In June 2015 it was announced that yet another superyacht with a name inspired by a James Bond movie would be built, the 66-meter Spectre. Commissioned by American businessman, John Staluppi, the superyacht is set to become his 7th yacht.
Active in the automobile industry since the 1950s, Staluppi is best known for building the fastest yacht on Earth, the 40-meter The World is Not Enough along with the rest of his Bond fleet that keeps growing in length.
Moving up from an 18-meter Viking boat, Staluppi commissioned the 36-meter For Your Eyes Only from Denison as his first yacht. The semi-displacement yacht was eventually launched in 1985 and became the first motor yacht to have a combination of MTU engines with water-jets in the US, which allowed it to reach a top speed of 30 knots.
In the late eighties, For Your Eyes Only hit a sandbar which led to her taking in water from a crack in the engine room. The yacht was eventually salvaged, refitted and renamed with some speculating that the following alleged legal actions, combined with the sinking of two other Denisons within a short amount of time, led to the bankruptcy of the US shipyard.
In 1988, Octopussy was launched as Staluppi's second yacht in a successful attempt to build the fastest yacht in the world. A defining moment for Heesen Yachts, Octopussy had to reach 50 knots in order for Staluppi to take ownership of the boat, which it ultimately did, reaching a top speed of 53 knots. Staluppi eventually sold the 44-meter yacht after having used her for close to a year in and a half, which allowed him to start working on his next project, Moonraker.
A fast cruising trideck, Octopussy now features an interior by Art Line. Fully refitted by her current owners in 2015, the 44-meter now has a sundeck with a Jacuzzi and raised sun pads. On the upper deck, she features a sky lounge and her sporty bridge along with two dinning tables to her aft.
Down on her main deck is the yacht's main lounge with a myriad of seating areas, tall windows, a bar area and a TV screen that slides out amidst ship. Towards the yacht's aft is a dinning table for 12 guests that can be either opened up in good weather or closed down with glass panels. Forward of the deck is the main cabin with four additional guest cabins on the lower deck. The yacht's current owner's are selling it at $4,995,000.
By the time Octopussy was sold, HH the Aga Khan, was building a yacht to overtake the crown of the world's fastest yacht. Staluppi therefore set out to build an even faster one and the 36-meter Moonraker was eventually delivered in 1992 by Norship with a design done by Dutch-based Mulder.
In 1998, Staluppi set up his own business in yachting, Millenium Superyachts that was to handle his project in the superyacht industry. In 2004, the newly created label delivered The World Is Not Enough, a 40-meter yacht with 20,600hp that could reach a top speed of 70 knots but couldn't steer past 66 knots according to the owner.
In October 2007, Staluppi acquired a project in-build from Henry Luken, co-owner of Christensen Shipyards. In 2008, the 49.6-meter Casino Royale which can cruise at a more regular speed of 12 knots, was delivered to her new owner. Built out of composite, the full displacement yacht came in at just under 500GT. It was later listed for sale in December 2008 and sold in April 2009 to Californian businessman, David McDonald.
Built with a more traditional, American audience in mind, Casino Royale features a straightforward layout with a full-beam master cabin forward of the main deck, 2 guest, 2 twin and one VIP cabin on the lower deck. With two tenders and three jet skis carried onboard, Casino Royale features a lounge on the main deck and a sky lounge as well.
In July 2009, Staluppi acquired Midlandia, a 52-meter Benetti with an asking price of €19,950,000, which he renamed to Quantum of Solace and extensively refitted. In August 2009, he listed the boat for sale again at an asking price of $24,995,000 and eventually sold it, two years later, in July 2011.
Designed with Italian roots at its heart, Quantum of Solace has a layout more typical of yachts found in the Mediterranean. Its main tender is brought into a tender garage aft of the lower deck, with a foldable platform for swimming. This clears out the sundeck for lounging, sunbathing, casual dinning and leaves enough space up there for a Jacuzzi.
In a configuration that has proven popular for charters, Quantum of Solace's main deck features a main salon and dinning room with an outdoor lounging area towards the aft. Up on the second deck is a large sky lounge with a playing table, bar area, lounging area and large outdoor dinning table.
In November 2011, Diamonds are Forever was launched for Staluppi who had acquired the yacht whilst in-built, 18 months prior to its delivery. Throughout the construction project, Staluppi made several substantial improvements including the addition of an extra top deck.
Originally intended to be chartered out by its owners, Diamonds are Forever was listed for sale in August 2012, asking $63 million. In October 2012, her asking price was reduced to $59.5 million and she was eventually sold in December 2013.
With a number of features mirroring the Quantum of Solace, such as the large bar area in the sky lounge, Diamonds are Forever became a refined version of Staluppi's previous builds. The main attribute that set the yacht apart from other Benetti's of her size is the addition of a fifth deck to act as a sunbathing area, creating a second master cabin on the upper deck and pushing the bridge up to the third deck.
Born in Brooklyn in 1947, Staluppi started as a mechanic at 16 years old with a life long passion for cars during the golden era of automobiles. His first business became a Sunoco station, which he established thanks to a loan that his father took on.
After establishing a chain of gas stations, Staluppi risked bringing on an unknown car manufacturer at the time to the American market, which is now known as Honda. After 10 years, Staluppi established 20 dealerships of Honda cars in the United States. After Honda, Staluppi established a network of dealerships of Hyundai cars.
An avid collector of cars, Staluppi had established a museum around cars from all eras and an extensive personal collection. In 2012, these cars were put up for auction by RM Sotheby's in Palm Beach and generated over $11,5 million in sales revenue.
"John Staluppi is larger than life and well known in the collector-car hobby. His collection reflects a very precise collecting philosophy, focused on securing only the very best." said Donnie Gould of RM Auctions at the time of the auction.
Commissioned in July 2015, Spectre will become Staluppi's seventh superyacht named after a James Bond film and will also be designed by Mulder.
Benetti has announced the sale of the B.Now 72M yacht, a testament to its fruitful partnership with the esteemed British design studio RWD. This collaboration has resulted in a yacht that prioritizes the owner's exclusive use and offers expansive spaces for a modern and luxurious lifestyle.With dimensions of 72 meters in length and 12.5 meters in beam, the B.Now 72M takes the helm as the flagship of the B.Now series. The B.Now 72M Oasis Deck®, conceptualized to cater to the owner's individual preferences, is distinguished by its steel hull and aluminum superstructure. Its flowing layout, accentuated by extended windows, creates a sleek and inviting ambiance. The exterior styling, crafted by RWD, embodies a contemporary spirit while ensuring the utmost privacy and comfort for the owner and their esteemed guests."The creation of the 72M B.Now with Oasis Deck further strengthens RWD's ongoing collaboration with Benetti, building on the worldwide success of the B.Now series. This flagship model offers the largest and most exceptional version of the Oasis Deck to date, providing unparalleled guest privacy and a seamless connection to the environment. We eagerly anticipate the sight of the 72M alongside the B.Now fleet," says Andrew Collett, representative of the RWD team. The owner, who will have ample opportunity to customize the interiors, has chosen the B.Now 72M with the iconic Oasis Deck® layout. The entire owner's deck, commanding the entire yacht, ensures complete privacy and an unrivaled space for relaxation while maintaining a visual connection with the magnificent sea. This deck is designed to offer every comfort, featuring a majestic suite in the bow with two bathrooms, a study, and an expansive lounge area with a well-appointed bar counter. Above the owner's deck, the large sun deck provides exceptional comfort and a stunning view of the water. The main deck boasts a generous living area and seven guest cabins, including a VIP full-beam cabin in the bow. Around the infinity pool, the aft deck presents a spacious multifunctional area that can be adapted to various uses and different times of the day. The boat has a top speed of 16 knots and a range of 4,500 nautical miles at a speed of 12 knots. The new model will be delivered to the owner in May 2027.Founded in 1873, Benetti is the oldest Italian shipyard specializing in luxury yachts. They design, build and sell composite vessels from 29 to 44m and steel and aluminum boats from 37 to over 100m. Their fleet consists of five categories: Class, Oasis, B.Yond, B.Now and Custom, to meet all the needs of the market, and they belong to the Azimut|Benetti Group, the largest privately owned luxury yachting group in the world.Credits: Benetti
June 9, 2023
80 Sunreef Power Red Azalea is one of the newest yachts of 2023. She features plenty of interior space and reliable performance, it's ready to travel anywhere in the world.The yacht boasts four distinct entertainment areas, including one located in the aft cockpit. Beneath the sofa in the catamaran's discreet aft garage, guests will find a three-seater jet ski with a gas station, along with a collection of water sports equipment.Upon entering the full beam aft cockpit, guests are greeted by a spacious dining table that accommodates eight people, making it the favored dining spot on board. An additional sofa provides the perfect setting to enjoy the breathtaking sunset.The light-filled main saloon is divided into a generous dining area on the starboard side and a cozy seating area on the port side. It features an intriguing central island and is equipped with everything needed for delightful evening gatherings. To enhance TV viewing, the saloon is equipped with a swiveling overhead TV lift that can be easily lowered electrically.Red Azalea offers four comfortable cabins that can accommodate up to twelve guests. The expansive master cabin boasts a drop-down balcony, providing a unique and captivating experience. The thoughtful and comfortable layout of the yacht's cabins ensures plenty of space for relaxation, and the magnificent bathrooms add a touch of luxury. The interior décor combines tasteful materials with dark tones, creating an elegant and inviting ambiance. The galley is conveniently located below deck and is fully equipped to cater to the chef's every need. Adjacent to the galley, the crew quarters provide a respectful level of independence for both owners and crew.On the Red Azalea's flybridge, guests can enjoy the spacious refrigerator and relax on comfortable sofas while taking in the stunning views of the ocean during drinks and dinners.Sunreef Yachts was founded by Francis Lapp in 2002 in Gdansk, Poland. Since then, the shipyard has been designing and manufacturing luxury sailing and power multihulls. Credits: Sunreef Yachts
June 9, 2023
Sakura, the latest creation by Feadship, embraces the essence of its Japanese namesake, the cherry blossom. This 71.76-meter vessel embodies the grace of organic lines and embraces a forward-thinking approach to sustainable yachting with its diesel-electric propulsion. The exterior design by Studio De Voogt reflects a sense of tranquility, drawing inspiration from Feadship's Pure concept. From the expansive sundeck to the 7-meter swimming pool at the aft, every aspect of Sakura's exterior has been meticulously crafted. Combining spacious decks with exquisite interior design, courtesy of Italian studio FM Architettura d'Interni, Sakura presents a Japandi style that merges Scandinavian warmth and functionality with Japanese sobriety and minimalism. The result is an artistic, natural, and simplistic ambiance that perfectly complements the yacht's clean lines, bright spaces, and light colors.Main saloonSakura's raised pilothouse design grants her a dedicated owner's deck, a rarity for a yacht of this size, while maintaining a sleek and low-rise profile. The master stateroom occupies a prominent position forward, featuring direct access to a private breakfast nook and hot tub. Wrap-around, floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer panoramic views, creating a serene and immersive experience. The sky lounge doubles as a family-friendly media room, while the open aft terrace serves as a delightful setting for al fresco dining.Owner's deck With changing trends in sea life, Feadship has adapted its approach accordingly. The main deck aft has become the focal point, providing a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. Sakura harnesses Feadship's expertise in glass construction, surrounding the main deck with floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the interior with natural light. The sliding glass doors open effortlessly onto the aft deck and swimming pool, seamlessly connecting guests to the outdoors. Teak stadium steps lead to the expansive swim platform, adding to Sakura's distinctive allure.To maximize comfort and capitalize on wider beams and larger windows, all guest accommodations, including four spacious guest staterooms and two VIP staterooms, are situated on the main deck. The two forward VIP suites can be combined into a single full-beam suite, providing a versatile layout for charter purposes.Guest cabin Sakura also features a wellness space, located in the stern, and is easily accessible to everyone on board and just steps from the swim platform. The teak stadium steps can be opened with a touch of a button, revealing a versatile area that can serve as a gym, steam room, massage room, or even a dive store.Sakura will be equipped with an efficient diesel-electric propulsion system and IMO-Tier III compliant generators coupled to electric thrusters. Dramatically reducing both fuel consumption and engine noise, the system is engineered to be supported by alternative energy sources in the future. "We aimed to create a yacht that combines the intimacy of a 71.76-meter vessel with the spaciousness of a much larger yacht. Sakura presents an exceptional opportunity for clients seeking a new Feadship in this specific size category, with the added advantage of quick delivery," says Maarten Janssen, Feadship's Sales Director. Scheduled for delivery in May 2025, Sakura is available for direct purchase from the shipyard.Feadship was formed as a group in 1949 as a marketing partnership between six Dutch shipyards, de Vries Lentch, Van de Stadt, Witsen & Vis, Akerboom, De Vries Scheepsbouw and Van Lent Shipyard, and De Voogt Naval Architects. Feadship is well-known as one of the Netherlands’ most elite yacht builders and delivers superyachts from 50–100+ meters in length.Credits: Feadship
June 9, 2023
Nautor Swan has shared the pictures from the launch of the Swan 108, the first unit of the new generation of Maxi Swan. The yacht is the result of cooperation of German Frers for Naval Architecture, Misa Poggi for Interior Design and Lucio Micheletti, Micheletti + Partners, for exterior styling.Built with a full carbon hull and deck in epoxy Sprint technology from carbon molds, the S/Y will be registered with Rina charter classification. The yacht features the new dual-acting transom door. This simple yet robustly engineered mechanism, is a major “small” revolution. The stern opens along with part of the aft deck to give the customer an oversized beach club. This solution allows to double the space available for this important area of the boat, as well as making the tender management far easier. The beach area does not compromise interior volumes.On deck, the coamings widen in the aft part of the cockpit, allowing a further outboard position for the steering stations while still maintaining good helm protection. The extra-large main companionway provides an incredible light-well for the interior. “The Swan 108 marks a new era in the Swan Maxi range at Nautor” says Giovanni Pomati, Nautor Group CEO. “The project, launched in 2021 during the Regate di Primavera in Portofino, has been like drawing a beautiful painting. Like a painter meticulously chooses his palette, we made a very intense research of talents that were able to put on the table their know-how and blend it with the other, to create a beautiful and unique product.” At the same time, the Boatbuilding Technology Centre, the House of Swan in Pietarsaari, sees the Swan 88, Swan 108 hull number two and Swan 128 under construction. The maxi yacht will make her worldwide début at Monaco Yacht Show, where the team at Nautor will be delighted to showcase her to guests.Nautor’s 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. Credits: Nautor’s Swan
June 9, 2023
Renowned British design studio Andy Waugh Yacht Design has introduced an innovative 80-meter catamaran concept named Decadence. Inspired by the technological advancements witnessed in the 1920s automotive and aeronautical industries, the design aims to capture the essence of that era while pushing the boundaries of modern design and engineering.According to the studio, Decadence represents the potential of the SWATH (Small-Waterplane-Area-Twin-Hull) hull form. This distinctive catamaran configuration features submerged cylindrical hulls connected to a central structure by stilts, offering unprecedented aesthetic possibilities yet to be fully explored in the luxury superyacht sector.The futuristic hull design enables notable technical advancements, including an estimated 70% reduction in pitch and roll movements compared to conventional monohull superyachts, ensuring enhanced comfort and safety for passengers.With a generous beam of 30 meters, the 5,000 gross tonnage (GT) vessel offers expansive interior spaces. The owner's suite, spanning 20 meters in width, 30 meters in length, and 3 meters in height, exemplifies the scale and grandeur of Decadence. Each deck will feature fully enclosed exterior areas, providing privacy and protection from inclement weather.The crew quarters and technical areas are intelligently located in the sponsons and outer hulls, maximizing space within the main superstructure for guest accommodations.Recognizing the challenge of finding suitable marina berths due to its oversized beam, the design studio has implemented practical solutions. The inherent stability of the hull form mitigates the need to seek shelter during adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the concept incorporates provisions for two 14-meter chase-boat tenders from Skyline Yachts, serving as transfer shuttles to shore.Renderings of Decadence reveal retractable inflatable sails, suggesting the potential utilization of wind power. Furthermore, the yacht will feature a revolutionary propulsion system expected to reduce energy consumption by approximately 30%.Andy Waugh Yacht Design has gained acclaim for its visionary yacht concepts, including the 70-meter Serafina, 175-meter Acionna, 45-meter Revolution, and 90-meter Nouveau. Credits: Andy Waugh Yacht Design
June 8, 2023