We’ve seen a lot of interesting evolutions in charter-yacht toys over the years. There was the first inflatable waterslide that towered from the top of the sundeck down to the ocean’s surface. Then came the introduction of e-foil boards that let charter clients surf and glide several feet above the water with silent electric power. There’s even been the addition of personal submersibles on a few charter yachts whose owners have an interest in exploring the depths far beneath the water’s surface.

But a rock-climbing wall? That’s a charter feature we don’t see every day.

There is apparently just such a wall-of-fun (along with an inflatable slide and e-foils) aboard Batello, a 263-foot Oceanco that just joined the IYC charter fleet following a refit that was completed this year. The yacht is now accepting inquiries for Mediterranean charters this summer, and for Caribbean and Bahamas yacht charters this winter, according to the team at IYC.

Batello is a 2007 build with accommodations for 12 guests in their choice of nine staterooms—a layout that is also an unusual find, even aboard superyachts in this size range. The master stateroom spans the full beam, and there are 24 crew on board for a ratio of 2-to-1 guest service.

 In addition to the inflatable FunAir rock-climbing wall, Batello also has a 58-foot Anvera chase boat, newly delivered in 2025, for zipping all over the place to explore; a 28-foot Novurania Cat tender; a 28-foot Windy tender; and a 23-foot Cobalt ski and wakesurfing tender.

Additional toys for guests to use aboard Batello include four personal watercraft, a trio of Seabobs, two kayaks, standup paddleboards, surfboards, scuba gear for certified guests (and an onboard dive instructor), fishing gear, a driving range setup for golfers, an outdoor cinema screen, and space on the bridge deck aft for mini games of basketball, pickleball and other ball sports.

When guests are ready to relax after playing with all those toys, Batello has a heated swimming pool, a gymnasium and a spa. An elevator connects all of the yacht’s interior decks, to make moving around the yacht easier.

What’s the top speed aboard Batello? It’s 19 knots, according to IYC, with a cruising speed of 13 knots. That’s plenty fast for exploring the Mediterranean coastline or the islands of the Caribbean and Bahamas.

How to book a week of charter aboard Batello: contact a charter broker at iyc.com. The lowest weekly base rate advertised for the yacht is $735,000.

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Every December, the world’s leading charter brokers gather on the Caribbean island of Antigua for an industry-only boat show. Yachts display the best elements of their charter programs, and some enter the chef and tablescaping competitions, which highlight crews that are creating some of the best dining and entertainment experiences afloat.

This year, the crew from one yacht—the Oceanco Wheels—absolutely dominated, winning first prize for food and decorating alike among all the superyachts that entered.

Chef Leny Belin and chief stewardess Emily Birkett led the effort. Belin had to incorporate two secret ingredients that judges foisted on him—caviar and tamarind—in a way that worked with the carnival theme Birkett and her team organized.

“It’s not an easy theme to design a menu for, but he did it with each course,” Birkett says.

Brokers stepped on board to find themselves amid cotton-candy and popcorn stands. “We had a game that our second stewardess put together, like a darts game to burst a balloon with a prize inside,” Birkett says. “We had the toffee apples and the balloon arches, and then they sat down at the table that had Ferris wheels with appetizers on them.”

The caviar got served with the fish course (an easy pairing), while the tamarind ended up being in the stalks of the candy apples, as well as grated over the top of the dessert for a sweet-and-sour element.

Wheels, which is in the Frasser fleet, is headed to the Mediterranean this summer and can re-create the experience for charters, Birkett says, especially the smiles that helped the team win: “I think it was as much the spirit of the crew and the good vibes we have on board that really shone through.”  

Just Press Play

Wheels is a 2008 Oceanco that most recently was refitted in 2022. The yacht accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, including a split-level master. Relaxation spaces include a cinema that seats eight people, with extra beanbag seating for children. More than 4,000 movies are available to view from the yacht’s library, with a surround-sound system that brings all the action to life.

The Yacht

There are 21 crew aboard Wheels, and the yacht is outfitted to help them create all kinds of memorable experiences. Just one example is the main salon, where retractable ceiling panels conceal disco lights, and wall units hide smoke machines. For fans of outdoor fun, half the lower deck is dedicated to watersports gear, toys and tenders.

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The Italian design firm Hot Lab has unveiled plans for the Superleggera 80, a 262-foot Oceanco Simply Custom concept.

Simply Custom is the Dutch shipyard’s 80-meter platform developed by Lateral Naval Architects. Oceanco invited design studios to take that platform and create ideas around the common naval architecture and engineering. So far, 17 design firms have created concepts.

Hot Lab created the exteriors as well as the interiors for the Superleggera 80, including the six-stateroom layout on the four-deck superyacht. The idea was inspired by 1960s automotive design.

“We wanted the design to be soft and minimal, subtly related to the sailing style, edgeless, and with a great continuity of surfaces,” Enrico Lumini, a partner at the Milan-based design firm, stated in a press release. “In addition to this, we aimed to break some recurring patterns, such as the typical stern of a yacht with its staircases and hatches. For this, we concealed both under a veil of teak. When we design new items, we focus on certain details, chasing the goal of constant incremental innovation.”

Hot Lab’s team says it was aiming for the same “sense of awe one feels in an expansive penthouse.” The main atrium, for instance, stands more than 16 feet tall with a central bar illuminated by a skylight. The beach club at the stern has a gymnasium with an opening balcony. On the aft deck, there’s a glass-ended pool.

“Italian design is first and foremost elegant, and we strive to be elegant,” Lumini continued. “Everyone has their own vision of beauty and elegance, but for us it means designing ‘less,’ removing rather than adding, cleaning rather than cluttering.”

Hot Lab describes the Superleggera 80 as bright and contemporary in its style and palette, with curved furniture, integrated lighting, wood and bright-lacquered finishes.

The design firm says it was aiming for “architecture for voyagers,” meaning a yacht that combines style and utility, beauty and practicality.  

“Practicality is emotional. It’s that sensation that reaffirms to the owner, every time they experience it, that they made the right choice,” Lumini stated in the release. “The right designer, the right project, the right yacht. The union between perfect practicality and style means communicating to one’s clients, and they to their friends, ‘I did well. This is the yacht for me.’”

Is Hot Lab part of the Viken Group? Yes. The group also includes Tillberg Design of Sweden and Thalia Marine in Italy, providing design, naval architecture and project management services.

Where to learn more: visit hotlab.it

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With the winter yacht charter season about to kick into high gear in the Bahamas and Caribbean, several top management companies have welcomed notable motoryachts into their fleets.

Perhaps the largest yacht in this category is Samsara, a 290-foot Oceanco that recently joined the Y.CO charter fleet. Brokers are now accepting inquiries for winter charters in the Bahamas and Caribbean (and for summer 2024 bookings in Greenland and Iceland) at a lowest weekly base rate of $1.1 million.

Samsara is a 2015 build that most recently was refitted in 2023, with accommodations for 12 guests in seven staterooms. This yacht has a private owners’ deck, swimming pool, gymnasium, massage room and hair salon, along with an elevator for guest use. “Her seven-cabin layout is ideal for multigenerational groups or two families traveling together,” says David Price of Y.CO Charter Management. “It offers the flexibility to suit many kinds of charter groups.”

Meanwhile, over at Edmiston, two notable yachts have joined the charter fleet.

First is Wayfinder, 223-foot powercat that Astilleros Armon built in 2021. This yacht has an unusual layout, with 11 en suite staterooms (nine singles and two with twin berths) for 12 guests, along with quarters for 20 crew. It can be booked as either its own charter yacht or as a support vessel for more traditional charter yachts.

Wayfinder has an open aft deck with a helipad that doubles as a pickleball court. This yacht also has belowdecks storage for six tenders and four Sea-Doos. The lowest base rate to book a week in the Caribbean is $300,000, with inquiries also being accepted for the Mediterranean and other destinations in summer 2024.

Also new to the Edmiston charter fleet is the 164-foot Home, a 2017 Heesen that will be in the Bahamas this winter at a lowest weekly base rate of $245,000.

Home accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, and charters with nine crew. Interiors are by Cristiano Gatto—Edmiston describes them as “crisp, light-filled and Ibiza-inspired.” For outdoor fun, the complement of tenders and toys includes a 34-foot Jupiter towed tender, a 21-foot Williams jet tender that can reportedly hit 35 knots, Sea-Doos, standup paddleboards, skis, inflatables, snorkeling gear and scuba equipment.

And, last but not least, IYC has added the 162-foot Christensen Remember When to the charter fleet, with bookings available this winter in the Bahamas at a lowest weekly base rate of $230,000. It’s a 2011 build that was most recently refitted in 2020, with accommodations for 12 guests in six staterooms. An elevator services all four decks, and the full-beam main-deck master has a private office.

Is it too early to call for summer 2024 yacht charter bookings? Nope. In fact, IYC also just welcomed the 90-foot Sanlorenzo SAL to the charter fleet. It’s a brand-new build for 2023 that’s currently accepting bookings for the West Mediterranean, Croatia and Montenegro in summer 2024.

Take the next step: head over to y.co, edmiston.com or iyc.com

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But when it comes to the really big boats—the megayachts, superyachts and gigayachts—it’s the NFL team owners who have the goods. Sure, there’s an occasional story in the news about an NFL player spending a day on the water, but the people making a real splash on the docks are the ones who own the teams.

Article At-A-Glance

• NFL players, such as Tom Brady, have good-size boats, but team owners have big yachts.
• Several NFL team owners have sizable, pedigree European shipyard builds.
• You’d never know the owners based on the yacht names.
• The yachts cruise all over the world, including the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

European Shipyards that NFL Owners Choose

Europe has always been seen as the place to buy a pedigree superyacht, and owners of NFL teams naturally gravitate toward the best. They’ve commissioned yachts from Oceanco, Lürssen, Feadship and Royal Hakvoort.

Jerry Jones’ Bravo Eugenia

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones owns Bravo Eugenia, a 357-foot Oceanco that was delivered in late 2018. Forbes reported that, during the pandemic, Jones handled the NFL draft from on board—in a luxurious version of social-distancing. The yacht itself is noteworthy for its hybrid propulsion as well as its multiple helipads, which give Jones the ability to land on board pretty much anywhere in the world.

Shahid Khan’s Kismet

In 2014, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan took delivery of the 312-foot Lürssen Kismet. It’s currently listed for sale on the Moran Yacht & Ship website at an asking price of about $160 million, with what the brokerage house calls a “decadent interior” by Reymond Langton Design. Accommodations are for 16 guests, with quarters for 28 crew. The yacht has a helipad, a spa, a swimming pool and an outdoor fireplace—a rare find aboard any yacht of any size.

American Shipyards that NFL Owners Choose

Some NFL owners skip the European shipyards (and their years-long waiting lists) altogether and go with American builds instead. These yachts are new or refitted after being purchased from previous owners, showing that it’s possible to get exactly what you want in a yacht even if you don’t choose the process of custom construction.

Steve Bisciotti’s Winning Drive

Baltimore Ravens majority owner Steve Bisciotti reportedly also owns Winning Drive, a Westport 130 that left the yard in 2012. This is one of the most popular American-model yachts ever, with the series in build since way back in 2000 and the company still offering new versions today. The 10-guest, seven-crew Westport 130 is also a popular model on the charter market, if anyone wants to book a different hull to get a feel for life on board Bisciotti style.

Stan Kroenke’s Aquila

This billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Rams (and numerous other sports teams) reportedly also owns Aquila, a 280-foot Derecktor that started life on the water in 2010 as Cakewalk—the largest private motoryacht ever built in the United States. The yacht underwent a yearlong refit at Pendennis and is currently available for charter through Burgess at a lowest weekly base rate of $945,000. Guests have full access to the onboard elevator, cinema room, spa and massage areas, and bridge-deck fire pit.

Tom Brady’s Boat

By comparison with these behemoths, Brady’s Wajer 77 seems small—but it’s actually the largest model in the builder’s line. It’s built for speed and silence, with a top speed of 37 knots and extensive use of insulation to dampen onboard noise. Smaller models from Wajer give all kinds of boat owners a chance to sample the kind of fun that Brady is having out on the water.

Wajer 38

The Wajer 38 is the entry-level model in the builder’s lineup, with 45 knots of speed (yes, it can outrun Tom Brady’s boat). The 300-nautical-mile range means this boat is well-suited for weekend getaways, and the fact that the boat is packed with seating and sun pads mean owners can bring plenty of friends along for the ride. Vripack in the Netherlands—also a superyacht designer—handled naval architecture, which explains the upscale feel.

Wajer 55S

This is the model that Tom Brady had before he upgraded to the builder’s larger flagship. The 55S is still in production today. It’s a 38-knot boat with a 400-nautical-mile range and a center-console design that allows great walkaround space for fishing and other water sports. Belowdecks, there’s accommodations for as many as four people, if owners want to spend the night on the hook. For the hull, owners can choose among a wide variety of colors, ranging from more subtle blacks and whites to high-octane yellows and pinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do more NFL team owners than NFL players own superyachts?

Generally speaking, superyacht owners are billionaires, while even the most successful NFL players tend to be multimillionaires.

Do any NFL team owners have yachts bigger than a football field?

A football field between the goal lines is 100 yards, or 300 feet. That means several NFL team owners have yachts that would be too long to fit inside their own stadiums.

Do NFL team owners keep their yachts near NFL stadiums?

Not usually. Dallas Cowboys owners Jerry Jones’ yacht, for instance, has been spotted everywhere from Vancouver to London.

Do NFL team owners with yachts also have other business interests?

Yes. Shahid Khan, who owns the Jacksonville Jaguars, made his fortune with Flex-N-Gate, which makes bumpers for vehicles. Steve Bisciotti, who owns the Baltimore Ravens, also owns staffing, recruiting and talent-management companies.

Do any NFL stadiums have dockage for yachts?

Not directly at the stadium, but there’s a marina adjacent to Soldier Field, where the Chicago Bears play, and boaters heading to Cleveland Browns games can tie up at the nearby Rock and Dock Marina at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The post The NFL’s Favorite Boats appeared first on Yachting.

Oceanco says hull Y722, a 364-foot superyacht, has left the yard’s first-phase construction facilities in Zwijndrecht, the Netherlands, and moved to outfitting facilities in Alblasserdam.

Y722 is designed by Oceanco and Espen Øino International, with interiors from Mark Berryman Design. The project is a collaboration among Oceanco, YTMC and Y.CO. Oceanco says the vessel “embraces innovative technologies and has had some radical layout changes introduced that will challenge the perception of the traditional yacht.”

Accommodations are for 22 guests, with quarters for 33 crew. The owner has what Oceanco calls “scientific aspirations,” and the guest and crew quarters are somewhat combined, including the crew mess and dining room. The idea is to “create synergy between all those on board and encourage the mutual cultivation of ideas and passions.” The yacht will also have crew wellbeing areas, such as a gym.

Eco-friendly thinking has been part of the design process. Power will be diesel-electric for emissions-free, silent running. A waste heat recovery system and an advanced wastewater treatment system are also part of the build.

“Y722 will break new boundaries at Oceanco, with, amongst other things, her industry-leading noise and vibration characteristics, and the focus on usability and operability will bring a holistic comfortable experience for all aboard,” Dan Morgan, YTMC managing director, stated in a press release.

Charlie Birkett, CEO and co-founder of Y.CO, called Y722 a groundbreaking yacht: “This is a project with vast scope and vital ambition.”

When is Y722 expected to undergo sea trials and commissioning? In 2025.

Take the next step: go to oceancoyacht.com

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Antarctica is a destination where many people dream of chartering but precious few yachts typically go. More and more, though, we’re starting to see substantial vessels pointing their bows toward the ice. The 413-foot Lürrsen Octopus chartered in Antarctica this past winter. Now comes word that the 300-foot Oceanco Tranquility is accepting Antarctica bookings for December 2023 through February 2024.

“We are all seeing a desire from clients to venture to these distant, untouched parts of the world,” says Camper & Nicholsons International charter manager Nicole Terry. “Guests want to explore and have these once-in-a-lifetime experiences in parts of the world that only a superyacht can take you to.”

Tranquility is precisely that type of yacht, built to Ice Class standards with transoceanic range for exploring far and wide. It has two touch-and-go helipads; a full scuba setup, including a dedicated dive boat; and an upper-deck basketball court for guests who miss shooting hoops in the gym. For relaxing after days spent exploring the outdoors, the onboard spa includes a Finnish sauna, a hammam, experiential showers, a plunge pool and a massage-and-treatment room.

Most important is that Tranquility Capt. Jan Rautawaara is no stranger to Antarctica’s waters, which can be challenging for newcomers. “Being able to visit remote, desolate places and to see some extraordinary wildlife is a true adventure,” he says, adding that charters on this remote part of the planet are a way to “broaden our own understanding of nature and make us realize how important it is to preserve this fragile life around us.”

Tranquility

Built in 2014, the Oceanco Tranquility has a lowest weekly  base rate of $1.1 million for charters. The yacht is built to  ice class standards, so it can go just about anywhere. It’s also compliant with passenger yacht code, which means it can charter with more than the usual 12-guest limit aboard most yachts. Camper & Nicholsons International is the yacht’s management company.

The post Charter the Transoceanic Oceanco ‘Tranquility’ appeared first on Yachting.

Oceanco in the Netherlands has unveiled the 430-foot concept design Aeolus, with exteriors by Giles Taylor and interiors from Njord by Bergman Design House.

The Aeolus concept is rooted in sustainability, in keeping with Oceanco’s NXT initiative to focus on innovation and sustainability. The concept yacht is named for the Greek god of wind and takes some design cues from J Class sailing yachts.

“Her curves do not make her overly feminine because there is a masculine quality to her bold, forthright architecture,” Taylor stated in a press release. “Apart from the deck surfaces themselves, not one surface is flat or brutally geometric, which provides a unique aesthetic that sets Aeolus apart.”

The interior is envisioned in a way that will include sustainable and traceable materials, including biomaterials. Two examples are Desserto, a vegan leather alternative made from climate-positive cactus plants, and Oliveri Homes, which uses nontoxic processes and dyes to create materials.

Oceanco also worked with technical partners ABB and MTU to create an adaptable energy transition platform, thinking ahead toward a net-zero-emissions future amid constantly evolving technology.

What are some key specs of the Aeolus concept yacht? Beam is 59 feet, and gross tonnage is 6,200.

Where to learn more: visit oceancoyacht.com

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Traveling to somewhere new is an exciting adventure. Most will travel by car or by airplane. What about venturing somewhere new by superyacht? The experience of chartering a superyacht combines luxury and service with privacy and escape. These on-the-water mega-homes can take you to places like Antarctica, the Mediterranean, the Bahamas and more. Here are seven superyachts for your next great escape.

Palmer Johnson ‘Pioneer’ in the Caribbean

For long-distance cruising, the 151-foot Palmer Johnson Pioneer is up to the task. Built in 1996, Pioneer is an expedition yacht with an 8,000-nautical-mile range at 10 knots. It has traveled to North and South America, including Alaska. In 2015, Pioneer underwent a refit that included new teak decks, new interiors and zero-speed stabilizers. Its hull and superstructure are aluminum.

The yacht accommodates up to 10 guests in five en suite staterooms. Amenities include a yoga-and-workout space and a gym belowdecks. Water toys are included: jet tenders, multiple personal watercraft, scuba gear and kayaks.

Christensen ‘Lady Elaine’ in Florida, the Bahamas

Previously known as Casino Royale, the 163-foot Christensen Lady Elaine has rebranded and is ready for new appointments. The 2008 build can host 12 guests in six en suite staterooms, and there is also space for nine crew. Features and toys include a 37-foot Intrepid, a 15-foot Nautica RIB, four personal watercraft, three Seabobs, two paddleboards, two kayaks, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment and tow toys.

Oceanco ‘Tranquility’ in Antarctica

With a 5,000-nautical-mile range, the Oceanco Tranquility is another expedition yacht worthy of a seafaring adventure. This superyacht is certified to Lloyd’s Ice Class E, with navigational equipment that includes “sonars for detecting uncharted rocks and ice growlers,” according to charter-fleet host Camper & Nicholsons International. Guests will find a fitness center, “experiential showers,” a massage-and-treatment room, a hair-and-beauty salon, a hammam steam room and a Finnish sauna aboard Tranquility.

At 300 feet length overall, Tranquility can host more than other chartered superyachts: 18 in nine staterooms or up to 22 with two convertible cabins. Two VIP staterooms are on the main deck and have private balconies.

Tranquility can be booked in Antarctica from December 2023 to February 2024 via Camper & Nicholsons International.

Amels ‘Grace’ in the Bahamas

The 2009-built Amels Grace most recently underwent a refit in 2021. It accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, including a main-deck master and double-berth guest stateroom, and charters with 14 crew. The 170-footer has amenities like a sundeck hot tub and barbecue, zero-speed stabilizers and a variety of water toys.

Cantiere Delle Marche ‘Nuri’ in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean

The Cantiere Delle Marche Nuri is a new addition to the Y.CO charter fleet, and it’s ready for bookings in the Caribbean this winter and the Mediterranean this summer. At 133 feet length overall, the 2021 build can host 10 to 12 guests in five staterooms, and it charters with seven crew. Amenities include a main-deck alfresco dining area, sunbathing space and oversized windows for wide-open views.

Amels ‘Amigos’ in the Caribbean, the Bahamas

The Amels Amigos is a 2017 build that accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, with 13 crew aboard. It includes a full-beam master with a private terrace and a main-deck VIP stateroom that has a fold-down balcony. Amenities include a 13-foot-long counter-current pool, shaded alfresco dining, an outdoor cinema and a beach club with a steam room.

Heesen ‘Knight’ in Costa Rica

Returning from private use by its owner, the Heesen Yachts Knight is ready for charter bookings in Costa Rica. The 2011 build has dining space on all three levels of this tri-deck superyacht. Further amenities include a 42-foot Hydra-Sports custom tender for anglers. Accommodations can host 10 guests in five staterooms, including a main-deck master with a private office and a king-sized berth; belowdecks, there are two queen-berth VIPs and two twin-berth guest staterooms.

The post 7 Yacht Charters to Expand Your Horizons appeared first on Yachting.

Camper & Nicholsons International says the 300-foot Oceanco Tranquility is heading to Antarctica. Charter bookings will be available there from December 2023 to February 2024.

Tranquility is a 2014 build with a cruising range of 5,000 nautical miles. The yacht is certified to Lloyd’s Ice Class E and has navigational equipment that includes what Camper & Nicholsons calls “sonars for detecting uncharted rocks and ice growlers.”

“We are all seeing a desire from clients to venture to these distant ‘untouched’ parts of the world. Charter has evolved,” charter manager Nicole Terry stated in a press release. “Guests want to explore and have these once-in-a-lifetime experiences in parts of the world that only a superyacht can take you, and of course Tranquility is more than happy to oblige.”

Guest amenities aboard Tranquility include a fitness center, “experiential showers,” a massage and treatment room, a hair and beauty salon, a hammam steam room and a Finnish sauna.

Accommodations are for 18 guests in nine staterooms, or as many as 22 guests with the use of two convertible cabins. Two of the VIP staterooms are on the main deck with private balconies.

What’s the lowest weekly base rate to charter Tranquility? The lowest weekly base rate to charter in winter 2023-24 is $1.2 million, and the flat rate to charter in Antarctica is $1.6 million.

How to book a week on board: contact a charter broker at camperandnicholsons.com

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