Spotlight – Lürssen MY Ahpo: Five stars afloat

One of the impressive world premieres that will be turning heads at Monaco this year will, without doubt, be the striking 115m Ahpo, which is expected to be the largest yacht at the show.

A look at some of the extensive photo galleries of this recently delivered megayacht, built and designed by German shipyard Lürssen, and the imposing interiors could be mistaken for a very high-end five-star hotel interior. Materials used by Italian studio Nuvolari Lenard combine an array of polished stone and metal with warm wood and fabric finishes, which hit the owner’s brief to bring together elements of nature.

“For us, the task was to build a motoryacht for a repeat client, as an upgrade from his 86m Lürssen,” says Peter Lürssen, CEO of the brand. “He had many years of owning and chartering different types of yachts behind him, and he required top-notch design and engineering as well as seagoing comfort for his family, guests and crew.”

US-based broker and management company, Moran Yacht & Ship supervised the build on behalf of the owner, with whom they have a longstanding relationship.

Ahpo is the 17th-largest yacht that Lürssen has ever built, and one of several standout features is its 205sqm beach club and wellness area on the lower deck – very much in keeping with the atmosphere of a modern luxury spa. This is the first point of entry when many step aboard.

Through the transom door, passengers step into a large bamboo grove encased in backlit frosted glass, which lines a bar on one side and a massage room on the other. The coloured mosaic tiles of a nearby hammam and day head are a vibrant contrast to this zen vibe. Arguably the focal point in the beach club is the Jacuzzi and plunge pool in the middle of the space. At anchor, an open sea terrace provides deluxe loungers and a coffee table at water level.

Further forward is a 12-seater cinema with armchairs and a bespoke wallpaper that replicates the mosaic design of the spa. Close by is one of the yacht’s curiosities: a glass walkway through the engine room, allowing owners and guests to view the impressive large engines and other mechanical gear.

On the main deck, flexible space allows a large conference room aft – with its centrepiece being a custom table bearing a map of Jamaica engraved in bronze, surrounded by deep blue resin, under an eye-catching crystal chandelier. Sliding doors contain this to allow a working environment. The doors open into the saloon, an elegant area with a quirky self-playing Steinway grand piano.

Further forward, more doors open up into the formal dining room. The centre of the yacht is dominated by a grand staircase, with its bronze balustrade accessible at all guest levels; along its side is a nature-themed decor. A crystal sculpture hangs from the ceiling, composed of feathers, each built by hand.

A separate owner’s deck takes on a different atmosphere to the formality of the deck below. It’s more relaxed and speaks of laid-back holidays with friends and family. Its informal lounge is contemporary, colourful and casual. Three white curved sofas create a focal entertaining space, while a bar and a games table ensure guests of all ages are at home. The standout space is an aft deck with an enormous 16-seat dining table amid potted-plant greenery, rattan furniture, and informal sofas.

Directly above, on the upper deck, is an eight-metre-long swimming pool with a counter-current system and glass walls at its front and back. A Jacuzzi tub is at one side of the pool, with large sun pad seating flanking the other side and a large bar and relaxed low-level seating. Also on this deck is a full-service gym, one of the largest on any yacht, with stunning views out over the water on both sides.

The final aft deck space is on the bridge deck – an unencumbered, flexible area with removable fabric shades. Furniture and sun loungers can be placed here, or it can be left open and used for yoga or a dance floor.

Forward on this deck is the bridge with uninterrupted views, ideal for manoeuvring the large-proportioned yacht. Designed more like a guest space than a traditional crew area with premium woods and leathers, it’s smart and high-tech. The ship’s office and captain’s cabin are nearby.

The owner’s ‘duplex apartment’ comprises a 245sqm master cabin on the owner’s deck and a 95sqm panoramic saloon on the upper deck above, joined by a private staircase. The owner’s cabin has a custom-designed breakfast table in the same tinted lacewood timber as the rest of the room, inlaid with mother of pearl, while reclining sofas flank both sides of the bed. The private deck space for this room houses a semi-circular sofa and coffee table that face out to sea on recessed balconies on each side.

The panoramic salon is in the area traditionally given over to the master cabin, forward on the upper deck, as it enjoys 180-degree views over the bow. A desk flanks each end of the saloon, turning the room into a private office if desired. This saloon has access to the foredeck and helicopter pad, which is positioned halfway between the owner’s and upper decks.

Seven guest cabins see two on the owner’s deck, four on the main deck and one on the lower deck. The two cabins on the owner’s deck are designated for specific family members and enjoy their own colour themes of pink and green, chosen by the family to distinguish between them.

Crew areas on board are spacious – a key request from the owner. With 37 staff on board, their areas within Ahpo have been designed for privacy, and communal areas include a large crew mess, a separate lounge and a private gym.

There is a hospital room down in the tank deck. In the engine room, twin MTU 20V 4000 M73 produces speeds of 18 knots and for up to 7,000 nautical miles when cruising at 12 knots. Efficiency and the desire to be as green as possible were also a big drive behind engineering on board; the yacht is equipped with a state-of-the-art exhaust after-treatment system that reduces nitrogen oxide levels and generates less noise and vibration.

Every diesel generating set is equipped with an additional heat exchanger, which allows an extra heat cycle connecting the pool, Jacuzzi and service water systems. This helps to lower thermal energy loss by repurposing it, reducing electric heating systems elsewhere on board.

MY Ahpo is currently offered for charter with Moran Yacht & Ship, who managed her build on behalf of her owner.

Technical specifications: – Lürssen MY Ahpo

LOA: 115.1m
Beam: 18.2m
Max draught: 4.3m
Displacement: 3.5-3.8t
Gross tonnage: 5.3gt
Max speed: 18kts
Range at 12kts: 8,500nm
Engines: 2 x MTU 20V 4000 M73 L
Max Speed (under sail): 14kts
Fuel: 400,000L
Water: 50,000L
Guest cabins: 8

www.lurssen.com