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.
Vripack and experienced boat builder Qnautic have joined forces to develop the all-new Q52.The Q52 is the second boat to benefit from Vripack and Qnautic’s collaborative imagination, following on from the 2020 launch of the Q39 super-RIB. Leveraging Vripack’s extensive design and naval architecture expertise and Qnautic's sophisticated shipbuilding knowledge, the result is a tender with ingenious naval architecture, proven build quality and a beautiful, creative design. “The idea for the Q39 originated from a need for fast and safe RIB suitable for offshore use,” says Marnix Hoekstra, co-creative director at Vripack. “By combining existing RIB designs with contemporary techniques and styling, the Q39 super RIB was born. So, when tasked with the brief to take it to the next level and re-create the Q52 tender, we happily accepted the challenge.”“It’s been a pleasure to work with Vripack on the development of both boats,” says Robbert van Rijk, founder of Qnautic. “The interest and passion for boatbuilding originated at our family shipyard in Amsterdam. After many years of working in shipping, including the offshore industry, fish industry, tugboats and wind farm vessels, a love for building high-quality boats has arisen. Our son Marnix van Rijk recently took the helm at Qnautic, which means the company now has four generations of boatbuilders in the family". Key characteristics of the Q52 are wide and comfortable helm seats. Stylish decking runs throughout. Wraparound seating and ergonomically-designed exterior spaces maximise onboard enjoyment. A wide passarelle makes stepping on and off safe and easy, while a wet bar with sink, and fridge provide the ideal setting for guests to enjoy time spent travelling to and from the mothership in style, as well as unrestricted exploration whenever desired.The first model of the 16.10m Q52 tender is scheduled for delivery in summer 2021. Vripack is a yacht-design studio with a portfolio that represents over 7400 designs, made strong through its extensive naval architecture and engineering experience. From the moment they opened their doors in 1961, Vripack studio’s approach to design has been governed by the playful interaction between form and function.Credits: Vripack
May 10, 2021
Finnish shipyard Nautor’s Swan has announced the latest maxi yacht to be added to their range: the Swan 108 sailing yacht.The Swan 108 is based on the evolution of the previous Maxi Swan, particularly in regard to the exterior lines, but with the addition of innovative solutions never applied before by the Finnish yard.“Last December I anticipated the plan to have a bigger sister to the Swan 88 to fill the space between the Swan 98 and Swan 120,” says Giovanni Pomati, CEO of Nautor Group. “It was an anticipation that we are here to announce officially. With the awe-inspiring teamwork of international designers – German Frers, Misa Poggi and Lucio Micheletti – we have been able to design and sell the first Swan 108. This yacht is the expression of our philosophy: she draws on the amazing heritage we have at Nautor and sets a new and contemporary tone.” Designed with moderate freeboards like every Swan yacht, this new model offers seaworthiness and great comfort at sea even in very rough conditions, and she runs very gently in waves. The innovative deck layout comes in two versions for the cockpit. The owner can choose a step in the aft deck area or a completely flush deck. Both solutions mean that the area is suitable for sunbathing or just as a lounge area to sit and relax.“We always start a project with a clean slate as a way to investigate and double check the choices available and to match the briefs from the sales force closely,” says German Frers. “There is no specific change you need to make once you go over a 100’ but just continue observing the mathematics and laws of physics. Specifically: length changes linearly, areas are squared, volume is cubed, and stability varies to the 4th exponent”.The innovative coachroof is beautiful yet functional, with an extra-large companionway leading to the saloon to give an idea of continuity with the cockpit. Innovation isn’t only in style, but also functionality; for example, helm stations have been moved forward and in a higher position to enhance visibility and control of the yacht, bringing the aft part of the cockpit completely available for sunbathing, relaxation, and the beach club area.The sail plan takes advantage of the brand’s experience in building performance cruiser yachts for efficiency and easily managed sailing. Any possibility, from a cruising-oriented in-boom furling to racing-square top mainsail, is available for the mainsail, while the long base of the fore triangle allows having up to four stays to divide the forward sail area.The interiors, designed by Nautor’s interior team and Misa Poggi, offer great livability and comfort for both the owner and guests. The yacht has an owner’s suite forward plus three guest cabins complete with private heads.The Swan 108 offers great privacy to both owner and crew, who have a separate area with three cabins and a crew mess.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
May 10, 2021
The team at Amels and Damen Yachting has announced the sale of the third Amels 200.This 60m Limited Editions design, an evolution of the Amels 188, has the unmistakable Tim Heywood’s exterior design. Whilst the Amels 200 shares much of the naval architecture, high volume (Gross Tonnage of 1,015) and hybrid electrical power technology as her predecessor, the design also benefits from the additional length. In line with the exterior design pedigree, the custom interiors will also be the work of an industry design master. The client has selected Winch Design for the interiors. For British design bureau this Amels 200 will be their first from this design series. "We are both proud and excited to be building this new 60m Amels 200 for our client. This is a yacht which combines original design and high volume with exceptional functionality to really provide the ultimate luxury yachting experience. We very much look forward to embarking on the build journey with them,” says Rob Luijendijk, Amels and Damen Yachting Sales Director.Earlier this year, Amels and Damen Yachting launched the first two Amels 200 which will be delivered to their owners in the coming months. As per the first two yachts from this design, this Amels 200 also features a four-deck elevator, air-conditioned gym on sun deck, large aft decks and swim platform and full-height windows in the owners suite. Volpini 2 was the first yacht delivered from the original Amels 188 design.The third Amels 200 is scheduled for delivery in early 2024. Damen Yachting, a division within the Damen Shipyards Group, was created in 2019. The division combines the pedigree and heritage of Amels yachts with a growing portfolio of SeaXplorer yachts and Yacht Support vessels.Credits: Amels
May 7, 2021
The Numarine 37XP hull #2 was sold by Denison Yachting broker Alex Clarke for a repeat Numarine owner. “I’m delighted to confirm that we have sold another superyacht in the successful XP Series and I would like to thank our partners, Denison Yachting, for what they did to make it happen,” said Ali Tanir, Sales and Marketing Manager of Numarine. “The American Market is our number one priority and with a great product and a strong partner we believe we are changing the game.”The Numarine 37XP is an expedition yacht. She has the same beam as the 32XP, yet four meters were added forward of the engine room bulkhead adding to the guest and crew accommodation volume as well as the upper deck and sky lounge. Hull #2 features a 6-cabin layout that can accommodate 14 guests plus crew accommodation for 9, including the captain’s cabin on the upper deck. Key highlights include a TV room on the lower deck, a hot tub on the upper sundeck, a huge boat deck that can carry a 28-foot tender and 3 jet skis and a designated beach club area back aft.She boasts an impressive 5,000 nautical mile range at 10 knots and 6000 nautical mile range at 8 knots.“It has been an absolute pleasure working with Numarine during this entire sales process. They are pushing hard to really establish themselves in the American market and this sale is a step in the right direction,” says Alex Clarke, Denison Yachting.The Numarine 37XP Hull #2 is scheduled for an April 2022 delivery.Numarine, the European high-performance motor-yacht shipyard, headquartered in Istanbul, offering a range of yachts from 19 to 45 meters.Credits: Numarine
May 7, 2021
ISA Super Sportivo 100ft GTO was launched at the Palumbo Superyachts Ancona shipyard. The exterior and the interior design were penned by Marco Casali (Too Design), the naval engineering was made by Palumbo Superyachts. In terms of performance she can reach the impressive speed of 50 knots thanks to her three MAN 2000 HP engines. The concept of ISA Super Sportivo 100ft GTO focuses on the maximum enhancement of the values of sportiness and seaworthiness in an open vessel.The sleek lines are accentuated by the high deep V-shaped bow and by the profile angle rapidly decreasing towards the aft. The sizeable open surfaces available forward and astern make it a unique product in its category, while the large opening glass panels of the hardtop still ensure maximum comfort even in the covered areas of the cockpit. The boat performance is stylistically amplified by the big air intakes playing a dynamic role when positioned above the hard top.The interior, available in several options from three to five guest cabins in addition to the two crew cabins, are totally customizable and characterized by a design aimed to maximise light and confer an iconic architecture on spaces.The ISA Super Sportivo 100ft GTO will premiere next September during the Cannes Yachting Festival 2021.Palumbo Superyachts began to take root in 2008, when the Columbus Yachts brand was established, and in 2011 launched its first 54 metre 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), and also operates the following brands: ISA Yachts, Columbus Yachts, Mondomarine and Palumbo SY Refit.Credits: Palumbo Superyachts
May 7, 2021