The 40.6-metre Newcastle Marine motor yacht ZeXplorer has been sold in-house at Fraser and renamed Arya. Georges Bourgoignie and Antoine X. Larricq of Fraser USA represented the seller in the deal, while Marco Fodale of Fraser Monaco introduced the buyer.
Described as the ultimate "US-built, US-designed, ice-strengthened, steel-hulled explorer", ZeXplorer was delivered in 2013 by Florida-based shipyard Newcastle Marine. Sparkman & Stephens and Murray & Associates were responsible for her exterior design, while her interiors were penned by Christina Norris.
The news comes two months after a $3,500,000 price reduction to her sales listing, which totalled the deductions to $4,450,000 since she entered the brokerage market in September 2024.
In 2020, Arya began a substantial cosmetic and mechanical refit, with works including a hull extension. Her interiors were completely redesigned by Norris, and the result is a comfortable and luxurious scheme throughout.
On the main and lower decks, the classic modern décor includes notes of white and cream contrasted with rich mahogany and teamed with light-coloured, rich wool carpeting over black oak floors. Large tempered storm-proof windows flood light into the saloon, dining area and lower deck cabins.
Accommodation on board is for an owner's party of 12 across six cabins. The owner's suite is situated on the lower deck and is the furthest aft of all the guest cabins, isolated from the noise of the engine room by the bathroom. Taking advantage of the yacht’s full beam, it has three large, tempered fixed glass windows on each side, filling the room with light and offering impressive views out to the sea.
Aft of the owner’s suite, and accessed from either side of the bed, is a luxurious marble-adorned bathroom with a Kohler Jacuzzi tub, dual sinks and a large steam glass-encased shower. The bathroom is flanked by walk-in wardrobes with ample hanging and drawer space.
Lower deck accommodations feel equally spacious with wall treatments in light grey silk fabric and custom marble bathrooms, which are individually unique to each cabin.
The aft deck area was redesigned later in 2022 to include a large teak dining table and U-shaped seating area for 12 guests. On the port side are steps down to the expansive swim/stern platform, which is an excellent launching area for dive expeditions and toy deployment. A watertight door accesses a large stern garage/lazarette area, which contains Seabobs, bicycles, SCUBA bottles and dive gear.
On the upper deck, the sociable sky lounge is light and bright, decorated in a relaxing white satin finish with a large, plush grey L-shaped sofa allowing seating for six to eight people. Forward of the lounge is a large day head and the VIP cabin, which has a king-sized bed and expansive views out of two large windows.
Up top lies the expansive sundeck: key details here include significant shading from the large arch, seated dining for 12, a bar with a custom barbecue, sun lounging areas and an eight-person hot tub surrounded by raised sunpads. The entire sundeck is protected from the wind and weather with bulwarks and glass.
The 432GT BV-classed motor yacht is powered by twin Caterpillar C32 660hp engines, giving her a top speed of 13.5 knots and a range of 4,500 nautical miles at her cruising speed of 11.5 knots. Noise levels throughout the yacht are kept to a minimum thanks to vibration and sound-dampening efforts by Sundown.
Arya was last asking $10,000,000 with US duty paid.