Outfitting begins on Russian billionaire’s 77m explorer La Datcha

On April 2nd and 3rd, Besenzoni welcomed members of the Italian Yacht Masters association for the third iteration of the Captains’ Experience.For the third consecutive year, Besenzoni opened its headquarters to host a select group of captains from the Italian Yacht Masters association, including Board Member Marco Nocenti. This initiative reaffirms the company’s commitment to fostering direct dialogue with nautical professionals, with the aim of continually improving the onboard experience.The meeting provided a valuable forum to discuss key topics concerning the evolution of the yachting sector. The presence of Architect Christian Grande and Professor Architect Filippo Rossi (CCO of Floating Life) added depth to the discussion, offering insights into the latest onboard requirements and emerging market trends. Their expertise helped to explore crucial aspects of design, functionality, and onboard comfort, which are increasingly important to yacht owners and their guests.As a leader in the nautical components industry, Besenzoni remains committed to investing in research and development, focusing on innovation and quality to meet the evolving needs of the market.The Italian Yacht Masters is an exclusive association of Italian superyacht captains, founded on principles of respect, integrity, competence, and professionalism. Its mission is to elevate the role of the captain and promote the tradition and excellence of Italian yachting worldwide.Credits: Besenzoni

Damen Yachting have received the prestigious Yacht Style Award 2025 for the Amels 80 in the Superyachts 60-80 meters category at the award ceremony held in Singapore. Presented during the SEA Yachting Conference and preceding the Singapore Yachting Festival, the awards recognized the finest accomplishments in the Asian superyacht industry.Accepting the award on behalf of Damen Yachting, Marketing Manager Sarah Flavell expressed the company’s delight: “We are thrilled to accept this award for the Amels 80 in the 60-80 meter category here in Singapore. This region has become increasingly significant for us in recent years, and it is gratifying to see Amels receiving such recognition here. Since introducing this new 80-meter Amels Limited Editions in 2022, we have been overwhelmed by the industry’s and our clients’ responses to this groundbreaking next-generation design. It has been an extraordinary journey.”The Amels 80 embodies a perfect blend of performance, sophistication, and enduring quality, crafted through a true collaboration between renowned designers and talented craftsmen. Originating from the visionary exterior lines of Espen Øino and the refined interiors of Sinot Yacht Architecture, the yacht also reflects the meticulous naval architecture of Damen Yachting. Built by skilled craftsmen at Damen’s Dutch shipyard, the Amels 80 exemplifies a harmonious fusion of heritage and progressive design.Scheduled for official launch in May and delivery to its Owner this summer, the Amels 80 boasts exceptional specifications: 80 meters in length, 12.5 meters in beam, 2,175 GT, a range of 5,000 nautical miles at 12 knots, accommodations for 14 guests and 20 crew, and advanced naval architecture by Damen Yachting.Damen Yachting, the yachting division of the Damen Shipyards Group, is renowned for building and refitting the finest Amels superyachts, Xplorer luxury expedition superyachts, and Yacht Support vessels, enabling clients to experience the pinnacle of luxury and adventure. Supported by a team of approximately 500 yacht-building professionals and hundreds of specialist co-makers, Damen Yachting delivers on its promise of excellence with unrivaled know-how and a relentless commitment to innovation.Credits: Damen Yachting

M/Y Kasper 7, a 67-meter superyacht built by Benetti, has been honored with the Yacht Style Awards 2025 in the “60-70M” category for her design that fosters conviviality. Recognized for her exceptional style, Kasper 7 was specifically designed for an owner couple who envisioned their yacht as a floating home centered on social interaction.Hosted annually by Yacht Style concurrently with the Singapore Yachting Festival, the awards acknowledge the most outstanding yachts presented globally. This year’s selection, including M/Y Kasper 7, acknowledges her uniqueness and distinction. Immediately striking with her originality, Kasper 7 creates an atmosphere of calm and relaxation, drawing admiration from guests.Designed and built by Benetti, with exteriors by Cassetta Yacht Designers and interiors by the owner Nisrine Karagulla and her studio Ask Deco, Kasper 7 embodies a warm and relaxed ambiance, making guests feel at ease. The project seamlessly integrates design and engineering, crafting a singular on-board experience.Credits: Benetti

A Zeelander 5 has been delivered to Hawaii, marking the first Zeelander yacht to reach the islands. The vessel, named Koa, features a striking Royal Night’s blue metallic and pearlescent white color scheme. Departing from the Netherlands, Koa’s epic 13,000-mile journey took it down the European and African coasts, across the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal, and northward to Vancouver. From there, it was transported to Seattle on a low-loader, with a barge completing the final 2,800-mile leg to Hawaii.Despite the distance and challenging conditions, Koa proved its seaworthiness. Captain Tony Joyce recalled the treacherous journey, noting that the yacht encountered 10- to 14-foot seas and winds peaking at 35 knots. The yacht’s robust design and hydrodynamic efficiency allowed it to endure these extreme conditions, including waves breaking over the bow and occasional submerging. Remarkably, Koa remained watertight throughout the journey, with no water ingress reported.Koa is also the first Zeelander yacht to be equipped with solar panels, featuring four 40W units embedded in the curved coachroof. These panels proved highly productive in Hawaii’s climate, compensating for the absence of shorepower and conserving battery reserves.Beyond its ruggedness, Koa reflects the personal touches of its owner, with an interior dominated by exclusive leathers. Although predominantly used for day trips, the yacht has been busy exploring Hawaii’s coastline, with activities ranging from whale watching and scuba diving to fishing and picnicking. The yacht has drawn significant attention locally, with visits from the US Coast Guard and interactions with a US nuclear submarine during multilateral naval exercises.Floris Koopmans, Zeelander’s business development manager, expressed pride in Koa’s delivery, highlighting the yacht’s performance under challenging circumstances and the skill of Captain Joyce. This milestone underscores Zeelander’s global appeal and the reliability of its designs, even in the most remote corners of the world.Credits: Zeelander

Italian designer Mauro Giamboi has partnered with Van Oossanen Naval Architects to introduce a new superyacht range named Azzurra. The designs, ranging from 30 to 50 meters, fuse classic Italian aesthetics with innovative engineering features, including an asymmetric main-deck layout prioritizing the main saloon and a highly efficient naval platform."Mauro Giamboi and Van Oossanen have created a family of yachts that are not only visually stunning but also set new standards in performance and efficiency," said Perry Van Oossanen, attributing the success of the designs to the synergy between Italian design and Dutch engineering. All models are based on the Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF), developed by Oossanen, offering up to 20 to 30 percent fuel savings at cruising speeds.The Azzurra 40, the first model in the range, has been designed as the "ultimate semi-custom platform" in its size category (40.2 meters). Central to its design is the aft deck, featuring a glass-fronted dip pool, sun loungers, and sofa seating. Expandable bulwarks increase the usable space to 85 square meters, while steps aft and starboard lead to the swim platform for easy water access. The sundeck houses dining, sunbathing, and lounging areas, with the latter partially shielded by the hardtop.The yacht accommodates up to 16 guests and nine crew, with the option to convert cabins for charter-friendly occupancy. The owner's suite, located on the upper deck, features a casual dining area, office space, sofa seating, and a private balcony spanning 40 square meters. The Azzurra 40 is compatible with traditional twin-engine setups and hybrid propulsion, with a projected maximum speed of 16 knots and a range of 4,000 nautical miles at 11 knots. Two additional models, the Azzurra 36 and an ice-class Azzurra 48, have also been developed.Giamboi recently shared two other concepts with BOAT International: an 80-meter yacht designed for polar adventures and a 40-meter catamaran featuring the largest, most immersive beach club in its size range.Credits: Mauro Giamboi