Rock Steady
When Ali Sayakci, the Turkish businessman, set out to build his new yacht Rock, his primary concern was how to ensure that she would be both sturdy and rugged, yet would also ooze sex appeal.
He turned to Vripack a Dutch based team of naval architects who have designed an extensive portfolio of explorer yachts.
Robin de Vries who works there gave him both form and function in what he wanted from a design from good engineering, high performance and sea going capability coupled with an outstanding, design flair.
The results are here in plain sight here at the Monaco Yacht Show. Rock is here on display
Rock ’s foundation stone is her Fast Displacement hull shape and her high, straight bow cuts through rough seas and yet her low aft section allows a close connection with the water for those on board.
At 24m in length, Rock is only just officially a superyacht, but walking up the passerelle feels like you’re boarding a yacht of 35m plus.
The space standards are incredible, the internal accommodation is generous and the deck areas are truly vast.
Owner Ali Sayakci observed that: Over the last few decades, everyone has been obsessed with the length of a yacht, I wanted a superyacht that packed comfort and floor space into a moderate size. While larger yachts may offer more physical space, at the same time they can alienate the passengers from a connection to the sea and to nature.”
He added, “Many of the explorer concepts I looked at did not meet the aesthetic and technical criteria I was looking for. Then Robin de Vries of Vripack introduced us to the concept of a SUV yacht and it was love at first sight.”
He went on “I loved her high straight bow that intercepts rough seas incredibly well and I really enjoy her low after end for its closeness to sea.”
The yacht’s contemporary interiors were also designed by the Vripack Studio. The asymmetrical, is at first strange but this open plan layout with its routing and furniture placement ensures that guests are always facing the sea, more like a modern loft than a traditional yacht.
Designer Robin De Vries explains: “Angular 3D shapes from the off white lacquered walls are contrasted with soft tactile couches while extensive use of marble creates a juxtaposition between the masculinity of the stone and the feminine shapes of the yacht. When you’re actually on board the yacht at sea it all makes sense.”
Built in Turkey by Evadne Yachts the project management for Rock was provided by Tufan and Brothers.
The yacht’s Fast Displacement hull allows for speeds up to 16 knots using twin CAT C12 engines at 1000hp and even at the more modest cruising speed of 12 knots she still boasts a Transatlantic range of 3000 Nm