Rarely do boat shows offer surreal moments, but as I descend below decks on YYachts’ latest 27.4-meter creation in Cannes, I’m struck by a sensation reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. What begins as a descent down the stairs of a distinctly sailing vessel transforms into the ambiance of a chic, open-plan Scandinavian living room.

 

 

This illusion is a hallmark of Michael Schmidt’s high-end sailing creations, a feat previously achieved with the smaller Y7, which happens to belong to the same owner as this new Y9, both aptly named Bella. This captivating transformation is the result of an unexpected collaboration between YYachts and the architectural studio Norm Copenhagen. The outcome is a rare equilibrium between sailing performance and the refined aesthetics of modernism.

 

Partnering with Norm Copenhagen, Katrine Goldstein remarks, “I believe that our daily work with hospitality and residential design means that we look at the yacht differently than the classic maritime designer. We look at it as we would any other space. It’s still about making the space calm, balanced, and warm for the life lived here.”