247: The accidental circumnavigator: superyacht owner Merle Hinrich

In his 30 years of cruising the world in his 51-metre Feadship Double Haven, there aren't many places Merle Hinrich hasn't been. He has circled the globe three times in his yacht, which was built as one of the original explorers (complete with bullet proof windows). Double Haven was commissioned for adventure, and Merle and his family have seen plenty of that. Don't miss this rare opportunity to sit down and hear from one of the world's most experienced superyacht owners.   BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/xp Subscribe: https://boatint.com/xn Contact us: [email protected]

This week we catch up with Christian Truter (CT), captain of the groundbreaking 106.7m DynaRig sailing yacht Black Pearl. The yacht was in St Barths for the Bucket, where we caught up with CT to discuss Black Pearl's extraordinarily ornate interiors, why the spirit of her owner lives on, and what the future holds for one of the most technically advanced boats ever built. BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/jj Subscribe: https://boatint.com/jk Contact us: [email protected]

In this episode of BOAT Briefing, Caroline sits down with BOAT’s business editor Gabrielle Lazaridis to discuss the fate of sanctioned superyacht Amadea, after a US judge dismissed an attempt to halt the vessel’s forfeiture to the US Justice Department. They also touch on Trump’s recently enacted steel and aluminium tariffs, and how this is expected to disrupt the yachting industry, along with a sneak peek at the record number of superyachts attending this year’s Palm Beach show, which could very well become the US's number one showcase for large yachts. 

In this episode of BOAT Briefing, Stewart and Caroline discuss the latter’s recent visit to Norway to explore the 194.9-metre research vessel-cum-superyacht REV Ocean. They reveal the latest news and mind-blowing facilities of this historic project, as well as serving up the inside scoop on its mysterious two-year hiatus. The team also dive into the rollicking history of the upcoming St Barths Bucket and exclusively unveil the full-year 20204 brokerage sales figures and trends – as well as unpacking what they mean for the superyacht industry. First images of world’s largest yacht REV Ocean released: https://boatint.com/jf The history of the St Barths Bucket: https://boatint.com/jg 2024 brokerage report: https://boatint.com/jh BOAT Pro: https://boatint.com/jj Subscribe: https://boatint.com/jk Contact us: [email protected]

In this week’s episode of BOAT Briefing, Charlotte catches up with Tobias Reichmuth, owner of the 45m yacht Prometej. On March 1st, Tobias will embark on a journey around the world, stopping in everywhere from Greece to Costa Rica and Japan, all in a quest to discover the secret to a longer life. Those onboard won’t be charter guests, but people he’s invited specifically because they share his curiosity around longevity and health. They’ll dine on personalised recipes, tailored to results of their own DNA, blood and microbiome tests, follow rigorous workout plans, and share their own academic findings on the subject as part of this unique and unusual cruise. As well as details on the voyage, Tobias also shares his journey to owning and refitting the yacht, and the business background that lead him to where he is today. Follow the journey:  https://www.instagram.com/bluecruise.world/  www.bluecruise.world BOAT Pro: https://www.boatinternational.com/boat-pro Subscribe: https://www.boatinternational.com/subscriptions Contact us: [email protected]

Charlotte and Cecile announce the winners of the prestigious Design and Innovation Awards, in this episode of BOAT Briefing. They also give the inside scoop on the most hotly contested categories, and share their top tips for those hoping to claim victory next year. Explore the winners here: https://boatint.com/dy BOAT Pro: https://www.boatinternational.com/boat-pro Subscribe: https://www.boatinternational.com/subscriptions Contact us: [email protected]

Josh Golder, the owner of yacht King Benji, is a disruptor. He doesn’t call himself that but his unusual approach to charter marketing is raising eyebrows. He named King Benji, a 47 metre custom yacht he commissioned as his largest boat to date, after his dog, and from there built a brand and charter program. From being imaged as his personal home on the water, King Benji has become one of the best-known and most recognisable yachts on the charter market today thanks in no small part to its social media presence. And this digital marketing expert who can’t sit still has thrown the windows open and let everyone in. US BOAT editor Cecile Gauert speaks with him about his marketing approach, from flying a banner over a boat show to invite everyone to visit, to creating a very public presence online (and managing that reputation should something go wrong) to what may come next for the King Benji brand. LINKS: On board King Benji with Josh Golder: https://boatint.com/ce A true ability for crazy adventures - the building of King Benji: https://boatint.com/cf Why this experienced charterer keeps returning to 47m superyacht King Benji:  https://boatint.com/cg -  BOAT Pro: https://www.boatinternational.com/boat-pro Subscribe: https://www.boatinternational.com/subscriptions Contact us: [email protected]

In this issue of BOAT Briefing, Charlotte and Katia discuss the cover yacht of our latest issue, Maverick, and where she plans to cruise this year; an exciting (and top secret) new collaboration from Vripack and Oceanco; and scrutinise what makes the perfect – and most genteel – guest. They also take a look at this week’s hottest news stories, while the data report focuses on the impressive yachts that graced St. Barths with their presence for the most memorable New Year’s party to date. LINKS: https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/editorial-features/on-board-cantiere-delle-marche-flexplorer-146-yacht-maverick?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=maverick_podcast_jan25 News stories: https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/news/fire-three-yachts-leopard-yacht-naisca-iv-destroyed-marseilles-france?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=yachtfire_podcast_jan25 https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/news/heesen-project-angelica-yacht-sale?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=angelica_podcast_jan25 https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/news/ursus-explorer-yacht-rebuild-relaunch?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=ursus_podcast_jan25 Brokerage pics:    https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts-for-sale/ximena-alia-2025     ?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=alia_podcast_jan25 https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/news/weather-bird-classic-sailing-yacht-schooner-auction?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=weatherbird_podcast_jan25 https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts-for-sale/weatherbird-cnd-1931?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=weatherbird_podcast_jan25 BOAT Pro: https://www.boatinternational.com/boat-pro Subscribe: https://www.boatinternational.com/subscriptions Contact us: [email protected]

In this week's podcast we look back on a busy year, with lots of events and travel – and plenty of highlights and lowlights. Just in time for Christmas, we examine the travels of the superyacht fleet and bring you the top five most travelled yachts in 2024. We also take a look at the fleet's migration, seeing where some of the world's most spectacular yachts are spending Christmas and New Year. Last but not least, we review the biggest stories of the year and try and solve the mystery of the stolen walrus. LINKS: Superyacht Design Festival: https://boatint.com/91 Most travelled yachts: https://boatint.com/92 BOAT Pro: https://www.boatinternational.com/boat-pro Subscribe: https://www.boatinternational.com/subscriptions Contact us: [email protected]

In this week's podcast, Caroline and Georgia discuss Georgia’s trip to the Antigua Charter Yacht Show and visits onboard some of the most spectacular yachts in attendance. News this week reveals new details about 142-metre Lürssen Dragonfly, the keel laying of Heesen’s Project Grace and a mysterious press release from Abeking & Rasmussen. Data this week is a sneak peek at the eagerly anticipated Global Order Book – published in the January issue of BOAT International – a revealing shapshot of the industry, taking in all superyachts in-build or on order around the world.   LINKS: The largest yachts attending the Antigua Charter Yacht Show 2024: https://www.boatinternational.com/charter/luxury-yacht-charter-news/10-largest-yachts-attending-the-antigua-charter-yacht-show-2024?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=antiguayachtshow_news_dec24 Lürssen releases further details on 142m superyacht Dragonfly: https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/news/lurssen-yacht-dragonfly-project-ali-baba-delivery?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=projectalibaba_news_dec24 Heesen begins construction on first superyacht in "new 50m steel class": https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/news/heesen-yachts-grace-construction-begins-monaco-yacht-show?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=heesen_news_dec24 Abeking & Rasmussen begin construction on 80m yacht project: https://www.boatinternational.com/yachts/news/abeking-and-rasmussen-hull-6516-new-yacht-project?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=abekingandrasmussen_news_dec24 Global Order Book: https://www.boatinternational.com/boat-pro/global-order-book/global-order-book-2025-report?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=globalorderbook_boatpro_dec24 BOAT Pro: https://www.boatinternational.com/boat-pro Subscribe: https://www.boatinternational.com/subscriptions Contact us: [email protected]