The French studio YXXI Yacht Design has unveiled their latest superyacht concept. Influenced by aerospace and car design, this yacht features all you can expect from a modern and comfortable yacht, with additional equipment that makes her unique among all others. Everything is designed to provide guests an incomparable experience with family and friends, around sea, sports and entertainment.
All rooms are equipped with electrochromatic glass windows that can be automatically or manually teinted, to protect from the sunlight and prevent the visibility from outside. An elevator allows easy access to all decks for guests. Style and general arrangement of interior spaces will be adapted to customer's requests.
Upper deck offers generous space for relaxation, under the sun or in the shadow of the mast surface, and a large sunbathing area. The high position allows a wide overview on the environment, and privacy at anchor or when moored in a port. The mast hides an outdoor cinema screen to enjoy movies under the starry sky.
On the middle part of the sundeck, standing as one of the main features of this yacht, is the sports dedicated area. It offers a full-scale tennis court, and all equipment needed to use it as a playground for basketball, football, badminton, golf, or any other sport. An integrated folding net prevents balls from falling in the water, and can also provide protection from the sun. In the front part of this deck is located the owner’s suite, with its own spa and private terrace overlooking the yacht bow. This terrace can also be enjoyed as a closed space thanks to the sliding glass roof.
On the deck below, most of the space is dedicated to 8 main guests suites. The two rear suites open on their own private terrace and spa, with a wide view on the sea. Other suites are surrounded by wide balconies, offering plenty of quiet and convivial space for relaxation. Front part of this deck is occupied by the cockpit and an exterior crew resting area.
The main deck is splitted between private, living and service spaces. Rear part of the superstructure contains the upper saloon and the dining room.Wide doors open on a terrace that can be shaded by a roller sunblind, and then used as an exterior dining room or saloon at any time.The central part is occupied by the galley, food and equipment storage rooms, and other service areas.The front part is occupied by 6 additional guests suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows to offer an open view on the sea. Guests suites have direct access to the foredeck by a folding door in the superstructure.
On the foredeck, the helipad features a lifting platform which measures eleven metres in diameter.When in down position, this platform is invisible and allows normal use of the foredeck for guests.For helicopter landing and take-off, the platform is in high position, giving sufficient clearance around for secured operations.
A wide exterior walkway allows wandering around the superstructure.This all-round walkway makes a 200 meter loop that can be used as a running track. Below the dining terrace is the main terrace and the swimming pool, with large shaded and sunny space available. The swimming pool is 12 x 8 metres large (40 x 26 feet) and 2.75 metres deep (9 feet). Its side walls are made of transparent glass, which creates an astounding view from lower level.
On both sides of the terrace, stairs leads down to the open beach club at water level. When entering the yacht, the first room is the main saloon, featuring relaxing spaces with games and multimedia equipment. Next to the main saloon is a 30-seat movie theater and a video games room. The front part of this deck and decks below are dedicated to service and technical areas, crew quarters and engine room.
For the yacht propulsion, YXXI imagined 2 different solutions, each of them with 2 in-line propellers and a battery bank supplied by autonomous generators.In the first solution, propellers can be driven by both diesel and electric engines via a specific gearbox. An additional small unidirectionnal thruster is installed aft of the hull for easy manoeuvring. In the second solution, in line propellers are driven by diesel engines only, and an additional electric azimuthing pod allows silent navigation and easy manoeuvring.
In both cases, at cruise speed the yacht is driven by diesel engines working at their nominal speed for maximum fuel savings and emissions reduction. At low speed, only silent electrical energy is used. At high speed, diesel and electric sources can be mixed to have maximum power.
At water level, folding hull doors on both sides of the yacht give access to various guests and service areas. Port and starboard sides, the 2 most forward hull doors open on entertainment equipment never seen on a yacht before : a golf and a surfing indoor practice installations. With open or closed doors, guests can still improve their surfing or golfing skills at any time of the day, whatever the external weather. The next 2 hull doors open on the tenders room, which dimensions make operations easy for tenders up to 12 metres long. Additional available volume can be used to store all sea and ground toys. Port side, another hull door allows boarding and unboarding operations for a submarine.
All needed equipment for submarine and scuba-diving activities is available in the room. Aft hull doors open on the covered beach club, with a wide view on the sea and the swimming-pool glass walls. This volume can be arranged as a saloon to enjoy the sea in calm and comfort, or as a party room at night.Next to the beach club, guests can find a fitness room, a massage room, a hair and body-care room, a spa and a sauna. At the rear of the yacht is the open beach club, with large sunbathes, and space to possibly accomodate additional equipment or furniture.
Heesen Yachts has delivered the 50-meter hybrid superyacht Orion (YN 20750), marking the Dutch shipyard's third delivery this year. The aluminum-hulled vessel completed successful sea trials in the North Sea before handover to its owner.Orion features Heesen's Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) with hybrid propulsion, achieving silent electric cruising at 10 knots. The propulsion system combines two MTU 12V 2000 M61 (IMO III) engines with electric motors, reducing fuel consumption to 45 liters per hour in hybrid mode. The yacht offers a transatlantic range of 3,750 nautical miles at 12 knots (98 liters/hour) and reaches a top speed of 16.3 knots.Ruud vand der Stroom, Heesen CCO"The delivery of Orion is a moment of great pride for everyone at Heesen," said Ruud van der Stroom. "This yacht perfectly encapsulates our DNA: precise Dutch engineering, innovative hybrid technology, and the ability to deliver a high-quality product through dedicated collaboration."Designed by Omega Architects' Frank Laupman, Orion features a vertical bow and extensive glazing. The 499 GT interior by Cristiano Gatto incorporates 37 material varieties including Italian marble and woven leather. Accommodation includes six staterooms for twelve guests, with a main-deck owner's suite and full-beam VIP.Peter van der Zanden, General Manager Design & Development, Engineering and HeesenPeter van der Zanden, Heesen's Head of Engineering, noted: "Our expertise in lightweight aluminum construction, combined with the efficiency of the Fast Displacement Hull Form and hybrid system make ORION exceptional. This synergy reduces environmental impact while enhancing owner experience."Broker Anton Foord of Ocean Intelligence commented: "Orion offers an exceptional experience defined by performance, elegance, and technical innovation." The yacht will be available for Mediterranean charter this summer.Orion represents Heesen's continued focus on sustainable yachting solutions, following previous hybrid deliveries in its 50-meter series. The shipyard currently has five yachts under construction at its Oss facility, with scheduled deliveries through 2026.Heesen Yachts is a Dutch ship building company that specializes in custom-built superyachts in aluminum and steel from 30m to 70m in size. Founded in 1978, it has launched more than 170 yachts since its inception.Credits: Heesen Yachts
June 6, 2025
The judging process for the 2025 Honours awards has concluded in Amsterdam, with three recipients selected from 238 nominations. The winners will be announced at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) opening ceremony on October 28.Organized by The Superyacht Life Foundation in partnership with Pier 66 and FLIBS, the Honours recognize individuals making significant contributions to sustainability, innovation, and social impact within the superyacht industry. An 18-candidate shortlist was evaluated by a panel including Feadship's Farouk Nefzi, designer Espen Øino, Superyacht Times founder Merijn de Waard, and Royal Huisman's Jeroen Sirag.This year's judging panel included external perspectives from Ink Creative MD Jonny Clark and Untold Stories founder Nicola Chilton, who noted the breadth of industry initiatives beyond typical yachting activities."At its core, Superyacht Life is about celebrating the human stories that define our industry," said Dilan Sarac, Executive Director of The Superyacht Life Foundation. "Our 2025 Honourees embody the very best of what this industry can represent."The selection criteria focused on professional achievements, community engagement, philanthropy, and leadership. The three honourees were chosen unanimously following deliberations at Amsterdam's Royale Industrieele Groote Club.The October ceremony will mark the fourth edition of the awards, which aim to highlight positive contributions extending beyond traditional yachting circles. Previous honourees have been recognized for environmental initiatives, workforce development programs, and technological innovations benefiting broader maritime sectors.Credits: The Superyacht Life Foundation
June 6, 2025
Wally has officially presented its latest high-performance racing yacht, the wallyrocket71, during the 2025 Loro Piana Giraglia regatta. The 21.6-meter maxi yacht was developed through collaboration between Wally's technical team, designer Botin Partners, and owner Giovanni Lombardi Stronati, with construction completed by King Marine shipyard.The wallyrocket71 represents Wally's continued commitment to competitive sailing innovation, featuring advanced design elements including twin rudders, a high-performance bulb keel, and a sophisticated 2.7-ton water ballast system capable of transferring sides in approximately six seconds. With a displacement of 12 tons, the yacht is approximately three tons lighter than comparable Maxi 72 class vessels while maintaining similar sail area and power.Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, commented: "First and foremost, I want to express my thanks to the owner, Giovanni Lombardi Stronati, whose trust in this ambitious vision from day one made it all possible. With the wallyrocket71, Wally sets sail into an exciting new chapter in competitive yacht racing, launching a vessel designed to be one of the fastest in its class."Initial sea trials conducted in Valencia demonstrated the yacht's performance capabilities, achieving upwind speeds of 10.5-11 knots and matching wind speed downwind. Adolfo Carrau of Botin Partners explained the design approach: "We started from a blank sheet of paper, asking how we could beat the most competitive Maxi 72s on corrected time. When they were designed, it was to a box rule, so many parameters were already set. Now, as everyone is optimizing their boats under IRC rules, there is a lot more freedom."The racing crew, including tactician Vasco Vascotto and strategist Guillermo Parada, reported positive initial impressions of the yacht's handling and performance. Vascotto noted: "After only a few days on the water, I'm really impressed by both the construction quality and performance." Parada added: "The boat's performance is in line with our expectations: it is a complex and high-performing vessel that requires careful handling but is very exciting."The wallyrocket71 will compete in major Mediterranean events including the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, following its debut at the Loro Piana Giraglia.Wally's racing fleet continues to demonstrate strong performance in the 2025 season, with 15 yachts scheduled to compete across various events. Notable recent results include victories by Wally Cento V at the RORC Nelson's Cup in Antigua and dominant performances by Tilakkhana II at Palmavela. The wallyrocket51, Wally's smaller performance model, has also shown competitive results at the Central and Southern Tyrrhenian ORC National Championship.The remainder of the 2025 racing calendar includes prestigious events such as the Admiral's Cup in Cowes, the Rolex Fastnet Race, and the season-ending Rolex Middle Sea Race in Malta. Wally's growing fleet of performance yachts, ranging from the wallyrocket series to the larger Cento models, continues to establish the brand's position in competitive sailing circles.The wallyrocket71 project represents approximately 18 months of development from initial concept to launch, with the design team focused on creating a versatile yacht capable of strong performance across various wind conditions and course configurations. The yacht's construction at King Marine incorporated advanced composite materials and weight-saving techniques to achieve its target displacement.With the introduction of the wallyrocket71 and continued success of its racing fleet, Wally maintains its commitment to developing high-performance sailing yachts that combine cutting-edge technology with competitive results across international regatta circuits.Credits: Wally
June 6, 2025
Eastwind Yachts has been appointed as the central sales agent for the 114.2-meter expedition yacht Luna, currently available for €270 million. Built by Lloyd Werft in 2010 and refitted in 2015/16, the vessel is undergoing additional refit work before delivery to a new owner.The Newcruise-designed exterior and Donald Starkey interior accommodate 18 guests in 9 suites with a crew of 51. Luna's steel hull and aluminum superstructure provide a 9,500-nautical-mile range at 16.8 knots cruising speed, with a top speed of 22 knots. The diesel-electric propulsion system and ice-class hull enable global exploration in various conditions.Key features include twin helipads, a swimming pool, beach club, full spa with steam room and sauna, cinema, and two tender garages adjacent to a gym. The yacht's stabilization system ensures comfort at sea."Luna represents the pinnacle of expedition yachting with proven global capability," said an Eastwind Yachts representative. The vessel is currently the world's second-largest expedition yacht.Interested parties can contact Eastwind Yachts for viewings and additional specifications.Credits: Eastwind Yachts; Yacht Harbour archive
June 5, 2025
Viken Group, a global marine design firm specializing in cruise ships and superyachts, has appointed Anna Silvesjö as Chief Executive Officer. Silvesjö previously served as Partner and Group Chief Financial Officer of the company, which owns design studios TDoS (Tillberg Design of Sweden), Hot Lab, and Thalia Marine.Silvesjö outlined her strategic priorities for the group: "Viken Group will continue to expand into new market segments while deepening partnerships with clients through our on-brand design philosophy. Our design solutions align with each client's brand identity, culture, and target audience." She emphasized design excellence, commercial performance, and talent retention as key focus areas.Anna SilvesjöA central initiative under Silvesjö's leadership will be the development of Navigator, the group's integrated service platform for maritime projects. "Rooted in decades of experience across cruise ships, expedition yachts, and private yachts, Navigator simplifies the complexity of shipbuilding while ensuring rigorous cost control throughout development and construction," said Fredrik Johansson, Viken Group Co-Founder.The leadership transition occurs as the marine design industry continues to evolve, with Silvesjö representing one of few female executives in the sector. Her appointment reflects the group's emphasis on financial and operational management combined with design expertise.Viken Group's three subsidiaries maintain distinct specializations: TDoS in cruise ship design, Hot Lab in superyacht concepts, and Thalia Marine in naval architecture and engineering. The group currently operates across multiple international markets, serving both new construction and refit projects.No additional executive changes were announced alongside Silvesjö's promotion. The transition takes immediate effect, with Silvesjö assuming full operational responsibility for the group's global activities.Credits: Viken Group
June 5, 2025