News

Groupe Beneteau strengthens Boating Solutions division

News / yachtstyle2020

Groupe Beneteau strengthens Boating Solutions division

June 22, 2023
2:29 pm

Paul Blanc will join Groupe Beneteau’s Boating Solutions division, with Samuel Dubois succeeding him as Brand Director of Jeanneau.

Paul Blanc

Paul Blanc, Brand Director of Jeanneau since 2020, will take on a new role within Groupe Beneteau from September 1 when he heads boat clubs and new businesses within the Boating Solutions division headed by Bruno Thivoyon, CEO of Groupe Beneteau.

Blanc (click for Issue 68 interview) joined Groupe Beneteau in 2010 when he was appointed Asia Pacific Sales Director for Jeanneau and Prestige. Initially based in Shanghai, he moved to Hong Kong, where he became Managing Director of Groupe Beneteau Asia Pacific in 2018 before moving back to France in 2020.

Groupe Beneteau, which oversees nine yacht-building brands, is strengthening the Boating Solutions division by developing new activities such as digital and personalised services for customers and informing owners about different ways to enjoy their boat.

Samuel Dubois, currently Director of Jeanneau and Prestige for the Americas, will take over as head of the Jeanneau brand from September 1, reporting to Yann Masselot, Groupe Beneteau’s Director of Brands and Communications.

“With 15 years’ experience in Jeanneau, Samuel knows the organisation perfectly and will ensure the continuity in the development of brand, strategy and values,” Groupe Beneteau stated. “It’s a natural choice, giving us full confidence for the success of Jeanneau.”

www.beneteau-group.com

www.jeanneau.com

Custom Line 106’ hull 16 enters water

News / yachtstyle2020

Custom Line 106’ hull 16 enters water

June 22, 2023
1:37 pm

Etoile, the 16th hull of the Custom Line 106’, has been launched at the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard in Italy.

Custom Line’s busy year continued with the launch of Etoile, the 16^th hull of the 106’ planing yacht. Etoile (French for ‘star’) was splashed at the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard in Ancona in the presence of the owner family and the shipyard’s employees.

The entry-level model for the builder’s line of planing yachts, which includes the 120’ and 140’ (cover story, Issue 69), the 106’ has an overall length of 32.82m and a 7.4m beam, and was designed by Francesco Paszkowski in collaboration with Ferretti Group’s Engineering Department.

The Custom Line Atelier played a strategic role in the interior design process of Etoile, working in close contact with the EMEA-based client to understand and interpret the style desired.

The outdoor and indoor settings are “elegant and refined, characterised by the use of warm, neutral colours in shades that play on different nuances of light and dark brown, bronze and mud, amplifying the luminosity and size of the spaces”, according to Custom Line.

The furnishings and decor include top design brands, while polished Kilimangiaro Onyx, Cremo Delicato marble, nubuck leather and oak wood are among the refined materials used.

www.customline-yacht.com

www.ferrettigroupasiapacific.com

Torqeedo doubles capacity of Deep Blue batteries

June 22, 2023
1:15 pm

The leader in marine electric drives has unveiled the Deep Blue Battery 80, which offers twice the capacity of the previous generation.

Torqeedo Deep Blue Battery 80

Torqeedo, the global market leader for marine electric drives, has announced a new battery option for its Deep Blue series of powerful electric drives: Deep Blue Battery 80.

The new battery leverages LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry and delivers 80kWh of energy storage, twice the capacity of the previous generation of Deep Blue batteries. The new battery was unveiled at the Electric & Hybrid Marine World Expo in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Fabian Bez, CEO of Torqeedo, said: “The new Deep Blue Battery 80 doubles the range and runtime for Deep Blue systems. It’s a game-changer for electric mobility on the water. This new battery marks one important step in our new strategy to make Torqeedo even more customer-centric by providing optimised products for specific market segments.”

The new battery’s cell-to-pack architecture is an advanced approach to battery assembly in which individual battery cells are directly integrated into a pack without the need for intermediate modules or components. This advanced construction offsets the lower energy density of LFP batteries and enables a more compact footprint that is easier to install in many boats.

Deep Blue propulsion is used on a wide range of boats

The high volumetric energy density (272Wh/L) is particularly important for larger, heavier displacement vessels like cruising yachts and commercial vessels.

On average, a passenger ferry emits the same pollution as approximately 40 diesel buses, so electrification of these vessels is a high priority for many cities. The new Deep Blue Battery 80 is backed by an up to 10-year capacity warranty for both recreational and commercial use.

“In the past, LFP batteries just took up too much room, but they have come a long way over the past couple of years. LiNMC (lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides) batteries, which we also use throughout our product portfolio, are still the best choice for many on-water applications due to their extremely high energy density,” Bez said.

“But LFP batteries have excellent longevity and safety, and are made with abundant raw materials, which avoids the high cost, ethical and environmental concerns, and sourcing instability of critical metals in today’s fast-moving markets. LFP is now even being used in electric cars, including standard-range Teslas. It was time to offer our Deep Blue customers a choice.”

For more information on Torqeedo, email Tamás Brunecker of Torqeedo Asia-Pacific: asia@torqeedo.com

www.torqeedo.com

Amels 120 Full Custom arrives in Netherlands

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Amels 120 Full Custom arrives in Netherlands

June 22, 2023
12:47 pm

The hull and superstructure of the largest Amels to date have arrived at the Damen Yachting shipyard in Vlissingen.

Amels 120 Full Custom launches in Galati

The hull and superstructure of the Amels 120 Full Custom have arrived at the Damen Yachting shipyard in Vlissingen for outfitting. The 120m superyacht was transported from the Amels hull building facility at Damen Shipyards Galati in eastern Romania, where it was launched into the water a month ago in front of an enormous crowd including local schoolchildren.

Espen Øino designed the exterior

Jeroen Waalewijn, Project Manager at Amels, said: “The launch of the hull in Galati was an emotional yet incredible moment for all of those who have played such an integral part in the realisation of the Amels 120 Full Custom so far.

The superyacht was transported from Romania to the Netherlands

“To see her out on the water and to now have her here in Vlissingen is a testament to the entire project team. We look forward to this next stage in her build journey as we transform her into our future flagship.”

In front of a windmill, an icon of Dutch culture

The arrival in Vlissingen marks the start of the final construction phase of the superyacht, which features exterior design by Espen Øino and naval architecture by Damen Yachting, although details of the custom interiors remain confidential. Deeside Maritime will represent the client throughout the build and final construction phase.

The 394-footer is due for delivery in 2025

Scheduled for delivery in 2025, the Amels 120 Full Custom is the largest Amels to date and currently the largest superyacht under construction in the Netherlands. Powered by diesel-electric engines and Azipod® electric propulsion, the 394-footer is “set to operate with the lowest levels of noise and vibration ever recorded on a yacht of this size”, according to Damen Yachting.

www.amelsyachting.com

www.damenyachting.com

Glamorous Sanlorenzo SL90A premiere in Hong Kong

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Glamorous Sanlorenzo SL90A premiere in Hong Kong

June 22, 2023
12:35 pm

Collaborations with luxury brands and premium partners distinguished the Hong Kong premiere of the SL90 Asymmetric at Aberdeen Marina Club. By Andrew Dembina.

Sanlorenzo SL90A at Aberdeen Marina Club

Sanlorenzo recently held an elegant Hong Kong premiere of the SL90 Asymmetric (SL90A), which had its world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2021. The 27.6m planing yacht with a 6.5m beam has an impressive top of speed of 29 knots with twin 2,000hp MAN V12 engines.

Guests at Aberdeen Marina Club

The event was held over two days at Aberdeen Marina Club and featured collaborations with luxury brands including Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, which displayed its new Ghost limousine in the lush waterside garden, while VistaJet, a leader in global business aviation, shared its tailored flying options.

Guests at Aberdeen Marina Club

Guests enjoyed an elegant champagne bar by Ruinart, tasting experiences from Fortnum & Mason, and a specially curated dining menu featuring edible flowers from Tuscany, Italy. Meanwhile, personalised touches on board the SL90A included luxury linens from Frette, silverware by Christofle, leatherware by Bottega Veneta, and Tan Ping’s abstract paintings from Wei Gallery.

Aft cockpit

Like sister models SL96A, SL120A and SL106A, the SL90A has earned a lot of attention for its eye-catching design. The 90ft 7in yacht is distinguished by an asymmetric layout that increases its interior space, featuring just one side deck on both the main deck and flybridge.

The foredeck can be accessed from the main deck and flybridge

The main deck starts with a cockpit featuring an aft sofa, two tables and loose chairs, while the starboard side deck leads to the foredeck, which also has a forward-facing sofa.

Forward view of flybridge

Accessed from the cockpit by portside stairs, the large flybridge has sofas and seating around all three sides of the open aft end.

Dining area on the flybridge

A long wet bar runs alongside the port stairway, while the covered area includes a dining table and C-shaped sofa to starboard, as well as the upper helm and companion seating forward.

Aft view of the saloon

Furniture by top Italian brands decorates the saloon, which starts with a long L-shaped sofa that runs along most of the starboard side and also features a round coffee table among loose furniture.

Elegant details in the saloon

To port is a long marble-topped dining table that offers guests a scenic view through a large window that makes the most of the widebody design. Both the port window and adjacent bulwark can be lowered at the press of a button.

One of three lower-deck guest cabins

The port hallway leads to a day head with copper highlights and forward to the split-level master suite, which has a desk to port, an aft-facing bed, walk-in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom forward. The port hallway also accesses the stairs to the lower deck, which has three spacious en-suite guest cabins.

Evening view of the SL90A

The starboard hallway leads past stairs to the raised pilothouse and forward to the galley, where there are stairs down to the spacious crew quarters forward on the lower deck.

Bird’s eye view of the SL90A

“We had some great interest in the beautiful design and unexpected additional space, so we’re confident the yacht will soon find an owner,” says Ewa Stachurska, Group Marketing Director, Business Development & Strategic Partnerships at Simpson Marine, which represents Sanlorenzo in Asia.

www.sanlorenzoyacht.com

Nautique again sponsoring Hong Kong Wakefest

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Nautique again sponsoring Hong Kong Wakefest

June 22, 2023
12:21 pm

Over 200 participants are expected to compete in the Nautique IWWF Asia Wakefest Hong Kong in late July.

Dawnee Kanjanapas

Nautique is again title sponsoring the IWWF Asia Wakefest Hong Kong, with this year’s edition to be held at Tai Po Waterfront Park from July 21-23. IWWF Asia is a confederation of the IWWF (International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation), while the HKWSA (Hong Kong Water Ski Association) will be the host organiser of the event.

Over 200 participants from Hong Kong and overseas are expected to compete in the three-day event, with yacht dealer Asia Yachting supplying a Super Air Nautique G23 and a Super Air Nautique GS22 for the international competition.

Kelvin Leung

Asia Yachting is the exclusive dealer of Nautique in Hong Kong and Macau. Nautique, renowned as the world’s leading builder of wake sports boats, initially title sponsored the Wakefest in Hong Kong for five editions from 2015-2019.

In Hong Kong, Nautique currently sponsors three leading wake sports athletes, Wilson Wong, Kelvin Leung and Dawnee Kanjanapas. The latter won the Amateur Female Surf title at the 2021 World Wake Surfing Championship in Texas and last year topped the CWSA (Competitive Wake Surfing Association) Outlaw Surf Women World Ranking.

Super Air Nautique GS22

In October, Asia Yachting is planning to host an on-water Nautique owners’ event in Tai Tam, featuring local and US-based athletes along with Nautique brand representatives.

Potentially held over three days from October 21-23, the event will feature two days of Nautique owners receiving one-on-one instructional sessions by Nautique athletes and brand representatives. Other activities could include general product training by Nautique representatives, on-water demos by Nautique athletes, competition between Hong Kong and US wake surfers, and social activities.

www.asiayachting.net

Benetti celebrates 150th anniversary

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Benetti celebrates 150th anniversary

June 22, 2023
11:36 am

The Italian shipyard hosted a three-day celebration at its Viareggio and Livorno shipyards with yacht owners, employees, suppliers and officials.

Day one: Azimut-Benetti founder Paolo Vitelli at the Viareggio shipyard

Benetti recently celebrated its 150th anniversary with a lavish three-day programme of events. Starting in Viareggio, where the Italian shipyard’s history began, an emotional Paolo Vitelli, founder of the Azimut-Benetti Group, his daughter Giovanna Vitelli, Chair of the company, CEO Marco Valle and other employees welcomed the local authorities to witness the deep bond with the territory.

Day one: Paolo Vitelli and daughter Giovanna (left) with guests

It was a moment to recall the history of two families who, at different times, have been able to share values and passion, but it was also an opportunity to embrace, thank and pay homage to their long-standing collaborators.

Day two: Guests arrive for the gala dinner at Livorno shipyard

On the second day, the protagonists of the event were the yacht owners, who were invited to attend a spectacular evening at the 250,000sqm Livorno facility, the Mediterranean’s largest shipyard.

Day two: Gala dinner celebrating Benetti’s 150th anniversary

Inside one of the warehouses, next to a yacht under construction, Belgian architect and set designer Charles Kaisin recalled the history of Benetti in a creative way and, with more than 50 waiters/actors, entertained the guests with touches of brilliance.

Day two: Gala dinner celebrating Benetti’s 150th anniversary

Dishes were served under cloches in the shape of ancient vessels, ‘sound’ shells offered the sounds and voices of a yacht under construction, while other attractions included a ‘flying’ pianist and soprano, and hundreds of swaying lights.

Day two: Fireworks celebrating Benetti’s 150th anniversary

Outside, the marina hosted fireworks and some of Benetti’s most iconic yachts including Odyssey III, a 33m yacht from the Mediterraneo series, dated 1967; Stella Fiera, the first unit of the Classic 115’ series; El Caran, which once belonged to David Bowie; and the latest of the B.Now and Oasis Deck™ series.

Day three: Livorno shipyard hosts employees and families, and suppliers

On the third day, the Livorno shipyard welcomed employees and their families, and suppliers, offering fun activities such as visits to the lighthouse and the fleet of yachts, sporting activities such as sailing trials organised by Antignano Sailing Club, and cultural activities including visits to the shipyard museum and the ‘Scenari di Cantiere’ (Shipyard Scenarios), a show hosted by the Goldoni Theatre.

Day three: Paolo Vitelli, daughter Giovanna Vitelli (Chair) and Marco Valle (CEO)

The company’s long-standing employees received a valuable award, while some of the youngest were offered a special training course for their professional growth, confirming their central role for the shipyard.

www.benettiyachts.it

Red Bandit youngsters secure Rolex Giraglia honours

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Red Bandit youngsters secure Rolex Giraglia honours

June 22, 2023
4:31 am

Australian maxi Black Jack secured line honours at the 70th Rolex Giraglia before Germany’s Red Bandit claimed the overall win.

Saint-Tropez hosted the start of the Rolex Giraglia offshore race; Photo: Rolex / Luca Butto

For the 70^th edition of the historic Rolex Giraglia, the picturesque port of Saint-Tropez in the south of France again presented an ideal destination for the three days of inshore racing, which preceded the week’s main attraction, traditionally a 241nm (446km) offshore race to the great Italian maritime city of Genoa.

This year’s offshore race featured a shortened course, measuring 215nm (398km), yet still included a rounding of one of offshore sailing’s most iconic landmarks, the mythical, spectacular Giraglia rock off Corsica’s northern tip.

This year’s Rolex Giraglia featured 155 entries; Photo: Rolex / Luca Butto

The 155 starters faced a wide range of wind conditions and shifts, and included 27 maxis, with the line honours contest featuring an impressive number of the cutting-edge monohulls often admired at the annual Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup.

Black Jack, owned by Peter Harburg since 2017, arrived from Australia as one of the pre-race favourites. In its previous guises as Alfa Romeo 2 and Esimit Europa 2, under different ownership, the 30.5m Reichel/Pugh broke the Rolex Giraglia race record in 2008 and 2012, and claimed multiple line honours titles.

This year’s Rolex Giraglia offshore race was shortened to 215nm

At the Giraglia rock, up to 10 of the maxis were in close contention, offering an alluring and unique spectacle in the night sky. As the leaders closed in on Genoa during daylight, the battle came down to Black Jack and Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones’ Wallycento Magic Carpet Cubed, another battle-hardened 100-footer and a three-time Rolex Giraglia line honours winner.

However, Black Jack – with a crew now campaigning in Europe after years of success in the southern hemisphere – was able to stay in front and claim line honours after reaching the finish in Genoa after 23 hours, 30 minutes and 16 seconds. Magic Carpet Cubed finished just nine minutes 12 seconds later.

Peter Harburg’s 100ft Black Jack secured line honours; Photo: Rolex / Luca Butto

Although Black Jack finished some way off the race record of just under 15 hours set in 2012, it was only the third time in the past decade that the winner has finished in under 24 hours, albeit on a shortened course. Furthermore, Rolex Giraglia success was a new sensation for Harburg and his Black Jack crew, which included relieved skipper Mark Bradford.

“When there are big boats racing really close towards the finish and the stakes are high, it can get nervy,” said Bradford, who also skippered the boat when it won line honours at the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in December 2021.

The course included a rounding of the iconic Giraglia rock; Photo: Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi

“This is a prize in yachting we really wanted to have. This team has been together for a long time and we’re super proud that after the huge effort of shipping the boat from Australia, we’ve come to Europe and added to our victory list.”

Carl-Peter Forster was later celebrating after his Red Bandit secured the overall title on corrected time, although it was the second time the boat had tasted victory, having won with a different crew in 2017 as Freccia Rossa. This year’s win was the third Rolex Giraglia success for a TP52 since 2012.

The TP52 Red Bandit won the Rolex Giraglia; Photo: Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi

Forster has owned the boat since 2021 and his campaign showcased the talents and development of a crew formed predominantly of young sailors. Over the past few years, the German has built a pathway programme for young athletes, many highly-competitive dinghy sailors, to experience and develop as ‘big boat’ offshore racers.

Following commendable performances at last year’s Rolex Giraglia and Rolex Middle Sea Race, this year the crew reached a new level, with 10 of the crew under the age of 30. “We have a fabulous team dynamic. It’s glorious to see how these young sailors are working together, learning as much as possible and as quickly as possible. They are ambitious and want to improve,” Forster said.

Carl-Peter Forster’s crew on Red Bandit included 10 sailors under the age of 30; Photo: Rolex / Luca Butto

“We all like long-distance racing and the competition at the Rolex Giraglia is fabulous. The race is trickier than you think, as it has proved many times. What we’ve achieved this year will take a while to sink in.”

One of the oldest and most revered sailing events in the Mediterranean, the Rolex Giraglia and its co-founder and organiser, Yacht Club Italiano (YCI), have been supported by Rolex since 1998. Since 2002, the event has been co-organised by Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, also a Rolex partner yacht club, while the race is also supported by Yacht Club de France and Yacht Club Sanremo.

www.rolexgiraglia.com

www.rolex.com

Fountaine Pajot Power 67 sold to Japan

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Fountaine Pajot Power 67 sold to Japan

June 15, 2023
4:00 pm

Japan dealer Active Marine has secured Asia’s first sale of Fountaine Pajot’s flagship power catamaran while remaining busy with sister brand Dufour.

Fountaine Pajot Power 67

Active Marine has sold a Fountaine Pajot Power 67 to a client in Japan, marking the first sale in Asia of the French builder’s flagship power catamaran. Fountaine Pajot’s other motor yachts comprise the 36ft MY4.S (click for Review), MY5 and MY6, with the latter two models formerly known as the MY40 and MY44.

Kevin Corfa, Head of Asia for Fountaine Pajot, said the Japan-based owner chose the Power 67 after owning a monohull motor yacht. The client will visit La Rochelle this summer to spend time working with the shipyard on extensively customising the 65ft powercat, which has a beam of over 32ft.

“The owner came directly, preferring Fountaine Pajot’s design and performance to any other catamaran,” Corfa said. “He also chose the brand over the competition due to our dedicated customisation programme. Japan is becoming a very interesting market for us.”

Fountaine Pajot Power 67

An Isla 40 (click for Review), Fountaine Pajot’s entry-level sailing catamaran, was recently delivered to Japan after being sold by the same dealer.

Meanwhile, Active Marine has also been active with Fountaine Pajot’s sister brand, Dufour. The dealer recently received a Dufour 37, having sold four units of a model that had its world premiere at last year’s Cannes Yachting Festival.

“The Dufour 37 is a tremendously important model in Japan as she replaces the Dufour 360, which has been our most popular model there and accounts for about half the model’s sales in Asia,” Corfa said.

Dufour 37

“It was challenging to explain the new model to the market because its predecessor was so acclaimed, but once they discovered it and sailed it at events organised in France this year, they loved it. We expect several more orders in Asia.”

The brand’s newest model is the Dufour 41 (click for article), which is scheduled to premiere at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival from September 7-12, with at least one unit earmarked for Japan. Fountaine Pajot is preparing to debut its New 80 sailing catamaran (click for article) at the same show.

www.fountaine-pajot.com

Azimut-Benetti launches Corporate Academy.

News / yachtstyle2020

Azimut-Benetti launches Corporate Academy

June 15, 2023
3:50 pm

The Azimut-Benetti Group Corporate Academy includes upskilling for employees, development paths, and training for future employees.

Azimut-Benetti Group has created a Corporate Academy business school to train yacht industry professionals. The Azimut-Benetti Group Corporate Academy both supports the professional growth of its employees, while also offering training across in-demand roles to generate new jobs.

Targeting current and future employees, the school has four main chapters. The Shipyard Academy and Executive Academy provide upskilling, reskilling and executive education for employees, the Development & Career Path offers multiple internal growth paths, while Education and Guidance Projects is focused on students.

As well as developing technical, handcrafting managerial expertise, the Academy offers education and guidance projects set up in partnership with vocational training agencies, secondary education institutes and universities.

Marco Valle, CEO of Azimut-Benetti Group, said: “We are at the forefront of a growing industry in which Italy leads the world rankings and that’s always looking for specialists to recruit. Our Group employs some of the world’s top professionals and our network of partners and suppliers is second to none, making it both a responsibility and a privilege to share this heritage to create new opportunities for people inside and outside the company.”

The shipyard area is the focus of the Shipyard Academy, which has been set up in partnership with the Turin-based training organisation Fondazione Casa di Carità Arti e Mestieri as part of the Innovative and Sustainable Integrated Mobility Academy promoted by Regione Piemonte and launched on June 5.

The courses – over 18,000 hours of training – will promote continuous improvement, valuing and strengthening of skills required by the company to train highly specialised professionals in the techniques of bodywork production, carpentry, outfitting, and mechanical and hydraulic assembly.

Santi Carlino, Chief People & ICT Officer of Azimut-Benetti Group, said: “The Shipyard Academy has been created to focus on homo faber (Latin for ‘man the maker’) and the ability to create and build, celebrating both the craftsmanship that’s an integral part of the production process and the great professionalism of our workforce, which has always been one of the company’s distinctive features.”

Also beginning this summer are the courses offered by the Executive Academy, designed to ensure the supervision, spread and development of the company’s business culture by promoting the values of talent and professionalism.

Receiving a total of more than 28,000 hours of training, Azimut-Benetti Group managers will take part in leadership development programmes designed to strengthen their skills in the areas of communication and listening, people management and decision making. The training path will also include classes on specific requirements such as the customer experience in the luxury industry.

Carlino added: “The Executive Academy offers our managers specific training activities identified by needs analysis processes as essential to achieve our strategic change management and organisational development objectives. The programme aims to boost the skills needed to excel in business.”

According to La Nautica in Cifre (Yachting Facts and Figures), the study published by Italian yacht industry trade body Confindustria Nautica in September 2022, the yacht sector contributed over €5 billion to Italian GDP in 2021, up 31.4 per cent on 2020. Total employees rose 9.7 per cent, with a peak of 14.7 per cent in new builds.

www.azimutyachts.com

www.benettiyachts.it

Asia Yachting hosting weekend boat show

News / yachtstyle2020

Asia Yachting hosting weekend boat show

June 15, 2023
3:34 pm

June’s Asia Yachting Boat Show in Hong Kong features models from Prestige, Fountaine Pajot, Nautique and AB Inflatables.

Marina Cove will again host an Asia Yachting Boat Show

Asia Yachting is hosting a boat show at Club Marina Cove from June 17-18, which was arranged after rainy weather affected the regional dealer’s May event at the Sai Kung venue, although the company announced the sale of a Prestige F-Line model (click for article).

The Asia Yachting Boat Show in June features a Prestige X70, the current flagship of the French builder’s X-line, and a 520 from the F-Line of flybridge motor yachts.

Prestige X70 in Hong Kong

Fountaine Pajot models comprise an MY6 power catamaran and a Saba 50 sailing catamaran, while smaller models include Nautique G23 and GS22 wake boats, and ABJet 380 and ABJet 290 RIBs from AB Inflatables.

“Come and discover the best of luxury motor yachts, catamarans and wake boats from top-tier brands at Club Marina Cove,” Asia Yachting stated. “The weather was not on our side at last month’s Asia Yachting Boat Show, so a lot of people couldn’t come and enjoy the event. However, we’re thrilled that we can give people another chance to see the show.”

www.asiayachting.net

Prestige showcases M8, reveals F-Line model

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Prestige showcases M8, reveals F-Line model

June 15, 2023
3:06 pm

YACHT STYLE was among media who attended the special Prestige event, which was held in and around the Groupe Beneteau Italia facility in Monfalcone.

Italy’s Camillo Garroni designed the M8

Prestige staged a spectacular media showcase in Italy for the M8, the new 65ft flagship of its M-Line of multihull motor yachts.

The French builder, represented by Asia Yachting in Hong Kong, Thailand and the Philippines, also uncovered the first new model from its new generation of F-Line flybridge motor yachts, although details and images will only be shared in late August. Both the M8 and the new F-Line model will have their official world premieres at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 12-17.

The media event was held between Trieste and nearby Monfalcone, site of the Groupe Beneteau Italia shipyard on Italy’s Adriatic coast and the second main production site for Prestige, whose main facility is in Les Herbiers in the west of France.

The 65ft yacht has a beam of 29ft

“With the Monfalcone site and the historic production site in Les Herbiers, Prestige blends the best of French industrial savoir-faire and Italian heritage in the construction of large yachts,” Prestige stated.

The Monfalcone site is suitable for Prestige’s larger yachts, like the M8, which has an overall length of 65ft (19.82m) and a beam of 29ft (8.85m).

The second model to be launched in the M-Line range, the M8 follows the M48 (click for Review) and is also designed by Camillo Garroni of Italy’s Garroni Design, which has designed all Prestige models since the late 1980s, from the F-Line and S-Line to the newer X-Line and M-Line ranges.

The central swim platform can also be raised to cockpit height

Garroni emphasised that the M8 has “no reference to the world of sailing catamarans, as so often is the case [with power catamarans]”.

“The exterior has been designed to reveal a bold, distinctive personality and proportions are typical of a powerful, contemporary motor yacht. Her contemporary lines, highly efficient hull design, and innovative layouts place this new model at the top of the multihull motor yacht category,” Garroni said.

“The M8 represents a concentration of innovation and a true villa on the sea. The layout, living spaces, ease of movement and safety on board have been designed to optimise the experience of the owners and their family.”

The foredeck has a sunken bow lounge

Like on the M48, the interior décor is by Italy’s Valentina de Romedis, while French designer Marc Lombard handled naval architecture, after compatriot Philippe Briand worked on the M48.

Features include a high-low central swim platform with integrated steps, and a wide cockpit with modular furniture and a glass parapet including fold-out central doors for access to the platform. The cockpit can also be set up with a dining table and loose chairs.

The side decks, which also access a day head to port, lead to the large foredeck, which has a wide, integrated sunbathing area forward of the windscreen and a sunken lounge in the bow.

The flybridge has dining to port

The flybridge is reached by port stairs from the cockpit and internal stairs from the starboard side of the saloon. The aft area is clear for modular furniture, the starboard side has a built-in double sunpad, a two-part galley and the twin-seat helm station are on the centreline, and there’s a lengthways dining table for eight to 10 people to port.

The interior on the main deck starts with a full-width saloon, forward is a dining table to port while to starboard is either the galley or a coffee lounge.

The forward full-beam master suite is one of the yacht’s highlights, while the hulls are offered in multiple configurations. The port hull can have two guest cabins or a long VIP cabin, while the starboard side has a bunk cabin forward and either a guest cabin or galley aft.

The saloon on the main deck

“The M8 redefines the standards of well-being on board, offering a living area unequalled in its category, while featuring natural stability and excellent seaworthiness,” Prestige stated.

“The brand has taken a step forward in terms of luxury, refinement and the art of living well. The M8 offers an unprecedented experience: to live in perfect harmony with the sea, on smooth, serene cruises, more respectful of the environment, and with reduced fuel consumption.”

Full-beam master suite forward

Prestige has focused on launching two models for each of the X-Line and M-Line in recent years, yet it has also been looking to update its F-Line and S-Line, which have established the builder as a world leader in 40-60ft motor yachts. To date, Prestige has built over 4,000 yachts since 1989 and the new F-Line model to be showcased at Cannes in September will usher in a new generation.

Erwin Bamps, Vice President of Prestige, said: “The first model of the new F-Line generation represents a significant evolution in the segment where Prestige is the market leader, bringing innovations to meet new clients’ expectations while remaining true to the brand’s DNA. More details of the new yacht will be unveiled later this summer.”

www.prestige-yachts.com

www.asiayachting.net