Boat of the Week: This Ludicrous Glass-Encased Catamaran Was the Star of the Monaco Yacht Show
As conversation starters go, Tecnomar’s 143-foot catamaran This Is It rules the roost. The futuristic silver design was the talk of the show last month in Monaco, where Robb Report was among the first to step aboard. With nearly 6,500 square feet of full-height glass windows and a curvaceous asymmetric interior that claims inspiration from both sea creatures and the automotive world, it’s perhaps the most interesting—and polarizing—yacht to launch this year.
Love it or loathe it, there’s no denying that This Is It is like no other yacht. In profile, a sweeping arch surrounds a bank of clear glass with a long side balcony, specifically for the owner, on the upper deck. From the stern, stepped access leads to a large asymmetric open-plan aft deck—the most uninterrupted space on the vessel. It’s overlooked by the upper deck balcony, which has views onto a central pool and lounging sunpads that span the full width of the yacht’s 48-foot beam.
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It’s less catamaran, more floating island, with an optimized hull for hydrodynamic efficiency and reduced fuel consumption. For the owner, Tasos Papanastasiou, a self-made Cypriot, it was love at first sight, says Signe Putna, marketing specialist at The Italian Sea Group.
“The owner was originally interested in building another yacht, but when we showed him our designs for the catamaran, he pointed to it and said, “This is it!”, Putna told Robb Report during a tour of the yacht. “He found his dream boat, and in the process, the yacht’s name as well.”
The main aft deck blends seamlessly with the inside living area to create one complete space that’s open to the elements. When the weather turns bad, large floor-to-ceiling doors close it off. In the main salon, a looping backlit crystal chandelier hangs above a curved cocktail bar. Sociable zones are defined by shapes, rather than walled divides. For example, a starboard seating nook filled with a stretched sofa and oversized TV creates an indoor cinema vibe. On the other side is a formal dining area for 12 guests.
“This Is It was born not as a concept study but as a yacht to be built,” Papanastasiou said in a statement. “Therefore, the yacht’s design had to be feasible even if it is completely new in terms of contents and style.”
And new it is. The complex curved shape of the aluminum superstructure pushed the Italian builder to its limits. Weight control was a major factor in the engineering, especially considering the large amount of glass used in the project. A slight change in displacement could significantly impact drag, trim, and speed.
It’s the significant use of onboard glass that sets the design apart, including floor-to-ceiling windows and strategically placed skylights. Despite this, the heart of the interior feels dark and warren-like, a feeling that is mitigated with the use of lots of back lighting and LED strip lighting on the stairwells and alcoves.
One of the largest skylights sits 11 feet above the bed in the light-filled master suite. The king-sized bed is positioned in the middle of the room, facing out to sea. A private balcony forward with glass balustrades keeps lines of sight clear. The vertical garden spans two decks, mimicking the ambiance of a coastal villa. Behind the bed, tucked out of sight by the headboard, is a desk, a separate vanity station, and a mirrored walk-in wardrobe.
The spaceship theme continues in the master bathroom design, which has a large chequerboard skylight, and the oversized galley equipped with polarized glass for when the yacht is used to host culinary demonstrations and show cooking.
A further five guest cabins, each with en suites, mean This Is It sleeps a total of 12 guests. There is also accommodations for a crew of 12, along with a day head on every level.
On the upper deck is a spa with a dedicated treatment area, sauna and sensorial shower. Adjacent is a children’s playroom that can convert to an extra cabin when additional guest accommodations is required. “The owner wasn’t looking for a multi-hull yacht, but he truly fell in love with the design,” says Putna.
The interior, penned by Mattia Piro and Gian Marco Campanino of the Italian Sea Group, features leather, Alcantara suede, oak, and gray marble inserts. Silk panels line the walls. The ceilings are painted in metallic finishes, including bronze, platinum, and gold. The yacht is characterized by a mix of “sinuous shapes” and “decisive geometric cuts,” according to the shipyard, and that is perhaps an understatement.
“Naturally, what applies to external lines also applies to interior styling,” says Campanino. “Smooth, cocooning and curvilinear are perfect words to describe the interior of the yacht, plus a touch of pure luxury due to the use of sophisticated and precious materials.”
This is It comes into its own by night. Neon blue lights trace the arch of the superstructure, while white downlights and LED strip lights accentuate every line.
Following the Monaco Yacht Show, This Is It, sold and project managed by IYC, returned to the shipyard for final touchups. After delivery early next year, it will be available to charter via IYC, becoming the world’s largest charter catamaran.
Italian builder Tecnomar has had a string of interesting launches in the last two years, including the very popular Lamborghini 63 by Tecnomar, which showed that the Italian brand can build large and small yachts.
Click here for more images of This Is It.
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