Vicem has released further details of the 95-foot yacht it has built for an Australian client. The highly customized design constitutes a worthy addition to the builder’s Cruiser line, which runs from 67 feet to 107 feet LOA. Across her three decks, the new yacht showcases the design DNA that has made Vicem yachts readily recognizable. Currently heading to Australia, the Vicem 95 will make its first public appearance in Spring 2024 at the Sanctuary Cove yacht show, near Gold Coast.
Named Empire, the latest delivery from the Turkish shipyard pays homage to the iconic Vicem 107—a design her owners hold particularly dear.
“The owners came to speak to us with a very clear idea in mind,” says Deniz Sonmez, Vicem’s head of interior designers. “They had fallen in love with the classic Vicem 107 Cruiser and wanted a yacht built in her image. Our in-house design team took full account of their requests and created a layout precisely tailored to suit their wishes.”
Empire features an abundance of outdoor spaces, offering a variety of spots across the boat. The foredeck stands out with both seating and a dining table, complemented by a separate lounging area. Connected through spacious, flush side decks, this area leads to an expansive cockpit providing optimal comfort for dining for 10, all shaded from the sun. Completing the setup are a fridge, sink and a flip-down TV.
The new 95-foot design’s standout feature is her spacious flybridge, spanning two-thirds of the boat’s deck length. This elevated space not only accommodates a full wet bar equipped with two fridges, an ice maker, sink and freezer, but also offers informal dining and seating for 10. A heated Jacuzzi is positioned to starboard. At the aft end of this deck, a flexible space is available for storing a tender up to 6 meters, facilitated by a crane with a 1,000kg lifting capacity.
“Empire carries all the classic Vicem design features, with lots of outside space, long overhangs and shaded side decks,” says hull designer Yusuf Altundasar. “In this, she is perfectly tuned for a luxurious lifestyle in the sun, whether that’s our home waters in the Mediterranean or the sunny shores of her owners’ native Australia. This is a boat that makes the most of natural light and ventilation on deck while offering an exceedingly high standard of interior comfort for times when aircon is more important.”
Open-plan living is at the heart of a design that connects the seating, dining and galley areas on a single step-free level. Ample sofas and a table accommodating eight for dinner both lie within conversation range of the galley where the owner could be preparing the catch of the day while remaining engaged with guests. A separate service galley below means guests can enjoy their social space without intrusion when the chef is at work.
On the lower deck, the crew and guest areas are separated by the engine room amidships. The owner’s cabin and its ensuite bathroom extend the full beam of the yacht giving plenty of space for a king-size bed, a vanity table and a sofa. A VIP double is positioned in the bow, with a further double and a twin cabin with Pullman in between.
Choosing from over nine different custom woods and finishes, the owners chose styling built around natural oak, which creates a calming, cozy environment. Oak floorboards showcase a heavy, contrasting grain, while the cabinetry and wall panels are in a slightly lighter tone. Oak also appears in panels overhead, where it contrasts with the white fabric that predominates. A mixture of spots and indirect LED lighting has been used throughout.
The raised wheelhouse gives excellent visibility and has been outfitted for owner operation. Twin Stidd pilot seats offer optimum driving comfort, and there is a two-person sofa where family or guests can keep the navigator company. The yacht is equipped with variable-speed bow and stern thrusters, alongside twin 1,600-hp MTU 10V engines. Two Onan 27.5kW generators are sufficient to cover the hotel load, even with all 96,000 BTU of the Cruisair air conditioning running at full blast.
“Throughout Vicem’s 32-year history, we have been renowned for our skill in cold molding wooden hulls,” says Altundasar. “Our new Cruiser 95 shows once again that this flexible, environmentally friendly construction technique is perfectly suited to superyacht projects, combining the craftsmanship of a wooden hull with the performance benefits of the latest epoxy resins. We’re thrilled that our most recent creation is going to be joining the two Vicem yachts already Down Under, and we look forward to introducing Australian boaters to the new design.”
For more information: vicemyachts.com
