Synonymous with industry-challenging architecture and eye-catching designs, Australian shipyard SilverYachts has created a name for itself since 2007 with the launch of its Silver Series of 70-metre, high-speed transoceanic superyachts that have put it squarely on the map as one of the most exclusive yacht builders in the world. Now, over a decade since its first creation, the Fremantle-based shipyard has stepped things up a gear with its most ambitious and complex project to date. Since her unveiling last summer, the 85-metre superyacht Bold has wowed crowds all over the world with her signature naval look and high-tech features and has covered over 20,000 nm within her first six months. We met with her owner and shipyard founder, Guido Krass, to find out more.
“I have always done my boats to my own personal taste, and not too much on the tastes of others because if that is how you approach it, you will always get it wrong.” This philosophy is important to understand as you begin to study and rationalise the style of Bold and all other yachts built by SilverYachts for that matter. These machines are made to be different, and with a creative mind such as Espen Øino as the designer, you better believe this is something unique. Close friend and confidant to owner Guido Krass, SilverYachts has found more than just a design leader in Øino. As the hand behind all five of the vessels currently in the SilverYachts fleet (a sistership to Bold is currently under construction along with an all-new 36-metre SpaceCat catamaran to make it seven in total), the Monaco-based designer’s clean Scandanavian style perfectly matches the highly efficient platform that forms the foundations of this global explorer. 
But make no mistake, beneath this sleek wave-crusher lies an intricate engineering maze of thousands of man-hours, and the complexity of the vessel only increased, explains Krass, when the decision was made to build Bold to SOLAS Passenger Yacht Code (PYC) requirements. “It is two to three times as much work to build an interior to SOLAS as it would be for a normal classification, such as LY2 or LY3.” Just some of the benefits of going down the PYC route include a maximum of 16 overnight guests and the ability to carry up to 96 passengers while underway, making Bold a perfect charter option. A build classification that is rather common for some of the largest 100-metre plus vessels, cramming the complex PYC requirements into a slender 85-metre, 1,600 GT vessel is far easier said than done. “This was a six-year project in total with design and development alone lasting two years - but as you can see, it was definitely worth it in the end.” 
So confident in the final product is Krass that he and his team at SilverYachts are already busy constructing a sistership to Bold that is for sale and can be ready to cruise towards the end of 2021. “My boat is just the role model of the sistership to promote the next one,” he explains. Since being delivered last summer, Bold has been on a non-stop promotion tour that kicked off on a high note in Monaco where she was one of the stand-out yachts at another record-breaking edition of the event. “The boat came from Australia to the Med then went off to Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea, all the way back to Gibraltar to cross to America and now we are in the Caribbean. After the Miami and Palm Beach shows, Bold will head up the east coast to Halifax before crossing the Atlantic again to reach the most northern parts of Norway where we will start a two-month Scandanavian tour.”
Unlimited cruising
Built for unrestricted ocean navigation, Bold’s aggressive demeanour is only outweighed by her impressive ocean-going capabilities, making her a no-nonsense transoceanic speed train capable of maintaining her top speed of 23 knots in just about any sea condition. Krass recalls crossing a particularly nasty stretch of water in the Indian Ocean between the Maldives and the notorious Gulf of Aden. “Conditions started as a three to four-metre swell but later increased to six metres - a huge swell. The boat and crew didn’t miss a beat, and it served as a good reminder that she is made for any type of sea. We secured the helicopter in the aft deck hangar, a concept that worked out very well in the end.” The twin-engine Leonardo AW 109 Grand helicopter Krass is referring to can be accommodated onboard thanks to Bold’s certified 12 D-value helideck, also able to welcome the more popular ACH145 or Bell 429. In addition, the aft deck is host to two Rupert Marine 10.5-metre RIBs (open and cabin version) and another Rupert six-metre rescue RIB. “It is not only tenders that can be loaded onto this space of course,” adds Krass. “Anything of 15 metres in length with a weight of 12 tonnes can be stowed here to facilitate your exploration cruises.”
Family friendly
Guided by the strict guidelines imposed by PYC regulations, Bold’s interior was shaped by more than just her owner’s taste. One of the downsides of being able to invite 95 of your best friends and favourite family members on board include having to adhere to non-negotiable safety features that even affect the style of the yacht’s interior. But this didn’t perturb Krass in the slightest. “We turned the burden of the rules and regulations into a positive feature - these are stylish regulations,” he jokes. “There are lots of rules and regulations you have to follow. For example, as we couldn’t install any wooden flooring, we opted for thin and lightweight stone floors in communal areas which give the interior a very modern and elegant look.” Guests are accommodated across three VIP suites and four guest cabins on the main deck while the forward upper deck area is reserved entirely for the owner, complete with a study room, his and hers ensuite and direct access to the deck outside. “The owner’s suite has extra-large windows and you have the ability to open the side doors for some fresh air if you want, especially when cruising in climates where it’s not extremely hot.”
All-weather living
Bold’s outstanding wow factor, apart from her cutting-edge design, is found in the winter garden area on the upper aft deck. Even when approaching by tender and viewed from the outside, you already know that something special is hidden behind those massive wrap-around glass panes that overlook the expansive main deck aft, but its true value can only really be appreciated when standing inside this viewing ‘loft’. Covering a total of 300 square metres, it is this observation lounge that defined the project from the beginning as Bold was known as project Silver Loft during her construction. Frameless floor-to-ceiling windows enclose the entire space and partially open up the aft section for an authentic sea-breeze experience that can be enjoyed by all guests on board, not only the owner, as is the case on some yachts. “The contact with nature is very close,” describes Krass. “It feels like a modern loft in New York - as if you are living in a house.” A massive media wall with nine interlinked monitors gives a whole new meaning to movie night, and the entire space can be arranged based on just about any type of event you would like to host on board. 
Outdoor deck spaces
Talking about multi-use spaces, Bold’s outdoor decks are some of the most versatile in her class, with three fully-transformable spaces for a number of uses. The sundeck is the place to get away from it all, where you are greeted by two generous lounging areas with spectacular views offered by either one. An aft section with a gas fire pit makes for the perfect stargazing setting while the forward part with its eight-person Jacuzzi and surrounding sun pads lets you relax the day away with friends in style. The upper aft deck below is one open and expansive space that, in addition to acting as a second helicopter landing pad, can be transformed into an entertainment deck with a view. Underneath the superstructure, a bar area and 16-person table make this the main outdoor dining area and a favourite hangout spot amongst guests. The main deck aft or helideck is it’s known on board is mainly used for the storage of Bold’s impressive tender and toy collection, but once the anchor has been dropped and the craft launched into the water, this deck folds down on either side to create a 400-square-metre beach club with quite literally no obstructions. Add a 9 x 7 floating marina where all Bold’s toys are docked and a team of professionally-trained deck crew, and you are in for an unforgettable day on the water.
