Francesco Paszkowski designed the exterior
The mark of a truly successful flagship is not to simply build the largest yacht in a series but to improve liveability, functionality and innovation – all adding to the owner’s enjoyment of the final product. This is exactly what Custom Line has aimed to do with its new flagship.
With the Custom Line 140’, the Italian builder sought to achieve the speed and high performance that its Planing Line yachts are known for, while also delivering comfortable and quiet cruising. Beyond this, the yard sought to eke out as much living space as possible on the 42.6m, four-deck superyacht, which has a volume of nearly 400GT.
The transom door opens out to create a large beach club
“We want guests to feel like they’re on board a 50m yacht in terms of the volume, superyacht-level systems and comfort,” says Pier Francesco Boschi, the model’s Project Manager who gave a tour of the first hull during its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Yachting Festival, before it moved on to the Monaco Yacht Show.
Exteriors are by Francesco Paszkowski Design, following up its work on the Custom Line 106’ and 120’, while Paszkowski created the interiors in collaboration with Margherita Casprini and the Custom Line Atelier.
View of the vast aft cockpit and the main saloon
Francesco Paszkowski says: “We aimed to design a yacht that could meld the comfort of a flybridge with the sporty prowess of a coupé. As a result, we incorporated styling cues from the car world and luxury residential sector but also did some meticulous research to enhance the forms and volumes.”
The new flagship is already proving popular around the world, with a unit sold to Asia late last year due to be delivered at the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard in Ancona by the end of this year. Custom Line has two ranges – the sporty, speedy Planing Line and the displacement-hull Navetta Line, which is ideal for long-range cruising.
Aft view of the expansive cockpit and stairs to the beach club
Carbon-fibre and composite materials were utilised to lessen the 140’s weight and add to her performance attributes, while she also has a draft of less than 8ft, allowing for cruising in shallow waters. Cruising over the waves at 18 knots and able to top 21 knots, the 140’ meets the need for speed while also offering comfortable seakeeping as well as a special focus on sound dampening.
Stefano de Vivo, CCO of Ferretti Group, says: “With the utmost attention to guest well-being during navigation, the Custom Line 140’ enjoys incomparable acoustic comfort because of a targeted study of the different noise sources and their positioning in the yacht.”
Forward view of the saloon, which features Minotti sofas
De Vivo highlights the adoption of ‘floating’ flooring, the use of specific anti-vibration materials and additional insulation between the bulkheads and ceilings as just a few of the innovative solutions.
With a sleek and powerful profile, the yacht’s exterior lines are evocative of the Custom Line family, with a few touches that make the yacht stand out from her predecessors. “A stylish detail is the painted aluminium handrails with Y-shaped uprights,” De Vivo says of the distinctive handrails that frame the bulwark cut-outs.
A WORLD OF WINDOWS
The model is also notable for generous windows on the main and upper decks, as well as in the hull sides. The dark, taut lines of this expansive glazing add interest to the exterior.
A sculpture and an elegant stairway are artistic features in the main-deck lobby
Paszkowski adds: “Aside from adding a dynamic flair to the side of the vessel, the windows also meet another guiding principle behind the project: increasing contact with the sea by keeping any barriers between interior and exterior as minimal as possible.
“The large windows play an important role. They emphasise contact with the sea and increase the amount of natural light flowing into the interiors. The upper and sun decks are the best example. With floor-to-ceiling glazing even around the sides of the interior, there is plenty of contact with the sea.”
The owner’s suite is forward on the main deck
The designers also wanted the yacht to have a holistic flow, with indoor and outdoor spaces merging into one. On the aft main deck, the door leading into the main saloon completely opens, and the floor is flat so there’s no step up or down to go inside, both of which create an open feeling.
Stretching over four decks, the yacht has spacious interiors. The goal, De Vivo says, was to “offer ever larger and more sophisticated indoor and outdoor spaces that maximise the liveability on board and guarantee the owner privacy and relaxation, while enhancing contact with the sea”.
The owner’s suite has a fold-out balcony to starboard
A strong example of this is forward on the main deck, where the 47sqm owner’s suite takes advantage of the 8.4m beam and includes a fold-out balcony for a pure connection with the water. The optional folding terrace is built into the hull and is designed so the owner can operate it without assistance from the crew.
“The owner’s suite allows the owners to have a quiet space to spend time between relaxation and fun, always with a sea view,” De Vivo says.
CONTEMPORARY HARMONY
The entry to the master suite feels grand, with a chaise longue positioned by a big bay window and two walk-in wardrobes. Forward, the master bathroom is full width and has a large bathtub. Counters are in grey and gold Orobico marble and the ceilings are lacquered.
Forward view of the aft upper deck
To ensure a holistic design, the owner requested that wood feature in the bathroom floor to match surfaces in other parts of the yacht. The guest cabins are on the lower deck, which has two mirror queen cabins, a twin with a Pullman berth and a double cabin – all of which have en-suite bathrooms. Etrusco marble is used in the guest bathrooms.
The interiors are contemporary cool, with geometric shapes and bold lines as details in the built-in furnishings and ceilings. Light-stained woods, reflective materials, leather details, mirrored surfaces and backlit wall panels feature throughout the yacht, giving a consistent feel.
Forward view of the upper-deck skylounge with sliding glass doors on both sides
The headboard in the master, for instance, has vertical strips of wood laid over a mirrored surface, which gives the illusion of more space.
“We chose just a few materials to create a harmony of contemporary style throughout the yacht,” Paszkowski says. “Oak floors combine with gloss lacquered surfaces and hard leather for the ceilings. The result is an elegant, contemporary décor in light shades for the main fabrics, sometimes contrasted by dark hues.”
The beautiful bow lounge on the upper deck
Custom-made furniture is combined with pieces from Italian brands, such as the Minotti sofas in the main saloon and upper deck. The armchairs in the owner’s suite are by Casamilano, while the desk in the owner’s office is by Flexform. Door handles are by Italian brand Olivari and bathroom fittings are by Zazzeri.
Privacy was an important aspect of the design, allowing divisions between crew and guest areas, including an interior crew stairway that leads up to the 70sqm sun deck. A spa tub is aft, the centre of the sundeck is covered for partial shade, and windscreens forward help protect from strong breezes.
Aft view of the magnificent sun deck
“On a future Custom Line 140’, we’d love to add a little bar and seating forward to enjoy the fabulous views,” Boschi remarks.
In addition to the sun deck, De Vivo’s personal favourite space on board is the beach club. “The beach area at sea level is large and spacious. It can be freely furnished and has been designed for the owner and guests to have fun and relax. It’s a real plus,” he says. The beach club and garage layout can be altered to expand the beach club.
The expansive glazing and windows are showcased by internal lighting at night
Bigger, better and bolder is an apt summary of Custom Line’s cunning new flagship, as Paszkowski concludes.
“The 140’ represents a natural evolution of the Planing range. We tried to combine new design elements for the range, restyled with the functionality and technical expertise that has typified the success of Custom Line over the years.”
www.customline-yacht.com
www.ferrettigroupasiapacific.com
