Nuvolari Lenard’s first SUB-500 GT S1 Superyacht stands ready for launch

new superyacht superyachts design
The SUB-500 GT S1 Superyacht will be completed in the summer and will be a star of the Monaco Yacht Show in September.

When renowned Venetian design studio Nuvolari Lenard brought all its experience and expertise to bear on a new series of beautifully considered superyachts, the result was a tour de force of concepts ranging from the 47 metre NL S1 to the Nuvolari Lenard Plus range from 52 to 65 metres. Now, the first of those inspired designs – the 47-metre S1 – is about to be launched as it nears completion at the Mengi Yay shipyard in Turkey. The yacht, soon to be followed by a twin, will be completed in the summer and will be a star of the Monaco Yacht Show in September.

That experience and expertise of the studio team has coalesced into a stunning steel and aluminium yacht for expert yachtsmen who want to experience everything the blue planet has to offer. Indeed, the S1 project arose following the request of a very experienced owner who want to capture not just the essence of a larger vessel but also its deck and interior spaces in a sub-50-metre and – crucially – sub-500GT package. The advantages are clear – the S1 is a yacht that offers the luxury, versatility, range and capability of a 60-metre yacht but in a smaller, Med-friendly package.

The beach club and the very large cockpit

The owner’s deck boasts an aft-facing suite the benefits from the great upper-deck vantage point for a view to die for, with an expansive ensuite that also offers big vistas thanks to large windows. The main cabin leads out onto the upper aft deck, which affords a long private terrace that can also be sheltered from the wind and the elements under the extended shade of the sundeck overhead thanks to glass panels that slide aft. The result is a versatile deck area that, much like a winter garden, can offer all-season inside-outside living.

Guests are equally in for a treat, with the S1 offering four double ensuite cabins on the lower deck, two of which can be transformed by way of a moveable partition into an exceptional VIP suite. Moreover, the S1 is a yacht for all generations as it features an elevator – a rarity for yachts in this size bracket.

Guests of all ages will no doubt also be taken with the social areas, which include a private forward saloon on the main deck with an open balcony overlooking the sea. This versatile lounge can serve as a study, cinema, spot for music or simply a space for relaxation – aided, of course, by a large, glazed wine cellar that stores bottles in a controlled environment.

On deck there’s just as much to fall in love with. The beach club and the very large cockpit entirely covered by the sun are the playground where owner and guests can enjoy a vast array of sea-related activities. The cockpit is equipped with a folding bulwark and retractable crane capable of lifting 2.6 tons – it can accommodate a large tender, or even a car, while leaving more than half of the space free for the sofa and bar area. It’s an ideal place to host a party with many guests, as well as to enjoy intimate family time.

Creating the ultimate in luxury

The S1’s sundeck is one of the largest in this category of yachts. That the S1 achieves all this without appearing cumbersome or bloated is testament to the genius of the Nuvolari Lenard team. “Her lines do reflect a certain masculinity, with a powerful, high bow and an unmistakeable aft characterised by a transformer platform and water sports area,” explains Dan Lenard, Designer and Co-Founder of the Studio Nuvolari Lenard. “But she also has her graceful, feminine touches too, from her sleek and elegant profile to her serene interior design – realised by the Nuvolari Lenard team with artistic direction by Valentina Zannier. Wood and bronze feature, with the warm and reassuring tones balancing the abundance of light coming in through the expansive yawns of glass in the superstructure, creating the ultimate in luxury while eschewing ostentation.”

It’s not just in her looks, design and layout that the S1 impresses. The hull is a masterpiece of efficiency and comfort, coming from the boards of the renowned Van Oossanen naval architecture practice in the Netherlands. Engineering and systems have also been considered for long-term cruising practicality, with an engine room accessible from a proper control room which holds all the electrical panels. Additionally, with plenty of space for stores – including a large locker for dive equipment, and a refrigerated locker for waste storage – and easy-to-get-to technical compartments, the S1 is an engineer’s dream.

Further, the Mengi Yay shipyard has beautifully realised the construction, including the polished stainless steel, enthusiastically following Nuvolari Lenard’s design.