You could sense the awe from yachting enthusiasts when Moonraker, a Mangusta 165, emerged from her build shed at [Overmarine Group][] . She was the eighth launch in the flagship series, but this particular yacht was different. Unlike most semi-custom yachts, Moonraker appeared with structural changes from her siblings, not just shifts in decor. She’s so different that she earned her own designation: the 165E, the E meaning Evolution. And, as we discovered, she deserves to be singled out.
4 more reasons to love the “E”
The owner of Moonraker knew Overmarine would be willing to make serious adjustments according to personal desires. These requests weren’t so radical as to completely change the styling that the Mangusta 165E shares with her family, but the execution of these details is notable.
Enter the light: Previous Mangusta 165s have featured elliptical side ports composed of individual panes of glass in the salon. The owner of Moonraker wanted single large windows to port and starboard. The idea is to allow more natural light inside, as well as allowing guests expansive views.
Elevate the lounge: Moonraker’s owner wanted a redesigned flybridge, to which some might ask, “Why?” Most maxis don’t even incorporate flybridges. Mangustas didn’t have them until a few years ago, when — you guessed it — a client made a request. On Moonraker, the flybridge is lengthened for style and to allow for a large seating area. The settee is complemented by a five-seat bar just forward of the arch.
Extend the bar: Personal touches are all over the bar in the salon. It extends more than 13 feet along the port side of the room, and every square inch of its surface is clad in blue tiger’s-eye. The owner selected the stone personally, and he designed the bar’s configuration with Overmarine Group’s in-house design department.
Exclamation point: Her owner is a wine aficionado, so he asked for crystal-and-steel wine bottle displays forward of the bar (they’re adorned with moons replicating the yacht’s moon logo). He enjoys playing bartender, which explains the wine chillers, ice makers, refrigerator with compartments cooled to various temperatures, and the pop-up liquor-bottle cabinet.
We had to ask
The design team got to flex their creative muscles more than usual for this project. They also collaborated to answer a few questions as one team.
Moonraker appears far more customized than previous Mangustas. How long was concept to completion?
The wealth and amount of materials, the number of innovative aesthetic solutions … from the concept to the realization of the new side windows and to the structural change of the flybridge, it took about six months.
What’s the most interesting request a client has ever made?
We could tell a story for each yacht we’ve built. Concerning Moonraker, an interesting request was the two made-to-measure lit wine cabinets, both in steel and crystal, able to hold about 100 bottles of wine.
What about the rainfall shower in the master suite? You call it the “emotional” shower. Who got to test it?
Unfortunately, none of us!
Packed for island fun
Moonraker is available for charter in the Bahamas through [Burgess][] . She has a 6-foot-6-inch draft, so gorgeous, shallow waters are within bounds. The yacht is also packed with toys: a Castoldi jet tender, two Yamaha PWCs, stand-up paddle boards, SeaBobs, Sea Scooters, an inflatable slide and a foldout diving board.
First And Lasting Impressions
If you’re getting the idea that Moonraker’s interior dazzles the senses, you’re right.
The Pool
Hot tubs are often up on the flybridge for views and privacy. The one aboard Moonraker is sunken into the foredeck, nestled between sun pads. It’s a great spot to enjoy an anchorage, and it can be shaded by a Bimini top.
The Surfaces
The owner selected 10 woods, about half a dozen marbles, stingray leather, mother-of-pearl, onyx … we can’t list all the surface treatments — there are about 250.
The Entertainment
Belowdecks, across the foyer from a gym, is a cinema. It features a 65-inch TV and a sweet bonus beneath it: deep candy drawers, a feature the first Mangusta 165 owner requested and that was repeated by a few customers. The cinema can convert into an additional stateroom when necessary — guests can use the head in the gym.
The go behind the show
Stunning as the yacht’s spaces are, performance was a big reason why the owner was attracted to Mangustas. Having previously owned a Norship, he was used to making good time in the Bahamas. Moonraker is powered with quadruple 4,600 hp MTU diesels coupled to KaMeWa water jets and boosters. She reportedly cruises at 33 knots and reaches a top end of 40 knots, a new high for a builder well-versed in speed. Fast yachts tend to give up range, but even at her cruising clip, Moonraker should see 800 nautical miles.
