Feadship launches 42.5m Callisto

Dutch shipyard Feadship has announced the launch of its new 42.5-metre (139-foot) superyacht Callisto.

It has been launched 16 years after the delivery of the first Callisto, a 65.2-metre (213-foot) yacht still used by the owners as a world cruiser and kept in premium condition through two refits at Feadship in 2014 and 2021. She was the first superyacht fitted with an ultra-advanced rudder-roll system, and the owners set out to be equally innovative with their second Feadship called Callisto.

Built to a precise size to match her berth in the Mediterranean, Callisto is the definition of ‘pure custom creation’. She seamlessly balances the owners’ desire for a 21-knot fast superyacht with specific accommodation and outdoor entertainment, based on their rich experience at sea. The result is an exceptional one-off superyacht, which sets a new precedent for bespoke luxury cruising below 500GT.

Built for repeat clients of Alex Lees-Buckley from Camper & Nicholsons, with owner’s project management by Andy Davies, Feadship was the obvious choice for this project based both on the owners’ previous experiences and because it is able to partner with the same project team. Additionally, Feadship is the only brand able to combine the speed required with the high-end quality and comfort standards used on the mothership.

The team from Studio De Voogt and Feadship’s in-house naval architects worked closely with the owners’ team to help make their requests a reality. The key to success was finding the right balance between a high-speed hull and sufficient room for the desired luxury spaces, with five en suite staterooms, a full-beam bridge deck lounge and a main deck salon. Achieving this impressive speed on a 42.5m Feadship entailed building the hull and superstructure in aluminium as well as installing some twin MTU propulsion power and heavy-duty propellers.

The underwater body was extensively optimised, in cooperation with the owner’s adviser Toby Silverton, with in-house CFD calculations, followed by an elaborate model testing programme at the renowned SVA basin in Austria to verify the results and further optimise performance in calm waters and waves. This all resulted in a subtle and unique bow design to reduce pitching motions and further lower resistance at higher speeds. Having this shape nestling below the virtually vertical bow also serves as a design feature in its own right.

While the original Callisto is a classic Feadship in terms of her status and looks, the 2022 version takes these elements and adds various sporty touches to reflect her speedier nature. Notable classic Feadship styling features include the superstructure treatment, the widebody window with its clusters of mullions, the mast and the alignment of the aft decks. Sporty elements include the angled line running from the shoulder towards the bow in a profile that also benefits from the owners’ request to keep Callisto’s profile relatively low and compact in order to optimise space and stay under the elusive 500GT mark.

Callisto’s splendid outdoor areas are another highly visible aspect of her exterior design, all of which closely reflect how the owners spend time on their yachts. The sun deck is enormous in relation to size and includes lots of shade as requested. Shelter from the wind was another primary parameter, with glass walls closing off three sides of the central section of the deck. The glass section forward can be lowered when required to allow a warm or cooling breeze through. Forward of the windbreak is a lounging area, and further seating and sun beds are available aft to complete the package.

Another requirement was to have a large swimming platform for good tender access and the option of waterfront dining. To maintain her clean lines, the owners requested that the extra crew tender (in addition to the luxury tender housed in the lower deck garage) is concealed in a bay in the foredeck. Accessible by a hatch, the boat is easily launched by a discreetly placed crane on the mooring deck. There is also room for two Jet Skis.

Designed by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, Callisto has a light interior that reflects the Mediterranean-summer whilst generating a suitably spacious ambience. The full beam owners’ stateroom is located in a prime position forward on the main deck and there are two full-width VIP staterooms, and a further two twin en suite staterooms on the lower deck. There is also accommodation for eight crew.

“It has been a genuine pleasure to work again with such knowledgeable clients on Callisto,” said project manager Pieter de Vries. “They had hoped to visit the yard regularly having loved their time building their first custom Feadship. Although the pandemic made this challenging they kept in good touch via virtual meetings and could also leverage on their trust in Feadship to deliver their demands in tandem with the on-site owners’ team. Practising social distancing while building a yacht of 42.5m demanded a great deal of organisation and discipline among our engineers and craftsmen. We are delighted, none the less, to be able to deliver Callisto on time and to have created such a stunning Feadship for owners who deserve the very best.”

For more information, visit Feadship.


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