Italy

Lenci Marine

What happens when a ferry boat aspires to be a yacht? The result is the Maria Vittoria, a luxury superyacht converted by Italian refit architects, Lenci Marine and San Benedetto del Tronto. Transforming a ferry boat into a megayacht is no easy task, so this was no ordinary refit. The engines took up valuable lower deck space, which meant the two 285 Iveco Aifo diesels needed to be moved to the bottom of the vessel. The superstructures and inner cabins had to be partially taken apart and rebuilt in aluminum, and the electrical and hydraulic systems had to be completely overhauled. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125012/image/large-582301d6557ab0a80e743af2da34481e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125012">All of this structural work needed to be completed before the interiors could be designed and restored. The resulting new electrical system features small bright lights in the ceiling and emergency lights in the emergency escape areas. It’s a rags to riches story that has culminated in a luminous design with all of the comforts you expect in a super yacht. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125013/image/large-82167eda2d3f407040d182d174850ecf.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125013">The original Maria Vittoria was built in 1960 in Oslo’s Glommers Mek yard, and she spent her early years sailing Norway’s fjords. Later, she ferried between the Italian and Croatian coasts in the Adriatic Sea. The vessel is 110.24 feet in length with a 24.93-foot beam and a maximum draught of 6.89 feet. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125014/image/large-57a721e5306f4248a79cd5d02ea6a8b4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125014"> <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125015/image/large-7ea6a96b34664c7e6f1c8fcf3e795311.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125015">The wheelhouse and captain’s cabin are on the upper deck, with the captain’s cabin behind the cockpit for greater security. This cabin is also equipped with some navigational control instruments for emergencies. The yacht has been designed for longer cruises at a cruise speed of 10 knots. Not only has the cockpit equipment been specifically configured for long distances, but even the linen supply takes longer journeys into account. There are enough linens for 15 days. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125016/image/large-e5a21b21d041fc2f1a43d9912d465d1a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125016"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125017/image/large-3205a710a2989df88cebf1930624d6f3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125017"> <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125018/image/large-b86ae86b38ac8d44bec3c2b954f0a04c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125018">The sun deck includes 6 sun beds, a Jacuzzi that can accommodate 10 people, and an external shower. A table on this deck can seat 14 guests and is complete with a sink and fridge bar. Another convenient feature of the Maria Vittoria is two separate walks on the main deck so that guests and crew can utilize different deck areas for moving throughout the vessel. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125019/image/large-61bdc273a4765eb1990cb762d66f2d52.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125019">The yacht’s design is bright, with the intention of creating a vivid and lively statement. The walls are constructed with light rovere wood and equally light ceiling panels, which allow easy access to wiring when necessary. The floor walks are constructed of Iroko wood that is also lighter in color than that of many mega yachts. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125020/image/large-fdaebd7143eac938acd44f9cccaa92d2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125020"> <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125021/image/large-5abba738596e60a0099a8c68e077bf4b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125021">Steering away from the traditional Italianate styling of many of today’s super yachts, Lenci Marine designed the Maria Vittoria’s interiors in a fun, colorful, and ultra-modern style. The furnishings are covered in fabrics of bright orange, fuchsia, green, and yellow. Retro panels on the walls, as well as runners on tables, bring these color themes to the cabins in geometric art pieces. Rectangular tables, colored cubes, and fabric-covered dining chairs complete the mod look of the interior, which is reminiscent of the 1960’s. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125022/image/large-0922d117edd0a6fcdfa041e978280f6c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125022">The saloon is on the main deck as well as an owners cabin, restroom, kitchen, and dining area. The generous couches in the main salon are white with pillows of the signature colors of orange, fuchsia, green, and yellow, many with contrasting stripes. Even the wide-screen 42” LCD television screen in the main salon (connected to both terrestrial and satellite decoders) sits in a wall covered with bright orange fabric. The bath design includes curved marble-topped dressing areas with a clear bowl sink and rectangular toilet. The bright colors extend even to the towels in the baths. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125023/image/large-576fa82eeab576c31d21318663086d52.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125023"> <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125024/image/large-23a2dda2b2097ff3f01f2b4582b8276a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125024">As a result of the redesign, the Maria Vittoria can now sustain 13 guests and 6 crew members, with a total of 5 guest cabins and 4 crew cabins. The guest cabins consist of 3 doubles, 2 twins, and 3 Pullman berths. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125025/image/large-692cdd17e49ac6176678f6392ff75dd6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125025"> <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125026/image/large-74fb07e3adcf521794ad58edfc94c6fc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125026">In the cabins that contain king-sized beds, the beds are placed in the center of their cabins for easy access and a feeling of spaciousness. All cabins and en suite facilities are equipped with air conditioning and an aspiration system. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125027/image/large-64e5ff90b946b075318435a1797c1fc2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125027">The Maria Vittoria has experienced her own version of “extreme makeover.” Her black and white exterior may offer a hint of her earlier ferry boat days, but the interior is designed and configured for a luxurious and comfortable experience. The Maria Vittoria is now available for charters from the Mediterranean with aptly named Captain Vittorio Patrizi at the helm and managed by Floating Life International.By Melanie Votaw