Nilo: Moonen’s First

Moonen Shipyards’ “94 Alu” Nilo has won its second award:

“Motor Boat of the Year 2009” in the category: Custom Yacht Over 70 Feet. In 2007 Nilo won a Yachts Magazine World Trophy for The Most Innovative Yacht.

Moonen developed the “94 Alu,” the first model in its new “Fast Yacht Series,” out of the remarkable success of the Moonen 84 (of which eight have been sold since 2001). With its classic lines and popular four-cabin layout, the Moonen 84 inspired several clients to inquire if the shipyard could build a Moonen-quality yacht with similar accommodations, but lighter and capable of significantly higher speed.

René van der Velden designed the 28.90-meter “94 Alu” with a sportier flair than his Moonen 84, extending the horizontal lines for a more aerodynamic exterior. Naval architects Stolk Marimecs shaped a round-bilge, semi-displacement hull of about 120-ton displacement and moderately higher length/beam ratio, to reduce resistance at cruising speed, provide a softer ride at high speed, and assure good seakeeping, manoeuvrability, and fuel economy-all qualities Moonen owners expect.

Moonen used the greater length over the 84-foot design to expand the forward accommodations, extend the swim platform, enlarge the lazarette, and create a longer engine room to include more powerful engines. Nilo is powered by Caterpillar ACERT High-Performance engines.

The main reason for the award is that Nilo is driven by Servogear Controllable-Pitch Propellers running in high-efficiency tunnels, and steered by Servogear custom-designed rudders. These propellers, combined with the round-bilge hull, create exceptional performance. Fuel consumption at 11 knots, with gensets running, is only 65 litres/hour!

Together with the 18.900 litres of fuel capacity, this ensures an incredible range. No other high-speed yacht of this size, with a 26-knot top speed, has a transatlantic range, Nilo has! Furthermore, at this speed she has the same exceptional seakeeping comfort typical of all Moonen yachts, but also at high speeds Nilo remains exceptionally comfortable.

Moonen’s Fast Yacht Series of high speed yachts really combines the best of both worlds.

Moonen’s advanced program of noise and vibration reduction assures silent running at all speeds for Nilo and her future sisters. Moonen builds the Fast Yacht Series in light, strong, corrosion-resistant Sealium, an aluminum alloy that has achieved wide application in aerospace, shipbuilding, and commercial land construction, and which is conveniently cut, bent, and welded using the same methods as the more common 5083 alloys.

The interior styling of Nilo was created by Art-Line, which also styled the most recent Moonen 84s.

Moonen has under development the Moonen “99 Alu” (an extended version of the “94 Alu”). This new Semi-Displacement model expands the award-winning space and spirit of the “94 Alu”. She’s also driven by controllable-pitch propellers running in tunnels, for fingertip steering, overall economy, and 26-knot speed–all this, plus the silence, safety, and seakindliness you expect of every typical Moonen yacht.