Talk about an understatement. As construction progressed on the 171-foot Project 406 at Royal Huisman in the Netherlands, the Dutch firm Vripack—which handled interior and exterior styling, as well as naval architecture—noted that “with her six towering decks, Project 406 will cut a unique profile on the water.”

Now that the yacht is launched, it’s safe to say this vessel has left even the most jaded of jaws dropping all around the world. Project 406 is billed as not only the largest, but also the most luxurious true sport-fish yacht ever constructed. Royal Huisman says the vessel belongs to “an experienced owner who is passionate about fishing. She is a unique vessel in so many respects.”

To be sure, Project 406 is not the largest yacht that Royal Huisman has turned out in recent years. In 2023, the yard delivered the 196-foot sailing yacht Sarissa, while in 2021, it delivered the 192-foot Phi. Currently under construction are the 212-foot ketch Aquarius II for repeat clients, along with Project 410, which will be a 280-foot Mani Frers design and, reportedly, the world’s largest sloop.

And of course, there are even larger motoryachts out there on the world’s waters, up to and including the 533-foot Blohm+Voss Eclipse and the 590-foot Lürssen Azzam.

Even still, the sight of such a big sport-fish yacht is staggering. Trying to imagine being up so high, looking down at the fish-fighting action, is an exercise in pure thrills. As Royal Huisman puts it: “The high tower offers outstanding views with a downward angle on the water for specialized fishing. Apart from its practical function, the tower also offers a superb viewing platform for guests, who can follow all the action below. Project 406 effortlessly blends the ultimate sport-fishing experience with genuine superyacht scale, comfort and refinement.”

The shipyard also says that more than 350 individuals contributed to the yacht’s creation. They included the owner’s representative, Pascarelli Consulting, working with Bush & Noble and Hampshire Marine.

So far, the yard is remaining mum on other details. We can report that the hull and superstructure are Alustar aluminum, and we look forward to getting a first peek at what’s going on behind all that glazing. If the interior is even half as impressive as the exterior, we’ll be picking our jaws up from the floor again.

The post World’s Largest Sport-Fish Superyacht appeared first on Yachting.

Royal Huisman in the Netherlands continues to make its mark on the superyacht world by building some of the most ambitious private vessels afloat. The shipyard just announced a contract to construct Project 411, which is a 264-foot sailing yacht with the code name Noir. The yacht will be a Malcolm McKeon design with what will reportedly be the world’s tallest sloop rig, at 305 feet high.

McKeon is known for contemporary styling, having also worked on the 195-foot sailing yacht Sarissa that Royal Huisman delivered in 2023. Noir will have a reverse bow, a flybridge, foldout platforms, and what Royal Huisman calls “large areas of glass.” The deck gear and all the windows will be black, according to the shipyard.

The owner’s specifications call for space to bring along a 45-foot tender, allowing the owner and guests to explore coastlines and to transport provisions from shore without having to reposition the yacht closer to any harbor.

Royal Huisman says construction of Noir will be entirely aluminum, with electric-drive auxiliary power. The mast, boom and integrated sailing system will all be from Rondal.

According to the shipyard, Noir will be among the world’s 10 largest sailing yachts, with her air draft exceeding the current tallest rig by about 14 feet.

“We are very pleased to be building again at Royal Huisman,” McKeon stated in a press release, adding that having built the award-winning Sarissa there, “ we are well acquainted with the shipyard’s engineering skills, innovations and the level of craftsmanship.”

Less information is being revealed about plans for the interior layout and décor aboard Noir, but GCA Architects of Barcelona, Spain, is involved in the design. That firm is also known for a contemporary approach, having worked on Spain’s first “smart” building and the world’s first platinum-certified LEED structure.

Designer Josep [KK1] Juanpere Miret, in the same press release, said the interior aboard Noir will complement the contemporary exterior styling, and will mix woods, natural materials and textures for a relaxed yet luxurious atmosphere.

In other big-sail Royal Huisman news: The 265-foot Sea Eagle, launched in 2020, just joined the charter fleet at Y.CO. It’s headed to the South Pacific this summer, with itineraries possible to book in French Polynesia and Fiji. The yacht then will have charter availability in New Zealand during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The crew includes two scuba instructors for making the most of the underwater sights.

Take the next step: click over to royalhuisman.com for the new build, or to y.co for charter.

The post Royal Huisman to Build 264-Foot “Noir” appeared first on Yachting.

The world’s largest sportfishing yacht, the six-deck, 171-foot all-aluminum Project 406 from Royal Huisman and Vripack yacht design, is finally here.

It’s been three years since Yachting first reported on Project 406’s development. Details and interior views of the build are still being kept quiet, but what we do know is that Royal Huisman says the supersize sportfishing yacht is headed to its final staging area and preparing to launch in Amsterdam soon.

In a press release the shipyard stated, “Project 406 is designed for an experienced owner who is passionate about fishing. She is a unique vessel in so many respects. Vripack Yacht Design is responsible for the exterior and interior design and naval architecture of this highly prestigious project. Her design is extremely distinctive, with a long bow and high bulwarks sweeping through a clear sheer to a low and uncluttered cockpit aft.”

“The high tower offers outstanding views with a downward angle on the water for specialized fishing. Apart from its practical function, the tower also offers a superb viewing platform for guests, who can follow all the action below. Project 406 effortlessly blends the ultimate sports fishing experience with genuine superyacht scale, comfort and refinement.”

Royal Huisman says a team of more that 350 craftspeople worked on the build over the last three years.

At its 171-foot length overall, Project 406 now tops several other giant custom sport-fishers such as the 144-foot Trinity Bad Company, 130-foot McMullen & Wing Mea Culpa and the 129-foot Yachting Developments Lanakai, by a significant margin.

When the build was first announced in 2021, Royal Huisman CEO Jan Timmerman called Project 406 “the world’s first true sport-fish superyacht,” while Vripack co-creative director Bart M. Bouwhuis says it’s “a sport-fisher on steroids.”

Seeing the results. We’d agree.

The post Meet The World’s Largest Sportfishing Yacht appeared first on Yachting.

“This yacht is going to turn some heads wherever she is, but particularly at the Bucket.”

So says Jim Pugh, co-founder of Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design in San Diego, one of the driving forces behind the 154-foot Nilaya that Royal Huisman built in the Netherlands. The yacht was delivered to its owners in June. It spent the summer in the Mediterranean “tuning up for racing,” according to the shipyard, and has now crossed the Atlantic. Nilaya arrived in Antigua in December—with about three months to prepare for the March 2024 St. Barths Bucket Regatta.

The fast Atlantic crossing, according to Royal Huisman, “gave her owner and pro race team captain Bouwe Bekking and skipper Romke Loopik plenty of all-conditions experience at the helm.” There are already 10,000 nautical miles under the yacht’s keel.

The owner says his previous yacht, a 112-foot Baltic, won many regattas during the 12 years he owned it, but for this Nilaya, he instructed the yard and designers to create “a fast yacht that can win in a superyacht regatta.”

To that end, Royal Huisman says it built Nilaya using European Space Agency methodology. Nilaya is an aluminum-carbon hybrid designed with finite element analysis to direct the right material, or combination of materials, and the right thicknesses of those materials to handle the exact stresses in every part of the hull and deck.

For its part, Reichel/Pugh analyzed 10 years of historical wave data from the Eastern Caribbean and Greece, ultimately testing 12 models before developing the final hull shape.

Royal Huisman’s sister company Rondal was brought in for carbon-fiber expertise. As just one example of Rondal’s contributions, it supplied a runner arrangement that reportedly saves 2,646 pounds of weight, keeping the yacht lighter for racing.

Racing pedigree aside, this yacht also has plenty of luxurious creature comforts, with Italian studio Nauta Design collaborating on the project ( Nilaya is the largest sailing yacht Nauta has completed). And yet, even with the interior, light weight for racing was top of mind. Some of the bulkheads and door frames are carbon. Instead of heavy insulation to reduce noise and vibration, Royal Huisman developed composite panels made of cork, foam, honeycomb and other materials.

According to Royal Huisman, Nilaya is “arguably the most advanced sailing yacht” the shipyard has ever delivered.

“Royal Huisman was not afraid to invest in research to explore and develop all manner of innovative weight-saving possibilities,” said the owners’ project manager, Nigel Ingram of MCM Newport. “They really chased the details.”

And now, we all shall see if Nilaya leaves other yachts chasing its transom on the regatta circuit.

How long did it take to create Nilaya? Three years, including one year of preparation and two years under construction.

Take the next step: go to royalhuisman.com

The post Superyacht Smack Talk appeared first on Yachting.

Top Luxury Fishing Boats

The following 13 sportfish yachts are all vessels we’ve reviewed. They are listed in no particular order.

• Viking 82 Convertible: A new breed of sportfishermen emerges from this iconic New Jersey boatbuilder.
• Royal Huisman 171: This superyacht sportfish is touted as the biggest sportfish yacht ever built.
• Rybovich 94: A 41-knot, super-sized sport-fisherman from a legendary name in the boatbuilding game.
• Release Boatworks 43 Gameboat: An owner-operator-size, custom-built competitor with classic lines and modern performance. 
• Viking 38 Billfish: One of the top inboard-powered sport-fishermen under 40 feet available today.
• Jarrett Bay Boatworks 64: Rebelette is a 43-knot fish chaser from the custom North Carolina boatbuilder.
• F&S Boatworks 82: Special Situation is special indeed: 82 feet of custom sportfisherman, with a top speed of more than 40 knots.
• Bayliss Boatworks 60: The first walkaround model for this noted boatbuilder, Sequentis is designed to fish the competitive South Florida tournament sailfish circuit .
• Viking 90 Convertible: The flagship of the Viking fleet, the 90C leads a new breed of mega-yacht sport-fishing boats. 
• Merritt 88 Sky Bridge: The renowned custom boatbuilder introduces an 88-foot sky-bridge model designed for global sportfishing adventures.
• Duffie 70 : This 70-footer from Maryland’s Duffie Boatworks blends craftsmanship, performance and fishability.
• Albemarle 53 Spencer Edition: Blending production efficiency with custom-boat design was a dream several years in the making, and the result is well worth the effort.
• Winter 46: The boatbuilders at Winter Custom Yachts have optimized the walkaround concept with this MAN-diesel-powered 46-footer.

Viking Yachts 82 Convertible

Viking Yacht Company recently debuted its newest sport-fisherman: the 82 Convertible. Hull No. 1 is serving as the factory demo for the busy summer tournament season in Bermuda and along the East Coast. Thanks to many factors, including the use of computational fluid dynamics, performance is exceptional: twin MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines provide a reported 42-knot top hop and a 36-knot cruise speed. This 82-footer also leverages several proven systems for ease of use and efficiency, such as digital switching from Octoplex as well as the Optimus electronic power steering system. The Viking 82 is engineered for many systems that were previously custom installations and are now on the options sheet, including omnidirectional sonar, multiple water makers and crushed ice machines, tuna tube bait systems as well as the extensive use of refrigerated storage boxes. The Viking 82 is available in three models: open bridge, enclosed bridge and sky bridge.

Quick Specifications

Royal Huisman 171

A 171-foot sportfisherman? Yes. That’s exactly what the six-deck Special One is, from Dutch builder Royal Huisman. The interior and exterior design is from noted Dutch yacht-design firm Vripack, which calls the vessel “a sport-fisher on steroids.” The hull and superstructure of the supersize sportfish is Alustar aluminum, a material known for its strength and relatively light weight.

Even with six decks, Vripack has managed to create sleek lines. It starts with a high freeboard forward that seemingly dares the ocean to approach. Transitioning from the bow, the sheerline slopes downwards in a steady cadence. The flowing sheerline resolves seamlessly at the cockpit. The vessel’s raked house and stacked deck are juxtaposed against the long profile, creating a sinewy aesthetic, which is no simple feat in this 171-footer. Add in all of the expected angling accouterments and 30-knot speed, and you have a sportfish yacht ready to chase fish around the world.

Quick Specifications

Rybovich 94

Size, speed and agility is a unique trifecta in a sportfish boat, but the 94-foot, 41-knot III Amigos from Michael Rybovich and Sons checks all those boxes as well as a few more too. The sportfish boat, designed by Patrick Knowles with naval architecture from Dusty Rybovich, is built in cold-molded mahogany. Prop pockets help keep the boat’s half-load draft down to a Bahamas-friendly 5 feet. The Rybovich 94’s impressive speed is helped by a pair of beefy 2,600 hp MTU diesels.

The owner of III Amigos also owns a 196-foot Feadship superyacht and, while he wanted the sportfish to be all business on the outside, he wanted luxury-yacht finishes on the inside. Subtle but telling touches are the solid doors to the staterooms; each mimics the owner’s Feadship with ¾-inch thickness. The doors close flush (each has hidden hinges), and the sound is of a Rolls-Royce door closing.

Quick Specifications

Release Boatworks 43 Gameboat

Reminiscent of arguably one of the most classic sport-fishing boats of all time—the 43-foot Merritt—the 43 Gameboat from Release Boatworks takes that design to a new level of sophistication and performance. These include a hull built using blister-resistant modified epoxy resin, which is vacuum-infused using Airex foam cores with E-glass hybrid fiberglass laminates to maximize strength while minimizing weight. The stringers are built with fiberglass encapsulated foam, and the bulkheads are vacuum-infused with composite cores. The extensive use of composite materials throughout the boat creates a strong finished product and saves a great deal of weight, providing admirable performance. With standard twin 550 hp Cummins QSB6.7 diesels, the 43 Gameboat cruises at 30 knots and tops out at 35 knots. Notable options include 600 hp Cummins QSCs or Volvo Penta D-8s, omni sonar, gyrostabilization and various tower options. The Release 43 Gameboat is also available in walkaround, flybridge walkaround or express layouts.

Quick Specifications

Viking Yachts 38 Billfish

The Viking Yachts 38 Billfish offers a special place in the hearts of bluewater sport-fishing enthusiasts around the world, with its combination of versatility, comfort and performance. The reasons are numerous. As an owner-operator vessel, the 38 Billfish offers simplicity and ease of maintenance, serving as a ready-to-go fishing machine that is equally adept at inshore and offshore excursions as well as for extended cruising with family and friends, thanks to its reliable inboard diesel power. It has a large cockpit as well as the speed and range to fish well offshore alongside much larger vessels, while also providing a fast, safe and comfortable ride in a variety of sea conditions.

Quick Specifications

Jarrett Bay Boatworks 64

North Carolina’s Jarrett Bay Boatworks latest build is the 64-foot beauty known as Rebelette. From its spacious tackle center to a one-of-a-kind walnut interior Hull No. 65 is a tailored fit, and it also has the latest in propulsion tech in the form of twin 2,025 hp Caterpillar C23B diesels. Taking full advantage of the Cat power, Rebelette cruises ­comfortably at 1,750 rpm while making an easy 31 knots. With 1,650 gallons of fuel, it has range to spare at this speed. Push this vessel up to 1,950 rpm to reach a fast cruising speed of 37 knots, which is impressive in any book. Wide-open throttle is 43 knots, fully loaded and ready to fish.

Quick Specifications

F&S Boatworks 82

F&S Boatworks’ stellar reputation stands tall in the world of custom sportfish builders so it’s no surprise that its latest creation, the 82-foot Special Situation, continues the tradition. One of the hallmarks of any F&S is the performance and Special Situation certainly doesn’t disappoint in that department. Powered by a pair of  2,600 hp MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines, at 2,000 rpm and 80 percent engine load, cruising speed is 36 knots, burning just south of 200 gallons per hour. Backing off to 1,650 rpm, it’s using 122 gph at 28 knots. At the other end of the spectrum, the top hop is more than 42 knots at 2,450 rpm.

Quick Specifications

Bayliss Boatworks 60

The 60-foot Sequentis was recently delivered to its new owners by the team at Bayliss Boatworks and it represents the first walkaround design for the storied North Carolina custom boatbuilder. Designed for live-bait tournament sailfishing in South Florida, Sequentis has 360-degree fishability as well as multiple livewells and pitch-bait tubes. And in a sport where having the ability to quickly relocate to a hot bite can mean the difference between finishing in first place or dead last, Sequentis is also fast. Powered by two MTU 12V2000 M96X diesel engines, it reportedly hit speeds of well over 42 knots during the initial sea trials in July 2024.

Quick Specifications

Viking Yachts 90

The flagship of the Viking fleet, the 90 Convertible, has improved elements including the builder’s latest lifting-strake design, a refined driveline and prop pockets, and advanced propulsion systems. Performance was optimized through the use of computational fluid dynamics software, allowing the Viking design team to analyze pressure distribution, study trim angle and trim tab effectiveness, and modify the strakes and chines to increase running efficiency.

Quick Specifications

Merritt 88 Sky Bridge

Merritt’s Boat & Engine Works introduces its latest, an 88-foot sky bridge designed for global sportfishing. Featuring luxurious interiors, advanced electronics and twin 2,600 hp MTU engines, this sport-fisherman offers yacht-level comfort, high performance and functionality for long-range angling adventures. The Merritt 88’s performance is greatly enhanced due to the extensive use of carbon fiber, Corecell and advanced epoxy in its construction, making this boat not only stronger, but also lighter weight and faster than its predecessors.

Quick Specifications

Duffie 70

The new 70-footer from Duffie Boatworks, Dem Boys exemplifies exceptional craftsmanship, with notable features such as a luxurious four-stateroom layout and high-tech systems, including a proprietary closed-loop freshwater cooling system to virtually eliminate fouling. At 2,000 rpm, the Duffie 70 has a fast cruise of 36.5 knots, enough to make those long runs to the distant offshore canyons considerably quicker, while consuming less than 200 gph. At top hop, Dem Boys hit 43.5 knots.

Quick Specifications

Albemarle 53 Spencer Edition

Albemarle Boats and Spencer Yachts formed a partnership to design and build a semicustom Carolina boat, with the goal of bringing in the characteristic design elements, styling and performance from the custom world but to do it in a production setting, allowing for faster build times on the order of months rather than years. It was a dream several years in the making, and the result is the Albemarle 53 Spencer Edition.

Quick Specifications

Winter Custom Yachts

Tim Winters and his team of boatbuilders at Winter Custom Yachts in North Carolina have truly optimized the walkaround concept, taking full advantage of its inherent versatility. Anglers are no longer confined to the limited space in the cockpit and have the freedom to fight fish all the way around the boat from bow to stern. Even just taking the family on a shorthanded picnic cruise is safer and easier since everyone has full access to the bow without having to navigate a slippery deck. Its latest 46-footer, Thumper, is one of the most versatile boats in this size range on the water today.

Quick Specifications

The post Top 13 Luxury Sport Fishing Yachts You Need to See appeared first on Yachting.

Superyachts are the commanders of the sea, and it makes sense why. These super-sized vessels can do everything, from indefinitely taking you away from land to being the headquarters of your next angling adventure. Whether it’s on the top deck, the main deck or belowdecks, the volume on superyachts is unmatched. Owners customize these spaces with modular furniture, hot tubs, swimming pools, beach clubs, gymnasiums and more, making them as unique as fingerprints.

Here are 10 amazing superyachts on the water today.

Ferretti Yachts 860

Flybridge designs are fundamental to the Ferretti Yachts DNA, and this one sticks with the winning formula. The after half of the flybridge is open to interpretation, with a hot tub option, while the standard layout forward includes a dinette for eight guests, a sun pad to port, and a wet bar and two-seat helm station to starboard. Three sizes of hardtop are available, the largest one even bigger than the hardtop on the flagship Ferretti Yachts 1000. — Phil Draper, “The Ferretti Yachts 860 Is an Evolution”

Hargrave 105

[Mike] Joyce is the CEO of Hargrave Custom Yachts, whose latest 105, Irresistible, exemplifies numerous ways the builder tailors its designs to what each owner wants.

Irresistible, for instance, has a raised pilothouse, creating an all-weather backup to the flybridge helm. The bridge is open, but it’s shaded by the fiberglass hardtop, rather than having a sky lounge on board. That’s already a lot of personalization based on the starting point of a new Jack Sarin-designed hull that tops out at 21 knots and cruises at 18 knots. In addition, this owner was planning 1,000-nautical-mile voyages, so he opted for twin 1,600 hp Caterpillar C32 Acert diesels. Irresistible reportedly has a 2,000-nautical-mile range at 10 knots. Based on my time aboard, I can report that the hull is also comfortable in Gulf Stream lumps. — Chris Caswell, “Hargrave 105 Superyacht Review”

Ocean Alexander 35R

… Yachtsmen began to learn that gross tonnage was more important than feet and inches in terms of the creature comforts they wanted.

The 116-foot-9-inch Ocean Alexander 35R, whose gross tonnage is just shy of 300, is the latest model to demonstrate both points. Hull No. 1 was commissioned by a client before the shipyard could exhibit the yacht, and Hull No. 2 sold quickly during its debut at the [2021] Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in Florida. As of early December [2021], Hull No. 7 was the first available build slot, with delivery anticipated in 2024. The series is attracting attention from loyal Ocean Alexander buyers and newcomers alike. – Diane M. Byrne, “Reviewed: Ocean Alexander 35R”

Dynamiq GTT 135

In the pilothouse, Dynamiq worked with German vehicle outfitter Klassen to develop a bespoke wheelhouse, finished in the same quality and style of the company’s luxury shuttle vans (think sporty trim and high-end finishes). The five-stateroom layout is accented in soft-gold and mother-of-pearl flourishes. A pair of 75-inch TVs await guests on the sun deck, where they might want to relax after a drink at the bar. — Kim Kavin, “Dynamiq’s GTT 135 Evokes Elegance”

Wally WHY200

Why WHY200? The acronym stands for Wally Hybrid Yachts, which has nothing to do with hybrid propulsion, but rather a hull designed for a range of displacement and semi-displacement cruising speeds. And the numerals don’t reference length. They reflect the approximate volume (199 gross tons), which is a lot for a yacht with a length overall of just 89 feet.

But length is not what matters these days. Gross tonnage and beam—the feeling of space—are the important metrics. And on this yacht, that most important effect is achieved. — Phil Draper, “Wally’s WHY200 Impresses Inside and Out”

Royal Huisman Project 406

Project 406 has a length overall of 171 feet. That means the vessel will dwarf not only the most sizable 80- to 105-footers from well-known sport-fish builders—such as Viking Yachts, Bayliss Boatworks and Jim Smith Tournament Boats—but also the behemoth one-off sport-fishers such as the 144-foot Trinity Bad Company, 130-foot McMullen & Wing Mea Culpa and 129-foot Yachting Developments Lanakai. As the team at Royal Huisman expressed this reality about Project 406, “This groundbreaking creation will be, by some distance, the largest, most luxurious and individual true sport-fish yacht in the world.” — Kim Kavin, “Biggest Sport-Fishing Boat in the World”

Sanlorenzo SL106 Asymmetric

The idea behind the Asymmetric line dates back several years. Sanlorenzo was wrestling with how to provide owners with more usable interior space. An initial idea was a widebody design, in which the main-deck interior spans the yacht’s full beam. Sanlorenzo quickly decided that wasn’t practical for smaller to midsize superyachts. So, [Sanlorenzo CEO Massimo] Perotti sought the input of designer Chris Bangle, with whom Sanlorenzo has been working since 2015. Bangle is known for shaking up the designs of Fiat and BMW. He came up with the notion of a widebody to one side to benefit owners along with a full side deck opposite, as well as an over-the-widebody passage from the flybridge to the bow to benefit the crew. — Diane M. Byrne, “Sanlorenzo’s Asymmetric SL106A Reviewed”

Westport 112

At first, the owner thought he and his family would use the 112-foot Hannah without making any changes. Then, his wife looked at it.

“The original idea was just to change a few things inside, but you start one thing, and you say, ‘Why don’t you do the next one?’” he says. “We kept going and going and going.”

After buying the Westport yacht in early 2020, the owner brought in Destry Darr Designs for the refit. She ended up orchestrating a total overhaul, finishing the project at the end of 2020. The yacht’s post-refit maiden cruise with the family was during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays that winter, then Westport Yachts began offering Hannah for charter. — Kim Kavin, “Refitting the 112-Foot ‘Hannah’ for Charter”

Hargrave ‘Baba’s’

These days, many shipyards tell buyers they can design their yachts the way they see fit, but some of those same builders actually offer semicustom yachts. Some, arguably, are more production than semicustom. Clients have two, maybe three choices for general arrangements, for example, and the exterior styling is set in stone. Fewer permit moving nonstructural bulkheads. Much of the time, the systems and engine packages are nonnegotiable.

That was not the case with Baba’s.

Hargrave saw the challenge as a way to prove its mettle to would-be owners outside the United States. “This is the connection to the global market we never had,” says Michael Joyce, Hargrave’s CEO. The yard also let [Sam] Shalem—a longtime owner of a real-estate-development and -management company who is accustomed to assembling teams—play a large role in choosing craftsmen to work on the project. This father of four and grandfather to even more (baba means “grandfather” in several cultures) was hands-on in nearly all aspects, ranging from gathering the workers to specifying the systems to selecting the mosaics in the interior. — Diane M. Byrne, “Hargrave’s 186-Foot Vessel Shows Creativity”

Rybovich 94

Throw out any preconceived notions you may have about sport-fishing yachts—even large ones. III Amigos—a 94-footer from the consortium of boatbuilder Michael Rybovich, designer Patrick Knowles and an experienced owner—is far more mega-yacht than most fishing machines.

III Amigos was born in a peculiar fashion. Its owner, who spends 50 to 60 days a year fishing, first approached Rybovich but, before signing, asked Knowles to do a dizzying collection of realistic renderings to show the final result. Knowles had a solid knowledge base from working with the owner on previous yachts as well as the owner’s five homes and his business jet, so he had a good idea about where to start. — Chris Caswell, “The Sportfishing Superyacht: Rybovich 94”

The post 10 Awe-Inspiring Superyachts appeared first on Yachting.

Royal Huisman in the Netherlands says the 154-foot Panamax sloop Nilaya has left the construction hall in Vollenhove and is ready to have its rig installed in Amsterdam.

Nilaya is the first yacht being built with Royal Huisman’s Featherlight design and production method, which the yard says reduces weight by 11 percent, compared to typical aluminum cruising yachts. The result is achieved through finite-element analysis in the design, the use of varied Alustar aluminum plate thicknesses, frame spacing to maximize hull stiffness and the use of foam coring in interior structural members.

The coachroof and guest cockpit structure are built with a carbon composite, as are the foredeck’s recessed tender well and several other elements. Most of the deck hardware is titanium.

Rondal is responsible for the carbon fiber mast, boom and standing rigging. Nilaya will be the first yacht in its size range to use the structured luff sail design that Doyle Sails created. To take advantage of narrow headsail sheeting angles that are possible, Rondal created a curved carbon fiber spreader design that Royal Huisman says is shorter and more aerodynamic than anything previously available.

Naval architecture and design are by Reichel/Pugh and Nauta. The project manager is Nigel Ingram of MCM Newport.

“While the new Nilaya is meant to take the owners world cruising, he also asked for a boat with all the good habits of their previous racer, meaning responsiveness and excellent handling,” Ingram stated in a press release. “Royal Huisman was not afraid to invest in research to explore and develop all manner of innovative weight-saving possibilities. They really chased the details.”

When is Nilaya expected to be delivered to the owners? Sometime before the end of 2023.

Take the next step: visit royalhuisman.com

The post Construction Update: Royal Huisman ‘Nilaya’ appeared first on Yachting.

Huisfit has completed a major refit of the 203-foot Holland Jachtbouw Athos, which has been extended to 208 feet length overall during a conversion that changed the yacht inside and out.

Work on the 2010 build included a stern extension; redesigned cockpit layouts; a new forward navigation deckhouse; new booms, sails and carbon rigging; updated systems; and significant interior renovations.

Hoek Design was involved with all the naval architecture and some of the restyling. Peter Mikic Interiors handled the layout and some of the styling.

The new cockpit is wider and longer, and can accommodate 12 people for dining. The space also includes smaller relaxation areas, and tables that can be adjusted for cocktails or dining.

Another major change is to the owners’ stateroom, which was stripped out and rebuilt. It now has additional portholes, two bathrooms instead of one and a new walk-in closet.

In the guest spaces, changes included removing a fireplace and adding a media room. Crew areas were also updated, with a galley rebuild and new appliances in the crew quarters.

How many people worked on the refit of Athos? Huisfit says as many as 50 people were regularly employed on the project for more than a year.

Take the next step: go to huisfit.com

The post Huisfit Completes Refit of 203-Foot ‘Athos’ appeared first on Yachting.

Mega-yacht design has always been a playground for some of the most fertile minds on the planet. Construction, in turn, routinely represents an evolution in engineering. All of that and more is on display right now around the world, with numerous projects that are nothing short of mind-bending.

In March, Royal Huisman in the Netherlands turned the Alustar aluminum hull on Project 406, which is on its way to becoming the largest sport-fisher yacht ever to ply the world’s waters. Building this 170-foot-long, six-deck machine would be enough for any shipyard to create headlines, but the Dutch builder—the same month it turned that hull—announced that it also had inked a deal to build the world’s largest sloop, the 280-foot Project 410.

“It is an extraordinary honor to be entrusted with a project of such scale, ambition and technical sophistication,” Peter Naeyé, the yard’s chief commercial officer, said of the sloop. “A true performance superyacht with supersized dimensions and full of technical innovations.”

What all of that might mean is anyone’s guess, as are the teaser details coming out of Italy about Amarcord. It’s a new project of the Palumbo Superyachts brand ISA Yachts in collaboration with design firm Nuvolari Lenard. Amarcord is a 262-foot yacht being started on spec for delivery as soon as 2025. Giuseppe Palumbo, director of Palumbo Superyachts, calls the project an opportunity for the yard and design team to work together on “interesting innovations in the stylistic field.”

Given that Nuvolari Lenard’s history includes designing the first superyacht infinity pool, aboard the Oceanco Alfa Nero in 2007, as well as the military-style exteriors on 2015’s CRN Atalante, it’s again anyone’s guess what we are all about to see next.

Quite a lot of innovation is also on display these days at shipyards that build smaller motoryachts. Outer Reef Yachts, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, just announced plans for its 650 Evo Motoryacht, which replaces the Cummins Zeus pod-drive system from previous models with Volvo Penta’s latest Electronic Vessel Control offering. This EVC system adds faster software downloads, improved diagnostics and features such as joystick docking, dynamic positioning and a glass cockpit.

“We look forward to what the future holds for our Trident series, and will steadily work toward enhancing the owner experience through partnerships like the one we have forged with Volvo Penta and Garmin,” said Outer Reef president Jeff Druek. “At the end of the day, due to our incorporation of these game-changing technological advancements, our owners have come to expect and enjoy high-performance cruising aboard their Outer Reef Yachts.”

High performance is also a keyword at Van der Valk in the Netherlands, which just dropped a concept design called Meteor. At 82 feet length overall, Meteor all but eliminates the traditional aft-deck design seen aboard most yachts and, instead, takes a sports-car approach to styling. When the transom drops down at anchor, the whole main-deck interior becomes part of the indoor-outdoor guest space.

Fellow Dutch firm Vripack is involved in the design of Van der Valk’s Meteor, which has a projected top speed above 40 knots, powered by triple Rolls-Royce MTUs with water jets. The majority of the superstructure is glass, including two slide-open sections of nearly 10 feet apiece.

Would-be owners aren’t the only ones who think a concept like Meteor is cool. “Our skilled craftsmen are going to have a field day bringing this all to life for the first new Meteor owner,” the yard said in announcing the project.

Still want more? We’re salivating to see what’s about to come out of Tankoa Yachts, where the Italian builder has teamed with designer Philippe Briand on a 170-foot custom motoryacht for delivery in 2025. That project, according to Tankoa, includes “remarkable development of the interiors, designed and finely decorated down to the smallest detail.” What that might mean, in the hands of one of the world’s most award-winning designers, has the potential to be astounding.

In the powercat market, Denison Yachts just became the Americas dealer for the SilverCat line by Australia-based Silver Yachts. Hull No. 1 is already sold, with additional hulls available in lengths overall up to 118 feet. “We’re thrilled to bring the SilverCat to market as the new mega-cat with design innovations by world-renowned designer Espen Øino,” said Tony Smith, Denison brand manager for Silver Yachts.

We’re beyond thrilled too. A bounty of features, technology and amenities that have never existed are about to become reality. What a time to be able to play.

The post Mega-yacht Designers Bringing New Innovations appeared first on Yachting.

Between the boat-show debuts in Miami and Palm Beach, Florida, and the European shipyards preparing to launch mega-yachts this spring ahead of the summer cruising season, the waterways from the Mediterranean to the Bahamas are about to become flush with a new crop of head-turning designs.

Perhaps the most noteworthy is Phi, Royal Huisman’s 192-footer (shown above) that is below 500 gross tons, making it by far the longest motoryacht in that category—anywhere in the world. Cor D. Rover designed the yacht, which was delivered to the owner in early December.

Phi will take to the water alongside quite a few other new models in all size ranges and styles. The following offers a taste of the lines and features that yachtsmen will soon be able to savor.

Sunseeker 90 Ocean: Expanded Beach Club

One of the focal points on the Sunseeker 90 Ocean is the beach club, which is just shy of 250 square feet. The space allows for a built-in barbecue, an oversize rain shower, and Sunseeker’s X-Tend sun beds that can transform to face forward or aft, depending on how guests want to use them. 

Another notable relaxation area is at the yacht’s foredeck, which has sun pads with adjustable backrests, as well as the ability to transform into an open-air cinema with a 140-inch screen. Inside, the Sunseeker 90 Ocean has accommodations for 10 guests and quarters for four crewmembers. Range is up to 1,800 nautical miles at 12 knots, according to Sunseeker, with the ability to top out at 26 knots, if the need arises to push the boat to the pins.

Columbus Atlantique 47: Designed for Adventure

Hull No. 1 of the 154-foot Columbus Atlantique 47 has been sold, with delivery to the owners expected in 2023. The yacht is intended for adventurous cruising, with a steel hull and a projected range of 3,400 nautical miles at 12 knots. Cruising speed is expected to be 14.5 knots, with a top hop of 15.5 knots. 

Hot Lab in Italy is the designer on the project, which has two swimming pools as well as a beach club with foldout platforms. Accommodations are for 10 guests, including a full-beam master stateroom on the main deck, with quarters for nine crewmembers. Columbus Yachts is also promising some eco-friendly design elements, such as onboard water purifiers and a propulsion system with low fuel consumption.

Invictus GT320S: Yamaha Outboard Power

The Invictus GT320S just made its world debut at Boot in Düsseldorf, Germany. The boat comes with twin 300 hp Yamaha outboards but can take up to 900 total horsepower. No matter the outboard configuration, the space that normally would have gone to a sterndrive engine room is instead a relaxation area for guests. 

And the GT320S gives owners options in addition to the powerplants: The standard portside door can be replaced with a folding terrace, while the standard Bimini top can be automated or replaced with a carbon hardtop that has integrated lighting. Eight color combinations are offered, and the shipyard has a team that’s dedicated to handling whatever custom one-off requests owners can dream up.

Viking 90C: A New Sport-Fishing Flagship

Building on the legacy of its Viking 92, which saw 21 hulls built in seven years’ time, Viking Yachts in New Jersey is offering a new flagship model: the 90C. Three versions are available (Open Bridge, Enclosed Bridge and Sky Bridge), each with a six-stateroom layout that includes a full-beam master stateroom. 

The Open and Enclosed Bridge versions can be outfitted with a tuna tower from Viking subsidiary Palm Beach Towers, and owners can ­customize the electronics and entertainment systems on all three versions by working with Viking subsidiary Atlantic Marine Electronics. In all ­configurations, fishing enthusiasts will have a 224-square-foot cockpit whose sole is reinforced for a fighting chair, along with multiple fish boxes. This is the ultimate fishing yacht.

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