The signs on the vessel were done by Yachtsign®. Yachtsign has also done the signs for yachts such as JeMaSa, Hooter Patrol IV and Mr. Terrible.
The Grand Luxe is a 231x46x13.5' Exposition Vessel which is now on her way to Greenwich, CT, for her grand opening. DeJong and Lebet, Inc., has supplied the Naval Architecture and worked with the owner on the design from the very beginning of the project. A video of the vessel underway is available here. The following is an excerpt from the owner's brochure:
Prestigious American and European galleries will exhibit their finest works of art aboard SeaFair’s Grand Luxe, a specially designed 228-foot Megayacht. More than just a fine art fair, Seafair is the world’s first luxury exhibition megayacht hosting truly unique cultural events in coastal communities along the eastern seaboard of the united states.
Targeting affluent markets on an annual route along the eastern seaboard of the United States, SeaFair’s Grand Luxe will undoubtedly be a spectacular attraction while docked at each port. Prestigious, international art dealers, antique dealers and jewelers will welcome collectors and connoisseurs to their "mobile galleries" aboard the world’s first luxury exposition megayacht.
Each annual voyage is divided into multiple, 2 to 4-week segments. Dealers subscribe to segments depending on their market requirements, availability of inventory, breadth of staff, and balance of dealer composition on each trip. Certain segments will be composed solely of modern and contemporary art dealers, while most segments will be primarily composed of a careful blend of art, antique and jewelry dealers. . .
Here's the vessel having stopped over in Charleston on the way north.
The vessel was built at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders on Whidbey Island. In Vancouver, BC, the vessel was loaded onto a Dockwise transport ship for transport to Florida where it will receive final outfitting at Merrill-Stevens Dry Dock.
Here are a few shots coming through the Panama Canal and arriving in Miami.
Expoships has posted on their website an improvised video of the launching.
Following are a few images taken during the construction of the vessel.
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
June 2006
April 2006
December 2005
