Tankoa T55 Sportiva Review (2025 Edition) by NautiStyles

On Deck

This 55m (180ft) Tankoa T55 Sportiva is set up like a party platform the moment you step aboard - and it leans into it hard.

Aft Deck and Pool-to-Dance Floor

The yacht uses a hydraulic staircase instead of a traditional passerelle. It feels comfortable underfoot, it turns, and when it is not in use it becomes part of the swim platform. That avoids the usual storage problem where a passerelle eats interior volume - aside from the hydraulic pack, which the boat needs anyway. It also lands as one of those industry is changing moments - unique passerelles keep popping up, and this one feels purpose-built.

Aft, the main deck party layout is the headline. There is a plunge pool, but the floor lifts and turns into a real dance floor. The DJ booth sits up by the boat name sign and it is a proper booth with outlets, quick-connects for subwoofers, speaker cables, signal cables - the whole deal. The energy on board comes from that - pool to dance floor, DJ in position, sound system ready to go.

On the sides, there are balconies or removable-style extensions on both port and starboard. At the aft lounge, there is a protected bottle service style zone with small cocktail tables and sheltered glazing, so guests sit out of the wind and still stay plugged into the action. A grand staircase runs up from the aft area - and it is mirrored, with staircases on both port and starboard. 

The cockpit has convertible loose furniture, a bar, and the VIP zone behind the DJ - the pricier table spot, right at the heart of the setup. The DJ booth and bar sit in the middle of the aft party plan, so the DJ stays in the mix and has a short walk to the bar. 

The beach club entrance has its own “engineering marvel” moment too - an unusual door system that leads into the spa and beach club zone, which ties straight back into the aft party plan and the underwater-facing spaces.

Bridge Deck Aft

The bridge deck aft has loose furniture and an alfresco dining layout set for 12. This is a true 12-guest yacht and it sits in a charter program, so the deck plan suits that use. A key exterior detail here is the superstructure glazing - huge angled panels that read like windows but one of them is actually a sliding door with a complex curve that follows the shape of the superstructure. The whole structure angles, then curves back in near the top, and the sliding door tracks that line while still hitting a true zero-threshold.

Sundeck

Up top, the sundeck goes full lounge mode. There is a big sofa arrangement, loose loungers, and a bar. The bar zone has a sink and a teppanyaki grill, plus extra outlets and input points that look set up for DJ signal and party gear. Forward sits an infinity-style hot tub. It is not filled to the rim at the show, but the glass line marks the overflow level, so it is a real infinity edge. The moulded seating puts jets where your back lands, so you sit into the shape. With the shade away, the sundeck has a clear view down the length of the yacht to the swim platform - a strong “party line of sight” when the boat runs as an entertainment platform.

Foredeck Guest Area and Working Bow

Forward deck details keep the function meets guest use theme. Crew access sits on port - crew staircases and crew routes all stack there for privacy when needed. The wing station has a fold-over cover reveals shift and throttle, bow thruster, rudder controls, emergency stop for the main engines, rudder indicators, a basic engine monitor, and a multifunction display. Visibility from here is excellent - and also close enough to neighbouring yachts to give anyone a little anxiety during tight show conditions.

At the bow, guests get a dedicated viewing space if they want to watch docking or anchoring, and a lower Portuguese-bridge style barrier separates guest space from the working area with real protection. Forward of that sits a standout piece of kit - a massive hydraulic crane with a stated 3,000 kilogram (6,613.9lb) capacity. It also serves as the forward mast because the yacht exceeds 50m. The mast and anchor light live on it, protected when stowed. It solves the mast light eyesore problem by dropping away when not needed, while still meeting the requirement for a forward mast light on vessels over 50m. The crane also carries work lights, and more lights sit around the boot-top area so crew can run crane ops early or late with proper illumination. Anchor gear sits right forward with a huge anchor plate, pocket anchor, bollards, and extra plates that look like added protection if the yacht takes green water over the bow. 

Entry into the main salon comes through large sliding doors with a true zero-threshold.  Storage sits on both sides of the entry, and from there you can see how the exterior boarding staircase retracts and becomes part of the swim platform outside.  

The main salon is arranged with loose furniture, so the layout stays flexible. Seating can shift depending on whether the space runs as a lounge, a social zone, or an indoor dining area. All of the exterior-facing glazing here is made up of sliding doors rather than fixed windows. When opened, the salon turns into an open-air space, closer to an alfresco lounge than a sealed interior. It effectively works as a convertible salon, which is unusual at this scale.

Indoor dining sits forward, set up for ten. Because the sliding doors take up so much wall space, storage is handled inboard. A large wine fridge sits to one side, along with dedicated storage for the interior crew. The ceiling becomes a defining feature once inside. It carries a reflective finish that changes depending on light conditions outside. At anchor, reflections shift with water colour and movement. In tighter marinas or during shows, the effect darkens and becomes more subdued.

The sliding doors throughout the interior are full height and floor to ceiling. Their shape follows the angled and curved geometry of the superstructure. Despite that complexity, the doors remain zero-threshold. The engineering behind this solution is significant, and it shows up repeatedly across the yacht. The result is continuity between interior and exterior spaces without raised sills or awkward transitions.

Sky Lounge

Aft of the wheelhouse is the sky lounge, a calmer area compared to the exterior entertainment decks, but the detailing remains bespoke. The same floor-to-ceiling sliding doors appear here, again following the complex superstructure shape. When closed, the space feels contained and quiet. When open, it connects directly to the exterior deck.

Owner's Cabin

The owner’s suite is forward on the main deck and opens from the same level as the main salon. An elevator also serves this deck. A large day head is outside the suite, followed by hanging lockers and storage that separate the cabin from the main circulation.

The suite is technically full beam, though it feels more compact than some 55m layouts. That choice ties directly to the exterior space forward. Inside, the layout stays open, with clear circulation around the bed and seating.

The defining feature of the owner’s suite is the private exterior terrace forward. Large sliding doors open directly from the cabin onto this space. It has a private hot tub, a coffee or drinks area, and room to sit away from the rest of the yacht.

Privacy relies on physical separation rather than signage. When the exterior doors forward and aft are closed, crew access stops at the boundary and the terrace becomes fully private. Crew still have their own forward access route, so service does not pass through the owner’s area.

Guest Accommodation

Guest accommodation sits on the lower deck. There are five cabins in total, all treated as VIP-level spaces rather than a single standout. The owner’s suite stays on the main deck, so these cabins serve guests only. Access comes via stairs or elevator, with a discreet connection to crew areas that stays hidden from view.

The forward cabin has a queen-size bed, a large hanging locker, and additional storage that supports longer stays. A TV sits opposite the bed with a sound bar below. The ensuite bathroom includes generous counter space and a large walk-in shower sized for two.

The ceiling finish stands out here. It reflects light and colour from outside, so water tone and ambient light change the feel of the room during the day and at night. In open anchorages the effect reads lighter and more fluid, while tight marina conditions make it moodier.

The remaining cabins mirror each other in overall size and quality, though each has its own layout tweaks. One cabin includes a small seating area. Hanging lockers are large across all cabins, with additional storage worked into the walls.

Ensuite bathrooms stay consistent in finish and layout, with good counter space, walk-in showers, and practical detailing. Pocket doors appear throughout and are notably quiet, with proper seals and brush systems that reduce noise transfer. The execution reflects how far pocket-door hardware has come in recent years.

 The port aft cabin wraps around the main staircase, creating a curved interior shape that is rare at this size. Both the cabin and the ensuite follow the curve. The shower angles outward to increase elbow room, and the vanity spans both sides, which works well when the cabin is shared.

Door placement is pushed outward, which increases usable floor space and gives the cabin a larger feel. The geometry is closer to a high-end hotel room than a typical yacht cabin.

The fifth cabin is arranged with twin berths. In terms of size and finish, it stays close to the others, so the twin layout does not feel like a downgrade. Across all five cabins, the balance is even enough that guests are unlikely to compete for a single best cabin.

Crew Accommodation

The crew mess sits on the lower deck and functions as a shared living and dining space. It includes a dining table that accommodates the full crew during off-season operations, with meals typically taken together. The space has crew refrigeration, a sink, storage, a dishwasher, and a coffee machine. A monitoring screen displays alarm and monitoring systems, CCTV, and additional operational data.

The yacht runs with a crew of ten, with nine sleeping onboard and one operating from a chase boat. Crew cabins are adjacent to the mess.  

Access leads through the engineer’s control room and straight into a full-beam, fully air-conditioned engine room. Temperature control is strong throughout the space, with cold air moving consistently, which matters given the amount of equipment installed. Despite the density, access around machinery remains workable on both port and starboard, and there is clear circulation fore and aft of the main engines.

Propulsion comes from twin Caterpillar C32 ACERT engines, each rated at 1,193 horsepower.  The yacht cruises comfortably at around 15 knots, with a top speed of approximately 17.5 knots. This aligns with the overall profile of the boat - a 55m (180'5") aluminium yacht carrying significant hotel load, multiple pools, a spa, and extensive hydraulic systems rather than chasing high top-end speed.

Fuel capacity is substantial at 65,000 litres (17,170 gallons), supporting a reported range of roughly 3,800 nautical miles at 12 knots. That puts the yacht firmly into long-range cruising territory. Fresh water capacity sits at 20,000 litres (5,283 gallons), which supports extended time at anchor without immediate reliance on shore support, backed up by onboard water-making systems.

Three generators are installed, with one positioned close to the entrance and two further inboard. Access to all units is practical from multiple sides. The engine room carries a large amount of hydraulic equipment, including pumps serving the pools and hot tubs, which contributes to the compact feel of the space despite its size. Stabiliser systems are accessible on the starboard side, with associated batteries located nearby.

The Tankoa yacht Löwe comes across as a yacht that knows exactly what it wants to be. It is wide, solid, and set up to carry serious hardware, yet it never feels like the systems are in charge of the experience. You move through it and everything lines up - the way the decks flow, how the crew stay out of sight, how the party spaces switch modes without effort, and how the quieter areas pull back when you want them to.