From triumphant launches to yachts going under the hammer, BOAT looks back on the most-read yachting news stories of November 2022. Here's what you might have missed...
1. Plans for £250M national flagship scrapped by British Government
In mid-November the British Government axed plans to build a national flagship yacht with an estimated price tag of £250 million. Initial plans for the project were introduced under Prime Minister Boris Johnson's leadership, and was intended for use as a venue for diplomatic events and trade fairs. Critics called the idea a "vanity project" and defence secretary Ben Wallace eventually told MPs that the national flagship was suspended.
Read More/Plans for £250M national flagship scrapped by British Government2. Magnolia Yachts delivers first 24m trawler-inspired superyacht
Following its successful launch ceremony earlier this year, Turkish yard Magnolia Yachts offered a first look on board its newly delivered 24 metre pocket superyacht known as Magnolia One. Built in laminated mahogany, the yacht has a neo-classic style with a deep emerald green hull and warm wood contrasts. The interior has the same classic themes, with a crisp navy and cream colour palette which is complemented by natural light throughout.
Read More/Magnolia Yachts delivers first 24m trawler-inspired superyacht3. 33m Lusail Queen strikes reef in Qatar
A 32.7 metre Gulf Craft Majesty 105 model named Lusail Queen ran aground after striking a shallow reef in Doha, Qatar. A local source told BOAT International that the yacht had recently been sold and the yacht and its crew were not accustomed to cruising in Qatar. "Without knowledge of its waters, such incidents unfortunately happen and has happened a lot before," they said.
Read More/33m Lusail Queen strikes reef in Qatar4. NBA star's Kando 110 superyacht Infinity Nine delivered
Turkish shipyard AvA Yachts delivered its 35 metre Infinity Nine to NBA star Tony Parker. The yard has offered a first glimpse inside the superyacht, which uses a mix of natural woods, animal-print patterns and discreet lighting to create an elegant onboard atmosphere. Chairman and founder of AvA Yachts, Atilla Küçükdiker, said the delivery marked a proud and happy day. "We describe our Kando series yachts as contemporary explorers and Infinity Nine really is a superb demonstration of both contemporary style, inside and out," he said.
Read More/NBA star's Kando 110 superyacht Infinity Nine delivered5. World's largest sailing catamaran returns to Pendennis for refit work
Earlier this month, the 44.2 metre sailing catamaran Hemisphere arrived back at her home shipyard for winter maintenance work. As well as general maintenance and upgrades, the catamaran will undergo a complete painting programme and large-scale engineering works, including the replacement of her generators and servicing of the drive trains. The yacht was delivered from Pendennis in 2011 and has since travelled to 57 countries and completed two global circumnavigations.
Read More/World's largest sailing catamaran returns to Pendennis for refit work6. Half-finished 50m superyacht sells at auction
The half-completed 49.9 metre hull of a 2007 Trinity 168’ model went under the hammer after the auction was revealed in October. The hull, which was lying in Mississippi, not far from where Trinity Yachts began construction on the yacht fifteen years ago, fetched three bids at auction but the final price was not disclosed. Bidding on the yacht began at $1,500,000 and the reserve price was set at $2,500,000.
Read More/Half-finished 50m superyacht sells at auction7. Bilgin's 80m red-hulled Leona hits the water
Described by Bilgin Yacht as a "scarlet bullet", the Turkish shipyard has sent the second hull in its 80 metre Bilgin 263 series into the water at the yard's outfitting facilities in Istanbul. Named Leona, the yacht features a striking scarlet hull courtesy of Antalya-based Unique Yacht Design. Interiors come from H2 Yacht Design and the project marks the ninth collaboration between the shipyard and the British design studio.
Read More/Bilgin's 80m red-hulled Leona hits the water8. A look on board the first Amels 60 superyacht Come Together
Amels' 60 metre Come Together marks the first Amels 60, and follows in a long and successful line of Limited Editions superyachts. This time though, the Dutch yard chose to take their recipe for success and shake things up. Espen Øino was tasked with creating the yacht's exteriors, and he called the balance between customer-focused features and wow-factor design choices a "fine line". “You can’t go too crazy because you are trying to hit the maximum percentage of people who would like it but, at the same time, it needs to look a bit different," he said.
Read More/A look on board the first Amels 60 superyacht Come Together9. 23m classic yacht Bougie goes up in flames in New Orleans
A 23.4 metre classic yacht named Bougie was destroyed in a shipyard fire in New Orleans, USA. She is one of five yachts that caught fire in a devastating blaze at SeaBrook Harbor, which is understood to have originated in an office building. Under new ownership, the 1929-built Bougie arrived at SeaBrook Harbor in late October to enter the next stage of a full-scale restoration.
Read More/23m classic yacht Bougie goes up in flames in New Orleans10. 146m Lürssen superyacht Opera spotted on sea trials
The 146 metre Lürssen superyacht Opera has been spotted heading out on sea trials in the North Sea after leaving the shipyard in Bremen where she was launched in September. Terence Disdale is responsible for both the exterior and interior on board, and the design team had over 10,000GT and a beam of 20 metres to maximise space onboard. Pictures indicate a pair of helipads on the foredeck and upper deck aft and two swimming pools on the sun deck and main deck, the latter of which has a rise-and-fall floor.
Read More/146m Lürssen superyacht Opera spotted on sea trials