Benetti's New Fast Displacement is Born

Benetti took central stage at the Cannes Boat Show yesterday when they announced the new addition the F-125 model in their new fast displacement line to round out their Class Range. The new fast displacement line of composite yachts built by Benetti in the Viareggio boatyard already includes the F-140 which was introduced last year. With this new line Benetti intended to tap into the strong yet relitivly unexplored semicustom megayacht market.

Benetti CEO Vincenzo Poerio says, "Many of our clients have requested faster, more versatile, and efficient boats, while maintaining the same level of comfort and customisation found in our existing yachts. The new fast displacement line is designed precisely in response to these requests, and it rounds out our current offering in the Class Range. We haven't just created a new series; we have invested time and resources - combining the Benetti's 140 years of experience in super yachts with the technological know how of Azimut Benetti Group - to create a new way of heading out to sea."

The two Fast Displacement models were developed by Benetti in collaboration with the Azimut Benetti Group Research Centre, which has designed an extremely innovative hull geometry exclusively for the new range. The Fast Displacement yachts are equipped with a revolutionary new "D2P" Displacement to Planing hull. The new D2P hull has been equipped with a wave piercer bulbous at bow, which allows for an increased cruising efficiency (less resistance to forward motion) of up to 30% compared to a conventional megayacht hull.

The F-125 just like her older sister the F-140 has had her sporty exterior designed by Stefano Righini and her interior designed by British design studio Redman Whitely Dixon. Although the interior is full customisable for the owners, Redman Whitely Dixon have provided three different layout options: Sea, Land and Air. Sea will be modern and light filled bringing the outside in. Land will be more classic with the use of darker warm woods and Air will be the most contemporary with creative open spaces. She will be able to accommodate 10 guests in 5 cabins and will be able to reach a maximum speed of 22kts without putting any strain on the engine.

Vava II Hits The Caribbean

Mega Yacht Global reader Peter Glahn has taken these wonderful pictures of the most talked about Megayacht of the last year, the 96m (315ft) Vava II. The pictures were taken in the North Sound, Virgin Gorda in the BVI. Vava II was launched on the 10th of September 2011 by Pendennis Plus and is currently the largest privately owned Megayacht ever to be constructed in Britain.

She was designed by Redman Whitely Dixon and the interior was designed by Remi Tessier who has produced some excellent designs in the past which include Heesen yachts Satori 163ft and two Perini Navi's Parsifal III 177ft and Salute 183ft so the interior of Vava II will be to the highest standard.
Above is a great shot of her gull wing doors in the bow for tender and toy storage. If any readers want to share their Megayacht pictures with Mega Yacht Global please send them to the following email address: megayachtglobal@gmail.com

'Mirabella V' Arrives at Pendennis

The worlds largest sailing sloop Mirabella V 247ft (75.2) has just arrived at the Pendennis yard for and extensive year long refit. The new owner has renamed the yacht M5 and has briefed the team on adapting the yachts exterior and interior to his needs. M5's refit at Pendennis will see the structural fabrication and composite work undertaken by another UK based company, Green Marine, with support from structural engineers High Modulus Europe Ltd. This will include the redesign and extension of the stern by 3m and the installation of a side boarding platform.

She will also have a substantial amount of engineering work done including, the main engines, generators, switchboards and sewage treatment plant replaced along with an upgrade of the air conditioning system, electrics and entertainment system. A full hull repaint along with a mast (which is 90m in length) and rigging overhaul is to be conducted as well. The interior will see the main and lower decks undergo a complete restyle. M5's main deck will be completely transformed once all joinery is replaced to complement Redman Whitely Dixon's new contemporary design.

Ron Holland who were the original naval architects when Mirabella V was launched in 2004, will be in charge of the structural improvements for the refit commented:

"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the new owner on Mirabella V and respond to their requirements for this substantial refit. We look forward to working in partnership with Pendennis and RWD once again."

This refit with the collaboration of the new owner and some of the industries finest will give a new lease of life to one of the most well known Superyachts in the world today.

Royal Huisman's New Orders

Royal Huisman announced in September two important new projects in collaboration with the renowned Dutch naval architect Andre Hoek, that are currently in progress. Hoek and his design team are responsible for the exterior styling as well as the naval architecture and, together with the yard, the structural design of these projects.

Classic Pilot Ketch

The first project is a 46m (151ft) Classic Pilot Ketch with a project number of 392, this Classic Pilot Ketch has been highly optimised for performance. Her long waterline, lifting keel with trim tab and carbon spade rudder are complemented by a powerful, fully-roached sail plan supported by a complete carbon fibre rig package. The smooth classic exterior lines will combine with a luxurious and spacious interior designed by the renowned Redman Whiteley Dixon design team, to create an exceptional yacht with the ability to go anywhere in extreme comfort.

Serious attention will be given to achieving high levels of energy efficiency in developing her systems, and her interior material selection will not only be based on design looks but as a potential renewable source. This Superyacht is due for launch in 2014.


Classic Sloop

The second project is a 48m (156ft) Classic Sloop with a project number of 393, the owner drove the design of this yacht with added developments to the hull lines to reflect the specific objective to enjoy cruising as well as “gentleman’s racing”.

She has classic elegant exterior lines with a counter stern and sloping deck houses, yet her moderate underwater draft lines, modern carbon rig and performance handling systems show she is built for the present day. She is a true representation of the modern classic superyacht. Her magnificent interior was the work of Rhodes Young design, who have proved in the past that they are at the top when it comes to interior design for modern classics.

New Launches & Orders for Royal Huisman

The prolific Royal Huisman yard in Holland has had a busy couple of weeks with a new launching and new orders been taken to be put into production.

New Launch


At the start of the month the yard launched their newest yacht "Kamaxitha" 160ft ketch Porject name "Spirit of Tradition". she was designed by Dykstra & Partners and the interior was by Rhoades Young. She is a classic design based on the old pilot cutters with traditional lines made with modern materials. She is large spacious inside with a full beam owners cabin at the stern with a private entrance. Natural light fills this yacht by the use of traditional skylights above on deck which emphasizes the classic handcrafted luxurious interior designed by Rhoades Young and crafted by Royal Huisman.

New Orders

Royal Huisman announced the signing of orders for two new yacht both of which have been designed from Hoek Design.

The first order is for a 150ft pilot house ketch which will be named project 392 due to the yard number. She will be a modern classic with traditional lines. The interior will be designed by Redman Whiteley Dixon and the yacht is planned for delivery in 2014.


The second order is for a 157ft classic sloop which will be named project 393 due to the yard number. The owner of this yacht has looked to the designs of the Hoek studio for the exterior and to Rhoades Young for the interior. With the combination of these two designers and the reputation of the yard this will prove to be a beautiful classic style yacht.

Britain's Largest Mega Yacht "Vava II" Splashes

On the 10th of September the shipyard Devonport Yachts soon to be named Pendennis Plus due to the re-branding that the Pendennis yard are under taking, launched the Largest privately owned Mega Yacht ever to be constructed in Britain. The yacht that can be seen below was originally called project P55 became formally known as Vava II 315ft.

With the name of the yacht confirmed as Vava II speculation about the new owner has arisen suggesting that it might have been commissioned by Ernesto Bertarelli a Swiss born pharmaceuticals magnet and owner of the ex Americas Cup team Alinghi as his old Mega Yacht was called Vava 155ft built by Feadship in 1996.

The owner has requested that the specs of the yacht be kept private, but we can say that the yacht was designed by Redman Whitely Dixon and the interior was designed by Remi Tessier who has produced some excellent designs in the past which include the recently launched Heesen yacht Satori 163ft and two Perini Navi's Parsifal III 177ft and Salute 183ft so expect the interior of Vava II to be of the highest standard.

Vava II will begin her sea trials in October and will be delivered to her owner shortly after that.