Amore Mio delivered by Heesen

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.

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.

Vancouver-based studio ER Yacht Design has unveiled a 60.5-metre sport superyacht concept Shotel. Designer Ivan Erdevicki conceived the project with aggressive sporty lines to be a part of the studio’s Gotham sporty yachts series.The superyacht would be built in aluminium and carbon fibre. The model’s key trademarks are spacious aft open deck areas with fold-down hull sides, large swim platform and beach club.Meanwhile, the main deck aft is integrated with the cockpit deck that comprises a spacious saloon and dining area. Alongside the pilothouse and captain’s cabin, there is the sky lounge sitting on the upper deck.With a beam of 10.5 metres and interior volume of 780 GT, the yacht can accommodate up to 14 guests across a full beam master suite on the main deck forward and six double guest cabins on the lower deck. The bow deck with two launching cranes can house an eight-metre tender, rescue RIB and jet skis.Shotel will boast a maximum speed of 24 knots and cruising speed of 18 knots, also featuring a range of 3,800 nautical miles.

Italian builder Otam has announced sale and construction start of 21-metre fully customised motor yacht. The sleek project was designed in Otam’ collaboration with Tuscany-based BG Design Firm.BG Design specialises in custom yacht design, from tenders to superyachts. The aggressive profile and refined detailing of the new Otam 70 HT are strongly inspired by luxury automotive and aeronautical design. The yacht is conceived as a high-performance output of design and engineering, combining Otam’ design DNA and ‘slippery’ new hull lines by Umberto Tagliavini Marine Design.From a practical standpoint, the vessel will feature a LOA of 21 metres and a beam of 5.35 metres, offering unlimited customisations within. Key features will comprise a transom tender garage, stabilisation system and Otam’s large volume engine room.Already sold to the final client and currently under construction, Otam 70 HT will make her international debut at the 2021 Cannes Yachting Festival.

The winners of the 10th annual ‘Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image’ contest were announced last week. The photographic exhibition seeks to recognise the best yacht racing images taken during a past year.This year, photographers from 29 countries around the world submitted 133 shots. The voting was held among international jury, Internet users and 300 delegates of the Yacht Racing Forum that took place in Bilbao on November 25-26. Photo: Loris von SiebentalThe winner of the main prize this year, granted by the professional jury, is Swiss photographer Loris von Siebental, for a shot from the Bol d’Or Mirabaud regatta on Lake Geneva.The judges awarded the second place to Sharon Green (the USA) for her portrait of the Volvo 70 Wizard.Photo: Sharon GreenIan Roman (the UK) holds the third position this year, having captured a rollover of an American catamaran F50 during the SailGP series stage in Cowes (UK).Photo: Ian RomanMeanwhile, Yacht Racing Forum forum participants in Bilbao, voted over the TOP-20 shots already picked by the jury.According to delegates’ vote, Loris von Siebenthal should have received only the third place. Most of all, the audience was charmed by the water shield in front of the little O’pen Bic of the young yachtsman, captured by Italian photographer Martine Orsini.Photo: Martine OrsiniThe second place was awarded to Orsini’s compatriot Fabio Taccola, who had pictured two participants of the 151 Miglia regatta in Pisa.Photo: Fabio TaccolaAs to the Internet users, they had to choose the best photos from the list of TOP-80, also selected by the jury. Approximately 18,000 votes were counted, while the website recorded more than 288,000 page views. Noteworthy, the results of that vote appeared to be radically different from the choice of judges and delegates.Of the three works that received the highest number of votes online, only one photograph can be found in the jury’s top-20. It is a shot a young yachtsman by Matias Capizzano (Argentina).Photo: Matias CapizzanoThe best shot of this year, according to Internet users, is a work by Tom Coehoorn (Holland). The author depicted De Zes Gebroeders boat nearly falling over due to a strong gust of wind during the Skûtsjesilen yn de Wâlden regatta on Lake Bergümermer in the Netherlands.Photo: Tom CoehoornBrigi Török from Hungary, who shot the storm during the Bol d’Or Mirabaud regatta, holds the second position in the public vote.Photo: Brigi Török