Turkish shipyard Bilgin Yachts has announced the launch of the second BILGIN 263-model motor yacht, LEONA, from its facilities in Istanbul.

Measuring 80m/262.5ft, luxury yacht LEONA (known as BILGIN 263-II during construction) left her build shed at the start of November 2022. Her naval architecture and exterior styling come from Antalya-based Unique Yacht Design, while the interiors are from H2 Yacht Design.

Details of the onboard amenities have yet to be revealed, however, concept images show four decks providing indoor and outdoor areas for guests, including a swimming pool on the main deck aft, a foredeck helipad and numerous seating areas forward and aft across the decks.

Her accommodation sleeps up to 10 guests across 5 en-suite staterooms, which include an Owner’s suite. The crew accommodation sleeps 20 to ensure that guests have exceptional service throughout their stay on board.

Superyacht LEONA has a fuel capacity of 155,000 litres (40,950 US Gallons) for a range of more than 6,000 nautical miles at 11 knots and a top speed of 19 knots.

A third unit of the BILGIN 263 model is currently under construction under the name PROJECT SILENCE and is due for delivery in 2023.

South African shipyard Southern Wind has announced the winner of its annual Southern Wind Crew Photo Contest, and this year first place goes to: SW105 GT sailing yacht TANIWHA at the Gulf of Naples, Italy, when a double rainbow lit up the sky after a summer downpour.

“The Southern Wind sailing experience is the perfect combination of comfort, handling, and seakeeping in all weather conditions,” the judges commented, “and this picture expresses this perfectly in the yacht, her tireless professional crew, and the beauty of Nature.”

The photos contest has three more minor categories, and these winners are announced below.

Best Anchorage Photo – SW94 ARAGON at Antipaxos, Greece

Captain Tom Rohde Pearce aboard sailing yacht ARAGON has captured the blissfully warm and blue waters that draw many to the Greece luxury yacht charter grounds. Antipaxos amongst the Ionian Islands is just one piece of heaven, situated south of Paxos and Corfu, and north of Lefkada, Kefalonia and Zakynthos.

Best Sailing Photo – SW96 AMMONITE at Porto Rotondo, Sardinia

This photo from Mario Giattino of the sailing yacht AMMONITE racing crew gives us a glimpse of just one heart-pounding moment during regatta season along the shores of Sardinia. This spectacular destination for water sports, hiking, biking, shopping and up-scale entertainment is never far away from a golden sand beach.

Best Lifestyle Photo – SW105 SORVIND in the Balearic Islands

Fine weather isn’t just to be enjoyed by the Owner and any guests, as this photo goes to show. The crew top up their tans while cruising between Balearic Islands over the summer, taking in the views and savouring some well-earned rest.

The Phuket Yacht Haven Marina will be hosting Thailand Charter Week from the 16th – the 19th of November, 2022.

The event will highlight the available yacht charter experiences and the thriving luxury yachting community in the country, which has seen extensive investment in recent years to bring marinas up to world-class standards. Phuket and Phang Nga Bay is a hotspot for both local and international visitors, boasting magnificent natural beauty that includes mangrove forests, waterfalls, karst islands, and sandy beaches. Nearby cultural hotspots, local markets, bespoke shops, and an (in)famous nightlife make this vibrant and unique destination worthy of a week-long charter and return visits to discover and explore all the wonders of Thailand‘s winding coast.

The Asia Pacific Superyacht Association (APSA) has reported a highly successful ‘Asia Superyacht Night’, promoting luxury yacht charters in destinations including Thailand, Indonesia, French Polynesia, and the Cook Islands in the run-up to the Monaco Yacht Show 2022.

The networking event brought together over 150 APSA members and friends, who were entertained by performances from the Cook Islands dancers as well as musicians, while delectable treats and beverages were served to guests.

Maritime Cook Islands attended as a Platinum sponsor, and its director Glen Armstrong thanked the APSA “…for giving us the opportunity to showcase our company and our culture. It was a lot of fun, and I know everyone had a great time. We really enjoyed meeting so many other APSA Members.”

Approximately 42 APSA members were in attendance – CharterWorld brokers amongst them – helping to promote the Asia-Pacific region to yacht Owners and visitors to the Monaco Yacht Show.

Destinations such as Vanuatu, Fiji, the Cook Islands, and French Polynesia all offer clear visibility for snorkeling, Scuba diving, and other water sports, and plenty of warmth and sunshine during their December summer. Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, meanwhile, are three magnificent charter grounds in Asia that have already proven their popularity as winter holiday destination alternatives to the Caribbean and Bahamas charter grounds.

The 30m EXTRA X99 Fast motor yacht IL SOGNO was launched in Ancona by the Italian company Extra Yachts, a brand of ISA Yachts. Her exterior lines by Guida Design are dynamic and modern, with naval architecture by Palumbo Superyachts.

The cockpit has a spacious socialising space, combined with the aft galley separated by a privacy glass operated by an up/down mechanism.

The large 75sqm outdoor space includes collapsible balconies, a lounge area, sun loungers and an extendable table for 12.

Accommodation is provided in four deluxe cabins for up to 10 guests.

The planning hull with a spray rail is made of carbon fibre composite. The yacht is powered by two MTU engines of 2600hp each and she reaches a speed of 37 knots. Even at top speed, she shows great stability and manoeuvrability combined with a soundless and comfortable below-deck ambience.

Her 4m Williams Sportjet is stored in the starboard-side garage while the two jet skis are placed in the bow with a hydraulic crane for launching.

Ferretti luxury yacht EROS, previously known as Marea will be cruising in the Caribbean and Bahamas over winter before returning to the Mediterranean for summer.

Built in 2019, 37m/121.6ft M/Y EROS received a refit in 2021 to keep her in top condition. The interiors styled by Zuccon International Project are sophisticated and contemporary, contrasting dark wooden paneling with off-white furnishings, reflective surfaces, and warm lighting for a homely ambiance.

The outdoor areas have everything that the Owner and guests could desire: Several alfresco dining areas for coffee mornings, casual meals, and more formal events, plenty of places to lounge in the sunshine, a sundeck Jacuzzi, and sunbeds on the sundeck and bow.

EROS has a great selection of water toys to entertain guests wherever they travel, and among the collection there are:

2 x Seadoo Waverunners
1 x flyboard
2 x Seabobs (with the option to add two more)
2 x inflatable kayaks
2 x inflatable paddleboards

A beach setup is also available for guests to dine, entertain and relax in comfort on some of the world’s most spectacular and remote beaches, reached using EROS’s cruising range of up to 2,000 nautical miles.

After long days exploring the cultural wonders of the French Riviera or the dramatic volcanic landscapes found throughout the Caribbean, the 5 en-suite cabins to sleep 10 guests will provide a welcome sanctuary for sleep. They consist of: 1 Master suite, 2 double cabins, and 2 twin cabins convertible to queens. A talented crew of 7 will take care of all guest requests throughout the cruise.

Built in 2008 and last refitted in 2020, the 36.6m/120ft motor yacht VIRTUE has a deceptively classic style, inside and out.

Her unusual egg-white hull rimmed in teak and accompanying white superstructure create an appearance associated with the middle of the last century when modern yachting and its elegant lifestyle were just capturing the public imagination.

M/Y VIRTUE offers plenty of places to lounge and to admire the scenery of the French Riviera, with bar facilities available on all three decks, sunbeds on the foredeck and sundeck, multiple alfresco dining options, a Jacuzzi and canvas shades to keep guests cool.

Francois Zuretti kept the classic appeal in the interiors as well, encompassing guests in rich wooden panelled surroundings, curtained windows and plenty of modern entertainment systems concealed within the surroundings. Both the salon and skylounge have a bar for excellent service while hosting a large social event at the marina.

The tender garage has plenty of room for a large collection of water toys, and the Owner has stocked up on some of the latest innovations as well as family favourites:

1 x jet ski
1 x Lyft e-foil
1 x Seabob F5-S
1 x Yamaha semi-submersible
a wakeboard
water skis
2 x paddleboards
fishing gear
snorkelling equipment, and
inflatable and towable toys

In addition to all the above, there are three e-scooters for the Owner and guests to explore on land.

The accommodation sleeps a maximum of 12 guests (10 adults and 2 children) in 5 en-suite cabins: 1 Master suite on the main deck, and on the lower deck there are 2 double cabins and 2 twin cabins that both have a Pullman berth. There is a professional crew of 6 to see to all guest requests throughout their stay.

Italian shipyard Tankoa Yachts has launched its fifth hull in the successful 50m/164ft S501 model from its facilities in Genoa, Italy.

The S501 is designed with an aluminum hull and superstructure to exterior styling by Francesco Paszkowski, and the fifth model features an interior by Giorgio M. Cassetta of Cassetta Yacht Designers. Construction began on speculation before she was sold with the opportunity of a bespoke interior layout to a European buyer in September 2021.

The modified layout includes larger windows and two guest suites on the main deck, a more spacious sundeck, and a swimming pool on the foredeck complete with AV systems.

The accommodation sleeps a total of 12 guests, with a crew of 9 to see to all guest requests.

The Diesel-electric propulsion package allows the Owner to choose between speed and reduced emissions with reduced noise from the engines. This fifth hull will have a top speed of 18 knots, a cruising speed of 12 knots, and a transatlantic range of 4,000 nautical miles.

Once delivered, she will cruise the world as do her sisterships VERTIGE, BINTADOR, OLOKUN and KINDA – the latter recently making her debut at the Monaco Yacht Show 2022.

The sporty 45.7m Palmer Johnson superyacht STEALTH is available with a 10% discount on remaining dates for 2022 in the Bahamas, a great option to escape the incoming winter chill. Launched in 2010 and refitted in 2021, her interior style is by Nuvolari Lenard, while the naval architecture was completed in-house. Ten charter guests are accommodated over 5 cabins.

Her interior décor is elegant throughout, featuring light wood tones, neutral fabrics, and beautiful fixtures and fittings. The main salon is laid to an open plan, with a cocktail bar aft, lounge central, and formal dining forward. In addition, the master stateroom is on this level, and the full beam of the yacht. Further accommodation is below decks in 2 double and 2 twin suites.

M/Y STEALTH offers excellent outdoor living, ideally suited to the Bahamian weather. Her aft deck has shade, alfresco dining, ample seating, and summing options, this area leads effortlessly into the salon, down to the extended swim platform and also the bow, where a well-appointed relaxing outdoor lounge is built in, including a large sun bed. Above, there is a flybridge deck complete with comfortable seating space, sun pads, and a deluxe jacuzzi.

Highlights

Excellent interior and exterior living
Sporty hull design
Assortment of water toys
Extensive refit in 2021
Stabilizers
Jacuzzi
Full beam master suite
Wifi

VIEW MORE INFO ABOUT STEALTH HERE.

Luxury yacht BACCHUS (ex.AQUA VITA, SHEHERAZADE) is newly refitted and lives up to her namesake with a whole host of water toys and amenities for an extravagant Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year charter in the Bahamas and Caribbean.

Built by Westport, this 50m/164.1ft superyacht sports a refined exterior in white and rich interiors in dark gloss wood, cream and navy blue. The result is an environment ready to impress for multi-generational family gatherings as well as everyday living. The large main salon and skylounge are joined by equally ample guest accommodation, and the outdoor areas boast an abundance of sunbathing spaces, a sundeck Jacuzzi and plenty of alfresco dining and lounging locations with optional shade.

The Bahamas has an impressive selection of white sand beaches scattered through the Exumas and Long Island, while Harbour Island adjacent Eleuthera is best known for its pink sand beach. Nearby Great Abaco offers a active outdoors types plenty to do on land and over the water, most notably the coral reef and seagrass meadows in the Fowl Cays National Park.

See in the New Year at lively Caribbean destinations such as the waterfront clubs and bars in the US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands. Head to the less tourist-developed islands for more traditional and local celebrations ending with the majestic natural beauty at Guadeloupe, the southernmost Leeward Island.

The large selection of water toys will give you plenty of options on how to spend your days, so you can leave civilisation behind and connect with nature and loved ones. The collection has:

3 x jet skis
2 x Seabobs
2 x kayaks
2 x paddleboards
water skis
waveboards
snorkelling equipment
Scuba diving equipment, and
inflatable and towable toys

In addition to the above, there is an Aquabana swim platform with a sunken pool, loungers, water polo net and special docking stations for the jet skis and seabobs.

Beach toys, a barbeque and gazebo are ready and waiting for your forays ashore, and while on the move a Peloton bike, yoga mats and weights will give you plenty of exercise.

M/Y BACCHUS is not an idler when it comes to engine power: A top speed of 20 knots will take you between the islands in no time at all, and a maximum cruising range of 4,000 nautical miles is more than enough for reaching the most isolated corners of paradise.

There is room on board for up to 16 guests while cruising, and overnight the accommodation sleeps a total of 12 guests over 6 en-suite cabins: 1 Master suite complete with private lounge and office on the main deck forward, a bridge deck VIP stateroom with private balcony, 2 VIP staterooms on the lower deck, 1 twin cabin convertible to a double and 1 bunk cabin.

The enthusiastic and talented crew of 11 will keep your glasses filled and your itinerary on schedule throughout your incredible winter cruise.

Learn more about M/Y BACCUS.