Cantiere delle Marche (CdM) has announced the launch of the 31-metre RJ102 explorer yacht, Mon Coeur.
The RJ102 stands as the smallest offering in the Italian shipyard's RJ Class explorer line, blending rugged capability with "refined elegance" in a smaller package. The model was developed in collaboration with Italian designer Francesco Paszkowski, who opted for a sinuous stern, recessed windows and a subtle flared bow to characterise the yacht's profile.
"We faced a puzzle when entrusted to design the RJ102: how do you preserve the commanding presence and go-anywhere confidence of a larger yacht in a rather small package? The answer arrives today," said Paszkowski. "The proportions are unmistakably RJ, that bold, purposeful profile [has] been translated into the form the owners asked for. Every line, every angle carries the family resemblance while speaking its own language.”
RJ102 recalls the range's main features, including an open-up stern with a wide stair, floor-to-ceiling window and transparent gunwales on the upper deck for panoramic ocean views. Other highlights include an upper deck dip pool with sundeck area and sizeable toy storage.
Accommodation is for nine guests across four guest cabins, including an owner's suite and a pullman berth in one cabin, alongside a crew of five. The exterior areas are extremely generous, according to the shipyard, with "cosy" interior spaces drawn by Giorgio M. Cassetta.
Cassetta explained: “Mon Coeur’s mission is to serve as a base camp for a couple exploring the world from aboard her. Every element of the interior design, from the expansive owner-operated galley to the warm, natural materials and textures and the organically shaped bespoke furniture, was conceived from the ground up for the owners. The style is both understated and elegant, yet warm and richly detailed."
Speaking of the yacht's layout, Cassetta added: "The highly-customised layout provides generous space for a deliberately limited number of guests, reinforcing the yacht’s role as a setting for meaningful experiences made all the more memorable through sharing them.”
Power for the new build is from twin Caterpillar C18 Acert IMO TIER III engines, offering a range of 3,500 nautical miles at 10 knots. Key specs include a beam of 7.3 metres and a full load displacement of 250t.
“We built this yacht for her owners, their vision,” said Vasco Buonpensiere, CdM's co-founder and CEO. “The RJ family had never ventured this compact before Mon Coeur came along. She exists because someone dreamed her, and both designer Paszkowski and CdM turned that dream into reality.”
The yacht's owners spoke at the launch: "Working with CdM to create Mon Coeur has been an absolute joy and truly the journey of a lifetime. From our very first meetings, the team’s dedication, expertise and collaborative spirit made every step of the process smooth, inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable. Together, we have built something extraordinary – a stunningly beautiful yacht that perfectly reflects our vision while delivering the quality and capability we dreamed of."
They continued: "Mon Coeur is more than a yacht; it’s the culmination of a wonderful partnership and the beginning of countless adventures ahead. We couldn’t be prouder or more grateful to the entire CdM family for helping us bring this dream to life."
The launch comes at a busy time for the shipyard, which celebrated the launch of the first 35-metre Deep Blue 115 yacht Octopus last month, following the news that CLP2 had successfully become the shipyard's majority shareholder.
Read More/CLP2 becomes majority shareholder of Cantiere delle Marche