Despite a backdrop of geopolitical tension and economic uncertainty, the United States continues to assert itself as the dominant force in the global superyacht market. Insights from Barrett Wright of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2220" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hill Robinson (Company)">Hill Robinson</a> and Alastair Callender of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/808" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moravia Yachting (Company)">Moravia Yachting</a> USA, part of the Hill Robinson Group, reveal a market defined less by contraction than by evolution – shaped by more informed buyers, shifting demographics and a growing demand for transparency.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389993/image/large-7e85a95d31369e8ebd53617eeb7fa92f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389993">Confidence amid uncertaintyWhile uncertainty remains a defining feature of the global landscape, the upper tiers of the market appear largely insulated. “There is a lot of uncertainty right now given the current administration’s policies,” explains Barrett Wright, “but overall those policies have benefitted the ultra-wealthy.”This resilience is reflected in transactional activity. Wright notes that “the US is where the market lies as far as transactions are concerned,” with February 2026 sales surpassing January, according to Boat International.From a brokerage perspective, Alastair Callender reinforces this position: “The US remains the single most influential market globally for yacht charterers, buyers and owners.” However, he emphasises that the buyer profile has evolved. “Qualified buyers continue to move decisively – particularly for well-priced pedigree yachts with strong build credentials and recent refits,” he says. “What has changed is the level of preparedness: today’s UHNW buyers arrive far more informed, expect data-driven guidance and act quickly when the right opportunity appears.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389994/image/large-df9a69141cfd2e4520eb5c5eb1a06725.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389994">A more sophisticated buyerThe modern American yacht buyer is not only wealthier but increasingly analytical. “Today’s UHNW buyers expect transparency, real numbers, smarter data and advisory free from sales pressure,” says Callender.This shift is influencing market dynamics. “The secondary market remains especially strong,” he adds, with quality yachts in the 40–65 metre range trading faster than at any point post-COVID.Wright places this within a broader macroeconomic context, citing the vast intergenerational wealth transfer underway. “With $60 trillion in generational wealth changing hands in the next ten years, those UHNWIs still have choices.”Even rising operational costs are unlikely to deter this segment. “The increasing cost of fuel shouldn’t really affect those in the top one per cent and how they use their yachts,” he notes, though charter activity may prove more sensitive to wider economic conditions.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389995/image/large-d13cb56d2ba624f2b0bf02ae3c0b34ec.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389995">Redefining ownershipPerhaps the most notable shift lies in how yachts are perceived and used. “US clients, particularly younger wealth creators, are buying yachts not as status symbols, but as platforms for time,” says Callender. “Time with family, time to explore and time for adventure.”This mindset is shaping design and purchasing decisions. Buyers are prioritising wellness spaces, quiet operation, sustainability, beach club areas and flexible layouts that support multiple uses – from private retreat to remote workspace and charter asset.Wright echoes this generational transition. “The wealthy are getting younger and they have a different vision of how they want to enjoy their time on board yachts,” she says. She also highlights a broadening ownership base, both geographically and demographically. “We’re seeing a stronger need to engage clients in the Midwest and plains states,” she notes, adding that women are set to hold a larger share of ownership.Callender supports this observation: “I’m seeing more first-time female charterers and buyers,” alongside increased engagement with sustainability.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389998/image/large-db56a7dd25943d2f733c4cf41ee54268.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389998">The US as a global engineFrom brokerage to charter, the United States continues to anchor the global yachting ecosystem. “The USA region continues to lead in terms of yacht owners and charter clients,” says Callender, adding that it remains the driver of global transactions.American clients are also increasingly international in outlook. “US buyers are using their yachts globally and expect advisors who can manage that entire lifecycle.”However, Wright highlights growing complexity within the domestic regulatory environment. “The US is making it harder for yachts to visit,” she explains, citing challenges around immigration, customs and frameworks such as the Lacey Act. “The USCG is often inconsistent depending on where in the country a yacht is.”Mechanisms such as Foreign Trade Zones offer certain advantages, but also limitations. “Owners cannot use their yachts while they are enrolled in the FTZ,” Wright notes.New-build dynamics and global purchasingWith relatively few domestic shipyards operating at the highest end, American buyers are increasingly looking abroad. Wright observes that while shipyards such as Burger, Westport and Delta continue to deliver quality projects, the broader landscape has narrowed.Callender points to Europe as a key beneficiary. “The appetite for new construction among US clients has expanded,” driven by design flexibility, hybrid propulsion and earlier delivery availability. Currency dynamics further support this trend, with a stronger US dollar making European builds more attractive.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389996/image/large-6a724db660e2f4be343fd2864ede44fd.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389996">The rise of structured managementAs ownership becomes more complex, both experts emphasise the growing importance of professional yacht management. “We need to offer a customised service designed around each client’s needs,” says Wright.For Callender, transparency is central. “The true cost of ownership has historically rarely been explained clearly,” he says. Today, transparent budgeting, crew planning, refit scheduling and operational forecasting are as important as the purchase price.This shift enhances both the ownership experience and asset value. “Documentation, maintenance quality and operational discipline all become evident during due diligence,” he adds.The alignment between <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/808" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Moravia Yachting (Company)">Moravia Yachting</a>’s brokerage model and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2220" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hill Robinson (Company)">Hill Robinson</a>’s management expertise is particularly relevant. “Clients want trusted advice at every stage of ownership,” Callender notes.Operational pressures and expertiseA clear trend is emerging towards proactive management. “Owners increasingly value teams who prevent problems rather than fix them later,” says Callender.Wright highlights challenges in refit projects, where reliance on internal crew can lead to complications. Captains may aim to reduce costs, but “they don’t necessarily have the relationships or experience to manage complex projects,” often resulting in delays and inefficiencies.At the same time, expectations are intensifying. “Americans want answers immediately,” Wright notes, placing pressure on globally distributed teams.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389997/image/large-3ca0ddf6324bbe77868df2f785b8304d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389997">Navigating international complexityFor US owners operating abroad, regulatory complexity remains a key concern. “Extremely complicated VAT rules in the EU” are among the primary challenges, according to Wright.Here, global expertise is essential. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2220" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Hill Robinson (Company)">Hill Robinson</a>’s international footprint allows clients to operate seamlessly across regions. Callender echoes this, noting that early engagement with specialists helps owners avoid costly mistakes and ensures confidence whether operating in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or beyond.Looking aheadBoth Wright and Callender identify emerging US regions set to influence future growth, including Texas, the West South Central states and the Mountain region.For prospective owners, their advice is clear. “Enlist a yacht manager as soon as you have shortlisted yachts,” says Wright, positioning the manager as an independent advisor across acquisition and operations. Callender reinforces this: “The smartest owners assemble their advisory team before they begin their search.”She concludes with a succinct observation: “The purchase price is the easy part. The reality of ownership determines whether the experience becomes a joy or a burden.” With the right team in place, however, ownership becomes seamless, enjoyable and deeply rewarding.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390000/image/large-6ab055df031f0d8dde04260dae64d568.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390000">An evolving marketThe US superyacht market in 2026 is defined by refinement rather than retrenchment. Strong underlying wealth, coupled with a more informed and experience-driven buyer base, continues to drive activity at the highest level.As Wright observes, uncertainty may persist, but the fundamentals remain intact. For Callender, the trajectory is equally clear: a more transparent, efficient and globally integrated market, led decisively by the United States.

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Barrett Wright and Alastair Callender on the state of the US yacht market in 2026.

Barrett Wright and Alastair Callender on the state of the US yacht market in 2026

The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/317" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palma International Boat Show - 2026">Palma International Boat Show</a> continues to strengthen its position within the Mediterranean yachting calendar, with the 2026 edition reflecting sustained demand across every segment of the event.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388017/image/large-1a62e22b31bedd25132bb4abba67d41f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388017">For this year’s show, the Superyacht New Build Hub will be hosted at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/392" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marina Port de Mallorca (Company)">Marina Port de Mallorca</a>, located just minutes from the main exhibition area and connected via both land transport and dedicated water shuttles. The setting provides a focused environment tailored specifically to the large sailing yacht sector.Now fully booked, the Superyacht New Build Hub will bring together shipyards, brokers, designers and naval architects, responding directly to growing demand from this segment for a platform where projects can be presented within a specialised and highly relevant context. The milestone further reinforces Palma’s long-standing reputation as a centre for large sailing yachts and reflects the clear direction of the show in supporting and elevating this segment of the market.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388018/image/large-68888cc1c187b8c5715abd2675f901c4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388018">On the water, the area will showcase a curated selection of both brokerage and new build large sailing yachts, offering visitors a comprehensive overview of the current market. On land, the exhibition will remain strictly dedicated to the large sailing yacht new build sector, featuring shipyards, naval architects, designers and specialist suppliers, ensuring a clear and consistent focus throughout the space.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388016/image/large-b0117b9d605c5e2721837f76721aebf6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388016">More broadly, the 2026 edition of the show has seen exceptional demand. Exhibition space was fully booked by mid-January, with more than 50 yachts currently on the waiting list. This level of interest underlines the event’s growing commercial relevance and confirms its role as a key meeting point where owners, brokers, shipyards and suppliers gather to initiate and advance projects ahead of the Mediterranean season.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388020/image/large-b9c3c1dbcee972ca1d59c3ca20471689.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388020">The 2026 edition will also feature a number of notable launches, including the debut of the Hill Robinson Academy and the European launch of the MC-ZERO 450, further reinforcing the show’s role as a platform for new initiatives and industry developments.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388019/image/large-bbaa0d822f98dfffac49cda8b736e782.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388019">Together, these elements consolidate the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/317" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palma International Boat Show - 2026">Palma International Boat Show</a>’s position as a central platform within the Mediterranean yachting calendar, bringing together brokerage, refit and new build in a setting designed for efficient and high-quality business exchange.

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The Palma International Boat Show continues to strengthen its position within the Mediterranean yachting calendar.

Palma International Boat Show 2026 strengthens focus on large sailing yacht sector

While the superyacht industry is defined by cutting-edge technology and complex systems, it is the people behind the technology who make it all happen. For <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a>, this human dimension has become a defining factor: While the company has built its reputation on delivering advanced audio-visual, IT and entertainment solutions to some of the world’s most prestigious superyachts, its true differentiator lies in the global network of individuals who bring those systems to life.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389480/image/large-2eec355b9db544063e533846e78d401b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389480">Founded in Italy in 1974, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a> has grown into an international organisation with offices spanning across Europe and the United States, including key locations in Ancona, Viareggio, Savona, Amsterdam and Fort Lauderdale. This geographical spread is not simply a matter of logistics or market reach. Instead, it reflects a deliberate strategy to remain close to clients, shipyards and vessels wherever they may be, while fostering a collaborative culture within the company that transcends borders.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389479/image/large-40eb59d501610dafbb276850f52b18b5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389479">A shared mindsetAt the heart of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a> is a team composed of professionals from diverse cultural and technical backgrounds. Engineers, project managers, programmers and support specialists work together across time zones, united by a shared commitment to excellence and service. This diversity brings a richness of perspective that enhances problem-solving and innovation, allowing the company to adapt to the nuanced demands of each project.Communication plays a central role in this ecosystem. Rather than operating as isolated regional offices, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a>’ branches function as interconnected hubs, maintaining constant dialogue through digital platforms and regular coordination. A project initiated in Italy may involve technical input from the Netherlands and remote diagnostics from the United States. The result is a seamless integration of expertise, delivered from a single, unified team.This collaborative approach extends beyond internal operations. Clients benefit from direct access to specialists who understand not only the technical systems onboard but also the operational realities of life at sea. Whether working with captains, crew or owners’ representatives, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a> prioritises clear communication and responsiveness, ensuring that every stakeholder feels supported throughout the lifecycle of a project.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389483/image/large-8f663dfcb8200cd864a1b34f7dc7bd45.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389483">Always within reachIn the fast-paced world of yachting, availability is paramount. Systems must function flawlessly, often in remote locations where immediate support is not always guaranteed. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a> addresses this challenge through its distributed global presence, ensuring that assistance is never far away.With teams positioned strategically across continents, the company can provide rapid response times and continuous coverage. When one office closes for the day, another is ready to take over, creating an almost round-the-clock support network. This model not only minimises downtime but also offers reassurance to clients who rely on uninterrupted connectivity and entertainment systems.Equally important is the company’s emphasis on personal relationships. Clients are not passed between anonymous departments but are supported by familiar faces who understand the intricacies of their vessels. This continuity fosters trust and enables <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a> to anticipate needs rather than simply react to issues.The Amsterdam office, for instance, plays a key role in serving Northern Europe, working closely with shipyards and vessels operating in the region. Its integration within the wider <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a> network ensures that local expertise is always backed by global resources. Similar dynamics are evident across the company’s other locations, each contributing its strengths while remaining aligned with a central ethos.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389484/image/large-6aaa55de9999d0ae76a083937f97b086.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389484">Collaboration as a cornerstoneWhat distinguishes <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a> is not merely its international footprint but the way in which its teams collaborate across that footprint. The company has cultivated a culture where knowledge is shared openly and support is readily offered, regardless of location or department.“Working at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a> means being part of a truly international team, combining global expertise and cross-border collaboration with the clear, pragmatic, and reliable approach that Dutch clients expect,” shares Stefan Nieuwenhuys, Managing Director of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a> Europe, based in the Netherlands.This spirit of collaboration is particularly evident during complex new build and refit projects. These undertakings often require multidisciplinary coordination, with tight timelines and evolving specifications. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a>’ teams approach such challenges collectively, drawing on their combined experience to deliver tailored solutions that meet both technical and aesthetic requirements.Training and development also play a crucial role in maintaining this standard. By investing in its people, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a> ensures that its teams remain at the forefront of technological advancements while retaining the practical expertise that comes from hands-on experience. This balance between innovation and craftsmanship is a hallmark of the company’s approach.At the same time, there is a strong emphasis on adaptability. Each yacht presents a unique environment, shaped by the owner’s preferences and the vessel’s intended use. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a>’ ability to respond to these variables is rooted in the flexibility of its teams, who are empowered to think creatively and act decisively.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389482/image/large-99b65f4b27dff37a1cb2df9b23f7b690.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389482">The human touch in a technical worldIn an era where automation and digitalisation are increasingly prevalent, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a> continues to place people at the centre of its operations. Technology, in this context, is not an end in itself but a tool to enhance the onboard experience. It is the expertise, dedication and collaboration of the company’s teams that ultimately determine the success of each project.This human-centric philosophy resonates strongly within the superyacht sector, where relationships and trust are paramount. Owners and crew seek partners who understand their needs, communicate effectively and remain reliable over time. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a>’ global yet closely connected team structure allows it to meet these expectations consistently.As the company continues to expand its presence and capabilities, it remains grounded in the principles that have guided its growth: collaboration, availability and a genuine commitment to people. These values underpin every interaction, from initial consultation to ongoing support, shaping an experience that goes beyond technical delivery.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389481/image/large-fa6fbbe0936d049939705eea320ef584.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389481">For those navigating the complexities of modern yacht systems, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3559" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Videoworks Group (Company)">Videoworks</a> offers more than expertise. It offers a partnership defined by human connection, backed by a truly global team.

Connecting Expertise Across Oceans: The People Powering Videoworks

the team behind Videoworks' cutting edge technology.

Connecting expertise across oceans: The people powering Videoworks

The support vessel has moved far beyond its early identity as a secondary craft carrying surplus toys and technical equipment. Today, within the most sophisticated superyacht programmes, it has become an integral component of operational architecture – a platform that enables capability, protects the mothership and shapes how owners ultimately use their time on the water.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388327/image/large-076b196e887e47a620082dc70959b07d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388327">As programmes grow more complex and experience-driven, the question is no longer whether a shadow vessel is desirable, but how it should be conceived, specified and delivered. Increasingly, programmes are recognising that specialist expertise is required early in this process – defining the brief, aligning the right partners and ensuring the vessel ultimately delivers the operational capability envisioned.In this evolving landscape, companies such as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6651" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ShadowCAT (Company)">ShadowCat</a> have positioned themselves not simply as designers of support vessels, but as platform originators working alongside owners from the earliest stages of development. By establishing a clear operational framework and integrating naval architects, shipyards and project teams around that brief, the delivery process becomes more efficient and considerably lower risk.Increasingly, the answer lies not in treating the vessel as an auxiliary yacht, nor as a converted commercial hull, but as a defined operational platform in its own right.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388321/image/large-a8d0c3468d6274c251e3e897dae7124d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388321">From accessory to operational backboneIn its earliest iterations, the shadow vessel was often reactive. A yacht ran out of space, and a solution was sought. Conversions were common, monohulls were adapted and semi-production hulls were pushed into roles they were never originally intended to fulfil.They worked – to a point.However, once programmes began carrying large tenders, substantial chase boats, certified helicopter operations and serious expedition equipment, practical limitations quickly surfaced. Stability constraints, deck space compromises and structural inefficiencies became apparent. The vessel was performing tasks for which it had not been purpose-designed.The shift in thinking has been significant. Rather than adapting existing hulls, forward-looking programmes now begin by defining the job. Safe launch and recovery in real conditions, meaningful payload, aviation capability and compact efficiency form the basis of the brief. Only then is the appropriate platform selected.For many programmes, this process now involves engaging a specialist platform developer to translate operational requirements into a coherent vessel concept before design and construction begin. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6651" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ShadowCAT (Company)">ShadowCat</a>’s catamaran support vessels are an example of this approach – purpose-developed to support large yacht programmes carrying substantial tenders, aviation facilities and expedition equipment.This change has repositioned the support vessel from an accessory to the operational backbone of the fleet.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388322/image/large-a23a63897c51763f51fd6ec0bcbde09a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388322">Clarity of intent in the build processOne of the defining evolutions in the sector has been the recognition that capability must be protected throughout the design and construction process.The naval architect engineers the vessel. The shipyard builds it. The project manager controls schedule and budget. The owner’s team safeguards the client’s interests. Each discipline plays a vital and distinct role.Yet complex programmes benefit from an additional layer of clarity – a party focused not on execution, but on intent. A platform originator that defines what the vessel must achieve within the wider yacht programme and ensures that engineering and construction decisions remain aligned with that objective.This is the space in which <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6651" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ShadowCAT (Company)">ShadowCat</a> operates. Working directly with owners at concept stage, the company defines the operational brief, aligns the naval architect and shipyard best suited to the project and remains involved throughout delivery to ensure that capability is preserved through engineering and construction decisions.This approach does not replace the yard or the design team. Instead, it sits alongside the owner at a strategic level, translating operational requirements into a coherent brief and validating that the finished vessel delivers precisely the capability envisioned at concept stage.The result is a process built around a proven and repeatable framework rather than a one-off experimental build.For owners, the distinction is subtle but decisive. It shifts the project from a first-of-class experiment toward a refined, experience-based platform.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388326/image/large-e85b85802d477f1650bd60f17e47b0c0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388326">Why platform mattersSupport vessels are rational investments. They are working assets expected to perform safely, predictably and efficiently from day one. Emotional design language plays a far smaller role than operational reliability.This is where platform thinking becomes critical. A catamaran configuration, for example, offers an inherent beam without excessive length. That geometry translates into up to sixty percent more usable open-deck space compared to a comparable monohull, alongside the stability required for real-world tender launch and helicopter operations.Slender twin hulls can also deliver approximately forty percent greater efficiency for equivalent payload, allowing meaningful capability within a controlled fuel envelope.These are not stylistic decisions, they are structural ones. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6651" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ShadowCAT (Company)">ShadowCat</a>’s platform has been refined across multiple deliveries, allowing performance data, engineering solutions and operational lessons to be carried forward from one project to the next.By starting from a proven platform refined across multiple deliveries, performance data, engineering solutions and operational lessons are carried forward. Risk is reduced because the unknowns have already been encountered and resolved.The alternative – beginning from a blank sheet each time – inevitably introduces first-of-type uncertainty. It can be done, but it carries consequences in schedule, cost and post-delivery refinement.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388316/image/large-17095b5f225fa719c724952df6195cbe.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388316">Separating lifestyle from logisticsPerhaps the most important evolution has been philosophical. As owner programmes have become more active – combining aviation, dive expeditions, sportfishing, beach deployments and long-range cruising – the limitations of asking a single yacht to perform every role have become clear.A dedicated support vessel separates logistics from lifestyle. Heavy lifting, fuelling operations, large tender deployment and technical crew functions move to a stable working platform designed for those tasks. The mothership, relieved of operational compromise, can return to its core purpose: space, comfort and considered design free from industrial intrusion.The result is not simply more storage capacity. It is a better yacht and a more efficient programme overall. Structural fatigue is reduced, guest circulation improves and refit cycles can be simplified. Longevity and resale value benefit accordingly.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388319/image/large-437c3bde06767133c6c8bf56540eb921.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388319">Familiarity versus capabilityResistance to alternative hull forms or commercial construction methods often stems from familiarity rather than performance.Aluminium catamarans, long proven in demanding commercial service, may feel unconventional within traditional yachting circles. Yet their operational behaviour – particularly in terms of deck stability and working safety – often aligns more closely with the requirements of a modern support platform than a steel displacement monohull adapted for the role.For capability-driven programmes carrying larger tenders, helicopters and expedition equipment, the structural advantages of a purpose-designed catamaran platform are becoming increasingly evident.The trade-off is rarely capability. It is seamanship style and comfort with a different approach. As programmes prioritise usability over convention, that calculation is steadily shifting.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388324/image/large-c116f047a5dbc8d74ed0607c0ddd343d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388324">Long-term value in a maturing sectorUtilisation rates provide a revealing metric. Within established programmes, purpose-built support vessels tend to remain highly active because they enable the very experiences owners value most.Clarity of purpose also enhances resale and charter appeal. A defined, proven capability is easier for future buyers and charter clients to understand than a one-off experimental build. The vessel’s role within the programme is explicit, not implied.Looking ahead, the sector is moving towards paired planning. Yacht and support platforms are increasingly conceived together, each optimised for its specific function. The yacht focuses on living quality and aesthetic intent. The support vessel concentrates on operational performance.In that context, the defining question for owners is no longer whether a shadow vessel is required, but whether its development should begin as an isolated project or from a platform already shaped by delivered experience.For many modern programmes, engaging a specialist platform partner such as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6651" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="ShadowCAT (Company)">ShadowCat</a> early in the process is becoming a practical way to improve efficiency, reduce development risk and ensure the support vessel ultimately delivers the capability the programme demands.As the market matures, the answer is becoming clearer.

Shadow vessel yacht programmes

How purpose-built shadow vessels are evolving into the operational backbone of modern superyacht programmes, enabling capability and efficiency.

Redefining the role of the modern shadow vessel

In a sector where precision, innovation and client-centric service define success, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7421" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="F/YACHTING (Company)">F/YACHTING</a> is carving a unique niche, focusing on bespoke solutions for the yachting sector, under the leadership of CEO Werner Kartner. At the same time, F/LIST, where Kartner also serves as Chief Commercial Officer, specialises in aviation and exclusive residences, delivering tailored solutions from concept to completion.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388113/image/large-0f2a50dfeabbf0720f796d6d8231ece5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388113">By leveraging insights across these sectors, the group can anticipate needs long before design plans are finalised. “When we get invited very early in the process, we can assemble the right integrated project team,” explained Kartner. “No matter whether it’s a yacht, an aircraft, or a residence, our specialists adapt to support the client from the very start.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388112/image/large-42ac673d696e813cbe2df146384bc491.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388112">From vision to completion<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7421" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="F/YACHTING (Company)">F/YACHTING</a>’s process revolves around collaboration rather than control. “We start with co-creation,” added Kartner. “It’s not about leading the project; it’s about supporting the client. We work side by side with shipyards, designers and stakeholders to create the best-case scenario for the client.”From defining room layouts and centralised systems, to engineering both interiors and exteriors, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7421" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="F/YACHTING (Company)">F/YACHTING</a> ensures designs are practical, certifiable and aligned with client expectations: “If we’re not deeply involved, projects often require loops and adjustments. Our role is to prevent that from the beginning.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388106/image/large-54d5515d284a1c49d382f6f03869e5fd.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388106">A hallmark of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7421" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="F/YACHTING (Company)">F/YACHTING</a> is its holistic, vertically integrated approach to design. “We don’t subcontract to subcontractors. We have our own stone shop, metal shop, engineering, production, integrated project teams and installation teams,” explained Kartner. “We focus on the next 40 years of a yacht, not just the warranty period. Maintenance-friendly materials, easy refits and lifecycle planning are central to our work.”<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7421" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="F/YACHTING (Company)">F/YACHTING</a>'s global reach further strengthens the company’s group capabilities, with facilities in North America, the Middle East and Europe enabling timely production, refit support and direct client engagement. “Despite our company being based in Austria, if a client asks where maintenance should happen, it doesn’t have to be Europe. We can support projects from Dubai to Florida, thanks to our worldwide network.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388107/image/large-8a1af34ccdf519c1bed473a7d2769aed.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388107">Sustainability embedded in designWith their systematic approach, sustainability is central to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7421" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="F/YACHTING (Company)">F/YACHTING</a>’s strategy. “We analysed every project from the past 10 to 15 years to define the most sustainable build-ups for interior and exterior constructions. It’s not upselling, it’s ensuring the next generation of clients receives a complete, responsible solution.”Size is also no issue for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7421" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="F/YACHTING (Company)">F/YACHTING</a>, with the company confidently handling vessels of every size. “Whether it's a 50-metre project, or a 150-metre yacht, we integrate engineering across multiple complex systems, with each project receiving a bespoke integrated project team tailored to its needs.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388111/image/large-69749c5e6b3b868e52730bcd27f30889.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388111">Looking to the futureBased in Thomasberg, Austria, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7421" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="F/YACHTING (Company)">F/YACHTING</a> plans to expand its capabilities and markets over the next five years. “We’re focused on R&amp;D, maintainability, transparency and risk mitigation. We’re also expanding our service model globally, including a new showroom in London. Our aim is to provide complete support for clients throughout a vessel’s lifecycle.”From cutting-edge materials to certification expertise, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7421" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="F/YACHTING (Company)">F/YACHTING</a> combines innovation, craftsmanship, and a client-first philosophy. As Kartner puts it: “Every project is about co-creation, sustainability and delivering the highest quality. That’s what sets us apart in yachting, aviation and residential projects alike.”

F/LIST Group: Crafting bespoke solutions across yachting, aviation and residential

F/YACHTING CEO Werner Kartner explains the company’s collaborative approach to yacht projects, engineering and sustainable design.

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7917" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Deo Juvante Yachts (Company)">Deo Juvante Yachts</a> was founded by Belgian entrepreneur and sailor Thierry Verstraete, whose decades of adventure on land and at sea underpin the company’s philosophy. Rather than focusing solely on leisure yachting, the shipyard positions itself around a deeper concept: designing vessels for owners who view the sea as a place of discovery, learning and personal growth.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388340/image/large-268da4eeb43d8ac9b0e075889fc23113.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388340">The company’s ethos draws inspiration from the philosopher Baruch Spinoza, whose belief that freedom comes through understanding forms the basis of the brand’s guiding principle. At <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7917" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Deo Juvante Yachts (Company)">Deo Juvante</a>, knowledge, experience and technical expertise are considered essential ingredients in creating yachts capable of supporting genuine exploration.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388404/image/large-534195d5ead039b2a57e18f775788eb8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388404">Verstraete’s own journey reflects this mindset. The youngest of six children in a Belgian family, he developed an early taste for independence and adventure. After completing his military service, he pursued a career in logistics, founding a trucking company at the age of 23 that he would eventually grow into a network employing 350 people across seven locations. Alongside his business career, Verstraete pursued a wide range of demanding pursuits, from motorcycle and GT racing to long-distance sailing, including a solo Atlantic crossing aboard a 56-foot yacht.In 2019, he sold the logistics company and shifted his focus towards world cruising with his family. Together with his wife Lydivine and their children, he embarked on an extended voyage that took them across the Atlantic to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal and onwards to destinations including Tahiti, New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan, Alaska and Canada.During these travels, the family lived aboard full time while homeschooling their children, but their education also extended ashore. The children attended local schools in Tahiti, New Zealand, Bali, a Japanese public school and in British Columbia, Canada. These experiences reinforced a central belief behind the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7917" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Deo Juvante Yachts (Company)">Deo Juvante</a> philosophy: a vessel can become a platform for education at every age, offering opportunities to learn from cultures, environments and experiences around the world.This immersive lifestyle at sea ultimately provided the inspiration for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7917" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Deo Juvante Yachts (Company)">Deo Juvante Yachts</a> – a brand built around the idea that yachts can function not only as vehicles for travel but as homes capable of supporting a truly global way of life.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388304/image/large-97f387afc1c9f6e5d2898521d255380b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388304">Designed for long-range livingDrawing on more than four decades of maritime experience, the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7917" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Deo Juvante Yachts (Company)">Deo Juvante</a> fleet has been conceived with a focus on autonomy, reliability and real-world practicality. The designs are developed in collaboration with naval architecture firm <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1782" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="LOMOcean Marine Ltd (Company)">LOMOcean</a>, whose expertise contributes to the vessels’ seaworthiness and performance.Across the range, particular emphasis is placed on redundancy, advanced electrical systems and sustainable technologies such as solar power and hybrid propulsion. These features allow the yachts to remain self-sufficient for extended periods while supporting modern communication systems that enable remote work, distance learning and continuous connectivity.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388305/image/large-a09ad6622f4cc4b29d150626f496f7d6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388305">The shipyard’s current portfolio reflects this exploration-driven philosophy. The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7917" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Deo Juvante Yachts (Company)">Deo Juvante</a> C24 is a 24-metre catamaran designed to deliver stability and generous interior volume, making it well suited for extended cruising and life aboard. The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7917" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Deo Juvante Yachts (Company)">Deo Juvante</a> M24 offers a monohull alternative with a hull form engineered to minimise pitch and roll, ensuring comfort even in demanding conditions. The Deo Juvante M26 extends the concept to 26 metres, combining long-range capability with increased onboard space and comfort.At the centre of the brand’s latest development, however, stands its most ambitious concept to date.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388309/image/large-b53bef328698198615de1ed8a3f5853e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388309">The TS40 – redefining the explorer yachtThe <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7917" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Deo Juvante Yachts (Company)">Deo Juvante</a> TS40 represents the flagship of the company’s vision for long-range exploration. Measuring 40 metres in length, the yacht introduces an advanced trimaran configuration developed in collaboration with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1782" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="LOMOcean Marine Ltd (Company)">LOMOcean</a> and interior designer <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8251" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kurt Wallaeys (Company)">Kurt Wallaeys</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388311/image/large-8e9a8e8d13c2ccc6553875b297b57153.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388311">This distinctive hull architecture lies at the heart of the TS40’s performance. The trimaran design delivers exceptional natural stability, improved manoeuvrability and enhanced seaworthiness, enabling the yacht to cruise comfortably at around 20 knots while maintaining the efficiency required for serious ocean passages. With a range exceeding 3,000 nautical miles and the ability to cover approximately 500 nautical miles within 24 hours, the TS40 combines speed, autonomy and safety in a platform designed for global exploration.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388314/image/large-1e3a8b9e9eb32deed91019a4e0b46a34.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388314">Rather than competing within an existing category, the TS40 represents the departure of an entirely new class of explorer yacht. By combining trimaran naval architecture with long-range capability and the comfort required for extended living aboard, the concept challenges conventional expectations of what an explorer yacht can be.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388405/image/large-0b19fdc29a6afd58ff95baf4d56e748c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388405">Beyond performance, the design places strong emphasis on life on board. The interior layout prioritises spaciousness, natural flow and long-term comfort, accommodating multiple guest cabins, dedicated crew quarters and a generous owner’s suite. The yacht’s propulsion systems have been engineered to minimise vibration and noise, ensuring a quiet and relaxed environment during extended voyages.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388312/image/large-deebbef7145c7da82a62949e47adb2ae.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388312"> Exterior spaces further reinforce the yacht’s explorer credentials. Expansive deck areas provide ample room for relaxation and operations, while optional features such as a helipad expand the vessel’s logistical capabilities. A special edition featuring an artistic exterior concept by the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8649" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Florian & Michaël Quistrebert (Company)">Quistrebert Brothers</a>adds an additional layer of visual identity to the project.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388406/image/large-d554c943a912ae3ebc0328360443a899.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388406">Exploration without compromise Through the TS40 and its wider fleet, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7917" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Deo Juvante Yachts (Company)">Deo Juvante Yachts</a> seeks to champion a form of yachting centred on meaningful journeys rather than purely symbolic luxury. Drawing on real-life experience of global cruising, the shipyard’s designs focus on the qualities that matter most to long-distance travellers: safety, autonomy, efficiency and comfort.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388407/image/large-85ee2f2708bc07621e0a0a381d5266ae.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388407">For Thierry Verstraete, the goal is clear: to create yachts that allow owners to embrace the world beyond the horizon. In doing so, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7917" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Deo Juvante Yachts (Company)">Deo Juvante</a> aims to offer not simply a vessel, but a platform for a different way of life at sea.

The Deo Juvante Yachts story

Thierry Verstraete shares the story behind Deo Juvante Yachts explorers.

A philosophy of exploration: The story behind Deo Juvante Yachts

For the past 25 years, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4433" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Outer Reef Yachts (Company)">Outer Reef Yachts</a> has built a reputation around robust long-range cruisers designed for owners who value safety, reliability and true ocean-going capability. Now, with the introduction of the new 540 Adventure, the brand is expanding that philosophy to reach a broader and notably younger demographic.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388343/image/large-5dcec63be82d35b66b5f899138a99bac.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388343">A gap in the marketWith almost 30 years of experience doing boat shows, Jeff Druek, President and CEO of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4433" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Outer Reef Yachts (Company)">Outer Reef Yachts</a>, felt there was a need to fill a gap in their product offering. While many show-goers “have maybe two or three million to spend, yet we have nothing to offer them in this price range.” That is, until the introduction of the 540 Adventure.“We’ve been seeing a trend in first-time buyers to be more adventurous, or an adventurous cruising style,” notes Jeff, “We wanted to develop something that was more in line with that mindset.” The 540 Adventure developed on the backside of the 780 Adventure, which sits in a higher price range and can feel quite large to first-time owners.&nbsp;Previously, nearly 80 percent of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4433" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Outer Reef Yachts (Company)">Outer Reef</a>’s clients tended to be owners looking for their last yacht, rather than their first, eager to have something more manageable and in a traditional style. “We realised we had a gap in our demographic offering, and knowing we can offer safe, long-range cruising on a yacht that can navigate both shallow waters and the open ocean, designing the 540 Adventure was a natural choice.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388376/image/large-386e2066794f00fe1dcd9335811aafd4.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388376">Designed to perfectionResponsible for design of the 540 Adventure is Netherlands-based designer <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4789" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bernd Weel Design (Company)">Bernd Weel.</a> “I was very enamoured with Bernd,” Jeff recalls, “I like his styling, and he is a pleasure to work with.”&nbsp;After their initial meeting about two years ago, their first collaboration was the 780 Adventure, which is made of metal and built in the Netherlands, was a success, so when Jeff inquired if Bernd would be interested in designing the 540 Adventure, the answer was a straightforward ‘sure’.&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4433" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Outer Reef Yachts (Company)">Outer Reef</a> provided a list of must-includes to Weel, and “he just knocked it out of the park with the first design,” Jeff shares. “I tell you, the design varies maybe five percent from its original design.” The yacht shares some similar lines to the 780 Adventure, but the material make-up is completely different: the 540 Adventure is constructed in Fibre-Reinforced Plastic (FRP). It’s a material more suitable to smaller yachts and helps to keep the cost low, as metal can get expensive quick.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388374/image/large-13e48d91f77294e7fc6226022c2cf1fa.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388374">Adventure readyHer interiors feature a clean aesthetic with soft wooden furnishings and large windows to allow for an abundance of natural light to flow through the saloon. The open floor plan emphasises the sociable design of the yacht: the wheelhouse flows straight into the galley, and from there guests can step down into the saloon and continue towards the aft deck to enjoy al fresco dining.&nbsp;On the upper deck, there is plenty of lounging space, as well as a versatile space that can be used to house toys, a tender, or serve as the ideal space for play. The upper deck features a second pilot station and another dining area which is semi-covered on the fore deck, ideal for enjoying the sunset.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388349/image/large-501fb7a4265d2cc95c067e725e669f71.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388349">A big emphasis in the design of the 540 Adventure has been placed on outdoor spaces, and space optimisation, in line with the entire Adventure series. Jeff emphasises how “there are limitations to what you can package in a 54-footer, but we ensured there is even space for a crew member.” While in the US you wouldn’t frequently see a crew on a yacht this size, in Europe it is more popular to have a crew member onboard. The 540 Adventure, oriented towards a different clientele, is a versatile model suitable to varying markets. If no crew onboard, the additional stateroom can be used to accommodate additional guests and creates a more family-friendly layout.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388352/image/large-b7983b40b6b4af15be0be094931c1a32.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388352">Her layout on the lower deck includes a total of four staterooms, including the stateroom that can be turned into a crew cabin. The master suite is full beam, with a king size bed and has an ensuite master head featuring a walk-in shower. The VIP stateroom forward features a queen size bed and has a private door to the guest head. Each of the staterooms feature ample storage space with various cabinets and drawers, an essential in a yacht this size, and further feature wood veneer wall panelling with satin finishes, or vinyl wall coverings, depending on the owner’s preference.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388347/image/large-b48d86aa23b47adfff2abe3f658773ac.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388347">The 540 Adventure is designed for comfort out at sea, providing ample space for families or friends to come together. Another stand-out feature is her cruising ability: she can cover up to 2,000 nautical miles at Eco Speed. This range, unique for a 54-footer, perfectly caters to the shift that is taking place in the yachting industry, which notices an increase in desire for adventurous and distant cruising to more remote, yet unexplored destinations.With her long cruising range, versatile interiors and spacious design, the 540 Adventure is the ideal first yacht, at a great pricing point, for anyone just joining the yachting world or seasoned yachtsmen looking to downsize without compromise.&nbsp;

Outer Reef Yachts introduces the 540 Adventure

Outer Reef Yachts introduces the 540 Adventure: long-range capability meets a new generation of explorers

Outer Reef Yachts introduces the 540 Adventure: a new long-range generation of explorers

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> stands as a rare presence within the global superyacht fleet. In an industry largely defined by European shipyards and international ownership structures, she represents a proud and uncommon combination: a Turkish-built yacht, sailing under the Turkish flag and owned by a Turkish owner. The yacht has also just been nominated for a World Superyacht Award in Venice this year. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/368542/image/large-b0585e0983279160a6ad0e888c3aea3a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/368542">Yet beyond these distinctions lies a far more personal story – one shaped by determination, ambition and a vision brought to life against considerable odds.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/356024/image/large-270da0abc78318958acd4b8a92775468.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/356024">A yacht born from personal visionIn the world of superyachts, vessels are often recognised for their engineering, design pedigree or scale. Occasionally however, a yacht carries something far deeper – a personal story that defines its character. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> is one of those yachts.Behind her elegant profile and refined craftsmanship stands not only a shipyard and a design team, but the unwavering commitment of her owner. From the earliest sketches through to the final elements of the interior décor, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> was not merely commissioned – she was personally guided and shaped at every stage.Every design decision, material selection and aesthetic detail was carefully overseen to ensure that <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> would be more than another luxury yacht cruising the Mediterranean. Instead, the goal was to create a vessel with a clear identity – one that reflects culture, craftsmanship and purpose.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/368538/image/large-0c498c3bf53037826a9fda5e20d4ac5b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/368538">Completing the impossibleDuring construction, the ambition behind the project was met with scepticism from many experienced professionals across the international brokerage and yachting community. Completing a yacht of this calibre within the required timeframe – and preparing her for the 2025 charter season – was widely regarded as unrealistic.Industry figures repeatedly warned that it could not be achieved within three months, particularly given the level of detail and regulatory compliance required. Yet <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> would ultimately prove those predictions wrong.Through an extraordinary collective effort, the yacht was completed, certified and fully operational within record time. Documentation was finalised, compliance procedures completed and the vessel successfully obtained RINA Charter Class certification. Rather than missing the season, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> entered the 2025 charter market on schedule and enjoyed a highly successful debut, welcoming guests from around the world.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/368539/image/large-f656fdb07293b95bd74a989c8a62c298.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/368539">Celebrating Turkish craftsmanship<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> was conceived not simply as a luxury yacht, but as a tribute to Turkey's deep maritime heritage.For centuries, Turkish shipbuilders and craftsmen have shaped vessels along the Mediterranean, developing a reputation for exceptional woodworking and traditional artistry. This heritage forms a defining element of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a>'s design.Extensive woodwork throughout the yacht serves not merely as decoration but as a deliberate celebration of that tradition. The materials, textures and finishes highlight the craftsmanship that has characterised Turkish boatbuilding for generations.Every curve, panel and handcrafted detail reflects this connection between heritage and contemporary yacht design.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/368543/image/large-d32d36823a761577b7a533a35ef8fb38.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/368543">Responsibility toward the seaA yacht born from the sea must also respect it. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> was designed with environmental awareness in mind, incorporating efficient systems and responsible operational practices intended to minimise her ecological footprint while cruising through the Mediterranean’s delicate marine environments.The project demonstrates that luxury and environmental responsibility can coexist – a philosophy increasingly embraced within the modern superyacht sector.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388242/image/large-0a4209d4019d784fbce6074aa3b44311.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388242">A woman’s leadership in a changing industryThe superyacht industry has traditionally been shaped by shipyards, naval architects and investors in fields long dominated by men. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> represents a different narrative.Her creation reflects the vision, leadership and perseverance of a woman determined to bring an ambitious project to life. It is a reminder that passion, expertise and commitment transcend gender, and that the industry continues to evolve as new voices and perspectives emerge.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388315/image/large-40775dbc5d530611d85cc7adb031bb4a.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388315">More than a yachtFor her owner, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> represents far more than a vessel. She is a symbol of perseverance and belief – proof that determination can transform an ambitious idea into reality. She also represents the meeting point between heritage and innovation, carrying forward the craftsmanship of a nation while embracing modern design and engineering.Above all, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> carries a human story. One defined by effort, resilience and a refusal to accept the word “impossible”. And perhaps that is what truly gives her life.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> Turkish Built Turkish Flag Turkish Owner

Lady Luna Turkish yacht story

The story of Lady Luna – a Turkish-built superyacht under the Turkish flag, celebrating craftsmanship, determination and a woman’s vision.

Lady Luna: A superyacht built by vision, determination and Turkish heritage

Which cities can truly claim that their ports are as old as the cities themselves? Hamburg is one of the few. Its maritime heritage permeates every corner, thanks in large part to Hermann Blohm and Ernst Voss.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388030/image/large-2b7a5af8e354717e8822a2c8e928c86f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388030">The two German entrepreneurs, whose names still proudly brandish the shiplifts that define Hamburg’s skyline, founded <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blohm & Voss GmbH (Company)">Blohm &amp; Voss</a> in 1877. They chose the island of Steinwerder to establish what would become a 451,000-square-metre shipbuilding operation – roughly the size of the Vatican City. Initially focused on ship repair, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/3" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Blohm & Voss GmbH (Company)">Blohm &amp; Voss</a> prepared commercial ships for the Atlantic passages before the company started building its own vessels. Today, Steinwerder operates under the custodianship of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> and has returned to its core principles: refit and repair.Specialising in complex refit programmes for private yachts, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> Werft Hamburg has maintained Steinwerder’s legacy of being one of the world’s most trusted ports of call for refits. The yard also continues Hamburg’s tradition as a free-flowing hub of maritime knowledge, where expertise is shared across teams, suppliers, and partners.&nbsp;This open-source approach to expertise gives the crew a unique opportunity to learn directly from the wider supply network. When suppliers and technical partners converge in one place, crew gain insight into often-overlooked nuances, ensuring optimal understanding for vessel longevity. Training is regular, problems are solved collaboratively, and the collective intelligence of Hamburg’s maritime ecosystem is fully accessible. The city itself – just a road tunnel away from the shipyard – offers cultural events, international dining, and green spaces along the Elbe, rather than an isolated shipyard town."An effective yacht refit or repair does not necessarily require a shipyard appointment," says York Ilgner, Managing Director of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> Werft Hamburg. "Smaller details can often be addressed at sea, at anchor, or at layberth with the right knowledge. As part of our service, we aim to impart as much expertise as possible so the crew can operate self-sufficiently. Our phones, of course, remain open when additional support is needed."Informal networks, however valuable, can be fragile when reliant on chance encounters or individual relationships. To address this, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> has formalised initiatives such as its annual Chief’s Day. The second edition, held recently in Hamburg, brought together more than 80 chief engineers, suppliers, partners, and management teams for a day of technical exchange. From innovations in stabilisation systems to advances in propulsion efficiency, the event brought forward many voices too often absent from strategic conversations. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/388029/image/large-3c5dccff002b180b0640f9c5554baf40.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/388029">Over the course of the day, one theme surfaced repeatedly: institutional memory. The big question is just how much data should be recorded, and what benefits this brings to ensure seamless maintenance. Which metrics truly predict issues before they escalate? How can maintenance histories transfer between teams without overwhelming them? The difference between a reactive refit and a strategic one often lies in whether previous lessons are learned or lost.Shipbuilding has shaped the identity of Hamburg for more than eight centuries, and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> sustains its culture of maritime excellence. This culture develops through exchange, one conversation at a time. Hamburg remains what it has always been: a place where ships are built and repaired, and where the knowledge to do both better continues to evolve.

Inside Hamburg’s Steinwerder Shipyard: How Lürssen Continues the Blohm & Voss Refit Legacy

Hamburg's maritime heritage: How Lürssen keeps the Blohm & Voss legacy alive at Steinwerder Shipyard. 

Inside Hamburg’s Steinwerder Shipyard: How Lürssen continues the Blohm & Voss Refit legacy

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">Camper &amp; Nicholsons</a> (C&amp;N) has long been recognised for its heritage of excellence, although its recent growth trajectory can be traced to a quieter force behind the scenes: a purpose-built technology ecosystem created entirely in-house. At the helm of this transformation is Chief Technology Officer Giovanni Alessi Anghini, whose philosophy places clients firmly at the centre of every digital initiative.His approach has reshaped not only how the company operates, but also how it engages with owners, captains and project partners across all sectors of the business. “Our philosophy is strictly client-first,” Giovanni explains. A mindset that has guided the development of an interconnected digital architecture, enhancing transparency, accelerating decision-making and deepening the relationship between the company and its clients. What began as a rethink of internal processes has since become a cornerstone of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">C&amp;N</a>’s market strength.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/339715/image/large-d887fd74babdb1dff43d04a960faac8f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/339715">A seamless digital shift anchored in client serviceThe evolution of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Person/10692" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Giovanni Alessi Anghini, Italy (Person)">C&amp;N</a>’s technological landscape has been notable for its speed and cohesion. Internally, teams have embraced new tools with unexpected ease, driven largely by the immediate efficiencies they deliver. Adoption, often the greatest barrier to digital transformation, became a catalyst here.The results are visible throughout the company. Streamlined operations and sharper time management have contributed to the doubling of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">C&amp;N</a>’s management fleet, solidifying its position as a leader across yacht management, charter management and sales. These gains have not merely enhanced the quality of service but also expanded the fleet’s scope across all key market segments.Deep integration of proprietary systems has transformed operational performance at every level. Workflows that once relied on manual intervention are now automated, centralised and accessible in real time. This shift has not only sharpened execution but also enabled the business to scale decisively.The financial impact has been equally significant. Revenues have doubled since 2019, with EBITDA reflecting the strength of a tech-enabled operational model. For <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">C&amp;N</a>, it is the clearest demonstration of what “technology-driven efficiency” can achieve when innovation is rooted in client value rather than novelty.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/387542/image/large-411b15e9065375eb084d6ba5800af494.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/387542">The architecture of a fully integrated digital ecosystemAt the core of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">C&amp;N</a>’s digital strategy lies a suite of interconnected platforms, each designed and engineered in-house. This unified ecosystem connects the company’s commercial, operational and financial infrastructure to provide a single, transparent view of every yacht and every client relationship.Among its centrepieces is ‘Canvas by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">Camper &amp; Nicholsons</a>’, a proprietary digital design platform that has reshaped the project lifecycle from concept sketch to purchase order. For clients, it offers an intuitive interface through which they can customise every detail and visualise options instantly, from interior décor to full design projects, paving the way for the launch of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">C&amp;N</a>’s Design Studio. For internal teams, it is a critical operational engine. Selections made by clients or designers flow automatically into backend systems, triggering purchasing data, specifications and Bill of Materials generation, removing layers of manual input and eliminating errors. Its seamless interoperability has even supported the company’s expansion into real estate, underscoring the system’s adaptability across luxury verticals.The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">C&amp;N</a> Online portal continues this theme of transparency. Introduced in 2019, it set a new standard for client access and operational visibility, offering real-time insight into yacht status, accounting, compliance and support services. While the wider industry has since followed with similar solutions, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">C&amp;N</a>’s early commitment established it as one of the architects of digital modernisation in yachting.Supporting the commercial teams is the company’s proprietary Yacht Database, an intelligent repository that captures market activity, technical data and off-market opportunities. Given the discreet nature of many yacht transactions, this tool provides a decisive advantage by enabling teams to identify possibilities and present insight that cannot be sourced through generic external platforms.The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">C&amp;N</a> Connect ecosystem extends deeper into the operational sphere, bringing together tools dedicated to accounting, compliance, crew management, crew placement and purchasing. Its financial backbone, YARS, has been developed in-house to ensure absolute transparency and data protection for clients. By maintaining full control over code, data storage and system design, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">C&amp;N</a> avoids the vulnerabilities inherent in external providers and preserves the confidentiality essential to high-net-worth clients.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/339714/image/large-3dc47138e9708aaf3dbeb0d345b6d260.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/339714">Choosing to build, not buy<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">C&amp;N</a>’s decision to pursue a fully proprietary approach reflects a considered strategic standpoint. Off-the-shelf solutions often demand compromise: limited customisation, slower development cycles and standardised features that lead to homogenised service models. For a company seeking to differentiate its offering at every level, this was insufficient.“When faced with the ‘build vs. buy’ equation, we chose to build,” Giovanni shares. The aim was not only to accelerate innovation but also to retain complete control over data sovereignty and intellectual property. This decision has since become a defining competitive advantage. Rather than shaping internal processes around external software limitations, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">C&amp;N</a> has developed technology around its service philosophy, enabling entirely new business verticals and future-ready capabilities.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/339712/image/large-50a0875e38879c16eefedc25459c832b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/339712">Technology with a human heartFor all the sophistication of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">C&amp;N</a>’s technology stack, the company remains steadfast in its belief that yachting is a fundamentally personal industry. “Technology and AI are enablers, not substitutes,” Giovanni notes. His teams rely on data-driven tools to optimise their workflow, yet their effectiveness rests on human judgement, relationships and the deep understanding of client aspirations.By removing administrative burdens and providing real-time clarity, technology frees brokers, managers and specialists to focus on what matters most: the people behind the yachts and the experiences they pursue. This balance between digital innovation and human connection is central to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">C&amp;N</a>’s vision for the future.As the company continues to expand its services and explore new luxury sectors, its in-house digital ecosystem has become not merely a support structure but a core strategic asset. It is a model that positions <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons (Company)">C&amp;N</a> at the forefront of a rapidly evolving industry, shaping a standard that many are only beginning to follow.

Camper & Nicholsons' tech-driven transformation

Inside Camper & Nicholsons’ Tech-Driven Transformation: How a Client-First Digital Ecosystem is Redefining Yachting

Inside Camper & Nicholsons’ tech-driven transformation: How a client-first digital ecosystem is redefining yachting

<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7692" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="VMG Refit & Repair (Company)">VMG</a> Astilleros de Sagunto has completed the installation of a new yacht-dedicated shiplift at its facility in Sagunto, Spain. Measuring 102-metres and 22-metres wide, the VMG shiplift is currently the largest in the world for yachts.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389970/image/large-2d719d5f0c2f412d1660887701d7cf9f.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389970">Supplied by Pearlson Shiplift Corporation (PSC), the new shiplift system is capable of accommodating yachts up to 125 metres and incorporates PSC’s proprietary continuous platform structure, which allows the system to operate as a single lifting unit.“The installation of this shiplift represents a major milestone in the development of VMG’s shipyard infrastructure,” explained Fernando Alcalde, Shipyard Manager at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7692" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="VMG Refit & Repair (Company)">VMG</a> Astilleros de Sagunto. “With this new capability, we are able to accommodate significantly larger yachts while ensuring safe, efficient lifting and optimised working conditions for complex refit and maintenance projects.”Once lifted, vessels will be transferred to land-level repair berths using rubber-tired Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs), enabling highly efficient vessel handling and significantly expanding repair flexibility and offering extensive hardstand capacity.With this addition, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7692" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="VMG Refit & Repair (Company)">VMG</a> Astilleros de Sagunto joins a global network of more than 280 shiplift facilities operating in over 70 countries worldwide, each supported by the engineering expertise and long-term service commitment of The Pearlson Group.“We are proud to partner with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7692" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="VMG Refit & Repair (Company)">VMG</a> on this transformative project,” concluded Kelly Pearlson Fraind, CEO of The Pearlson Group. “This installation represents not only a major milestone for <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7692" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="VMG Refit & Repair (Company)">VMG</a>, but also a significant advancement for the global yachting industry. Our engineering team designed this system to deliver unmatched precision, safety and long-term reliability.”

VMG installs yacht-dedicated shiplift drydock

VMG Astilleros de Sagunto has completed the installation of a new yacht-dedicated shiplift drydock at its facility in Sagunto, Spain.

VMG installs ‘world’s largest’ yacht-dedicated shiplift in Spain 

Last October, Francesca Webster had the rare privilege to step aboard a truly history-shaping yacht – the 118.8-metre Feadship superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8907" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Breakthrough118.8m (389'9&quot;)Feadship2025">Breakthrough</a>. Aptly named, her moniker encapsulates the profound impact she has already made on the industry. While her position as the world’s first hydrogen fuel-cell superyacht has understandably drawn global attention, this technological milestone is only one part of a far richer story.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/387292/image/large-adfe769e9032b19ceaf12c4b11cac15f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/387292">Sold in 2019 by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/124" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Edmiston (Company)">Edmiston</a>, who also oversaw her build, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8907" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Breakthrough118.8m (389'9&quot;)Feadship2025">Breakthrough</a> was conceived through an exceptionally ambitious and imaginative design. Responsible for her design in its entirety, British Design Studio <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a> was challenged at every level to rethink convention. The result is a yacht that moves well beyond the traditional, from her fluid exterior lines to an interior crafted to feel refined and intimate, despite a volume exceeding 7,000 GT. To understand what truly defines <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8907" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Breakthrough118.8m (389'9&quot;)Feadship2025">Breakthrough</a>, the team at <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a>, led by Director Charlie Baker, spoke with SuperYacht Times, offering insight into the design philosophy and processes that brought this remarkable yacht to life.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/387307/image/large-f8a2a244cf710d7462fc9dfc450b722d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/387307">Design in motionAt 118.8-metres, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8907" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Breakthrough118.8m (389'9&quot;)Feadship2025">Breakthrough</a> is <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a>’s new flagship and the largest private motor yacht by volume ever built in the Netherlands. Despite her impressive size, the yacht is exceptionally elegant, with an accentuated mast that elongates her overall aesthetic lines that flow from fore to aft in great sweeping arcs. For <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a>, her scale presented an immediate design challenge: how to accommodate immense volume without visual heaviness. For the studio, the solution lay not in aggressive styling, but in form and as a result, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8907" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Breakthrough118.8m (389'9&quot;)Feadship2025">Breakthrough’</a>s exterior is defined by softness and flow.“Our desire was to create something sculptural and enduring,” explains Sam Curson, Lead Exterior Designer. “A yacht that blended classic grace with contemporary refinement.” Light plays a central role in this composition. Surfaces are shaped to respond to reflections, allowing the yacht’s character to shift with the movement of the sun and sea.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/387301/image/large-07b1d39c51cff15b6a0396a50ce74d4a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/387301">Rather than relying on paint splits or graphics, the yacht’s profile is articulated through sculptural shaping. With long lines from both fore to aft and from her mast to her bow, the yacht’s hull and superstructure merge into a single, continuous composition, with subtle undercuts and transitions that break down mass and introduce shadow and depth.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/387997/image/large-9967392278cad975f5e5c8cd6c7e2711.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/387997">The deep blue hull tone amplifies this effect, creating a constant dialogue between water, sky and structure. Seen underway, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8907" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Breakthrough118.8m (389'9&quot;)Feadship2025">Breakthrough</a> feels alive, ‘a sculpture in motion’. From the water, she appears, in moments, to be part of her environment, rather than an object imposed upon it.&nbsp;These sculptural decisions also serve a practical purpose. By reducing overhangs and breaking up volume, more natural light is able to penetrate deep into the interior spaces, creating the sense of openness and connection to the sea that is felt throughout her interior.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/387304/image/large-dcb490e5e00be500c6001bfc08ab3097.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/387304">Twin cores of designCentral to the client’s brief was the desire to create a true home away from home, somewhere familiar, comfortable and flexible, despite her extraordinary volume. This led to one of the yacht’s most distinctive features: a general arrangement that effectively makes her two yachts in one.Guests are welcomed aboard through her beach club, which is illuminated from above by the glass floor of the main deck swimming pool. Like her exterior, light from the pool plays across her surfaces, and furnishings throughout the space offer guests a variety of spaces to lounge, drink and dine. It is both a welcome area and an additional saloon of its own, with fold down terraces on both sides offering a unique connection to the water that is rarely seen. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/387306/image/large-4a59b5baa793445e1f471b8cfba8e8ac.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/387306">Among her many standout features, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8907" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Breakthrough118.8m (389'9&quot;)Feadship2025">Breakthrough</a> features an underwater nemo lounge, accessed from the port side of the beach club, where the owner can step away from guests and enjoy a moment of privacy below the waves. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/387303/image/large-150b6e3825328ce0ae7f4692c83cb184.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/387303">The ability to move individually and privately was a major part of the yacht’s configuration and separate circulation routes were configured for the owners and their guests, allowing the owners to move freely throughout the vessel. Twin staircases and elevators mean they can travel from their private deck all the way to the water’s edge without ever crossing guest areas, while discrete doors on each level close the owner’s quarters off from the rest of the yacht without appearing to.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/387990/image/large-89ac289bb8a3f735a832fa0a06ec57b3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/387990">“You can get from the owners’ deck all the way down to the sea without going through any of the guest circulation,” explains the design team. “It creates a much more personal way of living on board.”This private ‘core’ forms the heart of the yacht. On each deck, intimate owner-only spaces offer moments of retreat: a quiet coffee spot with a puzzle table, a library and office nook filled with books, or a private lounge, dining area and sea cabin that opens directly to the water. Each of these unique spaces features a coffee and drinks station, offering the owner autonomy during their time aboard should they want it.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/387305/image/large-aca89478229c99b2e26cb0bd1aee26ca.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/387305">These owner’s spaces are linked by an elegant spiral staircase, running through four decks. Along its wall, a vertical curiosity cabinet displays books, art and personal objects, subtly sharing the owners’ story, creating a flow, both through time and space.In contrast, the main guest staircase is a dramatic architectural statement. Inspired by the curves of a nautilus shell, it sweeps through the yacht. Curved stair nosings, glazed balustrades, a fumed eucalyptus handrail and a polished plaster stringer conceal all visible structures. At its centre, an 18-metre-high cylindrical glass and leather-wrapped elevator draws daylight down from a skylight above, once again flooding the space with natural light.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/387995/image/large-d77cc5a32d065feb371f4341026388a5.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/387995">As guests move through the yacht, they are taken on a journey through an oceanscape by their surroundings. Lead Interior Designer Jack Canning explains, “It begins on the sandy sea floor in the beach club and lower deck, where timbers and textures are rustic, raw and natural. Lots of teak and open grain wood with coral details and rope.” As guests move up through the yacht, the finishes become more refined, representing different levels from the sea floor to the ocean depths and right up to the surface and seashore on the upper decks. The result of this subtle shift in tone and texture once again creates that connection between the yacht and her surroundings, with light playing a key role in her design from lower to upper deck.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/387297/image/large-b94ff0e705824fe289d9b9e7c3730320.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/387297">A celebration of craftsmanshipStandout interior features include the bridge deck saloon, the expansive owner’s stateroom with its truly jaw-dropping marble bathroom and the cinema, all of which left a lasting impression. On the main deck, the swimming pool, framed by sweeping 280 degree views, and the elegant surrounding terrace designed to offer guests countless ways to unwind while onboard.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390163/image/large-a8bd476b412d50735a211e27b637cbdb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390163">One of the most striking features of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8907" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Breakthrough118.8m (389'9&quot;)Feadship2025">Breakthrough</a>’s interior design is the sense of calm it creates. Organic shapes heavily outweigh the linear, and each deck is home to intimate zones that feel welcoming, homely and comfortable, rather than overly grandiose or overwhelming. These intimate, more informal spaces were part of the clients desire to encourage ‘barefoot living’, part of the original brief; to offer guests the opportunity to relax without the fear of damaging precious surfaces. Her wow-factor lies in the subtle use of colour, texture and light, combined with the careful application of spectacular materials that are given the space to shine.&nbsp;As a result of this considered curation of materials and objects, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8907" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Breakthrough118.8m (389'9&quot;)Feadship2025">Breakthrough</a> is a celebration of craftsmanship at its most ambitious. More than eighty bespoke pieces were designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a> specifically for the yacht, each developed in collaboration with specialist artisans from around the world. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/387992/image/large-4aca82e32d3663dc678729195422ec40.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/387992">Among them is an 11-metre sofa – the largest ever produced by its maker – ingeniously designed to store the leaves for a 24-seat extending dining table. In the owner’s bathroom, Italian stoneworkers carved a solid-stone wall into a flowing, undulating surface that echoes the movement of waves. Elsewhere, hundreds of precisely waterjet-cut travertine pieces form a feature wall in the owners’ games space, each element just 20 millimetres thick.This attention to detail is at the heart of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a>’s team led approach as a design studio, with a breadth of in-house expertise and creativity, and a commitment to progress, shaping each project into a truly personal response to the brief.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/387296/image/large-adab6302c90d8c6d1583903c6fc7bd48.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/387296">Ultimately, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8907" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Breakthrough118.8m (389'9&quot;)Feadship2025">Breakthrough</a> represents a shift in how the world’s largest yachts can be conceived. Not as statements of excess, but as deeply personal sanctuaries shaped by light, texture and thoughtful space planning, informed by an owner with a grand vision and the dedicated team they selected to see it to fruition. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8907" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Breakthrough118.8m (389'9&quot;)Feadship2025">Breakthrough</a> is a yacht designed not just to impress, but to be lived in.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/381825/image/large-2a64e82a62f9c7d97fa47d0e35ba505a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/381825">This article was first published in <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/newspaper/newspaper-issue-56" target="_blank">issue 56</a> of the SuperYacht Times newspaper, available for download <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/newspaper/newspaper-issue-56" target="_blank">here</a>.

Feadship yacht Breakthrough interior

 RWD sheds light on the design of Breakthrough, Feadships flagship and the world’s first fuel cell superyacht.

Designing Breakthrough: Inside Feadship’s 119m superyacht with RWD

The 23.9-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2882" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pearl Yachts (Company)">Pearl</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/14035" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omnia23.9m (78'5&quot;)Pearl Yachts2018">Omnia</a> sold in a deal with Richard Higgins and Monty Batt of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/526" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Northrop & Johnson (Company)">Northrop &amp; Johnson</a>, alongside Enrico Solinas of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/136" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ocean Independence (Company)">Ocean Independence</a> introducing the seller.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/374196/image/large-64be232cc456ff14ce10e1e6ef327ef7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/374196">Delivered in 2018 as part of the Pearl 80 series and spanning 84 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/14035" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omnia23.9m (78'5&quot;)Pearl Yachts2018">Omnia</a> features exterior design and naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/223" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dixon Yacht Design (Company)">Dixon Yacht Desig</a>n, while her interior was penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1278" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Kelly Hoppen Interiors (Company)">Kelly Hoppen Interiors</a>.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/14035" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omnia23.9m (78'5&quot;)Pearl Yachts2018">Omnia</a> can comfortably accommodate up to eight guests across four well-appointed staterooms including a full-beam master suite, with a walk-in wardrobe and a spa-style ensuite shower.&nbsp;The remaining guest staterooms include two guest doubles and a twin stateroom, while two crew members are accommodated aft to ensure smooth service onboard. Her flybridge is designed for outdoor enjoyment, complete with a Jacuzzi, a bar and generous lounging areas, making it ideal for entertaining guests.In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/14035" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omnia23.9m (78'5&quot;)Pearl Yachts2018">Omnia</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MAN (Company)">MAN</a> engines, delivering a cruising speed of 25 knots and a top speed of 34 knots. At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/14035" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Omnia23.9m (78'5&quot;)Pearl Yachts2018">Omnia</a> had a last known asking price of €2,499,000.&nbsp;(Image courtesy of Northrop &amp; Johnson.)

Omnia: 24m Pearl yacht Omnia sold

The 23.9-metre Pearl motor yacht Omnia sold, with a last known asking price of €2,499,000.

24m Pearl motor yacht Omnia sold

<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390160/image/large-9e812a243dac08f3347e94e3ab66316a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390160">Seen here at the Miami Beach Island Gardens Marina is the 76.05-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/29" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Feadship (Company)">Feadship</a> superyacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8977" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alvia76.05m (249'6&quot;)Feadship2024">Alvia</a>. Launched in 2024, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8977" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Alvia76.05m (249'6&quot;)Feadship2024">Alvia</a> features exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/61" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RWD (Company)">RWD</a>, interior design penned by the latter and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7724" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Susan Young Interiors (Company)">Susan Young Interiors</a>, with naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/30" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="De Voogt Naval Architects (Company)">De Voogt Naval Architects</a>. The 2,265 GT superyacht accommodates a three-deck layout that includes standout features such as a spacious pool on her main deck, a multipurpose sports court on her foredeck, and a wellness area on her lower deck, complete with a gym, spa, and sea terrace. Take a closer look at her interiors <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/62630" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Onboard 76m Alvia: Epitomising harmony (2025-02-21 10:45:00 +0100)">here</a>.

Alvia: 76m Feadship yacht in Miami

Seen here at the Miami Beach Island Gardens Marina is the 76.05-metre Feadship superyacht Alvia.

76m Feadship superyacht Alvia in Miami

After six years under the ownership of the same holding company behind <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4509" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SuperYacht Times (Company)">SuperYacht Times</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> has been sold to the company’s Sales Director, Daniel van Dongen.Founded in 2009, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> is a multi-platform guest information system installed on more than 100 superyachts worldwide. <iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/1179581743?fl=pl&amp;fe=sh" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> Commenting on the sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4509" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SuperYacht Times (Company)">SuperYacht Times</a> Founder and CEO Merijn de Waard said: “Towards the end of last year, we decided we wanted to sell <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a>. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4509" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="SuperYacht Times (Company)">SuperYacht Times</a> has been doing very well, but it is hard to focus on building two companies at the same time. It has been an amazing six years, and I am really proud of what we have achieved, so for us it was the right time to find <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> a new home.We couldn’t wish for a better new owner than Daniel, who has been passionately working on the sales and marketing of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a>, and I am convinced that he will do great things.”Daniel van Dongen, now Managing Director of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a>, added: “What attracted me to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> from the beginning is its unique position at the intersection of technology and the onboard experience. Having worked as yacht crew myself, I could immediately relate to the value it brings onboard. It is one of the few platforms that both guests and crew genuinely use on a daily basis, and that is what makes it so powerful.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390049/image/large-733995098b8bfc655e9193b47500df08.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390049">Looking ahead, van Dongen said the company’s direction will remain consistent, while benefiting from greater focus as an independent business: “The goal is simple: to make life onboard smoother, more intuitive and more enjoyable, without adding complexity.This management buyout is not about changing direction, but about bringing more focus as a standalone company. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/7736" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="YachtEye (Company)">YachtEye</a> has grown into a trusted platform on over 100 yachts, and this next step allows us to stay even closer to our clients, support them better, listen more closely to their needs, and translate their feedback and onboard ideas into continuous improvements and new solutions.We look forward to working even more closely with crew and owners, while also strengthening our collaborations with shipyards, charter brokers, integrators and other key partners across the industry.It is a real honour to take over a company that so many people have put their heart and soul into. I am very grateful for the trust of Merijn and the Group’s CTO Fabian, and for everyone who has supported me in taking this step.”

YachtEye sold in management buyout

Founded in 2009, YachtEye is a multi-platform guest information system installed on more than 100 superyachts worldwide.

This article was first published on the&nbsp;<a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/p/ela-the-heesen-designed-for-the-rhythm-of-charter-life" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Yacht Charter Market</a>.Attending the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Event/313" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Palm Beach International Boat Show - 2026">Palm Beach International Boat Show</a> last week, there was an abundance of great charter yachts and even more fantastic crew. One particular yacht that stood out was <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8261" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ela49.9m (163'9&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">ELA</a>, a 50-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>, for charter with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/201210/image/large-8b11464936f4f1b98837b9b8eb496838.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/201210">Welcoming me onboard is chief stewardess Eden, from England. She shows me around the yacht and shares that she’s been with the yacht for a couple of months. Previously she worked on private yachts, but was eager to learn the ropes of a charter yacht. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8261" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ela49.9m (163'9&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">ELA</a> has been a wonderful opportunity as “we’ve cruised around the Caribbean for a full year,” Eden shares, “I’m looking forward to head to the Mediterranean this season.”The tour starts off in the main saloon, where floor-to-ceiling windows offer unobstructed ocean views and an abundance of natural light. An array of blue decorate the mostly white leather furnishings, reflecting the ocean. The interiors feature a warm, dark wooden flooring that creates a soft contrast with the bright interior, which is designed by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/205" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cristiano Gatto Design (Company)">Cristiano Gatto</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314315/image/large-8087d4300dfd3f956f77ed8aba887602.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314315">The dining table, which can seat up to ten guests, is a unique feature of the saloon. Underneath the semi-opaque glass top sits a light system that allows the table to be lit in soft hues such as purple, blue and green, and even has a disco feature, making it ideal for an evening of festivities.One deck below sits the owner’s suite, stretching full beam. A stunning space with windows stretching from floor-to-ceiling, offering ocean views upon waking and matching the various shades of ocean-blue that colour the space. Furthermore there is a spacious bathroom with a his-and-hers sink as well as a bidet. The closet has ample space and comes with a dedicated shoe rack. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314319/image/large-1e181c4adde07a4b67a58fdf81091525.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314319">Other guests can stay in any of the four remaining staterooms, each of which is decorated in its own earthly shade, complementing the calm energy of the yacht’s interiors. The bedding, towels, and carpet are lined with the colour unique to the room, making each space feel unique. “It makes laundry easier too!” Eden jokes.Another striking feature of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8261" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ela49.9m (163'9&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">ELA</a> is her gym. While frequently placed in the beach club, onboard this <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a>, the gym has its own space, and includes a reformer pilates machine, two bikes and a space to lift weights. Also present are a shower and dayhead, and a very spacious sauna.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314359/image/large-b6c1e34a5e2b84cb6b6b75b70778ff95.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314359">Next Eden takes me to the sundeck, which is a dreamy area. It fits a Jacuzzi, a full bar, a long, shaded table for al fresco dining, and sun beds ideal for getting a tan. The view from the sun deck is amazing: now, during the show we seem to be higher up than most surrounding sun decks, offering a great view of the yachts on display and the Palm Beach coastline. Out at sea this would be a great place to hang out whilst cruising along the French or Italian Riviera.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314356/image/large-a38b63b5f26a1095a88c1932b340d85e.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314356">While hard to choose, my favourite spot on the yacht is the fore deck. When the tender is out in the water, the space gets filled by a large cushion, ideal for lounging in the sun, reading a novel or enjoying a morning coffee. It also makes a great space for sipping a cocktail whilst enjoying the sunset, or, once it’s dark, the crew can put up a screen, making it a great spot for a movie night under the stars.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314366/image/large-70cc3106282612d0a7c98a154a24f90a.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314366">What is striking about this <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/54" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Heesen Yachts (Company)">Heesen</a> yacht, built in 2021 and sitting at 499 GT, is that, while she is a great fit for charter, she’s also a perfect yacht for private use, whether to spend time with your family or with friends. There are ample spaces to come together, whether to relax and sit in the Jacuzzi on the sundeck or enjoy al fresco dining on the main deck while cruising at sea, yet <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8261" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ela49.9m (163'9&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">ELA</a> also has plenty of nooks and corners to escape to and enjoy some down-time, making her a great yacht for any type of guest.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/8261" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Ela49.9m (163'9&quot;)Heesen Yachts2021">ELA</a> is heading to the Mediterranean this summer where she is available for charter with <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/314363/image/large-2e08625d601f5c67e6dc0273e85e7438.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/314363">This article was first published in the&nbsp;<a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/p/ela-the-heesen-designed-for-the-rhythm-of-charter-life" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Yacht Charter Market&nbsp;</a>newsletter. <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/newsletter-subscription" target="_blank">Subscribe</a> to never miss an issue. You can read more <a href="https://yachtchartermarket.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.

ELA designed for charter life

YCM takes a look onboard the 50-metre Heesen yacht ELA during the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2026.

ELA: The Heesen designed for the rhythm of charter life

The 30.7-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5007" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Marti Yat (Company)">Marti Yat</a> yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> has entered the market with Vedat Kohen of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4547" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="TWW Yachts (Company)">TWW Yachts</a> and <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/244" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="IYC (Company)">IYC</a>. Presented in excellent condition, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/lady-luna/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">yacht Lady Luna for sale</a> offers the opportunity to own a newly-launched yacht without the delivery wait time. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/368567/image/large-9c811693c47e380037bd6e94d725f205.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/368567">Launched in April 2025, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> features exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1591" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Italstyle Yacht Design (Company)">Italstyle Yacht Design</a>, while her interior was penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5521" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="BTA Design (Company)">BTA Design</a>, with naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/8119" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Durkaya Avci (Company)">Durkaya Avci</a>. The <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">yacht for sale</a> is <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1457" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="RINA (Company)">RINA</a> commercial ‘Charter Class Short Range’ compliant, making her an ideal choice for both private ownership and charter.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/368539/image/large-f656fdb07293b95bd74a989c8a62c298.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/368539">Spanning 285 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> boasts a modern interior design, with her natural light flooding her spacious main saloon, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests are able to unwind in her lounge area, or choose from a formal dining room forward, or alfresco dining on her aft deck.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/368564/image/large-efb62c5c8a8ff50a74715133b1821fcb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/368564"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> can comfortably accommodate up to 11 guests across five well-appointed staterooms, with her generous owner’s suite located on the main deck, alongside a large ensuite bathroom. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/368556/image/large-301a88193f6245c2511af9ee7cc5674e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/368556">The remaining guest staterooms onboard the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale/built-by=marti-yat" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">Marti Yat yacht for sale</a> are located on the lower deck and consist of two doubles and a twin stateroom. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> is also able to sleep a crew of five across three cabins. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/368551/image/large-c5714c7aa59d1c97fb0584826d438c0d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/368551">Moving outdoors, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale/of-type=motor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">motor yacht for sale</a> offers expansive deck spaces for a variety of activities. Guests can relax in her sundeck Jacuzzi or Turkish hammam, while an outdoor cinema allows for movie nights under the stars. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/368548/image/large-ef4bbac82e421fe36e8a0e04c57a03d8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/368548">In terms of health and wellness, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> is equipped with a gym and massage area, while guests always have direct access to the water, thanks to her expansive beach club and swim platform. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/368542/image/large-b0585e0983279160a6ad0e888c3aea3a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/368542">Performance-wise, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/12992" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lady Luna30.7m (100'9&quot;)Marti Yat2025">Lady Luna</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MAN (Company)">MAN</a> engines, providing her with a top speed of 14 knots and a cruising speed of 10 knots.&nbsp;

Lady Luna: 31m Marti Yat yacht for sale

The 30.7-metre Marti Yat yacht Lady Luna has entered the market with Vedat Kohen of TWW Yachts and IYC.

31m Marti Yat yacht Lady Luna enters the market

The 39.8-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/12" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="CRN (Company)">CRN</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2984" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Madame Thelma39.8m (130'7&quot;)CRN1975">Madame Thelma</a> has entered the market with Sotiris Konstantakis of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/158" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fraser (Company)">Fraser</a> and Inigo Nicholson of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5463" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Barnes Yachting (Company)">Barnes Yachting</a>. The <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/madame-thelma/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">yacht Madame Thelma for sale</a> is available in turnkey condition, presenting the perfect opportunity to acquire a classic gentleman’s yacht that is ready for the season. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/389971/image/large-1702d29b19e8c20cee93388318f20945.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/389971">Delivered in 1975 as Resina from the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/12" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="CRN (Company)">CRN</a> Ancona facility and designed in full by her builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/12" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="CRN (Company)">CRN</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2984" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Madame Thelma39.8m (130'7&quot;)CRN1975">Madame Thelma</a> is described as a robust, ocean-going yacht, which has been well-maintained over the years. Built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, the displacement <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">yacht for sale</a> has been designed for long-range cruising. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390027/image/large-8529f8f763b0cc4e4a14a1c227f61a47.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390027"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2984" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Madame Thelma39.8m (130'7&quot;)CRN1975">Madame Thelma</a> received major upgrades both in 1994, which included new engines and again in 1998 which saw her stern redesigned, alongside new generators. In 2024, the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yachts/motor/for-sale" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">motor yacht for sale</a> underwent a refit which maintained her pedigree performance. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390030/image/large-7d08258a7d062a45aa9f03f96642a70e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390030">Spanning 279 GT, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2984" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Madame Thelma39.8m (130'7&quot;)CRN1975">Madame Thelma</a> boasts a large main saloon which flows seamlessly into her dining area, with seating for up to 10 guests. Rich mahogany woodwork is complemented by large picture windows, with a plethora of seating options allowing guests to unwind. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390025/image/large-538f79a05d0bd9b19efa96aceca9785e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390025"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2984" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Madame Thelma39.8m (130'7&quot;)CRN1975">Madame Thelma</a> can comfortably accommodate up to 12 guests across a six stateroom configuration, with her spacious owner’s suite situated on the main deck, complete with a private office and plenty of natural light.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390020/image/large-b1386b99379c1d0d05bbc97d73938215.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390020">The remaining guest staterooms onboard the <a href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/directories/yachts/for-sale/built-by=crn" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">CRN yacht for sale</a> are located on the lower deck, consisting of a full-beam VIP suite, alongside two additional suites and two versatile staterooms which can be configured as a family suite or as a full-beam VIP with a saloon. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390014/image/large-4e729dd915a467f1c3d3638b224ea1f6.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390014">Moving outside, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2984" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Madame Thelma39.8m (130'7&quot;)CRN1975">Madame Thelma</a> showcases expansive deck spaces, with her upper deck aft home to outdoor lounges and sunbathing areas. Her sundeck is home to a secondary helm station and can also be enjoyed as a remote observation area, offering extra privacy to guests.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390018/image/large-15ef2cd2893b50ba1c131cab20753cd3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390018">In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2984" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Madame Thelma39.8m (130'7&quot;)CRN1975">Madame Thelma</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1497" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Detroit Diesel (Company)">Detroit Diesel</a> engines, which provide her with a top speed of 16 knots and a comfortable cruising speed of 12 knots, alongside a range of approximately 3,500 nautical miles. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/390006/image/large-dd8cfba5e0905097449f5b90f38af942.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/390006">(All images courtesy of Fraser.)

Madame Thelma: 40m CRN yacht for sale

The 39.8-metre CRN motor yacht Madame Thelma has entered the market with Sotiris Konstantakis of Fraser and Inigo Nicholson of Barnes Yachting.

40m CRN motor yacht Madame Thelma for sale

The 32.2-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a> motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6610" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fifty Shades32.2m (105'8&quot;)Sanlorenzo2017">Fifty Shades</a> sold in a deal with Boomer Jousma and Vittoria Santarone of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5077" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The Italian Yacht Group (Company)">The Italian Yacht Group</a> introducing the buyer and Kevin Frawley of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6932" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Resolute Yachting (Company)">Resolute Yachting</a> representing the seller.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/290754/image/large-1e4f275e0a872f7074737fea33085eee.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/290754">Delivered in 2017 as part of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a> SL106 series, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6610" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fifty Shades32.2m (105'8&quot;)Sanlorenzo2017">Fifty Shades</a> features exterior design by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/586" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Francesco Paszkowski (Company)">Francesco Paszkowski</a>, with naval architecture by the latter alongside her builder <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/374" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sanlorenzo (Company)">Sanlorenzo</a>.Composed with a GRP hull and superstructure, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6610" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fifty Shades32.2m (105'8&quot;)Sanlorenzo2017">Fifty Shades</a> spans 199 GT, offering accommodation for up to eight guests across a four stateroom configuration, alongside sleeping quarters for five crew members in three cabins.&nbsp;In terms of performance, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6610" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fifty Shades32.2m (105'8&quot;)Sanlorenzo2017">Fifty Shades</a> is powered by twin <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1409" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MTU (Company)">MTU</a> engines, providing her with a top speed of 28 knots and a cruising speed of 24 knots. At the time of her sale, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/6610" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Fifty Shades32.2m (105'8&quot;)Sanlorenzo2017">Fifty Shades</a> had a last known asking price of $6,499,000.&nbsp;(Image courtesy of The Italian Yacht Group.)

Fifty Shades: 32m Sanlorenzo yacht sold

The 32.2-metre Sanlorenzo motor yacht Fifty Shades sold with a last known asking price of $6,499,000.

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Barrett Wright and Alastair Callender on the state of the US yacht market in 2026