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Exclusive interview with Moran, the AHPO yacht charter brokers

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Superyacht AHPO was without question one of the highlights of September’s Monaco Yacht Show 2022. The 115-metre Lurssen yacht was the largest vessel in the show’s history, where it made its global debut, turning heads for her spectacular design and sheer volume.

Moran Yacht & Ship, a luxury yacht brokerage based in Fort Lauderdale Florida, managed the construction of yacht APHO, overseeing her build from sketch board to on the water. Here, Chris Callahan, Moran’s sales and charter broker, gives some insight into this exquisite yacht.

Tell us a bit about the yacht AHPO and the story behind her construction

“AHPO is one of the largest yacht construction projects we have undertaken at Moran. We have several yachts under construction right now which are a bit larger as well as a 142-metre yacht we launched quite recently.

“Known as Project ENZO during its construction phase, the Lürssen AHPO was built for a client that our company had worked with for many years. AHPO is actually the second yacht that we built for this client – the other one being an 88-metre yacht.

“We took this project on since its inception and all the way through to its delivery and even after. This included developing and negotating the technical specifications of the yacht to day-to-day management of the project. As you can see, she is a very large boat with a lot of moving parts, which I would say provided challenges in the construction of the yacht.”

What makes her design special?

“Yacht AHPO has a very unique design with Nuvolari-Lenard working on her exterior profile as well as the interior. She has sleek and sporty lines, with a lot of use of glass.

“There are some really elegant areas on board, especially the outdoor balconies located in the owner’s stateroom. She is just a really pretty boat, and we are grateful to the project team at Lürssen for delivering on the vision of the design team and the brief provided.”

How much accommodation does she offer?

“There are eight staterooms and four staff cabins for pilots, nannies or security guards. The master stateroom spans across two floors with the bedroom, closets, and his and her’s ensuite bathrooms on the lower level. A staircase takes you to the owner’s office and an observation lounge on the upper level, which makes it feel like a duplex penthouse.”

What are some of AHPO’s sustainability credentials?

“Sustainability was an integral part of the approach taken in its design, with the topic of energy consumption addressed by low heat glass and heat recovery systems, which reduces the use of the emissions generated and electrical power used on board. Motor yacht AHPO is also equipped with a dynamic positioning system which allows electronic anchoring in sensitive areas to protect the marine environment and the seabed.”

Motor yacht AHPO is currently available for charter; what makes her unique on the charter market?

“AHPO is one of the relatively few charter yachts that can carry up to 16 passengers whereas most other boats are limited to 12 guests. AHPO also has a massive full-beam gym, one of the biggest I have seen on a yacht to date. Her beach club features a plunge pool, hammam, beauty room, and massage room, and a really cool water level bar, so she really has it all.

“She has pretty much every water toy you can think of on board, such as eFoil boards, Jet Skis, WaveRunners, windsurfers, kayaks, and a Seabob. She also has five supporting tenders including a custom pink Carbon Craft CC130 tender, which is really cool, and two 12-metre one-off tenders from I.C. Yachts.”

Tell me about the experience aboard an AHPO yacht charter

“Guests usually charter AHPO for a week to 10 days, however we have had charters up to six weeks this summer. We work with the charterer and the captain from the beginning to plan the perfect itinerary that best suits the client’s wants, needs, desires and their lifestyle.

“Before an AHPO yacht charter, there is a detailed process of understanding the preferences of the guests in terms of food and beverages, special amenities and toys, and every other detail to ensure that it is a bespoke experience for them. Our team then meticulously plans every detail of the charter experience. The crew on board are responsible for executing these plans and have already delivered a highly successful season to the delight of charter guests.”

Where has yacht AHPO been cruising?

“This Summer AHPO was based in the Mediterranean, however she also cruised extensively in Jamaica last winter. I strongly believe that Jamaica is a destination that should be considered by prespective charterers with its beautiful water, friendly people, great food, and laid-back island vibes. The final schedule for the yacht has not been set yet, but typically yacht AHPO will be in the Mediterranean in the summer and Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean in the winter.”

What are the latest yacht charter trends?

“The trends and requests since the pandemic have shown that charterers are looking for a home away from home experience, especially with the amenities and beach clubs, which we have been focusing on lately in our superyacht construction projects.

“Gyms and any experiences that contribute towards a healthier lifestyle have also grown in popularity. Another feature that guests love on an AHPO yacht charter specifically is the presence of a Teppanyaki bar on board. Overall, AHPO provides a variety of experiences to suit different guests and demographics.”

To learn more about an AHPO yacht charter or building your own yacht, contact Moran.

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