Ancona, Italy – 27th October 2015 –
Hot on the heels of the news of the launch of the Wider150 last week, the largest and most spectacular of the WIDER range, the Wider165 – project Cecilia, has now moved into the WIDER Super Yacht Division’s main production facility for fitting out.
In an operation that starting at 10pm on the evening of the 26th of October, and which lasted just over 2 hours, the yacht was moved along the 900m of public highways to WIDER’s main yard.
“This is an especially exciting time for us… last week we launched our first Superyacht, this week we look to the next one… With the aluminium hull and superstructure all but complete the first job is to attach the upper deck structure to the hull. This could not be done in the other facility because of height restrictions.. Thereafter, we will be pushing ahead with all of the various trades to ensure that we are on time for delivery to the owner in 12 months’ time.” Says Tilli Antonelli, Wider founder and CEO.
Originally developed to fulfil an owner’s desire to equip his vessel with a submersible for thrilling underwater adventures, the WIDER 165 is a no-compromise vessel that features advanced multi-functional systems, user-friendly technology, a touch and go helipad, diesel-electric propulsion, and an enhanced relationship with the sea via the WIDER beach club area, side platforms, balcony, and an interior seawater swimming pool.
Juan Balaguer, Wider COO, adds: “Although we have been busy over the last few days with the 150, checking a number of systems and performing the stability tests required by class, it was a little strange to see the main yard empty. It’s very pleasing to see our next project here and the yard is buzzing again with all the people”
About the Wider165
Constructed entirely in aluminium, the elegant profile of the WIDER 165 was created by yacht designer Fulvio De Simoni in collaboration with WIDER Founder and CEO Tilli Antonelli and the in-house WIDER design team. The WIDER 165 has been designed to enhance the owner’s contact with the sea, while significantly increasing interior volumes compared to other similar sized motor yachts.
“Our goal is to give each and every owner exactly what they desire, creating a yacht to suit their unique personality” says Wider Founder and CEO, Tilli Antonelli.
The 50-meter aluminium superyacht presents the same elegant lines as the Wider 150, while adding significant interior volume and exterior living space. The 165’ accommodates a touch-and-go helipad, a dedicated submersible bay and offers a beach club that is fast becoming the trademark of the Wider superyacht range including the covered swimming pool.
Thanks to its Floating Launching System, the stern of the WIDER 165 can be converted into a spacious garage ideal for carrying the WIDER 32 as a tender – the transom opening hatch allows the WIDER 32 to be housed in the space used as a swimming pool – in addition to a submarine, although this could be adapted for a client’s specific needs in the future.
LOW-CONSUMPTION DIESEL ELECTRIC PROPULSION
The beating heart of the Wider 165’ project is its diesel electric propulsion system combined with a 544kWh Lithium polymer battery bank and Azimuthal pods, which guarantees hugely reduced fuel consumption.
Four inline variable speed diesel generators, controlled by the state-of-the-art WIDER power management system and the latest battery technology, serve the hotel and propulsion requirements of the vessel.
The traditional engine room has been replaced by a Power Generator Room, located in the bow. This leaves the mid ship of the vessel free for larger, more comfortable guest cabins located in the most stable part of the yacht. This arrangement is only possible because of the use of Azimuthal pods which receive power through an electric cable unlike traditional propulsion systems which have shafts.
In addition to space gains, this combination of Diesel Electric combined with Lithium polymer battery banks and Azimuthal pods affords significant advantages compared to conventional shaft-line propulsion. These include:
• increased reliability
• fuel efficiency
• greater range
• shallow draft
• lower noise and vibration
• reduced maintenance
• greater flexibility
The propulsion system is also completely modular, meaning the WIDER 165 can cruise using only the battery packs, in ZEM (Zero Emission Mode), or with up to four inline diesel generators. When fully charged, the battery power is sufficient to power all of the hotel services, including air conditioning, for an overnight stay at anchor or while enjoying the beach in complete silence, with no engines running.
A range of 3,500nm is expected at a cruising speed of 13 knots, increasing to 5,000nm at the economical speed of 10 knots. The yacht has a maximum speed of 15 knots. Also available at Zero Emission Speed, the WIDER 165 can run solely on batteries for silent cruising at lower speeds (5 knots), or for short movements, avoiding the need to start generators to move anchorages or for early starts.
As with all of the Wider Superyacht range, the onboard power sources are controlled by the WIDER Power Management System, a smart and fully integrated system which controls the power supplied by the shore connection, the gen-sets and the battery packs, distributing it between the hotel requirements, the propulsion system and the recharging of batteries, as required.
Our dedicated partner in this project, and the supplier of our WIDER Power Management system, is the market-leading, global powerhouse, Emerson Industrial Automation.
All-ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION
The yacht’s intelligent design focuses on minimising fuel consumption and emissions while maximizing onboard living space, without underestimating the importance of easy maintenance. The material chosen for the entire construction of the Wider 165’ is aluminium, a noble, durable metal that, being particularly lightweight, makes it possible to increase the performance/consumption ratio of the yacht and hence achieve a considerable reduction in emissions. Combined with the fact that aluminium is completely recyclable, this helps to reduce the vessel’s footprint on the environment. Aluminium also provides greater freedom during construction as it increases the opportunity for customisation, yet considerably shortens production times.
The yacht’s interior design and general arrangement correspond to Wider’s mission of enhancing the connection of the owner and guests to the water at all times through the use of large windows, side-opening balconies and spacious exterior dining and entertaining areas. Among the many unique features on board the WIDER 165 are the owner’s private terrace overlooking the sea, which opens off the full-beam master cabin. The sizeable guest quarters comprise four en-suite cabins on the lower deck.
The crew of 11, are divided among five cabins on the lower deck and a sizeable cabin for the captain next to the wheelhouse. An ample crew mess complies with the latest standards (LY3) for crew. A central corridor gives direct access to the engine room, located at the furthest point from the guest accommodation.
“Our new flagship will represent the finest marriage of aesthetics, innovation and cutting-edge technology that the yachting world has seen so far,” Tilli Antonelli said.
This yacht is on track to be delivered to her owner in late 2016.
