One of the world's most appealing industries in the world from a PR and marketing standpoint, yachting often appears as a relatively untouched field to the automotive industry. Yet, over the years, several players from that market tried to venture into yachting.

Ferrari and family



Brands: Ferretti Group (13.2%)

The Italian sports car manufacturer's history in yachting stretches all the way back to 1990 with the delivery of the Riva Ferrari 32. In total, 30 hulls of this speedboat line styled by Ferrari were built. In 2016, a barely used model was auctioned off by Sotheby's in Monaco at a starting price of  €180,000.

Ferrari's most significant step into yachting seems to however have come in 2016, when Piero Ferrari, the son of Ferrari founder, Enzo Ferrari, bought 13.2% of Ferretti Group, the company behind brands such as Riva, CRN and Pershing. Controlled by Chinese conglomerate, Weichai, Ferretti Group posted earnings before tax of €11 million in the first quarter of 2016.

Porsche and family



Brands: Royal Falcon Fleet, Fearless, Kormaran

Through its majority-owned subsidiary, Porsche Design Group, the German company first tried entering yachting with the Fearless 28, an 8.5-meter luxury speedboat reaching top speeds of up to 78 knots, four of which were built.

The German's sports car manufacturer's second attempt to enter yachting came in 2009 with the introduction of a concept for a 41-meter catamaran in combination with Royal Falcon Fleet, a now Swedish-based company that had developed the project for a fractional ownership program with a break down of about 10 owners per RFF135. 

The delivery of the first RF135 was however postponed first from Q4 2010 to 2012 and then later seemed to disappear from the map. Part-built, the catamaran is currently still lying in Oregrund, Sweden where Royal Falcon Fleet offices are now located.

In 2012, Peter Daniell Porsche, great-grandson of Porsche founder, Ferdinand Porsche became a partner in Kormaran, a company trying to bring to market a transforming watercraft capable of cruising in six different positions, including a monohull and a trimaran, which is set to retail for near to €1 million.

Mercedes-Benz




Partners: Baltic Yachts

In 2016, Mercedes-Benz, the famed German car manufacturer, introduced their first yacht designed by Mercedes-Benz Style, a 14-meter luxury speed boat nicknamed, Silver Arrow of the Seas. Powered by twin Yanmar engines of 480hp each, the yacht can reach speeds of up to 30 knots. With a price tag of near €2,5 million, only 10 of these boats will be manufactured at Baltic Yachts for this first edition.

Aston Martin




Partners: Quintessence Yachts

In partnership with Quintessence Yachts, a boat builder based in the Netherlands, Aston Martin have introduced their first 37-foot luxury speedboat at the Monaco Yacht Show last year. Having spent two years in research and development, the A37 will come in two options with top speeds of either 50 or 45 knots.

Bugatti




Partners: Palmer Johnson

The result of a partnership between French car manufacturer, Bugatti and former US shipyard, Palmer Johnson, the Niniette series features several models between 50 and 88 feet. Amongst the project's key amenities are a large sunbathing area on the main deck as well as a spacious living room and a large master cabin on the lower deck.

Lexus




Partners: Marquis-Carver Yacht Group

Lexus, a division of Japanese car manufacturer, Toyota, had recently launched a concept for a 12.7-meter luxury speedboat built by Marquis-Carver Yacht Group in Wisconsin. The proof of concept could reach a top speed of 43 knots powered by twin 440hp Lexus engines but is not set to go into mass production.

Latest News

91m Lurssen’s Lady Lara Listed for Sale
The 91m Lady Lara listed for sale for the first time by Max Bulley of Y.CO. She was built by Lurssen in 2015, features interior and exterior that was made by Reymond Langton Design. Lady Lara stands out among yachts of her size with an extended range, a convenient touch-and-go helipad, and impeccable maintenance and upgrades since her launch, making her ready for immediate cruising.This vessel offers an array of amenities, catering to diverse guest preferences. Guests can relax in the dedicated spa area, work out in the gym, socialize by the teppanyaki grill on the sun deck, or enjoy a cozy night in the onboard cinema. For those seeking aquatic refreshment, there are two large pools. The main deck pool is perfect for daytime cooling and transforms into a dancefloor at night, accompanied by a bespoke music system.The sun deck boasts another pool with a swim-up bar, a teppanyaki grill, and ample space for lounging and sunbathing. An expansive beach club, complete with a sauna and steam room, offers on-the-water relaxation.On the bridge deck, a wellness area focuses on pampering, with a beauty salon, spa-treatment room, massage room, gym, and hammam.The owner’s deck features seamless indoor/outdoor dining with a glass enclosure that becomes part of the interior space. A large private terrace is accessible from the owner's suite, featuring a hot tub and a touch-and-go helipad for extended exploration.The interior is bright and spacious, filled with natural light from large windows. Multiple areas accommodate socializing or private relaxation, ensuring options for everyone. The owner’s deck includes a lounge with a bar, in addition to the owner’s private apartment. On the main deck, a large salon with a grand piano, a formal dining table, and a spacious lounge area await.A spacious glass elevator connects the guest decks up to the bridge deck for ease of access. Six remaining cabins on the main deck, two with fold-out balconies, offer ensuite accommodations. An additional ensuite guest cabin is located on the lower deck.Lady Lara is in turnkey condition, having undergone a €15 million refit in 2022/23, including a full paint job, IT and security system upgrades, new carpets, interior updates, tender refit, maintenance, tank coating replacement, and navigation system upgrade. This comprehensive investment ensures Lady Lara is ready for immediate voyages, setting her apart from yachts of similar size.The yacht’s asking price is EUR230,000,000 and will be displayed at the Monaco Yacht Show.Lürssen is a German shipyard with headquarters in Bremen-Vegesack and shipbuilding facilities in Lemwerder, Berne and Bremen-Aumund. Founded in 1875, Lürssen is one of the world's leading builders of custom luxury superyachts and has launched many of the largest yachts in the global fleet.Credits: Yacht Harbour archive; Y.CO
Futuristic 55m Eco-explorer Unveiled by Dynamiq
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A Closer Look at 45m Gran Turismo UV II
The 45m Gran Turismo is the latest project by ISA Yachts made for a client, who was introduced by Peter Redford and Eugenio Cannarsa of Fraser Yachts Australia. The naval engineering of UV II was handled by Palumbo Superyachts; Enrico Gobbi – Team for Design designed the exterior lines, and Luca Dini Design & Architecture penned the interior design.The interior spaces are defined by expansive windows on every deck and a harmonious color palette featuring gold, sand, and turquoise hues. Natural oak floors with an irregular pattern impart an airy feel to each area. Light oak wood slats set against bands of black lacquered wood embellish the walls and ceilings, adding richness to the interiors while maintaining a harmonious balance.Below deck, four VIP cabins await, including two with convertible twin beds and two with double beds, each with a private bathroom. The beach club at the stern is lavishly equipped with chaise lounges, armchairs, and a bathroom. Forward lies the crew area, accommodating up to eight individuals in four cabins, each with a private bathroom, along with a comfortable dining area and an adjacent laundry.The capacious full-beam owner's cabin is positioned at the forward end of the main deck. It features an entrance hall with a sofa and TV, a bathroom with double sinks, and a walk-in wardrobe. Notably, this area boasts direct access to the forward outdoor lounge via a private staircase.The UV II’s main saloon showcases a generously sized L-shaped sofa paired with two armchairs featuring golden aluminum structures and a coffee table. Two backlit metal sides adorned with a geometric motif lend a pop touch to the room. The expansive external cockpit on the main deck offers semicircular structural sofas with side tables, creating a youthful and vibrant ambiance in shades of gray complemented by emerald and acid green. The large swimming pool is adorned with silver-colored mosaic tiles.Moving to the forward upper deck, you'll find the helm station and the Captain's cabin. Amidships, a circular dining area with 180°-opening circular windows extends to the cockpit. The latter is furnished with structural sofas, armchairs, two coffee tables, and several poufs.The fly deck serves as a secondary, more casual dining area, complete with a bar, a round table extendable to seat up to 10 people, and a sundeck.Constructed with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, the UV II is powered by 2 CAT C32 ACERT engines, each delivering 1300 hp for a top speed of 15.4 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots. A 5-meter tender is stored in the starboard garage on the lower deck, which opens laterally. At the bow, there's a rescue boat, and in the hangar, two jet skis are easily launched with the hydraulic crane.ISA Yachts is part of Palumbo Superyachts network, which also includes: Columbus Yachts, Mondomarine and Extra Yachts. Currently in build are two 80-meter yachts which will serve as the new flagships models for ISA Yachts.Credits: ISA Yachts
Benetti Will Bring Two New Models at the 2023 Monaco Yacht Show
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A Closer Look at Third Unit of Otam 70HT
As the shipyard prepares for its 70th birthday, unit #3 of the Otam 70HT made its international debut at the 2023 Cannes Yachting Festival. The yacht was designed by Giuseppe Bagnardi of BG Design Firm with hull lines by Umberto Tagliavini Marine Design. On special request of the owner, Otam was able to further improve fuel efficiency at speeds in excess of 40 knots, thanks also to the lightweight yet rigid construction in Aramat, Kevlar and carbon fiber.Although the yacht shares some characteristics with its series counterparts, such as the absence of a tender garage and side-access to the aft cockpit, there are notable distinctions. The owner prioritized a spacious rigid sliding rooftop to maximize natural ventilation when at anchor or in motion. Furthermore, marble countertops were crafted from a single block of stone to maintain consistent veining throughout the yacht.The lower deck features three cabins, a galley, and crew quarters with separate access from the foredeck. On the main deck, a dinette and a secondary galley are situated.“Like every Otam, the Otam 70 HT is designed to exceed the expectations of our demanding owners,” says Matteo Belardinelli, Otam’s sales & communication manager. “Without exception they are looking for something unique and exclusive and that means we’re always pushing our own boundaries. This latest delivery is yet another example of our mission to build extraordinary, high-performance yachts that are tailored to every client’s personal requirements.”The shipyard’ history started in 1954 in Liguria. Its professionalism is what made it stand out, very quickly becoming the first authorized Riva yacht Service Center for the Med Sea. In the 80’s Otam fit around 25 yachts for an American builder before starting his own production of Otam 45’ and 55’, earning significant attention. Today Otam has produced around 90 yachts, becoming an Italian specialist, and, together with its custom range, offers a limitless choice between 45’ and 130’.Credits: сourtesy Alberto Cocchi & Alessandro Guerrieri/Otam