Spotted

A part of Damen’s SeaXplorer series, the 77-metre explorer superyacht La Datcha is currently being outfitted at Damen and Amels' Vlissingen facility in the Netherlands. While her delivery is scheduled to autumn 2020, interior renderings of the project have been revealed.The innovative 77-metre luxury expedition yacht was ordered by a Russian billionaire banker, Oleg Tinkov, whose net worth is estimated at $2.2 billion by Forbes. The first private luxurious ice breaker, capable of exploring the furthest destinations is set to become a part of his La Datcha collection.The yacht features exteriors by Azure Yacht Design, along with interiors by the owner’s choice of designer, Vasiliy Shprits studio, that has also designed many of the owner’s residential properties.La Datcha derives from SeaXplorer expedition yacht design customised to the owner’s special requirements, including his passion for heliskiing. She comes with a helideck and hangar for two aircrafts, fully certified for helicopters up to 4,000 kg.The yacht is trademarked with extra provision facility, enabling up to 40 days of global autonomy without port call. Thanks to generous storage spaces, a wide range of equipment and tenders can be housed on-board, including 2 helicopters, 1 submarine, 1 VIP tender / rescue boat, 1 beach lander tender, 1 dive support tender, 4 waverunners, 2 expedition ribs and 2 snowscooters.Within interior volume of 2,560 GT, La Datcha SeaXplorer 77 offers accommodation to up to 12 guests across six cabins, along with a crew of 25. The layout will comprise two master suites and two VIPs. The yacht’s custom interior will feature full height windows of the observation lounge, main saloon and the owner’s suite and an observation deck upstairs. Expedition Yacht 77 will come with two hot water Jacuzzis — indoors and outdoors, a sauna and steam bath, massage room and a fully equipped gym.The yacht’s delivery is scheduled to September 2020, ahead of the Monaco Yacht Show. After delivery, Mr. Tinkov intends to make La Dacha available for charter in a range of polar and tropical destinations during an extensive two-year global tour. According to Tinkov’s interview with Forbes, charter price will be starting from €690 million per week.

Delivered to her assumed owner Jerry Jones in January 2019, the 109-metre superyacht Bravo Eugenia was built by Dutch shipyard Oceanco. After several months at Rotterdam facility and a few days of sea trials, the vessel has been seen on her way to Haugesund, Norway.Photo via Dutch YachtingBravo Eugenia’s reported owner is US billionaire and owner of the Dallas Cowboys NFL franchise, Jerry Jones, what makes her one of the largest superyachts ever owned by sports teams’ owners. Having made his wealth in the oil industry, Jones is estimated at $8.3 billion. Meanwhile, Dallas Cowboys acquired by Jones for $150,000,000 in 1989, currently worth $5 billion.Bravo Eugenia, one of the largest yachts ever built in the Netherlands, was conceived in collaboration between Oceanco and Lateral Naval Architects. The vessel is claimed to be one of the pioneers of the so called LIFE (Lengthened, Innovative, Fuel Efficient, Eco Friendly) design, featuring a reduction in the overall demand for propulsion power.Photo via Dutch YachtingNuvolari Lenard developed her exteriors with extended waterline, fuel-efficient hull design and slender elegance stipulated by the LIFE Design among key trademarks. She comes with extended waterline and fuel-efficient hull design.The 109-metre's interiors were developed by Reymond Langton, with an expected over 4,000GT volume stretching across a 16.3-metre beam. She can accommodate up to 14 guests catered by a crew of 30.Powered by a hybrid propulsion system, the yacht is capable of reaching a top speed of 17.5 knots. Bravo Eugenia is also fitted with an exclusive 'whisper mode' to avoid disturbing surrounding yachts when entering and exiting ports.

The largest private sailing ketch in the world, the 86-metre superyacht Aquijo has been seen arriving in Antigua to take part in Antigua Charter Yacht Show taking place December 4-9.Video: Dutch YachtingThe 6th largest sailing superyacht in the world, Aquijo was built in 2016 out of collaboration between two Dutch shipyards, Oceanco and Vitters. Vitters developed a custom steering system specially for Aquijo. It transmits the hydrodynamic forces on the rudder blades directly to the steering wheels on the flybridge, thus providing the helmsman with immediate feedback and a feeling for how the yacht is moving through the water. German studio Dölker + Voges was responsible for her interior design, whilst Tripp Design Naval Architecture styled her exterior. The yacht comprises 4 decks and accommodates up to 12 guests across 17 cabins. On-board, Aquijo offers space and amenities normally seen on motor yachts, comprising guest elevator, interior and exterior dining for up to 24 people, 3 outdoor bars and a beach club with steam room, sauna and ocean view Jacuzzi. craftsmanship.The package of Aquijo’s toys and tenders includes and does not confine to 3 tender boats, 1 jet ski, 4 kayaks, 2 wakeboard, 3 water skis, 3 stand up paddle boards, 8 diving packs etc.Featuring a mast of of 90 metres, Aquijo boasts a maximum speed of 17.5 knots.The vessel is available for charter from EUR 450,000 per week in winter season.Photos via Y.CO.

Italian yard Rosetti Superyachts has introduced its latest superyacht concept, the 65-metre explorer superyacht Project Orca. Collaborating with Trieste-based Meccano Engineering, responsible for naval architecture, engineering and exteriors of the project, the designers drew inspiration from the natural world.The vessel’s name comes after the orca, the largest and most powerful killer whale. They are recognisable through distinctive black-and-white colouring and a capable of crossing waters from the Arctic and Antarctic to the Tropics, what Project Orca is conceived to do, too. One of the key features corresponding with the nature, is the typical white side patch of an orca that lays at the owner’s deck level and can be illuminated at night. Bearing “strong supply vessel characteristics”, the vessel would come with bold superstructure styling with wrap-around glazing, a radar mast resembling a dorsal fin. Rosetti Superyachts CEO and chairman Fulvio Dodich commented:We have already done the concept engineering and completed the technical specifications for Project Orca, and if we sell the boat tomorrow and want to make a start on it, we can begin construction.The vessel would boast a generous 12-metre beam and interior volume of approximately 1,300 GT. The four-deck superyacht with a tank deck on top, Project Orca would allow her owners to choose among several deck configurations. The 65-metre can accommodate up to 12 guests across six cabins, with the capacity to sleep a crew of 12. The cabins layout would comprise a master suite, a full-beam VIP on the main deck, with two VIPs and two cabins underneath. The dedicated owner’s deck would have his and hers en-suite bathrooms, a walk-in wardrobe, gym and large private terrace.In the standard configuration, the yacht has open main deck in the stern to house an extra tender and toys, including snow sledges, and a touch-and-go helipad. Alternatively, the area could comprise a centrally-laid infinity pool, a heli-hangar, or raised helipad with a pool and spa zone or lounge beneath.A large garage aft on the lower deck can either store two large tenders or host a number of water toys such as jet skis. Additionally, upon the owner’s choice half of the garage can be modified to a beach club. Meanwhile, other sunbathing areas, dining facilities and a bar can be found on spacious sun deck.Propelled by twin CAT 3512 1398kW engines, Project Orca would be able to cover 5,000 miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots, with a potential to extend the range up to 7,000 nautical miles.Fulvio Dodich stated that the yard had been negotiating the project with several potential customers. Rosetti estimates, construction of the first Project Orca would take 36 months once a deal is closed.

The winners of the 10th annual ‘Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image’ contest were announced last week. The photographic exhibition seeks to recognise the best yacht racing images taken during a past year.This year, photographers from 29 countries around the world submitted 133 shots. The voting was held among international jury, Internet users and 300 delegates of the Yacht Racing Forum that took place in Bilbao on November 25-26. Photo: Loris von SiebentalThe winner of the main prize this year, granted by the professional jury, is Swiss photographer Loris von Siebental, for a shot from the Bol d’Or Mirabaud regatta on Lake Geneva.The judges awarded the second place to Sharon Green (the USA) for her portrait of the Volvo 70 Wizard.Photo: Sharon GreenIan Roman (the UK) holds the third position this year, having captured a rollover of an American catamaran F50 during the SailGP series stage in Cowes (UK).Photo: Ian RomanMeanwhile, Yacht Racing Forum forum participants in Bilbao, voted over the TOP-20 shots already picked by the jury.According to delegates’ vote, Loris von Siebenthal should have received only the third place. Most of all, the audience was charmed by the water shield in front of the little O’pen Bic of the young yachtsman, captured by Italian photographer Martine Orsini.Photo: Martine OrsiniThe second place was awarded to Orsini’s compatriot Fabio Taccola, who had pictured two participants of the 151 Miglia regatta in Pisa.Photo: Fabio TaccolaAs to the Internet users, they had to choose the best photos from the list of TOP-80, also selected by the jury. Approximately 18,000 votes were counted, while the website recorded more than 288,000 page views. Noteworthy, the results of that vote appeared to be radically different from the choice of judges and delegates.Of the three works that received the highest number of votes online, only one photograph can be found in the jury’s top-20. It is a shot a young yachtsman by Matias Capizzano (Argentina).Photo: Matias CapizzanoThe best shot of this year, according to Internet users, is a work by Tom Coehoorn (Holland). The author depicted De Zes Gebroeders boat nearly falling over due to a strong gust of wind during the Skûtsjesilen yn de Wâlden regatta on Lake Bergümermer in the Netherlands.Photo: Tom CoehoornBrigi Török from Hungary, who shot the storm during the Bol d’Or Mirabaud regatta, holds the second position in the public vote.Photo: Brigi Török