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BOAT Briefing

BOAT International presents the latest news from the world of superyachts with exclusive interviews, breaking stories and behind-the-scenes access.

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289: The biggest superyacht deliveries of the summer – and what to watch at Monaco

From blockbuster yacht deliveries and a stellar line-up for the Monaco Yacht Show to the story behind Sanlorenzo's headline-making Silver Fox, BOAT International's head of digital content Holly Margerrison and travel & charter editor Georgia Boscawen look back at the biggest stories shaping the superyacht world this summer. Alongside the latest industry headlines, they share what they've both been…

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288: “We're not doing something new, but we are doing something better,” Ulyssia CEO Alain Gruber on the world’s first 323-metre residential superyacht

What does it take to build one of the most ambitious maritime projects ever conceived? In this Big BOAT Interview, BOAT ’s content director Lucy Dunn talks to Alain Gruber, CEO of Ulyssia Residences AG, about the 322-metre residential yacht Ulyssia . Designed by Espen Øino, it reimagines life at sea by combining private residences with the hyper-personalisation of a superyacht and the amenities of…

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287: Inside the BOAT Artistry & Craft Awards: Meet the makers behind the magic

What separates good craftsmanship from truly exceptional craftsmanship? In this episode, BOAT ’s head of digital content Holly Margerrison goes behind the scenes of the BOAT Artistry & Craft Awards with judge and Parkway England CEO Jay Rushton, discussing this year's winners, the judging process and the future of artisan-led design in yachting. She also catches up with 2025 Emerging Artisan of…

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286: Big BOAT Interview: Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna on why the car marque is going to sea

BOAT International's editor Caroline White sits down in Milan with Benedetto Vigna, chief executive officer of Ferrari, to discuss why his engineers are designing a sailing yacht and what the carmaker stands gain by doing so. The Ferrari Hypersail project is a 30-metre flying monohull and experimental platform designed to operate at the edge of what's currently possible in energy management,…

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285: Big BOAT Interview: Cyclades Cup Antiparos founder, Ilia Rigas, on how to create a regatta

The founder of the Cyclades Cup Antiparos, Ilia Rigas, tells Georgia Boscawen about how she created the regatta. Taking place from 10–13 June 2026 on the picturesque Greek island of Antiparos, the regatta is now heading into its third edition and has already established itself as a standout fixture on the superyacht racing calendar. We find out what goes on behind the scenes and what participants…

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284: The Big BOAT Interview: What happened when seven-month-pregnant freediver Hanli Prinsloo met a pod of bottlenose dolphins

What does it feel like to be 65-metres below sea level, holding a single breath in complete stillness? In this Big BOAT Interview, 11-time freediving record holder Hanli Prinsloo shares the extraordinary experiences that have shaped her life above and below the sea, reflecting on the transformative power of the ocean and the power of breath can play in boosting our health and wellbeing. She also…

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283: World Superyacht Awards 2026: The winners revealed!

The World Superyacht Awards remain the uncontested apex of the big boat world; the Oscars of the genre. Following a spectacular ceremony in Venice, Caroline and Risa unveil all the winners from the night, discussing the stand-out features of each boat and bringing you the judges' comments about what gave them the edge. It’s a worthy pantheon, honouring the vision, craftsmanship and ingenuity that…

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282: How sharks have become the money-spinners of the sea: Olivia Swaak-Goldman's fight against wildlife crime

From sharks and sea cucumbers to turtles and seahorses, wildlife crime isn’t just an environmental crisis threatening entire species - it’s a highly lucrative criminal enterprise, worth up to USD 20 billion per year and often seen as lower risk than drug trafficking. Olivia Swaak-Goldman, executive director of the Wildlife Justice Commission, is working to change that. In this episode of the Big…

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281: On board Big Sky: Inside a French Polynesia charter

What does it take to run and sell a superyacht charter in one of the most remote regions on Earth? In this episode of BOAT Briefing, we go on board the 48-metre Oceanfast yacht Big Sky in French Polynesia, where BOAT’s head of digital content Holly Margerrison speaks directly to the people behind the experience. From charter manager Cam Bray to Captain Brett Woodford and broker Halle Scott, we…

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280: Inside the St Barths Bucket: Exploring the Magic of Superyacht Racing

Join BOAT Group Editorial Director Ed Slack as he sits down with Henry Hawkins, EVP of Baltic Yachts, to uncover the magic of the St Barths Bucket Regatta. This invitation-only superyacht event blends thrilling pursuit racing with a gentlemanly atmosphere, prioritizing camaraderie and social connections over competition. Ed and Henry share their firsthand experiences of this extraordinary…

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279: The Big BOAT Interview: John Caudwell on the business of charter

Chartering a yacht is often framed as a way to offset costs. For John Caudwell, it’s a business. With years of experience running his 73m yacht Titania for charter, he tells Caroline White what owners should understand before entering the market. Read more about the charter experience from every angle in BOAT International’s April charter issue. This episode of BOAT Briefing is sponsored by Amico…

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278: Everything you should know ahead of the 2026 Palm Beach International Boat Show

It's Show time in Palm Beach! In this week’s BOAT Briefing podcast, US Editor Cecile Gauert and Business Editor Gabrielle Lazaridis discuss the upcoming Palm Beach International Boat show, revealing insider tips and the some of the must-sees at the show, as well as BOAT International’s first Introduction to Superyacht Ownership event. They go over some of the history and the market trends in the…

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277: Middle East tensions, Sunseeker’s new owners and the St Barths Bucket

In this business-focused episode of BOAT Briefing, online editor Holly Margerrison is joined by BOAT’s business editor Gabrielle Lazaridis to unpack a week of unusually intense industry news. The pair discuss the operational and insurance implications of escalating tensions in the Middle East and what they mean for yacht movements. They also examine the latest ownership changes at Sunseeker,…

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276: French Polynesia by superyacht – plus five stories shaping 2026

In this episode of BOAT Briefing, online editor Holly Margerrison is joined by travel and charter editor Georgia Boscawen to explore two very different sides of the superyacht world. After cruising the Society Islands on board 48-metre Oceanfast yacht Big Sky , Holly shares a first-hand account of navigating French Polynesia by yacht – from the dramatic peaks of Moorea and encounters with humpback…

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275: Is this the brand that will change the perception of travel at sea?

This week on BOAT Briefing, travel and charter editor Georgia Boscawen sits down with Anna Nash, president of Explora Journeys, to discuss how the brand is reshaping perceptions of ocean travel. Ahead of the delivery of Explora III, Nash reveals how Explora Journeys is redefining modern cruising and carving out its place in the ultra-luxury market. A relative newcomer that launched its first…

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274: BOAT Design & Innovation Awards 2026: The Winners revealed

In this special edition of BOAT Briefing Caroline White and Cecile Gauert project themselves to a cool evening in Kitzbühel, Austria, when the winners collected their beautiful Minervas at the 2026 BOAT Design & Innovation Awards ceremony. The two go through all the winners and categories, and reveal some of the thought process involved in the judges' choices to select winners among a strong field…

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273: Fraser’s view from the top: Anders Kurtén on sales, charter and what’s next

In conversation with BOAT International’s online editor Holly Margerrison, Fraser's CEO Anders Kurtén reflects on nearly three years at the helm of one of the superyacht industry’s most established brokerages. The discussion spans brokerage and charter performance, shifting client demographics, the rise of far-flung destinations, sustainability and transparency – and what the data is revealing…

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272: St Barths sightings, 2026 deliveries and the business stories that shaped 2025

In the first BOAT Briefing podcast of the year, online editor Holly Margerrison and business editor Gabrielle Lazaridis kick off 2026 by taking stock of the market’s early signals. From counting the superyachts spotted in St Barths and what that activity reveals about the charter landscape, to looking ahead at the most anticipated yacht deliveries due to hit the water in 2026, the duo unpack…

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271: What the superyacht industry can learn from Special Forces leadership

This week on The Big BOAT Interview, online editor Holly Margerrison is joined by Leo Walker, Founder and CEO of Who Dares Group and a former member of the UK’s Special Boat Service. Drawing on his experience in elite military teams, Leo discusses leadership, resilience and decision-making under pressure, and how those principles translate to life on board today’s superyachts. From crew retention…

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270: ‘It’s like landing a jumbo jet, over and over again!’: What it’s like to sail a superyacht through the Northwest Passage

In this episode of The Big BOAT Interview , BOAT ’s Content Director Lucy Dunn sits down with trailblazing captain and ice pilot Maiwenn Beadle - the first woman ever to take a superyacht through the legendary Northwest Passage. From navigating ice-choked waters to balancing razor-sharp safety decisions with the pull of exploration, Beadle shares her insights into what it takes to operate in some…

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269: An insider's guide to FLIBS (the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show), the superbowl of boating

This week on BOAT Briefing, we’re welcoming a new voice to the show - Dockwalk magazine’s editor, Erik Petersen. A Fort Lauderdale native, Erik joins our BOAT International US editor, Cecile Gauert, to dive into one of the biggest events in the yachting calendar - and in all of Florida - the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which kicks off on October 29. They chat about the scale and…

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268: Superyacht Secrets: Expert advice on buying, building and chartering

This week on BOAT Briefing , we’re diving into the high-stakes world of superyacht ownership with a special episode recorded from the Monaco and London offices of international law firm HFW. Whether you’re buying, building or chartering, every step of the yachting journey comes with complex contracts, regulations and potential pitfalls - making expert advice essential. Joining us are HFW…

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267: Monaco Yacht Show 2025: Inside the biggest reveals, parties and personal highlights

In this bumper post-Monaco Yacht Show debrief, online editor Holly Margerrison and business editor Gabrielle Lazaridis unpack a whirlwind week on the docks, packed with premieres, parties and press scoops. From Benetti’s 107-metre Mar stepping in as the show’s largest yacht to standout debuts and insight into Feadship's Breakthrough , the pair relive a week of design innovation. They share…

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266: From profitability to superyachts: Princess Yachts' CEO Will Green charts a new era

After a six-year absence from the Monaco Yacht Show, Princess Yachts returned in style with the unveiling of its new Odyssey superyacht series. Online editor Holly Margerrison steps on board the Princess Y95 during the show for an exclusive chat with CEO Will Green, exploring the British builder's turnaround to profitability, its foray into the outboard dayboat sector with the C48, and the…

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265: Monaco Yacht Show preview: The trends, the data and what to expect

In this week’s BOAT Briefing, online editor Holly Margerrison is joined by news editor Dea Jusufi to unpack the latest from the Cannes Yachting Festival – from the numbers behind the show to the standout yachts that captured attention – before looking ahead to the Monaco Yacht Show 2025. They preview some of the biggest debuts set to hit Port Hercule, from Amels’ Energy to Heesen’s reimagined…

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264: From trawler to trailblazer: How Scintilla Maris became a platform for science

What happens when a superyacht owner opens his vessel to marine researchers on the wild coast of Iceland? In this Big BOAT Interview, online editor Holly Margerrison sits down with Scintilla Maris owner Erik Vonk, who transformed a 1989 fishing trawler into a go-anywhere expedition yacht – and then welcomed scientists on board through the Yachts for Science initiative. Speaking shortly the voyage,…

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263: Cannes Yachting Festival: The return of the 50-metre-plus segment

In this week’s BOAT Briefing, Online Editor Holly Margerrison and Travel & Charter Editor Georgia Boscawen preview the standout yachts expected to make an appearance at the Cannes Yachting Festival, where the 50-metre-plus segment makes its long-awaited return. They unpack the latest boat show data, before Holly quizzes Georgia on her top travel tips for Cannes. The conversation then turns to the…

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262: Bringing you the summer's big superyacht stories, from Oceanco's sale to the future of the America's Cup

As autumn and the boat show season approach, we examine some of the big superyacht stories that have been making headlines this summer, from Oceanco's sale to Gabe Newell and the new America's Cup protocol to Phi's continuing incarceration in London and the US Coast Guard report into the Titan submersible disaster. Georgia also looks ahead to winter season, after interrogating the charter…

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261: Science in your saloon: How one family turned their yacht into a floating lab

What happens when a seasoned sailor with Parkinson’s, his daughter and a plucky 24-metre yacht set off across the Atlantic? In this Big BOAT Interview, we follow Joe and Amy Leitch aboard On Liberty - the first Outer Reef to cross the Atlantic on its own bottom - as they journey from the U.S. to Sweden via ice fields, open seas and long stretches of remote coastline. But this isn’t just a story of…

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260: "We closed the deal in five weeks": Heesen's new owner Laurens Last in conversation with Stewart Campbell

Laurens Last bought Heesen Yachts with his eyes wide open to the challenges ahead. As the owner of a superyacht built by another Dutch brand, he understands the ins and outs of an industry that can leave many outsiders scratching their heads – for instance, how most shipyards can survive only making a sliver of profit on each build. Last wants to change that and secure Heesen's future by…

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259: Talking yacht, golf and Mexico with Danzante Bay owner and developer Owen Perry

Two hours from LA, down the legendary Highway 1, there's a place where the mountains kiss the turquoise sea where property developer Owen Perry says “Palm Springs meets the Pacific.” A Rhode Island native turned real estate maven, Perry stumbled onto a piece of huge tract of uninhabited land on the Sea of Cortez during a cruise on his yacht around 16 years ago and saw something no one else did.…

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258: Beyond the Horizon: A Conversation with Heesen Yachts

Heesen Yachts CEO Niels Vaasen and US sales director Thom Conboy share candid stories and behind-the-scenes insights — from the legendary founder Frans Heesen to the company’s exciting new Dutch shareholder. Thom vividly recalls the electric moment 30 years ago when the 35-meter Tropic Sea (now Sea Axis) stole the spotlight at Bahia Mar — a defining memory for Frans, who felt “like King Kong.”…

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257: Henk de Vries: "You have to show the market what it wants"

After four decades, Henk de Vries has stepped down from his day-to-day duties as a director of Feadship and CEO of De Vries. In this interview, he charts his rise to the top of the world of superyachting, and how and why he has decided now to take on a more supporting role at the company. Henk has seen some extreme highs and lows in his 40-year boatbuilding career, many of which he discusses in…

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256: From 'super coral' to local heroes: blending hi-tech science with ancient wisdom to save our seas

In the third of our three-part series celebrating Ocean Talks 2025 on 12 June, Lucy Dunn sits down with speaker Dr Camilla Floros, a marine scientist with over 20 years of experience in marine conservation across the Western Indian Ocean. In a case of her career coming full circle, Floros is now working in the same place she visited as a child - which means she is in the best place to understand…

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255: Dressed for success: inside the clever sportswear beloved of pro sailors

Continuing our three-part series celebrating Ocean Talks 2025 on 12 June, Caroline White sits down with Nicolas Rochat, CEO of Mover, the world’s first one hundred per cent plastic free sportswear brand. The pair discuss the environmental problems caused by synthetic apparel, the company’s high-tech approach to natural fabrics that is changing the game, plus a recent collaboration with Sail GP, as…

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254: Sir David Attenborough’s diaries, new underwater worlds and the ocean’s power to heal

To kick off our three-part series celebrating Ocean Talks 2025 on 12 June, Lucy Dunn sits down with keynote speaker, conservationist and producer Colin Butfield to discuss his latest film project, Ocean with David Attenborough and companion book, Ocean: Earth’s Last Wilderness . The two discuss Attenborough's handwritten archives, octopus gardens and the ocean’s remarkable propensity to bounce…

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252: Bayesian: new report gives fresh insight into what led to the tragic sinking

In this week's episode, we dig into the recently published Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) interim report into the sinking of the 56-metre superyacht Bayesian in August last year, resulting in the loss of seven lives. For the first time, the narrative of what happened that night can be disclosed, and we also review the MAIB's comments on the weather conditions that fateful evening and…

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251: Boats, Buckets & Brakenhoffs: why it's "all about relationships"

In this interview, Stewart sits down with Bruce Brakenhoff, executive director at Edmiston, in the cockpit of 56-metre Rosehearty, to talk about his long career in superyachting. After starting out working for his father, Bruce joined Perini Navi and went on to sell some of the best known sailing yachts in the world. He joined Edmiston as few years ago and continues to be involved in some of the…

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250: Winners of the 2025 World Superyacht Awards revealed!

After a spectacular ceremony in Venice, let us take you through all the winners from this year's World Superyacht Awards. Caroline and Stewart discuss each winner and bring you the judges' comments about each one. BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/zg Subscribe: https://boatint.com/zh Contact us: podcast@boatinternationalmedia.com

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249: How to build the world's biggest centre console

Jeff Summers, senior designer for Scout Boats in South Carolina, walks us through the story of building the American boat builder’s flagship, the LXS 670 670, a $6.8 million, five-outboard powered, 60mph, 20.35 metre yacht, created with superyacht designers Harrison Eidsgaard. Summers, a graduate of a car design school, interned with Heesen Yachts where he got an understanding for superyacht…

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248: Why Nova Scotia could be due for a superyacht boom

This week, we remember two legends of the superyacht industry – Frans Heesen and Eddie Jordan. Heesen has also been in the news due to a recent change of ownership and the release of some very positive financial results. We dig into both stories in the podcast. Our travel editor, Georgia, meanwhile, tells us why Nova Scotia is one of the most exciting new destinations for food, drink and…

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247: The accidental circumnavigator: superyacht owner Merle Hinrich

In his 30 years of cruising the world in his 51-metre Feadship Double Haven, there aren't many places Merle Hinrich hasn't been. He has circled the globe three times in his yacht, which was built as one of the original explorers (complete with bullet proof windows). Double Haven was commissioned for adventure, and Merle and his family have seen plenty of that. Don't miss this rare opportunity to…

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246: Black Pearl revealed: insights from the captain of the 106.7m sailing yacht

This week we catch up with Christian Truter (CT), captain of the groundbreaking 106.7m DynaRig sailing yacht Black Pearl. The yacht was in St Barths for the Bucket, where we caught up with CT to discuss Black Pearl's extraordinarily ornate interiors, why the spirit of her owner lives on, and what the future holds for one of the most technically advanced boats ever built. BOAT Pro:…

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245: Will Trump destroy or save the US superyacht market?

In this episode of BOAT Briefing, Caroline sits down with BOAT’s business editor Gabrielle Lazaridis to discuss the fate of sanctioned superyacht Amadea , after a US judge dismissed an attempt to halt the vessel’s forfeiture to the US Justice Department. They also touch on Trump’s recently enacted steel and aluminium tariffs, and how this is expected to disrupt the yachting industry, along with a…

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244: Behind the scenes on the world’s biggest superyacht build, REV Ocean

In this episode of BOAT Briefing, Stewart and Caroline discuss the latter’s recent visit to Norway to explore the 194.9-metre research vessel-cum-superyacht REV Ocean. They reveal the latest news and mind-blowing facilities of this historic project, as well as serving up the inside scoop on its mysterious two-year hiatus. The team also dive into the rollicking history of the upcoming St Barths…

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243: Can yachting help you live longer?

In this week’s episode of BOAT Briefing, Charlotte catches up with Tobias Reichmuth, owner of the 45m yach t Prometej . On March 1st, Tobias will embark on a journey around the world, stopping in everywhere from Greece to Costa Rica and Japan, all in a quest to discover the secret to a longer life. Those onboard won’t be charter guests, but people he’s invited specifically because they share his…

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242: BOAT Briefing: winners of the BOAT Design & Innovation Awards revealed!

Charlotte and Cecile announce the winners of the prestigious Design and Innovation Awards, in this episode of BOAT Briefing. They also give the inside scoop on the most hotly contested categories, and share their top tips for those hoping to claim victory next year. Explore the winners here: https://boatint.com/dy BOAT Pro: https://www.boatinternational.com/boat-pro Subscribe:…

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241: Inside the notorious charter yacht King Benji with owner Josh Golder

Josh Golder, the owner of yacht King Benji, is a disruptor. He doesn’t call himself that but his unusual approach to charter marketing is raising eyebrows. He named King Benji, a 47 metre custom yacht he commissioned as his largest boat to date, after his dog, and from there built a brand and charter program. From being imaged as his personal home on the water, King Benji has become one of the…

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240: Would you pass our superyacht etiquette test?

In this issue of BOAT Briefing, Charlotte and Katia discuss the cover yacht of our latest issue, Maverick , and where she plans to cruise this year; an exciting (and top secret) new collaboration from Vripack and Oceanco; and scrutinise what makes the perfect – and most genteel – guest. They also take a look at this week’s hottest news stories, while the data report focuses on the impressive…

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239: Christmas special: the big BOAT International review of 2024!

In this week's podcast we look back on a busy year, with lots of events and travel – and plenty of highlights and lowlights. Just in time for Christmas, we examine the travels of the superyacht fleet and bring you the top five most travelled yachts in 2024. We also take a look at the fleet's migration, seeing where some of the world's most spectacular yachts are spending Christmas and New Year.…

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