Arcadia Chooses Sculati and Partners
The communication consulting agency Sculati & Partners has been appointed as advisor for media relations services and press office activities by Arcadia Yachts, a shipyard based in the Gulf of Naples that builds yachts from 18 to 35 meters with a green soul and unmistakable style, a symbol of innovation, excellence and Italian design all over the world. Sculati & Partners will support Arcadia Yachts through collaboration with the marketing management to consolidate the company’s messaging at the national and international levels. The focus will be on dialogue with the nautical sector, generalist and lifestyle, across national and international media, with the aim to guarantee a continuous and lasting exchange between the shipyard and the media by creating and facilitating a robust flow of information. Founded by Ugo Pellegrino in 2008, Arcadia Yachts is based on the Sorrento peninsula, opposite Capri and a few kilometers from the Pompeii excavations, where it occupies an area of 47,000 square meters divided into two modern structures of 36,000 and 11,000 square meters, consisting of offices, workshops for fitting out, lacquering and fiberglass, as well as a marina for the launching and hauling of yachts. Sculati & Partners, based in Milan, is one of the reference communication consulting agencies within the world yachting industry, a sector that sees Italy in first place and which represents a turnover of almost 6 billion euros for the economy of the country (Confindustria Nautica data - August 2021).
Arcadia Boosts Order Book
The end-of-January snapshot reveals the excellent results of the initiatives launched in recent months by Arcadia Yachts, with the company proudly announcing the sale of the fourth Sherpa 80 XL unit. The latest addition to the Arcadia Yachts family, Sherpa 80 XL is an eye-catching 24-metre yacht that fully reflects the design philosophy of the shipyard, which prioritises respect for the ecosystem through the extensive use of solar power and an ongoing effort to reduce consumption. Like the other models in the Arcadia Yachts fleet, this vessel with a semi-planing hull features amazing seamless continuity between the exteriors and the interiors, which are designed as generous spaces surrounded by up and down windows to reduce the use of air conditioning, fitted with latest-generation solar panels on the roof, and flooded with natural light and the sea breeze. The sale of this unit confirms the success of the new business strategy implemented by the shipyard founded by Ugo Pellegrino, which less than a year after the arrival of Francesco Frediani, in the role of chief commercial officer, has significantly increased the number of owners won over by the brand’s fleet, so much so that the order book in January 2022 already amounts to approximately 20 million euros. Nine new Arcadia Yachts units are slated for production and delivery by the end of 2022 at the company’s 47,000-square-metre production facility. They will operate in the Mediterranean; Italy, Greece, Turkey and the Balearic Islands, and in the waters off the emirate of Dubai. The profile of the owners attracted by Arcadia Yachts models is also changing, and they now have a much more diverse background than in the past, driven by the process of brand internationalisation. This key objective in the company’s strategy also involves adapting the features of yachts according to the destination country. With numerous expressions of interest arriving not only from Dubai which joins consolidated areas like the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and Australia but also from owners based in the United States and the Asia Pacific region, the shipyard soon plans to announce partnerships with brand representatives in these areas. The coming months are therefore set to be hectic ones for Arcadia Yachts, not only to meet the current commercial and production budget, but also to lay the groundwork for activities in the near future. Against this backdrop, Vincenzo Duraccio has been appointed Quality Manager with the aim of improving the brand’s positioning still further, not least by increasing the volume of orders booked. An engineer with experience in production management for corporate businesses, Duraccio was for many years a researcher and professor in the faculties of engineering at leading Italian universities, working in the fields of production, logistics and quality. To ensure that his extensive experience can immediately be put to use in the yachting industry, he will be flanked for a period by external professionals who have already worked with the shipyard. Finally, the coming months will see the presentation of the new A Line models, given the difficult task of replacing products that over the years have become icons in the yachting world. The first model is planned to touch the water in spring/summer 2023.
Bayliss Action at Los Suenos Triple Crown
Leg 1 of Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown is in the books. Congratulations to two Bayliss Boatyard customers for topping the leaderboard! Miss AC took first place overall catching 32 sailfish and 5 blue marlin, and Max Bet, who recently re-powered in the Bayliss Boatyard in 2020, came in third place catching 14 sailfish and 8 blue marlin. Max Bet also won the daily on Day 2 of the tournament. Tarheel a Bayliss 62 finished out Leg 1 by winning the daily on Day 3 of the tournament. They caught 17 sailfish and 1 blue marlin for the win based on time. Captains and crews will gear up to fish Leg 2 of the Triple Crown in the last week of February, we wish them well.
Benetti Partners with CMC Marine
CMC Marine has partnered with Benetti Yachtmaster, the event held in February in Venice for over 200 participants, including captains, crews and other yachting professionals. The most recent example of collaboration between the two brands was on models in the Oasis and Motopanfilo categories. For the award-winning Oasis 40M and the new Motopanfilo 37M, CMC Marine supplied the company’s Stabilis Electra LR90 electric fin stabilizers and also the bow thrusters.
Bilgin Finalist at the 2022 Boat International Design and Innovation Awards
Bilgin Yachts 80 meter motor yacht Tatiana is nominated in the 2022 edition of the prestigious Boat International Design and Innovation Awards in four categories. These categories are “Outstanding Exterior Motor Yachts 60m and above”, “Best Interior Design, Motor Yachts 500GT and above”, “Best Naval Architecture, Displacement Motor Yachts”, and “Outstanding Lifestyle Feature” with her beach club. Designed for luxury and comfort at sea, Tatiana features naval architecture and exterior design by Unique Yacht Design and interior design by H2 Yacht Design. “Today we are proud and excited to make the special announcement about how Tatiana keeps attracting more attention in the international superyacht scene,” says İsmail Şengün, the CEO of Bilgin Yachts.
Dynamiq Champions Crypto and Expands to South East Asia
Dynamiq is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Quantum Yacht Group, to start accepting crypto currencies as modes of payment for new construction of the whole Dynamiq range of yachts. The opportunity is going even further by allowing the owner’s supply items, such as loose furniture, yacht tenders and water toys, to also be completely paid for in crypto. Quantum Yacht Group is supported by end-to-end encryption, with purpose built crypto yacht exchange and asset management platform offers investors and suppliers the highest level of security for instant multi-currency settlements around the globe. “We are pleased to partner with Dynamiq Yachts to facilitate the industry’s first global “crypto to fiat” payment solution for luxury yacht new construction,” Nick James, CEO of Quantum Yacht Group. Along with the new payment system, Dynamiq is also expanding to South East Asia and has appointed Boats IQ as its brand representative in the area. Headquartered in Singapore, with growing presence across the region, the company is ideally placed to help build Dynamiq’s branding in these developing yacht markets. Boats IQ is led by Martin McIntyre, former award-winning industry Sales Director and Senior Yacht Broker with some of the industry’s most established and leading brokerage houses. “We are both proud and excited that Boats IQ is now representing the spectacular Dynamiq brand in South East Asia,” says Martin McIntyre, Managing Director of Boats IQ, “Dynamiq's modern design, unique exteriors and stunning bespoke interiors are not the only impressive aspects of these Italian built Superyachts, they are designed in the Netherlands with an ocean-going capability in mind. This means our owners in Asia will have the opportunity to enjoy long range cruising in the region and beyond.” "We are so happy to find in Boats IQ the right partner to promote Dynamiq in South East Asia,” says Sergei Dobroserdov, Dynamiq founder and CEO. “We are confident that our shared values of efficiency, innovation and transparency will be welcomed in this part of the world. We would like to see this region become one of our key markets, as people here admire elegance and design, but are also attentive to technical details and pricing, and very rational in taking decisions. This is where Dynamiq stands out from the competition with our innovative yet value-for-money superyachts.”
Fairline New China Dealership
Effective immediately, Simpson Marine takes over the entire China region as Fairline Yachts’ exclusive dealer. First announced as a dealer in 2018, the partnership has gone from strength to strength, and with an increasing number of yacht deliveries and a growing love for the brand across Asia, the dealership now extends from Hong Kong and South East Asia to North Asia. The leading yacht sales and services company in Asia, Simpson Marine has nearly four decades of experience and a total of 12 offices in seven countries. It will now sell Fairline from Sanya in Hainan, Shenzhen and Shanghai, with the offices collectively being known as Fairline China. Richard Allen, Group General Manager at Simpson Marine, says, “We are very excited about this new development with Fairline. This market segment is very active and Fairline is perfectly positioned to appeal to its growing number of customers. Fairline is always well-received here, particularly for its high-quality yachts across the 40 – 70ft range. With multiple options and configurations, with Fairline we can ensure we can deliver the perfect yacht for every client.” Fairline’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Grys, comments, “Extending Simpson Marine’s representation of Fairline is the next natural step in our ongoing relationship. The business is well established in the region and has a proven track record of delivering our yachts to their customers. Our two brands align perfectly with our shared core values and high standards, and we look forward to seeing the partnership continue to flourish and our brand thrive across this region.” Richard Allen adds, “We have recently delivered a new Targa 45 GT into Shanghai and have more models arriving throughout 2022. The first of which is the recently announced flagship Squadron 68 landing in Hong Kong next month. This marks a promising start to our expansion with the brand.” This news comes after Simpson Marine announced its best year to date, with the delivery of a record-breaking 135 new and pre-owned yachts in 2021.
Ferretti Group Exclusively Adopts Watchit Anti Collision System
Collision and running aground are two of the biggest worries for all captains and their crews. To further improve safety on their yachts, Ferretti Group, a world leader in the design, construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, has announced it will adopt the innovative "Watchit" system patented by Aqua Marina Tech, an Israeli company that develops advanced technology solutions for saving lives at sea. “Watchit” is a uniquely innovative and patented technology designed to warn captains of all dangers at sea, including the risk of collision. The solution processes data from existing onboard sensors in parallel with data from maps, using artificial intelligence and automatic learning algorithms to constantly assess the risk of collision and issue warnings in real time to prevent accidents at sea. “Safety, which means peace of mind and relaxation, is one of the keys to the success of our yachts. “Watchit” is a highly innovative system that Ferretti Group will adopt on an exclusive basis, once again showing it is a step ahead of everyone in terms of the quality of the cruising experience,” said Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi. “With this new technology, the owners, captains and crews of our fleet know they can count on an unparalleled standard of safety.” “We are very happy that Ferretti Group yachts will be the first to install our "Watchit” technology,” commented Amir Eyal, founder of Aqua Marina Tech. “We decided to take up this challenge to leave a mark on the yachting sector by making navigation more of a pleasure, by reducing pointless and expensive damage, and above all by raising safety standards to save lives at sea.”
Ferretti Group New Dealer in Denmark
Ferretti Group further strengthens its presence in Europe and announces a new dealership agreement with Risbjerg AS to market the Ferretti Yachts, Pershing and Riva brands in Denmark on an exclusive basis. With this new partnership the Group consolidates its service network coverage in Denmark, ensuring that owners receive comprehensive assistance from the time of order to the after-sales period. Risbjerg AS is a highly experienced Danish boat dealer represented by Jakob Sorensen and Ole Risbjerg. Risbjerg AS has been in business for about twenty years, building up a deep understanding of the local market, a broad-based presence in the region, and consolidated expertise across the entire buying and selling process, from pre-purchase consulting to assistance and support. “Risbjerg AS stands out for a focus on relationships and efficiency that will enable Ferretti Group to extend its reach still further in the European market. The choice of a partner with great expertise and a strong tradition allows us to consolidate our distribution network and give a new boost to our international expansion plans. In this way we will increasingly ensure that our customers, in every corner of the globe, receive comprehensive pre- and after-sales service, reflecting and conveying the values of excellence and innovation to which we owe our position as market leader,” commented Ferretti Group CCO Stefano de Vivo.
Formula 66th Year
Model year 2022 marks Thunderbird’s 66th year in the production of fiberglass powerboats. A family-owned company located in Decatur, Indiana, Thunderbird produces boats that are world renowned for beautiful styling, advanced engineering and exciting performance on the water. With a long-established philosophy of uncompromising quality in every detail, Formula is recognized as today’s premier powerboat. Company history reflects the constant evolution of forward-looking product in the Fas³Tech hull, trendsetting Crossover, Bowriders, Sun Sports and also in luxurious Performance Cruiser models.
Gamefisherman Throwback Video
Gamefisherman present a 90s throwback video, digitally converted from VHS. This Ed Murray Video Production of Murray Bros. Original was filmed aboard 40′ Gamefisherman TIJERETA in 1990 with one of the top guns of fishing at the helm, Captain Bubba Carter. This 40' Gamefisherman now fishes Bermuda as Challenger, operated by father and son team, Alan and Ian Card.
Lomac Targets Customisation
The Milan-based yard has always had an extensive product line, split into seven families, two of which - IN and OK - are changing their name to Euforia and Turismo. And now this offering will be even more “made to measure” with the new online configurator available on the Lomac website.
MJM New Enhanced Construction
MJM are constantly striving to design and build stronger, lighter, more capable family day-boats and performance cruising yachts. MJM new facility in Washington, North Carolina has enabled us to not only expand production, but to significantly enhance our overall construction technology now with, advanced composites engineer Philip Steggall, MJM has embraced a new process called Enhanced Epoxy Composite Construction .
Overmarine Mangusta New Isreal Dealer
Overmarine Group, established in 1985 by the Balducci family, who is still running the company as its sole owner, further expands its presence in the Middle East by formalising the dealership on the Israeli market with Stream Yachts, owned by Roy Klajman, Itay Singer and Uri Idan. This agreement will allow the Group to expand even further and strengthen Mangusta’s image in a particularly interesting and flourishing area. Stream Yachts has more than twenty years of experience in the yachting industry, taking care of sales, chartering, yacht management, and customer service. “We are thrilled to be starting our cooperation with Roy Klajman and Itay Singer, thereby strengthening our presence in a very attractive market”, says Overmarine Group’s CEO Maurizio Balducci. It was Roy Klajman’s and Itay Singer’s passion for the sea that, in 1999, led to the establishment of Stream Yachts. The business soon became a reference player in Israel and beyond, driven by its strong focus on customer satisfaction – a value it shares with Overmarine Group, where Clients are taken step by step through every stage as their yacht comes to life: from design to manufacturing, all the way to delivery and, needless to say, an efficient after-sale service. Stream Yachts is the ideal partner to promote the Mangusta brand and range in this strategic area. The Dealer will be representing a brand that boasts a long-standing tradition and a very strong identity, and that currently includes 3 different product lines – three different ways of enjoying the sea, but all sharing the same innovative technologies, the same construction quality, and the same philosophy, which sees a boat as the embodiment of her Owner’s unique style at sea.
Pearl Announces Fifty Million Order Book
Since its founding, Pearl has firmly established and maintained a reputation as the Atelier of Yachting. The brand offers clients an exclusive experience and personal attention throughout the process, backed up by their industry-leading Five-Year Warranty. The shipyard’s resolve has been tested by growing demand. As of now, 20 units of the new Pearl 62 have been sold along with six units of the new Pearl 72 ahead of its launch scheduled for the Cannes Yachting Festival in September. The worldwide yachting frenzy is compounding with Pearl’s edge in the Flybridge market and the unique offering of British design duo Kelly Hoppen CBE and Dixon Yacht Design. While Kelly’s studio keeps clients coming back by launching exciting new themes with every model, Bill Dixon’s team have the experience to develop seaworthy, elegant naval platforms that always manage to offer something extra, a breath of fresh air in a market. The sales and service network is also expanding following the appointment of Jeff Brown Yachts in San Diego, with ongoing talks with new friends around the world. Fans of the brand in presently unserved regions likely don’t have long to wait. At the same time, Pearl is building up the internal structure to better support the network, with a flurry of new appointments to key team positions coming just ahead of the new Swanwick sales office opening in April. On the topic, Managing Director Iain Smallridge remarked, “Last year wasn’t without its challenges, one might think Pearl is just riding the wave of renewed interest in yachting, but it’s really been a balancing act. We wanted to take maximum advantage of the momentum, without letting that wave wash away. That’s why we’ve channelled the success of this year to improve all aspects of our business. Expanding the network and bringing in new talent is paramount, especially as we prepare to launch several new models over the next three years. As with the Pearl 62 and the 72, each design is going to bring something new to that sector of the market. We can barely wait to share them with our clients, stakeholders and friends.”
Riviera Owners Photo Competition Winners Announced
The winner has been announced for the February month’s Riviera Owners Photo and Video Competition. Cheryl Lamb, who submitted a stunning photo of two Riviera motor yachts anchored in the Whitsundays, has been named winner of our latest competition. Cheryl will receive a special Riviera prize pack for her winning entry. As every Riviera motor yacht owner knows, life is always better on a Riviera. With entries now open for next month’s competition, start sharing your inspiring moments aboard with the rest of the Riviera family.
Riviera Candy Sandy Strait Adventure
There is perhaps nothing more valuable in boating than experience and the peace of mind it brings at sea. When a fleet of Riviera and Belize owners joined the R Marine Jones team for an eight-night, 360-mile return trip to Fraser Island in August, they did so knowing that they were in the most capable hands. Leading the Great Sandy Strait Experience was Randall Jones, son Jack and Steven McPherson together boasting more than 80 years’ experience cruising Queensland’s east coast. For John and Jackie Farnea, on their new 6000 Sport Yacht, Cloud Catcher, the learning experience was invaluable. While quite familiar with Moreton Bay and the Gold Coast waterways, the couple haven’t spent as much time in the sub-tropical waters to the north. Since 2005, hundreds of Riviera owners have enjoyed the annual salty pilgrimage to the Great Sandy Strait with R Marine Jones. Picturesque anchorages and gin-clear waters aside, for many, the trip’s appeal lies in the support they receive charting new waters and navigating the Wide Bay Bar’s shifting sands, which can make entering the Great Sandy Strait behind Fraser Island a daunting prospect for first-timers. The fleet waited for the right tide and crossed the bar using the latest waypoints a job that requires pre-planning and an understanding of how water movements cause the sand bars to move from time-to-time. John and Jackie Farnea acquired their 6000 Sport Yacht earlier in the year, having moved up from a Riviera 42 Flybridge. Over the week, the group took the opportunity to explore new anchorages, enjoy plenty of whale watching, test out a new underwater sea scooter, and stretch their legs bushwalking. Relatively new at the helm of their Belize Sedan, Silver Lady, Lee and Teresa Jennings say they loved exploring the remote regions safely and securely. Over the years, the Jennings have enjoyed trips on their Riviera 4000 Offshore to Kooringal on Moreton Island with the R Marine Jones team. But this trip presented them with an opportunity to get better acquainted with their Belize.
Riviera Friendly US Rendezvous
After an extended hiatus for major events, Maryland’s Riviera family rallied later in 2021 to reunite for a social weekend in the ‘heart and soul’ of the Chesapeake Bay, the quaint historic town of St Michaels on the east coast of the US. Greg and Christine Hill on their 4800 Sport Yacht Contrails were delighted to visit St Michaels in early autumn to enjoy its one-of-a-kind shopping and exceptional dining with their Riviera friends. The event was hosted by Ned and Lorrie Dozier, of Riviera’s representative OneWater Yacht Group at Maryland. Voted one of USA Today’s Top 10 Best Small Coastal Towns and central to Washington DC, Baltimore and Annapolis, St Michaels is a real drawcard for boaters as it’s more accessible from the water than land. Greg and Christine were awarded the Riviera Legends Award for being central to the success of the Rendezvous over the years. Not to miss a social Rendezvous was long-time Riviera aficionado John Bruno on his fourth luxury motor yacht, a 5400 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition, Black Tie Affair. A mix of organised activities and plenty of free time suited the crews, although even without being formally organised, the Riviera family frequently found themselves all together. Having been in the Riviera family for more than 20 years, John says he’s watched the design of the company’s luxury motor yachts evolve.
Riviera Dreamboat Live Aboard
Lake living has never been so good for Craig and Betty Lazzareschi. The two have enjoyed summertime boating on Lake Tahoe for 20 years, but never have they enjoyed it quite as much as now with the luxury and spaciousness afforded by their Riviera 395 SUV, Mi Maribe. Two years ago, the northern Californians decided in favour of a Rivera over the combination of having a smaller holiday house and a runabout. “It was a big decision for us; we’d never had a boat this large,” says Craig. “We were intuitive; the two of us went with our gut. We went for a test drive on a Riviera 3600 and loved it; it was really well built.” “All the boaters we talked to said Riviera was the best, top of class. So, one Sunday after church when our friends weren’t available for our usual lunch, we went out and bought a 395 SUV!”
Sunreef and Fernando Alonso
Two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso commissioned a custom 60 Sunreef Power Eco catamaran with Sunreef Yachts last September. Combining state-of-the-art electric propulsion and avant-gardist green tech, his yacht will be the first Eco edition of the 60 Sunreef Power. Equipped with the shipyard’s composite-integrated photovoltaic system and the industry’s lightest batteries, the yacht will offer top energy-efficiency for an emission-free yachting experience.
Silent Yachts Transforms into Silent Group
Silent Group will includes several distinct divisions; Expansion of global production capacity in three production sites: Italy, Turkey, Thailand, New partner collaborations to produce hybrid yachts: two units of first model Silent VisionF 82 already under construction, 2021 was a record-breaking year for the brand with 21 yachts sold. 17 new yachts currently in-build at different stages of production. Headlining the news is the announcement that Austrian-owned Silent-Yachts has been restructured as Silent Group comprising several distinct divisions. Silent-Yachts: Offering fully electric, solar-powered catamarans from 60-120 feet for noiseless, zero-emission cruising. In addition, from now on a new sub-division will also build hybrid yachts that make use of both conventional propulsion and renewable solar energy. The first hybrid yacht is an 82-foot model to be built in partnership with VisionF Yachts.
Viking Fantastic February
The Viking Yacht Company saw record sales this boat show season, with a combined 43 Vikings and Valhallas sold during the Viking Yachts and Valhalla Boatworks VIP Boat Show and the Miami International Boat Show. “It was a fantastic February for us – just phenomenal,” said Viking President and CEO Pat Healey. “What we’re building today is the best in the industry, and it has taken a lot of hard work by many talented, smart people – from design and production to sales and service. We have the entire package, with everyone committed to making sure our owners have an experience that is second to none.” The 2022 selling season kicked off with the 26th annual Viking VIP Show in Riviera Beach, Florida. Held at the Viking Yacht Service Center’s waterfront facility, the VIP drew a combined 1,000 guests, dealers and vendors. About 50 sea trials were held over two days and 24 boats were sold – 11 Vikings and 13 Valhallas. The momentum continued at the Miami show, which made a robust return after a one-year hiatus. A combined 19 boats – eight Vikings and 11 Valhallas – were sold in Miami. Attendance was equally strong, with more than 7,000 registered visitors over the course of the five-day event. There was a record 2,500 visitors on Saturday – and that number would have approached 3,000 if not for a storm that rained out the day’s final two hours. Viking’s sister company, Princess Yachts America, also fared well at MIBS, with a dozen yachts sold including two Y85s and an X95.
Viking 2022 VIP Show
The 2022 Viking Yachts and Valhalla Boatworks VIP Boat Show was a great success, as we announced the all-new Valhalla 55, showcased the Viking 54 Sport Tower for the first time and sold a combined 24 boats. Held at the Viking Yacht Service Center, the VIP drew a combined 1,000 guests, dealers and vendors. About 50 sea trials were held under sun-drenched south Florida skies over the course of two days. “Our VIP gets better every year,” said Viking President and CEO Pat Healey. “This is what it’s all about, giving our owners a chance to see us put our best foot forward as we continue to build a better boat every day.” Things got off to an exciting start when Pat broke the news that Valhalla Boatworks will be introducing a new flagship in its V Series line of center consoles. “We design the best, we build the best and we have the best team in the business,” he said. “We’re going to keep pushing the envelope, and the V-55 is the latest example of this.” Powered by quad or quint Mercury 7.6-liter V12 600-hp Verado outboards, the Valhalla 55 will set a new standard for center consoles above 50 feet with unparalleled performance, engineering, quality, fishability and accommodations. Hull No. 1 makes its world premiere at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October. Four months later, the New Jersey boatbuilder will introduce its new Viking flagship the 90 Convertible at the 2023 Miami International Boat Show. “What we’re doing is incredible – bringing two new flagships to the market within months of each other,” said Pat. “And our sister company, Princess Yachts America, is also doing extremely well. With these three brands, we have the most diverse and complete group of premium products in the industry.” The VIP event, now in its 26th year, featured the entire V Series (the V-33, V-37, V-41 and V-46) and eight Vikings from 46 to 80 feet, including the new Viking 64 and the new 54 Sport Tower. A total of 24 boats were sold; 13 Valhallas (including nine V-55s) and 11 Vikings from 48 to 90 feet. The docks were teeming with energy and enthusiasm as longtime owners – as well as those looking to join the Viking family toured the boats, took sea trials and chatted with Viking professionals. Gil and Kim Moyle are four-time Viking owners who currently have a 68 and will soon take delivery of their first Valhalla – a V-41. The couple is also thinking about going bigger, so they sea trialed the 80 Sky Bridge at the show, the highly personalized Shark Grey Miss Victoria. “We love the visibility and height of the sky bridge,” said Gil. “The performance was exceptional. Its handling is on par with my 68, and it can cruise all day long at 34 knots.” Kim was wowed by the interior. “It’s beautiful,” she said. “The roominess of the salon with its open-ended galley was impressive, and the custom backlit counter was amazing.” Steve and Mariann Colanero, who have owned a Viking 48 and a Viking 58, are currently building a 68. “What really makes a difference for us is the fourth stateroom,” says Steve, referring to the 68’s crew quarters accessed via a separate staircase. “It gives us more privacy and the crew has access to the engine-room from their stateroom. It’s a perfect arrangement for us.” Subsidiaries Palm Beach Towers, Atlantic Marine Electronics, the Viking Yacht Service Center, Valhalla Boat Sales and over 50 Viking and Valhalla vendors were also on hand at the VIP, each with their own product displays and representatives.
Zeelander Doubles Order Book
Zeelander Yachts looks back on 2021 as a year of outstanding success. The shipyard doubled its order book, expanded its facility, and welcomed new owners to the Zeelander family from all around the globe, including Italy, The Netherlands, the United States, and even Japan. Due to growing demand worldwide, Zeelander expanded its shipyard in The Netherlands. A large office has been added and the entire production hall has been reorganized to optimize efficiency and output. “We increased the size of the hall by 500 square metres and added a second floor of about 700 square metres in order to increase the work space,” says Floris Koopmans, Brand Manager at Zeelander Yachts. “In addition, underneath this extra deck, we created workshops for carpentry, mechanical works, electrical and logistics.” Last year, a new project was revealed that took years of research and development: the extraordinary Zeelander 5. Already seven of them have been sold. The first Zeelander 5 will set sail in mid-2022. The Zeelander 5 is considered the quietest vessel in its class. Running at full throttle the boat makes 45 knots, but all you will hear is the sound of its own wake. Riding at anchor, the generator and air-con produce sound levels of just 46dB – literally whisper quiet. Like her big sister the Z72, the Zeelander 5 is even more voluptuous than her predecessors. In-house styling and the combined experience of the entire team make the new Zeelander 5 a work of art. Zeelander’s DNA is all there, but with curvier lines and a sportier S-shaped sheerline. In 2021, Grant Hooper was appointed CEO of Zeelander Yachts. Previously, he held executive positions at Fairline Yachts and LVMH owned Princess Yachts. With Zeelander's unprecedented order book, Grant Hooper was chosen as CEO to make sure every Zeelander is built and delivered beyond expectations. Zeelander goes beyond the ordinary to facilitate the wishes of its patrons. An owner's request last year was particularly sophisticated: to create an interior that matched that of his private jet. Meticulously crafted exotic wood details, custom leatherwork and even a floor that took over 27 coats of lacquer to perfect. This is what Zeelander is all about.