New Moonen 97 Darsea Is Coming To Cannes

Moonen Shipyards - one of the leading builder of "pocket-size superyachts" up to 124 feet, has launched the first in its new Moonen 97 series, the latest of the shipyard's acclaimed Displacement models.

René van der Velden Yacht Design sculpted the Moonen 97 with a close family resemblance to the popular Moonen 84, with a harmonious profile, nicely flared bow, sloped stern with twin stairways, graceful sheer, and bold fashion plates.

She is set over a seakindly round-bilge hull by Diana Yacht Design and has an inventive contemporary styling by Art-Line Interiors. The first yacht, Darsea, has already made her maiden passage to the Mediterranean; the second is set for launch later this summer; the third is in process.

The Moonen 97 is a prime example of how Moonen teams up with the initial client to produce a model with unique features that are universal enough to attract future clients. The Moonen 97 is an evolutionary design based on two prior Moonen yachts: the remarkable Moonen 84 (Moonen's most successful series, with eight delivered since 2001) and the custom Moonen 96 Clementine (launched 2005).

The Moonen 84's highly efficient four-stateroom layout, one of the model's signature features, is often considered the starting point of other new and larger Moonen designs, as in this case. The equally strong attraction of Clementine is her volume on a waterline some four meters longer than that of the Moonen 84. Combining and rearranging the outstanding features of both designs, Moonen created the 97 for a growing number of clients seeking a medium-size, long-range cruiser midway between the Moonen 72 and its new "Queen of the Fleet," the Moonen 124.

Darsea, with steel hull and aluminium superstructure, is an extended version of Clementine, with the raised pilothouse replaced by a long flying bridge and sundeck with whirlpool bath. This results in a somewhat lower profile in keeping with the "typical Moonen" look of the Displacement Series. Below, the greater volume enabled Moonen to augment the four-cabin layout by enlarging owner and guest suites, expanding crew quarters, increasing stowage, and fitting in fuel tankage for about 28,000 litres providing transatlantic range.

Though the first two Moonen 97 are "sisterships," they are far from "twins," each being highly customized. Darsea has a fixed bimini top, a single bridge-deck tender crane, a walk-through galley open to the wheelhouse, two staterooms with double berths and two with twins. The second yacht, Sofia, set for delivery in mid-2008, has a folding bimini, two tender cranes, a longer bridge-deck overhang, a U-shape galley, and two twin staterooms below. The saloon and dining areas are quite different as well.

Darsea's Art-Line interior features ample use of leather and bamboo, against a backdrop fine cherry panelling and furniture with well-rounded corners for a soft look. Dark wenge trim adds drama (in Sofia, lighter maple trim creates a contrasting mood). In the saloon, alternate plexiglass and wenge slats are backdrop to two flat-screen TV monitors. The saloon and dining area feature woven-suede seating, white fabric overhead liners, tight-woven fabric insets, window cabinets, and carpets with bamboo surrounds.

The central stairway has open steps that allow natural light into space below and are dominated by a large circular mirror that adds the illusion of more space. The master suite, with walk-in closet, has a large TV, "roll-top" effect decorative panels with hand-strung fine copper strands that add warm highlights to the wood, padded leather wall segments and ripple-effect doors. Beyond the pleasurable interior lifestyle, equal emphasis was placed on enjoyment of outdoor living.

During sea trial Darsea easily met her 13-knot design speed. At the "economy"cruising speed of nine knots, her fuel consumption was as expected at 55 litres per hour. In her maneuvering test she executed a 74-meter-diameter turning circle. And in sound measurements, with both engines and a genset running, she met or was better than predicted levels: no guest cabin exceeded 50 dB(A) at cruising speed and 54 dB(A) at maximum speed.

With steel hull and aluminium superstructure, Darsea is equipped with by twin Caterpillar engines, Naiad zero-speed stabilizers, Cramm bow thruster, and is built to Lloyd's Register Class and MCA Certification.

Source: Moonen Shipyards