Asia Yacht Services (AYS) has delivered a Grand Soleil 44 to its owner following a multi-stop delivery from the Cantiere del Pardo shipyard in Italy to its new home in Hong Kong. Specified in the Race version, the Hong Kong-based yacht is among three recent Asia-Pacific sales for the GS 44, along with orders from the Gulf of Thailand and Sydney.

A recent arrival in Hong Kong, the GS 44R named Wild Card is the first of two Grand Soleil sailing yachts scheduled to arrive in 2022 through Asia Yacht Services, which was appointed as the brand’s dealer for the city last year. Available in a Race or the standard Performance version, the GS 44 features deck and interior design by Nauta Design and naval architecture by Matteo Polli.

Wild Card was commissioned at Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and is now moored at the club’s Shelter Cove facility in Sai Kung. The owner had new sails made and plans to use the GS 44R for cruising and racing.

With a 44ft hull, an overall length of almost 48ft and a beam over 14ft, the GS 44R is designed as a performance sailing yacht and offers a range of ‘go-fast’ options available to optimise under ORC or IRC, as the model proved in her first full racing season in 2021, having launched the previous year. Wild Card is also equipped with a genset and air-conditioning package to cope with the heat and humidity in Hong Kong and other destinations in the region.

Bart J. Kimman, Director of Asia Yacht Services, said: “The owner of Wild Card is happy and the commissioning was a smooth process with the support of the professional team at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.

The spacious cockpit on the GS 44R is a delight for any racing crew and she will be a thrill to helm. Wild Card also includes a genset/ aircon package to provide comfort while cruising, whether it’s for a weekend in Mirs Bay or at an exotic anchorage in the Philippines.”

AYS has also sold a GS 42 LC that’s scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong in late 2022. From the builder’s Long Cruise line, the GS 42 LC also features a Nauta Design deck and interior, while naval architecture is by Marco Lostuzzi.

The yacht has a 42ft 4in hull, an LOA of 45ft 4in and a beam of 13ft 8in and is available with a range of options including sailing rig, cockpit arc, two or three cabins, electric winches and genset/aircon.

Founded in 2004, AYS represents Grand Soleil and J/Boat sailing monohulls, Seawind and Nautitech catamarans, Corsair trimarans and Bavaria sailing and motor boats, while it also offers brokerage, charter, maintenance and other specialist services.

As well as the Grand Soleil sailing yachts, AYS has sold three Seawind catamarans comprising two units of the 1370 (45ft) and one of the 1160 (38ft), each with long-range cruising in mind. The popular 1370 has a 25ft beam and is among the newest models from company, which has built over 800 catamarans.

“We still have some options for 2022 and early 2023 for delivery of sailing monohulls in the 40-45ft range and sailing catamarans between 44-46ft,” Kimman says.

As well as its partnership with J/Boats, AYS cooperates with Rob Partridge Racing to promote the J/70 one-design class in Hong Kong and design tailor-made training programmes for new cruising and racing boat owners. AYS’s own J/70 sport boat is used for classes and to provide a platform for racing clinics, with multiple courses available.

AYS has sold multiple brokerage yachts including a DeFever 44 trawler motor yacht, which the new owner cruised to Phuket after a journey through Philippine and Indonesian waters.

“The second-hand market is large but diverse and we have a premium selection of pre-owned yachts, all thoroughly inspected before being offered for sale. We have small one-design racers through to serious offshore sailing yachts,” Kimman said.

“When buying a pre-owned yacht, there’s always a ‘to do’ list once you own the yacht. We help you organise this list and manage and supervise the relevant refits with the best subcontractors.”

Through its subsidiary My Yacht Moments, AYS also charters its own fleet of sailing catamarans and has also booked clients on some luxury charters in the Mediterranean and Indonesia. Furthermore, the company’s superyacht support services have been reactivated due to requests from yachts set to visit Hong Kong.

For maintenance, AYS can help owners develop programmes or manage the whole programme. “This takes away the hassle and gives owners more happy hours on the water,” Kimman said.

The company has also been appointed as the Asia distributor for Dinnteco lightning protection systems, which use proven and patented technology endorsed by the likes of NATO and are “must have equipment for any sailing yachts staying in (sub) tropical waters”, according to Kimman.

Meanwhile, since last year, AYS has been the operating partner of Delta Marina and Express Service, a multi-mooring facility in Hei Ling Chau off the south coast of Lantau Island. Delta Marina is facilitating the sale and maintenance of up to 600 new Marine Department-approved moorings for yachts up to 70m.

“Our professional team are all passionate watersports lovers, so we know what it takes to enjoy your time on the water,” Kimman said. “We’ll advise you on the selection of the right boat for your needs and assist you with the purchase. More importantly, we’ll arrange multi-level training to get you and your family or team familiar with operating, cruising or racing your boat — and can even help find you a mooring.”

This article first appeared on Yacht Style.

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