Italian shipyard CdM are celebrating this week following the launch of its first 39.37-metre Flexplorer superyacht Aurelia for a repeat client. The new yacht is testament to the yard's dedicated research to the explorer yacht style and capabilities.
Photo: Cantiere delle Marche
Photo: Cantiere delle MarcheHer high-tech design is by Sergio Cutolo of Hydro Tec with interiors by fellow Italian design studio Francesco Paszkowski Design. The exterior is formed of an almost vertical bow with a large aft deck area that makes the most of her 8.6-metre beam. The hull shape was designed to have flared lines in its forward sections in order to keep the deck dry in all weather conditions. 
Photo: Cantiere delle MarcheAt the launch, Sergio Cutolo explains more about the practical design: “The transverse frame, in line with the shipyard approach, allows for better spaces optimization, increasing the internal volume thanks to reduced internal structures. It also provides additional design flexibility, allowing for easier modifications/customisation. She has two pairs of electro-driven stabilising fins. This solution grants better functionality also because, thanks to sophisticated software, they work together with the two independent electro-driven rudders to improve the seakeeping. This allowed the installation of smaller machines and blades, minimising the ‘rudder effect’ caused by larger fins while offering redundancy in case of blade failure.” 
Photo: Cantiere delle MarcheInside, Aurelia has four guest cabins for up to nine guests as per her owner's brief, including a large main-deck owner's suite, plus two VIPs and a twin stateroom on the lower deck. The owner also requested that Aurelia featured a fully-equipped gym and a large wine cellar that spans across the main and upper decks as part of the stairwell.
Other notable features include an integrated A-frame crane which is capable of launching an 8.5-metre tender and side bulwarks that can be collapsed to provide up to 7 metres worth of additional deck space astern. Here, guests can make use of the beach club and high-tech toy storage areas. 
Photo: Cantiere delle Marche“The first Flexplorer will be a game-changer, there is no doubt about it. It is actually already a trendsetter project if we look at many of the latest renderings published by other yards on the press after we presented the project. This makes us very proud indeed,” says Vasco Buonpensiere, co-founder, Sales and Marketing Director at CdM. 
Photo: Cantiere delle Marche"I have followed personally this build both because it is a very special project with many technical challenges and because of my close relationship with the owners who gave us - for the second time - the privilege of building for them a very special yacht which, for sure, will turn heads wherever it will cruise. This is definitely one of those projects which remind us why we love so much what we do!" adds Ennio Cecchini, CdM’s CEO.
Powered by twin Caterpillar C32 engines with 746kW each, Aurelia is set to reach a top speed of 14 knots with a range of over 5,000nm at 10 knots.