During the 32nd edition of the Monaco Yacht Show, Hydro Tec presented Vanguard, the latest design in their explorer yacht range. The name Vanguard is inspired from a tradition in the British Navy, as, historically, at least one of the Queen’s ships would always carry this name.

“The Explorer concept – says Sergio Cutolo, president and founder of Hydro Tec – has noticeably changed over the last 10 years, making me want to take another step forward, concentrating in one single design all of my 25 years of experience. Nowadays the interior and exterior of a megayacht flow together, so there is a need to perfectly integrate all the various spaces. This is the only way to create grandeur. The interior spaces must be in direct communication with the exterior. At the same time all of the external areas need to be converted for use in cold climates. In short, megayachts must be versatile, flexible and adapted for use in all atmospheric conditions”

Vanguard is a majestic explorer, a castle in the water, a rock, inaccessible like Mont Saint Michel with its high walls, yet still offering, with its windows and terraces, an open view of the horizon.

THE DESIGN

Sixty-five metres long, Vanguard is on a displacement platform, increasing the width, distorting the vertical position of the various decks, creating a “below deck” that is far above the water line when at full load. In this manner, it is possible to have moveable terraces in line with the passenger cabins, conserving plenty of space in the lower deck. This is where the hold, engine room and technical room are located. On the lower deck, passengers have direct access to the beach area and spa, with a large, covered, heated pool.

The forward lower deck is occupied by crew cabins and cookhouse. The aft main deck is covered and reserved for the tender. Cranes and lateral doors allow for easy movement of support vessels and toys.

Moving forward is the main saloon which is connected to the dining room and TV/entertainment room. To the bow is the kitchen and pantry and access to the owner’s suite which includes a night area, large study, relaxation area and two terraces. On the upper deck is the bridge and a panoramic sky lounge, complete with cinema and external terrace. At this level, to the stern, is the heliport. The two upper levels have open saloons, served by a lift and dumbwaiter.

From a technical point of view, the vessel is equipped with two main MTU engines, connected by lineshaft and two fixed-rotor propellers, to which are added two electric engines, powered by the onboard network. This type of propulsion allows the megayacht to reach a maximum speed of around 10 knots in diesel-electric mode.