The eccentric art of yacht design glitters at Monaco Yacht Show 2018

Every September the luxury world casts its eyes over the new nautical offerings that crowd the quays at Monaco Harbour. Superyachts and high design don’t always mix, even if the time, effort and energy (not to mention money) involved in creating these floating behemoths far exceeds even the most intensive architectural project.

Each year, a clutch of new designs stands above the rest and advances the eccentric art of yacht design. Here’s our round-up of the best boats from the 2018 Yacht Show. 

Illusion Plus

Y.Co’s Illusion Plus is the largest yacht ever built in an Asian shipyard, Pride Mega Yachts in China. At 88.5m, the expansive interior space gives the 12 guests a true hotel-like ambience within eight cabins, with double-height saloons, acres of low-slung furniture, rich materials and painstakingly applied traditional craft. There are a total of four lounges and two dining rooms, with a spa on the lowest of six decks, while the owner’s suite alone measures 80m2. Illusion Plus is one of the big draws at this year’s show and shows Y.CO’s evolution into one of the biggest playing in the superyacht industry.

Flying Dagger, from Rossinavi

The minimal interior of Rossinavi’s new Flying Dagger is a very contemporary statement, all moody lighting, angular chrome insets and not a curve in sight. Interior design was by longstanding wallpaper favourites, the Rome-based studio of Lazzarini Pickering Architects. The boat’s dark, sleek hull by Enrico Gobbi of Team for Design continues the low-key theme, with a technical layout pitched towards high performance. Ultimately, however, this 50m yacht will spend its life undertaking long-range, warm water cruising, a relaxed way of life enabled by its flexible interior that can be closed down or opened up depending on the number of guests aboard.

Latona by CRN

Latona is the latest superyacht from Italian shipyard CRN (‘Costruzioni e Riparazioni Navali’). The 50m vessel presents a classic face to the world, with an aquamarine-coloured hull and traditional-styled deck and railings. The interior is even more of a throwback, with an elaborate art nouveau influenced decor that draws inspiration from the work of the era’s icons like Victor Horta and Hector Guimard. Not exactly cutting-edge, but the mix of mosaics, curved wood and careful craftsmanship makes this an elegant – if eccentric – addition to the shipyard’s fleet.

52HT by Mazu Yachts

Mazu’s new 52HT is a compact superyacht, a twin-engined day cruiser with a surprising amount of below deck space and two hefty marine engines to give it a top speed of 36 knots. Carbon fibre construction keeps the weight down and performance and efficiency up, while the upper deck of the Turkish-built boat has clean, unblemished lines, with plenty of space for lounging.

Power Play by Damen

Damen’s new Power Play is a 55m support vessel, designed to accommodate the crew, toys and equipment that might otherwise clutter up the lines of the mother yacht – the vast deck can house tenders and helicopters, for example. Mindful that not every journey needs to be undertaken with a small fleet, the Dutch company hasn’t scrimped on quality and style, ensuring that Power Play can stand alone if need be, with space for six guests in three suites as well as a sun deck and lounge – elements that are usually lacking in these hard-working boats. The absence of the usual superyacht fripperies makes for far more functional accommodation. If you can’t bear to slum it, the shipyard’s proposed new SeaXplorer 75 suggests a hybrid solution to cater to all tastes.

Swan 115 Odin by Nautor’s Swan

Billed as the most advanced boat ever built by the Finnish shipyard Nautor’s Swan, Odin is a 115-foot sailing boat, a true racing machine that also has the ability to cruise long distances around the world. Three years in the making, Odin is an incredibly pure design, hand-crafted using traditional methods with a pared-back interior with none of the usual superyacht eccentricities. Although there is ample – and very comfortable – accommodation, this sailing boat also a racing machine, intended to compete at the highest level.

Titian Tender

Fresh from a first prize at the Cannes Yachting Festival’s Concours d'Elégance, the Titian Tender is the epitome of ocean-going luxury. The 9.5m tender has space for 12 and was designed by Cullum Bespoke, with extensive use of wood and silk panels, as well as a Corian and copper galley. There’s plenty of seating and lounging space up on deck – the boat was designed as a tender for an 88m superyacht and can more than hold its own in terms of craftsmanship.

Go by Turquoise Yachts

Resplendent with its turquoise hull, GO is substantial 77m yacht that’s another throwback to an earlier era of waterborne glamour. Designed by the London studio, GO has space for 18 guests, with a substantial beach club area and three tenders, all painted in the same turquoise hue. The main staircase incorporates a glass chandelier by Dale Chihuly and the five main deck areas include features like a teppanyaki grill, a 5m swimming pool and the obligatory ‘touch and go’ helipad (a designated space for drop-offs). Photography: Guillaume Plisson

Tankoa Solo 72m

Styled by Francesco Paszkowski Design, the new 72m S701 from Tankoa Yachts is a mighty new launch from the Italian yard. Having just completed sea trials and undergoing a final shakedown, the yacht is due to make its maiden transatlantic voyage after the Monaco show for its debut season in the Caribbean. On board, there is ample room for 12 guests in six cabins, including a substantial owner’s deck and a VIP cabin with impressive sea views. Other features include a winter garden, a beach club that incorporates a spa and gym, a 6m pool and a fish tank incorporating stabilizers to ensure the contents don’t slosh around in high seas.

INFORMATION

Monaco Yacht Show runs from 26 - 29 September 2018. For more information, visit the website