Podcasts

BOAT Briefing: the boats racing in St Barths, Ace's interior and why Corinthian is king

In this week's episode of BOAT Briefing, Stewart and Caroline look back on a wonderful few days in Bermuda for the judging of the World Superyacht Awards, and look forward to two very exciting events in March - Between the Bays and the St Barths Bucket. Caroline goes for a little ship, Lacroma, for her brokerage pick, while Stewart plumps for Pink Gin. In the news this week is Holterman's new X-Treme 78 Sport model, The Italian Sea Group's latest sale and more details on the Four Seasons Yacht in build at Fincantieri. The data story this week takes a deep dive into Tim Heywood's back catalogue, and we also welcome a new sponsor to the podcast – KVH, a global leader in connectivity.

BOAT Briefing: Giorgio Armani goes yachting, Koru's mystery chair and judging of the World Superyacht Awards

In this week’s podcast Stewart and Sophia are back in the office an reminisce on “the best ever” Superyacht Design Festival. They also discuss Sophia’s star-studded evening at TISG for the unveiling of Admiral’s 72-metre collaboration with Giorgio Armani, a mysterious chair on the bowsprit of Koru, and industry leaders’ predictions for the brokerage market in 2023. Stewart also lifts the curtain on the judging process for the World Superyacht Awards, which will take place in Bermuda this weekend. In the news this week is the delivery of the second 60-metre Limited Edition by Amels, the launch of Baglietto’s superyacht custom yacht Francesca II and the sad news that Eleonora E is set to be scrapped following a collision last year. The data this week looks at the classic yacht fleet and which golden oldies are currently on the market.

BOAT Briefing: Miami Boat Show in focus while Lürssen giants hit the water

In this week's BOAT Briefing, Caroline and Cecile discuss their highlights from the Superyacht Design festival in Cortina, as well as the most exciting debuts – and useful statistics – at this year’s Miami Boat Show. In the news this week are two huge launches by Lürssen: 145m Luminance and 90m Project 1601. Finally, the team picks their favourite superyachts new to the brokerage market – see which yachts should be on your wish list.

The Big BOAT Interview: Ian Flanagan, CEO of Voly

In this week’s Big BOAT Interview, Sophia sits down with Ian Flanagan, the straight-talking co-founder of Voly, a yacht and multi-asset financial management solution. Having started his career as a professional tennis player Ian is far from a traditional fintech CEO. The pair discuss the path that led him to founding Voly, the challenge of breaking into the superyacht industry and the financial management challenges faced by captains. With Voly now also offering its services to the music industry Ian also shares the strategy behind the move and reveals his vision for the future of the Voly platform.

BOAT Briefing: a new green fuel, the Holy Grail for designers and the dominance of semi-custom production

In this week's BOAT Briefing, Caroline and Stewart discuss the benefits of designing across the yachting size range, investigate a trial of a new hydrotreated vegetable oil in 44m Sanlorenzo Lammouche and dig into the data around semi-custom superyacht building. In the news this week is Benetti's launch of project FB283, Damen's latest SeaXplorer and the "Burnham Titanic", which has been raised and is on its way to a full restoration. Meanwhile, we launch a new section of the podcast: top brokerage picks. See which yachts Caroline and Stewart singled out this week.

BOAT Briefing: Belize, the National Flagship and Sunseeker's big reveal

After London-based design studio Vitruvius Yachts was the first to reveal previously confidential renderings of its submission for the British National Flagship project, Stewart and Sophia look at details of the concept and discuss some of the other superyacht names that were in the running. Sophia also discusses her trip to the undiscovered cursing grounds of Belize and Stewart covers the latest news from boot Düsseldorf, including the grand reveal of the Sunseeker Superhawk 55. In the news is Rolls-Royce’s testing of a pure hydrogen-powered engine, the christening of the first Sanlorenzo 57Steel Alma, and the sale of the second Sunreef 43M Eco. The data this week looks at the explorer yacht market and the strength of the 24-40 metre sector.

BOAT Briefing: Starlink, boat collisions and the world's most adventurous yachts

In this week's episode of BOAT Briefing, Caroline and Stewart ring in BOAT International's 40th year by looking back at the first ever issue of the magazine published in 1983. They also go down a Starlink rabbit hole and discuss why so many superyachts are adopting the system, they analyse the report into the collision between Utopia IV and the tanker Tropic Breeze in 2021, and look into the recent spate of boat fires and ask: are portable batteries to blame? In the data section, we look at which superyachts travelled the furthest in 2022.

BOAT Briefing: the best value superyachts on the market

In the first podcast in 2023 Stewart reports back from a trip to Wrexham to see Silverlining, and Sophia looks ahead to a visit to Belize. The pair also discuss a busy start to the year for the brokerage market and make their predictions for what is in store for 2023. Stewart also highlights some of the best bargains available on the market using price per gross tonne calculation. In the news this week is Oceanco completing the rebuild of project 1050H, Abeking & Rasmussen’s new flagship, and 110m Radiant arriving for refit at Blohm+Voss. The story, meanwhile, focuses on Germany’s super-sized fleet ahead of boot Düsseldorf.

BOAT Briefing: the big review of 2022, and looking ahead to next year

In this week's podcast, the team wrap up what has been another extraordinary year, and also reveal the winner of this year's big brokerage guessing game. We look back on some of the key event highlights, and examine the stories that you most engaged with in 2022. The team also pick their dream destinations for a superyacht Christmas... 

BOAT Briefing: Design & Innovation Awards finalists announced!

In this week's episode of BOAT Briefing, Stewart is back from his travels in Australia and New Zealand and ready to go full goblin mode, while Sophia imagines cocooning at a private island in Indonesia. The pair discuss the finalists for our BOAT Design & Innovation Awards, which have just been announced, and preview some of the contents of the January issue – out this week – which includes the annual Global Order Book, the 60m Heesen Lusine, new ClubSwan 80 My Song and 43 metre Acala from Cantiere delle Marche. In the news is Project Icecap, which is undertaking sea trials now, 88 metre Maltese Falcon, which is at Lusben for a comprehensive refit, and 92.5 metre Royal Romance, which is set to be auctioned.

The Big BOAT Interview: Pamela and Jaime Ellerston, owners of the yacht Calliope and founders of the Blue Trident charitable Foundation

For today’s BIG BOAT Interview, BOAT US Editor Cecile Gauert spoke with Pamela and Jaime Ellerston, owners of the yacht Calliope and founders of the Blue Trident charitable Foundation.

Last summer around Cape Cod, they took on a group of scientists from the Beneath the Waves Conservation NGO, introduced by the International Seakeepers Society, for one of the very first studies conducted on a large and very little-known fish called mola mola, or ocean sunfish, in its environment. They joined us from their Alpaca farm in Vermont on Thanksgiving eve to talk about their experience with Calliope’s first scientific mission, and what they plan to do next. Find out what happened when they opened their boat to the scientists, helped look for the elusive mola mola, what they found out about the fish, and if there will be a next time.

BOAT Briefing: What’s the Environmental Transparency Index (YETI) and why does it matter?

While Stewart is in Auckland for the Superyacht Gathering and Sophia is recovering from a bug, Caroline and Cecile tackle this week’s news, including their own upcoming trips: Caroline’s quick expedition to Art Basel Miami Beach – the 20th edition and biggest yet – and Cecile’s jaunt to Gdansk to visit the Conrad Shipyard and tour their new yacht Ace. They chat about the yachting industry’s move to a more sustainable future with the Water Revolution’s first Yacht Environmental Transparency Index (YETI 1.0) and Feadship’s move towards a “fuel-agnostic” engine room. They move on to Below Deck Mediterranean star, Captain Sandy Yawn, and her upcoming book, “Be the calm or be the Storm: Leadership Lessons from a Woman at the Helm,” and one of the BOAT’s team own publishing success, Emma Bamford’s best seller Deep Water. And of course, they go over the week’s boat news, including the refit of 63.2m Athos and Perini Navi Isali II, Nobiskrug’s 70m Miza starting sea trials, the sad story of 23m classic Bougie going up in flames in New Orleans, the launch of a new landing craft concept by ROAM and Mondomarine Tribu’s arrival on the brokerage market, a special explorer originally built for Luciano Benetton. Finally, they preview the January issue, and its Top 101 yachts feature by looking at the largest superyacht in the world owned by Americans.

BOAT Briefing: Do the Dutch build the best superyachts?

In this week’s episode of BOAT Briefing, ahead of the start of METS, Charlotte and Sophia take an in-depth look at the current Dutch fleet. They also discuss the December issue, where the cover boat is the Amels 60 Come Together, as well as the launch of the 74m Amels Limited Editions 242. Away from Holland, they report on strong Q3 financial figures for both The Italian Sea Group and Sanlorenzo.

BOAT Briefing: The story behind the abandoned British royal flagship

In this week’s episode, Cecile and Charlotte share news of some major sales in the yachting world – from the iconic 92m Tatoosh, to explorer Victor Vescovo’s 68m Pressure Drop and the accompanying submersible Limiting Factor. They also discuss the UK’s recently scrapped 250m flagship yacht under new prime minister Rishi Sunak, and a growing trend for boats with radically different layouts.
In the headlines there’s a new partnership between Perini Navi and Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design, starting with a 56m ketch; a first look at Permare’s 35.54m Neva; and details of Giorgio Cassetta’s new 35m for Ocean Alexander, a vessel designed to be as reliable as it is stylish. The data story, meanwhile, focuses on this year’s new explorer yachts - including which nations are buying them – while shining a spotlight on a few of the most remarkable ones to check out.

BOAT Briefing: The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show debrief

In this week's episode of BOAT Briefing Stewart and Sophia share their thoughts and insights from FLIBS 2022, including the superyachts that caught their eye, the strength of the American market and joy of crab Scoobies. They also pay their respects to two stalwarts of the superyacht world, Henk Wiekens and Peter de Savary, who have sadly passed away in the past couple of weeks. In the news we cover Heesen’s new 50m Steel series, the acquisition of Cantiere delle Marche and the delivery of 85.3 metre Project Globalfast.

BOAT Briefing: must-see superyachts at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

In this week's episode of BOAT Briefing, the team discusses the most exciting boats at America’s most important superyacht show, including Sanlorenzo’s hydrojet-powered SP110 and Heesen’s sinuous 50m Project Aura. We preview the upcoming Explorer Yacht Summit in Monaco, including headline speaker and marine adventurer Victor Vescovo, while news covers a brand new 50m Tankoa and a devastating fire in Australia. Our dive into the data looks at the numbers behind the major yacht shows at Cannes, Monaco and Fort Lauderdale, highlighting differences between the kinds of boats we find at each event.

BOAT Briefing: hot charter yachts and brokerage bargains

In this week's episode of BOAT Briefing, the team discuss Kismet's visit to London and all the other superyachts hovering in British waters, including Northland, Slipstream – and even the research vessel Petrel, which discovered the USS Indianapolis, discussion of which leads to a terrible impression of the character Quint from Steven Spielberg classic Jaws. We talk Below Deck and the boat featuring in Season 10 of the show, and look at the most expensive charter yachts available in the Caribbean this season and the biggest bargains on the brokerage market. Sophia, meanwhile, looks ahead to her first ever Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and some of the boats she's most excited about seeing.

BOAT Briefing: a closer look at the support boat market

In this week's podcast, Stewart and Sophia reflect on the Monaco Yacht Show and pick out some news stories from the event you might have missed. The brokerage market goes under the microscope as it's revealed that this year trails 2021 by 30% in sales. Sophia highlights a few new boats joining the brokerage fleet, and discusses the findings of a recent survey, which shows just how long people tend to stay in the superyacht industry. Our data story, meanwhile, concerns support vessels: how many are there, who owns them, and what projects you should be looking out for.

BOAT Briefing: The greatest hits from the Monaco Yacht Show 2022

In this week's BOAT Briefing, Charlotte and Caroline take a detailed look at the most spectacular yachts to appear at this year's Monaco Yacht Show, as well as the most exciting stories to emerge from this major superyachting event. In this week’s news, we cover Feadship’s 85m concept Slice, with its bow-to-stern “slice” of glazing; Sunseeker’s volume-packed tri-deck Ocean 460; and Benetti’s 85m custom Project Oro and its 400-square-metre sundeck. In our data story we look at brokerage sales of yachts over 70m.

The Big BOAT Interview: exclusive interview with Carl Allen, superyacht owner and treasure hunter

In this week’s BOAT Briefing, we sit down with superyacht owner Carl Allen, who has discovered one of the richest treasure ships in history, which sunk in stormy weather in the 17th century. Carl discusses his obsession with finding the motherlode, the establishment of a brand new museum in the Bahamas to house it all and his continuing rehabilitation of sportfishing mecca Walker’s Cay.

BOAT Briefing: which boats will steal the show in Monaco this year?

In this week's BOAT Briefing, Stewart and Sophia look ahead to one of the busiest periods of the year for the superyacht industry, and discuss the standout yachts appearing at this year's Monaco Yacht Show. The pair reflect on the impact the 86 metre Nabila (now Kingdon 5KR) had on the superyacht industry, setting whole careers in motion. In the news this week is Lurssen's launch of the massive 146 metre Project Opera, a new 83 metre contract for German shipyard Nobiskrug and the launch by Turquoise of the 53 metre superyacht Jewels. In our data story we look at the numbers behind Monaco – and dig through some of the 5,339 metres of yacht that will be in the show.

BOAT Briefing: Highlights from the Cannes Yachting Festival

In this week’s episode Sophia has returned from a last minute trip to Cannes Yachting Festival and discusses with Charlotte highlights from the show, including a look around recently launched Arcadia Mabelle. The pair also discuss the strong financial numbers being posted by shipyards including Ferretti, Sanlorenzo, Sunseeker and Nautor Swan, while Charlotte reveals the top tips if you are looking to complete a refit in record time.

In the news this week is The Italian Sea Group’s new 50 metre concept called Panorama, the launch of 85.3 metre SilverYachts Globalfast and Numarine’s hybrid electric 30XP. The delivery of yachts over 60m so far this year, in comparison with previous years.

The Big BOAT Interview: Stephen Roberts, owner of the 34.6m Tansu explorer yacht, Only Now

In this week's episode of The Big Boat Interview, Charlotte catches up with Stephen Roberts, owner of the 34.6m Tansu explorer yacht, Only Now. Stephen bought his yacht in the middle of the pandemic, and has managed to do a quick refit on her, as well as a substantial amount of travel. He shares why he thinks yachting is the perfect family holiday, outlines the unusual destinations on his bucket list, and explains why he works better onboard than anywhere else in the world.

BOAT Briefing: the top yachts to see at the Cannes Yachting Festival

In this week’s podcast Stewart and Sophia are back from their respective holidays and look at the fleet that is lining up for this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival.  Stewart also discusses his recent chat with Formula One's Fernando Alonso, who has commissioned a custom 60 Sunreef Power Eco catamaran. Meanwhile, Sophia reports back from a flying visit to Monaco to see the recently delivered 44 metre Sanlorenzo AIX, which will soon be heading to Australia where she will be available for charter. In the news they discuss Extra Yachts new line of catamarans, Heesen’s Project Jade  and the latest as the auction of 72.5 metre Axioma closes with 63 bids.

BOAT Briefing: Feadship launches 118m Project 1010

In this week’s episode, Charlotte and Cecile shine a spotlight on upcoming yachting events – from the America’s Cup in Barcelona in 2024, to The Bahamas Charter Yacht Show in Nassau in February 2023, as well as the Superyacht Challenge in Antigua in March and the St. Barths Bucket Regatta, plus a brand new fixture that month inbetween Anguilla and Saint Martin: Belmond’s Between the Bays.

The news covers the sinking of motor yacht My Saga; the launch of Feadship’s new 118m Project 1010; the sea trials of Oceanco’s 109 metre superyacht Y720; and the auction of the 72.5 metre sanctioned superyacht Axioma. The data meanwhile focuses on the most popular yachting destinations in the West Mediterranean this year.

BOAT Briefing: What you’ll find onboard Tony Parker’s yacht Infinity Nine at Cannes this year

In this week’s BOAT Briefing, Charlotte and Cecile give a rundown of the yachts in our October issue - from 75m cover star Kenshō, to the 62m Rio, which will be at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show. In the news, there’s talk of two thrilling new launches: one, a 35m boat called Infinity Nine from Turkish shipyard AvA Yachts, which belongs to NBA star Tony Parker; the other, an impressive 88m known as Project X from Greek yard Golden Yachts. Plus, some sombre news about the newly launched 45m ISA yacht Aria SF, which has suffered after a devastating fire off the coast of Formentera in Spain. The data story keeps with the theme of impressive and big boats, honing in on which nationalities own the most yachts in the 60m+ size category.

The Big BOAT Interview: with Jonny Horsfield, owner of H2 Yacht Design

This week, Sophia sits down at BOAT HQ with Jonny Horsfield, the owner and design director of London-based H2 Yacht Design. Jonny shares the story of how he founded the company when was in his late twenties in 1994, and the design journey it has been on since – with a diverse portfolio ranging from Al Lusail to Ulysses (now Andromeda). He also discusses H2’s Turkish connection, why he is excited about Rev Ocean, and how client expectations have changed over the past two decades. Finally, he explains why he still believes in the art of drawing and reveals which yacht he spots most often on Instagram.

Which superyachts have travelled furthest this year?

With a staggering nine million nautical miles completed by the superyacht fleet so far this year Stewart and Sophia reveal the five yachts that have travelled the furthest. They also discuss the recent spate of superyacht disasters, the latest on 127m Oceanco Y721 and why a story about a gold-lined yacht infuriates Stewart. In the news this week is the keel laying of the Amels 80 and the delivery of the first ClubSwan80 and the 52 metre CRN Ciao.

The Big BOAT Interview: Alfie Best

In this week’s episode, Charlotte catches up with the owner of 27.5m 90 Ocean Sunseeker Wyldecrest. Best is number 232 on the Times Rich List and calls himself Britain’s wealthiest Romany gypsy. In this exclusive interview, he shares details of tough times in business, the secret behind his recent success, and his plans to launch a small fleet of great value charter yachts, ahead of a predicted recession …

BOAT Briefing: Legendary charter yacht Axioma on the auction block

In this week's episode of BOAT Briefing, we discuss the upcoming no-reserve auction of 72.5 metre Axioma, and look at some other large superyachts which have gone under the hammer, as well as some brokerage bargains. The team pays tribute to Dick Mulder, managing director of Mulder Shipyard, who has sadly passed away this week. In the news is Wally's new line of lightweight carbon-fibre cruiser-racers and the launch of the first 36 metre SpaceCat from SilverYachts. Speaking of catamarans, Sophia drills down into the Global Order Book to examine just how healthy the multihull market really is.

The Big BOAT Interview: The Turner Twins

This week Charlotte caught up with adventurers Ross and Hugo as they sat on their yacht in A Coruña in Northern Spain. They've been on a 100% emission-free sailing expedition to the Atlantic Pole of Inaccessibility (POI) - the geographic location furthest from any coast – and share an update of how their adventure is going and how the tech onboard is holding up, as well as their top tips for planning any exploration...

BOAT Briefing: The New Yorker zeroes in on superyachts

In this week’s episode, Stewart and Charlotte discuss a recent New Yorker article that’s doing the rounds, and take a look at some standout onboard pools, as well as sharing details of what’s in this year’s Superyachts book.

There’s news of a new 80m custom yacht from ISA and designer Espen Øino; a highly secretive 103m Feadship superyacht project, known only as Feadship 1011, which has just had its technical launch; and exciting changes to regulations for charter yachts cruising in Fiji. The data story, meanwhile, takes a look at semi-custom boats under 40m, made with either a steel or aluminum hull – plus some great new launches that are leading the trend.

The Big BOAT Interview: Bob Giles, owner of VivieRae

While building a very successful car dealership business in Louisiana, Bob Giles never lost his innate sense of adventure. After a lifetime of boating, in 2018, he took delivery of the 30 metre Nordhavn 96 VivieRae and logged 20,000 miles in just 10 months. There was never a lull in the action but earlier this year, VivieRae (which has its own Instagram account) started a circumnavigation. We chat about (too) curious sharks, spawning groupers, his favourite destinations – Vanuatu, the Tuamotus and Indonesia being high on the list – mastering the flite board and much more.

BOAT Briefing: Which superyachts will make their show debuts this autumn?

In this week’s podcast Sophia is joined by BOAT US Editor Cecile, who is fresh from a holiday in Switzerland. With yacht show season fast approaching the pair discuss which yachts they are most excited about hopefully seeing, including 75 metre Kensho, 62 metre CRN Rio and the new Sunreef 80 Eco. They also briefly discuss Sophia’s first hybrid experience on Benetti Goga and the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.  In the news is the launch of Project Witchcraft,  Gallant Lady’s refit and an exciting update from Turkish yard Sarp. The data story this week looks at the brokerage numbers from Q2, with an impressive 138 yachts sold.

The Big BOAT Interview: Chris Cecil-Wright

After breaking his back in a paragliding accident in the army, Chris Cecil-Wright turned to the water and the world of brokerage. He began his career at Camper & Nicholsons, working for his mentor, Nick Edmiston, before joining Nick at his new company Edmiston & Company. Chris struck out on his own 10 years ago and founded the eponymous brokerage company. In this conversation, Chris looks back on his career, discusses why superyacht owners are getting younger, and what impact Russia's invasion of Ukraine will have on the superyacht market.

BOAT Briefing: Benetti goes B.Yond with its new 37 metre

In this week's episode of BOAT Briefing, we discuss everything from yacht furniture you can grow on the sea floor to the exciting new 37 metre B.Yond project from Benetti. Stewart, meanwhile, reports back from trips to Germany and Italy and Charlotte looks ahead to our Life Under Sail supplement and the amazing yachts featured within. In the news is Lurssen's delivery of 160m Blue, the latest on The Italian Sea Group's new flagship, Kensho, and we discuss the aesthetic merits of the massive 88.15m multihull Asean Lady. Our data story concerns Riva, and we take a closer look at the brand's amazing Aquarama, arguably the most beautiful boat ever built.

The Big BOAT Interview: Steve Sidwell

In this week's Big Boat Interview, Charlotte caught up with Steve Sidwell, owner of the 34m Westport Ascente. A particularly well-travelled owner, Steve shares some of his many adventures along the Pacific coast. He’s also owned over 20 yachts of various shapes and sizes over his lifetime, so he was able to spill a few top tips for buyers, as well as disclose details about an exciting new yacht that he’s working on right now.

BOAT Briefing: Which boats won at the Design & Innovation Awards?

In this week’s episode Charlotte and Sophia are back in the recording studio following a busy couple of weeks at the Superyacht Design Festival in Milan and the Ultra High Network Insight Summit in Monaco.  As well as talking over the Design & Innovation Awards winners and their festival highlights, Charlotte also reveals some of the insights on owners’ expectations that she picked up from the conference in Monaco. They also discuss the sinking of a yacht off the Turkish coast, Joe Biden’s comments on the yachting industry and the return of Below Deck Mediterranean on board a well-known Hessen. In the news this week Heesen’s Book Ends has been spotted on sea trials and 70 metre Nobiskrug Project 795 has been seen for the first time since October 2020. Plus the uplifting story of a classic yacht that has been saved from her pending demolition.  The data story is focused on the changing demands from younger superyacht owners.

The Big BOAT Interview: with novelist Emma Bamford

In this week's Big BOAT Interview, we sit down with novelist Emma Bamford ahead of the release of debut thriller Deep Water. BOAT’s former production editor Emma has harnessed all of her sailing experience for this dark tale, which is based around a honeymoon couple that sail to the paradise island of Amarante. Emma talks about how her global travels – including a dramatic decision in her thirties to quit her job in journalism to fly to Borneo to work on yacht with a man she had never met before and his cat – influenced the storyline and why yachties are always drawn to adventure.

The Big BOAT Interview: Sailing legend Sir Ben Ainslie

In this week's Big BOAT Interview, we sit down with the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie. We discuss the launch of his original America's Cup campaign in 2014, his feelings about the next Cup in Barcelona, and whether the upstart SailGP league is a threat to the oldest sporting competition in the world. Ben also talks about how he manages that tricky work-life balance, and tells his side of the "rescue" story, when he was supposedly saved by Sir Richard Branson when his yacht went a bit wrong in the BVIs...

BOAT Briefing: Why Italy is the centre of the superyachting world

On this week’s podcast Stewart is fresh from a dual trip to Italy taking in the Italian superyacht boom and hanging out with David Beckham at Riva's 180th birthday celebrations. Meanwhile, Sophia reports back from a whirlwind trip to Bermuda, the pair discuss BOAT’s exclusive auction of NFTs in aid of ocean conservation and they look ahead to next week’s Superyacht Design Festival in Milan. In the news this week is the sad sinking of Eleonora E in Spain, the start of construction on the Amer 70 Steel and Monaco Yacht Show’s plans for a showground redesign. In our data story we look at the classic yacht fleet.

The Big BOAT Interview: Rory and Elizabeth Brooks, the owners of the 32m, 1972 Feadship Heavenly Daze, and 15.5m 1956 Hera

In this week’s Big Boat Interview, Charlotte catches up with Rory and Elizabeth Brooks, the owners of the 32 metre, 1972 Feadship Heavenly Daze, and 15.5 metre 1956 Hera. The couple discuss the best way of keeping a classic yacht in tip top shape, their bookings for the upcoming charter season, proposed environmental targets for existing, rather than new, yachts, and the rookie mistakes they made in their early days - as well as why having a beautiful boat in the Mediterranean is the ultimate trump card, when it comes to luring teenagers out for family holidays…

The Big BOAT Interview: Carlee Jackson

When four young women of colour who worked in shark science met online, they had no idea where their casual conversation would lead. Two years later and their charity, Minorities in Shark Science (MISS), has gathered over 400 members worldwide, as well as a 2022 Ocean Award.

Carlee Jackson, MISS’s Director of Communications, talks to BOAT International about their journey so far, and why she hopes that MISS will ensure that young gender minorities of colour who are interested in science will never feel as isolated as she once did.

The Big BOAT Interview: Dr Sylvia Earle

In this week’s special edition of the Big BOAT Interview, as part of Ocean Talks, Sophia sits down with legendary marine biologist and ocean advocate Dr Sylvia Earle. Referred to as “Her Deepness” Dr Earle has spent more than 7,000 hours underwater and has been at forefront of campaigning to protect the world’s oceans. She talks about the changes she has witnessed during her career that has spanned more than six decades and how she believes the yachting community can be leaders in ocean conservation.

BOAT Briefing: 100th episode spectacular!

It's our 100th episode! In the same week the Queen celebrates 70 years on the British throne, we release our 100th BOAT Briefing. We look back on some of our most popular podcasts to date, discuss the yachts racing in the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, and various other anniversaries, including Riva's 180th birthday and Nuvolari Lenard's 30th. Inflation, meanwhile, is affecting shipyards' bottom lines and we look at how various yards are responding. In the news this week is Oceanco's new flagship, the enormous 117m Infinity, Sanlorenzo's foray into jet-powered yachts and new rules that make it easier for foreign-flagged boats to cruise and charter in the South Pacific.

BOAT Briefing: Which boats won at this year's World Superyacht Awards?

In this week's episode of BOAT Briefing, we talk through the winners of the World Superyacht Awards, which were held last weekend in London, kicking off at Westminster Abbey and concluding at the Guildhall. Find out which boats won – and why. In the news this week is Heesen's change in ownership, the listing of Eddie Jordan's beloved sailing yacht Blush and the launch by CRN of their latest 52 metre, Ciao. In our data story, we look at the yards that have won the most World Superyacht Awards.

The Big BOAT Interview: Dean Pilatti

In this week's Big BOAT Interview, Charlotte sits down with Dean Pilatti, captain onboard the 60.9m yacht Arience. Dean shares the story of how he got the job running Arience, and how the crew’s social media campaign has made it one of the most booked-up charter yachts this season. He also gave his steer on which destinations to head to, and which to avoid (spoiler alert: he can’t stand Capri), as well as how to create a comfortable, family atmosphere onboard that puts everyone at ease.

BOAT Briefing: Why green graphene will change the future of superyachts

On this week’s podcast Stewart reports back from a whirlwind visit to British climate technology company Levidian Nanosystems, which recently announced a new partnership with Edmiston. The team also discuss the sad demolition of former Atlantic record holder Gentry Eagle and debate the benefits of a trimaran design. They also look at the Q1 charter numbers and why there is  unprecedented demand for charters this summer. In news the team discuss Wider and Nauta Design’s Moonflower 72 and Azimut Benetti Group’s record-breaking order book. The data story focused on the five biggest sales by LOA so far this year.

The Big BOAT Interview: Rob Doyle and Pieter Van Geest

A trimaran nearly as wide as it is long with virtually unlimited range, as long as there is wind, water and sun. Designer Pieter Van Geest and naval architect Rob Doyle conceived of Domus as a flexible platform, ideally suited for a circumnavigation (it is “Panamax ready” both in terms of its width and height), or a party platform. Despite its radical looks, this trimaran would be easier and less expensive to build than a comparable catamaran, the design team says. All systems are concentrated in the central hull, and it could be built in sections. Rob and Pieter who both have a particular affinity to sailing have worked with Ron Holland in years past and now both head their own studios, in Ireland and The Netherlands respectively. The pendulum is swinging back to sailing, they say, and one of the challenges is the lack of build slots. But with everyone looking for space, a trimaran is a plausible and attractive solution, which offers plenty of space to stretch out and incorporate solar panels, batteries, and fuel cells.

BOAT Briefing: Who are the biggest builders in China?

In this week’s episode, the team discuss the recent Owners’ Club event in Miami, and plans for the upcoming Superyacht Design Festival at the end of June. There’s also talk of David Bowie’s yacht, El Caran, which is currently up for sale; an update to the charter licensing fees in Turkey, which should lure more boats to the area; and analysis of this year’s Q1 brokerage sales. In the news, they discuss the 45m Benetti yacht Domani , which recently took on water off the coast of Grays Harbor in Washington; a glimpse of an exciting new 100m+ yacht emerging from the Lürssen sheds, rumoured to be named Project Alibaba; and an innovative new 88m eco-focused concept from Vripack, called Utopia at Sea. The data story focuses on the number of superyacht builders and projects currently in the sheds in China.