Dear Mario, first of all congratulations: it is now official that Nauta is the designer of the yacht which – once delivered in 2014 – with its 180 mt will be the biggest yacht in the world! Can you please tell us what is more challenging: designing an 86 feet like the Nauta Air under construction at CdM or approaching a gigayacht like the aforementioned? It is almost impossible to compare the two experiences: what I can say about the Nauta Air 86 is that it is not only challenging, but also a great fun for us at Nauta. First of all because carving out spaces in a relatively small boat is a great challenge and exercise, where our ability in imagining the use of the yacht and the needs of the users is hardly tested. In this Nauta Air 86, for example, after having received a clear brief by the owner and having understood his entertainment needs, we have worked hard to realize what I consider the best sun dek/fly bridge in this segment of yachts.

So, Mario, tell us more about this ‘entertainment’ specific requests. Well, the owner has been very clear to us: a lot of things are going to happen onboard, inside and outside, and a lot of friends will join the boat both to stay overnight or for the day, expecting to enjoy their time together, partying and chilling out surrounded by the beautiful sceneries of the Ocean. Seen that, we have immediately thought about a Sun Deck/Fly Bridge where whatever they will be doing, they will always be interacting with the others on the same deck. That’s why we succeded in designing a flawless continuity and communication between the sunbathing area, the Jacuzzi, the dining, the bar and the chill-out sofa. Again, as confirmed by the owner, we succeded in creating a real ‘entertaining deck’ which will work fine both during the day and the night. The fact that there will be a mixing station for a DJ then... Speaks for itself!

And what about the other exterior entertaining areas? There is no doubt that also the configuration of the Main Deck cockpit is definitely designed for the scope: beside an unusual asymetrical L-shaped lounge (which gives a much more informal feeling than the usual dining table with straight sofa and seats), the presence of a bar directly open on the galley which is appositely designed in the aft part of the main saloon, will definitely transform the use of this area. The fore sunbed, of huge dimensions, is another plus: it is another possiblity to split guests around the boat givng them a great time during their stay.

We have noticed from the renderings an unusual brown/copper colour: is this going to be the real one of this boat? What do you think about this? We are still not sure if this is going to be the final colour. We are preparing a few more proposal for the owner among which there is a fantastic classic-car green. I personally like very much this colour which stands out from what normally seen into the water without being too much anyway. Choosing the colour of a yacht is always delicate, and we love when a client wants to step off the beaten path!

Now, after the last sales, it seems that CdM has gone towards the right direction asking you to help them in creating a new wave of Explorer Vessels which – mantaining the same sturdy overengineering and seaworthiness – are carachterized by a more contemporary Yacht Lines. What can you tell us about your experience with this newly set up shipyards? I think that I would sound redundant to the readers of this Buletin if I would state again the same already written by owners, surveyors and captains about them. Let me just try to say something which hasn’t been said before: I think that one of the secrets of the success of this company is their knowledge of design and its dynamics. It is very rare to have in front of you people who not only are knowledgeable on how to build properly a yacht, but also are so competent and updated about Yacht Design, its history and developement. Needless to say that this makes Nauta’s design more fluent and enjoyable!