Yachts & Sailing

"Love Love": The Sinking Ship Sculpture That Stays Afloat

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 19th 2011 at 4:01PM

Love Love from julien berthier on Vimeo.
Artist Julien Berthier has created a yacht that attracts attention no matter where it goes. The French artist's "Love Love" sculpture is a work of art that is also a functioning boat, albeit one that appears to be sinking beneath the water. Berthier created the sculpture by cutting a boat in half and adding a motor and keel that allow it to stay above water and travel around. He created the sculpture in 2007 and since then has taken it on European waterways including the English Channel.

Tags: art, julien berthier, sculpture

Sting Hangs Out on Billionaire's Superyacht in Sydney

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 16th 2011 at 6:01PM

Gracefully aging pop star Sting was just spotted having fun with bikini-clad babes aboard a superyacht belonging to a billionaire pal in Sydney, Australia. The yacht in question, Z Sydney, is a $50 million Overmarine Mangusta 165, the world's largest open yacht, owned by media mogul James Packer. In December, Packer entertained Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal on the yacht, while his old friend Tom Cruise regularly enjoys a trip on the vessel during his annual trips Down Under. The sleek craft can hit a top speed of 33 knots with its twin MTU 16V 4000 M93 engines producing 4,556 hp.

The interior of the yacht, first shown at the Salon Nautique in Cannes, features five staterooms and is finished in a luxurious, elegant combination of neutral fabrics and dark woodwork. The 165's interior includes an expansive main salon with cocktail tables, a long bar, and a surfeit of seating. Two pop-up, back-to-back flat-screen televisions face the main salon and the adjacent dining room. The craft's aft deck covers a garage that contains tenders and toys and opens hydraulically at the push of a button. The bikini-clad babes are extra.

Gallery: Overmarine Mangusta 165

Tags: Australia, billionaire, music, open yacht, pop star, rock star, Sting, superyacht, Sydney, The Police, Tom Cruise, yacht

Stephen Colbert To Race To Bermuda

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 13th 2011 at 10:01AM

Stephen Colbert is full of intriguing moves lately. We mentioned recently that one of his infamous portraits is being sold at auction in March. Next he's trying his hand at being a yachtsman. Colbert will take part in the biennial OnDeck Charleston Bermuda Race on May 21. He will command a crew sailing a 65-foot racing yacht from Charleston, South Carolina to Bermuda and he's bringing his show along for the ride. The race organizers have appointed him the Honorary Captain of the Fleet. Colbert said in a statement: "The ocean has had a free ride too long. Well, it has to deal with me now. Brace yourself, Atlantic!"

Tags: charleston to bermuda race, sailing race, stephen colbert, yacht race

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Mauro Lecchi & Fenice Milano Team Up to Build Lamborghini-Inspired Motoryacht

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Feb 10th 2011 at 6:00PM

When we first saw images of Mauro Lecchi's design for a Lamborghini motoryacht, we were suitably impressed, but we didn't think it would ever grace the water. Turns out we were mistaken, because the first example has been commissioned and is currently under construction.

The design takes its cues from Lamborghini sportscars and translates them into a 50-foot express power yacht – and an impressive one at that – made out of lightweight carbon-Kevlar. Fenice Milano – the same outfit responsible for those guilded Fiats and Rolls-Royces – has been brought in to work the interior, so you know it will be as outlandish as the exterior is menacing. We've updated the image gallery below with additional renderings as well as pictures of the vessel under construction, so why not take a look for yourself.

Gallery: Lamborghini poweryacht concept by Mauro Lecchi

Tags: fenice milano, lamborghini, Mauro Lecchi, motor yacht, powerboat, yacht

How Blohm + Voss Lost $300 Million on Roman Abramovich's 'Eclipse'

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 9th 2011 at 7:01PM

When we wrote about all the delays, snafus and spiraling costs surrounding Roman Abramovich's gigayacht Eclipse, many people had a good chuckle over the hundreds of millions of dollars in overages the oligarch incurred in his quest for the world's largest yacht. Now it turns out he's having the last laugh, because the yacht's German builders Blohm + Voss got stuck with the bill. That's because six years ago they rather foolishly signed an ironclad contract to complete the project for €340 million (about $485 million) according to a new report, whereas the actual cost turned out to be closer to €570 million, or about $785 million – meaning B+V took a bath to the tune of $300 million, enough for a whole other megayacht. Now Blohm + Voss' competitors at Lürssen are indulging in a good dose of schadenfreude over the incident while building an even bigger yacht for an Arab sheik.

Tags: Blohm + Voss, Eclipse, eclipse+yacht, eclipseyacht, megayacht, Roman Abramovich, roman+abramovich+eclipse, romanabramovicheclipse, Russian billionaires, superyacht, wealth, yacht

Eva Longoria Spotted in Miami on Utopia III Superyacht

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 9th 2011 at 8:01AM

Desperate Housewives stunner Eva Longoria was spotted in Miami over Super Bowl weekend enjoying a romantic rendez-vous aboard the 150 ft. Utopia III superyacht (above). Barely a week after her divorce from Tony Parker was finalized, she was seen making waves with 25-year-old Spanish singer Eduardo Cruz, actress Penelope Cruz's younger brother, the London Daily Mail reports. There were on the yacht as guests of cosmetics mogul Loren Ridinger, who hosted a Super Bowl viewing party.

Built by Trinity Yachts in 1999, the Utopia III has accommodations for 10 guests in addition to nine crew – not that we're implying Eva and Eduardo shared a bunk, though they did spend the night on board. The yacht has been in the news before thanks to Kim Kardashian strutting around the decks in a bikini. Longoria first sparked rumors of a romance when she was spotted with Eduardo at her Los Angeles restaurant Beso in October; Eduardo was then seen leaving Eva's house on Christmas Eve.

Tags: actress, celebrity, Eva Longoria, Kim Kardashian, Los Angeles, Miami, Penelope Cruz, Super Bowl, superyacht, tony parker, utopia+iii, utopiaiii, yacht

Intermarine 55 by BMW DesignworksUSA

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) — Feb 7th 2011 at 6:01PM

Following similar collaborations with the Bavaria shipyard, BMW DesignworksUSA has teamed up with Brazilian boatmakers Intermarine on a new cockpit motoryacht.

Called the Intermarine 55, the vessel carries three cabins and two bathrooms on board, amongst the other amenities. BMW's design team has focused on a light and airy feel to the yacht, with plenty of exterior deck space while incorporating innovative design cues from their core competence as car designers. See for yourself in the high-resolution image gallery below.

Gallery: Intermarine 55 by BMW DesignworksUSA

Tags: BMW DesignworksUSA, Intermarine, Intermarine 55, Intermarine 55 by BMW DesignworksUSA

Cruise Like P. Diddy in the 'RM Elegant' Superyacht

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 4th 2011 at 8:01AM

Before he coughed up for the new iPad-controlled Solemates superyacht, Sean "Diddy" Combs cruised around in style on the RM Elegant (above) a striking 236-ft. craft with fluid lines built by Greece's Lamda Shipyard in 2005. Diddy isn't the only celeb to have partied aboard the aptly-named yacht, which offers luxe accommodation for up to 30 guests in 15 cabins along with 30 crew; her vast deck space includes a 12-person Jacuzzzi surrounded by an huge sunbathing and entertaining area, which played host to producer Jerry Weintraub's party for Ocean's 13 at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 where the likes of George Clooney, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt made the scene onboard.

Now the yacht has been listed for sale with Edmiston at an undisclosed eight-figure price. Elegant's sun deck is accessed by a lift from all the guest decks and provides a double-sided bar as well as shower rooms. The yacht's gracious saloons offer quiet unassuming elegance with a grand piano in the main entrance and home entertainment facilities in the second reception room. The Master Suite occupies the full width of the Bridge Deck with a large private saloon and spa bath. Other onboard amenities include a business center, home theatre, fully equipped gymnasium, beauty salon, sauna and massage room. The twin 2,260 hp CATs are good for a cruising speed of 15 knots and a maximum speed of 18 knots.

[via JamesList]

Gallery: RM Elegant

Tags: Brad Pitt, Cannes Film Festival, celebrity, Diddy, Edmiston, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Solemates, superyacht, yacht

Pershing Launches New Rolls-Royce Powered 115' Superyacht

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 3rd 2011 at 8:01AM

Stylish Italian superyacht builder Pershing has launched a new hull in its flagship 115' range with massive power to match its good looks. The yacht is fitted with twin diesel MTUs delivering a total of 7,400 hp together with the applied thrust of two Rolls-Royce water-jet propellers - plus an additional $3.5 million Vericor TF50 gas turbine, typically used in aeronautics, producing an additional 5,100 hp for a total top speed of 52 knots. The 12,500 hp beauty's four cabins include an owner's suite and three guest cabins accomodating a total of nine people, while three crew cabins offer five bunks. The cockpit with a vast covered area made possible by the use of lateral carbon fiber fittings is the starring attraction with a teak table featuring seating for ten, a fully equipped bar, a large solarium and built in plasma TV. The new model also features a touchscreen audio visual system that also controls the lighting, curtains, air conditioning and closed-circuit video camera system.

Gallery: Pershing 115

Tags: carbon fiber, Pershing, Rolls Royce, Rolls-Royce, superyacht, yacht

Crystal Cruises Offer Stieg-Larsson-Themed Outings

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 1st 2011 at 11:01PM

Fans of Stieg Larsson's thriller trilogy have increased the interest in traveling to Sweden. Larsson didn't live to see his massive success which includes selling over 46 million books worldwide and an upcoming Hollywood film of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" by director David Fincher and starring Daniel Craig. Crystal Cruises has announced a new Crystal Adventure, "Stieg Larsson's Stockholm."

Crystal's Larsson-focused shore excursion will take guests to the Stockholm island of Södermalm for a walking tour centered around his novels' content. This view will be offered on three summer Baltic voyages on Crystal Serenity: May 22-June 2's "Baltic Explorer"; June 2-13's "Regal Treasures"; and June 27-July 8's "Jewels of the Baltic."

All three itineraries include overnights in Stockholm, as well as visits to Estonia, St. Petersburg, Finland, Germany, and Copenhagen. The outing is an additional $118 per person, and includes additional panoramic Stockholm highlights. Two-for-one cruise fares, starting at $6,730/person, include free round-trip air transportation from more than 20 North American gateways, and $2,000 per couple in "All Inclusive-As You Wish" shipboard credit, with additional savings for new-to-Crystal guests. For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.

Tags: crystal cruises, girl with a dragon tattoo, sodermalm, stieg larsson, stockholm, sweden

Abramovich's 'Eclipse' Meets the 'A' in Anguilla

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 1st 2011 at 6:01PM

Having had their fill of St. Barth's and the supermodels and celebs who converged on its posh purlieus for New Year's, Russian billionaires Roman Abramovich and Andrei Melnichenko have now decamped with their megayachts to Anguilla. Abramovich, who stopped off in Barbados en route, dominates the seascape in the Eclipse (above), his $500 million, 550-ft. behemoth built by Blohm + Voss, while Melnichenko makes do with his measly $300 million Philippe Starck-designed destroyer 'A'. Abramovich also brought the Luna along for the ride to Anguilla, the 377 ft. explorer yacht he purchased last year as a sort of support yacht for the Eclipse and lent to Madonna last summer. All three of the enormous vessels were anchored off Meads Bay, allowing their owners easy access to Anguilla's posh resorts including the Viceroy, Frangipani Beach Resort, Carimar Beach Club and Malliouhana Hotel and Spa.

Tags: Andrei Melnichenko, Anguilla, Barbados, billionaire, Blohm + Voss, Eclipse, megayacht, Roman Abramovich, Russian billionaires, St. Barths, St. Barts, superyacht, yacht

Russian President Medvedev Buys $42 Million Megayacht

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 1st 2011 at 3:01PM

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has spent $42 million on a secondhand superyacht complete with whirlpool baths, an artificial waterfall and a cinema. The 177 foot-long explorer-style Sirius (above), above, was built in 2009 and has accommodations for 12 guests in six staterooms along with 12 crew. The Kremlin bought the yacht from Turkey's Proteksan-Turquoise shipyard as a replacement for the current presidential yacht, which is due to be decommissioned, the London Telegraph reports. The craft's other luxury features include a deck Jacuzzi for 6, spacious sunbathing areas, a gym, a sheltered lounge area and an alfresco dining area for 14 with barbecue and bar. Ironically, Medvedev has been critical of Russians flaunting their wealth.

Sirius can reach a maximum speed of 18 knots, powered by twin Caterpillar 3512B diesel engines, each rated for 1,911 horsepower. Her range is 5000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 15 knots, making a transatlantic trip possible. Kremlin spokesman Viktor Khrenikov was quoted in the Russian press to the effect that the yacht will be given a presidential upgrade at an unspecified cost, no doubt with some Abramovich-style security features as well. "Everything necessary for a president for work and relaxation has been thought of," Khrenikov says, noting, "The president could use her during the 2014 Olympics [in the Black Sea port of Sochi]."

Gallery: Dmitry Medvedev's Superyacht 'Sirius'

Tags: Dmitry Medvedev, Kremlin, politician, politics, Russia, superyacht, yacht, yachtspotting

Sen. John Kerry Joins the St. Barth's Superyacht Set

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 1st 2011 at 6:01AM

Forget about "a day late and a dollar short" – Sen. John Kerry was several days and several hundred million dollars short on a recent sojourn to the glitzy resort of St. Barths, still awash in all the money and celebs left over from Roman Abramovich's New Year's blowout. Kerry missed out on the action but still managed to make the scene in his sailing yacht Isabel (above). While completely dwarfed by the likes of Abramovich's 550-ft. Eclipse – the 75-ft. Isabel looked like one of Abramovich's tenders by comparison – Kerry's classic sailboat served as a timely reminder that style has nothing to do with size.

Though it cost a mere $7 million, a pittance compared to the megayachts like the iPad-controlled Solemates choking up the harbor, Kerry was not there to compete with the likes of P. Diddy and Simon Cowell; though the Isabel, built by Friendship last year, features plenty of luxe touches including a wet bar and wine storage in the pilothouse. The Edwardian-style interior is finished in glossy varnished teak, and the yacht can accommodate four guests in two VIP main staterooms with en-suite baths. Tenders and toys include a 13.5-ft. Zodiac and onboard there are all the bells and whistles a busy politico needs, from satellite communications to Wifi.

[via JamesList]

Gallery: John Kerry's Yacht 'Isabel'

Tags: John Kerry, politicians, politics, Roman Abramovich, senator, Solemates, St. Bart, St. Barths, yacht

Ocean Empire LSV Carbon-Neutral Life Supporting Superyacht

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) — Jan 20th 2011 at 8:01PM

If you've ever wanted to sail away into the sunset and never be seen again the Ocean Empire LSV Superyacht could be just the thing that makes that dream a reality as it's designed to support life and stay out at sea indefinitely. LSV stands for 'life support vessel' and refers to several key features including three sustainable energy sources (4,305 square feet of solar panels, an 861 square foot skysail that collects wind energy, and a MDR system that captures energy caused by the boat bobbing on the waves) plus two hydroponic farms and fishing facilities for an endless supply of food. And even if you're not interested in never coming home all those gadgets mean it's capable of traveling up to 12,000 nautical miles a year in a 100% carbon neutral state. You (plus nine friends and a crew of eight) will be set for life.

Designed as a charter vessel the Ocean Empire LSV is available from Sauter Carbon Offset Design for $17 million.

Tags: carbon neutral, sailing, superyacht, yacht, yachts

YCO Yachts Lists Top Yacht Charter Experiences of 2011

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Jan 18th 2011 at 3:02PM

Dreaming of a getaway to turquoise waters and clear blue sky? YCO, a Monaco-based luxury yacht brokerage, charter and management service, recently announced the addition of three new leading charter brokers, Hume Jones, Nick Heming, and Tam Priestly. They've compiled the list of top desirable yacht charter destinations for 2011 and the ultimate yachts to experience them on.

1. The Mediterranean aboard Alfa Nero
A crew of 28 will welcome you aboard the 270-foot Alfa Nero superyacht. The lavish yacht includes a beach club with an incredible rear pool area, sun bathing deck and lavishly appointed guest suites. It has room for 12 guests and starts at around $1.1 million per week.

Gallery: Alfa Nero Yacht