Built in 2016, the 107-meter Ulysses has become the clearest yet definition of an explorer yacht, incorporating swimming pools, spas with a helipad and a myriad of tenders, the largest of which is 22-meters long. Sold just a few weeks ago by her original owner, Graeme Hart, she became the largest brokerage yacht sold so far in 2017 with an asking price of $195 million.
Ulysses' story starts back in 2013 when Graeme Hart, whose net worth is valued at $10.2 billion by Forbes, commissioned the 107-meter yacht (351 ft) from Kleven, a shipyard in Norway that builds commercial ships. According to designers, Hart's choice was driven by quicker delivery times, a better price point than traditional yacht builders and high enough quality standards.
I am very pleased with the quality of the work that has been done by Kleven, and how our organizations have worked together to bring this exciting project to life.
Graeme Hart in November 2014
Hart's statement was however more than just a PR gesture for the Norwegian shipyard. Shortly after his statement on Kleven's quality, Hart signed an order for a new 116-meter explorer yacht with delivery scheduled for 2018. A move that surprised the industry as the first Ulysses was still two years away from completion but made the yacht one of the most anticipated builds of the past year.
In building Ulysses, Hart already had a clear vision of the yacht he wanted to create, having already owned a 60-meter explorer yacht built by Trinity in 2004. The key points of his design brief in creating the 107-meter Behemoth were reportedly to focus on interior volume, aft-facing guest spaces, a fully-functional helipad and large tenders. Ahead of Ulysses' delivery, the billionaire also sold the 60-meter, which is now known as Grand Russalina. The 116-meter explorer currently in build will become Hart's seventh yacht in total.
One of the most astonishing amenities on Ulysses is her large swimming pool, located aft of the upper deck at a height of nearly 9 meters above sea level. Partly covered by the third deck for shade, the swimming pool stretches for 12 meters and is surrounded by lounging areas for her guests to bathe in the sun.
Aft of this 400 square-meter pool deck is an extensive Jacuzzi, surrounded by sun pads, that overlook the yacht's aft. Although an undeniable advantage of being on a yacht is the ability to swim in the sea, Ulysses is purpose built to be able to navigate in remote areas where the sea could be too rough for humans to bathe in, which is when the 100% jellyfish-proof pool deck comes in.
Near the swimming pool is also located a large dinning table, covered by a solid rooftop and ideal for informal lunches during the summer. The table is however in no way the only option on the 107-meter. In addition to many casual tables located all around the yacht's 6 decks, a formal dinning area is located aft of the main deck with direct access to the kitchen for improved service.
Directly opposite from the formal dinning area can be found a wine degustation area with circular walls filled with the most prestigious wines from all around the world. A small bar is also located in front of 4 large windows directly in this area to allow Ulysses' guests to enjoy a glass of wine whilst taking in the view.
Ulysses' hull and superstructure were built by Kleven in Norway with a clear purpose of having a boat that would have no limits in any respect. The expedition style created by New Zealand-based designer Kyle Dick for the yacht's exterior is a clear translation of this philosophy.
The interior outfitting, penned by London-based studio H2 Yacht Design, was on the other hand done in Germany by Finnish company, Europlan who had in the past mostly focused on cruise ships with only a few superyachts under its belt. According to several reports, the interior cost €20,000 per square meter.
Ulysses features a variety of spaces to entertain its guests, from informal to formal locations. With light colors found throughout its interior, Ulysses boasts a large salon on the main deck with extensive sitting spaces and a large bar.
Unlike smaller yachts where most cabins typically look out onto the sea from a porthole, guest cabins on Ulysses have floor-to-ceiling windows directly opposite of the bed that let its guests take in the full view. Ulysses can accommodate a total of 36 guests.
The largest cabin on board is however the master cabin, which takes up an entire deck and stretches across the 107-meter's entire beam. With panoramic windows on both sides of the cabin, the master was however designed to face the yacht's aft. A lounging area is located forward of the cabin, making up the owner's private deck.
Despite its go-anywhere capability, Ulysses has also all of the amenities one could expand from a superyacht and perhaps even more. One of those is the yacht's spa, which includes a plunge pool, sauna, steam room, massage room and more all designed with white and dark blue theme.
The wellness area is completed by a gym located aft of the main deck with a large variety of equipment and a breathtaking view out of a series of tall windows.
Another one of Ulysses' highlights is her fully-functional cinema room. Packed with comfortable sofas and equipped with a pro-level projector and screen, the room is fully optimized for a great sound and viewing experience.
Ulysses' technical capabilities however perhaps best set in to guests when they go up to the guest lounge, located inside the explorer's bridge on the top deck. This acts as a dedicated area for guests to take in the view without being bother by crew operations and vice-versa.
One of the key requirements set forth by Hart was the development of a fully-functional helipad. This took the form of a large, dedicated helicopter landing pad located at the top of the yacht, with the capacity of taking up the world's largest helicopters up to 3,6 tons.
One of the key aspects of the explorer is of course her gigantic toy garage, containing anything from jetskis to motorbikes to SUVs to seabobs, bikes and flyboards. It's not unseen for superyachts to carry a lot of toys but this amount of toys on a 107-meter is something that few have ever seen before.
The most unique feature amongst the whole boat may however be the 21-meter tender that Ulysses carries on its bow. The two-deck boat, which most would call a yacht in her own right, requires to custom built cranes to lift in an operation that takes just over an hour to execute.
Sold at an asking price of $195 million, Ulysses became the largest brokerage yacht sold so far this year, topping the 85-meter Solandge, which sold at an asking price of €155 million. An even larger version of Ulysses is however set to be delivered to Hart later this year with the 116-meter explorer already now in the final phases of construction.
Valued at $10,2 billion by Forbes, Graeme Hart is currently the wealthiest man in New Zealand. Having made his fortune in the leveraged buyout private equity space, Hart consolidated a number of under-performing assets in the packaging space to create an empire in everyday products such as milk cartons, water bottles, paper and foil.
Prior to his successes in acquiring large companies and optimising them as part of his empire, Hart started off as a tow-truck driver after leaving school at 16 years old. He completed an MBA from the University of Ortego in 1987. His first big buy was the Government Printing Office in New Zealand, which he managed to acquire for less than capital value.
Pearl Yachts has introduces the Pearl 100 Hybrid, a 30-meter raised pilothouse model featuring hybrid propulsion. The vessel becomes the largest and first hybrid-equipped yacht in the company's portfolio, designed for extended range cruising with reduced environmental impact.The hybrid system combines twin MAN V12 2000hp engines with E-Motion electric technology, enabling multiple operational modes including silent zero-emission cruising and 24-knot maximum speed. The Power Pack allows overnight operation without generator operation, reducing noise and emissions during stationary periods.Accommodations include five staterooms with two full-beam master suites - one on the main deck with private forepeak terrace access, another midship on the lower deck. Additional spaces include a forward VIP cabin and two twin guest cabins, all with ensuite bathrooms. Crew accommodations consist of two cabins with separate mess and service access.Design collaboration involves Dixon Yacht Design for naval architecture and Kelly Hoppen Interiors for styling. The layout emphasizes social areas including a Riviera-style aft cockpit with folding balconies, foredeck lounge, and extended flybridge with Technogym equipment, Jacuzzi, and dining facilities.Founder and Managing Director Iain Smallridge stated: "As our first hybrid model and our largest to date, it embodies our vision of what the future of yachting should be: elegant, liveable, efficient, and sustainable."The yacht incorporates a concealed garage accommodating a Williams Dieseljet 445 tender, Sea-Doo Spark watercraft, and multiple Seabobs. Construction includes a five-year warranty covering hull and engineering systems, consistent with Pearl's existing product support framework. The Pearl 100 Hybrid enters production as the flagship of Pearl's model range, targeting owners seeking increased range capabilities and reduced environmental impact without compromising interior volume or amenities. Delivery timelines and pricing remain undisclosed at this initial presentation phase.Founded in 1998, Pearl Yachts has established itself as one of the UK’s leading shipyards, specializing in designing luxury motor yachts known for their voluminous interiors, opulence, and design excellence. Credits: Pearl Yachts
September 11, 2025
The Italian Sea Group will participate in the 34th Monaco Yacht Show from September 24-27, 2025, displaying six yachts at Port Hercule. The exhibition will feature recent launches from the group's Admiral, Perini Navi, Picchiotti, and Tecnomar brands.Chief Commercial Officer Gianmaria Costantino stated: "In our exclusive lounge, located in the Quai Rainier Ier area, shipowners and industry experts will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the craftsmanship, attention to detail, and stylistic innovation that distinguish our yachts."Exhibited vessels include:Admiral Giorgio Armani 72m (Project 596) with design collaboration between Giorgio Armani and Giovanni CostantinoAdmiral Amalya 78m designed by Sinot Yacht Architecture & DesignPerini Navi Katana 60m sailing ketch with interiors by Rémi TessierAdmiral Raja² 55m from the S-Force line designed in-housePicchiotti Gentleman 24m by Luca Dini Design & ArchitectureTecnomar for Lamborghini 63 production modelThe group will host a press conference at the Monaco Yacht Club preceding the show to unveil a new collaborative project with Automobili Lamborghini. The presentation will also include updates on future developments across the company's brand portfolio.The Italian Sea Group currently maintains production facilities in Marina di Carrara, La Spezia, and Viareggio. The company's portfolio ranges from 24-meter motor yachts to 78-meter megayachts, with both sail and power configurations available.Recent deliveries include multiple vessels across all brands, with order books extending through 2028 for larger custom projects. The Monaco exhibition represents one of several international shows where the group maintains annual presence, alongside events in Cannes and Fort Lauderdale.The show expects approximately 120 superyachts and 40,000 visitors during its four-day run. 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: The Italian Sea Group
September 11, 2025
Benetti has unveiled its B.Neos concept, a motor yacht design emphasizing sailing yacht proportions and hybrid propulsion technology. The design collaboration involves Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design for exterior styling and FM Architettura for interior spaces.The concept prioritizes reduced volume pursuit in favor of spatial efficiency and functional layouts. Standard hybrid propulsion systems enable silent operation at anchor, reflecting the design's focus on acoustic comfort. The approach targets owners seeking understated luxury rather than ostentatious displays.Azimut|Benetti Group Chair Giovanna Vitelli stated: "B.Neos represents a new approach that looks ahead. We chose a leading designer from the sailing segment to bring the sleek proportions of sailing yachts to a motor yacht, avoiding the pursuit of volume at any cost."Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design brings experience from over 200 yacht projects, incorporating extensive glazing and structural innovation. FM Architettura, led by Francesca Muzio, applies its background in luxury residential and yacht interiors to create minimalist environments.The B.Neos concept forms part of Benetti's ongoing development of alternative propulsion solutions and contemporary design approaches. The company continues to offer both traditional motor yacht configurations and new concepts addressing evolving owner preferences regarding sustainability and spatial utilization.Production timelines and specific technical specifications remain undisclosed at the concept phase. Benetti's current portfolio ranges from 37 to 112 meters, with the B.Neos concept expected to occupy the mid-range segment of the company's offerings. The concept will be presented to selected clients before potential production decisions.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
September 11, 2025
Italian yacht builder Maiora, part of NEXT Yacht Group, will preview its new M|30 model at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025. The 30.4-meter yacht is scheduled for delivery in summer 2026, representing the latest addition to the brand's M line.Designed in collaboration with Quartostile studio and Acube Design, the vessel features a 7.5-meter beam and three-deck configuration. Accommodations include five cabins for 12 guests, with a full-beam owner's suite on the main deck and four guest suites below. Crew quarters aft of the lower deck accommodate five staff members.Design characteristics incorporate full-height windows and glass bulwarks to connect interior and exterior spaces. The exterior profile emphasizes coupé-like lines while maintaining interior volume. The beach club area has been enlarged and reconfigured as an open veranda space connected to the main deck.Acube Design's interior approach utilizes natural materials and organic aesthetics. The main saloon offers flexible usage options, while the owner's suite includes walk-in wardrobe, en suite bathroom with windows, and convertible desk space. The upper deck provides customizable layouts alongside a separate wheelhouse area.Outdoor features include a redesigned sundeck, WalkAround concept passageways, and a forward garage convertible between toy storage and swimming pool functions. The hull incorporates a signature lighting strip consistent with Maiora's M|36 model.The presentation forms part of NEXT Yacht Group's strategy to expand its European market presence. The company describes the M|30 development as contributing to its "Renaissance" initiative focused on contemporary Italian yacht design standards. Production will utilize Maiora's existing facilities with the first unit currently in development.Credits: Maiora
September 10, 2025
Cantiere del Pardo brings three new models at the Cannes Yachting Festival. The presentation includes the Pardo 43 walkaround yacht, VanDutch 75 day cruiser, and Grand Soleil Plus 80 Performance sailing yacht.Pardo 43 The Pardo 43 represents an evolution of the previous model, with over 300 units sold since its introduction. Company President Gigi Servidati stated: "This new version is not about revolution, but evolution - continuing to refine and improve a model that has already made history." The design maintains the walkaround configuration while updating various elements.VanDutch 75The VanDutch 75 measures 22.9 meters and introduces updated styling to the brand's existing design language. The model retains the low-profile silhouette and clean geometry characteristic of VanDutch yachts while incorporating new technical details and Mediterranean design influences.The Grand Soleil Plus 80 Performance follows the Long Cruise version presented at Boot Düsseldorf 2025. The sailing yacht measures 24.4 meters and offers performance-oriented features alongside customizable interior layouts. The first unit has been sold and is currently under construction.Grand Soleil Plus 80 PerformanceCantiere del Pardo currently has four yachts in production across its Plus series: two Grand Soleil Plus 80 models (one Long Cruise and one Performance), one GS Plus 72 Performance, and one GS Plus 65 Long Cruise. Delivery schedules indicate spring 2026 for the first GS Plus 80 LC and late 2026 for the GS Plus 80 Performance.The company maintains production facilities in Italy supporting both motor yacht and sailing yacht construction. With over 5,000 yachts built since its establishment, Cantiere del Pardo operates through a network of 60 countries worldwide. The Cannes presentation demonstrates the company's continued investment across its three brand portfolios.Credits: Cantiere del Pardo; Gianluca Naphtalina Camporesi
September 10, 2025