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 set to make its debut at the upcoming Monaco Yacht Show. Crafted by Italian design house Nuvolari Lenard, the 47.5-metre yacht was commissioned by a seasoned owner seeking the deck and interior space of a larger yacht within a Mediterranean-friendly design, featuring standout amenities such as an elevator, a dedicated owner's deck, and a capacious sundeck. The S1 model boasts a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, designed for both range and speed, with naval architecture by Dutch firm Van Oossanen Naval Architects. This design ensures a stable and efficient hull shape, enabling a range of 4,000 nautical miles at 12 knots.
Designer and co-founder of Nuvolari Lenard, Dan Lenard, described the yacht's masculine yet graceful appearance, characterized by a powerful high bow and a distinctive aft section featuring a transformer platform and water sports area. The interiors, designed by the Nuvolari Lenard team under the artistic direction of Valentina Zannier, exhibit a warm, colorful aesthetic with wood colonnades and bronze details, complemented by floor-to-ceiling windows that infuse the living spaces with lightness. The guest accommodation comprises four cabins, with the option to convert two into a VIP suite using a movable partition. The owner's deck, located on the bridge deck, includes an aft-facing suite, an en suite bathroom with expansive views, and a private terrace that can be shielded under the sundeck overhang for year-round versatility.
The shipyard highlights the sundeck as one of the largest in its class, featuring a sunbathing area aft, a mini pool with a forward-facing view, and a fully sheltered lounge area. Additionally, the model includes a main saloon with a balcony and a wine cellar. The beach club and cockpit are fully sheltered, equipped with sofa seating, a bar, and folding bulwarks. A retractable 2.6-tonne crane has been installed, capable of handling a large tender or car, along with storage for dive equipment, a 7.2-metre guest tender, two additional tenders, and a Jet Ski. 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 currently under construction, while the two larger models are still in the design phase.
