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MCY 96 Owner Jantana Selby: From Venice to Jomtien

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

MCY 96 Owner Jantana Selby: From Venice to Jomtien

October 5, 2020
8:00 am

Jantana Selby talks about cruising around the Gulf of Thailand on Jantana, the first MCY 96 in Asia and her second superyacht from Italy’s Monte Carlo Yachts.

Jantana Selby on board Jantana, the first MCY 96 in Asia (© Wasan Puengprasert)

What are your earliest memories of boating?
My first experience, when I was very young (laughs), is in the 1980s when my father was Director General in the Ministry of Education, promoting vocational activities for children in Ayutthaya. We built our own motor boat, less than 20ft, with the assistance of local skills and shipyard facilities, and unfortunately it sank rather quickly!

My father loved to entertain so we experienced river cruising around Ayutthaya on the Chao Praya river and on the other canals around metro Bangkok, the ‘Venice of the East’. We also did a lot of cruising from Jomtien, just south of Pattaya, an area my family is very attached to.

Jantana Selby enjoys cruising around the Gulf of Thailand (© Wasan Puengprasert)

I really discovered yachting at a young age during many day trips, including on an Azimut belonging to the Pattanodom family. From that time as well, I developed a passion for Italian design, whether it’s fashion or furniture. It’s my style, my lifestyle.

Apart from the MCY 96, what boats have you and your family owned in recent years?
We first owned a second-hand Monte Fino 62 about 15 years ago, followed by a Sunseeker for close to nine year. Our first boat by Monte Carlo Yachts was the MCY 86. A few years ago, we did a trip to Koh Tao and were caught in a typhoon that caused a terrible storm and sea conditions in the Gulf of Thailand.

Jantana is easily distinguished by her blue hull

I was sitting next to the Captain while he was steering and I was mesmerised to watch the yacht sliding on the waves like a sailing boat. While other passengers were seasick, I enjoyed it and was truly impressed by the resistance, safety and capability of the yacht. This trip convinced us about the quality of Monte Carlo Yachts, so when we were proposed an upgrade with the MCY 96, we jumped on it.

Why else did you choose an MCY 96? What do you think makes Monte Carlo Yachts a good brand for Asia-based buyers?
We fell in love with its sporty look and design. It’s an optimal size, as well. We feel like we’re living in a 130ft superyacht and the fact that we don’t need too many crew is an added advantage for us. My husband and I usually have three or four onboard.

The spacious flybridge on Jantana

We love the optimal volume and refreshing breezy air that goes through the flybridge. We are also very impressed with the attention to details, finishing and materials selection. We find that Monte Carlo Yachts has been historically very reactive in case of any maintenance issue or replacements needed.

Did you visit the shipyard in Monfalcone and the Nuvolari Lenard design office in Venice?
Yes, I did visit both, including during my trip with family and friends for the official launch in 2017 of the MCY 96 (hull one) in Venice, which was a magical event.

Jantana Selby (fourth left) at the MCY 96 reveal in Venice in 2017

I was fortunate enough to liaise very closely with the Nuvolari Lenard design office, who also flew specialists to Thailand a few times for the materials selection and finishing. Therefore, I can really say that I took part in the design and customisation of the yacht. Thanks to this special relationship built, I know that whenever I have a need for a major interior change or further customisation, the Nuvolari Lenard design office will be there for me.

What customisations and options did you choose for your MCY 96?
We decided with my husband to change the original design from five bedrooms to four, by combining the two lower-deck guest bedrooms into our room and transforming the original owner’s suite into a VIP suite. We also widened the kitchen around a welcoming bar that I designed personally.

The full-beam owner’s cabin on the lower deck

When you received the MCY 96 in Thailand, what special events did you attend with the yacht?
We received our yacht in August 2018. My husband named the yacht after me, Jantana, and we had a Buddhist monk blessing ceremony. Jantana was first showcased at the Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show later that year and was the star of the show, during which we organised a Venetian masquerade event onboard.

How often do you go boating on your MCY 96 and where do you travel?
We use Jomtien, Pattaya, as a starting point, as it’s easily accessible by highway, with many trendy restaurants and stylish hotels around. Typically, we would go around the islands near Pattaya for a day trip. We have many friends, family members and at least two dogs, so usually have around 15 people on each trip.

Jantana Selby with family and friends (© Wasan Puengprasert)

The Gulf of Thailand has many beautiful islands and anchorage spots to explore like Koh Chang, Koh Mak and Koh Kut (Kood) to the east, near the border with Cambodia. We especially like Koh Samet (in Rayong), where there are many cool hotels and restaurants, and perfect beaches for shelters overnights. We love to go there around New Year’s. There are many trendy bars and cool clubs, and off course big fireworks!

Earlier this year, we did an amazing trip – with eight of us onboard – from Pattaya to a private island that belongs to a friend off Sihanoukville in Cambodia. It was a memorable, fun trip in a pristine environment that we plan to repeat again soon. What we are mostly missing is more stopovers like lively lifestyle marinas in Koh Chang and Koh Samui, in the west of the Gulf.

The saloon on Jantana was customised

Our aim is to use the yacht at least once a month, which is not too difficult during this Covid-19 period when people are looking for a perfect hideaway and a safe experience at sea.

Occasionally, I take part in relief operations, such as in Monkey Island off Pattaya, and conservation projects. Going forward, I would like to get more involved in maritime projects including school and training for young Thais to become skilled captains, which is lacking today with new technologies and computerised navigation systems.

Jantana Selby is making the most of Jantana during Covid-19 (© Wasan Puengprasert)

What advice would you give to any potential owners considering buying an MCY yacht?
I am a very happy and proud owner, so I would be more than happy to share my personal experience and useful tips to anyone contemplating buying an MCY yacht.
www.montecarloyachts.it

Hans Lo on Why CL Yachts is Using a First-Time Yacht Designer

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Hans Lo on Why CL Yachts is Using a First-Time Yacht Designer

October 4, 2020
12:41 am

Hans Lo explains how CL Yachts hopes to “shake things up” with the crossover-style CLX96 by first-time yacht designer Jozeph Forakis.

CL Yachts has boldly billed its CLX96 project as ‘the motor yacht – reinvented’. Hans Lo, the brand’s Deputy Director, more quaintly describes it as “workboat chic”, a reference to design traits like the reverse-angle windshields that can also be seen on tugboats produced by parent company Cheoy Lee, which has its head office in Hong Kong.

Hans Lo, Deputy Director of CL Yachts, in Doumen, where Cheoy Lee builds workboats

The 96-footer is scheduled for completion by the end of this year and is set to start the second generation of models by CL Yachts, despite the brand only being formally launched in 2019.

Jozeph Forakis, the Milan-based industrial designer who created the logo and branding of CL Yachts, was chosen to design both the all-new CLX96 and the upcoming CLB88, which launched in late May and will have a world premiere at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (October 28-November 1).

An evolution of the popular CLB72, the CLB88 has been pitched as the motor yacht ‘reimagined’, whereas all the talk of reinvention and revolution is focused on the CLX96. For the latter, Forakis started from scratch and wasn’t tied to any previous models, from inside or outside CL Yachts.

“We really wanted fresh eyes that could look at the motor yacht from a new perspective and shake things up,” says Lo, a fifth-generation member of the Lo family that has owned Cheoy Lee since it was founded in Shanghai in the late 19th century.

“We wanted someone who had never been in the industry and that’s what Jozeph offered. He is a recognised innovator across many industries and yacht design has always interested him, so the opportunity was mutually beneficial.”

New York-born, Milan-based Jozeph Forakis created the CL Yachts logo and branding, and is designing its next-generation yachts

SHIPYARD SCHOOLING

Both new models are being built in the enormous Cheoy Lee shipyard in Doumen outside Zhuhai, where Lo has been working since returning from Canada in 2010.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Lo spent much of his early childhood at the Cheoy Lee facility in Lai Chi Kok. Even after his family moved to Vancouver when he was eight, he spent a lot of time at the shipyard during summer holidays in Hong Kong. “I grew up with it and spent many of my summers there, so it becomes a part of you,” says Lo.

Lo studied civil engineering at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, later moving south to Toronto to work at a civil engineering firm for a few years, before heading back to Hong Kong.

“Working at the shipyard is both my privilege and my destiny,” he says, smiling. “It’s a rare opportunity to be able to apply my skills and experiences towards flourishing our family’s business.”

His first job was laying up fibreglass hulls. “I joined a crew and we laid up a hull from start to finish,” says Lo, who lives in Hong Kong but works in Doumen from Monday to Saturday. “I’d seen it happen before, but I’d never done it myself. It was a valuable experience.”

ALPHA TALE

Lo joined at a pivotal time. Cheoy Lee was developing its futuristic Alpha series, working with legendary powerboat designer Michael Peters on naval architecture and exterior, and Luiz De Basto for the interior of the Alpha 76, which debuted in late 2011.

The CLX96, scheduled for completion by the end of 2020, has been drawn by industrial designer Jozeph Forakis, with naval architecture by Earl Alfaro

For a builder renowned for long-range trawler and expedition-style yachts, and series like Bravo and Serenity, the bold decision to embark on the modern Alpha range would prove pivotal in the later decision to create CL Yachts.

“Cheoy Lee started to look at a different type of yacht, creating express cruisers that could compete with brands like Azimut and Pershing. We came up with the Alpha series, which had very sporty lines, was very powerful and had a very efficient hull design,” Lo says.

“It looked like all the yachts you see in the magazines – sleek, sexy lines – and really appealed to me. I had just started working at Cheoy Lee, so it was a really exciting project for me. It was the first yacht I was ever involved with and it really fit the image I had in my mind of what yachting was all about. This project was my first opportunity to feel truly immersed in all aspects of the industry.”

As well as design, the company invested in a lot of new technology including electronically tinted and frosted windows, plus the ability to control and monitor all systems on an iPad, then a groundbreaking product only launched the year before the Alpha 76 premiered.

“Despite it being a strong product, we hit some unexpected hurdles and the entire endeavour turned out to be a great learning experience,” Lo says. “It wasn’t until later that I understood that the product was not the issue. What was a fantastic yacht instead became a stepping stone on our journey to establishing CL Yachts.”

Hans Lo aboard a CLB72 at the 120,000sqm Doumen shipyard in Guangdong

Lo says he had been wanting to update Cheoy Lee’s image since he started attending US boat shows a decade ago. However, the decision to rebrand was only made in late 2017 when James Lo, one of Hans’ eight uncles working at Cheoy Lee, fed back to the other brothers after attending the Fort Lauderdale show following an absence of several years.

“It opened James’s eyes,” says Lo, whose uncle Martin Lo is Director of CL Yachts. “He really saw it was necessary to reinvent ourselves, to refresh and update ourselves. We got the green light to look at how we could change our image for the future.”

Lo, together with his cousins Simon and Karen, have carried on the family legacy at Cheoy Lee, which gave further impetus to look forward. “As the next generation, it was important that we put our own face on the company as we moved forward,” Lo says.

NEW ERA, NEW BRAND

Reputation wasn’t the issue. Those who knew Cheoy Lee knew its boats as dependable, seaworthy, well designed and technologically advanced.

The brand was also still recognised by potential yacht buyers, but as an independent research firm confirmed, it was no longer front of mind after many international brands had made strong inroads into the US market.

The biggest problem was awareness by a newer generation who had spent most of their life consuming content via websites and social media. Word of mouth among yacht owners wasn’t enough anymore.

The CL Yachts display at the 2019 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

The CL Yachts display at last year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

“Cheoy Lee has always enjoyed a good reputation as a builder, but those who knew our boats were older and fewer. We have always believed a good product speaks for itself, and as a family business, we also had traditional values, one of which is you should never talk about yourself.

“Of course, this goes against marketing efforts in today’s age. We live in an era of social media and those rules no longer apply. In a society where consumers are bombarded daily with advertising, we could no longer afford to keep our mouths shut.

“At that point, it became obvious that we needed a holistic vision, one that brings branding, core values and product together under one direction, and so CL Yachts was born.”

Forakis, who studied at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) in the early 1980s, was engaged as the Creative Director of CL Yachts and tasked to orchestrate the entire new branding and visual identity, while also setting out to design its ‘next generation’ of yachts.

FIRST CL YACHTS

CL Yachts’ first model, the CLA76, used the Peters-designed hull from the Alpha 76 but changed the superstructure, elongating it for more interior volume and a larger flybridge. Intan Nioridwan of Singapore-based Atolla Design, who previously worked for Malaysia-based Grand Banks, was chosen for interior design.

The third CLB72, named I Did It..., was sold to a Hong Kong-based buyer

The third CLB72, named I Did It…, was sold to a Hong Kong-based buyer

The CLB72 was the second model from the new brand. Howard Apollonio of Apollonio Naval Architecture was responsible for the concept and exterior styling, working with structural engineer Gurit to produce a RINA-certified, resin-infused composite hull.

The yacht hits 31 knots with twin Volvo IPS1350 1,000hp engines, while the interior was handled by Carmen Lau of Hong Kong-based Interiors by Carmen.

Both yachts were on display for the soft launch of CL Yachts at the Fort Lauderdale show in 2018 and have since been present at many other major US shows, with the CLB72 in particular enjoying solid demand – the yard was recently working on hull seven.

At the same time, CL Yachts was developing bigger models with Forakis, who was designing yachts for the first time in a diverse career that includes high-tech, mobile phones, furniture, interiors, lighting, accessories and much more.

From 1993, Forakis spent almost a decade working for the likes of Logitech, Swatch and Motorola. During that time, his designs included the ‘vertical’ Logitech Cordless MouseMan Pro, the Swatch Irony Scuba 200 watch and swivelling V70 mobile phone for Motorola, where he worked as European Design Director for three years.

Forakis is the designer of the CLB88, scheduled for a world premiere at Fort Lauderdale

Forakis is the designer of the CLB88, scheduled to premiere at Fort Lauderdale

In 2002, he founded the Jozeph Forakis Design studio in Milan with a satellite studio in New York, his birthplace and where he had been involved in art and theatre.

As well as Swatch, his company’s clients have included Samsung, LG Electronics, Yamaha Motors, Epson, Swarovski, Tecno, Magis and Foscarini. The permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York houses the Havana floor lamp he designed for Foscarini.

Lo says CL Yachts decided to take a chance on a first-time yacht designer because of Forakis’ understanding of the brand and the breadth of his experience, from big-picture business strategy to meticulous design details.

“We chose Jozeph because he offered a holistic approach when it came to both the brand and the product. He created the CL Yachts branding and we wanted one designer’s perspective on both the brand and the product, so that it shared the same design language and thinking,” Lo says.

“He really dived deep into the project, studying the entire industry from the ground up – our competitors, how people use yachts, what people respond to.”

Forakis’ work will first be seen on the four-cabin CLB88, which Lo says is designed to “remain a classic motor yacht”, although unusual features include a full-beam master suite and a neighbouring VIP suite that’s also full-beam and a similar size.

The master suite (above) and VIP suite (below) on the CLB88 are both full-beam

However, the ‘X factor’ has been saved for the CLX96, which Forakis has designed with American naval architect Earl Alfaro, who worked under Tom Fexas and on many Grand Banks models.

“The CLX96 really represents the CL Yachts brand and our core DNA. The strength of our company lies in the fact we are a builder of both luxury and commercial vessels, and that’s really reflected in the reverse-angle house, which is used on tugboats for practical reasons,” says Lo, who also points out that the reverse-angle house has dramatically increased the size of the flybridge.

Other distinct features include a plumb bow and an enclosed flybridge that houses the sole helm station and has opening windows. Also notable is that the hull gradually widens from the stern towards the bow, so the full-beam master suite on the lower deck is situated forward, at the yacht’s widest point.

There’s much more including an extendable beach club, transformable cockpit sofa and an innovative foredeck, which has a beautifully designed, circular arrangement of adjustable tables and sofas, and is named ‘Piazza Del Sole’.

“Everything sounds better in Italian,” laughs Lo before admitting his pride in the company’s flagship-to-be.

“The CLX96 is built based on our idea of uncharted luxury. Its lines evoke strength, adventure and a hunger for exploration. It really is the essence of CL Yachts, distilled into one product.”

www.clyachts.com

www.cheoylee.com

The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 53 (click image below)
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Rolex supports Perpetual Excellence

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Rolex supports Perpetual Excellence

October 3, 2020
2:45 pm

Linking the past to the present to the future, Rolex and its Testimonees are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of sailors and passing on the sport’s timeless values.

SailGP echoes Rolex’s quest for Perpetual Excellence, while the SailGP Inspire programme mirrors Rolex’s commitment to the transfer of knowledge between generations

The continuing viability of any sport depends on its ability to nurture future generations. Integral to the company’s core philosophy laid down by founder Hans Wilsdorf, Rolex has always recognised this critical role and supported its partners in the transmission of knowledge, no more so than in sailing.

Through their inspiration and instruction, yachting legends such as Rolex Testimonee Sir Ben Ainslie ensure sailors following in their footsteps are well-equipped to maintain the highest standards of excellence.

SPORT FOR LIFE
Ainslie, who began sailing at the age of eight, knows from first-hand experience the need for young talent to be encouraged and supported by senior athletes in their chosen field. The Briton is one of the most accomplished yachtsmen in the sport’s history and the most successful Olympic sailor of all time with medals from five successive Olympic Games – four of them gold.

Rolex Testimonee Sir Ben Ainslie is the most successful Olympic Sailor of all time with medals from five Olympic Games® four of them gold® and a four-time Rolex World Sailor of the Year

Ainslie currently leads Ineos Team UK, which is challenging for two of the greatest prizes in professional yachting, the America’s Cup and SailGP.

Yet he was once a novice, a young sailor seeking knowledge and guidance as he took his first tentative steps in the sport. Help was close at hand in the form of his father, Roddy, who skippered Second Life in the first crewed round-the-world race in 1973.

Another of his early heroes was the late Paul Elvstrøm, a Rolex Testimonee whose Olympic record Ainslie surpassed at the 2012 Olympic Games.

“Paul was someone who had really transformed the sport of sailing in his era,” Ainslie explains. “His challenge was very different to the one I had faced and after London I wrote to him to say that he had been a huge inspiration through his achievements.”

Sir Ben Ainslie currently leads Ineos Team UK, which is challenging for the America’s Cup and SailGP

Aside from his father and Elvstrøm, Ainslie looks to another Rolex Testimonee as someone who had recognised the need to mentor young and upcoming sailors such as himself.

“Paul Cayard helped me greatly when I started to transition my career into the America’s Cup,” remarked Ainslie. “I know that Paul, in turn, was helped himself by the likes of Durward Knowles (a sailing gold medallist in 1964) and Raul Gardini (head of the Il Moro di Venezia Cup syndicate).”

Ainslie continues: “As part of my current campaigns, we have a team of young sailors that we are helping bring up into the senior team. This is part of the tradition of our sport. Knowledge gets passed on. This is a sport for life. One is not in it for a short period, and there are always opportunities to help the younger generations come through.”

THE VALUE OF SPORT
Cayard established himself as one of the world’s finest yachtsmen, excelling in a range of disciplines and leading events. A seven-time world champion and a seven-time America’s Cup campaigner, in 1998 he became the first American sailor to win the Whitbread Round the World Race.

Rolex Testimonee Paul Cayard starred in the America’s Cup, the Olympics and round-the-world racing, and is now nurturing the next generation

A two-time Olympian and competitor in several Rolex-partnered events including the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, the Rolex Fastnet Race and the Rolex Middle Sea Race, he acknowledges the support he received on his journey to the elite ranks.

“I am a great believer in our sport and what it offers. I have been privileged in my career. Sailing offers so much in life, so it is only natural to give back,” says Cayard, who is now actively engaging with youth to encourage participation in the sport.

“I raced with my teenage children to Hawaii from California to help expand their horizons. I’m also involved in helping build a pipeline of talent in the United States to improve our results in international competition. It takes long-term vision and an investment in thinking, time and energy. It’s so important because what sport teaches is so valuable in life.”

OVER 60 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP
Both Ainslie and Cayard are members of the Rolex family of Testimonees that includes several other yachting legends including roundthe- world yachtsmen Sir Francis Chichester, Sir Robin Knox Johnston and Bernard Moitessier whose achievements have inspired future generations.

These towering figures in the sport are an essential part of Rolex’s partnership with yachting that dates back more than six decades, to 1958 and a partnership with the New York Yacht Club. It heralded the launch of Rolex’s deep involvement in yachting that now spans the globe and encompasses a broad range of disciplines and aspects of the sport.

With a rich history underpinning the relationship, upholding traditions – particularly those that help safeguard the future – is a key element.

Rolex’s association with sailing began with the founding of its partnership with the New York Yacht Club in 1958

SHARED COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION
SailGP, the global championship that is redefining sailing, is one of the latest additions to the Rolex yachting portfolio. As the Official Timepiece, Rolex is proud to be associated with a series that demands precision, dedication and performance from the athletes and their boats.

Combining advanced technology with the most talented individuals, SailGP echoes Rolex’s quest for Perpetual Excellence, while the developing art of foiling – lifting a boat’s hull out of the water to reduce drag and increase speed – further illustrates the sport’s alignment with the brand in its shared desire to constantly evolve and innovate.

Away from the high-profile, high-energy racing, there is another reason why the Rolex and SailGP partnership is such a natural fit. The SailGP Inspire programme endeavours to create pathways to success for young sailors. The aim is to ensure the sustainability of the sport by delivering life changing opportunities to aspiring sailors, regardless of their background.

SailGP is one of the latest additions to the Rolex yachting portfolio.

These opportunities range from hands-on lessons, mentorship and team building, to connecting the most talented with the pinnacle of the sport, where they meet the sailing world’s best athletes and race on the same course as their heroes.

TRANSFERRING EXPERTISE DOWN THE GENERATIONS
Beyond SailGP and its family of Testimonees, Rolex supports prestigious yachting competitions from ocean classics to leading inshore regattas where expertise is transferred within the sailing community – between peer groups and different generations, and from professionals to Corinthians.

This transmission of knowledge has particularly helped broaden the appeal of offshore racing, with the Rolex Fastnet Race and the Rolex Middle Sea Race enjoying record fleets in recent years. Participation at these demanding races depends on yachts meeting stringent qualification requirements, which include the experience of their crews.

Veteran participants regularly ensure young, inexperienced sailors are included in their team. Passing on their expertise, passion and the camaraderie inherent in the sport are essential for improving performance and promoting a sense of solidarity with the wider fleet.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is the southern hemisphere’s leading offshore race

Matt Allen, winner of the 75th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in 2019, is proof of how this unwritten process works so well. He completed his first race in 1980, aged 17, and was then a winner in 1983, a crew member on Challenge II under the tutelage of Lou Abrahams, a doyen of Australian sailing.

Abrahams took part in 44 Rolex Sydney Hobarts, winning twice, and also sailed in seven Rolex Fastnets before retiring from offshore sailing at the age of 80 in 2007. Abrahams was highly regarded for his enthusiasm in encouraging youngsters to participate in sailing, from dinghies to ocean racing.

The 2019 race marked Allen’s 30th trip south from Sydney. At the final prizegiving in Hobart, he reflected on his win, but more significantly, on his sense of a sport that recognises the importance of bridging age groups.

“Winning the race really brought a lot of history together,” Allen said. “Over the years, I’ve seen amazing boats participate, but it’s the people that make this race: the sailors, the friendships, the competition. They are what makes this race and ocean racing what it is.”

The 40th Rolex Middle Sea Race was won by Elusive 2, co-skippered by local Maltese sailors Maya, Aaron and Christoph Podesta, who dedicated the victory to their late father

Last year’s 40th the Rolex Middle Sea Race was won by Elusive 2, co-skippered by local Maltese sailors Maya, Aaron and Christoph Podesta. Their victory was built on an intrinsic knowledge and respect for sailing and the race instilled in them by their late father, Arthur Podesta, a veteran of 35 Middle Sea Races.

“We used to think it was all about the race,” said Christoph, “but now we know that our father’s purpose was to bring the family together to share adventures and experience. It continues to be special.”

While always respectful of heritage, Rolex is forever forward-looking. During the Swiss watchmaker’s earliest days, its founder recognised the growing appreciation of an active lifestyle when envisaging a
pioneering watch that would be as robust, precise and reliable as a marine chronometer.

The belief in building on the past to shape the future remains as strong today as then.
www.rolex.com

The international side of brokerage

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

The international side of brokerage

October 2, 2020
12:50 pm

Buying and selling pre-owned yachts is often considered a local business, but in a Column for Yacht Style, Adam Blackmore of Fraser Hong Kong explains that online information, photos, videos and 3D tours, combined with experienced yacht-shipping operators, are making brokerage increasingly international.

During the sale of Odyssey, a 44m Royal Denship, I spent a lot of time with the yacht’s new crew, who had come over from Italy, and the previous crew who cared for her during her time in Hong Kong.

When the shipping date came, we were all present to load her onto the vessel and I remember thinking, ‘What a dichotomy, the old and the new’, which also embodies Hong Kong.

In a city where modern skyscrapers mix with old temples, here I was with the old crew, the new crew, a glistening modern yacht and a very old fishing boat that belonged to the diver who was assisting us with the load. And behind us, the sun was setting on the South China Sea. It was a memorable, unique moment and led me to consider how brokerage is becoming increasingly international.

Fraser is very experienced in shipping yachts of all sizes around the world, but our Hong Kong office is mainly involved with transport between Europe and Hong Kong or other Asian yachting hubs.

The likes of Odyssey are moved around the world using heavy-lift ships that carry a variety of cargo and are equipped with lifting gear and cranes. Once loaded on board, the yacht is then strapped to the deck of the boat in custom-made cradles. Loading a boat onto a ship is a very delicate and precise process, and we only consider moving yachts that are fully insured.

It’s also important to work with a trusted partner. I like to work with Charles Massey and the team at Sevenstar Yacht Transport because they have loadmasters who are trained to load yachts properly.

It requires a specific set of skills and the loadmaster must fully understand the weight distribution of a yacht as well as his gut feeling based on many years of experience.

Potential buyers are sometimes surprised to hear that it isn’t prohibitively expensive to ship a yacht, even between continents, with many assuming it will take too long and cost too much.

Every buyer has unique needs and wants when choosing a yacht, so it becomes particularly important to find the right one, even if it’s located overseas. You don’t buy a yacht because you need it but because you want it, so when a buyer finds ‘their’ yacht, they’re often happy to spend the extra money to ship it.

It’s a win-win situation, because sellers in Hong Kong, for example, are pleased to hear that the pool of potential buyers for their yacht is much larger than just this city or even Asia.

Despite the challenges this year, we’ve witnessed the yachting industry continue to grow throughout Asia. Given travel restrictions, the pandemic has created strong demand for yachts in Hong Kong, which can mean searching other markets to find one that meets a buyer’s criteria.

As there are now more first-time buyers, there’s an increase in brokerage sales between Hong Kong and other Asian markets and beyond. Considering Fraser’s large network of potential buyers around the world, I believe in taking the time to be creative when marketing a yacht.

As an example, the former owner of Odyssey allowed us to use the boat for two days to do photography, filming and take 3-D scans, so we were able to give any potential buyer around the world a really strong feeling for what it would be like to be on board.

And because buying a yacht is an emotional experience, I use film and photographs to highlight the unique features of each boat. This helps potential buyers feel immersed in the experience of what it would be like to walk the decks, enter the saloon, sit up on the sundeck and enjoy the views, whether it’s the sea, towering skyscrapers or a small fishing boat.

ADAM BLACKMORE

Blackmore is Commercial Director at Asiamarine, having joined in 2017, and a Sales Broker for Fraser, which is represented by Asiamarine in selected markets. Working in the yachting industry since 2007 and moving from England to Asia in 2013, he has helped hundreds of clients buy and sell pre-owned yachts, also guiding many through the new-yacht construction process.

adam.blackmore@fraseryachts.com

www.asiamarine.com / www.fraseryachts.com

Millennial Jet Set: By Arnaud Tellier, BNP Paribas Wealth Management

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Millennial Jet Set: By Arnaud Tellier, BNP Paribas Wealth Management

September 17, 2020
2:43 pm

Superyachts and business jets are passion investments for the super-rich, and both appeal to Asia’s new generation of high-flyers.

Amadea is a 106m superyacht built by Lurssen and exclusively listed for sale with Imperial; © Imperial (Photo: Guillaume Plisson)

At BNP Paribas Wealth Management*, we see a younger generation of UHNW individuals transforming the broader luxury landscape in Asia. This change is marked by a move from accumulating tangible assets to pursuing rare, tailored experiences.

EVOLVING SUPERYACHT INDUSTRY
Today, owning a superyacht is not about making a statement but maximising the way an owner utilises their resources and time, both of which are scarce. And of course, the memories created on board will last long after returning to shore.

A superyacht is a floating piece of real estate. It enables people to work, have fun and gather with family, friends and business partners in a private environment, all while enjoying a five-star, world-class service comparable to the best resorts and Michelin-starred restaurants.

The Asian superyacht market is dominated by models from 30 to 35m. Superyachts of 40m and above are rare in Asia. Having said that, we see more and more Asia Pacific tycoons buying yachts of 50m and above, and docking them in the Mediterranean, the Seychelles and the Caribbean.

Hong Kong is the largest hub for yachts in Asia Pacific, supported by mooring facilities including the Aberdeen Marina Club, Hong Kong Gold Coast and the new Lantau Yacht Club. It has been observed that more Europe-based yachts are visiting Thailand (Phuket in particular) and Indonesia.

Australia and New Zealand could hold increasing appeal around the America’s Cup early next year, while the Summer Olympics in Japan could draw international yachts as well.

There are still obstacles for the development of yachting in Asia such as the stringent regulations for cruising from one country to another, complexities around chartering, and the lack of marinas and infrastructure for mooring and refit.

At an industry level, more lobbying is necessary to convince governmental bodies to ease restrictions and further invest in infrastructure. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic may bring some positive changes.

In a recent move, the Thai government is exploring the potential of high-end foreign superyacht tourism. Such luxurious tourism may generate substantial revenues from the use of local suppliers to high-spending UHNWIs patronising local stores and resorts.

GROWTH IN ASIA’S BUSINESS JET MARKET
Southeast Asia is still seeing growth in total numbers of business jets, while the market has stabilised somewhat in Greater China, where it is being driven mostly by replacements of existing jets.

Dassault is introducing the ultra-widebody business jet with its new 6X

According to a 2019 fleet report published by Asian Sky Group, the total number of regional aircraft (including those in India) was 1,213 at the end of 2019, of which 518 were based in Greater China. Superyacht owners in Asia are very discreet and rarely publicise their ownership. Confidentiality is part of the experience and the value proposition.

This is also true for jets. Asian clients are notably keen on buying long-range and ultra-long-range models. In many other markets, customers would initially start buying a small jet or even a turboprop to begin with and then gradually step up to bigger models. In Asia, we have seen many first-time business-jet owners buying at the top end of the market.

New models such as the Bombardier Global 7500 and Gulfstream G700 are changing the game. With larger cabins allowing for four or even five separate ‘living spaces’, they also have a longer range than previous models. Dassault is also introducing the ‘ultra-widebody’ business jet with its new 6X. Demand for these aircraft has increased in the last five years, even as the trade war changes the market.

Seletar Airport in Singapore and Hong Kong International Airport are popular for business jets, and the new airport in Beijing is also expected to become a hub. Jet activity is increasing in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Interestingly, we have recently seen consolidation of, and investment in, business jet maintenance and repair operations (MROs) in the region. Jet Aviation expanded its presence by acquiring Hawker Pacific’s MRO two years ago, Dassault Aviation took over ExecuJet’s APAC MRO early last year, and Bombardier has been investing massively in a new service centre in Seletar.

MILLENNIALS ARE THE FUTURE
BNP Paribas Wealth Management finances the upper end of the business jet and superyacht markets, catering for superyachts of 40m and above, and medium to ultra-long-range business jets.

Arnaud Tellier: “We are actively playing our part by offering carbon-offset programmes, impact investment solutions, and promoting and supporting NGOs active in these fields through a ‘tick and donate’ initiative.”

Our clients generally have a net worth of US$500 million or more. We are very selective in the clients and the assets we finance, and we operate in a niche market, completing a handful of transactions each year.

We have worked with several next generation UHNWI, who like their parents, are investing in business jets and flying privately.

The situation for yachts is a little different. Most of these clients received a Western education and have since introduced the yachting lifestyle to their parents and enjoy family time on-board.

Millennials are truly concerned about global warming, CO2 emissions and ocean preservation. From an industry perspective, the business-jet manufacturers and superyacht builders are working hard on their value proposition to attract millennials. These manufacturers and shipyards want to be part of the solution, not the problem, and they are constantly innovating to produce more environmentally friendly products.

As a leading global private bank, BNP Paribas Wealth Management is committed to green finance. We are actively playing our part by offering carbon-offset programmes, impact investment solutions, and promoting and supporting NGOs active in these fields through a ‘tick and donate’ initiative.”

We are actively playing our part by offering carbon-offset programmes, impact investment solutions, and promoting and supporting NGOs active in these fields through a ‘tick and donate’ initiative.

When it comes to financing environmentally friendly yachts, fuel efficient diesel-electric yachts, or explorer vessels having a scientific and educational purpose, BNP Paribas Wealth Management is willing to go the extra mile.

BNP Paribas Wealth Management has accumulated vast experience in yachting over the last 15 years, and we are willing to share this knowledge of the industry with our clients and introduce them to the leading shipyards, brokers and yacht-management companies in Asia and Europe.

BNP Paribas Wealth Management understands that a superyacht or business jet is more than just an asset – it is a personal expression of taste, style and success. By working closely with our valued clients, we have gained the trust and respect of UHNWIs across the world.

Reach out to the Jet and Yacht Financing team (jyf@bnpparibas.com) and find out how BNP Paribas Wealth Management can help you.

* BNP Paribas Wealth Management is the business line name for the wealth management business conducted by BNP Paribas.

ARNAUD TELLIER

Arnaud Tellier is CEO, Asia Pacific at BNP Paribas Wealth Management and leads a regional team of over 1,100 private banking professionals across key markets in Asia. Tellier defines the strategic direction of the business while overseeing its day-to-day management. He brings a multi-disciplinary approach to serving BNP Paribas’ private banking clients, with a background in capital markets and corporate and investment banking. His efforts in transforming the bank’s offering for Asian clients saw him awarded ‘Private Banker of the Year’ at The Digital Banker’s 2019 and 2020 Global Private Banking Innovation Awards.
www.wealthmanagement.bnpparibas/asi

Asia Yachting expands with new brands, markets and offices

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Asia Yachting expands with new brands, markets and offices

September 9, 2020
8:04 pm

Having opened a Thailand office to widen its regional reach, Asia Yachting is preparing to showcase Prestige models and the MCY 70 Skylounge’s Asia premiere in Hong Kong.

Founded in 2007, Asia Yachting celebrates the opening of its expanded Hong Kong headquarters in Aberdeen last year

Asia Yachting started this year with a splash, launching its new representation of Monte Carlo Yachts, Prestige and Beneteau Grand Trawler in five key Southeast Asian markets with a big display at the Thailand Yacht Show.

The highlight was the regional debut of the Prestige 420 just four months after the world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival of what has become the brand’s fastest-selling model. Over the summer, the hull shown in Phuket was transferred to Hong Kong, Asia Yachting’s home city and setting of the dealership’s next Asia debut: the MCY 70 Skylounge.

Olivier Besson (third left) and Franklin Heng (third right) with Asia Yachting colleagues on a Prestige 590

Eight months after the global debut of Monte Carlo Yachts’ first-ever Skylounge model in Miami in February, Asia Yachting will stage the model’s regional premiere in October, ahead of the Hong Kong Yacht Show in November.

Olivier Besson, CEO and founder of Asia Yachting, says: “I believe the Skylounge model is very, very appealing in the Asia market, where people are usually keen to have protection from the sun so will appreciate a temperature-controlled, indoor environment on the flybridge to offset the humidity.

“The foredeck on MCY models is such a fantastic space to enjoy the outdoors, so Monte Carlo Yachts has taken advantage of the flybridge to create this extra indoor living space, where you can still enjoy a 360-degree view, and if the weather’s nice, you can open the roof or windows. The other major advantage is that there’s also only one helm station, which creates more space on the main deck.”

The foredeck of the MCY 70 Skylounge

Now 13 years old, Asia Yachting has recently been enjoying a significant growth spurt typical of a young teen. Even last summer, the Hong Kong-founded company headed by Besson and Chairman Franklin Heng already had to expand its head office in Aberdeen to accommodate its increasing head count.

At the start of this year, its representation of Monte Carlo Yachts and Prestige was expanded from Hong Kong and Macau to also include Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines.

The company also acquired a new line, Beneteau’s Grand Trawler, for the same seven markets to expand a portfolio that also includes Nautique in Hong Kong and the Philippines, and Fountaine Pajot in the Philippines.

Asia Yachting’s new Thailand office in Phuket Boat Lagoon

Asia Yachting is now serving its Southeast Asian territories from its stylishly outfitted Thailand office in Phuket Boat Lagoon, which complements its Hong Kong headquarters and Philippine hub in Manila, and increases the company’s total staff to just under 50. The company also works with local partners in selected markets such as in Malaysia with Pen Marine, headed by industry veteran Oh Kean Shen.

TAILORED DESIGNS, BOUTIQUE SERVICE
For over a decade, Asia Yachting has built its reputation as one of Monte Carlo Yachts’ leading global dealers, representing the Groupe Beneteau brand since 2013. Sales highlights include the first hulls of the MCY 65, 70, 80, 86 and 105 models, helping make Asia a key market for the Italian luxury yacht builder, whose flybridge motor yachts are exclusively designed by Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard of Venice-based Nuvolari Lenard.

“The positioning of Monte Carlo yachts is very high-end and boutique. It’s probably the most customer-oriented brand and the one that offers the highest level of customisation,” Besson says of the yard whose yachts range from the new MCY 66 (successor of the 65) to the flagship 105.

Asia Yachting is organising the Asia debut of the MCY 70 Skylounge

“This customer-oriented, service-focused approach matches Asia Yachting’s philosophy, spirit and DNA, as we’re also very close to our clients. We don’t consider the client as just a buyer but someone that deserves a full, tailored service.”

Besson says most Asia-based owners of MCY yachts have taken the opportunity of visiting the builder’s shipyard in Monfalcone and the Nuvolari Lenard design studio in Venice, about a 1½-hour drive away, where they can choose from the range of luxury materials and furnishings the design studio offers to buyers of their custom-built superyachts and megayachts.

Many owners from Asia also attend the yard’s summer ‘Reveal’ events in Italy, in which a new yacht is typically unveiled at a lavish private event ahead of the model’s public premiere.

The flybridge interior on the MCY 70 Skylounge, the first model in a new Skylounge series

“We have many recurring MCY owners. Monte Carlo Yachts really creates a family feel among owners, one reason they’re so keen to upgrade within the brand. It’s worth noting that most first-time MCY owners are not first-time yacht owners, because it takes the experience of having had other boats before to really appreciate what is so special and different about this brand.”

ALL-IN MANAGEMENT
Asia Yachting’s recent achievements also include being named Prestige’s Dealer of the Year for 2020. One of Groupe Beneteau’s France-based builders, Prestige offers motor yachts from the popular 420 to the new X70 and Besson believes they’re the ideal introduction to the world of luxury yachts.

“Prestige builds fantastic boats,” says Besson, who says multiple models including the 420, 460, 520, 590 and 630 will be on display at November’s Hong Kong Yacht Show. “I think Prestige builds the best entry-level luxury yachts. The models are very reasonably priced and offer huge volume and all the features of the leading yachts.”

The Prestige 590 is among yachts Asia Yachting has earmarked for the Hong Kong Yacht Show

If MCY yachts are fitting for the top echelon of Asia Yachting’s pyramid of clients, Prestige is on the next rung, more affordable but often still requiring crew or at least full-time management. As such, Asia Yachting offers an all-in package to ease the burdens and complications for owners.

“We’re trying to make Prestige yachts as accessible as possible to our clients by offering a full-package service where we cover all maintenance and management for the year, including providing the berth and mooring. We have our own people look after the boat year-round, while clients can drive the boat by themselves or hire a captain when they take the boat out,” Besson says.

Asia Yachting promoted its Southeast Asia representation of Monte Carlo Yachts, Prestige and Beneteau Grand Trawler at this year’s Thailand Yacht Show

“We don’t aim to generate profit from yacht management. It’s purely to support clients and bring them the best experience of owning a yacht. We’re basically trying to make the experience of owning a boat enjoyable, affordable and hassle-free.”

WIDENING PORTFOLIO
In addition to full service, Asia Yachting now offers a range of brands that cover various sizes and styles of motor yachts up to superyachts, from Monte Carlo Yachts (66-105) and Prestige (420-X70) to Beneteau Grand Trawler (62ft) and Nautique (20-25ft).

The Grand Trawler dealership is a rare partnership as it’s one of Beneteau’s six motorboat ranges. Besson believes the line is complementary to Asia Yachting’s other brands, not just because of its size but the fact it offers an economical introduction to long-range cruising.

The Grand Trawler 62 will be the first model in a new Beneteau line

“Beneteau is expanding the size of its motorboats with the new Grand Trawler range, which we believe is a very complementary and very appealing range for the clients we are targeting. The focus is on volume and range, so I think this will also be a very interesting product for the Asian market.”

At the same time, American builder Nautique offers high-speed fun on its top-of-the-line tow boats designed for waterskiing, wakeboarding and wakesurfing, the latter a favourite of Besson’s as the boarder surfs on the wake of the boat, only using a tow rope to get up.

Last year, Asia Yachting sponsored Super Air Nautique G23 and G25 models for its fifth annual Nautique Wakefest in Hong Kong, which featured a record 170 athletes at Tai Po Waterfront Park including riders from China, Japan, Singapore and Taipei.

The Grand Trawler line features larger models than the existing Swift Trawler range

“Nautique is a very important product for us. We have many owners who also own a Nautique as a ski boat or for towing other water toys,” Besson says. “Nautique is so appealing because it builds the best boats for wakesurfing, which is a great sport because you’re literally just surfing on the boat’s wake, so when you fall, you can’t hurt yourself. It’s safe and fun.”

HEALTHY HK, BROKERAGE MARKETS
New sales dominate Asia Yachting’s business, but brokerage also plays both an important business and strategic role, with the company offering trade-in solutions.

“Brokerage is a very strategic business for us because a lot of owners are keen to upgrade if we can help them to sell their existing boat. Brokerage is also a regional business and increasingly global, as sometimes a boat that has been in Hong Kong for many years may not be so exciting for that market but is for somewhere else in Asia or the world,” Besson says.

Asia Yachting staged a special event in Hong Kong last year for Monte Carlo Yachts, the high-end Italian builder that the dealer has represented since 2013

“Earlier this year, a lot of people initially listed their yacht [for sale] and then withdrew it because they realised they’d actually use it more in the current Covid-19 situation.”

For Besson, the coronavirus has reinforced the value of boating in Hong Kong, where restrictions have never extended to the great outdoors, leading to a huge uptake in boating activity and owners using their yachts not only more often but more frequently for overnight stays.

“People realise they will travel less and that being in Hong Kong and that boating is the best way to escape the city and have some fun,” says Besson, who admits boating activity in Thailand has suffered as the industry is more dependent on tourists and yacht owners based elsewhere.

The Asia Yachting team at last year’s Monte Carlo Yachts event

“Overall, during Covid-19, the effect has actually been positive on the Hong Kong market and not as bad as we imagined it could be elsewhere.”

Hong Kong will remain the heart of Asia Yachting’s business, but the company is working hard to live up to its new responsibility as a regional dealership. Although the coronavirus may have scuppered the initial momentum in Southeast Asia at the start of the year, there’s more to come.

“We have an office open in Thailand now, a partner in Malaysia and we’re looking at whether to establish our own office in Indonesia or team up with potential partners,” he says. “We’re also looking at other places like Singapore, although we’ll look more closely at this when the situation stabilises.”
www.asiayachting.net

Winning Smile: Rafa Nadal on his 80 Sunreef Power (Part 1)

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Winning Smile: Rafa Nadal on his 80 Sunreef Power (Part 1)

September 4, 2020
1:19 pm

An island boy at heart, Nadal has spent his whole life in Mallorca, where the Spanish tennis icon now spends his free time on his new 80 Sunreef Power, Great White.

You can take the boy out of Mallorca, but you can’t take Mallorca out of the boy. Except that with Rafa Nadal, you couldn’t even take the boy out of Mallorca.

Rafa Nadal has lived his whole life on the island of Mallorca

Despite becoming one of the greatest tennis players of all time and one of the world’s most famous sportsmen, Nadal has lived his whole life on the Spanish island where he was born. He remains a home boy, attached to his friends and family, his beloved island and the sea.

Nadal, 34, has talked of wanting to get back to the tennis court since the ATP Tour was suspended in mid-March, less than two weeks after he won his 85th singles title with his third career win at the Mexican Open. However, the arrival of his new 80 Sunreef Power in June has enabled the energetic Spaniard to make the most of his time away from the court in the last few months.

Great White is based on the east coast of Mallorca, near Nadal’s house

Soon after Great White was delivered to Mallorca, Nadal boarded the huge powercat at Club Nautic Porto Cristo in Manacor with a group including his father Sebastian, younger sister Maria Isabel (Maribel) and wife ‘Xisca’, whom he married in Mallorca last October, the pair having been dating since they were teenagers.

The hard-working Spaniard – whose punishing training regime and phenomenal fitness helped take him to the top of the sport – was soon on board in a T-shirt, shorts and cap, among those cleaning the boat and scrubbing the decks before taking her out.

Great White has twin 1,200hp engines for a top speed of 23 knots

Covid-19 has enabled Nadal to spend spring and much of the summer at home for the first time since he became a touring pro, and his first forays with Great White were around Mallorca and fellow Balearic Islands Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.

“Because I’m from an island, I find it difficult to imagine my life without the sea, so I’m very excited about this boat, also because I’ve never owned a catamaran before,” Nadal says in an exclusive interview with Yacht Style.

“I’ve been able to spend so much time with friends and family this year, so having the new boat here has been a great opportunity to stay together in a positive atmosphere.”

Great White proved a timely present for Nadal, with the ATP Tour suspended soon after Nadal
won his 85th singles title at the Mexican Open

Nadal has been boating with his dad since he grew up on the island’s east coast in Manacor, where he was born and still lives. When Nadal was young, his father had a small speedboat and today Sebastian owns a 34ft Australia-built motor yacht that they share.

“Since I was a kid, I fell in love with the sea. I have a lot of great childhood memories of going out on a small boat with my family and friends. We usually went out early in the morning and came back late in the afternoon. Those are very nice memories,” says Nadal, who has won 19 Grand Slam singles titles including 12 French Open crowns.

More recently, Nadal owned a Princess V62 and an MCY 76 before buying Great White, which measures 80ft in length and has a beam of almost 38ft. Such luxury yachts are a world away from what he could imagine owning when he was a young, although it’s less surprising that he made his living from sport.

The hydraulic swim platform can be submerged to deploy Nadal’s tender

His uncle Toni Nadal was a tennis pro and the man who famously groomed him into the ‘King of Clay’ with unprecedented success in the French Open and other clay-court tournaments, although Nadal has also won four US Opens and one Australian Open on hard courts, and two Wimbledon titles on grass.

When young, Nadal also aspired to become a pro footballer like his other uncle Miguel Angel Nadal. ‘The Beast’ earned 62 caps and played in three World Cups for Spain, and won five La Liga titles with Barcelona in-between two spells with Mallorca.

“When I was young, I was super happy with this small boat that my father owned and I never dreamt about owning any type of boat,” says Nadal, who became a professional tennis player at the age of 15.

The jetski is carried under the aft cockpit and is accessed when the cockpit sofa is raised

“Of course, later I wanted to have my own boat, but the main thing I had in mind was to continue doing what I did when I was a kid, just with a little bit more comfort. I still just want to share great moments with my friends and family and discover the ocean, discover beautiful places that we have here around the island and visit different countries.”

SNAPPING UP GREAT WHITE
Nadal has been a regular visitor to the Sunreef booth at the Cannes Yachting Festival in recent years and was very familiar with the brand ahead of buying his first yacht from the Polish shipyard.

“I’ve known Sunreef Yachts for years and my impression of the company has always been great. Since I visited their catamarans for the first time during the Cannes show years ago, I always thought catamarans have amazing advantages because of the amount of space you have on the boat and the comfort is unbelievable,” says Nadal, who won the men’s singles gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and has a record 35 ATP Masters 1000 titles

A boater since he was young, Nadal has been using Great White with his wife, family and friends

Ironically, Nadal was inspired to buy a large powercat after seeing the Sunreef 80 sailing catamaran on its debut at Cannes in 2018. Although he was blown away by the size and finish, he was more interested in a power catamaran so he had more control over how quickly he could get away and back in time for training or other appointments in his hectic schedule.

Notably, he also had to assess whether the future powercat version could fit in the Porto Cristo marina near his house. “When I saw the Sunreef 80, I said, ‘Wow, that’s huge! I went inside and loved it. I also knew it was the biggest boat I could have in the small port of my village,” says Nadal.

“I asked Sunreef if they produce a power version, because today I don’t have a lot of time for sailing. Sometimes I like to go and come back on the same day or next morning to keep practising, so when Sunreef presented the project of the 80 Sunreef Power, I fell in love.”

Note: Part 2, including photos of Great White’s interior, will appear on www.yachtstyle.co

Winning Smile: Rafa Nadal on his 80 Sunreef Power (Part 2)

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Winning Smile: Rafa Nadal on his 80 Sunreef Power (Part 2)

September 3, 2020
12:50 pm

An island boy at heart, Nadal has spent his whole life in Mallorca, where the Spanish tennis icon now spends his free time on his new 80 Sunreef Power, Great White.

(Continued from Part 1 …) With his interest piqued, Nadal stayed in touch with Edwin Nogala, a Sunreef Sales Representative who visited him in Mallorca. After confirming the order, it was then time to make the four-cabin Great White his own.

Nadal had a lot of input, selecting the layout, special features and decor on a yacht that offers 360sqm (3,875sqft) of living area. Having seen an 80 Sunreef Power for the first time when he visited the model’s premiere at Cannes last September, the Spaniard was a happy man upon receiving his own this year.

Nadal chose the layout and décor of the interior, which features beige, cream and coffee colours

“The boat is completely personalised. I’ve chosen all the things I want to have on board. I have my jetski inside and my tender, too. I chose all of the furnishings and even have a TV on the flybridge,” says Nadal, who has TVs in plenty of other places, too.

The jetski is kept in the model’s signature garage, which is underneath the cockpit and accessed by raising the sofa platform. The cradle garage can be slowly lowered for the jetski to enter the water – and off you go. The garage has a refuelling station and storage for other water toys, while the tender is carried on a wide hydraulic swim platform.

The saloon features enormous sofas on both sides and a forward dining area, either side of back-to-back 77-inch TVs

The covered cockpit provides a huge alfresco dining and lounging area, and is fitted with a weatherproof TV, while there are two 77-inch screens installed back-to-back in the enormous, light-filled saloon. Nadal clearly enjoys his telly.

There are oversized L-shaped sofas on both sides of the saloon, creating enormous room in the middle, while forward of the TVs is a dining table for eight and an additional lounging area to port, by the foredeck door.

Great White’s accommodation includes a master suite and three guest cabins

Nadal’s personal choices also include a fold-out balcony for his master suite, which is in the starboard hull and includes a flip-down ceiling TV above the double bed, a sofa and walk-in dressing room.

There’s also one ensuite guest cabin and the crew quarters in the starboard hull, while the port side features two guest cabins and the galley.

“We’ve put a lot of love into the project, choosing everything,” Nadal says. “I’m super happy with the boat. It’s very special for me, my family and friends.”

Nadal chose a fold-down balcony for his master suite, which is to starboard

GRAND AMBITIONS FOR GREAT WHITE
The coronavirus means Nadal has had more chance to use his yacht than at any other time during his tennis career. For almost two decades, his global touring has restricted his time on the water, although when he’s able to get home, he routinely takes his boat out and often stays overnight by a beach.

In addition, he typically tries to carve out 10 days in the summer for a boating holiday with family or friends. However, Nadal never completely switches off from his training regime, using the sea water and time aboard to help with rest and recuperation from his punishing workload.

“During a tennis season, I don’t have much time for boating, but I always try to find some. When I come home, I like to take the boat out, winter or summer,” he says.

The King of Clay’s first catamaran is his biggest yacht so far, measuring 80ft in length and almost 38ft across

“When I spend, say, a week on a yacht, I always take my things and do my daily workout to protect my shoulders and knees. I try to swim a lot and I enjoy free diving very much. It’s not good for a professional sportsman to stop exercising completely, so I stay active.”

Despite being forced into some extensive breaks from the sport due to injuries, Nadal is still one of the world’s top players and was still World No. 2 at time of this year’s US Open in September, which he skipped, having won the title for the fourth time last year along with his 12th French Open.

In fact, from when he secured his first Grand Slam title at the 2005 French Open, Nadal along with Roger Federer and current No. 1 Novak Djokovic have won 52 of the last 60 Grand Slam titles and continue to dominate the game.

However, at 34, Nadal can envision the day when he will have to step away from the tour and the wide, open seas will be waiting for him.

Nadal is keen to explore more of the Mediterranean and return to the Caribbean, where the Exuma Islands in the Bahamas are among his favourite destinations

Nadal is keen to explore more of the Mediterranean and return to the Caribbean, where the Exuma Islands in the Bahamas are among his favourite destinations

“I’m super excited about spending a lot of time on the boat and I’d love to visit the whole Mediterranean like Croatia, Greece, Italy, as well as the Caribbean,” says Nadal, who cruised to Sardinia on his previous yacht.

“I’ve chartered catamarans a couple of times in the Bahamas, in the Exuma Islands, and I loved it. The Exumas are one of my favourite places, so I try to go back there when I can, and I’d love to go with Great White. It would be amazing to visit all these remarkable places.

“Our planet is an amazing, beautiful place. There are plenty of spots I’d like to visit, and I hope I have the chance to go to some undiscovered destinations in the future. Now, I’m still playing tennis and don’t have much time, but I hope I’ll have time to go on these adventures when I’m retired.”
www.sunreef-yachts.com

Exclusive Q&A: Jerome De Metz, Chairman & CEO, Groupe Beneteau

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Exclusive Q&A: Jerome De Metz, Chairman & CEO, Groupe Beneteau

September 2, 2020
8:14 pm

De Metz has announced a bold, five-year strategic plan, Let’s Go Beyond, that aims to streamline operations by focusing on eight boat-building brands.

Can you outline Covid-19’s financial impact on Groupe Beneteau’s Boat Division and its boat building plants in France, Italy, Poland, USA and China?
Nearly 50 per cent less production time during the second quarter of 2020 led to a 43 per cent decrease in sales compared to the first quarter. This drop was simply a reflection of production being shut down for six weeks.

Jerome de Metz has been Chairman and CEO of Groupe Beneteau since June 2019

There have been no changes to our factories, but we have had to adapt our industrial footprint to the volume levels demanded by post-Covid markets. This forced us to put several plants on standby or in reduced activity for a while.

We must not lower our guard: the virus is still there, and we must remain careful and disciplined.

Beneteau’s new sailing models include the Oceanis Yacht 54

In July, you had to announce Groupe Beneteau’s new strategic plan for 2020-2025. Putting Covid-19 aside, how difficult was it for you to create a strategic plan for a boatbuilding and leisure homes group, which is so different to your experience as a private equity investor?
That is a good question. As a former private equity (PE) practitioner, I used to say that your finance skills are necessary in the PE industry. However, the real success factors for PE lie in your ability to exercise judgement based on context, strategies, organisations and, last but not least, people. This is exactly what I am doing in my new role.

The Oceanis 40.1 is another new sailing yacht from Beneteau

Your predecessor had four years in the role and his strategic plan was called ‘Transform to Perform’. How does ‘Let’s Go Beyond’ compare?
The plan that we have built as a team is very different, although the Group’s improvements resulting from the previous plan will obviously remain in place.

Your plan mentions moving forward with eight global boat brands, compared with 12 currently, and for the ‘House of Brands to cover the same number of segments with less investment’. How will this be achieved?
Groupe Beneteau’s House of Brands is based on a core portfolio of eight brands that upcoming investments will focus on. It comprises four world leaders – Beneteau, Jeanneau, Prestige and Lagoon – and four high-potential brands – Four Winns, Wellcraft, Delphia and Excess.

The Antares 11 Fly is among Beneteau’s new motorboats

By 2025, Groupe Beneteau will continue to cover as many market segments across four strategic markets – day boating, real estate on the water, monohull and multihull sailing – with eight international brands and 128 boat models compared to 12 brands and 183 models in 2019.

As well as covering as many market segments with eight brands as with 12, the plan aims to achieve as much turnover – or even more – with fewer models, less investment, shorter design and manufacturing times, and better productivity by our plants, which will maintain an irreproachable level of quality while being structured by segments, not by brands.

The Lagoon Sixty 5 is the brand’s newest model and second-largest sailing yacht after the Seventy 7

This will become possible with an organisation based around global functions instead of companies. There is no longer any overlap in the positioning of our brands or internal competition; there’s just healthy competition. In addition, this five-year plan will be adjusted twice a year to consider developments in our markets and the success of our products.

What will happen to the other four brands?
We envision that the life of the four brands concerned will continue in another form. In the meantime, the business life of these brands continues as usual, with them attending boat shows, production being fully operational and the Group working on the best-possible scenarios to guarantee an ideal future for each brand.

The Lagoon Sixty 7 debuted last year and multiple units have been sold into Asia

Your plan includes ‘achieving an operating margin of over 10 per cent when business has returned to 2019 levels’. How will you achieve this and when?

Achieving as much revenue with fewer brands is our challenge and key to the plan’s success. I am convinced that we will succeed because the product plan is very rich. All our customers will appreciate the personality and DNA of our historic brands Beneteau, Jeanneau, Lagoon and Prestige.

However, we are also going to conquer or win back new customers by giving a new start to the brands created or acquired recently – Four Winns, Wellcraft, Delphia and Excess – with completely redesigned ranges in line with new uses, such as outboard powercats at Four Winns or 9-14m yachts for inland waterways and coastal sheltered waters with Delphia.

The new flagship of the Prestige range, the pioneering X70 focuses on enormous interior space by not featuring traditional side decks

When will the markets return to their 2019 volumes? We do not know and we are preparing for all eventualities, including one where our decline would be less than in the last crisis (2009) or a faster restart. Our plan provides a lot of flexibility.

Following your appointment as CEO last year, senior management changes included the promotions of Gianguido Girotti and Jean-Paul Chapeleau to Deputy CEOs, and this year’s appointment of Bruno Thivoyon as Group CFO. What qualities does each person bring to the management team and how do you complement each other?
The Executive Board also includes Corinne Margot, HR and Communications Director. The team is now stable and are in charge of executing the strategic plan, supported by taskforces made up of functional or operational managers.

We are overseeing 34 of the Let’s Go Beyond plan’s execution projects, in project mode. This is a huge job, but everyone knows what they need to do. Groupe Beneteau really does have high-quality teams.

The Prestige factory in Les Herbiers in the Vendee region in west France

By truly working together, in the best interests of the Group, we can and will disrupt the rankings in our market segments. You will see!

We read that the Asian market represented just 3.9 per cent of the Boat Division’s revenues in 2018-19, with China accounting for most of that, and that the regional market has been contracting for several years, predating Covid-19. What needs to happen for Asia to be as financially important to Groupe Beneteau as it is to other yacht builders?
We have been among the pioneers in China and Asia. We cannot hide that the level of our sales does not correspond to our ambitions on this continent. But we are maintaining our teams and our commercial investments because there is still very strong potential. As you know, unlike Europe or the US, Asia does not have a unique face when it comes to boating. The simplification of our product strategy will be very useful to penetrate these markets which are still emerging.

The Prestige 420 premiered at Cannes last year and made its Asian debut this year

Can you outline some of the Group’s new boat models being unveiled this autumn?
We have many new models, some of which were going to be shown at the Cannes Yachting Festival. In the powerboat segment, we have the new Prestige X70, a revolutionary project that we are very proud to unveil because of its innovative architecture and use of space, as well as the extensive improvements achieved in interior and exterior quality.

In the sailing segment, we have the new Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54. Following last year’s success with the First 53, the Oceanis Yacht 54 is another innovative model that will keep on pushing the brand’s leadership in the luxury cruiser segment. Smaller but no less important is the new Beneteau Oceanis 40.1, a key size in the cruiser market, with an innovative layout for charters.

Drop-down side on the new Jeanneau Cap Camarat 12.5 Walkaround

Lagoon has introduced the Sixty 5, a truly luxurious sailing cat. On the other side of the spectrum, have also launched the Excess 11, which is the smallest cat offered by the Group.

Groupe Beneteau is scheduled to release its full-year earnings on October 27 and present a more developed financial breakdown of the strategic plan. What can we expect from a Group that has been generating over €1 billion in annual revenue from its boat sales?
Be patient: you will have the answer on October 27!

The Jeanneau Yachts 60 will debut at Boot Dusseldorf in January 2021

Finally, how often do you go boating and what do you like about it?
I love that feeling of freedom you get on the water. I used to boat in my small village in northern Brittany called Saint-Jacut de la Mer. I lived above its small harbour. Every year, I try to escape and spend a week sailing with my old friends. This year, I will try to sail in Croatia – if the borders are open.
www.beneteau-group.com

JEROME DE METZ

Jerome de Metz has been Chairman and CEO of Groupe Beneteau since June 2019, having established himself as one of France’s private equity pioneers. A graduate of SKEMA Business School and a chartered accountant, he started in the auditing industry and later became CFO of IT company Econom, led by Jean-Louis Bouchard. In 1990, he entered the private equity sector at Initiative & Finance, becoming Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2000. With his team, he then founded MBO Partenaires and led it from 2002 to 2017. Keen on international business, De Metz opened offices in China, India and Brazil to pool the business development effort of the portfolio companies. He also developed business projects in sectors as varied as wine in China and the web industry in Morocco.

Rolex Works Hand in Hand with Sailing Legends

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Rolex Works Hand in Hand with Sailing Legends

July 27, 2020
4:21 pm

Sailing legends Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Sir Francis Chichester and Bernard Moitessier all wore a Rolex during their pioneering sailing feats of the 1960s, which still inspire sailors in today’s leading offshore races.

It is a relationship born of a natural affinity with a sport that exhibits time-honoured values and a dynamic spirit. Six decades into its partnership with yachting, Rolex is the committed supporter of the some of the world’s most prestigious yacht clubs, races and regattas.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston used his Rolex Explorer watch during his victory in the
Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in 1969, when he became the first solo sailor to complete a non-stop circumnavigation

Rolex is the committed supporter of the some of the world’s most prestigious yacht clubs, races and regattas.Rolex can trace its connection with the sea back to the company’s origins in the early 1900s, when founder Hans Wilsdorf envisaged a pioneering watch that would be robust, precise and reliable, sharing the highest standards of excellence with the custodians of yachting’s finest spirit.

The strength of this association would be cemented by the feats of three extraordinary individuals, which helped confirm Wilsdorf’s perceptive understanding that increasingly active lifestyles demanded a wristwatch chronometer that was accurate, self-winding and, significantly, waterproof.

The 1960s was a period that added considerable impetus to the sport of yachting and particularly the discipline of offshore racing.

The challenges faced by today’s sailors may appear a world away from those encountered in the middle of the last century, but those heading to sea and out of sight of land for extended periods are still inspired by the characters and achievements of that era.

Sir Francis Chichester relied upon a Rolex Oyster Perpetual during his solo circumnavigation aboard Gipsy Moth IV in 1966-67

Advances in technology, materials and design continually improve navigation, fitness for purpose and comfort, but the open ocean remains an unforgiving environment. Until the beginning of the 20th century, offshore racing had been the preserve of large yachts with paid crew. The 635nm NewportBermuda Race, first held in 1906, became the catalyst for the 605nm Rolex Fastnet Race, founded in 1925, and opened the door to racing offshore in yachts of 30ft and upwards.

When the 628nm Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race was founded in 1945, the discipline had truly come of age. Other races of about 600nm would follow including the Rolex China Sea Race in 1962, the Rolex
Middle Sea Race in 1968 and the RORC Caribbean 600 in 2009.

Passion was the key element in the early editions of these races, with small numbers of enthusiastic participants.

THREE LEGENDARY OCEAN FEATS,
ALL ACCOMPANIED BY A ROLEX
A series of accomplishments would add the allure of adventure and testing oneself to the simple concept of competition, thereby broadening the appeal of offshore sailing. In 1960, the first solo transatlantic race was won by British yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester.

The route of Chichester’s west-to-east circumnavigation in 1966-67 from Plymouth, which included rounding the three great Capes

Such was the success of this inaugural race that four years later it was held again with more than twice as many participants. Chichester would finish second on this occasion. Spurred on to greater heights, this unassuming man, also an entrepreneur and an aviator, epitomised the spirit of sailing and adventure, and became the first person to sail around the world alone from west to east, along the fastest route available – the clipper route.

Setting off in 1966 aboard his 55ft ketch Gipsy Moth IV, Chichester counted among his ‘crew’ a sextant and a Rolex Oyster Perpetual chronometer, which absorbed the same drenching and scrapes as him.

He wrote in a letter in 1968: “During my voyage around the world in Gipsy Moth IV, my Rolex watch was knocked off my wrist several times without being damaged. I cannot imagine a hardier timepiece.

When using [it] for sextant work and working the foredeck, it was frequently banged, also doused by waves coming aboard; but it never seemed to mind all this.”

After 226 days, including a stopover in Australia, Chichester returned to Plymouth, United Kingdom, having rounded the three great Capes: Good Hope, South Africa; Leeuwin, Australia; and the Horn, Chile.

He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for “sustained endeavour in the navigation and seamanship of small craft”. His epic feat, undertaken in his mid-60s when most are considering retirement, inspired still greater achievement.

Wearing a Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master certified chronometer, Bernard Moitessier was leading the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, but the Vietnam-born Frenchman elected not to return to Plymouth and instead sailed south of Africa, Australia and New Zealand for a second time before settling in Tahiti

The clipper route, embraced by Chichester, is the favoured course followed by the most challenging round-the-world yacht races, all of which came into being after his venture. The first of those races was established only a year later.

In 1968, nine yachtsmen took on the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, the first non-stop, single-handed, round-the-world yacht race. The level of the unknown that such a voyage presented then is difficult to comprehend in this age of digital mapping, mobile communication and satellite navigation. More was understood about heading into outer space.

When the French sailor Bernard Moitessier and British yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston were among those setting off to prove it was possible for man and machine to sail around the earth without stopping, few believed they would succeed.

Like Chichester, they had to rely on their seamanship and determination to survive whatever the oceans threw at them. Conserving resources and protecting their yachts were key concerns.So, too, was navigation, which remained reliant upon the time, sun and stars to plot position with any degree of precision.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s Rolex Explorer watch

Of the nine sailors to embark on the challenge, only one completed the full course. Moitessier, born and raised in Vietnam, looked capable of completing the task and in the fastest time, but chose to abandon the contest, continuing east towards the Cape of Good Hope for a second time rather than heading north once he had rounded Cape Horn.

Moitessier would go on to cover some 37,455nm before coming to rest in Tahiti, the longest non-stop solo voyage.

Knox-Johnston persevered with the quest, overcoming adversities, privations and solitude, arriving back in Falmouth, UK, in April 1969, some 312 days after his departure. As the winner of the Sunday Times Golden Globe, he entered the history books as the first solo sailor to successfully circumnavigate the planet, non-stop.

Sailing prowess aside, Knox-Johnston and Moitessier were both indebted to the resilience and reliability of the Rolex Oyster as an essential tool among the navigational aids on their voyages.

The annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, which starts on December 26, is the southern hemisphere’s leading offshore race

Knox-Johnston laid great store by the characteristics of his Rolex: “It was strong enough to take a bashing and was predictable, which was what I really needed for navigation, particularly when taking sights on deck.

“It was a good, reliable, trustworthy watch. Through all the punishment it received, it just kept going. It was still working perfectly when I got home, which says it all.

”Moitessier, writing to Rolex in 1968, advised that: “Obviously, your Rolex is [much more] sophisticated in terms of regularity, waterproofness and robustness and will allow me to make [more] accurate sights since I will be wearing it on my wrist on deck. It is therefore one of the most important pieces of equipment on my boat.”

The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club organises the Rolex China Sea Race, which will next start on March 30, 2021

ROLEX: THE COMMITTED PARTNER
OF LEADING OFFSHORE RACES
Given this background, it is perhaps only natural that Rolex would seek to partner the most prestigious yacht clubs, institutions and regattas in the world, sharing the highest standards of excellence with the
custodians of yachting’s finest spirit. Rolex stepped offshore to secure relationships with the world’s top 600nm races and the organisations behind them. Stringent examinations of sailing skill and human
endeavour, these classic contests and their organising clubs have, like Rolex, been defined by a spirit of adventure.

The most famous are the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, run by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), and the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, launched by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA). Widely regarded as northern and southern hemisphere equivalents, and both supported by Rolex since the beginning of the 2000s, they are on every offshore sailor’s wish list.

The primary focus for all participants at these races is, first and foremost, to finish. If one has an eye on winning, the focus is doing so in the shortest possible time. Plotting the correct route, maintaining the optimum speed in the prevailing conditions and time-management of resources are essential components of a successful voyage, just as they were for the pioneers of 50 years ago.

Crews have to manage their strategy and resources according to the potential and characteristics of their boat. There is no room for complacency, nor error in judgement, in the pursuit of victory. Every decision has to be
accurate and timed precisely. Taking care of the minute details remains essential, just as it was for Chichester, Moitessier and Knox-Johnston. There is no pit-lane to carry out repairs or replenish resources.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual worn by Sir Francis Chichester during his circumnavigation from August 1966 to May 1967

Time management in offshore races continues to require robust, accurate timing. Launched in 1992, the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master range celebrates the close relationship between Rolex and the world of
sailing and regattas.

The Yacht-Master’s Oyster case, waterproof to a depth of 100m (330ft), features a slightly rounded design to avoid snagging rigging or sails and safely protects the accuracy of the self-winding mechanical movement,
designed and manufactured by Rolex and certified as an official chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).

Simply completing one of the classic 600nm races is rightly considered an achievement to celebrate. Marking the significance of the endeavour and the dedication that is required to prevail, historic trophies are awarded to the successful crews.

According to John Markos, past Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, one of the prizes has attained legendary status: “The fengraving on the back of the Rolex timepiece awarded to the overall winner means everything. It stamps the timepiece with a unique feature that cannot be purchased.

The next Rolex Fastnet Race in 2021 and the following edition in 2023 will finish in Cherbourg, France, instead of Plymouth, UK

“While a trophy like the Tattersall Cup is awarded each year, the Rolex watch is personal, owned and carried by the winner. It has become a recognised symbol of success and achievement.”

In a world where shorter competition formats are becoming ever more popular, it is reassuring that some sports continue to embrace their history and traditions. Promoting and guarding the values of offshore sailing remains a core focus of the organising yacht clubs involved.

The success of their approach is confirmed with new record fleets regularly being established at their races: 362 yachts at the 2017 Rolex Fastnet Race and 130 yachts at the 2018 Rolex Middle Sea Race, for
example.

The commitment of Rolex is also long-standing, stretching back sixdecades, but importantly, it is also forward-looking, with multi-year event partnerships in place. The challenge of the open sea is perpetual and, for those willing to take it on and sail in the wake of their heroes, the opportunities to do so are in safe-keeping.

www.rolex.com

Carla Demaria On How Bluegame is Disrupting Yacht Design with BGX Series

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Carla Demaria On How Bluegame is Disrupting Yacht Design with BGX Series

July 27, 2020
1:29 pm

Bluegame CEO Carla Demaria is confident the brand’s flagship BGX70 will enjoy a similar response in Asia as it has in Europe, due to a huge beach club that leads into the saloon and guest cabins, a signature design that will also be seen on the BGX60.

Carla Demaria admits she has heard a lot of praise for Bluegame’s flagship BGX70, which has a well-earned reputation as one of the most innovative motor yacht designs of recent years.

The BGX70 has a low, sleek, stealth-like exterior, a strong, seaworthy hull designed by Lou Codega, and can power up to about 30 knots with 1,000hp IPS350s

Its lower deck starts with an enormous beach club that flows directly in to the main saloon, which itself leads forward to the guest cabins or upstairs to the more subdued main deck of the explorer- styled motor yacht.

Yet despite the BGX70 winning awards held during last year’s Cannes Yachting Festival and this year’s Boot Dusseldorf, Demaria says her favourite reaction to the boat was from a prospect-turned- client at Cannes, where the model made its world premiere and won Most Avant-Garde Yacht at the World Yachts Trophies.

“He is a well-known yachtsman and he told me, ‘This is exactly the boat I have been looking for, for many years, and have never been able to find’,” says Demaria, who was appointed Bluegame CEO in early 2019. “In less than two hours, he bought one, downsizing significantly from the boat he owned.”

Two units had been sold ahead of the BGX70’s show debut before further sales were secured at Cannes, the subsequent Genoa International Boat Show and Monaco Yacht Show, and this year’s Boot Dusseldorf, during which it won the Custom Yacht category at the 2020 Motor Boat Awards.

The beach club (above) leads straight into the saloon (below), which has great views on both sides, access to the owner’s suite and stairs up to the dining area

Demaria describes the connectivity of the lower-deck saloon as “the milestone of the BGX project” and is confident the BGX70 will also sell in Asia, with a unit potentially exhibiting at the Hong Kong Yacht Show (November 19-22) according to Simpson Marine, the brand’s Asia dealer since this year.

“When the BGX70 makes its debut in Asia, we are convinced it will receive the same consensus,” says Demaria, a member of the Board of Directors at Sanlorenzo, Bluegame’s parent company.

“Walking from the beach area through the saloon and accessing the owner’s cabin is a unique and awesome experience. You feel the continuity between the outside and inside, no barriers aft or sideways. And you can experience this same extraordinary feeling sitting in the saloon while cruising.”

SANTELLA, ZUCCON PARTNER – AGAIN
Demaria is an industry heavyweight, having been CEO of Monte Carlo Yachts from 2008-18 after over two decades with Azimut Benetti Group, and last year she finished a four-year term as President of UCINA (Italian Marine Industry Federation).

However, Luca Santella is the heart and soul of Bluegame, which the two-time Olympic sailor founded back in 2004. An architecture graduate from Florence University, Santella represented Italy for 16 years, competing at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics in Seoul and Barcelona respectively, before making his name in yacht design.

After Bluegame’s fortunes fluctuated in its early years, the effects of the Global Economic Crisis eventually led to Santella putting the company on hold in 2012 and he later became Design Development Manager at Sanlorenzo.

The saloon is on the lower deck and offers a sea view over the enormous beach club, which has a large barbecue and external stairs to the main deck (see facing page)

His achievements include conceiving the hugely successful SX (Sport Explorer) range, designing the SX88 (2017) and SX76 (2018) with Zuccon International Project. Meanwhile, in the background, Bluegame was revived and officially relaunched in 2018 as a Sanlorenzo brand.

Santella, 58, and Bernardo Zuccon overhauled former Bluegame models to create the BG42 and BG62 ‘Sport Utility’ yachts, which both feature naval architecture by renowned American designer Lou Codega and were unveiled at Cannes in 2018.

However, it was the BGX70 – using the same line-up of designers – that really put the new and improved Bluegame on the global yachting map, with the eye-catching flagship echoing the styling of Sanlorenzo’s SX series, which Santella himself had inspired.

“BGX70 is a completely different project to BG62 and BG42, which are well defined open boats,” Demaria says.

“However, the DNA of the two ranges is the same and includes a seaworthy hull design for a comfortable ride, large ‘beach’ areas open to the sea, generous forward lounge areas, connected cockpits, fantastic helm station positioning, great attention to details, high- quality construction and understated elegance.

“BGX70 keeps all of these characteristics, but the main design inspiration came from the desire to bring the ‘outside’ inside, letting the outside environment enter inside the boat through innovative and truly unique architecture.”

“Walking from the beach area through the saloon and accessing the owner’s cabin is a unique and awesome experience.” Carla Demaria, CEO, Bluegame

‘TRULY UNIQUE ARCHITECTURE’
Much of the architecture that enabled the saloon to lie below the height of the beach club was down to Codega and his work on the positioning of the engine room, which was key to the BGX70’s pioneering layout.

Using Volvo Penta IPS drives meant the engines could be positioned under the teak-covered beach club and free up space forward for the saloon.

The expansive aft deck features a large hatch for the engine room and is big enough to fit a 13ft RIB, which once deployed, can open up an enormous beach club sheltered by bulwarks and featuring a large barbecue and wet bar to port.

To starboard, external steps up to the main deck, but on the BGX70 boat, the lower deck is the main living area.

Forward of the saloon on the lower deck, the owner’s suite has a forward-facing double bed to port and a dressing table cum desk to starboard

Sliding doors open up to the saloon, which is just a couple of steps down, and it’s here that you realise how unusual – how refreshing – it is to be standing or seated on a sofa at sea level.

As well as comfortable sofas and chairs, the saloon offers a sensational infinity view aft, through the beach club, plus sea views either side, where you can watch the water just feet away, lapping at the hull below.

As the idea of a sea-level saloon sinks in, it’s then equally intriguing to be able to walk through a door into the master suite, a location that has its perks but also privacy risks. Make sure you’re wearing more than Y-fronts when you wander out for your morning coffee, just in case any early risers are loitering in the living room.

Moving on, the full-beam master suite has a forward-facing bed to port and benefits from large hull windows either side, although the starboard arrangement, where you have to walk around a three- sided desk/vanity table to access a walk-in wardrobe, feels overly complicated and creates potential access issues.

On this unit, the ‘middle cabin’ (bottom) is designed as a private lounge connected to the owner’s suite
The forward VIP suite (level) has an aft-facing bed

The ensuite bathroom is forward of the bed and features twin sinks, a head and bidet, and a very large shower.

Forward on the starboard side is a flexible room that can be accessible from the owner’s suite and set up as either a private lounge with C-shaped sofa, a study or a children’s room, with a sliding screen in the bulkhead providing connectivity or privacy.

Alternatively, it can be sealed off from the master suite, accessible only by the forward staircase, and used as a third guest cabin with either a forward-facing double or twin beds running athwartships. The neighbouring bathroom can be designed as an en-suite or closed off and accessed like a day head.

Like the master suite, the forward VIP cabin is full-beam and has an ensuite, but with an aft-facing bed. The crew cabin is in the bow.

The main deck features an aft cockpit (bottom) that can be further shaded by a bimini; The interior dining area (level) benefits from outdoor views each side and aft

NOT THE MAIN DECK
There are three guest staircases up to the main deck, from the beach club, saloon and the forward hallway aft of the VIP cabin. If the lower deck seems to offer more than expected on a yacht of this size, the main deck feels otherwise. If anything, the space is underwhelming and reveals the emphasis on outdoor living over interior volume.

The layout is conventional enough, starting with an aft cockpit with a forward-facing L-shaped sofa and rectangular table.

Sliding doors lead into a white-ceilinged interior that starts with a dining area comprising an L-shaped sofa, rectangular table and three stools, which could also be used in the cockpit, meaning six people could comfortably eat inside or out.

The interior has a slick, white galley along the starboard side and a neatly disguised drop-down TV that lowers behind the central helm seats.

The owner or Captain will enjoy the helm station, which has twin carbon seats, a carbon dashboard with three Garmin screens, and fantastic 360-degree views through the rear-inclined windshield, side windows and aft through the dining room and cockpit.

The foredeck is the main ‘fixed’ outdoor lounging area and features an elaborate arrangement of sunpads beside and forward of two square tables. The high-low tables can even be lowered and covered by sunpads to create an even larger lounging zone, while a bimini can also be fitted to cover the area.

The most ardent sun worshipper can even choose to access the roof, where sunpads can be fitted between the carbon hand rails on each side.

The main-deck interior includes the dining area, a long galley to starboard, drop-down TV, twin-seat helm station and portside stairs to the guest cabins

DISRUPTION TO CONTINUE
The BGX70 can also motor, hitting 30 knots with twin 1,000hp IPS350s, with the kind of reassuring ride you’d expect from a Codegadesigned hull, yet another plus point for a yacht that has many of them

Ultimately, though, it’s the aft-facing, sea-level saloon and the sheer connectivity of the lower deck that offers owners a spectacular platform for waterside living.

“Our clients love the unity of BGX70, the only yacht in its segment offering this extraordinary connection between the beach area, saloon, owner’s cabin and more. There’s also the Bluegame DNA such as generous cockpit and bow lounging areas, fantastic helm station and high-performance hull,” Demaria says.

“I was also proud at the awards in Dusseldorf when the panel described BGX70 as ‘bold and brilliant’ and said it ‘demonstrates there is still room for genuine innovation in a class where evolution rather than revolution is the norm’.”

The fantastic foredeck (also below) features an expanse of adjustable sunpads alongside and forward of two height-adjustable tables

Bluegame is extending its range with the upcoming BGX60, which will exhibit at October’s Genoa International Boat Show and is designed to offer the same concept, features and basic layout as her big sister, but in a smaller scale and with slight changes to the middle cabin.

The brand is also working on other projects in both the BG and BGX ranges in sizes that will not overlap with models from Sanlorenzo, whose smallest model is the SX76, which has an overall length of 76ft 7in.

Furthermore, Demaria revealed that Bluegame is following through on her bold announcement at Cannes last year that the brand would not only enter the powercat market but dominate it. “I confirm Bluegame is developing a new range of disruptive, very luxurious, innovative and highly sustainable multihulls,” she says.

For now, the BGX70 is not only the flagship but the embodiment of a brand that’s daring to design yachts differently, by focusing on modern yacht owners looking for openness, flexibility and life close to the water. “Each area of the boat has a very strong appeal to me,” Demaria says.

“Each is particularly suitable for different moments of life on board, like waking up early, walking through the saloon to the beach club then diving in the calm water.”

As it was for her client, the BGX70 seems exactly the yacht the CEO has been looking for.

www.bluegame.it

www.simpsonmarine.com

Francis Lapp, President, Sunreef Yachts

Leaders / yachtstyle2020

Francis Lapp, President, Sunreef Yachts

July 23, 2020
7:21 pm

Poland’s Sunreef Yachts has hit the big time, with Rafa Nadal as a client, Nico Rosberg as an ambassador and turnover doubling last year. Yet French founder Francis Lapp is staying focused as the luxury catamaran builder shifts to a new shipyard in Gdansk, constructs a flagship 161ft powercat and works on an innovative Eco range.

By John Higginson

Francis, can you talk about Sunreef’s recent engagement with two very high-profile sports stars, having delivered an 80 Sunreef Power to tennis legend Rafa Nadal in Spain and secured former F1 champion Niko Rosberg as an Eco Brand Ambassador.

Rafa Nadal’s customised 80 Sunreef Power, featuring a drop-down balcony in the master suite, was delivered to his home port in Mallorca in June

When Rafa first got on board his yacht, the news was everywhere as paparazzi followed his every step in Mallorca. And yes, we appointed Nico Rosberg as our ambassador for Sunreef Yachts Eco. Nico’s activity after retiring from Formula 1 has been entirely devoted to green tech. To have such a figure as ambassador is for us a fantastic opportunity to spread the word.

How has the 80 Power sold compared to the Sunreef 80 sailing catamaran, which debuted at the Cannes Yachting Festival a year earlier, in 2018?
The Sunreef 80 sail cat has had an outstanding response, exceeding our expectations sales wise – we’ve sold nearly 20. The sales of the 80 Sunreef Power are so far about a third of the sailing 80s. It’s very good progress for the powercat, given she only premiered last September.

We’re very satisfied with the demand and sales. The 80 Powers in build include an Eco version with our new solar-power system. Things are looking good for the 80 Power and the rest of the new Power range, with both the 60 and 70 under construction.

A render of the 49M Sunreef Power (above), the builder’s biggest-ever yacht at 161ft and due for delivery in late 2021; a hall at Sunreef’s new shipyard (below)

What are your hopes for Asia, having recently handed over a Sunreef 80 sailing cat to a Chinese owner and delivered sailing cats to Singapore owners in recent years?
The Asian market is extremely important to us, but it’s also distant and unique. We are happy to have a solid broker in China to bring us closer to our customers in Asia. Speedo Marine enjoys a great reputation and helps us have a good interaction with the Asian market.

As this is our annual ‘Charter Issue’, how does Sunreef Yachts Charter benefit members?
Many owners choose to charter their yacht for the obvious reason that it helps them balance their operational expenses. Sunreef Yachts Charter works as a central agent for many of our customers and their boats, providing a complete package of services including marketing, charter boat show participation, crew placement, bookings and so on.

We want our customers to enjoy a carefree ownership experience. All of the services, charter and yacht management are handled by an experienced team of professionals. Our charter company is a member
of the Worldwide Yachting Association, a guarantee of the highest ethical and professional standards.

How is the move to the new shipyard progressing and what will the site include?
All in all, we have eight hectares (80,000sqm) of land including roughly 30,000sqm of covered buildings, which include the CNC hall and the woodwork shop, both already operational. The new yard also manufactures moulds now. Part of the new assembly halls should be ready for use by the end of the year, same as the new offices, so we should be moving offices by then.

After almost two decades at the historic Gdansk Shipyard, Sunreef is moving to a new 80,000sqm site beside the Martwa Wisła river.

For the 49M Sunreef Power, our biggest yacht so far, we have created a dedicated superyacht hall measuring 70m long and 40m wide. Construction has already started following a demanding design phase. We are due to launch it in the second half of 2021.

How will you feel when you eventually close your facilities at the legendary Gdansk Shipyard, which has such a special history, including for Sunreef since 2002?
It’s obviously an important chapter in Sunreef Yachts’ history. I see our time there and our move as a good thing, an evolution. I don’t think I will be sad to leave, but I’m sure I will be proud. The aura of the historic yard is unique, but we need to evolve and move.

After Sunreef doubled its 2018 turnover last year, what do you predict for this year considering the impact of Covid-19?
We will still be doubling our 2019 results. Despite the global situation, we are maintaining good progress. There’s a little less demand than we anticipated, but no dramatic change as of now.

The first 100 Sunreef Power was sold earlier this year and will feature a specially customised main-deck interior featuring a lounge, bar and fitness room

Assuming the Cannes Yachting Festival goes ahead, are the 70 sail cat and 60 Power on schedule to have world premieres at the show?
Yes. The 70 sail cat is on the water already and joins the 50, 60 and 80 in the range. All models seem to be enjoying nice success, so I’m excited to see the feedback on the 70.

The first 60 Sunreef Power is well advanced and although it’s much smaller than the 80 Power, the space on board should still be a very positive surprise. The model still offers an aft garage and platform, and there’s a massive flybridge with room for a spa pool. She should be the most comfortable cat in her size range on the market, and on top of that, fully customisable.

Have there been any design updates on the first 100 Power, sold earlier this year?
The 100 Sunreef Power follows the design characteristics of the 80 Sunreef Power, but of course offers much more volume. Like her smaller sisters, she will be fitted with a hydraulic aft platform and a
garage.

The use of the main deck will be interesting. For this particular yacht, the owner chose to split it between a bar and lounge area and a
fitness room.

Sunreef 70 sail catamaran are due to be held at the Cannes Yachting Festival

Yacht Style was excited to hear about your Eco range, with plans for 70 and 80 models in both sail and power, starting with an 80 powercat. How important is this range to Sunreef?
Actually, our eco evolution started some time ago with an electric Sunreef 50 and Sunreef 60 sailing models, although without our new solar-power system. The first 80 Sunreef Eco powercat will feature integrated panels on an impressive amount of surface. The first one is definitely going to be demanding because it will be our debut with this technology.

The trend for eco yachting is the most positive thing that’s happened to the industry so far. We’ll see what the dynamic of such developments will be in two years, but I can tell you that we are putting a lot of effort into our Eco range and want to lead the market in eco-friendly catamarans.

How is your son Nicolas handling his role as Sunreef’s R&D Director, especially overseeing the new technology in the Eco range?
Nicolas is very involved in pushing the Eco range forward. I think the solar panel system his team is developing is a huge breakthrough. They use very thin and light panels, provided by one of the world’s top suppliers.

Also, the batteries are state-of-the art, with a very low density. Our R&D department observes all the current trends in e-mobility but instead of just implementing existing solutions, they aim much higher.

The Sunreef 70 Eco (pictured) is among four models in the Eco range, which was announced in late April and will begin with an 80 Sunreef Eco powercat

On the eco theme, how did you enjoy this year’s Africa Eco Race?

It was great, I really enjoyed it. It was fun to be back in the desert and make new friends. I don’t get to go rally racing as often as I’d like.

What are your other passions?
Besides cars, definitely work!

What about yachting?
I spend some time on yachts when I take a short holiday. I like to charter every once in a while, go to the British Virgin Islands. But I don’t have a boat. I’m far too busy to build one for myself.

www.sunreef-yachts.com

The original article first appeared in Yacht Style Issue 54 (Charter Issue 2020) – see below:
To subscribe to Magzter version, visit: magzter.com/SG/Lux-Inc-Media/Yacht-Style/Fashion/
For more information or print subscription enquiries, email: info@lux-inc.coAfter almost two decades at the historic Gdansk Shipyard, Sunreef is moving to a new 80,000sqm site (below) beside the Martwa Wisła river

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