The annual Monaco Yacht Show is a superyacht event like no other, with scores of examples of the yacht designers’ art. The list of showstoppers in 2012 is a long one, but we’ve selected five yachts that should be on anyone’s must-see list.
Hampshire II
A 78-metre Feadship built for a sports-mad owner: the yacht’s giant helicopter landing deck forward can be transformed into a space for football, basketball, tennis, baseball and badminton – a giant net is set up around the deck to ensure balls don’t end up over the side. Highlights of the contemporary interior by Redman Whiteley Dixon include a British-style bar on the bridge deck. For thrill-seekers, a zip wire can be connected to the mast so guests can glide to the water. The yacht is being managed by Edmiston.
Lady Linda
The tri-deck semi-displacement aluminium 50-metre, delivered in July, is the third Trinity for this Florida couple. And the yacht had to be designed with a very particular berth in mind: behind the couple’s Florida residence. They also wanted to ensure that the guests have equally sized suites, each of which is exquisitely detailed with granite, marble, and soft, earthy colours in a contemporary interior by Evan K. Marshall, who was also responsible for the exterior styling. Lady Linda is available on charter through Burgess and on brokerage with IYC.
Mogambo
The brief for Mogambo, the 74-metre Nobiskrug launched earlier this year, specified expansive exterior spaces. Look out for the large forward hot-tub with built-in lie-down loungers, and an outdoor cinema on the aft sundeck. Reymond Langton’s interior is stylish, imposing and sleek, and the exterior features ebonised teak and stainless steel finishes. A roomy observation area on the bridge deck is unbeatable for taking in the views, and it merges almost seamlessly into the foredeck. The yacht is being shown by Hill Robinson.
Lady Petra
The eighth yacht in Heesen’s hugely successful 47-metre displacement series has a particularly demanding owner: retiring founder and head of the company Frans Heesen. She has been specced as a family yacht, with a specially designed media and games room forward on the main deck for the grandchildren to make use of. The owner’s suite is aft on the bridge deck, offering great views and a greater sense of privacy. It might as well be dubbed the quiet deck: as Heesen says: “It will offer the owners more privacy and calm during periods when their numerous grandchildren are on board.”
Imperial Princess
Princess Yachts’ 40-metre is the yard’s biggest-ever launch and its first tri-deck. The owner of the yacht has opted for a five-cabin layout, with two VIPs and two twin cabins below, and the full-beam owner’s suite forward on the main deck. The interior styling, in collaboration with Bannenberg & Rowell, features horizontal-grained satin walnut on the bulkheads, with wenge for the flooring on the main deck and walnut in the sky lounge. There are plenty of outdoor spaces for entertaining, and the sundeck boasts a bar and hot-tub, though the generous space on the bridge deck aft will be a popular haunt.