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The new Azimut 50. Reinventing the luxury yacht.
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Asia~ Leading New Yacht Sales, Broke!age, Service, Management and Charter Company
www.simpsormarine.com I azimul.@sirrpsormarine.com Abeldeen Marine Tower, Hong Kong I +852 2555 8377 China Hong Kalg lndooesia Malaysia Singapore Taiwan Thailand
BOAT INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
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A Global Independent Insurance Broker
Motor and Sailing Yachts from Small Dinghies to Mega Yachts Able to provide cover for Charter, Crew, Medical, Personal Accident and High Limits of Liability Cover Yachts located and cruising in Asia and Around the world For other lines of business, please visit www.hwiuk.com A member of Professional Insurance Brokers Association PIBA-0578-015955
Offices around the world: H. W. International Offices : ATHENS – BERMUDA – COLOGNE – HAMBURG – HONG KONG LONDON – STEVENAGE – MADRID – MELBOURNE – PARIS –TORONTO Hugh Wood Inc. Offices : BELLEFONTE – NEW YORK – PHILADELPHIA - SEATTLE
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erretti Group take their brands seriously. Their stable includes Riva, Pershing and Bertram, amongst others, as well as Ferretti itself, and keeping the brands distinct and faithful to their historical provenance while maintaining modernity isn’t easy. Introducing a new member of an established brand is something that takes thought: introducing the new flagship, with its implications on the whole design ethos of the brand takes even more thought, and just when you think “that’s enough change”, they tell you the entire boat is completely built in light aluminium alloy, a first for Riva, and is the biggest boat Riva have ever contemplated building. Careful thought? Let’s see. At 122ft, (or 37m in new money) she has a beam of 7.6m, nearly 25 foot. She’s a far cry from the classic drop-stern wooden runabouts so beloved of Riva owners since the 1920s. Mythos, Riva’s new flagship, comes in at 35 tons and is the product of 100,000 man/hours of design and building work for 50 people over 18 months. It’s a major commitment for any boatyard, but given that the Riva brand keeps evolving in terms of style and technology, with 12 different models, Riva are no strangers to doing something different. Alberto Galassi, Ferretti Group’s CEO, is fulsome: “We are both proud and amazed. As an owner of a Riva yacht myself, it is as if a new child has joined our Riva family. … Riva is an icon of Made in Italy production, ingenious design, production excellence, and much appreciated style.” In practice, the 122’ Mythos is a derivative of, or is inspired by, the Riva 86’ Domino (see Evolution of the Ego, Yachtstyle 26) which did very well for Ferretti. The same design team was employed, and
the overall effect is a ‘100% Riva’ model: clean lines, painstaking details, traditional and ‘evergreen’ finishes of steel, wood and leather. Designer Mauro Micheli said “Talking about a boat is always more difficult than designing it. The concept and lines of the 122’ were conceived in about 10 minutes; what really makes a difference, and makes this model truly unique, is the time devoted to defining its details.” The first Riva Mythos 122 was built with some elements in “Regal Silver”, (designerese for a new light gray hue), specially designed for this model and said to highlight its profile. Some “Bright Black” superstructure details provide contrast. The striking black “eyebrow”, a slash of black glazing, is not in fact an opening 12m wide and 1m high. It conceals 8 modest windows and 4 portholes. These let in plenty of light to the lower deck sleeping accommodation while maintaining hull integrity. Sticking another 36 feet on the length and 4 feet across the beam doesn’t add any more passenger accommodation over and above the Domino 86. Well - there’s more space, but still the same number of passengers: 8, in 4 cabins. You can get a 3-cabin variation which gives more room for owners to escape their guests, or a more sociable 5-cabin version. Interior finishes include walnut, leather and chromed steel, and it is in the interiors that the Domino heritage makes itself apparent. Strongly angular lines, severely straight, and plenty of height, creating lots of volume and a sense of enhanced space. The result is elegant. The deck-length glazing offers panoramic views with plenty of light into the open-plan day area, leading to a raised pilot station and the forward galley. The living area seats 10 in
previous page: The Riva 122 Mythos built of light aluminum alloy opposite, clockwise from top: Full beam owners suite; galley; master ensuite; VIP cabin; sauna/spa Above: Main saloon
Ys | autumn 2014 | 103
Indonesia’s most luxurious charter yacht, DUNIA BARU, hosts “The World’s Most Expensive Holiday” Geoffrey Kent, founder of luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent, leads 50 fortunate guests on a dazzling $100,000 round the world trip
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ouring on a luxury private jet, oh bliss! Geoffrey Kent, founder of luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent, took 50 fortunate guests on a dazzling $100,000 round-the-world trip, revisiting some of Mr. Kent’s favourite places and discovering exotic destinations he hasn’t yet seen. “Under ordinary circumstances these remote places are difficult - perhaps impossible - to visit on a single journey,’’ he said. “But a private jet brings all these experiences within reach, in comfort and in style.’’ The adventure-packed journey begins in Miami and then includes a cruise on the Amazon River, a tropical break in Samoa, an audience with the Huli Wigmen in Papua New Guinea, and a visit to Komodo National Park to see the prehistoric Komodo dragon. Mr. Kent selected the luxury sailing yacht Dunia Baru, an Indonesian-built superyacht chartering in Komodo and Raja Ampat, to cruise in style to islands in the Komodo National Park, home to the largest living lizards in the world. Males measure a hefty 2.5m and weigh over 90kgs. They are able to eat up to 80% of their body weight in a single sitting and possess a deadly, venomous bite. The luxury travellers met lemurs in Madagascar and stayed in an extravagant tented camp in Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve. The lavish 26-day itinerary concluded with a fitting farewell party in glamourous Monte Carlo, Mr. Kent’s adopted home. www.northropandjohnson.com
Northrop & Johnson Asia acquires new charter CA for S/Y ASIA
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ne of Southeast Asia’s most popular and successful charter yachts, s/y Asia, a 98-foot custom built Don Brooke, can now be booked through Northrop & Johnson Asia as CoCentral Agent for charter. Owner/Captain Paul Johnson and his wife Debbie, renowned for her delicious culinary creations, have earned a reputation for exhilarating, luxury adventure charters. s/y Asia is the ultimate long-range explorer vessel; able to venture into the most remote and unspoiled cruising areas of Southeast Asia. Whether guests want to indulge in xtreme surfing in the Andaman Islands, watch a magical volcanic fire show, swim with dolphins or dive with whales, Captain Paul has a knack of knowing the right place at just the right time. s/y Asia is well laid out, with five large and luxurious en-suite staterooms, accommodating up to 10 guests. Rich Burmese teak complements a tasteful interior with hints of Asia. She is fully equipped with scuba equipment and plenty of water toys. www.northropandjohnson.com
Ys | autumn 2014 | 113
SAFFRON M
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27' La Cigarette Thrs ultla powerful boat IS the rdeal addrbon to any weekend tnp to the beadl w1th your friends Equrpped vnth wakeboardrng hooks and the necessary po.ver thrs machrne arms to thnll as well as be practical and fun
HK$ HK$195,000
bella cellini
The Rolex Cellini Collection is named in homage of Benvenuto Cellini, sculptor and goldsmith to Renaissance popes and kings.
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he Cellini Collection from Rolex has been completely refreshed since Baselworld 2014 with three new models, each available in 4 variants, all in very much the same classical style, and all a strong departure from the rest of the Cellini line, a line that is as old as Rolex’s perhaps more famous Oyster Collection, many of which have been featured in Yachtstyle. The Cellini Collection goes back to the original Rolex Prince first made in 1928. It was different from the crowd in two significant ways: it was rectangular and it was a chronometer and became a huge success for Rolex.
The newly-released models, the Rolex Cellini Time, Date and Dual Time models are a significant stylistic break from the rest of the current Cellini Collection with its avant-garde styles. These new watches are simply classic, and designing new classic-looking watches in what is a very wide field isn’t easy. Rolex have managed it. The Rolex Cellini Collection of course is named in homage to Benvenuto Cellini, sculptor and goldsmith to Renaissance popes and kings. Watchmaking has evolved from being the domain of a single craftsman like Cellini, to a collaboration of skilled specialists. Every Rolex is a symphony of the know-how and artistry of these craftsmen, and the new models do the Cellini Collection
ABOVE: Cellini Dual Time model with Rolex Everose 18ct gold case, white lacqure dial, and alligator leather black strap.
Rolex feature
Above: Rolex Cellini Date with Rolex Everrose 18ct gold case, black lacquer dial ,and black alligator leather strap.
proud. In common, all the 12 variants of the three new models, have the same size and format. The simplest, the Cellini Time is 39mm wide, has the classic three hour, minute and second hands and is a self-winding automatic chronometer with 48 hours of mainspring power reserve to drive the 4Hz movement. The case is either white or pink (Rolex Everose) 18ct gold and the dial either white or black lacquer with a brown or black alligator leather strap. The winding-crown screws down to seal the case which is waterproof to 50m, which is more than good enough for the yachtsman whose chiefest worry is spray. The dial design includes dial numerals at 3, 6, 9 and 12 which are stylised elongated roman numerals. The remainder of the hour markers are longer-than-usual, and bisect-
ed by the minutes/seconds scale.The Cellini Date adds another small dial at 3 o’clock with a single hand indicating the date. Again the case is in either white or Rolex Everose gold, and the strap choice is black or brown shiny alligator leather. The dial face however is different. Not lacquer, but silver or black guilloché, a form of intricate mechanical engraving that creates a textured finish with a moire effect. The last new watch is the Rolex Cellini Dual Time. Instead of a little date dial at 3 o’clock, it has a time dial at 6, with an hour and a minute hand to show the time in another time-zone, perfect for the jet-setter and even more perfect for the jet-setter heading direct to a boat at either end of the journey. Or even both ends. The sub-dial incorporates (at its own 9 o’clock), a
Beyond the Bottle Vineyards and the wine they produce are practically life-blood in France. But the appreciation of ‘terroir’, the part-fact part-mythology about the spirit of the earth and the landscape in which vines grow, is not restricted to the French. TEXT by Guy nowell
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growing Asian interest in and appreciation of red wines – particularly French red wines – over the last 20 years has created an unusual niche in the property market: chateaux and vineyards in France. Two decades ago 18yo single malt whisky was $300 a bottle, and any wine with ‘Chateau’ on the label was good enough – it might not have been very nice, but at least it had cachet. How things have changed. Today, China imports 300 million bottles of red wine per annum, and there are wine enthusiasts interested in where it comes from and how it is made – and even wanting to make it themselves. “It’s a luxury factor,” says David Guillon of IFL Castle & Vineyards. “China is an ancient civilization that is rediscovering luxury goods and lifestyles. A vineyard is a piece of the legacy.” If Chateau Lafite were on the market (which it isn’t) you wouldn’t even be allowed to guess at the price. However, for the price of a 3-bedroom luxury apartment in Hong Kong, a vineyard and accompanying chateau in Bordeaux can indeed be yours. “Properties in our portfolio are typically in the US$6m-26m bracket,” adds Guillon, but at the top end can exceed US$650m.” People buy vineyards for all sorts of reasons – as a retreat, as a holiday home abroad, or maybe actually for production and
development. Norman Koo, who bought Chateau La Bourguette in 1996 is adamant that a chateau and vineyard is much akin to buying a superyacht… it is an expense, not an investment. “There may be some investment value in the land itself, particularly if you improve the land and the vines, but the real reason you should buy a vineyard is because you love wine.” Koo owns 17 hectares of exquisite Bordelaise countryside, complete with chateau (which translates as ‘castle’ but in French terminology really means ‘large house in the country’). “If you like fine food, eating in restaurants, there comes a day when you wonder what it would be like to be the Chef instead of merely the customer, and you want to get into the kitchen.” In 1981 he took a long hard look at post-Berlin Wall eastern Europe: dinner for six (a whole roast lamb, free-flow champagne, and a string quartet) cost US$120 at the Sofia Sheraton, but it all looked a little too unstable for Koo to consider investment. “So many uniforms on the streets… and each one carrying a different weapon.” It wasn’t until 15 years later that he was introduced to La Bourguette, and fell in love. “At this point you become a Romantic. Of course you do – this is not a practical consideration. How on earth are you going to make money out of something you know
Opposite page: This is where it all starts above, from left: The 2013 vintage, ‘quietly maturing’; Chateau La Bourguette; the raw materials for quality Bordeaux
Ys | autumn 2014 | 127
the last word 145
AN INCURABLE ROMANTIC
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By Roger Eastham
A keen sailor, Roger has an eclectic CV covering sail training, yacht building, yacht brokerage, yacht delivery, yacht racing and boatyard and marine management. After 33 years in Hong Kong, the last 10 spent at the helm of the RHKYC’s marine operations, he is moving to Australia with his family.
fter more than 30 years of working in the marine industry in Hong Kong I have developed something of a stock answer to the FAQ “so what brought you to Hong Kong in the first place?”. It goes along the lines of – “Well, I had gap year between school and university working for the Hong Kong Outward Bound School. I fell in love with the place, and after university decided to go back to spend 3 months working for the school on their new square rigged sail training ship before entering the real world. The rest they say is history”. The truth is of course rather more complex, but if I were pressed to identify the catalyst I would have to point to Missee Lee. As a young boy growing up in a sailing family in North West England, Arthur Ransome was required reading. He is best known for the 12 books in the “Swallows and Amazons” series. These are somewhat fanciful adventures that follow the children of a naval officer who has a refreshingly cavalier attitude to health and safety. In an oft quoted passage from the first book “Swallows and Amazons”, when replying by telegram to a request from the children to be allowed to go off on their own in a small boat on Lake Coniston he replied “BETTER DROWNED THAN DUFFERS – IF NOT DUFFERS WON’T DROWN”. That message could as easily have been sent by my own father. His approach to getting his children into sailing was straight out of Commander Walker’s handbook. Sitting around the kitchen table one morning during the summer holiday Dad casually mentioned that “after breakfast you boys might want to have a look down the bottom of the field”. Our curiosity well and truly spiked we wolfed down our toast and
headed to the prescribed location. Our excitement was indescribable when we discovered a small sailing dinghy (huge to our youthful eyes) sitting unrigged on a trailer. After establishing that it was ours, we asked what to do next. “Well if you can’t work that out maybe I should send it back” was his reply. We spent all day, with no assistance from a grown up, stepping the mast, unstepping it when we found we had forgotten the halyards, stepping it again, hoisting sails, playing with the sheets, rudder and tiller, sitting in it pretending to sail, pretending to capsize and climb back in, everything in fact except for actually sailing. The next day we wheeled the newly christened “Jolly Roger” down to a nearby muddy launching ramp with a promise from Dad that he would see us off when we were ready. With nothing more than a sage word of advice that we should probably not get “down tide of the Club” we pushed her through the glutinous mud and climbed aboard. I can remember as if it were yesterday that first sensation of the boat shivering under the press of the sails, the gentle burble of water under the stem as she came alive when we bore away, and the figure of our father shrinking and finally disappearing from view as we turned a bend in the river. This single experience delivered that most precious of commodities for a child – independence. From that moment sailing and the sea has been in my blood. In Missee Lee, Ransome takes the children on an adventure off the pirate coast of Southern China. Whilst the stereotypical dialogue of the Chinese characters will disappoint modern readers, the picture he paints of prewar life in Southern China was alluring. Lion dances, Tin Hau temples, green tiled roofs, pigtails and pirates. The contrast between the Fylde coast and the South China coast could not have been more dramatic. In the intervening 36 years, whilst parts of Hong Kong have changed beyond all recognition, the beauty, drama and romance of Hong Kong’s eastern waters remain as strong today as they did when I turned the first page of the Walker children’s Far East adventure.