Rebeca is the first in the new Oasis 40 line from Benetti to hit the water, but the semi-custom series with exterior design by RWD is already proving a hit with 13 units sold to date. Enrico Bonetti of Bonetti and Kozerski Architects in New York talk about the interior design and overall concept.
Benetti decided to work with Kozerski as a result of a well-established relationship with Giovanna Vitelli.
"Giovanna Vitelli liked our clean and simple aesthetic and the relationship developed from there. I’m Italian and my business partner, Dominic Kozerski, is English, and we opened our studio in New York 20 years ago. Our European roots mean we’re quite different from the countless other architecture firms in New York.", said Bonetti and Kozerski Architects.
Bonetti and Kozerski Architects continue: "Most studios here divide their work into interior design, landscape design, architecture, and so on. We’re both architects, but we have a more holistic approach to design and our last project, for example, was the new global headquarters for Pace Gallery, a multi-story building of 75,000 square feet where we also developed the interior concept."
"The idea was to develop an unconventional, semi-custom design aimed at new or younger owners who were attracted to a more informal lifestyle on board. Benetti called it an SUV of the sea, or adventure yacht.", said Bonetti and Kozerski Architects.
Bonetti and Kozerski continue: "This was our first yacht project, but we have clients who charter or own yachts and their feedback was that they couldn’t find anything that has the same contemporary spirit or ambience as their own homes, either in terms of style or utility. In our view, yachts tend to be very conformist with spaces developed for specific activities and very little integration.
So we began proposing alternatives, which took a long time as although Benetti wanted something new and fresh, they weren’t necessarily ready for all of our proposals."
"They ran some of our ideas through their broker network and sometimes the feedback was that it wasn’t what conventional Benetti clients were looking for. “Of course not,” we said. “The whole point of the exercise is to attract new clients to the brand!” There was a lot of back and forth and gradually we were able to converge our ideas and find the right balance between innovation and prudence", said Bonetti and Kozerski Architects.
"We certainly wanted to make it cleaner and more coherent than traditional yacht interiors where the materials and finishes change from one space to the next", Bonetti and Kozerski continue.
"The first exterior renders by RWD had a white superstructure and the starting point was to repeat the white inside with the white lacquered wall panels, which together with the teak flooring provide a stylistic connection with the outside.", said Bonetti and Kozerski Architects.
Bonetti and Kozerski continue: "We wanted to keep the palette of materials and finishes discreetly simple, natural and constant throughout the yacht, so in addition to the white walls and teak floors we have rosewood joinery and tan leather upholstery. We try not to use known labels or brands, something we discussed with Benetti, so a lot of the free-standing furniture was designed by us as well. An example is the chestnut wood dining table in the sky lounge, which unusually is placed longitudinally to one side."
"As a semi-custom model, there are variations in terms of materials, finishes and even layout that owners can choose from. One client, for example, wants to have his suite on the upper deck aft where the sky lounge is, but most have chosen much the same solutions as aboard Rebeca. Together with RWD, we’re now busy developing the Oasis 34 concept.", Bonetti and Kozerski said.
Credits: Benetti
The 115.1-meter Lürssen superyacht Ahpo has returned to the brokerage market with an asking price of €340 million, making it the most expensive luxury yacht currently listed for sale. Represented by Alex Busher of Edmiston and Moran Yacht & Ship, Ahpo was originally sold as a new build by Moran Yacht & Ship in 2017 to a repeat Lürssen client and began construction under the codename Project Enzo.Completed in 2021 and showcased at the Monaco Yacht Show the following year, Ahpo boasts a striking design by Nuvolari Lenard, featuring trademark half-moon windows and tapered decks. The yacht was last sold in-house by Moran Yacht & Ship in May 2023, believed to be the largest brokerage deal in history.Designed with both exterior and interior detailing on technical and aesthetic fronts, Ahpo offers accommodation for 16 guests in eight staterooms and four staff cabins. The owner's private duplex includes an exceptional gym, while side decks on the sky lounge deck span 100 meters, allowing guests to take strolls in the fresh air without disembarking.Health and wellness are priorities on board, with a nature-themed spa featuring a massage room, Himalayan salt sauna, and a Turkish-style Hammam finished in vibrant mosaics and ivory onyx. Throughout the vessel, nature is a recurring theme, seen in the artwork, the central staircase depicting an olive tree, and the grand dining room themed around water lilies.Technical highlights include twin MTU 20V 4,000hp engines, advanced systems such as a heat recovery mechanism for warming the swimming pool, dynamic positioning, four Quantum fin stabilizers, and controllable-pitch propellers for low-speed manoeuvrability. The 5,257GT superyacht is crewed by 36 and is equipped with two custom 12-meter IC Yacht guest tenders, rescue tenders, and a commercially certified helipad supporting a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter.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: Lürssen
April 3, 2025
At its recent annual general meeting, the French Nautical Industries Federation (FIN) announced the introduction of a brand-new Paris-based boat show, set to take place in November 2025.The highly anticipated Paris Nautic Show will run from Wednesday, November 26th, to Sunday, November 30th, 2025, hosted at the prestigious Parc des Expositions du Bourget in northeastern Paris. This announcement follows the cancellation of the initial Nautic-en-Seine boat show, which had been planned for April 2025 along the banks of the River Seine. Market conditions led to the decision to cancel the open-air event, originally intended as a fresh iteration of the longstanding Nautic Paris boat show.The newly organized indoor event will be managed by M2O, FIN's dedicated event subsidiary. FIN emphasized the critical role of a Paris-based boat show in supporting the nautical industry amid challenging economic and political environments, serving as a vital platform to showcase resilience and innovation within the sector.Approximately 350 exhibitors and between 300 to 400 boats are expected to participate, occupying two expansive halls totaling 40,000 square meters. Compared to earlier iterations of Paris-based boat shows, the duration of the event has been streamlined to align better with the global exhibition calendar.The show's leadership team comprises experienced professionals, including Jean-Paul Chapeleau as President, Christophe Vieux as Managing Director, Caroline Popovici as Deputy Commissioner General and Operations Director, and Guillaume Verbrugghe as Deputy Commissioner General and Commercial Director. At the general meeting, they unveiled the event's new branding, including its distinctive logo and marketing materials, marking the official start of commercial activities for the show.Credits: jerileecornelio/unsplash.com
April 2, 2025
The 2014 Sunseeker 28m yacht Play the Game has recently been sold through an in-house deal by Northrop & Johnson. Yacht Broker Ed Dickinson represented the seller, while Matt Palmer brought the buyer. Previously listed at €3,500,000, this vessel is part of the esteemed Sunseeker 28m series.Built in 2014, Play the Game has been meticulously maintained by its sole owner since launch. Its extensive refit history includes a 2022 kitchen renovation, complete reupholstering and new carpeting in 2018, along with a thorough 10-year RINA class survey and MCA commercial compliance update during the winter of 2023. The vessel is fully compliant with modern safety standards.One of the highlights of Play the Game is her expansive flybridge and remarkable volume relative to her size, offering unparalleled space for both indoor and outdoor living. With zero-speed stabilizers ensuring steadiness even when anchored, guests can enjoy every moment aboard without discomfort.Inside, her bright, open-plan design features large windows that flood the interiors with natural light. Warm wooden accents blend harmoniously with subtle blue hues and neutral finishes, creating a welcoming atmosphere. An especially notable feature is the drop-down balcony on the starboard side of the main deck – an ideal setting for intimate dinners or quiet mornings overlooking the sea.Play the Game accommodates up to eight guests across four lavishly appointed staterooms. The full-beam master suite boasts a king-sized bed, ample closet space, a cozy seating area, and a beautifully designed ensuite bathroom. Outdoor spaces are equally breathtaking, including an alfresco dining area on the aft deck, a versatile foredeck lounge with sunpads and a dining table, and a generously sized flybridge featuring two U-shaped lounges, dual wet bars, and a retractable hardtop for customizable sun exposure. A hydraulic swim platform provides effortless access to the water and facilitates smooth tender operations.Powered to reach speeds of up to 23 knots, Play the Game, delivers a truly exceptional experience on the water.Since 1969 Sunseeker Yachts has built composite semi-custom yachts from 12m to 47m. The shipyard's main facility is located in Poole.Credits: Sunseeker Yachts
April 2, 2025
Ocean Alexander honors Scott Roberton as the recipient of its 2024 Annual Sales Award, celebrating his exceptional achievements, dedication, and contributions to the brand’s success.Roberton’s career is distinguished by his expertise, integrity, and unwavering commitment to client satisfaction. His extensive knowledge of the industry and deep understanding of client needs have led to outstanding sales results and elevated client happiness.Dan Mundy, Head of Global Operations, praised Roberton, stating, "Scott’s professionalism and passion for Ocean Alexander are evident in every transaction. His ability to match clients with their ideal yacht while providing unmatched service makes him a leader in our industry. We are honored to recognize him with this award."With over 25 Ocean Alexander transactions to his name, Roberton has played a crucial role in introducing new owners to the brand, ensuring they experience the exceptional quality, design, and service that define Ocean Alexander.Reflecting on the achievement, Roberton expressed, "It’s an honor to receive this recognition. Ocean Alexander continues to set the standard in yacht design, usability, and service, making it a privilege to represent the brand. I’m grateful for the support of my clients and the entire OA team, and I look forward to another exciting year ahead."Ocean Alexander congratulates Scott Roberton on this well-deserved accolade and extends gratitude to all its sales professionals for their dedication to excellence.Credits: Ocean Alexander
April 2, 2025
Spanish shipyard Maxim Yachts returns to familiar shores as they participate in the Palma International Boat Show from April 30 to May 3. Making their debut at the event, the company showcases the Max 43 Comfort – a dynamic day cruiser capable of achieving speeds up to 45 knots. Designed by Alex Cherigny and engineered by Isonaval, this 13-meter model exemplifies speed and luxury combined.The Max 43 Comfort is powered by twin 440-horsepower Volvo Penta engines, ensuring swift and stable navigation. Its exterior layout is highly adaptable, featuring two foldable tables and four sofas, one of which comes with built-in refrigerators. The ergonomic helm station houses two double seats and a stylish carbon fiber console, outfitted with state-of-the-art marine technology, including dual 16-inch Garmin screens and 11 analog gauges.The onboard galley is fitted with a ceramic cooktop, sink, and two large refrigerators, with optional upgrades available such as additional refrigerators and an ice maker. Adjacent to the galley is a flexible dining area equipped with a double table and cozy side seating. Inside, the interiors, adorned with high-quality finishes, house a spacious double cabin capable of sleeping up to four guests. The cabin also boasts one of the tallest ceilings in its class, emphasizing both comfort and practicality.Established just last year, Maxim Yachts has quickly made waves in the industry, marking their presence at prestigious global events. Their participation in the Palma Boat Show signifies their commitment to growth and innovation, as they join approximately 300 exhibitors representing the best in maritime craftsmanship.Credits: Maxim Yachts
April 1, 2025