Over three centuries ago, Maurepas, a French frigate sent by King Louis XIV, sank off the coast of Panama. Its location has remained a secret, closely guarded by the indigenous Guna Yala people of the San Blas islands. No explorer has been allowed to search the sacred waters. Until now.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/368619/image/large-c2804e39714b85960edd8b36a9b2a4c8.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/368619">Permission to search the sacred waters of the San Blas Islands, off the coast of Panama, is rare and must be granted by the indigenous Guna Yala community. For the first time ever, the Guna people have given Deep Blue Explorers (DBE), a team of Ocean X, permission to search for the lost frigate Maurepas, and any passionate traveller can decide to join.&nbsp;To realise this incredible opportunity, DBE teamed up with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6954" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pelorus (Company)">Pelorus</a> Travel to create a sacred treasure hunt. Not only will guests get to search for the gold, silver, and jewels that remain in the shipwreck, they also get to meet and spend time with the Guna Yala peoples, with whom the treasure will be shared.&nbsp;Worth an estimated $24 million USD, the treasure will be divided among the Guna Yala, the DBE-team, and guests who've signed up for the experience. Of the total treasure found, 70 percent is to be returned to the indigenous Guna Yala. Of the remaining 30 percent (post all associated fees), guests will get to split 4.94 percent of the treasure with their travel party.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/368620/image/large-41ddd89008ffc7bc99cbc946a70b0ed2.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/368620">Why now and why Deep Blue Explorers?For more than three centuries, the treasure of Maurepas has been sitting in an unknown location off the coast of Panama. The shipwreck is protected by the indigenous Guna Yala tribe, who inhabit 49 of the 300 Panaminian San Blas islands. The water surrounding the islands is considered sacred by the Guna people, making it impossible to legally search for the lost treasure. Now, the Guna Yala have decided to share this secret with the DBE-team.To understand why, we have to travel back to 2011 and 10,000 kilometres East. The Ocean X team discovered what is now known as the ‘Baltic Sea Anomaly’, a strange object sitting at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. To this day, no one knows exactly what it is or why it's there. That is, no one besides the Guna Yala. Although its thousands of kilometres away, the Guna Yala believe that the 'Baltic Sea Anomaly' is the interstellar vessel in which their ancestors descended from space. In 2012, a legal representative of the Guna Yala contacted Ocean X to get in touch about not just the anomaly, but also to explore the lost treasure of Maurepas.Besides the hindrance of the pandemic, the long timeline highlights how careful the Guna Yala people are in sharing the details of the lost treasure. After thirteen years of negotiations and conversations, legal agreements have been established, as well as enough trust between the DBE-team and the Guna Yala, to make this expedition a reality. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/368621/image/large-649fd34e338b413999d162950582b455.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/368621">What to expect&nbsp;During a seven-day stay onboard a catamaran or superyacht, guests will get to experience what it’s like to be a modern-day-explorer. Each day, guests dive and explore the sacred waters, sit in on evening lectures about the history of Maurepas, and have the rare chance to share a meal with the Guna Yala while listening to generation-old stories.&nbsp;After spending each day scanning the seabed with a magnetometer, salvage diving and observing the recovery process of the treasure, guests will get to enjoy gourmet meals, prepared by a 5-star chef, while relaxing in air conditioned spaces. &nbsp;Besides guests, the DBE-team and the superyacht's crew, the expedition will also be filmed and turned into a documentary by renowned filmmaker Mikael Flodell. Flodell has played an important role in organising the expedition, sitting in on multiple meetings with the Guna Yala Congress and community leaders, who decide collectively whether something or someone is welcome in their sacred sea. Flodell will film a documentary on searching and finding the Maurepas&nbsp;treasure, with &nbsp;a special focus on the indigenous Guna Yala. By joining this special expedition and featuring in the documentary, guests will receive an additional $25,000 per person.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/101732/image/large-5d41e8900e3471f91cd42627433fad24.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/101732">A luxurious expedition&nbsp;While the DBE-team will take care of all the logistics, equipment, and contact with the Guna Yala, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6954" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pelorus (Company)">Pelorus</a> Travel will take care of the guests. Whether guests want to stay onboard the 16-metre catamaran, Cocoloco, or prefer to stay onboard a large and luxurious superyacht the likes of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16126" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kontiki40.0m (131'3&quot;)Varadero Maridueña2011">Kontiki Wayra</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/116" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="La Dea II49.07m (160'12&quot;)Trinity Yachts2007">La Dea II</a> or <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/19" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird69.5m (228'0&quot;)Feadship2007">Firebird</a>, depends on their personal budget; the trip can be as basic or as luxurious as guests prefer.Each of the three available superyachts are well equipped for the expedition and will all ensure a comfortable stay. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16126" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kontiki40.0m (131'3&quot;)Varadero Maridueña2011">Kontiki Wayra</a> is a boutique yacht by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8353" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Varadero Maridueña (Company)">Maridueña Shipyard</a> that blends wellness and discovery, making her an ideal choice for such a yachting expedition. Built a mere four years ago, this 40-metre motor yacht can accommodate up to 18 guests and 13 crew members, ensuring you’ll explore in comfort. Instead, the 49-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/116" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="La Dea II49.07m (160'12&quot;)Trinity Yachts2007">La Dea II</a>, built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/106" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Trinity Yachts (Company)">Trinity yachts</a>, is a veteran to the open seas. Built in 2007, she can accommodate up to 12 guests and 9 crew members. Another great option is the 70-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/19" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird69.5m (228'0&quot;)Feadship2007">Firebird</a>, built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>, she is the largest superyacht on offer for this treasure hunt and can accommodate up to 17 guests and 19 crew members.No matter what superyacht guests decide on, joining this adventure will be an unique opportunity to find a 300-year-old lost treasure, parttake in a documentary, experience the coast of Panama, and potentially get a percentage of a $24 million treasure.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/293269/image/large-5dc2e2d898917c2a30cf5126450de606.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/293269">This article was initially published in the&nbsp;<a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/p/join-a-24-million-treasure-hunt-in-the-sacred-waters-of-panama" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Yacht Charter Market Newsletter</a>. Sign up for the weekly newsletter&nbsp;<a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">here</a>.

treasure hunt panama

La Dea II yacht anchored

original

small

medium

large

extra_large

Firebird yacht at anchor

Diver Katjana Cabenda

Kontiki Wayra

Deep dive into the protected Guna Yala waters of Panama in search of Maurepas, a 300-year-old treasure

Searching for Maurepas: the lost treasure of King Louis XIV

Born not from market demand but from a visionary’s insistence that nothing afloat quite matched an owner’s ambition of circumnavigating the globe, is <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a>, a 44.2-metre sailing catamaran. Her captain, Gavin Bladen, who has been with the superyacht since her birth, shares the story of how a search turned into a choice to build, eventually allowing the captain, the yacht’s owner as well as charter guests to circumnavigate the globe and experience some of the world’s most spectacular sights along the way.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/258035/image/large-831af2adae2c1c19c203ed188fb6fc4a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/258035">From searching to buildingFollowing a three-month pursuit of finding the right naval architect, the search led to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/39" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="VPLP Design (Company)">VPLP</a> in Paris and architects Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot-Prévost. For a year and a half, Gavin relocated from the Caribbean to sit shoulder to shoulder with the design team in Paris, refining a yacht that would be a purpose-built platform for tropical cruising and global exploration.The initial project began in 2004, yet <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a>, built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a>, wasn’t launched until 2011, when she made her debut at the Monaco Yacht Show. She entered the market as the largest sailing catamaran in the world by length, a title she held for over a decade. Measuring 44.2-metres with a beam of 16.6-metres and a gross tonnage of 499 GT, she remains one of the most voluminous sailing catamarans afloat. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/258054/image/large-26f3f8c149deecb32e98452e17976759.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/258054"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> is designed to accommodate up to 12 guests across five staterooms, two of which are luxurious VIPs which can be joined. A crew of 10, including the captain, ensures smooth sailing across the seven seas while guests can enjoy uninterrupted 360-degree views from the main saloon. Her expansive aft deck and generous flybridge challenge long-held misconceptions about catamaran proportions, and across the entire yacht there is the feeling of spaciousness.The interior, realised by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/25" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Michael Leach Design Ltd. (Company)">Michael Leach Design</a>, is textured, contemporary and, perhaps most importantly, enduring. 14 years on, the original flooring remains in place, having been selected for both aesthetic depth and durability. High-wear materials were specified throughout, with indoor-outdoor fabrics chosen for their high-rub characteristics to be able to endure heavy charter use without compromise. The approach reflects an understanding that true longevity lies not in ornament but in thoughtful selection.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/258057/image/large-d7aa3f89215803385e9eb6e75f4e5420.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/258057">Globe trotter<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> was built for circumnavigation, and has done so three separate times, visiting over 75 countries along the way. From Columbia to the Mediterranean and from India all the way to the Caribbean, there isn’t an ocean <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> hasn’t crossed.For Captain Gavin, who has had the joy of navigating the sailing catamaran and her crew of 10 along on all these adventures, French Polynesia remains the ultimate cruising ground. “If I could only charter in one country for the rest of my life, it would be French Polynesia.”With over four years of experience cruising French Polynesia, Captain Gavin and his crew know the archipelago like the back of their hand. “It’s stunning, the water wildlife is amazing and the diving is phenomenal.” It’s the type of place that leaves a lasting impression on charter guests and crew alike. “There are spots where we can put our guests in the water with 500 to 700 grey reef sharks during a single dive in South Fakarava in the Tuamotus.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394790/image/large-e498eca3b04e1a3bcfa3d7e89794c902.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394790">Such immersion into wildlife is central to the yacht’s ethos. In Papua New Guinea, guests have ventured into rainforest villages to witness fire dancers, while in Australia, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> supported filming ‘Welcome to Earth’ for National Geographic. The episode featuring <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a>, titled ‘Power of Scent’, highlights the relationship of tiger sharks and the critical nesting site for green turtles at Raine Island on the Great Barrier Reef. She became the first foreign-flagged superyacht to legally charter in Australia under the relevant regulations, a milestone that underscores her operational ambition.Captain Gavin has navigated the sailing catamaran to the Norwegian fjords, where guests outfitted with crampons traversed ice and dined next to waterfalls. In New Zealand, charter itineraries combined time cruising through Milford Sound and diving expeditions off Stewart Island with time ashore in varying wine regions. No matter where <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> sails to, the agenda is set to highlight each location’s unique qualities.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/258055/image/large-bd341c48a82ba01379ccaa0fcd0f018b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/258055"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a>&nbsp;for charterWhat makes chartering <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> so special isn’t just that she’s one of the most iconic sailing catamarans to ever be built, nor her incredible chartering route, but also her crew, who feel closer to family than colleagues. Half of Gavin’s current crew has been with him and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> for over eight years, and one crew member has been onboard for 12 years.&nbsp;In today’s industry, the retention of crew is much rarer than when Gavin joined: “When I started in the industry, it was about travelling, about adventure and getting the experience.” Considering the remote destinations the superyacht travels, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a>’s crew remains eager not only to adventure, but to share the experience with both the owner and charter guests too.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> usually sees about 10 to 11 weeks of charter per year, with guests that are as adventurous as her crew, often returning for new voyages across varying regions. Plans for the coming day are discussed between dinner courses, and largely centre around diving and fishing excursions. However, she is also a phenomenal platform for more conventional trips around the Mediterranean; and is outfitted with comprehensive equipment”. The yacht has comprehensive equipment and expertise onboard with the entire crew being well-versed in various water activities. The captain himself comes from a diving background, “I used to be on the great on the Great Barrier Reef”; a place Gavin still loves to take travellers to.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394789/image/large-4f08bf2a54885a2811a70ed54fd56e57.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394789">Sailing towards new horizonsCaptain Gavin and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> are inseparable, having been part of her every bolt placed and kilometre travelled, yet the iconic superyacht is now looking for a new owner, and is for sale with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/159" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Burgess (Company)">Burgess</a>. Ideally the new owner would be someone who is aligned with the yacht’s original vision, someone who is willing to maintain her properly, invest in her crew and continue chartering her across the globe.&nbsp;The captain highlights that it’s about “finding the right person. There's no rush.” The current owner is looking to tidy up certain elements of his life, yet he is still actively travelling with the yacht and has always been active onboard, diving and fishing &nbsp;around the world alongside his friends and family.The bond that exists between the captain, the owner and the yacht is the result of 22 years of working together and seeing some of the most beautiful places in the world; something the captain hopes to share with whomever will come to own <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> next.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/258061/image/large-7da029ca8bbaa54455d5cd21ee70d634.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/258061">

A look at the birth, build and charter of Hemisphere

Step inside the birth, build and circumnavigation of world's most iconic sailing catamaran

home-featured-bottomleft#0

The birth, build and charter of 44m sailing catamaran Hemisphere

This article was first published in the <a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Yacht Charter Market newsletter</a>.Before you even step onboard, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Raja²55.3m (181'5&quot;)Admiral2025">Raja2</a> stands out from the crowd of white and blue hulled superyachts. Hers is a bronze hull stretching 55-metres, glittering under the Mediterranean sun. Delivered in 2025, this <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/570" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Admiral (Company)">Admiral</a> superyacht entered the Mediterranean charter market in her year of delivery, and was a real attention grabber at this year’s <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/335" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MYBA Charter Show - 2026">MYBA Charter Show</a> in Sanremo in late April, where I had the pleasure of stepping onboard, as well as enjoying a delicious al fresco lunch.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389456/image/large-ef112c4eac27f4e46d7e61bec27f7c1f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389456">Designed for community funWhat immediately stands out about <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Raja²55.3m (181'5&quot;)Admiral2025">Raja2</a> is that she’s designed for bringing guests together. Stepping onboard, the beach club immediately stands out, with deck space large enough to lounge around, set up the water toys and dip your toes in the water, creating an easy connection to the sea. The upper foredeck mirrors the spacious and inviting feeling of the beach club, but this area comes with a touch-and-go helipad which also serves as an ideal dancefloor or sunbathing area. Another great spot for guests to come together is the upper deck aft, where guests can enjoy more sunbathing on the sun lounger sofa, or enjoy fine dining around the circular table featuring a lazy susan.&nbsp;The sundeck is an ideal space for guests who like to stay active whilst onboard. Featuring a swimming pool and sunbeds, the space can be transformed into an open-air gym with fabulous views. For those who prefer running on a treadmill, you’ll have to chase the Mediterranean blue from the indoor gym with sliding doors down by the beach club. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395115/image/large-7c2e7570eb2f26bf98747c93a79afb0d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395115"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Raja²55.3m (181'5&quot;)Admiral2025">Raja2</a> has all the water toys that you’d expect of a 55-metre motor yacht, and provides multigenerational entertainment, whether snorkelling, wakeboarding or cruising around on a SeaBob. For those who love to explore the underwater world, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Raja²55.3m (181'5&quot;)Admiral2025">Raja2</a> includes proper diving gear, and for those who like to go fast, there are jetskis, waterskis and a jetsurf onboard.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395117/image/large-3cc1cbee5eb70b3c6f6228550b692d96.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395117">A look insideAnother stand-out feature of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Raja²55.3m (181'5&quot;)Admiral2025">Raja2</a> is her interior design. A unique colour scheme, including shades of black, white, purple and orange, decorates the saloon, located on the main deck. Broad glazing draws natural light deep into the room and reinforces a constant visual connection with the water. A curved deep-toned sofa forms the focal point of the space, softening the room’s otherwise linear framework and introducing a more sculptural note. Low tables, accent chairs and generous floor space create a setting that feels informal yet considered, allowing the saloon to function equally well for socialising and quieter moments onboard.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389462/image/large-a128cc23ddffcb1837a854b198ebc2a5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389462">From here, the interior moves into the dining area, where the mood becomes more dramatic. A circular dining table sits beneath a large tiered chandelier, while an oval ceiling opening above adds height and a more pronounced architectural focal point. The dining area remains visually linked to the exterior, maintaining the spatial openness established in the saloon.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395116/image/large-69a525a1d341aefae2f4b27821ebc617.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395116">Able to accommodate 12 guests across six staterooms, the owner’s suite stretches full-beam and is located on the main deck. The bed forms the centre of the composition and looks out over large windows, which bring natural light into the space. A compact desk and seating area adds a practical layer, reinforcing the stateroom’s role as both private retreat and everyday living space. Decorated in pale upholstery, dark flooring and stone-effect finishes, the owner’s suite established a restrained palette, while mirrored ceiling panels heighten the sense of light and volume.The guest accommodation is located on the lower deck, and includes a VIP stateroom, two doubles and two twins; a sleeping arrangement that is well suited to cater to a broad range of charter groups, including families, friends, and multigenerational groups. Guests staying onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Raja²55.3m (181'5&quot;)Admiral2025">Raja²</a> are cared for by a crew of 11, including the captain.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389465/image/large-356475cd12e2843acceca5208632f630.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389465">Al fresco lunchA standout feature of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Raja²55.3m (181'5&quot;)Admiral2025">Raja2</a> is her crew, and especially their chef. When settling down for an al fresco lunch on the upper deck aft, guests get a waft of whatever deliciousness is being cooked up in the kitchen. During <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/335" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MYBA Charter Show - 2026">MYBA</a>, the chef treated the guests to a lunch that included homemade truffle potato chips, which rotated around the lazy susan in the centre, as well as a floral butter with fresh bread, before moving on to the four-course meal.&nbsp;Not only was the multi-course meal delicious, including a phenomenal steak accompanied by potato purée, and an incredible three-layer chocolate cake for dessert, including the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Raja²55.3m (181'5&quot;)Admiral2025">Raja2</a> logo imprinted on a slab of chocolate. The tablescaping, too, was beautifully designed, including a large mixture of florals in the decorations, alluding to the city of Sanremo, which is known as the ‘City of Flowers’.Whether indulging in the chef’s creations, lounging on the beach club, or floating in the sundeck pool, time onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Raja²55.3m (181'5&quot;)Admiral2025">Raja2</a> is time well spent. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Raja²55.3m (181'5&quot;)Admiral2025">Raja2</a> is for charter with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389455/image/large-432def60a3b8cec921991d12615b1732.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389455">

Raja2: Designed to stand out

Step inside the bronze-hulled 55-metre superyacht Raja2

Not every superyacht that looks good on paper actually delivers where it counts. The 53.8-metre (176-foot) <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/57" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mariotti Yachts (Company)">Mariotti</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2706" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Persefoni I53.8m (176'6&quot;)Mariotti Yachts2012">Persefoni</a> is one that does. Built by the storied Genoese shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/57" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mariotti Yachts (Company)">Mariotti Yachts</a> in 2012, comprehensively refitted in 2023, and managed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6674" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Emperio Yachting Alliance (Company)">Emperio Yachting Alliance</a>, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2706" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Persefoni I53.8m (176'6&quot;)Mariotti Yachts2012">Persefoni</a>&nbsp; has established a reputation as one of the most technically accomplished and operationally proven vessels working the Greek islands charter circuit today.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/392102/image/large-8e949d3ec3ef4642a7416327573908e5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/392102">Volume That Speaks for ItselfAt 928 gross tons across a 10.5-metre beam, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2706" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Persefoni I53.8m (176'6&quot;)Mariotti Yachts2012">Persefoni</a> delivers a volume-to-length ratio that immediately stands out for a vessel of 53.8 meters. That's a number that experienced charter professionals recognize instantly – it translates directly into interior spaces that feel genuinely generous rather than just impressive on a spec sheet.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/392076/image/large-40b19bf550e54df622789db68353f2f4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/392076">Both interior and exterior were conceived by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/58" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Luca Dini Design & Architecture (Company)">Luca Dini Design &amp; Architecture</a>, the Florence-based studio known for interiors that prioritise light, proportion, and the kind of spatial intelligence that ages well. Large-format windows bring the Aegean into every cabin, and the master suite features hydraulic balconies that open directly over the water – one of those details charter guests consistently reference when they rebook. A second balcony accessible from the main deck foyer extends that connection with the sea throughout the vessel.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/392078/image/large-61bedd13977b3718c64ac67d86676697.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/392078">Accommodation is arranged across six staterooms – one master, one VIP, three doubles, and one twin – for up to 12 guests. A crew of 13, managed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6674" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Emperio Yachting Alliance (Company)">Emperio Yachting Alliance</a>, delivers the service levels that drive the kind of broker relationships and repeat bookings that matter most in this segment.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/392089/image/large-6df8f571d7a31a9ccd3372229cb66bc5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/392089"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/392090/image/large-27201d43d05d6f6adaf5844054c58e74.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/392090">Built for Real Passage-MakingThe <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2706" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Persefoni I53.8m (176'6&quot;)Mariotti Yachts2012">Persefoni</a>&nbsp;was engineered for serious blue-water use, not marina appearances. Her Lloyds-classified steel hull and aluminium superstructure reflect <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/57" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mariotti Yachts (Company)">Mariotti Yachts</a>' construction standards, and twin Caterpillar engines deliver a top speed of 17 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots. A 150,000-litre fuel capacity supports an operational range of 5,000 nautical miles – the practical foundation for a Greek islands charter season that covers the Saronic Gulf, the Cyclades, the Ionian Islands, and the Dodecanese without operational compromise. At-anchor stabilisers rated to genuine zero-speed performance ensure the vessel stays completely stable wherever she drops anchor – a detail that matters enormously in the Cyclades when the summer Meltemi builds through the afternoon.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/392094/image/large-b15f94a2461930abaaaafb57de601813.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/392094">A Track Record That Goes Beyond GreeceOne of the details that sets the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2706" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Persefoni I53.8m (176'6&quot;)Mariotti Yachts2012">Persefoni</a> apart for operators evaluating high-visibility event deployments is her well-documented track record at the Monaco Grand Prix. The vessel has served as a VIP hospitality platform at the race – including hosting the McLaren Formula 1 team – in one of the most logistically demanding charter environments in the superyacht calendar. That kind of real-world credential carries weight that a specification sheet simply can't replicate.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/392069/image/large-861590f5ba4f30f0caea414110f028dc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/392069"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/392072/image/large-502533e40c9754fab1763e01c613bdb3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/392072">The Chef, the Crew, and the Water ToysThe <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2706" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Persefoni I53.8m (176'6&quot;)Mariotti Yachts2012">Persefoni</a>'s chef trained at Spondi, one of Athens' finest Michelin-recognised restaurants. On charter in the Greek islands, that means daily menus built around whatever is freshest at whichever harbour market the vessel is anchored near – locally caught fish, Santorini volcanic-soil produce, cold island wines, and the kind of food that makes a Greek islands charter genuinely memorable.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/392074/image/large-5dae5c8c84207f1ecb3b4150994b73fe.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/392074">The water sports lineup includes two <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5777" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yamaha (Company)">Yamaha</a> WaveRunners, two F5S SEABOBs, an E-Foil, paddle boards, kayaks, a wakeboard, and a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a> Jet Tender – all deployed from a dedicated beach club at the waterline.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/392106/image/large-9db53d957946851883360d4077a99bb6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/392106">The 2023 refit updated mechanical systems, guest spaces, and operational infrastructure throughout, ensuring the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2706" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Persefoni I53.8m (176'6&quot;)Mariotti Yachts2012">Persefoni</a>'s <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/57" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mariotti Yachts (Company)">Mariotti</a>-built hull and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/58" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Luca Dini Design & Architecture (Company)">Luca Dini</a> interiors continue to hold their own against vessels of significantly more recent vintage.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/392105/image/large-763cefb8447a27ce24ee4cc96763df2a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/392105">For brokers and charter guests evaluating options in the 50-60-metre segment for the Greek islands season, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2706" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Persefoni I53.8m (176'6&quot;)Mariotti Yachts2012">Persefoni</a> is a vessel worth knowing well.

Persefoni yacht charter Greece

The 54m superyacht Persefoni is the ideal charter yacht for Greek waters and beyond.

From Monaco to Mykonos: Inside the 54m Mariotti yacht Persefoni 

This article was first published in the <a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/" target="_blank">Yacht Charter Market</a> newsletter. <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/newsletter-subscription" target="_blank">Subscribe</a> to never miss an issue. You can read more <a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.Delivered in 2024 to Italian owner Maria Francesca Angelini, is the 49.9-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10672" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Anjelif49.9m (163'9&quot;)Columbus Yachts2024">Anjelif</a>. The yacht is preparing for her second charter season. Yacht Charter Market Editor Leona Caanen sits down with her captain, Yuri Orselli, and chief stew, Elisa Pes to chat about what makes <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10672" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Anjelif49.9m (163'9&quot;)Columbus Yachts2024">Anjelif</a> a stand-out yacht.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/332562/image/large-3a4aba26897caf9ffdb0d3c8afbadd82.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/332562">“I’m very proud to become the captain,” shares Yuri, on joining <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10672" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Anjelif49.9m (163'9&quot;)Columbus Yachts2024">Anjelif</a> earlier this year. “She’s a unique boat with a particular colour and impressive in her design.” Built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6173" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Columbus Yachts (Company)">Columbus Yachts</a>, the 50-metre superyacht sports a metallic bronze hull and superstructure made from aluminium. Elisa, who has been part of the crew for over a year, shares that “I’m very proud to work on this yacht. It’s different from any other yacht; it’s elegant and has unique details.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390907/image/large-878966e624c3be052666ab2b4d926dd9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390907">The yacht features a welcoming atmosphere, emphasised by the use of light colours and large windows throughout the yacht’s interiors. On the lower decks the staterooms also feature natural lighting, complemented by warm lighting integrated seamlessly into the design. The flooring is made with a light wood, which is also shaped as panelling along the walls.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/332548/image/large-53871c0d5dab748470877ff2aaddc827.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/332548">The sentiment of creating a unique, elegant space was first emphasised in an interview SuperYacht Times did with Maria Francesca, stating that “the main priorities were making <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10672" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Anjelif49.9m (163'9&quot;)Columbus Yachts2024">Anjelif</a>modern, eco-friendly, elegant, and sophisticated, with an indoor atmosphere that surrounds people with calm and pure energy.”<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/interview-with-maria-francesca-angelini-owner-of-anjelif?utm_source=yachtchartermarket.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tranquility-at-sea-anjelif-s-crew-on-running-a-successful-charter-yacht" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Read: Owner insight: Maria Francesca Angelini on her 50m Columbus custom yacht Anjelif</a><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/332551/image/large-19de716eeb94011d0446062de5594e06.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/332551">The yacht’s design is well loved by both Yuri and Elisa, and has a layout that facilitates their work and that of the crew without compromising guest experience. With a beam of 9.06 metres, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10672" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Anjelif49.9m (163'9&quot;)Columbus Yachts2024">Anjelif</a> has a wide saloon, broad deck spaces and wide passageways ensuring smooth mobility for crew and guests alike. Another remarkable element is that the crew, which counts eleven, are spread across seven cabins.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/332537/image/large-2bb5e3cc4c780c89ee7063f7dc6d2285.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/332537">Inside, the yacht is designed to be a space of rest and provide a sense of calm to anyone staying onboard. There are five staterooms, able to accommodate 11 guests and are decorated in warm shades of green, yellow and blue, providing a sense of calm for anyone staying aboard. Each stateroom has lots of natural light, and features soft lighting seamlessly integrated into the space’s design. Other spaces of zen inside <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10672" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Anjelif49.9m (163'9&quot;)Columbus Yachts2024">Anjelif</a> are her spacious massage room, gym and sauna.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/332543/image/large-40ee84d983369bab98ec20855ce3fdc7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/332543">The exterior carries this same feeling of calm, and invites guests to come together in a comfortable space, or find their own secluded nook to enjoy some alone time, gazing out across the Mediterranean. One exterior detail chief stew Elisa especially loves is the heated infinity pool, located at the stern of the yacht: “it allows guests to go swimming without worrying about weather and sea conditions.” Whether floating around in the pool, sitting in the Jacuzzi, or enjoying a movie in her open-air cinema, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10672" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Anjelif49.9m (163'9&quot;)Columbus Yachts2024">Anjelif</a> is designed to relax and entertain.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/332554/image/large-2577ea767a4fd3adf9e9fd9f78ef0436.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/332554">A charter, of course, isn’t complete without top-notch cuisine, and this all-Italian team has incredibly high standards. “Of course our chef had to be Italian,” Elisa says, “he is amazing and sets our charter apart from the rest.” Guests can enjoy delicious meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, whether in the dining room, main aft deck, or on the sun deck during sunset.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/332557/image/large-b7fbd13f83ed33f833a96e34b41a5151.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/332557">No matter what guests desire, Elisa ensures that her crew provides the dream charter experience; whether it is planning excursions to historical sites, a delicious family meal, or turning the yacht into a party yacht. “Every week is different, it’s fun for us as crew” she shares. This diversity is precisely why Elisa joined the industry seven years ago: “every day changes, I love this. I meet many interesting people and have the opportunity to visit these beautiful places.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390908/image/large-2353a6579f1636ec10bd40f72f11e074.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390908">For captain Yuri, the diversity is a source of growth. Having started his career in the Italian navy 24 years ago, and over time making the switch to the world of private yachting, his curiosity is endless: &nbsp;“I always want to grow in my career and learn what I can. Captaining a yacht for both private and charter use is a very great experience.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/332572/image/large-e320765de70dc483deb2f0796b9ae980.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/332572">With a crew led by a passionate and experienced captain and chief stew, guests and owner alike are in good hands when onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10672" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Anjelif49.9m (163'9&quot;)Columbus Yachts2024">Anjelif</a>. This upcoming charter season, Yuri and Elisa will cruise the yacht across the Western Mediterranean, with their sights set on the South of France, the Balearics and Greece. For now, Elisa and Yuri are focused on preparing the best possible charter for any guests that steps aboard, motivated by the guest experience of last year: “a charter guest said it was the best charter of his life,” Elisa shares, “this is something I am very proud of.”

captain and chief stew managing 50m Anjelif

The Yacht Charter Market sits down with captain Yuri and chief stew Elisa of the 50m Anjelif

Anjelif's crew on running a successful 50m charter yacht 

This article was first published in the&nbsp;<a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/p/summer-2026-a-mediterranean-escape-onboard-52-metre-sailing-yacht-q" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Yacht Charter Market</a>&nbsp;newsletter. <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/newsletter-subscription" target="_blank">Subscribe</a> to never miss an issue. You can read more <a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.As the summer season approaches, our attention is focusing on the Mediterranean and finding the best yachts to charter along the French Riviera, the Greek coastline, or in the azure waters of Sardinia.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/7782/image/large-5f961fb109ebc0fb3342872cdc0cdf7c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/7782">One sailing yacht that has caught our eye is the 52-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/401" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Q52.0m (170'7&quot;)Alloy Yachts2008">Q</a>. Built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/401" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Q52.0m (170'7&quot;)Alloy Yachts2008">Alloy Yachts</a> in 2008 and refitted in 2024, the ketch features naval architecture and exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/35" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dubois Naval Architects Ltd. (Company)">Dubois Naval Architects</a>, with an interior penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/56" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Reymond Langton Design Ltd. (Company)">Reymond Langton Design</a>.&nbsp;Having just participated in the St. Barth Bucket Regatta, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/401" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Q52.0m (170'7&quot;)Alloy Yachts2008">Q</a> is finishing up her Caribbean season before making her crossing to the Mediterranean, where she will be cruising around the French island of Corsica and the Italian island Sardinia. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/7778/image/large-0446475cabac39f7093b5429d9db7be1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/7778">Onboard the 52-metre ketchAble to accommodate up to 12 guests across 5 staterooms, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/401" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Q52.0m (170'7&quot;)Alloy Yachts2008">Q</a> is designed to bring charter guests together whilst out at sea. Each stateroom sports warm coloured interiors, each with their own colour accent ranging from green to red to orange. The guest staterooms vary in their set up, with two queen sized beds and two twins with pullmans, offering a versatile layout, depending on the group chartering the sailing yacht. The master cabin stretches the full 10-metre beam and has a king size bed, en suite bath and creates the feeling of a sanctuary out at sea.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/250487/image/large-aac8eb3de901cf67f88099ccda51d0e4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/250487"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/401" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Q52.0m (170'7&quot;)Alloy Yachts2008">Q</a>’s interior features a flowing open floor plan, and has ample natural light. The saloon is wrapped in panoramic glazing and provides an uninterrupted connection to the sea. While <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/401" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Q52.0m (170'7&quot;)Alloy Yachts2008">Q</a> has a large dining table on her main deck, most meals are enjoyed up in the cockpit where guests can enjoy a sea view whilst dining.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/250482/image/large-9b65bddb5d9df81a31fa81f19f054aea.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/250482">Her exterior features generous teak decks, an all-weather cockpit with fully retractable windows, flybridge ideal for catching much of the sailing action and a fold-down swim platform, all designed to accommodate guests who desire adventure, as well as those who desire indulgence. Her foredeck features a Jacuzzi, framed by sunpads, ideal for taking in the endless views of Mediterranean blue.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/15658/image/large-87461c3d95e0315685a2b8e08e8e623c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/15658">An Italian GetawayChartering a yacht such as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/401" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Q52.0m (170'7&quot;)Alloy Yachts2008">Q</a>, the itinerary needs to be as spectacular as the ketch itself. A trip onboard the sailing yacht could look a little like this:The sun is climbing up in the sky and, after a proper Italian breakfast consisting of a cornetto e un cappuccino, guests will embark in Olbia, Sardinia and set sail towards the island of La Maddalena, ideal for jumping into to crystal clear waters and testing out the yacht’s amenities, especially her elusive toy collection, including snorkelling equipment, seabobs, a wakeboard, water-ski, paddle boards and various inflatable toys. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/7781/image/large-5962c29a85b800d05f9fcdbc88b4f47c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/7781">Wind up the day with a nice cocktail and al fresco dinner on <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/401" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Q52.0m (170'7&quot;)Alloy Yachts2008">Q</a>’s aft deck, overlooking the sea whilst the sky turns from blue to yellow to purple and pink, before the sun dips into the Mediterranean sea.The next few days can be spent cruising along scenic coastlines and quaint ports the likes of Bonifacio, Lavezzi and Porto Vecchio, before once more heading to Olbia, in Southern Sardinia.

A Mediterranean escape onboard 52m sailing yacht Q

Explore the Mediterranean onboard sailing yacht Q this summer.

This article was first published on the&nbsp;<a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/p/ela-the-heesen-designed-for-the-rhythm-of-charter-life" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Yacht Charter Market</a>.Attending the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palm Beach International Boat Show - 2026">Palm Beach International Boat Show</a> last week, there was an abundance of great charter yachts and even more fantastic crew. One particular yacht that stood out was <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8261" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ela49.9m (163'9&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">ELA</a>, a 50-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>, for charter with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/201210/image/large-8b11464936f4f1b98837b9b8eb496838.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/201210">Welcoming me onboard is chief stewardess Eden, from England. She shows me around the yacht and shares that she’s been with the yacht for a couple of months. Previously she worked on private yachts, but was eager to learn the ropes of a charter yacht. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8261" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ela49.9m (163'9&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">ELA</a> has been a wonderful opportunity as “we’ve cruised around the Caribbean for a full year,” Eden shares, “I’m looking forward to head to the Mediterranean this season.”The tour starts off in the main saloon, where floor-to-ceiling windows offer unobstructed ocean views and an abundance of natural light. An array of blue decorate the mostly white leather furnishings, reflecting the ocean. The interiors feature a warm, dark wooden flooring that creates a soft contrast with the bright interior, which is designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/205" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cristiano Gatto Design (Company)">Cristiano Gatto</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314315/image/large-8087d4300dfd3f956f77ed8aba887602.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314315">The dining table, which can seat up to ten guests, is a unique feature of the saloon. Underneath the semi-opaque glass top sits a light system that allows the table to be lit in soft hues such as purple, blue and green, and even has a disco feature, making it ideal for an evening of festivities.One deck below sits the owner’s suite, stretching full beam. A stunning space with windows stretching from floor-to-ceiling, offering ocean views upon waking and matching the various shades of ocean-blue that colour the space. Furthermore there is a spacious bathroom with a his-and-hers sink as well as a bidet. The closet has ample space and comes with a dedicated shoe rack. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314319/image/large-1e181c4adde07a4b67a58fdf81091525.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314319">Other guests can stay in any of the four remaining staterooms, each of which is decorated in its own earthly shade, complementing the calm energy of the yacht’s interiors. The bedding, towels, and carpet are lined with the colour unique to the room, making each space feel unique. “It makes laundry easier too!” Eden jokes.Another striking feature of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8261" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ela49.9m (163'9&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">ELA</a> is her gym. While frequently placed in the beach club, onboard this <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>, the gym has its own space, and includes a reformer pilates machine, two bikes and a space to lift weights. Also present are a shower and dayhead, and a very spacious sauna.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314359/image/large-b6c1e34a5e2b84cb6b6b75b70778ff95.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314359">Next Eden takes me to the sundeck, which is a dreamy area. It fits a Jacuzzi, a full bar, a long, shaded table for al fresco dining, and sun beds ideal for getting a tan. The view from the sun deck is amazing: now, during the show we seem to be higher up than most surrounding sun decks, offering a great view of the yachts on display and the Palm Beach coastline. Out at sea this would be a great place to hang out whilst cruising along the French or Italian Riviera.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314356/image/large-a38b63b5f26a1095a88c1932b340d85e.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314356">While hard to choose, my favourite spot on the yacht is the fore deck. When the tender is out in the water, the space gets filled by a large cushion, ideal for lounging in the sun, reading a novel or enjoying a morning coffee. It also makes a great space for sipping a cocktail whilst enjoying the sunset, or, once it’s dark, the crew can put up a screen, making it a great spot for a movie night under the stars.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314366/image/large-70cc3106282612d0a7c98a154a24f90a.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314366">What is striking about this <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> yacht, built in 2021 and sitting at 499 GT, is that, while she is a great fit for charter, she’s also a perfect yacht for private use, whether to spend time with your family or with friends. There are ample spaces to come together, whether to relax and sit in the Jacuzzi on the sundeck or enjoy al fresco dining on the main deck while cruising at sea, yet <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8261" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ela49.9m (163'9&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">ELA</a> also has plenty of nooks and corners to escape to and enjoy some down-time, making her a great yacht for any type of guest.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8261" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ela49.9m (163'9&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">ELA</a> is heading to the Mediterranean this summer where she is available for charter with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314363/image/large-2e08625d601f5c67e6dc0273e85e7438.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314363">This article was first published in the&nbsp;<a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/p/ela-the-heesen-designed-for-the-rhythm-of-charter-life" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Yacht Charter Market&nbsp;</a>newsletter. <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/newsletter-subscription" target="_blank">Subscribe</a> to never miss an issue. You can read more <a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.

ELA designed for charter life

YCM takes a look onboard the 50-metre Heesen yacht ELA during the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2026.

ELA: The Heesen designed for the rhythm of charter life

Leona Caanen, Editor of the Yacht Charter Market, sits down with the captain of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4147" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Perseus^360.0m (196'10&quot;)Perini Navi2015">Perseus^3</a>, Burger van der Walt, to discuss the magic of the sailing yacht and her preparation for the St. Barths Bucket Regatta.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388282/image/large-c6bbca71f8349dff6c22ff8dc7f32bc6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388282">You’ve been with Perseus^3 for a long time, can you talk me through your shared history? What drew you to the sailing yacht and what has kept you around? I first started with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4147" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Perseus^360.0m (196'10&quot;)Perini Navi2015">Perseus^3</a> during her build, so we’ve had 13 years together and are still going strong. I took over as captain in 2016, and since then we’ve been around the world, raced in regattas, and built up a charter following which I’m very proud of.&nbsp;I’ve loved to be on the water for as long as I can remember, and through university I taught Yachtmaster courses, so it was a natural step to work onboard sailing yachts. Additionally, their itineraries tend to be more appealing: large sailing yachts have a vast range allowing us to travel further afield and explore more remote areas. Sailing yacht clientele and owners are also different, with a more adventurous approach that can make working onboard very fun.&nbsp;Throughout the years, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4147" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Perseus^360.0m (196'10&quot;)Perini Navi2015">Perseus^3</a> has provided a mix of experiences with racing, cruising off the beaten track, and charter, which have been engaging for all the crew. I’ve also been fortunate to work for an owner whose thirst for discovery and bold sense of adventure have truly defined the experience onboard. He’s ensured <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4147" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Perseus^360.0m (196'10&quot;)Perini Navi2015">Perseus^3</a>’s programme is about exploration and getting the most enjoyment out of our time on the ocean; as you can imagine, it feeds into a work-life that’s very addictive.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388280/image/large-e7329ce4ee4be963dcc326cb1b35c20f.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388280">What is it like to captain such a versatile sailing yacht that can charter, partake in races, and traverse the globe?&nbsp;It’s a challenge but very fulfilling. I have an incredible crew and the experience they deliver to guests has seen some of our charterers return for more - something we love! Having a varied programme helps us keep things exciting for guests. As a captain, it means extensive forward planning. We are always looking ahead to ensure we have everything in place for the trip, charter, or regatta we’re embarking on; even if that means planning two years in advance. For example, the St Barth’s Bucket starts next week but we made our first bookings for it 18 months ago.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388278/image/large-8321fb19af3dfa035b5754ae0b1eb68e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388278">Can you tell me more about your racing experience with&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4147" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Perseus^360.0m (196'10&quot;)Perini Navi2015">Perseus^3</a>?We love to race. It’s a chance to push <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4147" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Perseus^360.0m (196'10&quot;)Perini Navi2015">Perseus^3</a> to her best and each regatta we compete in, we focus on ramping up our performance over the last. Aside from myself and the crew, we have a team of rigging, and professional race crew behind us, and between us all, we plan throughout the year to get the best performance from the yacht. This year we’re going into the regatta with new sails and a few changes to our rating and we’re expecting to gain a few more knots of speed, so I’m looking forward to testing Perseus^3 against the other competitors. Aside from that aspect, bring together yachts, owners, guests and crew, and it’s guaranteed to be a good time. The thrill of racing and the atmosphere of a regatta are something I think everyone should experience, and we always enjoy making sure our guests have a memorable week. The comrade of the race crew is truly something to look forward to.Currently the countdown is on for the St. Barth’s Bucket Regatta! For us, it’s about outdoing ourselves. We know the speeds we achieved in our last regatta and we’re on track to beat them. I want to see the yacht perform at her best and to do it safely. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388281/image/large-ba788071da55d66cce2b4195bce043a5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388281">You’ve recently returned to the charter market, what has Perseus^3 been up to and what are you looking forward to in welcoming charter guests again?Early in 2025 we returned from our trip travelling the globe. It was an incredible experience for both owner and crew, taking us from the beaches of Brazil to the winds of Patagonia, rounding both Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope, exploring the Pacific, voyaging through Australia, to Indonesia and Madagascar and finally South Africa, before making our way to the Mediterranean.&nbsp;We were exclusively private while the owner explored the world over the last few years and came back onto the charter market at the end of last summer. We are just rounding out our charter season in the Caribbean now, and we’re looking forward to the guest trips we have lined up for the Mediterranean later this year. Being back in our old stomping grounds of the Mediterranean and Caribbean has been fantastic - visiting our favourite spots and discovering new ones. We find we have a balance between the two cruising grounds, plus some charter guests who are interested in joining us in both places, which we love; but there’s a strong possibility we’ll be venturing out further afield again soon; watch this space!Guests who are attracted to sailing yachts are often outgoing and adventurous; our charter guests tend to give our watertoys and diving gear a good workout. We have lots of guests onboard who are familiar with motor yachts but who want the thrill of heeling over on a large yacht; something I’m very happy to deliver. I also really like to get guests on the helm so that they can feel the power of a yacht like <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4147" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Perseus^360.0m (196'10&quot;)Perini Navi2015">Perseus^3</a> when she’s under sail. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388279/image/large-8112e96a943264dc57b6df57b2805733.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388279">Are there any specific parts of the journey that have had a lasting impact on you? We’ve been to some incredible places. Right now, we have the glaciers of Patagonia, the culture of the South Pacific, and the West Coast of the USA in our rear view. We have cruised through Australia and spent time amongst the 74 islands of the Whitsundays. From there, we ventured through Komodo and Raja Ampat where the diving, the scenery and the people left an indelible impression on us all. In Madagascar we were greeted by the people of our bosun’s village; a truly touching experience for the crew to see him welcomed home, and that was before the welcome the yacht was treated to! The dancing, the food, meeting the people who had shaped our bosun and enjoying time with his family; it was one of the most emotional points of our journey around the world. But it was the destination after that which has become a hugely significant moment in my sailing career, personally. Leaving Madagascar, the yacht crossed to South Africa where I relieved my co-captain, Darren Rennie and began the journey down the coast and into Cape Town. Twenty eight years ago I was teaching people to sail on Cape Town’s harbour, and dreaming of working on superyachts, so to sail back into the same harbour was a full-circle moment for me. We celebrated with a blast of the cannon as we rounded the Cape of Good Hope, followed by a fantastic welcome home on the dock by the friends and family of our South African crew members. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/303004/image/large-237ed7406b018ae69cf11fc42ef1b63f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/303004">This article was first published in the <a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/p/perseus-3-from-racing-regattas-to-circumnavigating-the-globe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Yacht Charter Market</a> newsletter. <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/newsletter-subscription" target="_blank">Subscribe</a> to never miss an issue. You can read more <a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.

Perseus^3: From racing regattas to circumnavigating the globe

The YCM speaks with the captain of Perseus^3, Burger van der Walt, to discuss the magic of the sailing yacht.

Having closed off the last Mediterranean charter season with her 100th charter, completed over the course of seven years, is <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7527" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Amanda29.68m (97'5&quot;)Couach Yachts2006">Lady Amanda</a>. Responsible for this 30-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/599" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Couach Yachts (Company)">Couach</a> yacht’s success are Tina Collins of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4536" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="West Nautical (Company)">West Nautical</a> and Captain Ashley Oberholzer. The Yacht Charter Market dives into what makes <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7527" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Amanda29.68m (97'5&quot;)Couach Yachts2006">Lady Amanda</a> so special, as she gears up for the upcoming Mediterranean charter season.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/339616/image/large-978be0ec31dfad05adccb7e97d100e50.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/339616">“<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7527" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Amanda29.68m (97'5&quot;)Couach Yachts2006">Lady Amanda</a> is one of the most successful charters of her size range,” notes Tina, Head of Charter Management at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4536" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="West Nautical (Company)">West Nautical</a>. Shortly after last year’s Cannes Yachting Festival, the motor yacht reached the incredible milestone of her 100th charter. The success comes from a mix of the yacht’s wonderful crew, headed by Captain Ashley, and the yacht’s design, which is a mixture of clean, bright aesthetic with a warm wooden finish in her staterooms, as well as her broad selection of watertoys. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/339637/image/large-83477c72e0370cb150eb896db172e74a.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/339637">Captaining&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7527" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Amanda29.68m (97'5&quot;)Couach Yachts2006">Lady Amanda</a>Captain Ashley, who has spent nearly a decade at her helm, speaks about the yacht with a familiarity that shows not only understanding of what the vessel has to offer, but also reveals his vast knowledge of her technical detail. For Ashley, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7527" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Amanda29.68m (97'5&quot;)Couach Yachts2006">Lady Amanda</a>’s appeal begins with the fundamentals: “She’s easy to manoeuvre at slow speeds,” he explains, “and she cruises happily at 21 to 24 knots for up to 16 hours.” Her 1.8-metre draft allows her to anchor where others hesitate, slipping into aquamarine shallows along Sardinia, Ponza, Capri and the Amalfi Coast. That shallow keel opens up an intimacy with the coastline that larger yachts often forgo.The yacht’s builder, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/599" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Couach Yachts (Company)">Couach</a>, is known for its seakeeping pedigree, and Lady Amanda reflects that heritage. Her Kevlar reinforced hull offers a reassuring solidity, while a 20-centimetre keel running along her centre line provides responsiveness in random swells. Her low profile reduces top heavy roll, enabling her to cut through weather when required. Performance here is not bravado. It is confidence.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/339622/image/large-3515d6e63f87ae86f911eeeb05400f67.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/339622">A home on the waterThe yacht, built in 2006, has been refitted in 2021 and is fully equipped for chartering the Mediterranean. Able to host up to ten guests across four staterooms, guests often enthuse about the stateroom configuration: with double-bed staterooms throughout, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7527" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Amanda29.68m (97'5&quot;)Couach Yachts2006">Lady Amanda</a> distinguishes herself from other yachts in a similar size range that often support two double-bed staterooms and two twin-staterooms set-ups. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7527" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Amanda29.68m (97'5&quot;)Couach Yachts2006">Lady Amanda</a>’s configuration makes her the ideal charter yacht, whether hosting a family vacation or a trip with a group of friends.On the main deck, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7527" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Amanda29.68m (97'5&quot;)Couach Yachts2006">Lady Amanda</a>’s saloon is bright and welcoming, creating an ideal space for bringing guests together, whether to lounge on the comfortable, cosy white sofa whilst gazing out of the broad windows, or gathering around the dining table for a family meal prepared by the chef. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/339624/image/large-11a0cc434ed7aead18f0c2b3f9723c44.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/339624">Yet to enjoy <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7527" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Amanda29.68m (97'5&quot;)Couach Yachts2006">Lady Amanda</a> at her best is to spend time lounging outside, whether on the beach club, with easy access into the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean, or on her sundeck, where guests can enjoy the sunset in the Jacuzzi with a cocktail in hand. Her three separate sun lounging areas allow moments of privacy between shared exhilaration, and the sun deck provides a vantage point over harbours that range from Monaco during the Grand Prix to the quieter bays of Sicily and Ponza. No matter where onboard guests find themselves, the views are bound to be great.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/339627/image/large-5a5190df6612eb8e48b1884831391d46.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/339627">Built to entertainPossibly <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7527" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Amanda29.68m (97'5&quot;)Couach Yachts2006">Lady Amanda’s</a> strongest asset is her incredibly large selection of watertoys, including a five metre slide, an ocean pool, a crane swing, seabobs, paddleboards, waterskis, snorkelling, fishing and spearfishing gear and even a golfing pad with biodegradable balls. Her crew of four, including a watersport instructor, love being out on the water with the guests.Captain Ashley refers to the massive selection of water toys as the yacht’s true signature. Launching them is seamless, thanks to generous working deck spaces and a heavy crane capable of deploying slides, jet skis and inflatables with ease. Systems on board are doubled, simplifying maintenance and ensuring reliability during busy back to back charters. For a yacht that has surpassed 100 bookings, such redundancy is not indulgence. It is essential.Tina emphasises this, stating that “I think it's a unique experience with a very attentive crew on board, who love what they do and wish to deliver 100%. She also has an amazing selection of water toys, a great sun deck and a spacious saloon. So it really does have something for everybody.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/78275/image/large-7000fc111f83aef44594fdfac5abae99.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/78275">A Mediterranean gem<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7527" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Amanda29.68m (97'5&quot;)Couach Yachts2006">Lady Amanda</a> operates exclusively in the Mediterranean, a deliberate choice: She was not built for transatlantic crossings or Caribbean circuits. Instead, she thrives in the varied yet contained theatre of the Mediterranean, where waters are ideal for play and scenery shifts dramatically within a single day’s cruising. From the glamour of the Côte d’Azur to the rugged drama of Sardinia’s granite coastline, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7527" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Amanda29.68m (97'5&quot;)Couach Yachts2006">Lady Amanda</a> moves effortlessly with speed and purpose.Captain Ashley recalls whales and dolphins playing off the bow, fireworks in Cannes reflected across the water, and sunset anchorages that render even seasoned travellers momentarily silent. The yacht has hosted families drawn to watersports and open air living, as well as high profile events during the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Formula One. Each charter demands a different rhythm; flexibility is part of the brief.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/339615/image/large-fd074e5219dab0aa6360409f4df3d733.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/339615">A well-loved superyachtTina Collins of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4536" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="West Nautical (Company)">West Nautical</a> has represented <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7527" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Amanda29.68m (97'5&quot;)Couach Yachts2006">Lady Amanda</a> for nearly a decade. She describes the yacht as “a unique experience with a very attentive crew”, a sentiment that echoes through her conversation. Atmosphere, she insists, cannot be purchased. Layouts may resemble one another across the 30-metre segment, yet the feeling onboard is what defines a week at sea. That atmosphere has been carefully cultivated. The crew return season after season, creating continuity that guests sense immediately.&nbsp;In a market saturated with new launches and record breaking dimensions, there is something quietly radical about consistency. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7527" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Amanda29.68m (97'5&quot;)Couach Yachts2006">Lady Amanda</a> dominates her niche with reliability, atmosphere and an unwavering commitment to experience. Onboard, the ultimate charter experience unfolds between spray and sunlight, between shared laughter on the swim platform and the hush of an evening anchorage.To charter her is not simply to book a yacht. It is, as Tina once suggested, to leave feeling “<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7527" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Amanda29.68m (97'5&quot;)Couach Yachts2006">Lady Amanda</a>” yourself.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/339634/image/large-cd6c7af99358b86b7749a20227b68c2b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/339634">This article was first published in the&nbsp;<a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/p/a-100-charters-in-seven-years-this-is-lady-amanda" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Yacht Charter Market</a>&nbsp;newsletter. <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/newsletter-subscription" target="_blank">Subscribe</a> to never miss an issue. You can read more <a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.

A 100 charters in seven years: This is Lady Amanda

Managed by West Nautical is Lady Amande, the 30-metre yacht that completed a 100 charters in seven years.

Last week, Features Editor Leona Caanen attended the inaugural Sydney Charter Show, located at Jones Bay Wharf and organised by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7545" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Australia (Company)">Superyacht Australia</a>. Over the course of a week, the Sydney Harbour was overflowing with the presence of superyachts and sailboats, starting off with the Sydney Charter Show on Sunday 21 and Monday 22 of February, followed by the Australian Superyacht Conference held on Tuesday, February 23.The remainder of the week and weekend saw the preparations of the SailGP and the race on Saturday and Sunday where the iconic Sydney Harbour served as a backdrop. Here’s what you might have missed:<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386838/image/large-175d95569695bfcf11e74c059e17cadd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386838">Sydney Charter ShowWhat used to be just a superyacht soirée, has turned into a proper two-day show, hosted by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7545" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Australia (Company)">Superyacht Australia</a>, which is the peak body for the Australian Superyacht Industry. With a key focus to promote the South Pacific’s international competitiveness as a destination for the global superyacht fleet, as well as to increase visitation of superyachts to Australia and bringing awareness to the capabilities of Australian facilities to service and support visiting vessels’ needs.The debut show saw 19 charter yachts attend, ranging from the 54-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/375" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Baglietto S.p.A. (Company)">Baglietto</a> yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/984" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mischief54.0m (177'2&quot;)Baglietto S.p.A.2006">Mischief</a> with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5102" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ahoy Club (Company)">Ahoy Club</a>, to 27.45-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/119" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Horizon Yachts (Company)">Horizon</a> yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13010" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Orraia27.45m (90'1&quot;)Horizon Yachts2024">Orraia</a> as well as the 36.9-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1475" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lumir36.9m (121'1&quot;)Heesen Yachts2005">Lumir</a>, built in 2025, to the 39.72-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3509" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Faenoe (Company)">Faenoe</a> sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5107" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Cloud39.72m (130'4&quot;)Faenoe1990">Southern Cloud</a>, built in 1990. Other superyachts included <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13010" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Orraia27.45m (90'1&quot;)Horizon Yachts2024">Chaos</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12788" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bluestone 130.9m (101'5&quot;)Gulf Craft 2023">Bluestone</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12154" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Empire29.12m (95'6&quot;)Vicem Yachts2023">Empire</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5647" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Belle29.9m (98'1&quot;)Moonen Yachts2016">Belle</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5814" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rascal35.05m (114'12&quot;)Sunseeker2015">Rascal</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6839" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oneworld31.68m (103'11&quot;)Gulf Craft 2018">Oneworld</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2465" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Little Perle29.18m (95'9&quot;)Moonen Yachts2008">Little Pearl</a>,&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;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4145" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Pamela30.48m (100'0&quot;)Azimut Yachts2000">Lady Pamela</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/805" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Evolution 139.0m (127'11&quot;)Oceanfast2008">Evolution</a>, as well as a few yachts under 24 metres.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386837/image/large-ac0da85bb823e7037bbe2ed82a21e0f5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386837">The show took place at Jones Bay Wharf, and featured the iconic Harbour Bridge and the Star Casino as the backdrop. Brokers, event sponsors, owners and potential charter clients roamed the dock during the two day event, with the Sunday being open to the general public. Monday featured a Media Morning, hosted by Melinda Frowde of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7545" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Australia (Company)">Superyacht Australia</a>, for lunch, brokers were invited by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5102" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ahoy Club (Company)">Ahoy Club</a> onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/984" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mischief54.0m (177'2&quot;)Baglietto S.p.A.2006">Mischief</a> to enjoy a three-course meal. The second day of the charter show concluded with welcome drinks for Tuesday’s conference.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386848/image/large-bd4a199879df2ee4571aa34d7a13e318.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386848">Australian Superyacht ConferenceOn Tuesday, attendees flocked to the Dolton House in Jones Wharf Bay where <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7545" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Australia (Company)">Superyacht Australia&nbsp;</a>hosted the Australian Superyacht Conference. The conference included eight speaker sessions with various industry experts and focused on putting Australia and the greater South-Pacific on the global yachting map, as well as solutions to overcome hurdles still in the way.The event was kicked off by an opening speech from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7545" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Australia (Company)">Superyacht Australia</a> CEO and Master of Ceremonies, David Good, followed by a welcoming speech from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Echo Yachts (Company)">Echo Yachts</a>’ Marketing Director, Chris Blackwell. Chris highlighted that this conference is “positioning Australia not just as a cruising ground but as a competent builder” and to place Australia on the map as a “first choice cruising ground.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386847/image/large-97e0760ecd3711ae1ea4e15f7f725784.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386847">The first speaker session saw captain and author Brendan O’Shannassy share the story of how he ended up becoming a superyacht captain, before shifting to the current challenges Australian crew are facing and how local laws impact possible yachties. Ending on a high note, Brendan highlighted the value for young Australians to explore the superyacht experience, both within Sydney and greater Australia, as well as gaining valuable experience in Europe and the Caribbean and bringing that back to the South Pacific.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386854/image/large-600a473b817ed4200448af659ef2d0f0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386854">The second session was a Q&amp;A, where David Good conversed with Tom Slingsby, a competitive sailor, Olympic Gold Medalist (2012), and SailGP three-time consecutive world champion, alongside Laura Esteve from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1850" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="BWA Yachting (Company)">BWA Yachting</a>. Laura has been working closely with the SailGP team to bridge the gap of yachting to sailing, and brings superyachts to the edge of the race course for spectators to enjoy a prime view of the race, working to immerse spectators in the event through their Adrenaline Yachts programme.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386853/image/large-badd699f1f273412b60f00ac774f78b6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386853">Following a mid-morning break, the next sessions saw Mike Sager, from Ankor, discuss how the industry is rapidly changing, especially relating to charter, and the role that software and AI can play in facilitating not only guest experience, but also the work happening behind the scenes. Mike was followed by Eleanor K. Roi, from the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8430" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Maritime Cook Islands (Company)">Maritime Cook Islands</a>, who highlighted how yachts operating under the Cook Islands flag creates a sense of confidence when moving across the region.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386852/image/large-a8bf87bd9e03e9134e35fa908f00ba61.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386852"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386840/image/large-fd03c9e37da02317759b359db1e796c3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386840">After lunch had been served, the next session was a panel discussion between Cameron Bray from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7294" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Superyacht People (Company)">The Superyacht People</a>, Jeff Pfaff from Tax Navigate Australia, and Kane Bygrave from Aurora Logistics on the challenges faced by foreign flagged vessels in the region, and the tax implications present both for foreign and local flagged vessels.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386839/image/large-12d56a934432f161d73f8f17cba6e55a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386839">From there, the conference shifted its focus on the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, explored by Stephen Joyce from the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7545" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Australia (Company)">Superyacht Australia</a> team, who emphasised that the Olympics comes with a wonderful opportunity to host a lot of superyachts. Stephen continued by sharing the steps already being undertaken to ensure marinas can house large superyachts, ensuring local suppliers are ready for a high demand of their products (i.e. wines, meats, dairy, vegetables), and organising for nearby airports to serve as parking spaces for private jets that are unable to park at Brisbane airport.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386851/image/large-c9eecadf3956ec4de98acd5174e53584.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386851">Next was Zac Bailey, maritime lawyer and principal at Indo-Pacific Solutions, who spoke about compliance laws that are coming into effect this June, and what that means for the yachting industry. Zac's presentation, titled "Navigating the 2026 Compliance Horizon: Offshore Structures, Tax Residency, and the Operational Advantage of Being Ready" emphasised that, while these compliance laws might seem tricky, they are already the norm in Europe and the Americas, and are aimed to create a more transparent, less risk-averse industry.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386849/image/large-07d75d22672189057fc81d4a7e37f5c4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386849">The conference’s final speaker was Melissa White from the International Seakeepers Society, an organisation that bridges the gap between science, conservation and the yachting community. Guided by a deep commitment to ocean conservation and education, Melissa, who serves as Director of the Seakeepers South Pacific, highlighted how her organisation leads regional initiatives, partnerships, and programs that join up superyachts and advance marine science and stewardship, and creates access to research opportunities across the Pacific.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386850/image/large-09e0bfdf8eca4ae1ad64a959a4c2b7f0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386850">The biggest takeaway from the Australian Superyacht Conference is that the South Pacific is not only ready, but also eager to welcome an increasing number of superyachts. Any hurdles in its path are not just thought of, but are actively being discussed and solved.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386856/image/large-9422445f80dde749215c14baf90bd019.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386856">SailGPThe last piece of this week’s puzzle was the attending of the various SailGP events. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1850" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="BWA Yachting (Company)">BWA Yachting</a> manages and delivers the SailGP Adrenaline Yachts Program, a premium superyacht experience taking place at nearly each SailGP event across the globe, including Sydney, Bermuda and Auckland. Adrenaline Yachts welcomes superyachts to the races, positioning them in the front row where guests and crew witness the thrills, spills, daring manoeuvres and near misses as the boats push their limits racing.On Thursday evening there were welcome drinks and a captain’s brief for the eleven attending superyachts at the Sydney SailGP, discussing where to position the yachts, how the markers move throughout the race, channels of communication and ensuring everything would run smoothly over the weekend. &nbsp;The following day included a tech-tour, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the F50s (the racing boats) are made, where the teams train when not on the water, and the opportunity to meet some of the racers.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386855/image/large-a1b950fd31c4825d210a247701caba3c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386855">Saturday was the first race day where teams strive to collect as many points as possible. Sunday the real magic happened, as eleven superyachts, many of which also attended the charter show, set out on the water into the VIP zone, ready to spectate the four races. Three of those races were aimed at gaining points to qualify for the finals, which was the fourth race of the day. Spain, Great Britain and the United States qualified, with the United States claiming their first victory in over three years.

What you missed: Sydney Charter Show, Australian Superyacht Conference and SailGP

All you missed at last week's inaugural Sydney Charter Show, the Australian Superyacht Conference and the Sydney SailGP.

What you missed down under: Sydney Charter Show, Australian Superyacht Conference & SailGP

Arctic: Onboard with Captain Paul Crierie

Sophie Spicknell sits down with Captain Paul Crierie to find out more about the history of the 88m converted deep sea salvage tug Arctic.

Video: Onboard the 88m Guinness World Record yacht Arctic with Captain Paul Crierie

The 49.8-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6105" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Daisy D49.8m (163'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2018">Daisy D</a> sold in a deal with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1550" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marine Marketing (Company)">Marine Marketing</a> introducing the buyer, alongside Nathan Farrelly of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/124" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Edmiston (Company)">Edmiston</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4795" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="One Brokerage Australia (Company)">One Brokerage Australia</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397051/image/large-5a5dce9decb30e6d016cb98d7fde34c4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397051">Delivered in 2018 as part of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> 5000 Semi-Displacement series, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6105" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Daisy D49.8m (163'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2018">Daisy D</a> features exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega Architects</a>, with interior design penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/205" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cristiano Gatto Design (Company)">Cristiano Gatto Design</a> and naval architecture by her Dutch builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen Yachts</a>.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6105" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Daisy D49.8m (163'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2018">Daisy D</a> can comfortably accommodate up to 12 guests across a six stateroom configuration, with her master suite situated on the main deck forward, while her VIP suite, two doubles and two twin staterooms can be found on the lower deck.In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6105" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Daisy D49.8m (163'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2018">Daisy D</a> is equipped with twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a> engines, which propel her to a top speed of 23 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots. At the time of the sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6105" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Daisy D49.8m (163'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2018">Daisy D</a> had a last known asking price of €28,500,000.&nbsp;

Daisy D: 50m Heesen yacht sold

The 49.8-metre Heesen superyacht Daisy D sold, with a last known asking price of €28,500,000.

50m Heesen superyacht Daisy D sold

The 30.48-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/466" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hatteras Yachts (Company)">Hatteras</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunday Money30.48m (100'0&quot;)Hatteras Yachts2001">Sunday Money</a> sold in a deal with Iain Lawrie of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/322" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merle Wood & Associates, Inc. (Company)">Merle Wood &amp; Associates</a> introducing the buyer and Michael Zaidan of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5149" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Borden and Associates Yacht Sales (Company)">Borden &amp; Associates Yacht Sales</a> representing the seller.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397019/image/large-1adf3cf22ae9625acf3be275898f7595.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397019">Delivered in 2001, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunday Money30.48m (100'0&quot;)Hatteras Yachts2001">Sunday Money</a> features exterior design and naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/326" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Hargrave (Company)">Jack Hargrave</a>. Spanning 180 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunday Money30.48m (100'0&quot;)Hatteras Yachts2001">Sunday Money</a> can comfortably accommodate up to 10 guests across a five stateroom configuration.&nbsp;In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunday Money30.48m (100'0&quot;)Hatteras Yachts2001">Sunday Money</a> can reach a top speed of 24 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots, thanks to twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1497" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Detroit Diesel (Company)">Detroit Diesel</a> engines. At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunday Money30.48m (100'0&quot;)Hatteras Yachts2001">Sunday Money</a> had a last known asking price of $1,450,000.(Image courtesy of Merle Wood &amp; Associates.)

Sunday Money: 31m Hatteras yacht sold

The 30.48-metre Hatteras motor yacht Sunday Money sold with a last known asking price of $1,450,000.

31m Hatteras motor yacht Sunday Money sold

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"

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom Yacht Equipment</a>&nbsp;has earned a prominent position in the superyacht supply chain for its bespoke boarding equipment, platforms, cranes, watertight doors and integrated control systems. Yet the engineering philosophy behind its custom-designed solutions is based on a resolutely modular approach.When Mervyn van der Ploeg was appointed managing director of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom Yacht Equipment</a> in 2015, the company was going through a bad patch. It routinely redesigned everything from scratch for each new yacht project, leading to prototype-level inefficiencies and financial strain. A small but telling example is that it used to produce 32 different types of locking pins. Today, through a process of standardisation and modularisation, that number has been reduced to just two sizes.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396743/image/large-c20dda6c39f046eea94eaa71057b9e2c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396743">“Previously, when designing a platform for a yacht, four different locking pins might have been specified, requiring multiple suppliers,” explains van der Ploeg. “Now, we buy 200 locking pins per year in two sizes from a single supplier at half the cost.”The process began by redesigning a prototype passerelle from scratch using a fully modular approach, which then became a template for other equipment. While remaining a supplier of custom equipment, modular components are now reused across <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a>’s product range, reducing design complexity and streamlining production.“A key technical insight came from looking outside the yachting industry,” continues van der Ploeg. “For example, swivel joints originally designed for excavators have been incorporated into our gangways. These components are proven, industrial-grade and standardised, which means we can build highly reliable systems without reinventing core mechanisms.”In the ten years since van der Ploeg joined the company, turnover has more than doubled from €12 million to €25 million, driven by increased efficiency along with larger yachts and a rising demand for integrated equipment.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396739/image/large-d48d0f06ceeb5a00cfda9bafe1c96878.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396739">Make it modularThe spin-off from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a>’s modular way of thinking are innovations designed to maximise open space while eliminating visual clutter. Many of these solutions revolve around relocating drive systems into hinge lines and the platform structures themselves. In one recent project, a large side platform was initially conceived as two separate elements with a manually installed infill piece. While technically feasible, it was operationally awkward. Instead, by introducing an internal hinge drive already proven elsewhere, the entire system was re-engineered as a single monolithic platform. The infill was eliminated, deployment became faster, crew workload was reduced, and the geometry became cleaner.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396744/image/large-4feaec6057dc57f70fe27a2f2a88296b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396744">The Sliding Stairs Access Hatch is another example. Developed in response to a request to optimise the passage from the main deck to the beach platform on <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship’s</a> 79.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11677" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Valor79.5m (260'10&quot;)Feadship2025">Valor</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a>’s engineers merged door, hatch and boarding equipment components to create a completely new solution. Essentially, the staircases on each side of the pool form the hatch itself, with half of each staircase retracting into the deckhead like a gangway to provide access to the beach club.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396742/image/large-bd76338bca2c0e5436acede35e416f93.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396742">“This marked a next step in modular engineering for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a>,” says van der Ploeg. “Our approach not only accelerated the development process, but also showed how modularity enables flexible, cross-disciplinary solutions without compromising quality.”As both staircases form part of the watertight boundary of the vessel certified by Class, one of the main challenges was ensuring watertight integrity, given the angle at which the stair hatches are installed, as well as aligning the treads between the hatches and the fixed structures. In fact, sealing has become a central issue as stern structures grow more complex – folding, rotating and closing at compound angles. While inflatable seals are often the go-to solution and offer excellent theoretical performance, they also represent a single point of failure. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> typically prefers D-profile rubber seals, which wear gradually, remain locally manageable, and allow temporary mitigation.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396741/image/large-cf52ffb86158af5f4ac7a5922058d9b5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396741">“This approach is especially critical for Lloyd’s-certified watertight items such as split transom doors closing at different angles, where corners and junctions between curved surfaces become critical failure points,” van der Ploeg points out.Such solutions highlight how <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> has evolved beyond developing hardware to innovating the onboard experience, a strategy that has resulted in multiple patented solutions, from pop-up gangways embedded in the stern platform to protective cabrio covers engineered to fold, stack or nest completely out of sight when not in use. At the last edition of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Metstrade (Company)">Metstrade</a>, the company presented five interactive aft deck models through immersive 3D visualisations showcasing how engineering, design and user experience increasingly converge in the early phases of yacht development.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396745/image/large-b406b1bef2a73b0811b05344a273be7e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396745">Under controlAnother defining feature of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a>’s approach is that its control systems and programming are all developed in-house. Precise timing between electronic commands, hydraulic oil flow and mechanical motion is critical, as are programmed delays that account for inertia and mass. Most systems employ frequency-driven power packs rather than simple on/off hydraulics, resulting in smoother movement, lower noise levels and the elimination of hydraulic ‘hammer’ effects. Automated operating cycles manage sequencing, speed and end-of-stroke deceleration automatically, reducing the risk of impact damage and operator error. Before delivery, full functional testing is carried out in-house, often with owner representatives present.Enclosed helicopter lifts represent some of the most complex control systems <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> has delivered. On yachts such as the 85.95-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/234" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ecstasea85.95m (281'12&quot;)Feadship2004">Ecstasea</a>, the 96.6-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5936" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sophia96.6m (316'11&quot;)Feadship2017">Sophia</a> (ex-Faith), 99-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2074" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Madame Gu99.0m (324'10&quot;)Feadship2013">Madame Gu</a> and the 102.6-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10678" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ulysses102.6m (336'7&quot;)Feadship2024">Ulysses</a>, these lift assemblies rely on synchronised spindles and highly precise control algorithms to ensure uniform vertical motion. Ironically, real-world usage of helicopter lifts has revealed an interesting pattern:&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396746/image/large-793a08021cda2fc7bab19c3cd8f1a821.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396746">“On some yachts, the heli hangars are no longer actively used and instead function as static storage platforms,” reveals van der Ploeg. “In such cases, owners may even suspend servicing altogether – an illustration of how operational reality can diverge from original design intent.”Developments in control systems are being matched by advances in data intelligence. During the COVID period, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> expanded its remote-support capabilities and identified a recurring issue: when faults occur, crews often cannot describe what happened beyond “pressing the button”. To address this, its latest systems incorporate data logging that records each operating cycle, sequence order, timing, load condition and fault event with precise timestamps.“When an issue arises, engineers can trace it back to the exact operating condition that caused it,” explains van der Ploeg. “While still being rolled out primarily on new-build projects, data logging represents a shift towards evidence-based rather than purely scheduled maintenance.”Across <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a>’s predominantly hydraulic product range, failures rarely originate in the actuators themselves. Instead, the most vulnerable areas are where forces converge – locations where multiple loads are transferred into a single structural interface. Passerelles are a prime example:“Forces are transmitted through long, slender structures back to a limited number of mounting points,” explains van der Ploeg. “When additional functionality is introduced, such as lateral slewing rather than straight-line deployment, those forces increase substantially.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396750/image/large-74a75f9786460908e4bf98d749448420.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396750">Bonding and bolt-inSome <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> passerelles now extend up to 16-metres in length, pushing the limits of lightweight structural engineering while maintaining stiffness, safety margins and regulatory compliance. Designing these interfaces requires careful attention to geometry, material thickness and fatigue behaviour.Marine-grade aluminium remains the primary structural material, selected for its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. Steel is used selectively in high-load interfaces where stiffness and wear resistance are critical. Carbon fibre has also been deployed strategically, particularly in the outermost sections of passerelles. Reducing mass at the extremity lowers bending moments throughout the structure, enabling greater reach without adding reinforcements.&nbsp;A more recent addition to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a>’s fabrication methodology is the introduction of structural adhesive bonding. In lightweight aluminium constructions, particularly passerelles, welding thin sections sometimes caused unacceptable deformation due to heat input. To address this, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> now uses a hybrid method: components are positioned with bolts to prevent movement, while the structural adhesive provides the primary load-bearing bond. In this configuration, the bolts act purely as locators and the adhesive carries the load.Another key evolution is the move towards bolt-in housings for boarding equipment such as passerelles and swim ladders. Historically, these housings were built directly into the hull, placing installation and testing squarely on the shipyard’s critical path. This new approach uses self-contained housings that are assembled and factory-tested in-house, accepted by owners or representatives, and installed later as plug-and-play units.“Once delivered, the housing is bolted into place, hydraulics and electrics are connected, and functionality is assured – eliminating the risk of delays, rework and repainting,” says van der Ploeg.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396752/image/large-1ea3884318d73cd6441f8d9cf8801f9c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396752">Breaking outSolely owned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4951" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Koninklijke De Vries Scheepsbouw (Company)">Koninklijke De Vries,</a> until recently <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> worked exclusively within <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>. It is now pursuing a more open strategy, with roughly 60% of turnover derived from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> new-build projects, 25% from service and refit work on existing <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadships</a>, and the rest from other shipyards – a share that continues to grow as the company expands its marketing network.An early major non-<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> contract was with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4644" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="AKYACHT (Company)">AKYACHT</a> in Turkey for its 120-metre-plus project (NB012) due for delivery in 2030. Another is the new <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/201" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ISA Yachts (Company)">ISA</a> Custom 80 currently under construction at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/201" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ISA Yachts (Company)">ISA Yachts</a> in Ancona. The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/201" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ISA Yachts (Company)">ISA</a> client, an experienced <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> charterer, specified <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> to supply the boarding systems with which he directly interacts – in total, five independent mechanical systems with fully integrated control logic.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396754/image/large-0eae94a6e941a08764d18f82632bee1f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396754">Across all these developments, a clear evolution emerges. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> has progressed from boatbuilder to specialist supplier, system integrator and, ultimately, lifestyle collaborator. Each project begins by asking what experience the owner, designer or shipyard wants to achieve. From there, complexity is carefully analysed and engineered so that systems are notable precisely for their absence – seeming to disappear once installed, leaving spaces that feel more open, intuitive and fully resolved.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396753/image/large-24074ca4b4f597fe6f6d7ba61d16b96a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396753">

Standardising the bespoke: The engineering behind custom superyacht equipment

Akerboom Yacht Equipment explains how modular engineering is reshaping its custom superyacht boarding systems, platforms, cranes and control systems.

The fourth 53.25-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a> YS53 yacht support <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</a> has been delivered to her owner, following her launch in March 2026 from the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a> facility in Antalya, Turkey. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397013/image/large-c33b6dbec1e5da99757b484375d47d5b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397013">Designed to operate either alongside a mothership or independently, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</a> has been crafted in-house by her builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a>, which were responsible for her interior, exterior and naval architecture.&nbsp;Created around family experiences, shared moments on the water and operational purpose <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</a> will now serve as a purposeful extension of her owner's fleet, where she has been developed to provide additional space, support and flexibility.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397012/image/large-e7a8adfa9276e3affbe8d0454cf3c3d4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397012">"From the outset, &nbsp;there was a clear vision for how the owner wanted to use YS53 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</a> and the role she would play within the fleet," explained Rob Dolling, Owner’s Representative. "Together with Damen Yachting, we were able to translate those wishes into a vessel that is highly functional, personal and closely aligned with the owner’s programme."<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</a> can comfortably accommodate up to eight guests, as well as 10 crew plus her captain. Her interior reflects the owner’s personal style, combining timeless elegance with Old English influences throughout. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397011/image/large-c5c4c4fd9fd1617d2fa194c1f00b061d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397011"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</a> boasts the brand’s signature axe bow, while her reinforced deck supports touch-and-go helicopter operations. With a generous open main deck of more than 200 square-metres, this versatile space can be used for large tenders, toys and specialised equipment.This is complemented by a 15-tonne crane, enabling the handling of substantial tenders and heavy loads. With a volume just shy of 500 GT, she can accommodate up to eight guests, along with a crew of eight.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397010/image/large-d904abeb9d80368dab56f223768c6958.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397010">"As the fourth Yacht Support 53 delivered by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a>, she reflects the versatility of the Yacht Support range within modern superyacht ownership and has been created with a very clear purpose," concluded Jan van Hogerwou, Commercial Executive USA.Crafted with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</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, which provide her with a cruising speed of 12 knots and a top speed of 19 knots. Once her sea trials are complete, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</a> will prepare for delivery to her owner. &nbsp;

Rafter: Fourth Damen Yachting YS53 yacht on sea trials

The fourth 53.25-metre Damen Yachting YS53 yacht support Rafter has been delivered following her launch in Antalya, Turkey in March 2026.

Fourth Damen Yachting YS53 yacht support Rafter delivered

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/895" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lusben Shipyard (Company)">Lusben</a> has completed the refit of the 37-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a> Classic 120 yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1886" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kos37.5m (123'0&quot;)Benetti SpA2009">Kos</a>, following a comprehensive programme of works spanning structural modifications, onboard systems, technical upgrades, exterior areas and interiors. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396976/image/large-40153e77114e1432e88b74a33b05ac53.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396976">Built in 2009 by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1886" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kos37.5m (123'0&quot;)Benetti SpA2009">Kos</a> forms part of its Classic 37 series, featuring exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/254" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Stefano Righini Design (Company)">Stefano Righini Design</a>, interiors by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/67" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zuretti Interior Design (Company)">Zuretti Interior Design</a> and naval architecture developed in-house by her builder.The refit of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1886" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kos37.5m (123'0&quot;)Benetti SpA2009">Kos</a> commenced in August 2025 shortly after the yacht was acquired by her new owner and was completed in approximately six months through the coordinated efforts of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/895" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lusben Shipyard (Company)">Lusben</a>'s project management team, specialised technicians, skilled craftsmen and interior designer Laura Rossi. According to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/895" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lusben Shipyard (Company)">Lusben</a>, the programme was undertaken with the aim of improving operational efficiency, enhancing the onboard experience and extending the yacht's service life.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397008/image/large-c77ef9362600c70fc7acbd85faee16f2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397008">From the outset, the owner and project team sought to preserve the yacht's original layout and distinctive character while improving her functionality, comfort and the perception of space. On the main deck, the refit scope included the installation of new full-height windows in her main saloon alongside the reconfiguration of the staircase area between the main and upper decks.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397007/image/large-91d720dd0c041da15a467ac85b61b3da.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397007">Laura Rossi oversaw the interior redesign, introducing what <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/895" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lusben Shipyard (Company)">Lusben</a> described as "greater fluidity, brightness and visual continuity." A new transparent balustrade around the staircase would allow natural light to flow between decks, while satin-finish glass panels replaced selected opaque surfaces in the corridors. New fabrics and materials were also integrated throughout the guest accommodations to enhance comfort, durability and ease of maintenance.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397009/image/large-f3728f4818fd2bd0f7063bd374fc9a4e.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397009">"<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1886" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kos37.5m (123'0&quot;)Benetti SpA2009">Kos</a> does not deny what she has been, nor does she try to become something else," commented Rossi. "The project was conceived to lighten, simplify and enhance the yacht's original identity, creating spaces that are brighter, more fluid and more natural to experience every day."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397006/image/large-04998d04550196299f04c73e269ea5f1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397006">In addition to the living areas, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/895" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lusben Shipyard (Company)">Lusben</a> carried out a myriad of technical upgrades involving the main engines, generators and essential onboard systems. The entire lighting system was replaced with energy-efficient LEDs, while the bridge and onboard electronics were updated to make them easier to use and improve navigation safety. Exterior works included restoring the teak decks, reconfiguring the sundeck after removing the existing Jacuzzi and completely repainting the hull and superstructure.&nbsp;

Lusben completes refit of 37m Benetti yacht Kos

Lusben has completed an extensive refit of the 37m Benetti Classic yacht Kos.

37m Benetti yacht Kos completes extensive refit at Lusben

The 25.75-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/130" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonen Yachts (Company)">Moonen</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moon River 25.75m (84'6&quot;)Moonen Yachts2003">Moon River</a> sold in a deal with David Legrand of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser</a> introducing the buyer and Derk Jan Rolff of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5652" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Holland Yacht Connection (Company)">Holland Yacht Connection</a> representing the seller. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/346966/image/large-acba5ebb2d4596b138324b59ae61deb9.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/346966">Delivered in 2003 as part of the Moonen 84 series, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moon River 25.75m (84'6&quot;)Moonen Yachts2003">Moon River</a> features exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/240" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marimecs BV (Company)">Marimecs</a>, interior design penned in-house by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/130" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonen Yachts (Company)">Moonen Yachts</a> and naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/241" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="René van der Velden Yacht Design (Company)">René van der Velden Yacht Design</a>.Spanning 115 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moon River 25.75m (84'6&quot;)Moonen Yachts2003">Moon River</a> can comfortably accommodate up to eight guests across a four stateroom configuration on the lower deck, with her full-beam master suite situated amidships, alongside a VIP at her bow and two twin staterooms.&nbsp;In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moon River 25.75m (84'6&quot;)Moonen Yachts2003">Moon River</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, which provide her with a top speed of 12 knots and a cruising speed of 11 knots. At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moon River 25.75m (84'6&quot;)Moonen Yachts2003">Moon River</a> had a last known asking price of €2,200,000.&nbsp;(Image courtesy of Holland Yacht Connection.)

Moon River: 26m Moonen yacht sold

The 25.75-metre Moonen motor yacht Moon River sold with a last known asking price of €2,200,000.

26m Moonen motor yacht Moon River sold

As contemporary superyacht design continues to prioritise light, openness and seamless connections to the sea, glass has evolved from a purely functional element into a defining aesthetic feature and, with the use of significantly larger glass panels, has become an essential structural component. Expansive glazing now shapes not only the visual identity of a yacht but also its engineering framework, requiring a far more integrated and technically rigorous approach.For German specialist <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3829" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TILSE Glass (Company)">TILSE</a>, this shift represents both an opportunity and a responsibility – to ensure that increasingly ambitious designs are matched by uncompromising structural integrity, durability and precision.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/293944/image/large-ecdb75ea245212d313561b3fadf7f87c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/293944">Integrating glass from the concept stageLarger glass surfaces have fundamentally changed how glazing is approached in yacht construction. No longer a late-stage addition, glass must be embedded into the superstructure concept from the earliest design phases, with engineers analysing how forces move through the pane, adhesive bond and surrounding structure.Unlike static architectural environments, yachts operate under continuous dynamic loads, with hull flex, vibration and thermal variation all influencing performance. Safety margins must therefore reflect real marine conditions, while thickness, laminate composition, bonding strategy, edge detailing and installation methodology all need to be considered from the outset.Early collaboration is essential. By working with designers and naval architects at the concept stage, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3829" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TILSE Glass (Company)">TILSE</a> helps ensure that visual ambitions are achievable without compromising technical feasibility, long-term serviceability or structural integrity. This proactive approach allows glazing to do more than fit within a design – it helps shape the structural logic of the vessel, balancing elegance with engineering robustness.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/286853/image/large-74c88213b1c3eba82cf06fc659c13e71.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/286853">Bonding as a safety-critical interfaceOne of the most significant technical challenges is bonding glass – which is inherently brittle – to aluminium or steel structures that move, flex and expand differently under load and temperature change. The adhesive joint must do more than hold the panel in place: it must accommodate movement, transfer loads safely and maintain integrity under UV exposure, salt, humidity and vibration.“The real challenge is not only the glass pane itself, but the interface between glass and a structure that is constantly moving at sea.”As panel sizes increase, this interface becomes even more critical, since minor mismatches in movement, geometry or application can have amplified consequences. Bond thickness, surface preparation, laminate compatibility and UV protection must therefore be precisely controlled. In superyacht glazing, adhesive design is not a detail – it is part of the safety concept, and a well-engineered bond line underpins both structural integrity and long-term durability.Simulation and real-world performanceFinite Element analysis helps validate glass performance, particularly in complex or non-standard applications, by modelling the interaction between glass, adhesive and supporting structure under realistic marine loads. This allows engineers to identify stress points, optimise designs and support conditions, and mitigate deflection risks early in the project lifecycle.Unlike building façades, yacht structures are subject to continuous movement, making accurate modelling essential. Long-term factors such as moisture ingress, ageing and laminate degradation must also be assessed, as they can directly affect load-bearing capacity.As glass panels grow in size, tolerances become increasingly critical. Millimetre-level deviations in shaping or installation can influence load distribution and compromise both structural performance and visual alignment. Handling and installation of large panes have therefore become technical operations in their own right, requiring precise three-dimensional measurement and meticulous execution.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/333152/image/large-73662ca86854e3909e622abf8863c6a4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/333152">Ensuring long-term laminate integrityLong-term durability begins with material selection. Because traditional PVB interlayers, which are widely used, can be vulnerable to humidity and temperature fluctuations, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3829" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TILSE Glass (Company)">TILSE</a> uses a specially developed resin interlayer designed for enhanced moisture resistance at sea, thereby preventing delamination.Chemical toughening further improves optical clarity, reduces distortion and avoids the anisotropy often associated with thermally toughened glass. Strict quality control from raw material selection to lamination, sealing and final inspection ensures each pane meets superyacht standards.Consistency in bespoke productionFor bespoke glazing, consistency depends on rigorous process control across the entire project chain, from early consultation and three-dimensional measurement through to production and installation. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3829" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TILSE Glass (Company)">TILSE</a>’s integrated approach reduces variability and ensures consistency across the entire project chain, even when each pane is uniquely specified.Combined with stringent inspection protocols and a commitment to rejecting substandard components, this enables the delivery of reliable, high-performance glazing systems.Engineering next-generation glazingLooking ahead, the trajectory of superyacht design points towards even larger, clearer and more seamlessly integrated glass surfaces. However, the next phase of innovation will be defined not by scale alone, but by the ability to balance ambition with practicality. Manufacturability, optical quality, structural safety, durability and ease of replacement will all play an increasingly important role in shaping future designs.As glass cements its position as a defining element of modern yacht design, its successful application depends on far more than aesthetics. Structural integration, bonding expertise, advanced simulation and uncompromising material quality must come together from the very beginning.In response, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3829" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TILSE Glass (Company)">TILSE</a> continues to invest in expanded production capacity, advanced handling capabilities and earlier involvement in complex projects – helping today’s most ambitious glazing concepts to be realised safely, durably and with the clarity expected of the next generation of superyachts.

Tilse yacht glass in design

Larger glass surfaces have fundamentally changed how glazing is approached in yacht construction. 

Engineering transparency: The evolving role of glass in superyacht design

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396837/image/large-d8ba973efacc6a431309d036f5b1a3df.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396837">The 95-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/778" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Golden Yachts Ltd. (Company)">Golden Yachts</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="O'Pari95.0m (311'8&quot;)Golden Yachts Ltd.2020">O’Pari&nbsp;</a>was recently seen anchored in Athens, Greece, ahead of Posidonia 2026. Several other superyachts, including the 60.98-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="O'Madeleine60.98m (200'1&quot;)Golden Yachts Ltd.2025">O'Madeleine</a>, were also spotted in the area during the international shipping exhibition, which took place from 1 to 5 June.Delivered in 2020, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="O'Pari95.0m (311'8&quot;)Golden Yachts Ltd.2020">O’Pari&nbsp;</a>remains the largest yacht built by the Greek shipyard to date. She forms part of a fleet of distinctive <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/778" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Golden Yachts Ltd. (Company)">Golden Yachts</a> projects, alongside notable vessels such as the 87.6-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project X87.6m (287'5&quot;)Golden Yachts Ltd.2022">Project X</a> and the 77.7-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11076" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Malia77.7m (254'11&quot;)Golden Yachts Ltd.2023">Malia</a>, which was launched in 2023.Her exterior and interior design were penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/76" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Studio Vafiadis (Company)">Studio Vafiadis</a>. Spanning 2,700 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="O'Pari95.0m (311'8&quot;)Golden Yachts Ltd.2020">O’Pari</a> offers a range of standout amenities, including a touch-and-go helipad positioned on the forward upper deck, an expansive sundeck complete with a DJ booth, bar and Jacuzzi, and a dedicated wellness area featuring a massage room, Turkish hammam and Finnish sauna.Accommodation is provided for guests across a collection of marble- and mosaic-clad staterooms, comprising nine double cabins and four twin cabins.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, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="O'Pari95.0m (311'8&quot;)Golden Yachts Ltd.2020">O’Pari</a> cruises comfortably at 16 knots and can reach a top speed of 20 knots. She is currently en route to Split, Croatia, according to AIS Data.

Golden Yachts yacht O’Pari in Athens

The 95-metre Golden Yachts superyacht O’Pari was recently seen anchored in Athens, Greece.

95m Golden Yachts superyacht O’Pari in Athens