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Boats

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Riviera’s Stephen Milne said demand for big, luxury boats has continued to rise.

For the rich, working from home has morphed into working from boat

Boomers and those without a mortgage are spending up to $8 million, but they want space to work and technology that won’t make them look like a novice.

  • Updated
  • James Hall

November

Jon Adgemis’ private yacht Hiilani, which was once owned by Hollywood star Shirley Temple.

Commonwealth Bank takes control of Jon Adgemis’ yacht

The boat was built in 1974 in Italy and was advertised for sale in 2010 with a price tag of $2.85 million.

  • Primrose Riordan and Sarah Thompson

August

Hydrofoil electric boat off to a flying start in Australian waters

Buckle up for a fast and smooth ride above the water in the Candela C-8, powered by a Polestar car battery.

  • Tony Davis

June

The first boat in production by Sam Beck’s KARVE Marine.

Can’t find the boat you want? For $2.3m, Sam will help you build it

Property development isn’t always a 9 to 5 job, Sam Beck says, so he created a hobby business custom-building multimillion-dollar catamarans.

  • Updated
  • Yolanda Redrup
It’s sleek, stylish and pure waterborne fun: the Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air.

What it’s like to drive this new $900k electric Porsche-on-water

The Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air is a chic and thrilling powerboat that shares its tech DNA with the car company’s Macan EV.

  • Tony Davis
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May

Queen Anne’s Grand Lobby mixes tradition with a contemporary feel.

A Michelin-star chef and pickleball - after 184 years, Cunard pivots

Queen Anne is a litany of firsts for Cunard, including its first designated outdoor yoga space, along with mini golf, a pickleball court and an archery area.

  • Fiona Carruthers

February

From the Gold Coast, a luxury motor yacht at technology’s fore

A new $3.8 million personal cruiser from top boat builder Riviera is proof of an innovative and thriving industry; the biggest surprise is what lies beneath.

  • Tony Davis
Australia’s SailGP Team helmed by Tom Slingsby during a practice race on Sydney Harbour in December 2021. Teams Spain and France are in the background.

World’s top sailors out to smash SailGP record on Sydney Harbour

The pinnacle so far is 99.9 km/h (in heavy winds in France). Australian team driver Tom Slingsby thinks home just might be the place to break through 100 km/h.

  • Tony Davis

December 2023

LawConnect has claimed Sydney to Hobart line honours.

LawConnect hails ‘dream’ Sydney to Hobart underdog win

The perennial bridesmaid has claimed Sydney to Hobart line honours, finishing less than one minute ahead of its rival Comanche.

  • Updated
  • Ethan James
LawConnect snatched the lead from Andoo Comanche on Wednesday.

Weather carnage leaves two maxis in the fight

Storms tore parts of yachts, wrecked rigging and threw crew members overboard as the Sydney to Hobart event became one of attrition as well as racing chops.

  • Updated
  • Jasper Bruce
Andoo Comanche sails out of the Sydney Heads at the start of the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

Scallywag retires after supermaxis nearly collide

The supermaxi yacht is out of the Sydney to Hobart race with a broken bow sprit after a dramatic start that triggered a formal protest from rival Comanche.

  • Updated
  • Jasper Bruce

November 2023

Champion sailor pitches electric hydrofoil ferries for Sydney Harbour

Olympic gold medallist Iain Percy is using tech designed for the America’s Cup to build battery-powered fast ferries.

  • Tony Davis
The Maritimo M75 is designed for long-range cruising. Each vessel takes about 35,000 man hours to produce.

The $6.4m yacht that you can drive yourself

You need serious money to buy a motor yacht – think $6.45 million upwards for the M75. But it’s just you and your loved ones on board.

  • Tony Davis

September 2023

Australia II

One America’s Cup was enough for John Bertrand

As the 40th anniversary of Australia II’s victory approaches, strangers still tell the boat’s skipper where they were when he crossed the finish line.

  • Daryl Karp
U-Boat Worx submarine.

Forget private jets: billionaires want their own subs

The implosion of the Titan private submersible killed five and shocked the world, yet multimillion-dollar underwater toys are more in demand than ever.

  • Caroline White
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August 2023

Freshly caught mussels just for you, courtesy of Portarlington Mussel Tours.

If you love mussels, you’ll love this tour. Just ask chef Ben Shewry

Lance Wiffen began growing the bivalves in Victoria’s Port Phillip in 1986. After hosting top cooks including Rene Redzepi, he’s now offering public tours.

  • Paul Best
Manoeuvring the huge ship into port is all done manually by a team of five.

Here’s how to drive a $1.1b, 277m cruise ship

The Australian Financial Review’s motoring editor swaps fast cars for the bridge of Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady during her maiden sailing.

  • Tony Davis
The Nomad 101

How super could buy you a $14m super boat

One of the most expensive boats at the Sydney International Boat Show, the Nomad 101, is being marketed to self-managed superannuation funds.

  • Aaron Patrick

July 2023

CEO of Zhik, and former Olympian Mat Belcher.

This former Olympian convinced 180 people to invest in sailing apparel

Former sailor Mat Belcher has big plans for Zhik, the company that sponsored him for more than a decade, drawing vitamin mogul Marcus Blackmore as a backer.

  • Zoe Samios

May 2023

Snowshoeing towards Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot at Hanusse Bay in Antarctica ensures you get up your exercise quota.

The best luxury winter cruises for snow and sea

From reindeer-drawn sleighs to dog-sledding, snowshoeing and ice-caving, the day excursions included in these winter sailings are all tempting.

  • Fiona Carruthers

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/boats-hvd