1. 98m superyacht Aviva hits the water at Abeking and Rasmussen
German shipyard, Abeking & Rasmussen has launched the largest yacht in their history, the 98-meter Aviva for UK billionaire, Joe Lewis. Over the last weeks the shipyard prepared a special launching system for the new yacht. A large pontoon from Norway had been shipped in and moored in front of the new building shed. A special hydraulic platform trailer with 60 wheels combined with a winch moved the 98m yacht onto the pontoon. Reymond Langton Design were chosen to style the exterior, who, working with designer Toby Silverton on the exterior, developed a sleek and elegant profile. Inside they created a modern interior with a full sized padel tennis court, 20m x 10m x 6m high.
Lurssen megayacht Dilbar has been recently spotted in Barcelona, Spain. She became Alisher Usmanov's, one of the Russian billionaires shaping the yachting industry, third yacht. 156m Dilbar, launched at Lurssen facility in November 2015, has officially become the world's largest yacht by volume with a gross tonnage of 15,917 tons, toping Al Said's 15,850 tons and Azzam's 13,136 tons. With a beam of 23 meters and a deep draft of 6 meters, the yacht's exterior was designed by Espen Oeino. Cabling used on board stretches over 1,100km with guests and owner's spaces totaling a combined 3,800 square meters of living space.
Launched by Bravo in July 2013, Below Deck followed the lives of several yacht crew members during a charter season in no less than 53 episodes. For each season, producers chartered a different 50 meter yacht but however didn't always release the real names of these boats, which were altered for the show.
Australian yacht designer Scott Blee has introduced his latest creation, 85m highly efficient and modern superyacht, developed by Sabdes Design studio, in October 2016. Now the studio has shared the renderings of its new yacht design seen in the Pantone Color Institute "colour of the year 2017" called "Greenery" (Pantone 15-0343).
The debate over what sailing yacht could claim the sough-after title of largest sailing yacht in the world has been a long and tedious one in yachting and with a few possible contenders in the running and more in build, it looks like the battle isn't over yet.Indeed, whereas it is clear that 180-meter Azzam is the longest yacht in the world and Dilbar is the most voluminous, both of these are motor yachts. With sailing yachts, the ranking is however much more opaque due largely to the measurement that is used.
Loaded waterline length, known as LWL, is the measurement of the length of a vessel from the points where it sits in the water. On the other hand length overall, abbreviated as LOA, is defined as the maximum length of a yacht's hull, which for sailing yacht also includes the bowsprit, a key factor when measuring a sailing yacht and part of the difficulty in this ranking.
Italian shipyard Rossinavi has sold their 70-meter motor yacht project, King Shark. Capable of navigating in conditions of extreme ice, she will have a range of 6,000 nautical miles and a top speed of 17 knots. While there have been other motor yachts introduced to the market with ice exploration capabilities, King Shark’s point of difference is that it has been developed with an emphasis on yachting lifestyle, able to move from the warm waters of the Caribbean to the sub-zero conditions of Antarctica.
The largest Amels superyacht to date emerged at its facility in Vlissingen at the end of June 2016. And now we've been informed that the vessel has left the Netherlands for international waters. HERE COMES THE SUN is powered by twin Caterpillar engines 3,150hp each, providing her with a maximum speed of 17 knots. The superyacht has a maximum cruising range of 5,500 nautical miles when cruising at 15 knots.
Last year M/Y A, which is reportedly for sale at $300 million, has been spotted in such cities as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Kiel, Bordeaux, off the Reykjavik coast in Iceland and cruising in the French Riviera. Now the most talked-about yacht on the seas has been seen in Emirates Palace Marina in Abu Dhabi, the UAE.
Wally has announced the expansion of its range as the Monegasque brand sells the new cruiser-racer Wally 93, developed for an existing Wally owner who is a keen racing yachtsman. The yacht features the latest hull lines with the distinctive large stern and big interior volumes, resulting into the new generation cruiser-racer, superfast and very comfortable, and providing the ultimate experience in high performance sailing. The new Wally 93 is currently under construction using the most advanced composite technology, to provide for the super reduced displacement and increased rigidity.
Amer Yachts has announced that the first Amer 110 yacht is under construction at the Italian shipyard's facilities. Destined for a special client, who has already bought three Amer Yachts in five years: a 92’, an Amercento and now the Amer 110’, the vessel will be launched in Spring 2017.
Antonini Navi celebrates a key milestone in the construction of its custom 31-meter explorer yacht, Evo 31. The shipyard's team successfully joined the upper deck superstructure and sun deck, a complex operation involving the precise handling of 16 tons of aluminum. This significant achievement brings the project closer to its planned completion in 2026.Designed by Hydro Tec, the Evo 31 balances robust construction with elegant aesthetics. Hot Lab's interior design features bright, open spaces and a warm, contemporary style, reflecting the owner's preference for organic shapes and high-quality materials.The next phase will see the integration of the upper decks with the hull, followed by the completion of outfitting.The Pertusola shipyard in the Gulf of La Spezia was bought by Walter Antonini in 1977. Since then, Antonini Navi has been a family-held leader in superyacht custom build and refitting.Credits: Antonini Navi
February 4, 2025
Ares Yachts has unveiled the interior design of its 50.55-meter superyacht, Spitfire, a project inspired by the iconic Supermarine Spitfire aircraft. Designed by Bannenberg & Rowell, the yacht's interior seamlessly blends historical inspiration with contemporary luxury. Construction, using advanced composites, is slated to begin this spring.The design evokes the Spitfire's spirit of innovation and performance. Simon Rowell of Bannenberg & Rowell describes the design ethos as "nimble, efficient, dynamic, industrial, and engineered," reflected in the yacht's sleek lines, metallic sheen, and earthy color palette. The interior features natural materials such as punched metal, leather, and tinted glass, with subtle nods to 1940s industrial design.Spitfire boasts a spacious layout, including a full-beam owner's suite with a 270-degree view freestanding bed and a private outdoor movie theatre. Guest accommodations include four additional cabins, all with en-suite bathrooms. Playfully named spaces, such as "The Boss's Quarters" and "The Pilot House," maintain the military theme, while the "Buddy Quarters" guest cabins reflect modern yachting's democratic approach.The yacht incorporates advanced technology, including a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system offering silent, emission-free operation for up to 11 hours with an optional battery upgrade. The innovative hull design, based on Ares Yachts' Ares 150 Bold patrol vessel, ensures high performance and stability, achieving a top speed of 20+ knots and a cruising range of 3,500 nautical miles.Ares Yachts Managing Director Piraye Sahinkaya Orhun expresses pride in the project, highlighting the shipyard's expertise in high-quality fiberglass construction and high-performance hull design. She emphasizes that the Spitfire caters to the modern, active yachting lifestyle, exemplified by its expansive beach club area. The yacht's interior offers flexibility for customization, allowing potential owners to personalize elements such as carpets and soft furnishings. Rowell concludes by expressing excitement for the project's completion and the opportunity to collaborate with the future owner.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
February 4, 2025
On February 2, during the prestigious Boat International Design and Innovation Awards held in Kitzbühel, the hybrid yacht DreamCatcher was honored with the coveted Neptune trophy in the Eco Award category. This recognition highlights the significant efforts put forth by Nautor Swan towards promoting sustainability in sailing vessels, particularly focusing on the generation and storage of energy while underway.The Swan 88, Nautor Swan's newest model, recently unveiled at both the Cannes Yachting Festival and Monaco Yacht Show, stood out with its innovative diesel-electric propulsion system. The unanimous decision by the jury crowned the Swan 88 DreamCatcher as the well-deserved recipient of this year's Eco Award.Powered by a fully integrated Deep Blue system designed by Torqeedo, the custom-built setup for DreamCatcher features a robust 120kW electric drive system paired with an impressive 160kWh energy storage capacity. This combination enables quiet motoring at speeds up to 11.4 knots.One of the key aspects that impressed the judges was the yacht's capability to produce power while sailing. When operating in hydrogeneration mode, Deep Blue's advanced algorithms constantly monitor and fine-tune performance multiple times each second, ensuring efficient, eco-friendly energy production without compromising sailing speed.In collaboration with a knowledgeable owner, Nautor Swan engineered a propulsion system that allows DreamCatcher to operate solely on battery power at top speeds. Additionally, the vessel can regenerate sufficient energy through sailing to sustain both hotel and operational needs, rendering it entirely self-reliant.Nautor Swan is now studying ways to adapt this pioneering propulsion system across their entire fleet, spanning models from the Swan 51 to the maxi range.Giovanni Pomati, CEO of Nautor Swan, expressed his pride, stating, "We are thrilled that DreamCatcher received the Eco Award for its outstanding achievements in eco-friendliness, sustainability, and self-sufficiency. This milestone underscores our commitment to innovation and reflects the trust placed in us by our partners, especially the owners who entrusted us with this ambitious endeavor. Together with Torqeedo, we have created a solution that not only meets but exceeds our goals. Our next step is to integrate this technology into our broader range, further enhancing the sustainability of sailing."The winners of the BOAT International Design & Innovation Awards were announced at the Superyacht Design Festival's gala event, bringing together some of the industry's leading designers, naval architects, and shipyards. Hosted in the picturesque Austrian town of Kitzbühel, these awards celebrate excellence in design, naval architecture, and cutting-edge technological advancements within the superyacht sector.Nautor Swan was founded in 1966 in Pietarsaari, Finland. The builder entered the superyacht market in 1999. Since then, the yard has continued building high-performance sailing yachts in three different lines; ClubSwan, Swan Yachts and Maxi Swan Yachts. Credits: Nautor Swan
February 4, 2025
Videoworks has announced the launch of an updated domotic control system for superyachts, combining advanced tactile control technology with the simplicity of a standard remote control. The new system addresses the growing demand for user-friendly interfaces tailored to the luxury onboard experience.The concept behind this system involves a return to intuitive design while incorporating modern technology. Many current domotic control systems on yachts feature complex interfaces, typically involving handheld tablets with intricate touchscreen options. Inspired by the success of smart home devices like Alexa and Google Home, Videoworks applies similar principles to the world of luxury yachts.Rather than relying on elaborate tablet devices, the new system focuses on simple, physical remote controls with tactile buttons for precise and reliable operation. This approach aims to make it easier for users to manage various functions, such as adjusting TV channels, controlling audio volume, and modifying lighting scenarios and room temperature. The primary objective is to enhance user convenience, especially in cabin environments where personal preferences are paramount without requiring navigation through unfamiliar interfaces or apps.Francesco Pierpaoli, Chief Information Officer, explained: "We developed this system based on feedback from our customers, who expressed a desire for simpler and more intuitive solutions. They find that using a physical remote with a few buttons is often more convenient than interacting with a tablet’s touchscreen, particularly in a cabin setting."Furthermore, the system includes a companion app that enables guests to use their smartphones to stream their preferred music and movies directly to the onboard television, providing a private and personalized entertainment experience without needing to master complex onboard systems.This evolution aligns with broader industry trends seen in sectors such as automotive and consumer electronics, where sophisticated technologies are integrated into luxury products to improve convenience and sophistication without introducing unnecessary complexity. By emphasizing end-user convenience, Videoworks' new system effectively balances high-tech functionality with everyday practicality.Credits: Videoworks
February 3, 2025
The Italian Sea Group announced today that their 47-meter Perini Navi Art Explorer sailing catamaran has been awarded the coveted "Multihull of the Year" title at the esteemed Boat International Design & Innovation Awards 2025. These awards recognize outstanding achievements in architecture, style, design, and technology within the yachting sector.The ceremony was held on Sunday, February 2nd, in Kitzbühel, Austria, during the Superyacht Design Festival, where industry professionals from around the globe gathered to honor exceptional contributions to the field."This distinguished accolade underscores our unwavering dedication to aesthetic and technical advancement," said Giovanni Costantino, Founder & CEO of The Italian Sea Group. "Art Explorer exemplifies our leadership in the large sailing yacht category, blending pioneering design with eco-friendly solutions – a groundbreaking concept never before realized."Designed by renowned architects Axel De Beaufort and Guillaume Verdier, Art Explorer stands as the world's largest aluminum sailing catamaran. Spanning 47 meters long with a remarkable 17.30-meter beam and soaring 55-meter carbon mast, this vessel represents a truly innovative project – a floating art gallery destined for a two-year global expedition, offering immersive cultural experiences while championing environmental responsibility.The catamaran's deckhouse features 65 square meters of solar panels, capable of producing up to 12 kW instantly and over 200 kW daily. Supported by a robust lithium battery bank, this system ensures zero-emissions energy supply for more than six hours, even under maximum onboard demand. Certified with a "green" class notation, Art Explorer also incorporates catalytic filters to minimize emissions and particulate matter from exhaust gases. All operations in ports and protected zones are conducted entirely in electric mode.Thanks to its state-of-the-art, fully automated sailing rig, controllable by just one individual, the catamaran effortlessly achieves speeds of 10 knots, even in gentle breezes.The Italian Sea Group is a global operator in the luxury yachting industry, listed on Euronext Milan (“EXM”) and active in the construction and refit of motor yachts and sailing yachts up to 140 meters. The Company, led by Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Costantino, operates on the market with the brands Admiral, renown for elegant and prestigious yachts, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, and Picchiotti; the Company has a business unit, NCA Refit, that manages the maintenance and refit services for yachts and mega yachts with a length over 60 meters. Credit: TISG
February 3, 2025