First Hybrid Amels 80 Superyacht Launched
By Dea Jusufi / All images courtesy of Damen Yachting
The first unit in the highly-anticipated Amels 80 series has hit the water at Damen Yachting's facility in Vlissingen, the Netherlands. The 80-meter unit began construction on speculation and was snapped up just six months from the project's beginning, with the sale officially announced at the 2022 Monaco Yacht Show. Brokerage firm Burgess brought the client and has remained involved throughout the build as owner's representative.
"With much of the design development of the yacht personally overseen by the owners, we believe this will be one of the standout yachts entering into operation in 2025," said Sean Bianchi, naval architect and head of Burgess new construction.
The Amels 80 is the largest offering in the shipyard's popular Limited Editions range and was unveiled during a live-stream broadcast from Amsterdam in 2023.
The exterior of the new line has been designed by Espen Øino, while Damen Yachting turned to Dutch studio Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design for the interiors, marking the pair's first collaboration.
Standout features on board the Amels 80 include a 6.5-meter swimming pool on the aft deck that features transparent floor segments that drench the beach club below in natural light. A large stern platform is a focal point of the design, according to Espen Øino. The beach club itself features three opening sea terraces, which create a semi-enclosed waterfront lounge within easy reach of the yacht’s spa, sauna, gym, Hammam and massage room. A circular social area takes centre stage with a sit-up bar close by.
Speaking about her exterior, Øino added that "her modern strong lines will look as good in 10 years as the day she is delivered".
Accommodation is for up to 14 guests in seven cabins with an owner's deck that acts as its own private apartment. The area is comprised of a private suite, two bathrooms, a private office and an owner's lounge with a breakfast area and a private library. The space is finished with inlays of precious materials, marbles and woven metal meshes, while full-height glass windows bring in natural light.
The new Amels 80 has hybrid propulsion and a design that takes its cues from the natural world. Paul Costerus, lead designer at Sinot said: "Materials are treated so that the natural characteristics remain as pure as possible. The style is distinctive and allows the owner to customise and add their personal style."
The 2,175GT model offers plenty of scope for customization with owners able to choose exterior paint schemes – as seen in the first hull's striking new paintjob – and configure the layout of the yacht to suit their lifestyles. For example, the bridge deck aft, just below the sundeck, is designed to be multifunctional while still offering good views and an indoor-outdoor flow. There is also an option for the yacht to carry an electric tender with a fast-charging station installed in the tender garage.
Crowning the yacht is a 200-square-meter sundeck that outperforms many similarly-sized yachts in terms of space. Here, the design features a circular Jacuzzi forward surrounded by sunpads, a shaded bar, and a circular dining table aft for evening meals or family breakfasts.
"When we started the design process for this yacht, we wanted to design something for our clients to enjoy with their family, but [also] a yacht where they feel like they could easily connect with the sea," said Rose Damen, managing director at Damen Yachting, during the live premiere.
"The result is a timeless design where we managed to hold onto the winning features of her predecessors, like the forward-facing owner's cabin and dedicated owner's deck."