The aim of our design work is the pleasure of seeing the Owner’s desires taking shape and recognizing himself in it. Designing an explorer yacht for such an experienced Owner who grew up around boats and understands yachting perfectly, was very gratifying. For the project of Acala, we started from a white piece of paper and brainstormed a lot with him to fulfill the whole family needs. I was contacted via email by the Client who had seen some of my projects. We didn’t know each other before yet a great affinity was soon discovered and my relationship with the Client and his family grew stronger as the project of Acala was taking shape. Our common Latin American culture helped us to understand each other deeply. This is one of the reasons why Acala is so harmonious in all her aspects. The same happened with the interior designer, Simon Hamui, who knew the Client from way back.

The entire design, the yacht dimensions and her unconventional layout have been developed together with the Owner. Once we agreed on all aspects very few changes have been made, this is why Acala is so close the original renderings. Acala’s profile with a raked bow and compact superstructure captures the very soul of an explorer vessel combining it with the elegance of a luxury yacht that will stand the test of time.

Large windows on the Main deck whose mullions seem not to join the superstructure are undoubtedly Acala profile’s signature features. All shapes, volumes and lines compose a well-balanced geometry while her roomy body encompasses luxury social areas and very large and comfortable crew quarters, as requested by the Owner whose plans include long term cruising to reach the farthest corners of the world.

A beam of 8.60m provides large interior spaces while allowing enjoyable side passages as in a much larger vessel. There is also a consistency between the shape of the bow, a gently raked bow, and the curve of the stern. Should I find a reason why Acala is having so much success among owners who saw her during her first season in the Med and at the MYS, I’d say that I succeeded in giving her a balance between length and volume. The decks, from the Main deck up, despite generous overhanging and a conspicuous construction height (in all decks the headroom is never less that 2.20m), sit harmoniously in the middle of the yacht and the large Sun deck is perfectly integrated in the profile. If I should say what are the most amazing areas on board, I would surely point out the huge salon on the Upper deck that opens onto the stern terrace and have uninterrupted views on both sides thanks to floor to ceiling glass surfaces, the large Sun deck enjoyable even in the more windy days as it is protected by windbreakers doors, and last but not least the crew/service quarters whose dimensions and decoration are something never seen on a yacht of Acala’s size.

The use of spaces and volumes to create highly enjoyable living environments has been calculated to the centimeter, square centimeter... cubic centimeter, indeed. Harmony on board Acala is not accidentally as I’ve tried to find the right balance between functionality and beauty of each and all features by combining the scientific approach of a naval architect (I am a naval architect, too) to the artistic touch of a passionate designer.