Top 7 stories of the week

Just a year after the Pershing's TØ Project was launched, what was announced as a new range of 25m to 40m boats destined to change the concept of sport yachting forever is close to becoming reality. The hull of the first 35m unit will arrive in Mondolfo in summer 2021. With its official debut scheduled for 2022, this new line of products, designed to combine the unbounded pleasure of the sea with Pershing’s unmistakable DNA, will join the celebrated Generation X. The new range is the result of a collaboration between Ferretti Group’s Product Strategy Committee led by Mr. Piero Ferrari; the Group’s Engineering Department; and Fulvio De Simoni, who has designed Pershing yachts since the very first one.Exclusive images reveal the work in progress on the model of the hull built at Ferretti Group’s Plug & Mould Plant: Pershing’s mix of innovation, cutting-edge technology and expert craftsmanship prepares to take the design and engineering challenges inherent in the TØ project to the next evolutionary level.The shipyard’s technicians use a variety of construction techniques in the process, including both traditional construction techniques and milled blocks. The last stage will include the bodywork and flanging phase to produce the final mould, which will be transferred to the end production site in a spectacular handling operation involving eight separate loads.Pershing is part of the Ferretti Group. This 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

Benetti is reporting on its success: the Yachtmaster, an event organised by Benetti for captains, crews and all yacht industry professionals involved in the life cycle of a superyacht, now in its 21st year, was held on February 18 and 19 in a phygital edition: more than 250 people connected to a specially created virtual platform in collaboration with Live Forum, to follow the online meetings, seminars and workshops. The new interactive format was a huge success and the Virtual Trade Show allowed Yachtmaster partner companies to showcase their products and communicate in real time with guests. The participants were able to set appointments with managers of different companies after the end of the Yachtmaster and before February 23.It kicked off with a welcome speech by Azimut|Benetti Group vice president Giovanna Vitelli, who emphasised the importance in the yacht world of an event like the Yachtmaster, which opens up a communication channel between yacht industry professionals and the shipyard. Azimut|Benetti Marketing Director Benedetta Moreno then spoke from the Benetti Museum Lounge about the Shipyard’s history.Marco Valle, Azimut|Benetti Group CEO, made an appearance at the end of the meeting to celebrate the live launch of a new 65m Benetti custom yacht.Marco Valle, Azimut|Benetti Group CEOAfter that, the Virtual Trade Show took place, and then it was time for the eagerly awaited Owner’s Team Perspective, which featured 63m Benetti custom yacht M/Y Metis and her Captain Frank Hesse, talking online from the yacht’s bridge about his experiences, career milestones, and life on board, as seen through the lens of sustainability. Benetti and its partners also led workshops for stewardesses and the crew, as well as a yoga session streamed live from the main deck of Luminosity, a 108m giga yacht which is the largest hybrid in the world and was built in Italy by a private shipyard. Benetti B.Yond has a new generation of Expedition yachts designed to have a reduced environmental impact and fitted with a hybrid propulsion system developed by Siemens for Azimut|Benetti. The focus then returned to the Virtual Trade Show and the Owner’s Team Perspective, with guest Clinton White, captain of the Masquenada yacht, who’s currently undergoing a refit at Lusben’s facilities in Livorno, where work is proceeding to extend the main and upper decks, to cut and extend the stern, and to refurbish the interiors.David Seal, Benedetta Moreno and the Benetti teamThe event was brought to an end with a closing speech by Benedetta Moreno and David Seal and a live comedy show with Jim Jefferies, comedian, actor and writer originally from Australia who, in his unmistakable style, commented ironically on everyday life and interacted with online participants.Founded in 1873, Benetti is the oldest Italian shipyard specializing in luxury yachts, an icon of timeless Italian style and construction excellence. Every yacht is unique, developed around its owner. Benetti designs, builds and sells vessels in composite materials from 29m to 44m and boats in steel and aluminium from 37m to more than 100m. The fleet consists of five categories: Class, Oasis, B.Yond, B.Now and Custom, designed to meet all the needs of the market. In Livorno and in the Viareggio Headquarters, as well as its direct offices in Fort Lauderdale, Dubai, Hong Kong and London, Benetti recruits highly skilled personnel throughout its productive units. It is part of the Azimut|Benetti Group, the largest privately owned luxury yachting group in the world.Credits: Benetti

Onda Tenders has shared new images of the Onda 321L limo tender of superyacht O'Pari. Onda’s 9.75m 321L limousine tender offers protected seating for up to ten passengers alongside such options as retractable skylights extending the full length of a cabin, high-tech audiovisual systems, refrigerators and espresso machines, and front or rear navigation consoles for guest privacy in the cabin. One of its latest 321L limousine tenders achieved a top speed of 42 knots during its sea trials, thanks to its innovative double-step, deep-V hull and lightweight, yet powerful propulsion system. The limousine’s pace is also down to Onda’s ultra-light lamination technique, which uses an innovative combination of composite materials, including carbon vinyl ester. Comfort onboard is assured thanks to extensive insulation minimizing noise and vibration for passengers. “We have always aimed to expand the possibilities for the limousine tender market,” comments George Riginos, Onda Tenders CEO. “Luxury finishes and exceptional craftsmanship are to be expected on a vessel of this caliber, but that shouldn’t be at the expense of speed, flexibility and practicality. Onda Tenders strives to build limousines that can offer them all to a new generation of discerning clients.”Onda shipyard was established in 1962 and is a leading Greek shipyard specialising in fast, luxurious motor yachts.Credits: Jeff Brown; Onda Tenders

Horizon shipyard has informed us about the third sale of the successful brand-new tri-deck FD92. FD Series were designed by Cor D. Rover and are characterized by a spacious interior and expansive windows to the High-Performance Piercing Bow and hull design. The latest FD92 features a five-stateroom layout with an on-deck master, crew quarters and a beach club. Outfitted in satin walnut with high-gloss wenge and oak accents, the main deck is laid out in the traditional configuration, with the main salon aft and formal dining and galley amidships. The master stateroom encompasses the yacht’s 23’ 3” beam and features a his-and-hers en suite. The television is fitted within a stylish full-height leather wall panel and a leather love seat to port invites relaxation while enjoying the views afforded by the large stateroom windows. Throughout the main and upper decks, electric window treatments provide shade and privacy when desired.The lower deck foyer is equipped with a mini bar to service the three queen and convertible twin staterooms. The televisions have all been fitted within full-height leather wall panels. The beach club offers a bar with two fixed stools and a large convertible sofa/daybed.On the upper deck, the enclosed skylounge houses the helm station, lounge seating with an organic shaped coffee table, and a dayhead. The boat deck aft houses a fully equipped bar with stools, icemaker and refrigeration, while the large jacuzzi tub with its own bar counter and stools can be covered to serve as an additional sunpad. A tender or two jet skis can be stowed furthest aft and replaced with lounge seating when launched.Powered by twin MTU 10V2000 M96L engines of 1,600hp each, the latest FD92 is scheduled to make its debut in the United States in April 2021.Horizon Yacht, a subsidiary company of Horizon Group, was co-founded in 1987 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Since then, Horizon has become the leading Asian yacht brand in the luxury yacht market.Credits: Horizon Yacht

The US Austin Parker Yachts has announced the sale of the first hull in its 27m Ibiza 85 series.The Ibiza 85 represents the shipyard’s flagship with its 27 (89’) meters in length.Sporting features encompassing class, distinctive style, innovative solutions with design and technological proposals were made in close partnership with the Fulvio De Simoni Yacht Design. Austin Parker Yachts mentioned that all these features make Ibiza 85 ‘the ideal boat for more mature owners’. The cockpit is equipped with a sundeck, and, under it, there is a hangar housing the tender and other accessories, as well as a dining area with a central table and ten seats.Under a streamlined hardtop there are sofas and furniture equipped to serve the dining area and refrigerators and freezers.A 7m beam, combined with the 27m L.O.A. of the boat, allows five independent cabins, each equipped with a bathroom and shower, a large kitchen and accommodation for three crew members.Ibiza 85 can reach a top speed of 45 knots, and her cruising speed varies between 38 and 40 knots. The first unit is scheduled to launch in June 2022.Austin Parker offers a range of vessels with more contemporary architectural solutions, with slanting sterns, low over the water, that give an even sleeker profile to the familiar Austin Parker hull with its high, solid bows. A modern, individual look was made under the direction of Italian firm Fulvio De Simoni Yacht Design. The range comprises three walk-around models, Ibiza 38′, Ibiza 44′ and Ibiza 52′; two motor yacht models Mahòn 46′ and Mahòn 52′; and the larger flying bridge line and two Palma 62′ and Palma 66′models. The Austin Parker offering is completed by two designs of larger yachts: Ibiza 85 WA in fiberglass and AL 86 flying bridge in aluminium, both with innovative, functional design, and intended for the discerning owner looking for a vessel that will respond to their passions for yachting.Credits: Austin Parker