The technical launch of the 50-meter, hybrid Tankoa S502 Elettra is happening soon in the Genoa shipyard. After the final fit-out and the dock tests, the yacht will take several sea trials and will be finally delivered to her European owner for the summer season.
The work is intense in the Genoa-based Tankoa premises: S502 Elettra is being assembled and will touch the water in a few days. She is the second unit of the 50-meter range, after Vertige. The name Elettra (or Electra) is full of meanings, being carried by many characters in the Greek mythology but also by a tragedy by Sophocles and one by Euripides. More, it’s the name of the ship used by Guglielmo Marconi for his experiments on radio transmission.
In this case it could simply recall the main feature of this mega yacht. Let see then where the project S502 Elettra differs from the previous Vertige:
- Elettra is powered by a hybrid powertrain
- She will boast five cabins, with the owner’s suite on the main deck and guest cabins on the lower deck
- The galley is on the main deck rather than on the lower deck
- The foredeck features a touch-and-go helipad.
Where we are now
Let’s pretend we are the owners of Elettra, checking on the progress of the work on our new yacht. At the beginning of April, the situation on board is the following:
- Final assembly of the VIP guest cabin is completed, and ready for freestanding furniture installation.
- Jacuzzi on fly deck has been fitted, and mosaic tiles have been laid down
- Installation of exterior ceiling panels on flybridge is underway. Lighting and audio speakers installation will immediately follow
- Laying of the teak decking forward of the wheelhouse has been completed and installation of sofa for the dinette is following
- Installation of the teak/stainless-steel floating staircase connecting the upper deck and fly deck has been completed
- Polished stainless-steel cleats and fairleads have been installed
- Mast has been painted, antennas have been installed and wiring completed. The mast will be fitted on as soon as the yacht gets out of the shed
- Alignment of drive shafts is done, so the props are ready to be mounted.
It seems like there’s still plenty of work to do, but Tankoa is used to respect delivery time, and sometimes even go further. During the construction of 70-meter Suerte, the owner changed his mind many times asking for modifications: still the company led by Michel Karsenti complied to the initial deadline. So, we are confident that the technical launch will happen according to schedule.
The engine room of Tankoa S502 Elettra houses a couple of 895 kW MTU 8V4000M54 and two 300 kW electric motors: the latter are driven by two variable-speed 250 kW generators. In DEM mode (Diesel-Electric mode) the electric motors are fed by the two generators, allowing for speed up to 10.5 knots and a maximum range of 4,900 nautical miles. This DEM mode offers considerable fuel savings and reduced noise levels.
In Hybrid Mode, one of the two main engines shaft generates the needed electrical power to run the second electric motor for propulsion and hotel needs. At 12 knots, the yacht will have a cruising range of approximately 4,000 nm. In this mode, the two diesel generators are simply shut down during navigation.
The interior design of Tankoa Elettra is by Francesco Paszkowski Design, in cooperation with Magherita Casprini. It combines light and modern tones with an abundance of natural materials
In Traditional Mode, the yacht can cruise at 16,5 knots using both main diesel engines for propulsion and a diesel generator feeding the hotel loads. In this case, the variable speed generators self-adjust their rotation pace to the required load.
In Full-Speed Mode, with both main engines and generators supplying power to the two electric motors and feeding the hotel loads, the yacht will reach a top speed in excess of 18 knots.
Now, let’s get inside “our” superyacht. The interior design is by Francesco Paszkowski Design, in cooperation with Magherita Casprini. It combines light and modern tones with an abundance of natural materials.
Elettra’s lower deck will be equipped with gym and beach club, two VIP cabins and two guest, twin ones, plus crew quarters and service areas.
On the main deck, the cockpit comes with a large sun bed, U-shaped sofa, coffee tables and bar. The interior offers a spacious saloon, dining room, galley, and the owner’s apartment featuring an office and a lounge equipped with fold-down terrace to starboard and a large opening window to port.
The upper deck has been designed around spacious entertainment areas for guest’s relaxation, with a dining table and access to the sky lounge. The foredeck sports a solarium and an open-air lounge, all designed to offer maximum privacy when Elettra is docked. The flybridge provides space and comfort thanks in particular to the presence of sofas, sun-beds, up & down tables, bar and a Jacuzzi.
Tankoa S693 M/Y Suerte launched in Genoa
The numbers of Tankoa S502 Elettra
- Length overall …………… 49.90 m (163ft 8in)
- Beam …………… 9.40 m (30ft 10in)
- Draft
- …………… 2.21 m (7ft 3in)
- Full load displacement …………… 391 T
- Gross Tonnage …………… 499 GT
- Main engines …………… 2 x MTU 8V4000M54 2 x 895 kW
- Top speed (half load) …………… 18 knots
- range at 12 kn …………… 4.000 nm
- Fuel reserve …………… 57.300 l (15137 US gal)
- Fresh water reserve …………… 16.200 l (4279 US gal)
- Hull type …………… Displacing
- Classification …………… Lloyd’s (MCA LY3)
- Hull material …………… Aluminum
- Superstructure material …………… Aluminum
- Project engineer …………… Studio Francesco Rogantin & Tankoa Technical Office
- Exterior Designer …………… Francesco Paszkowski Design
- Interior Designer …………… F. Paszkowski & M. Casprini
