Delivered in 2012 by Abeking & Rasmussen, the 60-meter Excellence V, one of the most voluminous yachts in her size, became her American's owner fifth superyacht. His fleet's next flagship, an 80-meter Abeking & Rasmussen is however still under construction.
Excellence V
Herb Chambers' first yacht became a 30ft Trojan fishing boat in 1970, he then upgraded to a 53ft Hatteras before starting his journey into the superyacht space with a 38.7-meter Feadship, Excellence. Launched in 1986, three years after Chambers sold his blooming copier sales business, A Copy, for $80 million, the yacht could reach 13.5 knots.
Later known as Golden Rule and last refitted in 2006, the yacht was sold by her new owners in 2011 at an asking price of $4.9 million. She was then renamed once again to Miss Iloilo in 2013.
Excellence I
Chambers next yachting project became an even larger Feadship, the 47.5-meter Excellence II launched in 1999. With an interior by Sam Sorgiovanni, the yacht had a beam of 8.9m and could reach a speed of 14.5 knots.
Later reportedly sold by Chambers to American businessman, Dennis M. Jones who renamed her to D'Natalin II, the yacht was then sold once again and renamed to Princess K. Now cruising under the name Princess Too, she was sold to her current owner in the summer of 2016 at an asking price of €15 million.
Princess Too
Launched this time by Abeking & Rasmussen in 2001, Excellence III became a 57-meter superyacht with an exterior by Donald Starkey designed with charter in mind. Praised for her comfortable seven cabin layout by guests, the yacht went on to have an inspiring charter record led by Chambers' long-time captain, Ray Shore.
Listed for sale in 2010 Excellence III was later sold in March 2012 asking $45,950,000. The popular charter yacht was then renamed to Dream following her sale and lengthened to 60-meters during her 2014 refit.
Dream
Chambers' subsequent project became a 78-meter Abeking & Rasmussen which was planned to take on the name Excellence IV. A few months into the build, Chambers received an offer to buy the yacht from a friend, which he decided to turn down.
Halfway through the build he however realised that such a project would prevent him from mooring in harbour such as Gustavia in St.Barts and Capri. When a Russian oligarch made another offer to buy the project at a profit for Chambers, the American businessman accepted. "I did well on that one." Chambers told Forbes. The yacht went on to become Eminence.
Eminence
Following the sale, Chambers decided to take on another project at Abeking & Rasmussen building Excellence V, a 60-meter yacht with the interior volume and comfort of a 75-meter superyacht. Launched in 2011, she is now available for charter from €595,000 per week.
Excellence V
"There was a transition where it became a business for me" Chambers told Forbes on his superyacht projects, "I get more enjoyment out of building the boats than I do using them". Chambers's Excellence IV, a 28-meter Pershing launched in 2014, might be the only exception to this rule as he keeps it for his personal use. The yacht was however listed for sale and is now asking $8,400,000.
Excellence IV
Chambers, now owner of the Herb Chambers Companies, the largest automotive dealership group in New England, USA with over $2.5 billion in revenue in 2014, might however be on his most ambitious yachting project yet. Indeed, the American billionaire has commissioned an 80-meter project currently under construction at Abeking & Rasmussen, which he says will be a cross between M/Y A and a more traditional yacht.
Northrop & Johnson has announced its newest strategic partnership with Space Perspective, the world’s only carbon-neutral space travel company, unlocking exclusive access to a transformative journey to space for select clients.With plans to launch in 2024, with over 1,000 tickets sold, Space Perspective has totally reimagined and reengineered human spaceflight. They offer a safe, gentle, and carbon-neutral journey to space on board Spaceship Neptune, a pressurized capsule propelled by a SpaceBalloon™️ the size of a football stadium. During their six hour journey, traveling at 12 mph, Space Explorers will enjoy cocktails, Space Gastronomy, Wi-Fi and more all without the need for rigorous training or the stress of crushing g-forces.“Our collaboration with Space Perspective will take our already stellar roster of experiences and luxury client exclusives to the literal next frontier, space!” says Daniel Ziriakus, President & COO of Northrop and Johnson. Daniel Ziriakus“Our mission is to share the transformative power of space travel with the whole world and partners like Northrop & Johnson help us reach a whole new group of Space Explorers who are keen to have the transformative experience of seeing our vulnerable earth floating in the blackness of space,” said Jane Poynter, Founder and Co-CEO of Space Perspective.Northrop & Johnson has reserved two Spaceship Neptune flights, totaling 16 seats, in phase two of Space Perspective’s 2025 flight schedule. Space Perspective is based on Florida’s Space Coast, and was co-founded by space entrepreneurs Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum. The company is operated by an elite team that has been instrumental in the development of every US human spacecraft and SpaceBalloonTM flight for the past 40 years.Since 1949, Northrop & Johnson has offered yachting experiences from yacht sales and purchase to yacht charter and charter marketing to yacht management of the world’s most impressive luxury vessels, and expert crew placement services, Northrop & Johnson offers a total-service approach.Credits: Northrop & Johnson
January 31, 2023
Riva 130’ Bellissima is a flybridge yacht with an overall length of 40 meters. The second unit built of Riva’s flagship model was launched on behalf of a European owner last Friday in La Spezia. After recently undergoing major expansion and architectural restyling work, the La Spezia yard now extends over a total surface area of more than 39,000 sq. m, of which 17,000 under cover. Riva 130’ Bellissima has exterior styling and interiors by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta, founders of Officina Italiana Design, the design firm behind all Riva’s yachts for the last 27 years, working in partnership with the Product Strategy Committee led by Piero Ferrari, and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department. With an overall length of over 40 meters and a beam of 8 meters, Riva 130’ Bellissima is the first planning flybridge in the range to extend across three real decks, with a full-wide-body design and generous volumes in every setting, while remaining under 300 GT.“The name Bellissima perfectly expresses the spirit of this boat, a true work of art that has been a huge success on all four continents,” said Alberto Galassi, Ferretti Group CEO. “With her sporty but at the same time extremely elegant lines, Riva 130’ Bellissima is the dream yacht of every owner in search of outstanding cruising performance combined with the feeling of being at home.”Carbon fiber, steel and glass are the distinctive elements of the hull design, which features three simple lines running along the silhouette: two black strokes along the yacht’s silvery side define the hull windows, while the windshield, made with spherical crystals, has the characteristic slight forward rake already used on the Riva 48’ Dolceriva. The outdoor areas are optimized to fully experience close contact with the water: the stern area, set low and open to the water, is divided into a large beach club and a cockpit of over 60 sq. m. Forward, guests can choose between a lounge, a large sun pad and other intimate and inviting spaces. The exterior spaces are rounded out by an alfresco dining area, accommodating up to ten people on the upper deck, and a relaxation area on the sundeck.The interior design is contemporary, pointed up by elements made from steel, polished wood and leather, and achieves the perfect balance between celebrating tradition and reaching into the future. The star feature of Riva 130’ is the large lounge on the main deck: with a 270-degree panoramic view and a height of over 2 meters, this one-of-a-kind space features an imposing staircase with polished marble steps that not only connects the decks, but is also a magnificent architectural element.The cabin layout puts the master suite on the main deck and four cabins on the lower deck, separated by a large lobby and all with en suite bathrooms.Riva 130’ Bellissima is powered by twin MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines rated 2,638 mhp each, giving her a top speed of 22,5 knots and a cruising speed of 20 knots.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.Credits: Ferretti Group
January 31, 2023
The Italian shipyard Codecasa has sold the Codecasa 43, hull C124. The building was started “on speculation” and was already at the advanced stage of construction, when the owner arrived. The 43 meter C124 is a totally custom-made full displacement yacht with steel hull and aluminum superstructure. She is designed by Codecasa Shipyards in-house technical staff.Thanks to the typical vertical bow, she features big windows with lots of natural light in the interior. The internal volumes are just below 500 GRT, the remarkable exterior spaces, with a clean and elegant line, can ensure the best comfort and privacy. She features two spacious saloons, four large cabins for the guests. The owner suite is located on the forward main deck, in addition to fully equipped service areas and comfortable exterior spaces throughout the three decks.This yacht is equipped with two Caterpillar C32 “Acert” (1600 hp @ 2300 rpm) and able to reach a speed of 16 knots at light displacement and has a range of 4,000 nautical miles at 11 knots cruising speed. The deal was closed and the delivery of Hull C124 is scheduled in Summer 2024.Codecasa shipyard was established in Viareggio in 1825 by the shipwright Giovanni Battista Codecasa. Still run by the founder’s heirs, nowadays the Codecasa Shipyards Group is able to offer a wide range of Yachts, featured by top quality, technologic innovation, reliability, design and comfort. The shipyard is known all over the world as builders of steel and light alloy motoryachts, ranging from 30 to 70 meters LOA.Credits: Codecasa
January 31, 2023
The Benetti Full Custom Yacht FB283 with a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure was launched during a private ceremony, which was held on January 26th at the Livorno yard. The owner had expressed the desire for a yacht with four fundamental characteristics: speed, silence, long range and guaranteed fun for the family. The interior and exterior was made by Giorgio Cassetta, the hull lines are by Van Oossanen Naval Architects. The project was facilitated by the close and profitable relationship established between the yard, the project team, the designer and the owner, who was represented by Nicola Nicolai from Nicolai Yacht Consulting & Project Management, acting as advisor prior to the purchase and managing the entire construction process as owner’s representative and project manager.FB283’s exterior styling features extremely elegant lines, with a sleek bow and a stern sloping down towards the water’s surface, combined with a (FDHF) fast displacement hull meticulously researched by Benetti and Van Oossanen Naval Architects. FB283 has a maximum speed of 21 knots and a range that makes it possible to cruise for long distances without stopping. Cassetta and his Rome based studio created a masterpiece of harmony. Deck fittings such as the massive oval capping rails, natural teak panels and solid wood and stone furniture give the vessel a “super yacht” feel rarely found on an Italian build of this size. Being entrusted by the owner with both exterior and interior design, Cassetta added striking details to interface the two, such as the magnificent 6 x 2 meter uninterrupted windows on both main deck and upper deck. With a focus on comfort and conviviality, FB283 has been created with family life front and center, so there are plenty of storage areas offering space for all kinds of water toys and equipment for having fun in the water, including diving gear. Located forward on the upper deck, the garage is a veritable cathedral, with a side door and the space to contain a 10-meter tender, two jet skis and a second tender. A touch & go helicopter platform makes sure the owner and guests can reach the yacht whatever the location. 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
January 30, 2023
Extensive sea trials are now under way for the latest member of the new Zeelander 5. She has just had her technical launch after a rigorous development and build programme by the Groot-Ammers-based yard. The new Zeelander 5 is a natural development of the successful Z44, presenting a more contemporary look. The curvaceous Zeelander silhouette is still instantly recognisable, but compared to the Z44, the shearline is more voluptuous than ever, and now follows an elongated ‘S’ shape. The yacht features bigger windows in the wheelhouse and in the hull. In fact, Zeelander has succeeded in eliminating mullions altogether around the helm, for true, unencumbered 360-degree vision. Still capable of exhilarating performance, with speeds up to 40 knots courtesy of three Volvo Penta IPS-650 drives, the Zeelander 5 nonetheless manages to be 2dBA quieter than its predecessor. Given the yard’s relentless focus on eliminating noise and vibration, that is quite an achievement. There is also the option of installing a Seakeeper 6 gyro stabilizer to ensure there is nothing to distract from the pure pleasure of ownership.“We have learned from our owners,” said Sietse Koopmans, Zeelander Yachts founder and owner.. “Dozens of small improvements and a few bigger strides forward have combined to give the Zeelander 5 improved functionality in the service of a refined, timeless character.”The first Zeelander 5 will be delivered in spring 2023. Work is also progressing well on developing the brand’s new flagship.Zeelander Yachts was founded in 2002 in the Netherlands by Sietse Koopmans. The first model was unveiled to the public in 2008. The launch model Z44 received positive reviews at the Monaco Yacht Show and drew enormous crowds, despite being at an event dominated by much larger yachts. Within three years, the Z44 had been successfully introduced to the US as well as Europe, and it was an obvious direction to add a larger model to the fleet. The first Z55 was delivered in November 2015, and the flagship Z72 was launched in March 2019.Credits: Zeelander Yachts
January 30, 2023