In the first month after she was delivered, the 70-metre Rossinavi flagship Polaris had already travelled more than 3,000 nautical miles. It's a distance that's nearly as vast as an Atlantic crossing, but it's small change compared to how the owner plans to use his new yacht. Polaris will visit the usual Med and Caribbean hotspots, but she will also journey to the ends of the earth. When dreaming up his new yacht, the owner had his sights set on cruising the icy climes of the Arctic and Antarctica, and it was this mission that shaped the entirety of Polaris, from her ice-classed hull to her diesel-electric propulsion and her inviting interior, chock-full of amenities to enjoy while far from land.

"The owner's dream was for a long-range superyacht that could comfortably cruise the world," says Enrico Gobbi of Team for Design, who penned her exterior and interior. Having worked with Rossinavi, Arrabito Naval Architects and Team for Design on his previous yacht, the 48-metre Polaris I (now Parillion), the owner already had his Italian dream team in place for his new creation. Between yacht builds, Gobbi had also designed the owner's holiday residence ashore, all of which gave the designer a firm footing for understanding his client's style preferences.

Polaris meets the requirements of Class II of the Finnish-Swedish Ice Class rules. "This includes some upgrades compared to a normal boat: there is a reinforcement of the first forward quarter of the hull and there are reinforcements in the structural part of the pods and propellers," says Federico Rossi, Rossinavi's COO. The shape and volume of the sea chests are also specifically designed for navigation in icy waters, with two different de-icing systems, including hot water from the engines that can be sent to the sea chests. "We have not had substantial difficulties as she is Ice Class compliant and not a pure icebreaker – and this drastically changes the construction techniques," he says. While Polaris is the first ice-classed Rossinavi yacht, she will not be the last; the yard already has others under construction.

The exterior design was influenced by her explorer capabilities. "Mainly the height of the hull and the bow, which had to have certain characteristics in order to navigate in all conditions," says Gobbi. "A tall and long bow was not only a technical requirement, but also a necessary aesthetic feature to balance the proportions of the yacht." The straight, tall bulwarks form a splash guard edge to ensure dry decks even in adverse cruising conditions.

The owner briefed a yacht with a slender silhouette and eye-catching exterior lines. "The superstructure needed to have a dynamic appeal, flowing decks and unique identifying features. When drawing her profile we imagined her anchored in the bay, showing off the harmonic connection of all decks and the sleek outlines of the superstructure," says Gobbi. Team for Design created a harmonious exterior that, upon closer inspection, is composed of sharp angles that catch the light and add interest. Best appreciated in profile, the edges of the superstructure are slanted so there is a continuous line at a 45-degree angle that draws the eye from the bridge deck down to the main deck. The owner also specifically requested a stern design that would be recognisable in a marina without being too pretentious, so the aft ends of each deck overhang slightly. These overhangs are painted grey to match the radar arch and transom. "This is an identifying feature of Polaris and it helps to create a dynamic stern view," says Gobbi. He notes that it's also functional, with each overhang forming part of the ceiling for the exterior deck spaces below and hiding lighting that illuminates the boat at night.

Speed:        17 Kn

Guests:       14

Crew:          18

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