“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.

• Hatteras GT65 Carolina: A customizable sportfish yacht with Caterpillar diesels
• Viking Yachts 64C: An eye-watering 42 knots of fish-chasing speed boat 
• Royal Huisman Project 406: The biggest sportfish yacht ever built
• Rybovich 94: A superyacht-sized angler’s dream
• Viking 38 Open: A family-sized express sportfisherman loaded for offshore fishing
• Bertram 61 Convertible: A tournament-ready battlewagon with a distinct look 
• Hatteras Yachts 45EX: Entry-level sportfish yacht with all the angling amenities of its larger siblings
• Huckins 45 Sportfisherman: Built for bluewater angling with the patented and sea-taming Quadraconic hull form 
• Jarrett Bay 46: A mid-size custom-Carolina sportfisherman with a yacht-level finish
• Viking Yachts 92: Designed to travel the world’s oceans chasing behemoth billfish
• Merritt 72: An iconic Florida boatbuilder’s high-end fishing boat
• Bertram 35: This 35-foot flybridge sportfish pays homage to the builder’s legendary roots.
• Viking 54 Open: This express-style fish boat also comes in a Sport Tower and Coupe version

Hatteras Yachts GT65 Carolina

The Hatteras Yachts GT65 Carolina falls in the middle of the New Bern, North Carolina, boatbuilder’s three-model GT lineup, which also includes a GT59 and GT70. This sportfish yacht has a solid-fiberglass hull bottom built for blue-water duty and comes with a variety of diesel engine options, which starts with twin 1,622 hp Caterpillar C-32A diesels.

Like all Hatteras GT models, the GT65 has notable bow flare to beat back tempestuous seas as well as a high freeboard to keep decks dry in the slop. The Hatteras GT65 also represent a design evolution for the series with a “stepped-back flybridge” an element found on in earlier Hatteras models, as well as a new window treatment and hull-side vents. With yacht-level luxury on the inside and a fishing-mission design on the outside, the Hatteras Yachts GT65 is a formidable sportfish boat.

Quick Specifications

Viking Yachts 64C

With its 180-square-foot, dance-floor-size, teak cockpit, options for a fighting chair or rocket launcher, a mezzanine perched perfectly for spotting prey in the spread and enough livewell space to keep a gaggle of goggle-eye baits frisky, the 42-knot Viking Yachts 64C is built for battle with big fish.Its impressive speed, which comes via optional 2,022 hp MTU M96X V-12 diesels, ensures that the Viking 64C is likely to be first boat with lines in the water. Cruise speed: 36 knots at 80 percent engine load. (Base powerplants are twin 1,550 hp MAN V-12 diesels.) For the traveling tournament crew, the Viking 64C has four staterooms, including three en suite guest staterooms, plus a crew cabin with upper and lower bunks.

Quick Specifications

Royal Huisman Project 406

A 171-foot sportfisherman? Yes. That’s exactly what the six-deck, Royal Huisman’s Project 406 is. The interior and exterior design of Project 406 is from noted Dutch yacht-design firm Vripack. Vripack calls the vessel a “sportfisher 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 for Project 406. 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 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 II 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

Viking Yachts 38 Open Billfish

The Viking Yachts 38 Open Billfish is the builder’s entry point to its diesel-propelled sportfish boats. An owner-operator-size angling platform, the 38 Open is powered with twin 550 hp Cummins QSB6.7 diesels, which gives the sportfish boat 36-knot speed. Notable angling features on board the 38 Open include a 109-swqure-foot cockpit, complete with a mezzanine seating flanking the centerline stairs to the bridge deck as well as a laminated backing plate foe either a fighting chair or a rocket launcher. For overnight canyon trips, there is a forepeak stateroom with a double bunk as well as a single above it. Additionally, the salon’s sofa converts to a berth for guests or crew. The galley is outfitted with Corian countertops, two-burner electric cooktop, microwave/convection oven and drawer-style refrigerators and freezers. Some options include a Palm Beach Towers tuna tower and electronics packages from Atlantic Marine Electronics, both are Viking Yachts’ subsidiaries.

Quick Specifications

Bertram 61 Convertible

Bertram’s 61 Convertible leads the builder’s offshore series, which also includes a 35 Convertible and the express-style 50 Sport. Like its 50 Sport sistership, the 61 Convertible has a stepped sheerline, a nod to the legendary boatbuilder’s earlier designs. It also creates an instantly recognizable profile. The 61 Convertible is ready to run out of the box thanks to its twin 1,925 hp Caterpillar C-32A diesels. Top hop is 44 knots.

When it comes to chasing fish, the 61 Convertible has 188 square feet of fish-fighting space. A 100-gallon in-transom livewell is accompanied by twin in-sole fish boxes as well as rod stowage to port and starboard. A tuna door to starboard makes bringing in that bigeye on board a breeze. (Fish not included.) The accommodations layout belowdecks includes three staterooms. There is a full-beam master stateroom amidships.

Quick Specifications

Hatteras Yachts GT45X

The Hatteras Yachts GT45X express sports twin 1,150-horsepower Cat C18 ACERT diesel engines that deliver 40-plus-knot speeds. During our sea trial, the GT45X showcased remarkable handling, gracefully leaning into turns without any loss of power from the props. Hatteras has equipped the GT45X with a custom-engineered, sound-deadening system. This feature reduces noise and vibration, ensuring a relatively quiet ride for all aboard. Inside, the yacht has a luxe sensibility with its wood sole, sumptuous leather seating, a fully equipped galley and a spacious forward stateroom. On deck, there are two comfortable helm seats, an undercounter fridge, an ice maker, an inviting L-shaped settee and a table, creating the perfect entertainment area for relaxing after a successful day of fishing. The integrated hardtop enhances visibility with its one-piece windshield and large side windows, offering optimal views of the surrounding waters. To adapt to changing weather conditions, simply install clear curtains across the bridge deck aft, transforming the GT45X into an all-season sport-fisherman. Personalization is key with Hatteras Yachts, and the GT45X offers a variety of optional features. From a bow thruster and additional stateroom to teak accents and a flybridge option, you can customize your yacht to meet your specific needs. With a simple ala carte ordering process, just select your must-have options, start the engines and have your next angling adventure.

Quick Specifications

Huckins 45 Sportfisherman

The Huckins 45 Sportfisherman starts with the Florida boatbuilder’s patented Quadraconic hull. The Huckins’ Quadraconic name derives from four conical projections that make up the bottom surface shape. The sport-fisher has a deep forefoot and some measurable flare above the waterline for good buoyancy and dry running. A single chine rises from the waterline and then descends quickly to optimize spray control. The deep-V shape forward warps to a flat running surface far aft for efficient planing and excellent roll resistance.

Power is twin 480 hp Cummins diesels, which give this sportfish boat an easy 28-knot cruise. Top speed is 35 knots, so a 30-knot cruise is easily an option. The owner of the 45 Sportfisherman we got aboard is an avid stand-up angler and set up his boat with three flush-deck insulated fish boxes with macerators, a Dometic ice maker, two 28-foot Rupp outriggers, six gunwale rod holders, saltwater and freshwater washdowns, and a four-rod rocket launcher in lieu of a fighting chair.

Quick Specifications

Jarrett Bay 46

Originally named Persistence, this Jarrett Bay 46 was built for fishing enthusiast and NASCAR driver Jeff Burton. When creating his fully custom sportfish boat, Burton noted that his vessel would be both a fishing boat and a family boat. Fishing features include an in-transom fish box, a sailfish pod, insulated fish boxes and a tuna door (sans bridge) in the cockpit. Jarrett Bay installed three rod holders in each gunwale and six more across the flybridge rail, plenty of rod room for setting up a trolling spread.
With upper and lower helm stations (the latter being an owner request), the Jarrett Bay 46 also gives the skipper options if the weather goes south. The Jarrett Bay 46 has ZF pod drives with underwater exhaust paired to twin 575 hp Caterpillar C9 diesels. At a comfortable 2,000-rpm cruise, this sport-fisher makes about 26 knots while those diesels consume 41 gallons per hour. Dial it up to a top-end speed of 35 knots and consumption goes up to 58.3 gph.

Quick Specifications

Viking Yachts 92

The Viking Yachts 92 is the largest sport-fisher the New Gretna, New Jersey-based boatbuilder has ever constructed. Offered with an open- or enclosed-bridge setup, the hefty sportfish boat (displacing around 205,000 pounds) hits 37-knots-plus when powered with optional 2,600 hp MTU diesels. At 2,100 rpm, this battlewagon cruises easily at 31 knots at 78 percent engine load. Dial it back to 28 knots, and engine load is a mere 70 percent. The 92-footer is also agile thanks to the Viking Independent Programmable Electrohydraulic Rudder (VIPER) steering system, a fly-by-wire setup that lets the helmsman control each rudder individually.

From an angling perspective, the 92 has 55-foot Rupp outriggers, fish stowage large enough for a wolf pack of bigeye tuna, space for a season’s worth of baits, secured gaff stowage and enough tackle drawers to handle all the lures and terminal gear an owner could ever buy. The Viking 92 also has six staterooms to accommodate owners, guests and crew for tournament season and long-haul adventure angling.

Quick Specifications

Merritt 72

Like some of the other names on this list, Merritt is an iconic Pompano Beach, Florida-based, custom sportfish builder with a current model lineup that includes 66-, 72- and 86-foot convertible designs. The Merritt 72 is a model that has stood the test of time, and one that owners flock to year in and year out, for its fishability, seakindly nature and the ability to tailor the layout to an owner’s angling needs.

Because these boats are custom-built, the specifics can change from one 72 to another, but 30-knot cruise speeds and nearly 40-knot top-end speeds are common in all 72s, as are massive cockpits for fighting Hemingway-worthy marlin, stout construction for chasing those fish in the blue water and superyacht-level finishes inside and outside.

Quick Specifications

Bertram 35

The entry point into Bertram’s three-model Offshore Series⎯spanning from 35 to 61 feet length overall⎯the Bertram 35 blends a familiar profile with modern power and technology to create a 36-knot angling juggernaut. This owner-operator-sized, Michael Peters-penned, flybridge sport-fisher starts with a wave-slicing, deep-V hull form with 22 degrees transom deadrise. The form is supported by a solid fiberglass hull bottom with cored hull sides for added strength without added weight.

The 35 has a 126-square-foot cockpit ready for any fish-fighting fanatic. Bertram sets up the 35 with rod holders, a livewell, in-deck fish boxes, and a transom door for the big ones. Optional teak decking and covering boards add a custom look. Inside, the salon is accented with teak and maple Amtico soles and overhead dimmer lighting. A wainscot-style ceiling houses rod stowage for big-game gear. Power is twin 500 hp Caterpillar C7.1 diesels matched to ZF drives. At a comfortable 27.5-knot cruise at just 68 percent engine load, the Bertram 35 has a 253-nautical-mile range, making it easily canyon-capable.

Quick Specifications

Viking Yachts 54 Open

Many anglers like open- or express-style sportfish designs as they enable the captain and crew to keep in close proximity, and the Viking 54 Open, which also is offered in a Sport Coupe or Sport Tower, does just that. The 54 Open’s bridge deck has a Palm Beach-style helm on centerline, flanked by a double-wide companion seat to port and a single seat to starboard. Abaft the helm and to port is U-shaped seating with a walnut table, creating a respite from the sun on tournament day while still allowing the crew to keep an eye on the spread via the open after bulkhead. Across from that seating is an L-shaped settee.

With a focus on fishing, the 54 Open has 154 square feet of cockpit real estate. Two sets of mezzanine seats offer perches for the crew to watch the spread. Other fishing-friendly features include a transom livewell, an in-deck fish box to starboard (with an optional livewell tub), an insulated in-deck box to port, a deck plate for mounting a rocket launcher or fighting chair, cooler stowage in the mezzanine steps (a bait freezer in the steps is optional), and a tuna door. Power is either twin 1,400 hp or 1,550 hp MAN diesels. For owners who prefer a three-sided fiberglass enclosure to a clear-plastic setup—but still want an open after bulkhead—Viking offers the 54 in the Sport Tower version. The 54 Sport Coupe model closes the after bulkhead, completely protecting the bridge deck from the elements.

Quick Specifications

The post 13 Best Sport Fishing Yachts of 2023 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.

The post Five Must-See Yachts for Spring 2022 appeared first on Yachting.

Vripack yacht design and Royal Huisman, both in the Netherlands, have unveiled a few tantalizing details about Project 406—which is being built as the world’s largest sport-fishing yacht.

Project 406’s overall size and luxury is the reason it made it on our best sportfishing yachts list. 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.”

Aqua Marine is the owner’s representative on the project, with Vripack handling exterior as well as interior design. Technical management will be the purview of Bush & Noble along with Hampshire Marine.

Royal Huisman CEO Jan Timmerman calls 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.”

“It has the true proportions and long flaring bow of a typical American sport-fish boat paired with the harmonious feel of a luxurious superyacht,” Bouwhuis says. “It’s a supersize model with super-chic curves, realized on a grand scale.”

Among the design elements Vripack is touting is a redesigned sky lounge, which will be like a theater with front-row views of the sport-fishing action in the cockpit. The superyacht is projected to come in at 499 gross tons, allowing for a top-end speed in the 30-knot range.

“Project 406 is a true sport- fisher, designed for a private owner who is serious about big-game fishing,” Bouwhuis says. Wih so many accolade

Delivery of Project 406 is scheduled for 2023. Before then, Royal Huisman is expected to launch the 192-foot motoryacht Project Phi, which has a design the yard calls “radical.”

It’s anyone’s guess what that word might come to mean in yacht construction next.

The post Biggest Sport-Fishing Boat in the World appeared first on Yachting.

Atlantide, the classic 122-foot Philip & Sons build from 1930, has arrived at Royal Huisman’s Huisfit facility in the Netherlands for a refit that is expected to be finished in spring 2022.

The owner of Atlantide is Silicon Valley’s Jim Clark, who in 2020 commissioned the yard to refit his J-Class yacht Hanuman, along with other vessels in previous years. The work on Atlantide will be more of a restoration than a refit, according to Huisfit.

Atlantide was shipped from Newport, Rhode Island, to the Netherlands the first week of 2021.

“If a discerning client commissions a fourth very substantial project to the same shipyard, you just know that the work you perform is truly appreciated,” Jan Timmerman, CEO of Royal Huisman, stated in a press release. “So we are most honored to find ourselves in the position to realize yet another dream for our esteemed clients Jim and Kristy Clark.”

How much work does Huisfit expect to do on Atlantide? The yard is calling the restoration “a project so grand in scale that we will be allocating it the same status as a new project.”

For more information, visit: royalhuisman.com

The post A Classic is Being Refitted appeared first on Yachting.

Royal Huisman in the Netherlands has unveiled the Apex 850, calling it the yard’s “most ambitious and inspiring concept yet” developed with designer Malcolm McKeon.

The Apex 850 would have a length overall of 279 feet, with a 351-foot air-draft rig. The yacht’s superstructure would be all glass, encompassing 2,150 square feet of cockpit and salon space for guest use. The superstructure design, according to Royal Huisman, “scarcely seems to be there—an understated, almost ethereal presence.”

“The sailing experience of Apex 850 will be sensational, with speeds in excess of wind speed in most conditions,” McKeon stated in a press release. “Her retractable keel, optimized weight distribution and limited heel angle will provide stability, comfort and safety for all on board. Her twin high aspect rudders will provide a rapid response to her fly-by-wire helm.”

Would the Apex 850 be bigger than other Royal Huisman builds? Yes. Here’s how yard CEO Jan Timmerman put it: “Two of the world’s 10 largest sailing yachts, Athena and Sea Eagle II, are Royal Huisman builds, and Apex 850 would make a fitting third, easily becoming the largest member of this elite circle.”

Take the next step: go to royalhuisman.com

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