Yacht news

Sea Eagle II is the world's largest aluminium yacht, and yesterday she entered the Whangārei Harbour (New Zealand), which created some difficulties at the Whangārei Airport due to her mast height of 62.5m (large enough to impede arriving and departing aircrafts). This led to a five-minute delay for air traffic, which was not a big problem, according to the airport manager. The airport staff were warned in advance by the port team. Sea Eagle II was launched by Royal Huisman in 2020 and supposedly belongs to Taiwanese billionaire businessman and philanthropist Samuel Yen-Liang Yin.Royal Huisman is a Dutch shipyard established since 1884 in Ronduite, building and refitting custom luxury sailing and motor yachts at its shipyard in Vollenhove, the Netherlands.Credits: Rusty Russell/New Zealand/Facebook

Prince Philip passed away on Friday 9 April at age 99. His funeral will be held today at St George's Chapel, in the grounds of Windsor Castle. The Prince PhilipThe Duke of Edinburgh was well known for his love of sailing and also for the naval career. He trained at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in 1939, during the Second World War he served with the Mediterranean and Pacific fleets. He married Princess Elizabeth in November 1947. His active naval career as a commander ended in January 1953, but he held a position Honorary Admiral of the Fleet and the title of Captain General of the Royal Marines till December 2017. He was an experienced yachtsman, racing in Cowes Week in 1957 in the Dragon Bluebottle. Sailing yacht BloodhoundIn 1960’s the Queen and Prince Philip has their personal yacht – the 63feet Bloodhound, built by Camper and Nicholsons and launched in 1936. Prince Philip often used to cruise on her with Prince Charles and Princess Anne. The family sold it in 1969.Bloodhound is a classic racing yacht with many achievements, such as winning the legendary Fastnet Race (twice), the North Sea Race, the Southsea to Brixham Race and the Round the Island Race.The family continued to attend Cowes Week with the Queen on board the HMY Britannia. HMY BritanniaThe Royal Yacht Britannia was in service from 1954 until 1997 and became the 83rd such vessel since King Charles II acceded to the throne in 1660. HMY Britannia travelled more than a million nautical miles around the globe and the Duke of Edinburgh has travelled around 70,000 miles on Britannia. He wrote about the vessel: ‘The combination of her ocean-going capacity and efficient management reflected our long maritime traditions and made an invaluable contribution to the prestige of this country.’HMY Britannia receives a last visit from the British royalSince 2017 Britannia has been sitting at a dock in Edinburgh and attracts more than 300,000 visitors each year.Since Prince Philip’s death last week the Britain’s authorities have begun to discuss the idea to name the yacht in his memory – HMY The Duke of Edinburgh. “The towering figure that was the Duke of Edinburgh deserves a permanent tribute to his support for the country, the Commonwealth and the Queen,” says MP Craig MacKinlay. “I can think of nothing better than a replacement for Royal Yacht Britannia bearing his name as the permanent memorial to his love of Commonwealth, Britain and the sea.”“The Duke of Edinburgh was well known for his love of Britannia – it is a fitting tribute to now create a new royal yacht named the Duke of Edinburgh in his memory and for the Queen,” says Jake Berry, chairman of the Northern Research Group of Conservative MPs. Credits: Wikipedia; YouTube

Vripack Yacht Design and Royal Huisman have announced the overall looks of the new Project 406 for the first time since contracts were signed at the end of last year.Vripack Yacht Design is responsible for the exterior, interior, and naval architecture and is working in close collaboration with Royal Huisman. The project is managed by Aqua Marine, representing the owner’s team, alongside Bush & Noble and Hampshire Marine as technical managers in a close collaboration to deliver an exceptional project.“Project 406 is a sportfisher on steroids. It has the true proportions and long flaring bow of a typical American sportfish boat paired with the harmonious feel of a luxurious superyacht. It’s a supersized model with super chic curves, realised on a grand scale,” notes Vripack Co-Creative Director Bart M. Bouwhuis. Unveiling of Royal Huisman project 406: the world’s largest true sportfishing yacht from Royal Huisman on Vimeo.The yacht’s purposeful lines sweep dramatically aft from her distinctive long and sleek bow through six towering decks to the stylish downward arc of her stern profile. This unique vessel effortlessly blends the ultimate sports fishing experience with genuine superyacht scale, comfort and refinement. One feature is the sky lounge, which offers the extraordinary “theatre” of spectacular fish catches by day and the relaxed ambience and stunning outlook of a boutique hotel penthouse by night. The Project 406 is designed for an experienced owner who is passionate about fishing, so it will combine the high end sportfishing and luxurious living. Her Alustar® aluminium hull and superstructure offer strength and resilience, as well as a lighter weight, which facilitates smooth and efficient passages from berth to fishing grounds.Sport fishing has attracted many new owners in recent decades, with larger boats growing to around 30m in length and a handful exceeding 40m. Against this backdrop, Project 406’s 52m is a serious step up.“It is well known that the Royal Huisman team likes nothing better than the opportunity to solve fresh engineering challenges – especially if they come in the shape of a unique project concept. The world’s first true sportfish superyacht is a very exciting order and we are delighted to be unveiling it as we prepare to launch another highly distinctive motor yacht – the 58.5m/192ft sub 500GT Phi. It is good to know that our reputation as the home of the world’s finest sailing yachts is now expanding to embrace the world’s most distinctive motor yachts,” says Royal Huisman CEO Jan Timmerman.Waiting for the further details.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: Royal Huisman

The UK-based naval architect and yacht designer Aristotelis Betsis has revealed the 101m concept Ark. Ark is designed to reach every place on earth and can be described as “your global adventure park”.Packed with plenty of toys and tenders, such as two 9m full carbon sailboats, two Mercedes-Benz 6x6 G Wagons, a five-person submarine, a helipad and enclosed garages for four different tenders up to 15 meters in length (including a catamaran landing boat), this vessel is definitely meant for adventure. There is an all-glass sky lounge with the 360 degrees views, a cinema room and a spa, and a spacious gym with astonishing 180 degrees views, a ping-pong room and a full size Padel court can also be found on board. The Ark can comfortably accommodate up to eighteen guests in nine cabins and forty-five crew members/adventure staff. She was built for comfort, privacy, and adventure!Credits: Aristotelis Betsis

The 94m Project 817 was launched in February and now is on transport from the yard at Kaag to Amsterdam for sea trials and final outfitting. This spectacular vessel was designed by Azure and Studio De Voogt. The interior was made by Peter Marino Architects.Her advanced hybrid propulsion system allows the yacht to cruise on diesel-electric power at 12 knots. In diesel mode she’s able to reach a top speed of 20 knots. Feadship was formed as a group in 1949 as a marketing partnership between six Dutch shipyards, de Vries Lentch, Van de Stadt, Witsen & Vis, Akerboom, De Vries Scheepsbouw and Van Lent Shipyard, and De Voogt Naval Architects. Feadship is well-known as one of Netherlands’ most elite yacht builders and delivers superyachts from 50–100+ meters in length.Credits: Feadship