Review: Millennium 140' SuperYacht

Yachting Goes Ballistic!
The Millennium 140'!

Review by Carl Camper and Chuck Gneagy​

Millennium Superyachts, with a stable boasting rakish titles of adventure thrillers -- Thunderball, Octopussy, Moonraker – now has debuted what may be its most Machiavelian superyacht offspring yet, in “The World Is Not Enough.” ​

Boarding this new megayacht at its 15 acre yacht haven in Riviera Beach, Fl, you are struck by the impression that the design itself is so spectacular, so rich in detail, it easily overshadows ts predecessors. But, true to its name, even that is not enough. This superyacht is utterly possessed with the concept of Speed – registering a stunning 75 mph top-end, with a breathtaking 40-knot cruise speed. Not bad for a 140’ luxury yacht!

The entire building plan followed a course set in the 1980s by founders John Staluppi and John Rosatti, directing the quest for the supreme superyacht... in the fast lane. According to Millennium’s marketing director John Schmieman, who followed the vessel through birthing pangs in Holland ( Hardinxveld, Giessendam) to its debut upon the international yachting scene, every vital element of the design was conspicuously marked and measured for speed, while draped in ultimate luxury.

“Every part, every piece of equipment and gear, every bulkhead, every wall covering, deck, furniture and hatch were especially formulated to provide maximum service with minimum weight, down to the last detail,” Schmieman says. Photo Caption: The new Millennium runs almost entirely "aired-out". This is as close as anyone has ever come to an offshore raceboat... in a luxury yacht.

Each item throughout sacrifices pounds to enhance the velocity of this extraordinary superyacht. While below, the hull reveals fundamental structural advances in a unique tank-tested design, with trim tabs that are neatly incorporated into the hull's running surface, sporting a mere 5’2” draft.

“You don’t want six feet of draft,” says Staluppi, “because in shallow areas the waterjets could ingest sand and grit off the bottom, so we settle for five-two. We could go in five and half feet of water if the bottom was always rock. The design was by naval architect Frank Mulder,” he adds. “We decided to make some changes in the hull form that resulted in a progressive dead-rise V-hull, tapering back to a planing hull, whereas our previous boats had more of a flatter bottom and don’t have the entry this boat has. That allows us to go faster in a little bit rougher water."

"So by comparison with Octopussy and Moonraker, if you want to do 40 knots in three-foot seas, that’s their limit. But this boat can cruise at 40 knots in six-foot seas. It gives a more useable source of power. We’re in three to four foot seas most of the time. Rarely do we get five to eight.” He smiles. “ We’ve never run 100% power on this boat yet. The best we’ve run with this boat is 66 knots (75.9 mph), at 90% power. We’re still improving on it.” Photo Caption: The Millennium cruising along at "normal" luxury yacht speed. An example of how shallow the draft is, and how light the Millennium is... a 70 foot Broward has a 6 foot draft, while this 140 footer takes a mere 5'2"!

At nearly 1/2 inch thick, the glass that makes up the bridge windshield was designed to withstand hi-speed wind velocity and is sturdy enough for the crew to walk on during wash-down. Embracing the image of speed, the engineers chose a superstructure of Alustar aluminum, for the upmost in lightweight alloy strength. Photo Caption: The rake of the windshield is so aggressive, the wipers become redundant at cruise speeds, needing only a coat of Rain-X to ensure visibility.

Looking forward from the flybridge, the needle like silhouette of the new Millennium allows an unobstructed peripheral view over the bow. Photo Caption: Air flow at cruise speeds is accentuated by the slope of the foredeck, and actually increases the hi-speed effect for guests standing at the brow of the flybridge.

The Portugese walkway leads from both sides of the bridge and converges down the center of the forward deck. The walkway features a seating area just forward of the bridge to enjoy an unadulterated, wind-in-your-face ride. Photo Caption: Notice the bulge incorporated into the flybridge windscreen to deflect air over the top of the helm station. Forward thinking!

This is the staircase leading from the upper deck, down to the bow station/crew pit. The bow-pit seating is recessed behind the bow's hull fairing, providing wind protection for seated guests, but allowing a full 180 degree forward view.

This picture better exemplifies the recessed bow-pit that is hidden behind the hull fairing for added safety. At the speeds this yacht is capable of, without a recessed pit, a fully exposed crew member could result in a reduced number of deck-hands.

A view of the aft deck and sliding doors, that open automatically via touch-sensitive buttons. The aft deck seating and dinette purposely do not extend the full width of the beam. The seating area resides in a neutral pressure area, directly behind the main deck superstructure, offering the least amount of turbulence at cruising speeds.

A close-up view of the port side at dock. The Millennium logo is prominently displayed, but for most of us... no badge is required to recognize her. One of the only protruding appendages to be found on the Millennium, with the exception of the radar arch, are the mandatory navigation lights. Otherwise, the superstructure is void of any airflow contaminants.

The aft deck staircase leading from the flybridge to the main deck is another example of weight saving forethought. The structural rigidity of the steps is sufficient to leave the outboard edges un-supported, saving material and thus weight. Photo Caption: Notice the "eye-in-the-sky" mounted under the upper deck overhang. This is for monitoring unwelcome guests and remote viewing of docking procedures. Ultimately... it serves as a video documentary of other boats trying to keep up.

Aloft on the broad flybridge, the vista from four stories high offers a delicious slice of windblown entertainment. Also sporting full helm capabilities with a trio of Pompanette helm chairs, the party continues. Comfortable padded seating offers tables for a dozen or more, with a complete bar, refrigerator/freezer, large open jacuzzi, and central sound system connections. Stashed unobtrusively inside the port railing, a hefty crane stands ready to launch a 16’ tender, which may reside here on the flybridge or below in the aft garage.

Ever higher is the satellite navigation pod and double Furuno radars mounted offset at different levels so they don’t cancel each other out, but give as broad a spectrum as needed. They can be used as high or low power, even though both utilize the same frequency. Photo Caption: The swept-back Radar Arch was purposely designed with very little frontal area, in order to reduce aerodynamic drag.

The Flybridge Helm is positioned directly in front of the windscreen, ensuring the best vantage point for absolute control during hi-speed flight. Due to the speed this yacht can achieve, the pilot remains in a seated position with joystick control steering built right into the armrest. This is convenient, because the joystick requires a constant touch to maintain an unwavering course on long casts, until the auto-pilot is engaged. Photo Caption: The instrument panel provides wind protection for the pilot and lowers to protect the flat panel displays when not in use. The entire instrument panel is "touch-membrane". Fool-proof and water-proof, it's as easy to use as an Apple i-Pod.

In the enclosed pilothouse, the helm provides a sterling view of the bow and horizon, fronted by a full display of navigation and ship’s system monitors. Four screens are melded into one stainless steel frame, curved across a brilliant layout of switches, instruments and piloting amenities, facing three well-padded helm chairs. Everything short of an aircraft yoke is present here, with the noticeable absence of the wheel. There is no ship's wheel!

On either side of the captain’s helm are identical adjustable chairs, for interested observers or first officers. The helm area is spacious, offering a half-beam-width leather couch just abaft, plus ample standing room; it becomes a social gathering area which can absorb and entertain as many as 15 people. The party can continue without impeding the navigator’s concentration.

Immediately abaft the helm, both port and starboard are comfortable captain’s and engineer’s quarters, each with full head, queen-size berth, hanging locker, book shelf, entertainment center and snack bar, in addition to the other crew quarters below. Photo Caption: Often, aggressively raked pilothouse windows will result in a limited view over the bow. This is not the case with the Millennium. The view bests many express cruisers.

The helm display looks like one large panel, but is actually four separate screens, so that any or all may be re-arranged or replaced as new technology requires in future advances. On the left is CC-TV, radar, with a second radar screen inset. Next is an underwater bow camera mounted below the waterline for sub-surface vision at idle or rest. On plane, the camera become's a dolphin's view of the water's surface. Center-left on the helm is the main navigation charting display with zoom capabilities.

On the starboard bulkhead are Furuno nav-faxes and weather forecasts, AIS systems, all with black panels to reduce glare. The center panel is dedicated to alarms and operating systems, but the flash from our camera makes it difficult to see if all the systems are operating nominally. What's completely entertaining on the M-140 is not necessarily watching the water fly-by at 75 mph, but rather... to watch how fast the charts are moving on the displays!

The central command post features throttles at center and a joystick equipped armrest (see lower-left of pic). It takes a little getting used to. For us old salts, there's something fundamentally wrong about boating without a wheel. However, to make up this wheel-less wonder, a roving steering module allows remote positioning from the bow, stern or any point on the boat, for full vision while backing into a slip, or side angling to the dock via thrusters.

This picture is the view you see as you enter the Main Salon from the Aft Deck. The Grand Salon is resplendent with a classic arrangement of twin couches, chairs and ottomans, centered upon the artistically designed cocktail table of etched glass, gold-leaf inlays, and silver base. Separating twin, custom, half-circle couches for various seating groups, it reflects as well in the grand overhead ceiling mirror. Daylight views stream through broad windows lining both sides. Carpeting is pure New Zealand wool in the light almond shade.

A nearby chair and end table reveal a surprise; they are hollow. Fashioned of a super lightweight material but gleam with a rich, handsome, yet sturdy veneer, they are actually featherweight. However, many of the upscale couches, tables, stools, etc. are readily available luxury yacht items. It’s impossible to spot which has been built specifically to save weight.

Comfort and fashion levels are outstanding, in keeping with the expected indulgence that so personifies this yacht. Yet, unseen structural components feature a strong but lightweight aluminum honey-comb base. Striking granite and marble floors, plus multiple cabinets in triple high-gloss burled ‘Bovana’ African walnut are also fashioned with weight-saving know-how.

One of the two elegant, hand-crafted statues that flank the entrance to the main salon is pictured here. It too, is an example of the emphasis put forward on weight reduction, as these graceful marble sculptures look as though it would take brute effort to move; but they are readily lifted with fingertips. Photo Caption: The statue's artistry single-handedly represents the same level of extraordinary detail to be found throughout the entire yacht.

Looking aft over the Main Dining area is opulence defined! The salon opens to a formal dining room seating up to ten at a convention-size table. Air conditioning ducts are cleverly hidden in an ovoid soffit running the length of the yacht. It, too, follows the glossy dark walnut theme, unobtrusively tying together all converging elements.

Luxury and comfort exude from every fine detail of the interior design by Evan K. Marshall. Inside the fabulous full-beam grand salon, uniquely cylindrical cabinets– deck-to-ceiling – house delicate Versace crystal, in one. Matched by its twin, the second holds a full array of state-of-the-art sound equipment – Sony Surround-Sound, Samsung, Panasonic – intelligently planned with off-the-shelf, easily replaced components. Sub-woofers, main speakers and other hardware reside in removable drawers. Primly ensconced in pearlized lacquer-finished burled ‘bovana’ wood nests, all are quickly available with push-button latches.

Richly chosen design elements and the smooth, padded, easily-cleaned ceiling headliners above set a fashionable yet restful décor theme. Those color combinations include a light almond nougat base, punctuated by lavish, deep walnut furnishings and opulent, dimensional fabric patterns. An identical color pattern displays throughout the vessel; with sole variances in the magnificent artistic strokes of color in marble floors and countertops. A splendid radius mirror design motif overhead is followed throughout the yacht’s many attractive nooks and crannies, which includes multiple storage spaces throughout.

The main staircase leads from the lower deck guest suites, to the main deck and ultimately to the skylounge. A closer inspection reveals the stairs are not supported around the outside perimeter. How? Carbon Fiber! Interested? Read on...

The winding circular staircases between decks are specially molded carbon-fiber. What truly makes this exceptional is the difficulty in laminating that all too expensive (and even harder to work with) black woven that's difficult to impregnate with resin. Essentially, it's easy to lay-up a flat surface with C.F., but it becomes exponentially more difficult with complex shapes. In this case, they have constucted a one piece staircase with steps cantilevered out from the central foot-thick cylinder. The material is so strong that no outside framing is necessary, again saving weight!