Words by Julia Zaltzman
Body/…
Even in a world where money is no object it can be difficult to find a superyacht that truly surprises. The largest new build to come out of Turkey is an explorer billed for world circumnavigation with Jacuzzis, a steam room and cinema on board. But it’s the more unusual features aboard 85m Victorious, such as a gentleman’s snug, open fires and a full-height catamaran tender, that stop guests in their tracks.
Victorious didn’t start out life the conventional way, either. The then 77m build began in 2007 in northern Chile at Marco Yachts near the Atacama Desert. When the shipyard ran out of money a New Zealand businessman took on the project, shipping the yacht to Auckland before losing interest two years later. The abandoned build was left untouched until 2016 when a serial yachtsman entered the frame. And this time, he pulled no punches.
Vural Ak, founder of Intercity Rent A Car (Turkey’s largest car rental firm) and an automotive enthusiast with 100+ supercars in his private collection, established Turkish shipyard Akyacht to see the build through. Delivered in 2021 just ahead of the Monaco Yacht Show, Victorious is a personalised boat prepped for the charter market. Ak’s previous boats include 50m CRN Dr No and several 36ms. They helped cement what he wanted from his new one, including 2,291 GT of interior volume, designated family areas, an extra 5m of length to accommodate an enclosed swimming pool in the lower deck beach club and a two-metre bowsprit to round off the overall length to 85m.
Perhaps one of the most surprising design choices of all, however, is the allocation of space on the main deck. Conventional superyacht layouts see guests boarding the boat on the main deck aft before being ushered into the main deck salon; a formal reception area often paired with a formal dining area. But as the yachting lifestyle sees owners focus less on convention and more on casual outdoor living, the main salon has gradually become regarded as a wasted area. And yet, no owner has had the courage to do away with that space completely. Until Victorious.
Boarding the yacht via one of two sea terraces port or starboard, guests are welcomed in the main deck central foyer. A large children’s playroom takes up prime space on this level, along with a commercial-sized galley. These two elements are joined by a tiered cinema, and five of the yacht’s twelve guest suites, including a full-beam VIP with a private lounge.
Controversially, the main deck aft is reserved for enclosed storage of three of the yacht’s four tenders, and it’s not until these tenders come into view that this decision makes sense. Nowhere else on board would there be room enough to stow a 6.1m Mastercraft Pro Series tender, an 11.5m sportfishing Fountain 38 and a 12m custom-built aluminium catamaran limo/beach-lander. Stability was key to the design of the catamaran, with full-height ceilings that allow guests to stand up and a level of comfort seldom seen on a limousine.
There’s a lot to catch the eye in the H2 Yacht-designed “holiday villa” interior, from the metal mesh tempered glass flooring at the foot of the central staircase to the 200sqm lower deck beach club with a wellness centre and drop down doors at sea level. The pool, spa with hammam and beauty salon add a luxurious finishing touch to an already Nikki-beach vibe. Also on the lower deck are double and twin cabins for guests, and step-free access to an elevator serving lower to bridge decks.
Even if you don’t know the owner’s identity – an off-road champion who has competed in the Dakar Rally – it’s hard to miss the car references. Each guest cabin is named after Formula One racetracks, including Intercity Istanbul Park (also owned by Ak) for the aft-facing owner’s suite. Found on the bridge deck, which is dedicated to the owner’s enjoyment, Ak’s suite enjoys an en suite, walk-in wardrobe and access to a jacuzzi with sunpads on the aft terrace.
But it’s not all about pace and race. Relaxation is reserved for the upper deck. The sky lounge enjoys a sit-up bar, while the observation lounge with wraparound views keeps guests entertained with live music from a baby grand piano. Formal dining is also catered for on this level, along with a more intimate lounge. Outdoors, open air dining for 16 guests and a second jacuzzi keeps the party going (and charter guests happy). Walkaround side decks lead forward to the touch-and-go foredeck helipad, which also doubles as an entertainment space or sun lounge when needed.
But the real treat is on the sun deck, in the gentleman’s club with a large working fireplace flanked by two giant mahogany speakers. A second lounge is teamed with a glass-fronted wine cellar, humidor and open-air terrace with built-in heaters, nodding to Ak’s consideration of colder climates. As does the yacht’s impressive 13,000nm range at 13 knots (or 24,000nm range at seven knots) and rugged exterior lines penned by Michael Leach.
“The main idea is to use the boat in the summer, but the sun deck is primed for winter months with a gentleman’s salon that is warm and cosy making it a year-round boat,” says Kivanç Nart, project manager at Akyacht.
As much as design takes a central role on board, Victorious is built to be ready for anything. One of the cabins is even adapted to be used as an isolation or hospital room in the event of a guest falling ill or needing to quarantine. The junior guest cabins with interconnecting rooms are ideal for children with nannies, or simply as accommodation for extra staff, such as masseurs and personal trainers.
Victorious splashed in April 2020 and completed her maiden 1,500-nautical-mile voyage to Monaco without a hitch – and her owner on board. Her successful delivery also signals a bright future for the shipyard, which has the capacity to build two 100m yachts simultaneously. They say good things come to those who wait, and after 14 years Victorious is now living up to her name as an unexpected triumph on the superyacht circuit.
