Benetti celebrated its 150th year anniversary. To celebrate this extraordinary milestone, on June the 16th in Viareggio, where the shipyard's history began, Paolo Vitelli, founder of the Azimut|Benetti Group, his daughter Giovanna Vitelli, Chair, and CEO Marco Valle, together with company employees welcomed the local authorities to witness the deep bond with the territory.
Then, on June the 17th, the protagonists of the event were the ship-owners, who were invited to attend an evening at the Livorno Shipyard, which, thanks to its 250,000 sqm area, today represents the largest shipyard in the Mediterranean. Inside one of the warehouses, next to a yacht under construction, Belgian architect and set designer Charles Kaisin recalled the history of Benetti in an extraordinarily creative way and, with more than 50 waiters/actors, entertained the guests with touches of brilliance: dishes served under cloches in the shape of ancient vessels, 'sound' shells from which to hear sounds and voices of a yacht under construction, a 'flying' pianist and soprano, and hundreds of swaying lights.
Outside, the marina hosted some of Benetti’s most iconic yachts, creating a luminous landscape setting: the Odissey III, a 33-metre yacht from the Mediterraneo series, dated 1967; Stella Fiera, the first unit of the Classic 115' series; El Caran that once belonged to David Bowie, and the very latest of the B.Now and Oasis Deck™ series.
Finally, on Sunday June the18th, the Livorno shipyard welcomed employees, their families, and suppliers, offering fun activities, such as visits to the lighthouse and the fleet of boats, sporting activities, such as sailing trials organized by the Antignano Sailing Club, and cultural activities, such as visits to the shipyard museum and the 'Scenari di Cantiere' (Shipyard Scenarios), a show held by the city's Goldoni Theatre.
Throughout its history, the shipyard has achieved numerous remarkable milestones, and we will highlight a few notable ones. One such milestone is the launch of the 'Brigantino San Giorgio' in 1921. In the 1960s, under the guidance of Lorenzo Benetti, the shipyard revolutionized the yachting world by transitioning from wood to steel construction. This marked the birth of the modern megayacht concept, with iconic series such as Delfino, Gabbiano, and Mediterraneo. These yachts evoked the allure of the aristocracy and the international jet set during the era of 'la dolce vita'. Renowned figures like Rainier of Monaco and David Bowie, who enjoyed their holidays on their respective Benetti yachts, became part of the shipyard's legacy. The Beatles were frequent guests of their manager's Delfino Benetti.
El Caran, 1977
As Benetti's reputation continued to soar, Adnan Kashoggi commissioned the most famous yacht of all time, initially named Nabila and later renamed Trump Princess by Donald Trump. The yacht's extraordinary design and luxurious interiors sparked curiosity and excitement. The Nabila became an iconic vessel, immortalized in James Bond's film 'Never Say Never'. The band Queen even paid homage to the yacht in their song "Kashoggi's Boat". However, the success of the Nabila ultimately led to a change in ownership.
David Bowie onboard the El Caran (1977)
In 1985, F.lli Benetti was acquired by Paolo Vitelli, the young owner of Azimut yard. Under the new name, Cantiere Benetti, Vitelli implemented a financial restructuring plan to restore the brand's former splendor. His visionary decision to incorporate composite materials in the new Classic 115' line of 1988 resulted in the sale of a hundred units within just 10 years, setting an absolute record in the nautical world. Vitelli's pioneering approach extended to building the world's first diesel-electric yacht, the Ambrosia, in 2006, anticipating the future of conscious industrial development. He also established an in-house R&D center dedicated to reducing fuel consumption and increasing the use of sustainable materials.
Luminosity
One of Benetti's recent groundbreaking creations is the Luminosity, launched in 2020. With its impressive length of 107 meters, it stands as the largest giga yacht featuring a hybrid propulsion engine. In 2022, the B.Yond 37-meter yacht earned the title of the greenest yacht in its class, thanks to its innovative hybrid propulsion system. During the same year, the shipyard revolutionized the concept of on-board lifestyle with the introduction of the Oasis Deck™ series. Notably, the side-wing sterns that open flush to the water set a new trend in the industry, enhancing the overall yachting experience.
Azimut|Benetti Group was founded in 1969 by Paolo Vitelli, who is still the main shareholder today and Giovanna Vitelli is the President. The Group’s Azimut Yachts and Benetti brands produce over 45 models of yachts and megayachts. With value of production of €1 billion in 2021/2022 and 1.2 billion in 2022/2023, over 2,000 employees, six shipyards and a network of 138 points of sale and service worldwide, Azimut|Benetti Group operates in the European, American, Middle Eastern and Asian markets.
Credits: Azimut Benetti Group
The second hull of the Wallyrocket51 racing yacht sustained damage after being knocked from its cradle during strong winds at Cantiere Rossini in Pesaro on the evening of 20 August.Images of the incident, showing the boat on its side with a broken mast, circulated online and led to speculation regarding their authenticity. Commentators questioned the extent of the damage and the setup of the cradle, with some suggesting a storm had caused the accident.Alfonso Postorino, director of Cantiere Rossini, confirmed the cause. “First of all we are glad that nobody was injured,” he said. “The boat fell down when hit by a strong wind, with gusts above 50 knots, that caused several serious damages all around the city of Pesaro.”Postorino explained that the yacht was resting on a cradle supplied by the owner and noted that high-performance sailing boats are particularly vulnerable when ashore. “These kind of high performance sailing boats are subject to this type of accident when they are ashore, due to their light weight compared to the windage surface,” he said, adding that no other yachts in the yard were damaged and the facility’s painting sheds were unaffected.Cantiere Rossini specialises in yacht refit services, including repainting, and has capacity for up to ten 50-metre yachts on hardstanding and 12 berths for yachts up to 55 metres.The Wallyrocket51 is the first pure racing yacht developed by Wally, launched in October 2024. With a length of 15.5 metres and displacement of 6.3 tonnes, it was designed with Botin Partners for competitive racing under IRC and ORC rules. The model incorporates features such as a trim tab to improve upwind lift and reduce drag.Ferretti Group completed its full acquisition of Wally in July 2025. The Wallyrocket51 was promoted as capable of outperforming TP52s and positioned as a potential benchmark in one-design racing.Technical partners for the project include APM (keel), Cariboni (hydraulic systems), Southern Spars (rigs), Future Fibre (standing rigging), Harken (deck hardware) and Gurit (composite materials).Credits: Ocean Racing
August 22, 2025
Northrop & Johnson has announced the listing of the 31.52-meter custom-built sailing yacht Playmobil. Represented by broker Jochen Brill, the yacht is asking €2,975,000.Constructed for an experienced owner, Playmobil is described as combining performance with long-range cruising capability. According to the broker, she is designed for easy handling with a minimal crew and is suitable for private use. A condition survey carried out in July 2025 confirmed her operational condition, including upgraded systems and sails fitted in 2024.The yacht accommodates up to eight guests in four ensuite staterooms, including a full-beam owner’s suite, a VIP cabin and two guest cabins. Crew quarters consist of two separate cabins. The interior is arranged around an open-plan saloon and galley, with large windows providing natural light.On deck, the yacht features an aft lounge area and a shaded forward seating space. Her teak decks, rigging, sails and navigation systems have been upgraded or serviced within the past year. Equipment includes a Williams tender, two Yamaha SuperJet jet skis and an updated Raymarine touchscreen helm station.Playmobil is powered by twin Mercedes 311hp engines and supported by two Fischer Panda 25kW generators, a Newport watermaker and a hydraulic bow thruster. These systems were tested and verified during sea trials earlier in 2025.Credits: Northrop & Johnson
August 22, 2025
Antonini Navi has confirmed its participation in the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025, which will take place from 9 to 14 September. The La Spezia-based shipyard will be present at Vieux Port – Jetée Nord, Booth 163, where it will showcase updates on several ongoing projects.Visitors will be able to view photographs and videos detailing the progress of the Seamore 34 and Evo 31 yachts, both of which are under construction. The Seamore 34, sold to an experienced owner, is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2026 and will be exhibited at the following year’s Cannes Yachting Festival.At the redesigned Antonini Navi stand, which now includes an outdoor area, scale models of current and future projects will be displayed. These include the Seamore 34, Lounge 43, Explorer 43, XPD 88 and the SUY 110. The latter, designed by Fulvio De Simoni, has been described as a modern interpretation of the Sport Utility Yacht, combining a sporty profile with explorer capabilities.Antonini Navi will also present details of its activities in the wider industry, including its role in the Blue Design Summit, a regional event connecting yachtbuilding, engineering and design sectors, and its past collaborations with Mercedes-Benz. Throughout the show, the Antonini Navi team will be available to provide information to clients, dealers and industry professionals.The shipyard was established in 2020 as a partnership between Gruppo Antonini SpA, an industrial company active in La Spezia since 1943, and industry veteran Aldo Manna. Antonini Navi is based in the Gulf of La Spezia, within the “Blue Mile” district that is home to several major yachtbuilders. Its facilities cover more than 33,000 square metres, with 4,200 square metres of covered space in two sheds, and four construction slots dedicated to yachts of up to 70 metres. The shipyard employs more than 200 people, including an in-house technical team with extensive shipbuilding experience, and offers services ranging from yacht construction to refits, after-sales, berthing and third-party production.Credits: Sculati & Partners SRL
August 22, 2025
Finland’s boating sector is showing signs of recovery after the decline that followed the pandemic, with registrations and used boat sales both increasing over the past year. As of July 2025, the national watercraft register listed 246,000 boats, an increase of 2,928 compared with the previous year. Of these, 214,000 were motorboats.According to the Finnish Marine Industries Federation (Finnboat), growth has been driven largely by the sale of previously unsold stock vessels, which do not appear in first registration statistics. “According to first registrations, the boating sector would appear to be at its lowest point this year. However, the sale of unsold stock boats has significantly boosted the total fleet size. These boats are not visible in the first registration statistics,” said Finnboat CEO Jarkko Pajusalo.Outboard-powered boats have led the growth, rising by more than 2,200 units. While first registrations of motorboats fell by 17 per cent, the total number of motorboats in the register rose by the same proportion. Pajusalo attributed this to the statistical definition of “new” boats as those built in the current or two previous years. He noted that the anomaly created by pandemic-era unsold boats is expected to resolve itself.The Helsinki In-Water Boat Show Uiva Flytande, held in Lauttasaari, Helsinki, drew nearly 11,000 visitors. Exhibitors reported cautious optimism among buyers, with strong interest in larger cruising yachts. Nine such yachts were on display, from builders including Lagoon, Hanse, Dehler, X-Yachts and Beneteau.Samuli Leisti of Ajola Yachts and Hansail said that 2025 is shaping up to be the strongest year in 15 years for his company, with several deals in progress and one new order signed. His brokerage firm Blue Ocean sold 80 used boats by August, exceeding last year’s total of 67. Antti Saarisalo, CEO of Ajola Yachts, also noted strong interest in sailing yachts, with onboard visits matching those of the larger Helsinki International Boat Show held in February.Manufacturers reported positive developments as well. Linex-Boat, builder of Nord Star yachts, highlighted international interest, with visitors from Estonia viewing the Nord Star 42+. Quarken Boats reported new export market openings and strong domestic activity, securing deals, arranging sea trials and issuing numerous offers during the event.Buster remained the leading brand in new motorboat registrations. According to Mercury Marine EMEA CEO Jussi Sepponen, the Finnish market is beginning to recover in line with European trends. “The marine industry often emerges from recessions later than other sectors. Now, however, it feels like we might even help pull the economy upward,” he said.The show also featured small-scale exhibitors, including sailmaker EfxSails, which presented sailmaking services and recycled sail products. “Sailmaking is a design profession, and part of the designer’s role is to understand the sailor’s true needs,” said EfxSails’s Matti Luhtala.The next Helsinki In-Water Boat Show Uiva Flytande will take place from 13 to 16 August 2026 in Lauttasaari. The Helsinki International Boat Show – Vene 26 Båt – will run from 6 to 15 February 2026 at Messukeskus, Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.Credits: Yacht Harbour Archive
August 21, 2025
The 25-meter motor yacht African Wild Dog has been sold in-house at Ocean Independence, with broker Bob Friscia representing both the seller and the buyer.Built in carbon fibre composite and delivered in 2018 by Pershing, part of the Ferretti Group, African Wild Dog is the 18th hull of the Pershing 82 series. She is a Pershing 82 VHP (Very High Performance) model, designed by Fulvio De Simoni with naval architecture by the Ferretti Engineering Department.Accommodation is arranged for up to seven guests across three cabins, including an owner’s suite, a VIP double cabin, and a twin with an additional Pullman berth. Crew quarters allow for three staff. Interior features include a lower-deck media room and an open-plan main saloon with a sit-up bar forward, located just behind the triple helm seats.Exterior deck spaces include a sundeck with a secondary helm station, foredeck lounging and sunbathing areas, and a large aft sunpad. The aft deck connects to a swim platform and a transom garage.Powered by twin 2,638hp MTU engines, the 108GT yacht can reach a top speed of 52 knots and maintains a cruising speed of 40 knots.African Wild Dog was last asking €3,400,000.Credits: Yacht Harbour Archive
August 21, 2025