58 METRE / 190 FT MEGA – SLOOP ‘NGONI’ BUILT IN 2017 BY ROYAL HUISMAN SHIPYARD, NETHERLANDS DESIGNED BY ED DUBOIS

A truly remarkable design built by the world’s finest superyacht shipyard. As of 2024 NGONI has 4 x large spacious ensuite cabins (the gym was removed Summer 2024 and replaced with a luxurious twin berth cabin with adjoining bathroom). In addition a single berth sofa bed was created in the owners office This final flourish from the late Ed Dubois was undoubtedly his most striking, innovative and demanding commission. Ngoni’s experienced owner requested a cutting edge, minimalist and purposeful design. This was not to be a “Wolf in Sheep’s clothing” but “edgy, innovative and fast!”

UNDER SAIL / PERFORMANCE

The exterior is minimalist and purposeful; seeking to maximise reliability & to enhance elegance and aerodynamic efficiency through clean, uncluttered lines. The yacht is primarily driven by a vast carbon sloop rig of 71m/233ft and the latest North Sails square-top mainsail. As an owner who likes to helm, he insisted on steering that was light, yet firm and responsive. The wheel had to give him the true feel of the boat under sail. Finally, the yacht, however edgy in presentation, should still offer luxurious amenity, optimising hull volume to accommodate owner, family and guests in style and comfort. Dubois drew the hull with a striking reverse sheer from the bow to the centre of the deckhouse. He balanced that with a gentle concave sheer going aft and reversing once more over the beach deck. He radiused the plumb bow, top and bottom and drafted a challenging, full-glass deckhouse incorporating extreme curves. He also designed an extended Rondal boom of some 24m /79ft. The transformation was complete. The owner had his ‘sleek and edgy’ weapon.

EXTERIOR / ONDECK

Disguised under Ngoni’s flush deck and hull are numerous openings; a giant foredeck tender garage for the 5.6m jet tender, a dedicated launch crane, flush sail lockers, all carbon jacuzzi spa pool, cooled waste locker, a sea-level gym door, fold-out side boarding platform with beach and two submarine anchors under the waterline. Aft of the foredeck, the towering carbon mast is one of the world’s three largest one-piece spars ever built by Rondal. Ngoni’s full air-draft is 75m / 246ft. The Dubois office created by far the most extreme style-to-order boom yet seen. The almost 4m / 13ft aft extension of the boom, designed and crafted to follow the profile of the yacht’s stern, created superb visual harmony. The beach deck aft completes the exterior picture in style: the grand, curving staircase descending elegantly to sea level and the sculpted teak horseshoe sun-lounging area – what better place to take in the day’s activities with a favourite sundowner cocktail?

INTERIOR / MAIN DECK

A highly stable boarding platform at tender level is linked to the deck by boarding steps adjacent to the deckhouse, offering easy access to the deck amidships. Seamless sliding glass doors aft provide access to the sheltered guest cockpit beneath the deckhouse overhang. Electrically operated sliding glass wind breakers ensure a perfect, flexible outdoor environment whatever the conditions. The luxuriously appointed guest cockpit offers an intimate outdoor space for reading, relaxation, playing games or simply watching a movie on the outdoor retracting television screen. The deck saloon is laid out to incorporate luxurious informal seating and pop-up television to port, formal dining to starboard and a seated bar- all affording superb visibility and comfort. Doors forward give access to the nav station and the crew area and machinery spaces below. The light and airy deck house interior incorporates fascinating artwork, bespoke furniture and exotic finishes.

MASTER SUITE

Interior designer Rick Baker recalls all too well the requests of the owner “Don’t design a traditional yacht interior.” The scheme should have flowing curves interspersed with organic detailing and unique materials. The interior was to have a contemporary feel, broken up with punches of vibrant colour. The use of vivid resins, combined with sculpted metal surfaces, was to give a fluid feel throughout, yet each area should have its own identity.” The owner settling on bespoke walnut veneers and distinctive Italian marble and onyx. The result is design originality that delights the eye yet still provides warm and inviting spaces for the owners and their guests. The owner’s and guest accommodation is accessed via a grand curving staircase from the saloon to the guest lobby. The owners’ suite, aft, comprises a full-beam stateroom with bespoke built-in furniture, an enormous bathroom with access from two sides. New 4th cabin in 2024; what was a large gym opposite, is now a beautifully appointed twin berth cabin with ensuite bathroom (professionally converted Summer 2024). Forward of the master cabin and to Port is a dedicated private owners office which also has a converting single bed (a useful 5^th cabin) and adjoining bathroom.

TECHNICAL & CREW AREAS

The crew benefit from high quality amenities on the forward cabin deck, in conformance with the Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY3). There is accommodation for up to nine crew in six crew cabins. All enjoy superb cabin fit-outs with ensuite bathroom and shower facilities. Aft of the crew accommodation, a bright, spacious and professionally equipped galley, to starboard, is open to the crew mess opposite. Further aft is a large laundry. From the crew accommodation the engineer has direct access to the engine control room and then state-of-the-art engine room. This is every yacht’s beating heart – the very finest Dutch engineering and class leading German MTU 966hp main engine all sound insulated to exceptional Royal Huisman standards.