The past 12 months have produced several notable yachting news stories from around the world, ranging from triumphant launches to tragic events. We round up the biggest news stories from 2017.
Rossinavi started the year with a bang by announcing the sale of its forthcoming 70 metre flagship yacht King Shark on January 12. Due to launch in 2020, she will feature naval architecture by Arrabito as well as interior and exterior styling by Team For Design Enrico Gobbi.
A strong contender for biggest news story of the year, the delivery of Sailing Yacht A was announced by Nobiskrug on February 3. This sail-assisted motor yacht was designed by Philippe Starck and has a total interior volume of 12,600GT. Her 142.81 metre length means she joins our definitive list of the largest superyachts in the world at number nine.
Serial owner John Staluppi’s forthcoming 69 metre yacht Spectre stole headlines on March 7 when the first in-build photos emerged from Italian yard Benetti. The exterior styling was developed by Giorgia Cassetta working in close collaboration with the yard’s in-house team, while Mulder Design contributed the naval architecture, continuing a 30-year relationship with Staluppi that dates back to the launch of Octopussy at Heesen Yachts in 1988.
Proof that size doesn’t always matter when it comes to yachting news, the announcement of the 24 metre motor yacht Rock was our most read story during April. This striking modern design from Dutch studio Vripack is currently under construction at Turkish yard Evadne Yachts with a planned 2018 launch date.
Sailing fans were treated to a glimpse at Wally’s new 44.2 metre project on May 11, when the first details of the Wally 145 were released. Currently under construction at Persico Marine and due to launch in 2019, this sloop-rigged sailing superyacht features naval architecture by German Frers, while the interior will be a three-way collaboration between Wally, Droulers Architects and Studio Sculli.
A highly personal project for an Australian client reached its climax on June 5 as the 73 metre Hasna was launched by Feadship. The Dutch yard explained that the owner made a speech to the entire workforce at the start of the build phase of this RWD-designed superyacht.
The spectacular 110 metre Jubilee stole the show in July when the first pictures of her sea trials emerged. This Igor Lobanov design broke three size records this year as the largest Oceanco launch, the largest Dutch superyacht to date and the largest vessel displayed at the Monaco Yacht Show.
The highly secretive Lürssen superyacht Al Lusail left Bremerhaven on August 18 for handover, setting lenses twitching all across Northern Europe. British studio H2 Yacht Design created her distinctive curved exterior, while March & White made its debut in the superyacht world by designing the interiors.
Hurricane Irma brought widespread destruction to the Caribbean in early September, causing more than 100 fatalities and sinking multiple yachts. In the months since, the yachting community has come together to support welfare and rebuilding efforts in the region, but the impact of this historic storm will be felt for many months to come.
More than a year after her launch, the 106.8 metre sailing yacht Black Pearl gave up a few of her secrets in a highly detailed eight-minute video that was released in early October. The footage shows her Dyna-Rig masts being fitted and then put to the test on her extensive sea trials. After five years in development, the list of names who have contributed to this monumental project reads like a veritable who’s who of large yacht development: Oceanco, Dykstra Naval Architects, Ken Freivokh, Nuvolari Lenard, Moran Yacht & Ship, BMT Nigel Gee and Gerard P. Villate.