YachtForums: We Know Big Boats!

Westport completes 40-meter "Gene Machine" megayacht​

The latest member of the Wesport 130 series has been completed by the American yacht builder. She is the fifth 130-foot hull in the newly re-designed and restyled original 130 series. If you were to include all of the 130hulls, this latest one would represent the thirty-third.

She was launched at the very end of last year (2010) and completed earlier this year. Hull 4005 has been christened as "Gene Machine" following, "Namaste" (4004), "Mustang Sally" (4003), "Aphrodite" (4002) and the first hull, "Miss Michelle".

Gene Machine has been manufactured in composite materials like her sisters. The design is by Taylor Olson, William Garden on the naval architecture while the interior was in-house by Westport. She is powered by twin MTUs with a top speed of 24 knots. On the inside, a maximum of ten guests can be slept in four double cabins and a master...

Tankoa Yacht 69-meter superyacht update​

A big change has come to one of the superyachts currently under construction at Tankoa Yachts in Italy. Hull C.102 is the 65-meter that is in build and originally had a launching date for September 2011. However, the said yacht is being extended significantly.

She is expected to go from 65-meters to 69-meters in order to house an expansive beach club in the aft part of the hull. Additionally, a large area of specially designed glass to MCA code will be built to draw natural light into the beach club and provide views outward.

The design of the Tankoa 69-meter remains by Francesco Paszkowski. The accommodation for the guests will be slightly in non-traditional areas with the five double guest staterooms being situated on the main deck and not the lower deck. The sixth stateroom belongs to the owner and that is going to be located on the upper deck.

She is dual classed, RINA/Lloyd's (MCA LYC2)...

Lurssen launches 62-meter "Lady Kathryn V" superyacht​

The latest in a line of 60-meter superyachts has been launched by German superyacht builder Lurssen. She is the 62-meter successor, the "Lady Kathryn V" built for an experienced owner. In build she was known as Project "Coco" with project management by ***** Ship & Yacht.

She was constructed in steel and aluminum, standing out at just over 200-feet long. Not surprising her naval architecture is in-house by Lurssen. The design comes by Espen Oenio and interior styling and design by Adam Lay Studios.

Lady Kathryn V is the final name given to the same yacht that might have been known at Project Coco or project 061. Essentially she is a slightly larger near sister to past 60-meter Lurssen builds like the "Linda Lou", "Arkley" and "Solemates II". Up to twelve guests may be slept onboard in her six beautifully done staterooms...

Marlow Yacht 97E Explorer​

Dubbed as the 'star of the fleet' Marlow's 97E Explorer yacht is indeed the newest model in the fleet. She was publically introduced to the world at the past Miami International Boat Show in February, 2011. Aside from being Marlow's newest model, she is also their largest model to-date making her the Marlow flagship currently.

The new 97E features a beam of 21’ and exceptional waterline length at around 92’, allowing displacement speed cruising with better economy and higher speeds. She has been billed as the fastest raised pilothouse offshore yacht with similar power in the world. Top speed is around 29 knots all out and throttling back to 23 or 24 knots is her cruising speed. At 25 knots steady the range of the Marlow 97E Explorer is just shy of 1,000 nautical miles, 950 NM. If the situation warranted, continuous sailing at 9 knots would garner at 4,000 nautical mile range...

Rossi Navi 46.35-meter megayacht, in build​

Italian yacht builder Rossi Navi have showcased another yacht in their build portfolio recently. She is a 46.35-meter long mega yacht being built under the yard number FR025. The vessel's completed shell recently arrived at the Viareggio finishing facilities for Rossi Navi for work towards completion.

The new vessel was transferred from Pisa to Viareggio and comes only weeks after the successful launching of Rossi Navi's 70-meter "Numptia". She features a steel hull and aluminum superstructure which are in the main, completed.

Some quick facts on the new build FR025, she has a design (exterior) by Frank Mulder. The luxurious interior design styling is by Studio Spadolini. Onboard are a pair of CAT engines, C32s which are expected to run her to 15.5 knots top speed. Cruising is dialed in at 14.5 with a range somewhere near 4,500 nautical miles at 12 knots...

Bilgin Yachts launches 145 "Tatiana" megayacht​

On the 9th of May we informed you of the upcoming launch of Bilgin Yacht's latest yacht, the Bilgin 145 "Tatiana". Well now she has been launched on time and is now preparing for the next phase towards her completion, sea trials. After her final works are finished and her sea trials have satisfied expectations she will be delivered to her owner(s).

Some quick facts on the 45-meter Tatiana; she has a design by Joachim Kinder and powered by a pair of MTU 12V 4000 M90s. Top speed is above 20-knots and she is set on a planing hull. She is the first launch for Bilgin Yachts for 2011...

Hakvoort 44.9-meter "Pamela V" canoe-stern megayacht​

"Pamela V" is the latest megayacht for Hakvoort Yachts. She is on the verge of being launched from the indoor shed at Hakvoort's facilities in The Netherlands. Pamela V is the beautiful canoe-stern megayacht that was under constuction with the build number YN246.

Pamela V's naval architecture is by Diana Yacht Design. On the other perspective, the interior, that was handled by Jacques Grange. The finished (fabricated) hull and superstructure shell arrived at Hakvoort's yard a little over a year ago for finishing and now she is on the cusp of being launched.

The twin-screw displacement megayacht of classic lines is finished in all-white paint further emphasizing her traditional appeal. She stretches just under 45-meters with a beam of 9.30-meters and draught in the region of 2.90-meters...

CBI Navi 53-meter megayacht​

The launching of the 50-meter "Afios" garnered much attention to the CBI Yard in 2011 so far. Looking ahead to the future, there is a 53-meter project in the works and is the largest offering they are showcasing at the moment. 9.40-meters at the beam, 2.80-meters on the draft complete the normal tri-dimensional figures.

The construction is expected to be in steel for the hull and aluminum for the superstructure. As expected, the displacement project will be built at CBI Navi's yard in Italy. Top speed is dialed in at 16 knots using dual CAT 3516B TA/SC engines.

The plans easily reveal a jacuzzi on the forward end of the sun deck mainly surrounded by an integrated region for sunpads. Aft of the jacuzzi is seating and table for eating on sun deck and further aft of that is open deck space for loungers. Below deck in the same area is a dining table for as many as twelve...

New Concept: Hot Labs 86-meter for Oceanco​

The PA168 is a new 86m superyacht concept based on the reputable and highly regarded
Oceanco platform and designed by the Milan-based Hot Lab studio. The contemporary exterior lines
with a functional yet innovative interior layout are amongst the obvious design merits of the concept.​

Despite the yacht’s generous dimensions, her lines have been designed to convey a visual sense of lightness. Fundamental in this regard is the layout of the various decks, which in profile provide abundant open spaces aft that rapidly converge towards the antenna mast in the centre. In front of this point, the decks are developed more horizontally with a subtle yet dynamic downward curve to the open foredeck. This spacious area, which functions as an extendible platform for larger helicopters, emphasises and balances the graceful lines of the superstructure...

Christopher Seymour Y146 Sloop Design​

Another design emerges from the boards of Christopher Seymour. A new sloop design simply dubbed 'Y146' showcases the aggressive yet subtle nature of lines involved. Of course the exterior design is by Christopher Seymour, the interior is to be decided. The 146-foot long concept design is envisioned to host six to twelve guests and as many as six crew members. The design is built for speed and is made to be as luxurious as high performer.

Large open deck spaces mean guests can relax almost anywhere on the deck. Towards the stern of the yacht hosts the dual navigation and steering stations for perfect line of sight and field of view. Amidships is the formal entrance to the interior through the aft of the cockpit house.

The curvy structure accentuates the overall design, by lending to the subtle variations in the design. The structure is then topped-off with what appears to be a glass roof...

Yachting Developments splash 30-meter "Antares III" sloop​

Yachting Developments has produced a yacht that they can be proud of particularly considering the short build time of just over one year. “YD69 has been a very enjoyable project, the team at Yachting Developments thrived on the challenge to build such a high quality custom superyacht in the timeframe requested by the client.” says Ian Cook, Yachting Developments Managing Director.

From the design board of naval architects Dixon Yacht Design the vessel is referred to as build number YD69, or by its project name “Meteor 100” but is now proudly named "Antares III". Built to comply with stringent Germanischer Lloyd and MCA classification requirements, the vessel is incredibly strong yet 25%-30% lighter than similar vessels built in Aluminum, this is achievable by the use of composites...

Canaria Ocean present their 37-meter 'Blue Whale' design​

A concept yacht coming from Naval Architecture firm Canaria Ocean is simply known as the 'Blue Whale'. It is a very interesting concept featuring exterior spaces that fit and integrate well into the structure of the yacht. One prominent feature even slides out from the stern of the Blue Whale.

Its main character line, the zig across upper part of the hull and stem to middle is like the mouth of blue whale. Also, the sleek and swift profile of yacht exterior is derived from the whale swimming. This blue whale is designed for both life styles, for those who would like to take private recreation and who would like to have a party on it. The focus is on overall design and how to use the space effectively. It has special functions such as a space extension, lifted salon, etc...

Bilgin 45-meter "Tatiana" megayacht​

Turkish yacht builder Bilgin Yachts is set to launch their first megayacht for 2011. She is a 45-meter vessel with a planing hull design and a comfortable 8.88-meter beam. "Tatiana" has an interesting design by Joachim Kinder finally finished in mainly blue and white.

She is powered by twin MTU 12V 4000 M90s with a top speed estimated to be just above 20 knots. 17 knots represents the higher crusing speed and all drawn from 40,000 LT capacity tanks. The guest accommodation is broken into a master, VIP, and four other guest cabins with four cabins for the crew.

Tatiana is on the verge of being officially launched which is expected to start another good year for Bilgin Yachts. Just last year, the yard boasted four launches. This year, 2011, the yard is looking to launch two other mega yachts...

Sessa Marine presents 45 FLY motoryacht​

Sessa Marine presents the SESSA FLY 45: like an Open yacht in form and performance, but like a Flybridge yacht with its generous distribution of space. She is called the 45 but she is actually closer to 47-feet long. Rather than calling it a SPORTY FLYBRIDGE, SESSA introduces the concept of the ADVANCED OPEN YACHT for its FLY 45.

The design of the yacht is by Christian Grande. She is powered by Volvo Penta IPS units (IPS600s). In fact she is the seventh Sessa Marine model to feature the Volvo Penta IPS systems which allow the yacht to be highly maneuverable especially in tight quarters. Although Sessa Marine have presented the 45 FLY, she will make her world premiere at the International Festival de la Plaisance de Cannes later this year...

ADM Shipyards 'Swift 141' superyacht​

The UAE will soon have another massive yacht in the top list of superyachts around the globe. Other than the 162-meter "Dubai", the UAE doesn't have a superyacht that measures close to her proportions. The Swift 141 project under construction by ADM Shipyards, (part of the Abu Dhabi Mar Group) is expected to be launched this year.

The 141-meter long vessel started life as a naval vessel, an S-class frigate in 1978. Now the vessel has been under a massive transformation from warship to ultra-luxurious superyacht. She features a more than spacious beam at her widest point of 50-feet. Her draught should be around 14 feet.

Her hull is steel which is expected but her superstructure is composite. In fact, when launched, the Swift 141 will have the largest composite superstructure of any yacht. The interior and exterior of this yacht is by Paris-based studio, Pierrejean Design...

Wally Yachts 50-meter sloop​

Wally yachts is supposed to launch their 50-meter long all composite hull this year. She will have a sloop rig and automatically become the largest sail yacht they have done in all composites. She was expected to have been launched around Spring last year but the schedule apparently fell behind.

The Wally 50m is a blue-water sloop combining all the comforts and amenities of a mega yacht with the Wally performance and ease of handling. The Wally 50m is the first mega yacht of this size completely built in advanced composites as requested by the client who likes great comfort without having to give up performance.

To improve even further the performance, she will feature PBO rigging, the water tanks will be used as water ballast as well, and the lifting keel increasing the draft to 6 m when sailing, from 4.2 meter when motoring, anchoring and entering ports...

Van Dam Nordia and Simonis Voogd team up on 95-foot sloop design​

Shipyard Van Dam Nordia and design studio Simonis Voogd have joined forces to develop a series of high performance cruising yachts. The first model of this top line is a 95 ft aluminum and carbon vessel sailyacht offering the perfect symbiosis of a bluewater cruiser with the comfort of a five-star hotel and a pedigree regatta performance.

The 95’ high performance cruiser has a raised saloon with a glass panoramic roof and a cockpit with sliding roof. Its flush deck has two steering positions and a spacious sunbathing platform aft. The yacht is equipped with a lazarette that stores a 3.85 Williams Turbojet. The hydraulic transom door gives access to the garage and serves as a permanent teak swimming platform.

The cockpit and saloon are situated on the same level. A very spacious owner’s stateroom with his and hers bathrooms has direct access to the saloon...

Sunseeker completes 40-meter megayacht "Chiqui"​

British yacht builder Sunseeker Yachts recently completed their latest 40-meter megayacht. She is the 40-meter "Chiqui" and represents the second hull in the new 40-meter series. The 40-meter series started with the "Tanvas" which debuted at the 2010 Southampton Boat Show and was subsequently delivered.

Chiqui can be differentiated from her all white sister Tanvas with her dark coloured hull and white superstructure. The 200-tonne yacht has an 8-meter beam and a draught just over 2.20-meters. Built in all composite materials (GRP), she likely has a pair of MTU 12V 4000 M93 engines.

Top speed is estimated to be about 24 knots with a 20 knot cruising speed. A well noted 1,500 nautical mile range with nearly 32,000 LT capacity tanks make this yacht versatile for island hopping or Mediterranean escapades...

Nobiskrug completes 74-meter superyacht "Sapphire"​

German yard Nobiskrug just delivered its latest superyacht, the 73.50-meter "Sapphire". She is a slightly more sleeker and detailed version of "Siren", built by Nobiskrug in 2008. The dark hull pops off the gleaming white superstructure while the tinted windows accent the hull. White boot completes the entire look.

Sapphire has been constructed to Germanischer Lloyds class and is also MCA compliant. The interior work was formulated by Newcruise design and executed fully by Metrica. A pair of MTU engines power Sapphire to a cruising speed of 15 knots with top speed a few knots faster. Economically sailing she can give a 5,000 nautical mile range.

On the inside, she plays host to twelve guests and sleeps them in six spacious and well appointed staterooms...