Cutting a profile directly out of the golden era of yachting, the 90-meter Corsair Yachts Nero is the picture of perfect 1930s proportion. Sporting elegant livery, Nero’s sheerline rises in the architecturally correct style of the day, defining both its form and function in one thoughtful arc. The crisp white of the superstructure atop gleaming black hull allows the red waterline to peek through, while gold accents trace the curve along its run.
Nero is a classic new build inspired by twentieth-century financier J. P. Morgan’s Corsair IV. In its day, the 104-meter, turbo-electric powered, steel-hulled Corsair IV was the last of Morgan’s four Corsair yachts. It was also the largest yacht ever built in the United States, delivered by Bath Iron Works of Maine in May 1930 at a cost of $2.5 million.
This modern interpretation of the Corsair IV clipper was commissioned and built by British entrepreneur Neil Taylor. Unable to locate a suitable hull to restore, Taylor decided to build his vision anew, establishing Corsair Yachts expressly for that purpose. Taylor drew his own design, relying on IMT Marine Consultants for naval architecture.
To execute the design, Taylor rented the entire Yantai Raffles Shipyard in Shandong, China, and its 400 workers in 2004. With additional input from 30 experts representing the world’s top shipyards, the yacht was delivered in December of 2007.
Nero’s Unmatched Ambiance
The extraordinary thing about Nero, aside from the lavish amount of space in the cabins and guest areas, is the nearly imperceptible blending of authentic twentieth-century style with current top-of-industry materials and technology.
There are still exquisite, book-matched marble baths and tubs in every cabin. Burmese teak graces the deck. The brightwork of chromed hardware and fittings subtly accents wood grains throughout the yacht. Inlaid woods speak to impeccable craftsmanship.
Hidden beneath her sumptuous décor, Nero is an arsenal of all things modern. Pomponi expertly dovetailed her “fresh aesthetic” with the “old soul” of the build, fashioning a yacht that feels real. Not a theme park copy, but a respected, museum-quality, reproduction that feels every bit the real thing. Authentic. Posh. Unhurried.
Quality is everywhere, down to the gold-rimmed Nero dinnerware and poshly embroidered linens. The onboard experience is one of gracious tradition and polished luxury, delivering every modern convenience.
Nero By the Numbers
Nero’s hull measures 90.1 meters in length with a 12-meter beam, a 4.9-meter draft, and a volume of 1,413 gross tons. She accommodates 12 guests in six cabins, served by 20 crew. Designed by Neil Taylor, IMT Marine Consultants worked on exterior design and naval architecture.
Nero is powered by two 2,333 hp Caterpillar engines, giving her a range of 4,500 nautical miles at between 12 – 14 knots, and has a maximum speed of 17 knots. Equipped with zero-speed stabilizers and a full keel with large ballast, she is quiet and stable.
Nero carries three tenders, one of which is a custom 9.5-meter mahogany and teak limousine tender built by Corsair Yachts in the style of the mother ship. She also carries a 7.4-meter Zeta Elle tender and a 5.2-meter Nautica RIB.
The original build has seen two refits, presenting polished and refined interiors by Ancona-based Laura Pomponi of Luxury Projects. The 2016 refit was completed at MB92 of Barcelona. The 2021 refit was done at San Giorgio del Porto in Genoa.
The Main Deck
Fully aft on the main deck is a large space with masterfully executed wooden railings with an unimpeded view. There are deck chairs for sunbathing or stargazing, and a spacious floor for dancing and al fresco cocktail hours.
Forward of the aft deck, stairs lead the way into a covered outdoor dining and lounging space. Gently curved and cushioned banquette-style sofas embrace the aft rim of the deck. Adjustable height tables sit to port and starboard.
Further forward, a table for 10 is a preferred al fresco dining spot. Built-in cabinetry to port and starboard runs the length of the space. A stair to port leads to the upper deck. A brilliantly crafted built-in wood bar sits to starboard, with sink and refrigerator, ready to provide refreshment.
Polished wood French doors with glass panels and chromed hardware open to the main salon. The built-in wood cabinetry is abundant with wood panels along the walls and the ceiling beams, all finished in light limed oak.
To starboard, a small round table with four upholstered armchairs with wood inlaid table sits next to the five large windows. Another table with two upholstered armchairs sits just forward.
To port, a square conversation area with four upholstered sofas and tables has its own set of five large windows. Spacious, bright, and welcoming, a large screen media panel sits on the forward wall.
A pair of pocket doors forward leads to another lounge area, this one featuring a cozy marble fireplace and lots of built-in cabinetry fashioned with curves and intricate detail. To starboard as you enter the space, the main stairway curves to carry guests to the upper deck along a carved woodwork railing.
Forward, between the stair and a long line of built-in cabinetry rimming the lounge area, another pair of doors leads to the formal dining room. An oval table for 10 sits across the 12-meter beam with space to spare. Three sides of the table are framed by built-in cabinets with chromed hardware and the same exquisitely milled door and wall panels.
Forward of the lounge, a stair to the lower deck sits central, and a pair of wood-paneled weatherproof doors open to the side deck. The subtly patterned parquet floor is highly polished, featuring a compass rose in the hallway landing, softly reflecting the overhead recessed lighting. To port, a door leads to crew areas and galley. A port side door opens to a wood-paneled day head with marble flooring, marble vanity and sink.
The Master Suite
Walking further forward through a curved wood door with paneled millwork is the master suite. It is notably spacious, with several different areas incorporated into the suite. A second level of the suite, accessed by a stair in the private dining area, can be either accessed by other guests or closed off to expand the master to a two-deck suite of rooms.
Upon entry, a dining table sits to starboard with a beautifully upholstered banquette sofa placed below a row of large windows and two lovely upholstered armchair dining chairs. Wood paneled walls and beams with recessed lighting emphasize the refined décor, while the pale color of the woods and the welcoming blues and creams of the upholstery and soft goods extend a friendly invite.
The space opens to port with a comfortably large built-in desk leading to a group of sofas perfect for a light business conversation or quiet read, lit by four large windows and accented by more overhead beams. A large flat screen TV sits above cabinetry on the aft wall of the space.
Further forward, separated by another wood paneled milled door with curved top, the spacious bedroom opens to the full beam layout featuring massive amounts of the pale wood with detailed millwork, louvered doors, and beamed ceiling. All are executed in the limed oak that makes this yacht so warm, yet light and comfortable. A king bed sits central, with built-ins all around, and a large screen TV sits on the forward wall.
To either side of the TV, doors lead to dual baths, both outfitted with book-matched marble floors, large jetted soaking tubs, and marble vanities with dual sinks. Three large windows deliver lots of natural light. A toilet and bidet sit to the inside wall of the spaces. Lots of curved cabinet doors, beautiful millwork, and chrome hardware accent both baths. Wide-opening walk-in showers in marble with rainshower and body sprayers, silver fixtures, and perfect lighting pamper guests with high-end amenities. Shower door embellished with the Nero brand and a collection of Nero embroidered towels complete the spaces.
In between the dual baths, a walk-in closet with mirror-paneled doors and a dressing table make a nice transition between the baths.
The Lower Deck
Fashioned with the same light limed oak, the five roomy staterooms all have similar treatment, with marble baths, soaking tubs, marble walk-in showers, beamed ceilings, light oak built-in cabinetry, and chrome hardware, including the brilliant round portholes.
Two of the cabins are twins that can be converted to kings. Two are double cabins, again with beautiful marble and wood paneled baths with dual sinks, soaking tub, walk-in shower, toilet, and bidet. Abundant cabinetry and mirrored walk-in closet make this a comfortable space, particularly for those embarking on a more extended journey stretching weeks into months.
Further forward, the VIP cabin displays a gracious layout with its own sitting room. Three imperial green jewel-tone sofas offer a casual social spot, with four beautiful chrome portholes gathering natural light, paired with recessed lighting tucked into the beamed ceiling.
Through a forward door within the space, the king-sized bed with cabinetry at the foot houses a pop-up flat screen TV. The bath is accessed through a separate door, again done exquisitely in marble and wood, with all of the same amenities as the master.
The Upper Deck
Aft on the upper deck, a grand U-shaped upholstered sofa hugs the stern, surrounding a glossy round wood table. Snugged up behind the sofa, an expansive padded lounging area invites a full recline. In front of the sofas, a cabinet with pop-up flat screen faces aft.
Just forward, a glossy circular dining table for 10 brings guests together for alfresco feasts. A small wood bar to starboard with a sink, refrigerator, and built-in cabinetry provides convenient service for the deck. A staircase to port carries guests to the sun deck.
Sliding glass doors framed in gleaming wood with chrome hardware open wide to enter the upper deck salon. A dark marble bar sits atop a light oak base with seating for five facing the large windows to starboard. A chrome bar rail and upholstered chairs with nailhead detail refine the seating. Behind the bar, all the tools of the trade are at hand to ensure the crew mixes up custom libations.
A collection of sofas and tables to port find cushy boucle carpeting underfoot. Overhead, a large skylight that resembles the deckhouse of a sailing vessel brings in natural light. The positively gleaming old wood structure supporting the skylights shows off sophisticated marquetry accented by chrome hardware.
Through a pair of curved wooden doors, a hall with inlaid floors curves along a stair to starboard. To port, the massage room and marble bath with shower serves both the massage room as a refresher and the salon and aft deck as a day head.
A long hallway forward leads to the master suite. Here, the door can be secured to close off the remainder of the deck from other guests, reserving the space for use by the master suite and ensuring privacy for the massive screening room/observation room. Multi-level seating proves a grand gathering space of sofas and tables with pleasant ambiance. A large drop-down screen faces the seating areas.
An outdoor walkway forward leads to the bow, overlooking the RIB tender space and two jet skis. When the tender is removed, the space becomes a 5.7-meter pool with swim jet. The stunning Corsair Yachts tender to starboard and an additional tender to port both benefit from protected storage in discreet locations.
The Sun Deck
The largest outdoor space on the yacht has a six-person jacuzzi with sun pads and retractable awnings. The central skylight assembly that lights the salon below is surrounded by built-in seating. Wooden deck chairs with cushions and an adjustable height dining area for ten provide additional social spaces.
Just aft, through double glass panel wood doors, is the gym. Housed in a beautiful wood structure, with wood floors and a full-height mirror, a raft of Technogym equipment, loose weights, and yoga/Pilates equipment encourage guests to work off a few of those delicious calories provided by the yacht’s accomplished chef.
Fully forward is the wheelhouse, with two captain’s chairs with all the equipment required for piloting a modern yacht. Rich with milled wood cabinetry and commanding views of the sea, it is a beautiful but hardworking space.
Above the wheelhouse, another lounge area beckons guests for a top-of-the-world exhale. Deck chairs and a large circular sun pad with center table offer the ultimate view in every direction.
Distinctive in every detail, heads turn wherever Nero roams. This tasteful reproduction makes it seem possible to spot the likes of J. P. Morgan and Captain Horatio Nelson mingling with modern captains of industry, enjoying cocktails together in the bar or taking in the top deck view while sharing images on their phones and consulting their computers for scheduling. Nero remains the ideal combination of old and new in one of the most beautiful yachts imaginable.
Photos: BlueIprod | Words: K.L. Turner