Madame Gu

A record breaker from Makkum

Built at the Feadship yard in Makkum and delivered in 2013, Madame Gu arrived as one of the largest yachts the Netherlands had produced. At 99 metres and 2,920 GT she stops just short of the symbolic 100 metre line, a choice that keeps her within useful regulatory and berthing thresholds. Her steel hull carries an aluminium superstructure and teak decks in the classic Feadship manner. Her arrival placed her among the very largest Dutch-built yachts of her generation. She confirmed the yard's ability to deliver a true flagship with full-custom finish.

Recognition followed quickly. At the 2014 World Superyacht Awards she took the overall Superyacht of the Year title, the highest honour the industry gives. That award placed her among the finest large yachts afloat and marked the project as a high point for the yard. More than a decade on she still holds a commanding presence at anchor. Madame Gu remains one of the defining Feadships of the early 2010s. She is held today through Almano Holding, a company linked to Russian businessman Andrey Skoch.

Andrew Winch draws the whole yacht

Both the exterior and the interior are the work of Andrew Winch Designs, giving Madame Gu a rare consistency of vision from waterline to skylight. The profile is contemporary and assured, marked by a strong sheer and clean glazing that carries her considerable height with grace. A broad beam of just over 15 metres gives her real internal volume and a stable platform at sea. De Voogt Naval Architects handled the naval architecture beneath the styling. The result is a flagship that looks modern while carrying a sense of tradition.

The exterior decks are laid out for life in warm cruising grounds. Generous sun decks, shaded terraces and a spa pool give owner and guests a range of settings through the day. A helipad extends her reach into remote anchorages where a marina is far away. Teak decking and generous outdoor lounges give her the feel of a grand estate afloat. The outdoor areas are arranged to make the most of long views from every level. A helicopter hangar sits beneath the foredeck and converts into a squash court once the aircraft has gone, one of several concealed spaces built into the profile.

A 99 metre Feadship crowned World Superyacht of the Year, drawn inside and out by Andrew Winch.

Classical detail in a modern hull

Inside, Winch matched contemporary lines with classical detailing, a balance that gives the interior a sense of occasion without feeling heavy. She accommodates 12 guests across six suites, a modest count for her size that translates into unusually spacious cabins and social rooms. The owner's quarters command a private stretch of the yacht, insulated from guest and service movement. Materials and joinery are executed to the standard that defines a Feadship. Fine woods, stone and metal set a rich, considered tone throughout.

The volume of a 99 metre hull lets the interior give whole rooms to a single use. There is space for grand dining, quiet lounges and wellness areas set away from the busier decks. A large crew of up to 36 supports guests without ever crowding their space. Light floods the guest areas through large windows on every deck. The result reads as a private residence at sea, tuned for extended cruising in comfort. A crew of 36 runs the yacht from 18 cabins, a scale of service that matches her standing as one of the largest Dutch-built yachts of her generation.

Four MTU engines and real reach

Madame Gu is powered by four MTU 20V 4000 series engines, a substantial package for a displacement hull of nearly 3,000 GT. The arrangement is built to move a large yacht at a genuine turn of speed while holding the comfort expected of a flagship. Her tankage supports long ocean passages between fuelling stops. The naval architecture keeps motion settled when the sea gets up. Her deep draft of 4.6 metres and broad hull give her a ship-like steadiness at sea.

Systems on a yacht of this value are built with redundancy in mind, so that a fault in one area does not interrupt life aboard. The scale of the hull allows large technical and storage spaces that support long spells away from port. Stabilisation keeps her steady at anchor as much as under way. Everything about her machinery is set up for reliable cruising over long distances. The volume of the hull also allows large tankage for extended autonomy. Each MTU 20V 4000 M73 unit delivers 4,828hp at 2,025rpm, a package built for an 18 knot cruise and a 24 knot top speed rather than outright pace.

An award-winning asset

Madame Gu answers a clear brief for an owner who wants scale, presence and the reassurance of the yard's highest award. Her Superyacht of the Year title is a mark of quality that follows her value across the years. Yachts of this size and pedigree change hands rarely, which keeps interest in them high whenever one appears. She is a genuine flagship for a committed owner. Her broad beam and grand volume give her a presence few yachts of her length can match.

For the owner she offers grand hosting, generous private quarters and the reach of a true ocean cruiser. The size suits large family groups and extended voyages in real comfort. Running a 99 metre yacht is a long-term undertaking, which makes her a natural fit for an owner who plans to keep a flagship for years. Madame Gu remains one of the most celebrated Dutch yachts of her era. Her award pedigree continues to draw attention wherever she cruises. Accepting the prize, designer Andrew Winch called her scale, technical complexity and detailing a brave obliterator of industry conventions, taking motor yacht design to new territories.

Для кого: The owner who wants an award-winning 99 metre flagship with grand social spaces and the pedigree of the yard's highest honour.