Nauta Design has shared the full photoshoot of the brand-new Southern Wind 105GT, Taniwha, one of the stars of the recent Monaco Yacht Show. Delivered this summer, she has just had her first public outing and collected plaudits from across the sector.
For Nauta Design it was a particularly challenging project because it meant interpreting the owners brief by adding customizations to the versatile SW105 platform and Southern Wind proved to be the right shipyard to master this challenge at best. The Milan-based studio had already drawn the deck lines and designed the interior for the previous three hulls in Southern Wind’s ‘smart custom’ line series.
“When Southern Wind introduced us to the potential clients, we carefully noted all their wishes and briefs and immediately had that light-bulb moment,” says Nauta co-founder Massimo Gino. “We gave rise to a sleeker, sporty, automobile design-inspired version of the boat, featuring a new deck design which – together with Southern Wind Shipyard - we christened the ‘Gran Turismo’. When our new design for this SW105 #4 was presented, we could tell by the enthusiasm in the owners’ eyes that we had understood and matched their brief.”
The yacht's naval architecture was made by Farr Yacht Design. SW105 GT has a full carbon hull with her foredeck and cockpit in Nomex and pre-preg. Lightweight and with a generous sail plan, the yacht has a mast and boom in high modulus carbon and EC6 standing rigging.
The owners’ brief to the Taniwha interior was very clear: they wanted to have a holistic indoor-outdoor connection, and that connection be expressed in all the styling under deck, which should be sober, clean, light as the deck design.
Natural materials should be used for the interior furniture, and they requested that every detail was carefully designed so as to be “over the top” and set a new reference in interior design.
The transparent main companionway, sided with glass so you can see from indoors to out while moving between the deck and interiors, puts in direct communication interiors and exterior and creates a flow of life and style between outdoor and indoor.
From the helmsman position on deck, you can see throughout the interiors towards the TV lounge and even further.
In the same way, from the owner’s cabin you can look out and see what is happening in the aft cockpit.
The interior design and geometry follows the natural curves of the hull rather than seeking to obscure it behind the 90-degree corners of standard cabinetry. Nowhere is this approach clearer than in the owner’s cabin forward and two guest cabins aft.
The cabins feature floating lockers fixed to the hull sides, which are functional and beautiful while also showing, instead of hiding, the yacht’s true hull shape. The beds are on slanted and curved bases that create extra foot room and harmonise the yacht’s hull shape.
Generously sized bathrooms feature lightweight moulded resin basins and surfaces, specially formulated by expert Italian craftsmen to perfectly resemble “Italian stucco”. The main saloon includes a stunning teak dome around the skylight, which emphasises the abundant natural light and the headroom, while creating a sense of cosiness.
Teak tables in the welcoming full-beam saloon have a double purpose, capable of rising to provide dining, or lowering to become a coffee table. The tables, too, are designed to look as if they’re light and floating by using a top that shows thin edges with metal inlay – echoing the effect seen elsewhere on the boat.
Taniwha can accommodate six guests across three staterooms and a crew of five.
“In this yacht you’ll find all of our latest design innovations combined in a particularly coherent way so that they match perfectly with the GT style of the yacht’s exteriors. Here we have the same language in and out, it is holistic" says Massimo Gino.
Southern Wind is a boutique bluewater sailing yacht shipyard founded in Cape Town in 1991. Since its foundation, SWS has specialized in the production of semi-custom high-performance superyachts.
Credits: Southern Wind; Giuliano Sargentini; Rob Kamhoot; Nauta Design
Turkish shipyard Ares Yachts has introduced its first superyacht, the 62-meter ketch-rigged Simena. The steel-carbon composite vessel will debut at the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show (September 24-27) after completing sea trials.Designed to RINA Charter Class C standards, Simena ranks among the world's top 25 largest sailing yachts. Taka Yacht Design developed the exterior, while Design Unlimited created the interior blending classic and contemporary elements. The yacht features teak decks, mahogany joinery, and a hybrid propulsion system enabling silent electric operation up to 6 knots or 14.5-knot top speed with diesel assistance."Simena blends classic ketch elegance with cutting-edge technology," said Piraye Sahinkaya Orhun, Ares Yachts Projects Director. The yacht accommodates 12 guests and 9 crew, with a main-deck owner's suite and transatlantic range of 4,000 nm at 11 knots.Interior materials include walnut cabinetry, textured leathers, and marble-clad bathrooms. Northrop & Johnson holds the exclusive listing. Ares Yachts, situated in Antalya Free Zone on Turkey’s south coast, spans 40,000 square meters of build space across four large sheds. Besides Simena, the shipyard is concurrently working on other projects, including the 50m motor yacht Spitfire and a 54m explorer yacht known as Project Atlas. Additionally, Ares Yachts is developing a 65-85m yacht range in collaboration with Lateral Naval Architects.Credits: Ares Yachts
July 5, 2025
Columbus Yachts has started building its new 48-meter Crossover model at Palumbo Superyachts' Savona shipyard. The steel-hulled explorer with aluminum superstructures follows two previously sold Crossover units (42m and 47m), marking the shipyard's first self-financed project in this series.Designed by Hydro Tec, the vessel features an 8.6-meter beam and 2.75-meter draft, optimized for stability and long-range cruising. The exterior combines explorer-style proportions with a bulbous bow and streamlined stern for ocean-going capability. Key features include a multifunctional aft deck that can store a large tender or convert into a pool and lounge area.Accommodation includes six cabins for 12 guests, with the owner's suite on the upper deck and a VIP cabin on the main deck. The naval architecture was developed jointly by Hydro Tec and the shipyard's engineering team.No delivery date or price was disclosed. The Crossover series targets owners seeking a balance between expedition capability and contemporary yacht design.Founded in 2008 under Palumbo Superyachts, Columbus Yachts combines 50+ years of maritime expertise with modern yacht-building innovation. The brand gained recognition after launching its first 54m superyacht Prima in 2011 and later pioneering hybrid propulsion technology, earning RINA certification for its Sport Hybrid 40m.Specializing in semi-custom and full-custom builds (37m–120m), Columbus offers four lines: Atlantique, Crossover, Sport, and Classic. Its flagship 80m Dragon exemplifies its craftsmanship. As part of Palumbo Superyachts, the brand provides end-to-end owner support alongside sister yards ISA Yachts, Mondomarine, and Extra Yachts.Credits: Columbus Yachts
June 30, 2025
The 34th Monaco Yacht Show will take place from September 24-27, 2025, featuring approximately 560 exhibitors across Port Hercule. The event will display 120 superyachts, including 50 new builds from 2025, alongside 60 luxury tenders.Organizers have introduced a new sustainability program developed with the Water Revolution Foundation, highlighting exhibitors advancing environmental initiatives. The show's thematic zones include the Yacht Design & Innovation Hub for new concepts, the Adventure Area showcasing over 40 luxury vehicles and water toys, and the upper deck lounge for luxury goods and services."The exhibitor list helps future owners identify key contacts for custom builds, refits, or charters within an exclusive, innovation-focused environment," said Gaëlle Tallarida, Managing Director of the Monaco Yacht Show.The current exhibitor roster includes shipyards, designers, equipment manufacturers, and luxury service providers. The list remains subject to updates through summer 2025.Credits: MYS
June 30, 2025
The latest 80-meter Amels Limited Editions superyacht has arrived at Damen Yachting's Vlissingen shipyard in the Netherlands after construction at their Galatz facility in Romania. The vessel will now undergo full outfitting in preparation for delivery in 2027.Project Manager Danker Rijk stated: "After an impressive launch in our Galatz shipyard, we are delighted to welcome this Amels 80 to Vlissingen to commence the outfitting phase. This is an exciting milestone toward delivering another exceptional yacht on schedule."The 2,175 GT superyacht features exterior design by Espen Øino and interiors by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design. With accommodations for 14 guests and 21 crew members, the vessel represents Damen Yachting's combination of custom features with proven yacht-building technology.The Amels 80 follows the Limited Editions series' approach of offering semi-custom superyachts with reduced build times compared to fully custom projects. No further details about the owner or specific custom features were disclosed.Damen Yachting, a division within the Damen Shipyards Group, was created in 2019. The division combines the pedigree and heritage of Amels yachts with a growing portfolio of SeaXplorer yachts and Yacht Support vessels.Credits: Damen Yachting
June 27, 2025
Flexjet and Ferretti Group have introduced Riva Volare, a custom aircraft cabin design inspired by Riva motoryachts. The collaboration brings nautical styling to Flexjet's Gulfstream G650 jets and Sikorsky S-76 helicopters, targeting ultra-high-net-worth travelers.The Gulfstream G650 configuration accommodates 12-15 passengers for flights up to 16 hours, while two Sikorsky S-76 helicopters will operate in Florida and a new Milan-based service covering Italy and the French Riviera. Ferretti Group clients will receive preferential access to the helicopter operations.The design blends elements from Riva's 1960s Aquarama with contemporary Aquariva models, using artisanal materials and distinctive patterns. The interiors were developed through collaboration between both companies' design teams.Kenn Ricci and Alberto Galassi"I have long admired the iconic style of Riva, and seeing this brought to life in our aircraft is nothing short of exceptional," said Flexjet Chairman Kenn Ricci. Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi added: "Riva Volare is another splendid result of our collaboration with Flexjet, a brand with which we share the same passion for constantly raising quality standards."The design was unveiled June 26 at Milano Prime Linate Airport, with displays of the aircraft alongside a Riva Aquariva Special yacht. No pricing details were disclosed.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
June 27, 2025