2019 Mengi Yay 40m Motorsailer | 2023 Award-Nominated Refit | RINA Commercial
Broker’s Comment North Star offers a rare combination of RINA Commercial classification and VAT Paid status, making her an ideal candidate for both private use and high-end charter operations. Following her 2023 refit, the vessel is in immediate “turn-key” condition with significantly upgraded technical and aesthetic specifications.
North Star is a 40-meter steel-hull motorsailer delivered in 2019 by Mengi Yay Shipyard to a design by Ginton Naval Architects. Built to RINA Commercial (Unrestricted) classification, the vessel is engineered to combine the internal volume and stability of a motor yacht with the operational profile of a performance sloop.
In 2023, the yacht underwent a comprehensive interior and exterior refit at Marmaris Yachtmarina, designed by BAZ Yacht Design. This project was subsequently shortlisted for the Refit Award at the International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2024. The refit replaced the original decor with a light-tone palette, incorporating Italian-brand furniture, new veneer wall paneling, and an updated LED lighting scheme. The main salon now features panoramic glazing and a redesigned ceiling, providing a direct visual connection to the marine environment.
The accommodation layout provides for 12 guests in six cabins. This configuration includes two identical, full-beam master suites positioned amidships for maximum stability, alongside four additional guest cabins. All en-suite bathrooms were redesigned during the 2023 refit. The crew area is located forward and is entirely separate, accommodating seven crew in four cabins with a dedicated galley and mess.
Operational efficiency is centered on the flybridge, which features a permanent hardtop added in 2023 with integrated lighting and audio. The sloop rig, featuring a 52.8m keel-stepped aluminum mast, is designed for ease of use; the in-boom furling main and self-tacking staysail are controlled via push-button systems and Lewmar hydraulic captive winches, allowing for full sail handling from the upper helm without deck crew intervention.
The “beach club” functionality is enabled by a hydraulic stern platform and twin side platforms. The aft cockpit serves as a primary social space, equipped with a bar featuring Corian countertops and integrated wine refrigeration.
Technical Highlights
Main Engines: 2 x Caterpillar C18, 679 hp each (approx. 1,680 hours); ZF 550 gearboxes.
Generators: 2 x Caterpillar C4.4 86 kW (synchronized with automatic load-balancing) plus 1 x dedicated night generator (installed 2023).