Why we're in the golden age of megayachts

Little has created as much controversy amongst yacht brokers in recent years as Ian Malouf's Ahoy Club. According to the serial yacht owner, this reaction was not only expected but made the charter platform know overnight. "I couldn't have spent $10 million on an advertising campaign like this" Malouf commented.After starting Dial a Dump Industries in 1984 with a single truck, Malouf grew the business into one of the largest waste management groups in Australia. In 2019, Bingo Industries acquired the company from Malouf for $578 million. By that time however, he had escalated his life-long passion - yachting - into a full scale business venture - Ahoy Club.The Maloufs came up with the idea for Ahoy Club in 2015, at that point they had already taken the step up from a 22-meter Princess to the 54-meter Baglietto, Mischief. Ahoy's goal was to improve on the charter experience for both clients and yacht owners, which it built into its digital platform that launched in 2018.Ahoy Club's launch in 2018 was met with stiff discontent from the yacht brokerage industry, an uproar that can be heard up until today. In his first hour-long interview, Ian Malouf has described this reaction as "perfectly expected". According to the serial yacht owner, their competitors have made them instantly known, something they would have taken 10 years to do by themselves.

The fourth unit of Mangusta GranSport 33 hits the water and will be delivered to her American owner over the next few weeks. The 228GT Mangusta GranSport 33 yacht offers accommodation up to 12 guests, including a 40 sq. m master cabin at the bow of the main deck. The Mangusta GranSport line, penciled by Alberto Mancini – which also includes larger models of 45 and 54 meters in length – has been engineered by Overmarine Group.This model features the sun deck, which covers a 56 sq. m surface and has been thought out with an eye to the guests’ entertainment and relaxation, including a large lounge, a fully-equipped sunbathing area and, forward, a hot tub.The extensible aft platform is another distinctive element on this vessel. The garage, also located aft, is hidden from the view by a garage blind, and can fit a tender up to 5.65 m and two jet-skis.The Mangusta GranSport 33 is the entry level among composite fast displacement yachts. This model comes with a latest-generation propulsion system consisting of 4 Volvo Penta D13 735kW (~1000HP) engines coupled with 4 IPS pods, ensuring outstanding efficiency and extraordinary maneuverability. Thanks to this system, the Mangusta GranSport 33 can cruise at a maximum speed of 25 knots, at a cruising speed of 21 knots the yacht’s range increases to 330 nautical miles. Overmarine Group was founded in 1985 by the Balducci family. The shipyard builds open and displacement power superyachts under the Mangusta and Mangusta Oceanco brand names. Credits: Overmarine Group

Heesen Yachts has recently announced that the ownership of its company is once again 100 percent Dutch. The shares of the company have been transferred to an independent Dutch Foundation. As the shipyard said in a statement, the total sum of shares has been transferred from the group's holding company to an independent Dutch Foundation to "guarantee the successful future of the shipyard and the continuity of employment for the highly qualified employees of Heesen Yachts". The Board of the Foundation consists of Arthur Brouwer and Anjo Joldersma.The statement also confirms that Heesen Yachts is financially healthy and profitable, and that employment at both its Oss and Winterswijk facilities are fully preserved. Heesen Yachts' order book is full, with 13 projects currently in-build: "Employees can continue to work with their usual dedication and commitment to finishing the 13 yachts currently under construction".Heesen Yachts is a Dutch ship building company that specializes in custom-built superyachts in aluminum and steel from 30m to 70m in size. Founded in 1978, it has launched more than 170 yachts since its inception.Credits: Heesen Yachts

Baglietto has announced the sale of the sixth T52 hull with hybrid propulsion. The sale of hull #10253 was secured thanks to the precious support of Kirill Kuatov of Alberton Yacht. It marks the fifth sale of the year for the La Spezia-based shipyard.“We are very proud of this deal we reached, thank you to the excellent collaboration with Kirill Kuatov and his technical team. Six T52 sold is an extraordinary result especially if you consider that the first model hasn’t hit the water yet,” says Fabio Ermetto, Baglietto’s Chief Commercial Officer. The 52 m yacht is penned by Francesco Paszkowski Design, who has created an incredibly stylish modern yacht, characterized by slender, sinuous lines that reflects Baglietto’s contemporary soul while leaving the brand’s glorious tradition unscathed. Close contact with the sea is ensured by the original open stern featuring a beach club that develops over three levels and has already become a hallmark of Baglietto’s new course. The large pool can easily be concealed thanks to an ingenious up-down moving flooring system that further extends the available deck surface when the pool is not being used.On the upper deck, the wide floor-to-ceiling windows opening on three sides create a pleasant “al fresco” lounge, with a conversation area and a dining area to be enjoyed in all weather conditions.The approximately 24-meter-long sundeck – another distinguishing feature on Baglietto yachts – is unmatched on a vessel of this size and volume, and follows in the wake of Baglietto’s traditional displacement yachts.The yacht’s improved hybrid propulsion system will allow a more efficient navigation mode, reducing both costs and environmental impact. When cruising in electrical diesel mode, the yacht will be able to remain at anchor for up to 12 hours relying on the batteries only. However, her two Caterpillar C32 engines will also allow her to reach quite a maximum speed of 16 knots and a range of 4.500 nm in traditional navigation mode.“The key to the T52’s success – has to be found in the perfect mix of design and current market demands – such as amazing volumes and liveability – to which Baglietto has responded through original, innovative solutions confirming this model has no real competition in the market of yacht below 500 GT,” says Fabio Ermetto. The delivery of the yacht is expected in 2025.Baglietto Spa is an Italian boat builder based in La Spezia specializing in new aluminum light alloy yachts ranging between 35m and 50m in length and steel and light aluminum alloy displacement megayachts starting at 40m.Credits: Baglietto

The 43 meter full-custom F77 has been launched by Codecasa. The launching took place on May 19, 2020 at 11.00 am, at the Codecasa Shipyards production facility in the Darsena of Viareggio, with a private and exciting ceremony, in the presence of the family of the owner and the people who contributed to the realization of this jewel. The yacht was christened as Boji. Boji is a totally custom-made full displacement yacht, with steel hull and aluminum superstructure designed by Codecasa Shipyards in-house technical staff.The 43 meter yacht features a typical vertical bow, big windows, which let the natural light into the interiors and make the exteriors elegant and eye-catching. The internal volumes are just below 500 GRT, the remarkable exterior spaces, with a clean and elegant line, can ensure the best comfort and privacy. She can accommodate 11 guests between five cabins, including the owner’s suite, two doubles and two twins. Boji is equipped with two Caterpillar 3512C main engines (1.650 HP at 1.800 rpm) and able to reach a top speed of 16.5 knots at light displacement with a range of 4.000 nautical miles at 11 knots speed.Codecasa Shipyards was established in Viareggio in 1825 by the shipwright Giovanni Battista Codecasa. Still run by the founder’s heirs, nowadays the Codecasa Shipyards Group is able to offer a wide range of Yachts, featured by top quality, technologic innovation, reliability, design and comfort. The shipyard is known all over the world as builders of steel and light alloy motoryachts, ranging from 30 to 70 meters LOA.Credits: Codecasa