Lending a hand in Hawaii
Behind the build: bringing RUYA to life
Published 11 December 2024
RUYA was conceived from a crystal-clear vision shared by her owners, a family with a wealth of yachting experience. ‘They wanted a yacht that was not only special and unique but one that would serve as a true reflection of their family’s dream,’ recalls designer Sam Sorgiovanni. From the outset, RUYA was imagined as more than just a vessel; it was to be a sanctuary – a place where the family could come together and embrace their passion for adventure.
The family’s brief was detailed and ambitious. They required a yacht that adhered to the new LY3 regulations while staying under the crucial 500GT threshold to ensure streamlined crewing and peak operational efficiency. At the same time, they wanted a design that felt far larger than its dimensions, offering the expansiveness, sophistication, and uniqueness of a much larger yacht. As Sorgiovanni explains, ‘My job was to make sure that despite the 500GT limitations, RUYA would feel expansive, sophisticated, and truly unique.’
RUYA’s design is the result of this shared vision: a yacht that seamlessly combines practicality with elegance, reflecting the family’s lifestyle and their enduring love for the sea.
The build
RUYA was built by Alia Yachts, ‘one of the go-to sub-500GT custom yacht builders in the market’, Burgess’ Ed Beckett, Senior Partner, New Build Sales, notes. ‘With recent deliveries and a full order book of projects involving many of the industry’s most prestigious designers, the Alia brand is becoming a household name in yachting circles and its value will continue to rise in the coming years.’
The naval architect of choice was Van Oossanen, who built RUYA with advanced composite construction methods to the highest standards set by Lloyd’s Register, making her relatively quiet and low maintenance.
‘RUYA is custom built by craftsmen with a high attention for detail. The bottom shell of RUYA is built in solid single skin with a thickness surpassing that of steel or aluminium three or four times. RUYA complies with all the same safety and stability standards as any steel or aluminium vessel does. Combined with the heavy composite construction make her an equal – if not better – alternative for steel/aluminium super yachts.’
Van Oossanen, Naval Architects
Captain Michael Hay has been on board RUYA as Captain for two years. Reflecting on his tenure, he recalls: ‘During my time on RUYA, I have been very impressed with the craftsmanship, attention detail and overall quality of the build. She handles well, is solid, seaworthy, and reliable.’
The design
Sam Sorgiovanni is responsible for RUYA’s exterior and interior design, drawing inspiration from the natural environment and consequently winning two ShowBoats Design Awards in 2016.
Speaking on the design process and how they made their decisions, the studio describes how it was all about balance. ‘The overall length was determined by both functionality and regulatory constraints, while the maximum possible beam of 8.9m allowed us to create a sense of volume and comfort far beyond what you might expect for a yacht of this size. Large windows blur the boundary between the inside and the ocean, offering guests an uninterrupted view of the water.’
Inside is incredibly spacious and her decks and overall height make the yacht feel larger than her 41.4m size. As mentioned, the interior design philosophy was to create a space that felt inviting. ‘The materials chosen are natural, and the colours reflect warmth and earthiness. The aim was to create an atmosphere that is inviting yet elegant, a perfect mix of luxury and comfort,’ Sam Sorgiovanni recalls.
The experience
When designing a yacht, aside from something stylish that will be the talk of any anchorage, privacy is paramount. ‘We made sure that the crew accommodation and service areas are entirely separate from the guest spaces,’ Sorgiovanni describes. ‘This ensures that the crew can go about their duties without ever crossing paths with the guests. This level of separation is particularly important on charter yachts, where guest service expectations are exceptionally high, and privacy is a top priority.’
‘As impressive as the interior spaces are, the real magic of RUYA lies in her ability to offer true outdoor living. The owners wanted a yacht that felt connected to the environment, and that’s exactly what we achieved. Each deck has dedicated areas for relaxation or entertaining. Whether it’s curling up with a book in a quiet corner, enjoying an al fresco meal, or sipping a cocktail in the jacuzzi on the upper deck, RUYA has a space for every mood and moment of the day. The interconnecting stairs between decks also make her an ideal yacht for hosting parties or corporate events. She’s a social vessel at heart, built to bring people together.’
Sam Sorgiovanni, Designer
Why RUYA should be your next purchase
In the words of the designer, ‘RUYA represents the very essence of what a "Mini Mega Yacht" should be. She’s a rare breed in this size range, a truly one-of-a-kind vessel that surpasses what you’d expect from production yachts in this class. RUYA is an expression of craftsmanship, design integrity, and a reflection of the Owner’s unique vision. It’s been a true pleasure bringing this dream to life. RUYA is, without a doubt, a “SuperYacht” in every sense of the word – distinctive, luxurious and truly unique.’
‘What sets RUYA apart from other yachts of similar size is that she’s a completely bespoke design, there are no shortcuts, no pre-existing moulds or “cookie-cutter” templates. Everything about her is custom-built, with painstaking attention to detail at every stage. Despite her relatively modest size and volume, RUYA has all the attributes of a much larger superyacht.’
Sam Sorgiovanni, Designer
For those that are looking for their next purchase to also act as a charter vessel, look no further. As Captain Michael explains ‘RUYA is a fine ship with a strong position in the charter market. It’s been non-stop since I joined, with two Atlantic crossings, two shipyard periods to keep her in first class condition, two fully booked Mediterranean seasons and one Caribbean season.
'We’ve hosted both new and repeat clients, all who praised the ship and crew and intend to charter again,’ Captain Michael explains. As a commercial operation, RUYA is a well-established, tried and tested platform with many successful charter seasons under her belt.
What are you waiting for?
RUYA has recently been reduced and is now asking EUR 14,750,000. This is a great opportunity to own an award-winning yacht, so please get in touch with your Burgess broker to arrange an inspection.
To find out more about Burgess’ yachts for sale and yachts for charter, please contact a Burgess broker. Alternatively, get in touch with one of our offices directly: London, Monaco, New York, Miami, Singapore or all other locations.
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