yachtstyle2020, Author at Yacht Style

BNP Paribas Wealth Management Focuses on ‘Green Yacht Financing’

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

BNP Paribas Wealth Management Focuses on ‘Green Yacht Financing’

March 16, 2020
2:56 am

Arnaud Tellier explains that BNP Paribas Wealth Management is a global leader in yacht financing due to its focus on financial sustainability.

What type of clients does BNP Paribas Wealth Management have in Asia?

We have a good mix of top-tier tycoons and family offices, ultra high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) from Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and India.

Arnaud Tellier, CEO, Asia Pacific, BNP Paribas Wealth Management

The BNP Paribas global banking group has been present in Asia for nearly 160 years, so our penetration of top tycoons is significant and growing in each of our chosen markets.

BNP Paribas Wealth Management benefits from the stability, global capabilities and high-end positioning of BNP Paribas, making us an attractive proposition for wealthy entrepreneurs and their families.

We are constantly seeking innovations to capture the evolving needs and tastes of Asia’s wealthy individuals, and in response to the rapid growth in UHNWIs, we’ve increased investments in our coverage teams.

What are the bank’s leading asset groups? How does yacht financing fit in?

Our in-house strengths range from equity, fixed income, FX, funds, structured products and discretionary portfolio management to more specialised offerings such as sustainable investments, European real estate, private debt and equity, French vineyards and also financing for asset classes such as superyachts, business jets and properties.

How does the bank support financing for such large assets?

BNP Paribas has a very strong credit culture relative to other wealth management players. This means that at BNP Paribas Wealth Management, we are not only knowledgeable in financing for complex equity transactions – such as superyachts, private jets, property – but we are also happy to support them with our own balance sheet.

The high calibre of our in-house credit structurers and our penchant for risk management mean our clients’ credit lines are supported by a bank that understands them.

How important is financial sustainability to the bank?

BNP Paribas has strategically and fully integrated the practice of sustainability into the very fabric of our organisation. We see sustainability as a driver of long-term, responsible business growth for both our clients and our franchise.

“There’s increased understanding of sustainable investments among private clients.”

Helping clients, employees and stakeholders make a positive impact on the environment and the society is one of the pillars of BNP Paribas’ strategy. We are an early mover in championing sustainability and impact investing in all the group’s business lines.

BNP Paribas Group was proud to be named the world’s best bank for sustainable finance at Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2018, as it shows that our peers and the industry have recognised our efforts to instil a sustainable culture internally and at all levels of product and service delivery.

We’re also delighted that there’s increased acceptance and understanding of sustainable and environmental, social and governance (ESG) investments among private clients.

In fact, since 2016, the Wealth Management team and our clients have been key participants at BNP Paribas’ annual Sustainable Future Forum in Singapore, a top pan-Asia conference on sustainable finance which has gained prominence on the global stage not only for its relevance and influence but also because of the strong credibility of BNP Paribas as a host.

As a leading global private bank, BNP Paribas Wealth Management is conscious of the fact that the banking industry needs to play a part in forging green finance. And being a leader in financing yacht owners for over a decade and building an outstanding track record, we are at the forefront of making sustainability a key part of our value proposition.

How does this focus on green finance affect yacht-financing clients?

We have put in place special credit programmes to advance the agenda for financing environmentally-friendly yachts, with green certification and/or scientific research functionalities; owners who are willing to offset the carbon emissions of their yachts; and owners who are committed to invest their asset under management with BNP Paribas Wealth Management into positive impact funds.

We expect all product lines within BNP Paribas Wealth Management to champion sustainability among our clients. Our shipping and yacht financing team are also contributing actively, with innovative structures like positive incentive loans or to offset part of clients’ emissions by investing in low-carbon products.

These and many upcoming initiatives enable us to move a step further to support our planet. We have been a steadfast supporter of building the sustainability ecosystem in Asia through organising and participating in various industry initiatives and events, sharing best practices as well as increasing educational events to raise awareness. We shall continue to engage our clients on sustainability.

You’ve also teamed up with a leading environmental expert.

In Asia, we began a partnership last year with Craig Leeson, the award-winning film-maker, storyteller and environmental expert who, through his movie A Plastic Ocean, has brought into focus the perils of plastic pollution in our oceans.

What else should readers know about BNP Paribas Wealth Management?

One of our key competitive advantages is our ‘One Bank’ approach, an integrated banking model that offers clients a full range of investments, business solutions and family services, including wealth planning, trust and insurance referral and individual philanthropy.

What does the future hold for the Wealth Management division in Asia?

BNP Paribas Wealth Management Asia continues to be a key growth area for BNP Paribas Group. This year and beyond, we are embarking on projects to enhance our client service, development of sustainable revenue sources, empowerment of people, simplification of processes, talent management, discipline and efficiency, and delivering more value to clients from our ‘One Bank’ platform.

www.wealthmanagement.bnpparibas/asia

Arnaud Tellier is CEO, Asia Pacific at BNP Paribas Wealth Management and is responsible for defining and implementing the strategic objectives for the wealth management franchise in Asia. This position follows his most recent role as Head of Wealth Management, Singapore and Southeast Asia. He has held prior leadership roles as Head of Investment Services, Asia from 2015-2018 and CEO, BNP Paribas Wealth Management in Singapore from 2013-2015. Tellier has spent more than 20 years in capital markets and senior positions in Corporate and Investment Banking, as well as Wealth Management, across Europe and Asia. Tellier has held senior positions within the Group in London, Paris and Madrid. In 2002, he was appointed Regional Head of Corporate and Investment Banking – Northern & Central Europe and from 2006-2010, the CEO and Country Head for Greece. Tellier was Head of Corporate and Investment Banking for Turkey from 2010-2013.

Mike Simpson: Fighting On In The Face Of Adversity

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Mike Simpson: Fighting On In The Face Of Adversity

March 12, 2020
6:32 pm

In a Column for Yacht Style’s new Issue 52, Simpson Marine founder Mike Simpson reiterates that Asia has overcome setbacks in the past.

When I was offered the opportunity to write this guest column for Yacht Style, I was initially going to share several exciting developments that signalled a great start to the new year for Simpson Marine after the negative impact of the US-China trade war and the Hong Kong protests.

A Fairline Squadron 50 on the run after the Thailand Yacht Show

But here we are in the midst of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic, which is having a dramatic effect on the lives of millions in Asia, especially in China, and across the world. Apart from the human suffering this is causing, this has inevitably had a negative effect on business.

Following the postponement of the Singapore Yacht Show and Taiwan International Boat Show, and cancellation of the Hong Kong International Boat Show, we along with the rest of the Asian yacht industry have had to reset our plans for 2020.

Other events that we were involved in, like Art Basel Hong Kong (Sanlorenzo is a three-year partner), and various regattas and events we were planning in the region have either been postponed or cancelled.

Although the virus is still spreading, we must remember that it will eventually subside. Meanwhile, life goes on, so within the constraints imposed on us by the need to stay safe and follow government guidelines, we are doing our best to continue supporting our owners and clients to enjoy life to the fullest on the water.

In fact, the idea of sharing time with loved ones and friends far away from the city and reuniting with nature seem to be particularly appropriate and appealing in the current circumstances.

Simpson Marine at the 2020 Thailand Yacht Show in Phuket

I’ve been in Asia for over 40 years now and since founding Simpson Marine in 1984, we have lived through many health, economic and political crises from the bursting of the Japanese economic bubble in 1991 through the Asian financial crisis of 1997, SARS in 2003, Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004, Avian flu, the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 and more recently the protests in Hong Kong.

All of these events have had a negative impact on business around Asia and hence on Simpson Marine. In fact, my decision to open offices in different parts of Asia was prompted by the realisation that survival in the relatively small Asian yacht market would be a balancing act.

When one country’s economy was slow and the market inactive, we would need revenue from another part of Asia to survive. That is still the pattern today and the reason we are still around, stronger than ever with 12 offices in seven countries and confident in the future.

With this in mind, let me circle back to the thoughts I was initially going to share.

We started the new year with an incredibly positive Thailand Yacht Show, where we sold three Lagoon catamarans and an Aquila power catamaran. We also presented the new Fairline Squadron 50, which coincided with the January announcement of the extension of our Fairline dealership from Hong Kong and the Philippines to include seven more Southeast Asian countries and Taiwan.

Simpson Marine hosts an evening party at the fifth Thailand Yacht Show

This is great news for us. This famous UK shipyard has recently invested heavily in new production facilities and new models including the incredible F//Line 33 that I personally tested at the Cannes Yachting Festival last September, enjoying a smooth, dry ride at over 50 knots!

Fairline also staged the world premiere of its new Squadron 68 at Cannes, while this year the brand will debut the Targa 58 GTB, which features an innovative foldout beach club that’s typically only seen on superyachts.

With the close collaboration between Simpson Marine and the new management at Fairline, we expect to see a big increase in the number of Fairlines coming out to Asia.

Another major company announcement in January 2020 was the appointment of Simpson Marine as the official dealer for Bluegame, a new brand of Sanlorenzo. Sanlorenzo is the rising star in the yacht industry and has been tremendously successful in Asia since we took on the distribution in 2013, with most models in its extensive range now cruising in the region.

Bluegame offers new, unconventional designs and is a great entry point for aspiring Sanlorenzo owners. The new BGX70 presented in Cannes last September was a head-turner and one of the show’s most exciting world premieres.

Bluegame’s BGX70 is the flagship of the Sanlorenzo-owned brand

Our decision to deepen our engagement with Sanlorenzo and Fairline on the motor yacht side has meant we could no longer continue as dealers for Monte Carlo Yachts. As announced in January, we have agreed with the management of Monte Carlo Yachts to stop representation of their range of luxury motor yachts in Asia.

We have sold a number of their yachts to Asian owners including a recently delivered new-model MCY 70 in Thailand and will continue to provide service to their owners, but we will no longer be official MCY dealers.

We continue to grow the catamaran market with Lagoon and its new Sixty series, with the Sixty 7 (power) and Sixty 5 (sail) both selling well. Now, we finally have a replacement for the legendary Lagoon 620 sailing cat, which has been the leader in its sector for over 10 years and a very popular model in Asia.

Lagoon is part of Beneteau Group and we are proud to continue our long relationship with this world-leading brand, as our relationship with Beneteau goes way back to the early days of Simpson Marine.

During the Cannes show, I fell in love with the new First Yacht 53, a beautiful performance sailing yacht for serious offshore cruising and competing on the race circuit. When I finally retire from this industry I love, this could be the yacht on which I sail off into the sunset!

Beneteau debuted the First Yacht 53 at last year’s Cannes Yachting Festival

In the coming months, we have plans to expand our regional reach into Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines. This expansion of our geographic spread is a natural step for the company as we have previously been selling yachts into these locations through our Hong Kong or Southeast Asia offices. We have had offers to expand into other countries in the region … but we are not there yet.

Having already owned, chartered and sailed yachts for many years, I started Simpson Marine knowing the importance of providing good service and after-sales care, and this has always been a priority of the company. Over 40 per cent of our work force are involved in after-sales service.

Over the years, we have been continuously developing our Charter, Yacht Care and After Sales Service divisions, which all contribute to smooth sailing for our owners.

Simpson Yacht Charter operations are expanding rapidly and today we are serving global clients holidaying in Asia, the Pacific, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean with a wide range of charter yachts including luxury catamarans, motor yachts and superyachts, offering both day and overnight charters.

We have a growing number of buyers and owners taking advantage of our charter ownership programme. This allows owners to earn revenue to cover maintenance and yacht care from charter, and even make a profit!

Lagoon catamarans are a core part of the Simpson Yacht Charter fleet

Our Yacht Care service is unique in Asia, offering specially tailored packages for owners who either don’t live where their yachts are located or don’t have the time, or want to spend the time, to manage them. In Phuket alone we have around 20 yachts annually enrolled in this programme and are receiving increasing interest in this service.

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves how lucky we are to enjoy the yachting lifestyle, how lucky we are to get out on the water and how lucky many of us are to be involved in the boating industry.

As such, it makes me sad to see so much plastic floating in the water, corals dying and sea pollution destroying this spectacular environment. Simpson Marine takes part in several environmental causes and I invite you to join us and give back to the sea, our planet’s biggest treasure.

Happy boating to all of you, stay healthy and keep the oceans healthy, too!

Mike Simpson is a pioneer of Asia’s yachting industry and has played a leading role in the growth of the yachting lifestyle across the region since he founded Simpson Marine in 1984. He developed Simpson Marine into the largest new-yacht sales, brokerage and service company in Asia, now with 12 offices across seven countries and over 100 staff. A distributor for Sanlorenzo, Bluegame, Fairline, Beneteau, Lagoon and Aquila, Simpson Marine also has dedicated superyacht and charter divisions. Mike is passionate about sailing, exploration and flying vintage planes.

www.simpsonmarine.com

The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 52 (click image below)
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Adamas – T.I.S.G. Asia Launches Superyacht Charters in Asia

News / yachtstyle2020

Adamas – T.I.S.G. Asia Launches Superyacht Charters in Asia

March 11, 2020
1:55 am

Adamas Asset Management and The Italian Sea Group Asia (TISG) Asia launch superyacht charters with a Tecnomar Evo 120 Ice White Edition.

Adamas Asset Management and T.I.S.G.-Asia, the exclusive Asian dealer of The Italian Sea Group, have created a joint venture to build Tecnomar and Admiral superyachts available for charter in Asia.

Traugott Kaminski, CEO of T.I.S.G.-Asia, and Barry Lau, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Adamas Asset Management

The new company, Adamas – T.I.S.G. Asia, will start its fleet with the 36m Adamas 6, a Tecnomar Evo 120 Ice White Edition built in aluminium alloy that will be available for charter by the fourth quarter of 2020 and served by five experienced crew. Bespoke charter packages will start at €122,000 (US$133,000) per week.

Adamas 6 has a large saloon and a separate dining area for 10 on the main deck, while a large aft deck with bar offers expansive views. The sundeck features a large jacuzzi, champagne cooler and bar, and there’s luxurious accommodation for up to 10 guests, with two VIP cabins and two guest cabins on the lower deck.

Barry Lau, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Adamas Asset Management, said: “We believe there is an unrivalled opportunity for Asia to be the next superyacht destination of the world. Asia has some of the best waters in the world, and as such will definitely have a meaningful share of the global charter market. Adamas – T.I.S.G. Asia will lead the way in winning that share by having a superior product and service offering for our customers.”

The aluminium-built Tecnomar Evo 120 Ice White Edition in Hong Kong

Traugott Kaminski, CEO of T.I.S.G.-Asia, added: “For outstanding individuals, a superyacht charter is the ultimate experience. It can offer serene relaxation, exhilaration and heart-warming family moments.

“For corporate clients, chartering a superyacht also provides an extremely effective platform for VIP CRM, incentives and rewards for top-performing staff, board meetings and the most impactful product presentations. With the strong support of Adamas Asset Management, our new charter services under our joint venture will definitely set benchmark after benchmark for the luxury yacht charter business.”

t.kaminski@tisg-asia.com

The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 52 (click image below)
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Yacht Style Issue 52: Asia’s Top Builders, Reviews & More

Magazine, Uncategorized / yachtstyle2020

Yacht Style Issue 52: Asia’s Top Builders, Reviews & More

March 6, 2020
5:26 pm

Yacht Style Issue 52 profiles Asia’s top builders and features Amels, Galeon, Burgess, Lady Azul, Lurssen, Fairline, Sunseeker and Bali.

Yacht Style has released Issue 52, our second bimonthly magazine of 2020 for March/April. Considering the effects of the coronavirus, this is a good time to get out of the city and enjoy yachting, and why we chose a cover photo of a Fairline F//Line 33 that captures the peace and serenity the sea can offer.

Yacht Style Issue 52’s front cover features the F//Line 33 by Fairline, now represented by Simpson Marine in 10 countries and regions across Asia

The issue is headlined by Yacht Style‘s annual special on Asia’s Yacht Builders, highlighting some of the continent’s leading yards and their latest designs and builds.

Asia’s top builders includes Taiwan’s Ocean Alexander (90r pictured)

We also cover Burgess’ impressive achievements in Asia in the past five years and remarkable success in the region of Amels and parent company Damen.

Burgess’ Asia team has enjoyed a remarkable first five years

Enjoy an interview with Greg Tuszynski of Galeon, which has been among  the world’s fastest-growing and most innovative yacht builders of the last few years.

Greg Tuszynski says Galeon has enjoyed a “golden four years”

For those keen on style and innovations, check out reviews of Lurssen’s 95m Madsummer, Fairline’s flagship Squadron 68, Sunseeker’s Predator 60 Evo and Bali’s 4.3 MY powercat.

Fairline Squadron 68 (above) and Sunseeker Predator 60 Evo (below)

If you do need any inspiration for getting away from it all, we have an article on the new-look Lady Azul that’s chartering across Asia, as well as the cruising possibilities all around Australia.

The 129ft Heesen Lady Azul is enjoying a fresh lease of life as one of Southeast Asia’s most fun and adventurous charter yachts

The coronavirus has affected different areas in different ways, but in much of Asia, most large-scale events have been pushed back or cancelled, including the boat shows in Japan, Dubai, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong originally scheduled for March and April. Korea has rescheduled for June, Singapore for October and Dubai for November, but check updates on these and other events to know what’s coming up in your area.

Thailand premiere of the Rivamare on the eve of the Thailand Yacht Show

This year started brightly enough in Asia with the Thailand Yacht Show in Phuket, before successful editions of the first major boat shows of 2020, at Boot Dusseldorf in late January and the Miami Yacht Show in February. The majority of new models highlighted in this issue’s YACHTS section were shown or publicised at these two shows.

Sunhats and styling by Neimasitawi on a Sanlorenzo in Singapore

The next big events on the calendar include Palm Beach in late March and the International Multihull Boat Show in southern France in April, but again, it’s worth checking event status and travel arrangements before making plans.

The 20th edition of the Philippine Hobie Challenge was held in February

You can enjoy reading Yacht Style in print (subscribe@lux-inc.com) or on Magzter: www.magzter.com/SG/Lux-Inc-Media/Yacht-Style/Fashion/

Please also follow our updates on: Luxuo.com / Instagram (yacht.style) / LinkedIn.

Stay positive and stay safe.

Asia Yacht Agency Secures Charter CA Listing for 48m Azul V

News / yachtstyle2020

Asia Yacht Agency Secures Charter CA Listing for 48m Azul V

February 27, 2020
12:30 pm

Thailand-based Asia Yacht Agency has been appointed as the charter Central Agency for the 48m CRN superyacht Azul V, formerly Lady Ellen II.

Asia Yacht Agency, headquartered in Phuket, has been appointed as the Central Agency for the 48.3m Azul V, the biggest yacht in its charter fleet. The yacht will operate in the Mediterranean in the summer before relocating to Southeast Asia, where she will charter for €147,000 + APA from December 1-April 30 and €126,000 + APA from May 1-November 30.

Azul V is a 48.3m motor yacht built by CRN, part of Italy’s Ferretti Group

Known as Lady Ellen II until she was bought by her new owner in February, the Malaysia-flagged 158-footer was built by Ferretti Group’s CRN shipyard and delivered in 1996. Paolo Scanu designed the yacht’s exterior, while Francois Zuretti was responsible for her voluminous interior.

Served by 11 crew, Azul V has a flexible six-cabin layout for up to 12 guests that includes a full-beam master suite on the main deck and a similarly spacious full-beam VIP suite on the lower deck. All guest cabins have entertainment centres, TVs and en-suite bathrooms.

The jacuzzi on the sundeck also doubles as a swim-up bar

The yacht’s popular outdoor features include a jacuzzi, swim-up bar, sunpads and lounge seating on the sundeck, while the aft main deck offers alfresco dining and a lounging area.

As well as gym equipment, Azul V is packed with water toys including a 7m tender, 6.2m rib, two Honda AquaTrax R-12X jetskis, a Sea-Doo GTR 215, wakeboards, waterskis, towable inflatables, a Rave Sports Bongo water bouncer, paddleboards, water planks, and fishing and snorkelling gear, plus roller skates and mountain bikes for land excursions.

Azul V has a voluminous interior designed by Francois Zuretti

RINA classed and MCA compliant, the yacht has new upholstery in the saloon and has benefited from several refits and upgrades during her life, including a comprehensive two-year rebuild completed in 2015 that earned a commendation in the Rebuilt Yacht category at the 2016 World Superyacht Awards.

As well as its charter business, Asia Yacht Agency is a dealer for Zodiac, Bombard and Aon ribs, has a brokerage division for pre-owned yachts and is a member of the Thai Yachting Business Association, organiser of the Thailand Charter Week.

www.asiayachtagency.com

ogp@asiayachtagency.com

Thailand’s Amazing Yacht Charter Buffet On Show in Phuket

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Thailand’s Amazing Yacht Charter Buffet On Show in Phuket

February 21, 2020
12:59 am

Yacht Style checks out leading lights from the Thailand Charter Week, which showcased over 20 yachts from 48-135ft based in Southeast Asia.

Australian Bill O’Leary was one of the pioneers of Thailand’s yachting industry along with Englishman Andy Dowden and Frenchman Vincent Tabuteau, each of them arriving on the island in the 1980s and developing charter in the region.

Yachts at the first Thailand Charter Week in Phuket; Photos: Aaron Ross & As Credited

O’Leary and Dowden remain co-authors of the Southeast Asia Pilot cruising guide and the sixth edition was available at the first Thailand Charter Week in Phuket Yacht Haven, where the Aussie revealed he’d heard particular interest in this region when visiting the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show late last year.

“Thailand and Indonesia, in that order, are the countries that most people are interested in. This area is so magnificent and amazing that I really do think that it’s going to be the next big cruising destination of the world,” O’Leary said.

“When I got here over 30 years ago, I thought this is going to be populated by superyachts and other yachts within a couple of years. It’s three decades later and it’s only now really getting some traction and starting to take off.”

Rico Stapel, formerly of Simpson Marine and Boat Lagoon Yachting, has recently set up the B2B Yacht Charter Network (YCN), which he describes as a ‘sales system for agents and marketing platform for yachts’.

Musician John Legend and his family chartered the 106ft Demarest last year

“When I arrived 13 years ago, I managed a 69ft Ferretti which was the only remarkable charter boat in Phuket. Now, the size and quality of boats out here is steadily increasing. Up to about 100ft, the quality is already very good and we’re getting more and more superyachts coming to the region,” said Stapel, who exhibited the Riva 70 Aria Blue at Yacht Haven.

“Many of the larger yachts choose an international brokerage to represent them, and increasingly the regional and local charter companies are also looking for Central Agency listings. We are in a transition period right now from local boats having a multi-agent scheme to them wanting more professional representation by choosing CAs.”

An industry-only event, the Thailand Charter Week featured 21 yachts ranging in size from a 48ft Moorings sailing catamaran to the Norman Foster-designed Ocean Emerald (135ft), available for weekly charter from €95,000 through Camper & Nicholsons.

SAILING STRONG

Simpson Yacht Charter is one of Asia’s leading regional charter companies and showed two sailing catamarans, the Lagoon 620 Jyohana and the Lagoon 52F Blue Moon, the latter’s weekly crewed charter rates ranging from €14,000-23,000 depending on season.

The Lagoon 620 Jyohana is among Simpson Yacht Charter’s sailing catamarans

A 2011 build, the four-cabin Jyohana primarily did day charters in Singapore until its owner decided upgrade the interior and move the yacht into the overnight charter market late last year. She has been operating in Thailand and Malaysia since December, with key charter periods already booked up.

“As Jyohana is flagged in Langkawi, in the peak season she can do cross-border charters from Phuket to Langkawi,” said Reanna Wang, the company’s Group Charter Manager. “Her customers have often chartered cats this size before but in other destinations, so they’re looking to explore new destinations in Asia.”

Jyohana will again be based in Singapore from May to October, but with a focus on special itineraries to Tioman Island in Malaysia and the Anambas Islands in Indonesia. “That will be very, very interesting for customers,” Wang said.

Blue Moon was new when she arrived in Asia in early 2018. With five cabins, she quickly made a splash in the charter market.The Thailand Charter Week showed off the stunning scenery around Phuket

“She’s a fun boat, with kayaks and paddleboards, lots of games, and we try to provide an exciting trip for the guests. There’s also a small tender that can tow small kids on a wakeboard,” Wang says.

“Catamarans are popular because they offer much more space than a monohull of the same length and are slightly more stable when they cruise. Many people prefer sailing cats to power because they’re quieter. We have a lot of very satisfied customers.”

Fresh from a two-month refit, the 104ft Silverlining was the largest sailing boat at the show, where she was exhibited by Fraser, the international brokerage represented in Thailand by Asia Marine.

“Silverlining is the only four-cabin sailing boat of this size in this area and has qualified to be listed by Fraser, a member of MYBA, the most demanding association in terms of compliance,” said Vincent Tabuteau, Fraser’s Managing Director – Thailand, who was hoping to also show the 104ft Camara C, but her arrival in Phuket was slightly delayed.The 104ft Silverlining (Fraser) has a spectacular master suite

The experienced Captain and other crew members have been with the boat since it was built from an aluminium hull made in China and finished in Thailand in 2011, before the owner sailed it around the world for several years. Now with a new owner, the four-cabin yacht has new investment with the aim of attracting high-end charter guests.

“She’s in immaculate condition, super safe, great for families, has an experienced crew and a large platform in the back with a selection of water toys,” Tabuteau says. “There’s no real equivalent in Asia, so she should do well.”

MAJOR MOTOR YACHTS

Ocean Emerald is a star of any show she attends in the region and remains “very busy” as a charter yacht, according to Nicole Terry of Camper & Nicholsons. The spectacular four-deck motor yacht showed off a refurbished interior with new carpets, wall fabrics and furniture, the latest investment by owner Nigel Plaskett, who stays closely involved with his boat’s charter business.The sun deck on Ocean Emerald, chartered by Camper & Nicholsons

The yacht has a great sun deck with forward jacuzzi, plus a gym, while there are indoor and outdoor dining areas on both the main and upper decks to enjoy food prepared by outstanding French and Thai chefs. There’s also a fantastic selection of water toys, which were on display at Yacht Haven.

“The yacht, service and cuisine on Ocean Emerald are the same level as experienced charter guests are used to in the Med,” Terry says.

Ocean Emerald sleeps up to 12 guests in a main deck-master suite – with two balconies – and up to four lower-deck cabins, including a double with two Pullmans. The two forward cabins can even be combined to make a ‘second master suite’, with beds in one room rearranged into an L-shaped sofa. It’s important to have the option of two comparable ‘master suites’, according to Terry, for when the yacht is chartered by two families.The new-look saloon on the 135ft Ocean Emerald

The yacht has up to 11 crew and is based in Phuket from December to April and for the rest of the year in the Gulf of Thailand, where home base is Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya. From June to September, she’s also available in the Anambas Islands (embarkation in Singapore), although other destinations like the Philippines are possible.

“Ocean Emerald has a lot of clients from Europe and Asia, and we generally like to charter for a week, although a lot of high-end hotels and weddings may just want it for a day or two,” Terry says.

The 106ft Demarest, the former Aquarius S built by Falcon in Italy, was exhibited by its new owner following the completion of an eight-month refit last August, when singer-songwriter John Legend and model Chrissy Teigen became its first charter guests. Based in Ao Po Grand Marina, the yacht has a flybridge jacuzzi and three large doubles among its five cabins, with two Pullmans meaning up to 12 overnight guests.

The 97ft beige-hulled Mia Kai, represented by Ocean Independence, also has a top-deck jacuzzi, plus four lower-deck cabins that include two large ones of similar size, with a full-beam master midships and an excellent VIP forward.The 97ft Mia Kia built in Turkey by Bilgin is operated by Ocean Independence

“It’s always a good selling point to have two doubles of similar size,” says Kirsty Halfacree of Ocean Independence. “It’s perfect for family charters, as two families can each have two adults in a good-sized double and their children in a twin.”

Often based in Yacht Haven, Mia Kai was built in Turkey by Bilgin Yachts in 2006 and fitted with Italian furniture and marble. The four-cabin yacht features beautiful woodwork throughout its interior, where the saloon leads up a step to a dining table and a portside bar/galley for guest use, as the Michelin-trained chef ‘Notty’ has his own galley on the lower deck.

The seven crew also include engineer ‘Mhoo’, a keen fisherman who encourages guests to trawl for large fish while underway, and Captain Chris Green, who has lived in Phuket for a decade, speaks English, French and Thai, and holds a 200-tonne RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean licence.

Mia Kai is well also well equipped with toys including a rib, jetski, waterskis, wakeboard, kneeboard, paddleboard, inflatable sea kayaks, a T-dock and other inflatables, plus snorkelling and fishing equipment.Aveline, chartered by Northrop & Johnson, offers two ‘master cabins’

Northrop & Johnson, represented by Phuket-based Charter Manager Lies Sol, exhibited two yachts including the 103ft Aveline, built in Italy by Maiora. Thai-flagged and put into charter for the first time by her Malaysian owner, the four-cabin yacht has been well kept and is suitable for families and overnight charters, as well as day charters for up to 12 guests.

Like Ocean Emerald and Mia Kai, Aveline offers two big ‘master cabins’, convenient for two families. She’s very well equipped for toys, with a new jetski, two tenders, kayaks and a new inflatable swimming pool that can be attached to the swim platform.

Northrop & Johnson also represents the Sunseeker 86 MaXxx, which has four cabins and a jacuzzi on the flybridge. Following an extensive refit, she features a new tender, jetski, water maker and AV system, plus full Wi-Fi and SAT TV, and can charter between Phuket and Langkawi, as well as to Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago.

VARIETY THE SPICE OF THAILAND

Yacht Sourcing showcased its three Central Agency listings in Thailand – the 95ft Lady Eileen II built in Taiwan, the Azimut 80 Mirage from Italy and the 90ft Maha Bhetra, a traditional wooden motor yacht unlike any other at Yacht Haven, her home port.Designed by Amanpuri architect Ed Tuttle and chartered by Yacht Sourcing, the 90ft Maha Bhetra was built in Phuket and is unlike any other boat at Yacht Haven, her home port

Designed by Amanpuri architect Ed Tuttle, Maha Bhetra was built in Phuket of hardwood with teak flooring, and delivered in 1994. Usually based at Yacht Haven, the yacht typically charters around Phuket and north to the Similan and Surin islands.

The two-deck yacht features three elegant cabins on the main deck, plus a cosy bench and table in the bow, while the upper deck features the main saloon and dining areas, plus an open lounge forward. The saloon is open on all four sides and makes the most of the area’s good weather, with transparent blinds only used in case of rain or excessive wind.

The 89ft, three-cabin Ajao has only been chartering from Phuket since last year, having undergone an eight-month refit in Boat Lagoon in 2018 after arriving from Miami.Formerly in Miami, the 89ft, three-cabin Ajao has been chartering from Phuket since 2018; Photos: Ajao Cruises

Featuring six crew including cruise director Detlef Sarrazin, a Phuket resident for over two decades, the 1989 Baglietto build is among only a few charter yachts in the area properly geared up for scuba diving, with tanks and a compressor, and is also equipped for game fishing.

The yacht can charter to Malaysia and Myanmar, yet most business so far has been day charters around Phuket catering for up to 30 guests at a time, with toys including two motor dinghies, two kayaks, a paddleboard and snorkelling gear.Foredeck of the 74ft, one-cabin Chowa, designed and built in Korea

Built by Splo Yachts in Korea and finished in Thailand, the 74ft Chowa – Korean for ‘I like’ – is a one-cabin, bronze-coloured motor yacht featuring unconventional design inside and out. Her point of difference is the lower deck, which is dominated by a large entertainment zone with a huge Samsung TV and bar.

Based in Ao Po Grand Marina and focused on day charters, Chowa and her orange-clad crew can cater for up to 50 guests – who benefit from the yacht’s stabilisers – although she has occasionally done overnight charters when guests stayed at hotels or resorts.

If variety is the spice of life, Phuket’s charter fleet is fairly tasty right now, with choice increasing year by year.

www.thaiyachtingbusinessassociation.com

The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 51. Email subscribe@lux-inc.com for print subscription enquiries or subscribe to the Magzter version at: www.magzter.com/SG/Lux-Inc-Media/Yacht-Style/Fashion/

Dunia Baru Offers Charter Guests Chance to See Indonesia’s Big Five

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Dunia Baru Offers Charter Guests Chance to See Indonesia’s Big Five

February 17, 2020
1:02 am

The 51m phinisi Dunia Baru offers a superyacht safari in Indonesia that enables guests to track down a local version of the ‘big five’.

In the animal kingdom, the term ‘big five’ was coined in Africa to define the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape buffalo. Dunia Baru, the 51m phinisi launched in December 2013 , now offers charter guests a ‘superyacht safari’ in Indonesia with the chance to see another ‘big five’ – Komodo dragons, manta rays, fruit bats, whale sharks and sea turtles.The 51m Dunia Baru exploring Komodo; Photo: Tom van Oossanen

Dunia Baru, the 51m phinisi launched in December 2013, now offers charter guests a ‘superyacht safari’ in Indonesia with the chance to see another ‘big five’ – Komodo dragons, manta rays, fruit bats, whale sharks and sea turtles.

The itinerary starts in Maumere, which is a 1hr 25min flight east from Bali’s main international airport of Denpasar and sits on the north coast of East Nusa Tenggara province, home also to Komodo National Park. Dunia Baru’s smiling crew will meet you at the airport and transfer you by private shuttle to where the yacht awaits at anchor.

The yacht, which has a crew of 18 and caters to 14 guests, can first travel northeast to nearby Pulau Babi, where guests can start exploring the clear waters for the deep crack in the tectonic plate that was exposed by the 1992 earthquake and tsunami. A geological wonder, this rupture had devastating effects for the local inhabitants, many of whom live on the shoreline.

DRAGONS AND MANTAS IN KOMODO

Although the island of Komodo itself is set to close to visitors for a period of environmental recovery in 2020, other nearby islands such as Rinca, also home to the famous Komodo dragon, remain open.Being able to see Komodo dragons is a highlight of any venture to Komodo National Park; Photo: Tim Thomas, Jampacked Media

Step ashore and step back in time to a prehistoric age as you track Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. This incredible ancient lizard bares shark-like teeth and can produce a poisonous venom that could put a swift end to your adventuring, so Dunia Baru’s crew will ensure you make use of one of the experienced park ranger guides who are experts in Komodo behaviour and full of factual anecdotes.

The waters of the Komodo National Park are also a likely location to see manta rays. Reaching up to 7m in width, these graceful and exotic creatures glide through the water in truly mesmerising fashion. Indonesia is somewhat of a sanctuary for these gigantic cartilaginous fish and they can be seen when scuba diving or even just while snorkelling.

A scuba dive here could also result in a meeting with a black-tip reef shark. Usually found in waters only a few metres deep, you may even spot one swimming close to shore. Typically timid, this shark is not considered a danger to humans, although it can become a bit feisty if roused by food.Komodo National Park waters are a good place to see manta rays

After sailing to West Nusa Tenggara, the afternoon can be spent exploring the collapsed volcano of Satonda, which now holds a tranquil lake at its centre – ideal for a kayak or paddleboard.

Flying Fox fruit bats are rarely seen in the middle of the day and it’s at dusk that this island comes to life. The sky becomes filled with thousands of these bird-like mammals, some boasting a wingspan of 1.5m. The best view is from Dunia Baru’s aft deck or foredeck while the yacht sits at anchor.

Nearby is the much larger island of Moyo (also known as Mojo), which is worth a visit for the trek to Mata Jitu waterfall, which can also be reached by motorbike with an experienced guide. Hidden in the forest, this ancient natural wonder was formed millions of years ago and cascades over several pools.Fruit bats, some boasting a wingspan of 1.5m, generally appear at dusk

WHALE SHARKS IN SUMBAWA

Whale sharks are seasonal and migratory to Indonesia. However, your best chance of a face-to-face meeting with these smiling giants of the sea is to search beneath a Bagan, a traditional Indonesian fishing boat. Whale sharks are known to be attracted to these and the associated fishing activity, with Sumbawa, southeast of Moyo, renowned as a popular spot.

To be sure of an encounter, Dunia Baru’s crew will happily take the tender to investigate the whereabouts of any whale sharks, conversing with local fisherman to find out where they’ve most recently been sighted.In Indonesia, whale sharks are seasonal and migratory, with Sumbawa, southeast of Moyo, one of the most popular places to spot these beautiful creatures

Any trip can also include the south of Lombok, east of Bali, as well as the Gili Islands, off Lombok’s northwest coast. A gentle snorkel off the beaches is very likely to deliver a meeting with a turtle. In fact, Dunia Baru guarantees it.

On Gili Trawangan, the biggest of the three Gili Islands, there’s a turtle hatchery that can be visited if you’d like to know more about the life of the turtles in this region and what’s being done to maintain their numbers. However, if you want an encounter of your own, head for the shores off the east coast.Sea turtles can be spotted around the Gili Islands

After the superyacht safari, it’s time to disembark in Bali where you may want to spend a few days indulging and recuperating at one of the many luxurious spa hotels before your onward travel home.

The Indonesians are internationally renowned for their massage therapies, which blend Chinese and Ayurvedic methods to heal, calm and revitalise. In fact, why not wind down such a trip by coming up with your own ‘big five’ massage treatments …

www.duniabaru.com

Jeanneau Motor Yacht Face-Off: Leader 33 vs Merry Fisher 109

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Jeanneau Motor Yacht Face-Off: Leader 33 vs Merry Fisher 1095

February 14, 2020
3:09 am

Jeanneau’s Merry Fisher 1095 and N33 both offer comfort and clever design, with configuration setting them apart, Andrew Dembina writes.

PHOTOS: Jean-Jacques Bernier, Jerome Kelagopian, Bertrand Duquenne

A duo of recently-launched motor yacht models by renowned French shipyard Jeanneau, each in the 34-35ft range, are proving very popular dayboat or overnight options in Asia. The boats in question, Leader 33 and Merry Fisher 1095, have more in common than length and an almost 11ft beam, yet some distinct differences might sway a potential owner one way or the other.The Leader 33’s open design accentuates the sweep of gentle curves from bow to sizeable swim platform

Some in Asia’s yachting circles still wonder if this region will welcome the growing global embrace of outboard engines in power boats under 40ft.

However, several builders are confident that the convenience  of outboard engine accessibility, more servicing and repair options around the region, and less-perceptible vibration than inboard motors – as well as far fewer decibels than outboards of old – will win hearts here.

Leader, Jeanneau’s high-end sport boat range, has traditionally been one of the brand’s two inboard ranges, with NC, and our review boat had twin Volvo Penta D3-220s inboards and an overall length of 34ft 8in. However, Jeanneau launched twin-outboard versions of both the Leader 30 and 33 in 2019, offering another appealing option.The Merry Fisher 1095 has an LOA of 34ft 5in, very similar to the Leader 33; the MF1095 (below) can have a separated aft area when the saloon doors are closed

Merry Fisher, like Cap Camarat, is an outboard range and its flagship 1095 was released in 2018, followed by a new flybridge version that was unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival last September.

The two Jeanneau models, as seen in Hong Kong, have a couple of notable differences at the outset. As an express boat, the Leader 33 has a few more curves – both inside and out – that accentuate its sportier persona. The Merry Fisher 1095 is not short of pleasing lines, but mostly to give it a slight touch of contemporary aesthetics that both models share.

The most immediate contrast is the Leader’s completely open aft, versus an enclosable one on the Merry Fisher behind the sliding saloon doors.The cockpits on both the Leader 33 (above) and Merry Fisher 1095 (below) have modular seating, easily adjusted for extra space or a change of direction

Both aft areas have notably generous cushioned seating and easy-to-operate pivoting bench seats that transform into wide padded sunbathing platforms, or can switch direction from being forward-facing to taking in vistas from the stern.

“I think this size is great,” says Mathilde Delfour, Jeanneau’s Asia-Pacific Sales Manager, aboard the Leader 33 as we pull out of Club Marina Cove in Sai Kung under a clear blue sky on mostly calm ocean waters.

“The main deck is like a large platform that’s open to the outside, allowing people to enjoy the boat, so suits entertaining. It could be centred on sunbathing and swimming or for sitting around the table socialising. And you can be under the roof in air-conditioning if it gets too hot. People can also take it out for one or two nights, as it has two cabins and a good galley.”

MULTIPLE CHOICE

The Leader 33 really does feel like it could be a party boat – standard-fitted sunken audio speakers appear throughout the main and lower decks, while a wet bar and basin, opposite the main deck’s extendable table, a metre or so behind the helm, augments a full galley on the lower deck.The Leader 33’s reversible bench seating can face forwards or aft

Where seating around the extendable table ends midships, a bench backrest can be simply lifted and its direction reversed to face the bow, so this spot can be conveniently used to sit and chat with the helm or to offer a good vantage point for any would-be co-pilot or navigator.

The covered main-deck areas on both boats are showered with natural light from large wraparound windows and ample ceiling skylights, which can be covered to block very bright sunshine or allow privacy. All can be opened to allow for cross-ventilation, when preferred over air-conditioning. This is particularly effective with the Leader, given its open stern.

Helm stations in both boats have simple dashboards – the Leader 33 has retro-style chrome-edged display dials – and seats that can be easily retracted if standing is preferred. The 1095 has a sliding door by the helm, so it’s just a single stride to the starboard side deck.The Merry Fisher 1095 also has a reversible bench seat, shown facing the feature table

Lawrence Chow of China Pacific, Jeanneau’s distributor in Hong Kong, says: “Our customers love the size of both boats, which move around easily thanks to their bow thrusters.

“We have sold one of each model to first-time owners and they also like the layouts if they have family on board, saying there are enough areas to find their own spaces, and still keep their eye on where children are.”

CLEVER USE OF SPACE AND LIGHT

Storage spaces are ingenious on the lower deck of both the Leader 33 and Merry Fisher 1095. In the bathroom, a sizeable shaving/makeup mirror is completely concealed to seemingly flip out of nowhere.In the Leader 33, the bed in the master suite shortens to make a cosy lounge area (below)

Both of these models have a spacious shower and WC, plus a signature stylish basin bowl mounted atop a deep counter. Around the ablutions rooms and galleys, every square inch is used for obvious or clever concealed storage. And in both models, optional natural lighting panels abound – used or not by attaching or removing fabric blinds via large popper closures.

Likewise, in both boats, cabins play on adaptable furnishings configured to use all space available for access around beds, and to allow impressive headroom and storage.

In the 1095’s master cabin, an oval-shaped double bed makes good use of the space in the bow, where its curved edges allow ergonomic access around either side and to overhead lockers. The Leader’s master has higher headroom over the foot of its rectangular double bed, which can morph into a lounge, with a hidden pop-up table concealed in its flooring.The master cabin in the Merry Fisher 1095 is also in the bow

However, the Merry Fisher model may have the edge below decks as it offers the option of two or three cabins, the latter a remarkable achievement on the boat of this size.

Besides the positive response on both the Leader 33 and Merry Fisher 1095 in Hong Kong, Jeanneau’s Southeast Asian dealers also praise the appeal of both.

Nguyen Duc Thuan, President of Vietyacht, says: “These two boats are suitable in size, reasonably priced and have great performance for the Vietnamese market. Merry Fisher 1095 is in more demand than Leader 33, as it’s a slightly lower price and our clients prefer outboards for operation and maintenance.”The Merry Fisher 1095’s helm station has side deck access

Vrit Yongsakul, Group Managing Director of Thailand-based Boat Lagoon Yachting, is equally upbeat about the new models.

“Jeanneau hits the right spot when it comes to the Leader 33 and Merry Fisher 1095 and also the NC33,” he says. “They are attractive yachts, great for both beginner and experienced boaters who simply want to go out for the day and enjoy the paradise of Thailand.”

The consensus is that both models are suitable for the region, offering a clever use of space and reliable performance. The main differentiators are that the Leader 33 offers either inboard or outboard engines and an open design, while the Merry Fisher 1095 has the option of a closed saloon and two extra berths in this space.

www.jeanneau.com

Sanlorenzo SD96 Luxury Motor Yacht Doubles Up in Asia

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Sanlorenzo SD96 Luxury Motor Yacht Doubles Up in Asia

February 13, 2020
3:08 am

Two units of the new Sanlorenzo SD96 will arrive in Asia in 2021, one with an interior by Spanish ‘starchitect’ Patricia Urquiola.

Sanlorenzo’s remarkable run of success in Asia just keeps on going. The new SD96 was one of the stars of the last Cannes Yachting Festival , especially as the hull used for the world premiere featured an interior by Patricia Urquiola, marking the renowned Spanish architect and designer’s debut work in the boating world. Simpson Marine announced sales of the SD96 into Hong Kong and Singapore; Photos: Thomas Pagani

The model received praise and accolades, yet yacht lovers in Asia will get the chance to see the SD96 for themselves in Asia next year as not one but two units have been sold to owners in the region.

Just months after the Cannes show, the Sanlorenzo Asia division at Simpson Marine announced the sales and that the 29m yachts will be delivered in Hong Kong and Singapore in early 2021. Furthermore, the hull heading to Hong Kong will feature an interior by Urquiola.

“The SD96 was our team’s favourite new model at Cannes, impressing with larger volumes and smart connectivity,” said Nick Stratton, Sales Manager for Sanlorenzo Asia.

As the new entry-level model of Sanlorenzo’s semi-displacement yacht line, the SD96 replaces the successful SD92, which sold a remarkable 27 units since its launch in 2007.The vast main-deck saloon features huge windows and sofas designed by Patricia Urquiola for Cassina

One of Sanlorenzo’s three composite ranges along with the SL and SX, the SD range (96, 112, 126) is designed for long journeys and draws inspiration from the lines of transatlantic yachts of the 1930s.

The two SD96 yachts heading to Asia will join an impressive fleet of SD yachts cruising in the region, with an SD92 and SD122 based in Hong Kong and the flagship SD126 based in Singapore.

“The SD range is very appealing to owners in Asia who wish to cruise longer distances,” Stratton said. “Suddenly journeys once not possible become a reality and there’s a new excitement to owning a yacht.”

URQUIOLA MAKES HER MARK

Bernard Zuccon of Zuccon International was responsible the exterior of the three-deck SD96, one of several models he and the company have designed for the Italian builder. This forward view of the saloon shows the foldable dining table that can be stored in the bench, which has sliding backrests

However, it was the decision by Sanlorenzo Chairman Massimo Perotti to have Urquiola handle the interiors that gave the model a distinct character, as she followed other interior designers including Dordoni Architetti, ACPV (Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel) and Piero Lissoni, Sanlorenzo’s Art Director since 2018.

“I chose Patricia because I wanted to add a more feminine touch to our interiors,” Perotti said. “She is the most sought-after woman in global design thanks to her ability to combine beauty and comfort.”

Urquiola has spent much of her adult life in Italy and has an office in Milan with about 70 staff. She made her name in residential interiors and joins a relatively small number of female designers in the yachting world, which includes Bernardo’s sister Martina.Patricia Urquiola on the first Sanlorenzo SD96

Considering the global appeal of her work, Urquiola is certainly among the most famous and her Instagram following (290,000) is even bigger than that of Kelly Hoppen (170,000), the celebrated British designer whose clients have included the Beckhams and who handles the interiors of Pearl yachts.

The exterior of SD96 retains the shape of the forward and lateral windows of the rest of the SD range, but with panes that are visually similar to the hull, due to Urquiola’s choice to apply one-way films to the cabin windows on the lower deck.

Urquiola emphasised several themes in her work on the SD96, including the use of natural colours and textures throughout the yacht, and selected use of blue , such as in the glass panelling in the master cabin, and the sofas and seats on the upper deck.The owner’s cabin is forward on the main deck

“Our starting point for this collaboration with Sanlorenzo was the sea, a great source of inspiration for the whole development of the concept and therefore the interior of the yacht,” Urquiola said. “The materials, shapes and colours evoke the marine world, creating a flowing and elegant space full of natural colours.”

However, Urquiola’s most significant design stamp is her emphasis on flexibility and modularity, which has enabled many of the rooms and spaces on the yachts to be used in multiple ways.

FLEXIBLE INTERIORS

On hull one, shown in Cannes, the scene is set when boarding the main deck, where a huge, open cockpit has a long sofa aft and a clean deck featuring loose chairs and small tables – set as you wish.The lower deck features a living room that can convert to an en-suite cabin

Wide doors lead you in the elegant saloon, which has enormous windows along both sides, parquet flooring and cannulated oak- panelled walls in all four corners. The starboard aft corner features a fold-out TV and encloses the crew stairways to the engine room and upper deck.

Urquiola designed the saloon’s light-grey carpet, along with those in the master and guest cabins, while the furniture includes a sofa and several other pieces she designed for Cassina.

Her love of transformability is shown on starboard side, where folding chairs from Gio Ponti face a table that can actually fold up and be stored in the long bench. Furthermore, the bench backrest is able to drop down, allowing guests a clearer view through the window, a view that is also enlarged when a section of the bulwark slides down.The upper deck features great continuity between the uncovered aft deck and the enclosable skylounge

Forward is the central staircase, which Sanlorenzo always takes great pride in making into a focal point. Made of bronzed steel and wood and enclosed in a travertine shell, it accesses both the upper and lower decks.

Starting starboardside, the hallway leads forward to the master cabin, which starts with the en-suite bathroom on the right and a walk- in wardrobe on the left, while the bedroom is forward and has half- height oak panelling all around.

The forward-facing double bed has a leather head rest, while above it, across the room, is an attractive glass design with a blueish, wavy effect designed to provide continuity with the sea and sky. To port, below the side windows, is a dressing table fixed to the oak panels.A drop-down television can turn the skylounge into a cinema

The hallway also leads across to a central day head and portside to the galley by Boffi, which accesses the stairs that lead down to an elegant and spacious crew area in the bow.

The central staircase features a beautiful, recessed handrail and leads down the lower deck, where guests are welcomed by a living room to port. Exemplifying Urquiola’s desire for flexibility, the room can be transformed into a twin cabin with en-suite by rearranging the sofas and using sliding panels to enclose the room.

Otherwise, there are three fixed guest cabins, comprising one starboard of the living room and two midships, aft of the hallway.

UPPER DECK SUPREME

The upper deck has a large, open aft area that can be covered by a bimini attached to the hardtop, which reaches about 2m aft of the skylounge. The outdoor area features sofas, stools and a coffee table that can be converted to a dining table, with up to 10 people able to enjoy al fresco meals.On the upper deck, the open aft area is partly covered by the hardtop

The skylounge can be fully opened aft when the doors are slid and folded away, while there are also fully opening windows on each side. This cosy space is another highlight of Urquiola’s emphasis on transformability, as the area can be used as a living room, dining area or a cinema due to modular furniture.

Forward of the wheelhouse are two comfortable, almost-square seating areas with coffee tables, then seven steps down to a beautifully designed foredeck with two large lounging areas on either side, making the most of what’s often solely a working area.

And the yacht has a further surprise when it’s revealed that the aft garage door is fixed to the starboard steps, which opens up much more storage space for a tender and toys.The stairs from the upper deck to the foredeck, which Urquiola changed from a working area to a snug guest zone

The yacht is built for comfort and long periods at sea. The hull features a sharp profile and a vertical bow, and comes from the concept of famed French designer Philippe Briand, combined with input from Sanlorenzo’s engineering team.

With the more powerful option of twin 1,380hp MTU engines, the SD96 has a top speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 15, while navigating at 10 knots maximises fuel economy and allows for an impressive range of 1,800nm.

Simpson Marine has 12 offices in seven countries and regions around Asia, so provides a strong support network for the growing fleet of Sanlorenzo owners in this area.The wheelhouse, on the upper deck, features an oak steering wheel

“Imagine cruising to destinations such as Raja Ampat and the Anambas Islands in Indonesia, the Mergui archipelago in Myanmar, or Busuanga and Palawan in the Philippines,” Stratton says.

“With the SD96, it is now possible to explore the region in total comfort. We strongly believe in this model and the SD range, and are sure more sales will follow.”

www.sanlorenzoyacht.com

Yacht Sourcing’s Dynamic Duo Driven by Blue Sky Thinking

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Yacht Sourcing’s Dynamic Duo Driven by Blue Sky Thinking

February 10, 2020
3:06 am

Both living in Indonesia for the past decade, Boum Senous and Xavier Fabre have broken a lot of new ground with Yacht Sourcing since 2016.

Xavier Fabre and Boum Senous don’t call themselves disruptors, but Yacht Sourcing certainly does things differently from other yacht services companies in Asia. For a start, the company they started in Bali in 2016 has its own shipyard in Sulawesi that builds phinisis and other wooden boats.Yacht Sourcing co-founders Boum Senous and Xavier Fabre; Photo: Yacht Style

Yacht Sourcing even has a marina consultancy division. The company also offers the services that most competitors do, such as new yacht sales, brokerage and charter, as well as superyacht management and agency services.

As such, Yacht Sourcing – Ferretti Group’s dealer in Indonesia – is arguably growing faster than any other pleasure boating company in the region, boosted by the launch of the 55m Prana by Atzaro in mid-2018.

Yacht Sourcing not only built the nine-cabin phinisi but is also its central agency (CA) for charter, and manages the yacht and its crew for Atzaro. Prana’s overwhelming popularity and its global publicity have raised Yacht Sourcing’s profile and proved a strong symbol of the company’s new-build and charter expertise.

“Prana was a game changer for us, definitely, even if I think we did other things before that which were also very nice. For now, boatbuilding is our leading business division, followed by a fair amount of charter sales and charter operation,” says Senous, the company’s Director of Operations.Prana by Atzaro has been a charter sensation since her launch in mid-2018

“With the offices, technical staff, shipbuilding site and crew members of all the boats – although they’re not directly our crew, we take care of them as if they were and manage their salary – we now have about 200 people on our payroll.

“We’re looking to double this in the next three years,” adds the fast-talking Belgian. And he’s not even the salesman among the pair.

THE SALESMAN AND THE BUILDER

Fabre, based in Indonesia since 2009, is Director of Sales and the man who pushed to start the company. The Frenchman’s earlier roles in the world’s fourth most populous nation included Country Manager for Simpson Marine and then head of the country’s Azimut dealership.

After a first meeting in Bali, the pair first talked properly at an Indonesia Yacht Show while Senous was busy building Alexa, an exclusive 31m, single-cabin phinisi that’s among Yacht Sourcing’s list of charter boats.

Although wooden boats and luxurious Italian-designed motor yachts look worlds apart, both attract a similarly well-heeled clientele. Fabre saw a business opportunity.

“On my side, I had a lot of demand from people for wooden boats, but I was like, ‘No, wrong choice’, because I had to promote the luxury motor yachts I was selling. But in the end, I realised so many people wanted wooden boats and Boum was the expert in Indonesia.”

Several years and many conversations later, Senous was convinced.“Xavier always had the vision,” says Senous. “He knew the market would open up.”

“Xavier always had the vision. He knew the market would open up in Indonesia and that there was a lot to be done. He said if we get ourselves ready for when the market grows, we’d have a lot of opportunity,” says Senous.

“At the time, I was not really excited about moving back to a land job as I was still enjoying my life at sea, but I realised I had to trust him. The decision was made over a lunch.”

Although possessing different business skill sets today, the pair have a similar background, both growing up as avid sailors and enjoying watersports, and expanding their horizons while cruising around the world.

Fabre, whose father was a marine engineer in a shipyard in Normandy, had spent significant time in both Dubai and Mauritius – where he even coached the national sailing team – before settling down in Indonesia.

Senous, who speaks several Indonesian dialects as well as French and English, hints at an early life on the wrong side of the tracks, using sailing as both an escape and a tool to help others.Yacht Sourcing took the opportunity to double the size of its Bali headquarters in late 2019; the company also has offices in Jakarta, Flores and Phuket

“I started to sail when I was very young and did a lot of volunteering in France and Belgium, fitting out boats for associations that taught kids from bad neighbourhoods how to sail. Since I also came from that background, they were happy for me to act as a role model,” he says.

“I then travelled around the world on sailing boats and didn’t want to do anything else but work on the sea. Soon after I arrived in Indonesia, I worked on smaller boats then started to visit Bira [Sulawesi] and learn how to build wooden boats. It became a passion and it still is now. It’s like we found each other.”

His passion for his craft remains evident today and he believes it has helped shape the company’s success so far.

“We love what we’re doing and this why we’re good at it,” Senous continues. “I really care about every boat I do. That’s probably the signature of Yacht Sourcing and why we’ve reached where we are. We don’t build the same boat twice. We’ve thought a lot about each boat we do and each has its own soul.”

LUXURY MADE IN ITALY

In 2017, Fabre brought the Ferretti Group to the table as Yacht Sourcing was appointed the exclusive dealer for Ferretti Yachts, Pershing and Riva. To celebrate and publicise the new appointment, Yacht Sourcing went on to host elegant parties in Bali and its then-new Jakarta office in Pantai Mutiara.Yacht Sourcing has been a dealer for Ferretti Yachts, Riva and Pershing since 2017

The following year, the launch of Prana further established Yacht Sourcing as a company to be reckoned with, especially as the phinisi went on to become a charter sensation with clients from around the world, even hosting Kim Kardashian and her sisters in an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, aired in April 2019.

Senous says that as well as building the boat, Yacht Sourcing also had input on the design, citing one key example.

“For example, there were spaces originally designated for laundry and the cruise director, which we said should be used as high-class, luxury cabins. That’s why the yacht has nine cabins, one of Prana’s selling points,” he says.

“It’s like the boat we’re building now. First, we try to anticipate what the market wants, while being a bit different in the way of building, especially in terms of sustainability as we’re really sensitive to this. Clients are not only buying a boat from us; they’re buying our time and expertise and ideas.”Winners at the 2019 Christofle Yacht Style Awards in Phuket

Prana kick-started a whirlwind 18 months for Yacht Sourcing including a move into marina design and development that started with plans for the Escape Marina Resort in the island of Flores, leading the company to later open a third office, in Labuan Bajo.

The company started a hectic 2019 in celebratory style when its charter division, Voyage by Yacht Sourcing, won Best Asia-Based Charter Company (Phinisi) at the second Christofle Yacht Style Awards in Phuket.

In April, the company announced it had secured the Indonesia dealership for Fountaine Pajot, supporting the French catamaran builder as it staged its biggest-ever presence at the Singapore Yacht Show with the Alegria 67 and the Asia premiere of the MY40 powercat.A Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 sailing catamaran is arriving in Indonesia in 2020

In May, Yacht Sourcing announced its expansion to Thailand with Nicolas Monges as General Manager of the new company and also a partner. The Frenchman soon secured the CA charter listings for the 90ft wooden motor boat Maha Bhetra, Azimut 80 Mirage and 94ft Taiwan-built Lady Eileen II.

In October, Yacht Sourcing opened its Thailand office in Royal Phuket Marina and the following month displayed its trio of CAs at the first Thailand Charter Week at Phuket Yacht Haven, where the company was one of the biggest exhibitors and used all three of its boats to stage the event’s most memorable party.

“It has been a super good start in Thailand,” Fabre says. “We’ve had some nice central agency charter listings and we’re also going to move into yacht operations.”Yacht Sourcing hosted the Thailand Charter Week’s biggest party across its three boats including Maha Bhetra (left) and the Azimut 80 Mirage

Over in Indonesia, the departure of its neighbouring tenant in Bali allowed Yacht Sourcing to double the size of its headquarters. The company also relocated its Jakarta office to the exclusive BCA Tower in Grand Indonesia, to be closer to clients with offices in the city centre.

MAJOR STEPS AHEAD

One of the company’s key clients is The Maj Group, which has signed on to back the Escape Marina project, with Yacht Sourcing discussing other potential marina projects in Indonesia and also Thailand. The Maj Group is also the owner of The Maj Oceanic, the 47m phinisi built by Yacht Sourcing that splashed in November.

In Sulawesi, ongoing builds include a 50m yacht that Senous describes as a “phinisi-schooner fusion; it’s a proper sailing boat with a very specific interior that will make it one of a kind”.A luxurious 47m phinisi soon available for charter, The Maj Oceanic built by Yacht Sourcing will offer seven cabins including an enormous master suite

But Senous is even more excited about some designs he’s working on that include “a game changer, a worldwide reference that’s going to disrupt the yacht industry for wooden boats”.

Fabre, meanwhile, is motivated about the upcoming opportunities for Ferretti Group, believing that Indonesia is on the cusp of a new wave of luxury yacht arrivals once marinas under construction finally open for operation.

“After recent meetings with Ferretti Group, we now have a strong new strategy for Indonesia. We’re changing a lot of things in marketing and we’re going to introduce trade-in options to make sure we penetrate the market properly,” says Fabre.Yacht Sourcing is helping develop the Escape Marina in Flores

“We need infrastructure for the next generation of production boats here and the first step will be the opening of Escape, then the Kura Kura marina in Bali with nearly 200 berths. For now, there’s nowhere nice enough with shore power to keep boats like Rivas, Ferrettis and Pershings, but it’s going to come and there will be a big boom with the first proper marinas in Indonesia.”

Even though most of its current business divisions are doing well or looking up, Yacht Sourcing is currently in no rush to expand into new countries.

“Yes, we’re looking, but it’s all about opportunity, the people we meet,” Fabre says. “We entered Thailand because we knew Nico had the potential to do very well there. We’re always looking at future opportunities in new countries, but it depends on partnerships.”Nicolas Monges (middle) came on board as General Manager of Yacht Sourcing’s new Thailand operation last year

If the co-founders do have a concern, it’s staying on top of a business that’s growing as fast as they want it to but maybe too fast for them to handle on their own – especially if they plan to double their payroll within three years.

As such, they’re lining up a general manager to bring in the organisation and business practices suited to the company’s size, and allow Fabre and Senous to focus on what they do best.

“I think we’re one of the most professional [yachting] companies in Indonesia, but we want to go to the next level,” Senous says. “After all, if you compare this region to Florida or the Caribbean, there’s still a lot more to come.”

www.yachtsourcing.com

Asiamarine Driving Galeon Sales in Region; Numarine Hires Karl Gilding

News / yachtstyle2020

Asiamarine Driving Galeon Sales in Region; Numarine Hires Karl Gilding

January 29, 2020
11:33 am

Asiamarine sales confirm that Galeon motor yachts from Poland continue to prove popular in Asia, while Turkey’s Numarine hires Karl Gilding.

Asiamarine has announced that it sold seven Galeon motor yachts in Asia in 2019, a strong return for the regional dealership. Galeon, which has two facilities in Gdansk, has grown to become one of the world’s leading builders of luxury motor yachts in its sector (30-78ft), especially after MarineMax became its dealer in the Americas in 2016, helping establish the Polish brand as a huge seller in the US.

Asiamarine’s Galeon sales last year included a 640

Asiamarine’s sales of Galeons into Hong Kong and Southeast Asia last year included a 640, a model that debuted in 2018 and built on the iconic 500 model, also deploying drop-down sides – increasing its beam to 7.4m – and a portside bar.

The 640’s features include an innovative front window passage that allows direct central access from the saloon to the foredeck, an area that features two folding sofas with integrated tables that can also be converted into a large sun lounger.

The 500 Fly continued to prove popular in Asia, with Asiamarine selling another three units of the model that helped Galeon garner a global reputation. The 500 won multiple awards for its fold-down sides, open bar and a cockpit bench that revolves 180 degrees to allow guests the option of facing forward or aft.

Galeon’s new generation of yachts includes the 680 Fly

Asiamarine also sold 300, 360 and 420 models in 2019, but is now looking ahead to promoting the fourth generation of Galeon motor yachts, including the upcoming 400 Fly, the smallest model to offer the innovative ‘beach mode’ innovations first shown on the 500. The fourth generation also includes the 680 Fly, which features lightweight carbon-fibre and a flexible foredeck that can be transformed into a seating area at the touch of a button.

Asiamarine, which has its headquarters in Hong Kong and offices in Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam, is also a dealer for Turkey’s Numarine and American builders Hatteras and Wellcraft.

Numarine, which builds motor yachts from 62-148ft, has appointed Karl Gilding as its business development consultant, with responsibility for enhancing and growing the Turkish builder’s existing worldwide dealer network.

Karl Gilding will help Turkey’s Numarine with its dealer network

Gilding, whose mission is to support existing dealers and attract new ones, has attended international boat shows for 43 years in his roles with Fairline, Sunseeker and Sea Ray, as a retail dealer, yacht consultant and international dealer manager.

His latest role as one of the directors responsible for the rebirth of Fairline saw him drive sales at the newly formed company to 186 units in three years as Business Development Director. Gilding retired from full-time work last April to pursue personal investment projects

Asiamarine’s other services include charter, pre-owned yachts and yacht management.

www.asiamarine.com

Sunseeker CEO Andrea Frabetti Expands and Upgrades Product Range

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Sunseeker CEO Andrea Frabetti Expands and Upgrades Product Range

January 23, 2020
3:26 am

Announced as Sunseeker CEO last June, Italian Andrea Frabetti has launched an aggressive plan to double the product range within three years.

When you joined Sunseeker in January 2019, you said you’d always thought of it as a strong brand, renowned for innovation. Now that you’re also CEO, has your first year with the company been as expected?

Overall, the answer is yes. We have so many skilled, highly professional staff in all our departments and offices, so it has been a fantastic time for me.Frabetti was named CTO of Sunseeker in January 2019, then CEO in June

Unfortunately, Robert [Braithwaite] is no longer with us and John [Braithwaite] had just retired when I joined the company, so I found the company quite … relaxed. But it had a huge amount of expertise and experience among the staff, and huge production capacity and capability.

I think my predecessors as CEO were not so focused on product and product innovation, but we are in the nautical industry and we know it’s all about product. Nobody needs a yacht. If we deliver a message that is attractive, they will come on board.

What did you change when you arrived as Chief Technical Officer and what did you then focus on when you became CEO?

When I arrived, my initial role was to analyse the situation, the positioning, the market, because I was familiar working for Ferretti Group’s Product Strategic Committee. Sales, marketing and product strategy is one thing and it all goes through brand identity, innovation and, at the end, product development. My first task was to create the new product strategy, which initially was proposed to [former CEO] Christian Marti. He came from the car industry and I came from this industry, so I know the competition very well.

When I became CEO, I first created a Strategic Committee to lead the company. I don’t like a one-man show. The Strategic Committee includes myself, focused on product and innovation; Mike McMillan, CFO, who takes control of all the financial and legal aspects; and Michael Straughan, COO, another very experienced professional and who has a long experience in the car industry. In reality, the three of us share the leadership of the company. All big decisions go through the Strategic Committee, although I take responsibility for the final decision.Sunseeker unveiled the Hawk 38 at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2019

My next task was to seek approval for a huge expansion programme for product development, which was almost dead. I don’t know why this kind of strategy was not pursued so well in recent years. Now, we have a really strong investment in product development, up to GBP50 million (about US$65 million) over three years, refreshing the range with innovations, so resulting in direct benefits for the customers.

We’re investing in product and product quality as part of a plan to have 22 models by 2022, compared to 11 in mid-2019. In September, we had dealer meetings and handed over the upcoming product range, prices, visuals and our strategy.

Following the world premiere of the Hawk 38 at the Cannes Yachting Festival last September, will there be other models in the new Performance range?

The 38 shows the heritage of Sunseeker, a reminder of the XS2000, which is all about adrenalin. The next Performance boats will not be all about adrenalin but more about practical performance for living on the sea – practical, roomier, useable. It won’t just be a bigger 38. We are planning a 52 and a 65, both different designs to the 38.Sunseeker unveiled the Predator Evo 60 at the Southampton International Boat Show

Why was the Predator 60 Evo described as ‘the first model of Sunseeker’s major new product development plan’?

The Predator 60 Evo is the first boat designed since I took over, the first of this new era. Some ideas – for example, the most important one, the interior design – will be much more detailed. The interior of the new Predator is very different in identity to a Manhattan. Before, when you walked through a Manhattan and a Predator, I felt there were too many similarities in the décor, so I wanted the interior style to be as different and distinct as the exterior.

The new Predator 60 has better performance, better handling through different conditions, steer-by-wire technology, different rudder shapes, a different wheel-drive system, bigger engines and reduced weight, so the boat performs better. But also, when you enter the new Predator, you feel you’re in a high-performance boat because the design language looks and feels much more ‘performance’.The 60 Evo shares the hull of the 57, but has a new superstructure, sunroof and interior

But Rome wasn’t built in a day and there will be a progression of new products and innovations, with many more changes coming.

The 87 Yacht, the former Project 8X, looks like an exciting addition to the Sunseeker fleet and seems to address the demand for greater volume.

Many of our competitors have a semi-displacement range, but Sunseeker has never touched this and we are not going there. Sunseeker is a dynamic brand and has always delivered great performance in each category.

With the 87 Yacht, we want to deliver a product that’s not in the market. It’s probably bigger and roomier than other semi-displacement yachts. It’s a planing hull, with a very good performance in displacement, but it has the speed if you need it. It has low consumption, a very smooth hull and, with 13,000 litres of fuel, one of the longest ranges of any boat in its category.

It’s so beamy and very open because of a lot of glazing all around. It’s our way to compete with [Azimut] Magellano, [Sanlorenzo] SD, [Absolute] Navetta and other boats in those categories.Scheduled to launch in Q3, the 87 Yacht has over 25 per cent more volume than the 86

We will continue to have the 86 Yacht, which is a more traditional flybridge and has a little more performance, but the 87 has over 25 per cent more volume, although it has a similar length. As well as having a bigger beam, the design of the bow adds volume. And all of our design is still done by Sunseeker’s own Design and Technology Centre in Poole.

What about developments on the superyacht side, led by the 161 Yacht?

The first 161 Yacht is sold and now being built at Icon in the Netherlands for a 2022 delivery. Sunseeker has a new superyacht  division, in partnership with both Icon and also Pendennis in Falmouth, for boats from 101-161ft.  New designs include the 133 Yacht scheduled for 2021, so overall, we will have many more new models between our fibreglass and aluminium ranges.The 161 Yacht is being built in partnership with Icon Yachts in the Netherlands

In general, how do you see yacht design evolving?

Boats are changing from vehicles to an entire resort, a wellness centre. The real challenge for me is not competition from other brands but of providing the experience that rich people want to live. We have to deliver the idea that buying and using a boat is the best thing that people can do with their leisure time. For me, Sunseeker can deliver this better than any other brand.

Sunseeker is about style but is also practical, designed to be used a lot. Very few products of Sunseeker are not practical, maybe just the XS2000, a racing boat. All other products are stylish but focused on functionality, always reinterpreting the way to live on board.

As discussed, the 87 Yacht is a key step forward in this philosophy, maintaining style but in a wider boat, wider than other boats in this category, very open to the sea with many solutions. It’s so innovative and allows owners a different way of enjoying a resort or villa on the water.Frabetti says the 87 Yacht Ocean Club is “very open to the sea, with many solutions”

How do you convey this to potential owners or users in Asia?

People can’t really see in images or pictures just how many ways there are of enjoying and using such a boat, how to live on board. We are delivering so many different opportunities to live on board, which is why video – or getting on the boat – is really the best way to show this.

When you launch a new model like this that changes dramatically your lifestyle, only a video can show how you can use this yacht, and this is especially important in emerging markets, in Asia or elsewhere, where they’re not so familiar with how yachts are used.

In Asia, it’s more about the interior. The first thing people do when they get on board is go inside. At the end of the day, they enter and they play mahjong or sing karaoke, so this also needs to be conveyed clearly. I’m generalising, of course, but often in Asia owners and guests go inside, they don’t like the sun as much or don’t swim in the water as much, and they enjoy different aspects of the boat to people in the Med, for example.The beach club on the 161 Yacht, which is scheduled for a 2022 delivery

For example, I’ve been in China many times, but the problem is creating a culture of yachting. They don’t use their boat that often, so it’s very important that you start to promote not only the yacht but the way of life. They can see the product, but they don’t know why or how it’s best used.

Do you see any challenges for Sunseeker in the coming years?

Sunseeker has an unbelievable production footprint, a vertical way of delivering to customers. The shipyard is one of the best I have seen in my career. I have been through many, in Europe and the US, and I’ve never seen such a well organised production system.

We build all the joinery and furniture in-house, also all the electrical systems. We do all the design and don’t just have people from a marine background but also designers from the car industry, people with a new view. And we have so much expertise in our senior staff. I don’t see any real issue for us to remain in our leading position. I only see a lot of potential.

Sunseeker is a reality, not just designs on papers and sub- contractors. There are so many people who have worked here for 20 or 30 years, sometimes more. Sunseeker will maintain a top position in delivering quality to the customers. And the pound is still quite low, so we’re delivering even better value for amazing quality.

www.sunseeker.com

www.simpsonmarine.com