United States

Alexander Marine USA

The 44.2-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/538" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westship Yachts (Company)">Westship</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/623" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tanzanite44.2m (145'0&quot;)Westship Yachts2004">Tanzanite</a> sold in a deal with Jerry Todd of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine USA</a> introducing the buyer and Mark Elliott of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a> representing the seller. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/301126/image/large-fa979dbe2293d52bcc97838ad0c137e6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/301126">Delivered in 2004 and previously named Boardwalk and Fighting Irish, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/623" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tanzanite44.2m (145'0&quot;)Westship Yachts2004">Tanzanite</a> features original exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/540" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Carr Design (Company)">Carr Design</a>, while her interior was penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/539" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amy Halffman (Company)">Amy Halffman</a>, with naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">Jack Sarin Naval Architects</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/310760/image/large-b99c89f3ce3c4dad46e312cc284b1bb5.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/310760"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/310757/image/large-fed6f96124e3bec43d05ae1a7e424ee8.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/310757">She has been well maintained over the years including several refits, which have seen her interiors updated by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5331" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Innovative Creations Interior Design (Company)">Innovative Creations Interior Design</a>. With a volume of 424 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/623" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tanzanite44.2m (145'0&quot;)Westship Yachts2004">Tanzanite</a> can sleep up to 10 guests across a five stateroom configuration. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/310764/image/large-c7e80c0cdcb5d4effbfc3a37020242ca.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/310764"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/310763/image/large-ad941194adc24f4e6ccde0c7c52aca41.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/310763">In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/623" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tanzanite44.2m (145'0&quot;)Westship Yachts2004">Tanzanite</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a> engines that propel her to a cruising speed of 14 knots and a top speed of 21 knots. At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/623" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tanzanite44.2m (145'0&quot;)Westship Yachts2004">Tanzanite</a> had a last known asking price of $8,900,000.

Tanzanite: 44m Westship yacht sold

The 44.2-metre Westship motor yacht Tanzanite sold, with a last known asking price of $8,900,000.

44m Westship motor yacht Tanzanite sold

As the superyacht brokerage market moves through the third quarter of 2025, our Head of Intelligence, Ralph Dazert, takes a closer look at the much-talked-about downturn of the market, focusing on the new-build segment while also taking a quick snapshot of the used yacht market. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/205866/image/large-9e77ac14b51b37bd7308b59535ec24a2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/205866">New-build sales: still behind but catching up &nbsp;The new-build market started 2025 in a jittery mood, with uncertainty about the US market and the Trump Administration’s policy of import tariffs, coupled with a downward trend in the European market, worrying brokers and shipyards alike. &nbsp;The market for GRP yachts built to a model (dominant up to about 45-metres) has definitely taken some hits, with some well-known manufacturers like <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunseeker (Company)">Sunseeker</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess</a> in particular announcing staff reductions. Meanwhile, as of early August 2025, the share prices of the Italian builders <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">The Italian Sea Group</a> had also taken hits over the past twelve months (-15% and -35% respectively year-on-year since early August 2024), as did the shares of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a>, the mother company of the Taiwanese builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> (-30% ), while the US yachting giant <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax (Company)">MarineMax</a> (a large player in the sales of GRP-hulled boats and yachts up to 40-metres, among other activities) saw its share price decline by -22% since early August 2024. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/233014/image/large-859455f9fc8cd7009c71f9afe386ee4c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/233014">We noticed that the major builders of GRP yachts generally have more new-builds and dealer stock boats available than they did a year ago, meaning they have capital tied up in those boats for more extended periods of time. &nbsp;All that makes for pretty grim reading, but what do the numbers look like? They are definitely behind on the same period in 2024, about 10% down, from 111 sales for the year up to 31 July 2024, to 100 for the year up to 31 July 2025. &nbsp;But, those are just high-level numbers, so let’s take a closer look: &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/369732/image/large-05acb7e14007169a5ee0284f3ba49a83.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/369732">New superyacht sales are following two divergent paths: sales of yachts up to 50-metres are down by 12% in numbers of yachts sold, while sales over 50-metres are stable. Interestingly, the decline between 30 and 40-metres can be attributed entirely to sailing yachts, which are down by six units year-on-year after experiencing something of a boom in 2024, as explained in our market column in SuperYacht Times issue 53. &nbsp;With attractive build slots for new sailing yachts currently in short supply, that segment has slowed down again. Even though sales numbers for motor yachts in the 30 to 40-metre segment appear to be stable, something has definitely changed in that market, as the share of stock sales (yachts completed on speculation and sold afterwards) has almost doubled compared to a year ago, from seven to 12 sales. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/232981/image/large-38c7f2ac13511369dc2615663dbd18d4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/232981">Clearly, new yachts in this segment are taking longer to sell than they did before. Additionally, sales of projects started for the client have decreased by almost half compared to 2024, from 32 to 18 sales. Meanwhile, sales of projects started on speculation have increased slightly, from 12 to 16.The decline between 40 and 50-metres is mainly caused by lower sales of yachts up to 45-metres, which dropped by five units, while the number of sales above 45-metres (which are mainly steel-hulled yachts) has dropped by just one unit compared to the same period of 2024. &nbsp;Sales between 50 and 60-metres have held steady, while sales between 60 and 80-metres were up by one unit, as market activity in the larger segments is buzzing and appears to be largely unaffected by global economic and political turmoil. &nbsp;However, there is an important side note to be made here: we are hearing from several shipyards all over Europe that clients are taking longer and longer to sign on the dotted line and are actively playing out shipyards against each other more than before. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235065/image/large-f66538822a46ab8fbc088b0df32647fe.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235065">Reportedly, clients at the top end of the market are baulking at Northern European price levels, as they perceive the new-build market as having weakened in their favour, so they are playing it hard. Meanwhile, yards in the top segment have little room to manoeuvre on the price. The order backlogs at the different players on the top end also vary, ranging from fully booked to yards that could use some extra capacity and are prepared to negotiate on price. &nbsp;At the moment, sales of newbuilds over 80-metres are still behind by one project. Still, the rather significant amount of large new-build projects under negotiation that we are tracking suggests that this new-build segment might notch up quite a few extra sales before the end of the year, making it a better year than 2024, which in itself was already a big improvement on 2023.&nbsp;So what about used yachts? &nbsp;The used yacht market warrants its own extensive study due to its sheer size and importance to the brokerage market overall. Still, for lack of space, we will leave you with a summary for the moment: the demand for used yachts over 30-metres appears to be stable compared to 2024 in terms of numbers of yachts sold, with 200 used yachts sold as of 31 July 2025, compared to 199 for the same period of the preceding year. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/233018/image/large-e530854b2f7981037879fc171adcbd1c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/233018">The total gross tonnage (GT) sold is actually up by 8% to 93,500 GT, indicating that the average used yacht sold so far in 2025 is larger than in 2024. The total value of yachts sold so far in 2025 is hard to estimate, as we have already counted no less than 17 off-market deals so far in 2025 (including some huge yachts). Still, it is well over 3 billion euros, which is not dissimilar to our estimate for the same period for 2024. &nbsp;On paper, that is not all bad, but we are only in early August at the time of writing. As a final note, sales of used yachts appear to be following a slightly different pattern compared to those of new yachts, with the number of yachts sold between 30 and 40-metres down compared to last year, while sales between 40 and 50-metres slid after two positive years in 2023 and 2024. Sales over 50-metres are up, entirely due to a strong increase between 50 and 60-metres. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/369733/image/large-87ed2000a90cf58ad228f52c52bb381d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/369733">ConclusionWhile the new-build market up to about 45-metres is very challenging at the moment, the larger segment is trending upward. In contrast, the used yacht market appears to be holding steady and exhibits similar divergent paths in sales numbers to the new yacht market, with total sales of yachts up to 50-metres down compared to last year, while sales of the larger superyachts over 50-metres are up. We are very curious to see how the rest of the year will play out for the market, with the important third quarter and its key yacht shows coming up.This article was first published in issue 54 of the SuperYacht Times newspaper, available for <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/newspaper/newspaper-issue-54" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">download here</a>.

Superyacht market insight Q3 2025

Is the market slowing down? Ralph Dazert takes a look at current superyacht trends.

Is the superyacht brokerage market slowing down in 2025?

The 29.3-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6572" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Anacapa29.3m (96'2&quot;)Ocean Alexander2008">Anacapa</a> sold with Michael Verbas of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a> introducing the buyer and Dennis Riehl and Paul Enghauser of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4755" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Crow's Nest Yachts (Company)">Crow’s Nest Yachts</a> representing the seller.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/289523/image/large-29596d0cb7f2f70f04c4cd3d3ed9e78b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/289523">Delivered in 2008, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6572" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Anacapa29.3m (96'2&quot;)Ocean Alexander2008">Anacapa</a> showcases a beam of 6.73-metres and a draft of 1.93-metres, allowing her to access remote destinations and anchorages. The motor yacht features both exterior design and naval architecture penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ed Monk Yacht Design (Company)">Ed Monk Yacht Design</a>. The yacht can accommodate up to eight guests across her four spacious staterooms.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/289521/image/large-870d7dc443778b814fe27c009577b951.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/289521">Previously named Sveti Nikola, the motor yacht boasts an expansive main saloon, defined by lacquered wooden surfaces and bright interior furnishings. The saloon displays a large L-shaped sofa and adjacent cream armchairs surrounding a circular glass coffee table, providing plenty of space for guests to relax. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/289520/image/large-88f2b71ca5a310094d307dbc892092b5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/289520">The saloon is also lined with expansive windows, allowing a plethora of light to illuminate the interior. In addition, the main saloon opens out onto a spacious exterior deck, allowing guests to enjoy alfresco dining while embracing their ocean views. A classic interior aesthetic extends across the yacht’s staterooms, blending meticulous wooden craftsmanship with a neutral colour palette, complete with patterned furnishings.Regarding performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6572" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Anacapa29.3m (96'2&quot;)Ocean Alexander2008">Anacapa</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1408" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Caterpillar Inc (Company)">Caterpillar</a> engines, providing her with a cruising speed of 11 knots and a top speed of up to 22 knots. At the time of her sale the motor yacht had a last known asking price of $2,595,000.

29m Ocean Alexander yacht Anacapa sold

The 29m Ocean Alexander motor yacht Anacapa has sold with a last known asking price of $2,595,000.

29m Ocean Alexander motor yacht Anacapa sold

The 27.43-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8406" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TLC27.43m (89'12&quot;)Ocean Alexander2019">TLC</a>, previously called Viva, has been sold with Mark Meyer of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1102" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Allied Marine (Company)">Allied Marine</a> representing the buyer and Greg Wilkinson of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine USA</a> representing the seller.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/248706/image/large-98c5406d1b41f0ade6806c4232d23a65.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/248706">The sold <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> yacht was delivered in 2019, and features exterior and interior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/111" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Evan K Marshall (Company)">Evan K Marshall</a>, with naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1234" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Arrabito Naval Architects (Company)">Arrabito Naval Architects</a>. Up to eight guests are accommodated onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8406" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TLC27.43m (89'12&quot;)Ocean Alexander2019">TLC</a>, and she also has accommodation for three crew members, including the captain. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/248697/image/large-be3fc1705ad9add8f9ba5d0d985ee90d.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/248697"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/248696/image/large-c5280af50d27efeabdbf2dfa1c871530.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/248696"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/248701/image/large-7e14b137803a0890c13f0013b34629e9.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/248701"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8406" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TLC27.43m (89'12&quot;)Ocean Alexander2019">TLC</a> has a GRP hull and superstructure and is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a> engines. Her last asking price was $8,599,000.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/248705/image/large-37f06d2876ac271273737d28964b908c.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/248705"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/248703/image/large-b71731b4dfedae77549c52e36a53f46e.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/248703"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/248694/image/large-d539d748b4b13149b94eb7642cf6fb06.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/248694">

27m Ocean Alexander motor yacht Viva sold and renamed TLC

The 27m Ocean Alexander motor yacht TLC has sold with Allied Marine representing the buyer and Alexander Marine USA representing the seller.

Austria-based shipbuilder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent-Yachts</a> has now shared a statement to rebut claims they were <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/56619" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine seeking damages for $20 million yacht fire (2022-12-20 12:30:00 +0100)">partially liable for a yacht fire in 2021 that saw over $20 million in damages</a>. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a>, the US dealer for Taiwanese brand <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> are suing <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent-Yachts</a>, a German shipowner, a general cargo ship and a vessel chartering company for the total loss of two yachts and severe damages to a third during a trans-Pacific voyage.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252348/image/large-15b45fad50d3df851a0bb86898fdf012.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252348"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a> is seeking damages in the US federal court for the Southern District of Florida for the parties involved in stowing and shipping five yachts in November 2021. Of those five, three were <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> yachts and one was built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent-Yachts</a> – It has also not been reported as to whether the fifth vessel received any damage, or who she belonged to.The yachts were stowed onboard the 138.5-metre cargo ship BBC Virginia, operated by Briese Schiffahrt, both of which are involved in the lawsuit and accused of being unseaworthy. The yachts were travelling on a shipment from Taiwan to Florida when a fire is said to have broken out onboard.&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> alleges that the fire originated in the vessel owned by a customer of Sempre Italia/<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent Yachts</a> North America, both of whom are named Defendants in the lawsuit. A fourth defendant, Cross Chartering Yacht Transport allegedly violated the contract of carriage by failing to disclose the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent Yachts</a> yacht and putting the three <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a> yachts on an unseaworthy vessel.&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent-Yachts</a> has been producing solar-powered vessels for nearly a decade and a half, and discredits claims they were partially liable for the fire. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent Yachts</a> has reportedly sailed tens of thousands of miles without any defects in the drive or in the solar-powered system of any of its yachts and considers itself the world leader for solar electrically powered yachts.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/253355/image/large-1b51f8f6e5c174a04625b88a99614621.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/253355">“The apparent reason for the accident was the incorrect positioning of the Silent 60 yacht and its incorrect fixing,” commented Michael Kohler, Founder and CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent-Yachts</a>. “For unknown reasons, the Silent 60 was positioned transversally on the utmost end of the bow of the cargo ship - not longitudinally as shown in the loading papers. It was partially hanging over the deck of the cargo ship and with loose and insufficient fixing.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/253353/image/large-88324cd757beb1c13fc629e96be84d01.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/253353">According to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent-Yachts</a>, “the severe weather conditions and the loose fittings caused the boat to slide heavily on the deck of the cargo ship in high waves, hitting the bow-bulb of the Ocean Alexander yacht, as well as the steel frames that were supposed to hold the yacht.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/253352/image/large-d6030c220eaa3571fa89e16bfaa4dfff.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/253352"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent Yachts</a> has obtained images from surveyors which show holes in the side of the Silent 60 which <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent Yachts</a> claims was caused by the bow of an <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> vessel and which they state demonstrates the poor stowage of the vessels.According to surveyor reports of the incident, the Silent 60 catamaran was secured and latched to BBC Virginia by the ship’s crew, who were responsible for how it was secured on the vessel, under the supervision of the Chief Officer of BBC Virginia. However, neither the Load Masters from Complete Marine Freight STP nor Cross Chartering Yacht Transport International were present for the loading of the vessel, or to supervise the crew.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/253351/image/large-a82bab16813dc7777dbd62a996e972ab.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/253351">Reports from the accident state that the BBC Virginia sailed from Kaohsiung, Taiwan at midnight on 26 November 2021 and in the early hours of 27 November 2021, she was cruising through the Taiwan Straits into severe gale winds measuring force nine on the Beaufort scale. In addition to this, the waves were measuring around eight-metres, which resulted in the BBC Virginia slamming heavily.One surveyor indicated in a report that the Master had reported that “the vessel had encountered heavy weather and sea conditions during her transit in the Taiwan Straits on 27 November 2021. This resulted in the Silent 60 yacht being shifted to the bridge direction and mooring cleats of the yacht were detached from its original position. As a result, her port quarter was impacted by the bow of both <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> yachts loaded at portside aft in the early morning.”<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/companies/alexander-marine-usa" target="_blank">Alexander Marine</a> filed a complaint on 12 December stating that “Based on the damaged condition of the affected yachts, all surveyors agreed that the fire started [in] either hatch number one — or the vessel stowed above it, noting that said vessel was a pile of ashes on inspection.” Silent Yachts contradicts this allegation, and claims that nowhere in their surveyor report does its surveyor agree that the fire started in hatch number one of the vessel.&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a> said that after the fire had broken out, it quickly spread to three Ocean Alexander yachts, believed to be just under 30-metres, stowed above the adjacent hatches. As a result, two of the Ocean Alexander vessels were deemed total losses and the third suffered severe damage.While <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a> alleges in their complaint that the Silent 60 yacht was unfit and defective for the November 2021 shipment due to its “unproven and untested radical solar powering system.” The allegation has not been substantiated, nor has there been any cause determined for the fire.&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent-Yachts</a> further indicated that “the accident could have happened to any other conventionally powered boat in the same position and conditions. The fire had nothing to do with the solar panels on the roof of the yacht. The solar panels, as well as the complete high voltage battery system of the yacht were switched off completely, [and there was] no power in [any of] the cables, concluded Michael Kohler.It is reported by one counsel for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent-Yachts</a> that the lawyer for the plaintiffs, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a>, is the same attorney who represented the owner/customer of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent yach</a>t. The owner was paid in full, in no small part due to the good faith efforts of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent Yachts</a> U.S. distributor, Sempre Italy, LLC d/b/a Silent Yachts North America.Although the lawsuit does not specify exact damage amounts, it noted that the three <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> yachts were worth $21 million.

Silent Yachts statement on Alexander Marine yacht fire

Silent-Yachts Founder and CEO, Michael Kohler has issued a statement to SYT regarding the $20m Ocean Alexander yacht fire lawsuit.

Silent-Yachts responds to $20m Alexander Marine yacht fire lawsuit

According to TradeWinds,&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a>, the US dealer for Taiwanese brand <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> are suing <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent Yachts</a>, a German shipowner, a general cargo ship and a vessel chartering company for a 2021 fire during a trans-Pacific voyage. The fire saw over $20 million worth of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> yachts go up in flames onboard a shipment from Taiwan to Florida.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252348/image/large-15b45fad50d3df851a0bb86898fdf012.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252348"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a> is seeking damages in the US federal court for the Southern District of Florida for the parties involved in stowing and shipping five yachts. The yachts were stowed onboard the 138.5-metre cargo ship BBC Virginia, operated by Briese Schiffahrt, both of which are involved in the lawsuit and accused of being unseaworthy.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a> filed a complaint on 12 December stating that “Based on the damaged condition of the affected yachts, all surveyors agreed that the fire started [in] either hatch number one — or the vessel stowed above it, noting that said vessel was a pile of ashes on inspection.”The fire starting vessel was allegedly owned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent Yachts</a> of North America and Sempre Italia, both of whom are defendants. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a> alleges that the ship was unfit and defective for the November 2021 shipment due to its “unproven and untested radical solar powering system.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/252347/image/large-86ee2790b2dc4fc4630d6c7d68cf6eab.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/252347">According to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a>, after the fire had broken out, it quickly spread to three <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> yachts, believed to be just under 30-metres, stowed above the adjacent hatches. As a result, two of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> vessels were deemed total losses and the third suffered severe damage. After the fire the ship was diverted to China for surveying.A fourth defendant, Cross Chartering Yacht Transport allegedly violated the contract of carriage by failing to disclose the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silent Yachts (Company)">Silent Yachts</a> ship and putting the three <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a> ships on an unseaworthy vessel.Although the lawsuit does not specify exact damage amounts, it noted that the three ships were worth $21 million. It has also not been reported as to whether the fifth vessel received any damage, or who she belonged to.

Alexander Marine sues for $20 million yacht fire

Alexander Marine are suing Silent Yachts, shipowner Briese Schiffahrt, the cargo ship and a vessel chartering company over a $20m yacht fire in 2021.

Alexander Marine seeking damages for $20 million yacht fire

With the state of the market in the Americas a hot topic within the superyacht industry, there’s been plenty of talk surrounding its past developments and future outlook - much of which will also be discussed together with industry experts in <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/superyacht-times-webinar-programme" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">tomorrow's Webinar which focuses on 'The US Market'</a>. Using data from our <a href="https://shop.superyachttimes.com/report/superyacht-times-the-state-of-yachting-2020" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">SuperYacht Times iQ reports,</a> SYT’s head of intelligence, Ralph Dazert, examines how new and used yacht sales, yacht construction and yacht ownership have evolved in the region over the past five years. In addition, we also spoke to industry experts all around the world in order to get their take on the market performance between 2015-19 and discover how it’s shaping up for the future.<img src="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/uploads/store/photo/57601/image/large-00c7e3d8a026206128e318b9c027449c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/57601">The Americas: An OverviewNew superyacht construction in the Americas has decreased by more than 50% in the past five years, from 92 yachts during the preceding five-year period (2010-2014) to just 38 during 2015-2019. North America, however, remains the strongest superyacht buyers’ market, with US and Canadian buyers jointly responsible for 24% of all new-build sales of yachts over 40 metres to buyers with a known nationality. North American buyers of new yachts over 40 metres particularly like Dutch-built superyachts, with 44% of the new yachts they bought built in the Netherlands. Italy is the second most popular build country with 18% of the yachts having been built there. North American yards are currently small players in the over-40-metre market, with domestic buyers sourcing only 6% of new yachts in this size category from their own countries. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/57602/image/large-aba2db5525ff51a4082a5e2f5a1e258c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/57602">Key Figures <ul><li>38 yachts were completed between 2015-2019 (United States: 34; Brazil: 3; Canada: 1)</li><li>19 yachts were under construction (United States: 15; Canada: 3; Brazil: 1)</li><li>27.6% of the world fleet was owned in the Americas (in number of yachts)</li><li>24.3% of yachts were owned in North America (mostly the United States), 2.0% percent in Central America (mostly Mexico) and 1.5% in South America (mostly Brazil) as of the end of 2019.</li><li>United States’ share of ownership is up over the past two years, as is the Mexican share of ownership</li><li>The South American share of ownership is down, from a peak of 1.8% of the fleet in 2016 to 1.5% in 2019.</li><li>The North American market took 24% of all new-build sales over 40 metres during 2015-2019.</li><li>In used yacht sales over 40 metres, North American buyers were the biggest force, taking 37% of used sales with a known buyer nationality.</li></ul><img src="/uploads/store/photo/57608/image/large-0b5080367c7edf9a4d7dcba590a3eeaa.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/57608">Q&amp;A on the Market in the Americas, 2015-19 Here, we speak to industry representatives from across the region to find out how the market has evolved since 2015 and to garner their thoughts on the future. What is the typical profile of the customer base in the Americas region and have you seen a shift in what clients are looking for in their superyachts over the last five years, in terms of the size, style or purpose?Alex Rogers (Director,&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4542" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westport Yacht Sales (Company)">Westport Yacht Sales</a>): The customer trend definitely seems to be getting younger while yacht sizes are definitely getting bigger, and we have seen a rise in demand for beach clubs and gyro stabilisers.&nbsp;Roger Sowerbutts (Director,&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4828" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Horizon Yacht USA (Company)">Horizon Yacht USA</a>): Although many of our clients have similar cruising grounds or lifestyles, there are nuances in their yachts and in their specific requirements for layout, equipment and features. We have however seen a consistent interest in outdoor entertainment areas, so we often design foredecks, flybridge decks and aft spaces around dining, lounging and entertaining in these spaces. There is also a larger focus on interior volumes, with less emphasis being placed on the overall length of yachts. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/119316/image/large-7f52798ab3cef92c28ec73c43ce89d33.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/119316">Michael Joyce (CEO,&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1184" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hargrave Custom Yachts (Company)">Hargrave Custom Yachts</a>): The typical <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1184" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hargrave Custom Yachts (Company)">Hargrave</a> buyer is usually 60+ and has been boating for at least thirty years. As they reach this point in their life, they tend to know exactly what they want in their next yacht, which is why they are eager and willing to go through the entire design and build process to get it.&nbsp;We have noticed that clients also focus more on accommodation as larger families go on board. The yacht is becoming generic while clients look more to its connectivity, water toys, and other add-ons that are of interest to their family and guests. Above all, it’s about the experience they are hoping to create on board.<img src="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/uploads/store/photo/119343/image/large-4aa080322fc84f479894508a17a3eaac.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/119343">Cromwell Littlejohn (Commercial Director USA,&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/526" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Northrop and Johnson (Company)">Northrop &amp; Johnson</a>): We certainly see younger boaters entering ownership, and first-time owners’ yacht sizes increasing (drastically!). However, this is likely due to the growth of the charter sector. Some first-time owners that we see entering the market have never owned a smaller boat themselves, yet they still have years of charter experience on their profile, which is something we haven’t seen in the past - the learning curve no longer comes only from ownership.&nbsp;With regards to onboard lifestyle, we’ve seen an increase in the amenities and features available to crew, as crew are often one of the highest expenditures in the operating budget and can make the biggest difference in an owner’s enjoyment of their yacht. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/113504/image/large-18c739096a122e92de4c099539620e17.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/113504">According to our data, 2019 saw fewer new and used yacht sales than 2018. Does this match what you have seen? What do you predict for 2020?&nbsp;Alex Rogers (<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4542" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westport Yacht Sales (Company)">Westport</a>): 2019 was pretty consistent with 2018 for us, but there is a definite lack of used boat inventory. That being said, we hope to see clients looking at new inventory in 2020.Cromwell Littlejohn (<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/526" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Northrop and Johnson (Company)">Northrop &amp; Johnson</a>): Our data has shown that the number of yacht sales over 24 metres has remained relatively steady throughout the past three years, with approximately 10 boats difference between 2018 and 2019. While that overall number is a roughly 10% swing, the value and size of those sales seem to be trending upwards.&nbsp;Michael Joyce (<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1184" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hargrave Custom Yachts (Company)">Hargrave Custom Yachts</a>): Your data matches what we are seeing in the world, but I’m not sure it matches the press releases we read every week saying builders are breaking all-time sales records. We are not expecting any change in 2020 until after the election, but we predict 2020 will remain strong. Wealthy people can probably see further into the future than most of us, but with the imminent threat of socialism taking control of the political system here in America, and every left-wing candidate talking about imposing staggering wealth taxes, many <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1184" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hargrave Custom Yachts (Company)">Hargrave</a> clients are postponing major purchase decisions until they see what happens in the next election.&nbsp;<img src="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/uploads/store/photo/35338/image/large-2c8d26490881491499c5a2ae5b1d1b3b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/35338">Does the second-hand market have an impact on new-build sales in the Americas?Dan Mundy (President,&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a>): In a sense, yes. With <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a>, we purposefully do not build two boats alike and are very cognisant about when to stop. Although we might build a number of models that share the same DNA and heritage, they all have a unique mark and style to them which gives them a strong stature. Therefore, even if we have three 100s on the market and one on the used <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">sales market</a>, we avoid saturating our brand and the market through our approach.Michael Joyce (<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1184" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hargrave Custom Yachts (Company)">Hargrave Custom Yachts</a>): We have noticed that the time a yacht spends on the market has steadily gone up over the years as the supply of new-builds continues to increase while the demand remains the same or even slightly decreases. Since buyers know this and don’t want to be a two-boat owner in that scenario, the builder either takes a trade or has to wait for the brokerage market to find a buyer. With more builders shifting to building on speculation, it only increases the pressure on new boat prices.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/14690/image/large-7eff7ab585f358661ad3559dfd4cb396.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/14690">Are you using a specific marketing approach for the Americas region and does it differ from your approach to other areas?&nbsp;Roger Sowerbutts (<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4828" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Horizon Yacht USA (Company)">Horizon Yacht USA</a>): <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4828" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Horizon Yacht USA (Company)">Horizon</a> has a global marketing message, but we also tailor our marketing to each region. Our global message focuses on three key components: firstly, what sets <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4828" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Horizon Yacht USA (Company)">Horizon</a> apart as a luxury manufacturer - which is our flexibility in design and build; secondly, our commitment to our clients, listening to their requirements and building the yacht of their dreams; and thirdly, that boating is about having fun and enjoying the experience.&nbsp;Dan Mundy (<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a>): I would say that our marketing approach to the Americas is very simplistic: we are not a production builder. We build a boat that speaks to the Americas, but one which still has a very international feel. Our largest market is definitely the Americas, but because we also have such a broad range we are able to actually find a unique synergy with all of our clients. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/4215/image/large-a766cee897d013d87d9d23e00999741c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/4215">Michael Joyce (<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1184" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hargrave Custom Yachts (Company)">Hargrave Custom Yachts</a>): The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1184" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hargrave Custom Yachts (Company)">Hargrave</a> name has been laser-focused on the US market for over sixty years and almost every client has owned a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1184" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hargrave Custom Yachts (Company)">Hargrave</a>-designed yacht at some point in their history. Everything we have going on with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/898" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kha Shing Enterprises Co., LTD. (Company)">Kha Shing</a> in Taiwan for the past 20 years has been focused on the US market, and with over 100 projects to date, we used a low profile marketing program that is centred around our referral network of clients, captains, and brokers.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://shop.superyachttimes.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title=""><img src="/uploads/store/photo/55401/image/large-6524e9c9dfc37e22bf131ecc39bea57e.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/55401"></a> This article was first featured in The SuperYacht Times newspaper.&nbsp;<a href="https://shop.superyachttimes.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;now to receive your copy straight to your door and never miss another issue.

Investigating the yacht market in the Americas

Using data from our reports and SYT iQ, we investigate the developments of the superyacht market in the Americas across the last five years.

Insight: The state of the market in The Americas

Next week, SuperYacht Times will be present at the <a href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Miami Yacht Show - 2020">Miami Yacht Show</a> as the show’s official intelligence partner and seminar host. SuperYacht Times is organising a 45-minute seminar on each of the first three days of the show. These seminars are free of charge and open to all attendees of the show, taking place in the main show building at Booth 202, next to RMK Merrill Stevens. Guests can expect yacht buyers, owners and professionals alike to join the discussion along with a selected panel of industry professionals and yacht owners.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/112842/image/large-c44d4d8f393b056d19dc8a7484b2a9f4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/112842">Thursday 13 February 12:00 - Selling superyachts in the USAOn the first day of the show, the panel will discuss and advise on the characteristics of the US superyacht market and provide an insight into the preferences of US buyers. The panel includes the following experts on the US superyacht market:Brandon Flaherty, Sales Broker, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax (Company)">MarineMax</a>Crom Littlejohn, Commercial Director US, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/526" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Northrop and Johnson (Company)">Northrop &amp; Johnson</a>Dan Mundy, President, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine USA</a><img src="/uploads/store/photo/112841/image/large-77cc7d8c5ecbc33cb6de26122375cfc5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/112841">Friday 14 February 11:00 - The state of the marketThe panel will discuss the state of the superyacht market and where the market is heading. The following guest speakers will participate in the panel discussion:Marco Segato, CEO, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4682" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SanLorenzo Americas (Company)">Sanlorenzo Americas</a>Dan Mundy, President, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine USA</a>Rutger Dolk, Commercial Sales, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/18" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amels (Company)">Amels</a>/<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen (Company)">Damen</a><img src="/uploads/store/photo/25878/image/large-6f5e1e4ecba709f072df4d0992299c32.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/25878">Saturday 15 February 11:00 - Design trendsOn Saturday, a unique panel of superyacht designers has been invited to share their experiences and expertise with the audience, including:Frank Laupman, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega Architects</a>Giorgio Cassetta, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Giorgio M. Cassetta (Company)">Giorgio M. Cassetta Design</a>Jeffrey Bowles, Director, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/146" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Donald L. Blount & Associates (Company)">Donald L. Blount &amp; Associates</a>Luiz De Basto, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/283" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Luiz de Basto Designs (Company)">De Basto Designs</a><img src="/uploads/store/photo/112848/image/large-0588b99135f4a2348fa133e811d6e8ff.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/112848">For any questions regarding the seminars, please contact Ralph Dazert at ralph<a href="mailto:merijn@superyachttimes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">@superyachttimes.com</a>. SuperYacht Times will also be hosting a similar series of seminars at the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2020, more details of which will be announced soon.&nbsp;

Miami Yacht Show 2020: SYT's three-day seminar programme 

SuperYacht Times will be present at the 2020 Miami Yacht Show as the show’s official intelligence partner and host a three-day series of seminars.

The man at the helm of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a>, Johnny Chueh, never expected to be where he is today. Becoming President and CEO of the Taiwanese shipyard wasn’t exactly part of the plan for the 46-year-old, as he explains to me during a rare moment of calm at the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/events/cannes-yachting-festival-2019" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Cannes Yachting Festival</a>. Taking refuge in the galley on board the Ocean Alexander 90R which was making its European debut at the show, we take the opportunity to escape the stifling heat and go back to the beginning.<img src="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/uploads/store/photo/60813/image/large-53f1da9071c3a4d69c9d4712b7cd6417.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/60813">Chueh’s early years were spent in Taiwan, moving to Australia for his schooling and enrolling in the highly prestigious and demanding University of Chicago economics programme for his bachelor’s. After this, it was a stint as a research assistant for psychology and then a business professor with the idea of earning himself a doctorate in organisational behaviour for a future career in academia. Next up, to gain some practical business experience before starting graduate school, Johnny joined Mitchell Madison, a Chicago consulting company. And then? A serious fork in the road.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/111049/image/large-63574b6b78800545f2b01109ce5c7af8.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/111049">Johnny’s father, Alexander Chueh, had launched his Taiwanese boat-building company in 1977 and had allowed his children to follow their own paths, with Johnny’s elder sister choosing to study divinity. As Johnny explains, “He was resigned to that. I know that deep down he wished one of us would take over the family business, and it is traditional to pass on the family legacy to your own blood in Taiwan, but he was mature and modern enough in his thinking that he knew he couldn’t force us.” But then fate threw one of her curveballs and Alex fell and suffered a stroke in 1998 at a dinner he was hosting for the yard’s workers. This impaired his speech and mobility and resulted in him being unable to run the company. To ensure the orderly succession of the company to professional managers, Johnny and his sister agreed to spend a year each in Taiwan to support their father with the transition period. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/66225/image/large-c683390c06fe93e4f6b45d5d67d098eb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/66225">Resigning from his Chigaco job, Johnny moved back to his birth country and, at the age of 24, started his year’s experience in boat building and managing <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a>. With no experience whatsoever, Johnny got stuck in, spending a month in the plant production cycle and getting to grips with the basics of woodworking, fibreglass laying, electricals, mechanical systems, boat finishing and more by working side by side with the workers and earning their trust, proving that he was so much more than just the boss’ son. Next, he went to the office to perfect the art of communication, learning all about the business’ inner workings and clients and making the most of his fluency in Mandarin and excellent English. He also shadowed the managers and spent time inspecting the yachts in various stages of construction, learning everything he could and asking endless questions until his curiosity was satisfied. <img src="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/uploads/store/photo/60814/image/large-6ba8fc51b8ed2f985ef8cfd21abd86bb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/60814">Despite all this effort, Johnny was determined that this experience would only be for a year, after which he would be able to enrol in graduate school and his real career could start. Except, of course, this hasn’t happened yet.&nbsp;“My sister said, ‘I know I promised I would come, but I’m not coming back, so you deal with it, Johnny.’ I was fine with doing it for another year.”&nbsp;And then another year, and another, and so on. His father’s health continued to fluctuate and Johnny gradually began to take on more responsibility at the yard, checking on projects from abroad while visiting his mother in Australia, who passed away from a serious illness in 2000. As Johnny remembers it, his father’s uncertain health helped to maintain a frictionless relationship between the generations. <img src="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/uploads/store/photo/60826/image/large-53ecd8a50da91e7b89a437ad1c70cdd2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/60826">“When I came back, my role gradually changed. I think if you’re a first-generation businessman, you need to be a bit of a control freak because you have to manage everything in order for it to work out right, but because of his health he wasn’t able to do a lot of things, so gradually different pieces would come to me. In terms of the friction that usually happens between the first and second generation, this was reduced because of his health.” By 2002, Johnny was fully in charge of the company.&nbsp;“I actually applied to and got accepted for a PhD programme. I was going to be an academic and then a professor, but life sent me down a different tangent.”&nbsp; For the affable CEO, however, there are no regrets about this unexpected turn of events and it is clear that he has been caught in the spell of boat building. “I don’t really regret it because at any time I could have said, ‘No, I made a commitment for one year and then I am gone.’ I don’t want to say that the business ‘grew on me’ but I’ve always had an interest in business generally. One year lead to two, lead to three, and I’ve never left. The academia thing is probably just something that I’ll do when I’m 60,” Johnny notes with a smile. &nbsp;<img src="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/uploads/store/photo/60823/image/large-4d09c4f4b817930affd9432c44fa8fea.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/60823">When it comes to managing the yard and its employees, Chueh’s approach differs markedly from his father’s: a fact which he attributes to his age and international upbringing. “My father was very hands-on and controlling and in some ways, quite militaristic. This meant he was much stricter about the various bureaucracies and the various levels of regulations, with a kind of military chain of command. As part of a younger generation, I don’t think I’m particularly unique: the younger generations understand that sometimes you have to allow a little more freedom for people to just throw ideas onto the board. My particular upbringing meant I could see lots of different ways of doing things, whereas my father was born in China and then moved to Taiwan so his scope was very Asian.”&nbsp;Indeed, Johnny’s approach to running <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> certainly has an international flavour to it which spans across the Pacific. The majority of the manufacturing takes place in Taiwan, with the parent company of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4696" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexander Marine USA (Company)">Alexander Marine</a>, owning four factories spread across Kaosiung - each of which is designated with its own area such as tooling - and additional manufacturing also taking place in Merritt Island Florida. In terms of timings, the typical turnaround for building an <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> yacht is 5-6 months after an order is placed. Notably, the majority of builds are semi-custom and usually warrant the construction of a new hull in order to build the perfect boat for the owner. <img src="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/uploads/store/photo/60835/image/large-14e11b1eee5583c2d0d4f3c245e65074.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/60835">There is also the retail side of the business which operates on the West Coast of the US (where <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> is a dealer for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/358" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azimut Yachts (Company)">Azimut</a>, Tiara Yachts and numerous other brands) and marine operations in service yards on both sides of the US. Having this strong American focus has been a vital component of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> business model, as Johnny highlights.&nbsp;“We are very concentrated on and very integrated in the US. We like to make sure that if a customer joins us in any of those chains or touchpoints, we can service them throughout the entire marine relationship.” Aside from the US, there are also dealers for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> boats located in Italy, Switzerland and Australia.The trans-Pacific partnership goes back decades and, with the majority of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> clientele hailing from the US (around 70%), it is clearly working. Indeed, the look of the classic <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> yacht finds its origins in the close relationship between Alex Chueh and the Pacific Northwest designer <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ed Monk Yacht Design (Company)">Ed Monk Jr</a>, son of the legendary 20th-century naval architect and designer by the same name, who was the brains behind the design of the entire <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> line at the company’s foundation. The vessels, such as the 15-metre Ocean Alexander Mark 1 (the first-ever vessel in the line) are built for long-distance, rugged cruising and are still highly sought after today thanks to their combination of classic looks, modern amenities and seaworthy performance.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/60831/image/large-b357c453e0efe6be5bdf43e2ca5d9a58.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/60831">Johnny informs me that the company is also looking to build on its production capabilities in the US in the future. “We’ve been operating in the US for four or five years now and what we’ve found is that we needed to have a manufacturing location closer to the market because once you take into account shipping, duties and taxes, it’s uncompetitive to build in Taiwan, especially at the smaller sizes. We will continue to expand our product offering and the obviously the production capability in the US factory. We’re also expanding in Taiwan and have two new factories under construction - a fibreglass factory expansion and a brand new assembly factory which will keep us in good shape for the next two or three years.” Indeed, this expansion makes sense, with the company having tripled its number of employees and doubled its sales revenue since the downturn in 2008.&nbsp;Since <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> has expanded into superyachts, introducing their first 30-metre model in 2005, they have kept their sights firmly fixed on the US. Last attending the Cannes Boat Show in 2008, the turbulent economic situation encouraged the OA senior management team to think hard about their business strategy. “On the third day of the show, the Lehman Brothers collapsed. We talked amongst ourselves and said, ‘This is clearly not the right time to enter into a brand new market. Let’s pack up shop and concentrate all of our energy there.’ In hindsight, it was definitely the right move because the US market improved faster than the European one.”<img src="/uploads/store/photo/60837/image/large-03c19430bf8ed6191b092dfc0c7c6706.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/60837">In 2020, however, it is a different story, and the time is finally ripe for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> to take on Europe. “Our market share in the US is so incredibly high that it’s harder and harder to gain any more or to grow. So, about three years ago, we started developing our product range for Europe and the international market. A lot of international markets - Asia, the Middle East, Russia, even Australasia to a lesser extent - are following European trends and design sensibilities and we wanted to develop a new product range which would enable us to take on these markets.”&nbsp; Which brings us neatly back to Cannes and the boat on which I am sitting with Johnny. Making her European debut at the show, the Ocean Alexander 90R is part of the Revolution series and comes from the drawing boards of the American-born and London-based <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/111" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Evan K Marshall (Company)">Evan K. Marshall</a>. Designing a 120 flagship back in 2012 and then taking on the entire new line for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a>, Marshall has put his own twist on this new generation of yachts in order to appeal to buyers from different parts of the world, with the addition of contemporary interiors and modern, cohesive lines.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/60818/image/large-3eac86d726b8a3c5a0510d9eb41a2ae5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/60818">Originally showcased in Fort Lauderdale 2018, this particular, grey-hulled 90R (hull five) is the five-stateroom version and is specifically designed with the European market in mind (the US version has four staterooms). At 27.43 metres, the boat feels both wide and tall, with clear attention given to maximising lifestyle on board thanks to her comfortable and stylish seating areas, numerous bars and generous galley. With her floor-to-ceiling windows and freestanding furniture, the boat has an open-access feel which could well appeal to a new generation of yacht buyers, as well as the capability to reach a generous top speed of 27 knots (also a clear nod towards the younger generations). <img src="/uploads/store/photo/60815/image/large-4804070002c8ca4520cae81f47e54d3a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/60815">For Chueh then, 2020 could be the year that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> makes a serious impression on the European market, but he’s not pushing it too quickly. Within the next two years, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> will be introducing a 110-foot (33.5-metre) model in the R series in a similar style which will also be orientated towards a more European clientele. “I have to accept that Europe is very foreign to us. We’re students who are still trying to learn about this market. We are not pressuring ourselves too much at this stage: we are angling for Europe, but we will go slow as we have a lot to learn.” &nbsp;That said, thinking back over all of the lessons which Chueh has learned and the tests at which he has excelled since being unexpectedly plunged into the world of boat building all those years ago, I have a sneaking suspicion that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1394" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Alexander (Company)">Ocean Alexander</a> is on track to pass with flying colours.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="http://www.superyachtcompany.com/newspaper/the-superyacht-times-subscription" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title=""><img src="/uploads/store/photo/55401/image/large-6524e9c9dfc37e22bf131ecc39bea57e.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/55401"></a> This article was first featured in The SuperYacht Times newspaper.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.superyachtcompany.com/newspaper/the-superyacht-times-subscription">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;now to receive your copy straight to your door and never miss another issue.

Ocean Alexander President Johnny Chueh on leading the next generation

President Johnny Chueh gives SYT a candid insight into life at Ocean Alexander.

Insight: Ocean Alexander President Johnny Chueh on leading the next generation

Following a successful FLIBS 2018, Alexander Marine International and Ocean Alexander are celebrating seven sales of Ocean Alexander superyachts. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/26915/image/large-42374eaa0f3e14323a3cadb7be116b85.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/26915">The Ocean Alexander 112’ on display during the show was contracted by Scott Roberton, a Yacht &amp; Brokerage Sales Executive with MarineMax Yachts. Roberton also contracted and delivered an Ocean Alexander 70e - both his sales were to clients who were new to the brand. &nbsp;Dan Aultman, with MarineMax Stuart, contracted hull #1 of the new Ocean Alexander 90 Revolution during the show. “This was a new client for me, and he signed a contract on the boat just with the renderings, while the boat was still under construction,” Aultman shared. In addition, Aultman, in collaboration with Mike McCarthy of HMY, sold an Ocean Alexander 100’, which is due to be delivered at the end of 2018 to a client who is upgrading from a Princess 68’. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/32871/image/large-4924af83fd56242966484a1194fc4d56.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/32871">A new-build custom order for an OA 100’ Skylounge Ocean was also secured by Michael Tyrrell with MarineMax Pier 66 after the client saw the Alexander 100’ on display during the show. The owner is new to the Ocean Alexander brand and will accept delivery of the new yacht in late 2019. Tyrrell, working with Jeff Oliver from MarineMax, also finalised a contract as a result from the boat show for a new Ocean Alexander 112’. “This is the first OA for this buyer, he’s owned Pacific Mariner and Sea Rays in the past.”<img src="/uploads/store/photo/14690/image/large-7eff7ab585f358661ad3559dfd4cb396.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/14690">James Corts, from MarineMax Yachts in Naples, sold the Ocean Alexander 85’ on display at the show. “The buyer was really attracted to the volume the OA 85 provided them. He is moving from an 84’ Ferretti and with a similar length, getting a lot more space on this new boat,” Corts explained.&nbsp;