Yolo is purpose built for long voyage luxury sailing with a range of 3900 nautical miles. She features a beautiful interior by Laura Pomponi of Luxury Projects, coupled with unique measures to give complete privacy for the owner and guests, she affords maximum luxury relaxation and entertainment. I met with Matt, her owner, on board a couple of weeks ago.
Can I ask about your background in yachting, what was your first yachting or boating experience?
My first yacht was a Sunseeker, 70 feet, I actually still have her, and it was in Thailand. Basically the nature there is amazing and I wanted to explorer it. There are 250 island of Thailand and when I lived down in Phuket, I just wanted to explore and get away from the main land because of the cultural difference, untie myself as I call it. Get out there and explorer it, see nature, that was the driving force behind it.
Did you grow up with boats as well or was it just something you saw and you just thought that is something I would like to do.
I have always wanted a yacht but never been in the position. I mean I am fairly young so ten years ago it wasn’t an option, I was still out there financing myself.
How did you learn about CdM?
After my experience in Thailand with a boat, I knew exactly what I wanted in a boat, I did not wanted to get 20 or 30 knots, I wanted something where I could sit all day at 10 or 12 knots and cruise along. At the same time I knew I needed a trawler type vessel, but I wanted something younger, more entertaining. I am still in the entertaining cycle of my life, I actually travelled the world, went to boat shows, looked for the right boats. And I didn’t find it. They were all of the older style and none of them had any entertaining space. And then I went all the way back to Phuket, the Thai agent for CdM, Lee Marine, said Matt come and take a look at this. And I came and took a look at Yolo and I said: wow , that’s what I have been searching the last year and a half all around the world for. Ok lets go to Italy. And I went to Italy. I have grown up with Italians, so we straight away hit it off with the guys at the yard. The yacht could be fully customized, I could spec it how I wanted it, pink here, blue there, orange there, whatever.
So you were very involved in the whole construction process?
Stupidly involved, I mean I am young this is my first custom build so I wanted to learn every aspect, I wanted to learn the maritime law, I wanted to learn the specification and I also wanted to learn how to do business like this.
You have 3 cabins and a master, and you changed one cabin to the gym, did you also consider that the resale value could be less because of the very personalized layout?
I was definitely concerned but at the same time for me it doesn’t matter. Because I haven’t got a family, I have friends that come on board, that is why for example I got the big lounge area upstairs. It wasn’t so much of concern but I have made it. So when she is up for sale, it will just be a simple conversion. All the plumbing is the standard layout. When she is up for sale that is something I throw in with the deal. That is not a big thing.
Where do you plan to cruise with Yolo? Are you bringing it to Thailand or first explore a bit?
I had the last month here, I have another 3 weeks here. I am gone go to Spain, Barcelona, the Balearics and then she will go back to Italy for the low season, just to get some more stuff done. The little touch ups that you always have with a new delivery. Next season we’ll stay in Croatia and Greece and the season after we are going to the Caribbean.
By Merijn de Waard