best yacht shipyards in the world

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The Best Luxury Yacht Builders in the World

With build times of around four years, it pays to know which shipbuilder is best for your dream superyacht.

By Kim Ayling

The superyacht industry has refound its mojo. Following the turbulence of the pandemic, yacht builders have resumed business as usual. Following recent growth in the UHNW population, order books remain full. New superyachts are rolling off the production line at an impressive rate of knots. If you’re considering a new superyacht now, you’ll be waiting over three years to take delivery of a ground-up build. Go with one of the leading yacht builders in the world, though, and it’ll be worth the wait.

This list of luxury yacht builders not only looks at what they have done in the past but also celebrates the stellar efforts they are making to reduce the environmental impact of their products. From lighter materials and onboard energy solutions to hybrid motors and marine conservation funding, these luxury yacht builders are not only leading the superyacht industry’s future but also protecting the oceans.

[See also: The Best Tenders to Pair with Your Superyacht]

Recognized as a world leader in building pure custom yachts, Feadship has been in pursuit of building the perfect ship since its inception in 1949 – although the brand can trace its roots back another 100 years. With each new ship that Feadship builds, its team employs the most cutting-edge methods and materials available, which when paired with its unpromising attitude toward fulfilling its clients’ desires, promises to deliver some of the most technically advanced yachts in the world – including Project 817 , which has now been delivered as Viva.

Viva remains a groundbreaking yacht build, with Feadship revealing ambitious aims to keep her environmental impact as low as possible. The 308-ft eco-friendly yacht features an advanced hybrid propulsion system that allows the yacht to travel at 12 knots on diesel-electric power. The ship’s hull has been designed with efficiency as a priority to reduce the energy needed to travel through the water.

The Dutch company has locations throughout The Netherlands, with its headquarters and design and engineering center found in the northern city of Haarlem.

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feadship.nl

Dutch yacht building outfit Oceanco was initially founded in 1987 – but it was only in 2002 (when Oceanco found itself in the hands of new owners) that the switch was made to focusing on 260-foot plus superyachts, drawing on old-world Dutch craftsmanship to build the yachts of the future. The award-winning company prides itself on its design-led builds, and in addition to employing its own forward-thinking design team, works with industry-leader designers such as Andrew Winch, Terence Disdale and Sam Sorgiovanni.

Environmental awareness is core to each Oceanco project, with the aim of not only meeting but surpassing environmental legislation with each build. Even its largest yacht to date – the 394-foot Redentore, which is still under construction – is impressively efficient thanks to her hybrid propulsions system, which keeps fuel consumption to a minimum. Other noteworthy Oceanco’s builds are the striking three-masted Black Pearl , which is powered by a combination of wind power and electric propulsion motors, and one of its latest concepts, Esquel  – an advanced expedition vessel.

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Most notably, Oceanco delivered the world’s largest sailing yacht, Koru , to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The colossal 417-ft vessel cost a rumored $500m to build and was delivered in 2023. It has since been spotted in Italy, Florida and the South of France. Perhaps more impressive than the yacht itself is the support vessel (built by Damen Yachting), a 250-ft superyacht-in-its-own-right capable of carrying a wealth of billionaire toys including submersibles, helicopters and cars.

oceancoyacht.com

[See also: Twenty for 20: Innovative Yachts of the 21st Century]

Dutch luxury shipbuilder Heesen has received worldwide recognition for its engineering and design prowess since launching in 1978. Heesen proudly pioneers the use of aluminum, which is widely regarded as the premium yacht-building material thanks to its lightness owing to better efficiency. As well as full custom builds, Heesen offers a platform concept that features semi-custom yachts already under construction in order to dramatically cut down delivery waits, without compromising on quality.

One of Heesen’s most notable yachts is Alive, which was the first to feature the revolutionary Hull Vane technology (underwater foil) for greater efficiency and speed, resulting in up to 30% less fuel consumption than a regular yacht. Other celebrated Heesen’s builds are Home and Electra , delivered in 2017 and 2020 respectively, both of which were in the award-winning 5000 FHDF aluminum hybrid class and came as a result of Heesen’s strive to limit the environmental impact of yachting.

heesenyachts.com

Part of the Azimut-Benetti Group, Benetti Yachts can trace its shipbuilding heritage all the way back to 1873 when the Fratelli Benetti shipyard was founded in the Tuscan city of Viareggio – the center of classic Italian shipbuilding. While much has changed in Benetti’s near 150-year lifetime, its focus on building state-of-the-art yachts to impeccably high standards has not, cementing its status as one of the best luxury yacht builders in the world.

As concerns on the environmental impact of private yachts have grown over time, Benetti has adapted its methods accordingly, utilizing hybrid technology to ensure its ships are at the forefront of sustainability. For example, when the Luminosity was first delivered in 2019 she was hailed as one of the greenest superyachts on the sea. The 352-foot yacht features advanced diesel-electric hybrid power, with her powerful battery providing up to 12 silent and emission-free hours at anchor.

Of course, sustainability doesn’t come at the cost of style: the Luminosity features a stunningly designed interior courtesy of Zaniz Jakubowski, with full-length windows drawing the outside in, and tasteful nods to contemporary artists creating a true home away from home.

benettiyachts.it

[See also: Superyacht Builders Heesen on Impacts of Covid-19 Pandemic]

Europe rules the roost when it comes to the top yacht builders in the world – the fifth in our list hails from Germany, with eight yards dotted throughout the country including main sites in Bremen, Hamburg and Rensburg. As with most yacht building companies, Lürssen is family run having been first founded in 1870 by Friedrick Lürssen. Since then the company has developed an esteemed reputation as one of the best in the world, breaking many records along the way, including the longest yacht in the world with Azza in 2015, which measures 592 feet, and Flying Fox which is the largest superyacht available for charter.

Lürssen’s latest superyacht is the sizeable 465.5-foot Nord (previously called Project Opus). Nord transcends the typical design of a superyacht thanks to the work of Italian design studio Nuvolari-Lenard, which was responsible for the yacht’s striking interior and exterior.

As is becoming standard for leading yacht builders, Lürssen is acutely aware of the negative environmental impact of both building and owning yachts. It is taking appropriate action to help mitigate this damage, including providing significant funding to marine life charities and conservation projects and implementing pioneering technologies such as onboard compact silencers and hybrid motor concepts.

lurssen.com

Royal Huisman

With a history that dates back to 1884, Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman proudly stakes a claim as one of the oldest yacht builders in the world. While the company was originally founded to build modest wooden fishing boats, its operations have deftly grown with the times, and Royal Huisman is now responsible for some of the finest and most luxurious yachts cruising the ocean today.

Although best known for its stunning sailing yachts ( Sea Eagle II, Ethereal  and  Aquarius  are particular knock-outs) Royal Huisman has also successfully branched out into the world of motor yachts. Its most recent build is the 192-ft Phi,  which was delivered in 2021. This super-slick aluminum yacht has space for up to 12 guests and since her maiden voyage, has been seen cruising on the Thames through London’s financial district. An apt setting for a yacht of this caliber.

royalhuisman.com

Damen Yachting

Damen Yachting, which falls under the umbrella of the wider Damen Shipyards Group, is another Dutch yacht builder dominating the world stage. Operating as Damen’s building division, Damen Yachting was only formed in its existing state in 2019 and is now responsible for the building of the famous Amels yachts, as well as the SeaXplorer expedition ships and yacht support vessels. Since moving its Amels building operations to Vlissingen in 2003, Damen Shipyards proudly boasts the largest superyacht facility in the Netherlands.

As a company of this magnitude, Damen Yachting naturally has some impressive builds under its belt, including the newest in the Limited Editions semi-custom range: the Amels 60 . Currently under construction with an estimated delivery of 2022, the 197-foot Amels 60  uses a fuel-efficient hybrid propulsions system to slash emissions, cut noise pollution and minimize fuel and maintenance costs.

damenyachting.com

Italian-born Sanlorenzo is continuously regarded as being among the best in class when it comes to yacht builders and has been the recipient of numerous awards in its near-65 year lifetime. Despite Sanlorenzo’s longevity and established status, it remains a truly boutique luxury yacht builder at heart. To ensure the attention to detail and high quality for which it is famous for, as well as securing exclusivity for its clients, Sanlorenzo is committed to working with a limited number of customers each year.

In true Italian style, the superyachts that leave Sanlorenzo’s main La Spezia shipyard transcend trends; instead, they exude classic style and authentic craftsmanship. Combined, this guarantees a truly timeless finish – of which the current flagship Attila is a perfect example. Sanlorenzo specializes in fiberglass, steel and aluminum, ensuring that each owner can select a material to befit their needs.

sanlorenzoyacht.com

Despite dating back over a hundred years, German luxury yacht builder Nobiskrug always has one eye on the future with a steadfast commitment to innovation. Nobiskrug offers fully custom yacht builds, working directly with owners to fulfill their unique vision, as well as working on ship refits. The company operates out of world-class yacht-building facilities in the city of Rendsburg, which include a climate-controlled superyacht hall.

The need to strive for innovation extends to Nobiskrug’s environmental commitments, where it applies advanced technologies in order to limit the impact of its builds. For example, Artefact – which was first delivered in 2020 – was one of the first superyachts to be built in line with the IMO Tier III regulations (which focus on reducing emissions). Artefact uses onboard solar panels and a battery storage system to allow for a limited period of engineless operation, as well as adopting a waste-water recycling system.

nobiskrug.com

[See also: Discovering the World’s Most Exciting Superyacht Concepts]

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Best Luxury Yacht Brands: 25 Shipyards Which Build The Best Superyachts

By Brody Patterson

Updated on January 14, 2023

The superyacht industry is a world that offers you luxurious adventures around the globe, from the United States, all the way to the UK, Netherlands, Germany, or the beautiful Italian coast. From the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, these stunning yachts are built by highly skilled professionals, who provide you with nothing but the best craftsmanship.

As a potential yacht owner, you can get inspiration from any of these companies and choose what is best suited to your needs. There is so much to take into consideration, hence we compiled a detailed list of the 25 best yacht building companies in the world to help you out.

For example, you need to figure out first what size yacht you want, as they range from 30-50 feet vessels, all the way to the larger than 260 feet superyachts, and everything in between. Are Eco-friendly details important to you, or is cutting-edge technology and speed an absolute must to you?

We will do our best to cover all these points and more, so let’s start looking at the best yacht brands in the world right now. 

One of the best yacht brands in the 30-50’ range, Wally is an Italian company that specializes in fast motor yachts, but they’re also buiding gorgeous sailing vessels. For those of you who enjoy speed, you will be happy to hear that most of their yachts are made out of angular carbon composite and fiberglass, which enables you to blast through the waves.

Not so much for leisurely cruising, their 36-meter superyacht has luxurious accommodations for up to six guests and six crew members. Its prowess is due to the three Vericor TF50 gas turbines, which have a total power output of 16,800 hp. With its 60 knots top speed, it is one of the fastest yachts in the world.

Founded in 1842 on Lake Iseo of Italy, Riva quickly became a racing yacht legend, and it has upheld its reputation since. One of the best cruising yachts in the world in the 30-50 feet category, Riva offers sleek looks and impressive performance.

Solid stainless steel bow rails, an 800 hp engine, a 13-foot beam, and a 3-foot draft along a non-skid deck make this a very desirable vessel. Customizable to your tastes, you can cruise the waters in style.

Aesthetic appeal along with classic Italian design makes this company one of the most sought after. The Italian shipyard develops innovative solutions like crafting hybrid engines and using nanotechnologies, which make the long-lasting coatings on their vessels have a lower impact on marine life.

Equipped with options such as Twin Gens, Twin Watermakers, Stabilizers, Bow Thrusters and powered by DDEC 12V92’s with Ulstein forward-facing drives, the Grande 35 Metri reaches 25.5-knot max speeds. A stylish, yet competitive yacht.

• 22. Dynamiq

An Italian superyacht brand located on the Tuscan coast, with yachts engineered to the highest standards set by naval architects in the Netherlands. Designed in Monaco, Dynamiq’s vessels will surely meet the needs of the forward thinkers in the yacht building industry. Some of the options available are hybrid technology, with chic and efficient features that are easy to customize.

Ranging from 90 to 165 feet, you can build your own vessel according to your needs. Not only do they look impressive with their cool design, but they also offer you great performance. Impressive specs such as the aluminum hull, with a range that varies from 900nm at 15 knots all the way up to 5000nm at 10 knots and two engines Man at 882 kW.

• 21. Sunreef

Leading the world of catamaran yacht brands, the company produces its signature models, 60 to 100 feet vessels, along with the supreme models and the 150-210 feet power trimarans superyachts. Their shipyard is located in Gdansk, Poland, a seafaring city rich in naval building traditions.

They are also known for building eco-friendly electric engines that are great for the environment with their innovative propulsion solutions. Their sustainable materials feature basalt and linen-based structures in the production of their hulls, superstructures, and yacht manufacturing.

• 20. Ferretti

Another famed Italian shipyard is innovative with its human interface, which makes their vessels super easy to use. Ferretti’s fleet varies from the 500 to the 1000 projects, but they are all designed with your wellbeing and comfort in mind. You can choose from different mood palettes for your interiors, such as classic or contemporary.

Their MTU engine, with a cruising speed of 20 knots and a max speed of 24 knots, along with many other impressive specs, makes this brand an experience that embodies luxurious style and performance in one.

• 19. Fincantieri

Fincantieri has a network of 18 shipyards across four continents, two design centers, and a research center, and throughout their 230-year history they have built more than 7,000 vessels. If that is not impressive enough, they will surely convince you with their luxury yachts, designed to your pleasure.

High-tech, high quality, and high performance – these would be the features they stand for, and their unique designs are complemented by state-of-the-art technology. Aesthetic perfection along with the best technological expertise in the industry will deliver the luxury you crave.

• 18. Nautor’s Swan

A Finnish yacht brand founded by Pekka Koskenkyla back in 1966, they specialize in high-performance sailing yachts . Beautiful wood interiors are their signature touch, and their high-tech amenities are up-to-date in order to keep up with a very competitive industry.

Their fiberglass material has brought them to the top in the racing sailboats category, along with the ingenuity of Sparkman & Stephens. They eventually partnered with German Frers Design, who is responsible for many of their Swan designs.

• 17. Sanlorenzo

Ranked in the top three over 80-feet yachts builders in their category, Sanlorenzo has introduced a variety of new yachts in the last couple of years. Their signature light-blue steel hull is predominant in all their models, such as the SL102 Asymmetric yacht, or their 171-foot custom Seven Sins.

Among other designs worth mentioning are their new additions SX112, 164-foot 500EXP Ocean Dreamwalker lll, or the 210-foot 64Steel. One thing they all have in common is that they cater to the American lifestyle.

• 16. Rossinavi

Rossinavi has worked with some of the world’s best designers available to come up with unique and futuristic designs. Some of their most popular superyachts in the last few years have got to be 160-foot Endeavour ll and the 161-foot Aurora. Achille Salvagni is responsible for both designs, but they are quite different from one another.

The Alfa 50, with its sleek modern look, was designed by Enrico Gobbi. Pininfarina, who has put their signature touch on Ferrari, has unveiled some of Rossinavi’s new concepts, which make them stand out from other brands.

• 15. Baglietto

Another Italian company, they have been around since 1840, when Pietro Baglietto started building wooden fishing ships in his backyard. He expanded his company by manufacturing boats for kings and popes, and in 1906 built his first combustion engine.

Eventually, the company was saved from bankruptcy by the Gavio Group and they got a facelift with the introduction of their new model line, which ranges from 43 to 230 feet yachts. Their Silver Fox, which was launched in 2018, is designed by Francesco Paszkowski and it could easily be considered a true work of art.

• 14. Mangusta

The company is owned by the Balducci family and it was started in 1985. They specialize in luxury sports yachts and voyage superyachts, all of which you can customize to your personal tastes. They have built more than 300 yachts in their 34 year career, and they are still going strong.

The Mangusta Oceano, for example, is one of their long-range yachts with ranges up to 5,000 miles. The Mangusta Maxi Open series offers speed, stability and quietness. And their GranSports is a fast-displacement series that covers long distances.

• 13. Princess Yachts

Established in 1965, this British company has grown into a conglomerate with multiple production sites over the years. They build contemporary yachts in seven classes, ranging from open boats to megayachts. Their flagship Imperial Princess, a 131-foot 40M superyacht, has a large interior and lots of natural light.

It is built on the South Yard, which was formerly a 17th century naval yard. Their R35, one of their most innovative models, is built with a foil system which reduces drag and can revolutionize yachting, and was designed by Pininfarina, the same acclaimed design studio that works with Rossinavi as well.

The crown jewel of the Ferretti group, CRN is famous for their landmark Chopi Chopi, a 262-foot megayacht. The different ranges of the military style 180-foot Atlante, the sleek hull of the 239-foot Yalla, or even the high-tech Cloud 9 yacht show the different customizable possibilities from CRN Yachts.

Ferretti invested lots of money into their Ancona Yard, and their tri-deck motor yacht, as well as the Superconero are just some of the upgraded versions of the staples that brought them on the map in the first place.

• 11. Sunseeker

One of the UK’s most important shipyards, Sunseeker manufactures most of its vessels in Poole, Dorset. Their place in the yachting world is secured with four superyacht models ranging from 116 to 161-foot, and their 76 to 100-foot motor yachts. They also manufacture high performance boats, alongside sports and 52 to 744-foot cruise yachts.

It used to only build out of composite, but has since expanded to aluminum with its 161 Yachts. Their ICON expertise, design and market savvy is keeping them competitive in the yachting world.

• 10. Royal Huisman

One of the oldest shipyards from Holland, they have been around since 1884. They have three large facilities, one in Vollenhove, one in Amsterdam, and a third in Emden, where they can build large yachts up to 266 feet. Their fleet is well known for their sailing superyachts Gliss, Antares and Sea Eagle among many others.

The Ngoni, a 190-foot is built with an eclectic interior, and the 184-foot classic Aquarius are some of their popular models. Project Phi is their newest addition to an already solid fleet and the Apex 850 concept will be probably turned into reality too. 

• 9. Perini Navi

Two yards in Italy and a third in Turkey are the places where the newest additions to their line up are being built right now. Restructuring of the company’s management in 2017 resulted in a major refresh of their fleet too. New lines such as the E-volution Yacht series, the Argonaut, Heritage and Voyager are going to be the new focus for Perini Navi.

Sometimes a change is needed, and their new innovations have proven successful. Their hybrid-powered models such as the Eco-tender are built to keep up with the changes necessary for the environment.

• 8. Nobiskrug

Located in Northern Germany, Nobiskrug operates from two facilities which build vessels ranging from 197 to 1,398 feet. The 115 year old company is a pioneer in the superyacht division with their 2000 Tatoosh model. They employ more than 1,000 professionals who excel in the business.

The 262 foot Artefact was launched only last year, and at 2999 GT it is the largest superyacht by volume in the world. It is also the first in the world to meet IMO Tier lll emissions regulations. In-house production of everything from hull construction to mechanical work makes them one of the most diverse and eco-friendly companies in their category.

• 7. Feadship

The famous Dutch company comprises De Vooght Naval Architects, De Vries and Van Lent family yards, with locations in Amsterdam, Aalsmeer, Kaag, and Makkum. Responsible for dozens of custom launches over the last seven decades, they are considered Holland’s powerhouse.

Symphony, a 333-foot pioneer to cross the 100-meter mark, and the 312-foot Faith has its own helicopter pad with hangar on the foredeck, and on the aft deck a glass floor swimming pool. They are just some of their more famous models, they have many others you can research if interested.

One of the best superyacht builders in the world, this Dutch company is based in Vlissingen. Operating for more than 100 years, they offer the Full Custom and Limited Editions, ranging from 108 to 272 foot LOA. The facilities are used for both military and commercial vessels, and they employ the most skilled workers in the industry.

Their most noteworthy launches in the last couple of years are the 243-foot Universe, the 205-foot Sea & US, along the 189-foot Volpini 2. The potential owners are able to customize both interiors and exteriors according to their taste.

One of the oldest and largest superyacht builders in the world, Benetti has been making custom and semi custom builds since 1875. They currently have 97 yachts under build larger than 78 feet. The Ironman, Metis and Spectre are some of their newest additions. The FB277 351-foot gigayacht is currently being under construction at the Livorno yard.

Their Luminosity is believed to be valued at more than 200 million EUR and became one of the top 10 largest Superyachts delivered in 2019. Pretty amazing!

Founded in 1978, this Dutch superyacht brand specializes in custom-made builds. Therefore, their fleet is limited, so there are three different ways to own a Heesen boat. Through the Pure Custom program the buyer can order a unique individual design and engineering.

The Platform Concept program offers custom exterior design but standard engineering, and the third option is to buy a brand new custom superyacht as soon as it is made available for purchase. The Galactica Super Nova is their largest built at 230 feet, and their Maximus, with an open cockpit and a swimming pool with a waterfall is a special yacht someone will surely enjoy.

A fairly young company, this Dutch company based in Alblasserdam has been around since 1987. They specialize in custom expedition yachts ranging from 262 to 459 feet. The builder launched Project Bravo in 2018, which is a fuel efficient and eco-friendly innovative design. Their green technologies are predominant in their newest addition to their fleet.

Their most famous superyachts are the 311-foot Indian Empress and the 300-foot Equanimity. Their Black Pearl, a 350-foot technically advanced designed sailing superyacht stands on its own.

• 2. Abeking & Rasmussen

Successful in setting new technological standards, this family business is located across the river from Lurssen in Germany. They have been the best in the making of naval vessels since 1917, and they also specialize in coast guard and patrol vessels, as well as custom yachts. German engineering at its best, A & R has been an innovative company who is not scared of change.

They are developing a hybrid fuel cell powered by methanol that emits only clean steam, the first hydrocarbon emission free in the world. The Aviva, a 321-foot flagship has its own paddle-tennis court on the premises.

Lürssen is a family business who believes in producing the best quality yachts in the world. Focused on excellence, this German company is another leader in the luxury yachting world. Their eight shipyards located in the northern part of the country have been responsible for building more than 13.000 vessels since 1875.

They do everything from building new yachts, as well as refitting, repairing and providing maintenance services on the premises. The iconic Azzam, the largest superyacht in the world is 590 feet long , is designed with the best quality woodwork and custom furniture inside a high-tech hull.

One thing is certain if you’re in the market for a luxury yacht, you have so many options available right now. The biggest problem will be choosing only one brand to work with when designing your dream yacht.

We hope you got all the inspiration you needed from our list, so happy sailing.

About Brody Patterson

Brody has worked as a full time staff writer for Luxatic for over five years, covering luxury news, product releases and in-depth reviews, and specializing in verticals on the website alongside the tech & leisure section, as well as men's fashion, watches and travel. Learn more about Luxatic's Editorial Process .

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Top 10 luxury yacht builders 2023

The design and build of a luxury yacht is a truly personal experience. Whether customising a design to be built, or striving to create a completely new concept altogether, superyacht owners will seek to work with a yacht builder that truly understands their vision, and can translate their dream design into a real vessel.

As Royal Huisman proudly state, “If you can dream it, we can build it!”

Those buying a new superyacht will therefore have many questions to ask themselves before settling on a suitable yacht builder and shipyard facility to carry out the project. Thankfully for these prospective owners, there are a number of luxury superyacht brands that have the ability to turn the biggest mega yacht dreams into reality.

Yachting Pages lists the world’s top luxury superyacht builders and their shipyard facilities , from A to Z, identifying some of the best superyachts in the world along the way.

Best luxury superyacht builders

1.  amels, netherlands.

Located in Vlissingen, Amels operates the largest superyacht boatyard in the Netherlands, and is known to be one of the best superyacht builders in the world.

Amels has been operating for over 100 years and offers both Full Custom and Limited Editions, ranging from 55 to 83 metres (180 to 272 feet) LOA. Built on a proven platform and delivered in half the time expected of standard construction superyachts, all 20+ Limited Editions projects have so far been delivered on or ahead of contract, with 55-metre (180-foot) Galene among the most recent to emerge from the yard. With several new projects currently under construction, Amels is likely to be among the top superyacht shipyards for many years to come.

2. Benetti, Italy

Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Viareggio, Benetti is the world’s largest builder of superyachts by number built, with a production capacity of 100 units per year.

Most famous for building Sir Philip Green’s 90-metre (295-foot) Lionheart in 2016, 2019 was its breakthrough year with its first 100-metre+ (328-foot+) deliveries of Lana, Luminosity and IJE. This gave Benetti 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th spots on the Top 10 Largest Superyachts Delivered in 2019 . Luminosity is widely believed to be valued in excess of €200,000,000 and is listed with Fraser and Burgess (as of November 2020).

3. Feadship, Netherlands

The home of full-custom superyachts, Feadship is one of the few shipyards worldwide that works to create completely custom yachts. It has worked with superyacht owners since the 19 th century to create one-off luxury motor yachts that are truly unique.

Feadship currently has four shipyard facilities in the Netherlands, with expansion underway at its Amsterdam facility in Western Harbour to offer the ability to build motor yachts as long as 160 metres (525 feet). To date, there are over 250 Feadship yachts in navigation, including 99-metre (324-foot) Madame Gu, 99.95 (327-foot) Moonrise, 101-metre (333-foot) Symphony and 110-metre (361-foot) Anna.

4. Fincantieri Yachts, Italy

Fincantieri Yachts specialises in full-custom luxury pleasure yachts over 70 metres (230 feet) with no upper limit to the size or volume that it can produce. The builder currently has a range of concepts and projects, including 70-metre (230-foot) superyacht Blanche.

Having manufactured in excess of 7,000 vessels in its 230-year history, Fincantieri has a network of 18 shipyards across four continents, two design centres and a research centre, making it one of the largest Western shipyards in the world.

5. Heesen Yachts, Netherlands

Heesen Yachts is known as one of the world’s luxury yacht builders, specialising in custom superyachts in the 30- to 65-metre (98- to 213-foot) range, but with the additional capability of building vessels of 80 metres (262 feet) and above.

With a focus on quality and innovation, Heesen has created many custom yachts with no two yachts the same. Founded in 1978, it was the first Dutch shipyard to employ aluminium for yacht hulls. In its 42 years, it has delivered more than 170 yachts, with aluminium, steel, displacement, semi-displacement and revolutionary fast displacement yachts making up its fleet. Its most famous vessels include the 65-metre (213-foot) Galatica Star, 70-metre (230-foot) Galatica Super Nova and 55-metre (180-foot) Serenity.

6. Lürssen, Germany

Based in Germany, Lürssen is one of the world's leading shipyards for large luxury yacht building, with a focus on excellence in custom-built superyachts. A family-owned shipyard for four generations, it can claim the accolade of building the world’s first motor yacht back in 1886.

Responsible for building more than 13,000 vessels since 1875, Lürssen currently has eight shipyard facilities in Northern Germany, each specialising in a specific size of yacht ranging from 60 to 220 metres (197 to 722 feet) in length. Together these facilities offer 1,125,000 metres squared of space for new builds, as well as refit, repair and maintenance services.

Lürssen builds some of the largest luxury yachts in the world, including the iconic Azzam, the world’s current largest superyacht at 180 metres (590 feet) LOA.

7. Nobiskrug, Germany

Having just celebrated its 115 th anniversary, Nobiskrug began shipbuilding long before the term ‘superyacht’ was even coined. Drawing on its extensive experience in seagoing vessels, the shipyard turned to yacht building in 2000 with the completion of its inaugural superyacht project, the 92-metre (302-foot) Tatoosh. It has since delivered an impressive portfolio of innovative custom-built superyachts, pledging to work on a single project for a single client to build superyachts ready for the 22 nd century. A big statement of intent.

With two facilities in Northern Germany, the boatyard can currently build vessels ranging from 60 to 426 metres (197 to 1398 feet) in length. Over 1000 in-house employees work across the two sites, where they have developed and built numerous award-winning superyachts, including one of the industry’s most talked about vessels, 142-metre (466-foot) Sailing Yacht A.

2020 saw the launch of 80-metre (262-foot) Artefact. At 2,999 GT, Artefact is now the largest 80-metre superyacht by volume in the world and is one of the world’s first superyachts to meet IMO Tier III emissions regulations.

8. Oceanco, Netherlands

Oceanco specialises in building sophisticated custom yachts ranging from 80 to 140 metres (262 to 459 feet) in length. Offering a highly personal service to clients, Oceanco is positioned with state-of-the-art yacht building facilities in the Netherlands, and a design, sales and marketing office in Monaco.

The builder celebrated its first launch in 1992, and almost 30 years later its portfolio now includes well-known superyachts such as the 95-metre (311-foot) Indian Empress, 82-metre (269-foot) Alfa Nero, 88.5-metre (290-foot) Nirvana and 91.5-metre (300-foot) Equanimity.

9. Perini Navi, Italy

The Perini Navi Group is made up of four independent companies that operate in five specific markets: sailing yachts up to 60 metres (197 feet), large sailing yachts more than 60 metres, racing sailing yachts, fast cruising sailing yachts and Picchiotti motor yachts.

To date, the group has launched 58 sailing yachts and four motor yachts. Its track record for innovative sailing yachts has seen it set the standard for excellence in the sector, launching more yachts over 50 metres (164 feet) than any other builder. It's responsible for the iconic 88-metre (288-foot) three-masted schooner Maltese Falcon, which currently holds the title of the sixth largest sailing yacht in the world, and other award-winning sailing yachts, such as the 73-metre (239-foot) Nautilus, 70-metre (229-foot) Badis I and 64-metre (210-foot) Spirit Of The C’s.

10. Royal Huisman, Netherlands

Established in 1884, Royal Huisman is the only shipyard with two entries in the top 10 largest sailing yachts ever built. The 2020 launch of 81-metre (266-foot) Sea Eagle II was its tenth sailing yacht over 50 metres (164 feet) and its biggest yacht since 90-metre (295-foot) Athena in 2004, which was then the largest sailing yacht in the world. Despite being renowned for its luxury performance sailing yachts, Royal Huisman’s largest delivery in 2021 is expected to be “Project 403 PHI”, a featherweight 55-metre (180-foot)+ aluminium motor yacht under 500GT.

Discover how to choose your luxury yacht builder or alternatively  search for superyacht shipyards .

Tried & Tested

Green Chilli Provisioning and Yachting Pages hosted a unique event in Antibes. 11 superyacht chefs blind-tested 24 caviar types, judging appearance, aroma, texture, flavour, and overall impression.

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The World’s Best Superyacht Shipyards

From Germany to the Netherlands, Italy, and the United States, the superyacht industry employs highly skilled craftsmen and women at shipyards around the globe. The handcrafted vessels can be seen in bodies of water from the Mediterranean to the Bahamas, providing enjoyment—and jobs—for those on board. Here we highlight the top 20 superyacht shipyards in the world.

The German name tops the list, having built 11 out of 20 of the world’s largest superyachts in the last two decades. The 145-year-old family shipyard’s largest yacht, Azzam , spans 592 feet, 6 inches. Imagine six football fields laid end to end, with dozens of staterooms and saloons filled with beautiful woodwork, custom furniture, and art, all inside a high-tech hull. That 2013 launch was followed by others like 512-foot Dilbar and this year’s 364-foot Project Tis .

Still owned and managed by the Lürssen family, the company’s ability to consistently produce so many floating masterpieces is directly proportional to its skilled workforce and vast facilities. After recent acquisitions, including the famed Blohm & Voss yard, Lürssen owns eight shipyards across Germany. Its staff, some of the most experienced of any superyacht builder, include 400 designers, 600 engineers, 1,600 skilled workers, and 200 apprentices.

After launching the company in 1875, Friedrich Lürssen declared: “My firm shall be known as a leader in both quality and performance.”

With his name attached to the world’s largest yachts , Friedrich’s words have taken on a greater significance than he could ever have imagined.

Abeking & Rasmussen

Located across the river from Lürssen’s Lemwerder yard, Abeking & Rasmussen has created advanced running surfaces, like its Swath hull that skips over turbulent ocean waves rather than pounding across. The name is known for commercial and military vessels as well as custom yachts.

Its award winners include the 237-foot Cloudbreak , which set new design standards for expedition yachts, and the 244-foot Elandess , featuring its “Nemo Lounge” with a window below the waterline. Abeking’s flagship, the 321-foot Aviva , is unique among yachts its size with an unmatched interior volume that includes a regulation-sized paddle-tennis court .

The 112-year-old yard is typically ahead of the latest trends. It is developing a hybrid fuel cell powered by methanol that emits only clean steam. The system could well be the first hydrocarbon-emissions-free propulsion in the yachting world.

Formed as a group in 1949, Feadship is probably the most famous name among the Dutch builders. Feadship is comprised of the De Vries and Van Lent family yards, with locations in Aalsmeer, Makkum, Kaag, and Amsterdam. The group also includes De Voogt Naval Architects .

Feadship, credited with dozens of custom launches over the last seven decades, has grown into Holland’s superyacht powerhouse. In the 2015, it launched 333-foot Symphony , the first Feadship to cross the 100-meter mark. Faith , a stunning 312-footer launched two years later, has a streamlined profile and helicopter pad with hangar on the foredeck and swimming pool with glass floor (forming the ceiling of the beach club below) on the aft deck.

Last year, Feadship launched a half-dozen other yachts, including 241-foot Sherpa . Its expedition-yacht exterior, including two industrial-looking exhaust stacks on the aft cockpit, shows Feadship’s design capabilities. Its Project 814, with its vertical bow and long, lean forefoot, will be an example of an entirely new look, when launched later this year.

Specializing in made-to-measure, custom-built superyachts, award-winning builder Nobiskrug produces its vessels out of three different facilities in northern Germany: Rendsburg, Kiel-Gaarden, and Kiel-Friedrichsort. The yard was established in Rendsburg in 1905, shortly after the Kiel Canal opened in 1895. Today Nobiskrug employs more than 1,000 highly skilled craftsmen and women across the three shipyards. In-house production includes hull construction, steel cutting, mechanical work, fitting, pipe fitting, paint, electrical, and carpentry, with these workshops organized under one roof.

Shown above is the brand’s Best of the Best winner A , designed by Philippe Starck and built by Nobiskrug, the yacht is a 470-foot sail-assisted motor yacht that was delivered in 2017.

Nobiskrug’s 241-foot Mogambo won Robb Report ‘s Best of the Best award in 2013. Featuring both interiors and exteriors by UK-based Reymond Langton Design, Mogambo is a great example of Nobiskrug’s past projects.

Representing the future of the company, Nobiskrug’s hybrid superyacht Artefact (ex-project 790) was revealed last fall in Monaco and is scheduled for a 2019 delivery. With an exterior by Canada’s Gregory Marshall Studio and interior by Reymond Langton Design, the yacht features numerous eco-friendly characteristics, such as lower emissions and a quieter ride. It also utilizes a Dynamic Positioning System to hold its position for longer, delaying the need for sea-bed-damaging anchors.

Amels celebrated its centennial in 2018, but the superyacht builder has modern facilities and one of the industry’s smartest business plans. It was acquired by the Damen Group in 1981, which gave it the financial resources and vision to become one of the most respected custom yacht builders. Ten years ago, it launched a Limited Editions range. Built on proven hull platforms from 180 to 272 feet, owners have a choice of customizing both the interior and exteriors. Twenty yachts have been delivered since, proving that the disruptive concept has a place in yacht-building.

The Amels’ yard in Vlissingen has two climate-controlled bays, one 475 feet and the other 670 feet, for multiple new builds or refits. Its second yard in Vlissingen East has a climate-controlled bay, measuring 705 feet.

Used for military and commercial vessels, it has the facilities and skilled workers to handle the world’s largest custom, steel-hulled yachts. Noteworthy launches last year include 243-foot Universe , 205-foot Sea & US , and 189-foot Volpini 2 .

Oceanco is a relative newcomer, but it has created some of the world’s most beautiful custom superyachts. Names like the recently launched 295-foot Dar are great examples, but the yard has also built technically advanced vessels like the 350-foot sailing superyacht, Black Pearl , with some of the most advanced sails ever designed. Its other award winners like Jubilee , Aquijo , and Infinity , retain their own unique DNA. The yard has worked with the most sought-after yacht designers, including Terence Disdale , Nuvolari-Lenard , Espen Øino , Sam Sorgiovanni , Igor Lobanov , Tim Heywood , and Andrew Winch .

The Alblasserdam yard is working on 357-foot Project Bravo , the first Oceanco with its proprietary LIFE design (lengthened, innovative, fuel-efficient, and eco-friendly). Bravo will combine hybrid propulsion, weight savings, and extra interior space in a package that could be a game-changer for yachting. “Our approach with Bravo was to maintain a stunningly sleek profile without sacrificing interior space,” says designer Dan Lenard. “The new exterior style concept is bound to create a new design stream.”

Among the Dutch builders, Heesen has seen the greatest expansion of its model line, which is available in aluminum and steel. Its recent launches range from the 164-foot futuristic hybrid, Home , to more conventional designs like the 180-foot Laurentia . The yard really started its upward trajectory in 2011 with the simultaneous launches of Quinta Essentia and Satori, two very different yachts that captivated the superyacht world.

Two years later, Galactica Star , the first fast-displacement yacht, showed that Heesen lived in a world where design and technology intersect. Its largest-ever build, 230-foot Galactica Super Nova , was a sign that Heesen can move into larger categories. The yard has drawings of an ultra-modern 83-meter custom Maximus concept, complete with an entirely open cockpit and swimming pool with waterfall, waiting for the right owner.

Benetti is not only the world’s largest superyacht builder, it is also one of the oldest. Started in 1875, the Italian builder always has a parade of custom and semicustom builds. The Azimut Benetti Group now has 97 yachts under build over 78 feet. In the last year, Benetti has launched a range of yachts, including Ironman , its sixth Fast 140, 207-foot custom Metis and 226-foot Spectre .

Benetti also recently launched its largest-ever build, 351-foot FB277, one of three gigayachts currently being built in its Livorno yard. The other two are due to launch this year. The world’s largest superyacht builder continues to push the boundaries in design and technology, as it moves into gigayacht territory that the yards in Northern Europe have dominated for years.

The 262-foot Chopi Chopi was a landmark yacht for CRN when it launched in 2013, showing that the Italian yard could go toe-to-toe with the yards in Northern Europe. Chopi Chopi is still CRN’s largest build to date, but the Ancona facility has launched a succession of custom yachts that have established CRN’s place as the crown jewel of the Ferretti Group. The military exterior of 180-foot Atlante , sleek hull of 239-foot Yalla , or stunning, high-tech interior of its most recent launch, Cloud 9 , show the range of the custom builder.

CRN’s current builds include a 260-foot tri-deck motor yacht, a pair of 203-footers with low superstructures and vertical bows, and a 164-foot Superconero , a modern version of the 1970s SuperConero that defined CRN. Ferretti has invested about $10 million to upgrade the Ancona yard, with plans to invest another $15 million.

Baglietto is one of Italy’s most revered yacht names, having started in 1840 when Pieto Baglietto built small wooden fishing boats in his backyard. The company built boats for kings and popes, and put the first combustion engine into an 80-foot yacht in 1906. After being rescued from bankruptcy by the Gavio Group, a multinational corporation owned by a yacht-loving family, Baglietto has experienced a renaissance. Both its production facility, which gained a $25 million facelift, and model line, ranging from 43 to 230 feet, are now state of the art.

Francesco Paszkowski, Italy’s most revered yacht designer, does the lion’s share of design for Baglietto, but the builder recently unveiled other concepts by Milan-based Hot Lab and Santa Maria Magnolfi for its midrange superyachts. Baglietto is offering these very different designs on five proven hull platforms. Its 230-foot flagship is from Mulder Design in the Netherlands.

Rossinavi ’s recent launches are some of the most inspired designs in the superyacht world. The 2017 launches, 160-foot Endeavour II and 161-foot Aurora , are as different in design as chalk and cheese. The yard worked with Achille Salvagn i on both interiors. Salvagni, known for his stylized residential interiors and whimsical decor, brought a fresh sensibility to both yachts that gave them very distinct personalities.

Last year, the yard launched two more inimitable yachts, 206-foot Utopia IV and 161-foot Flying Dagger . Utopia IV is unique among superyachts because of its top end of 33 knots, with transatlantic range. Always on the lookout for new ideas, Rossinavi has unveiled concepts with Pininfarina, designer of many Ferrari models, and the Phantom 62, a sleek, futuristic design by Enrico Gobbi.

With headquarters in Ameglia and other yards in Viareggio, Massa, and La Spezia, Sanlorenzo is ranked among the top three builders of yachts over 80 feet. In the last two years it has introduced a 118-foot planing yacht, a 210-foot 64Steel (due out this year), the 171-foot custom Seven Sins —not to mention the flagship of its explorer line, the 164-foot 500EXP Ocean Dreamwalker III , which it launched at the last Monaco Yacht Show . The light-blue steel hull shows the style that Sanlorenzo gives to each new launch.

The recently introduced SL102 employs an asymmetric exterior design , with an outer walkway on just one side of the boat to increase interior volume.

Perini Navi

The Perini name extends across a succession of groundbreaking yachts from 289-foot Maltese Falcon , which had a DynaRig sail plan that was designed from a theory, to the ultimate blue-water cruiser, the 229-foot Sybaris , through to the flagship of Monaco’s 2017 show, the 1 97-foot Seven .

Since a management restructuring in 2017, Perini Navi has introduced multiple new lines , including its E-volution sailing yacht series and three styles of motor yachts—Argonaut, Heritage, and Voyager. With two yards in Italy and a third in Turkey, Perini now has three sailing yachts under construction, including two 138-foot E-volutions. Its three motor achts under build include two Philippe Briand–designed 53 and 56 Voyagers, as well as its 82-foot hybrid-powered Eco-tender. The brand’s new energy promises a bright future.

When John and Robert Braithwaite started their fledgling boat business in 1969, the two brothers had no idea it would become one of the UK’s most important shipyards. Sunseeker is different from most yards on this list because it builds only in composites up to 155 feet.

Prompted by owner demand, Sunseeker is now venturing into aluminum with its new 161 Yacht. Easily recognized by Sunseeker’s exterior design cues, the 161 will be built by Icon Yachts in Holland. “We are combining the metal build expertise of ICON with our design DNA, technical expertise, and market know-how,” says Sean Robertson, president of Sunseeker USA, adding the new yacht will “absolutely” be a Sunseeker. The 161 will be launched in 2021.

Princess Yachts

Princess Yachts is the other British builder that continues to evolve in interesting, new ways. Established in Plymouth in 1965, Princess has grown into multiple modern production sites measuring more than 1.1 million square feet. Situated in a port with maritime ties that date back centuries, Princess’s South Yard, where the M Class superyachts are built, is a former 17th-century naval yard.

The Princess flagship, the 131-foot 40M Imperial Princess, seems like a larger superyacht, with large interior volume and unusual natural light. The yard also makes a 30M (98 foot LOA) and 35M (115 foot LOA).

Its most exciting launch was the R35, a 35-footer designed by Pininfarina, with a foil system that reduces drag by 30 percent. Princess plans to add the foil design to its larger yachts, an innovation that could revolutionize yachting.

Royal Huisman

Established in 1884, Royal Huisman is one of the oldest shipyards in Holland but one of its most modern. Its waterside facility in Vollenhove totals about 350,000 square feet, with four heated bays to accommodate yachts up to 266 feet. It has another facility in Amsterdam and a third in Emden, with facilities for yachts up to 394 feet. Its fleet of famous sailing superyachts include Gliss, Antares, Hyperiod, Hanuman, Elfie, and Arcadia . Its recent launches include the 190-foot Ngoni , which has one of the most eclectic interiors ever, and the more classic 184-foot Aquarius . Though best known for custom sailboats, the yard is currently working on Project Phi, a 180-foot motor yacht designed by Van Ooosannen Naval Architects.

Nautor’s Swan

Finnish builder Nautor’s Swan , founded in 1966 by Pekka Koskenkyla, has always had its sights on building high-performance sailing yachts with beautiful wood interiors. Koskenkyla enlisted Sparkman & Stephens, designer for many winning America’s Cup yachts, to create its first fiberglass boat. The new boats saw instant racing success.

The builder eventually partnered with German Frers Design. The Frers team, working with 30 Swan designers, is responsible for many innovative designs, including the first Swan 115 S introduced in 2015 at the Monaco show. The 115 was the flagship of the its Maxi division, which includes the Swan 98 , and eventually became the Swan 120.

Nautor’s Swan expanded beyond its historical plant in Kallby in 2002, when it opened a new high-tech facility in Pietarsaari for yachts from 60 to 115 feet. Its Kronoby facility produces its famous wood interiors. The most noteworthy yard in Finland has produced 2,000 Swans since it launched operations.

Westport Yachts

Westport Yachts has been North America’s most prolific superyacht builder since it began building boats in 1969. Its facilities in Westport and Port Angeles, Washington, include enclosed spaces of 170,000 and 100,00 square feet, respectively, with a separate 80,000-square-foot cabinet shop and 4,100-square-foot upholstery shop. Westport has launched more than 140 yachts.

Westport’s success lies in its disciplined approach to yacht building, which involves a production mentality that keeps each build on time and on budget. The builder uses leading-edge machinery, proven coring materials, and components like MTU and Caterpillar engines, Northern Lights generators, and Furuno electronics that bring quality and consistency to the build process.

Its line of the W112, W125, W130 and W164 are contemporary but not ostentatious, with high levels of fit and finish across the yacht. That type of production mentality, which allows for a certain degree of customization, means the yachts are built to the same high standards.

Westport clients appreciate that level of reliability, not to mention resale value, when it comes to yacht ownership.

Delta Marine

Delta Marine is not given much to self-promotion, but the Seattle yard shares the same type of pedigree as many of the top European builders.

Its production quality, skilled labor, and proven ability to turn intricate, complex designs into beautiful, custom superyachts has earned it a place among the world’s top builders. The yard comprises a 25-acre complex in Seattle, with 300,000 square feet of manufacturing space in its state-of-the-art facility. With Boeing headquarters just down the road, and Seattle being a leading tech center, the trickle-down influence on the shipyard is noteworthy. Its collection of custom yachts includes 216-foot Invictus , 164-foot Arianna , and 240-foot Laurel . Recently, an unnamed 204-foot launch was seen on sea trials near the yard.

The Overmarine Group’s Mangusta brand has been known for speed during its 34-year-history. The Balducci family defined their niche, though the range has expanded to maxi open yachts and long-range yachts. The line extends from 94 to 215 feet LOA, with 300 yachts produced over the years. Its Mangusta Maxi Open series, ranging from 94 to 215 feet, offers speed as well as quietness and stability, in a stylish package. Its 50M (164-footer) is considered an industry icon. The Mangusta Oceano are long-range yachts with ranges up to 5,000 miles.

The Mangusta GranSports are a combination of the two lines, fast-displacement yachts capable of covering long distances. The group has 10 production facilities in Tuscany and Viareggio, Massa, and Pisa that total around two million square feet of indoor and exterior space. It has two wharfs in Viareggio where it does the final work on its yachts. Overmarine is vertically integrated, from the initial design to making the molds, to installing the electronics. The company celebrated a milestone in December: Its Gransport El Leon (shown above) crossed the Atlantic, the first Mangusta to ever accomplish that feat.

Southern Wind

This 25-year-old builder has design offices in Italy and a modern yard in Johannesburg, South Africa, where it builds advanced composite sailing yachts from 82 to 115 feet in length. Over the years, it has worked with renowned sailing yacht designers, Farr Yacht, Reichel/Pugh, and Nauta Design. Most launches are semi-custom projects built on proven running surfaces, giving the owner the choice to customize interior and exterior. Southern Wind ’s most recent launch is SW105 Kiboko Tres , the second of its performance cruiser series. Designed for offshore sailing but with the comforts of a superyacht, Kiboko Tres passed the ultimate sea trial: 7,000 miles from Johannesburg to Italy, on its way from the shipyard to the offices in Italy.

Christensen

Rare among superyacht builders, Christensen Yachts does virtually all of its work in house. The Vancouver, Washington–based yard has its own metal department for completing stainless handrails, stairways, anchor pockets, and other custom pieces, as well as a stone shop for marble, onyx, quartz, granite, and limestone used in the inlaid floors, countertops, and panels; and shops for woodworking, painting, and upholstery. Vertical integration allows the yard to deliver exceptional details for its yachts, which run up to 164 feet. Christensen’s Chasseur won top award in its category in the 2017 International Superyacht Society, in part for the intricate interior.

Located on a seven-acre marina, the shipyard has a dozen bays enclosed in 180,000 square feet of climate-controlled space.

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The Very Best of Dutch Yacht Builders

Dutch yacht builders have crafted a reputation as being among the world’s very best, with an extraordinary density of high quality, high value shipyards operating out of the Netherlands.

Part of the reason for the dominance of Dutch yacht builders in the superyacht industry stems from Holland’s prestigious history of boat building, which stretches back centuries and was perfectly poised to make the shift to constructing luxury yachts during the 20th century. The word ‘yacht’ originally comes from the Dutch word ‘jacht’, meaning hunt.

Some of the towering names of the yachting world have emerged from Holland, with the great heritage yards Amels, Hakvoort, Royal Huisman, De Vries and Royal Van Lent more recently joined by other outstanding Dutch yacht builders such as Heesen, Vitters, and Oceanco.

Dutch shipyards are heralded not only for their world-class build quality, high tech yards, and innovation, but are also renowned for reliability in finishing projects on time and on budget. With Dutch shipyards producing many fully-custom ‘one-off’ yachts, many of the yachts launched from Holland’s shipyards are extremely iconic and often win international awards.

Dutch yacht builders have also capitalized on their individual reputations for quality construction by forming strong collaborations including Feadship and HISWA, which serve to market the best of Dutch yachting internationally, thereby growing the influence of the Dutch yacht builders.

Notable Dutch Yacht Builders

This prestige brand is often known as the ‘Rolls Royce’ of yacht builders, constructing fully custom yachts from a ‘blank slate’ beginning. Feadship is actually a partnership between two of the greatest Dutch shipyards: De Vries and Royal Van Lent, with yacht building roots dating back to 1849. The Feadship fleet today is more than 450 strong, and includes some ground-breaking yachts including AQUARIUS and ECTASEA.

Founded in 1918 and boasting the largest and most high-tech shipyard in the Netherlands, Amels turned its hand to superyacht construction in the 1980’s. Amels builds fully custom yachts up to 656’ (200m), as well as their highly sought-after ‘Limited Edition Series’. Known for exceptional build quality and iconic yachts including HERE COMES THE SUN, Amels also builds a popular range of support yachts for superyachts through DAMEN, its parent company.

Royal Huisman

This family-run shipyard was founded in 1884, and has produced some of the finest sailing yachts afloat, with a long line of regatta honors and design awards across its fleet of maxi-yachts and performance cruisers. While its fame is recognized across the world for building sailing yachts such as ATHENA, Royal Huisman also builds motoryachts, including the award winning ARCADIA.

Hakvoort is another illustrious Dutch shipyard which dates back to 1919 and builds sailing and motoryachts up to 215’ (65m). With yachts constructed in steel and aluminum, Hakvoort offers a full-custom service from design to launch, as well as a 180’ (55m) semi-custom series. They have launched many notable, award-winning yachts, from LADY MARINA in 1994 to APOSTROPHE in 2013.

Founded in 1979, Heesen has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the yachting industry, and is now considered one of the most innovative Dutch yacht builders. Initially known as a builder of fast performance yachts, Heesen has expanded its yacht building capacity up to 260’ (80m) and has achieved notoriety for its revolutionary design and engineering, such as the Fast Displacement Hull Form first seen on multi-award-winning GALACTICA STAR.

One of the most respected names in sailing, the Vitters shipyard was founded in 1990 and has gone on to launch luxury sailing yachts known for winning superyacht regattas and international design awards. Constructing yachts over 30m with an uncompromising focus on quality and design, Vitters has received accolades for yachts including SARISSA, GANESHA and AQUIJO. Vitters also owns the Green Marine yard, which is responsible for building the Volvo Ocean Race fleet.

This Dutch yacht builder specializes in the large yacht market, constructing fully custom superyachts over 260’ (80m) in aluminum and steel. Oceanco opened its doors in 1990 and has been responsible for the launch of some of the industry’s most well-known yachts, including ALFA NERO, ANASTASIA and the largest Dutch yacht to be built thus far, the 360’ (110m) JUBILEE.

Located in the medieval Dutch town of Den Bosch, Moonen Shipyards is one of the world’s most well-known motoryacht builders. Having launched their first boat in 1963, Moonen pride themselves in quality and service and offer diverse options in the upper echelons of the yacht industry for fully customized superyachts up to 150’ (45m), custom series displacement yachts, explorer vessels or fast displacement all-aluminum powerboats.

Established as a family-owned shipyard in 1938, Mulder has become a renowned member of the Dutch yacht building family. The yards’ global reputation for quality has been built upon three main pillars: the classic Super Favorite Cruisers, the later Favorite Superior and a range of Mulder custom-built motor yachts from 42’ to 147’ (13m to 45m).

Van der Valk

A passionate yacht enthousiast, Wim van der Valk started the company that bears his name in 1967, and is still driving force behind it today. In applying the most advanced solutions, systems and materials possible, this pedigreed Dutch yacht builder believes in creating yachts that will stand the test of time. In the late 1990s, they introduced their signature product – the Continental I series. Today, to ensure unrivaled quality and exclusivity, Van Der Valk produces a select, limited number of Continental yachts each year.

Hartman Marine Group

Founded in 2003, Hartman Marine Group has roots which span back to 1775 with a heritage of seven generations of skipper-owners. Hartman yachts hold a timeless and fresh style without compromising practicality and superb comfort, in the true fashion of Dutch boatbuilding excellence. Leveraging on experience, innovation as well as tradition, Hartman applies their robust standards from the drawing table to the unique finishing touches in every custom build.

Worth Avenue Yachts have many yachts for sale in their fleet built by these renowned Dutch yacht builders, and are experts in the sale, construction and charter of Dutch yachts. Contact us to find out more about which Dutch yacht builder is right for you.

World’s Best Luxury Superyacht Builders, 2020

To begin with, those buying a new superyacht will, therefore, have many questions to ask themselves before settling on a suitable yacht builder and shipyard facility to carry out the build. Thankfully for them, there are a number of luxury superyacht brands that have the ability to turn the biggest megayacht dreams into reality: Elite shipyards with a reputation for excellence.

From Germany to the Netherlands, Italy, and the United States, the superyacht industry employs highly skilled craftsmen and women at shipyards around the globe. The handcrafted vessels can be seen in bodies of water from the Mediterranean to the Bahamas, providing enjoyment for those on board. Here we highlight the best superyacht shipyards in the world.

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Downtime: a Captain’s guide to the Best Refit Shipyards

February 8,2018

Discover the finest shipyards around the world for your next refit with our handy captain’s guide.

When it comes to choosing a location for your next refit, nobody knows the various shipyards better than the captain. He knows all the ins and outs of finding the perfect facility for your yacht and crew, and will ensure that the work is carried out by expert contractors within a specific time frame.

Whether you’re planning a major renovation or just want to update the interior decor onboard, finding a reliable and efficient yard is key to a successful refit. So, why not check out our Captain’s guide to the very best shipyards around the world and discover just where your yacht should spend its downtime this season.

The French Riviera

One of the best-known ship yards in the world is located right here on the French Riviera. Founded in 1996,  Nautech is based in Marseille, Villefranche sur Mer and La Ciotat and has over 25 years of experience in the refit and repair of superyachts. Nautech has some serious facilities including a floating dock for 60m yachts at its Villefranche site and both a 300-tonne travel lift and 60m dry dock at the La Ciotat site. Offering convenient and flexible shipyard services, Nautech combines skilled project management with expert craftsmanship to provide tailor-made refit services to its clientele in the South of France.

Conveniently located in Dover at less than 2 hours’ drive from London,  Burgess Marine is the UK’s largest independent boat repairer. Their impressive Portchester yard operates a 1000-tonne Syncrolift facility and can handle yachts of up to 60m in size for structural repairs and renewals. Burgess has experience with aluminum, steel and wooden hulls and has a worldwide reputation as an expert in servicing, repairs and installations, both in and out of the water. The company aims to provide a total service solution for any marine engineering challenge, and their skilled personnel offer full shipyard support to superyacht owners from all over the world.

Mallorca, Spain

Astilleros De Mallorca is one of the best known Spanish shipyards. With decades of experience in maintenance and repair, they refit over 120 yachts at their Palma facility every year. Their main yard currently has an integrated refit and repair center, while their new STP facility has five travel lifts ranging from 30 tonnes to 700 tonnes lifting capacity, 53 berths, a 55 000m² dry dock area, 6 Keel pits plus a fuel dock. Specialised in classic yacht restoration, the Astilleros De Mallorca facilities also use the very latest technology and machinery to provide a full range of in-house services for luxury superyachts.

Carrara, Italy

With the biggest dry dock in the Mediterranean,  NCA Refit who are based in the Marina di Carrara, Italy are definitely one of the key players when it comes to refitting superyachts. Their incredible 100 000m² facility is capable of welcoming yachts of up to 200m and is considered to be one of the most prestigious shipyards in Europe. With a team of 45 professionals on call at all times, NCA Refit offers efficient solutions carried out to the highest possible standard whilst providing bespoke solutions to meet the customer’s specific requirements. In addition to their main infrastructure, the NCA Refit facility also includes a purpose-built village with a wide range of activities and services on offer for your crew to enjoy during their stay in the yard.

Urk, Netherlands

Owned and operated by the Balk family since 1798, the  Balk shipyard in the Netherlands has been building and refitting yachts for over 200 years. Specialising in refits and rebuilds, the Balk yard prides itself on providing remarkable customer service thanks to its highly-skilled employees and state of the art facilities in the Urk harbour for yachts of up to 65m. Their in-house team offers services including painting, piping, welding and electrical engineering and they also work closely with architects and designers to offer customers a fully-customised refit experience.

Antigua, Caribbean

If you’re planning in spending time in the Caribbean this season,  Antigua Slipway  is one of the best shipyards in the islands. With dockage for luxury superyachts plus a yacht haul out facility for boats of up to 220 tons, their purpose-built shipyard in English Harbour has been welcoming superyachts since 1966. With marina docking plus additional boat storage facilities for the hurricane season, Antigua Slipway is the yacht refit yard of choice in the Caribbean.

Florida, USA

Based in sunny West Palm Beach,  Rybovich have been refitting yachts in Florida since the 1900s. They recently expanded their superyacht marina and can currently welcome yachts of up to 91m thanks to the unobstructed inlet access and 115m superyacht slips. Offering a whole range of services from hauling to refinishing, this classic American shipyard offers innovative solutions to the challenges faced by their customers. Featuring a wide range of guest amenities onsite including a 24-hour gym and swimming pool plus a hip restaurant/bar with live music, your crew will love spending their downtime in the Sunshine State.

Brisbane, Australia

Specialising in refit solutions,  Rivergate Marina & Shipyard is one of Australia’s premier shipyards. Their world class facilities offer deep water access for yachts of up to 80m and their project management team specialise in creating custom solutions to meet specific client requirements. The Rivergate shipyard includes a 12 000m² hardstand, both 75 and 300 tonne marine travelifts and offers a large selection of services working with 320 approved contractors in over 20 trades. Voted superyacht service provider of the year in 2016, Rivergate’s personalised service commitment ensures they’re always top of the list when it comes to looking after superyachts Down Under.

Phuket, Thailand

Located in the largest marina in Thailand,  Eclipse Marine  manages superyacht refits and repairs for the entire Asia-Pacific region. With over 25 years of experience in the superyacht industry, Eclipse offers the very highest standard of service and repairs to all its customers. From project management to marine engineering, their engineers and contractors offer a completely bespoke service for superyacht refits and repairs. If you’re looking for a smooth refit experience whilst you’re in South East Asia, Eclipse Marine should definitely be your first port of call.

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The Best Refit Shipyards the World’s Most Affluent Superyacht Owners Trust

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2nd June 2023

Owning a luxury yacht provides the ultimate luxury lifestyle status, enabling you to travel wherever, whenever, in style. However, to keep your yacht in tip-top condition, regular maintenance is required, as well as refits.

Whether you are planning a major refit or just want to upgrade the interior decor, you will need to work with a reputable refit shipyard with demonstrable experience working on some of the world’s finest superyachts. The best refit shipyards will boast the latest marine technology and ensure the work is carried out to the highest standards and within the agreed time frame, helping to minimize your yacht’s downtime.

Many of the world’s leading luxury yacht builders offer dedicated refit services, while other shipyards are wholly dedicated to maintenance and refits.

Here we explore some of the world’s most established refit yards that superyacht owners trust when it is time to carry out a refit.

The best refit shipyards

MB92 is a superyacht refit specialist in Barcelona, Spain. The shipyard boasts two sites, each equipped with the latest shipyard facilities and technology, supported by a trusted network of suppliers. The shipyard offers a turnkey refit service specifically for superyachts, from the preparation stages to the final delivery and beyond. MB92’s dedication to innovation and improvement enables the refit specialists to continually take on bigger and ever more complex projects with the highest degree of expertise and professionalism, including working with complex electric integrated power systems . Additionally, MB92 focuses on practical refits that will help futureproof the vessel, especially for owners seeking sustainable solutions.

2. Nautech Group

Nautech Group is one of the world’s best-known high-end yacht refit and repair shipyards. The yard boasts more than 25 years of expertise, with dedicated facilities along the French Riviera in La Ciotat, La Seyne-sur-Mer, Toulon Harbour, and Bordeaux. The Nautech Group also has facilities in the Caribbean. The refit shipyard is known for its ability to handle highly complex, made-to-measure superyacht refits, especially those with tight deadlines and highly controlled budgets, and has conducted refits on some of the world’s finest superyachts.

Lusben is a refit and repair shipyard with a history dating back to 1956. The company is based in Italy, with facilities in Viareggio, Livorno, and Varazze, and is known for its ability to breathe new life into an owner’s yacht by offering customized solutions that meet every owner’s unique needs. All work is carried out in state-of-the-art facilities by highly qualified specialists who are experts in their field, ensuring the highest levels of quality and guaranteeing the very best results. The shipyard regularly performs major mechanical, structural, and internal refit work on some of the world’s most luxurious yachts.

4. Astilleros de Mallorca

Our last best refit shipyard is Astilleros de Mallorca. With decades of expertise, Astilleros de Mallorca is one of the best-known Spanish shipyards based in the Balearic Islands. The shipyard was established in 1942 and now offers a full range of in-house services for luxury superyachts coupled with the latest marine technology. Astilleros de Mallorca boasts superb facilities across four sites, including multiple berths for yachts up to 160-meters and a dry area. The refit shipyard prides itself on its transparency and flexibility, ensuring exceptional service. The shipyard offers a custom service from concept to delivery, with a team of project managers and technical supervisors assigned to every refit project.

5. Derektor Shipyard

With more than 76 years of experience, Derektor Shipyards is considered an industry leader, both in superyacht construction and refit. The US-based family business has built and worked on some of the world’s most notable vessels, from mega yachts to America’s Cup winners. The shipyard boasts four state-of-the-art facilities, one in New York, two in Florida, and a further one in Maine. Derektor’s Dania Beach, Florida shipyard is South Florida’s most complete large yacht-repair facility that offers unrivaled results for expert repair and complete refits. The shipyard prides itself on its rich heritage and its full-service facilities that enable it to manage some of the most challenging refits with the utmost precision.

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This New 82-Foot Yacht Is Like an Elegant Triplex for the High Seas

The pearl 82 has a novel layout that sets it apart from competitors., rachel cormack.

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What Pearl’s newest fleet member lacks in length it makes up for in height.

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British designer Kelly Hoppen styled the interior of the first hull and has also created three designs for future owners to choose from. Described as “sophisticated and luxurious,” the open-plan living quarters offer sweeping, panoramic views, and multiple areas for entertaining. The main deck is adorned with a salon, a galley, a dining area, and a plush owner’s suite with a private terrace, while the lower deck is outfitted with five en suite staterooms and cabins for three crew.

The pilothouse isn’t the only singular feature on the 82, either. Pearl says the yacht is the only one of such a size to have a garage large enough to hold a Williams 395, a Sea-Doo Jet Ski, and other equipment. It is also the only one in its class to offer two aft deck configurations (Riviera or Veranda) to cater to different seafarers. Other highlights of the model include a foredeck lounge with large sun pads and a luxe flybridge with a dining table, wet bar, sun pad, and hot tub.

As for grunt, the yacht can be equipped with two MAN engines rated at 1,650, 1,800, or 2,000 horses. It has an estimated top speed of 33 knots and a cruising range of 287 nautical miles.

A true boutique builder, Pearl produces only a limited number of vessels annually to ensure quality and exclusivity. The 82 is one of four models in the lineup, alongside a 62, 72 , and 95 . The first 82 will debut at the upcoming Cannes Yachting Festival.

The Cannes Yachting Festival will take place in the sparkling Bay of Cannes from September 10 to 15. See you there.

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

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Top-5 affordable yachts from the best shipyards

In this article, we will tell you about several well-known shipyards and their yachts that belong to the low-cost segment. The cost of a yacht trip largely depends on the chosen boat (probably even to the greatest extent on the yacht). So it is very important to choose the right budget. But at the same time, quite a comfortable and well-equipped option. Therefore, here we present the top-5 affordable yachts from the world’s best manufacturers.

The world’s best shipyards

There are not many manufacturers in this segment. Especially when we consider rather large ones with good infrastructure and technical support systems. The products of the companies described here have been holding leading positions in the markets for a long time, not only in the low-cost segment of sailing yachts but also among motorboats and catamarans .

The world’s best shipyards are located in France and Germany. Here we should mention the following ones: Jeanneau, Beneteau Dufour, Bavaria, Hanse, and Dehler. All their products have an aesthetic design, they are practical, reliable, and with good ergonomics. Good natural and synthetic materials, such as wood, glass, aluminum, and carbon are used even in low-cost models.

These manufacturers compete closely with each other, which means they try to stay in trend and use advanced modern technologies. And at the same time, all these shipyards have been on the market for a very long time, they have managed to earn the reputation of a reliable partner. Thus, for example, French Jeanneau has been building yachts for over 60 years, and the leading figure of the market, Beneteau this year celebrates its 137th anniversary! Surely, the more eminent is the brand, the more expensive are its products, but we should note that everyone has the boats in the budget segment.

Many classic models from Bavaria and Hanse have been produced by these brands for over 10 years. Indeed, they regularly undergo restyling and get some new equipment, but still, they are based on the solutions tested by time and nautical miles and they are so loved by yachtsmen.

So let’s get straight to our list.

Top-5 affordable yachts

Here we will present the prices for these models. Since the cost of yacht maintaining and, as a result, the cost of its rental directly depends on them, no matter in which country of the world and in what season. So, here is our shortlist of budget boats, top-5 affordable yachts:

1. Bavaria cruiser 46.

This model has been produced by Bavaria since 2013. The cruising yacht Bavaria Cruiser 46 (length 14.3 m and draft – 2.1 m) has a Mediterranean cockpit. There are 4 double passenger cabins on board. Its hull is made of fiberglass and is certified according to the CE (A) standard. That is, the boat can swim on the high seas. As for the cost of the Bavaria Cruiser 46, it starts from 190,000 € (excluding taxes).

2. Hanse 445.

The sailing yacht of the German shipyard Hanse 445 was also presented back in 2013. This cruising yacht Hanse 445 has a length of 13.5 m and a draft of 2.25 m. There are also 4 double cabins here. The cost of a new yacht of this type is approximately 158,000 € (excluding taxes).

3. Salona 45.

Salona 45 from Salona Yachts shipyard is also an interesting low-cost option. It is approximately 13.5 m long and 4.2 m wide. Its 4 cabins can accommodate up to 8 people in total. The price for such a yacht starts from 175,000 € (excluding taxes).

4. Dufuor 46.

This is a popular model of a famous French shipyard, presented in 2015. The length of its hull is 14.2 m, and the draft is 2.2 m. There are 5 double cabins onboard for 10 people. Dufuor 46 is CE (A) certified. Its cost starts at € 215,000.

5. Elan 45.1.

The most recent model on our list is the Elan 45.1. It has been produced by the Elan shipyard for the third year. Its length is 13.85 m, and the draft is 1.9 m. Up to 6 passengers can be accommodated onboard (3 double cabins). The CE (A) certification also allows this yacht to sail on the high seas. Its initial cost is 176,000 € (excluding taxes).

These top-5 affordable yachts presented here are not only low-cost but also comfortable and reliable. If you are on a cruise and are offered one of these boats, you should know that these are good options.

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New Sailboat Brand: Mishi Yachts

• By Cruising World Staff
• July 12, 2024

Yonca Shipyard in Turkey is launching a new brand of carbon composite sailboats called Mishi Yachts.

In a bit of an unusual twist, the first hull of the Mishi 88 already exists. It was built for Şakir Yılmaztürk, chairman and founder of the shipyard. That boat was displayed at a previous Cannes Yachting Festival to get initial feedback on construction and features, and to determine whether interest existed in expanding the model line.

“It was rewarding to hear in Cannes that we had hit the nail on the head with the Mishi 88,” Yılmaztürk stated in a press release. “People cannot believe how much space there is on board, and the headroom below is exceptional. Working with Taka Yacht Design, our intention all along was to bring the comforts of motor yachting to the more refined platform of a sailing boat.”

Taka Yacht Design is based in Istanbul. It has produced power and sail models, and bills itself as specializing in custom designs.

The new model that will be used to expand the Mishi Yachts line, and that is scheduled to be unveiled at this September’s Monaco Yacht Show, is the Mishi Yachts 102. It will have many of the same features as the Mishi 88, just on a larger scale.

The Mishi Yachts 102 will be designed to meet full RINA classification. Plans call for accommodations that sleep eight guests overnight, with quarters for four crew in the forepeak. Another goal will be generous interior volume, with a roomy cockpit for alfresco dining and relaxing in the shade. Inside, there will be an open-plan galley and saloon with sheltered dining and lounge seating.

Both the Mishi 88 and the Mishi 102 are designed with the owners’ ensuite stateroom in the bow, for privacy from the guests and crew. Guest staterooms are abaft the saloon with twin berths that convert to doubles.

Owners can choose the interior styling. The first boats are envisioned with pale grays and beiges, along with variable mood lighting. There are spaces for artwork, along with handholds and fiddles on the surfaces for when the boat is underway.

“Yonca is no stranger to building craft to exacting standards for demanding clients,” Yılmaztürk added. “We have been supplying fast, seaworthy composite craft to the world’s navies for years. It made sense to tap the yard’s lamination skills to build my own 88-footer, and in so doing, I started a journey that has led me to found Mishi Yachts.”

Where to learn more: Visit mishiyachts.com .

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The U.S. Navy's Seawolf-Class Submarine Nightmare Is An Awful Reality

Summary and Key Points: The Seawolf-class submarines are considered the best undersea vessels, equipped with advanced torpedoes, missiles, and capable of high-speed silent cruising.

-Originally designed to counter Soviet submarines, only three Seawolf-class subs were built due to their high cost. The U.S. Navy prioritized expensive Ford-class aircraft carriers over expanding the Seawolf fleet.

-With just two operational Seawolf subs, the strategic advantage is limited, especially against rivals like China and Russia. The USS Jimmy Carter is notable for special operations, but the limited fleet reflects a missed opportunity for enhancing U.S. naval power through a larger, more effective submarine force.

Why the Seawolf-Class Submarines Could Have Changed Naval Warfare"

The U.S. Navy’s Seawolf-class submarines are widely considered to be the best vessels to ever “run silent, run deep.” At $3.5 billion per sub, these undersea demons keep Russian and Chinese war planners up at night. 

Seawolf-class submarines are usually equipped with powerful heavyweight 533-mm Mark 48 torpedoes. They are armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles as well, and the platform can fire Tomahawk cruise missiles at targets on land. Seawolf-class subs can cruise underwater at an astonishing 35 knots, or 20 knots when rigged for silent running. 

Designed in 1983 to respond to Soviet attack submarines such as the ubiquitous Akula class , the Seawolf class was intended to replace aging Los Angeles-class attack submarines. Washington planned to build and deploy around 30 of these technological marvels over the course of a decade. 

After 41 years of existence, however, only three Seawolf-class subs are in service.

The reason there are so few of these lethal submarines is their high cost per unit. Back in the 1990s, the Seawolf class accounted for about 25% of the U.S. Navy’s entire construction budget. Of course, given the nightmare fuel that the Seawolf-class serves up to America’s two biggest geostrategic challengers — Russia and China — it strains credulity that either Congress or the Pentagon would believe that the money could have been better spent.

Alas, they did think that. 

The Navy’s Wastefulness is Unbelievable

Rather than investing in the dynamic Seawolf class, the U.S. government opted instead to invest in the Navy’s lavishly funded aircraft carrier program. At an initial cost of  $13 billion per ship, and an additional $700 million per year, America’s Navy decided to build the Ford-class aircraft carrier. For the same cost, at $3.5 billion per unit, the Navy could have built four more Seawolf-class submarines. 

Because of the advent and refinement of the anti-access/area-denial capabilities of America’s main strategic rivals, all of the investment into new aircraft carriers is basically a waste. If China or Russia can seriously threaten the safety of American aircraft carriers, Washington will keep those assets far removed from any war zone, creating a hulking gap in its power-projection capabilities. 

Had the Navy been smarter and simply invested those funds in the far more useful Seawolf class, they could afford to risk losing some of these assets in combat. As it stands now, however, with just three units in the fleet and no others coming down the pipeline, the Seawolf class could essentially be made extinct by damage in combat against a great power rival. 

Only Two Operational Seawolf Subs

The USS Connecticut is one of the three Seawolf-class subs in the fleet. In 2021, the submarine was patrolling the South China Sea, operating very near China’s sophisticated submarine base on Hainan Island. While performing its mission in international waters, the submarine crashed into an underwater mountain and suffered nearly catastrophic damage. It limped back to port and has been undergoing a refit. The Connecticut is not expected to return to service for at least another year. 

That means that the U.S. fleet has only two Seawolf-class subs right now.

One of the Seawolf-class submarines, the USS Jimmy Carter, was selected to be used for special operations missions. It was extended to 100 feet long in 2005. The Jimmy Carter’s capabilities are noteworthy, even for a submarine of this class. Should China successfully invade Taiwan, one could see the Jimmy Carter being covertly deployed to drop Special Forces operators and weapons behind enemy lines in occupied Taiwan, where they would support the inevitable Taiwanese insurgency against the Chinese invaders. 

Seawolf-Class Submarine: Wasted Assets

But that is one sub. Imagine if the Pentagon had followed through on its plan for a minimum of 30 Seawolf systems. The Seawolf-class submarine is probably far more relevant to any potential war with China or Russia than the entire U.S. aircraft carrier fleet. Building up this class of submarine is probably impossible now – America’s declining defense industrial base cannot support the demand. (The shoddy state of American shipyards is one of the reasons the Connecticut is taking so long to repair) 

The Navy missed the boat on the Seawolf-class submarine revolution. It is now about to pay the ultimate price for its shortsightedness when it favored the interests of big defense contractors and their preference for carriers over the national interest in shifting the Navy’s focus toward submarines.

About the Author

Brandon J. Weichert is a former Congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who is a contributor at The Washington Times, as well as at American Greatness and the Asia Times. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower  (Republic Book Publishers),  Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life , and  The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy . Weichert can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon .

All images are Creative Commons and/or Shutterstock. 

• 9 Towns on the Pacific Coast With the Best Downtown Areas in 2024

The Pacific Coast is a charming region in the US that lures tourists from within the country and beyond year-round. Also known as the West Coast and including Washington , Oregon , and California , this region is nature’s playground, where ocean waves create awe-inspiring rock formations, wildlife thrives, and adventure awaits. And that’s not all. The Pacific Coast is also lined up with charming towns with downtowns brimming with fun attractions, local businesses, and landmarks reflecting their historic pasts. From Cannon Beach and its colorful art galleries to the waterfront downtown of Gig Harbor, here are nine towns on the Pacific Coast with amazing downtowns in 2024.

Florence, Oregon

Florence is a captivating town at the mouth of the Siuslaw River on the Pacific Ocean, with its downtown district stretching along the river. Known as Historic Old Town Florence, this district has many quaint shops, restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, inns, and cafes, with scenic river views.

Stroll through the downtown and eat at Mari’s Kitchen or the Waterfront Depot, and proceed to shop for antiques and vintage items at Purple Pelican Antique Mall or Thrifty Threads. History buffs can stop at the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum to see relics and exhibits related to the town’s pioneer days, the Siuslaw region, and the river. Before leaving, admire the Siuslaw River Bridge and visit the nearby Sea Lion Caves afterward to see sea lions.

Cambria, California

Cambria is a picturesque town on California's central coast that boasts more than a dramatic shoreline. This town hosts an ever-vibrant downtown full of establishments, from art galleries to boutiques, that will keep visitors exploring. First, Downtown Cambria invites art lovers to Vault, Artifacts, and Mission Galleries to feast their eyes on stunning artwork.

For antique collectors, the Antiques On Main and Rich Man Poor Man Antiques are always available for shopping. For history lovers, the Cambria Historical Museum is also downtown and is in one of the town's oldest homes, Guthrie Bianchini House. After exploring downtown, head to Moonstone Beach to walk on the boardwalk, play in the sand, and enjoy surfing.

Gig Harbor, Washington

Gig Harbor is a seaside town named after the Harbor of the same in Puget Sound. Hence, much of its downtown is on the waterfront, and strolling along it is a visual treat with sea views and floating sailboats and yachts. While in this part of town, stop at the Brix 25, Family Thai Hut, or Devoted Kiss Café for culinary delights, and grab a book to read later at Gig Harbor Book Company. Next, admire or shop artworks at Waters Edge Gallery or Woodstock Gift Gallery.

Afterward, visit the Skansie Brothers Park, a waterfront park serving as a memorial for the four Croatian fishermen brothers who lived and thrived by the shores. More history is available at the Harbor History Museum, featuring indoor and outdoor exhibits that reflect the glory of the town’s yesteryears. If there is still time, enjoy adventures at Kopachuck State Park, 15 minutes from downtown, boasting a scenic beach for relaxing, sunbathing, and picnicking.

Long Beach, Washington

Long Beach is one of the most scenic towns on Washington’s Coast, situated on the Long Beach Peninsula. The downtown is lovely and lively, featuring many businesses and attractions that will keep visitors exploring all day. To begin with, it is home to several great restaurants, like Big Catch Seafood House (offering tantalizing seafood) and Hungry Harbor Grille (offering sandwiches, chips, chicken, burgers, and chips).

In terms of attractions, downtown Long Beach is home to the world’s largest frying pan, standing 20 feet tall. Neptune Movie House is also in the downtown area, inviting visitors to relax and enjoy thrilling films, with a drive-in option. History buffs are not left out of the fun, as the area hosts Cranberry, Marsh’s Free, and World Kite museums, all with artifacts, photography, and other materials that tell unique stories.

For more adventures, step away from the town center and head to the very long shoreline to fly a kite and surf in the water, or hit the Discovery Trail for hiking and biking.

Bandon, Oregon

Bandon enjoys a gorgeous stretch of the Pacific Ocean and hosts the mouth of the Coquille River. While the ocean’s shoreline is a massive draw, the downtown or Old Town district enjoys a fair share of attention for its liveliness and bustling commercial activities. In downtown Bandon, Arts by the Sea Gallery and Second Street Gallery flaunt various paintings, sculptures, and pottery for art lovers to admire and purchase. For vitalizing meals to start up a day, visitors are welcome to Bandon Coffee Café or Loft Restaurant and Bar, with ocean views. Additionally, the downtown offers a healthy dose of history at the Bandon Historical Society Museum.

Away from downtown Bandon, visitors can also head to the beach to bask under the sun and surf the waves, or paddle and kayak on its serene waters along the Coquille River.

Astoria, Oregon

Astoria is Oregon’s oldest town, with a historic downtown that’s one of the most loved on the Pacific Coast. First, Astoria's downtown has a riverwalk trail stretching along the waterfront and featuring a variety of shopping and dining options. Walk on this trail to indulge in fun experiences and also see historic attractions like the Columbia River Maritime Museum and Astoria Megler Bridge.

Art lovers in downtown Astoria can also check out top galleries like Astoria Visual Arts, ARTstoria, and Cambium galleries. While in this part of town, be sure to shop at Astoria Vintage Hardware and enjoy dining at fine establishments like Astoria Coffee House & Bistro. After exploring the downtown, discover outdoor attractions, including Fort Stevens State Park and the 125-foot Astoria Column, which offer incredible views of the entire area.

Claremont, California

Claremont is a town of trees, colleges, and a bustling downtown, situated in Pomona Valley in the suburbs of Los Angeles. With more than 23,000 trees spread across the town, roaming its downtown is a scenic and refreshing experience. Besides its scenic allure, the town’s center, also known as Claremont Village, is home to numerous restaurants, boutiques, theaters, and galleries, among other establishments that will keep visitors exploring. Some specific establishments to check out in the area include, I Like Pie Bakeshop (for delicious treats), Bardot (for fine dining), and the Claremont 5 (for endless entertainment). For history and art, visitors are invited to Claremont Lewis Museum of Art, featuring artworks of local artists.

And for outdoor junkies, hit the 2.8-mile Thompson Creek Trail or head to Claremont Hills Wilderness Park to hike five miles of trails and soak in the surrounding scenery.

Port Townsend, Washington

Port Townsend sits on Quimper Peninsula, adjacent to Admiralty Inlet and Port Townsend Bay. Hence, it boasts a beautiful waterfront downtown lined with Victorian-era homes and storefronts, restaurants, boutiques, and inns. Stroll through this part of town and check out historic attractions like Jefferson County Courthouse and the Port Townsend Museum of Arts and History. Next, enjoy delectable meals at top restaurants like Café Tenby, then proceed to Pope Marine Park afterward to relax and savor the scenery. Just a little away from downtown, near Fort Worden, Chetzemoka Park draws visitors for relaxation and picnics, with views of Admiralty Bay.

Farther away, the Fort Worden State Historic Site beckons visitors to come to explore its military artifacts, a Coast Artillery Museum, three forts, two miles of sandy shores overlapping the ocean, and Point Wilson Lighthouse.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Cannon Beach is a picturesque beach and oceanside town in Clatsop County, with a bustling downtown worth visiting year-round. A walking tour of this downtown will reveal quaint streets with access to the beach, lined with restaurants, art galleries, pubs, shops, historic cottages, and beach houses. For art lovers, DragonFire and Bronze Coast galleries on Hemlock Street are must-visits, while history lovers will enjoy satisfying experiences at the Cannon Beach History Center and Museum on South Spruce Street.

When it's time to dine, downtown Cannon Beach offers great options, including The Bistro, Bill’s Tavern and Brewhouse, and Driftwood Restaurant and Lounge. Afterward, hit the beach to bask in the sun, enjoy picnics, stroll, and admire Haystack Rock, a 235-foot sea stack towering into the skies from the coast. Tolovana Beach State Recreation Area is an alternate and quieter beach option at the end of the main beach to the south, with seamless access to the ocean.

The West Coast remains one of the most unique parts of the US with so much to offer. While the ocean and its tempting beaches are critical draws to this area, it also features towns with some of the best downtowns in the world, where visitors are spoiled with everything from shopping to dining, art exploration, entertainment, and more.

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Fitting out the fleet: the best superyacht refit projects of 2023

From cosmetic adaptations to complete rebuilds and technical overhauls, BOAT takes a look at the most interesting and exciting refits of 2023, starting with the mammoth transformation and rebuild of Oceanco’s Project H…

The evolution of Project H

What began as a refit project - Project H - became a complete rebuild and transformation of the 95-metre Oceanco Indian Empress ( ex- Al Mirqab ). Twenty-two years after initial delivery and this three-year rebuild, she was relaunched as the 103-metre H3 . Described by Oceanco’s Chairman Mohammed Al Barwani as a "rebirth," the collaborative project was between the original yard Oceanco and designers, The A Group , with refreshed interiors and exteriors penned by Reymond Langton . 

Virtually nothing was left from the original design except her hull, which was extended by 10 metres. Far more than just a lick of paint, the yacht has a completely reimagined image, with increased window area to harness more natural light and ocean views. While she now accommodates fewer guests, this has translated into more space per guest and additional room to house more crew, elevating the service. Multiple modifications were also made to improve efficiency, including new engines and systems, now making her IMO Tier III compliant. The project has been technically classified by Lloyds Register as a new build.

Athos' award-winning extension

Fifty pairs of hands went into the comprehensive 14-month refit of the two-masted, 63.2-metre schooner Athos . The works included considerable modifications to her interior areas as well as a complex 1.25-metre extension to her canoe-style stern, optimising her increased deck space offering for charter clients. 

The refit was undertaken at Huisfit, Royal Huisman 's refit arm, and brought in the original team of Hoek Design to assist with the modifications. Project manager Jeremy "Bear" Wynne from Wynne Projects praised the quality of Huisfit's work. "The multiple modifications have been beautifully done. The additions and modifications have not only improved the functionality of the yacht, they have also enhanced the appearance," he said.  This refit was so impressive that Athos won the Refitted Yachts category at the World Superyacht Awards 2023. 

Overhaul of Omnia

Beginning her journey at Amels, the 61-metre Omnia ( ex-Akula) was one of a trio of pilot vessels built for the Dutch Navy in 1997 and later converted into a superyacht in 1999. She has undergone various refit and modification projects. The most recent, a 14-month project after she was sold in 2020, which combined structural, mechanical and cosmetic works of up to $14 million. Project managed by Seara Maritime , the rebuild earned a nomination in the Best Refit category at the 2023 World Superyacht Awards. 

Her commercial image was overhauled by British studio H2 Yacht Design with a new wheelhouse, new main deck, new sheerline and new exterior decks. Inside, Greek design studio Karageorgiou ensured the new interiors were brighter and lighter. Omnia now hosts two more guest staterooms, accommodating up to 16 guests. The upper deck was rebuilt with the original funnel remodelled in aluminium for weight savings. Elsewhere, more than 90 per cent of machinery and systems were replaced or upgraded. 

Emerald’s charter-friendly refit

The 33-year-old Feadship Emerald emerged from a transformative 16-month refit at Balk Shipyard in February 2023. Originally launched as Alfa Alfa , the 50.4-metre motor yacht has now been revitalised to meet the evolving needs of today’s charter client while mirroring the traditional Feadship design qualities. “We’ve not ripped the soul out of it; instead, the refit is giving the yacht another 20 years of life,” said James Hall of TWW Yachts . The refit has resulted in a 2.5-metre extension, with an extended cockpit and restyled stern, a hull repaint of ‘Orion Green’ to complement her new name and a reconfiguration of the sundeck with Jacuzzi. Thanks to Design Unlimited , further remodelling has been carried out inside. Emerald  is now available to charter with TWW Yachts .

From the deck up of Costa Magna

The owner of a 28.6-metre Couach was delighted with the refit works carried out by KRM Yacht . So when he upgraded to the 44.5-metre Costa Magna , he brought her to Istanbul for a full-scale strip-down and rebuild. Over this year, the yacht’s 240 square metres of teak deck will be pulled up and replaced, and her hull will be brought back to a bare shell to be repaired and repainted. Technical works will include modernising navigational equipment, replacing engines and gensets and installing a new automation system. 

Built in 1983 by Turkish shipyard Turquoise , she has undergone ten refits in her lifetime, with the goal now to create a more modern-looking take on the original lines. “Having embarked on an incredible 40-year worldwide journey, the yacht is now back in Istanbul for a […] full refit,” explained the captain of Costa Magna. “We eagerly anticipate seeing Costa Magna restored to her former glory,” he added.

Perking up Pink Gin IV

Six years after sailing out of Baltic Yachts , 53.9-metre Pink Gin IV is back for a refit and refresh. The 10-month refit period will mainly see aesthetic and performance enhancements, including the yacht's reconfigured "deck geometry" and modernised sail plan.  Performance-wise, Pink Gin's bowsprit will be extended by 1.5 metres, and her single, fixed backstay will be replaced by running backstays; the ergonomics and style of the helm stations will also be modernised and new Harken winches will be installed, ensuring she is ready to maintain her position on the regatta circuit. The cabin configuration will also see some improvements, with a restyled owner's cabin. Pink Gin IV is due to splash again in May 2024.

Nuri’s new upgrades

A year after her initial launch in 2021 as RJ, t he 40.5-metre Cantiere dell Marche Nuri checked in to Pendennis’ Vilanova site for an overhaul courtesy of Boutsen Design . Designed to be a “modern spin on an explorer vessel”, Nuri – meaning “world” in Korean – now has a new look to match her new name, with a calm, tawny theme with coffee-coloured leather upholstery on the interior and touches of blue on the exterior. 

As well as cosmetic changes, the team also added a spa pool with bar-stool seating, a social space with a television screen, sofa seating and alfresco dining on the sundeck, putting her in a premium position for her next charter season with Y.CO. For those more eco-conscious guests, the owner has also committed to making carbon compensation payments for clean energy projects supported by RMI at no extra cost to the charterer. 

Cetacea’s technical differences

A short five-month timeframe beginning in February 2023 was all the Roscioli Shipyard in Fort Lauderdale needed to take years off the classic 40.3-metre Feadship Cetacea . The yard drilled deep into the yacht’s engine room, reconditioning the entire driveline, completing a full-electric assessment and, overhauling the stabilisers and installing a new IMO-approved sewage treatment system. Cetacea’s exterior paint was also reconditioned, and she received an upgrade to her entertainment system. Classic lines and vintage charm remain for the new buyer who took the reigns as of October this year, with an all-together younger and healthier heart. 

All eyes on Lady Jade’s aft

The 41-metre Inace explorer Lade Jade completed a nine-month refit at Lusben’s repair yard in Viareggio. After an additional six metres of length was added to her exterior decks in 2018 by Alia Yachts, this most recent refit project focussed mainly on her stern, optimising extra space by reducing the size of the quarter boards to give the aft cockpit a more open feel. The ceiling on the flybridge was also extended by a metre, providing better weather coverage. Lady Jade also benefitted from a fresh lick of paint, returning her to her original midnight blue, as opposed to white.

Concentrated efforts for Isabell Princess of the Seas

The 63.7-metre Codecasa Isabell Princess of the Seas ( ex- Bash ) checked out of a refit at Croatian shipyard Capax earlier this year. Around €9.5 million worth of upgrades were funnelled into the bridge deck, main deck and master cabin, giving her a more modern look while still retaining her Italian style and classic heritage. To ensure she hits 2023 standards, she also underwent various technical upgrades with new safety systems, audio-visual systems and communication equipment. The yacht has a long legacy, previously owned by the Fayads and playing host to Lady Diana. With her new lease of life, she was snatched up in June this year by a new owner who can now reap the benefits of this refit. Isabell Princess of the Seas is managed for charter by Burgess from €290,000 per week.

Catch released with a new look

A “no expense spared” 10-month refit at Feadship’s Amsterdam shipyard has left the all-aluminium 26.6-metre sportfisher Catch in pristine condition. Originally built by Feadship in 1984, she returned to her home shipyard at the end of 2022 after a change in ownership. She was initially delivered as part of Feadship’s series of Gallant Lady yachts but was completely refurbished in 2005 after a 15-month refit. This most recent refit saw a full repaint, new teak decking on the foredeck, new teak caprail aft, revarnishing of all exterior teak, new veneer on the main deck aft, new awning on the foredeck and technical maintenance and upgrades were made to the LED lighting system. Meanwhile, inside, an additional crew cabin was configured to accommodate four crew members. 

Paintjobs for Apogee

Amico’s Genoa site has been busy with the 10-month refit of the 62-metre Apogee. The Codecasa yacht was repainted from bow to stern, and her teak decks were replaced and levelled, aiming to keep her one of the charter fleet’s favourites. All stainless-steel applications and components were polished, exterior upholstery, cushion covers, and awnings were renewed, external tables and furniture were revarnished, while anchor chains and external marbles were replaced. The Limo and jet tenders were also fully refurbished and received paintjobs.

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• Vietnam Era PTF Boat Heads Up River To New Home In Illinois

A fast patrol boat that served in the Vietnam War is heading upriver to serve as the first maritime training vessel on the inland waterways later this month.  

PTF-26 is scheduled to depart the GulfQuest National Maritime Museum in Mobile, Ala., at 8 a.m. July 20 for the trip upriver. The vessel will arrive at its new homeport in Golconda, Ill., about a week later.

“We’ve had a lot of schedule changes,” said Capt. Gary Fischmann, who is an MPTF founder and board member, as well as the vessel’s permanent skipper. “We actually stayed in Mobile a little longer than we were originally intending.”

The vessel arrived in Mobile on May 27 and was met with enthusiastic volunteers from the naval and special warfare small boat community, Fischmann said. That allowed some repairs to take place, including upgrades to deck and internal lighting, minor maintenance to the starboard engine, radio and antenna repairs and cleaning.

Getting it to the inland waterways was “miraculous,” said the Rev. Kempton Baldridge, managing director of Maritime Pastoral Training Foundation, Ltd. (MPTF), which owns the boat.

Baldridge pointed to all the people it took to make the PTF-26 project come to fruition. Among the crew are veterans of the Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. The crew also includes a lawyer, a plumber, a mechanic, an excursion boat captain and a real estate agent. One crew member is the former commandant of the Ohio Naval Militia, and another is one of PTF-26’s crewmembers from its time in active serve in the 1970s. The oldest crew member is a retired senior captain who joined the Navy the same year PTF-26 was commissioned (1968). One Golconda resident who played an important role in the decision to homeport the vessel there previously sailed on a 90-foot replica of a 15th century sailing ship.

The crew comes from Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, California, North Carolina and South Carolina, and most of them had never met before getting underway.

A History of Service

PTF-26 was constructed in 1968 as the very last of the 841 PT boats built by the U.S. Navy beginning in 1940, so it is known as “the last American PT boat.” Only nine PT boats remain, and just two of those are operational: PT-658 in Portland, Ore., and PTF-26. PTF-658 was built too late to see military action, so PTF-26 is the sole PT boat with a combat record still functioning.

PTF-26 was shipped (along with sister Osprey-class vessels PTF-23, 24 and 25) to Vietnam and based at DaNang, a short distance from the demilitarized zone (DMZ).

“The PTFs operated under cover of darkness on covert, highly classified missions involving teams of special warfare operators (i.e. SEALs),” Baldridge said.

Michael Klapka first set foot onboard PTF-26 47 years ago, in 1977, after joining the Navy right out of high school. Following its service in Vietnam, the boat was docked at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, Calif. Klapka spent almost a full year as part of the crew as it was “very actively” put to use, he said.

“The 26 boat had recently returned from Vietnam and was unique compared to most other boats,” Klapka said.“I had the privilege of working with an exceptionally unique and diverse crew. We all took a lot of pride in the boat and the work we did.The sheer size and speed of this boat always surprised and delighted anyone lucky enough to ride it.”

Upon leaving military service in the 1990s, PTF-26 took on a second life as a youth seamanship training vessel with the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco. Later acquired by Liberty Maritime Museum of Sacramento, it was renamed the training vessel Liberty and made history as the first large Sea Scout training ship with an all-female crew. For more than two decades, the sea scouts of “Tiki Too” traveled the Bay Area and competed in dozens of regattas on the West Coast. PTF-26 was crewed by about 120 teenage girls from the Sacramento area from 1998 to 2020.

The Long Trip

In the fall of 2016, the MPTF board learned of PTF-26’s availability and began investigating how best to move it from northern California to the inland waterways.

Board members pored through marine surveyor’s reports, flew out to inspect PTF-26 and concluded the boat was ideal for what they hoped to accomplish. On March 27, 2020, MPTF took title to PTF-26. Days later, COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions were imposed nationwide.

Meanwhile, the pandemic and the economic downturn took its toll on other youth training ships in mid-America. The 80-foot Chicago-based training vessel Manatra, 80-foot training vessel Pride of Michigan in Harrison Township, Mich., and the 120-foot SCS Greyfox in Port Huron, Mich., the national flagship of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, were all sold off in 2022 with no replacement and without public notice.

Baldridge noted that the Manatra’s parent organization had been actively training future mariners since 1946.

“PTF-26 will try to address some of the unmet need from the loss of these three vessels, while creating opportunities for Sea Scouts, Sea Cadets and NJROTC Cadets from 164 different units within driving distance of Golconda,” he said.

Getting the boat from the West Coast into the river system proved anything but easy, as it turns out.

Continued COVID-19 restrictions, unexplained mechanical problems and other issues prevented PTF-26 from being moved from its temporary dock space in Morro Bay, Calif., until December 2023, when it made the trip to Ensenada, Mexico. It was then transported on the deep draft mv. BBC Michigan as deck cargo through the Panama Canal, with subsequent delivery to Port Everglades, Fla.  

Even before its crew reassembled, PTF-26 was unexpectedly delayed further by the Jan. 16 collapse of the miter sill at Demopolis Lock. The Corps closed the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway to all river traffic until May. The Tenn-Tom was the only route PTF-26’s marine insurer would allow.

PTF-26 spent time docked in Palm Beach, Fla., and then Fort Myers, Fla. After an eight-day passage in late May, PTF-26 received a warm welcome and prime dock space at GulfQuest National Maritime Museum in Mobile for several weeks.

Shortly before the vessel arrived   in Mobile, it was discovered that previous repairs to an engine cooling system were done improperly, and corrective measures were needed before PTF-26 could proceed upriver. Fischmann agreed to resume command for the final 751-mile trip through 15 different locks.

Klapka rediscovered PTF-26, once again becoming part of the crew, thanks to the power of the internet. After leaving the navy, he went on to work first as a marine mechanic and eventually retired from United Postal Service (UPS) as a mechanic.  

“Not long after the internet became a useful tool for research, I was able to keep track of the 26 boat and its location for many years,” he said. “I was happy to see it found a useful purpose. I always wanted to revisit it, but it never seemed to be the right time or place.”

When Klapka found that MPTF had bought the boat and planned to relocate it in Golconda, it was much closer to Klapka, who had moved to the Memphis, Tenn., area.

“I found myself part of the next crew from Ft. Myers to Mobile Bay,” he said. “The boat was showing its age, but after nine days at sea proved to be solid and safe, a perfect piece of history well worthy of renovation.”

“My once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was an easy decision,” he continued. “I hope everyone who has a history with this boat gets to reunite with it and each other again.”

A New Mission

PTF-26 has been listed by the Historic Naval Ships Association (HSNA) for more than 25 years and is among a very few listed as “operational museum ships.” The others in the United States are Liberty ships SS John W Brown and SS Jeremiah O’Brien, D-Day veteran USS LST-325, War of 1812 hero USS Constitution, post-WWII PT-658 and Vietnam swift boat PCF-851.

  While continuing to represent its historic past, PTF-26’s primary mission will be providing “hands-on” shipboard training opportunities for teenagers enrolled in Sea Scout, Sea Cadet and NJROTC units in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri and Michigan.  

Baldridge envisions 12 to 15 cadets or scouts eating, sleeping and training aboard as crew trainees on weekends, with a USCG-licensed captain in command, guided by adult officers of their units. When “visit ship” is held on weekends, qualified, uniformed cadets and scouts of the crew will conduct tours for the public, either on the dock or on deck if the insurance company allows, Baldridge said. Tours will be offered without charge, Baldridge said, as PTF-26 is classified as a vessel in public service.

“Among the subtle, less obvious roles for PTF-26 is validation of southern Illinois’ historic connection to the river industry and the exceptional impact its citizens have had upon the armed forces,” Baldridge said. “Moreover, the presence of so historic a naval vessel in a city of 650 leads naturally to retelling Golconda’s amazing history as Illinois’ oldest city and how its former mayor was a larger-than-life, real-life naval hero and commanded PTFs and PBRs. That’s a story worth telling and repeating.”

Additionally, Baldridge hopes that PTF-26 will help focus attention on essential roles played by U.S. merchant mariners, especially on the inland waterways.

He said that while U.S. container ports are struggling to deal with record volumes of cargo imports and exports, the number of American oceangoing ships has dwindled to fewer than 200 commercial and government vessels, crewed by 13,500 “blue water” U.S. mariners.

By contrast, more than 33,000 mariners work on the rivers aboard 4,700 towing vessels in the Coast Guard’s Eighth District, meaning there are three times as many U.S. mariners working in the river industry than there are in ocean shipping.

“All of this is to say it is high time we acknowledge the importance of the maritime industry in this part of the country and develop certain key infrastructural components—i.e. ‘hands-on’ training vessels and maritime studies curricula—to inspire, inform and fire the imaginations of our youth and also to help shape their views of the maritime profession itself,” Baldridge said. “The maritime profession deserves far more respect than it receives. From experience, it’s not even close.”

“No one is suggesting working on the water is for everyone,” he added. “It’s not, but for many of our youth it’s exactly the kind of work they would enjoy and spend their lives doing. But they need to know it exists, first of all, plus what it takes to get out on the river, lake or ocean. In a sense, the kids with no exposure to the maritime world are why we’ve been so tenacious, resolute and downright stubborn about getting PTF-26 to the river. For nearly eight years we’ve worked hard to acquire PTF-26 so it could serve here in the Heartland. For two decades, PTF-26 was an iconic presence on the Sacramento River, accumulating an unmatched record of safety, security and success with its all-female Sea Scout crew. We wanted to transplant that same success here to the Ohio River. The youth raised by the rivers deserve special opportunities out on the river so they can make it their river. We believe PTF-26 is going to do that like nothing ever has before.”

Klapka said his experience reuniting with PTF-26 was more than he could have ever hoped for, and he thinks visitors to the vessel will go away with a feeling of just how special it is.

“This will not be a museum piece to look at,” he said. “It is more like a living, breathing historical experience. During our trip the boat never failed to attract a crowd and patriotic well-wishers, many of whom had Vietnam Era veterans in their family who served and sacrificed so much.”

Klapka said that as momentum builds in anticipation of PTF-26’s long-delayed arrival in Golconda, he gets increasingly excited about its future.

“Everyone I have met and become friends with seems to share the same goal,” he said. “It will require many man hours of hard work and generosity from those who understand the importance of keeping this era of history alive.

“Giving PTF-26 a new home to build on her 55 years of service is simply the right thing to do,” he added. “And God willing, it will continue to be seen that way for a long time to come.”

• Coast Guard
• GulfQuest National Maritime Museum
• Maritime Pastoral Training Foundation
• merchant marine
• the last American PT boat
• The Waterways Journal
• Vietnam War

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The 7 Best RC Boats for Racing Around Lakes, Riding Upstream, and Ripping Through Waves

Like sailing or speedboating, but tiny.

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

RC boats come in lots of shapes, sizes, and styles, but the best models can shred water from afar without becoming sinking ships. We’ve rounded up the best remote-control boats for beach visits, lakefront races, poolside entertainment, and some advice on picking the best RC boat for you.

Stay in play and check out our picks for the best magnetic toys , remote-control trucks , and remote-control planes .

The Best RC Boats

• Best Overall: ALPHAREV RC Boat with Case R308
• Best for Beginners: DEERC RC Boat with LED Light
• Most Well-Rounded: Altair Aerial AA102 RC Boat
• Best Value: Force1 Velocity H102
• Best Sailboat: PLAYSTEAM Voyager 400 RC Sailboat

What to Consider

While you can likely get away with using a larger RC boat on a pond or lake, you may want to stick to a smaller model if you’ll be floating yours in a backyard swimming pool or need to pack something tiny. RC boats can be up to two feet long, so make sure to consider the journey to the water, too, especially if the boat you’re eyeing doesn’t come with a carrying case.

Weight and Speed

The RC boat’s weight helps determine how fast it can move. Heavier boats are better equipped to move at high speeds without capsizing, whereas lighter boats can be speedy using less power, a.k.a., slower acceleration. Think of it like torque on a car (or a full-sized boat, for that matter)—the more power the boat gets from the battery, electric, or gas motor, the faster it can accelerate.

Speed is also dependent on the type of hull—some boats are shaped for optimal turning and curves, while others are built for picking up speed while driving in a straight line.

The priciest models can reach speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. We mostly recommend recreational, battery-powered RC boats that reach speeds up to 30 miles per hour, since the more powerful, expensive models are meant for hardcore hobbyists and professional racers.

Capsize Recovery

Many RC boats have anti-capsize, or capsize recovery, functionality to prevent them from flipping over (and staying overturned). Flipping an RC boat is extremely easy, especially if you lack experience, and can lead to a sinking ship. If you’re new to RC boating, consider grabbing one with capsize recovery, making your boat rebalance and flip back over if it tips.

How We Selected

We researched each model’s speed, customer rating, durability, and unique features. We also consulted buying guides from several top hobbyist publications. We’ve picked options for every type of RC boat customer, whether you’re a casual hobbyist, buying a first boat for your kids, or you’re a dedicated RC enthusiast.

ALPHAREV RC Boat with Case R308

This boat features capsize recovery, so if it tips over or gets hit by a wave, it’ll flip back over to recover. It also has LED lights installed to make it easy to see when it’s dark. Thanks to the autopilot mode that loops the boat into a figure-eight shape, children can easily use it, too.

The R308 comes with two batteries and a charger, with users reporting approximately 20 minutes of power (counting both batteries) when operating the boat at full speed. It has a 400-foot signal range for distance driving and tops at 20 miles per hour. With its carry case, the R308 is a solid RC boat for most users.

DEERC RC Boat with LED Light

This is an excellent option for anyone eager to get into RC boating but unsure of their prowess on the water. It features two autopilot modes, so there’s plenty of opportunity to learn how to use it. It also has an extended playtime of 30 minutes, giving you plenty of time to practice.

With features like capsize recovery, double hatch design, and low-battery and signal alarms, this boat is pretty much goof proof, making it the perfect boat for beginners on their way to becoming enthusiasts.

Altair Aerial AA102 RC Boat

If you need a well-rounded RC boat, this one has ample protection, zippy speeds, and excellent customer service, all in one attractive package. Its anti-capsize feature prevents it from tipping over, while several users say its nose bumper saved their boats from getting totaled through crashing.

It has an extra battery for more playtime, and several users say it provides up to 20 minutes of action after swapping it. Users who experienced issues with their boats were able to find replacement parts and products thanks to the company’s customer service help. Others say that it’s a terrific value, though the lack of a carry case is disappointing.

Force1 Velocity H102

This boat reaches speeds of 20-plus miles per hour, making it great for anyone who wants their toy to fly on the water. This boat features a capsize recovery mode, a water-cooled engine, and a double-hatched body, making it easier to control on waves. The charge time is a little long, three to four hours, but it can ride for up to 15 minutes at full power.

Customers say this boat reaches top speed fairly quickly, though some report that the controller is difficult to use and not very responsive. Still, it handles well on the water and is a super speedy boat.

PLAYSTEAM Voyager 400 RC Sailboat

If sailing is your preference, the Voyager 400 is the way to go. Rather than rely on an electric motor to push it forward, the Voyager 400 can sail in any body of water via wind power. Its remote controls the rudder and the propulsion, and just in case wind isn’t in the forecast, it comes with a detachable motor to help propel it.

Customers say it’s easy to use, and everything is sealed to keep interior components dry when it tips over. Its rechargeable remote battery can work for up to one hour, which puts most RC speedboats to shame. A drawback, however, is that if it gets stuck at sea without the motor attached, you’ll have to wait for it to wash ashore.

Cheerwing RC Racing Boat

Cheerwing RC boats are fantastic if you’re looking for an affordable toy to race with your friends. This boat can hit up to 15 miles per hour and has some great features, including capsize recovery and automatic yaw correction, which rebalances your boat. It also signals when the battery is low or starts to lose signal, giving you peace of mind.

If you want to try RC boating without spending much, this is a solid buy. Its biggest downside is in its battery life—just six to eight minutes per charge—and it doesn’t come with the option to buy a second battery, so it requires frequent recharging.

VOLANTEXRC Brushless RC Boat

If you need speed and don’t mind investing more money into your hobby, this boat is fantastic. The fastest model on this list, this boat has a top speed of 40 miles per hour, a range of up to 656 feet, and a water-cooled system that prevents the motor from overheating.

It also has safety features to prevent damage from the high speeds, like waterproofing and a one-piece hull to prevent cracks.

The biggest flaw is its lack of capsize recovery, and several users say their boats flipped in action, causing them to swim out to retrieve their toys. It also only comes with one battery.

Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he’s an expert in men’s style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He most recently worked as the Style Editor for Reviewed, a top product recommendation site owned by USA TODAY. He also helped with the launch of WSJ's Buy Side commerce vertical, and has covered the music and podcast industries for Mass Appeal, Genius, Vulture, Leafly, Input, and The A.V. Club. Equally passionate about leisure as he is his penmanship, Kevin dedicates his spare time to graphic novels, birding, making cold brew, and taking long, meandering walks.

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