25 September 2018
On 26 September the Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) once again welcomed superyacht owners, future purchasers, and charter clients to Port Hercules to explore some 120 superyachts on display.
The show has grown to occupy nearly every corner of the marina, so organisers strive to ease seeing such a large number of yachts. While the vessels still line the perimeter of the harbour, a few changes are in store in terms of layout – for the better. In addition, a combination of electric buggies and motor launches will take visitors and guests from one side of Port Hercules to the other.
Gaëlle Tallarida, General Manager of the show, stresses, “We work in coordination with participating yacht brokers and shipyards in the interest, first and foremost, of the individual visitor, whether owner or future owner, and to help new clients discover the world of luxury offered only by the superyacht industry. The MYS has a duty to offer these visitors the best possible experience, with the supreme quality of the yachts on display as one of the leading criteria.”
The MYS exhibition, with an average yacht size close to 50 metres, will benefit from the restructuring by the Principality of Monaco of the Quai des États-Unis. Specifically, the show will prioritise the presence of naval architects, shipyards and brokers on the quay, right next to their yachts in the water. Visitors will also find a new line of superyachts at right angles to the Quai des États-Unis, replacing the former floating pontoon connected to the Central T.
Since, according to Tallarida, about 60 of the yachts are less than two years old, the MYS provides visitors a glimpse into the newest trends and technologies of the premium yachting lifestyle. What’s more, 40 are brand-new deliveries being unveiled by leading shipyards to showcase their work.
All eyes will be on Oceanco’s new 90-metre beast, launched this year.
Dar was built at its shipyard in Alblasserdam, The Netherlands, and delivered just a few months ago. Referred to during construction as Oceanco Y717, the superyacht has a luxurious interior designed by Nuvolari & Lenard. Dar accommodates up to 12 guests in six cabins.
Other big yachts at the show this year include the 88.5-metre Illusion Plus from Pride Mega Yachts and the 77-metre Go from Turquoise Yachts, but visitors’ attention also will inevitably be drawn to Solo, Tankoa Yachts’ newly launched project, designed by Francesco Paszkowksi. The 72-metre superyacht is making her international debut at MYS, and features a large aft deck with six-metre transversal pool, glass bulwarks for unobstructed sea views, and a wide-body upper deck allowing for an oversized panoramic salon. Based on the 69-metre Suerte, the yacht has a longer waterline that also provides for a higher top speed in excess of 17 knots.
Additionally debuting at the show is CRN’S 50-metre Latona. The steel and aluminium displacement yacht features slender exterior lines, a streamlined bow, and spacious interior volumes. Meanwhile, a fellow brand within the Ferretti Group, Custom Line is exhibiting its Custom Line 120. The planing yacht, the first designed by Francesco Paszkowski Design for the brand, employs resin-infusion technology as well as carbon fibre in her construction. The Custom Line 120 further has raked sliding-glass doors between the salon and aft deck.
Benetti’s James Bond-inspired superyacht will look at home in Port Hercules, with Spectre making her anticipated debut. The 69-metre custom superyacht has a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure encompassing five decks, with exterior designed by Giorgio M Cassetta. The boat was built for repeat owners with a passion for James Bond, speed, and technology.
Sunseeker is showcasing the 131 Yacht and the 116 Yacht at this year’s MYS at its own Sunseeker lounge in front of the Yacht Club de Monaco. The largest model in the current Sunseeker range, the 131 Yacht enables owners to tailor every element of the interior design and layout via Sunseeker’s ‘Bespoke’ service. Based on the classic Sunseeker deep-V hull, the 116 Yacht is equally comfortable operating at 10 knots for an extended cruising range of 1,250 nautical miles or at 26 knots for ultimate performance. The 116 Yacht’s rakish design boasts an expansive foredeck and flybridge, and has some nice features, including a big wet bar, plus options for a hot tub and a gull-wing door providing access between the wheelhouse and the side deck.
See the new Amels and a project from Amels’ parent company close to each other at MYS. The 57.5-metre Volpini 2 is the first Amels 188 from the Dutch yacht builder’s Limited Editions range, showcasing Tim Heywood’s styling. The steel superyacht has teak decks and comfortably accommodates up to 12 guests in six cabins. Damen, Amels’ parent company, debuted the explorer vessel Power Play. “We’re looking forward to showing our clients the next evolution of the YS 5009 at the Monaco Yacht Show,” comments Rose Damen, Commercial Director. “The adventure element with accommodation and guest areas reflects the changing market requirements. This is the complete yachting experience with diving, submersibles, fishing, exploration, underwater discovery, and fast toys.”
Sanlorenzo is also exhibiting an explorer vessel, adding to its range with the 500Exp. An evolution of the 460Exp, the yacht’s extended aft deck offers the ability to land a small helicopter, in addition to an increased toy carrying capability. An indoor garage can accommodate a tender up to seven metres, with additional openings to significantly increase the beach area.
The show also features some of the most deluxe sailing yachts from well-known shipyards and brokers, with most available for purchase.
One of the bigger yachts is the majestic Mikhail S. Vorontsov, a 64.5-metre beauty that is the largest all-wood schooner currently afloat. The three-masted sailing yacht, built in 2013 by Dream Ship Victory, features rich wood interiors by Ken Freivokh. Also for sale is Rainbow, one of the newest J-Class reproductions on the market, and Marie, the 55-metre ketch.
Meanwhile, the latest version of the Nautor’s Swan 115, Odin, is on show for the first time, and Seatius, the second yacht in the SW96 miniseries from Southern Wind Shipyard, will make an appearance.
Built this year by Pendennis shipyard, Vijonara is the second hull in the Hoek Truly Classic 128 series. She is optimised for performance, with the addition of a bowsprit that houses the downwind sails. The highly detailed interiors make good use of Sapeli mahogany, with specialist features and upholstery undertaken by Hermes.
To enhance the show-going experience for visitors interested in their first charter or superyacht purchase, there’s the Sapphire Experience. There’s also a premium version, Sapphire Experience Infinite. These VIP packages comprise a program of tailor-made activities, including entry to the Monaco Yacht Summit the eve of the show, an invitation to the MYS Gala evening, a tour of the bay on board the MYS VIP boat, a courtesy car service, lunch in the Upper Deck Lounge, or a personal concierge to arrange private visits to superyachts. For those with the means, it is the best way to explore the best superyachts on display.
Of course, visitors can’t forget the versatile dayboats and tenders that make up part of MYS. Quai Jarlan hosts the dedicated tender display once again. The market is currently highly competitive, in terms of both players and models. It keeps climbing in parallel with the superyacht market, and gives younger clientele the opportunity to enter the superyacht niche. Naumatec will showcase its new creation, the E-Tender, the first electric boat for the Italian brand. Fjord will show off its 38 Xpress and 44 Open models, while Williams Jet Tenders will take its Diesel Jet 625 to the show. Greek RIB company Ribco will present its latest models, the Seafarer 36 and the Venom 44. Sacs Marine will have three models on display, the Strider 10, the Strider 11, and the Rebel 40.
Finally, visitors to the show can examine a variety of luxury goods, too. Ulysse Nardin, the official sponsor of the Monaco Yacht Show for the 10th consecutive year, will display its annual Monaco limited-edition watch series as well as launch its world tour exhibition of underwater art photographs by the free diver Fred Buyle. Speaking of art, the MYS includes a new space, the Art Pavilion. It will present a collection of works of sculptures and more. In addition, collectors and art fans can meet 10 gallery owners and their artists who will present their works.
The Car Deck, the MYS prestige-car exhibition, will complete the superyacht-lifestyle theme on Quai Antoine Ier.
“The Car Deck will display a limited selection of 10 or so outstanding vehicles, with some available for test drives by the Show’s premium clients,” comments Johan Pizzardini, Communications and Media Manager of the Monaco Yacht Show. “For the third year, the Car Deck will deliver the original and top-notch selection of bespoke luxury automotive produced in very limited numbers.”
Late September typically means superyacht owners and guests are departing the Med and heading toward the Caribbean for the rest of the year. Thanks to the strength of the Monaco Yacht Show, they turn this small principality into the superyacht centre of the universe for a few extra days.
monacoyachtshow.com