Exclusive Photos Show Summer ‘Superyacht Staycations’ Make New England The New Hub Of The Superyacht World

My hometown of Boston, Massachusetts is affectionately called “The Hub” by the locals and known for many things: the Red Sox, world class hospitals, well-endowed ivy covered universities, bio-tech…Aerosmith…Matt Damon! 

But after seeing the influx of extremely large superyachts in Boston Harbor, (and Newport Harbor in Rhode Island too) for myself recently, and hearing from friends about one-of-a-kind superyacht sightings from Nantucket to Camden, Maine, it appears that New England has become the hub of the superyacht world this summer.

And that’s hardly a surprise since Americans aren’t really allowed to visit the normal summer hub of the superyacht season—Europe!—due to the Covid19 crisis. As a result, instead of making the annual pilgrimage to the Mediterranean this season, many superyacht owners have opted to keep their yachts in the States this summer. 

And while I’m disappointed that my beloved Monaco Yacht Show has been postponed this year, I’m happy to be able to get up-close and personal with some of the Monaco Yacht Show’s award-winning superyachts that have come to me!

Lady Lara

I was test driving a new MJM 53z powerboat near where it was built (at Boston BoatWorks) on the waterfront in downtown Boston, when I spotted one of the largest superyachts I’d ever seen in at the Boston Yacht Haven Inn & Marina. And as you can see in these photos I shot with my phone, getting up close and personal with the 300-foot-long Lady Lara that was built by Lurssen and launched in 2015 gives you an idea of just how big a 300-foot long superyacht is.  

Excellence

I was hardly surprised when I heard that the radical 263-foot-long superyacht Excellence that was designed by Winch Design, built by Abeking & Rasmussen, and recent winner of both the “Best Exterior Design” and “Finest New Superyacht” awards at the Monaco Yacht Show has been spotted all over New England this year. It’s owned by the straight taking American billionaire/businessman who’s smiling face and common sense one-liners are on nearly every billboard near where I live in downtown Boston.

His name is Herb Chambers. And he’s on all those billboards because he owns (and is the face of) numerous car dealerships in New England that bear his name.

Sixth Sense

This 240-foot Amels Limited Edition I saw in Newport, Rhode Island (while I was test driving a yacht owned by the legendary musician James Taylor) was designed by Tim Haywood and built in Holland.

SYCARA V

This 223-footer was built in Germany by Nobiskrug and launched in 2010. It’s also for sale with a current asking price of approximately $70,000,000.

Meanwhile, I just happened to be interviewing Daniel Ziriakus, the President and COO of the American-based superyacht broker and charter firm Northrop & Johnson for another story I’m working on. And when I mentioned the influx of superyachts I was seeing; he confirmed my hypothesis that Covid19 was keeping many superyachts in New England this summer. And as you can see, these yachts are way bigger than more common 100- to 120-footers that are normally available in New England.

Blue Moon

Blue Moon is a 198-foot long Feadship, with luxe accommodations for 12 guests in 6 staterooms.

Rhino

Rhino is only 154-feet-long, but its amazing sundeck is better than you’d find on many 200-footers! It also charters for only $140,000 a week. Total bargain!

Zoom Zoom Zoom

The 161-foot-long ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM features extensive toy inventory including: a towable tender, a wide-body RIB tender, WaveRunners, Seabobs, snorkeling gear, water skis, a wakeboard, a kneeboard, inflatables, and inshore and offshore fishing gear. 

And that’s just a taste of the superyachts that are on display (and available for charter) in New England this summer! Stay tuned for much more.