“It’s time to tear up the luxury rulebook and redefine the outdated yachting experience for a new generation that values Freedom over Things.” Charlie Birkett of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/259" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Y.CO (Company)">Y.CO</a>&nbsp;shares his thoughts on the future of the yachting industry.&nbsp;Over the past three decades that I’ve worked in yachting, I’ve seen how the industry’s trends have been revolutionised by the evolving priorities of owners and their charter guests. The world's wealthy are not only increasing in number, with the 2022 Wealth Report by Knight Frank recording a 9.3% increase in the number of Ultra-High Net Worth Individuals between 2020 and 2021 – but they’re getting younger too. By 2025, it’s estimated that 45% of the luxury market will be made up of millennials and generation Z. These clients are no longer interested in commissioning floating palaces and decking them out as symbols of wealth. Instead, they view their yachts as platforms for adventure, and are stocking them with everything from surfboards to submarines, helicopters to all-terrain vehicles, dive equipment and ROVs; and the list goes on. A new principled and adventure-hungry generation of yacht owners is coming, and they are turning their back on the traditional yachting experience and asking what else their superyachts can do for them. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/25474/image/large-ff945aeb4bcfae45c8c0d8da04e11a6d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/25474">As overused as the term is, “experience” is everything when it comes to modern luxury. From the live moments streamed on social media to the importance placed on travel, today’s generation of wealth values doing and sharing over buying and owning. And the luxury industry knows this. With automotive manufacturers curating exclusive drive experiences to the North Pole and fashion houses inviting clients to create custom, tailor-made goods in super-secret ateliers, brands are adapting, hoping to appeal to this new type of client that wants to enjoy their wealth, rather than just own it. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/231075/image/large-ff295d6f7abe18bc4932ee033c6ed308.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/231075">As an industry, we’re in a privileged position. Unlike other luxury goods, for which the concept of “experience” is little more than a marketing approach, a surface veneer applied across various touch points; a yacht by its very nature is a platform for adventure. While yachting has always been synonymous with luxury; right now, for the first time, our industry has a chance to shape the definition of it too. If we get it right, the popularity of yachting has the potential to explode among this next generation of clients. It’s time to tear up the rulebook and redefine the outdated yachting experience for this new generation that values Freedom over Things.As an industry, yachting can be particularly veiled. Used to the type of client who values privacy overall, and whose loyalty can be counted on, it operates in a unique universe that is seemingly only accessed through an individual broker, and where an unlimited menu of options is available only to those in the know. But for the new hyper-social generation, who are used to sharing every aspect of their lives online, &nbsp;and who expect to find information at the touch of a button, this approach can be alienating. Just like our clients, we need to become better at sharing. At sharing the amazing escapades we create for our clients, to inspire future charterers. At creating platforms where opinions can be exchanged between charter guests and owners. And finally, at sharing responsibility for the client itself, for the overall betterment of the client experience. Just as at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/259" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Y.CO (Company)">Y.CO</a>, where clients are serviced not by an individual broker, but by the entire team working together to elevate their experience; we need to be less afraid to build upon a wider network of specialists, from specialist crew to local expedition leaders, drawing all the niches together in order to create something amazing for our clients. We call this our community. A network of talents and relationships that interact to make experiences on the water the best they can be. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/231074/image/large-e56e24d8fca402c933f0fb0d49924602.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/231074"> For yachting to flourish, we need to evolve as service providers. It’s no longer enough to sell the yacht, arrange the logistics and send clients on their way. For many of our clients, for whom money and the ability to travel are infinite, a week or two cruising around the Caribbean no longer cuts it. They want to experience out-of-the-ordinary destinations in out-of-the-ordinary ways. That might mean a day spent kayaking with orca whales on the Antarctic peninsula or skiing virgin powder slopes in Greenland. It might mean a deep-sea submersible expedition in the Atlantic. Or it could be as simple as teaching their kids to swim in a deserted Croatian cove.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/231076/image/large-653530c297a5c7dae0a9e49dd38f6596.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/231076"> Whatever the destination, we always show clients what lies below the surface. Because the joy of the yachting experience isn’t just about the polished part; the amazing breakfasts, the Michelin-starred dinners. It’s about the two or three unforgettable moments – Gary and I like to call them escapades – that will stay etched in the client’s memory forever. It could be the thrill of their stargazing-obsessed son being shown to use a sexton by a crew member, or the characterful, colourful little Paella stop in the Balearics that nobody else knows about. Our job as experience-creators needs to go far beyond locating the yacht and suggesting the destination. It needs to surpass simply asking our clients what their favourite food is or what newspapers they read in the morning. It’s about getting to the heart of what a good experience looks like for them, then drawing on our community of talents and specialisms to create the kind of escapades that will remain in their memory for a lifetime.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/231077/image/large-7d8cd2da4acd23b073c7ef041b0d3e7b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/231077"> The emergence of this new generation that doesn’t value owning in the same way as it values doing, raises the question of who the future yacht owners are. If we can build a trusted community and elevate the yachting experience enough to inspire this new, adventure-hungry audience to see beyond the asset and envisage the escapade; if we can help them imagine not just what their yacht is today, but where it could take their family tomorrow, then the popularity of yachting has the potential to expand in ways never seen before. It’s time for our industry to step it up, and we’re happy to be leading the charge.&nbsp;This article was originally published in&nbsp;<a href="https://sya.superyachttimes.com/news/superyacht-times-newspaper-issue-39" target="_blank">Issue 41 of SuperYacht Times newspaper</a>. To read more stories like this one and to never again miss another issue of the SuperYacht Times newspaper, <a href="https://shop.superyachttimes.com/report/the-superyacht-times-subscription" target="_blank">subscribe here</a>.

Charlie Birkett on Redefining Yachting

Legend yacht in Antarctica

original

small

medium

large

extra_large

Big Fish yacht in Tahiti 

Galene yacht in Sardinia

Charlie Birkett, Y.CO portrait photo

Charlier Birkett shared industry insight into the current yacht market.

Expert insight: Charlie Birkett, CEO of Y.CO,  on Redefining Yachting

The 49.8-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6105" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Daisy D49.8m (163'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2018">Daisy D</a> sold in a deal with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1550" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marine Marketing (Company)">Marine Marketing</a> introducing the buyer, alongside Nathan Farrelly of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/124" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Edmiston (Company)">Edmiston</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4795" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="One Brokerage Australia (Company)">One Brokerage Australia</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397051/image/large-5a5dce9decb30e6d016cb98d7fde34c4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397051">Delivered in 2018 as part of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> 5000 Semi-Displacement series, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6105" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Daisy D49.8m (163'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2018">Daisy D</a> features exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega Architects</a>, with interior design penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/205" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cristiano Gatto Design (Company)">Cristiano Gatto Design</a> and naval architecture by her Dutch builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen Yachts</a>.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6105" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Daisy D49.8m (163'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2018">Daisy D</a> can comfortably accommodate up to 12 guests across a six stateroom configuration, with her master suite situated on the main deck forward, while her VIP suite, two doubles and two twin staterooms can be found on the lower deck.In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6105" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Daisy D49.8m (163'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2018">Daisy D</a> is equipped with twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a> engines, which propel her to a top speed of 23 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots. At the time of the sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6105" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Daisy D49.8m (163'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2018">Daisy D</a> had a last known asking price of €28,500,000.&nbsp;

Daisy D: 50m Heesen yacht sold

The 49.8-metre Heesen superyacht Daisy D sold, with a last known asking price of €28,500,000.

50m Heesen superyacht Daisy D sold

The 30.48-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/466" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hatteras Yachts (Company)">Hatteras</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunday Money30.48m (100'0&quot;)Hatteras Yachts2001">Sunday Money</a> sold in a deal with Iain Lawrie of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/322" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Merle Wood & Associates, Inc. (Company)">Merle Wood &amp; Associates</a> introducing the buyer and Michael Zaidan of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5149" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Borden and Associates Yacht Sales (Company)">Borden &amp; Associates Yacht Sales</a> representing the seller.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397019/image/large-1adf3cf22ae9625acf3be275898f7595.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397019">Delivered in 2001, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunday Money30.48m (100'0&quot;)Hatteras Yachts2001">Sunday Money</a> features exterior design and naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/326" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jack Hargrave (Company)">Jack Hargrave</a>. Spanning 180 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunday Money30.48m (100'0&quot;)Hatteras Yachts2001">Sunday Money</a> can comfortably accommodate up to 10 guests across a five stateroom configuration.&nbsp;In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunday Money30.48m (100'0&quot;)Hatteras Yachts2001">Sunday Money</a> can reach a top speed of 24 knots and a cruising speed of 18 knots, thanks to twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1497" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Detroit Diesel (Company)">Detroit Diesel</a> engines. At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunday Money30.48m (100'0&quot;)Hatteras Yachts2001">Sunday Money</a> had a last known asking price of $1,450,000.(Image courtesy of Merle Wood &amp; Associates.)

Sunday Money: 31m Hatteras yacht sold

The 30.48-metre Hatteras motor yacht Sunday Money sold with a last known asking price of $1,450,000.

31m Hatteras motor yacht Sunday Money sold

Travelling to Sydney, Leona Caanen speaks with Luke Geelan, family man and owner of the&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a>&nbsp;fleet.Growing up with a passion for boating, and especially fishing, is Luke Geelan, Sydney native and owner of the 35.05-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a>. Having spent most of his life around the water, it seems only natural for Luke to have moved into the world of boating. Overtime the yacht has come to resemble not only a connection to his past, but also to his future, getting to enjoy it with his family and friends, as well as sharing it with charter guests.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388213/image/large-0b83e89d1054e69437b37ff303a35921.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388213">A family passionGrowing up on a river in Sydney, Luke was introduced to the rhythms of tide and weather from an early age. “I’ve grown up with a passion for boating, my father taught me to water ski and sail as a young child” Luke shares. Over time, Luke exchanged sailing for wakeboarding and eventually game-fishing, depending his passion for being out at sea. This passion has remained a constant factor in Luke’s life, deepening even further once he could share it with his own kids.A few years ago, Luke sold his business and decided to step into boating in a more deliberate way by acquiring the 35-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a>, built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/554" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lloyds Ships (Company)">Lloyd Ships</a> in Australia in 1986. Purchasing her in 2024, the yacht allowed for Luke and his family to explore the Australian coast with more comfort, as well as for them to get to share their passion for the sea. “My two boys are especially big on game fishing, and my daughter is very passionate about snorkelling and marine life”, says Luke. By acquiring <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a>, it allows for the family to share their passions with one another.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396937/image/large-131bb2f788c31defa0822382f533d318.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396937">A three-part refitAs <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a> is from the 80s, she was in need of an upgrade when Luke purchased her. The refit has been phased and purposeful, with 2024 seeing the first of the three phases. The yacht spent September to November at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3255" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (Company)">Gold Coast City Marina &amp; Shipyard</a> where the bridge was upgraded, soft furnishings replaced and extensive paintwork completed. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388209/image/large-c74eb7958e3e321e611bea0e2d9fee9c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388209">The second phase was centred around remodelling the saloon, with new flooring, carpeting and ceilings, as well as mechanical enhancements. Other upgrades included a beach club installation, complete with an inflatable pool, protective netting and a shaded cabana, which has proved particularly popular with charter guests. Possibly the most meaningful addition during this refit have been the zero-speed stabilisers, “my wife suffers from really severe seasickness, the stabilisers are essential in making the yacht comfortable for my family,” Luke shares.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388210/image/large-06ec6524534531dc1f3ac942dd743803.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388210"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a>’s third and final refit will take place in 2027 and will see an upgrade of the crew quarters. Originally, Luke had hoped to finalise the refit this year, but the yacht’s agenda, both in charter and personal use, is almost fully booked for the calendar year, and Luke wants to ensure there is enough time for the refit: “Our crew is so amazing, I'm super lucky to have what I believe is the best crew.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388187/image/large-fde4622fb25e3e416358ace496ed0104.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388187"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a>&nbsp;juniorYet the 35-metre motor yacht is only half the story. Six months after acquiring the mothership, Luke secured what he describes as Australia’s leading game fishing platform: a custom-built 17.7-metre (58’0”) Assegai sportfisher. Designed specifically for marlin fishing along the country’s east coast, the yacht is equipped with a gyro stabiliser and, more recently, a Furuno Omni Sonar System capable of scanning 360 degrees around the vessel to significant depths, providing a technological edge in a pursuit that still relies on instinct and patience.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396954/image/large-96857bf8151cfcd655d86dc3d061d704.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396954">The reason for acquiring the fishing vessel to cruise alongside the mothership are his sons. Luke shares that “my sons and I have been game fishing together for the last five years or so,” and have even partaken in various competitions in- and around Sydney. “We’ve won a couple of state titles and other competitions,” a hint of pride sits in Luke’s voice. “My children in particular, have a passion for fishing, and I've just shared that passion, and supported it”, he adds.Lukes really enjoys fishing with his family and friends, on a recent trip to the Great Barrier Reef, the Shore Thing 58' landed a 1,223 pound Black Marlin. Yet Luke is quick to note that they’re conscious about the way they fish. “We only catch what we eat; everything else goes right back in the ocean. We’re not hunters, we just fish for the joy of it.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388186/image/large-a98a34adf0095495d9e5f32f36eb458e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388186">The joy of cruisingSome of Luke’s most cherished moments onboard are those with friends and family. “We hosted my 50th birthday onboard,” Luke shares, having chartered the yacht to Whitehaven Beach, located in the Whitsundays, “there were about 40 guests, all friends and family.”&nbsp;Possibly Luke’s favourite memory is the recent Christmas holiday onboard. “Spending time with our family and another family, sitting around and just having deep belly laughs over some beautifully cooked meals by our chef onboard.” Luke describes this as delightful and quite possibly one of the most memorable times onboard. “Your kids grow up so quick, getting to share such a beautiful time together and feeling like, as your kids become young adults, that you can really share laughs and stories. It was just special.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396938/image/large-04bc34860fd9bc9b421321a8d9f42e09.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396938">The beauty of being on a boat is that it ties everyone together, whether that is his own family and friends, or guests who charter the yacht, for Luke, the joy of owning <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a> lies in “getting to share the joy with other people.”The yacht and her fishing counterpart offer not just a sense of luxury, but a space for guests to create memories and experience the beauty of the Australian coastline as they cruise <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shore Thing35.05m (114'12&quot;)Lloyds Ships1986">Shore Thing</a> between the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays and the Sydney Harbour.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388177/image/large-2991a957e2fdb4ef0038789921600aa2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388177">

Owning the shore thing fleet 

A look inside Luke Geelan's charter fleet: his 35m Shore Thing and the 58' sport fisher chartering around Sydney.

"The joy of owning Shore Thing is getting to share it with others"

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom Yacht Equipment</a>&nbsp;has earned a prominent position in the superyacht supply chain for its bespoke boarding equipment, platforms, cranes, watertight doors and integrated control systems. Yet the engineering philosophy behind its custom-designed solutions is based on a resolutely modular approach.When Mervyn van der Ploeg was appointed managing director of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom Yacht Equipment</a> in 2015, the company was going through a bad patch. It routinely redesigned everything from scratch for each new yacht project, leading to prototype-level inefficiencies and financial strain. A small but telling example is that it used to produce 32 different types of locking pins. Today, through a process of standardisation and modularisation, that number has been reduced to just two sizes.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396743/image/large-c20dda6c39f046eea94eaa71057b9e2c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396743">“Previously, when designing a platform for a yacht, four different locking pins might have been specified, requiring multiple suppliers,” explains van der Ploeg. “Now, we buy 200 locking pins per year in two sizes from a single supplier at half the cost.”The process began by redesigning a prototype passerelle from scratch using a fully modular approach, which then became a template for other equipment. While remaining a supplier of custom equipment, modular components are now reused across <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a>’s product range, reducing design complexity and streamlining production.“A key technical insight came from looking outside the yachting industry,” continues van der Ploeg. “For example, swivel joints originally designed for excavators have been incorporated into our gangways. These components are proven, industrial-grade and standardised, which means we can build highly reliable systems without reinventing core mechanisms.”In the ten years since van der Ploeg joined the company, turnover has more than doubled from €12 million to €25 million, driven by increased efficiency along with larger yachts and a rising demand for integrated equipment.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396739/image/large-d48d0f06ceeb5a00cfda9bafe1c96878.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396739">Make it modularThe spin-off from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a>’s modular way of thinking are innovations designed to maximise open space while eliminating visual clutter. Many of these solutions revolve around relocating drive systems into hinge lines and the platform structures themselves. In one recent project, a large side platform was initially conceived as two separate elements with a manually installed infill piece. While technically feasible, it was operationally awkward. Instead, by introducing an internal hinge drive already proven elsewhere, the entire system was re-engineered as a single monolithic platform. The infill was eliminated, deployment became faster, crew workload was reduced, and the geometry became cleaner.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396744/image/large-4feaec6057dc57f70fe27a2f2a88296b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396744">The Sliding Stairs Access Hatch is another example. Developed in response to a request to optimise the passage from the main deck to the beach platform on <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship’s</a> 79.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11677" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Valor79.5m (260'10&quot;)Feadship2025">Valor</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a>’s engineers merged door, hatch and boarding equipment components to create a completely new solution. Essentially, the staircases on each side of the pool form the hatch itself, with half of each staircase retracting into the deckhead like a gangway to provide access to the beach club.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396742/image/large-bd76338bca2c0e5436acede35e416f93.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396742">“This marked a next step in modular engineering for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a>,” says van der Ploeg. “Our approach not only accelerated the development process, but also showed how modularity enables flexible, cross-disciplinary solutions without compromising quality.”As both staircases form part of the watertight boundary of the vessel certified by Class, one of the main challenges was ensuring watertight integrity, given the angle at which the stair hatches are installed, as well as aligning the treads between the hatches and the fixed structures. In fact, sealing has become a central issue as stern structures grow more complex – folding, rotating and closing at compound angles. While inflatable seals are often the go-to solution and offer excellent theoretical performance, they also represent a single point of failure. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> typically prefers D-profile rubber seals, which wear gradually, remain locally manageable, and allow temporary mitigation.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396741/image/large-cf52ffb86158af5f4ac7a5922058d9b5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396741">“This approach is especially critical for Lloyd’s-certified watertight items such as split transom doors closing at different angles, where corners and junctions between curved surfaces become critical failure points,” van der Ploeg points out.Such solutions highlight how <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> has evolved beyond developing hardware to innovating the onboard experience, a strategy that has resulted in multiple patented solutions, from pop-up gangways embedded in the stern platform to protective cabrio covers engineered to fold, stack or nest completely out of sight when not in use. At the last edition of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Metstrade (Company)">Metstrade</a>, the company presented five interactive aft deck models through immersive 3D visualisations showcasing how engineering, design and user experience increasingly converge in the early phases of yacht development.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396745/image/large-b406b1bef2a73b0811b05344a273be7e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396745">Under controlAnother defining feature of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a>’s approach is that its control systems and programming are all developed in-house. Precise timing between electronic commands, hydraulic oil flow and mechanical motion is critical, as are programmed delays that account for inertia and mass. Most systems employ frequency-driven power packs rather than simple on/off hydraulics, resulting in smoother movement, lower noise levels and the elimination of hydraulic ‘hammer’ effects. Automated operating cycles manage sequencing, speed and end-of-stroke deceleration automatically, reducing the risk of impact damage and operator error. Before delivery, full functional testing is carried out in-house, often with owner representatives present.Enclosed helicopter lifts represent some of the most complex control systems <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> has delivered. On yachts such as the 85.95-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/234" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ecstasea85.95m (281'12&quot;)Feadship2004">Ecstasea</a>, the 96.6-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5936" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sophia96.6m (316'11&quot;)Feadship2017">Sophia</a> (ex-Faith), 99-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2074" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Madame Gu99.0m (324'10&quot;)Feadship2013">Madame Gu</a> and the 102.6-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10678" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ulysses102.6m (336'7&quot;)Feadship2024">Ulysses</a>, these lift assemblies rely on synchronised spindles and highly precise control algorithms to ensure uniform vertical motion. Ironically, real-world usage of helicopter lifts has revealed an interesting pattern:&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396746/image/large-793a08021cda2fc7bab19c3cd8f1a821.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396746">“On some yachts, the heli hangars are no longer actively used and instead function as static storage platforms,” reveals van der Ploeg. “In such cases, owners may even suspend servicing altogether – an illustration of how operational reality can diverge from original design intent.”Developments in control systems are being matched by advances in data intelligence. During the COVID period, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> expanded its remote-support capabilities and identified a recurring issue: when faults occur, crews often cannot describe what happened beyond “pressing the button”. To address this, its latest systems incorporate data logging that records each operating cycle, sequence order, timing, load condition and fault event with precise timestamps.“When an issue arises, engineers can trace it back to the exact operating condition that caused it,” explains van der Ploeg. “While still being rolled out primarily on new-build projects, data logging represents a shift towards evidence-based rather than purely scheduled maintenance.”Across <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a>’s predominantly hydraulic product range, failures rarely originate in the actuators themselves. Instead, the most vulnerable areas are where forces converge – locations where multiple loads are transferred into a single structural interface. Passerelles are a prime example:“Forces are transmitted through long, slender structures back to a limited number of mounting points,” explains van der Ploeg. “When additional functionality is introduced, such as lateral slewing rather than straight-line deployment, those forces increase substantially.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396750/image/large-74a75f9786460908e4bf98d749448420.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396750">Bonding and bolt-inSome <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> passerelles now extend up to 16-metres in length, pushing the limits of lightweight structural engineering while maintaining stiffness, safety margins and regulatory compliance. Designing these interfaces requires careful attention to geometry, material thickness and fatigue behaviour.Marine-grade aluminium remains the primary structural material, selected for its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. Steel is used selectively in high-load interfaces where stiffness and wear resistance are critical. Carbon fibre has also been deployed strategically, particularly in the outermost sections of passerelles. Reducing mass at the extremity lowers bending moments throughout the structure, enabling greater reach without adding reinforcements.&nbsp;A more recent addition to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a>’s fabrication methodology is the introduction of structural adhesive bonding. In lightweight aluminium constructions, particularly passerelles, welding thin sections sometimes caused unacceptable deformation due to heat input. To address this, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> now uses a hybrid method: components are positioned with bolts to prevent movement, while the structural adhesive provides the primary load-bearing bond. In this configuration, the bolts act purely as locators and the adhesive carries the load.Another key evolution is the move towards bolt-in housings for boarding equipment such as passerelles and swim ladders. Historically, these housings were built directly into the hull, placing installation and testing squarely on the shipyard’s critical path. This new approach uses self-contained housings that are assembled and factory-tested in-house, accepted by owners or representatives, and installed later as plug-and-play units.“Once delivered, the housing is bolted into place, hydraulics and electrics are connected, and functionality is assured – eliminating the risk of delays, rework and repainting,” says van der Ploeg.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396752/image/large-1ea3884318d73cd6441f8d9cf8801f9c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396752">Breaking outSolely owned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4951" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Koninklijke De Vries Scheepsbouw (Company)">Koninklijke De Vries,</a> until recently <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> worked exclusively within <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>. It is now pursuing a more open strategy, with roughly 60% of turnover derived from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> new-build projects, 25% from service and refit work on existing <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadships</a>, and the rest from other shipyards – a share that continues to grow as the company expands its marketing network.An early major non-<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> contract was with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4644" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="AKYACHT (Company)">AKYACHT</a> in Turkey for its 120-metre-plus project (NB012) due for delivery in 2030. Another is the new <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/201" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ISA Yachts (Company)">ISA</a> Custom 80 currently under construction at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/201" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ISA Yachts (Company)">ISA Yachts</a> in Ancona. The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/201" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ISA Yachts (Company)">ISA</a> client, an experienced <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> charterer, specified <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> to supply the boarding systems with which he directly interacts – in total, five independent mechanical systems with fully integrated control logic.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396754/image/large-0eae94a6e941a08764d18f82632bee1f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396754">Across all these developments, a clear evolution emerges. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Akerboom Yacht Equipment (Company)">Akerboom</a> has progressed from boatbuilder to specialist supplier, system integrator and, ultimately, lifestyle collaborator. Each project begins by asking what experience the owner, designer or shipyard wants to achieve. From there, complexity is carefully analysed and engineered so that systems are notable precisely for their absence – seeming to disappear once installed, leaving spaces that feel more open, intuitive and fully resolved.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396753/image/large-24074ca4b4f597fe6f6d7ba61d16b96a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396753">

Standardising the bespoke: The engineering behind custom superyacht equipment

Akerboom Yacht Equipment explains how modular engineering is reshaping its custom superyacht boarding systems, platforms, cranes and control systems.

The fourth 53.25-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a> YS53 yacht support <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</a> has been delivered to her owner, following her launch in March 2026 from the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a> facility in Antalya, Turkey. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397013/image/large-c33b6dbec1e5da99757b484375d47d5b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397013">Designed to operate either alongside a mothership or independently, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</a> has been crafted in-house by her builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a>, which were responsible for her interior, exterior and naval architecture.&nbsp;Created around family experiences, shared moments on the water and operational purpose <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</a> will now serve as a purposeful extension of her owner's fleet, where she has been developed to provide additional space, support and flexibility.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397012/image/large-e7a8adfa9276e3affbe8d0454cf3c3d4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397012">"From the outset, &nbsp;there was a clear vision for how the owner wanted to use YS53 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</a> and the role she would play within the fleet," explained Rob Dolling, Owner’s Representative. "Together with Damen Yachting, we were able to translate those wishes into a vessel that is highly functional, personal and closely aligned with the owner’s programme."<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</a> can comfortably accommodate up to eight guests, as well as 10 crew plus her captain. Her interior reflects the owner’s personal style, combining timeless elegance with Old English influences throughout. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397011/image/large-c5c4c4fd9fd1617d2fa194c1f00b061d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397011"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</a> boasts the brand’s signature axe bow, while her reinforced deck supports touch-and-go helicopter operations. With a generous open main deck of more than 200 square-metres, this versatile space can be used for large tenders, toys and specialised equipment.This is complemented by a 15-tonne crane, enabling the handling of substantial tenders and heavy loads. With a volume just shy of 500 GT, she can accommodate up to eight guests, along with a crew of eight.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397010/image/large-d904abeb9d80368dab56f223768c6958.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397010">"As the fourth Yacht Support 53 delivered by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a>, she reflects the versatility of the Yacht Support range within modern superyacht ownership and has been created with a very clear purpose," concluded Jan van Hogerwou, Commercial Executive USA.Crafted with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a> engines, which provide her with a cruising speed of 12 knots and a top speed of 19 knots. Once her sea trials are complete, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13202" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rafter53.25m (174'8&quot;)Damen Yachting2026">Rafter</a> will prepare for delivery to her owner. &nbsp;

Rafter: Fourth Damen Yachting YS53 yacht on sea trials

The fourth 53.25-metre Damen Yachting YS53 yacht support Rafter has been delivered following her launch in Antalya, Turkey in March 2026.

Fourth Damen Yachting YS53 yacht support Rafter delivered

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/895" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lusben Shipyard (Company)">Lusben</a> has completed the refit of the 37-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a> Classic 120 yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1886" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kos37.5m (123'0&quot;)Benetti SpA2009">Kos</a>, following a comprehensive programme of works spanning structural modifications, onboard systems, technical upgrades, exterior areas and interiors. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396976/image/large-40153e77114e1432e88b74a33b05ac53.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396976">Built in 2009 by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1886" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kos37.5m (123'0&quot;)Benetti SpA2009">Kos</a> forms part of its Classic 37 series, featuring exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/254" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Stefano Righini Design (Company)">Stefano Righini Design</a>, interiors by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/67" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zuretti Interior Design (Company)">Zuretti Interior Design</a> and naval architecture developed in-house by her builder.The refit of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1886" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kos37.5m (123'0&quot;)Benetti SpA2009">Kos</a> commenced in August 2025 shortly after the yacht was acquired by her new owner and was completed in approximately six months through the coordinated efforts of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/895" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lusben Shipyard (Company)">Lusben</a>'s project management team, specialised technicians, skilled craftsmen and interior designer Laura Rossi. According to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/895" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lusben Shipyard (Company)">Lusben</a>, the programme was undertaken with the aim of improving operational efficiency, enhancing the onboard experience and extending the yacht's service life.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397008/image/large-c77ef9362600c70fc7acbd85faee16f2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397008">From the outset, the owner and project team sought to preserve the yacht's original layout and distinctive character while improving her functionality, comfort and the perception of space. On the main deck, the refit scope included the installation of new full-height windows in her main saloon alongside the reconfiguration of the staircase area between the main and upper decks.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397007/image/large-91d720dd0c041da15a467ac85b61b3da.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397007">Laura Rossi oversaw the interior redesign, introducing what <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/895" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lusben Shipyard (Company)">Lusben</a> described as "greater fluidity, brightness and visual continuity." A new transparent balustrade around the staircase would allow natural light to flow between decks, while satin-finish glass panels replaced selected opaque surfaces in the corridors. New fabrics and materials were also integrated throughout the guest accommodations to enhance comfort, durability and ease of maintenance.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397009/image/large-f3728f4818fd2bd0f7063bd374fc9a4e.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397009">"<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1886" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kos37.5m (123'0&quot;)Benetti SpA2009">Kos</a> does not deny what she has been, nor does she try to become something else," commented Rossi. "The project was conceived to lighten, simplify and enhance the yacht's original identity, creating spaces that are brighter, more fluid and more natural to experience every day."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397006/image/large-04998d04550196299f04c73e269ea5f1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397006">In addition to the living areas, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/895" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lusben Shipyard (Company)">Lusben</a> carried out a myriad of technical upgrades involving the main engines, generators and essential onboard systems. The entire lighting system was replaced with energy-efficient LEDs, while the bridge and onboard electronics were updated to make them easier to use and improve navigation safety. Exterior works included restoring the teak decks, reconfiguring the sundeck after removing the existing Jacuzzi and completely repainting the hull and superstructure.&nbsp;

Lusben completes refit of 37m Benetti yacht Kos

Lusben has completed an extensive refit of the 37m Benetti Classic yacht Kos.

37m Benetti yacht Kos completes extensive refit at Lusben

The 25.75-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/130" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonen Yachts (Company)">Moonen</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moon River 25.75m (84'6&quot;)Moonen Yachts2003">Moon River</a> sold in a deal with David Legrand of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser</a> introducing the buyer and Derk Jan Rolff of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5652" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Holland Yacht Connection (Company)">Holland Yacht Connection</a> representing the seller. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/346966/image/large-acba5ebb2d4596b138324b59ae61deb9.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/346966">Delivered in 2003 as part of the Moonen 84 series, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moon River 25.75m (84'6&quot;)Moonen Yachts2003">Moon River</a> features exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/240" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marimecs BV (Company)">Marimecs</a>, interior design penned in-house by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/130" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonen Yachts (Company)">Moonen Yachts</a> and naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/241" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="René van der Velden Yacht Design (Company)">René van der Velden Yacht Design</a>.Spanning 115 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moon River 25.75m (84'6&quot;)Moonen Yachts2003">Moon River</a> can comfortably accommodate up to eight guests across a four stateroom configuration on the lower deck, with her full-beam master suite situated amidships, alongside a VIP at her bow and two twin staterooms.&nbsp;In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moon River 25.75m (84'6&quot;)Moonen Yachts2003">Moon River</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1408" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Caterpillar Inc (Company)">Caterpillar</a> engines, which provide her with a top speed of 12 knots and a cruising speed of 11 knots. At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7631" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moon River 25.75m (84'6&quot;)Moonen Yachts2003">Moon River</a> had a last known asking price of €2,200,000.&nbsp;(Image courtesy of Holland Yacht Connection.)

Moon River: 26m Moonen yacht sold

The 25.75-metre Moonen motor yacht Moon River sold with a last known asking price of €2,200,000.

26m Moonen motor yacht Moon River sold

As contemporary superyacht design continues to prioritise light, openness and seamless connections to the sea, glass has evolved from a purely functional element into a defining aesthetic feature and, with the use of significantly larger glass panels, has become an essential structural component. Expansive glazing now shapes not only the visual identity of a yacht but also its engineering framework, requiring a far more integrated and technically rigorous approach.For German specialist <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3829" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TILSE Glass (Company)">TILSE</a>, this shift represents both an opportunity and a responsibility – to ensure that increasingly ambitious designs are matched by uncompromising structural integrity, durability and precision.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/293944/image/large-ecdb75ea245212d313561b3fadf7f87c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/293944">Integrating glass from the concept stageLarger glass surfaces have fundamentally changed how glazing is approached in yacht construction. No longer a late-stage addition, glass must be embedded into the superstructure concept from the earliest design phases, with engineers analysing how forces move through the pane, adhesive bond and surrounding structure.Unlike static architectural environments, yachts operate under continuous dynamic loads, with hull flex, vibration and thermal variation all influencing performance. Safety margins must therefore reflect real marine conditions, while thickness, laminate composition, bonding strategy, edge detailing and installation methodology all need to be considered from the outset.Early collaboration is essential. By working with designers and naval architects at the concept stage, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3829" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TILSE Glass (Company)">TILSE</a> helps ensure that visual ambitions are achievable without compromising technical feasibility, long-term serviceability or structural integrity. This proactive approach allows glazing to do more than fit within a design – it helps shape the structural logic of the vessel, balancing elegance with engineering robustness.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/286853/image/large-74c88213b1c3eba82cf06fc659c13e71.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/286853">Bonding as a safety-critical interfaceOne of the most significant technical challenges is bonding glass – which is inherently brittle – to aluminium or steel structures that move, flex and expand differently under load and temperature change. The adhesive joint must do more than hold the panel in place: it must accommodate movement, transfer loads safely and maintain integrity under UV exposure, salt, humidity and vibration.“The real challenge is not only the glass pane itself, but the interface between glass and a structure that is constantly moving at sea.”As panel sizes increase, this interface becomes even more critical, since minor mismatches in movement, geometry or application can have amplified consequences. Bond thickness, surface preparation, laminate compatibility and UV protection must therefore be precisely controlled. In superyacht glazing, adhesive design is not a detail – it is part of the safety concept, and a well-engineered bond line underpins both structural integrity and long-term durability.Simulation and real-world performanceFinite Element analysis helps validate glass performance, particularly in complex or non-standard applications, by modelling the interaction between glass, adhesive and supporting structure under realistic marine loads. This allows engineers to identify stress points, optimise designs and support conditions, and mitigate deflection risks early in the project lifecycle.Unlike building façades, yacht structures are subject to continuous movement, making accurate modelling essential. Long-term factors such as moisture ingress, ageing and laminate degradation must also be assessed, as they can directly affect load-bearing capacity.As glass panels grow in size, tolerances become increasingly critical. Millimetre-level deviations in shaping or installation can influence load distribution and compromise both structural performance and visual alignment. Handling and installation of large panes have therefore become technical operations in their own right, requiring precise three-dimensional measurement and meticulous execution.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/333152/image/large-73662ca86854e3909e622abf8863c6a4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/333152">Ensuring long-term laminate integrityLong-term durability begins with material selection. Because traditional PVB interlayers, which are widely used, can be vulnerable to humidity and temperature fluctuations, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3829" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TILSE Glass (Company)">TILSE</a> uses a specially developed resin interlayer designed for enhanced moisture resistance at sea, thereby preventing delamination.Chemical toughening further improves optical clarity, reduces distortion and avoids the anisotropy often associated with thermally toughened glass. Strict quality control from raw material selection to lamination, sealing and final inspection ensures each pane meets superyacht standards.Consistency in bespoke productionFor bespoke glazing, consistency depends on rigorous process control across the entire project chain, from early consultation and three-dimensional measurement through to production and installation. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3829" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TILSE Glass (Company)">TILSE</a>’s integrated approach reduces variability and ensures consistency across the entire project chain, even when each pane is uniquely specified.Combined with stringent inspection protocols and a commitment to rejecting substandard components, this enables the delivery of reliable, high-performance glazing systems.Engineering next-generation glazingLooking ahead, the trajectory of superyacht design points towards even larger, clearer and more seamlessly integrated glass surfaces. However, the next phase of innovation will be defined not by scale alone, but by the ability to balance ambition with practicality. Manufacturability, optical quality, structural safety, durability and ease of replacement will all play an increasingly important role in shaping future designs.As glass cements its position as a defining element of modern yacht design, its successful application depends on far more than aesthetics. Structural integration, bonding expertise, advanced simulation and uncompromising material quality must come together from the very beginning.In response, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3829" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TILSE Glass (Company)">TILSE</a> continues to invest in expanded production capacity, advanced handling capabilities and earlier involvement in complex projects – helping today’s most ambitious glazing concepts to be realised safely, durably and with the clarity expected of the next generation of superyachts.

Tilse yacht glass in design

Larger glass surfaces have fundamentally changed how glazing is approached in yacht construction. 

Engineering transparency: The evolving role of glass in superyacht design

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396837/image/large-d8ba973efacc6a431309d036f5b1a3df.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396837">The 95-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/778" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Golden Yachts Ltd. (Company)">Golden Yachts</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="O'Pari95.0m (311'8&quot;)Golden Yachts Ltd.2020">O’Pari&nbsp;</a>was recently seen anchored in Athens, Greece, ahead of Posidonia 2026. Several other superyachts, including the 60.98-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="O'Madeleine60.98m (200'1&quot;)Golden Yachts Ltd.2025">O'Madeleine</a>, were also spotted in the area during the international shipping exhibition, which took place from 1 to 5 June.Delivered in 2020, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="O'Pari95.0m (311'8&quot;)Golden Yachts Ltd.2020">O’Pari&nbsp;</a>remains the largest yacht built by the Greek shipyard to date. She forms part of a fleet of distinctive <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/778" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Golden Yachts Ltd. (Company)">Golden Yachts</a> projects, alongside notable vessels such as the 87.6-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project X87.6m (287'5&quot;)Golden Yachts Ltd.2022">Project X</a> and the 77.7-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11076" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Malia77.7m (254'11&quot;)Golden Yachts Ltd.2023">Malia</a>, which was launched in 2023.Her exterior and interior design were penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/76" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Studio Vafiadis (Company)">Studio Vafiadis</a>. Spanning 2,700 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="O'Pari95.0m (311'8&quot;)Golden Yachts Ltd.2020">O’Pari</a> offers a range of standout amenities, including a touch-and-go helipad positioned on the forward upper deck, an expansive sundeck complete with a DJ booth, bar and Jacuzzi, and a dedicated wellness area featuring a massage room, Turkish hammam and Finnish sauna.Accommodation is provided for guests across a collection of marble- and mosaic-clad staterooms, comprising nine double cabins and four twin cabins.Powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1408" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Caterpillar Inc (Company)">Caterpillar</a> engines, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7237" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="O'Pari95.0m (311'8&quot;)Golden Yachts Ltd.2020">O’Pari</a> cruises comfortably at 16 knots and can reach a top speed of 20 knots. She is currently en route to Split, Croatia, according to AIS Data.

Golden Yachts yacht O’Pari in Athens

The 95-metre Golden Yachts superyacht O’Pari was recently seen anchored in Athens, Greece.

95m Golden Yachts superyacht O’Pari in Athens