The Wynward corner of Auckland’s newest waterfront destination is currently hosting 6 luxurious superyachts who have been attracted the New Zealand shores for the Rugby World Cup. The Silo Park Marina on Jellicoe Street, only opened on the 1st of October and its 6 superyachts berths are already full with yachts measuring between 54m-93m (177ft-305ft) gracing the marina.
Auckland harbour - Wynyard Quarter
Auckland’s Viaduct Basin in the heart of the city was developed as a superyacht marina for the America’s Cup in 2000. The Marina has 150 berths and recent developments have included a new Wynyard quarter complete with an events centre, marine service and refit companies and yards, restaurants and bars as well as the 6 new superyacht berths, 3 of which can host yachts up to 90m. There is a new bridge that links the Viaduct basin, its restaurants and bars with new Wynyard Quarter.
The new waterfront development was built not only to service the influx of tourists visiting New Zealand for the World Cup but also because of the growth in the superyacht industry in Australasia.
The 6 mega yachts currently in Auckland, enjoying the knock out stages of the Cup will either continue exploring New Zealand waters or will stay in New Zealand for refit work at local superyacht yards.
Superyacht Mayan Queen IV - Photo Credit Ross Taylor
The largest of the superyachts on display in Auckland is the 92 m (302ft) motor yacht Mayan Queen IV which arrived in Auckland on September 24, providing quite a vision as she cruised through the Waitemata Harbour to its berth at Wynyard Quarter. The superyacht Mayan Queen IV was launched in 2008 by the German shipyard Blohm + Voss. M/Y Mayan Queen IV was designed by British superyacht designer Tim Heywood and is able to accommodate up to 16 guests, with a compliment of 24 crew.
Acting Waterfront Auckland chief executive Rod Marler believed the Mayan Queen IV would be in Auckland until early 2012 for maintenance and servicing work. The Mayan Queen IV yacht is one of the largest yachts to visit Auckland over the past six years and is already proving a drawcard for the area.
Super Sailing yacht Athena by Royal Huisman
Superyacht Athena, measuring a 90 m 295 (ft) is the second largest superyacht currently visiting Auckland. She is one of the world’s largest private sailing yachts of the modern era and the largest all-aluminum yacht built to date. S/Y Athena was built by Royal Huisman Shipyard in the Netherlands and was launched in 2005. The ATHENA yacht is a triple masted schooner – her three masts soar 197 feet above the deck supporting 28,632 square feet of sail. She is able to accommodate up to 12 passengers with 22 crew.
The charter yacht Athena was recently refitted by Orams Marine Services and is the largest superyacht to be refitted in New Zealand to date. Orams Marine Services were the first company to bring a superyacht into New Zealand for an interior alteration and refit in 1987. Since then they have established themselves as a key player in New Zealand’s superyacht refit industry.
Schooner ATHENA provides accommodation for up to 10 guests in 5 cabins: The lower deck is comprised of the full width master cabin with full width master bath with Spa Pool, the Owner’s Office, walk-in wardrobe, 3 Queen sized Cabins, a Twin Cabin, the crew area and a diving platform. Sailing yacht Athena is available for luxury yacht charter at the rate between EUR 240,000 – 325,000 + expenses. Please contact CharterWorld for further details.
The 74.60m (244′ 9″) motor yacht Gin Tonic II built by Marco Yachts is also visiting the Auckland superyacht marina. There is only a small amount of information available, as yet, about the Gin Tonic II superyacht. Her exterior styling was developed by the UK design firm Michael Leach Designs with interior design by Loro Piana Interiors. Superyacht Gin Tonic II has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure and is powered by twin caterpillar engines and will have a max speed of 15.5 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots.
Sailing Yacht Vertigo - designed by Philippe Briand and launched by Alloy Yachts
The 67m (220ft) superyacht Vertigo, which was built by the New Zealand superyacht builder Alloy Yachts and launched in February this year. Sailing Yacht VERTIGO was designed by Philippe Briand with interior design from Christian Liaigre. Vertigo yacht is the first sailing yacht of her size to have an almost vertical bow which allows greater waterline length, making for a considerable improvement in speed both under sail and engine power. With modern hull lines, she was designed to be large but sensitive to sail.
The 60m (196.85ft) motor yacht Elandess is another superyacht gracing Auckland’s new superyacht marina development. The yacht has been on Auckland for around 2 weeks. M/Y Elandess was custom built in 2009 by Abeking & Rasmussen in Lemwerder (Germany). The yacht’s interior was designed by Bannenberg & Rowell Design with exterior styling by Donald Starkey.
Motor yacht Itasca - Photo Credit Queenseye
Last but not least of the 6 superyacht berths filled is by the classic yacht Itasca which was built in 1961 as a salvage tug and converted into a luxury superyacht measuring 54m in 1980. This expedition yacht has travelled the world and perhaps has one of the most impressive lists of cruising itineraries for a luxury motor yacht. From the Bering Strait to Cape Horn to the icy world of Antarctica, this fuel efficient boat can travel 13,000 nautical miles at 11 knots before having to re-fuel.
Not only are all 6 superyacht berths in Auckland’s Wynyard quarter filled, but 80 per cent of the 49 berths for 25m-50m boats in the Viaduct Harbour are also reportedly occupied. The remaining berths are expected to be filled in time for the World Cup final.
