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Welcome to the future: 5 futuristic yachts being built today

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The future of the motor boat has never looked so exciting but what form will it take? We take a closer look at five craft of tomorrow you can buy today

The 2019 Boot Düsseldorf show was awash with exciting new boats , brands and concept craft all claiming to represent the future of boating. Some were touting hybrid or pure electric drivetrains; others were offering radical new hull shapes, while yet another promised a completely fresh approach to its interior layout.

The one thing they all agreed on is that the market for motor boats is ripe for change, with customers looking not just for the next new model but for a genuinely fresh approach to the whole boating experience.

Having scanned the halls, here is our pick of the five most interesting new craft heading to a marina near you in the months ahead.

Solar Impact

The folding hard top, coachroof and hinged side-deck shades are covered in 300m² of solar panelling

Solar Impact is a 78ft ocean-going solar-powered motor yacht based on an aluminium SWATH hull. The result of a five-year research project by Swiss start-up SolarImpact Yacht AG, it claims to offer unrivalled luxury and refinement with cutting-edge aesthetics in a sustainable package.

What makes it special?

Its SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) design consists of two torpedo-shaped tubes housing the electric motors and batteries, which travel a few feet under the water, avoiding the waves which make life uncomfortable for conventional ‘surface’ craft. The accommodation is raised above the waterline on slender blades to minimise drag and frontal area.

Power comes from twin 500kW electric motors fed by an 800kWh battery pack which is kept topped by 300m 2 of solar cells mounted on the coachroof, hard top and folding wings. A pair of exceptionally compact 70kVA rotary-engined generators help extend the range during cloudy conditions. This is claimed to give a top speed of 22 knots for short periods with 10 hours battery life at slower cruising speeds and an indefinite range at 5 knots in calm sunny conditions.

The open-plan living areas are designed to feel like a luxury waterside apartment

Accommodation consists of a large open-plan saloon and galley on the main deck with a master suite forward and four twin or double cabins below, each with their own ensuite bathrooms, plus a further small cabin for crew.

When can I have one?

The first one is already in build at Schaaf Yachtbau in Germany with a projected launch date of February 2020. The price for this futuristic craft is €7.2million ex VAT.

X Shore is the closest thing yet to a Tesla for the sea according to its founder, the Swedish tech magnate Konrad Bergström. Having made his fortune in premium headphones and speakers, he has now turned his attention to creating an all-electric boat brand that offers proper performance and range in a stylish, sustainable and environmentally friendly package.

The design features a tall bow for a dry ride matched with a modular cockpit for flexible seating options. The hull has a deep step amidships with a single exposed shaft taking the drive from the electric motor in the bow to the propeller, which is set in a stern tunnel to keep the drive angle as close to horizontal as possible.

A unique gearbox using magnetic teeth that never actually touch the cogs reduces friction for maximum efficiency. The result is a claimed top speed of 40 knots and a range of 60nm at 25 knots or 100nm at displacement speed. Charging takes 8-12 hours depending on the source and the battery is good for 5,000 cycles.

A touchscreen helm and multi-function wheel replace the usual gauges and switches, while a cork dial supplants the throttle

It’s not just the drivetrain that’s innovative. The helm station features a rotary dial instead of a throttle lever, the seats are mounted on sliding rails and the steering uses fly-by-wire technology. Even the decks are made of sustainably sourced cork instead of teak. Front and rear bow thrusters make light work of manoeuvres.

There are two models available, the Eelex 8000 (pictured above and launched last year) and the smaller Eelex 6500 shown at Düsseldorf, deliveries of which begin later this year. Prices start from €249,000 ex VAT.

The Cetera 60 is a fresh take on a liveaboard cruising yacht with an innovative ‘multispace’ layout that prioritises space and comfort over performance. A joint venture between Guida Design & Engineering and the Fiart shipyard, it is claimed to have 30m² more living space than a conventional 60ft flybridge.

The starting point is a broad 18ft beam with a blunt rounded bow that barely tapers at either end on a hull designed for efficient cruising at 20 knots and a top speed of 23 knots. Twin IPS600 engines allow for a short engineroom and tender garage leaving space ahead for a full-length (but restricted height) technical deck with separate compartments for fuel and water tanks as well as electrics and batteries for the planned hybrid version.

All three sleeping cabins and bathrooms are on the lower main deck off a central corridor that leads from the water-level beach club area through to the forward cockpit. The saloon/study is forward and a couple of steps up, giving a clear view ahead as well as access to the spacious bow cockpit.

The innovative layout puts the cabins on the main deck and the galley and dining area in a ‘convertible’ enclosed fly deck

An internal staircase leads up to the large open-plan dining area, galley and helm on the enclosed upper deck, although drop- down windows and twin sunroofs open it up to the elements when required.

Hull no 1 is already in build and due to be launched at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September. Modular construction using simple box-shaped cabins keeps the starting price to €1million ex tax.

The self-righting aluminium hull is designed to be tough but easily driven by conventional diesel or electric hybrid power

Arksen isn’t just a new breed of explorer yacht, it’s also a new approach to ownership that combines off-the-grid boating with a socially responsible attitude. All its boats are fitted with monitoring systems that continuously relay information about global water quality, and owners pledge to donate 10% of their vessel’s sea time to projects supported by the Arksen foundation, such as scientific research or film-making.

It’s the brainchild of entrepreneur and experienced sailor Jasper Smith, who spotted a gap in the market for a range of three adventure yachts from 70ft to 100ft that he claims are tougher, smarter and more efficient than the competition.

Designed by Humphreys Yacht Design and built by the Wight Shipyard Company in Cowes, they feature self-righting, aluminium hulls that can slip through the water at 7 knots using minimal power or push on to 14 knots when needed. Hybrid propulsion is optional but even with diesels the 85 has a range of 6,000nm from its 16,000-litre tanks. Fins, gyros and flopper stoppers maintain stability while solar panels generate up to 4.2kw of power.

Even the entry-level Arksen 70 has an ice-capable hull and multiple solar panels

All Arksen Yachts are designed to be semi-autonomous so that in the future Arksen Mission Control will be able to deliver your yacht to any given destination. It also plans to offer curated adventures to remote corners of the globe. Interiors by Design Unlimited are said to be stylish but also easily reconfigured from leisure to research or commercial use.

Arksen has sufficient funding to build the first boat on spec but is already discussing orders with potential buyers. Prices start at £4.5million ex VAT for the Arksen 70 rising to £8.5m for the Arksen 100. 1% of its annual sales will be donated to environmental causes.

The helm is just as clean and elegant as the design of the long, slender hull

The Q30 is perhaps the closest thing yet to the gentleman’s launch of the future. Designed and built in Finland with a long, slender 9.3m hull and a modern, minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic, it uses a proven Oceanvolt electric drive system to slip silently along.

Rather than attempt to create a high-performance electric sportsboat with all the limitations of speed and range that implies, Q-Yachts has focused on building an elegant, efficient and useable day boat for rivers, harbours and coastal waters.

With a cruising speed of 9 knots, a fast cruise of 14 knots and a claimed range of 42nm and 22nm respectively (double that if you opt for the 60kWh battery pack), it’s perfect for day trips. And because the entire drivetrain is supplied by Oceanvolt, it should work seamlessly together.

Charging from 5% to 95% takes 13 hours and the batteries are rated for 500 cycles with minimal loss. As Q-Yachts points out if you discharged it fully 50 times a year (the equivalent of 2,000nm/220 hours at 9 knots) the batteries should last at least 10 years and retain 80% of their capacity. You can also fit a 2kW petrol range extender if required. A cuddy cabin with a vee-berth and under-seat toilet makes overnighting possible and the whole boat is trailable.

The first boats have already been delivered and crucially for British customers, Wessex Boats (the UK importer for Targa and Marex ) is representing them in the UK. The boat comes with a two-year warranty and prices start at €183,000 ex VAT and delivery.

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The 10 Best Superyacht Concepts of 2023

Blue-sky superyacht concepts range from pure fantasy to easily buildable. here are our 10 favorites in the last year., howard walker, howard walker's most recent stories.

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To stand out from the crowd, more and more superyacht buyers—many new to the market—are challenging designers to break molds, go extreme, and think way outside of the traditional box. And they’re doing it with head-spinning bow designs, huge windows, and much larger interior and exterior spaces.

They’re also trading traditional monohulls for big-volume catamarans and trimarans, taking inspiration from oddball places—an aircraft carrier or 1930s Hollywood-style automobile—and, at the same time, future-proofing them with new propulsion systems, including hydrogen fuel cells, solar power, and advanced battery power.

These 10 concepts, from a range of designers and studios, show that the future of superyacht design has never been more exciting—if at times a little bizarre.

Sinot, ‘Aware’

Not all superyachts need to look like multi-tiered wedding cakes. That’s according to Dutch studio Sinot Yacht, which has just penned conceptual renderings for a sleek, almost-minimalist cruiser called Aware . Yes, the 262-footer does have the look of some super-stylish European river boat from the likes of Viking or Uniworld. But the aim here is to optimize the spaces experienced owners tend to use the most. Like the owner’s suite on the main deck, which in Aware spans the full beam and totals over 860 square feet. Then there’s the super-size beach club with its twin fold-out terraces, gym, bar, cinema, 36-foot-long pool, and glass-sided dining area. As for power, Sinot envisions a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system good for a 21 mph max, and a 4,000 nautical mile range at 14 mph.

Icon Yachts, ‘Mission’

Ice-breaking, globe-trotting expedition yachts are nothing new for Holland’s Icon Yachts. Its rugged, 224-foot, converted ice-breaker Ragnar literally wrote the rule-book on building high-latitude-friendly luxury superyachts. But Icon’s concept for a brand-new, ultimate explorer it’s calling Mission adds Indiana Jones–levels of off-the-grid exploration. Designed by Dutch explorer-yacht specialist Bernd Weel, Mission is all towering, ice-crushing bow, trademark geometric hull sides, and endless space for all that adventure-seeking gear. Here we’re talking six tenders of all sizes, a three-person submersible, an Airbus H130 helicopter, and space midships for a multitude of shipping containers for when you want to become the next Jacques Cousteau. As for range, Icon would target over 6,000 nautical miles.

Andy Waugh Yacht Design, ‘Decadence’

Flick through the pages of any automotive history book and you’ll notice that 1930s design is dominated by the outrageous, teardrop-fendered creations of the French duo of Figoni et Falaschi. Their designs look to be the inspiration behind London-based designer Andy Waugh’s jaw-dropping concept for a 264-foot catamaran he quite aptly calls Decadence . Featuring a central hull flanked by four teardrop-like pods, the concept evolves the idea of so-called SWATH catamaran hull design used in a number of oil-platform support, research vessels, and even some superyachts. Providing immense stability through reduced roll and pitch, the design makes perfect sense for a superyacht. One drawback: the yacht’s massive, marina-unfriendly 98-foot beam. Though that becomes a positive when you consider Decadence ‘s vast owner’s suite measures 66 feet wide and almost 100 feet long.

Oceanco, ‘Aeolus’

When the Dutch superyacht maestros at Oceanco release a blue-sky design, the concept is likely just a few steps away from reality. Fresh from delivering the 410-foot Koru , the world’s largest sailing yacht, to new owner Jeff Bezos, and the 357-foot Seven Seas to Steven Spielberg, Oceanco has unveiled Aeolus , a concept for a highly sustainable 430-foot gigayacht. Drawn by former Rolls-Royce head of design Giles Taylor, this curvaceous, quad-deck world cruiser looks to the future by incorporating Oceanco’s Energy Transition Platform (ETP) philosophy. The propulsion could start with diesel-electric power, with battery banks charged by twin MTU V16 diesel generators. Then, as technologies advance, it could more to more advanced fuel types such as methanol or other, even wilder technologies like nuclear power.

Anthony Glasson, ‘Star Trek’

Designed to boldly go across oceans, this concept for a massive 275-foot trimaran i s said to have been inspired by Hong Kong–based designer Anthony Glasson’s love of the TV show “Star Trek”—especially the Starship Enterprise . Viewed bow-on, you can see why: The slender, wave-piercing bow, the twin side hulls, and rounded glass upper observation deck have USS Enterprise written all over it. But the trimaran form definitely adds to its function, with the wide beam creating an expansive “courtyard” that’s part enclosed and part open, housing a hot tub—one of three aboard—a gym, a bar, sunpads galore and even a helipad-turned-dancefloor. Glasson envisions the trimaran to be built of lightweight aluminum, with a 5,000-nautical-mile range. Captain Kirk would be impressed.

Jozeph Forakis, ‘Pegasus’

Until now, arguably the ultimate stealth boat was the one in the 1997 James Bond romp Tomorrow Never Dies , owned by tyrannical media mogul Elliot Carver. That would change if the 289-foot concept Pegasus , from the computer screen of N.Y.C.-born and now Milan-based designer Jozeph Forakis, gets a production go-ahead. It features a superstructure comprising three over-lapping “wings” with metallic surfaces designed to reflect the sky and the clouds, rendering the superyacht near-invisible. The “wings” also do double duty as solar panels generating energy that would be used to convert sea water to hydrogen. Fuel cells would then turn the hydrogen into electricity that would be then stored in banks of lithium-ion batteries, making Pegasus essentially emissions-free with a virtually infinite cruising range.

Lazzarini, ‘Plectrum’

Why fly through the water when you can fly on top? That’s the thinking behind Rome-based Lazzarini Design’s radical 243-foot hydrofoiling superyacht concept named Plectrum . Massive foils deploy from the sides of the yacht’s rounded carbon-fiber hull, while a trio of 5,000 hp engines would elevate the yacht out of the water and punch it to a top speed of over 80 mph. It’s a similar concept used in the latest America’s Cup AC75 foiling monohull sailboats, along with a crop of electric powerboats and surfboards. Applying the technology to a 243-foot superyacht is what’s new and possibly technically impossible, at least for now. Other stand-out features of this bright-orange flyer include a helicopter garage beneath the mile-long foredeck and a garage for your supercar at the stern.

Phantom and Golden Yachts, ‘Vesper’

When it comes to next-generation superyacht design, it seems glass is fast becoming the new steel. Take the collaboration between the design team at Holland’s Phantom Studios and Athens-based superyacht builder Golden Yachts. The 213-foot concept they’re calling Vesper features five levels of floor-to-ceiling structural glass, a glass floor in the yacht’s upper deck lounge, and a glass-sided swimming pool. Connecting the beach club to the pool is a huge, high-lifting hatch that’s, what else, all glass. Now head to the owner’s “suite”—it’s more like a two-level penthouse in a Miami skyscraper—and it features floor-to-very-high-ceiling glass that floods the space with light. To catch some real rays, the full-deck suite features not one, but two outdoor terraces.

DeBasto Design, MED

Think of this as a 301-foot dayboat with the emphasis on outdoor, alfresco, lounge-in-the-sun, Mediterranean living. From the drawing board of Miami-based designer Luiz de Basto, Project MED features uninterrupted, bow-to-stern open teak decks topped with a huge upper superstructure supported by just four columns. And to ensure the superstructure doesn’t dominate the superyacht’s sleek lines, de Basto covered it in reflective glass so that it almost disappears from view by mirroring its surroundings. The designer says his inspiration came from the idea of “Agora,” named after the squares in Ancient Greek villages where everyone congregated. Aboard Project MED, that could be on the main deck, around the oversized pool at the stern, or on the vast open foredeck.

Enzo Manca, ‘UAE One’

There are superyachts designed to look like military warships. Some even are shaped to look like navy submarines. But here’s a first; a superyacht inspired by the lines of an aircraft carrier. The 459-foot UAE One is from the fertile mind of Milan-based designer Enzo Manca who created the concept for an unnamed United Arab Emirates sheikh looking to create an official UAE flagship. Without a doubt, the design highlight is the yacht’s runway-like main deck. It features not one, but three helipads, a conning tower-like, four-level structure on the starboard side, a geometric-shaped pool and a huge circular “conversation pit” right on the bow, complete with cozy sofas and a firepit. Accommodations over nine decks include five “super suites”, eight master cabins, 14 mini apartments, and 35 cabins for the crew of 65. 

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Bigger, greener, sexier, more adventurous: superyachts of the future revealed.

The incredible next generation of superyachts

Most of us will never set foot on a swanky superyacht. We’d be lucky to even catch a glimpse of one of these streamlined, gleaming vessels docked in Monaco or Miami.

But for billionaires in the top 1% wealth bracket, a superyacht is a must-have sign of status – and the perfect way to travel the world.

Luxury yachts have been sailing the seas since the early 20th century. Since then, designs have got bigger, better, more extravagant and more adventurous.

So where next for these opulent ocean-goers?

CNN Travel recently weighed anchor at the Superyachts Top 100 symposium in London to discover the major superyacht trends to watch out for in 2019 and beyond.

Supersize yachts

The most obvious direction for the next generation of elite seagoing vessels is an increase in size – more and more are now exceeding the 100-meter mark and heading for supersize status, says Jonathan Beckett, CEO of superyacht brokerage Burgess.

Currently, Superyachts Top 100 ranks a boat launched in 2013 as the world’s longest. Azzam, measuring 180 meters end-to-end, was built by German shipyard Lurssen and is now belived to be owned by United Arab Emirates President Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

Once 40-meter boats were considered modest compared with larger craft; now even 60-meter vessels are seen as small by today’s standards, Beckett explains.

This rise in the number of larger yachts is directly linked to an increase in the number of billionaires, says a representative of Dutch shipbuilders Feadship.

Plus, thanks to the booming tech industry, billionaires are getting younger. These millennial magnates want bigger boats, in more unusual designs that challenge expectations.

They’re still the preserve of the wealthiest of the wealthy though. As one symposium attendee puts it, for a vessel of 120 meters or more “you need to be a sheikh or an oligarch.”

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Explorer yachts

Younger yacht owners aren’t, apparently, interested in a white yacht with a spotless exterior and the traditional “wedding cake” shape.

Instead, these junior billionaires want their floating palaces to double up as genuine ocean-going sea craft, capable of reaching far-flung corners like Alaska, the Northwest Passage and beyond.

This is where “explorer” yachts come in – state-of-the-art vessels that, while perhaps less glamorous, have the capacity to chart more extreme waters.

“A Land Rover of the sea, instead of a Bentley,” is how British yacht designers H2 describe this new breed of upscale boat.

Among them is REV Ocean – currently being built by Norwegian company Vard. With a projected length of 182.6 meters, it’s the largest superyacht currently under construction.

When built, it’ll steal the world’s largest superyacht accolade from Azzam – assuming no other upcoming yachts go even bigger.

REV Ocean is being created to match the specific vision of its owner, Kjell Inge Røkke.

Røkke is a billionaire Norwegian businessman who, after owning several more conventional superyachts, decided he wanted something different: an explorer vessel that could provide both personal pleasure and contribute to improving the state of the world’s oceans.

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Due to launch in 2020, REV Ocean will have a Scandi industrial chic luxury interior equipped with a lecture theater, submarines and laboratories.

Its exterior will be equipped for adventure.

“[The owner] brainstormed with a few designers and technicians and thought – maybe we could split the boat into two, in a way, and have a luxury part of it but also have it as a functioning research vessel,” Lawrence Hislop, communication manager for REV Ocean, tells CNN Travel.

“It’s one thing to sail on top of the ocean, but there’s so much technology available now that lets you get underneath the water and explore the oceans in a completely unique way,” says Hislop.

REV Ocean isn’t the first of its kind, although its arguably taking the concept to new heights.

The explorer-style superyacht has been floating around for some time, with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s 126-meter Octopus vessel starting the trend back in 2003.

But it’s now becoming more common.

While superyacht manufacturers agree that more and more clients want to voyage beyond the traditional blue-water havens of the Mediterranean and Caribbean, those chartering private yachts seem less inclined to go exploring in less benign seas.

But for those with the cash to own a personal yacht, the ability to get away from the crowds is increasingly paramount.

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Out-there features

Explorer or not, crazily extravagant features continue to be de-rigueur on the superyacht circuit.

The Russian preference is for a snow room – an icy spa chamber complete with tumbling flakes. US clients want a gym. Helicopter pads are normal.

On Feadship’s Faith, a 96-meter superyacht which made its maiden voyage in 2017, a curved-glass swimming pool forms the watery backdrop to the downstairs bar.

Other features include stabilized pool tables (or even dining tables that convert to pool tables) and aquariums. High-spec IMAX cinema projection equipment is also in demand alongside lower-tech popcorn machines.

Italian superyacht company Bennetti highlights gimbaled wine cellars – which keep the floor level against ocean undulations so as not to disturb the expensive vintages stowed on board.

Stabilization to prevent drink glasses from wobbling is also a thing, as is noise-reduction, but these mechanical extras come at a high price.

Something like a gold tap, for example, is expensive not necessarily because of the gold, but because of the mechanism involved, says a spokesman for German shipbuilders Lurssen.

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More play, less work

Another trend is exterior and interior design that allows yacht guests to get as close as possible to the water.

Whereas the prime real estate on a superyacht was once the sundeck, now a “beach club” area closer to the water is more desirable, says H2.

This trend is seen in most yachts that have premiered in the past couple of years. A prime example is Italian yacht builder Fincantieri’s design for upcoming vessel Private Bay, a 120-meter vessel, equipped with a luxurious beach club, al fresco cinema and sea-level pool.

Yacht designers seek to emphasize the connection with the ocean in other ways too.

Another upcoming Fincantieri yacht, Mirage, reflects water with its glass panels, giving the 106-meter vessel the illusion of blending seamlessly into the sea.

In the past wealthy tycoons often used their superyachts to conduct important business matters, but Dutch yacht builder Oceanco says there’s been a move away from this with fewer request for offices on board as owners prefer to use them as places to relax with family.

It’s linked to a desire for privacy, says Oceanco’s representative at the symposium. He points out that owners use the yacht for shorter, more frequent vacations.

Instead of offices, owners want spas, gyms, pools and cinema rooms – features that appeal more to their kids than prospective business partners.

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Eco-friendly

Steering an enormous boat across the world’s oceans is never going to be a particularly eco-friendly affair – but all the companies involved in the London symposium agree that owners are becoming increasingly concerned with the environmental impact of their yachts.

This quest for low-emission sailing is leading to new innovations in design, such as Oceanco’s Black Pearl, delivered in 2018.

This imposing sailing yacht is over 106 meters long, with three incredible black sails made from carbon fiber by Dykstra Naval Architects.

The yacht’s 2,900 square meters of sails can be set in seven minutes, via the push of a button.

The Black Pearl aims to be the most fuel-efficient superyacht ever, capable of traversing the Atlantic without burning any fuel – although it will come equipped with a hybrid diesel-electric system.

The Black Pearl’s owner – reportedly Russian billionaire Oleg Burlakev, co-founder of oil and gas company Burneftegaz – says he’s been inspired to acquire the boat as much by environmental awareness as by an interest in innovation due to their engineering background.

“Eco-consciousness is vital for the future of our planet,” the owner said, in a statement provided by Oceanco. “I wholeheartedly support research that will drive us to more sustainability and I have ensured that green technology was very much a part of the creation of Black Pearl.”

The Black Pearl won a prize for Best Naval Architecture for Sailing Yachts in the 2019 Boat International Design & Innovation Awards – although its design remains in flux. Oceanco are also hoping to refit the yacht with solar sails in the future.

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Meanwhile, Sailing Yacht A is owned by another Russian billionaire, Andrey Melnichenko and also draws power from hybrid sources.

The yacht’s design and technology is the product of Melnichenko’s specific vision for his vessel. Shipyard Nobiskrug, which constructed the vessel on behalf of Melnichenko, says it hopes the hybrid technology will become as common in yachts as it is in road vehicles nowadays.

Like Black Pearl, Sailing Yacht A has three masts, but unlike the newer yacht, she’s not fully fuel-free and instead operates as a sail-assisted motor yacht.

The yacht is almost 143 meters in length with 100-meter masts made of carbon fiber.

There’s even an elevator on the masts, just for fun. Brave guests can ascend to the top and admire views to the horizon.

Nobiskrug’s spokesman says that superyacht owners are willing to pay more for greener vessels, but the yachts are never going to be fully emission-free. All the ships have air conditioning, for example.

Plus, some superyacht owners are going to be more interested in pushing the boat out (pardon the pun) on eco-innovation than others.

Feadship’s spokesman adds: “Ultimately, it’s the whims of the client.”

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Inspired by the mighty US Aircraft carriers, a sultan of UAE has designed a 459-foot long megayacht concept to host diplomats and royals. The mammoth vessel will have a wellness area, two helipads, a submarine, and even a press-room for international gatherings.

This 223 feet long superyacht concept has been specifically designed for a self-made Chinese billionaire in her 30’s – Created on the principles of Feng-Shui, the vessel has a health deck, a garden, and a laboratory for ocean research.

In its latest round, the US has sanctioned Evgeniy Kochman and his company Imperial Yachts which manages and charters yachts worth billions of dollars to the Russian elites.

Having a Ferrari in your living room is passé. The ultimate flex is owning a 279-foot-long superyacht built around a man cave that showcases a $5.5 million submersible.

The Antiguan military has boarded Russian billionaire’s $120 million superyacht, Alfa Nero – The 265 feet long vessel is now being auctioned and has already received more than 20 bids from across the world.

To avoid billionaires at St. Barths, Jeff Bezos has sailed his $500 million Koru megayacht to Antigua. Just so that the Amazon founder and his fiancée have a relaxing time, the tourism minister of the Caribbean nation has urged the public to stay away from the couple and their vessel.

This 247 feet long vessel is exclusively built to support Jeff Bezos’ humungous $500 million yacht. It will accommodate a staff of 45 and will carry a helicopter, diving gear, water toys, and everything else the Amazon CEO and his girlfriend need for their voyages.

Russian President Medvedev picks up a $42 million superyacht

Mark Zuckerberg’s alleged $300 million superyacht, said to have been bought from a sanctioned oligarch, has sailed 4,700 miles and arrived in the United States. Named ‘Launchpad’, the 387-foot-long vessel is moored at Ft. Lauderdale seaport alongside tugboats.

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Ten upcoming superyacht deliveries to look out for

This year has seen its fair share of spectacular superyacht projects – including Abeking & Rasmussen 's 118.2-metre flagship Liva O and Frei re 's 111.9-metre Renaissance (now one of the most expensive charter yachts on the market). But as 2023 draws to a close, there are still a few new superyachts to look forward to. 

From the highly confidential Project Icecap to Tecnomar's recent, radical debut of This Is It , BOAT takes a peek at what's yet to officially emerge from the shed...

Builder: Heesen Length: 58.5m

Ultra G is one of Heesen's most powerful projects yet. With a propulsion package that totals 22,000 horsepower – including four water jets – she can reach an impressive 37 knots in light load conditions. A “sport fisherman in yacht disguise”, Ultra G 's custom design draws on inspiration from two previous sportfishing models built by Heesen in the nineties and features a fighting chair and storage for 40 rods. She's also equipped with a custom Vanquish tender.

Project Jag

Builder: Lürssen Length: 122m

Commissioned by an experienced client as a replacement for his 96-metre, Project Jag is one of the largest superyachts currently under construction (and the owner's third Lürssen). The project bears a number of the same design signatures as his former yachts, including an elongated bowsprit and plenty of al fresco deck space. Exteriors were designed by Nuvolari Lenard while the interiors – courtesy of Reymond Langton – are described as a “beautiful, bespoke homage to the owner's lifestyle”. There will be two staff for every guest on board.

Luminance  

Builder: Lürssen Length: 145m

Another powerful-looking Lürssen, Luminance 's classic raked bow and high, brooding superstructure were photographed when she embarked on her sea trials in April. Construction on the mammoth project began in 2018 – but Luminance has since been kept tightly under wraps. Her exterior is known to be Espen Øino -designed, while her interiors have been styled by Francois Zuretti . Once delivered, she'll be the seventh largest Lürssen on the water.

Builder: Moonen Length: 33.9m

A take on the contemporary gentleman's yacht, the Moonen 110 sees René van der Velden and Diana Yacht Design team up once more, having previously worked on the Dutch shipyard's Martinique series. She also takes cues from previous models Moonen 84 and 97. London-based Studio Indigo is behind the yacht's interiors, with "a sweeping spiral staircase using fluted natural timbers" sitting at the heart of the design.

Builder: Heesen     Length: 67m

Sparta is based on the yard’s 66-metre Project Avanti – first presented at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2018, the sporty, low-profile design caught the eye of its commissioning owner. Last spotted heading out to sea trials, the 1,200GT superyacht is Heesen's largest steel construction to date and has been styled inside and out by British studio Winch Design . Her interiors are said to follow an elemental theme with different sections dedicated to water, earth and air.

Project Icecap

Builder: Lürssen Length: 107m

When she was revealed last summer at Lürssen’s Wolgast yard, it was clear that Project Icecap was shaping up to be a very capable explorer yacht. With an axe-style bow and the superstructure well forward, the yacht should punch safely through big seas, while offering big cargo-carrying capacity on the open aft deck. Owner’s rep Moran Yacht & Ship described the boat as "diesel-electric powered", while an ice-classed hull, heli-hangar and forward observation lounge are also on the spec sheet.

Builder: Rossinavi Length: 59.4m

Rossinavi's first ever explorer yacht, Akula was rolled out of the shed in June sporting a striking scarlet hull by Gian Paolo Nari . Once delivered, she'll support "marine research activities and philanthropic projects" with her variety of diving equipment, custom open-air observation deck and two six-metre containers which act as transportable science labs. Fitted with diesel-electric propulsion, Akula also has "optimised fuel consumption" for a lower environmental impact during long periods of time at sea.

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