Eurocraft

The Benetti Full Custom Yacht FB283 with a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure was launched during a private ceremony, which was held on January 26th at the Livorno yard. The owner had expressed the desire for a yacht with four fundamental characteristics: speed, silence, long range and guaranteed fun for the family. The interior and exterior was made by Giorgio Cassetta, the hull lines are by Van Oossanen Naval Architects. The project was facilitated by the close and profitable relationship established between the yard, the project team, the designer and the owner, who was represented by Nicola Nicolai from Nicolai Yacht Consulting & Project Management, acting as advisor prior to the purchase and managing the entire construction process as owner’s representative and project manager.FB283’s exterior styling features extremely elegant lines, with a sleek bow and a stern sloping down towards the water’s surface, combined with a (FDHF) fast displacement hull meticulously researched by Benetti and Van Oossanen Naval Architects. FB283 has a maximum speed of 21 knots and a range that makes it possible to cruise for long distances without stopping. Cassetta and his Rome based studio created a masterpiece of harmony. Deck fittings such as the massive oval capping rails, natural teak panels and solid wood and stone furniture give the vessel a “super yacht” feel rarely found on an Italian build of this size. Being entrusted by the owner with both exterior and interior design, Cassetta added striking details to interface the two, such as the magnificent 6 x 2 meter uninterrupted windows on both main deck and upper deck. With a focus on comfort and conviviality, FB283 has been created with family life front and center, so there are plenty of storage areas offering space for all kinds of water toys and equipment for having fun in the water, including diving gear. Located forward on the upper deck, the garage is a veritable cathedral, with a side door and the space to contain a 10-meter tender, two jet skis and a second tender. A touch & go helicopter platform makes sure the owner and guests can reach the yacht whatever the location. Founded in 1873, Benetti is the oldest Italian shipyard specializing in luxury yachts. They design, build and sell composite vessels from 29 to 44m and steel and aluminum boats from 37 to over 100m. Their fleet consists of five categories: Class, Oasis, B.Yond, B.Now and Custom, to meet all the needs of the market, and they belong to the Azimut|Benetti Group, the largest privately owned luxury yachting group in the world.Credits: Benetti

Extensive sea trials are now under way for the latest member of the new Zeelander 5. She has just had her technical launch after a rigorous development and build programme by the Groot-Ammers-based yard. The new Zeelander 5 is a natural development of the successful Z44, presenting a more contemporary look. The curvaceous Zeelander silhouette is still instantly recognisable, but compared to the Z44, the shearline is more voluptuous than ever, and now follows an elongated ‘S’ shape. The yacht features bigger windows in the wheelhouse and in the hull. In fact, Zeelander has succeeded in eliminating mullions altogether around the helm, for true, unencumbered 360-degree vision. Still capable of exhilarating performance, with speeds up to 40 knots courtesy of three Volvo Penta IPS-650 drives, the Zeelander 5 nonetheless manages to be 2dBA quieter than its predecessor. Given the yard’s relentless focus on eliminating noise and vibration, that is quite an achievement. There is also the option of installing a Seakeeper 6 gyro stabilizer to ensure there is nothing to distract from the pure pleasure of ownership.“We have learned from our owners,” said Sietse Koopmans, Zeelander Yachts founder and owner.. “Dozens of small improvements and a few bigger strides forward have combined to give the Zeelander 5 improved functionality in the service of a refined, timeless character.”The first Zeelander 5 will be delivered in spring 2023. Work is also progressing well on developing the brand’s new flagship.Zeelander Yachts was founded in 2002 in the Netherlands by Sietse Koopmans. The first model was unveiled to the public in 2008. The launch model Z44 received positive reviews at the Monaco Yacht Show and drew enormous crowds, despite being at an event dominated by much larger yachts. Within three years, the Z44 had been successfully introduced to the US as well as Europe, and it was an obvious direction to add a larger model to the fleet. The first Z55 was delivered in November 2015, and the flagship Z72 was launched in March 2019.Credits: Zeelander Yachts

The hull and superstructure of Project Akira, YN 20457, have been joined together at Heesen’s facility in Oss. The shipyard presented the 57-meter series design at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2019, and construction of YN 20457 began in February 2022. Project Akira is the first in the new 57-meter all-aluminum series of fast yachts, with an enclosed volume of approximately 780 GT and a lightweight, ultra-efficient Fast Displacement Hull Form. Frank Laupman of Omega Architects penned a distinctive profile with sweeping lines and a near-vertical bow. Harrison Eidsgaard worked closely with Frank Laupman and Heesen’s in-house engineers to create an efficient and purposeful layout. The owners and their guests will benefit from plenty of outdoor space to enjoy life at sea and generous indoor areas in which to socialize and relax.Twelve guests are accommodated in six staterooms, with the 63 sqm owner’s apartment located forward on the main deck. There is a VIP suite up on the bridge deck, while the remaining guest cabins are on the lower deck. A glass and stainless-steel elevator serves all three decks. Heesen Yachts Interiors, Heesen’s fine cabinetry workshop in Winterswijk, will be responsible for handcrafting the refined bespoke furniture for Project Akira.Another milestone was marked on November 18, 2022, when Akira’s two IMO III-compliant MTU 16V 4000 M65L engines were installed. This propulsion package, in concert with the super-efficient hull design, will give the yacht a maximum speed of 22 knots.The project is scheduled for delivery in time to enjoy the 2024 summer season.Heesen Yachts is a Dutch ship building company that specializes in custom-built superyachts in aluminum and steel from 30m to 70m in size. Founded in 1978, it has launched more than 170 yachts since its inception.Credits: Heesen Yachts

The 30.24-meter GIO4 is the first Riva Corsaro Super series. Riva has launched the first hull of a flybridge yacht in May 2019. The Riva 102 Corsaro Super is an evolution of the Riva brand and showcases the same streamlined profile as her predecessor, 100’ Corsaro. She features the work of Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta, founders of Officina Italiana Design, working in partnership with the Strategic Product Committee led by Mr. Piero Ferrari and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department. The latest addition to Riva's flybridge range has an unmistakable profile, even more elegant and decisive: masterful brushstrokes of dark color, from the large window that runs along the entire hull to the design of the hard top, create new modern, fluid and harmonious lines, giving life to a boat with a completely new image. Among her standout new features is the complete design makeover of the superstructure, based on a contemporary, sporty concept and more generous dimensions. The yacht’s distinctive silhouette reaches out like an arrowhead, giving her a sleek and assertive profile. The aft area was completely redesigned, including a full-fledged beach club that extends over more than 35 sq. m and ticks all the boxes of owners in search of ever more contact with the sea and with nature in their relaxation area. The 15 sq. m swim platform has been lowered, with lateral access to the cockpit on either side and an extra large, extra comfortable sun lounger in the center, hiding the entrance to the garage area. Two recessed doors, one on either side of the sun lounger, provide access to two large storage areas (280 liters each).The 20 sq. m functional cockpit furnished with a comfy sofa that can be combined with freestanding furniture, such as a teak dining table and “Riviera” model chairs – produced by Italian design firm Talenti – or a coffee table, perfect to transform this setting from a relaxation space to a dining area according to the owner’s needs and preferences. On the starboard side, before entering the main lounge, an outdoor staircase connects the cockpit area with the upper deck, while a large bar unit with an icemaker is located on the port side. The interior design of the main lounge and its arrangement are the result of meticulous restyling. Two layouts are available, each created to meet the different needs expressed by owners. In the standard version, the dining area with its generous table seating eight is aft, while the living space is the main feature of the central area in the boat. A second layout is also available, in which the living area, generous sofas and armchairs are near the entrance, creating a single continuous space with the outdoor relaxation area. On the left side of the main lounge is the entrance to the large, elegant owner’s suite, which is full-beam and extends forward into the bow. This cabin is the crown jewel of the yacht, with windows redesigned and extended to two meters in length, amplifying the sense of space that is a distinctive feature of the widebody configuration and offering a breathtaking view on both sides of the yacht. Forward, the full-beam bathroom is furnished with an elegant C-shaped basin that can be customized according to the owner’s tastes and is also available in black or white marble, with double basins. On the two sides of the bathroom are the toilet area and shower stall. The owner’s cabin is completed by a spacious wardrobe at the entrance, with full-height black back-painted glass doors and stainless steel handles. The guest areas are arranged into three VIP double cabins and a guest cabin with twin beds. Aft, in addition to the engine room, the spacious garage can contain two water toys and a Williams 445 L tender. The entire area is a perfect combination of comfort and practicality, with quick and easy procedures for launching and hauling up the tender and water toys. The yacht can have a maximum speed of over 26 or 28 knots, depending on the owner’s choice. The Ferretti Group, led by Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi, is now one of the world’s leaders in the construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, with a unique portfolio of brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.Credits: Ferretti Group

Silent-Yachts revealed its new superyacht, the Silent 120 Explorer. The new project, which features interior design by Marco Casali, also offers owners the chance to make the most of their adventure cruising itineraries with space for two of the latest must-have toys for remote voyaging – an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for heli-cruising and a submarine for underwater discovery. The 36.74-meter Silent 120 Explorer features a 13.85-meter beam and an astonishing volume of 499 gross tonnes to offer extended cruising at 6-8 knots in economical mode, or up to 16 knots at full power. The supercat also heralds the next step in solar-powered cruising, with 40kWp (kilowatt-peak) panels providing enough energy to cover the yacht’s hotel loads (thanks in part to detailed and highly efficient systems design) as well as offering significant fossil-free cruising autonomy, with carefully selected range-extender generators in addition to the 800kW lithium-ion batteries driving highly efficient 340kW e-motors, giving unlimited-miles cruising potential.The catamaran hull form combined with compact electric propulsion units offers significant space that enables the Silent 120 Explorer to carry both a revolutionary eVTOL aircraft and an all-electric two-person submarine, in addition to the usual tenders and toys demanded on a superyacht.Silent-Yachts’ partnership with VRCO, designers and manufacturers of the Xcraft XP4 eVTOL aircraft, marks the first time a yacht builder and an aircraft manufacturer have collaborated, with the XP4 being customized to match the interiors of the Silent 120 Explorer. The XP4 can be landed on the roof of the Silent 120 Explorer, where large solar panels will slide outboard to port and starboard to reveal a touch-and-go landing pad.The XP4, which is due for certification in 2024, offers convenient aerial personal transportation for up to four people, and is designed with an array of safety features including detection and avoidance technology, a ballistic parachute, and low-altitude crash prevention systems. In addition to utilizing technologies such as nanomaterials and hydrogen-based range extension, the XP4 can not only be charged from the Silent 120 Explorer’s solar panels but can also deliver power from its own battery to the yacht as a back-up power source. The U-Boat Worx NEMO submarine offers diving to 100 meter depths for two people in an all-electric package whose footprint is smaller than two jet-skis. The NEMO features the trademark acrylic pressure globe that gives pilot and passenger a breathtaking view of the depths, while the Manta control interface is both easy to learn and easy to operate.“The trend is for bigger yachts and more luxury, more comfort, more water toys and more possibilities,” says Michael Köhler, founder and CEO of Silent-Yachts. “In the Silent 120 Explorer we designed a boat that is bigger in volume although not in length, and bigger gives the opportunity to store more of these toys.The first Silent 120 Explorer is currently in build and due for launch in 2024. Silent-Yachts is producing the world’s first fully solar-sustainable oceangoing production catamaran yachts. They are powered exclusively by solar energy and capable of cruising up to 100 miles per day. In 2009, founders Heike and Michael Köhler, who have spent 6,000 days cruising more than 75,000 miles all around the world, launched the Solarwave 46, the first fully self-sufficient blue-water catamaran after years of testing solar-powered propulsion, and they have been building boats ever since. Credits: Silent-Yachts