United States

Broward Shipyard

The 31.39-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Broward Shipyard (Company)">Broward&nbsp;</a>motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2153" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Three Kings31.39m (102'12&quot;)Broward Marine1999">Three Kings</a>, previously named Depression, has been sold with Gary Goddard of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5421" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Staten Island Yacht Sales (Company)">Staten Island Yacht Sales</a> representing the buyer and Bill Bowers of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2578" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="26 North Yachts (Company)">26 North Yachts</a> representing the seller. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/179466/image/large-8fe8714f44db9274f2afb057add7c29a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/179466"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/208027/image/large-8404c35ce80fef74eae44767b3b9ef00.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/208027"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/194537/image/large-3b8e0cf6d988ebde96253762af352e78.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/194537">The motor yacht was delivered in 1999 and is the seventieth-largest built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Broward Shipyard (Company)">Broward</a>. She &nbsp;features exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/488" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Broward Marine (Company)">Broward Marine</a>, with naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/488" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Broward Marine (Company)">Broward Marine</a>. Up to eight guests are accommodated onboard the superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2153" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Three Kings31.39m (102'12&quot;)Broward Marine1999">Three Kings</a>, and she also has accommodation for four crew members, including the captain.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/194530/image/large-a76d649f09cbb7eb618480f9b2be4399.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/194530"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/194529/image/large-47298ae68296d2e4829d457072a6c847.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/194529">The motor yacht has an aluminium hull and aluminium superstructure. She is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1497" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Detroit Diesel (Company)">Detroit Diesel</a> engines, which give her a cruising speed of 15 knots and a top speed of 20 knots. The yacht carries 32,627 litres of fuel onboard, and 4,164 litres of water.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/194527/image/large-01ac63caba1e926af68ceb47c8bc4ff8.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/194527">Her last known asking price was $1,599,000.&nbsp;

31m Broward motor yacht Three Kings sold

31.39-metre Broward motor yacht Three Kings has sold with Staten Island Yacht Sales representing the buyer and 26 North Yachts representing the seller

The 34.75-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/814" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vaiven34.75m (114'0&quot;)Broward Marine1994">Vaiven</a> has been sold thanks to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/526" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Northrop and Johnson (Company)">Northrop &amp; Johnson</a> broker Elizabeth Swain representing the buyer. At the time of sale, she had a last known asking price of $1,399,000.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/27504/image/large-47a3b1433971e9355796fb81e80d6ea7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/27504">Built in 1994 to a design by her builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Broward Shipyard (Company)">Broward</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/814" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vaiven34.75m (114'0&quot;)Broward Marine1994">Vaiven</a> has been regularly refitted and well maintained. Created with walkaround decks, the 196 GT motor yacht houses a detailed interior layout for up to eight guests to be accommodated comfortably in five staterooms. The designer behind the original interior is <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/425" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marc Michaels Interior Design Inc. (Company)">Marc Michaels Interior Design Inc</a>.With the master stateroom located forward on the lower deck, the yacht’s three additional staterooms nearby include two doubles with queen-size beds and one twin. Each stateroom aboard comes with its own en-suite bathroom.The main deck features lounge seating and allows for alfresco dining with an additional main saloon forward of the main deck aft. Here, guests can make use of the entertainment system and custom-built formal dining area that is well-connected to the country-style galley. The yacht's swim platform is also accessible from the main deck via twin staircases.&nbsp;On the flybridge, those onboard can lounge, relax in the Jacuzzi or dine alfresco. Twin economical Deutz 616 series provides <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/814" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vaiven34.75m (114'0&quot;)Broward Marine1994">Vaiven</a> with a top speed of 19knots.

35m American motor yacht Vaiven sold

The 34.75-metre motor yacht Vaiven has been sold thanks to Northrop & Johnson.

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2578" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="26 North Yachts (Company)">26 North Yachts</a> has confirmed the sale of the 33.53-metre yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4701" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexandra Jane33.53m (110'0&quot;)Broward Marine1995">Alexandra Jane</a> after 180 days on the market. <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/owner-insight-elizabeth-and-timothy-vail-on-alexandra-jane" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">The owners</a> of the 1995 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Broward Shipyard (Company)">Broward</a> yacht were represented by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2578" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="26 North Yachts (Company)">26 North Yachts</a> broker Bill Powers and concluded the deal with a last known asking price of $1,695,000. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/187183/image/large-172421c4f586a8f2743d1de3335db11f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/187183">Built with an original classic-style exterior design by Broward and an interior by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/567" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merritt Knowles Design Group (Company)">Merritt Knowles Design Group</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1842" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IK Yacht Design (Company)">IK Yacht Design</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5257" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Creative Tonic Design (Company)">Creative Tonic Design</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4701" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexandra Jane33.53m (110'0&quot;)Broward Marine1995">Alexandra Jane</a> underwent an extensive refit in 2019 at <a href="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/companies/derecktor" target="_blank">Derecktor Shipyards</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/187182/image/large-22eee3792d73471b942082a9c0a3be55.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/187182">Once completed, the refit project updated the yacht's carpeting, kitchen appliances, washers and dryers, headliners, and furniture. Plus, the exterior rear teak decks and outdoor furniture was replaced and a new hot tub was installed. Mechanically, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4701" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexandra Jane33.53m (110'0&quot;)Broward Marine1995">Alexandra Jane</a> benefitted from an overhaul of her engines and generators, full running gear service including new props, and a complete refit of the AC system. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/187181/image/large-f3af860fb1bb874a62e066bbae9b5ab5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/187181"><a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/owner-insight-elizabeth-and-timothy-vail-on-alexandra-jane" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">In a previous interview with SuperYacht Times</a>, the previous owners of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4701" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexandra Jane33.53m (110'0&quot;)Broward Marine1995">Alexandra Jane</a> said that the yacht's five staterooms, open flybridge and ability to hold almost 7000 gallons of fuel for extended cruising were some of the key features for them.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/187180/image/large-38e296fabf636b3ca84b0a37c9eca742.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/187180">With additional dining areas, sunpads and an intimate seating area on the foredeck, Alexandra Jane had many social spaces. Also inside, there is a large saloon and dining area, country kitchen style galley, and full-beam master which is one of five staterooms.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/187179/image/large-d440efad2fcedf468461fdc8ca0df347.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/187179">As a successful charter yacht, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4701" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alexandra Jane33.53m (110'0&quot;)Broward Marine1995">Alexandra Jane</a> was sold with over $100,000 worth of toys, including a 32' Intrepid tender, Jetskis, Seabobs, dive compressor and gear and a slide.

34m yacht Alexandra Jane sold in Florida with $100k+ of toys

26 North Yachts has confirmed the sale of the 33.53m yacht Alexandra Jane after 180 days on the market.

The 30.48-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5133" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Gray 30.48m (100'0&quot;)Broward Marine1995">Lady Gray</a> has been sold, thanks to Michael Rafferty and John Weller of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a>. Built and designed in 1995 by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Broward Shipyard (Company)">Broward</a>, the classic yacht was last refitted in 2007 in America. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/82315/image/large-be1e8a4e06de1cebbd63ed0fa0e16311.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/82315"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5133" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Gray 30.48m (100'0&quot;)Broward Marine1995">Lady Gray</a> is able to welcome up to six guests and accommodate them overnight in either the large master, a VIP cabin and a twin with optional Pullman. Looked after by a crew of four, guests can make use of the main saloon and its dining area, bar and entertainment system and the upper deck seating area. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/172722/image/large-b113c4ad690f158b5d80ed9856d82fc0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/172722"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/103857/image/large-49593bfa45412891c1561cc9a9e0edf9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/103857">The swimming platform is ideal for lounging by the water or to help deploy the yacht's toys and tenders. Powered by twin Caterpillar 1,250hp engines <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5133" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Gray 30.48m (100'0&quot;)Broward Marine1995">Lady Gray</a> cruises at 18 knots and can reach a maximum speed of 21 knots in comfort thanks to the stabilisation system.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/103860/image/large-086f58377e45c48d520beeff5c40d9b4.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/103860">At the time of sale, the yacht had a last asking price of $785,000.

30m classic yacht Lady Gray sold for under €1m

The 30.48-metre superyacht Lady Gray has been sold, thanks to Michael Rafferty and John Weller of IYC. Read more on SYT.

Delivered to her original owner in 1991 under the name Tahiti by the American shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/217" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westport Yachts (Company)">Westport</a>, the 29.34-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7179" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cru 29.34m (96'3&quot;)Westport Yachts1991">Cru</a> has been sold. After one year on the market, Trevor Carroll at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser Yachts</a> and Chris Carroll at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4588" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Atlantic Yacht & Ship Inc. (Company)">Atlantic Yacht &amp; Ship</a> represented the seller to finalise the transaction. <img src="/uploads/store/photo/52183/image/large-17a9c7ac7bde32d24abe478e696aa16e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/52183">Her new owner and up to additional five guests can enjoy her exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/218" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Sarin Naval Architects, Inc. (Company)">Jack Sarin Naval Architects</a> and three staterooms, including the owner's stateroom with an ensuite bathroom and Jacuzzi.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/52184/image/large-b0d84aae3130cec098db49ac882f0ff0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/52184">At the time of sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7179" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cru 29.34m (96'3&quot;)Westport Yachts1991">Cru</a> had an asking price of $1,950,000.

Westport 29m yacht Cru sold 

Westport 29m yacht Cru has been sold. Read more on SYT. 

Westport 29m superyacht Cru sold 

Though the superyacht business is a relatively small industry, it is packed with international professionals from all walks of life, and it can certainly be easy to get lost in the sea of faces we're presented with at boat shows, yachting events and beyond. In this series of articles, we take a step back from rushed business meetings and hurried networking and sit down with professionals from across the wide spectrum of the superyacht business to learn more about who they are and what they do for the industry. In this week’s episode, we get to know Mike Simpson, Managing Director of Simpson Marine.&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/store/photo/31587/image/large-8637db02a291b3120f4d8263af6cfe6b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/31587"> Tell us a little about yourself and your journey into the superyacht world. I started Simpson Marine in 1984 after several years of sailing in the North Sea, Mediterranean, Atlantic, Caribbean and China Sea on various sailing yachts up to 80ft. When I started the business I was a ‘dyed in the wool’ sailboat man, but in those days sailing was still not very popular in Asia and most buyers wanted big engines rather than wind power. My first motor yacht sale was an Azimut 76 which I delivered to an Australian customer in Perth. This was my introduction to the world of large motor yachts.&nbsp;We became Azimut dealers and I sold my first superyacht to a Taiwanese customer living in Hong Kong who, after buying an Azimut 90, quickly upgraded to a 40-metre Benetti yacht and then upgraded again to a 45-metre yacht, also from Benetti. That was in the early 1990s. During the 1990s, the Malaysian market became quite active with encouragement and support from the Prime Minister, Doctor Mahathir, and we were able to sell several superyachts there including a 45-metre Benetti, a Swedeship 57m, a 45-metre Feadship, a new build 58-metre Abeking, a 38-metre Technomarine, a 36-metre Broward and so on.In time we expanded and opened offices around Asia which led to a few more Benetti sales and then in 2015 we took on the distribution of Sanlorenzo for the whole of Asia. This was the right move at the right time as the superyacht market has finally started to gather pace in Asia and the ‘made to measure’ Sanlorenzo has already made a big impact. We have sold a couple of Sanlorenzo 46-metres, a 47-metre 500EXP explorer, an SD126, an SL 106, an SL 102, an SD92 and have ongoing negotiations for larger yachts.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/31589/image/large-f5ecd6cebf91fdb51ed3888ac7965bef.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/31589"> You are often noted as one of the pioneers of yachting in Asia. What are your thoughts on the speed of progression of the superyacht industry in Asia, and what do you see as the biggest hurdles for the future?Of course, I would like to see the superyacht market growing faster than it is currently. We all would! The main difficulty is convincing regional authorities that superyachts provide employment, direct revenue and ‘trickle down’ benefits to the regional economy. All too often we hear that they only benefit the rich and the government cannot be seen to be supporting them with friendly rules and facilities. Currently, superyachts face heavy taxes, sometimes restrictive rules regarding the hiring of qualified foreign crew, lack of trained local crew, lack of suitable marina berths, shortage of good repair yards and so on.Probably the biggest obstacle to the development of the superyacht market in Asia and a serious problem for visiting superyacht is the lack of marina berths. Even for smaller production yachts up to 100 feet, berths are difficult to find. Hong Kong, for example, has the greatest potential to become the regional hub for superyachts because of its beautiful coastline, many islands, close proximity to China, zero import tax on yachts (versus 43.65% tax in Mainland China), large number of wealthy yacht owners and long tradition of entertaining friends and business associates onboard and so is a perfect place to keep a superyacht. Unfortunately, the few superyacht berths in Hong Kong marinas are all taken and the Hong Kong Government has until now refused to consider the construction of any new marina. Nevertheless, despite many challenges and obstacles, the market is starting to open up and wealthy Asians, particularly the Chinese, are warming to the idea of owning superyachts.<img src="/uploads/store/photo/31590/image/large-0cf6b5d7ac896f4afab0b500bd37c7cd.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/31590">The Sanlorenzo 46Steel Apries W (ex: Achilles F)&nbsp;What are some of the most important sales of larger yachts you’ve made at Simpson Marine in the region over the past few years?Since we became exclusive distributors for Sanlorenzo in Asia in 2015, all our recent sales of superyachts have been Sanlorenzos. We have sold two 46-metre Sanlorenzo Steel yachts, an SD126, a 500EXP (a 47-metre expedition yacht), and we now have several ongoing discussions for larger steel superyachts in the range of 50-70 metres. What are a couple of your personal most memorable sales - from anywhere in the world? I think one of the great pleasures of being a yacht broker is meeting interesting people. Superyacht buyers all have interesting stories to tell and we brokers often have the opportunity to get to know them and sometimes their families and friends well. The journey from first meeting to handover party is always memorable and there are certainly many great stories to tell, but discretion dictates that most of these tales will remain untold!The most recent memorable sale for me was a Sanlorenzo 500EXP, a 47-metre 500GT Expedition yacht currently being built at Sanlorenzo’s La Spezia shipyard. The owner is an adventurous Asian who was inspired by the possibility of exploring the world on his yacht. This attracted him to the Sanlorenzo 460EXP, (a 42-metre superyacht of which Sanlorenzo has already sold seven units), but as the project developed, he became determined to carry a helicopter, a submarine and other vehicles and watercraft to explore the sea and hinterland of areas he cruised in. Thanks to Sanlorenzo’s ‘made to measure’ philosophy and their creative design office, the yacht grew into the current 47-metre 500 GT configuration with huge entertainment spaces, large helideck and garage for toys.Working with him and helping him to build a yacht which will take him to the wild places he plans to explore has been an interesting journey. We will be managing the yacht after delivery and so I hope to be able to share some of his adventures!<img src="/uploads/store/photo/31591/image/large-c2b91909d18924c9a377a5ef0ea5dc02.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/31591">The Sanlorenzo 500EXP&nbsp;Last but not least: you have been in the industry for over 30 years, and have certainly made your mark on the superyacht world with much more to come. So, what is your top advice for young brokers looking to carve out as impressive a career as your own? The best advice I could give to any aspiring top broker, if he is really confident that he can make the grade, is to give me a call! We are always on the lookout for good brokers and Asia is the next big market. If you want to make a career as a broker, a solid background in yachting and plenty of sea time is a good starting point, whichever direction your yacht broking career takes you, hands-on experience will give you a head start and will give confidence to buyers.&nbsp;I always tell brokers at Simpson Marine to think carefully before making a commitment to a customer, because once made, commitments must be honoured. Earning a buyer’s trust is a process; it has to be earned through meeting or exceeding your buyers’ expectations. This is true everywhere but especially if you are interacting with newcomers to yachting like so many of our buyers out here. Their lack of knowledge and uncertainty makes them cautious and they need constant reassurance that you are the right person to advise and help them.If anyone wants to carve out a career for themselves as a yacht broker, there is no shortcut to success. The really successful brokers are in it for the long haul. Their success depends on the personal reputation they have established in the industry, their relationships with owners whose trust they have earned and their deep knowledge of the industry. This takes time to build up. 34 years in my case!Simpson Marine will be at the upcoming Singapore Yacht Show. Get in touch to make an appointment&nbsp;<a href="https://www.simpsonmarine.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">here.</a>

5 questions with... Mike Simpson from Simpson Marine 

New York natives Robert Book and his wife Amy are serious, serial boat owners. Obvious from their past record of ownership (“I think this one is number 17,” Bob tells me on board their latest 46.7-metre supertoy), but what makes them serious in their serial ownership is in the way they talk about yachting: the ins and outs of their multiple experience building boats from scratch and their intimate knowledge of not only the superyacht lifestyle, but the superyacht business. Their interest is invested, of course. Of the 17 boats they’ve owned over the past four decades, none have been in their possession for longer than two and a half years. And the vast majority have been sold on to their next happy owner without the seemingly inevitable loss of investment. So, how did this journey begin and how do the Books’ manage to continuously invest wisely in their passion?<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/28775/image/large-7883b8aecf8c8b9b3607f38bc329f6cf.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/28775">First things first: consistently securing resale value. The most important aspect here, Book says, is choosing the right time to sell. “If you have a boat more than three years, it’s hard to sell. Two years old with 1000 hours on the engine? There’s a person out there who wants a new boat but doesn’t want to wait to build it. We had our&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunseeker (Company)">Sunseeker</a>&nbsp;for just 6 months… I know, it sounds crazy. But I’ve always made money from selling my boats.” The second golden rule? Keep her interior neutral, with accents of personality that can easily be altered to suit her new owner’s tastes. “One of the things about this boat that is so beautiful is that it is so light,” Amy explains as we sit in the upper deck lounge of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>-built <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5960" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Artisa46.7m (153'3&quot;)Heesen Yachts2017">Book Ends</a>. “We’ve brought in the accent colours, but anyone that wanted to buy this boat, they have this neutral palette in which they can bring in their own accents. When you have very dark wood or built-in prominent colours, it’s obviously harder to sell.”Years of experience resulted in the seasoned owners in front of me, but on to the second part of our question - where did this journey begin? Well, it all began in their native New York. Starting out with a 25 footer which the Books frequently used in New York area, they started climbing the size classes boat by boat to incorporate a growing family over the years, expanding their cruising grounds to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Florida, New England, Martha's Vineyard and other spots along the Eastern US coastline. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/25818/image/large-d0c25269e8b87326f6b3bc438f99e97b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/25818">This year, however, the Books opted for a change of pace and headed over to the Mediterranean for six weeks of cruising - the most time they’ve ever spent onboard in one go. With this plan in mind, they also needed to change the kind of boat they were looking for the latest addition to the Book Ends fleet. Enter: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>. “I wanted to make a change in my boating habits,” Bob starts. “I had a 40-metre Westport before this which was fibreglass and semi-displacement - very Bahamas friendly. We always wanted to spend a summer in the Med, so we decided that with our new boat, we wanted to go full displacement, steel hull, Med-ready. We’ve also always had great admiration for the Dutch shipyards, they really build high-quality boats.”Built on speculation and sold just a few weeks before completion, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5960" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Artisa46.7m (153'3&quot;)Heesen Yachts2017">Book Ends</a> found her new owner in a classic case of right-place-right-time. Coming into the build at such a late stage has its obvious advantages, though one distinct disadvantage is the potential for customisation. Bob explains: “It was not easy to incorporate our changes, but there was already a lot to work with - the windows are amazing and let in a lot of light, there’s light wood throughout. We took a ton of stuff off and ripped a wall out here and there, but&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>&nbsp;ultimately delivered.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/16907/image/large-2ae712f2246501e825efc0605d038b61.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/16907">“One thing coming to a European boat from an American perspective was that they had no outdoor TVs anywhere on the boat,” Book continues. “We as Americans like watching TV. Especially on a Sunday, we want to sit outside and watch sports. We don’t just eat and drink all the time, we eat, drink and watch TV! So we changed that. There is still a lot we would change on the boat, but it’s little things, and every boat incorporates an element of compromise. And you know what? You won’t find a better-built boat than a&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>.”So, Med-friendly boat checked off the list, but what about the destination itself? Will the Books be returning to their summers on the East Coast? The answer - surprisingly after endless summers spent in the States - was a definitive no. “We had so much fun and we had a lot of friends and family over flying from the States - they all wanted to experience the Mediterranean! We will never spend the summer anywhere else. It’s amazing - especially the Italian coast, Amalfi and Sardinia... it’s just spectacular.” &nbsp;For now, at least, the all-American Book family are converted.SYT: You purchased&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5960" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Artisa46.7m (153'3&quot;)Heesen Yachts2017">Book Ends</a>&nbsp;while she was under construction, and took delivery just three weeks later. Tell us about your yacht search.&nbsp;When I sold my other boat I was shocked. It sold in less than 60 days! We quickly discovered that we didn’t want to wait to build a boat from scratch, so we spent two years and close to two million bucks on the search for a new boat. I took my whole crew with me on every shopping spree. They live on board - they are like a family and they need to be happy, and they also spot things that perhaps we wouldn’t. We were actually very close to signing a contract with an Italian yard, but it didn’t feel right.&nbsp;I came across&nbsp;Book Ends when I was in the yard visiting the Dutch shipbuilders. At the time they were around 10 months into the build, but I didn’t even want to look as I was looking for a 55-metre. Thom Conboy rang me a while later and said, ‘Robert, that 47-metres is finishing up at&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>. Do you want to go and have a look?’ I told him if we can agree on a price, then I’ll be there in two days - basically, at this point, I wanted to be in the Med by the summer on my own boat or I was going to throw in the towel altogether. So after a long search, Thom rang me at just the right time. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/25815/image/large-9f855f5f73701d28c8d8d97c911bafbc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/25815">SYT: As your first <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> after a long history of predominantly American-built boats, how was your first stint on board?When we made the deal, I told <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> that I needed the boat by mid-June to meet a friend in Monte Carlo. Now, I hadn’t looked at the distance from the Netherlands to Monte Carlo… turns out its 2,500 nm. So I was like, our maiden voyage is going to be 2,500 nm on a boat that has never been tested?! But what really impressed me was <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>’s answer: ‘Well, it’s a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>. You just put the key in and go.’&nbsp;They lived up to their word. We met the boat in Monte Carlo. The crew had a tough time on the approach to Gibraltar with 18’ waves, but they told me the boat was great. Heesen really got it done. We did around 300 hours on her this summer.&nbsp;SYT: What are some of the key differences you’ve noticed between the boat building cultures?With US yards like <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/217" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westport Yachts (Company)">Westport</a> or <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4332" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Viking Yachts (Company)">Viking</a>, they work like hell to get you as a customer but work even harder to keep you. In my opinion, the European yards need to adapt more to the North American culture of after-sales support. A boat is a big investment, and the experience should not end when you take delivery. You want the entire experience to be positive and the yard ultimately wants to sell me my next boat… you won’t get that with arrogance or a lack of support. I think that is more a problem with Northern European yards. &nbsp;The Italian shipyards are the nicest, most charming, most fun people to hang with… you feel like you’re part of an Italian family. But if you’re going to build a boat with Italians, you can’t get hung up on having it delivered on time. The difference with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> is that everything is clean, uniform. They even have a digital countdown to scheduled launch hanging over the project throughout construction. The culture is efficiency and attention to detail. With the Italians, well, if you have a good project manager then it’s fine. They do build great boats. Nick Candy’s boat, 11:11, for example, it’s one to see - the finest <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a> ever built.&nbsp;SYT: In terms of American shipbuilders, there are few big yards left. As an American buyer, would you like to see the U.S. shipbuilding industry rejuvenated?I don’t know, I think the market has passed a lot of the American shipyards by. There was a time that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/145" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Burger Boat Company (Company)">Burger</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Broward Shipyard (Company)">Broward</a> owned the market on big boats. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/47" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Delta Marine (Company)">Delta</a> builds big boats, but they’re fibreglass and very expensive. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/217" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westport Yachts (Company)">Westport</a>, great quality, great people, but it’s semi-displacement, fast, light, and you outgrow that. So as owners have evolved, the American shipbuilding market has not. If you want to buy a steel hulled boat and you want to cruise the Med with a big stable ride, you go to Europe. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/25821/image/large-b14fe9b309d59a4feddf18e4052a89f1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/25821">SYT: Why do you think the American industry did not evolve like the European?A lot of the builders were not good business people… they were just good boat builders. They got by when things were fine, but things got tough. Americans do own certain niches to this day, but in general, they didn’t stay up to date with the market and I don’t know about their future. Now, if Westport really wanted to get into the market that Europeans hold, they’re going to have to build steel-hulled boats that can go anywhere in the world. I believe <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/149" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Christensen Shipyards, LLC. (Company)">Christensen</a> will start building steel-hulled boats. They are not going to give the market to the Europeans so quickly.&nbsp;SYT: Moving to the market as a whole, do you think the yachting world has recovered from the fallout from the Financial Crisis?&nbsp;I don’t think this industry is in trouble. I think it’s evolving, and the industry will expand and get stronger. It will be people with good financial power, good marketing skills, good communication skills.SYT: But what about the fact that the number of UHNWI in the world has risen, but the amount of clients has not?Well, look at where all of that new wealth is? Asia. You need more infrastructure there, but I know Asia very well, I’ve been doing business there 35 years. You build good infrastructure and people will come, but you need more. A lot of people in Asia have boats but they keep them in Europe.&nbsp;SYT: So let’s say Asian infrastructure dramatically improves - will it just attract more European and North American yachties?I think the Asian market will still pick up. I know a lot of very wealthy Asian people and I think they could really get into boating. You have some great marinas in Phuket already. Once one guy starts getting into it, then talking to his buddy, and they start doing it together… I’m very optimistic and I do not see this industry diminishing. It’s changing, its evolving, but it’s not decreasing. I think there will be fewer players in the game in the future, but they will be big players. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/14585/image/large-a683a0f22c44b44fc124626cb8ca4de8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/14585">SYT: In terms of clients, how can we attract more people to yachting?In this world, it’s all word of mouth. My friend has a 201’ <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Hakvoort</a>, Just J’s. We did our boating together for seven years in Newport, until last summer which we spent in the Med. He has a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1306" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautica International Inc. (Company)">Nautica</a> tender, a 48 footer with four engines on the back. Wherever we went, people went crazy to see that tender. So <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1306" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautica International Inc. (Company)">Nautica</a> asked if they could take her to the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1429" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show (Company)">Monaco Yacht Show</a>. Do you know how many Nauticas they sold at the show? 12! So who is buying these boats if the market is diminishing? But to answer your question, it is very word-of-mouth promotion but I also think that people want to see a different product. You’re going to get younger people buying these smaller boats, and building up to the superyachts. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/25829/image/large-081b03e5fdc5f87b7efaeaa5f8cd1ced.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/25829">SYT: And what about the next generation of owners?My son is putting our 6-year old grandson up for sailing school, and it’s the best way to learn. He already handles a tender all by himself. At show-and-tell at school, he does all the lines in front of his classmates, he makes pictures of the buoys… he loves it. It’s sheer, pure joy. So kids are the future of yachting, and you’re seeing kids being put through sailing schools in places like Asia, too. I think this is growing all over the world. I’m optimistic about the future of yachting. Photos of Book Ends by Jeff Brown / <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5064" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Breed Media (Company)">Breed Media</a>This article was featured in the latest edition of the SuperYacht Times newspaper.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.superyachtcompany.com/newspaper/the-superyacht-times-subscription" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Subscribe now</a>&nbsp;to receive your copy straight to your door and never miss another issue.&nbsp;

Owner insight: Robert Book talks Book Ends and American ownership

<img alt="" src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/148554/image/large-b9668f49b13f4d2dbd753ed680127d12.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/148554" class="legacy">Lady Nora in PiraeusThe 43-metre superyacht Lady Nora, seen here in Piraeus last week, was built by US builder Broward, at their Dania shipyard, in 1998. Designed by Broward, the yacht features an interior by Baldwin Yacht Interiors. She sleeps up to 10 guests and is powered by twin 2400 hp Detroit Diesel engines.

Superyacht Lady Nora in Piraeus

Broward Shipyard has introduced the Columbus series expedition superyachts, developed together with Donald Starkey of Donald Starkey Design. Named the Columbus series, it is Broward's aim to bring the customers back to the United States with regard to realizing new construction projects. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/137216/image/large-5e0d372626266490ae52a59a29923dea.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/137216">The Columbus 146 expedition yacht is a 44.5 metre semidisplacement superyacht, designed in cooperation with several of Broward's clients and Donald Starkey of Donald Starkey Design. The Columbus 146 will be built according the rules and requirements of the Classification Society and the Large Yacht Code 2 (LY2). Fully constructed in aluminum with a large beam of 9.15 metres in order to reduce the draft and provide access to the most remote and shallow waters in the Caribbean waters and the keys. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/137217/image/large-b0b79e41005935f53f52b6dd1bd89f78.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/137217">Due to the fact that the Columbus 146 will be built in aluminum, the yard is able to save weight, which will benefit the performance of this motoryacht and offer an easy 14 knots cruising speed with a range of over 3,000 nautical miles, whereby the Columbus 146 will be provided with two Caterpillar C32 Acert main engines each with a maximum output of 1,299 hp. The construction time of this new project is approximately 24 to 28 months following a signed contract.Broward Shipyard Philippe Brandligt + 1 954 295 2170 <a href="mailto:philippe@browardshipyard.com?subject=The%20Columbus%20146%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">philippe@browardshipyard.com</a> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.browardshipyard.com">www.browardshipyard.com</a> Donald Starkey Designs Donald Starkey +971 4 3422099 <a href="mailto:donald@donaldstarkeydesigns.com?subject=The%20Columbus%20146%20on%20SuperYachtTimes.com">donald@donaldstarkeydesigns.com</a> By Maarten Janssen