Columbus Sport 50 K2

Superyacht 71-Autumn 2021

Built at the Ancona based shipyard, this is the latest ocean crossing custom yacht of the sport series thanks to high level technology she can use just 70 litres an hour. She can cruise in shallow waters since the draught is only a shade over two metres.

Columbus’s Yachts latest model from the Sport line is the 50 metre “K2” which hit the water at one of Gruppo Palumbo shipyards in Ancona in February last.

This new model perpetrates and confirms the success of this line since inception in 2013. The first model of the line was a hybrid 40 metre which received several mentions as well as the Show Boats Design Awards in 2014 at Wattens in Austria (where it received awards in the Interior Design categories, Environmental Protection and Holistic Design ones as well in the splendid backdrop of the Swarovski Cristal Worlds) and winner of the World Superyacht Awards 2016 edition with the following twin unit.

This “K2” will be debuting officially next September during the Monaco Yacht Show. It stands out of the chorus line made up of  smaller units of the same family but above all for its hybrid engines. The owner wanted a traditional drive system by equipping this yacht with a pair of MTU 16V2000 M96L engines with more than 5,000 HP at his disposal, offering its all aluminium build and a fully laden displacement of 340 tons and a declared top speed of 21.5 knots with a recommended cruising speed of 17 knots: respectfully adequate performances considering the yacht’s awesomeness but above all thankfulness for the good work carried out by the architectural and naval engineering Hydrotec studio collaborating with Palumbo Superyachts staff. Fuel consumption is noteworthy as well, at a constant speed of 10 knots only 70 litres an hour were used.

Decibel noise levels and recorded vibrations are also low at 85% performance where boat speed is approximately of 20 knots above all in guest sections where acoustic isolation is really excellent. The innovative vertical bow and transversal sections with twin chine guarantee a high level of comfort even in heavy weather.

The yacht’s draught of a little over 2.20 metres makes for an ideal yacht with which to explore shallow waters and to get close to landfalls where anchoring can be easier and more comfortable thanks to 4 Naiad “zero speed” stabilizer fins. 

Luca Dini’s studio initialled the project design work with dedicated importance given to details starting from the exterior look of the yacht’s silhouette which immediately betrays the yacht’s gutsy spirit making it appear elegantly sporty from bow to stern with loads of personal character and dynamism.

The returning expert owner requested several unprecedented solutions at his third project with Palumbo Superyachts.https://www.nautica.it/rivista/arretrati-superyacht/superyacht-n-71-autunno-2021/

On stepping on board we immediately appreciated the railings along the top sides which allowed us to reach the bow easily as well as the technical section dedicated to manoeuvres when preparing to drop the anchor and to reverse into the appropriate berth, the bosun’s locker, crane rescue boat and more are all there in the bow. 

Glazed and large surface areas lighten up the interiors along the main deck with plenty of natural light while offering great views of the surroundings which are also repeated on the upper deck which accommodates sunbathing areas for the joy of tan fans, a swimming pool with hydro massage, a bar cabinet and dining area as well. The sky lounge offers a games room with a bar and gaming table and a movie theatre with an 82 inch screen. 

The stern reveals a comfortable beach club/lounge with a generous beach platform equipped with deck chairs when lying to an anchor in a bay while a hydraulically operated retractable transformer ladder offers safe and comfortable descents to the water and back.

On the port side in the stern there’s a large gateway built into the topsides which when open enables a large 6.5 metre Castoldi Jet tender and a 3.31 metre Seadoo Jet ski to be launched and recovered accordingly.

The sober interiors are modern styled and refined which do not clash with ample use of precious materials and fine fabrics such as Tanganica essence, onyx and zyricote – and with complementary accessories by Fendi, Trussardi and Bentley home convey a very welcoming atmosphere every time.

The owner suite is spacious and contains every comfort possible, running full beam across of the main deck inclusive of an ample and well structured gym. “Cappuccino” coloured Onyx marble lines the bathroom and brings out the tub in ash wood a splendid artisanal piece of work which adds further personality to the environment.

The other 4 guest cabins – 3 doubles and a twin with an extra bed when needed are situated along the lower deck level. This amounts to 11 berths for guests, and a further 11 are for crew in 4 double cabins and in 3 singles in which to accommodate the captain, chief engineer and first officer. 

The helm controls station is fully integrated and modern with touch screen panels, very advanced technology delivers double Ecdis and is therefore paperless. There is also a small island at centre and guest/visitors sofa in addition to a pair of armchairs for the captain’s perusal while cruising and the first officer’s one as well. The winglets on each side while manoeuvring in restricted waters offer good visibility over the entire length of the superyacht and facilitate reversing in to berth also with precious assistance from a 99Kw bow thruster.

The engine room is easily accessed. It is also equipped with two 125Kw Kohler Gen. sets to handle all on board services. As for communication beyond the yacht, there are two Vsat Sailor 900 High Power capable of guaranteeing satellite connectivity from anywhere without blank spots it is also set up to take on 5g technology on board ship without further adaptations.

“K2” is available for charter parties in the Mediterranean Sea in this coming summer season. It also carries fuel enough to cross oceans with.

by Mario Allara

For further info: Columbus