Yachts are growing to extraordinary lengths and, today, a 100-footer is widely accepted as the dividing line between yachts and megayachts. Many owners of smaller yachts never consider 100-footers, but they should: a 100-footer may not only be within their grasp, but provides luxurious amenities not found on smaller yachts.
At this length, owners are justified in expecting large-yacht features, such as flexible accommodations for both private use and chartering, skylounges, sophisticated galleys designed for five-star cuisine, and superyacht styling and finishes.
World-renowned yacht designer Evan K. Marshall, best known for superyachts up to 240 feet, is now working on smaller yachts such as the Ocean Alexander 100, bringing both a style and luxuries not seen before in this size range. Marshall, who started sketching yachts as a five-year-old from a stack of his father’s Yachting magazines (he still has them!), says yachts in this size range combine the elegance of larger yachts with the practicality of smaller ones.
Marshall has brought his megayacht-style, split-level, on-deck master suite to the Ocean Alexander 100, while leaving the traditional amidships master stateroom (with his-and-hers heads) on the lower deck to provide two equally desirable staterooms. In addition, the OA100’s guest staterooms all have ensuite heads and, again, the flexibility to accommodate both couples and families during private cruises or charter use. Continuing the Ocean Alexander example, Marshall has not only specified megayacht styling on the exterior, but an exceptional level of craftsmanship on the interior, from supple suedes and hand-stitched fabrics to flawless joinerwork with syrupy-smooth finishes.
Both private owners and charter guests expect outstanding gourmet cuisine, and the ultra-modern 100-footer galleys such as in the Ocean Alexander 100 are designed with a work-flow for both chef and stews that minimizes disruption. Appliances and counter spaces are carefully planned to allow the chefs to cook and plate, while stews can serve food and drinks anywhere aboard the yacht. An outside door is a megayacht feature both for receiving provisions without passing through the guest areas, as well as to serve on-deck dining areas.
One feature of megayachts that delights owners of 100-footers such as the Ocean Alexander 100 are multiple dining areas, such as a shaded table on the after deck (warm croissants and icy Bellinis in the morning?), or (Evan Marshall’s favorite!) a private getaway on the bow for enjoying sundowners.
The upper deck is often the living area, where owners revel in megayacht delights such as whirlpool spas, wet bars, outdoor grills, and an array of seating from built-in lounges to comfy chaises for sunbathing. Upper decks can be enclosed like the skylounge on megayachts, offering the same amenities but with all-weather protection. Skylounges are popular on 100-footers because they offer a panoramic view and have a sense of privacy, and these spaces often double as a media room with large-screen TVs.
With all the luxuries expected on a megayacht, 100-footers are fulfilling owner’s expectations, delighting them with exceptional accommodations, features and sophistication in a manageable package.
