With the atmosphere incomparable to any other sporting event, the Monaco Grand prix stands almost distinct from the sport it was born from. Returning to the principality for its 77th run, this year’s race takes place from May 23 to May 26, with royalty, celebrities and billionaires flooding renowned harbour front of Monaco.
With a race circuit passing directly in front of Port Hercules marina, the Monaco Grand Prix wouldn’t be complete without a selection of luxury yachts lined up opposite the track to soak up the high-octane racing action. Yacht Harbour takes a look at 7 superyachts worth attention during Monaco Grand Prix 2019.
#1. Andreas L
Length: 60 m
Builder: Benetti (2008)
Asking price: € 25,000,000
Built by Benetti in 2008, this superyacht features a beam of 10.4 metres and a draft of 3.2 metres, built to a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. With her gross tonnage of 971 tons, Andreas L offers accommodation to 14 guests within 7 cabins with interiors by Redman Whiteley Dixon and exteriors by Stefano Natucci.
Propelled by Caterpillar engines of 1600 hp, the yacht reaches a maximum speed at 18 knots and a cruises at 16 knots.
She is fitted with a plenty of prime viewing acreage on the sundeck and a swim-up bar in her hot tub.
#2. Illusion Plus
Length: 88.8 m
Builder: Pride Mega Yachts (2018)
Delivered last summer, the yacht attends the show for the first time. What is more, she remains the largest yacht to ever have been built in Asia.
British studio Rainsford Saunders Design was responsible for her sleek exterior lines, inspired by classic Rolls-Royce cars. Spread over six-decks, Illusion Plus offers two outdoor Jacuzzis, a touch-and-go helicopter landing pad and ample space for lounging, relaxing and partying. Illusion Plus can accommodate 12 guests over 8 en-suite cabins, with capacity for 25 crew.
Her plush interior was crafted by Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design and installed by Greenline Yacht Interiors of Dubai. The superyacht features an in-built cinema screen, four guest lounges, two interior dining areas, a spa area with a sauna, steam room and massage room, a large tender garage and a lower deck ocean lounge with a bar.
#3. Sarastar
Length: 60.2 m
Builder: Mondomarine (2017)
Asking price: € 50,000,000
The yacht with a beam of 10.75 metres and a draft of 2.9 metres was launched in 2016. One of her main characteristics is the completely closed forward area in which the garage has been located. The tenders are hidden under a flush bridge that can be used as helipad, sunbathing area for guests or dance floor. Another key feature is represented by the stairs that lead one from the sundeck directly to the side of the wheelhouse. Sarastar can sleep up to 12 guests in a master suite and 5 double staterooms.
For her interiors, Luca Dini worked worked with designers Silvia Margutti and Gabriele Tartaelli, who used rare natural materials (white onyx, semi-precious stones, crystals and exotic marbles).
Noticeably, Sarastar is coming to small screens this year, as she has one of the leading roles in mystery-comedy for Netflix called "Murder Mystery", alongside with Hollywood superstars - Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston and Luke Evans.
#4. Symphony
Length: 101 m
Builder: Feadship (2015)
Similar to Illusion Plus, Symphony is among the largest spectators this weekend. With her interior volume of 3,000 tons, she features a beam of 14.1 metres and a draft of 4.1 metres. She reaches her maximum speed at 22 knots along with cruising speed of 14 knots.
Symphony offers accommodation to up to 10 guests in 8 cabins with interiors by Zuretti and exteriors by Tim Heywood. She is fitted with an outdoor cinema on her bridge deck.
In 2016, the yacht won Displacement Motor Yacht 2,999 GT and Above at the World Superyacht Awards.
#5. Blush
Length: 47.25 m
Builder: Sunseeker (2014)
Charter: from € 200,000 p/w.
Blush was launched in 2014 as Sunseeker's flagship which it remains to this day. The vessel was originally owned by Eddie Jordan, the former owner of the Jordan Grand Prix Formula 1 team and current Top Gear co-presenter.
First in the Sunseeker 155 series, Blush was designed by the yard's in-house team. Built out of GRP, the yacht can accommodate 10 guests in 5 cabins and carries a crew of 10. Blush is the 9th Sunseeker yacht that Mr. Jordan has owned over the years.
Amongst the yacht's key features are an open sun deck, complete with a large Jacuzzi and sunbathing areas as well as a clever use of foldable balconies and glass that maximise entertaining space on-board.
The owner's cabin, located forward on the main deck, has its own private balcony, a rare feature on yachts of this size. A beach club and swimming platform are further located aft of the yacht.
From a technical standpoint, Blush is powered by twin MTU engines of 2,950hp each giving the yacht a maximum speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots.
Length: 62.5m
Builder: Codecasa (2003)
Asking price: $24,950,000
One of the largest yachts ever built by Italian shipyard, Codecasa, Apogee was delivered in 2003. She was refitted in 2009 and 2013. The motor yacht can accommodate 12 guests in 6 cabins with interior design by Della Role Design and exteriors by Codecasa in-house team.
Speed wise, Apogee features a maximum speed of 14.5 knots, powered by twin Caterpillar engines of 2,260 HP each.
#7. D’Natalin IV
Length: 49.9 m
Builder: Christensen (2014)
D'Natalin was built in 2014 with a beam of 9 metres and a draft of 2.4 metres, GRP hull and GRP superstructure. With her interior volume of 499 tons, the yacht can accommodate 12 guests across 6 cabins with interiors by VARO and exteriors by Christensen.
She boasts a maximum speed of 17 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots.
Heesen Yachts has delivered the 50-meter hybrid superyacht Orion (YN 20750), marking the Dutch shipyard's third delivery this year. The aluminum-hulled vessel completed successful sea trials in the North Sea before handover to its owner.Orion features Heesen's Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) with hybrid propulsion, achieving silent electric cruising at 10 knots. The propulsion system combines two MTU 12V 2000 M61 (IMO III) engines with electric motors, reducing fuel consumption to 45 liters per hour in hybrid mode. The yacht offers a transatlantic range of 3,750 nautical miles at 12 knots (98 liters/hour) and reaches a top speed of 16.3 knots.Ruud vand der Stroom, Heesen CCO"The delivery of Orion is a moment of great pride for everyone at Heesen," said Ruud van der Stroom. "This yacht perfectly encapsulates our DNA: precise Dutch engineering, innovative hybrid technology, and the ability to deliver a high-quality product through dedicated collaboration."Designed by Omega Architects' Frank Laupman, Orion features a vertical bow and extensive glazing. The 499 GT interior by Cristiano Gatto incorporates 37 material varieties including Italian marble and woven leather. Accommodation includes six staterooms for twelve guests, with a main-deck owner's suite and full-beam VIP.Peter van der Zanden, General Manager Design & Development, Engineering and HeesenPeter van der Zanden, Heesen's Head of Engineering, noted: "Our expertise in lightweight aluminum construction, combined with the efficiency of the Fast Displacement Hull Form and hybrid system make ORION exceptional. This synergy reduces environmental impact while enhancing owner experience."Broker Anton Foord of Ocean Intelligence commented: "Orion offers an exceptional experience defined by performance, elegance, and technical innovation." The yacht will be available for Mediterranean charter this summer.Orion represents Heesen's continued focus on sustainable yachting solutions, following previous hybrid deliveries in its 50-meter series. The shipyard currently has five yachts under construction at its Oss facility, with scheduled deliveries through 2026.Heesen Yachts is a Dutch ship building company that specializes in custom-built superyachts in aluminum and steel from 30m to 70m in size. Founded in 1978, it has launched more than 170 yachts since its inception.Credits: Heesen Yachts
June 6, 2025
The judging process for the 2025 Honours awards has concluded in Amsterdam, with three recipients selected from 238 nominations. The winners will be announced at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) opening ceremony on October 28.Organized by The Superyacht Life Foundation in partnership with Pier 66 and FLIBS, the Honours recognize individuals making significant contributions to sustainability, innovation, and social impact within the superyacht industry. An 18-candidate shortlist was evaluated by a panel including Feadship's Farouk Nefzi, designer Espen Øino, Superyacht Times founder Merijn de Waard, and Royal Huisman's Jeroen Sirag.This year's judging panel included external perspectives from Ink Creative MD Jonny Clark and Untold Stories founder Nicola Chilton, who noted the breadth of industry initiatives beyond typical yachting activities."At its core, Superyacht Life is about celebrating the human stories that define our industry," said Dilan Sarac, Executive Director of The Superyacht Life Foundation. "Our 2025 Honourees embody the very best of what this industry can represent."The selection criteria focused on professional achievements, community engagement, philanthropy, and leadership. The three honourees were chosen unanimously following deliberations at Amsterdam's Royale Industrieele Groote Club.The October ceremony will mark the fourth edition of the awards, which aim to highlight positive contributions extending beyond traditional yachting circles. Previous honourees have been recognized for environmental initiatives, workforce development programs, and technological innovations benefiting broader maritime sectors.Credits: The Superyacht Life Foundation
June 6, 2025
Wally has officially presented its latest high-performance racing yacht, the wallyrocket71, during the 2025 Loro Piana Giraglia regatta. The 21.6-meter maxi yacht was developed through collaboration between Wally's technical team, designer Botin Partners, and owner Giovanni Lombardi Stronati, with construction completed by King Marine shipyard.The wallyrocket71 represents Wally's continued commitment to competitive sailing innovation, featuring advanced design elements including twin rudders, a high-performance bulb keel, and a sophisticated 2.7-ton water ballast system capable of transferring sides in approximately six seconds. With a displacement of 12 tons, the yacht is approximately three tons lighter than comparable Maxi 72 class vessels while maintaining similar sail area and power.Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, commented: "First and foremost, I want to express my thanks to the owner, Giovanni Lombardi Stronati, whose trust in this ambitious vision from day one made it all possible. With the wallyrocket71, Wally sets sail into an exciting new chapter in competitive yacht racing, launching a vessel designed to be one of the fastest in its class."Initial sea trials conducted in Valencia demonstrated the yacht's performance capabilities, achieving upwind speeds of 10.5-11 knots and matching wind speed downwind. Adolfo Carrau of Botin Partners explained the design approach: "We started from a blank sheet of paper, asking how we could beat the most competitive Maxi 72s on corrected time. When they were designed, it was to a box rule, so many parameters were already set. Now, as everyone is optimizing their boats under IRC rules, there is a lot more freedom."The racing crew, including tactician Vasco Vascotto and strategist Guillermo Parada, reported positive initial impressions of the yacht's handling and performance. Vascotto noted: "After only a few days on the water, I'm really impressed by both the construction quality and performance." Parada added: "The boat's performance is in line with our expectations: it is a complex and high-performing vessel that requires careful handling but is very exciting."The wallyrocket71 will compete in major Mediterranean events including the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, following its debut at the Loro Piana Giraglia.Wally's racing fleet continues to demonstrate strong performance in the 2025 season, with 15 yachts scheduled to compete across various events. Notable recent results include victories by Wally Cento V at the RORC Nelson's Cup in Antigua and dominant performances by Tilakkhana II at Palmavela. The wallyrocket51, Wally's smaller performance model, has also shown competitive results at the Central and Southern Tyrrhenian ORC National Championship.The remainder of the 2025 racing calendar includes prestigious events such as the Admiral's Cup in Cowes, the Rolex Fastnet Race, and the season-ending Rolex Middle Sea Race in Malta. Wally's growing fleet of performance yachts, ranging from the wallyrocket series to the larger Cento models, continues to establish the brand's position in competitive sailing circles.The wallyrocket71 project represents approximately 18 months of development from initial concept to launch, with the design team focused on creating a versatile yacht capable of strong performance across various wind conditions and course configurations. The yacht's construction at King Marine incorporated advanced composite materials and weight-saving techniques to achieve its target displacement.With the introduction of the wallyrocket71 and continued success of its racing fleet, Wally maintains its commitment to developing high-performance sailing yachts that combine cutting-edge technology with competitive results across international regatta circuits.Credits: Wally
June 6, 2025
Eastwind Yachts has been appointed as the central sales agent for the 114.2-meter expedition yacht Luna, currently available for €270 million. Built by Lloyd Werft in 2010 and refitted in 2015/16, the vessel is undergoing additional refit work before delivery to a new owner.The Newcruise-designed exterior and Donald Starkey interior accommodate 18 guests in 9 suites with a crew of 51. Luna's steel hull and aluminum superstructure provide a 9,500-nautical-mile range at 16.8 knots cruising speed, with a top speed of 22 knots. The diesel-electric propulsion system and ice-class hull enable global exploration in various conditions.Key features include twin helipads, a swimming pool, beach club, full spa with steam room and sauna, cinema, and two tender garages adjacent to a gym. The yacht's stabilization system ensures comfort at sea."Luna represents the pinnacle of expedition yachting with proven global capability," said an Eastwind Yachts representative. The vessel is currently the world's second-largest expedition yacht.Interested parties can contact Eastwind Yachts for viewings and additional specifications.Credits: Eastwind Yachts; Yacht Harbour archive
June 5, 2025
Viken Group, a global marine design firm specializing in cruise ships and superyachts, has appointed Anna Silvesjö as Chief Executive Officer. Silvesjö previously served as Partner and Group Chief Financial Officer of the company, which owns design studios TDoS (Tillberg Design of Sweden), Hot Lab, and Thalia Marine.Silvesjö outlined her strategic priorities for the group: "Viken Group will continue to expand into new market segments while deepening partnerships with clients through our on-brand design philosophy. Our design solutions align with each client's brand identity, culture, and target audience." She emphasized design excellence, commercial performance, and talent retention as key focus areas.Anna SilvesjöA central initiative under Silvesjö's leadership will be the development of Navigator, the group's integrated service platform for maritime projects. "Rooted in decades of experience across cruise ships, expedition yachts, and private yachts, Navigator simplifies the complexity of shipbuilding while ensuring rigorous cost control throughout development and construction," said Fredrik Johansson, Viken Group Co-Founder.The leadership transition occurs as the marine design industry continues to evolve, with Silvesjö representing one of few female executives in the sector. Her appointment reflects the group's emphasis on financial and operational management combined with design expertise.Viken Group's three subsidiaries maintain distinct specializations: TDoS in cruise ship design, Hot Lab in superyacht concepts, and Thalia Marine in naval architecture and engineering. The group currently operates across multiple international markets, serving both new construction and refit projects.No additional executive changes were announced alongside Silvesjö's promotion. The transition takes immediate effect, with Silvesjö assuming full operational responsibility for the group's global activities.Credits: Viken Group
June 5, 2025