Yachting

The year 2023 marked a turning point for Yihong Yachts, as the shipyard began to explore more global opportunities for Aquitalia. At last year's Cannes Yachting Festival, for instance, the Aquitalia 78 wowed audiences, and was heralded for being a triumph of engineering.

In 1968, brothers Alessandro and Norberto Ferretti and Norberto Ferretti founded the Ferretti company as a small boat manufacturer. Demonstrating their proficiency over decades, the Italian outfit would eventually turn their boat crafting talents towards luxury yachts.

The wallywhy200 superyacht rears up in the historic vieux port of Saint-Tropez, broad, angular and brooding in its black carbon-fibre and metallics that glint in the sun and catch the eye amidst the more conventional power yachts and sailing boats, the pastels and the cobblestones of the picturesque harbour. Drippingly chic with its teak beach-platform and elegantly arrayed daybeds framed by sharp, linear rails and mirrored black ceilings, the superyacht is almost out of place in this hedonistic Riviera hotspot, as if it belonged on set serving as a Bond villain’s pleasure barge, or in some noir future world given over to unabashed luxury and devastating design.

Back for its 55th run, the 2024 Sydney International Boat Show featured an impressive lineup of cutting-edge motor yachts, sophisticated sailing vessels and some of the most sumptuous super-yachts in the world. The four-day event at the iconic Darling Harbour brought together 185 exhibitors and 618 boats, showcasing 44 Asia-Pacific and Australian premieres and launches.

Large. Lavish. Unrivalled. Superyachts are the ultimate expression of ultra-luxury cruising, where every voyage is defined by generous spaces, exquisite design and uncompromising comfort.

Since 2022, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has redefined luxury cruising, introducing its signature style of hospitality at sea with the launch of its inaugural yacht, Evrima. Measuring 624 feet and featuring 149 spacious suites, Evrima accommodates almost 300 guests, allowing for a quieter, more spacious onboard experience.

Whether navigating the fjords of Chile, anchoring off secluded Caribbean isles, or charting a course through polar waters, there are few vantage points more evocative than a luxury cruise designed to heighten the experience at every turn. These voyages offer a seamless blend of exploration and indulgence—bringing the comfort of a five-star hotel to the open seas.

The Princess's updated Y Class range signaled a shift in the shipbuilder's direction. These yachts enjoy much more space, with their full-beam master suites, generous lounge areas, cockpits that serve as private lounges, as well as their extended hulls. With the new line also comes the brand's revamped signature glass design that encapsulates its forward-thinking contemporary aesthetic.

When Wally first launched the Wallypower118, the Italian manufacturer set a new standard in yacht design with its groundbreaking blend of innovation, performance, and luxury. Similarly, the new Wallypower50 carries the same innovative DNA as its predecessor, as well as blending the open design of the Wallytender with the sportiness of the Wallypower58.

Popularly known as one of the leading brands of luxury performance motor yachts, Sunseeker offers a wide range of boats that each boast a different personality to suite any owner. The Superhawk 55 is one of these yachts that deliver the best performance, as well as an unparalleled agility, perfect for luxury cruising.

Dutch Design has unveiled the Sea Rover, a groundbreaking 42.5-metre superyacht that redefines luxury by placing wellness at its core. Billed as ”the world’s only wellness-first” superyacht, it integrates high-end fitness equipment and wellness features. Scott Blum, founder of Dutch Design, talks us through the Sea Rover's innovative, wellness-centred design and how it sets a new standard in luxury yachting.

Sunseeker offers a wide range of yachts, each boasting a unique profile and amazing performance, including the Superhawk 54 with an unparalleled agility and the 40-metre Sunseeker 131 yacht with a striking exterior. The 74 Sport Yacht is one of these boats that offer the perfect blend of performance and luxury cruising, boasting the same sporting prowess of the iconic Predator line.

While most yachts in its class lean on a more sedate approach to their layouts, Bluegame BGX63's design philosophy focuses on adaptability and fluidity. The yacht's clever layout has been meticulously crafted to maximise angles and proportions.

Combining state-of-the-art technology with timeless design, the 850 Porsche Fantom Air redefines performance on the water. Developed in collaboration with the renowned Austrian shipyard Frauscher, this electric sports boat marks a new era of electric mobility, seamlessly translating Porsche's legendary road performance to the open water.

Fresh off the success of the Pershing's flagship GTX116, the series announces the new GTX80. Created in collaboration with the Ferretti Group Product Strategy Committee led by Piero Ferrari and Vallicelli Design, the next-generation sports boat hopes to bring together the best of Pershing’s signature look, seamless internal-external integration and top-shelf technologies.

Combining functionality, modernity and ingenuity, the M/Y Asani is the latest jewel in Benetti's B.Now 50M family, the Italian shipyard's flagship line of megayachts. Like its predecessors, the yacht features a steel hull, an aluminium superstructure and spans four decks.

As a collector's dream, the Riva Anniversario possesses a certain kind of magnetic appeal. It's made even the more special knowing that it commemorates the brand's 180th anniversary. With it comes a revamped motorboat that combines the best of the iconic Aquariva and Aquarama's stylistic cues with modern touches.

Tankoa Yachts and Nauta Design have shared a rich history of friendship that spans three decades now. The two titans of the yachting world are synonymous with innovation, producing some extraordinary creative partnerships along the way. And the introduction of its newest project, 70mt Milano, is no different.

After its launch at the Southampton International Boat Show in September last year, Fairline's Squadron 58 received quite the welcome at the 2024 Motor Boat Awards in Boot Dusseldorf. The 60-foot flybridge would be awarded the winner in the ‘Flybridges up to 60ft’ category by the end of the day, thanks to its new old-down aft terraces and beach club, a first for any Fairline model.

When one envisions the Sanlorenzo SL96A, one thinks of a vessel that exudes luminosity and flexibility. It's a masterclass in reconfiguration, showing how much space can be maximised when using an asymmetrical layout. The exquisite craftsmanship and beautiful detail, of course, are no slouches either.

At the Singapore Yachting Festival, Rivamare joined the likes of other Ferretti Group standouts wallywhy200, wallypower58 and Ferretti 780 as some of the most beautiful vessels in the squadron. Measuring 11.89 metres long with a full beam of 3.5 metres, Rivamare has a unique presence that makes it such a memorable open yacht – and it's rooted in classic cruising.

Ferretti 780 would reemerge at the Singapore Yachting Festival recently, reminding the public of its status as one of the most stunning vessels in its class in Asia and beyond. One can't help but notice its sharp and refined character out in the Marina Bay waters. Ferretti envisioned it as the ultimate flybridge for the true helmsman for a reason.

When Sanlorenzo chose architect and interior designer Piero Lissoni to design this interesting crossover, the Italian shipbuilder hoped he'd create something commandingly beautiful. The SX88's true character lies somewhere between an explorer yacht and a flybridge. In essence, it was always meant to break the form.

The world’s earliest superyachts first began their voyage at the beginning of the 20th century. It was a pivotal era in nautical history where affluent individuals constructed large private yachts for personal pleasure as opposed to commercial use.

Rare are the pairings as inseparable as Custom Line and Ferretti. With a standing fleet of more than 300 yachts sailing in the world, the collaboration has produced some of the most coveted bespoke yachts. Each of these vessels are known to exhibit a sense of classic luxury with distinctive Italian styling.

Rare are the ships that are true once-in-a-lifetime marvels. Only a handful of voyagers float through the waters as spectacles, then as phenomena. Each of them bends the waves to their grandeur, breezing through the freshness of the salt air while commanding the attention of the light with each graceful stride.

In the discerning world of yachting, one brand is updating its luxury heritage with sustainable innovations. Sunreef Yachts Eco offers a unique sailing range of catamarans that deliver a holistic approach to ‘green yachting’.

On the occasion of its 150th anniversary, Benetti reflects on the values that turned its voyagers into marvels on the seas. With it comes a renewed focus on innovative design concepts that should reshape its prised B.Yond range.

“The Rebel 50 G is aware of its own being and expressiveness," Italian designer Christian Grande says of his latest feat, "with an almost zoomorphic body, with features that create muscular-looking surfaces that immediately give off a feeling of power."

“The words ‘calming’ and ‘Mediterranean fresh’ cropped up a lot in our discussions and I think you can see that in the natural colour palette, fabric-lined walls, and contrasting light and dark veneers in Alpi wood composite," Nauta Design Co-Founder Massimo Gino says of the first SW108 Gelliceaux. "Everything is very easy on the eye and the overall ambiance is classy but cool, understated but sophisticated, stylish but warm.”

Collaborations between the sailing and luxury automotive industries are mostly perfect marriages. The FA Porsche-designed Elan GT6, for instance, delivered a handsome sporty vessel worthy of the Porsche name. Another was the Technomar for Lamborghini 63 motoryacht, which led to a boat that reflected the automobile giant's performance and ingenuity.

When one thinks of an Azimut flybridge, one associates it with a certain kind of freedom that can only be achieved in the open seas. It first came along as a game-changer in its class and remains as such. Rare had been the boats that possessed the proper balance between agility, space, and quiet elegance. The Fly 50 came along and made that equilibrium its standard. With the Azimut Fly Series, the brand has taken the same spirit of oneness with the sail, expanding this into a flybridge family that typifies the line's dynamism.

Whether it's in Dubai, Oman, the Maldives, or Seychelles, EKKA Yacht's 47-metre explorer yacht Para Bellum endows charterers with a cruising voyage of the highest order. Built at the prestigious Sanlorenzo shipyard, Para Bellum was launched earlier this year as part of Sanlorenzo’s Explorer model line-up.

Talks of environmentally sound changes in the yachting world persisted for years. Yet, it's only been a few seasons since yacht designers have consciously dedicated their designs to sustainable practices. When the Sunreef Eco yacht line first surfaced in 2019, the eco-conscious boats would take the wider cruising industry by storm.

A game-changer in water recreation, the Seabob offers a thrilling and immersive experience beneath the waves. The innovative watercraft combines advanced tech with effortless manoeuvrability, enabling underwater exploration like never before.

BOULEVARD: Congratulations on the launch! It must be a thrill to see so many people out here – and a welcome sign of the growing interest in yachting coming out of Singapore.

Few names in yachting command the same respect as Azimut and Benetti. Together as the Azimut | Benetti Group, they span everything from sleek, sporty cruisers under the Azimut name to grand, custom superyachts crafted by Benetti—one of the oldest and most storied shipyards in the world. The group has long been at the forefront of design, innovation and Italian craftsmanship, shaping how owners experience life at sea.