Spotlight: Alia Virgen Del Mar
Alia Virgen Del Mar Spotlight
Seldom will you see a boat with such a Bond-villain-esque demeanour as the Virgen del Mar VI. Alia Yacht Builders have festooned the imposing vessel with squinting windows, a burly bow and an altogether staunch silhouette. Yet it remains approachable, enshrouded with the kind of charisma reserved for only the most brilliant and ambitious. Of course, there are no nefarious motives behind the remarkable build – but you’ve just got to admit, it sure looks mean!
The first hull of its kind was delivered in July and, while at 31 metres it may be a relative pocket-rocket in superyacht terms, it manages to provide plenty of space. Indeed, it’s this high volume-for-size ratio that gives the design such a formidable presence. The strong
horizontal and vertical lines that define the exterior come courtesy of Omega Architects, while the inner aesthetics are the creation of Redman Whitely Dixon.
The client’s brief was for a yacht that features larger proportions than anticipated in every space, which took some clever thinking from all angles. By maximising the flow between inner and outer areas, using efficient joinery and storage, and maximising the layout, designers were able to harness every possible bit of on-board real estate and heighten the experience of luxury. And when no more physical room could be divined, both natural and artificial light sources have been employed to give the feeling of a bigger yacht.
Five cabins have been cleverly arranged inside the hulking hull, including a master suite with its very own private deck. Upstairs, the large saloon and dining room provide organic spaces with an ideal flow for entertaining, but the real focus is on relaxed family living. High-end trimmings such as the oak floor give a refined, yet homely feel, while the consistency of such elements helps each space blend together for more of that bigger-on-the-inside magic.
Top of the line Simrad and Furuno products make up the bulk of the navigation equipment. On the entertainment side of the electronics coin, a multi-zone Sonos system will keep everyone’s ears pricked and snazzy new LCD screens present a feast for the eyes. Luckily there are two 40kW Kohler generators to satiate the hungry hoard of devices.
A pair of Yanmar 6HYM-Wet engines each deliver 650 horses when running at 2,150rpm, while they slurp from a cavernous 30,600-litre fuel tank. At an economical speed, this allows the vessel an impressive range of 4,500NM. That statistic, along with other engorged facts and figures – over 7,000 litres of water capacity, two water makers that pump out 221 litres an hour and an immodestly large sewage treatment system – paint a vivid picture of exactly what the owner wanted this boat for long-haul holidays. Either that or they’re hoping to outrun Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Your move, Mr Bond.
Specifications
PRICE POA
LENGTH (overall) 30.5m
BEAM 7.4m
DRAFT 2.1m
DISPLACEMENT 210t
FUEL 30,600L
WATER 7,070L
ENGINE 2x Yanmar 6HYM-Wet 650hp
WEB www.aliayachts.com
This story was originally published in issue #510 of Trade-a-Boat magazine. Subscribe today for all the latest boat news, reviews and travel inspiration.