Spring has burst on the scene where I live in coastal Connecticut—and a time change with it. And I have been struck yet again by boat-based longing, this time by a boat that I will only ever dream about—a 164-foot (50 meter) expedition yacht recently sold by Rossinavi. The idea of the capabilities that are being built into boats like these are inspiring. I am really taken with the idea of going to sea and, for the most part, not touching land until you decide (meaning you’re not limited by the boat’s range or onboard stores—or comfort). Following the travels of world-girdling boats like Steve Dashew’s Wind Horse or Big Fish or even reading about the informed designs such as those from Numarine I wrote about last week, it all fans the flame. 

The Rossinavi will be a fully custom build called Endurance 50, with aluminum hull and superstructure. She will be a fast-displacement motoryacht with diesel-electric Rolls-Royce pods—serious equipment for a boat built to travel. 

“The new Endurance 50 meter is a fully customized yacht with essential and linear layout, characterized by many minimalist details and lightweight materials,” says Federico Rossi of Rossinavi. “The twin-diesel electric engines and the unlimited registration allow long range cruising around the world. This vessel has been design for the “tour of the globe.” The main vessel performance is the seakeeping and the long cruising range.”

Where would you take a boat like this? What would traveling on her be like?

“The generous full-beam owner’s suite forward to the weather deck enjoys plenty of light and a wonderful panorama thanks to the long windows along the two main sides and an unusual private balcony,” says Enrico Gobbi of T4D, who designed the yacht’s exterior. “The exterior areas of the Endurance 50 make various configuration possible, including an exclusive sun area forward, placed over the wide garage. The outside dining area is on the upper deck, while the cockpit is furnished with luxurious sunbed close to a panoramic custom pool on aft.”

All that sounds terrific. Really. But what got me interested is what we will be able to see that’s around the boat, not in it. With a boat like this, we don’t go places to watch TV (actually that should go for any boat). Look out the window. Peer through the windshield at night at the wind-driven rain as we make way to some far-flung location we wouldn’t go otherwise. Press on.

Breathe in that air. And make plans for your own “spring forward.”