Derecktor Shipyards launched the 281-ft motor yacht Cakewalk, the largest yacht (by volume) ever built in the U.S. The six deck, 2,998 gross ton vessel floated off Derecktor’s new 4000 ton dry-dock into the waters of Bridgeport harbor, after several years and many thousands of skilled labor hours.

Cakewalk was designed by Tim Heywood Designs with Naval Architecture by Azure Naval Architecture. Interior design was by Dalton Designs, Inc. Literally dozens of subcontractors from engineering firms to security specialists participated in the project. “We certainly could not have done it without them” commented Gavin Higgins, VP of Business Development at Derecktor. “Some of the world’s most experienced and skilled specialists put their expertise into this job. You cannot successfully build a yacht of this size and complexity with having that sort of talent available.

The yacht will remain at Derecktor for the next few weeks undergoing final outfitting and sea trials. She is scheduled to make her much-awaited debut at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show in October.

New Zealand sailors continue to prosper in the final round of the World Cup series for Olympic classes at Weymouth in England. Six New Zealand crews are in the top-10 of their fleets after the second day of competition, with Star duo Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk and Laser sailor Andrew Murdoch leading the way. They have a three-point lead over the second-placed German crew of Johannes Polgar and Markus Koy. Murdoch remains the best placed of the eight New Zealanders in the 180-boat Laser fleet, but slipped from the top spot into second place after fourth and seventh placings. He is two points behind Briton Paul Goodison. The standout performer was New Zealand's Josh Junior, who posted two wins to improve to 15th place overall, two places behind compatriot Mike Bullot.

In the 49er class Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have moved from fourth into second place after recording a second and third placings. Jon-Paul Tobin also excelled in the men's RS:X, winning both of yesterday's races to improve to fourth place overall, while the women's 470 crew of Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie are seventh and Finn sailor Dan Slater ninth.

Yachting Partners International (the YPI Group) has released the names of many of the yachts the Group will be showing at this year’s Cannes and Monaco Yacht Shows. “We are working with some simply stunning yachts this year," says Bertrand Vogèle, YPI Group CEO, "many of which have already attracted a great deal of interest - good news for our industry and our clients.” “Not all yacht shows are the same," comments YPI Senior Yachting Consultant, Eric Althaus. “But the Monaco and Cannes Shows are two examples where our clients properly get to see some of the very best products and services available on the market today all in one place - whether they are buying, selling or building."

In addition to planned visits and viewings, YPI lays on VIP tenders and limousines for clients to ensure their time at both Shows goes as comfortably and as smoothly as possible. "There’s a lot to see," says Eric Althaus. "We work hard to make sure our clients get to visit all the yachts they want to see without it being too tiring. After all, yachting is supposed to be fun…and that includes yacht shopping."

For its sixth consecutive season, Officine Panerai announced the title sponsorship of the 2010 Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge with the inclusion this year of the Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta in Marblehead. Kicking off on Aug. 6, the Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta featured sailing conditions of clear skies and winds 10-12 knots on the first day and 12-14 knots on the second day. The event culminated with the celebrated Awards Party on Sunday evening, Aug. 8, where the captain of the CCYC winning yacht, Juno, was awarded the 2010 Panerai Radiomir Regatta 1/8th Second Titanio -- 47 mm (PAM343).

The Corinthian Yacht Club was the organizing authority of the pursuit race, with the assistance of the Eastern and Boston Yacht Clubs, also located in Marblehead. Bruce Dyson and Walter Murphy were the regatta chairs with Corinthian's Rear Commodore Ken Adam serving as the principal race officer (PRO). The competition showcased an impressive range of yachts -- from the winning classic yacht, Juno, to international one designs such as Tango, to the 12-Metre yacht Valiant.

The North American Circuit, comprised of regattas in the US and Caribbean, kicked off this year in mid-April with the Antigua Classic Yachts Regatta and continued on to Cowes, Isle of Wight (UK), for the British Classic Yacht Club Panerai Cowes Regatta in July.

To celebrate the recent announcement that Cabo Yachts' manufacturing will move from California to the Hatteras plant in North Carolina, Gov. Bev Perdue made a stop at the New Bern, N.C. plant. Brunswick announced the move last month. It means 350 jobs will come to the plant in the next few years, officials have said. "This is a big day for North Carolina, it's a big day for America, because it says to all the people around the world that the global yachting business is alive and well and we're moving it back to North Carolina where it belongs," Perdue said.

She said Cabo's move to New Bern is evidence of "major economic development" and she believes the state is in the early stages of economic recovery, according to a report in the Sun Journal newspaper. Local incentives are in the works and state officials have awarded a job development investment grant of up to a little more than $3 million that will be paid out as the company meets performance milestones. Another $60,850 will come from the state's One North Carolina Fund, based on performance.