Masquenda was relaunched in June 2021 sporting a new light and dark grey livery just over 8 months after arriving at the Lusben facility in Livorno. Her owner Pier Luigi Loro Piana is a highly experienced sailor, but the Masquenada motor yacht refit project was based around his changing priorities. He still enjoys competitive sailing, but when he started planning a round-the-world trip it quickly became clear that an explorer yacht would offer much more onboard comfort during long-range cruises.
“I decided to go for a big, beautiful motor yacht of around 50-60 meters in length, capable of accommodating around 10–12 guests for exploring the world in safety and comfort,” says Pier Luigi Loro Piana. “The size of the yacht was critical: any bigger and I wouldn’t be able to access the small, secluded bays I was used to visiting with my sailing yachts.”
At the beginning he was considering a new build, but, as he says “any new build, sail or power, would have taken at least three years and after one year from the loss of my beloved My Song I started thinking I didn’t want to wait that long”, so the hunt began for a suitable candidate for refitting.
“I recalled a vessel called Aspire (originally Etra) I had visited a few years before that I thought could fill the bill,” says Mario Pedol, co-founder of Nauta Design, who has known the owner for over 40 years. “Solidly built with ocean-going range, her almost 600GT volume and 51-meter length suited the owner’s plans to tour the world with his family. With Nauta acting as the buyer’s broker, a deal was struck and Aspire arrived in Italy in September 2020. Time was short and we wanted to get works off the ground so we chose Lusben, Azimut-Benetti’s refit branch, for this top-to-bottom refit that required redesigning the vessel both inside and out.”
The most obvious intervention requested by the owner is the complete redesign of the main deck aft. The stern had already been extended during a previous refit, but he wanted an open-air beach club with easy access to both the water and to the main salon that was also able to house an array of tenders and toys.
To this end, the aft bulwarks were cut away to provide a flush deck with unimpeded views suitable for heli operations and the transom was transformed into a true pieds dans l’eau swim platform. A major modification was removing the old deck crane and replacing it with a custom-built, 7.5-tonne capacity crane that folds away out of sight into a dedicated compartment below deck.
With space for two or more tenders, including an amphibious Iguana, when the tenders and toys are in the water the flush aft deck provides an enormous lounging or party space. The boarding ladders on both sides are height-adjustable depending on whether a tender or the Maxi Dolphin-Nauta chase boat is docked alongside.
“The crane hangar required cutting off the stern section and adding a completely new aft block,” says Pedol. “Naval architect Francesco Rogantin was engaged to reconfigure the underwater lines and we like to think the new transom looks more like a sailing yacht than a motoryacht. The main salon was transformed with the installation of a 2-meter wide door to enhance the connection with the open aft deck. The starboard access to the engine room is also new, as are the ventilation trunks with integrated chaise lounge.”
Both the upper and the bridge decks were already large and very liveable, but the aft overhangs of the upper and bridge decks were extended by 1.5 meters to create a more graceful profile and more shade underneath. On the bridge deck there is now room for gym equipment and two sailing dinghies that can be stowed away in a covered bay that doubles as a sunbed. The upper deck aft is set up for al fresco dining and lounging, while the top deck serves as an observation platform with a fitted BBQ-galley.
The original twin Caterpillar 3508 engines (total 2,100 hp) were thoroughly serviced and a new exhaust system fitted. With new propellers and the reconfigured hull lines aft, the yacht actually gained an extra 1.5 knots of top speed. Noise attenuation was a priority for the owner, so the brand new three Kohler generators are housed in sound-proof boxes and mounted on vibration dampers with structural reinforcements to avoid noise transmission through the hull.
The interior was made by Misa Poggi and is based on contrasting dark and light wood joinery combined with saddle-stitched leather and brushed bronze accents. The overall ambience is warmly refined but casually welcoming with parchment, bamboo and woven finishes adding an exotic touch.
Guest accommodation comprises two suites on the main deck, three on lower deck and a master stateroom on the upper deck forward for a total of 12 guests including the owner. The bulwarks flanking the owner’s lounge were cut down to provide better sea views and the voids fitted with electrically-controlled louvers for extra shade or privacy when moored in the marina.
Masquenda spent her first summer cruising the Mediterranean and has now departed for the Caribbean at the start of a three-year voyage that will take her around the world.
“Masquenda is a very versatile yacht and I am definitely very happy with the final outcome,” says Pier Luigi Loro Piana. “All the design team worked very well – Nauta, Misa and Rogantin – and my life on board with my family and friends last summer was just what I had envisaged when we started out on this adventure!”
Credits: Nauta Design
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