OCEANSTYLE - The semi-custom performance yacht specialist

Whoever you talk to you in the superyacht industry, they will tell you how far and how fast the market has evolved. As the average yacht has become larger, there has been an interesting spin-off effect in other areas of the market. Today there is a new and growing demand for semi-custom performance yachts in the 20metre to 40 metre size racket, priced in the €2million to €15million ballpark.

Style in the fast lane
OCEANSTYLE IS A NIGEL BURGESS GROUP COMPANY, LAUNCHED TWO YEARS AGO TO SPECIALISE IN THE SALE AND PURCHASE OF HIGH PERFORMANCE, SEMI - PRODUCTION MOTOR YACHTS. TODAY, OCEANSTYLE HAS A REPUTATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN A MARKET WHERE SPEED MEETS ELEGANCE, AND ULTRAMODERN STYLING MEETS PURE POWER. ALEV KARAGULLE SPOKE TO RICHARD LAMBERT, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF OCEANSTYLE ABOUT THIS EXCITING YOUNG BUSINESS.

“Yes,” acknowledges Richard Lambert from the London office of OceanStyle, “just as the owner of a 35metre yacht ten years ago may now own a 50metre yacht, the owners of smaller production line yachts are looking at semi-custom models to meet their rising expectations.”



With a specialised focus starting in the region of 20metres, OceanStyle is perfectly placed to assist clients with the sale and purchase of yachts throughout their ownership cycle. With many shipyards such as Azimut, Ferretti and Mangusta offering production yachts at the lower end of their range and more semi-custom designs at the top end, the OceanStyle team offers clients a unique, professional and expert service in purchasing and selling such yachts. These are owners who have a history of ordering “off the shelf” yachts with a delivery time of a few months, but are now upgrading to a larger yacht, without going to the extent of committing to a full custom yacht with a delivery time of three years or more. “Our clients want reasonably quick gratification”, explains Lambert, “so a delivery time of about one year on a semi-custom yacht, which still allows many elements to be tailored to the buyer’s personalised requirements is ideal.” Many shipyards have recognised the emergence of this trend for semi-custom yachts and have developed highly successful product lines to meet the demand. Models such as the Broward 120, the Royal Denship 105, the Sunseeker 105, 108 and 120, the Baglietto 34mand 41m, the Codecasa 34m, the Admiral 31m, 35mand 38mand the Palmer Johnson 120 are all attracting a steady stream of orders. According to Lambert, custom yards are not building much below about 40metres any more and even the Heesen yard in Holland which previously specialised mainly in custom builds is now focusing on the top end of the semi-custom market, as demonstrated by their superb 37m and 44mmodels.

Newest superyacht oozes luxury

Like the island resort made famous by the Beach Boys, the superyacht Kokomo, which was launched in Auckland yesterday, is all luxury.

The 52-metre, high-performance aluminium sloop, which was built by Auckland company Alloy Yachts, was bought by Australian businessman and property developer Lang Walker. Mr Walker was estimated last year to be worth A$1.16 billion ($1.4 billion).


Marketing director for Alloy Yachts Clive Bennett would not divulge how much the boat cost but said: "A boat of similar dimensions sold on the international market for about $50 million recently."

He said the boat was "the custom-built Rolls-Royce of superyachts".

The Kokomo took nearly two years to complete and was launched from the Whau River in Henderson into Waitemata Harbour yesterday.

The yacht has a beam of 10.2m, draws 4.9m and has a design displacement of 340 tonnes. It has a 1200hp engine, and on-board systems supported by two 80 kiloWatt generators.

It has a range of 5900 nautical miles (10,926km), travelling at 10 knots (19km/h).

A 63.4m carbon-fibre mast is to be installed today at the Westhaven marina. The rig includes a crow's-nest 30m above the deck.

Mr Bennett said Kokomo was designed to be at sea for extensive periods. It has spacious interiors and accommodation that could easily house 20 crew. There is a large saloon and formal dining area for up to 10 guests.

"It has the owner's suite and four guest suites all with their own private facilities and ensuites. This is the five-star equivalent of the best hotel rooms but on the sea," Mr Bennett said.

The boat also has state-of-the-art communications, with internet, global receiving and tracking systems. There are five touch-screen monitors located throughout the yacht to indicate system and alarm status.


The boat will undergo further tests to determine its sea-worthiness over the next few weeks before setting sail. It is understood the owner is going to next year's America's Cup regatta in Europe.