When an all-star team consisting of Baltic Yachts, Nauta Design, Reichel/Pugh, and MCM join forces, you know the result will be something special. This expectation was confirmed earlier this year as the project in question, the ultra sleek speed demon that is My Song, walked away with the coveted Neptune trophy in her class of the World Superyacht Awards in Florence. This week we take a look on board this meticulously handcrafted piece of art and what makes her so special.
The name My Song is by now a term synonymous with the world of superyacht regattas, and racing his yachts alongside fellow competitors in the blue waters of the Mediterranean is something her experienced owner takes very seriously. It is, therefore, no surprise to find that My Song is set up with few other factors in mind but to cross the finish line in first place. But, as a man who also enjoys the finer things in life, the owner made sure she is not only work and no play and it was Baltic and Nauta Design’s job to turn this into a reality.
The raised bulwark provides a clean profile, giving the coachroof a sleek appearance as it disappears behind the bulwark top. Freeing ports amidhsips are not only a vital safety feature, but cleverly lets in much-neede light to the saloon and an eye-height view when inside.
First, some numbers. My Song’s top speed of over 30 knots has affected every element on board in terms of weight, size, and usage. Her 56-metre-high Southern Spars rig carries the latest North Sails that helps her reach that maximum speed. At 40 metres she is one of the larger full-carbon yachts on the racing scene with a subsequent displacement of 105 tonnes (including the 36-tonne lifting keel). This thing is made to go fast!
But, surprisingly, this is not the general feeling one experiences when walking through the yacht. Comfort was still very clearly a must-have on board, and when My Song has calmed down after the regatta and slips out of race mode, her exterior decks become a place of relaxation and absolute Italian style. The main cockpit is enormous and takes up a good part of the available 8.5-metre-wide beam.
Walking aft past the working cockpit and helm stations, an easy step takes you to a sunken level nearly at the water’s edge. Here guests can hide away from the breeze at anchor or simply take in a far more unobstructed view of the surrounding bay they are anchored in.
On the foredeck, a simple sun terrace is set up by the crew where guests can escape the busier aft area. The team was tasked with keeping weight to a minimum. Reichel/Pugh delivered a naval platform that fit that exact requirement, and it was Nauta Yachts’ job to colour in the remainder of the picture with an interior and exterior that would ultimately make My Song an easy-to-handle regatta contender that still offers a welcoming sense of luxury.
The Italian designers let the wide beam of the boat assert its true sense of space by using low, minimalist furnishings that still very obviously gives off a homely feel. The mahogany-clad deckhead in the main saloon provides a dramatic effect as one reaches the bottom of the companion way, but the area remains surprisingly bright thanks to an abundance of skylights and wide portholes.
The master suite with its slightly offset bed is right up in the bow, but even here space is plentiful and the natural touches of wood and raw fabrics create an almost masculine yet contemporary atmosphere. The master suite connects to a private apartment just aft of it and together forms a true luxury escape for the owner.
Pure linen fabric has been laminated and applied to floorboards and ceiling throughout the yacht, galley countertop, and bulkheads finishing panels
Baltic went above and beyond in the execution of the interior, having had to recreate a 1:1 mock-up of several of the key interior areas for inspection ahead of out fitting. This attention to detail is visible in every part of the ship and the level of quality quickly makes one easily forget that this floating villa is capable of ripping it up at 30 knots around the race course.
The Finish shipyard’s innovative spirit was the result of many noise and vibration-cancelling features and their famed Retractable Propulsion System, which also acts as a stern thruster as the highly efficient forward-facing, pull propeller unit can be turned through 90 degrees, makes manoeuvring MY Song in tight race ports a breeze.
Photos by Carlo Borlenghi and Giuliano Sargentini