Why does one buy an explorer yacht? Adventure, of course. Heading out to the world’s most intriguing coordinates knowing a vessel is safe and capable makes for an interesting and exciting journey. As demand mounts for this category of superyacht, interiors have gone from military barracks simplicity to posh hospitality. Damen’s SeaXplorer Pink Shadow is a standout among her peers in this category.
Pink Shadow, with a rather serene, understated exterior, offers a complete flip once on board. At first the yacht seems almost military in nature. The exterior lines focus attention on carved angles and a unique green palette. Upon entry, the yacht then races to the next level throughout the interiors, embracing a theme designed to immerse guests in the golden age of travel.
Think Old Ironsides meets Venice-Simplon Orient Express, with embellishment by Ernest Hemingway. There is a lot going on here. Color, texture, design, and furnishings, all point toward anticipation of a grand adventure in an incredibly outfitted, highly technical, modern explorer superyacht, inspired by the 1982 Werner Herzog film, Fitzcarraldo.
Pink Shadow By The Numbers
Built by Damen, the Sea Explorer is 58 meters long with an 11-meter beam and a draft of 3.6 meters, weighing in at 1090 GT. The third yacht in Damen’s SeaXplorer series and the first to be constructed at Damen Yachting’s build facility in Antalya, Türkiye, Pink Shadow was delivered in 2023
Powered by two 1492 kW MTU 12V 4000 M65R engines with two 248 kW Scania generators, Pink Shadow’s steel hull and aluminum superstructure has a cruise speed of 12 knots, covering a range of 5000 nautical miles. Her top speed is 14.5 knots. On electric power using Amels Hybrid Technology, Pink Shadow can run at 7 knots. She is able to operate autonomously for 30 days without calling to port.
Pink Shadow accommodates 12 guests served by a crew of 17 plus captain. She completed sea trials in April and was granted Lloyd’s Register classification. Pink Shadow also has IMO Polar Code Category B certification owing to strengthened propulsion installation, polar class heavy ice hull strengthening, and ice breaking capability, making for unrestricted cruising.
Pink Shadow’s masculine profile is defined by the vertical bow armored with a silver bow plate, chamfered edges, faceted rooflines, and reverse-raked windows around the bridge deck. A pair of chamfered lookout wings to port and starboard offer important viewing angles from a completely protected position.
Sophisticated and understated, the green and grey exterior paint is accented in dark copper-toned shuttered panels on the aft half of the main deck, providing an interesting visual contrast. Expansive and open, the lobby-like main deck is a fresh, fabulous place to greet guests and begin to understand Pink Shadow’s disposition.
The yacht’s naval architecture was executed by Damen Yachting Naval Architecture. Exterior design was completed by Azure Yacht Design, with interiors by Design Unlimited. The owner’s input regarding Fitzcarraldo contributed to many of the color and design details.
Pink Shadow has a pool on the main deck and a Jacuzzi on the sun deck. She carries tenders, kayaks, jet skis, wakeboards, seabobs, water skis and a collection of inflatables. She also has a heliport on the upper deck which often carries on road and offroad vehicles, and motorcycles. All guest entertainment options are regularly updated with the latest, most interesting on offer, making Pink Shadow a very attractive charter.
Tropical Themed Ice Breaker
Imagine you’ve just landed your Airbus 135 helicopter on the aft upper deck helipad. Or perhaps you’re boarding from the water on one of the two, Swedish, multi-tasking Rupert nine-meter tenders. Either way, you descend/ascend the stairway to the main level where the Tahiti Plage Beach Club welcomes guests, casually occupying nearly half of the deck space. There is also a centrally located lift that serves guests, main deck to sun deck.
A quick glance takes in the rich array of tropical textures and colors, with a friendly bar placed right in the center of things. Two lines of bar stools stand ready to port and starboard. Various other seating areas beckon, from soft sofas with colorful cushions to round table and chair settings, plentiful bamboo, rattan, and bleached wood, rimming the space with the most casual of accessories. To port and starboard, the walls split horizontally, sending half opening downward, adding to the 11-meter beam, half opening upward, flinging the space wide open for a floor-to-ceiling view. Expansive and breathtaking, the effect is impressive.
“Welcoming the fresh sea breeze and offering shaded vistas, the whole aft of Pink Shadow is a beautiful and inspiring space to experience the world. But the experience is not just about amazing views, it’s also about enjoying the ultimate adventure on land and at sea with the help of her many toys,” commented Damen Yachting SeaXplorer Enrique Tintore.
A tiki totem pole, a patterned mosaic ceiling tracing the bar space below, carved pillars evoking palm trunks, twine wrapped metal chairs next to pale blue and deep aquamarine velvet upholstered chairs and divans, the space is awash in sunny yellows, pale blues, and driftwood hues. The rectangular bar is fronted with weathered woods in a variety of offbeat colors, suggesting purposeful reuse of found materials. Round wicker sun lounges hang out over the water courtesy of the tender cranes to both port and starboard, offering a sublime sunning spot.
In the background, a pink neon sign with a pineapple and a martini boasts the boat name as the space narrows forward, leading to the cabins along the hall. Aft, an oversized Jacuzzi, trimmed out in vertical bamboo half rounds and cushioned softly in deep sea tones banded with khaki, shows off the pool’s glass wall overlooking the beach club below. A pair of stairs sits to either port or starboard connecting with the swim platform area.
With regard to the unique design, Mark Tucker, Creative Director of Design Unlimited stated, “When a discerning owner presents us with a very distinctive vision, it poses a new and exciting challenge. The SeaXplorer 58 provided the perfect platform for this endeavor, offering ample spaces and volume to bring ideas to life. With her considerable gross tonnage, there is a variety of areas to enjoy both living and leisure.”
Photos: Tom Van Oossanen | Words: KL Turner
