Contest Yachts is delighted to announce that the newly launched 17-metre Contest 55CS has been nominated in the Luxury Cruiser section of the European Yacht of the Year 2021. Of the dozens of new sailboats launched yearly, only the exceptional receive such recognition for this most prestigious of yachting awards. The sailing trials take place over the last weekend in August, in Kiel, Germany, and the winners are to be announced next January in boot Düsseldorf 2021. This is in the same halls where just 12 months before, this sweetly lined, luxurious, Lloyd’s certified bluewater beauty, drawn by judel/vrolijk, made… Read more »

Traditionally the first show on the nautical calendar and Europe’s leading in-water boat show, in this year unlike any other, the 2020 Yachting Festival will also be the first event on an international scale to reopen in the post-lockdown period. This new year remains true to the show’s DNA with almost 400 boats presented ranging from 3 to 43 metres, in-water or on-land, sailing or motor, monohull or multihull boats, with hard or semi-rigid hulls. Visitors will have the chance to meet the top names in the international nautical industry, who have come to present a host of world previews… Read more »

Sirena Yachts has sold its sixth Sirena 88 after the 26.81m/88ft model, the largest in the Sirena range, was first presented at the 2019 Cannes Yachting Festival. With naval architecture by German Frers and interior design by Cor D. Rover, it is the 3rd unit in the Turkish brand’s flagship line to be acquired by an American customer. The list of special requests and custom features that we’re implementing on this yacht is impressive, which reflects both our determination to meet our customers’ needs but also the flexibility of this particular model,” says Constantinos Constantinou, Sirena’s Director of North American… Read more »

With a constantly growing demand for large luxury sail catamarans, Sunreef Yachts teams up with one of the world’s best yacht designers Malcom McKeon to present a radical superyacht concept – the Sunreef MM460 CAT. Globally-known for in-house manufacturing and designing, Sunreef Yachts now engages in a special collaboration focusing on one the industry’s most exciting multihull concepts. The design is defined by its impressive glass superstructure, atop which sits a 60 sq.m flybridge. This additional expanse of space not only gives the dual helm positions clear sight lines in all directions, but also provides a safe yet thrilling spot… Read more »

Nova Luxe is pleased to announce our first new yacht built as a hybrid electric, Elite 50! Over the past three years we have searched for the perfect marriage between a catamaran hull and our hybrid electric system. Our strategy was to evaluate the performance of existing hulls in the market to find one that would be superior with a Nova Luxe hybrid propulsion system. This strategy eliminates the follies of an infamous hull #1. Over a dozen diesel versions of this yacht exist in both charter and private ownership. Elite 50 © Nova Luxe Yachts yard owner Nova Luxe… Read more »

It is an all-new phase that Jeanneau Yachts is embarking on this year. This iconic line will be enriched with the addition of the new Jeanneau Yachts 60, to be presented in its world debut at the Dusseldorf Boat Show in January 2021. A surprising model, she ushers in a new look, an unparalleled design, offering a pure and unique sensation of proximity to the sea. Her elongated silhouette and the elegance of her sinuous lines, combined with versatility and an ingenious layout, enable her to suit all cruising styles. Versatility for personalisation The Jeanneau Yachts 60 has been designed… Read more »

Spirits were high at the Gunboat factory as we launched the third Gunboat 68 of the series! This launch carried particular significance as a marker of adaptability beyond the typical call of duty, even for yacht building. Gunboat Managing Partner, Benoit Lebizay explains, “Completing 6803 in the current environment definitely was not business-as-usual amidst lockdowns and border closings. Nevertheless, the launch date has only been delayed by 3 weeks, which is a testimony of the hard work and dedication of the build team and more broadly of the entire Gunboat team and all our partners and suppliers. Gunboat 6803 Sea… Read more »

Garcia Yachts presents the Explocat 52, the ultimate aluminum exploration catamaran. Already sold in six units, she completes the range of Garcia Exploration monohulls. Solid, safe, comfortable and performant Solidity and structural rigidity of aluminium: The choice of aluminium increases the safety margin of the Explocat 52, designed to navigate off the beaten track. The rigidity of the platform, beyond industry standards, provides reliability and performance. Seaworthiness and performance: The architectural choices (centering and weight distribution, height under basket, hull design, rostrum, power under sails,…) ensure a good marine behaviour in complicated seas. Crew protection: The deck layout is designed for a reduced… Read more »

On the international nautical calendar the Yachting Festival, the first show in the autumn and the leading in-water event in Europe, confirms that it will be held from 8 to 13 September 2020, in Cannes. Although the offices have been closed since the confinement period, thanks to the new tools deployed internationally by the Reed Exhibitions Group, the team has taken care to adapt its organisation to ensure that the preparation of this 43rd edition can continue smoothly. All staff, based in France and abroad, remain mobilised and are working remotely with commitment and enthusiasm to ensure the success of… Read more »

The Scottish Government’s promised £100 million COVID-19 fund to support small and medium-sized businesses and the self-employed opened yesterday for applications – to the delight of Sail Scotland and its members. The national marine tourism body has been fiercely lobbying the Scottish Government for additional assistance for its members, joining voices with Wild Scotland to support the wider marine and adventure tourism sector. Both organisations have received high numbers of distress calls from businesses who face the catastrophic loss of seasonal visitors but fall between the cracks of Scottish and UK Government support. Sail Scotland estimates a devastating 95% loss… Read more »

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club will host the ninth annual Club Marine Pittwater Sail Expo on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March 2020, from 10am – 4pm. Come on down and see the Multihull Solutions NSW team who would love to show you the stunning Fountaine Pajot Saona 47 on display. The Club Marine Pittwater Sail Expo is a free event which opens the doors for the public to meet with industry professionals. The expo will feature a range of exhibitors showcasing an extensive array of marine products and services for the experienced and the casual sailor. This family… Read more »

Formalities worldwide have been evolving with the spread of the novel Coronavirus, prompting special health requirements at Ports of Entry. With more than 108,000 confirmed cases around the world reported as of the 8th March 2020, authorities are scrambling to contain the spread of the novel virus. As a result, they are instituting procedures designed to limit exposure via visitors from other countries. Some are imposing quarantine, others requiring health reporting for all crew, yet others restricting entry to visitors arriving from countries most severely affected, including China, Italy and Iran. To assist cruisers in dealing with the dynamic situation,… Read more »

The MyState Bank Australian Wooden Boat Festival took out gold at the national Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Canberra last night for Major Festivals and Events. Festival General Manager Paul Stephanus said the festival had taken on “titans” of the Australian tourism industry – and thanked the 400-strong volunteers for its success. “The festival was up against the likes of Vivid Sydney, Darwin Festival and the National Museum of Australia – titans of the tourism industry,” he said. “Festival Chairman Steve Knight and I dedicate our big win to the 400 enthusiastic and committed volunteers that bring this festival to… Read more »

More competitors at the start of the Vendée Globe On 8th November 2020, at 13:02, the ninth Vendée Globe will start from Les Sables-d’Olonne. Ever since its creation, the Vendée Globe – a sailing race round-the-world, solo, non-stop and without assistance – has been an essential reference in the world of offshore sailing. Driven by an ever-increasing popularity, the race attracts sailors from all horizons. Nearly 400 days from the start, the number of candidates – 34 so far – already represents a first record for this 2020/2021 edition. The closing date for application is set on 1st November 2019… Read more »

Close match racing has been the order of the day on Day 6 of Race 2: The Commodore’s Cup to Punta del Este, Uruguay. Incredibly after around 1,000 nautical miles of racing, three boats – GoToBermuda, Zhuhai, and WTC Logistics, have almost been in touching distance as they raced along the coast of Western Sahara. GoToBermuda Skipper David Immelmann is relishing being up against his childhood friend and fellow Capetonian Nick Leggat on Zhuhai, and reported: “The little battle between Zhuhai and ourselves ended up in all out war this morning, with the two of us match racing a few… Read more »

Monaco Classic Week, the Yacht Club de Monaco’s biennial flagship event opens in style on Wednesday 11th September with a rendition of America’s most famous Sousa march, ‘Stars & Stripes forever’, performed by the naval military band based in Toulon (Musique des Equipages de la Flotte de Toulon). A spectacular way to kick-off the 14th edition which sees American yachting heritage take centre stage. Heading to the Principality will be some of the most beautiful boats by naval architects from the early America’s Cup races like Nathaniel Herreshoff, John G. Alden to whom we are indebted for legendary schooners like… Read more »