Reviews

Fountaine Pajot, FP44, Elba 45, FP41, Cannes Yachting Festival

FP44 raises bar for outdoor living

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FP44 raises bar for outdoor living

August 27, 2026
4:47 am

One of two Fountaine Pajot sailing catamarans that debuted in 2025, the sleek-lined FP44 is notable for an extensive ‘lounge deck’ on the coachroof, a mostly solid foredeck and better overall liveability than her predecessor.
Words: Zuzana Prochazka; Photos: Gilles Martin-Raget / Fountaine Pajot

Multiple units of Fountaine Pajot’s FP44 have been sold into Asia

Fountaine Pajot is rolling out a new generation of cruising cats. Among the first on the water was the FP44, which replaced the Elba 45 and had its world premiere along with the FP41 entry model at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival.

Founded in La Rochelle in 1976, the French shipyard has dropped its famous naming scheme and is now sticking to identifying models by length only, with smaller models preceded by FP and those 70ft and above by FPY. Whatever you call her, the FP44 is a noteworthy change from her predecessor.

The FP 44 is similar to the Elba but with visible improvements. Longer hull windows cut down on the appearance of a high freeboard and bring in more light. Also, the deck has a subtle inverted sheer with a pronounced hull chine above the waterline that creates more interior volume.

Extensive solar coverage is available on the coachroof and foredeck, where solar panels can replace the netting

Using its own analysis, the builder positions the model in what they see as a market gap when compared to competitors. If the company’s assessments are correct, the FP44 offers a unique value proposition in this segment.

SPACE AND FLOW

Fountaine Pajot has been building catamarans since 1983 and working with the Berret-Racoupeau studio, also based in La Rochelle, since 1991. The design brief for the FP44 clearly emphasised efficient use of space and the 43ft 6in catamaran offers 950sqft of liveable elbow room.

The foredeck’s social space has increased due to a reduced netting area

On deck, the changes are immediately visible. The foredeck lounge is larger, with cushioned seating for six and a cocktail table on the centreline that also forms the cover for the windlass. As on the FP41, the trampolines are truncated so there’s more solid fibreglass deck to move around on. There’s even an option to replace the netting in these small trampolines with flexible solar panels.

LOUNGING ON TOP

The FP44 is a semi-flybridge or ‘lounge-deck’ design. Rather than adding the weight, cost and windage of a full flybridge, Fountaine Pajot is following an industry trend toward rooftop lounges that eliminate the height and technical complexity of a full bridge.

The helm and coachroof lounge are well connected

Up here, the settee and two large sunbeds were completely reworked from the previous model and now enjoy a better flow. Eight guests can comfortably gather to keep the skipper company under way.

To starboard, the helm station has been redesigned with a raised plexiglass panel and a new layout for the navigation instruments. This ensures all essential information is visible at a glance, without being obscured by the wheel, unlike on the Elba 45 or the Astrea 42. The line handling section with three winches is just ahead. Like other raised helm configurations, this one offers good visibility forward and down the starboard side.

Both the steering station with MFD and the line-handling area with three winches are protected by a long, adjustable bimini

One thing that didn’t change was the egress from the helm seat to the side deck. The helm is still closed on the outboard side, necessitating the driver to step forward in the crew area and then out to the deck. It only takes about four steps, and the shipyard feels the fibreglass bar keeps the skipper safer. However, in this reviewer’s opinion, it would be more efficient and practical to open that outboard side and set the skipper free to help with dock lines when needed.

COCKPIT CHANGES

By far the biggest changes can be seen in the aft cockpit. To port, the arrangement is familiar with a dinette for six and a raised daybed at deck level.

The cockpit’s multiple seating areas extend to an aft-facing daybed to port (not pictured)

Between the steps to the side deck and the outer hull, Fountaine Pajot has added a new aft-facing chaise longue that they refer to as a ‘fishing seat’. I’m not sure anyone will fish from here, but it’s a wonderful place to relax, enjoying the view of the entire anchorage that forms your backyard.

A chaise longue is also offered on the starboard side, although owners can instead include a plancha grill, while nearby is an L-shaped mini-lounger for two. An optional hydraulic platform is available to carry the tender. When lowered, the platform becomes a teak beach club, a feature that’s very popular with boaters.

The cockpit can include a plancha grill in the aft starboard corner (above), while the dining table has seating along both sides and the forward end

The division between the cockpit and the saloon is a three-panel glass door that tucks away into a starboard side casing just below and ahead of the helm. When open, this creates a seamless 10ft connection joining the inside with the outside.

LUXURIOUS LIVEABILITY

The saloon was tweaked from the previous layout, adding a galley island on the centreline. The C shaped dinette or lounge is still in the starboard corner, but its chaise longue is angled inward to create sufficient passing room between it and the island, which adds countertop space and a familiar touch of home.

Sliding doors (above) create a huge opening into the interior, which has an aft galley and a C-shaped lounge (below) in the forward starboard corner

Increasingly, boaters want to live on the water the way they do at home, and this solution is a nod to these changing tastes.

For accommodation, the FP44 is available in three layouts: Maestro and Full Maestro owner versions, and the Quatuor four-cabin configuration for charter fleets. The Maestro and Full Maestro include a 162sqft master suite in the port hull. The bed is aft and has been angled outboard, which does two things. It creates more longitudinal space for a better flow, and it provides a view of the sea through the hull windows from the second the owners open their eyes.

The port hull in the Maestro version; forward of the desk are a shower, sink, enclosed toilet, more storage and a flexible bunk room

The Full Maestro features the head and large shower stall in the bow, but for the Maestro, the shower is midships, with the sink and an enclosed toilet moved slightly aft. This creates room for a multipurpose space in the bow that can be used as an over/under bunkroom for kids, a storage room or a workshop. This kind of flex space is a cruiser’s dream.

In the Quatuor version, there are four cabins, each including a wet head with an overhead bar and shower curtain to create a stall of sorts. The aft cabin also has an angled bed while the forward bed is cut away at the foot for easier entry. In this version, a skipper cabin can be added to the port bow, but not many crew like such spaces, even paid skippers on charter, so it’s more likely to be used for fender storage.

PERFORMANCE

Comparing the specs between the current FP44 and the former Elba 45, some differences stand out including a deeper draft to improve upwind performance. The new model is about 450kg heavier. Both models have an overlapping genoa rather than a self-tacking jib for better performance, but owners will want to opt for the 1,400sqft gennaker that can be used up to 75 degrees apparent wind angle.

The FP44 is available with the ODSea+ hybrid package

Kudos to Fountaine Pajot for still including a real traveller on the coachroof for better mainsail shape and higher pointing ability. Some other brands have done away with it, but on a cat, this feature is imperative to manage the boom efficiently. With fixed keels rather than daggerboards, this design wouldn’t be labelled a performance cat, but she holds her own in her class.

Standard propulsion includes twin 30hp diesels upgradable to 57hp engines. That’s a worthy investment for any skipper who wants to push through head seas or run for the marina when a storm is inbound.

Fountaine Pajot’s serial hybrid propulsion called ODSea+ is also available. It pairs two 25kW electric motors with two 42kWh lithium battery banks and a diesel generator. As well as the hardware, ODSea+ incorporates software that controls energy production, storage and distribution in real time to optimise the boat’s performance and range.

An opening saloon window enables connectivity and breeze inside

An optional solar array on the coachroof offers up to 2kW of power and the optional trampoline panels mentioned earlier raise that to 2.3kW watts in total.

MORE FOR THE MONEY

Although the FP44 launched at last year’s Cannes Yachting Festival alongside the FP41, the bigger boat stole the spotlight.

The builder has emphasised value, stating that the FP44 is 20-25 per cent less than her predecessor and the price varies between US$820,000-$950,000 depending on the version and its outfitting. Given the higher prices of today’s raw materials, it’s a mystery how they accomplished this.

According to Fountaine Pajot, 80 per cent of their models go into private ownership rather than into charter, which is more than other brands of production cats that split roughly 50/50. This explains their attention to liveability, which the FP44 has in spades.

fountaine-pajot.com

Axopar 38’s winning start

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Axopar 38’s winning start

August 20, 2026
4:32 pm

With a Tetris-style approach to configurations and an array of family-friendly features, the all-new Axopar 38 Cross Cabin is a true Swiss Army Knife on the water – and a Yacht Style Awards 2026 winner.

Words: Katia Damborsky; Photos: Axopar

The all-new Axopar 38 succeeds the hugely successful 37

When Axopar debuted the ‘Mark II’ edition of its 37 in 2020, it was an upgrade of the original Axopar 37 that had premiered four years earlier and was available in Cross Cabin (enclosed), Sun Top and Spyder (fully open) versions.

The Axopar 37 Cross Cabin version landed somewhere between a rugged Scandinavian explorer and a family weekender, a boat that was happily carving its own niche and wasn’t trying to put itself in the ‘sports cruiser’ box. Instead, it offered something refreshingly straightforward: a capable, all-weather boat that was safe, comfortable and had thoughtful, convenient features ingrained into the design.

Fast forward to 2026 and the 37 has been replaced by the all-new Axopar 38, with a slightly longer hull among 200 or so changes.

Graphic showing major changes from the Axopar 37 to the Axopar 38 (Cross Cabin), with grey text representing options

Effectively a ‘third-generation’ model, the Axopar 38 was first displayed in the Cross Cabin version at the indoor Boot Dusseldorf show in January, was a Yacht Style Awards 2026 winner (‘Motoryacht 10-12m’) and since been joined by the Sun Top and the Cross Top versions.

AROUND THE WORLD

Hugely popular globally and in Asia where dealers include Simpson Marine, Derani Yachts and Europa Yachts, Axopar has sold in the region of 7,500 boats and cultivated what could be described as a devoted following. The Finnish-owned company refers to them as ‘Axoparians’.

It sounds slightly cultish, until you spend a day around them and realise the term is a good way to describe its very specific clientele.

I discover this myself during Axopar’s Open Day in Palma de Mallorca, where dozens of the brand’s boats are lined up in the marina, owned by happy ‘Axoparians’ who have chosen the Balearics as their home port.

The unit shown has twin 350hp Mercury V10 engines and includes the Brabus Line, aft cabin and bow U-sofa options

At the far end of the marina, the new Axopar models – the ones to be tested by journalists – are idling quietly. Against the backdrop of honey-coloured stone buildings and a crisp blue Mediterranean sea,

the fleet looks remarkably charming and cohesive.

Their Scandi styling can conjure up an image of an ice-covered Baltic lake or a remote inlet in the Norwegian fjords, but they look equally at home against a cheerful blue sky and the soundtrack of happy children playing on a nearby beach.

While the 38 Sun Top is making its debut and is unveiled in a dramatic fashion to many “oohs” and “aahs” from attending journalists, I’m here to see the 38 Cross Cabin, in its Brabus Line edition. The model on display features the option of a second cabin; a wet bar or bench sofa are among other aft deck choices.

Whatever the configuration, the Axopar 38 is a boat that champions modularity and seems to adopt a Tetris-like ability to swap in and swap out various features or upgrades.

Axopar introduced fold-down ‘activity platforms’ on the all-new 38; options shown include side bench seats and an electric sliding canvas roof

The yacht has a near-39ft overall length and an 11ft 7in beam, occupying a sweet spot in the dayboat or ‘adventure boat’ market. It’s large enough to overnight comfortably and small enough to remain approachable for owner-operators. Approachable is a recurring theme at Axopar.

“I am all about getting more people on the water,” says Jan-Erik Viitala, Axopar’s Founding Partner and Creative Director. “That’s what I’m trying to change in the industry.”

It’s a philosophy that permeates every aspect of the boat. The Axopar 38 isn’t a radical departure from its predecessor. Instead, it’s the result of years spent listening to owners and refining a concept that already worked exceptionally well, with the Axopar 37 selling about 3,000 units.

The hull remains a twin-stepped design, but hydrodynamics, balance and structural engineering have all been revisited. The wider bow improves access and liveability (there’s now a bow lounge as standard), while the wheelhouse and accommodation spaces have undergone substantial redesigns.

Side view shows the option of a helm sofa, which has a folding backrest that can combine with a high-low table to form a saloon bed

Noise-reduction measures have also been incorporated throughout, and the entire boat feels more polished and resolved than before.

ON THE WATER

For a fair-weather boater like me, all of this sounded promising on paper. The real question is how it would feel underway. Fortunately, Mallorca delivers ideal testing conditions, with a moderate chop rolling through the bay, enough to reveal a boat’s weaknesses without making everyone on board regret breakfast.

We slip away from Palma and head out towards the open water. Our test boat is fitted with the upgraded option of 350hp Mercury V10 outboards that deliver a top speed over 45 knots, although cruising at 38 knots feels more than sufficient.

The 38 Cross Cabin feels unintimidating behind the wheel. The helm is clean and automotive inspired, visibility is excellent and the enclosed wheelhouse creates a reassuring sense of security without feeling claustrophobic.

The optional roof-rack can be used to carry water toys like paddleboards and mountain bikes, while the sunpad atop the aft cabin can fit an eFoil

Axopar talks extensively about drivability, but unlike many builders, it doesn’t achieve this through layers of electronic intervention or clever gimmicks. Instead, the boat simply feels well sorted, with joystick control and twin bolster seats, although rotating helm seats or a driver sofa are among options.

Turns are smooth, predictable and confidence-inspiring. Even pushing through the chop, the sharp entry hull maintains its composure and never feels unsettled. It’s the sort of boat that quickly encourages you to relax because it seems to understand what you’re trying to do before you’ve fully committed to doing it.

“Forgiving and intuitive,” is how Viitala describes the experience as I yank us into another turn. I try not to take that personally.

ROOM FOR MORE

One of my favourite aspects of the boat lies in how it accommodates people. The saloon is flanked by sliding glass doors and is fitted with a daybed that can also turn into your principal dining area due to a concealed table.

The interior of a different Axopar 38 Cross Cabin, with twin helm seats

It looks simple enough, but I’m amazed by the way they’ve added things: like a little table that pops out from the port side and becomes a small drinks bar, and a footrest that goes across the entrance to the cabin and makes you feel properly ‘cocooned’ inside.

The main cabin, included as standard, is located forward. You descend into it from a partition on the port side of the helm, separated by a door that opens upwards from the upper part and a sliding screen along the bottom. With the pantry module option, there’s a small galley with a hob and sink, plus a compartment above with shelving that could work as a rack for herbs and spices.

Opposite is a fully enclosed and remarkably well-finished bathroom, with a shower head attached to the wall. Just forward is an extending table that can either be petite enough for coffee or large enough for a meal. Then, there’s a divider that effectively allows you to use this space as seating or as a bed.

The forward cabin configured with a pantry module to port and enclosed bathroom to starboard

In my opinion, the aft cabin remains a true innovation, because it’s both totally unexpected and a completely obvious solution. First seen on the 37, the cabin is tucked under a flat sunpad that overlooks the swim platform and engines.

There are some integrated cup holders and an openable glass window at the aft end of the saloon. On either side of the aft deck on this well-specced unit is a slim bench seat with fender storage. Other side options include a larger fender box with cushioning on top or a small wet bar with a grill.

From the deck, you can lift the entire sunpad and access the space within, which is very handy when it’s used for storage, allowing you to throw in whatever you need when the cabin isn’t being used for sleeping and relaxing.

OPTIONS ABOUND

That’s a lot to cram in, but Axopar has gone all in on nifty tricks. The brand’s optional but popular gullwing doors lift on both sides of the forward cabin to let in light and ventilation.

Optional gullwing doors shown on a different unit

You can also use the door of the head as a partition between the wheelhouse and saloon, essentially making it either an en-suite or a head for general use.

Elsewhere, the bow has various options to suit the needs of different buyers. Our test boat featured the ‘U-Sofa Package’, with a high-low triangular table surrounded by the aft-facing U-sofa with backrests on both sides, that combine well with the standard forward-facing sofa.

Meanwhile, the roof includes an electric or manually operated sliding canvas sunroof, allowing you to benefit from fresh air. With the optional roof-rack in place, it provides a safe and secure place to lash toys, like paddleboards, surfboards or even mountain bikes.

An alternative forward cabin, with an electric toilet under the sofa

If I have any criticisms, it’s that the aft sunpad could benefit from additional handholds. At speed, particularly when crossing wake or chop, there were moments when I found myself wishing for something more substantial to grab onto, although I admit a sunpad is not a typical hangout during passage.

Likewise, I wasn’t entirely convinced by the outward-opening aft window, which feels less elegant than a sliding arrangement would have been. Still, these are relatively minor gripes on an otherwise exceptionally well-executed boat.

“The emotions you get out on the water are unlike anywhere else,” Viitala says as we glide into a bay with gin-clear emerald water and pine-thick shores. “You don’t get this on a golf course. You don’t get this in a swimming pool. Boating is just different.”

Axopar 38 Cross Cabin, winner of the ‘Motoryacht 10-12m’ category at Yacht Style Awards 2026

As we bob idly on the water, two children of about 10 zip past on Seabobs. One glances towards us and announces to his friend: “That’s an Axopar.” Creating a good boat is difficult enough but creating a boat that people instantly recognise from a distance is something else entirely.

Axopar popularised the term ‘adventure boat’ and has pioneered one of the industry’s fastest-growing sectors. Judging by the 38 Cross Cabin, the company has no intention of surrendering that position anytime soon.

axopar.com

Jeanneau’s Sun Odyssey 415 fronts ninth generation

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Jeanneau’s Sun Odyssey 415 fronts ninth generation

August 13, 2026
2:19 pm

One of two Jeanneau sailboats that debuted in the past year, the Sun Odyssey 415 is a revamped design at the heart of the market, offering improved liveability at a reasonable price.
Words: Zuzana Prochazka; Photos: Jeanneau

The Sun Odyssey 415 is based on the 410 hull but with a wider stern and bigger windows

Redesigning a boat that already works well is tricky, but it has its benefits. In a bind to come up with a fresh offering at an affordable price, Jeanneau tapped their popular Sun Odyssey 410 to create a new model in the ninth generation of the series.

The Sun Odyssey 415 capitalises on what came before by leveraging an existing hull design and adding practical features and smart touches. And Jeanneau did it without breaking the bank.

The Sun Odyssey 415 can act as a base for activities

Tooling is expensive so the French builder repurposed an existing slippery hull, adding larger hull windows and expanding the beam at the transom by 1ft. They delivered a reimagined design in just over six months without the high cost of a new hull mould.

“We redesigned a boat that worked, which is the most affordable way to build,” says Jeanneau’s Catherine Guiader. “In the process, we returned to a more traditional layout that couples and small families love.”

ON DECK

A design by Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group, the Sun Odyssey 415 sports an inverted bow that clears the waterline and a hard chine that runs nearly the length of the hull. Below the waterline, the twin rudders remained, but the keel was tweaked to enhance stability.

The twin wheels face a cockpit table with fold-up leaves, which provides plenty of space for alfresco dining for four

Jeanneau’s signature walkaround deck was brought over from the previous model, so there’s no more climbing over the cockpit coaming to get to the side deck.

Twin wheels are suspended from binnacles that are moulded into the aft ends of the cockpit settees. Other than a table on the centreline, the cockpit is mostly clear for an easy transition from the companionway to the water.

The symmetrical cockpit inside the walkaround side decks

Four winches, two on the cockpit coamings and two at the companionway, manage all the lines. It’s best to spec the port forward one as electric to make raising the main easier. With the open walkaround side deck, it’s possible to lean over the primaries, which are near the wheels and use body weight to grind. It’s more effective and it may save your back.

A 9in Raymarine multifunction display (MFD) is on starboard, but another can be added to the port side pedestal. A remote mic for the VHF radio is on the starboard binnacle and the compass, Tridata instrument screen and stereo head are integrated into the aft end of the drop-leaf table.

The swim platform is manually deployed but light

The engine throttle is to starboard and at knee level on the outboard bulkhead, and the drop transom is manual but light to lift.

BELOW DECK

The Sun Odyssey 415 has an interior styled by Jean-Marc Piaton of Piaton Yacht Design. Layout options include two or three cabins and a single bathroom with a shower stall on starboard.

Lit by coachroof and hull windows plus skylights, the interior (above) includes an aft galley, forward seating and tables, and master suite in the bow (below)

You can add a second wet head tucked into the master stateroom in the bow, but that necessitates a smaller bed on an angle, ruining what is otherwise a rather elegant owners’ suite.

The L-shaped galley to port added white surfaces but instead of looking plain and down market, the white mixed with the grey cedar wood finishes made our test boat look brighter and more spacious. The galley is compact but has all it needs with a two-burner cooktop, sink and refrigeration that’s accessible both from the top and the front.

The L-shaped galley has a two-burner cooktop, sink, refrigeration and storage

The dinette with a high-low table is to port, across from which is a small table between two seats. The electrical panel and VHF are here so it’s a kind of navigation desk, but kids can also play games at the table while adults finish breakfast on the other side. This is a more traditional layout that was embraced for years so Jeanneau brought it back.

Aft are two cabins, one of which can be left open as a stowage room, which is a feature that owners love because there’s never enough space to carry all the cruising necessities.

Aft view showing the two guest cabins

Solid wood is used on furniture edges and corners to add durability, while lots of indirect lighting adds a touch of class throughout. The larger hull windows provide light and nice views from a seated position, and the two hatches over the saloon add ventilation.

PERFORMANCE

We sailed the second hull with Jeanneau’s Performance Pack, which included upgraded sails, a taller Z Spars mast, a hydraulic vang and an overlapping genoa. In 14-15 knots of true wind, the Sun Odyssey 415 reeled off 7.0-7.5 knots of boat speed at 50 degrees apparent wind angle (AWA) without a reef. We enjoyed a most comfortable ride.

The Performance version has upgraded sails, a taller mast, a hydraulic vang and an overlapping genoa

The upwind headsail is managed with Dyneema lines running through low-friction rings that eliminate the need for jib cars and tracks. The Code 0 on the performance rig adds 704sqft of sail area and can be carried up to 60 degrees apparent wind angle. It’s absolutely the key to fun, speedy sailing.

Our Sun Odyssey 415 delivered respectable performance against the boats with longer waterlines around us. Two things stood out during our sail: the design is so well-balanced that the boat stayed in her groove even when I took my hand off the wheel, and she’s so easy to manage with her simple rigging that she builds confidence in her crew.

The Sun Odyssey 415 performs well, even against longer boats

Jeanneau returned to shaft-drive propulsion, eliminating what they found to be challenges with Saildrives. At 2,300rpm, the 45hp Yanmar diesel delivered 5.8 knots of speed, which increased to 7.2 knots at wide-open-throttle and 3,110rpm.

Our test boat was upgraded with a Flexofold folding propeller, a Fischer Panda generator, a second MFD, the taller rig, the high-low table and an electric winch. Prices vary, but expect to pay in the ballpark of US$350,000 for a well-outfitted version like this.

HITTING THE SWEET SPOT

Designs in the 40-42ft segment are the heart of the market for cruising couples and in the Sun Odyssey 415, Jeanneau has struck the bullseye. Owners can choose from four different sail plans and three keel options including a swing keel.

The Sun Odyssey 415 returns to the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2026 following her debut at last year’s edition

The change was more evolutionary than revolutionary but with results like these, there’s much to be said for evolution. That it was done within a constrained timeframe and budget speaks to Jeanneau’s fast-moving engineering and thorough understanding of the market.

jeanneau.com

Dufour’s fabulous flagship

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Dufour’s fabulous flagship

August 6, 2026
4:17 am

Designed for distance cruising, the French shipyard’s new Dufour 54 offers loads of room above and below, plus a wide and interesting variety of interior layout options.
Words: Zuzana Prochazka; Photos: Jean-Marie Liot / Dufour

The Dufour 54 is designed by Italy’s Felci Yacht Design

Dufour Yachts has a new flagship, the Dufour 54, which debuted at the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2025, just months after the French builder’s 48 premiered at last year’s Palma International Boat Show. The sleek 17m-long queen of its range of sailing monohulls, the Dufour 54 replaces the 530 and although similar, it’s more evolved and luxurious.

For this latest design, the La Rochelle shipyard once again tapped Italy’s Felci Yacht Design, and the 54 adopts the series aesthetic. The bow is plumb, the coachroof is low and a hard chine runs the length of the hull, building interior volume.

The construction includes a solid, infused fibreglass hull with an integrated structural grid topped by an infused deck and liberal use of hull windows. Below the waterline, there’s a single rudder and a choice of keel, with a maximum depth of 2.4m.

ON DECK

A boat must work well under sail as well as at anchor, and Dufour has dialled in the experience from both perspectives.

There are two primary winches in front of each wheel, winches for the jib sheets on the cockpit coaming, and halyard winches by the companionway

When sailing, everything falls well to hand. The continuous German-style mainsheet leads back to two primary winches near the wheels. Two more winches for the jib sheets are on the cockpit coaming, and halyard winches are on the cabin top, near the companionway where crew can reach them easily. All winches can be made electric.

The bow is wide and feels massive, with room for five hatches and a cavernous sail locker just aft of the windlass. In the cockpit, twin helm stations are set on streamlined, angled pedestals topped with B&G multifunction displays. Engine controls are to starboard on the console so there’s no need to bend down to shift gears when docking.

The symmetrical cockpit features two long high-low-tables

The cockpit is large, A-shaped and fairly standard in its layout, although it has been reconfigured with twin high-low tables rather than the previous centreline dropleaf table. This opens the cockpit for easy movement and more versatile use because you can have one table up for dining and the other down to form a lounge.

An optional hardtop with skylights is available and it’s worth the money. Not only does it accommodate a 1.3kW solar array but it provides cover from the elements for most of the cockpit.

The optional hardtop includes aft and forward skylights, accommodates up to 1.3kW of solar panels and covers most of the cockpit

When seen from above, it’s clear that the two wheels are not under its footprint, which is odd, but it does provide better views of the sails. This top adds expense, windage and weight, but I’d still make the trade-off for the comfort, convenience and a place for those solar panels.

The trademark Dufour transom galley has grown since the previous model and has a larger plancha grill and sink.

The wet bar with barbecue is under the aft bench seat

With the electric transom lowered, the teak beach platform provides a place for the chef to stand and cook en plein air. It’s a Dufour hallmark that has often been copied by other brands.

BELOW DECK

Below, headroom is exceptional because this is a deep boat with six steps leading from the cockpit down to the interior.

Aft view of the interior, which shows the two aft cabins fitted as standard; the open office aft of the dinette is among many interior options

The fit and finish below have evolved and light pours in from both the cabinhouse and hull windows as well as the three saloon hatches.

The saloon and galley feature a flexible design. Forward, Dufour’s signature split galley includes the sink, stove, fridge, dishwasher and freezer to starboard, while to port is a new bar area with worktop space and extra storage. For long-distance cruising, optional refrigeration can be added in the galley or bar area.

Forward view of the saloon showing the two-sided galley and the many skylights and windows providing natural light and views

The dinette is to starboard with room for six to eight people, and it stays in place in all the layouts. To port is a love seat and a large head or a bunk-bed cabin aft. There’s even an option for a straight galley.

CABIN OPTIONS

The Dufour 54 is reminiscent of the many models that came before and offers a choice of three to six cabins and two to four heads. Two aft cabins are standard, and a bathroom is to starboard unless it’s replaced with a dedicated office/navigation desk with its own structure. This office can be somewhat odd, especially since the panel, VHF and stereo head are in a cabinet on the port side of the saloon and nowhere near the navigation desk.

Aft view in the ‘owner’s suite’; forward options include the ‘owner’s cabin’ or two cabins

The boat I viewed featured a three-cabin layout with the ‘owner’s suite’ in the bow. I say ‘suite’ because there’s another three-cabin version with the same space for an ‘owner’s cabin’. The two differ dramatically. The ‘owner’s suite’ has a transverse, slightly angled bed to starboard, a bathroom with a shower stall in the bow, and a port dressing area with a vanity desk in a dedicated space (much like the optional office).

The ‘owner’s cabin’ version has a longitudinal centreline bed up against the forward bulkhead, and a split bathroom, with a head and sink to port opposite a shower compartment to starboard. However, there’s no dressing area.

View from the vanity corner in the ‘owner’s suite’

In the four-cabin version suitable for charter, this forward section is wide enough to also hold two cabins with two heads, one of which is fitted into the dedicated dressing area mentioned above. Further accommodation options include a bunk-bed cabin forward of the dinette and a skipper’s cabin in the forepeak.

Dufour prides itself on its workmanship, clever storage spaces, and a wide range of options. The Dufour 54 delivers on these brand promises.

BIG BOAT PERFORMANCE

Dufour is known for building slippery hulls and the 54 is no exception. Despite a very full forward section that creates the dramatic interior volume, the Dufour yachts I’ve sailed don’t generally slam or stall when sailing upwind and into head seas.

The Dufour 54 impresses on the water

Like all Dufour models, the 54 has a self-tacking jib with a curved track ahead of the mast, but an overlapping genoa is an option. The tracks for this headsail are on the coachroof rather than on the side deck, so they don’t pose a tripping hazard, but they’re short so sail shape adjustment will be limited. The rig has a triple-spreader mast and there is no traveller. Instead, the mainsheet attaches to two points on the hardtop.

According to the Felci Velocity Prediction Program (VPP) or polar diagrams, in 20 knots of true wind, the Dufour 54 will sail around 8.5 knots at 40 degrees wind angle, adding a knot when the wind moves aft to 60 degrees, and another knot of boat speed when on a beam reach. Even at 10.5 knots, this stout lady (16.6 tonnes) will just be on the verge of needing a reef.

The Dufour 54 is available with an 80hp Yanmar diesel or an upgraded 110hp Yanmar engine. I’d opt for the latter for better progress into headwinds and seas. A seven-knot cruise at 2,400rpm will be standard with a top end of 8-8.5 knots at wide open throttle. With a bow thruster, this big boat is a cinch to fit into the tightest of spaces, so she’s not as intimidating as she looks.

The aft platform includes a swim ladder to starboard

Dufour has grown more dedicated to hybrid propulsion with each new model, so the 54 is available with the ODSea+ pack, which replaces the diesel with a 50kW electric motor paired with a generator and a 54kWh lithium battery pack. I spent a week on the Dufour 530 with this system that starts the genset automatically when the batteries reach 40 per cent of charge. It was foolproof and needed no user intervention.

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS

Dufour now markets six models ranging from 37-54ft, with the 54 reigning as the current flagship. The shipyard is known for offering good value, so the starting price for the Dufour 54 is around US$700,000 but quickly moves up to over US$1 million when fully outfitted.

She’s a capable offshore cruiser that will build confidence in her crew on long bluewater passages while providing a comfortable home away from home.

dufour-yachts.com

Lagoon extends options on sailing flagship

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Lagoon extends options on sailing flagship

July 30, 2026
3:08 am

The ‘Sailing Catamaran Above 18m’ winner at Yacht Style Awards 2026, Lagoon’s Eighty 2 is the French brand’s masterful sailing flagship, with an extendable, high-low swim platform standing out as the signature feature on a boat packed with novelties and options.
Words: Risa Merl; Photos: Lagoon

The Lagoon Eighty 2 succeeds the iconic Seventy 7

Bigger is often the easiest headline in yacht building. For Lagoon, however, the release of its Eighty 2 – which has an overall length of 24.97m (81ft 11in) – is about far more than adding length to an already successful platform.

As the French builder’s biggest sailing catamaran, the Eighty 2 enters a market that has become increasingly sophisticated, where owners expect the volume and amenities of a motoryacht, the comfort of a luxury residence and the operational efficiency of a professionally run charter vessel.

The challenge was not simply to create a larger yacht than the Lagoon Seventy 7 but to rethink how the brand’s sailing flagship should feel and function.

The Eighty 2 is a design collaboration between VPLP Design, Patrick Le Quément and Nauta Design

Designed by a powerhouse collaboration comprising VPLP Design (naval architecture), Patrick Le Quément (exterior design) and Nauta Design (interiors), alongside Lagoon’s in-house product team, the Eighty 2 represents something entirely new for the brand.

The yacht is a foray into the more refined world of pocket superyachts, while still retaining all the ease of use – for both owners and crew – that has come to be expected in a Lagoon. While the yacht shares its underlying technical platform with the Seventy 7, the builder is quick to point out that the similarities largely end there.

Rosalie Le Gall, Lagoon’s Product Director, says: “The platform is the same, but the layout has been totally changed.”

EXTENDING PLATFORM

The change is noticeable the moment you step on board and into the expansive cockpit, which has been completely reconfigured to create a continuous, step-free connection between the aft deck, main saloon and foredeck lounge.

Forward view of the combined aft platform and cockpit, showing the port stairs to the flybridge and central doors to the saloon

One of the most significant innovations is the new aft platform, developed with Tenderlift. The system addresses one of the traditional limitations of large catamarans: the restricted space between the hulls.

At anchor, the extended aft platform can be lowered to the height of the transoms to create a waterside beach club

“The idea is to offer different functionality first, to be able to take on board any size of dinghy or tender,” Le Gall says.

The platform extends beyond the beam defined by the hulls and can accommodate tenders up to 6m, subject to weight restrictions. When there’s no tender, it can be adorned with lounge chairs and act as an extension of the aft cockpit or lowered to provide easy access for watersports. “It adds 26sqm of space in the aft of the cockpit,” Le Gall adds.

The sunken foredeck has direct access from the saloon

Space, unsurprisingly, is one of the Eighty 2’s defining characteristics. Lagoon has also been able to increase the size of the forward cockpit by as much as 40 per cent, while the flybridge offers approximately 50sqm of usable area.

The exterior deck spaces can be configured according to owner preferences and are furnished on hull one with loose pieces from Tribù. That flexibility is particularly relevant in Asia, where owners often use yachts as platforms for socialising and hosting guests.

Aft view of the enormous flybridge, which offers about 50sqm of usable area and is fronted by two helm bench seats

According to Le Gall, the expanded deck areas and adaptable layouts make the Eighty 2 especially well-suited to those demands.

SUPERYACHT INTERIOR

The interior tells an equally important story of not just moving up in size but also in style. Nauta Design, which has been designing Lagoon interiors since 2012, is known for successful production yachts but is also behind well-known superyachts including the 180m Azzam, the world’s largest yacht by length.

The Italian studio was able to take its experience in the superyacht sector and apply some higher-end styling cues to the Lagoon Eighty 2, without losing the boat’s sailing sensibilities.

Forward view of the saloon, with a dining table to port, lounge to starboard and an open bar in the forward port corner

Massimo Gino, Nauta Design’s co-founder, explains: “The idea was to bring this boat closer to the bigger custom yachts we designed.”

The studio put a focus on loose furniture, rather than having built-ins. The result is an interior that prioritises warmth and timelessness over visual theatrics. The design team intentionally avoided chasing trends.

“You have to think about longevity and to avoid all trendy elements, which can make you bored with the design after a few months,” Gino says.

Sand oak veneers with a brushed finish replace the materials used on previous models, while woven leather details, bronze mirror accents and carefully selected fabrics contribute to a more refined atmosphere.

In the galley-down version, the kitchen is in the port hull

The flooring is in Alpi wood. Foglizzio leather, frequently seen on a superyacht, is used on the headboards in the cabins. There was also a focus on choosing sustainable materials, hence using veneers.

Considerable attention was devoted to how light interacts with surfaces throughout the yacht, with indirect lighting helping to reinforce the sense of volume within the saloon and accommodation spaces. “The idea is to keep the perception of the boat’s width,” Gino says. His philosophy makes perfect sense – it’s a beamy catamaran, so why hide the space?

LAYOUT OPTIONS

Accommodation also benefits from the yacht’s enhanced volume. The owner’s suite is larger than on the model’s predecessor, with increased floor area, expanded wardrobes and upgraded detailing throughout. Leather headboards, integrated lighting and carefully considered material combinations create a more residential feel than previous generations.

The optional master suite is in the starboard hull and has a bathroom aft

There are multiple layout versions available depending on an owner’s needs, including five guest cabins with the galley down in the port hull, five cabins with the galley up on the main deck and four cabins with the galley down and a massive owner’s suite, as seen in hull one.

The owner’s cabin on hull one has an aft en-suite bathroom with his and hers sinks, and a walk-in closet forward. The bedroom area feels especially palatial when the balcony is unfurled. You’d be forgiven for thinking you were on a much larger yacht than one based on a sub-24m hull.

Le Gall reiterates that the design wasn’t just conceived for owner comfort but also the experience of the crew. Feedback from owners and crew of previous models helped inform a revised arrangement that dedicates the forward part of the port hull to service areas, including the galley and accommodation for up to four crew.

The master suite includes a fold-out balcony

The result is a more efficient workflow that keeps service circulation largely separate from guest spaces. “The way the crew works on board is the key to providing the right service and the right experience,” Le Gall says.

CHARTER FRIENDLY

The first Eighty 2 also demonstrates how the platform can support highly customised ownership programmes.

Aft view of the cockpit with the aft platform in a raised position

The debut yacht was commissioned by entrepreneur and charter operator Mario Dressler for his company Moria Yachting, to be used both privately and for charter ability to deliver a more sophisticated onboard experience.

“We want to give the superyacht experience at all levels,” he says. His specification includes significant enhancements focused on hospitality and long-range cruising including expanded cold storage capacity and a professional-grade galley arrangement designed to support high-end culinary programmes.

Yet despite the emphasis on luxury, the Eighty 2 thankfully stops well short of becoming ostentatious, something that should speak to Lagoon owners old and new. “I like the discreet Swiss-style luxury,” Dressler says. “This yacht has this quiet luxury appeal.”

The flybridge offers alfresco dining, as does the covered cockpit, while guests can also dine indoors in the saloon

That sentiment captures the essence of the Eighty 2. Rather than pursuing size for its own sake, Lagoon has used a proven platform to elevate every aspect of the ownership experience, from crew functionality and entertaining spaces to material quality and interior sophistication.

In doing so, Lagoon has produced a yacht that feels less like an enlarged production catamaran, and more like a carefully considered bridge between series production and the superyacht world.

catamarans-lagoon.com

Absolute firsts on Flybridge flagship

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Absolute firsts on Flybridge flagship

July 23, 2026
2:14 pm

The biggest model in Absolute’s planing Flybridge line, the 70 Fly sports a full-beam hydraulic platform and toy storage, while the spacious saloon feels airy and open with the inclusion of sliding side doors.

Words: Chrissie McLatchie; Photos: Absolute

The Absolute 70 Fly was a world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival

So impatient were two clients in the south of France for the Absolute 70 Fly that before a single image had been released, and nearly a year ahead of its debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2025, they had each placed an order for one.

Earlier this year, on a warm morning in the French Riviera port of La Napoule, the final preparations were underway on one of the pair as it awaited delivery to its new owner. Sporting the angular lines that have become an Absolute signature, the 70ft flybridge motoryacht was easy to pick out in the busy marina.

Following on from the 52 Fly, 56 Fly and 60 Fly, the 70 Fly is the latest model in Absolute’s new-generation planing Flybridge series – and it delivers exciting innovations.

Absolute has introduced a full-beam hydraulic swim platform

As Yacht Style steps on board, attention first turns to one of the headline features: a hydraulic bathing platform that lowers into the sea. The feature is a first for Absolute’s Flybridge range and is designed with more in mind than ease of access in and out of the water.

The Italian yacht builder has designed this area to become a place guests gravitate towards when the yacht is at anchor; somewhere not only to prepare for a swim and return on board more comfortably but also to spend time closer to the sea.

Non-slip steps and a dedicated storage compartment for water toys – another first for Absolute – mean that the platform’s clean lines don’t only look smart but are also practical.

OPEN TO PORT

With this model, the focus was not only on creating more space but to make every space easier, more natural and more enjoyable to live in.

View of the cockpit and the saloon’s port sliding doors

The standout example of this vision is the saloon’s six-panel sliding glass door on the port side, next to the dining table.

More than a visual feature that allows guests an uninterrupted floor-to- ceiling view of the ever present sea, the sliding door changes how the main deck is used.

Open it, and the dining area has an immediate connection with the side walkway. A gentle breeze means the space feels less formal, more open and closer to the environment.

The saloon’s sliding doors to port (above) allow for open-air views and a through breeze; the lounge (below) is framed by enormous windows on both sides

Close it, and guests are in a cocoon of elegance and comfort. The indoor-outdoor saloon also has a residential-style open galley aft, and a social lounge forward, framed by large side windows.

OUTDOOR LIVING

While the swim platform and the port sliding doors are the headline innovations, the 70 Fly builds on the signature features of Absolute’s new-generation flybridge yachts.

As first revealed on the 60 Fly, the cockpit is completely open, with freestanding modular furniture rather than fixed fittings, allowing owners to adapt the space for dining, lounging or entertaining. The size of the cockpit is generous, and the width is similar to the same area on Absolute’s Navetta 75, the flagship of its Navetta range.

The foredeck’s large C-shaped sofa faces a sunpad that can double as an aft-facing sofa

In keeping with Absolute’s living philosophy, the bow has also become a dedicated destination with a more sociable layout: a large C-shaped sofa and table are permanent fittings. Sunbeds can be converted into additional seating, encouraging guests to linger longer.

Absolute told Yacht Style that owners want yachts that are not only elegant but have spaces that can change function during the day, and the 70 Fly has been designed to address this demand. More than any other area onboard, the flybridge showcases the shipyard’s response to this.

Walking around the deck, there’s an easy flow between the various zones including the helm, lounge area, port-side sofa, dining area and wet bar.

The flybridge has an open aft area for loose furniture, a central dining table and galley, and the helm and further seating forward

As with the cockpit, the breezy aft terrace can be fitted out with freestanding furnishings such as sunloungers and sofas. The top deck is an outdoor living area where guests can dine, relax and spend time while cruising, or dip in and out of the sun.

Much of the space is shaded by a hardtop, which can either open or be fixed and fitted with solar panels. The energy generated can be used to support selected onboard systems. Notably, there’s no step up to the helm. Everything is on one level, reinforcing the sense of open circulation.

FULL-BEAM CABINS

The lower deck is given over to guest accommodation, starting forward with a spacious full-beam owner’s suite featuring high ceilings and an en-suite bathroom.

The full-beam master suite is forward

The VIP cabin aft is also full beam and features a separate toilet and shower with frosted doors that open directly into the cabin.

Two additional twin guest cabins complete the accommodation. The beds in one can convert to a double berth at the push of a button, and both share a bathroom that doubles as the day head. Soft neutral tones and textured furnishings create an atmosphere that feels light, calm and residential.

The four-cabin layout is another significant step forward. It makes the 70 Fly the first model in Absolute’s new-generation Flybridge range to offer more than three cabins.

The full-beam VIP suite is midships

Moving into larger yacht territory, this is a yacht for owners who want to comfortably host family and friends for longer periods onboard, while maintaining a sense of privacy and comfort.

In further proof, the crew cabin has been scaled up from earlier models, and is now accessed independently from a dedicated door on the starboard side deck. Another door inside provides convenient access to the engine room.

INTELLIGENT DESIGN

Absolute’s goal with the 70 Fly was ambitious: to build a yacht with generous volumes, four comfortable guest cabins, separate crew accommodation and a warm, contemporary interior, without making it feel formal, heavy or complicated to live in. Mission accomplished.

View from the lounge sofa through the saloon’s sliding doors aft and to port

The different areas on board are clearly defined, but there’s an easy connection between them all. Guests can move naturally from the cockpit to the interior, from the dining area to the outside, or from the flybridge to more private areas, always feeling that the yacht has been designed around real life on board. And with two 1,000hp IPS engines, the yacht has both the power and economy to keep owners happy.

Market reception has been strong, according to the shipyard and it’s easy to see why. The 70 Fly offers the comfort and completeness expected from a yacht in this segment, but with an atmosphere that remains bright, welcoming and effortless.

Absolute expects the 70 Fly to be at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival from September 8-13

It’s elegant and innovative, but above all it feels genuinely easy to live in, whether you’re planning on using it for day cruising and entertaining, or longer journeys with guests onboard.

absoluteyachts.co

Maiora 36 Exuma: Speedy island explorer

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Maiora 36 Exuma: Speedy island explorer

July 16, 2026
1:50 pm

Cover star of Yacht Style Issue 90, Maiora’s 36 Exuma offers 295GT of high-speed luxury with alluring features like a covered pool, a secluded ‘Nest Deck’ and even netting in the bow like a sail catamaran.

Words: Julia Zaltzman; Photos: Leonardo Andreoni & Gionata Xerra

The 36 Exuma was a world premiere at Monaco Yacht Show 2025

For the owners of the first hull in Maiora’s 36 Exuma series, charter is not on the horizon. Their focus is on private cruising, which is what they’ve been doing since taking delivery in August 2025. Their itinerary has largely featured the Mediterranean, including the most intimate ports and shallow sea beds that the yacht’s 1.45m draft allows for.

However, “the real added value of this project is its interior volume”, says Alessio Merciadri, co-founder and Co-Chief Designer of Acube Design, which penned the interior of the 36.9m, 295GT motoryacht.

The 36 Exuma can reach 33 knots with three 2,000hp MAN V12 engines, two steerable waterjets and a central booster

According to Maiora, a brand of Next Yacht Group, the project had twin objectives: to bring the 36 Exuma in-line with the Italian yard’s new design direction for more sporty, dynamic, explorer-led yachts, and to increase onboard liveability and substantial bespoke options while keeping the yacht within the 300GT limit.

“At Next Yacht Group, we build around 19 units per year, allowing for significant customisation. We see ourselves as a true ‘yacht boutique’,” says Stefania Delmiglio, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.

The 36 Exuma is a 36.9m, 295GT motoryacht topped by a ‘Nest Deck’

“Our focus is on delivering genuine customisation and uncompromising quality in every yacht we build. Rather than pursuing high production volumes, we are committed to creating highly personalised yachts that reflect each owner’s vision. Volume will never be our strength – craftsmanship, exclusivity, innovation and attention to detail are what define us.”

QUARTOSTILE DESIGN

At 1.91m longer than its predecessor, the award-winning 35 Exuma (four hulls delivered), the 36 Exuma benefits from a flush deck profile extension that stretches to a sharp-angled full-beam plumb bow penned in collaboration with Quartostile.

Open social areas include the beach club, cockpit, aft and fore upper deck, plus the crowning ‘Nest Deck’

“The full-beam bow posed a significant challenge when designing the yacht’s exterior,” says Andrea Sartori, one of three founding partners of the Turin-based design studio. “Defining the right balance between closed and open areas, and creating a new ‘size impression’ without compromising dynamism was key.”

The 36 Exuma was not conceived as a mere exercise in exterior styling but was “born from a desire to give shape to ideas and visions that we believe should define the design of a Maiora,” Sartori adds.

The profile is defined by a vertical, blade-like shape that tapers along the hull towards the multi-level aft beach area, where a large central sunpad and two elegant integrated teak-clad chaise longues are set into the aft bulwarks.

The beach club on the first Maiora 36 Exuma

Above the sunpad is a striking curved teak feature that links together the beach area, cockpit and saloon. It’s one of the hallmarks of the 36 Exuma, notes Sartori, adding that the stern area elongates the main deck like a cascading surface, while the chaise longues, like stones embedded into the architecture, offer exclusive moments of relaxation.

“With so much space available, we approached the layout with the same logic and expectations of a larger vessel,” he says. “This is why the arrangement follows the principles of bigger yachts.”

The cockpit on the first Maiora 36 Exuma

More seating is found on the raised aft cockpit, which leads into the main saloon via a sliding glass door that Maiora has coined the ‘Infinity Door’ system.

“The Infinity Door is one of the Maiora’s strongest features,” says Matteo Broglia, another Quartostile founding partner. “When it opens and disappears [into the bulwarks], the boundary between interior and exterior simply vanishes.”

Forward view of the main-deck saloon, which has a mirror on the forward wall showing the cockpit’s furniture and sea view

The Italian studio worked with large, continuous glazing and sliding doors that integrate surfaces without interrupting the exterior profile. Light penetrates deeply, enhancing spaces and creating a sense of openness.

Other exterior areas of note include the forward upper deck, which features a coverable pool, comfortable sofas and a relaxation netting area – a feature commonly found aboard sailing catamarans but used on the Maiora to keep within the 300GT threshold.

Forward on the upper deck, fittings include a pool that can be covered

“The voids had to be usable space,” explains Franco Carone, another of Quartostile’s founding partners. “The net maintains liveability and allows natural light into the owner’s suite below.”

ACUBE INTERIORS

The layout in the full-beam owner’s suite, forward on the main deck, pivots around natural light and sea views. A case in point is the owner’s headboard, which features a large, organic opening that channels light directly into the master bathroom behind, where a central shower is flanked by two sinks and two toilets.

The master suite includes an office area that leads to the full-beam bedroom

There’s also a private study by the entrance, a walk-in wardrobe and large windows on three sides with views onto the foredeck. Forward vistas in the suite are partially obstructed by fixed stairs that lead from the bridge deck to the foredeck mooring area, although the second hull (launched in June 2026) features a retractable stairway that can ‘roll up’, so giving the owners a clear view from the bed.

Previous Exuma models included a side terrace door for owner access to the bow. However, the owners of the first 36 Exuma – who stepped into the project just six months after the yacht’s build commenced – decided against this, preferring to keep the suite as a cosy indoor sanctuary.

Starboard view of the full-beam master suite, which has magnificent views forward and on both sides; the large bathroom is aft of the bed

The heart of onboard life centres around the protected, climate-controlled ‘alfresco’ skylounge on the upper deck. It’s also equipped with Maiora’s Infinity Doors, fully retractable side windows, teak parquet flooring and a flush threshold.

Whereas the 35 Exuma featured a retractable roof in the skylounge, the first 36 Exuma owners elected to add a pocket sundeck, described by Maiora as a ‘Nest Deck’, which features large sunpads and a 360-degree view. It’s an open yet intimate space and the most private area onboard.

Forward view of the upper-deck skylounge, which also has a forward mirror

Several elements were developed specifically for hull one, including bespoke recessed furniture handles to avoid guests snagging clothes when passing, and a dumb waiter in place of a central double staircase. The remaining single staircase is designed with wide openings along the handrails so light can pass through.

“We treated the 36 Exuma as if it were a 45m yacht,” says Merciadri of Acube Design. “The circulation between spaces is therefore clear, generous and intuitive, reflecting the comfort and usability normally found on yachts several metres longer.”

One of the key benefits of the 36 Exuma’s extra length is the inclusion of two aft tender garages that enable owners to carry a serious collection of toys onboard.

The ‘Nest Deck’, a private haven above the upper-deck skylounge

One transversal garage can accommodate a 6.25m tender, and an aft garage comfortably houses water toys and a jet-ski plus a crane. Both are strategically positioned beneath the raised cockpit to reduce noise transmission between the engine room and guest areas.

In parallel, the extra space provided by the vertical bow has been used for generous crew cabins, typically accommodating five crew. On hull one, the captain shares his cabin with his wife, the chief stewardess, so increasing the total to six.

The Maiora 36 Exuma’s generous volumes includes proper service areas and abundant storage. They’re yet more strings in the yacht’s bow, underpinning two elements that are always appreciated in both private cruising and charter operations, according to Merciadri.

“It creates a layout that adapts naturally to different lifestyles, while maintaining a high standard of comfort for everyone on board.”

maiora.it

nextyachtgroup.com

TH38 leads Jeanneau’s twin-hull charge

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TH38 leads Jeanneau’s twin-hull charge

June 25, 2026
4:23 am

With Jeanneau moving into the multihull segment with the TH series, Yacht Style asks superyacht expert Katia Damborsky (@TheYachtWriter) to jump on the TH38 for a fun-filled spin around Cannes.
Words: Katia Damborsky; Photos Jeanneau

The TH38 features exterior design by Italy’s Garroni Design

Groupe Beneteau used to have one multihull brand. It now has four. Having developed Lagoon into the world leader in cruising catamarans and a builder of large power catamarans, Groupe Beneteau added the Excess brand of twin-helm sailing catamarans in 2019.

However, the French-owned conglomerate then made a major move into the heart of the powercat sector with a two-pronged approach. In 2022, the first models from Prestige’s M-Line of flybridge multihull motoryachts and Four Winns’ TH series of open cruisers debuted at the Cannes Yachting Festival, with Italy’s Garroni Design handling the exterior styling for both.

Four Winns followed up on its first model, the TH36, by debuting both the TH33 and TH38 at the Cannes show in September 2025. However, late last year, the American brand’s twin-hull range was repositioned within the Groupe Beneteau family, under Jeanneau, to better reach global markets including Asia.

France’s Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group handled naval architecture

“The TH series naturally aligns with Jeanneau and its sporty, fun image, long embodied by the Cap Camarat series and presented in a more premium offering by the DB Yachts series of dayboats,” says Tanguy Tertrais, Jeanneau’s Asia-Pacific Sales Director.

“Being under Jeanneau allows the TH line to reach a far broader base of customers, especially outside North America. The TH range now enjoys Jeanneau’s global dealer footprint of over 400 sales points, which matters to owners considering service coverage and resale. Also, plenty of Jeanneau owners were looking for a multihull platform and the TH line is the perfect solution.”

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

I’m here in Cannes to test out the TH38, the larger weekender counterpart to the TH33’s dayboat-focused offering. Grey skies, jumpy seas and a low mist greet visitors for the sea trials of new models by Jeanneau and other Groupe Beneteau brands. The horizon is doing that unnerving thing where it blends with the sea, and it’s spitting intermittently.

The bow lounge is accessed by an opening central gate and folding windscreen

Boats line up along the quay, waiting to welcome journalists. I feel a twinge of anxiety, which is heightened when a friend and fellow journalist embraces me and asks me squarely: “What are you doing here?”

What, indeed? My specialty is 80ft and above, and the TH38 sits well below that threshold. I’m accustomed to yachts that are usually skippered, as opposed to owner-operated. This is an opportunity for me to get behind the helm and see how a 38ft powercat designed for coastal jaunts and island-hops really handles.

Before I even step on board, I size up the TH38 from multiple angles while she waits patiently in port. The silhouette is streamlined, designed to blend with the marine environment. The bulkiness that often comes with catamarans has been countered with a sharp strip of glazing running from midships forward, plus a raked windshield and flared line along the roof that give the boat a sporty appeal.

The aft deck is shown with the two L-shaped sofas slid to the sides, creating an open corridor to the swim platform

I’m among a group of journalists who gamely hop on. As we motor out into the choppy bay of Cannes, my first impression is that this is a yacht builder that knows what it’s doing when producing a family-friendly yacht.

The TH38 is focused on affordability, accessibility and safety. Jérôme Dufour, Jeanneau’s Powerboat Product Manager, calls the TH38 a “boat for everyone” with a “short learning curve” that prioritises ease of use above almost all else. “If you start having loads of systems, you start to lose the momentum,” he says.

TRANSFORMER COCKPIT

My second impression is that it’s a well-considered boat. At the back is a 1.5m swim platform that juts out between the twin outboard engines. The platform includes a hatch and integrated ladder just beneath, a feat which would be harder (if not impossible) to achieve on a monohull. It adds easy water access that proves this is geared towards fun and families.

Set between the two outboard engines, the aft platform includes side rails, a hatch and integrated swim ladder

The cockpit is dominated by twin corner sofas, which can slide sideways to either close together or sit far apart, spanning the yacht’s near-15ft beam.

As each L-shaped sofa has an adjoining table, the flexibility effectively creates two separate lounging set-ups: a spacious, two-sofa zone with a clear corridor from the swim platform to the helm, or an intimate, three-sided dining area flanked by circulation on both sides.

If neither of those options take your fancy, you can also transform the dining set-up to a sunpad by lowering the tables and covering them with cushions.

Each L-shaped sofa and attached table can slide together to create a three-sided dining area

“Luxury comes from space and modularity,” Dufour says. “By having everything flexible, you create different areas. You can create the lifestyle that people are looking for.”

He shows me how easy it is to unlock and lock the furniture into place. It’s intuitive, with nuts and bolts that work predictably and easily.

FUN AT THE WHEEL

As we cruise into the open sea, I decide it’s time for me to take over the controls. The handling is good: responsive and easy to understand. Some other boats in the Groupe Beneteau family have opted for gadgets and gizmos to support joystick control and manoeuvrability, but this boat keeps it back-to-basics with a single helm and good visibility.

Katia Damborsky at the wheel

I get her up to just below 31 knots, with minimal thumping and thudding. The smooth ride of the TH38 is credit to Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group, which handled the naval architecture of both current TH models. I do a wide sweeping arc over the murky blue water and enjoy the feeling of the flat turn, with the twin hulls keeping us from heeling too much.

“Jeanneau was designed for the family,” Dufour reminds me when I point out how flat the turn is. He nods to the high gunwales and the sturdy hardtop that keep you feeling safely cocooned inside the boat.

Checking out the rest of the boat, I find a midships counter space with a wet bar, fridge, sink and grill. I’m told 14 people can comfortably gather on the boat. Between the cockpit, midships area and the bow lounge, I can believe that.

The en-suite guest cabin to starboard (pictured) is mirrored in the port hull

Below deck, there are two twin cabins, both with en-suite bathrooms and both with enough storage packed in that you could spend more than a night or two onboard.

“We’re selling most of these for the exterior lifestyle, but the interior is also really nicely done,” says Dufour, showing me a cubby in the step access to one of the cabins.

The en-suite cabins to starboard (above) and port (below)

Protecting the helm, the three-piece windshield is large and connects with the hardtop. However, the boat can also be offered with a shorter windshield that stops short of the roof, allowing for breeze through your hair.

BOW LOUNGE SUPREME

To offer access to the foredeck, the central windscreen folds to port and a low door is opened, while even a central flap in the hardtop can be lifted. I quickly realise that the bow is my lounge space of choice.

The bow lounge has drinks holders and speakers integrated into facing C-shaped sofas that offer wraparound seating

The area is surrounded by two symmetrical C-shaped sofas, and includes integrated drinks holders and audio speakers, as well as a finishing that reminds me of my beloved superyachts. Again, with a couple of infills, this whole area can be switched to a sunpad.

It’s here that I park myself for the last bit of the sea trial, listening to the twin 350hp Mercury outboards doing their thing at about 3,500rpm for a speed of 17 knots.

The bow is my favourite area on most catamarans. It sits high above the water, so if the sea conditions are smooth enough, you feel like you’re flying. The sea isn’t particularly smooth today, but somehow the TH38 manages to glide anyway.

I’m being hypnotised by the sea when Dufour joins me at the bow. Sitting opposite me, he describes the TH38 as a boat that’s designed to be easy to operate.

“Jeanneau focuses on making boats better, so boaters can focus on having more fun on the water,” he adds. My interest has certainly been piqued, with the TH38 proving a winning boat that ticks all the boxes for a fun day or weekend at sea.

jeanneau.com

Greenline 42 offers more power, more options

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Greenline 42 offers more power, more options

June 18, 2026
3:55 am

Slovenia’s Greenline Yachts has expanded its range of hybrid-option models with the Marco Casali-designed Greenline 42, a world premiere in 2026 and the ‘Responsible Yachting’ shipyard’s most option-rich offering to date.
Words: Olivia Michel; Photos: Greenline Yachts

The hybrid option includes two 23kW electric motors, up to 4.5kW of solar energy from 10 photovoltaic panels and up to six 11kWh lithium batteries

Vladimir Zinchenko, founder, owner and CEO of Slovenian boatbuilder Greenline Yachts, puts it simply. “Fantastic design has no shelf life. We don’t seek to constantly update or replace our models. Therefore, when we do finally introduce a new boat, it’s no light decision.”

Zinchenko is talking about the new Greenline 42, introduced to the world at Boot Düsseldorf in Germany in January 2026. The new 44ft model arrived on the scene three years after Greenline last expanded its lineup of hybrid motoryachts with the addition of the flagship 58 Fly in 2023. According to Greenline Yachts, the Greenline 42 has taken “several years” to complete, from initial concept to launch.

It originally began as a project to revamp the Greenline 40, one of the longest-standing models in the range and which has sold hundreds of units since its launch in 2012. However, the new model eventually took on a life of its own, becoming the new Greenline 42.

The Greenline 42 can reach 25 knots with two 250hp Yanmar diesel engines

Zinchenko says: “With the feedback we gathered from our existing owners and commercial prospects, we began to see that the Greenline 40 still had a hugely loyal following. There remain many good reasons for people to buy that boat. So, I decided to add a new model rather than replace an established one.”

Carrying the tagline of an “icon, redefined”, the Greenline 42 was developed from a brief informed primarily by owner feedback.

Alessandro Lorenzon, Greenline Yachts’ Global Business Director and Chief Experience Officer, explains: “When we looked at owners’ experiences, a few things became clear. They wanted more cockpit space for relaxing, higher speeds under power and a more modern design language. The new Greenline 42 supplies all that and more.”

Cockpit choices include a table and sofas (pictured) or a clean aft deck and fold-down platform

The Category B yacht has emerged as a happy marriage between the 40 and 45 models, a new 13.5m-long vessel that takes the best features from both and neatly fills the gap between its smaller and bigger sisters.

GREENER THAN EVER

Since Greenline Yachts launched its first hybrid vessel in 2008, the brand has been committed to helping its owners enjoy yachting in a sustainable way. Greenline claims to be the only brand worldwide to offer conventional, hybrid or electric drive options across its entire fleet. Its full range of vessels – even the flybridge models – sport a characteristic, streamlined roof specifically designed to accommodate solar panels.

The Greenline 42 carries the most solar panels in the fleet, fitting 10 450W photovoltaic panels flush mounted on the coachroof. In total, the solar coverage delivers up to 4.5kW of energy, enough to run all onboard appliances.

A flip-up galley window and sliding door can both open

Surplus energy is diverted into the battery bank, with two 11kWh batteries offered as standard with the hybrid option. The total output of 22kWh can be upgraded to as much as 66kWh with four additional batteries. With this technology, the Greenline 42 can run on silent electric power for 48 hours or more, even with the air-conditioning running.

Lorenzon says: “Thanks to technological improvements, we were able to integrate more solar panels into a yacht of this size than ever before, matching the total solar output of the 58 Fly, despite being significantly smaller.” He adds that with this new design, “the Greenline 42 maximises onboard renewable energy without compromising space”.

The hull design of the Greenline 42, rethought by MICAD, has also been refined to reduce drag underway while also increasing stability. This optimisation, combined with two 250hp Yanmar diesel engines, allows the 42 to hit top speeds of 25 knots, which is three knots faster than the 40.

The aft galley connects the covered outdoor area with the indoors

The new model also features Greenline’s proprietary H-Drive technology, with two powerful 23kW electric motors able to power the boat silently up to 20nm at a speed of five knots.

ITALIAN DESIGN

An upgraded design was just as important as improving the performance on the Greenline 42. Marco Casali of the Too Design studio, a recurring partner on Greenline projects, returned once again to add Italian flair to the project, having previously collaborated on the interiors of the Greenline 45 and overseen the full design of the Greenline 58 (available in Fly and Coupe versions).

“Marco Casali was a natural choice for the Greenline 42 project,” Lorenzon notes. “He was already deeply familiar with our design philosophy, making him the perfect fit to shape the new model.”

The open L-shaped galley and L-shaped dinette face either a cabinet (pictured) or a second sofa to starboard

Many yachts boast of a ‘seamless’ connection with the sea, but rarely is this so well encapsulated as on the Greenline 42. While the modification options are abundant, the principal layout of the main deck runs smoothly across a single level from the helm station, complete with its own climate control dashboard, through to the saloon midships then galley and cockpit aft.

With the option to fully open the access between the galley and cockpit, as well as automatic sliding windows for further ventilation, the entertaining space can be completely opened to the sea breeze to enjoy a truly indoor-outdoor experience. An additional lounge at the bow further expands alfresco entertaining options.

Inside, generous headroom, ample storage and panoramic windows ensure a light, airy and uncluttered interior. The interior design also keeps the focus on the great outdoors with subtle styling built around a natural colour palette and renewable materials, with owners able to choose a ‘honey teak’ or ‘modern oak’ finish.

The starboard cabinet includes a pop-up TV, while a sliding door by the helm allows for a through breeze

Greenline specifies that Casali concentrated on “creating refined shapes and living spaces rather than using expensive, exotic materials” in his styling of the Greenline 42.

“With the new Greenline 42, there was a tightrope to walk,” Casali says. “We wanted to rework the Greenline 40 without giving the sense that everything was ‘new’. There was a big focus on the forms you see around the boat, so we have avoided curved cabinetry in favour of more linear edges. This echoes the masculine profiles seen in the cutaway bulwarks and the coachroof.”

OPTIONS IN AND OUT

Looking beyond performance, the Greenline 42 is also a frontrunner within the range as the brand’s “most customisable model ever”. Although the exterior is still distinctly Greenline, there are more options than on other models.

The master suite is forward and can include a desk or walk-in wardrobe instead of a second bathroom

For the cockpit, owners can opt for a four-seater table and a hydraulic aft platform, or a fold-down swim platform and a clear aft deck offering open space for sunbathing and lounging.

Casali has a favourite: “I’m in love with the possibilities offered by the connection between the cockpit and the galley-saloon area. My favourite one is with a big table related to the open galley.”

Other options for the main deck include adding an extra fridge or freezer in the galley, a second sofa in the saloon, or an additional drinks table in the bow lounge. Either way, a fully integrated pop-up TV to starboard can be hidden or deployed in an instant.

Guest cabin to port

Below deck, there’s a master cabin forward and a twin cabin to port. Owners can choose between offering a second bathroom with en-suite access from the guest cabin or expanding the en-suite master cabin with a walk-in wardrobe or vanity table.

MADE TO LAST

The new design of Greenline’s latest model is already proving popular, with the shipyard confirming half-a-dozen sales to owners across Europe as well as “great interest from the Asian market”. Going forward, Greenline hopes to deliver about two units per month of the new model.

The starboard bathroom has access from the master suite and hallway

The early demand for the Greenline 42 rewards its customisable nature and what Lorenzon describes as the “longevity of our designs”.

As Zinchenko puts it, the Greenline 42 is not simply a new-fangled model. It’s an amalgamation of research and feedback packed into a form designed to last for the long-term.

“Timeless, long-lived design is a key part of our ‘Responsible Yachting’ commitment,” Zinchenko says. “You can be sure that the new Greenline 42 has absorbed every inch of our know-how and will provide a reference in the market for decades to come.”

greenlinehybrid.com

Aquila’s 46 Yacht successfully succeeds icon

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Aquila’s 46 Yacht successfully succeeds icon

June 11, 2026
12:30 pm

Following up on Aquila’s first global icon, the all-new 46 Yacht is well up to the task of replacing and bettering her legendary predecessor.
Words: Zuzana Prochazka; Photos: Aquila

Replacing Aquila’s hugely popular 44 Yacht, the 46 Yacht joins a flybridge series featuring the 42, 50 and 54 plus the 70 Luxury

How do you replace a legend? That was the question asked by the Aquila design team when they contemplated what should follow the 44 Yacht, a cruising powercat that sold over 200 units since her introduction in 2014. In production for 11 years, she would be tough to match, but that’s how the Aquila 46 Yacht was born.

Sized perfectly for the cruising couple’s sweet spot, the all-new model has big shoes to fill. However, a detailed walkthrough with Nick Harvey, Aquila’s Chief Revenue Officer – whose enthusiasm for the model and the line is contagious – showed us she’s up to the task.

MEET THE MODEL

Sino Eagle, the builder behind Aquila, has been particularly busy in recent years. Having started with the Yacht flybridge line then added Sport cruisers, post-Covid the Chinese shipyard has also been producing models across the Luxury, Offshore and Coupe powercat ranges and now the new Sail series.

The sole helm station is on the centreline of the flybridge and includes a well-equipped dashboard with two Raymarine MFDs

In terms of its flybridge powercats, it debuted the 54 Yacht and flagship 70 Luxury in 2021 and has since fully fleshed out the core of the range with the 42 Yacht (2023), 50 Yacht (2024) and the 46 Yacht (2025), which debuted at last year’s Cannes Yachting Festival.

All three inboard boats are exceptional, but the 46 Yacht may be the most impressive because she shoehorns in just about all the amenities of her bigger sister on a considerably smaller platform.

Like the 50 Yacht, the Aquila 46 has a high freeboard with a sheer line that angles up dramatically in the full forward sections. Large windows are used to visually break up the expanse of white fibreglass of the side hulls and make her seem less tall. This change does two things: it raises the height of the bows for drier decks in a rough seaway, and it creates space for the full-beam master suite below.

The side decks and bridge-to-bow steps to starboard lead to a foredeck featuring flexible sunbeds and aft-facing seating

Still present at the waterline are Aquila’s wave-piercing bows that are used to improve fuel efficiency and reduce hobby-horsing. These bulbous bows are designed to break away in case of collision and are backed by watertight bulkheads for safety.

ONBOARD COMFORT

Aquila used every inch of deck space to enhance comfort and functionality. The high foredeck is topped by two giant sunbeds with adjustable backrests. At their foot, another section folds up to form a seat that stretches across the foredeck, which joins a bow bench to make the perfect place for a breezy happy hour.

Aquila’s signature steps that lead from the foredeck to the flybridge – or vice-versa – have moved from the centreline to starboard. They provide a quick traverse for guests or the skipper, who can move with urgency to help with dock lines or during anchoring.

Flybridge fixtures include a wet bar wrapped around the stairway, an L-shaped dinette with a foldable table, and an aft sunpad

The flybridge on the 46 Yacht is large – in fact, almost as large as the one on her bigger sister, the 50 Yacht. On the centreline is the helm with a fully-equipped dashboard including two Raymarine MFDs, 7in Volvo Penta engine screens, thruster controls and a bench seat as standard. This exterior helm is the only one aboard.

Visibility forward is good, but cameras will be necessary when backing into a slip because the driver can’t see past the flybridge overhang and it’s not easy to sight down either side of the boat because the helm is centred. Sunbeds on both port and starboard impede the driver’s path to get a clear view down to the dock. This is a standard configuration for Aquila designs, and it can be polarising.

Comfort details on the fly abound. An L-shaped dinette is to port, with a wet bar on starboard next to the stairs from the aft cockpit. Ten guests won’t feel crowded up here and for lazy lounging with a book, the best place aboard will be on the third sunpad aft of the dinette.

View of Aquila’s signature cockpit bar, the open aft galley to port and the raised C-shaped dinette to starboard

The cockpit is at once new and familiar. To port is Aquila’s trademark bar with twin stools, a fold-out counter and a window that opens to the galley. To starboard are the flybridge steps, and aft is a nice transom seat that faces a dining table for those early mornings with a cup of coffee and some quiet time.

Much of this layout is typical of Aquila’s Yacht series, but it’s also an updated improvement over the 44 for better traffic flow and comfort.

The aft steps and transoms offer waterside seating, while the retractable crane in the cockpit overhang is a novel Aquila solution

A noteworthy system back here is Aquila’s innovative crane that protrudes from the aft overhang and holds a cable to lift the dinghy onto the transom. It’s a clever appendage you don’t really notice until you need it and it’s a slick way to manage the tender.

INVITING INTERIOR

On the main deck, the galley is in the port aft corner and in direct communication with both the cockpit and the dinette to starboard. Everything is at hand including the floor-to-ceiling, home-style refrigerator to starboard.

The galley is complemented by a navigation counter that doubles as a standing bar

Just ahead of the galley is an open space surrounded by countertops including a navigation desk where you’ll find a C-Zone digital switching screen and instruments. This area also doubles as a gathering spot for people to stand and chat with others in the galley, dinette or even cockpit.

“At home, entertaining always centres on the kitchen,” Harvey says. “So, we created a dedicated space for it on the 46 Yacht.”

The dinette is starboard, while forward are steps to the cabins

The 46 Yacht is available with three, four or five cabins. Our boat had the standard three-stateroom configuration, which includes a sumptuous master suite forward. Well separated from the other cabins, this stateroom has a king-sized memory foam bed on the elevated centreline.

Unlike on the 44 Yacht, the bathroom isn’t buried all the way down in the hull but has been lowered, two steps down to port, to create full standing headroom. The open layout has twin vessel sinks below a large window, full-height storage and shower aft, and the toilet forward.

The full-beam master suite forward has storage and an open bathroom two steps down to port, while to starboard is a desk and more storage

On the starboard side is more storage and a desk below an even bigger window than on port side. The hull and foredeck windows plus a skylight hatch ensure lots of natural light in the bedroom, with much of this unique accommodation made possible by the increased freeboard.

Privacy was top-of-mind during the design phase, so the other two cabins are in opposite hulls and have their own entries as well as bathrooms.

PERFORMANCE

As with the 50 Yacht, the 46 Yacht leans on the ‘explorer’ aesthetic and highlights offshore capability. Standard propulsion includes twin 320hp Volvo Penta D4 diesels, with two more powerful options available. She’s expected to cruise at 18 knots and burn approximately two gallons per nautical mile. The yacht carries 1,800 litres of fuel as standard, with another 800 as an option.

Guest cabin with window-facing bed and en-suite bathroom aft

Once again, the brand offers its Aquila Hydro Glide (AHG) foil system as an upgrade for semi displacement performance. This system generates a smoother ride and better fuel economy by raising approximately one third of the boat’s weight. She doesn’t fly, but she does foil. Hybrid diesel/electric propulsion, like on Aquila’s other models, is being discussed.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS

Stowage options throughout the 46 Yacht are impressive, so she’s capable of carrying all the necessities for extended cruising. Every space has been rethought and it’s clear that the 46 Yacht will give the 44 Yacht a run for her money.

She’s just 2ft longer and 2ft wider than her predecessor, but she feels dramatically larger and more lavish. Nobody will be roughing it aboard this luxe cruiser. Aquila’s tagline is ‘Out there, starts here’. Rarely does marketing capture exactly why someone would buy the product, but it most certainly nailed it with that message.

aquilaboats.com

Sunreef’s Ultima range soars with 88

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Sunreef’s Ultima range soars with 88

June 4, 2026
4:14 am

While staging the Ultima 88’s virtual world premiere at the 2026 Singapore Yachting Festival, Sunreef revealed it had close to 30 orders for the 93ft flybridge powercat. Reasons include an inviting, three-sided Ocean Lounge and surprisingly spacious, light-filled interiors that include a full-beam master suite with a ‘magic glass’ bathroom.
Words: John Higginson; Photos: Sunreef Yachts

The Ultima 88 is styled with a forward-raked windscreen and inverted bows

After Sunreef Yachts launched the first Ultima 88 from its fast-growing shipyard in UAE’s northernmost emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, Wasabi was scheduled to debut at the Dubai International Boat Show.

However, when the Middle East’s biggest boat show was postponed to November, Sunreef instead showcased the Ultima 88 via a ‘virtual’ world premiere at the Singapore Yachting Festival in late April. Held at the Nebula Bar in ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove, the invitation-only gathering offered guests a first look at the Ultima 88 on the water via a walk-through video.

Sunreef President Francis Lapp, who founded the company in Gdansk on Poland’s north coast in 2002, was among speakers as he attended the ceremony with his family. “We’ve already signed around 30 contracts for the Ultima 88, which clearly confirms how strong the market response has been,” Lapp told Yacht Style.

“And after seeing the first images and videos of the yacht, people instantly understand what this yacht represents. It’s a completely new approach to luxury yachting; a balanced blend of luxury, performance and high-tech. The feedback has been incredibly positive.”

SPORTY APPEAL

Tennis superstar Carlos Alcaraz, 23, is among clients to order an Ultima 88, a model that Lapp believes appeals to a younger generation of owners.

The Ultima 88 can reach 26 knots with two 1,000hp engines

For starters, the Ultima range has a sleeker, sportier design than the established, high-volume Sunreef Power models (60, 70, 80 and 100), which are now in their second generation and rebranded as the Next range. Highlighting the difference in basic proportions, the Ultima 88 has a beam of just over 30ft, making it almost 5ft slimmer than even the 60 Sunreef Power Next.

“I think the Ultima 88 naturally appeals to younger owners because of its design and performance, but it’s more about personality than age,” Lapp said. “Of course, we were very excited to see Carlos Alcaraz choose the Ultima 88 as his first yacht. In his case, both his generation and his personality probably played a role – he perfectly represents this new, dynamic profile of yacht owner.”

As for performance, the Ultima 88 can be fitted with two 1,000hp engines that give a top speed of 26 knots and a fast cruising speed of 16 knots, while a sizeable 6,000-litre fuel capacity ensures significant range.

“I think the Ultima 88’s most important feature is her naval architecture. With this yacht, we combined some of the best qualities of catamarans and monohulls into something entirely new,” Lapp said. “The yacht is narrower, more dynamic, and much sportier in its proportions, which translates directly into performance. With twin 1,000hp engines, the Ultima 88 reaches around 26 knots, and future engine options will push those speeds even higher.”

ULTIMATE CONFIDENCE

The total of 30 or so orders for the Ultima 88 is hugely impressive, but what’s even more remarkable is that almost all were signed before clients had even seen the yacht.

The Ocean Lounge features drop-down aft bulwarks, a full-beam hydraulic platform and a central garage flanked by integrated sunpads

Although the series-first Ultima 55 debuted at last year’s Dubai International Boat Show, the 55ft cruiser is a world away in scale from the Ultima 88, a flybridge superyacht with an overall length of 93ft and accommodation for up to 10 guests and five crew.

The client confidence is understandable. Earlier this year Sunreef announced that it is targeting €1 billion in annual revenue by 2030 as part of its Beyond 2030 “structural transformation”. Having been a world leader in luxury catamarans for over two decades, Sunreef gradually expanded its facilities in Gdansk, where it has in the region of 2,000 employees.

In 2023, Sunreef opened its Ras Al Khaimah facility, where it currently has about 1,700 employees and expects to have around 2,000 by the end of 2026. In the UAE, the company is aiming to produce more than 50 Ultima powercats a year, with the range comprising the 44, 55, 66, 77, 88 and 111 models.

“I think it comes down to trust. In fact, we signed several contracts for Ultima models before the final drawings had even been completed. That says a lot about the confidence our clients have in Sunreef Yachts,” Lapp said.

“Over the years, we’ve built a reputation for creating new trends in the catamaran industry rather than simply following existing ones. Clients know that when Sunreef introduces a new concept, it’s not just a design exercise. I would say it was a combination of curiosity and excitement, but above all, trust in the brand and in our ability to deliver on ideas.”

OCEAN LIVING

It has certainly delivered with the Ultima 88, which has a dynamic, almost aggressive silhouette fronted by a forward-raked windscreen and tall, inverted bows.

The Ultima 88 appears on the front covers of Yacht Style Issue 89

However, as you start to look closer, it’s Sunreef’s expansive ‘Ocean Lounge’ that garners much of the attention, especially when the aft bulwarks are lowered to form a curvaceous, three-sided waterside lounge.

The full-beam high-low platform is big enough to carry a good-sized tender. Forward is a fixed platform that features two integrated aft-facing double sunpads either side of a central garage, which can carry a jetski and other water toys, and is topped by a large sunpad.

“The Ocean Lounge is a major highlight,” Lapp said. “Despite the slimmer design, the folding side platforms at the stern create a very large waterside living space with easy access to water toys, sunbathing areas and relaxation zones right by the sea.”

The extra-long cockpit stretches from the aft sunpad to a side-protected zone with a lengthways dining table and wet bar

A few steps bring you up to the main deck, where – unlike the more traditional proportions on the Next range – the Ultima 88 also features an extra-long cockpit, with much of it protected on the sides.

This design offers a genuinely indoor-outdoor feel to alfresco dining at a lengthways dining table surrounded by a fixed L-shaped sofa and foldable chairs. To starboard is a smaller aft-facing sofa and an outdoor galley-bar module near the saloon doors.

Just before the bar module are curved stairs to the flybridge, a feature on all Ultima models from the 66 upwards. On the Ultima 88, the flybridge is an enormous, customisable space that can be laid out according to an owner’s wishes.

Aft view of the flybridge; a large jacuzzi and full-width sunpads are among options

Hull one features sofas, chairs and poufs on the clear aft deck, while forward is a lengthways dining table to port. Options include a full-width aft sunbathing area and a large central jacuzzi, or dedicated space for outdoor exercise equipment.

The forward starboard corner is home to the only true fixtures on the flybridge: a fully equipped outdoor galley-bar and a triple-seat helm station that’s home to an ultra-wide 66in multi-function display.

Forward view of the flybridge on hull one, Wasabi

Back on the main deck, the yacht’s high topsides offer excellent protection for wide walkways that eventually lead up four steps to the foredeck. The bow lounge is protected by railings and offers guests a large sunbathing area with foldable backrests, integrated drinks holders and low tables.

LIGHT AND BRIGHT

If the Ultima 88’s exterior lines and outdoor areas mark a big shift for Sunreef, there’s also a notable change in the interior, at least on hull one, where the décor is far lighter than on many Sunreef models. Floor-to-ceiling windows along the aft half of the saloon and panoramic windows wrapping around the forward half ensure masses of natural light in the interior.

“The interiors are defined by natural light,” Lapp said. “Large, glazed surfaces throughout the yacht create bright, open living spaces with a very strong connection to the ocean outside.”

The saloon on hull one dedicates the aft half to lounging and the forward half to a U-shaped bar-galley and L-shaped omakase counter

The aft half of the enormous single-level saloon on hull one has been arranged with sofas and chairs on both sides of the lounge area. Beyond glass-sided stairways to the guest cabins are an open U-shaped galley-cum-bar with wine storage to port, and a Japanese-style L-shaped omakase counter to starboard, where diners can observe the chef’s meal preparation.

Heading forward, carbon-fibre steps lead down to a magnificent full-beam master suite with large hull windows and a forward-facing bed set to starboard.

The full-beam master suite in the bow has a forward-facing bed offset to starboard; larger versions of the master are available

To port is both a walk-in dressing room and an en-suite bathroom in ‘magic glass’, which can transform from transparent to solid white when privacy is required. Furthermore, larger versions of the master suite are available by expanding into the space otherwise allocated for the forward port guest cabin.

“The owner’s suite is a very special space,” Lapp said. “It’s a full-beam cabin with a lot of personalisation possibilities including different bathroom layouts and even an option for a bathtub.”

Starboard view through the master cabin’s en-suite bathroom, which can be private or transparent due to ‘magic glass’

Sunreef’s clever naval architecture and design has resulted in the entire lower deck spanning the yacht’s full beam, rather than only offering accommodation in each hull, as on the much wider Next models.

In the standard layout seen on Wasabi, each side includes two ensuite guest cabins with sea-facing beds, double or twin.

As well as a full-beam master suite forward, there are three or four guest cabins (pictured) with raised, window-facing beds

Aft, forward of the engine room, are comprehensive crew quarters including three en-suite cabins and a large crew mess that also incorporates the yacht’s main galley, which is packed with Miele appliances.

Overall, the Ultima 88 looks like a winner from top to bottom, and has the order book to back it up. “People who want a more dynamic yachting experience immediately connect with this concept,” Lapp said. “The yacht feels sporty, modern and active while still offering a very high level of luxury and comfort.”

sunreef-yachts.com

Azimut’s grand new Fly motoryacht

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Azimut’s grand new Fly motoryacht

May 28, 2026
12:24 pm

Styled by Alberto Mancini and featuring warm, light-filled interiors by Fabio Fantolino, Azimut’s smooth-lined Fly 82 also benefits from being the series’ first model to feature the aft Deck2Deck™ system and the shipyard’s first motoryacht to include WatchIt Eye technology.
Words: John Higginson; Photos: Azimut

Azimut’s Fly 82 can reach up to 32 knots with triple IPS engines

Azimut’s Fly 82 is the new flagship of the Italian shipyard’s renowned Fly series, which remains a core line for the brand even as the new, fast-growing Seadeck range garners plenty of attention and the shipyard’s Grande superyacht series grows from strength to strength.

Successor to the Fly 78, the Fly 82 is a CE A flybridge motoryacht with a significant overall length of 24.8m that even encroaches on Grande territory, with the Grande 26M being just a few feet longer. In fact, the Fly 82 and Grande 26M were both on display during the former’s world premiere at last September’s Cannes Yachting Festival in France, then the following week’s Genoa International Boat Show in Italy and again at this year’s Boot Düsseldorf in Germany.

Comparable lengths aside, stats bear out the significant differences. At full load, the Fly 82 weighs 63 tonnes, compared to 84 for the Grande 26M. As well as being a third heavier, the Grande 26M has two-thirds more interior volume.

Dressed in comfortable, deep cushions, the foredeck offers plenty of seating and a flexible sunbathing and lounging area

And although Alberto Mancini designed the exteriors of each model and is responsible for both the Fly and Grande series, the profiles also underline the differences between the series, which remain in different sectors.

While the Grande 26M’s profile looks almost muscular, the sharply defined Fly 82 is dominated by straight, horizontal lines and rectangular windows, with a long, gently sloping windscreen and smoothly inclined bow underpinning a streamline look described as “shaped by the wind”.

EXTENSIVE OUTDOOR OPTIONS

However, at the aft end, there’s a notable overlap between the yachts. The 82 is the first model in the Fly series to feature Azimut’s own Deck2Deck™ system, which was introduced on the Grande 26M and is also included on the Grande 30M that debuted at Cannes last year, with hull one now in Hong Kong.

The Deck2Deck™ garage door shown in its closed position

Overlooking an almost full-beam hydraulic swim platform, the Deck2Deck™ essentially features a hinged, teak-clad garage door that rises to align horizontally with the main deck. And, yes, it makes a big difference, extending the Fly 82’s aft cockpit by about 5ft.

The raised garage door allows for foldable chairs or even a yoga mat or two to be placed aft of the cockpit’s two facing sofas and round-edged, adjustable coffee table, which can be raised and folded out to double its size for alfresco dining, all with guests fully covered by the flybridge above.

When the Deck2Deck™system is deployed, the cockpit offers a walkaround social zone centred around the facing sofas and high-low table

In the cockpit’s forward port corner is a wood-topped wet bar that even includes a fold-up cover revealing the third helm. Opposite is a fridge, which is fitted under the curved stairs to the flybridge.

The flybridge is a truly expansive space, making the most of the fact that the deck reaches as far aft as the garage door below. The aft end of the top deck is surrounded by railings and glass panels aft, while the floor is left clear for loose furniture, with Azimut dressing it with two stylish, curved sofas and a rounded coffee table.

The flybridge includes a large lounging area and twin-seat upper helm forward

Forward of the steps, the flybridge is covered by a hardtop with a sliding sunroof and is partially protected from breeze by a low-set, wraparound windscreen. Fixtures include a large American-style wet bar with flip-up grill and bar stools, while to port is a long, rectangular dining table surrounded by eight foldable director’s chairs.

To port, the helm station features a large two-screen display and twin pilot seats backed by a half-height storage unit, while the rest of the forward area is occupied by a large lounging-cum-sunbathing area.

The flybridge features loose furniture at the aft end

Outdoor lounging and comfortable cushions are also offered in the beamy foredeck, an attractive social area where a wide C-shaped sofa faces a large triple sunpad with adjustable cushion backrests that allow guests to sit and face fore or aft.

FANTOLINO CHAPTER THREE

Fabio Fantolino – who opened his first studio in Turin in 2001 and added a second in Milan in 2014 – handled the interiors of the Fly 82, his third project for Azimut after starting with the Fly 72 and Fly 62 that debuted in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Fabio Fantolino’s interiors feature huge windows and a round dining table

Saloon doors slide to starboard to reveal an interior bathed in natural light through massive, almost full-length windows along both sides. The lounge features a deep L-shaped sofa and a coffee table in the aft port corner, with two circular, orange-brown chairs to starboard providing further seating while remaining low enough to not distract from the expansive window views.

Forward to port, by a bronze glass wall, Azimut has entered new territory by including a round dining table, a common feature in Asia but a first for the shipyard in its Fly series. To starboard, two steps lead to an elegant day head, a superyacht-level addition benefiting from large mirrors and a window.

Aft view of the saloon, where round chairs to starboard complement the circular dining table

The steps also lead to a combined wheelhouse and galley, laid out with the twin-seat helm to starboard, a central dinette, an L-shaped kitchen to port with a double, full-height Siemens fridge freezer aft, plus forward stairs down to a crew accommodation area with three berths and shared head.

On the lower deck, guest accommodation comprises four en-suite cabins, with a twin and double either side of the central hallway and a forward VIP with a slightly angled, inward-facing bed.

The master suite’s bed is flanked by doors to a walk-in dressing room to port and bathroom to starboard

It’s the full-beam owner’s suite, situated midships, that gets most of the attention and is dominated by a large forward-facing bed and lit by long hull windows. Beautiful cabinetry adorns the port side and includes a pull-out vanity drawer with fold-up mirror, while aft is the walk-in wardrobe. To starboard is a sofa and access to the bathroom, which includes a large central shower.

HIGH-TECH PIONEER

Azimut has always been a leader in technology, and the Fly 82 is the shipyard’s first model to incorporate WatchIt Eye, developed by WatchIt in collaboration with the shipyard’s R&D department.

The master suite’s port cabinet includes an elegant vanity drawer

An AI-based collision-avoidance system designed specifically for recreational boating, WatchIt Eye is designed to detect obstacles such as floating objects, boats and submerged hazards, so a few less things to worry about.

In terms of performance, the Fly 82 features hull design by Pierluigi Ausonio Naval Architecture and the shipyard’s R&D department, while the yacht benefits from Azimut’s extensive use of carbon-fibre to lighten the superstructure, so reducing weight and lowering the centre of gravity.

Stairs to the guest cabins

Like the 78 Fly, the Fly 82 comes standard with triple 900hp Volvo Penta IPS1200 engines, with the upgrade option of 1,000hp IPS1350 versions providing a top speed of over 32 knots – as proven in sea trials – and a cruising speed of 25.

Among the shipyard’s ‘Low Emission Yacht’ family, the Fly 82 is another example of Azimut’s extensive use of IPS, which is also fitted on all Seadeck models and most S sportbridge models.

With maturing synergy between Mancini and Fantolino, the Fly 82 is a triumph both outside and in, while the introduction of the Deck2Deck™ and WatchIt Eye systems help take onboard technology to a new level and Azimut’s iconic Fly series to a new high.

azimutyachts.com

Asia's leading yachting lifestyle media

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