Custom Line is known for producing custom-made, high-end superyachts for the most discerning clientele, and this doesn’t stop with the brand’s sporty and contemporary 42.6-metre flagship — the Custom Line 140', the largest yacht built by the shipyard to date for the planing line.
BOAT International caught up with designer Francesco Paszkowski to learn more about how the yacht’s design sets her apart from other vessels in this size bracket.
What was your inspiration for the Custom Line 140'?
When we were asked to design the new Custom Line planing line, it included three models: Custom Line 106', Custom Line 120' and Custom Line 140'. The brief was to restyle the successful previous Custom Line planing models by designing a yacht that could balance generous onboard spaces with optimal performance, creating a leader in this size segment.
We focused on the following key elements: keeping the tradition of the previous successful Custom Line planing line while highlighting some distinctive features, such as the huge outdoor spaces and, in the meantime, introducing new distinctive design elements; and enhancing the contact with the surrounding environment by reducing any boundaries between the exterior and interior.
The Custom Line 140' is the brand’s planing line flagship—what sets this yacht apart from other Custom Line models?
We aimed at designing 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. These aspects are much more obvious in the layout of the 140' compared to the other two models, which are inspired by contemporary luxury furnishing codes and the brand’s signature expansive external areas.
Aside from adding a dynamic flair to the side of the vessel, the windows also meet the third guiding principle behind the project: increasing contact with the sea by keeping any barriers between the interior and exterior as minimal as possible. The large windows play an important role in this. 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 examples of this with floor-to-ceiling glazing. Even around the sides of the interior, there is plenty of contact with the sea.
Can you expand any further on the decisions behind the colour scheme? Did you have a specific interior theme in mind?
As well as the exterior design, the interior – which we created in collaboration with Margherita Casprini – was designed according to the whole design philosophy: reduce the boundaries between the exterior and interior; and enhance the harmony of style throughout the whole interior. The best example of this is the continuity between the interior and exterior on the main deck and the upper deck through the large windows. The lower guest cabins also contribute to achieving this goal by placing the beds in front of the windows. Large windows contribute to flooding the interior with natural light and enhancing the colours of the décor.
The brief was for a calming space based on relaxed, natural tones. We chose just a few materials to create an elegant, sober and contemporary vibe – oak floors combined with gloss lacquered surfaces, hard leather for the ceilings, and marble (Orobico and Giallo Etrusco) for the bathrooms. The result is an elegant, contemporary décor in light shades for the main fabrics, sometimes contrasted by dark hues.
This is also achieved through custom-made furniture combined with pieces from Italian brands. There are sofas, armchairs and coffee tables by Minotti, pieces from Flou, armchairs in the owner’s suite by Casamilano, and the desk table in the owner’s office by Flexform. We also combined fabrics with hard leather, and glass is used in both transparent or lightly grey-coloured finishes for doors and the table in the dining room. The door handles are by the Italian brand, Olivari, and the bathroom fittings are by Zazzeri.
What is your favourite feature on board?
I like most the huge social areas. They are plentiful and wide enough to enjoy the open air at any moment of the day or during cruising. There’s the secluded sunbathing area forward on the main deck or the sun deck where you can choose a sheltered space in the centre or a sunbathing area with the pool aft. I also love the nice feeling you get when seated inside in front of the huge windows – it looks like you sat outside but you’re instead enjoying the beautiful view from a comfortable sofa inside.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in the design process?
The yacht represents a natural evolution of the Custom Line planing line. Keeping in line with the family feeling of the Custom Line 140' was the last step in an interesting and thrilling design process. The challenging part was combining new design elements with the same functionality and technical expertise that has determined the success of Custom Line over the years.
Have you designed any other vessels similar to this one?
We have been designing custom and semi-custom yachts, planing and displacement, in fibreglass and aluminium, since the beginning of the 1990s. Shipyards or owners who charge us for designing their yachts are looking for something unique. Every interior is fully customised on board large yachts. As for the exterior, the Custom Line 140' belongs to the latest planing line of the brand, so she is similar to her younger sisters.
To find out more about the sensational Custom Line 140', contact the shipyard directly today.
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