The Admiral shipyard made a bold statement with Cacos V, its first launch since it was acquired in 2011 by the Italian Sea Group, owner of the better-known builder Tecnomar. Delivered in July of 2013 as the first example of Admiral’s 131-foot Impero 40 semicustom line, Cacos V sports an aggressive-looking, military-like exterior. The design was a collaboration between Admiral’s style department and the Italian naval architect Luca Dini, who has become known for striking designs that maximize a yacht’s interior space and enhance its performance.

The Impero 40, an all-aluminum semi-displacement yacht, features a wave-cutting vertical bow and external bulwarks with almost no inward slant. The design contributes to the yacht’s exceptionally stable ride and gives the Impero 40 more interior space than any yacht its size.

The design also includes advanced insulation that enabled the Impero 40 to receive the best noise and vibration ratings ever awarded by the Registro Italiano Navale, Italy’s yacht classification and certification agency. When the vessel is cruising at 16 knots, the noise level in the master cabin is just 49 decibels, which is quieter than a normal conversation, and the vibrations are roughly one 10th the average level for boats traveling at that speed.

The Impero 40’s voluminous interior allows for multiple layout options. Cacos V sleeps 11 passengers in five cabins, each of which has a different design. It also accommodates a crew of eight. The lower deck on Cacos V includes two twin and two VIP cabins, but the VIP cabins can be configured as a single full-beam suite or a cinema. At roughly 400 square feet, the Impero 40’s full-beam master suite is unusually large for a boat this size. It features two large windows, an oversize bed, and two bathrooms separated by an enormous shower.

The aft portion of the bridge deck has full-beam sliding doors that provide plenty of natural light. This space serves as a lounge on Cacos V, though it can be designed as a gym or spa. The roughly 750-square-foot main saloon houses a large seating area and the main dining area, both flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows. The interior design of Cacos V includes soft black-leather floors, light-gray leather ceilings, Macassar-ebony furniture, and black glass tables.

The bridge deck and sundeck are both furnished with alfresco dining tables. On the sundeck, an aft sun pad spans the entire width of the space. Another sun pad is located beside the hot tub. Yet another large padded lounge area is located on the main deck toward the bow. The starting price for an Impero 40 is about $20 million. (www.admiralyachts.it)