Monthly News - May 2011

-pic of the month- Riviera Makes Waves with Twelve Skiers

Azimut at Beriut Boat Show

Lebanon is one of the key market of the entire Middle East, which today represents for Azimut Yachts, about the 20% of total sales, with an increasing order portfolio for the coming season. Azimut Yachts, represented by Blue-Point Yachting, exclusive Dealer for Lebanon, will be present with a 250 “M2” Stand, having on display 7 yachts. The Azimut 43, 48, 53 and 70 masterpieces representing the Flybridge Collection and the 40S and for the Sport Collection. Azimut Yachts is also proud to announce the première of the Magellano Collection, the Magellano 50, on display for the first time in the Middle East. The Magellano 50 is a semi-displacement vessel, ideal for long-range trips, ensuring a high level of on-board autonomy, comfort and safety in all sea and wind conditions.

Azimut and Atlantis at Rio Boat Show

The Rio de Janeiro boat show strengthens the leadership of the Azimut Benetti group, which achieves a total of 29 boats sold under the Azimut Yachts and Atlantis brands. These figures confirm the leadership in a rapidly expanding market, and the far-sightedness of investing in a production that focuses exclusively on Brazil. Of the 16 Azimut Yachts and Atlantis models exhibited, the most successful were the new 48 Atlantis and the 43, the 53 and the 58 in the Azimut Flybridge Collection, the Azimut 88 in the superior category and the 103SL in the Sports Collection. The Azimut 103SL was the largest model exhibited at the Rio Boat Show. This success was also due to the Group's solid cooperation with the local dealer Yachts Brasil which, with its 22 sale outlets located around the coast of Brazil and in the main towns, today represents the most widespread dealer and support network in the area. As pointed out by Luca Morando, CEO of Azimut do Brasil, the Group also has reason to be proud of the appearance of the first Azimut 43 and Azimut 58 at the Rio Boat Show; these two models are produced in the new Azimut do Brasil facility in Santa Caterina and were both sold during the show.

Bavaria Premiere at Match Race Germany

The Match Race Germany in Langenargen represents for years one of the sporting highlight for sailing enthusiasts in Germany will be the venue for the World premiere of the Bavaria Sport 43HT on 27 May. Bavaria motor boats enthusiats will enjoy an exciting regatta day on the water and as well at the “Brezze In” VIP-Lounge so that they can get to know everything about our new motorboat.

Cigarette Launches Print Gallery

The image of Cigarette has always been hot, sexy, notorious and all about the enjoyment of horsepower and beauty. Now that "image" is available through fine art-quality prints of historic Cigarette Racing Team advertising, photos and logos suitable for the home, office, workshop or airplane hangar. In response to constant customer demand, selected Cigarette Racing Team images are being offered in keeping with the iconic brand's high-standards of design and quality, not as poster-quality prints, but with the same professional printers and papers used for fine art photography. Each photograph has been color-corrected, optimized and printed on Kodak Professional Supra Endura VC paper; this archive-quality, fine art paper is rated for 100 years of home use and 200 years in dark storage. These visual records of Cigarette Racing Team's industry-leading imagery are available in a variety of sizes for any use, from bookshelf to wall art. Historic black & white prints come in 8" x 10" and 16" x 20" sizes; ads are available in 10" x 15," 16" x 24," and 20" x 30" formats and logos in 8" x 12," 16" x 24," and 20" x 30" prints. In addition to the prints, framing, matting, glass, and a myriad of options to deliver a ready-to-hang art piece are also offered. Selected items are also offered as 1.5" unframed standouts, a unique way to display the #1 Cigarette Logo.

Grand Banks Appoints New Production Director

Grand Banks Yachts today announced the appointment of Bruce Livingston as the company's new Production Director. The appointment marks his return to Grand Banks, where he originally served as Director and Plant Manager at its main factory in Johor, Malaysia, from 1996 to 2005. Livingston comes to Grand Banks from Vicem Yachts, where he served as Production Director for the Turkish boatbuilder. His career includes a long list of accomplishments and accolades, starting with his early role as Project Manager for Coddington Yachts in Rhode Island. He then moved on to a 14-year run with Little Harbor in Asia, where he launched and managed several operations for that company in Taiwan and Singapore, as well as in the United States. During that time Livingston oversaw more than 200 people and produced over a hundred custom and semi-custom sailboats, helping to build the company's strong reputation for quality. That eye for quality led him to a position in 1996 with Grand Banks Yachts, as Director and Plant Manager for the company's operations in Johor, Malaysia. For nearly a decade Livingston played a key role in establishing GB Malaysia as the primary production facility for the company, doubling production in his first three years and paving the way for the introduction of the larger, more sophisticated yachts Grand Banks builds today.

Gulf Craft Sales Success

Undeniably, Gulf Craft, the Middle East’s and Asia’s largest and leading producer of fiberglass boats, yachts and superyachts, has begun 2011 with great sensation. Five global launches at the Dubai Boat Show in March marked Gulf Craft’s intention of seeing 2011 as a year of growth, followed by a hugely successful Asian tour highlighting Gulf Craft’s vision of an emergence of a third large yachting destination globally, defined by the yachting grounds connecting the Middle East and SE-Asia cruising destinations. This led the way for the new dealer appointment of Eminence Yachting in Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines, and successful yacht sales in the Asia region. In the fast paced and developing international yacht market, Gulf Craft understand one of the reasons of their success to be that they take business very personally. The accessibility to their clients and taking the time to get to know and build mutual respect and understanding of each individual customer is a view that Gulf Craft take very seriously when it comes to selling yachts and superyachts. Looking within, the top management team of Gulf Craft is very much involved and accessible at every stage in the business internally and externally. Visible to their factory workers, as well as all customers and the media, the commitment of the management to travelling the globe, standing on stands at boat shows, giving guests personalized tours of boats themselves and entertaining on media road shows, all add up to give greater accessibility and clarity for all through this personalized approach. Continuing to show their commitment to customers and prospective customers, as well as moving with the current fast paced world of communication, Gulf Craft have recently invested and introduced a new Blog. Ready to use now, the Blog serves as an online ‘newspaper’ for everything Gulf Craft. The Blog contains and will regularly be updated with the latest press announcements, pictures of events, product news and media coverage, and will compliment the existing Facebook social networking pages in displaying Gulf Craft’s news and successes. These online facilities are available to share with anyone, from customers and potential customers, to the media, dealers and suppliers. Gulf Craft believe that anyone interested in Gulf Craft, especially possible customers looking to invest in a yacht, will undoubtedly be interested in the story behind the product.

Heesen Introduces IPad App

Heesen Yachts, the Dutch shipyard and world leader in the construction of luxury superyachts, is proud to introduce its new app - now available in the iTunes Store for free download. This is the first iPad application launched by any shipyard within the superyacht industry. The Heesen iPad app allows users to browse an extensive gallery of all Heesen’s latest launches, ranging from 37 to 65 metres. It includes the basic specifications and features of every yacht in the Heesen fleet, plus a selection of movies and images of the very latest projects. As well as being highly accessible, the Heesen iPad app provides intuitive and highly visual information about the yard and its yachts. Users can compare up to four images at a time and can email individual images to their contacts.

ISA Wins Super Yacht Award

The World Superyacht Award, dubbed the "Oscars" of the superyacht world, awards the best super yachts launched in 2010 for their 360 degree high-quality standards. This year glittering edition was held in the magnificent Guihall in London last May 7th, 2011. ISA 60.5 Mary-Jean II was chosen by the eminent jury, composed by super yacht owners and renowned specialists in the sectors, in one of the most competitive category where 9 excellent motor yachts were shortlisted. Of course, a further reasons of great satisfaction for ISA was having its two latest superyacht shortlisted for such an significant award, even though it was a shame having them in the same category. ISA went on stage to collect the award with YPI, of course, with which the Mary-Jean II is listed for charter, and Mark Berryman, the interior designer. Mary-Jean II, designed by ISA's in-house naval architects together with Mark Berryman signing the interior project, is a very elegant and eye-catching steel-aluminium custom motoryacht. Launched last Summer, she immediately attracted the insiders'attention for her top-quality standards at the Monaco yacht Show where she was displayed. Another confirmatory aspect was the large press coverage that she produced... thus meaning that success was already in her DNA. Winning the prestigious "Neptune" statue means fulfilling a dream for ISA, which has been seriously working for ten years trying to give its customers the best possible products and apparently it worked.

ISA Gets Stronger in India

ISA announces a new partnership signed with an important group in INDIA, THE ESTD, for the marketing of her products. ISA and THE ESTD (formerly known as InterGlobe Established Products Private Limited), announce to have signed a representation agreement within the region for the marketing of ISA yachts. India is now on a growth path and is expected to become one of the largest luxury markets in the world. THE ESTD was preferred by ISA for his attitude in offering only the best to its clients, a philosophy that ISA totally shares since the very beginning of its 10-years history.  After the success in the Business Aviation sector, THE ESTD aims at setting the benchmark in lifestyle products by promoting a large portfolio of luxury products, where from today also the yachts are included.

Jarrett Bay 2011 Tournaments Heating Up

The summer tournament season has gotten off to a hot start for some Jarrett Bay owners and crew, with both the Ravaganza & Sea Striker posting 3rd place finishes a couple weeks ago! Jarrett Bay report Captain Adrian Holler and team aboard the 61′ Jarrett Bay, Sea Striker took home 3rd place overall in the level 1 and level 2 billfish divisions and won several gamefish pots this past weekend in the 17th annual Hatteras Village Offshore Open. Wired Up & Outer Limits took 1st & 2nd, respectively. After releasing the first blue marlin of the tournament at 9am Wednesday morning, Sea Striker quickly picked up on the dolphin bite, and ended up with the largest mahi mahi of the tournament. After a lay-day on Thursday, they boxed the second biggest dolphin of the tourney on Friday. Coincidentally, their second blue marlin came mid-day on Saturday, and after a 4+ hour fight, they also had the honor of making the last release of the tournament. That’s what we call call wire to wire! Their showing in the Offshore Open currently has them perched as the 1st place team in the North Carolina Governor’s Cup – a release series consisting of seven tournaments throughout the season.

Majesty Yachts New Dealer in South East Asia

Gulf Craft, the leading builder of fiberglass luxury motor yachts in the Middle East and Asia, has appointed Eminence Yachting Ltd. to distribute the Majesty range of yachts and superyachts in Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines. Formed by Simon Turner, of Iconovista in Singapore, and Bart Kimman, of Asia Yacht Services, Hong Kong, the new company, Eminence Yachting, will focus upon sales of yachts and superyachts in the contracted territories. The Majesty Yachts range will be their key brand, while they will also deal with other international manufacturers. The company has been awarded an exclusive dealership by Gulf Craft for Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines, which will be supported by their Asia-wide infrastructure for both sales and servicing.

Maritimo Follows Sanctuary Cove Show with Sea Trials

Maritimo was "disappointed" by the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show - but excited about the result. Following the show dealers in all States are working hard with sea trials for clients as a result of the show said Marketing Director Luke Durman. He said show visitors showed no sense of urgency to do business during the show. The company unveiled two new models under its Mustang brand - the much heralded 32 Sports Cruiser and a surprise Mustang 50 - as well as an enclosed flybridge version of the popular Aegean 55. The Maritimo C60 Sports Cabriolet also gained strong attention as did our new C53. During the show Maritimo entertained a large contingent of dealers and customers from the USA and the result was encouraging with orders for the M48 Motoryacht, Mustang 50 and 440 Offshore Convertible. The company also unveiled a completely new interior look for all current models. Mr Durman said the interior styling was very well received.

Pershing Customer Relations Award

In recognition of its exceptional customer relations and customer relationship management, Ventura UK has received the ‘Best Marketing & CRM Performance’ award from Pershing. The award was made at Pershing’s recent dealer conference in Cattolica, Italy, which was attended by principals and representatives from 60 Pershing dealerships around the world. The award was won in competition with all of Pershing’s dealers worldwide, and was presented to Michael Newton-Woof, General Manger of Ventura UK, by Giancarlo Galeone, CEO of the Ferretti Group, which owns Pershing along with Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Mochi Craft, Itama, Bertram, Custom Line and CRN. This year’s dealer conference ran consecutively with a VIP client event attended by specially invited Pershing owner’s and prospective owners from Europe and beyond. Seven models from the current Pershing fleet were lined up for inspection on the pontoons in Cattolica. Highlight of the 2-day event, which took place on 7-8 May, was the world debut of the phenomenal Pershing 108, the latest addition to the Pershing stable. This stunning, 42-knot superyacht is among the most eagerly anticipated that Pershing has ever produced. Her triple-engined surface drive configuration makes her not only very fast, but also unusually versatile, giving her a top speed close to 50mph as well as the ability to make passage at 10 knots under a single engine, at very low noise levels, with a range of up to 1000nm.

Riviera Makes Wakes Waves with Twelve Skiers in Tow

To celebrate the world release of the new 61 Series II Enclosed Flybridge, Riviera hosted a pre-launch of the sparkling new vessel by towing 12 professional water-skiers the length of the Gold Coast’s Broadwater this morning. The Sydney owners of this latest model from the Australia’s award-winning pleasure boat builder recently took delivery their new vessel and wanted to do something special to celebrate its launch before it is officially released to the world at the 2011 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show on May 19. The new 61 Series II features 3100 horse power and with 12 professional water-skiers in tow, the 61 turned heads as she cruised up the Broadwater. Riviera’s director of brand and communication Stephen Milne said it was a very impressive scene. The owners said they had been avid water skiers for the past 28 years so to have Riviera launch their new vessel with 12 professional water-skiers in tow was quite fitting. They said they were extremely impressed with the finished result after buying the boat off the plan at the Sydney International Boat Show last year. The new owners of the 61 Series II have previously owned 11 new Rivieras including the 3300, 36 Flybridge, 4000 Offshore, M290, M430, M360, M400, 45, 51, and 43 Offshore.

Riviera Sanctuary Cove Wrap Up

Riviera, Australia’s most awarded pleasure boat builder has had a stellar performance at the 2011 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show with 10 new boat sales totalling $15 million. Riviera’s newest models, the 53 Enclosed Flybridge and 61 Series II proved to be crowd stoppers following their successful world release on day one of the show. Riviera’s chief executive officer, John Anderson said the 53 was the real star of the show with three sales achieved during the show. Riviera celebrated the launch of these two new models with a VIP launch party on the Friday night of the show where 450 Riviera owners and guests enjoyed Riviera hospitality on the floating display. Talented impersonators Dame Edna and Michael Jackson entertained revellers from the bow of a 70 Flybridge. In fitting with the theme ‘Riviera: History in the Making’ celebrating 30 years, the Michael Jackson impersonator put on a spectacular show leading with the late musician’s hit song ‘History’. Riviera’s director of brand and communications Stephen Milne said the VIP launch party was a huge success and everyone was impressed with the high calibre entertainment. Riviera is now preparing for the upcoming 2011 Sydney International Boat Show in July where the 53 and 61 Series II will make their Sydney debut.

Sunreef Power Appointed Official Yacht During Audi Med Cup

Sunreef announce that the 70 Power 'Abuelo' has been officially appointed as the VIP yacht during the prestigious Audi Med Cup which started in Cascais, Portugal on the 17th May and will end in Barcelona on 17th September. ABUELO will follow the Cup to Marseille, Cagliari and Cartagena before the finals in the capital of Cataluña. Sunreef advise that the yacht still has some charter availabilities in between the regattas.

Sunseeker Employee's Raise Money for Charity

Sunseeker staff members based at the Technology Centre have rallied together and raised a fantastic £500 for local charity, Julia's House. Every Thursday without fail, Wood Technology team members Paul Kiff and Ian Stone give up their tea break, prepare a trolley filled with recyclable scrap sheets of plywood and sell it for whatever donation someone is prepared to give. The team unanimously decided the money should go towards Julia's House, a local Dorset charity that is dedicated to helping children with life limiting conditions.

Sunseeker Sponsors a Winner

April saw the inaugural Ironkids event held in Phuket at The Thanyapura Sports & Leisure Club at The Phuket International Academy (PIA), where 113 students took part.  The purpose of the event was to inspire, motivate and develop young people into leading an active and healthy lifestyle through participation in sport and recreation. Sunseeker Thailand/Asia along with a number of other local companies took the opportunity to sponsor a participant of the Boys Senior event; Nicky Murphy, who is a pupil at PIA on a football scholarship programme. C&C Marine, Hull-Suzuki Marine, The Expat Hotel-Patong and KiteSurf were also sponsoring Nicky. The event saw the participants compete over a 300m swim, followed a 12km bike ride concluded with a 3 mile run. After completing the swim in 2nd place, Nicky came out 1st out of the transition section, leading the event and never looked back from then on. Nicky won the event comfortably in the end and was awarded a medal by Jurgen Zack, eight times World Champion of Ironman and Thailand's Minister for Sport.

Sunseeker Positive Jersey Show

The fourth Jersey Boat Show was a resounding success for Sunseeker Channel Islands who showcased four Sunseeker motor yachts for guests and visitors to view, the Manhattan 70, Predator 60, Manhattan 52 and Portofino 48. Sunseeker Channel Islands teamed up with Jacksons, Lombard, Jersey Land Rover and Diamondology to offer Sunseeker clients a truly memorable visit to the show. Barclays Wealth, the Show's sponsors, hosted a cocktail party on board the Manhattan 70 for 80 of their guests over the course of Saturday afternoon. Diamondology offered guests the opportunity to take part in a 'Spot the Diamond' challenge, whereby guests were given the chance to try their luck in finding a genuine diamond hidden amongst 299 other artificial gems. On the last day of the Boat Show, Clive and Liza Coutanche picked out the diamond and enjoyed a private tour of the Manhattan 70 whilst sipping Champagne, followed by a trip in a chauffeur driven Range Rover back to their home at the end of the Show.

Sunseeker Open Weekend in Greece

Sunseeker Hellas S.A, part of the Sunseeker London distributor network and based in Alimos will be hosted their annual Sunseeker Open Weekend at the premier marina 'Marina Flisvos' on 14th and 15th May 2011. Guests visiting the Open Weekend had the opportunity to view the range of pre-owned boats currently available in Greece, including an extensive range of Sunseeker motoryachts. Sunseeker Hellas S.A members of staff where on hand, along with event partners, MTU, Pantaenius and Total Hellas lubricants to discuss any enquiries, including the wide range of services available to Sunseeker Hellas S.A clients in Greece. Established in 2007, Sunseeker Hellas S.A has since developed to become one of the leading Sunseeker yacht distributors, providing exceptional customer care and offering a wide range of services for clients. The Sunseeker Open Weekend is a great opportunity for guests and visitors to meet the dedicated sales and service team in Greece.

Wider at Monaco Grand Prix

After the great success obtained in April during the world preview held in Rapallo (Italy) and the very recent award as “Best Nautical Project of the Year” received in occasion of Internautica Boat Show in Portoroz (Slovenia), Wider, the new yachting company established in 2010 by Tilli Antonelli, will be present at the 69th Grand Prix of Monaco, starting today with the first session of free practice. Thanks to the significant collaboration of Monaco Boat Service, Wider 42’, the first model of the range which conceives the wider cockpit unique concept, will be anchored at the Port Hercule where Formula 1 enthusiasts and the Monaco public will be able to admire and visit the yacht in the wonderful contest of the Monaco circuit, until Tuesday May the 31st.