The first superyacht ever built by Italian shipyard Fincantieri, the 134-meter Serene was delivered in 2011 to Russian billionaire, Yuri Scheffler. As was later revealed, the oligarch sold his superyacht in July 2015 to Saudi Arabia's deputy crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman for $458 million.
Featuring a salt-water swimming pool, a supersized hot tub, a sauna in front of the sea and a fully-operational helipad, Serene became known in yachting as one of the most inspiring superyachts ever completed.
At the time of her delivery, Serene was the 9th largest yacht in the world, barely topping the Emir of Qatar's 133-meter Al Mirqab and outdone by David Geffen's 138-meter Lurssen, Rising Sun. For the state-controlled Italian shipyard, Fincantieri, Serene was, however, the first yacht the company ever built, having primarily focused on commercial ships before.
Currently the 15th largest yacht, Serene turns heads anywhere she goes, not only due to her giant-like size, but also her exterior lines drawn by Espen Oeino and series of innovations in the interior.
Following the sale, her former owner, Scheffler claimed that Fincantieri's second yacht, the 140-meter Ocean Victory built for Russian billionaire, Viktor Rashnikov, had infringed on his intellectual property by building the superyacht on the same platform as Serene. As a result, Scheffler filled a suit against Fincantieri claiming €20,9 million from the shipyard in damages.
Whereas it is unknown how much exactly Scheffler spent building the 134-meter Serene at Fincantieri, it is widely believed in the superyacht sector that the vessel was sold at a profit by Scheffler to the Saudi Arabian deputy crown prince. As revealed by media as part of the Paradise papers, Serene was sold for €420 million.
At the time of the sale, some publications had reported that the sale was closed within several hours with the buyer having asked Scheffler to vacate the yacht within hours of the purchase. The new documentation that emerged through the Paradise papers leaks, however, tells a different story as the sale took at least 10 days to close. Before it could change hands, Serene had to cruise into international waters.
Stretching over a beam of 18.5 meters, Serene is 6 decks tall and boasts a myriad of amenities that few five-star hotels have. One of her most noticeable features from the outside is her supersized bathtub located aft of the sundeck.
One of the seven pools onboard Serene, the Jacuzzi on the top deck is surrounded by lounging pad for sunbathing. Forward of the hot tub is a fully-stocked, wet bar underneath the yacht's observational deck that features an additional set of sun loungers.
Up on the sundeck is yet another spa pool surrounded by lounging pads, located forward of the deck. This particular pool features bar stools and is connected to a fully stocked bar surrounded by two additional hot tubs. A table for casual dining can also be found in the shaded area of the sundeck.
Serene's interior was designed by British design studio Reymond Langton, incorporating a sophisticated mix of cream and dark colors with wooden fixtures. Offering views from any imaginable vantage point, Serene's sky lounge is equipped with a myriad of sofas, chairs and coffee tables for cocktails and tea.
A more formal location designed for the entertainment of larger groups, the main lounge features white colors with dark tones. At the center of the room is a piano with cocktail tables spread out across the room. Interestingly, this lounge sits just over the main dining room with its chandelier hanging through the two spaces and letting the music spread.
The formal dining area features two tables, capable of each accommodating up to 12 guests, bringing the total to 24 guests. Its layout, however, allows for the possibility to extend the table in order to hold larger banquets. On both sides of the room are floor-to-ceiling windows. In terms of food, Serene features a fire pizza oven as well as a teppanyaki grill.
Each space on Serene features a different set of colors, all coordinated across one central theme that spreads around the yacht with circles both on the floor and on the ceiling to create a sense of symmetry. Some of Serene's unique features include an indoor climbing wall as well as an underwater observation lounge.
The 134-meter yacht can carry a total of 24 guests across 12 staterooms divided into one master suite with essentially an owner's deck, a VIP cabin, three twin cabins and seven double staterooms. Serene carries a crew of over 40 people onboard.
Prior to the yacht being sold to the Saudi Arabian crown prince, Serene was made available for charter to select guests by Scheffler. These have included Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, who reportedly chartered Serene at a price tag of $5 million per week during the summer of 2014.
In addition to her vast interior spaces, Serene's exterior lounging spots have been optimized to best utilize the space onboard the 134-meter superyacht. Forward on the bow, for example, forward of the commercial-grade helipad can be found a lounging spot on the bow of the yacht. Although a long walk from the aft deck, these spaces are often used for maximum privacy when moored in a harbor.
Perhaps the most unique space onboard Serene is her swimming pool located aft of the main deck under a retractable glass roof. Up on the main deck, this opening can be closed with glass panels and is surrounded by lounging areas.
One of the most advanced swimming pools ever built on board a superyacht, it is the key element of the beach club that stretches for a large portion of the yacht's lower deck. Within the pool area are two additional Jacuzzis for the yacht's guests to relax in. On both sides of the yacht are lounging areas with access to the sea through foldable platforms.
Serene's beach club facilities, however, do not stop just with its pool. The superyacht features a full-sized spa with a sauna room with glass doors looking out onto the sea through a foldable platform. Next to the sauna are a hammam as well as a snow room.
Lighting systems were installed throughout Serene's exterior to ensure that the yacht could boast a sleek look at night as well as during the day. During the summer, the yacht could previously often have been seen lighting up Monaco and the Côte d'Azur.
Photo by Julien Hubert
Following her sale to the deputy crown prince of Saudi Arabia, the yacht started spending time in the Persian Gulf. During the summer of this year, Serene ran aground on a reef near Tiran Island in the Red Sea. Some damage is believed to have been sustained to her bow at the time, although the superyacht has been repaired since. Several days ago, she cruised to a shipyard in the Netherlands for maintenance work.
Currently valued at $1,6 billion by Forbes, Yuri Sheffler made his fortune in the alcohol business. Venturing into business in 1993, Sheffler made a series of moves that got him the rights to brands of vodka such as Stolichnaya, which was previously owned by a state-owned corporation. This has put him at the center of long litigations with the Russian government over the ownership of the brand.
Having left Russia for Switzerland and the United Kingdom during the early 2000s, Sheffler is currently the main shareholder in SPI Group, a conglomerate that sells alcohol under 380 brands in 160 countries. Earlier this year he acquired an estate in Scotland at an asking price of £25 million.
In 2014, Fincantieri launched its second megayacht, the 140-meter Ocean Victory which was commissioned by another Russian oligarch, Viktor Rashnikov, whose net worth is estimated at $4.8 billion. Prior to its launch in December 2014 however, Fincantieri was ordered to pay €20.9 million to Serena Equity Limited (the company controlled by Shefler that owned Serene) by London courts.
Shefler's main claim was that Fincantieri had used Serene, on which the billionaire says he holds intellectual property, to develop Ocean Victory which he says is a near sistership. In fact, both superyachts boast an exterior design by Espen Oeino and seem to have similar technical characteristics.
As such, English courts have granted Shefler €13,2 million for the violation of his intellectual property and €7.7 million for late deliveries, which were to be paid by Fincantieri where the Italian government holds a 70% controlling stake. Fincantieri, however, filed a motion in Trieste's Court of Appeals in 2015 to dismiss the fact that London's ruling applied.
Mohammad bin Salman, born in 1985, is the deputy crown prince of Saudi Arabia and currently sits as the youngest defense minister in the world and the first deputy Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.
Julien Hubert
From a technical standpoint, Serene can reach a top speed of 25 knots and cruise at 15 knots. Reportedly, her interior volume comes in at 8,231GT, ie, half of Dilbar, the world's largest yacht by gross tonnage.
Northrop & Johnson has announced the delivery of a new Numarine 37XP explorer yacht to its owner. The vessel, sold by yacht broker Richard Higgins at the end of 2022, represents a significant addition to Numarine’s expanding 37XP Series.The 37-meter yacht is designed for long-range cruising and offers impressive performance capabilities. It features a range of 5,500 nautical miles, a cruising speed of 12 knots, and stabilizers for enhanced comfort during voyages.The yacht’s exterior design, created by Can Yalman, showcases angular lines and expansive dark-tinted windows across all decks. The triple-deck layout includes spacious outdoor areas such as a large beach club, shaded aft deck, and extensive sundeck.Interior features include floor-to-ceiling windows on the main and upper decks, which provide natural light and panoramic views. The contemporary interior design offers spacious accommodations.Richard Higgins commented on the project: “The construction of this yacht was a complex and rewarding journey — one that ultimately resulted in a truly exceptional vessel. While not without its challenges, the project was brought to a successful conclusion thanks to the dedication, experience, and close collaboration of the build team and the buyer’s knowledgeable representatives. From concept to delivery, every stage was met with a strong commitment to quality and a clear focus on achieving the owner’s vision. The result is a yacht that not only meets but exceeds expectations in design, performance, and craftsmanship — a testament to what can be accomplished through expertise, perseverance, and an effective team.”This delivery strengthens the reputation of the 37XP Series, which continues to attract owners seeking a capable platform for worldwide cruising with a focus on style and comfort.Credits: Numarine
June 24, 2025
The 32.7-meter motor yacht Far Niente, built in June 2024 by Turkish shipyard SES Yachts, is now available for sale through broker Dominic Meredith-Hardy of Classic Charters. Combining classic aesthetics with modern technology, the yacht features a fuel-efficient hull design by Hoek Design Naval Architects, inspired by early 20th-century Dutch herring luggers.Constructed with a steel hull and wood-composite superstructure, Far Niente was commissioned by experienced owners as a classic-style expedition yacht. The interior layout accommodates 10 guests across five cabins, including a full-beam owner’s suite on the main deck, along with crew quarters for six.The yacht’s design blends traditional and contemporary elements, with grey-washed oak and white paneling contrasted by exposed timber beams and classic deckheads. The main saloon includes a dining area for 10 and an L-shaped lounge, while the bridge deck offers a TV lounge and an outdoor space with al fresco dining and sunpads.Additional features include tender storage on the foredeck, serviced by a retractable crane. Powered by a single MAN diesel engine, Far Niente reaches a top speed of 11 knots, with a cruising speed of 9.5 knots and a range of 3,750 nautical miles. Key specifications include a 200GT interior volume, a 6.7-meter beam, and a 2.5-meter draft.The asking price is EUR13,000,000.Credits: Yacht Harbour archive
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Pershing celebrates four decades of operations, highlighting its evolution as a brand known for revolutionary yacht designs, advanced technology, and high performance. Founded in the early 1980s by Tilli Antonelli, Fausto Filippetti, and Giuliano Onori, the company initially focused on repairing laminated wood boats. A turning point came in 1985 with the launch of the Pershing 45, developed in collaboration with designer Fulvio De Simoni. This model combined speed and spaciousness, establishing Pershing as a leader in innovation.In 1998, Pershing joined the Ferretti Group, expanding its global presence. The brand further strengthened its international reach in 2012 under the Weichai Group, with notable growth in Asia, America, and Europe. Pershing has consistently introduced groundbreaking technologies, such as surface-piercing propeller systems and water jets with gas turbines, exemplified by the 5,100 HP Pershing 115 in 2004.The current fleet includes the Generation X series (5X–9X) and the GTX range (GTX116, GTX80, GTX70), balancing performance with comfort. The Pershing 140, the brand’s first all-aluminum superyacht, represents its most ambitious project to date.Production takes place in Mondolfo, Italy, at an 84,000-square-meter facility featuring advanced manufacturing and testing capabilities. The site includes dedicated areas for different model ranges, with processes such as PPG-certified dry painting ensuring high-quality finishes."By introducing technological innovations, unveiling revolutionary models, and evolving the brand’s storied shipyard, for forty years Pershing has continued to look beyond the horizon, to where the sea meets the future," the company stated.The Ferretti Group, led by Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi, is now one of the world’s leaders in the construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, with a unique portfolio of brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.Credits: Ferretti Group
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June 23, 2025
Horizon Yachts has completed construction of the 15th hull in its FD80 series, a 24.6-meter motoryacht that will make its European debut at both the Cannes Yachting Festival and Monaco Yacht Show in September. This marks the first FD80 model specifically configured for the European market.The yacht features design collaboration with Dutch designer Cor D. Rover, incorporating an open-plan interior layout with floor-to-ceiling windows. Interior finishes include bleached teak and brushed gunmetal detailing throughout the cabinetry. The owner has specified several custom features, including large-format televisions in both the main saloon and master suite.Accommodations are arranged for eight guests across four staterooms, with a full-beam master suite on the main deck and three additional guest cabins below. The crew area accommodates four staff with direct access to the beach club.Exterior spaces include multiple social areas, with a hot tub and teppanyaki grill on the bridge deck, along with flexible aft deck space that can serve as either a lounge or tender storage area. The foredeck features a dining setup with sunpads.Powered by twin MTU engines, the yacht incorporates Horizon's Skyline superstructure design and a fully enclosed wheelhouse. The FD80 will be available for viewings at both European boat shows before delivery to its owner. The Fast Displacement series represents a significant portion of Horizon Yachts' current production output.Founded in 1987, Horizon Yachts has celebrated 35 years as one of the largest luxury yacht builders in the world as well as the number one builder in the Asia Pacific region. In the past three decades, Horizon has delivered over 855 luxury yachts, with more than 220 of these over 80 feet in length. Popular models ranging from 52 to 150 feet include motor yachts, superyachts, power catamarans, expedition yachts, and fast displacement motor yachts.Credits: Horizon Yachts
June 23, 2025