The international luxury auto industry features one country. In specific, one synonymous with trendsetting fashion and style. It is Italy. Italia. Think Ferrari. Maserati. Lamborghini. Mentioning these names evokes images of automobiles. Moreover, those designed with sleek exteriors and sophisticated interiors.
The same Italian tradition of excellence and sophistication rings true in the world of yachting: Benetti Yachts.
The Benetti Shipyard is one of the oldest yacht building yards in the world. Founded by Lorenzo Benetti in 1873 the was directed after his death by his sons Gino and Emilio. They renamed the yard Fratelli Benetti and soon gained recognition outside the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
In the early 1980’s Azimut SpA took over the yard’s management under the name, Azimut Benetti Group. For the past six years, Benetti Yachts has been the largest shipyard in the world in terms of production.
Today, Benetti builds elegant, stylistic yachts from three shipyards in Italy – Viareggio, Fano and Leghorn. Composite motor yachts are offered from 93? to 164? while fully custom steel and aluminum motor yachts start at 47 meters.
There have been dozens of high-quality Benetti yachts produced over the years and accordingly there are a large number of Benetti yacht charter vessels available for hire.
European luxury yacht charter customers tend to request superyachts built in Italy, Holland, and France. Their counterparts in America prefer a Trinity yacht charter vessel.
TRINITY – BENETTI – FEADSHIP – LURSSEN
The Trinity yacht charter fleet stands toe-to-toe with the Benetti yacht charter vessels. It also rivals Lurssen yacht charter and Feadship yacht charter fleets. It’s all about luxury amenities and interiors.
TRINITY YACHTS
Trinity Yachts earns its place as one of the world’s elite builders of custom superyachts. It has an emphasis on European quality, and steel and aluminum constructions. Trinity’s goal is to build a truly custom yacht that fulfills all of your unique cruising desires.
TYPICAL SUPERYACHT CONSTRUCTION
Most superyacht construction is a semi-production basis. Trinity Yachts creates the largest yachts available for mega yacht charters. Vessels up to 400 feet (123 meters) prevail in the industry. They work with many of the world’s most renowned naval architects and interior designers.
YACHT CHARTER PLANNING ON A TRINITY
Now planning a Caribbean yacht charter or Mediterranean yacht charter holiday on one of these magnificent yachts has never been easier. Currently, there are 17 rent private yacht Trinity-built models available.
Can you imagine a reality-based TV show that chronicles the lives of crew members who live aboard a luxury yacht charter vessel? The cameras follow the shipmates as they prepare the yacht for the arrival of their charter clients. Of course, like all intriguing reality shows, there needs to be plenty of personal conflict. Maybe the drama could come from the challenges of living together in tight quarters, for weeks at a time?
Creators Rebecca Taylor-Henning and Doug Henning imagined just such a show. They pitched their idea to the executives at cable network, Bravo. They named their show, Below Deck.
Bravo liked what they saw. Television audiences did as well.
Below Deck is now in its seventh season. A spin-off show, Below Deck – Mediterranean is in its third season. A second spinoff is premiering its first season in 2020: Below Deck – Sailing Yacht.
BELOW DECK CREW – BRAVO TV – REALITY SHOW
LUCKY SEVEN
Seven power (not sail) superyachts have appeared in the Below Deck series.
Motor Yacht HONOR
OHANA superyacht
Motor Vessel MUSTANG SALLY
Power Yacht VALOR
Motor Yacht IONIAN PRINCESS
Superyacht SIROCCO
Motor Yacht TALISMAN MAITON
LOOKING BACK
Let’s look back at the seven luxury yacht charter vessels. These boats helped propel Below Deck to the top of the cable TV ratings. For instance,
HONOR
First and foremost is HONOR. The real name of this gorgeous Benetti yacht is CUOR DI LEONE. This 164 foot superyacht build is Italian company, Benetti Yachts. It has been seven years since the yacht appeared on Below Deck. In December, 2013, the yacht was sold and her name changed to LUMIERE. Many websites show the yacht as active in charter, however this is not correct. In April , 2019, the yacht was once again sold. Her name is now SOTAVENTO. The current owner keeps the yacht for personal use only. She is not for charter.
Point of Interest – When LUMIERE was sold, her owner replaced her with a larger Benetti yacht. LUMIERE II (ex-Mine Games) is 62 meters (203 feet) and is available for charter at a rate of €345,000 to €365,000/week
BELOW DECK YACHTS CONTINUED
OHANA
This 154 foot yacht builder is Admiral Marine Works, from 1998. She was sold shortly after season 2 filming was completed in 2014. Her new name is motor yacht RHINO. Furthermore, the yacht is based in West Palm Beach. She is offered for charter at a weekly rate of $140,000 to $150,000.
EROS
Trinity yacht MUSTANG SALLY was “cast” in the role of EROS for season three. The 161ft yacht was sold in July, 2017. Her name is now HUNTER, and contrary to some company reports, she is no longer available for charter.
Point of Interest – You can uniquely own a piece of TV history. MUSTANG SALLY is currently for sale. Asking price: $12,900,000.
THE YACHTS CONTINUE
VALOR
The role of VALOR was played by motor yacht CHARADE. This yacht appeared in both seasons four and five. The yacht was built in 1990 in Holland by Feadship. The yacht owner changed her name in October, 2017. Specifically, she is now named BG. The yacht is based in Miami and charters primarily in the Bahamas. Her weekly rate is $169,500.
Point of Interest – “BG” are the initials of the yacht’s owner, Bobby Genovese. Genovese owns BG Signature, a collection of 12 luxury retreats in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, and the Bahamas. Genovese operates a second yacht for charter, a 78 foot Lazzara named, BG Jr.
IONIAN PRINCESS
This 151 foot yacht was selected to launch the premier season of Below Deck Mediterranean in 2016. The episode was filmed in Greece. In addition, the yacht has the same name and same owner since her launch in 2005. The vessel is no longer based in Greece. Now, she is based in Nassau and is available for Bahamas yacht charters. The weekly rate is $160,000.
AND ANOTHER
SIROCCO
The second yacht to appear in Below Deck Mediterranean (season two) is the 154 foot SIROCCO.The yacht launched in 2006 and completely remodeled in 2013. She is still an active charter yacht, and is based in the western Mediterranean. The weekly charter rates starts at €180,000/wk. Thus yacht is willing to accept charters in a broad area within the overall Mediterranean. Charters may begin in any of these following destinations. For example,
Corsica
French Riviera
Monaco
Italy – North (mainland), Sardinia, Sicily, and South (mainland)
Provence Coast & Marseilles
FINALLY
TALISMAN MAITON
Last but not least, Talisman is the largest superyacht to appear to date on either Below Deck or Below Deck Mediterranean. The yacht was built in Turkey by Proteksan Yachts. She was launched in 2006, and refit in 2012. The vessel is nearly 176 feet long (about 54 meters). Her home port is the South of France, and she remains an active charter yacht. The weekly rate starts at €231,000
Point of Interest – This yacht is popular for special events such as a Monaco Grand Prix yacht charter. Many yachts only allow 12 passengers onboard. This yacht can have up to 60 guests onboard – as long as the yacht is at the dock and not in motion.
LOOKING FORWARD
Below Deck Sailing yacht, Parsifal III (“Par 3”)
The third version of Below Deck is now airing. Specifically, Below Deck – Sailing Yacht. The new season premiered in February, 2020. It is still too soon to tell if viewers will gravitate to a sailing yacht as the center of activity. All past episodes of this series have taken place on motoryachts.
The yacht for this new spin-off is PARSIFAL III. She is a 176 foot sailing yacht, and it should be noted that she is as large as the largest yacht ever on the show. “Par III” is a Perini Navi Italian build. The vessel’s launch date is 2005, with a refit in 2012. There are 5 guest cabins for 10 passengers. Charters are accepted in the western Mediterranean. Her weekly rental rate ranges between €195,000 and €205,000.
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