yacht loon owner

672 Wine Club

• Motorcycles
• Car of the Month
• Destinations
• Men’s Fashion
• Watch Collector
• Art & Collectibles
• Vacation Homes
• Celebrity Homes
• New Construction
• Home Design
• Electronics
• Fine Dining
• Benchmark Wines
• Brian Fox Art
• Disneyland Resort
• Ka La’I Wakiki Beach
• Kalamazoo Grill
• Raffles Hotels & Resorts
• Sports & Leisure
• Health & Wellness
• Best of the Best
• The Ultimate Gift Guide

10 Fascinating Facts About ‘Loon,’ the 221-Foot Superyacht That Gets the Coolest Toys First

The 221-footer has hundreds of thousands of social-media followers, accepts bitcoin for charter, and an entire crew who can sing and dance. oh, and it's rescued two other boats this year., gemma harris, gemma harris's most recent stories.

• From Electric Surfboards to Biodegradable Golf Balls: 8 Eco-Conscious Yacht Toys for Green and Clean Fun
• From Floating Nightclubs to Fashion Shows: Yacht Charters Are Crafting One-of-a-Kind Experiences on the High Seas
• From Taylor Swift Concerts to Expert Wine Tastings: Superyachts Are Now Exclusive Venues for A-List Entertainment
• Share This Article

With the ever-expanding portfolio of charter yachts vying for attention, the 221-foot Loon took to social media to showcase its offerings. Not just with a Facebook page of pretty destinations, but with an Instagram account that now has 140,000 followers and a YouTube channel with 122,000 folks who watch its journeys.

The yacht, previously christened  Icon,  splashed in 2010 when it left the Dutch shipyard Icon Yachts. Purchased in 2023 by owners who named the yacht after their lakehouse residents, the loon bird, it is now widely recognized on the charter scene, thanks partly to its social-media presence but mostly because of its eclectic crew.

Captain Paul Clarke, who has been with the owner since 2017 and created the social-media frenzy, made his way from the vessel’s smaller siblings to helm this third generation of yachts named Loon. An overflowing toy box and tenders that include a wake-surfing boat, as well as an inventory of all the top brands, have made this an exceptional charter vessel, with IYC being the primary brokers.

The yacht’s timeless lines and contemporary features are a testament to RWD Design’s forward-thinking philosophy. “ Loon has many features which are only now being incorporated into today’s yachts,” Clarke told Robb Report.

Here are 10 cool facts about this social superyacht.

An impressive catalog of toys is a given on any reputable charter yacht, but Loon ‘s toy trove is a cut above the rest. “Those who have the most toys win—this has always been our mantra,” says Capt. Paul Clarke. “For instance, most yachts have two Jet Skis, we have four. We apply that philosophy across the toy spectrum.” It is a thrill-a-minute onboard with Seabobs, wakeboards, scuba equipment, foils, and more towables and inflatables than one can get on in a week. Loon is regularly asked to test toys before they hit the market. “We always get pre-release toys to demo. We were also the first superyacht to carry Lift foils,” adds Clarke.

A Singing, Dancing Crew

The linchpin holding a great charter together is the crew. But Loon raises the bar with its onboard team, who are born entertainers. Besides their regular duties, crewmembers double as a scuba instructor, a masseuse, a pro kitesurfer, a personal trainer, a yoga instructor, and even a DJ. The chief engineer provides an added layer of charm with his guitar skills for evening soirees. “I always hire crew who have secondary skills,” says Clarke.

The Influencer

If it isn’t on social media, did it even happen? Clarke started Loon ‘s social accounts back in the day to share the wealth of content he gathered from shooting videos of guests. Today, Loon has a crew member whose sole job is to create content with “equipment in hand 24/7.” This person, using drones and an occasional helicopter, creates charter memories with videography, photography, and other content-creation skills. Clarke says Loon is the only superyacht to have this dedicated position. The strategy has paid off. The vessel has 143,000 Instagram followers and 121,000 YouTube subscribers tuning in to watch its every move.

Loon-Inspired Inflatables

Aside from the yacht’s signature beach club, Loon literally expands for on-the-water playtime. In fact, the yacht is more than a consumer of water toys. It’s an influencer. Inflatable manufacturer FunAir developed its Beach Club Sea Pool, the first-of-its-kind inflatable Yacht Slide (with a stylish carbon-fiber finish) specifically for this yacht. This section serves as a bumper point for toys and launchpad for Jet Skis. The netted surroundings also protect swimmers from currents and jellyfish.

Looney Activities

Loon’ s activities regularly catch the eyes of onlookers. The vessel’s G23 Nautique is ideal for wake surfing. However, when chartering, the professional poker player and influencer Dan Bilzerian decided to take water stunts up a notch or two and wake-surf behind the yacht itself. While Loon regularly has “tons of A-listers” on board doing epic things, stunts are also for the crew. For its Instagram feed, the crew have leaped over the bow dressed as Thanksgiving turkeys and pulled off impressive kitesurfing jumps. The next booked charter will include magicians, helicopters, fire breathers, and a renowned DJ. “We try to make it extraordinary no matter who the guest is,” says Clarke. 

The Honey Bees

Teaming up with the biodynamic honey producers at Hikian in southern Finland, Loon has adopted its own beehive and features the honey in its cuisine. The buzz around this premium honey is that the bees thrive in the unspoiled air of the Finnish forest. As well as the flavor, the honey also accompanies the chef’s creations.

Crypto Charters

Two years ago, the former Loon was the first superyacht to accept charter fees in cryptocurrency. Fast forward to now, the current Loon continues to accept Bitcoin for bookings. Embracing crypto transactions is not just another form of payment but also a nod to a younger yachting clientele.

Involved in Rescue Missions

This Caribbean charter season has already seen Loon involved in two successful search-and-rescue missions. The first was retrieving an overturned fishing boat at the request of the U.S. Coast Guard. Just before Christmas, Loon also responded to another search and rescue that came from a couple scuba diving in the Dog Islands. Clarke sent the tender ahead to locate the missing woman who had been swept out. “It could have ended much worse if the rescue hadn’t come together so quickly,” he says.

The Main Suite Built Around the Bathtub

The interior styling by Studio Linse is inviting across all seven cabins, but the one that really catches the eye is the full-beam primary suite. With neutral and contemporary aesthetics, it is located on the main deck, where large windows flood the space with natural light. But the spotlight really shines on the impressive three-ton stone bathtub in the ensuite. It had to be installed before the deck was put on—a true commitment to a relaxing soak.

Well Connected

Loon keeps everyone connected wherever it is anchored by remaining fully hooked up to the onboard Starlink system. Besides fast Wi-Fi for work or socializing, entertainment demands are also met, thanks to the fully integrated Apple TV system, delivering every kind of movie on the yacht’s big screens. The electronic bells and whistles continue in the bridge, which recently saw upgrades to the 26-inch touchscreen panels that control all elements of the yacht.

Read More On:

• Superyachts

More Marine

This 246-Foot Electric Superyacht Concept Is Designed to Shine Like a Diamond

This New Superyacht Line Wants You to Feel Like You’re Cruising in a Sports Car

The Shipyard That Built the ‘Titanic’ Has Filed for Bankruptcy

This New Catamaran Concept Was Designed to Carry Your Bugatti Across the High Seas

Meet the Wine Club That Thinks Differently.

Receive editor-curated reds from boutique California producers four times a year.

Give the Gift of Luxury

Latest Galleries in Marine

The 11 Most Exciting Superyacht Debuts at the Monaco Yacht Show

Tribale 120 Gran Turismo in Photos

More from our brands, exclusive: precious lee debuts in ysl beauty’s latest libre flowers & flames fragrance digital series, ohtani’s 50/50 chase an attendance boon for lowly marlins, mohamed al fayed rape allegations investigated in new bbc documentary, report finds art sales stagnate, even as the luxury sector continues to grow, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors.

Our Captain and crew have many years experience of luxury yacht charters, and have the skills and knowledge to make every charter an unforgettable experience.

Captain - Paul Clarke - Australia

Captain Paul is an experienced and highly skilled Superyacht Captain who has become synonymous with the charter industry. A former professional triathlete, kiteboard instructor and professional sailor, he has enough accolades to decorate a yacht and retire on the value of his trophies alone. These include Competing in 2 America’s Cups and being placed, winning the Volvo Ocean Race and competing in the 2000 Olympics. The seas have humbled him though as you will never hear him talking about them. Through all of these experiences and his general love for the outdoors, he has developed a deep understanding of the sea and all its intricacies. 

As a charter Captain, Paul is known for his impeccable attention to detail and exceptional customer service. He takes great pride in ensuring that Loon guests have a remarkable and exceptional experience, on every trip. He is also highly knowledgeable about the areas in which he sails, and he enjoys sharing his expertise with his guests, crew and the general public, being one of the first Captain to truly showcase what life onboard a Superyacht is like, through developing the most successful yacht social media account @motoryachtloon.

Chief Officer (Rotation) - Tyler Viljoen - South Africa

Tyler is Paul’s righthand man having worked on all three of the Loon vessels, and beholder of the greatest moustache. Originally hailing from the Eastern Cape in South Africa, this sea-faring wizard now calls sunny California home sweet home with his lovely wife Courtney (not to be mistaken with our Chief Stew). When he’s not busy charting courses and ensuring smooth sailing, he’s playing with his Golden Retriever named Butter. With taste buds as adventurous as his spirit, he’s always on the hunt for the next foodie treasure and critiquing the interior’s coffee-making skills. 

Tyler is also in the process of becoming a certified Superyacht Captain himself. Ty will ensure an unforgettable journey filled with delectable treats and laughter that will make your taste buds and limbs dance with joy.

Chief Officer (Rotation) - David Firth - South Africa

Davey has years of experience in the yachting industry. His knowledge and skills in navigation, safety and maintenance are top-notch. His professionalism and attention to detail make him an asset to any yacht crew.

Outside of work, Davey loves to surf. He enjoys spending his free time catching waves and soaking up the sun. He also cherishes the time he gets to send with his wife an son during his off rotation.

Davey is a friendly and approachable person who loves to interact with the guests. He is a great listener and always makes sure that the guests needs are met. He is passionate about his work and takes pride in ensuring that the yacht is running smoothly. Davey is an excellent Chief officer who is dedicated to providing a memorable experience for guests.

His passion for surfing and spending time with his family make him a well rounded and likeable person that everyone enjoys being around.

Chief Engineer - Alex Phillips - United Kingdom

Alex is not your standard Y1 Chief Engineer. Not only can he rebuild engines the size of a standard car, he is an exceptionally talented musician. Alex started his seafaring career in 2007 working commercially in the Merchant Navy, following suit to his family. When he obtained his class 2 he joined the yachting industry and accelerated to achieving his Chief Engineer Unlimited at the age of 26. As a true sailor, there was always an instrument in his hand and his talent was even recognised on X-Factor. You can be sure that Alex will keep engines running and entertainment at an all-time high. He spends his time off either surfing, wakeboarding, diving or working on my own boat and sailing the south coast of England.

Second Engineer (Rotation) - Dominic Andrew - United Kingdom

Dom is one of the funniest engineers you will meet, perhaps as a consequence of his bewilderment as to what stewardesses bring him to fix or how the deck team broke them. He joined yachting in 2017 after a successful career in construction, electronics and telecommunications, before he moved to commercial shipping where a shiny white yacht caught his eye. Having come from the melting pot of Europe, London, Dom has always felt at home surrounded by multiple cultures and busy everyday life. As the Second Engineer, he is responsible for the safety and smooth running of many aspects of the large machinery onboard from the air-conditioning system to fuel pumps and generally does everything that would otherwise make Alex dirty. 

When he’s not tending to the engines, you’ll find him exploring his diverse interests in football, music and investment opportunities.

Second Engineer (Rotation) - Erik Niedermeier - Brazil

Erik is a true seafarer. Born in Brazil, he was raised and homeschooled on a sailing yacht for 7 years of his childhood travelling much of the globe and learning from his father. At university, he studied Computer Engineering before the ocean pulled him back and he bought a sailing yacht of his own. It was during this time that he started to come across large motor yachts and decided it was easier to save money working on a boat than owning one. 

Today he lives with his son and wife, Holly, in Palma, Mallorca. In his rotations off you can find him there, kitesurfing and getting into carpentry or welding projects, building robots or sailing.

ETO (Rotation) - Jozo Siscov - Croatia

Jozo is a highly skilled ETO (Electrical Technical Officer) with extensive experience working on superyachts. Originally from Croatia, Jozo grew up with a passion for technology and engineering, which eventually led him to pursue a career in the marine industry.

Over the years, Jozo has become an expert in his field, with a deep understanding of the complex electrical and electronic systems that power modern superyachts. He is also highly adept at troubleshooting and problem-solving and is always up for a challenge when it comes to repairing or upgrading onboard technology.

In addition to his technical skills, Jozo is also known for his friendly and approachable manner. He enjoys interacting with guests and crew alike and is always happy to answer questions or provide assistance whenever it is needed. Overall, Jozo is an invaluable member of any superyacht crew, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, alongside a warm and welcoming personality.

ETO (Rotation) - Andrej - Croatia

Andrej is a highly skilled ETO onboard. With his extensive technical knowledge, he is responsible for ensuring that all electrical and electronic systems onboard the yacht are running smoothly, including the all important Wi-Fi system.

Originally hailing from Split, Croatia, Andrej has a deep passion for his hometown and often goes back there during his rotations. He grew up in a family of sailors and has always been fascinated by the intricate workings of boats. His love for technology led him to pursue a career in marine engineering and eventually became an ETO.

Videographer - Stephen Tench - UK

Stephen is a young and adventurous videographer ready to make your experience unforgettable! With his British-Japanese heritage and vibrant personality, Stephen brings a unique blend of cultures and energy onboard.

Born and raised in a quaint town in Oxford, UK, Stephen’s upbringing instilled in him a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature and the importance of exploration which led him to embark on a career in the superyacht industry.

You’ll always see him with a camera in his hand! Capturing the essence of charter guests journey.

Second Officer - Bjorn Fyon - South Africa

Bjorn is a skilled and experienced Second Officer, with a passion for adventure and travel. He brings a positive, can-do attitude to his work, and is always eager to take on new challenges and learn new skills.

With his adventurous spirit, Bjorn is always looking for opportunities to explore new destinations and experience different cultures. He has a keen sense of adventure and loves to push boundaries.

In his role as Second Officer he is responsible for a wide range of duties, including navigation, safety, and maintenance. He takes pride in his work and is always looking for ways to improve the yacht’s performance and efficiency.

Bosun - Brent de Charmoy - South Africa

Brent is high spirited, happy individual who can strike up a conversation with almost anyone.

Growing up in Durban, South Africa Brent has a keen passion for all things outdoors and travelling.When he’s not onboard Loon you’ll find him exploring a new country, from the comfort of a roof-top tent and living off the land (if he can catch anything).

With an infectious smile and a can-do attitude Brent is the perfect person to lead the deck team to excellence and ensure an unforgettable charter experience.

Lead Deckhand - Christian Frederic - South Africa

Don’t be fooled by Chris’s manbun, the young man means business. As a child, he grew up on the water in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, surfing and diving and has become a passionate open water SCUBA Instructor, photographer & outdoorsman. At 23 years old, he is highly experienced and educated, with his Officer of the Watch (OOW) ticket almost under his belt and the goal of one day becoming a Captain. He is an outgoing, and positive individual who likes to lead selflessly, and the biggest gentleman onboard. 

In Chris’s spare time, he returns home to his long-term girlfriend and enjoys tennis, golf and hiking.

Deckhand - Tristan Welby-Cooke - South Africa

Tristan has enough energy to power a yacht and is the crew-appointed Morale Mascot. He is an exceptional freediver and talented surfer from Cape Town whose love for the ocean spurred his career in yachting in 2019. Having worked on 2 of the 3 Loon vessels, he knows the programme like the back of his hand and can be relied on to handle any deck task to the best of his ability whilst having a heap of fun. 

In his spare time, you will find him planning his next adventure, watching the weather, and seeking out the next best surf spot. He also enjoys being outdoors surrounded by his closest friends.

Deckhand - Dylan Mordaunt - South Africa

Like Tristan, Dylan has also worked on 2 of the 3 Loon’s and is a familiar face on the Loon program. He loves to be in the water entertaining guests and engaging in friendly conversation. His friendly and charismatic nature make him a pleasure to have around. 

When he is not on Loon he loves to be outdoors, spending most of his time surfing or catching up with friends.  Dylan was the Deckhand/Videographer on Loon 180′ and has a passion for creating digital imagery. 

You will see him running around with a GoPro in hand capturing the exciting scenes around the boat 

Head Chef (Rotation) - Dean Harrison - Australia

Dean grew up on the Sunshine Coast in a small coastal town called Noosa, Australia, where he worked as a chef from the age of 15 years old.

Dean has been a chef for 17 years and cooking on yachts for the past 13 years. Starting onboard dive boats on the Great Barrier Reef where he acquired his Dive Master.

Influenced by Asian cuisines including Thai, Indonesian, and Vietnamese but also loves to cook what’s called modern Australian.

In his spare time, he free dives the deepest oceans and snowboards the highest mountains, while also travelling to places that intrigue his taste buds.

Head Chef (Rotation) - Nina Wilson - Australia

Nina is an accomplished Australian chef who boasts a decade of experience working on high-end luxury yachts. Prior to her culinary pursuits, she came from a maritime background, having served as a Scuba dive instructor on the Great Barrier Reef and ran sailing flotillas in the Greek Islands. Her culinary journey commenced with training in the United Kingdom.

Nina draws inspiration from her extensive travels, infusing her cooking with the diverse flavors encountered along the way. Proficient in South East Asian, Japanese, and Mexican cuisine, she has recently delved into the ‘New American’ style during her extended stay in the United States.

With an innate desire to share her culinary passion, Nina delights in treating guests to memorable experiences, ranging from lively Beach BBQs to festive Pizza Parties.

Sous Chef - Judy Gilbert - South Africa

Judy grew up on the sunny East coast of South Africa. She comes from a vibrant family with a love of boating and typical South African braai’s.

She is passionate about all things food. Her degree included food technology and she honed her skills through roles as a food product developer in Joburg, a caterer in Scotland and a sous chef in a French ski resort. Through her studies and travels, Judy creates exciting flavour combinations. Her cooking style integrates classic French techniques with modern cuisine and Asian-fusion.

Yachting has merged her love for travel and cooking and she eagerly creates taste sensations for crew and guests alike.

Purser - Maxine Robert - South Africa

Maxine was born and raised in Durban, South Africa. She has always had a love for the ocean – a true water baby. From morning dips in the ocean to lots of fun water activities.

From a young age she has always had a passion for traveling. After getting her degree in Psychology and Business, she decided to get into yachting. It has been 10 years & she still loves every aspect of it.

She has always had a love for yoga which led her to get her teacher training and is now a qualified yoga teacher.

With Max’s bubbly personality you are bound to have a wonderful time onboard Motor Yacht Loon.

Chief Stewardess - Courtney Dalziel - South Africa

Having worked extensively in Luxury hospitality, managing safari lodges in South Africa and luxury expeditions in Antarctica, Courtney’s zest for travel and adventure naturally led her into yachting six years ago.

Passionate about both the outdoors and the interior, she spends much of her spare time exploring the more remote areas of the planet, underwater and on land.

Courtney aims to use her master’s Degree in Sustainable Management to open her luxury eco-lodge in the future and is deeply invested in delivering an outstanding, personal hospitality experience.

Second Stewardess - Ximena - Costa Rica

Ximena (pronounced ‘Hee-meena’) is our vivacious Latina onboard. Born and raised in Costa Rica, she grew up between the city of San Jose, the virgin forests surrounding her family’s farm in Turrialba and the white sand beaches of the country. Whilst many of us might wonder why on earth she left, our common love for travelling and new cultures ends some understanding. She has a colourful background with a degree in Animal Science and a previous career as a private investigator for Amazon.

 In 2018, she decided her attention to detail, love for organizing and warm personality were better suited to hospitality which brought her to yachting. Courtney considers her the team’s Marie Kondo and her partner in grime. Ximena is passionate about animals, especially dogs, which is why she makes it a priority to visit her 5 dogs back home every time she can.

Head of Housekeeping / Third Stewardess - Sonja Ingram - Canada

Sonja was born in Toronto Ontario, Canada. She completed a degree in criminology and psychology at the university of Western Ontario.

She has been in the yachting industry for seven years and has had the opportunity to visit some extremely remote places. Her favourite place she’s ever visited is Papua New Guinea. In her spare time she enjoys diving, hiking and spending time outdoors whenever she can.

Stewardess/Spa - Natalia Niznik - British / Polish

Natalia grew up in Poland but after finishing at Hotel Management school she moved to Edinburgh in Scotland where she lived for 11 years.

While working in a spa she discovered her passion for giving massages and other beauty treatments so she studied and graduated from an Edinburgh college. She decided to continue working as a beauty therapist while exploring the world so she began her journey in the yachting industry! 

Stewardess/Spa - Klara Holubov - Czech Republic

Klara is the calm sea breeze to our interior team. Whilst she originally comes from the Czech Republic, she is a woman of the world. Before joining yachting early in 2023, she spent 5 years travelling and volunteering in Malaysia, New Zealand and Central America before becoming a qualified Spa Therapist and working and living in a 5-star resort in Canada for 3 years.

Whilst Loon is her first programme, she brings with her a wealth of housekeeping knowledge and has made a sanctuary out of the spa for all guests to enjoy. She specializes in Signature and Hot Stone Massages and Organic Facials.

In her spare time Klara recharges her batteries diving, hiking, exploring new places and immersing herself in new cultures..

If you are a crew member interested in working on board Loon, please email your CV to [email protected]

Please use a modern browser to view this website. Some elements might not work as expected when using Internet Explorer.

• Landing Page
• Luxury Yacht Vacation Types
• Corporate Yacht Charter
• Tailor Made Vacations
• Luxury Exploration Vacations
• View All 3706
• Motor Yachts
• Sailing Yachts
• Classic Yachts
• Catamaran Yachts
• Filter By Destination
• More Filters
• Latest Reviews
• Charter Special Offers
• Destination Guides
• Inspiration & Features
• Mediterranean Charter Yachts
• France Charter Yachts
• Italy Charter Yachts
• Croatia Charter Yachts
• Greece Charter Yachts
• Turkey Charter Yachts
• Bahamas Charter Yachts
• Caribbean Charter Yachts
• Australia Charter Yachts
• Thailand Charter Yachts
• Dubai Charter Yachts
• Destination News
• New To Fleet
• Charter Fleet Updates
• Special Offers
• Industry News
• Yacht Shows
• Corporate Charter
• Finding a Yacht Broker
• Charter Preferences
• Questions & Answers
• Add my yacht

• Yacht Charter Fleet
• Fleet Updates News

68m charter yacht ICON sold and renamed LOON

• Share this on Facebook
• Share this on X
• Share via Email

By Steph Loseby   11 May 2023

Delivered by Icon Yachts in 2010, the 68m (221ft) superyacht ICON has recently been sold and renamed LOON . Built for ocean-going cruising, the luxury motor yacht  is offering once-in-a-lifetime charter vacations in the  Mediterranean this summer.

Sporting an attractive exterior designed by RWD and naval architecture from Jouke van der Baan, the yacht is home to an abundance of spacious social areas that are perfect for relaxing, socializing and entertaining. 

Characterized by her clean exterior lines and anthracite-gray paintwork, the 1,295 GT yacht LOON offers accommodation for 12 guests across 7 well-appointed cabins. 

Key features onboard the impressive four-deck superyacht include her aft deck infinity swimming pool, her whirlpool on the bridge deck, a fully-equipped gym, a massage room, and sauna.

Motor yacht LOON is also renowned for its exceptional watersports program so guests can look forward to thrilling activities such as kitesurfing, wakeboarding, e-foiling and diving activities during their vacation.

In terms of performance, motor yacht LOON is equipped with twin MTU engines, comfortably cruising at 13 knots and reaching a maximum speed of 16 knots with a range of up to 6,000 nautical miles. 

Interested in a Mediterranean yacht charter?

The sun-dappled gems of the Mediterranean are simply beautiful all year round. Whether you're exploring the glistening isles of Greece or the sophisticated and elegant  St Tropez  or  Cannes , a superyacht charter allows you to see serene anchorages, beautiful bays and glittering cities fizzing with life in total private luxury. 

To find out more about chartering in the region, check out our  Mediterranean yacht charter guide . For some inspiration, browse our  selection of itineraries  handpicked by experts with in-depth knowledge of the region.

If you’d like to learn more about chartering superyacht LOON this summer, please speak with a recommended  yacht charter broker .

Similar size yachts to charter in the Mediterranean

68m Abeking & Rasmussen 2020

68m Nobiskrug 2006 / 2022

66m Rossinavi 2023

65m Benetti 2021

65m ISA 2021

63m Benetti 2019 / 2022

RELATED AREA GUIDES

View destinations guides, photo galleries & itineraries for areas related to this news article

• Mediterranean
• READ MORE ABOUT:
• Mediterranean yacht charter
• charter yacht
• Icon Yachts

RELATED STORIES

Previous Post

Round up of the Mediterranean Yacht Show 2023

The Loon Flock: Two superyachts set to offer unforgettable charter experiences in the Mediterranean

EDITOR'S PICK

Latest News

18 September 2024

17 September 2024

16 September 2024

• See All News

Yacht Reviews

• See All Reviews

Charter Yacht of the week

Join our newsletter

Useful yacht charter news, latest yachts and expert advice, sent out every fortnight.

Please enter a valid e-mail

Thanks for subscribing

Featured Luxury Yachts for Charter

This is a small selection of the global luxury yacht charter fleet, with 3706 motor yachts, sail yachts, explorer yachts and catamarans to choose from including superyachts and megayachts, the world is your oyster. Why search for your ideal yacht charter vacation anywhere else?

136m | Lurssen

from $3,328,000 p/week ♦︎

115m | Lurssen

from $2,874,000 p/week ♦︎

85m | Golden Yachts

from $1,001,000 p/week ♦︎

88m | Golden Yachts

from $1,222,000 p/week ♦︎

83m | Feadship

from $1,113,000 p/week ♦︎

93m | Feadship

from $1,556,000 p/week ♦︎

Maltese Falcon

88m | Perini Navi

from $490,000 p/week

122m | Lurssen

from $3,000,000 p/week

As Featured In

The YachtCharterFleet Difference

YachtCharterFleet makes it easy to find the yacht charter vacation that is right for you. We combine thousands of yacht listings with local destination information, sample itineraries and experiences to deliver the world's most comprehensive yacht charter website.

San Francisco

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Follow us on Instagram
• Find us on LinkedIn
• Add My Yacht
• Affiliates & Partners

Popular Destinations & Events

• St Tropez Yacht Charter
• Monaco Yacht Charter
• St Barts Yacht Charter
• Greece Yacht Charter
• Mykonos Yacht Charter
• Caribbean Yacht Charter

Featured Charter Yachts

• Maltese Falcon Yacht Charter
• Wheels Yacht Charter
• Victorious Yacht Charter
• Andrea Yacht Charter
• Titania Yacht Charter
• Ahpo Yacht Charter

Receive our latest offers, trends and stories direct to your inbox.

Please enter a valid e-mail.

Thanks for subscribing.

Search for Yachts, Destinations, Events, News... everything related to Luxury Yachts for Charter.

Yachts in your shortlist

• Career Advice
• Salary Guide
• Digital Dockwalk

The Boat That Went Viral: How M/Y Loon Became a Social Media Sensation

Holly is the editor of Dockwalk. She grew up racing sailboats in England before switching to the world of superyachts and moving across the pond to Fort Lauderdale.

With hundreds of thousands of followers and millions of views, the crew of Loon is setting a new standard for social media in yachting.

Remember a time when post was something you received in the mail and a reel was used for fishing? Social media has not only changed our vocabulary but also transformed how we connect as we share snippets of our lives in exchange for a peek inside others. Of course, it’s not all beach bars and sunsets — there is nothing inspiring about crawling into the bilge or turning over laundry. But what lies beyond the passerelle stirs a natural curiosity, and social media is the perfect porthole into a world only a select few get to see.

In recent years there has been a noticeable shift as forward-thinking owners, often spurred on by their crew, have begun to embrace social media and recognize the benefits of creating an online presence for their vessels. Leading the fleet is Loon . The 221ft motor yacht has become a social-media sensation over the last 12 months. Its YouTube channel ( @motoryachtloon ) has amassed more than 25 million views, with 121,000 subscribers tuning in each week to watch the crew document their lives on board, and another 143,000 follow along on Instagram ( @motoryachtloon ).

The yacht’s rise to online stardom began in 2017 when Captain Paul Clarke joined the first Loon , a 155ft Christensen. The boat was 20 years old at the time and he wanted to make it more attractive for charter. He was inspired by the 180ft Amels Gene Machine , which back then was one of the only boats sharing snapshots of its travels on social media. But Gene Machine wasn’t for charter. Captain Paul saw an opportunity, and her Instagram career was launched.

"We teetered around 50,000 followers for the better part of three years,” he says. But efforts were ramped up when the owner acquired the latest and third Loon — a 221ft Icon. Since then, that number has nearly tripled. So how did they do it?

“Stepping up in size, we had an extra crew berth,” Captain Paul explains. “We didn’t know what to do with it. Do we get another deckhand or another stew?” The answer was neither. Instead they decided to give their deckhand Blair van Breda ( @blair_vb ) a new position as full-time videographer and content creator.

Primarily his role was to film guests during their time on board and edit the footage into a highlights reel as an end-of-charter parting gift. “That’s what kick-started the YouTube account,” Captain Paul says. “We already had all the footage as the drone was up every day. All we’ve really done is remove the guests and get the crew to tell the story of what’s going on, whether we’re on charter, doing an Atlantic crossing or enjoying a couple of days off.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by D E A N H A R R I S O N (@theyachtchef)

Blair started making content back in South Africa and turned his hobby into a profitable hustle before joining yachting. “I took it seriously and did that for about three or four years before I joined my first boat as a deckhand. I had accepted the gig one day before I met Paul on a beach when I was kitesurfing,” Blair says. Paul offered him a job on the spot, but having committed to doing a year on his first boat, Blair initially turned it down. “I was on board a year to the day and then joined Loon .”

Filming is woven into the vessel’s everyday operation, capturing events as they unfold. “There is a bit [of planning] but a lot of it is we don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow,” Captain Paul says. Docking, undocking, meal prepping, provisioning, recovering tenders — the day-to-day content is captured in real time, but it’s the unexpected moments that make for the best content. “In Sardinia there was a sailboat drifting past us that almost ended up on the rocks and we had to run out and rescue it. That’s not scripted or planned. It’s just what happens each day.”

Then there are the planned videos filmed when guests are off the boat or between charters, such as chase-boat walkthroughs, cabin tours and meet-the-crew Q&As. “It’s different for different channels,” Blair says. Instagram is where you’ll find short 30-second snapshots, but where Loon has really carved out its own space is on YouTube. “There’s been hundreds of boats now that have their own Instagram accounts, but no one else is doing YouTube,” Paul says. “YouTube is so much more about the personalities. Each video is about 30 minutes long and the actual scripted stuff is about three minutes of the entire video in a week. But you can’t do it without a full-time person. Each video takes 100 hours of filming, editing and producing.”

Of course, this isn’t just all for fun. Loon is a charter yacht and booking charters is the ultimate goal. Whereas traditional charter marketing usually involves a model family dressed in floaty white linens, Loon takes a crew-first approach — and it works. “We had a broker on day one of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show, who said, ‘I have a client and they watch every single YouTube video. They don’t care where they book, they don’t care when they book, but what is your availability and how quickly can they get on boat’,” Captain Paul explains. That client signed a two-week charter.

But effective marketing isn’t without cost. Raising the production value of Loon ’s content output has meant serious investment in the right gear. Cameras, gimbals, drones, GoPros, wireless microphones… it’s a big operation, and not a cheap one. There is about $60,000 worth of content equipment on board. “Where do I start,” Blair exclaims. “We’ve got about five or six GoPros, with two or three drones flying at once sometimes, large streaming cameras that we use for all our livestreams, an Insta 360 and a $10,000 laptop for editing. Mainly I shoot everything on a Sony a7S III mirrorless camera with a DJI RS 3 Pro Gimbal. And then I have my own Sony mirrorless camera.”

Their main drone is a DJI Mavic 3 Pro and they have a DJI Avata, which is a FPV drone that you fly with virtual reality-style goggles on. “We use different ones depending on what we’re doing. The DJI Mavic 3 Pro is our big cinematographer drone, which is basically the first level of professional drones. Then we have minis that we give to the deck crew when they’re going hiking, so if they crash it, it’s $800 versus almost $4,000 for our bigger ones. And they get crashed a lot. We probably spend about 10 grand a year on drones.” It is a bigger commitment from the owner, but it pays itself back — Loon charters for $540,000 per week. But you don’t need all the kit from the get-go, says Captain Paul. “For boats that are starting out, you could get away with a couple of GoPros and a cheap drone.”

Although every crew member gets involved with filming, having camera skills isn’t a prerequisite for joining the crew. “There are no real differences in our hiring practices,” Captain Paul says. “We want charter crew. You should be good on camera because you should be good off camera. We want big personalities that will be down on the swim platform having a laugh with guests, telling them stories and about the destination.” For Captain Paul, it’s additional skills that are the biggest hiring factor. “Every crew member can do something else.” Head chef Nina is a dive instructor, chief engineer Alex sings and plays guitar, deckhand Nicholas is a personal trainer and even the captain is a dive and kite instructor. Being able to offer extra skills is what makes a good charter experience, but also incredible content. It’s a win-win situation.

While many vessels shun the spotlight, Loon embraces it. Some of the crew joined the boat with a following of their own because they wanted to continue creating content in the yachting space. Rotational head chef Dean Harrison ( @theyachtchef ) has amassed 87,500 Instagram followers, showcasing his creations and talking about the realities of life in the galley. Then there’s rotational head chef Nina Wilson ( @thecrewchef ) with 199,000 subscribers to her YouTube channel. “I was attracted [to Loon ] because I wanted to film,” Nina says. She joined the yacht from a humanitarian vessel and was craving guest interaction. “I love content creation because it’s a form of art. I love the editing side.”

There have been some learning curves along the way, but whether the crew are on charter or enjoying a day off, professionalism is key. No swearing, no drinking and no talking about money. “We try to show everything in a good light. I’d like to think that we’re raising the whole industry after a certain TV show has lowered it,” Captain Paul says.

By sharing their adventures with the world, Loon ’s crew has inspired a generation of crew to embrace content creators. Their success is proof that social media can yield big returns, but it’s also an indication that the future of yachting is not just about luxury and exclusivity but also about transparency and connection.

Loon's Inventory:

• Sony a1 (“It films 8k video,  it’s beautiful”)
• Sony a7S III
• 5 GoPro HERO12s
• Insta360 X3
• DJI RS 3 Pro Gimbal
• DJI Mavic 3 Pro
• DJI Mavic 3

Also on board

• Røde wireless microphones
• DJI wireless microphones
• 30TB of hard-drive storage
• M1 MacBook Pro
• 16in 64GB ram
• Enough batteries to power a small village
• 20 SD cards of all  shapes and sizes

More from Dockwalk

Most popular on dockwalk.