Enigma, the 74.5-meter superyacht built as Eco in 1991 by German shipyard, Blohm+Voss for the late Mexican businessman, Emilio Azcarraga, has now sold at a last recorded asking price of €47,5 million, less than a year after coming on the market.
Extremely controversial when first launched in 1991, Eco was designed by Martin Francis at the request of the late Mexican media entrepreneur, Emilio Azcarraga, primarily known for owning the largest Spanish-language television network in the US and Mexico.
Despite being first designed for speeds of only 25 knots, the project for Eco was upgraded with a gas turbine to increase her maximum speed over 30 knots. A major technological challenge, Eco boasted the largest KaMeWa waterjet ever built at the time.
Searching for an art deco look for Eco's interior, Azcarraga recruited Francois Zuretti, the designer then known for his work in the Mamounia hotel in Marrakesh, to design the interior of the yacht, as his first ever marine project. Zuretti was not the only yacht designer to get his start on Eco as both Espen Oeino and Dan Lenard worked on the Eco project at some point during its development.
Although refitted since, the original aft deck configuration of Eco gave her the ability to carry a Riva Aquarama, a turbo-prop float plane as well as Harley Davidson. Regularly crossing the Atlantic, Azcarraga even acquired a small tanker to refuel her in the middle of crossings when powered by the gas turbine.
In 1999, two years after the death of Azcarraga, Eco was sold to American billionaire and founder of Oracle, Larry Ellison who renamed the yacht to Katana. Ellison also refitted the yacht, adding a basketball court aft of the main deck. The yacht later served as a mothership to his America's Cup campaign in New Zealand.
Five years later Ellison took delivery of the 138-meter Rising Sun (later sold to Dreamworks founder, David Geffen), which led to him selling Katana to British media entrepreneur, Aidan Barclay, owner of the Telegraph newspaper, who renamed the yacht to Enigma.
The yacht was then refitted in 2009 and then again in 2014 by the Barclay brothers. In August 2016, Barclay listed Enigma for sale at an asking price of €47,500,000 and her sale has now been confirmed without any price reductions announced. Following the sale, the yacht was renamed to Zeus.
The only yacht to have born the Zeus name in the past is the 3rd hull of the Mangusta 165 series, delivered in 2009, amidst the bankruptcy crisis of the shipyard's parent company Rodriguez, and currently on the market at an undisclosed asking price. In 2009, the 50-meter Zeus was asking just under €30 million.
The twenty-sixth hull of Custom Line Navetta 33 has entered the water at the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard in Ancona. This elegant displacement superyacht with an overall length of 33 meters and a beam of 7.52 meters entered the water on March 15th in the presence of the owner family from the Americas and all Custom Line’s employees.This model is the result of collaboration between the Strategic Product Committee, which handled the exterior styling, and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department, whose architects and designers created the interiors, with strategic interior design consulting provided by the Custom Line Atelier.The latest addition to the superyacht scene boasts an interior design, featuring pale color tones ranging from beige to various shades of green. Custom Line Atelier's team of architects and the rest of the shipyard's project group worked closely with the owner to fully customize the spaces, creating a seamless and harmonious flow between the interiors and exteriors. The yacht's furnishings were carefully selected according to the owner's wishes, in collaboration with top design brands, and the use of refined materials such as Taj Mahal marble in shades of beige and lacquered wood further enhance the yacht's luxurious feel.The yacht's attention to detail is unparalleled, ensuring an unforgettable cruising experience for guests. Every aspect of the yacht has been carefully considered, from the design of the furnishings to the choice of materials, resulting in a genuinely refined and elegant vessel.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
March 27, 2023
Ahoy Club has announced the appointment of Katya Hall as Commercial Director, USA, as part of their ongoing expansion in the United States. A highly experienced sales and charter broker with over 15 years in the superyacht industry, Katya will lead the Sales Brokerage, Charter Retail, and Central Agency streams of the business, furthering the brand's growth outside of Australia and Europe.Katya HallEllie Malouf, CEO of Ahoy Club, commented on the new appointment: "Katya's market knowledge, experience, and passion for customer service closely align with our company values. We're excited to have her join us on our journey as we expand our brand globally."Ahoy Club at the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2023 Ahoy Club offers a portfolio of superyachts, megayachts, and villas, combined with personal concierge services, providing unique customer experiences such as access to bucket list events, exclusive offers, and brand partnerships. The company's vision is to create memories that last a lifetime, and with the appointment of Katya Hall, they are confident in delivering exceptional customer service and experiences to clients.73m Coral Ocean is available for charter with Ahoy Club With offices in Sydney, Golfe Juan, Monaco, and soon to be Miami, Ahoy Club continues to establish itself as a leader in the luxury yachting industry, with a commitment to customer satisfaction and innovation.Credits: Ahoy Club
March 27, 2023
Fraser Yachts has sold the Project Virtus XP Hull #01 (53M/173’, Mengi Yay). David Legrand and Alain Auvare from Fraser Monaco represented the seller, while Mengi Yay brought the buyer.The 52.6m yacht boasts features fit for the demands of discerning clients in search of a go-anywhere and elegant vessel, including a helipad, pool deck, master bridge deck, guest main deck, gym, and ample tender storage. This explorer yacht, penned by designer Paolo Dose fromVYD Studio and engineered by Dutch Van Oossanen Naval Architects, combines the Virtus experience with the exhilarating features of the Explorer line.The Mengi Yay Virtus Explorer XP superyacht provides accommodation for up to ten guests across five staterooms, including a master stateroom on the main deck with a king-sized bed and a private foredeck. Nine crew members are on hand to attend to guests' needs.Notable features onboard the Mengi Yay Virtus Explorer XP yacht include a helipad, pool deck, gym, and tender storage. Powered by twin Caterpillar engines, the 498 GT motor yacht has an expected top speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots. Hull #02 is now available for sale and is currently in-build with an expected delivery date of 2025. Mengi Yay Yachts was founded in 1964 in Turkey. Now the company owns one of the largest (19,365 sqm) yards that were specifically designed for the refit and refurbishment of existing craft as well as the manufacturing of the new motor and sailing yachts. Credits: Fraser
March 27, 2023
Aras Kazar once again surprises the public by presenting his new trimaran concept called Wakinyan, which is a Lakota word for "thunder." The word is usually translated as "Thunder Spirits", "Thunder Beings," or "Thunder Birds".The trimaran, which can be easily called a floating bird, is 130 meters long with a 26m beam and total width of 38 meters. The interior offers a soft and gentle color solution. The trimaran has five bedrooms and one master suite. Wakinyan notable features included the pool on the aft, a spa inside. Thanks to the full glass decks the guests will have almost 360 views with lots of natural light for the interior.Wakinyan is not one of those boring slow superyachts, says European designer, she is equipped with all-electric and hydrofoil technology that she can reach a maximum speed of 32 knots. Recently, the вesigner has spoiled us with his futuristic concepts, including 150m Ono and 66m Noy.Credits: Aras Kazar
March 24, 2023
Princess Yachts has introduced the new Princess S80 to the S Class. Inspired by urban living, the S80 provides a sense of contemporary elegance, with a single level main deck, flowing furniture and sophisticated detailed interiors. The 25.43-meter model has been designed by the shipyard's team with the Olesinski and Pininfarina. The Princess S80 yacht follows her predecessor, the S72, which debuted at boot Düsseldorf this January. She features full-length windows along her main deck that extend to her cockpit canopy to provide a sheltered area from the sun. The interior is available in four different wood options. The cockpit can be equipped with seating including adjustable twin upholstered L-shaped seats which can manually slide in-board, outboard and forward facing alongside twin coffee tables and twin aft sun pads which flank the teak-capped stairs leading to the spacious electro-hydraulic bathing platform.The all-new S80 can accommodate eight guests below the deck, including a full-beam owner’s stateroom amidships, via a private lobby area in the lower companion way. Thanks to the twin MAN engines she can reach 34 knots and delivers an excellent driving experience. British yacht builder Princess Yachts was founded in 1965, manufacturing fibreglass yachts ranging from 13 to 40 meters in length. Its parent company is the French luxury group LVMH. Credits: Princess Yachts
March 24, 2023