Issue 2 of the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/how-to-build-it" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">How to Build It</a> technical magazine has now been launched and is <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">available for download on SuperYacht Times</a>! This new edition includes many of the features of our first issue, which was launched in September, but we have worked over recent months to further refine the styling and content. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/263173/image/large-b6c3f89886c5ea97f9247db23d95cd10.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/263173">The sharp-eyed among you will notice that the graphic design has evolved. It is still clean and contemporary, but now a touch crisper and more current. What hasn’t changed is the content, which remains as varied, engaging, relevant and up-to-date as before. The subjects may be technical, but the language and layout is always lucid and concise.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/263171/image/large-fca4ece57462c2baadbc4758711f7d38.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/263171">Our cover stories provide an indication of the diversity of subject matter in this issue. For example, the SuperYacht Times team was on site for the launch of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a>'s 105m <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/300" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="H105.0m (344'6&quot;)Oceanco2000">Project H</a>, which has undergone one of the most radical rebuilds the industry has ever seen.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/263166/image/large-a03938e5b9faa4023b4919e293eb92a2.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/263166">Likewise, a visit to the famous <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7076" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (Company)">Maritime Research Institute Netherlands</a>, or <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7076" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (Company)">MARIN</a> for short, proved an eye-opener. The technicians working there spend a lot of time messing about with yellow models in towing tanks. But they also do much more, such as training crews using kinematic motion machines that can be programmed to simulate virtually any kind of sea conditions and navigation scenarios. Or testing emerging fuels and power systems in a prototype engine room of the future to find the ideal balance between sustainability and efficiency.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/263165/image/large-7434d1499f8ec2db97c34096042c4a81.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/263165">And then there’s additive manufacturing. Since becoming more readily available and affordable 3D printing captures fewer headlines, but it’s swiftly being integrated into everyday industrial workflows – including the yachting sector – and it’s safe to say we will see much more of it in the future. Just don’t expect to see a 3D-printed superyacht any time soon.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/263169/image/large-a9cc985e5f40305e266bae41fbaf24d1.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/263169">Whatever your sphere of specialisation, you will find something of interest to read Issue 2 of How to Build It and we hope you enjoy it very much. If you have any suggestions or would like to be featured in the magazine, reach out now to the editorial team at news@superyachttimes.com.<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Download the magazine here now</a>!&nbsp;

How to Build It Issue 2 launched

How to Build It Issue 2 

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HTBI Issue 2 magazine

Issue 2 of the How to Build It technical magazine has been launched and is available for download.

How to Build It: Issue 2 launched and available for download!

When&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Turquoise Yachts (Company)">Turquoise Yachts</a>&nbsp;began building its first yacht with hybrid propulsion, the project was driven by an owner’s ambitious brief. Project Arrow — now&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11827" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="N2H76.3m (250'4&quot;)Turquoise Yachts2026">N2H</a>&nbsp;with exterior styling by&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1197" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Team for Design - Enrico Gobbi (Company)">Team for Design</a>&nbsp;— arrived with a partially developed system architecture already in place. The shipyard’s role was to take that vision and deliver it on an accelerated timeline, integrating the evolving hybrid technology into a fully realised superyacht platform.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400694/image/large-66314510c1e8dcb03efa8dae5c4f7c75.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400694">By the time <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Turquoise Yachts (Company)">Turquoise</a> received the first specification package for Project Arrow, the yacht was already framed with a hybrid propulsion architecture based on a feasibility study the owner’s team had carried out. That early work defined both expectations and constraints, shaping the technical discussions that followed. Turquoise’s role evolved beyond construction to one of integration and optimisation as it worked to refine a concept into a buildable, reliable system.“It wasn’t a case of the shipyard pushing hybrid technology as a flagship concept,” says <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Turquoise Yachts (Company)">Turquoise</a> CEO Burak Akgul. “The primary driver was the owner’s specification. That said, the idea of versatility – between diesel-electric and hybrid operation – was already a consideration within <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Turquoise Yachts (Company)">Turquoise</a>.”The keel was laid in January 2022, deliberately ahead of anticipated regulatory and classification rule changes, and by mid-year both hull and superstructure fabrication were underway. That stabilised the design basis, but it also locked the yard into a fast-moving engineering process where key technical decisions were still open, including the propulsion supplier and hybrid integration architecture. From that moment, Project Arrow became a parallel development exercise — design, procurement, and construction evolving simultaneously.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400689/image/large-c4cf72bcf8e129dbac5df1a4633df5fe.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400689">One supplier, one systemThrough early 2022, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Turquoise Yachts (Company)">Turquoise</a> continued parallel discussions with propulsion system suppliers, eventually choosing MTU to deliver not just the diesel engines, but a full hybrid ecosystem. Rather than coordinating multiple independent suppliers, this decision reduced interface risk across mechanical, electrical and control domains at a time when completed superstructure blocks were already stacked on site, waiting for the lower technical spaces to catch up.Scale emerged as a fundamental constraint early on. Initial hybrid system layouts included a DC switchboard approximately 22 metres long – much wider than the beam of the yacht platform. Even when split into sections, it could not be accommodated. That moment defined the trajectory of the project. Instead of forcing the system into the yacht, the yacht was scaled and reorganised around the system.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400693/image/large-c4b7e9cd9098b6f1e5a5317a8c4fd319.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400693">“The project was upgraded from a smaller concept to fit into our 80-metre platform with a beam of 13.2 metres,” says Bediz Döşemeciler, Technical Director at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Turquoise Yachts (Company)">Turquoise</a>. “This didn’t require a complete redesign of the hull form, but it did involve internal restructuring: bulkheads were moved, tank arrangements were redesigned, and technical volumes were redistributed. The external silhouette remained consistent, but internally the yacht was fundamentally re-engineered around machinery requirements.”At the centre was the hybrid propulsion package supplied by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a>. The system combines diesel engines rated at approximately 1,920 kW each, gearboxes supplied by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7488" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ZF Friedrichshafen AG (Company)">ZF Friedrichshafen</a>, electric motors, variable-speed generators with permanent magnet alternators, fixed-pitch propellers, a battery energy storage system, and a DC distribution grid.The propulsion concept is a parallel hybrid system, with electric motors mounted directly on the gearbox. This provides multiple operating modes: conventional diesel propulsion, full electric running using either batteries or generators, hybrid assist during acceleration and load transitions, and shore power operation. A ‘boost’ mode — where electric motors supplement diesel output — was deliberately excluded as the additional structural requirements on shaftlines and drivetrain components would not have been justified given the vessel’s intended speed range.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400690/image/large-001b47ead9f74541d2a237056582ac43.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400690">Integration is everythingEnergy storage is provided by a battery system supplied by EST-Floattech. The installation delivers 1.5 MWh of capacity, arranged across 144 modules with a total weight of around 12 tonnes. The system feeds into a DC grid architecture, which improves efficiency by reducing conversion losses and allows flexible distribution of energy between propulsion, hotel loads, and charging systems (sister project 80-metre NB76 under construction, with hull and superstructure already complete, features a higher-capacity battery system of nearly 2 MWh).Integrating this hybrid system into a shaftline yacht reshaped the internal architecture. Unlike diesel-electric vessels, where machinery can be distributed with greater freedom, a parallel hybrid system imposes constraints around shaft alignment and gearbox positioning.“Building a hybrid yacht isn’t just about adding batteries and electric motors,” says Döşemeciler. “The real complexity lies in integration, from thermal management across multiple power sources and control logic for mode transitions, to physical space allocation, weight distribution and stability.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400696/image/large-424d78858a641cef36368cde66a656c9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400696">The engine room became a tightly orchestrated space in which propulsion, energy storage, and hotel systems had to coexist within fixed structural boundaries. Central pipe tunnels and traditional service corridors were reduced or eliminated; fuel tanks were relocated; and generator placement was adjusted to accommodate hybrid equipment. The electrical architecture was divided into two main zones: an AC system for hotel and auxiliary loads, and a dedicated DC system for hybrid propulsion and energy management. The DC switchboard, originally envisioned at 22 metres, was progressively reduced through iterative redesign to approximately 11.5 metres in overall length.Propulsion is supported by Brunvoll tunnel and rim-drive units, including low-noise 300 kW thrusters, along with independent electro-hydraulic rudders. These systems were integrated to maintain manoeuvrability while minimising acoustic impact – an important requirement for a hybrid vessel designed for both silent operation and efficiency.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400691/image/large-d4516cc538bfcec36fa39a1ad628fb71.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400691">Open spaces, hidden systemsAs technical density increased below deck, every cubic metre became contested space. Cold storage, stabiliser compartments, crew accommodation, and technical voids all had to be carefully balanced against machinery requirements. Even standard yacht functions, such as provisioning and waste handling, required rethinking due to the reduction in unallocated structural volume. The result is a compact and densely engineered lower-deck environment in which nearly every compartment had multiple dependencies.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400697/image/large-defe0d01d4772b161d111a5e81a6e3cf.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400697">Above deck, the focus shifted from machinery to architecture, relying heavily on openness with multiple fold-down balconies and sliding glass openings spanning up to 5.4 metres in width with four-panel configurations that disappear into concealed pockets. Supplied by Nau Tec in Germany, selected for their willingness to develop customised solutions, these systems required detailed 3D coordination of structure, cabling and drainage in constrained spaces.A defining feature of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/161" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="H2 Yacht Design (Company)">H2 Yacht Design</a>’s interior scheme is a six-metre, floor-to-ceiling wall of triple-laminated glass supplied by BCE Glass that forms part of the main staircase atrium and wine display area. Elsewhere, adhesive-bonded glazing spanning more than 15 metres without visible mullions underwent numerical analysis to assess load transfer and deflection behaviour. The interior outfitting by Ulutas, a long-standing <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Turquoise Yachts (Company)">Turquoise</a> stakeholder, is executed to their customary high standard.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400695/image/large-e224d5b10cb8d6a46993f4703d2fb6cd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400695">The bridge design reflects the same philosophy of minimal visual obstruction. Developed with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6426" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kongsberg Maritime (Company)">Kongsberg</a>, the bridge uses a commercial-style layout with three independent consoles and sliding operator chairs. Instead of traditional cabinetry, much of the computing hardware is relocated into concealed racks beneath or behind the bridge area, reducing visual clutter but increasing integration complexity.“Even systems as small as wipers were reimagined, using inverted rack-over mechanisms mounted above the glazing to preserve uninterrupted sightlines,” Döşemeciler points out. “Across the yacht, the design priority remains consistent: maximise visibility and openness while absorbing the engineering complexity elsewhere.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314487/image/large-a54509ab117723ee8b938470ea132310.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314487">Throughout the vessel, extensive external analysis supported the design process. Noise and vibration studies were carried out with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5472" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Van Cappellen Consultancy (Company)">Van Cappellen</a>, alongside structural, CFD, and systems analysis conducted with Mesh Engineering &amp; Software. These parallel workstreams ensured that acoustic performance, structural integrity, and hydrodynamic efficiency remained aligned despite continuous design evolution.The beach club introduced additional complexity. Incorporating a gym, sauna and hammam behind fold-down terraces and a transom arrangement that deliberately excludes a fixed swim platform for security reasons, the large shell doors were supplied by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1877" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="NewThex Ned BV. (Company)">NewThex</a> with structural fabrication carried out both in-house and by Makro Yacht Systems to retain control over tolerances and integration speed. Custom features such as passerelles and swim stairs went through several design iterations, driven by operational constraints and late-stage changes.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/391954/image/large-58000c8e4f271f77e61d57b879dea033.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/391954">Moving targetsSome of these changes were significant. When construction was at an advanced stage, the hardtop was raised by approximately 200 mm, the number of balconies was increased from six to eight, and interior layouts were adjusted in response to real-world visualisation and owner feedback. The owner’s involvement remained constant throughout, with frequent site visits, weekly technical meetings, and continuous design iteration, generating more than 1,500 pages of meeting documentation.The most consistent challenge for the shipyard, however, remained unchanged: designing and building at the same time. In a conventional project, design might precede construction by a year or more. Here, both processes were fully interlocked, meaning constant recalibration between engineering intent and physical reality.“Systems were being defined while structure was being built, and structure was being modified while systems were being installed,” says Döşemeciler. “This created a constantly moving target in which engineering decisions had immediate physical consequences. But in the end, those challenges actually improved the final outcome.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11827" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="N2H76.3m (250'4&quot;)Turquoise Yachts2026">N2H</a> demonstrates how modern superyachts are increasingly defined by their systems rather than their form. Propulsion, energy storage and control architecture are no longer subsystems hidden within the hull – they are the primary forces shaping it. In this case, the hybrid system became the defining constraint that shaped platform size, internal architecture and structural layout. The yacht was not designed first and engineered later; rather it was engineered into existence from the inside out, with every major decision flowing from the requirements of its hybrid core.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/391907/image/large-ba8aa8cc0b5d960c4d6a55ea9e9d26cf.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/391907">

Building N2H: Turquoise's first 76m hybrid propulsion yacht

A look inside the build of Turquoise's first hybrid-propulsion 76m superyacht.

What began as a four-month mission to complete the interior of a 78-metre custom yacht has evolved into a major interior manufacturing operation. Founded in 2020 by long-time industry colleagues Roger Myers and Cyril Bieri,&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7319" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Interiors (Company)">Superyacht Interiors Dubai</a>&nbsp;has grown from a team of 172 craftsmen into a workforce of more than 350 specialists, delivering complex yacht interiors, bespoke furniture packages and high-end residential projects from facilities in Dubai and Oman. We spoke with Roger about the systems, facilities and strategies that underpin their approach.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400470/image/large-4ceb08833994d9b729841ee78f6e196b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400470">What has been the most significant change in the business since completing your first yacht project?The biggest transformation has been in our engineering and manufacturing capabilities. In the beginning, our focus was on assembling the right team and delivering the interior of the 78-metre yacht to the standards expected by European shipyards and designers. Since then, we have invested heavily in engineering, production systems and machinery. What started as a project-driven operation has evolved into a fully integrated manufacturing business with dedicated engineering departments, advanced CNC machining capabilities, specialised finishing facilities and robust quality control systems. Our objective has always been to combine traditional yacht craftsmanship with modern manufacturing processes while maintaining the standards expected within the superyacht sector.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400467/image/large-60153eb48725bce03601f1af50379f27.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400467">How has your production capacity evolved as the company has grown?When we launched, we had 172 employees. Today, our core workforce sits at around 350 specialists, although we have demonstrated the ability to scale significantly when projects require it. During peak production on an ongoing Northern European project, we expanded to almost 500 personnel to support areas such as finishing, veneer preparation and painting. At standard production levels, we’re able to deliver approximately 1,200-square-metres of luxury yacht interiors annually. With extended shifts and overtime, that capacity increases to around 1,500-square-metres.One of the key lessons we've learned is that capacity is not simply about workforce numbers. It’s about understanding production bottlenecks and investing in the areas that create the greatest efficiencies. Paint, veneer processing and machining all involve curing or drying periods, so extending operations through additional shifts allows us to maximise utilisation of those assets.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400468/image/large-bbfff37808bf54abf0581945a33727ca.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400468">You have recently invested significantly in engineering and digital manufacturing. What is driving that strategy?Efficiency is a major focus for us as we look towards the future. Over the past year, we have invested heavily in CAD+T engineering software alongside ERP and SAP systems that allow us to track materials and components throughout the production process. Traditionally, yacht interiors have relied heavily on 2D engineering. We’re now transitioning towards fully integrated 3D workflows. The advantage is that the engineering model automatically generates bills of materials, cut lists and manufacturing information, which can then be transferred directly to our production machinery. Alongside the software investment, we have recruited highly experienced specialists from leading European yacht interior companies to support the implementation. Our goal is for the majority of our engineering output to be delivered through these integrated digital systems over the next 12 months.What investments have you made on the manufacturing side?We’ve invested approximately €2 million in machinery and equipment, with a long-term investment plan of around €4 million over the next five years. This includes new 5-axis and 4-axis CNC machining centres, upgraded spray-line systems and additional finishing capabilities. We have also expanded our paint operations significantly, with two large spray facilities now fully operational and a third currently being introduced. These investments are already generating substantial gains in efficiency, production quality and programme reliability. At the same time, we continue to invest in people. Technology is important, but it still relies on skilled craftsmen, engineers and project managers to deliver the final result.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400471/image/large-0fb460c7fc1ccd3662c37cb698e733d6.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400471">How does the new Oman facility fit into your manufacturing strategy?Capacity was certainly one factor, but the facility is really about manufacturing optimisation. The Oman facility has been established as a dedicated machining centre and houses much of our newest CNC equipment, focusing on high-volume cutting and machining operations. By relocating these activities, we can maintain a cleaner, quieter and more controlled production environment in Dubai, which is where clients visit for factory acceptance tests, mock-ups and project reviews. Machining generates dust, noise and material movement. Separating those activities allows us to improve workflow efficiency while creating a better environment for assembly, finishing and client interaction.&nbsp;How important is vertical integration to your business model?It’s fundamental. One of the reasons we remain competitive internationally is because we undertake a significant amount of work in-house. We have dedicated engineering, joinery, upholstery, finishing and metalworking capabilities operating within the same organisation. That allows us to maintain control over programme schedules, quality standards and costs. It also improves communication between departments and reduces reliance on external suppliers. For yacht projects, where tolerances are extremely tight and schedules are often compressed, that level of integration is a major advantage.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400469/image/large-d88220b7d5cbb05fa65d2796fe97e3df.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400469">Looking ahead, what will define the next stage of growth for&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7319" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Interiors (Company)">Superyacht Interiors Dubai</a>?Growth remains important, but craftsmanship remains at the centre of everything we do. Technology improves efficiency and accuracy, but ultimately every yacht interior is still built by skilled craftsmen. Our objective is to combine those traditional skills with modern engineering and manufacturing systems, creating an environment where designers, shipyards and owners can realise increasingly ambitious projects. That balance between craftsmanship, innovation and collaboration is what will continue to define <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7319" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Interiors (Company)">Superyacht Interiors Dubai</a> in the years ahead.

Superyacht Interiors Dubai CEO Interview

SuperYacht Times interviews Superyacht Interiors CEO

CEO in Conversation: Roger Myers on scaling Superyacht Interiors Dubai

Refitting Oceanco's 93m Draak

 A look inside the refit journey of Draak, and how the project has changed what 'refit' can mean

Behind the refit of Oceanco's 93m superyacht Draak

How To Build It - Issue 11 is live! This issue is all about the age of integration and explores the elements of superyacht building that we don't often see or read about.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397625/image/large-6f596041bc2383cda85f8633a4fbeb4d.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397625">How large yachts are conceived, engineered and operated? Issue 11 explores the increasing complexity of superyachts and how integration must ensure that elements such as propulsion, energy management, digital systems, operational flexibility, environmental considerations and long-term adaptability function as one coherent whole.We take a look at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Turquoise Yachts (Company)">Turquoise</a>'s first hybrid yacht, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11827" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="N2H76.3m (250'4&quot;)Turquoise Yachts2026">N2H</a>, and how the role of shipyard extended well beyond the construction to take on the integration of an evolving technological vision into a reliable operational reality. The yacht was effectively engineered into existence from the inside out (p 38). <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397623/image/large-61941b2e6c557f081414c700d2475688.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397623">The story of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4018" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Draak92.8m (304'6&quot;)Oceanco2014">Draak</a> reflects a similar story: a refit by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> that evolved into something far more ambitious: the reconstruction of a large superyacht into a hybrid expedition and support platform; the refit journey can be found on page 60.Also in this issue is a look into <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6143" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ABB Group (Company)">ABB</a>'s podded electric propulsion systems and how they are changing the way designers think about yacht architecture all together (p 73) and a dive into <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8273" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ferrari (Company)">Ferrari</a>'s Hypersail that is taking shape in Pisa after decades of automotive ingenuity (p 52).<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397622/image/large-272f02d54be4badd9ce3e471113908e1.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397622">We take a look at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/119" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Horizon Yachts (Company)">Horizon Yachts</a>, which has grown from a small OEM to a global builder of semi-custom motor yachts larger than 24-metres (p 27), and dive into the changing regulations surrounding paint and coatings (p 88). Issue 11 also includes a sit-down with Patrick Bray on how to build a better boat (p 127), and we speak with Donna Green, Head of New Build at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/259" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Y.CO (Company)">Y.CO</a> about modern yacht building and the importance of collaboration.All that and more, Issue 11 of How To Build It is now <a href="https://issuu.com/superyachttimes/docs/how_to_build_it_-_issue_11_-_summer_2026" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">live</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397621/image/large-10a7028b56089751c54a4399cebba417.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397621">

how to build it issue 11

Issue 11 of How To Build It is live and available! We dive into the age of integration in the superyacht industry.

How To Build It - Issue 11: The integration age is live!

There are over 50 billion light bulbs in circulation globally, the vast majority LED-based. But the evolution from incandescent to fluorescent and now LED has come with unintended consequences, particularly for our biology. Increasingly, that means bringing wellness into the heart of onboard systems, and lighting is one of the most powerful tools for doing that. Michael Meeneghan, founder of system integrators MP Tech in the UK, looks into engineering circadian-friendly lighting at sea.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397073/image/large-8a6f614768b4a055483b03c753d7fccc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397073">Modern mass-market LED luminaires are predominantly built around a “blue pump” architecture. This architecture boosts luminous efficacy by amplifying the blue portion of the spectrum (typically ~450nm) and then converting some of it into other wavelengths using phosphors.&nbsp;While technically impressive and energy-efficient, the issue is spectral imbalance. Blue-rich white light, especially in the evening hours, suppresses melatonin production, the hormone responsible for sleep onset. This leads to circadian rhythm disruption (SCRD), manifesting in poor sleep quality, fatigue, cognitive decline, and long-term health risks. For those at sea, crossing time zones, working night shifts, or living in enclosed, artificially lit environments, the risks are magnified. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397074/image/large-0b490baf7772bd1cbd895380dbf78c73.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397074">What is Circadian-friendly lighting?&nbsp;Circadian lighting is about aligning artificial illumination with the body’s internal 24-hour clock. Human-centric lighting (HCL) systems do this by varying both colour temperature and intensity throughout the day:&nbsp;• Cool, bright light (~5000–6500K) in the morning stimulates alertness and cognitive performance.&nbsp;• Warm, dimmed light (~1800–2700K) in the evening promotes relaxation and sleep readiness.&nbsp;But HCL is not just about colour temperature; it’s also about spectral fidelity, flicker control, and CRI (colour rendering index). Truly circadian-supportive lighting delivers high CRI (ideally 95+), flicker-free performance, and a balanced spectral output that respects human biology.&nbsp;These are the standards that MP Tech has adopted when designing and commissioning lighting schemes for yachts, with a focus on ensuring biological alignment without compromising visual quality.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397075/image/large-3c2a7a8b5196bdcbc153ad8c24a44620.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397075">Why this matters on a superyacht&nbsp;Unlike land-based homes, yacht interiors are removed from natural daylight cycles. Guests move across time zones, crew work non-traditional shifts, and spaces are often enclosed with limited exposure to sunlight. In such conditions, artificial lighting becomes the dominant environmental cue for the body. For crew, this means supporting shift-work without compromising health. For guests, it means enhancing comfort, reducing jet lag, and creating spaces that feel intuitively “right”, whether waking up in the Med or winding down in the Caribbean.&nbsp;Sleep and Circadian Disruption (SCRD) isn’t always dramatic – it accumulates. But its impact is real and can lead to reduced sleep quality, lower productivity, mood volatility and slower recovery. In luxury hospitality, where every detail matters, lighting becomes both an aesthetic and a physiological asset.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397071/image/large-4e5955784fa2513194673e69d7f36b4a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397071">Moving to better standards It’s not uncommon to find beautifully crafted, high-value luminaires aboard yachts that are fitted with subpar light engines. The result? Ornate fixtures delivering flickering, low-CRI, spectrally imbalanced light that undercuts both wellness and visual impact. This dissonance between decorative quality and lighting quality requires thoughtful re-engineering to resolve. The key is to respect the design intent while addressing performance shortfalls that can affect wellbeing.&nbsp;Fortunately, the lighting industry is progressing. New human-centric lighting standards now prioritise:&nbsp;• Flicker-free drivers with high-frequency PWM or DC dimming • High CRI LED chips, often approaching CRI 98+&nbsp;• Tunable white modules with dynamic CCT from warm white to cool white&nbsp;• Full-spectrum LEDs that eliminate blue spike and restore spectral balance&nbsp;These technologies are more compact, marine-compatible, increasingly retrofit- friendly, and typically combine: • Tunable white luminaires with dual-channel or multi-channel LED modules • Intelligent controls that adjust scenes automatically or via user inputs • Sensors and automation that adapt to time of day, presence or ambient light&nbsp;When lighting designers work closely with yacht architects and AV-integrators to specify, program and commission these systems, the result is lighting that flows with the rhythm of life, not against it. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397076/image/large-d9c9e416c484bc6996c480d8739d824c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397076">From design to delivery&nbsp;For new builds, early engagement is critical. Lighting design conversations should be had at concept stage to ensure that both technical and experiential requirements are addressed holistically. Each project starts with a light-use audit, mapping the way each space is used throughout the day and night. From there, tailored control strategies are developed and appropriate luminaires and drivers supplied, managing installation and commissioning through to final handover.&nbsp;For refits, improvements can still be significant, from replacing existing fittings and fixtures with flicker-free, high CRI LED, all the way to upgrading ornate and bespoke fixtures through re-chipping – replacing old LED modules with high-spec, flicker-free alternatives – preserving visual continuity while delivering a measurable step forward in performance and wellbeing.&nbsp;While guest areas are often the focus of design, crew quarters, corridors and service areas require just as much attention. Lighting in these spaces influences alertness, fatigue and productivity – key factors in operational excellence. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397072/image/large-af2a3cfb4818d508d6436e785f8eefe2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397072">The future of Circadian lighting&nbsp;As understanding of circadian biology continues to evolve, so too does lighting technology. We are now exploring full-spectrum lighting profiles that better simulate sunrise, midday and dusk; the integration of near-infrared (IR) and UV elements for skin stimulation and environmental hygiene; and wearable data integration to adapt lighting in real time based on user chronotype or sleep cycles.&nbsp;These innovations will likely become part of the next generation of wellness-centred yacht systems. Whether in a new build or a smart retrofit, lighting doesn’t just illuminate, it enhances life at sea.&nbsp;

How human-centric light design is transforming wellness at sea

Blue-rich LEDs disrupt sleep at sea. Here's how circadian-friendly lighting systems are improving wellbeing for superyacht crew and guests

“Without data you’re just a person with an opinion,” says Giovanni Palamà. For the data &amp; measurement specialist, entrepreneur, and founder of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8890" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SailADV Group (Company)">SailADV</a>, the quote is not a provocation – it is the premise on which he built an entire company.&nbsp;After years as a professional sailor on the international race circuit, Giovanni Palamà understands that performance on the water is never the product of instinct alone: it is the result of consistent, objective and repeatable measurement.&nbsp;“When I left racing and moved into consultancy, I realised the superyacht industry lacked this scientific discipline,” he says. “Extremely complex vessels were being delivered, yet there was no standardised way to quantify whether they actually performed according to their design. I founded <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8890" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SailADV Group (Company)">SailADV</a> in 2015 to answer that question.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396519/image/large-66c4d58023dbf7660b99d59595acd406.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396519">By not only gathering but also precisely interpreting data, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8890" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SailADV Group (Company)">SailADV</a> is going beyond the limits of “traditional” industry processes. It works with the major Italian shipyards to provide sea-trial analyses, onboard monitoring and long-term performance assessment via a broad spectrum of diagnostic data, including vibration readings, power-management behaviour, thermographic imagery, 3D scans, strain-gauge load measurements, and its onboard AI platform D.gree.The goal is not simply to identify faults, but to understand how every component behaves within the broader system. This is where the approach becomes transformative. Indeed, at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/285" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Metstrade - 2025">Metstrade 2025</a> the company presented itself as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8890" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SailADV Group (Company)">SailADV Group</a>, where “group” is intended as a set of multidisciplinary services and brands, organised into specialised areas covering the entire yacht lifecycle, from management and analysis to value preservation and innovation.With operational offices in Ancona, Pisa and La Spezia in Italy, a service point in Palma de Mallorca, and an innovation hub in Palo Alto, California, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8890" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SailADV Group (Company)">SailADV</a> employs technologies rarely seen outside high-end industrial sectors. Motion Amplification, for example, transforms ordinary video into a magnified analysis tool that reveals vibrations far too subtle for the human eye to see – vibrations that can lead to premature wear, reduced efficiency, or outright failure. And as diesel-electric and hybrid propulsion systems become the norm, high-frequency sampling is used to detect issues that traditional monitoring systems would miss. These measurement techniques allow shipyards and crew to shift from reactive maintenance to true condition-based maintenance.“In commercial shipping, predictive maintenance is standard,” says Palamà. “But superyachts behave differently. Their operational profiles vary dramatically from vessel to vessel, making uniform maintenance intervals unreliable. A charter yacht that spends its summer shuttling between Sardinia and the Amalfi Coast wears very differently from one that crosses the Atlantic or spends long periods at anchor.”Because every supplier uses its own communication protocol, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8890" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SailADV Group (Company)">SailADV</a> has designed its systems to ‘speak’ with virtually every machine on board, from the main engines to the stabilisers and HVAC system. The company has a multi-year programme with both <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6046" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azimut-Benetti Group (Company)">Azimut|Benetti</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a> to optimise the performance of their superyacht fleet. During sea trials of all <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benett</a>i’s 100-metre-plus yachts, for example, it used its own certified technology to log up to 5,000 variables.“The results are measurable,” continues Palamà. “For example, after monitoring a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Benetti SpA (Company)">Benetti</a> Tradition for several seasons, we recommended switching propellers – a change that saved roughly €30,000 in fuel in a single season.”Also during <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Metstrade (Company)">Metstrade</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8890" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SailADV Group (Company)">SailADV</a> presented its newest development: D.gree V26, and its first AI Agent, Sailly, as the industry moves toward intelligent autonomy at sea. Offered in three configurations – One, Pro and Ultra – D.gree V26 is designed to adapt to both new-build and refit projects by fully leveraging intelligent node technology. Accessible both locally and remotely, the system is aboard a current fleet of around 70 yachts (expected to grow to 300 within three years), processing over 5 million data points per hour and predicting failures before they occur. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396518/image/large-6c625f4bf1121bf5cbf12eb760b705ae.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396518">D.gree can also track external conditions, such as weather, to provide an even more complete picture of the yacht’s actual operating environment. The benefits ripple across the industry: owners gain transparency and asset protection; captains receive a clear overview; engineers can plan work rather than firefight; fleet managers can monitor multiple vessels through a single coherent system; and shipyards are able to draw on a continuous closed loop between design, operations and service.As younger, more tech-oriented owners enter the market, expectations are shifting. They demand accountability, connectivity and smarter systems. Anchored by solid engineering and strengthened by data, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8890" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SailADV Group (Company)">SailADV</a> is working to meet those expectations. In a sector built on craftsmanship, beauty and tradition, the company aims to bring something more tangible: proof. And as Palamà likes to remind people, in modern yachting, proof is power.

What data reveals about a superyacht’s operating environment

SailADV founder Giovanni Palamà explains how data, diagnostics and AI-led monitoring are changing superyacht performance analysis and maintenance.

SailADV: What data reveals about a superyacht’s operating environment

Just as physical tank test models are giving way to computational fluid dynamics, so another form of virtual modelling is coming to the fore – the digital twin. But what is a digital twin, and how can we use them to streamline superyacht design, construction and operation?Providing an exact definition of a digital twin can be tricky, not least because different people use the term in different ways. With conceptual origins tracing back to NASA in the 1960s, the truth is that digital twins come in a variety of forms and offer multiple applications – all of which have the potential to change the approach to design and enhance the operational effectiveness of superyachts.“I haven’t found a consistent way that people use the term,” says software developer Boudewijn van Groos. “For example, some call a simple 3D model a digital twin, even if it doesn’t make predictions. It might show live sensor data from the vessel, but it’s really just a portal into the actual ship. That is fundamentally different to a software model that mimics the behaviour of a system based on physical or statistical calculations. Yet people refer to both as digital twins.”Models created in a software environment are arguably the purest form of digital twinning. They are increasingly being used both to train AI and to enable systems developers to code the core parts of a yacht’s controllers while the physical yacht itself is still in build – a decisive factor when faced with tight construction and delivery schedules.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397081/image/large-c63a38ee887c535cd43a28154e353077.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397081">Virtual virtuesVan Groos is leading a team of software developers who are undertaking the coding of a multifaceted monitoring and control system aboard Project Zero, the renewables-powered sailing yacht under construction at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/34" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vitters Shipyard (Company)">Vitters Shipyard</a>. In collaboration with German company XRG Simulation, they have been building a virtual version of the yacht’s systems in Modelica, which allows them to write the code for the programmable logic controller (PLC) for the thermal harvesting and recovery system, for example, and test it before the physical system has been completed. While the team has also been using a current sailing superyacht as a test bed, creating a digital twin has brought additional benefits.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397079/image/large-c1ba2f94baf775740a49c5322a0b5621.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397079">“For everything we’re doing we first write the physical thing into code to form the digital twin,” Van explains. “That simulation can be very basic, or a deep mechanical simulation. It gives us an opportunity to prevent regression bugs and it means we can avoid having to run our code on a physical system that means needing the real machine every time, which is just a hassle.”Developing a digital twin not only creates a platform for virtual testing, it also provides an opportunity to explore or to train AI, which can have real-world applications in a finished project. Indeed, this is the approach that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1080" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rossinavi (Company)">Rossinavi</a> took, in collaboration with the University of Pisa, to develop the systems on the 42.84-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12135" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seawolf X42.84m (140'7&quot;)Rossinavi2024">Seawolf X</a> catamaran.“On a yacht you have a lot of very high-tech systems, each optimised and each with sensor actuators,” explains Maurizio Minossi, CEO and CTO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a>. “The idea is to create a sort of manager that grabs the data coming from the different subsystems and, thanks to the use of AI algorithms, gives it added value in terms of monitoring and control.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397078/image/large-3bbe7f4296cb60275d58eb400d1d5976.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397078">“AI algorithms need to train on something – you need a story,” adds Sergio Saponara, director of the Department of Informational Engineering at the University of Pisa. “But if the technology is new, how do you create that story? Creating a digital model of a yacht allows you to fill the AI with data. You analyse the chiller in a model, then you combine it with all the other models to create the whole ship.”The system they have developed, which has been designed to be modular for use across multiple yacht designs and configurations, integrates various network-connected sensors, smart plugs, and actuators, such as HVAC systems, lighting, and automated blinds, orchestrated by an advanced AI algorithm. The digital twin enables the simulation of different configurations and operational scenarios, generating virtual data that can be used to train AI models – a useful approach given the challenges of limited experimental data on energy consumption and passenger habits.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397077/image/large-efe714be9d6f415bcddaf70b66ca2da0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397077">Test rig&nbsp;It’s not just in systems design that digital twins are being utilised. For Dale Morris, Group Head of Global Design at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2447" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Spars (Company)">Southern Spars</a>, the development of digital twins has enabled advanced, in-the-box testing before a rig is stepped – a serious advantage given the one-off nature and complexity of superyacht masts and sail plans.&nbsp;“The outcome is what’s on the water, but the model that came before it has been through all the conditions,” he says. “It starts with base mast properties, rigging pre-tension and tuning, but we add in the actual moulded sail shape and structural files from North Sails, and then we can assess the rig to a whole other level.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397082/image/large-2efc90f958531c34f23220a01c23ffdf.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397082">This allows the team to see the effect of their rig design choices even down to its impact on the actual shape of the sails. They can go into a whole CFD loop, where the fluid structure interaction (FSI) loops back into the non-linear FEA – non-linear because the mast is flexible. That essentially means they can sea-trial the yacht before any carbon fibre even gets laid in the mast mould.“That also flows through into how we communicate the safe operation to the customer with all the sheet runs and all the load interfaces, so that boatbuilders can build-in the right safety factors,” &nbsp;Morris explains. “You can assess all that within the digital twin.”It also impacts the initial sea trial phases because, rather than the traditional method of stepping a mast and eyeballing the rig to tune it and ensure it is set up symmetrically, it can effectively be pre-set. Gone are the days where you put the rig in, go sailing and flop from tack to tack, make changes, rinse and repeat, which can be a two-day operation.“We are able to virtually go sailing before we even put carbon in the mast tooling, and for yacht designers, owners and crew that’s a huge benefit because it elevates confidence before you get further into the project,” &nbsp;says Vincent Guiot, Group Sales Director at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2447" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Southern Spars (Company)">Southern Spars</a>. &nbsp;Further, the applications extend to the operational phase. By using the information from the load sensors from specific conditions. If something doesn’t look quite right, the team can plug that data back into the digital twin and help someone on board diagnose the issue more efficiently.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397080/image/large-77d39333b2a17751661ad462a20fdfc0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397080">Practical magic&nbsp;As CAD has advanced, so 3D models have become commonplace, not only in terms of determining the underlying engineering layout of a vessel but also to ensure the vessel can be built as efficiently as possible. But when one superyacht project approached Dutch company Goltens to take that 3D model further, the potential for an all-encompassing digital twin quickly became apparent.“Normally we design, engineer and create 3D models, and during that process a lot of information on the components – size, material, capacity, make, model – is put into a database,” says Sandra Jutte of Goltens’ Green Technologies division. “But when the vessel departs, most of that information, which can number thousands of data files, stays behind. For this project, we were asked how we could collect all the engineering data in one place during construction and use it to make the yacht smarter in operation.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397085/image/large-8490e120db5880a524554f471c7eb9b6.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397085">To achieve that, the Goltens team combined ongoing 3D scanning during the build with CAD and engineering drawings to create a digital version of Project Zero that is a perfect match for the real thing. The result is that all the information on the build, systems and components is available for easy access – especially useful when it comes to fault-finding or in the event of a system alarm.&nbsp;“You need an exact copy of the yacht, so during the entire build our team has been on site with a 3D scanner capturing every stage of the build,” says Jutte. “We’ve scanned every detail, including 100,000 metres of cables and six kilometres of piping.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397086/image/large-39fff693692206113bdc5e36b8ec672b.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397086">Every pump, pipe and system is connected and with e-sharing it’s possible to click into the engineering drawing and instantly jump to the same spot in the 3D model, and vice versa. All relevant details and spare parts listings are available with a click. What’s more, the digital twin will form the backbone for predictive maintenance and, potentially, AI-rooted energy efficiency and systems analysis during the operational phase – an aspect that could have huge impact for a project where every kilowatt counts.The potential goes further, however, because wherever the vessel goes, the digital twin goes too. This means designers can use the digital twin to experiment with new ideas or test layouts without ever touching the real vessel, while engineers can follow system performance and simulate improvements, and and owners can explore their yacht anytime, anywhere.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397087/image/large-8c4ef31785ce28bc95f037d27cf282ff.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397087">Such a comprehensive scan-based digital twin improves maintenance aspects – with all manuals and spare parts lists easily accessible, and with the potential to add predictive maintenance algorithms – but also aids efficiency in a refit phase.&nbsp;“Refits and repairs are no longer a guessing game,” says Jutte. “Because if a component needs to be replaced or a new component fitted, the digital twin already knows what’s there currently and if the new one will fit. It means you can order or prefabricate parts with confidence. It’s a complete feedback loop between design, operation, maintenance, fault-finding and improvement.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397089/image/large-cbdce16aec81ad92d4d28edb2f355442.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397089">

How is virtual modelling transforming superyacht design and operation

From rig testing to predictive maintenance, digital twins are reshaping how superyachts are designed, built and operated.

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

Standardising the bespoke: The engineering behind custom superyacht equipment

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

Project YB256 is a 45-metre steel and aluminium motor yacht under construction at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Royal Hakvoort Shipyard</a> in the Netherlands. The first collaboration between the family-run yard and <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>, the yacht’s retro styling masks a modern and highly capable cruiser engineered for long-distance voyaging.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396216/image/large-6096248c4df8137326bee068ed36838f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396216">The impossibly picturesque village of Monnickendam on the western shore of the Markermeer, a vast freshwater reservoir not far from Amsterdam, has been home to the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Royal Hakvoort Shipyard</a> for more than a century. Wedged into a narrow strip of dockland between the old town centre and the water’s edge, space is as precious as the custom yachts it builds, but over the years the management has perfected a choreography of space and timing to ensure multiple projects can progress without tripping over one another.“<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> is just a few kilometres down the road and we’ve often wanted to work with them, but the stars never aligned,” affirms Klaas Hakvoort, fourth generation director of the shipyard with his brother Albert Jr. “In this case, the client wanted Dutch pedigree, was happy with our pricing, and the complexity of the project was a perfect match for a custom builder like us.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396206/image/large-71da8891dd01ddb5eed6ecc0455c82e1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396206">Project YB256 was inspired by <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>, the 56-metre expedition vessel with classic lines by <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> launched by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Turquoise Yachts (Company)">Turquoise Yachts</a> in 2020. <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> partners Andre Hoek and Ruurt Meulemans translated the client’s admiration for the retro-influenced yacht into a more compact platform that would echo the same timeless elegance free of nostalgic mimicry, while embracing modern technology and efficiency. The owner’s exacting brief included full wheelchair accessibility, an elevator connecting all deck levels, and transatlantic capability.“The hull and superstructure were conceived to balance classic proportions with today’s efficient hydrodynamics,” says Ruurt Meulemans. “Computational fluid dynamics [CFD] analysis informed every curve, refining the bow shape and optimising volume distribution to reduce resistance as much as possible and improve wake flow to the twin propellers. The objective was a smooth, efficient ride across a transatlantic cruising envelope of close to 4,000 nautical miles – no small achievement for a vessel under 400 gross tons.“<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396218/image/large-f219694742e3fedf1f00ff2c0b5c4003.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396218">Meeting these requirements called for some clever engineering based on robust, proven solutions. Finite element analysis (FEA) guided the placement of bulkheads, stringers, and the keel to ensure structural integrity under long passages without compromising interior volume. The challenge was compounded by hybrid-assisted propulsion comprising twin 1,000-hp MAN diesel engines paired with electric motors and supported by a lithium-ion battery bank.The system integrated by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3869" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Eekels Technology BV (Company)">Eekels Technology</a> allows for flexible operational modes. Electric mode provides a few hours of silent propulsion at low speed, ideal for manoeuvring in harbours or environmentally sensitive zones. In diesel mode the electric motors can function as shaft generators to reduce fuel burn on extended passages. The electric motors also add redundancy for additional peace of mind far from home. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Royal Hakvoort</a> had direct experience of the latter: during sea trials of 61-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8621" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Asia61.0m (200'2&quot;)Royal Hakvoort Shipyard2024">Asia</a>, an electrical fault caused an engine shutdown, but the gearbox-mounted e-motors allowed the crew to manoeuvre safely away from an offshore wind farm.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396210/image/large-bfbd4613c1cb6d84c9fb37fa9b5d37a0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396210">The battle for spaceA signature feature of the yacht is the continuous ribbon of wraparound glazing on the main and bridge decks – 17 tonnes of it. The bulwarks are also glass and the hull windows incorporate a dot-fade pattern that blends with the white hull from a distance. Combined with the classic sheer line and bronze-metallic funnel, the green-tinted glass adds a touch of understated elegance that hints at an era that never quite existed – but should have. The wheelhouse windows are not full-height, but the aluminium surfaces beneath will be clad with glass and the same green reflective finish to create the visual effect of uninterrupted glass.&nbsp;Extensive glazing has a downside, however: heat. Solar load becomes a critical issue, especially for a yacht destined for hot climates. One option is to increase HVAC capacity, but a smarter one is to engineer better insulation. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Hakvoort</a> chose the latter. A two-year development programme with glass specialist Royal-Maritiem sought the ideal balance of solar control, privacy, clarity, structural strength, and colour uniformity. Each double-glazed laminated pane is filled with argon gas and coated with a low-emissivity metal film tuned to deliver the desired green tint. The result is a 50 precent reduction in heat transfer compared to conventional marine glass.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396219/image/large-043a6cfbb4c2ee18f77e9eca62c4d295.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396219">But heat is not the only issue. Full-height windows also eliminate the storage units and hidden cavities normally used to route ducting, wiring, and AC trunking, pushing the technical infrastructure inward. As a result, space became the defining constraint and the build team had to fight for every cubic centimetre. <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> has deep experience of designing sailboats where space is always at a premium, but it was up to the shipyard to find ways to integrate complex systems into tight envelopes.“Nothing fitted, so we had to make it fit,” says Klaas, which could be the unofficial motto of the project. “By the time everything is installed, the engine room will be very full, but accessible and maintainable. Not cluttered – engineered.”The electrical switchboards span the full height of the engine from port to starboard across, an unavoidable result of the hybrid system. The engine room itself relies on seawater-fed heat exchangers because there wasn’t room for conventional air-cooling systems. The pool doubles as a tender bay with a dump tank and its own dedicated crane compartment that closes flush with the teak deck. Under the sunbed on the foredeck is a two-storey garage for the crew tender and a pair of PWCs. Add the elevator, wider side decks and interior passages sized for wheelchair access, and every available every void had to serve a purpose.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396209/image/large-486995c89e482f3860ee5f1204771fb6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396209">Hidden in plain sightThe metallic bronze faux funnel is more than a charming styling cue; it also highlights the kind of engineering concealment that defines the whole project. Since the yacht has underwater exhausts, there was no need for a traditional dry stack – nor was there space to route ducting up to one. Instead, the funnel became the home of the fresh-air unit that draws in and purifies outside air for the HVAC system. Fitting it inside that tight volume meant some early design assumptions had to be reworked.&nbsp;Routing the air quietly around the yacht from high up in the vessel posed further challenges. The onboard noise targets are uncompromising and the owner’s suite is engineered for a harbour maximum of 44 decibels, although <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Hakvoort</a> typically achieves lower. Underway, the expected levels sit in the low 50s – quiet enough that the only audible sound should be the soft splash of water along the hull. Modern superyachts achieve such low mechanical noise levels that airflow has become the primary acoustic concern, not the engines or generators.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396212/image/large-a2aeb88e2ca030f7dc36a4bed74abb21.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396212">“You won’t hear machinery these days – you’ll hear air moving through the ducting,” confirms Klaas. “That’s why we focus obsessively on silencing ducts, bends and terminations.”Consider the HVAC ducting for the crew quarters. To reach the lower deck forward, it has to pass under the bed in the owner’s stateroom, negotiating several dog-leg bends in the process. Air accelerates noisily through tight turns due to mass conservation and pressure shifts, so the yard routinely uses flexible elbow sections with larger diameters and internal damping to reduce turbulence and suppress sound. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396214/image/large-892daf254a9606fb0d0d5fed5e58dda4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396214">Elegance with an edgeThe aluminium superstructure was built at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5231" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alu-bouw Fryslân BV (Company)">Alubouw Fryslan</a> in Franeker and joined to the steel hull at Buijs Shipyard – the hull builder – before being towed to Monnickendam, but <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Royal Hakvoort</a> has its own joinery division and stainless-steel department that produce most of the fixed furniture and deck hardware in-house. Klaas points out the custom-engineered hinges used for the exterior doors as an example of the shipyard’s hands-on approach. During development, these hinges were tested in the most practical way imaginable: by suspending 40 kg weights to a toilet door heavily used by shop-floor workers. Any weaknesses that surfaced were corrected before installation.&nbsp;Another example is the aluminium hull platform that folds out from the topsides amidships and connects to the main deck by way of a boarding ladder for tender access. The platform being assembled in the metalworking department uses a hydraulic rotary or slew drive – more compact than conventional rams and able to generate high torque in tight spaces, it is a solution that has been refined by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Royal Hakvoort</a> over years of building canoe-stern vessels.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396211/image/large-9d9af2d4a7ba3a495473f7ac81ad923c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396211">Although capable of crossing the Atlantic, YB256 will primarily be used for short, comfortable runs with the frequent returns to port and high hospitality demands typical of most operational profiles. Every aspect of the interior has been conceived with wheelchair accessibility in mind, including a transformer-style platform in the stern. Guest and crew flows remain fully separated, which is not always the case on yachts of this size. The lower deck houses two full-beam VIP suites arranged around the main lobby and elevator; a third space will be used as an office/gym with a built-in recess for a running machine. The bridge deck is reserved for the owner’s sky lounge, while the captain’s cabin has been relocated to the lower deck. Crew areas have been configured to maximise discretion and operational efficiency with service and storage areas scaled to support day-use cruising.After touring the shipyard and the yacht, the lasting impression is that YB256 is not just a modern yacht in retro clothing. It is a study in constraint-driven design and smart engineering by a shipyard for whom “custom” is a vocation, not a marketing term. Its timeless elegance is more than skin deep, the result of many difficult decisions made in the belief that contemporary and classic can comfortably coexist – both in appearance and in engineering.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396220/image/large-95656d748cc09cc4e461acdaecb835d0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396220">

Inside the build of a 45m Royal Hakvoort superyacht

Inside Royal Hakvoort's Project YB256, in collaboration with Hoek Design.

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a>&nbsp;is both a leader in the field of waterjet technology and a point of reference for serial production tenders. Active across the military, commercial, and superyacht sectors, the Italian brand is now applying its propulsion and manufacturing know-how to the specialist market for limousine tenders.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396631/image/large-062ebf001bce4c2cc3c7a9d7b4ad2e91.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396631">The small town of Albairate in landlocked Lombardy might seem a strange place for a boatbuilder to set up shop, but it is closely linked to the brand’s origins in one of Italy’s richest agricultural regions. Luigi Castoldi was a pioneering engineer in the agricultural machinery sector through his company BCS, which is still extant today. He began exploring waterjet propulsion – still a novelty in the early 1960s – because boats were damaging their propellers on the shallow bottom of the nearby River Ticino.&nbsp;After importing a waterjet drive, he set about re-engineering it to create a more durable and effective design. His first mass-produced <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a> waterjet, model Jet 05, made its debut at the 1969 Genoa Boat Show. Since then, over 40,000 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a> waterjets have been delivered around the world, from the compact 224 unit up to the mighty 600 HCT drive that can support installed power of up to 2,700 horsepower.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396632/image/large-4d83f3db58d65cf02a38baa8d387c061.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396632">Today, the company is still family-owned under the directorship of Giacomo Castoldi, Luigi’s grandson, who with his father Franco spearheaded the company’s diversification into the tender market with its own range of diesel-powered jet tenders. The first model, the JT 18 Pro in 1998, served as the blueprint for the current range, from the entry-level Jet Tender 14 up to the 10.5-metre Jet Tender 34. The latter also provides the technical platform for the Jet Tender 34 Limo, the company’s first venture into the limousine market.Why waterjetsWaterjet propulsion for superyacht tenders offers several advantages over traditional propeller-based systems. These include enhanced manoeuvrability, higher efficiency and durability, lower noise and vibration, and the reversing bucket can ‘crash stop’ a boat in less than twice its own length. But arguably the most critical feature – as Luigi Castoldi was quick to realise – is shallow draft.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396635/image/large-accb3204fb1c42a0f2bfa16fdfac9f5c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396635">“Jet tenders can drive right up to a beach, and most of our models are equipped with bow ramps as standard,” says Giacomo Castoldi. “Combined with a folding console, low draft also means they occupy less vertical space inside the tender garage, while the lack of exposed propeller blades reduces the potential for injury to swimmers, divers, or marine life.”Over the years, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a> has finessed its waterjet technology. Unlike other systems requiring external gearboxes, all <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a> waterjets except the entry-level Turbodrive 224 DD have integrated gearboxes. This results in a more compact overall footprint, which means more space for passengers and luggage storage, and simplifies the installation process while reducing the potential for errors or rework. They are also equipped with a patented anti-clogging system that enhances the waterjet’s reliability in challenging conditions. The Clear-Duct unclogging system works by reversing the direction of the impeller and simultaneously opening the protective intake grid to flush out any debris that may have accumulated.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396660/image/large-44d8926e35b1304d60e5cdbcb14c3137.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396660"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a>’s latest waterjet drives that carry the HCT acronym have been redesigned to offer a 12% increase in performance compared to previous iterations. Advancements in impeller design, a pre-stator vane system, and an updated post-impeller stator work together to improve the flow of water through the system, reduce cavitation, and ultimately deliver more thrust combined with lower fuel consumption.&nbsp;“These enhancements are largely thanks to investment in CFD analysis,” says Giacomo, “Combining fluid dynamics with our own practical engineering know-how has generated a lot of new ideas."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396615/image/large-28e2be0f5dedca48b4f2f92405172d02.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396615">Total control<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a> also produces its own control systems, from simple mechanical options to the sophisticated ACES system developed in collaboration with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7877" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Xenta (Company)">Xenta</a>. Powered by a 32-bit embedded processor and utilising a proprietary CAN bus network protocol, the ACES system delivers precision control of engine RPM, waterjet steering nozzles and reversing buckets when transitioning between docking and cruising modes. Additional functions include dynamic positioning and smart anchoring, which simulates mechanical anchoring by swinging around a virtual GPS point. Adaptive steering logic can even provide ‘propeller mode,’ which recognises when the vessel is in reverse to simulate conventional propeller behaviour – a useful feature for operators transitioning to waterjets.To maintain quality control, most of the waterjet components are machined in-house, an exception being the Duplex stainless-steel impellers that rely on precision investment casting technology. With regard to tender production, the whole process – from the 3D design, hull lamination and tube fabrication to the hydraulic and electrical systems – is carried out internally before final testing in its own water basin in front of the factory.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396658/image/large-b3c15147d7d49ce31a9b749e8a305ff2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396658">When <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a> began production of jet tenders in the mid-90s, it decided from the start to take a platform-based approach with fixed hull forms designed around its own propulsion system. By standardising the production process, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a> ensures consistent quality while reducing unit costs through repeated tooling and manufacturing processes. Additionally, serial production provides opportunities for continuous optimisation, further enhancing the performance and quality of each new upgraded model. As the range evolved, customised interior materials, finishes and layouts have become the norm to meet the specific needs of individual clients without having to build costly and time-consuming one-offs.&nbsp;The company has applied exactly the same production philosophy to its new Jet Tender 34 Limo designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/153" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nauta Yachts S.r.l. (Company)">Nauta Design</a>. Conceived initially for a fleet of luxury cruise ships currently under construction, each ship will carry four <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a> Jet Tender 34 Limo tenders to deliver a sophisticated ship-to-shore guest experience.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396657/image/large-a20e0e70cb5a086260c495f6e811d4a1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396657">Limo luxury&nbsp;Historically, the limousine tender segment has been defined by high levels of customisation, where each unit is tailored specifically to the design and needs of a particular superyacht. While this approach allows for alignment with the mothership’s aesthetic, it often results in longer lead times, higher costs, and compromises in terms of performance and systems integration. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396633/image/large-bb3ca9a1c828124e6a74dc5b67525448.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396633"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a>’s entry into this market introduces a shift toward standardised, platform-based design, which allows for quicker production times and greater system optimisation, while still providing owners with a high degree of personalisation, particularly in the interior architecture. Two primary interior layouts are offered: one with all-seated configurations for maximum comfort, and another combining seating with a pantry and bathroom for longer transfers. Material finishes can also be tailored to suit individual preferences."This project represents a new chapter for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a> that expands our offerings to new markets, while maintaining the commitment to innovation, quality, and luxury we are known for,” says Giacomo. “The opportunity arose to enter the limousine tender market with a semi-serial product that embodies our construction philosophy of creating optimised vessels rather than one-offs.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396625/image/large-24bbf67840c4bba049f3423e568ddbaa.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396625">“In practical terms, we estimate that our serial-produced limousine tenders are priced at least 35% lower than equivalent full-custom examples,” adds <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a>’s commercial director Luca Taccani, “without sacrificing the luxurious finish or technical sophistication that clients expect.”In addition to the four limo tenders, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a> is also supplying the cruise ships with two customised Jet Tender 28 SV units. The ‘SV’ stands for ‘Support Vessel,’ and the model is specifically designed to work in tandem with the limousine tenders, with an enhanced bow sun-pad, extensive storage, pantry, and premium features like a T-top.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396622/image/large-6c33afd5ceeb462bb96cd2592a9fa250.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396622">The flywheel effect&nbsp;As <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a> has expanded its offerings and capabilities, its workforce has grown accordingly and is now nearing 100 direct employees. In terms of business performance, the company has seen consistent growth, especially over the past two years since Luca Taccani joined the company. Annual turnover is currently distributed fairly equally across the waterjet and tender markets (50% and 40% respectively) with the remainder from spare parts and commissioning activities.&nbsp;Although <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a> builds its tenders in series, each sale is essentially a one-off transaction with an end client. Its propulsion products, on the other hand, can generate recurring clients that expect reliable and ongoing service. Naval procurement involving multiple waterjet units is an expanding sector for the company, for example. To meet this demand, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a> has made a deliberate effort to ensure the availability of components, stocking spare parts for older models well beyond customary timelines – often for more than ten years.“We’ve focused strongly on spare parts and after-sales support with dedicated back-office staff for service management,” says Luca Taccani. “This long-term outlook not only boosts customer loyalty but has also proven financially advantageous. As raw material costs have risen sharply, having a ready stock of components means we’ve been able to avoid significant cost increases.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2027" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Castoldi S.p.A. (Company)">Castoldi</a>’s trajectory over the past few years reflects a competitive company that is expanding its product range while also refining its operational efficiency and service capabilities. By focusing on technical innovation and long-term service, it has effectively created a “flywheel” effect, whereby small but consistent wins build momentum over time in a self-sustaining cycle of growth. Moreover, the brand’s entry into the limo tender market aims to demonstrate how serial production methodologies, when combined with proprietary propulsion and rigorous quality control, can challenge the prevailing bespoke approach.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396659/image/large-9f4ecad812d4f5c94c3664909275b1d8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396659">

The landlocked yard building limousine tenders

Castoldi is entering the limousine tender market with the Jet Tender 34 Limo, combining waterjet technology with a serial-production approach.

The 36.3-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/7519" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kokoro36.3m (119'1&quot;)Moonen Yachts2020">Kokoro</a> has been sold, with Ron Silvia of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6818" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales (Company)">Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales</a> introducing the buyer and Matthew Stone and Richard Gray of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a> representing the seller.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/371215/image/large-8f89a1ada7590f1c5c8553814e0bb9fa.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/371215">Delivered in 2020, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7519" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kokoro36.3m (119'1&quot;)Moonen Yachts2020">Kokoro</a> forms part of her builder’s Martinique series and was commissioned as her owner’s personal project. With exterior design created 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> and interiors crafted by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4664" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Studio Indigo (Company)">Studio Indigo</a>, she has remained in private ownership since delivery.&nbsp;At a volume of 337 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7519" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kokoro36.3m (119'1&quot;)Moonen Yachts2020">Kokoro</a> can sleep up to 12 guests across five well-appointed staterooms. Her layout comprises a full-beam master suite and interior spaces suited for relaxation. Moving outside, her guests can dine alfresco or lounge on her sundeck.Regarding her propulsion system, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/130" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonen Yachts (Company)">Moonen</a> yacht 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, providing her with a cruising speed of 10 knots and a top speed of 16.5 knots.At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7519" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kokoro36.3m (119'1&quot;)Moonen Yachts2020">Kokoro</a> had a last known asking price of €20,000,000.Photo courtesy of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a>.

Moonen yacht Kokoro sold

The 36.3-metre Moonen motor yacht Kokoro has been sold.

36m Moonen motor yacht Kokoro sold

The 25.55-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/584" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pershing S.p.a. (Company)">Pershing</a> 8X/32 motor yacht has been sold, with Boomer Jousma of The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5077" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Yacht Group (Company)">Italian Yacht Group</a> representing the buyer.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/62033/image/large-29eaefe33853aad651d82773c706fa75.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/62033">Penned inside and out by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/585" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fulvio De Simoni Yacht Design (Company)">Fulvio De Simoni Yacht Design</a>, the yacht was delivered to her owner in 2026. Offering a volume of 96 GT, she accommodates up to eight guests across a four-stateroom layout on the lower deck. Generous outdoor living spaces include a spacious foredeck lounge, an inviting aft deck and a well-appointed sundeck designed for relaxation and entertaining.Constructed with a GRP hull and superstructure, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/584" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pershing S.p.a. (Company)">Pershing</a> 8X/32 has a beam of 5.86-metres and a draft of 1.4-metres. Twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a> engines deliver a cruising speed of 38 knots and a top speed of 45 knots.Photo depicts a sistership. Image courtesy of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4876" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ferretti Group (Company)">Ferretti Group</a>.

Pershing 8X32 motor yacht sold

The 25.55-metre Pershing 8X/32 motor yacht has been sold.

26m Pershing 8X/32 motor yacht sold

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400848/image/large-fc47ff5eef9acb6da80d9b0dd36bdbe1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400848">Spotted anchored in Norway was the 85.3-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/899" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silver Yachts (Company)">Silver Yachts</a> high-speed explorer yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6018" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bold85.3m (279'10&quot;)Silver Yachts2019">Bold</a>. Delivered in 2019 and having completed her five-year survey in 2024, she is currently listed for sale with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/899" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Silver Yachts (Company)">Silver Yachts</a>.During her survey, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6018" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bold85.3m (279'10&quot;)Silver Yachts2019">Bold</a> benefitted from a full repaint, including the transformation of her hull to white. Her interiors were designed in-house by the Australian shipyard, while her military-inspired exterior design and naval architecture were penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Espen Øino International</a>.At a volume of 1,550 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6018" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bold85.3m (279'10&quot;)Silver Yachts2019">Bold</a> can accommodate up to 12 guests across eight well-appointed staterooms. For day cruising, she is capable of hosting up to 90 guests and is attended by a crew of 20.Among her standout features is a generous 400-square-metre aft deck, capable of accommodating 15-metre tenders before being transformed into an event space for up to 300 guests. Above, a certified helideck with an integrated refuelling station further enhances her expedition credentials. Additional highlights include a winter garden with a convertible dining area, a glass-walled observation lounge, a gym and a Jacuzzi.In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6018" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bold85.3m (279'10&quot;)Silver Yachts2019">Bold</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> diesel engines, delivering a top speed of 23 knots and a range of 5,800 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots.

SilverYachts yacht Bold in Norway

Spotted cruising in Norway was the 85.3-metre Silver Yachts high-speed explorer yacht Bold.

85m superyacht Bold in Balestrand, Norway

The 57-metre full-custom <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/12583" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Setteesettanta57.0m (187'0&quot;)Heesen Yachts2026">Project Setteesettanta</a> has been launched from the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen Yachts</a> facility in Oss, the Netherlands.&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12583" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Setteesettanta57.0m (187'0&quot;)Heesen Yachts2026">Project Setteesettanta</a> was first announced in December 2022, with rigorous hull design tests undertaken in March 2023 at the University of Southampton. Designed for repeat <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> clients, who requested a yacht tailored to their lifestyle, her keel was laid in December 2023.&nbsp;Translating to mean seven and seventy in Italian, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12583" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Setteesettanta57.0m (187'0&quot;)Heesen Yachts2026">Project Setteesettanta</a> features exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/55" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omega Architects (Company)">Omega Architects</a>, with interior design penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/205" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cristiano Gatto Design (Company)">Cristiano Gatto Design</a> and naval architecture by <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/400825/image/large-a0d1c2cf90a1911b86f44f54f63e3537.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400825">Designer Cristiano Gatto, who also advised the owners throughout the construction process, commented: “To see this project finally afloat is deeply moving. Every element of her interior was conceived from scratch and refined down to the finest detail, with nothing left to chance. She has truly been a labour of love. Drawings and renderings can guide the design process, but nothing compares to the moment when a project becomes reality. Seeing the spaces come to life exactly as envisioned is immensely rewarding, and I am deeply grateful to the owners for the trust they placed in us throughout this remarkable journey.”Spanning 920 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12583" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Setteesettanta57.0m (187'0&quot;)Heesen Yachts2026">Project Setteesettanta</a> boasts hand-selected marbles from Verona, Italy, with her interior design described as elegant and sophisticated. There is a large emphasis on fluid spaces that maximise both light and privacy, paired with an open-plan layout.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400821/image/large-e4f169c5e36fe7782a965e748e6fbe71.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400821"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12583" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Setteesettanta57.0m (187'0&quot;)Heesen Yachts2026">Project Setteesettanta</a> can comfortably sleep up to 12 guests across a six stateroom configuration, with her owner prioritising privacy onboard. Her upper deck has been reserved for the owner and includes a master stateroom, alongside a private terrace with panoramic views.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12583" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Setteesettanta57.0m (187'0&quot;)Heesen Yachts2026">Project Setteesettanta</a> is the first <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> yacht to feature a bridge on the fourth deck, maintaining the brand's sleek appearance with innovative design elements. She is also equipped with a light, unobtrusive mast and new flat Starlink communication panels.In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12583" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Setteesettanta57.0m (187'0&quot;)Heesen Yachts2026">Project Setteesettanta</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> 16V 2000 M72 engines, providing her with a top speed of 18 knots. She is also equipped with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5020" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Quantum Marine Stabilizers (Company)">Quantum</a> X2 stabilisers. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400824/image/large-fd3ca371022d580baa9164999edcbe80.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400824"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12583" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Setteesettanta57.0m (187'0&quot;)Heesen Yachts2026">Project Setteesettanta</a> will remain in Oss for the commissioning of the systems, before &nbsp;leaving for the sea trials in the North Sea later this Summer. The delivery is scheduled &nbsp;for the end of December 2026.“It is an honour to welcome these owners back to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> for a second yacht,” stated Jeroen van der Meer, CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>. “A returning client is the highest compliment a shipyard can receive. Experienced owners bring ambition and present genuine challenges, which help us advance and refine our craft. &nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12583" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Setteesettanta57.0m (187'0&quot;)Heesen Yachts2026">Project Setteesettanta</a> demanded a great deal from our engineers and craftspeople, with almost every aspect handled in-house, from naval architecture to furniture produced at our luxury carpentry facility in Winterswijk. I am proud of what the team has delivered for her owners.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400820/image/large-ba7cc6d2f02723634257c2f316e3fa93.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400820">According to <a href="https://sytiq.superyachttimes.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">SuperYacht iQ</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen Yachts</a> currently has several yachts in-build including the 56.7-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> 5700 Aluminium yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/65164" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="57m Heesen yacht Project Evita hull and superstructure joined (2026-01-23 18:45:00 +0100)">Evita</a> and 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> Steel yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12673" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Frida55.0m (180'5&quot;)Heesen Yachts2026">Frida</a>, which was recently sold and is expected to begin sea trials soon.&nbsp;

Project Setteesettanta: 57m Heesen yacht launched

The 57m full-custom Heesen superyacht Project Setteesettanta has been launched from the Heesen Yachts facility in Oss, the Netherlands. 

57m full-custom Heesen yacht Project Setteesettanta launched

The 43.89-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="At Last43.89m (143'12&quot;)Heesen Yachts1990">At Last</a> has been sold. Rob Newton and Kutsal Coban of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a> represented the buyer, while <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6729" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="National Liquidators (Company)">National Liquidators</a> represented the seller.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/86302/image/large-47a24b256ee8ae9380f351aaf87e1e62.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/86302">Delivered in 1990 by the Dutch shipyard, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="At Last43.89m (143'12&quot;)Heesen Yachts1990">At Last</a>&nbsp;features both exterior design and naval architecture crafted by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/172" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gerhard Gilgenast (Company)">Gerhard Gilgenast</a>. Meanwhile, her interior design was penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/288" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Paola D. Smith & Associates (Company)">Paola D. Smith &amp; Associates</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/498" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bonville Associates (Company)">Bonville Associates</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4923" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tui Pranich & Associates (Company)">Tui Pranich &amp; Associates</a>.Constructed with an aluminium hull and superstructure, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="At Last43.89m (143'12&quot;)Heesen Yachts1990">At Last</a> has a beam of 8.28-metres and a draft of 2.08-metres. She most recently underwent a refit in 2024.Outside, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="At Last43.89m (143'12&quot;)Heesen Yachts1990">At Last</a> features a spacious sundeck fitted with a Jacuzzi, sunpads, shaded lounge areas, a bar, barbecue and areas for alfresco dining.At an interior volume of 391 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="At Last43.89m (143'12&quot;)Heesen Yachts1990">At Last</a> can accommodate up to 11 guests across five staterooms, including a full-beam owner's suite on the main deck. Dedicated quarters sleep up to a crew of seven, including her captain.In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="At Last43.89m (143'12&quot;)Heesen Yachts1990">At Last</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, delivering a cruising speed of 13 knots and a top speed of 17 knots.At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/342" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="At Last43.89m (143'12&quot;)Heesen Yachts1990">At Last</a> had a last known asking price of $1,999,000. 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>.

44m Heesen motor yacht At Last sold

The 44-metre Heesen motor yacht At Last has been sold with a last known asking price of $1,999,000.

The 29.57-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1184" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hargrave Custom Yachts (Company)">Hargrave</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/593" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Next Chapter55.3m (181'5&quot;)Benetti Yachts2003">Next Chapter</a> has been sold. Will Snyder of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2578" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="26 North Yachts (Company)">26 North Yachts</a> introduced the buyer, while Mark Elliott of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a> represented the seller.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/345514/image/large-f4028b9e4c57879000eeb96fbaa47b40.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/345514">Delivered in 2004 by Taiwanese shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1184" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hargrave Custom Yachts (Company)">Hargrave</a>, the yacht was previously known as Gigi and Top Dog. The yacht features exterior design and naval architecture both crafted in-house by her builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1184" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hargrave Custom Yachts (Company)">Hargrave</a>. Meanwhile, her interior was penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/896" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yacht Interiors by Shelley (Company)">Yacht Interiors by Shelley</a>. Constructed with a GRP hull and superstructure, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/593" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Next Chapter55.3m (181'5&quot;)Benetti Yachts2003">Next Chapter</a> has a beam of 6.1-metres and a shallow draft of 1.68-metres, allowing access to remote anchorages and reefs. She underwent an extensive refit in 2024.Outside, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/593" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Next Chapter55.3m (181'5&quot;)Benetti Yachts2003">Next Chapter</a> boasts a spacious aft deck and a shaded flybridge featuring an alfresco dining area and wet bar, where guests can socialise and dine surrounded by panoramic ocean views.With a volume of 105 GT, accommodation onboard is arranged for up to 10 guests across five staterooms, including a full-beam owner's suite. Separate quarters are provided for a crew of four, including her captain.In terms of propulsion, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/593" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Next Chapter55.3m (181'5&quot;)Benetti Yachts2003">Next Chapter</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 14 knots and a top speed of 21 knots. At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/593" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Next Chapter55.3m (181'5&quot;)Benetti Yachts2003">Next Chapter</a> had a last known asking price of $2,395,000. Image courtesy of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC.</a>

30m Hargrave motor yacht Next Chapter sold

The 30-metre Hargrave motor yacht Next Chapter has been sold with a last known asking price of $2,395,000.

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1805" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pastrovich Studio (Company)">Pastrovich Studio</a> has unveiled its 88-metre Explorer PSV Conversion concept, reimagining an offshore Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) as a long-range explorer yacht designed for private use and charter operations.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400773/image/large-ed079e75d840b21a6af97e5d3fde7382.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400773" 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);">Forming part of the studio's decade-long Explorer PSV Conversion Studies, the concept was originally developed between 2015 and 2017, as a response to today's growing demand for expedition yachting.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400766/image/large-0baaffab64f686d4f240f2349445fb6e.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400766">The project began in 2015, when a Norwegian shipowner asked <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1805" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pastrovich Studio (Company)">Pastrovich Studio</a> to explore the possibility of converting two 88-metre platform supply vessels into explorer yachts following the downturn in the offshore oil industry.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400772/image/large-68d072ff9bf9169b129c94e89f1dd769.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400772" 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;"> <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400769/image/large-2ee3dc81f9a7c0beb6ce2beeb98a0909.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400769">Rather than creating a conventional explorer yacht, the owner's brief called for a platform able to accommodate around 30 guests while retaining a commercial vessel’s range, reliability and operational capabilities.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400770/image/large-23609ea07b53b3e121935babf9301524.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400770">According to the studio, the concept was developed through extensive benchmarking of the luxury cruise and expedition charter sectors, including companies such as Silversea, Ponant, EYOS Expeditions, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6954" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pelorus (Company)">Pelorus</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6639" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Aqua Expeditions (Company)">Aqua Expeditions</a>. The studies were also undertaken in technical cooperation with Wärtsilä for hybrid propulsion integration and Meccano Engineering for naval architecture.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400778/image/large-d48dcea90ed7d589c12225e488d297ad.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400778">The 88-metre concept merges the operational capabilities of a commercial Platform Supply Vessel with the onboard experience of a superyacht, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1805" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pastrovich Studio (Company)">Pastrovich Studio</a> explained. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400777/image/large-ef019d333ba39463aa56a64aefd8e3fd.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400777">Intended for extended private use and charter operations, the proposed layout comprises owner's suites, VIP accommodation and guest cabins while preserving the platform's long-range cruising capabilities.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400775/image/large-4c8d5c4f36d7371b4e63daaa8e4e1c77.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400775">A key aspect of the design is the use of a Platform Supply Vessel as the foundation for the conversion. Unlike many second-hand commercial vessels, PSVs share a largely standardised arrangement, with crew accommodation and engineering systems concentrated forward and a large open working deck aft. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400774/image/large-7ec18ff3711eb8c87ace025db961fb30.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400774">According to the studio, the guest superstructure can be constructed separately before being integrated with the existing platform, reducing engineering complexity and shortening delivery times.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400767/image/large-e4cf9c9a59a3ca44e01cfb533fd5e6e7.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400767" 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;">Building on the original private explorer yacht concept, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1805" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pastrovich Studio (Company)">Pastrovich Studio</a> later expanded the studies to include additional configurations for boutique expedition charter and cruise operation, including a 64-guest boutique expedition charter vessel. &nbsp;However, the 88-metre concept established the design principles that would underpin the wider Explorer PSV Conversion Studies.

 Pastrovich Studio unveils 88m Explorer PSV Conversion concept

 Pastrovich Studio has unveiled its 88-metre Explorer PSV Conversion concept, reimagining an offshore Platform Supply Vessel.


<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4509" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SuperYacht Times (Company)">SuperYacht Times</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8259" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marina World (Company)">Marina World</a> have announced the launch of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/361" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yacht Infrastructure Summit - 2026">Yacht Infrastructure Summit</a> organised in partnership with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7074" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Safe Harbor (Company)">Safe Harbor</a>. The one-day conference will be hosted at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/346" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Metstrade - 2026">Metstrade</a> in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on Wednesday 18 November 2026.The Yacht Infrastructure Summit has been created to address the growing importance of the infrastructure supporting the global superyacht industry. As yachts become larger and more complex, continued investment is required in marinas, refit yards, utilities, services and destination infrastructure.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400667/image/large-ee06c62f39f2de4eb502b980ab0536b7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400667">The event will bring together the people who finance, develop, design, own, supply and operate the physical foundations of the superyacht industry. Its audience will include investors, marina developers, designers, owners, suppliers, operators and senior decision-makers from across the yacht infrastructure ecosystem.There will be a close connection between the Summit and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/346" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Metstrade - 2026">Metstrade</a>’s Marina &amp; Yard Pavilion which will move to a new and larger location for the 2026 edition. The Summit will be organised in close proximity to the Pavilion, enabling delegates to combine the conference programme with meetings, networking and visits to exhibitors throughout the day.The programme will focus on subjects including marina and refit development, investment, operational performance, energy, technology, customer experience and the infrastructure gaps that could restrict the industry’s future growth.Baxter Underwood, CEO of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7074" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Safe Harbor (Company)">Safe Harbor</a>, said“Yacht infrastructure improvement is a central objective of all our efforts. We are excited about the YIS. It presents an opportunity to partner with industry leaders to advance the paradigm of possibility.”Niels Klarenbeek, Director RAI Marine Technology Events“The Yacht Infrastructure Summit (YIS) further underscores <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Metstrade (Company)">Metstrade</a>'s prominent position as the global meeting point and commercial hub for professionals in marinas, yards and the wider leisure marine industry. Together with the Marina &amp; Yard Zone, which brings the latest products and solutions to a prominent new location in Hall 9, YIS creates a powerful hub for infrastructure stakeholders and an even more valuable experience for marina professionals attending <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/346" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Metstrade - 2026">Metstrade</a>. We are proud to host this dedicated platform to help drive forward innovation and investment in recreational boating infrastructure.”Merijn de Waard, Founder and CEO of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4509" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SuperYacht Times (Company)">SuperYacht Times</a>, said:“Yachts are becoming larger and more sophisticated, but the infrastructure supporting them does not always develop at the same pace. Together with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7074" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Safe Harbor (Company)">Safe Harbor</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Metstrade (Company)">Metstrade</a>, we want to bring the right people into one room to discuss where investment is needed and what the next generation of yacht infrastructure should look like.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4509" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SuperYacht Times (Company)">SuperYacht Times</a> is a media partner of both <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Metstrade (Company)">Metstrade</a> and The Superyacht Forum, while <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8259" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marina World (Company)">Marina World</a> is also a media partner of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8259" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marina World (Company)">Metstrade</a>. Both will have a stand at the show, further strengthening the connection between the Summit, the Marina &amp; Yard Pavilion and the wider <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/346" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Metstrade - 2026">Metstrade</a> programme.Further details regarding the programme, speakers and registration will be announced shortly. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available. Companies interested in becoming involved can contact Brianna Johann for further information.

yacht infrastructure summit organised by superyacht times and marina world

SuperYacht Times and Marina World announce brand new Yacht Infrastructure Summit in partnership with Safe Harbor

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Yacht Infrastructure Summit to be organised by SuperYacht Times and Marina World

SuperYacht Times takes a closer look onboard the 38-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6173" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Columbus Yachts (Company)">Columbus Yachts</a> motor yacht&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13317" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Principessa Capricciosa38.0m (124'8&quot;)Columbus Yachts2026">Principessa Capricciosa</a>. Launched earlier this year, she is the fourth unit in the Italian shipyard's Atlantique 38 series and the most compact model in the range.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400735/image/large-5ec967a8a89593a27bd6327fa6424944.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400735">Read more:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/65587" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="38m Columbus superyacht Principessa Capricciosa launched (2026-03-10 12:00:00 +0100)">38m Columbus superyacht Principessa Capricciosa launched</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13317" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Principessa Capricciosa38.0m (124'8&quot;)Columbus Yachts2026">Principessa Capricciosa</a> features exterior and interior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/908" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hot Lab (Company)">Hot Lab</a>, while her naval architecture was developed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1757" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palumbo Superyachts (Company)">Palumbo Superyachts</a>. Created around a design philosophy for owners who experience the sea and nature as a “journey of continuous discovery”, the yacht represents a harmonious balance of aesthetics, naval architecture and functionality, with each space intended to keep a constant dialogue with the sea.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400741/image/large-786dc6f4f48ec9b51b1878e0f30aaf41.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400741">Constructed entirely in aluminium, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13317" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Principessa Capricciosa38.0m (124'8&quot;)Columbus Yachts2026">Principessa Capricciosa</a> showcases elegant yet sporty lines inspired by the great Italian grand tourers. To establish a closer relationship to the water, her recessed stern sits just 50 centimetres above sea level. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400737/image/large-19246385c8efc7a6979b6b72b14e054e.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400737">Highlights begin at the aft cockpit, which is designed as a “true terrace” overlooking the sea. Two fold-down balconies expand her usable deck area, while a massive sofa with oversized poufs facing aft guarantees uninterrupted horizon views. Here, a bespoke cocktail bar is complemented by outdoor furnishings from Roda's Laze Collection, resulting in an elegant yet relaxed ambience.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400729/image/large-0aacd4e6bfc53092ad8e739d92beb3d5.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400729">Moving up to the upper aft cockpit, modular sofas, armchairs and coffee tables by Paola Lenti are arranged for a versatile setting for relaxing and socialising. Further aft, her upper deck features a swimming pool with an incorporated sun pad, while her dining area comfortably seats up to 10 guests. Internally connected to the upper deck, her sun deck features a generous area for sunbathing and a secondary helm station.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400730/image/large-79cb81a27bd96c070169f7a7a6419721.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400730" 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;">Stepping inside, guests are welcomed into a contemporary interior distinguished by meticulous material research. Lacquered wood panelling frames her bespoke lighting, while staggered wall cladding and natural oak plank flooring adds depth. Panoramic glazing lets in plenty of natural light and the ocean vistas. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400728/image/large-0e3caed6eddc0c5ced36c28aed5c084a.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400728">Furthermore, one of the yacht's defining features is her state-of-the-art audio system, conceived from the earliest stages of the design process as an integral part of the onboard experience.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400724/image/large-e1cf6b9208497662ae03e9798f2606db.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400724"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400723/image/large-7b30152b7438608f46b99b65d115d4f0.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400723">Forward, her full-beam owner's suite is characterised by a warm palette of brown and cream tones, featuring a generous walk-in wardrobe and a wellness area. On the lower deck are the remaining four ensuite guest staterooms, two of which are fitted with double beds, while the remaining two feature convertible twin beds and additional Pullman berths.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400720/image/large-512c8718587bd787fc52e72271fbc856.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400720"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400721/image/large-b4b5d1038d4a36225ac72f9687f3d603.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400721">With a beam of eight-metres, the 299 GT yacht accommodates up to 12 guests across five staterooms. Dedicated quarters are available for seven crew members, including her captain.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400738/image/large-32a9d10ed1effa7e13b97caa594354f7.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400738">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, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13317" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Principessa Capricciosa38.0m (124'8&quot;)Columbus Yachts2026">Principessa Capricciosa</a> cruises at 19 knots and reaches a top speed of 22 knots.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/400740/image/large-b5bd3af1ddb44835082ed072fff3fac9.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/400740">

Onboard the 38m Columbus yacht Principessa Capricciosa

Step onboard the 38-metre Columbus yacht Principessa Capricciosa featuring Hot Lab interiors and expansive outdoor living.
