The Roman shipyard Canados continues the development of its Gladiator line of fast open yachts and is currently building the first Gladiator 961 Speed. The 29.22-meter yacht features the in-house exterior design, while her modern, fresh and elegant interior is made by Cristiano Gatto Design.
Her hull is made of E-Glass and Vinylester resin lamination using infusion process, deck and superstructure are made of vacuum bagged carbon fiber, and all floors are structural and made of vacuum bagged E-Glass.
All interior furniture, produced in house, are made of lightweight cored material such as high-density polyurethane foam or composite and aluminum honeycomb.
The Gladiator 961 Speed can reach the speed of 50 knots and is available with three different power packages: Twin MAN® 2000 HP with U-Drives and propeller shafts for clients looking for speeds in the region of 38 knots; Twin MTU® 16V 2000M96L delivering 2600 HP; Triple MAN® V12 – 2000 HP for the most speed addicted clients. In the last two cases, engines are coupled to JDM® Surface Drives equipped with JDM® Auto-Trim and Auto-Flaps computer allowing to electronically reach, at a given speed, the best tabs and trim settings optimizing fuel burn. Hull #1, which will be based in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, is currently being built in the triple engine configuration.
As of today, hull number one has been completed, faired, with all structural floors already glassed in, all bulkheads installed, lower deck piping and structural tanks completed and carbon fiber deck in the making and planned to be installed in June with engines going in in July.
Comfort is always a priority, that’s why the yacht features the large transom sun pad which hides a 3,80-meter jet tender launched with a hidden crane. The laminated glass windows recessed on the swimming platform are located above the propellers for easy visual inspection of the transmissions. To add to the excitement, a heavy-duty camera will be installed, recessed in the transom underneath the swimming platform, relaying the images of the three 5-Blade surface propellers spinning on the onboard TV screens. The aft deck offers a lounge area for 12 people with direct access to a wet bar with grill, ice maker and fridge. At night, two carbon fiber poles will take place at each aft corner of the sun pad to install a 1,60 x 2,80 m screen which will turn the entire aft deck into an outdoor cinema. The foredeck is coming with a lounge with two gigantic sofas and an ergonomic sun pad.
The main deck interior is designed with two face-to-face sofas with full height side windows offering unobstructed views of the water. Further fore, the round dining table is separated from the wheelhouse by a floor to ceiling totem equipped with a mirror TV wall. The helmsman will be seated in the exact center line for a better feel of the boat at high speed. Visibility from the wheelhouse is considerably increased by the structureless single glass panel windshield. The lower deck cabins' access stairwell is located to the port of the wheelhouse while, to the starboard side, is the automatic side deck access door to the passageway. An independent stairwell aft leads to the Boffi® galley, crew quarters for four and to the engine room access.
Down below, the boat is offered either with three cabins and a home cinema or four cabins. Hull number one will be a four-cabin layout with the full beam master in the center of the boat, two twins on each side and the VIP at the bow.
The Gladiator 961 Speed will be launched next spring 2023 and will be unveiled to the general public at the 2023 Cannes Yachting Festival.
Located in Ostia, just 7 km from Rome Airport, the iconic Rome based Canados shipyard was founded in 1946 and has successfully delivered over 850 yachts in sizes up to 43 meters. Canados produces 3 product lines, Canados, Gladiator and Oceanic. Canados 80,000 sq. m waterfront facility is located at the mouth of the River, 500 meter from the sea.
Credits: Canados
Zeelander Yachts will present its new flagship model, the 24-meter Zeelander 8, for the first time at the Monaco Yacht Show 2025. The yacht will be located at berth C27 Quai Chicane during the event, which takes place from September 24 to 27.The yacht features a layout with social areas on the main deck, including lounging and dining spaces, along with a galley. The lower deck contains three guest cabins. The master stateroom is positioned amidships and includes windows and a headroom exceeding 2.1 meters. The first hull includes customized modifications, such as relocating the galley to the starboard side of the salon and integrating the bar area with the cockpit.The yacht is equipped with a large targa sunroof and retractable aft doors. Sound levels are reported to measure below 65 dBA at its full speed of 32 knots. The yacht can reach speeds of up to 40 knots with optional larger engines.Each hull is built to owner specifications, with customization handled by the shipyard's engineering team. The exterior design maintains the stylistic features consistent with other yachts in the Zeelander range.Zeelander Yachts was founded in 2002 in the Netherlands by Sietse Koopmans. The first model was unveiled to the public in 2008. The launch model Z44 received positive reviews at the Monaco Yacht Show and drew enormous crowds, despite being at an event dominated by much larger yachts. Within three years, the Z44 had been successfully introduced to the US as well as Europe, and it was an obvious direction to add a larger model to the fleet. The first Z55 was delivered in November 2015, and the flagship Z72 was launched in March 2019.Credit: Tom van Oossanen/Zeelander Yachts
September 16, 2025
Pearl Yachts has established a new French dealership, Pearl France, with an office in Antibes. The facility is located at Avenue de Verdun, 06600 Antibes, in the Port Vauban area. The office is operated by Cenk Efe, Founder and Director of the Mallorca Marine Group 1994, and will serve as the brand's exclusive representative in France.Iain Smallridge, Founder and Managing Director of Pearl Yachts, stated: “France has always been one of the most important markets for Pearl Yachts. With the opening of Pearl France, we are strengthening our presence in the Mediterranean’s most vibrant yachting hub. Cenk’s expertise and reputation are second to none, and we are confident that this new chapter will bring our boutique philosophy and unique approach even closer to every client and brand enthusiast based in France.”Iain Smallridge and Cenk Efe Cenk Efe, Director of Pearl France, added: “We are honoured to be launching Pearl France in Antibes. French clients value elegance, craftsmanship, innovation, and discretion; qualities that Pearl embodies in every detail. The response so far has been exceptional, and we look forward to growing the brand’s legacy along the Côte d’Azur and beyond.”This opening follows the establishment of Pearl Germany and Pearl Gulf earlier this year.Founded in 1998, Pearl Yachts has established itself as one of the UK’s leading shipyards, specializing in designing luxury motor yachts known for their voluminous interiors, opulence, and design excellence. Credits: Pearl Yachts
September 16, 2025
Heesen Yachts has completed the joining of the hull and superstructure for Project Grace, designated YN 21350. The yacht is the first unit in Heesen's new 50-meter Steel class. The operation, which lasted one week, began at the Talsma shipyard in Franeker, where the steel hull was fabricated. The hull was then transported by river and canal to Heesen's facility in Oss, where the main engines were installed prior to the joining procedure.The yacht is equipped with two MAN engines, each rated at 882kW and compliant with IMO Tier III emissions standards. This is the first Heesen yacht to use this specific engine model.Peter van der Zanden, Head of the Design & Development / Engineering Department, commented: "The new 50-metre Steel series gave us the opportunity to select the ideal engine for our brand-new platform. The MAN D2862LE438 was the clear choice, offering a power and efficiency profile that is perfectly calibrated for Project Grace's performance targets."The exterior design is by British studio Harrison Eidsgaard. The design includes features such as low bulwarks and full-height windows. The studio is also collaborating with Heesen's engineering team on the layout to optimize guest and crew areas.Ruud van der Stroom, Heesen CCO, commented: “Seeing the lines of this first 50-metre Steel yacht take shape is a powerful moment—it’s where the vision becomes a tangible reality. We are confident her iconic design will resonate strongly with a discerning owner.”Project Grace is currently available for sale, with a scheduled delivery date in the first quarter of 2028.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
September 16, 2025
Damen Yachting has confirmed the sale of a new 53-meter Yacht Support vessel from its Yacht Support range. The vessel, currently under construction at the company's facility in Antalya, Turkey, is scheduled for delivery in Spring 2026. This announcement follows the recent sale and delivery of the YS53 Emotional, which will be displayed at the Monaco Yacht Show.The YS53 model is designed to provide logistical support for main vessels, with facilities for additional crew, water toys, and helicopter operations. Its features include an expansive open main deck aft area equipped with a 15-tonne crane for handling submersibles, large tenders, and other heavy equipment. The vessel measures 53 meters with a gross tonnage of 499 and can accommodate 8 guests, 10 crew members, and a captain. The exterior design, interior design, and naval architecture were all developed by Damen Yachting.Jan van Hogerwou, Sales Director North America at Damen Yachting, stated: “This YS53 is the perfect addition to the Owner’s existing fleet and provides the extension of facilities the Owner is looking to achieve with the addition of a support vessel. We would like to thank Stuart Larsen for his collaboration throughout this project. We look forward to the remaining build period as we prepare for delivery in Spring next year."The next available delivery slot for a YS53 model is Spring 2028.Damen Yachting, the yacht-building division of Damen Shipyards Group, employs approximately 500 professionals across its Amels, SeaXplorer, and Yacht Support vessel programs. No purchase price was disclosed for the new build.Credits: Damen Yachting
September 15, 2025
Numarine has introduced a new explorer yacht model, the 27XP, at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025. The 27-meter yacht replaces the 26XP model, of which 30 units have been sold.The yacht's exterior design and interiors are by Can Yalman, with naval architecture by Umberto Tagliavini. Two layout options are available: one with five cabins and another with four cabins. The five-cabin configuration includes a main deck VIP cabin, a full-beam master suite below deck, and three additional VIP suites. The four-cabin option moves the wheelhouse to the main deck.The 27XP features an open kitchen concept and enlarged outdoor areas. The flybridge is larger than on the previous model. A raised bow lounge is also included.Twin MAN 560 engines provide a top speed of 13.5 knots and a cruising speed of 10 knots. The yacht has a maximum range of 2,200 nautical miles at 8 knots. An optional enclosed, glass flydeck helm station is available.Ömer Malaz, Founder and Chairman of Numarine, stated: “After keeping our cards close to our chests for a little while as we worked on refining the design, we are thrilled to unveil our latest model, the Numarine 27XP. Longer, roomier and more versatile than her predecessor, she introduces new levels of comfort, light and openness, while still keeping the rugged explorer spirit which defines our XP series. She sets a new standard of elegance and capability in the explorer yacht class.”Numarine, a European high-performance motor-yacht shipyard headquartered in Istanbul, offers a range of yachts from 19 to 45 meters.Credits: Numarine
September 15, 2025