Europe is known for its centuries-long yachting industry traditions. In Italy, the Netherlands and Germany, shipbuilders have been competing to construct the largest vessels with impressive LOAs of over 160 metres. Still, more humble in their ambitions and opportunities US yacht builders also have something to offer to potential charterers and buyers.
With such prominent names on the yachting arena, as Palmer Johnson, Trinity Yachts or Christensen, US yards dispose of an incredible array of building options, and they are definitely worth taking a look at. Yacht Harbour lists top 10 out of the largest superyachts built on the territory of the USA so far.
#10. Invictus
Length: 65.5m
Builder: Delta Marine
Year: 2013
The vessel is owned by US billionaire and real estate magnate Rick Caruso with his net worth estimated at $4 billion (Forbes), coming from a net of open-air shopping centres he developed around Los Angeles.
Delivered by Delta Marine in 2013, the yacht of a steel hull and aluminium superstructure features a 13.1-metre beam and a 4-metre draft. Within exteriors by Delta Design Group and interiors by Diane Johnson Design, Invictus can accommodate 12 guests across 6 cabins.
Invictus has recently gained much attention in the media with the news that, after sensational win of the World Cup Trophy, US women football team had celebrated the victory aboard the superyacht. It was said that the owner of Invictus invited the team onboard to demonstrate his support for equal pay to the male counterparts, which was the team’s long-time issue.
#9. Blue Shadow
Length: 66.75m
Builder: Campbell Shipyards
Year: 1995
Designed by Francis Design, the yacht was initially said to act as a support vessel for The Golden Fleet of Prince Khaled bin Sultan, son of the late Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. With her initial name ‘Golden Shadow’, she was the first support yacht in the industry.
Designed by Martin Francis, the superyacht features a beam of 11.8 metres and a draft of 4.5 metres. With the power of Deutz engines, Blue Shadow reaches her maximum speed at 16.5 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots, with an estimated range of 13,000 nautical miles.
Blue Shadow features spacious accommodation for up to 20 guests across 11 staterooms. One of the key trademarks on-board is the main deck area suitable for storage of up to 5 boats, a vast dining area and cosy lounge exteriors. In addition to her other toys, she carries a seaplane called the Golden Eye.
In April 2019, the vessel was sold asking €9,950,000.
#8. Global
Length: 67.06m
Builder: Bender Shipbuilding & Repair
Year: 1982
The 1982 Global was designed by Lay, Pitman & Associates with Bender Shipbuilding developing the naval architecture, and interior design created by Kimberly Gonzales. With a beam of 12.2 metres and a draft of 3.7 metres, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure.
With a gross tonnage of 1,303 tons, she offers accommodation to up to 12 guests across 6 cabins. Her exterior features include a large swimming pool, a helipad, a davit, and a high capacity crane.
She is powered by Caterpillar engines of 2,450 hp each giving her a maximum speed of 14 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots. Global's maximum range is estimated at 10,000 nautical miles.
She is currently on sale asking $ 6,990,000 through United Yacht Sales.
#7. Explorer
Length: 67.28m
Builder: Candies Shipbuilders (formerly Houma)
Year: 1980
The superyacht was originally built and launched as a 51.8-metre superyacht.
Undergoing an extensive refit in 2011, Explorer saw her hull extended to current 67 metres. Another extensive refit of 2014 encapsulated addition of the owner’s stateroom, private lounge, gym and spa. A movie theatre was installed and all the audio and IT systems upgraded.
Within exteriors by Kirilloff and Associates and interior designs by Joseph Artese, Explorer offers accommodation for up to 8 guests and a crew of 9.
Techno wise, she is powered by GM engines giving her a maximum speed of 12 knots and a cruising speed of 10 knots at 12,200 nautical miles.
#6. Albatross
Length: 72m
Builder: Delta Marine
Year: 2016
Being on a confidentiality agreement, builder the yacht’s builder has not revealed information on her general arrangement, or full design team. Albatross has a 13-metre beam and displaces impressive 1,700 GT.
Similarly to Laurel and a few other yachts by Delta Marine, Albatross has a steel hull with a fibreglass superstructure. Moreover, the superyacht features a side-launching tender garage with an overhead crane, and a hefty davit on the sundeck for another boat or toy.
#5. Laurel
Length: 73.15m
Builder: Delta Marine
Year: 2006
Designed from inside out by Donald Starkey, Laurel was commissioned by experienced owners purposefully for remote, expedition-style cruising. Laurel's interior layout sleeps up to 12 guests across 7 rooms, including a master suite, 4 double cabins, 1 twin cabin and 1 pullman bed.
The yacht’s interior is furnished in eclectic style. Notably, the central staircase spirals around a three-storey-high glass sculpture by Seattle artist Mary van Cline that depicts marine life. In terms of amenities, there are a gym, spa pool and sunbathing zone on the sin deck aft and a complete tender garage on-board.
Laurel is propelled by CAT engines of 2500 hp each to a cruising speed of 15 knots, a maximum speed of 18 knots and a range of 6,000 nautical miles.
She is available for charter from € 472,500 per week via Ocean Independence.
#4. Cocoa Bean
Length: 73.98m
Builder: Trinity Yachts, LLC
Year: 2014
Featuring exteriors by Evan K Marshall & H2 Design and interiors by Evan K Marshall, the 74-metre yacht measures to a 12-metre beam and a 4-metre draft. Within impressive interior volume of 1,590 tons, the superyacht offers accommodation to up to 14 guests across 7 cabins.
Cocoa Bean features expansive deck spaces five decks, also with an extended beach club and swim platform. The superyacht disposes of a 2016 Riva to take guests from ship to shore, as well as a 2016 Chapman with a 300hp engine and multiple water toys including 2 jetskis, a jetsurf, full diving & snorkelling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, waterskis and so one.
Propelled by engines of 2,575 hp, Cocoa Bean reaches her maximum speed at 15 knots and cruises at 12 knots.
She is available for charter from € 550,000 per week via Fraser.
#3. SS Delphine
Length: 78.3m
Builder: Great Lakes Engineering Works
Year: 1921
Built by Great Lakes Engineering in 1921, the yacht went through burning, sinking, being restored, serving as a flagship in WWII and, decades later, restored again, then returning to her original state as a yacht.
With a beam of 10.7 metres and a draft of 4.6 metres, the yacht has a steel hull. She features four-cylinder, triple-expansion steam engines, which are still in use today giving SS Delphine a maximum speed of 11 knots.
The vessel is available for charter.
#2. Aquila
Length: 85.6m
Builder: Derecktor
Year: 2010
Formerly known as Cakewalk, this 85-metre yacht was sold to her current owner at an asking price of €119,000,000 at the end of 2014. Consequently, she underwent a 12-month refit at Pendennis in the UK and had her name changed to Aquila.
The motor yacht can accommodate 14 guests in 7 cabins with an interior design by Dalton Designs and an exterior design by Tim Heywood. She is powered by MTU engines of 3306 hp each giving her a maximum speed of 18 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots
The largest yacht built in the United States since the 1930s, Aquila's improvement focused mainly on the interior. For instance, the owner's stateroom was entirely remodelled, a 60 square metre private deck was added, while the Jacuzzi was repositioned to the forward sun deck.
Aquila is available for charter from € 945,000 a week through Burgess.
#1. Voyager (Ex: Danah Voyager , Candy Trader)
Length: 91.4m
Builder: Swiftships Inc.
Year: 1997
In fact, the largest American explorer superyacht was built in 1997 as a commercial ship. Meaning the largest superyacht conversion on the territory of the USA, US yacht market player Voyager Maritime Alliance Group (VMAG) has recently announced the successful completion three-year works.
First works done on Voyager included the lengthening of the platform, redesigning the bow area, and adding several superstructure decks for a completely new look. During completion works, the superyacht was empowered with the new generators and took a complete interior rejuvenation.
Overall, the vessel now boasts six decks with a helipad, spa room, dive centre, and extensive storage for tenders and water toys.
The second hull of the 42-metre E-Volution hybrid sloop has been launched in the water at Perini Navi Istanbul facility. It is the second launch of that particular model within a year, with construction still in progress on both hulls.With ‘E’ standing for electric the 42-metre E-volution was first presented at the Monaco Yacht Show 2017. The vessel features a hybrid propulsion engine system, combining diesel engine with eco-friendly electric motor and contributing to the yard's course on environmental sustainability. While the yacht’s naval architecture was designed by US-based Reichel-Pugh studio, the head of Perini Navi in-house design department developed the yacht’s exterior styling. The 42-metre comes with aluminium hull and carbon fibre superstructure.Within 275GT interior, the design concept trademarks a foldable transom door, giving staircase access to both sides of a sea-level alcove. A sail drum storage is situated below deck, whilst carbon fibre helm pods lay at the aft.Accommodation on-board will be provided to a total of eight guests across four cabins, while the crew quarters will accommodate seven people.The diesel-electric system will allow silent cruising with a range of 3,200 nautical miles at the speed of 10 knots, given that the yacht's total fuel capacity will make 20,000 litres.The vessel will now be moved to Viareggio for completion. She remains on track for a 2021 delivery. Meanwhile, the builder has recently sold the first unit of the 47-metre sailing yacht of the E-volution range.
December 6, 2019
Financial news source Milano Finanza has reported that Italian yard Sanlorenzo has been on track for its trading debut on Italian Stock Exchange on December 10.Sanlorenzo CEO Massimo PerottiDuring the Cannes Yachting Festival 2019, CEO and majority shareholder of Sanlorenzo, Massimo Perotti, made an official announcement about the company’s IPO plans by the end of the year. Now, the release date for the Milan Stock Exchange has been announced. Meanwhile, Perotti has been recently named the Entrepreneur of the Year in Italy.According to Milano Finanza, Massimo Perotti has completed the company’s international roadshow with the share offering covered by several Italian and international investors. Among institutional investors are Kairos, Mediolanum, Fideuram and Azimut, along with JP Morgan, Amundi and Norges placing ‘heavy-hitting’ bets on Sanlorenzo.The final share price has not been revealed so far. Sanlorenzo will have 31.9% of its share capital on offer, with an indicative price of €16 to €19 per share, to a targeted valuation of €480 to €570 million.Noteworthy, Ferretti Group, one of the main competitors of Sanlorenzo, abandoned the idea of trading on the stock exchange due to unsatisfactory results of the public offering period earlier this year.
December 6, 2019
By November 2020, new superyacht marina should be completed and open for yachts on Navi Island (Fiji). Located in a 10-minute drive from Savusavu Airport, it is set to become one of the region’s first green facilities.The 150-berth Marina is conceived as one of the first eco-friendly yacht harbours in the world, by forbidding the use of disposable plastic bags on its territory. What is more, the marina and associated resort will be powered by renewable solar energy.Nawi Island Ltd’s Managing Director Mike Gann commented: We intend to be one of the first green marinas in the world. In doing so, the development on the island will be powered by renewable energy, namely solar. We are also putting in place an organic wastewater treatment system for the whole island and in addition, the company is using sustainable and organic building materials on the island.The marina’s berths will be able to welcome boats from 10 to 60 meters in length. In addition, fuel and power connections along with fire service pedestals, wastewater pump-out, ferry and taxi pontoon and a 75-tonne travel lift will be provided.The yard will offer repair and maintenance services, a hard stand, pull-up fuel and wastewater pump-out, and long-term dry storage. The marina will also comprise a hotel with a spa and sports facilities, 38 private villas and a yacht club.The works should be completed by early 2020. The official opening should take place ahead of the 2021 America's Cup yacht race held in New Zealand.
December 5, 2019
The 78-metre Full Custom superyacht project by Dutch builder Amels has touched water for the first time. The vessel is the builder’s largest superyacht in terms of interior volume. Earlier launched at Damen hull-building facility on the Danube, the 2,850 GT yacht features Espen Øino design and naval architecture and interiors by Zuretti Interior Designers. She is scheduled for completion in 2021, following transport to the AMELS outfitting yard in the Netherlands.Although several Amels superyachts including the 83-metre Here Comes The Sun and the 82-metre Ilona outdo the new-build in terms of LOA, the new Full Custom project features larger Gross Tonnage to make her the largest Amels superyacht once delivered.Espen Øino comments on the project’s details:The layout with the big pool on the upper deck with the boats below either side, but they are all hidden so you don’t see it. And of course the balconies with the direct access from the cabins out which you can spot very easily and it’s actually looking pretty amazing. The contract for construction of the vessel was signed in 2017, during the Monaco Yacht Show. Representing the owner, Andrew Tree of Superyacht Technical Services commented:This truly custom yacht, with stunning design both inside and out, could only be achieved with the greatest collaboration, having the very best of European design and the highest quality of construction and management.
December 4, 2019
The largest private sailing ketch in the world, the 86-metre superyacht Aquijo has been seen arriving in Antigua to take part in Antigua Charter Yacht Show taking place December 4-9.Video: Dutch YachtingThe 6th largest sailing superyacht in the world, Aquijo was built in 2016 out of collaboration between two Dutch shipyards, Oceanco and Vitters. Vitters developed a custom steering system specially for Aquijo. It transmits the hydrodynamic forces on the rudder blades directly to the steering wheels on the flybridge, thus providing the helmsman with immediate feedback and a feeling for how the yacht is moving through the water. German studio Dölker + Voges was responsible for her interior design, whilst Tripp Design Naval Architecture styled her exterior. The yacht comprises 4 decks and accommodates up to 12 guests across 17 cabins. On-board, Aquijo offers space and amenities normally seen on motor yachts, comprising guest elevator, interior and exterior dining for up to 24 people, 3 outdoor bars and a beach club with steam room, sauna and ocean view Jacuzzi. craftsmanship.The package of Aquijo’s toys and tenders includes and does not confine to 3 tender boats, 1 jet ski, 4 kayaks, 2 wakeboard, 3 water skis, 3 stand up paddle boards, 8 diving packs etc.Featuring a mast of of 90 metres, Aquijo boasts a maximum speed of 17.5 knots.The vessel is available for charter from EUR 450,000 per week in winter season.Photos via Y.CO.
December 4, 2019