Flight number fifty. 56-meter kech Melek, anniversary boat Perini Navi

The Perini Navi Group was founded in 1983, most recently by the global yachting industry. Since then, however, it has become one of the most respected yacht builders in the world and every Perini Navi boat can be considered the benchmark for a luxury sailing mega yacht.

The 56m Melek, one of the newest creations and a kind of «anniversary of» Perini Navi, is the fiftieth yacht launched by the shipyard in less than thirty years.

Melek continues a very successful series of 56-metre Perini Navi boats. Its hull and superstructure are made of aluminium, which has kept the weight within 500 tons. The design of the yacht was refined by the shipyard's specialists together with the legendary Ron Holland. The most notable innovations are a solid deck with intricately integrated tender sub-deck storage and an elegant, streamlined aluminium superstructure.

It is noteworthy that the hull of the yacht was built at the Perini Navi shipyard in Istanbul and only then it was moved to the main site in the Italian port of Viareggio for final finishing and interior works.

The interiors of Melek are worth mentioning. They were developed by Perini Navi's own design department. Combining classics and modernity, tradition and innovation, a strong personality is guessed to be the owner of a yacht. The walls are finished with cherry veneer with walnut inserts and the interior is finished with leather, wenge wood, polished pine and parchment.

The spacious, harmoniously planned open salon on the perimeter is protected from elements by transparent panels. The aft open living room consists of two L-shaped sofas and a table between them. Extendable TV screens and storage drawers are masterfully integrated into the furniture. A semi-circular staircase leads to the upper bridge, where two sofas with tables and built-in refrigerators are placed around the Jacuzzi.

There is also a sunbathing area on the bow deck with designer sun loungers on which it is so nice to lie under the squeaking of the tackle and the splashing of the wave with the nose. Even on a decent run, the bow deck of the yacht remains quite dry. Her occupants are protected from unpleasant splashes, further proof that Perini Navi and Ron Holland have done a great job.

The central element of Melek's extensive main salon is the unusual triple staircase: two symmetrical side spans lead to the guest deck, while the center span leads up to the bridge. The staircase divides the saloon into three zones: the living room with sofa, armchairs and coffee table, the dining area with a round table for 12 people and another secluded corner with two small chairs and a card table.

Living quarters on Melek have the entire lower deck. The owner's stateroom covers the entire width of the hull and consists of a bedroom, a work area and a large bathroom. Closer to the bow there are four guest cabins with their own bathrooms and crew quarters.

On the upper bridge, closer to the bow, there is an engine control post and complex sailing arms of the yacht. Melek sails on two aluminium masts with composite booms. The height of the masts is 58 and 48 meters, but on this yacht you will not see brave sailors, who, as in books about pirates, dashingly fly on the cables to a dizzying height to sail from there. The total area of sails on the Melek reaches 1500 square meters and is controlled by an advanced proprietary system of computers and electric winches, allowing the captain to sail the huge yacht almost alone.

Legendary quality of construction, royal luxury interiors and Perini Navi signature seaworthiness are all the hallmarks of Melek. It is difficult to find any imperfections in this yacht and it seems to us that with the construction of her Perini Navi shipyard has made a magnificent «anniversary present» to both herself and the happy owner.