Marco Arnaboldi, founder and designer of the Viareggio-based Wooden Boats shipyard, develops a line of compact luxury tenders. “When I launched the first Limo Tender it was received with enthusiasm and other orders followed, each customized, according to the owner's wishes,” says Marco Arnaboldi. “With the 8.3m ‘Limo Blue’, I thought of introducing a stylistic connotation in the deck and the topsides inspired by Fellini's 'Dolce Vita' and by the timeless design of the runabouts of the time.”
So this is actually a day cruiser rather than a tender, with rounded lines that slope towards the stern, bringing to mind some of the motorboats that accompanied divas and VIPs in the roaring Fifties and Sixties. The vintage design stays true to some of the shipyard's distinguishing features. A deep V hull, particularly performing in terms of speed, but also very seaworthy, so suitable to face any type of sea conditions. With a 270 hp inboard motor and sterndrive, Limo Blue can reach a top speed of 35 knots and a cruising speed of 30 knots.
“In addition to the fascinating look, another characteristic of the 8.3m Limo Blue is the deckhouse, which lowers to the height of the gunwale when it has to be stored in the garage and which guarantees an internal height of 1.80m when in navigation position,” continues Marco Arnaboldi. “On this first model, the owner opted for an open helm station in the bow with seats for the two crew members. Protected by the deckhouse, 10 guests can be seated on the sofas along the bulwarks and then there are two forward-facing seats in the stern. Finally, in the stern, a sofa welcomes guests who prefer to sail in the open air. Alternatively, however, it is possible to have the bridge at the stern and the sofa at the bow.”
The overall length of the 8.3m Limo Tender is included in its name; the maximum beam is 2.65 meters, with a 2.9 ton displacement. The boat is classified as category C.
Wooden Boats was founded in 1984; the Arnaboldi naval engineering office offers highly specialised services in the field of luxury displacement and planing yachts, as well in the fields of military and commercial boats. Studio Arnaboldi has collaborated with leading Italian brands such as Benetti, Sanlorenzo, Pershing, Mangusta (Effebi), Admiral, SA, Perini, VSY, Rossinavi, Azimut and Baglietto and has also worked with top designer names, including Della Rolle Giacomelli, Tommaso Spadolini, Giorgio Cassetta, Marco Casali, Francesco Paszkowski, Luca Dini and Guido De Groot.
Credits: Wooden Boats
Benetti has launched FB287, a fully customized 67-meter steel yacht from its B.Now series featuring the Oasis Deck® design. The vessel represents Benetti's steel-hulled superyacht expertise, with exterior design by RWD and interiors by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design. Engage Maritime served as owner's representative throughout the project."The launch of FB287 demonstrates the capabilities of the Benetti shipyard and the possibilities for clients to realize their ultimate expression of the yachting lifestyle," said Daniela Petrozzi, Benetti Sales Director.Key customizations include a rectangular elevator, marble guest staircase with glass balustrade, widened corridors, and multiple pool areas - an infinity pool on the Oasis Deck®, a spa pool on the observation deck, and a reflecting pool with waterfall effect on the owner's deck. The yacht features a lower-deck spa complex with sauna and steam room, a main deck saloon with grand piano, and an entire upper deck dedicated to the owner's private use.Originally conceived with light beach house interiors, FB287's owner requested a darker, richer aesthetic inspired by Gatsby-era styling. The final design incorporates woods like sycamore, ebony, and macassar, along with specialty marbles and metal detailing. Despite the dramatic style change from initial concepts, the design maintains seamless flow between interior and exterior spaces through coordinated material selections.Following launch, FB287 will undergo sea trials before scheduled delivery this summer. The project marks Benetti's successful adaptation of its B.Now platform to meet specific owner requirements while maintaining the series' signature indoor-outdoor living philosophy.Founded in 1873, Benetti is the oldest Italian shipyard specializing in luxury yachts. Benetti designs, builds and sells composite vessels from 29 to 44m and steel and aluminum boats from 37 to over 100m. The fleet consists of five categories: Class, Oasis, B.Yond, B.Now and Custom to meet all the needs of the market. Benetti belongs to the Azimut|Benetti Group, the largest privately owned luxury yachting group in the world.Credits: Giuliano Sargentini/Benetti
May 6, 2025
The 35.51-meter sailing yacht Kiboko 4, designed by Nauta and built by Southern Wind, has been named "Sailing Yacht of the Year" at the 2024 World Superyacht Awards. This marks the second accolade for the SW108 series, following the recent regatta victories of sistership Gelliceaux at the St Barths Bucket and Ibiza JoySail events.Developed with naval architecture by Farr Yacht Design, Kiboko 4 was conceived to deliver optimal sailing performance while maintaining comfort for both competitive racing and leisure cruising. The owner's specifications emphasized enhanced speed, superior handling characteristics, and versatile functionality across different sailing conditions.The yacht's exterior showcases Nauta's signature GT styling with clean, modern lines and practical deck arrangements. Notable features include a composite coach roof with distinctive lightning bolt detailing, a color scheme pairing a dark hull with light grey superstructure, and an innovative transom that converts between tender garage and beach club configurations. Sustainable materials were incorporated throughout, including decking sourced from responsibly managed forests.Internally, the design team created a contemporary interior with Mediterranean influences. The layout maximizes natural light through generous hull windows and a saloon skylight, while material selections combine light oak woodwork with walnut accents and custom fabric treatments. Accommodation includes four guest cabins and three crew cabins, with the owner's suite positioned forward for privacy."We wanted to create something that embodies the owner's vision of blending performance with beauty, all while offering the versatility required for both thrilling regatta sailing and serene cruising," said Massimo Gino, CEO of Nauta.The award recognizes Kiboko 4's successful integration of high-performance sailing capabilities with refined living spaces, establishing it as a notable example in the superyacht sailing category.Southern Wind is a boutique bluewater sailing yacht shipyard founded in Cape Town in 1991. Since its foundation, SWS has specialized in the production of semi-custom high-performance superyachts. Credits: Southern Wind
May 6, 2025
Pearl Yachts will debut its new Pearl 63 model in the UK at two May events: the South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show (May 9–11, Southampton) and the British Motor Yacht Show (May 15–18, Swanwick Marina). This follows the yacht's global premiere at the 2025 Palma International Boat Show.The Pearl 63 builds on the award-winning Pearl 62 design, offering a 60-foot yacht with family-friendly features. Key specifications include:Aft Cockpit: Opening side balconies and convertible L-shaped sofa seatingSaloon: Family-sized dining table and multifunctional chaise longueFlexible Space: Tender garage (fits Williams MiniJet 280 or SeaDoo Spark) or optional crew cabinAccommodation: Four cabins for eight guests, including a full-beam master suite with private access and panoramic windowsInteriors: Four design themes by Kelly Hoppen InteriorsPerformance: Optional 2 x Volvo Penta IPS 1350 engines for speeds up to 33 knotsIain Smallridge, Managing Director of Pearl Yachts, stated: “We are delighted to bring the Pearl 63 to British shores for the first time, and to do so at two events that represent the heart of UK yachting. These shows may be more intimate than their international counterparts, but they are no less important.”The Pearl 63 targets owner-operators seeking a balance of luxury and practicality. Both UK events provide opportunities for direct client engagement ahead of the model’s 2025 delivery schedule.Pearl Yachts was founded in 1998 and has now become one of the UK’s most prominent shipyards. Every Pearl motor yacht is designed and built by experienced craftsmen. Pearl’s fleet consists of the new Pearl 62, the Pearl 80 and the Pearl 95. All newly launched Pearl Yachts are covered by a unique, comprehensive five-year warranty program.Credits: Pearl Yachts
May 5, 2025
Winch Design has revealed the interior of the ninth hull in the Amels 60 Limited Editions series, developed in collaboration with Dutch shipyard Amels. Launched in 2019, the Amels 60 offers semi-custom construction with full-custom flexibility, balancing reduced delivery times and personalized design. The exterior was designed by Espen Øino.Winch Design previously handled interiors for Come Together, hull three and hull six 21.12. Come Together received a World Superyacht Award and an ISS Award in 2023.The ninth hull’s interior draws inspiration from the Pacific Islands, with each deck reflecting different natural elements. Materials include wood, stone, plaster, and leather, complemented by marble accents. Carved wood flooring in the beach club reinforces a barefoot-living concept, while curved forms and a soft palette promote relaxed sophistication.The lower deck features warm, earthy tones reminiscent of sand and forests, while the main deck incorporates oceanic blues. A central staircase, inspired by Pacific rainforests, connects the decks and leads to a bridge deck designed to evoke tropical greenery.“We created a refreshing interior derived from the Pacific Islands, with a focus on vegetation, the ocean and the sky,” said Jim Dixon, Managing Partner & Creative Director at Winch Design. “We started with a neutral and natural canvas and created unique features such as a back-lit onyx wall with an internally illuminated sculptural staircase column.”Hull 6009 remains under construction, with delivery scheduled for 2026. The yacht is currently available for purchase, allowing the new owner to finalize select details.Damen Yachting, a division within the Damen Shipyards Group, was created in 2019. The division combines the pedigree and heritage of Amels yachts with a growing portfolio of SeaXplorer yachts and Yacht Support vessels.Credits: Damen Yachting
May 5, 2025
Outfitting activities are progressing on the 50-meter Admiral Panorama, a Lloyd’s Register-classified yacht developed by The Italian Sea Group. The vessel features clean lines and balanced proportions, combining contemporary aesthetics with functionality. The exterior design was handled by Piredda & Partners, while interiors were developed by the shipyard’s Centro Stile.The yacht spans three decks, emphasizing openness to the exterior through a design that minimizes visual barriers. Large volumes, high ceilings, and panoramic windows enhance the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Natural materials, refined finishes, and strategic lighting contribute to the interior ambiance.Accommodation includes up to seven cabins, configurable to host 12 guests during navigation and up to 18 people, including crew. The main deck houses four guest suites with direct access to the salon and beach area, which includes a 2.85 x 1.8-meter pool surrounded by sunbathing spaces. The forward cabins can be merged into a full-beam suite, serving as an optional second owner’s cabin. The primary owner’s suite, located on the upper deck, features panoramic views and a private terrace with a pool.Salons on the main and upper decks are designed as multifunctional spaces, while the lower deck is dedicated to crew quarters, including cabins for 10 members, a kitchen, and a dining area. Optional layouts allow for additional cabins, a gym, or an entertainment space.A key innovation is the midship engine room ventilation system, a first for a 499 GT yacht, eliminating traditional aft ventilation trunks and improving layout efficiency. Another notable feature is the technical corridor with observation windows for monitoring machinery.The wheelhouse and captain’s cabin are positioned on the sun deck, enhancing navigation visibility while separating operational and leisure areas for greater guest privacy. The yacht is currently under construction, with further updates expected as outfitting continues.The Italian Sea Group is a global operator in the luxury yachting industry, listed on Euronext Milan (“EXM”) and active in the construction and refit of motor yachts and sailing yachts up to 140 meters. The Company, led by Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Costantino, operates on the market with the brands Admiral, renown for elegant and prestigious yachts, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, and Picchiotti; the Company has a business unit, NCA Refit, that manages the maintenance and refit services for yachts and mega yachts with a length over 60 meters. Credit: The Italian Sea Group
May 5, 2025