The 37.6-metre aluminium open-style sports boat A2 (ex-Madhuri) was built by Eurocraft Cantieri Navali in 2008. In 2018, the vessel underwent a major refit headed up by Florence designer Tommaso Spadolini, who introduced significant changes to the exterior and interior layout, closely with the New York-based designer Peter Marino to update the décor.
Below is the information on how a 6-month refit on a yacht of A2 type works, with a synergetic collaboration between the owner, the designers and the shipyard. Spadolini recalls, the initial owner’s brief centred on light and space:
It was a challenging project as he [the owner] wanted to make significant changes and gave the refit team just half a year to complete the job, which required a high level of cooperation and synergy between the owner, the designers and the C.A.R.M. shipyard in Lavagna.
Importantly, the original boat had no hull windows and was built on a very traditional layout. Taking care to retain the yacht’s original personality, portlights were opened up in the hull, requiring new certification, and the general arrangement was completely revised. A full-width entrance leads into a bright, welcoming main deck salon furnished with large sofas, a bar and wide-screen TV. The wheelhouse is located forward on the same level.
On the lower deck, the old twin cabins were replaced with two new ensuite cabins: the owner’s suite with four hull windows for extra light, a separate dressing room and marble-lined bathroom, and a double cabin for his daughter with two new windows. A bright VIP with ensuite bathroom is also located on the lower deck forward and has its own dedicated staircase.
A modern galley was fitted with an external gull-wing door so the crew has access to the side decks, and a new dayhead has replaced the old fireplace area. The galley, captain’s cabin, crew mess and laundry are served by a dedicated service staircase. The two crew cabins aft with two bathrooms have direct access to the engine room.
For the interior design and decor, Spadolini worked closely with Peter Marino Architects (PDA):
Peter had designed homes for the owner in the past. PDA selected all the colour palettes, textiles, marbles, fixtures and fittings, but we made sure his proposals could be integrated into the interior design.
Techno wise, the yacht is powered by MTU engines of 2500 hp each to a maximum speed of 31 knots and a fast cruising speed of 28 knots. After taking delivery, the owner and his family spent their August vacation on-board A2 cruising the waters of Corsica and Sardinia.
Tommaso Spadolini design studio celebrated 40 years of activity in 2018. The company has worked with many of the yachting industry’s most famous shipyards: Cantieri di Pisa, Barberis, Alalunga, Baglietto, Codecasa and Rossinavi.
Sanlorenzo has inaugurated its new Venice cultural venue, Casa Sanlorenzo, with Fabrizio Ferri's "Breathtaking" installation. The exhibition addresses ocean plastic pollution through thirteen portraits of public figures including musician Sting and actor Willem Dafoe, who attended the opening event.The exhibition runs from September 2 to November 23, 2025, at the restored 1940s villa redesigned by Sanlorenzo's artistic director Piero Lissoni. The space features an oval-shaped installation with large-scale photographs mounted on black walls, centered around a glass coffin filled with seawater. Visitors experience the exhibition using noise-cancelling headphones to simulate oceanic silence.Fabrizio Ferri stated the work was inspired by photographs of marine animals suffocated by plastic debris, noting: "The deadly force of the contamination of the seas and oceans that we cause with plastic and microplastics is not only killing the oceans, we are also killing ourselves."Sanlorenzo Executive Chairman Massimo Perotti described Casa Sanlorenzo as "a natural extension of our philosophy, where beauty and responsibility go hand in hand," adding that the exhibition represents "a statement of intent" regarding ocean conservation.The installation previously appeared at Milan's Natural History Museum, attracting 40,000 visitors over four days. The Venice presentation adds a new portrait of Sting to the collection, which also includes Helena Christensen, Julianne Moore, and Isabella Rossellini among others.Casa Sanlorenzo operates under the Sanlorenzo Arts program, representing the company's initiative to connect yacht manufacturing with environmental awareness and cultural discourse. The venue opens during both the Venice Film Festival and Architecture Biennale, positioning the brand within Venice's cultural calendar.Access to the facility is provided via Venice's first new pedestrian bridge constructed since 2008. Exhibition hours are 11:00 to 19:00 Thursday through Sunday until November 23.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
September 2, 2025
Finnish boat manufacturer Saxdor Yachts has reorganized its Adriatic distribution network, appointing Newera Yachting as regional dealer for Slovenia, Austria, Croatia, and Montenegro. The arrangement rebrands existing partner Vrtinc Navtika under the Newera Yachting identity with expanded territorial coverage.Montenegrin dealer BEN-KOV, representing Saxdor since 2022, will transition to sub-dealer status under Newera Yachting's regional management. The consolidation aims to standardize customer service and support operations across Adriatic markets.Jon Hautamäki, Sales Director at Saxdor Yachts, stated: "Newera Yachting has been instrumental in developing our presence in Central and Southeastern Europe. This consolidation reflects our trust in their team and their deep understanding of our brand and product philosophy."Newera Yachting Managing Director Boštjan Granda added: "We're proud to strengthen our partnership with Saxdor and take on a broader role in the Adriatic region. It's a brand we truly believe in: innovative, dynamic, and aligned with what our customers are looking for."The dealer restructuring forms part of Saxdor's global network optimization strategy, which now encompasses 150 locations across five continents. The Adriatic region represents a significant market for the builder due to established boating culture and expanding marina infrastructure.Newera Yachting will provide sales and service support for Saxdor's model range, which includes outboard and inboard powerboats from 6 to 12 meters length. The company's experience with Saxdor products positions it to implement standardized customer service protocols across the newly consolidated territory.Credits: Saxdor Yachts
September 1, 2025
Florence-based designer Luca Dini presented at TEDxForteDeiMarmi on August 30, 2025, discussing intersections between yacht design and architecture. The founder of Luca Dini Design & Architecture delivered a speech titled "Beyond the waves: where yachting and architecture meet" during the event's third edition.Dini addressed connections between marine and terrestrial design, emphasizing sustainable approaches and hybrid spaces. His presentation referenced thirty years of professional experience integrating nautical design principles with architectural projects.The talk examined Sindalah Island in the Red Sea, a luxury destination master-planned by Dini's studio, as an example of convergence between marine and architectural design. Additional case studies included the Sydney Opera House and Denmark's Wave complex as structures demonstrating harmony between built environments and marine contexts.Dini stated: "Design is an act of cross-disciplinary sharing: between aesthetics and function, between nature and the built environment, between different cultures. It is also the expression of a quiet, conscious form of luxury, revealed through authentic materials, essential lines, and the attention to details."The presentation argued that yachts increasingly resemble floating architectures while urban projects incorporate design elements from marine environments. Dini emphasized material authenticity, craftsmanship, and functional aesthetics over ostentatious display in luxury design.TEDxForteDeiMarmi featured multiple speakers discussing innovation across various creative and technical fields. Dini's participation marked continued engagement between yacht design professionals and broader architectural discourse. Credits: Luca Dini Design & Architecture
September 1, 2025
The Horizon FD87 Skyline model Aqua Life has entered the brokerage market, representing one of the most popular designs from Horizon's Fast Displacement series. The 27-meter yacht has been maintained by a single owner since its construction and recently underwent professional refitting.Designed by Cor D. Rover, the vessel features an enclosed flybridge configuration that provides additional interior space uncommon in yachts of this length. The layout includes a main deck master suite and four guest cabins below deck (three doubles and one twin), plus separate crew accommodations for three personnel.Notable features include a beach club area with hydraulic swim platform, sofa, bar, refrigeration units, and television. The transom lifts to create an expanded waterside entertainment area. Outdoor spaces comprise forward seating with sunpads, and a bridge deck with bar, dining area, and davit crane for water toy deployment.The interior utilizes high-gloss cherry wood finishes throughout the main saloon, which features expansive windows and combined lounge/dining areas. The galley incorporates a high-low island partition allowing either open-concept entertaining or separated service operations.The enclosed flybridge creates a secondary interior lounge with navigation station and seating area, connected to outdoor spaces via sliding glass doors. Stabilization systems include zero-speed fin stabilizers for comfort both underway and at anchor.With a gross tonnage of 187 GT, Aqua Life offers volume exceeding many comparable yachts in its class. The Horizon FD87 model has been particularly noted for balancing interior volume with performance characteristics in the mid-range motor yacht segment.Horizon Yachts, the subsidiary company of Horizon Group, was co-founded in 1987 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Since then, Horizon has become the leading Asian yacht brand in the luxury yacht market.Credits: Horizon Yachts
September 1, 2025
The 50-meter Heesen motor yacht Bijin has completed a comprehensive refit at Monaco Marine's La Seyne-sur-Mer facility. Formerly named Sibelle, the vessel was sold in October 2024 with Burgess representing the buyer and Ocean Independence the seller.The nine-month project involved exterior repainting from oyster white and grey to Matterhorn white with jet black accents and a red boot stripe. Interior updates focused on Japandi-inspired design elements blending Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian influences. Milan-based studio Hot Lab led the design in collaboration with Austrian contractors List GC.Hot Lab design director Enrico Lumini stated: "Their hands-on involvement and constructive approach were instrumental in helping us navigate challenges and complete the project within the established timeframe." The owners maintained an active role throughout the process, having previously worked with the design studio.Refit work concentrated on soft furnishings including beds, headboards, curtains, carpets, and loose furniture rather than structural modifications. The color palette shifted toward lighter tones and softer brown shades to create what the owner described as "an organic, naturally blending and appealing design" for guest relaxation.Originally delivered in 2015 with a Fast Displacement Hull Form design, Bijin received recognition at the 2016 World Superyacht Awards. The yacht accommodates 10 guests with an owner's suite featuring dual bathrooms serving as buffer zones before the main cabin.Monaco Marine project manager Augustin Fabre noted the refit met "the most demanding standards" for visual identity and functionality. The yacht will operate for both private use and charter in the Western Mediterranean, with initial seasons fully booked.The refit demonstrates continued market activity in large yacht refurbishment projects, particularly for well-maintained vessels requiring aesthetic updates rather than technical overhauls. The collaboration between ownership, design teams, and shipyard resulted in a nine-month completion timeline.Heesen Yachts is a Dutch ship building company that specializes in custom-built superyachts in aluminum and steel from 30m to 70m in size. Founded in 1978, it has launched more than 170 yachts since its inception.Credits: Viken Group
August 29, 2025