FORTY YEARS IS A milestone for many occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and so on. For a magazine to manage that feat is rare, especially in this so-called Digital Age.
FORTY YEARS IS A milestone for many occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and so on. For a magazine to manage that feat is rare, especially in this so-called Digital Age.
But Asia-Pacific Boating has done it, and we’re proud of it and all the effort that’s required – of course we owe a lot of our success to the advertisers, subscribers and event sponsors who’ve kept us going for so many years, and hopefully many more to come.
It’s not easy to survive in the publishing industry, much like the yachting industry. Combining the two… well that’s a bold move.
Yet back in 1976, it was decided that instead of a year book a monthly publication could better inform the Hong Kong sailing community about what’s happening, the latest race results, notices, tips and other useful information. Thus in October that year, the 12-page first issue of the Hong Kong Yachting Association Bulletin was published.
“It has not yet been decided how many issues there will be in any year but we are aiming towards a minimum of six,” The Editor wrote. “… it is our hope that this publication will be used as a ‘forum’ for views and ideas to be put forward, disputed, supported and generally fought over – so if you feel you want to leap onto your high horse over some particular point don’t hesitate to write in…”
Those words still hold true 40 years later. We’ve been doing a lot of looking to the past in the lead up to the magazine’s year of celebration, which kicked off with anniversary cocktails at a 70s-themed party during the Hong Kong Gold Coast Boat Show. One of this issue’s Features is about the magazine’s 40th anniversary.
The 12th Asia Boating Awards took place during the Singapore Yacht Show in early April, and 25 winners walked away with Baccarat crystal trophies. That’s the most ever handed out, so check out the Special Feature with lots of photos from the wonderful evening at Oneº15 Marina Club.
The other Special Feature is about Chartering in Asia, our annual look at the yachts and destinations that are out there just waiting to be explored by yacht, either your own or one you rent. Chartering is a time-honoured tradition, with modern-day conveniences.
The past is a theme in this issue’s Spotlights, rather coincidentally. This month’s cover photo is of the Benetti 11.11, winner of an Asia Boating Award as Best Custom Built Yacht. Founded in 1873, the Italian shipyard relied heavily upon its vast building experience to create this modern masterpiece. Codecasa started out in 1825 and launched the Vintage 50m Gazzella last year, and she debuted rather fittingly at the Monaco Yacht Show. Made in the classic style, she also made good use of the builder’s long history.
This look back would be incomplete without having a peek at what’s out there today, so our writers visited historic Istanbul to take the Turkish-built Numarine 60 Fly out for a first spin. This modern yacht boasts pod drives and a large interior volume thanks to its advanced design and construction process. No yacht better epitomises the past than the Rossinavi 39m Taransay.
Based on a 1930s vessel, this modern classic is a sight to behold and captures beautifully the link between the past and present of building yachts. Building yachts for nearly 60 years, Sanlorenzo shipyard recently introduced the 460 EXP – a 43m explorer that recalls the family feeling of all Sanlorenzo productions. Spanish shipyard Astondoa is marking its 100th anniversary this year, as you’ll read about in Brand Story. The Destination Feature and Marina Scene are about the historic Whitsunday group of Islands on Australia’s east coast, a modern launching point for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and pristine beaches by superyacht. Elsewhere in this issue you’ll find the usual wrap-up of news about recent launches, design, races and regattas, boat shows, destinations and the industry.
