The upcoming 23rd edition of the annual Monaco Yacht Show undoubtedly represents the most important event in the world of superyachts, displaying the most spectacular new yachts from this ever-evolving industry, in a prestigious four-day event, taking place in the fabulous setting of Port Hercule in Monaco. The event is a key opportunity to bring together superyacht owners, brokers, yacht builders, as well as designers from all over the world.
Monaco Yacht Show 2012
From 25-28 September, the event by the Informa Group will unveil over 100 superyachts float side by side in the shadow of the Monaco hills, buffed and polished to perfection by immaculate, ever-professional crews, ready to welcome on board brokers and potential buyers.
The yachts at the show this year demonstrate the trend among superyacht owners to constantly thrive to do what’s new and different. While ultra high net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) purchase superyachts for many different reasons, including the ultimate privacy that only a yacht can provide, one of the beauties of commissioning a superyacht is that, as long as your idea is within safety regulations, you can create anything you want.
The 42-metre motor yacht Sofia, built by Dutch yard Moonen, is fitted with a bathing platform built to take a three-man submarine that can be easily deployed. On the largest yacht at the show, the 88-metre superyacht Quattroelle, the owner wanted an entire half deck dedicated as a self-contained private space for himself and his family. The area includes the owner’s suite, his ‘n’ hers bathrooms and office, plus two children’s cabins, taking to a new level the concept of having privacy on board closed off from the other guests and the crew. It sees a move away from the previous trend of building yachts that were more neutrally designed, so as not to deter potential charter guests.
42m Moonen Yacht Sofia
Bringing the outside inside is also a growing trend, as today’s guests want to be connected to the ocean in as many places on board as possible. The ‘beach club’ areas of modern yachts (a deck area at the aft end of a boat that’s only a few feet up from the ocean) have always been popular places to spend time on board, but now they are becoming larger and more developed, featuring saunas, massage rooms and bars.
On many newly built yachts, for example the Benetti-built superyacht Ocean Paradise or the Amels-built luxury yacht Engelberg, there are terraces and balconies that fold down on each side from the main salon or owner’s area – these make ideal spots for breakfasting in privacy and fresh air, looking over the ocean. The 65-metre mega yacht Lady M (built by Palmer Johnson) is one of the fastest yachts at the show, reaching speeds up to 28 knots, and its design is that of a sportscruiser, a fast boat made to speed at full power through the water, made for an owner wanting to feel the wind in his hair rather than sit serenely on deck sipping cocktails.
88m Lurssen mega yacht Quattroelle - Photo by Klaus Jordan
Must-see yachts
Every year at the Monaco Yacht Show, there are a few yachts that every journalist is clamouring to get on board, whether it’s because of their jaw-droppingly innovative design, sheer size or even an intriguing celebrity owner, and this year’s must-see yachts could be even more extraordinary than last year’s. As mentioned, superyacht Quattroelle, built by the highly respected Lurssen yard, is the largest yacht in the show and one of the most spectacular. Huge volumes, a sumptuous self-contained owner’s deck, an extraordinary range of bespoke glassworks and different woods, an onboard art gallery and an enclosable outdoor seating area are highlights on board this extraordinary vessel.
Italian yard CRN, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary, brings its own flagship yacht at 80 metres in Chopi Chopi superyacht. Each guest cabin on board has its own outdoor area, the owner’s area has its own private hot-tub, and there is room for 33 crew members. The beach club covers 100 square metres, sure to be one of the biggest in the show. This yard also brings motor yacht J’Ade to the show, which features a floodable tender garage with a side-opening hatch so guests can easily hop on board the tender for exploring or watersports.
Luxury motor yacht J'Ade by CRN
Dutch yard Amels will bring the 60-metre charter yacht Event, from the yard’s 199 series, designed by UK designer Tim Heywood. Its innovate exterior shape, with a vertical bow, will ensure it stands out at the show. The Moonen 42-metre superyacht Sofia with its three-man submarine perched on the huge bathing platform will also turn heads. Mega yacht Seahawk, the first 60-metre from Perini Navi, is a sailing yacht that can perform as a racer or be used as a cruiser depending on the owner’s wishes.
State of the industry
While the superyacht industry is far from returning to the heyday of 2007, the situation in 2013 is a new reality, to which the industry is slowly adapting.
Brokers are working harder to convince owners that the prices yachts could once command are no longer viable, and expectations need to be adjusted accordingly.
Where there is an increased amount of realism among sellers, more deals are done – but with prices lowered, this doesn’t necessarily translate to greater profit. In times of uncertainty where owners are less willing to take risks, the northern European yards, well-established and long respected, continue to thrive, with Lurssen’s largest, Amels’ extraordinary semi-custom yacht Event, and Heesen’s technologically groundbreaking superyacht Galactica Star (with a hydrodynamic hull form that increases efficiency by upto 30%) demonstrating the continuing success of these yards at the show.
In other parts of Europe, business is generally tougher, but quality will always shine through – CRN, as well as the two new ones here, have seven yachts in build. Like the businesses of yacht owners, the yacht industry is positioned all over the world, and while this means it is as affected as any industry by economic ebb and flow, it is also a strength. The superyacht industry creates jobs globally through its demand for quality workmanship – your yacht can be designed in England and built with German engineering and Italian styling.
You can view the list of luxury superyachts attending the 2013 Monaco Yacht Show here.
