Upon taking delivery of their first yacht in December 2014, Travis and Tina Fox met their orientation captain on board in preparation for their maiden voyage home. The captain wagered $100 that within two years of that date they would be buying a bigger boat; an idea they thought would never come to fruition.
For two years, the Foxes enjoyed all of the experiences that came with their yacht – cruising hundreds of miles in the U.S. and Bahamas, exploring uninhabited islands and spending quality time together, as well as with family and friends – and felt a great sense of achievement at all they had accomplished. Yet it became clear that the Foxes were outgrowing their 50-foot yacht and needed something larger to suit their family adventures and cruising lifestyle.
On December 20th, 2016 – exactly two years later – the Fox family took the first steps on their next adventure: a new build Horizon Yachts FD87 Skyline, a customized enclosed bridge based on the popular FD85 model with some new features. During their research for a new boat the Foxes were already familiar with the exterior styling of designer and naval architect Cor D. Rover, so when they entered the Horizon Yachts display at the 2016 Ft Lauderdale Boat Show and were greeted with three new Cor designs for Horizon (the FD74, FD85 and FD102), they knew they were in the right place.
In 2017, Skyline will debut a cool blue hull and contrasting white superstructure, calling to mind the pristine Caribbean waters meeting a clear sky. A spacious 23’3” beam, floor-to-ceiling windows in the salon and dining areas, and incredible views from the on-deck master create an aura of peaceful serenity on the ocean for its owners. The five en suite staterooms and two crew cabins, beach club, bow seating and enclosed bridge with Portuguese walk-around complete the design, leaving nothing to be desired in both form and function. A true partnership with the client, architect, and shipyard is evident in the evolution of this enclosed bridge FD87 and the speed in which it all came together.
After gathering and analyzing feedback from the show, including that from the Foxes, the open bridge FD85 morphed into an additional model—an FD87 Skyline enclosed bridge co-developed by Cor and the Horizon Yachts team. CEO John Lu loved the Foxes’ creative Skyline concept so much that he asked if the name could become a permanent part of the Horizon brand, and so the Horizon FD87 Skyline model was officially born. This model offers its own set of unique features; instead of a raised pilothouse like the FD85, she offers a full main deck level and enclosed bridge with Portuguese bridge forward and with a spacious boat deck. Additionally, the aft beach club – a newly popular design for the U.S. market – provides a great spot for relaxing, watersports and other activities, and the large bow area, just forward of the Portuguese bridge, is ideal for entertaining guests or lounging in the sun.
Taiwanese shipyard has recently unveiled models in the revolutionary series: the FD74 and FD102. Hull 1 of the FD85 debuted at the 2016 Taiwan Boat Show and Hull 3 is scheduled to make her appearance in the U.S. in 2017. The FD74 and FD102 models are currently in final design and engineering stages.
ISA Yachts has teamed up with Enrico Gobbi’s Team For Design for a new range of designs, the largest of which is a 67m superyacht GT67.As the Italian yard says in a statement, "typical ISA Yachts features have been revisited with an even stronger appeal. The design of this unique and sports yachts shows a well balanced and pure exterior, with sleek, strong lines and a slender silhouette".The volume of the superstructure is purposely drawn back to imitate the proportions and extended front hood of a large sports coupè. The superyacht's alluring amenities include a helipad, aft deck pool with U-shaped glass panel and an option to have a gym on the sundeck.GT67 has sleep up to 12 guests in 6 cabins and is expected to be launched before the end of 2019. In July 2016 ISA Yachts has been purchased by the Palumbo Group for €11 million. The acquisition represents the latest addition to Palumbo’s portfolio of yards in Naples, Messina, Malta, the former ITM yard in Marseilles and the Santa Cruz shipyard in Tenerife.
May 22, 2017
Dutch shipbuilder Damen has launched Game Changer, its latest 70-metre yacht support vessel with helicopter hangar, in March 2017. Last week she has spent three days in London to promote the Yacht Support range of vessels.Game Changer is the fourth yacht support vessel in the 70-metre segment following the delivery of Intrepid, 6711 and Garcon. This latest launch also follows last year’s delivery and sale of the 55-metre showcase vessel Fast & Furious. With its yacht support range, Damen is now the established leader in this rapidly developing niche. In total 11 vessels have been delivered or are in build.The vessel features a fully certified helideck so owners can take larger helicopters on long range flights to their mother yachts and land safely in a wider weather window. Lowering the helicopter into the hangar protects it from the elements so it is refuelled and available for take-off without causing hassle, disruption and noise on the mother yacht.Michal BaginskyIn addition, Game Changer has 250 square metres of open deck space for tenders and toys. The large deck crane makes logistics and handling simple, fast and safe. Below deck there is a further 110 square-metre storage space/dive centre. The YS 6911 has offices, facilities and accommodation for 22 crew and staff. It can carry a huge amount of extra provisions, fuel (marine, aviation and petrol), luggage and spare parts.
May 22, 2017
French yacht builder Chantier Naval Couach has released the first visuals of its newly reimagined 37-metre superyacht. Between presence and power, the 3700 Sport Couach is a sporty and elegant yacht. Our in-house creative and technical teams have reinterpreted its identity and design to come up with a yacht as intelligent and modern as it is seductiveWalter Ceglia, Couach CEOThe 3700 Sport takes design cues from the world of luxury automobiles as well as contemporary architecture and naval design. It is available in a four- or five-cabin arrangement, complemented by ample glazing to amplify the interior’s natural light. The large main saloon, incorporating lounging and dining areas, offers a feeling of space for a sport yacht, with accommodation for up to 10 guests tended to by six crew. The released renderings of the 3700 Sport’s interiors suggest an ethnic and light design theme, with a neutral palette of wood finishes, hand-crafted details and materials that can be tailored to any buyer’s tastes. The expansive duplex aft deck features a “bathing beach” fitted out with a shower, umbrella, diving board and swim ladder, just steps away from the multi-purpose cockpit with sun loungers and dining area. Space in the yacht’s tender garage allows for a five-metre tender for adventures ashore, as well as a jetski for fun on water. The flybridge is one of the main areas for enjoyment for many yacht owners, and the 3700 Sport will not disappoint. Couach’s designers imagined a space similar to a contemporary beachfront villa, with expansive, panoramic views and all amenities easily at hand. There is an outdoor kitchen and grill, with areas for relaxing, dining and sunbathing. An ultra-modern Jacuzzi could be added to the flybridge layout, which is fully customisable to a buyer’s personal preferences. Performance wise the yacht has a top speed of 28 knots (24 knots for cruising) and exceptional manoeuvrability. The hull would be constructed in GRP, while her draft of 1.85 metres means she can venture into secluded shallow bays. The Arcachon-based company has recently delivered 44.8-metre 4400 Fast Fly to her owners.
May 22, 2017
Malaysia-based entertainment conglomerate, Genting Group has increased its ownership stake in Italian shipyard, Wider to a 100% through its cruise line arm, Genting Hong Kong, expanding its interests in the yachting space further.Established by Tilli Antonelli, former CEO of Pershing (acquired by Ferretti Group), Wider Yachts was established in 2010 with first a 13-meter model, the Wider 42, whose prime selling point became the extendable platform located amidst ship.Wider's plans to build larger yachts were however publicly introduced in 2011 when Antonelli announced the Wider 150. A year later the 47-meter was under construction, following a switch from composite to aluminium and other design changes.According to the Timeline index, the Wider 150 was sold in May 2013 with a last recorded asking price of near €22 million. In 2015, the newly named Genesi was made available for sale once again by the shipyard asking €26,5 million and ultimately sold to a Canadian buyer in December 2016, who renamed her to Bartali. Genting's involvement with Wider however began back in December 2012 when the conglomerate made an investment in the Italian shipyard via a capital increase that saw it gain a 50% stake in the company. "I decided to back Wider as I was impressed both with its course of development and its ability to establish itself on the international market." commented Genting's chairmain, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay at the time of the investment.The Malaysian conglomerate's involvement with Wider Yachts didn't however limit itself to it owning 50% of the company as the Genting Group also bankrolled the ongoing construction of Project Cecilia, the first Wider 165, as well as ordered 4 smaller Wider models from the shipyard, as a regulatory filling from December 2014 shows. Project Cecilia is currently for sale with a last recorded asking price of €30 million, however should a sale not occur prior to its Q1 2018 delivery, it is likely that the Genting Group will take delivery of the yacht. At the time of the sale of the Wider 150, the shipyard stated that Genesi was originally intended for the current owner of Project Cecilia, which is the Genting Group as fillings show.The Malaysian group's interests in yachting do not limit themselves to Wider Yachts as Genting Group owned a 24,85% stake in Grand Banks Yachts in December 2014 as well as a 15% stake in luxury submarine manufacturer U-Boat worx. Regulatory fillings in December 2014 valued the group's yachting interest, including its share in Wider, at just under $38 million.Genting's chairmain, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, whose net worth is valued at $4,5 billion by Forbes, became involved in U-Boat worx through an investment he made back in December 2013. "This is an innovative product that offers the unique experience of deep-sea exploration and ocean diving without getting into scuba gear" commented Genting's chairman at the time of the investment.In 2015, Genting Hong Kong acquired a majority stake in Lloyd Werft, the German shipyard at which it had several cruise ships on order for its Crystal Cruises line, for €17,5 million. Mostly known for cruise ship construction, Lloyd Werft is also the shipyard behind the construction of 114-meter explorer, Luna for Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich now owned by Farkhad Akhmedov.The Genting Group's expanding interest in the yachting business in recent years comes in a strong trend of large corporations from Asia entering yachting. Indeed, in January 2012, Chinese conglomerate, Weichai acquired a controlling stake in Ferretti Group, which recently posted profits for the first time since 2008. In 2013, Sunseeker was acquired by the China-based, Wanda Group. In 2016 Lai Sun Group acquired near half of Camper & Nicholsons International.
May 20, 2017
Benetti has launched Lady Lillian, the 37 meter motoryacht from the Classic range, with fibreglass hull and superstructure. She hit the water on May 18 in Viareggio with the workforce, Benetti management, the owner and his guests in attendance. Classic 121’ Lady Lillian will be delivered to the owner in July 2017.The concept and exteriors of the vessel are by Stefano Righini, who has worked with Benetti on many occasions through the years, while designer François Zuretti, who has also contributed successfully to various projects by the shipyard, designed the interiors, giving the boat a modern and contemporary style. The layout features four VIP cabins on the lower deck plus the owner’s suite, accommodating up to 10 guests.The owner’s full beam suite is in the bow on the main deck, while the exteriors are designed to offer guests the ultimate in relaxation, with comfortable seating in addition to a more formal outdoor dining area on the upper deck and a more informal one on the sun deck, which also features a hydromassage tub, a barbecue area and a bar. Performance wise Lady Lillian is fitted with 2 x MTU2000M72 of 1080 Kw each, providing her a top speed of 15 knots and a cruising speed of 13 knots. The yacht’s range is 3,400 nautical miles at a speed of 11 knots.The news comes hours after the Italian shipyard announced the sale of 47m superyacht FB703.
May 19, 2017