The luxury yachting industry is riding the waves of innovation and sustainability, with last year proving to be a year of groundbreaking trends and events. From the increasing popularity of eco-conscious vessels to the exploration of uncharted territories, here’s a roundup of the top trends and news from the luxury yachting world:
Sustainability Takes the Helm: The industry is making significant strides towards minimizing environmental impacts with more efficient hull designs and an emphasis on reducing energy consumption. Innovations include diesel-electric hybrid yachts and the development of hydrogen-powered vessels, marking a shift towards greener yachting solutions.
Eco-Friendly and Personalized Interiors: Yacht interiors are getting a sustainable makeover with the use of re-purposed wood, recycled materials, and designs that emphasize open spaces. This trend reflects a growing demand for yachts that feel like a home away from home, combining luxury with an eco-conscious ethos.
The Rise of Compact Yachts: There’s a growing interest in smaller, more agile yachts around 30-40 metres in length. These vessels offer the same luxury and amenities as their larger counterparts but with lower running costs and emissions, making them suitable for exploring remote destinations.
@WallyRocket 51/ @Feretti Group
Multi-Skilled Crews for a New Generation: As younger demographics enter the yachting scene, there’s a demand for crews with diverse skills, including wellness and fitness expertise, to cater to the preferences of millennial and Gen Z clients.
Record-Breaking Construction and Demand: The luxury yachting industry is experiencing a boom, with a significant increase in the number of superyachts under construction. This surge in demand has led to longer wait times for custom yachts and a spike in the second-hand market, as well as in luxury expedition charters.
Expedition Yachts Gain Popularity: Reflecting a desire for adventure, expedition-capable vessels are in demand for those looking to explore extreme cruising grounds. These yachts are designed with longer cruising ranges and facilities like helipads and dive centres to enable exploration from the Arctic to Antarctica.
Cannes Yachting Festival 2023 Highlights: The Cannes Yachting Festival showcased a range of innovations, including the Azimut Magellano 60, a 25-meter monohull known for its low emissions and the ability to express an explorer’s spirit. The festival highlighted the industry’s push towards sustainability and innovation.
Innovations at Cannes: Among the notable innovations were the Sublue Vapor, an underwater scooter providing an exhilarating underwater experience, and the Sialia Deep Silence, a yacht designed for silent and eco-friendly navigation. These products underscore the industry’s focus on enhancing the yachting experience while being mindful of environmental impacts.
@Riva Yachts/ @Feretti Group
Let’s explore some of the most spectacular yacht launches and trends that are setting the seas alight:
LUMINANCE: Launched by Lürssen, LUMINANCE stands as a beacon of luxury and technological advancement. With an exterior design by Espen Øino, this 145m superyacht is Lürssen’s eighth largest build, boasting an internal volume of 9,000 GT and marking a significant entry into the world’s largest yachts list.
Project Cosmos: Another masterpiece from Lürssen, the 114m Project Cosmos, also known as Project 13759, showcases the shipyard’s pioneering approach with its first-ever implementation of fuel cell technology for significantly reduced emissions. Project Cosmos features a large aft deck and swimming pool, emphasizing luxury and innovation.
Saffier SE 24 Lite: A testament to modern sailing design, the SE 24 Lite by Saffier is a lightweight, sporty daysailer that doesn’t compromise on performance. With integrated solar panels and an electric drive, it offers an eco-friendly sailing experience, and its simplicity makes it perfect for solo or family adventures.
Elan Impression 43: Designed by Rob Humphreys, the Elan Impression 43 is a new addition to the Slovenian yard’s cruiser range. It combines volume with agility for Med cruising and chartering, boasting twin rudders and an L-shape keel. The interior features rustic oak and options for three or four cabins.
Dufour 37: Succeeding the popular Dufour 360, the Dufour 37 brings more space and fun to sailing. Its modern hull design ensures ample space both on and below deck, maintaining Dufour’s reputation for creating vessels that are both enjoyable to sail and comfortable to live on.
Feadship Project 1013: This 101m superyacht by Feadship is a notable launch, showcasing the shipyard’s excellence in creating luxurious and innovative vessels. The Project 1013 emphasizes Feadship’s commitment to unparalleled craftsmanship and design.
Hanse Yachts Range: Hanse continues to impress with its range of cruising yachts, offering modern design and exceptional ease of handling. Their yachts, designed in collaboration with Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design, are perfect for those looking for comfort without compromising on performance.
Dehler Performance Cruisers: Known for their speed and comfort, Dehler’s performance cruisers are a hit among sailing enthusiasts. With high-tech developments and luxurious interiors, these cruisers blend performance with luxury, making them ideal for both racing and leisure.
Moody Blue Water Sailing Yachts: Moody stands out with its luxury blue water sailing yachts, especially its deck saloon yachts offering 360-degree views. Known for their elegance and craftsmanship, Moody yachts are designed to provide luxury at sea.
Custom Line, part of the Ferretti Group, made a splash with the launch of its Navetta 30 early. This 28.43m yacht is a testament to timeless classicism and tailor-made luxury, marking the eleventh unit of the shipyard’s displacement line. Its design, resulting from a collaboration between the Strategic Product Committee, the Ferretti Group Engineering Department, and ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, embodies a new design paradigm that focuses on seaworthiness, comfort, and safety without sacrificing contemporary styling.
The Pershing GTX116 was another significant addition, bringing together elegance, volume, and Pershing’s signature thrill. This model, designed for the US market, is a groundbreaking concept that confirms Pershing’s sporty DNA while enhancing comfort with plenty of open-air space and direct contact with the water. The GTX116, named “Caffeine” by its American owner, boasts a triple water jet propulsion system, offering a top speed of 35.5 knots and a cruising speed of 29.5 knots. This launch heralds a new construction era for Pershing, blending performance with unprecedented liveability.
@Lurssen Yachts
At the Cannes Yachting Festival, Ferretti Group showcased a fleet of 20 yachts, including world premieres from Riva, Ferretti Yachts, and Custom Line brands. Highlights included the Riva 82’ Diva, Pershing GTX116, Ferretti Yachts 1000 Skydeck, Ferretti Yachts INFYNITO 90, and wallywhy150. The Monaco Yacht Show was another platform for Ferretti Group’s celebration of innovation and sustainability. Marking 60 years of CRN, the Group showcased seven magnificent boats and highlighted its commitment to sustainable yachting through the Sustainable Powered Yacht (SuP-Y) certification for a CRN superyacht. This certification is a result of installing modern fuel cells on board, showcasing Ferretti Group’s dedication to reducing environmental impact and pioneering new technologies in luxury yachting.
