Princess Yachts International have released their latest yacht, the V-85S sports yacht (measuring 85ft overall).

Ingeniously hidden within the sleek lines of her exterior is a flying bridge with dual helm controls and companion seating.

Complete with refrigeration and a sound system, this is also a relaxed space for daytime entertaining as an alternative to the cockpit and foredeck seating areas.

With only nine months to go until the 2012 Olympics in London, the jockeying for position among megayacht owners is well underway.

Berths for about 30 yachts are being prepared around London’s waterways for the big event, but most of them will only accommodate smaller vessels.

Several more are expected to visit though they won’t all be in town at the same time.

Simpson Marine, Asia’s largest yacht brokerage company, has opened a flagship office at the Serenity Coast Marina in Sanya, Hainan.

“Simpson Marine is ready to serve the Chinese market, and specifically its southern part, which is transforming itself into the yachting hub of China.”

On top of the existing 8 marinas in operation, over 12 new marina projects have been identified on the southern coast of China and Hainan. The idea of a Chinese Riviera stretching from Xiamen to Sanya has never been so relevant.

The 55 metre superyacht Quinta Essentia, the largest vessel ever launched by the Netherlands’ Heesen Yachts, has been listed for sale for $100 million.

With sleek exterior lines by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, the yacht’s most striking feature is a grand swimming pool on the aft deck complete with a waterfall.

The yacht has a very modern interior by Ken Freivokh Design and Michela Reverberi with metallic silver accents.

Kirsty Bertarelli, the richest woman in Britain and her husband Ernesto have bought the biggest motor yacht ever built in the UK, the 315-ft. foot Vava II.

The $160 million megayacht, which now ranks as the 33rd largest in the world, was built by Devonport Yachts in Plymouth and boasts luxury interiors, a helicopter landing pad, lavish guest cabins and four tenders.

Kirsty is a former Miss UK, while her husband is a Swiss pharmaceuticals magnate who has won the America’s Cup twice with his yacht Alinghi and is worth a reputed $10 billion, making him the 81st richest man in the world and the fifth richest in the UK.

More renowned for its prowess with wheeled vehicles, Toyota Motor Corp. is increasing its seaborne fleet with the launch of a new leisure boat, the Ponam-35.

But the 11.95-meter cruiser is still related to the car manufacturer’s mainstream products as its two V8-cylinder engines are adapted versions of the 4.5-liter V8 diesel engine that can be found in the Toyota Land Cruiser.

And while elsewhere it might be considered unusual for a car firm to dabble in pleasure boats, several of Japan’s other major auto firms also have boat divisions.