With panoramic vista leading to panoramic vista, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>’s superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moskito55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">Moskito</a> pushes the boundaries of current demands for the utilisation of glass aboard superyachts. Launched in 2020 as Project Pollux, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moskito55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">Moskito</a> is the fifth hull of the 55M Steel series, and alongside her sistership <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6790" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Solemates55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2020">Solemates</a>, is an evolution of the model, marking a revision in the builder’s perspective on internal spaces. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/203344/image/large-dea0321b9fd26debd7437899d61dcca6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/203344">With a prioritisation on space and light, the five stateroom layout on the yacht’s lower deck has been reconsidered, with one stateroom moved onto the upper deck as a VIP suite, allowing for each cabin to be extended. The social areas on the main and bridge deck have also been expanded, particularly the upper saloon, which is now considerably larger. Renowned British design firm <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/17" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bannenberg & Rowell Design (Company)">Bannenberg &amp; Rowell</a>, was commissioned to turn <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>’s vision into a reality, and as the tenth collaboration between designer and builder, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moskito55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">Moskito</a> is an exemplar of their creative relationship. Here we take a closer look aboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moskito55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">Moskito</a>, with an insight from Bannenberg and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>’s Executive Commercial Officer Mark Cavendish. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/193114/image/large-71317949a7ef058a6229f935f8407fe4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/193114">Originally built on speculation, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moskito55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">Moskito</a> features advanced naval architecture from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/460" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Van Oossanen Naval Architects (Company)">Van Oossanen</a> and utilises the pivotal Fast Displacement Hull Form to ensure performance and efficiency, drinking only 40 gallons of fuel per hour at a cruising speed of 11 knots. Her masculine exterior aesthetic features a design signature described by her designers, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega Architects</a>, as a “shark tooth” design. This sharp triangle of aluminium points vertically down from the curve of the wheelhouse overhang and the impact is accentuated by the vertical windows that run like gills along her sides. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/203342/image/large-b17810def2bc73ba99ace942157eaa4a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/203342">A Winning Recipe&nbsp;Following the delivery of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6363" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vida55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2019">Vida</a> in 2019, the third 55M Steel, the team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> decided to revise the architectural arrangement of the upper superstructure, lengthening the upper saloon and carving out space to accommodate a VIP cabin. In doing so, they were able to restructure the lower deck stateroom layout.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/203331/image/large-cb81bff98d6e8dac66b0f693970c3bf4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/203331">When questioned why this restructure took place, Cavendish noted that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> has come to realise that often, guests utilise the bridge deck for entertainment and relaxation, perhaps more than the main deck and beach club. “The upper saloon is probably three quarters the size of the main saloon, which is unusually large, and I would not be at all surprised if guests mainly used that saloon instead.” Leading out of this upper saloon, guests are faced with an expanse of deck, and with the main dining table located here, the desirability of this space is immediately recognisable.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/203333/image/large-44ad16ea5dba17c5239807eeeff415e5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/203333">This upper saloon, which has a bar to the port side and an array of seating options to starboard, with a large television screen centrally located, has a relaxed feel, “the doors will be open a lot to the aft deck, and we wanted to give that space a different vibe from the more formal main saloon below,” said Dickie Bannenberg.<ul><li><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/52736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen delivers 55m superyacht Moskito (2021-04-19 13:30:00 +0200)">Heesen delivers 55m superyacht Moskito</a></li></ul>Uninhibited DesignFor the team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/17" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bannenberg & Rowell Design (Company)">Bannenberg &amp; Rowell</a>, designing the interior of a speculation project is a golden egg; within the restraints of the design brief, they are uninhibited in their stylistic choices and free to experiment with unique design tools. Mark Cavendish commented, “Interior designers have a finger on the pulse, and a better understanding of where styles and trends are moving than we do as yacht builders, so we let them come up with the interior design. Of course, we review, because we don’t want to design yachts that are too individualistic, as it reduces our market. This calibre needs to be stylish, which is why we choose top designers like <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/17" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bannenberg & Rowell Design (Company)">Bannenberg &amp; Rowell</a> to work with.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/203334/image/large-df5762b55959c2826d62ada397336b02.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/203334"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moskito55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">Moskito</a>’s interior design emanates the stylistic verve that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/17" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bannenberg & Rowell Design (Company)">Bannenberg &amp; Rowell</a> are renowned for. When you first look at the interiors, it would be easy to misleadingly consider them minimalist, in truth, the clean, geometric, lines and neutral palette have been cleverly enhanced by the subtle use of curved forms that punctuate the vertical surfaces. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/203335/image/large-bea7c4c369c611bc54433ba9ce7da547.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/203335">Dickie sees these curved forms as the most characteristic design feature of her interior, but the organic, panelled walls have more than simply a stylistic role. “We wanted to get some kind of soft and sinuous form into the bulkhead panelling. This is most prominent in the main saloon, where it shrouds and disguises the engine room air casings.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/203336/image/large-f7908bda1d445a41636c55914e2bda56.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/203336">Similar, though simpler, forms are found below within the guest cabins, materialising as gently rounded surfaces, while the master stateroom on the main deck, and the upper deck VIP stateroom, carry the theme through. The master suite, an impressive 82 square-metre apartment on the main deck, in many respects the heart of the yacht, has a subtly curved arc panel, disguising the main bulkhead, which flows through the bookcase to port. Behind the bed, the Eucalyptus panelling from the main saloon is echoed, creating a subtle synergy throughout the interior.<ul><li><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/51887" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="55m Heesen yacht project Pollux sold (2020-10-09 11:30:00 +0200)">55m Heesen yacht project Pollux sold</a></li></ul>The Interior FinishThe owner was so taken by the interior design, that he requested <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/17" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bannenberg & Rowell Design (Company)">Bannenberg &amp; Rowell</a> select the entirety of the interior styling. The team scoured the British art market to find contemporary pieces to complement the interior aesthetic. “It was quite an unusual request from the owners to finish right down to the books and the artwork, but of course as designers we like this level of design because it enables us to ensure that the whole yacht works together very well.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/203337/image/large-82d1c879a852b296a7b863836be83bd7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/203337">The artwork was selected to enhance and balance the neutral, geometric interiors, which are finished in an array of fine woods and materials. White and neutral tone leather wall panels and light grey metallic majlite, a faux leather material covering the ceilings and sections of the walls, create a vision of softness. This is punctuated by brushed vintage nickel details, found in the trim of the dark eucalyptus furniture, and pinpointed on the bedheads.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/203341/image/large-cb4b817d22c8c5a4281299c03faa94f7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/203341">All materials selected by the design team emphasise the impressive amount of natural light provided by the expansive employment of floor-to-ceiling windows. The furniture has either been especially designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/17" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bannenberg & Rowell Design (Company)">Bannenberg &amp; Rowell</a>, or has been sourced from the finest designers across the world. One such piece, a coffee table from Amsterdam, features a nano-technology finish that seals itself when scratched, leaving the surfaces unmarked.&nbsp;A Turnkey Design<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moskito55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">Moskito</a>’s owner purchased the superyacht in September 2020, when she was around 80% complete, and the team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/17" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bannenberg & Rowell Design (Company)">Bannenberg &amp; Rowell</a> had to move quickly to complete the outfitting whilst in the throes of Brexit. Then came Covid-19, an additional spanner in the works, but the entire team saw to her completion in time for her delivery in April. When the owner stepped aboard the superyacht in Malta, it was the first time he had seen the vessel in reality, and neither Dickie, nor Mark, were there to greet him, a very unusual modus operandi for the team. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/203338/image/large-159a543438b4b339b939c5798acf8b84.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/203338">For <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/17" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bannenberg & Rowell Design (Company)">Bannenberg &amp; Rowell</a>, this was a hugely exciting project to be involved in, and to have the support of an owner who embraced their stylistic spirit entirely means that it is a standout within their portfolio. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/203339/image/large-7b0c42f9ceeb91854b0fca7a174fb36a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/203339">As for the future of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>’s 55M Steel, Mark Cavendish commented, “I do not see demand cooling off for this yacht, we have just sold the sixth hull and are now in construction of the seventh. I would be very surprised if the model doesn’t go into the 10-plus hulls, it is right up there with our most successful model, the 47M Steel, of which 13 have been constructed.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/203340/image/large-7c7024c6f89d2b311b2a54f00e5620eb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/203340"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moskito55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">Moskito</a> will be exhibited at this year’s <a href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show - 2021">Monaco Yacht Show</a> in September as an example of one of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>’s most impressive superyacht series’.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/203343/image/large-49d5fab75f01bc255513ce6ca37934eb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/203343"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/193106/image/large-cc6555d496b4514dd73430caf0906f6e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/193106">This article was originally published in the Autumn 2021 issue of The SuperYacht Times newspaper. To receive all future issues straight to your door, <a href="https://shop.superyachttimes.com/" target="_blank">subscribe to the newspaper here</a>.

On board 55m superyacht Moskito

Moskito yacht on sea trials

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Moskito yacht saloon

Moskito yacht dining

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Moskito yacht in Malta

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Moskito yacht cruising

Here, we take an exclusive look on board Heesen's 55m superyacht Moskito, launched in 2020.

Onboard: Heesen’s 55m superyacht Moskito

Early March, Jim Offield returned after two years of circumnavigating the globe onboard sailing yacht&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2089" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Legend34.14m (112'0&quot;)Alloy Yachts1999">Legend</a>, just in time for his 76th birthday. Leona Caanen sits down with Jim to dive into his journey sailing the seven seas onboard the 34-metre ketch.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397312/image/large-2d480c55397f28e4576e480c910ab08e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397312">As the world was closing up in July 2020, Jim’s longtime captain and dear friend Bruno, found the perfect ketch sitting for sale, docked in Palma de Mallorca. After a quick tour via FaceTime, Jim bought the yacht and had Bruno prepare it to set sail. Jim made his way to the yacht, where Gibraltar authorities granted him a sole 24 hours of entry before he and his yacht needed to leave.What followed was Jim’s very first Atlantic crossing on a sailing yacht. “We did the Atlantic crossing in August and I absolutely fell in love with offshore sailing. It was an absolute magical trip,” Jim shares. Crossing the Atlantic in the middle of hurricane season is quite a feat, but <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2089" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Legend34.14m (112'0&quot;)Alloy Yachts1999">Legend</a> showed what she was capable of and with Bruno captaining the vessel, Jim felt right at ease.After that, Jim, Bruno and the crew spent four years leisurely exploring New England and the Caribbean, sailing from island to island. After exploring much of the region, Bruno and Jim were having coffee one morning on shore when the question arose: what next? Having previously travelled to the Pacific and Oceania onboard a 156 foot <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/47" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Delta Marine (Company)">Delta</a>, Bruno floated the thought of sailing around the world onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2089" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Legend34.14m (112'0&quot;)Alloy Yachts1999">Legend</a>. A simple ‘why not’ from Jim and a plan was made. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397341/image/large-e986b042286f4f2e39e0b8b2219a4a49.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397341">Around the worldIn early April of 2024, Jim and his wife, captain Bruno and their crew set sail from Savannah, Georgia, heading towards the Panama Canal. From there <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2089" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Legend34.14m (112'0&quot;)Alloy Yachts1999">Legend</a> sailed towards the Galapagos and towards New Zealand, taking time to sail past many islands of the South Pacific that lay along the route, the likes of French Polynesia and Tonga.To sail to such remote places, witnessing stunning wildlife along the way, felt like a true sailor’s journey, but in the comfort of the 34-metre superyacht. All these sailing experiences, exploring the Mediterranean, crossing the Atlantic, and cruising around New England and throughout the Caribbean, making minor tweaks to the vessel along the way, had unknowingly prepared her for the circumnavigation. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397298/image/large-cf68dc5ec2d388b4dac703ab8511d9ff.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397298">Designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/52" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ron Holland Design (Company)">Ron Holland Design</a> (exteriors) and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a> (interiors) and built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/60" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alloy Yachts (Company)">Alloy Yachts</a> in 1999, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2089" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Legend34.14m (112'0&quot;)Alloy Yachts1999">Legend</a> is a sturdy lady. Bruno shares how, as ”Jim goes to bed quite early, sometimes, when we sail at 10 or 12 knots through the night, he’ll come up in the morning and not have felt a thing!” <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2089" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Legend34.14m (112'0&quot;)Alloy Yachts1999">Legend</a> was the right choice of vessel for the journey they took.One of the most exciting legs of the journey was sailing from Cairns to Cape Horn, through the Indian Ocean. “98 percent of this trip is going to be spectacular,” Captain Bruno had said to Jim, “but two to five percent of it, you're going to have to hold on to your shorts. And it didn't let us down.” The Indian Ocean is notorious for its strong, unexpected monsoon-like winds and heavy rains, accompanied by a chaotic sea with waves coming in from all directions. “In the middle of one of those days when it was full on, Jim looked at me and he goes, ‘it's worse than you said it would be!’”. As the duo tells the story, Bruno laughs, “I always said to Jim, ‘you haven’t crossed an ocean until you’ve sailed an ocean!”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397339/image/large-9ffd3d4bc8d1c964c524477a86d0a59e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397339">Harmonious sailingHaving known each other for 25 years, Jim and Bruno share a special bond. Something that, in turn, had a positive effect on the rest of the crew. ”We travelled with an amazing group of people and many friendships were born,” shares Jim. “Being alone in the ocean for so many days with such a great crew, it’s the experience of a lifetime. It was harmony in every sense of the word.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397343/image/large-317e67d451ee84abdd838a57bf53debb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397343">Captain Bruno points out how Jim is also very conscientious of the crew’s well-being. “One day, in Tonga, Jim and his family went diving with the humpback whales. But I know that, if I don’t also get a boat for the crew to go diving, Jim won’t be happy.” Everywhere <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2089" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Legend34.14m (112'0&quot;)Alloy Yachts1999">Legend</a> sailed, Jim shared his experiences with the crew. “We would go diving, hiking up a mountain, or skydiving, and leave to go sailing in the evening but no one would complain because we had the most terrific day,” Bruno notes. “They were &nbsp;just like, ‘okay, what's the next adventure?”To have such camaraderie onboard over the course of two years has made the journey even more valuable to Jim. “Being 75 years old, there are no words to describe how absolutely magnificent it was to be able to do this, as an owner; to be part of the crew, to enjoy such a journey. I would have to say it's the greatest accomplishment in my life.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397400/image/large-246ee0ced6e7b7d52bb60e4bf1c45023.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397400">So why sell?Upon arrival back home to the US East Coast, Bruno held a speech and tears were shed, and within six hours of being on land, the crew talked about going back out for another trip around the globe. Yet a trip like this you can only do once for the first time: “I just don't think the repeat of it would ever compare to what we just did,” Jim says“I’m a big believer in not duplicating: there are other parts of the world and other adventures I want to do. I’m starting to feel the age a little bit, so I’m ready for a bit more comfort” Jim shares. Now, Jim is looking to explore on a more comfortable, slightly smaller yacht, “but I’ll never give up travelling the ocean!”“The boat was always there for us. She was amazing” shares Bruno. “Jim and I both feel that it's a pity we don't see more owners taking on these experiences.” The hope is that Jim’s experience will inspire not only the new owner of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2089" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Legend34.14m (112'0&quot;)Alloy Yachts1999">Legend</a>, but other owners to traverse around the world. A sailing yacht the likes of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2089" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Legend34.14m (112'0&quot;)Alloy Yachts1999">Legend</a> is born to circumnavigate and she’s more than proven her capability. “To cruise the seven seas on a sailing yacht is to truly experience the open Ocean,” notes Jim.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397313/image/large-9eaa45403680c94f2b2494324778a6a0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397313">

Traversing the seven seas onboard Legend: "It's the experience of a lifetime"

After sailing around the world onboard his 34m Alloy sailing yacht Legend, Jim is ready for his next adventure.

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Travelling to Sydney, Leona Caanen speaks with Luke Geelan, family man and owner of the&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a>&nbsp;fleet.Growing up with a passion for boating, and especially fishing, is Luke Geelan, Sydney native and owner of the 35.05-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a>. Having spent most of his life around the water, it seems only natural for Luke to have moved into the world of boating. Overtime the yacht has come to resemble not only a connection to his past, but also to his future, getting to enjoy it with his family and friends, as well as sharing it with charter guests.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388213/image/large-0b83e89d1054e69437b37ff303a35921.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388213">A family passionGrowing up on a river in Sydney, Luke was introduced to the rhythms of tide and weather from an early age. “I’ve grown up with a passion for boating, my father taught me to water ski and sail as a young child” Luke shares. Over time, Luke exchanged sailing for wakeboarding and eventually game-fishing, depending his passion for being out at sea. This passion has remained a constant factor in Luke’s life, deepening even further once he could share it with his own kids.A few years ago, Luke sold his business and decided to step into boating in a more deliberate way by acquiring the 35-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a>, built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/554" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lloyds Ships (Company)">Lloyd Ships</a> in Australia in 1986. Purchasing her in 2024, the yacht allowed for Luke and his family to explore the Australian coast with more comfort, as well as for them to get to share their passion for the sea. “My two boys are especially big on game fishing, and my daughter is very passionate about snorkelling and marine life”, says Luke. By acquiring <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a>, it allows for the family to share their passions with one another.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396937/image/large-131bb2f788c31defa0822382f533d318.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396937">A three-part refitAs <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a> is from the 80s, she was in need of an upgrade when Luke purchased her. The refit has been phased and purposeful, with 2024 seeing the first of the three phases. The yacht spent September to November at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3255" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (Company)">Gold Coast City Marina &amp; Shipyard</a> where the bridge was upgraded, soft furnishings replaced and extensive paintwork completed. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388209/image/large-c74eb7958e3e321e611bea0e2d9fee9c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388209">The second phase was centred around remodelling the saloon, with new flooring, carpeting and ceilings, as well as mechanical enhancements. Other upgrades included a beach club installation, complete with an inflatable pool, protective netting and a shaded cabana, which has proved particularly popular with charter guests. Possibly the most meaningful addition during this refit have been the zero-speed stabilisers, “my wife suffers from really severe seasickness, the stabilisers are essential in making the yacht comfortable for my family,” Luke shares.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388210/image/large-06ec6524534531dc1f3ac942dd743803.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388210"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a>’s third and final refit will take place in 2027 and will see an upgrade of the crew quarters. Originally, Luke had hoped to finalise the refit this year, but the yacht’s agenda, both in charter and personal use, is almost fully booked for the calendar year, and Luke wants to ensure there is enough time for the refit: “Our crew is so amazing, I'm super lucky to have what I believe is the best crew.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388187/image/large-fde4622fb25e3e416358ace496ed0104.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388187"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a>&nbsp;juniorYet the 35-metre motor yacht is only half the story. Six months after acquiring the mothership, Luke secured what he describes as Australia’s leading game fishing platform: a custom-built 17.7-metre (58’0”) Assegai sportfisher. Designed specifically for marlin fishing along the country’s east coast, the yacht is equipped with a gyro stabiliser and, more recently, a Furuno Omni Sonar System capable of scanning 360 degrees around the vessel to significant depths, providing a technological edge in a pursuit that still relies on instinct and patience.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396954/image/large-96857bf8151cfcd655d86dc3d061d704.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396954">The reason for acquiring the fishing vessel to cruise alongside the mothership are his sons. Luke shares that “my sons and I have been game fishing together for the last five years or so,” and have even partaken in various competitions in- and around Sydney. “We’ve won a couple of state titles and other competitions,” a hint of pride sits in Luke’s voice. “My children in particular, have a passion for fishing, and I've just shared that passion, and supported it”, he adds.Lukes really enjoys fishing with his family and friends, on a recent trip to the Great Barrier Reef, the Shore Thing 58' landed a 1,223 pound Black Marlin. Yet Luke is quick to note that they’re conscious about the way they fish. “We only catch what we eat; everything else goes right back in the ocean. We’re not hunters, we just fish for the joy of it.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388186/image/large-a98a34adf0095495d9e5f32f36eb458e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388186">The joy of cruisingSome of Luke’s most cherished moments onboard are those with friends and family. “We hosted my 50th birthday onboard,” Luke shares, having chartered the yacht to Whitehaven Beach, located in the Whitsundays, “there were about 40 guests, all friends and family.”&nbsp;Possibly Luke’s favourite memory is the recent Christmas holiday onboard. “Spending time with our family and another family, sitting around and just having deep belly laughs over some beautifully cooked meals by our chef onboard.” Luke describes this as delightful and quite possibly one of the most memorable times onboard. “Your kids grow up so quick, getting to share such a beautiful time together and feeling like, as your kids become young adults, that you can really share laughs and stories. It was just special.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396938/image/large-04bc34860fd9bc9b421321a8d9f42e09.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396938">The beauty of being on a boat is that it ties everyone together, whether that is his own family and friends, or guests who charter the yacht, for Luke, the joy of owning <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a> lies in “getting to share the joy with other people.”The yacht and her fishing counterpart offer not just a sense of luxury, but a space for guests to create memories and experience the beauty of the Australian coastline as they cruise <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a> between the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays and the Sydney Harbour.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388177/image/large-2991a957e2fdb4ef0038789921600aa2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388177">

Owning the shore thing fleet 

A look inside Luke Geelan's charter fleet: his 35m Shore Thing and the 58' sport fisher chartering around Sydney.

"The joy of owning Shore Thing is getting to share it with others"

For owner Paul Andrews, the search for the right yacht was a journey that spanned more than a decade. However, when he first came across the 25.6-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/121" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palmer Johnson Yachts (Company)">Palmer Johnson</a> sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> online, something about her caught his attention. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394762/image/large-d54e9461baa90d5794ad964df495e456.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394762">“I first saw her in a video while I was searching for yachts,” he explained. “She was located in Thailand at the time, which was quite literally on the other side of the world from me, but her presence immediately stood out.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394534/image/large-bfddc47ecaf6a83efc8300953b5b19d9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394534">Originally launched in 1967, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> was the largest aluminium hulled sailing yacht in the world when she first hit the water. Built as a classic world cruising yacht, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> had circumnavigated the world three times, with voyages to the Antarctic and Arctic regions when she entered the market in 2022. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394541/image/large-c96b4ebc0ab5a9453459421e627799d7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394541">“The beam, the proportions and the sheer character of the yacht caught my attention straight away,” recalled Andrews. “I wasn’t specifically searching for a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/121" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palmer Johnson Yachts (Company)">Palmer Johnson</a>, but when she was built, she was engineered to a commercial, almost military-grade standard and built to navy specs, which gave her a genuine pedigree, strength and a fascinating story behind her.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394543/image/large-0b87ef55ef9559c3dc95e76eca2db6c7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394543">However, when Andrews finally travelled to Thailand to inspect the yacht in person, the initial impression was far from ideal. “It was raining heavily and she looked tired and neglected.” But returning the following day to see the yacht in clear conditions revealed a completely different vessel. “Her lines were beautiful and the potential became obvious. She simply needed vision and attention.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394544/image/large-f191bd60c4deb3732c009830efb76fc3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394544">In 2015 under the ownership of her previous owners, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> had started a refit programme spanning more than $1 million, which lasted five years and saw her receive a full teak interior refit. “It was clear that previous owners had already invested heavily in the yacht,” added Andrews. “The teak interior joinery was exceptional and the hull structure was sound. However, the layout did not fully make use of the yacht’s size.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394540/image/large-3bd64f4dfb231598384875f28fc57a05.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394540">With the help of Martin Holmes and his team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2262" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lee Marine International Brokerage (Company)">Lee Marine</a>, Andrews took a boat from Langkawi, Malaysia where he purchased <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> and started the process of refitting her in Phuket. “My vision was always to maximise the yacht without taking away the character that makes Firebird special,” he explained. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394689/image/large-066bcffa01ddea4816fadbefefba6fb6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394689">“Rather than remove that character, the refit focused on respecting the craftsmanship already onboard, while improving the functionality and layout for modern cruising. So the very first thing I wanted to do was lay a completely new teak deck.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394684/image/large-59c92dfa1c2c4dfaf499558c82520e13.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394684">The refit saw beautifully laid teak installed throughout, which instantly transformed her appearance and the feeling underfoot. From here, Andrews had a large swim platform and gangway at the stern installed for easy access, as well as an alfresco dining area for 12, with a large three-metre teak L-shaped sofa added and a circular seating area for eight at her stern.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394683/image/large-ccd9dbe381bbc98da19e89f67500eafb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394683">Additional work saw her saloon and guest staterooms reworked to create a larger and more comfortable interior, while technical works included the installation of a new <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4062" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Raymarine UK Ltd (Company)">Raymarine</a> navigation suite, electric furling systems and the recommissioning of her <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1497" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Detroit Diesel (Company)">Detroit Diesel</a> engine and generators.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394537/image/large-a9744df0db0cb9126710320c8ad8f685.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394537">&nbsp;“I was involved in every stage of the project!” beamed Andrews. “Working alongside skilled craftsmen in Thailand allowed the ideas I had for the yacht to be executed properly.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394682/image/large-6c7c43f1ab3dc6151b36ef4b9e0c6d90.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394682">“The region has an impressive concentration of marine specialists including riggers, carpenters, sailmakers and marine engineers. The quality of teak craftsmanship in Thailand is also exceptional and the cost of skilled labour is significantly lower than in many other parts of the world. By chance I also discovered a local boat carpenter whose family had been building boats in the region for generations. His team worked tirelessly and played a crucial role in transforming the yacht.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394536/image/large-a684c5dbb17405c08f59b474c49fe63e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394536">A large portion of the refit work was carried out at Premier Superyacht Shipyard near <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yacht Haven Marina (Company)">Yacht Haven Marina</a> in Phuket. The yard operates an 890-tonne travel lift and regularly handles vessels significantly larger than <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a>, so during her haul-out, hull works, repainting, mechanical servicing and installation of the bow thruster were completed at the yard. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394535/image/large-fe228dc87c3eb4c006007450d0644190.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394535">The refit started almost immediately after Andrews had stepped onboard and he remained involved throughout the process. “After studying the layout of an <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster</a> 85, I realised it might be possible to alter the companionway arrangement and open access to unused space within the yacht. By cutting through the bulkhead at the end of the galley we created a new passageway that allowed an entirely new guest stateroom to be built.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394687/image/large-2e193db0a4b19958ca9e5ecb0fbbb3b1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394687">The result allowed for unused areas to be converted into additional guest accommodation, while maintaining the logical flow through her companionway and saloon areas. Thanks to this, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> is now able to comfortably accommodate up to 13 guests, while still feeling spacious. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394691/image/large-d359643ead180961dcf469e992df6a3a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394691">“The onboard experience is exceptional now! <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> is incredibly comfortable and she has become a wonderful place to spend time. I have several comfortable homes on land, but I genuinely did not expect living aboard a yacht to feel this enjoyable.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394775/image/large-19d12ff20ebf8798893858104887e523.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394775">From a technical standpoint the most important upgrade was the installation of a Max Power bow thruster. At 71 tonnes, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> is not a small yacht and the thruster significantly improved manoeuvrability for docking. Paired with electric furling systems, her sails can now be easily controlled from the cockpit, &nbsp;which means the yacht can be sailed comfortably by a small crew. “Together with the bow thruster and upgraded navigation systems, the yacht is now far easier and safer to operate,” added Andrews.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394782/image/large-7d015b051a954c975849eb73b943caa0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394782">Currently available for charter, Andrews noted that there had already been interest from charter clients in the Seychelles and the Maldives. “It would feel rather selfish to keep such a yacht entirely to myself! Our goal is to have her operating in the Greek islands by 2027.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394781/image/large-71d773016ba60ca5be3610663cfc2a04.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394781">The refit took approximately 18 months to complete, with the project bringing the yacht a new lease of life. “I have restored historic buildings and classic cars before, but <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> has been the most rewarding project of them all! Working on her felt almost like giving a living vessel a new chapter in her life. I feel incredibly privileged to have been part of that transformation.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394773/image/large-89483fb30e91ef0842117ed871bea925.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394773">“<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird25.6m (83'12&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> has had an extraordinary life with many different owners over the decades, with each leaving their own mark on the vessel,” concluded Andrews. “If I had to describe her in just a few words, I would say she is an iconic, unique superyacht and I hope she continues to bring joy to many future owners and guests.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394763/image/large-26cc3acdb14ea54697eb754a850e1393.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394763">

Firebird: 26m Palmer Johnson yacht refit

Inside the 18-month Thai refit that transformed the 26m Palmer Johnson sailing yacht Firebird into a modern cruising yacht.

Firebird reborn: Behind the Thai refit of a classic 26m yacht

Leona Caanen sits down with Rick and Rebecca Szelc, the owners of the 122’&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/47" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Delta Marine (Company)">Delta Marine</a>&nbsp;motor yacht&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4666" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Probabilty37.2m (122'1&quot;)Delta Marine1997">Probability</a>, to learn more about their love for the sea, their adventures onboard the 37-metre, and why she’s for sale.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/382924/image/large-2b32f2fc69c7bc21ae4c70cda2218e36.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/382924">A love for the waterWhile growing up in vastly different places, Rick in the Great Lakes area and Rebecca along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, the two share a deep love for the water. “Growing up,” Rick shares, “I was always fresh water boating with boats under 30 feet.” Rebecca, instead, could be found (spear)fishing, snorkelling, or at the beach: “I fished off the beach, off of bridges, anywhere. I developed a love for it.”&nbsp;When not fishing, Rebecca spent much of her childhood snorkelling and scuba diving, obtaining her PADI certificate at just 12 years old. “I’m fascinated not just by the fish, but by the corals and reefs and the entire underwater environment. It brings you such peace and calm,” adding that &nbsp;“if I’m near or under the water, that’s when I’m happiest.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395447/image/large-b135c7290df34a505d963856c0579d1a.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395447">For Rick and Rebecca, owning a yacht has always been about sharing their love for the sea with their community. “The yacht allows us to share our passion and love with friends and family in a way that we just couldn’t before,” Rebecca shares, “having grown up with a love for the sea, being on a yacht has only amplified that passion.”Rick shares “what is really joyous in our life is that we have similar passions, we both really enjoy being onboard. The alarm goes off at 5:30 and Rebecca will go fishing, and I’m just up for a cup of coffee”; a serene glimpse into life onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4666" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Probabilty37.2m (122'1&quot;)Delta Marine1997">Probability</a>, their 37-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/47" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Delta Marine (Company)">Delta Marine</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/382939/image/large-13d291311d75d42e63f6db9ff710acd3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/382939">Purchasing <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4666" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Probabilty37.2m (122'1&quot;)Delta Marine1997">Probability</a>The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/47" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Delta Marine (Company)">Delta Marine</a> isn’t the first yacht that the couple has owned; that would be a 35 Formula. While they didn’t own it for long, acquiring it was eventful enough that the boat hasn’t been forgotten.Living in Texas at the time, on a regular Saturday morning in January 2015, whilst out for breakfast “I threw Rebecca a curveball, as I always do,” Rick laughs. “I said, ‘what would you like to do for the rest of our lives?’ to which she replied, ‘I’d like to order breakfast and not think about the next decades of our lives together.’“ Rick continued his brainstorm, “what if we did something in Naples, Florida?” to which Rebecca laughingly replied, “okay, can I order breakfast now?”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393421/image/large-5f33d7eece57325c28391897d8eef9c7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393421">Later that same day, Rick mentioned he had great news, he had purchased the 35 Formula in Naples, Florida. Flying down to Hamilton Harbor, they set out to spend the next few days onboard the new yacht. Unfortunately, that turned out to be the most uncomfortable night of sleep Rick ever had, leading to him putting the boat up for sale.Throughout the next few years, Rick and Rebecca exchanged one model for the next in the journey to find the perfect yacht for their adventures. The 35 Formula was exchanged for a 44 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5727" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tiara Yachts (Company)">Tiara</a>, which was eventually upgraded to a 64’ <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/466" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hatteras Yachts (Company)">Hatteras</a>. Because of the limited space onboard for crew, eventually Rick and Rebecca decided on an 80’ <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/466" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hatteras Yachts (Company)">Hatteras</a>, before exchanging that for the 100’ <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/466" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hatteras Yachts (Company)">Hatteras</a>. Onboard their various vessels, they have explored much of the southern coast of Florida, as well as the Bahamas. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/382944/image/large-9210f5f0dab1395f5343ac08e2c398b4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/382944">In 2021, the timing seemed right to step out of yachting. “It’s not about how much the elephant costs, but rather how much you have to feed it,” an acquaintance told Rick. “Rick will now always advise his friends to buy their last yacht first” Rebecca shares. “Don’t buy 10 boats on your way to the last one!” Rick laughs, adding “but we’ve made a lot of brokers very happy over the last ten years; we probably paid for some home down payments and fancy meals as a result of all our boating adventures.”Whilst seriously considering leaving the yachting world and selling the boat, a 122’ <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/47" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Delta Marine (Company)">Delta Marine</a> in pristine condition came on the market. “It’s a special <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/47" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Delta Marine (Company)">Delta</a>,” says Rick, “she’s just so beautifully crafted and she has a timeless design.” <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/47" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Delta Marine (Company)">Delta Marine</a> is widely known as the “<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> of the US,” says the couple, “we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to purchase her.” She was built in 1997 by the all-American yard and has been properly cared for by her various owners over the years. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/284541/image/large-83b17ef9687251543f7916d050dda159.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/284541">High probability of adventureWhen coming into ownership of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/47" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Delta Marine (Company)">Delta Marine</a>, they renamed her <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4666" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Probabilty37.2m (122'1&quot;)Delta Marine1997">Probability</a>. “It’s always difficult to name a yacht; you want a name that’s not too long and is easy for when you’re pulling into port,” Rick notes. The reason Rebecca and Rick decided on <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4666" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Probabilty37.2m (122'1&quot;)Delta Marine1997">Probability</a>, is because, to them, everything in life has a probability: your friendships, relationships,” shares Rick. “Even in investing, which is my line of business,” he adds, “we make decisions based on 70 percent certainty. Living life means not having perfect information and taking risks.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/382945/image/large-4691d16221dd7aa7aa2f7dac280538eb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/382945">“His philosophy in life is that there are no certainties; it’s just a series of probabilities and it’s how you manage them that determine the outcome” Rebecca says. ”It’s human - we all make decisions and you hope you make good choices, but things happen and life changes course,” Rick adds, “that’s how we came up with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4666" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Probabilty37.2m (122'1&quot;)Delta Marine1997">Probability</a>.”Rick and Rebecca have many happy memories on and in the water, yet some of the highlights have taken place onboard the 37.2-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/47" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Delta Marine (Company)">Delta Marine</a>. Specific stand-outs are their trips to the Bahamas, specifically to the Exumas. “I just couldn’t get over the colour of the water and the various shades of blue; every shade of blue you can imagine was there”, Rebecca recalls.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/382930/image/large-6b046cd52c5594a080bb1e1577132b4c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/382930">They were onboard with some friends who had never been to the Bahamas, “one of them was a yoga instructor, so we gathered on the aft deck and she hosted a yoga class while we were anchored in this beautiful water.”Shortly after finishing the yoga flow, the first mate mentioned that there’s a little river running through the mangroves towards a little island that serves as a sanctuary for turtles. Rebecca recalls how “we jumped in our little 17’ dinghy, one of those rigid inflatable boats, and the mate took us on this tour through the mangroves and we came upon so many turtles, I lost count after 55.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395448/image/large-53940afe3e6bdc115b22c2595f1624a6.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395448">That specific tour ended in a little lagoon with a beautiful, white sand beach. “You’re seeing fish and birds and we spent the afternoon snorkelling. It was a perfect day on the water,” Rebecca shares. There is something really joyful about getting to share experiences with friends and loved ones, and sometimes it is these small moments, snippets of a trip, that become stand-out memories.The duo has worked hard to make their yacht feel not just like an adventure vessel they share with friends, but also to make her feel like a home. They’ve decorated the interior spaces with some of the art pieces they love, half a dozen of which have been commissioned specifically for the yacht including pieces by artist Bette Ridgeway. “Art makes a house a home,” Rick shares, “Bette’s paintings fit so perfectly and really add an extra charm, a bit of a newer feeling, to the 1997 yacht.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/382947/image/large-79c7b6b37992a228c650d15b0abcc15e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/382947">A shared passionBeing onboard superyachts didn’t always come naturally, for Rick nor for Rebecca. Rick shares how “both Rebecca and I are self-made; it was unusual to have someone care about me, ask me ‘can I help you?’ - things like that.” After ten years, the couple has gotten the hang of it, “we realised that, what these folks, the crew, do for a living, it’s because they share the same passion that we do.”“Our team, our crew, they want to get off the dock. They don’t want to get paid to sit at Old Port Cove in Palm Beach. They want to go somewhere,” shares Rick. “I really enjoy it when they take the fishing boat out and go diving or spear fishing with us.” Rebecca recalls how, a couple of weeks ago when cruising around the Bahamas, their engineer said ‘this is my happy place’. “When you bring in people and give them a memory, something to share, it shows not just the opportunity of where a vessel can take you, but also of the community out at sea.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/382959/image/large-6174f809cc01abda573d02360838f0f3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/382959">Why sell?“When we bought her five years ago, we didn’t have a home in Harbor Springs nor in Palm Beach, and in those places we have a few smaller boats, so really it came down to how much time we can use it to justify ownership and costs,” shares Rick. While selling <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4666" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Probabilty37.2m (122'1&quot;)Delta Marine1997">Probability</a> is a question of logistics, the couple is focused on enjoying the yacht while still theirs.&nbsp;The hope is that someone will buy <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4666" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Probabilty37.2m (122'1&quot;)Delta Marine1997">Probability</a> who is equally as impressed with the work done by the American shipyard and will care and share the yacht in the same way that Rick and Rebecca have done. The yacht is a labour of love and, when cared for, can embark on many, many more adventures.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/382142/image/large-33d07d628b6c8b865ff523abf68f14c6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/382142">

ownership delta marina probability

The love, passion and purchase of the 122' Delta Marina Probability, currently for sale. 

Rick & Rebecca Szelc of 37m Probability: "It's always been about sharing our love for the sea"

Born into a Romany-Gypsy family in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, is Alfie Best, self-made businessman, father, and owner of the 27-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunseeker (Company)">Sunseeker</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9510" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Wyldecrest27.1m (88'11&quot;)Sunseeker2021">Wyldecrest</a>. A life shaped by ambition and an unrelenting belief in self-made success, Alfie Best has managed and navigated various enterprises in the United Kingdom, before eventually passing the baton and settling down in Monaco. Leona Caanen sits down with Alfie to discuss his entrepreneurial journey that eventually led to owning a superyacht.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394909/image/large-1cc1e789b82e0d5ad527fa41b674b295.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394909">An entrepreneurial spiritOne thing becomes immediately clear about Alfie, is that he is proud of his origins and especially proud of his family. “I come from a very supportive family, as in, I have a very good mother and father, and have an extremely good family now, which has helped me along the way.” For Alfie, life wasn’t always easy, especially growing up as what he describes as a Gypsy; people judge you based on preconceived ideas, rather than who you are. Yet that element seems to have never bothered Alfie, rather it is precisely this that fuels his work ethic.With the odds against him, Alfie built his wealth starting with nothing. At the age of 14, having dropped out of school two years prior, Alfie ran a business buying and selling vans and cars. By the age of 20, his company nearly went bankrupt, but, unafraid to put in work where needed, Alfie picked up a second job in a phone store. Within weeks, he had opened his own store and over time another twelve more. A decade later he exchanged phones for real estate and established the company he is most widely known for: Wyldecrest Parks.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394910/image/large-fa857286131e1bbd6e35e7b6ae3ffe93.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394910">What started as a residential mobile home park, has expanded throughout the entirety of the United Kingdom, with over a 100 mobile parks, for residency and holidays. The expansion across the UK is in part due to Alfie’s daughter, who has taken over the family business. “My daughter runs the Wyldecrest Mobile Home Park, and I’m very, very proud of her, she has taken the reins and ran with it.” His son also works in the family business, but in sharing the name and not wanting to live in his father’s shadow, he has positioned his focus on his own entrepreneurial journey.The parks are specifically designed for people over 50 wishing to enjoy their retirement. “Simply put, we supply affordable homes”, shares Alfie, yet the reality has proven more complicated than that. &nbsp;Running Wyldecrest Parks has not been without its challenges over the years, with the company facing a period of public scrutiny and regulatory hurdles as it expanded.&nbsp;Alfie, however, appears unphased by the criticism, viewing such obstacles as symptomatic of what he sees as the UK’s lack of support for entrepreneurship: “[the UK] encourages socialism, and it doesn’t work because it stops rewarding competition”. Continuing business as always, Alfie’s focus remains on “supplying affordable homes in the United Kingdom. I know all my employees by name, and I love meeting all my residents as often as I can.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394988/image/large-ba1891d28ddb056b75d435af485bd1be.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394988">Sharing the know-howWith his daughter managing the business in the UK, Alfie has focused his energies on his next entrepreneurial venture: Best Wealth Network - a mentoring platform where successful entrepreneurs can share their know-how with others. “Our mission is to provide unparalleled support, resources, and mentorship to help our members,” shares Alfie.The organisation focuses on providing unparalleled support, resources, and mentorship to “help members achieve their financial goals and lead extraordinary lives. We have people who have done it, lived it, earned it, and bear the scars of their experiences,” Alfie shares, emphasising that he seeks to work with individuals who are not just good at what they do, but have also experienced struggles along the way and understand how to navigate challenges.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394906/image/large-f9149d6ef6d4d332a56b13d886968363.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394906"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9510" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Wyldecrest27.1m (88'11&quot;)Sunseeker2021">Wyldecrest</a>&nbsp;as a businessWith a desire to navigate a new challenge, Alfie embarked on his next big business adventure of running a successful 27-metre charter yacht named <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9510" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Wyldecrest27.1m (88'11&quot;)Sunseeker2021">Wyldecrest</a>. Both Alfie and the yacht are currently based in Monaco.With the support of both his parents and his children, and an entrepreneurial mindset, Alfie purchased <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9510" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Wyldecrest27.1m (88'11&quot;)Sunseeker2021">Wyldecrest</a> back in 2022 with the goal of having it primarily operate as a charter vessel. “I purchased the yacht to start a charter business. Of course, I enjoy it too, but I’m careful not to love it too much: I believe that if you fall in love with what you own, it ends up owning you.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394901/image/large-2d2ce23e691ce4f5e9961b046da97c39.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394901">For Alfie, yacht ownership was never solely about indulgence. It was about positioning, branding and the extension of a commercial vision into another arena; he explains, “everything we do is business. It’s a charter vessel. When I go onboard with my family, I pay to use the yacht. We don’t take free vacations on it.”When searching for the right charter yacht, it was clear from the get-go that it had to be a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunseeker (Company)">Sunseeker</a>. “It’s been a historic British brand, which, at the time of my purchase, was very important to me. A British brand supporting another British business”, Alfie notes.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394904/image/large-e36cf7c2a3ff5d11af7e45d96599b655.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394904">Yet it wasn’t just Alfie’s patriotism that made him pick a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunseeker (Company)">Sunseeker</a>, “the workmanship on a Sunseeker is second to none. On <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9510" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Wyldecrest27.1m (88'11&quot;)Sunseeker2021">Wyldecrest</a>, we have an electronic platform and a truly phenomenal Beach Club that also made the decision to purchase very easy.”Currently, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9510" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Wyldecrest27.1m (88'11&quot;)Sunseeker2021">Wyldecrest</a> is for charter with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4536" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="West Nautical (Company)">West Nautical</a> whilst Alfie is working to expand his fleet, and has already scanned the market for the perfect fit. The next yacht he is in the process of purchasing is “a 155 footer able to cross the Atlantic, so we’ll be able to charter in the Caribbean, the Americas, as well as the South of France and the Mediterranean.” Ultimately, the goal is to have a charter fleet of five yachts.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394908/image/large-3c5ce969ece65f57218f3a921406ca1b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394908">

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Alfie Best: From Gypsy to superyacht owner

Currently cruising around the Caribbean is the 35.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/358" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azimut Yachts (Company)">Azimut</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2614" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tail Lights35.46m (116'4&quot;)Azimut Yachts2011">Tail Lights</a>, owned by tech entrepreneur Lee Mandel. After a recent refit, including a full repaint of the superstructure in a non-metallic grey, this gem is meticulously maintained; mainly due to the diligent care provided by her owner, captain and crew. With over six years of ownership also comes vast experience regarding charter and caring for guests. I got the pleasure to chat with Lee about why <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2614" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tail Lights35.46m (116'4&quot;)Azimut Yachts2011">Tail Lights</a> is so special.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/312481/image/large-2d82503d7ec1f9be4b35a5662a388ebe.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/312481">Tell me a little bit about how you came to own&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2614" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tail Lights35.46m (116'4&quot;)Azimut Yachts2011">Tail Lights</a>“That's a very easy question to answer. I had a technology company for about 20 years, and our main focus in that company was building school safety and security technology. We took the company global over a couple of years, and we probably saved a lot of lives with the technology that we developed in the USA. When I had the opportunity to sell the company in 2019 to help it grow, I took it.&nbsp;At the time, I was about 39 years old, and I said, I need to do something, something different, to keep me busy and motivated. One of my passions outside of work is boating; I've been a boater my entire life. I boated as a kid growing up. I have such found memories with my family and learning how to boat with my grandfather and father. I figured if I was going to take the plunge into yacht ownership, why not turn it into a business? I purchased <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2614" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tail Lights35.46m (116'4&quot;)Azimut Yachts2011">Tail Lights</a> as a true business model.I spoke to a lot of people and experts, they said, ‘Look, this is not a profitable business model.’ Well, then I'm going to be the first one to make it a profitable business model. So that's how it came about. Whenever I go do my annual or semi-annual inspections on the vessel, it brings me back and reminds me how hard I worked to get to this point in my life. It's a passion for me, but it's also something that brings me a lot of pleasure when I see guests having the vacation of their lives and hear the great feedback that guests give me after they have a wonderful time with their families and friends; yachting truly brings them together.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/365511/image/large-0fa4c668da228d126c9b500a19bb98b4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/365511">Then this is much more of an exciting business project for you?“Yes, I call it a passion business. Many yacht owners don't run their yachts as a business; they'll do it for pleasure and hopefully they can get some benefits out of it. I took the opposite approach, for me this is truly a business. When it comes to how you run a business like this, it’s truly the hospitality business at an extreme level. When you run a hospitality business, you've got to be able to analyse what the guests experience and step onboard from time to time: like a secret shopper, so to speak.&nbsp;I'll have different people from different walks of life on the vessel two or three times a year to get an idea of what the experience is like, and give feedback and guidance to my team. This is how we come up with our maintenance periods and determine what needs to be upgraded. When a guest comes on they're not going to necessarily tell you what is wrong. If something is not up to par you may never hear back or they may never book the vessel again. Maybe the issue wasn’t bad enough for them to complain, but it wasn't good enough for them to want to come back. I try to mitigate that by being a secret shopper, or I should say, a secret yachter. I do this to really get an idea of the true guest experience and make sure it's up to par, and make necessary adjustments when needed.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/382796/image/large-a9563b92513a997506375bac60686296.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/382796">Would you say, considering everything you’ve noted, that your business model has been successful?“On average, we do 20 to 25 term charters per year, which is incredible. We focus on maintaining the vessel. When people come on, they say, ‘There's no way this yacht is doing 20 to 25 charters. There's no way this crew or this captain has done this amount of charters.’ This is how I truly measure success.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/365512/image/large-464ce55cef09b4d12fe71cb58a12143e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/365512">What is your relationship like with the crew?Treating this like a true business, we follow the chain of command: the captain reports directly to me, the crew reports directly to the captain. Captain Sean's been with me for over five years now and he’s an incredible captain; this is a very busy program, and I had to find someone who wants to run and treat it as a business the way I like to run it. Being a captain is not just about driving the yacht, in fact that's the easiest part. Rather, being a captain is like being the COO of a company, and that COO reports directly to me as the CEO of the enterprise. I treat Sean as I do other COOs of my other companies and we have frequent meetings. He also works with my financial team, who handles billing, accounting, purchases, and expenses. Honestly, Sean’s incredible, he brings these guests such pleasure and joy when they have their vacations and the feedback we get is just incredible.There is a book on the vessel, we call it our guest book, where guests can leave feedback or messages. We’ve already filled two of them because every one who steps onboard notes how incredible of a time they’ve had and that they’re eager to come back, or how it brought their family and friends together, or sharing a once in a lifetime experience. Reading these is a great feeling.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/382793/image/large-54de1df21c2bc03a22104a10a924093d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/382793">The formula in yachting I would say is 20 percent the vessel, and 80 percent the crew. The vessel is a means to transport people from point A to point B. You must maintain it, and keep up with it. You have to make sure it's clean and everything's working and operating, which sounds easy, but it's harder than it seems. I would say 80 percent of charter success is the crew: It's all about the crew and how comfortable they make the guests feel. The entire crew is full time. To support the crew we’ve created our own version of a rotational program where we work with the crew to support them and give them ample time off.The crew truly is family to me, and we do our best to treat them as such. Like I said earlier, the success of the program is all about our crew. They are the ones who really put it all together. Captain Sean is a great leader and wonderful at interacting with the guests.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/365515/image/large-bfc73ee5ed3088ed4660dabc0a6e2763.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/365515">Where does&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2223" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="HMY Yacht Sales (Company)">HMY Yachts</a>&nbsp;come into all of this? Why partner with them?‘When I purchased <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2614" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tail Lights35.46m (116'4&quot;)Azimut Yachts2011">Tail Lights</a>, I had never purchased a vessel of this size. A friend of mine recommended <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2223" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="HMY Yacht Sales (Company)">HMY</a>. I remember standing on the swim platform of my private vessel with this thought to go pursue this business idea. I called <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2223" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="HMY Yacht Sales (Company)">HMY</a> at 07:30 in the morning and this gentleman named Mike Scalisi picked up the phone. He became my broker in the purchase and, since then, we’ve had an incredible relationship, both business and friendly. Mike then introduced me to Susan Harris, who is our charter yacht broker. Since <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2614" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tail Lights35.46m (116'4&quot;)Azimut Yachts2011">Tail Lights</a> was already a part of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2223" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="HMY Yacht Sales (Company)">HMY</a> charter fleet, Susan mentioned how she’d love to keep it in the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2223" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="HMY Yacht Sales (Company)">HMY</a> family. I explained to Susan how I intend to run this charter yacht as a business, wanting to do 20 to 25 charters a year. Together with Katie and Kimberly from marketing, we sat down for a meeting, and I fell in love: They are incredible and passionate people that were willing to take on the challenge and made it happen.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/365517/image/large-0dd58c493415c69a87d14fd7aaae53d8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/365517">Looking aheadI’ve considered upgrading and getting a larger vessel, possibly even a second vessel in the fleet. My dream is to have a vessel that literally goes around the globe every year, and guests can fly into different places. We can even work with our repeat clients to say, ‘Hey, do you want to visit Tahiti’, or ‘would you like to go to the Amalfi coast,’ we can figure out ways to fit everyone into that equation in different destinations around the globe.For now, we're thrilled with what we're doing. We're thrilled with the response from the guests, and the experiences that they've had. You know, to me, it's a passion: when I sold my company, it's something I always wanted to do, and now we're doing it successfully and we continue to move onward and upward.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/312482/image/large-6f334043a3bc98dc01fcfbb9f82cc070.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/312482">This article was first published in the <a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/p/from-tech-to-charter-lee-mandel-on-owning-tail-lights" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Yacht Charter Market</a> newsletter. You can read more <a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.

From Tech to Charter: Lee Mandel on Owning Tail Lights

From tech to charter: How Lee Mandel turned a motoryacht into a business

From Tech to Charter: Lee Mandel on owning the 35m Tail Lights

How an owner turned a lifelong pursuit of independence into a yacht that embodies mobility, mindfulness, and modern design.While the Alpine mountains are what shaped Hubert’s upbringing, it has been the sea that he has longed for. Symbolising the feeling of freedom, shaped by endless horizons, a life at sea seemed like a faraway dream, until he built <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12519" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sitara24.9m (81'8&quot;)VisionF2023">Sitara</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380635/image/large-1ae8e216482167578cd998845390bedb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380635">The value and design of freedom<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12519" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sitara24.9m (81'8&quot;)VisionF2023">Sitara</a> is a 82-foot (24.9-metre) motor yacht catamaran with an aluminium hull and superstructure. Designed for circumnavigation without a crew, Hubert and his wife spent most of their year onboard the catamaran.Becoming an entrepreneur at the age of 28, Hubert shares how “freedom has always been my greatest value.” It’s a word, and a feeling, that echoes through the entire yacht. With her broad 9.9-metre beam and sharp, sculptural lines, she appears not so much constructed as carved out of the very water she cruises. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380633/image/large-de8b5bd6db94db1858ca097bb00b837d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380633">Beneath her sleek exterior lies a philosophy of life: to live deliberately, travel far, and design each day as it comes. “Living a free, self-determined life has always been my goal. Added to that is my love for long, distant journeys,” notes Hubert, “Both goals can be achieved onboard a yacht.”With a professional background in architecture, Hubert approached <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12519" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sitara24.9m (81'8&quot;)VisionF2023">Sitara</a>’s design with the same sensitivity he would apply to any living space: focusing not just on form, but on feeling. “Design is more than aesthetics,” Hubert shares, “It’s about the energy a space gives you.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380634/image/large-432b430f980389af1ac7a82506e33a4c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380634">Onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12519" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sitara24.9m (81'8&quot;)VisionF2023">Sitara</a>, the energy is one of openness and calm. Her interiors, conceived by in collaboration with the owner, are defined by scale and contrast. “Open space,” the owner explains, “is true luxury, whether in a villa or a yacht. Space for big thoughts, big dreams.”Every detail onboard serves that philosophy. Natural textures and clean lines meet in harmony: polished metals reflect soft leather tones, while wood grains ground the modern geometry. “We need contrast in life,” the owner says. “It gives us balance.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380637/image/large-1ce9b5f5227bc011ebed0ef4138398c8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380637">Onboard living The catamaran can accommodate up to six guests and, while it has space for two crew, can also be manned by the owners themselves. “An 82-foot catamaran undoubtedly requires a lot of maintenance and care. The living and deck areas alone are enormous,” Hubert shares, “but <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12519" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sitara24.9m (81'8&quot;)VisionF2023">Sitara</a> is our home; we enjoy working, and we love this very private life.”&nbsp;Most people to step onboard Sitara would travel with a crew, which is more than possible. The 82-footer motor yacht is also designed to be sustainable: the yacht houses “a sophisticated, reliable and highly efficient propulsion system powered by conventional diesel engines (VOLVO IPS). At 7 knots we consume only 21 litres of diesel - incredibly low for a yacht of this size!” Hubert says. With a fuel tank capacity of 15,000 litres, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12519" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sitara24.9m (81'8&quot;)VisionF2023">Sitara</a> can easily make long voyages. Additionally, she houses 34 solar panels, which power the onboard batteries: “After our first season, the 15 kW generator had only operated for 100 hours. That’s peace of mind.” The hybrid setup not only minimises noise and fuel consumption but also reinforces the yacht’s core ethos: quiet, conscious freedom.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380640/image/large-592cbaeb0d151e6982d27e22f4aac6e2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380640">A Home That AdaptsFor the owner, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12519" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sitara24.9m (81'8&quot;)VisionF2023">Sitara</a> was never meant to be static, not in design, purpose, or spirit. “Flexibility was essential,” Hubert notes. “Life changes, and the yacht must change with it.” To that end, the yacht’s layout is remarkably versatile. The office can transform into a guest cabin, utility room, or even crew space. Color schemes and finishing touches can be easily updated; Sitara’s current accents are a vivid orange, but the palette could shift to white, turquoise, or even deep red with minimal effort. “You can change the entire atmosphere without needing to change the architecture.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380638/image/large-bf5f0075b9085f38179373aa7d910797.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380638">This adaptability mirrors the owner’s mindset, which values change over permanence. Even while Hubert and his wife currently live onboard, they know that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12519" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sitara24.9m (81'8&quot;)VisionF2023">Sitara</a> may soon find a new owner. The yacht is currently listed for sale with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/136" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Independence (Company)">Ocean Independence</a> at €5.9 million, though for now, she remains their floating home. “We took delivery in 2024 and spent our first season in the Mediterranean,” Hubert shares. “Now, we’re exploring the Eastern Mediterranean. Part of living freely is deciding where you live, and when.”The reason Hubert’s put his dream yacht up for sale is because “the excitement in my life is new challenges! As an architect, you're used to designing things for people and creating new living spaces. I can't and won't ignore this inner drive.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380636/image/large-d83c63f2e56ac341eee637ad3ecf374c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380636">Looking AheadWhat comes next for someone who has built their dream yacht? The answer, fittingly, is creation. “Building <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12519" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sitara24.9m (81'8&quot;)VisionF2023">Sitara</a> reawakened a creative joy; that is something I want to keep developing.”Hubert envisions a future in which he gets to design yachts for others seeking a life of freedom and impermanence; for people who “want to escape the daily grind and live self-determined lives. A yacht isn’t a possession,” Hubert reflects, “It’s a platform for freedom.”Looking towards his own future, which is defined solely by a big question mark, Hubert feels excited. “Where and how we'll live after the sale... isn't yet decided. In any case, we'll be living a ‘free life’." Possibly in the cards is a sailing yacht: “My heart still beats for sailing,” Hubert admits. “But for a couple, handling a sailing yacht over 50 feet can be demanding. A motor yacht offers more safety, less effort.” Ultimately, it’s not the yacht that determines your freedom: it’s your mindset.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380641/image/large-fb4b896142af1c083a5394e34f001a52.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380641">The Spirit of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12519" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sitara24.9m (81'8&quot;)VisionF2023">Sitara</a>On the water, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12519" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sitara24.9m (81'8&quot;)VisionF2023">Sitara</a> appears effortless: her twin hulls slicing through glassy blue, her aluminium surfaces catching the sunlight. Yet within her calm precision lies an entire philosophy. She is more than a vessel; she’s a statement about what it means to live without anchors, to chase horizons without losing one’s center.“Freedom reaches its limits sometimes, with authorities, or repairs, or reality itself,” Hubert notes, “But every system has limits. What matters is how you live within them. That’s where life truly begins.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380632/image/large-eda54183c8fb3baf47091b0aef03c19a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380632">

Building Sitara, an 82-foot catamaran: From dream to reality

How an owner turned a lifelong pursuit of independence into a yacht that embodies mobility, mindfulness, and modern design.

It is not every day that one is invited onboard a superyacht with more than a century of history. The 50.29-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1737" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kalizma50.29m (164'12&quot;)Ramage & Ferguson1906">Kalizma</a> is no ordinary vessel, built in 1906 by the Scottish shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1068" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ramage & Ferguson (Company)">Ramage and Ferguson</a>, she has a storied past, having served with the British Royal Navy in both World Wars.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/373893/image/large-bc3383c62d81626c1b1dc806c5e6069c.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/373893">Over the decades, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1737" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kalizma50.29m (164'12&quot;)Ramage & Ferguson1906">Kalizma</a> has been owned by a succession of prominent figures, including Richard Burton, who famously gifted her to his wife Elizabeth Taylor, as well as Peter de Savary, Vijay Mallya and, most recently, Shirish Saraf, who acquired her at an auction in 2019.SuperYacht Times Features Writer Enrico Chhibber met Saraf at Monaco Classic Week, following the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/269" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cannes Yachting Festival - 2025">Cannes Yachting Festival</a>, to discuss how he came to acquire the yacht, his preferred cruising destinations, and his perspective on India’s emerging presence in the global yachting sector.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/373921/image/large-b541572dd3028e8d9ad8b2b08ad58193.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/373921">From encounter to ownershipUpon stepping into the main saloon, I was greeted by Saraf and invited on a tour. Being onboard felt like walking through a museum, or being transported back in time. “She carries with her a story,” Saraf said with pride, noting that she had “survived two World Wars,” had welcomed “practically every Hollywood legend” and “all of Bollywood, really,” and that “Prince Philip stayed onboard with the Queen when <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1737" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kalizma50.29m (164'12&quot;)Ramage & Ferguson1906">Kalizma</a> was the headquarters of the America’s Cup for Peter de Savary.”“I saw her truly as something very special, not just a yacht, but a piece of art. She is art on sea, you know,” said Saraf.Saraf first encountered <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1737" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kalizma50.29m (164'12&quot;)Ramage & Ferguson1906">Kalizma</a> in 1996, when she was moored in <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3474" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dubai Creek Marina (Company)">Dubai Creek</a> under the ownership of Vijay Mallya. “I had just finished a round of golf with her captain during a tournament,” he recalled. “He asked if I wanted to come onboard. I went with my father, but at the time I never imagined I would one day become her owner.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/373924/image/large-8cf25ddbb56bcaae13e9cd5c2cc3779c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/373924">By 2004, Saraf had begun to take a greater interest in boating. He owned a small day boat and began spending more time at sea, often cruising the Mediterranean during the summer.When the opportunity arose in 2019, Saraf acquired <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1737" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kalizma50.29m (164'12&quot;)Ramage & Ferguson1906">Kalizma</a> at auction in Sri Lanka. What captivated him was not merely her form, but the layered history she embodies. He emphasised “the fact that she is still recognised. I was at the restaurant La Réserve de Beaulieu, and the general manager came out because the bar displayed photos of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1737" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kalizma50.29m (164'12&quot;)Ramage & Ferguson1906">Kalizma</a> and Elizabeth Taylor arriving for Princess Grace’s 40th birthday in 1969. It is all there, in French, on the walls.”When Saraf took ownership, his priority was to restore <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1737" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kalizma50.29m (164'12&quot;)Ramage & Ferguson1906">Kalizma</a> to her former glory while preserving her historical character. The first phase of her restoration began in Colombo, followed by a more extensive refit at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6770" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Adriatic 42 (Company)">Adriatic 42</a> in Montenegro, where Palazzo Morelli oversaw the interior works. Most recently, she spent the winter in Malta for further refit, managed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1372" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="West Coast Marine (Sea Waif) (Company)">West Coast Marine</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/373894/image/large-c86bbac206a52e1597866767881a0b98.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/373894">Favourite cruising destinations&nbsp;“For me, it’s all about the water quality. I never really like to stay in the marina. Normally I’m anchored in the middle of the sea, somewhere quiet with friends, without too many buildings in sight,” he recounted.Saraf expressed a clear preference for the Mediterranean over the Caribbean, highlighting Corsica, Sicily and the Aeolian Islands, including Panarea and Stromboli, along with Malta, Montenegro and Croatia. “The Turkish coast is my favourite,” he added. “Gocek and all of those areas are really lovely.”Beyond the Mediterranean, Saraf has spent extended periods in Sri Lanka and has cruised the Lakshadweep islands. One destination he still hopes to visit is &nbsp;Raja Ampat in Indonesia.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/373915/image/large-3bd8fddc2e0c0f222003bed879c5e4aa.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/373915">India’s potential as a yachting destination and marketThe conversation then turned to India’s potential as both a yachting market and a cruising destination. Saraf offered a measured view of the country’s role in global yachting, distinguishing between its growing base of yacht owners and its limited appeal as a cruising ground. “Over time that will happen,” he said, referring to Indian ownership. “The typical Indian businessman is only now, after twenty years of economic growth, reaching a stage of wealth and maturity where yachting becomes a realistic pursuit. The second generation is beginning to grow up with friends who already have yachts.”Saraf added that “Indians tend to be more cost-conscious than the rest of the world. If you look at it purely from an economic perspective, superyachts shouldn’t be owned.” He went on to explain that ownership, for him, is driven by emotion rather than calculation. “This is something you love,” he reflected. “Why do I own <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1737" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kalizma50.29m (164'12&quot;)Ramage & Ferguson1906">Kalizma</a> and not charter? Because where do I find the crew? The crew brings the soul to this life, they’re like family. From the moment you step onboard until you leave, it feels like home. Having my own yacht also means I am the master of my fate.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/373917/image/large-fbf40af47a28e0c7504c07a623b3cb54.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/373917">From a cultural perspective, Saraf also noted that many wealthy Indians spend more time in London than at sea. “Indians are not really people of the sea,” he observed. “They haven’t had that exposure. I did, because I grew up in Oman, but in India, apart from Goa or Kerala, where would you go?”On India as a yachting destination, Saraf maintained that the country’s lack of infrastructure and bureaucratic constraints continue to limit its potential. “There is not much water to cruise around there,” he explained. “You can keep your yacht in the Maldives, which is good, but most Indians prefer to stay in a resort rather than cruise.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/373922/image/large-90666725ab450b2de9a5cb7c1ea3b918.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/373922">He went on to describe how limited marina capacity, regulatory hurdles and security restrictions continue to make yacht cruising in India challenging. “There is not even basic infrastructure yet,” he said. “Even Goa does not have proper facilities. Since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, regulations have become stricter. Owners must now notify the Coast Guard weeks in advance, and in places such as Lakshadweep, each island requires a separate visa, and approvals can take months.”Looking ahead When asked whether he planned to acquire another yacht, Saraf replied with characteristic clarity. “No,” he said, later revealing, “I do have plans to put <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1737" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kalizma50.29m (164'12&quot;)Ramage & Ferguson1906">Kalizma</a> on the charter market.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/373895/image/large-32b425e760c7fd2ed70a317a359b4fc6.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/373895"> His approach reflects both pragmatism and reverence. As custodian of one of the world’s most storied vessels, Saraf views ownership less as possession and more as preservation, ensuring that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1737" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kalizma50.29m (164'12&quot;)Ramage & Ferguson1906">Kalizma</a>’s legacy, from her Royal Navy service to her Hollywood chapter, continues to endure. Images of Shirish Saraf provided by Captain Saini Surendra

Shirish Saraf on Kalizma preserving a century of history

Shirish Saraf reveals how he came to own Kalizma, and reflects on India’s potential as a superyacht market and destination.

Inside Shirish Saraf’s journey with Kalizma, the century-old superyacht

It isn’t every day that the superyacht press finds itself on a video call with one of the most influential figures in technology. But when Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve and now shareholder at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a>, appeared on screen for a private roundtable with a select group of journalists during the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/271" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show - 2025">Monaco Yacht Show</a>, the atmosphere was one of curiosity and anticipation. For an hour, he spoke candidly about his unlikely journey into yachting, his vision for research-led fleets and why he believes there will always be interesting technologies and opportunities to build more boats.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/372661/image/large-efbaa1c91bfa6988f938d8e2732895dd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/372661">“I wasn’t interested in yachts at all,” he admitted with disarming honesty over the call, explaining how a surprise charter onboard the 77.6-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/270" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vosper Thornycroft (Company)">Vosper Thornycroft</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/301" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="M577.6m (254'7&quot;)Vosper Thornycroft2004">M5</a> (ex. Mirabella) for his ex-wife’s 50th birthday turned into the start of a lifelong passion. “I thought I was going to be miserable. Instead, I discovered this incredible way to spend time with friends and family.”That first charter led to many more. Then came ownership. Then, inevitably, came shipbuilding. Today, Newell not only owns a growing fleet, but also lives full-time at sea. “Other than a couple of months in 2021, I’ve been living onboard ever since the pandemic,” he said, leaning back in his chair on screen. His three cats, he joked, are just as bemused as he is when the captain informs them which vessel they’re moving to next.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/319785/image/large-4bb2a8fa9dff74386dd0cf81c8991888.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/319785">The scale and diversity of Newell’s fleet is unusual, even by superyacht standards. He counts the 78.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rocinante78.5m (257'7&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2008">Rocinante</a> as his first acquisition, the 72.15-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a> yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5955" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Game Changer72.15m (236'9&quot;)Damen Yachting2017">Game Changer</a> as a support vessel, and both <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4018" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Draak91.5m (300'2&quot;)Oceanco2014">Draak</a> and the new-build 111-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Leviathan111.0m (364'2&quot;)Oceanco2025">Leviathan</a> by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> as those included under his ownership. Beyond the traditional yachts, however, lies an array of research platforms, including the 68.2-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3754" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tacoma Boat Building Co (Company)">Tacoma Boat Building</a> vessel <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10637" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dagon68.28m (224'0&quot;)Tacoma Boat Building Co1985">Dagon</a> which operates as a full-ocean-depth surface platform and the 55.75-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1643" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Auroux (Company)">Auroux</a> vessel <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hydra55.75m (182'11&quot;)Auroux1974">Hydra</a> which is designed for coastal studies.&nbsp;He also has a 35-metre sportfisher in development at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/474" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yachting Developments (Company)">Yachting Developments</a>, that will travel with the main boat and the support boat, and has signed an agreement with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4590" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vard Group AS (Company)">Vard</a> for the 100-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/15856" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RV6000100.0m (328'1&quot;)Vard Group AS2028">RV6000</a>, which will carry a 6,000-metre-capable remotely operated vehicle for submarine rescue and ocean science, and the research vessel <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/17142" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RV11000162.0m (531'6&quot;)Vard Group AS2030">RV11000</a>, which is still in development.&nbsp;While the fleet is diverse, the vision is consistent that yachts are not just used as platforms for leisure, but as tools for exploration and science. Through Inkfish, his marine research organisation, Newell supports scientists with access to deep-sea technology, from advanced ROVs to mapping equipment. “Our focus is to be a service organisation to the scientific community,” he explained. “We ask scientists directly, what’s helpful? Sometimes that means getting them to critical parts of the ocean. Sometimes it means grants to process the data we collect. The point is to be led by science, not by ego.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367974/image/large-ea8d38f7ced1d8b2d5c392d963d93997.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367974">At one point during the call, he described how high-school students had boarded his research vessels, watching specimens being prepared, and later wrote to ask when the boats would return. He smiled as he recounted their excitement: “That’s the impact I want to see. When the community says, ‘You’re coming back? Hooray!’ then we know we’re doing it right.”If his research ambitions are ambitious, his philosophy as a yacht owner is just as striking. Newell has imported the mindset of a software engineer into yacht design, thinking in terms of productivity and user experience.On <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Leviathan111.0m (364'2&quot;)Oceanco2025">Leviathan</a>, for instance, the deck is not teak but <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7672" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bolidt (Company)">Bolidt</a>. “I’d rather the crew spend less time polishing decks and more time interacting with guests,” he said. “It’s about maximising the valuable experiences onboard. Do you want your crew polishing chrome, or taking your child out on a Jet Ski? To me, it’s obvious.”That approach extends deeper, with crew actively designing tenders, galleys and operational spaces. “We started by asking our dive team to design their own tender. The results were so good that we realised, the more you involve the crew in design, the better the outcomes.” On screen, he gave a small shrug as if to say the idea was obvious, though it represents a radical departure from how most yachts are conceived.Few yacht owners speak as comfortably about CNC machining, AI models or pressure vessels as they do about cruising grounds. For Newell, technology is not an accessory to his yachting, but the foundation of it. A self-taught machinist who once kept a five-axis CNC mill in his living room, he now funds advanced material research. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367451/image/large-26f50ff0e23faff563f5ba25af0026b5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367451">One project in partnership explores aluminium oxynitride, a transparent ceramic stronger than titanium. “It’s so strong that titanium becomes the gasket material,” he said, eyes lighting up through the video link. The aim, to build a fully transparent, full-ocean-depth submersible hull.Newell was also an early funder of OpenAI, and speaks enthusiastically about applying machine learning to shipbuilding. “Putting stress and strain gauges everywhere, collecting time-series data and comparing it to model predictions, that’s where AI can validate and improve design. It’s about putting shipbuilding in front of the wave of technological advancement.”Examples already in place include pathogen-detection systems onboard to identify influenza or RSV, and discussions around bridge systems that use augmented reality to detect submerged objects at night. “Machine vision is already better than humans in many cases,” he said. “It’s just about integrating it in a way that enhances safety.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/372683/image/large-fde494e79d89a678a296d7074c300d04.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/372683">Gabe Newell acquired <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> in August 2025, stating he intends to support and reinforce its existing culture, which he views as effective, principled and forward-looking. The investment in <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> itself stemmed not from a cold business calculation, but from a sense of belonging. Building <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Leviathan111.0m (364'2&quot;)Oceanco2025">Leviathan</a> with the yard’s CEO Marcel Onkenhout and his team created a natural partnership for Newell.“It didn’t feel adversarial. It felt like collaboration,” Newell explained. “I was fanboying all over Marcel and his team. The quality made me root for them. Eventually it was like, how can I be part of this team too?” The result was a formal stake in <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a>, but with a philosophy that profit alone is not the driver. “The goal is to create happy customers. Profit is just the signal that you’re doing better than others. My focus is on how to make already brilliant yachts even more valuable to owners.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/365665/image/large-908318675f42f6a91544e68f54985a77.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/365665">For Newell, the process of designing and building yachts has become as much a joy as the finished vessels themselves. “I’ll actually be sad when <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Leviathan111.0m (364'2&quot;)Oceanco2025">Leviathan</a> is delivered, because I’ve loved working with the team,” he admitted via the video link. Asked whether he will always be building yachts, he admitted that it's an ongoing conversation and that there will always be interesting opportunities to move technology forward in the industry, in ways that might be too risky to ask another owner to take on. “In those cases, we could look at a speculative project or something I’d build myself, which gives the yard more design freedom. But it depends on what the team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> wants to try.”It is a revealing answer. For an industry often shrouded in secrecy, Newell brings not only capital and innovation, but a refreshing openness. He jokes about his cats, shares anecdotes of his children, and speaks earnestly about wanting yachts to be seen as good actors in the communities they visit.Marcel, speaking towards the end of the call, agreed wholeheartedly. “What has always bothered me most in 30 years is the secrecy and gossip,” he reflected. “In the years ahead, we want to lead by example, and transparency will be part of that.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367971/image/large-02a0541df7b4d8e25e92bf73af030e34.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367971">Gabe also noted that many of his peers in the American tech world “aren’t nearly as aware of yachts and yachting as a lot of people in Europe,” and that simply getting them onboard could be transformative. “It’s a little like shooting fish in a barrel,” he said with a grin. “There are so many people who would never think about yachts, but once they experience it, they’ll realise it has an important role to play in their lives.” For Newell, the challenge lies in making the sales process experiential, because simply getting potential owners onboard, he argued, is often enough to change perceptions entirely.As the call drew to a close, he turned the tables on the assembled journalists: “What do you want <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> to do?” It was a fitting end from a man whose career has been built on questioning assumptions, listening closely and then reimagining what is possible.

Gabe Newell: Life at sea and building the future with Oceanco

Gabe Newell speaks about his fleet, Oceanco investment and vision for yachting innovation.

From gaming to yachting: Gabe Newell on life at sea and building the future with Oceanco

“If you want to be able to get into all your favourite spots quickly and get closer, she is the ideal yacht and exactly why we went for her,” says the owner of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2951" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royale X49.9m (163'9&quot;)Overmarine Group SPA2012">Royale X</a>, a 49.9-metre Mangusta yacht that has redefined how his family experiences the Mediterranean. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367574/image/large-946d4c233c9ecedda022b0dc7bc580df.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367574">Launched in 2012, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2951" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royale X49.9m (163'9&quot;)Overmarine Group SPA2012">Royale X</a> is part of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/473" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Overmarine Group SPA (Company)">Overmarine</a>’s Mangusta 165 series, a platform renowned for its speed, low profile and distinctive Italian styling. Now offered to the charter market for the first time, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2951" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royale X49.9m (163'9&quot;)Overmarine Group SPA2012">Royale X</a> is more than a high-speed cruiser. With an ambitious cruising track record and a layout refined through experience, she reflects the priorities of a hands-on owner: comfort, flexibility and, above all, the freedom to move. We spoke with her owner to find out how he fit an expansive Mediterranean tour into only a month and to understand why he thinks that sets the yacht apart. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/271359/image/large-5d40be1faa32636734c08bad1fcdb44a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/271359">A four-week grand tourIn just four weeks, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2951" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royale X49.9m (163'9&quot;)Overmarine Group SPA2012">Royale X</a> completed an ambitious Mediterranean itinerary that would have been logistically unfeasible for most displacement yachts. Embarking in Monaco, the crew collected the owner in Portofino before cruising south via Elba, Corsica and Sardinia. An extended stay beneath Capri’s dramatic limestone cliffs was followed by a passage past Stromboli to Taormina in Sicily, and onwards to the Ionian Islands in Greece, with pauses at Zakynthos, Ithaka and Anti Paxos, before turning north to Montenegro and Croatia, where the voyage concluded in Dubrovnik.“It was probably the best of Italy, the best of the Ionian and the Croatian coast – all in one cruise,” the owner reflects. “We covered a huge amount of ground, but it never felt rushed. That’s what this boat makes possible.” Cruising comfortably at 25–30 knots, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2951" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royale X49.9m (163'9&quot;)Overmarine Group SPA2012">Royale X</a> can achieve in hours what other yachts require a full day to cover. The 100-nautical-mile passage from Monaco to Portofino, for instance, took just four hours – a journey that would take double that for most vessels.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/368442/image/large-419c5a1f868642b4c3fe67a399d82bbb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/368442">Flexibility was key. The ability to adapt to weather or shift plans spontaneously made the experience all the more enjoyable. “We tend to plan as we go. If the weather’s not great where we are anchored, we have the flexibility to move elsewhere quickly. If something looks promising on the chart, we make a detour. You’re not locked into a rigid itinerary.”This responsiveness, paired with a shallow draft and high cruising speed, allowed <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2951" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royale X49.9m (163'9&quot;)Overmarine Group SPA2012">Royale X</a> to access small harbours and anchorages that many tri-deck yachts simply cannot reach. “We’ve taken her into places like Bonifacio, Portoferraio, Hvar – even backed her into Portofino. That’s a real experience, arriving at those spots by sea in a yacht of this size.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367659/image/large-8932eb38eb98815ce07278dc03827d06.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367659">Capable of speeds over 30 knots, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2951" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royale X49.9m (163'9&quot;)Overmarine Group SPA2012">Royale X</a> has been designed to make the most of every moment aboard. “We’re often travelling with limited time, just a few weeks, sometimes days. Being able to move quickly between locations changes the whole dynamic. From Monaco, you can be in Saint-Tropez in just over an hour, or dash across to Portofino for lunch. That opens up destinations most people would rule out for a short trip.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367664/image/large-73c5e0e34d6a141c5f019e8986ce01bd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367664">While her performance is impressive, comfort has not been sacrificed. The yacht features four guest staterooms, including a full-beam master suite, as well as a fifth convertible cabin that doubles as a cinema lounge. Recently updated, this space now features a full bed and privacy curtain, ideal for families travelling with children or extra guests. Importantly, this adjustment was made without removing the onboard gym, maintaining wellness facilities that are often the first to go on similar refits.“She’s not configured for large parties, we cruise as a family, usually just the five of us. But the layout works brilliantly. The cinema can be set up for guests, and we still have a proper gym. It’s balanced.”Noise and vibration levels are also notably low, even at speed, particularly with the new set of gyroscopic stabilisers. “We’ll often watch movies in the master at night while underway. You don’t notice the motion, it’s very smooth.”What the owner values most, however, is the sense of proximity to the water. “I’ve been on a lot of yachts where you feel quite detached – you’re up high, behind glass, away from the sea. This is different. You really feel like you’re part of the journey.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367571/image/large-9ffd197f2db7188bdc9a807b27196bd1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367571">That connection is especially apparent on the sun deck and the forward lounging area, where new awnings now allow for shaded relaxation just metres from the sea. “That front area’s become a favourite of ours. You’re right there at the bow, low to the water, watching the coastline slip by.”The aft deck, too, offers wide views and clean sightlines, especially when manoeuvring in or out of port. “It’s a practical deck, but it’s also emotional – you feel the movement of the boat, the close link with the sea. That’s hard to find on larger yachts.”Though discreet by nature, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2951" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royale X49.9m (163'9&quot;)Overmarine Group SPA2012">Royale X</a> has earned quiet recognition among those who understand performance. She shares her model line with another Mangusta favoured by a well-known Formula One team principal – a detail not lost on her owner.“It’s not something we shout about, but it says a lot. Someone who leads a high-performance racing team chose the same model, clearly, they saw the same potential in the platform.”That connection reinforces what the owner has come to appreciate first-hand: the Mangusta 165 is a yacht built for action, not just appearance.“It’s not about being seen,” he says. “It’s about being able to see. To experience more. To go further and faster without being weighed down by a slow, heavy platform. That’s why we chose her and why we’re excited for others to do the same.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/271376/image/large-fd1f4873c11279a94d8a50010db5e831.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/271376">For those seeking a charter experience shaped by real ownership insight, where performance, comfort and freedom intersect, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2951" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royale X49.9m (163'9&quot;)Overmarine Group SPA2012">Royale X</a> offers a rare opportunity. She is a yacht for guests who value movement, intimacy and access. Whether it's a high-season sprint along the Riviera or a month-long exploration from Monaco to Montenegro, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2951" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royale X49.9m (163'9&quot;)Overmarine Group SPA2012">Royale X</a> delivers on her promise: to open up more of the Mediterranean, more quickly and with style.

Royale X high-speed Mangusta 165

We take a look at Royale X and her Mediterranean capabilities for charter.

Ownership insight: Exploring the Med at speed aboard 50m Royale X

In a time where privacy is one of the highest forms of luxury, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a> has refined and luxurised service onboard superyachts. The most popular of their technological products making yacht life easier, is the GEST Service Call System. The call button is the most popular element of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a> portfolio, which is made up of six products in total: OMNIYON, YIS, CrewBoard, LaundryBoard, ECHO and GEST.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a>, based out of Rotterdam, The Netherlands, is a product developer that focuses on delivering premium technology for the world’s most discerning clients. Established in 2014, the company has over a decade of experience in the delivery of their premium tech, and is dedicated to crafting yacht experiences where technology and craftsmanship work together in harmony to enhance comfort, safety and enjoyment at sea. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397415/image/large-ea8c1696d8ca02546b0c4dd98dfca9ce.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397415">Call systemThe GEST is a service call system: “When owners or guests onboard want service, they can press the button, which sends a notification to the crew,” shares Lucie Hubert, Strategic Marketing Manager at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a>. “Crew members accept the request, which turns the button green, so the guests know someone is handling it.” From there, a crew member will come to inquire about the request. Once completed, the crew marks the open request as completed and the button is once again ready to go.The purpose of the GEST button is to ensure privacy, “there is no microphone on the physical button, it’s something we don’t want to include precisely because of privacy. If you press it, someone will actually have to come to you”, Lucie adds. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397416/image/large-5254a21c41376a0e75f4b6f98a415eed.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397416">There is also a digital version of the GEST Service System, which works just like the physical button, but here there is a chat function. “You can send the notification, but also chat directly with the crew members and share your request right away.”The goal of the button, besides ensuring smooth seven-star service, is precisely that privacy. Instead of standard WhatsApp groups on yachts, the button ensures no personal information other than necessary needs to be shared. “It reduces those big group chats that we often see onboard yachts. With the button you can directly notify the chef or the chief stew or a deckhand - everything can be separated to specific crew”, Lucie points out. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397414/image/large-e6bad529c046ba1db80d1cfbcab50ec7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397414">Onboard superyachtsThe very first prototype of the GEST Service System was built in 2018. Two years later, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a> had sold their 100th button. “Three years ago, we sold 100 buttons to a single project,” Lucie recalls. From there everything has just grown really fast.&nbsp;How many call buttons each yacht orders, depends mostly on size. “We see two options,” notes Lucie. “The first one is that the yacht just wants it in common areas, such as the lounge or the aft deck. The second is that we see yachts who want a call button in every single room, including all the staterooms.” The type of buttons tends to be a mix between physical and digital “often we see the digital buttons for the staterooms and the physical ones for the common spaces.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397410/image/large-99a82fc3ec98842b421aecb0ce521275.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397410">Design &amp; craftmanshipThe button’s physical design is well in line with the luxury service it is designed for. Each button is completely customisable, “you can have a ring engraved, or the yacht’s logo or name, even the material is fully customisable,” Lucie notes. “You can have the ring on the button in 24K gold, stainless steel, dark or light bronze.” Even the leather of the button is customisable: “we had a client who wanted a specific leather. We said, ‘just send it to us and we’ll make it happen’, and we did.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a> prides itself in their flexibility and ability to craft their product to their client’s ideal design. Their service meets the luxury standard as well, “we have a great support team and we keep track of when there are button breakdowns and they need replacing.” The backend of the system is entirely remote, “we can access the system of all of our clients and jump in to fix it when needed, without needing to be physically present.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397404/image/large-0c13641a7634989dcedd535fe56b7615.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397404">When the issue cannot be fixed remotely, the button is sent to the warehouse, which sits next to the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a> headquarters in Rotterdam. It is also where the company does their refurbishing “we are working to be more sustainable, and as these buttons are used daily, they can of course obtain damage overtime. We’ve introduced a system where buttons can be sent to the warehouse and the ring, leather, or any other element is fixed, checked, and sent back to the client.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397405/image/large-ed866489b68104d857921b411ec65394.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397405">Challenges along the wayNo successful product comes without its challenges along the way. “When we started, the battery life was a big challenge” shares Lucie. The button’s battery would last about a day, and would take numerous hours to charge. “Now, a button lasts up to three to five days, depending on usage, and can be fully charged in four hours.”&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a> is continuously working to improve the button. “We’ve gone from a battery life of two days to a battery life of five days”; a huge jump in the battery’s longevity. “If the battery life goes under 20 percent, the chief stew will get a notification that it needs charging, so everyone is always in the loop.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397401/image/large-6c30e57e733fef9ba0ec5045380161f5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397401">A happy crew is a happy yachtNo challenge has been too big for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a>, and they’re continuously working hard to incorporate any and all feedback they get from clients. “We pushed a new colour, white, because one client specifically wanted it,” shares Lucie, “any idea the client has, we’re always open to hear it because we want our product to cater the client to the best of its ability - it’s how we develop our products and our company.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397403/image/large-145e0eba96f58a68a1e5d6628f07a332.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397403">The feedback from clients, captains and crew has been invaluable. One captain of a 42-metre motor yacht emphasised how the “GEST system was set up in minutes, is loved by our owners, guests and crew.” The electro-technical officer of another 40-metre motor yacht noted how the GEST system has “been a great addition to our operation. It allows guests to request service, drinks or whatever they need while giving them complete privacy when they don’t want to be disturbed. It creates a smooth, intuitive and professional experience onboard.”The goal of products like GEST, and of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4943" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtCloud BV (Company)">YachtCloud</a> as a whole, is to create a connected yacht experience - one where technology and craftsmanship work in harmony to enhance comfort, safety and enjoyment at sea.

How YachtCloud's GEST is redefining service onboard

A look into one of YachtCloud's most popular products, which is redefining service onboard superyachts.

Just as physical tank test models are giving way to computational fluid dynamics, so another form of virtual modelling is coming to the fore – the digital twin. But what is a digital twin, and how can we use them to streamline superyacht design, construction and operation?Providing an exact definition of a digital twin can be tricky, not least because different people use the term in different ways. With conceptual origins tracing back to NASA in the 1960s, the truth is that digital twins come in a variety of forms and offer multiple applications – all of which have the potential to change the approach to design and enhance the operational effectiveness of superyachts.“I haven’t found a consistent way that people use the term,” says software developer Boudewijn van Groos. “For example, some call a simple 3D model a digital twin, even if it doesn’t make predictions. It might show live sensor data from the vessel, but it’s really just a portal into the actual ship. That is fundamentally different to a software model that mimics the behaviour of a system based on physical or statistical calculations. Yet people refer to both as digital twins.”Models created in a software environment are arguably the purest form of digital twinning. They are increasingly being used both to train AI and to enable systems developers to code the core parts of a yacht’s controllers while the physical yacht itself is still in build – a decisive factor when faced with tight construction and delivery schedules.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397081/image/large-c63a38ee887c535cd43a28154e353077.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397081">Virtual virtuesVan Groos is leading a team of software developers who are undertaking the coding of a multifaceted monitoring and control system aboard Project Zero, the renewables-powered sailing yacht under construction at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/34" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vitters Shipyard (Company)">Vitters Shipyard</a>. In collaboration with German company XRG Simulation, they have been building a virtual version of the yacht’s systems in Modelica, which allows them to write the code for the programmable logic controller (PLC) for the thermal harvesting and recovery system, for example, and test it before the physical system has been completed. While the team has also been using a current sailing superyacht as a test bed, creating a digital twin has brought additional benefits.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397079/image/large-c1ba2f94baf775740a49c5322a0b5621.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397079">“For everything we’re doing we first write the physical thing into code to form the digital twin,” Van explains. “That simulation can be very basic, or a deep mechanical simulation. It gives us an opportunity to prevent regression bugs and it means we can avoid having to run our code on a physical system that means needing the real machine every time, which is just a hassle.”Developing a digital twin not only creates a platform for virtual testing, it also provides an opportunity to explore or to train AI, which can have real-world applications in a finished project. Indeed, this is the approach that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1080" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rossinavi (Company)">Rossinavi</a> took, in collaboration with the University of Pisa, to develop the systems on the 42.84-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12135" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seawolf X42.84m (140'7&quot;)Rossinavi2024">Seawolf X</a> catamaran.“On a yacht you have a lot of very high-tech systems, each optimised and each with sensor actuators,” explains Maurizio Minossi, CEO and CTO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a>. “The idea is to create a sort of manager that grabs the data coming from the different subsystems and, thanks to the use of AI algorithms, gives it added value in terms of monitoring and control.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397078/image/large-3bbe7f4296cb60275d58eb400d1d5976.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397078">“AI algorithms need to train on something – you need a story,” adds Sergio Saponara, director of the Department of Informational Engineering at the University of Pisa. “But if the technology is new, how do you create that story? Creating a digital model of a yacht allows you to fill the AI with data. You analyse the chiller in a model, then you combine it with all the other models to create the whole ship.”The system they have developed, which has been designed to be modular for use across multiple yacht designs and configurations, integrates various network-connected sensors, smart plugs, and actuators, such as HVAC systems, lighting, and automated blinds, orchestrated by an advanced AI algorithm. The digital twin enables the simulation of different configurations and operational scenarios, generating virtual data that can be used to train AI models – a useful approach given the challenges of limited experimental data on energy consumption and passenger habits.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397077/image/large-efe714be9d6f415bcddaf70b66ca2da0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397077">Test rig&nbsp;It’s not just in systems design that digital twins are being utilised. For Dale Morris, Group Head of Global Design at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2447" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Spars (Company)">Southern Spars</a>, the development of digital twins has enabled advanced, in-the-box testing before a rig is stepped – a serious advantage given the one-off nature and complexity of superyacht masts and sail plans.&nbsp;“The outcome is what’s on the water, but the model that came before it has been through all the conditions,” he says. “It starts with base mast properties, rigging pre-tension and tuning, but we add in the actual moulded sail shape and structural files from North Sails, and then we can assess the rig to a whole other level.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397082/image/large-2efc90f958531c34f23220a01c23ffdf.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397082">This allows the team to see the effect of their rig design choices even down to its impact on the actual shape of the sails. They can go into a whole CFD loop, where the fluid structure interaction (FSI) loops back into the non-linear FEA – non-linear because the mast is flexible. That essentially means they can sea-trial the yacht before any carbon fibre even gets laid in the mast mould.“That also flows through into how we communicate the safe operation to the customer with all the sheet runs and all the load interfaces, so that boatbuilders can build-in the right safety factors,” &nbsp;Morris explains. “You can assess all that within the digital twin.”It also impacts the initial sea trial phases because, rather than the traditional method of stepping a mast and eyeballing the rig to tune it and ensure it is set up symmetrically, it can effectively be pre-set. Gone are the days where you put the rig in, go sailing and flop from tack to tack, make changes, rinse and repeat, which can be a two-day operation.“We are able to virtually go sailing before we even put carbon in the mast tooling, and for yacht designers, owners and crew that’s a huge benefit because it elevates confidence before you get further into the project,” &nbsp;says Vincent Guiot, Group Sales Director at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2447" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Spars (Company)">Southern Spars</a>. &nbsp;Further, the applications extend to the operational phase. By using the information from the load sensors from specific conditions. If something doesn’t look quite right, the team can plug that data back into the digital twin and help someone on board diagnose the issue more efficiently.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397080/image/large-77d39333b2a17751661ad462a20fdfc0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397080">Practical magic&nbsp;As CAD has advanced, so 3D models have become commonplace, not only in terms of determining the underlying engineering layout of a vessel but also to ensure the vessel can be built as efficiently as possible. But when one superyacht project approached Dutch company Goltens to take that 3D model further, the potential for an all-encompassing digital twin quickly became apparent.“Normally we design, engineer and create 3D models, and during that process a lot of information on the components – size, material, capacity, make, model – is put into a database,” says Sandra Jutte of Goltens’ Green Technologies division. “But when the vessel departs, most of that information, which can number thousands of data files, stays behind. For this project, we were asked how we could collect all the engineering data in one place during construction and use it to make the yacht smarter in operation.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397085/image/large-8490e120db5880a524554f471c7eb9b6.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397085">To achieve that, the Goltens team combined ongoing 3D scanning during the build with CAD and engineering drawings to create a digital version of Project Zero that is a perfect match for the real thing. The result is that all the information on the build, systems and components is available for easy access – especially useful when it comes to fault-finding or in the event of a system alarm.&nbsp;“You need an exact copy of the yacht, so during the entire build our team has been on site with a 3D scanner capturing every stage of the build,” says Jutte. “We’ve scanned every detail, including 100,000 metres of cables and six kilometres of piping.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397086/image/large-39fff693692206113bdc5e36b8ec672b.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397086">Every pump, pipe and system is connected and with e-sharing it’s possible to click into the engineering drawing and instantly jump to the same spot in the 3D model, and vice versa. All relevant details and spare parts listings are available with a click. What’s more, the digital twin will form the backbone for predictive maintenance and, potentially, AI-rooted energy efficiency and systems analysis during the operational phase – an aspect that could have huge impact for a project where every kilowatt counts.The potential goes further, however, because wherever the vessel goes, the digital twin goes too. This means designers can use the digital twin to experiment with new ideas or test layouts without ever touching the real vessel, while engineers can follow system performance and simulate improvements, and and owners can explore their yacht anytime, anywhere.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397087/image/large-8c4ef31785ce28bc95f037d27cf282ff.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397087">Such a comprehensive scan-based digital twin improves maintenance aspects – with all manuals and spare parts lists easily accessible, and with the potential to add predictive maintenance algorithms – but also aids efficiency in a refit phase.&nbsp;“Refits and repairs are no longer a guessing game,” says Jutte. “Because if a component needs to be replaced or a new component fitted, the digital twin already knows what’s there currently and if the new one will fit. It means you can order or prefabricate parts with confidence. It’s a complete feedback loop between design, operation, maintenance, fault-finding and improvement.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397089/image/large-cbdce16aec81ad92d4d28edb2f355442.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397089">

How is virtual modelling transforming superyacht design and operation

From rig testing to predictive maintenance, digital twins are reshaping how superyachts are designed, built and operated.

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8076" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marina Port Valencia (Company)">Marina Port Valencia</a> has announced that the inner marina, Marina City, is now complete as part of their phased transformation. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397349/image/large-033282147cabe8f5a2ddb1d15d41bc62.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397349">Led by the IPM-IMG Group and Ocibar, the project aims to revitalise the three marinas that previously hosted the 2007 America's Cup, while introducing a cutting-edge refit yard, a state-of-the-art dry dock and modern commercial spaces.Read more: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/62614" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="First renderings of new Marina Port Valencia development unveiled (2025-02-14 12:45:00 +0100)">First renderings of new Marina Port Valencia development unveiled</a><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397347/image/large-02f98e636005af30408a0493b3b9cb49.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397347">The Marina City is now ready to welcome its first customers for the summer season with a full range of premium services. Positioned in the most sheltered area of the port, it has been designed to welcome yachts between 12 and 130 metres and boasts an exclusive central pontoon with berths from 15 metres available for sale or rent for ten, fifteen or twenty years.Construction will soon begin at Marina Norte on a collection of new office buildings designed to attract leading companies and create a hub for networking, innovation and talent. Local residents will also be able to benefit from a restaurant that will open in the former Panorama building.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397346/image/large-ad9d771b5b626cd1085ee90660cd52f1.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397346">The redevelopment of the marina will be completed in planned phases over the coming years, with local residents able to experience the marina’s new public spaces as each stage is completed.With landscaping designed by GM Paisajistas, in coordination with the architects at ERRE Arquitectura, the plan links Marina Norte, Marina City and Marina Sur through a landscaped ‘green corridor’, creating a continuous route for pedestrians and cyclists lined by Mediterranean vegetation.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397348/image/large-4ff447ed4895040fef35c2236798337f.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397348">With this project, Marina Port Valencia will reconnect the city with the waterfront,” explained <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8076" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marina Port Valencia (Company)">Marina Port Valencia</a>. "In doing so, it responds to local leisure needs while providing businesses with an unrivalled waterfront environment, establishing Marina Port Valencia as a leading national and international destination built on the principles of sustainability."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/348287/image/large-0f4e8368c10bd6b34945367d123348e5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/348287">

Marina Port Valencia completes Marina City development

Marina Port Valencia has announced that the inner marina, Marina City, is now complete as part of their phased transformation.

Marina Port Valencia completes inner marina for yachts up to 130m

Italian studio <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8392" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SY design (Company)">SY Design</a> has unveiled Kairos, a 52-metre motor yacht concept centred around a stronger connection between the guests and the surrounding sea.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397334/image/large-8796d9063db33dbbfbb5f54882d17b18.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397334">Designed to remain under the 500 GT threshold, Kairos is conceived to be built with a lightweight aluminium structure, Kairos aims to make the outdoors the heart of life onboard. The designer has noted that the concept carefully combines open, flowing spaces with floor-to-ceiling glazing and wide hull openings. Moreover, the layout is intended to draw in natural light to flood her interiors, frame breathtaking sea views, and create a seamless access to the water. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397336/image/large-42daf1825f66f137b146990641679193.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397336">Outside, Kairos is characterised by slender proportions and a modern profile that flows effortlessly from the bow to the stern.Her stern serves as one of the focal points of the project. A magnificent pool set at sea level becomes the part of the beach club area, crafted to deepen the connection between the guests and the ocean and expand the sense of openness across her decks. Reflecting the project's philosophy, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8392" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SY design (Company)">SY Design</a> explained that "the objective was not to maximise gross tonnage, but to maximise the owner's experience of the sea."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397335/image/large-e57a868a18e96191861bfc535940ba8c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397335">Wide lateral openings in the hull further extend the views, and invites abundant natural light to dance across the aft, resulting in a bright and open area. Above, her main deck cockpit has been envisioned as a terrace overlooking the sea. In this space, two opposing L-shaped sofas are arranged for mingling and casual lounging, &nbsp;while glass bulwarks preserve uninterrupted views of the horizon.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397337/image/large-8562659c5dd2fd32334132b65c354912.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397337">Ascending further, the yacht’s expansive 105-square-metre fly deck serves as a defining outdoor living area, offering space for socialising, entertaining and open-air dining. Forward, her deck features a flexible layout, allowing owners to tailor the space based on their preferences. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397333/image/large-f17ca1e6f871b464c45ae86a2169b934.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397333">With a beam of nine-metres, accommodation onboard Kairos is arranged for up to 12 guests across six staterooms. The owner's suite is situated forward on the main deck, benefitting from expansive windows and stunning ocean vistas. The five guest staterooms are located on the lower deck.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397338/image/large-05b708fcf1585fa034d052d3d23270de.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397338">Further features include a dedicated bow garage for jet skis and a rescue tender, while a separate aft garage with side access stores the yacht's primary tender without impacting guest spaces.In addition, Kairos features a dedicated bow garage, discreetly housing jet skis and a rescue tender. Meanwhile, a separate aft garage with side access houses the yacht’s primary tender, stowed away to leave guest areas undisturbed. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397332/image/large-c9d3caeb265320db2d2d23a3105877a1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397332">

SY Design unveils 52m yacht concept Kairos

SY Design has unveiled Kairos, a 52-metre motor yacht concept centred around the owner’s experience of the sea.

 SY Design unveils 52m yacht concept Kairos with sea-level pool

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida has dismissed the entire complaint brought by Export Yacht Sales (Brill Maritime), which alleged that Boats Group illegally monopolised the US online boat-listing market through YachtWorld, Boat Trader and boats.com.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355047/image/large-0bd8f332392990f5a08cac6ea37b81d1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355047">The lawsuit was filed on 14 August 2025, with Brill Maritime alleging that Boats Group controlled approximately 75 percent of the market for listing and marketing recreational boats and used subscription agreements that either bar or discourage brokers and dealers from listing vessels on rival platforms.Read more: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/64073" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="US boat dealers bring antitrust class action against Boats Group (2025-08-21 13:00:00 +0200)">US boat dealers bring antitrust class action against Boats Group</a><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355053/image/large-d4b378b0bbe9bf56a1926a2d570b4fd5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355053">According to Brill Maritime, competing platforms had been unable to achieve the scale or inventory to grow their services effectively, leaving brokers and dealers with limited options.The court found that Brill Maritime had plausibly alleged that the relevant market could be defined as an online boat listing and marketing service in the United States and that Boat Group may possess monopoly power in that market.&nbsp;Brill Maritime also alleged that Boat’s Group claimed 75 percent of the global share, reasonably supporting an inference that it has a dominant position in the US market. As a result of this, the judge did not dismiss the case because Boats Group lacks market power.However, the judge said that Brill Maritime had failed to show that Boats Group engaged in illegal anticompetitive conduct and under US antitrust law, being a monopoly is not illegal by itself.The court repeatedly emphasised that monopoly power is legal, but using that power through anticompetitive behaviour to exclude rivals is illegal.&nbsp;The judge found that Brill Maritime’s three main allegations were insufficient including that Boats Group became dominant by acquiring competitors such as YachtWorld.com, boats.com and YachtCloser.com.The judge said that acquiring competitors is not necessarily illegal and that Brill Maritime had not explained how these acquisitions had harmed competition. The complaint had described the acquisitions as “strategic” suggesting it was more of a successful business move than illegal conduct. The judge explained that Brill Maritime had shown that Boats Group bought competitors, but not that these acquisitions were unlawful. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355039/image/large-513a0ee840e10e5371f647093bba58d9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355039">Brill Maritime also claimed that Boats Group's subscription agreements stoped brokers from listing boats elsewhere. The judge examined the contract language and concluded that the provision merely prevented brokers from implying that a YachtWorld or Boats Group listing originated somewhere else. He therefore concluded that you can advertise on YachtWorld and on other sites and the contract simply prevented you from pretending a Boats Group listing came from another platform, meaning the clause is not an exclusive dealing arrangement.Finally, Brill Maritime argued that Boats Group had dramatically increased its prices. The judge responded that high prices alone are not an antitrust violation. The court cited multiple precedents saying a legal monopolist is generally allowed to charge whatever prices it wants. To prove monopolisation, Brill Maritime needed to show that the higher prices resulted from illegal exclusionary conduct.In conclusion, the judge accepted that Boats Group may hold monopoly power in the US online boat-listing market, but ruled that the plaintiffs failed to show that Boats Group acquired or maintained that position through illegal anticompetitive conduct.United States District Judge, Roy K. Altman dismissed the complaint without prejudice, meaning the plaintiff is able to resubmit an amended complaint, with a deadline of 30 June 2026.&nbsp;The lawsuit also contained claims under Florida law, with the federal court declining to hear the state claims as the federal antitrust claims were dismissed. These were also dismissed without prejudice, allowing for them to also be refiled.&nbsp;SuperYacht Times will continue to follow this story and will provide updates where necessary.

US court dismisses antitrust lawsuit against Boats Group

The US District Court for the Southern District of Florida has dismissed the antitrust lawsuit brought by Export Yacht Sales against Boats Group.

The 24.6-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16575" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="N2H224.6m (80'9&quot;)Princess Yachts2022">N2H2</a> has been sold, with Joe Hill of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5046" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Brokerage International (Company)">Princess Brokerage International</a> representing the seller.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/377303/image/large-e9f5ee62744476943f9773dd48e429fb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/377303">Delivered in 2022, the yacht features interiors penned in-house by her British builder. Meanwhile, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2740" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Olesinski Ltd. (Company)">Olesinski</a> took charge of her naval architecture and exterior design.At a volume of 78 GT, she can sleep up to eight guests across four well-appointed staterooms. Guests can enjoy communal areas such as the foredeck and aft deck fitted with sunpads and the flybridge with shade.Propulsion-wise, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16575" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="N2H224.6m (80'9&quot;)Princess Yachts2022">N2H2</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, giving her top speed of 39 knots.At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16575" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="N2H224.6m (80'9&quot;)Princess Yachts2022">N2H2</a> had a last known asking price of £3,175,000.00.Courtesy of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5046" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Brokerage International (Company)">Princess Brokerage International</a>.

Princess yacht N2H2 sold

Princess yacht, N2H2 sold, Princess yacht N2H2, Princess yacht sold, N2H2 sold.

25m Princess motor yacht N2H2 sold

The 35.4-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/602" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cantiere Valdettaro S.r.l. (Company)">Cantiere Valdettaro</a> sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2213" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Unplugged35.4m (116'2&quot;)Cantiere Valdettaro S.r.l.1992">Unplugged</a> has been sold with Yannis Stratis of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6235" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yacht Broker House (Company)">Yacht Broker House</a>. The sale was concluded directly with a private buyer, with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6235" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yacht Broker House (Company)">Yacht Broker House</a> acting as both owner and central agent in the transaction.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/98550/image/large-7470442e827fa639586e6fb0099778c8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/98550">The sale was completed in spring 2026 at Yacht Broker House's home base in Corfu, Greece. Since changing hands, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2213" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Unplugged35.4m (116'2&quot;)Cantiere Valdettaro S.r.l.1992">Unplugged</a> has departed Greece and is now cruising European waters under her new ownership.&nbsp;Delivered in 1992 by Italian shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/602" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cantiere Valdettaro S.r.l. (Company)">Cantiere Valdettaro</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2213" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Unplugged35.4m (116'2&quot;)Cantiere Valdettaro S.r.l.1992">Unplugged</a> most recently underwent a refit in France in 2024. She features exterior design and naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/357" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Laurent Giles Superyacht Architects (Company)">Laurent Giles Superyacht Architects</a>, while her interiors were penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/618" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Studio Garroni (Company)">Studio Garroni</a>.Constructed with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2213" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Unplugged35.4m (116'2&quot;)Cantiere Valdettaro S.r.l.1992">Unplugged</a> has a beam of 7.95-metres and an interior volume of 171 GT. Accommodation onboard is arranged for up to 10 guests across a five stateroom configuration, while dedicated quarters house up to a crew of six, including her captain.In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2213" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Unplugged35.4m (116'2&quot;)Cantiere Valdettaro S.r.l.1992">Unplugged</a> is powered by a single <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1408" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Caterpillar Inc (Company)">Caterpillar</a> engine that delivers a cruising speed of 9.7 knots and a top speed of 12 knots.&nbsp;At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2213" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Unplugged35.4m (116'2&quot;)Cantiere Valdettaro S.r.l.1992">Unplugged</a> had a last known asking price of €900,000.

35m Cantiere Valdettaro sailing yacht Unplugged sold

  The 35.4-metre Cantiere Valdettaro sailing yacht Unplugged has been sold with Yacht Broker House

The 29.7-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/112" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Custom Line (Company)">Custom Line</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7645" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Yaz29.7m (97'5&quot;)Custom Line2010">Lady Yaz</a> has been sold. Ferhat Kanbur of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7089" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Data Marin (Company)">Data Marin</a> introduced the buyer, while Ilker Bicaco of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5001" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Talia Marine (Company)">Talia Marine</a> represented the seller.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/392305/image/large-86c88e62c5d466ff1f840f9818dce38b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/392305" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Delivered in 2010, the yacht features naval architecture penned in-house by her builder. Meanwhile, her interior and exterior designs were crafted by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/105" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zuccon International Project (Company)">Zuccon International Design</a>.Inside, her design is distinguished by light coloured woods that give the yacht a contemporary feel. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7645" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Yaz29.7m (97'5&quot;)Custom Line2010">Lady Yaz</a> can accommodate up to ten guests across four well-appointed staterooms at a volume of 177 GT. Moreover, a highlight of the yacht is a relaxation area on her flybridge, where guests can enjoy panoramic views.&nbsp;In terms of propulsion system, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7645" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Yaz29.7m (97'5&quot;)Custom Line2010">Lady Yaz</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a> engines, giving her a cruising speed of 24 knots and a top speed of 27 knots.At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7645" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Yaz29.7m (97'5&quot;)Custom Line2010">Lady Yaz</a> had a last known asking price of €2,990,000.Photo courtesy of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5001" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Talia Marine (Company)">Talia Marine</a>.

Custom Line yacht Lady Yaz sold

The 29.7-metre Custom Line motor yacht Lady Yaz has been sold.

30m Custom Line motor yacht Lady Yaz sold

The 57-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/106" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Trinity Yachts (Company)">Trinity</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/364" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Elis Et Mar57.0m (187'0&quot;)Trinity Yachts2012">Elis Et Mar</a> is on the market, with Rob Newton of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a>. The <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale" target="_blank">yacht for sale</a> benefitted from a 2025 refit that refreshed her interiors and modernised her systems.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397161/image/large-157dd31b806639942ec6e7d2aeb4801c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397161">With a deck design built around guest flow, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/364" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Elis Et Mar57.0m (187'0&quot;)Trinity Yachts2012">Elis Et Mar</a> features naval architecture and exterior design penned in-house by her American builder. Meanwhile, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/111" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Evan K Marshall (Company)">Evan K Marshall</a> took charge of her interior design which is distinguished by Italian marbles, Lalique glass, silk carpets and rich wood in birch, vavona, and bur.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397220/image/large-a05b27ee4abd4103f48fae88e6afdaf3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397220"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397195/image/large-5eb0377176736d577315088431b690c5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397195">At a volume of 782 GT, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/elis-et-mar" target="_blank">yacht Elis Et Mar for sale</a> can accommodate up to 12 guests across six well-appointed staterooms. Her full-beam master suite is found on the main deck. This area can be accessed via a private office and is fitted with a king-size bed, walk-in wardrobe, and his-and-hers bathrooms with a soaking tub, separate rain shower, and mirror TVs. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397199/image/large-86d7a9b383706d0176d50ebc3a5183fe.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397199"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397208/image/large-d05e1e5f38e5dc5c8b79aa56962db52a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397208">The <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale/of-type=motor" target="_blank">motor yacht for sale’s</a> VIP suite located on the bridge deck also showcases a king-size bed, elevated views, and a spacious ensuite. Four guest suites on the lower deck, all with fixed king beds and ensuite bathrooms, complete the accommodation.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397214/image/large-27ec017e7e73699f2a44df284651fc7c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397214">Moving outside, guests aboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/364" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Elis Et Mar57.0m (187'0&quot;)Trinity Yachts2012">Elis Et Mar</a> are spoilt for choice between adventure and relaxation. Her sundeck plays host to a large Jacuzzi, generous sunpads, a full bar, and an outdoor entertainment system. For those looking to keep active, a fully enclosed, air-conditioned gym is also on offer, equipped with a Pilates Reformer, treadmill, free weights, and audio-visual facilities. A portable ice bath is also available upon request.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397235/image/large-cd87a31b555950b9bd569392e9918873.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397235"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/364" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Elis Et Mar57.0m (187'0&quot;)Trinity Yachts2012">Elis Et Mar’s</a> bridge deck sky lounge provides a relaxed indoor retreat, complete with plush seating, a full-service bar, and alfresco dining for up to 12 guests aft. Guests may choose between a formal indoor dining space or an aft dining area with optional climate control, offering flexibility to suit any occasion, on the main deck aft.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397231/image/large-98b1ee45ae88293202adcd95833904d2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397231">Moreover, an impressive array of water toys ensures no shortage of thrills for the more adventurous. On the water, guests can make use of four <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3030" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cayago AG / Seabob (Company)">Seabobs</a>, two Lift E-Foils, an Awake Ravic electric surfboard, three Jet Skis, a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5777" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yamaha (Company)">Yamaha</a> Superjet, inflatable towables, and full snorkelling and fishing gear, alongside two foldable e-bikes for exploration ashore. The entire guest experience is overseen by a professional crew of 13.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397191/image/large-7c46a1b67dc6f3193229d237bca28a4f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397191">In terms of propulsion system, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale/built-by=trinity-yachts" target="_blank">Trinity yacht for sale</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1408" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Caterpillar Inc (Company)">Caterpillar</a> engines, giving her a cruising speed of 14 knots and a top speed of 20 knots.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397192/image/large-e9dc6c5d43d791366dd8c886a1767f06.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397192">

Trinity yacht Elis Et Mar for sale

The 57-metre Trinity motor yacht Elis Et Mar is on the market, with Rob Newton of IYC.

57m Trinity superyacht Elis Et Mar for sale

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> have today announced the delivery of the 55-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moskito55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">Moskito</a>, previously known as Project Pollux, the second yacht delivered by the shipyard in 2021. With exterior lines from the boards 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 design features the latest iteration of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/460" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Van Oossanen Naval Architects (Company)">Van Oossanen</a>’s Fast Displacement Hull Form, designed to improve the vessel's efficiency. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/193112/image/large-4d13d5823b19e10027486ad1010b09c9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/193112"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/17" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bannenberg & Rowell Design (Company)">Bannenberg &amp; Rowell</a> have penned her interior design, which includes six staterooms for up-to 12 guests. Wooden panelled walls are a feature of her staterooms, and the 86-square-metre owners suite has floor-to-ceiling windows and his-and-hers bathrooms. Her aesthetic has been completed in neutral tones, with dark eucalyptus and pale sycamore joinery in the saloon, which compliment the chevron parquet flooring.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/193107/image/large-fa4bf5ab9728b126b46c2aea35b96e26.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/193107">The superyacht is outfitted with a full selection of tenders and toys, and she comes complete with a steam room and sauna on her lower aft deck, there is also a large Jacuzzi and additional seating area on her main deck.The sky lounge includes an interior lounge and bar area, as well as panoramic views through her floor-to-ceiling windows.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/193621/image/large-fa8d2969d4e4e5b28fc4ae13684f4ac3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/193621"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/193622/image/large-880721a25c4bd51e08c4dbffab73ae3d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/193622"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/193619/image/large-a7d46c7b09b4ba629db1e36225de391d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/193619">After beginning as a speculative project by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>, she was purchased by her owner in October 2020. She is the second hull of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>’s newly restyled 55-metre steel class. Following her delivery, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moskito55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">Moskito</a> will depart for her maiden voyage to Malta, with her captain Phil Larkin and his 12 crew, and she will be available for charter from this summer’s Mediterranean season. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/193106/image/large-cc6555d496b4514dd73430caf0906f6e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/193106"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moskito55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">Moskito</a> is powered by two fuel-efficient MTU Tier III compliant diesel engines and the steel-hulled superyacht is set to reach a top speed of 15.5 knots, with a range of 4,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 13 knots.&nbsp;

Heesen delivers superyacht Moskito

Heesen has delivered the 55m superyacht Moskito, now set to make her maiden voyage to Malta.

Heesen delivers 55m superyacht Moskito

Dutch shipyard<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">&nbsp;Heesen Yachts&nbsp;</a>has announced the sale of its recently-launched 55-metre motor yacht project&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pollux55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">Pollux.</a>&nbsp;Currently undergoing intensive sea trials in the North Sea, she will be delivered to her owners by the end of January 2021.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/177452/image/large-049bfdc278516a6432675f18b24ad35f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/177452">Originally started on speculation,&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pollux55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">Pollux</a>&nbsp;is the second yacht in <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen's</a> newly restyled 55-metre Steel class. She features a calm and sophisticated interior devised by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/17" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bannenberg & Rowell Design (Company)">Bannenberg &amp; Rowell</a> and exterior design by <a href="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/companies/omega-architects" target="_blank">Omega Architects</a>. On board, she accommodates up to 12 guests across six staterooms, comprising an 86-square metre owner's suite with floor-to-ceiling windows and a 'his and hers' bathroom, a VIP suite and four additional staterooms on the lower deck.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/175538/image/large-cb7904d802c11d92b53ac109de053ca9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/175538"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/175539/image/large-9fc9820bb1bb407748d0d71bc228a3ec.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/175539"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7334" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pollux55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">Pollux's</a>&nbsp;tenders and toys are stored on the foredeck and a beach club complete with steam room and sauna can be found on the lower deck aft, offering easy access to the water via the swim platform. Guests can also make the most of numerous other outdoor areas, including a large sundeck with full dining facilities, a bar and a large jacuzzi. Another standout area is her skylounge, which includes a free-standing bar and generous panoramic windows. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/175535/image/large-62350bca9501a6149c170884f51bcd3d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/175535">Powered by two fuel-efficient MTU Tier III compliant diesel engines, the steel-hulled superyacht is set to reach a top speed of 15.5 knots and will have a range of 4,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 13 knots. Notably, her hull is an iteration of the FDHF (fast displacement hull form) devised by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/460" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Van Oossanen Naval Architects (Company)">Van Oossanen</a> and engineered by Heesen's in-house naval architects

Owner Experience

Onboard: Heesen’s 55m superyacht Moskito