Yacht news

Kurt Strand, yacht designer from Southern California, has presented his latest ambitious project, a 135-metre mega yacht “California”.The contemporary design of the vessel with a 10-metre beam and impressive interior volume of 8,000 GT will be trademarked with large glass walls, glass balconies, foldable glass doors and retractable sections at the living areas.California will host three pools with waterfalls on the lower decks aft, with one of these even equipped with a surf riding machine reflecting California lifestyle. The yacht begins with masculine Gladiator helmet style of the bow continuously flowing into feminine shaped lines of the rest of the vessel. The fore deck will host panoramic spa pool with a helicopter landing pad behind. A helicopter garage is meanwhile located underneath. A huge outdoor lounge area is placed further, behind the landing pad. Designed with a hybrid electric propulsion system, California receives power from high efficient diesel generators. Apart from maximum speed of 20 knots provided by 3 Azipods propels, the yacht can run at a reduced speed of 11 knots for up to 5 hours on the battery power of 60-tonne lithium-ion battery bank.California will be also trademarked with water cleaning system and an automatic angled solar panel system, assisting the power supply when in harbour. Furthermore, all the tenders and water toys designed for California will be fully electric powered. The interiors of California were designed by Zen, featuring reclaimed wood , natural stone, large aquariums and wall waterfalls. The entertaining options will comprise a club style lounge area with bar, night club, game rooms, a gym with a turkish hammam, massage studio, wellness spa, along with a 24-seat movie theatre, a bowling alley and a showroom for classic cars collection. Kurt Strand has not though revealed any renderings of the interior. Still, the studio reports, that some of the largest mega yacht builders in world have shown their interest in the project. Meanwhile, 122-metre superyacht concept Aurora Borealis can be listed among other inspirational projects of Kurt Strad. However, the concept has not yet been announced in-built, in contrast to a 67-metre superyacht recently unveiled by Amels under the same name.

Serbian designer Igor Jankovic has revealed a new 72-metre concept of a high-performance sailing yacht named Osseo. The vessel is conceived for smooth sailing thanks to innovative DynaRig system and high-end technological features.The concept is trademarked with a carbon fibre and graphene hull, ensuring high resistance against corrosion. The yacht’s exterior colour palette is combined of black and chameleon blue-purple colours. Osseo’s sophisticated interiors will match her exterior layout, offering accommodation for up to 12 guests. The vessel designed for hosting events, will feature vast areas for leisure and entertainment. Her main saloon represents an open area for gathering and relaxing. Osseo will be also trademarked with beach club under a semi-transparent roof and tinted glass, suitable for all-day use. At night, this area can be transformed into amusement zone with ambient lights and pool.Osseo will be powered by diesel electric engines.Meanwhile, 106-metre Black Pearl launched by Oceanco in 2016, remains the largest sailing yacht in the world. She is capable of crossing the Atlantic burning just 20 liters of fuel thanks to alternative power sources. Her black appearance is her distinctive trademark, set to inspire many vessels projects.Images courtesy: Igor Jankovic / Behance

Greek yard SSH Maritime has completed a three-month refit on 51-metre explorer yacht Aspire. The works of reported €4,000,000 included major exterior and interior renovations. Built by Chinese yard Penglai in 2007, the yacht was first christened Etra. Renamed Aspire in 2018, the yacht was in need for solid refit.Refit works began in August 2018, covering a wide range of issues, including teak replacement, full refit of exterior and interior spaces and hull and superstructure repainting. The works also included an extensive overhaul of the interior, with fabrics and upholstery renewal.Originally built of steel hull and superstructure, Aspire features a 9-metre beam and 3-metre draft. She can acommodate up to 12 guests in 6 cabins and staff of 11 with an interior design by Andrea Pezzini and an exterior design by Blue Fin Yachts.The master suite sits on the upper deck and comprises a private study, walk-in closets and his and her ensuite baths. The guest rooms meanwhile are located on the main deck.Other features on-board include a Jacuzzi and alfresco dining zone on the sky lounge aft. The sundeck meanwhile represents a wellness area, with the aft deck space intended for exercise classes and yoga.The yacht of 490 GT is powered by engines of 1,016 HP, giving her a maximum speed of 14 knots and a cruising speed of 13 knots.Aspire is listed for sale asking € 10,900,000 with SSH Maritime.SSH Maritime is a full-service yachting company specializing in management, refits, sales, charter and new builds. Covering a global reach in Europe, the USA, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Asia, SSH offers insights on selling, chartering and managing large yachts.

RM Sotheby’s has introduced one of the lots of the forthcoming Villa Erba auction. The 1950s Riva yacht, once part of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly’s fleet, has been put to this years’ bid. The event will take place on May 25, 2019 at the lake Como, Italy.Hull No. 62 out of Riva Tritone series was gifted to the reigning prince of Monaco, H.S.H. Prince Rainier III in early 1958 by a close relative, wealthy Milanese textile industrialist, Mr Gianoglio. The vessel was to represent admiration and gratitude of the presenter.The hull of the yacht christened Via, features red and white stripes on the wood, reflecting the Principality’s livery colours. Via is powered by two Chris-Craft MCL six-cylinder engines of 5.5 litres, each capable of 175 HP at 3,400 rpm. The engines also feature an automatic diverter dubbing the ‘Chris-O-Matic’, launched when auto industry in the USA was fascinated with pushbutton automatic transmission. Via was widely employed by the Prince’s family after his marriage to Princess Grace Kelly in 1956. According to RM Sotheby’s, she also served as the prince’s flagship, flying both the flag of Monaco and the personal flag of the prince.However, Prince Rainier III later replaced Via with a smaller yacht, Riva Junior, used for short trips and water-skiing with Princess Grace and their children. Still, Via remained in their home port, maintained under long-term custodianship of her second owner in Monaco. Several years ago, the vessel was sent to a Dutch specialist for renovation. The refit works took several years, returning the yacht to her original specification, with her original engines restored. The yacht was refurbished, while her Chris-O-Matic transmission was also rebuilt.In 2014, the restored craft was purchased by the current owner, anticipating a returned to the home port of Monaco. Riva Via still represents a symbol of wealth and glamour, embodying the spirit of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace.RM Sotheby’s was incorporated in 1991 as a classic car auction company RM Auctions, with headquarters in Blenheim, Ontario. Since 2015, the company has been partially owned by the world’s one of the most renowned auction houses, Sotheby’s. RM holds the top position in the rating of the most expensive cars ever sold at an auction, with the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sold for $48,405,000 in August 2018.

Yacht Harbour looks at the best images from the social media world over the past week.#1. 98m Aviva sliding through 17th street bridgePhoto by @sublime.imageryThis yacht was built by Abeking & Rasmussen in 2017 for Joe Lewis, becoming the 4th Aviva in the UK billionaire’s fleet.This latest Aviva boasts exterior and interior design by Reymond Langton that teamed up with Toby Silverton to developed her sleek and elegant profile. Barely cracking the first half of the world's 100 largest yachts, she became the first yacht to have an indoor tennis court of 20x10x6 metres. Her efficient hull shape is said to reduce drag by up to 20%. While she cruises at the maximum speed of 30 knots, a very special hybrid drive system allows Aviva to run at up to 11 knots, using electric motors only.#2. 38m M/Y ImpulsivePhoto by @konner.webbChristened VW2 when launched by Norship in 1994 with Mulder-designed exterior, the GRP-built yacht is capable of reaching 32 knots. Furthermore, Impulsive can accommodate 8 guests in 4 cabins with an interior design by Paola D. SmithRefiited several times, Impulsive underwent the most recent renovation worth $1,500,000 in 2019. She is back on the market since March 2019, asking $3,400,000.She has a maximum speed of 32 knots and a cruising speed of 24 knots.#3. 85m M/Y O'Ptasia passing through the Corinth CanalPhoto by @bvaerialThe 85-metre superyacht O’Ptasia was launched in 2018 by Greek yard Golden Yachts, joining the list of the top 200 largest superyachts in the world. Her exteriors and interiors were developed by Italian Studio Vafladis.O’Ptasia can accommodate up to 12 guests in 11 cabins - 3 twin and 8 double cabins, including a 95-square-metre owner’s suite on the upper deck and 85-squaremetre VIP suite with a private cinema room. The service is provided by the crew of 26. Other key features on board O’Ptasia include a large beach club complete with wellness and spa centre, an elevator servicing all decks, and a fully equipped gym on the bridge deck. The central superyacht elevator provides quick access between all four decks, while the foredeck helipad allows guests to arrive in style.#4. 80m Chopi ChopiPhoto by @carolfeithBuilt by CRN in 2013, Chopi Chopi remains the yard’s largest yacht and flagship. Her construction took 660,000 hours, contributing into her estimated price of over $110,000,000, according to New Atlas.Featuring exteriors by Zuccon International and interiors by Studio Laura Sessa, Chopi Chopi offers accommodation for up to 12 guests in 6 suites comprising 1 owner cabin and 5 double cabins, along with 33 crew members.Chopi Chopi is trademarked with six spacious open decks, a 100-square-metre beach club on the lower deck, multiple dining and lounge zones, two lifts, a helipad at the stern, a unique circular pilot house and vast spa area fitted with sauna, Turkish hammam and massage room. She has a maximum speed of 16 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots.Saint Nicolas' started as one of 3 yachts built by American entrepreneur Warren E Halle at Lurssen, in a golden era of yacht flipping, during which developers would commission a yacht with the intent of selling it immediately after or even before launch. In 2008, Project Nemo was sold for €71,500,000 and became known as Saint Nicholas. According to Forbes, her buyer was Russian billionaire, Vasily Anisimov.She features an interior design by Zuretti and an exterior design by Espen Oeino, offering accommodation to 12 guests within 6 cabins.