Bilgin’s new state-of-the-art shipyard near Istanbul is a significant step forward for the Turkish yacht builder. Not just in terms of investment, but also as part of a long-term strategy to build bigger and raise the international profile of the brand. SuperYacht Times was the first media group to visit the facility and explore the two exciting new 80-metre projects currently under construction in the brand’s brand new sheds...<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/37811/image/large-ebf8946c8a61a3d7dc2f404ce51d701d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/37811">Drive west along the coast from Istanbul’s Ataturk airport for half an hour and you come across the high-end, real estate development of West Istanbul Marina. Luxury villas and apartments overlook the picturesque marina with its restaurants and cafes. Dominating the scene are Bilgin’s brand new construction hangers and 700-tonne travel lift. Fully operational except for the reception, gym, lounge area and suites for visiting clients that is due for completion by the end of the year, the facility represents a multi-million euro investment for the Turkish builder as it moves beyond its sub-500GT comfort zone.“We started planning the new shipyard over four years ago, but we had been talking about it for much longer,”&nbsp;says Yildirim Bilgen, sales executive for Bilgin Yachts. “It’s all part of a long-term plan to upgrade our facilities and promote the brand to a wider audience. Turkey has lagged behind the Italians and north Europeans with our marketing strategies. It’s time to change that.” &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/31714/image/large-bb855e645e873ddb0405222b8280d663.JPG" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/31714">Before moving to its new headquarters, Bilgin was based down the road in Küçükçekmece. Like many boat builders in Turkey, it specialised in traditional, cold-moulded wood construction and the yard was filled with the heady aroma of sawdust and resin. Bilgin’s last wooden boat was the 45-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4808" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Elada45.0m (147'8&quot;)">Elada</a> in 2014, which overlapped with its first steel yacht, the 48.70-metre M&amp;M (now <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3928" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Timeless48.7m (159'9&quot;)">Timeless</a>) launched in 2012. &nbsp;Since switching completely to steel and aluminium, the hulls and superstructures are fabricated at a dedicated yard in Yalova on the eastern side of the Bosphorus. That site is also due to be replaced, and Bilgin has acquired land nearby to build a new metalworking facility. After a first coat of primer, the bare hulls are then floated across the Sea of Marmara for fitting out. The first 80-metre hull (263 I) arrived at West Istanbul Marina in November 2017, followed a few months later by her sister ship (263 II). &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/31717/image/large-fe9634414a6077557681813262d6a208.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/31717">With exterior styling by Unique Yacht Design and interiors by H2 Yacht Design, the two superyachts are an impressive sight standing side by side in the largest of the pristine sheds that can be extended to over 100 metres in length (alongside are two 75m x 28m construction bays). At close to 1,680GT, they are more than twice the volume of the 51.80-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4807" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dusur51.8m (169'11&quot;)">Dursur</a>, Bilgin’s largest yacht on the water, and when 263 I is launched in the first quarter of next year she will be the biggest of her kind completed in Turkey. Hull 263 II is expected to follow six months later, but the yard is in no hurry: “When you’re building yachts this size that take three or four years, it makes no sense to rush it,” says Yildirim.&nbsp;“We need time to achieve the high-quality construction we strive for and we’re not prepared to sacrifice those standards, even if the owner wants his yacht sooner.”&nbsp;The repeat client who commissioned the 80-metre projects is the owner of two other Bilgin yachts, a 35.5-metre and a 45-metre launched respectively in 2006 in 2011, both of which are named&nbsp;Tatiana. The contract for the first hull was signed in 2015 and the second followed a few months later. Conventional diesel drive was chosen from the start and, apart from a few styling details and a forward helipad on 263 II, the sister ships are identical in terms of technical specifications, performance and general arrangement with accommodation for 16 guests. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/37815/image/large-3d5e41afa784d3c840a5a582b4ae654f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/37815">In addition to the amenities you would expect to find on an 80-metre custom superyacht, a standout feature is the 9-metre indoor swimming pool in the beach club on the lower deck. Flanked by two shell doors that can be lowered to create side platforms, the stability calculations were made with the pool full, but to avoid splashing in a seaway the 23 cubic metres of water can be dumped into two heated reserve tanks during navigation. &nbsp;Both projects are built to full LY3 compliance and the ABS classification includes ABS Comfort Plus notation – a first for a Turkish-built yacht. The notation takes into account noise, vibration, indoor climate and lighting to ensure optimal onboard comfort, and Bilgin worked closely with noise control consultants van Cappellen to achieve the strict criteria. In the cinema room on the lower deck, for example, extra insulation was added not so much to block noise and vibration from the engine room getting in, but to prevent sound escaping into the adjacent gym when the cinema is in use. &nbsp; &nbsp;Another first for Bilgin is the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) exhaust treatment, which ensures high engine power and efficiency while reducing NOx emissions. Hull 263 I could have been exempt from this Tier III provision, but the shipyard deliberately delayed the keel-laying until after the IMO regulations came into effect for the North American and US Caribbean Emission Control Areas at the start of 2016. &nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/37817/image/large-24d576c1a69ad28e60c69f3f33e5d4c3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/37817"> “The catalytic converters take up as much space as the MTU engines, which meant a bigger engine room than usual,” says naval architect and project manager Sencer Güneer. “But we took the decision to have them installed anyway. Like the Comfort Plus notation, they represent added value for the owner by future-proofing his investment."&nbsp;With a workforce of over 360 personnel, Bilgin designs and manufacturers in-house all the fitted furniture aboard its yachts and moved its furniture factory from Tuzla to be closer to the new shipyard. The 5,000-sqm facility includes a metalwork shop that can make stainless steel and aluminium components from watertight doors, cranes and deck cranes to bollards, handrails and hydraulic passerelles. Rather than relying on subcontractors, manufacturing in-house means the company has total control over its build schedules and quality standards. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/37813/image/large-1215b330a361a893f8c6457b6908e49d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/37813">Bilgin is pushing ahead with other projects and has started two new builds on spec in Yalova: a 67-metre and a 48-metre sister ship to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6001" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nerissa47.5m (155'10&quot;)">Nerissa&nbsp;</a>named&nbsp;Ilium, which will debut at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show. The shipyard is in advanced negotiations with a client for a 108-metre project by H2 Yacht Design and the owner of the 52-metre Benetti&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/617" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="My Falcon52.0m (170'7&quot;)">My&nbsp;Falcon&nbsp;</a>(ex-Sai Ram), which was undergoing a cosmetic refit at the time of our visit, is considering a new 58-metre yacht with the yard. If the owner of 263 I and 263 II decides to sell, he is also expected to build bigger. &nbsp;Bilgin Yachts enjoys an international market but is not widely recognised as an international brand. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/37818/image/large-c6c263e9ac3e7aeae604be32d044ff1e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/37818">Getting that message across involves challenging preconceptions and exploiting the full array of marketing tools available, including social media channels. Bilgin’s new shipyard is part of this branding process. As a world-class facility that shows its commitment to creating the right environment for building high-end superyachts, it resets the bar for shipyards in the country and elsewhere. &nbsp;“When&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6001" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nerissa47.5m (155'10&quot;)">Nerissa</a>&nbsp;was in Monaco last year, we had visitors who after touring the yacht and touching the finishes were surprised to learn that she was built in Turkey,” says Yildirim.&nbsp;“Then when I told them Bilgin has been building yachts for over 100 years, they were even more surprised. And the biggest surprise of all came at the end when I told them the price!” &nbsp;This article is featured in the latest edition of the SuperYacht Times newspaper. <a href="http://www.superyachtcompany.com/newspaper/the-superyacht-times-subscription" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Subscribe now</a> to receive your copy straight to your door and never miss another issue.

Bilgin 263/2 arriving in Bilgin Istanbul shipyard

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Bilgin 263/2 exterior design 

Bilgin 263 / I under construction

Yacht construction at Bilgin Yachts

Insight: Bilgin reborn

Sitting across from me is Sampriti Bhattacharyya, a woman who can’t help but push past any boundary placed on her path. What’s most striking about this is that she does it with grace and speaks of it humbly - an ode to her intellect not just in the field of technological development, but her emotional intelligence too. From moving across continents and oceans to designing groundbreaking technology for the US military, Sampriti has unexpectedly found her way into the yachting industry at the helm of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6284" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navier (Company)">Navier</a>, a company set to redefine water travel.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383526/image/large-c68e149a038779a749301544dea136ce.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383526">A journey across oceans: From India to AmericaGrowing up in Kolkata, India, Sampriti didn’t have cable TV until she was 16; one of the first things she watched was the Apollo mission to the moon. “The idea that people are going outside of planet Earth, it completely changed what humanity is capable of doing,” shares Sampriti. She was a curious kid, a trait she still holds dear to her heart, and has lived a life exploring solutions for any kind of problem, yet mainly those that, when solved, can fundamentally change how you interact with the world.&nbsp;Yet growing up in India, Sampriti didn’t have many opportunities, especially as a young woman. By the age of 20, owning her first computer, it was a singular email that ended up getting her a ticket to America. From there, alone and a world away from her family, Sampriti shifted her focus to high energy physics at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory/Fermilab in Illinois. “I was always fascinated by space and understanding the universe, but down the line, I realised we might leave that for artificial general intelligence (AGI) to figure that stuff out.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383528/image/large-83e7e7e14cc75902db67627fc977be68.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383528">Shifting her focus from purely experimental physics to a more hands-on approach, building machines and nuclear reactors, Sampriti ended up working on aircraft controls for NASA before starting her PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).In 2014, when Malaysian Airline Flight 370 disappeared, Sampriti was working on building underwater drones to be used for ocean mapping. “Everyone’s talking about going to the moon and occupying Mars, but we have 70% of the world’s real estate, the ocean, our very own backyard and we don’t even know when an airplane gets lost.”&nbsp;It was a topic that deeply intrigued Sampriti: “I went down a rabbit hole of understanding the entire maritime industry.” She quickly learned that it’s very much of a legacy-based industry, yet that it has infinite potential. “Everything we use moves on this water: food, all kinds of goods, and the future of energy. It’s not in space.” The auto-industry was being transformed, as well as aerospace, computing, sensing, scalable manufacturing and propulsion technologies: “if you apply the same technology stack to maritime manufacturing, which is still a very fragmented, old school industry, you can make not just a little bit of a difference, rather, you can fundamentally change the way the industry works. I was convinced that, like there is a Tesla and a SpaceX, there will be an equivalent vertically integrated maritime company.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383534/image/large-e9498aaaf85ece20432436236098485e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383534">Introducing <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6284" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navier (Company)">Navier</a>Occupying that space is <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6284" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navier (Company)">Navier</a>, a company focused on radically changing the maritime industry, founded and owned by Sampriti herself. With a mission of building the most compelling, software driven marine vessels, Sampriti and her team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6284" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navier (Company)">Navier</a> strive to build boats that drastically reduce operational costs and unlock a new era of clean, scalable waterborne transportation for both people and goods. “I didn’t set out to build sustainable boats, I just wanted to build the best boats, and those happen to be electric and hydrofoiling,” Sampriti notes humorously. Working to understand the physics and economics behind a gas-based boat, “you have this big body and you’re trying to push water; it takes a lot of energy.” It’s a hindrance in cities like Amsterdam or San Francisco, where efficient transportation via water could cut a lot of time and costs.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383550/image/large-acf9f7fcc25a130b6a325084da808be1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383550">The boat Sampriti has built at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6284" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navier (Company)">Navier</a> is hydrofoiling and electric. When looking at the operational costs of a boat, there are two elements: there’s fuel and there is labour needed to push a boat through the water. A <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6284" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navier (Company)">Navier</a> boat doesn’t have this, instead, by using electric hydrofoiling there is no plowing through the water, making the vessel “incredibly efficient: the electric hydrofoiling delivers ~10x efficiency versus a conventional gas boat. About 70 percent of that gain comes from hydrofoiling, and ~ 30 percent from electrification” highlights Sampriti. Another benefit is that hydrofoil and electric together is also much cheaper than a regular gas-based vessel. “People don’t realise that ‘electric’ has a lot of efficiency: it gives about 30% more operational cost-efficiency.”Sampriti highlights another benefit of hydrofoiling, stating how “it gives you a much better ride experience because there is no seasickness; electric also means it’s noise free.” The boat is sustainable, yet Sampriti isn’t a fan of the overused buzzword, instead, she relates it back to her original goal: “Let's build the best boat. And that happens to be hydrofoiling and electric.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383529/image/large-f4e59995e4f20f4a02a2b6d8cb5c76ab.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383529">Building for the futureThe actual build of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6284" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navier (Company)">Navier</a> boat, the N30 Pioneer Edition, started in 2022 and the first batch was delivered last year. Currently Sampriti and her team are busy with deliveries of the N30 Pioneer Edition II, starting around April of this year. Both the Pioneer I and II are 100 percent electric. The Pioneer II also incorporates more advanced features, including Starlink and NACS fast charging.Not long after starting on Pioneer I, Sampriti was approached by a defence company. Having previous experience in building military-grade technology, it seemed like a very natural collaboration for Sampriti’s business. The N30 Quanta, unveiled at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2025, is the longest range vessel in its category. Sampriti shares that it’s “a 30-foot hybrid electrical vessel with a range of 700 nautical miles for the civilian variant, and a range of 2,000 nautical miles for the defence variant; both at a cruising speed of 20 knots. It fundamentally changes what America can do at sea.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383551/image/large-79279829441e5bae48e6e420a812b554.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383551">Currently the United States sits at number 19 when it comes to the maritime industry, a stark contrast to having been number one until the Second World War. “After that, incentives weren’t given to shipyards, labour cost was very high and there were too many regulations,” shares Sampriti. Yet the tides are turning: “It’s a huge geopolitical, national security and trade risk because 90 percent of goods are transported across the ocean.” Sampriti shares how, slowly, people are waking up to the maritime reality, “there’s a lot of push on ship building again. It’s not just about naval power, but rather building a maritime ground with standardised, common platforms that can be repurposed for defence, cargo and transportation.”Sampriti’s view is holistic, noting that “each of these platforms and ships have commonalities. At <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6284" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navier (Company)">Navier</a>, we’re focused on building the first-of-its-kind Generalised Marine Vessel Platform (GMVP), designed around three governing principles: low build and operation cost, longest range at speed, and operation across diverse sea states.” This is precisely where hydrofoils come in as they’re built for this multifunctionally. “They can carry big cargo and remain stable and have a much longer range than a general hull can have, and that’s really our ethos,” Sampriti notes. “We’re in an era of asymmetric warfare where a $1,000 drone can take down a billion dollar carrier craft,” something that is neither sustainable nor economically efficient. “You have to build things that can scale,” Sampriti continues, “to build vessels that are adaptable.”&nbsp;The goal for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6284" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navier (Company)">Navier</a> is to be a dual-use company: to have a vessel that can be used for defence and civilian purposes. Just like aviation, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6284" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navier (Company)">Navier</a> vessels also fit the high-end luxury industry of superyachts, “it’s like how the flight control system that is on US Navy vessels is the same flight control system we have in our recreational aircrafts.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383552/image/large-55de5dbef6f489e6c364a79356321084.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383552">Altering the use of waterwaysFor centuries, and still in places like Venice and Amsterdam, people travel on the water. Overtime, roadways and railways didn’t just become more efficient, but boats became inefficient. “If you can solve the cost and comfort problem of small boats, then suddenly every Marina can be a transportation hub,” Sampriti continues, “you’re doing the same thing that trains and airways are doing, and starting an entirely scalable transportation network between every Marina. It’s a standardised network.”&nbsp;It’s these kinds of changes that motivates Sampriti to get up in the morning: to connect the world and everyday people, allowing them to travel from place to place at incredible speed. “Take a place like San Francisco: if you go from Martinez, it’s over two hours by land, due to traffic, but 45 minutes by water.” By introducing vessels like Sampriti’s, people can come to work in San Francisco, while living further out without losing too much time or money on a commute. “It creates more affordable housing, growth in infrastructure, and an accessibility to life.”The technology, however, is expensive. “We’re very fortunate,” Sampriti notes, “because there’s early champions like doctors who see the big vision.” The maritime industry is a very conservative one, making it essential to have people who understand the vision. “We get them to the boat show and introduce them to adventurers, explorers and pioneers that are willing to try this high-tech thing out. Owners of superyachts are precisely those kinds of people.” An industry filled with entrepreneurs and creatives, they become cheerleaders of innovation for businesses and ideas the likes of Sampriti’s.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383517/image/large-bec9c81cb41170abd517704808fb1bcb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383517">Superyacht owners weren’t the clientele in mind when designing the best possible vessel, however, Sampriti has intentionally produced a limited number of recreational vessels. The idea is to build a community of explorers and mavericks at heart, who are pioneering a new era of sea adventure. “When you see people you aspire to be like, and those people are using these hydrofoil electric boats, it influences their audience and changes the way people look at maritime transportation, but also benefits the planet.Sampriti calls herself “very much of an optimist. I think in the long run, if you build a product that is helpful and useful for the world and it functions better than what already exists, I like to believe merit will win.” Sampriti knows that her <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6284" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Navier (Company)">Navier</a> vessels will create an irreversible change in the maritime industry, “it might be slow at the start, but you push through.” It is precisely this optimism, tied with Sampriti’s vast experience in maritime technology and her care for the ocean that will help her continue to break maritime boundaries, one electric hydrofoil at a time.

Navier redefining boundaries of maritime transportation

The woman who is singlehandedly changing the maritime industry: Sampriti Bhattacharyya, the foundere and CEO of Navier

Sampriti and Navier: Redefining the boundaries of maritime transportation

A lifelong spearfisher, a captain and recently a broker, one can truly say that Cameron Kirkconnell is a man of the sea. Growing up in the Cayman Islands, traversing the globe, setting numerous spearfishing world records, and selling superyachts, the common denominator in all Cameron does is his profound sense of care, whether for clients, guests or colleagues.&nbsp;SuperYacht Times Features Editor Leona Caanen sits down with Cameron to chat about his journey from spearfisher to captain to superyacht broker.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/381245/image/large-b8435d19156ab8568d831fc861c03d0c.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/381245">Captain, spearfisher, nomadCameron’s ties to the sea span back generations, to when his forefathers were shipwrecked off of Cuba six or seven generations ago. “They were found by a group of people from the Cayman Islands,” Cameron shares, “since then, our family has been there for about five generations.” Coming from a long line of captains, “we’re bred from the sea,” Cameron shares, “growing up, our entire lives were centred around going to the water, whether to dive or fish or go surfing.” Even when playing college league football and competitive water polo, Cameron always preferred to be in the water; whether hunting or fishing with his dad and cousins.&nbsp;After high school, Cameron attended and graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy, one of the best maritime schools there is. He left the academy with certification to work as a third officer with unlimited tonnage on any kind of ship. From there, Cameron followed in his ancestor’s footsteps, working his way up to captain, while traversing the globe onboard commercial vessels. &nbsp;Just like the superyacht industry, being onboard a commercial vessel means working on rotation. Saving up as much money as he could, Cameron would spend his time off travelling to remote corners across the world, finding places to go diving and fishing. “Until I met my wife, about 15 years ago, I had never paid rent. I never had a permanent place to stay.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/381275/image/large-fcd8ed1b2fa264bc4bb6527665b6b9c5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/381275">Having grown up fishing, spearfishing, and diving, Cameron went looking for other places to explore the ocean. “I fell in love with travelling. For eight or ten years, I went all over, from the South Pacific, Indian Ocean, East Coast of Africa, all through the Caribbean, and Central America.”No matter where he travelled in his time off, Cameron always aimed to give his all and strike gold when fishing: “I’m going to the best place at the right time, on the right moon, on the right tide, and I’m going to get the best fish that there is. Period.” With more than 19 world records to his name and another 30 or so achieved for and with others, the results underscore his efforts, yet he still remembers the one that started it all: “The first really significant world record I got was in Bali, Indonesia, catching a dog tooth tuna.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/381247/image/large-9fdee404f4859a57081005654ec1f01f.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/381247">Like father, like sonCameron is a family man at heart. Upon retiring from his solo global adventures, Cameron got married and started his family, although he did anything but settle down. Instead, he shares his passion for the sea with his kids, the oldest of which is already accompanying him on trips. “My son and I went up to the northern part of Norway and did a week of spearfishing together to try and get the world record for halibut,” Cameron shares. A record he, of course, achieved, yet the pride wasn’t in adding another record to his name, but rather in sharing it with his son.It was Cameron’s father that got him into spearfishing, with some of his earliest and best memories growing up in the Cayman Islands being with his father. “I was so small and I couldn’t swim, so he’d have his arm out and I’d be holding on, he’d be towing me around.” Already back then Cameron could spot fish better than anyone else; people would praise his skills, give a pat on the back: “I find I could, and can, just pick out minute details, spot something different and significant, only now to be overshadowed by my son,” Cameron shares, adding with a hint of pride: “he’s eleven,”“I bring my son on a lot of trips, he’s very good on the boat,” Cameron remarks, emphasising that his son isn’t just great at spotting fish and spearfishing, but also at spotting boats. “He’s a savage critic on boats… he’ll tell you straight up.” A character trait that Cameron is proud to see, “we’ve always pushed transparency in our kids, whether in business or in people, life is too short.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/381248/image/large-4cf86a16eaa71752830ca731bb2a57d3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/381248">Spearfisher turned brokerCameron himself also strives to be transparent, within his family life, in spearfishing and in business. While having spent most of his life in the water and plenty of time on boats, Cameron had never quite intended to become a superyacht broker, but like most things in his life, when the opportunity arose, he jumped right in, giving it his all.In sharing spearfishing with others, Cameron eventually landed in the world of superyachts. The first five or so years, he was managing everything by himself, but when the opportunity arose to join AJ Blackmon at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5554" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ikonic Yachts (Company)">Ikonic Yachts</a>, the choice was easy. “I needed the help; I needed the background, the back office, and the know-how of the yachts.” Yet it wasn’t just the professional timing that made the match; “AJ has this insane level of transparency and expertise; it’s unbelievable what he has put together and he is very humble.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/381274/image/large-4eee43810e64eb39a7b11536ba71c90e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/381274">Upon joining the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5554" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ikonic Yachts (Company)">Ikonic</a> team, Cameron notes how AJ has put together a great team, one that feels like a family office with no BS. “Putting together him and I and Matt and Ben and Hannah; it’s such a good set up,” Cameron enthuses, “not just for me but for my clients because everyone in the team is at the absolute pinnacle of their business. It’s the best of the best.”&nbsp;One of the most memorable yachts that Cameron has gotten to work with has been <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6344" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Beast 39.2m (128'7&quot;)Profab Central Engineering Ltd2019">The Beast</a>, belonging to Sir Michael Hill. On a search for the ideal vessel to take Cameron and his team on remote spearfishing excursions, they ran into the 39-metre superyacht. “When we found the beast, we were like, where has this thing been? When going remote, you don’t just need a nice boat, you need all the functionalities required for such a mission,” says Cameron.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/217319/image/large-389761c0d05f0528314f5aab63e4b23a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/217319">The vessel made a deep impression on Cameron, “I messaged him, saying ‘Hey Sir Michael, if you ever sell this thing let me know.” It’s a sentiment shared not only by Cameron, “every client that’s come on there has said the same thing.” Only a year and a half old at the time, Cameron today still seems impressed by the yacht: “he did such a good job building this boat. She’s easy to maintain, she can change her engines out herself, guests can stay in luxury spaces, it’s just an incredible set up.”Unfortunately, Sir Michael Hill passed away earlier this year, “he wouldn’t sell it to me but we kept in touch over the years. In the end, he was able to use <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6344" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Beast 39.2m (128'7&quot;)Profab Central Engineering Ltd2019">The Beast</a> until his last days, spending time with his family onboard; it was wonderful for him… it’s something that we all dream of,” shares Cameron. After knowing each other for nearly seven years, Sir Michael has entrusted Cameron with the sale of the yacht, “he appreciates that the mission is going to go onwards.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/381273/image/large-266341e6aba18b31b888b1f653dca2dd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/381273">Although Cameron can’t quite disclose what exciting adventures <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6344" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Beast 39.2m (128'7&quot;)Profab Central Engineering Ltd2019">The Beast</a> will embark on next, the yacht has generated so much interest, with three full-price offers within the first week, that Cameron and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5554" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ikonic Yachts (Company)">Ikonic Yachts</a> have started to design more yachts in a similar size, as well as bigger. “It’s a niche that needs to be filled, the desire for a true expedition boat. Not the buzzword that’s been going around but a truly self-sustaining vessel; a boat that can do some really cool stuff.”Most of the yachts that Cameron sells don’t reach the market. “The guys that want to go to these remote places, or kite surf or spearfish, they don’t want to see other boats, nor do they want other boats to have been there. They want to be able to visit unique and remote tolls. When these yachts become available, they snatch them up pretty quick.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/99335/image/large-12f139a8fd50016263364bfee4501ec7.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/99335">Transparency, care and dedicationWhat is most remarkable about Cameron and the way he goes about his work, whether spearfishing expeditions or selling superyachts. Staying true to his values, Cameron’s success stems from his transparency as well as his genuine care for his clients and the yachts.“I don't force any sale: It needs to be the right boat at the right time, and sometimes it's not the right time. I’ll tell them to wait for the right time and I think that transparency has done me very well. I'm probably too emotional about it just because I truly care about my clients and I care about the boats,” shares Cameron. “If they call and there’s a line wrong in the paperwork, it affects me, it hurts my heart because I want everyone to be happy.”While Cameron knows he is possibly too emotionally invested in every sale, it is precisely his attention to his clients, the vessel and detail that makes him so good at what he does. “People know I actually care,” Cameron adds.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/381249/image/large-c781199ba8a652c915d45588514834b4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/381249">In an industry as extravagant and luxurious as superyachts, it is refreshing to find someone so passionate about his work; not from a financial perspective, but from a love of giving people the best possible experience, whether in spearfishing a world record or purchasing a superyacht. When you work with Cameron, you know you’re working with someone who has a lifetime of experience accompanied by a profound care for all he does.

Cameron Kirkconnell: From spearfisher to superyacht broker 

A lifelong spearfisher turned captain turned superyacht broker: this is Cameron Kirkconnell

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Our favourite star-studded superyachts on film and TV

Pendennis: Masters of versatility, new-build and refit

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Masters of versatility: At the shipyard with Pendennis 

It isn’t every day that the superyacht press finds itself on a video call with one of the most influential figures in technology. But when Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve and now shareholder at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a>, appeared on screen for a private roundtable with a select group of journalists during the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/271" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show - 2025">Monaco Yacht Show</a>, the atmosphere was one of curiosity and anticipation. For an hour, he spoke candidly about his unlikely journey into yachting, his vision for research-led fleets and why he believes there will always be interesting technologies and opportunities to build more boats.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/372661/image/large-efbaa1c91bfa6988f938d8e2732895dd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/372661">“I wasn’t interested in yachts at all,” he admitted with disarming honesty over the call, explaining how a surprise charter onboard the 77.6-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/270" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vosper Thornycroft (Company)">Vosper Thornycroft</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/301" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="M577.6m (254'7&quot;)Vosper Thornycroft2004">M5</a> (ex. Mirabella) for his ex-wife’s 50th birthday turned into the start of a lifelong passion. “I thought I was going to be miserable. Instead, I discovered this incredible way to spend time with friends and family.”That first charter led to many more. Then came ownership. Then, inevitably, came shipbuilding. Today, Newell not only owns a growing fleet, but also lives full-time at sea. “Other than a couple of months in 2021, I’ve been living onboard ever since the pandemic,” he said, leaning back in his chair on screen. His three cats, he joked, are just as bemused as he is when the captain informs them which vessel they’re moving to next.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/319785/image/large-4bb2a8fa9dff74386dd0cf81c8991888.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/319785">The scale and diversity of Newell’s fleet is unusual, even by superyacht standards. He counts the 78.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rocinante78.5m (257'7&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2008">Rocinante</a> as his first acquisition, the 72.15-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a> yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5955" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Game Changer72.15m (236'9&quot;)Damen Yachting2017">Game Changer</a> as a support vessel, and both <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4018" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Draak91.5m (300'2&quot;)Oceanco2014">Draak</a> and the new-build 111-metre superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Leviathan111.0m (364'2&quot;)Oceanco2025">Leviathan</a> by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> as those included under his ownership. Beyond the traditional yachts, however, lies an array of research platforms, including the 68.2-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3754" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tacoma Boat Building Co (Company)">Tacoma Boat Building</a> vessel <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10637" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dagon68.28m (224'0&quot;)Tacoma Boat Building Co1985">Dagon</a> which operates as a full-ocean-depth surface platform and the 55.75-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1643" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Auroux (Company)">Auroux</a> vessel <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hydra55.75m (182'11&quot;)Auroux1974">Hydra</a> which is designed for coastal studies.&nbsp;He also has a 35-metre sportfisher in development at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/474" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yachting Developments (Company)">Yachting Developments</a>, that will travel with the main boat and the support boat, and has signed an agreement with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4590" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vard Group AS (Company)">Vard</a> for the 100-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/15856" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RV6000100.0m (328'1&quot;)Vard Group AS2028">RV6000</a>, which will carry a 6,000-metre-capable remotely operated vehicle for submarine rescue and ocean science, and the research vessel <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/17142" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RV11000162.0m (531'6&quot;)Vard Group AS2030">RV11000</a>, which is still in development.&nbsp;While the fleet is diverse, the vision is consistent that yachts are not just used as platforms for leisure, but as tools for exploration and science. Through Inkfish, his marine research organisation, Newell supports scientists with access to deep-sea technology, from advanced ROVs to mapping equipment. “Our focus is to be a service organisation to the scientific community,” he explained. “We ask scientists directly, what’s helpful? Sometimes that means getting them to critical parts of the ocean. Sometimes it means grants to process the data we collect. The point is to be led by science, not by ego.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367974/image/large-ea8d38f7ced1d8b2d5c392d963d93997.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367974">At one point during the call, he described how high-school students had boarded his research vessels, watching specimens being prepared, and later wrote to ask when the boats would return. He smiled as he recounted their excitement: “That’s the impact I want to see. When the community says, ‘You’re coming back? Hooray!’ then we know we’re doing it right.”If his research ambitions are ambitious, his philosophy as a yacht owner is just as striking. Newell has imported the mindset of a software engineer into yacht design, thinking in terms of productivity and user experience.On <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Leviathan111.0m (364'2&quot;)Oceanco2025">Leviathan</a>, for instance, the deck is not teak but <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7672" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bolidt (Company)">Bolidt</a>. “I’d rather the crew spend less time polishing decks and more time interacting with guests,” he said. “It’s about maximising the valuable experiences onboard. Do you want your crew polishing chrome, or taking your child out on a Jet Ski? To me, it’s obvious.”That approach extends deeper, with crew actively designing tenders, galleys and operational spaces. “We started by asking our dive team to design their own tender. The results were so good that we realised, the more you involve the crew in design, the better the outcomes.” On screen, he gave a small shrug as if to say the idea was obvious, though it represents a radical departure from how most yachts are conceived.Few yacht owners speak as comfortably about CNC machining, AI models or pressure vessels as they do about cruising grounds. For Newell, technology is not an accessory to his yachting, but the foundation of it. A self-taught machinist who once kept a five-axis CNC mill in his living room, he now funds advanced material research. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367451/image/large-26f50ff0e23faff563f5ba25af0026b5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367451">One project in partnership explores aluminium oxynitride, a transparent ceramic stronger than titanium. “It’s so strong that titanium becomes the gasket material,” he said, eyes lighting up through the video link. The aim, to build a fully transparent, full-ocean-depth submersible hull.Newell was also an early funder of OpenAI, and speaks enthusiastically about applying machine learning to shipbuilding. “Putting stress and strain gauges everywhere, collecting time-series data and comparing it to model predictions, that’s where AI can validate and improve design. It’s about putting shipbuilding in front of the wave of technological advancement.”Examples already in place include pathogen-detection systems onboard to identify influenza or RSV, and discussions around bridge systems that use augmented reality to detect submerged objects at night. “Machine vision is already better than humans in many cases,” he said. “It’s just about integrating it in a way that enhances safety.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/372683/image/large-fde494e79d89a678a296d7074c300d04.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/372683">Gabe Newell acquired <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> in August 2025, stating he intends to support and reinforce its existing culture, which he views as effective, principled and forward-looking. The investment in <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> itself stemmed not from a cold business calculation, but from a sense of belonging. Building <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Leviathan111.0m (364'2&quot;)Oceanco2025">Leviathan</a> with the yard’s CEO Marcel Onkenhout and his team created a natural partnership for Newell.“It didn’t feel adversarial. It felt like collaboration,” Newell explained. “I was fanboying all over Marcel and his team. The quality made me root for them. Eventually it was like, how can I be part of this team too?” The result was a formal stake in <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a>, but with a philosophy that profit alone is not the driver. “The goal is to create happy customers. Profit is just the signal that you’re doing better than others. My focus is on how to make already brilliant yachts even more valuable to owners.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/365665/image/large-908318675f42f6a91544e68f54985a77.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/365665">For Newell, the process of designing and building yachts has become as much a joy as the finished vessels themselves. “I’ll actually be sad when <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Leviathan111.0m (364'2&quot;)Oceanco2025">Leviathan</a> is delivered, because I’ve loved working with the team,” he admitted via the video link. Asked whether he will always be building yachts, he admitted that it's an ongoing conversation and that there will always be interesting opportunities to move technology forward in the industry, in ways that might be too risky to ask another owner to take on. “In those cases, we could look at a speculative project or something I’d build myself, which gives the yard more design freedom. But it depends on what the team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> wants to try.”It is a revealing answer. For an industry often shrouded in secrecy, Newell brings not only capital and innovation, but a refreshing openness. He jokes about his cats, shares anecdotes of his children, and speaks earnestly about wanting yachts to be seen as good actors in the communities they visit.Marcel, speaking towards the end of the call, agreed wholeheartedly. “What has always bothered me most in 30 years is the secrecy and gossip,” he reflected. “In the years ahead, we want to lead by example, and transparency will be part of that.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367971/image/large-02a0541df7b4d8e25e92bf73af030e34.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367971">Gabe also noted that many of his peers in the American tech world “aren’t nearly as aware of yachts and yachting as a lot of people in Europe,” and that simply getting them onboard could be transformative. “It’s a little like shooting fish in a barrel,” he said with a grin. “There are so many people who would never think about yachts, but once they experience it, they’ll realise it has an important role to play in their lives.” For Newell, the challenge lies in making the sales process experiential, because simply getting potential owners onboard, he argued, is often enough to change perceptions entirely.As the call drew to a close, he turned the tables on the assembled journalists: “What do you want <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> to do?” It was a fitting end from a man whose career has been built on questioning assumptions, listening closely and then reimagining what is possible.

Gabe Newell: Life at sea and building the future with Oceanco

Gabe Newell speaks about his fleet, Oceanco investment and vision for yachting innovation.

From gaming to yachting: Gabe Newell on life at sea and building the future with Oceanco

When you think of European luxury yachting, Poland probably isn't the first country that comes to mind. But following a five day trip between shipyards, sailmakers and engineering labs across the Tricity region, it’s clear to me that perception is overdue for a shift. Once known primarily for its commercial shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing, the country is now steadily gaining ground as a serious player in the luxury and leisure yacht sectors.&nbsp;Hosted by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), I travelled from the historic port of Gdańsk to the industrial heart of Ostróda and the bustling docks of Gdynia to get a behind-the-scenes look at a country quietly positioning itself in the global yacht market.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/366862/image/large-5c008d5991b28db4b21aec5d72f19d8d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/366862">A legacy built on heritageMy journey through Poland’s yachting industry began in Gdańsk, a city where shipbuilding is stitched into the very fabric of its identity. Once the largest port in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Gdańsk thrived on trade routes that brought grain and timber down the Vistula River. At the centre of this historic trade route stands the Gdańsk Crane, first mentioned in 1367, which once hoisted masts onto ships and unloaded barrels of cargo. Today, it remains a symbol of the city’s longstanding maritime significance.Just a short walk from the crane, moored in the Motława River, is the SS Sołdek, the first seagoing ship built in Poland after World War II. Now part of the National Maritime Museum, this steel-hulled coal and ore freighter marks the rebirth of Polish shipbuilding during the country’s post-war industrial recovery. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/366859/image/large-6529753995d289ab9373a345bdc69d1b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/366859">But Gdańsk's legacy isn’t built on engineering alone. In the 1980s, the Gdańsk Shipyard became the cradle of the Solidarity movement, a peaceful uprising sparked by shipyard workers demanding fair wages and basic rights. Led by electrician-turned-activist Lech Wałęsa, Solidarity grew from a local strike into a national movement that would shake the foundations of the Eastern Bloc. The cost was high, lives were lost and many protesters faced imprisonment. But its impact was profound, setting off a chain of events that helped bring down communist regimes across Central and Eastern Europe and contributing to the fall of the Berlin Wall.Today, the spirit of Solidarity still lingers on the waterfront, with many of the same buildings that once launched freighters and naval vessels, now home to superyacht builders, catamaran innovators and composite specialists. Proof that Polish shipbuilding, like its history, is built to endure and adapt.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/366864/image/large-5d2f8bd5103525e9cd578a1aaee7c0a4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/366864">The shipyards of todayAt <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2229" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Conrad Yachts (Company)">Conrad Shipyard</a> that transformation is already well underway. With its roots in commercial construction and a location at the heart of the Gdańsk waterfront, the yard has established itself as a builder of bespoke superyachts. Its attention to detail and capacity for custom builds make it a standout performer in Poland.“We see <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2229" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Conrad Yachts (Company)">Conrad</a> as a boutique shipyard,” explained Chairman and CEO Mikołaj Król. "We’re not just about volume, we’re about relationships. Every project is highly personalised and our aim is always to deliver the highest quality yacht we possibly can.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/278836/image/large-88348ea6a1463341d01e4e0f1900a592.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/278836">The shipyard was established in 2003 by Marine Projects as a division for superyachts, with the first yacht produced under this division, the 26.82-metre Escape S (now <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8855" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Driven26.82m (87'12&quot;)Conrad Yachts2005">Driven</a>), delivered in 2005. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2229" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Conrad Yachts (Company)">Conrad</a> currently has two superyachts in-build at the shipyard, consisting of the third 44.27-metre Conrad C144S motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12110" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Miss Leen44.27m (145'3&quot;)Conrad Yachts2025">Project Moonlight</a> and the 41.8-metre Conrad <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12403" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Coone 14041.8m (137'2&quot;)Conrad Yachts2027">C-140</a> sailing yacht, with delivery dates of 2025 and 2027 respectively.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/366863/image/large-ba8bec1e3f682c01b6f760b68549b6b6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/366863">Following the launch of the first hull, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9149" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ACE44.27m (145'3&quot;)Conrad Yachts2023">ACE</a> in 2022, the award-winning C144S model really put <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2229" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Conrad Yachts (Company)">Conrad</a> on the map. Establishing them as a key player in the industry, it has allowed them to develop their facilities further, with two sheds accommodating yachts of up to 60 metres each.&nbsp;“Sometimes, dreams really do come true. Twenty years ago, we were looking up at the stars, wondering if we could ever match some of the other established names in the industry. Now, we’re building 42-metre sailing yachts. That really says something!” added Król.Watch: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/60576" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Video: Conrad Shipyard - The Polish yard that is shaking up the industry (2024-05-28 15:00:00 +0200)">Conrad Shipyard - The Polish yard that is shaking up the industry</a><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/366857/image/large-7ea23387c38fa895bef2f0f429e8f981.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/366857">Meanwhile, in the nearby Przeróbka district, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef Yachts</a> is redefining the multihull market. Known for its large, luxury catamarans, the yard is expanding both physically and creatively. Its in-house research into solar integration and eco-conscious propulsion is pushing boundaries, while its in-demand portfolio is helping to put Poland firmly on the global yachting map.“In the beginning, customers weren’t convinced that Poland could produce luxury goods and that included Polish customers too,” explained CEO Francis Lapp. “We had to change that perception through results.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/366865/image/large-d9b63cbd5915a2a18a043d77990f44da.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/366865"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef Yachts</a> currently has several yachts in-build at its facility in Gdansk, with an extensive tour around the yard revealing a diverse and dynamic production line that includes sailing and power catamarans ranging from 24 to 42 metres. Among the highlights were multiple units of the new Ultima 88 series, with the first due to launch in late 2025, as well as several 30 metre sail and power models in various stages of construction.“Gaining trust doesn’t happen overnight. You need to prove yourself by building ten, twenty, even a hundred yachts before people really believe in what you do. But over time, people saw that even though we were building in Poland, the quality was there,” added Lapp.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/366866/image/large-e065fabba23dfb9d15f70c3455a5ef6a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/366866">Over the past two decades, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef</a>’s trajectory has done more than shape a brand, it has helped shift international perceptions of Polish shipbuilding itself. By exporting high-end catamarans to owners around the world, Lapp has positioned Poland not only as a competitive manufacturing base, but as a country capable of delivering innovation, craftsmanship and luxury.As Artur Połoczański, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef</a>’s Public Relations Director reflected, “Francis didn’t just build yachts, he helped promote the entire country.”Read: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/63207" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Charting a bold course: How Sunreef Yachts is shaping the future of luxury multihulls (2025-05-20 11:15:00 +0200)">Charting a bold course: How Sunreef Yachts is shaping the future of luxury multihulls</a><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367496/image/large-520650af0fa844ee8385b500cae8ebfe.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367496">Elsewhere in Gdańsk, I visited one of Poland’s most established sailmakers, Sail Service, to see firsthand how sails are designed, cut and assembled. Founded in 1987, the company continues the traditions of the J. Conrad sail-loft and supplies sails to tall ships, expedition yachts and racing craft in over 20 countries.Sail Service also specialises in protective covers and is the exclusive Polish distributor of brands such as Ronstan, Andersen and Flexiteek. Their blend of traditional craftsmanship and high-tech production makes them a trusted partner to individual clients, charter fleets and series yacht builders alike, further reinforcing Poland’s reputation for quality marine manufacturing.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367495/image/large-85e7cbfd68e5c3757184cfffeba10274.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367495">“We’re proud to be part of a tradition that proves Poland can deliver both precision and performance, not just in sails, but across the entire yachting supply chain,” concluded Paweł Roslen, Manager of Sales.The following day began with an early drive through the Polish countryside to Ostróda to Model-Art, where I toured their expansive production halls and witnessed several projects in various stages of construction. Founded in 1998, Model-Art has grown into one of Poland’s most advanced composite boat builders, operating across three production sites.&nbsp;The company builds leisure motor boats ranging from six to over 12 metres in length, serving major international clients such as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5844" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nimbus (Company)">Nimbus</a>, Parker, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4188" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Windy Boats (Company)">Windy</a>, Askeladden and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5873" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="De Antonio Yachts (Company)">De Antonio Yachts</a>. Boats from the Ostróda facility have been recognised at major shows including the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4556" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cannes Yachting Festival (Company)">Cannes Yachting Festival</a>, boot Düsseldorf and the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.Model-Art also maintains close ties with the Gdańsk University of Technology and a local high school in Ostróda, supporting education through hands-on training, internships and collaboration on real-world projects. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367514/image/large-25684ff68698c9f1de8a6c82fb162824.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367514">Education is key for expansionIf Poland is to continue its trajectory in the yachting sector, it will be thanks to the pipeline of talent emerging from its technical schools and universities, a fact recognised across every yard we visited. Institutions like the Gdańsk University of Technology, whose Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology is producing the next generation of naval architects, marine engineers and composite specialists; are a central pillar in Poland's ability to deliver high-spec projects and support innovation in design and production.The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology is equipped with advanced labs for materials testing, CAD/CAM simulation and hydrodynamic research. Students and researchers benefit from access to full-scale prototyping tools, workshops and partnerships with shipyards, giving them practical experience that directly translates to industry impact.The technical training and close links between academia and industry have helped Polish builders remain competitive internationally, offering an appealing balance of cost, quality and engineering credibility.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367522/image/large-93f2d3c6d51a9644cae5d15a8dec1c01.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367522">POLBOAT Yachting Festival But technical capability is only part of the picture. Industry visibility both domestically and abroad is crucial to Poland’s continued emergence as a force in yacht building. That’s where the POLBOAT Yachting Festival comes in.Now in its sixth year, the festival has grown into the country’s most prominent in-water yacht show, held annually at Marina Yacht Park in Gdynia. This year’s edition showcased over 120 vessels, surpassing last year’s record and included 25 national and international premieres.During the opening ceremony, industry leaders, local officials and international guests gathered in solidarity, reflecting on both the challenges and the resilience of Poland’s marine sector. “Thank you for being here, even though these are difficult times,” said the event’s organiser in his welcome address. “I saw all of you arriving and I felt that we will get through these challenges because we’re together. That’s our strength, that’s the strength of the Polish yachting industry.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367521/image/large-0a8e83a731c6a772e1a11d46e14e39d3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367521">Among the many Polish brands exhibiting at the festival, Parker Poland and N’Fun Yachting offered us the chance to get out on the water and experience their models firsthand. During sea trials along the Gdynia waterfront, both companies demonstrated the strengths of their build quality and design philosophy. Parker showcased their robust, family-friendly powerboats and N’Fun offered a nimble sailing experience onboard their sporty, N Fun 30 yacht.But it was Gdynia’s mayor, Aleksandra Kosiorek, that summed up the festival perfectly, “This event is not only a celebration of technology, it is also a celebration of innovation, inspiration and connection. We’re proud that Gdynia can host this showcase of Polish talent and craftsmanship.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/366860/image/large-a6966772b2a18b184f1ad5341a115888.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/366860">The future of Polish yacht buildingFrom world-class catamarans built in Gdańsk to recreational motor boats in Ostróda, Poland is home to a quiet ecosystem of highly skilled shipyards, engineers and craftsmen who are increasingly stepping onto the international stage. With strong educational institutions like the Gdańsk University of Technology fuelling a skilled workforce, and shipyards such as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2229" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Conrad Yachts (Company)">Conrad</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef</a> delivering high-specification builds to global clients; Poland is assembling the key ingredients for long-term relevance in European yacht building.&nbsp;The transition from industrial production to high-end yacht construction is not simply a business pivot, it is a cultural and generational evolution rooted in strength, purpose and pride. As one executive put it during the tour, "Poland doesn’t need to reinvent itself, it just needs to be seen." In that respect, Poland may not only be on the rise, it may already be poles ahead.

Poland: The rise of the country as a yachting powerhouse

Sophie Spicknell explores how Poland is becoming a powerhouse in the world of yachting, through its rich maritime history. 

Made in Poland: The country quietly positioning itself as a yachting powerhouse

“I constantly evaluated our production standards in Croatia and have recognised opportunities for real improvement. There's a common perception that Italian and German craftsmanship are the benchmarks, so we're motivated by the question: how can we elevate our standards and excel beyond expectations here in Croatia?” remarked Antonio Ivanisevic, co-founder and CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tramontana Yachts (Company)">Tramontana Yachts</a>, during a meeting at this year’s <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show - 2024">Monaco Yacht Show</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/336087/image/large-ee474d3df29dc74a3870a4c760d78a38.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/336087">Based in the vibrant Port of Krilo in Jesenice, Croatia, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tramontana Yachts (Company)">Tramontana Yachts</a> has carved out a niche in building large sailing yachts. Since its inception, the shipyard has launched three sailing superyachts: the 48.24-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12541" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Clase Azul48.24m (158'3&quot;)Tramontana Yachts2022">Clase Azul</a> in 2022, the 52.3-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12688" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Scorpios52.3m (171'7&quot;)Tramontana Yachts2023">Scorpios</a> in 2023, and the 53-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13240" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Reposado53.0m (173'11&quot;)Tramontana Yachts2024">Reposado</a> this year. <a href="http://superyachttimes.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Superyacht Times</a> Features Writer Enrico Chhibber met with Ivanisevic to discuss the origins of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tramontana Yachts (Company)">Tramontana Yachts</a>, the trends in the Croatian yachting market, and the company's future plans.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/249302/image/large-2995788e3ec8e52199abb970538690d1.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/249302">Deep Croatian roots&nbsp;On the origins of the name <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tramontana Yachts (Company)">Tramontana</a>, Ivanisevic elucidated that it is a blend of Slavic and Italian, reflecting the family's heritage and symbolising a wind that comes from the mountains. He added, “Krilio is renowned for its very pleasant winds.”Delving into his background, Ivanisevic shared that he was born in Melbourne, Australia, as his family sought refuge from the war in Croatia in 1991. His mother is Italian and his father Croatian. “We moved back when I was young, in the early 2000s, and I grew up in Krilo, a small coastal town on the Dalmatian coast,” he remarked. From a young age, Ivanisevic felt a profound connection to the sea and his Croatian heritage, noting his family's 13-generation lineage from the Split region on his father’s side. “Having worked as a barman on boats and later as a cruise manager, I’ve always been passionate about the sea and serving people,” he explained.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/336088/image/large-f86ca04024d9b798a74c86f0023f7d15.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/336088">The founding of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tramontana Yachts (Company)">Tramontana Yacht</a>sWhen asked about his inspirations for founding <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tramontana Yachts (Company)">Tramontana Yachts</a>, Ivanisevic cited a significant historical figure in his family. “One of my biggest inspirations was my father’s great-uncle, Don Frane, a senator and a priest three generations ago,” he explained. Don Frane was deeply involved in the export-import business, trading wine and oil with Italy using boats that were simply equipped, with just a captain’s cabin. Ivanisevic continued, “He was a visionary, investing heavily in people’s education – a rarity at the time – &nbsp;and developing financial institutions like a treasury bank, to promote regional development.” Don Frane also contributed to the infrastructure of their hometown, developing the port area in Krilo, which is now being transformed into a marina by the Croatian government.Today, the port in Kirilo is home to around 60 houses and accommodates approximately 300 boats, including many large yachts. He noted, however, that many of these 'yachts' are actually mini-cruise ships and day boats, built in Croatia and owned by Croatians. Discussing the motivation behind founding <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tramontana Yachts (Company)">Tramontana</a>, Ivanisevic explained it stemmed from the contradiction he saw between subpar finishing on Croatian day boats, and the international acclaim for Croatian craftsmanship. “We often hear from other shipyards, especially in the Netherlands, that Croatian welders are among the best,” Ivanisevic commented. “This led me to question, why can’t we do it ourselves, and do it better right here in Croatia?"<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/336089/image/large-04fd569dfe074819ac77a967ed4b52fd.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/336089">Building the businessIvanisevic elaborated on his entry into the yacht chartering business, managing bookings personally and encountering numerous remarkable individuals along the way. “These experiences have highlighted the significant, yet often underestimated, role of tourism in our country. We are, in essence, ambassadors of our nation. So why should we settle for mediocrity when we can strive for excellence?” he reflected. Admittedly, he acknowledged, creating a yacht brand was an ambitious venture, but a vision he passionately pursued.As Ivanisevic progressed to the next step of securing financing, he shared his unique approach with potential investors. Insisting on a personal connection before finalising any deals, he even arranged for the investors to meet his family, an introduction that culminated in a barbecue at his mother’s house. After successfully securing the funding, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tramontana Yachts (Company)">Tramontana</a> acquired a yacht hull during the COVID-19 pandemic, which became <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12541" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Clase Azul48.24m (158'3&quot;)Tramontana Yachts2022">Clase Azul</a>. This initiative was soon followed by the construction and launches of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12688" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Scorpios52.3m (171'7&quot;)Tramontana Yachts2023">Scorpios</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13240" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Reposado53.0m (173'11&quot;)Tramontana Yachts2024">Reposado</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/307841/image/large-3f3cff2b1a812a243903373ce5b5c03b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/307841">Construction capacity<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tramontana Yachts (Company)">Tramontana</a>’s construction capacity is of two new-builds per year, for projects of up to 70-metres in length, as detailed by Ivanisevic. “All processes are managed in-house, with each project initiated six months apart,” he stated. The decision to cap yacht sizes at 70-metres is strategic as “the size is the maximum our team feels comfortable managing, allowing us to maintain quality without significant risk,” he noted.Initially, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tramontana Yachts (Company)">Tramontana Yachts</a> chose to focus exclusively on sailing yachts. Reasons for this cited by Ivanisevic &nbsp;included the fact that: “Producing sailing yachts uniquely positions our brand in the Croatian market, where we are the sole shipyard pursuing this niche.” He added that, “this strategic approach not only enhances the distinctiveness of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tramontana Yachts (Company)">Tramontana Yachts</a> but also avoids mimicking existing designs.” The production rate set at one 50-metre vessel every 12 months was designed to make a significant impact quickly. Each yacht is crafted with comfort as a priority, primarily targeting the charter market.” This focus has yielded success, despite sailing yachts traditionally having a narrower appeal, emphasising pleasure over performance, shared the founder.In terms of clientele, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tramontana Yachts (Company)">Tramontana Yachts</a> serves a global market, predominantly attracting customers from North America, the UK, and Europe, with a growing presence in other regions. When it comes to the design of the yachts, Ivanisevic, along with his brothers, prioritises the guest's perspective. “First, we build for the client's needs, then we construct everything else around that,” he detailed. A notable highlight is the ample space and the toy garage, designed to enhance client satisfaction. “After establishing these key elements, we ensure that everything else follows suit,” he added.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/284799/image/large-6aea6d7d4a95a56298c6436d0861a805.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/284799">Croatian market&nbsp;Croatia has increasingly become an attractive destination for yacht charters. Ivanisevic attributes this to several factors: Croatia's progress, its recent entry into the Schengen Area, the growing recognition of the country's beauty, its reputation as a safe destination, and the development of more marina infrastructure.Croatia has traditionally not been associated with new-build superyachts. However, Ivanisevic believes it can position itself as an appealing new player in the market. He explained, “While Dutch and German craftsmanship are renowned for their high quality, they come at a high cost. Turkish construction costs are also on the rise, and Italy, despite being a major yacht building hub, has also seen an increase in prices. In contrast, costs in Croatia are generally lower than in Italy and Turkey, making it an increasingly attractive option for potential buyers.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/318724/image/large-3d3f1624fac652f547408a80edf788e0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/318724"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/318760/image/large-ce9ef116c84748f7b71511d23f09acde.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/318760">Future plans and developmentsIvanisevic shared insights into the ambitious future plans for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tramontana Yachts (Company)">Tramontana Yachts</a>. He revealed that the company is in the process of acquiring a significantly larger yard to expand their facilities. “Our focus will shift more towards new-builds, including series-built sailing yachts and motor yachts. We are also exploring the potential of opening a refit division,” he stated. The decision to expand into motor yachts is driven by increasing brand awareness and demand. Ivanisevic is confident about the brand's association with Croatia, emphasising, “When people think of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tramontana Yachts (Company)">Tramontana</a>, they think of quality, safety, and the best of Croatia. We aim to represent our country in the finest way possible.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/318736/image/large-865bf4ae03f206b90245d9730bc64bc1.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/318736">

Antonio Ivanisevic on founding Tramontana Yachts

Discover how Tramontana Yachts elevates Croatian craftsmanship. CEO Antonio Ivansevic shares their journey, recent launches, and future plans.

Pleasant winds: Antonio Ivanisevic on founding Tramontana Yachts

When considering Spain, attention often centres on its well-established cruising destinations, refit facilities, and marina infrastructure, rather than on yacht design. Yet, standing apart from this, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Marcelo Penna</a>, founder of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Marcelo Penna Group</a> in Barcelona since 1984, has emerged as a key figure in the Spanish yacht design landscape, with expertise spanning both exterior and interior design.Originally from Argentina, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> moved to Spain in 1976. His portfolio showcases a diverse range of yachts. These include the 65.2-metre Phinisi sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5648" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lamima65.2m (213'11&quot;)C.V. Mutiara Murni2014">Lamima</a>, the 59-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4624" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Metalships & Docks S.A. (Company)">Metalships &amp; Docks</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3189" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Maybe59.0m (193'7&quot;)Metalships & Docks S.A.2016">Maybe</a>, the 28.8-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/978" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monty North (Company)">Monty North</a> sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7380" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Free At Last 28.8m (94'6&quot;)Monty North2000">Free At Last</a>, and the 25-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5473" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moreno Pujal (Company)">Moreno Pujal</a> sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3457" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blalumar25.0m (82'0&quot;)Moreno Pujal2000">Blalumar</a>. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a>'s work also extends beyond pleasure craft to include the design of commercial vessels.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/332613/image/large-9d1733fb10c8e9b8336a013e1e6bdd99.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/332613"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> is extensively involved in the latest <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/220" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cantieri di Pisa (Company)">Cantieri di Pisa</a> new-build, a 37.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/220" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cantieri di Pisa (Company)">CdP</a> Custom explorer yacht, where he is responsible for both the exterior and interior design as well as the naval architecture. The discussion explored his entry into the yachting industry, his collaboration with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/220" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cantieri di Pisa (Company)">Cantieri di Pisa</a>, the diverse yachts he has designed, and the future plans for his design house.Entrance to the yachting industryBorn in Argentina, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> has had a passion for racing sailing yachts since his childhood. With a background in civil engineering, he moved to Barcelona, in Spain, where he worked in architecture for a year. “At that time in Barcelona, there was only one school, a sailing school here in Barcelona, and they asked me to be a partner. So I left architecture and started to sail. The sailing school operated from May to October, and during the winter, we would assist shipyards or transport vessels and yachts,” recounted <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;He described his entry into yacht design as accidental, beginning with a desire to design a boat for himself. "By chance, I found a mould of a hull behind an old sailing school building. I asked around, ‘What is this?’ They told me it belonged to a businessman, so I asked, ‘Do you have his contact details?’ They gave me a phone number. It turned out to be a very nice racing 46 foot sailing boat designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/171" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="German Frers (Company)">Germán Frers</a>,” he added.Continuing the story, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> clarified that he initially tried to buy the hull to build a boat for himself. “At that time, I was collaborating with a shipyard, and I met the owner at the yacht club here in Barcelona," he recalled. "He saw me drawing a new interior design on an A4 leaflet and asked what I was doing. I told him that I found this hull and was trying to buy it to make myself a nice racing sailing boat.”The owner then asked <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> to design a similar boat for him, and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> agreed, noting: "We didn't discuss time or money; that was really the extent of our conversation." He continued, stating: "three months later, I called him and presented the design for a 47-footer. He liked it and said, alright, I will build it.’ That was how it all began, just as simple as that.”After establishing his eponymous label, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> transitioned from designing small racing sailing yachts to creating both sailing and motor superyachts. He described this shift as a “natural evolution,” driven by customer demand for larger sailing yachts and motor yachts.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Marcelo Penna Group</a>To <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a>, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Marcelo Penna Group</a> can be characterised as a "one-stop studio," involved in every aspect of yacht design, from exterior styling and structural work to interior design." He credits his multifaceted approach to his background as a civil architect. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/272616/image/large-4d02988bb40a3093e5f7d97d21b314f0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/272616">Other services provided by the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Marcelo Penna Group</a> in the superyacht sector include refit consultancy and the supply of technical equipment for charter yachts, such as water toys, bed linen, and crockery. "We have worked with several yachts, including the 72-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/928" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dunya Yachts (Company)">Dunya</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2390" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Axioma72.0m (236'3&quot;)Dunya Yachts2013">Axioma</a>," <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> outlined "We design and create new spaces for customers onboard and have completed numerous refits, from staterooms to other areas. For example, we have added features to helipads and redesigned gyms."The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Marcelo Penna Group</a>'s services also extend to commercial vessels, encompassing various types, including ferries, passenger vessels, and cargo ships. The company is also active in the car racing sector, collaborating with a supply chain company that builds batteries for the Formula E Extreme series, an international off-road racing competition featuring electric SUVs that race in remote locations around the world, such as the Arctic.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/272602/image/large-ff67cb960f942fa177d50a4dfcac625f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/272602">Penna also highlighted that the group is a family firm. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a>'s wife contributes to the styling, while both his son and daughter are also actively involved in the business. "My son works both at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/97" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MB92 Barcelona (Company)">MB92</a> and with us (...) and my daughter, who recently completed her studies in interior architecture in Paris, has been working with the firm for the past seven years. The whole family is involved in the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Marcelo Penna Group</a>," he emphasised. Today, the firm has a global presence, with additional bases in Monaco and in Houston, Texas.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/272619/image/large-4727695bf79e0f1eb03d73fae79e421c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/272619">Key projectsThe largest yacht he has designed, for which he oversaw both the exterior design as well as naval architecture, is the 65.2-metre Phinisi yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5648" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lamima65.2m (213'11&quot;)C.V. Mutiara Murni2014">Lamima</a>, delivered in 2014. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> explained that he first became involved in the project and began working with Phinisi yachts after being &nbsp;introduced to the client by a captain he knew from an <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/201" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ISA Yachts (Company)">ISA</a> 47 superyacht. "The client proposed that I design and build a Phinisi," he said. "But they wanted the largest and safest Phinisi ever built. We became the first to classify a Phinisi with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1457" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RINA (Company)">RINA</a>; it was the largest of its kind at that time, constructed entirely of wood."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/227423/image/large-ba211dd267d2ded2385225c4a16658a0.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/227423"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a>’s current main yacht project is a custom 37.5-metre explorer yacht by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/220" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cantieri di Pisa (Company)">Cantieri di Pisa</a>. He revealed that the project originated through a network of brokers from Nice who introduced him to a client."The client had very specific requirements and was looking for something unique. We initially began our search in northern Spain, but then it expanded to Italy, leveraging contacts there. Eventually, we reached <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/220" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cantieri di Pisa (Company)">Cantieri di Pisa</a>, where we closed the deal.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/320474/image/large-1ea029972a837c0745b0bd82df929491.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/320474">Spanish design landscapePenna also shared insight into the state of the Spanish yachting industry, particularly in terms of construction and design, and why it has not developed as significantly as in other southern Mediterranean countries like Italy, France, and Turkey, despite being very present in the refit market for large superyachts. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> noted that while the sector–especially the sailing and motor yacht segments–was growing, a significant cultural challenge existed in Spain.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/233768/image/large-7346fff05e0b4fd8140ee6fd46062ecb.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/233768">“The problem,” <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> pointed, “is rooted in the history and political developments during the Franco era. Yachting was seen as an exclusive activity for the elite–a very closed group. No ordinary person could afford a yacht in Spain. This exclusivity, combined with a lack of state support for yacht construction, has hindered the industry's growth–a significant loss, given the substantial number of jobs that yacht construction can create."However, as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> explained, "with French influence, the industry began to develop, and a few sailing yacht shipyards emerged, such as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/747" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mefasa (Company)">Mefasa</a>, which built the 41.33-metre sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2262" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alejandra41.33m (135'7&quot;)Mefasa1993">Alejandra</a>. Another notable shipyard, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/412" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Astondoa S.A. (Astilleros) (Company)">Astondoa</a>, specialises in motor yacht construction."<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> attributed the lack of Spanish designers in the superyacht sector to a cultural perception that historically viewed yacht design as more of a frivolous occupation rather than a serious profession, unlike commercial vessel design. Despite these challenges, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> believes the direction of the yacht design landscape in Spain is on the right track, with many dedicated professionals now working to drive the industry forward. "It will, however, take time for these efforts to yield their full impact," he emphasised.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/233766/image/large-368a521574acf916a6065f8b8d50a50e.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/233766">Expansion and sustainabilityRegarding future plans, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> revealed that his company will be expanding its presence to Mexico and Istanbul. One of the latest ventures is The Wattio, a new initiative aimed at leveraging the company's extensive knowledge in both naval architecture and electric vehicle (EV) technology. "The idea behind The Wattio," <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> shared, "is to provide an integrated solution to shipyards or customers combining all our expertise, from naval architecture and engineering, to electrical systems and propulsion."<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1989" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marcelo Penna (Company)">Penna</a> underlined that the company is also focusing on implementing more sustainable solutions. "We are working with hybrid systems and exploring new fuels, such as ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen. In recent months, we have been testing hydrogen fuel cells here in Barcelona, including a hydrogen-powered truck currently operating in the city. Our aim is to apply these technologies not only to vehicles but also to boats."<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/220" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cantieri di Pisa (Company)">Cantieri di Pisa (Company)</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/322171/image/large-076cb3cc3e28a1fe3331269dc1adc6ef.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/322171">

Marcelo Penna: A spectrum of yacht designs and insights into the Spanish yacht design landscape

Marcelo Penna, founder of the Marcelo Penna Group in Barcelona since 1984, has emerged as a key figure in the Spanish yacht design landscape.

Marcelo Penna: Exploring his diverse yacht designs and insights into the Spanish yacht design landscape

Founded in the mid-2000s by three partners Peder Eidsgaard, Ewa Eidsgaard and Ben Harrison, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/168" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Harrison Eidsgaard (Company)">Harrison Eidsgaard</a> has evolved into one of the foremost design studios in the superyacht industry. Having bought their own studio and completely redesigned the space during an 18 month renovation, the 16 strong design team is now spread across four open-plan floors, within a bright and contemporary building featuring industrial elements that embodies the collaborative and open source mentality of the team. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314726/image/large-d1b41c33aa533907165816dd791caccf.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314726">This year is full of milestones for the studio, with the launch or delivery of six superyachts between 80 and 45 metres and the development of its first semi-custom series projects with both <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a>. The studio is also finalising the dramatic two-year refit of the 72.2-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/47" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Delta Marine (Company)">Delta</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4814" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Albatross72.2m (236'11&quot;)Delta Marine2016">Albatross</a> at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/18" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amels (Company)">Amels</a>, another exciting project that reflects the breadth of the firm's capabilities.&nbsp;We took a tour of their new studio this Spring and sat down with the founders, as well as Senior Design Director Richard Whitehouse, to find out more about how <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/168" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Harrison Eidsgaard (Company)">Harrison Eidsgaard</a> has developed over the past twenty years, to get an insight into the upcoming projects and to hear a bit more about the culture that sits at the heart of every project the studio creates.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314729/image/large-2bfc1b544a3cbbfbc709b267440bd9d6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314729">Space to reflect ethosUnlike many of its contemporaries, the studio was formed as a collaboration from its very beginning, and as a result there is no one leader that represents all of its projects. With project management split between the four senior team members, the studio is nimble, able to take on a number of significant projects despite its small size in terms of employees. Peder explains, “When we founded the company we always intended to remain small because we believe that the hands-on approach of the senior designers is extremely important. That belief has remained and we are all very active, particularly in the early stages of the design process, which is vital for the development of all team members.”Ewa adds, “Over the years we have grown conservatively, and we are advocates for slow growth. We have worked hard to maintain the ethos of a small firm, and as a result we are very careful when it comes to selecting new team members because our passion is for younger team members to learn all the time from the senior designers.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314728/image/large-9b8715a217759f40312831080de5b769.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314728">The design of the studio itself deeply reflects that ethos of collaboration, and though the building is split over four floors, an entirely open and interconnecting stairwell at the heart unites the two design floors in both proximity and sound. While the three founders are above sharing their space with the samples area, their airspace is intrinsically linked with the team on the floor below and as a result their creative discussions are shared with the entire team, allowing them to learn from each other. When discussing the new space with their clients, all shared the same desire to “see where the magic happens”, and to get an insight into the workings of the studio from its surroundings.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314732/image/large-975307acebacff133b502924b39a8c19.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314732">Interior DesignThe sample area is a perfect example of those inner workings. The space over with Ewa reigns is open plan with a series of large storage tables, each bursting with fabrics swatches, marble slabs and intricate wall samples, where material choices can be arranged and examined. Like the inner workings of a designer's mind, the team is able to pick over thousands of the world’s best samples and pull together their clients wishes – often with the client in collaboration, working alongside them at the studio to realise their ideas. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/306169/image/large-83e2dd0d9a1b94d7f768948b67ee85d3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/306169">When asked to describe Ewa’s technique and style, Ben and Richard agreed that it is Ewa, who leads the interior team, that is bravest among them, “she is boldest and bravest, always researching, always seeking out the newest techniques, the most interesting materials to incorporate the fashions of the day and to push us into exciting territory.” Inquisitive and palpably excited by design and its ever changing trends, Ewa is passionate about contemporary design, a passion that all founders share.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/306171/image/large-721d0fe8afd7bad49091972345dae8eb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/306171">During an interview with SYT in 2018, Ben Harrison commented that it was that very passion that united the founders in the first place. He adds, “We all share that love for modern contemporary design, but our work is not limited to that alone and our projects reflect our adaptability – which is a vital ability when it comes to custom superyacht design.” While the studio has created an array of interior projects, their fingerprints can be seen within a collective purity, spotlighting a limited selection of materials and creating focal points of design within each space.Representative of the studio’s principles, their touch can be seen within the designs of the new Xplorer 80 from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a>. Unveiled in March during the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/220" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palm Beach International Boat Show - 2024">Palm Beach Boat Show</a>, the Xplorer 80 is a prime example of the studio’s interior work. Encapsulating the vessels intended use as a go anywhere explorer superyacht, the spaces are balanced between functionality and aesthetic design and the overall result is a serene and luxurious concept.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/104137/image/large-89e38f5e9a14871220366ade1dbe0c83.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/104137">Exterior&nbsp;While all design at the studio is a collaborative effort, Peder Eidsgaard leads the charge when it comes to exterior design. His creative flair can be quickly identified in the lines of both the studio’s larger projects, such as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6423" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="CC-Summer95.0m (311'8&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2019">Madsummer</a> (now <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6423" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="CC-Summer95.0m (311'8&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2019">CC-Summer</a>), <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2449" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tango77.7m (254'11&quot;)Feadship2011">Tango</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7129" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vanish71.5m (234'7&quot;)Feadship2021">Vanish</a>, right through to the smaller projects such as the new 50 Steel series from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>, Grace.&nbsp;Championing traditional design skills, Peder emphasises the importance of working from paper and pen and his process is fluid, translating the wishes of the owner into 2D dimensions before they are developed in CAD. “Today there is a great focus on 3-dimensional drawings for superyacht projects, but I believe that sketching by hand is an integral part of the design process,” explains Peder Eidsgaard. “For the <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/7129" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vanish71.5m (234'7&quot;)Feadship2021">Vanish</a>, launched in 2021, the final yacht is almost identical to the sketch I created while sitting in the airport directly after meeting the client – it is that intuitive design process that we really pride ourselves on here at the studio.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314733/image/large-be77ee54f3d12dcda8df218c8465402e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314733">When asked to identify the key thematic elements within their work, both Ben and Peder responded that it is the sight-lines that they are extremely careful to preserve. “Good design is almost impossible to put your finger on,” adds Ben Harrison, “but when something isn't right, you feel it when you’re within the space.” A subtle balance that comes with experience and expertise, the details of elements such as door and bulwark heights, that impact the visibility from within and outside the vessel, are a preoccupation of the team.Recognising a yacht as a platform upon which an owner and their guests can live and experience life, and as a result the studio is deeply focused on the flow through the vessel and the feeling of being aboard. This all comes back to the value the team shares of creating a liveable design, with individual focal points within each space, so that the design embraces the guest rather than overwhelms them. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/306178/image/large-5eb233cb0e7bd4da7954bb58a9eb192d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/306178">Semi-Custom CreationsWhile the studio is best known for its full-custom superyacht projects, such as the 74.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6403" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="M’Brace74.5m (244'5&quot;)Abeking & Rasmussen2018">Elandess</a> (now <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6403" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="M’Brace74.5m (244'5&quot;)Abeking & Rasmussen2018">M'Brace</a>), 95-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6423" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="CC-Summer95.0m (311'8&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2019">Madsummer</a> or the 77.7-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2449" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tango77.7m (254'11&quot;)Feadship2011">Tango</a>, the past year has seen an exciting development for the team, with the announcement of semi-custom superyacht projects with both <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/18" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amels (Company)">Amels</a>. Both Dutch shipyards are renowned for the success of their semi-custom series’, and the new 50 Steel series with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> and the interior projects for the later <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/18" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Amels (Company)">Amels</a> 60 series, mark a turning point for the studio, while also offering new potential within the remit of design.&nbsp;Though semi-custom is not entirely new for the team, they have been working on the exterior and interior of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5725" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Scout Boats (Company)">Scout Boats</a>’ new 67-foot flagship sportfisher, as well as previous projects with the Airbus 160, it has offered the studio an opportunity to experiment with a new level of creativity. Ewa adds, “it's a balancing act, on one side you are unlimited in terms of potential, but on the other you are looking to create a design that has a broad appeal and can easily be adapted in terms of styling, which is an exciting challenge for the entire team.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314735/image/large-4c22fa1e2997aa7f388030ef611bdd77.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314735">An exciting moment for the studio in terms of the business itself, Ben Harrison in particular has been championing the semi-custom capabilities of the company to diversify the studio’s portfolio. Full-custom projects, and the studio has a number of large full custom yachts under construction at the moment, such as the the 79-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Toro79.0m (259'2&quot;)Turquoise Yachts2024">Toro</a> at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Turquoise Yachts (Company)">Turquoise</a>, tend to be incredibly private yachts.&nbsp;Now with more than 14 projects underway, we hope that we’ll be seeing even more of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/168" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Harrison Eidsgaard (Company)">Harrison Eidsgaard</a>’s designs over the coming years, and make sure to keep your eyes peeled in the coming months for the launch of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6438" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Toro79.0m (259'2&quot;)Turquoise Yachts2024">Toro</a>.

Harrison Eidsgaard yacht designers

Francesca Webster visits Harrison Eidsgaard’s new Richmond studio to hear about the evolution and future of the studio.

Harrison Eidsgaard on collaboration, the art of perspective and their new studio

how sustainable is teak decking

The search for wood alternatives that can
replicate the looks and performance of
old-growth teak is fully under way.

Tainted Teak: The yachting industry's shift to sustainable decking

The 26.09-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/358" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azimut Yachts (Company)">Azimut</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13860" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="St Jude26.09m (85'7&quot;)Azimut Yachts2025">St Jude</a> is currently for sale with Ed Dickinson 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>. The <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">yacht for sale</a> presents an opportunity to acquire a recently delivered and highly specified example of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/358" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azimut Yachts (Company)">Azimut</a> Grande 26 Metri series. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396921/image/large-ff944c89d13eb307ec0217c75a08e8c8.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396921">Delivered in 2025, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale/of-type=motor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">motor yacht for sale</a> benefits from a carbon-fibre superstructure designed to reduce weight and improve efficiency when cruising. Constructed with a GRP hull and superstructure, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13860" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="St Jude26.09m (85'7&quot;)Azimut Yachts2025">St Jude</a> has a beam of 6.3-metres and a draft of 2.05-metres. She features exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3025" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alberto Mancini Yacht Design (Company)">Alberto Mancini Yacht Design</a>, while her interior was penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/563" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Salvagni Architetti (Company)">Salvagni Architetti</a>. Her naval architecture was developed by her builder.&nbsp; Outside, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13860" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="St Jude26.09m (85'7&quot;)Azimut Yachts2025">St Jude</a>’s exterior spaces are a highlight onboard. The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13860" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="St Jude26.09m (85'7&quot;)Azimut Yachts2025">yacht St Jude for sale</a> is fitted with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/358" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azimut Yachts (Company)">Azimut</a>’s optional Deck2Deck folding sea terrace system, which expands the usable aft deck area allowing it to be closer to the water. Meanwhile, her flybridge has been configured for relaxing and entertaining, featuring a dining table that could seat up to 10 guests, an American-style bar, barbeque grill, opening hardtop, and secondary help station. Forward, her bow lounge benefits from additional seating and sunbathing zones, tucked away from the main guest spaces.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396922/image/large-b17c982cd7b5c2ba9113b7864705be5f.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396922">Stepping inside, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale/built-by=azimut" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Azimut yacht for sale</a> embraces a contemporary interior defined by soft neutral tones, curved furnishings, and extensive glazing that draws in abundant natural light. Her layout separates the dining area from her main saloon, encouraging gatherings to be more intimate, while her upgraded galley includes a serving window opening directly into the dining space to facilitate guest service. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396923/image/large-22435a62778c5c6762f8010710893939.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396923">At an interior volume of 122 GT, accommodation onboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13860" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="St Jude26.09m (85'7&quot;)Azimut Yachts2025">St Jude</a> is arranged for up to 10 guests across a five-stateroom layout. Her full-beam owner’s suite is situated on the main deck and benefits from enhanced sound insulation, blackout blinds and an oversized bed. Dedicated quarters are also provided for a crew of three, including her captain.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397068/image/large-1fcc7af707c5579ae424a83bf3c32c28.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397068">In terms of performance, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13860" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="St Jude26.09m (85'7&quot;)Azimut Yachts2025">yacht St Jude for sale</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MAN (Company)">MAN</a> engines delivering a cruising speed of 23 knots and a top speed of 26 knots.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396920/image/large-a4ddf5b7874a04338f96c6d9608e3bc5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396920">All images provided 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>.

26m Azimut motor yacht St Jude for sale

The 26.09-metre Azimut motor yacht St Jude is currently for sale with Northrop & Johnson.

The 28.96-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11146" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Current $ea28.96m (95'0&quot;)Princess Yachts2011">Current $ea</a> has been sold. Arto Horenyan and Demir Ozgur of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7231" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Purom LLC (Company)">Purom Yacht Sales</a> introduced the buyer, while <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1693" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue Ocean Yacht Management (Company)">Blue Oceans Yachting</a> represented the seller.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/297356/image/large-fb368d723c9b5093a7391e102023de52.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/297356">Delivered in 2011, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Princess Yachts (Company)">Princess</a> 95 yacht benefitted from a refit in 2024. She features interior penned in-house by her builder, with exterior design and naval architecture crafted by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2740" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Olesinski Ltd. (Company)">Olesinski</a>.At a volume of 173 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11146" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Current $ea28.96m (95'0&quot;)Princess Yachts2011">Current $ea</a> can accommodate up to eight guests across four well-appointed staterooms. Her layout comprises a master suite, VIP suite, a double and a twin stateroom. Moreover, the yacht's main saloon is fitted with comfortable seating surrounding a coffee table, while a formal dining area forward can seat eight guests. Aft, guests can enjoy alfresco dining, as well as evenings at the bar and lounge area beneath a custom hardtop in the flybridge.In terms of propulsion system, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11146" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Current $ea28.96m (95'0&quot;)Princess Yachts2011">Current $ea</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, giving her a cruising speed of 15 knots and a top speed of 29 knots.

Princess yacht Current Sea sold

The 28.96-metre Princess motor yacht Current $ea has been sold.

29m Princess motor yacht Current $ea sold

Italian yacht builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4876" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ferretti Group (Company)">Ferretti Group</a> has denied rumours that they had a possible interest in acquiring <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">The Italian Sea Group (TISG)</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397066/image/large-cec8e87de7ad8613fc332951b5703d7a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397066">According to the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4876" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ferretti Group (Company)">Ferretti Group</a>, press articles had reported that they were in negotiations with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> to acquire the entire share capital or the main assets. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4876" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ferretti Group (Company)">Ferretti Group</a> clarified that at present no negotiations to that effect are underway with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> or its shareholders.“At the same time, as a leading player in the Italian yachting industry and in line with its external growth strategy, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4876" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ferretti Group (Company)">Ferretti</a> continuously evaluates and assesses potential opportunities that may arise in the market,” commented <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4876" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ferretti Group (Company)">Ferretti Group</a>.The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4876" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ferretti Group (Company)">Ferretti Group</a> closed their statement by confirming that if they were to proceed with any transactions, it would inform the market in compliance with terms and conditions required by law.In February 2026, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> announced that Chairman Filippo Menchelli and Vice Chairman Marco Carniani had resigned, with Giovanni Costantino elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors.The following week, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> launched a forensic investigation into internal overspending and financial irregularities. KPMG was appointed to conduct an independent forensic due diligence review, as a result of the actions made possible by a group of individuals within <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a>.&nbsp;Since then, the Court of Florence has granted protective measures restricting creditors from initiating or continuing enforcement actions against the company’s assets, including vessels currently under construction. Last week, these measures were partially lifted for five shipowners.Read more: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/66308" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Florence court lifts protective measures for five The Italian Sea Group yacht contracts (2026-06-11 10:00:00 +0200)">Florence court lifts protective measures for five The Italian Sea Group yacht contracts</a>The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4876" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ferretti Group (Company)">Ferretti Group</a> is not the only company that has denied acquisition rumours for TISG. In March 2026, German yacht builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> told SuperYacht Times that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/65574" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen not considering acquiring The Italian Sea Group (2026-03-09 14:00:00 +0100)">the company had not considered acquiring TISG</a>.&nbsp;

Ferretti Group denies The Italian Sea Group acquisition rumours

Italian yacht builder Ferretti Group has denied rumours that they had a possible interest in acquiring The Italian Sea Group (TISG).

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4590" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vard Group AS (Company)">Vard</a> has announced the keel laying for Inkfish's new 100-metre research vessel, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/15856" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RV6000100.0m (328'1&quot;)Vard Group AS2028">RV6000</a> at the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4590" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vard Group AS (Company)">Vard</a> Shipyard in Brăila, Romania. Known during construction as NB 999, the vessel will be the first research platform purpose-built for Gabe Newell’s research organisation.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397061/image/large-d35a472dcc679e61841c880a2655ea40.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397061">Developed from the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4590" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vard Group AS (Company)">Vard</a> 9 33 platform, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/15856" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RV6000100.0m (328'1&quot;)Vard Group AS2028">RV6000</a> represents a contract of more than €200 million. Upon delivery, she will join Inkfish's expanding fleet alongside the 55.75-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1643" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Auroux (Company)">Auroux</a> vessel <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hydra55.75m (182'11&quot;)Auroux1974">Hydra</a> and the 68.28-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3754" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tacoma Boat Building Co (Company)">Tacoma Boat Building</a> vessel <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10637" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dagon68.28m (224'0&quot;)Tacoma Boat Building Co1985">Dagon</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/365665/image/large-908318675f42f6a91544e68f54985a77.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/365665">Read more:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/64326" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="From gaming to yachting: Gabe Newell on life at sea and building the future with Oceanco (2025-09-25 13:30:00 +0200)">From gaming to yachting: Gabe Newell on life at sea and building the future with Oceanco</a><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/15856" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RV6000100.0m (328'1&quot;)Vard Group AS2028">RV6000</a> is designed to support deep-ocean exploration and scientific operations. She will be equipped with a remotely operated vehicle capable of operating at depths of up to 6,000-metres. Like the rest of the Inkfish fleet, she will contribute to global marine research efforts and share collected data through open-access scientific repositories.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397058/image/large-4eb30edccf76f557eef22493215f51d9.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397058">The project is the result of a collaborative design programme initiated in early 2024 between Inkfish and its UK-based technical advisers, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7198" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YTMC Limited (Company)">YTMC</a>. With a beam of 20.7-metres, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/15856" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RV6000100.0m (328'1&quot;)Vard Group AS2028">RV6000</a> will be able to accommodate up to 70 people, including scientists and crew. Onboard, she will feature state-of-the-art laboratories, office spaces and workshops, complemented by high-quality accommodation and leisure facilities designed for extended missions at sea.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397059/image/large-a5ea1a627ba59ada6647e8daad68fc5d.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397059">The vessel will utilise a hybrid power and propulsion arrangement and is expected to reach a top speed of 15 knots. Her hull has been engineered to optimise seafloor mapping performance while delivering enhanced seakeeping capabilities. Anti-roll technology will help reduce vessel motion and accelerations, while dynamic positioning systems will allow her to maintain precise station-keeping during scientific operations.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/365663/image/large-c61127683cf23a8c4c8a30a5e12daadd.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/365663">Following hull construction, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/15856" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RV6000100.0m (328'1&quot;)Vard Group AS2028">RV6000</a> will proceed to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4590" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vard Group AS (Company)">Vard</a> Søviknes for final outfitting, commissioning and delivery. Together with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/17142" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RV11000162.0m (531'6&quot;)Vard Group AS2030">RV11000</a>, she forms part of Gabe Newell’s expanding research fleet.Read more about RV11000: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/66207" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vard signs €700M contract with Gabe Newell’s Inkfish for 162m research vessel (2026-05-29 14:00:00 +0200)">Vard signs €700M contract with Gabe Newell’s Inkfish for 162m research vessel</a>Newell is the co-founder, president and majority owner of the video game company Valve Corporation. He is also the owner of Inkfish and a shareholder in Dutch yacht builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/372661/image/large-efbaa1c91bfa6988f938d8e2732895dd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/372661">Read more: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/63947" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gabe Newell buys Oceanco (2025-08-01 10:15:00 +0200)">Gabe Newell buys Oceanco</a>In September 2025, Newell revealed in an <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/64326" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="From gaming to yachting: Gabe Newell on life at sea and building the future with Oceanco (2025-09-25 13:30:00 +0200)">exclusive interview with SuperYacht Times</a> that he owns the 78.5-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rocinante78.4m (257'3&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2008">Rocinante</a>, the 72.15-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen Yachting</a> yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5955" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Game Changer72.15m (236'9&quot;)Damen Yachting2017">Game Changer</a>, the 92.8-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> yacht <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>, and the 111-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Leviathan111.0m (364'2&quot;)Oceanco2025">Leviathan</a>.As previously noted, his research platforms include <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10637" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dagon68.28m (224'0&quot;)Tacoma Boat Building Co1985">Dagon</a>, operating as a full-ocean-depth surface support vessel, and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hydra55.75m (182'11&quot;)Auroux1974">Hydra</a>, designed for coastal research and scientific studies.

Vard research vessel RV6000 keel laid

Vard has marked a major construction milestone for Inkfish's new 100-metre research vessel, RV6000.

Construction begins on Gabe Newell's 100m Inkfish research vessel RV6000

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/397057/image/large-4de87309467dff8f61f6d021318d49d1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/397057">The 43-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2405" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hike Metal Works (Company)">Hike Metal Works</a> explorer yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3859" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Friendly Confines43.0m (141'1&quot;)Hike Metal Works2006">Friendly Confines</a> was spotted docked in Dublin, Ireland, late last May. According to AIS data, she is currently in Bergen, Norway, having arrived from Belfast earlier this month.Delivered in 2006 by the Canadian shipyard, the yacht was formerly known as Marcato and Copasetic. More recently, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3859" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Friendly Confines43.0m (141'1&quot;)Hike Metal Works2006">Friendly Confines</a> underwent an extensive refit at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4473" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="STP Shipyard Palma (Company)">STP Shipyard Palma</a> between 2025 and 2026. Among her defining exterior features is a blue hull, which complements her rugged explorer profile.Her interiors were designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/489" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gold Coast Design Studio (Company)">Gold Coast Design Studio</a>, while naval architecture and exterior design were penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2432" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Guarino & Cox (Company)">Guarino &amp; Cox</a>. With an internal volume of 491 GT, she can accommodate up to 12 guests across five well-appointed staterooms, attended by a crew of seven.In terms of propulsion, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/3859" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Friendly Confines43.0m (141'1&quot;)Hike Metal Works2006">Friendly Confines</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, enabling a cruising speed of 13 knots and a top speed of 14 knots.

43m explorer yacht Friendly Confines in Dublin

The 43-metre Hike Metal Works explorer yacht Friendly Confines was spotted docked in Dublin, Ireland.

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

Daisy D: 50m Heesen yacht sold

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

50m Heesen superyacht Daisy D sold

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

Sunday Money: 31m Hatteras yacht sold

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

31m Hatteras motor yacht Sunday Money sold

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

Owning the shore thing fleet 

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

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

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

Standardising the bespoke: The engineering behind custom superyacht equipment

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

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

Rafter: Fourth Damen Yachting YS53 yacht on sea trials

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

Long Read

Insight: Bilgin reborn