Yacht news

The 89m Here Comes The Sun has departed the Damen Yachting Vlissingen City shipyard in the Netherlands ready to take on a global itinerary. Before heading to waters further afield, the now 89m Amels – the largest delivered to date – made a port of call in London marking her first public display beyond the local shores of the Damen Yachting facilities where she has spent the last 16 months. She was originally delivered in 2017 and returned to Damen Yachting in 2020 under new ownership for an extensive Amels refit. The owner appointed Azure Yacht Design, the yard’s original partner for the naval architecture, to re-pen this iconic Amels from 83 to 89 meters.Her 6-meter extension and the volume increased from 2827 to 2977 GT became all the more evident. The modifications also included the new colour, the extended sun deck aft with helicopter landing area, extended bridge deck aft accommodation to allow for two VIP suites with exterior balconies and extended main deck aft providing a larger beach club, spa facilities and a large 7-meter swimming pool. Further modifications include alterations to a number of deck and interior areas and layouts. Damen Yachting Project Manager Sander Peeters was present at the yard as Here Comes The Sun set sail. “The refit of Here Comes The Sun was a very large scale and complex project. We are all very proud to have delivered on time and to such a high quality, made possible by the teamwork and collaboration between our own teams, our co-makers and the owner’s team and crew. We would like to thank everyone involved for their part in making this special project a success. Seeing her leave the yard is a very emotional moment and we look forward to following her next chapter and adventures with her owner.”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

Benetti has unveiled the first B.Now 50M. This 50m vessel is one of four B.NOW models with a length of 50, 58, 66 and 72 meters designed by RWD. Iryna, the first B.Now 50M, built for a Ukrainian owner – loyal customer of the Azimut|Benetti Group – is characterised by large glass doors that create a strong sense of continuity between the outdoor and indoor spaces. She offers exclusive access to the water with a 36 sq. m beach club and an infinity pool that seems to be an extension of the stern deck. Nearly half the liveable surface area is outdoors, while the fully customisable interiors, as well as being enriched by sophisticated detailing in palladium, one of the most precious metals in the world.Iryna, like the other models in the category, is ideal for long cruises. The interiors are the result of collaboration between Benetti’s Interior Style Department and Visionnaire, the interior designer chosen by the owner and an emblem of ‘Made in Italy’ style. Like Benetti itself, Visionnaire produces projects tailored to its clients’ desires and here has created a modern ambience with unique furnishings. The claddings and ceiling panels are made with the finest woods, such as silk-coloured satin-finish frisé maple contrasting with oak. An ivory-coloured leather was chosen for the ceiling and palladium, a precious metal in the platinum group, is used in manually applied, leaf-shaped satin-finish details.Key features of the layout include the gym on the upper deck, the roomy relaxation and sunbathing spaces, and the outdoor lunch area on the main deck, which also has an indoor saloon with a lounge and dining zone, as well as a gloriously light-filled owners’ suite in the bow with a private balcony.Total privacy, always a priority in the Benetti range, is guaranteed by scrupulous separation of guest and crew flows, with the latter able to manage the boat without encroaching on the spaces reserved for the former.The external garage forward of the main deck can house a 6.25 meter tender, a jet ski, a rescue craft and four seabobs. The hull was designed by P.L.A.N.A Design in collaboration with the Azimut|Benetti Research & Development department and the top speed is 15 knots. The yacht has a range of 4,500 nautical miles at 12 knots.Founded in 1873, Benetti is the oldest Italian shipyard specializing in luxury yachts. They design, build and sell composite vessels from 29 to 44m and steel and aluminium boats from 37 to over 100m. Their fleet consists of five categories: Class, Oasis, B.Yond, B.Now and Custom, to meet all the needs of the market, and they belong to the Azimut|Benetti Group, the largest privately owned luxury yachting group in the world.Credits: Benetti

A 110m concept Malena was revealed by studio Rodriguez Design. The steel and aluminium yacht with sleek and sharp profile spreads across four decks and can accommodate 24 guests in 11 cabins, including six VIP’s on the main deck and four doubles on the lower deck. The owner suite is located at the owner’s deck. The owner deck, the upper deck and the sundeck feature the side balcony system. “With the side balcony system, we wanted to create the feeling of being on a super luxury skyscraper. Wherever the yacht is docked or moored, the city will have a new addition to its skyline,” explains Josh Rodriguez, studio founder. The yacht features two infinity pools at the main deck with a bar. The stairs lead down to the hydraulic swimming platform. The hot tub is located on the owner’s deck. The additional pool is placed on the upper deck. Here is also posted a large dining table and lounge area. A touch and go helipad for an Airbus ACH 160 helicopter can be found at the bow. Malena will have a hybrid diesel electric propulsion system. Her top speed is 18 knots and she has a range of 6,000 nautical miles at 12 knots.Credits: Rodriguez Design

Camper and Nicholsons has sold the 36.60m Mamma Mia, with Camper and Nicholsons’ senior sales broker Fernando Nicholson representing the seller, and Jim McConville of Allied Marine representing the buyer.A tri deck Mamma Mia is a highly customised Benetti Classic 120. She was launched in 2007 as a part of a very successful series.Mamma Mia offers accommodation for up to 12 guests across five well-appointed en suite cabins, comprising a master suite, three doubles and one twin.Mamma Mia's interior, designed by Zuretti, is elegant and classic with neutral colours set against mahogany. The larger, shared areas of the yacht, such as the sky lounge and main foyer, also feature marble finishes.The classic exterior lines come from designer Stefano Righini and aboard Mamma Mia, the extensive deck space. The main deck is covered, the bridge deck partially so and has a seating/dining area with extra tables to suit a buffet style set-up, and the sun deck, with a bar and hot tub, has an optional bimini and umbrellas.Mamma Mia also has a large tender garage, positioned aft, with space for a tender of up to 6m along with a jet ski or two, and her 4.5m Williams jet tender.Credits: Camper and Nicholsons

The UK-based studio Liebowitz & Partners has unveiled the concept of the explorer yacht EXO. The purpose of the EXO design adventure is to deliver a concept that is exceptionally complete, while still welcoming the latitude for rapid but meticulous adjustment to the client’s individual requirements. With a potential range of 5000 nautical miles, positioning the vessel globally, within desirable global cruising grounds, is only a matter of planning. The endurance, capability, and reliability of the ship should cater to almost all eventualities and climates.LP Design’s brief included the following priorities: contemporary, functional, exuding strong attitude, and timeless proportions. Not immediately visible are the circulation paths for guests and crew. Significant planning effort is devoted to refining this key element. While apparently symmetrical, the starboard side of the ship differs from the port, in a number of key ways.Other particulars include advanced direct-bond glazing for ease-of-maintenance and avant-garde looks, state-of-the-art shade devices, a wide range of exterior gathering zones and features, largest tenders-in-class (10.4m), “security stern”, portuguese bridge, and thrilling observation deck way atop.The layout is optimised to offer balanced accommodation, enchanting amenities, and perhaps foremost, an effective and practical service arrangement. This is achieved through effective space planning which allocates the proper amount of space for guests, crew and owner. A contemporary, airy feel was sought in the main salon. Side entrances avoid the common “corridor effect” resulting in the preferred intimacy of this cul-de-sac configuration. Corner window arrays preserve views aft.Centre table offers passengers a secure hand-hold while traversing the space at sea. LP Design’s vision of the owner’s stateroom was based on privacy, exemplary functionality, ample storage, and elegance. A light, neutral palette using exquisitely rich materials, lend this skylighted space both comfort and convenience within the suite.Inevitably, some guests will be less adventurous than others. In which case, relaxation time aboard, especially with the “zero-speed” stabilizers, should be remarkably relaxed.Whether at the outdoor bar, sundeck, pool, beach club, or one of the many other gathering and entertaining spaces aboard. Enchanting ocean wildlife sightings are always a treat, especially from the observation deck high atop the ship.Decisive thrust control and high-visibility wing stations will permit precision manoeuvrability in close quarters, day and night. The energy concept can be summed up in two words: power and silence. Clean, quiet running machinery for both propulsion and the ship’s hotel operation is achievable with the latest, most focussed hybrid diesel-electric technology.Credits: Liebowitz & Partners