Thailand

Albatross Marine Design 

Built in Thailand at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6647" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Floeth Yachts (Company)">Floeth Yachts</a>, the first 33.5-metre Sea Searcher Independence 110 has begun sea trials following her recent technical launch. The catamaran has been designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5641" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Albatross Marine Design (Company)">Albatross Marine Design</a> with a wave piercing design. Her builders <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6647" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Floeth Yachts (Company)">Floeth Yachts</a> have penned her naval architecture.<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rmg7_SU7reI?&amp;wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe>The yacht has been built using a PVC resin infusion process and as a result the yacht will be significantly lighter than conventional fibreglass yacht. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222103/image/large-19cc74b3de17de42e7fe29c31234401e.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222103">The 48 tonne yacht achieved top speeds of 16 knots during the trials, powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1483" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cummins Inc. (Company)">Cummins</a> 380 horsepower engines. The first sea trials were undertaken two weeks ago, and once the trials are complete she is expected to enter outfitting ahead of delivery.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/222123/image/large-eec3c6b252e16e3f7ada57d9c58e6a67.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/222123"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6647" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Floeth Yachts (Company)">Floeth Yachts</a> have also suggested that future models could be fitted with hybrid-electric propulsion.&nbsp;

Sea Searcher Independence 110 sea trials

The first Sea Searcher Independence has begun sea trials in Thailand.

Unique 34m wave-piercing catamaran begins sea trials in Thailand

Tom Roberts, yacht broker with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a>’s Mayfair office in London, started out his career at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster</a> yacht brokerage in Suffolk. He has spent his life sailing, competitively racing yachts and even joining the Formula Two powerboat racing scene in 2015. His knowledge of the market and passion for the industry shine through the screen as we converse over Zoom.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/199087/image/large-3383f11ae8bfac944b74407a165a93b1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/199087">Please introduce yourself and explain your background in the industry:I grew up sailing on the Norfolk Broads, but it is not just sailing for me, I began powerboat racing in Grand Prix boats in 2015 and that really showed me life in the motor boat industry which I really enjoyed. Jonathan Beckett, now CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/159" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Burgess (Company)">Burgess</a>, helped me start out as a yacht broker, he lived next to my parents in Suffolk and was instrumental in the beginning of my career nearly 20 years ago.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/199086/image/large-433dd64d54483151a499631dd6c91a2c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/199086">So, I started at Fox Yachts as a sales broker in Suffolk, selling Beneteau’s and other sailing yachts. Back then it was part of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster Group</a>, and I was there for three years and then moved to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster</a> in 2007, where I was a broker until 2020. I was based in the Ipswich office, selling the full range of Oysters, new and used, and then started with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a> in December 2020. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/199088/image/large-a7eff4e9e6ad6e061b713646aff9d7f9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/199088">You are an accomplished yachtsman, how do you think that this has helped you in your work as a yacht broker?The racing side of things has certainly helped, you deal with all kinds of people, wanting cruisers or yachts that can perform, and it is definitely important to know exactly how a yacht works, and how to get the most out of it. The ability to sail and race particularly, really helps me to engage with clients and to understand what kind of vessel they are looking for and when clients want to talk about the technical specifications. At <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4740" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Brokerage (Company)">Oyster</a> we took clients out for sail trials ourselves, selling the yacht while we were sailing it – that was a really good experience.&nbsp;How has the transition been from&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4740" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Brokerage (Company)">Oyster</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a>, and taking a step back from the sailing side of the industry?&nbsp;For me it has been really easy. I’ve always had a fascination with motor boats, my parents had an Albatross and I always loved classic motor yachts. I took a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunseeker (Company)">Sunseeker</a> across the Crinan Canal in Scotland and it really piqued my interest. I think because I’ve been sailing all my life, I really appreciate the motor boat side of the industry.&nbsp;At <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/companies/oyster-brokerage" target="_blank">Oyster</a>, most of the sales were generated from our own website. In the superyacht industry, where you don’t only represent one builder, along with digital leads you have to go out and find your own listings and nurture leads from client relationships. I am seeing that fall into place at the moment which is really fantastic. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/73224/image/large-7237bdc07fe89e245db4b6a60d968f56.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/73224">There is a lot of talk about a boom in the industry at the moment, how has it been starting out at&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a>&nbsp;during such a busy time?It has been a great time to start, I have some fantastic listings, such as the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/122" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Huisman Shipyard BV (Company)">Royal Huisman</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2261" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Billy Budd II34.25m (112'4&quot;)Royal Huisman Shipyard BV1994">Billy Budd</a>, and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3454" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nativa48.0m (157'6&quot;)Arzana Navi2012">Nativa</a> the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1987" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Arzana Navi (Company)">Arzana Navi</a> sailing yacht, and though it has been a bit slower in the U.K. in terms of sales, the charter side of the industry has been flat out. We have a large worldwide client base for the London Office, we are situated in Mayfair, so right in the heart of the British superyacht market.&nbsp;The trouble everyone has at the moment is that there is no inventory out there, and a real shortage of good, unlisted boats. We are lucky at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a> because we have loyal customers, who come to us again and again, and we really see that, even in the time that I have been at the brokerage.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/192618/image/large-dd726bb67b142072140813523295caed.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/192618">What do you think the future holds for the market?I think September is going to see a big change in yacht ownership, with people looking forward to next year and selling on the yachts they bought for the 2020 and 2021 Mediterranean seasons. People are most likely sorted now for this summer, but as the season tails off, yachts will be returning to the market, so yes September is going to be a busy time in the marketplace.&nbsp;Explorer style yachts have seen a real surge and that has definitely been impacted by the pandemic; people want to be more isolated, and travel further afield. Generally the most popular yachts right now are in the 40 to 50 metre range, and I don't see that changing in the coming year. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/188015/image/large-8d2a5168304fd40df1d69128ac640f38.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/188015">We recently&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/53117" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Interview with CCO of Arcadia Yachts on the timeless Arcadia 85 (2021-06-04 14:00:00 +0200)">did an interview with the team at Arcadia</a>&nbsp;who suggested that in the current climate, clients are more inclined to buy yachts that are already constructed, either on spec or used, rather than constructing new builds - are you seeing or expecting this pattern?The most sellable items at the moment are used or spec built yachts which are ready to go. People really don’t want to wait, which is something the pandemic seems to have really brought on – people want to be out at sea with their families, in a safe environment. Working as we do now, people can work from anywhere, you don’t need to be in the office 24/7, and that has really changed the way people perceive their time, if you can work from your yacht, why wouldn’t you?At <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster</a> we also found that often people preferred to buy older models as opposed to new build yachts, because of the lengthy lead times of new vessels. Buying used yachts and then refitting them to your own specifications can be a great option for owners.Most of all, I think we are all looking forward to getting back to the yacht shows, seeing each other in person and doing what we do best. Though there has been a lot of chatter in lockdown about the value of the boat shows, I do think they are important, but we don't need to be spending the amounts of money that we used to spend on them.

Yacht broker Tom Roberts on his move to IYC

SYT interviews to Tom Roberts, yacht broker from Oyster, now at IYC.

"The demand is at an all time high": Tom Roberts and the state of the current market

Monaco-based shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5266" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amasea Yachts (Company)">Amasea Yachts</a> will start building its first model: the 25.45-metre Amasea 84, as seen in the recently released photographs of the new yacht model. Construction on the first hull of the tri-deck catamaran model, which was unveiled in early 2019 after the company was founded in 2018, will start in the coming months and is due to be completed in 2021. While the shipyard projects the first hull to take around 20 months to build, subsequent hulls are estimated to take only 12 to 16 months.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/110569/image/large-7a3deb86be1761702765992ed764c80d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/110569">Exterior designer Dr Albert Nazarov of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5641" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Albatross Marine Design (Company)">Albatross Marine Design</a> has included a spacious aft beach club, a flybridge with a lounge area, alfresco dining for up to 16 people and the possibility of a Jacuzzi. Half the deck is protected from the elements by a carbon fibre hardtop and the sun shade is equipped with solar panels which help recharge the batteries and generate hot water. In addition, the main deck features two lounges, one aft and one towards the bow. The aft lounge can serve as an alfresco dining area, party area or yoga space and the bow lounge features a U-shaped settee and table. A wide selection of toys, with storage in two garages, will be available.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/110591/image/large-263ad5599e18ca3d8e703372b37ecd20.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/110591"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/110600/image/large-15e614701cec1fc807176b835c562a47.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/110600">Accommodation includes two master suites on the upper deck. “It is remarkable to have the option of two master cabins,” comments Dr Nazarov. “Other spaces are flexible as well, made possible thanks to the catamaran’s square shape. And, of course, an owner can bring his interior designer into the project, allowing custom interior styling to create a completely unique yacht.” Four additional guest staterooms are situated on the main deck along with a spacious saloon, an office and a galley.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/110581/image/large-0a273905b34e7375d798aac1d9aedb05.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/110581"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/110584/image/large-ee95e7f2ddd97940d2a30f9afdad7a83.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/110584">The 547-square-metre yacht’s 23.9-metre waterline allows it to be categorised as a small craft, which enables easier access to marinas and limits charges.

Amasea to start building 25m Amasea 84

Amasea will begin building the 25.45m Amasea 84, Monaco-based shipyard’s first line of superyachts.