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.
Royal Huisman has unveiled a 50-meter concept yacht named AERA. The design incorporates a wing sail system and fuel cell technology aimed at reducing emissions. The concept follows the shipyard's 2024 launch of Project Tidal Shift, an environmental initiative focused on ecological preservation.The yacht's wing sail, developed by Artemis Technologies and Rondal, measures 245 square meters and is capable of rotating 360 degrees. The unstayed wing sail system does not require traditional sails, sheets, blocks, or winches. Two electric motors inside the yacht rotate the mast, while hydraulic cylinders control adjustable flaps along its trailing edge.AERA is designed to operate under 500 gross tonnage. The concept results from a collaboration between Royal Huisman, Rondal, designer Cor D. Rover, and Artemis Technologies. The design allows the vessel to function under both sail and power.Royal Huisman previously delivered the world's first hybrid superyacht, Ethereal, in 2009. The shipyard states that AERA represents a continuation of its focus on integrating new technologies to address sustainability in yacht building.Royal Huisman is a Dutch shipyard established in 1884 in Ronduite, building and refitting custom luxury sailing and motor yachts at its shipyard in Vollenhove, the Netherlands.Credit: Royal Huisman
September 17, 2025
Tankoa Yachts has completed the acquisition of the business division of Otam. The transaction, finalized in agreement with both companies' founding families, includes the Otam brand and its historic shipyard in Genoa. The dockyard facilities in Santa Margherita Ligure remain under the current ownership.The acquired Genoa facility comprises approximately 4,800 square meters of covered areas, 3,300 square meters of open-air spaces, and a water basin of nearly 10,000 square meters. Tankoa Yachts plans to implement a restructuring program that will include extending concessions, reorganizing the areas, and constructing new production sheds.The operation includes the integration of Otam's workforce into Tankoa Yachts. All employees are being transferred to ensure job continuity and to add new skills and experience to the shipyard.The Otam brand, with its existing heritage and international reputation, becomes part of Tankoa's portfolio. Tankoa Yachts stated it will preserve the brand's legacy while defining a strategy aligned with its long-term vision.This acquisition represents a continuation of the expansion project Tankoa Yachts presented at the beginning of 2025 and strengthens the company's presence in the Genoa region.Credits: Tankoa Yacht
September 17, 2025
Sanlorenzo will present a fleet of eight yachts at the 65th Genoa International Boat Show, scheduled from September 18 to 23, 2025. The exhibition will be headlined by the Italian public debut of the new SL110A model.SL110AThe 33-meter SL110A represents the latest evolution of the shipyard's asymmetrical line. Its exterior design was developed by Zuccon International Project, with interior spaces curated by Piero Lissoni. The yacht achieves a top speed of 27 knots. Notable features include an owner's suite spanning the vessel's full beam with direct access to a forward pool area.SL86AThe display will include several other models from Sanlorenzo's product lines. The Smart Performance series will be represented by the SP92 sports yacht. The asymmetrical line will feature both the SL86A and SL90A models. The semi-displacement range will include the SD90 and SD96, designed for flexible interior layouts. The SX100 and SX88 crossovers, blending flybridge motor yacht features with explorer yacht characteristics, will complete the presentation.SD90This extensive showcase marks Sanlorenzo's participation in one of Italy's principal nautical events. The shipyard's presence at the Genoa show underscores its continued focus on the domestic market and its diversified product portfolio. Sanlorenzo was founded in 1958 in Viareggio by yacht builder Gionvanni Jannetti. In 2005, Massimo Perrotti became the majority shareholder in the shipyard. Sanlorenzo builds yachts ranging from 28.60 to 73 meters in length. Credits: Guillaume Plisson; all provided by Sanlorenzo
September 17, 2025
Zeelander Yachts will present its new flagship model, the 24-meter Zeelander 8, for the first time at the Monaco Yacht Show 2025. The yacht will be located at berth C27 Quai Chicane during the event, which takes place from September 24 to 27.The yacht features a layout with social areas on the main deck, including lounging and dining spaces, along with a galley. The lower deck contains three guest cabins. The master stateroom is positioned amidships and includes windows and a headroom exceeding 2.1 meters. The first hull includes customized modifications, such as relocating the galley to the starboard side of the salon and integrating the bar area with the cockpit.The yacht is equipped with a large targa sunroof and retractable aft doors. Sound levels are reported to measure below 65 dBA at its full speed of 32 knots. The yacht can reach speeds of up to 40 knots with optional larger engines.Each hull is built to owner specifications, with customization handled by the shipyard's engineering team. The exterior design maintains the stylistic features consistent with other yachts in the Zeelander range.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.Credit: Tom van Oossanen/Zeelander Yachts
September 16, 2025
Pearl Yachts has established a new French dealership, Pearl France, with an office in Antibes. The facility is located at Avenue de Verdun, 06600 Antibes, in the Port Vauban area. The office is operated by Cenk Efe, Founder and Director of the Mallorca Marine Group 1994, and will serve as the brand's exclusive representative in France.Iain Smallridge, Founder and Managing Director of Pearl Yachts, stated: “France has always been one of the most important markets for Pearl Yachts. With the opening of Pearl France, we are strengthening our presence in the Mediterranean’s most vibrant yachting hub. Cenk’s expertise and reputation are second to none, and we are confident that this new chapter will bring our boutique philosophy and unique approach even closer to every client and brand enthusiast based in France.”Iain Smallridge and Cenk Efe Cenk Efe, Director of Pearl France, added: “We are honoured to be launching Pearl France in Antibes. French clients value elegance, craftsmanship, innovation, and discretion; qualities that Pearl embodies in every detail. The response so far has been exceptional, and we look forward to growing the brand’s legacy along the Côte d’Azur and beyond.”This opening follows the establishment of Pearl Germany and Pearl Gulf earlier this year.Founded in 1998, Pearl Yachts has established itself as one of the UK’s leading shipyards, specializing in designing luxury motor yachts known for their voluminous interiors, opulence, and design excellence. Credits: Pearl Yachts
September 16, 2025