First Impression: Numptia

Date toured: December 2011

I’m just going to go ahead and say it: Numptia is one of my favorite megayachts to launch into the charter industry in 2011.

Numptia (pronounced NOOM-teah) is a 229-foot motoryacht from Rossi Navi, a shipyard in Viareggio, Italy, that, in the past, has done a lot of subcontracting work for well-known builders. That experience shows in her stunning décor. She is modern but not minimalistic, with warm golds and beiges as opposed to stark whites and stainless. To me, Numptia epitomizes modern elegance in a way that is welcoming. So many modern yacht interiors feel cold and harsh in their minimalism, but the ambience aboard Numptia somehow manages to be simultaneously light and rich. It’s a great achievement in megayacht interior design.

The yacht is smartly laid out for charter, too. The main deck includes not just a formal salon, but also a space meant to feel like a proper jazz club (see the photograph below). Soft, silk carpeting leads to a Steinway baby grand piano and a proper cocktail lounge with fireplace where guests can sit, chat, and enjoy the music. There is no television in this space, which is a refreshing change of pace for adults who simply want to enjoy one another’s company.

That’s not to say guests can’t enjoy television if they are interested in some couch potato time. Up in the sky lounge is a long, deep sofa across from a massive screen—at least 80 inches—that offers high-definition as well as 3-D TV. I sat and watched a few minutes of underwater video, and the 3-D glasses did indeed make me feel as though I were snorkeling instead of lounging indoors.

Numptia’s biggest calling card, though, is the deck that is entirely devoted to spa services. There’s a true gymnasium on this deck with a Power Plate, stationary bicycle, treadmill, elliptical, and more. A sauna and steam room are nearby, as is the space for manicures, pedicures, and other spa services. There is a hair salon room as well as a separate room for massage, with offerings that include full-body exfoliations, wraps, aromatherapy, reflexology, facials, and more. A day head with shower are on this deck, too, as is a juice bar where light breakfast can be served.

All of these services of course require crew to properly staff them, and Numptia boasts a crew of 18 to serve the 12 onboard guests. Capt. Dùghall macLachlainn is well known in the charter industry from his days aboard the 183-foot Benetti motoryacht Galaxy, where I first met him during a seven-course tasting dinner back in 2009. He has cruised more than 300,000 miles and takes safety and seamanship just as seriously as service and hospitality.

Capt. macLachlainn also understands the importance of having a great chef onboard. Numptia’s current chef, Heather Kaniuk, took second prize in Numptia’s category at the prestigious Antigua Charter Yacht Show culinary competition for 2011. She also took first place in the category for best use of coffee.

The cabin layout aboard Numptia includes a main-deck master (shown in the photograph above) with private study, a VIP on the bridge deck, and four belowdecks cabins. Three of those have queen-size beds while the fourth has twin beds.

Also worth noting is that Numptia has an elevator that runs from the bottom deck up to the spa deck. Guests have to take the steps up to the sundeck, which is worth the minimal effort (check out Numptia’s unique hot tub with over-the-shoulder jets).

Numptia is expected to spend winters in the Caribbean and summers in the Mediterranean. The lowest weekly base rate is $490,000 for 12 guests. Burgess Yachts is the management company, and any reputable charter broker can help you book a week onboard.—Kim Kavin