Christensen signs contracts for three projects
In late October Christensen Shipyards signed two new construction contracts for the first of its 50m Custom Series, as well as closed new customers for an existing 48.8m project, the yard has announced. …
In late October Christensen Shipyards signed two new construction contracts for the first of its 50m (164ft) Custom Series, as well as closed new customers for an existing 48.8m (160ft) project, the yard has announced. The signings were all within three days at the time of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS).
“I think based on the trends we are experiencing, other yards will start to see activity, too. I have heard from the surveying community that they are seeing quite a bit more pre-purchase activity since FLIBS already, which is positive,” Christensen CEO Joe Foggia told SuperyachtNews.com. “The next available delivery is in early 2016 for new construction and we have a full order book for the time being. We are elated.”
The two completely new contracts of business see the yard double its 2012 order tally from two to four, joining the aforementioned 48.8m (160ft) C-2014 project that was first signed in February and 43.3m (142ft) Project Buzz, signed in March. The shipyard now has an order book of six projects, alongside the two 36.6m (120ft) vessels it is constructing on behalf of Ocean Alexander.
The first of the 50m (164ft) Custom Series will be called M/Y Chasseur, expected delivery December 2014. The vessel will be LY3-compliant and new features in this length of the Custom Series include a sky lounge pop-out balcony, greater outdoor deck space on a number of levels and wraparound glass in the main salon. The vessel is being constructed for owners who are repeat Christensen Shipyards clients. It will feature a minimalist interior design by Tonya Lance of VARO Interior Design. The light, bright palette includes bleached sycamore wall panels and overheads, teak and cream wood flooring and exotic stonework.
The second of the 50m (164ft) Custom Series is currently named Project Trifecta, the third Christensen build for the owners John Rosatti, Dawn Kimball and family. It is also being constructed to meet LY3 regulations with the same exterior styling features mentioned above, but with a grey hull. The contemporary interior will feature maple and sycamore woods with burl inlays, and metal- and onyx-inlaid stonework, with a number of other unique interior details. The vessel will debut in September 2015.
The existing C-2014 48.8m (160ft) Custom Series project was signed by new customers with Christian Bakewell of Merle Wood & Associates first day of FLIBS and is a sister ship to M/Y Odessa and M/Y Remember When. The superyacht will feature high-gloss walnut and traditional furnishings, an elevator at all levels and extensive outdoor features and space, said Christensen Shipyards. It is due for delivery January 2014.
Considering the slow rate of new contract signings in the US in recent years, this has been an excellent year for Christensen Shipyards, which in 2010 was feeling the effects of the recession as hard as any yacht builder, with a diminished workforce and order book. But the yard has turned around its activity dramatically. In 2012 in the US, only Broward Shipyard has also announced non-speculative new orders, with the yard reporting signing of a contract for a brace of steel-hulled 42m motoryachts this summer. Westport has continued its business model of speculative construction, selling on or near completion; at FLIBS, where it showcases many of its new launches, the yard commented it has had a positive year for sales.
Although the quieter yards have reacted in different ways to the lower activity, the next few months will be eagerly anticipated in equal measure by all in the hopes that post-election America will feel greater encouragement to building yachts on home turf.
“I think based on the trends we are experiencing, other yards will start to see activity, too. I have heard from the surveying community that they are seeing quite a bit more pre-purchase activity since FLIBS already, which is positive,” Christensen CEO Joe Foggia told SuperyachtNews.com. “The next available delivery is in early 2016 for new construction and we have a full order book for the time being. We are elated.”
The two completely new contracts of business see the yard double its 2012 order tally from two to four, joining the aforementioned 48.8m (160ft) C-2014 project that was first signed in February and 43.3m (142ft) Project Buzz, signed in March. The shipyard now has an order book of six projects, alongside the two 36.6m (120ft) vessels it is constructing on behalf of Ocean Alexander.
A rendering of the 50m (164ft) Custom Series, for which Christensen
Shipyards signed two contracts at the end of October
Shipyards signed two contracts at the end of October
The first of the 50m (164ft) Custom Series will be called M/Y Chasseur, expected delivery December 2014. The vessel will be LY3-compliant and new features in this length of the Custom Series include a sky lounge pop-out balcony, greater outdoor deck space on a number of levels and wraparound glass in the main salon. The vessel is being constructed for owners who are repeat Christensen Shipyards clients. It will feature a minimalist interior design by Tonya Lance of VARO Interior Design. The light, bright palette includes bleached sycamore wall panels and overheads, teak and cream wood flooring and exotic stonework.
The second of the 50m (164ft) Custom Series is currently named Project Trifecta, the third Christensen build for the owners John Rosatti, Dawn Kimball and family. It is also being constructed to meet LY3 regulations with the same exterior styling features mentioned above, but with a grey hull. The contemporary interior will feature maple and sycamore woods with burl inlays, and metal- and onyx-inlaid stonework, with a number of other unique interior details. The vessel will debut in September 2015.
The existing C-2014 48.8m (160ft) Custom Series project was signed by new customers with Christian Bakewell of Merle Wood & Associates first day of FLIBS and is a sister ship to M/Y Odessa and M/Y Remember When. The superyacht will feature high-gloss walnut and traditional furnishings, an elevator at all levels and extensive outdoor features and space, said Christensen Shipyards. It is due for delivery January 2014.
Considering the slow rate of new contract signings in the US in recent years, this has been an excellent year for Christensen Shipyards, which in 2010 was feeling the effects of the recession as hard as any yacht builder, with a diminished workforce and order book. But the yard has turned around its activity dramatically. In 2012 in the US, only Broward Shipyard has also announced non-speculative new orders, with the yard reporting signing of a contract for a brace of steel-hulled 42m motoryachts this summer. Westport has continued its business model of speculative construction, selling on or near completion; at FLIBS, where it showcases many of its new launches, the yard commented it has had a positive year for sales.
Although the quieter yards have reacted in different ways to the lower activity, the next few months will be eagerly anticipated in equal measure by all in the hopes that post-election America will feel greater encouragement to building yachts on home turf.
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