Superyacht Cloudbreak was one of 2016’s most significant launches. Built by German yard Abeking & Rasmussen, she features exterior design by Espen Øino and interiors by Christian Liaigre.
“In regard
to the overall design, the concept was to produce a yacht which had a mission or, in fact, several missions,” says Jim Evans of SuperYachts Monaco.
“Those missions might occur at different latitudes in different climates and at different times of the year. The owner’s design brief was very much informed by his strong desire to practice adventure sports both on land and on the sea. Actually the focus on land-based activity is what really sets this unique yacht apart from others.
“The active lifestyle of the owner was a strong driver in organising how the boat would operate and what activities would be catered for. In the owner’s normal life he is fanatically keen on snow sports of every kind from cross country skiing to downhill to ski touring. At the same time he is very interested in mountaineering, hiking and all other mountain-based activity.
“Cloudbreak carries equipment for all of these activities. She must be unique in having a fully equipped ski room that would not be out of place in Courchevel (including a wide selection of skis and boots with built in boot-warming rack).
“Naturally, the yacht also carries the full range of water toys including a 12-metre tender and a nine-meter tender. Central to the owner’s brief to his designers was his desire to use the yacht as a platform for helicopter skiing. For that reason the yacht has one of the few fully certified helicopter decks on any existing yacht – the deck is equipped with full fire suppression system, pitch-and-roll indicators and wind instrumentation.
“The owners vision which has been realised so well on Cloudbreak was to be able to land on the deck and get out of his helicopter after skiing and immediately be able to enter the sun deck lounge in which he could sit down in warmth and comfort to watch GoPro videos of the skiing that he and his guests had just done,” he says.
“The owners wanted to have a welcoming and warm yacht interior after practicing very extreme sport during the day,” says Christian Liaigre.
“Travel plans are wide ranging, from Greenland and Alaska, but also Caribbean and Mediterranean. The challenge was to create a cozy interior without using too much dark wood in order to still have a sporty, fresh and young look. A soft palette has been used in lounges in order to create a cozy atmosphere together with tinted brushed pine.”
Cloudbreak has accommodation for 12 guests across six captains. The owner’s stateroom is located aft on the main deck. A cosy nook is installed by the entrance to allow guests to watch movies or relax in without disturbing the main cabin. On the starboard side of the cabin there is a permanent balcony and daybed, which the owner can even sleep in overnight if weather is nice. On the port side there is a fold-out balcony.
There is a gym, sauna and spa on the main deck, as well as the stowage for tenders and toys, to allow safe deployment in case of heavy weather.
Cloudbreak is powered by twin Caterpillar 3516 C DI–TA S.C.A.C. Series II engines, which give a top speed of 16.5 knots, and a cruising speed of 14 knots. At an economic speed of 13 knots, she has a range of 6,000 nautical miles.
Photos Christopher Scholey