Now in its 22nd year, the Monaco Yacht Show serves as the world’s grandest stage for the industry’s most beautiful yachts to make their debuts and impress the yachting community’s elite. The 2012 show, held from September 19 to 22, showcased some extraordinary launches from the last year, as well as a number of older yachts.
In general, the industry is experiencing a slowdown in terms of new launches, due largely to the lack of orders placed during the economic slowdown that began in 2008, with the typical two- to four-year build times of larger yachts prompting the current lull in launches. However, this also seems to be inspiring more and more yacht owners to make their vessels available for charter, which was illustrated by the large number of charter yachts on display in Monaco. And this is good news for those seeking to charter some of the world’s best new builds before deciding to purchase a yacht outright.
This year’s show also had a record-setting 33,000 participants, which means the future is bright for the yachting industry. So, whether you’re looking to charter a yacht or build a new one, the maritime beauties exhibited at the recent show are a good source of inspiration. (www.monacoyachtshow.com)
Here are some of the new yachts that caught our attention at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show:
Aslec 4: Last spring, Rossinavi launched this 148-foot steel-hulled semiplaning yacht, which offers a stunning interior design from Rémi Tessier. Materials including ebony, platinum leaf, white leather, and onyx marble help make this five-stateroom, 10-guest vessel shine. Aslec 4 does not charter, but the yacht is available for sale through Edmiston. (www.rossinavi.it; www.edmistoncompany.com)
Better Place: With a length of 164 feet and a displacement of 250 tons, this completely custom sailing yacht is the largest vessel ever to emerge from the shipyard of Monaco-based Wally yachts. The yacht is also the world’s largest sloop made of carbon fiber. Better Place boasts Wally’s trademark hard exterior lines and aggressive naval architecture, along with a gorgeous and smartly designed belowdecks interior to accommodate as many as 10 guests. At the Monaco show, Wally also exhibited its 85-foot motor yacht Kanga, the first example of its WallyAce semicustom series, and Hamilton, a 100-foot sailing yacht that the owner uses for both racing and relaxed cruising. Hamilton is made almost entirely from lightweight carbon fiber and is the first vessel to launch in the WallyCento line of custom sailing yachts. (www.wally.com)
Lady Petra: In April, Dutch builder Heesen launched this 153-foot vessel, which features an interior design from Bannenberg & Rowell. The yacht does not charter, as she belongs to the shipyard’s owner, who often travels aboard the ship with his three children and seven grandchildren. At the Monaco show, Heesen also announced plans to launch a series of innovative yachts over the next several years, including one that uses a hybrid propulsion system. (www.heesenyachts.nl)
La Pellegrina: The first boat in Couach’s 5000 Fly series, this 162-foot motor yacht is the largest boat ever built in France using the Kevlar-infusion hull-construction technique. In addition to a beautiful interior with light woods and fabrics, La Pellegrina is a true performance vessel, reaching a top speed of 28 knots. The yacht charters through Floating Life. (www.couach.com; floatinglife.com)
Lyana: At 197 feet, Benetti-built Lyana was one of the larger vessels available for charter shown in Monaco this year. The yacht features six cabins, including one that can convert to a beauty-and-massage room, as well as gorgeous interiors. Design highlights include dark wenge wood floors, a master suite with 180-degree views and a retractable skylight, and a huge spa on the sun-deck. Lyana, which charters through Camper & Nicholsons, counts a Jetlev water-powered jet pack among her many water toys. (www.benettiyachts.it; www.camperandnicholsons.com)
Esmeralda: This 252-foot motor yacht from Hanseatic Marine was one of the largest yachts exhibited at the show. Delivered in June, Esmeralda is the third and largest yacht in the yard’s Silver series of custom builds. The yacht sleeps 22 guests in 10 cabins, and it features a private owner’s deck. (www.hanseaticmarine.eu)
2 Ladies: Delivered in August, this 151-foot displacement motor yacht from Italian builder Rossinavi sleeps 12 guests in six staterooms, including two owner’s suites, which helps make this yacht an ideal charter vessel. 2 Ladies is available for charter through Ocean Independence. (www.rossinavi.it; www.oceanindependence.com)
Other noteworthy yachts at the show included:
Alloya 40 (131 feet) and Achilles (151 feet): Both of these custom-built yachts were delivered by Italian yard Sanlorenzo this past spring. (www.sanlorenzoyacht.com)
Belle Anna (164 feet): Delivered by Italy’s ISA Yachts in July, this yacht is the third build in the yard’s 50-meter series, following the launches of Liberty and Papi du Papi, both of which stunned at last year’s Monaco show. (www.isayachts.com)
Diamonds Are Forever (200 feet): Launched by Benetti last fall, this custom-built yacht is now available for charter through Ocean Independence. (www.benettiyachts.it; www.oceanindependence.com)
Far Away (119 feet): Launched by Italian builder Canados in July, this speedy 27-knot yacht is the first in the yard’s semicustom series. (www.canados.com)
Harbour Island (180 feet): Delivered last October by Florida’s Newcastle Shipyards, this yacht is for sale through Ocean Independence, priced at about $55 million, and available for charter through International Yacht Collection. (www.newcastleyacht.com; www.oceanindependence.com; www.iyc.com)
I Amsterdam (80 feet): Launched in May, this is the first example of the Swan 80S sailing-yacht model from Italian builder Nautor’s Swan. (www.nautorswan.com)
Lady Linda (186 feet): Delivered in July by Mississippi’s Trinity Yachts, this gorgeous trideck yacht is available for charter through Burgess. (www.trinityyachts.com; www.burgessyachts.com)
Laurel (240 feet): Completed by Seattle’s Delta Marine in 2006, this classically styled seven-cabin yacht only recently became available for charter through Fraser Yachts. (www.deltamarine.com; www.fraseryachts.com)
Moni (107 feet): Launched in April by Turkey’s Vicem Yachts, this is the first in the yard’s Vicem 107 series and is its largest mahogany-hulled boat built to date. (www.vicemyacht.com)
Nirvana (290 feet): Launched by Dutch yard Oceanco in January, this massive yacht was among the largest and most exclusive yachts at the show. The yacht’s owner only allowed prospective Oceanco clients on board. (www.oceancoyacht.com)
Okko (134 feet): Launched by Italian yard Mondo Marine this September, this yacht is available for charter through Imperial Yachts. (www.mondomarine.it; www.imperial-yachts.com)
Ouranos (148 feet): Delivered by Italian builder Tecnomar in May, this yacht is the third to launch in the yard’s 45-meter series and is available for charter through Cape4 Yachting. (www.tecnomar.com; www.cape4yachting.com)
Project 12 (153 feet): After debuting at the Festival de la Plaisance de Cannes yacht show just a few days earlier, this sensational tri-deck planning vessel made a wonderful showing at the Monaco show. Built by Italy’s Pisa Superyachts, the yacht is available for charter through Burgess. (www.pisasuperyachts.it; www.burgessyachts.com)
Rahil (177 feet): Delivered by Italy’s Mariotti Yachts in July, this yacht benefits from the yard’s extensive experience building cruise ships, with spacious cabins and interiors featuring such materials as gold foil, mother-of-pearl, and marble. (www.mariottiyachts.it
Rainbow (131 feet): Delivered by Dutch builder Holland Jachtbouw in May, this yacht is the largest J-Class sailing yacht ever built and was one of the show’s major talking points. (www.hollandjachtbouw.nl
Step One (180 feet): Launched by Dutch yard Amels in February, this yacht was exhibited longside her 220-foot support vessel Garçon, which carries a sizable fleet of toys and tenders. (www.amels-holland.com)
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Bailey S. Barnard