Scheduled for delivery in June 2027, the yacht will become the largest private vessel ever built in the country, marking a significant milestone for the Brazilian yard.
Conceived for an experienced owner familiar with spending long seasons aboard 1,000GT charter yachts in the Mediterranean, Project Milky Ways has been intentionally scaled down to remain below the 499GT threshold. The result is a full-aluminum, semi-planing yacht tailored specifically for private use in Brazilian and Caribbean waters, prioritizing volume efficiency, operational comfort, and a clear separation between family living and business-focused spaces.
Designing a yacht for both family life and business
The owner’s brief centered on creating a yacht capable of shifting between private family retreat and professional entertaining platform. While accustomed to much larger vessels, the owner wanted to retain the amenities and spatial generosity of those yachts within a significantly smaller gross tonnage.
Vripack was brought in by MCP to develop the exterior design and naval architecture, while the Brazilian yard retained responsibility for interior design, project management, and construction. According to Vripack co-creative director Bart Bouwhuis, the challenge lay in delivering a highly multifunctional layout without compromising flow or comfort.
Fitting the scale and features of a much larger yacht into a 499GT platform required close attention to proportions, circulation, and the way interior and exterior spaces interact across decks.
Exterior architecture driven by volume and flow
Project Milky Ways is defined by a long, slender profile with a plumb bow, a decision that serves both aesthetic and practical purposes. The forward geometry increases interior volume while contributing to improved crew comfort, larger crew cabins, and a more generous bridge area. It also supports more efficient service routes between the pantry and galley, improving onboard operations during guest use.
The exterior arrangement is built around a layered approach, with each deck assigned a clear function. Large windows and sculpted cutouts along both sides of the motor yacht give her a singular visual identity while maintaining strong sightlines to the surrounding environment.
One of the most distinctive exterior features is the so-called “people pad,” an overwater terrace that steps up from the main deck aft. Designed as a secondary open-air lounge closer to the water, it sits below the sun deck and provides a more sheltered connection to the sea. A double-sided bar is positioned between the people pad and the main deck aft seating area, serving both spaces without interrupting circulation.
The sun deck is usually the most exposed area on board, but you're so high up that you don't have that connection to water... the people pad is a like second sun deck that delivers a new level of owner experience.”
Co-creative Director
Vripack
The sun deck itself carries a full program, with forward loungers, shaded seating, a sit-up bar, and a glass-fronted pool set beneath a hardtop bimini. The arrangement supports extended outdoor use without concentrating all activity at the highest point onboard.
Interior spaces structured for hosting and retreat
Internally, Project Milky Ways continues the theme of separation between private and professional use. A standout feature on the main deck is a dedicated cigar lounge, complete with a fold-down balcony and integrated television. Positioned as a more intimate social space, it adds a layer of character distinct from the main salon.
Accommodation is arranged with a full-beam master suite on the main deck, directly connected to a secondary office requested by the owner’s wife. The owner’s primary office is located one deck above on the bridge deck, adjacent to the skylounge. This space also houses a bar and a walk-in wine cellar capable of storing up to 250 bottles and 10 magnums, reinforcing its role as a setting for formal hosting.
Additional guest accommodation is located on the lower deck, with two sizable VIP suites and two twin cabins, providing flexibility for both family cruising and invited guests.
Crew-focused planning and wellness amenities
The lower deck is also home to a sheltered beach club that connects directly to a sauna, fitness area, and dayhead. An oversized spa pool forms the focal point of the space, while twin fold-down side terraces extend the usable footprint by approximately 40 percent when deployed. This configuration creates a protected waterside area suited to both relaxation and informal social use.
Crew comfort has been a priority throughout the design. The increased volume made possible by the plumb bow has been allocated to larger crew cabins and improved working spaces, supporting longer periods onboard and smoother day-to-day operations.
The bridge deck balances leisure and utility, with alfresco dining and seating arranged around a firepit. Forward, a helideck is rated for an Airbus EC145. When not in aviation use, the space can be converted into a basketball court, adding another recreational layer without sacrificing functionality. Beneath the foredeck sits an enclosed garage for a seven-meter Castoldi tender, keeping deck spaces clear.
Project Milky Ways is expected to reach a top speed of 21 knots, with a cruising range of approximately 3,500 nautical miles at 11 knots. The semi-planing hull form and aluminum construction are intended to support efficient long-range cruising across her intended operating areas.
From expedition to sailing yachts: Vripack’s current in-build projects
According to YachtBuyer MarketWatch, the largest yacht database in the world, Vripack is currently involed with several other major superyacht projects. Among them is the 69.7m Project Thunderball, under construction at CRN Yachts and scheduled for delivery in 2026. Conceived as a long-range expedition and regatta-support vessel, Thunderball pairs a displacement steel hull with an efficiency-driven exterior and a strong emphasis on operational capability.
At the sailing end of the spectrum, the 69m Project Zero, being built by Vitters, demonstrates Vripack’s ability to translate its design language into high-performance sail yachts while remaining within the 499GT threshold. Meanwhile, the 60m Serenity II, nearing delivery from Alia Yacht, places Vripack in full control of naval architecture, interior, and exterior design, reinforcing the studio’s growing footprint in complex, high-volume custom yachts across multiple sectors.
With delivery scheduled for June 2027, Project Milky Ways represents both a technical and symbolic milestone for MCP Yachts. Once complete, she will stand as the largest private yacht ever delivered from a Brazilian shipyard, reflecting a growing level of capability within the region’s superyacht sector.
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