Luiz de Basto signs the flagship

Brazilian-born and Miami-based designer Luiz de Basto remarks that two of the shipyards that are currently keeping busy are in China and Brazil. The most recent World Wealth Report by Capgemini identified both the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America as areas with expanding new wealth, so perhaps this should not come as a surprise.

In Brazil, De Basto is working closely with Intermarine. The experienced shipyard, established in 1973, has built many boats from 43’ to 76’, including for the past decade Azimuts adapted for the Latin American market. Now Intermarine (700 employees strong and financially sound) has introduced a line of boats in the 43’ to 85’ range under its own name. A 75-footer is due out in April or May. De Basto has designed this and most of the models in that range, including the flagship-to-be Intermarine 85, announced at the 2010 São Paulo Boat Show. Indeed there is a strong family resemblance across the line, but the flagship yacht, already under construction, asserts itself as the “top of the heap.”

The stylish yacht’s fluid lines are meant to match its youthful speed of 34 knots and give it a distinctive appearance. Bells and whistles that everyone is bound to appreciate include a flush main deck, an elegant and playful interior marrying contemporary design and handmade materials, a spacious-yet-discreet flybridge with a Jacuzzi (rare on an 85-footer) and huge windows. The windshield, which appears as one large glass surface, incorporates in its upper section a segment of dimmable privacy glass. No bulkheads or furniture (except for a block containing a large refrigerator) interrupt the views on the main deck. There are no fewer than five options for dining, including a pleasant foredeck area. In the cabins, brushed stainless steel and LED lights plus woven leather and soft carpet that mimics sand, make for an approachable modern interior. The master stateroom occupies about a third of the lower deck’s accommodations space, leaving room for a nicely sized VIP and two twin-bed cabins.

De Basto says that the shipyard, which builds its own interiors and passerelles in its 500,000-sq-foot facility near São Paulo, is ready and able to add custom touches to match clients’ personal tastes.
Crew accommodations are particularly important for the Brazilian market. Even in the smaller boats, Brazilian boaters tend to rely on a crew to assist with operating and maintaining the boat, De Basto says. Part of it has to do with the fact that marina facilities don’t necessarily have deck hands available to assist with docking and arrival procedures. While Brazil has abundant and beautiful coastline, marina facilities between Rio and São Paulo are few and far between, an area ripe for development, De Basto adds. The other is that Brazilian boaters, like Europeans tend to, take leisure time quite seriously and time spent on the boat is meant for relaxation. On the 85, the sizable crew area can accommodate four and features a lounge, cooking area and bathroom with shower. On the international market, this area could easily become a separate guest area (a good way to give teenagers their privacy, for instance). The Intermarine 85 is slated to debut at the 2011 São Paulo Boat Show.

For more information, visit intermarine.com.br or luizdebasto.com