Superyacht winter shot: Heesen Mon Plaisir

The 47m displacement Heesen Mon Plaisir, launched in January 2008, was at anchor near the Cap d'Antibes.

Mon Plaisir, the third 47m displacement vessel recently built at Heesen Yacht, features a superb blue hull and an external design by famous Dutch styling studio Omega Architect. She is powered by two 1,555 HP MTU diesels engines and can reach a top speed of 15.5 knots.
The range is about 4,000 Nm range.

British shipping tycoon killed in Mumbai massacre

Andreas Liveras, 73, was gunned down moments after he phoned the BBC from inside the Taj Mahal hotel to give an eyewitness account of the terrorist attacks.

Andreas Liveras started the yacht business with one 25-metre yacht and has owned 13 luxury yachts over the years.

Currently Liveras Yachts operates p/v Alysia 85.3m (280’), built in 2006 to SOLAS classification and accommodating up to 36 guests in sumptuous surroundings and p/v Lauren L 90m (296’), built in 2002 to SOLAS classification and refitted in 2004 and most recently in 2008 and accommodating up to 40 guests, but most importantly two new builds at 98.2 metres (320 ft) each have been commissioned and are scheduled to join the fleet in 2011.

Most importantly preparations for additional new builds, two at 120 metres (395 ft) are well into their development stage.

>> More information on the Telegraph website here
>> Liveras Yacht website


OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT BY LIVERAS YACHT
Friday28th November 2008

Announcement relating to the death of Andreas Liveras
It is with much regret that Liveras Yachts must announce the death of our Chairman Andreas Liveras who was killed during the terrorist attacks which have been taking place in Mumbai over the last 24 hours.

Not only was Andreas one of the great entrepreneurs and characters of the yachting business; he was also a much loved and respected father, grand father and friend. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him and knew him.

Andreas’s family extend their thanks to all of those who have sent messages of sympathy and support,bthey are greatly appreciated.

Superyacht: Baglietto Annamia superstar...

Spotted today in the baie de Cannes, the sleek 2006 42.75m Baglietto Annamia, designed by Pazkowski, gently drift during a movie shoot...with all fenders out.

Superyacht picture: it's winter time in Antibes !

MY Virginian, MY Ecstasea

It is winter time in Antibes and with the temperature drop down, there is some snow near the Ramparts in Port Vauban !

Superyacht history: Queen Elizabeth II in Dubaï

After years of exciting trips on high seas, luxury liner Queen Elizabeth 2 is arriving in Dubai where it will be turned into a luxury floating hotel.

Let's hope there is some more room for the French aircraft carrier Clemenceau...




More information and a complete photo gallery here

Queen Elizabeth timeline here

Superyacht job: the crew shortage is over

According to Ian Pelham with The Crew Network, the turnaround began back in the spring. Pelham noted a sudden rise in the number of crew left wandering the docks after a full season in Antibes.

“We have over fifteen hundred crew actively looking for work right now,” says Alison Overington with Northrop and Johnson Crew Placement."

>> More information on Dockwalk

Superyacht infrastructure: Cannes Port Canto back to business?

A recent article published in the French newspaper Nice Matin reported that, according to the Cour d'Appel Administrative de Marseille, the Cannes authorities will be able to start the refurbishment of the International Sporting Yachting Club de la Mer (ISYCM).

The total estimated cost for the refurbishment of the building is euros 20,000,000.
The ruins of the sports complex remained as they were until now...


The current building of the ISYCM...


Since 2002, the City of Cannes has managed Pierre Canto port which has a capacity of 650 boats along 2,200 metres of mooring space.

The notions of a “garden port” and a “clean port” have been central concerns in the large-scale investments made in recent years (revegetation, waste collection centre, underwater works, etc.). These efforts were rewarded by the granting of the highly coveted ‘Pavillon Bleu’ label in 2008.

Superyacht owner: the Queen...

Private collection of Sidney Cumpe

Published on SWNS website
"It's a charming, impromptu snapshot of the Queen, showing her as she's rarely been seen before.
Wearing a sun hat and clasping a pair of sunglasses as she relaxes on the silver sands of a tropical beach, she could almost be any other holidaymaker. But the Royal Yacht Britannia riding serenely at anchor on the azure blue ocean behind her, gives the game away.

Smiling broadly, the Queen appears totally relaxed as she soaks up the sun in an all too rare off-duty moment, a million miles from the constant pomp and ceremony and affairs of state.

The Queen even showed a flair for fashion for the photograph believed to have been taken on an overseas tour in the 1970's as she wore an Oriental-style jacket...and a pair of flared trousers"

Superyacht brokerage: an Owner's point of view

Talking about his yacht broker:
'Bloody car salesmen. They'd sell anything for a buck.'
A Yacht owner point of view

Superyacht picture: Peri 29m "Bibich"

Click to enlarge

Spotted in the baie de Cannes this morning, the brand new 2008 Peri 29m "Bibich" designed by Bill Dixon features a green metallic hull and sleek lines.: she is available for charter with Primo Yacht Antibes

Superyacht market trend: hard times for the old-fashioned yacht

Market trend: the recent sales results with the big brokerage companies all show that recent boats in the 2000's offered at a competitive price in good condition are stiill very sought after by potential buyers.

2003 Hakvoort Saga sold
2003 Falcon Synergy sold
2006 CNB Spip sold
2004 Mangusta 108 Masterblaster sold

It is a tough market for the yachts built in the 80's and in the 90's...

Superyacht Owner/Broker/Shipyard business...

Article published on the website Telegraph.co.uk - 17 November 2008

The seller of one of the world’s most luxurious yachts – the 164ft Alibella – is offering a €9.5m (£8.1m) discount to a buyer prepared to complete a deal within the next 30 days.

Alibella – which has been finished with gold leaf and marble and comes complete with a helicopter landing pad – is one of a number of super yachts to have had millions of pounds slashed from their asking price in recent weeks.

Edmiston & Company, the London-based yacht brokers, have offered Alibella to its clients just six months after the super yacht was launched and delivered to its unidentified owner.

“The current global economic conditions have produced a number of interesting opportunities on the large yacht market,” wrote William Christie, a broker at Edmiston, in an e-mail to clients. “The brand new 50 metre Benetti, Alibella [has been] reduced in price by €9.5m ... the owner will sell at this massively reduced price if the deal can be completed in under 30 days.”

The discount reduces the cost of the yacht – which can accommodate 14 guests in six cabins – to €24.5m.

Edmiston is also offering a number of second-hand yachts at substantial discounts amid evidence that the financial crisis has hit the super yacht market.

According to the broker the price of the 150ft Midlandia – which comes complete with bullet-proof glass and an outdoor cinema – has been reduced from €27m to €19.9m.

The 163ft Thunder B – which includes a swimming pool – has been reduced in price from €18.9m to €13.7m. While the 146ft Candyscape can be yours for just €12.9m – reduced from €15.5m"

“It is a buyers market for super yachts,” said one yacht broker. “There are a lot of yachts around at the moment. People are being forced to sell their boats.”

>> Link to Telegraph article

In another interview for Fairplay, the Edmiston broker explained:
PRICES are being slashed for super-yachts during the global financial squeeze, but shipyards might not be harmed, a sector leader said today.

Speaking from his London office, super-yacht broker William Christie told Fairplay: “A lot of yachts have been built recently, and there aren’t that many buyers. “A year ago yachts were selling at significant premiums. Rich people were willing to pay a premium. People aren’t running in right now.”

Christie said shipyards won’t be suffering as much as buyers: “Lots of yards have full orderbooks, so they shouldn’t be too affected. The losers are those who ordered a boat prospectively, because they mightn’t be able to get a premium now. But there remain some “good opportunities”, with owners “clearly looking for a quicker deal”, he said.

“There’s more stock on second-hand market than in the past 3-4 years,” Christie explained.

Would you put for sale your superyacht with these guys?...or would you rather buy a superyacht with them?

Superyacht picture of the day: Burger Mirgab V

Click to enlarge

Spotted in Cannes Port Canto harbor, the 144' tri-deck "Mirgab V" was built by Burger Boat USA in 2006 for the Alshaya Family from Kuwait.

This massive superyacht was on display at the lst Cannes Boat Show and is for sale with Fraser Yacht at euros 22,500,000.

Rodriguez Group reported a 34% drop in sales for 2008

Yesterday, Rodriguez Group reported a 307.7 M euros turnover for 2007-2008, down 34% in comparison with last year.
The company's stock, which has fallen nearly 90% since last year, closed yesterday at euros 4.61 on the CAC 40.

2008 Key figures

New yacht sales: -30.4 % -> 214.7 M euros compared to 308.5 M euros in 2006-2007
Second hand yacht sales: - 57.7 % -> 44.5 ME, compared to 105.5 M euros
Service: -10.2 %

The Mangusta and the Leopard range, built in Italy under Rodriguez Group supervision, are famous between Cannes, Monaco and Saint Tropez and generally ensure high charter revenue to their owners: some Leopard 34m are often chartered between 60-70 days per annum at a euros 90,000 rate per week.

Carl Icahn's 177-ft motor yacht up for sale

Published by Reuter

"Wanted: A buyer for billionaire investor Carl Icahn's 177-foot motor yacht.

Brokerage firm Northrop & Johnson listed Icahn's yacht, Starfire, this week.

The vessel "boasts accommodations for 12 guests in six luxurious staterooms," the brokers wrote, adding that Starfire has a helicopter pad and Quantum Zero speed stabilizers.

Icahn was among a few ranked 46th in a list of the world's richest people published by Forbes magazine in March, with a net worth of roughly $14 billion.
He is a veteran activist shareholder who has taken stakes in many companies.

Icahn was not available to comment on why he is selling the yacht."

(Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss and Mark McSherry, editing by Richard Chang)

Shipyard: Benetti
Year: 1997
Name: STARFIRE
Length: 177 ft / 53.9 m
Price USD: $37,500,000

>> Starfire website
>> Northrop & Johnson

Superyacht picture of the day: Sarafsa in Nice harbor

Note the starboard balcony near the water

The 82m superyacht "Sarafsa" (project "P54") built in 2008 by Devonport shipyard and designed by Andrew Winch is currently lying in the Nice harbor. This roomy and beamy (15m) superyacht was designed for a Middle Eastern owner who previously owned a 54m Amels.





Note the partly wooden transom door

Devonport Royal Dockyard (formerly owned by DML) is now part of the Babcock Marine Division of the Babcock International Group PLC.

Fractional superyacht ownership: the Monocle figures

Will the economic crisis change the ownership paterns?

According to Dr Simkowitz, Director of Operations at Monocle Fractional Yachts, people who "purchase $10 million yachts a few years ago are now looking for a way to get a return on their investment".

Dr Simkowitz adds that "...fractional ownership makes more sense in this economy. The costs of boats, gas and operating expenses have increased which makes sharing quite appealing. A yacht is not like a car or a computer that you use every day. Most owners only use their boats four to six weeks a year - so why not split it up and get some money back ?..."

Although the following information mostly reflects an American perspective, check out the sole ownership/fractional ownership fiigures provided by Monocle yachts.

Ownership paterns
Sole Ownership
Total purchase price: $6M
Annual Operating Expenses $400,000
Nbr of staterooms: 4
Destinations: Caribbean, New England (blog editor: for a US owner...)
Actual annual use: 4 weeks
Pride of ownership: all
Aggravation: all

Fractional Ownership
Total purchase price: $600,000
Annual Operating Expenses: $40,000
Nbr of staterooms: 4
Destinations: World
Actual annual use: 4 weeks
Pride of ownership: all
Aggravation: no

Superyacht market: an American superyacht crisis ?

Following our previous post about the personal paper loss of the Russian oligarchs , Vanity Fair has also released an interesting article: The Stock Market’s 25 Biggest Losers.

However, no relevant superyacht sales information was released after the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show...and Warren Buffet never bought any yacht.

Superyacht infrastructure: Marina Villanova sells 20 per cent of moorings

Click on the map to enlarge


Aerial view of the marina


Click to enlarge

The marina Villanova located near Sitges, Spain, has sold 20 per cent of its 76 moorings from 20m-60m (66ft-197ft) during its first year of sales despite the dowturn of the economy.

The new marina, which is expected be fully operational by the start of next year offers seven 60 x 15m superyacht berths although 75 per cent have already been sold.

Prices range indication
20 x 6m: 265,000 euros approx.
30 x 9m: 550,000 euros approx.
40 x 10: 1,000,000 euros approx.
45 x 12 m: 1, 370,000 euros approx.
50 x 13 m: 1,700,000 euros approx.
60 x 15 m: 3,385,000 euros approx.

Contact us for more information

Considering the current price of the berths on the Cote d'Azur, and the fact that the Spanish lease runs up to 2035, it has become a real bargain for international investors.

At the same time, Island Global Yachting, one of the world’s premier owners, developers and managers of luxury marinas and yachting lifestyle destinations, has released details of a 4% recent staff reductions (4% of their 800 strong global workforce...

ISA shipyard: credit line agreement signed for 57 million euro

ISA 140 project

UniCredit Corporate Banking and International Shipyards Ancona: credit line agreement signed for 57 million euro.

A pool of banks led by UniCredit Corporate Banking has provided a credit line of 57 million euro to support development plans for a super-yacht building yard.

Verona, International Shipyards Ancona, which specialises in the design, building and management of luxury super-yachts, with backing from the Yachting Investors Group, has recently signed an accord for a medium term structured credit line of 57 million Euro.

UniCredit Corporate Banking has played the role of mandated lead arranger, organising the syndication process that has seen the pool involvement of six other banks, namely: Banca MB, Banca Antonveneta, Banca Carim, Banca Marche, BPVI and BPA.
Two credit lines will be opened, both extending over a five year term.
The first- cash- is to support the circulating asset requirements of the company, while the second- guaranteed- is aimed at securing cash advances of customers.

ISA is a company from the Marches region of Italy that deals in excellence, employs more than 160 people and has turned over about 70 million euro in 2008 with volumes of over 100 million forecast for 2009.
Its EBITDA target is from 15% to 20% and it is one of the world’s top 15 companies in motor yacht building for the 40 to 80 metre category.

This structured credit line provides the company with a flexible financial instrument capable of meeting all of the financial needs that characterise the world of custom super yacht production and will speed up the growth process of the Ancona yard, which has a portfolio of orders due for delivery in 2011 - 2012.

The credit agreement is a further example of UniCredit Corporate’s notable involvement in serious industrial development projects, on the one hand, and its faith in the growth strategy of this prestigious shipyard on the other.

The new shareholders (YIG of London acquired 80% of the yard at the end of 2006, with the management holds the remaining 20%) have worked out a development plan by which the shipyard will focus on full custom super yachts, the segment most definitely with the highest current growth rate.

The development plan includes a strengthening of the management team with the appointment of a new CEO and a new CFO, as well as a reorganisation of the company to achieve better focus on time, cost and quality objectives.

The financial operation put into effect by the Company Finance team and the Ancona branch of UniCredit Corporate Banking, a part of Mercato Italia Centro/Sud headed by Antonio Muto, once again shows how UniCredit’s corporate bank is able, even in uncertain times, to act as a special partner for locally based companies that have a desire to implement suitably structured growth plans.

ISA/YIG turned to the Rome firm of Ughi&Nunziante for its legal advice, while UniCredit Corporate Banking and the other banks in the pool were advised by K-Legal of Bologna.

Superyacht marketing:

Yachtpanorama is an interesting project launched by photographers Hans von Weissenfluh and Thomas Kruege who live in Italy.

The project aims to provide high resolution spherical panorama imaging and interior photography for the yacht industry and charter business, their business.

Discover what panorama pictures can bring to the yachting marketing by browsing their website Yachtpanorama

Superyacht market: price reduction vs yacht valuation

Tough time for the yacht brokers...or for the yacht owners?

"Owner has reduced asking price by €9,500,000 to €24,500,000 for a limited period of 30 days for any buyer that can complete the purchase within a 30 day time frame"
Email received today from a large yacht brokerage company

Superyacht market: Top 5 reasons to buy a yacht now

You have worked hard, is'nt it time to enjoy relaxing on your yacht now?

We compiled the top 5 reasons to buy a yacht :

1. Cash is king
   Following the credit crunch, potential buyers with plenty of cash can negotiate the price on second hand yachts as well as on new construction project because, for owners, it means quick sale and no suspensive clause.
   
   
2. It is a buyer market
   There are many boats officially (and non officially) for sale on the market at the moment.
   Some owners really wants their boats sold now because of a new construction project coming soon for example.
   
   
3. A sound investment ?
   "If you bought a yacht or a townhouse for $300 million US$ (and you're losing in Russia), you still have those assets even if you have to sell them at a fire sale"
   Aurel Braun - Professor of Political Science
   
   
4. Fuel price vs consumption issue
   Oil prices closed below $55 a barrel yesterday
   
   
5. Pleasure
   Yachting remains one of the more authentic (and comfortable) experience.
   
   

Superyacht picture of the day: Lurssen "Vive la vie"

Click to enlarge

Spotted in the Vieux Port in Cannes, this massive and brand new 60m superyacht was built by Lurssen and was designed by famous architect Espen Oeino.

Project name: Bounty Hunter

Superyacht concept: Vitruvius project, the end of the wedding cakes

"Philippe Briand, designer and creator of the Vitruvius concept, deliberately drew inspiration from the hydrodynamic rules of sailing yacht hulls, whose lines, distribution of volumes and weights are optimized in order to reach the highest efficiency"






Pictures by Perini Navi

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

October 16th, 2008
Hull turning operations completed for Picchiotti-Vitruvius' first motor yacht C. 2134.
The 50m aluminium motor yacht is currently under construction at the Perini Navi Group shipyards in La Spezia.

The 50m aluminium hull for the first motor yacht in the Vitruvius series – code name C.2134 – was turned upright yesterday at the Cantieri Navali Beconcini premises, the Perini Navi Group facility in La Spezia.

The difficult operation was successfully completed in front of the shipyard workers and the Group management.

The metalwork on the hull blocks was executed using the overturned construction technique, a manufacturing method which allows for greater precision in all hull sheet welding and finishing activities, an important aspect in the construction of yachts with complex shapes.

Last Thursday the hull, which had been removed from the shed the previous day, was raised by powerful cranes and was subsequently turned.
During the different stages in the aerial handling of the hull it was possible to see in great detail the design and style peculiarities of this innovative motor yacht series: extremely streamlined features and rake of the stem.

Philippe Briand, designer and creator of the Vitruvius concept, deliberately drew inspiration from the hydrodynamic rules of sailing yacht hulls, whose lines, distribution of volumes and weights are optimized in order to reach the highest efficiency.

All motor yachts in the Vitruvius-Picchiotti series feature hulls able to minimize drag thus reducing fuel consumption, with close to 50% energy savings compared to motor yachts in a similar range currently available on the market.

C.2143 is an Explorer, that is a vessel conceived for long crossings.
Once completed, its displacement will be optimized at 430 tons, with a range of app. 4,500nm at a cruising speed of 12 knots.
Delivery is expected for spring 2010.

Perini Navi recently announced the sale of a second Vitruvius unit, a 55m steel Explorer classified ICE CLASS for navigation in Arctic waters. Delivery of the 55m will take place in 2011.

According to Giancarlo Ragnetti, CEO of the Perini Navi Group: “the motor yachts in the Vitruvius® series mark the return of the Picchiotti brand in the motor yacht industry. With two units sold and currently under construction, the Vitruvius® project is the crowning achievement in the product differentiation strategy pursued by the Perini Navi Group.

Today we can boast two important product brands -Perini Navi for sailing yachts, Picchiotti for motor yachts- and a strong production activity, spread through three different premises: Viareggio, Istanbul and La Spezia, which enable us to build up to 4 sailing yacht units and 2 motor yacht units per year”.





SPECIFICATION
Length overall: 164 ft / 50
Waterline length: 161 ft / 49 m
Beam: 31 ft / 9.5 m
Draught: 8 ft / 2.40 m
Hull: Alluminium
Superstructure: Alluminium
Maximum displacement: 430 t
Engines: 2 x 970 kW CAT C32dita
Speed at maximum power: 16 kt
Speed at maximum continuous rating: 12 kt
Range: 4,500Nm @ 12 kt
Fuel capacity: 75,000 lt
Fresh water: 17,000 lt
Classification:: ABS Malta Cross + A1 Yachting Service - AMS MCA LY compliant
Interior Design Perini Navi
Naval Architecture: Briand Yacht Design - Design: Vitruvius Ltd.
Builder: Picchiotti, Perini Navi Group - Viareggio, Italy

Superyacht brokerage: Yacht deal failure results in order to pay $525,000

Here is an interesting story published by The Vancouver Sun:
Yacht deal failure results in order to pay $525,000, seller of vessel was not given opportunity to complete 10-day sea trial

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

"David Ritchie, one of the founders of Vancouver-based Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers, has been ordered to pay $525,000 for breach of an agreement involving a $100-million yacht he bought two years ago.

The problem arose because the seller of the yacht -- who planned to build three such vessels and sell two -- wanted to take the brand-new vessel on a Mediterranean cruise to check it out before having the others built.

But after the delivery of the yacht, called the Apoise, in late April 2006, Ritchie refused to allow the seller to exercise his cruise rights.

As a result, the seller, Warren E. Halle, began legal action in B.C. Supreme Court for damages for breach of agreement.

Ritchie, who paid 65 million Euros -- about $96 million Cdn -- for the yacht, filed a counterclaim to Halle's action, alleging deficiencies in the yacht's quality.
He was disappointed on delivery of the 67-metre vessel that the loose furniture provided with the Apoise was not of superior quality and did not meet the specifications.

He also alleged there were deficiencies in the wheelhouse doors and the helicopter pad, which had to be fixed at additional expense.

In a judgment released Monday, Justice Bruce Butler dismissed the counterclaim while awarding Halle $525,000 for Ritchie's breach of obligation to provide cruise rights.
Halle, who initially wanted a "superyacht," developed a plan to have three yachts built over five years in Germany by Lürssen, one of the most prestigious builders of superyachts.
He planned to sell the first two and use the profit to reduce his cost of acquiring the third.

Ritchie bought the first yacht, with the agreement that Halle wanted a 10-day sea trial -- the judgment calls it a test drive -- in the Mediterranean during the summer of 2006 so he could determine whether he needed to make refinements to the plans for the next two vessels.

Ritchie was among three brothers who founded Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers in Kelowna 50 years ago.
The company, which went public in 1998, now is the world's largest auctioneer of industrial equipment, with more than 100 offices around the world.

Last year, the company auctioned more than $3 billion US worth of goods, including $600 million over the Internet."
© The Vancouver Sun 2008

The 67m superyacht Apoise built by Lurssen shipyard in 2006 was for sale with Moran Yachts for euros 65,000,000

Superyacht humor: the new Tiger Woods superyacht

Published on The happy Carpenter

Superyacht buzz: Merill Stevens to close yacht sales division

Merrill-Stevens Yachts, the well known american yachting company that provides services including full service shipyard, brokerage as well as charter will close its yacht sales division in Fort Lauderdale. (TBC)

Thought of the day: Yachting vs Stock exchange

"If you bought a yacht or a townhouse for $300 million US$ (and you're losing in Russia), you still have those assets even if you have to sell them at a fire sale"
Aurel Braun
Professor of Political Science - University of Toronto

Superyacht market trends: what to do before the thunderstorm...

Aelbert Cuyp 1640-1645 -Thunderstorm over Dordrecht

About the luxury goods...
A recent article published by the Wealth Report reported that "the Lamborghini Orange County–which typically sold 10% of the world’s annual production of Lamborghinis and counted NBA stars Kobe Bryant and Dennis Rodman as clients–has shut its doors."
The same goes for luxury accomodation and luxury travels.

About the clients...
Meanwhile, the Russia Profile website explains that "Just like ordinary citizens, Russia’s oligarchs have so far been unable to escape the tide of the global financial crisis. Having found themselves owing billions of dollars in loan payments, they are now turning to the government for help, willing to transfer ownership of parts of their businesses or even the firms in their entirety to avoid total bankruptcy."

In terms of figures, Bloomberg estimates that in the last two months, Russia’s 25 richest people (Roman Abramovich and Oleg Deripaska among them) lost no less than $230 billion due to the financial crisis. Many Russian oligarchs are also the proud owners of the biggest superyachts like A or Pelorus.

About the superyacht market...
According to a famous website dedicated to the superyacht charter business, "there are a fair number of boats that still have availability for Christmas charters which is an unusual situation this late in the season".

Most of the biggest yachting companies organise brainstormig meetings to grow their margins...or simply to keep their existing clients from looking elsewhere.

Time will tell...

Superyacht infrastructure: a new harbor project near Villefranche sur Mer?

The Med has always been an attractive destination for superyachts owners who pay very large fees to moor at suitable facilities in attractive and safe locations like Monaco or Saint Tropez.
Unfortunately, demand for superyacht berths has outstripped available berths in the area fro a while.

Luxmarina has been recently commissioned to undertake a study, at its own cost, on the feasability of a new harbor near Villefranche sur Mer but the project has already raised the ire of the Greens.

This superyacht harbor will be dsigned for superyacht between 40 and 60m.

>> More information in French on Nice matin

Superyacht news: massive drugs haul on 60ft yacht

Armed Gardai secure Castletown Bere Pier in Co. Cork as the luxury yacht carrying cocaine arrives

The £406m haul of cocaine seized on a luxury yacht off the Irish coast

>> Daily Co UK

Superyacht launch: a new feadship SL39 !

Edmiston Company just announced the launching of the second semi-custom Feadship SL39 "Kathleen Anne" at the De Vries shipyard last weekend.

Like all SL39s, Kathleen Anne is a full displacement world cruiser with a steel hull, aluminum superstructure and a top speed of around 14 knots.

According to the shipyard, "buyers have the choice of purchasing a new Feadship with the synergies of semi-series custom production and the corresponding cost advantages. In addition, the delivery time is significantly reduced".



Ocean Mercury the first Feafship SL39 in Golfe Juan harbour



>> Feadship SL39 website

Fort Lauderdale Boat Show: new boat sales down

Article published on Boating Industry
Tuesday November 4, 2008

With new boat sales down about 25 percent for the first half of 2008 – before the credit crunch hit the U.S. economy – it’s no surprise that many Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show exhibitors are reporting a decline in sales at the show, compared to last year.

Intrepid Powerboats, for example, sold about half the boats this year that it did last year, a company executive told the Miami Herald.
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What has been a surprise to some is that FLIBS attendance has been close to – if not on par with – last year.

“It shows the magnitude of the event that even in this economy, we were able to meet our expectations,” Dane Graziano, COO of Show Management, told the Miami Herald.

The strength in attendance was due, at least in part, to a larger international presence at the show. Show Management, which produces FLIBS, launched a targeted marketing effort this year aimed at Russia, the Middle East and South America, according to the South Florida Business Journal. That, combined with new marinas in Central and South America and a favorable exchange rate until most recently, helped spur a 15-percent increase in international attendance, organizers told the journal.

The segment of the market that appears to remain healthy consists of boats 80 feet and above and their suppliers.

Superyacht pictures of the day: SY Penelope at anchor

click to enlarge

Today was a windy day in the Antibes area and all the superyachts were lying in the harbour except the 127 Ft ketch "Penelope" at anchor near the Cap d'Antibes...


click to enlarge

The rescue boat of the French SNSM near the SY "Penelope"

click to enlarge

At the same time, the Amels "Boadicea" was well protected from the swell on the other side of the Cap d'Antibes

click to enlarge