-
Guests
18
-
Cabins
7
-
Crew
10
| Length | GT | Built (REFIT) |
|---|---|---|
|
180' 5"
|
499 GT | 2021 (2025) |
| Beam | Draft | Top Speed |
| 29' 10" | 7' 1" | 13 Kts |
Delivered in 2021, Al Waab is a multi-award winning 55m motor yacht built by Turkish shipyard Alia Yacht. Vripack's team has created the interior and exterior design of the superyacht, alongside her naval architecture.
Key Features
- 35% lower fuel use
- Three-deck glass staircase
- Bamboo-crafted interior
- Flexible Cabin Design & Convertible VIP
- Impressive Exterior Spaces
- 286m² exterior decks
Design & Construction
Designed around a displacement steel hull and an aluminium superstructure she features a 9.1m beam and a 2.17m draft. The yacht is built over 3 decks with an internal volume of 499 GT (Gross Tonnes).
Launched in July 2021 this yacht undertook sea trials over the following months. She was delivered to her owners in October 2021.
Exterior Design
Designed inside and out by Dutch studio Vripack, Al Waab takes a different approach to the modern sub-500GT superyacht. At 54.85m (180ft), she carries the volume, guest capacity and amenities expected of a much larger yacht, yet remains below the important 500GT threshold that many owners seek for operational flexibility. Rather than simply reducing dimensions to hit that target, Vripack rethought the entire platform, with naval architecture, engineering and exterior styling developed as one project from the outset.
The yacht's long, slender profile is the key to that approach. A relatively narrow 9.1m (29.9ft) beam creates an elegant, arrow-like silhouette, with a fine entry bow, clean sheerline and broad horizontal glazing that stretches almost the full length of the superstructure. Large areas of floor-to-ceiling glass replace heavy bulwarks wherever possible, while glass doors, bulwarks and stair enclosures reduce visual weight and allow natural light to pass deep into the yacht. The result is a profile that feels remarkably light for a steel yacht of this size.
Those proportions also serve a practical purpose. The slimmer hull requires less power to achieve displacement speeds, allowing Al Waab to use smaller Caterpillar engines and a more compact machinery space. That freed valuable internal volume for guest accommodation and social areas while also reducing fuel consumption compared with many yachts of similar size. It is an unusual example of exterior design, engineering and interior planning all working towards the same goal rather than competing for space.
Outdoor living is another area where Al Waab stretches expectations. Vripack estimates the yacht offers around 286m² (3,078ft²) of exterior deck space, roughly 42% more than many yachts built to a similar gross tonnage. The foredeck belongs entirely to the owner's suite, with a private 4m (13ft) pool, sunpads and unobstructed views ahead. The upper deck centres around a formal dining area for 12 beneath the protection of the sundeck overhang, while loose lounge furniture aft creates a more relaxed setting for drinks or evening entertaining. Above, the 78m² (840ft²) sundeck remains deliberately flexible, with freestanding furniture that can be rearranged for dining, sunbathing or larger gatherings.
Closer to the water, the beach club extends the social space even further. A lounge, bar and direct access to the sea create another distinct outdoor zone, while the nearby gym opens naturally into the same area. Behind the scenes, dedicated crew routes allow service to move efficiently between decks without interrupting guest spaces, an important consideration on a yacht that carries unusually high accommodation within its 499GT envelope.
Interior Design
Vripack approached Al Waab's interior as a permanent family home rather than a floating hotel. Every room was planned around daily living, with open sightlines, practical materials and spaces that encourage guests to move naturally throughout the yacht. Virtual reality formed part of the design process, allowing the owner to experience the layout long before construction began and refine everything from circulation to window positions before the yacht entered production.
Natural light defines the atmosphere throughout. Extensive floor-to-ceiling glazing connects almost every main living space with the sea, while glass bulkheads, glass-lined staircases and transparent balustrades carry that openness through the interior. Rather than breaking the yacht into enclosed rooms, Vripack created long visual connections that make the accommodation feel larger than its already generous dimensions suggest.
Material selection follows the same restrained philosophy. Bamboo became one of the defining finishes, but rather than covering large surfaces with solid panels, the designers used fine bamboo slats across ceilings and feature walls. The texture adds warmth and depth without overwhelming the spaces, allowing it to sit comfortably alongside embroidered leather, natural stone and carefully detailed composite structures. As Vripack describes it, the bamboo becomes part of the overall composition instead of becoming the focus itself.
The colour palette remains deliberately calm. Soft greys, warm browns and neutral fabrics allow the architecture, craftsmanship and surrounding views to provide the visual interest. Indirect lighting replaces harsh ceiling fixtures throughout much of the yacht after the owner specifically requested the absence of direct light. Hidden LED strips wash across ceilings and walls, producing a softer atmosphere during both day and night.
Several practical decisions also reflect the owner's brief. Durable porcelain flooring runs through the main saloon so guests can move around comfortably without treating the space as a formal showpiece, while the sculptural open staircase links three decks through a dramatic glass-lined atrium with floating steps and an illuminated acrylic feature wall.
Accommodation
Al Waab accommodates up to 18 guests in seven suites, an unusually high capacity for a yacht that remains below the 500GT threshold. The arrangement makes full use of the available volume while preserving generous private spaces rather than relying on compact cabin layouts.
The owner's suite occupies the forward section of the upper deck and uses a split-level arrangement to increase both privacy and floor area. The bedroom enjoys elevated forward views, while a private staircase leads down to a spacious dressing room and ensuite bathroom beneath. Direct access to the owner's foredeck places a 4m (13ft) private pool, sunpads and lounge immediately outside, creating a self-contained retreat separate from the guest decks.
Six guest cabins occupy the lower deck. One of the most unusual features is the adaptable VIP arrangement, where two adjoining cabins can transform into a full-beam suite by retracting the dividing partition and sliding the twin beds together. The result is a large VIP apartment with dual bathrooms when required, or two completely independent cabins for family cruising.
Aft of the engine room, the beach club connects directly to a naturally lit gym overlooking the water. The space can also convert into an additional guest cabin with a sofa bed, using the adjacent dayhead as a shower room. This flexibility allows the accommodation to adapt to different cruising plans without compromising the yacht's everyday layout.
Crew accommodation for 10 supports the guest areas through a carefully planned service network.
Performance & Capabilities
Vripack's slender hull form, paired with a relatively narrow 9.1m (29.9ft) beam, reduces resistance through the water so the yacht requires significantly less installed power than many steel yachts of a similar size. That approach also allowed Alia Yachts to fit a more compact engine room, releasing valuable volume for guest accommodation while keeping the yacht below the important 500GT threshold.
Power comes from twin 522kW Caterpillar C18 diesel engines, giving Al Waab a comfortable cruising speed of 12 knots and a top speed of 14.5 knots, a figure that exceeded expectations during sea trials. According to Vripack, the combination of efficient naval architecture, reduced displacement and smaller machinery delivers fuel consumption around 35% lower than many comparable yachts built close to the 499GT limit.
Al Waab is fitted with a redundant HP Watermakers SC Double 880 desalination plant capable of producing up to 880 litres of fresh water per hour while drawing just 6kW of power. Two completely independent desalination units allow either system to operate on its own or together, providing redundancy during maintenance or extended cruising.
For water quality, a silver-ion treatment system prevents bacterial growth within the tanks and pipework, while a UV steriliser provides a second level of protection before water reaches the taps. A remineralisation system balances the pH of the water for drinking, and a dedicated high-capacity softening system treats marina water before it enters the yacht's domestic systems, helping to prevent limescale from forming in pipework, pumps, boilers and appliances.
Amenities
In addition, a beach club allows for easy access to the water and allows those on board to easily unwind. Air conditioning offers increased on-board comfort.
Al Waab Yacht is not For Sale
Motor yacht Al Waab is not currently for sale. Explore all new & used yachts for sale globally powered by YachtBuyer’s Market Watch.
If you're the yacht owner, broker, or captain, please use the "Update Sales Info" link to report any changes to the sales information. Update Sales Info
