Nauta Design explains the record-breaking refit of the 51m Masquenada (PHOTOS)
“I remembered a vessel called Aspire (originally Etra) that I had visited a few years earlier and that I thought might be right for him,” recalls Mario Pedol who has known the shipowner Loro Piana for over 40 years.
The passion (and investment) of an experienced owner like Pier Luigi Loro Piana, the design of Nauta Design, the refit expertise of Lusben/Benetti: the final result is My Masquenada, a 51-meter yacht completely transformed after the work at the Livorno shipyard and now departing for the Caribbean, the first stop on a three-year round-the-world voyage.
The refit project stems from a rethinking of the owner's priorities: Loro Piana is a highly experienced sailor, but while he has always loved racing, when he began planning a round-the-world cruise, he immediately realized that an explorer-style motorboat would offer much more comfort on board.
"I decided to opt for a large, beautiful motor yacht, around 50-60 meters long, capable of accommodating 10-12 guests, to explore the world in safety and comfort," says Pier Luigi Loro Piana. "Its size is crucial: if it had been larger, I wouldn't have been able to access the small bays I'm used to visiting with my sailboats."
Initially, the construction of a completely new yacht was seriously considered, and a new concept for a 58-meter motor yacht was developed with Mario Pedol.
“But for any new construction, whether sailing or motor,” explains Loro Piana, “it would have taken at least three years and, after a year since the loss of my beloved My Song, I thought I didn’t want to wait that long,” so the search for a suitable boat for the refit began.
“I remembered a vessel called Aspire (originally Etra) that I had visited a few years earlier and that I thought might be right for him,” recalls Mario Pedol, co-founder of Nauta Design, who has known the owner for over 40 years.
The boat, originally a 45-metre, left the Chinese Penglai shipyard in 2006.
"The solid construction and ocean-going capabilities of Aspire, her nearly 600 GT and 51-meter length, perfectly matched the owner's plans to cruise the world with his family. With Nauta acting as the buyer's broker, an agreement was reached, and Aspire arrived in Italy in September 2020. Time was short, and we wanted to get the work started. We therefore chose Lusben for this major refit, which required redesigning the vessel both inside and out."
The most obvious intervention requested by the owner was a complete overhaul of the main aft deck. This area had already been extended during a previous refit, but the owner requested the creation of an open beach club, with easy access to both the sea and the main salon, and also capable of accommodating tenders and water toys.
Thus, the aft bulwarks were cut to create a flush deck with unobstructed views, also suitable for a helicopter landing, while the aft area was transformed into a true waterfront swim platform. A major modification was the removal of the old deck crane and its replacement with a custom-built 7,5-ton crane.
“The crane hangar required cutting out the stern section and adding a completely new block,” says Pedol. “Naval architect Francesco Rogantin was commissioned to reconfigure the hull lines, and we like to think the new transom is more reminiscent of a sailing ship than a motor yacht.”
The spaces on both the main and upper decks were already spacious and very liveable, but both have been extended by 1,5 metres towards the stern to create a more graceful profile and more shade on the lower deck.
The original pair of Caterpillar 3508 engines (2.100 total hp) underwent a complete overhaul and fitted with a new exhaust system. With new propellers and the hull lines reconfigured aft, the yacht gained 1,5 knots in top speed. Noise reduction was another priority for the owner, so the three new Kohler generators are housed in soundproof boxes and mounted on structurally reinforced anti-vibration mounts.
Misa Poggi's sophisticated interior design features contrasting dark and light woods paired with quilted leather and brushed bronze accents.
Guest accommodations include three cabins on the lower deck, two on the main deck, and the master cabin on the upper deck forward, for a total of 12 guests including the owner.
Sporting a new light and dark gray livery, Masquenada was launched in June 2021, just over eight months after arriving at the Lusben shipyard. She spent her first summer cruising the Mediterranean and has now set sail for the Caribbean to begin a three-year voyage around the world.
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