Photos by Jeff Brown / Breed Media
For first-time yacht builder Sarp Yachts the value of working with a dedicated and skilled team has proven to successfully deliver their inaugural superyacht, the Sarp 46m named La Passion. The name perhaps indicates the key ingredient to what has been this Turkish shipyard’s approach in creating a trademark symbol that will not only set the pace for other regional yacht builders to come, but also stand the test time of time in a world constantly updating, downloading and rebooting to the latest on the market. We stepped on board Sarp Yachts’ pride and joy to discover what makes her so special, first hand.
For this ground breaking project Sarp yachts decided to involve a mix of international and top local designers and engineers. To achieve a high level of stability on board while keeping an exterior look that is forward thinking yet elegant, a curvy superstructure sculpted from glass fibre composites is placed on a sturdy steel hull developed by Taka Yachts. This combination offers the best of the volume and increased stability only achievable through a steel hull, with the reduced top weight and sculpting properties from moulding a GRP superstructure. Despite her Turkish registry, La Passion is built to the strictest of standards in compliance with the Cayman Islands’ LY3 code.
Designer Osman Tanju Kalaycıoğlu managed to capture the simplistic design brief that would highlight the yacht’s everlasting appeal – a characteristic that Sarp Yachts view as part of their DNA. “The intention for the design was to give character to the vessel in every possible setting she may sail to,” comments Kalaycıoğlu. “For this her lines had to be nicely flowing, well-proportioned and fresh.” The execution of the designer’s vision was placed in the skillful hands of Shipyard Manager Emre Sandan and his team.
The tri deck setup of the exterior along with a stretching forward overhang on bridge deck offered an exceptional amount of square metres to the sole use of the sundeck. Here guests will appreciate the good balance between shaded areas to relax under and sun lit corners for that ultimate tan. A retractable canopy that forms part of the mast structure opens up to reveal the starry night sky.
A unique piece on this deck is the eye-catching bright turquoise bar area. Resembling a flowing stream, this curved top was custom designed by famous Turkish industrial glass designer Faik Kale and had been manufactured by Saken Design. The piece of art consists of 1000 separate pieces of glass that have been painstakingly joined under a temperature of 1200 degrees Celsius.
A raised area on the foredeck houses a comfortable sun pad spread with a shaded forward facing lounge area to enjoy those breezy sun set cruises from.
British design house Adam Lay Studio was drafted as the interior design firm to create on board guest spaces that would match La Passion’s easy-going exterior with a touch of elegance and sophistication. Guests are welcomed into a comfortable and relaxing environment that resembles a stylish loft-style apartment. Ocean-coloured accents as found on deck have been picked up and continued throughout all the main guest spaces. Shades of greens, turquoise and tropical blues are sure to brighten up even the most overcast of days on board.
Natural oak has been used in abundance and perfectly echoes the strong and enduring build quality that is found just below these glamourous surfaces. To keep areas from turning into dark rooms, innovative LED lighting and the use of lacquered surfaces adds a fourth dimension of space with oversized windows on each deck allowing for a brilliant view to the outside while inviting plentiful of natural light inside.
A conventional five cabin layout has been opted for by Sarp Yachts with La Passion’s master suite taking up the prime spot forward on main deck. A metaphorical 360-degree ocean experience has been created here with large windows on either side with textured fabrics and art pieces that represents the ocean, completing the circle. The natural beach-like feel is continued in the owner’s bathroom where stone tiles and pebble-laid floors add texture to the comfortable atmosphere one experiences in the suite.
Leading down the main staircase, a central lobby reveals two identical twin cabins forward and a further two double cabins amidships, all of which have aft-facing beds and its own en suite bathroom.
La Passion’s beach club houses her main guest tender along with diving gear and compressor.
From a technical point of view, La Passion’s twin 1000 hp engines provides a top speed of 15 knots and a range of 3,200 nautical miles.
SARP YACHTS BRAND NEW 46m SUPER YACHT "LA PASSION" from SARP YACHTS on Vimeo.