Though less well-known than Dutch, German or Italian superyachts, luxury pleasure craft built in New Zealand are equally skilled at combining reliable technology and innovative engineering with impeccable design and style. Alloy yachts are particularly popular due to the brand’s collaborations with renowned Dubois Shipyards and Donald Starkey Designs.
The story of the Ad Lib dates back nearly 20 years when New Zealand tycoon Gary Lane, like many other serial yacht owners, decided to order a bigger yacht than the one he already owned. At the time, Lane was the owner of the beautiful 127-foot (38-meter) SQN, which had been launched in 2003. The billionaire yacht owner wanted something a little bigger this time, so he decided to team up with the same namesakes as Ed Dubois and Donald Starkey, who worked on his first yacht. And so Lane became the owner of the 131-foot (40-meter) Ad Lib just three years after his first yacht’s debut.
It was not a surprising move for the businessman who gained fame in New Zealand and abroad for his purchase of the Sultan of Brunei’s entire Auckland estate (11 in total). That happened in 2005, a year before his brand new Ad Lib superyacht was delivered to him, just in time to celebrate the extravagant acquisition.
Nearly 20 years later, Ad Lib has found a new owner, but it didn’t happen overnight. In March, brokers announced a significant price cut for the sleek Alloy Yachts model. After the price cut, Ad Lib was on the market for just under $10 million (8.75 million euros), which isn’t much in the world of glamorous luxury yachts, even for a pre-owned example.
Dubois’ naval architecture and Donald Starkey’s interiors ensured the yacht’s impeccable quality and style. Ad Lib elegantly combines an understated, understated exterior with exceptionally spacious outdoor areas. Custom designed to Gary Lane’s exact specifications, Ad Lib’s layout and overall style have proven to be timeless.
While the luxurious outdoor areas are the focus, this beautiful New Zealand yacht also features elegant accommodations and ample toy storage, making it the perfect family yacht for holiday adventures by today’s standards. Most importantly, she’s equipped to cross the Atlantic Ocean 4,500 nautical miles (8,300 km) at a cruising speed of 10 knots (18.5 km/h), and features advanced technology on board, such as zero speed stabilizers for added comfort.
The Alloy Yachts brand is associated with sailing performance. What began as a single-minded project to build performance sailing yachts under 100 feet west of Auckland in the mid-1980s has grown into a successful and respected luxury yacht manufacturer. Well-known Alloy Yachts include the 220-foot Vertigo and the 178-foot Tiara II.
