There’s a newly updated sportyacht on the water that is fast, sleek and sumptuous. Meet the stunning 36.5m Bagheera, fresh from a major refit this summer.

When you live and breathe hospitality, and your personal passion is yachting, then you know a thing or two about how to plan and execute a successful major refit of a superyacht. Bagheera is fortunate to have Jan Verkerk at the helm; the long-time yacht owner has made a name for himself by acquiring and impeccably upgrading such renowned charter superyachts as Sherakhan and Legend, and now he has turned his creative attentions to a 36.5m Palmer Johnson 120 named Bagheera. 

A WINNING FORMULA

Bagheera has a rock-solid sportyacht foundation, offering speed, performance and luxury in spades. Her design pedigree is outstanding, originating from the Venice-based Nuvolari Lenard design studio, which is renowned for its award-winning, iconic superyacht projects. The prized Palmer Johnson 120 is a semi-displacement yacht with a deep-V hull that delivers top speeds of 27 knots, with a comfortable cruising speed of 21 knots. Which makes Bagheera the ultimate fast and exciting platform for cruising the Mediterranean in style. 

"The Palmer Johnson 120 is an evergreen. It was first model that Nuvolari Lenard developed for the builder, and marked the start of a long and fruitful series of yachts” comments Carlo Nuvolari. “The 120 embodies all the innovations that were carried over to Palmer Johnson’s yachts: The sleek exterior lines combined with a generous interior that is flooded with light; the large aft deck and – of course – the gunwale that swings along and down into a smooth, unbroken curve from bow to stern, which is a visual hallmark of Nuvolari Lenard designs. The Palmer Johnson 120 was our first and remains our favorite design for them, and after her recent refreshment, Bagheera looks as good as new.” 

ONBOARD ATTRACTIONS

Bagheera is all about finding pleasure and enjoyment in the ever-changing surroundings, from a cocoon of pure luxury. Her main deck aft is a spectacular convertible space for al fresco dining and lounging, leading down to a bank of sunpads and infinity jacuzzi by the waterline, completed by an expansive swim platform with a large swimming ladder for easy access to the water.

The sundeck benefits from a vast sunpad and elegant yet comfortable lounging space with an optional bimini for overhead protection – perfect for a sundowner cocktail with panoramic views – while the foredeck’s triple sunpads offer a secure but exhilarating 180-degree vantage point while underway. Her hull and superstructure were recently given a new color scheme, with her crisp white hull accented by alluring black accents. 

The impeccably presented open-plan main salon is upscale and modern while also being cozy, with warm wood paneling balanced by naturally-toned soft furnishings, rich textures and plush, deep-pile rugs. The sit-up bar and formal dining area create a celebratory ambiance while comfy seating and a TV offer more low-key options. For added privacy, the LCD glass panel can screen the view to and from the bridge at the touch of a button.

On the lower deck, Bagheera’s bespoke guest bedrooms are unusually spacious for a yacht of her size, especially the master and two VIP cabins. Their colour schemes were updated in her recent refit, to match the rest of the yacht’s interior, along with a completely new inventory of mattresses and bedding.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN

Although she may have the ability to provide fast-paced, party-focused experiences on board, Bagheera also offers the perfect experience for family-friendly fun on board. The crew’s motto is to go above and beyond expectations, to surprise and delight clients with astonishing experiences throughout a stay on board. They are well versed in looking after groups with children, able to call on a wide array of fun activities to keep them entertained. Her jacuzzi is always popular with guests on board, offering a safe water-based entertainment feature for younger children beyond the large selection of watertoys on board. Bagheera has a range of well-equipped interior and exterior spaces for children to safely play and relax, to give their parents peace of mind.

GO ANYWHERE, FAST AND COMFY

One of the best things about owning a yacht like Bagheera is that your options are truly unlimited, thanks to her effortless speed and comfortable seakeeping.

 Even though she is able to reach some intoxicating top speeds when desired, Bagheera can be very economical when cruising at a more stately 11.5 knots, with fuel consumption rate of just 160L/hr (increasing to 275L/hr at 14 knots). And Palmer Johnson knows a thing or two about ensuring a fast ride is also a comfortable one; her stabilizer fins and deep-V aluminium hull guarantee smooth sailing even in choppier conditions. 

AS GOOD AS NEW

With Verkerk masterminding her major refit this year, Bagheera’s upgrades have been comprehensive, both inside and out; it is no exaggeration to say that she is now as good as new and raring to go. She received a full exterior repaint in a classic monochrome color scheme, while her decks were refreshed and all-new cushions and sunpads were brought on board.

Thanks to the team’s extensive experience in hospitality and entertainment, no detail was missed in her revamp, particularly in the hotel services areas of her interior. As well as new wooden flooring in the main salon, there are new sets of glassware and crockery, a new coffee machine and an electric buffet.

As Verkerk himself simply puts it: “Bagheera was already a marvelous yacht, but we have been able to transform her into an even more astonishing lady. Her extraordinary performance combined with her cutting-edge design welcomes her guests to experience ‘high-speed luxury living at its finest’!”