The Monaco Yacht Show is the only boat show devoted exclusively to luxury yachting, with 533 of the world's best yachting companies scheduled to attend. These include shipyards, brokers, naval architects, interior designers, refit and repair shipyards, equipment manufacturers, service providers, luxury brands, tenders, federations and magazines representing more than 38 nationalities.

As impressive as this elite group of yachting companies is, undoubtedly the featured attraction of the Monaco Yacht Show are the yachts themselves, and this year's group of 93 yachts, presented by shipyards and brokers, are more spectacular than ever before. All of these large yachts are between 20-80 meters plus, and all are of the very highest calibre.

According to the SBI 2005 rankings, most of the top 20 shipbuilders in the international luxury yacht market, as well as most of the top 10 builders of the largest yachts in the world, will be in attendance at the MYS. Of the 15 top custom builders in the world, 14 will be present - leading companies renowned for their luxury yachts such as Benetti, CRN/Custom Line, Lьrssen, ISA, Feadship, Trinity, Sensation, Amels, Perini Navi, Palmer Johnson, Heesen, Burger, Royal Huisman, Oceanco and HDW - Nobiskrug.

The increasing trend in the luxury yacht industry is customization. With yachts up to 30 meters, boats are generally semi-customized, designed on the basis of a chassis that already exists. Above the 31-meter mark, however, 71% of yachts are entirely customized.*

It is this niche of the marketplace that the Monaco Yacht Show focuses on in its entirety, and the show attracts a wealthy private clientele that come to see the best yachts in the world. In the words of Luc Pettavino, show organizer, "Today, in the world market of yacht shows, Monaco is ahead of all the others." According to Alexandra Guillard of Benetti, one of the very top shipbuilders in the world, "It has become the most important meeting point for builders, owners, potential clients and brokers. The Monaco Yacht Show enables us to work on short term and long term deals, with contacts from all over the world. Intense and definitely worth the investment!"

The floating exhibition of the MYS is organized inside Port Hercules along 6 quays - from Darse Sud to Jetйe via the Central T, Quai Jarlan, Quai des Etas-Unis and La Chicane.

From among the 93 exceptional yachts in the water, the MYS gives potential clients a unique opportunity to be among the first to be present for 30 to 40 motor and sailing yachts on their world premier launches. This rich display constitutes Europe's biggest floating large yacht exhibition, of which 60% are between 40 and 50 meters, and 15% are over 50 meters.

Additionally, a selection of twenty or so luxury yacht tenders will be on show at the Monte-Carlo Tender Show on Quai Jarlan. They range from semi-rigid tenders to classic dinghies between 6 and 12 meters in length, with test-drives possible during the show.

 

Here is part two of a comprehensive overview of the yachts attending the upcoming show taking place September 21-24, 2005 at Port Hercules in Monaco.

 

 

Benetti's 50-Meter JO, one of the yachts attending the 2005 Monaco Yacht Show.

Here we have focused on ten different motor and sailing yachts attending the MYS. These yachts represent the work of nine different shipbuilders, all megayachts ranging from 31 to 85 meters in length:

 

Floridian - 69.4-Meter Motor Yacht - Oceanfast

Floridian is a 69.4-meter expedition motoryacht built by Oceanfast. Formerly known as Aussie Rules, she was initially launched at the end of 2002. In 2004, she received a "ShowBoats Award" for the "Highest Technical Achievement in a Motor Yacht." Floridian underwent a refit this year that extended the aft deck to accommodate a helicopter pad, additional guest accommodations and even more awe-inspiring amenities than before. The new layout hosts 12 guests in 7 lavish staterooms, with two on-deck master staterooms, one of which includes a private outdoor balcony. Engineered for long range cruising and exploration, Floridian is the largest aluminum motor yacht in the world, and is fully equipped with a comprehensive supply of tenders, fishing and diving gear. She is the perfect vessel from which to explore spectacular beaches and turquoise lagoons, chase game fish using her dedicated sportfishing tender, or enjoy scuba diving in the world's premier diving spots. She has a swimming pool with wet bar and cinema on the observation deck. Floridian has become a benchmark for the worldwide luxury motor yacht market. Her design is by Sam Sorgiovanni Designs and Oceanfast. She is being shown this year in Monaco by International Yacht Collection.

 

Haida G - 71.1-Meter Motor Yacht - Friedrich Krupp Germania Werft

 

The 71-meter Haida G is unique to the Monaco Yacht Show in that she is a luxury yacht from a different age. Very few yachts instill such emotive feelings as seeing the stunning 218-foot Haida G, originally built in 1929. One of the ultimate 'classic' motor yachts built during the golden era of private yachting, she now returns to the charter market, restored to her former glory after a major and extensive two year refit by her new European owners. It is a huge benefit to the yachting industry that the owners have painstakingly ensured the true character of this vessel has been maintained, including every aspect of guest comfort and style. Whether for relaxing family cruising or for corporate hospitality, Haida G is perfect in every detail. The seven cabins, various saloons, including the library and the beautiful main saloon. Haida G is being shown in Monaco by Ocean Independence - Velona Yachting.

 

 

JO - 50-Meter Motor Yacht - Benetti

 

The 50-meter steel hull JO is the result of further development and refinement of Benetti's "Golden Bay" series. The naval architecture is from Benetti and the exterior style from Stefano Natucci. The interior is a classical Franois Zuretti conception together with the Owner's styling, built with both family and charter use. JO accommodates up to 12 guests in 6 cabins. Guests can relax on the covered aft deck. Coming inside, into the main saloon, large side windows afford a great view of the sea. The Owners' stateroom on the main deck is very clear and spacious. The 4 guest cabins are located amidship on the lower deck and can be accessed through the central main staircase down to the guests lobby. The upper deck features a multipurpose cabin. The welcoming skylounge is dedicated to the entertainment of the guests. The captain's cabin is located to starboard. Coming up on the Sun Deck, guests can enjoy the best of cruising in the open. External dining can be organized under a sun awning that can be set up by the crew just in case. Additional features of this Golden Bay project are starboard sea stairs, underwater lighting and an upgraded air conditioning system.

 

Whirlaway - 42.9-Meter Sailing Yacht - Vitters Shipyard

 

Whirlaway is a Dubois Naval Architects design, and was built by Vitters Shipyard in 2002. She is a hull sister to the successful Red Dragon, also being shown at this year's Monaco Yacht Show. The plan with Whirlaway was to enhance performance under sail without giving up the high standard of comfort and luxury onboard. This was achieved by increasing draft to 4.7m, thereby lowering the ballast and adding righting moment. Substantial weight sailing was achieved by constructing the interior from specially designed and built lightweight panels while still retaining full soundproofing. Whirlaway's performance is exceptional for a boat of this type, and probably represents the best performing yacht of this style yet launched. The exterior styling is a development of the Dubois theme, and the layout shows the familiar, split level saloon areas with owner and guest accommodation aft and excellent crew accommodation forward. The interior was styled by Redman Whitely Dixon, and the timberwork. Whirlaway participated in this summer's Rolex Transatlantic Challenge.

 

The World is Not Enough - 42.7-Meter Sailing Yacht - Millennium Super Yachts

 

The 42.7-Meter Millennium Super Yachts' The World Is Not Enough, was launched in mid-2004 at their facility in Holland, and is being shown by Cavendish White, Ltd., Merle Wood & Associates and Wilson Yacht Management. One of the fastest yachts in the world, The World is Not Enough was conceived by John Staluppi, whose background in megayachts include Moonraker and Octopussy, among others. She was built as a super high-speed yacht with the capability of exceeding 70 knots, while still maintaining the luxuries expected of a world-class megayacht. She is a full tri-deck yacht with accommodations for 10 and a crew of 8. To achieve their goal, speed in excess of 70 knots, her hull design was tank tested, and the yacht is powered by a combination of Man/BW (Paxman) diesels (each with 5,436 hp) and Lycoming jets, all driving Lipps water jets. According to Millennium Super Yachts, what is usually a day's trip between ports can be reduced to a short ride after breakfast aboard The World Is Not Enough