It’s common practice for the media to take a look back at the year that was. Here at MegayachtNews.com, we were curious as to what stories generated the most interest among you, our readers. As much as we know certain shipyards are among your favorites, we also know patterns aren’t always predictable. Who could have guessed, for example, that the most-popular story we published this year would be about a watertoy? Or that a “mere” 96-footer would generate more interest than a yacht more than twice her size?
Here, in ascending order, are the five most popular stories of 2016, based on your interest.
- Galactica Super Nova: Stellar Superyacht Christened at Heesen. The biggest build by Heesen, bearing an equally grand name, has been high on your radars since the project was announced about two years ago. Back then, her code name was Project Kometa. The 230-footer hits a reported 30-knot top speed, plus has abundant creature comforts like a glass-bottomed infinity pool with a waterfall.
- Project Mistral Coming From Lürssen. With an estimated LOA of 346 feet, Project Mistral started construction in 2013. The first glimpses of her, revealed in our article, showed off styling by Espen Øino. Lürssen could share scant few details at launch, and still can’t say anything further. The mysteries only add to Project Mistral’s allure.
- 1st Nordhavn 96, Christened MacGuffin, Handed Over. While traditional motoryachts get the most of your attention, a few tough-looking long-range cruiser brands are immensely popular, too. Nordhavn is among them, and the first Nordhavn 96, capable of crossing the Atlantic with fuel to spare, really caught your attention.
- 6 Biggest Superyachts Set for 2016 Delivery. Big yachts from big-name builders generate big of interest. Sometimes, though, delivery dates get delayed. In other cases, our sources are mistaken. These reasons explain why only two of the six megayachts mentioned in this article are in their owners’ hands: Dilbar (above, formerly Project Omar) and Ulysses. Sailing Yacht A, according to her owner’s team, isn’t set for delivery until 2017. The 348-foot conversion project Poseidonos still has a lot of work remaining, judging from the photo below, taken in September. The same-size Solar isn’t yet finished at Oceanco, though her technical launch did occur already. As for Dream Ship Victory, the delivery date seems to keep getting extended every year.
- Paddleboard? No, the Hobie Mirage Eclipse Pedal Board. With more than 10,500 views and counting, this story, the first by any yachting media of a new super-cool watertoy from Hobie, went viral. So, too, did the video we posted on our YouTube channel, embedded in the article. It has nearly 29,000 views as of this writing. Several superyachts count the Hobie Mirage Eclipse Pedal Board among their treasured toys. And no wonder. The cross between a stand-up paddle board and a bicycle is easy for anyone of any age to master. And it’s just plain fun.
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