on 10 Jun 2020
The world's largest charter yacht offers two helipads, nine tenders, five fireplaces and the first ever cryosauna - chilling down to 110 degrees below zero.
All images copyright Imperial / Photographer: Guillaume Plisson
At 136 metres length overall, Flying Fox is one of the world’s largest yachts, and currently the largest yacht available for charter, at a cool €3.5 million per week. Apart from enormous size, Flying Fox has pedigree, as she was built by Lurssen, which has launched 10 of the top 20 superyachts currently afloat.
Her exterior design was by Norwegian designer Espen Oeino, the undisputed king of the megayachts. Flying Fox has a bluish gray hull that almost melds with the sea when the yacht is at anchor, leaving the curving white lines of the superstructure, accented with wood trim, to provide a subtle contrast.
PYC compliant and roomy for her size (she is the 14th largest vessel in terms of volume but 16th in length overall), Flying Fox has 11 cabins for 25 guests. Each cabin has a private sea view terrace, and guests can request additional accommodation for their staff. Apart from the master cabin, the guest cabins are all the same, enormous size.
Clearly built with charter guests in mind, Flying Fox is unlikely to disappoint visitors. A 12-metre swimming pool that runs across the beam of the aft deck is unlike anything available on a superyacht today.
But perhaps some of the biggest innovations in onboard comfort are what you can’t see from the outside. Mark Berryman took advantage of the enormous volume to create an open interior that spans two decks – a new development that complements the relatively high ceilings throughout. The two-floor salon has a wood fireplace and a dining table that seats 22. After dinner, a high-end cinema room with D-box seats and state-of-the-art surrounding sound will provide the apres-swim entertainment.
Berryman evoked a soothing atmosphere with his trademark use of warm natural colours and decorations. The furnishings are in bamboo, teak and oak, which create the sense of being in a forest villa or retreat, rather than onboard one of the world’s most ostentatious superyachts.
The whole design is enhanced by real trees and plants that are growing throughout the vessel, adding to the sense of being outdoors, even while inside the comfort of the yacht. Travertine and Jerusalem stone are matched against leather finery throughout the interior.
One of the eye-catching features is the two-floor spa covering 400 square metres, perhaps among the largest on-board spas ever made.
On the lower deck, a lounge with jacuzzi has direct access to the dive centre. There is a hammam, sauna and a cryosauna, to provide a chilling escape from the world. The main chamber in the cryosauna reportedly drops to -110℃, which is said to make people more mentally alert and improve muscle recovery. Above, there are massage rooms and a gym.
The main deck is fitted with 10 VIP en-suite cabins, which follow a spiral staircase or lift serving all decks to access the key interior area on bridge deck.
The master cabin is located on the upper deck forward and made to combine one’s professional and personal life. The cabin is décorated with trees and a wood fireplace – one of five wood fireplaces onboard – with a bay window opening to the private jacuzzi. A beauty centre is even included in the private, master space.
The private zone for the main guest or owner has all the accoutrements you’d expect if you’re running a global business empire. There is a saloon with wood fireplace and a conference on the aft deck, along with a private office, bathrooms with dressing areas (his and hers). Aft, there is an outdoor cinema.
Sea views are a premium delight and on this, Flying Fox delivers. There is an observation salon with circular roof windows where one can relish a moment in the forward jacuzzi, overlooking remote and exotic seascapes. On the roof deck itself, a panoramic exterior salon offers the top-tier view from over 30 metres above the waterline.
The Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) has allowed yacht owners and builders to expand far beyond the 12-guest limit, and Flying Fox makes good use of this. A complement of 54 crew are on hand to see to the needs of over 20 guests.
Among the crew are professional dive instructors, fitness trainers, masseuses and therapists, and chefs with Michelin-star restaurant experience who can prepare foods over a teppanyaki grill, bbq or tandoori oven.
With the capacity for so many guests, there is need for plenty of on-water or underwater activity. There is a dive gear storage space with the latest equipment. The yacht also comes with space for water toys aplenty, including the new Zapata hoverboards.
There are nine tenders in all, spoiling guests for choice and ensuring that whether its about getting a dose of speed on the water or turning up at the dock in style, everything is done right. Among the tenders are a 12.5-metre limo tender, a nine-metre beach landing craft and a 8.5-metre Super Nautique Coastal for high speed action.
A visit aboard this superyacht is bound to be out of this world, but with exceptionally good views of it. And according to her charter agency, Imperial Yachts, Flying Fox is expected to tour the world. This came after a trip to the Indian Ocean in the spring of 2020.
Technical Specifications – Lurssen’s Flying Fox
LOA: 136m
Beam Max: 22.5m
Draught Max: 5.1m
Hull and superstructure: Steel and aluminium
Gross tonnage: 9,022GT
Total cabins: 11
Crew: 54
Main engines: MTU 16V 1163 M84
Max speed: 20kts
To Charter: www.imperial-yachts.com