Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2025 i Boat International

One very savvy superyacht owner I know managed to charter his yacht for the St Barths Bucket and blag a cabin on board - earning both a charter fee and a free holiday, on his own yacht. It's a head-scratcher, but speaks to the lengths some owners will go to get their very expensive assets working for them. John Caudwell, owner of 73-metre Titania, once told me he'd cancel a week on his yacht at the last minute if a serious charter enquiry came in. I'm not sure I'm entirely on board with this “charter comes first” philosophy, but then again I've never had to run an asset that burns cash quicker than a government IT project. The sweet spot for the perfect charter yacht seems to be around 60…

A beast of burden Limerence has the power (and practicality) of a support vessel in a shiny, charter-worthy package, says Dea Jusufi What happens when you cross a support vessel with a superyacht? A “beast’’ of a build, according to Turkish shipyard Alia Yachts. Measuring 52.5 metres, Limerence was constructed in three separate parts - the hull, superstructure and hefty helideck - over three,(and a bit) years. So don't let her baby-blue hull deceive you. This superyacht is as utilitarian as they come, complete with a multi-purpose aft deck and “treasure chest of toys”. Top of the roster are two sailing catamarans, a 13-metre tender, a submarine and 20 modular waterpark elements, which will allow the crew to create a new inflatable set-up each day. Since this photo was taken,…

CAIPIRINHA $52,880,000 Delivered in 2009, the 60-metre Lürssen has had a $7,110,000 price drop as she rejoins the brokerage market with Burgess and SuperYachtsMonaco. SODAN €12,950,000 The 38.4-metre Custom Line had a further €1,550,000 price reduction, listed for sale with Burgess. Hull No 8 in the 120 series, she was launched in 2023. KASIF €19,500,000 The 41.9-metre from Bilgin Yachts, listed for safe with Fraser, has had a further €1,400,000 price drop. The full displacement steel hull yacht was delivered in 2023. MILLESIME €6,500,000 Listed for sale with Pelagia Yachting, the 37-metre Couach has had a further €1,490,000 price drop. She has a welcoming aft deck and large sundeck. MINI Y €6,750,000 Delivered from Baltic Yachts in 2018, the 26-metre sloop has had a price drop of €500,000, listed for…

MINICAT 520 EXPLORER Minicat has just launched its biggest and most robust inflatable catamaran yet, successfully tested in Arctic conditions. The 5.2-metre boat can carry four adults and 80kg of luggage, handling tough conditions with ease. It takes nearly an hour to set up, but is easy to beach and moor for the night. Available with an optional tent pod for mini adventures. £9,000 (ex VAT), minicatamaran.eu TIWAL 2XL At 3.8 metres, the 2XL is Tiwal's largest boat to date - designed for family use with a payload of two adults and two children. It has a larger 8.2-square-metre sail and a jib for fast, fun sailing. The boat is stored in two bags weighing 54kg in total, and can be ready to sail in less than 30 minutes. £8,000,…

CLASSIC DESIGN: FURNITURE, CLOCKS, SILVER & CERAMICS Sotheby's London is set to auction a seriously impressive array of private collections consisting of artwork, furniture, clocks, silver and ceramic pieces front the 17th to 20th centuries. It's remaining tight-lipped about what's in the catalogue, but previous iterations have included a royal Regency folio stand front 1820, an early Louis XV oak console and a pair of George III wine coolers.sothebys.com SLATE AVIATION A new charter jet service takes to the skies this month as the teams behind Vista and Tri State Charter launch Slate Aviation, expanding Vista's XO East Coast service with Tri State's Challenger 850 and VIP Bombardier Regional Jet aircrafts. The new offering features one of the largest private jet cabins available, as well as premium onboard services for…

When I was about 12 years old, my father bought me a $90 Thompson wooden runabout that I kept on the ocean in New London, Connecticut. I thought I was hot stuff, taking my girlfriends out for a ride. That's what started my love for the ocean. When I got out of school and had my first $2 in my pocket, I bought a custom wooden sportfisher and did a lot of fishing. I had other boats over the years until I got very busy in business. About five years ago, I started looking at boats again and saw the one I'm sitting on now, Eagle, an Outer Reef 860. I was attracted to it because it looks like a vintage boat. We spent time in Palm Beach and New…

Most of us have a younger self, a favourite childhood toy or formative experience we're yearning to get back to, and now there's a boat for that: the new 47-metre, explorer-style King Benji. Take for example Mark Tchelistcheff, an American who spotted the boat in a copy of BOAT International. He was one of the first guests to charter King Benji, in the South of France, along with his wife, Yulia and two daughters, Natasha and Vera. Mark's ancestors were aristocratic Russians who fled their homeland after the 1918 Revolution. His grand-uncle André Tchelistcheff is considered the “godfather” of fine Californian wine, and Mark possesses one of the world's more refined palates. Not to forget he's a celebrated Berlin-based movie producer and director with a film-maker's eye for flair and…

Best for adventure KING BENJI FROM $250,000 PER WEEK 46.7M DUNYA YACHTS, 2024; 10 GUESTS, 9 CREW; WEST/EAST MEDITERRANEAN With a host of maximalist features, King Benji is a true feast for the senses. The wild and exotic design is inspired by decor found at i Hotel South Beach in Miami and a restaurant in North Miami called Chica. Penned by British studio Design Unlimited for an owner who spent five years planning every aspect of the yacht, it pairs black crocodile print leather floor tiles with bamboo ceilings and jungle themed Tecnografica wallpaper. One of the more unusual features is the sizable open galley that puts the chef on full display. Then there's the custom Headhunter tub on the private owner's foredeck, which is a cold plunge pool on…

Anantara's Mina Al Arab Resort in Ras Al Khaimah opened only a year ago yet it's already a hot ticket among those in the know: a fact very much evidenced by the crowd of grandees who swept in by helicopter and took over the hotel's signature Mekong restaurant while we were there. Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is a place you'd least expect to find a buzzworthy resort. The northernmost emirate of the UAE, it offers a tranquil contrast to its glitzy neighbour Dubai and it is already a firm favourite among staycationing Emiratis - though international tourists are yet to discover it. The resort is one of a kind, not least because the 174-key hotel is the only one in the emirate to offer Maldivian-inspired overwater villas. Nestled on a…

SHA WELLNESS CLINIC, ALICANTE, SPAIN Employing a blend of scientific and natural medicine, the SHA Wellness Clinic is a coastal sanctuary offering transformative experiences designed to help achieve and sustain an optimal state of health. With a focus on nine pillars of well-being, including nutrition, cognitive stimulation and emotional health, the clinic fosters the development of healthy habits and provides body resets for long-lasting results. shawellness.com LANSERHOF SYLT, GERMANY With an exceptional reputation within the luxury wellness sector, Lanserhof Sylt is a longevity clinic dedicated to preventative health, regeneration and body optimisation. Nestled amidst the dunes of the Wadden Sea, this intensive medical retreat offers programmes centred on longevity, fasting and stress resilience. lanserhof.com RAKXA INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS, THAILAND Situated on the lush island of Bang Krachao, near Bangkok, RAKxa is…

Julia Zaltzman UK-based Julia is a freelance writer specialising in yachting and luxury travel. For this issue, she reveals some exciting yachts newly available for charter (page 112). Which of the yachts would you most like to charter yourself? Rossinavi's Polestar turns my head. Aside from its super-sleek looks, I'm a sucker for a great wellness, leisure and water toy offering, not to mention the freedom to cruise anywhere in the world with ease Where would you go first in it? It would be a crying shame not to put the yacht's Ice Class hull through its paces in Greenland or Norway. That said, diving Costa Rica's untouched Osa Peninsula features high on my wish list What's the most interesting trip you've been on as a writer? My first visit…

The recipient of this year's award may not be a designer, but there are few people who know more about yacht design, and who have worked as tirelessly to propel the industry forward, than award winning journalist Marilyn Mower. Summers spent plying Lake Michigan on board her father's mahogany runabout gave Mower an early taste for the boating life. Then during her studies at the University of South Florida she began racing competitively, crewing as a bowman. While working for a newspaper in St Petersburg, Florida, she was tapped to fill in for their sportswriter to cover Olympic class regattas. In 1988 Mower became a founding editor of ShowBoats International magazine (now BOAT International US Edition), where she helped to champion the ascension of designers in a section that focused…

€4.7 MILLION A four-bedroom waterfront villa in Plaka, a charming fishing village on Crete's north-west coast, a couple of miles from Elounda. The property is surrounded by landscaped gardens and overlooks Spinalonga Island. The beach is just a short hop away. savills.com €3.5 MILLION A contemporary, open-plan villa close to the town of Chania on Crete's popular north-west coast, with panoramic views of Souda Bay. The three-bedroom villa features a fitness centre and a wine cellar, while outside there is an outdoor kitchen and a pool. sothebysreality.gr €3.533 MILLION Available with three, four or five bedrooms, the Mirabello Villas sit in the centre of Elounda Hills and are designed for indoor/ outdoor living. Each home has a private pool and terrace, landscaped gardens and parking. eloundahills.gr…

“Call me Big Mike,” says Michael Miniea, the owner of 37.5-metre Damen No Destination, when we meet quayside in Monaco. He's wearing a brightly patterned shirt and a big smile across his face. Within moments, Miniea is joyfully recalling stories of his earliest boating memories, front racing hydroplaning motor boats at the age of 13 to waterskiing the Intracoastal Waterway. “I used to waterski to school, behind my friend's 16-foot [4.9 metre] Boston Whaler, with my buddy driving the boat,” he says with a chuckle. “We'd dock near the junior high school and go to class.” Well, that's one way to beat rush-hour traffic. Miniea is an adventurous soul, so it makes perfect sense that his superyacht of choice would be a ruggedly equipped, though luxuriously refitted, former commercial vessel.…

CITRINE QUARTZ THE SUN STONE OF VITALITY AND JOY Taking its name from the old French word for lemon, naturally occurring citrine has a delicate yellow hue produced by iron traces. “A powerful source of warmth and energy, citrine quartz revitalises the heart and emotional chakra, promoting confidence, abundance and positivity. It dispels negativity and fills the soul with the radiant energy of the sun,” says Anjelif‘s owner, Francesca Angelini. LABRADORITE A SHIELD AGAINST NEGATIVE ENERGY The iridescence of this silicate is caused by light glinting off the complex of microscopic structures within the rock, causing vivid tones to play across its surface. It is named after Labrador, in eastern Canada, where it was discovered in 1770, but it is also found in Australia, Madagascar, Finland and Russia. “A unique…

Cherry blossom, Japan As March draws to a close, Japan begins to transform into an enchanting realm of blush and white, with the arrival of the country's legendary cherry blossom season. In the first two weeks of April the season reaches its peak, as cherry blossom spills across the country - making it one of the best times to visit. The nationwide bloom is closely monitored with an official cherry blossom forecast by the Japan Meteorological Corporation, which this year predicts that the season will begin in Tokyo on 24 March, with full bloom taking place on 31 March. Elsewhere on the southern coast, the Osaka blossoms will begin on 28 March and come into full bloom on 4 April. Viewing cherry blossoms in Japan is a ceremonial activity referred…

Where is it? Cape Grace is set on a private quay on Cape Town's V&A Waterfront alongside the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. It opened almost three decades ago, but relaunched in 2024 as a Fairmontmanaged hotel after a revamp by interior design studio 1508 London. Why the hyps? African influences are everywhere, from the curated art collection to the Heirloom restaurant, where everyday ingredients are elevated in dishes such as grilled tiger prawns with umqombothi (a traditional beer). The intimate spa has a new home upstairs from the outdoor pool, and there's a steam room, sauna and experience shower with invigorating jets. What to have? Treatments range from Esse sklncare facials to anti-ageing QMS Medicosmetics collagen resets. For a full-body therapy, opt for the signature Tranquillity massage with…

PROJECT MASTER €99,500,000 For sale with Fraser, a conversion project underway at Icon Yachts is transforming the offshore rescue ship Ocean Ness into a capable 69.5-metre explorer yacht. CONDOR A €6,350,000 Newly listed with Camper & Nicholsons, the 42.4-metre Tecnomar was built for an experienced owner in 2009 and has only been used privately since. She had an extensive refit in 2024. JAGUAR €21,500,000 The 56-metre Benetti has rejoined the market with Fraser and Edmiston. She sleeps 14 guests, with a full-beam main-deck master with an office and private access to the gym. NEXT CHAPTER $3,495,000 Listed for sale in “like-new condition” with IYC, the 29.6-metre Hargrave joins the market following a comprehensive refit. The yacht boasts exceptional exterior space. MERELEY I €13,950,000 Built on spec and launched in 2024…

The BOAT International Design & Innovation Awards puts a spotlight on the specialist design skills of the industry's most talented teams, highlighting innovative and forward-thinking yacht design. This year was no exception, as the judges rewarded boats that presented new ideas, while still holding on to principles that made for cohesive and pleasing design. To win over our expert panel of judges, it was not enough to showcase novelty for novelty's sake - design innovations must be something that will move the industry forward as a whole. The judges were able to step on board a record number of yacht entries this year, taking the time to assess their design attributes first hand. This was complemented by analysing the submitted statements of designers, builders and owners, along with photos, videos,…

Waterskiing: Miniea waterskied along the Intracoastal Waterway from Pompano Beach to Delray Beach in the mid-1960s still his favourite place he ever donned skis. Swimming: While he swam competitively at the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center, Miniea cites the Greek Islands as his favourite place to swim today. Fishing: Miniea and his wife have fished all over the world, but Homer, Alaska, and Los Barriles, Baja, Mexico, top their favourite places to cast a line. Powerboat racing: When Miniea was racing Stock class motor boats in the 1960s, his preferred racecourses were in Beloit, Wisconsin, and Lakeland, Florida. Snow skiing: Miniea and his wife were avid snow skiers, spending time on the slopes in Vail and Aspen, Colorado. Soap Box Derby racing: Miniea's sons competed in Soap Box Derby racing as…

Charter rates, in general, are determined by the market, comparing a yacht to others of the same size, brand, year of build, number of cabins, number of crew etc. Getting the price right is key to getting inquiries, Fry says. Too high and you won't get as many, too low and clients may wonder what's wrong with the yacht. The captain and the crew don't influence the rate, yet they can make or break the programme. “An experienced crew creates the foundation for a programme's success. The brand of a boat and the amenities offered are certainly important, however an all-star crew can make up for areas where a particular boat might fall short,” Callahan says. “Crew is really the number-one key selling points Fry agrees. “To have a well-known…

Suit up for take-off Savile Row style takes to the skies as Hackett London and Carl Friedrik's limited-edition luggage collab expands to include a navy and green cabin case, the Carry-on X. This 43-litre wheelie bag (pictured right) has an integrated front pocket and is built with a hard-wearing aluminium frame and polycarbonate shell. £465, carlfriedrik.com A plush pit stop The oceanfront hotel Fairmont Monte-Carlo has reopened its doors following an all-encompassing refurb. Situated on the Formula 1 circuit a stone's throw from Casino Square, the hotel celebrates its 50th anniversary with updated rooms and suites, new guest areas and renovated restaurants, fairmont.com Island life JW Marriott has opened its second resort in the Maldives. Located just 15 minutes by boat from the airport, the new Kaafu Atoll Island Resort…

December to April: Cocoa Island, Maldives Many of the most beautiful spots this idyllic archipelago offers are only accessible by yacht, so let Emir be your sanctuary as you cruise this Indian Ocean paradise with its turquoise waters and coral reefs teeming with kaleidoscopic marine life. Explore the yacht's toy box, unwind in the spa pool and savour the tranquillity of this paradisical location. October to May: Dubai, UAE Emir will arrive in the vibrant city of Dubai, where modernity meets tradition. With hundreds of restaurants peppered along the beach, a wealth of art galleries and some of the world's best shopping, Dubai is a feast for the senses. See the city's splendour front the marina at night, where illuminated skyscrapers tower hundreds of metres over the yacht. Emir‘s crew…