Following the runaway success of the 100 Yacht, Sunseeker has revealed designs for a 120 Yacht that will join its Superyacht range.
Sunseeker kicked off this year’s Monaco Yacht Show by presenting the 120 Yacht concept, which builds on the aggressive, athletic exterior styling and overall layout of the 100 Yacht. The British builder, which has built almost 150 100ft-plus superyachts, is exhibiting a 100 Yacht at the four-day show in Port Hercules along with an 88 Yacht and 95 Yacht.
The Sunseeker 120 Yacht has an overall length of 120ft (36.6m), a beam of 24ft 1in (7.3m) and a draft at full load of 8ft 3in (2.5m), while twin MTU 12V 2,000 engines are expected to produce a top speed of 20 knots and a range of 1,730nm at 10 knots.
Andrea Frabetti, CEO of Sunseeker International, said “We’re excited to reveal the spectacular 120 Yacht, a new superyacht destined to join our dynamic product range. The inspiration for the 120 Yacht comes from our heritage superyachts. The iconic Sunseeker line is ever-present but has been completely reinvented, projecting the Superyacht range forward, fit for the future.
“We’ve worked closely with Design Unlimited to realise a spectacular interior design for the 120 Yacht. Immediately we want owners to be met with a very special interior space that has high impact but with the comfort and practicalities of home.”
The angular exterior lines work with expansive glazing, raised stainless-steel handrails and a sleek hard top and pilothouse. The aft flybridge includes two large seating zones for formal dining and socialising, while a starboard walk-through leads forward of the pilothouse, where an elevated foredeck features asymmetrical sofas, a four-person sun pad and the option of a spa tub.
The aft cockpit on the main deck is one of the most enlarged areas in comparison to the 100 Yacht and features a curved searing group for 10 guests, with dual symmetrical tables around a four-person wet bar. The beach club features a full-width, high-low swim platform and a gull-wing door that opens to a day head, shower and storage space. The garage can house a 6m tender and two jet-skis.
The interior features luxurious stone finishes, detailed centrepiece bulkheads, statement lighting pieces, recessed lighting in shelving and ceiling coves. As well as in-set marble flooring, the saloon features more angular furniture selections including a large sofa to port and two chairs to starboard, while forward is a round dining table for up to 12 guests.
The starboard hallway leads to the full-beam owner’s suite, while the lower deck houses four guest cabins and the crew quarters.
Sean Robertson, Sales & marketing Director at Sunseeker International, said: “We have a long history of producing industry-defining superyachts, dating to 2000 with the 105 Yacht. For over 20 years, we have launched 14 Superyacht models and over 147 yachts over 100ft sold worldwide. The 120 Yacht is a stunning new concept that, to the right owner, will fulfil their yachting dreams.”
The Groupe Beneteau catamaran builder’s 40th-anniversary celebrations will include the premiere of the Lagoon 60, which features an open cockpit with drop-down balconies.
Lagoon, whose dealers in Asia include Simpson Marine, will debut the Lagoon 60 sailing catamaran privately at the brand’s Exclusive Days in Bordeaux from March 7-9, 2024, before it displays at the International Multihull Show in La Grande Motte from April 3-7.
Featuring naval architecture by VPLP, exterior design by Patrick le Quement and an interior by Italy’s Nauta Design, the 60-footer has a beam of 32ft 4in and a draft of 5ft 5in, and is the Groupe Beneteau brand’s third-biggest sailing catamaran, behind the Sixty 5 and flagship Seventy 7.
Le Quement said: “Our intention was to seduce at first glance, and this has been translated by a resolutely expressive treatment, sculpted volumes and perfected lines, all curves.”
Like the Lagoon 55, the Lagoon 60 features an infinity cockpit, with only railings separating the aft deck and the hydraulic beach platform, while new features include drop-down sides on either side. The port side of the cockpit’s covered area features alfresco dining, while the starboard side has a day bed and steps to the flybridge.
Iroko, a natural wood, is used as decking for all outdoor areas including the upper deck, which has an L-shaped dinette and an outdoor galley aft, bench-seat helm to starboard and a sunbathing area forward, while the hard top is covered in solar panels.
The foredeck can be accessed by both side decks or a central saloon door and has a sunken lounge with seating on both sides. VPLP Design said: “A vast forward cockpit, flush with the saloon, reinforces the harmony between interior and exterior living spaces.”
The interior starts to port with the option of either a large galley with overhead storage or a bar if the galley-down layout is chosen. The forward area includes a dining table to starboard and a lounge to port.
In the galley-up layout, there are five guest cabins in the hulls, comprising three to port and two to starboard including a large owner’s suite with direct access to the cockpit, while there’s crew accommodation in the forepeaks. The galley-down version has four guest cabins, with the galley replacing the aft cabin in the port hull.
The Lagoon 60 has a mast clearance of 30m (98ft), sail area of 239sqm, a 149sqm square-top mainsail and a 90sqm genoa. The yacht also has twin 150hp engines, a 1,300-litre fuel capacity and a 960-litre water capacity.
Having been founded as an offshoot of Jeanneau in 1984, Lagoon is the world’s leading pleasure cat builder, having built about 7,000 catamarans, which include over 1,000 hulls of the Lagoon 42.
This year’s Monaco Yacht Show includes an interesting selection of ‘supercats’ including the 46.5m Art Explorer by Perini Navi of The Italian Sea Group, as it makes its global debut as the world’s largest sailing multihull. ArtExplorer has been built by The Italian Sea Group and is billed as the world’s longest sailing catamaran, succeeding the 145ft Hemisphere.
Featuring a volume of 498GT, the 152ft catamaran has a 57ft beam and five staterooms, but has been principally designed as an “aquatic museum”. Owner Frederic Jousset plans to use ArtExplorer as a floating art gallery and host thousands of visitors around the world each year, while Fraser expects it to also have charter periods in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
However, among the biggest talking points at this year’s show is the 43.5m, 750GT powercat This Is It by Tecnomar, also part of The Italian Sea Group.
The spaceship-style yacht arrived in Port Hercules on Tuesday after a 100nm trip from The Italian Sea Group’s shipyard in Carrara and will be sea-trialled and completed before being delivered to its owner by the end of the year. This Is It is expected to become available for charter from 2024 through IYC.
Sunreef Yachts’ third 80 Sunreef Power
Poland’s Sunreef are showing two solar-electric catamarans, an 80 Sunreef Power making its Monaco debut following its global debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival (September 12-17), along with an 80 Eco sailing model. Sailing yachts include the world premiere of the Swan 108 (35m) and the 39m motorsailer Sakin by Turkey’s Aegean Yacht.
Benetti B.Now 50M, Fantasea
Among motor monohulls, Benetti is showing two examples of its hugely popular B.Now 50M series: the third hull, Fantasea, and the sixth, Alunya, which features the Oasis Deck® option. Other Benetti builds being shown by brokers include the 65m Seanna (2011), 56m Galaxy (2005) and 42m SoyAmor (2014).
Sister shipyard Azimut is displaying its 38m flagship Grande Trideck, Grande 36M and Magellano 30M, a model set to debut in Asia in early 2024 following a sale in Hong Kong by regional dealer Marine Italia.
Riva 130’ Bellissima
Ferretti Group is exhibiting a Pershing 140 (43m), the new Pershing GTX116 (35m), a Custom Line 140’ (43m), Custom Line Navetta 42 (42m), Riva 130’ Bellissima (40m), Wally’s wallywhy200 and wallypower58. CRN, also part of Ferretti Group, is not displaying a model this year but is paying tribute to its 60 years of heritage with its own Heritage Gallery.
Ferretti Group also announced that CRN has obtained Sustainable Powered Yacht (SuP-Y) certification after a coordinated effort by Ferretti Group Super Yacht Division, Weichai Power Science & Technology Division and Rina Services Spa made it possible to develop a sustainable architecture that enables the installation of modern fuel cells on board a CRN superyacht.
Custom Line 140’
Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, said: “Ferretti Group, and yachting in general, are in a state of grace today that promises a bright future. This positive energy allows and requires us to invest and grow responsibly, focusing on new technologies and sustainable innovations such as those announced in fuel cells.
“A good example is set by CRN, our glorious shipyard that celebrates 60 years at the cutting edge with an important certification in the fuel sector. Ferretti Group has the merit and good fortune to have the most iconic brands in the industry, and it is on their solidity and success that we will build the yachting of tomorrow.”
Sanlorenzo 57Steel
Italian builder Sanlorenzo is staging the world premiere of the 1,050GT 57Steel designed with Zuccon International Project, as well as show an Alloy (44m) and an SP110 (33m), while the builder’s 47m Lars and an SL106A are being exhibited by brokers.
Sister shipyard Bluegame is showing its BGM75, its first multihull motor yacht, following its debut at Cannes and appearance at the Genoa International Boat Show (September 21-26).
Tankoa 50m Grey
Genoa shipyard Tankoa is hosting the world premiere of the new 50m Grey, the fifth hull of its Francesco Paszkowski-designed S501 series, while Mangusta is showing its Oceano 50 and GranSport 33, both new builds.
Conrad is staging the global debut of its 44.5m Ace, which is the largest luxury motor yacht built in Poland and features exterior design by UK-based Reymond Langton Design, naval architecture by Dutch studio Diana Yacht Design and interior decor by Italy’s M2 Atelier.
Gulf Craft Majesty 111
UAE builder Gulf Craft is showing a Majesty 120 (38m) and the European debut of the new Majesty 111 (34.5m), which had its world premiere at this year’s Dubai International Boat Show. British builder Sunseeker is exhibiting an 88 Yacht (26m), 95 Yacht (28m) and a 100 Yacht (30m), a model that only debuted in 2022.
Exciting new models include Arcadia’s A96, Mazu’s 92DS, Next Yacht Group’s Maiora Exuma 35 and AB 100, as well as Victory’s full-carbon Bolide 80, which is reputed to top 70 knots.
Sunreef staged the world premiere of the 70 Eco at the Cannes Yachting Festival a year after the 80 Eco debuted at the same show, also in Port Canto as part of the sailing display. Based on the Sunreef 70 sailing catamaran, the 70 Eco offers over 3,100sqft of living space including large outdoor areas in the aft cockpit, bow terrace and large flybridge.
The first 70 Eco, One Planet, features 81.5sqm of solar panels across the hulls, superstructure and bimini roof, offering up to 20kWp. The show also featured the first 60 Eco, Surreal, making its first appearance at a major show since launching last year, four years after Sunreef debuted the 60 E, which featured a carbon-fibre hard top with solar panels and electric propulsion.
Fountaine Pajot Thira 80
Fountaine Pajot also hosted one of the most exciting world premieres of the year, as it unveiled its Thira 80 sailing catamaran at Port Canto. Announced at Cannes last year, Thira 80 is the La Rochelle builder’s largest yacht to date and features retractable side decks, expansive fore and aft cockpits, a magnificent flybridge, twin helm stations, and a master suite with Jacuzzi.
Fountaine Pajot also unveiled the Smart Electric version of its Aura 51 at this year’s International Multihull Show at La Grande Motte on France’s south coast. The original Aura 51 was launched last year and was the brand’s first model to feature the option of solar panels integrated into the entire coachroof and flybridge.
Bali Catsmart
Bali, owned by Catana Group, debuted its Catsmart at La Grande Motte, presenting a new entry-level model to complement its 40ft Catspace, 4.2. 4.4. 4.6. 4.8 and flagship 5.4 models. The 38ft Catsmart has a 21ft-plus beam and is the brand’s first model without a flybridge, but new features include two helm stations aft and the option of two, three or four cabins. The Catsmart retains brand signatures such as the ‘Bali door’, sliding saloon windows and solid foredeck.
SAILING MONOHULLS
Nautor Swan also had a major world premiere at the Monaco show with the global debut of the Swan 108 carbon sailing superyacht, which features a hull length of 108ft 3in and an overall length of 114ft 10in with the bowsprit.
Swan 108
Positioned between the Swan 98 and 120 in the Swan Maxi line, the 108 features exterior styling by Lucio Micheletti of Micheletti + Partners, interior design by Misa Poggi and naval architecture by German Frers, the 82-year-old Argentine who has designed for Swan for over four decades.
Jeanneau has debuted two new sailing yachts this year, starting with the world premiere of the Jeanneau Yachts 55 at Boot, with the model showing at the likes of Cannes, Southampton and Genoa in September.
Jeanneau Yachts 55
Like the Jeanneau Yachts 60 and flagship 65, the 55 is designed by Philippe Briand and has an interior by Winch Design. The most notable innovation is two extensive seating-cum-lounging areas aft of the helms, while it also features a covered cockpit, private access to each of the three cabins, and a large retractable hydraulic swim platform.
The Groupe Beneteau builder is staging the world premiere of the Sun Fast 30 One Design at the Southampton show while the racer also exhibits at Grand Pavois La Rochelle in September, although the first hull was shown in the Rolex Fastnet Race Village at the end of July.
Beneteau Oceanis 37.1
Beneteau hosted the Oceanis 37.1 premiere at Cannes before the new model appeared at the La Rochelle and Genoa shows in September, and then the Barcelona show and Annapolis Sailboat Show (October 12-15).
Featuring naval architecture by Marc Lombard, and deck and interior design by Italy’s Nauta Design, the Oceanis 37.1 has an overall length of 39ft 2in based on an 36ft 1in hull with a beam of 12ft 10in. Part of the seventh generation of Oceanis cruisers, the 37.1 joins a six-strong series also featuring the 30.1, 34.1, 40.1, 46.1 and 51.1.
Dufour 41
Dufour’s premieres included the 41, which debuted at Cannes before gaining further exposure at Southampton and Genoa. Featuring an exterior by Felci Yacht Design and an interior by Ardizio Design, the model has an overall length of 39ft 4in based on a 36ft 1in hull with a beam of 13ft 1in.
Available in Adventure, Ocean and Performance versions, the Dufour 41 offers three or even four cabins and the option of a utility room. The shipyard says the interior offers “60 per cent more light than other models on the market”, with owners able to choose Europe or Boston ‘atmospheres’. Fountaine Pajot’s sister brand also debuted the Smart Electric edition of the Dufour 530 at Cannes.
Held on the eve of the Monaco Yacht Show, the newly created awards honoured three deserving recipients at a lively gala evening.
Guests arrive at Hauser & Wirth’s gallery in Monaco
The first three recipients of a coveted Bowsprit award were celebrated at the inaugural Honours event, which was organised by The Superyacht Life Foundation and Monaco Yacht Show, and sponsored by Agusta, Begüm Yachting, BWA Yachting, Feadship, Preciosa, Richard Mille and RINA.
Wendy Schmidt, a superyacht owner, ocean conservation advocate and philanthropist; Jenny Matthews, a superyacht First Officer and industry DEI proponent; and Zoran Selakovic, a business strategist turned Director at YachtAid Global, were feted at a special dinner on the eve of the Monaco Yacht Show that highlighted the honourees’ remarkable stories.
The Honours gala evening
The Honours was conceived for the superyacht industry to recognise people making a difference behind the scenes, taking the focus away from the yachts and placing the spotlight firmly on positive actions in day-to-day superyachting life. This year’s honourees were drawn from over 360 nominations received from the industry and carefully selected by a panel of judges.
Held in Hauser & Wirth’s gallery on Place du Casino, the gala evening was attended by superyacht owners and VIP guests who enjoyed an experiential dinner that included ballet and opera performances and a scintillating sea-inspired, locally sourced menu highlighting the culinary flair of Monaco. Following dinner, guests were treated to a short documentary film of each of the honourees, before the laureates were called to the main stage to receive their coveted Bowsprit award.
Ballet was among the entertainment
Mariasole Bianco, the evening’s host, environmental and ocean conservation advocate, invited them to discuss their backgrounds in more detail, including their passion for the superyacht industry and efforts to make a difference to humanity through their philanthropic, charitable, environmental and community-based initiatives.
Dilan Saraç, Executive Director of Superyacht Life Foundation, said: “The evening was a wonderful expression of the good that exists in the superyachting good life, highlighting that there is so much more to this industry, its owners and crew, than meets the eye.
Mariasole Bianco hosted the evening
“Our three inaugural Honourees are all well deserving of the award, and they have set a high bar for future nominations, which we have no doubt the industry will meet because of the breadth of talent and heart that lies within all facets of the superyachting industry and lifestyle.”
Schmidt is an American philanthropist, superyacht owner and competitive sailor who is passionate about understanding and restoring the ocean. Through the Schmidt Family Foundation, Schmidt Ocean Institute and other non-profit organisations, Schmidt has helped advance ocean science and research notably by providing a state-of-the-art research vessel Falkor (too) to scientists worldwide at no cost in exchange for making their research and discoveries publicly available.
Wendy Schmidt with the Bowsprit
Schmidt co-founded 11th Hour Racing to raise awareness of ocean health and solutions for sustainability in the sailing and maritime industry. An accomplished helmswoman, she recently became the first woman and the first American to win the Barcolana 54, the world’s largest sailing yacht race.
Schmidt is also helping shape the next generation of yachts, drive innovation in materials and lifecycle assessment tools, and educate the public to understand the critical importance of the ocean.
Mariasole Bianco with Jenny Matthews
Matthews is a professional yacht crew who decided at the age of 18 that she was going to sideline university and become a superyacht captain. Facing the challenges of an industry where not many females were working on deck, she worked her way up to gain an Officer of the Watch certificate and was told very few women had ever achieved that qualification.
This led her to reach out on social media and form She of the Sea, a new community for women working in the deck and engineering departments that would serve not only as a networking and knowledge-sharing platform but also as a launchpad to inspire the next generation of female deck and engineer candidates.
Jenny Matthews shows off her Bowsprit
This initiative was followed by the launch of Legasea, which shifted the conversation from gender to place the focus on mentoring the next generation of yacht crew of all genders, providing support, knowledge and a community throughout their careers including when the time comes to move shoreside.
Selakovic was born and raised in what is now Croatia, falling in love with the sea from an early age, which led him to complete his skippering qualifications and cruise extensively. It was his first-hand experience of watching friends in the Caribbean lose everything they had in Hurricanes Irma and Maria that encouraged him to find out how he could help, at which point he met Mark Drewelow, the founder of YachtAid Global.
Zoran Selakovic receives his Bowsprit
Selakovic stepped in to help coordinate aid through YachtAid Global, which received offers from more than 100 superyachts to assist in relief efforts within two weeks. Since then, as YachtAid Global’s Director, he has been involved in projects as diverse as disaster relief, building the first public library in the Galapagos and helping provide clean drinking water in Mexico.
He has also coordinated Operation Swimway, which aims to add the migratory routes of pelagics to ocean conservation areas; all with the help of over 300 yachts including thousands of yacht crew and owners.
Zoran Selakovic on stage
Gaëlle Tallarida, Managing Director at Monaco Yacht Show, said: “The highlight of this spectacular night was hearing the inspiring stories of Wendy, Jenny and Zoran. We realised just how deeply caring the superyacht world can be and how we can all be a part of instigating change in how we work as an industry, how what we do can bring a positive impact all over the world, and how we can play a central role in understanding and restoring the health of the oceans which are vital to life on earth.”
Nominations for The Honours 2024 will open on December 1, with the event set to again honour the work of three individuals at an experiential gala on the eve of next year’s Monaco Yacht Show.
Designed by Espen Øino and Sinot, the first Amels 80 has entered the water in Romania ahead of outfitting in the Netherlands.
The first Amels 80 has splashed in Romania, 1½ years since the concept was introduced in March 2022.With the new hull and superstructure seen for the first time outside of her build shed in Galati, preparations are underway for her journey to Damen Yachting’s main shipyard in Vlissingen in the Netherlands for final outfitting.
This next-generation Amels Limited Editions is on schedule to be delivered to her new owner in 2025 as per Damen Yachting’s promise of fast delivery, as proven by over 50 Amels Limited Editions delivered to date.
Romke van der Linde, Damen Yachting’s Project Manager, said: “Today is a huge milestone in the history of our Amels Limited Editions and I can’t wait for her to arrive in Vlissingen and watch her evolve into the very special superyacht she is set to become.
“This owner is positive, driven and passionate and it’s great that we can realise this dream for him and be at the forefront of shipbuilding. What we’re creating incorporates over a century of yacht building expertise and the experience gained from the Amels Limited Editions evolution – a process I have always been proud to be a part of.”
Espen Øino designed the exterior of the 80m (261ft),2,175GT superyacht, which features an interior by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design and has accommodation for 14 guests and 20 crew plus captain.
Øino, who also designed the Amels 60, focused on a holistic, modern exterior design for the Amels 80, while a key factor of the next-generation design is that it features sustainable materials and innovative hybrid technology.
“The Amels 80 is a design that will not age. Her modern strong lines will look as good in 10 years as the day she is delivered,” Øino said. “She is a big ship, full of features, with an impressive interior volume. She’s everything and more that you would expect from an 80m yacht. There’s a sense of scale and nothing is wasted.”
Sinot is behind the first Amels 80’s custom interiors, which will come together once the yacht arrives in Vlissingen. In line with the Amels Limited Editions concept, the Amels 80’s owner has utilised the semi-custom platform and opted for an interior that hosts a personalised layer of loose furniture and decorative elements.
Paul Costerus, Lead Designer at Sinot, said: “It’s a very neutral and natural palette. Materials are treated so that the natural characteristics remain as pure as possible. The style is distinctive and allows the owner to customise and add their personal style.”
Other features include an impressive 200sqm (2,153sqft) sun deck, a waterside beach club which opens on three sides with a nearby wellness and spa area, a dedicated owner’s deck and huge framed windows for panoramic views on the main deck. The yacht also houses a multitude of watercraft and toys and a helicopter landing area.
Nautor Swan is building the Swan 80, which is designed to succeed the popular Swan 78 that debuted in 2018.
Nautor Swan, whose dealers in Asia include Asiamarine, is developing the Swan 80, which has a sub-24m (23.99m) hull, an overall length of 25.55m (83ft 10in) and a beam of 6.40m (21ft 0in). The yacht has been created to succeed the Swan 78, of which 10 hulls have been built.
The Swan 80 has been designed to emulate the eye-catching hull and deck style of the Swan 108, a new look that the Finnish builder says will “characterise the Swan Maxi family into the future”.
German Frers – who has worked with Swan for over four decades – is responsible for the overall concept and naval architecture, Lucio Micheletti handled the exterior styling while Misa Poggi has designed the interiors.
The Swan 80 features twin rudders for directional stability, a tapered hull entrance and a powerful aft section, with the design allowing a balance between performance and stability at different angles of heel.
The hull’s construction of foam-cored glass-fibre reinforced epoxy with carbon-fibre unidirectional reinforcements increases solidity and durability.
The rudders are designed with sacrificial tips and the rudder stocks are encased within sealed compartments to reduce the consequence of any collision with a submerged object. Keel options include ‘fixed deep’ and ‘fixed shallow’, as well as a deep telescopic lifting variant as required.
The Swan 80 has a near-flush wooden deck and a streamlined coachroof. The winches are placed around the twin helm stations and a centre console is available for the mainsheet winch. A new look on deck features wood-covered cockpit coamings, which have been extended aft for crew comfort.
The flat aft cockpit allows multiple configurations for seating, on-deck storage and other furnishings, while all furniture can be removed when the yacht is in racing mode. In cruising configuration, the aft deck can be set up with easy access to the beach area and swim platform, which are adjacent to the full-beam lazarette that can accommodate a RIB.
Below deck, the Swan 80 has the space and capacity to offer a variety of cabin configurations and open areas, following feedback from Swan 78 owners, guests and crew. One options features a spacious forward owner’s cabin plus another four en-suite guest cabins.
The crew quarters are aft and have access to the cockpit, engine room and other technical areas. Replacing one of the guest cabins with a crew cabin can increase crew berths from two to five. Furthermore, one of the guest cabins can also be used for an additional TV lounge or dining area.
