eigner yacht aviva

Take a look at Joe Lewis’s stunning $250 million superyacht, Aviva, which the Tottenham owner used to bail himself out of trouble. The billionaire loved padel tennis so much that he actually built this 279 feet long vessel around a padel tennis court.

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Superyacht Aviva: The award-winning flagship from Abeking & Rasmussen

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Written by Maria Korotaeva

The innovations in the superyacht industry are sometimes profound, oftentimes subtle and mega yacht AVIVA has examples of both: Winner of the  Boat International Superyacht Design and Innovation Awards  2018 for  Best Lifestyle Feature Design , she is the first superyacht to ever have an indoor padel tennis court, and the logistics behind this new feature have set the groundwork for future designs.

AVIVA. Aft view. Photo credit Guillaume Plisson

Built in 2017 for UK billionaire Joe Lewis, 98m/322ft superyacht AVIVA is the largest yacht ever produced by Abeking & Rasmussen and was built in 2017 for UK billionaire Joe Lewis, who has a fondness for naming his superyachts ‘AVIVA’, the first built by Feadship in 1998 and measured 62m/203ft in length. This is also not the first AVIVA Abeking & Rasmussen have delivered to the British billionaire, the first being 68m/223ft in length in 2007.

Step aboard superyacht AVIVA – tennise court. Photo credit Guillaume Plisson

Reymond Langton Design created the exterior and interior styling for the current AVIVA, and although there are plenty of outdoor areas, it is clear that the focus has been placed upon the voluminous interior of 5,000 GT. The padel tennis court is her most outstanding feature and measures 20m/66ft in length, 10m/33ft wide and almost 7m/22ft in height. This technical achievement involved over 2 tons of sand to recreate the bounce, and soundproofing also came into consideration. Ceiling lighting is plentiful and there is a small, net protected lounge that can be converted into a gym.

tep aboard superyacht AVIVA – tennis court lounge area. Photo credit Guillaume Plisson

“It is not only a lifestyle change for the owner but also for the crew as this is also the largest gym of any yacht,” said the designers at Raymond Langton Design. “The crew is encouraged to play with the owner and guests and when the court is not in use for padel, the net can be removed and the crew plays football and use other exercise equipment in the space. It is after all a sports hall.

AVIVA – exterior space

“The owner is adamant that this is the best padel tennis court in the world, period!”

As superyacht AVIVA is designed as a live-aboard vessel, the colour scheme is modern and practical. Warm and natural tones are used in the fabrics and leather and vibrant accents pop out from the furnishings, while glass and steel are used extensively to manipulate the light. As Joe Lewis uses AVIVA to ‘work from home’, she has excellent internet access and satellite communications, ensuring that he can keep in touch with financial developments anywhere in the world.

Aviva. Photo credit Lewis Yach

Motor yacht Aviva. Photo credit @patrickfranciscarr

The exterior has a large swim platform and beach club in the stern form a large guest area beside the water, and a number of shaded and sun-exposed aft lounging areas run from the main deck up to the sundeck, which are connected by under-lit glass staircases that enhance the atmosphere on board at night. The sundeck is the centre of outdoor activity and here guests have a choice of circular sunpads or secluded sunbathing spots close to the helm station.

Top view. Photo credit Guillaume Plisson

Her technical performance is exemplary as well: A hybrid propulsion system allows AVIVA to travel at 11 knots using electric motors, allowing her access to more sensitive natural areas due to zero emissions. At full speed, she is capable of 20 knots and research into the hull design has resulted in 20% less drag.

Yacht AVIVA. Photo credit Guillaume Plisson

You can view other yachts built by Abeking & Rasmussen here .

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Superyacht Aviva: The award-winning flagship from Abeking & Rasmussen".

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This review will focus on the engineering feats and design features that make Aviva so innovative. Design leader Toby Silverton and project manager Brendon O’Sullivan were also behind the original 68-meter Aviva, a boat that broke new ground in superyacht design. These gentlemen have been generous in sharing their time and information for the inside story and background on the build of the new 98-meter Aviva, a yacht that sets new precedents in superyacht stability and efficiency. The construction included four days of tank testing, a myriad of engineers, selection of the right build yard and consultants, and the willingness to be cutting edge in design.

The owner’s directives were to build the new Aviva in less than 3 years, a monumental task given the standard time frame of 4½ years for a yacht of this magnitude. In addition to making stability and efficiency a top priority, it also had to house the best indoor padel court in the world. The mandates were sent to nine shipyards, but only two responded with one hesitatingly. Abeking & Rasmussen, looking to keep the owner as satisfied with this M/Y Aviva as the 68 meter they previously built for him, employed Reymond Langton once again for the interior and exterior styling, engaging the talents of Toby Silverton as head of design while Brendon O’Sullivan’s engineering skills and experience were utilized as project manager.

Aesthetically beautiful and unusually elegant were the owner imperatives, including an unusual paint that simulates a metallic color. Metallics can be difficult to blend in spot areas if touch-ups are needed. To facilitate future paint work, faceted panels were devised so each curved or flat intersecting plate creates a natural tape line for localized refinishing. The blue/gray hull and the silver superstructure provide a flow that emphasizes the refined sheer rather than the elongation of size.

The simplicity of the style camouflages the intricacies of design. Take note of the uniqueness of the radar mast, lack of stanchions, absence of rubrails, oversized side decks, etc. But the hull design, which isn’t readily visible above the waterline, revolutionizes hull stability, water resistance, and efficiency. The patented hull is narrowed considerably at the waterline but is full beam above and below the surface. The waterline significantly tapers towards the stern which makes the width of the stern half of the beam at amidships. The end result: resistance was reduced by an incredible 30 percent!

Not just another pretty beach club, Aviva's swim platform is designed to aid in stability. How? By incorporating flow channels into the platform that fill with water when the boat pitches in heavy seas. The weight of this accumulated water helps dampen pitching, yet flows out of the recessed channels as the stern lifts, making physics and natural resources work simply and symbiotically.

The hydraulic platform folds up encasing Aviva's sailboat-like stern. The shallow deadrise of the stern works in conjunction with the plumb bow to reduce pitching while adding longitudinal stability and reducing wave-making resistance. The holes on the side of the beach platform are to reduce buoyancy so the door can be submerged during tender launching ops.

An airfoil is mounted to the top of the exhaust funnel to create a low pressure area aft of the wing, drawing the exhaust up, over and away from the aft decks while underway. See the 2nd photo in this review: the profile shot shows the aggressive angle of attack of the airfoil and the practicality of the design. It was important to have the main funnel cross ventilated otherwise you have vortex that dropped the soot over the rear and side decks. This required a large intake area at the forward end of the funnel to equalize the pressure. In a side wind, the funnel effectively works like a rudder, adding directional stability to the yacht, much like the vertical tail on an airplane.

Narrow corridors and companionways were nixed in favor of the yacht’s exceptionally wide 56’43” beam. The entire yacht is a workout at sea with wide decks and gradual staircases designed for crew to do cardio and the owner to leisurely stroll around the yacht with little to no interruption to the walking path.

Contemporary styling was another owner directive. Stainless steel, carbon fiber, and Esthec decking all contribute to the ultra-modern theme, but Aviva is also about functionality. Notice the curves and rounded edges around the superstructure? This isn't simply an aesthetic exercise, it's designed to work with the elements, reducing windage and drag. With the exception of cushions on outer deck seating, the exterior materials are designed to weather time. You will notice the absence of wood throughout the yacht, except on occasional furniture.

The aft ends of the decks have seamless glass sans stanchions to contribute to the modern appearance as well as allowing for unobstructed views. Every line, curve, and placement of doors and windows were given attention to contributing towards the sleek and cohesive effect. The spine of the staircase is a compound curve. Easy to do with 1 inch pipe. Not so much with 1 foot pipe!

In keeping with Aviva's theme of form meets function, the paint colors are used to enhance the flow of lines, but the trailing edges of the upper aft deck overhangs use dark metallic black trim. It's a nice contrasting accent, but the real reason for this is to aesthetically reduce to the proportions of the side profile making Aviva look sleeker. Aviva's flag staff is yet another piece of art onboard this boat. Designed to simulate the deicing element of an aircraft wing, the leading edge is lined with a stainless boot.

There are very few straight lines anywhere on this boat. Aviva purposely uses curves to enhance flow, whether it be fluid or pedestrian. Same with Aviva's seating, which is also curved, along with most interior walls, ceilings and accoutrements. Unfortunately, no interior images are permitted to be published.

Welcome to the bridge, Captain Kirk. Command central on Aviva was patterned after the bridge on the Starship Enterprise. There are subtle design elements throughout the wheelhouse that hint at a ship that has explored distant galaxies. While there were no Vulcans onboard, we are convinced that YF's K1W1 is of extraterrestrial origin. His engineering prowess would relegate Scotty to ship's bosun. In addition to engineering everything the bridge controls, Brendon was also involved in the design of the bridge. Because the bridge has no brow, the console was setback to reduce sun damage to the equipment.

The command console is unique on many levels. It is set centered on the deck and set back from the windshield to allow unimpeded access to replace electronics or chase a short. As a full walk-around console, it grants better visibility for spotters and guests. Notice the abstract lines behind the settee, these are doors that slide open from center, much like you would see on the bridge of the Enterprise.

Aviva’s padel tennis court seems to be the attention grabber. For those unfamiliar with padel tennis (not to be confused with paddle tennis), the game is a combination of tennis and squash. Not one to raise a racket, figuratively nor literally, I thought the publicity was a misplaced emphasis on this yacht’s amenities. And then we were wowed! It’s not just the enormity of space, but the enormity of space on a boat! The dimensions are 60’x’20’x25’. When one asks the headroom on this vessel, the answer can honestly be one room has 25 feet! Then there were the requirements and subsequent construction logistics. Factors that needed to be considered were: available cubic footage that would not detract from other needed areas; the requirement to keep longitudinal and torsional rigidity at high levels which is a prime consideration on any seagoing vessel and a serious issue when the usual structural components are missing in a significant area of the hull. Additional requirements were meeting class standards, conformity to international padel court rules, exact lighting void of glare, and ultimately assuring a well insulated space. When one is sunbathing, dining, or lounging with a good book, the boing-boing could be an annoying distraction. The spectator’s lounge was a directive as well as the ability to convert from a padel court to a football field for crew’s enjoyment.

Then there is the game itself: the court must have the right bounce. This last seemingly innocuous ping did in fact require the entire back wall to be rebuilt. The court is built at the lowest point of the yacht and the corners of the court are only 6 inches from the outer surface of the hull. Due to stability requirements, the court is positioned just forward of amidships. The floor consists of a 2-inch layer of concrete, 1½ inches of rubber, 4 tons of sand, and “grass” with custom made bristles. Sounds like expensive ballast to me! And if that wasn't enough, it had to be rebuilt to get the right bounce off of the back wall? Yet, the rewards are in the results. Not only is this padel court reportedly the best in the world, but the family was playing the sport in 6 foot seas at 18 knots and still able to precisely follow the bouncing ball. And finally, two opposing stationary bikes are located courtside. Why this location? Would you rather breathe human exhaust in a spin class room or the abundant air of the biodome that is the padel court?

TECHNICAL DETAIL SHOTS ​ Air intakes: Ever notice how the air intakes on most yachts are the ugliest part of the exterior? Aviva doesn’t accept the status quo. The unobtrusive intakes are designed for barometric efficiency, but as throughout, equal attention was given to the aesthetics. The intakes are located up high, behind the Portuguese bridge bulwarks, tucked away from salt and spray. This location was ideal because Aviva’s profile isn’t conducive to an exterior ventilation location. ​

Bridge Door: recessed behind an enclave on the side of the superstructure. This allows the doors to be easily opened or closed underway, negating the effects of wind and vessel speed that are often a battle with exterior doors. And because one has to sometimes step outside of the wheelhouse in inclement weather, it's nice to have a covered area for water protection.

Interior Bridge Entry Doors: paying homage to Gene Roddenberry, these doors are a mantra for this build... "going where no boat has gone before."

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Motor Yacht

Aviva is a custom motor yacht launched in 2007 by Abeking & Rasmussen in Lemwerder, Germany and most recently refitted in 2012.

Abeking & Rasmussen (A&R) is an esteemed German shipyard with a global reputation for highest quality custom made motor yachts from 45 to 125 metres.

Aviva measures 68.00 metres in length and has a beam of 12.3 metres. She has a gross tonnage of 1,845 tonnes. She has a deck material of teak.

Aviva has a steel hull with an aluminium superstructure.

Aviva also features naval architecture by Abeking & Rasmussen.

Performance and Capabilities

Aviva has a top speed of 16.50 knots and a cruising speed of 14.00 knots. She is powered by a twin screw propulsion system.

She also has a range of 6,000 nautical miles.

Accommodation

Aviva accommodates up to 16 guests in 7 cabins. She also houses room for up to 20 crew members.

Other Specifications

Aviva is MCA compliant, her hull NB is 6475.

Aviva is a Lloyds Register class yacht. She flies the flag of the Cayman Islands.

• Yacht Builder Abeking & Rasmussen View profile
• Naval Architect Abeking & Rasmussen View profile
• Exterior Designer Reymond Langton Design No profile available

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This Yacht is not for Charter*

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AVIVA yacht NOT for charter*

67.9m  /  222'9 | abeking & rasmussen | 2007 / 2020.

Owner & Guests

• Previous Yacht

Special Features:

• Guest elevator
• Impressive 6,910nm range
• Cinema Room
• Lloyds Register ✠ 100A1SSC YACHT(P), MONO, G6 ✠ LMC, UMS classification
• Interior design from Reymond Langton Design

The 67.9m/222'9" motor yacht 'Aviva' was built by Abeking & Rasmussen in Germany at their Lemwerder shipyard. Her interior is styled by British designer design house Reymond Langton Design and she was completed in 2007. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Reymond Langton Design and she was last refitted in 2020.

Guest Accommodation

Aviva has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 16 guests in 7 suites. She is also capable of carrying up to 25 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

Her features include conference facilities, beauty salon, movie theatre, elevator, gym and air conditioning.

Range & Performance

Aviva is built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, with teak decks. Powered by twin diesel Caterpillar (3516) 1,491hp engines, she comfortably cruises at 14 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 16 knots with a range of up to 6,910 nautical miles at 12 knots. Aviva features at-anchor stabilizers providing exceptional comfort levels. She was built to Lloyds Register ✠ 100A1SSC YACHT(P), MONO, G6 ✠ LMC, UMS classification society rules, and is MCA Compliant.

*Charter Aviva Motor Yacht

Motor yacht Aviva is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht.

Aviva Yacht Owner, Captain or marketing company

'Yacht Charter Fleet' is a free information service, if your yacht is available for charter please contact us with details and photos and we will update our records.

Aviva Photos

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Specification

M/Y Aviva

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Your Insider’s Guide to the Aviva Yacht

The Aviva Yacht was built in 2017 by German shipyard  Abeking & Rasmussen. The yacht’s interior design was styled by British design house Reymond Langton Design. Outside, the exterior design was handled by Reymond Langton Design. The yacht features a steel hull, aluminum superstructure, and composite decks.

One of the most unique features of the Aviva Yacht is the enormous gymnasium space that is part of its design. While many yachts have a workout gym area, Aviva has a full court that can be converted to play several sports or activities. Even at full speed, the court has been designed and stabilized so guests can play a game without the yacht’s motion causing any disturbance.

Who is the Aviva Yacht Owner? 

British businessman Joe Lewis owns Aviva. He is the majority owner of the Premier League Tottenham Hotspur football club and is known for currency trading. His net worth is above $4 billion, and his art collection alone is worth $1 billion.

This version of the Aviva is the fourth yacht called Aviva that Lewis has owned. His previous third yacht was 223 feet long and built for him in 2007. It’s been said that Lewis uses this yacht as a floating office and spends most of his time here.

How Much Did the Yacht Aviva Cost?

Lewis is believed to have paid $250 million for the Aviva in 2017. The annual cost of running the yacht is believed to be between $15 million and $25 million. This would cover things like salary for the 35 crew members, fuel, taxes, and other expenses. This means that while the Aviva is not one of the most expensive yachts in the world, it’s still quite impressive.

Can You Charter the Aviva Yacht?

Unlike some similar yachts, it does not appear that Aviva is available for charter. 

How Big is the Aviva Yacht?

Aviva qualifies as a superyacht at a respectable 98.4 m or 322’10”. That’s not in the running for one of the largest yachts in the world, but when she debuted in 2017, she was the 47th largest yacht at the time. In addition to the notable length, she features a nearly 57-foot beam and a gross tonnage of 4,999

How Fast Does the Aviva Go and What Engines Does It Use?

Aviva features twin diesel-electric MTU (16V 4000 M73L) 16-cylinder 3,862hp engines. The cruising speed is 14 knots, but she can reach a maximum speed of 20 knots. A 364,705-liter fuel tank gives her a range of up to 6,000 nautical miles at 13 knots.

The yacht runs a hybrid drive system, which means it can get up to 11 knots of electric power before switching to the main engines.

What’s the Interior of the Motor Yacht Aviva Like?

As you saw from the large beam and length, there’s a lot of space to work with on the Aviva. The vessel has room for 16 guests in 8 suites, including a huge master suite. Lewis is said to live full-time on this yacht, so it needs to have all the amenities of a home that the billionaire would require. That said, because it is the man’s home, there are only limited details about the yacht’s features and what it looks like inside. 

The Master suite is said to be larger than most houses and is located at the nose of the main deck. The large bathroom features a monolithic Corian bathtub, and there’s a spa just aft of the cabin where additional relaxation treatments can be enjoyed. The owner’s suite even features a wardrobe/dressing room inspired by Chanel boutiques and is more significant than most cabins on other yachts. 

The interior aesthetic is meant to be organic with soft, curving lines. The design has no symmetry, and this was done on purpose. Lewis didn’t want his yacht to have a traditional look and feel. As a result, you won’t even find wood accents throughout the yacht, as he thought those were too standard in the yachting world, and he wanted a different feel. 

Straight lines are tough to come by on the yacht, even in the furniture. Nothing is designed to be square and stationary, which likely challenged the design team.

The result of this flowing, organic design is that many materials on board are unique in the yachting world. Walls were designed with high-density CNC-milled foam, the same stuff the auto industry uses to create molds for new car designs. 

Features and Amenities

• Huge lounge area highlighted with yellow and turquoise accents
• Jacuzzi tub on the deck
• Spa facilities
• Aviva features a full size 20 meters x 10 meters x 6.65 meters paddle tennis court
• The padel tennis net can be removed, and the large court is suitable for playing soccer or setting up gym equipment. The Aviva is the first yacht in the world to have such a court on board.
• A full-size piano in one of the internal lounge areas
• Guests can navigate the vessel thanks to an elevator that passes between decks
• A fully equipped gym, in addition to the paddle tennis court, ensures guests can get in a solid workout
• The aft deck dining area features leather-clad doors that add privacy and reduce noise. These can be opened to let glass panels slide out instead in sunny weather
• A large beach club is available for relaxing
• The yacht is said to have a “hidden” cinema
• The main salon features full-height windows and balconies
• The guest rooms are as big as a typical master suite would be
• Instead of large dining areas, there are a series of smaller ones. The two main dining spaces are called bistros and feature samplings of the owner’s art while allowing for smaller, more intimate dinners than one might have in a large dining hall. 

While there are photos that sometimes show off what appears to be a tender garage on the side of the yacht along with a swimming platform, the complete list of toys that may be present on board is not known. While it’s safe to say at least one tender is available, anything else would be speculation. 

The Bottom Line

British businessman Joe Lewis owns the yacht Aviva, and he’s had several other vessels of the same name. It’s believed Lewis paid about $250 million for the 322′ superyacht though some sources will cite a different amount (potentially due to confusion with his previous Aviva yacht, which was smaller).

The standout feature of the Aviva is the full-sized paddle tennis indoor court on board which was designed to allow people to play even when the boat is underway. Lewis spends much of his time on the yacht, and, as such, he’s pretty secretive about many other details. 

My grandfather first took me fishing when I was too young to actually hold up a rod on my own. As an avid camper, hiker, and nature enthusiast I'm always looking for a new adventure.

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AVIVA Yacht – Unique $250 M Superyacht

Delivered in 2017, the AVIVA superyacht is a striking sight with its length of 98.4 meters (322.83 ft), ranking it high on the list of largest yachts worldwide .

Built by the renowned German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen, AVIVA has been a standout in the world of luxury yachts since its inception, winning the Motor Yacht of the Year award at the World Superyacht Awards in 2018.

AVIVA Yacht

Mr. Lewis started his early entrepreneurial life by currency trading, enabling him to have a more thorough insight into the business world.

Making him one of the wealthiest people on the earth with an accumulated net worth of over 4.5 billion pounds; enabled him to buy many luxury cars and Aviva yacht, the 250-million-dollar beast.

AVIVA was built by the boat building company Abeking & Rasmussen , situated in Lower Saxony. Abeking & Rasmussen is a company aimed at engineering yachts, naval vessels, and cruise ships.

They were also responsible for building AVIVA’s sisters Elandess , Cloudbreak, and Excellence.

Reymond Langton Design was responsible for designing this gorgeous yacht. They are an award-winning company that prides itself on its creativity and passion with well over a decade of experience in the superyacht designing industry.

They were also responsible for creating the Serene superyacht and Nobiskrug yacht  Mogambo.

AVIVA Yacht Exterior

AVIVA’s exterior displays a sleek and modern all-blue design, distinctive among today’s superyachts. Notable outdoor facilities include a Jacuzzi, a large swimming pool, a helipad, and a spacious sundeck for relaxation and entertainment.

The yacht also boasts a collection of water toys, including jet skis, sea bobs, and inflatable slides for guests to enjoy.

AVIVA Yacht Interior

Designed by Reymond Langton Design in collaboration with Toby Silverton, AVIVA’s interior offers a contemporary and luxurious aesthetic. The yacht can accommodate up to 16 guests in eight state-of-the-art suites, complemented by a crew of 35.

The owner’s suite, located on the upper deck, features an office, private lounge, and a large en suite bathroom. The remaining guest cabins, consisting of two VIP suites and five double cabins, can be found on the main deck, each outfitted with en suite facilities.

AVIVA’s standout feature is a full-size padel tennis court, located in the lower deck. The yacht also features a beach club, a spa, a gym, a swimming pool, and an elevator connecting all the decks.

Similar to her sister yachts, she is also made of steel and has a solid superstructure made out of aluminum.

Powering this 98-meter-long superyacht are twin diesel-electric MTU engines capable of outputting 3,862 horsepower.

Along with her 364,705-litre fuel tanks, she can run comfortably at a speed of 14 knots and reach a max speed of 20 knots.

AVIVA can now comfortably accommodate 16 guests and carry up to 35 crew members after being refitted twice since its launch.

AVIVA Yacht Price

The estimated cost of AVIVA was around US $150 million. The annual running costs are estimated to be between US $12 to 15 million, based on usage.

AVIVA is not currently for sale or available for charter.

AVIVA yacht in Gibraltar

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“Aviva” : Eine Yacht im Spitzenformat gebaut wie eine Skulptur

Friedrich W. Pohl

 ·  26.08.2023

Nach fast zehn Jahren auf seiner „Aviva“ beschloss der Eigner, sich wieder einmal zu vergrößern. Was liegt näher, als endlich die runde 100-Meter-Marke anzuvisieren? Genau 98,40 Meter sind es geworden. Dafür gibt es einen sportlichen Grund.

Mit der jüngsten „Aviva“, seiner dritten, gehört der Eigner zu den „Wiederholungstätern“: Seine erste „Aviva“ war eine Feadship gewesen, die zweite hatte ihm bereits Abeking & Rasmussen geliefert, die Werft an der Weser: Baujahr 2007 und 68 Meter lang. Die Niedersachsen hatten sich um Konstruktion und Interior gekümmert, Reymond Langton um das äußere Styling.

Sportiver Ehrgeiz schafft Spitzenformat

Seine Yachten dienen dem Eigner – er heißt Joe Lewis – nicht etwa als Vergnügungsdampfer, sondern als mobiles Büro und Galerie seiner Kunstsammlung. Sein Haus steht auf den Bahamas, jedoch bis zu zehn Monate des Jahres lebt der britische Geschäftsmann – Investor, Kunstsammler und Mehrheitseigner von Tottenham Hotspur, Jahrgang 1937 – mit Mitarbeitern an Bord. Auch darum zählt die Crew bei zwölf Gästen 35 Köpfe.

Meistgelesene Artikel

Ein Wiederholungstäter: Welche Bestätigung für Werft und Designer kann schöner sein? Für das Exterior engagierte der Eigner wieder das Büro Reymond Langton aus dem Städtchen Bath. Mit den knapp 5000 GT der neuen „Aviva“ baute A & R für Lewis die volu­minöseste aller Yachten des Formats rund um 100 Meter. Ihre Kubikmeter umbauten Raums verdankt sie nicht zuletzt dem sportiven Ehrgeiz ihres Eigners. Im Rumpf steht ihm und seinen Gäs­ten eine Halle für Padel-Tennis von 200 Quadratmetern mit über sechs Metern Höhe zur Verfügung, ein bisher einmaliges Konstrukt auf dem Wasser.

Das rundum bauchige Design des Rumpfs beruht auf ausführlichen Tanktests und gewährleistet gegenüber konventionellen Formen einen um 20 Prozent geringeren Widerstand. Für eine Höchstgeschwindigkeit von 20 Knoten bedarf es daher einer geringeren Motorenleis­tung, woraus dann auch ein deutlich reduzierter Kraftstoffverbrauch resultiert. Die Krone setzt dieser Konstruktion ein Hybridantrieb auf: Mit Elektromotoren läuft „Aviva“ ohne den Hauptantrieb immer noch bis zu 11 Knoten, eine sanfte und ruhige Lösung.

Wochenlange Stapellauf-Planung

Um „Aviva“ bauen zu können, bedurfte es an der Weser einer neuen Halle. Um sie wassern zu können, musste die Werft eine ausgeklügelte Lösung vorbereiten. Vor der neuen Bauhalle machte ein norwegischer Ponton fest. Ein hydraulischer Trailer auf 60 Rädern verbrachte zusammen mit einer Winde die 98 Meter auf den Schwimmkörper. Die Aktion hatte A & R wochenlang geplant. Das Ereignis wird wohl allen Beteiligten unvergesslich bleiben. Der Verkaufsleiter Till von Krause zeigt sich mehr als zufrieden: „Auf ,Aviva‘ sind wir stolz. Sie ist das Ergebnis bester Werftarbeit und erstklassiger Kommunikation zwischen dem Eigner und seinem Team während einer kurzen Bauzeit von weniger als drei Jahren.“

Der Eigner hatte sich nicht zum ers­ten Mal als seinen Repräsentanten Toby Silverton ausgesucht. „Mit ihm arbeiteten wir wieder eng zusammen“, erinnert sich Andrew Langton. „Er brachte viele Erfahrungen aus dem Automobildesign mit, kennt sich mit Flugzeugen aus und auch mit Schiffbau. Für die neue ‚Aviva‘ mobilisierte er seine ganze Leidenschaft, um ihr ein eigenes Gesicht zu geben. Es war wirklich bereichernd, wieder einmal mit ihm zusammenzuarbeiten.“

Eine Yacht wie eine Skulptur

Der Schlüssel für das Verständnis des Design-Briefings lag im großzügigen Raumangebot, nicht zuletzt für die Tennishalle. Mochten Styling und äußere Anmutung, einzigartige und elegante Erscheinung noch so bedeutsam sein, die zweckmäßige Gestaltung des Layouts auf den Decks und die Inneneinrichtung standen demgegenüber an erster Stelle. Die neue „Aviva“ sollte sich zudem von ihrer Vorgängerin unterscheiden, sollte noch maskuliner und ganz gezielt wie eine Skulptur wirken.

Die zentralen Begriffe des Briefings? Der Wulstbug, erklären die Designer, gehöre zum Pflichtprogramm, wie bereits bei der vorherigen „Aviva“, und das nicht aus ästhetischen Gründen, sondern wegen der Stabilität und des Verhaltens im Seegang. Toby Silverton und die Werftkonstrukteure arbeiteten gemeinsam an der Hydrodynamik, schlank im Bugbereich und bei 17 Metern Breite sich achtern ungewöhnlich verjüngend, aus rein hydrodynamischen Gründen.

Die Aerodynamik der Aufbauten sollte dafür sorgen, dass Abgase von der Yacht möglichst ferngehalten werden. Zudem sollten die Aufbauten mit großen Fens­tern großzügige Blicke von innen nach außen ermöglichen. Der Eigner legte Wert auf ausklappbare Balkone und einen oberen privaten Salon, dessen Wände sich komplett öffnen lassen.

Extrem enge Zeitplanungen

Alle Details des Rumpfs sollten sich bauchig den hydrodynamischen Rundungen des Unterwasserschiffs anpassen. Die Aufbauten dagegen sollten mit dem Rumpf kontrastieren, knackig und facettenreich daherkommen und zugleich mit schlanken und dynamischen Linien das Volumen verstecken. Ein Kunststück mit Zaubereinlagen war also gefordert.

Und dann ging es an die Umsetzung, in aller Bescheidenheit. „Wir starteten mit einem weißen Blatt Papier“, berichten Reymond Langton über die ersten Vorüberlegungen. Zu den Herausforderungen gehörte ebenfalls, dass für das komplette Design, für Styling und Inte­rior, nicht mehr als sechs Monate zur Verfügung standen, „die Hälfte der Zeit, die wir sonst für eine Yacht dieses Formats aufwenden müssen“. Das lag daran, dass für den gesamten Auftrag ein Jahr weniger als üblich für ein Projekt dieser Größe angesetzt war: nur drei Jahre. „Von der Unterzeichnung des Bauauftrags an standen uns bis zur Ablieferung des kompletten äußeren Stylings, eines 3-D-Computermodells und eines gebauten Modells zur Genehmigung durch den Eigner gerade einmal zwei Monate zur Verfügung.“

Die wesentliche Aufgabe während dieser kurzen Zeit bestand darin, die Masse von 5000 Gross Tons Volumen inklusive Tennishalle auf der Länge von 100 Metern unterzubringen und die Yacht dabei noch lang und schlank aussehen zu lassen. „Und dann sollte das Design sich nicht nur von der Vorgängerin unterscheiden, sondern überhaupt einzigartig sein.“

Rumpf ohne Unterbrechungen

Was ist in solch stressiger Situation zu tun? Ruhe bewahren und die Pausen einhalten. Das Reymond-Langton-Team besann sich also auf ein methodisches Vorgehen. Die ersten Überlegungen galten der Länge und den Seitenlinien des Freibords. Sie ziehen sich vom Bug zum Heck ohne Unterbrechung mit nur einer Abstufung unter dem Mast und betonen so die Länge. Die Fenster der Crewunterkünfte im Bug fassten die Designer als Bänder zusammen. Den Rumpf gestalteten Andrew Langton, Pascale Reymond und Jason Macaree glatt und klar ohne Scheuerleiste oder eine andere Unterbrechung der Fläche, die von der Wirkung der Länge ablenkt.

Die Aufbauten kommen ohne die sogenannten Fashion-Plates zwischen den Decks wie bei der vorherigen „Aviva“ aus. Skulpturale Wirkungen erzielt die Gestaltung durch unterbrochene Massen, die auch eine gewisse Leichtigkeit erzeugen. Abgeschrägte Facetten an den Decksseiten bilden Schattierungen. „Einige dieser Formelemente sind deutlich von den Formen des Lamborghini Sesto Elemento beeinflusst.“

Die Decks und die Windabweiser auf dem Sundeck enden stets in Verglasungen ohne jede Naht. Die Aussichten von in­nen nach außen bleiben frei von Unterbrechungen. In beiden Salons reichen die Fenster vom Fußboden bis zur Decke.

Ein Mast wie eine Tragfläche

Für die obere Lounge wünschte Joe Lewis sich einen gänzlich unterbrechungsfreien Durchblick: Die gläsernen Seitenwände lassen sich auf einer Länge von neun Metern öffnen. Die Aerodynamik ließ sich durch angeschrägte Windschutzscheiben der Brücke verbessern. Den üblichen klobigen Mast und Geräteträger ersetzte Silverton nach Tunneltests durch eine Form, die er Tragflächen von Flugzeugen abschaute. „Der Mast wächst aus den Aufbauten heraus, statt aufgesetzt zu wirken: eine fließende und ganzheitliche Optik.“

A & R lackierte „Aviva“ in vier Farbtönen. Der blaue Rumpf wirkt gegenüber der See nicht wie üblich als harter heller Kontrast; das Blau vermindert die Wirkung der Höhe und streckt den Rumpf. Das helle Metallicsilber der Aufbauten reflektiert den Himmel und reduziert ebenfalls optisch das Volumen. Das Schwarz der Fensterbänder verdeutlicht das Design und betont die Horizontale. „Ein dunkles Metallicgrau schließlich an Mastdetails und am Ende des Aufbaus gehört zu den Tricks, die wir auch schon bei der vorigen ‚Aviva‘ angewendet haben.“ Das Auge folgt dem Silber der Aufbauten und nicht der wahren Deckslänge.

Der Decksbelag weicht vollkommen vom Gewohnten ab. Mit den Worten „Wir sind hier nicht auf der ,Titanic‘“ begründet Joe Lewis seine Abneigung gegen ein klassisches Teakdeck. Monatelang an Bord, kann er die schwarzen Sika-Streifen zwischen den Hölzern nicht ertragen. Das Resultat heißt Esthec in verschiedenen Mustern, die sich auf den Außendecks den jeweiligen Fußbodenmustern des Interiors anpassen.

Vor jeder Küste Padel-Tennis

Aber warum eine Tennishalle? Joe Lewis hatte sie sich gewünscht, weil ihm das Gym auf seiner vorherigen „Aviva“ zu langweilig geworden war. Er hatte unterdessen an Land Padel-Tennis entdeckt. Das neue Hobby hat sein Leben verändert: Wo immer er sich aufhält, ist seitdem ein Padel-Tennis-Court zu finden, in seinen Häusern und natürlich auch auf der neuen „Aviva“. Per Tender Padel-Plätze an Land auf den Balearen und in Südfrankreich anzusteuern hatte ihn in seiner Leidenschaft zu sehr eingeengt. Er plant, auch die Südsee anzulaufen, Australien und die US-Küsten, mit dem Padel-Schläger und ohne erst Plätze suchen zu müssen. Der schnelle Sport hat ihn also überhaupt erst zum Neubau veranlasst. So kann Joe Lewis auch vor Sydney und San Francisco „padeln“.

Technische Daten

• Länge über alles: 98,40 m
• Breite: 17,24 m
• Tiefgang: 3,85 m
• Gross Tonnage: 5000 GT
• Material: Stahl, Aluminium
• Motor: 2 x MTU 16V 4000 M73L
• Motorleistung: 2 x 2880 kW
• Geschwindigkeit (max.): 14 kn
• Geschwindigkeit (Reise): 20 kn
• Kraftstoff: 310.000 l
• Reichweite: 6000 nm @ 13 kn
• Wasser: 40.000 l
• Generator: 4 x CAT C18 492 kW, 1 x CAT C18 383 kW
• Strahlruder: 4 x Brunvoll
• Stabilisator: 4 x Quantum
• Ankerwinden: 2 x Steen
• Tender: 14 m, 10 m, 2 x 6 m
• Konstruktion: A & R
• Styling: Reymond Langton, Toby Silverton
• Interiordesign: Reymond Langton
• Klasse: Lloyd’s, LY3
• Werft: A & R, 2017

Dieser Artikel erschien in der BOOTE Exclusiv-Ausgabe 04/2018 und wurde von der Redaktion im Juli 2023 überarbeitet

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Meistgelesen in der Rubrik Boote

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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Columbia University in the City of New York

Miriam and ira d. wallach art gallery.

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Moscow: City, Spectacle, Capital of Photography

April 30–june 21, 2003.

Moscow: City, Spectacle, Capital of Photography , an exhibition of 20th-century photographs of Moscow, opens at Columbia University's Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 and remains on display through Saturday, June 21, 2003.

Moscow has been a powerful magnet for many Russian photographers of the 20th century. Moscow: City, Spectacle, Capital of Photography presents the work of 31 photographers, whose images have defined the visual experience of Moscow from the 1920s to the present. Diverse in form and strategy, the 90 photographs chosen for the exhibition trace the history of Russian documentary photography and offer insight into individual practices. From Aleksandr Rodchenko's constructivist visions and Evgenii Khaldei's humanist landscapes to Igor Moukhin's scenes of urban spectacle and alienation in the works of Russia's key 20th-century photographers, Moscow ventures beyond the expected image as a site of famous landmarks, architectural treasures and dramatic lifestyles.

Early 20th-century photographers Boris Ignatovich and Arkadii Shaikhet saw themselves in the vanguard of an emerging mass-media culture, defining with their cameras the visual experience of Soviet modernity. For nearly 70 years, Soviet photography was assigned the duty of maintaining the ideological rigidity of the Soviet State. Yet, as examples of the work of Iakov Khalip, Anatolii Egorov, Mikhail Savin, and Mark Markov-Grinberg show, Soviet photographic practices were much more complex than has been previously acknowledged. The works of these photographers remain intensely compelling to a modernist eye.

Contemporary Russian photographers, such as Lev Melikhov, Valerii Stigneev and Sergei Leontiev, engage with the legacy of the Soviet documentary photography. But for them the documentary is a complex and multivalent genre, which incorporates subjectivity, ambiguity and reflexivity and comments on social and cultural issues without losing sight of the position from which that commentary is made. In the recent photographs by Vladimir Kupriyanov, Igor Moukhin, Anna Gorunova and Pakito Infante, the "real" space of Moscow is replaced by an imaginary and optical spaces of virtuality.

The works in the exhibition are on loan from Moscow's Cultural Center Dom, and many are being shown outside Russia for the first time. In conjunction with the exhibition, the Wallach Art Gallery is publishing an illustrated catalogue with a scholarly essay by the exhibition curator, Nadia Michoustina, a Ph.D. candidate in Columbia University's Department of Slavic Languages. The essay presents a nuanced history of Russian photography of the 20th century, and contributes to an interpretation of extraordinary images.