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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Azimut has launched the first unit of the Grande 30M at its Viareggio shipyard. The new model is part of the shipyard’s Grande Series and will make its official debut at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival.The yacht’s exterior design is by Alberto Mancini, while the interiors have been created by the architecture studio m2atelier. This is the first collaboration between the two design teams. According to Azimut, the interior layout follows a design approach referred to as "Barefoot Luxury", developed by m2atelier for this model.The Grande 30M is also the first yacht to be fitted with the new mtu propulsion system from Rolls-Royce. It includes mtu engines and POD drives, a combination that reportedly provides 15% greater efficiency compared to conventional shaft line systems, with reductions in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.Azimut, founded in 1969 by Paolo Vitelli and part of the Azimut|Benetti Group, builds motor yachts from 42 to 144 feet across seven series. The company maintains production facilities in five Italian locations and one in Brazil, and has a global network of sales and service centres.Credits: Azimut
August 6, 2025
Apreamare has announced the results of the first eight months of activity for its newly launched division, Apreamare Refit. The unit was established to provide restoration and modernization services for the brand’s traditional Sorrentine Gozzo boats.Located in a 3,000-square-meter facility next to the shipyard in Torre Annunziata, the refit division is dedicated exclusively to Apreamare vessels. The yard offers a range of services including the complete replacement of teak decks and swim platforms, hull repainting, upgrades to onboard systems, and interior renovations.According to the company, several refit projects have already been completed since the division’s launch, with additional contracts in negotiation or scheduled for the near future.Apreamare, which reports having over 2,000 boats in operation globally, aims to extend the service life of its vessels through this initiative while maintaining their original characteristics. Cataldo Aprea, President of Apreamare, stated: “The beauty of every Apreamare refit lies in our ability to preserve the original soul of our boats while addressing the evolving desires of those who live them. It's a work of listening, memory, and expert hands: a return to the most authentic essence of our naval art.”Founded in 1849, Apreamare remains one of Italy’s longstanding yachting brands and continues to focus on the traditional design and craftsmanship associated with the Sorrentine gozzo.Credits: Apreamare
August 6, 2025
Italian yacht builder ISA Yachts has unveiled a comprehensive rebranding initiative, including a new website and updated visual identity. The refresh maintains the brand's core values while presenting a more contemporary digital presence at shipyard's website.The redesigned website features minimalist navigation, high-impact imagery, and streamlined content organization. The visual update incorporates refined typography and a restrained color palette intended to reflect ISA's design philosophy. According to company representatives, the changes aim to better communicate the brand's focus on timeless design rather than temporary trends."ISA Yachts chooses to remain true to its vocation: to transcend trends, not follow them," stated the company in its announcement. The rebranding emphasizes continuity with the shipyard's heritage of custom superyacht construction while adapting its digital presentation for current audiences.The new identity extends across all brand communications, including marketing materials and digital platforms. ISA describes the initiative as a "manifesto" rather than simply a visual update, positioning it as an expression of the company's long-term vision for bespoke yacht building.The Ancona-based builder continues production of its current model range while implementing the rebrand across its operations. The website relaunch represents the most visible component of the identity update, with other brand applications to follow in coming months. 45m Unica SteelISA Yachts maintains its focus on fully custom projects, with the rebranding intended to strengthen its positioning in the luxury yacht market. The company's design and construction operations remain unchanged following the identity update.Palumbo Superyachts took root in 2008, when the Columbus Yachts brand was established, and in 2011 it launched its first 54m superyacht, emblematically christened Prima (the First). Currently, Palumbo Superyachts comprises a representative office in Monaco and a logistics network of five shipyards in the Mediterranean (Ancona, Malta, Marseille, Naples, and Savona); it also operates the following brands: ISA Yachts, Columbus Yachts, Mondomarine and Palumbo SY Refit.Credits: ISA Yachts
August 6, 2025
Prestige Yachts has revealed its new M7 catamaran, a 17.7-meter model offering interior space comparable to larger 21-meter yachts. The French-Italian builder has already sold two units ahead of the model's official debut at September's Cannes Yachting Festival.The M7 fills a gap between Prestige's existing M8 and M48 catamarans, featuring a more manageable 7.5-meter beam compared to the M8's 9.1-meter width. Naval architect Marc Lombard designed the hull, while Garroni Design handled the exterior styling to maintain consistency with Prestige's M-series.The catamaran's layout includes four guest cabins with a forward primary suite featuring residential-style elements like translucent wardrobes and designer lighting. The main salon offers panoramic views through full-height windows, with a secondary helm station discreetly positioned for all-weather navigation. Outdoor spaces focus on the beach club with its transformer swim platform and an expansive flybridge with multiple seating areas.Twin Volvo Penta D8-550 engines power the M7, with various horsepower options available. The design prioritizes comfortable cruising over high-speed performance. Crew accommodations for three staff members allow for reduced operational requirements compared to larger vessels.Jean-François Lair, Groupe Beneteau's Chief Sales Officer, commented: "The M7 is much more human-sized. You feel like you can handle it on your own." The company expects the model to attract both experienced owners downsizing from larger yachts and first-time buyers seeking manageable dimensions.Prestige continues production at its French facilities, maintaining its hybrid French-Italian design and construction approach. The M7 joins the successful M48, which has sold 70 units since its 2022 launch, in Prestige's expanding multihull range.Credits: Prestige Yachts
August 5, 2025
Turkish yacht builder VisionF Yachts has launched the second hull of its 23.97-meter E-Cat 80 solar-electric catamaran series from its Tuzla shipyard. The carbon fiber vessel features design updates including an expanded solar array now producing 24.8 kW per hour through 62 panels, increased from the original configuration.The latest model incorporates several owner-requested modifications, adding a Jacuzzi on the flybridge and converting one of five guest cabins into dedicated children's quarters. The catamaran's 10.92-meter beam provides substantial interior volume, accommodating 12 guests and 4 crew members.Power comes from twin 180 kW Danfoss electric motors with bow and stern thrusters, enabling 6-8 knot cruising speeds under electric propulsion. The hybrid system combines solar charging with backup generators, offering over 1,000 nautical miles of extended range when required.Entertainment areas include multiple flybridge seating zones with cinema capabilities and massage chairs. The 15 square-meter tender garage features hydraulic launch systems for watercraft storage. Owners can select between open or enclosed flybridge configurations during the build process.VisionF's current production lineup includes seven catamaran models ranging from 14 to 36.5 meters, with the E-Cat series representing their fully electric offerings. The shipyard continues construction on additional units at its Istanbul facility, maintaining focus on sustainable marine technologies.VisionF Yachts in Turkey was set up by Coşkun Bayraktar in Istanbul in 2019, but despite the shipyard’s relative youth it is a brand that is going places in the power catamaran world. In November 2020, VisionF Yachts debuted its first vessel, the VisionF 80. Credits: VisionF Yachts
August 5, 2025