Yachts For Sale Blog Podcast

Katia has had a busy few weeks, and in this episode of The Yacht Podcast, she sits down with David to talk about her recent trip to Sardinia to film AMICA MEA, a 46-metre Hakvoort delivered in 2004.
AMICA MEA is the second Hakvoort they have filmed in a relatively short period, following Lady Maxine, and Katia explains why she feels the Dutch shipyard is having a particularly strong moment. With well-maintained Hakvoorts attracting attention and Just J’s, a 60-metre Hakvoort, recently sold, the conversation turns to what makes these Dutch-built yachts so distinctive.
For Katia, AMICA MEA was also a refreshing change from the modern Italian production yachts she often films. Despite being built in 2004 and operating as a popular charter yacht, she was particularly impressed by how well the yacht has been maintained — especially the condition of the woodwork — and by the volume offered by her approximately 500 GT.
But, as usual, there is much more to a yacht shoot than what eventually appears on screen.
Katia talks about arriving at the yacht early in the morning just after the crew had finished a charter, and how the captain and crew immediately did everything they could to help make the filming work. She also shares the less glamorous side of shooting in Sardinia: difficult transport, a €100 taxi journey of around 20 minutes, an unexpected change of location because of the wind, long filming days and the challenge of presenting when everyone is starting to feel tired.
And then there is Slava’s memorable feedback during filming: “You’re no one-take wonder like David.”
Despite the long days, Katia came away genuinely impressed by AMICA MEA and explains why filming a yacht you can imagine a buyer falling in love with makes writing the storyboard and presenting her considerably easier.
In this episode:
• Why Katia travelled to Sardinia to film AMICA MEA• Why Hakvoort seems to be having a moment• AMICA MEA, Lady Maxine and Just J’s• What makes an older Dutch-built yacht feel different• How AMICA MEA has been maintained despite her busy charter programme• Why a helpful captain and crew can transform a yacht shoot• The challenges — and expense — of getting around Sardinia• What happens when wind forces the yacht to change location• Writing and presenting a yacht you genuinely like• The reality of filming when everyone is tired after a long day• Slava’s verdict on Katia’s presenting skills• And why Katia somehow went to Sardinia without enjoying a single proper Sardinian dinner
Yacht Podcasts is where David and Katia discuss the stories behind the yachts, the shoots, the brokers, the owners, the shipyards and the experiences that don't always make it into the walkthrough videos.
 
 

Stefano De Vivo is one of the best-known figures in the yachting industry, with a career spanning technical engineering, sales, marketing and executive leadership at some of the world's leading yacht builders. In this episode of The Yacht Podcast, David sits down with Stefano to discuss his remarkable journey, from his first internship at Ferretti to becoming Chief Commercial Officer of the Ferretti Group, and why he chose to leave one of the industry's biggest yacht builders to become a partner at WOSA, a company specialising in yacht surveys and refits.
The conversation explores the importance of pre-purchase surveys, how modern technology is transforming the survey process, why refits have become one of the fastest-growing sectors of the superyacht industry, and how WOSA is helping owners, captains, brokers and shipyards make better-informed technical decisions.
David and Stefano also discuss career development in yachting, entrepreneurship, the importance of curiosity, the realities of building a successful business, and why passion remains one of the defining characteristics of people who thrive in the yachting industry.
In this Episode:
• Stefano De Vivo's journey from engineering to the Ferretti Group's Chief Commercial Officer• Why he left one of the world's largest yacht builders to join WOSA• How yacht surveys can save owners thousands of euros• The growing importance of yacht refits in today's market• What happens during a pre-purchase survey• How WISER, WOSA's proprietary software, speeds up survey reports• Why refits and surveys naturally work together• The biggest challenges facing the refit industry today• Building a business focused on quality rather than quantity• Why curiosity is one of the most valuable qualities in the yachting industry• The importance of work ethic and career development for young professionals• Stefano's advice for anyone looking to build a successful career in yachting
Whether you're a yacht owner, broker, captain, shipyard professional or simply fascinated by how the industry works behind the scenes, this episode offers a unique insight from one of its most respected voices.
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In this episode of The Yacht Podcast, David and Katia go behind the scenes of filming EMERALD, the beautifully rebuilt 50.4-metre Feadship that recently joined the brokerage market.
 
The conversation begins with what made EMERALD such a fascinating yacht to film. From her distinctive Orion Green hull and its unexpected connection to the original Star Trek series to the extraordinary scale of the project, David explains why EMERALD should be described as a rebuild, not simply a refit. Comparing old photographs with the finished yacht reveals just how much work went into transforming her while preserving the elegance and pedigree of a classic Feadship.
 
The discussion then turns to what happened behind the camera. Filming EMERALD presented some unusual challenges, particularly when trying to satisfy the very different requirements of a brokerage walkthrough and a charter video at the same time. David and Katia discuss how changing schedules, delayed arrivals and the logistics of filming a yacht at anchor created a far more complicated production than expected.
 
They also reflect on the people who helped make the shoot a success, including Captain Mark, whose calm and professional approach ensured the day ran smoothly despite the unexpected challenges. The conversation highlights why a relaxed atmosphere on board often leads to a much stronger final production and why experienced captains can make such a difference during a filming day.
 
Finally, the episode explores the value of researching a yacht's history before presenting it, the difference between a refit and a rebuild, and why preserving the graceful lines of a classic Feadship while modernising almost everything else is such an impressive achievement. It's an honest look behind another Yachts For Sale Blog production and the many details viewers never get to see.
 
In this episode:
 
• Why EMERALD is much more than just another yacht walkthrough
• The story behind the yacht's distinctive Orion Green hull
• Why this project should be called a rebuild, not a refit
• The challenges of filming a yacht for both brokerage and charter
• How organisation can make or break a yacht shoot
• Why Captain Mark played such an important role on filming day
• Comparing EMERALD before and after her remarkable transformation
• What it takes to modernise a classic Feadship while preserving her character
• Why researching a yacht's history changes the way you present it
• Behind another Yachts For Sale Blog production
 
 
The Yacht Podcast is where David and Katia discuss the stories behind the yachts, the shoots, the brokers, the owners, the shipyards and the experiences that don't always make it into the walkthrough videos.

David and Katia discuss one of those yacht shoots that almost didn't happen.
A few days ago, Katia travelled to Naples to film the beautiful Azimut 77S JR28, recently listed for sale with Northrop & Johnson. Like many new central agency listings, everything was moving quickly. The schedule was tight, the yacht had only just returned from Capri, and one important thing was still missing: the technical specifications.
For Katia, that is enough to make any filming day a little stressful.
This episode looks behind the scenes of what viewers never normally see. The early morning uncertainty, changing plans, writing scripts on the spot, relying on owners and crew for information, and the challenge of making sure every detail is accurate before it appears on camera.
David and Katia also discuss why filming newly listed yachts often happens before every document has been finalised, the importance of experienced crews, and how good brokers quietly solve problems before anyone watching ever realises there was one.
The conversation also takes a lighter turn, with stories from Naples, cycling along the seafront, getting caught in an unforgettable thunderstorm, and, naturally, searching for the perfect Neapolitan pizza.
In this episode:
• Why the JR28 shoot almost started badly• The pressure of filming without technical specifications• What happens behind the scenes on a new central agency listing• Why experienced yacht crews make all the difference• The role brokers play when plans suddenly change• Writing scripts while filming on board• Why accuracy matters more than speed• A day filming in Naples• Thunderstorms, pizza and everything in between• Behind another Yachts For Sale production
Yacht Podcasts is where David and Katia discuss the stories behind the yachts, the shoots, the brokers, the owners, the shipyards and the experiences that don't always make it into the walkthrough videos.

n this episode of Yacht Podcasts, David and Katia discuss the story behind TITIAN PEARL, the beautifully refitted 43-metre CRN superyacht currently for sale.
David shares why this yacht is so special to him, from spending a memorable weekend on board with the owner to discovering that she was originally launched as Magnifica, one of the first steel and aluminium superyachts delivered during his time at CRN.
The conversation explores why experiencing a yacht as a guest is completely different from visiting one for work, how thoughtful design can transform life on board, and why owners who continually invest in maintenance create yachts that stand apart.
In this episode:
• The story behind TITIAN PEARL• David's personal connection to the yacht• A weekend on board that changed his perspective• TITIAN PEARL's history as CRN's Magnifica• Why great yacht design is about more than appearance• The importance of owner care and maintenance
Yacht Podcasts is where David and Katia discuss the stories behind the yachts, the people, and the experiences that don't always make it into our videos.

In this episode of Yacht Podcasts, David Seal and Katia Damborsky talk about the filming of LADY MAXINE, a 49 metre Hakvoort superyacht filmed off Cannes.
This was a fascinating shoot, but not an easy one. The owner was on board, and on the very same day he was also taking delivery of his new yacht.
That meant the captain and crew were dealing with a video and photo shoot, the owner’s presence on board, calls coming in from the new yacht, and personal items being moved from LADY MAXINE to the owner’s next vessel.
Despite all of that, the crew remained calm, professional and incredibly helpful throughout the day. David and Katia discuss what made the shoot so challenging, why LADY MAXINE stands out as a sub-50 metre yacht with more than 700 gross tonnes of volume, and why the interior made such a strong impression as soon as the team stepped on board.
They also talk about Hakvoort as a shipyard, the way the brand tends to fly under the radar, and why many owners who understand the Dutch custom yacht market return to builders like Hakvoort again and again.
This episode also touches on the brokerage story behind LADY MAXINE, the role of Ed Dickinson in representing the yacht, and the unusual privilege of filming such a yacht at a key moment in the owner’s journey.
Yacht Podcasts is where we talk about the stories behind the yachts, the shoots, the brokers, the shipyards, the crew and the people who make the world of yacht brokerage so interesting.

In this episode of Yacht Podcasts, David Seal and Katia Damborsky look behind the scenes of filming TOP LEVEL, a beautifully maintained 2018 Sunseeker 76 in the waters around Split, Croatia.
The conversation explores what really goes into producing a yacht walkthrough, from early morning starts and international travel to working alongside an outstanding crew who helped make the shoot such a success. David also explains why TOP LEVEL stood out, not only because of her immaculate condition, but also because of her practical layout, generous crew accommodation and thoughtful design.
Along the way, David and Katia share stories from the trip, including filming in one of the Mediterranean's most spectacular cruising grounds, a memorable lunch on board, David's disappointing restaurant experience the night before the shoot, and the captain's dramatic swim to recover a runaway tender during filming.
In this episode:
Filming TOP LEVEL in Croatia
Behind the scenes of a Sunseeker 76 walkthrough
Why Croatia is one of Europe's finest cruising destinations
Early morning yacht filming
Working with an exceptional crew
The surprisingly spacious crew accommodation
The runaway tender and the captain's rescue
Life behind the camera on a yacht shoot
David and Katia discuss the stories behind the walkthrough
Yacht Podcasts takes listeners behind the scenes of the world's most remarkable yachts, exploring the stories behind the yachts, the brokers, the crew and the people who make the superyacht industry so fascinating.
 
 
 

🔗 Learn more about Puro Systems: https://www.puro-systems.com
In this episode, I sit down with former superyacht captain and Puro Systems founder, Omri Farbstein, to talk about his journey from serving as a submarine officer in the Israeli Navy to running superyachts and eventually building one of the yachting industry's most innovative water purification systems.
We discuss how a simple onboard frustration, spending countless hours washing yachts and dealing with water spots, led to the creation of Puro Systems, and how Omri taught himself software, electronics and mechanical design to turn an idea into a successful business.
We also talk about:
How his career started in the Israeli Navy and led to yachting
The inspiration behind Puro Systems
Why reverse osmosis can dramatically reduce yacht maintenance
Building a business from scratch while working as a captain
Supplying leading shipyards and superyachts around the world
The role Puro Systems is playing in sustainable projects such as Project Zero
This is an inspiring conversation about innovation, entrepreneurship and how some of the best ideas in yachting come from solving real problems onboard.
To learn more about the Puro Systems use the link in the description.

In this episode David and Katia go behind the scenes of filming St Jude, the beautiful Azimut Grande 26M.
Together, they discuss why the Grande 26M represents far more than a simple update of the previous model. From the move to Volvo Penta IPS pod propulsion and the wider hull to carbon fibre construction and Azimut's innovative Infinity Terrace, David explains why this yacht impressed him so much during filming.
Katia brings her own experience of the Grande range and the pair also discuss Achille Salvagni's interior design, clever engineering decisions, the outstanding Portuguese crew who prepared the yacht for filming, and why immaculate maintenance can completely change how a yacht presents on camera.
The conversation also wanders into some fascinating maritime history, including the origins of the term "master cabin," as well as the realities of yacht ownership, design evolution and what separates a genuine redesign from a simple model refresh.
If you've already watched the walkthrough of St Jude, this episode gives you the stories, observations and behind-the-scenes moments that never make it into the finished film.

A few years ago, we filmed BEYOND CAPRICORN at a boat show, tied securely to the dock. This time, we travelled to Dubrovnik to see her where she belongs — at sea.
In this episode, Katya and I discuss the yacht itself, the filming experience, and why this 24-metre Bering impressed us far more underway than alongside.
We talk about her remarkable volume, unusual crew-focused layout, owner-operation, explorer yacht design, and the practical thinking behind a yacht built for serious long-range cruising rather than marina life.
We also share a few behind-the-scenes stories from Croatia, including dinner with the captain, filming conditions, and why this trip brought back some personal memories from my early years in yacht brokerage.
If you enjoyed the BEYOND CAPRICORN walkthrough, or simply enjoy explorer yachts built with purpose, I think you'll enjoy this conversation.