On August 12, 2019 Dutch yard Heesen has delivered its 50-metre superyacht YN 18650 Erica, first known as Project Boreas. The vessel was launched in July 2019, followed by rigorous sea trials in the North Sea.
This 50-metre full aluminium yacht features an efficient Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF) hull designed by Dutch hydrodynamicists Van Oossanen and engineered by Heesen’s in-house naval architects. According to the yard, thanks to large rudders and a powerful bow thruster, Erica is also very responsive when manoeuvring in close quarters.
The owner appointed MCM as technical consultant and representative. MCM co-founder Nigel Ingram comments:
I already had a relationship with the owner because I had been his representative on his 54m classic sailing yacht. There were few sailors among the younger generation of his extended family, so a motor yacht made sense. <…> The owner was quite involved in the details. The shipyard handled it all very well and the boat is exactly how he wanted it.
Frank Laupman of Omega Architects penned the exterior lines of the vessel, creating a contemporary profile. A gently reversed stem carries the bow to the upper deck line, while a lack of fashion plates creates the illusion of suspended upper decks and hardtop, adding a sense of lightness to the design.
The colour palette applied to the yacht emphasises the general contemporary profile, with both hull and superstructure sporting a custom metallic Mountain Grey by Awlgrip. The colour scheme makes a match to the owner’s car tone. With metallic paint application being a complex procedure, the colouration process took 10 months.
Erica is fitted with large openable windows in the sky lounge remote control, a gym and a swim platform where two Technogym running machines are rigged on each side of a wide staircase that leads to the main deck aft.
Mark Whiteley worked closely with the owner to create a warm contemporary interior design, which features bespoke loose furniture on all exterior living spaces. Among many standout details of the interior, the main staircase decorated with a combination of geometry and precious materials such as a nickel mesh wall covering by French artist Sophie Mallebranche.
The vessel can sleep up to twelve guests across six cabins. The master suite is located forward on the main deck, while five guest suites lay on the lower deck.
Erica is powered by two MTU 12V 2000M72 engines of 1,080kW each, and promises to offer the full suite of benefits the FDHF hull confers, including a fast but efficient cruising speed. Thus, she will reach a top speed at nearly 20 knots. At 12 knots, she will boast a transatlantic range of 3,750 nautical miles and a frugal fuel consumption of approximately 98 litres per hour.
During the sea trials, Erica proved to be extremely quiet while also exceeding the contractual speed. She reached a top speed of 20 knots, and showed a range higher than the requirements laid out in her specifications.
Meanwhile, Dutch builder has just celebrated another delivery - of a full-custom 56-metre superyacht Galvas. Furthermore, other Heesen projects have been hitting headlines recently, with $42 million superyacht Galactica Star sold after Nigerian corruption scandal, or 48-metre superyacht Blue Magic rammed into a sailboat in Italy.
German yacht builder YYachts has launched the Y6, a 20-meter sailing yacht designed for single-handed or short-handed operation. The carbon-epoxy constructed vessel combines customizable layouts with performance-focused engineering for autonomous cruising.The Y6 offers owners configuration options including three or four cabins, an office space, crew quarters, or a customized owner's suite. Interior materials include oak, walnut, and mahogany, with clients permitted to employ external designers. All sailing controls are accessible from the helm station, with an optional Y on Watch system providing remote technical support.An electric propulsion system is available alongside conventional options. The lightweight composite construction maintains performance in light winds while preventing interior odors, according to the builder."The Y6 is for those who want to sail independently, but without any compromise in design, comfort or performance," said YYachts founder Michael Schmidt.The yacht targets the 60-65 foot market segment, though pricing and delivery timelines remain undisclosed. The model joins YYachts' portfolio of minimalist sailing yachts, continuing the brand's emphasis on customizable, performance-oriented designs.No specific performance data or range estimates were provided for the new model. The Y6 represents the company's latest response to demand for owner-operated luxury sailing vessels.YYachts is a German shipyard that builds carbon sailing yachts between 70 and 100 feet in length. The portfolio consists of the Y7, Y8 and Y9 models; the Custom Division implements completely individual designs.Credits: YYachts
May 14, 2025
VisionF Yachts has unveiled interior details of its VISIONF 101, a 30.7-meter aluminum power catamaran currently under construction at the Turkish shipyard. The vessel, scheduled for launch in autumn 2025, represents the builder's largest project to date and will be the first aluminum catamaran of its size built to RINA Commercial Class standards.The VISIONF 101 features a shallow 1.45-meter draft designed for coastal cruising and access to secluded bays. Accommodation includes four guest cabins, with the owner's suite spanning 29.5 square meters across half of the starboard hull. The layout provides an 18-square-meter bedroom, 6.5-square-meter dressing room, and 5-square-meter ensuite bathroom. Three additional guest cabins continue the neutral-toned interior design scheme.Main saloonThe catamaran offers 132 square meters of flybridge space and a 103-square-meter main saloon. Crew accommodation consists of three cabins for five staff members. A 76-square-meter foredeck features an integrated cinema system, while the superstructure incorporates curved glass elements to maximize natural light.Main saloonPower comes from four Volvo Penta IPS 1350 engines producing a combined 4,000 hp, enabling a top speed of 17 knots. The roof utilizes Glass Fibre Reinforced Polyester construction to reduce weight.Owner cabinVisionF Yachts currently has eight models in production, including electric and aluminum catamarans ranging from 14 to 47 meters. The company has not disclosed pricing or ownership details for the VISIONF 101 project. The RINA Commercial Class certification indicates potential charter use, though operational plans remain unconfirmed.The vessel's design emphasizes maneuverability in both open water and coastal conditions, with the shipyard describing it as combining "comfort, luxury and refined aesthetics" for extended cruising. VisionF Yachts in Turkey was set up by Coşkun Bayraktar in Istanbul in 2019, but despite the shipyard’s relative youth it is a brand that is going places in the power catamaran world. In November 2020, VisionF Yachts debuted its first vessel, the VisionF 80. Credits: VisionF Yachts
May 14, 2025
The Azimut|Benetti Group has named Andrea Antichi as General Manager of its Azimut division, effective May 12, 2025. Antichi, who reports directly to CEO Marco Valle, will oversee strategic direction and operational objectives, including ongoing enhancements to the division's production facilities.A mechanical engineer, Antichi previously served as Chief Manufacturing Officer at Ferrari, where he worked for 19 years. His earlier experience includes technical roles at Piaggio and research in computational biomechanics at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institutes.Andrea AntichiMarco Valle stated: "Andrea's appointment is an important part of the current phase of evolution of the Azimut division, which commits to building the foundation of an ambitious vision for the coming years: accelerating industrial development with an increasingly structured approach, while continuing to innovate constantly."Antichi succeeds Daniele Romiti, who led the division since 2022. During his tenure, Romiti advanced sustainability initiatives, including energy self-generation systems and circular economy practices at Azimut’s production sites.Antichi remarked: "After nineteen years at Ferrari, a symbol of Italian automotive excellence in the world, I have chosen to come aboard the excellence of the yachting sector."The appointment reflects Azimut’s strategy of integrating nautical expertise with cross-industry leadership. The Avigliana facility, now capable of producing yachts up to 26 meters, remains central to the division’s industrial development. No further operational changes were announced.Azimut Yachts is an Azimut Benetti Group brand. With its Atlantis, Magellano Flybridge, S, Verve and Grande collections, Azimut offers the widest range of 10 to 40 meters.Credits: Azimut Yachts
May 14, 2025
Dynamiq has released new exterior images of its 52-meter GTT 170 superyacht, currently under construction at its Antalya shipyard in Turkey. The aluminum-hulled vessel, designed for shallow-water cruising with a 2-meter draft, targets owners in the U.S. and Middle East markets, with delivery scheduled for the 2027 Mediterranean season.The GTT 170 features naval architecture by Vripack, combining a top speed of 19 knots with IMO Tier III-compliant MAN V12 1,066 kW engines and an integrated battery pack. The stabilization system includes four electric fins and a Hull Vane aft foil to reduce pitch motion.Accommodation comprises five guest staterooms and an owner's suite, with a two-level beach club featuring a pool, bar, and spa with fold-out terraces. The sun deck includes an outdoor cinema and lounge areas.Dobroserdov Design developed the exterior, while Claudio Pironi & Partners created minimalist interiors using teak and natural marble. The yacht is being built at Dynamiq's Antalya facility with European subcontractors and Turkish craftsmen.Hull #2 is available for €29 million. The GTT 170's shallow draft enables access to Caribbean destinations like the Exumas and St. Barths, with 500 GT volume optimized for sub-50-meter length. No hybrid propulsion option was specified for this hull.Dynamiq was founded in 2014 by experienced yacht broker and designer Sergei Dobroserdov. Dynamiq is the first company in the superyacht industry to introduce an online configurator, allowing the yacht to be easily and transparently customized down to the last detail. Dynamiq unveiled its first launch at the 2016 Monaco Yacht Show.Credits: Dynamiq
May 13, 2025
Denison Yachting has entered an exclusive global partnership with French shipyard JFA Yachts to represent its Long Island brand of sail and power catamarans. The agreement focuses initially on models ranging from 70 to 100 feet.JFA's aluminum-hulled Long Island catamarans are designed for transoceanic cruising, with engineering by Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group and interiors by Darnet Design. The yachts emphasize lightweight construction, customizable layouts, and systems optimized for long-range performance. A Long Island 85 has recently sold, with a new Long Island 87 model scheduled for delivery later this year.Long Island 87David Johnson, Denison broker and U.S. brand representative, stated: "Alongside my colleague Simon in Europe, I'm proud to promote a shipyard that leads the world in building aluminum-hulled sailing and power catamarans—vessels purpose-built for owners seeking to explore the most remote parts of the world in total comfort."Simon Turner, overseeing European and global sales, added: "These exceptional, round-the-world-capable catamarans deliver an unmatched level of performance, luxury, and safety that is unparalleled anywhere else."Long Island 86 PowerJFA Yachts CEO Frédéric Jaouen noted: "We pride ourselves on attentively listening to our clients’ needs, exercising discretion, and developing trusted relationships. The savoir-faire of our team has earned JFA Yachts a reputation as one of the most respected shipyards in the world."The partnership expands Denison's portfolio of specialized cruising catamarans while providing JFA with global distribution channels. No specific sales targets or production figures were disclosed.Long Island 87 SailWith a rich family history dating back to 1948, Denison Yachting is a leader in the industry, providing comprehensive yachting services worldwide. With over 20 waterfront offices and a team of 90+ licensed brokers, Denison offers superyacht sales, yacht charter, crew placement, and new construction services. Their extensive experience and passion for yachting ensure a long-term perspective and commitment to excellence.French shipbuilder JFA Yachts was founded in 1993 by Frédéric Jaouen. JFA Yachts builds mono- and multihull power and sailing superyachts from 24 to 50 meters in length. Credits: Denison Yachting
May 13, 2025