With nearly 700 yachts awaiting delivery, the superyacht industry is forging ahead into an exciting new year. BOAT looks toward the biggest contributions from around the world – showcasing a variety of fan-favourite series, entirely new designs and even some country records to boot...
Germany
Project Ali Baba
Builder: Lürssen
Length: 142.1m
Officially launched in December 2023, Project Ali Baba was accidentally revealed slightly beforehand when a technical failure at the shipyard's Bremen site forced the yacht's nose into the dock curtain. Initial images of the yacht showcase a grey profile with an elongated bow and bold exterior lines spanning four decks. Otherwise, details of the project remain tightly under wraps.
The Netherlands
Feadship 821
Builder: Feadship
Length: 118.8m
Feadship's future flagship began construction in 2021 and was spotted for the first time as her bare hull was rolled out of the shed in 2022. At 118.8 metres, Project 821 is believed to be Feadship's largest yacht to date, usurping its current flagship Anna, which measures 110 metres.
Spain
Freire NB-729
Builder: Freire
Length: 105m
Freire has kept an extremely tight lid on Project NB-729 since announcing it had secured the contract in July 2021. Built from steel and aluminium, the 105-metre expedition yacht will become Freire's third-largest delivery once she is released from the yard in 2024, coming after the 111.9-metre Renaissance and 110.6-metre Falkor (Too).
Turkey
Bilgin 263
Builder: Bilgin
Length: 80m
Named Al Reem, Bilgin's third unit in its 80-metre 263 superyacht series builds on the success of sister ships Tatiana and Leona with an additional 20 per cent in volume. All three hulls in the series share the same bullet-shaped profile conceived by Unique Yacht Design, with interiors by British studio H2 Yacht Design. However, Al Reem benefits from a fresh new layout and several technical refinements, including a longer upper deck and an extra covered area at the stern.
Italy
Custom 78
Builder: Admiral – The Italian Sea Group
Length: 78m
Very little is known about the upcoming 78-metre custom project from The Italian Sea Group's Admiral brand. The 2,073 GT superyacht supposedly features an exterior from Igor Lobanov and an interior by Sinot Yacht Architecture and Design, with the latter also responsible for designing Admiral's upcoming Project Blue Marlin – a 76-metre motor yacht also due for delivery in 2024.
Greece
Golden Yachts 60M
Builder: Golden Yachts
Length: 60m
Another entry with sparse details, the newest project from Golden Yachts promises to follow in the footsteps of previous deliveries O'Ptasia, O'Mathilde and O'Pari, with each yacht's exterior and interior design owed to long-time partner Studio Vafiadis. Most recently, Golden Yachts released the 77-metre O'Rea (renamed Malia), which had her global debut at the 2023 Monaco Yacht Show.
Canada
Danzante Bay
Builder: Crescent Custom Yachts
Length: 50m
Named after her owner's Mexican resort and golf course, Danzante Bay is notable for being the new flagship of Crescent Custom yachts as well as the largest yacht to be built in Canada. Her exterior design and naval architecture are from Gregory C. Marshall with interiors by British studio H2 Yacht Design that have yet to be revealed. Some of the known highlights include a sundeck spa pool, foredeck sun lounge and glass bulwarks on the upper deck offering unhindered views of the surrounding seascape.
China
JinLong 46M
Builder: JinLong Yachts
Length: 46.5m
One of three 46M models arriving in 2024, China's largest upcoming delivery comes from the same series commissioned by famed martial artist and actor Jackie Chan. The Karate Kid star received his own 46-metre JinLong superyacht in 2019 after graduating from a 2017 Ruiying 125 motor yacht. According to BOATPro, all three yachts will share the same Mulder Design exterior with input from the Chinese shipyard on the interior.
Poland
Conrad C144S
Builder: Conrad Shipyard
Length: 44.3m
Following the success of the yard's new flagship Ace, Conrad Shipyard is readying the finishing touches on the series' second hull, which pairs an exterior from Reymond Langton with interior design from M2 Atelier. Onboard highlights include a generous beach club, an infinity pool and an outdoor cinema on the top deck. Work is also continuing on an upcoming third hull, Project Moonlight, with plans for a fourth hull already in the works.
United Arab Emirates
Majesty 140
Builder: Gulf Craft
Length: 43.1m
Representing the sixth unit in Gulf Craft's Majesty 140 series, this upcoming motor yacht was sold to an owner with plans to cruise the Mediterranean during her debut summer season before making the annual migration to the Caribbean. Interiors from Cristiano Gatto host up to 12 guests in five cabins, with crew quarters split between the bow and the aft of the yacht for a total capacity of nine.
South Korea
Legacy 135
Builder: Legacy Super Yachts
Length: 41.2m
Initially called the Phoenix 130, construction of the Legacy 135 began on speculation as the first in a new series set to include 50- and 70-metre designs. The upcoming yacht has been designed and engineered by American design team Joe Lazzara and Ian Ombres of Lazzara Ombres Architects, with an industrial and art deco-inspired interior from French designer Alexandre Thiriat.
United States of America
Westport 135
Builder: Westport Yachts
Length: 41m
The ninth hull in the W125 series, this latest project from Westport has been "redefined" as a W135 after being lengthened from the model's usual 38.1 metres to a custom 40.99 metres. The yacht is currently undergoing sea trials and its final outfitting stage before being delivered to her new owner in April 2024, with both exterior and interior design owed to the shipyard's in-house team.
Brazil
Project Seaview
Builder: MCP Yachts
Length: 40.7m
Project Seaview builds on an existing partnership with Dutch studio Vripack, having previously collaborated on the 37.4-metre Queen Tati and the 43.8-metre Raffaella II. For this latest instalment, the pair opted for a layout that would maximise privacy onboard, featuring a 360-degree master cabin with its own private terrace and settee. The yacht also makes use of a separate crew staircase for minimal guest disturbances – a feature not typically seen in yachts of a similar size bracket.
Taiwan
Horizon RP122
Builder: Horizon Yachts
Length: 37.2m
With a delivery date teetering on the horizon, this custom R122 model was commissioned for a repeat Horizon Yachts owner with an expressed love for reef fishing. Special requests were made to house the owner's fishing and diving gear in the beach club, with added capacity for an ice chipper meant for freshly caught fish. At 37.2 metres, the yacht will be the largest of the J.C. Espinosa-designed RP series.
Australia
SpaceCat
Builder: SilverYachts
Length: 35.5m
Technically being built at the SilverYachts facility in China, the Australian shipyard began construction on the second hull in its SpaceCat series on speculation back in 2021. The yacht features exterior design by acclaimed designer Espen Øino, who has previously described the SpaceCat as a "bold undertaking" due to its efficient weight savings and clever internal layout. According to SilverYachts, the series is set to expand with an entry-level 22-metre model and a mid-level 24-metre model.
Read More/SpaceCat: Inside SilverYachts' true "villa on the water"United Kingdom
Project Fox
Builder: Pendennis
Length: 34.9m
Designed as a compact explorer for adventurous owners, Project Fox is on track to meet her slated delivery of March 2024. The 295 GT motor yacht includes an expansive 103.5-metre open aft deck capable of storing a pair of 7.5-metre tenders, plus the option of submersibles, Jet Skis or any other toys the owner might like. Other crowd-pleasing features include a DJ station, glass-walled sky lounge and dedicated wine fridge.
Vietnam
StellarONE
Builder: StellarPM
Length: 33m
The StellarONE series offers a masterclass in supplying ample features on a relatively small platform. A beach club, tender garage, Tier III engines and a master cabin with its own fold-out balcony are only some of the highlights concealed within a 299 GT frame – and all for less than $10 million. In addition to the StellarONE108, the series will include full displacement and semi-displacement 118 and 130 models.
Hong Kong
Azure III
Builder: Granocean
Length: 32m
Azure III is currently in the final stages of construction at Granocean's Zhongshan facility, where she will emerge as the yard's largest full-custom power catamaran to date. Onboard features include a generous swimming pool and lounge area on the foredeck, positioned transversely between the hulls. Inside, accommodations include an owner's suite, two additional VIP cabins and additional crew cabins.
South Africa
Liberty
Builder: Southern Wind
Length: 31.4m
The fifth hull in Southern Wind's popular SW96 series was commissioned by a repeat client and has been designed to balance comfortable family cruising with more performance-oriented experiences. Once delivered, Liberty will join sisterships Nyumba, Ammonite, Seatius and Sorceress on the water.
Read More/On board Southern Wind's first hybrid sailing yacht NyumbaFinland
Swan 88
Builder: Nautor Swan
Length: 28.3m
In addition to being the first Swan 88, this upcoming sailing yacht represents Nautor Swan's first-ever delivery with hybrid electric propulsion. The yacht also has a maximum heeling angle of 20 degrees paired with a four-metre draught, fashioning what the yard refers to as a "no-compromise cruiser with a racer soul". Further customisations include options for a shallow draft, telescopic and performance keel.
Malaysia
Grand Banks 85
Builder: Grand Banks
Length: 25.9m
The first Grand Banks model to crest the 24-metre mark, the GB 85 is also notable for its V-Warp technology, which the yard has stated requires half the fuel of similarly-sized yachts. The model comes in an enclosed flybridge or open sky lounge configuration with accommodation for up to 10 guests. This upcoming GB 85 follows in the footsteps of the yard's flagship delivery, Betty, with a third hull already in build.
Read More/On board the first Grand Banks GB85 flagship BettyFrance
Highland Fling XVIII
Builder: Gunboat
Length: 24.7m
Gunboat's flagship catamaran was commissioned by an experienced yachtsman and is expected to be one of the fastest in its size bracket. Capable of exceeding true wind speed at just six knots, Highland Fling XVIII is optimised for racing with a competitive, ultra-lightweight construction made of carbon fibre. Her striking red exterior is owed to fellow French studio VPLP, with interiors by Chedal Anglay Design.