By: Craig Barnett Photography: Klaus Jordan THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS… …and what we found there. In Lewis Caroll’s enduring and endearing contribution to 19th Century literary nonsense–Alice in Wonderland–the Cheshire Cat fades until it disappears entirely, leaving only its wide grin. Having just returned from St Thomas, USVI’s after an enchanting day aboard Solandge, our grin has yet to fade. Available for charter, has the yard once again produced a classic that will be treasured for generations to com

LURSSEN 279’: MY SOLANDGE > SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 279’2” (85.10m) WATER JET PROPULSION UNIT: Brunvoll, 240KW FRESH WATER CAPACITY: 10,566 US Gal/day (40,000L/d) CONSTRUCTION: Steel/Aluminum STABILIZERS: Quantum QC 2600 XT Fins AIR CONDITIONING: Heinen + Hopmann GUEST ACCOMMODATION: 12 in six cabins BUILDER: Lürssen Yachts EXTERIOR DESIGNER: Espen Oeino PROPELLERS: 2x Piening 5-blade high skew FPP INTERIOR DESIGNER: Aileen Rodriguez “To keep, through all her riper years, the simple and loving heart of her childhood,” is the admirable ambition of the title character of Alice In Wonderland. Stories,...

e aft section of the owner's deck (left), designed to stimulate and invigorate. package that offers the attractive benefits of reduction in development lead time and costs for owners. The hull form and engineering may be the footprint upon which this line of yachts stands, but in no way can they be considered ‘a series’ as each is entirely custom and posses a unique individual character. The briefest of comparisons between the yachts Valerie, Solandge, Pacific, Ace, Pheonix II and Quatroelle confirms this. Admittedly this shared platform approach is not a new one–indeed it is quite common–but...

TRAVIS LUDBROOK SOLANDGE’S CHIEF ENGINEER LURSSEN 279’: MY SOLANDGE At what stage were you involved in the build project Travis and how was the experience at Lürssen? This was my second build and I am familiar with the owner’s requirements having also served aboard Polar Star, so I was involved right from the start. Once we started engineering I move with the family to Kiel, Germany to be close to the Lürssen yard in Rendsburg. We were provided an office on-site during the engineering stage and once the hull and superstructure were married we moved into another office in the shed, to be right...

THE 'TREE OF LIFE' IS A STUNNING 50' TALL CONVERSATION PIECE THAT CONNECTS SIX OF SOLANDGE'S SEVEN DECKS... white cleverly highlighting the sweeping contour of her Flag Blue hull. Aft coamings and vertical surfaces have also been finished in blue, so the white upper decks are picked out with a delicacy that avoids the heavy ‘wedding cake effect’ prevalent in so many marinas around the world. From the extension of the forward overhang of the owner’s stateroom, to topping out with the rakish radar mast and stainless-steel funnels arrays, Espen Oeino has infused his exterior design with balanced...

TIME WITH… RICHARD MASTERS OWNERS REPRESENTATIVE COMPANY AND YACHT MANAGEMENT LURSSEN 279’: MY SOLANDGE Congratulations on the successful management of a wonderful build, how do you judge the overall experience for yourself, the build team and the owner? It was a pleasure to work with Lürssen, exterior designer Espen Oeino Design, Rodriguez Interiors and Dolker&Voges in a creative and solution orientated environment. Always striving to give the Owner his dream, with her striking exterior lines and her unique Interior Any particular challenges faced? One of our challenges was the idea of a Perspex...

A yacht’s toy inventory is a primary consideration for charter clients and Solandge’s is amongst the best in the business. Three Yamaha Waverunners and a stand-up Superjet, three Seabobs, a jet RIB, fishing equipment, and a Centurion tow-boat for wakesurfing, wakeboarding, waterskiing and tubing ensure there’s plenty to keep one occupied on the water. For scuba enthusiasts Solandge doesn’t just posses a dedicated dive room with enough equipment to kit up her full compliment of 12-guests, she’s also a fully certified PADI Dive Centre so the uninitiated can enjoy expert tuition and gain fully accredited...

THE MAIN SALON DEMONSTRATES INTERIOR DESIGNER AILEEN RODRIGUEZ'S CONSIDERABLE TALENTS IN CREATING A MAGICAL AND LUXURIOUS ENVIRONMENT...

THE FORMAL DINING AREA IS LOCATED ON THE MAIN DECK, BUT MOST OF THE TALENTED CHEF’S CREATIONS ARE ENJOYED ON THE SHELTERED AFT TERRACE OF THE DECK ABOVE...

temperature, charts, wind and weather data prior to dipping a toe in the ocean. A sauna has also been included in this area, perfectly convenient for a relaxing wind-down after the day’s exertions. The bathing platform also enjoys a natural connection with the cockpit, thanks to the wide central transom staircase; a feature carried over from the owner’s previous yacht, Polar Star (also designed by Espen Oeino). It’s obviously an arrangement that works well in practice. EXPANSIVE EXTERIOR LIVING It sounds obvious, but the greatest benefit of yachting is the ability to visit some of the world’s...

Coupled with air conditioning al fresco dining can be enjoyed aboard Solandge in most climatic conditions. A yacht naturally swings bow to wind while at anchor, so the breeze over the dining area can also be moderated using the glass doors that divide the deck from the lateral walkways. This is particularly useful in the evening as the likelihood is you’ll be enjoying dinner here too–in reality the interior formal dining areas are rarely used on yachts– and this is when Solandge’s remarkable lighting design demonstrates its ability to transform the ambience. Under-tread lighting on the staircases,...

THE OWNER'S SUITE, COMPLETE WITH PANORAMIC GLAZING, TWO PRIVATE FIXED BALCONIES AND A TERRACE WITH JACUZZI... IT'S SENSATIONAL.