Columnist: Follow Trade Winds For Cuban Charters

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April 11, 2018

Columnist: Follow Trade Winds For Cuban Charters

“Before heading down west, I decided to take a trip to Marina Hemingway on a classic 1957 Chevrolet.” – Liz To

Despite the fact that I spend most of my time at Yachting Partners International (YPI) helping yacht owners and charterers explore the best of Asia and beyond, I rarely plan an itinerary when it comes to my own travel plans.

But as I am constantly looking for new ways to enhance the yachting experience of our Clients at YPI, whenever I do travel to a new country, I always learn as much about the superyacht options there as I can.

In February, following the northeasterly trade winds scented with tobacco leaf, I headed to Cuba, arriving just before Chinese New Year. Though within easy reach of the Caribbean, Cuba is currently seen as an off-the-beaten track destination, luring the more adventurous charterers to its paradise shores.

Lovely salon of the 33m classic Klaassen sloop Shamoun, available via central agent YPI in Raja Ampat and other SE Asian waters

While there is a conception that chartering in Cuba is complicated and difficult, there are in fact plenty of agents there who are very experienced with potential superyacht issues and can work with the captains to take care of administration, visas, authorisations…

Indeed, as a large island with poor-quality roads and lack of luxury service, Cuba is best experienced by superyacht. A yacht charter here enables guests to enjoy the country’s best elements – its old towns, nature and live music with no compromise to lifestyle.

As superyacht owners are increasingly focusing on experiences and adventures, we may see more facilities becoming established here as the island develops as a superyacht destination.

Marina Hemingway and the new Varadero resort marina are capable of accommodating superyachts. For now, there are plenty of places to drop anchor, with the island’s north side highly protected and the south side offering fantastic diving opportunities. A good charter option is to cruise the picturesque south coast of the island and take a helicopter to Havana for a visit.

My first stop was Cienfuegos, located on the island’s south-central Caribbean coast, and of southern-central, and recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage site. A stunning historical town with a lively French flair, its marina, Club Cienfuegos, is located in Punta Gorda, set in majestic Spanish colonial architecture with an emerald green roof.

On a Saturday just before sunset, the yacht club’s patio was packed with locals and visiting yachties welcomed by a Cuban live band. For arriving yachts, this really sets the scene.

In Havana, a night in the Cabaret Tropicana is a bucket list experience, but my favourite was the flamenco show at Gran Teatro de la Habana. The theatre itself is also one of the nicest in Old Havana and looks particularly magnificent at night when the exterior is illuminated.

Secret bars and speakeasies are popping up everywhere: walk into a red English telephone booth and find yourself in the basement bar La Zorra y el Cuervo (the ‘Fox & Crow’), a smoky, dark bar that’s full of atmosphere and worlds away from the traditional Jazz Cafés.

Before heading down west, I decided to take a trip to Marina Hemingway on a classic 1957 Chevrolet. Composed of four canal-shaped basins, the marina is known for its Ernest Hemingway International Billfish tournament, one of the oldest big-game saltwater tournaments in the world.

For four days, fishermen battle with large ocean fish just as Ernest Hemingway, legendary both as a writer and a fisherman, once did. For yacht guests keen on fishing, this is a fantastic calling point on a Cuba itinerary.

People often complain about the food in Cuba, but as well as fresh seafood prepared by the yacht chef, I will be recommending clients to discover the culinary scene of Old Havana.

San Juan de Dios Street is an oasis of good Cuban and International Cuisine. Restaurant 5 Sentidos serves snapper ceviche, octopus salad and grilled lobster, with a lively atmosphere and excellent service, surrounded by the Spanish Colonial architecture that characterises Old Havana.

The YPI Charter team and I can advise on charters in Cuba and any surrounding waters. The best months for cruising here are November to April, the dry period, offering calmer waters to cruise and more hours of sunshine to enjoy. Months to avoid are September and October, peak hurricane season.

For more details on the YPI and charter rates, please visit www.ypiyachts.com.

***This article is republished from Issue 43 of Yacht Style.

Princess Yachts Orders Exceed $1 Billion for First Time in 53 Years

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April 11, 2018

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Princess Yachts Orders Exceed $1 Billion for First Time in 53 Years

Princess Yacht S60 recently in Singapore

In a 2017 report provided by Global Industry Analysts Inc, the global Yacht Industry is projected to reach US$74.7 billion by 2022, encouraged largely by the rising interest in luxury yachts among high net worth individuals particularly in developing regions of Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. In context of the comprehensive analytics for the global Yacht market, it comes as little surprise that Princess Yachts orders exceeded $1 Billion (£¾ billion) for the first time in 53 Years.

Princess Yachts Orders Exceed $1 Billion for First Time in 53 Years

Princess Yachts Ltd delivered a record-breaking year in 2017, with its highest ever sales in its 53-year history, contributed largely by advance orders totalling more than US$1billion (£¾ billion). Though the US captures a dominant 47.4% share of the global luxury yacht market, Asia, specifically China, leads with projected growth of 8.1% CAGR.

“This has been a landmark year in the history of Princess. With our exciting launch plan this year of unique and exceptional yachts, coupled with our unprecedented $1 billion order book which stretches well into 2019, 2018 is set to be another record year in sales and profits for Princess Yachts.” – Antony Sheriff, Executive Chairman of Princess Yachts

Princess Yachts, a L Catterton-owned UK luxury yacht builder, is particularly strong in Asia, with more than 25 years operating in Malaysia. In China, it recently strengthened its distribution network with its announcement of that its South China and Hong Kong office will also undertake responsibility for the People’s Republic of China. The newly formed Princess Yachts Greater China Limited is an amalgamate of existing distributors for Hong Kong, Macau and Southern China – a subsidiary of Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited (a flagship investment holding company controlled by Dato Dr. Cheng Yu Teng) and new partner, DCH Marine Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Dah Chong Hong Holdings Ltd.

Princess Yachts had a strong showing at Singapore Rendezvous 2017

Financial results of Princess Yachts Ltd. for the 12 months to 31 December 2017 showed record turnover of £274.4 million (+26.6% on 2016) and an Operating Profit before Exceptionals of £7.9m (2.9% of sales), representing a turnaround of £15 million (6.1% points) on its 2016 results and continuing the trend of strong year-on-year growth.

Princess Yachts’ recent performance at the industry’s three biggest global sales events – the Cannes, Fort Lauderdale and Düsseldorf boat shows, saw the company power ahead across its entire fleet. Princess’ advance order book report 20% sales higher than the previous year, concurring with Yacht Industry reports that growing number of millionaire households are spurring on market growth.

According to a 2016 Global Wealth Report, the top 10 countries with a high number of millionaire households show the United States in the lead with 7,875,000 households, followed by China with 1,990,000, Japan with 1,100,000, UK with 976,000 and Switzerland with 532,000.

Princess Yachts is poised for an even more successful year in 2018. The year began with the launch of the V50, V65 and S78 models and will see an additional 6 launches by year-end, including the revolutionary carbon fibre R35 sports boat which will feature the innovative Active Foil System for world class performance, efficiency and stability. This unprecedented launch programme is underpinned by a stronger-than-ever presence at the world’s leading boat shows, intensified marketing programmes, and a significant investment in production and quality at its Plymouth headquarters. To support this growth, Princess has increased its workforce by over 500 team members (2700 total) in 2017.

1969 Lamborghini Islero S V12 GT

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April 11, 2018

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1969 Lamborghini Islero ‘S’ V12 GT

This 1969 Lamborghini Islero S, is a classic survivor car from the 1960s, with the Chassis number 6351. It was the 54th example of only 100 GTS models ever produced worldwide. During 1969, another example of the same Lamborghini Islero V12 GT coupe was once driven by Roger Moore in the movie titled “The Man Who Haunted Himself.”

Showing 59,858 kilometres on the odometer

Under the bonnet features a higher horsepower ‘S’ variant V12 engine with a matching number drive-train that is able to produce a conservative 340bhp with six Weber carburettors (a device in an internal combustion engine for mixing air with a fine spray of liquid fuel), all mated to a five-speed manual transmission. While the exterior of the Lamborghini is finished in red, accentuating with the tan leather in the interior and showing 59,858 kilometres (37,194 miles) on the odometer.

Inside the car cabin shows the trimmed leather interior matching with the steering wheel and gear-shift covered in wood-grain accents. The original Marazzi production VIN tag is fitted on the dashboard and there’s also a sequence tag of 25179 fixed to the engine bay as well as the chassis plate.

The car is estimated to realise at approximately S$649K and it has covered only less than 120 km, which translates to 75 miles since the last mechanical rebuild. Other prominent features of the race car coupe include power windows, a four-wheel independent suspension and hydraulic disc brakes.

What the future owner of this car can expect is a 1969 Lamborghini Islero ‘S’ V12 GT presented in a “beautiful overall condition”, according to the private seller.

The car has gone through a cosmetic and mechanical restoration in 2010 by the marque’s specialist, Gary Bobileff of San Diego, according to the OEM specifications. Accompanied by car receipts, original sales brochure, owner’s manual and restoration records for authenticity.

For more information about the 1969 Lamborghini Islero S V12 GT and how to buy, make enquiries at LUXIFY, Asia’s leading online marketplace for luxury.

The Singapore Yacht Show 2018 returns with a powerful line-up of yachts and superyachts

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April 10, 2018

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The Singapore Yacht Show 2018 returns with a powerful line-up of yachts and superyachts

Happening from April 12-15 2018, the 8^th edition of the Singapore Yacht Show 2018 (SYS 2018) will present a stellar line-up of the world’s most impressive yachts and superyachts, embodying the art of luxury and living. Building up the anticipation to the official opening of the grand-scale event, over 80 luxurious vessels have already been docked at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, waiting for the Show to open its doors this week. Visitors will be able to admire the best collection of superyachts to be exhibited in Asia.

Singapore, being the region’s important business hub for luxury yachting, will host the most celebrated and sought-after yachting brands from dealers. SYS2018 will welcome over thousands of leisure marine lifestyle enthusiasts, including potential buyers and charterers.

The yacht show will also see approximately 18,000 overseas visitors flying in from all around the region to participate in one of Asia’s most reputable boating and yachting events. On top of the amazing line-up of yachts and exhibiting brands, SYS 2018 will also feature a host of exciting programme line-up replete with glamourous parties, networking events and high-end entertainment for everyone! Visitors to the show will get to enjoy a curated schedule of live demonstrations, trials, luxury retail, giveaways, wellness workshops as well as yacht cruises.

Strongly backed by renowned exhibitors, including Feadship, Lurssen, Fincantieri, Benetti, Gulf Craft, Amels, Heesen, Westport, Burgess, Camper & Nicholsons, Y.CO, Princess Yachts, Ferretti Group, Azimut, Boat Lagoon Yachting, Simpson Marine, Beneteau, Hong Seh Marine, Multihull Solutions, Leopard, Reel Torque, Sunreef, Lee Marine, SG Boating, ProMarine, as well as newcomer to the region, Nautical Habitat… to name a few.

Striking Yachts, Superyachts And Catamarans on Display

Hong Seh Marine will be presenting the new Riva Perseo 76 by Ferretti Group – a striking yacht with its sporty features and elegance, further enhanced by its colour shades.

Ferretti 780, part of the Tai He Ban collection – a special new range with design customisation aimed specifically at the Asian market.

Azimut Yachts will introduce Grande 27 Metri in Asia for the first time. Recently crowned winner of the 2017 World Yachts Trophies’ “Most Achieved” Trophy in the 80’ to 125’ category, it features the use of carbon fibre, a construction choice that allows volumes and surfaces to be increased in size, while keeping the same weight maintaining excellent levels of dynamic stability.

The Australian and Thai company Multihull Solutions will also be unveiling French-built Fountain Pajot MY 44 – a spacious brand-new motor catamaran powered by twin Volvo Penta IPS 350 pod drives delivering exceptional handling over a 2,000-nautical mile range. This motor catamaran has a combined living and accommodation space of over 50 sqm, more than most inner-city apartments.

Sunreef will debut the Sunreef Open 40 in Asia – a dynamic, sporty day catamaran with a focus on fast cruising and lifestyle. Naturally balanced, this yacht doesn’t require stabilising systems and provides a fast and safe navigation experience.

Joining this year’s Asian premieres, include Absolute 58 Fly – the perfect union between ergonomics and technology, ensuring low consumption, manoeuvrability, silent movement and reliability; and Maritimo 51 – a genuine long-range luxury motor yacht for those looking for space, comfort and power.

Worldwide And Asian Premieres

Yachts and superyachts entirely new to the market in Asia and the world, will be presented by some of the most respected brokers and builders:

Granocean 80 by Asian custom yacht design & build company Granocean, will be making its global debut. The just-launched motor catamaran will be seen for the first time at SYS 2018.

Simpson Marine will present the Beneteau Oceanis 51.1 – the first of a new generation, featuring taut lines, a new stepped hull and a stylish deck plan; Beneteau Grand Turismo 46 – a stylish and harmoniously designed boat with a bold sporty look featuring Air Step® technology; and Lagoon 50 – an elegant 15-metre catamaran with a new visual identity inspired in the 50’s style and featuring unparalleled accommodation possibilities.

Boat Lagoon Yachting will debut Princess 30M – the latest addition to the M Class range and one of the largest vessels on display, stretching the boundaries in hydro-dynamic design, space and comfort.

After successfully hosting the annual edition of the Singapore Yacht Show, now in its eighth year running, the calibre of the local industry players and leading international brands have once again confirmed participation, showcasing their products at SYS, which reinforces Singapore’s position as the ‘Monaco of the East’.

Other important attractions “not-to-be-missed”:

The 55-metre La Familia yacht part of a limited-edition line, launched by Amels in 2015. This beautiful superyacht boasts a helipad on her topmost deck, an extravagant owner’s suite, a main saloon featuring folding balconies and an exceptionally practical beach club on her stern for when the water is just too inviting.
Aquamarina, a living embodiment of Italian design, was launched in 2006 by ISA. Going on display for the first-time ever at SYS 2018, catch a glimpse of her sleek exterior, finished in an aquamarine pearlescent paint belies a rich and traditional interior, reminiscent of a renaissance Italian villa.
Lady Azul, a 40-metre yacht built by Heesen Yachts, was launched in 2001, then extensively refitted in 2015. Designed to enjoy destinations to the full, the yacht can accommodate up to 10 guests in five suites; the owner’s suite in the bow is forward-facing and flooded with light from expansive windows. Also available: an extensive storage for water sports equipment, tenders, dive equipment and more.
Happy Days, a stunning 34-metre yacht launched in 2013 by the Ferretti Group as part of their Custom Line range, was specifically built for an Asia-based clientele. Her interior is bold and modern epitomising Italian craftsmanship at its best.

For more information on the 8th edition of Singapore Yacht Show 2018 (April 12-15) and where to buy your tickets, please visit here.

ILHAM Gallery: Public Property

Art & Design

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April 10, 2018

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Serpentine Pavilion 2017, designed by Francis Kéré. Serpentine Gallery, London (23 June – 19 November 2017) ©Kéré Architecture | Image courtesy of Iwan Baan

ILHAM Gallery: Public Property

ILHAM Gallery sits like a secret jewel box in the black-ice exterior of Menara ILHAM, where it has played host to celebrated artists and conceptual experimenters since it opened its doors in August 2015. Today, it is working at the frontline of arts education through an eclectic selection of multimedia exhibitions and public programming.

The gallery is run by a team led by Gallery Director Rahel Joseph, who was brought on by art impresario Valentine Willie, also ILHAM’s Creative Director. Joseph and her small band of curators and managers have staged some of the most relevant exhibitions in recent memory, drawing on themes of identity, politics and education in order to interrogate Malaysia’s history of social turmoil and development.

Time and history have played central roles in the last four exhibitions at the gallery where they have been used as framing devices in order to interrogate the relationship between art and its environment. The long shadow of former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad spreads across ‘Era Mahatir’, while the ‘Gerak, Rupa, Ubur dan Penyataan’ retrospective is playful with modernist flourishes.

Joseph and her team worked alongside prominent art scholar Simon Soon to produce a show that goes beyond the works of famous artists such as Latiff Mohidin and Jolly Koh, and explores the relationships between a rapidly developing metropolis, cultural cosmopolitanism, and the artist.

“We started off with the idea of the 50th anniversary of the GRUP exhibition in 1967,” Joseph says. “It is an iconic exhibition and we were trying to find a different way of looking at this exhibition, and one of the ways was to use it to talk about the 1960s as an important period in Malaysian art, and the connection between the city and modern art.”

Installation shot of ‘Love Me in My Batik’ exhibition at ILHAM Gallery

Unlike more commercial galleries, ILHAM’s exhibitions bring depth and context to a Malaysian audience that largely lacks arts literacy. ‘Era Mahatir, ‘GRUP’ and another well-received exhibition ‘Love Me in My Batik’ were all carefully crafted with their historicity and significance in mind, partly to tap into collective Malaysian experiences, but also to locate the personal amidst vast swathes of history. This was most clearly exemplified in the ‘Era Mahatir’ show which featured artistic responses to the policies of the reign of Mahathir during the 90s, as well as its accompanying turmoils. As Joseph says, “Art doesn’t happen in a vacuum.”

Last year, the gallery launched its ambitious two-part ‘ILHAM Contemporary Forum Malaysia 2009-2017’ project which brought together seven curators from varied backgrounds to put together a show of works by artists of the present.

The gallery was filled with a rotating menu of curiosities, including sketches, collections of soil traded for the contents of a pocket, and Liew Seng Tat’s kampong house. The forum was much less art historical than the exhibitions before it, but was in its own way a startling display of the power of public collaboration. The project produced a recognisable sense of the present and the personal expressions of collective history.

ILHAM gallery’s reputation as an advocate for public access remains a distinct hallmark in an artistic landscape populated by commercial showrooms and events. That spirit endures through its ambitious public programming efforts. In 2017 alone, the gallery organised more than 50 events, including theatre, dance and music performances, academic lectures, book launches, and even an architectural symposium.

The varied selection of events has helped grow a sense of ownership over the space among their audiences, a connection that reaches out to a bigger sense of belonging in Malaysia’s rich cultural history. “The exhibition necessarily is limited by space, but the public programming is an extension of it,” Joseph explains. “We want ILHAM to be a place where it’s not just about the paintings on the wall but also what’s happening in the space itself.”

Art shouldn’t be something “alien” or meant for a certain stratosphere of audience, according to Joseph, who insists on arts education as a central pillar of the gallery’s work. She says that building audiences from the ground up is key to ensuring that art continues to prosper in Malaysia. The gallery is one of a handful of places to run children’s tours in order to expose them to art from an early age.

“My real interest in the arts lies in terms of education and public programming,” says Joseph. “Of course there are a lot of interesting private galleries but I feel that we need more art institutions in the country. They are the best place to have programmes for schools, to hold exhibitions that are just about scholarship and research, not to sell.”

ILHAM made headlines when it was announced that the gallery would be the new owner of the 2017 Serpentine Pavilion, designed by Burkinabé architect Francis Kéré, thanks to anonymous benefactors.

While Joseph could not reveal details about where and when the Pavilion would be available to the public, she did say that the gallery intended to locate it somewhere “accessible, free, and not housed where no one can see it.”

“We want to keep to the original spirit of the gift as something that is meant for the Malaysian public,” she adds. “The benefactors liked the idea of ILHAM as a public arts space, and feel that we would be well-served to showcase it.”

The gallery is also taking itself to task to cement Malaysia’s place in the greater Southeast Asian art world through a clutch of events planned for the coming year. Following the success of ‘Afterwork’, an exhibition imported from Hong Kong’s Para Site, ILHAM will be embarking on partnerships with the MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum in Chiang Mai, Thailand, as well as the National Gallery of Singapore.

More information at www.ilhamgallery.com.

Words by Samantha Cheh

*** This article is republished from Issue 18 of ART REPUBLIK.

Yachting: Phang Nga Bay Aboard Blue Moon

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April 10, 2018

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Yachting: Phang Nga Bay Aboard Blue Moon

Yacht Charter: Phang Nga Bay Aboard Blue Moon

Some charter yachts are crewed, others are available as bareboats. Pride of the fleet at present is the brand new Lagoon 52F Blue Moon, which charters for €19,999 to €23,000 (approx. USD24,500 to USD28,200) a week excluding food and fuel, and comes with a skipper and hostess. The vessel sleeps 10 guests.

Launched last December, the Lagoon 52F is the first model in a whole new generation of Lagoons devised by the yard and its design partner VPLP. “With its diamond-shaped vertical bows, contemporary-styled hulls, levitated hardtop and a taller rig moved aft, the Lagoon 52 stands out from the crowd, says its makers. “Its originality goes a great deal further than just its outer appearance, or even its interior layout. The salon encompasses a lounge and dining table to starboard, a large galley to port which leads directly into the cockpit, and a chart table in the middle, facing out to sea.

Sunbathing off Phi Phi. Limestone cliffs are simply spectacular in these waters

“The 2018 Lagoon 52F is in five-cabin versions, including four queen cabins all with ensuite bathrooms and separate showers, plus a bunk-bed cabin with ensuite head. The cabins have incomparable natural lighting thanks to the fixed hull windows, plus excellent ventilation from deck hatches and portholes that open out hull-side or into the cockpit.

“The master is located further aft, which has many advantages on a cruising catamaran. A large forward triangle allows choice of fuller sails, and in turn the promise of great performance. The shorter boom makes the mainsail easier to manoeuvre. The mainsail itself, which is relatively narrower and higher, benefits from better winds at the top, thus enhancing performance by re-centering the weight in this way. Pitching is considerably reduced.

Chartering allows gourmet dining aboard, and Blue Moon comes with all mod cons

“The yacht is accessed by open aft transoms, facilitating boarding and disembarking. She has broad side decks, with recessed deck hatches. The cockpit is level with the salon, and has an outdoor lounge and sun-lounging area to starboard.

“The flybridge is reached either by a staircase leading from the cockpit, or by another from the deck on the starboard side. The steering station is positioned in the centre of the flybridge, giving the skipper optimum visibility. All ropes and controls are located on the flybridge, away from the living areas. The steering wheel also tilts and can be adjusted to three different positions, again to improve visibility under sail or when manoeuvring.”

Skipper and hostess do all the work. Here some sightseeing, sampling local Thai-style cuisine, then a sortie ashore in the afternoon to check out different island attractions

For a week-long charter, Simpson suggests heading out from its Ao Po Grand Marina base, and as this is in the northern part of Phang Nga Bay strewn with sheer limestone cliffs, the so-called James Bond Islands, where The Man With The Golden Gun was part-filmed, and the interesting Sea Gipsy Village are within easy reach. Should this be regarded as too touristy, there are plenty of other spectacular and more isolated islands and passages to choose from.

Next Pelay Beach at Ko Hong, with its inland lake and bird’s nest collectors. By day four see Ko Kai or Chicken Island named after a rock formation at one end, where coral reefs and fishing are the principal attractions, and on to Ko Poda south of Ao Nang.

Day five is devoted to lovely Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley, although Yacht Style would be inclined to speed up the earlier itinerary and give Phi Phi two days, for there is much to do here. One inlet where The Beach was filmed now has restricted access.

Sail back to southern Phuket and maybe call ashore for lunch at Ao Chalong on day six, and on the last day head back up the east coast to Ao Po near the airport.

Other options could include visiting Krabi on the isthmus, the Racha islands used as a “gate” for Phuket-Pangkor Races in years past, or one may try visiting a Pearl Farm. A little trolling while under way often yields results. Simply round up to windward, to take way off, while reeling the fish in.

The late November-April, northeast monsoon, provides best sailing conditions in Phang Nga Bay, but the generally wet southwest monsoon often sees surprisingly good weather, fewer people and lower charter prices.

More details can be found at www.simpsonyachtcharter.com.

Words by Janet Ridley | Images courtesy of Simpson Yacht Charters

***This article is republished from Issue 42 of Yacht Style

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