Project Milky Ways is set to be Brazil’s largest private superyacht. At a whopping 164 feet with a volume of 499 GT, it means business. The experienced owner did not ask for two pools, but for two offices, one for him and one for his wife. Dutch design studio Vripack is responsible for the exterior design and naval architecture, while Brazilian shipyard MCP Yachts is handling the all-aluminium, semi-planing build and the entire interior in-house. Slated for a 2027 delivery, it already deserves the spotlight as MCP’s biggest project to date and the largest yacht ever built in Brazil.
Space has been optimally used, as the yacht works both as a floating retreat for a large family and as a serious business hub for go-getters, and this duality is handled with impressive efficiency. The owner, who is accustomed to spending time on 1,000 GT charter yachts, asked for something smaller, capped at 499 GT, because it keeps the yacht just under a key regulatory threshold without sacrificing any big-boat amenities.
Smart design, an impressive layout, and incredible utilisation of space have resulted in unique areas like the People Pad (an overwater terrace above the aft main deck that acts as an open-air lounge), a cigar lounge with a fold-down balcony and TV, a bridge-deck skylounge with a bar plus a 250-plus bottle walk-in wine cellar, and twin side terraces that can be lowered to extend the beach club footprint by around 40 percent, shared Superyachttimes.
The yacht, with its plumb bow (the owner’s request for a sleek profile), also includes a full beach club with a sauna, fitness area, and a custom oversized spa pool. The helipad, capable of carrying an Airbus EC145, doubles as a basketball court, and beneath it sits a hidden garage for a seven-metre tender that keeps the decks clean and uncluttered.
Project Milky Ways accommodates the owners and guests in five stately cabins, with the main suite connecting directly to the secondary office, making it easy for the owner’s wife to maintain a comfortable work-life balance on board. Designed to cruise primarily between the Brazilian coast and the Caribbean, Project Milky Ways is powered to reach a top speed of 21 knots, with a long-range cruising capability of about 3,500 nautical miles at an economical 11 knots. It looks like we have a vessel that will make waves come June 2027, and it is definitely one to watch.
