A Cut Above the Rest: Abeking's 68m SOARING

“About two weeks before the superyacht was to be handed over, half of Europe was engulfed into a ‘lockdown’ caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” explains Jörg Kleymann, Senior Project Manager at Abeking & Rasmussen. The German shipyard swiftly implemented elaborate safety and hygiene measures and followed a two-shift production approach, with the help of a crisis management team, to ensure the superyacht remained on schedule. “It was simultaneously an extremely challenging time and a bold demonstration of the efficiency and flexibility of Abeking & Rasmussen, even under the harshest of conditions,” revealed Kleymann.

Soaring is a bespoke superyacht built for an experienced owner with a demanding brief. Some of the requests of the owner included a private owner’s deck with an aft looking grand master suite, the biggest possible tender and a gym complete with a wellness centre with direct access to the water.

Selected to make this dream possible was the Bremen-based studio Focus Yacht Design, who created an impressive design characterised by a harmonious and contemporary exterior and an elegant grey-white colour scheme. Soaring’s signature aesthetic feature is a striking line which stretches for the entire length of the superyacht, from the bow to the swim platform. The aesthetic affect of the line has pleased designer Thomas Mühe, who stated that he had “experimented with this solid line, stretching the entire length of the superyacht for many years. And it all, finally, came together in Soaring.”

Another distinctive feature of Soaring’s design is the bow side windows, acting as a unified and solid feature which lends the superyacht an element of dynamics. “Our goal was not to put together a selection of attractive details,” continued Mühe, “but to create a coherent and harmonious whole that was to be simultaneously impressive and imposing but most of all a reflection and representation of the owner’s central life themes and requests. Early on it was clear that the owner valued originality and had no interest in a yacht that could easily be mistaken for another.”

The steel and aluminium superyacht has a volume of 1541 GT and is powered by two 1492kW MTU engines. Comfort at sea is provided by two Schottel thrusters and Naiad Zero Speed stabilizers ensure that there are never any disturbances to the guests’ enjoyment of the superyacht.

There is plenty of luxury amenities and activities for the Owner and their guests to immerse themselves in onboard Soaring. The lower deck hosts an expansive beach club with direct access to the swim platform, covering a total of 74sqm including the adjoining wellness centre.

Connected to the wellness centre through a lobby is the gym, which has been installed with a ballet barre and refreshment bar. The gym is complete with top-quality machinery, including a rowing machine, spinning bike and in-floor treadmill. Yoga classes can also be taken with a professionally trained Soaring stewardess. For a little indulgence after sporting activity, Soaring has a large hammam port side and a massage room starboard side. Those looking for a little more adventurous sport on the water will find a huge arsenal of water toys in the 25sqm starboard stowage.

Soaring’s aft deck has a dining table for 12, and in order to provide privacy for the owner and guests in busy marinas, a sideboard with retractable frosted glass panel provides visual cover if needed. The superyacht boasts opulent interiors which will have guests feeling truly relaxed and at home. The guest accommodation is made up of four 20sqm rooms, consisting of three doubles and one room with twin single beds, as well as one luxurious VIP room. Each room embodies a particular theme of Nautilus, Ginkgo, Turtle and Bamboo, reflected in the bed heads and travertine inlays in the bathrooms. The VIP cabin is located at the end of the passageway, and is complete with an en suite and separate dressing room with a water lily theme throughout.

The upper aft deck is dedicated as the Owner’s private area of the superyacht, as planned from the beginning of the design. Spanning 82sqm, the master suite can be accessed through an 11sqm private office. The minimal furnishings reflect the concept of open spaces and free spirit which has been consistent throughout this superyacht. The Owner will enjoy their own private aft deck, while a library on the same deck can be completely dimmed to be used as a cinema.

Ocean Independence AG manages Soaring both operationally and for sale and chartering. Peter Hürzeler, Managing Partner of Ocean Independence, commented: “We are happy to be able to offer a new and premium-quality vessel with Soaring. The design, the layout and, of course, the quality of this 68-metre yacht engineered by one of the most prestigious yards worldwide into a very attractive offer in this very popular size.”

Soaring is available for charter for between 800,000 and 850,000 Euros per week, according to the season. The delivery of this magnificent superyacht makes another fine addition to the Abeking & Rasmussen fleet, and we are excited to see her in cruising action soon.