Recent quarters have seen the concept of explorer yachts trickling down to a set of smaller yachts. Initially, however, explorers come from the megayacht world and the 115-meter Luna has become almost eponymous with what an explorer yacht should be.
Refreshened through a €50 million refit that came following a change in ownership, Luna was delivered in 2010. Currently the 3rd largest explorer in the world, her open aft deck and swimming pool have set a standard for the yachting industry.
Built for Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich, Luna was originally intended as a more sleek version of her owner's existing explorer, the 113-meter Le Grand Bleu. At the time of her launch, the swimming pool installed on Luna was the largest that anyone had ever seen onboard a superyacht.
Luna's current owner, which Forbes names as Farkhad Akhmedov, purchased the yacht from Abramovich in 2014. The man, valued at $1,3 billion by the magazine, later initiated a 14-month refit in Germany that gave the yacht a sleek exterior look and implemented several improvements on one of the world's most iconic yachts.
One of the largest jobs undertaken during the refit was the fairing of Luna's hull. Under Abramovich's ownership, the 115 meter had been left unfaired to reflect the strength and power of the yacht by making a show of her welds. Luna's new owner, however, faired the yacht in order to give it a sleeker look.
Nearly 80 painters and eight months were required to fill and fair the over 2,000 square meters of Luna's hull, whilst also applying a new finish to her superstructure. The result is a complete mirror finish, which perfectly reflects the sea as Luna sails on her world travels.
Luna's exterior refit was led by Newcruise, a German design studio that undertook the project as it's first major one with a motor yacht. Across all proposals that were reviewed during planning, the main idea was to create a very open deck. This led to the project team focusing on style rather than the toy storage one would find on other explorers.
In fact, the aft area of the main and lower deck was amongst the most affected by Luna's recent refit. One of the main attributes of the yacht, in addition to her main deck pool, is her extensive beach club area on the lower deck. Whilst two tender garages sit to port side, two foldable platforms open the beach club onto the sea on starboard.
The beach club is completed by a wave-shaped sauna, plunge pool, steam bath as well as a fully equipped gym. New equipment was installed during the refit including mirrored panels that let Luna's guests open the 12-meter foldable doors and getting a sea view without anyone seeing guests exercise from the outside.
A relatively rare feature onboard superyachts a decade ago, beach clubs have become a must have onboard new yachts of even a smaller scale. Popular options, both for charter guests and owners, include lounging areas, wet bars, saunas, hot tubs, plunge pools and gyms. All of which Luna was already built to accommodate.
Other improvements to the area during the refit include a new mosaic on the walls of the steam room, an updated audio visual system, a pantry area to facilitate service and a new arrangement of couches. Over 80 TVs are found onboard Luna, however, none of them were placed in the beach club for it to be a place to enjoy the sea.
Safe from the beach club, the remainder of Luna's lower deck is dedicated to crew and operations. In addition to the engine room and technical spaces, most crew accommodation can be found on the lower deck. Seven generators produce an output of 15,000hp that goes on to power electric motors. According to her manufacturers, it would be enough to power a town of up to 25,000 people.
Luna's original interior designer was Donald Starkey who joined the project when the yacht was already 70% built at Lloyd Werft. Modifications imposed by the designer included an increased headroom as well as a new dinning room, which wasn't on the initial layout. This was achieved by dividing the upper deck lounge into two by a fireplace that can be enjoyed from both sides of a newly installed wall.
Starkey's theme of light fabrics coupled with darker wood and light that filters from the 115 meter's large windows can be found throughout Luna. Modern oak was in fact used around the yacht and then aged to create the effect of 17th century antique beams.
One of Luna's highlights is, without a doubt, the private, forward-facing terrace that comes as part of the owner's private suite. With a glass panel located directly on top of the master bed, a private terrace in front lets Luna's owner explore the world with her.
Another newly improved area on the 115-meter explorer is Luna's observational lounge. Meant as an area where guests can socialise and take in the view, its panoramic view faces forward and is often found to be a guest favourite location when entering a new marina or anchorage spot.
Whereas the master suit benefits from one of yachting's best views, guests on Luna get to access one of its main locations much quicker from the main deck. Through a straight line corridor, guests can find their way to the pool in a matter of seconds without having to climb up flights of stairs.
Luna's swimming pool area also benefits from a new feature installed during her recent refit. A raised section, which can be covered by a massive tent or opened to the sun, was put in towards the aft of the deck. It features both a dinning table for casual, outdoor dinning, as well as coffee tables and a sofa.
From a technical standpoint, Luna is powered by a diesel electric set up that lets her be both more efficient and flexible when cruising. The explorer can in fact get up to a top speed of 21 knots and even nudge through shallow ice.
Photo by Ron Raffety
Located underneath Luna's master bedroom, her bridge sits forward of the explorer's upper deck. Allowing easy access to anchoring gear and crew areas, keeping all crew operations on the upper deck also frees up higher decks for the guests' relaxation.
One of the most well known figures in the yachting industry, Roman Abramovich currently sits as the world's 139th richest man according to Forbes, with a net worth of $10,3 billion. In the business community he's most well known as the owner of the Chelsea FC as well as for selling his stake in Sibneft to Gazprom.
In yachting, however, Abramovich is synonymous with his 162-meter Eclipse, formerly the largest yacht in the world. Whereas Eclipse was overshadowed by the 180-meter Azzam, the Russian billionaire's exploits in yachting remain on everyone's mind to this day.
Photo by Nicholas Canepa
Other than Eclipse and Luna, the 51 year-old has owned an unequaled fleet of yachts, which have included the 115-meter Pelorus, which he purchased in build from a Saudi businessman in 2003 before reselling it to Dreamworks co-founder, David Geffen in 2011.
Prior to Pelorus, Abramovich also had the 113-meter explorer/support yacht Le Grand Bleu. Carrying a plethora of toys, onboard Le Grand Bleu could be found a Dubois sailing yacht as well as a 21-meter Sunseeker. He later reportedly sold the yacht to Eugene Schvidler.
Born in Baku, Azerbaijan in 1955, Farkhad Akhmedov is the 67th richest man in Russia according to Forbes. After moving to London in 1986 and starting out in fur trading, he started his own company in 1987 to supply equipment to Russian gas companies. In 2012, he sold his stake in Russian gas company, Nortgas to Novatek.
Photos by Guillaume Plisson
Gulf Craft has delivered the first unit of its 32.3-meter Majesty 100 Terrace series following its debut at the 2025 Dubai International Boat Show. The fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) yacht features a semi-displacement hull designed by Dutch firm Phathom Studio.The model's distinctive features include multiple outdoor terraces, fold-down balconies, and a private owner's terrace on the foredeck with 270-degree views. The owner's cabin incorporates floor-to-ceiling glass and skylights, with direct access to the forward terrace. Accommodation includes five cabins for 10 guests and crew quarters for six.With a 199GT volume and 7.2-meter beam, the yacht reaches a top speed of 20 knots powered by twin MAN engines. At a cruising speed of 12 knots, the range extends to 1,050 nautical miles. The upper deck features a hot tub and sunpad area with glass panels that illuminate the owner's terrace below.The Majesty 100 Terrace follows the 34.1-meter Majesty 111 model, sharing similar interior layouts but with a redesigned semi-displacement hull. Gulf Craft currently has two units of the new model under construction at its Umm al-Qaywayn shipyard in the UAE.Since the company’s inception in 1982, Gulf Craft has grown to become one of the top seven shipyards in the world: once a builder of small fishing boats in its modest premises, which was a genuine passion for Gulf Craft, they then established their credentials as a leader of innovation and technology in the yachting industry. With five brands in their product portfolio ranging from 31 to 175 feet, Gulf Craft manufactures yachts and boats that appeal to a wide audience, such as touring passenger vessels, Silvercraft family day boats, Oryx Sport Cruisers, Nomad Explorer Yachts, and the flagship Majesty Yachts.Credits: Gulf Craft
August 1, 2025
Dutch yacht builder Oceanco has transitioned to new ownership under American entrepreneur Gabe Newell, while previous owners the Barwani family retain their stake in Turkish shipyard Turquoise Yachts. The ownership change follows Oceanco's legacy of constructing notable superyachts including the 110-meter Kaos, 109-meter Bravo Eugenia, 106-meter Black Pearl, and 127-meter Koru.Newell assumes ownership with stated intentions to maintain Oceanco's operational focus on craftsmanship and workforce development rather than implementing financial restructuring. The new owner has emphasized continuity in the shipyard's human-centered approach to yacht construction.Gabe Newel"Gabe Newell is not entering this world as a financier or a strategist, but as a hands-on visionary who respects the sea, the craft, and above all, the people who make it possible," stated the company's transition announcement.Dr. BarwaniThe Barwani family, Oceanco's previous owners since 2010, will continue their yachting industry involvement through Turquoise Yachts, which specializes in custom builds up to 77 meters. Oceanco's current project portfolio and management team are expected to remain unchanged under the new ownership structure.Oceanco was founded in 1987. Right now it is a world-class builder of custom superyachts up to the 140 meters range. Oceanco works with world-known designers such as Terence Disdale, Nuvolari-Lenard, Espen Oeino, Sam Sorgiovanni, Igor Lobanov, Tim Heywood and Andrew Winch to create some of the timeless and award-winning yachts afloat today.Credits: Oceanco
August 1, 2025
The 2025 Monaco Yacht Show will host "Tribute to Yachting," a photographic exhibition by French photographer Guillaume Plisson. The exhibition will display 100 large-format images throughout Port Hercule from September 24-27, integrated with the show's layout.A preview selection will debut during the Grand Opening Night on September 23. The exhibition aims to provide visual interludes for attendees while highlighting emotional aspects of yachting beyond technical specifications."This collaboration reflects our desire to celebrate the human side of yachting - the stories and quiet beauty beyond the surface," said Gaëlle Tallarida, Managing Director of Monaco Yacht Show.Plisson's work documents various yachting elements including design, operations, and lifestyle. "The exhibition serves as a condensed retrospective and tribute to those who make yachting possible," Plisson stated, acknowledging industry support for his photographic access over the years.The exhibition aligns with the show's focus on innovation, design, sustainability and lifestyle. It represents an effort to engage visitors emotionally with yachting culture while maintaining the event's commercial focus.Credits: MYS
August 1, 2025
Northrop & Johnson has announced the lease through donation of the 43.6-meter Feadship motor yacht True North, built in 1987 by Van Lent shipyard. The vessel's recent $4 million refit in 2021 addressed critical systems while preserving its classic Dutch craftsmanship.The comprehensive refit program included complete hull plating renewal and tank work to satisfy Bureau Veritas 35-year survey requirements. Mechanical upgrades focused on the twin CAT 3508 DI-TA engines, while new Quantum zero-speed stabilizers were installed to enhance onboard comfort. Guest areas received modernized accommodations, including renovated Crema Marfil marble bathrooms in the full-beam master suite.True North has compiled an extensive cruising history, having completed multiple transatlantic crossings and operated successfully in both tropical and temperate climates. The yacht's robust construction and 4,000-nautical-mile range at 11 knots have supported operations throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Northern Europe.Current configuration accommodates 16 guests across five staterooms, including four convertible guest cabins with multiple bedding options. Outdoor amenities feature a sundeck hot tub, swim-up bar, and expanded swim platform. The yacht's service areas utilize dedicated crew staircases to maintain operational efficiency."True North represents the enduring quality of Feadship construction," noted Northrop & Johnson brokers Kevin Merrigan and Kristen Klein. "The recent refit ensures this classic yacht meets contemporary expectations while retaining its original character."The donation lease arrangement provides for the yacht's continued operation while supporting the donor's philanthropic objectives. True North remains certified for global cruising following its recent survey compliance and mechanical upgrades.Based in the Netherlands and with roots dating back to 1849, Feadship was formed as a group in 1949 as a marketing partnership between six Dutch shipyards, de Vries Lentch, Van de Stadt, Witsen & Vis, Akerboom, De Vries Scheepsbouw and Van Lent Shipyard, and De Voogt Naval Architects. Feadship is well-known as one of the Netherlands’ most elite yacht builders and delivers superyachts from 50–100+ meters in length.Credits: Northrop & Johnson
July 31, 2025
Swiss energy company Repower has unveiled Lucietta, Venice's first fully electric water taxi, marking a significant advancement in sustainable marine transportation for the historic city. The 9.3-meter vessel, designed by Nauta Design and built by Murano's Cantiere Serenella shipyard, debuted at the Venice Boat Show and will serve during the 2025 Venice Film Festival before entering regular service.Constructed using a combination of traditional Venetian boatbuilding techniques and modern sustainable materials, Lucietta features a lightweight carbon fiber hull and incorporates recycled Murano glass elements developed by local startup Rehub. The construction process maintained Venice's strict dimensional constraints for canal navigation while implementing contemporary electric propulsion technology.The vessel is powered by a 200kW electric motor with a 180 kWh battery system specifically optimized for Venice's operating conditions. Performance specifications include a top speed of 30 knots (55.5 km/h) and sufficient battery capacity for a full 8-hour workday at typical lagoon speeds of 7-20 km/h. Compared to conventional diesel water taxis, Lucietta completely eliminates direct emissions during operation and reduces energy consumption by approximately 60%.Environmental impact projections indicate each Lucietta water taxi will prevent about 12 tons of CO2 emissions annually while completely eliminating particulate matter emissions. The electric propulsion system also reduces noise pollution from 85 dB to 45 dB - an 85% decrease that significantly improves the acoustic environment of Venice's canals. Over its operational lifetime, the electric taxi is expected to have 30% lower maintenance costs than combustion engine models."Electric boating represents a crucial part of the sustainable mobility revolution," stated Fabio Bocchiola, CEO of Repower Italia, noting the European electric boating market is projected to reach $13 billion by 2030. The project builds on Repower's previous electric boat initiative that received a Compasso d'Oro honorable mention in 2020.Nauta Design's Massimo Gino explained the design process: "We studied original taxi designs and interviewed operators to create a modern electric version that respects Venice's strict dimensional constraints for canals and bridges." The collaboration with local artisans at Cantiere Serenella ensured the preservation of traditional Venetian craftsmanship while implementing sustainable technologies.Lucietta can accommodate up to 14 passengers and will initially serve during high-profile Venice events before expanding to regular water taxi service. The introduction coincides with Venice's increasing restrictions on combustion engine vessels in its sensitive lagoon ecosystem, positioning electric water transportation as a viable solution for the city's unique mobility challenges.Credits: Nauta Design
July 31, 2025