1. Project Solar starts sea trials in the Netherlands
Project Solar, the 105-meter headed for the title of the largest sailing yacht in the world upon her delivery, has embarked on sea trials at the end of January near Rotterdam before returning to the shipyard. Launched in September 2016, Project Solar, also known as hull Y712, was designed by Nuvolari Lenard with naval architecture by Dykstra who had previously worked on the 88-meter Maltese Falcon. With a three rotating mast structure, similar to the Maltese Falcon, Project Solar is expected to be delivered within the first quarter of this year.
New York based Gill Schmid Design in collaboration with Tim Dempers Studio from Cape Town, has recently presented 90m ice-class explorer. Named Taboo, she is designed for an adventure seeking owner. Taboo hosts an open double height tender bay with an A-frame lifting arrangement, and a helicopter landing pad with a retractable fully enclosed helicopter garage. Taboo's alluring amenities include two jacuzzis, the extensive guest gym & spa area, a cocktail lounge, expansive beach club and pool area, guest lounges and an aft summer house which can operate either as another exquisite lounge space, additional VIP guest quarters, or casino. Moreover, the yacht boasts a glass pool lined either side with exotic aquariums.
As Feadship superyacht Aquarius, the 2013-built Solandge has been spotted in Fort Lauderdale, the USA. 85m yacht was launched at Lurssen to world acclaim. She is based on a modern 80m hull and engineering platform similar to Phoenix2, Ace and Quattroelle. Solandge’s exterior design is the work of Espen Oeino, who has successfully created harmonious lines and balanced proportions that encase a vast selection of versatile outdoor living, dining and entertainments areas. Her panoramic top deck plays host to a beach club area with customized dance floor, Jacuzzi and bar while the bridge deck is ideal for relaxation and casual al fresco dining with a spacious seating area. On the bridge deck there is also a fully-equipped health spa featuring massage room, sauna and gymnasium leading out onto a glass-edged plunge pool.
As Feadship superyacht Aquarius and Lurssen's Solandge, explorer yacht Luna has also been spotted in the USA, but in Miami. Measuring 115m, Luna was launched as the world's largest expedition yacht in 2010 by Lloyd Werft and Stahlbau Nord Shipyards. She has an interior styled by Donald Starkey, whilst Newcruise Design is responsible for superyacht's exterior.
In recent years explorers have become a particularly popular class amongst new superyacht deliveries, reason being that they allow their owners to cruise to places that may be inaccessible otherwise, places where one would not expect to find yachts such as polar regions. Several yachts have however already been exploring those regions.
The Monaco Grand Prix is arguably the most publicized event of the Formula 1 season. Held this year between the 25-28th May, the Monaco GP will attract 200,000 visitors, the best way to watch the race is however of course from a yacht in Port Hercules. The track stretches through the Principality of Monaco and a large portion of the race actually takes place in the area surrounding the city's main marina, Port Hercules. Securing a good yacht with a trackside berth in Monaco during the event isn't easy, but it is possible to obtain a prestigious position along the Quai des Etats Unis.
Oceanco's highly confidential 88.5m superyacht, Y715, has been lowered into the water in Keppel Veroime 2 months ago. Since then we have received the photos of the superyacht undergoing her first sea trials and returning to the Dutch yard's facility in Alblasserdam afterwards. Launched at the end of October, she has a beam of 14.5m and a draft of 3.95m. Exterior styling and interior design are by Sam Sorgiovanni Designs.
Newly founded yacht builder HSY Yachts to build a 56m superyacht due for launch in summer 2019. Destined for an American client, the vessel will commence in Antalya’s Free Zone next month. The superyacht features the exterior styling from Unique Yacht Design, the studio behind the two 80m projects currently in build at Bilgin Yachts. As for accommodation, 12 guests can be carried in 6 cabins including a main-deck full-beam owner’s cabin, an upper deck VIP near the captain’s cabin and 4 guest cabins on the lower deck. A crew of 11 can be accommodated in 6 cabins located on the lower deck as well.
Launched at Icon Yachts in Harlingen in March 2016, 77,4m yacht Legend has been spotted in Antarctica. With naval architecture and exterior styling by Diana Yacht Design, interiors by Thom Beerens and Jan Verkerk, Legend represents an explorer yacht, which was extensively refitted and renovated. Originally constructed in 1974 by the IHC Holland shipyard, the tranformation into an icebreaking passenger ship with a 1B-Swedish / Finish classification took place at Icon Yachts. Moreover, the vessel was lengthened in the stern by 3,6m, whilst her superstructure was completely redesigned and her mast rebuilt. Legend boasts a dark grey hull, which makes her stand out in the arctic regions.
Originally introduced during the 2016 Cannes Yachting Festival as project 777 - this new yacht, which will be known as Canados 808 Maximus, is currently under construction and will be officially presented to the public in September 2017 during the autumn boat shows. The first unit has been sold and will be based in Palma de Mallorca.
Damen Yachting has confirmed the sale of the third hull of Amels 80. This Amels 80, with exterior design by Espen Oeino, will be customized with a number of spectacular unique features. The owner has appointed a well-known design team for the custom interiors and all details remain confidential.The latest 80-meter Amels Limited Editions design to be built under the name Project Zurich and is scheduled for delivery to her new owner in 2026. "It is almost a year to the date since we introduced the Amels 80. The fact that we have seen not only positive reactions to the design since the launch but also a strong sales foothold within the first 12 months are a true testament to her modern design and trusted build pedigree. I am very much looking forward to embarking on the build journey with this experienced client," says Jan van Hogerwou, Commercial Executive of Damen Yachting, who worked with the client throughout the sales process.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: Damen Yachting
March 31, 2023
Royal Huisman has shared the new images of the sailing yacht Sea Eagle II, which was launched in 2020. With over 45,000 nm under her keel, the 81m earned her place alongside the shipyard’s Athena in the elite club of the world’s 10 largest sailing yachts. Sea Eagle II was designed by Dykstra Naval Architects and Mark Whiteley Design. Her very long waterline and powerful Panamax rig ensure effortless, mile-eating performance. On her sail trials, she comfortably recorded 21.5 knots in a moderate breeze. Despite her massive sail area (2,580 sqm; 3552 sqm), all three mainsails can easily be hoisted at once – taking no more time than required for a sloop of half this size. The efficiency of this sail management system understates the technical challenges behind it, and a result of cooperation of an ‘A Team’ of Dykstra, Rondal, Carbo-Link and Doyle Sails. The inspiration behind Sea Eagle II was her visionary owner, who began to formulate his ideas while circumnavigating his first yacht, the 43m Sea Eagle I, also built by Royal Huisman (and now exploring the world again as Ravenger, under new ownership). The brief for Sea Eagle II was to create an extremely comfortable and spacious yacht with good sea keeping and exceptional amenities for both guests and crew. She had to offer outstanding passage-making performance so that the owner could take in as much of the world under sail as possible. She had to be a true sailor’s yacht – practical, powerful, safe and easily managed. Finally, she had to be functional, favoring simplicity and reliability over unnecessary frills.“Continual innovation, accumulated expertise and rigorous self-challenge have come together through our highly skilled and dedicated team to produce Athena, Sea Eagle II and, currently in-build, the world’s largest sloop, the 85 m New World Sloop aka Project 410. Other breath-taking concepts, APEX 850 and WING100, are also generating considerable interest worldwide. Each example just awaits a visionary individual who will desire the opportunity to transform a revolutionary, true sailing yacht into reality. The next Royal Huisman supersized sailing yacht would be welcomed into the ranks of the world’s top 10. She will join the existing Royal Huisman-built, thoroughbred ‘supersized sailing yachts’, and – with our continuous increase of expertise – she would be our finest yet,” says Jan Timmerman, Royal Huisman’s CEO. Royal Huisman is a Dutch shipyard established in 1884 in Ronduite, building and refitting custom luxury sailing and motor yachts at its shipyard in Vollenhove, the Netherlands.Credits: Tim McKenna/Royal Huisman
March 31, 2023
Northrop & Johnson has announced the appointment of Rebecca Cutter as Charter Manager. Rebecca, originally from England, brings over two decades of experience in the yachting industry to her new role. Rebecca will be based out of Northrop & Johnson’s Antibes office.Rebecca CutterRebecca stumbled upon the yachting industry in 1996 while living in Antibes, France. She is now responsible for managing and promoting the booking calendars for the Northrop & Johnson European Charter Fleet. Her primary responsibilities include liaising with fleet owners, captains, and retail charter brokers to provide exceptional yachting experiences to both new and existing clients.Northrop & Johnson’s Antibes officeRebecca spent 22 years with Bluewater, learning everything she knows about the industry, and is excited to embark on a new challenge with Northrop & Johnson's European team. Credits: Northrop & Johnson
March 31, 2023
The Italian Sea Group has delivered the first Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 in Sydney, Australia. The yacht, the first one finished in Acheso Gray, with its unmistakable super sporty silhouette, reached Port Jackson, one of the most renowned attractions in the city and located in the heart of Sydney Bay.The debut of this innovative motor yacht in the Australian continent, is an important milestone for the Group, in line with its business expansion plan in the Asia Pacific, agreed upon and supported by Automobili Lamborghini. TISG's strategy continues along with the growth of the Australian market, which, according to the Guardian, will reach 8% of the global yacht market within the next three years."We are very proud of the success Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 is having in the Pacific, an area that offers interesting growth opportunities for all the Group's brands, in line with our international development strategy," comments Giovanni Costantino, Founder & CEO of The Italian Sea Group. "The commercial success of this project and partnership with Automobili Lamborghini goes on, and the next sales will be delivered in the second half of 2024."Further deliveries of the Tecnomar For Lamborghini motor yacht are also planned in the Australian continent in 2023 and 2024.The Italian Sea Group’s Tecnomar brand produces and commercializes yachts in steel and aluminum up to 50 meters. Founded in 1987 and acquired by the Italian Sea Group in 2009, Tecnomar has launched 289 yachts through the years, also thanks to the Tecnomar Evo line, which has earned a great success in the Asian market. Credits: The Italian Sea Group
March 31, 2023
In the beginning of March Lürssen technically launched the 144-meter Project Cosmos in a construction site in Rendsburg. The construction started in 2020, making the 114-meter vessel one of the largest yachts currently in development. The megayacht features exterior and interior design by Australian designer Marc Newson. She spreads across four decks and has a large aft deck, a swimming pool, an observation lounge and helipad. She will be the first Lürssen yacht to feature fuel cell technology on board. Project Cosmos is scheduled for delivery in 2025.Lürssen is a German shipyard with headquarters in Bremen-Vegesack and shipbuilding facilities in Lemwerder, Berne and Bremen-Aumund. Founded in 1875, Lürssen is one of the world's leading builders of custom luxury superyachts and has launched many of the largest yachts in the global fleet.Credits: Video by OneHouseMedia/Lürssen YouTube
March 30, 2023