(Seattle, WA) December 2025 – Article in Superyacht Times
In a world where superyachts increasingly double as sanctuaries for adventure, Delta Marine’s Project Discovery stands out as a vessel that redefines what it means to explore in style. Currently in build at the Seattle shipyard and due for delivery in 2027, the 47.55-metre motor yacht is the result of a close collaboration between Delta Marine, designer Dasha Moranova Designs and Edmiston – a partnership that seamlessly bridges American craftsmanship and European sensibility.
A meeting of minds
Interior designer Dasha Moranova recalls her first encounter with Delta Marine during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2024 as a moment of instant chemistry. “We clicked immediately,” she explains. “Delta is such a traditional, family-run shipyard with a strong heritage and incredible attention to detail. Working with them has been a beautiful experience – they’re open, meticulous, and genuinely passionate.”
With a beam of 8.69-metres, a draft of 2.3-metres and a volume of 499 GT, Project Discovery sits comfortably within Delta Marine’s lineage of robust yet elegant explorer yachts. Built in advanced composite, the hull reflects the yard’s specialty in creating structures that resist corrosion, reduce long-term maintenance, and deliver strong insulation and quiet operation. These proprietary methods have been proven in some of the most demanding waters, reinforcing the yacht’s capability and character.
Designed for life on the water
True to her name, Project Discovery embodies a spirit of curiosity, wellness and vitality. The owner, an avid fisherman and lover of the outdoors, wanted a yacht that could accommodate both adventure and relaxation. “From expansive decks to adaptable interiors, our goal was to encourage an easy flow between life inside and out,” said Delta’s Vice President Michelle Jones. “Every exterior space was shaped with intention so guests feel connected to the water at every turn.”
This active philosophy became the foundation of the design. “Project Discovery’s ethos of promoting an active lifestyle at sea shaped every aspect of our spatial and material decisions,” Moranova explains. “We wanted the yacht to feel dynamic and fluid, encouraging movement, exploration, and connection with the water.”
Circulation and sightlines have been carefully planned to create seamless transitions between interior and exterior spaces, allowing guests to flow effortlessly between activity zones such as the gym, beach club and lounge decks. Open layouts and layered deck arrangements reinforce this sense of movement and discovery.
Material selection reflects the same philosophy, focusing on tactile and durable materials. Lightweight marble, brushed oak, honed natural stone and performance fabrics have been chosen to withstand an active marine environment while remaining warm and inviting. “We’ve used durable, natural materials paired with refined detailing in the places people touch and see every day,” she says. “It’s about quality where it counts.”
The lazarette reimagined
Perhaps one of the most striking examples of this philosophy lies aft, where the lazarette doubles as a wellness retreat. “The lazarette functions as a hardworking utility space, but it also delivers a calm wellness experience,” says Jones. “The cold plunge and sauna turn it into a spot where guests can unwind right at the water’s edge.”
Adaptability guided every decision. Concealed storage, flexible furniture and zoned layouts ensure the space performs both as a lazarette and a tranquil wellness area with a cold plunge, steam room and compact gym opening directly to the sea. Natural materials – light-toned woods, textured stone, and marine-resistant fabrics – create a serene, restorative atmosphere, while generous openings flood the space with light and ocean views. “It’s made for entertaining,” says Jones. “The sky lounge is multifunctional. With a pullout sofa, full bath and storage, it converts into an extra cabin when needed, giving the yacht more flexibility for hosting.”
A softer side of sophistication
Within the yacht’s interiors, Delta Marine and Moranova have introduced a more fluid, residential approach to space. The main saloon, for instance, moves away from the traditional formal layout in favour of a lounge-style arrangement designed to make life onboard feel more human and connected.
“The inspiration came from contemporary residential and boutique hospitality design, where living spaces are more fluid and adaptable,” Moranova explains. “By using modular furniture, 360-degree seating and soft spatial divisions instead of rigid walls, the saloon becomes a social hub that adapts to different moods, whether guests are gathering for a casual morning coffee or an evening of entertainment.”
Delta Marine partnered with Amsterdam–based Dasha Moranova Designs to bring a European point of view into the project. “This was a true collaboration between our team and hers,” says Jones. “She introduced a lighter residential feel that protects moments of privacy while keeping the connection to the water.” The interiors reflect that shared approach with thoughtful detailing, from custom lighting to curated tableware. Refined finishes, natural textures, and a beach-inspired palette shape a calm atmosphere that supports both quiet retreats and lively gatherings.
Craftsmanship and connection
The attention to detail continues throughout. The owner’s suite, located on the main deck, benefits from floor-to-ceiling windows, a spacious bathroom and smart details such as an integrated mirror TV. On the upper deck, the sky lounge doubles as an additional guest cabin with a full bathroom, adding flexibility for charter. Two guest cabins on the lower deck can merge to form a VIP suite – a feature that reflects the yacht’s adaptable design language.
“Adaptability was central to the design,” Jones notes. “Because this yacht will charter, we planned the guest areas to support different groups while still protecting the family experience.”
A focal point of life on board
Above, the sun deck offers a sculptural expression of sociability, anchored by a circular bar clad in hand-laid stone mosaic. “The circular bar was conceived as both a sculptural centrepiece and a social anchor – a place where energy naturally gathers,” Moranova explains. “There’s no front or back; it’s inclusive and fluid, much like the philosophy of Discovery. At night, the gentle underlighting transforms it into a warm, luminous core – a place where stories begin and evenings unfold.”
Casual seating, a grill and a Jacuzzi complete the deck’s relaxed yet refined atmosphere, inviting guests to enjoy the rhythm of life outdoors.
Built with charter in-mind
With charter use in mind, durability and refinement were treated as equal priorities. “A charter-ready yacht must withstand frequent use while still offering a sense of exclusivity,” says Moranova. “We integrated resilience seamlessly into the aesthetic language – using high-performance fabrics, treated natural woods, and finishes that age gracefully. Every junction was detailed for longevity, ensuring maintenance remains discreet and efficient.”
Spatial planning was equally considered, with service routes and storage optimised to allow crew operations to run smoothly behind the scenes. “The result,” she continues, “is an interior that feels elevated yet approachable – proof that true luxury is not only about appearance, but about how gracefully a design performs at sea.”
The future of refined adventure
Collaborating with Delta Marine proved pivotal in translating Moranova’s European design sensibilities into an American-built yacht that feels both distinctive and authentic. “From the beginning, there was a shared respect for precision and quality, but also a healthy curiosity about perspective,” she says. “Our European approach tends to emphasise fluidity, layered detailing and material nuance, while Delta brings a remarkable command of engineering, practicality and robustness. The result is a yacht that embodies the best of both worlds – European refinement expressed through American craftsmanship.”
For Delta Marine, Project Discovery represents more than a new build – it signals a broader evolution for the shipyard. “This yacht captures the spirit of modern adventure,” notes Jones. “It’s a balance of American craftsmanship and international design thinking.”
As for Moranova, the project marks a milestone in her creative journey. “There’s a real shift happening in yachting,” she reflects. “Younger owners want yachts that feel like experiences – places for wellness, connection, and exploration. Design is becoming more lifestyle-driven, with spaces that can transform from gym to yoga deck, from private retreat to social hub. It’s about how a yacht makes you feel – how it responds to light, movement, and emotion.”
Ultimately, Project Discovery embodies this evolution – a yacht where adventure and wellbeing converge, and where luxury is defined not by excess, but by the freedom to live fully at sea.