Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2016 i Boat International US Edition

I’m going to let you in on a secret. In these parts it’s considered a shameful secret: I’m a big fan of Bravo’s reality TV series “Below Deck.” It’s hugely entertaining. But any time cameras enter a community as tightly knit as yachting, there’s bound to be push back, and there was plenty of that from captains and crew. So I kept my secret and privately laughed through seasons one to three. It wasn’t until I was in Monaco last fall, when I bonded with an owner over the third stew’s antics (thinking, “Cripes, owners are watching this?”) and met another owner who had a camera crew in tow, that it hit home — in today’s world, there’s no escaping public life, even for something as private as a superyacht,…

The flag-blue film hung down on the yacht’s side like fine silk draped over the shoulder of a remarkable beauty being fitted for a custom dress. Held in place temporarily by non-marring tape across the upper edge, the long vinyl panel was being carefully unrolled stern to stem by one of three men, while another peeled off the backing in stages, an arm’s width at a time, to expose the adhesive. A third man used his hands and a squeegee to conform the film to the shape of the hull side, gently smoothing it in place and whisking minute air bubbles out to the edges where they vanished. In a couple of hours, they had transformed some 125 square feet of white hull into a flawless field of dark blue…

“We’ve just made a four-foot-long silver model of a motor yacht that comes apart…” Theo Fennell is almost as dazzling as the exotic and flamboyant jewelry twinkling in the glass cabinets of his Chelsea store. Sporting a bright V-neck, the floppy-haired jeweler is positively fizzing with good humor and English charm. Colored decanters with solid silver skull stoppers rest on counters filled with diamond necklaces, ruby-encrusted skull rings, huge emerald drop earrings and gold cuffs. A massive chessboard with white and yellow gold birds of prey stands majestically at one end of the showroom. It’s no wonder this larger-than-life character’s playful designs have a loyal following of clients, including Elton John and Ronnie Wood. At least half of his business is bespoke and, of course, much of his irreverent yet…

SEEING STARS Art links us to the macro and the micro, the transforming energy of cosmic and cellular shapes, the dynamism of life within us and the world outside. Charles Spada, one of New England’s premier designers, teamed with a friend in Paris to make this statement in a rock crystal chandelier called Starburst. 32 inches wide, $35,000 with a $2,000 upcharge for tarnish-proofing the gold-finished cage. www.charlesspadaantiques.com HANG IN THERE While Bohemian glass solidifies relatively quickly, lending itself to large fixtures, Venetian glass solidifies more slowly out of the kiln, so smaller pieces can be worked in greater detail. Designer Monica Missio of CX Design has adapted the best of the latter and modernized it in the Cristallo collection. $825 per single pendant, which can then be “clustered.” www.cxny.com…

Laura Geller Color Luster Lip Gloss “Cookie dough” This high-shine gloss is a lightweight formula infused with Italian tomato extract, an antioxidant to protect lips, and Kendi Oil to moisturize and condition. $19, laurageller.com By Terry Baume de Rose Nutri-Couleur “Coral stellar” This new tinted version of the cult favorite, Baume de Rose, contains more than 40 active ingredients helping to condition lips while leaving them shiny and soft. $56, b-glowing.com Lorac Alter Ego Lip Gloss “Socialite” Highly pigmented, with a delicate vanilla scent, this nude-colored gloss can be worn alone for a natural look or layered on top of lipstick. It includes the antioxidants acai berry, pomegranate, grape seed extract and vitamins C and E to help nourish and protect lips. $16, loraccosmetics.com…

The subject of men’s jewelry is wracked with more fault lines than the Pacific Rim. Conservative types stick to the basics: watch, wedding ring and cuff links. Gutsier guys drape themselves in pendants, chains, ear studs and beads. In truth, the great divide seems more tribal than generational: There are certain men who won’t wear jewelry, and others who just can’t get enough. Thomas Sabo is in business for the latter. This Austrian talent founded his namesake company in Germany in 1984, and gradually developed an extensive line of men’s and women’s jewelry, from sterling silver basics to handsome watches and finer pieces made of rose or yellow gold. At a recent preview, I was quite taken with what I’d call Sabo’s “beach jewelry” — simple bracelets meant to be…

I love diving watches, but while they look incredibly masculine on the wrist — giant hunks of stainless steel, equipped with dials to track oxygen levels and helium escape valves to keep them from imploding under pressure — they don’t signify luxury, per se. It’s the engineering of the timepiece you’re paying for, not the precious metals. That said, you still want to look sharp as you dive into the deep and for the more fashion conscious among us, there are quite a few options on the market. We have a soft spot for Panerai, whose history with the Italian Navy dates back to the early 1900s, and its Luminor Submersible 1950 Carbotech 3 Days Automatic. This 47mm diver has that classic 1950s Panerai design, but is crafted from Carbotech,…

I’m on the edge of my seat with David McCullough’s The Wright Brothers, the story of two incredibly courageous brothers who taught the world how to fly. Heads up, Hollywood. For onboard viewing I can’t get enough of “Shark Tank,” featuring my pal Kevin O’Leary. I rarely part with my Rolex Yacht-Master II; it’s a true classic for all occasions. The only technology I need? An iPhone and iPad, of course! There’s a lot of Frank Sinatra and Jimmy Buffett played on the boat, though I have a pretty eclectic library. The first thing I pack are jeans and shorts — they cover the spectrum, along with a cashmere sweater. Tommy Bahama shades work for all aspects of my life, on land and at sea, but I usually forget them!…

She is beamy and tall, and at 497 gross tons is the largest composite motor yacht delivered in China to date. Bold and slightly provocative, the made-in-America King Baby jewelry and style of Mitchell Binder served as inspiration for this Chinese-built, U.S.-flagged new King Baby. Her owners took a big step with their 140-footer built at IAG Yachts in Zhuhai. She is beamy and tall, and at 497 gross tons is the largest composite motor yacht delivered in China to date. She is also the manifestation of owners unwilling to settle and a builder and project manager determined to meet their high expectations. Toward the end of the build, IAG, a relative newcomer to the world of yacht building (the yard launched its first big boat in 2010), had new…

SANLORENZO Three ranges of motor yachts, one defining principle: made-to-measure Italian quality — every time Sanlorenzo has been manufacturing high-quality motor yachts since 1958 and represents the boutique market of the yachting industry. The Italian yard builds a limited number of made-to-measure units per year, each designed and produced according to the requests, style and desires of the owner. In 2005, Massimo Perotti acquired the company, which is based in Ameglia, Italy, from its founder, Giovanni Jannetti, and opened a new division in Viareggio for the production of superyacht models. Since 2005, the shipyard has been experiencing extraordinary growth, while still maintaining its focus on customizing every single yacht it delivers. In just over half a century, the shipyard has built more than 750 yachts — each one different from…

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS Honeymoon Harbour A short sail from Bimini is a popular anchorage at the north end of Gun Cay that puts you up close with graceful stingrays. Since dive groups feed the rays, they are not shy. Snorkel the sandy shallows off the deserted beach and you’ll soon have a new swimming buddy. WRECK DIVING 101 The Sapona A rusty derelict above the water and a colorful reef below, the 270-foot rum-running ship ran aground on the Bahamas Banks almost 90 years ago during a hurricane. The artificial reef it created is shallow enough to be accessible to snorkelers and beginner wreck divers. PET A SHARK Bimini Sharklab Equally dedicated to research and education, the Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation’s Sharklab on South Bimini studies sharks and rays, particularly…

Sequel P $29.95 million Burgess and IYC have listed for sale 179-foot Sequel P. Proteksan Turquoise built the yacht in steel and aluminum to a design by Dubois Naval Architects. Delivered in 2009, Sequel P had an extensive refit in 2015. An interior in muted sycamore wood by H2 Yacht Design hosts 12 guests in six cabins. Mahogany €8 million Mahogany has been listed for sale by Burgess. Designed by De Voogt, the 143-footer was built in steel and aluminum by Feadship to Bureau Veritas class. Delivered in 1987, she had a refit in 2013. Up to 12 guests are accommodated in five cabins decorated in pale shades of cream and blue. Amazon €2 million The 127-foot Amazon has been listed for sale by…

Not long ago, Japanese whiskey was undistinguished. If you really wanted to score with a Japanese client or associate, you’d present them with a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label, which had the cachet of having been the preferred drink of Imperial Navy officers during World War II. How times have changed. Japan is now the third largest producer of whiskey in the world. And some of it has become surprisingly good. In recent years, Japanese whiskies have been sweeping up top awards in international competitions. As they did in the past — think electronics and cars — the Japanese watched, studied, learned and then entered the market with impressive results. I relish this development not because I think they are superseding their counterparts in Scotland, Ireland and the U.S.,…

Push the “refresh” button on your makeup bag this spring. Pastel- and nude-colored powders are the season’s latest shades. Clockwise from top: Laura Mercier’s Second Skin Cheek Color in “Peach Whisper” effectively adds a warm glow to cheeks, eyelids or both. ($26, lauramercier.com) “Impassioned” by Nars is a cool, pale-pink powder that is equally effective in accenting cheekbones or when applied over the entire face. ($30, narscosmetics.com) While loose powders provide a matte finish, they are often heavy and can make skin look dull. Chanel’s Poudre Universelle Libre natural finish loose powder in “Translucent No. 3” adds a touch of shimmer to keep your complexion looking clear and bright. ($52, chanel.com) Pressed powder compacts that contain multiple shades allow you to combine colors in numerous ways. Ideal for travel, four…

A stylish modern man knows one thing for sure: Color is nothing to fear. But there are times (especially this season, with so many collections full of bright, sometimes shocking, hues) when all a guy wants to do is jump off the color wheel and just relax. Fortunately, the fashion system recognizes this. So while color was front and center on spring runways, it certainly wasn’t the only story — there was a parallel trend featuring great men’s collections shown in every shade of cream, khaki, beige, brown and stone. As is often the case in luxury menswear, one extreme balances another. You just need to know where to look. Perhaps the main news about this season’s crop of neutrals is the masculine, utilitarian mood they share — there’s a…

Aston Martin has been making exquisite, exclusive vehicles for more than a century. In that time, its best-known and longest-running nameplate has been the DB series. Named to honor the marque’s post-WWII savior, Sir David Brown — the grandson of a British tractor magnate, who acquired the company in the mid-’40s — these grand tourers have set the tone of the brand for almost 70 years, each epitomizing the style and attitude of its era. Yet the current DB car, the DB9, is now over a dozen years old — ancient in automotive terms. And its heir apparent, the DB10, was a one-off, custom-built for the 2015 James Bond movie “Spectre.” So rejoice, ye Aston faithful, the DB11 has just been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. “There is no…

While the term “portable watch safe” may seem like an oxymoron, the team at Döttling demonstrates the concept quite nicely with the Guardian. At 14.5 inches long, with a diameter of 5.3 inches and weighing just 8.8 pounds, you can lug your watches across the globe in safety and with panache. The Guardian is made from the same polycarbonate used in police shields, and Döttling says it’s virtually indestructible, even when sledged by the largest of hammers. The Guardian is also impact-resistant, has a safe door that seals shut with four carbon steel bolts and is, of course, equipped with a GPS tracker, just in case. But what good is a portable safe if it doesn’t look good? Döttling, whose wares can run into the six figures, created the Guardian…

Ian Koblick says his life has been cursed by an obsession. “The truth is,” says the 76-year-old, an ever-present smile twitching at the corners of his mouth, “I am driven to do things. It’s a curse, really, a disease, because once I do them I am driven to do something else. I get bored with things once I have accomplished them.” Not everything he’s attempted has proven successful, but with determination even his failures often provided unforeseen benefits. For example, there was his first experience with yacht ownership. In 1981, his Marine Resources Development Foundation accepted Golden Venture as a donation. Golden Venture was a large ocean-going tug that had been refitted as an explorer-style yacht. Originally named Schelde at launch in 1958, she was a 147-foot single crankshaft diesel…

JAMAL SIZE 75' PRICE/WEEK $29,500 GUESTS 8 This Hatteras’ four en suite staterooms (two kings, two doubles) sleep eight guests comfortably. Enjoy views from the main salon’s panoramic windows. Visit www.jamalcharters.com. NORTHERN LIGHT SIZE 74' PRICE/WEEK $23,000 GUESTS 6 This Hatteras includes kayaks, can organize diving and accommodates six in one en suite master cabin and two guest cabins with shared facilities. Visit www.infinityyachts.com. MONTEGO SIZE 93' PRICE/WEEK $21,525 GUESTS 8 With elegant woodwork throughout, this explorer built by Punat accommodates eight guests in four staterooms. Visit www.anacortesyachtcharters.com. ICE LADY SIZE 142' 1" PRICE/WEEK €100,000 GUESTS 10 This Helsingfors ex-Norwegian Coast Guard icebreaker was converted into a luxury yacht in 2003 and refitted in 2012. Visit www.oceanindependence.com. CLIMATE Unless you’re soaking in a geothermal pool, you’re unlikely to feel the…

The megayacht dock at the marina in Lacco Ameno, not far from the Regina Isabella, can accommodate 10 yachts from 40 to 130 meters and provides water and electricity. Porto d’Ischia also has facilities for yachts up to 60 meters at Riva Destra, the popular waterside dock lined with bars and restaurants, as does the port in Casamicciola, not far from the Manzi. Lovely St. Angelo has a small dock for yachts up to 30 meters and is one of the protected coves for anchoring on the island along with San Pancrazio and San Montano, within view of lovely Mezzatorre. The other ideal location to drop anchor is more central in Ischia Ponte at Cartaromana, within sight of the Aragonese Castle. Ischia native Nicola Iacono and exsuperyacht crew Rossana Arcamone…

With its trimaran-hull base, this yacht has a beam of 69 feet. Combine that with a length of 328 feet and there is ample surface to land an AgustaWestland AW609 tiltrotor aircraft and store it in a hangar, leaving plenty of room for tender garages and spacious interior accommodations. “Fairly standard” diesel engines would allow this vessel to reach 26 to 28 knots, says Winch Design. This month: Owner Mark Sager reminds us to be in the moment, Jimmy Spithill on what will decide the Cup, and six of the best terraces…

Texture Move over wallpaper and wood veneers. 3D routers have opened up a new world of possibilities for textured walls, as seen here on the Bannenberg & Rowell-designed Feadship Moon Sand. 2015 How about adding a top-deck mister or full-on air conditioning to your outdoor salon? 2015 turned out to be the warmest year on record around the world. Another like this, and the scientists are calling it a trend. Fakes A New York gallery settled a $25 million lawsuit filed by art collector Domenico De Sole, who paid $8.3 million for what turned out to be a fake Mark Rothko painting. Faux leather Tesla is leading the pack with a new “vegan-friendly” interior for its all-electric model X SUV. Will faux leather find use in the ultra-luxurious yachting world?…

Underwater explorer Ian Koblick’s career put him close to many famous people (see page 108 for full story), but one of the most interesting connections he made was with Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Koblick, a pioneer in undersea living, was sent to Cuba in the 1980s as part of a congressional delegation. He met Castro and they spent two days talking and fishing on Castro’s private island. Turns out, Castro is an excellent scuba diver and has a passion for spearfishing. A favorite fishing spot is Gardens of the Queen, one of the Caribbean’s largest marine parks off the coast of Cuba. Many believed the cigar-smoking former Cuban president lived an impoverished lifestyle, but former bodyguard Juan Reinaldo Sanchez claims in his book, The Double Life of Fidel Castro, that…

Two bottles of Hibiki 30 Years Old. A perennial winner at international competitions — it won the title of World’s Best Blended Whiskey in 2007 and 2008 — this whiskey is notably smooth with notes of oak and toffee. $2,800, hedonism.co.uk Two bottles of Yamazaki 25 x Years. This standout is aged exclusively in fine sherry casks, which gives it a fragrant nose and a fruity, ultra-smooth finish. $2,888, bordeauxindex.com Three bottles of Hakushu 25 Years. This lovely, darkly hued whiskey shows a nose of plum and a caramel-vanilla palate. I find the smokiness on the finish very appealing. $1,743, frw.co.uk 12 bottles of Yoichi 15 Year Old. The best of the Nikka whiskies are thought to be those made at its Yoichi distillery. This superlative single malt is made…

Founded in London by makeup professionals and partners Max and Lina Leykind, Eyeko specializes in custom mascara. A hallmark of the brand is a squeeze tube, which means the formula doesn’t dry out and there is no waste. A favorite among celebrities Jennifer Lawrence, Adele and Salma Hayek, Eyeko recently launched its bespoke mascara service in the U.S. Following a consultation with a “mascara editor,” your lashes are matched with an ideal brush and then combined with an appropriate formula to create your desired look. Each bespoke mascara is wrapped in a sleek black box that can be adorned with a personal monogram. With more than 100 possible combinations, you’re sure to find the right one. $50 for one-to-one appointment and customized mascara. Available at Saks Fifth Avenue. eyeko.com…

Founded in 1923, Paris-based Lafont continues to make some of the world’s finest eyewear, like these “Riverside” frames. $495, www.lafont.com Brioni has catered to the world’s most stylish men for 70 years — this season, it adds Italian-made eyewear, like the “Wellington Aviator.” $950, www.brioni.com Blake Kuwahara’s artful “Thorton” sunglasses feature the designer’s signature frame-within-a-frame construction. $599, www.blakekuwahara.com Dior Homme’s ice blue-and-tortoiseshell schoolboy frames strike just the right balance between classic and contemporary. $720, www.dior.com Tom Ford’s stylish touch turns even simple accessories into something special, like these “Aaron” frames in Red Havana. $390, www.tomford.com…

James Bond’s relationship with Aston Martin goes back to the franchise’s third film, “Goldfinger,” in 1964. Not only is this the longest-lasting connection between a car brand and Her Majesty’s super spy, but also the most recurrent. Aston Martins feature in half of the two dozen Bond films. Best known among these is the DB5, a marvel of mid-’60s design and engineering, which appeared in eight of the wildly successful movies. More than 1,000 DB5s were produced, but based in part on their association with Bond, they regularly fetch seven figures on the collector car market. Bond’s most recent car, the DB10 in “Spectre,” was custom-designed for the movie. Its sharply creased fenders, broad fender vents and rakish headlamps presaged the design of the DB11. Asked why the brand chose…

“I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THAT THE VERY BEST WAY TO TRAVEL IS BY BOAT, AND probably by sailboat,” says Mark Robba. “You’re always home and, if you get tired of one place, you just move on to the next.” Robba, glove entrepreneur and phinisi superyacht owner, has led a peripatetic life, from a childhood spent moving around the U.S. following his father’s work, to relocating to Indonesia in 1998. But even here he has not stayed still. His passion for yachts led to the mammoth eight-year build of 167-foot Dunia Baru, which started life in the Indonesian jungle and now cruises his adopted home’s 17,000 islands. As a child, Robba wasn’t a natural sailor. “My grandfather had built a house out on Cape Cod, so we always spent a month…

It is a style with Gotham rather than Paris at its heart. In the world of superyachts, patience is both a virtue and an anomaly, perhaps even an anachronism. In truth, many yacht builders prosper by understanding that a good number of their clients prefer, if not instant, then speedy gratification. It’s all the more interesting, then, that Heesen, which started by building custom yachts but in the first decade of this century found a strong niche in semi-custom series yachts begun on speculation for faster delivery, courted a client with plans for a fully custom boat. In doing so, it delivered one of the standout vessels of 2015, 163-foot Ann G. “It was a great experience to work with such a committed owner,” says Mark Cavendish, Heesen’s sales and…

Wander through the old market in Florence’s San Lorenzo neighborhood and your senses will be delighted. This is where superyacht chefs flock to find delectable treats for creating unforgettable meals on board, sourcing ingredients alongside Florentines who have been shopping here for centuries. Florence’s markets brim over with temptations — gourmet cheeses, chutneys, wine — and everything is better with a dash of local olive oil. Florence might not be nearly as celebrity-packed as the French Riviera in the height of summer, but this unassuming Tuscan city is star-studded in its own right. We are counting the Michelin stars that entertain the tastebuds of visitors to Florence, of course. Chefs here benefit from the region’s fresh ingredients, simple cooking techniques and bountiful flavors. Gourmands visiting Florence rejoice — one of…

Late summer will bring Ian Koblick to Sicily to explore ancient shipwrecks, and you can join him. Over the past seven years, Koblick’s charity, the Aurora Trust Foundation, has been conducting large-scale surveys of previously undocumented shipwrecks in the Mediterranean. The nonprofit underwater archeological group has located numerous shipwrecks, including 2,000-year-old-plus Greek and Roman vessels, as well as a number of significant World War II artifacts. This August, it will conduct an expedition off the coast of Sicily to the untouched site of the famous Cape Ecnomus sea battle between the Roman and the Carthaginian Empires in 256 BC, considered by many the largest sea battle ever fought. The trust’s directors, Koblick and Craig Mullen, will lead the expedition directed by Dr. Sebastiano Tusa, superintendent of the Seas of Sicily.…

The gin-clear waters and soft, powdery-white sand should be the main attraction here. But no, it’s the pigs — the swimming pigs. As far as anyone knows, this is the only place in the world where pigs swim, and they’ve become one of the Exumas’ most famous attractions. They’re wild yet extremely friendly (and the piglets are downright adorable). How they got here is a mystery, but the best bet is they are the descendants of long-ago shipwreck survivors. And how they survive today is thanks to the benevolence of boaters who feed them scraps. Tie up nearby at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club and tender over to Pig Beach — just don’t forget the leftovers!…

SEAMASTER PLOPROF 1200 M Water-resistant to 4,000 feet, this updated version of the world-renowned Seamaster Professional 600 features an 18kt Sedna gold and titanium case and a polished titanium “Sharkproof” mesh bracelet. $18,000, omegawatches.com ULTRALIGHT This 4.4-pound BCD, available in regular and lilac versions, claims to be the lightest on the market — and it features anatomical shoulder straps and a fast folding system. $743, cressi.com NAUTILUS LIFELINE In trouble? This VHF marine rescue radio is depth-rated to 425 feet and allows you to send a distress message with your GPS position to boats up to 34 miles away. $299, nautiluslifeline.com SNAP-IT SALT Like other Salt Series knives, the Snap-it Salt’s H-1 steel blade is impervious to rust, with a handle molded in high-visibility yellow; however, this model also clips…

Profession: Retired chairman, CEO and President of First Financial Management Corporation, a Fortune 500 company My first boat was a 17-foot Chris-Craft runabout. I was in my early 20s. I got involved in boating because I started water skiing and I liked it. I have probably owned 100 boats since I started playing with them in 1965, including 15 Hatteras (yachts). I currently own a 106-foot Sanlorenzo and a custom 56-foot Sunny Briggs boat. I like them both a lot. I have a 35-foot Scarab, a 22-foot Pathfinder…all the boats are at my house in Hilton Head and all my boats since 1973 have been called Bodacious. I bought a Sanlorenzo because I’ve known (CEO of SL Americas) George Jousma for around 30 years. I’ve competed with him in fishing…