First announced in early 2018 with a teaser line drawing that hinted at a sporty exterior, elongated bow and dramatic sheer, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7207" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RIO62.0m (203'5&quot;)CRN2022">RIO</a> was destined to be something unique for the Italian shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/12" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="CRN (Company)">CRN</a>. Featuring exterior design and interior architecture from Frank Laupman of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega Architects</a>, the yacht, which was delivered in May last year, is an evolution of a design trait Laupman has been playing with for years. With interiors from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/12" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="CRN (Company)">CRN</a> in collaboration with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4774" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pulina Exclusive Interiors (Company)">Pulina Exclusive Interiors</a>, the yacht’s interior volumes are characterised by bright, light and beachy tones, bathed in light from the floor-to-ceiling windows which wrap around the superyacht’s decks. Here we take a closer look at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7207" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rio62.0m (203'5&quot;)CRN2022">Rio</a>, a fully custom superyacht which changed hands shortly before its completion and therefore one which shows a shipyard and designers ability to adapt to an entirely new set of desires in next to no time.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235402/image/large-e1a16ff327fc3ed9381a37796d345aff.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235402">One of the most characteristic features of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7207" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RIO62.0m (203'5&quot;)CRN2022">RIO</a> is her extremely long bow and dramatic leaning profile that elongates the vessel and gives her the presence of standing high in the water. To accentuate this specification of the first owner, Laupman and his team deviated from the expected and pulled the mast head away from the centre and toward the aft of the vessel. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235415/image/large-9bf91717d387ece5d9fc255d9f4304b1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235415">Developing the yacht from these initial lines, Laupman and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/12" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="CRN (Company)">CRN</a> opted for a large amount of glass, with the aforementioned floor-to-ceiling windows exaggerated further by the low bulwarks on all sides. Utilising a trait from an inspiration series created by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a> for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/12" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="CRN (Company)">CRN</a> following the launch of the 73-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2749" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yalla73.0m (239'6&quot;)CRN2014">Yalla</a> in 2014, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7207" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RIO62.0m (203'5&quot;)CRN2022">RIO</a> incorporates a characteristic arch to the aft, sweeping from the superstructure of the owner’s deck to the transom. A dynamic tool, the arch not only unifies the hull and main deck, but also makes the entire superstructure appear smaller and more tapered than it really is, giving the entire vessel the sense of leaning direction. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235409/image/large-c8e29ca83611d51d65894fede12aedf1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235409">Laupman explained, “The risk with an arch in this position is that it could intrude into your view from the aft deck, which is why the arches are hollow, allowing the eye to pass through them, while still retaining this interesting disruption of the hull line that creates a unique and special appearance.” With echoes of this distinctive arch visible in other <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a> designs, a dramatic example being the 65-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3676" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Illusion65.0m (213'3&quot;)Heesen Yachts2013">Galactica Star</a>, now Illusion, it is clear to see how the motif has evolved over the years; on Rio this results in a more upright and angular feature. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235436/image/large-4bdbd06be6d583bc5f606c0f8b9e98f7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235436"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235435/image/large-ff6fd4dad7ebd2954231e6c94bd4a872.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235435">Offering an elegant support for the owner’s deck aft, the archway has allowed Laupman to pull the overhang further aft and elongate it without visually impeding on the profile of the superyacht. This owner’s deck aft is home, as is custom now, to a large dining table, lounge chairs and sunbeds, while the foredeck features a private owner’s Jacuzzi and lounge area with an awning and table, utilising that elongated bow.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235434/image/large-5060b2bc586ee9d020bf646e3e509343.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235434">While the uppermost aft deck area is dedicated to the guests, the main access point is an external stairwell which leads from the owner’s deck. This is because the internal volumes are dedicated to the technical management of the yacht, with the interiors home to the emergency generator, captain’s cabin, first officers cabin, pantry and wheelhouse.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235413/image/large-fbd242d3e73f9226f8aa0b95cf67fd5c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235413">Laupman has unified the design of this technical deck with the entire form of the vessel with the use of a number of clever motifs. The wing stations on either side of the vessel have been defined as separate forms which protrude from the superstructure at graphic angles and catch the light. Laupman explained, “the wing stations are a hard form with a sideways angle which are integrated with the visors over the windows that accentuate the entire feeling of the yacht ‘tumbling home’.” These lines are then balanced by another, gentler arch at the aft of the upper deck glazing, which adds yet another dynamic touch to the yacht’s exterior profile.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235422/image/large-c19dfe91444942dc3920d242dc9e990d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235422">When it comes to her interiors, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7207" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RIO62.0m (203'5&quot;)CRN2022">RIO</a> has been carefully configured by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega</a> to emphasise a flowing sense of interior-exterior harmony, while <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/12" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="CRN (Company)">CRN</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4774" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pulina Exclusive Interiors (Company)">Pulina</a> have created an interior styling that brings to life the owner’s wishes for bright spaces and a happy atmosphere. Alessandro Pulina commented, “The concept of the yacht was Tropical Mood, as prevailing upbeat white tones forming a backdrop throughout are set off with lively pops of colour. We wanted to create a sort of colourful and exotic amusement park inside the yacht, with unique art selections and decorations, made to measure with the ever-changing experiences inside the vessel.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235423/image/large-e7e204566d38ecc7fa7fc7b9a42eaadb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235423"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/12" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="CRN (Company)">CRN</a> added, “The preferred woods are American walnut and white lacquered oak in staves, selected respectively for the floors and walls all through the yacht. Crema d’Orcia and Calacatta Vagli Oro marbles were chosen for the bathrooms, chiming with the predominant light hues. The most vivid notes come from other marbles: the blues of the Azul Macauba in the saloons and the mossy Irish Green in the outdoor bars light up the spaces with colour combinations that vaunt a decidedly marine vibe.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235444/image/large-f465bb43e7905145e9f3c680c7c572f0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235444"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235445/image/large-7796ccf33d4784b54ae10491edba77ff.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235445">Diverging from the standard saloon layout, guests enter from the aft deck sliding doors where they are greeted by a standing bar, the dining table and then the lounge area with a huge TV and integrated stereo system. The bar at the entrance to the interiors creates a sense of conviviality, by greeting guests with a social and welcoming atmosphere and acting as a bridge between the exterior and the dining area. This is then maximised by the bespoke round drum table that can accommodate as many as 12 guests. This opening decision sets the tone for the entire interior, which is truly focused on the entertainment of guests and the creation of unique spaces to enjoy with friends and family.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235442/image/large-0fbd5b301b4deffc937aa0226656e5a4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235442"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235443/image/large-22b3267e48a0cee25fa40d9db67f46cc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235443">With six guest staterooms, including a full beam owner’s suite on the owner’s deck, a full beam master on the main deck and four lower deck staterooms, all with their own ensuite bathrooms. While the owner’s suite and master staterooms align with the bright and beachy style of the main deck and sky lounge, the lower deck staterooms have each been styled in playful tones and prints.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235429/image/large-d4df958ddb0be3944377aa2f4d504559.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235429"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235426/image/large-94b81ba6edc981a33666d4b51550def2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235426">A representative of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/12" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="CRN (Company)">CRN</a> explained, “The owner and his family were directly involved in the styling and design process of the staterooms, in fact each cabin was made to measure to meet personal desires of each guest; one of the owner’s express request was to have bright spaces and a happy atmosphere full of colours for the younger family members especially. For this reason each guest cabin has white lacquered-oak staved walls that are enlivened with dashes of colour. Each stateroom is finished differently, personalised with its own colour scheme – red/brown, green/blue and pastel green – for the wall panels, profiling and furnishings.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235446/image/large-c3c26641f9c4aa122d8e0f97d1e60522.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235446"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235447/image/large-fd2a510963844b87d6d99cfdf10556bc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235447">Alessandro Pulina highlighted some of the fully custom elements to the interior, noting, “An impressive detail would be the presence of 9,000 slats, used to create the walls of the yacht, together with interesting curve elements made by hand. Every wall is characterised by a linear led illumination which highlights all these slats continuously and accentuates the shadows and light. In fact, we wanted to convey dynamism through the combination of dualistic contrasts and expressive colour ranges.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/235408/image/large-c184ac2c699ae87c98e717b3f5af043a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/235408">Like the exterior design, the interior plays with shape and form and the result is a highly unified yacht with flowing interior and exterior spaces.This article was originally published in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/superyacht-times-issue-42" target="_blank">Issue 42 of SuperYacht Times newspaper.</a>&nbsp;To read more stories like this one and to never again miss another issue of the SuperYacht Times newspaper,&nbsp;<a href="https://shop.superyachttimes.com/report/the-superyacht-times-subscription" target="_blank">subscribe here</a>.

CRN yacht RIO onboard

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 Francesca Webster went behind the scenes with the designers of the 62m CRN superyacht RIO, launched in early 2022.

RIO: A closer look onboard CRN's 62m superyacht

Launched in 1923 under the name Wildfire, the 32-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/829" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Herreshoff (Company)">Herreshoff</a> sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Atrevida32.0m (104'12&quot;)Herreshoff1923">Atrevida</a> is steeped in a century's worth of history. Celebrating 100 years on the water this year, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Atrevida32.0m (104'12&quot;)Herreshoff1923">Atrevida</a> has sailed the world and holds many secrets and stories beneath her decks.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/271313/image/large-7264148a82ffefca5a6f7b315df86b4e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/271313">The Herreshoff family heritage spans back over 150 years when blind boat builder John Brown Herreshoff went into partnership with his younger brother, Nathanael Greene Herreshoff, to start the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/829" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Herreshoff (Company)">Herreshoff Manufacturing Company</a>.John dedicated his life to yacht carpentry in a workshop in the small town of Bristol, Rhode Island. With the help of their father, Charles Frederick, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/829" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Herreshoff (Company)">Herreshoff Manufacturing Co</a>. was created and added to the history of naval construction.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/271315/image/large-2a764787faf7743f4dbb99080dab7a95.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/271315">The company grew in size over the years, and alongside his brothers Nathanael and James Herreshoff, the family brought many boats to life, including the legendary 1903 schooner <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4977" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ingomar53.88m (176'9&quot;)GraafShip">Ingomar</a>. John passed away in 1915, and Nathanael Herreshoff took the helm, which led to the creation of the steel schooner Wildfire.Known as Project 891, Wildfire was constructed in 1922 and launched in 1923. Wildfire was commissioned by Charles Hardy, commodore of the New York Yacht Club for a cost of $76,000, which is around $1,348,280 in today’s valuation.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/271314/image/large-abf0aab29ca7e0c9a8efc56d89a48556.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/271314">Wildfire was launched with a 20.5-feet beam, an almost 4-metre draft, and an overall length of 95 feet (29-metres). The impressive schooner won regattas and tournaments, including the Schooner Cup in 1924.In 1949, Wildfire entered the Brazilian waters after being purchased by Jorge Bhering de Matos in the United States. She was then sold to Dircea Fortouta, an industrial entrepreneur, who christened her <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Atrevida32.0m (104'12&quot;)Herreshoff1923">Atrevida</a>– meaning a daring, bold woman who is ready for any challenge.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/271318/image/large-5f0e71067010a50452c710779dfd7954.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/271318"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Atrevida32.0m (104'12&quot;)Herreshoff1923">Atrevida</a> spent 45 years in Brazil, in the Guanabara Bay located in Southeast Brazil in the state of Rio de Janeiro were she welcomed royalty such as the now King Charles III of the United Kingdom, and celebrities such as Elvis Presley, Brazilian music artist Billy Blanco, actress Rita Hayworth and Former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.&nbsp;Over the years, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Atrevida32.0m (104'12&quot;)Herreshoff1923">Atrevida</a> underwent renovations which affected her overall appearance and design, but thankfully not her charm. After the death of her owner, the yacht was taken to the city of Santos, Brazil to her new owner Auro Mourandrade.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/271316/image/large-517766f904e987198966efa6270603ee.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/271316">In the 1990s, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1180" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MCP Yachts (Company)">MCP Yachts</a> owned by naval engineer Manoel Chaves, were enlisted to begin her restoration. The 1922 schooner received a new teak deck and interior renovations and in 1999 she was sold to a group of Asian businessmen, where she returned to Rio de Janeiro.However, due to a lack of maintenance care, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Atrevida32.0m (104'12&quot;)Herreshoff1923">Atrevida</a> almost sank in Guanabara Bay and was neglected for almost two years, leading to holes and rust forming on her steel hull and superstructure. But in 2002, Auro Mourandrade and Gilberto Miranda bought Atrevida as scrap metal and enlisted Manoel Chaves to take care of her restoration. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/271317/image/large-6badd5ce3106318f744a3a73c6877ad0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/271317">The holes she had gained over the years were first closed before she was towed from Rio de Janeiro to Santos by a fishing boat for the start of her repairs. The shipyard she was shipped to specialised in aluminium trawlers and therefore could not use the same installations for the work in carbon steel.As a result of this, a yard was reserved at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1180" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MCP Yachts (Company)">MCP Yachts</a> for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Atrevida32.0m (104'12&quot;)Herreshoff1923">Atrevida</a> and the shipyard was in touch with the Herreshoff Museum in Bristol to find the original construction plans for Wildfire. In March 2004, a skilled team of professionals embarked on her restoration work by installing modern equipment, while maintaining <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Atrevida32.0m (104'12&quot;)Herreshoff1923">Atrevida</a>’s character.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/271319/image/large-fc60e6933c53a85be1b3c04b206e9af8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/271319">During her extensive 14 month restoration, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Atrevida32.0m (104'12&quot;)Herreshoff1923">Atrevida</a> gained the most up-to-date amenities, such as air conditioning, onboard computers and electronics and a new navigation system, as well as wireless bow and stern thrusters and a remote controlled sail hoisting system. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/271321/image/large-da87cbbec66f07f4a4f181b2b2b7204f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/271321">In tradition with the era in which she was built, her chain shock absorbers, balustrade stays, rigging system and other stainless steel items were built and engraved with her name, Atrevida. The wooden bowsprit was rebuilt in mahogany to the original Nathanael Herreshoff design.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/271320/image/large-eb4eb9acd6a67c6551d179b9c05c24b8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/271320">Her carbon steel davits had also been damaged over the years and were replaced with a new stainless steel set with handles and winches similar to her original design. Her structural work included the closing of the deck with overlapping steel plates placed and riveted as they would have been when she was originally built.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/271322/image/large-69bd93591d2b1da7d9bd618ff0342ced.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/271322">The main deck houses and deck hatches of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Atrevida32.0m (104'12&quot;)Herreshoff1923">Atrevida</a> were rebuilt with mahogany wood that had been reclaimed from old demolished houses, as the cutting down of this wood is now forbidden. The yard also created a fibreglass auxiliary boat in the same dimensions as her original wood counterpart, with identical rudders, helm, controls and upholstery.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/270890/image/large-4d667d1fc2e366a14366fea44910e662.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/270890">Everything else onboard was repaired and rebuilt as close to her original design as possible, and her name was engraved across doors, tables and other items onboard. The historical importance of the project can be seen in the main living areas, with bevelled glass and curtains, which are the same style as she would have had when she was first built.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/270889/image/large-3b4dc602a33be0f3cd77229e3305e86a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/270889">Her interior has been finished with traditionally styled beams, crystal styled cabinets and classic upholstered seating, following her reclaimed designs. Her rigging has also been equipped with modern day technologies such as telephone and internet connections to keep guests onboard entertained and up-to-date. This was also placed high up her masts, so as not to spoil her original design.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/270887/image/large-10d0a17be46ba487800a1fbd0f5a031e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/270887">In August 2005, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Atrevida32.0m (104'12&quot;)Herreshoff1923">Atrevida</a> once again entered the water to continue the Herreshoff brothers legacy. She was finally reborn and restored to her original glory where she hopes to continue welcoming a plethora of guests onboard for years to come.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/270884/image/large-17859f102cbc072aa8017eb0430c4ecd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/270884"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2065" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Atrevida32.0m (104'12&quot;)Herreshoff1923">Atrevida</a> now continues to travel in international waters, including the Caribbean and South America, under the loving hands of Alexandre and Daniella Ferrari at the helm of Captain Atila Bohm. Her story is a testament to what passion and respect for naval traditions can achieve when preserving a century worth of stories, lives and history.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/270892/image/large-d8bdad687f461dbd9e179e6d62277422.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/270892">

The 100 year history of the 32m Herreshoff yacht Atrevida

Launched in 1923 under the name Wildfire, the 32m Herreshoff sailing yacht Atrevida is celebrating 100 years on the water this year.

Celebrating 100 years of history onboard the 32m sailing yacht Atrevida

From concept to completion, the new 4,300-tonne shiplift at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MB92 La Ciotat (Company)">MB92 La Ciotat</a> was four years in the making at a cost of at least €70 million. A truly international venture, the project brought together contractors from half a dozen countries to resolve the many logistical, engineering and environmental challenges. We take a closer look at how it was done.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/261587/image/large-039002e970e80a7ca246214bed1d7e09.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/261587">It is difficult to appreciate the sheer scale of the new shiplift in <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MB92 La Ciotat (Company)">La Ciotat</a> unless you’re standing on top of it. The platform itself is 100 metres long, 20 metres wide, 2.7 metres deep and weighs 1,100 tonnes. It is now open for business, but the total redeveloped area covers 40,000 square metres and construction work continues on the peripheral infrastructures.The design and construction of a shiplift is composed of four principal activities: civil works, lift and transfer systems, platform fabrication, and installation followed by commissioning. The most cost-effective approach is for the shipyard to act as the general contractor and issue separate contracts for each of the activities. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/261585/image/large-76295cb817ddfe17c4cc27eb302e3055.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/261585"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MB92 La Ciotat (Company)">MB92 Group</a> divided the cost of the shiplift with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MB92 La Ciotat (Company)">La Ciotat Shipyards</a>, the public company that manages the port area, but has spent an additional €13 million on adjacent facilities. The total stake represents a formidable asset for the refit shipyard, which can now host up to six more 100-metre plus superyacht on the hard, adding to an infrastructure that already includes a 2,000-tonne yacht lift, 600-tonne crane, 300-travel lift and 200-metre dry dock.&nbsp;Installing a shiplift in La Ciotat had been envisaged by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MB92 La Ciotat (Company)">MB92</a> ever since it acquired a majority stake in <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5474" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="CompositeWorks (Company)">CompositeWorks</a> in 2017. Work got under way the following year with preliminary simulations in compliance with French regulations and safety codes to determine the optimal size of the shiplift based on the land area available.“Every increase in lifting capacity is accompanied by an exponential increase in cost, so the final 4,300-tonne capacity represents the best balance between cost, commercial opportunities and the space we had to work with,” says Joe Degabriele, Senior Business Development Manager at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MB92 La Ciotat (Company)">MB92 La Ciotat</a> tasked with commercialising the shiplift.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/261582/image/large-57990f9cf95d2e2aaa6476f37e7ec399.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/261582">Bardex Corporation, a US-based specialist in heavy load handling and positioning equipment, was contracted to oversee the design of the shiplift and transfer systems. In order to better understand the local business culture and practices, Bardex chose to partner with Matière SAS, a French engineering and construction company.“The design process starts by understanding the client’s needs and objectives for the facility, says Robert Taylor, senior structural engineer at Bardex. “We also investigate the site setting, access to and from the facility, the yard arrangement and the geological conditions. All of these inform us about the types of foundation system, yacht transfer arrangement and implementation plan that is most appropriate for the project.”Weight-liftingShiplifts are all about are speed and efficiency. In La Ciotat the entire process of lifting and positioning a yacht on the hard takes less than three hours, whereas the same procedure in a traditional graving dock requires the best part of a day. A shiplift can serve multiple parking places, but a dry dock usually hosts just one vessel at a time.&nbsp;The shiplift relies on very different technology from classic winches and cables. The Chain Jack Lift system is widely used in military shipyards for lifting warships and nuclear submarines. Powered by hydraulic rams, a chain jack hoists by engaging and pulling in a short length of chain, engaging a stop pin, retracting and repeating the process. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/261584/image/large-53a9dbfa280b0d59027c0314124af81d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/261584">The system offers more precise movement of the platform than wire ropes or cables, which are prone to stretching (Lloyd’s requires 20 per cent of wire ropes to be removed and destructively tested each year and all wire ropes to be replaced every 5-10 years). La Ciotat has 20 chain jack units, 10 on each side of the pit, and each has two closed-loop chains for 100 percent redundancy.The lifting procedure is complex because it involves coordinating the motion of 20 devices connected to the same platform. The system moves one pitch, or two links of chain, each cycle for all 40 chains (factory tests show that the movement of the chain jacks can be coordinated to within one millimetre of each other). The entire lift system resets every cycle, which prevents the accumulation of differential elevation. To ensure all the units are working in perfect synchronisation, remote sensors relay the parameters in real-time to the central command system.“Hydraulic cylinders are ideally suited to shiplift operations because their movement is consistently precise,” says Taylor. “Bardex has further improved the synchronisation by equipping the lift stations and control system with hydraulic feedback motion control. This technology is widely used in heavy industrial robotic automation applications that require high precision motion control, such as special-purpose arc welding robots.”To guarantee an uninterrupted supply of electricity, the lifting system has its own dedicated substation with transformers supplied by the French division of the German company Schneider Electric. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MB92 La Ciotat (Company)">MB92</a> invested in a further three substations for the supply of reliable shore power to the yachts and for refit work.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/261583/image/large-4166e0e83d90ea707fb10360c701a083.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/261583">Running on railsBuilt by Metallic Bridges Belgium (MBB), the actual platform had to be delivered by special transport. When a yacht enters the lifting pit and the chain jacks are activated, it comes to rest on a modular cradle that can be adjusted to suit the size of the vessel (<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MB92 La Ciotat (Company)">MB92</a> ordered four such cradles from Schwartz Hautmont in Spain). As in a graving dock, divers assess that the ‘mating’ between hull and cradle is a snug and secure fit.&nbsp;Once the platform has been locked at ground level, the next phase is to transfer the yacht sideways off the platform and then longitudinally to a hard-standing space. Four-wheel bogies or trolleys constructed by Bardex Industries in South Korea are aligned under the cradle. The bogies, which have a passive hydraulic suspension system to raise the yacht and its cradle over the top of the chain jack units, run along 6.5km of intersecting rails built by Bemo Rails in The Netherlands and can change direction by lifting themselves off the tracks and turning their wheels 90 degrees. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/261597/image/large-cd3dfe47b75870da76a82b08717ad440.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/261597">The two axes of motion meant the rails and intersections had to be installed to a tolerance of +/- 5mm to ensure smooth transfers. Maintaining stability is obviously essential throughout the operation, especially when moving the yacht off the platform.“Transferring yachts laterally off the platform required careful coordination of the civil works, structural system and lift station elevations to ensure adequate clearance for the yacht and static supports to pass over the lift stations,” says Taylor. “This type of transfer operation also imposes unbalanced loads on the structural systems. Detailed engineering analysis and the use of hydraulically actuated pin supports were required to ensure the structure remains stable under this loading condition.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/261598/image/large-46859a2c27c1aaa4e641dcc7c146976b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/261598">There are five hard-standing places to the side of the platform and one in front of it (a 6th is a common area that can be used for short-term projects such as pre-purchase inspections). Once in position, the cradle is lowered to the ground, the bogies removed and the yacht hooked up to the shore power, fresh water and waste management systems. Anchoring points in the concrete are used for bracing scaffolding and tenting when the yachts need to covered. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/261599/image/large-5e0187dde33c13a6e4b502b4da2f46b1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/261599">At the time of writing, the shiplift and transfer systems were approaching completion before final testing and certification by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/554" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lloyds Ships (Company)">Lloyds Register</a> (shiplifts come under Lloyds’ Code for Lifting Appliances in a Marine Environment, excluding the civil engineering works). Despite the many technical and logistical challenges, the shiplift was on schedule for its official inauguration in September.&nbsp;“The most difficult thing has been organising all the different companies around the world and up to 200 personnel working on site each day, especially during the Covid pandemic,” says Mathieu Bauden, the man responsible for coordinating the works as Facilities &amp; Storage Manager at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MB92 La Ciotat (Company)">MB92 La Ciotat</a>. “But it’s a great source of satisfaction that when we signed this project four years ago, we decided to open the platform on 15 September 2022. And that is still the opening date.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/261591/image/large-603e1e48173db47dc861262e8eaf1093.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/261591">SHIPLIFT TRIVIA• The Syncrolift System was invented by Raymond Pearlson, who was later awarded the Sperry Award for his invention. The first Synchrolift in 1957 had a lifting capacity of 100 tons.&nbsp;• In 1967 Hydranautics, now Bardex Corporation, designed, patented, manufactured and delivered the first shiplift using chains instead of wire rope.&nbsp;• The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze in Central China has a shiplift for transferring vessels up to 3,000 tonnes across a vertical distance of 113 metres. The ship chamber has a pool of water 120 metres long by 18 metres wide and 3.5 metres deep.&nbsp;• The world’s largest shiplift dedicated exclusively to yachts is the 4,800-tonne shiplift at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/97" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MB92 Barcelona (Company)">MB92 Barcelona</a>. Commissioned in 2019, it was designed and supplied by Pearlson Shiplift Corporation.This article was originally published in September 2022 of Issue 1 of the How to Build It magazine. <a href="https://superyachttimes.com/api/download/how-to-build-it-issue-1" target="_blank">You can download the entire magazine for free here</a>.

At the shipyard with MB92 La Ciotat

Justin Ratcliffe went behind the scenes for the unveiling of the new shiplift at MB92 La Ciotat.

How to build a shiplift with MB92 La Ciotat

superyachts featured in films

SuperYachtTimes takes a closer look at the superyachts that have gifted our screens with an injection of added opulence.

Superyachts on film

The American boating giant <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax (Company)">MarineMax</a> has dominated the news over the past two years, with record breaking acquisitions and a major expansion into the superyacht sphere. Last year the company announced the acquisition of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5903" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IGY Marinas (Company)">IGY Marinas</a> and its global presence is becoming more solidified every quarter. We sat down with Chief Revenue Officer Chuck Cashman to find out more about the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax (Company)">MarineMax</a> mentality and to get an insight into the latest expansions.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265729/image/large-075b6f10300ff29203f8cee2ee5a74a9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265729">So why don't we start off with how&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax (Company)">MarineMax</a>&nbsp;fared in 2022 in comparison with 2021 and an overview of your expectations for 2023:We had a record fiscal year in 2021 and we beat that in fiscal year 2022, which was outstanding. We did that both from an acquisition standpoint –we grew the business a lot – but also from an increase in Same-Store Sales.&nbsp;One thing that is definitely clear is that 2021 came with an unprecedented high in terms of passion for boating. Certainly there were other challenges; inventory limitations, supply chain issues and, of course, lockdowns; but 2021/2022 brought a tonne of new people into boating. In 2022 we also saw an increase of first time buyers buying boats over 30 metres: numbers I haven’t seen in the 30 years I've been in this industry.&nbsp;As 2022 came to a close the industry began to see a slowdown, but it is clear even from these first weeks of 2023 that the passion for boating remains, despite the headwinds of interest rates rising and stock market instability. So we’re expecting another good year at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax (Company)">MarineMax</a>, across the board. Our main focus will be on improving &nbsp;our marketplace, which becomes that much more important in economically challenging times. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265732/image/large-ca20ccc1813073a1b2aa9dfbcd755ab5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265732">What drove&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax (Company)">MarineMax</a>&nbsp;to acquire two superyacht brokerage houses and did the company ever consider consolidation?We had been specifically seeking out the acquisition of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser</a> for some time before we finalised the agreement in 2019. Expansion into the superyacht sector was a natural move for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax (Company)">MarineMax</a> and we liked the company, the management and where they were based. Fraser was a very natural fit for us so we were very happy when it came to fruition.&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>, on the other hand, actually approached us – and not long after the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser</a> acquisition was announced. Even though we hadn't been looking for another brokerage house, we met with the leadership team and they left a very good impression. It's important to note that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax (Company)">MarineMax</a> has a very thorough and strategic acquisition programme, so we carefully analysed <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/526" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Northrop and Johnson (Company)">N&amp;J</a> before we made any proposals and saw both good results, and a very solid team.Once the decision to acquire both <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> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser</a> was made, the obvious thing was to combine the two houses and create what would have been the biggest brokerage in the world. But after spending time looking under the hood of both companies, digging into their databases, we found that the crossover in clientele between them was only 2 percent. We were so surprised we had the analysts run the numbers again because we were expecting closer to 35-40 percent competitive crossover, but it was clear the two companies operated within entirely different client pools. Because of this the decision to retain them as separate and individual assets was, in the end, very easy, and on top of that we couldn’t see the point in disrupting two healthy businesses purely for the bravado of saying “we’re the biggest”. We don’t want to say it, we want to be the best.&nbsp;We have, however, combined the two backend systems. Bringing them onto the same account programme for example, has reduced expenses and allowed us to leverage the advantages of both houses. Their combined power has given us excellent hiring magnetism and we have attracted some excellent talent to both businesses.&nbsp;As for the future, we may well consolidate down the line, but there is no plan for it right now and I'm confident that the acquisitions were the right decision. Both companies have reported record years since they joined <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax (Company)">MarineMax</a> and we have been able to provide them with massive scope for expansions and acquisitions under their own umbrellas.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265730/image/large-9f50024dac70c8a6a14a2afb2983061b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265730">In August 2022 you announced&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/55716" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax acquires IGY Marinas for $480 million (2022-08-09 14:45:00 +0200)">the acquisition of the marina titan&nbsp;IGY Marinas&nbsp;for $480</a>&nbsp;million. Was that an opportunity you sought out or did they come to you?&nbsp;Our CEO Brett McGill has been interested in moving into the marina sphere for a number of years. Brett has been working hard to change the perception of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax (Company)">MarineMax</a> as only a boat retailer and movement into the superyacht services segment was one part of the strategy to do that, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5903" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IGY Marinas (Company)">IGY</a> acquisition another. Where brokerage revenue is cyclical with relatively low profit margins, marinas have a very solid and consistent revenue stream with a good margin. At the end of the day, boats need slips.&nbsp;Our profitability over the last few years has allowed us to expand our horizons and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5903" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IGY Marinas (Company)">IGY</a> is certainly our biggest acquisition to date, and one that we are very excited about. Marina management, aside from the revenue aspect, allows us to offer our customers a full suite of services and to continue to offer them benefits over and over again. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5903" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IGY Marinas (Company)">IGY</a> was a very healthy company, and like <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/526" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Northrop and Johnson (Company)">N&amp;J</a> it already had great people onboard, so when the opportunity arose, &nbsp;we accelerated. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265731/image/large-9384651b02a3c3b8b113c3d33254dc31.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265731"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax (Company)">MarineMax</a>&nbsp;is a very healthy company right now, but you do have competition with businesses such as&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="OneWater Yacht Group (Company)">OneWater&nbsp;</a>on your doorstep. Do you see them as a threat?&nbsp;Of course competition will always be there, and I’ve always believed that it is good to have competitors pushing you to be better. I have a lot of respect for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="OneWater Yacht Group (Company)">OneWater</a> and for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/833" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Denison Yachting (Company)">Denison Yachting</a> and their collaboration is a great move. They are also companies that have always looked after their clients, which is the most important thing. What I don't want to see is second tier companies coming into our sector, creating bad customer experiences that push people away from boat ownership because that is detrimental to the entire industry as a whole.&nbsp;I would also say that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MarineMax (Company)">MarineMax</a> has been moving from strength-to-strength for 25 years, we know our client and our industry, and those sectors that we don’t know, we pull the right people in to advise us. People may perceive us as making sudden acquisitions or rash decisions, but we aren’t like that at all; we are careful and conscientious about the expansions we make and that has allowed us to expand steadily into the position we are now in.&nbsp;This article was originally published in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/syt-issue-44-newspaper-published" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Issue 44 of SuperYacht Times newspaper</a>. To read more stories like this one and to never again miss another issue of the SuperYacht Times newspaper, <a href="https://shop.superyachttimes.com/report/the-superyacht-times-subscription" target="_blank">subscribe here</a>.

Interview with Chuck Cashman of MarineMax

Francesca Webster sat down with MarineMax CRO Chuck Cashman to discuss the plans and future of the American titan.

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Empire building: MarineMax CRO Chuck Cashman on the future of the American titan

“My dream is to travel once around the world – whether it’s onboard this yacht or my next, I don’t know. But I’m going to do it,” the owner of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/853" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Emerald50.4m (165'4&quot;)Feadship1990">Emerald</a> told SuperYacht Times, beaming. With good reason, too. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265808/image/large-821f7341b46fc048783e7aba64d31ff0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265808">We were sat in the offices at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/434" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Balk Shipyard (Company)">Balk Shipyard</a> wistfully chatting cruising grounds, star-studded events and his beautifully refitted 50.4-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> superyacht, which was gently bobbing in the waters lapping the shipyard. “She’s timeless, a real classic,” he said, gazing out the window. “The green was my wife’s idea,” referring to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/853" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Emerald50.4m (165'4&quot;)Feadship1990">Emerald’s</a> suave, freshly-painted Orion green hull, courtesy of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6101" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jotun (Company)">Jotun</a>. “It was my wife who chose everything in fact, and I couldn’t be happier.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/257634/image/large-9366f38055670e91b5ceb8d9c505e234.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/257634">But it’s hard to believe that the 50.4-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> floating in the dock was the same one he bought nearly two years ago. “I love character, class and strong sturdy builds, so when I started looking for a new yacht I knew I was really looking for a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>.” With this in mind, David Westwood of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TWW Yachts (Company)">TWW Yachts</a>, first steered him to the 44.2-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4366" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Valeria44.2m (145'0&quot;)Feadship1975">Valeria</a>, which is laid up at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/434" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Balk Shipyard (Company)">Balk Shipyard</a> – as fate would have it. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/259593/image/large-0252709e6fde006536f95fd2b29f2983.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/259593">“We came here to Urk to see the classic 1975 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> you can see over there,” he said, pointing in the direction of the front gate at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/434" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Balk Shipyard (Company)">Balk Shipyard</a>, towards <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4366" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Valeria44.2m (145'0&quot;)Feadship1975">Valeria</a>. “She’s lovely, really. But the crew quarters are just a little too small for what we were looking for.“The crew has to be well looked after on my boats, they need to feel comfortable. It’s important to us that spacious, well-lit and relaxing areas need to be found in both guest and crew areas. Not only are guests travelling with us, so also are the crew. I want them to feel at home.” With <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4366" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Valeria44.2m (145'0&quot;)Feadship1975">Valeria</a> a no-go, David was back scouring the market for a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> that met expectations. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/196039/image/large-6c1cf1727a767970cde689a72b0858bc.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/196039"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> built 74 superyachts 40-metres or larger before the turn of the millennium, and out of those 74, only 12 are currently on the market. When these yachts are under ownership, they often stay that way. It was in fact Daan Balk, CEO and owner of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/434" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Balk Shipyard (Company)">Balk Shipyard</a>, who informed the owner about a potential candidate: the 1990-delivered 48.83-metre MQ2, which was lying in Croatia at the time. Balk personally joined <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TWW Yachts (Company)">TWW</a> and the owners to inspect the yacht.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265814/image/large-ed3bd1e3447fc1d45e4f7c135b6a2cef.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265814"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265754/image/large-ebb517a81c02f593d1b13c100bf0f087.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265754"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265756/image/large-f1cc76efab2089fa67e828788cdc9d7c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265756"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265757/image/large-08fe49bcf5c99fbc1a7a5489e9c90c33.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265757">MQ2’s timeless exterior lines, penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/30" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="De Voogt Naval Architects (Company)">De Voogt</a>, and her voluminous interior won him over. The yacht was hauled out and surveyed in Trogir, Daan Balk was a guest throughout the study and provided the owner with sound reassurances. The deal was signed in May 2021, with the owner represented by James Hall and David Westwood of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TWW Yachts (Company)">TWW Yachts</a>, and the seller John Cohen of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/322" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merle Wood & Associates, Inc. (Company)">Merle Wood &amp; Associates</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265818/image/large-200cb86197f8907e67c59768f906ad8f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265818">But it’s hard to believe that the 50.4-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> floating in the dock was the same one he bought nearly two years ago. At the time of sale, she was shorter, had less deck space and an old-fashioned stern with small, swing doors that led into the saloon. She was also fitted with twin two tonne cranes, port and starboard. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265764/image/large-f5ef92227d044089b7c4db39a14e7644.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265764">“My tender weighs three tonnes, so those cranes had to go,” her owner explained. “I wanted to restyle the stern section, so I thought why not extend and install a larger crane on the upper aft deck. Daan Balk had left a strong impression on me. I really appreciated his efforts during my visit to Valeria and thought ‘why not take MQ2 there for the refit’.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265781/image/large-1c80402a6a79af370032a66f2a42de19.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265781"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265790/image/large-ede5c877168aec88ce91085c99c4eec2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265790"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265795/image/large-20511eb863d128051c77551f603f4fb6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265795"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265785/image/large-835f076c9e2297ee73ec09d16c4a71bd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265785">&nbsp;“There was a lot of interest in this refit from many shipyards,” Daan Balk explained. “We ended up in a neck-and-neck race against <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/86" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amico & Co. s.r.l. (Company)">Amico &amp; Co</a> The final two contenders. In the end though, we were granted the order and we signed the project right after the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/97" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show - 2021">2021 Monaco Yacht Show</a>.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265752/image/large-2b0599b6320a23dd3d157cff20a027d2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265752">It turned out to be an extensive 16-month refit in total, with her original interiors by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/435" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Robert Knack International (Company)">Robert Knack International</a>stripped bare and everything down to general arrangement entirely redesigned. Her stern wasn’t only restyled, it was also extended by more than a metre and she now features an impressive aft cockpit, complete with a hydraulic swim platform.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265776/image/large-c7e8853bf9fc6a98904d8c2e6d43252c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265776"> “The platform is fantastic; it can be lowered below the waterline. Just think, any charter guest can get in and out of the water with it, regardless of age. It also goes the other way, and my son who’s 17 was asking how high it can go, as he wants to use the platform as a diving board – it’s possible,” he laughed.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265778/image/large-7db59ce967387b1532637f16f594ca62.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265778"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/853" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Emerald50.4m (165'4&quot;)Feadship1990">Emerald’s</a>&nbsp;naval architecture was re-engineered by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/102" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mulder Design (Company)">Mulder Design</a>, and the team eked out as much as possible with this redesign. “We wanted the maximum we could, and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/102" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mulder Design (Company)">Mulder Design</a> drew up the plans and made it possible.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265770/image/large-09d0a99ab59be11639ea4aba37fab7cf.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265770"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265765/image/large-ec6b9c7bf2d0735ca7a317536602df90.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265765">Glass sliding doors have been installed between the skylounge and upper aft deck, replacing the swingset that really was not to the family’s taste. “Look at this space,” he said, swinging his arm around the upper lounge. “Can you imagine being sat here watching Formula One? It doesn’t get much better than that.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265770/image/large-09d0a99ab59be11639ea4aba37fab7cf.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265770"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265773/image/large-5ddff050fb3e0ab6fd74641de746726c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265773"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265771/image/large-f2e53e7d7af661934e7eb0bb8d3e63d3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265771"> The excitement was palpable and contagious. “This wasn’t here before either,” he said pointing to the stairway that connects the upper and main deck. “And the entire sun deck is new too,” he smiled. Taking pride of place forward of the sundeck is a very large Jacuzzi.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265806/image/large-e4ab38a2b432f8f5359257f7a579ec53.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265806">The owner’s wife took charge of the project, working very closely with the UK-based <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/329" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Design Unlimited (Company)">Design Unlimited</a> to map out and curate the perfect vessel. “<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/329" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Design Unlimited (Company)">Design Unlimited</a> was incredible to work with. The team is perfect and they knew exactly what we wanted, how we wanted it. They sat down with my wife and in a day they had the whole project mapped out. An amazing experience,” he said.“We wanted a yacht that was built around family use; plenty of space, lots of character and areas where we can relax to enjoy each other’s company,” her owner explained. Quite uncommon, especially for a yacht of this size, forward of the main deck is not one but two VIP suites. “When we have friends and family onboard, having a second VIP suite next to the master suite gives us more flexibility and the freedom to have our family all together, each with private space yet all on the same deck.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265816/image/large-462a9f714a58748a84e772b49ef02937.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265816"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/853" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Emerald50.4m (165'4&quot;)Feadship1990">Emerald</a> offers accommodation for as many as 12 guests: four can sleep on the main deck in the two VIP suites, and the remaining eight will find accommodation on the lower deck. Each stateroom is finished with rich dark timbers that are sophisticated and lend the spaces a calming ambiance. There is a strict harmony across the staterooms, with only the ensuites differing in style.&nbsp;“Look at this detail,” the owner proudly said, running his hand over the veined marble bathroom wall. “This one my son picked out.” The portside lower deck double stateroom features vibrant stonework, unlike anything else on the yacht. “We each picked different natural stones for the bathrooms, so each suite has a distinctive character,” he explained. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265817/image/large-ebacdecc9e7bee9249a803d7bab6394d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265817">As we walked through <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/853" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Emerald50.4m (165'4&quot;)Feadship1990">Emerald</a> the owner was most animated detailing the crew areas. “This wasn’t here before,” the owner said, pointing to a window in the galley. “My wife redesigned the galley and fitted this window. It cost me a fortune, mind. But, look, we’ve positioned it so the galley is well lit and the chef and kitchen staff can enjoy the views.” Each of the crew cabins we stepped into was more generous in size than any I’ve seen before aboard a 50-metre superyacht – or larger, for that matter. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265790/image/large-ede5c877168aec88ce91085c99c4eec2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265790"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265787/image/large-ffeddc33f30ae9b66993860fbda2a04f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265787">Read:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/56920" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="50m Feadship superyacht Legacy V rechristened Emerald following major refit at Balk Shipyard (2023-02-09 17:30:00 +0100)">50m Feadship superyacht Legacy V rechristened Emerald following major refit at Balk Shipyard</a>This family-oriented design and generous crew quarters have an added benefit: she’s ideal for the charter market. “I haven’t chartered any of my yachts before now, but <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TWW Yachts (Company)">TWW Yachts</a> has instilled great confidence in me.” <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/853" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Emerald50.4m (165'4&quot;)Feadship1990">Emerald</a> will make her world debut at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MYBA Charter Show (Company)">MYBA Charter Show</a> in Barcelona on 24 April 2023. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265813/image/large-8bf0ce96031ac3c4b486c089cbbb39a6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265813">“I’m so pleased with her; <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/434" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Balk Shipyard (Company)">Balk Shipyard</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/329" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Design Unlimited (Company)">Design Unlimited</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/102" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mulder Design (Company)">Mulder Design</a> and my representative &nbsp;Jim Boot of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7018" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="WMC Superyachts (Company)">WMC Superyachts</a> have all done an amazing job. If I was to start the project again tomorrow, I wouldn’t change a thing.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/853" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Emerald50.4m (165'4&quot;)Feadship1990">Emerald</a> will be cruising the Mediterranean this summer season and will either be in the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean during the winter. She’s available for charter bookings through <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TWW Yachts (Company)">TWW Yachts</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/265807/image/large-9d6a4eebf05e2a8f17adff4ed54455da.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/265807">

Redesigning the 50m Feadship superyacht Emerald with owner 

The owner of the 50m Feadship superyacht Emerald joined SYT to discuss her refit at Balk Shipyard.

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Owner interview: Redesigning the 50m Feadship superyacht Emerald

Interview with captain of 126m superyacht Octopus

The captain of Lürssen 126m superyacht Octopus joins SYT to retell his story for the first time. 

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Captain Jannek Olsson: Adventures aboard 126m Octopus and working with legendary Paul Allen

The 37-metre Alloy sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/766" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Genevieve37.0m (121'5&quot;)Alloy Yachts1995">Genevieve</a> has rescued 16 people from a capsized fishing skiff off the coast of St Kitts &amp; Nevis, between the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/264008/image/large-b8900f9e83b12cdbfd4d8799251d9800.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/264008">At around 23:30 on 27 March, while sailing from Antigua to Saint Maarten, the lookout onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/766" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Genevieve37.0m (121'5&quot;)Alloy Yachts1995">Genevieve</a> heard a faint noise that sounded like a woman’s scream. The crew put on their life jackets with personal locator beacons (PLBs) and radios, activated a Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and called a mayday. They then immediately made their way back to the sound.The captain of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/766" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Genevieve37.0m (121'5&quot;)Alloy Yachts1995">Genevieve</a>, Thomas Auckland, positioned four crew around the vessel with torches and searchlights to try to locate the woman, or women they had heard screaming. During the search, the first mate was in charge of all radio communications and alarms, and the crew eventually found the first casualty.The crew of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/766" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Genevieve37.0m (121'5&quot;)Alloy Yachts1995">Genevieve</a> spotted a man clinging on to part of a damaged life jacket around six minutes later. They used a small circular fender, attached to an additional buoyancy aid and fastened to a rescue line to throw downwind and pull the man onboard from the folding swim platform.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/8468/image/large-4ac3c78ceff86c423a71b4f62ec1288d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/8468">The man was retrieved at around 23:39 and by the time he reached the cockpit he was unconscious. While the crew had not compromised their safety, they had taken in a considerable amount of water into the lazarette while battling the rough sea conditions of around two-metres and 20 knots.The crew of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/766" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Genevieve37.0m (121'5&quot;)Alloy Yachts1995">Genevieve</a> continued their search for the woman they had heard screaming and at around 23:57 they spotted her clinging to a white plastic barrel, around 400-metres from where the man was rescued. She was rescued in a similar way, although the crew had more difficulty and it took three to haul her onboard.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/8466/image/large-f9b6e4fb7a33e7c75753225decd23010.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/8466">Once the woman was in the cockpit she informed the crew that she had been travelling on a small boat which had left Antigua, bound for St Thomas (USVI), with approximately 32 people onboard. The vessel she had been travelling onboard of had broken down, taken on water and had capsized. At this point, Captain Thomas Auckland discharged two red parachute flares.At around 00:28, the crew of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/766" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Genevieve37.0m (121'5&quot;)Alloy Yachts1995">Genevieve</a> spotted plastic drums floating in the water, and shortly afterwards they noticed a light coming in and out of sight, which later proved to be the light of a mobile phone being waved around. On approach they discovered the upturned fishing skiff La Belle Michelle, with 15 persons straddled on the hull, approximately 1.1 nautical miles from the first casualty.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/8459/image/large-3720f1bde1cd3df5c1ac75497bd01287.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/8459">The crew of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/766" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Genevieve37.0m (121'5&quot;)Alloy Yachts1995">Genevieve</a> assembled on the aft deck and used a floating line and fender attached to a long Dyneema tail to rescue the casualties. They used a rescue sling and an additional safety line for the casualties to run themselves along the rope one by one, before transferring to the sling and hauled onboard.Captain Thomas Auckland was responsible for throwing the rescue sling, communicating with casualties and removing them for the water at midships with assistance from the engineer onboard. The first mate was in charge of ensuring the rescue line and safety were free to run, as well as resetting the sling and helping remove casualties at midships, with the chef mimicking this role and clearing the side deck.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/8450/image/large-a0514024af77f602b654c511203bbfe1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/8450">The stewardess onboard acted as a triage nurse, assessing injuries, getting the casualties into the cockpit and providing them with water and bedding. Finally, the deck stewardess provided light to the rescuers using the large spotlight to light the vessel and then the casualties as they came across them.The casualties were at first clearly reluctant to entrust themselves to the rope, with only two wearing life jackets and most of them unable to swim. The crew onboard Genevieve later discovered that all of the casualties were wearing all the clothes they owned, with many wearing three pairs of jeans over six upper layers. Although this made swimming challenging, it provided something for the crew to hold onto when pulling them onboard.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/8460/image/large-fb12d88e477fc528534dd61e3f71f57d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/8460">“It became apparent that towards the end, the casualties were becoming less and less physically able and unfortunately the last casualty fell from the hull and was unable to make it along the line,” recalled Captain Thomas Auckland.“We remained attached to the hull searching for the last individual until 01:57. Thereafter, I decided that marking the upturned hull with lights strapped to a lifejacket and cutting it loose was the best option, as I felt the situation was becoming hazardous. In hindsight, this was perhaps my biggest regret, as we had spare PLBs onboard and should have affixed one, as this would have served as a helpful search marker for MV Britannia, who had just taken up the role of on-scene MRCC.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/8461/image/large-fe8c3aa550d56c44cc6221b1149017a1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/8461">Overall, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/766" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Genevieve37.0m (121'5&quot;)Alloy Yachts1995">Genevieve</a> reportedly had 16 Cameroonian migrants onboard, 13 of whom were male. All casualties were given water, sugary drinks, food and blankets, and were grouped together in the cockpit. The male crew members remained at the helm station, while Captain Thomas Auckland ran back and forth on the VOIP line with MRCC Fort du France, who requested they remain at the scene until air support arrived.At 03:42, the crew onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/766" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Genevieve37.0m (121'5&quot;)Alloy Yachts1995">Genevieve</a> were given permission to depart the scene and headed directly to Basseterre in St Kitts, which was approximately 34 nautical miles away. The female crew came and administered basic first aid; fed, watered and tried to dry out as much of their clothing as possible. On arrival they were transferred via coast guard boat to the main base.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/8458/image/large-b256470cba20ac18f91157da90ef8897.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/8458">“I think what I take away most from this is just how well the crew performed under immense pressure: they were all making very sensible and rational decisions in a situation in which they have had very little training. We of course were incredibly lucky to hear a scream in the dark over the wind, and also unbelievably lucky that we were able to save so many people,” commented Captain Thomas Auckland.“I would like to thank, MRCC Fort du France, MV Britannia, Marine Assist Osprey, sailing yacht Midnight, St Kitts Coastguard and the numerous other vessels, that came together so selflessly,” concluded Captain Thomas Auckland. “It is an honour to sail the waters with you”.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/8454/image/large-053565e9735fbe11d38a78650fda2426.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/8454">In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne expressed “deep sorrow” at the loss of life and distress suffered by the passengers who were onboard La Belle Michelle.He said the government would launch “a full investigation into the circumstances of this unlawful and dreadful affair, including the involvement of any citizens and residents”.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/8448/image/large-e4ac5ae0538ba85b6d6d2add6b793eb0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/8448">Following on from the rescue, the crew of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/766" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Genevieve37.0m (121'5&quot;)Alloy Yachts1995">Genevieve</a> has set up a <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpingcamerooniansinantigua?utm_term=zMD6K4y89" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">JustGiving page to raise funds</a> to help provide basic housing, sanitation and food for the community.&nbsp;"We want to better seafarers understanding of what is unfortunately a growing issue in the waters in which we sail. As well as, raise awareness for the Cameroonian Nationals stranded in Antigua, with the hope of improving their quality of living."You can donate to the page using there following link:<a href="https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpingcamerooniansinantigua?utm_term=zMD6K4y89" target="_blank">https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpingcamerooniansinantigua?utm_term=zMD6K4y89</a>

37m Alloy yacht Genevieve rescues 16 from capsized boat

The 37-metre Alloy sailing yacht Genevieve has rescued 16 people from a capsized fishing skiff off the coast of St Kitts & Nevis.

37m Alloy sailing yacht Genevieve rescues 16 from capsized boat off St Kitts & Nevis

What gulets are to Turkey and Croatia, dhows are to the United Arab Emirates. Wrought with tradition with builds dating back aeons – the dhows are an integral part of UAE culture and heritage and are still widely used today. This tradition has spurred on a strange phenomenon: wooden dhow-inspired superyachts.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/262478/image/large-608b9781f319d0cefba1295d8e9e0f70.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/262478">The first dhows that danced across the Red Sea and Indian Ocean were much thinner than they are today. Over the years they’ve stretched and expanded to offer more volume and more stability, but originally they were incredibly slender, packed with goods, darting from port to port.Fisherman and pearl divers had different requirements and needed space to carry their equipment and daily catches. Importantly, they also needed space for more people. These beamier boats are a common sight across the UAE and many are so engorged, swallowing entire restaurants to offer fine dining experiences for hundreds of guests at any given cruise.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/262477/image/large-c292da7f2fb1c4adcbbbe9af10bd0569.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/262477">The wooden superyachts infuse the two traditions. “The DNA of these superyachts relate just as much to the original dhows as they do to the wide beam and voluminous modern ones,” Mahmoud Itani of IR Yachts told SuperYacht Times. “In this region, onboard space is really important as people want to go out with large groups of friends; usage is very different to Europe.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/263196/image/large-96a02755f154b9edeb1b5b06b318e78d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/263196">"These yachts are hard to trace as they’re custom-built for individual clients and rarely go on the market – or to any shows, for that matter. “I’ve been attending and organising the Dubai International Boat Show for more than 10 years now, and I can’t remember ever seeing a single superyacht on display that was built out of wood,” Itani reflected.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/262487/image/large-807cf5d601fc605e401b8d6626a29e8a.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/262487"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/262484/image/large-ab44a56f02225eb532c9637ba2f5eaf7.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/262484"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/262485/image/large-675093ccd1a8dc465dee62fd80015b59.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/262485">It makes sense too, as these yachts are rarely – if ever – put up for charter, kept in private use away from the public eye. Boat Shows aren’t relevant for the shipyard’s marketing purposes either, as these wooden dhow-inspired superyachts are invariably single units and quite often the only one built and delivered by that particular shipyard.“There are a few boat builders in the UAE that would build one of these yachts, but the design rarely comes from their in-house team. After meeting their own design team, the client will then approach a shipyard in either Al Jadaf or, more recently, Dubai maritime city,” Itani explained. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/262497/image/large-ea48a1afc0b6a7773c138f1d503e36bb.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/262497"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/262494/image/large-c54ef33378f581c876b5bc98b37142df.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/262494">We believe there could be as many as 10 in and around the region, the largest of which is on the market listed with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bush & Noble (Company)">Bush &amp; Noble</a>. The unnamed 50-metre Full Custom wooden superyacht was delivered in 2020 and undertook a maintenance appointment last year, which included a complete repaint with a high gloss clear coat. She has a price tag just shy of $10,000,000. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/262495/image/large-cd1ea84bdb62b5b43d893603b165ecb0.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/262495"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/262489/image/large-5b4877b6688fbd54f48378f2720c19d3.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/262489"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/262488/image/large-a0442a0dcfd95fee7c06e74c1b204bc5.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/262488">Unlike the other wooden dhow-inspired superyachts, this 50-metre has a unique construction that utilises fibre and teak planks. She’s constructed with a teak hull and GRP superstructure, which has then been clad with teak for that traditional look and feel. Henderson Marine International designed and engineered her.With a beam of 10.56, she’s a metre and a half wider than the average 50-metre motor yacht built after 2018. And once onboard it’s the first thing you notice. She’s cavernous and has been styled with the more familiar trappings, all sourced from Italy at “no expense spared,” as central agent <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bush & Noble (Company)">Bush &amp; Noble</a> explain. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/262479/image/large-3b074acd794dfdc3701713a1994606a3.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/262479">The main saloon is home to many seating areas for socialising, a breakfast bar, two screening areas and a formal dining area. She has six staterooms and can comfortably accommodate as many as 12 guests. She can also host five crew in five cabins.When asked about the buying profile for this superyacht, Bret Noble of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bush & Noble (Company)">Bush &amp; Noble</a> anticipates the most attention from Qatar. "There are many well-built traditional dhows in the region," Noble explained. "Qatar is really the number one region for these boats. But they're also not an uncommon sight in and around the UAE. The 50-metre Full Custom superyacht is unique though and interesting for the Australasian market."&nbsp;The second largest known wooden superyacht is the 47.55-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4428" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tiger47.55m (156'0&quot;)Unknown2009">Tiger</a>, delivered in 2009 and currently berthed in Abu Dhabi. Then there’s the 47.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7265" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Adaam 47.5m (155'10&quot;)Unknown2016">Al Adaam</a> and 47-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7266" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Maqam 47.0m (154'2&quot;)Unknown2016">Al Maqam</a> (pictured below), both delivered in 2016. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/262693/image/large-0c6ce6794e310131951dfbb44d5f1cac.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/262693"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/172073/image/large-e19ea236eda006e4340ba9d522119e78.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/172073">One of the earlier wooden superyachts to hit the water was <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4429" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Touch Wood II44.2m (145'0&quot;)Saif Mohd. Belqaizi Ship Building2011">Touch Wood II</a>, &nbsp;delivered in 2011 by the artisan shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5095" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Saif Mohd. Belqaizi Ship Building (Company)">Saif Belgaizi Ship Building &amp; Carpentry</a>, which typically builds traditional dhows and bespoke furniture. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4429" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Touch Wood II44.2m (145'0&quot;)Saif Mohd. Belqaizi Ship Building2011">Touch Wood II</a> spans three decks, with an interior volume of 450 GT. She’s constructed from Indian teak.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/8033/image/large-b475c2f0f3a18d756c6476fa0baa9f5b.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/8033"> <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/38038/image/large-f1b6ff6365126f6113fa7098f8a92d83.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/38038">Read:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/42027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="More details about Dubai mystery yacht Touch Wood (2014-03-23 23:00:00 +0100)">More details about Dubai mystery yacht Touch Wood</a><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4429" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Touch Wood II44.2m (145'0&quot;)Saif Mohd. Belqaizi Ship Building2011">Touch Wood II’s</a> predecessor, the 37-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4427" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dijer37.0m (121'5&quot;)Unknown2005">Dijer</a> (ex. Touch Wood), was built at a different shipyard, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7070" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Obaid Bin Juma Bin Suloom (Company)">Obtain Bin Juma Bin Suloon</a>, the Guinness world record holder for building the largest wooden dhow. Dijer is believed to have been delivered in 2005 with a volume of 400 GT. “I’ve been onboard,” Itani said. “She’s pretty dark inside as even her interior is made of wood. But she’s very big and the guest areas are incredibly spacious.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/38040/image/large-7aaf4812d505544f87bc43c731162d78.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/38040"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/147576/image/large-d6e1c2e0c149a385332f95df5acf93df.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/147576"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/263195/image/large-bc5267867735c226255b439fc1bbc729.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/263195">These yachts are also built to a different class – Tasneef, a local classification society – &nbsp;that allows them to be built in a certain way. The owners have even more flexibility with their designs and can put further emphasis on the cabin and guest areas. “They’re also not powered by large <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a> engines either,” Itani added. “They’re low power, low consumption vessels that are extremely quiet when underway.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/26802/image/large-8c94a518774372581e9243490ccf1635.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/26802">Read:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/41945" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The unusual superyacht Touch Wood in Dubai (2014-03-05 23:00:00 +0100)">The unusual superyacht Touch Wood in Dubai</a>The three smallest are perhaps more dhow than yacht, but the list comprises 33.2-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5991" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="El Emadi 33.2m (108'11&quot;)Al Mannai Marine2016">El Emadi</a>, 31.2-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5990" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project B31.2m (102'4&quot;)Al Mannai Marine2015">Project B</a> and 30.35-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alaska30.35m (99'7&quot;)Al Mannai Marine2015">Alaska</a>, all built by Al Mannai in Doha, Qatar.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/20780/image/large-b5c6fb3008083a22eb4aca0d66cfef2c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/20780"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/20785/image/large-2b3de5ac8e41635ef57d697b8f1f5437.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/20785"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/2130/image/large-73300e66f02149625432dc2bec0150eb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/2130"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/2129/image/large-24e22c65dd02060d3f18d86eb4150f8c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/2129">If anyone has information about any other dhow-inspired wooden superyachts, please reach out to <a href="mailto:news@superyachttimes.com" target="_blank">news@superyachttimes.com</a>&nbsp;

dhow-inspired wooden superyachts

What gulets are to Turkey and Croatia, dhows are to the United Arab Emirates – and they've created a new phenomenon: wooden dhow-inspired superyachts.

The classical charms of the wooden dhow-inspired superyacht fleet

Rooted within a deep tradition of yacht building in the United States, yet far outliving many of its contemporaries, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor Shipyards</a> has expanded exponentially over the past 75 years since its foundation. Famed for its expertise in yacht building, with yachts such as the 85.2-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/28" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Aquila85.6m (280'10&quot;)Derecktor Shipyards2010">Aquila</a> under its belt, as well as its knowledge for refit, maintenance and yacht repair, the company has built a reputation of excellence over the decades.Having grown from its original yard in New York, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/28" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Aquila85.6m (280'10&quot;)Derecktor Shipyards2010">Derecktor Shipyards</a> now span the East Coast with four major facilities. Its most recent acquisition is the reputed shipyard in Fort Pierce in South Florida, which came under the management of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/28" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Aquila85.6m (280'10&quot;)Derecktor Shipyards2010">Derecktor Shipyard</a> in 2019. The yard offers a totally unique experience for yacht crew during refit and maintenance. We spoke with Justin Beard, Marketing and Sales Development Manager at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/28" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Aquila85.6m (280'10&quot;)Derecktor Shipyards2010">Derecktor</a>, to find out a little more about this titan of American yachting. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/251765/image/large-20e7c52020c060c2309484b9b543e89a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/251765">What were the origins of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor Shipyards</a>&nbsp;and how has it continued after Bob Derecktor?When Bob was in high school, sometime during the 1930s, he designed a 26-foot sloop and built it in his family’s backyard in White Plains, New York – using oak for the frames, fir for the deck and pine for the mast. With the help of a friend, he sailed it to Nova Scotia for the summer.After a couple of years, Bob left college to focus on his passion. He built a 38-foot schooner and sailed it from New York to Baltimore, where he took a job at the Owens Boatyard, advancing quickly through the ranks to become foreman. Eventually returning to the New York area, he worked at the Edgar Johns Shipyard in Rye and Minnefords in City Island, building minesweepers designed to detonate underwater mines during World War II. Bob soon joined the effort himself, enlisting in the U.S. Navy in the early 1940s.&nbsp;During 1947, shortly after returning from the Navy, the young boatbuilder established Robert E. Derecktor, Inc. on Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck, New York. Surrounding himself with talented employees who would continue to grow along with the company, over the years he expanded the yard, following the ebbs and flows of the boatbuilding business — transitioning from wood to aluminium, from cruising boats to race boats, from sail to power, then to larger yachts and commercial boats.Today, four <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor</a>’s facilities span the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. from Maine to South Florida, offering vessel owners and operators everything from marina space to superyacht construction. Over more than seven decades, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor</a> has made a name for itself on the global yachting stage, highlighted by the launch of the motor yacht Cakewalk (now Aquila), which at 2,998 tonnes, is the largest yacht ever built in the U.S.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/251762/image/large-edb6290204fc28da2a664f527cfda01c.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/251762">How did the business evolve from those early days?Transitioning from wood to aluminium, from cruising boats to race boats, from sail to power, then to larger yachts and commercial boats, and now a leader in hybrid vessels… It’s quite the evolution over time. But more than that, from the beginning; has been the driving passion to create, to build, and to innovate - to do things in different and better ways.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/251763/image/large-7b5036e878eb4014ff2d8eab901cb78c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/251763">Why do you think&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor</a>&nbsp;has continued to succeed and expand while so many American shipyards have disappeared?Remaining flexible to shifting market demands has driven <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor</a>’s continued success throughout these seventy-five years. We take pride in the ability of our people to excel in multiple disciplines while continuing to deliver superior craftsmanship, whether working on an ultramodern superyacht or a rugged commercial vessel. This is evident throughout our history where <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor</a> regularly adopted new and revolutionary ways to do things in different and better ways.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/251772/image/large-ba7a9f9617057bc1fa1b2b7aa243871c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/251772">How does the team manage the shipyards and marinas across the various states?&nbsp;Each <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor</a> yard is uniquely different and structured to serve specific clientele under direction of knowledgeable general managers and experienced tradespeople. Paul Derecktor, President and CEO, works alongside our executive team setting our course for the future, while other business functions like business development, marketing, sales, accounting and purchasing are all centrally managed.The New York yard is a repair and refit hub for the region’s commercial fleet, along with power and sailing yachts under 40 metres. Additionally, the yard continues Bob Derecktor’s legacy of delivering innovative commercial vessels as a leader in hybrid construction and is ideally positioned to support the development of the nation’s emerging offshore wind farm industry. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor</a> Robinhood in Georgetown, Maine, is a relaxing destination marina with a yard capable of accommodating sail and power yachts up to 34 metres.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/251769/image/large-8459974c1b884b2fb60ea9ce56f4898f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/251769"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor</a> Dania, Florida, is widely recognized as a global leader in expert superyacht repair or complete refit. Our combination of experience, professional project management and never-ending attention to detail is renowned for producing unrivalled results and customer benefit. From our deep, protected 17-acre site to our 900-tonne mobile boat hoist, Dania is set up to handle virtually any project up to 65-metre with minimum stress and maximum efficiency.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor</a> Ft. Pierce was specifically designed and developed with the 75-metre, 900-tonne and up fleet in mind. It’s home to the largest mobile boat hoist in the Western Hemisphere – a massive machine with a 1500-tonne hauling capacity. This new global port of call offers the same superior service and project management <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor</a> clients have come to expect and is conveniently located 45 nautical miles north of West Palm Beach, FL, in the quaint beachside town of Fort Pierce. Situated directly inside Fort Pierce Inlet, the facility offers deep water access to the Atlantic Ocean with unlimited overhead clearance, it’s now an ideal choice for the global fleet of superyachts and large sailing yachts.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/251770/image/large-2ed1e5c9d6494c35283f1b5367fe8e66.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/251770">What are the plans for the new facility in Fort Pierce?<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor</a> has invested significant resources into Fort Pierce and is committed to creating a shipyard capable of rivalling any in the world. The MBH 1,500 and access to South Florida’s extensive network of specialised marine vendors and subcontractors is imperative, as is the community where captains and their crews will call home during their yard period. Fort Pierce, with its laid-back atmosphere and old Florida vibe, is a special place we believe everyone will enjoy. We welcome the yacht industry to come check it out, one might be surprised at what we have to offer.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/251773/image/large-bdde7c5251b78a392a7c30479f6d081b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/251773">Will the new construction sector continue to be a focus of the business – do you foresee this expanding as other shipyards close down?<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor</a> is more than capable of building a sophisticated luxury yacht, but committing to such a project would depend entirely on scope and yard capacity. Fort Pierce offers more flexibility in accommodating a wider variety of vessels and available workspace. While we haven’t launched a yacht since Cakewalk in 2010, we would certainly be open to discussing opportunities now or in the future. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor</a> will remain an industry leader in the construction of commercial hybrid electric vessels. We are actively developing sustainable propulsion solutions for new build projects and the repowering of existing vessels.With eyes and minds firmly set on the future, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor</a> will continue to be a stalwart of the American yacht building industry and a reliable face for yacht owners arriving in the U.S. from the world over. We look forward to seeing them in their element this October at the <a href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show - 2022">Fort Lauderdale Boat Show</a>!This article was originally published in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/superyacht-times-issue-43-newspaper-launched" target="_blank">Issue 43 of SuperYacht Times newspaper</a>.&nbsp;To read more stories like this one and to never again miss another issue of the SuperYacht Times newspaper,&nbsp;<a href="https://shop.superyachttimes.com/report/the-superyacht-times-subscription" target="_blank">subscribe here</a>.

The history behind Derecktor Shipyards

Bob Derecktor’s shipyards have been a stalwart of American yacht building for 75 years, we found out a little more about this historic company.

At the shipyard with Derecktor Shipyards: Born in the USA

Poland-based <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef Yachts</a> have unveiled the interior images of the 23.95-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef</a> 80 Power yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13039" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Red Azalea23.95m (78'7&quot;)Sunreef Yachts2023">Red Azalea</a>. Launched in 2023, the universal multihull yacht has been designed for long cruises, while allowing guests to cruise in utmost comfort.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273416/image/large-01932b328de56b11f781cecaea998816.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273416"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13039" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Red Azalea23.95m (78'7&quot;)Sunreef Yachts2023">Red Azalea</a> features a bold and contemporary hull design, which incorporates classic stainless steel portlights, teak sole decks, high bulwarks and subtle ambience lighting. The catamaran has been designed in full by her builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef Yachts</a>, which were responsible for her exterior design and naval architecture.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273408/image/large-92dceb428434b4f86d19147b2c011b15.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273408"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273430/image/large-17b622441c24f612725b701fa27f121a.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273430">The light-filled main saloon of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13039" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Red Azalea23.95m (78'7&quot;)Sunreef Yachts2023">Red Azalea</a> opens wide onto the ample aft cockpit, providing a gentle flow of air and bridging the gap between her indoor and outdoor spaces. Her main saloon is split between a large dining space to starboard and a cosy lounge area, with sumptuous seating.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273428/image/large-7490457198d9f154a60deb913671f55d.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273428"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273429/image/large-2661053cfbba8f9b6ecd8a8266a3e067.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273429">The interior of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13039" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Red Azalea23.95m (78'7&quot;)Sunreef Yachts2023">Red Azalea</a> is characterised by dark tones and tasteful fabrics for a modern glam feel. Guests are also able to enjoy her custom kitchen island with bar stools, situated forward in her main saloon, with a large drop-down television for entertainment.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273410/image/large-4692c3b9dbb68a991f591f3c3df24f16.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273410"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13039" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Red Azalea23.95m (78'7&quot;)Sunreef Yachts2023">Red Azalea</a> features a four stateroom arrangement for up to 12 guests, with her large master stateroom equipped with a drop-down balcony, offering panoramic views and providing the perfect oasis to relax.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273411/image/large-85c95a4a8e7e76dfe067958baba1884e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273411">Her master suite is situated on the starboard hull, on the lower deck, and includes a spacious ensuite bathroom. Her remaining staterooms include a port VIP stateroom and a port and starboard double, all with ensuite bathrooms.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273407/image/large-ce71d252919fd3e6d0d5e2d02655ed16.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273407"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273409/image/large-afd4f1fac04b0f7963b62bd51050e8f2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273409">The immense flybridge of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13039" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Red Azalea23.95m (78'7&quot;)Sunreef Yachts2023">Red Azalea</a> features plenty of space for guests to relax, with a large bar and comfortable sofas for dinner and drinks with ocean views. Her full-beam bow terrace also offers a soothing retreat, with plenty of space for sunbathing and lounging.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273432/image/large-72dbb5196bdca4acc6ad7b48d75ed6a9.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273432"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273434/image/large-e8552d113c33513f80fcd7bede37b760.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273434"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273431/image/large-946d6d2978201f7fe057d28ab8568597.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273431"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13039" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Red Azalea23.95m (78'7&quot;)Sunreef Yachts2023">Red Azalea</a> also features an invisible aft garage capable of concealing a three-seater Jet Ski, alonside a refuelling station and a collection of water toys. Her aft platform allows for easy access and her Jet Ski launching system is simple and easy to use.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273414/image/large-f92bb0ebbeb2087423458c07b9a39db0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273414"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273415/image/large-6555740980cc634f5eedfb0f6e7fc058.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273415">According to <a href="https://superyachttimes.ac-page.com/homepage" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">SYT iQ</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef Yachts</a> currently has several yachts in-build, including several <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef</a> 43M Eco yachts, as well as both the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef</a> 100 Power and the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef</a> 100 Eco.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273433/image/large-d52c52107d692570aae284adc0300833.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273433">

Sunreef Yachts unveils interior of Sunreef 80 Power yacht Red Azalea

Sunreef Yachts have unveiled the interior images of the 24m Sunreef 80 Power yacht Red Azalea.

A first look at the interiors of the 24m Sunreef 80 Power yacht Red Azalea

Located in the Real Club Náutico de Valencia, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5626" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Varadero Valencia (Company)">Varadero Valencia</a> has been a benchmark shipyard in the Mediterranean yachting sector since its establishment in 2005. In recent years, the yard has experienced an increase in usage of its services.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273417/image/large-faacacf75dff310eebe84c429ffaf5e8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273417">Yachts up to 300 tons have been utilising the facility, with many now prepared for summer voyages. The increase in yacht numbers can be attributed to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5626" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Varadero Valencia (Company)">Varadero Valencia's</a> increased investment in state-of-the-art products and implementation of an improved quality control system. Positive feedback from clients has been a direct result of these efforts.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5626" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Varadero Valencia (Company)"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273419/image/large-d48aa06709cb4769300986f8491e8980.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273419">Varadero Valencia</a> offers a wide range of refit and repair services, including deck replacements, repairs, hydraulics, mechanics, electricity, rigging, upholstery, interiors, fairing, polishing, metallic paints, and double-coat lacquering, all expertly provided by Monzó Yacht Painting. Meanwhile, the Carpentry has gained a stellar reputation for its expertise in interior and exterior woodwork.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273418/image/large-798ad6a5b36110e9a87c4722892d7a1a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273418">“The primary objective is to ensure that clients feel completely at ease from the moment they arrive at the yard, providing them with opportunities to partake in team building activities alongside other captains,” commented <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5626" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Varadero Valencia (Company)">Varadero Valencia</a>. Clients also have access to the facilities of the Real Club Náutico de Valencia. These amenities include tennis courts, paddle courts, a swimming pool, restaurants, and more, adding an extra level of convenience and enjoyment to their experience.“The efforts put forth by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5626" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Varadero Valencia (Company)">Varadero Valencia</a> have resulted in a significant improvement in the quality of the services provided, the refit yard has experienced a 100 percent occupancy rate this refit season and witnessed a rise of over 10 percent in large yachts, both sailing and motor,” added <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5626" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Varadero Valencia (Company)">Varadero Valencia</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273420/image/large-8b4d3ea99b1cbae58a1e4b87e7ee79c1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273420">Among this year's contented customers are the 26-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8580" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Taurean 26.4m (86'7&quot;)Riva S.p.A.2011">Taurean</a> and the 27-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10240" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Griffioen 27.31m (89'7&quot;)Bloemsma & van Breemen2006">Griffioen</a>, both of whom have had successful stints at the yard. Captain John Horn of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10240" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Griffioen 27.31m (89'7&quot;)Bloemsma & van Breemen2006">Griffioen</a> remarked, "After forty years using facilities of this kind across the globe, I can confidently say that Varadero Valencia excels in organisation, smooth workflows, professionalism, exceptional carpenters, and an outstanding team overall. These factors streamline all tasks and make your stay at the refit yard much more comfortable."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273423/image/large-4d90eb229860b87cb0a8458268a45990.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273423">Sailing yachts are also warmly welcomed on the hardstanding. Recently, work was completed on a 30-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/571" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Van Dam Nordia Shipyard (Company)">Van Dam Nordia</a> and a 24-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/151" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Wind (Company)">Southern Wind</a>, both of which departed with highly positive impressions of the yard.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273422/image/large-1c02b7062ae91daba5418942835f1ee8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273422">The enhanced quality and service at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5626" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Varadero Valencia (Company)">Varadero Valencia</a> have positioned it as a benchmark refit and repair yard, offering yachts optimal conditions to prepare for the sailing season. Additionally, clients greatly appreciate the support and post-refit service provided upon project completion. Presently, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5626" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Varadero Valencia (Company)">Varadero Valencia</a> continues to work on other enticing projects that will soon come to fruition.

Varadero Valencia sees rise in yacht facility usage

Mediterranean's leading shipyard for yacht refits. State-of-the-art facilities, expert craftsmanship, and exceptional customer satisfaction

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Nautor Swan</a> has announced the launch of the first 35-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Swan</a> 108 sailing yacht. The first hull was launched at the House of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Swan</a> facility at the Boatbuilding Technology Centre in Pietarsaari, Finland and is part of a new era of Maxi Swan yachts. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273398/image/large-356482a06db636b83a93e96c605ca92c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273398">Built with a full carbon hull, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Swan</a> 108 features exterior design from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4626" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Micheletti + Partners (Company)">Micheletti + Partners</a>, with naval architecture from long-standing collaborator <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/171" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="German Frers (Company)">German Frers</a>. She uses epoxy Sprint technology from carbon moulds and will be registered with Rina charter classification. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273400/image/large-063e5f382f03e4b56841157e106f7898.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273400"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273399/image/large-184283d2dad43d5cefdc6096050cdcbc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273399">The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Swan</a> 108 is a prime example of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Nautor Swan</a> philosophy and pays homage to the company’s heritage in a contemporary style. “The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Swan</a> 108 marks a new era in the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Swan</a> Maxi range at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Nautor</a>,” explained Giovanni Pomati, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Nautor</a> Group CEO.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273401/image/large-a9681770f15a85134f8a5be906a12665.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273401">“The project, launched in 2021 during the Regate di Primavera in Portofino, has been like drawing a beautiful painting. Like a painter meticulously chooses his palette, we made a very intense research of talents that could put their know-how on the table and blend it with the other to create a beautiful and unique product.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/262952/image/large-1e062a3062bf159e994b89a043c154ae.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/262952"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/262951/image/large-ca9f1be98ad50b5fefe16260b0503238.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/262951"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/262955/image/large-e02791ef70e7e61102e42cc1f66b0387.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/262955">The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Swan</a> 108 features a modern and contemporary interior design from Loro Piana Interiors (Misa Poggi). “I chose light colours to give an idea of the breadth and dark colors for a more intimate atmosphere. Everything should give the idea of being immersed in a bright space in perfect harmony with the outside,” added <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1144" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Loro Piana Interiors (Misa Poggi) (Company)">Misa Poggi</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273402/image/large-44894dbcab1732a88df4bf041d147fb4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273402"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273397/image/large-7dac6ad3c89bef00e8a0a06a090fdcde.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273397">&nbsp;The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Swan</a> 108 can comfortably sleep up to nine guests across four staterooms, as well as a crew of five. One of her key features is her dual-acting transom door which allows the stern to open along part of the aft deck, providing an oversized beach club.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273393/image/large-e7e4c74e40e215bb93ec4fa5cafc6bce.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273393">This solution makes tender management far easier and does not compromise her interior volumes. On her decks, the coamings widen in the aft part of the cockpit allowing a further outboard position for the steering stations, while still maintaining good helm protection. Her extra-large main companionway also provides plenty of light for the interior.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273392/image/large-bb9165497e171e4ab994607919aaf231.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273392"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273395/image/large-1ca091a9bd4bbb719172218c1e183bed.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273395">In terms of propulsion, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Swan</a> 108 yacht is equipped with a single <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1470" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Scania (Company)">Scania</a> engine which provides her with a cruising speed of 10 knots. The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Swan</a> 108 will make her worldwide debut at the Monaco Yacht Show 2023. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273396/image/large-2578d9265a32d70982cf849c0eace0a1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273396"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Nautor Swan</a> currently has several other yachts in-build at the Boatbuilding Technology Centre, including the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Swan</a> 88, hull two of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Swan</a> 108 series and a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Swan</a> 128.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/194848/image/large-0222a69ea6fde2ddea48958cb8c0c0e2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/194848">

35m Nautor Swan 108 yacht launched

The first hull in the 35m Nautor Swan 108 yacht series was launched from the Boatbuilding Technology Centre in Pietarsaari, Finland.

First 35m Nautor Swan 108 sailing yacht launched

The second day of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/176" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta - 2023">Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta</a> yesterday arrived with excellent winds that picked up during the course of the afternoon. The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/176" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta - 2023">Southern Wind</a> Division started at 11.30 a.m., with a south-easterly wind of around 8 knots, headed for Razza di Giunco beach, where the shipyard had organised a lunch and beach party for its owners and guests.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273385/image/large-6bea8d0c0c798daa6f51e2b88de93ff1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273385">At 1 p.m., with 10 knots of breeze from the south-east, the Superyacht division regatta began and the 33-meter <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5680" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pattoo33.0m (108'3&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2016">Pattoo</a> was the first yacht off the blocks in the revised staggered starting sequence. The fleet headed upwind towards the south, rounding the islets of Mortorio and Soffi, then came back up under gennaker, through the Bisce pass, with winds that had increased to 16 knots in the meantime. At the mark by the Tre Monti shallows, the superyachts headed for the islet of Monaci, which they rounded before embarking on their upwind return leg to Porto Cervo. The course covered almost 30 miles, and kept the crews busy hoisting and lowering the gennakers, in addition to a long reach with frequent jibes on the way up to the Bisce pass.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273384/image/large-19eb0fecc8b9cd9eccee9cfb9c4f98f1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273384">Today's results in corrected time have shaken up the rankings compared to yesterday: in the Superyacht Cruising Class the Briand 108 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4020" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Inoui33.4m (109'7&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2013">Inoui</a> won by just 20 seconds - after more than two and a half hours of racing - ahead of the 33-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5680" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pattoo33.0m (108'3&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2016">Pattoo</a>. The Baltic 108 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4749" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="WinWin33.04m (108'5&quot;)Baltic Yachts2014">WinWin</a> was a further 3 minutes and 19 seconds behind. The leader board in the Combined Performance &amp; Cruising Class also changes, with the first three positions now the same as the Superyacht Cruising Class. In fourth place, with a gap of just 3 minutes and 43 seconds from the winner, is the Wallycento <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="V30.48m (100'0&quot;)Wally2017">V</a>.&nbsp;Chris Main, tactician on <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4020" href="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/news#managed-by-system" target="_blank">Inoui</a>: "Today we won by just 20 seconds in corrected time, but having sailed most of the course a good way from our competition, it wasn’t easy to work out our position. It felt to us like we hadn't made mistakes, with the manoeuvres at the right time. With these boats a mistake can cost you dearly. Once we crossed the finish line and saw the results, we had the confirmation that our race had been flawless."In terms of the overall standings after two days, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4020" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Inoui33.4m (109'7&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2013">Inoui</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4749" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="WinWin33.04m (108'5&quot;)Baltic Yachts2014">WinWin</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5680" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pattoo33.0m (108'3&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2016">Pattoo</a> top the Superyacht Cruising Class in that order, separated by just one point each. In the Combined Performance &amp; Cruising Class, Inoui is again in the lead with a total of 4 points, followed in second and third place by the WallyCento <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="V30.48m (100'0&quot;)Wally2017">V</a> and the Baltic 108 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4749" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="WinWin33.04m (108'5&quot;)Baltic Yachts2014">WinWin</a> respectively, both sitting on 5 points.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273386/image/large-7be34091c38d16e34a9485558e1049a2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273386">All is therefore still to play for over the next two days of racing. Tomorrow, 9th June, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/151" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Wind (Company)">Southern Wind</a> Division is scheduled to set off at 11 a.m. with the same staggered start procedure as the Superyacht Division. The forecasts indicate a south-easterly wind of approximately 10-12 knots.To mark World Oceans Day, drawings by the Year 3 students from the primary schools of Arzachena, Cannigione and Abbiadori, created by children who took part in the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2826" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (Company)">YCCS</a> Clean Beach Day on 31st May, were projected on the LedWall in Piazza Azzurra.

Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta 2023 day 2

Day two of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta has shaken up the ranking of yesterday with Inoui winning by 20 seconds.

Inoui wins day 2 of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta 2023

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273387/image/large-1a98faa2fe8a652f75d7b7d810f0e77d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273387">Seen here last week docked in Crete, the largest and most populous Greek islands, is the 43-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8292" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Halara43.0m (141'1&quot;)Overmarine Group SPA2021">Halara</a>. Built as Project Venezia to the Mangusta Oceano 43 yacht model, she was delivered by the Italian shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/473" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Overmarine Group SPA (Company)">Overmarine</a> in January 2021. The three-deck superyacht, penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3025" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alberto Mancini Yacht Design (Company)">Alberto Mancini Yacht Design</a>, features design elements such as wide glazed surfaces, skylights and special lighting solutions. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8292" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Halara43.0m (141'1&quot;)Overmarine Group SPA2021">Halara</a> houses a beach club aft with a stern door to the sea platform, forward-facing infinity pool with a waterfall, a garage at the bow and several alfresco living areas. The interior has been coined by her builder's own design team alongside Italian designer <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3025" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alberto Mancini Yacht Design (Company)">Alberto Mancini</a>. Onboard, she can accommodate up to 12 guests taken care of by a crew of seven. Performance-wise, the 451 GT superyacht can reach a top speed of 15 knots and cruise comfortably at 11 knots with a range of 5,000 nautical miles.

43m superyacht Halara in Crete

The 43m superyacht Halara, built by Overmarine, is seen here docked in Crete, Greece.

The 24.78-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/145" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Burger Boat Company (Company)">Burger Boat</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6904" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Laid Back 24.78m (81'4&quot;)Burger Boat Company1989">Laid Back</a> sold in a deal with Bill Powers of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2578" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="26 North Yachts (Company)">26 North Yachts</a> introducing the buyer and Pam Barlow of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/10" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Luke Brown Yachts (Company)">Luke Brown Yachts</a> representing the seller. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/233587/image/large-019d4589b7bf473c618927c9d490772b.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/233587">Delivered in 1989 from the United States, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6904" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Laid Back 24.78m (81'4&quot;)Burger Boat Company1989">Laid Back</a> is part of the 80’ Burger series. She was designed in full by her builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/145" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Burger Boat Company (Company)">Burger Boat Company</a> which were responsible for her interior and exterior design, as well as her naval architecture.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/233594/image/large-f7ac9ec5f6e942e4bf106a232a9ef7eb.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/233594"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/233593/image/large-4a66247e9f3e93eda81d06c996a94bd9.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/233593"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/233589/image/large-f1773b2a07be5eff6a33b9f8fd99af88.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/233589"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6904" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Laid Back 24.78m (81'4&quot;)Burger Boat Company1989">Laid Back</a> features a three stateroom configuration, with accommodation for up to six guests. She boasts a classic interior design with a high use of woods to accompany her contemporary main saloon. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/233592/image/large-f8516c68df1ab3dced8f707f3959420f.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/233592"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/233596/image/large-dfc47880c70d767b13eff8d94866a6ff.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/233596">In terms of propulsion, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6904" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Laid Back 24.78m (81'4&quot;)Burger Boat Company1989">Laid Back</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MAN (Company)">MAN</a> engines which propel her to a top speed of 21 knots and a comfortable cruising speed of 17 knots. At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6904" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Laid Back 24.78m (81'4&quot;)Burger Boat Company1989">Laid Back</a> had a last known asking price of $1,195,500. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/233591/image/large-dee8a0f556781988c2fd5e8a0365b626.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/233591">

25m Burger Boat yacht Laid Back sold

The 25m Burger Boat motor yacht Laid Back sold with a last known asking price of $1,195,500.

25m Burger Boat motor yacht Laid Back sold

The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5877" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Water Revolution Foundation (Company)">Water Revolution Foundation</a> has announced a new reinvestment fund for the superyacht industry, aimed at ocean conservation. The Ocean Assist Fund plans to promote a new path into nurturing both ocean and human vitality.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273322/image/large-81c76517a9d6ab0a6ba06abc70e22e99.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273322">The Ocean Assist Fund will be used to select marine conservation and restoration projects to allocate funds granted by the yachting community. The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5877" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Water Revolution Foundation (Company)">Water Revolution Foundation</a> will use appropriate criteria to determine which projects are selected and will ensure that support goes to the most urgent needs.“By prioritising projects and adopting scientific tools that are urgently needed to protect the oceans, the superyacht community can maximise financial and non-financial resources to support nature-based solutions and aid the global effort to mitigate ecological impacts,” said <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5877" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Water Revolution Foundation (Company)">Water Revolution Foundation</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/237001/image/large-34661eb661037cedcc9fa816ea2839c9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/237001">Read: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/56401" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Water Revolution Foundation unveils YETI 1.0 to evaluate environmental impact in yachting (2022-11-17 16:45:00 +0100)">Water Revolution Foundation unveils YETI 1.0 to evaluate environmental impact in yachting</a>The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5877" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Water Revolution Foundation (Company)">Water Revolution Foundation</a> will work with an independent scientific advisory board composed of renowned ocean scientists to identify the projects that will have the greatest impact in preserving the ocean and will feed back their findings to the yachting community.“By investing in ocean conservation through this programme, the superyacht community can act as a significant force to solve ocean problems and make a positive collective impact, not only for themselves but for the planet as a whole,” commented the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5877" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Water Revolution Foundation (Company)">Water Revolution Foundation</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/210814/image/large-2f97f065978c36e73e041f8b3df36273.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/210814">Read: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/56155" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sustainable mooring: How to preserve the world’s largest lung? (2022-10-13 14:30:00 +0200)">Sustainable mooring: How to preserve the world’s largest lung?</a>The project aims to raise awareness and commitment within the yachting community, and will transform financial support for ocean conservation into a business proposition. The project will create a new age of regenerative development in the yachting sector, to help revive our invaluable marine ecosystems.&nbsp;“The Ocean Assist programme will enable yachting to contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals – which seek to protect planet’s and human health, conserve biodiversity, combat climate change and improve livelihoods for everyone, everywhere,” concluded the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5877" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Water Revolution Foundation (Company)">Water Revolution Foundation</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/240105/image/large-08aa65fd6517d3cb3aafc9d8202ab996.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/240105">

Water Revolution Foundation announces Ocean Assist Fund

The Water Revolution Foundation has announced the Ocean Assist Fund for the superyacht industry, aimed at ocean conservation.

Water Revolution Foundation announces Ocean Assist Fund for ocean conservation

Turkey-based yacht builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bilgin Yachts (Company)">Bilgin Yachts</a> has unveiled a new 52-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bilgin Yachts (Company)">Bilgin</a> 170 superyacht model, with two hulls already in-build. The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bilgin Yachts (Company)">Bilgin</a> 170 motor yacht uses innovative design elements with outstanding craftsmanship and builds upon the already successful <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bilgin Yachts (Company)">Bilgin</a> 163 model.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/272706/image/large-0c86f28182ca880acdb5367f9982e42e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/272706">The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bilgin Yachts (Company)">Bilgin</a> 170 yacht showcases a collaboration between renowned exterior designer Emrecan Özgün of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4305" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Unique Yacht Design (Company)">Unique Yacht Design</a> and esteemed interior design house <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/908" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hot Lab (Company)">Hot Lab</a>. The Bilgin 170 differs from her sistership the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bilgin Yachts (Company)">Bilgin</a> 164, with a larger and more traditional bow shape, to create an overall sleeker appearance.“The layout of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bilgin Yachts (Company)">Bilgin</a> 170-I remains identical to its sibling models, ensuring familiarity and ease of use for customers,” explained Emrecan Özgün. “The primary goal during the design process was to optimise the 50-metre models, achieving a more sporty and masculine look, while blending the design seamlessly to offer customers the ability to utilise both open and enclosed spaces under 500 GT.”The interior of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bilgin Yachts (Company)">Bilgin</a> 170 has been skillfully designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/908" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hot Lab (Company)">Hot Lab</a> to complement her striking exterior. She focuses on luxury, comfort, and elegance, while combining the interior functionality with refined aesthetics.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/272707/image/large-39a30d39b7a0df128f0dcd7bc793e298.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/272707">“The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bilgin Yachts (Company)">Bilgin</a> 170 draws on the experience gained from the successful 47 and 50-metre projects and combines elegance with timeless lines. The 499 GT yacht is able to accommodate up to 12 guests and a crew of nine. She has an elegant exterior and interior as well as a unique beach club and outdoor spaces,” explained Berkay Yılmaz, Commercial Director of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bilgin Yachts (Company)">Bilgin Yachts</a>.The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bilgin Yachts (Company)">Bilgin</a> 170 features an elongated bridge deck aft, extending by 1.5-metres to amplify her living space and offer a spacious and shaded area for guests to unwind. Her beach club on the lower deck ensures plenty of natural light with expansive windows when all three doors are closed.&nbsp;“We are thrilled to unveil the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bilgin Yachts (Company)">Bilgin</a> 170, a stunning yacht that represents the pinnacle of design and craftsmanship,” said İsmail Şengün, the CEO at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bilgin Yachts (Company)">Bilgin Yachts</a>. “Emrecan Özgün's innovative approach and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/908" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hot Lab (Company)">Hot Lab</a>'s impeccable interior design have resulted in a vessel that exudes sportiness and elegance, elevating the yacht experience to new heights.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/272704/image/large-18023ad16112c054f42e20bf68c83c55.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/272704">Key features onboard the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bilgin Yachts (Company)">Bilgin</a> 170 include her classic bow shape which provides additional private seating and sunbathing areas once her rescue boat for the tender is deployed. Her swim platform also provides direct contact with the sea, as well as sun loungers for guests to relax.The first unit of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1414" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bilgin Yachts (Company)">Bilgin</a> 170 series is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2024, followed closely by the second unit, which is slated to be available in time for 2025.

New 52m Bilgin 170 superyacht model in-build

Bilgin Yachts has unveiled a new 52m Bilgin 170 superyacht model, with two hulls already in-build.

Bilgin Yachts unveils 52m in-build Bilgin 170 superyacht

The demand for very large sailing yachts is nothing like that for large motor yachts, but over the last few years there has been increased interest in very large sailing yachts. Some projects have been delivered, some are under construction and others are on the drawing board. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/271922/image/large-b991006523bd905dbed9b749b4cd42e1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/271922">We ask a panel of experts – Bart van der Meer (engineering sailing systems at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/458" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rondal B.V. (Company)">Rondal</a>), Rudy Jurg (sales manager at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/458" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rondal B.V. (Company)">Rondal</a>), Rob Doyle (<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3009" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rob Doyle Design (Company)">Rob Doyle Design</a>), Thys Nikkels (<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/230" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dykstra Naval Architects (Company)">Dykstra Naval Architects</a>) and Bill Tripp (<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/230" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dykstra Naval Architects (Company)">Tripp Design</a>) – about the challenges of designing, building and operating a 100-metre sloop.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/271904/image/large-0e8d661bb3efb5b36591b231f65ec1e7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/271904">Is it possible to create the mast and rigging for a 100-metre sloop that is both safe and Class approved?&nbsp;Bart van der Meer: Yes, it is certainly possible to create a complete rig and sailing system for a yacht of this size. It does, of course, present some interesting challenges, but Rondal has built its reputation on resolving challenges.&nbsp;Rob Doyle: For a 100-metre sloop in terms of length overall, no, it is not possible. For a 100-metre spar height, yes, that is possible. If someone says ’yes’ to a 100-metre LOA yacht they are out of their depth and have not fully researched all the options involved. At RDD we have done a huge amount of research on this question and we are one of the few naval architects and design studios that have an understanding of the complexibility of such a big rig. Class approval would be difficult, but they will lean hard on the naval architect’s calculations, research and experience.&nbsp;Thys Nikkels: When we are pushing boundaries with any aspect of a design the answer is always ‘Do your homework!’ If you do not have experience with a certain size or configuration you have to do the necessary research and development to prove the design is feasible. Feasible in concept, safe in construction and safe in operation, only then can you tell a client that it is possible, and to do that you have to work with a team of researchers, material specialists, builders to find the required solutions for the challenges.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/108433/image/large-6f7ee4bb350c7e7604865e0774d55463.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/108433">Are there any suppliers who would take the risk of building such a yacht?Bart van der Meer: We have already built three impressive 70-metre-plus &nbsp;rigs and are currently planning a large rig for an 85-metre sloop, which will become one of the world’s largest.Rob Doyle: There are two really only two manufacturers that can build big rigs. Rigging would be another significant difficulty, along with winches, systems, furling, hull structures, regulations and more.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/271932/image/large-fe57b0ec686c9fcbbe3f0f91922d0a1d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/271932">Even if you could build it, would it be safe to operate for the crew?Bart van der Meer: Given the exceptional loads, risk factors for the crew are already an important factor in planning sailing systems for today’s largest sailing yachts, especially when racing. These loads and the sheer length and weight of running rigging do increase exponentially when looking at a rig for a 100-metre sloop. But we should keep in mind that, at this end of the superyacht fleet, only the most highly qualified and experienced crew would manage and trim the sail plan. They would do so with access to very sophisticated load sensors and safety triggers to ensure loads and risks remain within the design boundaries. There is also the possibility that these big rigs could be operated fully automatically. Especially as the cost related to fully automating a sailing system becomes smaller in comparison to the overall cost. However, this route could present new challenges of its own until fully proven.Rob Doyle: We will always design rigs with safe operation in mind, the numbers involved are huge and operation of a sail plan of this size would be very difficult, if not impossible. The size of the systems to control such a rig are significant and very detailed research is required, the sparmakers can build very big rigs – the limit is the yacht not the spar tube.&nbsp;Thys Nikkels: In the end, a large sloop will only work for the client if it can be safely and relatively easily operated by the crew. Otherwise the rig will never, or only sporadically, be used.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/236181/image/large-38e23873797382eff5e629953f24cb77.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/236181">Have you had any requests for such a large project and do you expect that one day a client will decide to build one?Rudy Jurg: We have already been introduced to enquiries and concepts of this size that for one reason or another have yet to progress. I have little doubt that 100-metre-plus rigs will be built in the future. The first one will be commissioned by a very ambitious and visionary individual with deep pockets. Once this client’s project is afloat, others are more likely to follow.&nbsp;Rob Doyle: Yes, we have had requests for such yachts a number of times. What we explain first is that the jump from 78-metre M5 to a sloop with a spar length of 100 metres is enormous. If you have not designed and built big rigs before, then a client is very exposed. At RDD we have designed more big rigs, both sloop and ketches, than many other naval architects, but the numbers are staggering when you present the research and the real build numbers. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/272049/image/large-6060ad9c10f61da7535208d03e662ce4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/272049">What are the cost implications of building a 100-metre sloop compared with a schooner of similar size?&nbsp;Bart van der Meer: One of the biggest cost implications is that most of the hardware needs to be designed from scratch for the sloop. Nothing on this scale is readily available on the market: no furlers, no toggles, no winches. And it needs to be designed not just bigger, but exponentially bigger. Take a runner winch, for example. From a 30-metre sloop to a 60-metre sloop, the retrieving length will double and the pull force goes from roughly 10 to 30 tonnes. If you want to be able to retrieve the runners at the same time, you’ll need four times more winch power to double the speed and more than double the force.&nbsp;When you recall it was considered doubtful if you could fly a spinnaker from the mast of a 100-foot sloop 30 years ago, we can see that the evolution of marine design technology has always innovated to address such issues. The expertise is there to make the rig of a 100-metre sloop happen, &nbsp;as long as it is accepted that substantial system development costs as well as the hardware manufacturing costs will bear heavily on the first project. For these reasons, it will certainly cost more than the rig of a 100-metre schooner or ketch.Rob Doyle: Hard questions because if you want to be the tip of the sword, a visionary owner that wants to reach for the stars and build the biggest sloop. But you may need to ask yourself: is the ketch a better option at the 100-metre LOA size?<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/236173/image/large-d089b6d8c8cd89662da7e3fc43a4f62c.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/236173">Given all the factors above and from your own experience, what is the ideal size for a super-sloop?Rudy Jurg: It is difficult to say there is an ideal size, though we do know that the ‘ideal’ size keeps on growing as larger yachts prove their reliability and their capacity to deliver exceptional lifestyle experiences and amenities to owners and their guests. Ultimately the ‘ideal’ will always be related to owners’ plans, their financial resources, their vision and ambition.Rob Doyle: I believe an 85-metre LOA sloop would be the limit, but there are different factors at play that have to be understood and it's more about the length/beam ratio than LOA, which would be a more suitable metric to start with. On the limit of tube lengths, you need to ask the spar maker for that number, but we are comfortable with the tube lengths we have spoken to clients and sparmakers about.This article was originally published in September 2022 of Issue 1 of the How to Build It magazine. <a href="https://superyachttimes.com/api/download/how-to-build-it-issue-1" target="_blank">You can download the entire magazine for free here</a>.

Ask the Expert: Is a 100-metre sloop feasible or even desirable?

SYT asked a panel of experts about the challenges of designing, building and operating a 100-metre sloop.


The 23.98-metre eponymous <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Timeless Yachts (Company)">Timeless</a> yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8491" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Timeless23.98m (78'8&quot;)Timeless Yachts2018">Timeless</a> sold at auction with broker Arjen Hoeksma of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/9" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="De Valk Yacht Brokers (Company)">De Valk Yacht Brokers</a> and auction organiser Wim Schimmel of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6345" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtBid.com (Company)">YachtBid</a> representing the seller. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273147/image/large-9cdf3e8827b28f7ea267985a8939a44e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273147">The custom-built explorer yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8491" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Timeless23.98m (78'8&quot;)Timeless Yachts2018">Timeless</a> was built and launched in 2018 by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5312" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Timeless Yachts (Company)">Timeless Yachts</a> in Poland. The aluminium motor yacht is equipped with two decks of luxury and features naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1993" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yacht Studio Strawinski (Company)">Yacht Studio Strawinski</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/259773/image/large-b5267efe59a0c30aa7a699a187b7d97e.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/259773"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/259774/image/large-ab9b68e33c321344cb59fb6a8743d69d.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/259774"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8491" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Timeless23.98m (78'8&quot;)Timeless Yachts2018"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/259762/image/large-57d8a09a47d3724e8c7a7fce6d39f2cd.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/259762">Timeless</a> can comfortably sleep up to eight guests across a four stateroom layout and offers a timeless interior design with a neutral colour palette. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/273148/image/large-3609236d22317356cee5295f47d2664f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/273148"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/259759/image/large-aa11e0dc64737a8b5f7dce57ed28dd8b.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/259759">In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8491" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Timeless23.98m (78'8&quot;)Timeless Yachts2018">Timeless</a> is equipped with twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1483" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cummins Inc. (Company)">Cummins</a> engines, giving her a top speed of 12 knots. At the time of her sale, Timeless had a starting price at auction of €1,000,000.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/259755/image/large-02ecfdb667ba2ce773a4ca8f5b226f4d.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/259755">

Explorer yacht Timeless sold at auction

The 24m Timeless yacht Timeless sold at auction with a last known starting price of €1,000,000. 

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