My Issue

Moonen developed the 34.7-metre (114-foot) My Issue as a go-anywhere yacht with a robust elegant style, a wide beam, therefore unusual volume for her length. After all, the underlying purpose of an "Explorer" is to carry extraordinary comfort, under any conditions, to remote places in maximum security and independence, and at your leisure. Designed by René van der Velden with naval architecture by Stolk Marimecs, My Issue is Moonen's largest-displacement yacht to date, built to survey by Lloyd's Register with Ice-Class certification and MCA compliance. The round-bilge underbody has a long keel fin, bilge keels, and zero-speed stabilizers (a Moonen first). Van der Velden gave the three-decker unusual compactness and grace, with a raised foredeck and high bulwarks to deflect green seas and spray. Though somewhat different, My Issue is clearly a "typical Moonen," offering wide choices for indoor/outdoor dining and entertaining.

The sundeck has a hot tub, wet bar, and food dumbwaiter serving all decks to encourage the owner's "Burgundy lifestyle." The mast is topped by a grand crow's nest ideal for whale watching, reef spotting, or enjoying a champagne sunset. The wheelhouse includes a settee for viewing the great outdoors. The cosy octagonal bridge-deck skylounge, the owner's favourite place, connects through a sliding glass door to the glass-enclosable afterdeck with overhead heaters. Bridge and main-deck structures are not carried to maximum beam, allowing ample side decks and outside stairs to all three decks (also served by an interior central spiral staircase). An enormous garage, behind a hydraulic transom door, stows a custom 6-metre Special Craft with a 175-hp inboard engine deployed by Moonen's unique tender-launching system.

The owners' suite - with office and large bathroom - is forward on the main deck, with three full-height vertical windows per side and its own air-handling unit. Four double guest staterooms below are separated by a structural bulkhead from the crew quarters for five, assuring absolute privacy for all. The midships galley, designed by the yacht's cook with professional stainless-steel gear, conveniently serves both crew and guests. The owner asked van der Velden to create a durable joinery style in cherry wood. Best described as "Dutch-Scandinavian modern," it features rectangular panels and woven leather insets for texture. Moonen's own joiners did all the superb satin-varnished woodwork, and below My Issue is not unlike a fine acoustic guitar. Moonen's meticulous noise and vibration control assure stunning silence.

The layout assures safe, independent operation, with enormous stowage. A Hi-Fog system (another Moonen first) and an MCA-approved locker - with fire suit, mask breathing apparatus and oxygen tank - assure fire fighting efficiency. The bridge's forward-canting windows prevent night glare from the extraordinary instrumentation array. Digital screens monitor two radars, electronic charts, and all shipboard systems. Steering is through a direct hydraulic handbar, autopilot wheel, or joystick. Beyond a glorious paint job, My Issue is adorned by gleaming stainless steel, which led Moonen to establish a daughter company to do all future stainless. During her official speed trials My Issue exceeded her design speed by half a knot. Later, in 45-knot winds with three-metre significant wave heights, in a following sea she steered easily with or without the autopilot. In beam seas the stabilisers kept her upright. In head seas she pitched softly and comfortably. My Issue met all expectations - for a sincere shipyard at first, and a happy owner afterwards.

Photos by Moonen, Fraser Yachts.