The latest models, nautical events and spearhead technology… Yachting surfs along on a wave of innovation. With the Côte d'Azur sharing the helm.
The Grenadine Islands go by the names of Bequia, Moustique, Mayreau or even Tobago Cays (a group of four main islands). “Iles du Monde” offers you a brand new sailing cruise in the Caribbean to discover these enchanting destinations. You can choose between a “cabin” formula on a large catamaran or a private boat formula aboard a monohull or catamaran. A stop-over on the volcanic Sainte-Lucie is on the programme. In addition to lots of excursions, the choice of activities will, of course, focus on the nautical sector : snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, wake boards… Departing from Paris, treat yourself to eight nights with full board from 1,680 € per person to explore these true corners of paradise. www.ilesdumonde.com
Its delivery is scheduled for late 2012, but it's already attracting a lot of attention. The Alumarine shipyard has called on the agency Stirling Design International to develop what will be the big brother of the “Trawler 58’”, launched in 2010. Designed by Thibaut Tincelin (naval architect) and Joël Bretecher (design), this new model of almost 20 m will house a master cabin, 4 more for guests and one for the crew. Expect close attention to be lavished on its equipment, performance and design. Its top speed will be 22 knots. www.stirlingdesign.fr
Book your cabin (8 doubles in all, with toilets and showers) on the “Nautitech 82”, one of the world’s largest catamarans, for a cruise in the Andaman Sea. A skipper, sailor and steward-cook will be on hand, taking care of everything you need. Departing from Paris, you will spend 10 days (8 nights) on board, admiring the sumptuous scenery of the Thai islands (Kai Nok, Mai Phai, Dam, Hong East). Sheer delight for fans of snorkelling, diving, fishing, excursions and relaxation ! www.ilesdumonde.com
Presented in its world premiere at the Monaco Yacht Show, the “Spire Boat” - Vice World Champion for offshore powerboats in 2007 - now sports a truly flamboyant retro/futuristic look. It owes its revamp to the Mugler Studio, headed by Christophe de Lataille and composed of a team of designers who recently restyled the curves of the “Gentry Eagle” (the fastest yacht in the world). All the signature codes of this highly creative designer come together in this latest version of the “Spire Boat” : luxury, structure, a nod and a wink to science fiction, the colour blue (think “Angel” perfume...). The boat seems to have come straight from the big screen or the depths of the ocean. Its hydrodynamics, aerodynamics and ergonomics are the clues to its power. With esthetics at the fore ! www.mugler.com
Dragons, classic yachts and traditional sail boats will light up the Bay of Cannes on the occasion of the 33rd Royal Regattas-Panerai Trophy. In all, over a hundred participants are expected, along with Anatoly Loginov, the Russian winner in 2010 aboard the “Anapurna”, who will be defending his title. In parallel to this competitive event, the Yacht Club de Cannes and the municipality are organizing a photo contest on the theme “Reflections, Shadows and Lights of the Royal Regattas”. September, from19th to 25th. www.regatesroyales.com
One of last year’s offerings, the Galathéa 65 immediately established itself as the flagship of the Fountaine Pajeot range of catamarans. Its performance, rigging, hydrodynamics and finishing touches (designer Jean-Jacques Coste gave a helping hand) make this an exceptional yacht. Windward Islands got it right by proposing it on the chartering market, to sail around France, Italy and the Caribbean. www.worldwideluxuryyacht.com and www.fountainepajot.com
The Koot 54 will be officially presented at the next “Festival de la Plaisance” to be held in Cannes from September 6th to 11th. This first model from the Tunisian shipyard Koot Yachts International is a superb 16-metre open. It bears the signature of the famous naval architect Sergio Cutolo and owes its interior appointments to Francesco Maria Giulini. On board, one is amazed by an impression of incredible spaciousness. In fact, designed like a loft, the Koot 54 benefits from a clever opening between inside and out. As for the stern, it opens out entirely to the sea, also heightening the impression of magnitude. Fitted with two MAN R6-800 diesel engines, this little gem of the waves reaches a top speed of 36 knots. To be discovered very soon ! www.andreasculati.it
Each new edition of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge (which includes the Royal Regattas in Cannes from September 17th to 24th) is accompanied by the creation of a watch, produced in a limited edition. The Officine Panerai thus presents the Luminor Submersible 1950 Regatta 3 Days GMT Automaric Titanio - 47 mm. Among other things, this professional diver's watch allows the wearer to calculate immersion times thanks to its rotating bezel with a graduated scale. Water resistant to 300 metres. www.panerai.com
Boating is surfing on the "green" wave thanks to shipwright Marc Vuilliomenet, who proposes an alternative for sailing in silence and rediscovering the sensation of just hearing the sound of water lapping against the hull. Made of moulded wood mahogany, the "Classic Power" features an electric motor which delivers the performance of a 10-hp outboard with 20 litres of fuel. 04 94 83 18 66 and 06 09 18 28 07.
With about 80,000 m2 of exhibition space, close on 54,000 visitors, about 400 exhibitors and 500 boats, this is the largest on-water boat show in Europe. The “Festival de la Plaisance” is the opportunity to admire the world's finest vessels and get a sneak preview of the boat-builders' latest models. Dedicated fans, but also the simply curious, will not miss this 34th edition, which has this year introduced a new area. While the Old Port accommodates new boats and multi-hulls as usual, and Port Pierre Canto hosts secondhand models, Quai Max Laubeuf is henceforth reserved for dinghies and semi-rigid boats. Trials out at sea will be possible ! September,from 6th to 11th, Vieux Port et Port Pierre Canto, Cannes. www.salonnautiquecannes.com
Maritime tourism is making headway. Usually, ships delegated to this type of transport have closed main decks with reduced visibility and an upper deck open to the winds. Stirling Design International has developed a totally innovative concept : a 26-metre catamaran (for up 230 passengers) grouping all the technical and service areas on the main deck, stripped of any dividing walls that block the view, and an upper deck entirely fitted with windows for comfort, shelter and a wonderful panoramic view. www.stirlingdesign.fr
Presented for the first time in 2005, the Seabob is a kind of aquatic sled guaranteeing high performance and lots of fun. In a range offering appealing design and colours, the Cayago F7 is the most high-end model. Fitted with a belt system that enhances ride comfort and agility, it boasts a pulling force equivalent to 7 hp. On or under the water (to a depth of 40 m), it whisks you into a whirlwind of pleasure and new sensations. Price : approx. 15,000 €. www.seabob.com
During the sixth annual “Festival Courants d’Ère” to be held over three days, visitors will be treated to lectures, book-signings, literary cafés, encounters, workshops, film screenings, boat rides, races in kayaks and “pointus”, a tour of the shell museum... As well as the Fête of St. John the Baptist, the town’s patron saint, taking the form of a torchlight procession and the traditional firework display. On the the eastern quay of the harbour, 76 prints by photographer Hervé Gyssels will be exhibited. Under the title “Couleurs Pirogues”, his lens captures Senegalese fishermen and their colourful boats. On the Saturday evening, a concert with the NoJazz band will get all the festival-goers in the mood. June 24th to 26th, in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Admission free. www.festivalcourantsdere.fr and 04 93 41 99 61.
Vicem has unveiled its third line of yachts and announced the up-coming launch of the Vanguard 45 and Vanguard 33. In line with the concept of luxury dear to this Turkish boat-builder, these two superb “opens” will be fitted with epoxy fiberglass hulls in grey, silver and blue, a spacious modular sundeck, two cabins with a bathroom and kitchen. Elegance and comfort are the customary watchwords, meeting the expectations of men and couples (with no children) who will undoubtedly fall for these very chic yachts. www.vicemyacht.com
Now a national event of wide renown, the “Fête du Nautisme” provides the opportunity to discover all the sports and leisure activities within the field and also to take a look at the issue of our maritime environment. In approximately 500 sites in France, along the coasts, on lakes and rivers, many events are being organized (initiation workshops in diving, canoing, kayaking, wakeboarding, exhibitions, various types of entertainment...). A date to note ! May 14th-15th. www.fetedunautisme.com
Gianni Zuccon and his wife Paola Galeazzi founded Zuccon International Project in 1972, in Rome. The two architects have since extended their activities and diversified the areas in which they work : civil architecture, industrial and yacht design... In this last field, in order to meet growing demand, they have just created within their company a new division devoted to maxi-yachts. They can thus contribute the know-how essential for the creation of this type of product. Today, Zuccon International Project, regarded as a worldwide leader in the nautical industry, works with six of the nine brands composing the Ferretti Group. Two prestigious models bearing their signature, an 80-metre and 58-metre, are currently under construction in the CRN shipyard in Ancona. www.zucconinternationalproject.com
At the recent “Salon Nautic” in Paris, the Sessa Marine shipyard presented seven models including four new ones. The “C32”, unveiled in a world première, followed by an appealing metamorphosis of the legendary “C35”, then the “C48” for fans of yachts with a sporty allure, and finally “Key Largo One”, a 5-metre gem proving that entering the world of luxury can be achieved perfectly reasonably ! www.sessamarine.com
The Blue Coast 95’ “Cartouche” is first of all a remarkable achievement : a high-quality catamaran, completed in just 14 months ! Designed by architect Jean-Jacques Coste, initiator of the line of Blue Coast Yachts, and built by the H2X shipyard, it hit the water for the first time in September at La Ciotat. With dream dimensions (28.80 m long, 12 m wide) and the finest equipment, it is the first in a range that promises to be exceptional. www.coste-design.com et www.h2x.com
With their Scandinavian design and appealing prices, Bondway yachts have arrived in Europe. Presented in a preview at the Monaco Yacht Show, the “Centurion 108” (from 3.9 million euros) and “EX-I 83” offer a real alternative for top-notch sailing, aimed at a clientele wanting to get away from it all while enjoying maximum comfort. These yachts are, in fact, designed by highly skilled craftsmen like a house on the water, with spacious living areas (400 m2) and interiors built and furnished to order. Children’s bedrooms, the kitchen, workshop, gym…, everything is customized to suit the owners’ life-style. Even the materials, design and room layout are 100 % tailormade. A new home out at sea, a concept invented in 1988 in Hong Kong, where the yachts are still built by Abel Kramer of Denmark. www.bondway.com.
Spotted in the bay in the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer. After the Ocean Emerald, Norman Foster has signed his name to the Ocean Pearl, a yacht of 41 metres with 5 suites and living space of 500 m2 furnished by Cassina. Designer yachts are the latest trend... and if they don’t have one owner but eight, it’s because they are available under the timeshare scheme. The cheapest ticket ? 1.85 million euros for five weeks in the Caribbean, plus 200,000 €/year for expenses. Two more of these super-yachts are expected to take to the waves in 2011. Calling all millionaires hit by the crisis !
