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Royal Van Lent Hands Over Superyacht Lady Christine

If the Art Deco-inspired interior doesn’t get your attention, maybe the Key West meeting room will. Those are among the highlights of the 68-meter (223-foot) Lady Christine, which Feadship’s Royal Van Lent recently delivered.
Monday 19 July 2010.

Villanova Grand Marina Partners With BWA Yachting

Docking at a marina is more than just the equivalent of finding a parking space. Especially for a megayacht owner, crew, and guests, it’s about receiving a certain level of service. With that in mind, Vilanova Grand Marina (above) has signed a multi-year agreement with BWA Yachting. Friday 16 July 2010.

Alloy Yachts Building Global Explorer

Thirteen is an unlucky number for some people, but it’s no bother to the team at Alloy Yachts. Project AY44, seen here, marks the 13th motoryacht in the New Zealand-based yard’s history. Thursday 15 July 2010.

Jongert 2400M Launched, Christened Uisge Beatha

Smart owners do a good deal of research before selecting a superyacht builder, but 35 years of research? That’s how long the owner of Uisge Beatha had been following activity at Jongert Shipyard before commissioning the sloop-rigged, all-aluminum 2400M sailing yacht that launched in late June. Thusday 15 July 2010.

Palmer Johnson PJ 170 Makes Debut

The largest Sportyacht to date from Palmer Johnson tasted water for the first time this week. Referred to simply by her build number, PJ-501, the yacht is also the first of the PJ 170 Sportyacht series. If you’re familiar with the smaller superyachts of that genre delivered by Palmer Johnson in recent years, you’ll recognize the styling. It’s from the drawing boards of Nuvolari-Lenard. Palmer Johnson believes the extra LOA makes the profile appear more aggressive, and I certainly agree. Wednesday 14 July 2010.

Superyacht Axioma Detained by Italian Authorities

Just weeks after Force Blue was detained by Italian authorities, another charter yacht has been boarded, with guests required to disembark and be accompanied to police headquarters. On Friday, Axioma, a 47-meter (154-foot) ISA, was forced to pull into Lipari, just north of Sicily. Tuesday 13 July 2010.

Limited Editions Amels 177 for Sale

She’s known only as Hull 458 so far, and her asking price is being released only upon request. But if you’re in the market for a new megayacht, this Limited Editions Amels 177 could be yours. The owner who commissioned Hull 458 from Amels has granted the central listing to YPI Brokerage, the sales and new construction division of Yachting Partners International. Hull 458 is scheduled for delivery next April, so construction and interior design are well underway. Monday 12 July 2010.

Introducing Ruea Yachts

Last month, news came of the formation of Ruea Yachts, a Thailand-based builder. Ruea Yachts was formed as the superyacht division of Yacht Solutions, a 10-year-old yacht-management and service provider in Thailand and other Asian locales. Yacht Solutions’ managers, Gareth and Simon Twist, decided to team with a shipyard. because some of their Asian and European clients reportedly are increasingly expressing interest in construction options in Asia. Interesting enough, over the past several weeks, interest has been piqued among buyers and their representatives in India, the United States, and other countries, according to Gareth Twist. Thursday 8 June 2010.

Princess Yachts to Brand Under Its Own Name in USA

Fifteen years ago, Princess Yachts began marketing its cruisers in North America through a partnership with Viking Yachts, under the brand Viking Sport Cruisers. Viking Sport Cruisers became a separate company under the Viking umbrella and handled all sales and service for the yacht line, which until recently topped out at 95 feet. Beginning with the 2011 model year, the relationship will change slightly. While Viking Sport Cruisers will remain the distributor and continue to handle service for the region, all of the yachts and megayachts will be branded under the Princess name.Wednesday 7 July 2010.

Perini Navi Launches Exuma, 1st Vitruvius Motoryacht

While Americans were celebrating Independence Day this weekend, Italians—at least those at the Perini Navi Group’s yard in La Spezia—were celebrating the launch of Exuma. The all-aluminum 50-meter (164-footer) is the first in its Picchiotti Vitruvius superyacht series and thus the Perini Navi Group’s first motoryacht. Tuesday 6  July 2010.

Italian VAT Rules for Yachts Continue to Confuse

When Force Blue was seized in Italy over alleged tax evasion, many megayacht owners and their advisors sat up and took notice. It also led to questions and concerns, understandably, many of which persist.

To shed some light onto Italian VAT practices, Moore Stephens prepared the following educational—and frank—overview for its clients, which Megayacht News received permission to run. The firm, which provides accounting, tax, and consulting services to yacht owners around the world, stresses that it is a general summary and recommends speaking with your agent (Moore Stephens or otherwise) to determine your best course of action. Monday 5 July 2010.

Sleek Columbus 199 Superyacht Underway at Palumbo

Palumbo may not be a well-known builder stateside, but it has been operating two yards in Italy since 1967. It builds and refits a variety of vessels, ranging from ships to yachts, plus manufactures gantry cranes. For the past few months, its Naples facility has been focused on one of the latest megayachts to meet the RINA Green Star class, the Columbus 199. Friday 2 July 2010.

Moonen Signs Sofia III, Its Largest “Pocket Superyacht”

We’ll have to wait another two years to see her, but the largest Moonen to date was signed within the past several weeks. Engineering work is already underway on the Moonen 133, expected to be christened Sofia III. Tuesday 29 June 2010.

Lürssen Splashes Solemates

An experienced yacht owner will soon enjoy the maiden voyage of Solemates, a 60-meter (197-foot) Lürssen. Delivery is set for the end of July, after which the yacht will cruise the Med. The photo here was taken during sea trials last week.
Monday 28 June 2010.

Trinity Yachts Aiding BP Spill Cleanup

Due to the increasing need to protect its coastline from the BP oil spill, the state of Mississippi has ordered more than 20 new belt skimmer boats, some of which are being built by Trinity Yachts. Monday 28 June 2010.

Mi Sueño and Her Superb Spaces

How’s this for an alfresco seating area? This is the aft deck aboard the 190-foot (58-meter) superyacht Mi Sueño, which I toured during a recent open house hosted by Trinity Yachts and International Yacht Collection. Note how large it is and particularly how it’s elevated. Friday 25 June 2010.

JFK’s Former Yacht Honey Fitz Undergoes Refit, Part I
There’s a labor-intensive — and labor of love — project going on in South Florida right now. It’s the restoration of Honey Fitz, one of the most famous yachts to grace American waters. Thursday 24 June 2010.

Rybovich Modifies Offer for Riviera Beach Megayacht Yard
Rybovich’s ongoing quest to lease land from the city of Riviera Beach, up the coast from its existing facility in Florida, has taken an interesting turn. Wednesday 23 June 2010.

Superyacht Auctions Expands Business

A few months after Superyacht Auctions was founded and held its first offerings, the company, previously referring to itself as Super Yacht Auctions, is kicking off two new programs that should raise interest. Tuesday22 June 2010.

Delta Marine Finishing Project Monarch

In a sign of the times, a megayacht begun at one yard is now being finished by another.

Delta Marine will be completing the code-named Project Monarch, originally contracted by Northern Marine. Financing for the 150’8” (46.2-meter) megayacht is being provided by Caterpillar Financial Services, a.k.a. Cat Financial, the financial arm of Caterpillar. Delta and Cat Financial have worked together on previous projects. Monday 21 June 2010.

Fivea Delivered by Perini Navi

If you’ll be in the Med this week, keep an eye out for this new super-size sloop. Fivea was just handed over to her owners from Perini Navi. Monday 21June 2010.

Heesen Inks 2 More Superyacht Contracts

Economic recovery seems to be well underway at Heesen Yachts, given that the Dutch builder recently signed its third and fourth new-build contracts of the year: one for a 50-meter (164-footer), and one for a 47-meter (154-footer). Friday 18 June 2010.

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