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.
Arguably the main yacht show in the United States, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is set to start to start on the 1st of November and last for a total of 5 days. Earlier this year Informa, the parent company of the Monaco Yacht Show, spent $133 million to acquire a portfolio of shows, which included FLIBS. We now look at the largest yachts on display at the upcoming show.#1 TVLength: 78m (255 ft) Yard: Lurssen (2008)Asking price: €92,000,000Originally built as Madsummer for American billionaire, Jeffrey Soffer in 2008, the yacht was later reportedly sold to her current Mexican owner and renamed TV. She was then listed for sale in September 2014 asking €130,000,000, with a price reduction to €92 million in July 2016. She has remained on the brokerage market.With a length of 78.4 meters (257 ft), TV was built by Lurssen to an exterior design by Espen Oeino and an interior by Alberto Pinto. The yacht is capable of accommodating 18 guests in 10 cabins and carries a crew of 27. Amongst the yacht's key features are a large spa pool, a massage room and a master cabin with a panoramic view.From a technical standpoint, TV is powered by twin Caterpillar engines giving her a maximum speed of 18 knots and allowing her to cruise for up to 6,000 nautical miles at 12 knots. TV is available for charter from €850,000 per week.#2 CloudbreakLength: 72.25m (237 ft) Yard: Abeking & Rasmussen (2016)Weekly rate: from €750,000 per weekThe explorer superyacht Cloudbreak, built by Abeking & Rasmussen in 2016, owes her name to a big wave in Fiji that very few surfers dare defy. For a good reason, she is often described as a high-tech floating chalet, able to accommodate 12 guests in 6 cabins within her interior space, designed by Christian Liaigre. Her amenities, conceived to suit the lifestyle of a young and adventurous owner, include playing, airfield, comfort and party zones, as well as a research and sports center. Cloudbreak is a substantial go-anywhere vessel with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure.#3 Double DownLength: 65m (213 ft) Yard: Codecasa (2016)Asking price: $45,550,000Designed by the Codecasa team, Double Down features a high-quality stabilization system to ensure maximum stability while cruising or at anchor. Twelve guests are accommodated in 8 staterooms, including a master suite, five double staterooms and three twin cabins. The main deck’s salon is home to a grand piano, accented by rich mahogany and sumptuous furnishings. She accommodates 20 crew members. Her alluring features include a four-deck glass elevator, fully outfitted gym, movie theater, upper deck dining area with bi-fold sliding glass doors allowing 270-degree views, eight-person Jacuzzi, large sun beds and shaded lounging on aft bridge deck.#4 SuRiLength: 63.7m (209 ft) Yard: Halter Marine (1978 / 2007)Asking price: $43,900,000Converted into a superyacht in 2007, Suri may have an unconventional layout, but she was fitted with arguably more toys than any other yacht of her size. Found chartering in destinations such as South East Asia, Antarctica and Tahiti, she prefers to explore off the beaten track.Accommodating up to 12 guests in 8 cabins, Suri was extended amidst ship in 2012 by 11 meters, which extended her sundeck, arguably the nicest area on the yacht, and extended the helipad. Amongst the yacht's special features are a large cinema room on the lower deck with a glass-bottom floor to observe the fish and an observational lounge on top of the bridge. #5 ApogeeLength: 62.5m (205 ft) Yard: Codecasa (2003)Asking price: $24,950,000One of the largest yachts ever built by Italian shipyard, Codecasa, Apogee was delivered in 2003 and currently charters from $275,000 per week. She was last refitted in 2013. With 6 cabins for a total of 12 guests, Apogee has a maximum speed of 14.5 knots, powered by twin Caterpillar engines of 2,260hp each.#6 Mine GamesLength: 62m (203 ft) Yard: Benetti (2010)Asking price: $29,950,000Built by Benetti, the Italian superyacht gigafactory, Mine Games has a steel hull with an aluminum superstructure. Notable features include an elevator that accesses all decks, an air-conditioned gym, a baby grand piano, a beach garage, a helicopter landing pad and a master suite on the bow with an 180 degree view.#7 Rock.ItLength: 60m (198 ft) Yard: Feadship (2014)Asking price: €70,000,000The newest Feadship of her class currently on the market, Rock.It was built for an experienced yacht owner who custom designed her for personal, charter and corporate use. Reaching a top speed of 15 knots, she can accommodate a total of 10 guests.
October 18, 2017
The 98-metre Aviva was seen in the early morning of October 15 arriving at the Abeking & Rasmussen facility in Lemwerder (Germany), where she is expected to remain for a refit until January. She was delivered right before the start of the summer season.Built for Joe Lewis, whose net worth is estimated at $5,3 billion by Forbes, the yacht became the 4th Aviva owned by the UK billionaire. He is also the current owner of the 68-meter Aviva, delivered by Abeking & Rasmussen in 2007. The new 98-meter is to become the UK billionaire's 4th Aviva.Reymond Langton Design were chosen to style the exterior, who, working with designer Toby Silverton on the exterior, developed a sleek and elegant profile. Inside they created a modern interior with a full sized padel tennis court, 20m x 10m x 6m high.The powerful looking hull is the result of new research and testing which ensures superior seakeeping abilities combined with a 20% decrease in drag. Less engine output is required, fuel consumption is reduced and the maximum speed is a full 20 knots. A very special feature is the hybrid drive system: it allows Aviva to run at up to 11 knots without the use of the main engines, using electric motors only.Photos via @dr_duu
October 18, 2017
Kiel-based shipyard, Nobiskrug has launched their new 80-meter Project 790, moving its hull from their Kiel facility to their superyacht hall in Rendsburg. The yacht is scheduled to be delivered in 2019.Project 790's keel was laid back in March of this year, the 80m is being built to a design by Gregory C. Marshall. The next stage for the development of the yacht, scheduled for delivery in 2019, will be interior fittings set to take place at Nobiskrug's Rendsburg facility.Nobiskrug has recently become most famous for their 142.8-meter S/Y A, which they delivered to Russian billionaire, Andrey Melnichenko, earlier this year.
October 17, 2017
Listed for sale back by New Zealand's richest man, Graeme Hart, back in 2016, the 107-meter explorer, Ulysses has now been sold after over a year on the market. Although the final price remains unknown, the yacht was asking $195 million at the time of the sale.Hart had placed the order for the 107-meter Ulysses back in 2013, with designers at the time saying that he had chosen Kleven due to its quality standards, delivery times and price point. Later in November 2014, Hart placed the order for the 116-meter.I am very pleased with the quality of the work that has been done by Kleven, and how our organizations have worked together to bring this exciting project to life.Graeme Hart in November 2014Capable of accommodating 30 guests in 15 cabins, the H2-designed yacht carries a crew of 40. Powered by Caterpillar engines, Ulysses has a maximum speed of 16.8 knots and can cruise at 15 knots.Amongst the yacht's key features are a 21m tender, lifted by specially designed cranes onto the foredeck, an 11m x 5m swimming pool, a large jacuzzi, a sauna, a gym and a massage room. Ulysses' garage is packed with toys from motorcycles to surfboards.Ulysses therefore becomes the largest brokerage yacht sold so far in 2017, overtaking the 85-meter Lurssen, Solandge sold earlier this year at an asking price of €155 million. The sale closed in a particularly competitive landscape for brokerage megayachts, with the 110-meter Jubilee currently looking for a buyer as well as the 110-meter Ona, formerly known as Dilbar.
October 16, 2017
Built to handle most challenging waters, the 39.3-meter superyacht Safira equipped with and ice-strenghened hull is ready to venture with her future owner almost anywhere in the world and with maximum comfort, according to Camper & Nicholsons' report. She is asking $18,9 million.Built in 2013 to comply to ABS and MCA standards of safety and pollution prevention, and last refitted in 2015, Safira is a high specification vessel that boasts a 8000 nautical mile range at a speed of 8.5 knots. Her powerful engines can run on 15% biodiesel and the decks are made of eco-friendly teak, which resembles teak.
Furthermore, every single element of her contemporary and sophisticated interior design is elaborated in materials with a limited environmental impact, such as reclaimed oak and forest certified sapele. Even the stonework in her guest bathrooms is made from remnants from her owner’s previous projects. Safira is designed as an ideal yacht for socializing with family and friends thanks to her vast relaxation and dining areas throughout her communal guests spaces. The superyacht offers accommodation for up to 12 guests in five en suite cabins, including a full beam master. Her amenities include everything expected for long-range luxury cruising, like a fully equipped gym and and a choice of watertoys for the younger guests.
October 16, 2017