Yacht news

Wally has completed construction of the second wallywind110 sailing yacht, scheduled for its world premiere in late August in Costa Smeralda. The 33.5-meter vessel shares the same judel/vrolijk & co-designed performance hull and carbon construction as its sistership Galma, while introducing several custom modifications.Key updates include a sand-grey hull color scheme, lighter interior finishes, and a reconfigured lower salon with a multifunctional workspace replacing the bar area. The VIP cabin now features a sliding bed system converting between single and double configurations. Studio Santa Maria Magnolfi maintained the exterior and interior design continuity with the first unit, preserving the wallywind series' signature elements: dedicated helm stations, integrated swim platform, and expansive guest areas.Performance features include a telescopic keel (adjustable from 4.5 to 6.95 meters), twin rudders, and a carbon rigging system from Hall Spars with North Sails. The yacht's construction benefited from lessons learned during the first hull's production, allowing Wally to optimize the build process.No charter or ownership details have been disclosed for the new vessel, which joins Wally's growing fleet of performance sailing yachts. The Monaco-based brand, now part of Ferretti Group, continues production of its wallywind series alongside motoryacht projects at its facilities in Forlì, Italy.The Ferretti Group, led by Chief Executive Officer Alberto Galassi, is now one of the world’s leaders in the construction and sale of luxury yachts and pleasure vessels, with a unique portfolio of brands: Ferretti Yachts, Riva, Pershing, Itama, Mochi Craft, CRN, Custom Line and Wally.Credits: Ferretti Group

Turkish builder ART Shipyard, part of Besiktas Group, will unveil its first superyacht – the 35-meter Bee Explorer – at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 9-14. The steel-hulled explorer with aluminum superstructure was designed by Hydro Tec to stay under 300GT while offering a 4,000-nautical-mile range at 10 knots. Ocean Independence serves as worldwide central agent for the €15.25 million vessel, which is available for immediate delivery.Sergio Cutolo of Hydro Tec explained the design rationale: "The 7.7-meter beam provides additional fuel capacity without significant efficiency loss, allowing owners to take advantage of regional fuel price variations." The naval architecture prioritizes seakeeping and fuel economy, with computational fluid dynamics used to optimize the hull form.Michele Dragoni's interior design blends explorer yacht robustness with contemporary styling. Horizontal dark lacquer frames contrast with bleached oak paneling in the main saloon, while curved bulkheads and strategic window placement maximize natural light. The upper lounge features a ceiling-mounted TV lift and lowered cabinetry to create a more relaxed atmosphere.Measuring 35 meters LOA with 2.2-meter draft, the Bee Explorer will be displayed in Port Canto during the festival. The yacht represents ART Shipyard's entry into the competitive sub-40-meter explorer market, leveraging Besiktas Group's commercial shipbuilding experience. The Cannes presentation follows successful sea trials in Turkish waters. Prospective owners can inspect the yacht throughout the six-day show before its scheduled autumn handover to its first owner. Credits: Ocean Independence

The 70-meter sailing superyacht SY Zero, the world’s first designed to operate entirely without fossil fuels, is approaching the final stages of construction, with an expected launch by the end of 2025. The project, a collaboration between Vripack Yacht Design, Vitters Shipyard, and Dykstra Naval Architects, represents a significant step in sustainable yacht development, backed by over 60,000 hours of research and innovation.SY Zero is engineered to rely solely on wind, solar, and thermal energy while maintaining the performance and luxury standards of a traditional superyacht. The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of eliminating fossil fuel dependency in high-end yachting. All technical data, system designs, and research findings will be made publicly available through FoundationZero.org, providing open access to sustainable maritime innovations for designers, engineers, and researchers.The yacht’s energy system is entirely electric, powered by a five-megawatt-hour battery storage system—equivalent to the capacity of 88 Tesla vehicles. Renewable energy is harvested through multiple methods: hydro-generating thrusters capture energy from water flow while under sail, a 100-square-meter hybrid solar panel array converts both light and heat at 60% efficiency, and a wind turbine supplements power generation using offshore airflow.Marnix Hoekstra, co-creative director at Vripack, stated: “This project has always been about showing what’s possible. We wanted to demonstrate that comfort, design, and performance can coexist with fossil-free operation. The project has been driven by data, testing, and a long-term commitment to sustainable naval design. Our goal wasn’t just to prove that a fossil-free superyacht is viable—it was to create a real-world model others can learn from.”Vitters Shipyard, known for high-performance sailing yachts, led the construction. Louis Hamming from Vitters commented: “From the outset, this has been about building a yacht that reflects a future we all recognize is coming. It’s a privilege to help bring that future into reality.”The interior accommodates up to 12 guests, featuring sustainable materials such as pine-based leather and leathered marble, which retains natural imperfections. Each cabin draws inspiration from a global destination, with bespoke artworks crafted by local artisans.Following its technical launch, SY Zero will undergo extensive sea trials to test its advanced systems, including proprietary software managing onboard operations. Delivery is expected in 2026, seven years after the project’s inception.Eduard van Benthem, Executive Director at Foundation Zero, emphasized the broader mission: “The project isn’t about showing how good we are, nor even specifically about the yacht itself. We are really trying to showcase how we can do things better and inspire others to join us on the journey, to learn together and to share the knowledge, which is the fundamental aim of Foundation Zero in all its projects.”Beyond private use and limited charter opportunities, SY Zero will serve as a research platform for marine renewable energy and ocean sustainability studies, furthering its role in advancing eco-conscious yachting.Vitters Shipyard is a Dutch high-end performance yacht builder. The shipyard was founded in 1990 by Jan Vitters. The company delivered the first luxury sailing boat, the 28m Aphrodite, in 1993. Vitters Shipyard has a crew of dedicated engineers and craftspeople who have a strong eye for detail and the passion to exceed the expectations of its yacht owners.Credits: Vripack

Turkish yacht builder Numarine has launched the first unit of its new 40MXP model, a 40-meter superyacht that becomes the flagship of its XP explorer series. Two additional hulls are currently under construction, with deliveries scheduled for 2025.The 40MXP represents an evolution of the shipyard's popular 37XP model, maintaining the series' long-range capabilities while introducing new Mediterranean-inspired features. The yacht retains a 6,000-nautical-mile range at 8 knots, achieved through an optimized hull design by naval architect Umberto Tagliavini.Ömer Malaz, Chairman at Numarine, stated:"Preserving the same stylistic cues and DNA of all our models, the 40MXP retains our high-volume, low-maintenance, long-range ethos while offering a number of new design features that enhance the intimate connection with the sea that a yacht provides."Key design developments focus on outdoor living spaces, particularly an expanded aft deck area achieved through both increased hull length and strategic repositioning of the saloon doors. This space accommodates an alfresco dining area, bar, lounge, and a standout feature - an aft pool with glass transom. The area connects to a full-beam hydraulic swim platform and can be shaded for sun protection.Power comes from twin MAN 800hp engines as standard, with an optional 900hp Tier III-compliant configuration available. The yacht's 8-meter beam allows for generous interior volumes, with accommodation for up to 12 guests across six suites, including a full-beam master stateroom on the main deck. Two additional customizable cabin spaces offer layout flexibility.Designer Can Yalman handled both interior and exterior styling, maintaining Numarine's signature aesthetic. The model inherits successful features from the 37XP including an expansive flybridge and substantial tender storage capacity. The tender deck can accommodate a 9-meter tender, three jet skis, and additional water toys.Chris Gore, Sales & Marketing Director at Numarine, commented: "We are extremely excited to have delivered the first of the all new 40MXP. Our new flagship offers true luxury blended with versatility be that for family or charter use, whilst maintaining our core Numarine DNA."The 'MXP' designation reflects the yacht's Mediterranean explorer concept, emphasizing connection to the water while retaining transoceanic capabilities. The model enters a competitive segment of the explorer yacht market, positioned as a bridge between luxury cruising and serious long-range functionality.With this launch, Numarine continues its focus on the explorer yacht segment, building on the commercial success of its XP series. The 40MXP's combination of extended range and enhanced outdoor living spaces targets owners seeking both adventure capability and contemporary lifestyle features.Credits: Kerem Sanliman/Numarine

GX Superyachts has provided a progress update on its 42-meter flagship model, the GX42, currently under construction at SES Yachts' facility in Istanbul. The project remains on schedule for delivery in summer 2026, with several major construction phases now completed.The aluminum hull and superstructure are fully assembled, marking the transition to the outfitting stage. Thermal insulation and main piping systems are 80% installed, while electrical work has reached 25% completion. Approximately half of the paintwork has been applied.The hybrid propulsion system, combining diesel-electric drive with solar power generation, has passed factory testing and is ready for installation. Interior furniture, designed by Marco Casali, is 50% complete in workshop production.Vladimir Zinchenko, founder and CEO of GX Superyachts, stated: "It's inspiring to witness the GX42 taking shape so smoothly. Each milestone reinforces our belief that the GX42 will set a new benchmark in responsible yachting — a vessel that delivers both elegant design and low-impact cruising. Thanks to our partners at SES Yachts, Andrea Armas, Marco Casali and Francesco Rogantin, the project is running smoothly and exceeding expectations."The interior design emphasizes family-friendly spaces with a raised pilothouse layout that includes a main-deck owner's suite and full-beam VIP cabin. Natural materials and subdued color schemes reflect the yacht's focus on sustainable luxury.Upcoming work includes finalizing insulation and piping systems, progressing electrical installations, and integrating the hybrid propulsion package. Sea trials are planned for early 2026.Andrea Armas, consultant to GX Superyachts' Board of Directors, noted: "We are pushing the boundary of responsible yachting navigating through a new era of technological advancement, tailoring the dream of Yacht owners into a sustainable reality."Credits: GX Superyachts