This article is featured as a guest post by Michel L'Ortye, the second generation of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8888" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Paul L'Ortye Yacht Insurance (Company)">Paul L'Ortye</a>&nbsp;Superyacht Insurance.In superyacht insurance, ''the difference is rarely found in what is covered, but in how it is worded''. At first glance, two insurance proposals may appear comparable. Similar limits, familiar terminology, and a competitive premium. Yet beneath the surface, the real differences emerge in structure, interpretation, and legal context.We asked ChatGPT to compare two superyacht insurance proposals. The outcome was structured, fast, and seemingly logical. But it also revealed a fundamental limitation: without true contextual understanding, critical differences remain unseen.This article highlights where that gap lies, and why specialist expertise remains essential.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396822/image/large-d04de7387341e559ee1e637ffd910549.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396822">1. Failure to understand layered policy structures and how clauses interact and override one anotherFor example, ChatGPT does not understand layered policy structures or how clauses interact and override one another.Policy wordings are built as layered legal frameworks, where clauses interact, override, or apply conditionally. AI tends to read them as isolated statements rather than as part of a structured system. Each insurer applies its own structure and hierarchy within the wording, often influenced by the applicable jurisdiction and its legal framework.For example, Policy A may state “worldwide navigation,” while Policy B specifies “worldwide excluding war zones.” ChatGPT may conclude that A offers broader coverage. In reality, Policy A may contain a separate war exclusion clause elsewhere in the wording that has the same, or even stricter, effect.2. Comparing apples with orangesOne operates on a Named Perils basis (only explicitly listed risks), the other on an All Risks basis (everything is covered unless excluded). The same term, but a completely different scope. ChatGPT sees “Hull &amp; Machinery” twice and concludes it is comparable, while the difference in coverage for a machinery breakdown or latent defect can amount to hundreds of thousands of euros.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396820/image/large-aa15c287e8791d5230e10db1b947032c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396820">3. Deductibles and sub-limits are overlookedAI tends to focus on the main coverage and premium, while the real differences are often found in the sub-limits. These include maximum payouts per incident for tenders, crew medical limits per person, and differing deductibles for machinery damage versus navigational incidents. Such details are typically scattered throughout the policy and are easily missed.It also struggles to recognise requirements for minimum underlying covers, such as mandatory national healthcare or other primary insurance arrangements. These elements can be critical to the validity and effectiveness of the coverage, yet are rarely identified without expert review.4. What is NOT included remains invisibleChatGPT can only compare what is written. It cannot identify what is missing. No cyber clause? AI will not flag it, because there is nothing to read. A specialist, however, knows what should be there and recognises the gap immediately.It also lacks the ability to properly assess how coverage is structured. Policies may appear comparable, while in reality one is based on an all risks foundation and another on named perils, or where insurers apply their own wording with a tailored definition of “all risks.” These structural differences ultimately determine what is and is not covered, yet remain largely invisible without expert interpretation.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396862/image/large-15929412d50cbaf94d80733c90eaecca.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396862">5. ConfidentialityOwners upload commercially sensitive documents to a public AI. Vessel values, cruising areas, crew details, claims history, all of this is shared with external servers. For high-profile owners, this represents a serious privacy risk.6. “Cheaper = better” biasAI tends to conclude that the lower-priced option offers “comparable coverage.” In marine insurance, however, a lower premium is almost always a reflection of reduced coverage, higher deductibles, or an insurer with a weaker claims reputation. It also lacks the ability to properly weigh subtle but critical differences in policy wording, such as a depreciation clause on masts and rigging, or to recognise exclusions that carry the same practical meaning but are phrased differently, such as a market value clause applied to running and standing rigging, which in practice can largely have the same effect.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/396821/image/large-5911d8a80dbdc0631242e59608f5517a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/396821">7. Jurisdiction and applicable lawThe governing law of a yacht policy determines how policy wording is interpreted at claim stage. The same wording can produce a very different outcome depending on the legal system behind it.This becomes particularly relevant in areas such as disclosure duties, warranties and gross negligence. Under some systems, sailing outside marked channels or ignoring a weather warning may already qualify as gross negligence, with a direct impact on the claim payment. Other systems apply a more proportional approach, or require a much higher degree of misconduct before cover can be reduced or declined.One policy may therefore respond very differently from another, despite similar wording and circumstances. These legal differences can have a major impact on the final claim outcome, yet in practice the governing law is often treated as little more than a footnote.Michel L'Ortye is the second generation of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8888" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Paul L'Ortye Yacht Insurance (Company)">Paul L'Ortye</a>&nbsp;Yacht Insurance, the family business&nbsp;that his father founded in 1978 and which focuses entirely on yacht insurance. Joining the company full-time over ten years ago, Michel has been working alongside his brother Didier, who leads the in-house claims operation. Michel's focus is on the high-end yacht and superyacht segment.

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Michel L'Ortye, the second generation of Paul L'Ortye Yacht Insurance

ChatGPT

Guest author Michel L'Ortye compares an AI insurance proposal to a handwritten one. 

Can ChatGPT create your yacht insurance proposal?

With the launch of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> on Apple TV, Francesca Webster speaks with Daniel van Dongen, Managing Director of YachtEye, and members of the YachtEye team about guest experience, onboard technology and how technology improves the lives onboard for guests and crew.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395397/image/large-c20bcce15417339af8c582a7c69f4dc6.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395397"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a>&nbsp;has now launched on Apple TV, congratulations! Why is this such an important step?Daniel van Dongen: For us, this is a major milestone, it certainly is not just another app. It changes where and how guests interact with yacht and trip-related content.The television is still one of the most important screens onboard. It is in the main saloon, the guest cabins, the owner’s suite and even the outdoor areas. We already had the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> iPad and iPhone applications, which work very well for personal use. But Apple TV brings <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> to the shared screen in a way that feels natural, familiar and easy.Guests can sit down, open <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> and immediately see the itinerary, weather, menus, yacht information, crew profiles, tenders, water toys, bridge data and nearby yachts. It makes the experience more visual and more accessible.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395395/image/large-03b8ef4ef6b649b676e9ff84f28a4da2.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395395">So this is not just about putting the same product on a bigger screen?Ettore Mihaili, Lead Software Engineer: Not at all. Apple TV is not simply about showing the same content on a bigger screen. It creates a different kind of interaction.The TV is often the most visible screen onboard, so it gives guests a very natural way to explore the itinerary, the yacht, the surroundings and everything available to them. For us as a product team, this launch also unlocks a lot of potential. There are several new functionalities we are already working on that become much more powerful now that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> is available on Apple TV.<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1197279812?fl=pl&amp;fe=sh" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> What problem are you really solving for yachts?Daniel:&nbsp;A lot of guest questions onboard are completely understandable, but also repetitive. What time are we leaving? What is the plan today? What is for dinner? Where are we? Which yacht is anchored next to us? Where is the crew from? What water toys do we have?Crew are there to create an amazing experience, not to answer the same basic questions over and over again. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> helps by making that information easy to find and beautiful to look at.&nbsp;It is not about replacing personal service. It is about supporting it.From a development point of view, what was important when building the Apple TV app?Irmin Dzevlan, tvOS Developer: The biggest thing was making it feel native to Apple TV. You cannot just take an iPad interface and put it on a television. The interaction is different, the pace is different and the screen is viewed differently.We focused on making the experience clear, smooth and visually strong. Guests should not feel like they are navigating software. The app should feel effortless: open it, browse, understand where you are, and enjoy the content.The details matter a lot. How the menu moves, how quickly information loads, how readable everything is from across the room. Those things define whether it feels premium or not.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a>&nbsp;is already used on more than 100 yachts. How do you keep the product personal for each vessel? Daniel: Every yacht has its own way of working. Our role is to help the crew make <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> useful for their yacht in the most natural way possible. The platform should not become extra work. It should make things easier. We help and advice the crew to go digital where updates are instant, often even automatically, and where printing becomes old school.&nbsp;That starts with proper onboarding, clear content setup, crew training and regular contact with the team onboard. When <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> is set up well, guests understand it immediately and crew know how to keep it fresh.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/395396/image/large-191ee5bf3fa95fb954e178b7679240fb.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/395396">What kind of content do guests usually engage with most?Daniel: Guests love knowing what is happening and where they are going, so itinerary information and the daily schedule are certainly crucial for most yachts.The Yacht Radar, showing nearby yachts with interior and exterior images as well ad detailed information, is another feature people enjoy because it makes the anchorage come alive.&nbsp;And crew profiles are great because they make the experience more personal. Guests often want to know who is looking after them.The point is not to overwhelm guests with information. The point is to bring together the information they actually care about, in a way that is easy to explore.Where do you see onboard guest technology going?Daniel: I think the best yacht technology will become less visible as “technology”. It should just work. It should feel natural. Guests should not need instructions.People are used to very polished digital experiences in their normal life. When they step onboard a superyacht, expectations are even higher. But the solution is not to make things complicated. It is to make the right things simple.That is what we are trying to do with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a>. Give guests access to the yacht, the trip and the experience around them, without making them ask, search or wait.And finally, what does this launch mean for&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a>?Daniel:&nbsp;It is a big moment for us. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> has been around for years and is already trusted by 100+ yachts, but we are now entering a new phase.The Apple TV app makes the product more complete. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> is now available across the screens guests use most: Apple TV, iPad and iPhone. That creates a much stronger onboard experience.It’s an important milestone, but we’re already working on the next steps. So yes, let’s keep in touch. I think we’ll have more to talk about very soon.

YachtEye Apple TV launch

YachtEye has now launched on Apple TV, SYT finds out more.

YachtEye launches on Apple TV

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo Penta</a> has unveiled details of its new D13 IPS Hybrid propulsion system for yachts, which it aims to bring to market later in 2026. The fully integrated hybrid-electric platform has been developed to combine quieter onboard operation with simplified installation and ownership.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393364/image/large-095283a649343c6db4fcd0dba28b126f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393364">Built on the company’s existing IPS platform, the new system integrates propulsion, electric motors, batteries, energy management and vessel controls into a single package. The system has been designed as a complete helm-to-propeller solution intended to reduce complexity for owners, captains, designers and yacht builders.“Our new <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo Penta</a> D13 IPS Hybrid is a complete helm-to-propeller marine solution,” explained Hanna Ljungqvist, President of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo Penta</a>’s Marine Business. “By delivering a fully integrated package with one point of responsibility, we simplify everything from design and installation to operation and service, while elevating onboard comfort and performance.”The propulsion package allows captains to switch between electric, hybrid and crossover operating modes. In fully electric mode, yachts can cruise at low speeds with reduced noise and vibration levels, while also enabling quieter docking and anchoring operations.&nbsp;Video:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/65671" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Video: Inside the Volvo Penta IPS Professional Platform onboard the Sanlorenzo SX120 (2026-03-27 12:30:00 +0100)">Inside the Volvo Penta IPS Professional Platform onboard the Sanlorenzo SX120</a><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393363/image/large-167678280c1449e411b43037fd6355c5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393363">The D13 IPS Hybrid is compatible with HVO100 renewable fuel and incorporates an aftertreatment system compliant with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4531" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="International Maritime Organization (Company)">IMO</a> III emissions standards. The system’s battery capacity can also support onboard hotel loads without requiring generators to run continuously at anchor.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393378/image/large-b886dfb8a2822376412026103f91e30e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393378">All of the components are connected through <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo Penta</a>’s Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) platform, which integrates features including Joystick Driving, Assisted Docking, Autopilot and Glass Cockpit functionality across all propulsion modes.&nbsp;The compact configuration allows yacht builders and naval architects a complete hybrid electric yacht propulsion solution by offering propulsion, batteries, energy management and controls, therefore reducing the need for multiple suppliers.&nbsp;Video: <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/63875" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Inside Sanlorenzo SX120: Volvo Penta’s IPS Professional Platform debut (2025-07-25 11:45:00 +0200)">Inside Sanlorenzo SX120: Volvo Penta’s IPS Professional Platform debut</a><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393383/image/large-ec706d48f596c663a1fc68470d2e1e63.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393383">“By working as a single partner across the full system, we can support customers from initial design through installation and operation,” added Nicola Pomi, Vice President of Yacht &amp; Superyacht Sales at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo Penta</a>. “This level of co-engineering and collaboration enables more efficient builds, optimised performance and greater flexibility in yacht design.”Owners and captains would also benefit from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5350" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Volvo Penta (Company)">Volvo Penta</a>’s global service network, with support and diagnostics provided by trained technicians and advanced diagnostics, through a single-source propulsion package.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/393359/image/large-8a116190d3b7931d9b1bda072ed373b6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/393359">“This is about delivering peace of mind as much as performance,” concluded Nicola Pomi. “With one partner standing behind the entire system, our customers can focus on enjoying their time on the water, knowing they have access to expert support every step of the way.”

Volvo Penta unveils new D13 IPS hybrid propulsion system

Volvo Penta has unveiled details of its new D13 IPS Hybrid propulsion system for yachts, which it aims to bring to market later in 2026. 

Volvo Penta unveils new D13 IPS Hybrid propulsion system for yachts

Just a year after the e-FIN prototype was introduced, the first all-electric, e-FIN is now living the dream aboard the 51-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1436" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Double Haven51.0m (167'4&quot;)Feadship1993">Double Haven</a>. The refit was completed at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/36" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Derecktor Shipyards (Company)">Derecktor Shipyards</a> in Dania Beach, the result of a perfect collaboration between the crew members on <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1436" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Double Haven51.0m (167'4&quot;)Feadship1993">Double Haven</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5020" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Quantum Marine Stabilizers (Company)">Quantum</a>, BMH, and the yard. The project involved replacing the existing hull unit with the e-FIN 1800, upgrading the original Vosper/Naiad fins to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5020" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Quantum Marine Stabilizers (Company)">Quantum</a>’s XT™ fins, a combination that delivers 80% more lift force at Zero Speed™. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/391200/image/large-45181806aca053d34f2d8259ab28c681.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/391200">It’s all about the CONTROLSIn addition, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5020" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Quantum Marine Stabilizers (Company)">Quantum</a>’s new E6 Control Unit, represents the latest in advanced control technology. This control utilises proprietary algorithms to detect and interpret real-time vessel motion, continuously adjusting fin response to optimise roll reduction performance. The E6 integrates with onboard vessel systems, providing data monitoring and diagnostics, and supports remote service capabilities, enabling predictive maintenance and enhanced operational transparency. The control is the central command centre or “the boss” of the entire system. It interprets system communications and commands, directing stabiliser movement and speed with one purpose: to maintain a safe and comfortable onboard experience.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/391199/image/large-ce8c850d9799cdfe9291cd21b21394be.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/391199">Above: Captain Thomas of&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1436" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Double Haven51.0m (167'4&quot;)Feadship1993">Double Haven</a> Stabiliser Technology &amp; Beyond!The e-FIN merges 40 years of stabilisation expertise with a commitment to delivering cleaner, more sustainable solutions. In fact, this is a system that can even recapture energy!The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5020" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Quantum Marine Stabilizers (Company)">Quantum</a> e-FIN features up to 80% lower energy consumption compared to traditional hydraulic systems. In parallel, service intervals have been extended from 8,000 to 16,000 operating hours, delivering reduced maintenance requirements over time due to Quantum’s focus on lifecycle performance.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/391205/image/large-97f60e977ab52912f0daa9e4370895a7.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/391205">Central to the system is an in-house designed gearbox engineered to withstand up to 10 million cycles, extending service intervals and reducing maintenance frequency. Additionally, the e-FIN is designed to operate more quietly than traditional hydraulic systems. This is achieved through a reduced number of hydraulic components and an optimised gear design, contributing to lower noise levels onboard.Thermal output has also been decreased through the system’s electric architecture. By removing the need for dedicated hydraulic cooling systems, the e-FIN reduces heat dissipation and associated auxiliary loads.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/391204/image/large-ab9e8c0d6d9c62ccdc359b5814968908.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/391204">An integrated energy storage system is incorporated within the platform to smooth power demand during operation. Stabiliser systems typically operate under fluctuating loads, and the inclusion of energy storage helps mitigate these variations, supporting consistent performance.The e-FIN system is available for both new build and retrofit applications on vessels between 40 - 65m. With the first system now in service aboard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1436" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Double Haven51.0m (167'4&quot;)Feadship1993">Double Haven</a> the e-FIN enters operational use following its initial launch, providing a reference point for its application within the superyacht fleet.

Quantum e-FIN onboard Feadship yacht

Just a year after the e-FIN prototype was introduced, the first all-electric, e-FIN is now living the dream aboard the 51m Feadship, Double Haven.

Not your typical electric stabiliser: Quantum’s e-FIN debuts aboard 51m Feadship 

Video: Volvo Penta IPS40 in action

Justin Ratcliffe takes a look at how the Volvo Penta IPS40 features play out where it matters most, on the water. 

Video: Inside the Volvo Penta IPS Professional Platform onboard the Sanlorenzo SX120

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1088" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Numarine (Company)">Numarine</a> has unveiled that its first 26.97-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16347" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Numarine 27XP/0126.97m (88'6&quot;)Numarine2026">Numarine 27XP</a> motor yacht will receive a technological upgrade, with the introduction of the Mk2 Super Silent Pack. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/371037/image/large-f5854a5de5b363fec3975134ed74e80a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/371037">With a launch date of May 2026, the first <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16347" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Numarine 27XP/0126.97m (88'6&quot;)Numarine2026">Numarine 27XP</a> yacht will be equipped with the hybrid power system, allowing her to generate and store power more efficiently so that the yacht can operate quietly, especially at anchor, without relying heavily on diesel generators.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/371032/image/large-2aa60e5af6537506ae3a88038c971d3e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/371032">Developed in partnership with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3601" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sleipner Motor AS (Company)">Sleipner</a> and built around their Hybrid Power Center, the system operates at a higher voltage than the traditional 12 or 24-volt systems, instead introducing a fully integrated 48-volt DC system. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/371029/image/large-2b25390fd9bd7155eee7d3606cfde7a6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/371029">The system combines several energy sources and manages them automatically, with a large 92.8 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate battery system storing electricity. This stored power can then be used to operate systems such as her lighting, air conditioning and stabilisers.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/371028/image/large-af6527f92cb684c379bb3a3cbfb36182.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/371028">As well as this, when the yacht is moving, her main engines will generate electricity and charge the batteries, meaning the generators do not need to run while cruising. The first <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16347" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Numarine 27XP/0126.97m (88'6&quot;)Numarine2026">Numarine 27XP</a> yacht will also be equipped with 5.6 kW of solar panels to help charge her batteries during the day, providing a supplementary source which can be used when at anchor. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/371030/image/large-af599825210214c896b04d67d6c2445e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/371030">The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16347" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Numarine 27XP/0126.97m (88'6&quot;)Numarine2026">Numarine 27XP</a> yacht also uses a smart power management system, which automatically decides how to distribute energy and which power source to use. “The result is quiet, fume-free living at anchor and underway, dramatically reduced generator hours, extended service intervals and lower maintenance demands,” explained Patrik von Sydow, CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1088" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Numarine (Company)">Numarine</a>. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/371035/image/large-76168c93897a6ccbcff8f270dd9299b3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/371035">“With the Mk2 Super Silent Pack and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3601" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sleipner Motor AS (Company)">Sleipner</a>’s Hybrid Power Center, the 27XP establishes a future-ready electrical foundation that combines technical sophistication with the refined, effortless comfort increasingly expected of today’s explorer yachts.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/371036/image/large-e4276bd5d26207ca9f65d8a2917d9862.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/371036">Spanning 149GT, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16347" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Numarine 27XP/0126.97m (88'6&quot;)Numarine2026">Numarine 27XP</a> yacht features interior and exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1211" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Can Yalman (Company)">Can Yalman</a>, with naval architecture penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1212" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Umberto Tagliavini - Marine Design & Services (Company)">Umberto Tagliavini - Marine Design &amp; Services</a>. She is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MAN (Company)">MAN</a> 560 engines, providing her with a top speed of 13.5 knots, a cruising speed of 10 knots and a range of 2,200 nautical miles at eight knots.&nbsp;The first <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/16347" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Numarine 27XP/0126.97m (88'6&quot;)Numarine2026">Numarine 27XP</a> yacht is expected to launch in May 2026. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/371034/image/large-fe3001f9eaa0eb66f9b97a8f730c20ba.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/371034">

Numarine 27XP: First hull to operate with “silent technology”

Numarine has unveiled that its first 26.97-metre Numarine 27XP yacht will be equipped with a Mk2 Super Silent Pack by Sleipner.

First Numarine 27XP yacht to operate with “silent technology”

Sitting across from me is Jelte Liebrand, a fellow Dutchy, fellow yachter, and fellow international. Whilst his life has taken him across the globe, from the lakes of Friesland to the mountains of Sweden, onwards to San Francisco before settling on a boat outside of London, sailing has been a steady buoy in Jelte’s life.&nbsp;<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383454/image/large-c37993812e9d2eebb54df95b9970d8dc.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383454">A matter of life or death“When I was about eight years old, my granddad taught me to sail,” Jelte reminisces, “I’ve been sailing in various places around the world whilst travelling for my career in tech.” Yet it wasn’t until 2014, when taking a sabbatical from his job at Google and partaking in the Clipper Around the World Race, that sailing took a front-row seat in his life and the idea for his own navigational tool was established.“I did one leg, because I couldn’t afford the whole thing, time nor money wise, but it’s an amazing experience; I highly recommend it,” Jelte shares. “You’ll be on a boat in the middle of the Pacific with 20 other people and it’s all about teamwork. You rely on these people literally with your life,” Jelte emphasises, “it’s a fascinating experience.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383451/image/large-5675b5a62ee5b37fcb2c0268a5d62c88.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383451">Whilst navigating their way down from San Francisco to the Panama Canal, Jelte was on night watch, setting course for the sailing yacht yet kept running into outdated technology: “A huge surprise was how outdated the technology onboard this multi-million pound yacht had become”, Jelte shares. “I’m starting at computers, multiple, but none of them are computing anything. I’m computing everything in my head.”Whilst navigating in the dark, Jelte had this feeling that “there should be an easier way to do this.” When navigating a vessel, it’s not just about the most efficient route, but also the safest, one with minimal risk of dangerous cruising conditions. ”I started looking for a way to combine all this knowledge about charts, potential hazards, ocean currents, tides, and weather patterns in one place. That’s where the idea for Savvy Navvy was founded.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383452/image/large-a6476ce2434f305bdf480b1a833ab204.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383452">From Sailing to Start-Up“Returning to work after the race, the idea of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8661" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Savvy Navvy (Company)">Savvy Navvy</a> was running around in my mind, but it didn’t feel like a worthy business endeavour at the time”, Jelte notes. The market seemed too small, Jelte highlights how “there aren’t many people with a 70-foot racing yacht in the middle of the Pacific.” Yet Jelte couldn’t quite let the idea go and starting playing around with it in his spare time, “the technical challenge was really interesting to me; it became somewhat of a hobby.”It wasn’t until he started sharing it with fellow yachters that it became clear that “this could benefit a lot of people, not just those on big racing yachts, but really any vessel out on the ocean”, Jelte reflects. From there it took another three years before quitting at Google and pursuing <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8661" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Savvy Navvy (Company)">Savvy Navvy</a> fulltime. “At some point, it becomes clear that if you want to do this properly, you have to go all in.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383455/image/large-01312e3ebbc60f347e655c04b2785247.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383455">Google Maps for BoatsA start-up comes with all kinds of challenges, “the cliché is it’s a roller coaster, and it definitely is”, Jelte notes. “There are days when you’re on top of the world and you get amazing feedback, but there are also days where you’re staring up at this giant mountain you’re about to climb.” What may have been the biggest challenge yet for Jelte and his team has been getting the right data. “Some of the charts were last surveyed at the time of Captain Cook - that’s not necessarily good data, right? Getting the right data is a huge challenge, not to mention the red tape and two-inch thick contracts accompanying the data.”Together with his business partner, Jelte has managed to gain plenty of data, making the app so successful. He’s coined it the ‘Google Maps for Boats’, nothing how, “if you look at Google Maps, it’s not just maps, there’s so much more data available, such as speed cameras, traffic, even air pollution and restaurant opening times. On the boating side nothing quite like that exists.” The idea of Savvy Navvy is to have a navigational tool that functions similarly to Google Maps, but for boats. “It keeps track of wind, currents, and weather conditions and calculates the best possible route to the destination.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383457/image/large-0476c314bfcae424a58173a3f3808f3b.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383457">More than that, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8661" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Savvy Navvy (Company)">Savvy Navvy</a> informs users to enable informed decision-making, such as where there is sea grass, so you can decide whether or not to drop anchor, whether there’s cloud coverage or if there’s rain incoming. Aside from showing you this data, the underlying algorithm focuses on getting you from point A to B, having already considered all the weather and water data available.&nbsp;“It shouldn’t be me needing to figure out the rule of twelves and whether or not the tide is turning by the time I get to land. All I want to know is where I am going and what time I’m going to get there,” Jelte shares. Jelte’s app doesn’t just focus on the best route, but can also advise whether the journey will be smoother a few hours from now, “the algorithm uses the data in order to provide me with the most up-to-date data and the safest, fastest route to my destination.&nbsp;The trickiest thing for Jelte and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8661" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Savvy Navvy (Company)">Savvy Navvy</a>, is ensuring the recreational boater understands why the app has presented a certain route. “It’s a challenge from a product perspective as well as from a usability perspective, to really highlight why the navigation suggests the routes that it does.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/216752/image/large-b1362b33906142b5ddcb4e7ad0833673.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/216752">Savvy Navvy onboard superyachtsAs of right now, much of the data available is for regions that are frequented by the recreational boater, “that goes from sailboats to motor boats, to centre consoles and even kayakers, jet skiers as well as superyachts.” Whether it’s captains double checking their routes, accommodating for weather conditions, or simply “the ability to share routes and give them to the rest of the crew, even the clients.”Additionally, it’s great for crew “to have an in-pocket navigation, especially around the coastline, it’s where we see a lot of crew benefitting from using <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8661" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Savvy Navvy (Company)">Savvy Navvy</a>.” Whether finding a place to snorkel, swim, or enjoy the watertoys, it facilitates crew experience, and therefore also the guest experience.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383453/image/large-3e911a34c38007a2c7b0ed6a8ff4c6e2.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383453">One of the newest features recently introduced is the ability to draw on the digital chart. “Initially it was designed for passage planning or instructors to showcase what they do, but people use it for race courses, marking a spot for lunch or making annotations along the route.” The app also allows for sharing these annotations, ideal for when travelling with friends or a larger flotilla.The cornerstone of Jelte’s <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8661" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Savvy Navvy (Company)">Savvy Navvy</a> is to get more people out enjoying the water. “There are too many people who get intimidated by getting things wrong. Working to actively break down those barriers, removing that intimidating factor - we want to be the tool that does that.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/383458/image/large-c37a3f28ccbeab7f5d3f4b94f3bc876b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/383458">This article was first published in the <a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/" target="_blank">Yacht Charter Market</a> newsletter.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/newsletter-subscription" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Subscribe</a>&nbsp;to never miss an issue. You can read more <a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.

Jelte Liebrand Google Maps of the Sea

A deep dive into Jelte Liebrand and his company Savvy Navvy, also known as the Google Maps of the Sea

Jelte Liebrand on Founding Savvy Navvy: the Google Maps of the Sea

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a>’s aftersales and service operation has grown alongside the company’s expanding footprint on board the world’s largest yachts, including 11 of the top 50 largest yachts in the world. Speaking with Leon Osseweijer, Head of Aftersales and Services, it is clear the team’s ethos remains simple yet exacting: be present, be proactive, and take ownership until the job is done.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380883/image/large-45b2e120dd0f0a7cc6c8de5ef5d02b8d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380883">A fleet built on trust<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a> now supports more than thirty-five vessels, including several recent deliveries that the company did not integrate at build. “Client trust is everything at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a>,” says Leon. “Challenges do happen in yachting. We don’t talk a problem away, we take care of it. If that means putting an engineer on a plane, we do it right away.”&nbsp;That sense of trust is echoed by clients across the fleet. “<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a> is the best team I have worked with in the industry,” says Simon Hodkinson, CTO of a 100m-plus superyacht. “Their standards, passion, and expertise across installations, servicing, refits, and market-leading products truly differentiate them and create the best possible experience for owners, guests, and crew.”Founded in 2014, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a> has seen its activities grow steadily on both the new-build and refit sectors. Over the summer, the team coordinated works aboard multiple yachts at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MB92 La Ciotat (Company)">MB92 La Ciotat</a>, representing a combined length of nearly 700 metres and spanning a wide range of upgrades and maintenance projects.“That called for a crew barbecue,” Leon adds. “Creating a sense of connection helps people feel part of the wider <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a> fleet. We believe that a sense of belonging builds on that important combination of success to us; having fun and building trust.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380882/image/large-8c9b30c628a83738361fd24569c6a191.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380882">Service firstIn a market where support is often defined by rigid service models, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a> takes a different approach, placing hands-on service and responsiveness at its core. The focus is straightforward: address the issue, support the vessel, and remain involved until it is resolved.“Our priority is making sure the yacht is supported, whatever the situation,” says Leon. “It doesn’t matter how big or small the issue is, or where the yacht is in the world. We take ownership and see it through. The goal is always the same: a seamless experience on board for owners, guests, and crew.”This service-first approach is supported by a five-strong coordination desk and a team that remains technically involved at every level of the company. Even senior management, including Leon himself, stays visible and engaged on board. Central to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a>’s way of working is a close, open relationship with captains and CTOs, rather than reliance on portals or long email threads.“We want to be present and approachable, not communicating from behind a desk,” he explains. “It’s about working together. When the relationship is right, trust follows — and that allows everyone to operate more effectively.”Clients underline the value of this responsiveness. “My experience of working with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a> has been very positive,” says Shaun Norman, AV/IT Officer on a 145-metre yacht. “They’re quick to respond and just as quick to resolve issues. What really sets <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a> apart is their willingness to listen, understand our needs, and tailor solutions accordingly.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380884/image/large-dbfe7dc23a3805da40974073a79a03aa.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380884">Proactive, not reactiveA disciplined, predictive maintenance programme helps remove urgency from many interventions. Each yacht in the ONEXP fleet receives monthly or bi-monthly remote health checks across standardised network and AV systems, supported by endpoint management and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a>’s cybersecurity monitoring. On board, ETOs and AV/IT officers carry out physical verifications, while <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a> compiles structured reports that distinguish clearly between items requiring immediate attention and work best scheduled for upcoming yard periods.Ahead of each season, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a>team conducts room-by-room functionality checks, Wi-Fi surveys, and targeted IT upgrades to stabilise guest-facing systems for months of uninterrupted operation. Underpinning this approach is a practical foundation: pre-configured spares kept on board, comprehensive documentation, and 24/7 remote support capable of bridging time zones from the Mediterranean to Tahiti.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380879/image/large-35404f3d42e42a878b434697acbccd3d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380879">StandardisationFor <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a>, standardisation is a recurring theme across the company and its innovations. Common system architectures accelerate diagnostics, simplify training, and allow lessons learned on one yacht to be applied seamlessly to the next. By working with carefully defined, standardised product packages, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a> ensures every team member understands the systems in depth – both in theory and in practice – drawing on experience gained across numerous yacht projects. This enables faster, more effective support, regardless of which team member is involved.This consistency also strengthens <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a>’s relationships with developers, manufacturers, and suppliers across the market. With a large number of similar installations delivered throughout the fleet, feedback is direct and informed, supporting continuous product improvement and more effective long-term support.Core values on the shop floorLeon credits <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a>’s success to the specialists who live the company’s core values of ownership, no-nonsense, and excellence (ONE). “It’s that genuine dedication and passion for technology that clients feel,” he says.For many owners and crew, this visible commitment is what defines the company. “<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a> delivered exceptional results, from planning to commissioning on our 70-metre-plus AV/IT refit,” says Kane Spalding, ETO on a 70-metre-plus yacht. “Their ongoing support and aftersales service have been first-class – proactive, fast, and discreet. In every respect, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a>’s bespoke service sets the standard for AV/IT integration and service in the yachting industry.”Crucially, feedback loops between service and new build ensure real-world experience feeds directly back into design, integration, and future innovation. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/380880/image/large-3679008c19246533a53b2f6b1c6c46d1.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/380880">Training and what comes nextTraining is embedded from pre-delivery onwards. CTOs are invited to Rotterdam for hands-on sessions, followed by continued support during commissioning and throughout the yacht’s operational life. Looking ahead, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a> is developing the next generation of support infrastructure, including a dedicated portal designed to bring together service, communication, and client feedback, while allowing clients greater involvement in ongoing product development.As the fleet continues to grow, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a>’s focus remains unchanged: long-term relationships built on trust, expertise, and presence on board. Follow <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ONEXP (Company)">ONEXP</a> to stay up to date with future developments, innovations, technology, and get a view behind the scenes of the team delivering it all.&nbsp;

Aftersales and support at ONEXP

We sit down with Leon head of aftersales and services at ONEXP to understand what sets the company apart.

Delivery is just the beginning: Aftersales and support at the heart of ONEXP

The 68.85-metre sailing yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Zero</a> is nearing completion at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/34" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vitters Shipyard (Company)">Vitters Shipyard</a>, representing one of the most ambitious and forward-thinking sustainability projects ever undertaken in yacht building. Developed in collaboration with the open-source platform Foundationº (Foundation Zero) – a renewables-focused non-profit organisation – and realised by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/34" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vitters Shipyard (Company)">Vitters Shipyard</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Zero</a> is a proof-of-concept project designed to demonstrate what is possible in truly emission-free yachting. The yacht’s journey reflects a wider mission: to inspire, share knowledge, and ignite a shift in mindset across the maritime industry.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/365568/image/large-ddd95d9367bf908ff3b5c55c8692405f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/365568">A shared vision for progress Eduard van Benthem, Project Manager for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Zero</a> and Executive Director at Foundationº, describes the project as a tangible manifestation of the foundation’s mission: “Inspire, create and share knowledge to drive sustainable, innovative solutions.” He explains, “While the foundation focuses on creating and sharing knowledge, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Zero</a> serves as a concrete example of how this knowledge can be applied in practice.” The collaboration with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/34" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vitters Shipyard (Company)">Vitters</a>, alongside <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/230" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dykstra Naval Architects (Company)">Dykstra Naval Architects</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/15" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vripack (Company)">Vripack</a>, was born out of a shared philosophy rather than a conventional shipyard-client relationship. “From the outset, it was clear that the Zero project could only succeed if all parties were aligned not just technically but also mentally,” says van Benthem. “The project revolves around collaboration based on trust, openness, and a joint ambition to create something truly new.” This approach proved essential given the project’s radical departure from traditional yacht-building frameworks. “Almost everything had to be developed during the process itself,” he adds. “This requires not only technical expertise but also flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to discover together.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/34" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vitters Shipyard (Company)">Vitters</a>’ Project Manager, Gerrit Jongman, echoes this sentiment: “A big challenge was, and still is, the integration of all the new technologies in a superyacht build where space is limited, combined with the fact that also during the build developments are still ongoing which bring up new requirements.” He notes that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Zero</a> has redefined how <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/34" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vitters Shipyard (Company)">Vitters</a> manages collaboration. “Where normally the yard is used to working from a fixed specification, on this project the end goal regarding technology has always been a moving target,” he says. “This has been very inspiring and has pushed the final product to a higher level.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/365563/image/large-a86ed4f2cc44ee076dc65c02c70a6515.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/365563">Technology and design: rethinking the fundamentals What makes <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Zero</a> distinct is its complete re-evaluation of yacht design from an energy-first perspective. “At Project <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Zero</a>, the focus is first and foremost on innovation, not optimisation,” says van Benthem. “We do not take energy and energy balance for granted. Once these are fully integrated into the design, completely new insights and solutions emerge.” This philosophy has resulted in a number of groundbreaking approaches, from rethinking insulation and heat management to redesigning the vessel’s entire energy architecture. “Why can a mast not function as a chimney, utilising heat or airflow?” van Benthem poses. “How can we achieve higher insulation with the same weight budget, or higher reliability for the DC electrical network while improving safety?”Inside the yacht, the differences are striking. Jongman explains, “One area where you will really see the difference between a more standard yacht and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Zero</a> is in the engine room. On <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Zero</a>, this area is called the main technical room as we don’t have engines – with no exhausts, engines or generators, a completely new layout could be developed.” Instead, this space houses an advanced energy system that “stores, harvests, and converts energy from various sources to various consumers,” he continues. This integrated energy heart connects systems such as photovoltaic-thermal panels, salt batteries for heat storage, and adsorption chillers – all part of a holistic thermal energy balance.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/365569/image/large-67e757447761f5e96ee40225759f2065.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/365569">Collaboration and cultural change Beyond the technology, both van Benthem and Jongman emphasise the importance of mindset. “The main goal is not only to build an innovative vessel but also to trigger a cultural shift within the maritime industry,” says van Benthem. “We want to show that sustainability and innovation can go hand in hand, and that radically new concepts are achievable when people and companies are willing to collaborate.”Jongman adds that this approach has reshaped <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/34" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vitters Shipyard (Company)">Vitters</a>’ own internal culture: “On <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Zero</a> we have people with all kinds of backgrounds and experiences, also from outside the yachting industry, collaborating on one common project. It is inspiring to see specific works from a different perspective and this is definitely something <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/34" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vitters Shipyard (Company)">Vitters</a> will take away for future projects.”That spirit of openness is at the heart of Foundationº’s work. Through its platform, foundationzero.org, the organisation shares open-source data, design insights, and research findings from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Zero</a> to encourage learning and adaptation across sectors. “We aim to show that openness and transparency are the foundation for real progress,” says van Benthem. “Our IT team works hard behind the scenes to collect, analyse and share data. This allows others to observe and contribute to the conclusions and results we publish.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/365567/image/large-f8e82cf19c8160071e95f17897079b67.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/365567">Looking ahead With commissioning now underway, the project is approaching a pivotal phase. “The next key milestones include the start of commissioning and the phase where we can demonstrate the first proof-of-concept results,” says van Benthem. “Next is, of course, the launch of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Zero</a> – a special moment when the project literally comes to life. But we see this launch not as an endpoint but as the beginning. Once <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Zero</a> is in the water, the real work starts: inspiring, validating, sharing, and improving.”For both <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/34" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Vitters Shipyard (Company)">Vitters</a> and Foundationº, Zero represents more than just a yacht – it aims to be the beginning of a movement. As van Benthem concludes, “<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Zero</a> is meant to serve as a demonstration of what the industry can achieve when people and organisations are willing to challenge traditional assumptions and embrace new ways of designing and collaborating.” Jongman agrees: “This project shows that when parties work with a more open collaboration, where the scopes of the various partners are not completely locked by thick contracts, more can be achieved.”In a sector often defined by refinement and tradition, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12410" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Zero68.85m (225'11&quot;)Vitters Shipyard2026">Zero</a> stands as proof that the future of yachting lies not just in performance and craftsmanship, but in curiosity, collaboration, and the courage to rethink everything.

Vitters Project Zero sustainable yacht

We take a closer look behind Project Zero, the zero emissions yacht at Vitters.

Behind Project Zero: A new chapter in sustainable superyacht innovation

Since <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> launched its first iPad and TV applications for luxury superyachts, the vision has been clear: transform the onboard experience by bringing all essential guest information, including itineraries, menus, crew profiles and tender tracking, into one elegant digital platform.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/371316/image/large-fa609e210c6c3dac3995852a4bca137f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/371316">Over the past 15 years, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> has been embraced by owners, guests, and crews alike, onboard everything from private 30m yachts all the way to some of the largest charter yachts. And while the team knew the product would evolve, they didn’t anticipate how thoroughly these users would reshape its vision, turning it into a tool built as much by the community as by its developers.“Observing how owners, guests, and crew interact with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> has been invaluable,” says <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> CTO Fabian Tollenaar. “Their feedback hasn’t just improved the app, it’s transformed how we think about the onboard experience entirely.”Some requests were straightforward. Crews wanted better control over the information flow, more flexibility in presentation and the ability to showcase the yacht itself. Others emerged over time, including a separate safety feature, tools to loop through upcoming destinations automatically, location pins within the schedule, and simpler ways to add or edit destinations.&nbsp;The team listened. More importantly, they rebuilt. Now, after years of collaboration and refinement, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> is ready to unveil a completely new generation of its iPad and TV applications. At Metstrade 2025, the yachting industry will see this evolution firsthand.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/378277/image/large-cbee5e1dcb6bd2fbf1243015a9b0803d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/378277">The TV Rebuild Starting from the foundations, every line of code has been reconsidered. The result is not simply an update; it's a complete reimagining of what YachtEye can be as a digital guest information system. The new iPad and TV applications retain everything crews rely on, including itineraries, galleries, schedules, yacht radar, tenders &amp; toys, weather, yacht info, crew profiles, Wi-Fi access and menus. But they go further.“This release represents a complete rethinking of the onboard guest experience,” says Fabian. Every feature has been refined with direct input from the people who use <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> every day.”The homescreen has been totally redesigned. It now displays a full-screen map showing the yacht's current position, the route, and the location of any tenders &amp; toys in use. It can also showcase a stunning image of the yacht itself, reminding guests of the exceptional vessel carrying them across the seas. Quick-glance widgets deliver the information that matters most: today's weather at the current location, upcoming stops, the evening's dinner plans.The map functionality has returned, refined and enhanced. Guests can now see their precise position, understand where they've been and toggle between standard and satellite view. For both guests and crew, a remote control feature makes managing screens across the yacht effortless, whether adjusting the saloon display from the bridge or updating lounge screens from the crew mess.Perhaps most impressive is the sophisticated screen-looping system for TV. Imagine a guest lounge display that cycles automatically through today's destinations, weather forecasts, information about passing superyachts picked up on radar, and then returns to the homescreen. The system can be programmed to show exactly what's relevant, when it's relevant, without constant crew intervention.The outcome is a platform unlike any other. No other superyacht software combines live data and guest information in such an intuitive, guest-focused way.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/378278/image/large-9228947915f9a0544655295ceec10c97.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/378278">The Launch The all-new <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> for iPad and TV will officially launch at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/285" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Metstrade - 2025">Metstrade 2025</a>. Visitors to the stand can see the new applications in action, experiencing firsthand how two years of user feedback and development have transformed the platform.In keeping with the team’s hands-on approach, the rollout will begin immediately. From the moment the applications are revealed at the show, they’ll be available to download from the App Store, ready for crews to install and experience onboard.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/371313/image/large-ab6283207009367399129c33c71f9761.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/371313">Looking Forward This release represents more than technological advancement. It's proof that listening matters, that the distance between developer and end-user can be bridged, and that the best products emerge from genuine collaboration. The crews who shared their experiences, their frustrations, and their wishes have shaped something that will serve the industry for years to come.As yachts begin their next chapters with this new platform, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> team is already listening again. Because the best products are never truly finished; they evolve with the people who use them.Experience the new <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> for yourself

A New Chapter for YachtEye

YachtEye launches its redesigned iPad and TV apps, offering an intuitive, guest-focused platform that elevates onboard information for superyachts.

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

Daisy D: 50m Heesen yacht sold

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

50m Heesen superyacht Daisy D sold

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

Sunday Money: 31m Hatteras yacht sold

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

31m Hatteras motor yacht Sunday Money sold

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

Owning the shore thing fleet 

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

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

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

Standardising the bespoke: The engineering behind custom superyacht equipment

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

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

Rafter: Fourth Damen Yachting YS53 yacht on sea trials

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

Fourth Damen Yachting YS53 yacht support Rafter delivered

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

Lusben completes refit of 37m Benetti yacht Kos

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

37m Benetti yacht Kos completes extensive refit at Lusben

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

Moon River: 26m Moonen yacht sold

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

26m Moonen motor yacht Moon River sold

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

Tilse yacht glass in design

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

Engineering transparency: The evolving role of glass in superyacht design

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

Golden Yachts yacht O’Pari in Athens

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

95m Golden Yachts superyacht O’Pari in Athens