« 2010 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show »

The results are in!

Largest Yacht | Most Innovative Yacht | Most Luxurious Yacht

Largest Yacht: 2010 Direcktor 284‚ Cakewalk

No surprise as to what yacht takes this honor, Cakewalk takes the cake. Not only the largest yacht in the show but the longest yacht built in the US since the 1930‚s. Cakewalk was launched in 2010 by Direcktor with a LOA of 85.6m. The exterior was designed by Tim Heywood and interior designed by Elizabeth Dalton. Cakewalk features 6 guest cabins, all located on the main deck, offering full-height windows rather than your normal small portholes. The owners deck is located all the way forward offering a 180 degree view of the foredeck. Cakewalk runs with a crew of 26, with impressive crew quarters that resemble a cruise ship.

Brian and I were fortunate enough to tour Cakewalk twice with private showings. The amount of volume and space she offers to her owner and guests is impressive. Whether your looking for space for a formal dinner, or breakfast in the sun she offers everything. A full garage open to both port and starboard making easy access to launch multiple tenders.

Most Innovative: 2010 147‚ Big Fish Steel hull with aluminum superstructure.

Three years in construction at New Zealand‚s famous McMullen & Wing shipyard, Big Fish is a luxury expedition vessel unlike any Expedition vessel ever built. Big fish is a five stateroom vessel and carries a crew of 10. She is the world‚s most eco-conscious yacht capable of travelling to any location in the world.

The most unique feature of Big Fish are the decks covered in indestructible granite. There is virtually no teak to be seen and you are actually encouraged to leave your shoes on when boarding her! The granite is cut into tiles and glued onto a cork surface to allow for flexing without cracking, said a crew member showing us the boat.

The list goes on with unique features including the swim platform that comes that turns Big Fish into a 5 star beach resort. The entire foredeck of the boat lifts up where the 28‚ custom designed dive boat is kept.

Facing forward in the main salon the first thing you will notice, besides the enormous windows, granite flooring, modern interior is the HD 3D Video Ceiling. This is unlike anything you have ever seen, I don‚t know how many screens are pieced together, and provides a floor to ceiling display of forever changing photos. If you want to turn the wall into a cinema the staircase will actually lift up and out of the way to give a clear view. Just incredible and a must see.

At more than 12m meters, Big Fish offers the widest and most spacious swim platform ever built on a 45m yacht. The yacht‚s normal-sized swim platform expands dramatically by port and starboard stern quarters, which unfold to join the platform structure. When fully unfolded, the entire structure is capable of simultaneously supporting water and boating activities. In addition, the unfolding stern quarters provide additional weather-protected storage of water sports equipment and gear.

Most Luxurious Yacht: 2010 157‚ Christensen REMEMBER WHEN
Interior design: Carol Williamson & Associates

A semi-displacement yacht, Remember When has a contemporary interior featuring high gloss dark American walnut bulkheads and cabinetry. The high gloss finish on the walnut interior is absolutely stunning. The fit and finish competes against the nicest Dutch built yachts in the world offering exceptional quality. After being on so many boats at the show it was pleasing to step onboard Remember When and see how much of a difference quality really does make.

Remember when is capable of transatlantic range, and is fitted with the latest integrated dynamic positioning system that uses GPS linked thrusters to hold her in one spot without using an anchor.

Christensen has recently added an in-house stone shop offering the finest marble inlays and stonework on Remember When. Anyone looking for an American built yacht should certainly consider Christensen as an option.

MIKE CARLSON - YACHT OWNERSHIP
ARDELL YACHT AND SHIP BROKERS
1550 SE 17th Street Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316

Office: 954-525-7637
Mobile: 954-309-1255
Fax: 954-527-1292

Mike@ardell.com
www.ardell.com
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