Nautor Swan has introduced the Swan 100, their latest addition to the Swan Maxi Family, in Monaco.

The unveiling took place at the Yacht Club de Monaco during this year's Swan Maxi Talk, which was moderated by journalist Clare Mahon and featured notable personalities such as Nautor Swan President Leonardo Ferragamo, naval architect Germán Frers, and architects Lucio Micheletti and Misa Poggi.

The Swan 100 is described as "a fusion" of Nautor's extensive experience in constructing racing and cruising yachts, with its full carbon fibre construction and performance-oriented design.

The bow of the Swan 100 is straight, with a low bowsprit for easy sail handling and safe anchoring, while the low coach roof is located behind the mast for a balanced yet aggressive look with a long, clean foredeck area

The Swan 100's hull lines, designed by Germán Frers, are an evolution of the previous Swan Maxis. The bow is straight, with a low bowsprit for easy sail handling and safe anchoring, while the low coach roof is located behind the mast for a balanced yet aggressive look with a long, clean foredeck area. The opening transom serves as a combined beach club and toy storage area, which is a pivotal element of the onboard lifestyle.

"I work more closely with Nautor Swan than ever before, never making a revolution, but always an evolution to maintain the brand's heritage," naval architect Germán Frers stated.

The Swan 100 is a remarkable addition to the Swan Maxi Family and is expected to set a new benchmark in the sailing industry.

Pellegrino's shipyard unveils its latest Arcadia model, the A96, at the superyacht boat show in Monaco this weekend.

Measuring 29 metres, this exquisite yacht will be showcased alongside other opulent and luxurious large yachts, providing an unmatched opportunity for enthusiasts to see the latest models.

The original model has already gained immense popularity, with two units sold to date.

The boat show in Monaco has become the ideal venue to exhibit this mega vessel and attract potential worldwide buyers (including Irish ones) seeking their next dream yacht.

Based in Antalya, Turkey, Ares Shipyard has unveiled its new superyacht brand 'Ares Yachts' at this week's 2023 Monaco Yacht Show.

Originally founded in 2006 by the Kalafatoğlu family, which is bolstered by a long tradition of shipbuilding and sailing, Ares Shipyard has built a reputation for its naval, utility and support vessels – having delivered over 230 vessels to more than 15 countries to date – and is now looking to expand further into the luxury yachting arena.

With the official announcement of the brand taking place in Monaco, Ares Shipyard has, in fact, quietly been working on yachting projects for some time.

Projects include the 61.61-metre steel hulled cruising ketch Simena (pictured above) that is currently in build. The project is penned by Taka Yacht Design and Design Unlimited.

She features a carbon-epoxy superstructure, all-aluminium masts and rigging design by Chris Mitchell. With her power provided by hybrid propulsion, Simena has a top speed of 15 knots and a cruising speed of 11 knots, with the vessel’s delivery scheduled for December 2024.

Ares Shipyard also has the 50-metre motor yacht Spitfire under construction. The 499 GT vessel has been designed in collaboration with Lateral Naval Architects and Bannenberg & Rowell Design. It has hybrid propulsion, enabling the motor yacht to reach a top speed of 23 knots

Known as one of the largest steel, aluminium and composite boat builders in Southeast Europe in terms of its facilities, Ares Shipyard boasts an enclosed, expansive, air-conditioned production area spanning 40,000 square metres and a workforce of over 450 individuals. Primed and ready for custom yacht building.

The Jamacian-flagged superyacht Kaos is moored off Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Dublin Bay this morning, having arrived overnight from London.

The 110-metre superyacht sailed up the Thames in London after a mammoth transatlantic passage from Miami at the end of May.

She set out on the almost 4,000 nautical mile journey, stopping just once en route in the Azores.

With Dublin Bay looking more like the Mediterranean, Kaos arrived into the Irish capital's waters on the hottest day of the year. The KAOS yacht can accommodate 30 guests in 15 cabins, including an owner’s suite, four VIP suites, and ten guest suites Photo: Afloat

The yacht arrived off Dun Laoghaire Harbour on a flat calm morning and is anchored offshore in one of Dublin Port's ship anchorages.  

A tender has been coming and going from Kaos this morning.

Superyacht Kaos moored on Dublin Bay as seen from the south shore of Dublin Bay at the Forty Foot Bathing Place Photo: Afloat

According to Boat International Magazine, the yacht changed hands in 2018, with a last known asking price of €275 million at the time of sale. The subsequent refit saw UK-based firmReymond Langton take over the styling, undertaking a number of modifications to reflect the new owner's tastes.

Prior to the refit, the yacht's interior was styled by Sam Sorgiovanni.

The yacht has remained largely private since the refit. She had an 8.5-metre pool on the aft deck alongside a 14-seater dining table and a main saloon spanning 135 square metres.

Superyacht Cup Palma has taken in more entries since the recent publication of the Notice of Race detailing the 27th edition of Europe's longest-running superyacht regatta, which offers a new 90ft Class this year aimed at smaller performance-orientated cruiser-racers.

Among those set to join the 21-24 June festival of sail on the Bay of Palma are the 33m Ribelle, the Dubois-designed world cruiser Miss Silver, and the Swan 80 Umiko, with Dark Horse, also a Swan 80, expressing interest.

"With these latest additions to the fleet, we are optimistic that we will see at least ten superyachts enjoying fun and competitive racing here in Mallorca this June, and maybe a few more," said SYC Event Director Kate Branagh.

"It is also wonderful to once again welcome back our highly valued and long-standing sponsors and supporters, not least our Preferred Hotel Partner, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and the St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, host venue for the Owners' Summer Barbecue, a highlight of the SYC social scene."

At least ten superyachts will be in Mallorca this June Photo: Sailing Energy

Destination Partner New Zealand, alongside Silver Partners or Friends of the Superyacht Cup, including Astilleros, Pantaenius, Hill Robinson, RSB Rigging Solutions, North Sails, Baltic Yachts and Hoek Design, is also returning.

"In 2022, we were able to celebrate renewing our long-standing and highly valued relationship as Preferred Hotel Partner with The Superyacht Cup Palma, and we look forward to doing so again in 2023," said Candice D’Cruz, Vice President & Continent Brand Leader for Luxury, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. "The traditions, legacy and exclusive service that St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, offers is a perfect match with Superyacht Cup Palma, one of the most exclusive events Mallorca has to offer."

It is a view strongly echoed by Nigel Fyfe, New Zealand's ambassador to Spain, who said: "Superyacht Cup Palma has provided the perfect opportunity to highlight our country's unique attractions, and New Zealand is proud to have been Superyacht Cup Palma's Destination Partner for seven years in a row. It is a relationship we look forward to continuing into the future."

Out on the Bay of Palma, the new 90ft Class offers exciting racing alongside the classic Superyacht Class and long-established Corinthian Spirit Class, which offers fun, competitive racing without the need for race optimisation.

Meanwhile, the elegant and modern Ribelle ­­– last seen at SYC in 2017 when she finished runner-up in Class A – will face a close rival in her 33m McKeon-designed and Vitters-built stablemate Pattoo (ex-Missy), who took Class A last year on countback.

The Nautor Swan brand is further represented by the Swan 100 Onyx (ex-Aquarius Alfa, Flying Dragon II), which will be making her debut appearance at SYC.

And out to renew their long-running rivalry will be the J Class yachts Svea and Velsheda, though sadly, Lionheart has withdrawn from all racing in 2023 and will not now be attending SYC Palma.

This year, many of those taking part will be berthed at the prestigious Real Club Náutico de Palma, SYC's long-standing race management partner located in the vibrant heart of the Mallorcan capital.

There were Irish celebrations at St Barths Bucket Superyacht Regatta in the Caribbean at the weekend when the part-Irish crewed WinWin won its class over three days racing in 20+ knots conditions.

On board, the 33m superyacht from Ireland was Timothy Goodbody (tactician), Simon Johnson (crew boss) and bowman Cian Guilfoyle.

Winds were strong for the three races in which WINWIN took two wins. "It gets pretty hectic on these big boats in those kinds of conditions", Johnson told Afloat.

As regular Afloat readers know, Guilfoyle and Johnson are regulars on the 44Cup circuit, and Timothy Goodbody Junior is a 2008 Irish Olympic sailor in the Finn class.

The St Barths Bucket Regatta is an annual boat race held in Saint Barthélemy, in the Caribbean. It is usually held in the month of March.

Today’s largest sailing superyachts are so much a world unto themselves that they lead a sort of independent and supra-national existence. The name of Argentine-born designer Juan Kouyoumdjian (an ancestor was Armenian) may be best known in Ireland for his direct creative connection to George David’s Rambler 88. But in terms of big boat development, Rambler 88 is now history and small with it, while of late Juan K has been working in conjunction with Kinsale-based designer Rob Doyle on some decidedly large-scale projects.

In fact, they’re on such scale at 54 metres LOA that it’s difficult to grasp their size, particularly when you know they’re going to step just one cloud-piercing mast which will be well north of 130 metres in height. That will inevitably restrict their cruising areas, as there are many major sea-channel-spanning bridges which they won’t be able to pass under. But at the moment, there seems to be something of an arms race in the top stratum of sailing superyachts to have the boat which can list the largest number of non-negotiable bridges. So as far as the Argo 54 is concerned, that’s all right then.

His design decisions affect budgets of many millions – Rob Doyle at work in his Kinsale office

The beautifully-made aluminium hull was launched last week in the heart of Dutch suburbia, and with consummate skill was negotiated down a canal seemingly no wider than the River Dodder in Dublin, until more open water was reached and the voyage to the completion yard in Greece could get under way.

The new Argo 54 hull afloat for the first time. The locations of some of the leading Dutch boat-building facilities can be surprisingly suburban – can you imagine coming upon something like this in the middle of Sandymount?

As we said, it’s not so much international as supra-nationals, and at next week’s METS in Amsterdam, the movers and shakers in this extremely rarefied world will be getting together to negotiate superyacht deals for sums significantly larger than the GNP of some of the smaller Polynesian island nations. And in the midst of it all, there’ll be Kinsale brains and talent at work, moving way-out dreams along the first steps towards reality.

“Meanwhile, right beside Sandymount Green…..” No matter how you look at her, the Argo 54 is a serious biggie

At the 2022 Monaco Yacht Show, the Dutch builder U-Boat Worx will review designs for the 1,250-ton, 37.5-meter Yacht Submarine, the Nautilus. Once it is built, the vessel will be equally at ease functioning as a yacht or a submersible.

Since Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea came out in 1870, people have been dreaming of a luxury yacht with dive capabilities. Since then, inventors produced a lot of impressive concepts. Unfortunately, not one of these designs has ever been realised.

Being the world leader in the market for small submersibles, U-Boat Worx has now finally succeeded in engineering a realistic combination of luxury and safety in a fully certified private submersible.

The diesel-electric Nautilus has a depth rating of 200 meters, with a surface cruise speed of 9 knots and an underwater speed of 4 knots. Once ordered, an owner can expect to have their Nautilus delivered within 30 months.

When functioning as a boat, the Nautilus offers a massive sundeck equipped with a freshwater pool, a bar, and a luxurious dining table. This al fresco arrangement is retracted before the submersible slips below sea level.

A newly invented, completely pressure-resistant electrical tender is stowed under the Nautilus’s aft deck and will stay outside while diving. This tender, the Aronnax, may also be used for transporting five scuba divers underwater to the intended dive spot.

The diesel-electric Nautilus has a depth rating of 200 meters - the cruising speed is 9 knots. Onboard facilities include a bar, a pool, lounge and dining room, four luxury guest cabins, a spacious master bedroom, and a galley. There are ten four-metre wide windows offer an exceptional view of the underwater world

The Nautilus interior features a 50 sq. m dinner and lounge area with four circular windows. Each with diameters close to 4 meters. The proposed design for the submarine has a master bedroom and four staterooms, as well as sleeping quarters for up to six crew. A fully equipped galley makes cooking an underwater meal simple and fun. However, interior layouts are fully customisable by the client.

Nautilus Fact File

• Nautilus is a 1,250-ton, 37.5-meter vessel
• It can function as a yacht or a submersible
• The diesel-electric Nautilus has a depth rating of 200 meters
• The cruising speed is 9 knots
• Onboard facilities include a bar, a pool, lounge and dining room, four luxury guest cabins, a spacious master bedroom, and a galley
• Ten 4-meter-wide windows offer an exceptional view of the underwater world
• The Nautilus has a starting price of € 25 million

The superyacht submarine will be able to stay underwater for up to four days. At cruise speed, the underwater endurance is six hours.

When not in use, the Nautilus can be docked at any quay that can accommodate its 6.5-meter draft.

The Nautilus has a starting price of € 25 million.

“People that have decided to buy a yacht will now have to consider if their vessel of choice can also dive down to 200 meters,” says U-Boat Worx Chairman and Founder Bert Houtman. As an added bonus, the Nautilus easily combats seasickness. “If the sea becomes too rough,” says Houtman, “You simply dive and continue your voyage in comfort. With the Nautilus, the yachting market will never be the same again.”

In a testing final day amid challenging conditions the ultimate outcome of the 2022 Superyacht Cup Palma could not possibly have been closer.

The destination of the overall Superyacht Cup Palma Trophy remained in doubt until the end of the St. Regis Race Day, with the end result only decided on countback.

Once all results were in, the awe-inspiring J Class contender Svea and the elegant 46m Class B sloop Ganesha finished level on points with identical score lines. With a certain Hindu deity perhaps tipping the balance, Ganesha emerged the overall victor thanks to her last race win, with Svea taking second in hers.

J Class contender Svea Photo: Sailing Energy

Ganesha's delighted owner Dr. Peter-Alexander Wacker said: "It is a great moment as we really didn't expect it at all, but we worked hard for it and I am glad we are a winner today."

And looking ahead he added: "It's not my first time here – I have just bought a house here in Palma, so I am going to be a Superyacht Cup Palma regular for sure."

His sentiment was echoed by Ganesha's skipper Alex Pamment: "It was a bit of a surprise win and we certainly weren't expecting it, either the class or the overall.

"It was very, very close. Yesterday we came second by one second, but today the weather gods were with us and we were able to get a result. The tacticians had it tough, but we were able to make the right calls."

Svea meanwhile could take some consolation after emerging the worthy winner of a hard-fought J Class contest. There were cheers and hugs after she crossed the line of the final race, securing the class victory by two points from Ranger, who won the final race on corrected time.

"We are thrilled, delighted to have won our class – we are over the moon," said co-owner Niklas Zennström. "It is the first regatta with the boat for the new team and the new owner group, and we came to this event having put in a training week before to get to know it, as many of us have never sailed a J Class before.

"What's fascinating with this class is that it is very, very close racing. To win the class is very special, much more than we expected as this was going to be a learning regatta. Racing is about minimising mistakes and the team did not make many of them and did a very, very good job."

As a further indicator of the competitive nature of Superyacht Cup Palma, the Class A contest was also decided on countback, with the striking high-performance Malcolm McKeon designed Pattoo taking the class from Kiboko Tres, with her last race victory settling the outcome.

Skipper James Waugh said: "We're a new team but we were able to hit the ground running here with a couple of days training, and each day we got to know the boat better and went from strength to strength.

"We had exactly the same results as Kiboko Tres, and I guess we were a bit lucky, but we are over the moon about it. We loved Superyacht Cup Palma, the organisation is great and so is the atmosphere."

A second day of a prevailing north easterly wind had seen the Bay of Palma become a challenging arena once the opposing sea breeze tried to dominate, with two separate wind bands presenting a tactical challenge as the yachts negotiated their racecourses.

One yacht to fall foul of the difficult to predict wind was the modern classic Savannah, which had gone into her final Class B race in pole position for the overall SYC prize – not least thanks to her one second victory over her rival Ganesha yesterday – before becoming becalmed in the bay. Ganesha went on to win the race, Class B and the title.

St. Regis Race Day followed on from one of the highlights of Superyacht Cup Palma, the exclusive Owners' Summer Barbecue at Mallorca's best address the St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, which featured an impressive fireworks display, live music and exceptional food.

Following racing, and speaking before the celebratory prize-giving at the Real Club Náutico de Palma, also catered by the St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, SYC Event Director Kate Branagh said: "Superyacht Cup Palma has always offered friendly but competitive racing, and this year has delivered that in spades.

"Having the overall winner in doubt until the last moment makes for incredibly exciting racing, and we hope that all the owners, captains and crews have had a great time whatever their finishing position.

"We look forward to welcoming them all back in 2023, and offering them the chance to win the Superyacht Cup Palma Trophy."

SYC organisers have announced that next year's event will be held from 21-24 June.

And Branagh added: "I would also like to say a big thank-you to all our partners and friends who have helped make this such a great regatta."

Some big changes in fortune, along with a change in wind direction and the closest possible finish in one class, saw results in the Superyacht Cup Palma fleet set the scene for a dramatic finale after a day of frenetic activity out on the Bay of Palma.

With an initially solid north-easterly breeze supplanting the more usual sea breeze for New Zealand Race Day, the three classes were launched on their way upwind and heading towards the city itself.

Once again the majestic quartet of J Class yachts led the way, all four hitting the startline within seconds of each other in a dramatic demonstration of power and something akin to poetry in motion, their jet-black sails overlapping each other.

The white-hulled Ranger, the weather boat, was first to tack away, soon followed by Topaz. Meanwhile, Velsheda and Svea stayed on their starboard tack for what would prove to be a decisive few minutes, with the pair establishing a narrow lead at the first mark which they would hold to the finish.

A stern shot of the 37.5m Archelon Photo: Sailing Energy

For Velsheda the win marked a remarkable bounce back from her fourth place in the previous race. Her captain Barney Henshaw-Depledge said: "Today we managed the beats well and we managed to get around in front of Svea. It was obviously a lot more encouraging and the owner was locked in on the helm and he left very happy. As for tomorrow, well may be more of the same, and it's great to be back in the pack.”

Meanwhile, Svea's second place saw her slightly extend her lead at the top of the J Class table to two points from Velsheda, while Topaz – who finished fourth today – are tied on points with Ranger who recorded her second third place finish.

Another competitor producing a dramatic reversal of fortune was the clearly potent Wally 80 Rose. Though at 23m the smallest entry at this year's Superyacht Cup Palma, Rose took a deserved win in Class A having had to drop out of Thursday's opening race after suffering prop issues.

Tactician Jesper Radich said: “It was not easy as it was a tricky forecast, but we got round the racecourse really well and picked our shift at the end to win our class. If we do really well tomorrow we have a chance of the top spot, so we are going to give it a shot. We are a new team and the smallest yacht here, so we have a lot to learn, and fighting against the big boats is tough. We have to play it smart and stay out of their wind shadows."

46m Ganesha Photo: Sailing Energy

And in another remarkable outcome, Class B saw the race result decided by a single second on corrected time, with the 27m modern classic Savannah edging the far larger 46m Ganesha to take her second successive win

Ganesha's tactician Mark Sadler smiled and said: "To finish the day with a one second delta to the first boat is pretty fantastic. Obviously you look back and think where that one second could have been gained or lost, but it's the same for the other boat.

"We sailed well today, and Ganesha's a big boat so getting the sails up and down around the course is an achievement in itself. We have two seconds, so it's all to play for tomorrow."

Racing complete the Real Club Náutico de Palma hosted the North Sails Happy Hour and daily prize-giving on their expansive terrace. This was followed by one of the highlights of Superyacht Cup Palma, the exclusive Owners' Summer Barbecue at Mallorca's best address the St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort.

The 2022 edition of Europe's longest-running superyacht regatta comes to a conclusion on Saturday with the St. Regis Race Day, which will decide the final placings of a closely contested regatta.

Results are here