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Sanctuary Cove, Australia, boat show, SYBAss, Damen Yachting, Amels, Riviera, Burgess, SYBAss, Maritimo, The Yacht Sales Co, ILIAD, Absolute, Tesoro, Fountaine Pajot, Dufour, SilverYachts, Gulf Craft, Horizon, Ocean Alexander, Absolute Yachts

Big boat builders select Sanctuary Cove

News / yachtstyle2020

Big boat builders select Sanctuary Cove

May 2, 2024
4:30 pm

The southern hemisphere’s hip and largest boat show at upmarket Sanctuary Cove resort on Australia’s Gold Coast gets under way May 23-26 with a line-up that puts other Australian, New Zealand and South African events in the shade.
Words: Bruce Maxwell; Photos: Sanctuary Cove & Yards

Note: The original article appears in YACHT STYLE issue 76

Sanctuary Cove

In Asia-Pacific waters, Sanctuary Cove also heads the North-South boat show network, as recent hub Singapore struggles post-covid, and China and Japan suffer deflation and other issues. Boat buyers now commute regularly in the region, particularly to and from Southeast Asia, East Asia and Australasia, so Sanctuary Cove seems destined to become the gathering place not only for the broader market but also for next-generation superyacht sales.

SYBAss, the Superyacht Builders Association, already has members like Horizon and Benetti as long-term exhibitors at Sanctuary Cove, with SilverYachts of West Australia and Gulf Craft from the Middle East swelling the ranks.

Damen Yachting and its Amels superyachts is the yard whose vessels are most frequently found in Indo-Asia-Pacific waters, according to our annual Top 100 guide, and Australians own many of its largest custom builds.

Burgess and brokers GLI, Leigh-Smith Yachts and Grant Torrens are among big boat specialists using Sanctuary Cove

Germany’s Lürssen and Dutch yard Feadship are leading builders with assorted Asia-Pacific contracts, while the two Dutch super sailboat yards Royal Huisman and Vitters have both built superb yachts for media magnate Lachlan Murdoch recently.

Add Sanlorenzo and Nautor Swan, and most other SYBAss members have gravitated to Sanctuary Cove anyway, without a formal vote being taken that this should be the new Asia-Pacific hub. The concept is backed by leading brokers like Burgess and Gold Coast outfits GLI, Leigh-Smith Yachts and Grant Torrens.

Riviera and Maritimo, Australia’s leading production builders both based across the Coomera River from Sanctuary Cove, are rising to the occasion too, having released 78ft and 75ft models that are akin to the 80-foot or 24m starting LOA for the definition of superyachts only a few decades back.

Maritimo M75

Custom touches have long been creeping in at upper echelons of production boat building, ‘semi-custom’ has become a much-used term, and it would be no surprise to see almost fully-custom larger vessels being turned out by these yards in future if the price is right.

Likewise, Taiwan yards Horizon and Ocean Alexander, and Chinese OEMs that produce high-quality Alaskas, Hamptons and many others are filling the niche ranges for serious boaters in smaller superyacht LOAs.

The Gold Coast has the ambience to make it work. Like Fort Lauderdale, with which it is a sister city, or Cannes, Monaco and Genoa, wealthy buyers can settle in to familiar surroundings, and it is not unusual to find them at fancy Main Beach restaurants with Penfold’s Grange flowing freely in pre-boat show days.

They commute to the show via limousine or helicopter, and have often arranged for similar gatherings in the resort’s extensive restaurant-packed Marine Village or in the InterContinental nearby, or perhaps in the Lagoon Beach Club for what organisers say is the very latest VIP experience.

Riviera 78 Motor Yacht

Riviera and Maritimo have substantial stands at the show, along with The Yacht Sales Co which contests with Simpson Marine in Asia for the mantle of Asia-Pacific’s largest boat dealer.

Altogether, says Mulpha Events General Manager Johan Hasser, the event has circa 330 exhibitors, 750 boats and 2,500 marine accessories on offer in a complex that spans the waterways, Marine Village roads and specially-erected Pavilions. Attendance is about 50,000, more than Monaco, less than Cannes.

“Riviera will host a world premiere at their Festival of Boating as part of a record 12-model showcase in 2024,” said a spokesman.

Riviera Australia owner Rodney Longhurst said: “This will be a magnificent display, and will be our only boat show in Australia in 2024,” highlighting the trend in recent years for Riviera, Maritimo

and others to focus on Sanctuary Cove rather than largest cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

ILIAD 53S

The Yacht Sales Co, incorporating Multihull Solutions, has a stellar line-up from world-leading brands including Fountaine Pajot, Dufour Yachts, Absolute Yachts, ILIAD Catamarans and Tesoro Yachts.

Fountaine Pajot’s Astrea 42 and the also-acclaimed Dufour 41 are among sailing models to be shown, and their power vessels will include the recently-debuted ILIAD 53S catamaran, which was reviewed in Yacht Style.

The Yacht Sales Co has specialist knowledge of multihull construction, sales ranges and brand options, including resales, and has a lot of hands-on experience. They have offices in Southeast Asia and across the Pacific.

Absolute Navetta 48

Also being shown is the Absolute Navetta 48, which has four cabins all offering ample windows with panoramic views. This Italian designed and made vessel is en route to Sanctuary Cove and the concept, indoors and out, is said to offer a very high level of liveability, especially suited to long distance voyaging.

We have also reviewed the Tesoro T40 outboard from Spain after the initial model was bought by a superyacht captain as a tender when he saw her performance in Sydney Harbour. This vessel has many more features than are apparent at first sight.

Tesoro T40

Other well-known brands on display include Princess from Britain, Fleming, Palm Beach, Whitehaven and Leopard Catamarans. Among favourite marine accessories in the Pavilions are latest developments and packages from Club Marine, Garmin, Raymarine, Navico, Dometic, Savwinch and Vetus-Maxwell.

The latter, a Dutch-New Zealand company, will doubtless be showing its range of advanced winches at Sanctuary Cove, but interestingly it also custom-makes deck hardware and windlasses for the world’s top superyachts. Some of these systems are valued at over US$500,000 alone.

Add in nearby Gold Coast, Brisbane and Cairns superyacht refit and repair yards that are increasingly in demand by locals and visitors alike, and the gradual upgrade of Sanctuary Cove to a full-scale one-stop superyacht sales centre for Asia-Pacific seems inevitable.

www.sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au

Fraser Asia sells 35m Benetti

News / yachtstyle2020

Fraser Asia sells 35m Benetti

May 2, 2024
3:31 pm

Partnering Asiamarine in the region since 2017, Fraser recently
collaborated on the sale of a Benetti Mediterraneo 116.

Good Day, the fourth Benetti Mediterraneo 116

Fraser Asia has announced the recent sale of Good Day, which was delivered in 2019 and is the fourth hull in Benetti’s highly successful Mediterraneo 116 series. Candy Li of Fraser Asia represented the seller in collaboration with Haze Lai of Asia Yacht Management.

“Having seen immaculate care since launch, she has only been used privately in the Mediterranean and Hong Kong, and comes to the market in exceptional condition,” Fraser Asia stated. “Her modern exterior design features a range of deck spaces for relaxing or entertaining.”

Designed by Giorgio Cassetta, the yacht features a huge sun deck spanning 80sqm, a hot tub with stylish sun loungers in the bow, as well as an elevator, a rare feature on this size of yacht.

“We wish to thank the seller, buyer and their teams for their trust and co-operation,” Fraser Asia continued. “Congratulations to all involved.”

www.fraseryachts.com

www.asiamarine.com

Camper & Nicholsons sellsBelle Isle

News / yachtstyle2020

Camper & Nicholsons sells Belle Isle

May 2, 2024
12:18 pm

The global brokerage house has completed the sale of the Kingship build, a “very special project” for Senior Advisor Carmen Lau.

Camper & Nicholsons has announced the sale of Belle Isle, represented by Senior Advisor Carmen Lau. Launched in 2010, the 27m displacement explorer yacht was built by Kingship Marine in China to a design by Dutch studio Vripack.

Born in Hong Kong, Lau began her superyacht career in 2004 with Kingship, which has a shipyard in Guangdong province. From 2007, she served as the owner’s representative in overseeing the construction of Belle Isle, which was designed for extensive travel. The yacht remained with her original owner until her recent sale, having been offered “in immaculate condition”.

Belle Isle was also the first yacht in Camper and Nicholsons’ yacht management fleet in Asia after the global brokerage house was acquired by Hong Kong-based Lai Sun in 2016. This led to the opening of Camper and Nicholsons’ regional office in Hong Kong, which was originally headed by Lau, who now splits her time between Europe and Asia.

Lau says: “Belle Isle is a very special project both to me and to Camper. It’s a great honour for me to have served as the owner’s representative in overseeing the construction of this project and to now represent him in facilitating Belle Isle’s transition to her new custodian.

“I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to Captain Bulent Azazi for his unwavering support and dedication throughout his nearly decade-long tenure onboard Belle Isle. His commitment has played a pivotal role in shaping Belle Isle‘s legacy and ensuring her immaculate upkeep.

“Belle Isle exemplifies our steadfast commitment to excellence and longevity, serving as a testament to the trust our customers place in Camper & Nicholsons. I extend my sincerest wishes to the new owner for a journey filled with unforgettable moments and cherished memories onboard Belle Isle.”

A wide beam of 7.4m provides substantial interior volume, and allows for spacious accommodation for eight guests in four suites. The master cabin forward on the main deck has a sweep of panoramic windows that offer 180-degree views, and a luxuriously appointed bathroom with a full-size bathtub.

A VIP suite and two twin cabins – all en-suite – are on the lower deck, while other special features include a Jacuzzi on the flybridge, which has an aft crane and space for a tender.

Camper & Nicholsons is a leader in the sale, purchase, charter, marketing, construction, crew services, new build, yacht management, project management and insurance of superyachts. Winner of Best Global Brokerage in Asia at the 2024 YACHT STYLE Awards, Camper & Nicholsons has 12 offices across the yachting world including in Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai.

www.camperandnicholsons.com

Van der Valk embarks on Project Evo

News / yachtstyle2020

Van der Valk embarks on Project Evo

May 2, 2024
11:32 am

The boutique Dutch builder has begun construction on its largest all-custom superyacht to date.

Van der Valk has started building Project Evo, a completely custom 40m superyacht and the shipyard’s largest build to date in terms of length and volume. Built to ABS class, the all-aluminium bluewater cruiser will have a round bilged fast displacement hull and a target top speed of 24 knots, and will be fully compliant with the latest IMO Tier III emissions regulations.

Its sleek exterior was originally penned by Dubai-based SFG Yacht Design and Fancy by Dada, with Venice-based Cristiano Gatto Design adding new length and angles to the profile while creating a detailed interior. Dutch studios Diana Yacht Design and Ginton Naval Architects handled naval architecture.

Project Evo has been ordered by experienced clients who have owned high-performance yachts and decided to create a bespoke yacht for their family, coming to Van der Valk “to be assured of premium quality”.

The yacht will have an impressive volume for her length, which was itself extended several metres during a design and consultation process involving the clients. After the owners were inspired by an attractive design by Franco Gianni of SFG Yacht Design and Doga Naz Cebeci from Fancy by Dada, Cristiano Gatto Design became involved by working on the layout and interior style.

Gatto said: “My participation began on a micro level as we worked with the owners to leverage on some specific furniture design concepts I had previously created. They were looking to recreate a similar ambience onboard their yacht and the interior design emerged from this point.

“Welcoming the results, the owners asked us to add some of this aesthetic flavour to the exterior design, further evolving the DNA of the preliminary concept penned by SFG and Fancy by Dada. We changed some of the proportions and lines while extending the stern by around 2m. The overall design and profile, however, remains very much the brainchild of all who have been involved.”

Gatto said the owners were delighted with how all their efforts have paid off and revealed that the process from first renders to interior concept took around 10 months, “an exceptional timeframe for a 40m project that will truly deserve to be called a mini-megayacht”.

Project Evo will include accommodation for 10 guests in a main-deck master stateroom along with two VIPs and two twin guest suites on the lower deck. The crew quarters in the forepeak includes a mess and three en-suite double cabins, while the captain’s cabin will be on the bridge deck.

Yoeri Bijker, Van der Valk’s Head of Sales and part of the management team, said: “It’s clear that Van der Valk is one of the few yards with the capacity and flexibility to build fully custom superyachts in this size range. This 40m beauty is based upon an existing engineered platform that’s proven in terms of naval architecture.

“Project Evo is a fine example of how clients can come to Van der Valk with their own exterior designers without having to reinvent the wheel with a new hull, safe in the knowledge their yacht will excel in terms of performance, speed and stability.”

http://www.vandervalkshipyard.com

Sunseeker appoints new Singapore dealer

News / yachtstyle2020

Sunseeker appoints new Singapore dealer

April 26, 2024
4:00 pm

The British builder of luxury motor yachts began its collaboration with DCH Marine at the Singapore Yachting Festival.

Sunseeker 76 Yacht

Sunseeker International has appointed DCH Marine as its exclusive distributor in Singapore, where the British builder has been supplying yachts since the 1990s. Soon after the announcement, the two companies collaborated on a two-yacht display at the Singapore Yachting Festival at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove (April 25-28).

Trading under Sunseeker Singapore, DCH Marine will host a VIP open house event in May at the same marina, showing a new Sunseeker 76 Yacht and new Manhattan 55. The two yachts have been designed and built with tropical specifications to appeal to the Singapore market.

Andrea Frabetti, Sunseeker International’s CEO, who was in Singapore for the YACHT STYLE Awards and Singapore Yachting Festival, said: “This new appointment will accelerate regional growth for Sunseeker. Singapore represents a key market for the brand and we’re confident our partnership with DCH Marine will enable us to best serve the needs of customers in the market.

Sunseeker 76 Yacht

“Having introduced our partnership at the Singapore Yachting Festival, we look forward to the brand-new yachts at the open house event in May.”

DCH Marine, which is also the Asia-Pacific distributor for Saxdor and Williams jet tenders, has a decade of leisure marine experience in the region. The agreement between Sunseeker and DCH Marine includes a sales and service structure intended to support clients from pre-purchase to ownership and ongoing maintenance.

Frank Lai, DCH Marine’s CEO, said: “Sunseeker is renowned for its design excellence and technical expertise. The company’s ethos and all that it stands for in the pursuit of product quality aligns closely with our commitment to quality excellence.

Sunseeker Manhattan 55

“Our commitment to delivering excellent customer service will enable us to drive the sale of new Sunseeker yachts. We were thrilled to debut our venture with Sunseeker at the Singapore Yachting Festival with two yachts on display, which will be followed by our private viewing event of the Manhattan 55 and 76 Yacht in May.”

With ambitious plans to grow the Sunseeker brand in Singapore, DCH Marine stated that it intends to establish a Sunseeker Showcase within ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, which was recently crowned Best Marina in Asia at the YACHT STYLE Awards.

www.sunseeker.com

www.dch-marine.com

Singapore Yachting Festival heats up

News / yachtstyle2020

Singapore Yachting Festival heats up

April 26, 2024
3:35 pm

The second Singapore Yachting Festival opened in warm weather, while offering visitors enjoyed a red-hot line-up of boats on the water.

Kerry Chung, Thien Kwee Eng and Arthur Tay

Following the ICOMIA boating Industry Conference on April 23-24 and the YACHT STYLE Awards on Wednesday evening, the four-day Singapore Yachting Festival was inaugurated on Thursday lunchtime with a sun-drenched opening ceremony, with temperatures rising to 34 degrees Celsius in the afternoon.

Thien Kwee Eng, CEO of Sentosa Development Corporation, was the guest of honour at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove on the opening day and was hosted by Arthur Tay and Kerry Chung, SUTL Group’s Chairman/CEO and General Manager respectively.

Galileo, the 56m Perini Navi/Picchiotti motor yacht, is the show’s largest yacht and the first to greet visitors to the docks. Exhibited by IYC, the steel and aluminium expedition yacht is being shown by IYC and is available for charter in the Maldives and Southeast Asia.

The show’s large yachts include the 40m Silentworld displayed by Iseo Yachting, the bright-red 42m, 496GT Fu Ning, described as the world’s largest traditional Chinese wooden sailing boat, and the 36m Hye Seas, an Azimut 116 represented by Camper & Nicholsons.

Photo: Simpson Marine

Simpson Marine’s line-up includes the Asia debut of the SD118 – the flagship of Sanlorenzo’s semi-displacement range – as well as the Italian builder’s SL96A and SX88 superyachts. Asia’s largest yacht dealer is also staging the Asia premiere of Bluegame’s flagship BGX73, Southeast Asia debut of the BG42 and regional premiere for Fairline’s two-balcony Squadron 58, which had its world premiere last September.

Princess’s flagship X95 and Y95 are appearing side by side at a boat show together for the first time, through the British builder’s Southeast Asia representative Boat Lagoon Yachting, which is also showing an X80, F55 and F45. The multi-brand dealer is also staging the Asia premiere of Jeanneau’s Merry Fisher 1295 and the French builder’s Cap Camarat 7.5 Centre Console.

Photo: Boat Lagoon Yachting

Between Boat Lagoon Yachting and Simpson Marine is the world premiere of HH Catamarans’ flagship HH88 sailing catamaran, designed by Morelli and Melvin, and The Yacht Sales Co’s three-strong display featuring Fountaine Pajot’s MY6 powercat and Dufour’s flagship 61 and 41, as the latter makes its Southeast Asia debut following its world premiere at Cannes last September.

Wally’s 89ft wallywhy200 ‘spaceship’ and the wallypower58 are both Asia-Pacific premieres, while Ferretti Group Asia-Pacific and dealer Hong Seh Yachting are also showing a Ferretti Yachts 780 and the Singapore debut of the Rivamare, the elegant 39-footer from Riva’s Open line.

The Asia premiere of the Azimut Magellano 60 is a highlight of a Marine Italia display that includes an Azimut Fly 78 and Azimut Fly 53, as well as an Aquila 32 Sport, following the company’s new representation of the powercat brand in Singapore and Hong Kong. Absolute’s new 56 Fly is being displayed by local dealer FP Autosports, a sub-dealer of Marine Italia.

Sunseeker is showing a Manhattan 52 and a 76 Yacht with DCH Marine, its newly appointed Singapore dealer, as it awaits brand-new units of the Manhattan 55 and 76 Yacht, to be shown in May. DCH Marine is also the Asia-Pacific dealer for Saxdor and is staging the Asia premiere of the brand’s flagship 400 GTO along with a 320 GTC and 270 GTO.

Photo: Simpson Marine

UAE builder Gulf Craft is showing a Nomad 65, while a new Majesty 62 will arrive in May. China’s Aquitalia Yachts is making its Singapore debut with an Aquitalia 68 featuring a new interior by Pulina Exclusive Interiors, following the appointment of Raffles Yacht as regional representative. Raffles Yacht is also showing a 53 Trawler from China.

Asiamarine is staging the Asia premiere of the Galeon’s 375 GTO, with the model arriving on the second day of the show, while the regional dealer is also showing a Galeon 400 Fly and a Nimbus T11.

Derani Yachts is showing the Singapore debuts of the Axopar 45 XC Cross Cabin and Greenline 40 Hybrid, as well as Axopar’s 37 XC Cross Cabin, while Asia’s first Brabus Shadow 1000 is set to arrive after the show.

Leopard has a spectacular five-model line-up including the Asia premiere of the 40 Powercat. Built by Robertson and Caine in Cape Town, the side-by-side models comprise the Leopard 42 and 50 sailing catamarans, and the brand’s full fleet of powercats, from the 40 PC and 46 PC to the flagship 53 PC, which recently topped 100 units delivered across the world.

Photo: Boat Lagoon Yachting

Other yachts on show include De Antonio’s D50, Yanmar X47, the Lynx powercat built by Australia’s Outlaw Boats, Parker’s Monaco 110 (37ft), Al Dhaen 310 CC from Bahrain, Regal 26 XO, the Candela C-8 electric hydrofoil, UX Spin (19ft) by South Africa’s UX Marine and the Senous 830, a new RIB by Indonesia dealer Yacht Sourcing. A Hanse 460 displayed by SEA Yacht Sales is among sailing monohulls.

An eye-catching addition to the line-up is the 10-seat AirFish 8 wing-in-ground craft, which flies just above the surface of the water and has been developed by ST Engineering AirX, adhering to International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines.

Aston Martin Singapore is displaying the DB12 Volante, DBX707 and DB12 Coupe throughout the show, while the daily supercar parade includes The ExotiCar Club on April 25, Porsche on April 26, Lamborghini on April 27 and Ferrari on April 28.

As well as an increase in yachts on the water, a notable addition to this year’s show is the on-land Lifestyle Festival Market featuring pop-up F&B stalls and family-friendly carnival games, while live music and roving entertainment is among entertainment.

Photo: Boat Lagoon Yachting

The second Singapore Yachting Festival is organised by ONE°15 Events Management – an SUTL Enterprise subsidiary – in collaboration with SG Marine Guide owned by Wade Pearce.

Show tickets are available online and priced S$54.50 nett for a single-day pass and S$81.75 nett for a multi-day pass, while a two-day conference pass costs S$218 nett.

www.singaporeyachtingfestival.com

www.one15marina.com

Swan 88 hybrid yacht launched in Finland

News / yachtstyle2020

Swan 88 hybrid yacht launched in Finland

April 26, 2024
1:20 pm

Developed with Torqeedo, the first Swan 88 splashed in Pietarsaari, with the model scheduled to debut at Cannes in September.

Nautor Swan has launched the Swan 88, the Finnish shipyard’s first yacht to feature hybrid electric propulsion, which was developed in collaboration with Torqeedo. Featuring an overall length of 26.54m and a beam of 6.79m (22ft 3in), the performance superyacht was moved out of her shed at the Boatbuilding Technology Centre and craned into the water at the House of Swan in Pietarsaari.

Giovanni Pomati, Nautor Group’s CEO, said: “The Swan 88 marks an important milestone for the shipyard’s production. It’s the first hybrid propulsion yacht, which has seen a constant collaboration with Torqeedo and has contributed to the study and development of the same features across the entire range, not just maxi yachts.

“This important new model represents Swan’s 360-degree essence, the DNA that for 58 years has made our boats recognisable worldwide, and we’re very proud of it.”

The hull and deck are full carbon-fibre epoxy construction, utilising the benefits of Sprint® lamination technology together with the yard’s proprietary advanced carbon mould technology.

The Swan 88 was designed by the shipyard’s regular collaborators: German Frers for naval architecture, Misa Poggi for interior design, and Lucio Micheletti of Micheletti + Partners for exterior styling.

The new model’s innovations include the shape of the coachroof, “inspired by the wind with the essential and dynamic lines enhanced”, as well as a transom featuring a ‘beach club’ swim platform. The natural light flooding in from the atrium-style companionway as well as the coachroof and hull windows provide bright interiors.

Despite its LOA, the performance maxi satisfies the sub-24m load line rule for compliance to the light MCA charter regulations, giving owners the opportunity to earn charter income while reducing running and management costs. The appendages dedicated to cruising are a moderate draught fin T-keel of 4m and twin rudders, which reduce draught and increase safety and balance.

Joining the 98, 100, 108, 120 and 128 in the Swan Maxi line, the Swan 88 will make her worldwide debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 10-15 before appearing at the superyacht-focused Monaco Yacht Show from September 25-28. Swan recently appointed Simpson Marine as its exclusive agent for Asia.

www.nautorswan.com

www.simpsonmarine.com

Winning night at Yacht Style Awards 2024 in Singapore

News / yachtstyle2020

Winning night at Yacht Style Awards 2024 in Singapore

April 25, 2024
2:03 pm

Yachting leaders take the stage as ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove hosts a successful gala dinner ahead of Singapore Yachting Festival.

The stunning Constellation Ballroom at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove in Singapore hosted leading luxury yacht brands from around the world for the 2024 edition of the YACHT STYLE Awards. Many of Asia’s leading luxury yachting companies and the world’s top shipyards were among winners lifting a trophy during a vibrant evening.

Gael Burlot, CEO and Publisher of Yacht Style, organiser of the Awards, said: “Yacht Style Awards is about innovation, design, build quality, sustainability, owner experience, personal achievements and a focus on the extended Asia market, from Dubai to Australia, Hong Kong to Indonesia.

“We had an impressive guest list from around Asia and beyond, with many CEOs of leading European and Asian shipyards and global brokerage houses, and yacht owners in attendance. There was a really high standard of nominees for each award, and we had 30 deserving winners, although competition was really close in many categories.

“A special thanks to the Sponsors of the lavish gala dinner including Porsche, Maison 21G Paris, Bliss, Soaring Swallow Japanese and SUTL who made this event truly memorable.”

WINNERS: YACHT STYLE AWARDS 2024

Motor Yacht Under 13m: Beneteau Antares 12

Motor Yacht 13-15m: Galeon 440 Fly

Motor Yacht 15-18m: Absolute 52 Fly

Motor Yacht 18-21m: Azimut Magellano 60

Motor Yacht 21-24m: Wally wallywhy150

Sport Yacht 21-24m: Princess S72

Motor Yacht 24-27m: Ferretti Yachts Infynito 90

Motor Yacht 27-30m: Sunseeker Ocean 182

Motor Yacht 30-40m: Sanlorenzo SX100

Power Catamaran Under 15m: Aquila 42 Yacht

Power Catamaran Above 15m: Prestige M8

Production Sailing Catamaran: Fountaine Pajot Thira 80

Production Sailing Yacht: Jeanneau Yachts 55

Most Active Global Catamaran Group: Travelopia (Leopard Catamarans / Sunsail / The Moorings)

Superyachts 40-60m: Benetti B.Now 50M

Superyachts 60-80m: Damen Yachting-Amels 60 + 80 Limited Editions New Wave

Superyachts over 80m: Lürssen 90m Norn

Best Builder in Asia: Gulf Craft

Best Dealer in Asia: Simpson Marine

Rising Dealer in Asia: The Yacht Sales Co

Best Global Brokerage in Asia: Camper & Nicholsons

Best Global Charter Company in Asia: Fraser

Best Asia-Based Charter Company: Asia Global Yachting

Best Marina in Asia: ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, Singapore

Best New Marina in Asia: Lantau Yacht Club, Hong Kong

Best Yacht Club in Asia: Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club

Best Sailing Event in Asia: Rolex China Sea Race

Sustainability Leader in Asia: Francis Lapp, Founder and CEO, Sunreef Yachts

Sustainability Organisation: The International SeaKeepers Society, Asia

Lifetime Achievement Award: Mike Simpson, Founder, Simpson Marine

Note 1: For photos, download from: https://mbf.co/B2UYsL

Note 2: For YACHT STYLE Awards 2024 nominees, click: YACHT STYLE Awards 2024 nominees

www.yachtstyle.co

Sunseeker to debut Predator 55 at Cannes

News / yachtstyle2020

Sunseeker to debut Predator 55 at Cannes

April 25, 2024
12:37 am

The upcoming model will celebrate 30 years since Sunseeker launched the iconic Predator series of cruisers.

Sunseeker is scheduled to stage the world premiere of the Predator 55 at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival (September 10-15), with the CE Category A yacht based on the same hull as the open Superhawk 55 that debuted at Boot Dusseldorf last year.

The Predator 55 is expected to reach up to 36 knots with twin 725hp Volvo Penta’s D11-IPS950 engines. Additional Volvo Penta technology can include Active Ride Control, Dynamic Positioning System and Joystick Docking, while Garmin Surround View offers 360-degree visibility during docking from six cameras around the hull. A gyro option can mitigate rolling at anchor.

Featuring an overall length of 56ft and a 16ft beam, the Predator 55 has a low profile due to a sloping hard top, while a single-piece, UV-tinted windshield offers excellent visibility for the raised twin-seat helm station. Above the helm, the fully retractable carbon-fibre sunroof – measuring 2.5m by 3m – is imbued with the same pre-impregnated lamination technology used in Formula One.

Aft, the integrated tender garage can house a Williams TurboJet 325. The hydraulic bathing platform lowers to reveal the tender launch-and-recovery system, while the aft sunpad can lift to release the stowed tender.

Forward of the sunpad is a wide, forward-facing sofa. The cockpit also has L-shaped seating to port, a fixed rise-and-fall expandable table, and a wet bar to starboard. The aft saloon doors can all be slid to either side, linking the cockpit and saloon to create a large indoor-out environment.

The foredeck is accessed by broad side decks and has a sofa facing a lifting sunpad with integrated stowage. A carbon-fibre sail canopy offers sun protection.

The Predator 55 is the first yacht to feature an all-new interior collection by Sunseeker and Design Unlimited, offering owners a flexible colour scheme and materials palette. The saloon includes a C-shaped sofa to port and an open galley and a TV on a pivoting bracket to starboard, while layout options include a starboard sofa and rise-and-fall TV instead of the galley.

On the lower deck, layout options for the starboard side include a lower galley, dinette or twin guest cabin with en-suite bathroom.

The owner’s cabin is full-beam midships and has an en-suite bathroom and wardrobe either side of the entrance hallway. The large double bed sits centrally and is flanked by a sideboard to port and either another sideboard or optional breakfast seating to starboard.

The VIP cabin forward has an en-suite and plenty of storage, and offers good headroom, like in the master. Advanced tropical-specification air-conditioning can provide cooling comfort even in 40-degree heat and 90-plus per cent humidity.

The Predator 55 joins the 65, 74 XPS and 75 in the current Predator series. The new model marks 30 years since the British builder launched the iconic series with the Predator 63 in 1994, followed by the likes of the Predator 80 two years later and Predator 58 and 54 in the late 1990s. Sunseeker then introduced 29 new Predators and variants between 2001 and 2023.

www.sunseeker.com

Wim van der Valk retires

News / yachtstyle2020

Wim van der Valk retires

April 24, 2024
11:47 pm

The retirement of the Van der Valk founder has been followed by a management buyout of the Dutch superyacht builder.

Wim van der Valk founded the shipyard in 1967

Wim van der Valk marked his 79th birthday in April by officially confirming his retirement, having been at the helm of the shipyard that bears his family name since its foundation in 1967. The Van der Valk shipyard is working on its largest superyacht to date and has a full order book stretching well into 2026.

Following his retirement, the founder’s shares have been acquired in a management buyout financially supported by a family of experienced yacht owners who have previously commissioned three custom superyachts – LeVen, Edge and Lady Lene – from the Van der Valk shipyard.

The management team of Enrico Theuns, Bram Kooltjes and Yoeri Bijker can leverage on decades of combined experience in the high-end yachting industry and will continue to enjoy the ongoing support of Wim van der Valk as the shipyard’s ‘President Emeritus’ and an advisor to the board.

Enrico Theuns, Bram Kooltjes and Yoeri Bijker

“The significant capital investment will enable Van der Valk to continue growing our unique niche in the market for bespoke yachts between 25-45m,” said Bijker, the shipyard’s Head of Sales.

“Having built several award-winning yachts with us, the new primary shareholders fully understand our yard’s ethos and are committed to ensuring Van der Valk retains its Dutch structure, heritage and quality. We have a solid financial future as an independent entity with various options available for further expansion. Wim’s unrivalled legacy could not be in safer hands.”

Van der Valk has firmly established itself as one of the only yards with the capacity and flexibility to build all-custom superyachts up to 45m. It has over 9,000sqm of state-of-the-art facilities at its location in Waalwijk, where it opened its seventh construction hall last November.

www.vandervalkshipyard.com

Swan appoints Simpson Marine for Asia

News / yachtstyle2020

Swan appoints Simpson Marine for Asia

April 24, 2024
11:47 am

As it celebrates its 40th anniversary, Asia’s largest yacht dealer has begun its new era by welcoming Nautor Swan to a new-look portfolio.

Swan 108

Simpson Marine has begun its new era under Sanlorenzo ownership as the exclusive Asia representative of Nautor Swan, arguably the world’s most iconic luxury sailing brand. The new sales portfolio for Asia’s largest yacht dealership now includes Sanlorenzo, Bluegame, Fairline and Swan across the region.

Olivier Decamps, Nautor Swan’s Asia-Pacific Regional Director, said: “The strong network, the key locations and the highly qualified sales and service teams of Simpson Marine will bring the best opportunities to develop the Nautor Swan brand in established and upcoming markets in Asia.”

Richard Allen, COO, Simpson Marine

Richard Allen, Simpson Marine’s COO, added: “This notable addition to our portfolio consolidates our presence in the high-end yachting market segment, offering our customers a range of yachts sharing the same principles of the highest craftsmanship and artisan approach. The combination of these brands under the same roof will create a unique motor and sailing yacht company, enhancing our positioning as the most trusted luxury yachting company in the region.”

Founded in Finland in 1966, Swan has been owned since 1998 by Leonardo Ferragamo, Chairman of Salvatore Ferragamo Group, who owns and races Swan yachts, and still represents the brand at races, boat show and owner events throughout the year.

Nautor Swan’s facility in Pietarsaari, Finland

The brand produces three sailing series – Swan Yachts (48-80), Maxi Swan Yachts (88-128) and racing-focused ClubSwan Yachts (28-125) – and has a new power boats division featuring the 42ft Swan Shadow and Overshadow sister boats and the upcoming 76ft Arrow.

ClubSwan is a virtual yacht club that organises series of one-design and brand racing events around the world, while Nautor Swan has brokerage and charter divisions, with Nautor Swan Global Service offering support around the world.

Rolex Swan Cup

Simpson Marine will help expand the global service network and “promises exciting opportunities for yachting enthusiasts across Asia with plans for a circuit of regattas that reflect the shipyard’s activations in the core European markets”.

Barry Ashmore, Nautor Swan’s CCO, said: “The world’s most discerning sailors have always held Nautor Swan in high regard. Our brand values – performance, quality, elegance, reliability and innovative design – are appreciated worldwide. Owning a Swan is not just about sailing; it’s about passion, connecting with nature, adventure and absolute freedom.”

www.simpsonmarine.com

Northrop & Johnson Asia-Pacific expands footprint

News / yachtstyle2020

Northrop & Johnson Asia-Pacific expands footprint

April 23, 2024
10:33 pm

The international brokerage has grown its Asia-Pacific team beyond its regional hub in Thailand, adding brokers and offices in East Asia.

Northrop & Johnson has expanded its Asia-Pacific presence by adding offices in Hong Kong and Taiwan, as the superyacht services company “solidifies its commitment to serving clients across the APAC sector”.

Based in the regional headquarters in Phuket, Joshua Lee is CEO of Northrop & Johnson Asia-Pacific, which has notably enlarged its team by appointing Yacht Brokers Nicole van der Wall in Phuket, Jeffrey Chan and Michael Bognier in Hong Kong, and Simon Chung in Taiwan.

“We’ve recently welcomed four talented brokers to our team in the Asian region, where we foresee long-term sustained growth,” Lee said. “Their addition strengthens our capabilities and allows us to provide comprehensive services to our clients.”

In addition to the brokerage team expansion, Northrop & Johnson has appointed Kay Monney to bolster the charter team in Phuket, where Lies Sol is a Charter Broker. Monney has extensive experience and local knowledge in the charter market.

“We believe these strategic additions to our sales and charter departments will not only broaden our coverage for yacht owners and charterers but also expand our footprint in this crucial market,” Lee added.

Lee founded Lee Marine in 1997, since when he has been supported by General Manager Martin Holmes. The dealership acquired the regional licence for Northrop & Johnson in 2018, while both Lee Marine and Northrop & Johnson Asia-Pacific were acquired by Hong Kong-based NextWave Yachting in 2023, which has helped lead to the expansion of the global brokerage house in the region.

www.northropandjohnson.com

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