Few events have ever affected yachting as much as the sinking of the 60 meter Yogi. The largest yacht to ever sink, its wreck strongly hit the Turkish shipbuilding sector and made owners take a hard look at their insurances and dangers, even though no one was hurt. Despite the accident, Yogi was no less of an exceptional yacht.
Yogi was the largest yacht ever built by up and coming Turkish shipyard, Proteksan Turquoise at the time of her delivery in 2011. Reminiscent of an explorer style yacht through her design by Jean Guy Verges, Yogi featured oversized portholes in her hull that brought in tons of flight into the yacht's cabins.
Built for Stephane Courbit, a French media and TV millionaire valued at €450 million, Yogi was built to be operated as a charter yacht part of its hotel collection. Maximizing space, the yacht had many amenities for her size including a swimming pool, beach club, wellness center and media room.
Yet, on February 17th 2012, just as the yacht was days out of leaving the yard where it was undergoing warrantied maintenance work, it sank in the Aegean sea. The weather was particularly difficult during that day and yet it seems to be an engine failure that, tied to a number of circumstantial events, led to the 60-meter yacht sinking to the bottom of the Mediterranean.
The report did, however, clear Proteksan in the quality of its build, focusing on what was a mixture of human oversight and extreme conditions. A Turkish investigations arrived at similar conclusions. Manned by a skeleton crew of 8 during this voyage, it took an hour to evacuate by helicopter the yacht's crew as seas at their peek featured waves of up to 7 meters.
Virtually new, the sinking of the 60-meter Yogi send shockwaves throughout the yachting space. In addition to engine issues that were believed to have triggered the chain of events that led to Yogi sinking, misuse of watertight doors may have been an issue according to the report. A fact worth noting is that the yacht took over five hours to sink into the Aegean Sea.
The largest yacht to have ever cruised with the French flag, Yogi was part of Courbit's Lov Collection, a holding company that includes the Les Airelles palace in Courchevel as well as the Pan Dei hotel in St Tropez. Built with charter in mind to its existing and new clientele, the yacht commanded prices of up to €378,000 per week and featured 800 square meter of interior space in a particularly luxurious interior.
A key element in Yogi's design was her large pool with overflow that sat aft of the yacht's main deck, directly on top of its beach club. In the middle of the pool was a glass porthole that flooded the area underneath with light. All around the pool were lounging pads for Yogi's guest to take in the sun when the yacht was anchored off in a bay.
To complement the swimming pool aft of the main deck, a Jacuzzi was also placed aft of the sundeck, for guests that wanted to enjoy the sun in a hot tub. Also surrounded by sunpads, these feature a common beige design throughout the yacht with colored pillows. Same can be said for the customizable lounging area aft of the upper deck.
On the inside, Yogi was reminiscent of Courbit's luxurious hotels. Featuring a beige and creme tone throughout the yacht, the 60-meter was fitted with floor to ceiling windows that visually increased the size of its 800 square meters of interior space. Its main salon was structured into a lounging area and a TV sector with a wide screen built into the wall.
Stretching across the full beam of the yacht, Yogi's master bedroom was no less spectacular with both lots of light and space. A king sized bed throned in the middle of the suite with access through a central corridor to a dressing room and his and hers bathrooms.
The yacht's guest accommodation didn't also pale in comparison with the owner's stateroom. Finished in the same style, the double and twin guest cabins could be connected or separated through double sliding doors. In total, Yogi could accommodate a total of 12 guests across 6 cabins.
Tall windows could be found throughout the yacht and were a real differentiating factor from competition on the market for Yogi. 'The idea was to have a yacht that could be chartered and run just like a resort.' detailed its designer, Jean Guy Verges in a later interview. 'She has been designed to the specific request of her owner. I think this jewel offered more than you would expect of a yacht her size.'
Another interesting amenity of Yogi was her observational lounge up on the sun deck. Finished throughout in glass, the area boasted a 180 degree view into the yacht's surroundings through a climate controlled environment. Equipped with custom furniture from the likes of Hermes, this media lounge separated the sun deck into a Jacuzzi and a raised dinning area.
Down on the upper deck, which also featured a covered dinning room, guests would find an extensive lounging pad with tiles that could be raised or flattened to create lounging chairs or sun beds. Connected to iPods and iPhones, which in 2011 was still rare, Yogi featured an advanced system for her time with TVs that slid out even in front of lounging pads.
Viewed by many as a step forward for the Turkish yacht building sector and as an endorsement of their quality, when Yogi sank, the whole country took a hit. By 2011, yacht owners and charters had started outgrowing the stigma of building in Turkey and the market was picking up for local builders. In fact Yogi was the largest yacht ever built by Proteksan.
Yogi's delivery was followed weeks after by their newest flagship, a 70.5-meter reminiscent of a Dutch-build quality, Talisman C. Shortly after it followed the 72-meter Vicky and it looked like Turkey would emerge as a yacht building destination. This all ended when Yogi sank in February 2012 and owners' stigma towards Turkey developed once again.
Although some Turkish shipyards continued to prosper, many faded down their ambitions in a global recession. This ultimately culminated with the acquisition of Proteksan Turquoise by Dutch-based Oceanco. Backed by billionaire investor Mohammed Al Barwani, the Dutch superyacht builder since set out on a mission to make the yard competitive and got an order for a 77-meter yacht now under build.
Having initially started his career in television in the 1990s, Stephane Courbit where he built a reputation, eventually starting his own production company behind hits such as Miss France. Eventually acquired by Dutch holding Endemol, Courbit exited from the company in 2001.
His LOV Group currently includes companies in the audiovisual space with several production companies behind some of France's most popular game shows. Other investments include several betting sites, which he started in acquiring in 2007. One of his fastest growing divisions has now becomes the Airelles collection of hotels.
After investing nearly $200 million into the purchase and renovation of the five star Courchevel palace, Les Airelles, Courbit acquired the Pan Dei Palace in St Tropez. His hotel portfolio then grew with the Bastide de Gordes in 2014. Two more Airelles hotels are set to open in the next two years, one in Versailles and one in Val d'Isiere.
Turkish builder Alia Yachts has delivered the 52.5-meter Limerence, a full-custom expedition yacht designed for both luxury charters and extreme adventure operations. The vessel, now available for Mediterranean summer charters through Christie Yachts, will reposition to the Caribbean for winter season.Developed with Azure Yacht Design, Limerence features a commercially certified helideck approved for Bell 429 and Airbus H145 operations, complete with integrated refueling systems storing 2,000 liters of jet fuel. The yacht carries four tenders deployed via a 7.5-ton crane, including a custom Wajer 38S and 12.5-meter X-Tender, alongside comprehensive diving gear and water toys.The helideck converts to a sports court with netting for basketball or volleyball, while below deck, a dedicated watersports lounge replaces conventional salon space. Three convertible guest cabins include a full-beam owner's suite designed by Istanbul-based CT Mimarlık."Her helicopter capabilities unlock remote destinations from alpine regions to jungle airstrips," noted Christie Yachts' Caroline Antlett. Alia Yachts President Gökhan Çelik emphasized the project's custom nature: "Every system was engineered specifically for dual-purpose luxury and operational use."Limerence joins Alia's growing portfolio of expedition yachts, with four new builds currently under construction at their Antalya facility. Charter rates remain undisclosed. Winter operations may expand to include Costa Rica pending regulatory approvals.Alia Yachts was founded in 2008 by Gokhan Çelik and Omer Koray. Located in the port of Antalya on the beautiful Turkish Riviera, Alia Yachts shipyard currently occupies approximately 8,000 m2, including three construction halls with their suites of specialist workshops and a dedicated interiors facility. With an additional 16,000 sq. m under development for 2019, Alia Yachts will rank among the top facilities in the region.Credits: Alia Yachts
July 11, 2025
The latest 60-meter Amels Limited Editions superyacht has arrived at Damen Yachting's Vlissingen facility for outfitting, following hull construction at the company's Gydnia shipyard in Poland. Scheduled for delivery in 2027, the vessel marks the eighth hull in the Amels 60 series.Designed by Espen Øino with custom interiors by Laura Sessa, the 853 GT yacht will accommodate 12 guests and 13 crew. Project Manager Joppe Osté noted: "We're excited to begin outfitting and look forward to collaborating again with Laura Sessa's team, given their experience with Amels Limited Editions."The Amels 60 series features hybrid propulsion options and meets IMO Tier III emissions standards. Seven units are currently operational worldwide, primarily in Mediterranean and Caribbean charter service.Damen Yachting, the yacht-building division of Damen Shipyards Group, employs approximately 500 professionals across its Amels, SeaXplorer, and Yacht Support vessel programs. No purchase price was disclosed for the new build.Credits: Damen Yachting
July 11, 2025
Sanlorenzo has introduced its largest crossover yacht to date, the 36.5-meter SX120, featuring the first marine implementation of Volvo Penta's IPS Professional Platform. The yacht will debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 9-14, 2025.The SX120 represents a technical evolution in the Italian builder's crossover range, combining elements of flybridge and explorer yachts. Its key innovation is the IPS Professional propulsion system, utilizing four compact 1,000 HP engines in twin-pod configuration. This setup reduces engine room space by 30% compared to conventional systems while improving fuel efficiency through Volvo Penta's Eco Mode automation and Selective Catalytic Reduction emissions treatment.Designed by Zuccon International Project with interiors by Piero Lissoni, the 270 GT yacht features a 70 sqm transformable beach club with retractable swimming pool and opening side terraces. The four-deck layout includes: lower deck with four convertible guest cabins, crew quarters, and hammam, full-beam master suite with private bow patio, dining area for 14 located at the main deck, and 360-degree lounge convertible to media/play room at the upper deck. "The IPS Professional Platform allows unique design solutions for large yachts by reclaiming space typically dedicated to propulsion," said Sanlorenzo CEO Tommaso Vincenzi. The system enables a 15% reduction in fuel consumption at cruising speeds of 12 knots, with noise levels reduced by 7dB compared to traditional shaftline configurations.Construction utilizes advanced composites with carbon fiber reinforcement in high-load areas. The first hull features Lissoni's signature interior design with steel-clad central staircase, backlit master suite headboard, and ceramic marble-effect bathroom surfaces.Two additional SX120 units are currently in production, with delivery slots available from 2027. Pricing remains undisclosed, though industry analysts estimate base configuration costs exceeding €25 million. The model expands Sanlorenzo's SX line that began with the SX76 in 2017 and now represents 28% of the builder's order book.Volvo Penta Marine Sales VP Nicola Pomi noted: "The hydrodynamically optimized counter-rotating propellers reduce energy losses by 18% while improving low-speed maneuverability." The propulsion package includes integrated hybrid readiness for future battery retrofits.With 40% more exterior space than conventional motoryachts in its class, the SX120 offers 215 sqm of deck areas including a 45 sqm sun deck. Storage capacity accommodates a 5.5-meter tender and water toys in the garage.Sanlorenzo reports strong interest in the model from European and Asian markets, with the first unit destined for Mediterranean cruising. The builder currently has 17 yachts under construction across its SX, SP, and SD lines at its Ameglia and La Spezia facilities.Sanlorenzo was founded in 1958 in Viareggio by yacht builder Gionvanni Jannetti. In 2005, Massimo Perrotti became the majority shareholder in the shipyard. Sanlorenzo builds yachts ranging from 28.60 to 73 meters in length. Credits: Sanlorenzo
July 9, 2025
Silent Yachts has launched its new 24.38-meter SY80 solar-electric catamaran, scheduled for world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival (September 9-14, 2025). The first unit, a sold 2-Deck configuration, features four guest cabins including master and VIP suites.The SY80 offers three layout options (2-Deck, 3-Deck Open, 3-Deck Closed) with customizable deck arrangements. The inaugural model includes a 360-degree helm station, panoramic saloon, and storage for water toys in a concealed garage. Performance specifications include a 12-knot top speed, 7-8 knot cruising speed, and solar array capacity of 22.4 kWp with 522-696 kWh battery options.Two additional 3-Deck versions have been sold. No pricing was disclosed. The Italian-built catamaran expands Silent Yachts' solar-powered range, following previous models like the SY60.Silent-Yachts is producing the world’s first fully solar-sustainable oceangoing production catamaran yachts. They are powered exclusively by solar energy and capable of cruising up to 100 miles per day. In 2009, founders Heike and Michael Köhler, who have spent 6,000 days cruising more than 75,000 miles all around the world, launched the Solarwave 46, the first fully self-sufficient blue-water catamaran after years of testing solar-powered propulsion, and they have been building boats ever since. Credits: Silent-Yachts
July 9, 2025
Nominations are now open for the sixth edition of the Design Innovation Award, recognizing international excellence in marine design and innovation. The award ceremony will take place on September 19, 2025, at Palazzo Ducale during the 65th Genoa International Boat Show (September 18-23).Automotive designer Walter De Silva, recipient of the Compasso d'Oro and former head of Volkswagen Group Design, will chair the jury. "This award highlights how innovation and design quality merge with sustainability and beauty," De Silva commented.Organized by the Italian Marine Industry Association and the Genoa Boat Show, the competition has grown from 40 submissions in 2020 to over 90 entries in recent editions. The award evaluates projects based on technological advancement, sustainability, and design quality.All exhibitors at the 2025 Genoa Boat Show are eligible to participate. No submission deadline has been specified.Credits: Genoa Boat Show
July 9, 2025