The Classic Elegance of Vicem Yachts

There isn’t a yachtsman among us who wouldn’t love to own a classic 1950s gentleman’s cruiser, with its sleek, elegant lines, magnificent hardwoods, and timeless charm. But today, that heritage ride comes at a staggering cost, not just for the yacht itself, especially since those that are truly shipshape and Bristol fashion are so few in number to begin with, but simply in terms of upkeep. For every hour of enjoyment, owners can expect to face several hours of maintenance, typically involving highly skilled trades and difficult-to-source parts.

Wouldn’t it be lovely to just be able to enjoy that midcentury chic but in a vessel underpinned by today’s far more reliable technology?

Enter the Vicem 65 Classic Flybridge, and the best of both worlds.

At first glance—and second glance, for what it’s worth—this brilliant modern motor yacht looks straight out of the 1950s, capturing the pinnacle of American yachting style with its tall, flared bow, elegant near full-length stainless railings, low-profile salon, and car-like, deeply raked vertical surfaces styled to suggest speed and agility. It’s only when you look more closely and spot little details like the roof-mounted radar and discreet satellite dome that you realize there’s more to this 21-metre luxury yacht than you first thought.

That’s a sense that continues as you step aboard.

As with a classic ’50s gentleman’s cruiser, entry is via the yacht’s sweeping stern swim platform, where a discreet starboard-side door welcomes one aboard and into the cockpit. This is where the mind really goes for a ride as styling cues from the past conceal today’s refinements. The sprawling cockpit settee that runs across the transom and forward along the yacht’s port side surrounds a magnificent polished teak table, the cockpit sole lined in equally beautiful teak decking exactly as one would expect on a real 1950s yacht. Brilliant woodwork along the gunnel tops, tracing their arcing path forward and upward in an elegant curve to meet the hardtop, evokes the timeless charm that defined the postwar era.

But look closer, and the sharp-eyed will note that hardtop boasts high-efficiency LED lighting and integrated stereo speakers that were definitely not part of the world that inspired the 65 Classic. Nor is the high-efficiency electric barbecue grill that sits neatly concealed beneath the cover of the starboard-side cockpit galley. But these amenities absolutely add to the on-water experience and contribute to the owner’s enjoyment without disrupting the bigger picture.

Stepping into the salon similarly blends an old world with the new. Long, sweeping salon windows let in plenty of light while echoing the past with their unmistakable curving forms. A long, L-shaped settee occupies much of the salon’s starboard side, creating a lovely relaxation space served by a small round table. Opposite is what appears to be a very midcentury-style bar cabinet, which in fact houses a large-screen, high-definition television that raises on a power lift. Overhead, a traditional coffered ceiling recalls the classics of the era, now assisted by a state-of-the-art LED lighting package.

Far forward to port is a galley space with every modern convenience, including a four-burner electric stove, microwave, dishwasher, ice maker, and refrigerator, most neatly concealed behind wood panelling in keeping with the overall styling of the yacht.

To starboard, a thoroughly modern helm station with twin high-definition touchscreen displays manages to spoil the skipper with all the latest goodies while still not looking entirely out of place.

Belowdecks, the 65 Classic presents owners with a number of configuration options, the most common featuring a spacious owner’s suite aft with the bed positioned transversally on the starboard side, with a full vanity unit to port. The ensuite, at the aft end of the cabin, provides a central open double sink area with a generous shower to starboard and separate head to port. The extensive use of marble may not be authentic to the gentleman’s cruisers of the 1950s, but it certainly offers a luxe feel.

Forward, a spacious VIP suite with ensuite head ensures guests will remain comfortable on-board, while a second ensuite guest cabin offers twin beds that convert to a double, plus a Pullman-style third bunk.

But that’s just the beginning. There’s a whole lot more to this brilliant yacht, and it all needs to be touched and experienced first-hand to be truly appreciated. That’s because while retro-styled yachts aren’t exactly new, very few of them manage to so neatly capture not just the styling but also the spirit of the original gentleman’s cruiser and deliver it with the latest modern tech and conveniences. That’s what makes Vicem’s 65 Classic such a brilliant yacht—it recalls the past without being stuck in it, and in that sense it truly sits in a class of its own.

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