Is the AXOPAR 37 Sun-Top the perfect chase boat?

Boat International Media in association with Oyster Yachts will hold the 14th annual edition of The World Superyacht Awards 16 - 18 May 2019 in London. The awards are aimed to recognise remarkable design, engineering and construction innovations of the world’s finest luxury yachts.This year’s ceremony will take place in the heart of the City, in Old Billingsgate, returning to London after several other venues, such as Venice, Amsterdam and most recently Florence. The three day programme includes golf day at the exclusive St. George’s Hill Club and clay shooting at West Wycombe House, along with a journey aboard the Belmond British Pullman train prior to the opening party at Kensington Palace. This year’s nominees list enhances some of the most stunning superyachts, as usual divided into categories. The categories formed by experts of the industry include displacement (comfort) motor yachts, semi-displacement, and planing (speed) motor yachts and sailing yachts. Three categories are reserved for yachts that have been given major refits, have been completely rebuilt or converted and that were finished within the last year.Yacht Harbour chooses the vessels not to miss out from the nominees lists in the most interesting categories.BEST SAILING YACHT# Black PearlBuilder: OceancoLength: 106mYear: 2017Launched in 2016, this already iconic vessel holds the title of the largest sailing yacht in the world. Inspired by Perini Navi's 88-metre Maltese Falcon, Black Pearl features similar to Maltese Falcon structure with three rotating masts, while the yacht is capable of crossing the Atlantic burning just 20 liters of fuel thanks to alternative power sources. The Black Pearl’s striking exterior was designed by Nuvolari Lenard and Ken Freivokh, while her praised naval architecture was developed by Dyksra Architects, who had also previously worked on Maltese Falcon.A combination of smart and elegant high-tech design and modernised state-of-the-art DynaRig sailing system makes the Black Pearl a unique vessel. Her hull outline is trademarked with an exclusive wave-piercing bow featuring not only graceful appearance, but also fuel efficiency.Another key element of Black Pearl's development was her solar sails, which can actually produce energy whilst the yacht is underway thanks to solar panels built within the fabric of the sail. Other nominees: All About U, Global Impact Yachting/Ada Yacht Works (49.9m), Aquarius, Royal Huisman (56m), Kiboko Tres, Southern Wind Shipyard (32.3m), Meira, Neta Marine (50m), Vijonara, Pendennis (42.2m)SEMI-DISPLACEMENT OR PLANING MOTOR YACHTS 40M AND ABOVE# Utopia IVBuilder: RossinaviLength: 63mYear: 2018The yacht owned by Loren and J.R. Ridinger according to Forbes, was commissioned in November 2014 and launched in 2018. Utopia IV is fitted with four light Rolls Royce engines as well as four hydro jets, optimised for comfort and style. The yacht with exterior design by Team For Design, balancing between elegance and attitude, is presumed as the compromise between a tri-deck motor yacht and a speed boat. She can reach a top speed of 28 knots and an cruising speed of 15 knots. She can easily reach a cruising speed of 18 knots using only 35% of propulsion power. With the yacht’s capacity to sleep 12 guests within six spacious cabins, the forward facing owner’s suite features a six-metre fixed balcony and floor to ceiling glass windows for a 180-degree panoramic view. The vessel’s key trademarks include Key features do include 70 square metre beach club, 3 spa pools and a touch-and-go helipad. Her naval architecture is by the Italian studio Arrabito Naval Architects. Gobbi's studio also designed the interior, which includes rich wood panelling to divide the main-deck saloon from the dining area.# IrishaLength: 51mBuilder: HeesenYear: 2018Photo : Dick HolthuisThe 51-metre full-custom motor yacht Irisha was delivered by Heesen in May 2018. Irisha features exterior lines with a gunmetal blue hull and contemporary curved glass windows, and interiors by Harrison Eidsgaard.The unique colour scheme enriches the beauty of the profile. The top is Snow White, the main deck is Midnight Blue by Awlgrip, and the hull is metallic Pacific Blue custom paint by Alexseal. In sunlight, the hull colour changes from metallic blue to dark olive-green hues. Spacious and bright, Irisha’s interior enjoys lots of natural light and has a versatile layout with a seamless flow between the interior and exterior living space, ideal for socialising and entertaining. The yacht offers accommodation to up to 10 guests within 5 beautifully-appointed staterooms.Powered by two MTU 16V 4000 M93L diesel engines, Irisha achieves a top speed of 26 knots, with a transatlantic range of over 3,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 11 knots.Other nominees: Flying Dagger, Rossinavi (49m), Elysium, Sunseeker International (40.1m), El Leon, Overmarine (54m), C'est La Vie, Gulf Craft (43.1m).DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS BETWEEN 300 GT AND 499 GT - 48M AND ABOVE# CeciliaBuilder: Wider Length: 49.6mYear: 2018At a sleek 50-metre LOA and just under 500GT, the elegant all aluminum superyacht has an elongated profile. Designed to accommodate the owner’s long wish list of toys, both inside and out, the Wider 165 satisfies the desires of the most adventurous. Constructed entirely in aluminum, the elegant profile of the Wider 165 was created by the in-house Wider design team in collaboration with Italian yacht designer Fulvio De Simoni. The interior layout, designed by IdeaeItalia in conjunction with the owner’s architect, is packed with more stand out features including a generous study with terrace on the port side, private gym with terrace on the starboard side, a sauna room as well as a spacious and light owner’s cabin and ensuite bathroom.On the foredeck, the helicopter-landing pad, unique to the Wider 165, and circular seating areas set into the superstructure, forward of a large Jacuzzi tub, offer a versatile space that will double as generous dance floor for fun evenings afloat.Cecilia is set to boast a range of 3,100 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12.5 knots, increasing to 5,400 nm at the ecological speed of 10 knots. The yacht’s maximum speed meanwhile makes 14.1 knots.Other nominees: KD, Sanlorenzo (52m), Latona, CRN (50m), Power Play, Damen (55.5m), Seven, Benetti (49.8m).DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS ABOVE 500 GT AND UNDER 2,000 GT# Solo Builder: TankoaLength: 72mYear: 2018The yacht was launched in August 2018, making her international debut at the Monaco Yacht Show. Designed by Francesco Paszkowski in collaboration with Margherita Casprini, Solo’s interiors represent blend of contemporary and timeless air. Her spacious main and upper salons provide relaxation zones with large plush seating areas, along with a dazzling baby grand piano and numerous entertainment options.The yacht’s six staterooms can accommodate up to 12 guests, including a spacious VIP, two doubles and two twins. The master suite is fitted with a private terrace complete with sunpads and a Jacuzzi with panoramic views. On the skylounge aft, there is a swimming pool and a private dance floor, which easily converts to a touch-and-go helipad. Solo’s beach club, meanwhile, represents a spacious and welcoming space with sofa, bar, TV, oversized glass walled gym with fold-out terrace, bathroom, sauna (also fitted with its own fold-out terrace) and hammam.Other nominees: Volpini 2, Amels (57.7m), Promise, Feadship (51m), Spectre, Bennetti (69.3m). DISPLACEMENT MOTOR YACHTS ABOVE 2,000 GT# O'Ptasia Builder: Golden YachtsLength: 84.7mYear: 2018The 85-metre superyacht O’Ptasia was launched in 2018 by Greek yard Golden Yachts, joining the list of the top 200 largest superyachts in the world. Her exteriors and interiors were developed by Italian Studio Vafladis.O’Ptasia can accommodate up to 12 guests in 11 cabins - 3 twin and 8 double cabins, including a 95-square-metre owner’s suite on the upper deck and 85-squaremetre VIP suite with a private cinema room. The service is provided by the crew of 26. Other key features on board O’Ptasia include a large beach club complete with wellness and spa centre, an elevator servicing all decks, and a fully equipped gym on the bridge deck. The central superyacht elevator provides quick access between all four decks, while the foredeck helipad allows guests to arrive in style.Other nominees: White Rabbit, Echo Yachts (84m), Planet Nine, Admiral - The Italian Sea Group (73.2m), GO, Turquoise Yachts (76.8m), Elandess, Abeking & Rasmussen (74.5m), DAR, Oceanco (90m).REBUILT/REFIT/CONVERSION YACHTS# DreamBuilder: Halic ShipyardLength: 106.5mYear: 1997Refit Yard: Olympic Yacht ServicesFully rebuilt, this former passenger ferry now represents a brand new six-deck superyacht. There are two elevators and four staircases for guests only; a 2,800 sf master cabin, a 400-square-metre main saloon, a cinema and 22 guest cabins (up to 36 guests); massive crew and service areas and six pantries. The spacious entertainment decks include a sundeck with swimming pool, a huge bar, and oversized beach club. On the fifth deck adjoining the owner's suite, there a luxurious dining area for 44 guests.The yacht cruises at 15 knots and reaches a top speed of 17 knots. Other nominees: Haida 1929, Krupp Germaniawerft (71.1m), Dancing Hare, Amels (57.5m), Thalia, Vitters (48.5m), Forever, Benetti (44.8m), G2, Vitters (39m), A2, Eurocraft (37.6m), Vespucci, CRN (30.5m).

It's a new yacht that is making its appearance. HOP is 120 meters long concept which was designed by Iván Salas Jefferson, a 37-year-old designer from Palma de Mallorca, founder of Iddes Yachts.Iván Salas Jefferson has worked for leading Dutch naval architecture studios such as De Voogt (Feadship), or the Oceanco bespoke superyacht builder. In addition, he collaborated with the refitting base Astilleros de Mallorca and with the Royal Falcon Fleet of Porsche."I'm trying to merge all knowledge from different fields of design to add value and make new projects in the studio, along with the team that includes Joan Gelabert, also a naval engineer and designer, and Andrea Polato, the architect, who will help promote a portfolio of both own projects and the demand of a future owner," highlights Iván Salas.At first glance, the 120-meters megayacht looks like a two-story loft. If there is something remarkable in the HOP, it is the multi-spaces with which the owner to configure the boat of the designer Ivan Salas Jefferson on a really narrow sleeve. Thus, the aft area has a double stay in two heights that communicates the central area with the cabins and stays under cover. Composed of outdoor terraces and different spaces, including a double living room communicating with the rest of the rooms, it also has a large bay window. The latter has been designed to protect and give a feeling of openness to the outside. The owner’s penthouse looks like a floating observatory, was designed with the aim to connect one with the environment and location. Guests can enjoy the feeling of sleeping outdoors yet being on a two-level loft with natural sunlight or night sky views thanks to the forward skylights.The design allows for privacy leaving the rest of the interior open to flexible layouts to adapt to changes and needs of the owners, but always giving the feeling of freedom in the space.The boat also takes into account the respect of the environment by reducing the environmental impact of the sector and accelerating the industry towards ecological navigation. Sustainability and self-sufficiency, thanks to the use of bioclimatic energies, are the strength of this model.This innovative design in the world of luxury boats has allowed Iván Salas Jefferson to be among the finalists of the 2019 International Yacht & Aviation Awards, which will be awarded on May 24 in Venice. It will be a unique experience thanks to the configuration of yacht lines and the exterior layout of the entire hull. Now the design team needs to find a millionaire who makes this big dream come true.This is the first time when a Spanish architect has built a yacht of this size. Last time in 2010, a Galician company designed the Pegaso in the Vigo port, a 72.8-meter long yacht for a Mexican millionaire.Iddes Yachts believe design is all due to balance, the main dimensions for its reduced drag performance, the intelligent connectivity of geometrical shapes within an organic form results in a combination of well thought out spaces with minimum energy requirements.Also, finalists of the 2019 International Yacht & Aviation Awards among the concepts over 70-meters long: Steamring 75 by Akalin & Cebeci; 105-meters Esquel by Oceanco and The Ritz-Carlton luxury 190-meters cruise ship.Credit: Iván Salas Jefferson

The leading yacht and luxury show in Asia, the Singapore Yacht Show, took place at ONE ̊15 Marina Sentosa Cove from 11 April – 14 April. The ninth edition of the show this year received 16,000 visitors (with more than a half from overseas) along with 87 yachts and over 150 brands.The four-day celebration of the yachting lifestyle comprised glamorous yacht parties, diverse watersports experiences, gourmet eateries, bustling bars and show-stopping supercar parades. Potential buyers and charterers came from all around the Asia Pacific region, from as far away as Japan, China and Australia. Yachts and boats lineups of this year’s edition included Azimut Yachts, Boat Lagoon Yachting, Ferretti Group, Hong Seh Marine, Princess Yachts, ProMarine, Simpson Marine, Sunseeker and others.The show saw over 30 local and regional yachting premieres from the world-leading brands. For instance, SilverYachts and Espen Oeino unveiled their brand new superyacht catamaran line, 35-metre ‘SpaceCat’ power catamarans, with their construction beginning in China next month.The Princess Yachts, the show’s longtime supporter, represented by local dealer Boat Lagoon Yachting, showcased a 13-strong fleet and 3 regional premieres. Kiran Haslam, Marketing Director of Princess Yachts commented:Our commitment to this show and to the region is clear, demonstrated by us having more yachts on display here than even at the big Cannes show in September. We are seeing a real emergence of the South East Asian market and an increased excitement and enthusiasm for yachting.The organisers report, visitor footfall over the weekend was well up on last year even though there were several other major events happening concurrently, such as the opening of the Jewel Centre at Changi Airport, the Presidential Elections in Indonesia and Songkran festival in Thailand.Marine Italia reported the sale of at least two yachts in the first two days alone. The company’s Executive Director Paul Grange highlighted: We are delighted by the activity levels and results that we have achieved since we’ve started representing Azimut in Singapore in 2018. With three Azimut Yachts sold in the run-up to the Singapore Yacht Show and a further two yachts sold during the show, it is clear that there is a genuine demand for Azimut’s truly Italian Yachts in the region.Returning exhibitor Leopard Catamarans, presenting four boats this year, also noted an increased amount of interest in sailing catamarans, in particular the newly launched Leopard 50. Andrew de Bruin, General Manager of Multihull Solutions, the dealer for Fountaine Pajot, reported another successful showing with the sale of three yachts, including one of the Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67 sailing catamarans which was making its Asian debut.Longtime supporter Simpson Marine, showcasing a massive 16-strong fleet – their largest ever display, and a record for any single exhibiting company in the history of SYS – featured two Asian premieres from Sanlorenzo, three from Lagoon and one from Beneteau, as well as displays from Monte Carlo Yachts and Aquila.Singapore-based dealer Hong Seh Marine reports on the quality of clients visiting the Show, with people coming to look at a variety of yachts, from the small Boston Whalers, mid-sized Riva Yachts, all the way up to large custom build yachts by the Ferretti Group.Other major global yachting brands and builders were celebrated at the 15th edition of the Asia Boating Awards held at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel prior to the opening of the Show. There, Dutch superyacht builder Amels was awarded Best Semi-Custom-Built Yacht (above 120ft) for the recently delivered Volpini 2, while Sunseeker picked up the Best Sportscruiser (above 55ft) award for the Sunseeker 74 Sport Yacht.Italian powerhouse builders Monte Carlo Yachts and Riva Yacht were awarded Best Flybridge Yacht (above 55ft to 80ft) and Best Flybridge Yacht (above 80ft to 110ft) respectively for the MCY 70 and Riva 110 Dolcevita. Meanwhile, organisers Verventia strongly believe in the potential for leisure boating businesses in the region, and are constantly seeking to improve the show experience and the return on investment for exhibitors and sponsors.In the conclusion, Wade Pearce, Show Director of Singapore Yacht Show said: We put everything into making the Singapore Yacht Show work, so it’s good to hear that it continues to contribute to the development of the industry in Asia. Feedback from participants tells us what we’re doing right and what we need to change. In that way, the Show hopefully strengthens every year, and we are making some big changes for our 10th Anniversary Edition next year.

Dutch builder Amels announced the launch of a new 55-metre Amels 180 hull christened Nomad at Vlissingen facility today. This is already the second Amels 180 launch since the beginning of the year.The yacht is trademarked with a bespoke colour scheme, created by her owner in collaboration with exterior designer Tim Heywood and Amels in-house design team. Nomad’s blue hull and anthracite grey superstructure create uninterrupted geometry highlighting the long lines of the bridge deck and sun deck. Meanwhile, the yacht’s custom interiors were developed by a California-based boutique residential studio Bonesteel Trout Hall, in collaboration with the Amels interior specialists. Nomad will be capable of reaching a top speed of 15.5 knots. She offers accommodation to up to 12 guests taken care of by a crew of 13.The vessel is scheduled for delivery this summer, after completion of final outfitting strikes at the yard. Meanwhile, the Dutch builder announced the sale of the 25th Amels 180 at the beginning of 2019.Photos by Tom van Oossanen via Amels.

After previously working in the Predator and Manhattan ranges from 2006 to 2009, Design Unlimited joined the Sunseeker 161 Yacht project.The British studio Design Unlimited has presented the first interior images of the next Sunseeker 161 yacht, which will become the new flagship when it launches in 2021.Announced last September, the 161-meter 49-meter yacht is the first Sunseeker Yacht project with an aluminium hull, which is being built in collaboration with the Dutch shipyard Icon Yachts. It will have a design with a fast displacement hull, with design and naval architecture that will take charge of the development team of Sunseeker in Pula.The new Sunseeker three-deck yacht in the 50-meter segment follows the iconic exterior lines of the brand and offers exceptional space and volume. The luxurious interior space can be decorated according to the unique taste of each owner with the help of the well-known Sunseeker service "Bespoke".Named "Sunseeker by Icon", specific details about the yacht are scarce, but the style balances Sunseeker's familiar window designs with an aggressive wheelhouse, which faces a long, surprising arch that creates an almost vertical entrance.This is an exciting offer and, in combination with a high-speed helmet, alludes to a large yacht in the style of an investigator, designed for comfortable and efficient travel over long distances.The standard configuration is designed for ten people but can be accommodated 12 according to the chosen design. Using the Sunseeker custom service, customers can tailor the interior of the 161 yachts to their exact wishes.The key points will include a configuration that generally offers accommodation for 10 people in five cabins, but with the option of 12 in six cabins and a small pool on the main deck. The design also includes a large beach club area with drop-down brackets and a transom mirror that create a wonderful entertainment space right on the water. The interior details of the number one body have not yet been published, but thanks to Sunseeker's individual service, the choice of finishes and styles is extensive.The announcement of this new model and the partnership between the two shipyards has made at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2018, and the number one helmet should be presented in the spring of 2021.Jen Wartena, CEO of Icon Yachts said: “There is a great synergy between Icon and Sunseeker because we are combining both of our strengths; our capacity and metal yacht building capabilities with Sunseeker’s sales expertise and marketing power.We believe the Sunseeker by Icon will revolutionize the industry in a positive way. It is an exciting period for Icon Yachts and this new partnership with Sunseeker is part of our ongoing growth strategy where we are investing heavily in facilities and people to improve our capability and capacity.”Sunseeker, a British yacht builder, has delivered more than 125 yachts over 30 meters in length since joining the superyacht market in 2001.@Photos by Sunseeker Yachts