Built in steel and aluminium to Lloyds class by Italian yard Nicolini to an in-house design, she was delivered in 1987 to a Middle Eastern royal family and originally named Al Menwar.
Always kept in class, YAAKUN features exterior design by Cantieri Navali Nicolini and Barracuda Yacht Design, while her vast interior was penned by Claudio Zampetti.
Up to 12 guests find luxurious accommodation in six well-appointed cabins comprising a main deck master suite, VIP suite and four doubles.
All guest cabins have entertainment centres, television screens and en-suite bathroom facilities while a further 11 cabins sleep 20 crew.
The spacious main saloon boasts a large settee opposite a bar with stools, while natural light floods in through ample windows port and starboard. In July 2006 YAAKUN was acquired and refitted by a European owner for a two-year circumnavigation of the world’s oceans. Her design, both inside and out, is the definition of 80’s chic.
In a rare twist, this superyacht has maintained the same signature styling since delivery – although she has been refitted several times, most recently in 2017.
Her top speed is 20 knots and she boasts a maximum cruising range of 4,200 nautical miles at 14 knots with power coming from two 4,170hp MTU 16V956TB82 diesel engines. For added comfort and safety, she is fitted with zero speed stabilizers.
Recently due for her 5-year survey, she’s been dry-docked at Palumbo SY Refit Napoli.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of some of the works carried out as required by Lloyd’s Register Classification Society and by the flagstate for the 5-year survey process:
- shafts and propellers removed, inspected and ND tested,
- rudders removed and ND tested,
- all valves removed, opened, cleaned and inspected,
- black, grey and fresh water tanks opened, cleaned and inspected,
- hull and waterline re-painted.
It should be noted that in addition to ensuring compliance with the class/flag obligations, in such circumstances the Palumbo SY team always take a very active role in performing also any other cosmetic kind of remedial work, so that by the time the vessel is handed back to her Owner, she is in excellent all round conditions.
