Moonen signed Sofia in 2010. Initially, she was expected to be christened Sofia III, since her owner previously owned a Moonen 84 megayacht known as Sofia and a Moonen 97 named Sofia II. Her name isn’t the only thing that has changed along the way. So, too, has her LOA. Sofia was the first contract in the Moonen 133 series. But, in spring 2011, Moonen revealed that the megayacht would be a bit larger, at about 138 feet, or 42 meters. It was necessary to accommodate a three-seater personal sub from U-Boat Worx.

Speaking of that sub, sea trials are expected to begin on it by the end of the month. Meanwhile, her launching crane is being finished. When everything is ready for shipping to Moonen, the sub will sit on a hydraulic swim platform. The platform will lower into the water to let the sub launch.

Inside, Sofia features design work by Art-Line Interiors. In the photo gallery below, you can see a guest cabin nearly completed as well as the master suite coming together. Overall, there are two twin staterooms and three queen cabins (one aft of the wheelhouse) joining the main-deck master.

Although there aren’t any images available, the wheelhouse design recently underwent a change. The owner decided he’d rather have Sofia feature what’s called a foil bridge. Moonen is installing it with electronics specialist Tijssen Elektro. In brief, a foil bridge involves a thin sheet of film mounted on aluminum, and all electronics units are located beneath this. It can be imprinted with any color and take any shape so desired.

Other highlights of Sofia that should prove interesting to see: a Caesar stone atrium, and iPads serving as controllers for the audio-visual systems.

The all-aluminum, round-bilge displacement megayacht should also top out at 14.5 knots thanks to twin Caterpillar C32s.

PHOTO: Claus Schäfe/TheYachtPhoto.com

Today, the fifth-largest megayacht in the world launched at Lürssen. She’s Topaz, and she’s taking yacht spotters and the industry alike by storm.

In fact, Topaz has been a topic of conversation for some time, despite (and, in some respects, because of) being a confidential project. It was just over one year ago that we showed you how super-size Topaz was taking shape. At that point, essentially just the bare structure of the steel hull and aluminum superstructure were completed, being transferred from one build shed to another. The photo above, taken today, show just how far Topaz has come in a year’s time. It also strengthens our belief that the styling is from Tim Heywood Designs.

For an even more interesting perspective, take a look at the photo below, shot on Saturday. Topaz was still under cover, and without her satcom domes. The domes are actually in the picture, too, on the barge floating directly in front of Topaz’s bulbous bow.

Even with Topaz having emerged into the open, many details are being kept under wraps. Some information is available through public records, such as her gross tonnage of 11,589. But there’s also conflicting information available from these and other sources. For example, in 2010, when Lloyd’s Register included Topaz in a list of megayacht projects being built to its classification standards, it indicated her LOA as 472’4” (144 meters). But last year, sources associated with the project stated she was longer, at 482’3” (147 meters).

Then, of course, there’s the speculation over who owns her. Reputable and disreputable media alike have run stories surmising that she was commissioned by a member of the Saudi royal family. Even a yacht-brokerage firm’s own website joined the guessing game, repeating word that a member of the ruling family from Abu Dhabi is the owner.

Regardless of LOA or ownership, upon delivery, Topaz will be among the top 10 largest megayachts in the world, and the second-largest megayacht to date from Lürssen. To that latter point, she’s outranked only by Al Said, measuring 508 feet (155 meters).

Forget “Congratulations!” In Holland, at least where Oceanco is concerned, the way to celebrate a megayacht launch is with a raw herring and some local suds. That’s how the shipyard personnel and the crew of Nirvana, a.k.a. Y707, commemorated the launch of the 290-footer (88.5-meter).

Technically, the festivities took place a few days after the actual launch. But who’s counting? Nirvana’s Capt. Brett Fillis and the crew were invited to enjoy the traditional Dutch delicacies. And they were no mere slivers of fish, mind you. It’s hard to see in the photo, but each person is holding a healthy portion. To say it’s an acquired taste is an understatement… even some Dutch will tell you they don’t eat it. But, a delicious Dutch beer makes everything taste better.

Quick facts about Nirvana: beam is 46’6” (14.2 meters); accommodations include a VIP suite, four guest caabins, and a master suite; the master additionally has a private alfresco area complete with hot tub; and top speed is about 18½ knots, powered by twin 4,830-hp MTUs. She’s also presently enjoying her first season of cruising, in the Med. Styling (similar to another Oceanco, Anastasia) and interior design is by Sam Sorgiovanni Designs, with naval architecture by Oceanco’s in-house team and Azure Naval Architects.

On the heels of launching its largest-ever megayacht, the EP148, Horizon is set to deliver Summer Wind, part of its RP97 series.

Commissioned  by an Australian owner, Summer Wind isn’t the first Horizon RP97, but she’s reportedly the lightest and fastest of the all-fiberglass series. The weight savings comes from continuously improving technology, which in turn also affects speed. As for speed, Summer Wind is said to be capable of a 16-knot cruise and 22-knot top end at full load. That’s about 2 knots swifter than previous deliveries. Summer Wind is powered by twin 1,600-hp Caterpillar C-32As.

The RP97 may be the smallest megayacht in Horizon’s RP (Raised Pilothouse) series—the other two offerings are a 110 and a 120—but she has some good features. The 21-foot beam is healthy, and, despite the model name, LOA is actually 105 feet. Buyers have a choice between an on-deck owner’s stateroom or a country kitchen in its place. Opting for the latter moves the master below decks, joining three guest cabins.

Summer Wind’s owner selected the on-deck master. He also requested a 10-person dining area and a saloon that’s more of a cinema at times. There’s a 65-inch TV hooked up to a theater-like sound system that will no doubt rock the boat (figuratively speaking, of course). Interior design is by Horizon’s in-house team and Nikki Parris, an Australia-based designer.

Well, imagine no more. This video combines aerial and on-water footage of Tango, which was built by Feadship’s Royal Van Lent yard in 2011. You’ll get good looks of her flowing lines and flowing decks, which include a contra-flow pool and plenty of sunning space. You’ll also see how much fun is to be had while waterskiing behind her (using Tango, not a tender, as the tow boat).
 

While other designers are researching hybrid technology for more fuel-efficient megayacht designs, Rene van der Velden is confident economy-minded owners can remain that way with traditional diesel power. That’s one of the features of the 110-foot cruiser concept seen here.

In fact, the Rene van der Velden 110 Cruiser includes a variety of basic systems and machinery, eschewing the trend to go high-tech. As the head of the eponymous design firm puts it, owners looking for lower construction and operating costs don’t always want overly sophisticated technology.

For propulsion, the 110-foot Cruiser will reply on a choice of twin Caterpillar engines. If 1,900-hp C32 ACERTs are selected, top speed should be 18 knots, and cruise speed should be 14 knots. With 715-hp C18 ACERTs, top end should be 14 knots, with a 12-knot cruise.

Another good example: the tender stowage and launching area. Many megayachts have tender garages, which are great for keeping toys out of view. However, van der Velden argues, they require costly hydraulic devices for watertight integrity and regulatory compliance. Other megayachts, especially ones in the 100-foot range, place the toys aft on the flying bridge—which, van der Velden rightly points out, blocks the view. By contrast, the 110-foot megayacht concept has a foredeck beamy enough to hold a handful of toys. The bulwarks are additionally high enough to hide them from view and keep them secure. And, of course, a dedicated crane launches and retrieves them. If an owner so wishes, though, the stowage area can become hidden within housing topped by a hatch.

The design team is leaving construction material up to the owner’s and/or builder’s choice, though van der Velden recommends a steel hull for strength and ease of repair essentially worldwide. The superstructure can be comprised of either fiberglass or aluminum.

Also up to owner’s choice is the interior decor. Layout options are further open to interpretation, though van der Velden envisions four guest staterooms below decks and a main-deck owner’s suite. The suggested layout allows the two forward guest staterooms to transform into a large suite, a nice touch.

The 110 Cruiser concept has some innovative ideas that would be a shame not to see come to fruition. One of them is the saloon, featuring sliding glass doors (up to five) to really open up the area. These were chosen to make the saloon equally favored as a gathering area, since so many owners and guests use the skylounge more often. Another innovative idea: sliding glass panels overhead and to each side in the skylounge. Picture the yacht in a picturesque anchorage with all the panels wide open, or just the “sunroof” open… it’s a flexibility not found on other yachts.

Note, too, that the flying-bridge deck, where the skylounge is located, is the uppermost deck. Rene van der Velden purposely eliminates the common third deck, dedicated as a sundeck or a flying bridge depending on how other designers and builders term it. The reason: weight savings aloft, which translates to better stability, a more moderate beam (22’3”, or 6.8 meters), and lower construction and operating costs.

For more information on the 110 Cruiser directly from Rene van der Velden, fill out our contact form.

When Pendennis announced in March that its Pendennis Plus division was to refit Mirabella V, being renamed M5, our website lit up like a Christmas tree. The hits haven’t stopped, either, as Mirabella V is hands-down the most popular sailing yacht we’ve ever featured.

The megayacht sold last year, and the new owner decided to make some major modifications, including a nearly 10-foot (three-meter) transom extension, the addition of a side-boarding platform, and some new systems. The 290-foot-high (88.5-meter-high) mast and rig are further being refurbished. The gallery above show the de-masting process recently undertaken at Pendennis Plus.

As for Heavenly Daze, her owner mostly wanted an interior spruce-up, to make her more modern yet honor her 40-years-young heritage. Wetzels Brown was tapped to redesign the 105’9” (32.22-meter) Feadship’s saloon and dining area, VIP suites, and guest staterooms. However, some physical repairs outside were also needed. These included replacing the steel support for the aft caprail, repairing some tanks and parts of the hull, and recaulking and repairing the teak decks. Other improvements: new wheelhouse electronics, a new exhaust system for the engines, and an overhaul of the steering and stabilizers. The steel hull and steel and wood superstructure received new paint, too.

Heavenly Daze is back on the charter circuit for the summer, in the Med.

Patrick Knowles of Patrick Knowles Designs has been a top name in megayacht interiors for more than two decades. The list of megayacht builders he’s worked with are equally notable: Trinity Yachts, Burger Boat Company, Palmer Johnson, ISA, Feadship, and more. In mid-2011, Patrick Knowles Designs was tapped for the interior of a 197-foot (60-meter) motoryacht that a small family planned to use for extended personal cruising. The firm outlined the general arrangement and created all drawings, including the ones needed to fabricate furnishings and other elements. Unfortunately, the design did not come to fruition.

Here, Knowles presents several views of the master suite as well as one of the main staircase. He selected them because they’re representative of the personality of the rest of the megayacht’s interior design.

“The client requested an interior that was classic in nature with a tailored decor, along with elements of contrast, texture, and a hint of what one might refer to as influences of a ‘gentleman’s club.’ Various materials were implemented to achieve the owner’s request, such as walnut burl, figured mahogany, sapele mahogany, leather, and shagreen skins, among many other finishes. All were selected to create the elegant look of the raised-panel-joinery interior.

“The marble design for the interior, which is comprised primarily of White Thasos and Black Absolute, can be seen in its greatest display in the mosaic of ‘his’ side of the master head. The design created much of the juxtaposition the owner yearned for in the interior. In addition, pearl-white onyx was also used on surfaces that are designed to be backlit, such as nightstand tops and accent walls throughout the vessel.

“The decor elements are restrained and tailored, with a color palate that reflects a rather conservative point of view, in classic navy and white. The berths were designed with open bedding as opposed to the more traditional day covers. The design of the custom carpeting was intended to introduce texture as well as pattern and, of course, contrast to the joinery work.

“The study lies at the entry into the master suite, which embodies the full sense of a refined gentleman’s club. Louvered shutters extending from the deck to the overhead give a grand feeling of large windows, when in fact the windows behind are relatively modest in size. The bookcase, designed to be full length, provides the venue for an assortment of leather-bound books.

“In the master stateroom itself, the owner requested a ‘nesting of the bed’ within the millwork, which inspired the deep recess of the bed within the night tables and their pilaster columns. In addition, it was important to the owner that all berths incorporate joinery panel detailing, a throwback to a more traditional era in yachting. The joinery bulkheads were designed with insets of upholstered fabric panels, bringing reprieve from the abundance of wood in the interior.  Within the cabinetry of the forward bulkhead, where the entertainment systems are housed, two niches were designed to accommodate two custom sculptures, which were to be commissioned.

“All accent metal selected for the interior is polished nickel as opposed to the traditional and expected polished gold or brass. This includes the lighting fixtures, decorative cabinetry hardware, and plumbing fixtures.

“Some of the design elements that are not as noticeable in the photos include details such as hand-stitched leather doors in the wardrobe, backlit onyx tops on the nightstands, custom polished nickel ventilation grills, polished nickel inlays in the perimeter wood border of the decks, as well as an unusual amount of indirect lighting within the overheads, soffits, valances, and furniture.

Within the main staircase, which connects all decks, backlit, hand-carved onyx panels adorn the bulkheads. The onyx panels are carved in vignette images, all of which depict experiences of the owner and his family during past travels of the globe. The ambience of the illuminated inset onyx panels sets the tone for the public spaces of the yacht’s interior, while providing a gallery in which to gaze at a storybook of family experiences.”

PHOTO: Giuliano Sargentini

Last weekend C.2189, the third motoryacht in Perini Navi’s Vitruvius superyacht series, arrived for finishing in Italy, from Perini Navi’s Turkish facility. She’s the largest of the series so far, measuring 239’5” (73 meters).

Like the two prior Vitruvius megayachts, C.2189 features expedition-inspired exterior design by Philippe Briand. She’s intended for cruising on both sides of the Atlantic, set to top out at 16½ knots. Her hull design, emphasizing low drag, plus diesel-electric propulsion featuring two azipods should make her fuel efficient.

C.2189 should also make her owner and guests relax, given that the uppermost deck is termed a wellness deck. A gym, hot tub, and sauna, plus alfresco sunning areas, comprise this entire fifth deck. Inside the rest of the decks, a subdued, contemporary design comes courtesy of Remi Tessier Design.

C.2189 is set for delivery next year. This time-lapse video takes you from the cutting of the first steel hull plates to her arrival at Perini Navi’s Picchiotti shipyard in La Spezia for fit-out. You’ll see the hull and superstructure take shape, the shell of the superyacht be transferred from Turkey to Italy, and the project make a few more stops along the Italian coast before her final arrival.

If you missed the original story, click the link above to learn more. But first, take a look at these just-released photos of Hampshire II in the water outside her build shed.