“Far Far Away” is hardly a metaphorical name for this 2012 Inace luxury yacht. Following an ambitious 14-month refit, the Brazilian explorer has not only expanded its volume but literally doubled its autonomy, allowing it to reach the most remote vacation destinations in full comfort without having to rely on infrastructure.
Photo: Ocean Independence
Far Far Away had good bones to begin with. It was built by a shipyard specializing in high-performance explorer yachts made of aluminum. Indostria Naval do Ceara (Inace), located in Fortaleza, Ceara (Brazil), has been around for more than half a century. Like many luxury yacht builders, it started as a military ship and commercial fishing boat shipyard. Towards the end of the ’80s, it launched its luxury yacht division and ventured into the world of explorers.
One of the most famous Inace yachts is the 26-meter (85-foot) Joana II, delivered in 1996 to the Formula 1 race car driver Emerson Fittipaldi, who was reportedly actively involved in the design process. The larger 36.5-meter (119.7 feet) Far Far Away was delivered in 2012 and became the Brazilian shipyard’s flagship. It had kept that status for more than a decade but will soon be replaced by the Aventura 164, Inace’s first 50-meter (164 feet) yacht, currently in build.
Photo: Ocean Independence
The flagship’s original exterior and interior were both designed by the Miami-based studio Luiz de Basto Designs, a long-time collaborator of the Brazilian shipyard. For many years, the explorer stayed away from the spotlight, having been used only privately until this year. It hit the charter market following an extensive refit that propelled it into the world of luxury explorers.
It all began in November 2019, when the Lusben shipyard in Varazze, Italy, started to work on Far Far Away’s structural refit. The first and most important step was to lengthen the hull drastically. An eight-meter (26 feet) module was added at midship, the forward fin keel was extended by 1.5 meters (4.9 feet), and the aft beach also got a similar extension.
In the end, the vessel went from its original 36.5 meters to 46.2 meters (151.5 feet) – its current length. The additional length also gave Far Far Away greater volume. Originally, it could accommodate ten passengers in five cabins plus an eight-person crew. Now, it flaunts seven cabins that can welcome up to 15 guests while maintaining accommodation for eight to nine crew members.
In addition to these structural transformations, the explorer got several upgrades that were directly linked to its autonomous cruising capabilities. The refit team equipped it with two high-capacity diesel tanks and a 5,000-liter (1,320 gallons) freshwater tank. In terms of storage, it got a brand-new laundry room and cold stores unfolding over nine square meters (96.8 square feet). A satellite replaced the old gyrocompass, and a thermal camera was added for enhanced night vision.
Photo: Ocean Independence
The old laundry room was converted into a storage room. The new equipment included a monitoring system for loading and refueling, an advanced four-compressor air conditioning system, and electronic navigation.
Far Far Away also boasts brand-new CAT 99 kW generators two 60 kW twin-stern thrusters, while its existing 90 kW bow thruster was upgraded. It promises smooth, comfortable cruising at 11 knots (12.6 mph/20 kph), also claiming to be one of the most stable yachts at sea.
Most importantly, its autonomy basically doubled. This rugged explorer can now go for 8,500 nautical miles (15,700 km) without having to stop at any port. It’s the equivalent of up to three months of self-sufficient cruising in full comfort and total privacy.
Apart from the outstanding performance, the revamped expedition vessel is ready to pamper its guests. Its unusual layout places all the staterooms on the lower deck, including the large master suite. All feature refreshed interiors and refurbished bathrooms. The larger staterooms boast en-suite bathrooms with the original Brazilian marble.
Photo: Ocean Independence
The yacht’s forward deck is spacious enough for al-fresco parties, while the newly extended swim platform makes accessing water easier for guests of all ages. Following the 14-month refit, Far Far Away also gained dual certification for private and commercial use. It’s currently available for charter, with weekly rates starting at $148,000.
By keeping all of the staterooms on the lower deck, the explorer’s main deck can house more water toys and a 2.5-ton crane for launching and recovering them. The new toy box is packed, but the starts are undoubtedly the three-seat Yamaha jet skis and the custom-made tenders powered by Volvo Penta engines.
If someone wants to experience self-sufficient cruising onboard, this mighty explorer can become its new owner, as long as they have €13,5 million ($14.3 million) to spare. Far Far Away is up for grabs and ready to put its new superpowers to the test.
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