CRN has launched a new bespoke steel and aluminum yacht Rio (previously known as Project C138). 62m Rio was sold by Alex Heyes and David Westwood of TWW Yachts. The yacht was designed and built by CRN in close collaboration with design and architecture studio Omega Architects, who created the exterior concept, and designers Pulina Exclusive Interiors for the styling inside.
The 62m yacht spreads across four deck superyachts and can comfortably accommodate up to 12 guests in the owner’s suite and the five guest suites. These include two full-beam VIPs, the first one is located on the main deck forward, the other on the lower deck.
Rio is an entirely bespoke yacht, numerous aspects have been carefully conceived to offer the owner family – the discerning distribution and quality of the spaces, with generous indoor and outdoor living areas; a superb wellness lounge and fitness area in the beach club; and the exclusive owner’s deck, a great oasis of intimacy that can also be enjoyed as a social zone.
Rio was constructed at the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard in Ancona, Italy. Its core values include a deep commitment to sustainability, geared to reducing the environmental impact of the production processes. Important examples of this approach in action are the trigeneration and solar-power systems which have helped to cut the yard’s heat and power consumption, by 32% and 79% respectively.
CRN is a historic shipyard and Ferretti Group brand and company that designs and builds fully custom 45m to 95m steel and aluminium yachts. It was founded in 1963 in Ancona, Italy. The Ancona yard spans over 80,000 sq. m and boasts a large historic private marina looking out on the Adriatic, where all the CRN megayachts are made. The fleet now numbers over 400 seagoing vessels, plus several aluminium and light-alloy models built for other Ferretti Group brands.
Credit: CRN
The Italian Sea Group announced today that their 47-meter Perini Navi Art Explorer sailing catamaran has been awarded the coveted "Multihull of the Year" title at the esteemed Boat International Design & Innovation Awards 2025. These awards recognize outstanding achievements in architecture, style, design, and technology within the yachting sector.The ceremony was held on Sunday, February 2nd, in Kitzbühel, Austria, during the Superyacht Design Festival, where industry professionals from around the globe gathered to honor exceptional contributions to the field."This distinguished accolade underscores our unwavering dedication to aesthetic and technical advancement," said Giovanni Costantino, Founder & CEO of The Italian Sea Group. "Art Explorer exemplifies our leadership in the large sailing yacht category, blending pioneering design with eco-friendly solutions – a groundbreaking concept never before realized."Designed by renowned architects Axel De Beaufort and Guillaume Verdier, Art Explorer stands as the world's largest aluminum sailing catamaran. Spanning 47 meters long with a remarkable 17.30-meter beam and soaring 55-meter carbon mast, this vessel represents a truly innovative project – a floating art gallery destined for a two-year global expedition, offering immersive cultural experiences while championing environmental responsibility.The catamaran's deckhouse features 65 square meters of solar panels, capable of producing up to 12 kW instantly and over 200 kW daily. Supported by a robust lithium battery bank, this system ensures zero-emissions energy supply for more than six hours, even under maximum onboard demand. Certified with a "green" class notation, Art Explorer also incorporates catalytic filters to minimize emissions and particulate matter from exhaust gases. All operations in ports and protected zones are conducted entirely in electric mode.Thanks to its state-of-the-art, fully automated sailing rig, controllable by just one individual, the catamaran effortlessly achieves speeds of 10 knots, even in gentle breezes.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: TISG
February 3, 2025
Benetti has announced the appointment of Matthew Walford as their new Area Manager for Australia and New Zealand, starting from February 1st, 2025. This strategic move reinforces Benetti’s presence in a dynamic and growing market.Walford brings over two decades of industry experience, specializing in new builds, brokerage, and refits. His extensive background includes serving as Business Development Manager at Austal | Oceanfast Australia, a prominent aluminum shipbuilding company. More recently, he led the Australian Azimut Yachts sales division as CEO of d'Albora Marine, making him a familiar face within the Azimut|Benetti Group.Daniela Petrozzi, Benetti's Sales Director, expressed her enthusiasm about the appointment: "We are thrilled to welcome Matthew Walford as our Area Manager for Australia and New Zealand. His deep understanding of the local market and vast industry knowledge will be invaluable assets as we continue to enhance our services and strengthen client relationships."Walford himself shared his excitement, stating, "It is an honor to take on this role, and I look forward to playing my part in driving further growth in this promising region."Founded in 1873, Benetti is the oldest Italian shipyard specializing in luxury yachts. Benetti designs, builds and sells composite vessels from 29 to 44m and steel and aluminum boats from 37 to over 100m. The fleet consists of five categories: Class, Oasis, B.Yond, B.Now and Custom to meet all the needs of the market. Benetti belongs to the Azimut|Benetti Group, the largest privately owned luxury yachting group in the world.Credits: Benetti
February 3, 2025
The inaugural 2025 iQFOiL International Games concluded today in Lanzarote, with Johan Søe (DEN 37) and Emma Wilson (GBR 7) emerging as the champions in the men's and women's divisions respectively. Organized by Marina Rubicón, the event attracted 100 elite iQFOiL athletes from 26 countries, marking the beginning of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle.The final day featured the Medal Series, which presented challenging conditions with gusty and shifty north winds ranging from 10 to 16 knots. This new format offered an engaging and dynamic conclusion to the games.Women's DivisionEmma Wilson, the bronze medalist from the 2024 Paris Olympics, maintained her dominant position throughout the week. Entering the Grand Final as the leader of the Opening Series, she won both races, securing her championship title. The Women's Quarter-Final included Islay Watson (GBR 20), Sara Wenneke (NED 33), Theresa Steinlein (GER 799), and Palma Čargo (CRO 9), with Watson and Čargo advancing to the Semi-Final. There, they joined Marta Maggetti (ITA 157) and Anastasia Valkevich (POL 6), with Watson and Valkevich progressing to the Grand Final alongside Wilson and Shahar Tibi (ISR 3). Wilson's consistent performance led her to victory, with Tibi finishing second, Watson third, Valkevich fourth, and Maggetti fifth.Men's DivisionIn the men's division, Johan Søe demonstrated remarkable resilience. Despite leading the Opening Series, he faced stiff competition and recovered from an early crash to ultimately win the Grand Final. The Men's Quarter-Final saw Manolo Modena (ITA 27), Kiran Badloe (NED 9), Rytis Jasiunas (LTU 7), and Adrien Mestre (FRA 4) compete for Semi-Final spots, with Modena and Badloe advancing. They later joined Nicolas Goyard (FRA 465) and Nacho Baltasar (ESP 4) in the Semi-Final, with Modena and Badloe making it to the Grand Final along with Søe and Nicolò Renna (ITA 150). Although Søe crashed during the first downwind, he regained his composure to take the lead in the second race, winning the Grand Final. Modena placed second in the final race, followed by Renna in third and Badloe in fourth.Final RankingsWomen's Top 5: Emma Wilson (GBR 7) Shahar Tibi (ISR 3) Islay Watson (GBR 20) Anastasia Valkevich (POL 6) Marta Maggetti (ITA 157)Men's Top 5: Johan Søe (DEN 37) Nicolò Renna (ITA 150) Manolo Modena (ITA 27) Kiran Badloe (NED 9) Nicolas Goyard (FRA 465) Nacho Baltasar (ESP 4)Next EventsFollowing this successful event, athletes will prepare for upcoming competitions, including the #2 iQFOiL International Games in Cádiz from March 8 to 14 and the Trofeo Princesa Sofía in Palma from March 28 to April 5. The new sails used in these games were well-received, and the new Medal Series format proved effective in highlighting consistent performances.Marina Rubicón and the organizing team received praise for executing a flawless event, further establishing Lanzarote as a premier location for Olympic-class sailing.Credits: iQFOiL International Games
February 3, 2025
The insolvent shipyards owned by Lars Windhorst in Schleswig-Holstein are set to be taken over by new investors. The appointed administrators have presented two buyers, while Windhorst has made a last-minute offer in an attempt to regain control.According to preliminary insolvency administrator Christoph Morgen, the Heinrich Rönner Group from Bremerhaven will acquire the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG). Work at the shipyard is expected to resume shortly, focusing on completing a ferry for the Australian shipping company SeaRoad. The vessel has been docked for an extended period. The Nobiskrug shipyard in Rendsburg, meanwhile, will be taken over by the Lürssen Group from Bremen, as confirmed by preliminary insolvency administrator Hendrik Gittermann.Both shipyards are currently owned by Windhorst’s Tennor Group. Windhorst entered the Flensburg shipyard in 2019 and later acquired the Rendsburg facility. Over time, both shipyards reportedly struggled with financial difficulties, leading to complaints from employees about a lack of orders and materials. Insolvency proceedings were initiated after social security providers filed claims over unpaid contributions. The administrators also discovered over 150 official notices in the offices, including enforcement orders and court documents.Despite the planned takeovers, Windhorst has not abandoned efforts to retain the shipyards.Credits: Yacht Harbour archive
January 31, 2025
The 26.7-meter power catamaran Laniakea, built by Latitude Yachts, is now available for purchase through Northrop & Johnson's yacht broker Ed Cavendish at a price of EUR7,500,000. Scheduled for delivery in 2026, the vessel is constructed from a lightweight carbon-fiber composite and features a shallow draft of 0.62 meters, making it suitable for coastal cruising and accessing shallow waters.The interior, designed by Chulhun Park of Latitude Yachts, has an open-plan layout with a main salon that integrates dining, lounging, and galley areas. Large, angular windows provide natural light and panoramic views. The interior design features beige and cream tones, wood accents, and blue details. Geometric wood paneling and integrated LED lighting contribute to a contemporary aesthetic.The owner's cabin includes a custom window overlooking the water. Guest accommodations consist of two VIP cabins, a double cabin, and an option for two additional cabins, allowing Laniakea to accommodate up to 10 guests. Two crew cabins provide space for onboard staff.The aft deck includes a dining area and a tender platform with a 500kg lift. The foredeck is designed for relaxation, with sunpads, seating, and glass bulwarks.Powered by four BMW-engineered waterjet engines, Laniakea has a top speed of 26 knots and a cruising speed of 16 knots. The yacht incorporates solar panels on the superstructure and smart onboard systems for navigation, climate control, and entertainment. It is also capable of silent operation for up to six hours.Established in 2007, Latitude Yachts quickly gained recognition when its Quality Management System was certified by Bureau Veritas in 2011. By 2016, the shipyard launched the ocean-class trimarans, including the renowned Galaxy of Happiness.Credits: Northrop & Johnson
January 31, 2025