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Indonesia, Majesty Yachts, Nomad, Gulf Craft, Midaz Senayan Golf, Boum Senous, Elegance Unveiled by Majesty Yachts, Evan Sanders, Jakarta, Shaima Salem Alhebsi, Deputy Head of Mission, UAE Embassy, Bambang Soesatyo, Chef Ubay, Ade Auliya Rahma, Harumi, Wulan Agusman, Agnes Jennifer, Ben Sumadiwiria, Aero Aswar, Vidi Aldiano, Purana, Celeste Nmd, EH Model Agency, Nova Katuuk, Bentley, Fountaine Pajot, Dufour, Takacat, Polycraft

Indonesia welcomes Majesty Yachts

News / yachtstyle2020

Indonesia welcomes Majesty Yachts

May 9, 2024
5:55 pm

Welcoming Gulf Craft’s premier brand to Indonesia, Yacht Sourcing presented ‘Elegance Unveiled by Majesty Yachts’ at a glamorous dinner in Jakarta.

Lee David Oldroyd, Boum Senous, Vidi Aldiano, Mukhlis Harun Thoyib and emcee Evan Sanders

Yacht Sourcing hosted an extravagant, celebrity-filled dinner entitled ‘Elegance Unveiled by Majesty Yachts’, as VIPs from across politics, entertainment and sport welcomed Gulf Craft’s premier brand to Indonesia. The evening featured a dazzling gala dinner at the prestigious Midaz Senayan Golf, where Evan Sanders served as the master of ceremony.

The Yacht Sourcing team was headed by Boum Senous, the company’s founder and CEO, and COO Mukhlis Harun Thoyib, while Gulf Craft was represented by CCO Lee David Oldroyd.

Indonesian singer Vidi Aldiano was among performers

“We’re thrilled to have hosted such a successful event in collaboration with Majesty Yachts,” Senous said. “The overwhelming response from our guests reaffirms the growing interest in luxury yachting in Indonesia. We look forward to continuing to introduce the elegance and sophistication of Majesty Yachts to the Indonesian market.”

The event aimed to introduce Majesty Yachts to the Indonesian market, which has long been dominated by European brands, and to promote Yacht Sourcing as its exclusive dealer in Indonesia. Founded by Senous in 2016, Yacht Sourcing was appointed earlier this year as the Indonesia dealer for Gulf Craft’s Majesty and Nomad brands.

Gulf Craft’s Lee David Oldroyd and Shaima Alhebsi, Deputy Head of Mission of the UAE Embassy in Jakarta

Guests of honour included Shaima Salem Alhebsi, Deputy Head of Mission of the UAE Embassy in Jakarta, who delivered the opening speech. Senior politicians included Bambang Soesatyo, Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly

The night catered to Indonesia’s Ultra-High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWI) with a delectable five-course menu prepared by award-winning Chef Ubay, the 2013 champion of the Borges Chef Competition.

The evening included a fashion show

Celebrity guests included socialites and influencers such as Ade Auliya Rahma, Harumi, Wulan Agusman, Agnes Jennifer and Ben Sumadiwiria, as well as jetski champion Aero Aswar.

Highlights of the evening included a performance by renowned Indonesian singer Vidi Aldiano, a stunning fashion show collaboration between Purana, Celeste Nmd and EH Model Agency, and artistic paintings by Nova Katuuk. The event’s brand partners included Bentley Jakarta, which showcased the all-new Bentley Flying Spur Azure Hybrid.

Bentley Flying Spur Azure Hybrid

Yacht Sourcing owns its own phinisi shipyard and Senous RIBs, and represents Gulf Craft’s Majesty and Nomad brands, French sister brands Fountaine Pajot and Dufour, as well as Takacat and Polycraft.

www.yachtsourcing.com

www.gulfcraftinc.com

Special Feature: Adventure Boats, Part 1

News / yachtstyle2020

Special Feature: Adventure Boats, Part 1

May 9, 2024
5:51 pm

As Axopar celebrates 10 years of pioneering the ‘adventure boat’ genre, it’s being challenged by Saxdor, other new builders and long-established brands launching new models targeted at this growing sector.
Words: John Higginson; Photos: Shipyards

Note: The original article appears in YACHT STYLE Issue 76

Jan-Erik Viitala (grey hoodie) at the Axopar 29 launch at Boot Dusseldorf 2024

EXPLORE DREAM ADVENTURE. The wording on Jan-Erik Viitala’s hoodie doesn’t mince its meanings. In fact, the bearded Finn is happy to tell Yacht Style the exact time and place he decided to brand Axopar as ‘The Adventure Company’.

Pulling up a photo of two Axopar boats nestled together in a cove and backed by a low sun, he explains that the setting is in northeast Sweden’s High Coast, the world’s highest coastline and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

For Viitala on an Axopar, it’s about a two-hour cruise west across the Gulf of Bothnia from his house on Finland’s west coast, where he works in the company’s office in Vaasa, his birthplace. He proudly recalls the moment the company’s new tagline popped into his head.

Northeast Sweden’s High Coast, where Jan-Erik Viitala coined Axopar’s tagline, ‘The Adventure Company’

“This picture is very special to me. It’s one week before Midsummer, it’s about 9.30pm and it’s a spectacular evening. I was on the beach when the drone taking photos flew over us and I just said to myself: ‘We are the adventure company. We’re doing something more than boats; we’re promoting a certain lifestyle’,” says Viitala, Axopar’s founding partner and Creative & Innovation Director.

“However, the trigger was not me sitting on that beach. The trigger was the community of Axopar owners around the world posting pictures of themselves with bikes, kayaks, scuba gear, snorkelling gear, spear fishing gear – anything you can imagine. People were going mountain climbing from the boats. These were actual pictures of how actual Axopar owners use their boats.”

Axopar officially revealed the tagline at Boot Dusseldorf in 2020 and last year announced The Adventure Collection of technical clothing and watersports products that it’s producing in collaboration with Swedish company Sail Racing and Dutch-owned Jobe respectively. Sales of the products are expected to commence this year.

Axopar boat owners frequently post images of their adventures

“Now, anything we do is not only focusing on the boats,” he adds. “We also want to focus on the lifestyle and making the boats more suitable for all-day adventuring and all-weather boating.”

CREATING A GENRE

A decade after the Axopar 28’s now-historic debut at the Helsinki International Boat Show (Vene Bat) in February 2014, Axopar began celebrations of its 10th anniversary at Boot Dusseldorf in January and a media event in Mallorca, Spain, in late April, to be followed by more activation at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September and Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October.

Boot was a particularly important occasion as it staged the world premiere of the first two versions of the Axopar 29, which succeeds the iconic 28, a model refreshed in 2018 with a ‘Mark II’ edition featuring over 200 revisions and improvements.

Axopar 29 XC and ST in Mallorca, Spain

The company also took stock of its achievements, announcing total production of 6,000 boats to date. The Axopar 28 accounts for about half of the orders, with the 37 that debuted at Boot 2015 (Mark II unveiled in 2020) accounting for much of the rest. The balance is made up of the former Axopar 24 (2016) and three current models: the 22 (2021), 25 (2022) and flagship 45 (2022).

Furthermore, the company was able to announce that it had topped €1 billion in total revenue, having grown its annual turnover from €147million in 2022 to last year’s record €190 million. Viitala expects the figure to rise to over €200 million this year as the global community of ‘Axoparians’ continues to grow.

The company now averages about 800-1,000 boats per year at its production sites in Poland, while its dealer network in Asia includes Asiamarine (Hong Kong), Derani Yachts (Thailand), Europa Yachts (Philippines) and Amal Yachting (Taiwan).

Jan-Erik Viitala, Axopar’s founding partner and Creative & Innovation Director

Just as Axopar has been the face of adventure boating, Viitala has been the face of Axopar in its first decade. Co-founding partner Sakari Mattila traditionally avoids publicity and exited the company in 2016, two years after the brand’s first model made its public debut and started a minor revolution in the leisure boat industry.

The company began its remarkable story by designing a 28ft walkaround with a vertical bow and powered by outboard engines, which immediately distinguished Axopar from its Nordic neighbours.

“At the time, the Scandinavian boat manufacturers were all focusing on inboard diesel engines and big, liveable boats,” says Viitala, who earlier worked at Nimbus, Paragon and XO Boats.

Axopar 29 XC and ST in Mallorca, Spain

“At the same time, we saw a change in people’s behaviour, from staying on a boat for four consecutive weeks during the summer holiday to more day boating and the style of boating you see in the Mediterranean and around the US, for example. As the way of using our boats evolved, Axopar became ‘The Adventure Company’.”

While Axopar’s design caught the eye, its prices have also remained customer friendly and transparent. The company has focused on industrial production, using a hull for each model that can be designed in two, three or even four versions, such as open (Spyder, Cross Bow), hard top (T-Top, Sun Top, Cross Top) or enclosed (Cabin, XC Cross Cabin).

BRABUSIZED

Axopar boats are also used by Brabus Marine, which started 2024 by debuting its biggest model to date – the Brabus Shadow 1200 XC Cross Cabin, based on the Axopar 45 XC Cross Cabin hull platform. Brabus model numbers indicate horsepower, with three Mercury Racing 400R V10 engines propelling the Shadow 1200 to 55 knots.

Jan-Erik Viitala and Constantin Buschmann, CEO of Brabus

Formed in 2017, Brabus Marine is an alliance between Axopar and German company Brabus, which was founded by Bodo Buschmann in 1977 and built its business by making fast, luxurious cars even faster and more luxurious, working with the likes of Mercedes, Maybach and Smart.

Led by his son Constantin since 2018, Brabus has transformed from being solely a car tuner to also developing boats and, more recently, motorcycles.

Its highly specialised ‘superboats’ are produced in the same sites as the Axopar boats but in separate buildings, as they take far longer to build due to the use of higher-value materials, superyacht-standard paint-finishing processes, high-end detailing, and increased power and technology.

Brabus Shadow 1200 world premiere at Boot 2024

“The way they’ve transformed Brabus from an automotive company to a full-luxury, high-performance mobility brand is astonishing. It’s unheard of in the industry,” Viitala says. “I think there were a lot of doubters thinking this was yet another car-boat cooperation or concept that would die out within months.”

Starting at Boot 2018 with the debut of the Shadow 800, based on the Axopar 37 hull platform, Brabus followed a year later with the Shadow 500 (Axopar 28 hull platform), in 2020 with the Shadow 900 (based on the upgraded Axopar 37 hull platform) and in 2022 with the Shadow 300 (Axopar 25 hull platform).

This year, it revealed the Shadow 1000 fitted with twin Mercury Racing 500R V8 engines, a further upgrade of its work on the Axopar 37, which has been the base of Brabus Marine’s core models. Viitala says each new Axopar is designed with the knowledge that it will also become the platform for a higher-performance, ultra-luxury Brabus version.

Brabus Shadow 1200 Sun-Top in Phantom Gray

“During the time we’ve worked together, we’ve been getting more Brabus into the Axopar boats because when we design a model, we know it’s going to be ‘Brabusized’. And the Shadow 1200 is the most Brabus product we’ve ever done.”

S FOR SAKARI

Axopar was the fourth company founded or co-founded by Sakari Mattila, with the name ‘A-XO-Par’ combining initials and letters from his first three companies, Aquador, Paragon and XO Boats. In early 2019, having sold his stake in four companies, Mattila created Saxdor, a name made up of ‘S’ for Sakari, the first syllable of his previous brand (‘Ax’) and the last syllable of his first brand (‘dor’).

Just four years after the launch of the brand’s first boat, Saxdor management describe the company as one of the world’s fastest-growing boat brands and share figures to back it up.

Saxdor’s flagship 400 GTO had its Asia debut at this year’s Singapore Yachting Festival

Starting with 30 people and a rented 1,000sqm production facility in Elk, Poland, it now employs more than 500 people across a new head office in Helsinki, its own 10,000sqm production site in Stoczniowa and a tooling shop in Strefowa, both in Elk. It’s already considering expanding, as it owns a plot next to its Stoczniowa site.

Now producing 600 boats a year, Saxdor almost doubled its annual revenue from €38 million in 2022 to €73 million last year. And having sold out all its models available for 2024, CEO Erna Rusi expects to top €100 million in revenue this year as it starts to make greater inroads to the US, “where we’re just touching the surface”.

“We’re quite happy with the numbers,” she says. “We’re profitable and investing our profits into further growth.”

Adam Waters, MD of DCH Marine, and Erna Rusi, CEO of Saxdor

Such rapid growth might not have looked likely in 2020 when the new company launched its first model, the Saxdor 200, on March 5 – the day Finland went into lockdown. “In the first couple of years, we couldn’t travel, so we never met any of our dealers and barely took part in any boat shows,” Rusi says.

This year, Hong Kong-headquartered DCH Marine has become Saxdor’s distribution partner for Asia-Pacific, covering Greater China, Southeast Asia – where it oversees several existing dealers – as well as Australia and New Zealand. In North Asia, dealers include Ad Custom Yacht for Japan and Hyundai Yachts in Korea. It already has a strong dealer network in the Middle East, where its clients include royalty.

“Along with the US, Asia is one of our expected growth areas, along with new niche markets like Uruguay, the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico,” Rusi says.

Saxdor’s 320 GTC was also at this year’s Singapore Yachting Festival

Today, Saxdor’s models include the open 200 and upgraded 205, but it really found its stride on the 270 and 320 platforms, with the 320 GTO emerging as the brand’s best-seller last year. In 2023, it also unveiled its new flagship 400 GTO before debuting the 400 GTC at this year’s Boot Dusseldorf, where it also announced it was developing the 460 GTC.

Rusi says Saxdor models, based on light, twin-stepped, V-shaped hulls, are Mattila’s best boats to date, combining all his learnings from three decades of design.

“Saxdor was founded on three brand pillars: design, performance, price,” Rusi says. “On the design side, we believe we have the best products that Sakari Mattila has designed. This is his fifth brand and we believe this is where he has brought it all together. And the boats are designed to be easy to build, to help with production speed and lower the prices. Saxdor is his ultimate creation.”

The 270 GTO was among three Saxdor models at Singapore Yachting Festival 2024

She’s also quick to not classify Saxdor as adventure boats, but as “luxury adventure”, so closer to luxury day boats, indicated by the inclusion of drop-down sides. She believes the designs are flexible enough to be used in any way an owner wishes.

“Saxdor makes sporty, elegant driver’s boats. Whether it’s our big or small boats, they’re very much geared around the driver. Also, they can be used and configured in a variety of ways, so you can use it how you want – driving quickly, slowly, from day trips to staying overnight. The 400 has three cabins, offering plenty of room for guests and longer trips.”

www.axopar.com

www.asiamarine.com

www.derani-yachts.com
www.saxdoryachts.com

www.dch-marine.com

Note: For Part 2 of the feature, click here

Special Feature: Adventure Boats, Part 2

News / yachtstyle2020

Special Feature: Adventure Boats, Part 2

May 9, 2024
4:21 pm

Due to the global popularity of Axopar and more recently Saxdor, there’s a growing focus on adventure boats from other Nordic brands, while industry giants Groupe Beneteau and Brunswick Group are also muscling in on the action.
Words: John Higginson; Photos: Shipyards

Note 1: For Part 1 of the online article, click here

Note 2: The original magazine feature appears in YACHT STYLE Issue 76

XO IN ALUMINIUM

XO’s new all-aluminium DFNDR A8

Sakari Mattila’s boating bloodline started with the creation of Aquador (1994) and Paragon (2003), which were sold to Nimbus Group in 2000 and 2007 respectively. In 2006, Mattila teamed up with Erkki Talvela to create XO Boats, which produces hardy aluminium boats that more than hint at the exterior lines and styling later evident in both Axopar and Saxdor, his fourth and fifth companies.

Tall hull sides, a deep-V aluminum hull, vertical bow, rugged superstructure and dark colours give XO boats the robust, functional look and feel of a military or patrol vessel.

Talvela, who returned to XO Boats as CEO in 2018, says: “Aluminum is a superior material used in every challenging condition in aviation and the car industry. Compared to other builders, the biggest difference is the boat handling in rough seas and the robustness of the aluminum hull, like militaries and governments use.

“XO boats are a result of rethinking boat design. They are versatile boats for the needs of a fisherman, a commuter, a sports boat and a weekender that performs all those tasks. We designed ultramodern styling with sporty, high-performance handling and ride. The result is welded into a seriously fun boat for all activities.”

XO’s aluminium-hulled DFNDR 9

Headquartered in Helsinki, XO builds its DFNDR and EXPLR series of boats in both Finland (Ähtäri) and Poland (Suwalki and Augustow). Last year, it produced about 200 units, a figure it hopes to increase to about 250 this year. Its dealers in Asia include Island Wake in Hong Kong, Princess Yachts Budai International Marina in Taiwan and Yamaha Fujita in Japan.

Both the sub-30ft DFNDR 9 and DFNDR 8 have recently won awards or been nominated in adventure boat and other categories. The newest addition to the fleet is DFNDR A8, the company’s first full-aluminum boat, which debuted at the Cannes Yachting Festival last September.

Talvela describes DFNDR as the brand’s ultimate adventure series, but is also excited about its brand-new flagship EXPLR 44, which he says “has a super-robust aluminum hull and the look of a superyacht, so will fulfil many adventurers’ biggest wishes”.

AROUND FINLAND

Only founded in December 2021, Quarken is one of an emerging number of brands in the sector and again hails from Finland but is notable for not being started by Sakari Mattila!

Designer Osmo Roukala, renowned for his work on Finnmaster, Grandezza and Husky models, has three decades of history in the boating industry. Roukala co-founded Quarken with CEO Antero Sundberg, a former Yamaha executive, and Jussi Hurskainen, cofounder and CEO of Valamis since 2003. The trio have since been joined by three further investors.

The Quarken 27 Cabin helped establish the new brand

Using the English name for Kvarken, separating the Gulf of Bothnia from Bothnia Bay, Quarken has had a fast start. Its 27 in Open, T-Top and Cabin versions quickly earned plaudits and production rose to 60 units last year, with the figure expected to increase to 80 in 2024. Quarken started this year by debuting the 35 Cabin at Boot Dusseldorf.

In contrast to its competitors, Quarken produces its boats in Finland, between the west-coast city of Kokkola – where it has its headquarters – and Savonlinna in the southeast. Furthermore, its designs are also different, being asymmetric as opposed to centre console, while unlike most of its competitors, Quarken boats are fitted with Yamaha engines, due to Sundberg’s background.

Even at this early stage of its growth, it has already secured dealerships in Japan (Haunts Boat & Service), Korea (Mega Boats) and Taiwan (Yacht Pinan). With air-conditioning available and the T-Top editions available with sun shades, Sundberg expects the models to be suitable for Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

Finnmaster, founded in 1990, is not a pure adventure boat brand, but its Pilot series of cabin boats fits the category. The shipyard entered the Middle East market with the appointment of Viya Marine, which is based at Dubai Creek Marina, and was an exhibitor at this year’s Dubai International Boat Show.

The Pilot 8 is the largest model in Finnmaster’s series of cabin boats

Founded by Niilo Seliö, father of Finnish F1 Powerboat world champion Sami Seliö, Finnmaster is now owned by Terra Patris Group, headed by Jari Löfroos. With about 200 staff, Finnmaster produced in the region of 2,000 boats ranging from 18-33ft in the last fiscal year.

Aside from the Pilot 6, 7 and 8, models include the R5 and R6 bowriders, aluminium Husky models (R5, R6, R7, R8), S5 and S6 console boats, day cruisers (T6, T7, T8, T9) and the F11 weekender. Of the 2,000 built last year, the T8 was the most popular due to its “best-in-class combination of affordability, driveability, comfort and top-notch Finnish finish”, according to Finnmaster.

While Finnmaster has over three decades of history, other leading Nordic motor boat builders have almost six. They include Finland’s own Sargo, the ‘OG’ of adventure boat builders. Built in Kokkola, these boats don’t just look tough – Sargo builds for the police and rescue authorities, and you believe it when you see them.

Founded by Edy Sarin in 1967 as Minor and now headed by his sons, the family-owned company rebranded as Sargo in 2014 and today has just over 70 staff.

The Sargo 45 is the flagship of the Kokkola shipyard founded by Edy Sarin in 1967 and now managed by his sons

The company currently offers the Sargo and Explorer versions of the 28, 31, 33, 36 and flagship 45, all certified CE A (Ocean) or B (Offshore). Sargo produces about 60 units a year, with the two largest models among the most popular, although its presence in Asia is limited to Japanese dealer Okazaki Yachts.

CEO Thomas Sarin says: “Our boats are manufactured in Finland’s west coast where the climate and weather are tough most of the year. Sargo boats are made for owners who love to drive their boat and are very seaworthy because they’re designed to be used in all conditions. In our boats, function comes before form.

“As well as being seaworthy, all Sargo boats are very practical, with the walkaround design and side doors meaning owners can use the boat safely all year round. A large outdoor space and functional cabins offer a wide range of uses. You can go diving on a hot summer day or look at polar bears on acold winter day. Sargo boats work for everything.”

NORDIC NEIGHBOURS

A year after Sargo was founded as Minor, Nimbus was founded in neighbouring Sweden in 1968, while the publicly-listed Nimbus Group has grown to include Alukin, Aquador, Bella, EdgeWater, Falcon, Flipper and Paragon.

Available with inboard or outboard engines, the Nimbus C11 shares the same platform as the T11 and new W11

Headquartered in Gothenburg, the multi-brand company has about 450 employees and is delivering over 400 boats a year from operations in Sweden, Finland, Poland, UK, Norway and the USA. The Nimbus brand of boats is responsible for about 40 per cent of the group’s turnover and its main markets are the US, the Nordic countries and the rest of Europe.

Nimbus created its first walkaround design with the Nova series in 1992 and introduced the stepped hull in 2000. Traditionally a builder of premium day boats, the brand was focused on inboard coupe models until responding to the recent popularity of outboard models by creating a new series that could be categorised as adventure boats.

Today, the brand’s most popular series are the Tender (open), Weekender and Commuter (enclosed), which all share common platforms starting with the 8, 9 and 11. With these models, Nimbus has made steady inroads into Hong Kong and especially Singapore and Thailand since appointing Asiamarine as a dealer in late 2021.

Globally, the outboard option has been selected for about 60-65 per cent of C11 orders, a figure that rises to nearly 95 per cent on the T11. Also featuring an overall length of almost 41ft, the W11 is the newest of the trio, having had its world premiere at last year’s Cannes Yachting Festival.

Nimbus debuted the W11 in 2023

Jonas Gothberg, Nimbus Group’s Commercial Director and Brand Manager at Nimbus Boats, says: “When we did our new T/W/C series, we saw outboard engines were a solid trend, and including these as an option made us much more international. Adventure boating is our heritage and legacy, and this categorisation works for all our models as we have roof racks and the likes. We’re well known in this segment.”

Windy is another historic Nordic brand, founded in Norway in 1966 and now owned by Periscopus. The company has a head office and a production facility for its bigger boats in Västervik, while all sub 40ft models are built in Poland, in Ostroda and Słupsk, with all sites producing a total of about 130 140 boats last year.

Windy boats don’t typically fit the adventure boats mould, but the brand – which doesn’t have any dealers in Asia – looks set to enter the sector this year with the SR38, which sits between the SR28 and SR44 in the Sports line.

Featuring an exterior by superyacht designer Espen Oeino and an interior by Design Unlimited, a longtime Sunseeker collaborator, the SR38 has the option of inboard or outboard engines and features dropdown sides, an aft sunpad that folds up to reveal storage for water toys, and a roof rack for kayaks, surf boards and paddleboards.

The upcoming SR38 is Windy’s response to adventure boats

“SR38 took shape from SR44, but needed to be a little bit smaller. We’d been listening to requests from clients including for fold-down sides and there are a lot of options now such as an opening roof or a hard top with solar panels, storage for boards and bikes, and so on,” says Johanes Hertel, Windy’s International Sales & Marketing Manager.

“With this model, we’re going in that direction like other boat brands. We want to offer that to clients, so they can bring their paddleboards and kayaks, go fishing and do other activities. It’s a model that fits into the category of ‘build your boat’.”

GLOBAL REACH

However, it’s the arrival of two of the world’s two biggest boatbuilding groups in the adventure boats sector that underlines the belief that the genre holds a strong future. Owned by Groupe Beneteau since 2014, Wellcraft has been producing boats since 1955 and is primarily known for offshore fishing boats, building between 500- 1,000 units a year.

However, the American brand switched direction when it debuted the 355 in 2022 and flagship 435 in 2023, as it attacked the adventure boat sector in the same way that fellow Groupe Beneteau builder Jeanneau entered the luxury day boat sector with the DB/43 and DB/37. In fact, it even used the same designers: American Michael Peters for the hull and Italian Camillo Garroni for the concept and styling.

Groupe Beneteau entered the adventure boat sector with Wellcraft’s 355 (above) and flagship 435

Wellcraft describes its enclosed models as ‘commuters’, taking inspiration from the Nordic region but also the US, referencing the 1920s commuters between Connecticut and Manhattan.

“Groupe Beneteau wanted to be a player in this modern version of the commuter,” says Nick Harvey, Wellcraft’s Brand Director.

“In the last 10 years, Wellcraft has built centre-console boats, and we feel certain boaters are now looking for a more protected boat. We wanted to do it our way, the American way, so we called the best running surface designer of today, Michael Peters, to design a superfast boat and asked Garroni Design to do the concept.”

With head offices split between the US and France, and production across both countries as well as Poland, Wellcraft has a strong transatlantic profile and UAE-based SF Yachts as a dealer in the Gulf, but no dealers in Asia, despite Groupe Beneteau’s strong history and presence in the region.

“People are amazed at how powerful, rugged and safe our boats are at sea, responding to the greatest demands and challenges,” Harvey says. “Wellcraft offers an upscale version of the commuter, bringing creature comforts when others are very basic. You pay more but you get a lot more.”

A new Brunswick brand, Navan debuted its first models, the C30 (above) and S30, at the 2023 Cannes Yachting Festival

Meanwhile, Brunswick Group has entered the sector with a new brand, Navan, which debuted the C30 and S30 at last year’s Cannes Yachting Festival. Both models have since exhibited at Boot Dusseldorf and the Miami International Boat Show this year.

The boats are built on the same twin-step hull and are offered with single or twin Mercury Verado outboard engines, with the C30 designed as an enclosed commuter and the S30 focused on the day boat market with an open design with hard top.

“After extensive consumer research and product development, Navan by Quicksilver ushers in the next era of performance and luxury,” said Benoit Verley, President of Venture Boat Group, which includes several other Brunswick brands. “Boating enthusiasts come to see the future of recreational boating, and that is exactly what Navan delivers.”

Adventure boats and brands emerging around the world include British company Arksen, founded by Jasper Smith in 2017, with production in Poland and southern England. The company’s Adventure Series includes the Arksen 28 and 30 models, with the company expecting to build 28 units this year.

The Arksen 30 is part of the British brand’s Adventure Series

“The Arksen 30 stands out as an exceptional all-rounder, offering superb handling and predictability across a diverse range of conditions,” says Smith, who’s also Arksen’s Chairman and CEO. “As well as remarkable fuel efficiency and impressive speed, it’s very versatile, featuring internal dining for up to five people, external dining for six, and from two to six berths.”

The company’s boat offerings extend beyond the Adventure Series. Last year, it kicked off its aluminium-hulled Explorer series with the launch of the first Arksen 85 at Wight Shipyard in East Cowes, while this year it’s kick-starting its Discovery Series of adventure RIBs with the Arksen 8.

“Arksen was established with the purpose of transforming adventurous aspirations into tangible experiences. The Explorer Series empowers individuals to expand the horizons of their exploration, providing access to remote locations. On the other hand, the Adventure Series caters to those sharing similar dreams but with time constraints or a preference for quicker journeys.”

An Arksen 28 in Seattle, Washington

And there are more, whether it’s Dromeas Yachts in Turkey or Protagon Yachts in Greece or electric boat manufacturers entering the sector, such as Denmark’s Rand with its Roamer 29 (‘Ultimate 29ft Adventure Boat’), Sweden’s X Shore with its 26ft Pro or US-owned Navier with its foiling N30.

Within its 10 years, Axopar may have led and labelled the ‘adventure boat’ sector, but its styling and design influences reflect a strong Nordic heritage that dates back decades. And although it remains the genre’s leading light and most recognisable name, it now faces increasing competition from a fast growing range of companies, brands and ranges targeting the sector, a challenge Viitala welcomes.

“We more or less created the genre of adventure boats, but competition is always good because it keeps everyone focused on bettering their own products,” he says.

“To me, the new Axopar 29 is the perfect example of what competition does. And who’s the winner in a competitive landscape? The consumer. If we’re all striving to get better at what we’re doing, the customer always benefits from this ‘battle’.”

www.xoboats.com

www.quarken.com

www.finnmaster.fi

www.sargoboats.fi

www.nimbus.se

www.windyboats.com

www.wellcraft.com

www.navan-boats.com

www.arksen.com

Nautique athletes star in Owners’ Day in Hong Kong

News / yachtstyle2020

Nautique athletes star in Owners’ Day in Hong Kong

May 9, 2024
1:28 pm

Asia Yachting hosted the annual Nautique Owners’ Day in Hong Kong, featuring two American professional riders.

Asia Yachting hosted its annual Nautique Owners’ Day in Tai Tam, where American pro Jeff McKee participated in the three-day event for the third time while top-ranked Drew Drennan starred for the first time.

Drennan topped the rankings in both the Pro Men surf and skim divisions in last year’s Nautique Wakesurf Series in the US, while McKee has been a professional wakeboarder for two decades and is highly proficient in wakesurf and wakefoil.

Jeff McKee

Before flying to Hong Kong, the two riders had just finished a photo shoot in the US for Nautique’s new wake boats. In Tai Tam, they shared some of the exciting new developments across the series as the American brand looks forward to celebrating its 100^th anniversary in 2025.

As in previous years, the two professional riders flew in for the Nautique Owner’s Day in Hong Kong and provided one-on-one coaching sessions during the three-day event.

Drew Drennan

Nautique owners showed up with their boats to learn from the two wakesport champions, even when the event was hampered by rain on the second day.

McKee and Drennan showed off their skills behind the best-selling Super Air Nautique G23, which is known for creating one of the best wave for wake sports. The G23 has been the best-performing, highest-ranking boat in its class for over a decade.

Asia Yachting represents Prestige in Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, Fountaine Pajot in Hong Kong and the Philippines, and Nautique in Hong Kong, Philippines and Southern Thailand.

www.asiayachting.net

www.nautique.com

Asia Global Yachting chartering Sanctuary

News / yachtstyle2020

Asia Global Yachting chartering Sanctuary

May 9, 2024
1:07 pm

The regional dealer has secured the charter CA for the 48m Sanctuary, which is scheduled to begin operating in July.

Asia Global Yachting (AGY) has been appointed as the charter Central Agency for Sanctuary, a custom-designed motorsailer currently in the final stage of outfitting and scheduled to start chartering from July. Charter rates start from US$13,500/night (plus 11 per cent VAT), rising to US$15,000/night (plus 11 per cent VAT) in 2025.

Built in Bira, Sulawesi, Sanctuary has an overall length of 48m and a beam of 10m, with an ironwood hull and teak decking and interior. The yacht was commissioned by the owner of Ritz-Carlton Mandapa in Ubud and will feature a similar style and décor to the resort, as well as a similar level of hospitality and F&B.

The yacht has a remarkable nine guest cabins, comprising an owner’s suite, two VIP staterooms and six guest cabins, all with air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms. Up to 18 guests can be served by 18 crew, which include a captain, cruise director, masseuse and dive instructor.

Maria Widhyasari, Charter Sales and Marketing Manager of AGY (Indonesia), said: “This collaboration represents AGY’s dedication to enriching our luxury yacht portfolio. Sanctuary is more than a yacht; it’s a symbol of unrivalled indulgence.”

The owner’s suite on the upper deck has a 270-degree view, an en-suite bathroom with his and her sinks, a jacuzzi and private balcony. Both VIP staterooms are on the same deck and have a private balcony. The interior includes a lounge and bar, indoor dining, massage room and camera room.

Outdoor areas include a foredeck with an alfresco dining area that can be covered to a daybed with removable shade. The top deck has a jacuzzi and daybeds, and an open area suitable for yoga and other activities.

Aft is a shaded deck, also convertible to an outdoor cinema and karaoke area with a screen and projector, while the stern offers a dive platform. Water toys include a kayak, paddleboards, waterskis, wakeboard, plus snorkelling equipment and diving equipment.

“Sanctuary promises discerning clients a truly unforgettable journey in Indonesia’s pristine waters,” Asia Global Yachting stated. “Our strategic alliance with top-tier resorts and brands underscores our dedication to delivering excellence and exceeding expectations in every aspect of yachting indulgence.”

Asia Global Yachting’s charter CA fleet also includes The Maj Oceanic, a 47m, seven-cabin motorsailer with a 10.5m beam.

www.asiaglobalyachting.com

Damen Yachting delivers first Yacht Support 53

News / yachtstyle2020

Damen Yachting delivers first Yacht Support 53

May 9, 2024
1:41 am

Bad Company Support 175 has been delivered to its owner, Taiwan-born Anthony Hsieh, founder of loanDepot.

Damen Yachting has delivered the first Yacht Support 53 (YS 53) to Taiwanese American Anthony Hsieh, with Bad Company Support 175 joining the owner’s Bad Company fleet as the 175-footer takes on an ambitious deep-sea fishing and conservation programme.

Built in Turkey and launched last year in the presence of Hsieh, a keen sports fisherman, the Yacht Support 53 will serve as fast support to the Bad Company sport fishing fleet and operate as the main hub for Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean activities.

The 53m, 499GT support vessel will provide a base for equipment and dedicated programmes, as well as long-term and short-term onboard living and accommodation facilities for the owner and his specialist crew. The yacht has accommodation for eight guests and 10 crew plus captain.

To tailor the vessel’s design and performance to the owner’s preferences and specific requirements, Damen Yachting communicated throughout the project with the owner’s representative, Neil Emmott.

“In pursuit of a lifelong dream, the owner’s involvement has been crucial in shaping the project, with enhancements based on his personal and very specific requests,” Emmott said.

“These include accommodating a game boat, helicopter hangar and custom jacuzzi, transforming the main deck lounge into a dedicated strategy meeting room, and integrating a Starlink antenna for improved connectivity.”

Damen Yachting handled the exterior and interior design, and naval architecture of Yacht Support 53. The model’s second hull, Five Oceans, was launched in Damen Yachting’s Antalya facility earlier this year.

www.damenyachting.com

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