Words: Izzie Price
If there was ever an event that encapsulated luxury, iconicity and sheer, unrivalled quality: it would be the Monaco Yacht Show. And if you’re even vaguely nautically minded, the three-day long event (taking place this year from 22-25 September at Monaco’s elegant, refined Port Hercules) will be an affair you’ll have to actively tear yourself away from.
Superyacht after superyacht bobs away in the azure waters, with every sleek, polished surface gleaming and making a visit on board — whether for purchase or charter — irresistible. Meanwhile, the opportunity to mix and mingle with brokers, designers, craftsmen, shipyards and yachting professionals is one that simply can’t be passed up; and the chance to immerse oneself in highly polished, state-of-the-art nautical luxury is one that has had these three days cemented in many a diary for many a month.
"State-of-the-art nautical luxury..."
The big draw, though, will always be those superyachts. Built by masters of their craft, designed by the best in the business and managed by brokers who only work with yachts of the very highest calibre, these superyachts have well and truly earned that (somewhat superlative) moniker. So without further ado, here are the yachts you should have your eye on at this year’s show…
HANIKON
Quin Bisset Photography
Quin Bisset Photography
Exhibited by: Cecil Wright
“HANIKON is a truly exceptional yacht built to the highest specification by the top Dutch yard Feadship,” says Henry Smith: Partner and Director of Cecil Wright & Partners, Monaco Office. “She has been pretty much fully booked the whole summer with charter — and would have continued to be, were it not for the fact that she is now for sale (EUR 22,900,000).”
It’s unsurprising that HANIKON has had such a busy summer: originally built as HIGH CHAPARRAL, her amenities are second to none and she’s in positively shipshape condition, thanks to the regular updates and upgrades to both her system and overall aesthetics.
“She’s a stunning yacht with outstanding facilities and expansive entertaining spaces,” continues Smith, “including an upper salon bar perfect for pre-dinner cocktails, bridge deck dining for 20 guests, an outdoor cinema on the sun deck, a spa and massage room and an exemplary collection of water toys: making her a standout choice the discerning buyer.”
PATH
Exhibited by: Baltic Yachts
“Featuring accommodation for 18, a spectacular deck saloon and covered cockpit area, a full beam amidships owner’s suite and a highly versatile sailplan, Baltic 146 Path is well equipped for the global cruising upon which her owner is about to embark,” says Baltic Yachts Executive Vice President Henry Hawkins; and we couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
PATH cuts a striking figure in her blazing orange and subtle grey livery, and she’s built to the very highest of modern standards in advanced composites: all 172 tons of her. With an amidships owner’s suite that includes a full-carbon fibre bath and a 2.7m video ‘wall’, this is a yacht sure to be the talk of the Yacht Show.
CeFea
Guillaume Plisson Photography
Guillaume Plisson Photography
Exhibited by: G-Yachts Sarl
When a yacht wins an Outstanding Exterior Sailing Yacht award (at the 2021 Boat International Design & Innovation Awards Ceremony, no less), you know she’s guaranteed to be a pretty spectacular vessel — and very much at home among her sleekly polished contemporaries. In fact, ‘contemporary’ is a crucial element of this particular superyacht: it was launched in 2020 (by the world-renowned Solaris Yachts: the Italian shipyard that seems to routinely churn out gobsmackingly luxurious, jaw-dropping vessels); and with a hull and superstructure designed by naval architect Javier Soto Acebal, this is a superyacht on which any gentleman would be lucky to spend a large proportion of his year.
“It was an honour to be selected to draw such a spectacular boat,” Acebal tells Gentleman’s Journal. “We focused on a balanced hull shape with equilibrium on all points of sail. Basically, you can observe a powerful shoulder on the bow zone, and the boat ends with a powerful stern…[so] there is [definitely the] potential to achieve high speeds!”
TRANQUILITY
Exhibited by: Burgess Yachts
“TRANQUILITY is a rare find on today’s market,” says Burgess. “We are extremely proud to be offering her for sale.” And pride is just the emotion you’d assume any broker would feel, when proffering this particular superyacht for sale. Her smooth, glossy exterior surfaces instantly catch the eye; and its Eastern-inspired interior — with influences including gold leaf, bamboo and bleached oak — could only be the work of a collaboration between world-renowned Dutch shipyard Oceanco, and Winch Design; who, thanks to its pioneering work with private jets, needs no introduction.
“TRANQUILITY was a true milestone project: not just for Winch Design, but for the superyacht industry as a whole, being the first superyacht designed in compliance with the Passenger Yacht Code — an accomplishment that would pave the way for all future PYC yachts,” explains Jim Dixon, Director of Yachts & Aviation at Winch Design. “Aside from this impressive feat, her Asian-influenced interior was a joy to design: featuring a vast wellness area and a harmonious blend of bamboo, wenge wood and marbles, resulting in a soothing ambience that instantly calms you as you step on board.”
BOLD
Exhibited by: Silveryachts
“BOLD is such a unique vessel, envisaged as a Sports Activity Vessel (SAV),” enthuses Captain Todd Leech. “A ‘go-anywhere’, ‘do-anything’ yacht, [on which] we can throw any large toy or tender in the back and quickly relocate across oceans at +19knts.
“The interior, however, was specified be a place where guests could comfortably reside for a month at a time, like a NYC loft,” Leech continues. “Guest exterior social spaces are fully modular and can be arranged each day as to guest preferences or weather conditions.”
Known for creating highly efficient aluminum vessels, Silveryachts works closely with renowned naval designer Espen Øino; and BOLD is a prime example of both Silveryachts’ commitment to unfailingly high quality and the unmistakable influence of Øino. She requires a surprisingly little amount of fuel, thanks to her low draft, highly optimized hull; and her access to shallow cruising grounds is virtually unheard of for a yacht of her size (hence her ‘go-anywhere’, ‘do-anything’ personality, as referenced by Leech).
SEAKID
Exhibited by: Yachting Partners International (YPI)
She looks a little like a silver bullet slicing through the water, doesn’t she? While we’d be the first to admit that the ‘bullet’ image is widely overused, it does seem to have earned it’s place in the descriptors for SEAKID; not least due to the aluminium planing that instantly draws the eye. She’s a vessel that’ll be bobbing up and down in that Mediterranean with multitudes of other superyachts; but that aluminium exterior is sure to set her apart from the sleek, luxury crowd.
“SEAKID is a contemporary, spacious 44m Baglietto designed by the talented Francesco Paszkowski,” explains Yacht Sales Managing Partner Peter Thompson. “One of her stand out features is the separate dining room; which is very rare for a yacht of her size. With wrap around decks and plenty of outdoor space, SEAKID offers ample areas to enjoy alfresco life.” There you go, gents; al fresco dining may seem like a relegation of summer past: but on SEAKID, you can soak up that al fresco lifestyle all year round.
CLUB M
Exhibited by: Baglietto S.P.A.
“CLUB M’s owner wanted scenic views: as much natural ventilation and daylight throughout the yacht as possible, yet maintaining functionality and clean lines,” explains Horacio Bozzo — who designed the superyacht’s exteriors. “He wanted special attention to details. Our design approach — which approaches yacht design in terms of hotels — was to consider Club M as a ’boutique’ hotel, with customised and unique luxury features”.
Achille Salvagni, meanwhile, designed the interiors. “Very early on, my client said: ‘I want to be my own planet’; which stuck with me throughout the designing process,” says Salvagni. “I took inspiration from the golden age of aeronautical adventure, opting for curves and spheres wherever possible — while also playing with contrast and tension. Light limed oak has been fused with dark Eucalyptus details, and brushed natural oak floors paired with hand-knotted silk carpets and light supple parchment on the walls and ceilings.”
VIVA
Exhibited by: Feadship
If saving the planet is your goal (a noble one, indeed): then VIVA is the yacht for you. She’s a Feadship yacht (and you know what that means: quality, quality and more quality) that clocks in at 32m longer than her owner’s previous (again, Feadship) yacht. Despite the difference in size, however, VIVA’s owner set a target of keeping the 94-metre long VIVA to the same environmental impact as her predecessor: an ambitious task of monumental proportions, but one that was triumphantly achieved.
The highly advanced hybrid propulsion system helped, of course; but VIVA serves as a sleek, shining example of the fact that superyachts don’t need to damage the planet on which they sail. VIVA now comfortably sails at 12 knots on diesel-electric power; so if you fancy joining her on her environmentally-friendly journeys, you’d better hop on over to Monaco, gents.
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