"This is not a market like the automotive industry, which demands frequent product updates. Here, what you see being launched today was conceived four years ago," explains Francesco Paszkowski, founder of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/586" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Francesco Paszkowski (Company)">eponymous design studio</a> nestled in the hills of Florence.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/338360/image/large-645d04e955ff09d7eb76e85012d56a88.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/338360">Having been deeply involved in the yachting sector since the 1980s, Paszkowski has witnessed the transformation of the superyacht industry both in Italy and globally. His designs have been realised by leading shipyards such as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/375" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Baglietto S.p.A. (Company)">Baglietto</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1661" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tankoa Yachts S.p.A. (Company)">Tankoa</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a>, and international builders like <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Turquoise Yachts (Company)">Turquoise</a>. Notable projects include the 72-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1661" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tankoa Yachts S.p.A. (Company)">Tankoa</a> superyacht Solo (now <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2851" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Casino Royale72.0m (236'3&quot;)Tankoa Yachts S.p.A.2018">Casino Royale</a>), where he crafted the exterior and created the interior design with the collaboration of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6365" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Margherita Casprini (Company)">Margherita Casprini</a>; the 64-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6178" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Attila64.0m (209'12&quot;)Sanlorenzo2019">Attila</a>; and the 55-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/375" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Baglietto S.p.A. (Company)">Baglietto</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5686" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Severin°s55.0m (180'5&quot;)Baglietto S.p.A.2019">Severin°</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/315686/image/large-d706e528f07594c585c0808bf4be8640.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/315686"> <a href="#managed-by-system" title="SuperYacht Times (Company)" data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4509" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4509" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SuperYacht Times (Company)">SuperYacht Times</a> interviewed Paszkowski to explore his initial foray into the yachting world, and his longstanding associations with prominent shipyards such as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/375" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Baglietto S.p.A. (Company)">Baglietto</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a>.Yacht design careerOriginally aspiring to design luxury cars, Francesco Paszkowski found himself unexpectedly drawn into the yachting industry, starting his involvement as early as 1986. Although initially having no direct connection to the nautical world, apart from time spent on sailing boats, he explained, "my fascination with the shapes of objects drew me into this field, leading me to join the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/118" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Studio Arch. Tommaso Spadolini (Company)">Spadolini studio</a> in Florence where I began to learn the craft."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/290537/image/large-bfbdbf2f0d43233061c4f774307fb488.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/290537">Paszkowski spent four years at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/118" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Studio Arch. Tommaso Spadolini (Company)">Spadolini studio</a>, initially focusing on rendering projects for Tommaso Spadolini. Over time, he became more involved in the design process, working closely with both Tommaso and Pierluigi Spadolini, the lead designer at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/220" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cantieri di Pisa (Company)">Cantieri di Pisa</a> shipyard, which eventually led him towards full-scale design.In 1990, Paszkowski took a significant leap by going independent and began visiting shipyards, starting in Singapore. "Back then, Singapore was not as developed as it is now, and I found myself working on a project for a Greek owner, which proved to be a significant learning experience," he recounted.Paszkowski's first major design opportunity came when he met Michael Breman, commercial director of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/375" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Baglietto S.p.A. (Company)">Baglietto</a> at the time. After receiving an invitation to showcase his portfolio, Paszkowski was tasked with designing the exterior of the 28.6-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/375" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Baglietto S.p.A. (Company)">Baglietto</a> yacht, Opus 1 (now named <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7825" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanis 28.6m (93'10&quot;)Baglietto S.p.A.1994">Oceanis</a>). He described it as a considerable challenge that also allowed him to immerse himself in the nautical culture. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/215894/image/large-e25839df542b3b62ce0c4c25949450ec.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/215894">At <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/375" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Baglietto S.p.A. (Company)">Baglietto</a> in Varazze, the unique learning environment created by the shipyard's craftsmen facilitated his comprehensive understanding of the project. This experience was instrumental in shaping his approach to yacht design. He then proceeded to work on the second, third and fourth yachts with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/375" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Baglietto S.p.A. (Company)">Baglietto</a>, eventually expanding his collaborations with various shipyards. This progression solidified his decision to pursue yacht design as his professional future.Work with international yardsIn addition to working &nbsp;with most of the major shipyards in Italy, his collaborations also extend internationally, notably in the Netherlands with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>. His initial project there was the exterior design of the 35-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1636" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Opus II35.0m (114'10&quot;)Heesen Yachts1997">Opus II.</a> Subsequently, he has contributed to four other projects, including the 55-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/6363" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vida55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2019">Vida</a>, for which he handled the interior design, delivered in 2019. Additionally, Paszkowski has been involved in one project in Turkey with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Turquoise Yachts (Company)">Turquoise Yachts</a>, being responsible for the interior design of the 58-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1716" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Baraka58.0m (190'3&quot;)Turquoise Yachts2010">Baraka.</a><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/296015/image/large-ab160971f57492b97b083d51121a6bf6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/296015">When asked about how his international experiences have shaped his career, Paszkowski reflected, "Working abroad has primarily broadened my mindset, allowing me to adopt diverse methods into my workflow, which significantly enhances my professionalism. Staying confined to a single country would limit my opportunities for growth, which are expanded by interacting with foreign shipyards.""This global perspective is crucial for understanding advancements in the field and assessing how Italy compares with international standards,” he continued." Now, at the age of 60, I've accumulated a wealth of experience that surpasses my initial work, shaped by both international and Italian influences. I continually strive to integrate this extensive knowledge into my products, enriching the designs with a unique blend of global insights."Long standing collaboration with Baglietto&nbsp;Most of Paszkowski's projects have been with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/375" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Baglietto S.p.A. (Company)">Baglietto</a>. Reflecting on the evolution of this relationship, he explained, "When <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/375" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Baglietto S.p.A. (Company)">Baglietto</a> was acquired by the Orsi family in 2000, I began working on a series of displacement yachts. Additionally, I designed the 42.1-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2792" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Scorpion42.1m (138'1&quot;)Baglietto S.p.A.2003">Blue Scorpion</a> and, for the same owner, a 52.45-metre superyacht now called Mischief 1, which was delivered in 2006.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/169743/image/large-bf7c484400d77daf602b9cf988b3d967.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/169743">Despite the shipyard changing ownership around six times, Paszkowski described his ability to maintain his connection with the yard through these transitions. He stated, “I've often pondered this myself, as each new owner could have chosen a different designer. However, I consistently received reassurances that my role as the designer would remain unchanged, which highlighted the clear expectations of my contributions. Over the years, my designs have captured an essence that resonated well with the owners. They have consistently been prepared to continue our working relationship, recognising my efforts to maintain a distinct style.”Today, after more than 30 years of collaboration, Paszkowski continues to work closely with the company. "We have endeavoured to create designs that are referential to the world of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/375" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Baglietto S.p.A. (Company)">Baglietto</a>," he noted. He further added, "This has been a very interesting journey for me and continues to be a source of challenges for new products that I develop closely with the shipyard."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/270834/image/large-51ff803cfe3977d1fdf419638ada013e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/270834">The studio teamsReflecting on the origins of his working relationship with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6365" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Margherita Casprini (Company)">Margherita Casprini,</a> Paszkowski disclosed, “Initially, at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/375" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Baglietto S.p.A. (Company)">Baglietto</a>, I solely focused on exteriors. By 2005, when I began working with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a>, my workload tripled, necessitating additional support for interiors.” He added, “In order to address the increasing demand for interior designs we were receiving, I asked <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6365" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Margherita Casprini (Company)">Casprini,</a> an experienced designer who had worked at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/118" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Studio Arch. Tommaso Spadolini (Company)">Spadolini studio</a>, to collaborate with us.In describing the operational dynamics at his studio, Paszkowski elucidated, "Roles are clearly delineated yet integrally connected. As the head of the studio, I focus on the exterior designs, supported by my team who manage the external aspects under my guidance. Margherita <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6365" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Margherita Casprini (Company)">Casprini</a> collaborates closely with the interior team. "This setup fosters a rich blend of experiences between the teams, enhancing the creative process and ensuring comprehensive design solutions that embody both interior elegance and exterior form," he said.Future plans and developmentsIn addition to briefly mentioning a potential collaboration with a French shipyard, Francesco Paszkowski highlighted his future developments involving a project with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/375" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Baglietto S.p.A. (Company)">Baglietto</a> that was introduced in February 2024. This new model, dubbed XO, is an explorer yacht designed not just for seafaring but for a family-oriented experience of the sea. This innovative design features a unique capsule layout, with the helm positioned below and a lounge area above that provides panoramic views forward and to the sides during navigation. This layout deviates from traditional designs by involving guests more directly in the seafaring experience.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/301320/image/large-c1f5f5d18d3fe4213a29f2ea421f058e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/301320"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/301324/image/large-8951b9517372a2490a9d7721357235d7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/301324">Moreover, the design accommodates traditional preferences as well. For owners who favour navigating from the flybridge, provisions are included for comfort in various weather conditions. If it’s windy, they can remain sheltered in the salon or aft cockpit. The capsule allows for forward viewing, an ideal feature when navigating scenic routes such as fjords, enhancing the experience even in rainy weather. Paszkowski expressed a deep passion for this project, stating, "We are actively pursuing and will realise this innovative design. I am deeply committed to it, both as a concept and in my work, because I believe it offers a transformative way to experience the sea."This article was first published in the 51st edition of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4509" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SuperYacht Times (Company)">SuperYacht Times</a> <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/newspaper" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Newspaper</a>, <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/newspaper/newspaper-issue-51" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">available for download here.</a>

Francesco Paszkowski on 30 years of design

Blue Scorpion  yacht in Gocek

original

small

medium

large

extra_large

Beneteau Oceanis Yacht

Francesco paszkowski, left and CEO Baglietto Diego Michele Deprati

Attila yacht cruising off Monaco

Baraka yacht anchored off Portofino

Baglietto XO yacht series exterior design

Casino Royale yacht cruising 

Francesco Paszkowski

From luxury car design dreams to defining superyacht aesthetics worldwide, Francesco Paszkowski reflects on his 30-year career.

Francesco Paszkowski reflects on 30 years of yacht design

Paul Kinkley, the owner of the Bering 78,&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16808" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Slow Ride23.85m (78'3&quot;)Bering Yachts2026">Slow Ride</a>, sits down with Leona Caanen to chat about his brand new yacht, her personalised features and his upcoming cruising plans.Sitting across from me is Paul Kinkley, Canadian native and the owner of the brand new <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4385" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bering Yachts (Company)">Bering</a> 78. The 23.85-metre superyacht, named <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16808" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Slow Ride23.85m (78'3&quot;)Bering Yachts2026">Slow Ride</a>, is currently in process of delivery at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4385" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bering Yachts (Company)">Bering Yachts</a>, in Turkey. Earlier this year, Paul visited the yard for the yacht’s official launch.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398589/image/large-392751553f2d2f178de6f73300a22a02.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398589">The yacht’s name comes from a song by Foghat, and is something Paul’s entire family connected with. “We narrowed it down from about a 100 names to 10, and then five and then three, and eventually I just pulled the trigger. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16808" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Slow Ride23.85m (78'3&quot;)Bering Yachts2026">Slow Ride</a> made the most sense, we all related to it”, recalls Paul, who is very much a family man. On a cloudy day in January, as the yacht was launched, Paul blasted 'Slow Ride'&nbsp;on the yacht’s speakers whilst taking the yacht for her very first ride.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/382519/image/large-136ef5f4fa7f10e6c8be257f7d67b10b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/382519" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"> Love at first sightPaul has closely followed the build process along. “From the time of ordering the boat to hand over, it’s a long period,” shares Paul. Yet building his very own yacht is something Paul has thought about for a long time. “We’ve had used boats, I’ve always fixed them up, put the systems I wanted on them,” Paul continues, “I was watching boating videos and stumbled upon the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16808" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Slow Ride23.85m (78'3&quot;)Bering Yachts2026">Bering Yachts</a> channel, and decided to give them a call.”“Honestly, we didn’t actually look anywhere else,” Paul mentions, “when I saw the videos and chatted with Alexei, he was just so down-to-earth, and I loved the style of the boat, it was unique looking.” Paul felt like the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4385" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bering Yachts (Company)">Bering Yachts</a> Shipyard in Antalya was the right fit, “the yacht is a steel hull, which is precisely what I was looking for.”Having always owned pre-built yachts, Paul’s patience has been tested, not just because of his excitement to cruise onboard the yacht, but also because a week after signing the deal, Paul’s other yacht, sitting in Fort Myers, Florida, was destroyed by hurricane Ian. “It’s quite surreal that it happened like that.” Getting to launch the yacht and see her touch the water was a great moment of both relief and excitement.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/382538/image/large-b3a6aabc47478833dc3131bd137e923b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/382538">Designing a superyachtThe yacht is a semi-custom, so while the bones were pre-designed, there were plenty of choices left for Paul and his family to decide on. The stand-out choice has been the colour of the hull: “we probably went through 15 or 20 different colour renders, and Carol likes blue, so we were searching for the perfect colour” Paul recalls. Upon finding a colour they liked, Paul asked the yard to send a big colour swatch: “a computer only shows so much, but as soon as we saw the swatch we fell in love with the colour.”The interiors feature a softer, more neutral palette than the teal exterior, across an open floor plan that seamlessly connects the galley with the saloon and features large windows, providing plenty of natural lighting. The galley looks out onto the aft deck, where a table for ten creates the ideal place for al fresco dining, enjoying sunsets or a delicious morning coffee.A diesel electrician by trade, Paul is especially happy with how the engine room turned out. “Anything mechanical I love,” Paul highlights, “we’ve packed that room like you can’t believe: we’ve changed some of the electronics, the AC systems, upgraded it to 48 volt.” The engine room was expanded, getting rid of the crew head, as “we’re not really crew people anyways.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/382508/image/large-8957a0d4c70d67e74479c8a653443b1a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/382508" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Feeling secure<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16808" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Slow Ride23.85m (78'3&quot;)Bering Yachts2026">Slow Ride</a> marks a sense of security, but also of freedom, and a big point of purchasing a yacht was ensuring Paul and Carol could manage it themselves: &nbsp;“It’s important to us that we can run the yacht by ourselves; not having to run upstairs, worrying about fenders.”The yachts that Paul previously owned were great, but ”they never had everything on it that we wanted; I was constantly busy converting yachts we purchased,” shares Paul. With <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16808" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Slow Ride23.85m (78'3&quot;)Bering Yachts2026">Slow Ride</a>, Paul has “all the systems onboard: not having to go in for pump outs anymore because there is a sewage treatment plan onboard and dual water makers so you have the back-up.” A lot of the technological systems introduced onboard are not just for comfort of long distance cruising, but also to feel safe and secure when cruising: “Just knowing all this is onboard, in case something happens while cruising with my family, I don’t worry so much,” shares Paul.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398588/image/large-2631ff32ceef53dd64b3c6380ef5683d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398588" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">A sense of freedomOne place that is definitely on the cruising destination is a little fishermen village, near the shipyard that Paul and Carol visited a while ago. “We befriended the owner of a restaurant, he’s a fantastic chef, and we promised that once we have the yacht, we’ll come visit and enjoy dinner together.”&nbsp;Besides the shores of Turkey, Paul is eager to explore the Mediterranean: “We’ve never boated in the Mediterranean, but I’ve done lots of research on it, followed lots of sailboaters online.” Having itineraries planned out, thanks to fellow yachties, and with the yacht ready cruise, Paul and Carol are bound to have a great summer in the Mediterranean, “getting as close to shore as I can with the shallow draft.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398590/image/large-1289eb29cd7094aadb3ee64b0312c4f1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398590" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">

A Slow Ride: building a Bering 78

Paul Kinkley, owner of the Bering 78 Slow Ride, talks to Leona Caanen about his new yacht, custom features and cruising plans.

Not your average Slow Ride

Sophie Spicknell delves into the history of the 106 year-old sailing yacht&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonbeam IV32.1m (105'4&quot;)William Fife & Sons1920">Moonbeam IV</a>&nbsp;to learn more about her regatta career.&nbsp;Designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1109" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="William Fife & Sons (Company)">William Fife &amp; Sons</a> in 1914 and launched in 1920, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonbeam IV32.1m (105'4&quot;)William Fife & Sons1920">Moonbeam IV</a> has spent more than a century sailing the same waters, including those of the golden age of yachting. Designed as a gaff cutter, she was the fourth yacht in a line of vessels with the same name, built for lawyer Charles Plumtree Johnson, the son of Queen Victoria of England’s personal physician.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398238/image/large-308b8573823c9caef805b7156c5413c0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398238">Constructed in teak over steel, the 32.1-metre sailing yacht was built for speed and performance. She wasted no time in proving her capabilities and completed her first regatta season in 1920, shortly after her launch. During her first decade on the water, she established herself as a strong competitor, winning the Kings Cup regatta in Cowes, England in 1920 and again in 1923, before finishing second in 1924 and 1930 and third in 1931.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398244/image/large-5ea6d6a9b9817b41c1a8c63f80aa2733.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398244" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonbeam IV32.1m (105'4&quot;)William Fife & Sons1920">Moonbeam IV</a> was sold by her first owner in 1926 to Henry Sutton, who converted her to use a Marconi rig, before she was bought by HRH Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1950. Renamed Deo Juvante, she was refitted as a luxury family cruiser, with spacious interior staterooms and a saloon installed. Her sail area was also reduced from approximately 1,000 square-metres to a more manageable 350 square-metres, with Bermuda ketch rigging and twin six cylinder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1883" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Baudouin (Company)">Baudouin</a> engines added. Following his marriage to Academy Award-winning actress Grace Kelly in 1956, Prince Rainier and his new wife famously spent their honeymoon onboard the yacht in the Mediterranean.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398241/image/large-4478024accab505177fe79ba13d5dacc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398241">By 1960 the yacht changed hands again, with Deo Duvante sold to Count Hannibal Scotti of Italy who rechristened her <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonbeam IV32.1m (105'4&quot;)William Fife & Sons1920">Moonbeam IV</a> and installed new <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2207" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="mtu - a Rolls-Royce solution (Company)">Rolls Royce</a> 185 horsepower diesel engines. But it was in April 1995 that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonbeam IV32.1m (105'4&quot;)William Fife & Sons1920">Moonbeam IV</a> received her second life, when she was acquired by Scotsman John Murray and his French wife François Murray. Residing in the Savoy Hotel in Yangon, Myanmar, the couple fell in love with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonbeam IV32.1m (105'4&quot;)William Fife & Sons1920">Moonbeam IV</a> in Greece and decided to restore and relocate her to Burma in April 1999. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398240/image/large-6cc493de11cb61a3fa3cbeb25715d76f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398240">Carried out at Myanmar Shipyard, the refit saw a core team of 15 carpenters, almost entirely locally sourced and led by a Chinese master craftsman known as William. The team inspected, repaired and re-fastened her teak planks, leaving more than 80 percent of her originals from 1914. Inside, Burmese rosewood and satinwood were selected for her interior, with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6286" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="T. Nielsen & Company (Company)">T Nielsen and Co</a> assisting with the technical aspects of the project.&nbsp;Relaunched in July 2002, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonbeam IV32.1m (105'4&quot;)William Fife & Sons1920">Moonbeam IV</a> immediately set sail for Auckland, New Zealand, to participate in events surrounding the 31st America's Cup. In the years that followed, she became an active attendee of events such as Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the Westward Cup, the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge, the Trophée Bailli de Suffren and the Palma Superyacht Cup. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398243/image/large-5b831328ac822b36d79daf0120295801.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398243">In 2022, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonbeam IV32.1m (105'4&quot;)William Fife & Sons1920">Moonbeam IV</a> underwent an extensive refit at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/745" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="JFA Yachts (Company)">JFA Yachts</a> in France, in collaboration with renowned naval carpentry expert Hubert Stagnol. The refit included major restoration works to her Oregon pine hull and rig, with her teak hull stripped and overhauled, seacocks replaced and a new Vanilla White <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1485" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Awlgrip (Company)">Awlgrip</a> finish applied. Additional works included the restoration of her skylights, the replacement of her headmast and the sanding and re-varnishing of her bulwarks and rig.Following her refit, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonbeam IV32.1m (105'4&quot;)William Fife & Sons1920">Moonbeam IV</a> travelled to Brest, where she collected her new sails before undergoing sea trials. From here she sailed north to Scotland where she participated in the Fife Regatta in Fairlie. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398242/image/large-e53b5e4e1417322c1d68da9204099ffc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398242" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Since then, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonbeam IV32.1m (105'4&quot;)William Fife & Sons1920">Moonbeam IV</a> competed in the Cutter Class at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/201" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Richard Mille Cup - 2023">Richard Mille Cup Regatta 2023</a> in Falmouth, where she narrowly missed out on a podium finish, completing the regatta in fourth place with 609 points.&nbsp;In terms of accommodation, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonbeam IV32.1m (105'4&quot;)William Fife & Sons1920">Moonbeam IV</a> can comfortably sleep up to seven guests across three staterooms, as well as a crew of six. Inside she is adorned with fine waxed rosewood panelling, Persian rugs and antique lamps.

Moonbeam IV: 106 years of regatta racing

Explore the 106-year history of the classic sailing yacht Moonbeam IV, from royal ownership and restoration to her enduring regatta career.

Leona Caanen sat down with Richard Hadida, long-time sailor, owner and chairman of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster Yachts</a>, who is currently on a 16-month journey to circumnavigate the globe with fellow&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster Yacht</a>&nbsp;owners.&nbsp;Sailing around the San Blas islands off the coast of Panama is Richard Hadida, a life-long sailor and, since 2018 the owner of the UK-based <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster Yachts</a>. Joining Richard in the azure blue waters of Panama are another 23 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster</a> sailing yachts, preparing to cross the Panama Canal and head towards French Polynesia. The reason? The 2026-27 Oyster World Rally.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/378811/image/large-09e42b8e3770ce85e64a241b12171e1d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/378811">The rally around the worldWhat started in 2013, has turned into a well-loved tradition for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster Yacht</a> owners. Every two years, a group of owners set out to circumnavigate the globe together over the course of 16 months. The only requirement is owning an <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster Yacht</a>. When Richard took over ownership of the shipyard, the rally was well underway: “They were all in New Zealand and didn't know what was happening; they were nervous it was all going to be over.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393554/image/large-a46b63aab5a0e574b8b0b04078059147.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393554">Almost immediately, Richard sent someone out there and said, “Look, you know, we've picked it up. We'll look after you guys. Don't worry. Everything's good.” He kept true to his promise, and, minus a pandemic-related hiccup, the rally has happened every other year. Richard notes that, throughout the past eight years “There's been lots and lots of ups along the way, but my highlight is this rally.”The route is the same each rally, starting in the Antigua harbour, heading south and through the Panama Canal before sailing towards French Polynesia, Australia and the Great Barrier Reef, followed by island hopping in Indonesia, around the Cape of Good Hope, before returning to the starting point. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/378813/image/large-f6e264dfd96b0c95a19266c04a03c9e9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/378813">An important distinction is that the rally is not a race. Rather, it is a shared passage around the world that blends exploration with the reassurance of a structured support network. Richard emphasises that the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oysters</a> are well-cared for, “we fly out our best engineers and they fix all the little teething, little snagging issues. We know our own boats, right? We have the designs. We know every single detail.” It’s a sense of service that provides comfort for everyone involved, as well as those at home.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393558/image/large-f6540711463b84f7c7f3daf1d2f48eb0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393558">Partaking in tradition“It’s always been in my mind's eye, partaking in the rally, as something I'd love to do.” Discussing the ideal timeline with his wife, they were considering either 2028 or 2030, “suddenly we were like, why wouldn't we do it now?” Richard shares, “it was like a revelation.” Thus began the preparations for the 2026 rally onboard his <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster</a> 885, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6352" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lush27.08m (88'10&quot;)Oyster Yachts2012">Lush</a>.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster Yachts</a> are built for what Richard describes as ‘blue water’ capability: yachts designed for long distance ocean passage. Construction quality, redundancy in systems and a focus on safety all play a role in enabling owners to undertake global voyages with confidence. Richard’s yacht, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6352" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lush27.08m (88'10&quot;)Oyster Yachts2012">Lush</a>, has crossed the Atlantic twenty times, “she’s twelve years old and she’s already circumnavigated once before. You feel the strength and the security when you’re sailing.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393555/image/large-0abb38e810c7944d433ff5b80a391cf3.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393555">Yet despite this capability and the trust in the build, each participating yacht and its crew need to undergo a certain level of training. Participants spend up to a year attending seminars and training sessions covering everything from offshore navigation to safety procedures. Survival courses, fire training and life raft drills form part of the preparation, ensuring that every sailor understands how to respond in an emergency.Additionally, weather routing specialists monitor conditions throughout the voyage, advising the fleet and each vessel carries satellite tracking equipment so that the rally organisers can follow the fleet’s progress in real time.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396105/image/large-8b5d727cc491eebd0fb5df4f2d7b05e6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396105">Slow sailingCircumnavigation can be completed far faster than 16 months. The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster</a> World Rally intentionally chooses a slower rhythm. The aim is not simply to cross oceans but to absorb the places along the way. “There’s something about travelling slowly,” Richard notes. “You cover every mile and you feel the world changing around you. The temperature shifts, the time zones change, and you understand exactly where you are.”Weeks have been spent among the San Blas Islands, an archipelago of more than 300 islands, where instead of rushing onward, the fleet lingered for days, exploring remote anchorages and travelling inland to jungle waterfalls between sailing passages.The ability to enjoy such slow travel is thanks to certain luxuries the likes of Starlink, which keep Richard and fellow sailors connected to life back home. While the bulk of time is spent sailing and adventuring with his wife, sons and crew, there’s also the opportunity to take work calls. “It’s extraordinary,” Richard notes, “you can go on an adventure in the middle of the day, come back to the boat, and carry on with work.” True to his word, Richard ends our call to go crocodile-spotting with his youngest son.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393556/image/large-6feb41da1249d7e2cef2c14e05ea49e7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393556">Travelling with purposeA newer dimension of the rally is the concept of regenerative tourism, an approach that encourages sailors to leave a positive impact on the destinations they visit. Unlike traditional sustainability initiatives that focus primarily on reducing harm, regenerative tourism seeks to actively improve the environments and communities encountered along the way.&nbsp;Activities range from environmental awareness projects to supporting local conservation initiatives. “It could be awareness, it could be picking up plastic, it could be supporting conservation,” Richard explains. “The idea is that we leave a place slightly better than we found it.”One upcoming stop highlights that ambition. In the Galápagos Islands, the fleet will host a series of discussions led by Sarah Darwin, the great-great-granddaughter of Charles Darwin, who is involved in ecological restoration projects in the archipelago. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396091/image/large-94301c4c375b86a2cd7253c448878fd6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396091">A family voyagePerhaps the most striking element of Richard’s participation is that he gets to share it with his wife and youngest son, who are also onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6352" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lush27.08m (88'10&quot;)Oyster Yachts2012">Lush</a>. “My two older sons are now 21 or 19, but when they were like 10, I was watching them jump off the side, and now I've got my two-year-old growing up on the same boat; I love that.”“I’m not someone who likes disposable things,” he says. “This boat has memories in it. My children have grown up on board.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396104/image/large-e045835f24ba5410d34358ef61375d82.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396104">A year of sailingHaving started the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster</a> World Rally this January in Antigua, the sailors are, at time of writing, well underway towards the Galápagos islands and tend to be very happy there is still so much sailing to go.For many sailors, the end of the journey arrives with mixed emotions: some find it difficult to return to land after spending all this time out at sea. Richard understands the sentiment, “once you begin to experience the world at the pace of a sailing yacht, the idea of rushing through it again feels strangely unfamiliar. You realise the world is vast, and you’re seeing it properly.”&nbsp;The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1097" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oyster Yachts (Company)">Oyster</a> World Rally may follow a charted route around the globe. Yet for those onboard, the real voyage lies in discovering how large, and yet how connected, that world can be. “There’s something magical about it,” Richard notes.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393550/image/large-3d80ac007ca3f58263d6eac9af835c80.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393550">

Richard Hadida Oyster World Rally 2026

Richard Hadida, long-time sailor and owner & chairman of Oyster Yachts joins the 2026 Oyster World Rally onboard 27m Lush.

home-featured-bottomleft#0

Richard Hadida: A 16-month circumnavigation onboard his 27m yacht Lush

With a loyal client base,&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4045" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Crew Ã  la Mode (Company)">Crew à la Mode</a>&nbsp;has outfitted the crew of more than 800 superyachts. Leona Caanen sits down with Lottie Lyne, CEO and founder of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4045" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Crew Ã  la Mode (Company)">Crew à la Mode</a>&nbsp;to chat about the company’s course over the past 15 years and what her plans are for the near future.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394656/image/large-9943be508c3b8ace840e465e2d14993d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394656">How did&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4045" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Crew Ã  la Mode (Company)">Crew à la Mode</a>&nbsp;come about?I was a stewardess for a season, about 15 years ago, and I loved it, but when I needed to get my uniform, there was just nothing around. I had to wear really inappropriate things; these little mini shorts, a plain, old white t-shirt handed down from a previous stewardess. It felt misaligned serving guests from the fashion world in a basic t-shirt, but at the time there were no other options.When I left that, I thought, okay, there's a real need here; and I had the desire to do it. I started working with some old clients and it grew from there. It was really about trying to create something more modern to reflect the industry, because I was working with such elite people in these amazing environments, and what I was wearing was just not.How has the company evolved over the last 15 years?&nbsp;Fundamentally, we've always been a really creative-centred business, and I like to think that’s often why clients like to work with us as it is at the heart of what we do. We’ve evolved to offer more than just the uniform itself, we offer design and styling as well as providing creative solutions. It’s not just about the product we’re making, it’s about the entire package, but we did start off making our own production in the UK from small runs.Gradually, we’ve grown into having our own factories in Europe, and now worldwide. As we expand, we’ve continuously improved the quality of our production, which is an area I’m passionate about. We aim to ensure there is balance with a premium product at a fair price point so that our uniform is accessible for all clients and every size of vessel.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394662/image/large-8d5002bd261d469ba3da0980258df44a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394662">15 years gives you a lot of experience, we’ve learned a lot, made a lot of mistakes, figured out what does and doesn’t work. Now we know all of those trap doors, all the things that didn’t work or fabrics which should work in theory, but don’t; or what a factory really means when they say we can meet your deadline! This insight allows us to be more honest when meeting client expectations.Lots of different people have contributed to where we are today, which I'm ever thankful for. Now we're bigger, we have more specialist roles: we have a garment technologist and talented designers, which enables growth, but fundamentally we still carry that same mentality that we’re a small brand who are passionate about delivering service excellence and feel accountable for our client’s projects. Our focus now is delivering those values to our clients on a larger scale.Delivering such a wide range of services isn’t always easy. We’re aware we could simplify business by only offering our ready-to-wear range and produce in higher volumes at lower prices - but that’s not where our passion lies. Our expertise drive lies in ensuring each client’s requirements are considered and translating their briefs into a full uniform concept.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394654/image/large-92c269f0e510b6de9d20eb2e125f9e10.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394654">Your approach is centred around transparency, what does this mean and how is this incorporated in your workflow?Transparency isn’t easy, and we don’t always get it right, either - our industry is notoriously difficult regarding transparency, but we aim to be and we’re improving year after year.It starts with looking at what a client is hoping to achieve and whether that is actually achievable. It’s challenging to say ‘no, you can’t have what you want within the budget you want’. It’s our job to be realistic about what is possible and that starts at the brief. We’re optimistic as a business, but we have to be realistic about whether you can deliver 50 uniforms with a personalised design in eight weeks, and sometimes the answer is no.It’s important for me to also be transparent and honest about when things haven’t gone right, because they never can 100 percent of the time. In our industry, it can feel like you’re swimming against the current, because information in a high pressure environment like ours is always challenging, and not everyone is well-equipped to receive that news. Yet if we receive fabric and it has a fault in it, then we have to say it’s faulty, we can’t use that. Or there is an issue with the courier, causing a delay, which isn’t always well-received.We are very communicative about where things are made and what fabrics we use; that whole supply chain is very clear. We’re very open about (potential) delays and timelines: when we say ‘yes, we can deliver that in a month’, then the client can trust that we really can.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394661/image/large-120cf7582c49369cecdf00fba0ed3c39.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394661">How do you ensure sustainability is a part of your production rather than an afterthought?Sustainability is part of the entire process, and it starts in the design stage. We make sure we are sustainable by ensuring the right products are picked, the right testing is done and the whole process is followed very carefully. The most unsustainable thing you can do is make the wrong choice, then, ultimately, a lot of wastage is created and there’s very little you can do with that.&nbsp;A product can be organic cotton, but if nobody likes wearing it or it doesn’t fit well, it won’t have longevity and will end up in the recycling landfill. The approach we take is to follow the entire production process really diligently and make sure everyone loves their uniform and that what we’re producing is 100 percent what the owner wants. Then we’re just doing top-ups and avoiding wastage - that’s our primary focus.&nbsp;When it comes to what we make, we source brands and have our trusted suppliers. We’re transparent with what we don’t supply, even if the order would be for thousands of items, we won’t accept it if it doesn’t meet our standards.&nbsp;Our production is predominantly in Europe and in low volumes, meaning we don’t have much wastage within each collection the way you do in lifestyle or fast fashion. For us it’s all about the longevity of a product onboard; lots of clients prefer organic cottons, but if you choose dark colours, they fade quickly and uniforms will have to be updated more frequently, in turn making it less sustainable.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394653/image/large-08bd04899cab4b8fc6d969106a4b83c4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394653">What is your CREW Renew initiative?&nbsp;When you’re replacing a product or changing your style, there tends to be leftover product, especially in footwear. The whole concept behind CREW Renew is that we collaborate with our clients to repurpose the left over products. They can send us items, whether supplied by us or not with our REcycle, REpurpose, REpair or REwear offering to try which aims to reduce uniform waste. So whether the uniform is donated to charities, or repurposed into gifting items, we are extending the life-cycle of those garments and fabrics.The program ensures a sense of responsibility: if you’ve bought it, you’ve created the waste and you have to commit to do something with it.&nbsp;What are some key elements of designing crew-wear?&nbsp;When we’re designing, it’s a combination of technical gym wear for the movement and breathability, and something which is suitable for the luxury element of the yachting environment.&nbsp;We have a really great feedback loop, too. We have about three or four sample orders going out to clients every day, and we’re constantly collecting feedback, and we listen to it all: what fabrics are preferred, the ideal length, whether a pocket is in the right place. Part of our team are ex-stewardesses and they bring industry insight that is incredibly valuable in the design process. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394660/image/large-7f3232b7392d0863690db46bc240bbde.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394660">What makes&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4045" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Crew Ã  la Mode (Company)">Crew À La Mode</a>&nbsp;unique?The big thing for me is that we are female led. When I started 15 years ago, nearly everything was male-led, as well as it being heavily supplier-based. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4045" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Crew Ã  la Mode (Company)">Crew à la Mode</a> is a future focussed creative agency - we have our own design team and that’s the starting point of every project.&nbsp;All-in-all, it’s not just about the brand, it’s about everything we offer as an agency; that everything we offer in terms of concept design, project management, sustainability, onboard experience and insight - the all-round package. It makes the business model more challenging, but it allows us to keep close to our fundamental values.&nbsp;What ambitions do you have for the coming years?In the immediate future we are setting up our Amsterdam showroom. It’s an important step for us, as we’ve always been based in London, which is slightly disconnected from the industry. Until now that has been great; we’ve focused on what we’re doing and relying on good word-of-mouth. The new showroom is a step forward, to provide a space where crew can come see everything we have on offer and organise their uniforms in one day. It’s exciting to showcase our entire collection in a different way than we’ve previously done, creating an inspiring space. The plan is to eventually expand with multiple showrooms globally in Europe, the US and Middle East.

Crew a la mode founder interview

Outfitting crew of over 800 superyachts, SuperYacht Times speaks to Crew à la Mode founder Lottie Lyne

Crew à la Mode: "It can feel like you're swimming against the current"

Born not from market demand but from a visionary’s insistence that nothing afloat quite matched an owner’s ambition of circumnavigating the globe, is <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a>, a 44.2-metre sailing catamaran. Her captain, Gavin Bladen, who has been with the superyacht since her birth, shares the story of how a search turned into a choice to build, eventually allowing the captain, the yacht’s owner as well as charter guests to circumnavigate the globe and experience some of the world’s most spectacular sights along the way.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/258035/image/large-831af2adae2c1c19c203ed188fb6fc4a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/258035">From searching to buildingFollowing a three-month pursuit of finding the right naval architect, the search led to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/39" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="VPLP Design (Company)">VPLP</a> in Paris and architects Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot-Prévost. For a year and a half, Gavin relocated from the Caribbean to sit shoulder to shoulder with the design team in Paris, refining a yacht that would be a purpose-built platform for tropical cruising and global exploration.The initial project began in 2004, yet <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a>, built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/209" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pendennis Shipyard Ltd (Company)">Pendennis</a>, wasn’t launched until 2011, when she made her debut at the Monaco Yacht Show. She entered the market as the largest sailing catamaran in the world by length, a title she held for over a decade. Measuring 44.2-metres with a beam of 16.6-metres and a gross tonnage of 499 GT, she remains one of the most voluminous sailing catamarans afloat. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/258054/image/large-26f3f8c149deecb32e98452e17976759.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/258054"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> is designed to accommodate up to 12 guests across five staterooms, two of which are luxurious VIPs which can be joined. A crew of 10, including the captain, ensures smooth sailing across the seven seas while guests can enjoy uninterrupted 360-degree views from the main saloon. Her expansive aft deck and generous flybridge challenge long-held misconceptions about catamaran proportions, and across the entire yacht there is the feeling of spaciousness.The interior, realised by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/25" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Michael Leach Design Ltd. (Company)">Michael Leach Design</a>, is textured, contemporary and, perhaps most importantly, enduring. 14 years on, the original flooring remains in place, having been selected for both aesthetic depth and durability. High-wear materials were specified throughout, with indoor-outdoor fabrics chosen for their high-rub characteristics to be able to endure heavy charter use without compromise. The approach reflects an understanding that true longevity lies not in ornament but in thoughtful selection.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/258057/image/large-d7aa3f89215803385e9eb6e75f4e5420.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/258057">Globe trotter<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> was built for circumnavigation, and has done so three separate times, visiting over 75 countries along the way. From Columbia to the Mediterranean and from India all the way to the Caribbean, there isn’t an ocean <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> hasn’t crossed.For Captain Gavin, who has had the joy of navigating the sailing catamaran and her crew of 10 along on all these adventures, French Polynesia remains the ultimate cruising ground. “If I could only charter in one country for the rest of my life, it would be French Polynesia.”With over four years of experience cruising French Polynesia, Captain Gavin and his crew know the archipelago like the back of their hand. “It’s stunning, the water wildlife is amazing and the diving is phenomenal.” It’s the type of place that leaves a lasting impression on charter guests and crew alike. “There are spots where we can put our guests in the water with 500 to 700 grey reef sharks during a single dive in South Fakarava in the Tuamotus.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394790/image/large-e498eca3b04e1a3bcfa3d7e89794c902.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394790">Such immersion into wildlife is central to the yacht’s ethos. In Papua New Guinea, guests have ventured into rainforest villages to witness fire dancers, while in Australia, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> supported filming ‘Welcome to Earth’ for National Geographic. The episode featuring <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a>, titled ‘Power of Scent’, highlights the relationship of tiger sharks and the critical nesting site for green turtles at Raine Island on the Great Barrier Reef. She became the first foreign-flagged superyacht to legally charter in Australia under the relevant regulations, a milestone that underscores her operational ambition.Captain Gavin has navigated the sailing catamaran to the Norwegian fjords, where guests outfitted with crampons traversed ice and dined next to waterfalls. In New Zealand, charter itineraries combined time cruising through Milford Sound and diving expeditions off Stewart Island with time ashore in varying wine regions. No matter where <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> sails to, the agenda is set to highlight each location’s unique qualities.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/258055/image/large-bd341c48a82ba01379ccaa0fcd0f018b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/258055"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a>&nbsp;for charterWhat makes chartering <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> so special isn’t just that she’s one of the most iconic sailing catamarans to ever be built, nor her incredible chartering route, but also her crew, who feel closer to family than colleagues. Half of Gavin’s current crew has been with him and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> for over eight years, and one crew member has been onboard for 12 years.&nbsp;In today’s industry, the retention of crew is much rarer than when Gavin joined: “When I started in the industry, it was about travelling, about adventure and getting the experience.” Considering the remote destinations the superyacht travels, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a>’s crew remains eager not only to adventure, but to share the experience with both the owner and charter guests too.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> usually sees about 10 to 11 weeks of charter per year, with guests that are as adventurous as her crew, often returning for new voyages across varying regions. Plans for the coming day are discussed between dinner courses, and largely centre around diving and fishing excursions. However, she is also a phenomenal platform for more conventional trips around the Mediterranean; and is outfitted with comprehensive equipment”. The yacht has comprehensive equipment and expertise onboard with the entire crew being well-versed in various water activities. The captain himself comes from a diving background, “I used to be on the great on the Great Barrier Reef”; a place Gavin still loves to take travellers to.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394789/image/large-4f08bf2a54885a2811a70ed54fd56e57.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394789">Sailing towards new horizonsCaptain Gavin and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> are inseparable, having been part of her every bolt placed and kilometre travelled, yet the iconic superyacht is now looking for a new owner, and is for sale with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/159" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Burgess (Company)">Burgess</a>. Ideally the new owner would be someone who is aligned with the yacht’s original vision, someone who is willing to maintain her properly, invest in her crew and continue chartering her across the globe.&nbsp;The captain highlights that it’s about “finding the right person. There's no rush.” The current owner is looking to tidy up certain elements of his life, yet he is still actively travelling with the yacht and has always been active onboard, diving and fishing &nbsp;around the world alongside his friends and family.The bond that exists between the captain, the owner and the yacht is the result of 22 years of working together and seeing some of the most beautiful places in the world; something the captain hopes to share with whomever will come to own <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hemisphere44.2m (145'0&quot;)Pendennis Shipyard Ltd2011">Hemisphere</a> next.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/258061/image/large-7da029ca8bbaa54455d5cd21ee70d634.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/258061">

A look at the birth, build and charter of Hemisphere

Step inside the birth, build and circumnavigation of world's most iconic sailing catamaran

The birth, build and charter of 44m sailing catamaran Hemisphere

Leona Caanen speaks with Valentina Zannier, part of the larger design team behind the 107-metre&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4795" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Black Pearl106.7m (350'1&quot;)Oceanco2018">Black Pearl</a>, who shares what it was like to work on the iconic sailing yacht.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394278/image/large-7ac75a1829a01933061ed8f1ad68dc07.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394278">The entire construction of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4795" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Black Pearl106.7m (350'1&quot;)Oceanco2018">Black Pearl</a> lasted eight years. Not only was she the largest yacht built to date for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a>, she was also one of the most technologically advanced sailing yachts of her time. With her iconic DynaRig sails, she has the ability to hoist the 2,900 square metres of sail in seven minutes, all at the push of a button.Valentina Zannier, who designed much of the interior of the world-famous sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4795" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Black Pearl106.7m (350'1&quot;)Oceanco2018">Black Pearl</a>. At the time, Zannier was a part of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/65" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nuvolari Lenard (Company)">Nuvolari Lennard</a>, and worked closely together with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7958" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gerard P. Villate Yachts (Company)">Gerard P. Villate</a> and his company of the same name. As we showcase the timeless interiors of the Black Pearl, Valentina shares memories of the four years she worked closely with the late owner Oleg Burlakov.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394282/image/large-a85d905ee43b92c2b08e190afcb2590f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394282">“The owner was a very special person. He was extremely demanding, but a very, very captivating person.” For months, Valentina would walk over to his apartment in Monaco and for the next 12 hours or more they would look at every minute detail of the yacht. “He was so involved during the construction of this boat; checking the drawings and every detail. There was nothing he didn’t check; his knowledge about style and how he envisioned his yacht was a true life lesson.”Oleg would come by the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/65" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nuvolari Lenard (Company)">Nuvolari Lennard</a> office, where he and Valentina hung up the designs of main mullions meant for the main deck salon along the big staircase in the office, and putting tape and creating templates on the floor. “You needed to be extremely focused on the meaning of each decorative element; there was symbolism in every decoration that we worked on throughout the entire project.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394281/image/large-74ca430e110b94d6881118c6c9b0ae35.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394281">Much of the interior, especially the lower deck and main deck, has an air of 16th century France: an era defined by symmetry, corinthian columns, pediments, natural light and golden finishes. “He was a collector of all these beautiful pieces from Louis XVI,” Valentina recalls, “he was really in love with that age.”Yet in the upstairs saloon, Oleg desired a more art deco vibe - a very different style compared to the more neoclassic feel of the main deck. “I worked hard to bring something from upstairs to downstairs, and vice versa”, Valentina shares. “I don’t like it when one deck looks completely different than the other.” Wood from the main deck was brought to the upper, and some extra technological details were brought down in order to connect the spaces; the staircase and glass elevator also played a defining role in connecting the spaces. “The gym and beach club were another challenge, integrating different wood and modern equipment,” Valentina shares. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394276/image/large-4e8d11977d4dbdd62d63b87e034100e3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394276">Stepping inside the main deck of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4795" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Black Pearl106.7m (350'1&quot;)Oceanco2018">Black Pearl</a>, one can see all the way from bow to aft, and that is on purpose. “Many days we spent, until the morning, moving the doors slightly to the left or right to ensure the line of vision was perfect,” Valentina recalls, “it had to reflect big palaces where you could see straight through the 20-something rooms.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394277/image/large-0bf6f443730a08348bd64873b3724337.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394277">Many of the furnishings on the main deck were personally chosen by Oleg and often came from auctions. “Most of the loose pieces that weren’t part of the in-build outfitting, came from his personal collection, which was incredibly large and precious.”<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxXSaZQ58WA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Watch: Black Pearl with IYC | First Ever Full Walkthrough of the 107m (350'0") Sailing Yacht</a><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394283/image/large-74b091e331cee96e2b3ed88037064f3f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394283">The office is one of the places that has been very carefully curated and is home to Oleg’s very own desk, which was brought onboard. The materials across the space and the entire deck were very carefully chosen and made by the same company that designs textiles for the French prime minister’s Élysée Palace in Paris.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394280/image/large-152fa939760edbb225df6255ffd06e98.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394280">The owner’s suite, located on the lower deck, stretches full beam and includes a separate lounging area and an ensuite bathroom that is decorated in various marbles and onyx. The bathroom also includes a bath, his-and-her sinks and a bidet. All staterooms sit on the lower deck and, including the owner’s suite, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4795" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Black Pearl106.7m (350'1&quot;)Oceanco2018">Black Pearl</a> can accommodate 12 guests across her seven staterooms.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394275/image/large-99c836251ece6d902fac3103425925ee.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394275">Thinking back on the four-and-a-half year experience Valentina shared with the yacht, she looks back at it with a full heart. “Everyday was a discovery,” Valentina notes on the overall process of working on <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4795" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Black Pearl106.7m (350'1&quot;)Oceanco2018">Black Pearl</a>, together with the team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/65" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nuvolari Lenard (Company)">Nuvolari Lenard</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7958" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gerard P. Villate Yachts (Company)">Gerard P. Villate</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/148" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ken Freivokh Design (Company)">Ken Freivokh Design</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/230" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dykstra Naval Architects (Company)">Dykstra Naval Architects</a>, and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a>. Sixteen years after the start of the project, with her solar panels, three 70-metre tall masts outfitted with DynaRigs, and a hybrid propulsion system, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4795" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Black Pearl106.7m (350'1&quot;)Oceanco2018">Black Pearl</a> remains one of the most iconic yachts to date.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4795" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Black Pearl106.7m (350'1&quot;)Oceanco2018">Black Pearl</a> is exclusively for charter with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a>.

Inside the design journey of the iconic Black Pearl

SuperYacht Times sits down with Valentina Zannier, part of the interior design team of the 107-metre Black Pearl

Known for its traditional charm and as the birthplace of the cheese of the same name, the Dutch village of Edam is also home to the studio of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design Naval Architects</a>. As I settled down into the Regentenkamer (Regent’s Room) of the beautifully restored 16th-century orphanage which now acts as their studio, handpainted walls and a plethora of yacht models offered a glimpse into their forty year history, setting the stage for the conversations ahead.&nbsp;Founded in 1986 by Andre Hoek, with Ruurt Meulemans joining in 1999, before becoming partner in 2011, the studio specialises in naval architecture, exterior and interior design, as well as performance optimisation and the structural engineering of custom sailing and motor yachts.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394086/image/large-b0a927e2d7997fae575f0756ee38d56a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394086">SuperYacht Times Sophie Spicknell speaks with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design Naval Architects Partners</a>, Andre Hoek and Ruurt Meulemans to find out more about the studio’s 40-year design legacy.“We wanted to create yachts that are not only high-performing, but visually timeless and most of all beautiful,” explained Hoek. From the early days of tank testing in 1987 to today’s sophisticated in-house developed performance software, hydrodynamic analyses and structural engineering, &nbsp;the studio has consistently pushed the boundaries of performance, whether for racing or cruising yachts. The styling of their yachts has become highly recognisable, with the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design</a> name becoming a trademark, alongside their Truly Classic yacht designs.&nbsp;Over the years, the studio has grown into a multidisciplinary team of around 10 specialists, spanning naval architecture, hydrodynamics, structural engineering and interior design. “We are experienced in all fields,” added Meulemans. “That makes it easier to communicate and to find solutions together as a team.”Both Hoek and Meulemans share a long-standing creative alignment when it comes to yacht design, with this shared philosophy shaping the studio into what it is today. “We have a similar eye,” laughed Hoek. “Nine out of ten times, we say the same thing when we look at a design.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394104/image/large-77be71a61399b1223b5c619862f0f303.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394104">A recognisable signature<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design’</a>s portfolio has long been defined by its “modern Truly Classic” sailing yachts, with the balance of traditional proportions and contemporary engineering remaining as the foundation of every project. “The signature of our work is to design yachts that perform well, are safe in ocean going conditions, that are absolutely beautiful and keep their value due to their timeless styling. We innovate and incorporate the things we learn from each yacht that is built into new designs.”One of the studio’s most notable creations is the 43.4-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1221" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Claasen Shipyards (Company)">Claasen</a> J-Class <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2079" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lionheart43.4m (142'5&quot;)Claasen Shipyards2010">Lionheart</a>, developed through extensive research into J-class performance and inspired by the philosophy of other large classic yachts. “With <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2079" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lionheart43.4m (142'5&quot;)Claasen Shipyards2010">Lionheart</a>, we analysed eight different hulls in-house, looking at tank-test data and wind performance,” said Meulemans. “She still wins races and cruises beautifully today, a combination that defines what we want in every yacht.”Other award-winning yachts in their portfolio include the 51.8-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/122" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Huisman (Company)">Royal Huisman</a> ketch <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4240" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Elfje51.8m (169'11&quot;)Royal Huisman2014">Elfje</a>, the 54.64-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/34" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vitters Shipyard (Company)">Vitters</a> ketches <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1842" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Adele54.64m (179'3&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2005">Adele</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2411" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marie54.64m (179'3&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2010">Marie</a>, the 47.65-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/122" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Huisman (Company)">Royal Huisman</a> sloop <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4241" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Wisp47.65m (156'4&quot;)Royal Huisman2014">Wisp</a>, the 49.7-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/34" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vitters Shipyard (Company)">Vitters</a> ketch <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6791" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Meraki49.7m (163'1&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2020">Meraki</a> and five multi-award winning Truly Classic 128 yachts, among many others. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/17017/image/large-00cfafd3e22b2754bd00bf1b964c2639.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/17017">Some notable sailing projects include the 42.7-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/32" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Holland Jachtbouw (Company)">Holland Jachtbouw</a> J-Class yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2632" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Topaz42.62m (139'10&quot;)Holland Jachtbouw2015">Topaz</a>, which was inspired and optimised from the design of the legendary Frank C. Paine’s 930 J-class yacht Yankee, as well as the 43.6-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/34" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vitters Shipyard (Company)">Vitters</a> J-Class yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5761" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Svea43.6m (143'1&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2017">Svea</a>, which was built to a very preliminary linesplan made by Thore Holm in 1937. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design</a> redeveloped and optimised the design as far as possible and she is now often regarded as one of the most beautiful J-Class, as well as one of the fastest. “Most of our clients like to enjoy the yacht both on the racecourse and with family,” added Hoek. “That’s what gives a yacht longevity, not just on the water, but in its value over time.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394125/image/large-2c88ca0a17d5118ffa10528b8b8a65f5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394125">Even one-off commissions demonstrate the studio’s consistent philosophy, with the 64-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/32" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Holland Jachtbouw (Company)">Holland Jachtbouw</a> schooner <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/21" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Athos64.0m (209'12&quot;)Holland Jachtbouw2010">Athos</a> featuring a 3.5-metre draft, a Panamax rig and a keel centreboard, which was a first for a schooner yacht of her size when she was launched in 2011, while the 55-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1842" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Adele54.64m (179'3&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2005">Adele</a> which combines modern construction techniques with classic styling has gone on to win multiple awards and accolades since her launch in 2005. More recent designs include the 69-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/34" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vitters Shipyard (Company)">Vitters</a> ketch, which is currently under construction, with an expected delivery date of 2027.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/361902/image/large-9e7033479b8f29a8f39b3e0c7734db8b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/361902">From custom to conceptWhile full-custom yachts remain a core part of the business, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design</a>’s long-term success has also been built on its semi-series Truly Classic range. Developed in the 1990s, the concept combines the elegance of the 1930s with modern hull configurations and was designed to lower the barrier to entry for clients hesitant to commission a one-off yacht.“There is quite a threshold for clients to walk into a design office and start a completely custom project,” said Hoek. “So we developed designs that were easier to step into.” The result is a portfolio of proven platforms, ranging from 15 to nearly 40-metres, that can be customised, while retaining a consistent design DNA.&nbsp;Some of the yachts in this portfolio include the 24.7-metre TC80 yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4078" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palmyre24.75m (81'2&quot;)Holland Jachtbouw2000">Palmyre</a> which showed what was possible for customisation in 2000, as well as the first 27.5-metre TC90 yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3638" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kealoha27.5m (90'3&quot;)Claasen Shipyards2008">Kealoha</a>, which was launched in 2008, and the first 38.8-metre TC128 yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6756" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Atalante I 27.5m (90'3&quot;)Claasen Shipyards2009">Atalante</a>, which was launched in 2015. More than 40 yachts have been built in the Truly Classic semi-custom range, with a new TC143 model currently in development at the studio.The series has also fostered long-term client relationships, with many owners returning to the studio to scale up in size or transition into new yacht types. “We have clients who have built multiple yachts with us,” added Meulemans. “That’s always very rewarding.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394053/image/large-25030737a651d0d2f3ecdd6254685201.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394053">Expanding Into motor yachtsDespite sailing yachts remaining central to their output, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design</a> continues to apply the same design language to its portfolio of motor yachts, particularly within the classic segment. “We were the first to start developing these kinds of classic motor yachts,” stated Hoek. “And at the time, you would hardly see anyone doing this.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/372710/image/large-57a42879c3ce416305fce24b6e0ec5ca.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/372710">In 2020, the multi-award winning 56-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Turquoise Yachts (Company)">Turquoise</a> yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6037" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue II55.99m (183'8&quot;)Turquoise Yachts2020">Blue II&nbsp;</a>was launched marking the first expedition motor yacht designed by the studio to hit the water. With a pronounced sheer, canoe stern and deep V icebreaking bow, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6037" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue II55.99m (183'8&quot;)Turquoise Yachts2020">Blue II&nbsp;</a>incorporates many modern features, while remaining classic in her design.&nbsp;“<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6037" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue II55.99m (183'8&quot;)Turquoise Yachts2020">Blue II</a> was a really exciting challenge for us,” explained Meulemans. “We wanted her to perform like a modern expedition yacht, but you should still be able to recognise her as a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek design</a> at first glance.”Since then, the studio has developed smaller and mid-sized motor yachts that carry the same classic design DNA. “Whether it’s a 33-metre cruising yacht, or something closer to 75-metres, the principles remain the same,” said Hoek. “You can innovate in terms of propulsion or hull design, but the yacht still needs to be elegant, practical and enjoyable to live onboard.” With innovation at the forefront, various new designs measuring 27, 33, 35, 66 and 70-metres are also in development.The non-hierarchical structure of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design</a> also allows the studio to extend beyond to external collaborations with shipyards and specialist designers, while retaining overall design control. Their team is involved in all aspects of design, including complete interior designs by a specialised team at the studio, which ensures that decisions are both structurally and technically feasible. “When you understand the construction behind an interior, you can do so much more,” added Meulemans. “When interior designers work next to structural engineers, decisions can be made to optimise space.”For <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design,</a> the transition from sailing yachts to motor yachts is a simple one. “What we have achieved with styling and performance for sailing yachts can also be done for motor yachts,” noted Meulemans.A striking new design that fits this bill is a 45-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Royal Hakvoort</a> motor yacht, which is due for delivery in 2027, as well as similar 33 and 66-metre designs which are also in development. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/339560/image/large-85b9c9c6c5118d4df7b63033ceada249.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/339560">Looking aheadFrom the cobbled streets of Edam to the open seas, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design</a>’s track record is firmly established, thanks to a large client base and approximately 170 yachts delivered. But the studio shows no sign of standing still just yet. Their current projects include new iterations of the Truly Classic range, as well as larger custom sailing yachts and an expanding profile of classic-inspired motor yachts.&nbsp;When asked what message they would give to the next generation of designers and naval architects, their answer was clear. “Be patient, it doesn’t happen overnight. Our passion comes from knowing that each boat we design will be sailed, raced and enjoyed for generations to come.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394112/image/large-e580a256f43fcf501e98bda17ce30580.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394112">

Hoek Design at 40: why timeless yacht design still endures

Hoek Design reflects on 40 years of timeless yacht design, from Truly Classic sailing yachts to an expanding motor yacht portfolio.

Inside Hoek Design’s 40-year legacy in superyacht design

Marking ten years as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> Director / CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8781" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Van Lent Shipyard (Company)">Royal Van Lent Shipyard,</a> Jan-Bart Verkuyl sits down with Francesca Webster to reflect on a decade defined by bigger yachts, bolder ideas and an unshakeable belief that the future of custom yachting rests on people as much as propulsion.Verkuyl discusses why the owner remains the ‘heart’ of every <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>, how the yard is preparing for a post-fossil-fuel era and why ‘barefoot luxury’ has reshaped the way clients live onboard.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393423/image/large-ac7849d21e042a9a4c3a107bcc994890.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393423">How has your vision for&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>&nbsp;changed since becoming CEO ten years ago?When I took over ten years ago, we were building the 101.5-metre yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3765" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Symphony101.5m (333'0&quot;)Feadship2015">Symphony</a>, which was then our biggest yacht. At that time, we only had this yard. Since then, a lot has changed. The yachts have grown in size, the features have become more complex and our clients have continued to push and push for new ideas.As an organisation, we had to adapt. We built the yard in Amsterdam because there were projects we simply couldn’t accommodate here at Kaag anymore. That growth has been significant, but at the same time we have stayed true to what we believe in – strong craftsmanship, educating our own people and organising our processes so we can build efficiently. It has been an interesting and exciting ten years.Full custom means every yacht is different. What defines the heart of a&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>&nbsp;for you?For me, the heart of a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> is the owner. The first phase of a project, when you start exploring and dreaming together, is one of the nicest parts of the whole build. The owner brings ideas, the designer brings ideas and we bring technological knowledge and experience from previous projects. When you mix that all together, something unique comes out of it. That creative collaboration is very special.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/64739/image/large-70131e0ab6a4a49a7d29bc2f695a3729.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/64739">You have a technical background and you are a sailor. How has that influenced your leadership?I studied naval architecture because I love being on the water. Sailing was my starting point. Having that technical background gives me deep knowledge of the product itself. Understanding how, even one aspect of the build works, is extremely important to me.For a company like this, you need to love the product and understand what an owner is looking for. That helps me explain internally and externally what we are doing and why we are doing it.You also took over as President of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2589" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss) (Company)">SYBAss</a>&nbsp;in November, how do you see the role of the association today in supporting and representing the yards?<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2589" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss) (Company)">SYBAss</a> creates a platform for members to stimulate professionalism. We are stronger together, especially when we speak to governmental bodies, classification societies and regulatory organisations such as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1452" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lloyd's Register (Company)">Lloyd’s Register</a> and the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4531" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="International Maritime Organization (Company)">IMO</a>.It is also about knowledge sharing and innovation. When we talk about reducing the footprint of our yachts, there is real openness between the yards. We are competitors, of course, but some topics are non-competitive. If we can improve the product as a whole, that benefits the entire industry.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/358575/image/large-b372d7e9c85730e2eac28ad466627782.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/358575">Talking about innovation, where do you see the most meaningful advances in the coming years?The biggest change is on the propulsion side, moving from fossil fuels to non-fossil alternatives. As <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> we are on the forefront there, together with a few other shipyards, as you know we have worked with hydrogen propulsion with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8907" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Breakthrough118.8m (389'9&quot;)Feadship2025">Breakthrough</a> and we are looking at methanol.The challenge is that the infrastructure is not yet in place. In some ways, we are further ahead than the market can currently handle, there is also no single solution at the moment. Methanol seems promising for yachts, but we are also part of a working group looking into nuclear energy. We do not rule out anything.At the same time, real innovation also comes from our people. We have craftsmen and engineers in-house across all disciplines. You are only as good as your people and that will never change and your real innovation comes from them.Talent acquisition and development has been a real challenge across the industry, how are you sourcing and developing that expertise?At every <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> yard location, both at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8781" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Van Lent Shipyard (Company)">Van Lent</a> and De Vries, we have our own schools, with young people joining us at around fifteen years old. They are good with their hands and want to create something beautiful. We educate them and train them up through our fields of craftsmanship.We also continue to train people who join later in their careers. We believe strongly in having every discipline in-house, which I believe is one of our success factors. Another is that we share success with our supply chain. When we learn something, our partners learn it as well and that strengthens the entire collective.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/183843/image/large-8584c2370c97d18a287d4696e51f7326.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/183843">Turning to sustainability, to what extent is it the responsibility of the yard versus the owner?I believe we owe it to ourselves to push forward. If we do not, at some point we risk becoming extinct. Fortunately, many of our owners are passionate yachtsmen and they are knowledgeable, often building their second or third yacht with us. Increasingly I hear from our clients that they are not prepared to invest in old technology and that drives us forward to find the next solution for their projects.At the moment, diesel-electric is becoming the norm, often requested by our clients. How far owners want to stretch beyond that depends on the individual, but we try to encourage progress. Of course, we are still building for customers who pay the bills, so there must be a balance.How does&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>’s net-zero strategy translate into decisions?We try to demonstrate the merits of technological advances that reduce a yacht’s footprint. As a minimum, we aim for diesel-electric. We also try to incorporate the backbone for future fuels, such as methanol storage in the tanks, so yachts are prepared for what comes next.In addition, we invest in research and development that is not tied to a specific project. Within our naval architecture team, we have people dedicated to R&amp;D. We look at propulsion, materials, reducing energy use at the yard and reusing steel and aluminium. We also consider the footprint of the yard itself.Looking to design, have you seen changes in how owners use their yachts?Very much so. Outdoor spaces have become significantly more important. There is now a much stronger connection between inside and outside. In the past, stepping inside could feel like entering a chateau, today it is more about what we sometimes call ‘barefoot luxury’ – a relaxed platform to enjoy time with friends and family.Beach clubs have become central to that lifestyle. Projects such as the 80-metre yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12192" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Thalassa80.0m (262'6&quot;)Feadship2026">Thalassa</a> show how far that concept can go, with increasingly open and connected spaces. She is set to change the way that entire area is conceived when she is delivered later this year.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393447/image/large-514aa433f0972fffd042579497fabe05.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393447">Is there a limit to how far bespoke design can go before it undermines the efficiency of the build?It is a delicate balance. We often say, give us time and money and we can create anything, but it must function properly. The back of house is just as important as the front of house. Crew need to operate and maintain these yachts and there are only so many skilled engineers available.We listen carefully to owners and designers, but we also try to reduce unnecessary complexity. If systems become so complex that they cannot be properly maintained, then no one benefits.How important is aftersales and refit to the business today?Aftercare has grown significantly over the past ten years. When a yacht is cruising and something happens, we want to be there. We can fly people out to assist and, with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> facilities in Amsterdam and Makkum, it is relatively easy for yachts to return to the Netherlands.Once owners experience the value of having the original builders work on their yacht, they often return. Refit and rebuild will continue to grow and from an environmental perspective, reusing an existing hull can make sense. Regulations are tightening and technology is advancing, so there will be increasing demand to upgrade systems and reduce footprints.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393448/image/large-35aa58d1876c3f8f1cd622b849457c66.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393448">How would you describe the relationship between&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8781" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Van Lent Shipyard (Company)">Van Lent</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;De Vries?It is a healthy collaborative rivalry. Both yards strongly believe we build the best yachts in the world, and that creates a positive competitive spirit. We share what we are proud of and learn from each other.&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/30" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="De Voogt Naval Architects (Company)">De Voogt Naval Architects</a> plays a central role in transferring knowledge. If one yard learns something, it flows back through <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/30" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="De Voogt Naval Architects (Company)">De Voogt</a> and benefits the other. When it comes to assigning projects, repeat clients often return to the yard they built with previously. For new clients, it can depend on availability. If we cannot accommodate a project, we will support our colleagues and vice versa. Across both our yards, whatever the journey, what leaves our sheds is always a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>.Looking back over the past decade, what makes you most proud?Teamwork. Projects such as the 118.8-metre hydrogen fuel-cell yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8907" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Breakthrough118.8m (389'9&quot;)Feadship2025">Breakthrough</a> were extremely complex, not only in terms of propulsion, but also in the level of technical detail. Achieving results like that requires a collective effort.I am also proud of the relationships we have built with repeat clients. Ultimately, achieving something together – yard, owner, designer and supply chain – is what defines this journey.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/387292/image/large-adfe769e9032b19ceaf12c4b11cac15f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/387292">And finally, looking forward, what would you like to see in the coming years?Propulsion technology will continue to evolve and I hope clients keep surprising us with requests that make people enthusiastic. I want <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> to remain an employer where people want to stay and develop.We do not necessarily need to build bigger. Perhaps one day we will build a large sailing yacht, or perhaps our seventy-foot New Classic will come to life. Above all, I want to keep building yachts that put a smile on people’s faces.

Feadship’s next chapter: Jan-Bart Verkuyl on 10 years at the helm

Feadship Director and CEO of Royal Van Lent Shipyard  Jan-Bart Verkuyl reflects on 10 years, future fuels and how owners are reshaping life onboard.

At 85 metres in length and around 2,680GT, Project Life is <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a>’s largest ever platform-based yacht and occupies one of the strongest segments of the superyacht market – yet it does so without leaning on recognisable heritage cues. Instead, it proposes a new way of thinking about how a yacht is arranged, experienced, and lived on. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/353191/image/large-f18746f0152629e2708994c889792809.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/353191">When <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a> unveiled new details of Project Life last year – and announced it was prepared to build the yacht on spec – it didn’t feel like a rehash of a concept first presented in 2023 at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/182" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show - 2023">Monaco Yacht Show</a>. It was more a statement about how life on board is constantly evolving, and one of the historic and highly established Italian shipyards intends to evolve with it.&nbsp;Project Life is not a trendy explorer, nor is it a nostalgic throwback or a neutral compromise,” says Giovanna Vitelli, Chair of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6046" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azimut-Benetti Group (Company)">Azimut | Benetti</a>. “Instead, it is an evolving proposal that has been engineered to maximise lifestyle potential on board by balancing private ownership enjoyment with outstanding commercial viability.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a> deliberately chose to start afresh with Project Life by creating a new identity grounded in design, function, lifestyle and operational reality – one that could credibly form the basis of a future series. Behind that objective sits a remarkably close collaboration between <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/Company/159" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Burgess (Company)">Burgess</a>, interior studio <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/67" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zuretti Interior Design (Company)">Zuretti Design</a>, and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Espen Øino</a> – the first collaboration between <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a> and the Norwegian designer.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/353194/image/large-8df6961df50a9f25f09acd69374554e8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/353194">Designing without an owner&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/67" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zuretti Interior Design (Company)">Zuretti Design</a>’s involvement began almost by coincidence. The studio had originally been working on the interior of a different <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a> project. Although the concept was well resolved, it felt limiting for the Nice-based studio. Then Francois Zuretti received a call while on holiday in August 2023: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a> wanted to move the studio onto another project under development with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Espen Øino</a>. Officially, the request was to adapt their existing work, but the opportunity was obvious.“With only weeks before the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/182" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show - 2023">Monaco Yacht Show</a>, we understood that this was a moment to start again properly,” recalls the French designer. “Everything was stripped back to zero. The pressure of the deadline became a creative advantage: we had to go straight to the point – and that’s where clarity comes from.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/353198/image/large-a06664914e6c9afde30007b869a532cb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/353198">With no client attached, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/67" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zuretti Interior Design (Company)">Zuretti Design</a> had to invent one. The studio imagined how the new visionary owners lives on board: less formality, fewer barriers, lighter, and better connection to the sea. The interior architecture that emerged is intentionally calm and restrained with muted tones and clean lines forming a flexible base.“We fixed around 70 to 80 percent,” says <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/67" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zuretti Interior Design (Company)">Zuretti</a> CEO Sebastien GEY. “The rest can change completely once an owner arrives. You can shift the mood without breaking the design concept, allowing the yacht to evolve with its owner rather than becoming dated by aesthetic decisions.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/251947/image/large-5a4c262dd39357ac1eb7796bdbb06608.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/251947">The most radical decision lies at the centre of the yacht: the main saloon. Rather than a conventional interior lounge and dining room, it is conceived as a single continuum that blends smoothly into the exterior decks. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/67" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zuretti Interior Design (Company)">Zuretti</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Øino</a>’s long-standing collaboration made it possible to blur the boundary almost entirely. Flooring and decking flow in and out, exterior ceiling finishes push into the interior, while interior materials extend outside. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Øino</a> describes the saloon as an outdoor living area that can be enclosed when required, rather than an interior that merely connects to the outside. Teak decking, low bulwarks and extensive glazing reinforce that effect throughout the yacht.“When the doors are open, there is no psychological step,” he says. “It’s just one space, breathing in the sea.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/353200/image/large-1b6b253154d326ebda513a8c5c1e546a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/353200">The backbone&nbsp;Underlying the entire project is a sophisticated general arrangement. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Øino</a> stresses that no amount of styling can compensate for a flawed GA, and significant time was spent developing crew circulation, storage and service routes. Burgess played a key role in that process by bringing its operational and management experience to the table, helping to optimise crew working conditions and service efficiency, both for private use and charter.&nbsp;“Our involvement was about ensuring the yacht works as well as it looks,” says Rory Boyle, Head of New Build Sales at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/159" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Burgess (Company)">Burgess</a>. “Project Life balances guest flow, crew wellbeing and technical practicality in a way that makes it genuinely buildable and commercially credible.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393285/image/large-5d0db4e0b4b0d6990c62ea36d9b09e9b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393285">Accessibility is prioritised. A guest lift connects from tender landing points – both stern and side – all the way to the sun deck, allowing barrier-free movement for guests with reduced mobility. Every aspect of the spatial planning has been carefully orchestrated. The result, according to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a>, is that Project Life has approximately 25 percent more interior and exterior space than its nearest competitors in the 80-metre segment.The service areas have also been comprehensively developed, with extensive dry and cold stores, freezer rooms, laundry facilities, a crew gym and dedicated engineering corridors. Waste handling and provisioning are carefully considered, with hull access points for loading and offloading supplies.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/353188/image/large-dbafbe983177ea5cef2937f4b44749f1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/353188">Engineering-driven design&nbsp;From the outset, the concept was shaped by technical decisions intended to support better layouts. One of the most significant was the adoption of HVO-compatible, diesel-electric propulsion and azimuthing pods, as well as integrated hybrid solar panels that collect both solar and thermal energy to power tenders and toys. This solution means technical spaces can be positioned with more flexibility, reducing the footprint of the engine room and freeing up valuable lower-deck volume.“It’s not about novelty,” <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Øino</a> explains. “It’s about freedom – in layout, in shaping the aft sections, and in improving manoeuvrability, particularly with dynamic positioning.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393284/image/large-dc4c352c41724607dc8bccaf2001eb28.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393284">Those gains are most visible in the beach club, which became a central design driver. Spanning a total of 270 square metres, it is one of the largest in her class. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Øino</a> notes that a key decision was to maintain sufficient freeboard, so the space remains usable in real operating conditions at anchor when folding platforms are subject to wave slapping. Two 14-metre side terraces combined with the stern platform create a true walk-around beach club, with tenders and toys stored along the sides rather than directly aft. This frees up the stern area for watersports and leisure, creating what the designer describes as “a private marina at the heart of the yacht.”The stern platform is intentionally oversized – and for good reason: “Aft platforms are almost never big enough for real-life use,” says <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Øino</a>. “On Project Life, it can accommodate dining tables and social set-ups that replicate the feeling of sitting on a dock in St Barths or the Bahamas.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/353187/image/large-6e375054858e5d388619d66331a98789.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/353187">Within the beach club, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/67" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zuretti Interior Design (Company)">Zuretti Design</a> faced a technical requirement for access to air-conditioning equipment and other equipment. Rather than conceal it, the designers transformed it into a signature feature: two sculptural, cocoon-like alcoves lining the space.“Remove the cushions and an engineer can crawl through,” Zuretti explains. “Put them back, and they become some of the most desirable lounging spots on board.”It is a recurring theme throughout Project Life: engineering constraints are not hidden, but absorbed into the architecture and used to shape the experience.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/353201/image/large-c4ff763597c2dd9b801b93769909f63e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/353201">Precision luxury<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/67" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zuretti Interior Design (Company)">Zuretti</a>’s interior design is based on understated elegance. Pale woods, organic window mullions and integrated lighting create a sense of calm rather than spectacle. There is no overt display of luxury – and that, Zuretti notes, is precisely what makes it difficult to execute.“The simpler it looks, the more unforgiving it becomes,” he says. “The luxury is in the precision.”Richer materials appear in the twin bathrooms on the owner’s deck, including a sculpted stone bathtub in Her bathroom, anchoring the space in something unmistakably luxurious. Full-height glazing, part of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Øino</a>’s exterior architecture but unusual in a bathroom, gives the space a cinematic quality.The 98-square-metre owner’s suite overlooks a private foredeck and Jacuzzi. With direct access to the side decks, it benefits from natural cross-ventilation and the option to sleep without air conditioning – a small but telling detail in a project focused on quality of life.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/353196/image/large-ad514258eab05b1101230648d253ff0e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/353196">In fact, outdoor living is prioritised at every level. Above the beach club, the main deck aft is designed as a social space with a 6-metre, glass-bottomed pool at its centre surrounded by a wet bar, sun loungers and plush, oversized sofas. Seating and benches are built into the pool, reflecting &nbsp;how guests actually use pools onboard yachts – sitting, chatting, relaxing. The area is large enough to host live music or events, reinforcing its role as a social hub.Dining is deliberately decentralised. On the bridge deck there is an open-air dining space equipped with a live-cooking setup – more commonly seen on much larger yachts. Practical work surfaces and a large pantry ensure good crew ergonomics, while guest-facing counters align with table height, allowing everyone to interact at the same level.“People rarely dine as a full group for every meal,” <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Øino</a> explains. “You need flexibility, protection from sun and wind, and proximity to service areas – especially for charter.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/353199/image/large-596dde38ea72d2da9101741a27c5d7af.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/353199">A new direction&nbsp;"What's exciting about this collaboration is that it's already coming to life - <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a> have started engineering the first in the Life series ready for a new owner to step in," concludes <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/159" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Burgess (Company)">Burgess</a> partner, Crispin Baynes.For <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a>, it establishes a new benchmark, while for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Øino</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/67" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Zuretti Interior Design (Company)">Zuretti</a> it demonstrates the power of creative collaboration across disciplines. And for the market, it represents a product conceived for today’s more mellow lifestyle afloat: open, fluid, light-filled, and discreetly sophisticated.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/353192/image/large-4f911dd625db005fe2c447b8b2210528.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/353192">

Benetti Project Life

Inside Benetti's 85m Project Life with designers Espen Øino and Zuretti

With the Mediterranean charter season just around the corner, features writer, Enrico Chhibber, speaks with industry experts to gain insight into how the 2026 charter market is taking shape.Expectations for the 2026 superyacht charter season remain broadly positive, but the market is showing clear signs of change. Enrico Chhibber spoke with brokers, executives and fiscal representatives, taking a look at shifting booking behaviour, evolving destination preferences and a more nuanced outlook of the season ahead. As a result, the market appears resilient, though increasingly shaped by a wider range of variables than in previous seasons.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/384289/image/large-2927a582f9db6de1b2a797943e6c0224.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/384289">Demand patterns and booking behaviourLooking at charter market performance across the 2024 to 2025 season, several industry participants described activity as resilient, with some reporting year-on-year growth. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser</a> Chief Executive Officer Anders Kurtén said the company saw a strong charter season and no sign of weakening demand. “I can only speak for us. We actually had a really good charter season last year,” he said. “If we look beyond euros and dollars and just focus on charter days, we tend to be somewhere just shy of 7,000 days of charter, and that is exactly where we were last season as well. We didn’t feel any softening of the market last season.”Josh Cripps, a charter broker at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5532" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Roccabella Yachts (Company)">Rocabella</a> specialising in the 30 to 50-metre segment, offered a similarly positive assessment, noting that “the amount of weeks booked has increased”. While he acknowledged that ongoing geopolitical turbulence could influence market conditions, he suggested its effect may be more visible in booking behaviour, adding that “it might change the timeline of which yachts will be booked”, as clients wait longer before confirming or shift plans in response to external developments.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/283808/image/large-4de1576c9ef0d3a728b5f9e0bce9396b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/283808">Kurtén also pointed to what he described as a “bifurcation in client behaviour”, a trend he said has become more pronounced over the past two to three years. “On the one hand we have more last-minute charters,” he notes, including bookings for large yachts made only days before embarkation. “On the other hand, we have more bookings now for summer 2027, which is essentially a year and a half in advance.” He added that, while there is no clear explanation for the divide, the contrast between short-notice bookings and long-range planning is becoming increasingly evident.A similar shift was observed by Alex von Stein, CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4921" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SOS Yachting (Company)">SOS Yachting</a>. Drawing on the company’s activities across Spain, France and Monaco, Italy, Croatia and Greece, he said the 2025 charter season started later than in previous years, with “a noticeable increase in last-minute charter bookings compared with previous years”.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/391737/image/large-1934aeb30d38004f8504f7102ac6af24.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/391737">Destination trends and regional divergenceWhile the Mediterranean continues to dominate the global charter market, contributors indicated that demand is becoming more regionally varied within that broader picture. Kurtén said that, in a “normalised 12-month cycle”, around 65 percent of charter activity would typically take place in the Mediterranean, with that figure split roughly “60 percent in the Western Mediterranean and 40 percent Eastern Mediterranean”. He added that just under 30 percent of activity would usually fall in the Caribbean, with the remainder spread across South East Asia and other, more exotic destinations.Within the Mediterranean itself, however, the Western basin continues to account for the strongest concentration of demand. Cripps said that “44 percent of all my bookings in 2025 were for Italy”, while “35 percent of the total bookings were in France”. In his view, this underlines the continued appeal of established charter hotspots, with the Amalfi Coast and the Côte d’Azur remaining “two of the most popular charter destinations in the world”. This broadly aligns with the view of von Stein, who said the Western Mediterranean “remains the preferred charter destination”, continuing to attract the majority of charter activity within European waters.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/391738/image/large-86c0c18a8f3c964a054ce6d428034a12.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/391738">At the same time, both Cripps and von Stein pointed to rising momentum in parts of the Eastern Mediterranean. Cripps said that “Eastern Med has increased”, adding that “Turkey, specifically, has increased a lot”.Von Stein, meanwhile, identified Greece as a particularly strong-performing market, attributing this to the continued implementation of the 28-day charter licence framework and the broader acceptance of the Yacht Engaged in Trade programme. In his view, these developments have improved regulatory clarity and made charter operations in Greek waters more accessible. “Greece is a clear example of how regulatory clarity combined with operational flexibility can directly stimulate charter activity,” he said.Even so, Kurtén urged caution when interpreting growth in less established destinations. While acknowledging increased interest in more unusual cruising grounds, he noted that percentage gains can sound more dramatic than they are when measured from a very small base. As he put it, “I always urge caution when you report percentage increases, if the initial in-going numbers are really small.” For that reason, rising visibility in more niche markets may point to broadening client interest, but not necessarily to a major rebalancing of the wider charter market.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/391741/image/large-500a3029b51096bb6d1e3b808c845778.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/391741">Outlook for 2026: resilience amid uncertaintyLooking ahead, expectations for the 2026 charter season remain positive, with several contributors pointing to encouraging early signals and forward bookings already in place. Cripps acknowledged that “most charter brokers in the business are always optimistic”, but added that broader instability remains impossible to ignore. Even so, he suggested that charter retains a degree of resilience, noting that “the 2026 season will be a good year for everyone; there are already some great bookings on the horizon”.A similarly measured tone came from Kurtén, who said he was “cautiously optimistic” about the 2026 season, based in part on bookings already secured. His view reflects a wider sense that, while confidence remains intact, forecasting is becoming more difficult in an increasingly volatile external environment.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/288400/image/large-8a6ff6fb290af834b159d62a0fb21559.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/288400">That caution was also reflected in feedback shared by von Stein, who said initial indications from clients were positive, with “early indications suggesting continued market strength”. At the same time, he noted that the recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East had introduced uncertainty into the market. In his view, previous geopolitical events suggest there is a risk of reduced charter activity if North American owners and charter clients choose to postpone or redirect travel plans.Ultimately, the charter market is entering 2026 from a position of resilience, though not without clear sensitivities. Demand appears to remain in place, yet the season ahead is likely to depend as much on external developments and client confidence as on the strength of the market itself.

what is shaping the 2026 charter market

Enrico Chhibber speaks with industry experts and dives into how the 2026 superyacht charter market is taking shape.

How is the superyacht charter market taking shape in 2026?

The 80-metre-plus <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/96" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Devonport (Company)">Devonport</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/307" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pure82.0m (269'0&quot;)Devonport2008">Pure</a> has been photographed in St Tropez, France by the SuperYacht Times team for the first time following the completion of an extensive refit at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/86" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amico & Co S.p.A. (Company)">Amico &amp; Co</a> facility in Genova Italy. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400628/image/large-241fcf289c011fde841f708664112753.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400628"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/245063/image/large-734d5a135b729ad1af3e18aad203f55b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/245063">Bottom: Pure photographed as Sarafsa before her refitDuring her refit, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/307" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pure82.0m (269'0&quot;)Devonport2008">Pure</a> underwent significant interior and exterior changes, as well as a new paint job which saw her transformed from a navy hull to white. The aft sections of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/307" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pure82.0m (269'0&quot;)Devonport2008">Pure</a> have also been reconfigured, allowing for more deck space, with an extension to her stern. She was originally 82-metres at the time of her launch.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400633/image/large-eb4c751d9645590e3b140ba06ff86dd0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400633">The most significant change to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/307" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pure82.0m (269'0&quot;)Devonport2008">Pure</a> is her stern, which has been redesigned to include a beach club transom area, with an integrated pool. Her previous staircase arrangement has been modified with a cleaner layout, while her mast has been simplified and modernised.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400624/image/large-df4f992d2231aec2160a884f7a82b8b0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400624">First launched in 2008, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/307" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pure82.0m (269'0&quot;)Devonport2008">Pure</a> was once the largest superyacht to be built in the United Kingdom, before she was overtaken by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1711" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vava II96.0m (314'12&quot;)Devonport2012">Vava II</a> in 2021. She previously sported a dark hull and white superstructure, with original naval architecture from the drawing boards of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/273" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Burness Corlett Three Quays International Limited (Company)">Burness Corlett - Three Quays Limited</a>, alongside interior and exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/69" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Winch Design (Company)">Winch Design</a>. The team involved in her redesign is currently unknown.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400626/image/large-4ac605c759a97575cbd969250b186558.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400626"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/245064/image/large-a2b48d9c904f7d512489257d037944b4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/245064">Details surrounding her interior refit are yet to be revealed, but <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/307" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pure82.0m (269'0&quot;)Devonport2008">Pure</a> previously was able to accommodate up to 14 guests across a seven stateroom configuration, as well as 23 crew in 13 cabins. She has a GT of 3,392 according to Lloyd's Register. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400621/image/large-be73f9e4b2ff73b72ac302653c1efb81.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400621">Built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/307" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pure82.0m (269'0&quot;)Devonport2008">Pure</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, providing her with a top speed of 16.5 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots.&nbsp;

Devonport yacht Pure after major refit

The 82-metre Devonport superyacht Pure has been spotted in France following the completion of an extensive refit.

home-featured-hero#0

First look at the Devonport superyacht Pure  following radical refit

The 24.38-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Nautor Swan</a> sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4056" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Umiko24.38m (79'12&quot;)Nautor Swan2000">Umiko</a> has been sold. Stefano Leonardi of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6621" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="L Marine Group Srl (Company)">L Marine Group</a> represented the buyer, with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Nautor Swan</a> Global Service providing assistance. Sean McCarter of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/526" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Northrop & Johnson (Company)">Northrop &amp; Johnson</a> represented the seller.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/318522/image/large-f2fbf4511c7c81a5deeb17168f1ebbe0.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/318522">Delivered in 2000 by Finnish shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nautor Swan (Company)">Nautor Swan</a>, Umiko, previously known as Astro de l'Est, features both exterior design and naval architecture crafted by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/171" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="German Frers (Company)">German Frers</a>. Meanwhile, her &nbsp;interiors were penned in-house by her builder. The sailing yacht was last refitted in 2022.Constructed with a GRP hull and superstructure, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4056" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Umiko24.38m (79'12&quot;)Nautor Swan2000">Umiko</a> has a beam of 5.82-metres and an interior volume of 48 GT. Accommodation onboard is arranged for up to six guests across five well-appointed staterooms, alongside dedicated quarters for two crew members.&nbsp;In terms of propulsion, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4056" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Umiko24.38m (79'12&quot;)Nautor Swan2000">Umiko</a> is powered by a single <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1741" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yanmar Co., Ltd. (Company)">Yanmar</a> engine, propelling her to a top speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of ten knots.At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4056" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Umiko24.38m (79'12&quot;)Nautor Swan2000">Umiko</a> had a last known asking price of €1,300,000.Image courtesy of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/526" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Northrop & Johnson (Company)">Northrop &amp; Johnson</a>.

 24m Nautor Swan sailing yacht Umiko sold

24m Nautor Swan sailing yacht Umiko has been sold with a last known asking price of €1,300,000.

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kingship (Company)">Kingship</a> is strengthening its focus on the European market with the introduction of two larger yacht concepts, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kingship (Company)">Kingship</a>&nbsp;45m project and the KingCat 125, as the shipyard looks to engage a broader international client base through adaptable design platforms and competitive build timelines.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/376943/image/large-6daae673f169235ed3926bc1df4514ff.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/376943">Founded in 2004 by Roger Liang in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, with management and marketing based in Hong Kong, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kingship (Company)">Kingship</a> has developed its position in the 300 to 499 GT segment, where it sees growing opportunity amid rising new-build costs.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399479/image/large-8cf23502eab60f270b671602a5175505.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399479">Two larger yacht conceptsWhile both projects reflect <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kingship (Company)">Kingship</a>’s move into larger yacht construction, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kingship (Company)">Kingship</a>&nbsp;45m&nbsp;project and the KingCat 125&nbsp;have been developed around different design priorities.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399472/image/large-a77db1b4fa3325df9815067d311d55fd.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399472">The KingCat 125, a multihull explorer concept, was developed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/464" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Barracuda Yacht Design Ltd. (Company)">Barracuda Yacht Design</a>, which was responsible for both her exterior and interior concept. She has a robust and functional design language, with an exterior shaped around capability, practicality and purpose. Her twin-hull configuration is intended to support efficiency and stability, while the design also includes private balconies for each guest stateroom, an unusual feature in this size and category of yacht. Rather than focusing on decorative detailing, the project places emphasis on operational strength, with form closely linked to performance.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399470/image/large-ba69f4b68a3a86cfc74214492b2abe28.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399470">The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kingship (Company)">Kingship</a>&nbsp;45m project takes a more refined approach. Her exterior was created by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1403" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Axis Group Yacht Design (Company)">Axis Design Group</a>, with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/464" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Barracuda Yacht Design Ltd. (Company)">Barracuda Yacht Design</a> responsible for the interior concept. Developed as a 499GT platform, she is intended to combine elegance and versatility, with a distinctive bow and a carefully proportioned overall profile. In contrast to the more assertive character of the KingCat 125, the Kingship 45m project is positioned as a more adaptable platform for owners seeking a larger yacht with considerable interior potential.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399474/image/large-944b55481e7291b372eb0462f7b323ca.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399474">Adaptability and delivery timelinesThe level of customisation differs between the two projects. On the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kingship (Company)">Kingship</a>&nbsp;45m project, the layout is largely defined by the vessel’s structural framework, although minor spatial adjustments remain possible where they do not affect the existing structure. The interior concept, developed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/464" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Barracuda Yacht Design Ltd. (Company)">Barracuda Yacht Design,</a> has been presented by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kingship (Company)">Kingship</a> as a showcase of the shipyard’s craftsmanship and production capabilities. It follows a contemporary style with subtle Asian influences, while still allowing an owner to tailor the interior to her own preferences and use of the yacht.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399478/image/large-f87f1113f026d9926077c0799be26230.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399478"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399477/image/large-ad3c3a2f74eb33a37d6686b99f919a0b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399477">The KingCat 125&nbsp;offers greater flexibility at this stage. Her final interior design has not yet been developed, although the intended direction is modern, contemporary, warm and comfortable. With fewer structural constraints than the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kingship (Company)">Kingship</a>&nbsp;45m project, she gives owners more scope to shape the interior arrangement and design from an earlier stage.Delivery timelines remain dependent on final specifications and contract terms. As a guide, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kingship (Company)">Kingship</a> says the KingCat 125 could be completed within around three years of a signed order, with the possibility of a shorter time frame depending on the final project scope. For the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kingship (Company)">Kingship</a> 45m project, completion by the end of 2027 is considered realistic if an owner agrees terms in the near term.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399473/image/large-84b74b2c764f9cfec13be860f1956175.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399473">Kingship’s renewed European focus<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kingship (Company)">Kingship</a>’s renewed focus on Europe began in 2025, when the shipyard increased its market presence at the Cannes and Monaco yacht shows. The decision generated strong client interest and helped support further discussions around its larger yacht concepts.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399468/image/large-097a54820becde6db2f49247a5a66f8b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399468">That activity was accompanied by a series of updates to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kingship (Company)">Kingship</a>’s market positioning, including new design concepts, a refreshed website and an updated marketing image. In 2026, the shipyard plans to continue that approach with a presence at the Palais building in the Vieux Port during the Cannes Yachting Festival, where it intends to build on existing conversations with prospective clients and industry representatives.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399469/image/large-7c68000bcacefe5c13a0701df2267d99.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399469">The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kingship (Company)">Kingship</a>&nbsp;45m project is also being actively marketed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser</a>, giving the project access to the brokerage house’s wider international network. For <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/282" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kingship (Company)">Kingship</a>, this support forms part of a broader effort to reach a more global client base and strengthen its visibility in Europe.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399471/image/large-8ab2f188493374fb15e2b9970d4bf1f4.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399471">

Kingship targets Europe with larger yacht concepts 

Kingship is strengthening its focus on the European market with the introduction of two larger yacht concepts.

Kingship strengthens European focus with Kingship 45m project and KingCat 125

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8940" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silura Marine (Company)">Silura Marine</a> has unveiled the 25-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8940" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silura Marine (Company)">Silura</a> 25 Global, a cruising trimaran designed to make fast ocean passages at lower fuel consumption than typical long-range cruisers of a similar size.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400597/image/large-846ab7cee7a8c72508f2d9f9a7a4e6f7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400597" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Designed by Australian naval architecture studio <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1962" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bury Design (Company)">Bury Design</a>, the Silura 25 Global has been developed to achieve a cruising speed of 20 knots with a range of approximately 2,000 nautical miles in still water. When cruising at 12 knots, the trimaran has a projected range of around 5,000 nautical miles.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400606/image/large-ed7bd8b04b36d4425c435cafb84fb6a8.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400606">In terms of propulsion, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8940" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silura Marine (Company)">Silura</a> 25 Global is powered by a 280-horsepower <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1483" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cummins Inc. (Company)">Cummins</a> diesel engine paired with a controllable-pitch propeller to deliver its target cruising speed. Meanwhile, a bow-mounted kite and feathering propeller come as standard to provide supplementary wind propulsion and extend the vessel's range.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400596/image/large-75ef3be7b8cba689500254e34786960f.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400596">Built to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1452" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lloyd's Register (Company)">Lloyd</a>'s SSC standard, the trimaran is specified with an “advanced composite structure” comprising E-glass and vinyl ester with carbon reinforcement in high-load areas over a PVC foam core. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400595/image/large-70b946d7e6b0cfdc17c75c68332f6907.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400595"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400607/image/large-6dcdad7066b2882f051fa7fe7c508fc8.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400607" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Designed for extended periods at anchor, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8940" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silura Marine (Company)">Silura</a> 25 Global is equipped with a 44-kWh battery bank and 7-kW of integrated walkable solar panels to power onboard hotel loads without the need for a generator in suitable conditions. Twin 20-kW electric drives are also available as an option for low-speed manoeuvring.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400598/image/large-bbb16c730dc00c623453d5eeac271712.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400598">The design centres around a slender central hull, measuring less than two metres at the waterline, which carries most of the vessel's weight, while two lightly submerged amas dampen roll to improve comfort underway. According to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8940" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silura Marine (Company)">Silura Marine</a>, the fine hull form reduces drag while contributing to the yacht's long-range cruising capability.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400610/image/large-e872e00fc273e48bee6088ec68782293.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400610">Outside, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8940" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silura Marine (Company)">Silura</a> 25 Global is distinguished by a clean exterior profile with an expansive beam and minimalist design where alfresco living is ideal thanks to her generous aft cockpit. A hydraulic swim platform is provided for easy water access, while her aft deck has been designed to accommodate a substantial tender.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400600/image/large-bf0a67ec645ae8412f7b0c91d186de80.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400600"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400602/image/large-5eac81a3a0d2f860d2956ea531e32566.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400602">Inside, her main saloon is adorned by light oak finishes and soft neutral soft furnishings, as well as panoramic glazing letting in natural light. Moreover, her enclosed saloon flows to an open-plan helm and galley. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400601/image/large-66b0ebe9385d61e32c33325b46666acf.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400601" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Accommodation has been arranged across two ensuite staterooms forward and aft, each with front access, a dedicated bathroom, queen-sized berths. Notably, both accommodations are finished in pale timber and positioned with low-set hull windows that bring the sea to eye level.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400603/image/large-42513d480e77ec2c2abde8dcb9c88154.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400603">"The brief was simple: cross oceans at 20 knots, carry a couple in comfort, and do it on a fraction of the fuel normally required by a boat of this size," said principal of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1962" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bury Design (Company)">Bury Design</a> and the vessel's designer, Paul Bury.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400589/image/large-f427e771853bfb4a89441355cb67195a.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400589">The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8940" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silura Marine (Company)">Silura</a> 25 Global is available to order and will be built by AsOne Yachts in Cha Am, Thailand.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400608/image/large-597c3ed0bb75e8e7e496e0bc4d84077f.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400608" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">

Silura Marine unveils 25m Silura 25 Global trimaran

Silura Marine has unveiled Silura 25 Global, a trimaran concept designed to cross oceans at 20 knots.

Silura Marine unveils 25m trimaran concept designed to cross oceans at 20 knots

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser</a> has announced that the 29.18-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/2465" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Little Perle29.18m (95'9&quot;)Moonen Yachts2008">Little Perle</a> has been sold. Marco Fodale of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser</a> Monaco introduced the buyer, while Peter Redford and Eugenio Cannarsa of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser</a> Australia represented the seller, supported by Richard Lambert of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/159" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Burgess (Company)">Burgess</a> Monaco.&nbsp;According to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser</a> Australia, the transaction marks its latest sale completed in just under six months.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/382399/image/large-fa16ed3c4352d301a230215b9bee7c04.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/382399" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Delivered in 2008 by Dutch shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/130" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonen Yachts (Company)">Moonen</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2465" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Little Perle29.18m (95'9&quot;)Moonen Yachts2008">Little Perle</a> features exterior design 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>, with interiors penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/165" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Art Line (Company)">Art Line</a>. Her naval architecture was crafted by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Diana Yacht Design (Company)">Diana Yacht Design</a>. The yacht was last refitted in Australia in 2023.Constructed with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2465" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Little Perle29.18m (95'9&quot;)Moonen Yachts2008">Little Perle</a> has a beam of 7.3-metres and a shallow draft of 1.9-metres.&nbsp;At an interior volume of 190 GT, accommodation onboard is arranged for up to nine guests, across a six-stateroom configuration. Dedicated quarters are provided for five crew members, including her captain.In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2465" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Little Perle29.18m (95'9&quot;)Moonen Yachts2008">Little Perle</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, delivering a cruising speed of 12 knots and a top speed of 14 knots.Image courtesy of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser</a>.

29m Moonen motor yacht Little Perle sold

The 29.18-metre Moonen motor yacht Little Perle has been sold, with Fraser representing both the buyer and seller alongside Burgess Monaco.


29m Moonen motor yacht Little Perle sold in less than six months

SuperYacht Times takes a closer look at the 36.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Enjoy36.5m (119'9&quot;)Benetti SpA2026">Enjoy</a>. Delivered in 2026, the yacht forms part of her shipyard’s B.YOND 37m series.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398105/image/large-f251772a50c1431e175d4c2980dec51e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398105">She features naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="PierLuigi Ausonio Naval Architecture (Company)">PierLuigi Ausonio Naval Architecture</a>, with 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>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398118/image/large-e453465c98005302ba78fced15ebb6cb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398118"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398111/image/large-cc2377f7f8dfb3f1285874cd480b6055.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398111">Inside, the main deck is fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the interior with natural light and connect seamlessly to the forward lounging area. Glazed surfaces highlight marble staircases, rich dark wood detailing, and elegant gold accents throughout.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398117/image/large-1b4d1ef1b9c44c5491e28fcd51240344.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398117">At just under 400 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Enjoy36.5m (119'9&quot;)Benetti SpA2026">Enjoy</a> measures 8.6 metres in beam and has a draft of 2.5 metres. She can sleep up to 12 guests across six well-appointed staterooms. The layout includes two master suites, elegant VIP suites, and a flexible convertible twin suite.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398116/image/large-70f6187370d33f713b920250955c49bb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398116"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398125/image/large-511f401230857498d82eebc204223f1a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398125">Each suite is equipped with a television, refined finishes, and generous storage. The master suite also features a walk-in wardrobe and spacious en-suites with his-and-hers sinks. The bridge deck master opens onto a private outdoor terrace, offering enhanced privacy.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398113/image/large-26008a8b76e90a50ffb3edcd13177380.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398113">Moving outside, guests can relax in the upper deck Jacuzzi or enjoy alfresco dining with a BBQ on the sundeck. The upper deck saloon is also fitted with a sophisticated bar and wine fridge, complemented by a dumbwaiter serving multiple decks. Completing her outdoor amenities, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Enjoy36.5m (119'9&quot;)Benetti SpA2026">Enjoy</a> offers a beach club with an opening transom and a gym with cork flooring.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398109/image/large-2764d84c2bc9c720f1a767a71b38561c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398109">In terms of propulsion, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Enjoy36.5m (119'9&quot;)Benetti Yachts2026">Enjoy</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MAN (Company)">MAN</a> engines, delivering a cruising speed of 12.5 knots.She is currently available for charter in Croatia and Montenegro with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4561" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Arcon Yachts (Company)">Arcon Yachts</a> at a weekly rate of €230,000.

Onboard Benetti yacht Enjoy

SuperYachtTimes steps onboard the 36.5-metre Benetti motor yacht Enjoy.

A closer look at the 37m Benetti motor yacht Enjoy

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/136" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Independence (Company)">Ocean Independence</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1556" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SES Yachts (Company)">SES Yachts</a> have unveiled the EPOQ 36, a modern gentleman's yacht concept. She features exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6603" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="STURGE & TOTH (Company)">Sturge &amp; Toth</a> and naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/460" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Van Oossanen Naval Architects (Company)">Van Oossanen Naval Architects</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400569/image/large-0c89a87d0aee8bde68fe98cd0bfa62fe.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400569">EPOQ 36 is the first model in <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1556" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SES Yachts (Company)">SES Yachts’</a> new series, launched to celebrate the Turkish shipyard’s builder heritage of more than 50 years. The EPOQ series marks a new chapter for the shipyard, introducing a semi-custom platform designed to make its craftsmanship and design approach accessible to a wider range of owners while maintaining its focus on quality and personalisation.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400565/image/large-20d293054d15a0c0dc6b137139a0f534.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400565">According to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/136" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Independence (Company)">Ocean Independence</a>, the concept is aimed at owners who prioritise lifestyle over status. Inspired by the Belle Époque, the yacht reflects the era's sophistication and refined way of life."Today's owners increasingly seek yachts that reflect their lifestyle rather than their status," said <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/136" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Independence (Company)">Ocean Independence</a> CEO Peter Hürzeler. "The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1556" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SES Yachts (Company)">SES</a> EPOQ 36&nbsp;delivers exactly that. She is elegant without excess, technically sophisticated without unnecessary complexity, and designed for people who genuinely love spending time at sea."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400566/image/large-63cb2310939097f080c323c6b2af113c.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400566">Penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6603" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="STURGE & TOTH (Company)">Sturge &amp; Toth</a>, the exterior reinterprets the classic gentleman's yacht through subtle references to traditional British yacht design rather than direct historical recreation. The generous outdoor spaces have been designed to maximise the guest experience, while the interiors offer a flexible living environment. In the main saloon, loose furniture is paired with traditional wood craftsmanship and contemporary fabrics. This allows owners significant scope for personalisation, even during the later stages of construction.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400564/image/large-f3a4a613890d066a41292d76abb8cf15.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400564">One of the yacht's standout features is a glass-bottomed Jacuzzi on the sundeck, which also serves as a skylight for the alfresco dining area below. Incorporating switchable liquid-crystal glass technology, it can alternate between transparent and translucent.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400563/image/large-8ffbc700a28713013153529d5d4b8015.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400563">The yacht features a steel displacement hull, paired with low-revving engines. At the heart of EPOQ, however, is her renowned Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF), developed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/460" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Van Oossanen Naval Architects (Company)">Van Oossanen Naval Architects</a>. Combining the efficiency of a displacement yacht with the performance of a semi-displacement design, the hull reduces fuel consumption while improving cruising efficiency and onboard comfort.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400571/image/large-dc0b102bc8291654051f818c68f998d5.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400571">Her lower deck layout has been standardised to optimise build quality while retaining flexibility for owner customisation. "EPOQ was never about adding complexity," concluded designer Benjamin Toth. "Every design decision has been evaluated through the lens of how owners actually use their yachts. The result is a vessel that offers exceptional comfort while remaining practical to own and operate for decades."

SES Yachts EPOQ 36 yacht concept

 Ocean Independence and SES Yachts have unveiled the EPOQ 36.

SES Yachts unveils Belle Époque-inspired EPOQ 36 yacht concept

Croatian yacht brokerage <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navis Marine (Company)">Navis Marine</a> has expanded its international presence with the opening of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navis Marine (Company)">Navis Marine</a> Exclusive, its new sales and brokerage office in Monaco.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400581/image/large-cd60de5aaee3d09e88758dafc055bede.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400581">Strategically located at Port Hercule, the new office will serve as the company's international sales and brokerage hub and will represent the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5305" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Solaris Yachts (Company)">Solaris</a> and Stradivari boating brands on an exclusive basis. The expansion is also intended to strengthen <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navis Marine (Company)">Navis Marine</a>'s position in the superyacht segment and enhance its offering to ultra-high-net-worth clients across the Mediterranean.Located at 7 Avenue J.F. Kennedy, the Monaco office is the newest addition to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navis Marine (Company)">Navis Marine</a>'s growing network, following the opening of its Slovenia office in 2025. The company said the new location will strengthen connections between its established Adriatic operations and the wider Mediterranean market. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navis Marine (Company)">Navis Marine</a> Exclusive will be led by Commercial Director Carlos Vassallo, who brings more than 15 years of industry experience to the role.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400577/image/large-984c4f1c0ecf46a43da3102f38d36c95.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400577">"The opening of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navis Marine (Company)">Navis Marine</a> Exclusive in Monaco represents an important milestone in our long-term development," said COO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navis Marine (Company)">Navis Marine</a>, Fredrik Delić. "Monaco is the natural meeting point of the international yachting industry, and this presence allows us to strengthen the connection between our established Adriatic operations and the wider Mediterranean market."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400582/image/large-fa942b4a4b374d5724ecbfd9de3e5318.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400582">Founder and CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navis Marine (Company)">Navis Marine</a>, Gordan Zadro, added: “When I founded <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navis Marine (Company)">Navis Marine</a> in 2010, my ambition was to build a company that clients, partners, and manufacturers would trust for its professionalism, integrity, and long-term commitment. That philosophy has guided every decision we have made over the past fifteen years and continues to shape our future."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400578/image/large-cbb9d1a50858e9aa6841602100321099.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400578">Founded in 2010, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6275" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navis Marine (Company)">Navis Marine</a> is a yacht brokerage specialising in yacht sales, acquisition advisor, charter services and yacht management. Headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia, the company now has offices in Split, Trogir, Ljubljana and Monaco, with further international expansion planned before the end of 2026.

Navis Marine opens new sales and brokerage office in Monaco

Navis Marine has expanded its international presence with the opening of Navis Marine Exclusive, a new sales and brokerage office in Monaco.


<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2718" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Van Der Heijden Steelyachts B.V. (Company)">Van der Heijden</a> has announced the sale of its new 26-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/17240" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Van Der Heijden Explorer IV26.0m (85'4&quot;)Van Der Heijden Steelyachts B.V.2027">Van Der Heijden Explorer IV</a> yacht. Construction is currently underway at the Dutch shipyard's facility in Waalwijk, with the project marking the latest addition to its explorer range.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400560/image/large-324295561c7077030e1500eecb7e7d99.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400560">For the shipyard, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/17240" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Van Der Heijden Explorer IV26.0m (85'4&quot;)Van Der Heijden Steelyachts B.V.2027">Van Der Heijden Explorer IV</a> represents a new generation of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2718" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Van Der Heijden Steelyachts B.V. (Company)">Van der Heijden</a> explorer series, which benefits from an increased interior volume with contemporary exterior lines and a highly customised layout.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400553/image/large-cabfc6c2a3f4eb9bbbdab74188ba81c6.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400553">Developed around the owner’s cruising plans and requirements, the yacht has a beam of 7.5-metres and a draft of 2.3-metres.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400554/image/large-6ee481de108019c8703f1aacfe7848f8.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400554">Stepping inside, the yacht has been designed with amply proportioned living and dining areas, while her layout separates private guest accommodation from social living spaces, technical areas. Large windows allow plenty of natural light and a close connection to the surrounding ocean vistas.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400555/image/large-6b02cbfdfe7221803da3b42e43edc048.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400555">Outside, extensive spaces for outdoor relaxing and entertaining can be enjoyed by the guests while cruising the Mediterranean seas.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400552/image/large-8f91b1c085af9231e8e347887c391d5d.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400552">Accommodation onboard is arranged for up to eight guests across four en suite staterooms, alongside separate quarters for four crew members across two quarters.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400561/image/large-2b01b4ef0735ded9012edff7dc848599.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400561" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Being built to applicable <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1457" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RINA (Company)">RINA</a> class requirements and intended to meet CE Design Category A - Ocean, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/17240" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Van Der Heijden Explorer IV26.0m (85'4&quot;)Van Der Heijden Steelyachts B.V.2027">Van Der Heijden Explorer IV</a> has been conceived for long-range cruising. The final propulsion package, onboard systems and cruising capabilities will be tailored to the owner's preferences.All images provided courtesy of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2718" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Van Der Heijden Steelyachts B.V. (Company)">Van der Heijden</a>.

26m Van der Heijden Explorer IV yacht sold

Van der Heijden  has announced the sale of its new 26-metre Explorer IV yacht, which is currently under construction at the Dutch shipyard's facility.

In-build 26m Van der Heijden Explorer IV yacht sold

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">The Italian Sea Group (TISG)</a> has announced the resignation of chairman and CEO Giovanni Costantino and non-executive director Gianmaria Costantino. This move triggered the dissolution of the company's entire board of directors.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/386329/image/large-5b57b6cc7647b019165636d2e632aab4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/386329">The resignations, effective 20 July, automatically dissolved the board under the company's articles of association and Italian corporate law, as the majority of directors appointed by shareholders are no longer in office.The existing board will continue to operate on an interim basis until shareholders appoint a new board, with a meeting to be convened as soon as possible. The company said this would ensure business continuity and allow its ongoing restructuring process to continue.According to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a>, the resigning directors said they had done everything possible to address the company's crisis and advance its restructuring efforts. They believe a change in governance will help strengthen stakeholder confidence, ensure continuity and maximise value for creditors.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/330852/image/large-4bf3eaa2517d3433bc0352c08e9306b0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/330852">Read more:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/66488" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TISG granted 60 days to file restructuring plan (2026-07-06 09:00:00 +0200)">TISG granted 60 days to file restructuring plan</a>The announcement comes just weeks after the company entered a court-supervised crisis regulation procedure under Italy's Crisis Code. Earlier this month, the Court of Florence confirmed protective measures allowing <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> to continue operating while it prepares a restructuring plan. The measures prevent shipowners from terminating existing contracts due to shipyard defaults or enforcing related guarantees, while also providing temporary relief to key suppliers involved in projects nearing delivery.The company has said the court protections will support the completion of ongoing yacht builds and the implementation of its restructuring strategy. Subject to agreements with suppliers, clients and financing institutions, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> is also considering a capital increase of around €100 million from the fourth quarter to strengthen its financial position.Despite stepping down as chairman and CEO, Giovanni Costantino remains <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG's</a> majority shareholder, indirectly controlling 53.6 per cent of the company's share capital through GC Holding S.p.A. Gianmaria Costantino does not hold shares in the company.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/306419/image/large-23e9c0556425fdb09d6ac0efd3046cf3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/306419">Read more: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/66451" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TISG reports over €178 million net financial debt in latest restructuring update (2026-07-01 09:15:00 +0200)">TISG reports over €178 million net financial debt in latest restructuring update</a>The company added that neither director had raised objections or disputes regarding board decisions as part of their resignation. Giovanni Costantino also has no ongoing employment or contractual relationship with the company, while Gianmaria Costantino will remain an employee under his existing employment contract.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> said it will continue to update the market on developments as the restructuring process progresses.

TISG Costantino resignation

The Italian Sea Group (TISG) has announced the resignation of chairman and CEO Giovanni Costantino