Yachting: A Closer Look at this Year’s Most Revolutionary Designs

Revolutionary yacht design and advanced technologies are changing the way we navigate and experience the oceans, promising next-level quality of life on board while raising the bar on carbon reduction and sustainable practices.

With the Cannes Yachting Festival taking place from September 12 to 17, followed by the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show later in the month – and with many leading shipyards choosing to debut exciting new designs and groundbreaking technology at these events – we take a closer look at some of the biggest news so far this year in the world of yachting, as well as a sneak peek of what’s to come.

So far, top yacht trends for 2023 have shown a big focus on greener yachting solutions (including hybrid and electric yachts, together with sustainable onboard practices), groundbreaking technology,  exciting design solutions, and a changing demographic with a younger yachting clientele. While North America and Europe remain the world’s largest yacht markets, Asia has now overtaken Europe as the second-largest UHNW region, and by 2024 Asia-Pacific will boast almost a quarter of the global population of UHNWIs. At the same time, the Gen Z influence on the yachting sector continues to increase, with the average age of superyacht owners now predicted to be between 35 and 45.

Here’s a round-up of some of the vessels so far in 2023 that we are most excited about – either released earlier in the year or slated to make a debut this month in either Cannes or Monaco. 

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Feadship Obsidian

Feadship is another step closer to the goal of producing carbon-neutral superyachts by 2030. The recently built 84.20-metre Obsidian is the first of Feadship’s new generation of large yachts furthering carbon reduction through hulls optimised at cruising speed instead of top speed, weight control, advancements in electric propulsion, and the ability to run engines on non-fossil diesel fuel called HVO. In fact, the yacht’s trials were conducted with the generators running on this second-generation biofuel, reducing carbon emissions by 90 percent, compared to yachts operating on fossil fuels.

The brief for the yacht was to be more energy-efficient and emit less carbon than Feadship’s groundbreaking hybrid yacht, Savannah, which launched in 2015. Reducing the environmental impact by more than 30 percent would have been a tall order in any case, but the entire 12-month design period for Obsidian occurred at the height of a global pandemic. With Covid-19 lockdowns, none of the designers, engineers,  or other parties were able to collaborate in person.

Working in parallel, Bram Jongepier, Senior Designer at Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects, developed a sustainability index, providing a great deal of guidance on how all of a yacht’s components and operations contribute to its carbon profile and environmental impact.

Reducing CO2 emissions is a top priority, but Feadship goes even further by addressing the overall environmental impact of its vessels. The emissions of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide (NOx), particulate matter, hydrocarbons, and the impact of building materials like steel, aluminium, fairing compounds, antifouling, teak, interior finishing, and more, are all under scrutiny. This, together with CO2 emissions, is what is called overall call environmental impact, which is calculated using life cycle assessments (LCA).

Based in the Netherlands and with roots dating back to 1849, Feadship is recognised as a world leader in the field of pure custom superyachts.

Sanlorenzo Sp110 & Sl120a

Last year, on the eve of the opening of the Cannes Yachting Festival, Sanlorenzo unveiled a strategic “Road To 2023” growth plan with a focus on innovation and sustainability. In addition to the unveiling of new models, Sanlorenzo shared the key strategy behind the group’s unstoppable growth in recent years, and the direction for the coming decade. The success of Sanlorenzo models is the result of a strategy that during the last 10 years has consolidated the positioning of what is now increasingly known as “the Maison Sanlorenzo”: utmost attention to design, not only in the lines of the yachts whose mastered evolution has made them iconic, but also in the interiors.

Sanlorenzo was the first in the industry to bring on board prestigious collaborations with the most famous names in contemporary design, imprinting an epic transformation in yacht interiors. The step from design to art was almost ‘natural’ for Sanlorenzo, a route once again explored by these pioneers in the yachting industry. In line with this strategy, two of several standouts from the Sanlorenzo stable so far for 2023 are the SP110 and SL120A.

The Sanlorenzo SP110 is the first model from Sanlorenzo’s brand new Smart Performance (SP) series and offers impressive performance, topping 40 knots of speed at the lowest fuel consumption. The water jet propulsion by triple MAN V-12 2,000hp engines ensures top efficiency and comfort at every speed range, while on-board solar panels supply power to run the hotel load.

The aim of the SP110 is to write a new success story in yachting and enter the world of sports yachts with a yacht that breaks the mould. SP110 represents an advanced technological platform that combines innovation and sustainability with a design that favours maximum comfort. It’s a project made possible by the collaboration of a team of professionals at the highest levels in individual skills: Bernardo Zuccon for the exteriors, Tilli Antonelli at Sanlorenzo Product Development, Marco Arnaboldi for the hull design, and Piero Lissoni for the interiors.

Revolutionising the world with the first asymmetric yacht is the Sanlorenzo SL120A. She has an unprecedented layout that generates greater utilisation of internal spaces and improved communication with outdoor zones. The asymmetric layout is possible thanks to the design of the side deck which is now placed only on the port side of the main deck, where it flanks the living area as far as the vessel’s midpoint, then leading to the flying bridge and descending into the outdoor lounge at the bow by means of a flight of steps.

The outdoor lounge at the bow develops on two decks connected by a staircase, with direct access from the owner’s cabin. It is a space of 15 square metres conceived for a range of different uses; while the foredeck is completely outfitted as a large sunbathing area, the upper deck features a table for outdoor dining, which can also be transformed as a sundeck. Furthermore, the C-shaped sofa facing the deckhouse can be replaced with a Jacuzzi.

The full connection with the sea and the livability of the outdoor spaces reach their peak in the stern zone of the lower deck. The garage can be transformed into a marvelous beach club of 45 square metres, thanks to the folding terraces, offering guests exceptional access to the sea au fil de l’eau.

The concept of the asymmetric line is the result of a meeting of different minds and creative talents: from an original idea of Chris Bangle, the brilliant car designer, to the technicians and designer working in the shipyard, all the way to Bernardo Zuccon of the studio Zuccon International Project, responsible for the external and internal lines of the SL120 Asymmetric.

Azimut Magellano 60 & Verve 48

This year’s Cannes Yachting Festival will be the stage for Azimut to present the world premieres of two new products: the Magellano 60, a crossover with timeless design that reveals contemporary accents, and the Verve 48, a new outboard for adrenaline enthusiasts.

The Magellano 60 has been designed for owners who love long voyages full of adventure and charm. This 60-footer stands out for the large spaces on board, generous without compromising the elegance of Ken Freivokh’s lines. The cockpit is configured as a natural extension of the large lounge on the main deck and the stern transforms into a terrace capped with a transparent parapet that creates an infinity terrace overlooking the water that offers a navigation experience in complete harmony with nature and the sea.

The crossover soul of the Magellano 60 is evident through the high-efficiency dual mode semi-planing hull, which allows navigation at low speeds in total comfort but also to handle higher speeds by attenuating the impact of the waves and optimising consumption and emissions. Magellano 60 is also the model chosen by Azimut for the first voyage powered by HVOlution biofuel, produced by Eni Sustainable Mobility with 100 percent renewable raw materials.

The tests carried out by Azimut in the summer of 2023 recorded exceptional results in terms of compatibility and performance. The combination of the dual mode hull and biofuel has allowed a well-to-wake reduction in CO2 emissions of more than 80 percent, compared to a yacht of comparable size powered by fossil diesel.

From the Verve Series, the new Verve 48 will make its global debut at the Cannes Boat Show. This sport weekender presents interesting developments designed by Azimut in collaboration with Francesco Struglia, who designed the interiors and exteriors. The stern area is completely new, larger, and integrated with two ladders to easily get into the water. On the left, and in continuity, a swim platform of unprecedented width opens up. These two elements form a single, extended platform on the water offering the possibility to experiencing the sea in freedom.

The powerful and agile nature of the Verve 48 is unleashed by the three 600hp Mercury V12s, which allow you to reach up to 50 knots and cruise efficiently with fuel consumption reduced by 15 percent. Noise is also reduced by up to 10 decibels compared to the previous Verve 47 and is appreciated from the first moment you get on board when you can barely hear the engines starting.

Benetti B.Yond Limited Edition

To celebrate its 150th anniversary, Benetti is presenting a new, limited-edition voyager yacht called B.Yond. Spanning 40 metres, the vessel cleverly distributes spaces and volumes, offering extraordinary comfort comparable to larger mega yachts. With four elegantly developed decks, the magnificent boat provides various relaxation areas for guests to enjoy or from which to admire the surrounding panoramas. Notably, the stern features a spacious, well-equipped area, whose generous dimensions include a sunbathing spot and a scenic infinity pool with a glass bottom, providing guests with the mesmerising  sensation of nearly touching the sea.

The hull of the B.Yond limited edition  features an elegant metallic colour called Vulcan Grey, embellished with a distinctive black shield. Further emphasising its uniqueness, a refined golden waterline graces the boat from stern to bow. The gilded and backlit Benetti logo proudly adorns the sides of the upper deck, signifying this vessel as a new icon of the sea. Enriching the limited edition are glass railings with teak handrails, allowing unobstructed views of the surrounding environment, enhancing the experience and sense of freedom for guests on board, and enabling them to fully appreciate the beauty of the sea and its  surroundings.

From the main deck – home to the night  area, with four elegant VIP cabins containing double beds, as well as a spacious full-beam master suite – to the spacious garage, a beach area on the upper deck with an enormous open-air lounge to the transparent infinity pool and second lounge with a spectacular 360-degree view, the B.Yond’s credentials are impeccable.

Mechanically, it offers as an option the E-Mode Hybrid propulsion system, developed in partnership with Siemens Energy, which optimises on-board energy consumption, making this voyager the most sustainable in its segment.

Arcadia Yachts A96

Also choosing the Cannes Yachting Festival for the global debut of its A96, a 29-metre yacht designed to offer an innovative approach to wellbeing, is Sorrento-based shipyard Arcadia Yachts. The latest design was specifically created to offer an unprecedented cruising experience for modern owners, who are increasingly interested in an authentically holistic experience of wellbeing on the water – quite different from the concept of travel as merely a quick way to reach a destination.

The exterior styling and engineering are the work of the Arcadia Yachts team, while the interior design is by Igor Lobanov, the eclectic talent of Russian origin who works out of his design studio in Barcelona. The multi-flexible layout includes five bedroom cabins and crew quarters sleeping five.

The contact with nature pursued by Arcadia since its debut in 2008 is even deeper and more determined than ever today, with the yacht’s living areas designed for seamless indoor-outdoor dialogue and featuring huge, openable glazed surfaces. The concept behind the spaces is not only to become as one with the natural environment but also to alternate moments of relaxed conviviality with others of complete privacy. The result is a yacht designed as a seagoing resort where you can reconnect with your inner self and recharge your batteries, ready for everyday life.

The propulsion system with four Volvo Penta IPS1.200 (1.350 as an option) engines makes it possible to optimise the living spaces and moves the source of noise and vibration back towards the stern, as well as offering excellent joystick maneuverability, the stability provided by the CMC Marine’s electric fin stabilizers and a number of innovative features, such as assisted docking and surround view. The shallow draught and compact engine size mean that A96 can cruise in practically any waters.

Featured image: The Feadship Obsidian