NAVIS Feb / Mar'19

There are quite a few things that call people to develop a lifelong interest in yachting. The love of all things luxurious, appreciation for fine craftsmanship, and respect for the sea are just a few of the possible causes. But, perhaps more than anything else, it seems the one thing that all yachting enthusiasts have in common is their innate desire to explore the world.

It has the dazzling looks and impressive performance that helps deliver great memories and the convertible AMG GT S Roadster means you can get to enjoy the sunshine as well.

When Mercedes first unveiled plans for its GT S soft top, the worry was that the car was already stiff and finely tuned, and this model would need to be much stiffer to deal with the physics of removing the roof.

Custom Line: A Horizon of Dreams

Shading outside the lines has always been a specialty of those who sit beneath the fabulous Ferretti umbrella, and this nautical masterpiece is a prime example of excellence. Custom Line already left an imprint of enchantment on the Monaco Yacht Show with their spectacular Navetta 42 – but it was the sleek form and aesthetic intent of the Custom Line 120 that truly caught our attention this time.

Custom 120 is the latest addition to the brand’s line – and is the product of deep imagining made real. Designed initially by Francesco Paszkowski Design and created in harmony with the Ferretti Group Strategic Product Committee under the leadership of engineer Piero Ferrari – the Custom Line 120 stands up to the brand’s ethos that they go beyond the line to create a horizon of dreams.

The great yacht designer Germán Frers once told me, “a boat has to be pretty if you want it to sail fast.” I took his words to heart and over the years have become a firm believer. Pretty boats do sail fast and Barong D, a Frers design built by Wally Yachts, is a true testament to this notion. Barong D is not just a pretty yacht; it’s an exceptionally beautiful yacht, striking and dynamic with more than a hint of elegance. From the majestic blue hull to the blond teak deck the yacht is a head turner, and that’s before we take a closer look at some of her secrets.

Cecilia; Where Italian Craft Meets Modern Tech

After her red carpet unveiling at the 2018 Monaco Boat Show, Superyacht Cecilia made quite the statement. Rumors of her sea trials last year were delivered with excitable words like ‘astounding,’ and the reality of her presence left yacht connoisseurs enchanted by her elongated 49.56-meter shape. Dreamed into existence by WIDER, and the largest of their range, despite her soft-spoken name, Cecilia is nothing short of a tour de force.

Aquarius, launched early 2018, is a yacht that defies superlatives. The English language is rich with words that can be used to describe what you see, but sometimes even they are not enough. One could say that Aquarius is a “modern classic” as she has been described, but that’s not enough. The yacht is an elegant piece of craftsmanship that, to this writer at least, is on a par with some truly great architecture or masterpieces of contemporary art. The 57-meter yacht embodies all that a great craftsman would want. Simplicity, style, elegance, grace and on top of that, high performance.