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The Best of the Big Yachts
The 100m+ segment of the charter market offers just three superyachts to choose from in the MYBA system, the 126m OCTOPUS, 168m SCENIC ECLIPSE, and 106.5m DREAM. Although there are a few more 'off market' commercially registered yachts, such as 115m AHPO and 101m SYMPHONY, and chomping at their heels are those in the 90m+ bracket, with the likes of 95m MADSUMMER, 95m KISMET, 95m O'PARI, and 85m BOLD.
Whilst the number of yachts available in this top size segment is small, their actual availability for charter is higher than that of their smaller superyacht siblings. "At the end of June 2022, entering the peak summer season and amidst a boom for charter business, 90% of yachts above 80m still showed some good summer availability," comments William Molloy, Head of Charter at Moravia Yachting. William attributes this availability to the cost of chartering these giants, with most weekly rates in excess of €800,000 and some at €1.5million per week. For this same time period, the high-season months of July and August, nearly all the quality 40 to 60 metre yachts were fully booked.
"At the end of June 2022, entering the peak summer season and amidst a boom for charter business, 90% of yachts above 80m still showed some good summer availability"
But what has a 100m+ yacht got that a 50m doesn't? In terms of space and facilities, the difference is massive. For example, 101m SYMPHONY has 3,000 Gross Tonnes of internal watertight displacement, whereas 63m 11:11 has just 1,181 Gross Tonnes. "For me, it's the crew to guest ratio that really sets these big boats apart. It's a 24-hour service with complete dedication, and it's true luxury," says William. "The moment you reach out to start planning a charter on these huge yachts, the onboard team kicks into action. There will be 27 crew aboard, likely more, and that's a huge amount of people power." Other obvious benefits of these larger boats include a greater array of tenders and water toys, beach club setups, cinema rooms, and hotel-style facilities such as onboard spas and gyms.
The capability to cater for different groups of guests, of different ages and with different interests, is also enhanced on the larger superyachts. "On a 60-metre boat, some guests will want to go ashore for shopping, some will want to go snorkelling and others may want to explore the coastline, and a choice on the day's activity has to be made," explains William. The attributes and assets of a larger yacht means one tender can take guests on a day-long excursion, the limousine tender can speed those who wish to go ashore into the harbour, and if further transport is needed, there's probably a helicopter that can be called into service.
"On a 60-metre boat, some guests will want to go ashore for shopping, some will want to go snorkelling and others may want to explore the coastline, and a choice on the day's activity has to be made"
There's nothing that a 100-metre yacht doesn't offer. Stepping aboard one of the largest superyachts for charter at last year's Monaco Yacht Show, William recalls the array of equipment: "This yacht had it all. From a selection of drones to help capture memories of your time aboard, to cryogenic therapy rooms and two nine-metre-tall living trees in the atrium. Most of the floor in the guest area was stone tiled, and each floor tile's heat could be individually controlled. Crazy!"
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