When you board a yacht and enter the main saloon that features a backlit onyx arch as part of its design, you know you have encountered something special. Created to provide a ‘wow’ effect for guests boarding the vessel, it was the invention of the ship’s interior designer Elmer Benavente. The designer wanted something that immediately impressed guests as they entered the ship, and the installation of a boldly lit onyx arch does just that. In addition to creating a brightly lit entrance to the boat, it features a selection of 21 floating wine bottles to add to the opulent effect.
The 55-meter mega yacht is the result of a collaboration between Heesen, Omega architects, and BeDesign. This is Benavente’s first nautical project, but with his excellent style, strategic use of color palettes, and flowing interior design elements, the results are stunning.
From the start, it is obvious that Vida is not a typical mega yacht.
The exterior styling of Vida is by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects and conveys a strong and muscular profile characterized by floor to ceiling windows. These allow the maximum flow of natural light into the yacht and provides spectacular views for those on board. A powerful profile with a fast-displacement hull and aluminum superstructure makes M/Y Vida a head-turning spectacle. The sharp exterior look is reminiscent of a blade as the yacht slices effortlessly through the water.
‘Vida’ literally means ‘Life’, and this sumptuous vessel is designed for just that with an array of comfortable living areas, entertaining lounges, and outdoor dining. The owner is a keen sports fisherman, and this yacht is his home from home as well as a fueling and charging station for a fleet of smaller vessels. The need for this level of functionality, combined with the yacht serving as a residence, gave rise to the comfortable yet elegant furnishings and color palette selected for the living areas. The warm tones and wood features create a warm, sophisticated look that repeats through Vida’s living and sleeping spaces.
Vida has an overall impressive 740GT volume and offers spacious rooms and accommodations to relax and entertain. It can comfortably house 12 guests and accommodate a crew of 13. Powered by 2 MTU diesel engines, she has a top speed of 16 knots and a range of 4500 nautical miles. Engineering on Vida has exceeded the performance norms and features a selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) to reduce NOx emissions and meet the strict IMO Tier III exhaust emissions regulations.
It was the owner’s passion for sport fishing that led him to seek out a yacht that would be the head of his fleet. Yet also provide a comfortable, liveable space to stay when competing in fishing tournaments. One of the primary requirements was for some of the living spaces to be larger, specifically calling for a bigger master suite. The design team at Heesen held a series of discussions and meetings regarding the customization of the yacht. Peter van der Zanden is Heesen’s design and development manager, and he restructured the yacht’s layout and extended the main cabin to greater proportions to comply with the owner’s request.
