"Christina O" - the mother of all superyacht pools
The shipowner Aristotle Onassis had a Canadian frigate converted into a private yacht measuring a good 99 metres in length by HDW in Kiel according to plans by Caesar Pinnau. Actors and other celebrities met on board the "Christina O" (1954). The highlight was a pool on the aft deck with a mosaic floor depicting a leaping bull. The motif is modelled on a fresco dating back to 1400 BC, which was discovered in the palace of Knossos on Crete. This work of art was also given a careful makeover during the major refit in 2020. Here are some insights into the "Christina O".
The same applies to the 33.55 cubic metre pool tank and the platform of the lifting mechanism, which raises the floor, transforms it into a dance floor and still functions perfectly. Otherwise, the bathing deck remains largely in its original condition, but the deck above shines in new splendour. The oval Jacuzzi bar is located where a Piaggio P136 seaplane was once parked - rumoured to be the best outdoor bar on a superyacht in the world. Morley Yachts offers the classic from 700,000 euros per week, with space for 34 guests in 17 suites on board. For larger celebrations, "Christina O" can go on a day trip with 157 guests - with a star chef and sushi master.
Superyacht explorer number 1: "Octopus"
After a major refit, "Octopus" shines in new splendour. The 126.20-metre-long HDW construction was built to Espen Øino's specifications and under Lürssen's direction (more about the "Octopus"). When the yacht was delivered to Microsoft guru Paul Allen in 2003, it was considered the forerunner of all superyacht explorers, with a 36-metre float-in dock, Nemo lounge and hangar for two helicopters. The rectangular pool with glass floor plus half-moon Jacuzzi is located on deck six, while the extensions of deck seven surround the pool like a gallery - ideal as a diving platform. For the parents among the charter guests (myoctopus.com), it might be difficult to talk their children out of this risky endeavour. The view of the bathing establishment from above is particularly worthwhile when the floor goes up and the area becomes a nightclub.
Bathing with Greek gods
Swimming fans can enjoy the 80 metre long "Leona" are sure to get their money's worth. Not only because there are two veritable superyacht pools on the Bilgin yacht from 2023, but also because the indoor version will remain in guests' memories in many respects. Visually, the pool is reminiscent of antiquity, with water-spouting statues lining the edge of the pool and ornate reliefs and marble columns covering the walls. On the port side, behind a sliding glass door on the side, oriental customs come knocking - but not in the form of a spa. Instead, there is a shisha bar with a balcony over which the vapours are about to escape.
In contrast to the lavish world cruise interior by Johnny Horsfield (H2 Yacht Design), the outdoor pool on the aft deck of the Beletage is restrained. The simple rectangle offers modern features such as a glass floor and an unobstructed view of the sea aft, plus wide cushions flanking the raised swimming pool on both sides. The owners, who still reside above the bridge deck in a truly palatial penthouse suite, can also retreat to the private pool on their foredeck.
Superyacht Pools: Tests against sloshing
The Lürssen-Giga "Flying Fox" is considered exclusive, with Bluewater charging three million euros a week to rent the 136 metres. In return, the Espen-Øino design offers a twelve metre long pool at the stern, which could be positioned at right angles to the direction of travel due to the yacht's width of 22.50 metres. The pool presented the designers with a major challenge simply because of the masses of water. The water develops a dynamic life of its own with a free surface, especially when the yacht rolls strongly.
This sloshing effect "can develop destructive forces depending on the situation", explains Øino. The sloshing water from superyacht pools not only disturbs the guests, but can also cause high pressure on the pool walls. This is a problem that the Feadship shipyard intensively. This is how she solved it.
Test trials with a yacht model in the wave tank at the University of Duisburg provided the solution for Lürssen's "Flying Fox". When the sea is rough, the crew puts a two-part partition wall in the centre of the pool. If desired, the front glass front can be blinded, allowing bathers to enjoy either the massage jets or the counter-current.
Flying high: superyacht pools on the upper decks
Even at first glance, the location of the pool is unusual, the eleven-metre pool on Lürssen's new Giga "Kismet" is located on one of the upper floors, on the so-called pool deck between the master floor and the bridge deck. A 50-tonne tank holds the pool water, while 48 tonnes splash in the actual pool above two round windows in the floor. Even on bumpy journeys, the water heated by heat recovery remains where the guests of the 122-metre yacht appreciate it: in the pool. This is ensured by a transverse partition wall in the centre of the pool and the overflow channels on the sides. Last but not least, four fin stabilisers work against annoying ship movements.
On "Mar", the pool is also located high up on the forward sun deck - the fourth of a total of five floors on the 107 metre long Benetti. The former "Lana" (2019) is a special feature in itself and one of the few 100-metre-plus formats made in Italy. The shipyard built the eight-metre-long swimming pool lengthways, it is simple and square as if drawn with a ruler and holds 21,000 litres of water. The format emphasises the slender figure of the lady, who at 14.40 metres is around three metres slimmer than "Luminosity" and other Gigas of a similar length. The finely tuned heating technology and the fact that the pool fills up in 45 minutes no longer amazed anyone, even in 2020, but from the very beginning this Benetti triumphed in the way that estate agents like to celebrate: location, location, location.
