Scheduled for delivery later this year, the 106-meter Black Pearl is set to become the world's largest sailing yacht. Built by Oceanco under the codename Project Solar, she is capable of crossing the Atlantic burning just 20 liters of fuel thanks to alternative power sources.
Inspired by the 88-metre Maltese Falcon, built by Perini Navi for the late venture capitalist, Tom Perkins in 2006, Project Solar started when Ken Freivokh was contracted by the owner on 7 July 2010 to handle design and styling on the project. This initially resulted in a 96-metre preliminary concept codenamed Nautilus.
Given their involvement with the development of the Maltese Falcon and its DynaRig concept, Dykstra Naval Architects were introduced by Ken Freivokh to the owner and the Nautilus concept, on which they then acted as naval architects. As a result of a highly beneficial collaboration, Dykstra's team were able to refine and further advance the DynaRig system they designed, driven by the owner to push the technology boundaries beyond what the Maltese Falcon had already achieved.
As the preliminary concept was moving ahead as scheduled at Ken Freivokh Design, the studio commissioned UK-based, Devonport yachts (Pendennis shipyard) to perform a technical study of the yacht to create the tendering package, which was then submitted to seven leading shipyards in Europe and the United States in June 2011.
Freivokh's team had extended the project to 100-metres by November 2011, of which a scale model was produced. Dutch-based Oceanco were ultimately selected by the owner to undertake the build and in 2012, Nuvolari Lenard, who had previously collaborated with Oceanco on other projects, joined the team for the construction of Freivokh's Nautilus design, influencing several tweaks, such as the three emblematic, elliptical hull windows, as well as parts of the superstructure including further development of the original distinctive arches.
As the process continued, the hull design kept evolving with active input from the owner following studies by Freivokh's team on the bow swap that highlighted the need for its refinement. By the owner's hand, these modifications gradually evolved into the overhang-to-reverse bow concept that the 106-metre Nautilus concept ultimately bore.
"First time I saw Black Pearl was actually in a photo sent to me." said Chris Gartner, Captain of the S/Y in its launch video. "And I couldn't believe my eyes, I was very excited to see a photo of it finally because it had been such a secret project." Indeed, prior to her launching and setting out for sea trials, information on the project was essentially kept classified by all parties involved.
"Actually Black Pearl was not an experiment, she is a real challenge in the yacht building industry." commented Marcel Onkenhout, CEO of Oceanco. "Because all that has been put on the drawing board had never been done before". Arguably, Black Pearl's size enabled many features that were previously impossible with sailing yachts. At 106 meters in length, she's 13 meters longer than EOS, the previous record holder.
"We have seven meters draft, which is the total depth." added Derek Munro, owner's representative for Black Pearl. "And of this approximately 4 meters is keel [...] so we keep all of our weight low. When you look at the overall length of the vessel versus the size of the mast, the masts are not too high". Developed by Dykstra with inspiration from the Maltese Falcon, the Black Pearl features arguably the most advanced sail system ever installed, allowing her to cruise with the wind in any direction.
As the development process of the yacht continued before the build started, the hull design kept evolving with active input from the owner following studies by Freivokh's team on the bow swap that highlighted the need for its refinement. By the owner's hand, these modifications gradually evolved into the overhang-to-reverse bow concept that the 106-metre Nautilus concept ultimately bore.
Built as Project Y712 and often referred to as Project Solar, S/Y Black Pearl's interior framework and layout was initially created by Ken Freivokh before being refined by the owner, working closely with designer Gerard Villatte. The acclaimed project is now nearing completion, with Ken Freivokh overseeing the final stages of the build since April 2016, as per contract, following the completion of Nuvolari Lenard's involvement with the project.
"When we're sailing, we have sufficient wind speed and we're generating enough hull speed, we can then begin to manoeuvre the blades slightly to what we call regeneration mode." explained Richard Tatlow, Black Pearl's chief engineer in the launch video. "We can then use that energy and consume it within our electrical switchboard inside the vessel".
Another key element of Black Pearl's development was its solar sails, which can actually produce energy whilst the yacht is underway thanks to solar panels built within the fabric of the sail. "We can easily get the rotation on the sails and we'll probably end up, if we're lucky, at 50% of energy with solar sails." explained Munro in the video.
"With the right wind and the right sea, we could reach 30 knots. And with the regeneration and the [solar] sail, we're predicting that we can do Transatlantic [crossings] with no fuel used." added Munro. Should Black Pearl achieve this once delivered, it would be an unparalleled achievement in the yachting industry. As a reference, 50 meter motor yachts typically burn 300 liters of fuel per hour at cruising speed with an average of 8 days required to cross from Europe to the Caribbean.
"The Black Pearl is the first of its kind, to be this big, this beautiful and performing like it does." concluded her captain. Indeed, technically, Black Pearl is now the largest sailing yacht in the world. Historically, however, a certain confusion has also come along with determining which vessel could claim this title, primarily due to the measurements and classifications used.
Photo by @king_of_neverland
Indeed, whereas the 142.8-meter Sailing Yacht A, delivered earlier this year to Russian billionaire, Andrey Melnichenko, is clearly longer but also 4.6 times more voluminous than the Black Pearl, the ship is classified as a sail-assisted motor yacht. Therefore, its class would put S/Y A in the motor yacht category, leaving the Black Pearl in the lead. Confusion still persists as to this method, however, the ranking is still more solidified now than it was several years ago when there were 3 contenders to the title.
At 88 meters in length, the Maltese Falcon built in 2006 by Perini Navi with a Dynarig system also installed by Dykstra, was one of the vessels that held a claim to the top spot in the rankings. Primarily, this rested on the fact that her total length should be used, whereas other sailing yachts should have their length counted without a bowsprit as the Falcon had none.
Others, however, argued that total length should be taken into account for all sailing yachts, and that there was no use resorting to such technicalities. Such a calculation would have then clearly placed the 93-meter Lurssen, EOS at the top of the list.
Set to be delivered soon, the Black Pearl did more than straighten out the rankings of the world's largest sailing yachts, it also brought back a clear desire and ambition to innovate in the sailing yacht space. A sector that had been left with little advancements and thrilling projects before Project Solar apart from S/Y A.
Royal Huisman has commenced work on Project 412, an 80-meter-plus sailing yacht for a repeat client. The full-aluminum vessel will rank among the largest sailing yachts built by the Dutch shipyard when completed.The yacht features a carbon rig supplied by Rondal, designed for performance sailing and global circumnavigation. While exterior details remain confidential, the project continues Royal Huisman's specialization in large-scale sailing superyachts.Jan Timmerman, CEO of Royal Huisman, stated: "We are honored to embark on this new super-sized sailing yacht project for a returning owner. Project 412 promises a true sailing experience while offering a distinctive and sustainable alternative to large powerboats."The construction reinforces Royal Huisman's position in the XXL sailing yacht segment. No delivery date or additional specifications were disclosed. The yard currently has multiple large sailing projects in progress at its Netherlands facilities.Project 412 will join Royal Huisman's portfolio of custom sailing superyachts, which includes several of the world's largest sailing vessels. The commission demonstrates continued demand for performance-oriented sailing yachts in the 80-meter-plus range.Royal Huisman is a Dutch shipyard established in 1884 in Ronduite, building and refitting custom luxury sailing and motor yachts at its shipyard in Vollenhove, the Netherlands.Credits: Royal Huisman
May 15, 2025
Sanlorenzo S.p.A. announced its Q1 2025 financial results, reporting €213.5 million in net revenues from new yacht sales, a 9.6% year-over-year increase. The company's EBITDA rose to €37.0 million (+8.5% YoY), while net profit reached €21.2 million (+8.0% YoY).The Superyacht Division grew by 10.4%, and Nautor Swan contributed €23.8 million in revenues. Geographically, the Americas saw a 40.6% increase, while Europe grew by 8.6%. The company’s backlog stands at €1.2 billion, with 89% of orders sold to final clients and deliveries scheduled through 2028.EBITDA margin slightly decreased to 17.3% (from 17.5% in Q1 2024), attributed to the Nautor Swan acquisition. Excluding this effect, profitability would have improved. EBIT increased by 4.2% to €26.8 million, maintaining a 12.6% margin.Net financial position shifted to -€28.1 million due to seasonal working capital needs ahead of the Mediterranean delivery season (May-July). The company also repurchased €3.7 million in treasury shares and acquired 60% of AF Arturo Foresti S.r.l. for €0.7 million.Order intake in Q1 2025 reached €178.1 million (+5.9% YoY), reinforcing confidence in the Sanlorenzo, Bluegame, and Nautor Swan brands. The company confirmed its 2025 guidance, citing strong demand with waiting lists extending to 2028.Massimo Perotti, Chairman and CEO, stated: *"Our business model – unique in the international yachting landscape – continues to deliver excellent profitability and long-term visibility. We are reinforcing leadership in the 30 to 50-metre segment, supported by a sophisticated client base and semi-custom production."*Perotti noted that only 5% of revenues come from yachts under 30 meters, minimizing exposure to potential U.S. tariff risks. The company remains optimistic about sustainable growth and value creation.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
May 15, 2025
Wally has completed sea trials for its new wallyrocket51 racing yacht, marking the Ferretti Group brand's first dedicated race boat design. The 15.5-meter (51-foot) yacht demonstrated performance capabilities during testing off Valencia ahead of its competitive debut at the ORC National Championship in Sorrento earlier this month.Developed as a one-design class optimized for both IRC and ORC racing formats, the wallyrocket51 incorporates several technical innovations. Naval architecture by Botin Partners features a 6,250kg displacement hull with 640-liter water ballast tanks and pre-preg carbon construction with Corecell and Nomex cores. The design includes a 94-square-meter square-top mainsail and 265-square-meter gennaker, delivering 360 square meters of downwind sail area."The market is splitting between owners who want to cruise and those who want to race professionally," said Wally founder Luca Bassani. "We decided to build a one-design boat at around 50 feet, which ended up at 51 feet." The strict one-design rules aim to maintain competitive parity while extending the model's racing lifespan.The yacht's development team included 28-time world champion Vasco Vascotto and Guillermo Parada, who consulted on performance characteristics. "We wanted to create a boat that could make owners and sailors happy - faster than anything else out there, with a controllable budget," Vascotto stated. Early testing showed strong upwind pointing ability and downwind speed, with Parada noting the yacht's "taller rig relative to its size" incorporates recent technological developments.Key operational features include:Convertible between electric-powered one-design and manual-powered IRC/ORC configurationsWater ballast system allowing 6-7 second side-to-side transfersReduced crew requirement of 11 sailorsRemovable hydraulic systems for rating optimizationThe wallyrocket51 dominated its first competitive outing at the ORC Central and Southern Tyrrhenian National Championship, winning three of four races. The model is scheduled to compete in the Cowes-Dinard-Saint Malo race, Admiral's Cup, and Fastnet Race this summer.Wally has not disclosed production numbers or pricing for the wallyrocket51 class. The yacht represents the brand's strategic shift toward dedicated racing models alongside its cruising-oriented offerings. Santa Maria Magnolfi design studio incorporated signature Wally styling elements including an inverted sheerline and distinctive stern design while maintaining racing functionality.Pure Design & Engineering oversaw construction at a specialist racing yacht yard, with particular attention to weight management. Adolfo Carrau of Botin Partners noted the design's offshore capabilities, stating the yacht was "engineered since day 1 for offshore races" despite its light displacement.The wallyrocket51 will next appear at the 2025 European racing circuit, with Wally anticipating strong interest from both professional campaigns and owner-driver programs.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.Credit: Ferretti Group
May 15, 2025
German yacht builder YYachts has launched the Y6, a 20-meter sailing yacht designed for single-handed or short-handed operation. The carbon-epoxy constructed vessel combines customizable layouts with performance-focused engineering for autonomous cruising.The Y6 offers owners configuration options including three or four cabins, an office space, crew quarters, or a customized owner's suite. Interior materials include oak, walnut, and mahogany, with clients permitted to employ external designers. All sailing controls are accessible from the helm station, with an optional Y on Watch system providing remote technical support.An electric propulsion system is available alongside conventional options. The lightweight composite construction maintains performance in light winds while preventing interior odors, according to the builder."The Y6 is for those who want to sail independently, but without any compromise in design, comfort or performance," said YYachts founder Michael Schmidt.The yacht targets the 60-65 foot market segment, though pricing and delivery timelines remain undisclosed. The model joins YYachts' portfolio of minimalist sailing yachts, continuing the brand's emphasis on customizable, performance-oriented designs.No specific performance data or range estimates were provided for the new model. The Y6 represents the company's latest response to demand for owner-operated luxury sailing vessels.YYachts is a German shipyard that builds carbon sailing yachts between 70 and 100 feet in length. The portfolio consists of the Y7, Y8 and Y9 models; the Custom Division implements completely individual designs.Credits: YYachts
May 14, 2025
VisionF Yachts has unveiled interior details of its VISIONF 101, a 30.7-meter aluminum power catamaran currently under construction at the Turkish shipyard. The vessel, scheduled for launch in autumn 2025, represents the builder's largest project to date and will be the first aluminum catamaran of its size built to RINA Commercial Class standards.The VISIONF 101 features a shallow 1.45-meter draft designed for coastal cruising and access to secluded bays. Accommodation includes four guest cabins, with the owner's suite spanning 29.5 square meters across half of the starboard hull. The layout provides an 18-square-meter bedroom, 6.5-square-meter dressing room, and 5-square-meter ensuite bathroom. Three additional guest cabins continue the neutral-toned interior design scheme.Main saloonThe catamaran offers 132 square meters of flybridge space and a 103-square-meter main saloon. Crew accommodation consists of three cabins for five staff members. A 76-square-meter foredeck features an integrated cinema system, while the superstructure incorporates curved glass elements to maximize natural light.Main saloonPower comes from four Volvo Penta IPS 1350 engines producing a combined 4,000 hp, enabling a top speed of 17 knots. The roof utilizes Glass Fibre Reinforced Polyester construction to reduce weight.Owner cabinVisionF Yachts currently has eight models in production, including electric and aluminum catamarans ranging from 14 to 47 meters. The company has not disclosed pricing or ownership details for the VISIONF 101 project. The RINA Commercial Class certification indicates potential charter use, though operational plans remain unconfirmed.The vessel's design emphasizes maneuverability in both open water and coastal conditions, with the shipyard describing it as combining "comfort, luxury and refined aesthetics" for extended cruising. VisionF Yachts in Turkey was set up by Coşkun Bayraktar in Istanbul in 2019, but despite the shipyard’s relative youth it is a brand that is going places in the power catamaran world. In November 2020, VisionF Yachts debuted its first vessel, the VisionF 80. Credits: VisionF Yachts
May 14, 2025