Azimut Wins Yacht Style Awards 2025
Azimut Seadeck 7 continues to win over international audiences: ahead of its highly anticipated debut in the APAC region, set to take place at the Singapore Yachting Festival, the model has been named winner at the 2025 Yacht Style Awards in the “Motoryacht 21-24m” category. The award was given for the innovations introduced aboard this model, including “the use of R-PET where possible and the offering of more layout options around the line’s signature design, the Fun Island.” The award ceremony took place yesterday at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove in Singapore, the setting for celebrating the leading names in international yachting excellence. The Yacht Style Awards, organized by the namesake magazine that is a benchmark for the sector in the APAC region, recognize the top brands and most impactful innovations on a global scale. This latest milestone confirms the value and vision of the Seadeck 7, a symbol of Azimut’s strong focus on innovation and sustainability. It also reflects the brand’s growing success in Asia, where it benefits from a solid Dealer network. Among these, Tam Sơn Yachting, Azimut’s exclusive Dealer in Vietnam, was also honoured at the 2025 Yacht Style Awards in the “Domestic Dealer in Asia” category. The Yacht Style recognition adds to the recent accolades awarded to Azimut by the Hurun Research Institute, which honoured both the Shipyard and the Seadeck 7 with two Best of the Best Awards 2025.
Centunonavi Lands in Australia
Centouno Navi are thrilled to announce that they have officially landed in Australia with an its new official dealer for Australia, Mr.Richard Karsay, who will also present the incredible Vespro 55. Starting from April tenth, you will have the exclusive opportunity to experience this cutting-edge yacht in action. Don’t miss out on your chance to test the Vespro 55 and see what makes it one of the most innovative yachts on the market today.
Fairline Sold to New Investors
Fairline has been bought by Bronzewood Capital, a private-equity arm of turnaround specialist Buchler Phillips. The deal includes all the brand assets and tooling but not the Oundle factory, which it will continue to rent from the current landlord, nor Fairline Yachts and its outstanding liabilities. A new holding company has been registered at Companies House called Fairline Holdco Limited, although we understand that going foward the business itself will just be known as Fairline. Crucially, the deal secures Fairline’s status as a British based boat manufacturer and should mean the remaining 240 employees will continue to build and develop new boats in Oundle for the foreseeable future. New owner, Bronzewood Capital, specialises in distressed businesses with turnovers in the £5m to £50m range. It is headed by David Buchler, a founding partner of Buchler Phillips. Buchler, himself, is a serial boat owner as well as an experienced marine industry executive, having been a long-term director-investor in Ventura Yachts, the distributor for Ferretti Group brands in the UK and Spain. Buchler has also had spells as the vice-chairman of Premier League football club Tottenham Hotspur and English National Opera. He is supported in Bronzewood by Robin Southwell, a former CEO of Airbus UK.
Fairline New Dealer in San Francisco
Founded by Rob Newman in 2023, MRN Yacht Sales based in Marin County, one of the most picturesque and renowned boating destinations in the US, will now offer Fairline’s prestigious range of yachts to those located in the San Francisco Bay Area and the wider West Coast. Rob’s background in motor yacht sales started in Weymouth, UK before he relocated to the US, making his way to the Bay Area over a decade ago. Here, he has delivered his expertise in sales consultancy, management and operations development, facilitating the sale, commissions and delivery of new yachts to clients across the Bay Area and West Coast. “Even though I’ve worked for various dealerships throughout my career, my admiration for Fairline as a brand and the yachts’ grace and refinement has been there ever since I would watch the signature style of the Squadrons and Targas gliding through the UK waters. I’ve always marvelled at the allure of the yachts, hoping I would one day represent such refined craftsmanship. The enthusiasm of the Fairline team is infectious and it’s evident that with its current offering and yet more developments in the pipeline, that there’s exciting times ahead for the brand and its customers,” said Rob. “Fairline’s wide range perfectly suits the diverse climates and cruising grounds of California with the advanced docking technology and impeccable sea-handling capabilities catering to yachting enthusiasts of all skill levels. “Our wealth of experience in delivering and supporting luxury yachts ensures that prospective owners are in the best hands with their Fairline purchase. We’re excited to introduce the partnership at The Newport Beach International Boat Show (18-21 April 2024) and look forward to establishing a strong presence for Fairline on the West Coast,” concluded Rob. Steve Leeson at Fairline Americas said: “We are delighted to welcome Rob and the MRN Yacht Sales team to the Fairline family. Rob’s passion for the brand is obvious and we are confident his commitment to delivering exceptional customer experience mirrors that of our own, we are looking forward to a long and successful partnership.”
Filippetti Official Sponsor Padel Best Village
Filippetti Yachts is proud to be the official sponsor of Padel Best Village in Montecarlo , on April 26-27, 2025. At the Grimaldi Forum for two days of exciting padel matches, networking opportunities, and exclusive events. During the event, the Filippetti F100 will be docked at the Yacht Club de Monaco, showcasing the perfect blend of design and innovation. Don’t miss the chance to experience a unique event where sport, Italian style, and business come together.
GB Marine Group New Global Chief Marketing Officer
GB Marine Group, designer and builder of the iconic Grand Banks and Palm Beach Motor Yachts brands, is excited to announce the appointment of Lynn Fischer as Chief Marketing Officer. On the heels of successful new product introductions, a recent 114,000 square-foot factory expansion, and ongoing strategic investments in brand presence and owner services, CEO Mark Richards recognized the importance for a veteran U.S. based brand strategist. In this newly created role, Lynn will spearhead the company's marketing efforts, working closely with Richards to expand the brand, deepen client engagement, and further strengthen the company's reputation for performance, design excellence, and a world-class owner experience. Lynn brings a track record of building transformative brands at the forefront of innovation. Most recently Chief Marketing Officer at Vista, one of the world's largest private aviation companies, she has led marketing for organizations redefining industries-from reshaping urban mobility to elevating global private travel. Her expertise spans premium and luxury sectors, with a deep focus on brand building and customer-first experiences and benefits.
Maritimo Muster 2025 New Zealand
The last weekend of March just saw the hosting of another fabulous Maritimo Muster, this time in New Zealand. It provided an opportunity to bring together a fleet of magnificent Maritimo Luxury Motor Yachts, their owners, family and friends to experience the warm hospitality of Man O’ War Winery, and other fun filled activities on the agenda. With the twenty plus vessels and 110 participants that signed up for the event, the plan was for two groups, an early departure on the Saturday morning from Westhaven Marina for those that wanted a leisurely 8 knot toddle for the 3-hour voyage, then followed by those who would depart later as part of the 20 knot steamers. Why do it in three hours if you can do it in less than half the time. Right? Leaving Westhaven Marina and heading east takes voyagers through the Hauraki Gulf, which boasts an area of around four thousand square kilometres, and stretches from the Auckland Region, the Hauraki Plains, the Coromandel Peninsula, and Great Barrier Island. Most of the Gulf is part of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. The planned journey to Waiheke Island is mostly well protected and is home to many small islands, which offer magnificent scenery en route. The Man O’ War Winery is located on the eastern side of Waiheke Island, which is the second largest island in the region with a population of over nine thousand permanent residents, and as such is the third most populated island in New Zealand. But don’t let the name Man O’ War Winery alarm you, it’s named after the Jewel that it looks across Man O’ War Bay. There’s absolutely no ‘agro’ here. and only the warmest of New Zealand hospitality provided by everyone at this family owned and operated 4,500 acre farm, vineyard and winery with over seventy-five vineyards across the farm and specialising in Bordeaux Blends. There is also an abundance of orchards, olive groves, restored native forests and beehives. Danny Jordin, Maritimo’s Australasian Sales Manager, has just returned from the event and shared some of his experiences of the weekend. “I guess this was our first opportunity to put together something on behalf of Maritimo in New Zealand. It was great to be able to show that we support our clients, and we truly appreciate that they support the Maritimo product and brand in New Zealand. The response from owners was absolutely amazing. They clearly love their Maritimos, and share stories about how capable and how well suited the Maritimo vessels are for the New Zealand environs,” Jordin added. “When we released the event and started to go out to our consultants to reach out to their clients, we thought well if we got eight to ten boats then this would be great outcome and it would be a goer. Well, we actually had 31 boats register, and after a few cancellations as happens with busy diaries, we ended up with over 20 vessels. That equated to about 110 people and we had a capacity of 120 at the winery for catering purposes. Perfect.” “The attendees loved creating new relationships with the other Maritimo owners. They’re all like-minded people and they’ve all got similar interests. This was a great opportunity where they could take their boat and a couple of friends or family members to meet up with other Maritimo owners. We had two or three boats that had rafted up that knew each other, and other boats that then joined them and didn’t know each other initially. They were all moving from boat to boat, mixing and mingling, with little parties everywhere. The weekend really provided an opportunity to create some future long-term friendships. We really set out to make it a low key, relaxed affair, and that definitely shone through.” “We received so many positive messages from Maritimo owners and their guests on our WhatsApp group, saying how they loved the weekend and that they’ll be signing right up for the next one,” Jordin said. “I did hear also there were a few owners that are talking about doing a Fiji trip next year, and I can guarantee you that if it was initially two or three boats planning that, well, after this event, there’s going be a lot more that end up doing that trip, because they’ll all stay in contact now. They’ve formed great relationships, and they’ll do more voyages together.” “The clients love this Maritimo Muster format of a one, two or three-day event, as it’s so relaxed. We get all our teams involved. We had our Maritimo Factory Representatives there, we had 36 Degrees Brokers and also Ownership Consultants attend. So, a real tour de force. We’re definitely going to run this NZ event, again, at a similar time next year, and we hope to organise something else some in another time of the year as well, so we have a couple of events in the diary to catch up with owners and bring them together to say thanks.” “Of course, we’ve always supported our clients, but this event totally reinforces that we’re here to support them and to look after them, whether that be after sales or upgrades, or for the time when they are ready move into a new model Maritimo,” Jordin said in closing.
Next Yacht Group New Chief Executive Officer
Next Yacht Group, owner of the AB Yachts and Maiora brands, announces the appointment of Sebastiano Fanizza as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective April 2, 2025. Born in 1978, Sebastiano Fanizza boasts a successful multi-year career in the luxury yachting industry, having held leadership roles at some of the world’s most prestigious companies. A graduate in Mechanical Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Turin, he began his career in the automotive sector at Iveco, before transitioning to the yachting industry, where he distinguished himself through his strategic vision and commercial capabilities. In 2005 joining Azimut Yachts, he quickly rose through the ranks to become the Sales and Service Director for the EMEA and APAC regions, where he significantly strengthened the brand’s presence in Asia, with a particular focus on the Chinese market, further cementing Azimut’s leadership in these regions. In 2015, at the invitation of Leonardo Ferragamo, he joined Nautor Swan as Commercial and Business Development Director, where he restructured the sales network and drove significant growth in the order book. In 2018, he was asked by Paolo Vitelli to return to the Azimut Benetti Group as Chief Commercial Officer of Benetti Yachts, where he played a pivotal role in consolidating Benetti’s leadership in the mega and giga yacht segment, with outstanding commercial results. Throughout his career, Sebastiano Fanizza has demonstrated a remarkable ability to anticipate market trends, embrace technological innovation, and focus on enhancing the customer experience. With his appointment, Next Yacht Group will benefit from a solid and visionary leadership, capable of further consolidating the team, especially by strengthening the commercial, communication, marketing, and product innovation areas, while consolidating and expanding the distinctive position of the Maiora and AB Yachts brands on the international yachting scene. His appointment also marks a crucial moment for the Group, boosting its organizational development, talent enhancement, and process optimization, all supported by a solid governance model focused on sustainable growth. “Taking the helm at Next Yacht Group is more than just a new chapter in my career; it’s a chance to shape the future of a company with extraordinary potential,” said Sebastiano Fanizza. “I’m excited to work alongside a great team to bring new energy to two extraordinary brands like Maiora and AB Yachts. Together, we will continue to push boundaries, blending Italian craftsmanship with smart innovation to offer our clients something that truly reflects their vision of life at sea, and from that experience, we are already imagining a new way of living onboard, beyond today’s conventions.” Next Yacht Group continues on its path of growth and consolidation that, since the Group’s founding in 2021, has seen a 110% increase in its workforce, a strengthened management team, and the acquisition of strategic new production sites in 2024.
Sacs Tecnorib Supports the Ocean With Blue Marine Foundation
Sacs Tecnorib proudly announces its partnership with Blue Marine Foundation, an organisation globally committed to the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems. With this partnership, the company strengthens its commitment to ocean sustainability and conservation, supporting the mission of Blue Marine Foundation: ensure the effective protection of at least 30% of the oceans by 2030 and promote sustainable management of the entire marine ecosystem.
Sunreef Introduces Solar Skin 3.0
Sunreef Yachts continues to lead the way in luxury and sustainability with the introduction of Solar Skin 3.0. As part of a broader design evolution across its new catamaran lineup, this cutting-edge solar system marks a bold step toward smarter, more sustainable yachting. The launch of Solar Skin 3.0 builds on Sunreef’s legacy, delivering a refined and highly efficient solution that significantly reduces the carbon footprint of each vessel. The previous generation, Solar Skin 2.0, was already recognized for its industry-leading performance, offering 24.8% efficiency and exceptional thermal stability—capable of operating at temperatures above 100°C and compatible with dark paint finishes. It also featured impressive resistance to micro cracking, having been durability-tested over 20,000 load cycles, and incorporated RFID chips in each panel for seamless diagnostics and maintenance. The newly launched Solar Skin 3.0 elevates this innovation even further. It introduces intelligent yield optimization, using advanced algorithms to adjust electrical output in real-time, especially in areas affected by complex shading from sails or rigging. The layout of the solar system has been designed using machine learning algorithms to optimize panel placement, ensuring maximum energy efficiency tailored to real-world usage. Additionally, the bimini areas of the new catamarans are now equipped with next-generation photovoltaic cells specifically optimized for shaded environments, further enhancing energy generation even under less-than-ideal lighting conditions. This is more than just an upgrade—it’s a visionary leap toward the future of yachting.
Viking Key West Challenge 2025
It's called a "challenge," but succeeding in this tournament is incredibly easy: Just have fun! The Viking Key West Challenge (VKWC) seems to get better every year, bringing more good times, smiling faces and family enjoyment. The 2025 event, held from April 9 to 13, featured 50 boats and over 500 guests. “We want to thank all of you for being here – it was another unbelievable four days,” Viking President and CEO Pat Healey said at the Awards Dinner at the Opal Key Sunset Pier. “The fishing was good, the parties were even better and the friendship, camaraderie and fellowship were over the top. That’s what it’s all about – coming together and having a good time and doing what we love.” The fleet featured Vikings ranging from 46 to 90 feet and Valhallas from 37 to 55 feet. Anglers released 168 sailfish over the two days of fishing and the Spot Zero Weigh Station was thumping as excited anglers brought their catches – tuna, cobia, dolphin, kingfish and the tournament’s first-ever pompano – to the scales. Presented by Christi Insurance Group and Travelers Insurance, this year’s Viking Key West Challenge saw the Viking 61 Right Choice repeat as the Grand Champion and Top Boat in the Sailfish category, releasing 12 sails and boating a cobia. In Second Place was the Valhalla 55 Wingman II with 10 sailfish releases, followed in Third Place by Pipe Dreamer, a Viking 70, with eight. Right Choice angler Lucie Kapusta won Top Angler with eight releases, as well as Top Female Angler. Second went to Brad VandenBerg on Wingman II with a half dozen sailfish releases and a kingfish. Christina Henry on the Valhalla 37 Rehab took Third Place Angler with five releases. In the tuna category, Guy Lanciano aboard the 58 On A Roll took First. Jessika Gonzalez on the 90 Zatara won First Place for dolphin, while Richard Battaglia on The Interview, a 68, and Al West Jr. on the 72 Tami Ann captured First for kingfish and Cobia, respectively. Rob Lopez on The Provider, an 80, took First for bottom fish. The youngsters are always the stars of the show. This year it was 11-year-old Hayden Rickman – never without his cowboy hat – and his brother Kamden, 7, who stole the crowd. Hayden earned Top Junior Angler for four sailfish releases aboard the family’s Viking 48 Dear Rodeo. This was the first time the Rickmans have participated in the Challenge. “We’ve just had a tremendous time,” said a proud Joby Rickman after his son received his award, with Kamden by his side for a photograph with Pat Healey. “Everyone has been so nice and has made us feel so welcome. I can’t say enough about this event,” added mom, Leslie Rickman. “We love being part of the Viking family, and we aren’t going anywhere. We are already talking about moving up to a bigger Viking.” Although not a money tournament, the Viking Key West Challenge has great partners who gave away some incredible prizes – almost $40,000 worth. In a drawing, the top prize of a GOST Global Tracking and Security Monitoring package worth $7,500 went to Sea Hawk, a Viking 90; a Spot Zero Mobile Pro Unit valued at $7,000 went to 1st Place team Right Choice; and a $6,000 Switlik Coastal Passage Raft was awarded to Top Angler Lucie Kapusta. Prizes were also from FLIR, Simrad, Seatronx, Garmin, Furuno, Icom, KVH, SiriusXM, Yeti, Airmar and others. The teams travelled to the southernmost point of the U.S. to compete in an event that is “More Than Just Fishing!” The festivities began on Wednesday evening at Dante’s Key West with registration, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and the Captains’ Meeting. “We have the best owners and the best boats in the world,” said Pat. Friday’s lay day included a Pool Party Lunch, a Duval Street Bar Crawl Poker Run and a Kids Dock Tournament. More than 75 of Viking’s business partners sponsored the VKWC, such as Foley Cat, MAN Engines, Johnson & Towers/MTU and The Billfish Foundation. The 12th annual Viking Key West Challenge takes place Wednesday, April 8 through Sunday, April 12, 2026.
