into an additional cabin or an infirmary – in case of an emergency.
A full deck: When it comes to relaxing, guests can enjoy the swimming pool, jump in a Jacuzzi or head down to the sprawling beach club.
INTERIOR STYLE
An exotic car collector owns Excellence, so it is not surprising that references to the automobile can be seen in the interiors. For example, in the Owner’s cabin, a classic Cadillac has been stylistically reincarnated as a sofa – its seat has the same shape and stitching, and the sidewalls are made in the form of traditional car grilles.
The circular ceiling patterns with 3D panels in the centre are reminiscent of a vintage car wheel with distinctive white stripes on the sides and ornate chrome hubcaps in the centre. Also, tyre marks carved into wood can be found in the bathrooms. Winch Design recalls that in order to create this interior they had to constantly leave the “comfort zone” and look for non-standard solutions.
That is why there are so many exotic woods on board: Japanese tamo ash, sycamore maple with blue tints, or Amboina burl – one of the rarest and most expensive types of wood. The latter was popular and was often used in the twenties on Rolls-Royce vehicles to make dashboards. The carpets by German designer Oliver Treutlein are reminiscent of an old cobblestone pavement, while the door pattern in the shower stalls imitates crocodile skin.
| Excellence Specifications | |
|---|---|
| LOA: | 79.95m |
| Beam: | 14.45m |
| Draught: | 3,45m |
| Naval architects: | Abeking & Rasmussen |
| Exterior design: | Winch Design |
| Interior design: | Winch Design |
| Engines: | MTU 12V 4000 M65R |
| Max speed: | 17 kn |
| Cruise speed: | 14kn |
| Range: | 4,500nm @ 13kn |
| Shipyard: | Abeking & Rasmussen, Germany |
CONCLUSION
Even at the design stage, the Owner, with his sense of humour, wrote that it should be “a happy yacht, not a cold palace.” Winch Design went to great lengths to create a vibrant interior, filled with detail and style. Excellence is a masterpiece on many levels and proves that with the right Owner, a shipyard’s idea can go from concept to reality while evolving along the way.
