7 of the best concepts announced at the Monaco Yacht Show 2018

From support vessels to disappearing superyachts, here's our round up of the best new concepts announced at this year's Monaco Yacht Show.

British builder Sunseeker used the stage of the Monaco Yacht Show to announce it was entering into metal-built superyachts for the first time in collaboration with Dutch yard Icon Yachts. Set to launch in spring 2021, the 49 metre Sunseeker 161 will be built at Icon Yacht’s Netherlands facility and feature a fast displacement hull design.

However, it will still retain the “unmistakably Sunseeker” naval architecture, design and engineering, the yard promised. Accommodation is for 10 guests in five cabins, however there will be scope to accommodate up to 12 guests depending on the interior layout, the company said.

Designed by Santa Maria Magnolfi, the 43 metre Baglietto Explorer prioritises “seaworthiness, comfort and safety”. The interiors are populated with large glazed surfaces, creating a space flooded with natural light, and decorated with objects originating from “faraway countries”. The yacht will also feature a 58 square metre private owner’s deck and a winter garden, which can be used either as a TV room or saloon. The stern garage meanwhile has room for a 6.8 metre tender and several Jet Skis. An additional 3.7 metre tender can be stored forward.

This 36.5 metre new superyacht design by veteran Nautor’s Swan designer German Frers joins the Maxi Swan line. The interior design brief has been handed to Misa Poggi, who also designed the interior of the Swan 98. The yacht's star selling point is its teak-decked 215 square metre swim platform with a garage large enough to hold a 4.5 metre tender. Once the tender has been launched, this area can also be used for sunbathing or light dining. Product line leader Peter Naeye described this feature as “something I haven’t seen before”.

Designed by Phi Design Lab’s Giovanni Griggio, this 52 metre concept offers “the typical functionality” of a support vessel combined with “the design features and quality finish of a superyacht”, according to the yard. Key features include a spacious 142 square metre aft deck large enough to carry water toys and helicopter and an aft tender garage, which can be transformed into an 80 square metre beach club.

The 102 metre Project Balance is the debut design of fledgling naval architecture and engineering firm Lateral Naval Architects. The five decked yacht features design by Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design and is based on Dutch yard Oceanco’s LIFE platform. Stand-out features include a 10-metre pool, beach club, observatory and outside cinema on the bridge deck. The lower deck features a beach club, gym, spa and sauna.

This huge 106 metre, six decked superyacht from Italian yard Fincantieri and Van Geest Design is clad in reflective glass, enabling it to “blend” into the horizon. After extensive research into glass specifications and capabilities, designers Pieter Van Geest and Tracey Canavaggio found a glass with visual effects to enable Mirage to “disappear between water and sky”. Accommodation is for 14 guests and key features include an outdoor cinema, helicopter landing pad and full beam spa fitted with “electric privacy glass”.

Described as “a blend of superyacht support and stand-alone functionality”, this 45 metre design is a new addition to Damen’s yacht support range. Exterior and interior design has been handled by Damen’s in-house team while interior styling and customisation is left up to the owner. Accommodation is for six guests while key features include a touch and go helipad and deck crane for tenders and toys weighing up to six tonnes.