Project Metamorphosis, one of two 72-metre sister ships in-build at <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</a>’s superyacht facility in Tuscany, is the first superyacht designed inside and out by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/558" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Armani/Casa (Company)">Giorgio Armani</a>. We visited the yard to catch up with the project leaders as the yacht prepares for her technical launch in April.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/191275/image/large-967f6db1fa63591ac112767b3d80b7de.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/191275">The idea of inviting <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/558" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Armani/Casa (Company)">Giorgio Armani</a> to create a custom design for the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/570" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Admiral (Company)">Admiral</a> brand came to Giovanni Costantino, CEO of <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>, when he was walking past the Emporio Armani store, a vast building that occupies a whole block in Milan’s city centre. Armani was no stranger to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> having twice refitted his own yacht, 65-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/585" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Main65.0m (213'3&quot;)Codecasa S.p.A.2008">Main</a>, at the group’s <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/194" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="NCA Refit (Company)">NCA Refit</a>facility. It took another six months for the two men to meet in person, but it didn’t take long for the famous fashion designer to take up the challenge.&nbsp;Working to a heavily revised concept platform, the collaboration required constant back-and-forth between Armani’s creative team and the shipyard’s engineers. Armani would sketch ideas, which were then transformed into detailed blueprints by the shipyard’s engineering team, who made adjustments for practicality while staying true to the original design intent. The dynamic ensured that the 2,070GT superyacht would embody the designer’s signature style that blends discreet aesthetics with functional luxury, but also meet the required performance and technical parameters. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a>'s global managing partner Michel Chryssicopoulos quickly found a buyer for what became Project Metamorphosis and her sister ship, Project Visionary, sold a few months later.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355528/image/large-8a4b93215ae955bd3c6e3ff8ebdd3974.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355528">“The challenge was to craft a bold visual statement without relying on unnecessary ornamentation,” says Costantino. “The yacht had to be practical to operate, but also a piece of modern design that conveys timeless beauty."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355529/image/large-b643b1d774300160ee340d3b049fcd1d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355529">Heart of GlassArmani’s minimalistic aesthetic makes ample use of glass, both externally and internally, &nbsp;with full-height panoramic windows on multiple decks. In fact, there are 310 square metres of external glass windows supplied by Sedak GmbH amounting to 15.5 tonnes in weight (in addition to 230 square metres and 4.5 tonnes of decorative interior glass). The windows on the main deck and bridge deck are also cantilevered outboard – these glass panes are not only massive, they also had to be able to withstand extreme weather conditions at sea without compromising the overall aesthetic.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355530/image/large-db369a0e0d47bfa6a727a9e75a6da96d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355530">“One of the first things we did was a feasibility study and FEM analysis to make sure the structure could take the stresses the yacht would be subjected to during her life,“ says project manager Davide Santagostino. “This analysis had to take into account not only the weight of the glass, but also the stresses caused by water movement and the external forces in high wind-load conditions. Further engineering was required with regard to weight distribution and stability, and we had to find creative ways to place internal structural pillars without disrupting the open-plan layout.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/312192/image/large-a079f18cc169d0cb84f162aa0ec17172.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/312192">The cantilevered glass further provides for an angled skylight above the main window pane in the guest cabins and bathrooms on main deck, which noticeably increases the amount of natural light entering the interiors. The sky lounge on the bridge deck, designed as an versatile cinema area for year-round use in summer and winter, has electrically operated floor-to-ceiling glass panes on three sides. The panes measuring up to 1.8 metres in diameter can be stacked in the open position to provide a plein air space in warmer weather or a more enclosed, sheltered environment when cruising colder climes. Forward of the very spacious wheelhouse is a deep Portuguese bridge that can be used as a relaxation area for the crew. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355526/image/large-0256e54a228047749d1b844444d87f7a.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355526">Going the DistanceIn the spring of 2024 Project Metamorphosis found a new owner in a sale brokered by Darrell Hall of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1317" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Yachtzoo (Company)">Yachtzoo</a>. The change of ownership, just three months before the projected launch, presented further challenges for both the shipyard and the new owner’s team.“When I came on board, we were already at a stage where we realised there would be several adjustments necessary to meet the new owner’s requirements for personal use and with a view to charter," says Captain David Pott, who joined the project shortly after the resale. "Sustainability was not a prime motivator for the owner, but he was keen to integrate eco-friendly measures into the design as much as possible. He wanted a yacht that was able to go the distance – both literally and figuratively – and do so responsibly in full compliance with environmental regulations.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355533/image/large-341ae86dd47ae434d5d75d1fcf1b1a95.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355533">The owner's desire to explore high latitudes – the Northwest Passage is just one item on a planned multi-year circumnavigation – meant uprating the yacht to Polar Class 1C certification, the lowest ice classification based on first-year ice in the Baltic Sea and Arctic Ocean. Although the hull was built with an ice belt of 12mm steel plating to withstand some ice conditions, the former owner had not opted to pursue formal certification. The shipyard team got to work to make the modifications required to meet the requirements. Amongst other measures, this involved upgrading the rudderpost, pintles, steering gear and propellers, installing freeze-protection valves, making new stability calculations that take into account ice accretion, and addressing environmental protection requirements.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355523/image/large-fca67b5ef0751f76a062767500463ad7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355523">The latter led to an owner’s request for enhancements to the yacht’s SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system by increasing the urea storage capacity. Injected as a water-based solution, the urea undergoes hydrolysis to produce ammonia, which reacts with NOx in the catalytic elements, effectively converting the harmful pollutants into harmless water vapor and nitrogen gas. Under Tier III diesel emissions regulations, in theory a vessel is required to carry only enough urea to run the SCR within a NOx Emission Control Area (ECA), but the owner wanted to use the system regardless of where his yacht is in the world – a prescient decision given that the list of ECAs will expand to include the Mediterranean as of May of this year. Besides neutralising NOx emissions, the SCR system also reduces exhaust noise and helps trap soot particles so they don’t find their way onto the deck, into the swimming pool and into the water around the yacht.“This was a major modification as we had to rework the tankage to include more urea storage, which impacted the yacht’s fuel capacity,” says Andrea Bigagli, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> Corporate Strategic Director. “In the end we were able to add more urea tankage without compromising the yacht’s cruising range of 6,000 nautical miles.”“We took the view that emissions regulations are getting stricter all the time, so why not try to reduce as much as possible our environmental impact from the outset?” adds chief engineer Sam Needham. “We asked the shipyard to investigate the possibility of having the SCR units running all the time and they were happy to do that, which is a big improvement from our side. Basically, the yacht will run out of fuel before it runs out of urea.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355531/image/large-278f6ff9f27edee7ce605f5f5ef9e8a4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355531">Future ProofIn line with the owner's desire for a tech-savvy and future-proofed yacht, the AV/IT systems underwent substantial upgrades. Working alongside AV/IT integrator Pibiesse, four Starlink antennas were added to the spec and cabling was augmented to ensure high throughput, redundancy, and future scalability for data-heavy applications like live video feeds, conferencing, and multimedia entertainment.&nbsp;“Given the rapid advance of high-bandwidth systems, this upgrade was designed to future-proof the yacht’s AV/IT capacity in years to come,” says Bigagli. “The idea is that as new tech emerges, it can be seamlessly integrated into the existing infrastructure without requiring a complete system overhaul.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355536/image/large-f2ca65aa498b52f2bb9742375ddbad61.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355536">Another important upgrade came in the form of an integrated bridge system from Furuno. This high-end addition improves the yacht’s navigation and operational capabilities, but also extends the vessel's usability in far-flung and possibly uncharted locations. The new bridge equipment includes FLIR thermal cameras and a WASSP multibeam sonar for mapping the seabed in high-resolution 3D. Using a tender in advance of the mothership, the system’s wide-angle sonar transducer maps the seafloor to find the safest passage and anchorage. The yacht also features telescopic wing stations with floors that pop up flush with the deck when extended, and a pantographic mechanism for the console controls inside the bulwarks.Other modifications include the addition of an ice bath next to the hottub on the sundeck, stacked storage for four jet skis in the forward tender garage with their own lifting gear, and a much bigger transom hatch that hinges down into a recess in the swim platform for flush access to the beach club. A unique feature and testament to the high level of detailing is the design of the handrails. Curved to follow the shape of the bulwarks, each stanchion is slightly different and the rails themselves, although capped with teak on the inside, present a polished stainless-steel profile on the outside to complement the crisp exterior styling. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/312648/image/large-0aaba726a90db74276874e072ae95030.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/312648">Customisation and CollaborationProject Metamorphosis is due for delivery in June and is expected to be a showstopper at 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> in September. The late change of ownership and subsequent customisation requests inevitably meant delays, but enthusiastic collaboration between the owner’s team and the shipyard has been key to ensuring a successful result as the project enters the home straight.&nbsp;“We’ve been able to tweak a few things, but we could see right from the start that the shipyard had put together a solid package and the foundations for a strong vessel were already there,” says chief engineer Sam Needham, who reviewed the design and specifications before the resale. “Now it’s just a question of supporting the shipyard as much as we can to help them get across the finish line.”-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355534/image/large-b088dcaf6076bd870356fa7cb6deb74f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355534">Digital twinsShortly after the yacht changed hands, the owner’s team brought in Paul Shersby of Film360 Ltd to create a complete ‘digital twin’ of the project during construction using a Matterport LiDAR camera to capture spaces in high-resolution 3D. Working at night when the yacht was empty and progressing from tank deck to top deck, at the time of going to print Shersby had scanned the entire yacht four times (a complete 3D picture takes 500 scans or more) at intervals of six to eight weeks. While the system has been used to provide navigable interiors of finished yachts and residences for commercial purposes, the technology also allows the owner’s team to remotely track the construction as it progresses.&nbsp;“It’s been a really useful tool that I think will be picked up by others,” says Captain Todd. “For example, we can see all the cable and piping runs, where wi-fi routers are located, the black and grey water routes – basically everything below the deckheads or behind the walls before they’re covered up. It means if there’s a leak or other issues later on, we have a better idea of where the problem might be without having to take the interior to pieces.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/355527/image/large-20cef72894db9111d27266d505e3308f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/355527"><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</a>Owner of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/511" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tecnomar (Company)">Tecnomar</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/570" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Admiral (Company)">Admiral</a>, Picchiotti, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/51" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Perini Navi (Company)">Perini Navi</a>, and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/511" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tecnomar (Company)">Tecnomar</a> for Lamborghini brands, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> headquarters in Marina di Carrara has two of the largest private dry docks in the Mediterranean: a 200-metre long basin and a second 147-metre dock inaugurated in 2021. There is second <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> facility in Viareggio and a third one in La Spezia for a combined area of more than 244,000 square metres, 18 production sheds, over 1,500m of berthing, a 3,300-ton floating barge, and a keel pit in La Spezia used by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/194" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="NCA Refit (Company)">NCA Refit</a> that manages the group’s maintenance and refit services. In addition, the group operates two leased facilities in Antalya and Yalova, Turkey, for the production of its steel hulls and aluninium superstructures. It also has its own furniture manufacturing company, Celi Srl.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5565" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Sea Group (Company)">TISG</a> was listed on the Italian stock exchange in 2021. Excluding the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/511" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Tecnomar (Company)">Tecnomar</a> for Lamborghini 63, at the beginning of 2025 it reported 22 active new-build projects across its portfolio of brands for a total length of 1,356 metres. These projects include Project Titanium, currently the largest yacht under construction in Italy at 100 metres and 3,800GT.&nbsp;This article was first published in <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Issue 7 of &nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title=""></a><a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">How to Build It</a><a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title=""></a><a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/magazine/how-to-build-it-issue-7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">magazine, which can be downloaded here</a>

Metamorphosis yacht build report

Admiral/Armani 72m superyacht concept  exterior design

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Admiral 72 yacht interior design

Metamorphosis yacht exterior design 

Metamorphosis yacht in-build

The Italian Sea Group shipyard

Metamorphosis yacht 3D Model

We visited the yard to catch up with the project leaders as the yacht prepares for her technical launch in April.

The Italian Job: Building the 72-metre Armani-designed Metamorphosis at Admiral

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

how to build it issue 11

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

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

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

How human-centric light design is transforming wellness at sea

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

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

What data reveals about a superyacht’s operating environment

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

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

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

How is virtual modelling transforming superyacht design and operation

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

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

Standardising the bespoke: The engineering behind custom superyacht equipment

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

Project YB256 is a 45-metre steel and aluminium motor yacht under construction at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Royal Hakvoort Shipyard</a> in the Netherlands. The first collaboration between the family-run yard and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design Naval Architects</a>, the yacht’s retro styling masks a modern and highly capable cruiser engineered for long-distance voyaging.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396216/image/large-6096248c4df8137326bee068ed36838f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396216">The impossibly picturesque village of Monnickendam on the western shore of the Markermeer, a vast freshwater reservoir not far from Amsterdam, has been home to the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Royal Hakvoort Shipyard</a> for more than a century. Wedged into a narrow strip of dockland between the old town centre and the water’s edge, space is as precious as the custom yachts it builds, but over the years the management has perfected a choreography of space and timing to ensure multiple projects can progress without tripping over one another.“<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design</a> is just a few kilometres down the road and we’ve often wanted to work with them, but the stars never aligned,” affirms Klaas Hakvoort, fourth generation director of the shipyard with his brother Albert Jr. “In this case, the client wanted Dutch pedigree, was happy with our pricing, and the complexity of the project was a perfect match for a custom builder like us.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396206/image/large-71da8891dd01ddb5eed6ecc0455c82e1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396206">Project YB256 was inspired by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6037" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blue II55.99m (183'8&quot;)Turquoise Yachts2020">Blue II</a>, the 56-metre expedition vessel with classic lines by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design</a> launched by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/224" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Turquoise Yachts (Company)">Turquoise Yachts</a> in 2020. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design</a> partners Andre Hoek and Ruurt Meulemans translated the client’s admiration for the retro-influenced yacht into a more compact platform that would echo the same timeless elegance free of nostalgic mimicry, while embracing modern technology and efficiency. The owner’s exacting brief included full wheelchair accessibility, an elevator connecting all deck levels, and transatlantic capability.“The hull and superstructure were conceived to balance classic proportions with today’s efficient hydrodynamics,” says Ruurt Meulemans. “Computational fluid dynamics [CFD] analysis informed every curve, refining the bow shape and optimising volume distribution to reduce resistance as much as possible and improve wake flow to the twin propellers. The objective was a smooth, efficient ride across a transatlantic cruising envelope of close to 4,000 nautical miles – no small achievement for a vessel under 400 gross tons.“<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396218/image/large-f219694742e3fedf1f00ff2c0b5c4003.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396218">Meeting these requirements called for some clever engineering based on robust, proven solutions. Finite element analysis (FEA) guided the placement of bulkheads, stringers, and the keel to ensure structural integrity under long passages without compromising interior volume. The challenge was compounded by hybrid-assisted propulsion comprising twin 1,000-hp MAN diesel engines paired with electric motors and supported by a lithium-ion battery bank.The system integrated by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3869" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Eekels Technology BV (Company)">Eekels Technology</a> allows for flexible operational modes. Electric mode provides a few hours of silent propulsion at low speed, ideal for manoeuvring in harbours or environmentally sensitive zones. In diesel mode the electric motors can function as shaft generators to reduce fuel burn on extended passages. The electric motors also add redundancy for additional peace of mind far from home. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Royal Hakvoort</a> had direct experience of the latter: during sea trials of 61-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8621" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Asia61.0m (200'2&quot;)Royal Hakvoort Shipyard2024">Asia</a>, an electrical fault caused an engine shutdown, but the gearbox-mounted e-motors allowed the crew to manoeuvre safely away from an offshore wind farm.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396210/image/large-bfbd4613c1cb6d84c9fb37fa9b5d37a0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396210">The battle for spaceA signature feature of the yacht is the continuous ribbon of wraparound glazing on the main and bridge decks – 17 tonnes of it. The bulwarks are also glass and the hull windows incorporate a dot-fade pattern that blends with the white hull from a distance. Combined with the classic sheer line and bronze-metallic funnel, the green-tinted glass adds a touch of understated elegance that hints at an era that never quite existed – but should have. The wheelhouse windows are not full-height, but the aluminium surfaces beneath will be clad with glass and the same green reflective finish to create the visual effect of uninterrupted glass.&nbsp;Extensive glazing has a downside, however: heat. Solar load becomes a critical issue, especially for a yacht destined for hot climates. One option is to increase HVAC capacity, but a smarter one is to engineer better insulation. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Hakvoort</a> chose the latter. A two-year development programme with glass specialist Royal-Maritiem sought the ideal balance of solar control, privacy, clarity, structural strength, and colour uniformity. Each double-glazed laminated pane is filled with argon gas and coated with a low-emissivity metal film tuned to deliver the desired green tint. The result is a 50 precent reduction in heat transfer compared to conventional marine glass.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396219/image/large-043a6cfbb4c2ee18f77e9eca62c4d295.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396219">But heat is not the only issue. Full-height windows also eliminate the storage units and hidden cavities normally used to route ducting, wiring, and AC trunking, pushing the technical infrastructure inward. As a result, space became the defining constraint and the build team had to fight for every cubic centimetre. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/33" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hoek Design Naval Architects B.V. (Company)">Hoek Design</a> has deep experience of designing sailboats where space is always at a premium, but it was up to the shipyard to find ways to integrate complex systems into tight envelopes.“Nothing fitted, so we had to make it fit,” says Klaas, which could be the unofficial motto of the project. “By the time everything is installed, the engine room will be very full, but accessible and maintainable. Not cluttered – engineered.”The electrical switchboards span the full height of the engine from port to starboard across, an unavoidable result of the hybrid system. The engine room itself relies on seawater-fed heat exchangers because there wasn’t room for conventional air-cooling systems. The pool doubles as a tender bay with a dump tank and its own dedicated crane compartment that closes flush with the teak deck. Under the sunbed on the foredeck is a two-storey garage for the crew tender and a pair of PWCs. Add the elevator, wider side decks and interior passages sized for wheelchair access, and every available every void had to serve a purpose.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396209/image/large-486995c89e482f3860ee5f1204771fb6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396209">Hidden in plain sightThe metallic bronze faux funnel is more than a charming styling cue; it also highlights the kind of engineering concealment that defines the whole project. Since the yacht has underwater exhausts, there was no need for a traditional dry stack – nor was there space to route ducting up to one. Instead, the funnel became the home of the fresh-air unit that draws in and purifies outside air for the HVAC system. Fitting it inside that tight volume meant some early design assumptions had to be reworked.&nbsp;Routing the air quietly around the yacht from high up in the vessel posed further challenges. The onboard noise targets are uncompromising and the owner’s suite is engineered for a harbour maximum of 44 decibels, although <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Hakvoort</a> typically achieves lower. Underway, the expected levels sit in the low 50s – quiet enough that the only audible sound should be the soft splash of water along the hull. Modern superyachts achieve such low mechanical noise levels that airflow has become the primary acoustic concern, not the engines or generators.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396212/image/large-a2aeb88e2ca030f7dc36a4bed74abb21.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396212">“You won’t hear machinery these days – you’ll hear air moving through the ducting,” confirms Klaas. “That’s why we focus obsessively on silencing ducts, bends and terminations.”Consider the HVAC ducting for the crew quarters. To reach the lower deck forward, it has to pass under the bed in the owner’s stateroom, negotiating several dog-leg bends in the process. Air accelerates noisily through tight turns due to mass conservation and pressure shifts, so the yard routinely uses flexible elbow sections with larger diameters and internal damping to reduce turbulence and suppress sound. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396214/image/large-892daf254a9606fb0d0d5fed5e58dda4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396214">Elegance with an edgeThe aluminium superstructure was built at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5231" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alu-bouw Fryslân BV (Company)">Alubouw Fryslan</a> in Franeker and joined to the steel hull at Buijs Shipyard – the hull builder – before being towed to Monnickendam, but <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Royal Hakvoort</a> has its own joinery division and stainless-steel department that produce most of the fixed furniture and deck hardware in-house. Klaas points out the custom-engineered hinges used for the exterior doors as an example of the shipyard’s hands-on approach. During development, these hinges were tested in the most practical way imaginable: by suspending 40 kg weights to a toilet door heavily used by shop-floor workers. Any weaknesses that surfaced were corrected before installation.&nbsp;Another example is the aluminium hull platform that folds out from the topsides amidships and connects to the main deck by way of a boarding ladder for tender access. The platform being assembled in the metalworking department uses a hydraulic rotary or slew drive – more compact than conventional rams and able to generate high torque in tight spaces, it is a solution that has been refined by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/40" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Hakvoort Shipyard (Company)">Royal Hakvoort</a> over years of building canoe-stern vessels.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396211/image/large-9d9af2d4a7ba3a495473f7ac81ad923c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396211">Although capable of crossing the Atlantic, YB256 will primarily be used for short, comfortable runs with the frequent returns to port and high hospitality demands typical of most operational profiles. Every aspect of the interior has been conceived with wheelchair accessibility in mind, including a transformer-style platform in the stern. Guest and crew flows remain fully separated, which is not always the case on yachts of this size. The lower deck houses two full-beam VIP suites arranged around the main lobby and elevator; a third space will be used as an office/gym with a built-in recess for a running machine. The bridge deck is reserved for the owner’s sky lounge, while the captain’s cabin has been relocated to the lower deck. Crew areas have been configured to maximise discretion and operational efficiency with service and storage areas scaled to support day-use cruising.After touring the shipyard and the yacht, the lasting impression is that YB256 is not just a modern yacht in retro clothing. It is a study in constraint-driven design and smart engineering by a shipyard for whom “custom” is a vocation, not a marketing term. Its timeless elegance is more than skin deep, the result of many difficult decisions made in the belief that contemporary and classic can comfortably coexist – both in appearance and in engineering.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396220/image/large-95656d748cc09cc4e461acdaecb835d0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396220">

Inside the build of a 45m Royal Hakvoort superyacht

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

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

The landlocked yard building limousine tenders

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

As the yachting industry begins to take alternative fuels seriously, Heikki Bergman, CEO and design manager of start-up company <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8768" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Propulsion House (Company)">Propulsion House</a>, is several steps ahead. His company has developed a compact, modular methanol-electric propulsion system for yachts up to 70 metres that challenges the big marine technology brands.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390298/image/large-6f876876617a86ea1297b4c7d5007042.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390298">Drawing on more than two decades of experience in marine electrical propulsion, Heikki Bergman brings an engineering-driven approach to hybrid systems, with a sharp focus on real-world viability, space efficiency, and the practical constraints of small and mid-size vessels.“There’s good will in the market,” he says, “but not many customers or shipyards truly understand what they’re buying when it comes to electric or alternative-fuel systems. That’s where things often fall apart.”Now, Bergman and his team have unveiled a hybrid system he claims is capable of delivering over 5,000 nautical miles of range using methanol reformers, hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, and lightweight electric pod propulsion – all within the general arrangement footprint of an existing 45-metre, steel-hulled explorer hull designed by Frank Neubelt.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390299/image/large-087f0ae7e1a2668b35e761bf7c22a0db.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390299">Scaling downBergman’s journey began at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6143" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ABB Group (Company)">ABB</a>, the Finnish leader in electrification and automation technology, where he worked on large commercial projects across Europe, particularly in the passenger vessel segment. In 2015, he identified a knowledge gap in the smaller vessel markets: while electrical and hybrid systems were becoming standard on larger ships, few people understood how to scale them down effectively for smaller yachts.&nbsp;"The big players don’t cater well to anything below 1 megawatt per propeller," he explains. "They come with massive project organisations and million-euro tickets, which just doesn’t work for yachts below 70 metres. We start from seven horsepower, up to 600 kilowatt."He founded <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8768" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Propulsion House (Company)">Propulsion House</a> in 2017 as a consultancy, but it quickly evolved into a product development company. The firm now works across multiple sectors – including oil and gas – but yachting remains a core focus. The team doubled in size last year and is expected to grow again in 2026.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390300/image/large-701d98e76c4b8100d4437b449c0de308.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390300">Time to RethinkThe in-house propulsion system is a methanol-electric hybrid setup using the existing 45-metre explorer hull as a baseline that began with the team asking a simple but critical question: could a vessel of this size achieve 5,000 nautical miles of range using alternative fuels, without compromising usable interior volume? The answer: Yes, by completely rethinking how propulsion integrates with vessel design.At the heart of the system is the trademarked DeeCee Microgrid – a methanol-fuel-cell architecture designed for endurance, redundancy and modular installation. The system includes: six methanol reformers, which convert a methanol/water mixture into hydrogen and CO₂; six 200 kilowatt hydrogen fuel cells, fed by the reformers to generate electricity; and two 600 kilowatt battery banks, offering load balancing, peak shaving, and full-electric operation in port or during silent cruising.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390301/image/large-09f5baddc586600638d912e42f93dd0f.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390301">All the system components – fuel cells, batteries, converters – are already commercially available. Combined, they enable propulsion via two 600 kilowatt electric pods, with no shaft lines or central switchboards. Instead, the vessel uses a distributed DC network through localised electrical control units – each managing its zone independently and able to switch within milliseconds in case of blackout.“We’ve eliminated the need for a switchboard room altogether,” says Bergman. “This frees up interior volume, reduces cabling, and improves safety and redundancy.”The reforming process produces a controlled volume of CO₂, which the system can capture and store onboard for recycling. The volume of this captured CO₂ is significantly lower than from internal combustion engines – about 40-60 percent less than a diesel generator. Moreover, when taking into production methods of green methanol and e-methanol, some of which actually consume CO2 rather than release it into the air, the overall CO2 emission reduction is even higher.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390305/image/large-8b7413485de1c405fa96aac8b215fe00.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390305">Small, Light &amp; SmartPerhaps the most radical part of the concept is the proprietary Pulling-e Propulsion pod design. It resembles a torpedo: long, narrow, and hollow, with a stationary internal body, an outer rotating propeller shell and a 2-bladed propeller offering a good balance of efficiency and drag. Containing a permanent magnet synchronous motor and scalable from 7-600 kilowatt per propeller, there is no shaft, no gearbox, and minimal mechanical complexity. The pod can be steerable for shallow water use, or fixed with a rudder integrated into the strut that connects it to the hull.&nbsp;The unit is designed to be modular and installation-agnostic. It can be fixed horizontally to the hull, retrofitted into an old rudder socket, or even fitted with lift-enhancing struts to improve hydrodynamic flow. Unlike traditional azimuthing thrusters, which rotate 360 degrees, the pods limit steering angles but compensates via bi-directional rotation. The result is full-vector thrust control, achieved with a simpler, lighter system.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390304/image/large-1e7154665ec390b5c89b7ed5b892f2e1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390304">This method also benefits noise reduction. The methanol-electric propulsion is already quiet, so the remaining main source of noise is from propeller-generated pressure pulses hitting the hull. The propellers, positioned far aft as far outboard as possible away from the hull, significantly reduce this underwater radiated noise—a growing concern for marine ecosystems.The concept isn’t just theoretical. Cambridge University’s Energy boat challenge team recognised the potential and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8768" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Propulsion House (Company)">Propulsion House</a> has been working with Marin’s top designers on the propeller optimisation, using a 15-kilowatt test unit to refine efficiency. The propellers were optimised using PropArt and PROCAL computations. A speed-power prediction based on the resistance was provided, and additional analysis was carried out in terms of steering forces and cavitation behaviour.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390303/image/large-fe5f36bdbe69c88da2bda09491ac7329.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390303">“We achieved 89 percent propeller efficiency – among the highest on the market,” says Bergman. “And when we scale up to the size used on yachts, efficiency actually increases due to the larger central hole in the propeller. And that’s just the first iteration available.”The system is also suited for retrofits. In theory at least, shaft lines could be removed entirely and the new propulsion unit installed into the existing rudder sockets, reducing the need for invasive hull perforations. The structural load is carried in a way similar to rudder mechanics, with reinforcement achieved by increasing material thickness inside the torpedo's cooling pipe. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390302/image/large-279388f3d090554f024470e1514e9ec4.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390302">A New Design OrderPerhaps most radical is the company’s approach to vessel design itself. “We start from the underwater section,” Bergman explains. “First the hull, then the propeller location, and then everything else. Not the other way around.”This inverted design process contrasts with the traditional method of selecting off-the-shelf propulsion systems first, which often forces compromises in hull shape, hydrodynamics and interior layout.With partners already on board for further testing in 2026, and interest growing among shipyards and owners, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8768" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Propulsion House (Company)">Propulsion House</a> is positioning itself not just as a technology provider, but as a strategic design partner. By simplifying systems, reducing space usage, offering real redundancy, and embracing cleaner fuels, Bergman believes a better class of hybrid yacht is not only possible – it’s ready to build. “There’s no fantasy here,” says Bergman. “This could be built tomorrow.”&nbsp;

Heikki Bergman Propulsion House CEO Interview

Propulsion House CEO sites down with SYT to discuss the compact, modular methanol-electric propulsion system for yachts.

Inside the push for methanol-electric yacht propulsion with CEO Heikki Bergman

If home is where the hearth is, then the galley is certainly a fundamental element of any superyacht. Whether enjoying a 10-course taster menu or a teppanyaki treat on deck, food is central to the onboard experience. We take a look at how to avoid second-rate cooking spaces and equipment.When people talk about superyachts, the highlights always seem to revolve around the same things: the beach club, the sundeck, the pool, the master stateroom. The galley barely gets a second thought, until you spend time on board –&nbsp;then the food and its service take centre stage and any issues to do with layout, design or installation become belatedly obvious.Naturally, safety is paramount. Galleys present a host of hazards from deep fryers and steamers to rotating equipment and sharp blades. Fire suppression, hygiene, ventilation, materials, and so on, are governed by classification society rules, but small details like having rounded internal radii instead of sharp corners in stainless steel cabinets help prevent dirt accumulation and make cleaning much easier for galley staff. Ergonomics and design are equally important.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394386/image/large-95000aca9788e63f3727ba677f1045e1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394386">“The galley layout is defined according to the capacity of the yacht, considering both guests and crew,” says Costanza Pazzi, project architect at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/12" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="CRN (Company)">CRN</a>. “It is usually designed with three clearly distinct areas: washing, cooking, and preparation.”Separate traffic flows for clean and dirty dishes help prevent cross-contamination and accidents. Adequate lighting is a sometimes overlooked consideration, especially for galleys on the lower deck with smaller windows where the artificial lighting should emulate daylight temperatures (4000K-5000K) to show the true colour of the food being prepared.“Each custom superyacht galley is different,” Pazzi continues. “The spaces dedicated to galley and pantries should be discussed as part of the technical specifications at contract completion, with guidelines coming directly from the owner’s team. A fundamental requirement is that ducting and systems need to be defined in the general plans from the outset.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394417/image/large-7799ab22eb4f8b77c27d0e82de2c9dc0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394417">Experience counts“The galley is not just one room – it’s an entity,” says Brennan Dates, a chef with more than 25 years’ work experience on superyachts. Currently head chef aboard 87.6-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2354" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project X87.6m (287'5&quot;)Golden Yachts Ltd.2022">Project X</a>, he also consults on galley design through his company <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7686" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Superyacht Galley Designs (Company)">Superyacht Galley Designs</a>. His refit and new-build galley projects includes <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>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1713" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mogambo73.51m (241'2&quot;)Nobiskrug2012">Mogambo</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/9442" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dragonfly142.0m (465'11&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2024">Dragonfly</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/10316" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Obsidian84.2m (276'3&quot;)Feadship2023">Obsidian</a>, the first <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonrise99.9m (327'9&quot;)Feadship2020">Moonrise</a> and second <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11108" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonrise100.7m (330'5&quot;)Feadship2025">Moonrise</a> yachts, and a 100-metre-plus vessel currently under construction.&nbsp;“Where does the food come into the boat, especially on larger yachts when you’re &nbsp;talking about shell doors and pallets of produce?” he asks. “How does the food get stored, and where is the cold storage located? Which deck is the galley on? Where are the pantries and which decks are the guests eating on? Some food is stored in the galley, then it gets prepped, possibly stored again, then gets heated or reheated, plated and served, and now you’re talking about pantry flow.” <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394418/image/large-c4c49eab3aaeeb1639265cfacfe9f9ee.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394418">It’s also important to consider the operational profile of the yacht, because there’s a difference between a purely private yacht and one that’s going to be busy chartering. Is it going to be doing extended cruising to remote locations, which may require bigger dry stores and cold rooms?“I can walk into a galley and within five minutes know if there was a yacht chef involved in the build,” says Dates. “But no one’s really listening to chefs at this point, and I think that negatively impacts on the whole guest experience, but also the crew.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394416/image/large-f89be51556d3eb7510c568074aeb1395.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394416">One thing for sure is that dumb waiters are mostly a thing of the past, with crews preferring to use the space for additional storage or fridges. Dates further warns against the use of domestic kitchen appliances on board in what are essentially commercial kitchens, where stuff tends to break down much faster. “Rational is the number one in the world for ovens, and MKN is up there,” he advises. “There’s a precipitous drop after those two.”On-deck delightsThese days, the galley is only one centre of chef action on board. There will likely be outdoor cooking stations in the build plan, particularly on charter yachts. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a>’s <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6424" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hadar136.0m (446'2&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2019">Hadar</a>, for example, features an extensive outdoor kitchen on the bridge deck aft, where guests can watch the chef working a wok station, a coal-powered Spanish Josper grill, a rotisserie, and pizza/teppanyaki/tandoori ovens.&nbsp;“At a bare minimum there needs to be a sink and refrigeration, just for basic sanitation,” Dates says. “If you can have a little trash compartment that’s sealed away that’s useful, and then it comes down to equipment – there’s a really good oven by MKN that fits under the counter and which takes care of its own exhaust and accepts standard 535x325 millimetre gastronomic trays.”“There is an ever-increasing demand for the inclusion of pizza ovens, particularly for yachts over 60 metres,” adds Pazzi, “There is also a trend for a table in the main galley where guests have the chance to see the chef working and enjoy a food tasting, aimed at creating a sensory experience.”&nbsp;Open-plan, country kitchen-style layouts are increasingly popular on smaller yachts, and on “galley-up” catamarans where the cooking area become an integral part of family life on board. The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a> 64Steel <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6178" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Attila64.0m (209'12&quot;)Sanlorenzo2019">Attila</a> even has a custom-made barbecue pit inside the main deck dining area for preparing Argentinian-style steaks. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394422/image/large-e484db9dd7caca3e714a505d18be3385.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394422">Breathing easyAlongside cooking comes the risk of odours, which can quickly infiltrate indoor guest areas if ventilation and extraction aren’t properly designed. During the design of the second <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11108" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moonrise100.7m (330'5&quot;)Feadship2025">Moonrise</a>, for example, the owner requested a taller mast so galley fumes are not blown back onto the sundeck after being vented.&nbsp;&nbsp;The air extraction system in the pro-spec galley aboard the 76.6-metre explorer yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4734" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Albatross76.6m (251'4&quot;)Piriou2015">Albatross</a> highlights how smart design can maximise energy efficiency. Extractor fans typically suck the air out of a room, which has to be replaced anew with fresh, treated air. But when the outside temperature is -20°C that could mean firing up another generator just to reheat the air because the galley is in use. On <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4734" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Albatross76.6m (251'4&quot;)Piriou2015">Albatross</a>, the cowling above the cooking hobs also creates a curtain of treated air that effectively isolates the cooking area, saving HVAC energy while containing cooking odours and maintaining a constant temperature in the galley. A similar system has been installed on the all-electric sailing yacht Project Zero.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394426/image/large-b6d6a20d4c21394ec767a94b34324a08.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394426">Galley design extends to the handling of waste produce, which includes both garbage and wastewater treatment. The latter is particularly pertinent, because food contaminants and grease can wreak havoc with onboard water treatment systems (this topic is specifically addressed in <a href="https://issuu.com/superyachttimes/docs/how_to_build_it_-_issue_9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Issue 9&nbsp;</a>of How to Build It).&nbsp;“Fat, oil and grease (FOG) need to be separated – this is very important not only for the wastewater treatment process, where they can affect the biological process or clog filters, but also to prevent clogging of pipes,” confirms Georgios Kariofilis, Sales Manager at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8602" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hamann AG (Company)">Hamann</a>. “Having a grease trap and a pre-filter system is the first step to avoiding such problems.”Organic trash handling, typically resolved by storing garbage in a refrigerated room or in a deck locker, is also making advances. Dehydration plants, such as those offered by Evac and Eco-Smart, remove water content from food waste by heating it to around 80ºC and evaporating it off as steam. The sterile and odourless residual food waste is roughly 15 to 20 percent of its former volume and can be stored more easily on board for later disposal or composting. Essentially, it means you don’t need as big a trash storage room.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394420/image/large-a3eda501d5fdaf6da7497de827b67522.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394420">Ask an expert&nbsp;The advice from designers and chefs is basically to bring in an expert at the layout stage of design, and to argue for more space rather than less, no matter the size of yacht. Speciality companies like UK-based <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2137" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="GN Espace Galley Solutions Ltd (Company)">GN Espace</a> offer expert advice for superyacht galley layouts and equipment spec, including full commercial galleys and upgrades such as adding a robust powder coated finish to stainless steel doors to match the rest of the yacht.Large or small, yacht designer Guido de Groot argues that the galley is generally in full-time use – especially on charter vessels. He compares the 10 guests plus eight crew aboard the 35-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2948" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Van der Valk Shipyard (Company)">Van der Valk</a> yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/13018" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lalabe35.31m (115'10&quot;)Van der Valk Shipyard2025">Lalabe</a> with a 50- or 60-metre vessel that might have 12 guests and 14 crew.“It’s a similar number of guest and crew, so you can’t just halve the size of the galley on the smaller yacht,” he points out. “It requires a lot of smart thinking to get everything into a more compact space.”“Give the galley and associated areas the space they deserve,” insists Dates. “Is luxury jamming the galley in the bottom of the boat and having food travel up four decks, or is it spending resources to have the galley on the main deck nearer to where guests will eat? Because that’s what I would want.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394419/image/large-c9630b9438c0f3772c24b74a369972a1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394419">Shipyards looking to streamline the planning process with standardised solutions sometimes argue against bringing in a consultant chef at the design stage. All chefs have their own routines, preferred equipment, likes and dislikes, but individual chefs do not stay with a yacht indefinitely. The galley, on the other hand, will remain for many years, or at least until a major refit. &nbsp;“Not including a superyacht chef in the build is like building a race car and not talking to the driver because they’ll want different buttons in different places,” counters Dates. “It doesn’t make any sense to have someone who’s never done the job be the one to put it all together.”

Why superyacht galley design matters to the onboard experience

How thoughtful superyacht galley design can improve safety, service, storage, ventilation and the wider onboard dining experience.

Galley design: "It's like building a race car without talking to the driver"

Inside Baltic Yachts’ first carbon catamaran build

Inside the build of Zeteo, Baltic Yachts’ first catamaran featuring carbon construction and hybrid propulsion.

Inside the build of 33m Zeteo: Baltic Yachts’ first carbon catamaran

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> has announced the acquisition of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2357" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Winel B.V. (Company)">Winel</a>, further expanding the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco Group</a>'s capabilities across the design and construction of custom yachts.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/367145/image/large-c0719da09522b0d017fe2fd0a04968e9.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/367145" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Assen, the Netherlands, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2357" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Winel B.V. (Company)">Winel</a> is a manufacturer of custom-made and standardised marine solutions for the superyacht, commercial shipping and offshore sectors.&nbsp;Employing around 150 people in facilities in the Netherlands and Vietnam, the company specialises in products including tank vent check valves, manually operated doors and hatches, watertight sliding doors, hull doors and exclusive yacht equipment. According to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a>, the acquisition expands the Group's technical capabilities and strengthens collaboration alongside its existing companies, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/317" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alewijnse (Company)">Alewijnse</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5546" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Aluship (Company)">Aluship</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5009" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lateral Naval Architects (Company)">Lateral</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mercury Yacht Construction (Company)">Mercury</a>. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2357" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Winel B.V. (Company)">Winel</a> will continue operating with its existing team and strategic direction while serving current and new clients.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/392202/image/large-6ad65147c55f711bd849cd4f59de3b88.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/392202">The relationship between <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2357" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Winel B.V. (Company)">Winel</a> dates back to the late 1990s, when the companies first collaborated on lifting equipment for the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Al Mirqab133.0m (436'4&quot;)Peters Werft GmbH2008">Al Mirqab</a>. More recently, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2357" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Winel B.V. (Company)">Winel</a> developed the adjustable hinge on the hull doors of <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> that remain horizontal to the deck to account for varying sea conditions.Read:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/65976" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Interiors of 111m Oceanco yacht Leviathan unveiled (2026-04-30 08:45:00 +0200)">Interiors of 111m Oceanco yacht Leviathan unveiled</a>Commenting on the acquisition, CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a>, Marcel Onkenhout, said: "Together with Gabe Newell, we are building the yachts of the future. With the addition of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2357" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Winel B.V. (Company)">Winel</a> to the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco Group</a>, we can continue working on new innovations in the field of one of the most complex components of an <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> yacht."CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2357" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Winel B.V. (Company)">Winel</a>, Ake van der Vinne, added : "Our doors and hatches are known for their reliability under the harshest conditions, and the same applies to our relationship with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a>. Together with the other partners within the Group, we will develop groundbreaking solutions for the maritime industry."

Oceanco acquires Dutch marine specialist Winel

Oceanco has acquired Dutch marine specialist Winel,  aiding the Group's growing portfolio of maritime companies.




Founded in 2018 as an extension of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Xtenders (Company)">Xtenders</a>’ work in the superyacht sector, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4947" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Xquip (Company)">Xquip</a> initially focused on lightweight boarding and deck equipment designed to match the quality and finish of the tenders being delivered. The business grew out of repeated demand from shipyards and designers for products such as swimming ladders and awning systems that reflected the same emphasis on design, weight efficiency and usability. Since then, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4947" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Xquip (Company)">Xquip</a> has expanded its range and developed its production capabilities, increasing its presence within the superyacht deck equipment market.Its relationship with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Xtenders (Company)">Xtenders</a> continues to shape how the business operates today. The two companies share engineering expertise and production knowledge and may collaborate on the same yacht, with tender solutions and deck equipment developed in parallel to create greater consistency in design, materials and user experience. This also allows <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4947" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Xquip (Company)">Xquip</a> to offer shipyards, designers and owner’s representatives a more coordinated approach across different parts of a project.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394339/image/large-761eef67c3473dcab070e3c337afcb00.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394339">Expanding the product range and reshaping the business<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4947" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Xquip (Company)">Xquip</a>’s product range now extends well beyond its initial focus on ladders and awnings. Today, the company’s portfolio includes self-levelling stairs, fender systems, mooring whips, gangways and a broader selection of boarding solutions. While core products such as swimming ladders, awnings, whips and fender systems continue to see strong demand, interest is also growing in newer categories including dock steps and davit cranes.Mooring equipment remains one area of focus, with carbon whips supplied with individual serial numbers to provide traceability and warranty assurance. At the same time, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4947" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Xquip (Company)">Xquip</a> is continuing to develop further categories, including SOLAS-compliant pilot ladders, as it seeks to broaden its product range further.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396357/image/large-fee6e7bfab36f07ef8214522f3d34037.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396357">Supporting that broader product mix has been a wider change in the scale and structure of the business. In recent years, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4947" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Xquip (Company)">Xquip</a> has undergone a management transition led by Thom van Riet, Joep Wolters and Matthijs van de Wijngaert, which has helped drive growth and product improvement. Greater standardisation and production efficiency have been introduced, while bespoke solutions continue to be developed in close collaboration with designers and shipyards. In a sector where no two projects are the same, the company is aiming to improve efficiency without moving away from the project-specific engineering that superyacht builds often require.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/257673/image/large-a11765a4442b7038b34c007d2434ac98.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/257673">A growing footprint across the superyacht marketWith its equipment now installed on more than 200 yachts, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4947" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Xquip (Company)">Xquip</a> has established a stronger presence across the sector. Its portfolio includes projects such as the 138.8-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/8262" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Luminance138.8m (455'5&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2024">Luminance</a> and the 118.2-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/44" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Abeking & Rasmussen (Company)">Abeking &amp; Rasmussen</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/7928" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Liva118.2m (387'10&quot;)Abeking & Rasmussen2023">Liva</a>, reflecting the company’s involvement in some of the market’s larger projects.Geographically, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4947" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Xquip (Company)">Xquip</a>’s work remains concentrated primarily in Europe, where it has developed strong relationships with Northern European shipyards. At the same time, its presence in Turkey and the United States is also growing. This spread points to a business whose development is extending across several key superyacht markets.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/296018/image/large-0089e144d017c4f91205441eb85626b3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/296018">Defining the next phase of growthLooking ahead, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4947" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Xquip (Company)">Xquip</a>’s next phase of development is expected to centre on further expansion of its production capabilities and continued product development. The company is investing in greater production capacity with the aim of shortening lead times while maintaining quality, as it seeks to support a wider range of projects.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396354/image/large-b0173840d76a356eba3652865ef1364a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396354">For <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4947" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Xquip (Company)">Xquip</a>, the next stage is less about shifting away from its original specialism than about building on it. What began as a focused extension of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Xtenders (Company)">Xtenders</a>’ work has developed into a broader deck equipment business with a wider product range, greater production capacity and a growing presence across the superyacht market.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/299376/image/large-90e12966530dd0bc71affdabd57b625a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/299376">

From one tender to 200 Yachts: Xquip’s growth in superyacht deck equipment

Xquip charts its growth from Xtenders extension to a superyacht deck equipment specialist with products installed on more than 200 yachts.

The 28.8-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2045" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Diano Cantiere Navale (Company)">Cantieri Navali Diano</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12177" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Toi Moi et Roby28.8m (94'6&quot;)Diano Cantiere Navale2009">Toi Moi et Roby</a> has been sold, with Nicola Ricci of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7365" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="My Yachts World (Company)">My Yachts World</a> representing both the buyer and the seller.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399494/image/large-160e297ac9454fc0483347f33c022567.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399494">Delivered in 2009, the yacht was previously known as Watanga and Bliss. She features naval architecture developed in-house by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2045" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Diano Cantiere Navale (Company)">Cantieri Navali Diano</a> and underwent a refit in 2017.Inside, her interiors embrace a classic nautical aesthetic, with cherry wood joinery, maple wood flooring and traditional styling throughout. Moreover, her open-plan main saloon flows seamlessly into a formal dining area positioned forward.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12177" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Toi Moi et Roby28.8m (94'6&quot;)Diano Cantiere Navale2009">Toi Moi et Roby</a> accommodates up to eight guests across four well-appointed staterooms on the lower deck, including a full-beam master suite amidships, two double suites and one twin suite.Propulsion-wise, the flybridge yacht is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1408" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Caterpillar Inc (Company)">Caterpillar</a> engines, delivering a cruising speed of 23 knots and a top speed of 29 knots.At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12177" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Toi Moi et Roby28.8m (94'6&quot;)Diano Cantiere Navale2009">Toi Moi et Roby</a> had a last known asking price of €1,200,000.Photo courtesy of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7365" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="My Yachts World (Company)">My Yachts World</a>.

Cantieri Navali Diano yacht Toi Moi et Roby sold

The 28.8-metre Cantieri Navali Diano motor yacht Toi Moi et Roby has been sold.

29m motor yacht Toi Moi et Roby sold

Today's superyacht owners and captains expect more from a marina than a safe berth. As homeports become an increasingly important part of the ownership experience, the most successful destinations combine operational excellence with a lifestyle offering that enhances every day spent ashore. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/393" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marina Port Vell (Company)">Marina Port Vell</a> has become one of the clearest examples of that evolution. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/293730/image/large-e75af879f302d6126f25c083d7f277bc.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/293730">Few marinas can claim such a close relationship to the city that surrounds them. Just beyond the pontoons lies one of Europe's most vibrant cities, where Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury shopping, world-renowned architecture and excellent international transport links are all within easy reach. Situated within walking distance of Barcelona's historic centre, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/393" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marina Port Vell (Company)">Marina Port Vell</a> has become a unique waterfront setting, established as one of the city's most exclusive venues for luxury events, private celebrations and corporate hospitality.The port’s reputation has always been strong, but has gained international recognition since becoming the preferred superyacht marina during the 37th America’s Cup. While Barcelona welcomed the international sporting event, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/393" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marina Port Vell (Company)">Marina Port Vell&nbsp;</a>sat right at the centre of the action.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/364777/image/large-7bd7145011c49149e458148660ce9317.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/364777">A homeport for world’s largest superyachtsBuilt to accommodate superyachts, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/393" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marina Port Vell (Company)">Marina Port Vell&nbsp;</a>offers 73 berths, alongside the port’s impressive 400-metre dock, capable of welcoming some of the world’s largest superyachts, marking the largest dock in the Mediterranean.The marina’s scale is immediately apparent, but equally as impressive is the quality of day-to-day operations. Every aspect of a yacht’s stay has been carefully considered: from sheltered berthing to floating work platforms, mooring assistance, storage facilities adjacent to berths, and electric golf car transport and delivery service that simplify the logistics across the marina. These considerations allow for routine maintenance and operational tasks to be completed with minimal disruption.Fuel operations have become another defining factor of the marina: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/393" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marina Port Vell (Company)">Marina Port Vell</a> can provide premium fuel as well as HVO eco-fuel. At-berth refuelling enables yachts to refuel without relocation, offering smooth operations and time efficiency to vessels.&nbsp;Another standout feature of the port is the high security standards. Fully compliant with ISPS regulations, ensuring maximum safety, confidentiality and peace of mind for both vessels and guests. The marina operates controlled access throughout the site, with clearly defined security zones aligned with international maritime standards, ensuring consistency without any unnecessary complexity.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399405/image/large-336bb471434503b82f631267f36aa110.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399405">A new era shaped by investment and ambitionMarina Port Vell’s continued evolution is due to its significant investment programme designed to meet the ever-changing demands of the global superyacht fleet. Between 2021 and 2024, more than €20 million was invested in transforming the marina’s infrastructure, reinforcing its position as one of the Mediterranean’s leading superyacht destinations.Completed in July 2024, the redevelopment introduced 23 additional berths for superyachts up to 70-metres and ensured further integration of the marina with Barcelona’s iconic waterfront. The redevelopment also saw the reorganisation of the marina’s water surface, which has improved operational efficiency as well as environmental performance.Sustainability formed a central pillar of the marina’s redevelopment. The new state-of-the-art fuel supply system was introduced to improve both operational safety and environmental performance, completed by the availability of HVO renewable fuel to support yacht owners and captains who are seeking lower-emission alternatives.&nbsp;The marina’s 510-metre underground pipeline network, spanning Barceloneta Quay, Reloj Quay and T Dock, enables yachts to bunker directly alongside their berth. This aligns with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/393" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marina Port Vell (Company)">Marina Port Vell</a>’s sustainable practices, ensuring that vessels don’t need to relocate ensures environmental risks are kept to a minimum, as well as further enhancing the marina’s efficiency.One of the most recent additions is the underwater drone inspection service, providing efficient hull and mooring inspections without the need for more complex interventions. The technology supports preventative maintenance while improving operational planning and reducing downtime.The facilities Inward Proceeding Status offers clear financial advantages for non-EU yachts undergoing maintenance and repair in the Mediterranean. This supports more efficient operational and financial planning, making Marina Port Vell the homeport choice within the Mediterranean.&nbsp;The investments made by the marina reflect a continued push for growing to not just meet, but thrive in meeting the industry’s growing expectations. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/293745/image/large-196ecf8fa65d59fbb74a28f5f2d4627c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/293745">More than a superyacht destination: a place for captains &amp; crew to enjoyA successful homeport extends beyond the needs of the yacht itself, and recognising the importance of crew well-being, Marina Port Vell has worked hard to develop an environment that encourages both professional support and personal enjoyment.&nbsp;Through the establishment of the marina’s Crew Life programme, the captains and crew berthed became part of a larger community. Through weekly yoga sessions, various network opportunities and training initiatives, those staying in the marina have the opportunity to spend time connecting with fellow yachties whilst also growing their skillset and staying active. Additionally, the marina organises weekly social gatherings that centre around meaningful connection.The marina’s investment in crew well-being does not stop there: a carefully curated calendar of monthly events introduces the crews and captains of berthed yachts to the true Barcelona experience. Through wine tastings, gastronomic experiences, seasonal celebrations and cultural excursions across the city, berthing in Marina Port Vell is more than a homeport for superyachts, the marina becomes an exciting, adventurous home base for those captains and crew too.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399406/image/large-ad41e6575333d4528a4d713e6319af7a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399406">A marina at the heart of Barcelona’s scenic waterfront&nbsp;Few marinas can claim such a close relationship to the city that surrounds them. Situated within walking distance from Barcelona’s historic centre, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/393" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marina Port Vell (Company)">Marina Prot Vell</a> has become a unique waterfront setting, established as one of the city’s most exclusive venues for luxury events, private celebrations and corporate hospitality.&nbsp;Locations like The Sea Garden and The Gallery regularly host product launches, receptions and bespoke experiences for leading brands across the luxury, lifestyle and marine sectors, showing she’s not merely a marina, but truly a destination in its own right. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/398467/image/large-1c6311f5f283007030dbde43a2c73cb9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/398467">The success of the 37th America’s Cup further strengthened <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/393" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marina Port Vell (Company)">Marina Prot Vell</a>'s position on the global stage and highlights the marina’s ability to combine world-class infrastructure with the atmosphere and energy of Barcelona.&nbsp;As expectations of modern superyacht marinas continue to evolve, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/393" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marina Port Vell (Company)">Marina Prot Vell</a> has positioned itself at the forefront of that change. By combining world-class infrastructure, operational expertise, sustainability and one of Europe's most desirable waterfront locations, it offers something increasingly rare: a destination that serves the needs of the yacht as effectively as those of the people on board.

Marina Port Vell superyacht homeport barcelona

Inside Marina Port Vell: Barcelona's superyacht homeport

How Marina Port Vell Barcelona became a leading Mediterranean superyacht homeport

The 38.36-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/112" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Custom Line (Company)">Custom Line</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Randy Beth38.36m (125'10&quot;)Custom Line2018">Randy Beth</a> has been sold, with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5939" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Thames Yachting (Company)">Thames Yachting</a> representing the buyer and Gary Hardcastle of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8384" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Autograph Yacht Group (Company)">Autograph Yacht Group</a> representing the seller.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399481/image/large-46876627aac8d73bbbc404fad4e88321.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399481">Delivered in 2018, the yacht was formerly named O and features naval architecture developed in-house by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/112" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Custom Line (Company)">Custom Line</a>, while both her exterior and interior design were penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/586" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Francesco Paszkowski (Company)">Francesco Paszkowski</a>.With an internal volume of 271GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Randy Beth38.36m (125'10&quot;)Custom Line2018">Randy Beth</a> accommodates up to 12 guests across five well-appointed staterooms. Outdoor living is centred around spacious entertaining areas, including alfresco dining on the flybridge, as well as additional lounge and dining spaces on both the aft deck and foredeck.In terms of propulsion system, twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a> engines provide <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Randy Beth38.36m (125'10&quot;)Custom Line2018">Randy Beth</a> with a cruising speed of 22 knots and a top speed of 25 knots.At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6478" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Randy Beth38.36m (125'10&quot;)Custom Line2018">Randy Beth</a> had a last known asking price of $11,250,000.Photo courtesy of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8384" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Autograph Yacht Group (Company)">Autograph Yacht Group</a>.

Custom Line yacht Randy Beth sold

The 38.36-metre Custom Line motor yacht Randy Beth has been sold.

38m Custom Line motor yacht Randy Beth sold

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399480/image/large-df1e021e7b10a66e58629c00a1b6b418.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399480">The 90-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/64" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Oceanco (Company)">Oceanco</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5741" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shodan90.0m (295'3&quot;)Oceanco2019">Shodan</a> was spotted at anchor off Corfu earlier last month.Originally launched as DreAMBoat in 2019, Shodan features a steel hull and aluminium superstructure. Her naval architecture was developed in-house by the Dutch shipyard, while her striking exterior design comes from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/82" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Espen Øino International (Company)">Espen Øino International</a> and her refined interiors were designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Terence Disdale Design (Company)">Terence Disdale Design</a>.Spanning four expansive decks, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5741" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shodan90.0m (295'3&quot;)Oceanco2019">Shodan</a> offers an array of luxurious amenities, including a 7.5-metre swimming pool on the main deck aft, a Jacuzzi on the sundeck and multiple indoor and outdoor lounge areas. She accommodates up to 22 guests in nine elegantly appointed staterooms and boasts a generous internal volume of 2,946GT.Wellness is a key focus onboard, with a dedicated spa featuring a treatment room, hammam, sauna and beauty salon, complemented by a fully equipped gym with panoramic ocean views.Power comes from twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a> engines, enabling <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5741" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Shodan90.0m (295'3&quot;)Oceanco2019">Shodan</a> to reach a top speed of 18.5 knots.

Oceanco yacht Shodan in Corfu

The 90-metre Oceanco superyacht Shodan was spotted at anchor off Corfu earlier last month.

90m Oceanco superyacht Shodan in Corfu

The 35.24-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/584" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pershing S.p.a. (Company)">Pershing</a> GTX116 motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12221" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Byeee...35.24m (115'7&quot;)Pershing S.p.a.2024">Byeee...</a> has been listed on the market with Martin Bouilly of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6774" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="LARGEYACHT.CO (Company)">LARGEYACHT.CO</a>. Delivered in 2024, the yacht has been privately owned since delivery and is being offered for sale for the first time.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399445/image/large-7a05c8bbb1a8d775c89e9e8760e5a826.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399445"> Read: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/59540" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="35m Pershing GTX116 yacht Byeee… launched (2024-01-19 15:45:00 +0100)">35m Pershing GTX116 yacht Byeee… launched</a>Delivered in 2024 by the Italian shipyard, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12221" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Byeee...35.24m (115'7&quot;)Pershing S.p.a.2024">Byeee...</a> forms the third hull of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/584" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pershing S.p.a. (Company)">Pershing</a> GTX116 series. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12221" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Byeee...35.24m (115'7&quot;)Pershing S.p.a.2024">Byeee…</a> was designed inside and outside by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/585" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fulvio De Simoni Yacht Design (Company)">Fulvio De Simoni Yacht Design</a>, while her naval architecture was developed in-house by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/584" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pershing S.p.a. (Company)">Pershing</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399442/image/large-1752e9964cd4f2b9b121792264127b36.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399442">Constructed with a GRP hull and superstructure, 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> has a beam of 7.7-metres and an interior volume of 239 GT.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399444/image/large-b51157cb8e99e2e28800f41d245a7b42.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399444">On the outside, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/built-by=pershing" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Pershing yacht for sale</a> is centred around a 40-square-metre beach club, alongside a signature fold-down terrace and dual side boarding gates. On the cockpit, a large teak dining table and generous lounge areas can be found, while oversized sunpads aft invite guests to soak up the sun. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399443/image/large-f6e9fd8bdf6d004da61b96ee44403001.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399443">Forward, her previous owner had opted to replace the standard Jacuzzi with massive sunpads and a bar area, creating an alternative space for entertaining and relaxing.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399441/image/large-df2c9c911db65f269a0acd6dccac7720.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399441">Stepping inside, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12221" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Byeee...35.24m (115'7&quot;)Pershing S.p.a.2024">Byeee...</a> boasts a contemporary <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/585" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fulvio De Simoni Yacht Design (Company)">Fulvio De Simoni Yacht Design</a> interior, where dark timber finishes are complemented by carbon fibre accents, and brushed metal detailing. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399446/image/large-4e74b353318fc5dd137b067e48e1aadc.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399446">Her main saloon benefits from expansive glazing letting in abundant natural light, while bespoke carbon fibre and titanium mosaics, premium Italian furnishings and warm taupe oak parquet flooring are found throughout.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399447/image/large-ce48e4056b419503f98a6c000de5cd78.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399447">At an interior volume of 239 GT, accommodation onboard the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">yacht for sale</a> is arranged for up to 10 guests across five well-appointed staterooms, including a full-beam owner's suite. Dedicated quarters accommodate up to five crew members, including her captain.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399448/image/large-0fb1148678fc034502689588a9b1fdd4.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399448"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399449/image/large-934a36079e76e36903d0a07e9e1d052f.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399449"> In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12221" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Byeee...35.24m (115'7&quot;)Pershing S.p.a.2024">Byeee...</a> is powered by triple <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MAN (Company)">MAN</a> engines paired with waterjet propulsion, delivering a top speed of 30 knots. Moreover, twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2383" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Seakeeper, Inc. (Company)">Seakeepe</a>r 18 gyro stabilisers and a dynamic positioning system (DPS) enhance comfort and manoeuvrability.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399450/image/large-2c49604145dce5dc52b88e16e85564ea.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399450">

 35m Pershing motor yacht Byeee... for sale

The 35m Pershing GTX116 yacht Byeee... has been listed for sale for the first time with Large Yacht Co.


The 49-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/201" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ISA Yachts (Company)">ISA Yachts</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/930" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ledra49.0m (160'9&quot;)ISA Yachts2004">Ledra</a> has been listed for sale with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4948" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Imperial Sea Marine (Company)">Imperial Sea Marine</a>. The <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">yacht for sale</a> offers the opportunity to acquire a classic tri-deck with generous spaces for entertaining and relaxation. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399080/image/large-4e9d7f216331cc1e8b3ba65757c904d2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399080">Delivered in 2004 by the Italian shipyard, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/930" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ledra49.0m (160'9&quot;)ISA Yachts2004">yacht Ledra for sale</a> features both exterior and interior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/185" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Walter Franchini Architetto (Company)">Walter Franchini Architetto</a>, while her naval architecture was developed in-house by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/201" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ISA Yachts (Company)">ISA Yachts</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399400/image/large-359ef6612d60747b18f8d710375eabc4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399400">Constructed with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, 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> has a beam of 8.6-metres, a draft of 2.7-metres, and an interior volume remaining below the 500 GT threshold.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399401/image/large-08f4a402d5fac36aef5f8b260d374277.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399401"> <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399089/image/large-bd852997f41951adaf1e62a5a3fe5efc.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399089">In terms of outdoor living, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/930" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ledra49.0m (160'9&quot;)ISA Yachts2004">yacht Ledra for sale</a> boasts an aft bridge deck arranged for al fresco dining, while her upper deck benefits from a lounge beneath the overhang, ideal for unwinding while feeling the ocean breeze. Crowning the yacht, her sundeck serves as a flexible space, where the dining area seamlessly meld into an inviting Jacuzzi alongside dedicated fitness equipment. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399399/image/large-551d81b8f6270b804c007c0d847d9e8c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399399">Stepping inside, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/930" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ledra49.0m (160'9&quot;)ISA Yachts2004">Ledra</a>&nbsp;reveals a timeless interior crafted by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/185" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Walter Franchini Architetto (Company)">Walter Franchini Architetto</a>, where rich timber panelling meets the soft glow from her ambient lighting as well as the natural light from her expansive glazing. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399084/image/large-0d2ce73dc037e12fd596408a88c3b067.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399084">Her main saloon benefits from an open-plan layout where comfortable lounge spaces flow to an elegant formal dining area. Meanwhile, her skylounge serves as a versatile retreat, complete with a television, library and games table.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399085/image/large-422a857d368ef1b5e18d8b1b024da2e5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399085" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Spanning 498 GT, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/built-by=isa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">ISA yacht for sale</a> accommodates up &nbsp;to 12 guests across six well-appointed staterooms, including a full-beam owner's suite fitted with a fireplace, a spacious dressing area and an en suite bathroom with a marble bathtub overlooking the sea. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399087/image/large-773eb8a8708aa919bd28dcbe5117c9ca.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399087"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399086/image/large-947b39e82709f85e5f4af19013834502.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399086">Her remaining accommodation comprises four VIP staterooms and one twin. Separate quarters sleep up to a crew of nine, including her captain.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399392/image/large-3bc99430a494ac9b1155700de059d85c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399392"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399393/image/large-b69f5daf7fe4934ee30338760cb9faba.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399393"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399394/image/large-044765653394f0fe1539bf85afe865f3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399394">In terms of performance, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/930" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ledra49.0m (160'9&quot;)ISA Yachts2004">yacht&nbsp;Ledra for sale</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a> engines, delivering a cruising speed of 14 knots and a top speed of 17 knots. Moreover, she offers a range of up to 3,700 nautical miles, making her well-suited to long voyages. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399082/image/large-64b987ec6d589346286f5fde56b0ec0a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399082">

49m ISA Yachts motor yacht Ledra for sale

 The 49m ISA Yachts motor yacht Ledra has been listed for sale with Imperial Sea Marine.


The 28.26-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/121" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palmer Johnson Yachts (Company)">Palmer Johnson</a> sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird28.26m (92'9&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> has been listed for sale with Martin McIntyre of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser</a>. Delivered in 1967, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale" target="_blank">yacht for sale</a> was built entirely in aluminium and has recently undergone a comprehensive refit.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399365/image/large-c799d9cea3510ace756129c8e5005973.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399365">Completed earlier this year, the refit included engine and genset rebuilds, the installation of a <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/316" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Victron Energy B.V. (Company)">Victron</a> electrical system, a full hull repaint and ongoing interior enhancements.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394541/image/large-c96b4ebc0ab5a9453459421e627799d7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394541"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird28.26m (92'9&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> features naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8912" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gilbert Dunham (Company)">Gilbert Dunham</a>, with exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8913" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Timken (Company)">Timken</a> and interiors created by the designer in collaboration with the shipyard.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394540/image/large-3bd64f4dfb231598384875f28fc57a05.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394540" style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, sans-serif; position: relative; max-width: 100%; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 13.6px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Inside, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/firebird-28m" target="_blank">yacht Firebird for sale</a> is defined by a rich Burmese teak interior, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere suited to extended liveaboard cruising. Blending classic craftsmanship with modern comforts, she has been upgraded with contemporary onboard systems, updated navigation equipment and a spa tub.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394536/image/large-a684c5dbb17405c08f59b474c49fe63e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394536">With a volume of 71 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird28.26m (92'9&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a> can accommodate up to nine guests across four staterooms, comprising three double cabins and one twin cabin with an additional Pullman berth.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/394779/image/large-d6ddd3fc90890c8a3031812534068d69.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/394779">Outside, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale/of-type=sailing" target="_blank">sailing yacht for sale</a> offers a practical deck layout centred around a protected cockpit, complemented by a separate aft leisure cockpit for relaxed entertaining. Extensive awnings provide shade while underway or at anchor, while a hydraulic and electric windlass, multiple boarding points and a selection of water toys enhance both convenience and enjoyment on the water.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399376/image/large-82f41c5ca17b0341860a0920d268db0a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399376">Powered by a single <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1497" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Detroit Diesel (Company)">Detroit Diesel</a> engine, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale/built-by=palmer-johnson" target="_blank">Palmer Johnson sailing yacht for sale</a> cruises comfortably at 10 knots and reaches a top speed of 12 knots. According to AIS data, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12413" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Firebird28.26m (92'9&quot;)Palmer Johnson Yachts1967">Firebird</a>, which is registered under the Langkawi flag, is currently located in Thailand.

Palmer Johnson yacht Firebird for sale

The 28.26-metre Palmer Johnson sailing yacht Firebird has been listed for sale.

28m Palmer Johnson sailing yacht Firebird for sale

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5781" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Brabus Marine (Company)">Brabus</a> has announced a strategic partnership with Italian shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1205" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="AB Yachts (Company)">AB Yachts</a> to develop the first range of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5781" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Brabus Marine (Company)">Brabus Yachts</a>. The first model from the partnership is scheduled to make its world debut at the upcoming 2026 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1429" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Monaco Yacht Show (Company)">Monaco Yacht Show</a>, with a second premiere already planned for the 2027 edition.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/399407/image/large-769cb7a03cf589f2f9457025b6024c6d.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/399407">The collaboration will combine <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5781" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Brabus Marine (Company)">Brabus</a>' design philosophy with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1205" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="AB Yachts (Company)">AB Yachts</a>' expertise in yacht construction. Furthermore, the partnership expands <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5781" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Brabus Marine (Company)">Brabus Marine</a>'s portfolio, adding a luxury yacht range alongside the brand's existing collaborations with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5741" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Axopar (Company)">Axopar</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef</a>. Meanwhile, for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1205" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="AB Yachts (Company)">AB Yachts</a>, the agreement brings together the Italian builder's expertise in performance-focused yacht engineering with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5781" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Brabus Marine (Company)">Brabus</a>' signature "One-Second-Wow" design approach."We continue the journey of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5781" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Brabus Marine (Company)">Brabus Marine</a> alongside our partners <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5741" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Axopar (Company)">Axopar</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sunreef Yachts (Company)">Sunreef Yachts</a>, this collaboration opens up a completely new dimension for us –– bringing together our design, our love for bold design, individuality and detail with the incredible expertise of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1205" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="AB Yachts (Company)">AB Yachts</a>," said CEO and owner of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5781" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Brabus Marine (Company)">Brabus</a>, Constantin Buschmann.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1205" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="AB Yachts (Company)">AB Yachts</a>, which joined <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6468" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Next Yacht Group (Company)">Next Yacht Group</a> following its creation in 2025, specialises in motor yachts ranging from the entry level AB 80 to the AB 130. The shipyard is recognised for its aerospace-derived construction techniques, waterjet propulsion systems and advanced trim control technology, enabling top speeds of up to 60 knots.Deputy Chairman of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6468" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Next Yacht Group (Company)">Next Yacht Group</a>, Giorgio Mattei, concluded: "From our very first meeting, we recognized in <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5781" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Brabus Marine (Company)">Brabus</a> the same relentless passion for innovation, performance and bold design that defines <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1205" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="AB Yachts (Company)">AB Yachts</a>. Together, we are creating something truly distinctive: an innovative co-designed product that we believe will leave a lasting mark on the yachting industry."

Brabus and AB Yachts announce strategic partnership to create Brabus Yachts

Brabus and AB Yachts announced strategic partnership to create first range of Brabus Yachts.