The world of high-performance cruising catamarans is currently undergoing a radical evolution. For decades, the segment was strictly defined by speed and lightweight, minimalist construction. Now, technological advancement, and a new focus on sustainability is driving builders to reinterpret what a fast multihull can be.

From the legendary Gunboat launching a radical new ‘Gran Turismo’ line designed for comfort over ultimate pace, to the eco-conscious innovations of Windelo and the superyacht-quality ambition of the new Dutch builder Holld, the focus is shifting.

This year’s yachting festivals provided a clear snapshot of this dynamic new market, showcasing performance cats that put volume, lifestyle, and ecological efficiency squarely alongside speed. With new models like the voluminous Gunboat Fusion 80 and the versatile Leopard 52 offering owners more luxury, livability, and operational flexibility than ever before, the defining lines of the performance multihull are being redrawn. Get ready to explore the exciting new generation of cruising catamarans that are built not just to sail fast, but to live well.

Gunboat Fusion 80

First, a Gunboat with a flybridge, and now a new line of voluminous flybridge cruisers…

Gunboat was/is the reference point in performance cruising cats. It didn’t just set the bar, it invented it. As Gunboat models evolved and were increasingly turbocharged, they became more elite cruiser-racers.

To see the now french-owned brand move into a new high volume market sector will no doubt raise many eyebrows, but together with design partners including VPLP and Christophe Chedal-Anglais, Gunboat has done its homework.

“We’ve led the fast cruising market for 25 years, but now owners have been asking for more,” marketing director Rodolphe Cadoret announced at the unveiling of this Fusion line in Cannes. “It’s time to bring something else to the market.”

That something else is a ‘Gran Turismo’ range that puts an emphasis on the lifestyle experience – intriguing, especially as Gunboat already has a 72ft flybridge model (No.5 in build).

Managing partner Benoit Lebizay confirmed the 72 fly was a “shy move towards this area… and see that the market is not only ready to accept this, but now demands it.”

So Fusion extends Gunboat into the realm of more comfort. “We want to focus on sailing early [from 6 knots], but top speeds are not important. The 72 is already too fast for some owners for a flybridge cat. To get to double digits quickly is capturing that essence,” Lebizay continued.

The Gunboat Fusion 80 will not need to keep such an eye on paring down to save weight – but will still be around 20 tonnes lighter than big cats of a similar size

The development team picked a figure in the middle of the weight sector – meaning 50-55 tonnes fully loaded, rather than the 32 tonnes of the GB72, or the 75 tonnes loaded figure of other cruising cats this size.

Construction will be in infused composite rather than Gunboat’s typical super light pre-preg carbon cats. “We can afford to not use honeycomb furniture and can offer more perceived quality,” Lebizay added. As a comparison, the 10m2 master cabin on the 72 is 19m2 on the Fusion 80. As well as this vast suite with its direct sea access, other key features include the large flybridge and forward cockpit with steps that lower to the sea.

Sensing people’s loyalty to the original Gunboat ethos, Lebizay compared the move to the automotive sector, explaining how the example they used internally is Porsche’s Cayenne model (a crossover SUV introduced over 20 years ago) – the german manufacturer took on that brand risk, yet succeeded in extending it into a new segment.

The first Fusion is an 80, pitched at the biggest expected growth area. “Gunboat is always going to be in the crewed boat area of 70-80ft… the idea is to do a range of Fusion because we want to combine two things that have been antagonistic – performance at one end and comfort at the other. This brings them together at the next level.”

Gunboat Fusion 80 specifications

LOA: 24.00m 78ft 9in
LWL: 23.95m 78ft 6in
Beam: 11.07m 36ft 3in
Draught: 2.20m-4.06m 7ft 2in-13ft 3in
Sail area (upwind): 295m2 3,175ft2
Price from: €13.5m ex VAT

Windelo 58 & 62

Think back over the explosion of performance cruising Catamarans in recent years, and a brand that sticks out for good reasons is Windelo. This Canet-en-Roussillon startup yard formed in 2019 with a focus on innovation, particularly with regard to using more sustainable materials and systems.

As well as its thorough research into and use of basalt fibre, recycled foam, green energies and electric hydrogenerating drives, these Christophe Barreau designs are also refreshingly different. Not only do they use a garage-style door aft to promote a vast and seamless indoor/outdoor space with a formidable amount of glazing and surround views, the forward helm and cockpit layout help set them apart.

I really came to appreciate the benefits of handling the original Windelo 50 from this position, one of the least pitching by the mast base. Minimal leads are needed for the lines, which aids short-handing, and the cockpit and helms are in easy social connection to those you’re sailing with. Therefore, while Windelo is currently building sports versions of its 55, it makes sense to see it maintaining the majority of these design features and material choices for its new range of 60ft cruisers, the 58 and 62. Both are conceived for private ownership or for use with a skipper/small crew.

The greenest motive power is the wind, so the new Windelo models are designed to sail in very light breeze.

Although powered by green energy, the most ecological measure is to sail as much as possible, hence these new models are designed to sail in as little as four knots of wind, thanks to lightweight fine hulls, lifting boards, and powerful rigs. “We wanted boats that offer more space, more comfort, and more autonomy — without compromising performance or sustainability,” designer Christophe Barreau explains.

The interiors have received an uplift in quality, thanks to a new partnership with automotive design specialists Stellantis. Both models offer up to five cabins (four of which are en suite on the 58) and the option for crew cabin access direct from the cockpit.

Windelo 58 specifications

LOA: 17.68m 58ft 0in
Beam: 9.48m 31ft 1in
Draught: 1.35m-3.00m 4ft 5in-9ft 9in
Displacement: 18 tonnes
Price: €2,100,000

Windelo 62 specifciations

LOA: 18.88m 62ft 0in
Beam: 9.48m 31ft 1in
Draught: 1.35m-3.00m 4ft 5in-9ft 10in
Displacement: 22 tonnes
Price: €2,550,000

Holld 74

We introduced this new dutch brand in our October issue, and then had the chance to meet the team and designer behind it at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September. The founders of the Zwartsluis yard have known and worked together for many years doing specialist composite work for neighbouring superyacht builders such as Vitters, Royal Huisman and Feadship. They’ve set themselves up as the only dutch carbon Multihull manufacturers, specialising in superyacht quality. Holld offers performance cruising catamarans that can be sailed with small crews.

“We want to bring our superyacht quality into high-performance cruising catamarans that can be short-handed,” says Holld’s Anneke Harms. The 74 is an Elliot Thorne design being built on spec with an expected launch at the end of next year. Aimed at owners downsizing from superyachts who don’t want big crews, 74 is the maximum you can handle with a small crew, Holld argues.

Stub keels are preferred over daggerboards as they’re easier and more practical, without taking interior space, for a small trade-off in performance. That said, the design could accommodate boards if an owner so desired.

These semi-custom cats are highly advanced technical builds, hybrid-ready, and with modular interiors. They use one-shot infusion in negative moulds, with all parts in infusion too, and the yard has an ‘obsessive focus on precision’.

Holld 74 specifications

LOA: 22.50m 73ft 20in
LWL: 22.00m 72ft 2in
Beam: 10.20m 33ft 6in
Draught: 1.45m 4ft 9in
Displacement: 23.95 tonnes

Leopard 52

Cannes marked the world premiere for the Leopard 52, a three- to six-cabin model, with multiple layout options to offer the most versatile appeal, whether for the owner-operator liveaboard or as a dream charter boat.

Leopard, The Moorings and Sunsail, together with their long-term builders Robertson & Caine and designers Simonis Voogd, make for a team not lacking in experience and feedback, having built 246 of the previous 50ft model. Impressively, the base price of this new replacement remains the same.

This 52 is not only ‘bigger everywhere’ but is designed to also deliver improved sailing performance over its recent smaller sistership 46. And despite the vessel’s size, it’s already proved it can sail in just light single figure breezes. Fine bows, stepped hulls, deep keels and a tall mast with optional square-top main (17% extra upwind sail area) all help contribute to this performance.

New Leopard 52 is ‘bigger and better’ than ever – but is priced the same as the previous model

The show boat had the hybrid electric JOOOL power set up installed (€170,000 extra), which is capable of regenerating power under sail, while 57hp diesels come as standard.

The indoor/outdoor configuration will draw appeal, as will the number of different relaxation spaces, including Leopard’s trademark forward cockpit. The wide range of layout possibilities helps it suit private, bareboat or crewed charter use. The port hull in particular is clever as it can be chosen with a VIP or crew cabin with private aft entrance, or with a huge utility cabin fore, aft or both that liveaboards will cherish, while every cabin can have its own en suite.

Leopard 52 specifications

LOA: 15.75m 51ft 8in
LWL: 15.31m 50ft 3in
Beam: 8.16m 26ft 9in
Draught: 1.45m 4ft 9in
Displacement: 20.52 tonnes
Price: €899,000 ex VAT

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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The post Bigger and better? Meet the high-performance multihulls appeared first on Yachting World.

Got a need for speed? The last year has delivered an explosive fleet of new performance yachts designed for one thing: getting there first.

Designers are leveraging every ounce of technology, from prepreg carbon fiber construction to optimised IRC/ORC configurations, resulting in some of the most dynamic and competitive yachts we’ve seen in years.

Whether you’re looking for a double-handed weapon or a grand-prix dominating maxi, the options are faster and sharper than ever before.

We dive into the cutting edge: Discover the Neo 620 Roma, a carbon-fiber mini-maxi built for fast cruising with the weight of a pure racer, and its lighter, competition-focused cousin, the 460 Competizione.

See how the radical Wallyrocket 71 stepped onto the global stage and instantly redefined the Maxi 72 class by taking the Rolex IMA Grand Prix World Championship.

Plus, check out the new wave of sportsboats, from the featherlight, trailable Melges 19 to the pure one-design thrill of the KiSS 25.

These yachts aren’t just built to sail—they’re built to win.

Neo 620 Roma (& 460 Competizione)

This rocketship is the second Carkeek design for Italian carbon cognoscenti Neo Yachts.

The Neo 620 is its new flagship, which will muscle into the competitive mini-maxi arena.

It’s an evolution of the 570 we featured a couple of years ago (check out the video tour), and continues to sport Carkeek’s distinctive chamfered topsides, which run into a reverse sheerline, a stealth bomber-style shape first seen on racing machines such as Ràn.

The 620 has various layout options, primarily adding a third heads compartment compared to its smaller sister, and providing the option for a convertible fourth cabin space, which can be used as a nav station, for dining or sleeping – all while keeping weight to a mere 13.5 tonnes (nearly half of which is ballast in a deep keel).

Neo manages this wizardry by building the 620 in prepreg carbon fibre, fitted with a high-modulus carbon rig.

Cariboni hydraulics aid high-speed control, while it can sport a single or twin rudders, has space for a 3m tender, and includes 400lt tanks for both fuel and water.

Founded by competitive sailor and sailmaker Paolo Semeraro, Neo has now built 30 custom or semi-custom high-performance yachts since 2018.

The ‘Roma’ branding is Neo’s fast cruising line, which reflects the possibility for the wood veneered interior to be removable.

So these yachts suit those wanting to compete at high-level events with the lightest-weight boat, yet do so while protecting the timber finish and maintaining resale value.

460 Competizione (Race)

Where Roma signifies a cruiser racer or Gran Turismo theme, ‘Competizione’ is Neo’s pure racer line, and the Bari yard has just sold the first 460 in this guise to a German team.

Designed by Ceccarelli as an offshore double-handed or crewed racer, which can compete in Group 1 of the Admiral’s Cup class, it is available with single or dual rudders, water ballast options and an electric retractable pod.

It also displaces only 200kg more than the 430, so weights in at just 6.2 tonnes, yet adds a second compartment inside.

Semeraro reasons: “There are no production competitive racing boats in the 45-46ft range, the only competitive boats racing are a bunch of very old Ker 46s.”

With this 460 he explains that the moulds and hull mould of the 460 Roma.

“A new owner can enter a no-compromise racing program without having to support the full costs of a prototype,” thinks Semeraro.

And with the next Admiral’s Cup already planned for 2027, teams will already be needing to get their new steeds in place.

“Our target was to produce an all-round boat, not too light, not too specific for reaching in strong wind etc, but a boat that can win and can be used in many configurations, including inshore, offshore and double-handed.”

Both versions of the 460 are in build, plus a 520 Roma – all due for launch next year.

Neo 620 Roma (& 460 Competizione) specifications

LOA: 18.59m 61ft 0in
Beam: 5.30m 17ft 5in
Draught: 4.50m 14ft 9in
Displacement: 13,500kg 29,762lb
Price – 620 Roma: €2.1m ex VAT
Price – 460 Competizione: €750,000 ex VAT
Contact: neoyachts.com

KiSS 25

Here’s one for the thrill-seekers.

We’ve seen a real appetite for smaller, high-performance racing yachts of late, with sailors moving from the 50s and Fast 40s to the likes of the Cape 31.

Now comes a new Danish brand with this contemporary one-design sportsboat designed to light up in international racing circuits.

KiSS (Keep it Simple Sailor) Yachting promises to bring a new level of speed and precision, using vacuum-infused carbon-built craft.

It’s partnered with Neo Yachts (opposite), which specialises in carbon craft.

So despite the 2.5m beam, the 25 weighs a featherlight 750kg!

Couple that with a square-top main and a 66m2 gennaker (or a Code 0) and it’s easy to imagine that skimming dish-flat shape flying downwind.

Features include a removable rudder to ease trailering and a retrieval system for the A-sail – set off a 1.8m retractable bowsprit.

The 25 is designed for three to five crew, and unrestricted hiking is encouraged.

KiSS promises race-ready craft, including CNC-machined appendages, Cyclops smart sensors, Pauger carbon rigging, and Harken deck gear as standard.

With guardrails added, it also meets ORC and IRC requirements.

KiSS 25 specifications

LOA (inc bowsprit): 9.43m 30ft 11in
Hull length: 7.63m 25ft 0in
Beam: 2.50m 8ft 2in
Draught: 1.8m 5ft 11in
Displacement: 750kg 1,653lb
Sail area (upwind): 35.5m2 382ft2
Sail area (downwind): 101.9m2 1,096ft2
Price: €119,450 ex sails, ex VAT
Contact: kiss-yachting.com

Wallyrocket 71

Wally launches a second rocket. If the name and look seem familiar, it’s because we ran plenty of coverage of the first Wallyrocket 51 earlier this year, following its eagerly awaited launch and build-up to the Admiral’s Cup and Rolex Fastnet Race.

Yet just as we began featuring the first rocket, Wally announced this larger sistership, with both yachts launching in the same season.

Both are Botin Partners designs, and where the 51 is conceived to take on the TP52s and smash races on handicap, the 71 has the equally herculean task of becoming the ‘world’s most successful maxi’.

Compared with its main Maxi 72 rivals then (most of which have been extended), the Wallyrocket 71 is two tonnes lighter, with over 30% more water ballast (2.7 tonnes of it) for the same sail area, which brings advantages both in the light and going downwind.

It can clock upwind speeds of 10.5-11 knots, while matching or exceeding true winds going the other way.

“We started from a blank sheet of paper, asking how we could beat the most competitive Maxi 72s on corrected time,” Botin’s Adolfo Carrau explains.

“When they were designed, it was to a box rule, so many parameters were already set.

Now, as everyone is **optimising** their boats under IRC rules, there is a lot more freedom.”

Giovanni Lombardi Stronati commissioned the build of the first 71, Django 7X, at King Marine in Valencia.

It is already being campaigned by his Italian Django team, which represented the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) at the Admiral’s Cup with the first 51.

Once again, this team is galvanised by the affable Vasco Vascotto, who holds more world titles than any other sailor.

Django 7X’s first major regatta was the Rolex Maxi Yacht Cup in September, hosted by the team’s club YCCS, where it took on the likes of seasoned competitors such as Bella Mente, Vesper, Jolt and Jethou – and beat them all, to claim the first Rolex IMA Grand Prix World Championship.

Quite the proof of concept!

Wallyrocket 71 specifications

LOA: 21.44m 70ft 4in
Beam: 5.55m 18ft 3in
Draught: 4.90m 16ft 1in
Displacement: 12,500kg 27,558lb
Sail area (upwind): 305m2 3,283ft2
Sail area (downwind): 630m2 6,781ft2
Contact: wally.com

First 36SE

Having gone big on the new First 30 last month, we’ll keep this preview concise.

The First 36, which launched three years ago, has received the Seascape Edition turbo charge treatment and is now available as an SE model.

This transforms the Sam Manuard design into what Beneteau calls ‘the ultimate planing racer’, with reduced weight (400kg less than the standard model) for more sail power.

Carbon is used in the structure, hull tweaks have shaved off 3m2 of wetted surface, and wheels are replaced with a tiller.

It’s also **optimised** for ORC racing with input from ORC guru Maurizio Cossutti and Pure Design helping Manuard and the experienced Seascape team tweak the model.

Actions speak louder than words, and in July a customised 36SE finished the Transpac in 2nd place overall, finishing behind the 88ft Lucky, and nine hours ahead of its nearest competitor – despite being the smallest yacht in the fleet and the only one sailed double-handed.

Also, a freshly-launched first production version of the 36SE recently finished on the podium of the 4th ORC Double-Handed World Championship.

First 36SE specifications

LOA: 11.98m 39ft 4in
Beam: 3.80m 12ft 6in
Draught: 1.95m 6ft 5in
Displacement: 4,400kg 2,359lb
Price: €295,370 ex VAT
Contact: beneteau.com

Melges 19

The YW office is hoping we see one of these in European waters soon – after a look at the first images and videos we’re itching for a sail.

The Reichel Pugh design should plane in as little as 10 knots and is designed to suit and reward all levels of sailors.

The third-generation family-run Wisconsin yard has an international reputation for its sportsboat racing classes and says this should bring that renowned level of fast, fun sailing together with class support.

A spacious cockpit suits a combined crew weight of 220-243kg for racing, and the simple kick-up rudder and daggerboard design suits beach and trailer sailing.

“The Melges 19 is built for speed, simplicity, and sailing with family and friends,” says multiple Melges world champion, Harry Melges III.

Melges 19 specifications

LOA: 5.79m 19ft 0in
Beam: 1.98m 6ft 5in
Draught: 1.37m 4ft 6in
Displacement: 179kg 395lb
Price: US$34,500 inc sails, ex tax
Contact: melges.com

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

The post 6 race-ready new yachts: Performance designs built for speed appeared first on Yachting World.

Wally launches a second Rocket. If the name and look seem familiar, it’s because we ran plenty of coverage of the first Wallyrocket 51 earlier this year, following its eagerly awaited launch and build-up to the Admiral’s Cup and Rolex Fastnet Race.

Yet just as we began featuring the first Rocket, Wally announced this larger sistership, with both yachts launching in the same season. Both are Botin Partners designs, and where the 51 is conceived to take on the TP52s and smash races on handicap, the 71 has the equally herculean task of becoming the ‘world’s most successful maxi’.

Wallyrocket 71 Django 7X became a world champ at its first major regatta. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Compared with its main Maxi 72 rivals then (most of which have been extended), the Wallyrocket 71 is two tonnes lighter, with over 30% more water ballast (2.7 tonnes of it) for the same sail area, which brings advantages both in the light and going downwind. It can clock upwind speeds of 10.5-11 knots, while matching or exceeding true winds going the other way.

“We started from a blank sheet of paper, asking how we could beat the most competitive Maxi 72s on corrected time,” Botin’s Adolfo Carrau explains. “When they were designed, it was to a box rule, so many parameters were already set. Now, as everyone is optimising their boats under IRC rules, there is a lot more freedom.”

Clean, Spartan carbon interior – it’s a racing yacht after all. Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget

Giovanni Lombardi Stronati commissioned the build of the first 71, Django 7x, at King Marine in Valencia. It is already being campaigned by his Italian Django team, which represented the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) at the Admiral’s Cup with the first 51. Once again, this team is galvanised by the affable Vasco Vascotto, who holds more world titles than any other sailor.

Django 7x’s first major regatta was the Rolex Maxi Yacht Cup in September, hosted by the team’s club YCCS, where it took on the likes of seasoned competitors such as Bella Mente, Vesper, Jolt and Jethou – and beat them all, to claim the first Rolex IMA Grand Prix World Championship. Quite the proof of concept!

Article continues below…

World’s Coolest Yachts: Wallygator II

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Wallyrocket 51 review: Is this the world’s fastest new raceboat (on handicap)?

You have to admire the ambition. A goal to create the fastest race boat in the world (on corrected time)…

Wallyrocket 71 Specifications:

LOA: 21.44m 70ft 4in
Beam: 5.55m 18ft 3in
Draught: 4.90m 16ft 1in
Displacement: 12,500kg 27,558lb
Sail area (upwind): 305m2 3,283ft2
Sail area (downwind): 630m2 6,781ft2
Contact details: wally.com

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

The post New Wallyrocket 71: The Next Generation Racing Yacht appeared first on Yachting World.

The red bandit. This rocketship is the second Carkeek design for Italian carbon cognoscenti Neo Yachts.

The Neo 620 is its new flagship, which will muscle into the competitive mini-maxi arena. It’s an evolution of the 570 we featured a couple of years ago (check out the video tour), and continues to sport Carkeek’s distinctive chamfered topsides, which run into a reverse sheerline, a stealth bomber-style shape first seen on racing machines such as Ràn.

The 620 has various layout options, primarily adding a third heads compartment compared to its smaller sister, and providing the option for a convertible fourth cabin space, which can be used as a nav station, for dining or sleeping – all while keeping weight to a mere 13.5 tonnes (nearly half of which is ballast in a deep keel).

Making a point: the Carkeek-designed 620 Roma is Neo’s new flagship model

Neo manages this wizardry by building the 620 in prepreg carbon fibre, fitted with a high-modulus carbon rig. Cariboni hydraulics aid high-speed control, while it can sport a single or twin rudders, has space for a 3m tender, and includes 400lt tanks for both fuel and water.

Founded by competitive sailor and sailmaker Paolo Semeraro, Neo has now built 30 custom or semi-custom high-performance yachts since 2018. The ‘Roma’ branding is Neo’s fast cruising line, which reflects the possibility for the wood veneered interior to be removable. So these yachts suit those wanting to compete at high-level events with the lightest-weight boat, yet do so while protecting the timber finish and maintaining resale value.

Article continues below…

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460 Competizione (Race)

Where Roma signifies a cruiser racer or Gran Turismo theme, ‘Competizione’ is Neo’s pure racer line, and the Bari yard has just sold the first 460 in this guise to a German team. Designed by Ceccarelli as an offshore double-handed or crewed racer, which can compete in Group 1 of the Admiral’s Cup class, it is available with single or dual rudders, water ballast options and an electric retractable pod.

Stylish carbon in the Neo 620 Roma’s interior

It also displaces only 200kg more than the 430, so weights in at just 6.2 tonnes, yet adds a second heads compartment inside. Semeraro reasons: “There are no production competitive racing boats in the 45-46ft range, the only competitive boats racing are a bunch of very old Ker 46s.”

With this 460 he explains that the moulds and design costs have been amortised by the yard, as it shares the hull mould of the 460 Roma. “A new owner can enter a no-compromise racing program without having to support the full costs of a prototype,” thinks Semeraro. And with the next Admiral’s Cup already planned for 2027, teams will already be needing to get their new steeds in place.

Two versions of the 460 Competizione are already in build

“Our target was to produce an all-round boat, not too light, not too specific for reaching in strong wind etc, but a boat that can win and can be used in many configurations, including inshore, offshore and double-handed.”

Both versions of the 460 are in build, plus a 520 Roma – all due for launch next year.

Neo 620 Roma Specifications:

LOA 18.59m 61ft 0in
Beam 5.30m 17ft 5in
Draught 4.50m 14ft 9in
Displacement 13,500kg 29,762lb
620 Roma price: €2.1m ex VAT
460 Competizione price: €750,000 ex VAT
Contact details: neoyachts.com

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

The post Neo 620 Roma & 460 Competizione first look: Two new stealthy yachts aiming to top the mini-maxi market appeared first on Yachting World.

Autumn 2025 is set to be a bumper season for new yacht launches. From Sweden to Genoa, and Southampton Boat Show to Annapolis, there are International boat shows all across the north Atlantic and Med seaboards where you can view them in person. However, if you just want to attend one show in person, then Cannes Boat Show has the pick of the premieres – and of course the glamour. And there really are some glam new yachts on the lineup this year.

The Italians will steal the monohull show with their latest launches at Cannes, including the (Solaris-built) CNB 62, three from Ice Yachts, the Mylius 66RS, Grand Soleil’s latest 65 Performance and the (Italian-owned) Swan 51.

And given this Yachting World is a multihull special edition, some really exciting large cats are also making their world or European debuts.

These include two South African builds with US brand connections, in Kinetic and Balance, the former at a European show for the first time ever with its outrageously enticing KC54, and the latter with its fast and popular new Balance 580. Not big enough? Comar will fly the Italian flag with its new rapid-looking C-Cat 65, while McConaghy, the renowned carbon composite expert, is bringing its MC68.

If you thought that isn’t taking up enough dock space, Lagoon has a new flagship-spaceship in its mighty Eighty 2. Or for something truly different, check out the MODX 70 and the Tortue 147 turtle boat, which bring the extraordinary to the party.

Make it past those exhibitors and you’ll still find plenty of the more approachable-sized or familiar production brands launching new models. From the Leopard 46 hybrid, Excess 13, Fountaine Pajots (tested from page 76), and Lagoon 38, to exciting new monohulls such as the First 30 (full report next month), XR 41, Wauquiez 55, plus the first of the new generation Oceanis and Sun Odyssey models from Beneteau and Jeanneau.

Let the shows commence…

Best boats in 2025’s Boat Shows

Swan 51

Fifty-one is a magic number for Swan, a model and marque steeped in tradition. The original Swan 51 was also the first designed by German Frers in 1981. This pairing of naval architect and prestige brand has continued to this day in one of the most successful relationships in sailing, with over 700 Frers Swans launched.

With the resurrection of the Admiral’s Cup this summer, it’s also topical to note that that first example was based on the 51ft Admiral’s Cup yacht Blizzard, while a Swan 51 was also the first yacht owned by chairman Leonardo Ferragamo.
Over the decades, the 50-footer has remained an ideal size for most types of coastal and offshore sailing.

This latest 51, which launched in July, is very much a modern luxury fast cruiser, albeit with the elegance to give it Swan’s evergreen appeal. Once again a Frers design which promotes easy and comfortable fast sailing, it has attractive, long, low lines, while today’s trend to carry full beam right aft helps add plenty of volume.

Frers has set the mast further aft too for optimum balance, while twin rudders should offer full control at an optimum performance heel angle of 20°. Three keel draughts are offered, as is a sportier setup, featuring a larger carbon mast, square-top main and runners. Things have changed on deck as well, and while this may look very go-faster sleek, it boasts a generous cockpit, a practical sail locker and Swan’s huge double-hinged swim platform to extend deck space further.

Wide coamings help swell that cockpit size, allowing for twin tables to seat up to 10 or be lowered into sunbathing beds. The three-cabin layout sees an owner’s cabin forward in which most people would be more than happy spending long periods. Different configurations can be chosen for the saloon and chart table and Swan offers a choice of four distinctive ‘atmospheres’ for the trim and upholstery.

CNB 62

Oh, the Bordeaux 60! I remember well poring over the first images in 2008 in the office, my colleagues then turning green with envy when I had the chance to do a three-day sea trial. Now meet the 2025 version.

Things have changed with CNB in that time. Back then, it was under the Beneteau Group’s tenureship, yet for the last four years, it’s moved to Italy and Solaris Yachts. This brought a renewed focus on CNB, the 78 an excellent representative and replacement for the older 76. Now comes the ‘baby’.

This 62 seems to take the DNA of the Bordeaux 60 – of which 46 were built – and uses the same designers to give it a more contemporary tilt. The lines are once again from the hand of Philippe Briand with a bright interior by Jean-Marc Piaton.

The goal is to offer easy short-handed cruising at speed, in elegance, and with space for plenty to join. Briand says she is powerfully rigged but will suit ocean sailing. Importantly, it is designed for a couple to operate, thanks to twin headsails and in-boom furling; in particular, the mainsail is taken to the carbon arch above the cockpit, keeping it clear of crew members. A fixed bimini can be chosen to protect the cockpit. Helm stations are further forward than past models, so benefit from this cover, with winches close behind them. This also leaves space for plenty of sunpad area above the 3m dinghy garage.

Below decks, the owner’s cabin utilises the entire section forward of the mast to create a proper home-from-home suite, with an optional office attached, while the open galley midships connects to the raised saloon.

First reports from sail trials have been very positive, which comes as no surprise given our high impressions of the larger 78.

Balance 580

South African designer Anton du Toit has got the lines of Balance’s new 580 spot on to my eyes – low and lean – and with nine already ordered, I’m not alone in my admiration. Two launched this spring, with the first headed for the Annapolis show in October (Windigo pictured) while the second, Swann, has already completed her shakedown passage from Cape Town to the Med to be exhibited at Cannes.

I was going to describe it as the flagship, but that title only stood for a few months as the 750 has now just splashed, in what are clearly busy times for Balance!

A “high performance luxury voyager,” is how founder Phil Bermann labels the 580. It uses a carbon-reinforced, foam-cored, full epoxy build, which results in a standard displacement under 17 tonnes, or “the lightest catamaran in her class with the highest level of interior volume and storage capacity,” he states.

High bridgedeck clearance and deep daggerboards combine with the length and light displacement to promise high average passage speeds. In flat water reaching conditions, the 580 should match or exceed 8-16 knot true windspeeds, and hit the latest teens in 20 knots. It can also be chosen with additional carbon in the coachroof, bulkheads, soles and appendages for extra weight savings and stiffness.

One of the most impressive features for fast cruising seems to be the ease with which it can be handled, thanks to Balance’s VersaHelm wheel, which cants inboard to steer from a protected position, and, in particular, the cutter rig with all three headsails on electric furlers controlled from the helm.

Previous Balance models have been bright and refreshing inside, and the 580 promises more of this with its extra-large side windows and skylights in the coachroof.

McConaghy MC68

What a sight this big cat will make. A ‘pocket superyacht’ design from Jason Ker, it builds on the footprint of the 62, but with a crew cabin, extended aft deck and flybridge options.

Hydraulic centreboards are once again neatly integrated into the hulls without swallowing much accommodation space or penetrating the decks. Together with the yacht’s E-glass, carbon composite and Corecell foam construction controlling the weight, and the fine bows and performance hulls, these boards will help with pointing and performance. The predictions of 20+ knot speeds look very attainable.

McConaghy’s preference for dual wheels set on each flank of the flybridge helps promote unobstructed views from the helms. Another benefit here is that, with no internal or bulkhead helms, the main deck’s saloon and aft cockpit feel extra sumptuous.

M2atelier has gone for an architectural and apartment style feel, but it’s very much a customisable interior. Colours, finishes and even layout can be tailored to suit.

In terms of accommodation in the hulls, three to five cabins, plus crew cabin, are offered.

Lagoon’s Eighty 2 & 38

Born out of the Bordeaux yard’s unrivalled experience, especially the success of its (already vast) Seventy 7 and combined with the design powerhouse of VPLP, Patrick le Quement and Nauta, means you can expect seriously big things out of this new super cat.

Eight can relax in the secluded forward cockpit alone. The aft swim platform can extend cockpit space by 22m2, or be used to launch a dinghy, jet-ski, or a few family members into the sea at the push of a button. The 50m2 flybridge towers above like a terrace in the skies, with twin helms and a solar-covered bimini. And then there’s the multitude of cabins, which include’s the owner’s hull door private terrace – a trump card of the 2017-built Seventy 7 worth repeating.

Talking ‘sustainability’ may seem incongruous on such a craft, but we think it worth highlighting the Beneteau Group’s continued major advances in materials and the results with resin here.

For years Lagoon has been using hemp fibre and bio resin in non-structural parts. Passing the required quality tests has allowed it to employ 100% bio-sourced resin for the entire hulls of this Eighty 2, and therefore halving the carbon footprint of the resin.

More on this in our big cat special next month.

At a more tangible level to most sailors, Lagoon will also be exhibiting its smallest new model, the Lagoon 38 which launched at the International Multihull Show earlier this year.

Italia Yachts 16.98

Performance cruising and style specialists Italia Yachts is due to launch its new flagship this autumn, but only in time for the Genoa show from 18 September.

In comparison to the Molfetta yard’s previous models, the 16.98 is designed more for cruising, and offshore/long-term cruising at that. It represents a large step up from the yard’s previous 15.98, including a lighter weight build, which features a higher percentage of composite material, a full carbon grid and carbon structures. The result is that displacement is kept to 17.5 tonnes despite a full itinerary of cruising equipment such as aircon, lithium batteries and safety systems.

The shape also differs from its siblings, with a vertical transom to include a dinghy garage, while the deck plan is simplified to encourage short-handed operation. The first hull will cruise the Mediterranean before taking part in the 2026 ARC en route to Boston.

Beneteau Oceanis 47 & 52

Beneteau launches the eighth generation of its Oceanis range, one of the world’s most popular cruising yachts, with the unveiling of a new 47 and 52 this autumn. Granted, they share close resemblances to the previous 46.1 and 51.1, but remember those were very successful models – particularly the 46.1, which was a clear European Yacht of the Year winner in 2019.

That Finot Conq hull shape on the 46.1, with its full-length chine that helped create a balance of space and speed, has been tweaked rather than redrawn by the looks of the renders. The L-shaped cockpit has increased in size and is offered in open or closed formats.

Multiple layout options are available – from three cabins and two heads, to five cabins and three heads – and in three different trims.

The larger sister 52, meanwhile, sports a new hull and deck, with the extra beamy aft profile the signature of America’s Cup designer Roberto Biscontini. By carrying this generous beam right to the stern, it helps create 30% more cockpit space over its predecessor. This also uses twin C-shaped cockpit benches to create a new diamond shape, promoting unhindered passage through the centre and around to the side decks.

Nauta has clearly influenced the styling on deck and below, where warm wood, quality upholstery, and Corian worktops show elegance. The forward owner’s suite looks grand. Both models are also offered as First Line versions with taller masts and increased sail areas.

Comar C-Cat 65

For sailors looking for rewarding cruising multihulls that can replicate the feel of a performance monohull, the C-Cat 48 is one of the most responsive examples I’ve sailed in recent years. And when you visit this 50-year-old family-run yard near Rome you understand why. Performance sailing is Comar’s DNA and so much of what they produce is crafted in-house.

Press information about the launch of their flagship new catamaran, a formidable 65ft of fast cruising luxury, is telling. In contrast to most yards, which tend to highlight the finishes and options available, the accommodation spaces and glitzy bits, Comar is all about the stiff and light construction.

Designed by Enrico Contreas as a high-performance sports cat, the 65 merits 40,000 construction hours, with every piece of furniture hand-made in the yard. Carbon is the predominant material choice, used with glassfibre for the hull, pre-preg preferred for the in-house-built mast, together with carbon daggerboards, crossbeams, bulkheads and bowsprit. For optimum stiffness-to-weight, Comar uses a double-cut Corecell sandwich with vacuum-infused epoxy resin.

The result on the water weighs only 18.5 tonnes, and promises uncompromised, exciting sailing in pretty much any wind. For those still interested in what’s inside, there’s plenty of space in three or four guest cabins plus one crew, with an aft owner’s suite, but that’s about all I can tell you so far! This is one we’re looking forward to seeing and sailing.

Ice 64 Explorer/66 Sport/70RS

Ice is very much an archetypal Med fast cruising brand, which helps make this new 64 Explorer all the more distinctive, with its blend of go-fast meets purposeful styling. The Felci design offers something really different for the Milan yard, a performance yacht designed for ocean cruising, with energy and operational independence.

A carbon T-top and bimini encloses an otherwise sleek cockpit. This structure is multi-functional, providing crew protection, and housing the mainsheet traveller, solar panels, and rainwater collection drains. The arch also serves as a crane to lift the dinghy onto the wide sugarscoop-style transom.

Inside is a three-cabin layout and a dinette opposite the midships galley, which can transform to a berth. The crew cabin has access to the engine room, and there’s a multifunctional area which includes a large workbench, laundry and heads to suit extended periods of living aboard.

The first of two 64 Explorers in build will be on display at Cannes alongside the latest versions of the Farr-designed Ice 66 Sport and the Felci Ice 70RS, both of which we have reviewed and shot on video in recent years. The 66 marries powerful Farr lines with chic Italian styling by Micheletti & Partners, while this RS version of the Ice 70 is a sub 30-tonne Felci design with a Cariboni lift keel, and is created to compete at international regattas without compromise on comfort.

Kinetic KC54

Having shown and written about this Kinetic catamaran and its KC62 larger sister over the years, from when the brand was in concept stage, but still never having had the chance to board one, we are particularly excited about the prospect of doing so now, with Kinetic making its European debut at Cannes. It will have a KC54 at the show and potentially one anchored in the bay for sea trials.

Kinetic really hits the niche of luxury crossed with high performance. Built in Kynsna, South Africa, its catamarans offer fast cruising quality, and use equipment from top suppliers.

The KC54 is offered with Performance or Turbo packages and owners can choose slab-reefing on V-booms or electric in-boom furling.

Grand Soleil 65 Performance

Following in the footsteps of Grand Soleil’s recent large and exceedingly cool models, the 72 and the 65LC (featured at length last August), comes this Performance version of its 65. It forms part of the brand’s semi-custom Plus line of models over 60ft and made its debut in May.

The Matteo Polli and Nauta design is naturally similar to the LC, albeit with a different deck line and alternative interior layout. Gone are the panoramic windows and raised saloon in favour of a sleeker look and saloon at the same level as the forward accommodation.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 415

This first model of the 9th generation of Sun Odyssey has a tough task in replacing the highly popular Sun Odyssey 410, but trusting that to the proven design house duo of Marc Lombard and Jean-Marc Piaton gives Jeanneau an optimum chance of success.

Many of the features which worked and we saw before are repeated in a similar style yacht, including the reverse stem and walkaround side decks. The 415 is offered with four sailplans and three keel options. Its interior looks light and spacious in the saloon, there’s an L-shaped galley, and it’s offered with two or three cabins and one or two heads.

Excess 13 and more

In a triple showing for Excess, the Beneteau Group brand will display its latest Excess 13, which we have shown a couple of times in these pages, alongside its smallest and largest models, the Excess 11 and 14. We toured the 13 at the International Multihull Show and it offers an exciting blend of space and performance with plenty of bright accommodation for fast cruising.

Wauquiez 55

This proved a showstopper at its debut in Düsseldorf in January, and our subsequent video tours have been very popular. The novel Lombard-designed hull features distinctive reverse sheer and chines combined with a protected and covered central cockpit. If the raised saloon looks inviting, wait until you see the class-leading space in the aft owner’s suite, complete with its own companionway access onto the aft deck.

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The new Umberto Felci-designed flagship for this La Rochelle-based yard introduces several new features that make life on board more comfortable and civilised. Of particular interest to owners are the two options for the forecabin of three-cabin versions created by interior designer Luca Ardizio.

The ‘master cabin’ layout has a peninsula bed forward, separate toilet and shower areas, plus a small dressing table, ample stowage and an unusually large floor area that will translate to a very spacious feeling.

The ‘master suite’ version uses this space in an innovative manner we’ve not seen before on a boat of this size. The broad hull shape forward allows an athwartships peninsula bed offset to starboard, with its head alongside the starboard bow and a great view out of the hull windows opposite.

There’s also a small sofa opposite the foot of the bed, while en suite toilet and shower facilities move to spacious compartments right forward. In addition, there’s a further compartment that could be used as a dressing room or a private office area.

On deck, there’s a choice of a classic fabric bimini and sprayhood, or a fixed rigid arch above the companionway plus optional hardtop. This looks to be an excellent set-up, covering the whole cockpit and creating a very comfortable area with protection from both sun and inclement weather. It also offers a huge area for installing solar panels.

Trademark Dufour features include the built-in outdoor galley and barbecue that’s operated from the large fold-down bathing platform.

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Dufour 54 Specifications:

LOA: 16.84m 55ft 3in
Hull length: 15.90m 52ft 2in
LWL: 14.85m 48ft 9in
Beam: 5.25m 17ft 3in
Draught: 2.0m 6ft 7in or 2.4m 7ft 10in
Ballast: 4,900kg 10,802lb
Price: €455,000 ex VAT
Contact details: dufour-yachts.com

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This large Spirit of Tradition yacht is another masterpiece from Belfast, Maine-based Stephens Waring Design that blends classic style with contemporary shapes below the waterline and carbon construction.

The project emerged from a conversation with the owner eight years ago, with the initial brief being for a broad-beamed, low-profile Mediterranean-style yacht, with an emphasis on performance and comfort.

However, this later changed to a more classic hull form echoing shapes of the 1950s and 60s, with a spoon-shaped bow and modest counter stern. The spacious, modern layout that had already been fully developed was retained, while the longer stern sections allow for a larger tender garage, plus a drop-down swimming platform.

“The underwater lines are modern but moderate,” says Stephens Waring co-founder Bob Stephens. “We tuned the displacement/length ratio to offer high performance with comfort at sea, and the hull lines incorporate more deadrise than many modern boats to reduce pounding in a head sea.”

The bulb keel is deep and moderately narrow to minimise wetted surface area, yet a forgiving section was chosen to provide a wide groove when sailing upwind.

The large master stateroom is forward on the port side, with a sofa and a large shower and heads. The saloon amidships is described as the beating heart of the yacht. Eight can sit around a table with views through the hull windows on both sides, while skylights provide an excellent view of the sails and plenty of natural light.

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Stephens Waring 68ft Cirrus Specifications:

LOA: 20.88m 68ft 6in
LWL: 16.67m 54ft 8in
Beam: 5.43m 17ft 10in
Draught: 2.77m 9ft 1in
Displacement: 22,100kg 48,500lb
Sail area: 198m2 2,028ft2
Contact details: stephenswaring.com

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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This enormously powerful and spacious water-ballasted Shaun Carkeek design is intended to appeal to those who want to be competitive on the Mediterranean’s regatta scene, and also want to enjoy relaxed, fast cruising with family or friends.

Wide beam of 6.2m creates a yacht with enough interior volume for civilised accommodation, while prepreg carbon fibre construction keeps displacement down to only 23,500kg. The Mylius 72 is therefore a rare dual-purpose yacht with an appealing blend of high performance, comfort and style.

The Carkeek-designed Mylius 72 targets competitive Med racing as well as luxury fast cruising

Twin rudders promise easy control even when pushed hard, while the lifting keel has a very deep 5.7m draught when lowered. In addition to the hull’s high inherent form stability there’s a massive 1,000lt of water ballast – equivalent to a dozen people on the rail.

Carkeek spent a large amount of time on minimising both aerodynamic and hydrodynamic drag, hence the retractable anchor and propeller shaft, as well as the low-profile coachroof and reverse bow profile.

The very crisp deck styling is complemented by a retractable bimini and removable cockpit table that help to make for a quick conversion between racing and cruising modes.

Interior designers Parisotto+ Formenton Architetti created spacious layouts in a clean minimalist style

Interior designers Parisotto+ Formenton Architetti created spacious layouts in a clean minimalist style. The version proposed by the yard has three cabins with private bathrooms, including a master cabin forward, plus a fully equipped galley, spacious dinette and a day head. In the centre of the yacht, the keel box is flanked by a Pullman berth on one side and an office area on the other.

Construction of the first example, which is still in need of an owner, is already well under way at the Piacenza shipyard in northern Italy.

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Mylius 72 Specifications:

LOA: 22.24m 73ft 0in
Beam: 6.2m 20ft 4in
Displacement: 23,500kg 77,000lb
Draught: 3.9m-5.7m 12ft 9in-18ft 8in
Upwind sail area: 366m2 3,940ft2
Code 0: 281m2 3,020ft2
A3 spinnaker: 480m2 5,190ft2
Contact details: mylius.it

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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The Pegasus 50 is one of the standout yachts we have trialled in recent years. It’s a brilliant design for both its performance ability in lighter breezes, and its deck and cockpit layout, which will look after short-handed sailors while sailing serious passages. Having built 18 of these since this Slovenian yard formed in 2019, and after multiple requests for a larger version, Pegasus is now announcing this Pegasus 67. It gave YW the exclusive.

As you can see, the concept is very much in line with the original yacht, so is again aimed at owner-drivers. It’s a platform which offers the performance of a 65ft+ hull with the ease of handling of one 10ft shorter. “We want to build a boat that a couple would not hesitate to take out on a windy day,” designer Marko Pas explains.

Refreshingly, length is not the decisive factor here. Volume and displacement are the controls, built on the desire to keep it to under 25 tonnes loaded – consider that similar length 60-65ft cruising yachts are typically 10-tonnes heavier.

Weight is reduced by minimising hull volume where it’s not needed, and max beam is kept comparatively narrow. This helps Pegasus’s desire to present the P67 as visually small as possible, so as not to put sailors off by its size.

Long, sleek hull of the Pegasus 67 is designed to be easily handled by a sailing couple even in challenging weather.

In terms of internal hull volume, it’s more comparable to a 57-59ft yacht. Indeed, the 67 began at 59ft, but Pegasus chose to extend the hull forward rather than add a bowsprit. The company’s view is that this adds more performance and a softer entrance and gives more sail locker space, while doing the same aft created space for a dinghy garage and gangway.

This struck a chord, as longer hull lengths can really help with passage speeds if you can control weight. On a fast cruising cat, for example, you’d ideally make it as long as you could handle (and afford) but with empty ends.

Today’s 60ft+ monohulls typically have wide aft beams and a tall sailplan to help the weighty volume in light winds, but Pegasus’s ‘less is more’ philosophy sees it using the length for speed not volume. “It’s the total boat displacement that makes the difference, not the length,” argues Pas.

As per the P50, the design is by Pas, also responsible for the Shipman carbon cruising range. Pegasus then went to Juan K, chiefly for his computing power rather than any big name promotional reasons, “to optimise the hull appendages and to make the sailplan as small as possible, and to run the VPPs on these.”

Keeping displacement light and low allows for less mast height and standing rigging, and less sail to manage. The P67 is conceived for light wind sailing and serious passagemaking. So despite bow sections deliberately designed for a soft entry, that means sailing with the tradewinds when possible. Offwind sails will typically be left rigged on furlers, with lines and reef controls led to the cockpit, while the mainsheet is out of harm’s way on the fixed arch.

This leaves the proper all-weather cockpit protected by a composite roof and windshield, both features integrated into the design rather than as a bolt-on extra option. The cockpit, saloon and galley, where most spend the majority of time aboard a yacht, are all sited as centrally as possible, and linked by only two steps.

Almost all equipment required for bluewater sailing is included in the base price

The saloon features a similar gimballing settee seen on the P50 and the engine room is again deliberately placed aft, under the cockpit sole to keep noise and smells from the interior.

In terms of layout, the chief gain of the P67 over its smaller sister is the space to house two aft cabins. This gives the option for three or four cabins with two or three heads. And there can be full separation between guest and owner’s cabins. The latter can be a super-suite that takes the full area forward of the main bulkhead.

Fitout looks really thorough for cruising, including the doubling-up of all major systems for redundancy, such as autopilot, watermaker, pumps, batteries and charging. There are two technical lockers, one for pumps and liquids, one for electrics.

The Pegasus is built using vacuum-infused epoxy or Vinylester, with a hybrid of glass and carbon fibres on a PVC core. The first boat is expected to be ready by early 2027. The standard price comes with a very full spec, which includes a painted hull, Estec decking, carbon mast, sails including Code 0, thrusters and aircon.

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Pegasus 67 Specifications:

LOA: 20.46m 67ft 2in
LWL: 19.50m 64ft 0in
Beam: 5.60m 18ft 6in
Draught: 3.00m 9ft 10in
Displacement (light): 21,000kg
Price: €3.5m ex VAT
Contact details: pegasus-yachts.com

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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The post Pegasus 67 first look: A roomier Pegasus 50 for sailing couples appeared first on Yachting World.

The world of superyachts is continually pushing boundaries, blending unparalleled luxury with cutting-edge design and impressive performance. As we look ahead, a new fleet of ambitious projects and unveiled designs promises to redefine what’s possible on the water, catering to owners who demand both exquisite comfort and serious sailing capability.

From versatile bluewater cruisers offering bespoke options for shallow-water access, to groundbreaking eco-conscious catamarans and sleek, high-performance sloops designed for ultimate efficiency, these upcoming superyachts showcase a thrilling evolution. They embody the pinnacle of naval architecture and interior design, offering a glimpse into the future of luxury sailing.

Oyster 805

Oyster Yachts proudly unveiled this contemporary new design at its annual private view event in St Katharine Docks, London, in early May, with a model which bridges the yard’s semi-custom speciality with that of the supersailing world.

It describes the 805 as a ‘superyacht-inspired bluewater cruiser’, one which features plenty of custom choices, including the option for a shoal keel which draws just 2.67m (8ft 9in) to allow access to shallow anchorages normally off limits to many big yachts.

The 805 continues the British yard’s long-standing partnership with Lymington-based Humphreys Yacht Design, a collaboration which has already resulted in more than 100 circumnavigations completed by Humphreys designed Oysters.

The new addition to the range sits between Oyster’s 745 and 885 series II, and maintains the style of the modern Oyster fleet, particularly the distinctive vertical seascape hull windows.

Three sets of three of these hull portlights (used for the master and guest cabins and saloon) give the 805 a strong identity, and judging from the renders alone, the resultant views all those large panes of glass provide look to be nothing short of spectacular.

There are plenty of comfort choices, including day bed and day bar options in the saloon. The layout includes four en-suite guest cabins and an option for a home office, a library/snug or even a compact gym.

There is also plenty of relaxation space on deck too, including a new day bed design in the cockpit, while the foredeck tender well can convert into sunken seating. An optional fixed ‘Starlight Bimini’ provides sun protection for the centre cockpit, an area which should suit al-fresco dining, while the huge bathing platform features twin stairwells.

The first hull is expected to be ready in 2027.

Oyster 805 specifications

LOA: 25.28m / 82ft 9in
LWL: 22.71m / 74ft 9in
Beam: 6.35m / 20ft 10in
Displacement: 64,700kg / 142,639lb
Builder: oysteryachts.com

Southern Wind SW123

Southern Wind has revealed plans for its largest yacht yet, which is already in build at its Cape Town facility. Farr is responsible for the naval architecture of the SW123, creating a design to deliver fast beating in low-wind Mediterranean conditions as well as good offshore stability.

A comparatively light displacement of 105 tonnes and narrow hull shape (albeit with volume in the forward sections), together with low wetted surface area and high righting moment, should all help ensure it is rapid under sail. Indeed, a glance at the projected polars confirm this spirited performance potential, including 8.4 knots upwind in just 6 knots true and over 14 knots reaching in 12 knots wind. “So when everyone else is at anchor you can sail past at over 8 knots!” quips CCO Andrea Micheli.

There are many options, in line with Southern Wind’s ‘Smart Custom’ concept. Owners can define their own coachroof profile, for example, depending on how much space they want in the raised saloon, and choose a transom configuration.

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The Best Specialist Yachts 2025: Impressive Daysailers and Sportsboats

What do you do when you have yachts that are as diverse as innovative daysailers, a lake sportsboat, a recyclable…

43 of the best bluewater sailboat designs of all time

Which yacht is the best for bluewater boating? This question generates even more debate among sailors than questions about what’s…

The first yacht features the sleekly curved GT style. Nauta has given this an elegant, uncluttered look. The large cockpit is sunken into the deck, which helps afford some protection to the forward end of the guest zone, but otherwise the surface is flush from bow to stern.

It’s the same story for the interior, which is a very similar plan to the SW108 (see page 76 for full feature). The standard layout puts the owner’s cabin right forward with two guest cabins amidships and one fore, but anything is possible within the bulkhead positioning.

“We offer a couple of mood boards, but then act like the elephant, with small mouth and big ears,” adds Micheli on the yard’s philosophy.

The launch of hull number one is projected for spring 2027.

Southern Wind SW123 specifications

LOA: 37.46m / 122ft 10in
Beam: 8.18m / 26ft 10in
Draught: 3.8m / 12ft 6in to 5.9m / 19ft 4in
Sail area: 740m2 / 7,965ft2
Builder: sws-yachts.com

Maverick

Dixon Yacht Design’s latest radical sailing concept is a twin-masted Dynarig yacht capable of operating without burning fossil fuels. The 60m design has a long, low-slung coachroof with inverted windows that give it the looks of a go-anywhere explorer yacht.

Maverick is a collaboration with Lateral Naval Architects, which has optimised the hybrid electric propulsion. The boat is a technical marvel, with the ability to motor silently without generators at 8 knots for up to seven hours.

At sailing speeds above 12 knots, Maverick can regenerate enough power to run hotel systems and start recharging the battery, creating the prospect of oceanic passages without burning any fuel. Build is suggested to be in partially recycled aluminium alloy.

As with any yacht of this size, the interior is a matter of the owner’s taste.

Maverick specifications

LOA: 59.50m / 195ft
Beam: 11.00m / 36ft
Draught: 4.00m / 13ft to 6.25m / 20ft 6in
Builder: dixonyachtdesign.com

Sunreef 35 Eco

Polish catamaran builder Sunreef has announced the sale of its first 35m Eco sailing yacht. Built in composite at the brand’s new Ras al-Khaimah yard in the United Arab Emirates, the boat is part of the Sunreef’s recently announced superyacht range.

Key details are still under wraps, so the performance of the yacht is unclear, but Sunreefs are really all about the living space. This first owner has opted for four guest cabins below and a huge master cabin at the front of the superstructure on the main deck. Here, it benefits from the full 14.70m beam with space for a super kingsized bed and a his ‘n’ hers bathroom complete with bath tub.

Lots of glazing makes the interior bright, while the owner’s cabin has its own access to the foredeck lounge.

Outdoor space is also impressive, with a 100m2 flybridge, complete with plunge pool and bar, plus a huge ‘ocean lounge’ with fold-down bulwarks aft.

Like many Sunreefs, the yacht is studded with solar panels to charge a huge lithium battery bank. Together with twin regenerating electric drives, this gives the yacht silent operation and potentially unlimited range in favourable conditions.

Sunreef 35 Eco specifications

LOA: 35.00m / 114ft 10in
Beam: 14.70m / 48ft 2in
Draught: unknown
Builder: sunreef-superyachts.com

Baltic 33m cat

This is a multihull first for Baltic Yachts and a rare sailing catamaran that breaks the 100ft barrier – in recent years, this has been the almost exclusive preserve of Sunreef. Design for this bluewater ‘explorer’ yacht is by Berret-Racoupeau, who has drawn a fairly conventional-looking shape with a low-profile flybridge and a full-beam bathing platform.

Hull moulding is currently underway with advanced lay-up in carbon Corecell.

The renderings show twin furling headsails and a bowsprit with an integrated roller at the tip designed for flying big loose-luffed downwind or reaching sails. All sail controls are brought back to the twin helm stations on the flybridge.

Other notable features include pivoting centreboards that swing up to slash the draught to just 1.70m so the boat can explore shallow waters. Noise levels will be very low in guest areas and Baltic also says the boat will operate with a low environmental footprint – she will be fitted with regenerative hybrid propulsion systems, and power consumption at anchor will be very low.

Interior design is by Jamie Bush who has gone for modern styling, wrapped in a classic palette of warm woods, crisp whites with ‘pops’ of sporty colour. “She’ll be very much an explorer yacht with exceptionally high levels of comfort, beauty and reliability, as well as some groundbreaking developments in efficiency,” predicts Baltic Yachts sales director Kenneth Nyfelt.

Baltic 33m cat specifications

LOA: 32.90m / 107ft 11in
Beam: 13.00m / 42ft 7in
Draught: 1.70m / 5ft 5in to 5.00m / 16ft 5in
Builder: balticyachts.fi

53m Panamax sloop

No stranger to the superyacht world, Dixon Design regularly produces sailing concepts – often with two masts or even Dynarigs (see previous page). But the latest is for an achingly sleek 53m aluminium sloop designed with a towering 61m carbon mast that will just squeeze under the Bridge of the Americas.

She can carry an estimated 1,250m2 of upwind sail, including a giant square-top main, for plenty of power and running backstays. Set against that is a lifting keel system that gives up to 6.75m of draught.

Key features include an elongated coachroof and a sizable aft deck for storing a ‘decent’ tender. There are also fold-down bulwarks to enlarge the relaxing area and under-deck stowage for jetskis.

The massively glazed deck saloon is filled with natural light, and provides dining for up to 10, plus sofas, a TV area and a bar.

Guest cabins are all in the aft section of the boat, with four double/twin berths all ensuite. The owner’s suite runs the full beam of the boat, and includes a dressing room and direct access to the aft deck through the bathroom.

The coachroof is set with 80m2 of solar panels for 20kW of power to keep the hotel systems running without firing up the generator. The boat is also equipped with a regenerating prop system from Hundested which could make it entirely energy autonomous for an extended cruise. However, Dixon says the design has been optimised for charter use.

53m Panamax sloop specifications

LOA: 53.00m / 173ft 10in
Beam: 11.00m / 36ft 0in
Draught: 4.50m / 14ft 7in to 6.75m / 22ft 2in
Sail area: 1,250m2 / 13,455ft2
Builder: dixonyachtdesign.com

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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The post 6 boundary-pushing and innovative superyachts revealed in 2025 appeared first on Yachting World.

While the allure of multihulls has grown in recent decades, the there are still plenty of sailors looking for the sailing benefits offered by monohulls. Currently we are seeing an evolution in monohulls, with builders and designers pushing the boundaries of what a performance monohull can achieve, balancing raw speed with surprising levels of comfort and ease of handling.

This new generation of fast monohulls showcases remarkable innovations across the size spectrum. From larger, semi-custom carbon cruisers designed for short-handed offshore passages to highly refined smaller racers and groundbreaking foiling concepts, the emphasis is on maximising performance while ensuring practical usability.

Y Yachts Y6

Over the past decade Y Yachts’ range of 70 to 90-footers has stood out from the pack in an increasingly crowded market place. These semi-custom lightweight carbon fibre yachts offer a level of simplicity, along with the possibility of short-handed – or even solo – sailing that’s rarely encountered on a fast cruising yacht of this size.

Compared to the Y7, this model is proportionally slightly heavier and has a marginally lower sail area/displacement ratio, though it’s still within the ultra-light bracket. Full carbon construction helps to minimise weight and means that impressive performance, including in light airs, can be achieved with a relatively modest sail area. It also translates directly into lower sheet loads.

In addition, the jib is self-tacking and there’s in-boom mainsail furling, while all lines are led aft to powered winches at the helm stations. All key manoeuvres can therefore be carried out by one person and without going forward.

The beam of 5.75m (18ft 10in) is wider than that of typical performance cruisers of this size, increasing both form stability and interior volumes. A key feature below decks is the forward master cabin, which has a rectangular walk-around freestanding bed. An opening hatch directly above the bed maximises natural ventilation at night, reducing the need to run air conditioning. Up to three guest cabins are possible, while there’s also space to accommodate an office area if required.

Y Yachts’ ‘keep it simple’ philosophy extends to minimising equipment so that only the essentials are on board, while wiring runs and systems are installed in a fashion that makes it easy for an owner to understand and carry out maintenance and fault-finding when necessary.

Y6 specifications

LOA: 19.65m / 64ft 6in
Draught: 3.50m or 2.85m / 11ft 6in or 9ft 5in
Beam: 5.75m / 18ft 10in
Displacement: 25,900kg / 57,100lb

Cape 26

The top end of the small keelboat racing arena appears to be consistently healthy, with world championships in classes such as the J/70 invariably oversubscribed and qualification a necessity even in 50-year-old fleets such as Etchells.

The Cape 26 capitalises on the success of the very high-octane Cape 31, which has attracted many of the top racing teams from the UK and around the globe.

“We want to offer the same exhilarating high performance of the Cape 31 in a smaller boat that can reach a wider audience,” designer Mark Mills told Yachting World. The Cape 26 is also a strict one-design class raced with only four crew. It’s intended to offer hassle-free setup and sailing, while being easy to tow and easily launched from a slipway (hence Mills has included a retractable keel and rudder).

The headsail is on a roller furler and there’s a bow launching arrangement for the spinnaker, so crew should not need to go forward when racing. In addition, hiking is not allowed so crew sit facing inboard in a comfortable fashion. Nevertheless, this is still a powerful, high-adrenaline boat, with around double the sail area of the smaller J/70, but only 20% more displacement.

It is being built by Cape Performance Sailing, the same South African yard behind the Cape 31 and exciting new Cape WT10 trimaran we featured in our February issue.

Cape 26 specifications

LOA (bowsprit folded): 7.80m / 25ft 7in
Beam: 2.55m / 8ft 4in
Draught (race mode): 2.05m / 6ft 8in
Displacement: 1,050kg / 2,315lb

J/36

This is an evolution of the popular J/112e, with the deck layout, companionway and cockpit updated. The aim was to improve ergonomics when short-handed and make it easier to move around the boat.

Fred Bouvier of J/Composites says no improvements were needed for the hull shape, sail plan or the keel and rudder profiles of the existing boat, but some aspects of the ergonomics are improved.

The twin wheels, for example, are not a nod to fashion. Instead, they make it easier to move around the boat when sailing offshore. Even then, this change was carefully considered. “The big wheel was there for a reason on the J/112,” Bouvier told us. “It’s the best way to get a great sensation when you’re helming, because you have a very direct link to the rudder.”

Experience with the J/40 launched last year, however, showed that much smaller twin wheels would be possible for the 36, without detriment to the feel of the boat.

J/36 specifications

Hull length: 10.99m / 36ft 0in
Beam: 3.60m / 11ft 10in
Draught: 2.10m / 6ft 11in
Displacement: 5,125kg 11,300lb

Ice 56

This Umberto Felci design is another powerful and lightweight yacht with a sporty DNA that incorporates thinking from larger yachts, including the external styling that’s derived from its new 80ft Maxi Ice. The sleek deckhouse, for instance, has a larger glazed area than those of previous models of this size from this Italian yard, improving both natural light in and panoramic views out.

Ice has also put a lot of effort into producing the best possible owner’s cabin. In this case, it’s forward, with a peninsula bed, lots of floor space, plus generously sized toilet and shower compartments. There’s no space for a skipper cabin right forward, but there is a decent size sail locker, plus a 3m tender garage aft.

Ice 56 specifications

LOA: 16.90m / 55ft 5in
Beam: 5.10m / 16ft 9in
Draught: 2.80m / 9ft 2in
Displacement: 15,500kg / 34,200lb

JPK1050

For a long time conventional wisdom has said it’s impossible to create a competitive offshore racing boat in the 30-36ft size range with proper planing performance. That was disproved two years ago when Lann Ael 3, Didier Gaudoux’s 35ft Manuard/Nivlet-designed one-off, won the IRC Double Handed European Championship.

JPK had already considered similar design ideas back in 2018, when Jacques Valer designed a scow bow version of the JPK1030, but at the time it was thought too big a risk and the idea was shelved until Gaudoux’s boat proved it could work.

The JPK1050 is a very powerful 34-footer with full forward sections, though these are a lot less radical than some of the scow bow Class 40s and Mini 650s. JPK founder Jean-Pierre Kelbert describes it as a “planing boat, with very high performance reaching, downwind and upwind.” The first boat, launched earlier this year, took 1st place overall among the 38 IRC double-handed boats at Spi Ouest, its first regatta.

JPK1050 specifications

LOA: 10.45m / 34ft 3in
Beam: 3.54m / 11ft 7in
Draught: 2.22m / 7ft 3in
Displacement: 3,500kg / 7,720lb

Metis 45

This Italian-designed and built foiling offshore racer is intended to fill the big gulf between Class 40s and IMOCA 60s. Full details have not yet been released, but we’re told the boat will be able to achieve full foiling on offshore courses without the need for complex and expensive active control systems. Instead, adjustable foils on each side of the keel bulb are used to control flight.

The boat is designed to accommodate crews of two to five people, plus an onboard reporter. Deck layout follows a similar pattern to those of recent IMOCAs and Class 40s, with a fully enclosed cockpit with large transparent panels to maximise visibility of sails and the horizon.

French teams are often thought of as being dominant in this space, but the Metis 45 comes from an Italian yard with impeccable credentials. For example, it built the Guelfi D’Angeli-designed Musa 40 scow bow Class 40 that propelled Ambrogio Beccaria to victory in the 2022 Normandy Channel Race and Transat Jacques Vabre, as well as last year’s Transat CIC single-handed race from Lorient to New York.

Metis 45 specifications

Hull length: 13.7m / 45ft 0in
Beam: 4.5m / 14ft 8in
Draught: 3.5m / 11ft 6in
Displacement: 4,000kg / 8,800lb

JP40

Niels Jeppesen, co-founder and former design director of X-Yachts, has created this 38-footer as his second project with naval architect Ariadna Pons, following the Arcona 50 that launched two years ago.

The JP40 is intended as a powerful and timeless design that combines cruising comforts with good performance. There’s an emphasis on ease of handling, but this doesn’t come at the expense of efficient sailing, and the set-up is intended to facilitate accurate sail trim.

Generous beam is carried well aft at deck level, while a U-shape transom helps to minimise wetted surface area, thus helping to boost performance in light airs and upwind.

A high chine extends roughly one-third of the way forward, so form stability should build quickly as heel angle increases.

Below decks the layout and ergonomics are designed for comfort when living aboard. There’s a choice of two or three cabin layouts, with the quarter cabins benefitting from the wide beam aft and therefore able to be set up with a big double berth or a pair of side-by-side singles.

The boat can be specified as a family cruiser, with a removable tall transom that includes a bathing platform, plus an anchor handling system, cockpit table and sprayhood.

Alternatively, it can be specified as a competitive inshore or offshore racing boat, with a different keel and tweaks to the rig and deck layout.

JP40 specifications

Hull length: 11.58m / 38ft 0in
Beam: 3.90m / 12ft 10in
Draught: 2.10m or 2.32m / 6ft 11in or 7ft 3in
Displacement: 7,500kg / 16,534lb

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

The post 7 next-generation fast monohulls coming to you this year appeared first on Yachting World.

This Italian-designed and built foiling offshore racer is intended to fill the big gulf between Class 40s and IMOCA 60s.

Full details have not yet been released, but we’re told the boat will be able to achieve full foiling on offshore courses without the need for complex and expensive active control systems. Instead, adjustable foils on each side of the keel bulb are used to control flight.

The boat is designed to accommodate crews of two to five people, plus an onboard reporter. Deck layout follows a similar pattern to those of recent IMOCAs and Class 40s, with a fully enclosed cockpit with large transparent panels to maximise visibility of sails and the horizon.

French teams are often thought of as being dominant in this space, but the Metis 45 comes from an Italian yard with impeccable credentials.

For example, it built the Guelfi D’Angeli-designed Musa 40 scow bow Class 40 that propelled Ambrogio Beccaria to victory in the 2022 Normandy Channel Race and Transat Jacques Vabre, as well as last year’s Transat CIC single-handed race from Lorient to New York.

Article continues below…

Metis 45 Specifications:

Hull length: 13.7m 45ft 0in
Beam: 4.5m 14ft 8in
Draught: 3.5m 11ft 6in
Displacement: 4,000kg 8,800lb
Contact details: sangiorgiomarine.com

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

The post Metis 45 first look: Italian foiler for simplifying offshore foiling races appeared first on Yachting World.

Over the past decade Y Yachts’ range of 70 to 90-footers has stood out from the pack in an increasingly crowded market place. These semi-custom lightweight carbon fibre yachts offer a level of simplicity, along with the possibility of short-handed – or even solo – sailing that’s rarely encountered on a fast cruising yacht of this size.

But until now the German yard, formed by Michael Schmidt, has not offered a smaller yacht than its first series-built model, the 70ft Y7. The 64ft Y6 is therefore a major departure that brings Y Yachts’ appealing philosophy, including a flexible semi-custom approach, to a wider audience. Like its larger stablemates, the Y6 is a Bill Tripp design that the yard says is the result of ‘customer demand for maximum privacy and easy handling’.

These aims are achieved through the design and layout of systems, along with minimising displacement, so the boat can be sailed and, if necessary, maintained without professional crew on board. A small forward crew cabin is, however, offered as an option.

Compared to the Y7, this model is proportionally slightly heavier and has a marginally lower sail area/displacement ratio, though it’s still within the ultra-light bracket. Full carbon construction helps to minimise weight and means that impressive performance, including in light airs, can be achieved with a relatively modest sail area. It also translates directly into lower sheet loads.

Y6 keeps the low-profile coachroof and aesthetic appeal of the bigger Y7

In addition, the jib is self-tacking and there’s in-boom mainsail furling, while all lines are led aft to powered winches at the helm stations. All key manoeuvres can therefore be carried out by one person and without going forward.

The beam of 5.75m (18ft 10in) is wider than that of typical performance cruisers of this size, increasing both form stability and interior volumes. A key feature below decks is the forward master cabin, which has a rectangular walk-around freestanding bed.

An opening hatch directly above the bed maximises natural ventilation at night, reducing the need to run air conditioning. Up to three guest cabins are possible, while there’s also space to accommodate an office area if required.

Often, when a design is scaled down to a smaller size, some of the aesthetic appeal is lost. That doesn’t appear to be the case with the Y6, which still has crisp, uncluttered lines with a small, low-profile coachroof.

Nevertheless, some aspects are simplified compared to the Y7 and there’s no option for a telescopic keel, for example. Beyond this, Y Yachts’ ‘keep it simple’ philosophy extends to minimising equipment so that only the essentials are on board, while wiring runs and systems are installed in a fashion that makes it easy for an owner to understand and carry out maintenance and fault-finding when necessary.

Article continues below…

Y Yachts’ Y7 review: This powerful carbon cruiser is guaranteed to excite

What is your idea of simple sailing? To a wooden yacht enthusiast it may be the pleasure of hand hoisting…

YYachts Y8 Calabash review: Sailing this semi-custom, designer cruiser

This new generation YYachts Y8 is the Griefswald yard’s third version of this 80ft size. The original, which helped launch…

Y6 Specifications:

LOA: 19.65m 64ft 6in
Draught: 3.50m or 2.85m 11ft 6in or 9ft 5in
Beam: 5.75m 18ft 10in
Displacement: 25,900kg 57,100lb
Ballast: 8,600kg 18,950lb
Contact details: yyachts.de

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

The post Y6 first look: Designed ‘for maximum privacy and easy handling’ appeared first on Yachting World.

The Ferrari foiling yacht project – named ‘Hypersail’ in reference to Ferrari’s three-times Le Mans winning Hypercar – is being led by legendary Italian skipper Giovanni Soldini, with design by foiling wizard Guillaume Verdier.

The Hypersail project will not only be the largest fully foiling monohull ever built, but is also designed to be the first yacht of its size to be entirely energy self-sufficient.

The 100-footer will stabilise in flight on three points of contact: an innovative canting keel, a foil on the rudder and, alternately, one of two lateral foils. While the T-foils, with flaps, and rudder with elevator look reminiscent of the America’s Cup foilers, the AC75s, the bulbous canting keel with elevator is unique (the keel on the foiling Maxi Flying Nikka, the most similar design so far, does not have elevators).

No details have been released about the rig and sailplan, but the drawings suggest a huge 40m high wingsail with stays on outriggers.

“This boat is absolutely innovative in every respect. We set the bar very high from the very start, with extremely ambitious goals in every area,” said Soldini.

Hyperfoil in build. One of a series of slightly opaque images supplied to the press. Photo: Ferrari / Hyperfoil

“It’s a flying monohull, designed to fly across the ocean, bringing together all the advantages of a multihull – a lot of righting moment, stable flight even in large waves – combined with all the benefits of a flying monohull like an America’s Cup yacht, which from an aerodynamic point of view is much more efficient. For the first time ever a monhohull is fitted with a foil on the keel.

“It is to do something that has never been done before. It’s about taking a leap of faith.”

The foiler will have no diesel engine, and the intention is that all the power required to run the control systems for the appendages, sails, as well as computers and instruments, will be generated autonomously while under sail using renewable energy sources of solar, wind and kinetic energy.

The yacht is currently under construction at an undisclosed yard in Italy, and scheduled to launch in 2026.

Article continues below…

The world’s most radical yacht? Onboard Flying Nikka

You might understandably mistake this futuristic craft for another America’s Cup foiler. Yet, although the aesthetics may look similar, Flying…

America’s Cup boats: 8 facts about the AC75 and why they’re unique

The AC75 is the class of boat that takes part in the America’s Cup and are arguably the most radical…

“I’m happy and honoured to be part of this adventure,” said Giovanni Soldini, Team Principal. “An exciting challenge, backed by a truly unique team that brings together Ferrari’s excellence and the expertise of specialists in ocean sailing design. The meeting of different cultures and advanced technologies is enabling us to build a yacht that is revolutionary in many respects.

“It’s innovative in both its structure and how it will fly; on the systems front, Ferrari’s contribution is driving the development of on-board control technology that has never been seen before. To prepare as well as we can for the variability and force of the phenomena and conditions encountered at sea, our top priority is to strike the right balance between the pursuit of extreme performance and maximum reliability.”

The team have yet to confirm what events or records they hope to take the Hypersail yacht to, Ferrari Chairman John Elkann saying at the launch: “[The] America’s Cup is regulated and this boat is thought to go beyond rules.

“This project gives us the chance to experiment in new areas.”

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

The post Ferrari announces radical 100ft ‘Hypersail’ foiling yacht to take offshore flight to a new dimension appeared first on Yachting World.

For many serious cruisers, the appeal of an aluminium yacht is fundamental. These cruisers are inherently robust, offering the ruggedness needed for extended voyaging and exploring remote destinations. Their durability and go-anywhere capability have long made them a preferred choice for those seeking adventure or cruising in the high lattitudes.

This year, a new crop of new aluminium yachts has arrived with several notable developments. We’re seeing clever solutions for enhanced performance, more thoughtful integration of sustainable materials, and practical design innovations drawn directly from extensive cruising experience.

These aren’t just incremental updates; they represent meaningful evolutions in how these capable boats are conceived and built. Here’s a closer look at five new aluminium cruising yachts that caught our eye for 2025.

Pure 42

The Pure 42 promises more performance than most shoal draught aluminium yachts. A lightweight foam composite interior helps keep the weight down (literally), when you consider the hydraulic system for the daggerboard style lifting keel. It’s a development of a concept introduced by Berckemeyer Yacht Design 10 years ago, which also sets this design apart from the crowd.

The keel fin is slightly angled aft, so the leading edge pops up in front of the mast step when raised, protruding around 80cm above the deck and coachroof. This allows for a deeper draught than most similar systems, where the keel box is typically directly under the mast step.

The Pure 42 therefore has an impressive maximum draught, with a hefty lead bulb 3m (9ft 9in) below the water, but a minimum draught of only 1.4m (4ft 0in) with the keel raised. In addition, the keel can be locked in any desired draught position and is engineered to enable the boat to dry out standing on the keel bulb and the twin rudder blades.

Pure points out this can be a big advantage when cruising off the beaten track, where shallow anchorages or river bars may provide the only options for shelter, or access to interesting cruising grounds. At the same time the arrangement employed for the Pure 42 helps to reduce the boat’s overall displacement, without compromising righting moment, as less ballast is needed.

Pure 42 specifications

LOA: 13.80m 45ft 3in
Beam: 4.20m 13ft 8in
Draught: 1.20-3.0m 4ft 0in-9ft 9in
Sail area: 99m2 1,065ft2
More: pure.yachts

iYacht Hu’chu 55

This 55ft performance catamaran built from reusable materials was designed to meet the specific needs of actor, producer, and environmental entrepreneur Daniel Roesner. The brief to German yacht design and engineering firm iYacht was to create a sustainable catamaran designed with circularity in mind: a robust multihull on which the owner can live, enjoy adventures, produce films and conduct ocean research.

The structure is built of an aluminium specially developed for the project that includes more than 90% scrap material, reducing the CO2 footprint by an impressive 87% compared to the market average. The boat also includes natural fibres, reclaimed wood and recycled cork.

Similar thinking pervades throughout the design, including a central boat garden that’s expected to provide self-sufficient cultivation of fresh food regardless of location, including vertical hydroponic gardens ideal for growing vegetables.
This may all sound a bit far-fetched, but the concept has already been proven by Corentin de Chatelperron’s cruising catamaran Low Tech Lab.

The sail plan is configured for easy handling, without sacrificing performance, and the boat will have daggerboards, thus minimising draught and improving progress to windward.

The team is currently evaluating shipyards with appropriate aluminium expertise capable of building such a specialist vessel.

iYacht Hu’chu 55 specifications

LOA: 17.61m 57ft 6in
Beam: 8.66m 28ft 3in
Draught: 0.64m 2ft 0in
More: huchu-sail.com

Delos Explorer 53

Few people are lucky enough to be able to take a hands-on approach to the design and build of their own dream yacht. But that’s exactly what Karin and Brian Trautman, along with daughter Sierra, are currently doing to replace the 53ft Amel Super Maramu ketch Delos that has taken them on a huge number of adventures. It also established Sailing Delos as one of the most popular sailing channels on YouTube.

Delos 2.0 will be a 53ft aluminium explorer catamaran borne of the experience gained while covering some 85,000 miles at sea over 15 years. Brian has described the project as “one of our biggest adventures ever” and it’s no surprise this yacht appears to be very carefully thought out, including layouts on deck that reflect how people use their boats in reality.

An unusually comprehensive outdoor galley at the aft end of the main cockpit, for instance, has refrigeration, sink, barbecue/stove, plus a fish filleting and preparation station. It’s an arrangement they say is “inspired by years of cooking and entertaining in the sweltering tropics.” In addition, this area incorporates stowage for six dive bottles and a liferaft.
There’s a Gunboat-style forward sailing cockpit at the base of the mast area, connected to the bridgedeck saloon by a full-height door, creating excellent ventilation when at anchor. A full watch-keeping station, including a wheel, at the front of the saloon enables the boat to be conned from inside during bad weather.

Delos Explorer 53 specifications

Hull length: 16m 52ft 7in
Beam: 7.7m 19ft 5in
Draught: 1.2m 4ft 0in
Displacement: 16,340kg 36,023lb
More: De Villiers Marine Design

Boreal 56

The concept for this range of no-nonsense long-distance explorer style yachts, starting with the Boreal 50 back in 2005, included excellent shelter for two people at the front of the cockpit and two more in a doghouse that provides complete protection. The Boreal 56 is an aluminium centreboarder with a new triple chine hull design by Boreal founder Jean-François Delvoye.

Rugged construction includes a 12mm keel plate, 10mm bottom plating and 8mm lower chines, reducing to 4-6mm for the upper chines, deck and coachroof. There are also watertight bulkheads fore and aft. As with earlier designs from Boreal, the heavily cambered doghouse coachroof extends over the forward end of the cockpit, giving excellent shelter.

The hull shape has broader forward sections, while maximum beam is carried further aft, creating significantly more interior volume, including space for much larger aft guest cabins that can be arranged as doubles, or with side-by-side single berths. The deck saloon format gives an exceptional view of the outside world, while interior and on-deck layouts were optimised for easy circulation of people around the boat.

In our experience shallow draught and hefty displacement doesn’t mar the feel of steering a Boreal, and attention has been paid to improving ergonomics at the helm. You can therefore sit behind each wheel on a curved seat, or stand behind them on an inclined platform.

Boreal 56 specifications

LOA: 17.12m 56ft 2in
Beam: 4.94m 16ft 2in
Draught: 1.20-3.18m 4ft 0in-10ft 6in
Sail area: 145m2 1,560ft2
More: voiliers-boreal.com

Ovni 490

Anyone who has followed the last two editions of the Vendée Globe, or even developments in the Class 40 fleet, will know it’s now well understood that, if sailors have good protection on watch, they’ll perform better as well as be more comfortable. Similar thinking is being applied to cruising yachts, though this can be complicated by a stronger emphasis on aesthetics.

Ovni’s latest all-aluminium centreboarder is a Mortain/Mavrikios and CBA design intended to meet what the French yards says is a ‘high demand for a 50ft Ovni with a pilothouse’. Hull shape is similar to the Ovni 430 launched in 2023, with broad forward sections that help create high form stability and increase interior volume.

The pilothouse gives excellent shelter for two or three people when on watch, and there’s a panoramic roof that helps maximise natural light. In addition, a raised saloon offers a clear view out even when seated.

Three-cabin accommodation includes a space for a washing machine, freezer, plus a dedicated locker for foul weather gear. Systems are concentrated in a technical space accessible from both the cockpit and the interior. There are watertight bulkheads fitted fore and aft, and several large on-deck stowage spaces.

The standard configuration has twin 50hp shaftdrive Volvo Penta diesel engines, with twin fuel tanks with a total capacity of 1,000lt.

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The Pure 42 is a very interesting model from the board of Berckemeyer Yacht Design and produced by a new German yard aimed at building rugged yet fast custom and semi-custom aluminium yachts.

The yard was founded by three sailors, engineers and craftsmen, Matthias Schernikau, Ivars Linbergs and Urs Kohler, who had teamed up three years earlier to build Schernikau’s one-off Pure 49 Gorre.

The Pure 42 promises more performance than most shoal draught aluminium yachts. A lightweight foam composite interior helps keep the weight down (literally), when you consider the hydraulic system for the daggerboard style lifting keel. It’s a development of a concept introduced by Berckemeyer Yacht Design 10 years ago, which also sets this design apart from the crowd.

With the keel raised the Pure 42 is designed to take to the ground on a receding tide

The keel fin is slightly angled aft, so the leading edge pops up in front of the mast step when raised, protruding around 80cm above the deck and coachroof. This allows for a deeper draught than most similar systems, where the keel box is typically directly under the mast step.

The Pure 42 therefore has an impressive maximum draught, with a hefty lead bulb 3m (9ft 9in) below the water, but a minimum draught of only 1.4m (4ft 0in) with the keel raised. In addition, the keel can be locked in any desired draught position and is engineered to enable the boat to dry out standing on the keel bulb and the twin rudder blades.

Pure points out this can be a big advantage when cruising off the beaten track, where shallow anchorages or river bars may provide the only options for shelter, or access to interesting cruising grounds. At the same time the arrangement employed for the Pure 42 helps to reduce the boat’s overall displacement, without compromising righting moment, as less ballast is needed.

Pure 42 standout features include a hydraulic lifting keel, semi-custom interior and walkaround side decks from the cockpit

An unusual, semi-custom interior layout, includes a midships sleeping cabin below a raised saloon. The coachroof opening means large parts of the interior furniture can be pre-fabricated before being fitted into the hull.

Further interesting features include walkaround side decks and cockpit. The first example is currently in build, scheduled for launch in July this year. Its high price includes a high spec, such as the hydraulic lift keel, bow thruster, diesel heating and nav equipment.

Pure 42 specifications

LOA: 13.80m / 45ft 3in
Hull length: 12.90m / 42ft 3in
LWL: 12.30m / 40ft 4in
Beam: 4.20m / 13ft 8in
Draught: 1.20-3.0m / 4ft 0in-9ft 9in
Displacement: 9,800kg / 21,600lb
Ballast: 3,300kg / 7,275lb
Sail area: 99m2 / 1,065ft2
Price ex VAT: €947,000
Builder: pure.yachts

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Few people are lucky enough to be able to take a hands-on approach to the design and build of their own dream yacht. But that’s exactly what Karin and Brian Trautman, along with daughter Sierra, are currently doing with the new Delos Explorer 53.

The new boat is set to replace the 53ft Amel Super Maramu ketch Delos that has taken them on a huge number of adventures. It also established Sailing Delos as one of the most popular sailing channels on YouTube.

Delos 2.0 will be a 53ft aluminium explorer catamaran borne of the experience gained while covering some 85,000 miles at sea over 15 years. Brian has described the project as “one of our biggest adventures ever” and it’s no surprise this yacht appears to be very carefully thought out, including layouts on deck that reflect how people use their boats in reality.

An unusually comprehensive outdoor galley at the aft end of the main cockpit, for instance, has refrigeration, sink, barbecue/stove, plus a fish filleting and preparation station. It’s an arrangement they say is “inspired by years of cooking and entertaining in the sweltering tropics.” In addition, this area incorporates stowage for six dive bottles and a liferaft.

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There’s a Gunboat-style forward sailing cockpit at the base of the mast area, connected to the bridgedeck saloon by a full-height door, creating excellent ventilation when at anchor. A full watch-keeping station, including a wheel, at the front of the saloon enables the boat to be conned from inside during bad weather.

Systems also benefit from Brian’s knowledge and insights as a former electrical engineer. The parallel hybrid-electric propulsion has a single 80hp diesel engine, plus twin 25kW electric motors which are also capable of hydrogeneration while sailing.

A back-to-basics approach adds a level of redundancy that enormously increases overall reliability, making it far more resilient if problems are encountered.

Delos 2.0 is an adaptation of an existing design by Kiwi naval architects De Villiers. It is currently in build by Stradbroke Yachts near Brisbane and is scheduled to launch at the end of 2025.

Delos Explorer 53 specifications

Hull length: 16m / 52ft 7in
Beam: 7.7m / 19ft 5in
Draught: 1.2m / 4ft 0in
Displacement: 16,340kg / 36,023lb
Builder: svdelos.com

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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Buying a brand new yacht off-plan grants the owner, at least for a few weeks after launch, the promise of owning the very latest technology and design development.

Buying an as-yet-unseen production model is where new yacht and new car ownership perhaps share the most similarities. Choosing a semi-custom or even fully custom design from renders and plans is even more of a leap. Purchasing off-plan demands not only deep pockets, but a deep level of trust in designer and builder, and perhaps a willingness to step into the unknown.

Yet there are many owners willing to do just that. X-Yachts reported that five of their brand new XR 41s were sold even before the boat’s final dimensions were confirmed. Oyster had sold 15 of its Oyster 495 before Yachting World had taken the first one for a test sail. And the post-Covid boom in performance cruising cats, such as Outremer, Balance and HH, took this to new extremes, with orders for over 60 of the Outremer 52 before the first example launched.

So how do you navigate buying off-plan wisely?

Hot off the drawing board, the new X-Yachts XR 41. Photo: X-Yachts

Not such a big deal?

Phil Dollin of Inspiration Marine, a UK Hanse dealer for 18 years, has extensive experience selling production yachts off-plan. “We sold six Hanse 460s off-plan in 2021. That’s not so unusual,” he explains.

Over the past decade, the design and build process of the production yacht brands has evolved significantly. “Previously, Hanse designs might have had refinements during production. Today, with full computer modelling of every component part, almost everything is spot-on from the first hull. It’s possible to be very accurate in 3D, so clients can spend time with us looking in great detail at what Hanse will hand over to them down the line.”

Over the years, dealer-installed options have also reduced in number for Inspiration Marine, with additions installed on the yacht’s arrival in the UK limited to canvas work, additional sails, and a brand of watermaker that the dealer prefers to fit over what Hanse offers. Instead, more options are factory fitted, pushing the decision-making process earlier.

Article continues below…

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When it comes to customisation, Dollin ensures buyers make informed choices by spending as much time as they need talking things through. “It’s unreasonable to expect customers to fully understand every option and how it suits their model and usage, so we guide them carefully and encourage them to spend as long as they need to ponder choices.

“One example is in-mast furling for yachts over 50ft. The manual Seldén system is very good, but at this size it’s at its limit – we strongly recommend the electric version.”

Engine and saildrive choices also require careful consideration, he explains. “On smaller models, the 30hp Yanmar comes with the SD25 saildrive, which has a much shorter service interval than the SD60 used with 40-80hp engines. If both are options, we make sure customers understand the pros and cons.

“We take the time to walk through every option to avoid disappointment down the line.”

Fast cruising cat brands such as HH had full order books for years ahead on new models. Photo: Ludovic Fruchaud/EYOTY

Same, but different

Some owners find, even after an extensive search, that nothing on either the new or used market currently in production suits their needs. That can lead them to explore buying off-plan, or adapting something that already exists.

Mark and Jooske Doets had previously owned two KM Yachts, including a 56, before deciding to downsize. The latest award-winning design from KM, the 36, wasn’t quite big enough for them. “We decided to adapt the design, working with Gerard Dykstra, to make it slightly longer, to incorporate a proper shower room, but retain some of the unusual open plan parts of the 36 design,” explains Jooske.

The boat they shaped became well suited to their specific requirements, but demanded a lot of faith in the yard and architect to get right. Some design changes were adapted on the basis of what they’d learned from owning two previous yachts.

“We wanted a pilothouse as having one changes the sailing experience a lot in cold weather. The 36 is rare in having a pilothouse in such a short yacht, but it has inboard facing seats that are quite small. We like to be able to look forward and stretch out in the pilot house and we’re also both relatively tall.

No fewer than 10 different layouts are available to customise the Outremer 48

“Using CAD software the design could be planned for our line of sight on watch, and to get things just right with the larger seats. Because so much detail can be shared in 3D, even remotely, you can get a good understanding of how it will turn out and changes are not so labour intensive. However, to do things well, you need time; our project took over two years from our initial enquiries to going sailing,” explains Mark.

Managing risk

Ensuring the client is highly informed when building off-plan is crucial. Julian Weatherill, sales director for Spirit Yachts, explains how they minimise the risk of things going wrong on yachts that are always built to order.

“In order to build the client a yacht which delivers on their brief, expectations have to be honestly and openly managed from the very beginning,” he says.

“There should be no hidden surprises, both from an end product or price perspective. This starts with ensuring the final specification is detailed, accurate, and costed correctly before we go into build.

A Bestevaer 42 custom-built by KM Yachts. Photo: KM Yachts

“As far as possible, options should be agreed from the beginning so we aren’t making big changes during the build that may compromise the onboard experience. A close relationship and mutual trust develops organically as we and the client get to know each other.

“Spirit sometimes builds on an existing hull design, but each yacht is unique as so much is always owner specified,” he explains. “Usually, a client has seen an existing Spirit design either on the water or on our website that has attracted them to us. The majority of clients use this as a basis to build upon and they make minor adjustments to styling or practicality to suit their criteria and itinerary.

“Clients looking for a larger yacht, are often drawn to the unique experience of designing and building a yacht completely from scratch.”

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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The post How to buy an unseen new yacht ‘off-plan’ (and why you might want to) appeared first on Yachting World.

The International Multihull Show in La Grande Motte has become a must-visit event for anyone interested in the latest cruising catamarans and trimarans. It’s the place where some of the most exciting and forward-thinking designs are revealed to the public — and 2025 was no exception.

This year’s lineup was particularly strong, with everything from eco-conscious concepts and innovative hybrids to sporty new performance models making their debut.

Whether you’re drawn to the self-sufficient ambitions of the 70ft zero-emissions MODX catamaran, the sleek new Excess 13 from Marc Lombard’s studio, or the adrenaline-inducing Dragonfly 36 trimaran, there’s something here to inspire every multihull enthusiast.

We’ve rounded up the standout new launches and provided our take on what makes each one special — and why they matter for the future of multihull cruising.

Best new yachts at the 2025 International Multihull Show

The MODX

MODX

This truly fascinating new project has been in development for several years and is finally due to be unveiled in La Grande Motte this April. The 70ft MODX is designed to be the first yacht capable of self-generating energy, so it can sail the oceans without emitting any CO2.

A zero emissions autonomous yacht requires some assurances in clever tech, performance and efficiency. Confidence in the latter two attributes will come from the fact it is designed by multihull and offshore racing supremos VPLP, and it’s built by a Lorient yard with plenty of experience in offshore racing multihulls (including the MOD70 trimarans).

It includes numerous new technologies and innovations, not least the dual inflatable and retractable wingsail rigs. This automated wing system was developed by Lorient-based specialists Aeroforce, who says it offers 35% extra power over conventional sails.

This Starship Enterprise of a catamaran is largely controlled automatically and monitored from an internal bridge. Two adjustable pitch propellers provide over a third of renewable energy, or 3kW at 10 knots boat speed, while the considerable pasture of 70m2 solar panels can harness 12kW for the 230kWh lithium battery bank. The two 40kW electric motors provide silent propulsion for 100 miles at 5 knots or 40 miles at 8.5 knots. And it can harness and store 800lt of rainwater.

The Excess 13

Excess 13

Expect an added shot of excitement for this latest Excess as it’s the first drawn by the Marc Lombard studio. The La Rochelle designers have a reliable habit of developing yachts that perform, whether with one, two or three hulls.

The Excess 13 is a crucial new model for the Groupe Beneteau brand, which sits in the heart of its current portfolio. The priority was to increase performance and ease of sailing fun over the first round of VPLP-designed models and the result is lighter hulls, lighter fittings and a perception of being naturally very light inside. The asymmetric hulls are even narrower in beam below the waterline.

As a comparison to the Lagoon 43 on page 68, for instance, this is over three tonnes lighter, with 10m2 more upwind sail area.

New features for Excess include the monohull-style fold-down bathing platforms on the transoms and a rainwater catching system on the coachroof. Product manager Herve Piveteau prioritised a ‘less is more’ philosophy and points to the amount of natural ventilation it offers and how the cabin doors double as closet doors.

The minimal wetted surface area reduces further when flying a hull.

Dragonfly 36

Now this is a multihull to raise a sailor’s adrenaline. With the wish to create something special between its 32ft and 40ft models, Danish trimaran specialists Dragonfly spent two years developing this new 36.

“When you develop something new you want to raise the bar,” designer and CEO Jens Quorning explained to me at its Düsseldorf premiere in January. A key development is that the folding mechanism structure is now made in composite, something Quorning says has been his dream to do for a decade.

Why haven’t they managed it before? “There’s 20 tonnes of compression on the arms when flying a hull,” Quorning answered, referencing why they preferred to play safe with metal before now. The analysis they have recently done with composites, which included crash tests and pull tests, has given them the confidence to now use it in key structural areas.

The resultant weight savings – this boat weighs under five tonnes – mean more speed. Performance wise, Quorning expects this to be somewhere between the standard and performance version of the 40 (which is quite capable of speeds in the mid 20 knots).

The 36 also has new asymmetric float designs with added volume, which are slightly longer than the main hull for diagonal stability.
The bottom line is that it’s an easy yacht to sail, says Quorning, pointing out the ability to carry full sail in up to 20 knots, that it can dry out, and that it only takes 40 seconds to fold the floats.

Lagoon 38

Lagoon continues to rely on its highly experienced design board comprising VPLP, Patrick le Quement and Nauta to create modern, supremely voluminous craft to replace its top sellers – it produced over 900 of the 380 over 20 years. And having sailed the new 38 during early trials in stormy weather in January, veteran Groupe Beneteau developer Bruno Belmont believes this one is ‘a fair successor’ to that popular model.

Many of the new features we explored on the 43 (full test on page 68) have been incorporated here. These include the generous berth sizes in all three (or four) cabins, vast refrigeration space, and easy access, this time via extended transoms. The cockpit and saloon are linked via a fully retractable door, which allows up to 10 people to sit around dual tables and sofas. Also, the owner’s berth is located forward as per the 43, away from the noise and stern-to docks.

Lagoon installs a water purification system as standard and offers solar panel capacity up to 1,420W. Instead of glassfibre, all non-structural parts use natural hemp fibres and the upholstery is in recycled materials.

Tricat 8.50

The latest craft from trailable trimaran specialists Tricat looks like an appealing size and design. This Brittany yard has been building sporty, seaworthy trimarans for over two decades. Its new model slots into its range at 28ft unfolded.

Built in infused polyester, it weighs under two tonnes and can fold to 21ft length and under 10ft beam for towing. Daggerboards on the floats, a retractable bowsprit and a choice of offwind sails hint at speedy potential.

With 1.82m standing headroom below decks, five berths and a heads, the 8.50 could be a good option for those looking for a manageable and versatile shoal draught yacht for weekending and short, fun, fast cruises.

Leopard 46 Hybrid

Here is another key replacement model after South African yard Robertson and Caine built over 400 of the Leopard 45. La Grande Motte will be an ideal opportunity to see Leopard’s new hybrid drive offering up-close.

The system is devised by Alternative Energies in La Rochelle, who have worked with Fountaine Pajot as well as fleets of commercial vessels over three decades, and believe they have devised a foolproof system (which it’ll need to be for use in a charter fleet).

The 46 replaces diesel with 25kW electric pod saildrives which can hydrogenerate power to the lithium battery bank once sailing at over 4 knots. In full electric mode, these provide four hours motoring at 6 knots, or 920 miles at the same speed in hybrid mode. The system also means you can have silent nights at anchor with aircon, or silent days with just one hour of genset time.

While the 46 will likely be a popular charter boat when it goes into The Moorings and Sunsail fleets this spring, this Leopard version will suit private ownership and is offered with a performance upgrade involving taller rig and square-top mainsail.

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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Here is another key replacement model after South African yard Robertson and Caine built over 400 of the Leopard 45. La Grande Motte will be an ideal opportunity to see Leopard’s new hybrid drive offering – the Leopard 46 Hybrid – up-close.

The system is devised by Alternative Energies in La Rochelle, who have worked with Fountaine Pajot as well as fleets of commercial vessels over three decades, and believe they have devised a foolproof system (which it’ll need to be for use in a charter fleet).

The Leopard 46 Hybrid replaces diesel with 25kW electric pod saildrives which can hydrogenerate power to the lithium battery bank once sailing at over 4 knots. In full electric mode, these provide four hours motoring at 6 knots, or 920 miles at the same speed in hybrid mode. The system also means you can have silent nights at anchor with aircon, or silent days with just one hour of genset time.

With bags of space inside and out the Leopard 46 is sure to be a popular charter vessel

While the Leopard 46 Hybrid will likely be a popular charter boat when it goes into The Moorings and Sunsail fleets this spring, this Leopard version will suit private ownership and is offered with a performance upgrade involving taller rig and square-top mainsail.

It sports Leopard’s trademark forward galley and forward cockpit plus a high amount of seating by connecting saloon and aft cockpit. The accommodation can offer a Pullman cabin for a family or skipper in a three- to five-cabin layout, plus utility cabin options.

Leopard 46 Hybrid specifications

LOA: 45ft 7in / 13.9 m
BEAM: 24ft 1in / 7.35 m
DRAFT: 5ft 5in / 1.65 m
DISPLACEMENT: 38,925 lbs / 17,656kg
SAIL AREA: 1,512 sqft / 140.5 sqm
PRICE: €699,000 ex VAT
BUILDER: leopardcatamarans.com

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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The post Leopard 46 Hybrid first look: Combining the benefits of diesel and electric appeared first on Yachting World.

This truly fascinating new project has been in development for several years and is finally due to be unveiled in La Grande Motte this April. The 70ft MODX is designed to be the first yacht capable of self-generating energy, so it can sail the oceans without emitting any CO2.

A zero emissions autonomous yacht requires some assurances in clever tech, performance and efficiency. Confidence in the latter two attributes will come from the fact it is designed by multihull and offshore racing supremos VPLP, and it’s built by a Lorient yard with plenty of experience in offshore racing multihulls (including the MOD70 trimarans).

The 70ft MODX should be able to sail the oceans with zero CO2 emissions

It includes numerous new technologies and innovations, not least the dual inflatable and retractable wingsail rigs. This automated wing system was developed by Lorient-based specialists Aeroforce, who says it offers 35% extra power over conventional sails.

This Starship Enterprise of a catamaran is largely controlled automatically and monitored from an internal bridge. Two adjustable pitch propellers provide over a third of renewable energy, or 3kW at 10 knots boat speed, while the considerable pasture of 70m2 solar panels can harness 12kW for the 230kWh lithium battery bank.

Dual inflatable wingsail rigs are automated and fully retractable

The two 40kW electric motors provide silent propulsion for 100 miles at 5 knots or 40 miles at 8.5 knots. And it can harness and store 800lt of rainwater.

Look at the fine hulls and clever sail plan and you’ll appreciate this is a sailing yacht first and foremost. It’ll need to be comparatively light and slippery to achieve its projected polars of boat speed exceeding 15 and 20 knot true wind speeds. Its 23 tonnes light displacement is respectable for a 70ft cat, and not bad when you consider that it’s constructed from bio-sourced materials, recycled PET foam and bio-resin.

The MODX has a muted interior colour palette

The MODX is available as an owner’s yacht, charter or expedition version, all with crew accommodation and the latter with a ‘scientific area’ too. We’re intrigued and look forward to bringing you more on this yacht and project – let’s hope the technology can be downscaled to a more approachable size.

Article continues below…

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MODX Specifications:

LOA: 21.33m 70ft
Beam: 10.00m 32ft 1in
Draught: 2.00m 6ft 4in
Displacement: 23,000kg 53,706lb
Contact details: modx-catamarans.com

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

The post MODX first look: Dual inflated wingsails lift the catamaran market to new heights appeared first on Yachting World.

Now this is a multihull to raise a sailor’s adrenaline. With the wish to create something special between its 32ft and 40ft models, Danish trimaran specialists Dragonfly spent two years developing this new Dragonfly 36.

“When you develop something new you want to raise the bar,” designer and CEO Jens Quorning explained to me at its Düsseldorf premiere in January. A key development is that the folding mechanism structure is now made in composite, something Quorning says has been his dream to do for a decade.

Pace and deck space, with easily folding floats

Why haven’t they managed it before? “There’s 20 tonnes of compression on the arms when flying a hull,” Quorning answered, referencing why they preferred to play safe with metal before now. The analysis they have recently done with composites, which included crash tests and pull tests, has given them the confidence to now use it in key structural areas.

Winches are sited by the twin wheels.

The resultant weight savings – this boat weighs under five tonnes – mean more speed. Performance wise, Quorning expects this to be somewhere between the standard and performance version of the 40 (which is quite capable of speeds in the mid 20 knots).

The 36 also has new asymmetric float designs with added volume, which are slightly longer than the main hull for diagonal stability. The bottom line is that it’s an easy yacht to sail, says Quorning, pointing out the ability to carry full sail in up to 20 knots, that it can dry out, and that it only takes 40 seconds to fold the floats.

The long saloon in the central hull.

Dragonfly has taken the best bits of the 40’s cockpit to create a large, comfortable bench space with winches by the dual aft wheels. And the yard obviously knows how long people like to actively spend on the wheel even in Baltic waters, as it included heated helm seat options!

A 30hp Yanmar is located right aft between the wheels, keeping noise and smells away from the interior, while the saildrive is protected from drying out, positioned directly in front of the rudder for manoeuvrability.

The first boat drew a crowd at boot Düsseldorf

Below decks is Dragonfly’s favoured layout with a long, sleepable saloon and proportionately the largest galley it has done. It also has a proper aft double and a forward V-berth.

The 36 is offered as a cruising version with self-tacking jib or a performance version with taller rig. Seventeen had sold off the plans and around 80% of Dragonfly clients take the performance rig. Hull number two is being exhibited at La Grande Motte.

Article continues below…

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Dragonfly 36 Specifications:

LOA: 11.55m 37ft 10in
LWL: 10.99m 36ft 0in
Length folded: 13.43m 44ft 0in
Beam: 3.70m 12ft 1in to 8.12m 26ft 7in
Draught: 0.67m 2ft 2in to 2.00m 6ft 7in
Displacement (light): 4,500kg 9,920lb
Price from: €510,000 ex VAT
Contact details: dragonfly.dk

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The post New Dragonfly 36: Composite folding wings reduces weight for more speed appeared first on Yachting World.

Expect an added shot of excitement for this latest Excess as it’s the first drawn by the Marc Lombard studio. The La Rochelle designers have a reliable habit of developing yachts that perform, whether with one, two or three hulls.

The Excess 13 is a crucial new model for the Groupe Beneteau brand, which sits in the heart of its current portfolio. The priority was to increase performance and ease of sailing fun over the first round of VPLP-designed models and the result is lighter hulls, lighter fittings and a perception of being naturally very light inside. The asymmetric hulls are even narrower in beam below the waterline.

The Excess 13 is a crucial new model for the Groupe Beneteau brand

As a comparison to the Lagoon 43 on page 68, for instance, this is over three tonnes lighter, with 10m2 more upwind sail area.

New features for Excess include the monohull-style fold-down bathing platforms on the transoms and a rainwater catching system on the coachroof. Product manager Herve Piveteau prioritised a ‘less is more’ philosophy and points to the amount of natural ventilation it offers and how the cabin doors double as closet doors.

Meanwhile, Jean-Marc Piaton continued this theme of lightness through the interior.

Jean-Marc Piaton continued the theme of lightness through the interior.

The 13 is available with four cabins with mirrored layouts in each hull or a three-cabin version with owner’s hull. The latter has a built-in desk with a sea view, which looks ideal for a home office.

Article continues below…

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Excess 13 Specifications:

Hull length: 12.99m 42ft 7in
LOA: 15.30m 50ft 2in
Beam: 7.25m 23ft 9in
Draught: 1.48m 4ft 10in
Displacement (light): 10,600kg 23,369lb
Upwind sail area: 115m2 1,237ft2
Price: TBA in April
Contact details: excess-catamarans.com

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The Wauquiez 55 is a serious, long distance cruiser breaks new ground in a number of respects. The exaggerated reverse sheer may be unconventional, but it’s an inherently stiff shape that keeps weight out of the ends of the boat.

It also maximises headroom centrally, allowing for a raised saloon above systems, tankage and batteries, while the hard top that gives excellent shelter over the cockpit can be lower and less visually obtrusive.

Plenty of handholds for security in a seaway

A class-leading full beam owner’s cabin aft has what feels like an exceptional amount of space and natural light, including a view across the aft deck to the water.

This area also has its own aft companionway that helps separate it from the rest of the accommodation, giving an unusual feeling of privacy. It would therefore not be surprising if some buyers choose a Wauquiez 55 for these aspects alone.

Full beam owner’s cabin aft has its own companionway for privacy

The remainder of the interior is spacious, yet planned to be safe even in extreme weather, with plenty of handholds, and there are features that will appeal to those planning long-distance cruising, including twin engines.

Article continues below…

[collections]

Wauquiez 55 Specifications:

Hull length: 16.40m 53ft 8in
Beam: 5.25m 17ft 3in
Draught: 2.40m 7ft 11in
Displacement: 20,000kg 44,100lb
Typical on the water price: €2.0m to €2.6m ex VAT
Contact details: wauquiez.com

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Don’t worry if you haven’t heard of Mishi Yachts. The Turkish brand only emerged recently as a project of the Yonca shipyard, which has decades of experience in advanced composite construction for fast (and often armed) motor launches.

Driven by its owner’s love of sailing, this know-how has now been turned to carbon-fibre cruising yachts that put the accent on safety and comfort, with full RINA certification.

The first Mishi 88 has demonstrated its seaworthiness. Photo: Pozitif Studio

Both the 88 and the 102 feature a large, sunken guest cockpit completely free of sailing controls, with versatile tables that can be combined, separated or lowered to form sunbeds.

A large, raised saloon below offers comfortable lounging or foul-weather dining, and can be open to the galley. The yachts are designed with three cabins, including a large master forward, but the bigger version has an optional fourth cabin, and both also have room for crew.

Photo: Pozitif Studio

High bulwarks and sturdy guardrails are another signature, along with a tender garage aft. The carbon fibre build compensates somewhat for the heavy deck saloon, and both designs should be capable of double-digit passage speeds.

In a recent delivery, the Mishi 88 made light work of 35-knot winds and 5m waves, demonstrating her seaworthiness. The Mishi 102 is still on the drawing board.

Article continues below…

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Mishi 88 Specifications:

LOA: 26.82m
Beam: 6.20m
Draught: 3.20m
Sail area: 360m2
Guests: 6 + 2 crew

Mishi 102 Specifications:

LOA: 31.00m
Beam: 7.30m
Draught: 3.60m
Sail area: n/a
Guests: 8 + 3 crew

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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Fourteen of X-Yachts’ first all-new racer for more than a decade, the XR 41, have been sold off-plan, all but one to established and successful teams. Five boats are entered in this year’s ORC World Championship, while a well-known two-handed Dutch crew will compete in the Rolex Fastnet Race.

The designers worked hard to determine exactly where gains or losses relative to the rating could be identified, analysing a mind-blowing number of hull families and many thousands of iterations.

The final V-shape transom and concave surfaces ahead of it, for instance, have positive effects on performance without increasing rating. They reduce wetted surface area in light airs, yet form stability builds quickly with heel angle.

The final design has 12% more sail area than the older X-41, yet far more stability and a lower rated upwind speed. The XR 41’s maximum rated reaching speed is only 13.5 knots, yet the boat exceeded 20 in early sea trials.

Another big attraction is that the boat is optimised straight out of the box, saving huge amounts of set up time and costs, while all learnings from the professional team sailing the works boat will be shared among owners.

Düsseldorf displayed a Sport version with lightweight interior modules that enable the boat to quickly switch roles between full-on racer and comfortable performance cruiser.

XR 41 specifications

LOA: 14.58m / 47ft 10in
Hull length: 12.75m / 41ft 10in
Beam: 4.18m / 13ft 9in
Draught (std keel): 2.40m / 7ft 10in
Ballast: 2,650kg / 5,842lb
Displacement: 7,150kg 15,763lb
Base price: €438,000 ex VAT
Builder: x-yachts.com

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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The Cape-WT10 is a 33ft foldable and trailable performance trimaran which can be cruised or raced offshore both short-handed or fully crewed and looks light, fast and thrilling.

When professional offshore sailor and experienced racer Thomas Wilson and his wife, Sigrid, were looking for a trimaran between 30-40ft they couldn’t find one that ticked enough modern appeal for them – they wanted a design that benefits from the latest thinking in hull shapes. So they commissioned François Perus and Romain Scolari, the exciting young minds at Yacht Design Collective (think ITA 14.99, Pulse 600, Code C69) to create one.

The stylish and rapid Cape-WT10

“I was convinced that with YDC, we could create an exciting and innovative boat that would be a top performer,” thinks Wilson.

He goes on to explain his brief. It had to be 33ft because he wants to compete in RORC races including the Fastnet, which has a minimum LOA of 30ft for multihulls. He wanted it fast and light but not extreme enough to warrant a Grand Prix rating. And it needed to be foldable and trailable. They came up with a design that folds to a width that can be trailered across Europe.

With a desire to focus on build quality, Wilson was then introduced to the owners of Cape Performance, which builds the Cape 31 sportsboats in South Africa, before forming the company White Tip Yachts to sell them.

The Cape-WT10 folds so it can be towed on a trailer

The interior looks spacious, light and appealing enough for short cruises. As well as the long saloon, there are berths under the cockpit and forepeak plus a heads compartment. Outboard or inboard engine options are given.

The Wilsons are hoping to have the first boat finished for this year’s Solent season. It will belong to White Tip Race Academy, their new race school in Haslar, which will facilitate boat tests, trimaran lessons and multihull races.

“You can sail and race her in the Solent and then tow her to the South of France and have fun with your family… Not many 33ft sailing yachts can offer such a diverse program,” adds Wilson.

The interior looks spacious, light and appealing enough for short cruises.

Okay, so it’s a UK company/owner and a French design – but it’s built in South Africa!

Article continues below…

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White Tip Yachts Cape-WT10 Specifications:

LOA: 10m 32ft 9in
Beam: 3.5m-8m 11ft 6in-26ft 3in
Draught: 0.4-1.8m 1ft 4in-5ft 11in
Displacement (light): 2,100kg
Sail area (100% foretriangle): 182.3m2 1,962ft2
Expected price: €425,000
Contact details: whitetipyachts.com

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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The post White Tip Yachts Cape-WT10: Performance trimaran with folding wings for towing appeared first on Yachting World.

This South African yard’s first model, the Vision 444, is a fast and lightweight catamaran set up for long-distance sailing that has won wide acclaim over the past five years. A new 48-footer is also in development for launch in 2026.

Avoiding complexity whenever possible is a big part of the overall concept. Mainsail trim, for example, is controlled by a bridle with purchase system each side that’s mounted on the hard top. This enables the sail to be trimmed as accurately as with a traveller system, but the arrangement is lighter, quicker to install and a lot easier to maintain, especially in far-flung parts of the globe.

Systems are also chosen from suppliers with global distribution and complex options are avoided where possible. The 40hp Nanni diesel engines, for instance, use an almost ubiquitous Kubota base engine that doesn’t have the complexities of electronically controlled common rail fuel injection systems. In addition, each boat leaves the factory with all the spares needed for the first two years of sailing – all stowed in a dedicated workshop area that also has space for all the necessary tools.

The Vision 484 will offer more space than the existing boat and will have a three-cabin layout. It will also have an impressive 4,300kg payload, while the bridgedeck is raised to 90cm above the water. Until now the yard has not had a presence in Europe, but Agulhas Yachts in Palma was appointed to represent the brand in January 2025.

Article continues below…

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Vision 484 Specifications:

Hull length: 14.75m 48ft 5in
Beam: 8.00m 26ft 3in
Draught: 1.25m 4ft 2in
Displacement: 12,700kg 28,000lb
Price: US$1,250,000.
Contact details: visionyachts.com

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The post Vision 484 first look: New catamaran in development for 2026 launch appeared first on Yachting World.

It has now been many decades since wood was the most widely used material in yacht productions but timber is still a natural choice for some modern yacht designers and there are still many new wooden yachts coming to market all the time. 

Rupert Holmes has long been following the new yacht market and has rounded up some of the most interesting and exciting new wooden yacht designs. 

New wooden yachts 

WOY 26 is a thoroughly modern daysailer built using high tech timber construction. Photo: Nico Krauss

WOY26

The WOY26 is an exquisite open daysailer designed by Martin Menzner of Berckemeyer Yacht Design and this wooden yacht is a radically modern design, including a flat hull with wide, open transom, a negative stem, twin rudders and a lifting keel with a T-bulb. For ease of handling, the carbon rig has swept spreaders but no backstay and a self-tacking jib.

“With the WOY26, our idea of a modern wooden sailing yacht has come to life,” says the yard’s founder Jan Brügge, with…“sustainable design, modern lines for maximum performance and easy sail handling.”

The first example of the WOY26 was launched in October 2024 and boat number two is already in build. Price is expected to be ‘between a new Dragon and a ClubSwan 28 – or slightly under €200,000.’

LuluNikka’s spirit of tradition design shows in her pleasing hull lines and an interior that highlights her timber construction at its best. Photo: Fabio Taccola

Ceccarelli 42

Roberto and Luisa Lacorte are passionate sailors with enviable track records of yacht ownership, including Flying Nikka, the Mark Mills-designed Mini Maxi that uses similar foiling technology to the America’s Cup.

When it came to choosing a yacht to sail as a couple, or with family and friends, they turned to Giovanni Ceccarelli who created this standout 42ft spirit of tradition yacht. Slender hull lines with low freeboard and a beam of only 3.16m (10ft 4in), plus extensive external woodwork echo a style of earlier times, as do the deep bulwarks and long aft deck.

Yet this is absolutely a contemporary yacht, with a near plumb bow and stern, a powerful square-top mainsail and long bowsprit for reaching sails and asymmetric spinnakers. Below the waterline is a high-aspect deep draught torpedo bulb keel and efficient single rudder, while a displacement of only 6,400kg puts the boat firmly in the high-performance category.

Photo: Alison Langley

Stephens Waring 39

This more classic and cruising-oriented design is intended as a blend of timeless design and contemporary innovation, with a gracefully balanced hull reminiscent of those of the mid-20th century.

By contrast, the deck layout borrows heavily on today’s thinking. The forward part of the cockpit is an upholstered area for lounging and entertaining, while sail controls are led aft to the area around the central single wheel, allowing the boat to be conned from here when being sailed single-handed.

As far as possible the boat is set up for push-button sailing, with electric winches to handle sheets for jibs and reaching sails, as well as hoisting the in-boom furling mainsail. The mainsheet is controlled using an innovative hydraulic under-deck system.

SJ66

This promises to be an absolutely gorgeous spirit of tradition yacht, with crisp classic lines, a stiff and lightweight timber/epoxy construction, plus contemporary underwater profile and sail plan.

Stephen Jones and Jonty Sherwill, the two names behind the concept, need little introduction and have collaborated on numerous projects across several decades, including the Starlight 35, 38 and 46, SJ320, Rustler 42, and most notably the Prima 38 One Design that won the BMF Yacht of Year in 1998. More recently Jones has combined contemporary yacht design knowledge with traditional shapes in boats such as the Rustler 33 and Mystery 35, as well as his own 46ft spirit of tradition yacht Meteor.

Jones says the design for the SJ66, “…evokes the Metre Boat style with sleek proportions and long overhangs.”

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The post 4 of the coolest new wooden yachts in 2025 appeared first on Yachting World.

One of the stand-out new yachts of recent years is the Thomas Tison-designed 48ft Elida, which combines high-tech timber construction with innovative laminates and local carbon reinforcement to create a very fast yet timeless racer/cruiser.

This smaller vessel is designed for Elida’s builder, Jan Brügge Bootsbau on Germany’s Baltic coast, to continue in a similar ethos. It’s an exquisite open daysailer designed by Martin Menzner of Berckemeyer Yacht Design.

Photo: Eva Biederbeck

The result is a radically modern design, including a flat hull with wide, open transom, a negative stem, twin rudders and a lifting keel with a T-bulb. For ease of handling, the carbon rig has swept spreaders but no backstay and a self-tacking jib.

“With the WOY 26, our idea of a modern wooden sailing yacht has come to life,” says the yard’s founder Jan Brügge, with…“sustainable design, modern lines for maximum performance and easy sail handling.”

As with Elida, the idea was that the boat would push technical boundaries, as well as showcasing the abilities of its builders. The precise choice of materials, using quality domestic hardwoods rather than tropical species, plus the vacuum glueing techniques employed, were developed as a research project in collaboration with the University for Sustainable Development. The hope is these will set new standards for the serial production of modern wooden yachts.

Photo: Eva Biederbeck

The first example of the WOY26 was launched in October 2024 and boat number two is already in build. Price is expected to be ‘between a new Dragon and a ClubSwan 28 – or slightly under €200,000.’

Article continues below…

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WOY26 Specifications:

LOA: 8.0m 26ft 3in
LWL: 7.13m 23ft 5in
Beam: 2.42m 7ft 11in
Draught: 1.1-1.9m 3ft 7in-6ft 3in
Displacement: 1,112kg 2,450lb
Price: Circa €200,000
Contact details: woy-yachts.com

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Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.

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The post WOY26 first look: Open daysailer with sustainable design appeared first on Yachting World.