The AIX factor

AIX is a highly capable yacht, at home anywhere in the world. Offering a top speed of 23 knots and a relaxed cruising speed of 11, she can accommodate 10 guests in luxury across five beautifully appointed guest suites, with the ability to accommodate a total of 12 via additional beds in the twins or alternatively on the chase tender.

Split over three levels, the jewel of a master suite delivers a New York loft-style feel and is a masterpiece spanning a mammoth 147 square metres. As well as direct access to the foredeck and pool, the master offers a tranquil environment so large you’ll want to sink into its surrounds and not be disturbed for the rest of the day.

The generously sized foredeck cockpit is another of the unique features of this magnificent new design. Capable of accommodating 12 guests, it also has a built-in spa pool, and whether you’re in it enjoying it or out of it admiring it, the pool is visually spectacular, finished in a sparkling blue tile. For the privacy of guests, the crew naturally has their own service staircase, allowing them to move between decks without being seen.

The aft deck is another of AIX’s highlights. Enormous, oversized lounges make guests feel instantly at ease. Such comfortable furniture and fittings reflect not only the owner’s excellent taste but also the fact that AIX is a boat they really want to enjoy – and, just as importantly, they want others to be able to enjoy as well. There’s even a brilliant dining space with its own bar and teppanyaki grill.

While AIX offers a very special way to bring the family together, the different deck levels with a myriad of corners to escape to also allow families abundant space to enjoy time alone – and Jo Howard from charter agents Ocean Alliance says that’s a big drawcard in today’s market.

“We’re finding that modern yachts such as AIX are designed to cater for diversity in a generational family charter group – the grandparents or primary charterer might choose to dine separately in the privacy of the upper deck while the kids are playing in the safety of the foredeck pool and the parents are down enjoying the beach club water activities,” he confirms.

“It’s important for guests to be able to find personal space during a charter because you’re typically on board for a week, and families need flexibility around activities and spending time together.”

The beach club is where the designers really had fun. The stern and sides of the boat open hydraulically to reveal water-level access and a spacious, relaxed lounge. It’s mind-blowing – and makes AIX an exceptional charter offering. Covering 100-square-metres, the beach club boasts a fitness centre with a wall-mounted Technogym Kinesis and is an Aladdin’s cave of water toys.

Laid out for guests is everything you could possibly expect to find at the beachside of a world-class resort – skis, jetskis, Seabobs, stand-up paddleboards, floating chairs, inflatable toys and enough scuba gear to allow 10 guests to dive together. The owners are keen divers, so AIX has been specifically set up with a dedicated dive room forward to give guests a memorable underwater experience – there are 16 tanks available, and you can even have a dive master stay on board.

AIX also boasts a brand-new Tesoro chase boat, the first of its kind in Australia. With sleek European styling and lavish comfort, at 12 metres in length and with two 350-hp Mercury outboard engines and a hydraulic swim platform, it’s a weapon on water. The Tesoro can also sleep four guests for overnighters or spare capacity.

In fact, there’s no shortage of smaller boats, with a 6.5-metre Williams Jet Tender housed in the beach club and another smaller crew tender housed in the front garage. And, once you’ve burned all that energy on the water, what could be better than kicking back in the cinema room? With black-out blinds and a huge dropdown screen to give the full theatre experience at sea, it makes for an incredible night-time event.

With chef Jared McKellar in the galley, AIX is truly one of life’s finest masterpieces. McKellar started his stellar career in some of New Zealand’s most demanding kitchens, and his sense of adventure and the idea of being able to take his passion to sea, and ultimately around the world, lured him to superyachts. “The opportunity to create delicious meals surrounded by the beauty of the open water was inspiring,” he says.

The owners of AIX know a thing or two about great food and dining, and as soon as the softly spoken Kiwi cooked for them, they knew they’d found their chef. “I love experimenting with flavours inspired by my travels, infusing dishes with a global touch,” explains McKellar. “Using fresh, locally sourced ingredients is at the core of my culinary philosophy, creating dishes that are simple yet extraordinary.”

The name AIX is inspired by the French city Aix-en-Provence – a lively, colourful city renowned for its arts and as the birthplace of Paul Cézanne. The owners were so captivated by it they chose the same name for their pride and joy – and that lively, colourful vibe is conveyed to those lucky enough to enjoy her delights in Australia and the South Pacific.

The owners are adamant they want to share their unique creation, and it’s certainly an unforgettable way to explore this region’s waters while making incredible memories.

Jo Howard says the three-night stays cruising the Whitsundays or even Fiji are becoming popular. “It suits clients who are time-poor or just want to escape for an extended weekend – it’s an easy flight to these destinations for a condensed charter period,” he suggests.

And, combining a charter aboard AIX with a few nights at Qualia for the best of the Whitsundays is sure to be a tantalising combination. Mind you, a week – or a month – on AIX would be even better, perhaps in the South Pacific? You’re in luck, as from April AIX will be in Fiji for the season. Sounds like a dream to me.

oceanalliance.com