The hidden forces in yachting

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

80m superyacht Grand Ocean built in Germany by Bloom + Voss is currently undergoing an extensive refit at the Greek yard SSH Maritime. Among other things, the refit works will include a 5.5-metre extension at the aft, following solid interior refit in 2017. Grand Ocean is an explorer-style yacht with spacious comfort in mind. Built in 1990, the yacht originally featured sophisticated exterior design and engineering by Platou Architects along with interiors by Alberto Pinto, trademarked with spectacular views and the ability to transform the huge mosaic outdoor swimming pool into a dance floor.The yacht’s 2017 refit was managed by naval architect Vasilis Lagogiannis, while inner décor was sensitively updated under the supervision of Sofia Mandouvalou of SSH design team.During the works, main-deck dressing room was added, the yacht’s superb aft-deck swimming pool upgraded and refurbished with new ceilings, though retaining separate areas for lounging, sunbathing and dining. The yacht also boasts a hexagonal spa pool at the superyacht sundeck.Grand Ocean offers accommodation on-board for 14 guests within seven cabins, along with entertaining space for many more and 29 crew members. For instance, the main-deck dining room features seating space for up to 18 guests around a large wooden table. Meanwhile, the yacht’s master cabin features en-suite bathroom and elegant décor with upgraded, linen, wallpaper and ceiling fabrics.Guests on-board Grand Ocean can enjoy an intimate upper deck lounge and a more expansive upper deck saloon. Light upholstery combined with warm woodwork and arched windows create a light airy atmosphere, complemented by the on-board piano.Grand Ocean boasts a cruising speed of 16 knots, a maximum speed of 18 knots and a range of 9,100 nautical miles. The yacht is listed for sale via SSH Martime asking € 49,000,000.SSH Maritime is a full-service yachting company specialising in management, refits, sales, charter and new builds. Covering a global reach in Europe, the USA, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Asia, SSH offers insights on selling, chartering and managing large yachts. The yard has also recently successfully completed a €4,000,000 on 51-metre explorer yacht Aspire.

Taiwan yacht builder Horizon Yachts has signed a contract for a new-build FD87 hull, becoming the fourteenth unit in the series.The 26.5-metre vessel specified as a Skyline version, was commissioned by US customers. They have previously built and owned a 27.24 metre Horizon E88. The yacht will become the fourth FD87 delivered to US clients within 18 months.This FD87 hull will feature a unique main-deck layout, where the owners specified a large country kitchen forward in place of an on-deck master. The yacht's accommodation space will be placed to the lower deck, comprising a full-beam master suite amidships and two VIPs forward and to starboard. The exterior deck space of FD87 will be maximised from the spacious aft main deck dining and lounging area to a Jacuzzi tub for 8 persons forward of the pilothouse. The yacht will also feature an enclosed skylounge extending aft into a protected exterior bar area with lounge zone and tender storage.The 26-metre is scheduled for delivery in summer 2020; the owners plan to cruise her along the U.S. East Coast, Bahamas and beyond.Meanwhile, the Taiwan-based builder has been recently honoured with the “Best Asian Yacht Builder” award for the 13th time. The annual Asia Boating Awards ceremony was held on in Singapore, organised by Asia-Pacific Boating magazine and China Boating magazine. The event, established in 2005, is considered the most renowned yachting awards in Asia-Pacific region.