“Imagine” Luxury Yacht for Charter

in Yachts and Boats

This splendid 212-ft luxury yacht was built in Holland by Amels and launched this year. Her eye-catching exterior was designed by British designer Tim Heywood and the luxe interiors are the work of Andrew Winch. Gorgeous from every perspective, the yacht is available for charter at €530,000 (approx. $770,000).

Here is what Imagine motor yacht has to offer. First of all, every deck boasts plenty of space for alfresco dining, relaxation and entertainment opportunities. A large swimming pool with Jacuzzi, a mini bar, a wet-feet bar and a Sky gym are all found on the Sundeck. The Bridge Deck boasts a dramatic Sky Lounge, a large dining alcove and a cozy spot in front of the wheelhouse for more intimate breakfast opportunities. The Main Deck features full-length windows with narrow mullions for sweeping views. Also here you will find a glass-surrounded large dining room. A Beach Club with extended swim platform, a shower, a bar and an entertainment system is located at the yacht’s stern.

Guests can easily go from one deck to another via a centrally positioned glass elevator or via the spiral staircase that also reaches all decks. The vessel can accommodate up to 14 guests in seven lushly appointed staterooms, plus a crew of 15. The master suite is full-width and is located on the Main Deck. It boasts a luxury bathroom, an office and a dressing room. The Bridge Deck holds two VIP suites with balconies. The Lower Deck is where you’ll find the remaining four grand suites .

The pictures below will help you get a better picture of Imagine’s awesomeness . Oh, and let’s not forget its tenders and bountiful amenities like the iPod docking stations in all guest cabins, Satellite & VOIP telephone system, high-end audio-video systems and more. The yacht even has a drop down cinema screen and movie projector in the sky lounge.

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J Craft's Torpedo Powerboat

in Yachts and Boats

J Craft, the Swedish luxury powerboat manufacturer has enjoyed strong sales throughout 2010 despite the tough economic climate. The last quarter has proved to be particularly successful, with multiple sales of its Torpedo models on the run up to the festive break.

The Monaco Yacht Show marked the end of a successful summer season for J Craft as the team retailed a standard Torpedo model within the first 24-hours of the glamorous four-day event. However, the autumn weather has done little to dampen customer enthusiasm for the brand and since Monaco, J Craft has retailed a further three boats; 2 standard Torpedo’s and 1 Torpedo R.

A number of forward orders for 2011 boats have also been taken.

The J Craft Torpedo was officially launched at the 2009 Monaco Yacht Show and it was followed a year later by the Torpedo R, offering higher specification and increased power. Both models have proved popular, finding buyers in the Middle East and throughout the Mediterranean. In 2011, J Craft will enter the North American market and will exhibiting at the Miami Boat Show in February.

Speaking about the brands growing reputation, J Craft’s Johan Attvik said, “The Torpedo is an incredibly stylish and luxurious product that delivers on every promise. It is a perfect combination of effortless glamour and cutting edge technology and it is as robust and reliable as it is beautiful and cosseting. As we retail more boats, so we have more brand ambassadors and our reputation grows again.”

On the sales outlook for 2011, Attvik continues, “We are very excited about the potential of the US market and early signs suggest that the Torpedo will do well there. We are talking to a number of prominent partners and we’re looking forward to putting together an exciting calendar of events for new customers and friends of the brand in North America. Equally, we expect Europe to remain strong and the Middle East market to grow for us in the next 12 months. J Craft production for 2011 is scheduled to be 16 hulls, however we may need to try and ramp this up if demand continues to grow at the current rate.”

About J Craft

J Craft hand builds classically styled yet inherently modern luxury powerboats in the best traditions of Swedish boat building. A distinctive style, fine craftsmanship and exquisite materials coupled with robust engineering and real-world usability make J Craft unique in the marine industry. The company’s latest boat, the Torpedo, is a 12-meter powerboat that can be used as a tender or as a stand-alone vessel. Its twin Volvo PENTA IPS500 pod mounted engines deliver incredible power and maneuverability, propelling the Torpedo to a maximum speed of almost 50 knots and giving a range of 350 nautical miles. It can accommodate four adults and one/two crew member/s.

J Craft Torpedo technical specification

Overall length   12.63 metres (41.43ft)

Length on deck 12.16 metres (39.90ft)

Length on waterline 10.85 metres (35.6ft)

Overall Beam     3.33 metres (11.91ft)

Draft     0.95 metres (3.12ft)

Cruise speed (mid load) 35 knots

Design speed (light ship) EST 45 knots

Estimated range 350 Nautical miles @ 43 knots

Fuel capacity 1,000 litres (265 Gallons)

Fresh water capacity   200 litres (53 Gallons)

Main engines   2 x Volvo Penta IPS500

Transmissions    Volvo IPS

Builder    J Craft Boats  / CMI Composites

Design J Craft Boats

Engineering AYD

Naval architect    Södergren Yacht Design

Hull material Vinylester/Fiberglass/PVC Core

Accommodation Sleeps four plus crew

Price    Torpedo from €750,000 Torpedo R from €800,000

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Singapore Yacht Show to be the First Such Show in Asia

in Yachts and Boats

There is lot of activity and excitement in Singapore as it is playing host to the first super yacht show in Asia. The show to be held this spring will draw the region’s jet set to a marina full of multimillion dollar water toys. Singapore aspires to be the regional mega boating hub but it is the Chinese market with rapidly growing number of nouveau riche shoppers and its yacht building industry that will dominate the event.

The show is scheduled from April 8 to 10. The Singapore Yacht Show will take place at ONE°15 Marina Club in Sentosa Cove. Informa Yacht Group, who have a vast experience in the field are the organizers of the event. They have earlier conducted similar successful shows in Monaco and Abu Dhabi. They had also organized the Superyacht Cup Regattas which was highly appreciated by the industry.

Shows like this are extremely important for the industry as it brings together shipyards, brokers, designers, naval architects and anyone with an interest in the industry. It is a high stakes game as some of the most expensive floating real estate in the world is involved. This is an invitation-only event, complete with gala dinner, cocktail receptions, golf tournament and various soirees. You can only wait and hope to be invited.

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Oceania Cruises' New Luxury Ship Marina Sets Off on Maiden Voyage

in Yachts and Boats

Oceania Cruises' new ship Marina departed from Barcelona Saturday, Jan. 22 at 6:00 pm (local time) on her Maiden Voyage.

The 13-day passage to North America will call at Malaga, Spain; Casablanca and the Canary Islands before crossing the Atlantic. Seven days at sea will give guests time to explore Marina from stem to stern before she arrives in Miami for christening festivities beginning Feb. 4, 2011.

A ship of firsts, Marina features the Bon Appétit Culinary Center, the first hands-on cooking school at sea, Master Chef Jacques Pépin’s first namesake restaurant at sea; Ralph Lauren Home-furnished Owner’s Suites; luxurious accommodations by designer Dakota Jackson; Wine Spectator wine program; and Lalique grand stairway. Moreover, Marina has been designed for epicureans offering an unprecedented 10 dining venues – comparable in quality to the very best shore-side restaurants.

“Marina has been so eagerly anticipated by our past guests,” stated Frank Del Rio, the founder of Oceania Cruises and chairman & CEO of parent company Prestige Cruise Holdings. “It is exciting to now host our first guests onboard and see their reaction to her stunning facilities and amenities.”

When she arrives in Miami on Feb. 4, a celebratory welcome will commence and continue throughout the weekend. At a lavish ceremony on Feb. 5 ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT Icon Mary Hart will name Marina and christen her with a 15-liter Nebuchadnezzar of Champagne, custom-made by Armand de Brignac. The festivities culminate with a gala sailaway party and fireworks display in Biscayne Bay overlooking the Miami skyline.

After the christening festivities in Miami, Marina sets sail Feb. 8 on the first of two 18-day Panama Canal transits that visit San Francisco and San Diego, both new ports for Oceania Cruises. Marina then operates a 12-day Caribbean cruise, round-trip from Miami, departing March 16, before sailing along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard and on to Europe to begin her inaugural Mediterranean season.

Oceania Cruises’ new Marina has been purposefully designed to carry 1,250 guests to the world’s most alluring ports in elegance and style. Rich woods, marble and granite, fine wool carpets and illustrious leathers adorn public rooms. Facilities include 10 dining venues including six open-seating gourmet restaurants, an array of bars and lounges, a full-service Canyon Ranch SpaClub and fitness center, swimming pool and hot tubs.

For more information or to order a brochure, contact a travel professional, visit Oceaniacruises.com or call Oceania Cruises toll-free at 800-531-5658.

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World’s Most Expensive Yachts

in Most Expensive, Yachts and Boats

The Jacht was originally a lightweight Dutch naval vessel used to pursue pirates in shallow waters. When King Charles II chose to sail in one on his return to England in what would later be known as the English Restoration, the Jacht became a symbol of important and, eventually, wealth and luxury. Today, that tradition is still quite alive and nothing demonstrates that fact better than the most expensive yachts in the world.

Octopus – $200 million

Owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Octopus is the world’s eighth largest yacht. The 414-foot yacht was first launched in 2003. The yacht has two helicopters, a submarine with room for ten men and seven boats. For those who’d like to see the ocean floor, the yacht even includes a remote controlled vehicle to do so.

Rising Sun – $200 million

Co-owned by Oracle’s Larry Ellison and media mogul David Geffen, Rising Sun is 453-feet and five stories of oceangoing luxury. It was built with one goal in mind—to exceed the size of Paul Allen’s Octopus, above. This pricey yacht has 8,000 feet of living space with onyx countertops and Jacuzzi bathrooms, a spa and sauna, a gym and even a private movie theatre with an enormous plasma screen.

Lady Moura – $210 million

This 344-foot mega-yacht is owned by billionaire Nasser Al-Rashid. It features a pool with retractable roof, a 75-foot dining table crafted by Viscount Linley and a helicopter. Lady Moura’s most remarkable feature, however, is the beach resort that slides out of one side of the boat. The mini resort features not only sand and deck chairs, but even includes palm trees for a truly authentic resort experience.

Dubai – $350 million

This costly yacht has gone by three names since its conception—Platinum 525, Golden Star and, most recently, Dubai. The Platinum 525 was commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei in 1996, but a lack of funds caused the project to be abandoned a scant couple of years later. In 2001, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, then Crown Prince and now ruler of Dubai, took over the project and renamed it the Golden Star. Dubai is as expansive as it is expensive. The 525-foot yacht features an owner’s suite, five VIP suites and a number of guest bedrooms. The bridge features the captain’s quarters, an office and a lounge. The foyer and atrium connects each deck while lighting them from above via skylight. The luxury yacht is powered by four diesel engines with over 9,000 horsepower altogether.

Streets of Monaco – $1.1 billion

The amazing Streets of Monaco yacht will not only rival Roman Abramovich’s Eclipse (below) in price, but also in sheer audacity. Rather than being the largest or most secure yacht in the world, Monaco will feature scaled-down reproductions of landmarks from its namesake city-state. This 500-foot yacht will feature a go-kart track on deck inspired by the Monaco Grand Prix, as well as reproductions of the Hotel de Paris, La Rascasse and the Loews Hotel. It’s being designed by Yacht Island Design of Derbyshire County in England and will accomodate 16 guests and 70 crewmembers. For the owner, a 4,800-square-foot suite with three floors is planned.

Eclipse – $1.2 billion

Russian billionaire and Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich’s super-yacht will be a 560-foot monster requiring a minimum of 70 crewmembers and featuring eleven guests. Abramovich and his guests will be protected by a security system that uses laser bursts to foil digital paparazzi photography when activated, anti-bugging and anti-intruder systems and a missile detection system. They’ll also enjoy a swimming pool that can be drained and used as a dance floor, an additional swimming pool and an aquarium. The yacht holds two helicopters, three boats and a submarine.

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Ocean Empire

in Yachts and Boats

The 44-metre Ocean Empire LSV (Life Support Vessel) is the latest to come from Sauter Carbon Offset Design and embraces even more ‘green’ technology than previous designs. Able to accommodate 10 guests and eight crew, the design draws upon three main sources of energy: solar, wind and wave motion to power the various systems onboard. Fitted with solar-powered propulsion systems, all hotel amenities would be supplied by these sources. “The Ocean Empire life support superyacht liberates the superyacht community from its strict dependence on unsustainable resources by harnessing the renewable collective power ever present in the Earth’s Biosphere,” explains Sauter.

The entire surface of the vessel would be covered by photovoltaic cells with a secondary energy source from the use of an automated auxiliary SkySail, which SCOD claims would be able to pull the superyacht to a speed of 18 knots while charging her GM ESS2 batteries through power sailing KER (Kite Energy Regeneration). 

The final natural source of power would be delivered from harnessing wave energy using Motion Damping Regeneration (MDR), a new form of Adjustable Tuned Mass Damper (ATMD) developed in collaboration with Maurer Sohnes Gmbh. This technology has been used to reduce the swaying motion in skyscrapers, such as Taipei 101. In this application, 16 tons of batteries provide the Mass while linear generators produce up to 50 kWs of electricity as they dampen the motion of the vessel.

The carbon/Kevlar composite construction catamaran would be the first to be equipped with two hydroponics farms and fishing facilities to harvest the sea.

Fitted with a Daimler Turbo Compound BueTec, an advanced EPA Diesel engine, the superyacht would be capable of a range of 3,500 nm when at the maximum speed of 18 knots and has a cruising speed of 12 knots. “Ocean Empire’s Solar Hybrid design offers every available superyacht luxury within her full range of operation, which extends from a 50% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions to Ultra Green Carbon Neutral and Zero Carbon cruising,” concludes Sauter. 

SYD would like to point out that this concept draws on renewable energy technologies that are still in their infancy. While an interesting exercise in the theoretical application of such technologies aboard a superyacht, it remains very much a project of the future.

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Pama Architetti Design Paradigm 180 Yacht Concept

in Yachts and Boats

Founded in March 2010 by Italian architects Alessandro Pannone andFrancesco Malinconico, Pama Design unveils its last yacht design, the 60-metre motoryacht Paradigm.

Paradigm is a concept that hopes to create abalance between form and function, man-made structures and the outdoor environment.

Both inside and out, Pama Design has attempted, to eliminate the physical barriers that define spaces and functional areas. Features that restrict the ocean view have been avoided and an emphasis has been placed on large, open spaces by incorporating folding balconies, sliding doors, low furniture and reflective surfaces. It was important for the duo to connect the inside and outside as much as possible, blending interior and external spaces with clever use of lighting, textures and glazing.

The luxury vessel will have four guest cabins, spacious crew quarters, an exterior entertainment and dining area, a swimming pool forward and an upper deck reserved for the owner’s suite.

For Pama Design, innovation is key, and they have included a multi-purpose helipad deck in the stern. Pama has also included some eco-friendly features, including solar panels on the roof, wind turbines and an auxiliary electric motor to reduce emissions!

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Atlantic Sea Hawk offers sea cruises with zero emissions

in Yachts and Boats

A green heart knows how to combine luxury with a sense of environmental balance. And if you want to go the green mile, Sauter Carbon Offset Design and Atlantic Motor Yachts have come up with a zero-carbon companion called the Atlantic Sea Hawk. The zippy yacht is a Hi-performance Zero Carbon 18 meter Cabin Cruiser that can hit a top speed of 50 knots. Powered by the solar array which uses Plug-in power sources, these sources are charged with an Allison Nickel Metal Hydride storage system. This helps to run Hotel services along with powering the express cruiser to hit maximum speeds, while keeping emissions to zero.

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2011 Best New Luxury Cruise Ships

in Yachts and Boats

You love your personal luxury yacht, but you also enjoy spending some fun time on a deluxe cruise with new people to meet and new experiences to live. That’s why we think you should be informed about what the most promising cruise ships of 2011 are. So here are four of the best.

1. Disney Dream

On January 26 (that’s very soon), a thrilling new cruise ship  will be launched to conquer the seas. A perfect place for kids and parent to spent a lovely time together, this ship can accommodate up to 4,000 people for a three, four, or five-night cruise. Aside from the two restaurants, the pool and even some time on a private beach, the Disney Dream will offer the first water coaster at sea! Get ready for an unparalleled experience with your family! Prices start at $599 per person.

2. Costa Favolosa

Costa Favolosa will be launched on July 4. For prices starting at $759, the immense Italy-made ship will offer you suites with whirlpool tubs, a PlayStation arcade, Grand Prix and golf simulators, a 4D cinema, a poolside cinema screen, and a huge spa, covering 23,000 square feet. It can transport up to 3,000 passengers and weighs 114,500 tons.

3. Carnival Magic

May 1 will be the launch day of Carnival Magic, a 3,690-passenger cruise ship. The seven, nine, or twelve-night cruises will thrill you with a Water Works aqua park, a sports deck, a Caribbean restaurant, and many more. Prices start at $799 per person.

4. Celebrity Silhouette

The first cruise ship to offer you the possibility of grilling your own dinner, is Celebrity Silhouette, which will be launched on July 23. The personal grilling experience will be made possible at the boat’s Lawn Club Grill restaurant, but this is only one of the interesting things you’ll enjoy aboard this vessel. The list also includes bocce and croquet on a real lawn, a lovely jazz club and a glassblowing studio. Prices start at $1,229 per person.

Other luxury cruise ships that are expected to hit the sea this year are: Oceania Cruises’ Marina, Pearl Mist, Seabourn Quest, Avalon Waterway’s Panorama, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection’s Antoinette, Douro Spirit and River Victoria, AMA Waterways’ Amaverde, Amalotus and Amakaterina.

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Rider XP Speedboat for Sale

in Yachts and Boats

One of the best speedboats out there is now for sale: it is the SLS AMG-inspired Rider XP from Cigarette, that was launched last year. It was designed in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz and can pride itself with the fact that it is the only one to be powered by the Mercury Racing 9-liter Twin Turbo engines that can deliver 1350 horsepower. That’s five times the power of the beautiful SLS AMG.

The boat will be presented at the Dusseldorf Boat Show which starts on Saturday. So if you already have the €900,000 you need to buy it, all that’s left to do is to show up at the event and check out the young, impressive powerboat up-close.

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