really cool yachts

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

The coolest catamarans and multihulls of all time

• Toby Heppell
• April 19, 2023

We asked top sailors and marine industry gurus to choose the coolest catamarans and multihulls of all time, here's what they came up with

As with beauty, coolness is in the eye of the beholder. While for some, speed is secondary to function or comfort, inherently any list of coolest catamarans and multihulls is likely to tip towards the high performance designs, whether they are historic trend setters or modern record holders.

We’ve asked a plethora or personalities from the sailing world, from top designers to racer for their thoughts on the coolest catamarans and multihulls. Each selection holds a special place in the heart of one of sailing’s biggest names. Reading about their favourites demonstrates it isn’t always the absolute latest technology that makes some of the boats the coolest catamarans and multihulls out there.

The Coolest Catamarans and Multihulls

Phaedo – mod 70.

“In terms of complexity for speed, there isn’t anything else which has such a good ratio as a MOD 70,” says British pro-sailor Sam Goodchild. “We’ve been over 40 knots [boatspeed] on them, and with Phaedo we used to sail for up to 200 days a year, all around the world, with just two shore crew. We were sailing offshore with just five people, so you’ve got super high performance for relatively easy upkeep.

“We’d be doing the Caribbean regattas against boats like Comanche , they’d have 20-something people on the rail and we had five, doing circles around them! Then we did all the transatlantic races – for me it’s an amazing boat.

Gitana 17 – Ultime

“The Ultimes to me are the most technologically advanced and fastest boats that you can still go offshore with, at incredible speeds and at the same time a robustness and all round performance: 30 knots upwind on the ocean! So I think they are technically the peak of sailing at the moment,” says Co-Owner of The Ocean Race , Johan Salen, who nominates the giant trimaran Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, also known as Gitana 17.

Gitana 17 is a 32m fully foiling trimaran built to a Verdier design to compete in both crewed (by a team of six) and solo races and record attempts. Skippered by Charles Caudrelier, it has won the Rolex Fastnet Race , Transat Jacques Vabre and Brest Atlantiques.

Aerial images of Francois Gabart onboard Ultim MACIF, training before the Round the Word Solo Handed Record, off Belle Ile, on October 16th, 2017 – Photo Jean-Marie LIOT / ALEA / MACIF

MACIF – Ultime

“This is a boat only a handful of people have ever been aboard but it’s a boat all the cool kids would really love to sail,” says Dee Caffari – the first woman to sail non-stop round the world in both directions.

“It’s the coolest yacht in the world because it’s very, very fast and because François Gabart set the 24-hour record of 851 miles all on his own.

“And he is very cool himself!”

PHOTO CHRISTOPHE LAUNAY / DPPI – Alain Theabault and his crew ( Jacques Vincent – Yves Parlier – Jean Le Cam – Robert Douglas )

Hydroptère – Speed record breaker

“I thought Hydroptère was the most incredible boat for a long time,” says Vendée Globe solo sailor Pip Hare of the groundbreaking 60ft (18m) foiler. “It was the first flying boat we’d ever seen. It crossed oceans and also was going for the 50-knot record.”

The experimental hydrofoil was the brainchild of skipper, helmsman and project founder Alain Thébault, together with design studio VPLP. It was built on principles Thébault proved as early as the Nineties and launched in 2008 – over a decade decade before the Ultimes evolved into the foiling offshore multihull class we know today.

Photo: Thierry Martinez

B&Q Castorama – Round the world record breaker

“For me ‘Moby’, as Ellen MacArthur’s trimaran was known, is one of the coolest yachts,” says top yachting photographer, Thierry Martinez of Ellen’s B&Q Castorama.

“In this photograph Ellen is 100 miles off the finish line at Ushant just before she broke her solo round the world record in 2005. I wasn’t working for Ellen at this time, but I had followed her from the boat’s launch in Sydney to the end of successful broken record.

“The trimaran was extra cool because it had two sides: one blue side with a French sponsor, and an orange side for an English sponsor. To shoot both sides was a challenge.”

USA 17 – 2010 America’s Cup winner

“I’d have loved to sail on the America’s Cup AC72 cats in San Francisco in 2013, they were so invigorating,” says Thomas Coville – one of the world’s most successful ocean racing skippers. “Those boats were when Larry Ellison just let free in the America’s Cup and pushed the limits. But perhaps even cooler was the big trimaran challenger, USA 17 [in 2010]. When you saw the size of the wing and the size of Jimmy Spithill steering the boat, and flying on one hull, I think it was totally amazing.

“We should give a medal to the generation who was on the America’s Cup in San Francisco for creating so many new ideas and new dynamics, but for me the first step of sailing by flying was when those guys arrived with a trimaran with wings. Today we are trying to recreate that kind of a step by foiling around the world.”

Foiling F50 – SailGP ‘s foiling catamaran

“Without question the SailGP F50 is the best boat that I have ever sailed,” says America’s Cup skipper, 49er gold medalist and foiling Moth world champion, Nathan Outteridge. “The headline top speeds of over 50 knots are impressive, but there is so much more to these incredible boats.

“The boats are inherently unstable, and so require constant adjustment of the foils to keep them flying at optimum levels. Initially the boats were very hard to sail; the foils are very unstable and not as forgiving as were used in the Bermuda America’s Cup , but with the help of sophisticated computer aided flight controls and user-friendly flight controller hardware the boats are now far easier to sail, which makes for better, closer racing.”

Biscuits Cantreau 2 – Revolutionary trimaran

Biscuits Cantreau 2 was a Formula 40 trimaran designed for Jean Le Cam in 1987. “Formula 40 was a class born in France with a very simple rule for multihulls for offshore racing,” explains Lauriot–Prévost, co-founder of VPLP yacht design. “The boat had to be 40ft long, about 40ft wide, the mast height was 21m, with a sail area of 90m2, and weigh 2.3 tonnes minimum.

“In 1986 the majority of the fleet were catamarans, but we started with a trimaran. For 1987 we sat down with a blank sheet of paper. The challenge was to be at the minimum weight with a trimaran. We wanted to go for a trimaran which sailed like a catamaran, flying a hull. That was really something very new.

“Most trimarans sailed on the main hull, with floats to balance the boat for transverse stability. We had the crew on the windward float, three rudders, and aimed to sail flying a hull. She was faster than all the catamaran fleet, and beat them all.”

Olympus Photo – The original modern multihull

“The late Mike Birch ’s Olympus Photo, designed and built by Walter Greene, sits at the root of all modern multis,” says Guillaume Verdier – one of the most talented and successful naval architects of the modern era. “Mike and his boat began the legend of the Route du Rhum and made offshore racing so popular. With his 12m-long yellow trimaran he beat Michel Malinovsky on his 21m (69ft) monohull Kriter in 1978, by less than two minutes – extraordinary considering they didn’t know each other’s position at the time.

“Greene’s design was a cold moulded wooden-epoxy coated boat with small longitudinal stringers. At the time it was a very original way to build boats, developed by the Gougeon brothers.”

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

The Top 10 Coolest Boats of 2023

As experts in the industry, we can attest that there is no shortage of fancy boats debuting in 2023. If you’re interested in buying new or luxury boats to your collection, this blog post reveals the top 10 coolest boats to watch out for this year. 

Fancy Boats Debuting in 2023

Got your eye on something sparkly? Below are some fancy boats we’re looking forward to browsing in 2023: 

1. Wellcraft 355 One of the coolest boats debuting in 2023 is the Wellcraft 355, drawing the major boat builder into uncharted waters.  With a noticeably European flair, the Michael Peters designed yacht is designed to “go anywhere, to do anything.” It boasts either triple Mercury or Yamaha outboards with a top speed of over 50 knots. And to top it off, the Wellcraft 355 is equipped with smart utilitarian features, including a sliding helm door and dual side gates for deck access. 

Visit Wellcraft to learn more. 

2. Tiara 43 LE

The Tiara 43 LE is the Swiss Army knife of the boating industry, emphasizing sporty styling, luxurious amenities, and thrilling performance. This vessel is ideal for entertaining, as it features a rotating lounge with built-in footrests and a fold-down terrace. Loungers can hang around the chaises on the bow or head below the deck, where spacious accommodations (for four people!) await. 

Visit Tiara Yachts to learn more. 

3. Regal LX 36

Want the luxuriousness of a yacht condensed into a midsized bowrider package? If so, the Regal LX 36 is for you. In the company’s own words, this vessel is “thirty-six feet of dynamic comfort technology advancements and new ways of thinking merge for the ultimate day yachting experience.” And her all-electronic, retractable hardtop and deluxe co-captain experience (aka a companion screen allowing them to control navigation, systems data, media, and more) can attest. 

Visit Regal Boats to learn more. 

4. Mystic M5200

The Mystic M5200 makes our list of coolest boats because it’s a stunner. This fancy boat is an eye-popping combination of performance and luxury, packed with quad Mercury 600s generating 2400 horsepower. Built for the biggest adventurers, this vessel seamlessly blends speed and elegance (paying careful attention to detail). The result? Riders receive the ultimate on-the-water experience and luxury feel. 

Visit Mystic Powerboats to learn more. 

5. Formula 387 CCF

One of the industry’s most iconic brands is re-entering the center console business with the Formula 387 CCF. This vessel blends old-school Formula style with a modern center console sport template. Then, it tacks on an impressive list of fishing features, including triple helm seats with folding armrests, an electronically adjustable center seat, dual 40-gallon live wells, port and starboard fish boxes, and so much more. 

Visit Formula Boats to learn more. 

6.  Chaparral 250 OSX

Are you looking for a rig for your adventure and watersports -loving family? The Chaparral 250 OSX is fully loaded with an impressive helm station, an electric folding EFX wakeboard tower, a custom bimini top, a JL audio system, and a large loft.  If that wasn’t enough, other perks include a windlass anchor with a stainless plow anchor, docking lights, and a lifetime hull warranty. 

Visit Chaparral Boats to learn more. 

7.  Pursuit S 248

The Pursuit S 248 is ideal for anglers and includes top features such as: 

• Multiple fishing boxes
• Adjustable transom bench
• Molded transom walkthrough
• Concealed helm toilet

This vessel has everything you need to chase down the catch of the day. Plus, her digital electronic throttle and shift with standard trim tabs make this vessel an ultra-smooth and responsive ride. 

Visit Pursuit Boats to learn more. 

8.  Chris-Craft Calypso 27

Combining vintage style with modern technology, the Chris-Craft Calypso 27 is one of the best of its kind. The plush interior makes for a ridiculously comfy ride. Yet, it has all the classic features you’d want (like a teak steering wheel with stainless steel accents throughout).  Additionally, this luxury boat is chock-full of modern technology, including Mercury Smartchart Premier controls and a 12-inch Garmin display. 

Visit Chris-Craft to learn more. 

9.  Fountain 38 SCX

This iconic vessel is backed by many power options (everything from triple Mercury 450Rs to quad Mercury 400s). And there’s a surprising assortment of luxury features, including a next-gen T-top, premium six-color upholstery, and Marine Mat flooring.  In terms of technology, this luxury boat includes the following: 

• Garmin displays
• Inverter-powered AC
• An optional 5KW generator for those looking to transform her into an overnighter. 

Visit Fountain Powerboats to learn more.  10. Blackfin 232 DC 

On the hunt for a trailering boat that blends fishing excursions with a family day of cruising? Bring the Blackfin 232 DC along for the ride.  The final edition to our list of coolest boats includes: 

• Custom helm seats
• An 18-gallon live well
• Stainless steel rod holders
• A Fusion stereo with JL Audio speakers
• A telescoping swim ladder
• Weatherproofed electronics
• A 45-quart Yeti cooler

Visit Blackfin Boats to learn more. 

Join Our Newsletter!

Get community news, buying bargains, and how-to guides at your fingertips.

Published on June 1st, 2021 | by Editor

Tornado: World’s coolest yachts

Published on June 1st, 2021 by Editor -->

Yachting World has been asking top sailors and marine industry gurus to choose the coolest and most innovative yachts of our times , and two-time World Sailor of the Year Carolijn Brouwer nominated the Tornado catamaran. The Scuttlebutt editor concurs the Tornado is one of the sweetest boats he’s ever sailed… here’s the report :

“The Tornado catamaran is a really cool boat. It was my introduction to high performance sailing and it had a big influence on me in many ways,” said the Dutch three-time Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Race crew and three-time Olympian.

“Once you get a taste for it, there is no way back. Sailing the Tornado opened up different doors for me in my sailing career.”

The Tornado catamaran was for many years the fastest Olympic sailing class and was the first catamaran to be introduced to the Olympic Games. It was first sailed in the 1976 Olympic Games and saw its last Olympic appearance in 2008.

There was not multihull option for sailing at the Olympic Games in 2012, but the Tornado undoubtedly led the way for the current catamaran class, the Nacra 17, which must be sailed with a female and a male member of the crew.

“Sailing the Tornado is where I got the feel for apparent wind sailing. It’s a pretty big cat in the small boat sailing world with its 20ft length and 10ft width creating decent loads and righting moment.

“Also, the Tornado was the only Open discipline at the Olympic Games but it was extremely male dominated.”

Brouwer helmed for Belgium at the 2008 Games, sailing a Tornado catamaran with crew Sébastien Godefroid. “I hope this showed that being a woman you can compete at a high level and be very competitive against men in a mixed gender configuration – just like the great Paul Elvstrøm did sailing with his daughter.”

For Yachting World’s list of cool boats, click here .

Tags: Carolijn Brouwer , coolest yachts , Tornado , Yachting World

Related Posts

How to build a great sailing crew →

Will USA’s radical design choices pay off? →

Who is the quickest America’s Cup team? →

Trickle down of clothing technology →

© 2024 Scuttlebutt Sailing News. Inbox Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. made by VSSL Agency .

• Privacy Statement
• Advertise With Us

Get Your Sailing News Fix!

Your download by email.

• Your Name...
• Your Email... *
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

672 Wine Club

• Motorcycles
• Car of the Month
• Destinations
• Men’s Fashion
• Watch Collector
• Art & Collectibles
• Vacation Homes
• Celebrity Homes
• New Construction
• Home Design
• Electronics
• Fine Dining
• Benchmark Wines
• Brian Fox Art
• Disneyland Resort
• Raffles Hotels & Resorts
• Sports & Leisure
• Health & Wellness
• Best of the Best
• The Ultimate Gift Guide

The 10 Best Superyacht Concepts of 2023

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

• Rolls-Royce Debuted the New Phantom Scintilla at Monterey Car Week. Here’s Everything We Know.
• This Speedy 70-Foot Power Catamaran Is Designed to Cut Through Rough Waters
• These Slim New Catamarans Are Redefining the Category. Here’s How.
• Share This Article

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

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

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

Sinot, ‘Aware’

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

Icon Yachts, ‘Mission’

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

Andy Waugh Yacht Design, ‘Decadence’

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

Oceanco, ‘Aeolus’

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

Anthony Glasson, ‘Star Trek’

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

Jozeph Forakis, ‘Pegasus’

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

Lazzarini, ‘Plectrum’

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

Phantom and Golden Yachts, ‘Vesper’

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

DeBasto Design, MED

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

Enzo Manca, ‘UAE One’

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

Read More On:

• Superyacht Design
• Superyachts

More Marine

This New Solar-Electric Catamaran Comes With a Massive, Fold-Down Beach Club

These Otherworldly New 142-Foot Superyachts Were Inspired by the Moons of Mars 

This Speedy New 700 HP RIB Can Soar to 55 Knots at Full Tilt

Kevin Costner Cruised on This Luxe 75-Footer Last Summer. Now It’s Debuting at Cannes Yacht Fest.

Meet the Wine Club That Thinks Differently.

Receive editor-curated reds from boutique California producers four times a year.

Give the Gift of Luxury

Latest Galleries in Marine

Phobos and Deimos Superyachts in Photos

8 Fascinating Facts About ‘Koru,’ Jeff Bezos’s Bonkers 410-Foot Sailing Superyacht

More from our brands, kamala harris’ trump debate outfit comes with a delicate lavallière blouse, pantsuit and signature pearls, u.s. soccer officially hires pochettino as men’s head coach, kamala harris did what she needed to do. she displayed the force of a president — and goaded trump into revealing his inner frothing crackpot, brooklyn museum rebrands after 200 years, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors.

• Pontoon Boats
• Personal Watercraft
• nauticalknowhow
• Nautical Knots
• Tools and Calculators

Best Yachts – Top 15 Picks for 2024

Carver 52 Command Bridge

Hatteras M75 Panacera

Sabre 58 Salon Express

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a yacht? Probably those huge luxury cruisers reserved for the high society folks, right? Well, that’s true, but those are a special group of ships referred to as luxury yachts.

The questions you need to be asking are – What is a yacht? At what point is a yacht regarded as a ship? And, what exactly makes a yacht a yacht? Here’s a little boating lesson for you.

A yacht is any fast cruising watercraft used for pleasure or sport. Yachts can be classified into cruisers, superyachts, and mega yachts. The difference between them all boils down to their respective sizes.

Luxury vessels that are less than 12 meters long fall in the class of cabin cruiser yachts – or simply, cruisers. Those that measure more than 24 meters are classified as superyachts. Anything that’s 50+ meters long is a mega yacht. Anything larger than a mega yacht is generally referred to as a ship and generally describes a working vessel as opposed to something recreational.

So, as you can see, you don’t necessarily have to be swimming in a ton of money to become a yacht owner. The only difference will be in the size of the craft you get. Clear enough?

Without further ado, here are the 15 best yachts, as well as a few useful tips on how to choose the best one.

Top on our list of best yachts is the Carver 52 Command Bridge. Its unique design, spacious salon, expansive foredeck seating area, and well-thought-out amenities make this one the best yachts bar-none.

It comes with a master head, a spacious stall shower, and a full-beam master stateroom that even has its own private entrance. It doesn’t get any better than that.

 Carver  →

● Designed for long-range cruising ● Ample living space ● Comes with loads of convenience amenities

● Not ideal for use in icy waters

The Hatteras M75 Panacera yacht is the perfect embodiment of superior craftsmanship and timeless elegance. One look at it, and you can tell that it was built with impeccable attention to detail.

Everything from the galley layout and the open-concept deckhouse salon to the 360-degree panoramic windows and state-of-the-art amenities adds a completely new dimension to luxury yachting.

 Hatteras  →

● Ample space ● Exquisite interiors and exteriors ● Fully-customizable

● High maintenance

Yachts don’t exactly come cheap. So, the term “budget” yacht might be a bit of a stretch when referring to the price. Nonetheless, if you’re shopping for a watercraft that delivers excellent value for money, the Sabre 58 Salon Express is a great option to consider.

It has an open yacht design that seamlessly merges the interior with the exterior and has large windows that flood the interior spaces with lots of natural light. The Sabre also has three en-suite cabins, abundant storage, and several other great features that make it stand out from other boats in its class.

 Sabre Yachts  →

● Great value for money ● Spacious interior ● Ample storage

● Not ideal for use in the high seas

Tiara Yachts 53 Coupe

The Tiara Yachts 53 Coupe is the perfect family watercraft. It is designed for indoor and outdoor living. The bridge deck space and salon offer breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the ocean. It also has comfortable living quarters below deck that are guaranteed to give the entire family an exceptional cruising experience.

 Tiara  →

● Great for making memories ● Comfortable living quarters ● Offers panoramic views all round

● High maintenance costs

The 60 Cantius from Cruiser was built for long-distance passages. It has spacious living quarters both above and below deck, as well as lots of comfort and convenience amenities that allow you to spend extended periods out on the water.

You’ll particularly enjoy the retractable sunroof that allows you to bask in the sun while enjoying breathtaking panoramic ocean views as you cruise along.

 Cruisers Yachts  →

● Ideal for long-distance passages ● Beautiful, elegant design ● Spacious living areas above and below deck

● Pricier than other boats in its class

93 Motor Yacht

If you’re looking for a watercraft that can go the distance, it doesn’t get any better than the 93 Motor Yacht from Viking Yachts. First impressions: It is gorgeous.

Its beauty isn’t skin-deep either. The 93MY was built to navigate the rough, choppy waters of the high seas, making it the perfect vessel for anyone who wants to go on an ocean-crossing adventure of a lifetime.

 Viking Yachts  →

● Stunning exterior and interior design ● Built to navigate rough water conditions ● It is pretty massive

● Requires a small crew to operate it

Jeanneau NC 37

The Jeanneau NC 37 is an excellent beginner boat. Its fluid layout and ergonomic design make movement in this yacht a breeze. It comes with large panoramic windows with an open sunroof that bathe the living space in lots of natural light.

There’s an owner’s cabin, as well as a guest cabin that both offer ample standing headroom. Its well-proportioned interior alongside the multitude of comfort and convenience amenities it comes with makes it one of the best beginner yachts in the market today.

 Jeanneau  →

● Ample living space and storage ● Great value for money ● Open ergonomic layout

● Not ideal for ocean crossing

Regal 36 XO

If you’re looking for a yacht that combines both comfort and functionality, the Regal 36 XO delivers on both fronts. This beauty is powered by two outboard engines and offers multi-bow seating that also doubles up as casting decks.

It has a spacious cabin, open-air salon, seamless galley that integrates the aft seating area with the roomy saloon, and a windshield walk-through that provides easy access to the bow.

 Regal  →

● Versatile ● Spacious interiors and exteriors ● Fully-customizable

Back Cove 390

If you thought yachts were reserved for ocean-use only, that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are several models specially designed for lakes. The Back Cove 390 yacht is the perfect example.

Its smaller size makes it ideal for lake cruising. It has a fully-enclosed helm, as well as an owner and guest cabin below-deck, making it perfect for overnight stay.

 Back Cove Yachts  →

● Perfect size for lakes ● Ideal for entertaining ● Delivers optimal handling and maneuverability

● May not be ideal for a long extended stay

Formula 45 Yacht

The Formula 45 Yacht is the perfect liveaboard watercraft. It has all the comfort and convenience amenities you would expect to find in any standard land-based home. It is spacious with a well-thought-out practical layout that makes movement on the yacht easy. It has enough room to comfortably accommodate a small family of four.

 Formula  →

● Best yacht for the money ● Spacious interior ● Comes with lots of convenience amenities

Ocean Alexander 36L

If you’re thinking of venturing out into the rough seas, you’re going to need a yacht that can hold its own in the sloppiest of weather conditions. The Ocean Alexander 36L is built to do just that.

Beyond its stunning exterior and interiors, this yacht’s overall rugged construction is focused on giving passengers the smoothest ride possible regardless of the water conditions outside. Its deep V-hull design and its 324,500 lbs. displacement capacity are largely responsible for the exceptional stability it displays when cruising through the high seas.

 Ocean Alexander  →

● Exceptionally stable ● Packed with loads of comfort and convenience amenities ● Expansive interior and exterior

● Needs a crew to run it

Westport 112 Motor Yacht

As far as luxury yachts go, the Westport 112 Motor Yacht is in a class of its own. This 111 ft. 8 in. long watercraft is built to deliver extraordinary performance inside and out.

It has four en-suite staterooms that sleep eight individuals and can accommodate up to five crew members, including the captain. The interior oozes luxury, sophistication, and a timeless elegance that’s hard to come by these days.

 Westport Yachts  →

● Spacious indoor and outdoor living areas ● Exquisite interiors ● Suitable for cruising the high seas

● Expensive

Beneteau Oceanis 60

The Beneteau Oceanis 60 is by far the best sailing yacht we’ve come across. It is built on a hull that guarantees safety and unmatched performance at every turn.

This luxury sailing yacht has a unique deck plan that allows for single-handed maneuvering across the water. The glossy woodwork, cozy upholstery, and the spacious living quarters below-deck make it the perfect sailing yacht for your ocean getaway.

 Beneteau  →

● Exceptional fuel economy ● Spacious living areas ● Ideal for single-handed sailing

● May not be as fast as other non-sailboat yachts

Having a crew is great and all, but it’s also nice to have a yacht that you can operate on your own for that measure of added privacy when you need it. The Antares 9 is the perfect owner operator yacht.

It is modern, stylish, and compact, allowing you to run it on your own and discreetly slip away from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life anytime you need to.

● Elegant design ● Can be operated solo ● Comfortable and safe navigation

● Not ideal for the rough, choppy waters of the high seas

Prestige 690

Let’s get to what yachts are best known for – hosting memorable parties. The Prestige 690 has everything you need to keep the party going all day and all night.

Its open design layout and its expansive deck make it the perfect yacht for entertaining. The elegant, timeless design of its exterior, alongside the breathtaking finishing, are just a few of the 690’s attributes that add to its appeal.

 Prestige  →

● Massive open deck ● Comes with lots of comfort and convenience features ● Sleeps up to 10 people

How to Choose the Best Yachts – Buyer’s Guide

A yacht is a pretty big purchase. So, you need to know what to look for when choosing the right one for your needs. Here are a couple of pointers that might come in handy.

Type of Yacht

The type of yacht you buy depends in large part on your intended use for it. Most yachts tend to fall into one of three categories – For water sports like wakeboarding , fishing motor yachts, or the overnight cruising variety. Once you know what kind of recreational activities you plan on engaging in, that should help narrow down your choices.

Next, you need to consider what size of yacht you should get. Do you have a young family that you intend to expand in the coming years? Do you plan to use the vessel for day cruising, or do you intend to spend a couple of nights on board from time to time?

Will the yacht be just for you and your significant other, or do you plan to frequently entertain several guests on board? This will advise whether you should buy a cabin cruiser yacht, a superyacht, or a mega yacht.

In a perfect world, you would have all the money you need to buy any kind of watercraft you want. Sadly, that’s not the reality we live in. Keep in mind that yachts don’t exactly come cheap. So, even if you’re planning to purchase a small yacht, you’ll still need to spend quite a bit of cash to get it.

The best thing to do would be to set a budget and compare the different models on offer from different manufacturers . Aside from the boat’s purchase price, you also need to think about the costs associated with owning a yacht. These include insurance, repairs, maintenance, cleaning, and the vessel’s general servicing.

Figure out what kind of comfort and convenience features are a must-have for you. How many cabins should it have? Do you need it to have a summer grill up top? Or will the one in the mini kitchen below-deck suffice? Ensure that the yacht you get has all the amenities you need.

Last but not least, before you sign any purchase contract, ensure that you schedule a sea trial with the dealer. That way, you get a true feel for the boat before you buy it.

Look Before You Leap

If you’re in the market for a shiny new yacht, any of the 15 vessels we’ve detailed in this guide will make an excellent choice. Do your homework beforehand, and make sure your desired craft has all the features and amenities you seek.

Use the tips we’ve outlined in this guide to help you choose the best yachts from all the different options that are hot on the market right now. Happy yachting!

In the meantime, if you’re looking for the best aluminum fishing boat , we’ve got you covered. Check out our review for our top picks.

About Chris

Outdoors, I’m in my element, especially in the water. I know the importance of being geared up for anything. I do the deep digital dive, researching gear, boats and knowhow and love keeping my readership at the helm of their passions.

Categories : Yachts

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

More in Yachts

Lonian Yacht: An Insider's Guide

A Closer Look at the Madsummer Yacht

Your Insider’s Look at Steve Jobs’ Yacht Venus

Your Insider’s Guide to the Aviva Yacht

The People’s Poncho Review and Ratings 

Oru Lake Kayak Review

What Is A Gunwale?

131 of the Best Hawaiian Boat Names

167 Patriotic Boat Names

About boatsafe.

Established in 1998, BoatSafe is your independent guide into the world of boating, fishing, and watersports. We provide expert insights and detailed guides to help you find products tailored to your needs and budget.

Contact Boatsafe

• Address: 4021 West Walnut Street. Rogers, AR 72756
• Phone:  (479)339-4795
• Email: [email protected]

Site Navigation

• How We Test
• Corrections Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Editorial Policy
• Affiliate Disclosure

Our Reviews

All content is © Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.

• Cars, Jets & Yachts

The World’s Most Exciting Superyacht Concepts

Some of these concepts could be gracing our seas within the next few years.

By Sophie Killip

When it comes to design and technology, the world of superyachts is one of the most pioneering industries out there. Whether it’s a new shape or testing the limits of a yacht’s size , superyacht designers are always working with cutting-edge ideas. However, even within the superyacht industry, these dreams can go one step further – some designers are creating superyacht concepts for vessels that go above and beyond our current capabilities, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

With this in mind, we’ve curated a selection of some of the most exciting superyacht concepts in the world, including some that might never see the water and others that could be gracing our seas within the next few years.

[See also: Octopus: On Board the Original Explorer Superyacht]

The  Mako   is the first dip into the waters of nautical  design for the prestigious design studio State of Craft – but what an ambitious debut. The almost 395-ft superyacht is an  adventurous  take on cruising explorers, featuring long-range ice cruising capabilities and a zero-carbon footprint – all with a design inspired by the shark that gives its name. 

That unconventional structure uniquely blends the hull and superstructure into a seamless overall form, creating a continuation of surface that allows for seamless transitions from the yacht’s interior to outdoor decks. And it’s not just in its design where the  Mako  seeks to break conventions. With its propulsion system of hydrogen tanks, fuel cells and electric engines – combined with a battery storage system and solar panels – the  Mako  is set to be a sustainable evolution of the luxury superyacht. 

The brand has revealed that while it is difficult to put a cost on the project, it is estimated that the superyacht would cost “between €250m and €500m” (approx. between $268m and $536m).

The Rise of the Superyacht Marina

How Louis Vuitton Made the America’s Cup the Voyage en Vogue

H3: The Market’s Most Expensive Superyacht Debuts a New Design

stateofcraft.co.uk

Mirarri , a new yacht design firm founded by Rashed Al Shaali, has announced that its first yacht will be built by  UAE -based  shipyard  Enata, best known for the ‘flying yacht’ Foiler, and delivered in 2025. Imagined by the award-winning designer Timur Bozca, whose body of work spans yachts, cars, interiors and aviation, Mirarri’s inaugural launch will span 55 ft. Construction of the yacht is already underway.

Intended to exude a futuristic take on classic yachting, the currently un-named concept’s design is led by lightweight yet durable materials, with much of its exterior using carbon fiber and titanium.

Content from our partners

Why Northeastern Spain is the Finest Family Destination

The Ritz-Carlton, Cayman Cookout: A Culinary Celebration

Managing Director Dustin Dent on the Transformation of Nemacolin

[See also: How to Charter a Superyacht]

Celebrated designer Thierry Gaugain and boutique brokerage SuperYachtsMonoco have been working together on a collaboration that could change the course of yachting history: the astounding 390 ft Project L, which has been inspired by “a dream of paradise”. The innovative yacht will be powered by a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system, balancing fuel efficiency with autonomy for long-range cruising.

Shaped like a smooth beach pebble, Project L is designed to glide through the water and will be able to fully open to the elements, creating a direct connection between guests and the natural environment. “Project L isn’t a concept of something that may eventually work,” says director of SuperYachtsMonaco, Alex Banning. “The engineering has been studied and verified to perform. L can be built and – Thierry and I sincerely hope – one day soon [she] will be delivered to an owner as unique as her.”

Superyachtsmonaco.com

Founded by designers who previously worked in the automotive industry – specifically at Ferrari – RUMA Design is a studio that aims to emulate the finesse and precision of automobiles in other sectors. A natural connection was made between supercars and luxury vessels, with the team at RUMA moving towards a sleek catamaran design with a low center of gravity and sinuous design.

The result is RUMA’s award-winning design for MIGMA, a noiseless 180 ft electric catamaran that runs on hydrogen power. Translated from Greek, ‘Migma’ means ‘mixture’, a name that is apt for this catamaran: the concept mixes unique spacing – its core structure is in the middle, with elements growing out of it – with innovative engineering techniques and fluid design that is reminiscent of marine wildlife.

Ruma-design.com

One of the most ambitious yacht concepts in this list, Pagurus is the concept for an 80 ft amphibious catamaran created by Italian design studio Lazzarini Design. Pagurus – meaning ‘crab’ in Latin – was originally imagined as a military vessel, with a top speed of 24 knots and a structure that has been inspired by the body and shape of the eponymous sea creature.

What separates Pagurus from other yacht concepts is its potential for ‘amphibious’ activity: the catamaran’s hulls would be lined with screw-like cylinders, allowing the vessel to move across sand or mud. Water friction against the screws would also generate electricity to power its batteries. Pagurus would have the capacity for eight passengers and four crew members, with living areas subdivided between the two hulls and connected to each other through the bridge tower in the middle.

Lazzarinidesignstudio.com

Award-winning transportation design studio Bozca Design was founded in 2013 by innovative designer Timur Bozca with a vision to “create solutions through design”. Many of the studio’s designs are inspired by the natural world, including the superyacht concept that has made it on this list: the luxurious Black Swan, which has been designed with both style and high efficiency in mind.

Black Swan would be able to comfortably accommodate up to 12 guests across six guest cabins and a master cabin, as well as having room for a staff of 18. The 230 ft superyacht would have a top speed of 28 knots (cruising speed around 20 knots), which would be achieved thanks to the yacht’s four engines and arrow-shaped aerodynamic design, which would be constructed using black aluminum for the superstructure and reinforced steel for the hull.

Timurbozca.com

One of the latest concepts from prolific artist and designer George Lucian, the MY Roswell is a 210 ft superyacht that would be created entirely out of aluminum. The concept has been designed to be fully electric, with large electrical panels that would cover a number of the yacht’s horizontal surfaces. There would also be two electric diesel engines on board as a backup.

Lucian started with the idea of “creating an iconic worldwide recognizable yacht inspired by the future” when designing MY Roswell – the yacht’s shape takes its inspiration from spacecraft and military stealth vessels. It would have room for 12 guests and 12 crew and feature a large, covered outdoor area, lounge, dining area and beam length swimming pool on the main deck. There is also allocated space on the upper deck for a helicopter platform and sky lounge.

Georgelucian.com

Avanguardia

Avanguardia – meaning ‘vanguard’ in English – is another concept from Lazzarini Design. The name comes from the yacht’s unique design, which features a control tower high above the rest of the vessel. Not only would this control tower oversee everything happening on the yacht, it gives Avanguardia the appearance of a giant swan – and would be able to detach, becoming a 50-ft day boat.

While cruising, the control tower can adjust its position and lower into the middle of the superyacht’s body. With the control tower lowered, Avanguardia reaches an impressive length of 515 ft and has a cruising speed of around 18 knots. The yacht has been designed to comfortably support 24 guests and 22 crew but has space for up to 60 passengers across its five main decks. Anyone willing to make Avanguardia a reality would have to invest $500 million for its construction.

[See also: What Do We Know About Jeff Bezos and his Yacht?]

Codecasa JET 2020

Italian shipyard Codecasa has created a one-of-a-kind superyacht concept with the unveiling of their Codecasa JET 2020 – an idea that has been heavily inspired by the aviation industry and aims to “break the mold of the typical lines” found in yacht design. At 230 ft, if built, Codecasa JET 2020 would become the flagship yacht of Codecasa Shipyards.

Various sections of the Codecasa JET 2020 borrow from aviation design, from the cockpit-shaped bow to the air inlets reminiscent of jet engines, as well as the aft, which features a sun deck evocative of the tail of an aircraft. There would be a total of five cabins onboard for guests, including an owner’s suite on the main deck; it has also been designed to feature a sky lounge, dining room, covered gymnasium and a sunken swimming pool.

Codecasayachts.com

SY Project Origami

Another concept from Monaco-based George Lucian, this design for a sailing yacht has to feature on any list of the best superyacht concepts in the world. Called Project Origami, the concept takes its inspiration from traditional Asian junks and – as its name suggests – the paper folding art form of Origami. The sailing yacht would be an impressive size, coming in at just over 320 ft.

The yacht would feature ‘folding surfaces’ on its hull that would have dual purposes; for example, one part of the hull would fold out, opening up completely to create a helicopter pad. Project Origami would also feature several sails divided into sections, which would act as solar panels and generate electricity to allow the yacht to reduce its environmental footprint. Lucian admits that Project Origami would be a challenge for any yacht builder, as he didn’t “work with a sailing specialist” when creating the idea.

[See also: The Ultimate Tenders to Pair With Your Superyacht]

Sophie Killip

Latest in luxury, the explorer.

Thank you for subscribing to Elite Traveler.

Find anything, super fast.

• Destinations
• Documentaries

The Top 100

A comprehensive and accurate list of the largest luxury yachts set to launch in 2024.

A live list of the Top 100 largest superyachts in the world as it currently stands.

The Top 100 luxury yachts launched in 2023 who defined the last year in large yachting.

Has your yacht ever been in the Top 100? Search any yacht to view its ranking.

Select any year since 1906 to view the ranks of the Top 100 largest yachts at the time.

A selection of the Top 100 largest yachts, available for charter on Superyachts.com.

View a selection of brokerage yachts in the Top 100 on Superyachts.com.

• Subscribe Now
• Digital Editions

World’s coolest boats: Our ultimate cool boats hall of fame

• Top stories

There are plenty of cool boats out there, but only the world's coolest boats make it into our hall of fame. Here are the icons who have made the cut so far...

Each month our resident expert of cool Nick Burnham picks out an iconic boat that can lay claim to the title of world’s coolest boat.

What makes a boat cool can very enormously from boat to boat. We’ve featured a world speed record holder , an iconic TV series star , an incredible superyacht and one of the most important models from the back catalogue of one of the most prominent British manufacturers .

The list below is a work in progress, so if you have any suggestions, e-mail them to [email protected] – be sure to give your reasoning with as many superlatives as possible!

12 of the world’s coolest boats

Thunderbird’s iconic stainless steel superstsructure was inspired by aircraft design. Photo courtesy of www.ThunderbirdTahoe.org

Thunderbird

The world’s coolest classic motor yacht

Thunderbird is what happens when you combine an obsession with aircraft, the heady days of the 1930s and a LOT of money. George Whittell was an eccentric San Francisco tycoon who, in the mid-20th century, owned about a third of the land in the Tahoe basin and 27 miles of the lake’s shoreline.

He built a beautiful lakeside home called Thunderbird Lodge; kept a pet lion called Bill and a pet elephant called Mango; owned a variety of aircraft including a DC-2, outfitted for his private use; six of the rarest Duesenberg motorcars; a 145ft  superyacht  and this legendary 55ft sportsyacht,  Thunderbird .

Commissioned by Whittell specifically for Lake Tahoe to go with the estate he was building there,  Thunderbird  was designed by the famous naval architect John L. Hacker, built by Huskins Boat Works in Bay City, Michigan and delivered in the summer of 1940.

Read more about Thunderbird

Like all true classics, the appeal runs far deeper than aesthetics – it proved to be a formidable race boat

Fairey Huntsman

The coolest James Bond boat

A young naval architect called Alan Burnard was employed to evolve a Ray Hunt deep-vee design into a single-engined 23ft motor cruiser called the Fairey Huntress.

Launched in 1959, it was followed a year later by the 28ft Fairey Huntsman. Similar in concept, the extra length gave it even more elegant lines and created space for twin 145hp Perkins diesel engines.

Both the Huntress and Huntsman soon found fame on the big screen, starring alongside Sean Connery in the Bond movie  From Russia With Love .

Read more about the Fairey Huntsman

Sahara provided a well timed boost for Hunton’s subsequent XRS43 in 2008

Hunton RS43

The coolest Hollywood boat from the 00s

Boat dealers are used to unusual requests from clients but ten windscreens made out of sugar glass and a complete spare set of cockpit upholstery was a new one to Martin Payne, head of sales and marketing for  Hunton Powerboats .

The call came in September 2003 from Marine Team, a New Zealand company specialising in aquatic scenes for movies. Their researchers had seen the Hunton RS43 on the cover of the August 2003 issue of  MBY  and decided it would be perfect for a movie they were working on.

Set in Africa and starring Matthew McConaughey and Penélope Cruz,  Sahara  featured a boat chase in which a high performance luxury boat was being pursued by military craft.

Read more about the Hunton RS43

The Swordfish 36 was a modern twist on the revered Fairey Swordsman

Supermarine Swordfish 36

The Aston Martin of the sea

Supermarine Swordfish. Just the name alone secures this boat a berth in the MBY coolest boats hall of fame. Roll it around your tongue one more time, “Supermarine Swordfish”. Delicious. But the name is merely an amuse bouche. There is so much more.

“I wanted to create an Aston Martin of the sea,” David Skellon, the man behind this incredible boat, once said. “I wanted a boat that was powerful, fast, extremely high quality, capable of handling some proper weather and wrapped up in a drop dead gorgeous package. A modern Swordsman and a true motor boat.”

The Swordsman he’s referring to is, of course, the seminal Fairey Swordsman built by  Fairey Marine  in Southampton between 1964 and 1974, and so the naval architect he approached was none other than Alan Burnard, designer of those 1960s Fairey classics.

Read more about the Supermarine Swordfish 36

The modern incarnation combines the best of the old with the best of the new

Levi Corsair

World’s coolest modern-classic boat

Unlike the Supermarine Swordfish, a boat heavily inspired by the 1964 Fairey Swordsman, the Levi Corsair was not inspired by its 1963 namesake. It is actually the same boat. And you can still have a new one built to order.

There are detail differences, the coaming that wraps around the back of the cockpit is slightly higher, the original square-cornered windscreen frame is now a sweep of curved stainless steel, the pulpit rail is slightly higher and slightly longer and… and that’s about it.

The low coachroof, wide side decks and gorgeous sweep of sheer line are exactly as per the original; this remains one of the coolest and most beautiful boats on the water.

Read more about the Levi Corsair

The Wallypower 118 cuts a villainous silhouette, with concealed seating rising up from the deck at the touch of a button. Photo: Gilles-Martin Raget

Wallypower 118

Hollywood’s coolest boat

Michael Bay’s 2005 sci-fi thriller movie The Island was about a group of people isolated in a compound, they’re told, due to nuclear fallout. As the film progresses, we learn that these people are in fact clones of wealthy individuals, created for organ-harvesting should it ever be needed.

Because they are clones, they experience dreams based on lives they have not lived. One of them is a clone of a famous yacht designer, and so his dreams are of superyachts .

The studio needed the most dramatic, the most outstanding, the most iconic superyacht on the water to illustrate this, and so, of course, they chose the Wallypower 118.

Read more about the Wallypower 118

Several Miami Vice geeks have bought and restored Wellcraft’s classic Scarab 38KV

Miami Vice Wellcraft Scarab 38KV

The coolest TV boat

In a move that rivalled Decca famously turning down the Beatles (its executives apparently citing that guitar bands were on their way out), Wellcraft said no to Universal Studios’ request to supply a boat for a new cop show called Miami Vice.

So for series one of a show that quickly became the biggest hit of the 1980s, a Chris-Craft Stinger 39 was the power boat of choice for fictional undercover law enforcers, Crockett and Tubbs.

Quickly realising the monumental mistake they’d made, Wellcraft execs made Universal Studios an offer they couldn’t refuse and from Season Two onwards, a Scarab graced the dock at Bayside Marina in Miami alongside the boat Sonny Crockett lived aboard, an Endeavour 42 sailboat called St Vitus Dance .

Read more about the Miami Vice Wellcraft Scarab

The 45 was the first time the yard commissioned Bernard Olesinski to design a hull. It turned out to be a true game-changer for Princess

Mk 1 Princess 45

The coolest production boat

Princess Yachts , or Marine Projects as it was then known, began in 1965 almost by accident. Three ex-Navy officers, fresh from a Broads hire boat holiday, decided there was a market for boat hire in the South West.

Unable to afford a new boat, they purchased hull and deck moulds and built their own. The charter business failed (mostly because the boat kept getting stuck in the wrong place due to bad weather, meaning it wasn’t back for the next hire), but the boat was sold for a profit and a new business was born.

For the first 15 years Marine Projects built a range of mostly John Bennett-designed motor cruisers that stretched from 25ft but barely cracked 40ft.

When Volvo Penta introduced its 7-litre straight six 70 Series engine, the company embarked on its largest boat ever, based around a pair of those motors and with a design speed of 25 knots, the Princess 45.

Read more about the Mk 1 Princess 45

Ferruccio Lamborghini’s legendary customised Riva Aquarama

Riva Aquarama

The coolest 1960s boat

The history of Riva dates back to 1842, when a storm on Lake Iseo in Italy devastated the local fishing fleet. A young shipwright called Pietro Riva worked hard, repairing many of the vessels and earning the respect of the locals in the process.

It was on the back of this that he opened his own boatyard, and Riva was born. The yard continued to flourish under Pietro’s son Ernesto, who introduced boats powered by internal combustion engines, creating large passenger and cargo boats.

Serafino Riva shifted production from transport vessels to motorboats in the late 1920s and early 1930s, building successful racing boats. But it was his son Carlo Riva who turned the company into what it is today.

In the 1950s, Carlo had admired the wooden Chris-Craft motorboats in the USA and felt that there was a market for high quality luxury motorboats in Europe.

In 1962 he introduced the Riva Aquarama, putting the Italian brand on the global stage. The name was based on the Cinerama panoramic cinema screens popular at the time, echoed in the beautiful curve of the stainless steel-framed windscreen.

Read more about the Riva Aquarama

252ft long Silver Fast can reach speeds of 27 knots and cruise non-stop at 14 knots for 6,000nm

Silver Fast

The coolest superyacht

The question I’m asked more than any other is the perhaps inevitable “if you had unlimited resources, which boat would you own?” And the answer is always the same, Silver Fast. The brainchild of German industrialist Guido Klass, Silver Fast is no follower of convention.

Where most superyachts are tall and beamy in order to maximise internal volume, leading to ‘wedding cake’ tiers of decks, Silver Fast is low and slender, like an arrow. The intention was to major on speed, seakeeping and efficiency, and it certainly does that!

Of course, selling a concept that flies in the face of convention is never easy, which is why Klass built the yacht first before seeking a buyer. He built the Silver Yachts shipyard, too, in Australia, where there is great experience in building large fast aluminium boats, albeit normally for commercial use.

Read more about Silver Fast

Bluebird K7 on Coniston Water, Cumbria, 1958. Photo: Heritage Images / Getty

Bluebird K7

The coolest raceboat

The irony is that when disaster struck on Coniston Water in January 1967, both Bluebird K7 and its owner and pilot Donald Campbell were already world speed record holders. Son of the legendary Sir Malcolm Campbell, who died of natural causes in 1948, Donald had big shoes to fill.

His father had claimed nine land speed records and four water speed records, culminating in a 141.74mph run on Coniston Water in 1939 in Blue Bird K4 – a propeller-driven hydroplane.

Fiercely patriotic, Donald feared that the USA was about to field a faster boat, and bought back Blue Bird K4 (it was sold when his father died) in an attempt to push the record for the world’s fastest boat out of reach.

Unable to gain the necessary boost from the modified K4, Campbell commissioned a new, more advanced jet-powered hydroplane in 1953 called Bluebird K7 to challenge the record, now held by the American Slo-Mo-Shun IV .

Read more about Bluebird K7

Art of Kinetik Hedonist

The coolest wooden boat

Designed by the Serbian builder Art of Kinetik’s in-house stylists, those utterly sensational looks are, in part, down to the materials used.

This is not your run-of-the-mill GRP cruiser. Its frame is made up of solid mahogany ribs and stringers covered in two layers of marine ply and one of mahogany reinforced with Kevlar and epoxy below the waterline.

The resulting sandwich is resin-infused with 15 coats of high-gloss varnish, creating a look that you’re just not going to achieve with plastic. It helps that the focus of this vessel puts art before pragmatism.

Read more about the Art of Kinetik Hedonist

To submit your suggestion for the world’s coolest boat, head over to the MBY forum .

Your chance to win the holiday of a lifetime in the British Virgin Islands

Watch: beneteau swift trawler 54 sea trial – £1.4m cruiser is the ultimate home, new boats at southampton boat show: prestige f4.9, latest videos, watch: parker sorrento sea trial: 50-knot cruiser with a killer aft cabin, watch: virtue v10 sea trial: €272k weekender, how to mark your anchor chain: 6 top tips from our expert.

• Subscriptions

By clicking Sign In, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Sign In Up with your social account

We won't post to any of your accounts

Your password must include:

• Min 8 characters
• Min 1 lowercase character
• Min 1 uppercase character
• Min 1 number

Paralympian Ezra Frech Reveals ‘Really Cool’ DM Shaquille O’Neal Sent Him Before Winning Gold (Exclusive)

In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies

Paralympian Ezra Frech scored in the DMs when he received a special message from NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal .

Before winning gold in the 100m sprint and men’s high jump in Paris earlier this month, Frech, 19, said he completely freaked out when he received a video from one of his favorite athletes of all time.

“I made a video when I was in the Paralympic Village where I talked about wearing a Shaquille O’Neal jersey around, and my teammates were telling me, ‘You can’t wear a Shaq jersey. You have to wear Team USA,’” Frech exclusively shared with Us Weekly while partnering with Procter & Gamble. “I said, ‘Is that not USA enough? A Lakers jersey with Shaquille O’Neal? That’s USA enough.’ I posted this video. Shaq DMs me and says, ‘Love you brother, go out there. Win gold.’”

While Frech hasn’t posted the video on his own Instagram yet, he believes the motivational message helped him reach his Paralympic dreams.

Related: All the Highs and Lows from the Wild 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris

“Shaq did send me a video wishing me good luck, telling me to go win the gold,” he said. “Maybe I felt so motivated by it, I had to do it twice. Shaq’s the man. For him to say something like that was really cool. I was freaking out in my room. We were all freaking out.”

Earlier this month, Frech — who was born with congenital limb differences, leading to the amputation of his left leg at the age of 3 — defied expectations when he helped Team USA pick up two additional gold medals.

While he’s since left Paris to start college at the University of Southern California, the Angel City Sports cofounder is grateful to have the opportunity to share his story and compete with the very best.

“I think that you don’t have to feel pity for these athletes. This is the highest level competition on the planet,” he told Us about the Paralympics. “That’s the fact of the matter. They just happen to have a physical disability. I think that the Paralympics is growing at a rate unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. I think the traction we’re seeing online and in the mainstream media is off the charts and super exciting.”

While he has high hopes of competing once again at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, he’s currently focused on training, school and sharing his story through multiple platforms.

You have successfully subscribed.

Subscribe to newsletters

By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly

Deal of the Day

Check our latest news in Google News

Check our latest news in Apple News

Related: All of the Must-See Photos From the 2024 Paris Olympics

Frech is expected to be featured in an upcoming documentary film created by P&G Studios & Harder Than You Think titled the Rising Phoenix: A New Revolution . The cinematic experience aims to redefine the image of disability to audiences everywhere.

The Paralympian is also finding some time to watch reality TV. As a viewer of Love Island USA and The Bachelor , Frech couldn’t help but share some casting suggestions for future seasons.

“I have a friend, Nick Mayhugh , on the US team who I think would be perfect. I really hope that he goes on the next season of Love Island ,” he said. “But I have another friend who would absolutely be the perfect Bachelor. My really good friend Trenten Merrill is a fantastic guy. He’s charismatic, he’s good looking, he’s strong, he’s a Paralympic medalist in the long jump and I think he would be fantastic as the Bachelor. Give him an audition, and let’s see if he makes it along.”

In this article

Shaquille O'Neal

More stories.

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

Small but perfectly formed 5 pocket superyachts for sale

Even in the superyacht world small can be beautiful, for while the larger yachts steal the public's attention, 'pocket' superyachts offer far lower running costs. What's more, as they are able to reach those small, isolated coves along the shoreline, they prove that size can be in inverse proportion to fun. Here we present a random selection of five pocket superyachts on the market today.

Nel Blu 2001 23.95m 2 million

The 23.95m motor yacht Nel Blu was built in 2003 by Sanlorenzo. This sleek looking flybridge motor yacht with an equally sleek cherrywood interior accommodates nine guests in a master suite, VIP stateroom and two twin cabins plus a Pullman berth.

Twin 1,400hp Caterpillar engines power Nel Blu to a cruising speed of 22 knots and maximum speed of 25 knots.

She is listed for sale by Marco Vandoni at Ocean Independence who comments. 'The key points about Nel Blu are that she has less than 1000 hours on her engines and we have recently announced a 300,000 price reduction by a keen seller.'

Happy Fish 2008 23.5m $3.65 million

This 23.5m motor yacht Happy Fish was solidly built by Hatteras in 2008 for serious fishing and cruising.

Happy Fish features four guest cabins for a total of eight guests, plus a crew cabin for two. She is very well equipped with electronics and factory extras and comes with full engine warranties until December 2012.

Josh Gulbranson at Fraser Yachts has Happy Fish listed for sale.

Lizzi 2008 22.86m 2.39 million

Built in 2008, the 22.86m Lazzara 75 LSX motor yacht Lizzi was the first yacht in the world to be fitted with four Volvo IPS drive engines. She sleeps up to eight guests in four cabins and is capable of speeds up to 25 knots.

Kevin Bonnie at International Yacht Collection has Lizzi listed for sale and comments, 'The two twin cabins are convertible which allows a cabin configuration of either two doubles and two twins or four doubles which is quite exceptional.'

AY74 2011 22.8m 3.7 million

Delivered by Acico Yachts in 2011, the 22.8m motor yacht AY74 was designed for long-distance cruising with four guest cabins and a crew cabin. She offers a haven of laid-back relaxation for experiences and adventures with family and good friends. The interior design and exterior craftsmanship have created a perfect balance of aesthetic beauty and physical well-being.

With natural oak floors and minimalist lines, the concept sets a new standard in luxury. Built with purpose and personality, on board there is a feeling of an eco-friendly hotel, an aura of charm, where everything simply feels right.

AY74 is listed for sale by Jimmy Broddesson at bluewater.

Komboloi 2008 22m 1.95 million

The 22m Komboloi was delivered in 2008 and is a fine example of a San Lorenzo 72. She has had very little use and has been professionally maintained by her crew and an attentive owner.

Komboloi comfortably sleeps eight guests in four well-appointed cabins, one of which can be turned into an office opening onto the hallway. She boasts a customised interior and several material upgrades.

She is listed for sale by Gregory Gheraia at Yachting Partners International who says of her, 'She is only four years old, sparingly used with just 300 engine hours and in immaculate condition thanks to a very fastidious owner.

'Fast and beautifully customised, Komboloi has just had a 200,000 price reduction bringing her to a very competitive asking price of 1.95 million, VAT paid. She's one to be seen and soon.'

Sign up to BOAT Briefing email

Latest news, brokerage headlines and yacht exclusives, every weekday

By signing up for BOAT newsletters, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy .

More about this yacht

More stories, most popular, from our partners, sponsored listings.