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Yachting Monthly

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Maxi 1100: Fast and stylish seagoing cruiser

• David Harding
• October 15, 2021

As an understated fast cruiser with racing potential and a nicely appointed interior, the Maxi 1100 has much to recommend her. David Harding reports

Although heavier than a typical modern performance cruiser, the Maxi 1100 is quick and easy to handle. Credit: David Harding

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Maxi 1100: A fast and stylish seagoing cruiser

Finding a boat that offers the right combination of comfort and performance is rarely easy. Every boat is a compromise, and you have to choose your priorities.

Then of course there’s the emotional element, which defies rational analysis.

As Phil Nicholas, the happy owner of a Maxi 1100, puts it: ‘I’m mindful of the saying that unless you’re a ferryman or a fisherman you don’t need a boat. For us, it had to be a love affair.’

To some people, like Phil and his wife Julie, a boat’s appearance and what you feel for her are important.

Phil and Julie Nicholas find that the Maxi’s deck layout is well suited to short-handed sailing. Credit: David Harding

‘When you look at so many modern boats with their towering topsides they’re really not elegant,’ he says. Few of us would disagree.

Given Phil and Julie’s enthusiasm for their boat, coupled with the amount of time they spend aboard and the number of miles they have covered, you might imagine that they had owned a number of yachts before buying Destiny .

In fact they hadn’t. Julie’s uncle ran a sailing club on the Thames, where she sailed dinghies as a child, while Phil had owned a series of small motorboats between some early dinghy sailing before succumbing to the urge to buy a cruising yacht.

Phil Nicholas started sailing in dinghies before moving to small motorboats and then bought the Maxi 1100 in 2007. He and his wife Julie have cruised extensively, while Phil also races the Maxi 1100 and on a variety of other boats. Credit: David Harding

The Maxi 1100 proved to be that cruising yacht. Once the urge had lodged, Phil became ‘a serial boat-show goer’ even though, when he started, he was still several years away from taking the plunge.

‘I liked Beneteau ’s First 31.7,’ he explains, ‘but I kept coming back to the Maxi 1100 for four or five years despite not being in a position to start looking seriously.’

Gently gently

Those of us who have been in the boat-sales business will recognise a message in Phil’s story: ignore someone just because he’s not about to write you a cheque there and then, and you might lose a sale a few years down the line.

Buyers of sailing yachts are often on a slow burn. So that’s how the Nicholas family came to buy a family cruiser – son Luke came along later – and it’s now 14 years on.

In that time, Destiny has covered a good many miles around the south coast from her base in Poole, both cruising and, though not initially, racing too.

Much of the racing has been with Poole Yacht Racing Association (PYRA). Phil had given no thought to competitive sailing at first.

Barber-haulers and blocks for the spinnaker guys are attached to strong-points inboard of the solid wooden toerail. Credit: David Harding

He did, however, sail throughout the year and quickly learned that 20 knots of wind on a hot summer’s day is very different from 20 knots in the middle of winter.

Then, on the way back from the Solent one day, he found himself in the midst of a racing fleet heading the same way.

‘We asked what was going on, found it was PYRA racing back to Poole, and have been racing with them ever since,’ he says.

Given the way things have turned out, it’s just as well that the Maxi 1100 is capable of giving a good account of herself on the race course.

Regular PYRA competitors include everything from an Elizabethan 29 to a 50ft ex-Admiral’s Cupper, so Destiny sits pretty much in the middle size-wise even if she is closer to the cruising end of the spectrum.

The cockpit, with its high and comfortable coamings, provides plenty of space for leisurely sailing and also works well with a racing crew. Credit: David Harding

Weighing in at over 6,000kg (13,000lb) she’s appreciably heavier than many comparable boats and, not surprisingly, goes best in a breeze .

Phil’s racing results show that, when the wind picks up, Destiny can outperform a lot of boats that one might expect to be faster.

It follows that light airs are not her favourite conditions, especially upwind when the relatively wide sheeting angle on the minimal-overlap headsail limits her pointing ability.

Phil suspects that the Maxi’s keel profile might not allow her to point higher even if the sheeting angle were narrower.

He knows that he can’t rely on boat speed to be competitive in under about 6 knots of wind and that other strategies are needed – which he often deploys to good effect.

He also accepts that, had he bought a boat principally for racing, he would probably have chosen something else. ‘For the reasons we bought it, the Maxi 1100 has been ideal,’ he says. ‘For racing, I could use more of a boy’s boat that I could bash around a bit more – something like a Sun Fast 3200 or a JPK’.

The right balance

On a boat with a nicely finished mahogany interior, bundling wet spinnakers down the hatch is something you try to avoid unless you have plenty of protection in place for the woodwork.

It’s the sort of compromise faced by many people who cruise with the family and race with friends, but the Maxi 1100 has proved to be a pretty successful cruiser-cum-racer and has stood up well to being treated from time to time in a way that Phil hadn’t envisaged when he bought her.

Her interior looks remarkably fresh for a 14-year-old boat. It’s testament to the way she has been looked after and to the way she’s built.

Destiny’s sails are carbon with a double taffeta for durability. Credit: David Harding

There’s no doubt that she’s several cuts above the average in the way she sails, too.

I have seen Destiny and other Maxi 1100s – including Maxi Magic , which graced Yachting Monthly’ s July 2021 cover – racing and cruising in a wide range of conditions and have always thought they look pretty competent all-rounders.

When I went for a sail with Phil and Julie, we had winds that were on the light side of moderate, so it was interesting to see how Destiny handled in 8-10 knots and the sort of chop that even a gentle easterly often kicks up in Poole Bay.

For a relatively heavy boat with a small headsail, the performance was impressive.

The minimal-overlap headsail sheets to tracks on the coachroof, though the sheeting angle is wider than on racier boats. Credit: David Harding

The Maxi 1100 comes with genoa tracks fitted as standard but the majority of 1100s have never used overlapping headsails .

Phil has found the headsail settings that work best and, when the wind across the deck nudged 12 or 14 knots, we typically clocked 6.5 knots with the apparent wind at little over 30° in the flatter patches.

The rest of the time we had to keep the nose down a few degrees to punch our way through the chop, the Maxi’s weight and fine, rounded entry allowing us to do so quite comfortably.

Once she gets into her stride, she has an easy, relaxed feel. There’s no definite groove, so you don’t instantly know whether you have got everything right.

Not all Scandinavian yachts come with workable anchoring arrangements, but the Maxi 1100 has a double bow roller and a good anchor well with space for a windlass. Credit: David Harding

It’s a subtle process of getting to know exactly what the boat likes.

Whatever you do, the Maxi 1100 is nicely responsive to the wheel.

It gives good feedback from the rudder, has 1.5 turns from lock to lock and, with its 51in (1.3m) diameter, lets you sit comfortably on the coaming.

Both the mainsheet and the Lewmar 46 primary winches are within easy reach of the helm.

Stainless steel cleats all round are big enough to accept chunky warps, while chafing strips protect the woodwork and topsides. Credit: David Harding

As Phil says: ‘One of the good things about this boat is that it is of a size and layout that you can manage singlehanded .’

In heavier conditions, Destiny has never given her owners any concerns – and much to be grateful for.

On one memorable trip from Brest to Ushant, they were flying the kite in 20 knots of wind with the autopilot in charge and the crew sunbathing in the cockpit as they surfed down the waves at 10 knots.

The highest speed to date has been 14 knots.

Sensible upgrades to the Maxi 1100

Being keen to sail the boat efficiently, whether racing or cruising, Phil has made sure all the rig and sail controls work.

Most of the hardware and systems were fitted from new, such as the jamming foot-blocks for the headsail sheets, but he has upgraded quite a lot of the kit too.

Nearly all the halyards are now Dyneema, the bottlescrews are in phosphor-bronze rather than stainless steel, the mainsheet is a 4:1/16:1 purchase and the backstay is 64:1.

The original folding companionway door has been replaced by acrylic washboards to let more light down below. Credit: David Harding

The sails, by Sanders, are carbon with a double taffeta and tend to stay on most of the time except for the summer cruise, when they’re replaced with a suit in Dacron.

For cruising, the large cockpit locker to port provides good stowage. The calorifier and fuel tank are underneath, abaft the heads, so it’s big but not cavernous.

A full-depth locker is in each quarter. For smaller items, you find an open-fronted locker each side in the coaming – just what you want for keeping things like binoculars, a hand-bearing compass, pilot books and so on close at hand.

Those of us who were brought up sailing on boats with coaming lockers wonder how anyone manages without them. It seems extraordinary that they’re rarely seen on modern boats.

The Maxi 1100’s wheel is responsive, giving good feedback from the rudder. Credit: David Harding

Moving forward from the cockpit is easy thanks to the wide side decks .

Outboard is a wooden toerail, and strong-points are fitted along the gunwale for attaching barber-haulers, spinnaker guy blocks and so on.

The chunky stainless steel cleats forward, aft and amidships are worthy of mention because they’re big enough to use with thick warps.

So often one finds them way too small. In the bow is a good anchor well and a double stemhead roller, while overhead the double-spreader, keel-stepped Seldén rig supports the generous spread of sail that’s balanced by the lead keel – the 2m (6ft 7in) version in Destiny ’s case, as opposed to the 1.5m/4ft 11in alternative.

Verdict on the Maxi 1100

For a boat that’s heavier than a typical modern performance cruiser, the Maxi 1100 is pretty quick.

She has a comfortable motion, is easy to handle and incorporates features such as those oh-so-useful cockpit coaming lockers that lesser boats (including many that might not consider themselves to be lesser boats) don’t offer.

Below decks she differs from the modern norm in being finished in mahogany.

Below decks is a practical seagoing layout with good detailing and a high standard of finish. Credit: David Harding

The interior doesn’t feel in the least bit dark, however: there’s a good window area as well as a centre hatch.

Phil also replaced the original hinged companionway door with acrylic washboards to let more light in.

While mahogany might no longer be appreciated as widely as it once was, it’s still one of the most hard-wearing of timbers and far more practical in any number of ways than many of the paler alternatives that have become fashionable in recent years.

On the Maxi 1100 it’s nicely finished too, with well-matched grain, plenty of solid trim, radiused edges and properly aligned doors.

A purist might point out that, for example, the drawers have plastic sides and a tray moulding forms the interior up to bunk level, whereas on boats from some Scandinavian yards you will find no plastic (except in the heads) and all joinery bonded directly to the outer hull .

A chart table with a hinge-down switch panel and drawer space close at hand. Credit: David Harding

None of this is obvious until you start poking around in the Maxi 1100, and the general level of detailing is way above that seen on most production cruisers.

Significantly, the bulkheads are bonded directly to the hull and deck. Then there are touches such as the anti-rattle fabric edging the lifting sections of the sole boards.

It has all been thought about. This is an interior that not only gives you confidence in the boat but also makes it a pleasure to spend time down below.

There’s little to complain about when it comes to day-to-day functionality either.

To starboard by the companionway, the well-equipped galley has plenty of light, ventilation and stowage. Credit: David Harding

It’s a relatively conventional arrangement and one that incorporates useful features such as a wet locker abaft the heads.

Because the tankage is aft (arguably a concession to cruising convenience, because it means the weight isn’t concentrated amidships), all the under-bunk space in the saloon and forecabin is usable for stowage.

Plenty of handholds are fitted and the layout lends itself to seagoing use.

]What matters most is that the owners of this particular Maxi 1100 have been, and still are, more than happy with their choice.

Phil reckons that, with the benefit of hindsight, he might have bought something second-hand rather than new so as to reduce the inevitable worry about every knock and scrape on a brand new boat.

Nonetheless, in almost every respect that matters, Destiny has proved to be just the boat her owners wanted.

Expert opinion on the Maxi 1100

Nick Vass B,Sc B,Ed HND FRINA MCMS DipMarSur YS, Marine Surveyor www.omega-yachtservices.co.uk

If money was no object I would buy a Starlight 35 or a Maxi 1100.

Both are great looking ‘proper’ sailor’s boats; the cockpits are compact and safe with good foot holds.

Maxi has favoured low coachroofs and wide side decks on all models which is attractive but can slightly reduce headroom and accommodation.

Upgraded systems on Destiny include the backstay’s 64:1 purchase. Credit: David Harding

Maxi yachts were not cheap and so tend to be well looked after. I have found several 1100s with corroded seacocks, especially around the sea toilet/holding tank outlet.

The stainless steel holding tanks can rust too. Maxi 1100 keel bolts are a little problematic to check as access is not great.

The production of Maxi yachts was taken over by Nimbus Boats in the 1990s, and the yard has a reputation for producing well put together motor and sailing vessels.

The Maxi 1100 was a development of the 34 which followed the Maxi 33 and Maxi 999.

The pre-1985 yachts had a distinctive blue band around an unusual superstructure together with rather high topsides.

They have all been trendsetters but new models have been evolved and are improvements on earlier craft rather than radical changes.

All Maxi yachts were fitted with Volvo engines which give little trouble if properly serviced and are smooth and quiet.

However, make sure that the saildrive diaphragm ring seal has been replaced. Maxi yachts extensively use foam as a hull and deck stiffener in favour of balsa.

This material is not so prone to moisture ingress and provides a lot of insulation whilst being very light.

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies, Marine Surveyor and full member of the Yacht Brokers Designers & Surveyors Association (YDSA)

www.bensutcliffemarine.co.uk

I’ve had the pleasure of surveying many of the Maxi range and Pelle Petterson’s designs and attention to detail is always impressive.

The Maxi 1100 had quite a short production run, which does make them hard to find for sale in the second-hand market.

Several of the vessels I’ve surveyed have had a light teak internal finish, which makes them airy and bright.

Wide side decks mean moving forward from the cockpit of the Maxi 1100 is easy. Credit: David Harding

To find issues with the Maxi 1100 is to be really nitpicking. The hull is woven rovings with a PVC core, which is generally quite reliable.

Ben Sutcliffe-Davies has been in the marine industry for over 40 years as a long- time boat builder, has been surveying craft for over 20 years and is a Full Member of the YDSA.

Her keel is lead, and I’d recommend the torque settings of her fastenings are checked every 15 years.

It is important to confirm the servicing of the Volvo MD2030 saildrive engine’s drive leg; the gator rubber seal should be replaced every seven years.

The engine is a Perkins base unit and quite reliable; parts are also available globally.

The fastenings of the stainless steel framework for her bow roller and anchor arrangement on her stem do need an occasional check.

I have surveyed a few which had heavy staining and on removal, the fastenings were found to have some crevice corrosion to the threads.

The deck has a PVC foam core, and as with any second-hand yacht purchase, pay close attention to any loose deck fastenings.

Lastly I’ve surveyed several 1100s which had leaks around the port lights and fixed glass, but this is not an unusual issue in craft of this age.

Alternatives to the Maxi 1100 to consider

Starlight 35.

With a lead keel bolted to the bottom of a moulded stub, the Starlight 35 has a low centre of gravity and is a powerful performer. Credit: David Harding

Introduced nearly 10 years before the Maxi, the Starlight 35 followed the Starlight 39 (which was originally launched as the 38).

Both Starlights were designed by Stephen Jones and built with closed-cell foam between the outer hull and the full interior moulding.

The idea was not to make the boats unsinkable, as with the earlier Sadlers, but to enhance structural rigidity along with thermal and acoustic insulation.

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In terms of performance and seakeeping ability, the Starlight 35 set standards that were matched by few boats at the time and have been surpassed by surprisingly few since.

She’s a remarkably quick boat for her weight and the builder’s demonstration model immediately proved as much in the early 1990s by giving a good account of herself in events such as the Round the Island Race (despite being helmed by Yours Truly).

Most Starlights have always been cruised, however, and have appealed to owners who like being able to cover the ground quickly and comfortably in a boat that also has a thoroughly practical seagoing interior.

Apart from the double-skinned hull construction, a distinctive feature of the Starlights is the wing keel.

Raked stems and overlapping headsails still offer benefits in a cruising yacht. Credit: David Harding

In the case of both the wing and the fins – deep and shallow fins were on offer too – the keel was cast in lead and bolted to the bottom of a moulded stub.

This achieved a low centre of gravity and provided the luxury of a good bilge sump.

Thanks to the stub, the lead and the high ballast ratio, there was no need for the hull lines to be compromised to contribute to form stability, so the Starlight remains notably well balanced when hard pressed.

The wing keel further enhances the balance, by moving the centre of lateral resistance aft as the boat heels.

Compared with newer boat designs , the Starlight has a relatively large foretriangle so a little more winching is called for.

And some of the later boats moulded by a sub-contractor to Rival Bowman had structural issues and were subsequently rebuilt.

Genoa tracks are fitted, but a self-tacking jib was standard long before it became popular on cruising yachts. Credit: David Harding

This sporty Swede from the drawing board of Ron Holland was in production from the mid 1980s to the early 1990s, so she’s a good deal older than the Maxi 1100 but in similar vein as a nicely finished Scandinavian performance cruiser.

Several features mark her out as an earlier design, such as the relatively flexible, low-fractional rig (with a keel-stepped mast as you would expect) and a narrower stern than found on most modern equivalents.

The hull was slim by the standards of the day anyway, so you won’t find as much space down below but she still fits in a decent chart table, galley and aft cabin.

There’s also a single cabin in the stern abaft the heads. Below the waterline, as on the Starlight, the lead keel is bolted to a moulded stub for a low centre of gravity and a decent bilge sump.

Similarly, the rudder is hung on a partial skeg. The hull is a solid laminate below the waterline with Divinycell core in the topsides, while the deck is cored with balsa.

Because of her constructions and slim lines, the Omega is appreciably lighter than many boats of her length, tipping the scales at just over 5,000kg (11,000lb).

This contributes to her impressive performance even with a self-tacking jib.

She was quick to make her mark on the race course and is still a competitive boat in the right hands.

The relatively light weight combined with the speed and crisp handling give her a distinctly sportier feel than some, but she’s nicely balanced, well behaved and a good choice if you want a spirited performer that’s easy to handle.

Westerly Typhoon 37

Despite coming from a builder with a name for out-and-out cruisers, the Typhoon has been successfully raced. Credit: David Harding

To some, it might seem strange to mention a Westerly in the same breath as beautifully finished performance cruisers from Scandinavia.

Nonetheless, just as the Starlight 35 found owners who had previously been looking at boats from Sweden or Finland, so too is the Typhoon well worth considering.

Designed by Ed Dubois, the Typhoon was launched in 1990 and was instantly praised for her sailing performance.

She didn’t sell particularly well, though, because not everyone liked the fact that the galley and chart table took up a lot of space and pushed the saloon well forward.

Then, in 1994, the design was upgraded to become part of the Regatta range along with revamped versions of the Spirit 25, Merlin 29, Tempest 31 and Storm 33, which respectively became the Regatta 260, 290, 310 and 330.

Some of the new Regatta models were given fractional rigs instead of their original masthead configurations, whereas the Typhoon was fractional to start with.

The big changes were down below. Ken Frievokh was commissioned to redesign the interiors, and that’s exactly what he did.

Westerlys had always been tough and functional when it came to layout and joinery, but Frievokh gave them a distinctive style that set them apart from anything seen before.

Sadly, this still wasn’t enough to turn around the boat’s fortunes and the hull was then used for the Ocean 37 for a couple of years before Westerly finally folded.

This is definitely one of Westerly’s underrated designs.

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The 20 Fastest SuperYachts in the World

By Alex Holmes

Updated on August 14, 2023

Yachts were always associated with leisure, comfort, and luxury, floating gently in a gorgeous location or cruising unhurried to the next, but somewhere along the way, something changed. Yachts started becoming faster and more powerful, and their owners more obsessed with these characteristics than anything else. But that’s the way with every kind of vehicle these days, isn’t it?

Mankind is obsessed with speed. That’s a given. And it applies to everything, including superyachts, which, despite their size, can achieve impressive speeds over water.

Whether that speed is actually needed is debatable, but one can’t ignore that there are quite a few capable yachts out there and that the competition for the fastest superyacht in the world is a fierce one, as in everything that involves the man’s thirst for speed.

The following superyachts manage to blend both the need for speed and the craving for luxury. But these are above everything else, the fastest yachts in the world right now.

Let’s have a look.

• 20. Cara Montana – 45 knots

Cara Montana is a smaller yacht, manufactured in 2019 by a shipyard based in Genoa, called Otam. It’s a gorgeous maritime vehicle which spans only 25.9 meters in length, but is beautiful and powerful enough to impress.

Powered by twin MTU engines, outputting a total of 5,200 hp together, and equipped with twin surface drives, Cara Montana is able to reach a top speed of 45 knots, or just under 52 mph.

• 19. Alamshar – 45 knots

Completed in 2014 after a waiting time of 13 years spent in the manufacturing process, the Alamshar yacht can reach 45 knots, thanks to its twin Rolls-Royce Marine engines and three waterjets.

The naval architecture of the vessel was made by Donald L. Blount & Associates, the exterior design by Pininfarina, and the interior by Redman Whiteley Dixon. The whole project was put together by the Devonport shipyard in Falmouth, United Kingdom.

The Alamshar is 50 meter long, and costed a jaw dropping $200 million, paid by Aga Khan IV, for whom the custom yacht was made.

• 18. Moon Goddess – 45 knots

Another lovely vessel from the superyacht world is the Moon Goddess. It’s on the smaller size, being only 35 meter long, but it’s capable of reaching 45 knots. The ship was built by Danish Yachts, with the naval architecture and exterior designs made by Espen Øino, a superyacht design icon.

The Moon Goddess can take up to six guests in three posh cabins, two twins and one for the owner, plus a crew of five. It’s propelled to a cruise speed of 25 knots, or the maximum of 45, by twin MTU 16V 4000 M90 diesel engines which generate a combined 7,498 hp.

• 17. Shergar – 45 knots

The acclaimed German shipyard Lürssen built Shergar in 1983 to be among the fastest yachts in the world. Decades later, it still holds its own among better and more technological advanced vessels.

Equipped with two MTU 12V 396 TB83 diesel power plants, and two Allison 571-KF gas turbines, the Shergar is capable of cruising at 40 knots and reaching a top speed of 45 knots.

• 16. Seafire – 46 knots

Seafire is a super yacht manufactured by AB Yachts, an Italian shipyard known for some impressive vessels. This one is among their fastest, able to reach a top speed of 46 knots.

The 42 meter super yacht is powered by a setup of three MTU 16V M94 units and three waterjets, giving it the possibility to cruise at an impressive speed of 43 knots, only 3 below its top speed.

• 15. Octopussy 007 – 53.2 knots

Built back in 1988 by the renowned Dutch shipyard Heesen Yachts and carrying a little of James Bond in its name, the Octopussy 007 is a 43.5 meter super yacht that can accommodate up to 10 guests and 7 crew members.

The vessel is powered by three MTU diesel engines that deliver 10,440 hp together, propelling the Octopussy forward at a cruising speed of 25 knots and a top speed of 53.2 knots.

It was on display at multiple boat shows around the world, and it changed owners for the last time in 2021. The naval architecture was done by Mulder Design, the exterior by Gerhard Gilgenast, and the interior by Art Line and Joachim Kinder Yacht Design.

Inside, it comes with 5 posh and extremely comfortable guest cabins, 1 master, 1 twin, and 3 double.

• 14. Daloli – 54 knots

The Daloli, also known as Pandion, built by Heesen Yachts, is a 36.5 vessel that enters the category of super yachts and impresses with a top speed of 54 knots, the equivalent of just over 62 mph.

The ship has a crew capacity of 6 and can host up to 8 passengers. There’s four cabins in total on its three decks, and the sheer beauty of its design can be seen both inside and on the outside.

It’s a real beauty, and a fast one as well.

• 13. Why Not U – 55 knots

Originally named Nobody, the Why Not U was designed in 2001 by Overmarine as a deluxe super yacht that’s capable of getting his 9 guests and 3 crew to their next dream destination with a top speed of 55 knots. The power comes from a setup of Vericor TF40 gas turbine engines.

When it comes to living on it, it offers an impressive range of amenities on its teak decks. There’s several dining spots, entertainment and lounge rooms, sun bathing areas, and plenty more to be had on board of this stunning super yacht.

• 12. Ermis² – 57 knots

The 37.5 meter super yacht Ermis², manufactured from special materials by the New Zealand shipyard McMullen & Wing, is among the fastest vessels out there, capable of a top speed of 57 knots, which is just a little over 65 mph.

The ship came out in 2007, but is still among the most innovative yachts in the world given the mix of composite materials, aerospace grade carbon fiber and titanium for its lightweight body.

That low weight, combined with the 10,944 hp outputted by the three MTU 16V 4000 M90 engines, allow this stunning yacht to reach that max speed of 57 knots.

• 11. Chato – 57 knots

Chato is another small sized and powerful super yacht. It was built in 1986 by Baglietto from aluminium and was equipped with twin MTU 16V 396 TB94 diesel engines, which push it to a cruise speed of 35 knots and a max speed of 57 knots.

Chato is only 25.79 meters long, and that helps with a lower weight and a smaller profile under the surface of the water.

• 10. Azimut Atlantic Challenger – 60 knots

The Azimut Atlantic Challenger strays away from the usual design of luxury yachts, but that only because it was built for a very different purpose, which was to win the Blue Riband award, an unofficial accolade given to a ship for making the fastest transatlantic crossing.

Unfortunately, the Azimut Atlantic Challenger failed to win, but it remained one of the fastest super yachts in the world, currently holding the 10th position, with a top speed of 60 knots.

It was built in 1988 by the Italian shipyard Benetti, with the exterior designed by Pininfarina. It’s a 26.82 meter aluminum monohull vessel and is powered by four CRM diesel engines, capable of outputting a combined 7,400 hp.

• 9. Jet Ruban Bleu – 60 knots

The French built Jet Ruban Bleu is on par with the Azimut Atlantic Challenger and two other super yachts, at least when it comes to the top speed. They can all do 60 knots.

Jet Ruban Bleu is 25 meter long, was designed by Gilles Ollier and Coste Design & Partners and created by Multiplast. It was outfitted with a single MTU engine capable of 3,500 hp alone.

• 8. Oci Ciornie – 60 Knots

Oci Ciornie was a super yacht project that was realized by American shipyard Palmer Johnson, the Dutch Vripack, and the well known naval architect Don Shead in 1998.

The vessel features an aluminum hull, and uses two 1,800 hp MTU 16V 2000 M90 engines, a 4,600 hp AVCO Lycoming gas turbine, plus Arneson surface drives. This combination propels the Oci Ciornie with a top speed of 60 knots.

The ship is able to carry up to eight guests in a master suite, a double cabin, and a twin room. There’s a nice and streamlined deck that features a superb saloon and outside areas for relaxation, while the interior takes inspiration from aircraft designs.

• 7. Brave Challenger – 60 Knots

With the same 60 knot top speed of the above ships, the Brave Challenger is to be lauded, since it’s much older, being built back in 1960. The project was completed by Vosper Ltd in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, with the intention of becoming a Brave Class fast patrol boat. It was only later that the ship was converted for private use.

The Brave Challenger is powered by three Rolls-Royce Proteus gas turbines, which output a total of 13,500 hp, which combined with the only 31 meter length and lower weight, can push the boat to the top speed of 60 knots.

• 6. Kereon – 62.3 Knots

The Italian yard AB Yachts, the one behind Seafire above at number 16, built in 2004 one of the fastest super yachts in the world, the Kereon. It’s capable of hitting a top speed of 62.3 knots, and that thanks to the three CRM diesel engines that produce a good 6,300 hp.

Since the total power is so low in comparison to others on this list, it makes sense that a shorter length of 27 meters and a performant hull design are at play to aid in reaching those speeds.

The ship has a very sporty aesthetic, all metallic silver, and can cruise at 50 knots for about 900 miles.

• 5. Gentry Eagle – 63.5 knots

Gentry Eagle was a special project done by Vosper Thornycroft in 1988 for the legendary Tom Gentry, who achieved almost everything he could achieve in terms of powerboat speed records during his lifetime, including the coveted Blue Riband. The vessel, capable of 63.5 knots, helped him win the Blue Riband in 1989, with a record time of 62 hours and 7 minutes.

Gentry Eagle’s design was done by Grant Robinson and Peter Birkett, with the interior by Robin Rose. In 1992, the ship became a private super yacht.

• 4. Galeocerdo – 65 Knots

Galeocerdo is a very futuristic looking ship, with sleek lines and a hull designed to maintain high speeds in rough sea conditions. It measures 36 meters in length, and is capable of hitting 65 knots.

The vessel was built in 2003 in Italy, by Rodriguez Yachts and is powered by three Vericor TF50 gas turbines, each tied to a Rolls-Royce Kamewa water jet. The total power output rises to a whooping 16,800 hp.

• 3. Destriero – 66 knots

Destriero was launched back in 1991 by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri. It has a length of 68.18 meters and features a design made by Pininfarina and Donald Blount. This ship was again built with the sole purpose of winning the Blue Riband by breaking the old record of crossing the Atlantic.

She did it in 1992, after it crossed the ocean twice without refueling, setting a new record of 58 hours, 34 minutes, and 5 seconds. but the Blue Riband award was denied for her, since it’s awarded only to passenger vessels and not private yachts.

What allowed Destriero to set a new record was the power of 54,000 hp, given by the Codag engine and the three GE Aviation LM1600 gas turbines, pushing the ship to a max speed of 66 knots, or 76 mph.

• 2. World Is Not Enough – 67 Knots

The Dutch superyacht World Is Not Enough, built in 2004 by Millenium Super Yachts, comes second place with a top speed of 67 knots. The vessel is powered by two Paxman diesel engines and two Lycoming gas turbines, which give an output of 20,600 hp, and a good 3800 nautical miles cruising range at a cruising speed of 10 knots.

With its 42.4 meters of luxury and beauty, World Is Not Enough can accommodate up to 10 guests and 7 crew members in five extravagant cabins, offering plenty of comfort and areas for relaxation. The vessel features formal dining spaces, indoor bar, and al fresco dining and lounge areas on all decks, for the ultimate pleasure away from civilization.

• 1. Foners – 70.1 knots

The Foners is currently the fastest super yacht in the world, with a 70.1 knots top speed, keeping the first spot since its delivery back in 2000. The power behind its top speed comes from two MAN engines and three Rolls Royce gas turbines, combining together to output a whooping 21,380 hp.

Her cruising speed is 12 knots, and allows her to reach a range of 1,800 nautical miles.

But of course speed isn’t everything here, as the eye is impressed a lot when stepping on board. Built by the Spanish shipyard Izar, Foners comes with splendid interiors, formal dining rooms, and plenty of space on the decks for al fresco dining. Its 6 crew and up to 8 guests can be accommodated on board, in luxurious cabins.

These are the fastest super yachts in the world, a competition that keeps on going, dominated for the last two decades by the Spanish vessel Foners.

As technology progresses, it will be interesting to see how it holds up against newer yachts.

About Alex Holmes

With over 10 years of experience in media and publishing, Alex is Luxatic's director of content, overlooking everything related to reviews, special features, buying guides, news briefs and pretty much all the other content that can be found on our website. Learn more about Luxatic's Editorial Process .

2 thoughts on “The 20 Fastest SuperYachts in the World”

Bolide by VICTORY DESIGN is now by far the fastest yacht; speeds up to 76 knots have been recorded by this 80ft full carbon pleasure Yacht, powered by three MAN V12 2000 diesel engines.

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For the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, the Multihulls Are Here

For the first time, the regatta, which has always been for monohulls, will include big catamarans. Capsizing could be an issue.

By David Schmidt

Call it a game of speed, tactics, underwater rocks and double the number of hulls.

For the first time in its 43-year history, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup , which begins on Monday in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, will include up to five maxi multihulls. These fast and powerful catamarans, which measure at least 60 feet, bow to stern, can often sail faster than monohulls, but they don’t carry capsize-preventing keels.

This presents a challenge at the Maxi cup. The regatta is known for its coastal courses. These often wend past the Maddalena archipelago’s islands and submerged rocks, and, critically, through Bomb Alley.

This stretch of water, about 15 miles long, separates the archipelago from Sardinia’s north-northeast flank. When the strong northwesterly winds — called the mistrals — blow, Bomb Alley can get boisterous, which should yield exciting, if not scary, racing.

“This is an experiment, really,” said Andrew McIrvine, secretary general of the International Maxi Association , which organizes the regatta with the hosting Yacht Club Costa Smeralda . He said the decision was initiated by a member’s request.

“A lot of Maxi owners are getting a bit long in the tooth, and it will probably extend their racing life by a few years if they can race on a catamaran, rather than hanging on to the back of a Maxi,” he said.

Catamarans have two hulls to create stability, rather than a single narrow hull and a heavy keel. Critically, they generally lean over — or heel — less than a monohull, which makes it easier to move across the yacht during maneuvers. But if the sails are not adjusted to match the wind gusts, multihulls can lose their balance and capsize.

“There’s the old saying about running aground that sometimes gets applied to capsizing big multis: There’s two clubs, those who have and those that will,” said Paul Larsen, who is the race skipper of Allegra, an 84-foot catamaran. “It’s no joke.”

While the risks are real, regatta organizers were clear that they wanted to attract sophisticated racing-focused multihulls.

“There are a lot of horrible caravan multihulls,” McIrvine said, referring to cruising-oriented catamarans. “We won’t just take anything because it’s big, that’s for sure.”

Regatta organizers said that the multihulls would compete in their own class. However, weather depending, the catamarans could sail similar or separate coastal courses as the monohulls, potentially setting up passing situations with the slower-moving monohulls.

“I see the opening up to multihulls as a natural thing, a natural development of an event that has always been characterized by cutting-edge technology,” said Michael Illbruck, commodore of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. “This type of boat entirely fits with the Maxi world.”

Five Maxi-size catamarans initially entered the regatta, the maximum under the event’s rules, but one had a catastrophic fire and another capsized, sustaining season-ending damage.

Unless other Maxi multihulls enter the regatta at the last minute, that leaves three of the multihulls that will race, two of which will be making their racing debut on the Maxi cup’s coastal courses.

Regatta veterans describe these courses as aesthetically pleasing and tactically challenging, and regatta organizers said the islands could also modulate sailing conditions.

“The various courses around the archipelago of La Maddalena offer an area with limited waves when the prevailing mistral wind blows,” said Edoardo Recchi, the club’s secretary general and sports director. “This kind of course fits the characteristics of multihulls better.”

The archipelago’s often flat waters can make for fast sailing, but navigation can also be confined.

“The proximity to land puts real pressure into the decision-making as the consequences could be of far more importance than simply the race result,” Larsen said. “It’s challenging, thrilling and spectacular.”

This places a premium on crew choreography, especially when the mistrals howl.

“All the teams are working with big gear and very high loads, and mistakes can be very costly sailing amongst the archipelago,” said Kinley Fowler , an America’s Cup winner and the sailing team manager of Convexity², a Gunboat 68, describing the forces exerted by the big sails. “This will be exaggerated on the multihulls as we will be going faster, so it means that we will need to be thinking one or two steps ahead the whole time.”

Despite these scrawny margins, multiple teams are hoping for the mistrals.

“I’d prefer a windy regatta,” Larsen said. Of Allegra, he said, “The boat has proven itself to be strong and fast, and the crew know her well.”

Others are also confident about their boat-handling abilities.

“We have a really strong team and are not afraid to push the limits,” Fowler said. While the Maxi cup is the debut regatta for Convexity², Fowler said that the core team had sailed together for years. “Fingers crossed we get to light it up.”

While the three multihulls are fast and powerful, Lord Laidlaw’s Highland Fling 18, a new Gunboat 80, is built for speed. It should be able to sail at more than 30 knots in certain conditions.

“We are definitely on the edge of speed, loads, systems — and my helming ability,” he said, adding that helming a Maxi multihull is much different than a monohull. “Great to be learning something new at 80.”

As for racing the boat through Bomb Alley in a mistral, Lord Laidlaw, who has won his class at this regatta multiple times aboard his previous Highland Fling monohulls, was candid.

“A bit scary, if I am honest,” he said, explaining that the team had taken precautions to prevent capsizing. They include incorporating sail-handling equipment that automatically releases the ropes that control the sails if certain thresholds (loads or heel angle) are surpassed.

As for dealing with a possible capsize, the teams — and the regatta organizers — are prepared.

“We will also be wearing helmets and Kevlar vests with built-in life jackets, something we have never done before,” Lord Laidlaw said.

Recchi, of the yacht club, said safety boats would be on the racecourse. He also said the event would mitigate risk by monitoring weather forecasts and real-time reports, and by selecting courses that best match conditions.

“Additionally, in the event of a major issue, the Coast Guard is on standby with their boats to help, and a towing boat will be also on standby in Porto Cervo,” he said.

There are the submerged rocks to consider, too.

“It is very easy to ground around the northeast of Sardinia,” Lord Laidlaw said. “Many people who cut corners have regretted it.” He admitted that he had twice hit those rocks.

Unlike monohulls with fixed keels, multihulls can retract their daggerboards, which are the vertical underwater foils that enable the boats to sail a straight course. When the daggerboards are down, multihulls often draw as much water as their keelboat counterparts.

When the daggerboards are retracted, multihulls become shallow-draft vessels, which can create tactical advantages on courses that wend past islands and submerged rocks.

“The fact we can raise the boards — where keelboats can’t — might allow us to cut a few corners where there are outlying shallows,” Larsen said. “But this is a high-stakes game.”

Lord Laidlaw said raising the daggerboards on the Highland Fling 18 took seven seconds. But then you can go “sideways, maybe further into the rocks,” he said.

While all teams want a safe regatta, they also want to win.

“Let’s see how tight the racing is,” Fowler said about sailing near the rocks. “We may have to push the limits to get a jump on the competition.”

This wasn’t a one-off assessment.

“When the racing is tight,” Larsen said, “all cards are on the table.”

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The Flying Maxi

• By James Boyd
• March 6, 2023

Love it or hate it, performance yachting has taken a quantum leap over the last two decades with the proliferation of foiling, which has permeated throughout the sport—from the America’s Cup to all manners of wind-driven board sports. In Italy last summer, however, a new and curious chapter in foiling arrived with the launch of Roberto Lacorte’s FlyingNikka . The sleek black maxi bears a striking resemblance to an AC75 , but at 60 feet, it is far shorter and—significantly—has an original remit for a foiler: to compete in maxi fleet races, both inshore and offshore.

Lacorte, who founded the pharmaceuticals company PharmaNutra Group in 2003 with his M32 sailor and brother Andrea, is a keen sailor. For many years he raced in the maxi fleet aboard his Mills-Vismara 62 racer-cruiser SuperNikka . However, the 54-year-old also prefers speed—his other sport of choice being motorcar racing. Since 2017, he has regularly competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and today races North America’s IMSA SportsCar Championship.

His penchant for speed now extends to his yachting. Initially, Lacorte was going to replace SuperNikka with a longer racing maxi, but after a season campaigning a Persico 69F foiler and inspired by the AC75 and other foilers, he began wondering whether his next maxi should or could fly too.

Given the constraints of creating a minimum-size (60-foot) maxi that foils and take part in conventional races while on a budget with limits and without an army of shore crew, he assembled a team to work on the new project. Led by North Sails Italy’s Alessio Razeto, this included Nacra 17 Olympian Lorenzo Bressani, project manager Micky Costa, and Mark Mills leading the design. Brought on board for R&D was KND, while Pure Design & Engineering handled the engineering. Nat Shaver (ex-ETNZ and American Magic , now INEOS Britannia) designed the foils. King Marine in Valencia built and assembled the boat, while Re Fraschini in Italy fabricated the foils.

Mills says he was initially skeptical whether FlyingNikka could be created without America’s Cup resources, but he eventually concluded that such a foiler could be realized if it were kept simple, meaning free from the constraints of the AC75 rule: A motor could power the hydraulic package, controlling almost everything from sails to foils, reducing crew, and making grinders and cyclors ­redundant. Similarly, with no restrictions, ride height and pitch could be controlled automatically.

After six months spent examining all options, including IMOCA-style retracting Dali foils, FlyingNikka ’s design was unveiled with an AC75-style “flip-up” foil-cant arms configuration.

Aside from its size and intended use, FlyingNikka has two significant differences to an AC75. The foils cant up to weather and down to leeward like an AC75. However, they develop lift by altering the pitch of the entire wingspan (i.e., the whole wing articulates laterally around the bottom of the arm, typically from zero to 15 degrees), unlike the AC75 system where the foil arm and wing are fixed and lift develops from an airplane-style flap on the wing’s trailing edge.

This neatly avoids a significant issue of AC75 foil design and ­engineering, making a flap that operates reliably on the back of a bendy T-foil. FlyingNikka ’s simpler flap-free arrangement means more freedom for its foils to deflect and the wingtips to unload. Altering the incidence of the entire wing also produces significantly more lift compared to a flap, in theory enabling the boat to take off in lighter winds.

Significant too is that while an AC75’s wings are ballasted—made of lead and steel, and some with lead bulbs— FlyingNikka ’s wings are made from carbon fiber instead. Being substantially lighter, they have been far easier to engineer and manufacture.

Working in conjunction with the main foils is the rudder elevator. Its lift adjusts by raking the entire rudder. The ­bottom bearing is mounted in a transom scoop, where the rudder stock rotates about a vertical axis as usual and a lateral axis to permit the elevator to be raked by plus or minus 6 degrees via a hydraulic ram pushing and pulling the top of the stock.

To enter traditional races, FlyingNikka must comply with the Offshore Special Regs’ Category 3 STIX stability requirements, so it has a keel, which an AC75 does not. At 2,000 kilograms, this keel is small but significant given the boat weighs only 7 tons. Two extra tons on a foiling boat is costly—Lacorte reckons it chops 4 to 5 knots off their top speed. The keel, however, does have several benefits. Along with the arm of the leeward foil, the keel prevents leeway. Between the foil arm and the keel, FlyingNikka enjoys “negative leeway” (like boats with a trim tab on the keel). It also means the foils don’t need to be ballasted (unlike the AC75). It does, however, lose the righting-moment benefit of an AC75’s ballasted foil when it cants to weather.

Significant for FlyingNikka ’s intended use in light winds, the keel makes the boat more manageable and less likely to capsize when its foils are providing minimal lift. In practice, it also smooths the transition between flying and displacement modes. In the future, the team might make record attempts when its keel could be removed, although it would still need some arrangement for the engine water intake (otherwise located in the keel).

The boat was first launched in early May, and its successful flight at the very outset was most remarkable for such an experimental platform. This was mainly down to the R&D effort put in by the design team, and especially its access to America’s Cup CFD and engineering tools. Since then, FlyingNikka competed at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Sardinia and at Les Voiles de St. Tropez. The latter was disappointingly windless, although valuable lessons were learned about how to sail it in displacement mode. But Lacorte showed the boat’s extraordinary potential in the former, starting last in its own class and sailing through the fleet.

To enter fleet races, the boat has been given a stratospheric IRC rating of 3.866, so it is unlikely ever to win under corrected time. (The previous IRC TCC high scorer was the ClubSwan 125 Skorpios at a mere 2.149). Lacorte seems satisfied simply being out on the racecourse.

In terms of performance, FlyingNikka is not designed for peak speeds, although the sailing team managed 27 knots upwind and 38 knots downwind at respectable angles, with more to come. The boat, including the foil package, is designed for conditions typical of the Med, i.e., light. As a result, it has larger foils, requiring less wind to take off, which comes at the expense of top speed. Downwind, FlyingNikka needs around 9 knots of wind to fly, 10 to fly well and 12-plus to achieve optimal VMG, at which point it is ­making close to 30 knots.

The team is examining how to best sail the boat in displacement mode when it is too light to foil. Far from being a complete write-off, the boat can still make good progress relying on its ultralight displacement and substantial sail area. Trickiest is the transition between nonfoiling and foiling because there are techniques such as sailing lower angles or increasing foil rake that can permit early takeoff. But the poor VMG and excess drag required to achieve this can be slower than sailing in displacement mode.

Lacorte is also learning the oddities of handling a boat that can sail at more than twice the windspeed. While foiling, the apparent wind angle is rarely more than 50 degrees, even downwind. Upwind can be only 19 degrees.

All foiling boats require slightly different techniques to perform maneuvers well and remain airborne. “You have to move and steer a lot,” Lacorte explains. “It is different compared to a normal boat. It is necessary to maintain flow over the foil, to keep pressure on it, and carry out maneuvers in a strong, fast way. Then you generate incredible G-force, like a sports car. You have to hang on, otherwise you risk falling overboard.”

With Lacorte, there are just five crew, thanks to the engine-­powered hydraulics and automation. As with the AC75, the crew resides in fore- and aft-oriented trenches, with the helmsman ­forward to windward with a screen and a wheel in front of him, and the flight controller forward and to leeward. Aft are the mainsail and headsail trimmers, who swap sides during maneuvers. Farthest aft, the navigator and the systems operator are stationary. Each crew, including the driver, controls an array of waterproof buttons operating the hydraulics, including some safety ones too, such as to dump sheets. Dropping and raising the foils is done via foot pedals. Inboard of each cockpit is a powered winch used for the A1 sheet, halyards and furling lines.

Part of the secret to sailing FlyingNikka is the automation of the foil wing’s articulation in conjunction with that of the rudder elevator rake. This, for example, enables the crew to adjust ride height and fore and aft trim continuously. At split-second ­intervals, the automation then adjusts the pitch of the foil wing and rudder rake to make this happen. This requires the software to be trained, partly through the crew teaching it, but also through its own intelligence, learning from how the crew operate the boat. Also vital is the system continuously knowing the exact orientation (pitch, yaw and roll), movement and acceleration of the yacht. As a result, FlyingNikka is littered with rate gyros and accelerometers ­monitoring its every motion.

Essential too is the speed of the hydraulics. To ensure maximum performance, the system operates at a substantial 500 mb of pressure, so there is no need for stored power, although it does require the engine to run constantly.

Above the deck, the rotating rig is a conventional two-spreader affair but without runners. The mainsheet provides much of the forestay tension. Given the boat’s speed, sails are ultra-flat and the wardrobe is limited—just a mainsail with a low telescopic boom (outhaul controlled by the boom being pumped in or out at the gooseneck), with a deck sweeper and three jibs, the smallest on an inner forestay, plus an A1 for use in displacement mode. The aim, according to sailmaker Alessio Razeto, is to have the minimum sails necessary to get the boat flying because they become drag rather than driving force and need to be reduced rapidly afterward.

FlyingNikka is capable of all “the foiler moves,” flying both downwind and upwind, and foiling jibes and tacks. These will be refined with practice, but it is this voyage into the unknown that Lacorte and his highly experienced crew relish. And where FlyingNikka is breaking new ground is in Lacorte’s desire to race it offshore. Typically, this type of foil configuration doesn’t like waves—foils suddenly stop working when they are not immersed—while a flying hull colliding with a wavetop can damage crew and the boat due to the deceleration and the resulting loads. However, Lacorte says he is pleased with how well FlyingNikka is performing in 6-foot waves thus far. This is partly due to the AC75-style “bustle” (the long, shallow skeg that runs down the length of the hull’s centerline), designed to ease the transition between displacement sailing and foiling. It is also due to the boat’s center of gravity being quite far aft, which means it typically touches down stern-first. Razeto admits his biggest fear is “an uncontrolled takeoff with the bow up.” Normally, it is the back of the boat that lands first when this happens. “We have done that a couple of times,” he says. “With a nosedive, a lot of water comes over the boat, but it is not really dangerous.” However, the stern reimmersing first appears to be substantially less dramatic than going from foiling into a giant nosedive.

With its first Med season in the books, modifications are currently being made to FlyingNikka before next year’s 151 Miglia-Trofeo Cetilar, followed by the Rolex Giraglia and the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Female tooling for FlyingNikka remains at King Marine, ready for any additional brave individuals with a craving for speed to buy into Lacorte’s vision with a budget that Lacorte reckons is less than that of a Maxi 72.

• More: foiling , Maxi Yachts , Racing
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Boat of the Week: This Wave-Piercing 75-Foot Explorer Yacht Is Designed to Dominate Stormy Seas

With her wave-piercing hull and bulletproof windshield, "enmer" takes on the roughest waters and still works as a stylish, comfy cruiser., howard walker, howard walker's most recent stories.

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It’s a boater’s worst nightmare. Howling 40-knot winds churning-up near-vertical 20-feet walls of frothing sea. Add to the maelstrom a vicious rip-tide, horizontal rain and menacing coal-black skies. Definitely not a good day for a cocktail cruise around the bay.

This was the punishing sea-trial inflicted on the newly christened Enmer , a no-nonsense 75-foot XSV20 explorer yacht, before being delivered to her new owner, French billionaire and passionate yachtsman Jack Setton.

Even the delivery was extreme. Before Monsieur Setton was handed the keys, Enmer went on a 2,500-mile, high-speed blast from builder Safehaven Marine’s yard in Cork, Ireland, to her new slip in ritzy Porto Cervo, Sardinia.

With a hull more common on offshore pilot boats than motor yachts , the XSV20 blasts through big waves rather than stumbling over them.  Courtesy Edmiston Yachts

Now, after more than a year of cruising the Med and Caribbean, Setton has decided to sell the military-grade Enmer – the name is French for “At Sea,” with an asking price of about $2.35 million. “It’s time for me to lose a lot of money, which I seem to do regularly with my boats, and let someone else enjoy her,” Setton told Robb Report .

Setton’s past acquisitions have included the rugged 194-foot expedition yacht Senses , the 60-foot high-performance sailing yacht Ciao Gianni , named after his close friend, the late Fiat boss Gianni Agnelli, and the record-shattering 110-foot “Maxi” catamaran Swift . After his last “project,” the converted 105-foot Texas commercial fishing boat Pink Shrimp, which Setton transformed it into a luxurious world traveler, the Frenchman went looking for something equally rugged, but faster.

Setton found it in the XSV20, with an innovative, wave-piercing hull, thundering 51-mph top speed and go-anywhere capability. “I’ve always loved boats that look rugged on the outside but are comfortable inside—boats with no frills that I know will get the job done,” he says.

The pilothouse is no-nonsense, with shock-absorbing seats and an inch-thick ballistics-glass windshield that is shatterproof.  Courtesy Edmiston

The serial yacht owner worked with Safehaven to fine-tune the design, installing twin 1,150-hp Cat C18s hooked-up to waterjets. For Setton, the goal was less complexity, easier maintenance and better low-speed maneuverability. Those factors were important since it would be primarily Setton and his girlfriend who would cruise on the boat.

What didn’t change was the XSV20’s unique hull design. It starts as a carbon fiber and Kevlar-reinforced mono hull with a knife-like, wave-piercing bow. This then flows back into a deep-V mid-section, then seamlessly transitions into twin, catamaran-style hulls. He used inch-thick ballistic glass for the forward windows to provide extra protection for the wheelhouse.

Not a fan of boats that careen over waves, Setton designed a unique ballasting system. “It keeps the nose down, so the boat acts like a submarine, punching straight through the waves,” he says. “We experienced some bad conditions in the Med and it took everything incredibly well.”

The wave-piercing hull is a unique design for a motoryacht but serves the owner’s passion for going mano-a-mano with big ocean swells.  Courtesy Edmiston

Though fast, Setton prefers to run at slower speeds. “Yes, she’ll get up to 51 mph but she’s a lot happier at 40,” he says. Come down to 30 mph and she’ll cover over 600 nautical miles without refueling. You have a lot of performance and range.”

The interior was designed to be simple, yet comfortable enough for long cruises. Below decks, there’s a master suite, a guest cabin and crew quarters in the bow. When the seas turn gnarly, the pilothouse features four SHOXS commercial-grade, shock-absorbing helm and passenger seats for safety and comfort.

Setton thinks the next owner will either be someone looking for a boat to turn heads cruising into St. Tropez or an experienced sailor looking for adventures. “I need someone who is as passionate about the boat as I am,” he says. “I admit that I have turned down buyers in the past who didn’t understand what my boats were about. I’m optimistic I’ll find the right person.”

At rest, Enmer has a handsome profile, along with an exposed upper helm and open rear deck for relaxing in the sunshine.  Courtesy Edmiston

Enmer , currently moored in the South of France, is listed with Edmiston and judel/vrolijk & co. Here’s a video of the yacht in action.

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How Fast Is A Yacht? 3 Types Checked (With 9 Examples)

Different types of boats require various speeds for maneuvering in various water types and for doing diverse activities.

Depending on what you want to do with your vessel, you might need it to travel at a certain speed.

How Fast Are Yachts?

Yachts differ in speeds depending on the type of boat, with mega-yachts and ocean sport boats being the fastest (at over 30 MPH), cruisers, and deck boats falling second (at an average speed of 23 MPH), then pontoons, and sailboats averaging 10 MPH.

Here’s everything you should know about how fast yachts can go:

Table of Contents

First, How do we Define a “Yacht”?

First, let’s make sure we are talking about the same thing. After all, different types of boats sail at different speeds.

Yachts are boats (sail or power) used for racing, cruising, or just for pleasure.

It is a general term, which makes the question, “What is the average speed of a yacht?” a complicated one to answer.

Yachts can range in length between mini yachts, measured at 23 feet (seven meters), to superyachts, which are at least 78 feet long.

Before covering how fast each type of yacht can travel, here is a quick and dirty list of yachts that this article will cover:

• Has a single deck above the hull with below-deck living quarters. They are normally sleek and sporty.
• Control station, seating, and lounge space.
• It is a large, recreational, and motor-powered boat with multiple decks and a larger interior main deck than a flybridge.
• A yacht that has an enclosed living space and that is longer than 80 feet.
• A yacht that is built and used for fishing. Normally has a large cockpit to store fishing essentials. It is often faster than regular motor-yachts to get to the fishing grounds and back quickly.
• Pontoon boats lie flat on the water, balancing on two (or three) aluminum tubes, instead of having a V-shaped hull like deck boats. This makes them more stable for entertaining large groups of people.
• Primarily uses sails for propulsion instead of a motor (though most have a motor for back-up or to assist with the sails). Most are used for sport, but there are quite a few leisure sailing boat clubs and organizations these days.

The yachts that fall into categories 1 – 6 are motorized but are all smaller than superyachts.

For the rest of the article, the term “motorized yachts” or “powerboats” will refer to one of these.

How Fast Does my Yacht Need to be?

The answer to this question depends on what you want to do with your yacht.

If you’re a fisherman that needs to only troll through calm waters, it might be best if your boat travels with a top speed of around 15 MPH.

But if you’re looking to hit the open waters and speed around with the wind in your hair, you might want something a bit faster than that.

While you’re shopping for boats, and considering the top speeds for each type, ask yourself:

• What activities will you be doing on your boat?
• What sort of waters will I be traveling on?
• What activities will I be doing, which will utilize its top speed?

How Does the Speed of a Boat Affect its Fuel Consumption?

This depends on the type of boat you use. For ease of reference, the Formula 240 Bowrider speedboat (a 24-foot motorboat) is a good example of an average boat.

When cruising at 7 MPH, it consumes approximately three gallons an hour. When you double the speed, it consumes double the fuel (seven gallons an hour at 15 MPH). At 30 MPH, it will use about 11 gallons.

A general rule of thumb is that mid-range speed will offer the best fuel efficiency.

There is no need to merely putter around the water to save money.

How Fast Should I Go on a Yacht?

Unfortunately, there aren’t any speed limit signs out in the open water. Because of that, sailors and boaters have to calculate the speed limit depending on at least three different factors: the time of day, the type of boat, and the type of waterway.

The speed limit for boats is rarely a specific numerical figure. Instead, look for safety concerns, warning signs (like “No Wake Zones”), and rules often posted on the docks.

Watch out for “No Wake Zones,” which can cost a hefty fine if you are caught in violation and can be dangerous to people, animals, and property in the area. Most speedboats and other motorboats can cause a wake in as little as 5 MPH.

If you are close to a river, shore, or populated areas, you have to tread on the side of caution. However, once you are out in open water (like the ocean or a large lake with no one around), you can test out your boat’s top speed.

Make certain that you can:

• See an open pathway of water.
• See no obstacles (people, vehicles, animals, jetsam, or debris)
• Have observed the rules posted at the dock or pier

What are the Top 10 Fastest Yachts on the Market Today?

This list will consist of a variety of motorized yachts, powerboats, and superyachts.

Superyachts are so big; they need a more powerful engine.

For example, the Astro by Baia Yachts uses triple 2,430hp MTU engines and can put out 7 290 hp at its max.

It can go about 57 MPH or 50 knots! And that’s not even fast enough for our top ten list!

10) “The Chato” (built by Baglietto)

The Chato is an 84.61-foot yacht with accommodations for up to six people.

It is an all-aluminum speed demon with two MTU diesel engines, which propel it forward at a whopping 65.59 mph.

9) “Ermis 2 ” (by McMullen & Wing)

The Ermis is a 123.23-foot yacht made of carbon-fiber to make it both light and sleek.

The triple waterjets (MTU 16V 4000 M90 series) push it forward with 11,000 hp, making it fly across the water at a top speed of 63.29 mph.

8) “Black Bullet” (by Otam)

The Black Bullet is an 83.7-foot yacht, is the fastest yacht in the Otam 80 series.

It can accommodate two crew and six guests and moves quickly with four diesel engines.

How quick? 66.7 mph quick.

7) “Oci Ciornie” (by Palmer Johnson)

The Oci Ciornie is an 82-foot yacht that uses a 4,600 horsepower AVCO Lycoming gas turbines, an Arneson surface drives, and twin 1,800 horsepower MTU 16V 2000 M90 engines to propel it forward to 69 mph.

Vroom, vroom.

6) “The Brave Challenger” (by Vosper)

This yacht tops out at 69 mph because of her three gas turbine engines. Together, they generate about 13,620 horsepower. In addition to that, she also has two conventional engines to help her move around the water a little easier when she needs to cruise at a slower speed.

Originally named Mercury, she was built for Stavros Niarchos, a Greek shipping tycoon.

5) “Kereon” (the second boat on our list by AB Yachts)

The Kereon is an 88.6-foot yacht that can top out at 71 mph because of its three diesel engines. She has three 2,250 horsepower CRM diesel engines that were designed by Angelo Arnaboldi, a naval architect.

The Kereon can accommodate six guests in three cabins. She also has a massive fuel tank, which can hold 3170 gallons of fuel. That means she can go approximately 900 nautical miles on one tank of fuel.

4) “Gentry Eagle” (by Vosper Thornycroft)

The Gentry Eagle is a 111.88-foot yacht built for and by Tom Gentry (who worked with Vosper Thornycroft). If his name sounds familiar to you, it’s probably because he set almost every powerboat speed record today. He won the Blue Riband (the award for the fastest passage across the Atlantic) with a record time of 62 hours and seven minutes. The Gentry Eagle beat Richard Branson’s record by 23%.

Talk about fast.

It tops out at 73.64 mph.

3) “Galeocerdo” (by Rodriquez)

The Galeocerdo is a 118.1-foot yacht powered by three Vericor TF50 gas turbines (which drive three Rolls-Royce Kamewa water jets).

The Galeocerdo tops out at 74 mph.

2) “The World Is Not Enough” (by Millenium Super Yachts)

This yacht is a 138.45-foot yacht that can accommodate 10 guests and can go 77.1 mph.

It is propelled by two Lycoming gas turbines and two Paxman diesel engines.

1) “Foners” (by Izar)

The Foners is a 136.15-foot yacht made specifically for King Juan Carlos of Spain’s royal yacht. It was also built for speed with two 1,280 horsepower MAN engines.

But that’s not all, and it also has three Rolls Royce 6,700 horsepower gas turbines that drive three Kamewa water jets.

How fast does it go? It tops out at 80.5 mph!

What’s the Fastest Motorized Yacht in the World?

The record for the fastest boat was set at 317.6 MPH .

Ken Warby was using a speedboat (powered by a jet engine instead of a regular boat motor) called the “Spirit of Australia.”

This was not included on the fastest yacht list because of its unique circumstances.

Final Thoughts:

Choosing the right yacht for you and your needs is a big decision. Make sure you know what you will do with your boat before you buy a boat strictly built for speed.

The bragging rights in owning a boat that can go 80 mph on the water is great.

But if you are only going to use it for trolling or fishing, it would be a waste on your pocketbook and for the boat.

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• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

World’s coolest yachts: Maxi 72

• September 8, 2021

We ask top sailors and marine industry gurus to choose the coolest and most innovative yachts of our times. Mike Sanderson nominates the Maxi 72

The Maxi 72 is the biggest boat where you feel you’re doing things properly, writes Mike Sanderson.

These boats don’t have a canting keel or daggerboards but they are incredibly fast, beautiful to sail – right in the sweet spot – and potent under IRC because they are so refined.

I sail on [Hap Fauth’s] Bella Mente and sometimes I get to helm the boat. It’s an incredible privilege to sail one.

You have 20 people on board and the ability to get guys grinding. It’s slick and efficient and highly developed.

The Volvo boats, by comparison, make it frustratingly hard to do a good job. They are hard to showcase and make it look easy because they are so short-staffed.

It’s the opposite in a Maxi 72; you have enough people to do anything you want.

Make sure you check out our full list of Coolest Yachts.

Maxi 72 stats rating:

Top speed: 20 knots LOA: 21.9m Class launched: 2014 Berths: 6/7 Price: €2.5-3m Adrenalin factor: 70%

Mike Sanderson

New Zealander Mike Sanderson, 47, first raced round the world in the 1993/4 Whitbread in New Zealand Endeavour.

He won the Volvo Ocean Race as skipper of ABN AMRO 1 in 2006, and directed Team Origin, the British challenger for the America’s Cup from 2007-2010.

A professional sailmaker, he now heads Doyle International.

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Photos, video show collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge after cargo ship collision

The Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland collapsed Tuesday into the Patapsco River after it was struck by a large cargo ship.

The bridge's collapse has prompted huge emergency response, with the Baltimore City Fire Department describing the collapse as a mass-casualty incident, and rescue crews searching for seven people in the river. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of emergency.

Baltimore  Mayor Brendon Scott  said on X that he was aware of the incident and was en route to the bridge. "Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway," he said.

The 1.6 mile, 4-lane bridge named for the author of the "Star-Spangled Banner," was the second-longest continuous-truss bridge span in the United States and third in the world.

Follow here for live updates → Baltimore's Key Bridge collapses after ship collision; rescue effort underway

Photos show collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore

Videos show francis scott key bridge's collapse.

The bridge's collapse, which came after it was struck by a container ship, was distributed on social media.

What did the Francis Scott Key Bridge look like before it was hit?

Contributing: Charles Ventura, Thao Nguyen and Susan Miller, USA TODAY .

Six presumed dead after cargo ship crash levels Baltimore bridge

BALTIMORE — A major Baltimore bridge collapsed like a house of cards early Tuesday after it was struck by a container ship, sending six people to their deaths in the dark waters below, and closing one of the country’s busiest ports.

By nightfall, the desperate search for six people who were working on the bridge and vanished when it fell apart had become a grim search for bodies.

“We do not believe that we’re going to find any of these individuals still alive,” Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon N. Gilreath said.

Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president of Brawner Builders, said earlier that one of his workers had survived. He did not release their names.

Up until then, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore had held out hope that the missing people might be found even as law enforcement warned that the frigid water and the fact that there had been no sign of them since 1:30 a.m. when the ship struck Francis Scott Key Bridge.

Moore expressed heartbreak after officials suspended the search for survivors.

"Our heart goes out to the families," he said. "I can’t imagine how painful today has been for these families, how painful these hours have been have been for these families."

It was a crushing blow to the loved ones of the missing men, who had waited for hours at a Royal Farms convenience store near the entrance of the bridge for word of their fate. 

Follow live updates on the Baltimore bridge collapse

The tragic chain of events began early Tuesday when the cargo ship Dali notified authorities that it had lost power and issued a mayday moments before the 984-foot vessel slammed into a bridge support at a speed of 8 knots, which is about 9 mph.

Moore declared a state of emergency while rescue crews using sonar detected at least five vehicles in the frigid 50-foot-deep water: three passenger cars, a cement truck and another vehicle of some kind. Authorities do not believe anyone was inside the vehicles.

Investigators quickly concluded that it was an accident and not an act of terrorism.

Ship was involved in another collision

Earlier, two people were rescued from the water, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said. One was in good condition and refused treatment, he said. The other was seriously injured and was being treated in a trauma center.

Moore said other drivers might have been in the water had it not been for those who, upon hearing the mayday, blocked off the bridge and kept other vehicles from crossing.

“These people are heroes,” Moore said. “They saved lives.”

Nearly eight years ago, the Dali was involved in an accident. In July 2016, it struck a quay at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, damaging the quay.

The nautical commission investigated the accident, but the details of the inquiry were not immediately clear Tuesday.

The Dali is operated and managed by Synergy Group. In a statement, the company said that two port pilots were at the helm during Tuesday's crash and that all 22 crew members onboard were accounted for.

The Dali was chartered by the Danish shipping giant Maersk, which said it would have no choice but to send its ships to other nearby ports with the Port of Baltimore closed.

The bridge, which is about a mile and a half long and carries Interstate 695 over the Patapsco River southeast of Baltimore, was "fully up to code," Moore said.

National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said that her agency will lead the investigation and that a data recorder on the ship could provide more information.

"But right now we're focusing on the people, on the families," she said. "The rest can wait."

President Joe Biden vowed to rebuild the bridge and send federal funds.

"This is going to take some time," the president warned. "The people of Baltimore can count on us though to stick with them, at every step of the way, till the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt."

Speaking in Baltimore, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg echoed the president's promise.

"This is no ordinary bridge," he said. "This is one of the cathedrals of American infrastructure."

But Buttigieg warned that replacing the bridge and reopening the port will take time and money and that it could affect supply chains.

The Port of Baltimore, the 11th largest in the U.S., is the busiest port for car imports and exports, handling more than 750,000 vehicles in 2023 alone, according to data from the Maryland Port Administration.

Writer David Simon, a champion of Baltimore who set his TV crime drama "The Wire" on the streets of the city he once covered as a reporter, warned online that the people who will suffer the most are those whose livelihoods depend on the port.

"Thinking first of the people on the bridge," Simon posted on X . "But the mind wanders to a port city strangling. All the people who rely on ships in and out."

Timeline of crash

Dramatic video captured the moment at 1:28 a.m. Tuesday when the Dali struck a support and sent the bridge tumbling into the water. A livestream showed cars and trucks on the bridge just before the strike. The ship did not sink, and its lights remained on.

Investigators said in a timeline that the Dali's lights suddenly shut off four minutes earlier before they came back on and that then, at 1:25 a.m. dark black smoke began billowing from the ship's chimney.

A minute later, at 1:26 a.m., the ship appeared to turn. And in the minutes before it slammed into the support, the lights flickered again.

Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said the workers on the bridge were repairing concrete ducts when the ship crashed into the structure.

At least seven workers were pouring concrete to fix potholes on the roadway on the bridge directly above where the ship hit, said James Krutzfeldt, a foreman.

Earlier, the Coast Guard said it had received a report that a “motor vessel made impact with the bridge” and confirmed it was the Dali, a containership sailing under a Singaporean flag that was heading for Sri Lanka.

Bobby Haines, who lives in Dundalk in Baltimore County, said he felt the impact of the bridge collapse from his house nearby.

"I woke up at 1:30 this morning and my house shook, and I was freaking out," he said. "I thought it was an earthquake, and to find out it was a bridge is really, really scary."

Families of bridge workers wait for updates

Earlier in the day, relatives of the construction crew waited for updates on their loved ones.

Marian Del Carmen Castellon told Telemundo her husband, Miguel Luna, 49, was working on the bridge.

“They only tell us that we have to wait and that they can’t give us information,” she said.

Castellon said she was "devastated, devastated because our heart is broken, because we don’t know how they have been rescued yet. We are just waiting for the news."

Luna's co-worker Jesús Campos said he felt crushed, too.

“It hurts my heart to see what is happening. We are human beings, and they are my folks,” he said.

Campos told The Baltimore Banner that the missing men are from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.

Active search and rescue ends

The Coast Guard said it was suspending the active search-and-rescue effort at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

"Coast Guard’s not going away, none of our partners are going away, but we’re just going to transition into a different phase," Gilreath said at a news conference.

Maryland State Police Superintendent Roland L. Butler, Jr., said it was moving to a recovery operation. Changing conditions have made it dangerous for divers, he said. 

Butler pledged to "do our very best to recover those six missing people," but the conditions are difficult.

"If we look at how challenging it is at a simple motor vehicle crash to extract an individual, I'm sure we can all imagine how much harder it is to do it in inclement weather, when it's cold, under the water, with very limited to no visibility," he said.

"There's a tremendous amount of debris in the water," which can include sharp metal and other hazards, and that could take time, Butler said.

'A long road in front of us'

Built in 1977 and referred to locally as the Key Bridge, the structure was later named after the author of the American national anthem.

The bridge is more than 8,500 feet long, or 1.6 miles. Its main section spans 1,200 feet, and it was one of the longest continuous truss bridges in the world upon its completion, according to the National Steel Bridge Alliance .

About 31,000 vehicles a day use the bridge, which equals 11.3 million vehicles per year, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.

The river and the Port of Baltimore are both key to the shipping industry on the East Coast, generating more than $3.3 billion a year and directly employing more than 15,000 people.

Asked what people in Baltimore can expect going forward, the state's transportation secretary said it is too early to tell.

"Obviously we reached out to a number of engineering companies, so obviously we have a long road in front of us," Wiedefeld said.

Julia Jester reported from Baltimore, Patrick Smith from London, Corky Siemaszko from New York and Phil Helsel from Los Angeles.

Julia Jester is a producer for NBC News based in Washington, D.C.

Patrick Smith is a London-based editor and reporter for NBC News Digital.

Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.

Corky Siemaszko is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital.