2 minute read
Alpha Made
In September 2021, Denison embarked on their annual shipyard tour in Europe. Past years took a team of yacht brokers to Italy, Germany and Holland. This year, they visited Turkey, home to some of the most prestigious shipyards in the world.
Visiting nine shipyards in five days can get repetitive. But that’s what Denison did on their mammoth Turkish road trip, stopping in at RMK Marine, Sirena Yachts, Evadne Yachts, Turquoise Yachts, Dunya Yachts, Bilgin Yachts, Mengi Yay, Numarine and Alpha Custom Yachts. The team stayed in Istanbul and learned about Turkey’s history and geography along the way.
The tour was about helping Denison yacht brokers to gain a deeper understanding and first-hand experience with new products so they can recommend certain brands or models to clients. But it was a new shipbuilder, visited on the last day of the tour, that exceeded expectations and stood out as a new force in the yachting industry: Alpha Custom Yachts.
It’s unusual to encounter a new superyacht brand these days. Some of the most established and successful shipyards made a name for themselves because of their long-standing experience in the industry. In many ways, yachting embraces legacy, making it almost impossible for newcomers to step onstage. But in the thick of established yards in Turkey, Alpha broke through the wall to challenge the stale and safe designs of traditional yachts.
Alpha is a new, family-owned luxury yacht builder established by veterans of the industry, Roberto and Jorge Aboumrad. As experienced yachtsmen, the Aboumrad brothers noticed a gap in the market — traditional yacht designs did not always reflect the way the owner used the boat. In 2017, Roberto and Jorge partnered with experienced boat builders in Turkey and Italian interior designer Giorgio Cassetta to establish Alpha Custom Yachts with the vision to challenge the status quo of yacht design and build yachts that are beyond our time.
"When you walk into Alpha, you immediately notice that it is an organized and high-level shipyard — it’s clean, professional, friendly and approachable,” says Denison yacht broker David Johnson.
Alpha Custom Yachts designs and builds boats that prioritize outdoor spaces, comfortable cabins, innovative amenities and an overall user-friendly experience. The Spritz 102 was awarded Best Deck Design by Design Et Al in the 2021 International Yacht and Aviation Awards.
The shipyard currently offers a standard package for each model and size including the Spritz 102, Spritz 116, Alfresco 110 and Alfresco 125. An owner can work with the shipyard to brainstorm, envision and create the yacht of their dreams by adding specific custom features.
Both Alpha Custom Yachts and Denison are family-run businesses with a shared goal to connect owners with the sea. David Johnson is the representative of Alpha Custom Yachts in North America, promoting all sales for the Al Fresco and Spritz lines and offering full support for clients. His first-hand experience at the shipyard in Turkey and his long-standing relationship with Roberto Aboumrad make him an excellent point of contact to inquire about owning a yacht of tomorrow.
