Superyacht of the Week: The Moonen 97 Livia

Moonen Shipyards in the Netherlands has launched the third yacht in its impressive line of 30-metre steel-hulled displacement cruisers. Named Livia, this new Moonen 97 is distinguished by a truly original ‘New England/American Beach House’ interior from Art-Line. We cruised on board days before her delivery to her proud owners.

Livia yacht

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Livia was styled by René van der Velden, who has created a sleek low-profile exterior with an elegant flared bow, a sloping stern with twin stairways, a graceful sheer line and bold fashion plates. The round-bilged hull from the boards of Diana Yacht Design ensures exceptional comfort at sea, while the economical shaping combines with tankage for some 28,000 litres of fuel to give Livia an impressive transatlantic range.

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The Moonen 97 is an evolutionary design, derived from two recent yachts by Moonen-the custom Moonen 96 Clementine (launched 2005), and the shipyard's most successful model, the Moonen 84 (the eighth will be launched this year). The strong attraction of the Moonen 84 has been its ideal four-cabin layout. The equally strong attraction of Clementine is the considerable volume she offers on a waterline about four meters longer than that of the 84.

The first two Moonen 97s were Darsea and Sofia II, while a fourth model is set for delivery beginning 2011. Combining and rearranging the outstanding features of both designs, Moonen has created the new 97-foot model to satisfy a clear market need for a medium-size, long-range cruiser between its smallest model, the Moonen 72, and the Moonen 124.

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The contemporary Art-Line interior is based upon a New York Hampton beach house style. Her main salon is large and open, and features light coloured furniture. The open plan dining room seats six guests, and is served from the adjacent galley.

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The owner's cabin is located midships just in front of the engine room. On our recent cruise on board Livia we were pleasantly surprised by the extremely low sound levels in this cabin, even when cruising at full speed. The full beam cabin offers a large luxurious bathroom on portside, as well as walk-in closet of unusually generous proportions.

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There is also a delightful VIP stateroom plus two guest suites, all with their own bathrooms.

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Owners and guests enjoy the most peaceful of cruises thanks to a comprehensive sound and vibration attenuation programme. In addition to deploying the finest noise-absorbing insulation, Moonen has eliminated vibration at source by giving the yacht’s highly skewed propeller 50 percent more clearance between the blade tip and hull surface.

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Livia is also exceptionally comfortable at anchor thanks to the installation of advanced Naiad zero-speed stabilizers. Moonen is known for its impeccable engineering and construction, and this Lloyd’s Registered and MCA approved yacht once again proves why.

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One of the highlights of Livia’s aluminium superstructure is the efficient flying bridge, part of a clear policy to maximize the pleasures of alfresco living onboard this yacht. The interior offers spacious accommodations for the owners and six guests. The master stateroom boasts a walk-in closet .

Moonen Shipyards
+31 (0)73 621 0094
[email protected]
www.moonen.com

René van der Velden Yacht Design
+31 (0)33 455 4408
[email protected]
www.renevandervelden.com

Art Line
31(0)26-4436703
[email protected]
www.artline-design.com

Diana Yacht Design
+31 (0)72-5200155
[email protected]
www.dianayachtdesign.com

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