Our review of the best of 2013 continues – the yachts and events that made the superyacht year so memorable. Read Superyacht Year – Part 1
July
SuperYacht World’s exclusive poll of owners, designers and yard heads to find the Finest Superyacht Ever! produced a tremendously strong list, but from the first day the votes started arriving in the office it was clear there was only going to be one winner: the magnificent Perini Navi The Maltese Falcon. “I knew I was looking at a scientific and technological masterpiece, one which spoke the same language and embodied in physical form the same innovative spirit I employ in my business life,” the owner told us.
Also on the water this month were the 62-metre Feadship Sea Owl – their “most sophisticated yacht ever” – and the imposing 85-metre Lürssen Solandge, which started life as Project Niki. Solandge was sold by Moran Yacht & Ship, who also wrote the technical specification.
August
Arriving in Europe in preparation for the Monaco Yacht Show was Palmer Johnson’s 65-metre flagship Lady M. The aluminium-hulled yacht features folding terraces on each side of the main deck salon, with exterior and interior styling by Nuvolari & Lenard.
A great time was had by all at the latest edition of the Perini Navi Cup. And what better way to enjoy the action than aboard Maltese Falcon? For the record, the overall winner was Silencio, but although the competition was fierce the heart of the event is that it is a true family regatta.
September
The Monaco Yacht Show played host to a thousand gatherings and SuperYacht World’s own party, held aboard the Amels Engelberg, courtesy of the yacht’s owners, was a chance to invite yard heads and owners to celebrate our poll of the Top 50 Finest Superyachts Ever. We presented the first Baccarat/SuperYacht World Trophy – specially created by crystal makers Baccarat – to Maltese Facon’s owner, Elena Ambrosiadu.
As well as Engelberg there were a host of stunning yachts making their debuts at Monaco, including the 80-metre CRN Chopi Chopi, Lürssen’s 88-metre Quattroelle, the 60-metre Amels Event, and the 65-metre Heesen Galactica Star. You can read our full report of Engelberg and interview with the owner in the next issue of SuperYacht World.
October
Blohm+Voss produced an eye-catching concept designed by Zaha Hadid, and it reflected the architectural proportions of Hadid’s ground-breaking land-based work. The 90-metre and 128-metre designs make use of a skeletal structure and a complete rethinking of deck spaces. All the engineering has been done for the 90-metre version. “She understood that the concept has to be sellable, and she liked the idea of partnering with a yard which is known for exclusive one-offs. It’s a unique design and it won’t be for everyone, but there will be someone out there who wants a yacht designed by Zaha Hadid,” says Herbert Aly, CEO and managing partner of Blohm+Voss.
Blohm+Voss also launched the 88-metre Project Graceful, which was preparing for sea trials. Designed by H2 Yacht Design, the yacht has been fitted out inside and out by Blohm+Voss in close co-operation with the owner and Dörries Maritime Services.
November
The world’s largest superyacht, the 180-metre Lürssen Azzam, was delivered after successfully completing her sea trials. The sleek exterior by Mario Pedol of Nauta Yachts hides the yacht’s sheer size very well, while the interior is by the French designer Christophe Leoni. A further startling fact about this record-breaking yacht is that she has been built in less than three years from the cutting of the first steel.
Photographed heading through Rotterdam on a barge was the 91.5-metre Oceanco Y709. Rounding off another good year for Princess, the second completed 40M has been delivered to St Petersburg, while the third hull has also hit the water before final finishing.