8 minute read
THE BOATS THAT ROCK
Did you think we’d run all the way through our nautical issue without a few yachts? For shame! Where else are you going to wear that platinum-cased, green-dials Royal Oak Jumbo you just got? There’s no better place on earth – or sea, specifically – than a yacht and with ever more impressive designs surfacing this year, we’ve looked at a few of our favourites.
Given that a fair few of us have dreamed of getting away from it all in the middle of the Indian Ocean over the last year, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that versatility is at the forefront of yacht design right now and that some of the world’s most important manufacturers are adapting to owners’ needs.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at four particularly versatile new designs cruising their way to a marina near you. Royal Oak unfortunately not included.
OUR QUARTET OF VERSATILE NEW YACHTS THAT ARE PERFECTLY SUITED TO LIFE ON THE OPEN WATER WITHOUT THE CABIN FEVER
AZIMUT 25M MAGELLANO
If an evening of gazing out across the waves in a natural harbour, ideally with a glass of champagne in hand, is your idea of perfection, you and Azimut are on a similar wavelength. The Italian brand has created the 25m-long Magellano for just that kind of purpose.
As well as a completely re-arranged cockpit to better make the most of the copious glass surfaces, the Magellano offers flexible spaces and furniture to get the most out of lounging aboard. To that end, it also comes with a ‘hotel mode’, which switches to a zero emissions mode while at anchor, letting you soak in the atmosphere without background engine noise or movement. Time for a top up.
azimutyachts.com
FERRETTI YACHTS 1000
The new flagship of Ferretti Yachts more than deserves the title, measuring in at an impressive 100 feet in length and one of the most versatile vessels in its class and not entirely due to its size. In fact, while there’s plenty of space, Ferretti have taken new approaches to using it, with a host of innovative design solutions to make the most out of life on board.
Inside, the Ferretti 1000 offers 40 square metres of living space, easily on par with most superyachts, and thanks to the unique flow of movement around the boat – not to mention the more-than-spacious flybridge and beach club – it feels a class above. It’s also available in two distinct flavours: contemporary or classic. Depending on your tastes, the choice completely changes the mood of the yacht. For us, it’s all about the cooler, darker hues of the contemporary palette, but to each their own.
ferretti-yachts.com
The abundance of space is obvious inside the Ferretti 1000, which has a generous 40 square metres of living space
SUNSEEKER PREDATOR 74 XPS
If you’re looking for a yacht that, while still luxurious, offers a decidedly more performanceoriented experience, look no further than the dramatically styled, aggressive-looking XPS limited edition version of the already great Predator 74 from Poole’s own Sunseeker. The 74-foot boat can zip around at up to 40 knots and, thanks to its sleek, pillarless windows will give you a nautical driving experience that few yachts of this size can manage.
Glass in fact is a defining feature of the Predator, as the entire salon is covered in a panoramic sliding roof, flooding the interiors with natural light. Combined with the XPS styling, you won’t find another yacht quite like it.
sunseeker.com
The Predator 74 is as performance focused as it looks and can reach speeds upto 40 knots
You won’t find another yacht quite like it
With a super flybridge covering the full length of the yacht, the Princess X80 is ideally suited to warmer climes
PRINCESS X80
Another home-grown yacht, the
Princess X80 is sister to the brand’s imposing X95 and, while a touch smaller, is built around the same super flybridge concept, offering unprecedented usable space and the kind of al fresco living that means you likely won’t be taking the new yacht into British waters if you can help it.
The various outdoor-indoor spaces can be arranged in a good number of ways, allowing an impressive level of versatility across the board, whether that be dining on the large main deck or in the sky lounge. Paired with the design expertise of Olesinski and Pininfarina, the X80 is more than just a downsized X95; it’s proof positive that Princess’ innovative approach to yacht design works – and works well.
princess.co.uk
A lot has changed over the past year. Working from home has become the norm, we’ve all grown a little too accustomed to video calls over face-toface interactions and even a slight cough is now cause for concern. It’s not been fun.
Even the way we travel has changed. With most commercial airlines on hiatus – or at the very least, severely restricted as to where they can go – private aviation is in its ascendancy. The chance to hop between countries in safety without fear of contracting Covid 19 from a random passer-by has means that private jets have been the go-to for those for whom a conference call just won’t do.
That said, not all aircraft are built equal, and there’s one particular name that’s been making their presence felt throughout the global pandemic: Pilatus. The Swiss manufacturer’s jets and turbo props have been doing more than just pulling their weight; they’ve been
Words: Sam Kessler
THE NEW NORMAL OF PRIVATE AVIATION
AS THE WAY TRAVEL EVOLVES AND PRIVATE AVIATION CONTINUES TO SOAR IN POPULARITY, ONE NAME LEADS THE WAY THANKS TO ITS INDUSTRY-LEADING CAPABILITIES
The Pilatus PC-24 (above) not only offers impressive baggage space, a well-appointed cabin, and the ability to land on small runways, but after a few years of good use you can expect a return as much as 80% of the original value
going above and beyond, quite literally.
Throughout the pandemic, the Pilatus PC-12 was the third most active business aircraft in Europe, with over 67,000 flights. That’s an impressive number by any stretch for a single model. Or for an entire manufacturer, for that matter.
What’s more, that’s not just your average business traveller. Those flights are across VIP, Medevac, Government and Utility flights, a huge range of activities
that highlight just how versatile of an aircraft the PC-12 actually is. It’s even been dubbed the SUV of the skies for good reason.
One of those reasons is its aforementioned versatility, but others are a bit easier to grasp. Like any iconic Swiss manufacturer, the aircraft are gorgeously over-engineered, enough to put any fine Swiss timepiece to shame. On one hand that’s led to industry-leading flight capabilities and a specs sheet most aircraft owners would fawn over. On the other, they’re simply some of the most comfortable aircraft around. If you’re considering private aviation, the likelihood is that you fly enough to make that last point really matter.
As good as they are, Pilatus aircraft are still expensive – you need to pay for quality after all – but they might be a touch more attainable than you might think. After all, they’re one of the few manufacturers that banks are often willing to finance, for just the reasons we’ve gone over. As one UK Aviation financier says:
“The PC12 is attractive to us and those that finance aircraft for a number of reasons. The aircraft is very versatile and has a global appeal which offers owners the peace of mind that they are investing in a popular type. Similarly, the low operating costs and the reliability of the engine and avionics adds to that sense of comfort. For that reason, we depreciate the aircraft slower than other aircraft when we come to assess values of our portfolio.”
That’s all particularly true of the Pilatus flagship, the PC-24 Super Versatile Jet. It’s an aircraft that lives up to it’s name. Despite offering impressive baggage space and a well-appointed cabin, the PC-24 can use small runways, allowing for an unprecedented level of aerial freedom.
Perhaps better than that is the fact that Pilatus aircraft are also one of the scant few that hold their value. Buy one now and in a few years of good use, you could pass it on for as much as 80% of the original value. Given the freedom and safety private aviation naturally offers, the Pilatus range might just make for an incredibly savvy investment. For more information, visit oriensaviation.com
