Tankoa Luxury Superyacht Vertige and 164 feet of fun
Italian yacht builder Tankoa made waves in the yachting industry when it launched the stunning 227-foot-seven-inch (69.4m) motor yacht SUERTE in 2015. She went on the charter market with Northrop & Johnson, was chartered and then sold to a charter guest who simply fell in love with the yacht. This, of course, created some buzz within the industry. What was so special about this yacht that one of her first charter guests simply had to purchase her straight away?
Tankoa soon provided the answer when it launched (in February 2017) the magnificent 164-foot (50m) motor yacht VERTIGE. The yacht was officially delivered in May 2017 when Captain Filippo Belli took the helm. Filippo, who boasts a 21-year yachting career, joined the yacht six months before delivery, “I was able to work on all of the detailing and finishing of the yacht in order to deliver her in practically perfect condition,” he says. Filippo began working on the water in 1992 as an OOW in the Italian Navy. In 1997, he transitioned to a career in yachting and joined his first yacht as a bosun. He worked on many yachts throughout his career, from motor to sailing, private to charter. He is an extremely knowledgeable and professional captain with ample industry experience and also brings a lively, fun attitude to any yacht on which he works.
After VERTIGE splashed, she went straight to work. “We did 13 weeks of charter during the 2017 summer season,” Filippo explains. “Two weeks of charter were repeat clients, which have chartered with me before and the rest were new clients.” The yacht put 6,400 miles under her keel in two months; she cruised everywhere from Turkey to Greece, Croatia to South Italy, Sicily to Palermo, Sardinia, Corsica, Portofino, San Remo, Monaco, Saint-Tropez and beyond.
No matter who stepped aboard, the impression they left with was the same — awestruck. “I’m very proud to be captain of this boat,” Filippo says. “She is extremely comfortable and has an incredible Italian design,” Filippo explains that guests love the yacht’s layout. “The smart concept allows guests to utilize different spaces.” Filippo explains that VERTIGE is well suited for groups of couples and families because she has a variety of areas ideal for entertaining, but she also allows for privacy; he maintains that guests can enjoy the yacht separately or together — “there are so many options for guests aboard,” he says. In addition to an exceptional interior layout, the yacht’s ten-meter beam ensures that she feels much large than a 50-meter yacht; “It’s like being on a 60- to 65-meter yacht because of how wide she is,” says Filippo. “The volume is immense.”
VERTIGE allows for up to 12 guests in six staterooms; nine crewmembers are aboard, all of whom are extremely qualified professionals, able to create incredible holidays for guests. VERTIGE made her yachting industry debut at the 2017 Monaco Yacht Show, where she was — some (including Captain Filippo) might say — the talk of the show. “She definitely is one of the most visited yachts here,” he says while beaming. The word on the street about VERTIGE is, in Captain Filippo’s words, “stunning.” “Everyone is talking about the impressive season we had,” Filippo proclaims. And when you consider that summer 2017 was the yacht’s first season in the water, it’s evident that there’s plenty of proof to back up the chatter.
After VERTIGE wrapped up the 2017 Monaco Yacht Show, she headed Stateside on Dockwise Yacht Transport and into port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for her American unveiling at the 2017 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. She then made her way down island for the 2017 Antigua Charter Show, where VERTIGE again was a hot ticket. She was extremely well received by brokers from around the world and began her first winter Caribbean charter season in December 2017 with a few charters already lined up on the books. Despite the Caribbean season’s slower start-up, due to the Atlantic hurricanes of 2017, VERTIGE’s first winter season was a success. She will soon once again make her way to the Mediterranean Sea where she is gearing up for what is anticipated to be an even busier 2018 summer season.
VERTIGE is a one-of-a-kind luxury yacht. “She is a fashion boat; she looks amazing in the water,” says Captain Filippo. “But she’s more than that. As good as she looks, she sails even better. She is very, very stable and extremely well built.” Filippo adds that this is due to the impressive craftsmanship of Tankoa. “The quality of the materials, the skill level of the people who worked on her and the attention to detail are what make the yacht so special,” he concludes. Since her launch, VERTIGE hasn’t endured even one little hiccup. She boasts an impressive prowess, outstanding build quality, exquisite design, next-level technology and a level of comfort that most find only in their land-based homes. VERTIGE is more than a yacht, she is a floating masterpiece from her pedigree to the linen sheets; she is top class all the way.
