The German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen has delivered a new motor yacht - the 68-metre Soaring - under extraordinary conditions.
Jörg Kleymann, Senior Project Manager of the company’s Yacht department, is not going to forget this particular experience: “About two weeks before the superyacht was to be handed over, half of Europe was engulfed into a ‘lockdown’ caused by the Covid-19 pandemic”. According to Kleymann, “It was simultaneously an extremely challenging time and a bold demonstration of the efficiency and flexibility of Abeking & Rasmussen, even under the harshest of conditions”. A special crisis management team, an elaborate safety and hygiene concept, as well as a two-shift production approach, helped the shipyard to deliver the yacht on time.
Soaring was built for an experienced owner whose briefing listed, amongst other things, a separate owner’s deck with aft looking grand master suite, the biggest possible tender and a gym together with a wellness centre both with direct access to water.
Apart from the Owner’s area the yacht features 4 Double-cabins and 1 VIP Suite, as well as generous double and single crew cabins in the bow, providing accommodation for up to 18 crew members.
The design pitch was won by Focus Yacht Design. The Bremen studio, only a short car ride from the yard itself, created a truly distinctive and impressive design with the harmonious and contemporary exterior, the prominent window surface, elegant grey–white colour scheme and Soaring’s signature aesthetic feature - a striking line stretching all the way from the bow to the swim platform.
In the words of Soaring’s designer Thomas Mühe: “I have experimented with this solid line, stretching the entire length of the superyacht, for years. And it all, finally, came together in Soaring”.
Further distinctive design elements are the bow side windows that work as a unified and solid feature lending the superyacht an element of dynamics. Thomas Mühe comments on the commission and its execution: “Our goal was not to put together a selection of attractive details, but to create a coherent and harmonious whole that was to be simultaneously impressive and imposing but most of all a reflection and representation of the owner’s central life themes and requests. Early on it was clear that the owner valued originality and had no interest in a yacht that could easily be mistaken for another”.
Technology-wise, Soaring’s captain has at his disposal already proven components. The steel / aluminium construction with a volume of 1541 GT is powered by two 1492 kilowatt strong MTU engines. The smooth hotel operations are ensured through 383 kilowatt strong Caterpillar generators and the tanks with a diesel capacity of 180 tons in total ensure a cruising radius of 4500 nautical miles. In addition, the superyacht fulfils the strict regulations of the IMO Trier III concept with its waste gas purification system.
Two Schottel thrusters provide comfortable manoeuvring, Naiad Zero Speed stabilizers cater to a smooth ride even when at anchor and two Compass tenders of 7.5m and 9m length respectively offer convenient and comfortable water transfers.
Interior work was done by, yet another Lemwerder company, Klaus Rodiek GmbH to the Focus Yacht Design specifications. They worked primarily with two types of wood, Amara and Tiama, natural stone and genuine Italian leather. The supremely outfitted living space used by the owner and his guests totals 471 square metres.
LOWER DECK
Soaring’s lower deck’s absolute highlight is the beach club with direct access to the swim platform. Together with the adjoining wellness centre the area boasts 74 square metres. Teak was used for flooring and the glossy eucalyptus, intertwined with 30cm long silver strings, for wall panelling.
The large sofa is custom-made for the superyacht as well as the ceiling-high Italian light sculpture.
The gym area, equipped with a ballet barre and a refreshment bar, connects with the wellness centre through a lobby that further leads to a dayhead and a shower as well as to a hammam port side and a massage room starboard side.
The hammam, decorated in natural stone mosaics, caters for up to six people and the massage room to two. A professionally trained crew member is on hand to offer various treatments to the owner and his guests.
Further forward on the lower deck is the engine room’s upper level and, located midship, yet another one of Soaring’s remarkable features. A 25 square metre starboard stowage is packed full of water toys including kayaks, surf boards, sea bobs, bicycles and electric scooters. Diving equipment can be found in the adjoining room and all of the equipment can be loaded and unloaded through a top hinged store hatch and a 400 kg-capacity crane.
Opposite, on port side, a 20 square metre galley with direct access to the cooling rooms is manned by a professional chef and thanks to its large windows is flooded in daylight.
MAIN DECK
For those boarding Soaring from a tender, the main deck is reached from the swim platform via stairs and when docked the superyacht can be reached via a swivel gangway. The ample aft deck contains a sofa with two side tables and a centrally placed round dining table for twelve. In order to provide the owner and his guests with privacy at lunch or dinner, especially in buzzing marinas, a side board with a retractable frosted glass panel placed between the sofa and the dining table offers visual cover if needed.
The 80 square metre salon, laid out with a hand-tufted rug, is classically partitioned into a lounge area with hand-made upholstered furniture and a dining area at the front of the room. The two areas are separated by a ceiling-high room divider, with an inset TV facing the sofa and bronze tiles throughout offer dazzling light effects in the natural sunlight. Almost parallel to the room divider are the panels on port and starboard side showing specific star constellations that are of personal significance to the owner. In addition, a piece of a genuine meteorite is incorporated into the interior so that the ‘cosmic’ theme is reflected manifold in the dining area.
The principally used wood in the salon is “stained Amara” and the Italian leather is in “Lugano” shade.
A starboard door leads from the salon into the lobby, the staircase and the guest cabins, all of which are located on the main deck. The visual highlight here is the Claus Hartmann’s sculpture depicting two stylized hippos. The Weser Island Harriersand based artist is best known for his figurehead works made for prominent ships such as the Gorch Fock. Focus Yacht Design drew the inspiration for this commission from the owner’s interest and love of nature. The superyacht’s very name Soaring recalls the free flight of an eagle.
The guests on Soaring pass the bronze hippos on their way to their cabins. The four 20 square metre rooms, three with double beds and one with two single beds, all embody a particular theme - Nautilus, Ginkgo, Turtle and Bamboo. The themes are reflected in the bed heads and travertine inlays in bath, corresponding to each cabin’s theme. At the end of the passageway is a luxurious 33 square metre VIP-cabin, stretching the whole width of the superyacht, with an ensuite and a separate dressing room. Theme of the VIP cabin is waterlily.
The two tenders are also stowed on the main deck. The 7.5m Compass sport and 9m limousine tenders match Soaring down to the striking line stretching across the length of their hulls and are lowered to the waterline using a crane.
OWNER’S DECK
The upper aft deck is used almost exclusively by the owner and this was a part of the superyacht’s concept from the very beginning. The 82 square metre stately master suite at the rear of the yacht is accessed through an 11 square metre office. Minimal furnishings, including an opulent armchair and a bed, reflect the starting idea behind Soaring’s concept of open spaces and free spirit, a motif seized upon once again in the eagle bed head on master bed. Sliding doors open on to the aft deck, offering complete privacy. A genuine dressing room of 13 square metres and a bath with a tub and a separate shower complete the owner’s grand suite.
In the passageway further forward are technical rooms, as well as an additional crew cabin. All the way at the very front of the upper deck, normally reserved for the master suite in other vessels, is the library. The original and unconventional lounge is glassed-in on three sides guaranteeing amazing views. Centrally placed in the room are three white, U-formed sofas and another visual highlight is on the back wall in the form of a bookshelf made of back-lit onyx. The library can also be completely dimmed, thus converting into a private cinema.
Forward of the library, the top of the tender garage allows the owner and his guests to practice their golf swings, naturally using biodegradable and water-soluble golf balls.
BRIDGE DECK
Soaring’s bridge deck is the uppermost deck itself. Behind the Portuguese bridge deck, the captain and his officers work in the fully integrated wheelhouse using Gyro compass, Synapsis-NX-Radar and Raytheon Anschütz Nautosteer Auto Pilot. The captain inhabits a 16 square metre cabin, next to a ships office used by the officers on board.
The aft deck, equipped with a Jacuzzi three metres in diameter with an adjoining bar and a generous sun pad, is once again reserved solely for the use of the owner and his guests. By request, the crew can organize a BBQ directly on the sun pad and a sofa with table offers additional seating possibilities.
Turkish shipyard Sarp Yachts has released the first interior renderings of the XSR 85 RPH, a 25.9-metre raised-pilothouse model set to debut in late 2025. Developed in collaboration with Red Yacht Design and Van Oossanen Naval Architects, the yacht is described as having “more expansive interior and exterior spaces” compared to previous models in the XSR series.According to the shipyard, the interior design takes cues from “the captivating beauty of ocean life,” using light tones and airy spaces to promote a connection to the seascape. The yacht accommodates five cabins, including a main deck master cabin with a private bow terrace. Al fresco dining options are available on the sundeck, and lounge areas are located on the main deck aft and swim platform.Design director of Red Yacht Design, Cana Gokhan, stated: “The XSR 85 RPH represents our commitment to pushing boundaries in yacht design. By integrating an ocean-inspired theme with modern luxury and optimising both interior and exterior spaces, we’ve created a yacht that sets a new benchmark in its category."Elkin Yildirim, general manager of Sarp Yachts, added: “The XSR 85 RPH represents a leap forward in yacht design and functionality. In this project, we push boundaries and craft a vessel that merges elegance, comfort and practicality. We are thrilled to share these remarkable interiors, which perfectly reflect our dedication to innovation and excellence."Credit: Sarp Yachts
December 19, 2024
The 2025 RORC Transatlantic Race’s multihull lineup presents a departure from recent years, as a range of different vessels seek Line Honours in the MOCRA Class. Previous editions were dominated by MOD70s, but this year’s field promises greater diversity.Among the competitors is Oren Nataf’s Pulsar 50 Rayon Vert (FRA). In 2021, Rayon Vert secured overall line honours in the RORC Transatlantic Race, finishing in 9 days 2 hours 33 minutes and 19 seconds, and later took second place in MOCRA for the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race. For the 2025 edition, Rayon Vert will race double-handed with François Seruzier.Miami-based Jacopo Bracco enters with the custom 53-foot trimaran Finn (USA), designed by Renaud Banuls. Bracco has raced multihulls since childhood, and Finn’s crew includes individuals with MOD70 experience, such as project manager Sam Mabey, 5.80 Transat winner Etienne Messikommer, and record-setter Jeff Mearing. Bracco stated: “In the right conditions, Finn can easily hit 20 knots and surf at 30!” He also noted one concession: “I have found a real Italian restaurant in Lanzarote which will be preparing some great meals. I am originally Italian, so there is no way we are going to race without good food!”Clarin Mustad’s Alibi 54 trimaran Dakota returns after failing to start in 2024 due to rudder issues. Now prepared in Lanzarote, Dakota could finish in about 12 days under ideal conditions. Mustad, new to ocean racing, said: “I prefer to compete rather than cruise because it makes the journey so much more exciting.” Dakota, bearing a Grenadian sail number, will be crewed by experienced sailors including co-skipper Carles Boned Roig and Christina Menabó, plus other friends.Thierry Roger’s Newick 39 trimaran Perros-Guirec, a sistership to the 1978 Route du Rhum winner Olympus Photos, will also compete. Roger will race double-handed with longtime colleague Renan Le Penven and aims to maintain an average speed of 10 knots. Roger, who has waited years to attempt a transatlantic crossing, said: “This will be my first transatlantic, but I have looked out over that ocean all my life… Now, at 64, I work less, so I have raced the boat in many regattas, but my ultimate goal is the 2026 Route du Rhum.”These entries join others in the Multihull Class at the RORC Transatlantic Race, supported by Calero Marinas, the International Maxi Association, and the Yacht Club de France. The race is scheduled to start on January 12, 2025, from Marina Lanzarote, covering 3,000 miles to Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada.Credit: RORС
December 19, 2024
Sunreef Yachts has announced the sale of the first Sunreef 35M Eco superyacht to a client introduced by Y.CO. This transaction marks a new phase in the sustainable luxury yachting sector, reflecting the increasing global demand for environmentally conscious catamarans.Equipped with electric engines, custom-designed batteries, and solar panels fully integrated into the hull, superstructure, and bimini, the Sunreef 35M Eco is engineered for zero-emission navigation and sets a new standard for eco-friendly yachts.Francis Lapp, Founder and President of Sunreef Yachts, stated:"Sunreef 35M Eco heralds the dawn of a new era of cruises free from noise and harmful emissions. Thanks to our advanced green technologies, this yacht offers an environmentally friendly and at the same time exceptionally comfortable way to explore the oceans."Measuring 14.7 meters in beam, the yacht provides spacious interiors, including a large owner’s suite with a private terrace forward, four guest cabins, and three crew cabins. The flybridge offers an outdoor lounge area and a pool, while the aft Ocean Lounge allows direct access to the water, water toys, and diving equipment.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
December 19, 2024
Custom Line has introduced the Custom Line 50, described as “the first 50-metre superyacht built entirely from aluminium” and “the new displacement flagship” that “makes her debut in the metal yachts segment under 500 GT.” The yacht, measuring 49.90 meter in length with a 9.60-metre beam, spans four decks and has a gross tonnage of about 260 GT.Key features include an owner’s suite positioned in the bow on the upper deck, a configuration typically found on larger vessels. The design also incorporates a beach club with an infinity pool integrated into the main deck, forming a 120-square-metre area designed to enhance the connection with the water. With a draught of 2.2 meter, the yacht is intended for cruising and mooring in areas such as the Caribbean.According to the press release: “More than a superyacht, Custom Line 50 is a statement of forward-thinking design, engineering excellence and conscious exclusivity.”The project results from collaboration between the Strategic Product Committee led by Piero Ferrari and the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard Engineering Department in Ancona. Architect Filippo Salvetti designed the exterior, while Studio ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel developed the project architecture and interiors. The brand’s team provided project management, guiding the owner through customization and execution.Guest accommodations include a master suite on the upper deck and four lower-deck cabins, for a total of up to 12 guests. Five crew cabins are configured to house nine crew members. The yacht’s layout emphasizes privacy, with separate guest and crew circulation paths. Exterior styling uses clean lines and horizontal elements for a sense of harmony.The Custom Line 50 introduces “an unprecedented feature for the segment,” with a deck devoted entirely to the owner. This 75-square-metre owner’s apartment includes a panoramic cabin with wraparound windows and a private terrace.Interiors incorporate a concept based on three-dimensionality and materiality, utilizing Canaletto walnut, leather, ivory-colored wallpaper, and marble cladding in bathrooms. Mirrored surfaces and large curved windows aim to create a feeling of openness, integrating indoor spaces with the seascape. Outdoor areas are organized into a series of terraces and lounges. A two-level beach club at the stern is connected to an infinity pool on the main deck, while upper decks and a sun deck offer dining areas, lounges, and a hydromassage pool.Propulsion is supplied by two CAT C32 ACERT engines for a top speed of 16 knots and a range of about 4,500 nautical miles at an economy cruising speed of 10 knots. The yacht is designed with IMO Tier III-certified SCR systems to reduce emissions. Stabilization is managed by CMC Marine fins, and onboard systems aim to balance performance and reduced environmental impact.Credit: Custom Line
December 18, 2024
The Italian Sea Group participated in the inaugural Red Sea Week marking the opening of Sindalah Island. The newly established island, designed and planned by LUCA DINI Design & Architecture studio, aims to position itself as a premier luxury yachting destination in the Red Sea.At the ceremony in late October, Sindalah introduced itself as a high-end travel location. Among the project’s contributors was Stefano Ricci, who designed the Sindalah Yacht Club, one of the first completed and unveiled structures.The Italian Sea Group presented ten representative yacht models at the Sindalah Yacht Club. According to the company, these models attracted attention for their design, build quality, and focus on sustainability.“Participating in the Red Sea Week in Sindalah, a location that will set new standards in the world of luxury travel, was a significant moment for presenting our yachts in a strategically important area for us from a commercial point of view, generating great curiosity among the guests,” said Giovanni Costantino, Founder & CEO of The Italian Sea Group. “I would like to thank Cavaliere Stefano Ricci for the outstanding professional synergy, which will surely lead to further major projects together.”The Italian Sea Group operates with the brands Admiral, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, and Picchiotti, and offers maintenance and refit services under NCA Refit. It has collaborated with luxury names such as Giorgio Armani and Automobili Lamborghini. According to the 2025 Global Order Book by Boat International, The Italian Sea Group ranks as the first Italian superyacht builder for yachts over 50 metres.Credit: The Italian Sea Group
December 18, 2024