Building Bigger: Q&A With Golden Yachts' Cpt. Paris Dragnis

After some decades at the helm of Goldenport Holdings, Captain Paris Dragnis announced his retirement as Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2015 to dedicate his efforts entirely to Golden Yachts, the luxury yacht builder he had founded eight years earlier. 

The superyacht tycoon, whose unique business model is to build superyachts wholly for the purpose of charter, drew industry commendation as Golden Yachts launched its largest charter yacht to date earlier this year - despite the onset of global lockdown measures.
 

Q. How was the launch ceremony affected by the Coronavirus? 

A. The launch of the yacht was always scheduled to be done by the end of February 2020, which was a success. 

Since in Europe at that time, it was the beginning of the coronavirus spread, we avoided any open public ceremony that could put our visitors in danger. We reserve our celebrations, until our foreign guests will be able to join us.   

Q. How long did the project take from inception to completion? 

A. Once the design concept had been finalised with Studio Vafiadis, a total period of 24 months were needed for the project’s completion. 

The whole venture became reality with Golden Yachts’ hard working team from various fields of expertise. Our professionals joined forces so as to complete the full engineering at an early stage, while steel and aluminum works had already started. Long time experience and years of collaboration throughout all production phases have facilitated and reassured the smooth progress and completion of a quality project on time. 

 Q. Can you tell us a little about the project inception and what were your requirements as the Owner?

A. Everything starts from the challenging ambition of the Dragnis family to launch in the market a new build yacht upgraded in all aspects and size, every two and a half years. Our experience so far, both in building and chartering, were the motives that let us overcome difficulties. 

The specification and design process of M/Y O’Pari had already been established before the completion of our 85 m M/Y O’ptasia. 

Rigorous and thorough research has been -and is still ongoing- by the Golden Yachts’ team, in order to keep up with the ever changing Yacht’s market demands in terms of creativity, competition and pioneering in engineering and design. 

The yacht is being conceived by the Owners but is destined for the Guests onboard. 

M/Y O’Pari is equipped with resort-style onboard amenities and technical innovation, which are geared towards providing her guests/Owners with an exclusive experience. 

Q. WIll O’Pari be available for charter?

Yes, O’Pari is available for charter. As soon as the lockdown measurements are being diminished, professional photographers will be able to come onboard and reveal more information and photos of the yacht to the market and press. 

Q.  This is the largest yacht you have ever built and a firm entry into the world’s Top 100 largest yachts. Do you have plans to build bigger? 

A. Yes, we surely do! We are still “young” and hoping to continue a rising and successful road amongst the Mega yachts ranks. 

Golden Yachts Ltd may be younger than other well-known shipyards established in the market for more than five decades, but it has proven to be evolving continuously, creating expectations for the future. 

Every project completed, opens a new door to the next challenge and together with our fleet, we grow in experience and know-how, in terms of engineering, quality and functionality of both interior and exterior spaces.  

The absolute necessity for the highest standards in cutting-edge technology, top-class performance and unique design trends are features that define modern superyacht build, and we are certainly no strangers to the challenges faced by players in the industry today. 

Yet Golden Yachts has demonstrated an unerring determination in the face of this, coupled with a unique business plan and a constant strive to build bigger and better. If its latest launch is anything to go by, we certainly look forward to seeing what this yard already has planned for the next two years.