The Great Escape
A look inside British entrepreneur Nick Candy's superyacht, available for charter for a remote summer getaway.
Picture this. You walk out onto the deck of your 63m Benetti yacht, chilled glass of Krug in hand, waves lapping the sides of the sleek decks that are home for the week. The day is succumbing to night and stars are decorating the Aeolian sky over Stromboli, the northern-most island of the archipelago.
World-class chefs are preparing a candle-lit feast of truffle pasta and fresh seafood for you and 11 friends and family, as you swap stories from the day: hiking the volcano on the island, racing sea bobs or exploring the rugged coastline by kayak.
This is what a day looks like aboard the award-winning superyacht 11.11, owned by London property developer Nick Candy, available for charter through yacht management company Y.Co.
Candy, who took ownership of the custom-built yacht in 2015, named it after his eldest daughter who was born on 11 November. 11.11 is also considered a ‘master number’, he says, which emanates “positive vibes”. Guests will find a book about the power of 11.11 on their bedside table.
It is the perfect medium to explore remote parts of the world, while spending time with friends and family, each with their own personal space, with the ability to reconvene in luxurious communal areas, says Candy, who describes the rhythm of an average day.
“We love spending time on the sundeck during the day, playing in the pool and relaxing on the giant day beds,” he says. The adjacent kitchen and diner is the perfect water-and-sun-proof dining area for the kids to watch their favourite TV shows on the built-in flat screen, then head straight back to the pool for more swimming. For the adults, the Italian stone outdoor bar next to the pool is the perfect spot to enjoy some cocktails as the sun goes down.”
Candy’s favourite memories aboard 11.11 have been made “cruising through the Corinth Canal in the Aegean Sea with just a few inches clearance either side of 11.11: a seriously tight squeeze but an incredible moment”.
Another highlight, he says, “was a secluded private beach BBQ organised by the crew for my family in the British Virgin Islands. Powder-white sand, postcard-like location, exceptional food and our brilliant crew looking after us beyond all expectations, followed by an adventure through The Baths in Virgin Gorda.”
The yacht’s Art Deco-inspired interiors were created by Candy’s interior design team. Integrated ‘child-friendly features’, including soft rounded coffee table edges, ensure a safe environment for his two young daughters without compromising the aesthetic. The interior palette is neutral and modern, with an impressive array of contemporary art and photography on the walls, including pieces by Tracey Emin; Hans Kotter; Dominic Harris; David Yarrow; and Ben Sack.
From a distance, the yacht is unmistakable, with its visually striking hydrodynamic plumb bow and a vast owner’s deck. It is also speedy, with twin Caterpillar diesel engines giving a top speed of 18 knots, while innovative sound and vibration insulation technology maintains a quiet transit.
11.11 carries an array of water-sport equipment and inflatables that cater to everyone’s thrill level, including a slide; trampoline; climbing wall; jungle gym; jet skis; tenders; sea bobs; wake boards; and fly boards.
One of the best things about 11.11, says Candy, is that the crew take service, food, hospitality, and maintenance of a superyacht to a whole new level. “The meticulous care taken of our family and guests could never be found in any resort or hotel I’ve ever stayed at in the world,” he adds. “The service level on board 11.11 is like no five-star hotel on the planet.”
11.11 is based in Europe during the summer and the Caribbean during the winter months, and charters at EUR650,000 per week. For more information go to
