Here’s an interesting new design from a builder we have not reviewed before.
FDC Yachts, based in Bodrum, Turkey has been building custom yachts, both power and sail, for 25 years and has more than 100 skilled craftsmen on staff. The brand is not well known in North America but has a stellar reputation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The builder recently circulated images of their latest build known as Project Umai. The boat, at 86 feet, is not really a super yacht –over 100 feet, say—but appears to pack all of the DNA, sophisticated systems and luxury accommodations that we associate with super yachts.
The hull is built in steel while the super structure is aluminum for weight savings. The design was by FDC in collaboration with the noted Turkish design firm FORM Yacht Design. The hull evokes expedition yachts with a yachting flair.
The enclosed flybridge with access from the salon, will be command central while underway and the long open deck aft it is going to be the sunning area.
On the main deck, the cockpit aft and the wide swim platform will provide a “beach front” area that will double as a social space for entertaining. The cockpit flows into the salon on one level where you’ll find a living-room area aft and a dining table that will seat up to 10.
The Umai design provides for 12 guests and can either be owner-operated on run with a crew of up to five, who will share three crew cabins.
The designers went with a power package that will provide for a top speed of 14 knots, a cruising speed of 12 knots and a passage-making speed of 11 knots. It is anticipated to have a range of 2,500 nautical miles.
With a nod to eco-friendliness and noise reduction, the boat will have a “silent mode” which will provide electrical power from the battery bank to run all “hotel” functions through the night without the need to run the generator.
