Haute Yachts

Marc Newson Collaborates With Riva

One of the world’s most influential people is designing one of the most coveted runabouts available—in an edition limited to just 22 boats.

Australian-born Marc Newson, who has designed furniture, timepieces, and sculptures, and whose work is in the permanent collections of museums from New York to France, is collaborating with Riva and its design team for a special division of the Aquariva line. Called Aquariva by Marc Newson, the 33-foot boat retains the throwback good looks that have made Rivas so popular since their introduction as mahogany runabouts in the 1950s.

Of course, Newson, who was named one of “The World’s Most Influential People” in 2005 by Time magazine, is putting his own imprint on the Aquariva. For durability and lower maintenance, a faux-wood laminate will cover the decks and instrument panel. The hull will be made of aluminum, and the transom will have a recessed section rather than a flat slope to the water. There are also separate driver and passenger seats, instead of one long bench seat at the wheel.

While some people might think reimagining such an iconic brand is a bad idea, the team at Riva and its parent company, Ferretti Group, welcomed the opportunity to work with Newson. “It is an honor for me to witness this partnership, one I am firmly convinced will both win great approbation and mark the history of design,” says Norberto Ferretti, the chairman of Ferretti Group and Riva.

All 22 boats of the limited-edition line will be available starting in September, exclusively through Gagosian Gallery. Larry Gagosian, owner of the gallery, can’t wait until the boats hit the water. “Aquariva by Marc Newson is a natural extension of the artist’s work with planes and automobiles,” he stated. “The result is a brilliant blend of form and function, looking back to La Dolce Vita of the 1950s and 1960s and forward to the latest trends in nautical design.”

Kokomo Sets Sail

They say the third time is the charm. If that’s true, then the owners of the newly delivered Kokomo are living a charmed life. Kokomo is the third yacht they have commissioned from New Zealand-based Alloy Yachts.

Measuring more than 190 feet, Kokomo marks several significant milestones. First, it is the largest sailing yacht built by Alloy Yachts to date, as well as the largest yacht ever constructed in New Zealand. The mast, at nearly 244 feet high, was the tallest one constructed by Southern Spars at the time of commission. And the sails that Kokomo furls are the largest set from Doyle Sailmakers. In fact, the asymmetric gennaker alone is the largest single sail ever created by the company, measuring more than 23,970 square feet. Each of these attributes is the result of the owners’ desire to enjoy better performance while cruising.

There’s more to Kokomo than impressive figures. The yacht’s flying-bridge sloop design comes courtesy of Dubois Naval Architects, which collaborated with the owners and Alloy Yachts on the two previous vessels. The owners wanted the exterior decks to be as clutter-free as possible, so a lot of equipment that is normally exposed has been concealed behind hatches. This doesn’t hamper the yacht’s ability to anchor out or tie up at a dock; when needed, the bollards are exposed by lifting a hinged lid. The entire teak-laid foredeck is also clean, as the two tenders and the crane that lifts them are stowed beneath the deck.

Inside, guests are treated to a contemporary décor, from the casual saloon and dining area to the five staterooms that can accommodate 12. The interior design team of Redman Whiteley Dixon selected dark-tone wenge wood for many surfaces, contrasted with lighter-tone teak and highlighted by chocolate-brown leather and nickel hardware on drawers and doors. Tony Dixon, one of the partners of Redman Whiteley Dixon, said, “The new Kokomo is a fabulous coordination from both the design and build teams who have learnt from and built on the knowledge of the last Kokomo to create a very refined new yacht.”

Richard Mille Limited Edition RM 028 Available This Fall
By Christina Bohnstengel

Back in April, watch brand Richard Mille sponsored the Les Voiles de St. Barth regatta on the Caribbean island of St. Barth. The sailing race attracted 23 teams competing to win not only the trophy but also a limited-edition Richard Mille timepiece designed in honor of the race as the grand prize.

The yachting event brought in big names both within and outside of the industry, including skippers such as Loïck Peyron, Lionel Péan, Oman Sail, Ken Read, and Peter Holmberg, as well as famed photographer Patrick Demarchelier, who participated in the race on a Swan 45. Corporate titan George David’s Rambler was the proud prizewinner in the “Super Yachts” category, while Donald Tofias’ Wild Horses claimed the prize in the “Classics.”

In celebration of its grand entry into the world of yacht racing, Richard Mille created the limited-edition RM 028 Les Voiles de St Barth, which will be available in retail boutiques in the fall. The attention-getting watch, with its bright yellow features, has the Les Voiles de St. Barth logo emblazoned on the dial above the eight o’clock marker. The 100-piece special edition titanium dive watch combines the exceptional case and skeletonized movement that has become the hallmark of all Richard Mille timepieces with the specific features required of divers and sailors alike.