At the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 2022 CL Yachts presented to the world its new flagship, CLX96 SAV. Her aggressive and angular profile recalls the purpose and agility of hardy workboats, the 29.5 meter CLX96 is the world’s first Sea Activity Vessel. “The SAV acronym represents something uniquely different to each individual owner, reflecting the way they enjoy their time aboard,” offers Earl Alfaro, the naval architect responsible for CLX96. “Some will find solitude at a leisurely pace while venturing towards their far-off destination, while others take pride in the exhilaration that accompanies a vessel in this category having the prowess to achieve higher speeds.”
Her forward-raked windscreens on the main and upper decks are designed to reduce both glare and heat while also increasing interior living space. Combined with the expansive glazing, the result is an interior that is not only light and airy but that seamlessly integrates with the outside areas and seascapes with near-uninterrupted 360-degree views.
“In early 2017, CL Yachts reached outside the industry and asked me to rethink yacht design and yachting experiences,” says Jozeph Forakis, CLX96 exterior and interior designer. “They gave me a clean slate to conceive a new vision for the yacht of today and tomorrow. With in-depth research methodologies and a focus on intelligent design, complementing my passion for sailing and ‘outsiders’ imagination and dreams, the result is a vessel that departs from convention.”
While her bold double-reverse-angle profile and iconic wing-like flybridge bulwark are visually distinctive, Forakis explains, these elements were born from a holistic, functional reconsideration of the way to live on a yacht and informed by precise structural principles. “CLX96 pushes boundaries of innovation and yachting experiences with flowing indoor and outdoor spaces,” he continues. “Unprecedented amounts of light penetrate the interiors – made possible by advanced composite structures with lightweight, thin, strong mullions allowing oversize windows throughout.”
This is reinforced on the main deck with trifold doors to starboard that open the midships area to the side deck and bulwark cutaway, creating a near-alfresco dining area in the heart of the main deck’s open plan living space. This area blends seamlessly with the comfortable aft saloon and forward country-style galley with island and Champagne Lounge – the perfect spot for cocktails or nature-watching depending on where in the world your CLX96 has taken you. What’s more, the lack of pillars thanks to the ingenious carbon construction of the superstructure means there are clear views from aft deck to bow.
The sense of space and the inside-outside feeling continue on the upper deck, with the enclosed helm and sky lounge forward offering shade and climate-controlled comfort, and the huge aft sundeck area combining everything needed for outside living – sofas and dining table, grill, fridge and icemaker. The sky lounge’s electric windows can be fully opened to create the feel of a hardtop fly, and the aft coachroof extension that provides shade to the alfresco seating and dining area offers a sunroof.
In front of the pilot house Forakis has created the ‘Terrazza Portoghese’, a generous additional deck space perfect for sun loungers, while on the foredeck there is an inviting ‘Piazza del Sole’ – a circular aperitif lounge that converts into a giant sunbed. Aft, the generous swim platform makes for a perfect beach club, with the Z-lift central transformer section not only easing tender launching but also creating an additional terrace extension on the water.
Below, CLX96’s standard configuration offers four guest cabins including a vast master suite forward complete with skylight over the king-size bed, a full-beam midships VIP cabin with virtual skylight, and two twin/double convertible guest cabins with en suites. There are crew quarters aft for up to four crew.
The materials and palette include walnut for the walls, teak and holly soles for the main and upper deck interiors, black marquina and satin snowflake marble for the bars and countertops, and a range of textures and materials in off-whites, warm grays and browns punctuated with occasional orange highlights.
The hull itself is built to RINA classification, with naval architecture focusing on cruising speed at 65-80 percent engine load with capacity for occasional prints at wide-open-throttle.
Powered by twin Caterpillar C32 engines rated at 1,900hp each, CLX96 can achieve a top speed with a full load of 25 knots with a solid 22-knot cruise. Her 15,520 liter fuel tanks, meanwhile, ensure the range to explore far-flung destinations, and her 10-year standard hull warranty will give owners the peace of mind to go there. Her 1.62-meter draft also means she can sneak into shallow bays, making her the true realization of her Sea Activity Vessel rationale.
CL Yachts’ goal is to offer unparalleled experiences to the modern explorer. The luxury performance brand stands apart from its competitors thanks to its unique approach to design – driven by CL Yacht’s core value of innovation. Fusing progressive design with engineering prowess and state-of-the-art technology, every element of CL Yachts’ vessels are meticulously geared to steer luxury into uncharted territories.
Credits: CL Yachts
Northrop & Johnson has listed the newly delivered 28.63-meter Sunreef Power catamaran Petite Belle for sale. Broker Gabriele Modica Ragusa represents the fifth hull in this series, which features numerous upgrades from standard specifications.The catamaran's 13.5-meter beam accommodates 10 guests across five ensuite cabins. The main saloon features panoramic glazing that opens to the aft cockpit, integrating interior and exterior social spaces. Outdoor areas include forward lounges, a beach club platform, and an expansive flybridge with hot tub, dining area, and bar.Petite Belle incorporates 13kWp of solar panels integrated into the superstructure and hardtop, supporting silent night operation through battery power. The yacht meets European and U.S. compliance standards including Malta Sea Area A1+A2+A3 certification (sCYC 2024).Additional features include a full AV system with DJ connectivity, 20 underwater lights, security cameras, and custom bar installations. The vessel carries a Williams SportJet 625 tender and two jet skis.Construction was supervised by independent surveyors at Sunreef's Gdansk facility. The catamaran enters the brokerage market immediately following delivery, offering availability without construction wait times. Northrop & Johnson will coordinate viewings and sea trials for prospective buyers.Sunreef Yachts was founded by Francis Lapp in 2002 in Gdansk, Poland. Since then, the shipyard has been designing and manufacturing luxury sailing and power multihulls. Credits: Sunreef Yachts
August 28, 2025
Italian yacht builder Lomac Milano has named fashion designer Alessandro Martorana as Creative Director of its Lomac Atelier division. The appointment coincides with the world premiere of the GranTurismo 12.5 AMare limited edition model at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival.Martorana's collaboration with Lomac represents the first product from the newly established Lomac Atelier, a service dedicated to fully customized yacht configurations. The GranTurismo 12.5 AMare features customized colors, bespoke upholstery, sartorial stitching, and matching engine livery. The design emphasizes individualized styling while maintaining the performance characteristics of the base model.The limited edition model is powered by twin Yamaha XTO 450hp outboard engines, maintaining the standard powertrain configuration of the production version. Lomac will display two additional models at Cannes: the GranTurismo 12.0 with triple 300hp Mercury engines and the flagship GranTurismo 14.0 X with triple Yamaha 450hp engines capable of 60-knot speeds.Alessandro Martorana stated: "The boat is the new 'must' for the elegant man. Together with Lomac, we aim to create unique pieces that reflect the personality of their owners, just like a bespoke suit."The Lomac Atelier service launched earlier this year at the Düsseldorf boat show, focusing on complete customization of the company's GranTurismo maxi-RIB series. The Cannes presentation marks the first physical realization of the program, with the AMare edition serving as demonstrator of the customization options available.Lomac's participation in the Cannes Yachting Festival includes three models from its production range, with the Martorana-designed limited edition representing the company's emphasis on personalized yacht design. Lomac was founded in the early 1960s in Milan. Today it is led by Paolo and Fabrizio Lo Manto, the third generation of the family, and offers a production that includes seven different series for 58 models, the result of the union of the highest technologies with careful craftsmanship. Lomac also produces and markets a wide range of original accessories to better customize your boat, and maintenance products created specifically for its models.Credits: Lomac
August 28, 2025
Italian yacht builder Benetti will showcase its complete fiberglass series at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 9-14, 2025. The display will include the world premiere of the Class 44M model Juno's 7 and an exclusive preview of an undisclosed new model.The Class 44M represents the flagship of Benetti's fiberglass range, measuring 44 meters with exterior and interior design by Cassetta Yacht Designers. The yacht incorporates antique elm wood flooring and mineral resin surfaces with stone powder accents. Design features include extensive glazing and a hull form optimized for long-range cruising.Alongside the Class 44M, Benetti will exhibit three additional fiberglass models:Motopanfilo 37M Angel featuring exterior design by Francesco Struglia with a "Bronze Ribbon" design element connecting hull and superstructureOasis 40M CADA Día with customized configuration including master cabin on upper deckOasis 34M A+ utilizing the Oasis Deck® design with 76 m² stern platformThe Oasis 40M display unit represents the twentieth hull in this series, with exterior design by RWD and interiors by Bonetti & Kozerski. The model emphasizes social spaces and connection to marine environments through its layout and design features.Benetti's participation demonstrates the shipyard's continued development of its fiberglass product lines, which range from 34 to 44 meters in length. The company emphasizes customizable interior configurations across all models while maintaining standardized hull forms and engineering systems.The Cannes presentation follows Benetti's strategy of introducing new models at major European boat shows. The company maintains production facilities in Viareggio and Livorno for its fiberglass and steel/aluminum yacht divisions respectively.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: Benetti
August 28, 2025
Italian yacht builder Dolomia Yachts has introduced its inaugural power catamaran range, developed in partnership with design firm Centrostiledesign. The initial models include the 22-meter D100 and smaller D70, designed to provide monohull-equivalent volume with reduced hydrodynamic resistance.The D100 model offers approximately 300 square meters of interior space, comparable to 30-meter monohull yachts. Configurations include four-cabin layouts with full-beam master suite or five-cabin charter arrangements with crew accommodations. The design incorporates 66 square meters of solar panels generating 15kWp of power.Construction utilizes non-toxic resins, FSC-certified wood, and renewable cork materials. Propulsion options include Volvo diesel engines with IPS or straight-shaft transmission, alongside hybrid and fully electric system alternatives. The yacht features photovoltaic panels and semi-solid-state battery technology.Design elements comprise a flybridge with active spoiler, retractable tender garage for 5-meter watercraft, and 18-square-meter beach club area. The company emphasizes reduced fuel consumption and environmental impact through hull design and sustainable technologies.Dolomia Yachts founder Alessandro Righi stated the company is "very close to achieving the highest technological quality" while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Construction of the first D100 unit is underway with scheduled delivery for 2027, while development continues on the smaller D70 model.The company has established partnerships with four Italian marine suppliers and contracted NSS Charter for yacht management services, including luxury charter operations in Sardinia's Costa Smeralda region. The yachts will be constructed in facilities utilizing established Italian shipbuilding expertise.Credits: Dolomia Yachts
August 27, 2025
Italian marine engineering company West Navaltech has launched Forte Yachts, a new yacht brand focused on aluminum vessel construction. The debut model, the Forte 47, is currently in development at the company's Ameglia facility near La Spezia.West Navaltech operates from a 1,300-square-meter covered production area with 1,800 square meters of hard standing. The company has previously specialized in constructing steel and aluminum workboats ranging from 14 to 50 meters, including fire department vessels, electric catamarans, and tugboats. The company also supplies aluminum components to shipyards in the Miglio Blu district.Livio Franchini, Technical Manager and partner at West Navaltech, stated: "The creation of Forte Yachts marks a strategic expansion. We wanted to separate our workboat production from our leisure brand, keeping both worlds independent but complementary."The Forte 47 measures 14.3 meters in length with aluminum construction emphasizing interior volume. The design includes two full-height cabins and two bathrooms, with ceiling heights exceeding two meters below deck. Naval architecture was developed by Umberto Tagliavini of Marine Design.The vessel will be offered in both outboard and inboard engine configurations, with layout variations depending on propulsion choice. The design targets coastal cruising itineraries such as Monaco to Porto Cervo or Miami to the Bahamas.Fernando Moricca, co-founder of the new brand, described the venture as "a response to the desire to reinterpret the sea with respect, competence and style." The brand name references both strength (from Italian "forte") and the coastal town of Forte dei Marmi.Production continues at West Navaltech's existing facilities, with the Forte 47 representing the company's entry into the premium leisure boat market. The company's industrial capabilities provide the technical foundation for the new yacht brand.Credits: Forte Yachts
August 27, 2025