4 Water Sports gaining traction amongst superyacht charterers

According to media sources, several major scientific and historical discoveries were made in a series of submersible dives by an expedition on-board 44.65-metre Feadship superyacht Harle.Organised and led by Cookson Adventures, the expedition team was formed by leading marine scientists from Europe. They conducted submersions in the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Naples.One of the most significant discoveries from the expedition has been the existence of untouched Coralium ruburn populations. That rare species of red coral was found 200 metres below the waterline, in the natural underwater cliff face of Sant’Angelo.Mainly pillaged for jewellery since the ancient times, the discovered red coral is centuries-old, though preserving its high density. It lays in close proximity to “healthy schools of sardines, anchovies and bogues”.Another interesting discovery of the operation has been a rare species of black coral. They were found in several locations off the Sicilian coast, while normally they are evident in tropical areas. Furthermore, a worrying scientific discovery has been made, with an “unprecedented” growth in algae caused by increasing sea temperatures.Jointly with volcanologists from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, the scientists also documented evidence of new volcanic activity on the island of Stromboli, where the volcano erupted this summer.The list of historical discoveries meanwhile is also worth mentioning, comprising Roman shipwreck and its spilled amphora cargo found off the coast of Capri, in the first manned submersible dive on the wreck.

Dutch builder Heesen has announced that hull and superstructure of their current in-build project, the 60-metre superyacht Falcon, have now been joined together at the shipyard in Oss. Following the laying of the keel in September 2018, 60m Steel FDHF Project Falcon is taking shape and remains on track for the 2021 delivery.The vessel is set to become the largest displacement yacht build by Heesen to date, and the third one of all their vessels, after the 70-metre Galactica Super Nova and 65-metre Illusion (formerly appearing in the news as Galactica Star).Exterior designer Frank Laupman of Omega Architects worked closely with the owners and their team to further refine and enhance the lines of Project Falcon. One of the key design features is the lighting since it plays a prominent role underlining and emphasising the design and architecture of the yacht. The vessel will be fitted with underwater lights illuminating Falcon at night with a splendid glow.The Owners appointed Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design to create Project Falcon’s interior decor, which has elegant lines and features intricate design details. Sinot and Omega are working closely in order for the interior and exterior to complement each other, and to ensure fluid indoor/outdoor connection.At the moment, the yard remains busy with 11 more yachts under construction and for deliveries spanning through 2023. Meanwhile, Heesen has just delivered 50-metre full-aluminium superyacht Erica.It is also worth mentioning that another significant Falcon of the yachting world, the 88-metre Maltese Falcon has been recently seen at the Monaco Marine during the MYS 2019.Photos via Heesen

Seen at anchor at the Monaco Marina during the MYS 2019, the iconic sailing superyacht Maltese Falcon was photographed in Monte-Carlo. Meanwhile, according to MarineTraffic.com, one of the most exclusive yachts available on the charter market is now located close to Suez Canal.Commissioned in 2000 by Tom Perkins, the late venture capitalist, the superyacht took nearly six years to be completed. Sold to hedge fund manager Elena Ambrosiadou at an asking price of €70 million in 2009, the 88-metre is now one of the largest yachts available for charter with a rate starting from € 480,000 per week (plus expenses).Maltese Falcon’ most innovative attribute has become her Dynarig system, developed by Dykstra Naval Architects. Her three carbon fibre masts rotate and feature computer driven sail deployment with fifteen sails, rotating based on the direction of the wind, applied for the first time in the yachting industry. This innovative system allows the yacht to sail even against the wind. Maltese Falcon features a cruising speed of 16 knots. Meanwhile, in a storm in the Gulf of Lion, France she demonstrated a speed of 26 knots under sail alone.As to the layout, the superyacht's main deck features key entertainment areas with a full formal outdoor dining table and social circular bar that lead into the expansive main saloon. Forward on the main deck, there are a card and playroom area and a massive office with video conference facilities. The elegant interior formal dining room has a pared Japanese influence. A striking circular stairwell links all the main guest spaces with the main mast visible across all levels through the glass walkways.The interior areas are complemented by expansive deck spaces including the owner's private deck space. Perfect for sunbathing by day, the deck transforms into an outdoor cinema by night, with one of the biggest outdoor movie screens seen on a yacht. The deck also features an inviting Jacuzzi, perfectly located in front of the cinema screen.Maltese Falcon was extensively refurbished in 2015/2016 during a refit. She can accommodate up to 12 guests on-board catered by a crew of 19.Photos: Dutch Yachting

During the Monaco Yacht Show 2019, Italian yacht builder Rossinavi has presented the brand new 50-metre superyacht concept Alfa 50. The project has been designed by Venice-based design team led by Enrico Gobbi.Inspired by iconic Italian luxury car brand Alfa Romeo, the model features sleek and sporty style. The unmistakable radiator grille of the Alfa Romeo cars, characterised by its signature front grille, is echoed in Alfa’s straight and rigorous bow, made of steel and captivatingly stretched forward. A sports boat below 500 GT, Alfa boasts a number of large, bright windows for the guests to enjoy some incredible panoramic views from the main areas, such as the upper deck, the owner’s cabin, the main deck saloon and the cabins dedicated to the guests. Meanwhile, floor-to-ceiling windows are characteristic for many projects by Enrico Gobbi.One of Alfa’s key points, already introduced in other recent Rossinavi projects as well, is the exit to two sinuous balconies reaching the main deck from the owner’s cabin. The smaller balcony overlooks the left side of the boat, while the one on the right side extends over the full beam, allowing a superior panoramic effect. The window continues on the bow past the owner’s cabin as in a balustrade and opens up into a private area that can also be used as a gym. Alfa’s concept boasts a series of important innovations with particular attention to the stern area, the most important area for the owner who likes to spend time open-air. At the stern, the upper deck cockpit is located, with easy access to the lower level. When the plaque opens, a two-story space including a swimming pool, sundeck area and lounge reveals. The space thus configures into a more protected indoor lounge area, a swimming pool featuring a waterfall and a sundeck from which one can dive straight into the water. Another innovative aspect of Alfa is the spacious owner’s cabin, thanks to the slight swelling of the hull, which defines the original appearance of the outdoor spaces. The gym area is connected to a large bow bathroom. This area at the bow is also connected to the deck, which delimits an area entirely dedicated to the ship owner, ensuring maximum privacy. To be able to fit the considerable height of the owner’s cabin and the entire bow area, the bow has been put forward, and the great descent that goes aft and holds the upper deck and the whole stern line makes it particularly streamlined.It has not yet been confirmed, when the construction of the unit begins. Meanwhile, Rossinavi has also recently presented new superyacht concept Infinity jointly with the architect Fulvio De Simoni.

Arguably the main yacht show in the United States, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2019 is set to start on the 30th of October and last for a total of 5 days. In 2017, the parent company of the Monaco Yacht Show, spent $133 million to acquire a portfolio of shows, which included FLIBS, which celebrates its 60th edition this year. This year, visitors will find nearly 1,200 boats on display across seven different locations in Florida, not to mention around 1,000 exhibitors. That all will transform the Fort Lauderdale city into a hive of on-water activity. The show’s locations will cover:- The Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel & Yachting Centre- Hall of Fame Marina- Las Olas Municipal Marina- Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina- Sails Marina- Pier 66 Marina (Superyacht Village)- The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Centre.A new feature of this year’s layout, The Superyacht Village will be unveiled for the first time. Located along Pier 66, the newly opened 3.5-acre space will be capable of hosting yachts of up to 121 metres in LOA.Yacht Harbour takes a look at the largest yachts on display at the upcoming show.#1. MadsummerBuilder: Lurssen (2019)LOA: 95mCharter in winter: from $1,400,000 p/wThe largest superyacht on the show, the 95-metre superyacht Madsummer is set to make her international debut at FLIBS after a recent delivery to her owner, a repeat client with Lürssen. First known as Project Fiji it took nearly 2,5 years to build her under supervision of the owner’s captain and brokerage company Moran Yacht & Ship.With a 14-metre beam, the exterior profile of Madsummer comes from a British designer Harrison Eidsgaard maintaining sleek and elegant lines within impressive volumes. The interior design aimed at up to 20 guests across 10 suites comes from drawing boards by Laura Sessa.The vessel's main trademarks are the 12-metre swimming pool and Jacuzzi laid on the aft deck, protected with glass bulwarks. Spacious beach club and spa zone with a sea terrace on the lower deck also belong on the list of Madsummer’s special features. The bow is equipped with a helipad, while the sun deck aft features hidden crane in the bulwark, able to handle an aeroboat.The superyacht is available for charter in the Mediterranean in summer period and in Caribbean/Bahamas in winter.#2. Here Comes The SunBuilder: Amels (2016)LOA: 83mCharter in winter: from approx. $ 1,353,400 p/wThe largest Amels superyacht to date, Here Comes The Sun became her Russian owner's 4th superyacht named after The Beatles' song. The superyacht features exterior design by Tim Heywood and interior style by Winch Design. Amongst her main features are a 5.5-metre swimming pool aft of the main deck, an extensive 87-square-metre beach club area located right underneath with a sitting area, sauna and gym. Other amenities also include a cinema room and a large Jacuzzi on the sundeck.As for the accommodation, there are 8 guest cabins on board and space for 27 crew. The six-decks yacht comprises 900 square metres of outside deck space and a garage capable of storing four jet skis and two 11m tenders. Meanwhile, the superyacht generated one of the highest charter revenues during the summer 2017, estimated at €9-9.5 million.#3. ExcellenceBuilder: Abeking & Rasmussen (2019)LOA: 80mCharter in winter: from $ 1,100,000 p/wPhoto: Dutch YachtingThe vessel is believed to be owned by Herb Chambers, American billionaire and the owner of a network of six dozen dealerships in Massachusetts. He is also famous for his collection of exotic cars. The automotive dealership mogul estimated at $1.5 billion by Forbes.The sixth largest vessel of Abeking & Rasmussen, Excellence features both exteriors and interiors developed by the UK-based design studio Winch Design. Her framework relies on the same technical platform as the 81-metre Grace (ex. Kibo), featuring a 12.6- metre beam and a maximum draught of 3.5 metres.Key exterior trademark of Excellence is her striking and angular reverse bow, offering a silhouette comparable to a spaceship. Her exterior lines draw the eye to the bridge and owner’s decks surrounded by curved floor-to-ceiling mirrored glass, blurring the distinction between the upper deck and the panoramic skylounge.With accommodation capacity for 14 guests, Excellence offers a swimming pool and platform, as well as Jacuzzi and sprawling beach club and impressive limousine tenders.#4. VidaBuilder: Heesen (2019)LOA: 55mDelivered in May 2019, Vida represents the third project in Heesen FDHF steel class series. With muscular exterior outline by Frank Laupman, Omega Architects, one of the distinctive hallmarks of the vessel’s layout are french windows designed to get the most of the natural light on-board. Vida is also the first yacht in Heesen fleet to comply with the latest emissions regulations, thanks to a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system that reduces NOx in exhaust emissions.As to interior concept, the owner commissioned Be Design Associates, a design bureau based in Florida, for whom Vida became the first new-build yacht project. The yacht’s interior volume amounts to 740 GT, with the accommodation provided to 12 guests within five cabins on the lower deck and a 80-squere-metre master suite forward on the main deck. Vida’s owner, experienced American yachtsman and sport fisherman, worked closely with the shipyard’s engineers to customise his new yacht and make her the mothership of his sport fishing fleet. Thus, Vida can refuel and recharge the owner’s Bayliss 60 and Bayliss 68 sportfish yachts, enabling the guests and the owners to spend several days offshore without returning to the base.#5. SoloBuilder: Tankoa (2018)LOA: 72mCharter in winter: from approx. $ 665,600 p/wThe yacht was launched in August 2018, making her international debut at the Monaco Yacht Show the same year. Designed by Francesco Paszkowski in collaboration with Margherita Casprini, Solo’s interiors represent blend of contemporary and timeless air. Her spacious main and upper salons provide relaxation zones with large plush seating areas, along with a dazzling baby grand piano and numerous entertainment options.The yacht’s six staterooms can accommodate up to 12 guests, including a spacious VIP, two doubles and two twins. The master suite is fitted with a private terrace complete with sunpads and a Jacuzzi with panoramic views. On the skylounge aft, there is a swimming pool and a private dance floor, which easily converts to a touch-and-go helipad. Solo’s beach club, meanwhile, represents a spacious and welcoming space with sofa, bar, TV, oversized glass walled gym with fold-out terrace, bathroom, sauna (also fitted with its own fold-out terrace) and hammam.#6. Baba'sBuilder: HSY YachtsLOA: 56mThe brand new 56-metre superyacht represents a debut of the Turkish builder HSY Yachts on the international arena. The builder's flagship, Baba's was commissioned by an American customer.The superyacht features exteriors by Unique Yacht Design, the studio working closely with another Turkish builder Bilgin Yachts on their two 80-metre projects. The yard’s in-house team has handled her naval architecture and interior design meanwhile.This tri-deck yacht features a 10,4-metre beam, building up interior volume of 800 GT spread over three decks. Baba's has been constructed of a steel hull and aluminum superstructure.The yacht can accommodate up to 12 guests within 6 cabins including a main-deck full-beam owner’s cabin, an upper deck VIP near the captain’s cabin. 4 guest cabins as long as 6 cabins for up to 11 crew members are laid on the lower deck. #7. BroadwaterBuilder: FeadshipLOA: 50.3Charter in winter: from $245,000 p/w plus expensesBroadwater was launched under the name Blue Moon in 2000, as the world’s first all-aluminium yacht over 500 GT. She features designs by Donald Starkey, along with naval architecture by Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects.The 50-metre yacht features a beam of 9,5 meters and a draft of 2,5 meters. With her aluminium hull and aluminium superstructure, she bears gross tonnage of 692 tons. Broadwater's maximum accommodation capacity is 12 guests in 6 cabins. The yacht completed an all-encompassing refit in May 2017. The modifications included a completely new interior design refit by Adam Voorhees for a six-stateroom layout. In June, she was spotted at Feadship yard in Amsterdam, for pre-season deck and engineering works, according to Feadship.Her maximum speed of 17 knots and cruising speed of 14 knots are provided with Caterpillar engines of 1500 hp each.