NAVIS Apr/May'23

A balmy spring day on the crystalline waters of the Caribbean is the perfect setting for embarking on a voyage of indulgence and adventure. You step aboard the venerable superyacht Kismet, the quintessential vessel of the illustrious Lürssen brand, poised to explore the world’s most exclusive events. First on the agenda? The St. Barth’s Bucket Regatta, an annual sailing race held each March on the idyllic French Caribbean isle of St. Barthélemy.

It is an immutable truth that time is the most precious commodity, and thus, the creation of a fanciful calendar, a veritable bucket list of high-society gatherings, extravagant galas, and epic competitions around the world is an alluring prospect. The Lürssen brand, renowned for its unbridled passion and innovative spirit, has been at the forefront of record-setting achievements for generations, and is the perfect facilitator of such fantasies. Since its modest beginnings in 1875 in a small German town outside Bremen, Lürssen has evolved into a nearly $2 billion corporation with multiple shipyards, setting benchmarks in the shipbuilding industry with its groundbreaking workboats, rowboats, motorboats, naval vessels, and the world’s first superyacht. Eleven of the world’s twenty largest superyachts have been produced by Lürssen, and the accomplishments of the Lürssen family, spanning four generations of fathers, sons, wives, and cousins, are nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Pointing the way with crisp curves streaming from the razor sharp bow, Feadship’s superyacht Arrow flies straight and true. Exhibiting all of the most important qualities of a Feadship, Arrow’s sculpted exterior profile has been on display around the globe since launch. Logging 51,000 nautical miles, Arrow owns an impressive range of itineraries.

The hush of exclusivity surrounding the interior, however, has protected the more intimate details from the public eye, save for those who have had the privilege of spending time on board.

NAVIS is pleased to share what we’ve learned from our friends at Feadship about this bold, contemporary yacht, delivered in 2020, yet still very much in vogue among the superyachts of today. Impressive technology, efficient systems, and stylish decor that is as chic as it is livable, Arrow is ready to reveal the features directly inherited through Feadship’s exceptional DNA.

If the urge to leap from a hovering helicopter into a waiting bulletproof Aston Martin DB5 while wearing a tuxedo suddenly proves irresistible, it’s only fitting. Yachts are synonymous with James Bond. More to the point, Spirit Yachts and James Bond share history.

The Spirit Yachts 46 Classic sailing vessel appeared as the famous Secret Service agent’s yacht of choice in the 2021 Ian Fleming inspired film, No Time to Die. The only reason we can think of that Bond didn’t choose the 72 Deckhouse was that the film preceded the launch by about a year.

Nonetheless, even if an assignment investigating Spectre is not on the itinerary, the Spirit Yachts 72 DH Anima II is every bit the capable, luxurious stunner. Whether racing in the Mediterranean, touring the globe, or leisurely docked at home in Malta, Anima II displays the effortlessly distinguished look of a 1930s heirloom yacht, owning a chic profile that reaches out over the water in long, graceful stretches fore and aft.

Unassuming, and without pretention, the 26-meter model from Azimut Yachts’ Grande line ticks all the luxury boxes while maintaining a modest profile among superyachts. The lovely Alberto Mancini exterior styling plays well with interiors by Achille Salvagni, emphasizing the brilliant use of space and eclectic, playful highlights throughout the yacht.

The smallest of the Grande series, joined by larger Azimut builds in the 27-meter, 32-meter, 36-meter, and Trideck models, the 26 provides all of the line’s incredible features in a compact, efficient, attractive, and comfortable design. Add improved performance from the ZF Pod 4600 drive with larger diameter high efficiency counter rotating propellers, high efficiency/low emissions sipping 20 percent less fuel usage than comparable, hard chine planing yachts, and space for ten guests served by three crew, and you have one of the most surprising, enjoyable, stylish entry level superyachts currently on offer.

The 2023 Ocean Race has been an unforgettable spectacle for sailing enthusiasts all around the world. This year’s edition of the race has been particularly notable for its new class of IMOCA yachts and the challenging super-long leg between Cape Town and Itajai, Brazil. With records being broken left and right, the 2023 Ocean Race has set a new benchmark for sailing excellence.

Setting sail from Alicante Puerto De Salida, and visiting 9 international cities, the 32000-mile Ocean Race consists of 6 legs including - 

Maserati is a name that is well-known among sports car enthusiasts. The brand represents a long and prestigious history, known for both the quality and beauty of its road products, as well as for the victories earned on all the world’s tracks. The famous trident logo, born in 1926 and placed for the first time on the TYPE 26, has remained a symbol of quality and performance. Notable models such as the Tipo 61 “Birdcage” and the multi-victorious MC12 are all part of the iconic lineage that is now renewed with force.

What secrets does this supercar coupé keep cleverly hidden from us? First of all, a new engine that is entirely Maserati. A project developed at the “Engine Hub” Technical Center, an area of the historic Modena plant, it is an innovative mechanical jewel in both architecture and technical details, especially a type of engine that has been missing from the Trident’s products for some time, hence it was aptly named “Neptune”!

“Normalcy” is probably not a word one usually associates with New York City. But things in what is arguably the world’s greatest city are returning to being busy, crowded and…ever changing. There are, as ever, a hundred languages overhead in restaurants, galleries, museums, in boutiques and on the streets. New York City has once again returned to its Oscar-winning film theme (everything and everywhere, in addition to all at once) and residents and visitors wouldn’t want it any other way. 

If you live here, then you know. If you’ve never been, then you need to make the trip, or the return trip, if it’s been some time. And what’s in it for you? Surrounded by the Hudson and East Rivers leading out into Long Island Sound and the wider Atlantic, New York City has the infrastructure and the resources to make an excellent destination to sail to/from. New York City has always enjoyed an epic seafaring and migratory heritage. Luxury yachting came with the railroad and real estate barons of New York’s epic Gilded Age and still maintains its hold. So, whether you put into -- or charter from – Northcove Marina at Brookfield Place or further north at Chelsea Piers Marina, yachting here is scenic and impressive, with green space views interrupted by the noise and sight of traffic rushing by. 

On a typically frenetic street in midtown Manhattan, just east of Fifth Avenue and the alley of epic shopping like Harry Winston (which, during renovation, has moved up and across Fifth), Chopard, and Gucci… a stark, black façade rises up to an equally imposing wall of clear class, with vertical ribbing very much like that finely weighted Harmonie glass handsomely cradling a favorite double malt. Deep ridges rising higher and higher, across from the curved windows of the Museum of Modern Art, and just down the street from the equally epic High Gothic Revival St. Thomas Anglican Church with its limestone buttresses and stained glass, church bells marking every hour. From the outside, the ebony and glass make the modern building seem fortress-like.