Baton

A MODULAR BUILDING
TECHNIQUE SPEEDS

Rouge
CONSTRUCTION AND
ALLOWS TIME TO BE
SPENT ON THE FINER
DETAILS – AND FOR
ICON’S SECOND 62.5M,
THIS MEANS STUNNING
FINISHES, A RELAXING
INTERIOR AND AN ENVY
INSPIRING BEACH CLUB

words: Marilyn Mower

photography: Bugsy Gedlek/Icon Yachts www.boatinternational.com <#r#>
BATON ROUGE

‘The pool design

was a challenge of
its own,’ says
Vitus. ‘The owner
requested a pool
more than five
metres long and
2.5 metres wide’

Baton Rouge will

If you didn’t know that Baton Rouge was the second
yacht in a series built on a 62.5 metre hull engineered for fast
construction, you would think she is a masterful custom yacht – which
truly she is. With its latest launch, Dutch builder Icon Yachts has blurred
the line between series builds and custom one-offs.
Wim Koersvelt and Jen Wartena were the originators of the Icon
concept of a fixed hull platform, tested at Marin, on which any number
of yachts of various style and arrangements could be based. By fixing
elements such as dimension, engine room location and arrangement,
stairs, engineering, mechanical and electrical spaces, Koersvelt and
Wartena proposed to shorten the delivery time for a large yacht.
Building it in modules and preassembling all the major components of
the engine room shortens delivery time even further.
The first example of the theory was Icon 1, launched in the summer
of 2009 and delivered in January 2010. The yacht featured exterior
styling by Redman Whiteley Dixon and a modernist interior by Dutch
company Studio Linse as a backdrop for the owner’s art collection. Just
nine months later, hull number two rolled down the ways and Project
Florida, as she had been known, was christened Baton Rouge. This
time the exterior styling is by Tim Heywood and the interior – a serene,
casually elegant affair spiced with penthouse chic – is by RWD. In
profile, only the trained eye would spot the familial resemblance, yet charter and presents
a great deal of exterior
Baton Rouge has substantially more outdoor space, including 80 square
living space for her
metres of sun deck. The interior layout, also, is different on the main guests, including 80
and upper decks forward, and the tenders are stored in a different area. square metres of sun
deck. There are a
Yet in the grand scheme of things, and in terms of hydro- and
number of options
aerodynamics and in the suppliers of components, the yachts are if not for alfresco dining,
quite sisters then at least first cousins. In fact, the builder’s list of sunbathing and
relaxing. The captain’s
concrete differences between the two fills just half a typewritten page.
cabin and ship’s office
Ah, but in impression, in ambiance, and in lifestyle, they are oceans are directly aft of the
apart; as different as any two custom yachts. well laid-out wheelhouse
Beyond the expanded open deck areas, which significantly changed
When refilling the pool, the system automatically starts recirculating and
both the profile and the layout of public spaces on the bridge deck, the
heating the pool water when it is pumped up from the tank
primary difference in arrangements is driven by the approach to the
owners’ suite. The inaugural yacht had a split-level arrangement with its
sitting room and a second head on the upper level. The main-deck
portion of the suite allowed stowage of large tenders and water toys on
the foredeck. Baton Rouge’s owners looked at the space and opted to
expand the accommodation of the master and store the tenders above,
freeing up 30 square metres for the interior and virtually doubling the
size of the suite. The area that was the owners’ sitting room on Icon 1
is now a forward observation lounge accessible to all, while the tenders bridge deck

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BATON ROUGE

The view down the

centreline of the upper
saloon empahsises
Baton Rouge’s length.
This deck is more
relaxed in style and
ambiance, featuring
various distinct areas for
playing games, reading
books or drinking at the
bar. Guests can also take
in the views in the
observation lounge
(bottom two pictures)

RWD used one of

the most diverse
catalogues of wood
variations used
aboard a single
yacht – 29 varieties
– from amboyna
burl to wengé

were moved up to recesses in the superstructure above the suite.
‘From the initial meeting, the owners wanted their suite to contain his
and hers offices,’ says Justin Redman of RWD. ‘They also asked for a
bath with a view, lots of hanging garment space and an area where their
belongings can be locked away when the yacht charters. Their many
years chartering has given them a clear and reasonable picture of what
they wanted for their own accommodations.’
The first meeting also produced a request for an interior scheme more
like a large country house with mixed woods and different styles,
colours, finishes and detailing throughout. The owners explained they
entertain often with large parties, so they wanted a big main saloon and
‘Madame told me she would like a sense of travelling when moving through the boat,
a large formal dining room. These areas, they felt, should be more that when you arrived in a room, it should look different from the one you had just left,’
formal and serious. The upper lounges should be lighter and conducive recalls Redman. The upper deck continues the themes in a more relaxed way
to smaller groups.
One of the ways RWD addressed this request was through one of the
most diverse catalogues of wood variations ever used aboard a single
yacht – 29 varieties, according to Icon’s project development manager
Stephan Vitus – everything from amboyna burl to wengé.
‘By mixing natural, satin and high-gloss finishes on woods of various
hues and grains, we were able to create both interest and variety but
also indicate the formality of spaces, which, of course, is reinforced by
the selection of furnishings and colour,’ explains Redman. ‘The owners upper deck

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BATON ROUGE
love colour, particularly shades of blue, and they approached the
process of creating the desired environment for themselves and their
friends with great enthusiasm.’
As the entry point for arriving guests, the main deck becomes the
formal focus with exquisite circular reception areas to starboard and
astern. Larger than the typical foyer, they preclude awkward moments
of jostling and also allow guests the opportunity to pause and take the
measure of their surroundings. The main saloon and dining area are the
formal spaces of the yacht but the remainder of Baton Rouge is all about
casual living and gracious hospitality. And yes, indicative of her name,
one of the owners has roots in the American South, where traditional
emphasis on hospitality is part of the fabric of life.
‘Our clients wanted to anticipate everything that their guests might
enjoy doing, every perfect view for all the times of the day, all the
seasons of the year, and to create spaces where they would be
comfortable,’ says Redman. ‘With the various arrangements, colours and
textures, we’ve tried to build a variety of mini-environments within one
great, beautiful world.’
While every design team hopes to incorporate one jaw-dropping
feature, Baton Rouge succeeds in offering two. The accommodation
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Building it in
modules and
preassembling
all the major
components of
the engine room
shortens delivery
time even further
The main saloon is the
deck – and there are just four spacious guest suites here, the other two
more formal area of the
being two decks above – is a showstopper. From the spiral staircase yacht, neutrally decorated.
amidships, guests descend to a lower lobby that leads not just to their Forward there is a dining
table that seats 12. The
suites but also down a sweeping corridor to the beach club astern. Part
focus is inwards and on the
of the path splits the upper section of the machinery spaces, but you occupants rather than
would never know that behind the wall panels are the makings of a outwards – even the tray
ceiling draws the eye to the
power station that could support a small village. Nor would you care;
centre of the room
the beach club, and the open transom facing the sea, beckons. With
bleached teak, gauzy drapes, discreetly placed exercise machines and The dark woods and the symmetrical arrangement of the
comfortable furnishings, it’s simply inspirational. furnishings of the main saloon and dining saloon are another formal
‘Where Icon 1 had a reverse transom, Baton Rouge is almost vertical element but one that also sends out a reassuring vibe to newcomers
at the stern. This actually increased the amount of area,’ Vitus says. ‘It
features an air-conditioned lounge enjoying the spectacular view of
your anchorage at sea level. On portside, there is a complete gymnasium
in superb finish with full audio and video system and a lacquered teak
floor. Even the dive room and the dayhead feature luxury finishes; the
dayhead has the same style as the owners’ bath.’
Indeed, the space lacks for nothing; thoughtfully, the treadmill is
recessed to provide sufficient headroom, and there is an adjacent
laundry so that sandy beach towels needn’t be dragged through the main deck
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BATON ROUGE

boat. A large teak drainage grid speaks to the possibility of waves The most spectacular view of all, however, is from the sun deck where
BATON ROUGE Icon Yachts
shipping on to the fold-out bathing platform and trapping them post- Heywood’s wing station concept blossomed into dolphin-watch stations
haste, explains Wartena. – cushioned niches on port and starboard that overhang the helm stations LOA 62.5m Speed (max/cruise) Fuel capacity Classification Interior design com. Mediterranean,
16 knots/12 knots Lloyd’s Register @100A1 Redman Whiteley Dixon summer 2011. From
LWL 51.4m 150,000 litres
The same theme of long vistas is repeated on the upper deck where below and give guests the sensation of soaring over the water. Range SSC YACHT LMC G6 UMS Build project manager €455,000 high season/
Beam 11.8m Freshwater capacity €420,000 low season
6,000nm, economical speed Burgess Monaco
the observation lounge anchors the forward end and a hall passes two Finishing a second 62.5 metre yacht 12 months after the first would Draught 3.7m 29,000 litres Naval architect
Bowthrusters Charter broker Builder/year
Displacement 1,125 tonnes Icon Yachts/Jouke van der
VIP suites and the upper foyer en route to the upper saloon aft, its glass require tight scheduling at any shipyard, let alone one so new, which is Ocean Yacht System,190hp Owner and guests 14 Baan/Vuyk Engineering Burgess Monaco Icon Yacht/ 2010
Engines tel: +377 97 97 81 21 Harlingen, Netherlands
doors opening on to a large, covered aft deck offering dining for up to where the platform concept proved extremely valuable. (The project Generators Crew 22 Groningen
2 x MTU 12V 4000 M71 email: monaco@ tel: +31 (0) 51 749 4600
2 x Sandfirden @ 212kW, Construction steel/ Exterior styling burgessyachts.com web: www.iconyachts.eu
14. The ability to perch on the aft caprail and see to the bow is unusual, was managed by Burgess’ construction supervision team). The engine diesel @ 2,480hp
1 x Sandfirden @ 154kW aluminium/composites Tim Heywood Design web: www.burgessyachts.
arresting, and enjoyed by owners who get to see all of the real estate room and all technical spaces went forward while the design of interior
they have paid for in a single commanding view. On the bridge deck areas progressed. The engine room, created in modules off site and In the owner’s suite,her office had to open to the room, but his had to be
above, the view is aft from the helm through a gallery and on to a dropped in through a soft patch on the main deck, was assembled in capable of privacy. As a result, her office is part of the interior corridor
covered lounge with an outdoor bar and seating, a smaller dining table just 14 days.
and the pool. According to Vitus, the yard went to extremes to keep weight and
‘The pool design was a challenge of its own,’ says Vitus. ‘The owner mass within required parameters. The 40 per cent increase in luxury
requested a pool more than five metres long and 2.5 metres wide with interior accommodations and on the exterior decks had to be
spa pool and exercise jets. The challenge was the limited space between compensated. Using composites and other ‘costly measures’, Vitus says
decks and weight allowance. We altered its layout and depth while still the weight of the yacht was reduced from the initial estimates by 65
providing enough water for full swimming motion. To reduce the tonnes. Much of the top deck is carbon fibre or composite, and Icon is
amount of freshwater demanded for filling the pool, we utilise a dump the only builder to have achieved certification for composite watertight
tank to temporarily store the water when the yacht is moving from one storm doors.
spot to another.’ The yard introduced a ‘plug and play’ system for electrical gear. All main deck

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BATON ROUGE

Adjacent to the beach

club and its air-
conditioned lounge (left)
is the fully equipped dive
room (above) and a
gymnasium. An
impressive quota of toys
includes a luxury Meyer
Limousine tender
stowed aft on the
main deck, plus
Waverunners, SeaBobs,
kayaks, windsurfers,
kitesurfers and bobdives

cabling was pre-terminated at the factory with corresponding connectors
installed on board as the bridge modules arrived, saving man hours at
a crucial time when many different trades are trying to work in the
same space.
Since leaving the shipyard, Baton Rouge has covered about 3,500
nautical miles in all weather, according to her captain, Joss de Rohan
Willner. Although the yacht is capable of 16 knots, he notes that 14.5 is
the most comfortable cruising speed. ‘The boat handles head sea very
well with virtually no slamming, so even when the sea starts to pick up
we can still press on without having to reduce speed,’ he says. ‘For long-
distance cruising, twelve knots should give us a comfortable 5,000
nautical miles-plus range.’
True to form, the next nearly custom launch from Icon, hull number
three of the series, Midlandia, is under construction for delivery in
October 2011. Exterior design is by RWD but this will feature an Italian
post-modern interior by Cristiano Gatto. The steelwork had been
completed at press time, and the aluminium deckhouse was about to be
placed on the hull. 

The expansive beach club ‘was driven by the owner of the first Icon,’ says
Redman. ‘This one has a completely different ambiance, however’

lower deck

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