Modern expedition yachts combine the luxurious comforts and hospitality of a family-sized pleasure craft with the rugged capabilities of a floating explorer. This 2012 Brazilian-built 152-footer is a fine example of a beefed-up luxury yacht, outfitted for long, daring expeditions after an extensive refit.
One lucky client is now the new owner of Far Far Away, a sturdy and spacious yacht built in Brazil more than a decade ago. He paid €11.95 million ($13 million), the final asking price for the yacht after a considerable price drop of more than $1.5 million announced late last year. That may seem like a lot to ask for a not-so-young yacht with a sturdy exterior, but Far Far Away is, in fact, completely renovated and updated after a recent 2021 refit.
The 152-footer was built as the flagship of the Inace shipyard. Inace (Indostria Naval do Ceara) is located in Fortaleza, Ceara (Brazil) and is known for its stunning vessels such as the 26-meter (85-foot) Joana II, built in 1996 for Formula 1 driver Emerson Fittipaldi. Initially focused on commercial and military vessels, the Brazilian builder opened its luxury yacht division in the 1980s.
After several years of exclusive private use, Far Far Away began an extensive refit process that would prepare her debut as an explorer charter yacht. The yacht Inace with elegant interiors by Luiz de Basto (a Miami-based studio) was refitted in Italy, at the Lusben shipyard.
It has been significantly enlarged, going from 36.5 meters to 46.2 meters. In terms of volume, it can now accommodate up to 15 guests in seven cabins instead of just ten. An impressive main deck spanning 120 square meters (almost 1,300 square feet) has been designed to accommodate a wide range of toys, including a tender, a car, a submarine and two jet skis.
The structural upgrades were complemented by long-range cruising superpowers. The new and improved Far Far Away could literally travel very, very far after doubling its range. It can comfortably cruise up to 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km) on its own, meaning it doesn’t need to stop at ports along the way for fuel and supplies. In terms of time, that translated to nearly three full months of autonomous cruising.
This increased range is backed up by two high-capacity diesel tanks and a 5,000-liter (1,320-gallon) fresh water tank during refit. Brand New CAT 99 kW generators, twin 60kW stern thrusters and an upgraded 90kW bow thruster ensure smooth long-distance cruising.
Self-sufficiency at sea also comes with massive storage: the yacht’s old laundry room was converted into a warehouse, with the addition of a new laundry room and large cold storage rooms. Finally, the expedition’s superpowers included advanced equipment such as thermal cameras for improved night vision, satellite navigation and electronics, and a cargo and refueling monitoring system.
In addition to her exploratory capabilities, Far Far Away boasts a fresh, neutral interior designed to create a sanctuary-like feel on board – this could be a winning combination for the modern adventurer.