Over the last 15 years we have gotten used to the shape and the sight of catamarans. I remember how some of them made do that eye squint and head-tilt that doggies do when they hear a high pitch noise, not sure where it’s coming from. Looking at This IS IT, the same question bears asking. Where (on earth?) did this come from.
THIS IS IT is the brainchild of its Cypriot owner Tasos Papanastasiou. Papanastasiou established XM, one of the world’s largest forex platforms with more than 2.5 billion transactions to date. Tasos proudly explains: “THIS IS IT was born, not as a concept study, but as a yacht to be built. So, the yacht’s design had to be feasible even if it was completely new in terms of contents and style.”
When The Islander team had a look on board at the Monaco Yacht Show, she was berthed next to ArtExplorer. This Perini Navi is the world’s largest sailing catamaran, with her 46,5m LOA. Despite being 3 meters longer than THIS IS IT, she literally sat in the shadow of THIS IS IT’s voluminous superstructure. She feels bigger than 43,5m (142.71-ft). She feels different from any yacht. It was definitely the asymmetry of her stern, bow and interior that I had to wrap my head around. The bow area could be misconstrued for the stern area, adding to my disorientation. The other visitors seemed just as lost. Our heads were rolling around to do the full 360-degree scan of the unique sights, or were we just trying to get our bearings?
“Naturally, what applies to external lines also applies to interior styling,” her interior designer Gian Marco Campanino explained. “Smooth, cocooning, and curvilinear are perfect words to describe the interior of the yacht, plus a touch of pure luxury due to the use of sophisticated and precious materials.” THIS IS IT’s interior styling uses contrasting materials, including smooth finishes such as high-quality leather, Alcantara suede fabrics, and metallic surfaces. Metals such as bronze, platinum, and gold contrast the soft, neutral colour palFette.
Built by luxury yacht builder The Italian Sea Group under the moniker Project 599, THIS IS IT is definitely a unique yacht that is both radical and innovative. Tecnomar is responsible for her exterior design. They explain the design ethos as folllows: “The inspiration for THIS IS IT’s unique style comes from the automotive world and is based on aerodynamic rules, fluid and organic lines, and flexible and dynamic shapes.”
Built with an aluminium hull, THIS IS IT has a maximum speed of 19 knots, a cruising speed of 17 knots, and a range of 3,500 nautical miles at 10 knots. So she is capable of crossing oceans on her own keel.
Her layout has been designed to maximise time on board with light-filled interiors courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows and strategically placed skylights. She boasts six ultra-luxurious cabins that can accommodate 12 guests, including a voluminous owner’s cabin with a private balcony and a VIP cabin. Each cabin features a dedicated en-suite bathroom, clever storage solutions. The Champagne-infused colour palette is very tasteful. She can accommodate 12 crew members.
Her main lounge includes a large bar and game area, with ample seating for convivial get-togethers. Large floor-to-ceiling doors can be fully opened to blur the lines between the yacht’s interior and the exterior lounge area, including a swimming pool and sunbathing area. On her main deck is a dining area that can seat 12 guests. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the area with light while floor-to-ceiling doors create a flexible indoor-outdoor space.
THIS IS IT has a spa on her upper deck, featuring a dedicated treatment area, sauna, and sensory shower. Adjacent to the spa is the yacht’s playroom / convertible cabin, a flexible space that can be used to keep little ones entertained or as an additional guest room.
This is it is, for now, the largest charter motor catamaran. If you are cruising in Greece this summer you might spot her. There will be no doubt in your mind that THIS IS IT!
