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Writer's pictureScott Way

You Can Buy a Yacht with a Pickleball Court Now



Flexplorer 165

They say the only bad workout is the one that didn't happen. You can say the same about a boat ride.


Ok, so maybe this yacht is a little out of the price range for most people, but you can't put a price on physical fitness.


Just ask the Cantiere delle Marche shipyard in Italy, who just sold their second ultra-sweet Flexplorer 165 that includes a pickleball court on the aft deck.


With an LOA of 50.3 meters (165 feet) the Flexplorer 165 is the largest explorer-style yacht made by their shipyard.

“While the tide of the nautical market is in descent, Cantiere delle Marche remains steadfast, weathering every challenge with grace and determination. It is plain to see that we are actually bucking the trend with commercial successes that come at an impressive pace for a shipyard of our size,” said Vasco Buonpensiere, co-founder and CEO of Cantiere delle Marche, in a press release.


You have to appreciate that kind of gusto.


Meanwhile, the owners will appreciate the easy access to physical activity aboard the highly customized design. The yacht's design and architecture was put together by a company called Hydro Tec, one of Italy's most boutique design teams that specialize in accommodating any request an owner can come up.


Flexplorer 165

The pickleball modification is an impressive engineering feat in its own right. Not only were the designers able to fit a full-size court onto an LOA of 165' (standard pickleball court measurements are 20 feet wide by 44 feet long, or 6.1 meters by 13.4 meters), there able to add not one but two 'spectator areas' around the court. This was accomplished by extending the overhang on the upper deck to create space for the court itself, allowing viewers to watch either adjacent to the court or from the sundeck. The court itself is also surrounded by a lightweight carbon fiber frame and netting apparatus to prevent balls from going overboard. The extra overhang also creates a nice shaded area below the upper deck that has room for a tender and PWCs. There's even a crane to launch them. If that doesn't give you enough exercise options, there's even a gym and massage area on the upper deck, too.


If the pickleball court isn't enough to keep your heart healthy, there's also a "thermal therapy" space onboard. We're not familiar with all superyacht parlance, but assuming that means a hot sauna in some capacity, it will also be accompanied by a ice bath maintained at a blustery 8-12 degrees Celsius (46-53 F). So basically, have a hot game of pickleball, cool down those achy muscles with an ice bath, and then enjoy a relaxing sauna sesh to wind down the day.


Below deck, accommodations include five guest cabins, five crew cabins, and a captain's quarters. An elevator will move you between decks depending on where you need to go. Four guest cabins will be on the lower deck, while the owner’s suite will get prime status on the main deck (presumably in case there's a desire for a midnight game of pickleball).


Power will come via twin Caterpillar engines to achieve a maximum speed of 15 knots (17 mph) and a range of 4800 nautical miles (8890 kilometers) at 10 knots (11.5 mph).

“It’s been a privilege to work with the owner on this project,” said sales manager Carlo Aquilanti said in a statement. “From our first conversation, it was clear that the Flexplorer 165 was the perfect match for him. We have successfully integrated all his favorite sports activities and his lifestyle into the yacht without any compromises.”


Any guesses what they might name her? Assuming there might be some imbibing during holiday getaways, mixed with some vigorous pickleball tournaments, something like Pickled At Sea might suit it.




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