In the crowded race to deliver big‑boat living below the 500 GT threshold, Serenissima I reads like a case study. Delivered in August 2024 and now trimmed by €4,000,000 to €29,950,000, the 154‑foot Mengi Yay targets that sweet spot of volume, privacy and straightforward Mediterranean operation. It is a modern interpretation of discretion, a yacht that looks up to 60‑metre amenities yet keeps the paperwork and footprint manageable.
The design pedigree is clear. Nuvolari Lenard handles exterior and interior styling, Van Oossanen Naval Architects signs the naval platform. Lines are taut and contemporary, but the story is inside. At the center of the brief is a fully private owner’s deck, a rarity at this size. The suite has a walk‑in wardrobe and a large ensuite set against sea‑view windows, so morning light washes the vanity and the horizon sits at eye level. Step aft and the mood shifts outdoors, with a secluded terrace that folds living into the wake: sunpads warm underfoot, a dining table for quiet breakfasts, and a dedicated Jacuzzi that takes the chill out of an early swim.
Guest arrangements are pragmatic without feeling compromised. Serenissima I sleeps 10 across five cabins, with four on the lower deck. Two aft cabins can stand alone as doubles, or open into a full‑beam VIP via a movable partition, a flexible trick that can suit family weeks or corporate weekends. An elevator links all interior decks, useful for multigenerational cruising or the simple luxury of unhurried movement between spaces.
There is also personality. A gentleman’s lounge, framed as a more private retreat, leans into atmosphere rather than square footage. Think the soft hush of a cinema setup, doors opening to a drop‑down balcony that hangs right over the water, and a glass‑encased walk‑in wine cellar finished in onyx marble. The stone’s cool sheen and the glint of bottles behind glass give the room a clubby energy, minus the smoke and with the sea breeze in its place.
Up top, the sundeck is unusually expansive for this class. It carries the yacht’s second Jacuzzi, sheltered dining for 10 and generous sunpads, then opens aft to a firepit. Flames crackle against twilight while the bay settles, the kind of detail that sounds indulgent yet feels simple once you are there, wrapped in a towel with salt on your skin. Practicalities are handled elsewhere with two tender garages, ample toy stowage and a broad beach club‑style swim platform. Power comes from twin Caterpillar engines, good for 17 knots flat out and an approximate 4,000‑nautical‑mile range at 12 knots.
The market angle matters. Sub‑500 GT has become the most competitive space in large yacht ownership because it delivers the optics and amenities of a bigger build with fewer operational headaches. Serenissima I, listed with Northrop & Johnson broker Ed Dickinson, was conceived for an experienced owner who wanted exactly that, the volume of a larger yacht while staying within the 499 GT envelope. The specification reflects that ambition, from the dedicated owner’s deck to the lift and the two Jacuzzis. A €4 million reduction on a 2024 delivery underscores how sharpened this segment has become for buyers who know what they want and what they should pay for it.
In short, Serenissima I is a near‑new entry that folds privacy, flexibility and long‑range calm into an under‑500 GT package. For an owner who wants to move easily around the Med, entertain without spectacle and keep the yacht feeling intimate, the new €29.95 million ask puts a focused proposition on the table.
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