ON THE DOUBLE
6/3/2008 12:17:58 PM by Sandy Lindsey
Burger’s Areti I and Areti II are mirror images of one another — except, of course, when it comes to taste in art.
Photos courtesy of Burger Boat Company
If one is good, two must be better. Such is the logic of a young Russian industrialist who does business on both sides of the Atlantic. The new owner believes that time spent with his family is an extremely important part of life; and where better to spend that leisure time than aboard twin lavish 127-foot Burger tri-deck motoryachts. The yachts will also function for business meetings and entertaining.
“The mega-yachts are identical except for different artwork in each,” says Jim Ruffolo, president of Burger Boat Company. “After separate launch dates, the twins lived together at the same marina in St. Augustine until March 2008 when Areti II set sail for Europe where she will cruise the Adriatic and Aegean seas and in the Balkans.” Areti I will remain based in Florida to cruise the waters of the U.S.’s eastern seaboard as well as the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
In addition to having the distinction of being twins, the head-turning Areti I and II are an exercise in state-of-the-art naval technology. “The boats we are building now are light years different than when Jim Ruffolo and his then-partner David Ross re-opened the Manitowac facility 13 years ago,” says facilities manager Rich Auth, who along with other former Burger workers held out hope that the yard could and would re-open and once again launch superb megayachts. “It’s like comparing the space shuttle with the first space rockets. The skills by workers now required may be similar to those of 15 years ago, but the processes taking advantage of the skills have changed.”
One serious difference is in the overall sound level aboard. “The interior floors free-float when at sea with no vibration,” says Auth. “It’s like being in your living room at home...it’s just that quiet.”
“Important advances have been made in navigation and entertainment as well,” adds Ruffolo. “Owners and guests in each stateroom can listen to or watch whatever music or video they desire, typically with hundreds of offerings on computer-driven systems as sophisticated as those found in any home.” And then there’s the modern powerplant. “The Caterpillar engines are about the same size but with more horsepower and much more fuel-efficient. The Aretis have a fuel capacity of 14,000 gallons and a cruising range of about 4,000 miles.” The deluxe power package also features zero-speed stabilization. At the helm is a comprehensive high-tech “glass bridge” navigation electronics set-up.
Owner’s representative Ted Kavalieros concurs with Ruffolo’s enthusiasm. “Construction required very high skills and that’s what the Burger Boat workers have,” he says. “They are to be congratulated.” And he’s not just speaking of the rugged naval architecture and stalwart construction, but the artistry found throughout. From the main deck master suite, through the four oversized guest accommodations and down to the smallest dayhead, the Aretis feature master stonecrafting of select marbles. The main salon, pilothouse, main deck powder room and aft deck all feature lavish Royal Oyster marble, as do the lower foyer laundry and even the captain’s bath. The salon contrasts this verdant material with striking black granite countertops. The master bathroom features Durango marble flooring that plays nicely off of the dark walnut marble tub and shower vanity. Guests bathrooms feature Juperana Gold, Capri Classic, Jerusalem Gold and Cream Marfil stone, respectively, in what is a showpiece of meticulous marblework. The owners opted for the warm timeless feel of Jerusalem Gold in the sky lounge and upper deck powder room as well.
These instant classics feature Burger Design Team traditionally styled interiors highlighted by fine recessed/raised panel African Cherry/Makore joinery and fluted column accents. The décor was given a hint of the contemporary and an overall “uncluttered” feel by the use of creams, rusts and browns. Other striking features include a full professional sauna room and a mammoth commercial galley, along with the expected indoor and outdoor fine and casual dining options and entertaining spaces, wet bars, jetted tubs, sunpads, home theatre and a selection of watertoys.
To add another interesting note to this unique saga, the contract for Areti I and II was signed at a key point in Burger’s ongoing history. Just after construction finished on the firm’s innovative new 48,000 high-tech manufacturing complex, the $14.5 million expansion, which began in 2005, included replacing the original hull shop that dated back to 1893. The new facility makes Burger extremely competitive with its megayacht building peers overseas and all eyes are on the American builder to see what they come up with next. These dueling 127-foot tri-decks, nicknamed “The Russian Twins” by Burger, are sure to go one for decades unmatched, unless of course, sibling rivalry comes into play.