The concept of explorer yachts is nothing new; sturdy, ocean-going private vessels have been around since the ’60s, granting their owners access to isolated hideouts around the globe. However, the last few years have seen a spike in the number of explorer yachts launched, in build and in concept. We take a look at this more adventurous side of yachting and what it says about the shifting focus of luxury travellers.
![New Age the of the Explorer](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/11698/180604/57c040b523d3e/New-Age-theof-the-Explorer_1472463612.jpg)
It would be hard not to have noticed the rise in rugged yacht projects in build and on designer’s drawing boards. From Kleven’s mighty 107m M/Y Ulysses to the trio of expedition-ready concepts from Hawk Yachts, explorers are everywhere. In response to this growing market, there has been a tendency to hail the explorer as evidence of the shifting face of superyachting. The question is: is the popularity merely a trend for a more robust aesthetic or does it denote a true evolution in how owners and guests want to use their yachts?
“This is a very good question,” says Marnix Hoekstra, director at Vripack, a studio that has worked on countless explorer and expedition projects in its 55 years. “We have been doing a lot of research and analysis into the motivations of people worldwide, and believe that what we are seeing is a superyacht genre that has evolved from a growing human need to escape.” For Hoekstra, as life gets busier, as time gets more scheduled and as populations get larger, the natural reaction is a desire to get away.
“We call this trend ‘wandering’,” he says. “To counter-balance the structure of everyday life, people want to wander, explore and get lost. The functional response to enabling this kind of travel for many UHNWIs is the explorer yacht.”
Long-range, sturdy displacement vessels with unparalleled sea-keeping, spacious accommodation and room for plenty of toys, ‘explorer’ yachts as we know them today cover both yachts suitable for ocean crossings and longer periods away from marinas, as well as true expedition yachts suited to adventure travel, challenging locations and real autonomy.
LUXURY TRAVEL IS CHANGING
Denne historien er fra Issue 35-utgaven av Yacht Style.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Issue 35-utgaven av Yacht Style.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Wong Tet Choong - Singapore's Most Famous Sailor](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11698/735546/612e3d726b6cd/crp_WANDERING-SPIRIT.jpg)
Wong Tet Choong - Singapore's Most Famous Sailor
TC Wong made global headlines last year when the rapid spread of Covid left him stranded at sea in his Leopard 50 for months until he was eventually allowed into Fiji, where he has remained since. Now, the adventurous 60-year-old is waiting for borders to open so he can continue his journey around the South Pacific on his beloved Ximula III.
![Burgess Marks New Milestone In Asia With 20th Superyacht Transaction](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11698/735546/612e433a7e8fc/crp_BURGESS-MARKS-NEW-MILESTONE-IN-ASIA-WITH-20-th-SUPERYACHT-TRANSACTION.jpg)
Burgess Marks New Milestone In Asia With 20th Superyacht Transaction
Confirming its position as the regional leader in selling large yachts, Burgess’ recent sale of the 52m Amels Lind marked the 20th transaction by the brokerage house’s Asia team since it was formed in 2015.
![Premieres & Newcomers](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11698/735546/612e580dafbf8/crp_PREMIERES-NEWCOMERS.jpg)
Premieres & Newcomers
Yacht Style provides an overview of this year’s exciting new models, with most on display at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival and/or Monaco Yacht Show, some having shown earlier in the year and a couple making their debuts in other autumn shows around Europe.
![Déjà Vu In Denmark](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11698/735546/612e46dd98aec/crp_DJ-VU-IN-DENMARK.jpg)
Déjà Vu In Denmark
Halfway into SailGP’s second season, a familiar pattern begins to emerge. Australia, runaway winners of the first series, again top the table, despite having to sit out one of the four events held so far with gear failure.
![Galeon Spreads Its Wings](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11698/735546/612e41dac991d/crp_GALEON-SPREADS-ITS-WINGS.jpg)
Galeon Spreads Its Wings
With Hong Kong welcoming its first Galeon 640 Fly and 325 GTO this year and Asia’s latest 500 Fly arriving in Singapore, Yacht Style looks at the builder’s 20-year relationship with Tony Castro that has resulted in some of the world’s most innovative production motor yachts.
![How To Build A ‘Scent Wardrobe'!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11698/735546/612e38c249b6e/crp_MAKING-IT-PERSONAL.jpg)
How To Build A ‘Scent Wardrobe'!
Johanna Monange founded Maison 21G in Singapore to offer customised scents for all clients and all occasions. The personal approach is proving popular, with growing understanding of how to build a ‘scent wardrobe’ and more boutiques opening around the city.
![Rolex Fastnet's “Coup De Cherbourg”](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11698/735546/612e4a01af951/crp_ROLEX-FASTNETS-COUP-DE-CHERBOURG.jpg)
Rolex Fastnet's “Coup De Cherbourg”
Fierce sou’west winds gusting 30 knots greeted 337 yachts starting the Rolex Fastnet Race, as the 49th edition of this famous offshore classic set off not for Plymouth as usual, but for Cherbourg in France, via Ireland’s Fastnet Rock.
![Stepping Out Of The Shadows](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11698/735546/612e4036db257/crp_STEPPING-OUT-OF-THE-SHADOWS.jpg)
Stepping Out Of The Shadows
As founder and Director of VP Yachts, Vivian Chan is quickly making a name for herself as the Hong Kong dealer for Italian builder Sessa, even if it appears a world away from her other role as General Manager of her family’s Sun Hing Shipyard.
![From Pollution To Purpose](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11698/735546/612e3b113c8e2/crp_FROM-POLLUTION-TO-PURPOSE.jpg)
From Pollution To Purpose
Former Singapore Idol finalist and TV producer Mathilda D’silva explains how the Ocean Purpose Project evolved from what she saw on and around her hometown beach in Pasir Ris.
![TECH GIANT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11698/735546/612e45918c706/crp_TECH-GIANT.jpg)
TECH GIANT
Camper & Nicholsons’ recent achievements include selling the 105m Lady Moura and adding the 126m Octopus to its charter and management fleets, but CEO Paolo Casani is most excited about the company’s focus on proprietary technology to engage clients in the new era.