Motor yacht Grace was built in England in 1928 for the Argentinean tycoon Santiago Soulas. In 1938 the yacht was named "Rion" when she was acquired by Sir George Tilley, the chairman of Prudential Insurance Co. Year later the British government enrolled the yacht in the army. In 1940, Rion was given the objective to evacuate the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk beaches. She completed this objective two times, before the third time her starboard board was strucked by a bomb, which caused huge hull damage and death of 15 men. After being repaired, Rion captured a German E-boat that same year south of the Isle of Wight.
In 1951 the yacht was acquired by Aristotle Onassis and his ownership is notable that many famous people spent time on board, such as Winston Churchill and Elizabeth Taylor. Nowadays, guests can experience the same level of hospitality, but with every modern convenience. In the indoor or outdoor dining room, guests enjoy meals such as Ecuadorian-style Jipjipapa red crab ceviche and grilled octopus with grated green plantains and coconut rice, along with glasses of Champagne or Argentinian Malbec from the yacht’s deep wine cellar. Guests sunbathe on custom-made sunbeds from Ecuador before taking a dip in the outdoor hot tub.
In the 1956 Aristotle Onassis has gifted the yacht as a wedding present to the royal couple consisting of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier. The couple spent a honeymoon on the yacht, cruising waters near Corsica and Sardinia. In 1958 they decided to part with the vessel.
Now the vessel is cruising the Galapagos Islands, as she was obtained by the Quasar Expeditions, which is a cruising company that restored the yacht and named it Grace. A full refit included expanding of the sun deck, bar renovating and Grace Kelly suite designed by Adriana Hoyos. The 17 square meters cabin, which is the suite in which Kelly honeymooned, is customized with Seike wood furnishings, including a king-size bed with a leather headboard, as well as art deco–inspired mirrors and large rectangular windows on either side.
The motor yacht Grace’s two decks also allow guests to walk 360 degrees around the boat, maximizing the chances for spotting wildlife such as dolphins, whales, manta rays, sea lions and a host of rare birds including the Galapagos’ famed blue-footed boobies and short-eared owls. In addition to the Grace Kelly Suite, other luxurious onboard accommodations include staterooms with queen beds, wooden furnishings, and luxurious bathrooms that include walk-in showers and vanities.
The motor yacht Grace accomodates 18 people and has 2 destinations : one on beginning on Baltra and continues to remote and rarely-visited islands like Genovesa and the western side of Isabela and Fernandina, while another begins on San Cristobal and ends on Baltra. The private charter rate starts at $127,000 per week.
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The Riva Boutique, open from November 5 to January 31, 2025, will be hosted by Deodato Arte at Via Nerino 2 in Milan, surrounded by pop and street art.This exclusive new space combines timelessly elegant design inspired by the world of Riva boats with contemporary art. Riva announces the opening of the first Riva Boutique at Deodato Arte, a leading Italian gallery and international benchmark in pop and street art, featuring works by renowned artists such as Banksy, Jeff Koons, Mr. Brainwash, and David LaChapelle.Enthusiasts can explore the entire Riva Boutique collection, showcasing the quintessential quality and incomparable style that permeates the brand. From apparel and accessories to collectibles and home furnishings of rare beauty, the store offers a wide range of products.Among the items for sale are collaborations with top brands, such as the Riva by Frette collection of fabrics, the new models of the Riva Florida and Riva Junior powerboats from Kiade, two fine-art books marking the 60th anniversary of the Aquarama published by Assouline, and innovative speakers developed in partnership with Bang & Olufsen, designed for peerless acoustic quality even at sea.In addition to the Riva Boutique collection, guests can also purchase artworks by Deodato Arte artists, making this fusion of boat design and contemporary art even more unique.The Riva Boutique will host a series of exclusive events, including the presentation of scale models of Riva boats on November 21 and an evening dedicated to the books on December 5.The Ferretti Group, led by Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi, is now one of the world’s leaders in the construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, with a unique portfolio of brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.Credit: Ferretti Group
November 5, 2024
Mishi 88 is Mishi Yachts’s debut sailing superyacht, featuring advanced carbon composite construction from a trusted shipyard. This yacht is designed to provide a thoroughly comfortable oceangoing experience, with a spacious guest cockpit area and class-leading safety features.Photo by Oguzhan TosunWhen the curtain rose on this year’s Monaco Yacht Show, visitors to the Mishi Yachts stand were unaware of the epic journey the gleaming 27-metre Mishi 88 had just completed. The yacht had just completed a gruelling 1,500 nautical mile passage from Istanbul across the stormy autumn Mediterranean in just seven days, demonstrating its credentials as a comfortable oceangoing yacht.Photo by Oguzhan TosunCaptain Ferhat Tosun and his crew of four sailors covered the distance with ease, aiming for an average speed of 9.5-10 knots. They used a combination of sails and engine, reaching a maximum sailing speed of 13.5 knots. The route took them from Istanbul via the Corinth Canal, Messina, Capri, and Elba to Monaco, showcasing the yacht’s stability and manoeuvrability.Photo by Oguzhan TosunCruising in comfort was a key aspect of the journey. The Mishi 88’s vast cockpit area, sheltered from sun and rain by a robust carbon-fibre deckhouse, provided ample space for relaxation. The big saloon, with deep sofas, was the perfect place to gather, even under sail. The U-shaped galley, located near the boat’s centre of gravity, offered a comfortable space for cooking and socialising.The yacht’s spacious cabins, including the master cabin forward and two aft cabins, provided ample privacy and comfort. The journey showcased Mishi Yachts’ design features, including comfort, performance, and ease of use, elevating the sailing experience to a higher level.Photo by Pozitif StudioOn the return leg, the crew took in more of the highlights along the way, fishing under sail, marveling at dolphin escorts, and enjoying memorable meals along the French, Italian, Greek, and Turkish coasts. Storm-bound in Porto Venere, they took the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the surroundings.The Mishi 88’s journey from the Marmara sea to the Mediterranean and back demonstrated its ability to provide a seamless and comfortable sailing experience, making it a standout in the yachting world.Photo by Pozitif StudioMishi founder and Chairman Şakir Yılmaztürk said: “We have brought the comfort of motor yachts to a sailing yacht, enabling us to cover long distances in a relaxed and efficient manner, as the voyage to the show so clearly showed. The level of interest we received in Monaco confirmed that our brand of family-friendly, comfortable carbon yachts is resonating with potential owners from both sail and motor backgrounds. It is clear that our offering is unique on the market.”Photo by Pozitif StudioFounded in 1986, Yonca Shipyard aimed to lead in fast boat design and advanced composites. Despite doubts, handcrafted boats reflected our vision. Now an industrial-scale enterprise, the shipyard produces cutting-edge pleasure, commercial, and naval craft. Yonca Shipyard delivered more than 180 ships and boats, specializing in fast interceptor craft and patrol boats for defense and law enforcement agencies.Credits: Mishi Yachts
November 5, 2024
Benetti is set to make a splash at the inaugural Qatar Boat Show, taking place in Doha from November 6 to 9, alongside 500 companies from around the globe.This premier event, held at Old Doha Port and dedicated to luxury yachts, marks a significant occasion for Benetti. Attendees are invited to visit the brand’s lounge at stand EQP016, where the shipyard will present its rich history, latest innovations, and future objectives. Benetti specializes in producing and marketing composite yachts ranging from 34 to 44 meters, as well as aluminum and steel yachts from 37 to over 100 meters.The highly anticipated boat show underscores the region's rising significance as a prime destination for superyacht cruising and a key tourist hub in the Middle East. It also highlights Qatar's growing community of yacht owners who appreciate high-quality Italian craftsmanship. With approximately 1,877 yacht berths available—108 of which accommodate vessels between 40 and 160 meters—and an anticipated rise in consumer spending power projected to reach between $73 billion and $90 billion by the end of 2029, Qatar is firmly establishing itself in the luxury yacht market.Founded in 1873, Benetti is the oldest Italian shipyard specializing in luxury yachts. Benetti designs, builds and sells composite vessels from 29 to 44m and steel and aluminum boats from 37 to over 100m. The fleet consists of five categories: Class, Oasis, B.Yond, B.Now and Custom to meet all the needs of the market. Benetti belongs to the Azimut|Benetti Group, the largest privately owned luxury yachting group in the world.Credits: Benetti
November 5, 2024
Nauta Design is thrilled to announce that the Southern Wind SW108 Gelliceaux has been honored with the ISS Award 2024 in the Best Sail 24-40m category.The prestigious Design & Leadership Award Gala took place on October 30 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, drawing together some of the most significant figures from the international yachting industry to celebrate this year's exceptional yacht launches.The Gelliceaux, the first in the Southern Wind 108 series, has been recognized by the judges for its innovative approach to sustainable sailing, featuring a state-of-the-art diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system. This unique project, designed from inception to prioritize eco-friendliness, sets a new standard for performance sailing. The judges praised Gelliceaux for its integration of modern design elements that harmonize with its sleek exterior, offering a cohesive and forward-looking sailing experience.Jim Schmicker and Jeremy Peek at ISS AwardsMassimo Gino of Nauta Design expressed pride in Gelliceaux's achievement: “We are pleased and proud that the Southern Wind 108’ Gelliceaux won the ISS Award. We extend our gratitude to everyone involved in the project, from the construction teams at Southern Wind to the talented Farr Yacht Design. A special thanks to the Owners, whose vision and collaboration made the creative process truly rewarding."Gelliceaux is part of the ‘GT’ series of Southern Wind bluewater sailing yachts, which also includes the award-winning SW105 Taniwha and SW96 Nyumba.As one of the first Southern Wind yachts equipped with a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system, Gelliceaux not only showcases impressive performance, having clinched the overall title at the 2024 St Barth’s Bucket and excelling at the 2024 Ibiza JoySail in the Performance Cruising L division, but also stands out for its striking aesthetic.The yacht's deck design is characterized by clean geometry that embodies the signature Nauta GT look. Its sporty coach roof, adorned with teak and a large central skylight, seamlessly transitions to ‘floating’ bench seats, enhancing both functionality and grace. A distinctive Z-shaped composite coaming gives Gelliceaux an agile profile, while the innovative opening transom creates a staircase leading to the beach platform – perfect for connecting guests with the sea when anchored.The interior of Gelliceaux is a study in elegance, emphasizing a soothing Mediterranean vibe with a warm color palette and refined fabric-lined walls. The two-level saloon features a unique lounge sofa that bridges both levels, contributing to an open and inviting atmosphere.Natural light floods the interior through expansive hull windows and skylights, complemented by soft shapes and rounded edges for a harmonious aesthetic. The expertly designed furniture appears freestanding, enhancing the open space feel and creating a cozy ambiance that is both stylish and sophisticated.Southern Wind is a boutique bluewater sailing yacht shipyard founded in Cape Town in 1991. Since its foundation, SWS has specialized in the production of semi-custom high-performance superyachts. Credits: Nauta Design
November 4, 2024
The Swan Sardinia Challenge, a groundbreaking international sailing event focused on the newly launched ClubSwan 28, concluded successfully yesterday in Villasimius, southeastern Sardinia. Running from October 30 to November 2, the challenge marked the final stage of the 2024 Nations League within the esteemed ClubSwan Racing One Design circuit. The Swiss team Anya Race clinched the overall Nations League title, followed closely by Japan's Swing, featuring Olympic gold medalist Will Ryan as tactician, and the French team Marcello. Swing triumphed in the Swan Sardinia Challenge, with Anya Race taking second and the American team Play Bigger finishing in third.Sailing conditions throughout this exhilarating week were idyllic, permitting eight competitive races among the five national teams. The final day showcased an easterly wind fluctuating between 10 and 14 knots before tapering off below 10 knots.Keisuke Suzuki, owner of the victorious Swing team, expressed his enthusiasm: "I’m thrilled to have won for the first time in this class. I’d love to come back again next year. With only five crew members, communication is crucial."Will Ryan reflected on the final race, stating, “We were very close to the Swiss team, engaging in a competitive back-and-forth that heightened the pressure. This intensity pushed us to perform better and secure our victory. The team did an outstanding job, showcasing impressive downwind speed that helped us navigate tight situations. It’s been fantastic to be a part of this event and demonstrate the ClubSwan 28’s capabilities.”Giulio Gatti, owner of Anya Race, commented on the competition experience: “I had a lot of fun and fully enjoyed the event. Although we expected to win today, that wasn't the case – congratulations to the Japanese team for their exceptional sailing. I hope to learn from them for the next event. As more boats join the fleet next season, it’ll only get more exciting, and the friendships formed here make it all the more enjoyable.”Cecilia Perotti, racing with her team called Out of Comfort Zone, relayed her thrilling journey: “It’s my first time participating in a regatta, and there were moments I truly felt 'out of my comfort zone.' Winning a race was an exhilarating experience, filled with adrenaline until the very end!”“The Swan Sardinia Challenge successfully extended the tourist season in Villasimius beyond October," remarked Gianluca Dessì, the town’s mayor. “This event has showcased the beauty and potential of our region during off-peak times, attracting visitors eager to enjoy the local beaches and excellent sailing conditions.”Giovanni Pomati, CEO of Nautor Swan, praised the event’s showcase of the ClubSwan 28, emphasizing its role in promoting inclusivity in sailing. Luisa Bambozzi, Managing Director of ClubSwan Racing, thanked the local partners for their support in creating a welcoming environment for all participants.Co-organized by the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, this event exemplified the spirit of camaraderie and passion for sailing, setting the stage for many more thrilling competitions in the future.Nautor Swan was founded in 1966 in Pietarsaari, Finland. The builder entered the superyacht market in 1999. Since then, the yard has continued building high-performance sailing yachts in three different lines; ClubSwan, Swan Yachts and Maxi Swan Yachts. Credit: Nautor Swan
November 4, 2024