Yacht news

Wally has officially presented its latest high-performance racing yacht, the wallyrocket71, during the 2025 Loro Piana Giraglia regatta. The 21.6-meter maxi yacht was developed through collaboration between Wally's technical team, designer Botin Partners, and owner Giovanni Lombardi Stronati, with construction completed by King Marine shipyard.The wallyrocket71 represents Wally's continued commitment to competitive sailing innovation, featuring advanced design elements including twin rudders, a high-performance bulb keel, and a sophisticated 2.7-ton water ballast system capable of transferring sides in approximately six seconds. With a displacement of 12 tons, the yacht is approximately three tons lighter than comparable Maxi 72 class vessels while maintaining similar sail area and power.Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, commented: "First and foremost, I want to express my thanks to the owner, Giovanni Lombardi Stronati, whose trust in this ambitious vision from day one made it all possible. With the wallyrocket71, Wally sets sail into an exciting new chapter in competitive yacht racing, launching a vessel designed to be one of the fastest in its class."Initial sea trials conducted in Valencia demonstrated the yacht's performance capabilities, achieving upwind speeds of 10.5-11 knots and matching wind speed downwind. Adolfo Carrau of Botin Partners explained the design approach: "We started from a blank sheet of paper, asking how we could beat the most competitive Maxi 72s on corrected time. When they were designed, it was to a box rule, so many parameters were already set. Now, as everyone is optimizing their boats under IRC rules, there is a lot more freedom."The racing crew, including tactician Vasco Vascotto and strategist Guillermo Parada, reported positive initial impressions of the yacht's handling and performance. Vascotto noted: "After only a few days on the water, I'm really impressed by both the construction quality and performance." Parada added: "The boat's performance is in line with our expectations: it is a complex and high-performing vessel that requires careful handling but is very exciting."The wallyrocket71 will compete in major Mediterranean events including the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, following its debut at the Loro Piana Giraglia.Wally's racing fleet continues to demonstrate strong performance in the 2025 season, with 15 yachts scheduled to compete across various events. Notable recent results include victories by Wally Cento V at the RORC Nelson's Cup in Antigua and dominant performances by Tilakkhana II at Palmavela. The wallyrocket51, Wally's smaller performance model, has also shown competitive results at the Central and Southern Tyrrhenian ORC National Championship.The remainder of the 2025 racing calendar includes prestigious events such as the Admiral's Cup in Cowes, the Rolex Fastnet Race, and the season-ending Rolex Middle Sea Race in Malta. Wally's growing fleet of performance yachts, ranging from the wallyrocket series to the larger Cento models, continues to establish the brand's position in competitive sailing circles.The wallyrocket71 project represents approximately 18 months of development from initial concept to launch, with the design team focused on creating a versatile yacht capable of strong performance across various wind conditions and course configurations. The yacht's construction at King Marine incorporated advanced composite materials and weight-saving techniques to achieve its target displacement.With the introduction of the wallyrocket71 and continued success of its racing fleet, Wally maintains its commitment to developing high-performance sailing yachts that combine cutting-edge technology with competitive results across international regatta circuits.Credits: Wally

Heesen Yachts has delivered the 50-meter hybrid superyacht Orion (YN 20750), marking the Dutch shipyard's third delivery this year. The aluminum-hulled vessel completed successful sea trials in the North Sea before handover to its owner.Orion features Heesen's Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) with hybrid propulsion, achieving silent electric cruising at 10 knots. The propulsion system combines two MTU 12V 2000 M61 (IMO III) engines with electric motors, reducing fuel consumption to 45 liters per hour in hybrid mode. The yacht offers a transatlantic range of 3,750 nautical miles at 12 knots (98 liters/hour) and reaches a top speed of 16.3 knots.Ruud vand der Stroom, Heesen CCO"The delivery of Orion is a moment of great pride for everyone at Heesen," said Ruud van der Stroom. "This yacht perfectly encapsulates our DNA: precise Dutch engineering, innovative hybrid technology, and the ability to deliver a high-quality product through dedicated collaboration."Designed by Omega Architects' Frank Laupman, Orion features a vertical bow and extensive glazing. The 499 GT interior by Cristiano Gatto incorporates 37 material varieties including Italian marble and woven leather. Accommodation includes six staterooms for twelve guests, with a main-deck owner's suite and full-beam VIP.Peter van der Zanden, General Manager Design & Development, Engineering and HeesenPeter van der Zanden, Heesen's Head of Engineering, noted: "Our expertise in lightweight aluminum construction, combined with the efficiency of the Fast Displacement Hull Form and hybrid system make ORION exceptional. This synergy reduces environmental impact while enhancing owner experience."Broker Anton Foord of Ocean Intelligence commented: "Orion offers an exceptional experience defined by performance, elegance, and technical innovation." The yacht will be available for Mediterranean charter this summer.Orion represents Heesen's continued focus on sustainable yachting solutions, following previous hybrid deliveries in its 50-meter series. The shipyard currently has five yachts under construction at its Oss facility, with scheduled deliveries through 2026.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: Heesen Yachts

The judging process for the 2025 Honours awards has concluded in Amsterdam, with three recipients selected from 238 nominations. The winners will be announced at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) opening ceremony on October 28.Organized by The Superyacht Life Foundation in partnership with Pier 66 and FLIBS, the Honours recognize individuals making significant contributions to sustainability, innovation, and social impact within the superyacht industry. An 18-candidate shortlist was evaluated by a panel including Feadship's Farouk Nefzi, designer Espen Øino, Superyacht Times founder Merijn de Waard, and Royal Huisman's Jeroen Sirag.This year's judging panel included external perspectives from Ink Creative MD Jonny Clark and Untold Stories founder Nicola Chilton, who noted the breadth of industry initiatives beyond typical yachting activities."At its core, Superyacht Life is about celebrating the human stories that define our industry," said Dilan Sarac, Executive Director of The Superyacht Life Foundation. "Our 2025 Honourees embody the very best of what this industry can represent."The selection criteria focused on professional achievements, community engagement, philanthropy, and leadership. The three honourees were chosen unanimously following deliberations at Amsterdam's Royale Industrieele Groote Club.The October ceremony will mark the fourth edition of the awards, which aim to highlight positive contributions extending beyond traditional yachting circles. Previous honourees have been recognized for environmental initiatives, workforce development programs, and technological innovations benefiting broader maritime sectors.Credits: The Superyacht Life Foundation

The Pearl 82 has been awarded the prestigious title of Best Motor Yacht Under 25 Metres at the International Yacht & Aviation Awards 2025. The award ceremony took place on Friday, 6 June 2025, at the Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo, gathering prominent figures from the yachting and aviation industries.The 25-meter raised pilothouse yacht, designed by Dixon Yacht Design with interiors by Kelly Hoppen Interiors, features five en-suite staterooms including a main deck master, a spacious tender garage, and dedicated crew accommodation. The vessel has garnered attention for its innovative layout, refined aesthetics, and balance between performance and luxury.This award marks the third major recognition for the Pearl 82 since its launch at the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2024. Previously, the yacht received the Best Layout award in the 24m to 30m category at the World Yachts Trophies in September 2024 and won in the Flybridges over 60ft category at the Motor Boat Awards 2025 in Düsseldorf, Germany, in January 2025.“We are absolutely thrilled to receive this international recognition for the Pearl 82,” said Iain Smallridge, Managing Director of Pearl Yachts. “Winning three major awards in less than a year is a testament to the strength of our product and the creative collaboration between our design partners and in-house teams. It reflects our ongoing commitment to pushing the boundaries of yacht design in both aesthetics and functionality.”Paul Hannah, Production Director of Pearl Yachts, added: “At Pearl, we build a limited number of high-quality yachts each year. This allows us to truly focus on delivering innovative designs, maximising every space, and ensuring outstanding quality and attention to detail throughout the range. Recognition like this confirms the success of our approach.”Founded in 1998, Pearl Yachts has established itself as one of the UK’s leading shipyards, specializing in designing luxury motor yachts known for their voluminous interiors, opulence, and design excellence. Each Pearl yacht is crafted to exceptional standards using quality materials and skilled craftsmanship.The recent accolades further solidify the Pearl 82’s position as a benchmark in the sub-25-meter segment and reinforce Pearl Yachts’ reputation as a leader in boutique yacht building on the international stage.Credits: Pearl Yachts

The 65-meter classic yacht Lady Esther has been officially redelivered following an extensive three-year rebuild project at Damen Maaskant. The vessel was relaunched from the shipyard’s Stellendam site last year and is currently cruising off the eastern coast of Spain.The rebuild included significant modifications to the yacht’s structure and design. The vessel underwent a 10-meter extension, a reconfigured interior layout, and the addition of two glass-walled decks. A new Jacuzzi was also installed as part of the refurbishment.Exterior design changes were notable, with Vripack opting for a rigid, masculine design typical of explorer yachts. The Dutch studio was also responsible for the interior design, although specific details have not been disclosed.Originally named Hanse, the yacht was delivered in 1979 by the German shipyard Elsflether Werft AG. The original design was completed by Miami-based studio Luiz de Basto, with naval architecture by Alpha Marine. The vessel features accommodation across seven cabins, including a main deck master suite and a VIP cabin.The sundeck serves as the main social hub, originally equipped with a wet bar, Jacuzzi, sunpads, and gym equipment. While the full scope of the recent refit has not been fully detailed, it represents the latest in a series of rebuilds the yacht has undergone during its 45 years in service.The last major rebuild was completed in 2004 and included a 5.8-meter extension. The current refit marks another significant milestone in the vessel’s history, bringing modern updates while preserving its classic heritage.Credits: Yacht Harbour Archive