Press release
Apostrophe: A Jewel in the Art Deco Crown
Hakvoort Shipyard in the Netherlands has successfully delivered the 39.70-metre
(130’ 25”) Apostrophe to her delighted owner who is currently enjoying a maiden
cruise taking in Scandicarnavia and the Mediterranean region. This entirely custom
superyacht has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, and has been built to
Lloyds and MCA. Apostrophe features a strikingly original exterior profile and an
interior finished to a degree of sophistication which has rarely if ever been seen on a
motoryacht under 40 metres.
Naval architecture, construction and engineering design for the project was by Diana Yacht
Design, which successfully met the brief to incorporate all the very latest technologies while
keeping maintenance requirements to a minimum. Both the interior design and the exterior
styling are from the boards of Reymond Langton Design Ltd. Apostrophe offers a full-beam
master suite on the main deck plus superior accommodation for eight guests in four double
cabins on the lower deck. There are also good quarters for the captain (on the bridge deck)
and four crew members in two cabins on the lower deck. The project shows that there is no
limit to what Hakvoort can produce, despite the incredible complexity of both the exterior
shaping and the interior décor.
During the keel laying ceremony at the Hakvoort yard in Monnickendam, the owner
described the project as his ‘baby’ and pledged to push himself to the limit to ensure
Apostrophe would become one of the finest vessels afloat in the world today. He was
certainly true to his word as every suggestion by the interior and exterior architects was
accepted, regardless of cost. No compromises were made in any area of a superyacht which
is a tribute to the master craftsmen that created her, the designers, the exceptional support
from Moran Yacht and Ship, and the owner’s dedication to perfection.
“As I do not envisage making a yacht of this pedigree more than once, our philosophy was
one of ‘if we’re going to do it, we’ll do it right’,” comments the owner. “The Hakvoort family
are highly professional people and know exactly what they are doing. Any problems or
challenges that arose during the project were dealt with very efficiently and there was always
a solution found that was acceptable to all concerned. This is a great yard to work with and I
am very grateful for the result they have achieved.”
The team from Reymond Langton Design are also impressed with the outcome of this fouryear project, says Pascale Reymond. “Apostrophe has the spirit and the panache of a far
bigger boat than her 40 metres would suggest. There are very few boats that have so much
detail - both in terms of wood and metal - in such a space. The way our complex brief has
been met by the shipyard has been fantastic. It’s one thing to design a yacht like this but
another thing altogether to actually make it. If you appreciate Art Deco, Apostrophe is a
jewel in the crown.”
Hakvoort Shipyards . Havenstraat 22 . 1141 AX Monnickendam . The Netherlands
T +31 (0)299 651403 . F +31 (0)299 651041 . www.hakvoort.com . sales@hakvoort.com
Exterior profile
Pascale Reymond, Andrew Langton and their teams in London and Bath were also
responsible for Apostrophe’s dramatic exterior looks. These reflect the owner’s desire for a
very modern looking boat with dynamic, curved lines. Curvaceous windows in the owner’s
area on the main deck and the sky lounge above accentuate the elegant long lines. The way
those lines are drawn from the front of the boat to the aft further emphasises the length,
while the curved surfaces add extra dynamism to the profile and sculptural form.
All this is reinforced by an innovative colour scheme: black windows, a grey hull and a
pristine white superstructure break up the height and stretch Apostrophe’s visual
appearance still further. There are also lots of small details in the exterior, including stainless
steel handrails throughout the vessel, grey windshield glass, the flush layout of the windows
and the curved sliding doors to aft. The latter doors have no visible frame so appear to be
glass from top to bottom.
The interior
Apostrophe has one of the most lavish interiors that Hakvoort has ever been involved in. The
overall style is Art Deco combined with a genuinely exceptional level of fine detailing in
stainless steel, brushed nickel, white gold leaf (in the main and sky lounge floors and
bedroom ceilings) and mother-of-pearl inlays. The latter was especially cut in New Zealand
for its golden coloured properties and varied patterns – it is literally and metaphorically a
world away from the bright white variant of mother-of-pearl used on many superyachts.
The key woods onboard Apostrophe are stained brown walnut and ebonised makassar, and
the balance between this dark joinery and the soft colours used elsewhere produce a
modern and homely feel. This is further reinforced by a fabulous selection of specially
commissioned artworks, sculptures and lamps, plus a wealth of materials & fabrics, and
custom carpeting with all kinds of weaves and patterns. There is also an extravagant use of
leather with exquisitely detailed stitching.
A unique mother-of-pearl droplet design comes back in the beds, doors, mirrors, panels and
many other places. Its use encapsulates the approach taken by the interior designers. While
Apostrophe is heavily influenced by Art Deco as a theme, they have deployed a fine, scaleddown form that reflects the length of the yacht and ensures it does not become
overwhelming. The designers have clearly got the proportions right with lots of wonderful
details that give Apostrophe a personality all of her own. The marquetry is very subtle
throughout and even included in the texture of the wood, which was very difficult to achieve.
The artworks have also been ingeniously integrated into the architecture, including specially
commissioned replica paintings. These are superbly made after the artists were dispatched
to the relevant museums in Prague and Vienna to spend time in front of the originals.
Around Apostrophe
The main deck comprises the owner’s stateroom forward, a lobby with stairways to the
guest quarters and sky lounge, a galley/pantry, a lounge with dining room, and an aft seating
area with bar.
Apostrophe features a full-beam master stateroom complete with a walk-in dressing room,
an owner’s study/office and a spectacular bathroom. A clever combination of design, lighting
and materials maximises the volume of the entire area and a sense of perspective open the
spaces up to each other. Subtle details abound in this sumptuous stateroom, ranging from
the delicate door handles to the engraved brass and alabaster glass wall lights, from the
exquisitely finished mix of metals and patterns in the panel that covers the television to the
Hakvoort Shipyards . Havenstraat 22 . 1141 AX Monnickendam . The Netherlands
T +31 (0)299 651403 . F +31 (0)299 651041 . www.hakvoort.com . sales@hakvoort.com
Honey Onyx panel on the wall, the gold colours of which reflect a warm glow from the
bathroom and bring extra light into the bedroom. The grandest statement of all is made by
the extravagant headboard and ceiling unit, giving a true flavour of the 1930s. Panoramic
views are available both forward and aft from the bed thanks to the circular windows (more
on which later).
The owner’s bathroom is furthest forward and can be entered from either port or starboard. It
is joined in the centre by a circular bath tub and shower that can be accessed from each
side of the bathroom. This is a His & Hers arrangement with a difference, offering both
privacy and a sense of togetherness. The bathroom is finished entirely in Onyx Marble,
including the shower floor and countertops. Meanwhile, the glamorous ambience is
accentuated by magnificent etched-glass panels with backlighting and painted motifs of
underwater life. These images are very dynamic for a piece of static art and also draw the
eyes upwards. Strategically placed mirrors create a sense of infinity and the aft views out of
the window add further depth
Anyone entering Apostrophe through her main entrance will instantly know they are on a
very special boat indeed. It features a fabulous open stairwell with a custom designed glassencased pillar from Crystal Caviar. This stunning chandelier piece is light and sculpture at
the same time, offset to maximum effect by the woven leather bannister with intricate
stitching. Rarely has the balance of complexity and softness been so neatly executed.
Passing the galley, accessible through another phenomenally finished door, we enter the
main lounge. The first thing one notices is the overall use of circular elements, brought here
from the outside in. Apostrophe‘s owner is a fan of curved glass and desired his windows to
reflect that in both the master stateroom and the lounge. Here in the saloon the starboard
side of the space is curved both fore and aft to fashion a circular room as well as a cosy
sociable space.
Other curvaceous features in the lounge include the welcoming bar and the alcoves for the
glass art, each piece of which is a collector’s item in its own right. The curves and elaborate
shapes continue in the cornice and the decorative metal circles in the ceiling that generates
the illusion of a skylight. The lighting is relatively formal in the main lounge as the bridge
deck lounge above is the more casual space. With the windows being so low it was not
viable to have a large television in this lounge. Instead there is a pop-up TV and a
projector/big screen arrangement that can be used to set up a cinema environment when
required.
The bridge deck is home to a spacious wheelhouse with vertical windows, a radio room, a
captain’s cabin with ensuite bathroom, a day toilet, a lounge and an elaborate aft deck
arrangement.
The owner intends the bridge deck to be the main living area, hence the decision for a
relatively modest lounge and a much larger aft deck area. The latter is very well equipped,
including a barbecue, a wall bar, a dining table and plenty of alfresco seating. Open up the
doors and you have one large space. Everything is on the round again here too, with a
circular sofa arrangement, circular wall enclosures and even circular patterns in the custom
carpets. In this lounge the panelling by the door and the panel covering the television again
add panache to the overall atmosphere.
Hakvoort Shipyards . Havenstraat 22 . 1141 AX Monnickendam . The Netherlands
T +31 (0)299 651403 . F +31 (0)299 651041 . www.hakvoort.com . sales@hakvoort.com
The sun deck contains a full-service bar, a Jacuzzi, sun pads & recliner lounges and life
rafts concealed behind hatches.
The freestanding Jacuzzi is significantly larger than you would expect on a 40-metre yacht
and contains two wine coolers. Its front is elaborately finished with decorative scheme of a
barrel surf in silver blue on the backlit glass panels. The bar area is directly connected to the
tub and there are two barbecue grills.
The forward area of the lower deck contains two double crew cabins, each with their own
bathroom, a crew lounge and a laundry room. Amidships are four superior guest cabins,
accessed by a singularly impressive lobby. Aft of the engine room is a lazarette to store a
tender and water sports toys and equipment. A fold-out swim platform is integrated into the
stern and extends out to offer three metres of additional space for relaxation.
Descending down the stairway to the semi-circular lower deck lobby one has the impression
of entering a grand space. Directly ahead is an integrated wall panel featuring an
exceptionally realistic copy of the iconic Gustav Klimt painting The Kiss. Very subtle framing
connects the painting to the lobby architecture, which features decorative macassar ebony
mullions and a wealth of mother-of-pearl and brushed nickel details around the edges of the
doors & handles and a curved architrave made of ebonised walnut. The doors are works of
art too featuring slightly angled leather and solid metal plates at the bottom. Bookmatched
walnut reinforces the automotive style, while the ingenious shaping and layout of the entire
lobby gives perspective and space.
Each guest cabin has the same architecture but each has a distinctive personality thanks to
the detailing, lamps, art and colour palettes. As well as reflecting the incredible range of
fabrics and leathers used onboard Apostrophe, these suites again showcase the owner’s
requirement for maximum natural light. The large oval-shaped portholes are connected
together to create the effect of one large window from the outside: the tremendous views
they offers guests from inside the accommodation are anything but an illusion!
In addition to individual colour schemes, each guest cabin has its own art above the bed,
namely a mirrored glass and gold leaf piece and art canvass by Jan Coutts and two Gustav
Klimt’ paintings. The beds themselves have highly complex marquetry inlays with metal
elements, and there are also custom lamps for each room. In the double cabins television
screens are hidden behind the mirror, while the twin cabins have pop-up TVs built into the
vanity tables which swing around so guests can watch from the bed. In addition to the
superlative decoration, the overall guest cabin design also includes many practical spaces
for storage.
The spacious size of the bathrooms reflects the interior designer’s conviction that people
spend a lot of time in here during a cruise while bedrooms are primarily used for sleeping.
The port aft bathroom has a bath while the others have large rain showers.
And so ends our tour of Apostrophe, a quite remarkable vessel for her size
Hakvoort Shipyards . Havenstraat 22 . 1141 AX Monnickendam . The Netherlands
T +31 (0)299 651403 . F +31 (0)299 651041 . www.hakvoort.com . sales@hakvoort.com
The two current projects at Hakvoort – the 61-metre Golden Age and the 63.30-metre Zeus
– may be significantly larger but they are unlikely to be any more sophisticated than this 40metre masterpiece which reconfirms Hakvoort Shipyard’s place on the top table of the
world’s superyacht builders.
September 2013
Note for editors
My Apostrophe will be present on the Monaco Yacht Show, berth T20 and available for
pre-scheduled press tours on board. If you are interested in a tour, please contact Esther
Lucas to arrange an appointment. Due to limited availability the schedule is based on a first
come, first served base.
For questions or to request material, please contact Esther Lucas at esther@hakvoort.com.
Hakvoort Shipyards . Havenstraat 22 . 1141 AX Monnickendam . The Netherlands
T +31 (0)299 651403 . F +31 (0)299 651041 . www.hakvoort.com . sales@hakvoort.com
Main specifications YN 247 MY Apostrophe
39.7 m. / 130’25” ft.
35.5 m. /116’53” ft.
8.3 m. / 27’2” ft.
2.55 m. / 8’3” ft.
335 tons
Diana Yacht Design BV
Reymond Langton Design Ltd
Reymond Langton Design Ltd
steel hull, aluminium superstructure
Lloyds +100A1 SSC Yacht Mono G6 + LMC, UMS and MCA
2 x Caterpillar diesel engines type C18DITA, each with an
MCR of 500 kW at 2100 rpm
Gearbox
Reintjes WAF 264L
Steering Gear
Rolls-Royce/Tjenford JR2.130
Generators
2x Northern Lights, type M1066A1/ 105KW 3PH
Stabilisers
Quantum, QC-1200 Zero Speed
Bow and stern thrusters Jastram 70 kW each
Speed
cruising speed 11,5 kts, max speed 13,1 kts
Range
3.950 nm at 10,5 knots
Fuel capacity:
45.000ltr. / 11.889 gallons
Fresh water capacity:
10.000 ltr. / 2.642 gallons
Watermakers
HEM: 2 x 5,000 litres each
Control & Monitoring
Dekasis AMC system
Fire control
Ultra Fog Watermist and Novec in engine room
Passerelle and Hydraulic systems
Cramm Yachting Systems
Deck Crane
Carbon Atlas
Entertainment
Icon Connect AV system with Creston Controls and
i-Pod integration
Navigation/communication by Imtech Marine
Toys
5.2 m custom built Rib X tender with 110 hp inboard motor,
4.0 m custom built Rib X tender with 30 hp outboard motor, /
1x SeaDoo GTX260 limited IS, 2 x SeaBob Cayago jet 4.12
waterskis, wakeboards, sea kayaks, and dive center
L.o.a.
L.w.l.
Beam
Draft
Displacement
Naval Architecture
Exterior design
Interior design
Construction
Classifications
Main engines
Hakvoort Shipyards . Havenstraat 22 . 1141 AX Monnickendam . The Netherlands
T +31 (0)299 651403 . F +31 (0)299 651041 . www.hakvoort.com . sales@hakvoort.com