yachtstyle2020, Author at Yacht Style

Benetti 63m Metis Works The Angles: Yacht Style Review

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Benetti 63m Metis Works The Angles: Yacht Style Review

November 29, 2019
3:12 am

When Benetti began building the 63m Metis, they gave free rein to London-based design firm Bannenberg and Rowell to create offset, asymmetrical interiors.

The yacht now known as Metis started off as FB276, a 63m steel hull with an aluminium superstructure built on spec by Benetti using the same pre-engineered platform as used on its award-winning 11.11. While starting construction on a yacht this large without an owner may seem risky, Benetti has found that it pays off in more ways than one.Benetti’s 63m Metis debuted at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show; Photos: Jeff Brown

Marco De Cosmo, the Project Manager for Metis, explains: “Stepping into a project whose construction has already begun saves a huge amount of time for owners. And working within the tried-and-true parameters of a pre-engineered hull platform brings advantages both to the shipyard and to the owner because there is no wait for prototyping.”

Metis’ eventual owner signed the contract in August 2017 and took delivery of a yacht that was uniquely ‘his’ in April 2019, before the 207-footer had her world premiere at the Monaco Yacht Show in late September.

Benetti was sure of its choice to start FB276 on spec and knew that they wanted interiors with character. For that, the company turned to old friends, the London-based design firm Bannenberg & Rowell.

“We do appreciate the trust placed in us by Benetti with this project,” says Dickie Bannenberg, the second generation of his family to work with the shipyard, following his father Jon, who designed the famous Benetti yachts Nabila (1980) and Multiple (2002).To enhance the effect of the asymmetrical layout, Bannenberg & Rowell also skewed the ceiling drops and floor insets in sync with the furniture

“By and large, we were given complete freedom to come up with an interior theme, but the design still had to be commercially viable and appeal to a wide customer base.

“We have quite a lot of experience with this kind of build, so I like to think that we’re aware of the commercial sweet spots and know how to build an interior that appeals, but isn’t bland. We know the sensitivities.”

WHEN FB276 BECAME METIS

Kurt Lehmann, Chairman of Yacht Moments, introduced the German owner to Benetti and soon hull FB276 became Metis. Although she had already been built and faired, she was far from completion, as exterior designer Giorgio M. Cassetta explains.

“I had designed the yacht as a four-deck superyacht with strong vertical lines offset by an arching tier of fashion plates,” Cassetta says. “But the owner wanted a gym with both indoor and outdoor spaces , and he wanted it at the highest point of the yacht – so we added a deck.”The saloon embodies the use of offset angles

While this request meant that the whole design and engineering team had to go back to the drawing board, Benetti wasn’t put out. In fact, the company prides itself on being able to accommodate new requests as a tour of Metis showcased.

Boarding the yacht from the aft passerelle, the first space that welcomes guests is a cockpit on the main deck with deep couches and a large coffee table. This symmetrically planned space gives no clues as to what’s waiting inside, starting with the main saloon.

OFF CENTRE, ON POINT

The interiors that Bannenberg & Rowell designed are rotated 30 degrees from the yacht’s centreline, a daring arrangement that gives the yacht special character and appeal .

“We wanted to do something edgy,” Bannenberg explains. “We had played with asymmetrical interiors before, but just in the hallway and owner’s cabin of a large yacht.The forward nursery includes a twin cabin and a nanny’s cabin with its own balcony

“The northern European shipyard that built it was puzzled, but Benetti got it and let us go with it. This layout is more interesting, more dynamic and opens new vistas. You’re not just looking fore and aft, you’re looking through the yacht and out to the sea around it.”

While Bannenberg & Rowell played with expectations on layout, they used a consistent palette of tones and materials to create a sense of continuity throughout the yacht.

“We can’t design just to hose money around, but at the same time, anyone who is buying a boat from a shipyard like Benetti is expecting something very special,” Bannenberg says. “You have to tread that careful line, keeping a good sense of luxury and bespoke.”

Aboard Metis, that translates to neutral base tones set off by Texalium carbon-fibre inserts and stainless-steel accents. To these, the owner added several pieces from his collection of art by contemporary German artists and called in his decorator, Birgit Otte Interior, for consultancy on fabrics and loose furniture.On the upper deck, or owner’s deck, the expansive covered aft area has a large, circular dining table for 10 and lots of seating space

OWNER’S PERSONAL TOUCHES

The owner requested significant changes in the main and upper-deck guest accommodation to meet his specific needs. Fore on the main deck, he asked Benetti to transform the full-beam owner’s suite into a nursery, complete with a play area, a twin children’s cabin and a nanny’s cabin. It could well be the only nanny’s cabin afloat with its own opening balcony.

Fore on the upper deck – or owner’s deck – he asked for a large suite with back-to-back owners’ cabins, and his and hers bathrooms running beside them. Measuring over 160sqm, the suite’s fore area enjoys incredible views across the 55sqm foredeck that can double as a touch- and-go helipad.

In the skylounge on the same level, the off-kilter furnishing arrangement creates, among other things, the perfect nook for a piano, and continues the asymmetrical theme established in the main-deck saloon.The owner’s accommodation on the upper deck has two double cabins, his and hers bathrooms, and expansive views, including over the foredeck

But it’s in the beach club on the lower deck where the asymmetry works best. By moving the tender garage fore, Benetti left a large aft area free for enjoying days on the water. When the transom and the side terraces are open, Bannenberg & Rowell’s furnishing arrangement makes movement fluid and brings the whole area into close visual contact with the sea.

The yacht’s main engineering challenge and its crowning glory is the gym on what’s termed the observation deck. Here, Cassetta showed that both he and Benetti’s engineers can do almost anything, including adding new decks to yachts that are practically finished.

“The owner wanted to be able to train both indoors and out, and he wanted the views,” Cassetta recounts. “The shipyard recalculated the yacht’s centre of gravity and I designed the new gym, integrating it into the yacht’s lines. The trick was to create a space that looked like it was part of a larger mast.”The beach club benefits from openings aft and to the sides

With its daring interiors and bespoke layout, you would never think that Metis is anything less than a full custom yacht. Until you reflect on the time that elapsed from contract to delivery, just a year and a half. Then you think that Metis is nothing less than a full-custom miracle.

www.benettiyachts.it

The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 50. 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/

Yacht Style Issue 50: The Superyacht Issue Out Now!
Yacht Style is proud to present its 50th issue, 12 years since the magazine was first published in 2007. Thank you, our loyal readers. We're also happy to wrap up the magazine's first year as a bimonthly publication, as we strive to bring you the best boating articles in Asia, more frequently.

Dynamiq CEO Sergei Dobroserdov Backs Dutch Designs, Made In Italy

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Dynamiq CEO Sergei Dobroserdov Backs Dutch Designs, Made In Italy

November 25, 2019
4:26 am

Dynamiq founder Sergei Dobroserdov shook up the superyacht sector by building Dutch-engineered yachts in Italy, later appointing an Asia ambassador.Sergei Dobroserdov, founder and CEO of Dynamiq

What led you to create a superyacht brand with its own shipyard, competing with a lot of experienced shipyards, many of whom you’ve worked with?

First of all, I had no idea of competing. My intentions were much more rational. I simply wanted to sell something I believe in. I believe there is a shortage of really good superyachts on the market and I saw a niche, a sector of boats that didn’t exist. That was the starting point – and now some friends are copying us!

I wanted to create our own range of superyachts that, as a broker, I could sell. Also, being a broker gave me considerable experience of how shipyards were organised. I was building boats in Holland, Germany and Italy, so that gave me an understanding of the optimal set-up for a shipyard.

What was this niche you saw?

Put simply, we either have superyachts, which are exclusive, say 50m-plus, and built by big, well established shipyards like Feadship or Benetti, or there are serial fibreglass production boats, which are a completely different class of yachts.

However, the trend I was noticing was people who wanted to go a little bit down in size, not because they can’t afford to buy or manage a bigger boat, but because they wanted to have more pleasure-filled boating with a smaller boat, with the same quality found on boats of 60m or 70m.

The market was going in a completely different direction. The fibreglass production shipyards who were building at 20m were now stepping into 40m, 45m, and bringing the standards of 20m to 45m.Dynamiq’s Dutch-engineered yachts are built in Italy

My intention was to be completely the opposite, by taking the standards of a 60m yacht built in northern Europe to a manageable size of 35m, 40m – making it more affordable but keeping the same standards. That’s not just in terms of quality, but also, for example, making deck heights 2.15m or 2.20m, while most production boats have 15cm less. In our mind, this is a real luxury.

Another niche was what we call transatlantic yachts. On the market, we have either fast planing boats or displacement boats, which are slower but have a big range. The former were suitable for either the Med or the Caribbean, which didn’t make much sense to me, as you can only use it for two months and have to pay crew and other expenses for another 10 months each year.

We wanted to build a boat that was fast enough, maybe 20 knots plus, and at the same time, was able to cross the Atlantic. For Asia, this is a great benefit as many of the destinations and island chains require long journeys of thousands of miles.

Another good point of having a long range, even if you’re not planning to cruise very far, is that you can visit places where infrastructure is not that developed, such as parts of Asia or around the Caribbean. There may not be that many marinas, so it’s great to not have to worry about fuel. That’s a real freedom.

In 2015, we were the first to say, ‘going fast and going far’ is the future, and now we can see other yards building these long-range GT boats.

Also, everybody’s extremely happy with boats built in the Netherlands, except for one thing: that they’re quite costly. My idea was to have 100 per cent of the engineering from the Netherlands and to organise production in Italy – in Massa, Tuscany. I’ve read that there are 39 shipyards from Viareggio to La Spezia, and ours is one of them.Dynamiq’s shipyard is located in Massa in Tuscany

So, you set up Dynamiq with a very international outlook?

The whole idea of being international is still quite unique. It’s because shipyards are generally not very open-minded. For example, Italian shipyards work with Italian sub-contractors because they speak the same language, it’s easier and they’re closer. But our position is that we’re working with the best, not the closest. That’s why we have 14 nationalities at the shipyard.

So, if you see the guys building the best aluminium hulls, they’re coming from the Netherlands; the most advanced navigation systems are from Germany; exhausts are from the UK; and so on. Van Oossanen Naval Architects is our long-term technical partner in the Netherlands and we worked with Vripack on the GTT 115.

Why choose Monaco as your headquarters?

Simply because I live in Monaco. Our production shipyard is an Italian company. Another way Dynamiq is different is that we have our own design studio (Dobroserdov Design). We do all the designs ourselves, which is interesting because we see maybe five to seven famous designers on the market and all the shipyards are using them.

So, when I see a lot of yachts today, I can’t understand which brand it is. Shipyards are losing their individuality. We’re completely different in terms of design, which is important because design is not just styling; it’s function. It reflects our thinking about general arrangements, planning, organisation, and other points that make us unique.

It’s all in the name, Dynamiq. We’re building dynamic boats for dynamic people and we have ‘iq’ at the end, showing that it’s a boat for people with a high IQ. We’re also very passionate people, but what we’re saying is that Dynamiq is a rational choice. Every system is better, naval architecture is better, we can cruise faster, and we can go further. It’s a very simple message.

If you want a boat 100 per cent designed and engineered in the Netherlands and at an Italian price, we are the only option, and so far, we’ve had very positive feedback.Dynamiq’s first yacht was the 39m Jetsetter, sold to a British buyer and renamed Spring

What were your learnings from the 39m Jetsetter, which premiered at the 2016 Monaco Yacht Show?

We actually learnt that we selected the right path – a long boat with a long waterline length, less decks; the boat is very comfortable and the motion comfort is incredible. We then wanted to build a completely different boat. Jetsetter is a more family-oriented yacht, while the GTT 115 is more ‘playboy-ish’, shall we say. Jetsetter had a light interior, the 115 had a dark interior; the first one is more elegant, the second more sporty; the first is white, the second is silver metallic.

This shows our clients that we can build different boats, but they all come with the same philosophy – very efficient, fast displacement hulls. We believed this five, six years ago and we still believe it now. The industry’s developing, making shorter boats and higher ones, so boats are becoming like a sphere which is bad for the naval architecture, because the centre of gravity becomes very high and they move a lot during passage.

Why did you choose a hybrid system on the 35m GTT 115?

There’s a lot of talk about hybrid, although in reality, there’s only small interest so far. You either have your main engines on, delivering power to your shafts and props, or you can turn them off, switch generators and have just two small electric generators that can bring the boat up to six knots. It’s much quieter and consumption is reduced by a lot. It’s an option and we can do this very effectively.

What led to the styling collaboration with Studio Porsche?

For us, a boat is just a platform, but we can put whatever you want on top. Boating is a lifestyle. For example, on our yachts, the sound is incredible, better than on many other boats. Why? Because Bowers & Wilkins from the UK is our co-branding partner and they create extremely high-end audio experiences.The GTT 115 was displayed at the 2017 Monaco Yacht Show and fully completed in 2018

We can be strong just doing everything ourselves, but collaborating with the best brands is a key. We collaborated with Studio Porsche on the GTT 115, we’re collaborating with Bentley Home on the interior of the GTT 135 in build, we work with Panasonic and so on.

This leads to Dynamiq’s online configurator, which seems well suited to the millennial generation.

We really respect people’s time, so we’re the only shipyard where you can go online and see what your yacht might look like, how much all the options cost, total price, delivery date and so on. It shows how transparent we are. You don’t have to go and have dinners with our sales team. It’s all crystal clear. Nobody else is doing that.

We introduced the configurator two years ago and people said we’ll be copied. I said fine, because I’d appreciate it if our industry became less misty when it comes to prices. You try asking a yard the price of the boat they’re selling. With us, you go online, like with a car, figure out your boat, and work out exactly what you want. If you don’t understand anything, you can call a broker or us. It’s very straightforward.

Dynamiq is also noted for a particularly shallow draft (1.45m for the GTT 115) and all-aluminium hulls. Why are both of these factors important?

The shallow draft is the consequence of aluminium construction and our design. Aluminium hulls are lighter than their steel counterparts, allowing for smaller engines to be used, making the yachts even lighter and improving efficiency.

A shallow draft allows clients to go anywhere. The combination of a vertical bow and round bilge hull allows our yachts to have a range upwards of 3,000nm, while a draft of just 1.45-2.4m, depending on the model, means you can enter shallow bays and anchorages that are simply beyond the reach of other superyachts.Dobroserdov is also founder of Monaco-based Dobroserdov Design

What about your own input as designer? Where did you gain the confidence and skills to enter this competitive field?

For me, design is the continuation of the technical features and abilities of a boat. Following this philosophy, every line and shape of a Dynamiq yacht serves a purpose. For example, a vertical bow maximises the waterline length, which in turn makes the yacht more seaworthy and efficient than other boats with an inclined bow.

I’ve had a passion for design for many years and set up Dobroserdov Design 10 years ago to pursue this passion. So far, the 55m Quinta Essentia by Admiral is the largest yacht I have designed that has been built. We also designed the features and the famous blue-and-orange colour scheme on the 37m Heesen Aurelia. The latest project we did was the logo design for the New York University (NYU) Economics Society. Although nothing to do with yachting, they still appreciated our philosophy and design language.

What are the key features on the 41m GTT 135, set to be completed by summer 2020?

The GTT 135 is the second-generation model in the Dynamiq range of fast family cruisers that was introduced with Jetsetter. Built on an efficient and comfortable round-bilge platform, it’s an all-aluminium yacht and has a top speed of 21 knots and a transatlantic range of 3,000nm at 12 knots. It’s half a metre wider and more than a metre longer than Jetsetter, but importantly has retained a shallow draft of just 1.7m (about 5ft 7in), which is ideal for cruising the Caribbean, Mediterranean or Asian islands.The first GTT 135 is under construction and on schedule for a summer 2020 delivery

With the largest sundeck in her class, exceptional ceiling heights and five voluminous cabins, along with engineering and hydrodynamic design by leading Dutch naval architects, the new GTT 135 is a perfect realisation of superyacht quality and comfort in a relatively compact package. Hull number one is progressing on schedule in Massa and will be premiered at the 2020 Monaco Yacht Show. We have the capacity to start a second GTT 135 in parallel, in time for a 2021 season delivery.

What led to the decision this year to work with Central Yacht, the company’s ‘brand ambassador’ in Asia?

Both companies have the same principles and same values. Greg Dagge and his team know Dynamiq inside-out and we are very happy working together to meet the needs of the Asian markets.

Looking to the future, why have you created the Global Explorer series?

Following up on client requests, we’ve been looking at the explorer market for quite a while, so drew on our forward-thinking approach to create a fast, modern series of vessels for our more adventurous owners. We designed our Global yachts to be below 45m for a broader range of clients and their families.Dynamiq has unveiled a Global Explorer series that includes the compact G300

Because of the yachts’ compact size, they can truly explore and enter small bays and inlets where bigger yachts simply cannot enter. Designed with long-range passage making in mind, the new series will be available in four versions: G300 (30.5m), G350 (35m), G380 (38m) and G440 (44 meters).

When designing the Global range, an important factor was the available interior volume. For this reason, we’ve increased the interior size by 100GT with each step up in size. So, starting with the G300 of 200GT, the G350 is 299GT, the G380 is 399GT and the G440 is 499GT.

www.bedynamiq.com

www.centralyacht.com

November 25, 2019
4:26 am

Yacht Style Issue 50: The Superyacht Issue Out Now!
Yacht Style is proud to present its 50th issue, 12 years since the magazine was first published in 2007. Thank you, our loyal readers. We're also happy to wrap up the magazine's first year as a bimonthly publication, as we strive to bring you the best boating articles in Asia, more frequently.

Asia Marine Motivated by Yachting in Amazing Thailand

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Asia Marine Motivated by Yachting in Amazing Thailand

November 14, 2019
3:47 am

A driving force behind Thailand Charter Week, Asia Marine CEO Vincent Tabuteau has been a pioneer of Phuket’s yachting industry since 1983.

Vincent Tabuteau, CEO of Asia Marine, arguably knows as much as anyone about the yachting industry in Thailand. In 1983, he arrived in Phuket as the Captain of a small sailing boat and can testify that the country’s yachting hub was a very different place back then.Asia Marine represents Galeon and has a 460F for charter

“At the time, there were no charter yachts,” Tabuteau recalls with a smile ahead of the first Thailand Charter Week. “Actually, there were only three hotels on the island and no decent boat to visit the Phi Phi Islands. Phang Nga Bay looked like ‘Peter Pan land’ with potential pirates.”

Fast forward 36 years and Phuket is arguably Southeast Asia’s most developed charter market and yachting destination, with Tabuteau and his company Asia Marine – which he founded in 1989 – among the companies to have led the way.

Hailing from the French sailing hub of Brittany, Tabuteau grew up on the water and has worked in the yachting industry for over four decades, the vast majority of that time in Thailand.

His enormous experience across many segments of the industry led to his current position as Vice President of the Thai Yachting Business Association (TYBA), the organising body of the inaugural Thailand Charter Week (November 16-21) at Phuket Yacht Haven. Asia Marine has a service centre at the large marina in the north of the island, although the company’s main office is in Boat Lagoon on the east coast.

Tabuteau has been a driving force behind the invitation-only six-day Thailand Charter Week, having attended the leading international charter shows in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, and been convinced that Southeast Asia deserved a similar annual even.

Vincent Tabuteau, CEO of Asia Marine and VP of Thai Yachting Business Association

“We’re aiming to showcase the beauty of chartering in Asia to overseas agents, show them the product available, but most importantly demonstrate that Phuket is a premier charter destination,” said Tabuteau.

“For owners and operators, we’re holding talks about yachting standards, on how to collectively improve the charter industry here in Phuket so that it more closely matches how Europe works. It’s a chance for all parties to learn from one another, for mutual benefit.”

Tabuteau has long been a huge supporter and promoter of the yachting industry in Phuket, Thailand and Southeast Asia in general, but having been so heavily involved for so long, he’s also acutely aware of what needs to change and develop in order for it to realise more of its potential.

“Legislation and infrastructure are the key factors that would bolster yachting in Thailand, and fortunately they are steadily improving,” says Tabuteau, who’s still a regular visitor to Europe, for both business and personal reasons.Thailand Charter Week aims to promote the country’s marine attractions

“As a founding member of TYBA, Asia Marine has been working together with other yachting industry players to endeavour to meet European standards of operations. This includes gaining support from the [Thai] Government, adapting regulations to new activity, and providing better services to protect owners’ investments, passengers and operators.

“The next challenge for Thailand and the Andaman Sea will be the protection of the environment and the quality of the tourism experience. Our yachting industry is at risk of losing its magic if no drastic efforts are made for better management of popular beaches, mass tourism in coral areas and control of plastic pollution.”

PHUKET’S DECADES OF GROWTH

Tabuteau has seen first-hand how Phuket and its environment have changed with growing tourism and an increasing resident population – for better and for worse – having worked across a huge range of marine-related sectors during his time on the island.

Soon after his arrival in 1983, he became associated to a hotel cum tour operator and helped build the boats they wanted for day tours and excursions. The fleet included wooden sailing junks, teak barges and converted fishing boats.

As luxury tourism developed, fast modern boats were imported and a growing number of visiting yachts spent their winters in Phuket, so Tabuteau started focusing on providing yacht services. In 1987, he was also involved in the first Phuket King’s Cup Regatta and the now-defunct Pansea Regatta, then in 1989 he founded Asia Marine.Asia Marine’s charter sailing yachts include the stunning Aventure, a 95ft wooden ketch built in Indonesia in 2011, available for overnight charters

After Sunsail arrived in the early 1990s, Tabuteau ended up managing seven of the global charter company’s modern sailing boats.

“Sunsail and the phenomenal marketing campaigns of TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand), which created ‘Amazing Thailand’, really put Phuket on the map as an international cruising destination,” he recalls.

Boat Lagoon, the island’s first marina, opened in 1995 (as did Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya) and was followed in Phuket by Yacht Haven (1997), Royal Phuket Marina (2005) and Ao Po Grand Marina (2008).

Tabuteau says all the island’s marinas are full during the six-month high season and believes one of the key turning points was in 2004 when the Government dropped import taxes on yachts.

“Overall, the yachting industry has constantly grown in quality and size over the past 25 years. The number of yachts chartering in Phuket increases every year, while the number of superyachts based here permanently has probably tripled in the past three years,” he says.Aventure’s stunning interior includes the main saloon with a chart table, dining area and lounge, with a guest cabin forward and master suite aft

“With bigger and better boats here, there has been a need for more qualified crew and engineers, plus an increased supply of modern equipment and maintenance. Today, almost all global yacht builders, charter companies and brokerage houses have representation in Thailand, and I’d say the services for mid-range yachts is equivalent to Europe.”

RISE OF ASIA MARINE

One of Southeast Asia’s longest-established marine tourism companies, Asia Marine has grown in parallel with Phuket’s yachting industry and today has about 20 staff working across all of its operations.

While its main businesses remain in Phuket, the company also represents charter yachts operating all over Southeast Asia, from the Mergui Archipelago to the Anambas Islands and Komodo region.

Furthermore, since its partnership in 2017 with Eric Noyel’s Hong Kong-headquartered Asiamarine, Tabuteau and his team are part of a network that also includes offices in the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.

“This gives us a larger reach to properly look after clients and represent them in Southeast Asia.”

Asia Marine secured the Thailand dealership for French brand Bali in 2019 and has already sold a 4.1 sailing catamaran

Today, Tabuteau’s management team at Asia Marine in Thailand includes his wife Ratana as Director of Sales and Marketing, and Paul Stamp, who has worked as a yacht broker in Phuket for over a decade and is the company’s Operations Manager and Senior Broker.

Other key personnel include Base Manager Adam Taylor, who came from the diving industry, previously operating a dive centre in Koh Lanta, while Tabuteau’s son Ben has joined as Business Development Manager, having formerly worked at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.

The company operates across several sectors, primarily charter, new sales, brokerage, yacht services and boat management, and also marine insurance.

“Our mission is to help maintain and operate yachts for the benefit of the owners and their guests,” Tabuteau says.

“In the first 10 years of the company, we built or refit over 12 vessels, from cold-moulded wooden junks to modern composite power catamarans. Our capacity to manage all technical aspects of boat operation is at the heart of our know-how and expertise, and underlies all our other activities.”The saloon and master cabin on the Bali 4.1 sailing catamaran

CHARTER AND SALES

Charter remains a core day-to-day business for Asia Marine, whose offerings include a fleet of sailing yachts, mainly catamarans, for bareboat charters, fast motor yachts for day charters, and crewed luxury yachts for overnight charters. For bareboat charters, most of the company’s clients are from Europe – France, Germany, UK, Russia – while Americans are another key market.

“We find that countries with a strong nautical tradition tend to want to pilot the yachts themselves,” Tabuteau says.

“Each of our types of charter yachts has its pros and cons, but together they create a wide range of choice. For day charter in Phuket, we have all nationalities, but in recent years there has been a lot of growth from the Indian, Chinese and Russian markets.”

Following the partnership with Asiamarine, Tabuteau and his team have been a dealer for global brands including Numarine (Turkey), Galeon (Poland) and Wellcraft (USA), while in 2019 the company was appointed the Thailand dealer for Bali Catamarans (France).

“Over time, we’ve found that catamarans dedicated to the charter industry are our best-sellers in term of number of boats, as they’re the best opportunity in terms of return on investment,” he says. “Our yacht buyers come from everywhere, although there’s a growing market share from Asian countries, both expats and nationals.”Galeon motor yachts are a popular charter option

In fact, because Asia Marine has expertise in almost all sectors of owning and operating a yacht in Thailand, the company likes to manage boats for any new owners and help them to find revenue streams.

“Our forte is to offer an ‘all-inclusive solution’ to owners. We have the technical expertise to manage their assets and a marketing network to find charter revenue. Because of our experience, we have in-depth knowledge of Thailand’s regulations and administration procedures, so we can ensure the smoothest experience for our yacht owners.”

FRASER, FAMILY AND FUTURE

However, Asia Marine did move into a new sector of the industry in February 2018 when Noyel’s partnership with Fraser across selected territories in Asia meant Tabuteau and his experienced team were representing an international superyacht brokerage house in Thailand for the first time.

“We’ve certainly felt the need to ‘up the game’ in Thailand since the international brokerage houses expanded into Asia, and overall, it has been good that they see the potential in the region. Before we started working with Fraser, we had been involved with increasingly bigger yachts, but now we’re more involved than ever with superyachts,” he says.Asia Marine has represented Fraser from 2018 and charter listings include Camara C

“As representatives of Fraser, we continue to ensure all yachts we represent meet the requirements for charter under the Fraser framework, which has pushed some owners to take extra measures in safety and compliance. Sales wise, catamarans are probably our most popular yachts, but selling one superyacht could drastically change the bottom line.”

It could be argued that Asia Marine has changed as much in the last three years as it did in the previous 27, due in large to the partnership with Asiamarine, the extended network across Southeast Asia, plus representation of builders like Galeon, Bali, Numarine and Wellcraft, and now one of the world’s most famous brokerage houses.

Because of that, Tabuteau is hesitant to predict how the company might develop in the coming years, but is reassured that his family play a strong role in the business, with the presence of two generations of Tabuteaus in the company painting a bright future.

“Asia Marine has really changed with the trends over three decades. We’ve gone from building wooden sailing junks to operating superyachts under the Fraser brand. It has been quite a ride,” he laughs.The 105ft Camara C was built in 1961 and last refitted in 2019

“I never envisioned where we are now, even five years ago, so who knows what will happen in the next three or five years. We’ll keep adapting and growing, but by then a younger team will probably be at the helm and I’ll be retired and fishing!”

And although he still frequently travels to Europe, whether visiting his family in Brittany each summer or meeting with business partners and agents, Tabuteau has no thoughts of returning to his motherland on a permanent basis. Phuket is still very much his home, as it has been since 1983.

“I have so many great memories since I’ve been here, both on and off the water. It’s all been an enjoyable experience the moment I arrived in Asia and I have no plans to leave. Thailand is and remains amazing.”

www.asia-marine.net

www.fraseryachts.com

www.thaiyachtingbusinessassociation.com

Yacht Style Issue 50: The Superyacht Issue Out Now!
Yacht Style is proud to present its 50th issue, 12 years since the magazine was first published in 2007. Thank you, our loyal readers. We're also happy to wrap up the magazine's first year as a bimonthly publication, as we strive to bring you the best boating articles in Asia, more frequently.

CL Yachts Hits Home Run with Hong Kong-Owned CLB72

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

CL Yachts Hits Home Run with Hong Kong-Owned CLB72

November 13, 2019
3:15 am

CL Yachts, the new production yacht offspring of the historic Cheoy Lee shipyard, sold the third hull of its new CLB72 to a local Hong Kong buyer.

It was one of the shorter deliveries CL Yachts has made in its brief history. After the first two units of the CLB72 headed to the US, the third hull was for an owner in Hong Kong, headquarters of the new motor yacht brand.The third CLB72 runs through Hong Kong harbour

A fresh offshoot from Cheoy Lee, CL Yachts shares the historic shipyard’s head office and service yard in Lai Chi Kok in west Kowloon, and builds its yachts in its parent company’s enormous facilities outside Zhuhai, an hour’s ferry ride west of Hong Kong.

Founded in Shanghai over a century ago, Cheoy Lee moved  to Hong Kong in 1936. From powered cargo vessels, Cheoy Lee diversified in the 1950s into teak sailing and motor boats, mainly for export to the US, and by the following decade 90 per cent of its production was pleasure craft. The company became a pioneer in the use of fibreglass, phasing out wood production, and in 1999 opened its Zhuhai facility.

Today, the vast majority of Cheoy Lee’s global business is commercial boats including tugboats and ferries, although the brand remains recognised as a pleasure boat builder in the US, where it has a purchasing, sales and marketing department in Fort Lauderdale.

In fact, it was at the 59th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in late 2018 that the company announced the formation of CL Yachts to build new lines of luxury motor yachts, explains Hans Lo, CL Yachts’ Deputy Director and a fifth-generation member of the family that has owned and managed Cheoy Lee since its formation.The Hong Kong-owned CLB 72, I Did It, finds a place to rest

“The Cheoy Lee name has recognition in luxury yachting, but not among the younger crowd, so we thought it was time to start a new division that was entirely dedicated to production motor yachts,” says Lo, the nephew of Martin Lo, Director of both Cheoy Lee and CL Yachts.

“CL Yachts represents a shift in focus, allowing us to create this new brand which will represent our luxury offerings in the future in line with our new brand ethos and philosophy.”

GROWING FAST

This September, CL Yachts attended the 49th Newport International Boat Show in Rhode Island with a new CLB72, a unit that had been sold at the Miami International Boat Show in February.

The company then marked its first birthday at the 60th Fort Lauderdale show (October 30-November 3), where it showed hull four of the CLB72 and the first CLA76, while also promoting its upcoming flagship CLB88, currently under construction and scheduled to be shipped to the US in the second quarter of 2020.The aft cockpit has a wide granite table and convenient features like a bar and fridge

Lo, who was born in Hong Kong and educated in Canada, says the two CLB models will be the drivers of the CL Yachts brand, with the 72 leading the way. Hull number three, I Did It, is the first CL Yachts model sold into Asia and offers a window into this new company, as we visited Lo and the boat in Lai Chi Kok.

In fact, on what is generally a clean, minimalist exterior, the most immediately striking feature is the size of the hull windows, which almost seem to mirror those above in the superstructure.

Howard Apollonio of Apollonio Naval Architecture was responsible for the concept and exterior styling, and worked with structural engineer Gurit to produce a RINA-certified, resin-infused composite hull designed for durability, efficiency and performance, reflected in a top speed of 31 knots, using twin Volvo IPS1350 1,000hp engines. Structural integrity is enhanced by the strategic use of carbon-fibre throughout the boat.

“This hull is RINA certified, with CE certification available, which is difficult when you have windows of this size,” says Lo, who spends most of the week at the factory in Doumen and returns to Hong Kong at weekends.Lit by big windows, the saloon features a lounge and, forward, a large L-shaped kitchen with an island counter, a corner dining table and a single-seat helm station

Also notable is the enormous lift-powered beach platform, which extends almost 5ft from the hull so providing almost 7ft of decking from the transom, ensuring masses of space for lounging and fun by the sea, as well as storage for a 12ft tender.

GALLEY UP, ISLAND CENTRE

Upon boarding, the yacht welcomes you with a large aft cockpit featuring a long sofa and sliding granite table, all protected by the flybridge overhang. To starboard is a bar counter with sink, while beside the flybridge stairs to port is a convenient drinks cabinet and fridge, so helping to avoid repeated trips to the galley.

The interior by Carmen Lau, of Interiors by Carmen, features walnut flooring and wenge veneers. The lounge area is clean and formally structured, with a portside L-shaped sofa below large windows, facing a television to starboard.

In the forward half of the saloon, an L-shaped kitchen mirrors the sofa and is packed high and low with storage areas, while an island counter adds to the country kitchen feel.The island counter provides a social hub by the galley and dining table

As we make our way out of the harbour, it doesn’t take long to see how the entire galley area becomes the focal point of indoor socialising on what Lo describes as a ‘family-centric’ boat.

The island is like a magnet, the most natural place for people to gather, have a drink or a snack, and chat in pairs or groups; it’s also easy for anyone to join or leave. If the kitchen is the hub of family life, so it is here on the CLB72.

“The galley-up layout allows families to gather as a focal point and that’s why the galley is so big for a boat of this size” says Lo, whose grandfather led Cheoy Lee’s move to Hong Kong over 80 years ago.

For more formal dining, there’s a forward L-shaped sofa to port with a diagonal table that allows space for one or two loose chairs, while the area also contains a dayhead to starboard, with more storage areas fore and aft.

WINNING MASTER CABIN

Forward of the dayhead, beside the single-seat helm station, are the stairs to the lower deck, which offers enormous headroom throughout, a reassuring feature that adds to the yacht’s comfortable, homely feel.The full-beam master cabin features the bed athwartships, large windows and great headroom

The hallway leads aft to the full-beam master cabin, which benefits from enormous windows on each side and has the double bed athwartships, a layout that appears to dramatically increase useable space.

It creates a huge amount of room around the desk/vanity table to starboard plus easy access to the en-suite bathroom with double-sink vanity, and an impressively roomy walk-in wardrobe aft of the bed. The bathroom even has a glass door that can change from transparent to opaque.

“It’s rare to feel this much space in a boat of this size,” says Lo, who also points out a washer-dryer in front of the master suite. “Everything’s square and open, and you don’t feel like you’re going to bang your head anywhere.”

Lo said the master cabin in the first CLB72 featured a more conventional layout, with the bed on the centreline. However, as the bathroom mirrors blocked the window, the yard changed the layout on the second hull so the bed faced across the room, a design preferred by the owner of I Did It.The CLB 72 has enough toys for a fun day out or weekend in Hong Kong’s sheltered bays, plus a huge swim platform, which extends the LOA to 76ft 9in

The portside guest cabin has twin beds that can slide together and en-suite access to a forward bathroom, which is also used as a dayhead and by the smaller starboard guest cabin, which has bunk beds. The comfortable VIP cabin is in the bow, up three steps, and has a skylight and an en-suite bathroom.

At the other end of the boat, accessed via the transom, is an attractive crew bunk cabin with bathroom. Crew also benefit from a particularly large engine room, with plenty of work space around the machinery, making service and maintenance easier and more comfortable.

The flybridge with non-slip flooring features coffee tables and an L-shaped sofa on starboard, with an adjustable backrest on the aft seats so guests have the option of looking over an open aft deck that can be used for yoga, loose furniture or storage of water toys.The flybridge has an L-shaped sofa, with an adjustable backrest on the aft seating

The large portside counter features a big covered barbecue, refrigerator, ice-maker and a long counter top, while forward is the outdoor helm station, with a central pilot seat and a co-pilot seat to port. The foredeck features a slightly sunken, three-quarter length double sunpad, although it’s hard not to think more could be made of this area.

The yacht’s technology includes at-rest gyro stabilisation, as well as an active interceptor system to create a smoother ride. Volvo Penta’s Glass Cockpit System integrates CZone monitoring, navigation electronics and engine monitoring, while the IPS pod drives include multiple joystick controls, with two wing stations, port and starboard.

Reassuringly, CL Yachts offers owners a limited 10-year warranty on the hull against structural defects, and a limited two-year warranty on boat parts and components.The simple foredeck offers a three-quarter length double sunpad

Looking ahead, the company plans to consolidate its growing reputation in the US by exhibiting at the Miami International Boat Show in February and the Palm Beach International Boat Show in March.

At the same time, the company is also working on a galley-down layout, with the galley taking the place of one of the guest cabins, to create a much larger entertaining space on the main deck.

“We are currently reconfiguring the layout of the CLB72 for Asia, so other design options for this region will be available soon,” Lo says. “We plan for Asia to become one of our primary markets.”

www.clyachts.com

www.cheoylee.com

Yacht Style Issue 50: The Superyacht Issue Out Now!
Yacht Style is proud to present its 50th issue, 12 years since the magazine was first published in 2007. Thank you, our loyal readers. We're also happy to wrap up the magazine's first year as a bimonthly publication, as we strive to bring you the best boating articles in Asia, more frequently.

Imperial Central Agent for ‘Fantastic’ 106m Lurssen Amadea

News / yachtstyle2020

Imperial Central Agent for ‘Fantastic’ 106m Lurssen Amadea

November 11, 2019
3:08 pm

Imperial appointed Exclusive Central Agent for sale of 106m Amadea; company’s charter listings include 136m Flying Fox and 82m RoMEA.

Imperial has been appointed as the Exclusive Central Agent for sale of the 106.1m Lurssen build Amadea. The stunning megayacht was the second-longest yacht at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show in Port Hercules, after the 111m Lurssen Tis , and was one of three megayachts berthed along Quai Rainier III.

The 106m Amadea was built by Lurssen and is available for sale through Imperial; Photos © Guillaume Plisson for Imperial

Having acted as the owner’s representative and build supervisor during the construction of the confidential vessel, Imperial was proud to secure the exclusive listing of Amadea, with the Monaco-based company describing the appointment as ‘an important step forward’.

Julia Stewart, Director of Imperial, said: “Amadea is setting new boundaries in the superyacht industry , for the 100-110m range. Since her delivery and even today, very few superyachts can pretend to have such a high level of completion and detailing.

“Luxury is all about the details. We made Imperial’s motto the essence of our work on board Amadea, and we are absolutely proud to release on the brokerage market such a fantastic vessel with proven credentials and exclusive amenities.”

The PYC-compliant yacht has an exterior by Norway-born Espen Oeino and an interior by Frenchman Francois Zuretti, and can accommodate up to 22 guests while cruising and 16 sleeping in eight cabins.

Amadea has an exterior by Espen Oeino and an interior by Francois Zuretti

The six guest decks include a private owner’s deck, while features include a 10m infinity pool, an indoor cinema with moving D-Box seats, outdoor cinema and a spa area. The yacht has two 11m Windy tenders, a Pascoe Beachlander and two Castoldi rescue boats, while toys include four Sea-Doo jetskis, four Seabobs, a jetpack and a flyboard.

Amadea has a top speed of 20 knots and a range of 8,000nm at 13 knots. The price remains exclusively available upon application.

Imperial was kept busy at the Monaco Yacht Show, as it was also representing the 52.3m Amels Grace, 50m Mangusta Rush and 46m Palmer Johnson Hokulani.

Amadea’s features include a 10m infinity pool

In addition, the company was representing the 136m Lurssen Flying Fox and 41m Mondomarine Legenda, which were among many yachts at anchor outside Port Hercules and along the coast during the course of the show. As the exclusive charter agent of Flying Fox, Imperial arranged viewings for potential charter guests.

Recognised as the world’s largest charter yacht, the PYC-compliant Flying Fox has a 22.5m-beam, dove-grey hull designed by Espen Oeino and an astonishing 54 crew, including former Olympic athletes. Her interior by Mark Berryman offers 11 cabins for 25 guests, including a private owner’s apartment. All cabins offer private sea-view terraces.

A 12m pool runs across the aft of the main deck and combines with a 400sqm, two-floor spa that includes a Hammam, sauna, CryoSauna and more, plus specialised therapists. Flying Fox also features one of the most professional dive centres ever seen on a superyacht including rebreathing systems, a plethora of diving equipment and a three-seat decompression chamber.

www.imperial-yachts.com / monaco@imperial-yachts.com

Yacht Style Issue 50: The Superyacht Issue Out Now!
Yacht Style is proud to present its 50th issue, 12 years since the magazine was first published in 2007. Thank you, our loyal readers. We're also happy to wrap up the magazine's first year as a bimonthly publication, as we strive to bring you the best boating articles in Asia, more frequently.

RoMEA Making Charter Debut in Asia Through Imperial

Charter / yachtstyle2020

RoMEA Making Charter Debut in Asia Through Imperial

November 4, 2019
1:15 am

Among the world’s largest charter yachts, the 82m RoMEA is now operating in Asia for the first time, exclusively through Imperial.

The 81.8m RoMEA – recently listed among the world’s top-10 most expensive charter yachts – is now exclusively available for charter in Asia, through Imperial, for the first time since she began operating in 2015.After several seasons cruising the Med and Caribbean, the 82m RoMEA is the latest charter yacht in Asia exclusively available through Imperial; Photos by Jeff Brown and Guillaume Plisson for Imperial

Imperial has recently been enjoying immense success in the world of megayachts, including as the exclusive charter agent for the new 136m Lurssen Flying Fox, billed as the world’s largest charter yacht and No. 1 in the Top 100 Superyachts of Asia-Pacific feature that appears in Yacht Style Issue 50.

Delivered earlier this year, Flying Fox was among yachts at anchor outside Port Hercules during the Monaco Yacht Show, where Imperial represented several yachts including the 106m Lurssen Amadea, exclusively for sale through the Monaco-based superyacht services company.

But for many readers of Luxuo and Yacht Style magazine, the news of RoMEA chartering in this region is the most exciting.

The decision was made after the owner, who had explored the Caribbean region extensively in recent winter seasons, decided it was time to visit more remote areas, with the Indian Ocean and other parts of Asia on his bucket list.Situated forward on the sun deck, the jacuzzi is flanked by large lounging areas

A provisional itinerary for both November and the first half of December included the Seychelles and the Maldives, where she’s already booked from December 20-January 11. From January 15, RoMEA is available for charter in the Indian Ocean and is expected to travel to the likes of Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Julia Stewart, Director of Imperial, is confident of the yacht’s appeal in this region following several hugely successful charter seasons on both sides of the Atlantic.

“For the past few years, RoMEA has been one of the largest and most luxurious yachts to cruise the Mediterranean and Caribbean. She’s also the most experienced charter yacht in Imperial’s Central Agency fleet, so she’s a reflection of our own expertise,” Stewart says.

“Her success is also built on the numerous destinations she has already cruised. Having explored most of the Med for the past four years, and the majority of Caribbean islands from the north to the south and touching the coasts of Colombia, the experience gained by her crew is highly valuable for all charter guests coming on board.RoMEA has a stunning beach club on the lower deck, and appealing outdoor areas on the four decks above

“RoMEA always amazes her guests and offers a different journey every day, and the recipes applied when she’s cruising the Mediterranean coasts or the busy Caribbean islands are the same for her first season in the Indian Ocean. We have no doubt it will be a fantastic opportunity and experience for RoMEA, her crew and our team. We’re really excited to show the capabilities of this vessel in this part of the world.”

SPAS, CINEMAS AND TOYS

Measuring over 268ft in length and 41ft in width, RoMEA has a lot to offer across her six decks, which provide a total volume of 2,312GT.

Powered by twin Caterpillars and with up to 210,000 litres of fuel, she has a range of 5,750nm at her cruising speed of 14 knots, which is a huge bonus when travelling the Indian Ocean and more remote parts of Asia. At full power, the yacht has a top speed of 16.9 knots, while at anchor, two Quantum XT zero speed stabilisers ensure stability and comfort.

A proud product of German giant Abeking & Rasmussen, which built this year’s award-winning Excellence, RoMEA features an elegant exterior and a warm, understated interior by Terence Disdale Design, which worked in collaboration with Imperial’s Build Supervisor team for the first time.

Disdale’s décor includes fine bronze, steel and glass, expert stonework, rich leather and exotic woods, while bespoke furnishings and unique works of art complete a coherent and homely interior.The big beach club has plenty of space for loungers and umbrellas, and a wide central stairway into the water, while a floating pool can also be attached

RoMEA houses 12 guests in six staterooms, comprising a huge master suite forward on the upper deck, and a full-beam VIP and four guest cabins on the main deck, while most of the accommodation for the 23-strong crew is forward on the lower deck.

The yacht is ideal for those who wish to focus on health and relaxation. There’s a great outdoor jacuzzi on the sun deck, while on the bridge deck below is a beautifully designed, fully-equipped spa, complete with a beauty salon and massage table.

Down on the lower deck, connected to the large beach club area, is a dedicated wellness zone or spa lounge with Finnish sauna, natural pebble flooring and a large jacuzzi.

Other standout features include indoor and outdoor cinemas. The enormous saloon on the main deck can be converted into a fantastic cinema with a huge projector screen to starboard, as guests watch from the enormous C-shaped sofa on port side.The enormous saloon on the main deck can be transformed into a beautiful cinema with a huge screen on starboard side; popcorn is supplied …

On the bridge deck, the covered al fresco area aft can be converted into an outdoor cinema by deploying a large drop-down screen, and even the lower-deck beach club has a comfortable lounge with a TV for a cosier movie experience.

The yacht features multiple spacious outdoor, covered and indoor social zones, all suitable for entertaining, including a beautiful upper-deck saloon that features a piano and three separate seating areas.

For getting about or just having fun, RoMEA has a 9.6m limousine tender and 5.9m sports tender by Germany’s Yachtwerft Meyer, as well as an 8.6m Pascoe Beachlander.

The huge range of water toys includes a Laser sailboat, four jetskis, Seabobs, inflatables, waterskis, a wakeboard, kneeboards, paddleboards, four kayaks, fishing equipment, six full sets of dive gear plus a large floating pool, great for swimming off the yacht in safety and comfort.The VIP suite is one of six staterooms

CAPTAIN AND CREW

However, most charter guests and operators agree that a yacht’s crew can be the determining factor of any charter experience, and this is another of RoMEA’s plus points, with a vastly experienced and diverse team representing over 10 nationalities.

Most of the crew have been onboard RoMEA for at least 24 months, including the Captain, who’s also a Divemaster with experience of the Indian Ocean region.

“Having been in the industry for over 20 years, I can honestly say that RoMEA is the nicest command that I have had. The interior is bright and welcoming, and flows easily inside to out. The layout, accessories and of course the crew work in harmony to create a fantastic guest experience,” he says.

“RoMEA has a great team on board, with a wide range of knowledge of cruising, sports skills, service hospitality and food styles. Our galley team is exceptional. Although a large crew on paper, they act and work as a small, efficient cell and whatever the client requests, we try to achieve in the shortest timespan”The gorgeous spa and massage salon is on the bridge deck, and provides a serene environment for rest and rejuvenation

Stewart is in full agreement that crew is paramount to a memorable guest experience, and emphasises that the Captain and his crew have quite a lot of Asia experience between them.

“A successful charter superyacht is nothing without the passion and expertise of her crew, and many of RoMEA’s crew have previously spent winter seasons in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia,” she says.

“They know the most popular areas as well as the quietest ones, and it all depends on the guests during their journey. We adapt our schedule according to their tastes, their wishes.”

PLANS FOR ASIA

RoMEA may be new to Asia, but Imperial is not. The company’s experience in the region started in 2010 with the 60m Lurssen Arkley, which Stewart describes as “the most popular charter vessel in the range at the time”.Upper deck aft is ideal for dining and socialising, day or night

Imperial’s more recent charter yachts in the region include the 55m Amels Lili, which cruised the Indian Ocean for a second successful season in the 2018/19 winter.

“With Arkley, we explored and gained experience cruising Thai waters, before coming back to the Mediterranean for the summer season. With Lili, the options offered to our guests had increased because of our greater knowledge of the region,” Stewart says.

“We learn a lot from these experiences, especially in the Indian Ocean as the remote islands are a daily challenge in terms of provisioning, fuelling, connections and so on. This part of the world is challenging, but we have to offer our guests the most unforgettable trip and we’ve proven we’re capable of great successes.”The 9.6m Yachtwerft Meyer limousine tender is an elegant transfer boat

The experience of Imperial and RoMEA’s Captain in the region ensure that itineraries for various destinations are available, but all involved pride themselves on their ability to customise trips and be adaptable, depending on the needs of charter guests.

“Routes and activities will depend on our client. Our motto is to stay available 24/7 wherever the vessel is in the region,” Stewart says. “Our location will obviously be in the most practical area for guests embarking, but flexibility is one of our master keywords. Guests are the priority above all else during a charter, as our goal is to offer the best possible experience.”

And the Captain is already among those delighted to return to a region known globally for its spectacular diving, picture-perfect tropical islands and diversity of local cultures and cuisine.

“For me, the highlight of returning to the Indian Ocean is the beauty and vivid colours of the coral and sea life. Some of the best dive experiences I’ve had as a Divemaster have been in the region. Manta rays, sharks and the opportunity of swimming with whale sharks are not to be missed,” he says.Bridge deck aft features an attractive al fresco lounge with large sofas, coffee tables and a retractable screen, ideal for a movie night to round off the day

“The Indian Ocean is a paradise of coral atolls and pristine water, and RoMEA is like a calm oasis, a relaxing hub from which to set off on adventure.

“Whether it’s diving, kiting, hydro-boarding, jet-skiing or exploring the cultural beauty of the area, guests will return from their day to the tranquillity of RoMEA, where they can chill in the spa or sauna or just take in the views from the sun deck. RoMEA is a great charter vessel wherever in the world she sails.”

RoMEA is available for charter from €875,000/week. Contact Imperial for further details: 

Tel: +377 9798-3880

monaco@imperial-yachts.com

www.imperial-yachts.com

Note: The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 50. 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/

Jeanneau Merry Fisher Braves NZ’s Stewart Island for Fish of the Day TV Show

Destinations / yachtstyle2020

Jeanneau Merry Fisher Braves NZ’s Stewart Island for Fish of the Day TV Show

October 15, 2019
2:35 am

Sanlorenzo Asia has started 2020 with sales of five yachts in five months into Hong Kong, ranging in size from 76-146ft.

New Zealand’s Stewart Island is a long way from most places. In fact, it’s a mission just getting to the island known in Maori as Rakiura, which is situated south of the iconic South Island and was recently home of the Asia-Pacific in-water release of Jeanneau’s Merry Fisher 895 Marlin.Stewart Island is New Zealand’s third-largest island, but only about 400 people live there

Travelling to Stewart Island from Hong Kong, for example, starts with an 11-hour flight to Auckland, then two internal flights – and that’s just to reach Invercargill, near the southern tip of the South Island. From Singapore, it’s just two flights to Invercargill, transiting at Christchurch.

From Invercargill, it’s a taxi or bus ride to the southernmost town of Bluff and then finally an hour-long ferry crossing to Oban on Stewart Island. Weather permitting, the ferry makes two return trips to the island each day, morning and evening, while a water taxi service is also available, again depending on the weather.

Sitting 46-47 degrees south – on the same latitudes as the southern reaches of Chile and Argentina – the 1,746sqkm Stewart Island is separated from the South Island by the notorious Foveaux Strait, a treacherous, 30km-wide stretch of water that ensures Rakiura remains relatively isolated. There’s very little else around it and if you were to head south across the Southern Ocean, your next stop would be Antarctica.The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Marlin on the run in Stewart Island

Getting a new Merry Fisher 895 Marlin to Stewart Island was also an adventure. One of the latest models from prolific French builder Jeanneau, the boat was cast to play a starring role in an episode of the popular television series Fish of the Day, which screens in more than 80 countries and is now also available on National Geographic’s People channel, further extending its reach.

Having arrived in Auckland from the Jeanneau facility in Poland two months earlier for an on-land display at the New Zealand Boat Show, the sport fisher was carried almost 1,700km down the length of the country on a road transporter, including crossing Cook Strait on an overnight ferry between the North and South Islands.

After a two-day journey, the yacht was then splashed for the first time as it was launched into the chilly waters of Bluff Harbour before it motored across Foveaux Strait to Halfmoon Bay, where the crew picked up a mooring in a sheltered cove close to the island’s commercial wharf at Oban.

FISH OF THE DAY

The 895 Marlin was the latest vehicle for Fish of the Day presenter Clarke Gayford, also well known as the fiancé of Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s Prime Minister. The wife of the US President is called ‘America’s First Lady’, so Gayford is sometimes jokingly referred to as ‘New Zealand’s First Man of Fishing’.Clarke Gayford filming Fish of the Day on the Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Marlin

A passionate sport fisher, Gayford is also an environmental advocate deeply invested in caring for our oceans and all the creatures that live in it. Along with Fish of the Day Producer-Director Mike Bhana, Gayford has partnered with Jeanneau, using its boats to access exotic locations all over the world and film the series.

Almost 9m-long, the Merry Fisher 895 is a full-bodied , walk-around vessel with generous accommodation for up to six. It has a comfortable, spacious wheelhouse, an enclosed toilet and shower, a second cockpit shower and cooking facilities, making it suitable for family days and overnighters.

The Marlin layout is fishing-oriented and ideal for sport fishing adventures. Twin Yamaha 225hp V6 outboards provide 40-knot performance, while clever use of space has resulted in a large , clean cockpit for fishing, diving and water sports. There are plenty of rod holders, a wash down, live-bait tank and a generous wet locker under the cockpit sole.Gayford was full of praise for Jeanneau’s new 895 Marlin, having also worked on the 795

Folding seating and a drop-in table cater for al fresco entertaining or relaxing outside, and the table can also be mounted on the foredeck, which has wraparound railings and is also a great place for fishing – or launching a drone for filming!

The wheelhouse is slightly offset to port while the helm station is starboard side, where a sliding side door affords the driver quick access to the side deck, very handy when securing lines or coming alongside.

This model has two ‘oversize’ 300-litre fuel tanks, allowing multi-day expeditions like our Stewart Island adventure. Petrol is not available at the wharf on Stewart Island, so the crew had to be confident they could carry enough for three days of fishing and filming, plus two crossings of Foveaux Strait.

In the previous Fish of the Day series, Clarke and his team had used the smaller Merry Fisher 795 for several programmes in New Zealand, enjoying the boat’s combination of space and fishing facilities, but the host thought the new 895 Marlin better still.Gayford is an environmental advocate and the fiancé of Prime Minister Jacinda Adern

“It’s just that much bigger again, with a larger cockpit,” Clarke said. “It’s really stable, which is great for filming, and there’s an amazing amount of space in the wheelhouse and below decks. We carry a mountain of camera and sound gear, along with fishing tackle and dive gear, but the 895 swallows it all.”

Fish of the Day takes Clarke and crew around the world, including Asia, the Pacific and North America. It has a simple premise: set out to catch a particular fish, local to the region, cook it and eat it.

Gayford shares his journey of discovery with the show’s viewers, before presenting his fish to a local chef who prepares it in local fashion. The dish is then enjoyed by the TV crew and, vicariously, the viewers. And for this spectacular episode, Stewart Island proved a dramatic setting with fish aplenty.

REMOTE AND WILD

Stewart Island boasts superb cold-water sport fishing, as its isolation and unforgiving weather protects the fishery from over-exploitation. Around the island’s shores, rocky reefs and offshore archipelagos, giant blue cod, butter fish/greenbone, trumpeter, blue moki and wrasse inhabit vast kelp forests that grow almost to the surface in places. Spear fishing, free diving and scuba diving are spectacular.Spectacular scenery and lots of wildlife are part of the experience of Stewart Island

The island’s cold, clear water is also home to seven-gill and great white sharks, which hunt seals around the shoreline and occasionally frighten skin divers! Further offshore, migrating southern bluefin tuna pass close by.

The Merry Fisher 895 Marlin was the vehicle for one day’s filming and the target that day was trumpeter, a popular table fish with Stewart Island locals. Rakiura trumpeter grow to around 10kg, but any fish over 2kg is a good one. Trumpeter are known for fighting hard on the line, but the first challenge is hooking them, as we found out.

To someone who hasn’t experienced fishing in this part of the world, the best way to describe it is frenetic. Bites are instantaneous and multiple hook-ups common. However, everywhere we went, blue cod were so abundant that they snaffled our baits and lures long before the target species could be tempted.Clarke with the designated ‘fish of the day’, trumpeter, which took a while to find

Great to eat, blue cod is the island’s most popular catch, also with commercial fishers who use baited pots. Stewart Island’s cod are rated among the best tasting of all and visitors can enjoy them at the South Sea Hotel and various other restaurants on the island.

Next in popularity is the trumpeter, but unlike blue cod, it’s not found everywhere. Local fishers generously shared their knowledge of where to fish for them, but they still weren’t easy to catch. Eventually, though, we enjoyed some success, putting several modest specimens on ice.

Stewart Island is also famous for its paua, a large blue/black-footed abalone native to New Zealand. Stewart Island paua grow large, almost as big as dinner plates, and are plentiful. Clarke free-dived a half-dozen fat paua to accompany the trumpeter, along with a few super-sized kina (sea urchins), some of which we devoured straight out of the water.

While collecting shell fish, Gayford made friends with a curious octopus and was continuously surrounded by fish including greenbone, wrasse and trumpeter, which had finally proved not so elusive.Gayford in the water collecting paua and kina; lobsters are also common

Winter days this far south are short, so our fishing and diving adventure wrapped up well before 4pm. With the light fading and the temperature falling fast, the Merry Fisher’s cosy wheelhouse was welcome during the long run back to Halfmoon Bay.

CRUISING, CAMPING AND KIWIS

For cruising yachts, visiting Stewart Island is usually part of a more extensive cruise taking in the magnificent fjords of southern New Zealand. Crossing the Foveaux Strait is best reserved for calm conditions, but once made, boaters are spoiled for choice. There’s so much coast to explore and as much solitude and unspoiled nature as anyone could wish for.

Visitors coming by sea can expect to see several species of albatross in large numbers, giant petrels and other Southern Ocean seabirds, as well as seals, penguins and whales. The island’s convoluted coastline has miles of pristine white beaches, wide bays, secluded coves and deeply indented natural harbours. These provide safe anchorages and shelter from the fierce gales that periodically blow in off the Southern Ocean.The Jeanneau Merry Fisher 895 Marlin anchors close inshore for protection

And then there’s the wildlife. Guided tours of nature reserves such as Ulva Island, with its thriving populations of native birds, are popular with visitors, but there is also plenty for independent travellers to see, including beach-loving kiwis. Kiwis are normally nocturnal, but the Stewart Island sub-species often walks about during the day and is the only kiwi to frequent beaches to feed.

Walking tracks, including the Rakiura Great Walk, traverse the whole island, taking in the stunning coast and forested interior. Many are furnished with cosy huts, used by hunters as well as walkers, but bookings are essential. Cycling tours are also popular.

Camping is possible at a few locations, but facilities are basic and bookings may be required. In addition, there is a variety of backpackers and lodge-style accommodation on the island. The South Sea Hotel is a popular choice with visitors, offering comfortable accommodation, a lively bar and a restaurant.The South Sea Hotel is a Stewart Island icon

Stewart Island may be remote, but that’s what keeps its landscape unspoilt, its waters full of fish and any visit an adventure to remember.

WHEN TO VISIT: The southern-hemisphere summer, December to March, is the most popular time to visit Stewart Island. There are fewer tourists during winter, when many popular activities such as kiwi spotting are suspended. The climate is cool temperate and has relatively high rainfall, with February the driest month and May the wettest. The average high in January, the peak of summer, is 17°C, down to 8-9°C overnight, while July is the coldest month, with an average daytime high of 9°C and overnight low of 1-2°C.

www.fishoftheday.tv

www.jeanneau.com

Yacht Style Issue 49: The 2019 'World Premieres Issue' Out Now!
Yacht Style's Issue 48, the fifth edition of 2019, is out now in print and on Magzter, with Riva's stunning flagship 50m Race on the cover. This special 'Premieres Issue' focused on many of the exciting world premieres at Europe's leading autumn boats, primarily the Cannes Yachting Festival and Monaco Yacht Show with a nod to some new British builds at the Southampton International Boat Show.

Abeking & Rasmussen CEO Hans Schaedla: Yacht Style ‘Leader’ Interview

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Abeking & Rasmussen CEO Hans Schaedla: Yacht Style ‘Leader’ Interview

September 24, 2019
4:55 pm

HANS SCHAEDLA, CEO of Abeking & Rasmussen, is proud of the “truly iconic” 80m Excellence at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show, but a 118m build is ongoing..

Mr Schaedla, can you talk about what visitors to  the Monaco Yacht Show can expect to see if they’re lucky enough to get on board the new 80m Excellence?

The owner of Excellence asked Abeking & Rasmussen to build him an iconic yacht and his first reaction when seeing it finished was: “You have exceeded my expectations.” So, whoever visits Excellence in Monaco will see a truly iconic yacht in all aspects, inside and out.Hans Schaedla is the grandson of Henry Rasmussen, who founded the company with Georg Abeking in 1907

The exterior styling by Andrew Winch and Winch Design is second to none, with a silhouette comparable to a spaceship. The striking, angular bow was inspired by the American eagle and cuts through the ocean waters. There are also unbelievable views from inside.

What were the difficulties in building such an unconventional hull?

Excellence’s hull form is quite different from other yachts. We performed extensive tank testing in flat water and in waves to guarantee the best performance in terms of low resistance and safety in bad weather conditions. This was time consuming, but very successful.

How about the challenges of the enormous glass panels in the superstructure? 

The installation of glass panels to this extent required very careful engineering from both the shipyard and the glass supplier, GL Yachtverglasung, and we worked hand in hand to achieve a key feature of the yacht’s stunning appearance.

The designer pushed for the most beautiful look and the shipyard had to convert this artistic language into proper engineering solutions that fulfilled the technical requirements and catered for all conditions, including sunlight. The insides of the windows are covered with various films and foils, and filled with air in order to keep the sun’s heat outside and the coolness inside.The 80m Excellence under construction

Can you outline some of the interior highlights?

There’s a master suite, six double suites, three lounges, a cinema, an owner’s study, a sauna and gym, all connected by an incredible spiral glass staircase and a central circular glass elevator that accesses four floors. It’s illuminated naturally by a vast window stretching up the length of the statement staircase.

The client is an experienced yacht owner and an avid supercar fan, and wanted details and inspirations from his extensive car collection to be referred to throughout the interior. With a shared appreciation for attention to detail, the owner and Winch Design worked together to bring his dream to life.

Silver carbon-fibre and curved leather panels give a nod towards the dashboards of the most luxurious sports cars in his collection, while the vanity units in the statement dayheads are inspired by the sleek details of supercars, including the curves of the seats in the Ferrari Daytona.

In addition to automotive references, mid-century inspirations from [Ludwig] Mies Van der Rohe and Le Corbusier are found in the bespoke furniture penned by Winch Design, like the iconic Barcelona Chair in the main-deck staircase lobby. Elsewhere, curved edges and statement veneers are reminiscent of classic mid-century design and create a relaxed, sophisticated atmosphere.

What are the next major yachts to emerge from the Abeking & Rasmussen yard? 

I first want to say that shortly before we delivered Excellence to her owner, we completed another extremely challenging project – the complex lengthening of one of our 78m yachts by 7m to include a pool – within six months. We pre-produced a new aft section and then added this to the yacht in a record timeframe. The reason for the rush was that the owner didn’t want to miss a yachting season!The 80m Excellence following her launch at the Abeking & Rasmussen shipyard in Lemwerder, northwest of Bremen, where she’s pictured with the newly extended C2

Early next year we’ll be delivering a new 68m yacht with a very stylish exterior design. Look out for that one. This will be followed by the biggest yacht built by Abeking & Rasmussen: a 118m new build that will be very secretive until her delivery. Confidentiality is one of our main assets and much valued by our clients.

What are your thoughts on the megayacht market in Asia?

We can see that the megayacht market in Asia is still in the development stage. Yachting is still growing in Asia and we should encourage potential owners to discover the joys of it. Exploring the seas and different shores aboard your own yacht, indulging yourself in all sorts of watersports and then sharing this experience together with your family and friends, truly gives you a lifetime experience.

However, many of our yachts can be spotted in Asian waters. Earlier this year our 98m Aviva (launched in 2017) visited the beautiful bays of Vietnam and was moored in Singapore for a couple of weeks.

Our yachts are cruising all around the world, whether it’s well-known hot spots like the Mediterranean or remote areas. The 72m Cloudbreak (launched in 2016) did a round-the-world expedition visiting adventurous superyacht destinations such as Greenland, Alaska, Cape Town and Chile. Her owner has a passion for the great outdoors and uses the yacht for his own pleasure as well as for charter.Hans Schaedla, Andrew Winch of Winch Design, and Captain Ray Shore are all smiles in front of Excellence in Lemwerder

Many of our clients have found their way to us after enjoying time on board an Abeking & Rasmussen yacht as a charter client or guest, so I think someone interested in the joys of yachting should go for a charter as a first step.

My feeling is that the wealthy younger generation of entrepreneurs or family inheritors is very enthusiastic about exploring new places and broadening their horizons. An Abeking & Rasmussen yacht is just the right vehicle to choose and I am pretty sure there are more and more potential Asian owners with a strong interest in a custom-made megayacht from Germany. I do very much hope to welcome our first Asian owner here at our yard.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the 41m Silver Cloud had completed over 220,000nm since 2009. Considering the growing appetite for explorer yachts, can you talk about what led to the development of this first SWATH@A&R yacht and how relevant the ‘Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull’ design is?

The impetus came from Alex Dreyfoos, a yacht owner since the 1960s who’s also an Oscar winner, photographer, inventor and an art patron. Mr Dreyfoos was looking for a unique ship that would remain stable even in rough seas, in order to accommodate his wife who suffers from seasickness. He found just that in SWATH@A&R technology and nothing stood in their way to a voyage around the world.Featuring SWATH technology for increased stability, the 41m Silver Cloud, pictured in Japan, was designed for global exploration

It’s an unusual 41m yacht, which offers 60 per cent more space compared to vessels of a similar length, and her enormous efficiency and seaworthiness is really impressive. In her first endurance test, her maiden voyage around the world took 19 months to complete and covered 48,000 miles, including rough seas around North Alaska, Papua New Guinea and the Galapagos Islands, yet Silver Cloud scored top marks across the board. And not only with her owners. In 2009, she won the Technology Award in the World Superyacht Awards. The yacht has since hosted many memorable trips, captured in stunning pictures by the owner, a passionate photographer.

The 74m Elandess appeared at last year’s Monaco Yacht Show, having earlier passed your 98m flagship Aviva on the River Thames. Can you tell us what led to this remarkable megayacht meeting in London?

From time to time, you can spot superyachts close to the Tower Bridge in London. It was at the beginning of July 2018, just after the delivery of Elandess, when she cruised along the River Thames during her maiden voyage. The owner was on board with his friends, and our Project Manager accompanied them as well. At the same time, Aviva had just returned from across the Atlantic Ocean and they did a stopover in London to pick up her owner, so that really was a wonderful coincidence.

I’d also like to talk a little about the individual highlights of these two magnificent yachts. Elandess features the Neptune Lounge, where you can sit as if in an underwater theatre and watch life above and below the waterline through a huge 3m-tall, 10cm-thick glass window. It’s a real masterpiece designed by Harrison Eidsgaard.Ahead of her world premiere at last year’s Monaco Yacht Show, Elandess (right) passed Aviva on the River Thames

A totally different layout was designed for Aviva. Inside, stretching over two decks, we installed a padel tennis court measuring 20m by 10m, and 6m in height. The yacht was basically built around it, so it was an exciting challenge for us, together with the designers at Reymond & Langton.

Germany, the Netherlands and Italy appear to be the leading nations for building the largest megayachts. Why is northern Germany so prolific, led by the likes of Abeking in Lemwerder, Lurssen, with its headquarters across the Weser River in Bremen-Vegesack, Blohm & Voss in Hamburg and Nobiskrug in Rendsburg? 

Shipyards in Northern Germany have a very long tradition due to their location close to the Baltic Sea. Lemwerder and Vegesack, especially, have always been very well known for their expertise in a variety of shipbuilding disciplines.

In 1907, my grandfather Henry Rasmussen together with his partner Georg Abeking set up Abeking & Rasmussen and over the decades we have become known for some landmark achievements.

Having started with a series of successful elegant regatta sailing yachts, like the Starboat class or Concordia yawls, we then also specialised in vessels for navies worldwide. We also build special ships, like coastguard patrol ships or our very own SWATH ships. These are twin-hull ships whose increased seaworthiness makes them suitable for an extremely wide range of uses.The 98.4m, 5,000GT Aviva is the largest yacht built by Abeking & Rasmussen and features a padel tennis court

Our engineers and naval architects all put their expertise into the construction and/or refit of the world’s finest superyachts, which regularly achieve recognition at the major award ceremonies. During the last few years, nearly all of our yachts have been honoured.

Thanks to our long-term experience, Abeking & Rasmussen has become one of the top-class addresses for custom-made superyachts. And as a matter of course, we follow the highest ‘Made in Germany’ shipbuilding standards in order to fulfil, or even exceed, the requirements of our sophisticated worldwide clients.

Can you talk about any technologies and facilities at your shipyard that readers should be aware of? 

Our yard offers five heated sheds for new builds and refits up to 125m in length, plus a 77m by 17m synchrolift with a capacity of about 2,000 tonnes. Altogether, 475 craftsmen and engineers can be seen here every day with a true passion for what they do. During the creation of each and every superyacht, we cooperate with a number of sub-suppliers, the majority locally based.

A few years ago, we restructured our overall company processes to follow a ‘lean management’ approach, partly based on the kanban system from Japan. We adopted this well-proven method pretty efficiently and are very grateful to have implemented this structure with some inspiration from engineers at Toyota.

Here at Abeking & Rasmussen, it’s in our genes to only be satisfied once the optimum has been improved. It is a journey of constant exploration and of pushing one’s limits. Envision, design and then construct are all parts of a continuous process in our shipbuilding approach, constantly in loop until the best has become even better.The 74m Elandess participated in the 2018 Monaco Yacht Show

Numerous examples that have caused an international sensation include the engineering of the world’s fastest diesel-powered yacht with 46 knots back in 1972, the development of non-magnetic steel or, more recently, the SWATH@A&R technology.

What absolutely ensures Abeking & Rasmussen’s worldwide reputation is the ability to turn the most challenging requirements into customer satisfaction, in all domains of shipbuilding, whether it’s superyachts, naval ships, special vessels or cruise ships. We constantly transfer our knowledge in each discipline across our entire fleet of vessels.

Our former Head of Production, who was here for about 40 years, once stated that our most important task is to overcome resistance to new ideas. And if we continue to succeed in doing that, we will also continue to build the best yachts in the world.

I would also like to highlight the key role played by the design studios. We enjoy very strong and trustful relationships with many of them, such as Winch Design, Harrison Eidsgaard, Espen Oeino, Christian Liaigre, Terence Disdale, Bannenberg & Rowell or Reymond & Langton, to name just a few. We are always amazed at what they dream up for our clients.

For me personally, our most outstanding characteristic is that wherever you spot an Abeking & Rasmussen yacht, there will be emotions. Whether it is one of our historical handmade wooden sailing boats or one of our groundbreaking superyachts, an Abeking & Rasmussen yacht regularly causes amazement and enjoys a high level of recognition worldwide.

Finally, what is Abeking & Rasmussen most focused on in terms of technology? 

We are constantly on the move when it comes to research and development (R&D) projects. Currently, our engineers focus on laser welding and ‘greener’ technologies to minimise environmental impact, such as LNG (liquefied natural gas) propulsion, fuel-cell technology, hydrogen or hybrid systems.Elandess has a spectacular Neptune Lounge, offering views above and below the water

I should mention that Abeking & Rasmussen already has experience of hybrid-driven vessels. Back in the early 2000s, we started to design our first fleet of offshore patrol vessels for Germany’s Federal Border Guard with a diesel-electric drive. Aviva is among our recent superyachts that’s exploring the oceans efficiently with its hybrid propulsion system.

From a design point of view, we notice that owners increasingly want a seamless connection to the outdoors in order to connect with nature, so we envision an increase in glazing as a design feature, as can be seen on Excellence. This demands above-average engineering expertise and high-grade sub-suppliers.

Furthermore, we continuously invest our knowledge and professional expertise into new ways of thinking. Based on the positive owner feedback we received from our SWATH yacht Silver Cloud, we know multihull platforms are the best when the client’s brief is for a calm, efficient expedition.

In general, the enthusiasm for boats has a long tradition and clients will always continue to reach for top build quality, high-end technological solutions and the ability to explore beautiful places off the beaten path. And a superyacht built by Abeking & Rasmussen is a solid base for this.

www.abeking.com

Note: Excellence also features in ‘Monaco Yacht Show’s World Premieres: Superyacht Showdown’:

Monaco Yacht Show's World Premieres: Superyacht Showdown
The Monaco Yacht Show is the place to see world premieres of superyachts, as over a third of the 125 on display this year are appearing at an international boat show for the first time. At 164ft in length, Riva's 50m Race is the smallest yacht in our superyacht selection and the cover star of Yacht Style Issue 49.

Note: Excellence also features in ‘Monaco Yacht Show’s World Premieres: Superyacht Showdown’:

Yacht Style Issue 49: The 2019 'World Premieres Issue' Out Now!
Yacht Style's Issue 48, the fifth edition of 2019, is out now in print and on Magzter, with Riva's stunning flagship 50m Race on the cover. This special 'Premieres Issue' focused on many of the exciting world premieres at Europe's leading autumn boats, primarily the Cannes Yachting Festival and Monaco Yacht Show with a nod to some new British builds at the Southampton International Boat Show.

Monaco Yacht Show’s World Premieres: Superyacht Showdown

News / yachtstyle2020

Monaco Yacht Show’s World Premieres: Superyacht Showdown

September 24, 2019
11:53 am

Yacht Style’s Issue 49 highlights a selection of the most exciting new models on display at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show.

The Monaco Yacht Show is the place to see world premieres of superyachts, as over a third of the 125 on display this year are appearing at an international boat show for the first time.

Riva’s 50m Race (pictured in Venice) is the Italian yard’s biggest-ever build - by quite some margin

Riva’s 50m Race is the Italian yard’s biggest-ever build, by quite some margin

At 164ft in length, Riva’s 50m Race is the smallest yacht in our superyacht selection and the cover star of Yacht Style Issue 49. Designed in collaboration with Officina Italian design, the sub-500GT build is dwarfed by the likes of Lurssen’s 111m Tis, which at 4,500 GT, is about nine times the volume of Riva’s new flagship.

Yet, Race is arguably Riva’s greatest-ever achievement , more than three times heavier than the company’s previous flagship, the 110’ Dolcevita. And judging by the latter’s premiere at Cannes last year, Race’s elegant styling could prove a real head-turner in Port Hercules and a must-see for admirers of the historic builder that still builds 8m open boats.

In contrast, most of the other 50m-plus yachts exhibiting at Monaco are built by shipyards that exclusively build megayachts.

Italy’s Benetti is arguably the world leader in superyacht production and is now also a major player in what it describes as the ‘gigayacht’ sector, having launched three models over 100m at the end of last year and beginning of 2019.

The 63m Metis is Benetti’s biggest yacht at the Monaco Yacht Show

Monaco marks the world premiere of the 63m, five-deck Metis, which was custom built for a German owner, has a displacement of 1,100 tonnes and is the biggest Benetti on display. Italian Giorgio M. Cassetta, a long-time Benetti collaborator, designed the exterior, including the distinct vertical bow.

The interiors are a collaboration between German studio Birgit Otte Interior and London-based Bannenberg & Rowell, directed by Dickie Bannenberg and Simon Rowell.

Exciting features include the 160sqm-plus owner’s suite, which features a lounge and 180-degree views through full-height glazed surfaces across the private bow deck, while a custom-built gym on the fly deck and a touch-and-go helipad are among eye-catching features. There are seven cabins for up to 13 guests, plus accommodation for 13 crew.

Sanlorenzo’s major world premiere is the 64Steel Attila, the Italian builder’s biggest-ever yacht, with an exterior designed by Officina Italiana Design and interior by Francesco Paszkowski Design.

Sanlorenzo’s 64Steel Attila features an exterior by Officina Italiana

Built for an Argentine entrepreneur who had a Sanlorenzo 46Steel delivered in 2012, the new 1,600GRT Attila measures 64.25m in length and has a maximum beam of 13m, compared to Metis’s 10.5m. She has accommodation for 12 guests and 18 crew. Attila includes a 250sqm private owner’s deck, which has a large whirlpool bath in the bow, while the full-beam VIP suite and four guest rooms are on the main deck.

Another distinctive zone is the aft area of the main deck, where a pool and dining area is designed to integrate with the beach club below, which has a sauna, hammam, massage room and gym, right at the waterline. With the bow mirror and the side platforms open, the beach club covers 78sqm.

The yacht has a touch-and-go helipad at the bow, can house two 10m-plus tenders over 10m and there’s even a climate-controlled wine cellar with a capacity of up to 500 bottles.

Dutch shipyard Amels is staging the world premiere of the 67.1m Aurora Borealis, which is the first completed Amels 220, a Limited Editions model with a Tim Heywood exterior and Winch Design interior that has further orders in build.

The 67m Aurora Borealis is the first Amels 220 from the Dutch yard

The 1,518GT yacht features accommodation for up to 14 guests in seven suites, including an owner’s suite on the main deck and two VIP suites on the bridge deck that feature full-height French balcony windows. The family-friendly sun deck has a seven-person jacuzzi and air-conditioned sky lounge.

Our short selection of superyacht world premieres wraps up with three models around the 79-80m mark. CRN’s custom-designed M/Y 135 was still known as such in August, when the 79m, five-deck yacht was delivered to her owner.

The Italian yard renewed its partnership with Zuccon International Project for the external lines, while Laura Sessa designed the interiors of a yacht that features six guests cabins for 12, plus accommodation for up to 39 crew. The yacht is recognised as CRN’s second-biggest build in terms of length, behind the 80m Chopi Chopi, a 2013 launch.

CRN’s 79m, five-deck M/Y 135, which was delivered to her owner in August, is among the larger yachts on display at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show

CRN’s 79m, five-deck M/Y 135 was delivered to her owner in August

Like Riva and Sanlorenzo, fellow Italian builder Columbus Yachts is exhibiting its largest-ever build at Monaco. Built in 27 months, the 79.5m Dragon has six decks, a 13m beam and an internal volume of almost 2,300GT. Hydro Tec Studio managed the exterior and naval architecture, while Francesco Guida was responsible for the interiors.

The main deck features a large saloon and a dining area with a custom-made 14-seater table by Giorgetti with a Roman travertine top, maple edges and leather legs. Forward are the VIP suite and four guest cabins.

The fourth deck is exclusively reserved for the owner and includes a 110sqm bedroom with 180-degree views, a private foredeck, Roman The bridge deck features a 50sqm wellness area, while the sun deck has a 7m-long pool about 12m above sea level.

Lower-deck highlights include a 200sqm beach club with a bar, sauna and Turkish bath, as well as a garage for 7m and 9.5m tenders. Dragon also has a helicopter landing platform, with three jet-skis housed underneath.

The 79.95m Excellence by German yard Abeking & Rasmussen features a futuristic exterior by British studio Winch Design, led by a striking reverse bow; Photo: Tom Van Oossanen

The 79.95m Excellence by Abeking & Rasmussen features a futuristic exterior by British studio Winch Design, led by a striking reverse bow; Photo: Tom Van Oossanen

Meanwhile, the 79.95m Excellence by German builder Abeking & Rasmussen is among the most jaw-dropping designs at Monaco due to an almost space-age exterior by UK’s Winch Design, which also handled the interior.

The radical exterior lines include a streamlined reverse bow that could itself be one of the stars of the show along with the huge glass panels in the unique superstructure, which itself features a series of circular designs not usually seen on superyachts. Features include a pool, sprawling beach club, jacuzzi and impressive limousine tenders.

Yet this 79-80m trio are only hovering around the edges of the show’s top 10 longest yachts, a heady collection that features some returning heroes and a few world premieres, including the aforementioned Tis. For more details on this stunning 364-footer by Lurssen, see https://www.luxuo.com/motoring/yachting/lurssen-111m-tis-yacht-style-review.html

The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 49. 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/

Yacht Style Issue 49: The 2019 'World Premieres Issue' Out Now!
Yacht Style's Issue 48, the fifth edition of 2019, is out now in print and on Magzter, with Riva's stunning flagship 50m Race on the cover. This special 'Premieres Issue' focused on many of the exciting world premieres at Europe's leading autumn boats, primarily the Cannes Yachting Festival and Monaco Yacht Show with a nod to some new British builds at the Southampton International Boat Show.

Azimut S6 Owner Zhuang Zhouwen: Making Dreams Come True

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Azimut S6 Owner Zhuang Zhouwen: Making Dreams Come True

September 5, 2019
4:13 am

From a “hard life” growing up in southern Taiwan, Zhuang Zhouwen has become a successful businessman, enabling him to buy the first Azimut S6 in Asia.

In blazing sunshine, Zhuang Zhouwen recently welcomed his Azimut S6 motor yacht at a lively handover ceremony at the new Argo Yacht Club in Tainan City, where he and his wife followed traditions by smashing a champagne bottle, over an aft handrail.

Zhuang Zhouwen, Chairman of Xinliwang International Holding Group, with his new Azimut S6 in Taiwan

Zhuang is Chairman of Xinliwang International Holding Group, and named his new motor yacht after the company, which has expanded from being a real estate developer to a multi-national, cross-industry conglomerate.

Yet Zhuang, who also owns multiple supercars, didn’t always move in such high-flying circles, having grown up in a household of modest means in Taiwan’s southernmost county of Pingtung, which neighbours the yacht-building hub of Kaohsiung, just south of Tainan.

“I grew up in the earthiest place in Taiwan and lived a hard life during childhood,” said Zhuang, who is of Malaysian-Chinese descent, and holds both Taiwanese and Malaysian passports.

However, Zhuang held a strong ambition to rise up the corporate ladder, while retaining his strong affinity to the sea and fishing in particular.

“I learnt to swim at the age of seven and the first time I went sea fishing was on a bamboo raft. It did not have an engine so we had to rely on manpower, pushing it with bamboo poles,” he recalls.

Zhuang Zhouwen is a happy man at the handover of his Azimut S6, the model’s first unit into Asia

“Since I was young, I had a dream that after I succeeded in business, I would own a large farm with a huge lake and go fishing every day.”

Due to his family’s lack of finances, Zhuang had to start earning at a young age and developed an entrepreneurial spirit that has served him well.

“Because I’m the eldest son and eldest grandson in my family, I had to take on the family burden and responsibility at an early age. From the age of 10, I started to sell fish, sold meatballs at 13 and entered the buffet business at 16,” he says.

“When I was 18, I decided to persuade my mum to let me go out and enter the business world. Even though my mum was reluctant, she understood and encouraged me. I had the determination to succeed, by just working harder and harder.”

FISHING, BOATING AND SUPERCARS

Zhuang soon rose up the corporate ladder and 15 years ago bought a fishing boat, which he transformed into a diving boat, having developed a strong interest in scuba diving. The more he used the boat, the more his passion for yachting grew.

Zhuang with his wife and daughter

“I bought my first boat because I like fishing, the sea and sports. I learnt diving because it’s an attractive sport that can exercise all parts of the body, including internally, and gradually I developed my love for yachting,” says Zhuang, who also bought a sailing boat recently.

However, his latest acquisition, an Azimut S6, has put him in the rarefied world of luxury yacht owners. It followed both a growing familiarity with premium brands that he saw at various boat shows but also his interest in supercars, inspired by his son, who uploaded supercar videos on YouTube.

Zhuang now owns two Koenigsegg high-speed supercars , as the exclusive Swedish manufacturer is represented in Taiwan by the same dealer that represents Lamborghini, a brand he has a strong relationship with.

“Because of my son, I slowly started to know about supercars and realised that buying limited-edition supercars can also make money,” said Zhuang. “A really good supercar is not only for making money but also a status symbol.”

SPEED, LUXURY AND PREMIER STATUS

A passion for speed and dynamic design led to Zhuang’s decision to buy Azimut’s new S6, a streamline 18m, three-cabin model unveiled to the public at last year’s Cannes Yachting Festival.

The couple smash a champagne bottle at the handover ceremony; Zhuang plans to use the boat around Tainan, Kaohsiung and the Penghu Islands

Zhuang was introduced to the sleek 59-footer by Azimut Yachts Taiwan, which is a subsidiary of Marine Italia, the Italian builder’s dealer for Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, southern China and Singapore.

The S6 is designed by Azimut’s long-time exterior designer Stefano Righini, while Francesco Guida handled the interior in only his second project with the shipyard. The S6 features extensive use of carbon-fibre and three Volvo Penta IPS units that can propel it to 35 knots.

“I like to buy the best products, so I wanted to buy one of the best, most expensive yachts. The Azimut Taiwan team recommended Azimut, the number one yacht brand in the world, so I decided to buy the S6,” Zhuang says.

“I chose the S6 as I like speed, and wanted a yacht that combines speed and luxury. The Azimut S6 and my supercars are both very quick and very luxurious. The S6 has the best , most luxurious interior and I’m honoured to have the first one in Asia.”

The S6 at the new Argo Yacht Club in Tainan in southwest Taiwan

Zhuang plans to use the yacht around southern Taiwan, as both Tainan and neighbouring Kaohsiung have Argo Yacht Club marinas, while there are also yachting facilities in the beautiful Penghu Islands, west of Tainan.

“When I have time, I’ll take my family to enjoy fishing, diving and watersports. Both my parents and my son love the sea, and we often go out together as a family,” he says.

“Kaohsiung, Penghu and Tainan offer very good cruising routes and there’s a diving centre in Penghu. The S6 is fast, so saves time going out and back. If I have the chance in the future, I’ll also explore other places in Asia.”

www.azimutyachts.com

www.azimutyachts.hk

Charter in Asia – Fun for the Family: Yacht Style Special 2019

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Charter in Asia – Fun for the Family: Yacht Style Special

September 3, 2019
1:44 am

A yacht charter can be the ideal holiday for a family, allowing you to spend quality time together in gorgeous settings – as long as you plan properly.

The family that plays together, stays together, as the saying goes. And there are few better places for the whole family to play than while on a yacht charter, which offers something for everyone.

The family that plays together stays together; Photos: Simpson Yacht Charter

Kids can frolic on the water toys and hunt for pirate treasure on the beach, with the yacht’s crew creating elaborate treasure maps. Meanwhile, the adults can unwind with a massage or in the spa, while the grandparents can watch it all unfold from a comfortable seat on the shaded aft deck. There are few other holidays that cater so well to all ages.

Tamsin Priestly, a charter broker with Y.CO, says: “On a boat, you have it all. The children are entertained, the adults can relax. What most parents really want more than anything is downtime with their family. No matter how big the yacht is or what activities you get up to during the day, you’re all there together.”

Perhaps the best thing about a charter holiday is that it can be a truly unique and bespoke experience, designed to suit your family’s needs. By taking just a few details into consideration in advance, you can have the best family holiday, making memories to last a lifetime.

Most brokers will tell you that the yacht’s crew is the most important part of the yacht. “It’s all about the crew,” Priestly says.

When it comes to family charters, you want a young, sporty and active crew. “You can tell a lot from the crew profile,” points out Gayle Patterson, a charter manager with Camper & Nicholsons.

If you charter with a family, ensure the crew and itinerary are children-friendly; Photo: Lady E / Burgess

Look for crew who have unique hobbies and additional certifications, such as a kite-surfing teacher who will be happy to jump in the water and teach the kids a new skill. Robert Shepherd, a partner with brokerage company Edmiston and former yacht chef, agrees.

“The crew can make or break an on-board experience,” says Shepherd, who places a priority on choosing a boat that is kid-friendly.

“There are some boats where the owners are older and the crew is used to entertaining older couples and aren’t very children friendly. Also, is the chef kid-friendly? I can tell you from when I was a chef that kids don’t want to eat what the parents are eating – or when the parents eat.”

A yacht chef adept at catering to children can create dishes that are both tasty and healthy, and budding young chefs might even have the opportunity to help out in the kitchen, donning a mini apron and learning how to cook their favourite food.

SHARE THE TOYS

Watersports are a major part of a yacht holiday, but the trend nowadays is to learn something new while enjoying time in and on the water – a skill they can take home or use on the next charter. While on board, the family could all get their PADI dive certification, for instance, or the kids could learn dinghy sailing.

Be sure to choose an itinerary and locations that offer a good mix of activities and downtime

However, this isn’t to say the water toys are just for the children. A lot of adults are big kids and will be just as likely to try out everything in the yacht’s toy box, from giant waterslides to electric hydrofoiling surfboards.

When choosing the right yacht for your family, consider which amenities are important to you, whether it’s the latest water toys or a cinema.

The chance to play outside and get away from the overwhelming stress and ceaseless technology of our modern world is one of the most appealing parts of a yacht holiday. And in this vein, parents can really create the experience they desire for their family.

Do you want switch off the Wi-Fi so the kids can be more present? Or make sure the media room is fully stocked with the latest video games and hundreds of movies for kids?

Either end of the spectrum can be catered to, so have your charter company or broker check what entertainment options, from board games to films, are available on a yacht you’re considering. Many superyachts have movie theatres with comfortable recliners or can create an outdoor cinema experience, projecting a film onto a giant screen.

What’s most important is that you spend time together

“Movie night has become a must-have experience,” Priestly says. “There is something about the nostalgia of everyone sitting around a big screen with popcorn.”

Entertainment options don’t end at the cinema. Some kid-friendly crew are renowned for curating epic themes, like a Harry Potter dinner party, which the charter yacht Axioma has conjured up for guests on many occasions.

And if the crew can’t provide, then a specialist like GF Entertainment can help, no matter where you are. “We’ve set up events everywhere from Australia to Monaco,” says Emmanuel Akintunde, the company’s founder and Managing Director.

The company can help you source the ideal entertainment to please the whole family, from illusionists and dancers to aerialists, or even specific requests like bringing the cast of the Lion King musical on board!

STAYING SAFE

Safety on board is a concern that comes to the mind of parents when heading out on the high seas. The good news is, it’s also of utmost concern to the Captain and crew. Many boats are already outfitted with security measures to make sure kids are safe on board. This can include gates that block the steps to the aft deck.

Safety on board is a concern that comes to the mind of parents when heading out on the high seas

Additional measures can always be added on to enhance the safety for small children, such as affixing a protective screen so kids can’t fall from the sun deck. This goes for the interior as well. In the cabins, a Pullman berth bunkbed might have a netting that can be attached so smaller children don’t roll out of bed.

“Make sure the yacht has gates to block the stairways and safety netting outside where it’s needed,” Patterson says.

When planning a family yacht charter, the location must be highly considered as well.

“Something people often forget to ask is whether it’s a children-friendly itinerary,” says Shepherd. “You need to think about what the kids will do besides watersports.”

Shepherd recommends that you look for an itinerary that includes on-shore, kid-friendly diversions nearby.

“I would always start by asking people what they want to do,” agrees Lucy Ritchie of Fraser Yachts, who says many clients want to have a holiday that includes cultural experiences where kids can learn about history.

More adventurous families might opt for a cruise to far-flung places like Greenland or Antarctica, where you can see penguins, whales and sea lions in their natural habitat. But Ritchie advises waiting until the kids are old enough, eight years of age and upwards, so they can truly appreciate and remember the experience.

With the right yacht, crew and itinerary, a family charter is champagne sailing

The key for a family charter is to keep the entire family in mind. For instance, will grandma want to clamber up the hiking trails in the Galapagos? There are some locations that will please everyone, of course, such as Thailand’s Andaman Sea, which has plenty of beautiful locations and plentiful family-friendly activities on shore, from rock climbing to visiting an elephant sanctuary.

After you choose your location – and the right boat with your favoured amenities and crew – the rest is easy sailing. Once on board, every detail is taken care of and you don’t have to lift a finger, except maybe to sip a glass of champagne.

A family yacht holiday soon becomes a family tradition and there is a multi-generational affect, too.

“I have clients who once came on board as children with their parents and are now starting to go with their own kids and bringing the grandparents along,” Ritchie says. A charter holiday is one trip that everyone comes back for, no matter how old you get.

The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 48. 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/

Yacht Style 48: The 2019 Charter Issue Out Now!
Yacht Style 48: The 2019 Charter Issue Out Now! SHARE Share on facebook Share on linkedin Yacht Style's annual Charter Issue covers Asia's greatest getaways, the 2019-20 racing calendar, and yachts...

Charter in Asia – Yacht Style Special 2019: Hong Kong’s Great Days Out

Charter / yachtstyle2020

Charter in Asia – Yacht Style Special: Hong Kong’s Great Days Out

August 28, 2019
1:55 am

NextWave Charters represents over 50 charter yachts in Hong Kong including a stunning Sunseeker 131, which despite its size is mainly hired by the day.

Like in Singapore, charter in Hong Kong is dominated by day trips, as confirmed by local yachting agency NextWave, which includes NextWave Charters among its various divisions.

The Sunseeker 131 Yacht, here used for a wedding, is NextWave Charters’ flagship

“We have 95 per cent day charter and five per cent overnight. Most of our charters are for the day, but sometimes customers book evening charters for special occasions such as birthdays, proposals and company dinner events, and they’re especially popular when there are fireworks in Victoria Harbour,” says Frankie Chau, Managing Director of NextWave.

“We also offer overnight charters for people who want to enjoy more secluded and remote areas that would not be practical for only a day charter.”

NextWave was founded by a like-mind group of friends in 2012 and today its activities include the sales of new and pre-owned yachts as well as high-end water toys, yacht management (Column, Yacht Style Issue 47) and even the organisation of MotoSurf WorldCup events in China.

Its thriving yacht management division has helped grow the fleet managed by NextWave Charters, which now represents over 50 boats in Hong Kong, arguably Asia’s most mature and developed yachting market. Models include ‘Western Cruiser’ motoryachts from the likes of Sunseeker, Azimut, Pershing, MCY and Sealine, a Lagoon sailing catamaran, as well as junks and speedboats.

Day charters and special occasions dominate charter activity in Hong Kong

“By leveraging our yacht management arm, we’ve been able to source more high-quality, well-maintained Western cruiser yachts than our competitors,” Chau says. “We have over 50 boats available for hire, ranging from a 23ft speed boat to a 131ft top-of-the-line superyacht.”

That 131-footer is a stunning Sunseeker 131 Yacht, Rhine, which is among the largest superyachts for hire in Hong Kong. Currently Sunseeker’s second-largest model, the four-deck 131 has an enormous saloon, a jacuzzi on the flybridge and four guest cabins, although those are rarely used for sleeping during local charters.

“Talk about luxury,” Chau says. “The Sunseeker 131 has a grand living room, four bedrooms and an interior design that resembles a five-star hotel. She’s also capable of travelling around Southeast Asia for an unforgettable holiday.”

The company’s most popular charter yacht is its own custom-built NextWave Island, a 65-footer designed for parties. It has a capacity of 45 people, but can comfortably fit 60 once moored.

NextWave Island is a 65ft party boat focused on fun and toys

“Designed to have plenty of open space, we use cosy, movable lounge furniture to create different layouts to suit different customer needs,” Chau says. “It has great sound systems on all three of its decks and a spacious-air conditioned karaoke room.”

The charter fleet also includes a new 23ft Heyday inboard as NextWave believes there’s an insufficient supply of high-quality wake boats on Hong Kong Island’s south side.

Depending on the yacht, pick-ups can be arranged from various points in Hong Kong including Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay and Sai Kung.

Popular requests include from Central to Repulse Bay or Deep Water Bay, with the yacht cruising around the west of Hong Kong Island, passing by Ocean Park. Once anchored, guests can swim to the beach, wakesurf, wakeboard or enjoy other toys, a sector NextWave specialises in.

“Powered surfboards like Jetsurf and Lift eFoils are also gaining in popularity as we’re expanding the market in Asia,” Chau says. “We also carry toys such as slides and other giant inflatable toys from Aquaglide.”

charters@nextwaveyachting.com

www.nextwavecharters.com

Yacht Style 48: The 2019 Charter Issue Out Now!
Yacht Style 48: The 2019 Charter Issue Out Now! SHARE Share on facebook Share on linkedin Yacht Style's annual Charter Issue covers Asia's greatest getaways, the 2019-20 racing calendar, and yachts...