Bijoux // Moonen Yachts

Responsible for design is René van der Velden (exterior styling), Adam Lay (interior) and Diana Yacht Design (naval architecture). The entire transom can be transformed into a giant hatch.

The project manager commented:

“As launch customers for this model, the owners have had a significant influence on the design and layout of the first Matica. Although they have visited the yard on a number of occasions during the build, they were delighted that the yacht looked even better in the water than they had imagined. The owners were also impressed by the views from the pilothouse and the second steering position on the flybridge. And it was wonderful to see the superb color combination of a gray hull, white superstructure, and black striping comes into its own.”

Adam Lay says:

“Working with the Moonen team on the new Caribbean series Matica has been a wonderful experience. Once the fixed joinery was designed, Kelda – who is also a qualified interior designer – and I set about sourcing and specifying furnishing fabrics together with the owners.”

As experienced owners, the clients had a clear design brief in mind. “Our aim was to incorporate contemporary and cosy elements, with lots of natural light,” they explain. “Adam worked with us to achieve a sense of space defined by clean lines and highlighted by beautiful fabrics and wonderful abstract art. Durability was a major consideration for the fabrics as our teenagers bring lots of friends on board. At the same time, we wanted a modern, calming atmosphere as we intend the yacht to be a place of relaxation.”

Bijoux comes in at just below the 200 GT mark with the maximum volume possible. Her hull is based on the tried and tested Moonen 97, providing comfortable seakeeping and low fuel consumption. A steep bow gives a narrower waterline entrance and a longer waterline, adding to the comfort and fuel economy. The Matica models have a limited draught and well-protected propellers so that they can easily explore shallow waters.

Interview with the owners

Tell us a little about your first season?
It was August before we went sailing in earnest. We started in Malta and came back through Sicily, the Aeolian Islands, Corsica and the south of France. The seakeeping performance of the boat was exemplary and she was very comfortable even when we encountered some fairly big seas. She’s also super-quiet: you never notice the engines being started and it’s always a surprise to find yourself on the move!

The interior works very well too. Our aim with Bijoux was not to have a breathtaking boat inside… We wanted her to be modern but not in a fashionable way that would be out of fashion next year. Designer Adam Lay and the Moonen team did a superb job on creating a welcoming, contemporary and comfortable ambiance. The yacht is fresh, comfortable and a great place to live.

What are your favorite features?
There are so many as Bijoux is exactly how we wanted her. I’m really pleased with the grey-and-white color scheme with key lines of black. The bathing deck and the way the transom folds out to create a huge space and a very neat & sleek stern are great. Our full-beam owners’ suite is really spacious and gives the impression and reality of a big space when you walk in. Bijoux is a real family boat too. The accommodations are just right for us: we have four teenagers and the layout allows us to have guests on board with the kids.

How does the Caribbean line’s ‘fun on the water’ concept work in practice?
The Matica design connects very well to the sea. She has huge windows all around and it’s fantastic to sit in the saloon with nearly 360-degree views. The way that the cockpit and bathing deck work really makes you feel close to the water. And Bijoux has a huge amount of space so that everyone can enjoy their idea of relaxation – the foredeck, the cockpit, the upper decks, the bathing platform, the saloon and the rooms: you never feel on top of each other. As a 100-footer she allows us to go wherever we want and we love going to secluded harbors and exploring the local area. We personally think that the Matica is the prettiest in the Caribbean line, but then we would say that, wouldn’t we!

How has the service been?
Moonen has done a really good job. It feels like a family business and you can tell with the warranty work. We set up what needed doing at the Monaco Yacht Show and, according to the captain, who’s been with the boat throughout the winter, the yard did even more than it originally agreed. That’s a typical example of Moonen’s generosity.

What are your plans for the new season?
We’re starting with the Scandinavian fjords, then going down to Brittany, Portugal, Mallorca, Montenegro and back to Antibes. We won’t be on the boat all the time as passengers, but we do have a full season ahead. The boat will be used by the family pretty much throughout the season and we are excited to see what else Bijoux has in store for us all.