Top 8 stories of the week

Following the launch of the SW96 Nyumba, Massimo Gino of Nauta Design shared the details of the tailored yacht. The expert owner wanted a fast and efficient cruising yacht to sail around the world with a short crew that could also take part in superyacht regattas. His preference was for a sleek, dynamic profile and uncluttered deck layout with the deck equipment ergonomically positioned for ease of use, as well as guest safety and comfort. This led to several aesthetic and practical innovations.“Although this is the fourth hull in the SW96 series, Nyumba is uniquely special,” says Massimo Gino, co-founder of Nauta Design in Milan and longtime design partner of Southern Wind. “Not only she is Southern Wind’s first yacht with hybrid electric propulsion engineered with BAE Systems to be compliant with IMO Tier III regulations. The sleek and simple lines of her GT deck configuration represent an important evolution of the GT deck concept we first introduced on the SW105 Taniwha.”The low-slung, carbon composite coachroof is key to the yacht’s racy lines and minimalist profile. Subtly integrated into the teak decking, the coamings protecting the guest cockpit are an elegant design feature that also serve as a covered conduit for the sheets from the winches as they pass forward – a stylish detail that also keeps the guest area clear of running rigging (the sheets re-emerge from the forepart of the coachroof). “The owner wanted shorter sunbeds to increase the size of the maneuvering area aft. We pushed the mainsheet traveler as far aft as we could to the end of the boom, also reducing loads to the minimum; it’s now aft of the crew companionway, which is styled to look like a mini version of the coachroof, while the twin helm positions have been brought further forward for better visibility. The consoles themselves are mounted on custom-designed supports that resemble the hub of a propeller or thruster – another of the client’s bespoke requests,” says Gino. For ease of handling when short-handed the three winches on each side are mounted on the teak coamings that also serve as convenient benches within easy reach of the helm positions (LED lighting under the coamings create a ‘floating’ effect after dark). Importantly for safe operations under sail, the aft deck is completely flush with just one step down into the guest cockpit for added protection. The transom folds down to create an 8.5-sqm swimming platform and reveal the garage that has room for a 4.5m tender. A smart design feature created by Southern Wind as all the transom concepts are that the platform is composed of two folding sections: the transom and part of the deck. The lower section can be angled upwards to protect the garage from slamming on the waves in rough water or if the tender comes off the plane nearby, but the upper section can still be positioned horizontally. “Nyumba is a Swahili word for “home” and the owners will be spending a lot of time aboard, so the interior had to be both comfortable and cozy,” says Gino. “The design is based on classic oiled teak veneers and specific pieces of fitted furniture, but the general styling was managed by the owners, choosing from the wide range of options in the Southern Wind palette of materials and colors.” The interior layout follows the tried-and-tested SW96 arrangement with the master stateroom and two ensuite guest cabins amidships. The crew quarters are in the stern. Deck hatches ensure the cabins and bathrooms are extremely light and airy. The main saloon amidships benefit from the sliding glass companionway hatch, large hull windows, and a wide skylight that runs the length of the coachroof.Southern Wind is a boutique bluewater sailing yacht shipyard founded in Cape Town in 1991. Since its foundation, SWS has specialized in the production of semi-custom high-performance superyachts. Nauta Design was founded by Massimo Gino and Mario Pedol in 1985. Their design included the yachts for Southern Wind, projects with Baltic Yachts, but were also asked to create motor yachts of all sizes (up to 180 m) such as the exterior profile of the Lürssen megayacht Azzam.Credits: Nauta Design

Ferretti Group has acquired a production site of over 70,000 square meters, including a dry dock, in San Vitale (province of Ravenna). The acquisition involved an initial investment of about 40 million euros and will be followed by a further 40 million over the coming three-year period to create new production areas and an R&D center. The operation forms part of Ferretti Group’s growth strategy and the new facility, when fully operational, will increase production capacity by about 20%. The acquisition of the new Ravenna shipyard has been financed entirely with equity raised by the recent listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange.Alberto Galassi"The acquisition of this area keeps a promise we made. We have big plans and picture a state-of-the-art production site from every point of view: worker well-being, positive social impact, environmental protection – also by carefully selecting the materials used – and increased production. Ravenna is the right home for Wally sailing yachts and the expansion of our other brands, starting with the extraordinary Ferretti Yachts Infynito range. We choose Italy again and invest not only to become stronger, but also to hold the flag high for an industry that is a symbol of our country: luxury yachting and the extensive entrepreneurship and artisan craftsmanship network that is the admiration and envy of the entire world,” states Alberto Galassi, Ferretti Group CEO. 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.Credits: Ferretti Group

A fully customized Evo R4 WA in original silk gray livery will be showcased at the upcoming Palm Beach Boat Show, with the Blu Emme Yachts brand participating in the event thanks to the recent partnership with Best Marine USA, established in 1991. The agreement with this major US dealer and the brand’s attendance of the boat show confirm the Mercuri brothers’ intention to raise their shipyard’s profile on the US market after its recent success in the Middle East.Evo R4 WA is the 13-meter high-performance day cruiser featuring a refined exterior and interior layout. The brand’s hallmark “Xtension” bulwarks make it possible for the owner to increase usable deck space by 40%, turning the cockpit into a 25 sqm water’s edge terrace. The yacht’s two Volvo Penta engines are available with different power ratings depending on the owner’s needs.The Evo Yachts shipyard is based near Naples. She was born in 2014 from a fortunate encounter between Blu Emme Yachts and the Neapolitan yacht designer Valerio Rivellini. The heart and entrepreneurship that kick-started EVO originated from Blu Emme Yachts, a luxury yachts refitting company. Blu Emme was created in 2013 by the Mercuri brothers, a family whose entrepreneurial experience spans different industries.Credits: Evo Yachts

A full-custom 72-meter megayacht was successfully launched and christened in a private ceremony on 13th March at the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard in Ancona. The shipyard has shared the first images from the event.This fully custom steel and aluminum yacht has been designed and built by CRN, with exterior lines created by design and architecture studio Vallicelli Design and interiors handled by Nuvolari Lenard. She can be described as a yacht with a striking sense of style. The functionality here is combined with sophistication. The large full-height windows is one of her outstanding features. M/Y 139 spreads across six decks and can accommodate up to 12 guests and 19 crew.CRN is very busy at the moment with three full-custom yachts under construction at the moment at the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard. 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.Credits: Ferretti Group

The 67.40-meter Project 823 has been moved outside of the construction hall at the Kaag yard for final outfitting in advance of her sea trials later this year. The yacht has been fully designed in-house by Feadship. The hull engineering is by Azure Naval Architects, while the exterior and interior design are by Studio De Voogt.The exterior profile is bold with a muscular reverse sheer to the bow. Chiseled contours and dark horizontal strip windows lend the yacht a poise and grace.“The main theme of the yacht is strength,” says Jan Schaffers, senior designer at Studio De Voogt. “The radii throughout are larger than usual to emphasize this. At the same time we aimed to focus on the length of the yacht by creating uninterrupted lines, for instance in the widebody windows and the superstructure. Together this creates a very unique character.”Project 823 built for an experienced owner, that’s why the interior layout was tailored to his family’s specific needs. Her interiors are simple yet sophisticated and based on natural tones, light wood veneers and organic forms. She can accommodate 10 guests in three lower deck cabins, one VIP suite on the bridge deck, and a master stateroom on the main deck forward.The large sundeck is one of the highlights of the design. The central lounging / conversation zone is protected from the wind by a glass windbreak and from the sun by the hardtop, but wide side windows and nine skylights in the roof ensure uninterrupted views and en plein air appeal. The ventilation casings can be regarded as powerful legs, clad with grilles that repeat the horizontal lines to create a more elegant volume, but without losing its power. In order to free up space for a large wellness area and gym on the lower deck in the stern, the tenders are stowed behind the high bulwarks on the foredeck.Careful attention has been paid also to the crew quarters and service areas with additional fridge-freezer storage, a large laundry room and extra dry storage on the tank deck.Project 823 will be able to reach 15 knots and cruise at 12 knots with the range of 5,000 nautical miles. Feadship was formed as a group in 1949 as a marketing partnership between six Dutch shipyards, de Vries Lentch, Van de Stadt, Witsen & Vis, Akerboom, De Vries Scheepsbouw and Van Lent Shipyard, and De Voogt Naval Architects. Feadship is well-known as one of the Netherlands’ most elite yacht builders and delivers superyachts from 50–100+ meters in length.Credits: Feadship