A New Slice of Life: ‘Inside-Out / Outside-In’

When they’re not taking on the challenges set forth by the most demanding owners in the world; Feadship challenges themselves. The design and innovation teams at the renowned yacht builder have been developing fully engineered designs for more than ten years for future owners. Feadship unveiled its eleventh cutting-edge concept yacht at the Monaco Yacht Show this year.

The most recent boat, named Slice, is a ground-breaking 85-metre vessel that addresses one of the major owner complaints about yacht design: lengthy hallways, dim interiors, and stacked living areas. Slice, according to Studio De Voogt Lead Designer Chris Bottoms and Head of Design Tanno Weeda, “turns the inside out and the outside in.” It was designed with a glass strip that runs entirely from bow to stern, allowing natural light to enter via various decks. This revolutionary yacht was unveiled by Feadship at the start of the Monaco Yacht Show.

Feadship decided to entirely redesign a yacht from the inside out rather than just add a few new features or highlight a single new technology. To put it simply, the designers cut their CAD model in half down the middle and then pushed the two pieces apart to make space for a glass strip that runs from bow to stern. Glass is not the only material used to let natural light pass across several decks; rather, glass is used to cover a structural framework. It is a much more difficult idea than a succession of skylights since it completely changes how areas relate to one another throughout the yacht’s interior.

Atrium at its core

The engineer and design team were given the task of studying natural light and vertical spaces in order to challenge the very essence of normal boat layouts. The brief was more explicit, calling for a straight “transition from the mountain to the sea.”

Numerous spatial and lighting options are made possible by having a slice going down the middle. In addition to serving as a transition between areas, corridors now serve a purpose and make for pleasant environments in their own right.

The enormous 70m2 atrium on the main deck serves as the yacht’s beating heart. The atrium, which is uninterrupted by a stairway, serves as both a lobby and a stand-alone attraction for guests travelling forward and backward. Its circular balconies that cascade open a variety of options for lighting and art installations.

Data science engineered pool

A 10-metre-long pool that was created utilising data science is another eye-catching element of Slice. The design team adopted data science to define the shape of the pool and the placement of concealed dampers to combat slosh. Hull efficiency, comfort at sea, and at anchor simulations are frequently employed to decide these factors.

The utilisation of ultra-high modulus materials, inspired by Formula 1’s research into high tensile carbon fibre, is equally astonishing. The De Voogt team collaborated with carbon fibre producers to design their own unique ultra-high modulus material because the high tensile carbon fibre used in Formula One was insufficiently stiff for yachting demands. The strips we bonded to a wheelhouse deck’s main girders have a rigidity that is twice that of steel, but a weight that is half that of aluminium. The design team felt confident incorporating the material into the atrium, multi-level pathways, and the framework for the lengthy glass insets on Slice’s upper deck because it was already being used in Feadship’s yards.

Future-proof propulsion options

Four dual-fuel generators that have been modified to function on both methanol and non-fossil diesel (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil - HVO) will power Slice’s propulsion system, and the generated electricity will be sent to two Azimuthing pods.

To aid in the combustion of the methanol, the HVO is to be utilised as a pilot fuel. Because there aren’t many sources of methanol across the world, a larger-than-needed HVO capacity has been included to extend the range of HVO-only sailing. This makes it possible to cruise the entire planet while using methanol sparingly when it runs low until the next methanol supply station is reached. It is possible to switch out one of the generators for methanol fuel cells, which would produce electricity to help the ship’s hotel load. Low speed, silent cruising and peak shaving of the generators are made possible by a battery array that receives power from both the generators and the fuel cells.

A fresh interior perspective

Feadship instructed Dutch designer Marco van Ham to completely avoid using teak in Slice’s interior design. The alternative was a palette of backlit marbles, onyx, liquid metal surfaces, silver leaf, shagreen, straw marquetry, and even pyrite with contrasts of glossy and matte surfaces. Warm, neutral textiles offer a feeling of serenity and relaxation. The flooring is designed with wavy lines, and the majority of the furniture mirrors organic shapes and is kept at eye level to prevent blocking vistas. Squared-off doors and box-like spaces are not included in the interior design of Slice.

Watertight forward entrance

Feadship sought to particularly address a recurrent owner desire with Slice: an open and private aft pool and sundecks with views of the ocean and privacy from onlookers and delivery personnel while docked in port. In order to be moored bow-in, Slice has a properly engineered passerelle and watertight front entrance. A passerelle deploys and a full-height portion of the stem at main deck level hinges open at the push of a button, allowing passengers to enter the yacht’s interior and arrive first at a welcoming space in front of the tender bays after a short walk from the quay.