Turkish shipyard Mengi Yay has announced the delivery of the inaugural vessel in its sub-500GT Serenissima I (S1) series. As reported by BOATPro, the yacht is currently sailing towards Valletta, Malta's capital, and is scheduled to make its debut at the upcoming Monaco Yacht Show. Crafted by Italian design studio Nuvolari Lenard, the 47.5-metre yacht was commissioned by a seasoned owner seeking the deck and interior amenities of a larger ship, packaged in a Mediterranean-friendly design, complete with standout features such as an elevator, a private owner's deck, and a capacious sundeck.
The S1 model boasts a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure, designed for both speed and range. Its naval architecture, developed by Dutch firm Van Oossanen Naval Architects, ensures a stable and efficient hull that can travel up to 4,000 nautical miles at 12 knots. Designer Dan Lenard, co-founder of Nuvolari Lenard, noted, "Her design exudes a strong, masculine presence with a commanding bow and a distinctive aft section featuring a transformer platform and water sports area. Yet, she also embodies graceful, feminine elements, from her slender, sophisticated silhouette to her tranquil interior."
The interiors, crafted by the Nuvolari Lenard team under the artistic guidance of Valentina Zannier, showcase a warm, vibrant aesthetic with wooden colonnades and bronze accents. Large, floor-to-ceiling windows provide an airy feel throughout the living areas. The yacht offers guest accommodations in four cabins, with the flexibility to convert two cabins into a VIP suite using a movable partition. The owner's deck, located on the bridge deck, includes an aft-facing suite, a bathroom with expansive views, and a private terrace that can be shielded by the sundeck overhang, offering year-round versatility.
The sundeck, described by the shipyard as one of the largest in its class, features a sunbathing area, a mini pool facing the bow, and a fully sheltered lounge. Additional amenities include a main saloon with a balcony and a wine cellar. The beach club and cockpit are fully enclosed, with the latter equipped with sofa seating, a bar, and folding bulwarks. A retractable, 2.6-tonne crane is installed, capable of handling a large tender or vehicle, alongside storage for dive equipment, a 7.2-metre guest tender, two additional tenders, and a Jet Ski. The yacht is currently on the market with Northrop & Johnson.
The S1 model is part of a quartet of recently unveiled NL-branded superyachts, which also includes a 52-metre NL 50 Plus model, and two larger models, the NL 60 Plus and NL 65 Plus. The first 52-metre NL 50 Plus model is under construction, while the larger models are still in the design phase.
