One of the more striking concept yachts presented at the Monaco Yacht Show (followed by an appearance at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show) was the Mondomarine M60 SeaFalcon.

Designed by Luiz de Basto, the 198-foot yacht with its plumb bow, curved superstructure, and gently sloping stern area epitomizes elegant 21st-century design. In profile, the long black windows along the front and curve of the superstructure combine to lend the look of, well, a sea falcon.

Because de Basto is known for designing aggressive, fast hulls with sexy curves, the new Mondomarine concept fits perfectly within his portfolio.

The SeaFalcon, however, takes superyacht design a step farther with long, foldout side terraces that transform the main saloon into an unbroken patio. Floor-to-ceiling windows connect to 40-foot-long terraces that can fold down on both sides, opening the entire saloon to the ocean. Guests can dine alfresco at the formal dining table inside the Falcon or simply lounge outside on the terrace to enjoy the sea view. At the rear of the yacht, a 30-foot-wide panel on the transom folds down, revealing a sizable beach club.

Forward, the full-beam master suite features a bedroom, separate his and her bathrooms, and a private door to the bow area furnished with elaborate seating and a table. Belowdecks, another four staterooms cater to eight guests, and a smaller twin cabin provides space for a nanny. Separate crew quarters for 12 are found in the forward section, while the captain?s quarters are located on the bridge deck.

One of the beauties of the de Basto exterior is the grouping of four stair-step-like balconies on the rear of each deck, which cascade naturally with the hull design, offering private terraces for both guests and owners on each level.

The skydeck has two lounges on both sides of the hot tub, with a broad arch overhead providing partial protection from the sun. On the deck below is a circular aft cockpit, exposed to the elements, with a large oblong lounge for entertaining. The arch shape of the superstructure?s sides provide a cocoon-like effect on this deck, and an interior saloon, more informal than the main one, lies just forward.

On the main-deck cockpit below stands an exterior dining table for an alfresco repast. Finally, the beach lounge in the lower deck offers direct access to the sea, with an inner lounge and spa for relaxation while viewing even more ocean expanses.

Built of light alloy and powered by twin 16V 4000 M73L engines, the SeaFalcon is designed for a top speed of 20 knots, a cruising speed of 18 knots, and a range of 4,100 nautical miles when cruising at 12 knots.