Some superyachts look like they belong to another world. Feadship’s new concept, Etherea, inspired by the fifth element, feels exactly that, otherworldly. The 249-foot vessel is a splendid concept created by a stellar team, Studio De Voogt and Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects, while Italian design studio FM Architettura is the force behind the fabulous interiors beneath. The fifth element, ether, is said to combine all four elements of earth, air, fire, and water. But if you ask me, Etherea actually expresses all five in different avatars. The neutral interiors are inspired by the hues of the earth. Powder blues and greens accentuate the subtlety of a canvas that feels omnipresent.
Air appears in the expansiveness and layout of the ship. The aft decks are dotted with ample seating areas, including spots close to the glass-bottom pool, so guests can enjoy the gentle sea breeze at all times. Water is one of the highlights of this pleasure craft. A glass-encased pool with glass sides and a glass bottom acts as a turquoise centerpiece, illuminating the spa, lounge, and bar below in the beach club. While there is no fireplace to literally represent the element of fire, the brightness created by the extensive use of structural glass and skylights, and the way they flood each deck with light, certainly does its part.
Etherea is the amalgamation of several such jaw-dropping elements. If I had to choose just one, it would be a challenge, although the owner’s deck would be a strong contender. The very roomy space with a skylight, balmy brown tones, couches, a desk for work, and a recliner to take in the vistas makes it one of the most relaxing spaces aboard. Another highlight is the winter garden, a veranda conceived as a “four-season retreat,” with sliding windbreak panels that offer the best of both worlds, a summer breeze or climate control in winter, as shared by Boat International.
Beyond the poetic design, performance is not far behind. Etherea is powered by twin Veth POD CR1250i units that provide her with a top speed of 14.5 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots. Her range is anticipated to be 4,500 nautical miles at cruising speed. Etherea feels less like a yacht and more like a floating meditation on light, space, and comfort. “Etherea is an infinite vision, shaped in glass and light,” concluded Feadship. “She offers her owners an infinite way of life, with the freedom to carry their world wherever the horizon leads.”
