Review: Westport's NEW 164' "Vango"

Gaussian blur glass and the tub’s fine fixtures separate the shower-for-two from the Duojet tub...

Moving up one level to the Bridge/VIP deck, luncheon parties on Vango are inevitably light and airy affairs, with teak tables and chairs ready for any occasion. A stairwell to starboard leads down to the main deck, while staircase to port leads to the sun deck.

Entering from the aft bridge deck (shown above), the VIP lounge presents an informal atmosphere, sporting a 61” flat screen TV, as well as several large-scale Van Gogh paintings plus sculpture pieces. This is obviously a well thought out, though alternate space from the major entertainment area – that being the main deck, dominated by the owner’s more formal outlook. It seems as though this deck was planned for a different, more casual coterie of friends. There is a curvilinear accent to the room, with an extended couch to starboard and small game table to port, while above, the circular ceiling frieze, in deep mahogany, ties the overhead into the décor plan. The pattern of light beige and deep brown is adhered to, however. A two-level coffee table follows the oval/curving limnery, serving the extended couch.

In a semi-secluded nook, the VIP area sports a small vista bar, well designed in the pattern, offering a pair of cozy, upholstered stools. A desk is situated nearby, quickly available for correspondence. Just out the rear doors, aft, is a circular table for 8, perfect for alfresco dining or evening parties.

A different approach, as well, is the canted placement of the VIP stateroom, with its king-size berth and pillowed headboard set at a 45º angle in the ship’s center. No less luxurious, it offers two nightstands, a dressing table with chair, walk-in closet, double dressers of pommele sapele and several Van Gogh paintings. The plasma flat screen TV is 32”. Featured, too, is a private terrace at starboard with deck furniture and teak decking, as well as a bar terrace at the port side.

Light onyx is featured in the VIP head, sporting a bas relief sculpture-look wall inside the walk-in tub/shower, with its tempered glass doors. The counter top, with double vitreous china sinks, is done in light-weight stone as well. Use of large, framed mirrors above the sinks lends a further artistic flavor, as do the polished gold/brass Headhunter fixtures, and full-length door mirror. Flooring is also light-weight butter-colored marble. There is a Headhunter bidet and separate toilet, in white.

Moving forward from the VIP quarters, we enter the command center of this fine yacht. The captain directs this performance from dual Crown Classic leather helm chairs. Facing a traditional fabricated wood wheel and quintuplet of flat panel ship’s monitors, he has at his beck and call the most current equipment available today. In addition, beyond the bridge, numerous displays in various areas of the yacht provide for convenient total system monitoring. Included in chart table furnishings are storage drawers for 16 courtesy flags. Just aft of the control center, two tables at a leather-covered settee allow guests to be a part of the navigation process.

Leather-covered consoles present navigation and communication data; electronics include Radar, chart plotters, GPS, AIS, Sonar, Navtex, Satcom, GPIRB, equipment suitable for global voyages; including CISR chartering, plus GMDSS capability. Ships systems are monitored continuously by Westport’s PLC control. Power monitors check AC and DC, while AV electronics provide entertainment from satellite bases worldwide.

Moving down to the lower deck and guest accommodations, the walls of the stairwell are planked, as if to pay homage to hulls from the past, but ultimately showing that Westport's wood-working mastery is on par with artwork from Van Gogh himself.

Guest rooms, too, splash the highly attractive decorating scheme, including Van Gogh artwork on every wall. The effect becomes as striking as a first class hotel suite in any international city. Two guest staterooms – port and starboard aft -- flaunt king size walk-around berths, with upholstered headboards and leather wrapped rails. Also provided are built-in dressers and nightstands, including wardrobes with full length mirrors. Wall treatments and décor follow the prescribed plan.

An opposing angle on one of the two main guest suites highlights the desk/study to left, and a built-in wall unit / entertainment center at the foot of each bed, which also doubles as a dresser. The engineered use of space by today’s yacht builders makes traditional furniture manufacturers pale in comparison.

Guest heads sport abundant room for two, in a style that would match the highest hotel echelon. With double sinks set in variously colored marble countertops, and double-wide vanity mirrors, the luxury touch extends also to entertainment systems, with flat-screen TVs.

Set to starboard, a queen-size berth, desk, wardrobe, and dresser in pommele sapele wood with mahogany trim differentiate this guest suite. There is a desk, chair and night stands with a likewise wall unit / entertainment station to the opposite side of the room.

An alternate marble finish in this guest head – forward, starboard – presents dark-toned marble, in addition to the wide vanity mirror and generous shower.

Two additional ensuite staterooms feature twin berths – port and starboard – plus all other amenities, including Van Gogh paintings on the headboards, and 20” TVs. A single desk/table is provided, as well as an upholstered chair.

Just like Bally’s onboard, the gym/exercise room sports cardiac and muscle building equipment, along with a 32” TV for entertainment or fitness videos, plus a large Van Gogh wall painting. At option, of course, is a spare guest room. Crew quarters, not shown here, include accommodations for two in the captain’s quarters, plus below decks forward for 10 in five cabins, each with ensuite heads/showers. Crew service access is direct through the housekeeping/pantry corridors to guest staterooms, facilitating domestic duties.

Down below, though hidden from the view of most passengers in this splendid engine compartment just forward of the swim platform, marine engineering is also at an apex, with the latest advancements. Driving Vango’s extraordinary palace on the water are two room-size main engines: 16 cylinder V-type MTU/DDC 16v4000 M-90s, four stroke diesels producing 3,650 hp each. They turn 5-blade 56" props on HS stainless steel shafts with a remote down angle gearbox.

Westport's new waterborne canvas, Vango, not only captures our imagination, but
stirs the soul with graceful dedication to fine art. Vincent Van Gogh, in his lifetime...
could never have dreamed of luxury such as presented here.

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Review by Capt. Chuck Gnaegy​

SPECIFICATIONS:

LOA: 164’
Beam: 30’09”
Draft: 7’9”
Displ.: 750,000 lbs.
Fuel: 20,000 gals.
Water: 2,000 gals.
Power: 2x 16 cyl. V-type MTU/DDC 16v4000 M-90
Speed: Cruise: 20 knots / Max: 24 knots
Range: 5,200 nm @ 12 knots / 1,400 nm @ 24 knots

For further information, contact:

Westport Yachts
2957 State Road 84
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312
954-316-6364
www.westportyachts.com