The classic 42m/138ft motor yacht ISTROS is set to join the world of private yacht charter as she nears the end of an extensive rebuild by Feadship.
The custom motor yacht was built back in 1954 by Dutch shipyard de Vries Lentsch. At the time ISTROS, meaning inspiration, was one of the largest and most advanced motor yachts on the seas. Her radar system and onboard telephone were particularly unusual.
Whilst many details are still shrouded in secrecy, Feadship has designed a vessel that retains the original heritage of ISTROS, but has transformed her into a family-oriented and child-friendly yacht ready for charter.
The Van Geet Design interiors are a blend of contemporary and vintage elements in a Scandinavian style. Elsewhere there are several nice touches that retain her classic feel, for instance a Kymeta flat satellite panel has been cleverly integrated into her chimneys, meaning there is no visible satellite dome, something that is often associated with modern yachts.
Commenting on the rebuild, Tristan le Brun, Captain of ISTROS, stated; "The whole idea behind Istros, when we found the hull, was to create a gentleman’s yacht that combined a classic soul with modern conveniences. The owner loves technical stuff and with help from Feadship we’ve pushed it even further, because in some ways she’s actually ahead of her time, which is fantastic for a 65-year-old hull."
The rebuild of the classic yacht began in earnest in early 2018 when the superstructure was removed and hull stripped at a shipyard in Malta, before it made its way to Feadship’s Makkum shipyard last spring. Here Feadship fitted a new aluminium superstructure and made the decision to substitute one of the onboard generators with an eco-friendly micro turbine.
The use of a micro turbine perfectly suits ISTROS as a charter yacht, as it ensures no emissions, silent operation and no vibrations. ISTROS can therefore arrive in a marina and stay on generator power without disturbing neighbouring boats.
The impressive nature of the Feadship rebuild can be seen in the construction of a new engine room for the twin C18 engines, C4.4 diesel generator and Capstone DC560 gas turbine generator. These modern engines take up much less space than the two original, huge Crossley engines that weighed 18 tons each.
The whole idea behind Istros, when we found the hull, was to create a gentleman’s yacht that combined a classic soul with modern conveniences. The owner loves technical stuff and with help from Feadship we’ve pushed it even further, because in some ways she’s actually ahead of her time, which is fantastic for a 65-year-old hull.
The resulting, smaller, engine room has created room on the lower deck for four staterooms aft of the engine room, and a generous crew mess, large laundry and accommodation for seven crew forward. The owner’s stateroom is forward on the main deck, with a third multipurpose lounge with bathroom on the bridge deck, that can act as an extra guest cabin when ISTROS is on charter.
With the Feadship rebuild project now nearing completion, ISTROS is expected to complete sea trials and see delivery in the coming weeks.
To find out how you can be amongst the first to book ISTROS, contact your preferred yacht charter broker.
More Yacht Information
138ft
De Vries Lentsch
1954 / 2020
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