Cameleon B - The Trendsetter Magazine (07/03/2004)
The salon appears more like a glazed terrace. Sunlight floods through 16 floor to ceiling windows, the wooden floor is anti slippery, the chairs are in bamboo and the walls are covered in warm earthen tones. “Holiday feelings do not require too much formal living” says the owner of his 42 meter holiday domicile. His interior designer Jean-Guy Verga's, managed to bring “Holiday feelings” to all three decks of the “Cameleon B”, colourful ethno paintings, antic killims, rattan furniture and funky glass sculptures erase any thoughts of the office or every day living. The owner does not care much about convention or symbols of the super yacht scene, otherwise he would not have chosen this type of yacht.
The order to the Turkish Proteksan shipyard was very clear : Explorer. THE ADVANTAGES of the “Cameleon B” are her high seaworthiness, clear layout and lots of deck surface for guests, tenders and toys. Naval architect and stylist Paolo Caliari, ex-manager of Baglietto, translated these radical ideas into reality. The superstructure was arranged extremely in the fore, resulting in a large aft-deck and giving the bridge personnel the best possible view. There is no side entrance on the starboard side of the maindeck, instead there is a 70 square meter salon. Instead of a sky lounge on the top deck, he designed a movie room and light flooded office. The sofas in the movie room and the small cabin can be turned into beds in case of need; ideal cabins for family members or unexpected guests. The other four guest cabins, one of which is the VIP-Suite with walk-in cupboards and a children’s cabin with a bunk-bed are on the lower deck.In spite of his preference for unusual practical solutions – the owner of course did not abandon the style and comfort as well as the highest quality. “Cameleon B” is a ultramodern and elegant super yacht.Design and decoration are kept discreet but the first class quality work are obvious, for example the cherry wood in the salon, the fabric covered ceilings or the unusual pink coloured marble in the bathrooms.
The full-beam owner’s suite on the main deck is full of these practical wishes. Two huge walk-in cupboards which provide sufficient space for trans-ocean voyages. A push-up TV screen on the foot of the king-size bed which can also be rotated towards the bathroom so that the owners can watch a movie while taking a bath. Furthermore the bath has two wash basins and a shower and is connected to the bed-room by a sliding door. It is parallel and also full-beam to the master’s suite. The walls are covered in wood and the colourful marble surfaces create a warm atmosphere in this discreet room.On this deck, Other than the big salon there is the galley with Miele-equipment, a lobby giving way to the lower deck and the bridge, toilets and a big wash-room which can also be used as a storage room.The aft deck, 7 m long, features wicker chairs and sofas and a very big deckchair inviting one to rest. Port and starboard stairs lead to the small tender platform. The after tender garage door can be turned into a big teak-planked swimming platform. Another staircase leads from the main deck to the huge bridge deck where there are numerous variations of seating arrangements. Two small tables will turn a table for eight into a table for twelve. Al-Fresco dining can also be done on the sun deck – far away from harbour noise – 10 meters above the waterline. There is also a Spa-Pool, a Bar and deckchairs for the fans of “Dolce Farniente”.If you wish to leave the yacht but not use the Gangway to get on land, there is a choice of 3 tenders; the aft deck garage houses two 4,50 meter zodiacs with waterjets.
Should all guests want to leave at the same time, there is a 6,30 meter Castoldi Jet Boat hidden under a seat on the bridge deck which can be lowered with the help of a crane. This is big enough for 12 people.Practical aspects won even where the guests are unlikely to look – in the service and technical zones designs. The excellent view of 270 degrees on the bridge is only an example. Another one being the cover of the aft garage. A split into two Persenning covers the inside up. The crew does have access though.Discovering does not mean to dawdle : full speed means 23 knots for the “Cameleon B”. There are actually two MTU 12 V 396 TE 94 diesel engines with 1704 Kilowatt each. But the reliability and the relatively small weight convinced the owner so much that he gladly renounced the newest techniques. The engines is coupled with the ZF gearbox, the impulsion is done through propellers by Teignbridge. There is unusual silence in the salons and the cabins thanks to very good isolation. The yacht manages to make long journey effortlessly : at 12 knots the fuel capacity is 2700 sea miles long. The Idromar water maker delivers 11,000 litres fresh water per day.“Cameleon B” is not only a practical easy to maintain vehicle for active globetrotters and fans of the understatement. Or for active sailors for whom a classic mega yacht as basis for their hobby is too much work. The elegant explorer from Turkey will attract aesthetic fans too. She is mega chic and trendy and will certainly find imitators.
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