156-foot Vellmarì launched

Skies were gray and it was drizzling, but even the chilly rain could not dampen spirits at the Rossinavi shipyard in Viareggio, Italy, on February 11, 2013. That day, the yard’s 600-ton travel lift gently laid Vellmarì, its 156-foot (48-meter) Ketos series yacht, into the water.

The all-aluminum yacht boasts two-and-a-half decks. Equipped with twin MTU 16V 2000 M94 engines rated at 2,600 bhp each, she is projected to reach a top speed of about 17.5 knots. Smooth and stable navigation was a design goal for Arrabito Naval Architects rather than speed. Humphree Interceptors will provide maximum comfort and better trim control under way.

Italian designer Enrico Gobbi and Team for Design (T4D) enhanced the yacht’s distinctive profile with the vertical windows echoing fish gills that distinguish the Ketos line. Aside from the exterior design, interesting features include a skylounge with electrically operated side windows and moonroof, and a circular sliding-glass door that provides access to the Jacuzzi from inside or outside.

The yacht’s classic interior, also styled by Gobbi and T4D, has a full-beam main-deck owner’s suite enhanced by light from the dramatic vertical slot windows. A circular stairwell leads down to the guest accommodations, which include a full-beam VIP stateroom. Vellmarì will sleep 10 guests, attended by seven crew.

This is the third yacht the young and talented Enrico Gobbi has designed for the same German owner. Rossinavi will deliver the yacht in time for the summer season.

For more information, see rossinavi.it or teamfordesign.com