£4.95 US$10.99janUary 2013

INTERNATIO

NAL

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Five years aFter the First Limited editions 171 was Launched From ameLs, the Latest modeL – now Lengthened to 55 metres and designated the First Limited editions 180 – oFFers a FamiLy orientated interior in a highLy evoLved packagewords: Tim Thomas photography: Jeff Brown and Mark Sims/Superyacht Media

Stepone

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Step one

When the yacht Deniki first arrived on the scene back in 2007 (see BI256), she heralded

the first of a new generation of yachts from the Amels

yard in The Netherlands. As a project started in 2005, the

ethos was simple – draw up a common hull,

superstructure and engineering platform that would

streamline the build and reduce delivery time, allow a

high degree of customisation and let the market decide

the rest. The Limited Editions series was born.

Five years on, and the success of that concept is plain

to see. The Limited Editions range has expanded to

include several models right up to the latest, due to

launch next spring, in the form of the scimitar bow 199,

while plans for the largest in the series – the Limited

Editions 272 – are already well advanced. But that doesn’t

mean that the existing models have remained static – the

original Limited Editions 171, of which Deniki was the

first example, has also grown and matured.

Step One is the 10th model to be built on that original

171 platform and she marks the latest evolution, via the

Limited Editions 177. At 55 metres, Step One is designated

the first Limited Editions 180, and there are currently a

further four 180s in build at the yard. You might be hard

pressed to notice a significant difference between Step

One and Deniki when seen at a distance – she carries the

trademark Tim Heywood profile, low slung but with

feature curves atop the superstructure and signature

superstructure windows – and it is only when you delve

into her spaces on board that you start to see where that

extra three metres has been put to use.

‘It all relates to the aft end, and providing more facilities

in the gym and beach club,’ explains Heywood, who has

been responsible for the lines of all the Limited Editions

models. ‘The extra length also gives a more gracious and

grander feel to the aft deck at main deck level.’

I join Step One just a couple of hours after walking

around Were Dreams, a 2010 launch and another fine

example of the original Limited Editions 171. With even

the quickest of glances it is clear to see the change in the

aft end. No longer is the aft space a large lazarette – the

extra three metres and an enlarged transom door (which

itself contains a rainshower) has helped create a proper

beach club. Esthec flooring ensures a hardy finish –

there is stowage here for jet skis, and an appropriate

launching crane – while the addition of a Turkish steam

room adds a further element for the owner’s family to

enjoy. With proper swim steps to the water built in to

the bathing platform, the transformation to a fully

useable owner space is complete.

The extra length has not, however, meant a change in

exterior styling. The relatively low profile remains, and

this has been a conscious decision on the part of both

designer and yard. ‘The key challenge,’ says Victor

Caminada from Amels, ‘was to keep the profile elegant

The sundeck is a prodigious space that offers something for all the family, from a large spa pool and several sunbathing areas, to alfresco dining and a bar and cooking station. The trademark curves are still very much in evidence

Step One carries the trademark Tim Heywood profile, low slung but with feature curves atop the superstructure and signature superstructure windows

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Step one

On Step One, the owners chose to extend the sundeck over the bridge coachroof to create possibly the largest sundeck on any 55 metre. The forward part now features comfortable daybeds, but this area could still double as a touch-and-go helipad up to a 2,000kg take-off weight. The bridge deck aft offers alfresco dining and lots of informal seating – a perfect spot for watching the sunset

and slick, and not create a wedding cake. Tim Heywood

did a wonderful job.’

‘The original plan for the Limited Editions series,’

Heywood says, ‘was to sell six in six years. I’m so

pleased with the success of them. The development of

the line has been split between the yard and the clients,

in the sense that the clients had their input on deciding

whether to have, for example, the full-width upper

saloon, whether to have a helipad or not, and other

tweaks. So although it is in some senses a production

boat, Amels is very flexible to cater to clients’ wants and

that’s what has led to the evolution into the 180.’

That client input is obvious when you head to the

sundeck which, on Step One, has been extended over the

bridge coachroof to give an additional 32 square metres

of deck space. The result is a vast top deck that certainly

challenges all-comers for the title of biggest sundeck on a

55 metre yacht. The forward part offers daybeds with a

spectacular view, and this area doubles as a touch-and-go

helipad for a maximum take-off weight of 2,000 kilograms.

Midships is the 3,000-litre spa pool, while an alfresco

dining table is nestled between the sweeping curves of

the side coamings and shaded from the sun under the

distinctive comms arch. A full bar and grill station with

dumbwaiter caters to guests, while aft there are further

sunbeds and relaxed seating areas.

Drop down one deck, and you enter the upper saloon.

Full advantage of the space has been taken by opting for

the wide-body design that has been a feature of several

of the 171/177 series boats, and with large, deep

windows the resulting space is both bright and fun.

Interior designer Laura Sessa has used a colour palette

that focuses on creams and whites, maple wood and

white onyx contrasted against black details, although

this is no neutral scheme designed to appeal to, say, a

broad range of potential charterers – Step One is a

purely private boat with a distinctive family theme. This

can be seen in the fun concessions to colour in throw

‘Although it is in some senses a production boat, Amels is flexible to cater to clients’ wants and that’s what has led to the evolution into the 180’

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Step one

The wide-body design means the upper saloon

covers a large floor area – large enough, in fact, for a

bar, comfortable seating area and a Bechstein grand

piano. Laura Sessa’s interior focuses on a chic

black and white theme with splashes of vibrant colour

adding a sense of fun

cushions, accessories and other bits of furniture, while

the general theme is of a family sharing space and time.

The forward bulkhead offers a large screen, with the

starboard seating area providing a comfortable spot for

the audience. To port, a white Bechstein grand piano

takes pride of place next to an informal table that would

serve both for snacks and as a games table. A white,

backlit onyx bar forward ensures family and friends are

well watered as they relax.

Forward of the upper saloon, through the pantry to

port, is the bridge. The systems here have been fully

integrated by Alewijnse, and the viewing angles from

the helm are superb. A Portuguese bridge area offers an

enticing seating spot for guests, while the proven

foredeck well houses the two main tenders – one a

custom build, the other a Pascoe MOB tender.

The aft deck is a masterclass in sensible design; not

only do Heywood’s curves lend a flowing feel to the

whole space, but the stairs up to the sundeck are also

neatly offset so as not to impinge on the guest spaces. The

generous, custom dining table and aft deck seating makes

this a real highlight for social gatherings and relaxation.

The master suite is found on the main deck forward,

and for Step One the owner chose to turn the anteroom

into a large library. The main cabin forward offers

luxurious space, and future owners can specify an

This is no neutral scheme designed to appeal to charterers – Step One is a purely private boat with a distinctive family theme

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Step one

opening balcony here should they want further

connection with the outside. The bathroom to port is

prodigious in its volume, and is backed by an expansive

walk-in wardrobe-cum-dressing room.

The galley is located amidships – perhaps the one

concession in the layout – and as a result doesn’t receive

natural light. However, it does have the advantage of

being on the centreline, which minimises the effects of

any movement in a seaway. Moreover, while not the

largest of galleys, it has all the facilities a chef needs

combined with a sensible and practical layout. A serving

hatch feeds through to a longitudinal pantry, which is just

a few steps away from the main dining area forward of

the saloon.

The saloon itself has been a key beneficiary of the

extra length, and the floor area is increased by some 30

per cent. With no sideboards to divide the space, and

with large windows offering a view and plenty of natural

light, the area is a joy and one that will actually be used.

Seating is to port, while aft – in the area necessarily

constricted by the technical ducting – a port-side bar

makes the most of the space. The stairs to the lower

guest cabins – located quite far aft thanks to the midships

engine room – are also found here.

The main deck saloon offers seating and dining at the forward end, with great views through the large windows, while a bar – and stairs down to the guest accommodation – have been located aft. This hides any intrusion of essential ducting from the engine room well. The saloon, 30 per cent larger than the one on the 171, has greatly benefited from the added length, as has the main aft deck

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Step one

The large main deck master suite features an

impressive sleeping area forward of a huge

study-cum-library. The guest cabins offer

highlights in bright colours, and with interconnectivity

between them through soundproofed partitions,

are perfect for family cruising

The guest cabins are a delight, and have been

considered so as to offer the greatest flexibility for a

family cruise. The forward suite features a sleeping

cabin to starboard and a seating area to port when in

VIP mode, but a soundproofed sliding partition quickly

converts this into two separate and generous doubles,

each with its own en suite and walk-in wardrobe. The

aft cabins are similarly conjoined, with the port aft cabin

offering the addition of a Pullman. It makes a lot of

sense, particularly when cruising with children, the

opening partition meaning the cabins can be used in a

variety of ways – from playroom to den – when friends

are on board. Stowage too has been well considered,

and the under-berth spaces offer voluminous storage

rather than being pressed into service as technical

spaces. Recessed areas in all the cabin deckheads allow

for an air-conditioning system with wide vents, reducing

the need for high-power fans and thus reducing noise.

The build quality is, as one has come to expect from

Amels, first class. The stainless work on deck, for example,

is flawless, and this is in part down to the yard’s

philosophy to subcontract such elements to experts in a

given field. The same is true of the paintwork, which has

been applied to the highest of standards.

The technical spaces too are testament to the

commercial heritage of the parent Damen Group – heavily

over-specced machinery, every concession to noise and

vibration taken in, and no unnecessary materials. To help

reduce emissions and keep the hull clean, the generators

feature soot removers from Hug Engineering, originally

developed for trains. The engine package itself – twin

MTU V16 2000 M70 diesels – has remained unaltered

since Deniki, and if you needed evidence of the

effectiveness of the spec, consider that Deniki has just

been to Antarctica with zero modifications.

Step One has already been put through her paces,

both on delivery and on subsequent cruises. ‘I joined

the boat a bit late,’ her captain, Simon Truelove, tells me,

‘but what I found was that the support to the crew from

Amels was phenomenal, and they organised for some

crew training with the guys from Alewijnse, Awlgrip, the

teak guys... So we were up to speed on the systems and

with good tips for maintenance.

‘Moreover, the yacht was delivered on time, and we

headed straight up to Norway. Six hours out, we hit big

swells – her first real test. She proved to be a great sea

boat, and she’s also got hefty fins. She’s easy to

manoeuvre and has a powerful bowthruster that we

have not had to take anywhere near full power yet.

Some of the yard guys came on the delivery, and at the

end of it we had hardly any items on the follow-up list.’

That last point is testament not only to the skill and

quality of the Amels yard, but also to the advantages of

building yachts on a shared platform. ‘Repetition is

absolutely the key,’ Truelove concludes.

For all the talk of repetition, though, Step One is a

classic example of how a shared platform and exterior

lines do not mean carbon copy. While some elements of

the layout may be the same, Step One’s clean but fun

interior décor, intelligent working of the guest cabins,

expansive sundeck and family orientated ethos are

as individual as any fully custom one-

off build. Limited Editions in name, but

certainly not limited.

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Step one

step one Amels

LOA 55mLWL 49.65mBeam 9.4m Draught 3.35mDisplacement 720TGross tonnage 670GT

Engines 2 x MTU 16V 2000 M70, 1,050kW @ 2,100rpm eachSpeed (max/cruise) 15.5 knots/13 knots Range at 13 knots 4,500nmBowthruster 110kW

Generators 2 x 155kW Northern Lights M1066H, 1 x 80kW Northern Lights M1066TStabilisers Naiad, with zero-speedFuel capacity 115,000 litres

Water capacity 17,000 litresOwner and guests 12Crew 13Tenders 2 x 6.5mConstruction Steel hull, aluminium superstructure

Classification Lloyd’s @100A1, SSC Yacht Mono, LMC G6, UMSNaval architect AmelsExterior styling Tim HeywoodInterior design Laura Sessa

Builder/year Amels/2012 Koningsweg 2, Vlissingen, The Netherlands t: +31 118 485 002 w: amels-holland.com e: info@amels-holland.com

The top deck alfresco dining option is located under the winged radar arch, which offers welcome shade while remaining open to the breeze

The wide-body design adds useful space to the upper saloon, while the upper aft deck has gained a bit of length over the original Limited Editions 171

Conjoined cabins fore and aft give great flexibility in the guest accommodation either for the family or for VIP visitors

A huge master suite includes a library, generous en suite with bath, and a walk-in wardrobe

The galley is located amidships, forward of the main-deck formal dining area

Using the space over the bridge coachroof has created a truly giant sundeck