In just five years, Monte Carlo Yachts has captured the imagination of the marketplace with its range of stylish motoryachts designed by Nuvolari Lenard.
At just over 26 meters (86 feet), the MCY 86 is the fourth and largest offering to date from the Italian builder based in a state-of–the-art facility on the Adriatic coast near Trieste. It continues a corporate ethos that CEO Carla Demaria describes as “adaptive evolution,” whereby the company strives to anticipate what its international clients want in terms of products and services in a changing marketplace. A key element of this strategy has been innovative interior and exterior design that borrows styling elements from the superyacht world. Hence, the choice of Nuvolari Lenard as lead designers from the outset.
“Regardless of whether it’s an 86-footer or an 86-meter, owners are looking for something that takes them by surprise and goes beyond their expectations,” says Dan Lenard. “We design boats for Monte Carlo Yachts using elements from much larger yachts that have been imported into the semi-custom production sector.”
A young, but ambitious company that enjoys the backing of its powerful parent company, Bénéteau Group, the world’s largest boat manufacturer, Monte Carlo Yachts knows how to organize a launch event in style. The new MCY 86 made its debut in July at a black-tie gathering in Monte Carlo—an appropriate choice of venue not only in name, but also because the Côte d’Azur is synonymous with the kind of international chic that the brand evokes. The event began with a presentation by Demaria, Lenard and managing director Fabrizio Iarrera that touched on the state of the market and the company’s efforts to engage with owners by recognizing emerging trends and offering original design solutions.
“Unlike most players in this size range, we are moving away from industrialized production to a more customized setup,” Iarrera said. “Our modular assembly enhances flexibility to take into account local needs and boost global sales. The MCY 86, for example, is available in a three-, four- or five-cabin configuration to accommodate up to 10 or more guests, with different arrangements for the main deck and flybridge.”
This composite modular construction, whereby the interiors are pre-assembled before being lowered into the hull and bonded in place, requires a precision not often seen in production boatbuilding. The Kevlar-laminated monocoque hull, without conventional frames and stringers, accounts for the extra interior volume for multiple layouts and the generous headroom. The added space also allows for a distinct separation between crew and guest circulation.
In terms of exterior styling, Lenard and Carlo Nuvolari drew heavily on their superyacht experience with shipyards such as CRN, Oceanco and Palmer Johnson, while keeping true to the design motifs that are the cornerstones of the MCY range.
“Many of these elements began life as functional design and only later became more of a styling consideration,” Nuvolari says. “A good example are the tinted glass fashion plates, which we first used on the aft deck of bigger yacht projects as protection from side winds without impeding the view. The mast is another. Most planing yachts have wing-like roll bars, but we introduced funnel features like you might see on a superyacht.”
As with other MCY models, full use is made of the foredeck for outside living, and the Portuguese bridge in front of the wheelhouse—yet another feature of larger yachts—leads down to an open-air searing area with sun pads and dining facilities. According to customer requirements, the flybridge can be equipped with hot tub, bar and galley that are shaded by a rigid carbon/steel sunroof with a cabriolet-style power soft top. Unheard of on a yacht of this size are the two deployable side terraces at main deck level amidships.
The big-boat mentality extends to the interior design overseen by Valentina Zannier, a junior partner with Nuvolari Lenard, who was careful not to over-decorate the interior. Instead, she focused on a sophisticated palette of materials based on red gum and neutral brushed oak, accompanied by subtle detailing.
“We paid a lot of attention to the quality of the joinery, which MCY has now brought in house,” says Zannier. “With our superyacht background, we prefer to aim high and then downgrade if the budget demands, but MCY quickly realized that quality materials and manufacturing are essential to give that superyacht feel.”
In fact, having recently written an article for Yachts International on her interior design for the 86-meter (282-foot) Lürssen Quattroelle, I was struck by some of the similarities between with the two yachts, despite the massive difference in size. Both make ample use of bronze instead of the customary stainless-steel detailing, along with Volterra alabaster and woven leather panels (the same leather used by Bottega Veneta to make its chic designer handbags). Other precious materials include cedarstone marble, mocha cream limestone and Venetian mosaics of handmade Murano glass. Fabrics and freestanding furniture are supplied by top brands Hermès, Armani and Poltrona Frau.
“There were times during construction when the yard directors were concerned that the interior was too subdued in relation to previous models,” admits Zannier. “But designing an interior like this is like conducting an orchestra: All the elements come together in the final ensemble.”
Powered by twin 1,775-horsepower MAN V12 1800 main engines, the MCY 86 has a top speed of 29 knots and a cruising speed of 24 knots, the builder says. The engine room provides easy access to equipment and the space can be further increased by doing away with the stern garage option and storing the tender on the swim platform—although I can’t imagine why an owner would want to spoil such suave and sweeping lines by sticking a RIB on the back.
For more information: +39 0481 283111;montecarloyachts.it
LOA: 86ft. (26.3m)
Beam: 21ft. 2in. (6.46m)
Draft: 6ft. 3in. (1.9m)
Displacement: 72 tons
Construction: VTR, Kevlar®, carbon
Engines: 2 x MAN V12 1800
Speed (max./cruising): 29 knots/24 knots
Fuel: 1,876 gal. (7,100L)
Water: 396 gal. (1,500L)
Naval architecture/engineering: Monte Carlo Yachts
Exterior/interior design: Nuvolari Lenard
