I he name of Turquoise Yachts’ new 53-metre, Jewels, can be understood in many ways. One of the interpretations is that it refers to the amazing collection of stones, metals and fabrics on board, but it’s also a yacht designed for the comfort and privacy of precious family members.
Delivered in May 2023, she has had a couple of lives already. She was born as Tala, featuring an elegant, raised pilothouse design by Miami-based Luiz De Basto. She had six guest cabins, a large beach club and a spacious sundeck. Tala was De Basto’s first collaboration with Turquoise on a built project, but the designer knew the owner from Turquoise’s sister company, Dutch superyacht builder Oceanco.
The designer applied his cerebral design approach to deceive the eyes; the yacht appears much leaner than she is. Seated at his desk in his Miami office years after he did the original rendering, he sketches quickly with a sure hand to demonstrate how he achieved the look. The bold black-and-white drawing produced in seconds is a mere section of the yacht, but you can recognise it immediately.
The trick to achieving the slimming effect comes from two strong lines. A diagonal line on the back of the sculptural superstructure comes up
