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.
Heesen Yachts has announced the sale of its latest innovation, YN 20750 Project Orion, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of sustainable luxury yachting. The 50-meter Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) aluminium superyacht represents a groundbreaking fusion of advanced engineering, and eco-conscious design.Project Orion showcases Heesen’s pioneering hybrid propulsion system, delivering silent cruising capabilities up to 10 knots. The vessel’s ultra-efficient hull design and lightweight aluminium construction achieve a remarkable 30% reduction in fuel consumption. Powered by twin MTU 12V 2000 M61 (IMO III) engines, each producing 600kW, the yacht boasts a top speed of 16.3 knots and a transatlantic range of 3,750 nautical miles.With a shallow draft of 2.15 meters, Project Orion offers unparalleled versatility, seamlessly navigating both the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas and the expansive Mediterranean. This dual-season capability is a testament to Heesen’s precision engineering and the yacht’s meticulously optimised design by van Oossanen.The yacht’s striking exterior, penned by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects, features a dramatic vertical bow and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, creating an elegant silhouette and offering panoramic views. Interior designer Cristiano Gatto has curated a contemporary, light-filled interior, utilising over 37 different materials, including high-gloss wood veneers, woven leather, and bespoke Italian marble.The 499 GT internal volume is configured with a six-stateroom layout, including a full-beam owner’s stateroom on the main deck and a VIP suite. All fixed furniture and finishes are crafted by skilled artisans, with Cadorin’s artisan dark wood flooring and luxurious leather selections enhancing the onboard experience.“Project Orion is a testament to our commitment to advancing superyacht technology while seamlessly blending sustainability with luxury,” said Ruud van der Stroom, Heesen’s CCO. “With our innovative hybrid solutions, we are setting new standards in energy efficiency and delivering an unparalleled cruising experience.”The sale, facilitated by Anton Foord of Ocean Independence, marks a significant achievement for Heesen, demonstrating the growing demand for eco-friendly luxury yachts that do not compromise on performance or comfort. Project Orion is scheduled for delivery in mid-May.Heesen Yachts is a Dutch ship building company that specializes in custom-built superyachts in aluminum and steel from 30m to 70m in size. Founded in 1978, it has launched more than 170 yachts since its inception.Credit: RubenGriffioen/Heesen Yachts
March 25, 2025
IYC welcomed the 15 meter Sunreef Yachts Lucy to its sales fleet, listing her for sale with consultants Jamie Swaine and Andrea Gallazzi. Lucy is a rare, one-owner Sunreef 50 from 2021, offering an opportunity to acquire one of the finest sailing catamarans on the market.The yacht, which has been maintained by a single discerning owner since new, features a range of upgrades that enhance her performance, comfort, and style. Accommodating eight guests in four spacious cabins, Lucy seamlessly blends performance and comfort, making her ideal for bluewater cruising and luxury charters. Her galley-up layout ensures complete self-sufficiency, catering to both sailing aficionados and those who appreciate a luxurious entertainment experience.Offering significant savings for European buyers by virtue of VAT already being paid, Lucy represents an exceptional opportunity in a competitive market. IYC, one of the world's largest international yachting companies, operates with over 130 professionals across 15 strategically located offices worldwide.Credits: IYC
March 25, 2025
Italian builder Silent Yachts has expanded its catamaran lineup with the introduction of the SY62 3-Deck Closed. This latest addition to the SY62 series features an enclosed upper deck design, making it particularly well-suited for operation in hotter climates, especially in regions like Asia.SY62 3-Deck ClosedThe launch of the SY62 3-Deck Closed follows closely on the heels of the seventh SY62 3-Deck Open, marking another milestone for Silent Yachts in their successful start to the year. The company, which was taken over by new owners in March 2024, has demonstrated its commitment to growth with plans to launch 10 yachts in 2025, including nine SY62 models and the new flagship SY80.“We are incredibly proud of the new Closed version of the SY62 3-Deck,” said Fabrizio Iarrera, CEO of Silent Yachts. “Less than a year after taking over, we are excited to introduce this new addition to our range, which highlights our commitment to quality and innovation in solar-powered cruising catamarans.”SY62 3-Deck ClosedThe Closed version retains all the space, amenities, and comforts of the award-winning SY62 3-Deck Open, which won the prestigious World Yachts Trophies ‘Most Efficient Yacht’ award at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2024. The enclosed upper deck offers an exceptional owner’s studio apartment with panoramic views, accessible through glass sliding doors to a covered aft deck. SY62 3-Deck ClosedLike its sibling models, the SY62 3-Deck Closed continues to deliver Silent Yachts’ signature silent, fume-free cruising experience, making it a highly sought-after choice for eco-conscious yacht owners.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
March 25, 2025
Turkish yard Numarine has launched the 37.2-meter Orpheus from its Kocaeli site, marking the latest addition to the 37XP model, the largest in the Numarine fleet. The 37XP series, initiated in 2021 with the launch of Alaia, is characterized by a full-displacement steel hull designed for long-range and offshore cruising.Umberto Tagliavini served as the naval architect, while Can Yalman led the exterior and interior design. A standout feature of the Orpheus is its flybridge, which spans nearly 10 meters and offers 83 square meters of open space.The yacht accommodates up to six guests across five cabins, including a main deck master suite and an upper deck VIP cabin. The VIP cabin benefits from an aft-facing bed and a terrace that can be adapted for sunbathing, outdoor sports, parties, or storing tenders. Another al fresco space is the beach club, featuring a bathing platform and a water-level lounge.Orpheus boasts a range of 6,000 nautical miles at eight knots, placing it among the elite expedition yachts in its class, according to the yard.Orpheus joins eight other 37XP models in service, with a ninth flagship, the 39-meter 40MXP, scheduled for delivery later this year.Credits: Numarine
March 24, 2025
The first unit of the Pershing GTX70, an agile and dynamic yacht embodying the innovations of the GTX series, was launched on March 19 in the port of Fano. Representing the most compact model in the range, the GTX70 captures the sporty spirit and livable spaces of its predecessors, offering an exceptional on-board experience in a more compact format.Measuring 21.88 meters in length and 5.42 meters in beam, the GTX70 is the result of collaboration between the Ferretti Group Product Strategy Committee, Vallicelli Design, and the Group’s Engineering Department. The new hull was produced at the Ferretti Group Plug and Mould facility, leveraging the brand’s advanced technology and craftsmanship, with construction completed in the new Mondolfo production area.Characterized by extensive exterior and interior spaces, the GTX70 offers an exceptionally comfortable experience, increasing on-board liveability and providing direct contact with the water. Spanning two decks and a sportbridge, the yacht accommodates up to six guests in three cabins.The exterior design, clad in classic Pershing grey, carries forward stylistic elements from the GTX series, including a slightly convex sheer line, stanchion-free design, and sleek, sweeping lines. The bow’s near-vertical shape adds to the yacht’s elegance. The beach area aft, furnished with a sunpad on this first unit, spans 23 square meters when the side terraces are open. The stern swim platform features dual-linear lift technology, increasing usable space and enabling the deployment of a jet ski or Williams 325 tender.The main deck boasts a seamless, open design, with a generous C-shaped sofa and table in the shaded cockpit. The galley is connected to the exterior and interior lounge areas via a pocket up-down glass panel, enhancing the flow of space. The use of contrasting colors, such as dark nubuck leather upholstery and muted tones, creates a visually striking atmosphere, while LED light strips illuminate the deck.Below deck, the three cabins and three en suite bathrooms optimize comfort in the sleeping area. The 16-square-meter sportbridge is divided into sunbathing, dining, and helm stations, featuring an innovative electric bimini top with prepreg carbon poles, available as an option.Powered by three 900 hp Volvo Pent D13 IPS1200 units, the GTX70 reaches a top speed of 35 knots and cruising speed of 30 knots (preliminary data).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
March 24, 2025