Monaco Yacht Show saw fresh optimism in the market, with deals being worked out at the 500 exhibitor stands and aboard the 103 yachts in the harbor – and 120 anchored off. Innovation and sustainability were a recurring theme
A kick-off breakfast briefing by Hein Velema of Fraser Yachts gave a frank overview of the 2012 market: »Sales[ds_preview] are disappointing in total value with only three yachts over 10 mill. € sold in July and August,« he said. Newbuilds appear to be picking up though where buyers can spread their payments over the coming years and have them ready for the end of the financial crisis – a note of optimism! Monaco Yacht Show (MYS) provides a good environment for potential owners to meet designers and builders face-to-face, chemistry being a vital ingredient.
MCM (Marine Construction Management), who have managed over 70 newbuilds in the past 24 years with the »Q5« catamaran their most recent launch, has five projects building worldwide. Founding partner Peter Wilson commented: »MCM had meetings not only with vendors, designers and industry insiders, but also very in-depth and interesting deliberations with prospective clients as well as current and past clients. Being well represented in Monaco with four members of our squad in attendance, plus a booth, again proved to be a most worthwhile undertaking.«
Henk de Vries, CEO of builders Feadship, said: »The 2012 show was a success for us, much better than last year. The 2011 show was itself the best there had been since the start of the crisis. The crisis is still with us, but serious people are keeping busy. We have to be fit and ready for the fierce competition but that’s okay. If you sit complacently on your laurels, you’re out of the race.« Competition is leading to ever-better designs and radical rethinks of what clients may be tempted to buy. Of boats already launched, Philippe Briand’s 67.2 m ketch »Vertigo« won the 2012 MYS Design Award, presented by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, with an interior by Christian Liagre. The trophy was made by Baccarat, one of a number of equipment suppliers represented at MYS. Kevin Glancy and Jonathan Fawcett are the most established names for crystal and fine linens, having supplied hundreds of yachts since first exhibiting in Monaco – the only yacht show they exhibit at, like many others in the industry.
Design innovation is evident all around, from designers touting renderings of new concepts, such as Michael Leach Design’s 100 m bronze-coloured, organic-shaped motoryacht and Claydon Reeves’ 46 m »Exo« sloop to established rule-breakers Wally with its 50 m »Better Place«. Blohm + Voss, builders of the world’s largest superyachts, including »Eclipse«, used MYS to unveil its new web site. The smallest boat in the show, not classed as a tender, was the Infinity Yachts prototype with hydrofoil coming out of the side of its hull. Sailing her after MYS at Les Voiles de Saint Tropez, she feels like a breakthrough, offering dynamic stability and, scaled up, allowing superyachts to perform better with lower drafts and less pitching. The system could even be deployed at anchor to reduce roll by damping.
Wally’s »Better Place« won a RINA Green Star award – a first for a sailing boat – although she is covered in teak. A blue-water performance sloop she is the world’s largest carbon-fibre sloop, and displaces just 250 t. High topsides are finished in Bugatti blue. Lines are by Bill Tripp and interior by Wetzels Brown Partners. Wally Founder, President and Head of R&D, Luca Bassani, said: »›Better Place‹ introduces innovative concepts to round-the-world megayacht cruisers, such as big volumes associated with ultra-light displacement, latest diesel-electric propulsion system, staysail simplified system, deckhouse with full-height windows, uniquely large open-air living areas, raised bulwark, aft owner’s suite with portholes and hatches on four sides and direct access to the terrace-on-the-sea.« An 86 m2 deckhouse with full-height windows, all around, really emphasizes the Monegasque company’s inside-outside living philosophy. It’s like a covered cockpit. The 100 m2 sundeck is served by a food lift and its dining table converts to a huge sunbed.
The bold profile, without worrying about flush or streamlined superstructures, reminded the visitors of a different class of motorsailer that did not make it into MYS and instead enticed them to come to Porto Montenegro after the show – the 41 m »Queen of Andaman« for life in the slow lane. The extreme opposite is the Oeino-designed »Smeralda«, offered by Burgess, whose owner was inaugurated as the Yacht Club de Monaco’s Belle Classe Ambassador during the show on her foredeck helipad. With a 4,500 NM range at 18 kn, this 77 m yacht is as sleek as possible and has a top speed of 25 kn. Billed as »the most advanced eco fuel-efficient vessel in the ground-breaking Silver Series«, she demonstrates a trend towards environmentally-friendly superyacht construction without losing elegance.
Wood Forever Pact, a branch of Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, was busy persuading superyacht builders to commit to an environmentally and socially responsible approach to sourcing wood. Together with technical partner The Forest Trust – both non-profit organizations – they track wood supplies back to source to make sure the timber has been logged sustainably.
Today’s owners of super yachts are more conscious of their eco image than ever and the modest sum involved to help prevent illegal logging and to improve sustainability – as well as a new EU Timber Regulation coming into effect in March 2013 – gives builders good incentive to sign up. Viareggio Superyachts (VSY) is the latest exhibitor to have Prince Albert II sign a plaque during the show and is pushing its total eco-yacht values throughout its activities. Flying the Wood Forever Pact flag from its newest creation, the 72 m »Stella Maris«, is just the beginning (see also p. 50).
MYS exhibitor Silverlining Furniture, responsible for much of the finest pieces aboard contemporary superyachts, is one of a number of associated companies seriously contemplating becoming a Wood Forever Pact partner, even though they already use FSC and CITES approved timbers. They specify some rare woods in small quantities, including antique timber, but also work with finishes of certified fast-grown temperate hardwoods, changing the look of the grain through oxidation and colour technology.
The third company present in Monte Carlo with »silver« in its brand is Silver Arrows Marine, based in: Porto Montenegro. They unveiled a 14 m design concept, the first to be delivered in 2014, billed as the »Granturismo« of the seas. They brought in Mercedes-Benz style designers. Royal College of Art trained Professor Gorden Wagener, Head of Mercedes-Benz Design, said: »Giving shape to a boat was an exciting challenge for automotive designers like we are. Our task was to explore how to apply the Mercedes-Benz design language to the particular proportions and specific requirements of the boat. We wanted to create something special and what we have come up with is indeed unique. The ›Silver Arrow of the Seas‹ embodies pure emotion and stands for luxury, style and pleasure.« Ideas being worked on include »morphing« windows that extend upwards like a bird’s wings. Technical new materials and innovative control systems – many inspired by the automotive sector – will be used to keep weight down and ensure the highest standards of quality and reliability.
Now, if Mercedes-Benz could be persuaded to actually build it too – more than 125 years after Gottlieb Daimler built the first motorized boat and cruised up the river Neckar – and put a global dealership warranty, with its badge on the bow, then many superyacht owners would look to buy one.
