Grace E, the new 73m Picchiotti motor yacht and the third motor yacht of the Vitruvius series sold by Perini Navi Group, has achieved excellent results in all of the tests scheduled for her sea trails: range, maximum speed, fuel and power consumption, Dynamic Positioning system. Her quietness and lack of vibration have especially pleased the technicians aboard. Grace E has a different diesel-electric propulsion system compared to her predecessors Exuma and Galileo G, an advanced system that runs on two Azipods, electronically activated propellers mounted on a guidable support. Yacht captain Eddie Cooney commented: “Recent sea trials have confirmed that the use of electrical Azipods for the propulsion of Grace E has made for exceptional quietness and comfort while navigating. This result is due to…

Wider President and CEO Tilli Antonelli announced at a VIP cocktail reception and press briefing on the eve of the 2014 Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach that his shipyard is building a 50-meter superyacht. The Wider 165’, which will be the Italian builder’s largest superyacht project to date, was ordered by the yard’s new co-owner. Originally, he planned to build a Wider 150’, but his desire to house a unique tender onboard necessitated a larger project. “The owner wanted to store a submersible onboard. We didn’t want to compromise on space, so we decided to build him a bigger boat. That’s why the 165’ came up,” said Wider President & CEO Tilli Antonelli, who founded the shipyard in 2010. “Our goal is to…

“The Captains’ choice! Just ask the record number of Superyacht Captains that have cruised the Raja Ampat area in the last six months”, enthused Richard Lofthouse and Captain Jimmy Blee of Asia Pacific Superyachts Indonesia. Captain Rick, from a well-known 50 metre superyacht, told the APS agents: "This place is truly amazing - the diversity of activities we can offer our guests combined with the natural beauty and friendly people make Raja Ampat the perfect cruising location for us. We love the place." Raja Ampat translated means ‘The Four Kings’, a name derived from the four major islands in the group nestled on the tip of Papua’s Birds Head peninsula. A Raja Ampat cruising journey takes you through one of the world’s most exceptional marine…

Taiwanese luxury motor yacht manufacturer Dyna Craft has just completed their first 105 foot super yacht, declaring their ability to produce motor yachts above 100 foot. The unique design was commissioned by the owner for business, private and charter use throughout east Asia. The owner had a specific request for long range capabilities with the D105 equipped with three MTU 2 600hp engines, capable of achieving 34 knots with a cruising speed of between 22-30 knots. The Naval Architects at Dyna specifically designed the hull to reach these speeds whilst still offering an exceptionally stable ride for the comfort of the passengers, guests and crew. Minor design changes can be made to the hull to also offer optimal performance for fuel efficient long range cruising…

SuperYachtsMonaco has sold the 44 metre Hayken. Hayken is the sixth in Heesen's semi-displacement, all-aluminium, 4400 Class, which represents one of the most popular designs by Heesen Yachts in collaboration with Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. Frank Laupman created both the exterior styling – with its sleek and elegant lines – and the lavish interior of this fast motor yacht, which can reach a maximum speed of 25 knots thanks to its twin MTU 16BV 4000 M90 diesels, each delivering up to 2,720kW. Hayken offers a large owner's suite forward on the main deck, which features a full-beam bedroom with an adjoining his-and-hers bathroom that offers both a shower and bath. SuperYachtsMonaco +377 9325 0348 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.superyachtsmonaco.com    

Sunseeker International has confirmed the first of its new flagship tri-deck 155 Yachts, Blush, has left the shipyard for the first time and is set to enter testing in early February. Making its way onto the quay last weekend, the 155 Yacht was on full view for the first time for all to see. This was the first opportunity to see the boat in all its glory and fully appreciate the yacht’s sheer size, design and intricate detailing. Having already undergone rigorous shore based testing at the Sunseeker shipyard facility in Poole, the 155 Yacht is now preparing to undergo its sea trials. Now that the 155 Yacht has been fully unveiled, the team at Sunseeker International is preparing to launch her into the water in…

The 130-foot superyacht Magic arrived in September at Front Street Shipyard for a major refit. The vessel's owners commissioned Setzer Yacht Architects, Magic's original design team, to complete the redesign. Setzer Yacht Architects just released these renderings of what the yacht will look like after her refit. Design changes include a reconfigured sundeck layout, seen above, where her central radar mast will be replaced with a new arch and hardtop, as well as a day head addition. The designers have also included a built-in bow deck lounging area, and a hydraulically-powered swim platform transformer. Setzer Yacht Architects +1 919 859 7014 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.setzerdesign.com Front Street Shipyard +1 207 930 3740 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.frontstreetshipyard.com

Everybody onboard raved about the performance of the Damen 67 metre Sea Axe, now named 6711, reaching speeds over 22 knots. The advanced support vessel’s grey hull and white superstructure really shine and are faired and painted to superyacht standard. Due for delivery ahead of schedule in January 2014, 6711 has been configured with an extensive dive centre, including its own decompression chamber. Deck space, excluding fully certified helipad - is an impressive 275 square metres. Rob Luijendijk from Amels, commented: “We are seeing an increasing number of superyacht owners appreciate the benefits of a well-equipped support vessel customised to their particular requirements. This is why we are developing even larger options up to 90 metres in length. Damen has already delivered three yacht support…

The construction progress of BN97, project Firefly, is on schedule and will be delivered to her owner in the Summer of 2014. The hull and superstructure are joined on the 22nd of January at the facility of Mulder Shipyard in Zoeterwoude-Rijndijk, the Netherlands. Project Firefly is the first Mulder 94 Voyager and is built in full aluminium. Both interior and exterior are designed by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, while Vripack Naval Architects are responsible for the Naval architecture of the yacht. The yacht will be built to RINA classification and is equipped with twin Caterpillar C18-1150hp engines for a top speed of 18 knots. The prefabrication of the interior’s lower deck is finished and will be placed on board in the coming weeks. The…

Pi Yachts Ltd recently approached McPherson Yacht Design to develop a new range of sailing trimarans aimed at the luxury end of the yachting market. Starting with the Flagship of the fleet, the brief was to create a style that was elegant and in-tune with what a Superyacht client would expect of a vessel of this size, while also maintaining a sporty image which will reflect her performance. The result is the Dragonship 80. This aluminium 80 metre 5 deck 3 masted trimaran with folding amas is the idea of senior management at Pi Super Yachts. “We looked for a designer with the imagination and creative flair who would produce a design that would easily convert into a realistic vessel, McPherson Yacht Design has done…