Famously known as the world's largest yacht by gross tonnage, ie interior volume, the 156-meter Dilbar has redefined the notion of space in yachting. The third yacht to bear the same name, she was delivered by Lurssen to her Russian billionaire owner in 2017.
The first Dilbar superyacht to be delivered to Alisher Usmanov, a billionaire investor whose net worth was valued by Forbes at $16 billion, became a 66-meter Oceanco. Launched in 2005 by the Dutch shipyard, the first Dilbar was a significant step forward for the yard thanks to the 66-meter's innovative features such as her spa pool and beach club. Both well ahead of their time.
With an interior by Alberto Pinto, she became one of the most sought-after yachts on the water. Her rounded aft as well as her impressive 1,801GT of interior volume made her stand out from the crowd on the exterior. Inside, amenities included a private cinema, spacious cabins on the main deck, a vast dinning room and a salon with a piano.
Shortly prior to the delivery of his second Dilbar, Usmanov renamed the 66-meter to Ona in 2008 and subsequently put her on the brokerage market. The yacht was then sold in 2010 to US oil mogul, William Kallop at an asking price of €59.9 million.
Lately, Natita was in the press following her being seized by Goldman Sachs from Kallop and then sold. The American oil veteran had taken out a $32 million loan against Natita and his other yacht, the 57-meter Bad Girl, from Goldman before stopping to service it with nearly $28 million still left on it.
The investment bank thus decided to seize the 66-meter yacht from Kallop in Palm Beach and put her on the market. Goldman quickly offloaded Natita from their books by selling the yacht at a final price of $39.9 million, hence covering Kallop's remaining payment on the loan.
Usmanov's second Dilbar became a 110-meter superyacht out of Germany. A close sistership to Pelorus, she was launched by Lurssen in June 2008 and became the world's 17th largest yacht in the world. In addition to this, she also became one of the first yachts on the water to have particle filters on her main engine exhausts.
Known throughout her build as Project Opal, the 110-meter featured some similarities in interior design and amenities with the first Dilbar. A large Jacuzzi with a glass wall and water feature was installed forward of the sundeck with a lounging area around it, both on the 110-meter and the Oceanco. A lounge with a bar and piano was also incorporated into both yachts as well as a private cinema.
The scale of the new superyacht, however, allowed for some new, ameliorated features such as a large owner's office with several meeting areas and lounging area that opens onto the upper aft deck. A separate, executive conference room was also built onboard with an unbeatable view onto the sea through floor-to-ceiling windows. Other improvements include a spacious gym and spa area.
After several years near the top of the list of the world's largest yachts, the Dilbar name leapfrogged onto the number spot with the delivery of the 156-meter behemoth that is now the fleet's flagship. One of yachting's most anticipated projects ever, Dilbar was launched in 2016 and boasted a gross tonnage of 15,917 confirmed by the shipyard.
Around the same time, the 110-meter was renamed from Dilbar to Ona and put on the brokerage market according to landing pages that had then sprung up on websites of superyacht brokers. These have since been taken offline, however, it is yet unknown if the owner of the 110-meter changed or if these simply updated their marketing strategy.
Photo by Josip Baresic
With an exterior design by Espen Oeino, Dilbar now has a gross tonnage of 15,917 tons, hence topping Al Said's 15,850 tons and Azzam's 13,136 tons. Notably, all three of these voluminous yachts were built by Lurssen that has kept fortifying its position as the main destination for megayacht construction.
Impressive facts about the new Dilbar flagship include her beam of 23 meters as well as her deep, 6-meter draft. Onboard over 1,100km of cables were stretched for all of the required wiring and set up. According to the shipyard, 3,800 square meters of living space were built on Dilbar.
Built in under 52 months from the time of signing of the contract to delivery, Dilbar was also the largest yacht ever to feature a diesel electric power plant from an engineering standpoint. This lets the 156-meter yacht get up to a cruising speed of 22.5 knots. Her hull and superstructure represented near 10,000 square meters of faired surfaces.
Ever since her delivery in 2016, Dilbar has drawn the attention of worldwide press as well as social media users around the globe. Her travels throughout the Mediterranean have hence been essentially documented by enthusiasts around the world with her photos now having been taken from nearly every possible angle.
In early 2017, it was reported that a 160-meter berth, the largest in the world, was sold in OneOcean Port Vell, Barcelona. Although the name of the acquirer of the long term lease that is set to last until 2036 wasn't released, Dilbar is statistically the only yacht that could have used the berth to its full potential, which it has indeed done during the off season.
Fully renovated in 2014 through a €100 million investment led by the UK-based Salamanca Group, OneOcean Port Vell has become a hype destination for large superyachts in recent quarters thanks to its newly built amenities. In 2017, they had reported a 742% spike in visits of 100m+ yachts. Later that year, the marina was acquired by Qatari investment bank, QInvest together with an investment fund beneficially owned by Russian billionaire, Vagit Alekperov.
Currently Russia's fifth richest man with a net worth of $16 billion according to Forbes, Alisher Usmanov was also featured as one of the most powerful people in the world on their 2016 ranking. Primarily known in yachting through the Dilbar fleet, Usmanov is best known in business circles as the main shareholder of USM Holdings.
USM's initial equity stakes primarily stem from the metal and industrial sectors. These have, however, over time diversified and now also include ownership of Megafon, one of Russia's largest telecom operators. To the United Kingdom, Usmanov is best known as one of the co-owners of the Arsenal football club.
To the tech community, Usmanov is one of the most successful investors in modern history, having made investments into companies such as Facebook, Alibaba and Mail.ru.
Photos via Superyachts Gibraltar, Yacht Harbour, Instagram
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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