An owner and his boat: ICE 62 Targa, customized for long solo cruises

Interview with the owner of SPICE, a very unique ICE 62 Targa

There are different types of boat owners; some sail occasionally, while others sail for long periods of the year, often with a reduced crew. The owner of the ICE 62 Targa we are interviewing belongs to the latter category, and that’s why it’s interesting to know what his needs are in terms of safety, performance, comfort, and functionality. These are all elements that led him to choose Ice Yachts for the construction of his ideal boat, the one that would allow him to enjoy long cruises, solo, and in maximum comfort.

In order to understand his priorities and to grasp the reasons why he chose Ice Yachts, we met him in Cyprus aboard his ICE 62 Targa. This vessel is the result of collaboration between this experienced owner, the technical team of the Italian shipyard, and the renowned Felci Yacht Design studio.

How did you start sailing and what has been your journey up to now?

I could say it all started in the most random way possible. The first time I climbed on a sailboat was thanks to a friend who insisted I join him in Turkey to learn how to sail. So I did, I went, I learned, and I was immediately captivated by everything this lifestyle had to offer.

Did you decide right away to buy a sailboat?

Not initially. I opted for renting, but I quickly grew tired of spending two days dealing with check-in and check-out formalities, so I decided to have my own boat, and I bought a Hanse 575.

That’s diving in headfirst!

Well, yes, but after sailing with her for about seven years and making all the modifications I deemed necessary, it was time for a change, to look for a boat that would give me better performance and with which I could realize some of my ideas. So, my search began.

A search that wasn’t always easy or quick, was it?

Indeed. The truth is, after examining what was available on the market, I began to think it would be impossible to find a boat that met all my needs. Many boats were reliable, comfortable, and luxurious, but heavy and slow. Others offered speed and high performance but lacked what’s necessary to live aboard for more than a weekend. I usually stay on the boat for at least six months a year, making the sailboat my permanent home during that time.

A challenging situation.

Yes, until I met Sergey Moskovskikh, director of Yacht Consulting Barcelona, the distributor of Ice Yachts in Spain. He’s the one who introduced me to Marco Malgara, CEO of Ice Yachts.

A fortunate encounter.

Indeed. Fortunate and random because the meeting happened in a Facebook group.

The magic of social media.

There’s no doubt. It’s a very effective magic. The fact is, shortly after, I sent out three requests for proposals for a custom boat, one to Persico Marine, one to Solaris, and one to Ice Yachts. Ice Yachts was the first to respond with the most suitable proposal and the shortest delivery times. So, almost immediately, I found myself working side by side with Umberto Felci on the design of my boat, a process that lasted a year. It was a unique experience, and I can assure you that Felci is an extremely friendly and talented person, which makes him an excellent naval architect.

Can we take a step back and discover what requirements you had for Ice Yachts for your ideal boat, the one you wanted to build after leaving your first boat, your Hanse?

Initially, the briefing was rather brief and concise, with just three key points. The first was that it had to be a high-performance cruiser for solo sailing since most of the time I sail alone on board. The second point was that it had to have the necessary capacity to accommodate a rigid-hulled inflatable boat, equipped with a center console, a high-performance engine, and a minimum length of 3.2 meters. Last but not least, it had to be “sexy.” I didn’t ask for anything else, although during the design and construction process, other elements emerged that now give the ICE 62 Targa its distinctive character, such as its hardtop. It’s important to note that Ice Yachts was the only shipyard willing to create a completely new and customized boat.

Of course, it was the boat you really wanted, not a standard one. In the construction of the ICE 62 Targa, carbon fiber was used for the hull, deck, structural elements, appendages, and components like the bowsprit and hard top. Yet, there’s a widespread belief that cruising and the use of carbon fiber are incompatible. Did you have any doubts about this? What is your opinion on this matter?

Absolutely not, no doubts whatsoever. With this boat, I sail between 3,500 and 5,000 miles a year, covering long distances, so it needs to be fast. And carbon contributes to that. It also needs to be able to handle any sea and wind conditions, which is why there are carbon sandwich panels throughout the boat, making it sturdy yet lightweight. However, for some reason unknown to me, cruise boat builders don’t typically produce this type of vessel.

And this despite the fact that there are more and more yacht owners who desire a large yacht for solo sailing. Being your second year aboard the ICE 62 Targa and having already covered 10,000 miles just this year, what changes would you make?

Eleven thousand miles. This year we’ve already covered a whopping 11,000 miles.

It’s clear that this is not a weekender.

Not at all. This boat is 18 meters long and 5.20 meters wide and has been well tested in a wide variety of conditions. Although we haven’t faced a real storm yet, we’ve sailed in winds up to 40 knots and waves as high as 4 to 5 meters. In general, it’s inevitable and acceptable that some flaws occur on a custom-built boat, where everything has been done for the first time.

Looking back and with the experience of so many miles aboard the ICE 62 Targa, what would you do differently now?

Nothing, absolutely nothing.

Not even regarding ergonomics or seaworthiness?

Absolutely not. Nothing in terms of design or layout. I really like this boat. I enjoy how it sails, and it’s very comfortable to live aboard. I might, perhaps, improve something like the positioning of the pumps, but those are all minor details and feasible changes.

Before we say goodbye, could you tell us about your plans for the future? Where do you think you’ll be sailing this summer?

Probably, like every year, a round trip journey to Barcelona.

ICE 62 Targa: dati tecnici

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