Europe is known for its centuries-long yachting industry traditions. In Italy, the Netherlands and Germany, shipbuilders have been competing to construct the largest vessels with impressive LOAs of over 160 metres. Still, more humble in their ambitions and opportunities US yacht builders also have something to offer to potential charterers and buyers.
With such prominent names on the yachting arena, as Palmer Johnson, Trinity Yachts or Christensen, US yards dispose of an incredible array of building options, and they are definitely worth taking a look at. Yacht Harbour lists top 10 out of the largest superyachts built on the territory of the USA so far.
#10. Invictus
Length: 65.5m
Builder: Delta Marine
Year: 2013
The vessel is owned by US billionaire and real estate magnate Rick Caruso with his net worth estimated at $4 billion (Forbes), coming from a net of open-air shopping centres he developed around Los Angeles.
Delivered by Delta Marine in 2013, the yacht of a steel hull and aluminium superstructure features a 13.1-metre beam and a 4-metre draft. Within exteriors by Delta Design Group and interiors by Diane Johnson Design, Invictus can accommodate 12 guests across 6 cabins.
Invictus has recently gained much attention in the media with the news that, after sensational win of the World Cup Trophy, US women football team had celebrated the victory aboard the superyacht. It was said that the owner of Invictus invited the team onboard to demonstrate his support for equal pay to the male counterparts, which was the team’s long-time issue.
#9. Blue Shadow
Length: 66.75m
Builder: Campbell Shipyards
Year: 1995
Designed by Francis Design, the yacht was initially said to act as a support vessel for The Golden Fleet of Prince Khaled bin Sultan, son of the late Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. With her initial name ‘Golden Shadow’, she was the first support yacht in the industry.
Designed by Martin Francis, the superyacht features a beam of 11.8 metres and a draft of 4.5 metres. With the power of Deutz engines, Blue Shadow reaches her maximum speed at 16.5 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots, with an estimated range of 13,000 nautical miles.
Blue Shadow features spacious accommodation for up to 20 guests across 11 staterooms. One of the key trademarks on-board is the main deck area suitable for storage of up to 5 boats, a vast dining area and cosy lounge exteriors. In addition to her other toys, she carries a seaplane called the Golden Eye.
In April 2019, the vessel was sold asking €9,950,000.
#8. Global
Length: 67.06m
Builder: Bender Shipbuilding & Repair
Year: 1982
The 1982 Global was designed by Lay, Pitman & Associates with Bender Shipbuilding developing the naval architecture, and interior design created by Kimberly Gonzales. With a beam of 12.2 metres and a draft of 3.7 metres, she has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure.
With a gross tonnage of 1,303 tons, she offers accommodation to up to 12 guests across 6 cabins. Her exterior features include a large swimming pool, a helipad, a davit, and a high capacity crane.
She is powered by Caterpillar engines of 2,450 hp each giving her a maximum speed of 14 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots. Global's maximum range is estimated at 10,000 nautical miles.
She is currently on sale asking $ 6,990,000 through United Yacht Sales.
#7. Explorer
Length: 67.28m
Builder: Candies Shipbuilders (formerly Houma)
Year: 1980
The superyacht was originally built and launched as a 51.8-metre superyacht.
Undergoing an extensive refit in 2011, Explorer saw her hull extended to current 67 metres. Another extensive refit of 2014 encapsulated addition of the owner’s stateroom, private lounge, gym and spa. A movie theatre was installed and all the audio and IT systems upgraded.
Within exteriors by Kirilloff and Associates and interior designs by Joseph Artese, Explorer offers accommodation for up to 8 guests and a crew of 9.
Techno wise, she is powered by GM engines giving her a maximum speed of 12 knots and a cruising speed of 10 knots at 12,200 nautical miles.
#6. Albatross
Length: 72m
Builder: Delta Marine
Year: 2016
Being on a confidentiality agreement, builder the yacht’s builder has not revealed information on her general arrangement, or full design team. Albatross has a 13-metre beam and displaces impressive 1,700 GT.
Similarly to Laurel and a few other yachts by Delta Marine, Albatross has a steel hull with a fibreglass superstructure. Moreover, the superyacht features a side-launching tender garage with an overhead crane, and a hefty davit on the sundeck for another boat or toy.
#5. Laurel
Length: 73.15m
Builder: Delta Marine
Year: 2006
Designed from inside out by Donald Starkey, Laurel was commissioned by experienced owners purposefully for remote, expedition-style cruising. Laurel's interior layout sleeps up to 12 guests across 7 rooms, including a master suite, 4 double cabins, 1 twin cabin and 1 pullman bed.
The yacht’s interior is furnished in eclectic style. Notably, the central staircase spirals around a three-storey-high glass sculpture by Seattle artist Mary van Cline that depicts marine life. In terms of amenities, there are a gym, spa pool and sunbathing zone on the sin deck aft and a complete tender garage on-board.
Laurel is propelled by CAT engines of 2500 hp each to a cruising speed of 15 knots, a maximum speed of 18 knots and a range of 6,000 nautical miles.
She is available for charter from € 472,500 per week via Ocean Independence.
#4. Cocoa Bean
Length: 73.98m
Builder: Trinity Yachts, LLC
Year: 2014
Featuring exteriors by Evan K Marshall & H2 Design and interiors by Evan K Marshall, the 74-metre yacht measures to a 12-metre beam and a 4-metre draft. Within impressive interior volume of 1,590 tons, the superyacht offers accommodation to up to 14 guests across 7 cabins.
Cocoa Bean features expansive deck spaces five decks, also with an extended beach club and swim platform. The superyacht disposes of a 2016 Riva to take guests from ship to shore, as well as a 2016 Chapman with a 300hp engine and multiple water toys including 2 jetskis, a jetsurf, full diving & snorkelling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, waterskis and so one.
Propelled by engines of 2,575 hp, Cocoa Bean reaches her maximum speed at 15 knots and cruises at 12 knots.
She is available for charter from € 550,000 per week via Fraser.
#3. SS Delphine
Length: 78.3m
Builder: Great Lakes Engineering Works
Year: 1921
Built by Great Lakes Engineering in 1921, the yacht went through burning, sinking, being restored, serving as a flagship in WWII and, decades later, restored again, then returning to her original state as a yacht.
With a beam of 10.7 metres and a draft of 4.6 metres, the yacht has a steel hull. She features four-cylinder, triple-expansion steam engines, which are still in use today giving SS Delphine a maximum speed of 11 knots.
The vessel is available for charter.
#2. Aquila
Length: 85.6m
Builder: Derecktor
Year: 2010
Formerly known as Cakewalk, this 85-metre yacht was sold to her current owner at an asking price of €119,000,000 at the end of 2014. Consequently, she underwent a 12-month refit at Pendennis in the UK and had her name changed to Aquila.
The motor yacht can accommodate 14 guests in 7 cabins with an interior design by Dalton Designs and an exterior design by Tim Heywood. She is powered by MTU engines of 3306 hp each giving her a maximum speed of 18 knots and a cruising speed of 15 knots
The largest yacht built in the United States since the 1930s, Aquila's improvement focused mainly on the interior. For instance, the owner's stateroom was entirely remodelled, a 60 square metre private deck was added, while the Jacuzzi was repositioned to the forward sun deck.
Aquila is available for charter from € 945,000 a week through Burgess.
#1. Voyager (Ex: Danah Voyager , Candy Trader)
Length: 91.4m
Builder: Swiftships Inc.
Year: 1997
In fact, the largest American explorer superyacht was built in 1997 as a commercial ship. Meaning the largest superyacht conversion on the territory of the USA, US yacht market player Voyager Maritime Alliance Group (VMAG) has recently announced the successful completion three-year works.
First works done on Voyager included the lengthening of the platform, redesigning the bow area, and adding several superstructure decks for a completely new look. During completion works, the superyacht was empowered with the new generators and took a complete interior rejuvenation.
Overall, the vessel now boasts six decks with a helipad, spa room, dive centre, and extensive storage for tenders and water toys.
Azimut has clinched a prestigious accolade at the Boat Builder Awards 2024, winning in the category of “Collaborative Solution between a Builder and its Supply Chain Partner,” in partnership with Volvo Penta.The awards ceremony, organized by IBI and METSTRADE, took place on Wednesday, 20 November, where the jury honored the innovative technology developed by Volvo Penta, which was first tested in collaboration with the R&D Department of the Azimut|Benetti Group.This groundbreaking project saw the introduction of the first hybrid-electric version of the Volvo Penta IPS Drive on the new Azimut Seadeck 7. This revolutionary hybrid-electric system enables the yacht to moor and navigate in fully electric mode at speeds of up to 11 knots, seamlessly transitioning between electric and thermal motors without requiring an onboard generator. The Hybrid Boost feature allows for powerful acceleration, while the energy recovery system enables regeneration while sailing, and fast charging mode offers quick battery recharges utilizing thermal engines. During anchorage, the onboard batteries can power all services for up to 12 hours, ensuring a serene and completely silent experience at sea. Additionally, the system supports access to zero-emission zones, fully aligning with environmental sustainability.Through this innovative hybrid-electric system and advanced naval architecture, Azimut's Seadeck 7 provides conscientious owners with a means to reduce emissions by up to 40%, showcasing the forefront of solutions available for decreasing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.“We are honored to receive the Boat Builder Awards recognition,” stated Marco Valle, CEO of Azimut|Benetti Group. “By integrating the Volvo Penta hybrid-electric package into the Seadeck 7, we are at the forefront of hybridization for yachts in this segment, improving efficiency and ensuring smooth operation in yachting. This pioneering solution not only minimizes consumption and emissions but also enriches the onboard experience for our customers. We take pride in leading an evolution that will positively impact both our waters and our owners.”“We are thrilled to be recognized alongside Azimut for our shared commitment to advancing innovation and decarbonization in the marine industry,” remarked Johan Inden, President of the Marine Business at Volvo Penta. “Partnering with like-minded pioneers is crucial to redefining the future of boating. This collaboration showcases a winning combination of unique technology and state-of-the-art yacht design, aimed at enhancing efficiency, performance, and the overall boating experience.”Azimut Yachts is an Azimut Benetti Group brand. With its Atlantis, Magellano Flybridge, S, Verve and Grande collections, Azimut offers the widest range of 10 to 40 meters.Credits: Azimut Yachts
November 22, 2024
Turkish catamaran specialist VisionF Yachts has sold the third hull in its highly acclaimed 82ft (24.7m) model series. Construction of this elegant aluminium power catamaran is already underway at the cutting-edge shipyard in Yalova, with its launch scheduled for mid-2025.While the striking contemporary design of this latest vessel mirrors that of its predecessors, VisionF Yachts offers a semi-custom approach, allowing for a unique interior configuration. Adopting a galley-up layout, the design allocates a dedicated corner in the spacious saloon for cooking, thereby maximizing accommodation space in the hulls below. This layout enables the inclusion of a luxurious owner’s suite, three VIP cabins, and two crew cabins. Additionally, this VisionF 82 features a custom jet-ski garage located beneath the bridge deck.The VisionF 82 is establishing itself as a worthy successor to the successful VisionF 80, with multiple hulls already launched. Key highlights of this model include its generous interior volume and expansive exterior deck areas. Constructed from sturdy yet lightweight aluminium, its impressive 9.9m beam and 24.7m length create a lavish living space.The yacht showcases an elegant saloon furnished with parquet flooring and freestanding armchairs, along with guest cabins that offer stunning views of the ocean. For outdoor enjoyment, owners can choose from the shaded comfort of the covered flybridge or the open foredeck lounge and expansive bathing platform to bask in the sun.On the technical front, the VisionF 82 is equally remarkable, capable of reaching top speeds of up to 20 knots. Its sleek twin hulls ensure exceptional efficiency, making for smooth sailing with twin Volvo Penta IPS 1050 drives, while offering an impressive cruising range of up to 4,000 nautical miles.VisionF Yachts in Turkey was set up by Coşkun Bayraktar in Istanbul in 2019, but despite the shipyard’s relative youth it is a brand that is going places in the power catamaran world. In November 2020, VisionF Yachts debuted its first vessel, the VisionF 80. Credits: VisionF Yachts
November 22, 2024
In celebration of its 30th anniversary, the prestigious Monegasque yachting brand Wally has launched the wallybeacon initiative, providing students with a unique opportunity to pitch their innovative ideas. The initiative culminated in a two-day event held on November 18-19 at H-FARM Campus, where 16 international teams competed for cash prizes in three different categories.The wallybeacon event kicked off earlier this autumn with a call for proposals that attracted over 80 students from renowned institutions, including Arsutoria School, Bocconi, H-FARM College, IED, International University of Monaco, and POLI.design. Wally challenged participants to develop ideas in three categories: personal goods, innovative living, and smart services and experiences. The first category focused on footwear, bags, and luggage; the second on multifunctional furniture and functional design objects; and the third on digital products and “phygital” experiences, merging the digital and physical realms.Following an initial selection process, 16 successful teams were each paired with mentors from Wally and strategic design firm MAIZE. They attended business training sessions, received product development support, and were guided through the process of crafting compelling pitch presentations. Participants were encouraged to conduct market surveys, develop business models, and create prototypes, all while emphasizing sustainability.The excitement surrounding the finals was palpable, with Wally Founder and Chief Designer Luca Bassani among the esteemed speakers, alongside notable figures such as Freediving World Champion Alessia Zecchini and International Beatbox Champion Azel. The event also featured ample networking opportunities, culminating in live pitches from the finalist teams.The following projects were honored during the event:3rd Prize (Smart Services and Experiences): WALLY INFINITY by Filippo Dainese, Riccardo Lovisetto, and Alberto Pupulin from H-FARM College, noted for its innovative blend of physical and digital experiences that aligns with Wally’s vision of client well-being.2nd Prize (Personal Goods): JUMP by Julia Baldini, Ugo Bompass, Matteo Bulla, and Matan Laron from Arsutoria School, recognized for its strategic approach to footwear, highlighting functionality and technology integration, particularly in the medical domain.1st Prize (Living Solutions): SAVA by Asia Paganessi, Valentina Panontin, Sofia Rossoni, and Aurora Zottarel from H-FARM College, celebrated for its innovative “space-free” organizing concept that bridges luxury and scalability in product and service offerings.Additionally, a special mention in the Smart Services and Experiences category was awarded to FOUR CORNERS CREW, created by Ksenia Kochineva, Nived Nair, Dhrumil Senghani, and Congyi Wang from Bocconi University.The wallybeacon event successfully showcased the creativity and potential of young innovators, establishing a vibrant platform for collaboration and inspiration. Moreover, it serves as a valuable opportunity for Wally to explore new avenues in design, aligning its brand legacy with the fresh perspectives of tomorrow's leaders. With a rich tradition of innovation recognized by two Compasso d’Oro awards, Wally is poised to expand its influence in new design territories.The Ferretti Group, led by Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi, is now one of the world’s leaders in the construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, with a unique portfolio of brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.Credit: Ferretti Group
November 21, 2024
Quick Group showcased its ambitious sustainability program and 2025 targets at METSTRADE 2024. The program centers on reducing emissions and enhancing the company's carbon footprint, reflecting the Group's commitment to environmental accountability.Since 2024, Quick Group has undertaken a rigorous integration process alongside newly acquired brands to align with its established quality and production standards. This integration focuses initially on enhancing product quality, with plans to fully adopt the Group's sustainability practices and quality systems by 2025. Quick Spa, a key player for years in promoting sustainability, aims to embed these values deeply across all Group operations, making them fundamental to its identity.The Group has set concrete goals for 2024 and beyond, including significant carbon emission reductions and substantial investments in renewable energy sources such as solar power. A core element of the sustainability program is ensuring transparency across the supply chain, engaging business partners to adopt and promote responsible practices. By fostering a collaborative approach, the Group aspires to drive a collective shift toward sustainability throughout its value chain.Plans also include implementing vertical production methodologies and expanding the carbon footprint assessment to various product lines, with an emphasis on lifecycle analysis. The Group is committed to enhancing its circular economy practices, focusing on efficient resource use, waste reduction, and sustainable packaging initiatives.Quick Group is taking concrete actions against climate change, setting measurable targets for emission reductions aligned with a broader decarbonization effort across its supply chain. This includes certifying key products based on energy utilization, aiming for a notable drop in overall emissions by 2025. After achieving a 12.5% reduction in 2023 and a 6% decrease in 2024, the Group is pursuing a transition to 100% renewable electricity, supported by guarantees of origin.To elevate its quality standards, Quick Group plans to extend ISO 9001 certification—currently held by Quick Spa—to all production entities by 2025, with a goal of achieving ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications by 2026. The adoption of these standards will involve implementing rigorous processes and policies to monitor and manage environmental impacts effectively."Building a robust quality system is essential for ensuring compliance and fostering customer trust," remarked Marco Rodi, Chief Operating & Sustainability Officer of Quick Group. He emphasized the importance of investing in quality as a means to secure future resilience while maintaining alignment across all Group companies.In addition to operational goals, Quick Group is committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity within its workforce. The company achieved balanced gender representation in 2024 and aims to further enhance inclusivity through a newly approved inclusion policy designed to ensure a discrimination-free environment. Furthermore, the Group guarantees equitable pay across all positions, regardless of gender, emphasizing the value of its human resources."Sustainability is integral to our Group's philosophy, guiding our actions and differentiating us within the industry," said Rodi. "As consumers and shipyards increasingly prioritize sustainability, we are dedicated to being a comprehensive partner by offering certified, value-aligned solutions while ensuring our suppliers share these principles."Credits: Quick Group
November 21, 2024
The Italian Sea Group S.p.A. has announced the appointment of Gianmaria Costantino as Chief Commercial Officer. In his new role, Costantino will oversee all global commercial activities for TISG.A graduate with honors in International Economics and Finance from Luigi Bocconi University in Milan, and holding a master's degree in Finance from Hult International Business School in London, Gianmaria Costantino is well-equipped for this role. As the son of the company's founder, Giovanni, he brings a personal connection to the organization’s legacy. Prior to joining TISG, he gained valuable experience at Meti Corporate Finance, iM Global Partner, and BDO, where he collaborated with management on various commercial initiatives.Gianmaria CostantinoHaving been a member of TISG's Board of Directors since October 2022, Gianmaria will now lead the company's Sales Team and drive its global commercial growth, reflecting the Group's commitment to stylistic innovation and technological advancement.The Italian Sea Group is a global operator in the luxury yachting industry, listed on Euronext Milan (“EXM”) and active in the construction and refit of motor yachts and sailing yachts up to 140 meters. The Company, led by Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Costantino, operates on the market with the brands Admiral, renown for elegant and prestigious yachts, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, and Picchiotti; the Company has a business unit, NCA Refit, that manages the maintenance and refit services for yachts and mega yachts with a length over 60 meters. Credit: The Italian Sea Group
November 21, 2024