Ilona Yacht News & Events

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Ilona yacht in Antibes 

Ilona 

With a career spanning more than two decades, an exceptional line up of yachts to his name and more than 300 metres of yacht launched last year alone, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4540" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vickers Studio (Company)">John Vickers</a> is a man worth speaking to. Starting his career as one of the first designers at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">Redman Whiteley Dixon (now RWD)</a>, John cut his teeth on the myriad of major projects that the studio underwent in its foundling years and by the age of only 27 he was project managing the interior design of the 155-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Said155.0m (508'6&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2008">Al Said</a>. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/291899/image/large-83211a262a6c8863d1ef91e856500bc0.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/291899">Originally destined for a life onboard, John has a deep love of classic yachts but realised quite quickly that he needed an injection of creativity in his life to keep him excited. Having studied design in the UK, he returned to shore and applied for a job at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a>, becoming the now 60 person strong company’s fifth employee and learning from the three founding partners. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/291014/image/large-499e0b3afc4caa64349fca334def7003.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/291014">Thrown in at the deep end and eager to learn &nbsp;John quickly began to take on some major design projects, the award winning 55.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> Twizzle (now <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/259" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mary A55.5m (182'1&quot;)Feadship2005">Mary A</a>) and 73-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/18" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amels (Company)">Amels</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ilona82.0m (269'0&quot;)Amels2004">Ilona</a> and of course the aforementioned <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Said155.0m (508'6&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2008">Al Said</a>, the largest volume yacht in the world at the time. “It was an amazing experience being in my 20s, learning from talented designers and working on projects like <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Said155.0m (508'6&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2008">Al Said</a> involved the full breadth of design processes. I was running creative teams, CAD drawing teams, visualising teams, and building systems to run all of these design elements in tandem, which became formative for later projects.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/72312/image/large-e4a7c4f1e57157c00ce106ef28187a9f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/72312"> <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/72305/image/large-0cf888e903bbec0fdc91ff6ec83d517d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/72305">John worked with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a> for seven years, before joining the London-based architecture firm <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/423" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Candy & Candy (Company)">Candy &amp; Candy</a> which was in the process of setting up a yachting arm to the business. John built the team and together they worked on the design of the 62-metre Candyscape II, now <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/418" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sealion62.0m (203'5&quot;)VSY2009">Sealion</a>, completing the interior and exterior design in only four months and going on to win the best superyacht awards for the first build of a brand new Italian shipyard. After leaving <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/423" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Candy & Candy (Company)">Candy &amp; Candy</a> in 2007, John was asked to join the studio of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Terence Disdale Design (Company)">Terence Disdale</a>, one of the industry’s most well respected and longest standing firms. Specialising in the design of general arrangements exterior and interior configurations, John worked on a number of major projects, such as 162.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Eclipse162.5m (533'2&quot;)Blohm & Voss GmbH2010">Eclipse</a>, 147.25-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3962" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="A+147.25m (483'1&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2012">Topaz</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/44" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Abeking & Rasmussen (Company)">Abeking &amp; Rasmussen</a> sisterships 81-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4094" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Grace81.0m (265'9&quot;)Abeking & Rasmussen2014">Kibo</a>, now Grace, and 81.8-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4454" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RoMEA81.8m (268'4&quot;)Abeking & Rasmussen2015">RoMEA</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/69575/image/large-9bbec295f2af1f9eb74914cec63c8ed6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/69575"> <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/69578/image/large-e721f09de3a6f3f049e105812230477a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/69578">Wanting &nbsp;more creative freedom and a clear focus on the client's story John set up his own studio with his wife Gemma in 2015. After several years overlooking the Thames the studio escaped the city to a barn conversion studio near Chichester harbour on the UK’s beautiful south coast. The passion from the studio is obvious with the level of detail and care taken with the owners' dream projects. John loves to listen and create unique designs with creative layers in each pen line and shape. “We love to perfect the exterior in conjunction with the layout, which also gets the best results for the interior design. Having solved so many interior design problems, we find that often the interior designer gets brought in last for a project, in reality they should be involved right from the start helping create a really spectacular layout. We do interiors, exteriors and layout styling of the whole yacht, &nbsp;which gives us the opportunity to really achieve spectacular results from inside it to out.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/186990/image/large-84aa03a7ceee1701fce134d9828c5369.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/186990">“We really like to discover the passions and history of a client which we include into a yacht's DNA, creating complete design personalisation.” This John feels has to be the ultimate luxury. It has meant that the majority of his new-builds have won superyacht awards, even when not building at top tier shipyards. “It’s not something you can ever guarantee, but we have seemed to do it fairly regularly’; something that might be of interest to shipyards and clients wanting this level of top industry recognition. In the last eight years, many have been semi custom and refits tailored meticulously to very varied tastes and styles of the client”. However, John’s personal aesthetic direction includes yacht style such as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6037" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue II55.99m (183'8&quot;)Turquoise Yachts2020">Blue II&nbsp;</a>or elegant beach house vibes like <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6172" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Calypso I36.0m (118'1&quot;)Mulder Shipyard2019">Calypso</a>. His preference would be clean stylish simplicity, however, he is equally at home creating ‘wow factor’ interiors, such as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6595" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanbird53.0m (173'11&quot;)Sanlorenzo2021">Oceanbird</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/291307/image/large-8fe2db3e479378f4eadf7f3ec59c724a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/291307">One of John’s many strengths is to turn around major design projects to a very tight schedule, building the team and putting systems in place in the earliest stages. It is a strength which has been particularly important over recent years with the increase of refit projects and a much higher demand for short new-build completions. In 2022 alone John’s team completed the refit of 75-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Meserret III75.0m (246'1&quot;)Peene-Werft GmbH1992">Leander</a>, 88.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4794" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Infinity88.5m (290'4&quot;)Oceanco2015">Cloud 9</a> and 52-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6595" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanbird53.0m (173'11&quot;)Sanlorenzo2021">Oceanbird</a>, as well as the new-build interior design of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a> 56.5-metre Alma and they are adept at working on an array of complex projects simultaneously.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/291302/image/large-edcda66b5f582287fa165d634a2a5320.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/291302">“Because of my 23 years experience we have become specialists in producing a lot of quality design work to a very tight schedule, and also coming into difficult projects late and turning them around under pressure. We recently did a very demanding and detailed refit on the 52-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6595" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanbird53.0m (173'11&quot;)Sanlorenzo2021">Oceanbird</a>, we expanded the team to 15 strong and produced 24 visuals and 50 CAD drawings in less than four weeks, and for the 75-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Meserret III75.0m (246'1&quot;)Peene-Werft GmbH1992">Leander</a> we completed full layout redesign with complicated interior joinery creation all for a very experienced owner on four-decks in only eight weeks.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/237702/image/large-0ed4b3794019bf9b0d5c2d5d4a5ce007.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/237702">Over the coming year he hopes to further expand the portfolio of projects, with his team of design experts and with two refits and a number of new-builds already underway.

Interview with John Vickers yacht designer

Francesca Webster sits down with designer John Vickers, to discuss an extraordinary portfolio of yachts and his passion for creative customisation.

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Custom creations: In conversation with yacht designer John Vickers

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/288219/image/large-0371c5b1f8755026fdfa7a52f85b7256.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/288219">Spotted here last month anchored off Antibes, on the French Riviera, is the 82-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ilona82.0m (269'0&quot;)Amels2004">Ilona</a>. The motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ilona82.0m (269'0&quot;)Amels2004">Ilona</a>, launched in 2004 by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/18" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amels (Company)">Amels</a> in their Makkum shipyard, features both interior and exterior crafted by British design company <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a>. In 2018, the yacht underwent a significant refit and rebuild at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/44" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Abeking & Rasmussen (Company)">Abeking &amp; Rasmussen</a>, increasing her length by almost nine metres and featuring a redesigned shape by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a>, including a flush foredeck and an open transom section. She boasts amenities such as a cinema, beauty salon, underwater lights and an elevator that connects her five decks. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ilona82.0m (269'0&quot;)Amels2004">Ilona</a> is designed to accommodate 18 guests in six staterooms and can have up to 28 crew members for a comfortable yacht experience. Constructed with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ilona82.0m (269'0&quot;)Amels2004">Ilona</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> 3516 B DITA diesel engines with 2,635 horsepower each. She cruises at 15 knots, reaching a maximum speed of 16 knots and has a range of 3,500 nautical miles at 13 knots, thanks to her 170,000 litre fuel tanks.&nbsp;

82m superyacht Ilona on the French Riviera

The 82m superyacht Ilona, built by Amels, is seen here anchored in Antibes. 

82m superyacht Ilona on the French Riviera 

At the studio with Mark Whiteley Design

After first meeting in MYS 21 Mark Whiteley and Francesca Webster sat down once again to discuss all things sailing yacht design

Exclusive: Mark Whiteley talks sailing yacht design

<img src="/uploads/store/photo/114633/image/large-2fc1c196e0e34c432ed346409563c7ce.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/114633">Currently in Germany where she is undergoing maintenance work at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/44" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Abeking & Rasmussen (Company)">Abeking &amp; Rasmussen</a> shipyard, seen here cruising up the Weser River this week is the 82-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ilona82.0m (269'0&quot;)Amels2004">Ilona</a>. First launched in 2004 at <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/companies/amels">Amels</a> in the Netherlands, <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/ilona">Ilona</a> has over the past decade undergone several major refit projects, the most recent of which was a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/48553" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="New look for 82m superyacht Ilona after Abeking refit (2018-05-23 16:00:00 +0200)">major refit and rebuild</a> at <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/companies/abeking-rasmussen">Abeking &amp; Rasmussen</a> in 2018 where the yacht was lengthened by nearly nine metres from her previous overall length of 73.6 metres. Initially designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a>, the same design firm reimagined the yacht’s shape by creating a new sheer line now with a flush foredeck area as well as an open transom section with grand sweeping steps to the swim platform.

Motor yacht Ilona in Lemwerder

The 82-metre motor yacht Ilona in Lemwerder for a maintenance period at Abeking & Rasmussen.

Motor yacht Ilona arriving in Lemwerder

<img src="/uploads/store/photo/87906/image/large-9a29f3e2717839d4d2d238db26182c0d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/87906">First launched in 2004 at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/18" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amels (Company)">Amels</a> in the Netherlands, the now 82-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ilona82.0m (269'0&quot;)Amels2004">Ilona</a> has over the past decade undergone several major refit projects that have seen the yacht constantly evolving in her exterior appearance. The most recent of which was a major refit and rebuild period at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/44" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Abeking & Rasmussen (Company)">Abeking &amp; Rasmussen</a> in Germany where the yacht was lengthened by nearly nine metres from her previous overall length of 73.6 metres. Once featuring a distinctive <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a> closed transom, <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/ilona">Ilona</a> now boasts a large and open swim platform that is connected to the main deck via two grand staircases. The refit also saw the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a>-designed yacht’s forward hull area raised to form a new sheer line now with a flush foredeck area, all by the hands of the original English design studio. Here she is captured by Brian Gibbens anchored off the town of Cavtat on the Croatian coastline.&nbsp;

The 82m motor yacht Ilona in Cavtat

The modified 82-metre Amels motor yacht Ilona anchored off the Croatian town of Cavtat. 

Motor yacht Ilona anchored off Cavtat

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ilona82.0m (269'0&quot;)"><img src="/uploads/store/photo/41973/image/large-eb0372e735113635e3d9c1e044517a27.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/41973">Ilona</a> was seen outside Cannes this week and is captured here receiving her helicopter on the newly-built landing pad on her bow. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ilona82.0m (269'0&quot;)">Ilona</a> recently completed a major refit and rebuild period at Abeking &amp; Rasmussen in Germany where the yacht was lengthened by nearly nine metres from her previous overall length of 73.6 metres. Once featuring a distinctive RWD closed transom, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ilona82.0m (269'0&quot;)">Ilona</a> now features a large and open swim platform that is connected to the main deck via two grand staircases, as can be seen in this image of her at sunset off the French Riviera. The refit also saw the RWD-designed yacht’s forward hull area raised to form a new sheer line now with a flush foredeck area, all by the hands of the original English design studio. This new configuration also makes Ilona one of the smallest superyachts in the fleet with two helicopter pads after Feadship’s 66-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5517" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vanish66.25m (217'4&quot;)">Vanish</a>.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ilona82.0m (269'0&quot;)">Ilona</a> was first launched in 2004 at Amels in the Netherlands and has over the past decade undergone several major refit projects that have seen the yacht constantly evolving in her exterior appearance.

The 82m superyacht Ilona in Cannes

After a lengthy refit period inside the sheds of the Abeking &amp; Rasmussen shipyard in Germany, the 73.6-metre (measurement before refit) motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ilona73.69m (241'9&quot;)">Ilona</a> is back on the water this month sporting several cosmetic and structural changes. The 2004 Amels-built superyacht is now cruising Mediterranean waters again with a brand new forward helicopter landing deck and grand open swim platform at her stern. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/35534/image/large-5fbde0f505f3e40fa1ed062e5828cb41.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/35534"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ilona73.69m (241'9&quot;)">Ilona</a> has undergone radical cosmetic changes since her launch, the most noteworthy of which, up till now, was the relocation of her original helicopter landing pad on the main deck aft, which is now located above the bridge deck with the main deck aft now featuring a 10-metre swimming pool.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/35542/image/large-2bce25998000c7ca56cfe3990a947539.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/35542">This latest refit saw the RWD-designed yacht’s forward hull area raised to form a new sheer line now with a flush foredeck area. RWD was also responsible for the refit design of the yacht, at the specific request of the owner. This new configuration also makes Ilona one of the smallest superyachts in the fleet with two helicopter pads after Feadship’s 66-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5517" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vanish66.25m (217'4&quot;)">Vanish</a>. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/35533/image/large-d0c1c14f5e3bb9fd3b59e6cbfe9dce5b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/35533">Work also included the complete alteration of the yacht’s stern area. Once featuring a distinctive RWD closed transom, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ilona73.69m (241'9&quot;)">Ilona</a> now has been lengthened with large and open swim platform that is connected to the main deck via two grand staircases.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/35541/image/large-1d5162fd034591c5a2f490b2dae3b21b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/35541">The work mentioned above has added up to a new overall length measuring 82 metres.&nbsp;

New look for 82m superyacht Ilona after Abeking refit

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/162561/image/large-f2cc7b0553e88c5ff9c04ec7f7ee0012.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/162561">

74m superyacht Ilona in London

Currently moored in the city of London is the 74-metre superyacht Ilona. The Australian flagged yacht was built by Amels in 2004 to a design by Redman Whiteley Dixon. Ilona has undergone radical cosmetic changes since her launch, the most noteworthy of which is the relocation of her helicopter landing pad, which is now located above the bridge deck with the main deck aft now used as an open deck space. The yacht completed a 2-month refit period ahead of the past summer season that took place at Icon Yachts in the Netherlands.

Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/94746315@N02/">Charlie Nowlan</a>

Amels superyacht Ilona in London

The 74 metre Amels-built superyacht Ilona returned to her country of birth in February this year, this time for a maintenance period at Icon Yachts. The Australian-flagged yacht recently departed the Dutch shipyard after an intensive nine-week period of maintenance works to arrive in the Mediterranean, ready for the summer cruising season.

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/160017/image/large-cc1a93b6bf402d9a50361c119de96ee3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/160017">

Icon reports that works completed on Ilona includes an extensive overhaul of the yacht’s four Naiad stabilisers, touch-ups on the anticorrosive systems as well as various technical upgrades.

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/160018/image/large-b3e4672a9ce080eeb036675405bf6010.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/160018">

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/160019/image/large-c3436a4e622be90282dd8d6c8cd1603e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/160019">

Ilona has undergone radical cosmetic changes since her launch in 2004, the most noteworthy of which is the relocation of her helicopter landing pad, which is now located above the bridge deck with the main deck aft now used as an open deck space. The yacht recently spent time at the STP Shipyard in Palma following the 2015 summer cruising season in the Mediterranean, and chose OneOcean Port Vell in Barcelona as her first Mediterranean port of call ahead of a busy 2016 summer season.

Photos by OneOcean Port Vell

74m Ilona completes maintenance period in the Netherlands

British design studio Redman Whiteley Dixon talks superyachts, the future of design and how a team of talented designers all ended up on the same track.

The down-to-earth group of designers at Redman Whiteley Dixon has firmly established themselves as a household name in the superyacht design world, with industry-changing projects such as Vava II, Twizzle and Como all benefitting from their design handy work. SYT caught up with Justin Redman and Toby Ecuyer from the acclaimed studio based in Hampshire in the UK to find out what contributed to their past successes, the value of partnership within a modern design company, and what exactly driving around in old-school cars has to do with it all?

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/163185/image/large-7d790d098775f9b767653987f287d4a0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/163185">

How did RWD start in 1993?

Justin: We founded RWD with two partners; Mark Whiteley and myself, and together we formed Redman Whiteley Design. We originally met when we were studying Industrial Design together at The Central School of Art &amp; Design in London. Some years later, Mark had been working with Andrew Winch and I had likewise had been working with the great John Munford. Having very much kept in touch, there came a time to try going it alone, put our names on the door and so together we decided to set up shop! That was 23 years ago in Chelsea, London, just down the road from Mr. Bannenberg. Tony Dixon joined us in 2001 and our company name subsequently changed to Redman Whiteley Dixon.

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You were designing mostly sailing yacht (and a few motor yacht) interiors when you started, was it difficult to land your first exterior project because of that initial specialism?

Justin: I guess so. We had added elements of exterior design to one or two sailing yachts we had been working on at the time, but really the major game changer for us, from an exterior design perspective was the exterior and interior commission for the 73 metre Amels built Ilona. She was all about innovation and our landscape very much changed following her launch. Every company seems to have 'significant’ yachts in its history and for us clearly, one was Ilona. From a size perspective, she was a notable calling card into the larger yacht arena, but she also introduced the exterior element of our business and gave us some of our trademarks and styling cues that we've evolved and developed since. We’ve had the most lovely relationship with that family, with perhaps five commissions over the years and we are now very proud to have designed the interior of a yacht for the next generation of the family, which was recently launched in New Zealand. As such, another very important commission for us and I think we have again achieved something really very personal and bespoke once more.

Vava II was also a very significant exterior design project, could you tell us more about her?

Justin: Yes, she was. This was an incredible opportunity for us, winning the commission over other wonderful designers who had been considered as well. We felt we won it because we developed not only a very unique looking profile for her owner, but one which incorporated key influences which he had brought to the table from sailboat racing. She is the largest private yacht ever to be built in England, a fact which made us very proud as a company, but also personally as she was constructed in a place where generations of my own naval family came from over the years. She was a phenomenally special and important commission for us and the final result was even better than we could have hoped for. Interestingly, the fact that hardly anybody has really seen her, because she spends her life all around the globe, is great testament to her owners vision, sense of adventure and intent to explore the oceans of the world, exactly what should happen to more of these yachts.

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We don’t see many concepts done by RWD, is there a specific reason for that?

Justin: We are incredibly fortunate to be enormously busy actually building boats, to the point where concepts haven’t been a great priority for us. The Monaco Yacht Show is a wonderful showcase for such concepts, but I also think that gifted conceptual work can also get lost; you can walk around the show in Monaco, passing endless new and no doubt wonderful concepts, but perhaps they get a little lost, fighting for attention. I think if we were to imagine and offer a visionary RWD concept, a significant part of the challenge would be evolving an environment or occasion where that concept was noticed, allowed to breathe and therefore catch the imagination in a very different and unique way - maybe we should… watch this space!

Would you say the average size of the yachts you are working on is growing?

Justin: I do think it is fair to say there was a time, that with some exceptions, a lot of what we were designing perhaps averaged say 60 metres in length and now that average is probably more like 80 - 90 metres. It has definitely increased, but we have been very fortunate as it’s the sector of the market that we feel very comfortable in. Equally, if we were asked to design a 30 metre sailboat or a 10 metre tender for example, then we would enjoy those challenges just as much, with the ultimate quest being utter perfection for the owner, whatever the size. This is and will always be the absolute mainstay of our business and reason for doing what we do. Not that we must do bigger and bigger, that’s never ever been the ambition. That said, not many people are aware of our interior role within Al Said, until very recently, the largest yacht by volume in the world.

Are these projects both motor and sailing yachts? Or perhaps more motor yachts these days?

Justin: They are mainly motor yachts currently which is very good, but may I say I think it’s a great sadness that the large sailing yacht industry, which I always felt would remain a smaller but constant force, because it was more enthusiast driven, seems to be a sector of the market that has slowed right down. It’s a great shame for those of us with a passion for sailing and an appreciation of the technical grace of these vast and powerful machines, that this very specialised and innovative sector of our world is struggling somewhat. That said, the recently launched Elfje, with our interior, is the very opposite of that, a perfectly proportioned, stunningly conceived and technically brilliant project that really should inspire many.

Toby: Elfje was an immensely rewarding project. She is a fabulous yacht, and to work on the design of the boat with her owner, and with Royal Huisman, was just enormous fun. The fact that she was 51 metres, wouldn’t have been any better if she was 81 metres. Size isn’t actually important. Seemingly the slowing down of new builds in the sailboat industry is continuing and that seems very sad, but I can’t think it will be forever.

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/163188/image/large-7f23541b4871809cb3083a488121ce98.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/163188">

Has Twizzle been the only sailing yacht exterior which you have designed so far?

Justin: No, we designed a smaller ketch many years ago, but at 57.5 metres, Twizzle is by far the largest. It was a major project and something that came out of a relationship with an existing motor yacht owner, where we had collaborated on the interior. At the outset, our task was to focus entirely on how they wanted to live on board a sail boat, not what it looked like, not how many masts or indeed the length; it was really a study of how they liked to spend each day, interacting with each other as guests and with their crew and from that came an arrangement, but no exterior. So then and only then, did we start to 'clothe' the package in a form that, from an exterior viewpoint, was always to be very clean and elegant with very subtle surfacing. Our expression perhaps of how a pilot house configuration should look like. However, being rubbish at making things float or perform, we then asked our great friend Ed Dubois, if we might reverse roles from so many prior sailing yacht projects, and whether he could he help us turn this special vision into a sailing machine, which he charmingly and expertly did. It was a very respectful and wonderful collaboration, and we were humbled that the great Mr Dubois allowed us to shape the forms of this yacht. This would normally be his rightful task, but because of our great history with him, it was a “fabulous, why not?!” and a further example of the ethos of our company; it’s always a collaboration of minds.

You have also collaborated with Benetti to design the interior of the Benetti Veloce series, Cheers 46 for example?

Toby: Correct. We have designed a handful of 60-65 metre projects with this great and historic shipyard in the past and as a result have got a really good relationship with Benetti. They asked us if we could come up with three different schemes for an interior for a semi production boat so the client can then choose between them. The brief was essentially to design a modern, traditional and an in-between interior. Our approach was to design interiors where material choice was the key to creating a modern or traditional scheme, whilst the architecture of the design is contemporary in keeping with the exterior design.

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Is dealing with clients directly easier when you have a few partners in the studio, where one partner might get along better with a certain client then another?

Justin: I think it can help on that level, yes. It also helps with a large order book, in that as an owner you’re not passed down to a project manager after the first meeting, and that you actually spend time with the principals of the company. That was one of the founding principles that Mark and I felt to be crucial when we first started. We’d seen examples of it before, where the principal comes along on the first morning and then isn’t seen until the launch. This doesn’t seem to be very appropriate to us, we felt it would be far more productive to deal with someone who’s a part of the company and all of the RWD Directors are always available for this. One of the most important elements for us at RWD is the personal relationships that we forge with our clients. It is also critical to us to ensure that designing and creating with that RWD partnership is a very, very enjoyable journey. So when visiting our unique studio, this might mean helicoptering in to stay in one of England's very best Country house spa hotels, the nearby Lime Wood, and perhaps enjoying riding in the New Forest, fly-fishing on one of the best chalk streams in the South, all things frankly which have nothing to do with yacht design, but add to the memories of the creation of that yacht. The more pleasurable we can make the whole design experience, the more valuable the journey is.

Tell us about the Auto Tour. How did that start?

Justin: It started by the three of us sitting in the pub, trying to decide the best way to get to the Monaco Yacht Show that first year, now eight years ago . We had just spent another year on planes, so why take yet another flight, why not just drive down!?! It would give us time to chat with each other, think about the show before we got there, a sort of calm before the storm if you like... We did drive down, in only four cars that year and yes, the first trip was very much like that. Since then, people have got to hear about it and it has built and built over the years. We started planning it better and staying in more beautiful hotels along the way and it kept growing to the point where we are now up to maybe 30 cars with perhaps 50 people on the road, driving either their classic or super cars, entirely as our guests, a sort of 'thank you' to friends and colleagues from the preceding year if you like.

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/163190/image/large-adf32e6b9a809cf77180c587e279f4ba.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/163190">

Toby: It’s also about people that we’ve just enjoyed working with. It’s more like a 4 day super yachting dinner party on the road. The clients are getting something completely different that has nothing to do with boats, and what’s really interesting, is that no one talks about boats. There is very little conversation of yachts, instead people talk about their cars, they talk about their family, and they talk about pretty much everything but boats. Normally on the last day, we have a picnic lunch with amazing food and wine and it’s there where people say, I don’t want to go to the show, I want to carry on. This is something we would never have expected; you can’t predict these things.

The brand of a design company is always an interesting topic to discuss. Do you see a future for design without the founder-designers being present?

Justin: Yes, I very much do. The very last thing we want is for our company to wither on the vine and die just because we are either less involved or indeed not involved at all. I would regard this as failure. There has to be succession and evolution. Toby shares this vision as do many others in our 30 strong company and the future will come from within. We’ve been able to very successfully move on after Mark’s leaving, we still see him regularly, we are even working together and of course he’s now created his own company again. Why not? We’ve always looked at everything we do as a collaboration, it's just that the make-up of the team may and will change in the future, but the philosophy should not and that has greater potential. Ever since Mark and I set up the company, it’s been that way, and when Tony joined, the collaboration grew and so it did again when Toby joined. There is enough talent within to honour our history if you like, but definitely more than enough to continue to grow and develop the brand into many more sectors and we are thrilled to see that metamorphosis happening.

Toby: There are some people where the brand is that person. We’ve worked very hard to make that brand collaborative and independent of one person. The way we do things, the way we present ourselves and the effort we go to is right across the company, it’s not just the people at the front making the effort, it’s everybody. RWD has a great heritage of wonderful work and great people who have achieved that - the ambition is very much to carry this forward in to the future.

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/163191/image/large-b8a174de050a2a83aa94884d3ddaba91.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/163191">

Do you also feel it is a saleable company, or rather a company that promotes young designers whom have joined to become partners of the company?

Justin: The interesting thing is that we’re just getting going now! The last thing we would want to do at the moment is sell! We have all the potential in the world; we have a wonderful site, wonderful designers, and wonderful partners. The potential is huge. I genuinely get excited to come in every day because it feels like we’re starting afresh. Do I think it's a saleable company? That’s not the question; the question is how we continue it and develop it and if we ever did sell, hopefully it would be to the people here in some way, shape or form. The people are the company, the people who started here as young designers and became a partner, just like Toby did, these are the people who have the drive for the future of 'their' company.

Insight: A behind-the-scenes look at Redman Whitely Dixon

Dutch shipyard Icon Yachts have their build and refit facilities fully packed with a total of six projects currently underway. Just some of these include an 84 metre new build motor yacht designed by Tim Heywood, the soon to be re-launched 77 metre explorer yacht Legend, and the 74 metre Amels superyacht Ilona having recently arrived for a maintenance period.

 

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/162344/image/large-eacdddaec4528bacaab04c4a40efdd65.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/162344">

 

 

Once completed in the summer of 2017, the 84 metre project in build will become the largest yacht ever to be launched by the yard. The superyacht will feature a helicopter-pad on the foredeck, as well as a full beam owners deck with incredible views. A central stern garage will accommodate a large limousine tender and the spectacular iconic beach club with a large bathing platform will be connected straight to the guest accommodation. An 8- metre pool with a glass bottom will flood the tender bay, which can also function as an internal seawater pool.

 

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/162345/image/large-353c7919c1238a696b477f7fc24caf83.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/162345">

 

Having recently arrived in the Netherlands after spending a few months in London is the Australian flagged superyacht Ilona. No stranger to refits, the 74 metre is currently at Icon for a maintenance period.

 

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/162346/image/large-934894b146d7a49f88f017aef998919a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/162346">

 

 

Another exciting project underway is the finishing stages of the complete rebuild of the ice breaker previously know as Giant. The vessel has been lengthened from 73 metres to her current 77 metres, and now features an array of luxury superyacht amenities. Dutch design studio Diana Yacht Design retained the vessel’s tough exterior appearance and added a few styling and functional changes that will make the new explorer yacht instantly recognisable. Her redesign has been carried out specifically with charter in mind, now able to carry up top 30 guests.

 

Further projects include the 52 metre Amels superyacht Seahorse.

 

Ilona photo Peter Ijdema

Icon Yachts buzzing with activity

The Australian flagged superyacht Ilona sailed up the River Thames yesterday to reach Canary Wharf where she is currently moored. The Amels built vessel has undergone extensive cosmetic changes since her launch in 2004, the most noteworthy of which is the relocation of her helicopter landing pad. This is now located above the bridge deck with the main deck aft now used as an open deck space. The yacht recently spent time at the STP Shipyard in Palma following the summer cruising season in the Mediterranean.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157557/image/large-085520e591d35f00b4292708c4494653.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157557"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157558/image/large-cd4763e346102a5895e1b6b95df73400.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157558"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157559/image/large-3471551277592dd76b127c86c0b0c7f6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157559"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157560/image/large-7c533a1ff61f3a700580c0a401821eb9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157560"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157561/image/large-7ce8d5563021d6408ca93d6e00ff0b63.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157561">Photos by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajbc-photos/" target="_blank">@AJBC_1</a>

In Pictures: 73 metre Amels superyacht Ilona arriving in London

Dutch shipbuilder Amels has announced in their <a href="http://issuu.com/amels/docs/layout_new_newsletter_2014_-_issuu" target="_blank">Inside Amels Magazine</a>, that they will be moving into the custom superyacht market, for yachts over 80 metres in length.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/152263/image/large-aa6b46de263420fb25da20f1d73cae43.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/148262">For the last couple of years, Amels have offered clients high quality vessels built in their Amels Limited Editions range, proving a huge success since the concept was introduced to the world in 2007. Being as successful as it is, the Limited Editions will continue to exist for yachts up to 80 metres. "From there it’s all Amels Full Custom", Amels Marketing Manager Victor Caminada tells SuperYachtTimes.com.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/152264/image/large-f276adae2b274af0ef837b574201c710.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/152264">The shipyard plans to build custom yachts in the 80 to 110 metre segment. Discussing the reasons behind the move, Managing Director Rob Luijendijk comments that it is is an organic progression in light of the industry trend towards larger and larger luxury yachts. With the construction of the largest Amels ship built to date, the 83 metre Amels 272, well underway for a late 2016 delivery, Luijendijk assures that the shipyard are more than equipped to successfully offer clients luxurious superyachts delivered on time and to impeccable standards. He says, “In terms of design and engineering capacity, as well as build capability, I think the Amels 272 is an excellent example of the expertise we have for Amels Full Custom.”With an ever impressively full order book and nine yachts currently under construction at the Amels facilities - including projects from all five of the Limited Editions range - the question of whether or not Amels have the physical capacity to take on custom orders is posed. Luijendijk once again assures that a perfected build process means that they are ready to take this next step in the business. He comments, “While we have a full yard, it’s very smooth production, very predictable and well-planned and that’s why we feel ready to grow with this step into fully custom. It’s a controlled growth and we’re supported in that by our parent company, Damen Shipyards.”<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/152265/image/large-ef04a1d304b7f08df0bbc3f5fced564c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/139658">Going back a few decades, you can still see Amels’ heritage as a full custom yacht builder in iconic yachts that were among the largest yachts of their day, such as the 78-metre Montkaj, the 76-metre Boadicea, (now Reborn), and the 74-metre Ilona.By Maarten Janssen

Amels enters custom 80m+ superyacht market

STP tells us that the 73.7 metre <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69">Ilona</a> , built in 2004 at the Amels yard, to a design by Redman Whitely Dixon, is currently under refit at the STP yard.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/147489/image/large-c7224792728288769e47270911948e04.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/147489">Scaffolding is now in place around this elegant vessel, and work that will be done includes paintwork, as well as interior maintenance, and sorting some minor mechanical issues.The yacht will undergo a second refit phase starting in septemberIPM Group +34 608 887 379 <a href="mailto:info@group-ipm.com?subject=Article%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">info@group-ipm.com</a> <a href="http://www.group-ipm.com" target="_blank">www.group-ipm.com</a>By Maarten Janssen

Superyacht Ilona under refit at STP

Text and photo by Maarten JanssenMajor sporting events traditionally attract large yachts. During the 2012 Olympics in London for example, we saw several large yachts making their way into the city, such as Octopus, Seanna, and Ilona. Earlier this week, the first large yacht visiting the 2014 Olympics, made her way to Sochi, the 92 metre Tatoosh.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/147259/image/large-f4a80a4d02336ac527e879a9f6795e22.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/140679"><a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/338">Tatoosh</a> is a 92 metre yacht, built by Nobiskrug in 2000. She is owned by a well known American, who also owns the 126m <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/270">Octopus</a>. There are several large yachts in that area, that actually call Sochi their homeport, such as the Feadship Olympia, and the Proteksan Chayka.

First large visiting yacht makes her way to Sochi

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/145363/image/large-f72db9194b81eb5f04622ca10c4aea99.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/145363">The Amels superyacht Ilona in Saint TropezThe 73.7 metre <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69">Ilona</a> was built in 2004 at the Amels yard in Makkum, Holland, to a design by Redman Whitely Dixon. She was the first large motoryacht to have a helicopter hangar in the main aft deck. In 2012, Ilona went back to Amels for a major refit. Her helicopter landing area was removed, and was changed into a swimming pool, which features a movable floor, enabling the pool to be replaced by additional deck space depending on the needs of the owner and guests. Her top deck was extended, and a helipad was created on top of that. By Maarten Janssen

The 73 metre superyacht Ilona in Saint Tropez

One of the most experienced names in the superyacht industry, Eel Kant, has joined Amels as Sales Manager of the Dutch yard’s Refit Department. With more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, Eel Kant has joined Dutch superyacht builder Amels to become Sales Manager of the yard’s Refit Department. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/140905/image/large-5c7f7290220a7f5ed1618b4a6bdc4fd0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/140905">Since graduating from Delft Technical University, Kant has worked his way up through virtually every level of the shipbuilding industry. He spent eight years working in commercial shipping, gaining experience in planning, prefabrication, fabrication and outfitting, before moving into management. “My technical background and experience in all these areas, as well as in project management, should prove very useful in my new role at Amels,” says Kant, whose board-level experience at many companies including Feadship Royal van Lent, Oceanco and Jongert, makes him one of the most respected figures in the industry. Two of Amels’ recent refits, the 74-metre Ilona and 78-metre Alwaeli, have been very technical, large-scale engineering projects which were well received by their owners. Having joined the company at the beginning of September, Kant has already gained an insight into what gives Amels the ability to execute such ambitious projects. “The great thing about the yard is that because the company is so busy with its schedule of new builds, we have all disciplines at our disposal,” he says. “We enjoy very close links with a number of renowned exterior and interior designers and have a lot of experience working with them". “Unlike perhaps some yards which focus exclusively on refit projects, we can go much deeper into the engineering and design elements of a refit, as we saw with ILONA recently. Also, Amels is recognised for producing the best paint finish in the business, thanks to some excellent facilities such as the climate-controlled sheds and a paint programme that is dedicated to perfection. Any non-Amels yacht that comes to the Vlissingen yard for refit work will leave looking better than when she was new.” In the case of Ilona, this was an Amels yacht returning to the yard of her origin, although the term ‘refit’ barely does justice to the scale of the project. “Working within a timeframe of just eight months, replacing the below-deck helicopter hangar with a swimming pool with variable depth floor was no easy task, with the added challenge of creating a new helipad on the aft sun deck,” says Kant. “But Amels has the right people and excellent facilities for complex projects like this, and the ability to deliver to the schedule requested by the client. Our facilities in Vlissingen include five very large dry docks, with our largest dry dock capable of accommodating yachts up to 215m long, 30m wide and 46m high, so we look forward to many more large-scale projects here". “It’s a wonderful privilege and challenge to work through the best possible solution with the owner’s team, looking at different ways of achieving the objectives of the refit in the most time-efficient and cost-effective manner. I think this is where my technical background will really help with this new role, because I have the experience in project management.” Managing Director of Amels, Rob Luijendijk, said: “Eel is a very valuable addition to our Refit team. With his vast experience across the industry, he will really draw attention to Amels’ capabilities at the top end of the refit market." With annual growth of 10% over the past four years, Amels is now the largest superyacht builder in the Netherlands. Already 2012 has been a busy year, with three new-builds and two refits successfully delivered on time, and with another nine new construction projects underway. Eel Kant will be attending the Monaco Yacht Show from 19 to 22 September 2012, at the Amels stand at T Central, QT6.Amels Holland B.V. + 31 118 485 002 <a href="mailto:info@amels-holland.com?subject=Amels%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">info@amels-holland.com</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amels-holland.com/">www.amels-holland.com</a>

Industry veteran joins Amels Refit team

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/140583/image/large-52abdcdad6acd5e92bd4fe4c0841bbf2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/140583">The Amels superyacht Ilona in London<a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69">Ilona</a> was built in 2004 at the Amels yard in Makkum, Holland, to a design by Redman Whitely Dixon. When she was launched, she measured 73.7 metres, and was the first large motoryacht to have a helicopter hangar in the main aft deck. It provided a safe storage space for the delicate helicopter, protecting it from seawater spray and the elements. However, earlier this year the yacht was refitted, and the helicopter landing area was removed, and was changed into a swimming pool. Her top deck was extended, and a helipad was created on top of that. You can read more about those changes <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/38783">here</a>.By Maarten Janssen, photo by M. W.-von A.

Superyacht Ilona under Tower Bridge in London

A number of large superyachts have made their way to London, in preperation for the 2012 Olympic Games. The 126 metre superyacht <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/270">Octopus</a> is by far the largest private yacht ever to dock in the city. She is joined by the recently relaunched 74 metre Amels <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69">Ilona</a>, and Benetti's <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3068">Seanna</a> and the Feadship F45 <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/93">Harle</a>. More yachts will soon be joining this impressive fleet, there are several yachts currently enroute to London. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/140258/image/large-8cfe03e6289b35ec64df75a0766421fc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/140258"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/140259/image/large-7efdb073483cda25a478d4e5ea2c3075.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/140259"><img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/140260/image/large-a013d87512018afce097ed2753107598.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/140260"><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XBveh9pxXZM" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> By Maarten Janssen, photos by David Jensen and Steve Francis

Superyachts making their way into London

The beautiful 73.7 metre motoryacht Ilona set sail again in May, after a very successful eight-month refit at Amels. While the yacht has been functioning perfectly since her launch in 2004, the owner wanted a major re-design to accommodate some new ideas into Ilona, as owner’s representative David McQueen explained: “The owner wanted to have a large swimming pool and a helipad large enough to take his Agusta 109 Grand New helicopter.” And so last August Ilona returned to the place of her birth, to Amels in the Netherlands for an extensive reworking of her interior and superstructure. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/139658/image/large-09c0eea4fd21187e54cde37f9d199cb6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/139658">The below-deck helicopter hangar would be removed to make way for the swimming pool with a movable floor, enabling the pool to be replaced by additional deck space depending on the needs of the owner and guests. “With a variable depth floor with maximum depth of 1.5m, the 10m x 3m pool can be filled with 40,000 litres of sea water, which is then purified through a filtration system,” says McQueen. “The water can be heated to up to 6 degrees higher than the original sea temperature in just one hour.” Amels managing director Rob Luijendijk comments: “Ilona’s refit was a big project that needed completing in a short time, but we finished it as promised. Having looked through the original construction plans, we did everything possible to minimise Ilona’s time at the yard. For example the deck extensions were pre-manufactured in advance. We enjoyed the engineering challenge of modifying the superstructure such that it could handle the maximum take-off weight of the helicopter, of 3,200kg. It is a great credit to everyone who worked on the refit that it all came together so smoothly.”   Aside from the engineering task, there was also the challenge of making these significant alterations without ruining Ilona’s sleek profile, drawn by Redman Whiteley Dixon. Justin Redman said: “Adding the additional superstructure to accommodate the helipad would have affected the lines of the yacht, so we extended the Owner’s deck and the bridge deck by 2 metres in order to bring the aesthetic appearance back into balance. We also used metallic grey paint to reduce the visual impact of the helideck, and the overall result is that the yacht, despite all the changes, looks every bit as streamlined and well-proportioned as before.” The refit went ahead as planned, with all tasks completed and the yacht delivered on schedule for her relaunch on 16 May 2012. Captain Kenan Seginer oversaw the work at the Amels Yard and commented: “I really like Amels, they’re very friendly and great to work with. They’ve done a wonderful job with Ilona, and the after-sales team is excellent. The boss is very happy, and any work we need doing in the future, for sure we’ll be coming back to Amels again.” Rob Luijendijk concluded: “It was wonderful to see Ilona back, and we appreciate the owner’s trust in Amels being the right yard with the right people to do the job. This was an enormously complex project, but we have the right people and facilities for complex projects like this. This was the 37th refit to have been carried out by the dedicated Amels Refit Department. With our largest dry dock capable of accommodating yachts up to 215m long, 30m wide and 46m high, we look forward to many more, large-scale projects here.” To see Ilona’s new helipad in action, watch <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amels-holland.com/index.php?pk=453&amp;lang=en%20">this short video</a>.With annual growth of 10% over the past four years, Amels is the largest superyacht builder in the Netherlands. Already 2012 has been a busy year, with three new-builds and two refits successfully delivered on time, and with another nine new construction projects underway. Amels Holland B.V. + 31 118 485 002 <a href="mailto:info@amels-holland.com?subject=Amels%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">info@amels-holland.com</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amels-holland.com/">www.amels-holland.com</a>

Superyacht Ilona gets a new helipad and pool at Amels

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/137863/image/large-50b7e73c94f0c528a8db080582691170.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/137863">The Amels superyacht Ilona at the International Yacht Club Antibes<a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69">Ilnona</a> was built in 2004 at the Amels yard in Makkum, Holland, to a design by Redman Whitely Dixon. The 73.7 metre superyacht was the first large motoryacht to have a helicopter hangar in the main aft deck, which you can see on some of the photos on the yacht's <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69">profile page</a>. It provides a safe storage space for the delicate helicopter, protecting it from seawater spray and the elements. The yacht is currently undergoing a major refit. By Maarten Janssen, photo by Christo303

The 73 metre Amels superyacht Ilona at the IYCA

Merijn is currently visiting the South of France to supply SuperyachtTimes.com with new photos and to check the ports for newly launched yachts and name changes. At SYT we always stay up to date with the latest information. To do so, we visit ports on a regular basis.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122968/image/large-10ff5296807b1ad37b4535f783fc0e86.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122968">The first yacht I saw when I arrived on July 24 was the new Abeking &amp; Rasmussen <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/58" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Aviva</a>. She was docked in the Port of Nice. A few days later I saw her passing far off the coast heading to Saint Tropez.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122969/image/large-0ddcd7ff51d69ea4e11a9fa97f991941.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122969">The 62m Codecasa Apogee arriving in Monaco. Before she was heading to Monaco she was anchored off St Jean Cap Ferrat. Apogee is owned by a Texas businessman and a popular charter yacht. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122970/image/large-b5ec319f8b25e20b2d09b3671e260884.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122970">Shortly after Apogee came in Monaco she was followed by the new Abeking <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/59" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Lady Sheridan</a>. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/59" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Lady Sheridan</a> was anchored off Beaulieu-sur-Mer next to her sister <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/966" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Zenobia</a>. She arrived in the South of France in May and is available for charter through Nigel Burgess.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122971/image/large-b0b38f4b5b099f9341a2c8ab73489fed.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122971"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1330" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Te Manu</a> was built in 1998 by Codecasa Yachts as Andale. When the owner of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/195" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Andale</a> took delivery of his new yacht, he sold the yacht and she was renamed <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1330" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Te Manu</a>. Her she is pictured whilst leaving Port Hercule of Monaco. A few weeks ago she was seen in Santa Margerita Ligure.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122972/image/large-207040080b72b2e487aefd12dc91c300.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122972"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/210" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Savarona</a> anchored off Beaulieu-sur-Mer in the evening light. Looks like she had a recent paint job as her waterline used to be blue.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122973/image/large-38d47f684c7dcf0d936be13bc52d1087.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122973"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1258" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Gloria Teresa</a> leaving Port Vauban of Antibes on July 25. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1258" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Gloria Teresa</a> was built by the Spanish Izar shipyard in 2005. Her lines are very similar to the 48m <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/470" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Flying Eagle</a>, which is not strange of course as both yachts were designed by Reymond Langton Design.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122974/image/large-6b4d6b86a60235ff85f2d42157cc390e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122974">The massive 72m Amels <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Ilona</a> anchored off Juan Les Pins on July 25. She is very active as I saw her today anchored off Antibes and the day before she was anchored off Monaco.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122975/image/large-d35ffae93f377e14a202d3f3e438a687.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122975"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1352" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Ariane V</a> at her home berth in Port Camille Rayon of Golfe Juan. This 45m yacht was built by Dubigeon-Normandie in 1966 and she must have a recent paint job as the black around her windows on the upper deck is new. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1352" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Ariane V</a> is a very private yacht and during the summer you can also find her sometimes at Saint Tropez.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122976/image/large-e63a23b14067c871da00c9ac19eb4d61.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122976"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/959" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Tatasu</a> leaving the old Port of Cannes. The 47m <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/959" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Tatasu</a> was built by Feadship Royal Van Lent &amp; Zonen to a design of De Voogt Naval Architects. The interior of this private yacht was designed by Larvor. During the summer she cruises the Mediterranean.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122977/image/large-8a225b35416bad57e9f724639715e84e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122977"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1586" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Janie</a> cruising off Monaco at full speed after she had just left Port Hercule. The 47m <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1586" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Janie</a> was built by Trinity Yachts in 2004 to an in-house design and with an interior by Scott Carpenter.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122978/image/large-74b6cb144c692904a25b42a735631049.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122978"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/528" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Starfire</a> leaving Monaco on July 25. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/528" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Starfire</a> is a 54m Benetti yacht built in 1997 as Ambrosia for a Hong Kong owner. After her owner took delivery of the 65m <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/607" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Ambrosia III</a> he sold her and she was renamed <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/528" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Starfire</a>. Currently she is owned by an American who cruises the Mediterranean during the summer and the Caribbean during the winter.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122979/image/large-a0615b973bad929d39261c38bb23aa96.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122979">Dear Henri arriving in Monaco. Dear Henri is one of the few Antage 32's which was ever built. Not much is known about this private yacht apart from that she is usually moored in Port Hercule of Monaco.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122980/image/large-831f324754cf0db6d1b9386d28be8233.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122980">The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/YachtModel/911" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">ISA 136</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/912" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Ti Voglio Tanto Bene</a> at full speed off Monaco on July 25. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/912" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">T.V.T.B.</a> was very active recently as she was cruising a few times between Cannes &amp; Monaco.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122981/image/large-6273b878e62128803fa4522c0e299205.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122981">The German owned Christophorus VI cruising off Monaco. The 32m Christophorus VI was built by Bugari in 1992 to a design of Tommaso Spadolini. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122982/image/large-7402cd55f40ec62f6485e2538ec5ad6b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122982"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/208" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Kogo</a> anchored off Beaulieu-sur-Mer during the evening of July 25. Recently she was seen off San Remo and currently she is docked in Port Hercule of Monaco.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122983/image/large-8f2f07f0120b2e9aa920477414388b62.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122983"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/280" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Hampshire</a> anchored off St Jean Cap Ferrat. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/280" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Hampshire</a> was built by Feadship De Vries Scheepsbouw in 2001 as Barbara Jean. She changed hands recently and underwent a refit at Compositeworks in La Ciotat where a new interior to a design of Redman Whiteley &amp; Dixon was installed.

Superyacht sightings in the Cote d'Azur - 1

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<img src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/122049/image/large-921d279676d6521fb014b8f870ff130b.jpg" alt="" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/122049">
The Amels <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/69">Ilona</a> at night in the International Yacht Club of Antibes
 Photo credit: <a href="https://www.superyachtphoto.com">Christo303 / Yacht-Images.com</a>
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