The sea trial was pubblished in Superyacht 51 – Autumn 2016
The Viareggio yard Codecasa, the depository of a long tradition in the building of high quality ships and supplier to leaders in the world of fashion, from Giorgio Armani to partners Dolce & Gabbana, five years ago launched a new range they called “Vintage” due to its traditional flavour, which we could term new-classic, that has set a trend in terms of style both for the yard and the industry as a whole.
In the wake of the success of the first two Vintage range yachts, both 42 metres long, build number F73 christened Magari, launched in 2011, and build number F75 named Libra, launched in 2013, Cantieri Codecasa delivered this larger 50 metre version in July 2015.
This new Codecasa 50 Vintage, build number C121, named Gazzella, was, like its two smaller twin sisters, designed by the technical staff at Cantiere Codecasa in cooperation with a team of tried and tested architects, with the aim of striking the right balance between past and present.
For Gazzella, the first 50 metre in the Vintage range, the owner chose white for both hull and superstructure, the traditional colour for yachts until a few years ago, so underlining that traditional flavour referred to above.
The time-tested and consolidated working synergy between this shipbuilder and the architects Della Role, who have worked with this yard for decades, has made for a pleasantly and contemporarily classical look, articulated across three decks, with a fine balance in terms of the equilibrium of volumes. The shape of the main deck superstructure forward that blends so well with the bridge deck, the semi wide body solution that gives emphasis to the interior volume of the forward section, but also adds muscle to the external lines, the discreet and well devised solution for the open-air seating area forward of the helm station, the design for the sundeck, with its elegant mini-mast and an efficient yet unobtrusive hard top, are among the many stylistic features that give this top of the range Vintage a classical touch.
Its elegantly and soberly clean and traditional lines are matched by a classical and almost ostentatious interior that, in defiance of any kind of minimalism, linear designs, dull and sandy colours, give it that luxurious and opulent look that was the mark of great yachts past and that Codecasa rightly here proposes once again, being able to count on its incredibly high production standards, based on a network of first class craftsmen. As we enter this superyacht, we are indeed immediately taken by the richness of the interior, throughout in mahogany and feather weight mahogany veneer that lend a rich feel to the whole, with flooring that, depending on the area, ranges from precious marbles and onyx to elegantly decorated wall-to-wall carpeting. The main living room area includes an ample seating area with two large sofas, and four red and gold armchairs, set around a mahogany table placed in front of a 65” TV screen. The whole of the living room area receives floods of natural light through large window panelling, further enhanced by the continuity there is between this and the dining area, separated by just a low piece of furniture. The rectangular table in mahogany, the surface of which is richly decorated with maple wood inlays, can seat up to twelve guests. Beyond the dining area there is a pantry to port, which leads into the galley, equipped with the latest state-of-the-art appliances, ample storage space and a practical central-island working area.
A dumbwaiter, a small food elevator, links the pantry on the main deck to the one on the bridge deck. Proceeding to the right, we go from the dining area to the main hall, the floor of which is a spectacular play of marble inlays. This is where the main staircase starts, with its elegant bannister in dark iron with gold touches here and there, and walls entirely dressed in a fabric that combines gold-leaf with mother of pearl, that acts as a link to the deck above and the guest area on the lower deck. The lift, for four, also links all the decks, from the lower deck to the sundeck. Going forward along the main deck, we reach a VIP cabin, with bathroom en-suite, elegantly fitted out in tones of red and gold, and situated by the owner’s suite, which includes a study, large bedroom, a spacious dressing room and two bathrooms, dressed in honey coloured onyx, linked through the shower, the walls of which sport an elegant floral mosaic.
The lower deck includes four guest cabins, two with double bed and two with twin beds, all of course with bathroom en-suite, and the crew’s quarters, with four double cabins, a cabin for the chief engineer, a dinette, and a laundry area with three washing machines and three driers. Access to the deck below is through the crew’s quarters, with food and drink storage, including built to measure fridges and capacious cold-storage rooms. The bridge deck includes the helm controls station and opens onto a sky lounge, more intimate and less formal than the main living room area, with a comfortable seating area, a breakfast table and bar unit. Here the dominant colour is blue, chosen for both the marble table-top and the bar unit, as well as for the textiles on the walls and the decorations for the wall-to-wall carpet. This deck also includes a day head, a pantry and the captain’s quarters, directly linked to the radio and helm stations, the helm controls station being of course fully fitted out with the latest state-of-the-art electronics so as to give the captain every facility needed to ensure the safety of the owner and his guests.
The external areas across the various decks are all ample. There is a lovely open area at the stern of the main deck, whilst the bridge deck has a pleasant outdoor dining area, with seating for up to twelve guests. Lastly, the sundeck, which can also be reached by lift, has large sun pads, seating, a bar unit and a splendid Jacuzzi for five to six people, right up on the bow, surrounded by sun pads. Across the whole of the yacht special care has been given to the choice of satellite receivers, internet connections, and entertainment facilities.
The Castoldi 21’ jet tender makes for quick and comfortable trips ashore, whilst Zero Speed stabilisers provide comfort whatever the conditions, and Gazzella has two Caterpillar 3512C engines capable of delivering 2,365 HP each at 1,800 RPM, which allow it to reach a speed of 17.5 knots under light payload, and a fuel capacity of 140,000 litres for up to 5,000 miles at its cruising speed of 12 knots. And we here need to underline the impeccable way in which the engine room has been designed and set up, another important plus the yard provides its customers with. This engine room is not a showy number but it’s certainly quietly appreciated by both captain and crew, as it allows them to offer the owner and guests flawless functioning at the highest professional level.
For further info: Codecasa
by Roberto Franzoni