In the realm of design, breakthroughs come through a combination of science and of art.
When you throw an element of magic in there too, you have “alchemy.” The latest design to emerge from Vitruvius Yachts, the London-based studio headed by naval architect Philippe Briand, Alchemy is a 66-meter (217-foot) yacht built by Rossinavi in Italy that embodies the essences of science, art and magic.
As part of the Vitruvius Yachts series, Alchemy draws on the Vitruvius DNA that conjures aesthetics, performance, and sustainability in harmony. It was the Vitruvius DNA—and the appealing lines and performance of the yachts that have come before—that drew the owners to the studio.
The design and interior layout were executed by Briand in collaboration with the owners.
“The clients’ vision materialized into an elegant 66-meter tri-deck motoryacht, with a focus on the design of outdoor areas and wellness aspects, all commissioned to perfection,” says Briand, founder of the Vitruvius Yachts studio.
“The owners’ deep involvement ensured that every aspect of the design and interior architecture met their exacting standards,” Briand says. “As a result, Alchemy offers spacious living areas accommodating up to 12 guests across six lavish ensuite cabins. Meticulously curated materials, bespoke furniture and a harmonious color palette contribute to an opulent ambiance, providing an unparalleled experience of luxury at sea. Her silhouette is a study in proportioned balance, exuding tranquility and enhanced by optimal volumes and a thoughtfully distributed living space.”
Briand has utilized his extensive experience and understanding of advanced hydrodynamics and production engineering to integrate new technologies into his innovative designs, as well as drawing on his deep understanding of efficient sailing yacht hull design. He believes that creating the perfect motor yacht is a combination of science, the rigors of naval architecture, and art.
The Vitruvius team brings a fresh, honed take on naval architecture, employing the proprietary Briand Optimized Hull, plumb bow and stretched lines typical of all Vitruvius yachts. This results in a high-performance vessel that offers maximum efficiency and stability with an outstanding cruising range.
“I am fighting against the traditional shape,” explains Briand. “I always keep the waterline as long as possible. The longer it is, the less fuel it is going to consume because the hull slices through the water with much less resistance and drag. The hull design is the essence of Vitruvius Yachts’ commitment to sustainable yachting, and the Vitruvius Yachts series places special emphasis on optimizing fuel efficiency, always.”
Alchemy also incorporates state-of-the-art technology and eco-friendly features to reduce environmental impact, such as a combination of hybrid propulsion and an electric stabilization system, ensuring efficient operation while minimizing emissions. With a length of 65 meters and a cruising speed of 15 knots, Alchemy offers impressive performance and a range of 5,000 nautical miles. Its advanced stabilization technology, featuring four fixed fins, enables comfort even while cruising through heavy seas.
While science and art dictate her cruising credentials, it is in her layout that Alchemy shows her magic. Developed by the Vitruvius Yachts studio, it places emphasis squarely on practicality and usability, ensuring the guest experience on board is seamless from water to dinner to sleep to wellness and every other exquisite facet of life on board.
“We always begin with a detailed brief when considering layout, and that often starts with asking what the perfect day on board might entail,” Briand says. “More often than not, that focuses on being close to the water, enjoying fitness and wellness sessions, and then dividing the deck into purpose, from more formal gatherings to intimate moments such as sundowners and barbecues. Alongside this comes the challenge of creating hyper-efficient routes for the crew that both maximize service while minimizing intrusion on guest areas.”
For Alchemy, the magic begins with the inviting waterside terrace and lounge aft which beckons guests aboard. This is followed by the spa and gym spaces, seamlessly connected to the terraces and sunbathing areas. The gym, spanning 33 square meters (355 square feet), was arranged by the owners and boasts state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, including bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, and a Kinesis machine, along with a selection of exercise balls, mats, dumbbells, and resistance bands.
“Amidships, we’ve organized the garages, covering an impressive 90 square meters (969 square feet), alongside an equipment storage space of 22 square meters [237 square feet],” says Briand. “Alchemy’s capacity to accommodate a diverse range of equipment and water toys is truly exceptional. The garage area provides ample room for storing an extensive array of items, from paddleboards to windsurfs, water skis to two tenders measuring 7 meters (23 feet) and 8 meters (26 feet) respectively, a water slide, inflatable docks, and much more.”
The main deck has been designed with a central focus on the transparent, floating main staircase. This deck encompasses various luxurious spaces, including the dining area and main salon spanning 105 square meters (1,130 square feet), the expansive aft cockpit exterior lounge covering 130 square meters (1,399 square feet), a spacious galley, and finally the lavish owner’s cabin which boasts an expansive 70 square meters (753 square feet), plus two equally inviting guest cabins of 20 square meters (215 square feet) each.
Up one deck, the 81.5-square-meter (877-square-foot) sky lounge offers a delightful bar and relaxation area. There’s an exterior lounge and alfresco dining area aft, as well as an additional exterior lounge forward, while the upper deck also offers a comfortable guest cabin alongside the captain’s cabin and wheelhouse, as well as the essential rescue tender garage.
The sun deck offers an array of amenities, including sun pads, a lounge area, a dining area, and a fully equipped cook station complete with teppanyaki grill and pizza oven. To top it all off, there’s a spa pool, a day head, and ample storage spaces across 118 square meters (1,270 square feet).
For more information: vitruviusyachts.com; rossinavi.it; teamfordesign.com
Technical Specifications
LOA: 65.7m
LWL: 65m
Beam: 11.31m
Draft: 3.11m
Gross Tonnage: 1,194
Number of guest cabins: 6
Guests: 12
Crew: 16
Max Speed: 16 knots
Cruising Speed: 12 knots
Range at 12 knots: 5,000 nm
Engines: 2 x Caterpillar C32
Generators: 2 x 9.3 Caterpillar
Propulsion system: Diesel-Electric
Stabilizers: 4 fixed fins
Fuel capacity: 100,000 liters
Freshwater capacity: 27,000 liters
Tenders: Novurania Chase 27, Castodi Jet Tender 23, 1 x Rescue Tender 4.5m
Toys: 2 x Seadoo Spark Jet-Skis, 1 x Jetsurf Ravik Board, 4 x Paddleboard, 1 x Windsurfer, 2 x Slalom Water-Skis, 1 x Trainer Water- Skis,1 x Water-Ski, 1 x Wakesurf, 2 x Hobie Eclipse Pedal Board, 2 x Foilboard, 3 x Seabobs, 3 x Kayaks, 1 x Tiwal 3 Sailing Dinghy, 1 x Wake Board, 1 x Wakeskate, 4 x Mountain Bikes, Towable toys, Floating Pool, Inflatable jet-ski dock, Fishing Equipment, Scuba Dive Sets
Construction: Steel Hull, Aluminum Superstructure
Shipyard: Rossinavi, 2023
Interior Design: Enrico Gobbi-Team for Design
Exterior Design: Vitruvius Yachts-Philippe Briand
Naval architecture: Vitruvius Yachts – Rossinavi
Classification: Lloyd’s 100A1 SSC, Yacht, Mono, G6 LMC, UMS