1.589671-1715259598
Visitors try out a sofa boat on the closing day of the Yacht Show in Abu Dhabi. The world’s biggest megayacht industry players are tipping the Middle East's only show dedicated to super and megayachts, as the next big thing after sector-leading Monaco and Fort Lauderdale events with high potential for builders and brokers of vessels over 80 metres. Image Credit: AHMED KUTTY/Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: The second Abu Dhabi Yacht Show has provided the perfect platform for showcasing several high-profile ‘concept yachts'.

Among the highly anticipated models unveiled for the first time to the admiring eyes of yachting enthusiasts, the media and most importantly, potential clients at this year's show are the two WHY yachts, products of a collaboration between Wally and Hermes; a model of the special series of 41-metre Motor Yacht Catamarans being built through the teaming up of Royal Falcon Fleet, Porsche Design and Green Line Yacht Interiors; the Magellano yacht concept by Fincantieri Yachts; and the ES117, a Weyves Couture by Elie Saab megayacht to be built by prestigious megayacht builder Oceanco.

According to Jacopo Marchi, project director, WHY, although the concept of the "floating island-inspired" WHY megayacht was launched earlier, the decision to present the actual models of the yachts at ADYS was driven by the level of interest expressed by the region post-launch.

"When we announced the JV, the fact was that in the first three months the majority of enquiries came from the Middle East. We had to choose a show in the region that would enable us to showcase this revolutionary design to the most appropriate customer base, and we chose the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show," said Marchi.

The two WHY models showcased at ADYS include 37x24-metre and 58x38-metre yachts that defy the standard "long and narrow" design aesthetic of superyachts. The broad beamed-yacht will not fit into a traditional berthing space and is designed for owners wishing for a vessel that can almost act as a movable private island — with expansive living areas and an enormous beach deck. "Clearly the region is very responsive to unique yacht concepts such as WHY, and bringing it to the ADYS was an appropriate business decision," concluded Marchi.

Fincantieri Yachts also unveiled a new 130-metre concept at ADYS, the Magellano, which Andrea Piantini, head of marketing, Fincantieri Yachts, says is still in the first stages of development and therefore offers a great deal of flexibility something highly prized among the Middle East's private yacht owners in the ultimate realisation of the project.

"We consider this region a key region in terms of clients. The vessels we deal with usually over 70-100m are special and specific and require special and specific clients. We have the will and interest to be here, to be visible and talk to the right people," said Piantini.