Yacht Class n°37 (june-july-agust 2024)

NEXT Yacht Group

Maiora, part of NEXT Yacht Group, has designed a new, more powerful version of its 35 Exuma, a yacht that has plenty of personality in terms of performance and exterior design, but knows how to be welcoming and cozy in her revisited layouts. For fast and peaceful cruises.

Written by : Christophe Varène – Photos : DR

From the moment you step board, the Maiora 35 Exuma takes you on a journey. Her name evokes a Bahamian Archipelago; but her aft configuration lets the imagination run wild. Her large stern consists of full-beam stairs. From this private amphitheatre, you can already see yourself enjoying a moment of peace at sunset in a magical bay. On the vast platform or on the deck above, plenty of benches, deckchairs and other sofas are also available. As the poet said: luxury, calm and voluptuousness. But this yacht, designed in house, can be described in many other ways. With contemporary lines, the 35 Exuma combines dynamism, exploration and outdoor living.

A beautiful piece of interior design

First things first. The shipyard Maiora is part of NEXT Yacht Group, which also owns the AB Yachts brand, and specialises in a short range of highly customised 30 to 42 m units. Each owner can develop their own desires and ideas based on their future navigation program. At the heart of this family is the 35 Exuma, the first of which was delivered in 2021. She reflects the desire to travel, with a certain level of performance and comfort, in a “pumped up” version in terms of power and “softened” in its design interior. A tour of the main deck confirmed this. If, at cockpit level, half protected by the flybridge, we enjoyed the space shared by the solarium and the saloon, we must take advantage of the very wide opening – all the closing glass panels retract completely – to enter the interior and immediately feel the comfort and conviviality. Soft colours and comforting curves have been used in the decoration and design, once again by NEXT Yacht Group’s in-house studio, Centro Stile. Many parts of the yacht, such as the ceiling or the partitions, feature curved wooden slats which create delicate paintings in the shape of waves.

A full beam master suite

First you enter a warm living room, sharing the light and views from the floor-to-ceiling windows with the dining area for ten and a more intimate games table. A door to the left leads to the well-equipped galley. It should be noted that the crew has its own circulation plan on board to ensure the peace and quiet of the passengers.  On the other side, a passageway leads to the full-width master suite, which offers panoramic views from the large side windows: from the central bed, the desk or a sofa bed, the sea view is breathtaking. The elegant wood panelling is also featured, here with fine materials such as leather, Alcantara or marble in the bathroom. Two dressing rooms complete the owner’s area. Finally, the forward part of the main deck remains the domain of the captain, with a wheelhouse equipped with all the necessary instruments. This wheelhouse is only accessible from the outside, thanks to stairs leading from the upper and lower decks.

An open… or enclosed flybridge

The flybridge is filled with surprises. If passengers are greeted by a traditional lounge on the terrace with a sofa, coffee table and comfortable bean bags, they are immediately drawn to the 47 m² of covered space. At first glance, the upper deck appears enclosed, with a lounge and table for lively dining for 8. However, once the fully enclosed aft bay windows, the side windows and the roof are opened, the 130m² interior becomes light and airy. In front of this place of sharing, a second helm station, almost as complete as the main one, lets the owner enjoy sailing. A large sofa and a solarium complete the layout on this deck. Let’s now head two levels below, to explore the lower deck. The aft of the Maiora 35 Exuma is the technical area with two garages – one for a tender (6.50 m), the other for jet-skis, paddles and other water toys – and the engine room. Towards the bow, the crew’s quarters occupy a large area and include three cabins (one for the skipper and two twins, each with a bathroom), a mess and a second galley. At the heart of the boat are four guest cabins, accessible from a small lobby. The VIP cabin is a comfortable room with a queen size bed overlooking the ocean, a large ensuite bath, closets and storage. The two double cabins are identical, with the double bed also offering a beautiful panoramic view, while the last, more modest cabin has the bed facing a television screen. Each has an en-suite bathroom and plenty of storage space, and the same materials and high quality finishes are used throughout, creating an inviting atmosphere. 

A top speed of 45 knots with three jets 

Having appreciated the refinement of the common areas, it is time to take a look at the performance. True to its image as a builder of high performance vessels, Maiora has equipped this 35 Exuma with an innovative hull design and no less than three 2 000 hp engines, driving a triple-jet propulsion system to achieve an impressive top speed of 35 knots, which is more than respectable for a displacement of 170 t (300 Gt). But the real innovation introduced on this second unit was the “supercharged” configuration with three 2 600 hp engines, which allows her to be pushed at more than 45 knots! This performance was achieved before all the equipment was completed, but, at full load, the boat should easily exceed 40 knots. This velocity is undoubtedly due to the efficiency of the jets, which also ensure controlled fuel consumption, greater manoeuvrability and, for those wishing to moor in discreet coves, a shallow draught (1.45 m). In terms of passenger comfort, an automatic trim control system and two gyro stabilisers make movements almost imperceptible, even in rough seas. At night, a set of latest-generation lithium batteries keeps the on-board services running, without any noise pollution. Thought out down to the smallest detail, both for the design, interior and exterior, as well as for her behaviour at sea and the pleasure of her owner, family and guests, the Maiora 35 Exuma has a strong and pleasant character.