Whether it’s P Diddy in Ibiza, Roberto Cavalli in Cannes, or Ernesto Bertarelli at Christmas in St Barts, hosting star-studded yacht parties has become a guaranteed way for owners and their guests to let their collective hair down. So much so that the music-loving Australian owner of UV II went all out by installing a $1.1 million sound system by Videoworks aboard his 145-footer to throw the mother of all shindigs, anytime, anywhere.
The custom audio system aboard the ISA-built yacht is comparable to those fitted in professional recording studios, says Eugenio Cannarsa of Fraser Yachts, who took me for a tour during the Cannes Yachting Festival. The sound system runs throughout the yacht, inside and out, to deliver an uninterrupted cruising soundtrack.
“The owner’s really into his music and likes to listen at the highest possible definition,” said Cannarsa. “The sound system is so powerful it’s typically only used at 40 percent of the volume.”
The plunge pool has the best view on the yacht.
Leonardo Andreoni
Nestled in the space between the master suite and the main salon is the coolest area on board—a self-contained multimedia room that accommodates private retreats into a world of music. With the extra-thick, sound-proofed doors open, the room serves as a corridor. Closed, it becomes a melomaniac’s bolt hole equipped with a two high-definition speaker sound system with sub woofers and a large television screen.
“It’s more sound-proofed than any other area on board, so even when it’s late and his wife is sleeping, he can use this media room without disturbing anyone,” says Cannarsa.
The name UV II references the yacht’s ultraviolet name plate that glows neon pink at night and the 20 underwater hull lights that light up the surrounding waters. The interior, designed by Luca Dini, features backlit wall panels, televisions camouflaged as mirrors, and textured paneled ceilings. “The owner looked at other Dini-designed interiors and was drawn to his paired-back style, but it was UV II’s connection with the outdoors that truly won him over,” says Cannarsa.
Luca Dini’s interior design exudes a shabby chic.
Leonardo Andreoni
The yacht’s sporty exterior has lines penned by Enrico Gobbi and is mated to a sturdy plumb bow. Outdoor spaces for the family include a spacious sundeck with a partially shaded hardtop, raised seating area, a glass-encased plunge pool aft and large alfresco dining area. When the yacht arrives into port, a custom-built, forward-facing cocktail bar delivers spectacular views.
On the upper deck is a large circular dining table for up to 14 guests. It’s surrounded by large glass sliding doors that close during colder weather or open to merge in warmer temperatures with the aft deck. A mesh partition keeps the sun out and the sea air in.
The full-beam main salon also has exceptional views.
Leonardo Andreoni
A side balcony in the asymmetrical main deck owner’s suite is a favorite nook for taking morning coffee. There is a second private owner’s area forward of the bridge deck for breakfast. Once meals are cleared away, the table drops down and converts into a large sunpad for relaxing.
UV II is the owner’s third yacht, and he used his previous cruising experience for several custom requests. These include the use of marble throughout the bathrooms, a day head on every level and outfitting the captain’s cabin to the same standard as the five guest suites. He also pushed the guest-area ceiling heights to a generous six feet, eight inches.
Dining alfresco on the flybridge.
Leonardo Andreoni
A key mandate was for a dedicated beach club at the stern with a lounge and its own wine fridge, typically stocked with a collection of New World whites. The beach club, which is accessed at anchor via the lifting transom, is dappled in natural light from the skylight above, created by the glass-bottomed plunge pool on the main deck aft. Mirrors at the rear of the space reflect the far-reaching ocean, but it gives the illusion of being able to see all the way through to the forward end of the boat.
The beach club opens onto a large swim platform, ideal for watersports activities. The toys and one tender are stored forward, out of sight. A second tender is launched from a side garage.
The beach club.
Leonardo Andreoni
Since taking delivery of UV II in July following a significant 2023 refit, the owner has spent a solid eight weeks cruising the Mediterranean. The experience has proven so enjoyable, he now has his sights set on an even bigger boat, perhaps this time with a Ministry of Sound DJ set up.
The yacht is now listed through Cannarsa for about $26.6 million.
Click here to see more images of UV II.
