A collage of the top four stories on January 2023

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The biggest yachting news stories of January

1 February 2023 • Written by Brooke Murphy

From triumphant launches to yachts going under the hammer, BOAT looks back on the most-read yachting news stories of January 2023. Here's what you might have missed...

1. First custom SeaXplorer 58 hits the water at Damen Yachting

Damen Yachting announced the launch of its 58-metre SeaXplorer 58. The custom explorer yacht was lowered into the water at the yard's Antalya facility toward the end of the month, marking the first SeaXplorer model to have been built in Turkey. The yacht began on speculation and was sold to a buyer during construction. The new owner was able to offer "considerable input" into its design, working in collaboration with Design Unlimited, Azure Yacht Design and EYOS Expeditions on features.

2.100-year-old sunken yacht Llys Helig salvaged in England

The 32.7-metre motor yacht Llys Helig was raised from her former resting place on a riverbed in Essex and was transported to a nearby boatyard for repair works. Known locally as the "Burnham Titanic", she capsized in 2017 while still attached to her mooring in the town of Burnham-on-Crouch. A combination of poor mooring conditions and prior refit works made her “top-heavy” and contributed to the sinking. The yacht is registered as a National Historic Ship and was listed for sale as a restoration project.

3. 74m 'flying' yacht concept Plectrum revealed by Lazzarini Design Studio

A 74 metre concept foiling yacht called Plectrum was revealed by Lazzarini Design Studio. Taking inspiration from the more contemporary America’s Cup sailboats and the US’s first hydrofoil ship USS Plainview, which was launched in 1965. The hull shape is the largest foiling yacht to ever be conceived and was designed to reach an estimated top speed of 70 knots by “flying over the waterline.”

4. Lobanov Design lifts lid on new 88m Oceanco sailing yacht concept Double Luck

Lobanov Design and Oceanco teamed up to present a new 88 metre sailing yacht concept called Double Luck or 八+八, meaning "88" in Mandarin Chinese. The project was named after the significance of the number eight in Chinese numerology. Naval architecture by Oceanco and Dykstra Naval Architects makes use of an efficient design incorporating a high-performance Dykstra DynaRig sailing system. The superyacht is ideally capable of decreasing fossil fuel usage by up 30 per cent while cruising in silence and the sailing system could be fully executed within six minutes and handled by one member of crew.

5. First look: Inside Synthesis 66 after her extensive rebuild

The 42-metre classic Feadship Synthesis 66 emerged with a fresh look and feel after a complete interior overhaul thanks to Lazer and Boutsen Monaco respectively. Elsewhere, the exterior saw a number of structural and cosmetic changes with a reconfigured bridge deck complete with a Jacuzzi now featured onboard. Synthesis 66 was originally delivered in 1982 to an exterior design by De Voogt and now joins the Feadship Heritage Fleet. The rebuild was undertaken at Monaco Marine's La Seyne-Toulon facilities.

6. New in-build Silent 120 Explorer to offer onboard aircraft and submarine

Late in the month Austrian solar catamaran builder Silent-Yachts announced a collaboration that will see its new 36.7-metre offering with the option of an aircraft and submarine. Due to hit the water in 2024, the yacht was designed with eco-friendly expedition in mind. The yacht will be fitted with solar panels that can power 40kWp of energy, enough for the yacht's hotel mode and with the capacity to recharge a VRCO aircraft as well as a U-Boat Worx NEMO submarine.

7. 105m Oceanco superyacht H spotted on transport

The 105-metre superyacht H was spotted on transport from Oceanco after a full-scale rebuild at her home shipyard earlier this month. The yacht is still known by its project name 1050H and was moved through Rotterdam by tug and will begin sea trials once outfitting is complete. Key changes to H include a brand new superstructure and a totally new interior by Reymond Langton. She has also been brought up to new standards in technology, safety, capability, utility, and sustainability, according to the yard.

8. Benetti launches full-custom 62m FB283

The 62-metre FB283 hit the water in Livorno on January 26. Its debut marks the 33rd partnership between Benetti and designer Giorgio Cassetta, whose work is seen on both the interior and exterior of the custom build. Hull lines are courtesy of Van Oossanen Naval Architects and the project is the first Benetti to feature the firm's pioneering fast-displacement hull form. Construction began in 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, so the yard made use of "innovative and functional solutions" including 3D technology to ensure the build progressed on schedule.

9. Ferretti Yachts teases new details of InFYnito 90

Ferretti Yachts released details about the first model in its new InFYnito line, the InFYnito 90 after it was first introduced to the market in August 2022. The infinite views afforded by this feature are how the InFYnito series gets its name. The shipyard had sold three units of the 26.9-metre flybridge model at the time of writing and the design revolves around an all-season terrace found forward on the main deck tucked in the bow, which offers a concealed spot for relaxing while underway or at anchor.

10. Rossinavi unveils Project Infinity 42 BluE hybrid-electric concept

Italian shipyard Rossinavi unveiled its latest concept, a 42.2-metre hybrid-electric yacht known as Project Infinity 42 BluE. Following the success of its Sea Cat hybrid catamaran, the yard has again partnered with Fulvio de Simoni to bring its new eco-friendly navigation technology, BluE, to a monohull design. Supplemental power supplied by solar panels and a generous battery pack will enable the yacht to navigate in full-electric mode 90 per cent of the time while in a daily navigation scenario, and 70 per cent in an Atlantic crossing scenario.