As children, siblings often bicker over who has a bigger room or a better toy. The brothers who own the yacht Babbo skillfully avoid those arguments, however, because they planned every detail of her together. Approaching the end of their first full year of ownership, and having put thousands of miles under her hull, they’re sharing how their “true family home on the water” came to be. Their guiding principle was simple. “We wanted her to feel like a natural extension of our lifestyle: comfortable, functional, and quietly elegant without ever being ostentatious,” they explain.
The brothers, three in total, are repeat customers of Cantiere delle Marche. Not surprisingly, given its focus on true explorers, they put a lot of nautical miles under the hull of the first Babbo from the yard, a Darwin 102 from 2016. In fact, “We spent years enjoying life aboard the previous Babbo, appreciating its thoughtful design, dependable performance, and all the moments it allowed us to share as a family.” After some time, though, they encountered a familiar issue. “As our family expanded and our needs evolved, we realized we required a larger yacht to offer everyone greater comfort and space.”
Ultimately, a fully custom superyacht incorporating all that they enjoyed about the 102 was the way to go. A 140-footer (nearly 43-meter), she was the code-named yacht project B2 during construction. Standing three decks high, she’s full beam inside from about midships forward. Additionally, with a healthy volume of 476 gross tons, she has accommodations for 12. The way those accommodations are arranged is entirely custom, too. Contrary to popular choice, only two staterooms are below decks. The remaining four are not only on the main deck, but also identical, “so every family member could enjoy the same level of comfort and luxury.”
Furthermore, “we have never been inclined towards showiness, so we all agreed that the interiors should embody refined elegance while remaining understated and welcoming.” The work of Francesco Paszkowski Design, the interiors of the yacht Babbo lend a feeling of peacefulness. Warm whites and earth tones combine with pale oak, whose veining is noticeable through the use of matte oil. A recurring theme of vertical oak strips on walls and as headboards lends visual interest as well. Simultaneously, it encourages an interplay of light and shadows. The brothers note, “We wanted a space that felt sophisticated and timeless, one we could enjoy privately without feeling flashy.”
From the cozy saloon to the upper deck, almost entirely devoted to indoor and alfresco dining, the yacht Babbo is undoubtedly family-focused. As much as these areas are ample, for all to gather together, the megayacht still lends herself to quiet moments by oneself. Taking in Mother Nature’s wonders along shorelines and out on the ocean was equally cruicial, “enhancing the experience for everyone who comes aboard.”
Capable of 5,000 nautical miles at 10 knots, the yacht Babbo also has engineering for holding up to challenging conditions. Since the family intended to use her truly as a home on water, sound and vibration attenuation was crucial. Cantiere delle Marche already pays close attention to this, but went further than before. According to the yard, sound levels are just shy of 39 dB(A) in the saloon at anchor, with systems running. That’s quieter than a suburban area at nighttime.
“Our strong relationship with Vasco Buonpensiere and the entire CdM team gave us the confidence to progress from a semi-custom build to a fully custom project,” the brothers say. Judging from the miles and engine hours that keep adding up, that confidence shows no sign of waning.
Cantiere delle Marche cantieredellemarche.it
More About the Yacht Babbo
LOA: 139’8” (42.61 meters)
Beam: 28’4” (8.67 meters)
Draft: 8’8” (2.7 meters)
Guests: 12 in 6 staterooms
Engines: 2/1,000-hp Caterpillars
Range: 5,000 nautical miles at 10 knots
Builder: Cantiere delle Marche
Stylist: Francesco Paszkowski Design
Naval Architect: Hydro Tec
Interior Designer: Francesco Paszkowski Design