aviva 98m superyacht

By SuperyachtNews 13 Jan 2017

Abeking and Rasmussen launches 98m Aviva

German shipyard abeking and rasmussen has launched its largest yacht to date, 98m m/y aviva….

One year on from the launch of 72.5m M/Y Cloudbreak , German shipyard Abeking and Rasmussen has launched its largest yacht to date, 98m M/Y Aviva . The Yacht, which is currently sitting on the water outside the facility in Lemwerder, will now be prepared for an extensive period of sea trials prior to her delivery later this year.

For the launch, which Abeking and Rasmussen spent a number of weeks planning, a large pontoon was acquired from Norway and positioned it in front of the new build hall. A hydraulic platform trailer with 60 wheels combined with a winch was then used to move the yacht steadily onto the pontoon.

Designed by Reymond Langton the project team also worked closely with designer Toby Silverton on the exterior. Inside the yacht a modern interior conceals a full-sized tennis court, 20m x 10m x 6m high. Research and testing has enabled powerful looking yacht to maintain superior seakeeping abilities and reduce drag by 20 per cent. As a result, less engine output is required, fuel consumption is dramatically reduced.

With a the maximum speed of 20 knots a hybrid drive system has been implemented enabling the vessel to reach 11 knots without the use of the main engines, using only electric motors.

The 98m superyacht is intended to be more than just a pleasure craft for occasional cruising; Aviva , which has been described as a ‘floating office’, will be home to the experienced owner, Mr Joe Lewis, Chairman of the Tavistock group, for the better part of the year.

In a recent interview with Bond Technology Management, Lewis converses the how he intends to use the yacht, “ Aviva is more than just an office; it’s also my home for much of the year.”

According to Abeking and Rasmussen’s sales director Till von Krause, he is not just happy because of the efficient timings, but “because of the vast planning programme, meaning that the shipyard was able to launch the yacht within 33 months of signing the contract.”

In addition to Aviva , Abeking and Rasmussen has another 74m yacht under construction, which is scheduled for delivery in 2018.

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Abeking & Rasmussen Schiffs und Yachtwerft Aktiengesellschaft

Reymond Langton Design Ltd

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This review will focus on the engineering feats and design features that make Aviva so innovative. Design leader Toby Silverton and project manager Brendon O’Sullivan were also behind the original 68-meter Aviva, a boat that broke new ground in superyacht design. These gentlemen have been generous in sharing their time and information for the inside story and background on the build of the new 98-meter Aviva, a yacht that sets new precedents in superyacht stability and efficiency. The construction included four days of tank testing, a myriad of engineers, selection of the right build yard and consultants, and the willingness to be cutting edge in design.

The owner’s directives were to build the new Aviva in less than 3 years, a monumental task given the standard time frame of 4½ years for a yacht of this magnitude. In addition to making stability and efficiency a top priority, it also had to house the best indoor padel court in the world. The mandates were sent to nine shipyards, but only two responded with one hesitatingly. Abeking & Rasmussen, looking to keep the owner as satisfied with this M/Y Aviva as the 68 meter they previously built for him, employed Reymond Langton once again for the interior and exterior styling, engaging the talents of Toby Silverton as head of design while Brendon O’Sullivan’s engineering skills and experience were utilized as project manager.

Aesthetically beautiful and unusually elegant were the owner imperatives, including an unusual paint that simulates a metallic color. Metallics can be difficult to blend in spot areas if touch-ups are needed. To facilitate future paint work, faceted panels were devised so each curved or flat intersecting plate creates a natural tape line for localized refinishing. The blue/gray hull and the silver superstructure provide a flow that emphasizes the refined sheer rather than the elongation of size.

The simplicity of the style camouflages the intricacies of design. Take note of the uniqueness of the radar mast, lack of stanchions, absence of rubrails, oversized side decks, etc. But the hull design, which isn’t readily visible above the waterline, revolutionizes hull stability, water resistance, and efficiency. The patented hull is narrowed considerably at the waterline but is full beam above and below the surface. The waterline significantly tapers towards the stern which makes the width of the stern half of the beam at amidships. The end result: resistance was reduced by an incredible 30 percent!

Not just another pretty beach club, Aviva's swim platform is designed to aid in stability. How? By incorporating flow channels into the platform that fill with water when the boat pitches in heavy seas. The weight of this accumulated water helps dampen pitching, yet flows out of the recessed channels as the stern lifts, making physics and natural resources work simply and symbiotically.

The hydraulic platform folds up encasing Aviva's sailboat-like stern. The shallow deadrise of the stern works in conjunction with the plumb bow to reduce pitching while adding longitudinal stability and reducing wave-making resistance. The holes on the side of the beach platform are to reduce buoyancy so the door can be submerged during tender launching ops.

An airfoil is mounted to the top of the exhaust funnel to create a low pressure area aft of the wing, drawing the exhaust up, over and away from the aft decks while underway. See the 2nd photo in this review: the profile shot shows the aggressive angle of attack of the airfoil and the practicality of the design. It was important to have the main funnel cross ventilated otherwise you have vortex that dropped the soot over the rear and side decks. This required a large intake area at the forward end of the funnel to equalize the pressure. In a side wind, the funnel effectively works like a rudder, adding directional stability to the yacht, much like the vertical tail on an airplane.

Narrow corridors and companionways were nixed in favor of the yacht’s exceptionally wide 56’43” beam. The entire yacht is a workout at sea with wide decks and gradual staircases designed for crew to do cardio and the owner to leisurely stroll around the yacht with little to no interruption to the walking path.

Contemporary styling was another owner directive. Stainless steel, carbon fiber, and Esthec decking all contribute to the ultra-modern theme, but Aviva is also about functionality. Notice the curves and rounded edges around the superstructure? This isn't simply an aesthetic exercise, it's designed to work with the elements, reducing windage and drag. With the exception of cushions on outer deck seating, the exterior materials are designed to weather time. You will notice the absence of wood throughout the yacht, except on occasional furniture.

The aft ends of the decks have seamless glass sans stanchions to contribute to the modern appearance as well as allowing for unobstructed views. Every line, curve, and placement of doors and windows were given attention to contributing towards the sleek and cohesive effect. The spine of the staircase is a compound curve. Easy to do with 1 inch pipe. Not so much with 1 foot pipe!

In keeping with Aviva's theme of form meets function, the paint colors are used to enhance the flow of lines, but the trailing edges of the upper aft deck overhangs use dark metallic black trim. It's a nice contrasting accent, but the real reason for this is to aesthetically reduce to the proportions of the side profile making Aviva look sleeker. Aviva's flag staff is yet another piece of art onboard this boat. Designed to simulate the deicing element of an aircraft wing, the leading edge is lined with a stainless boot.

There are very few straight lines anywhere on this boat. Aviva purposely uses curves to enhance flow, whether it be fluid or pedestrian. Same with Aviva's seating, which is also curved, along with most interior walls, ceilings and accoutrements. Unfortunately, no interior images are permitted to be published.

Welcome to the bridge, Captain Kirk. Command central on Aviva was patterned after the bridge on the Starship Enterprise. There are subtle design elements throughout the wheelhouse that hint at a ship that has explored distant galaxies. While there were no Vulcans onboard, we are convinced that YF's K1W1 is of extraterrestrial origin. His engineering prowess would relegate Scotty to ship's bosun. In addition to engineering everything the bridge controls, Brendon was also involved in the design of the bridge. Because the bridge has no brow, the console was setback to reduce sun damage to the equipment.

The command console is unique on many levels. It is set centered on the deck and set back from the windshield to allow unimpeded access to replace electronics or chase a short. As a full walk-around console, it grants better visibility for spotters and guests. Notice the abstract lines behind the settee, these are doors that slide open from center, much like you would see on the bridge of the Enterprise.

Aviva’s padel tennis court seems to be the attention grabber. For those unfamiliar with padel tennis (not to be confused with paddle tennis), the game is a combination of tennis and squash. Not one to raise a racket, figuratively nor literally, I thought the publicity was a misplaced emphasis on this yacht’s amenities. And then we were wowed! It’s not just the enormity of space, but the enormity of space on a boat! The dimensions are 60’x’20’x25’. When one asks the headroom on this vessel, the answer can honestly be one room has 25 feet! Then there were the requirements and subsequent construction logistics. Factors that needed to be considered were: available cubic footage that would not detract from other needed areas; the requirement to keep longitudinal and torsional rigidity at high levels which is a prime consideration on any seagoing vessel and a serious issue when the usual structural components are missing in a significant area of the hull. Additional requirements were meeting class standards, conformity to international padel court rules, exact lighting void of glare, and ultimately assuring a well insulated space. When one is sunbathing, dining, or lounging with a good book, the boing-boing could be an annoying distraction. The spectator’s lounge was a directive as well as the ability to convert from a padel court to a football field for crew’s enjoyment.

Then there is the game itself: the court must have the right bounce. This last seemingly innocuous ping did in fact require the entire back wall to be rebuilt. The court is built at the lowest point of the yacht and the corners of the court are only 6 inches from the outer surface of the hull. Due to stability requirements, the court is positioned just forward of amidships. The floor consists of a 2-inch layer of concrete, 1½ inches of rubber, 4 tons of sand, and “grass” with custom made bristles. Sounds like expensive ballast to me! And if that wasn't enough, it had to be rebuilt to get the right bounce off of the back wall? Yet, the rewards are in the results. Not only is this padel court reportedly the best in the world, but the family was playing the sport in 6 foot seas at 18 knots and still able to precisely follow the bouncing ball. And finally, two opposing stationary bikes are located courtside. Why this location? Would you rather breathe human exhaust in a spin class room or the abundant air of the biodome that is the padel court?

TECHNICAL DETAIL SHOTS ​ Air intakes: Ever notice how the air intakes on most yachts are the ugliest part of the exterior? Aviva doesn’t accept the status quo. The unobtrusive intakes are designed for barometric efficiency, but as throughout, equal attention was given to the aesthetics. The intakes are located up high, behind the Portuguese bridge bulwarks, tucked away from salt and spray. This location was ideal because Aviva’s profile isn’t conducive to an exterior ventilation location. ​

Bridge Door: recessed behind an enclave on the side of the superstructure. This allows the doors to be easily opened or closed underway, negating the effects of wind and vessel speed that are often a battle with exterior doors. And because one has to sometimes step outside of the wheelhouse in inclement weather, it's nice to have a covered area for water protection.

Interior Bridge Entry Doors: paying homage to Gene Roddenberry, these doors are a mantra for this build... "going where no boat has gone before."

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AVIVA Yacht – Unique $250 M Superyacht

Delivered in 2017, the AVIVA superyacht is a striking sight with its length of 98.4 meters (322.83 ft), ranking it high on the list of largest yachts worldwide .

Built by the renowned German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen, AVIVA has been a standout in the world of luxury yachts since its inception, winning the Motor Yacht of the Year award at the World Superyacht Awards in 2018.

AVIVA Yacht

Mr. Lewis started his early entrepreneurial life by currency trading, enabling him to have a more thorough insight into the business world.

Making him one of the wealthiest people on the earth with an accumulated net worth of over 4.5 billion pounds; enabled him to buy many luxury cars and Aviva yacht, the 250-million-dollar beast.

AVIVA was built by the boat building company Abeking & Rasmussen , situated in Lower Saxony. Abeking & Rasmussen is a company aimed at engineering yachts, naval vessels, and cruise ships.

They were also responsible for building AVIVA’s sisters Elandess , Cloudbreak, and Excellence.

Reymond Langton Design was responsible for designing this gorgeous yacht. They are an award-winning company that prides itself on its creativity and passion with well over a decade of experience in the superyacht designing industry.

They were also responsible for creating the Serene superyacht and Nobiskrug yacht  Mogambo.

AVIVA Yacht Exterior

AVIVA’s exterior displays a sleek and modern all-blue design, distinctive among today’s superyachts. Notable outdoor facilities include a Jacuzzi, a large swimming pool, a helipad, and a spacious sundeck for relaxation and entertainment.

The yacht also boasts a collection of water toys, including jet skis, sea bobs, and inflatable slides for guests to enjoy.

AVIVA Yacht Interior

Designed by Reymond Langton Design in collaboration with Toby Silverton, AVIVA’s interior offers a contemporary and luxurious aesthetic. The yacht can accommodate up to 16 guests in eight state-of-the-art suites, complemented by a crew of 35.

The owner’s suite, located on the upper deck, features an office, private lounge, and a large en suite bathroom. The remaining guest cabins, consisting of two VIP suites and five double cabins, can be found on the main deck, each outfitted with en suite facilities.

AVIVA’s standout feature is a full-size padel tennis court, located in the lower deck. The yacht also features a beach club, a spa, a gym, a swimming pool, and an elevator connecting all the decks.

Similar to her sister yachts, she is also made of steel and has a solid superstructure made out of aluminum.

Powering this 98-meter-long superyacht are twin diesel-electric MTU engines capable of outputting 3,862 horsepower.

Along with her 364,705-litre fuel tanks, she can run comfortably at a speed of 14 knots and reach a max speed of 20 knots.

AVIVA can now comfortably accommodate 16 guests and carry up to 35 crew members after being refitted twice since its launch.

AVIVA Yacht Price

The estimated cost of AVIVA was around US $150 million. The annual running costs are estimated to be between US $12 to 15 million, based on usage.

AVIVA is not currently for sale or available for charter.

AVIVA yacht in Gibraltar

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98m Yacht AVIVA launched by Abeking & Rasmussen

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Written by Mike Smith

The brand new 98m Superyacht Aviva has been launched by Abeking & Rasmussen at their Lemwerder shipyard on the banks of the river Weser outside Bremen, Germany, starting 2017 extremely well for the yacht builder.

This is the largest private yacht to have been built and launched by the German shipyard and it’s also the largest completed project by British design Reymond Langton. Both companies are proud and excited by their achievement. Aviva is part of a new current era in extremely large and sophisticated luxury yacht launches from Europe, which can only be described as a yachting Renaissance.

98m motor yacht Aviva profile as launched on 9 jan 2017

The yacht’s owner is Mr. Joe Lewis, who commissioned both her design and construction. He also owns another well-known Abeking & Rasmussen yacht called Aviva which was launched in 2007. Both private yachts share similar design themes and Aviva version 2.0 is a natural upgrade in size, design and technology. Indeed, Lewis is an experienced yacht owner who said: “Aviva is more than an office; it is also my home for much of the year. So for me, it is relaxing working from home, wherever Aviva may be in the world.” (in an interview with Bond Technology management). Accordingly, the superyacht is unfortunately very unlikely to be available for yacht charter any time in the near future.

Further Yacht images:

Superyacht aviva pre launch

Yacht AVIVA launched by Abeking & Rasmussen – image DrDuu

At 98 metres motor yacht AVIVA is one of the latest new important yacht launches in the world.

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "98m Yacht AVIVA launched by Abeking & Rasmussen".

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Motor Yacht

Aviva is a custom motor yacht launched in 2017 by Abeking & Rasmussen, in Germany.

Abeking & Rasmussen (A&R) is an esteemed German shipyard with a global reputation for highest quality custom made motor yachts from 45 to 125 metres.

Aviva measures 98.40 metres in length and has a beam of 17.24 feet. She has a gross tonnage of 5,000 tonnes. She has a deck material of teak.

Aviva has a steel hull with an aluminium superstructure.

Aviva also features naval architecture by Abeking & Rasmussen.

Performance and Capabilities

Aviva has a top speed of 20.00 knots and a cruising speed of 14.00 knots. .

She also has a range of 6,000 nautical miles.

Accommodation

Aviva accommodates up to 12 guests in 6 cabins. She also houses room for up to 35 crew members.

Other Specifications

Aviva has a hull NB of 6501.

Aviva is a Lloyds Register class yacht.

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• Interior Designer Reymond Langton Design No profile available

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AVIVA Interior & Exterior Photos

98.4m  /  322'10 | abeking & rasmussen | 2017.

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SIMILAR LUXURY YACHTS FOR CHARTER

Here are a selection of superyachts which are similar to Aviva yacht which are believed to be available for charter. To view all similar luxury charter yachts click on the button below.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

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