wallywhy100: A ~70-foot semidisplacement cruiser offering seamless indoor‑outdoor flow, a frameless‑glass aft enclosure, and a full‑beam amidships master.
Absolute Navetta 53: A semidisplacement yacht with twin IPS650 drives, drop‑down windows, solar hardtop, and a three‑stateroom layout.
Aquila 46 Coupe: A 46‑foot semi‑foiling catamaran with Hydro Glide Foil System, twin Verado V12s, and 42+ knot performance.
Riviera 6800 SY Platinum Edition:  A rugged Australian build with resin‑infused hull, watertight bulkhead, and twin IPS1350s.
Benetti B.Now 50M: A 163‑ft ocean‑crossing trideck with Oasis Deck beach club, plunge pool, and five staterooms.
Ferretti Yachts 670: A 67‑ft flybridge cruiser with nearly 360° glazing, twin MAN diesels reaching 32 knots, and flexible galley layout.
Pardo GT75: A 75‑ft Italian‑styled sport cruiser with triple‑engine performance, retractable glass roof, and custom‑friendly layouts.
Aquila 50 Power Catamaran: A 50‑foot powercat with a 21‑knot cruise, ~2,000 nm range, spray‑reducing hull, and hydraulic tender garage.
Sunseeker Predator 55: A sporty IPS‑powered cruiser offering 37‑knot speed, quiet 64 dB cruise, tender garage, and sunroof.
Princess Yachts S80:  An 80‑ft high‑speed superyacht cruiser with twin 2,000 hp MANs, optional hardtop flybridge, and full‑beam master suite.

wallywhy100

The Wallywhy100 represents a refined approach to semidisplacement cruising, focusing on comfort, interior–exterior flow, and slower‑paced enjoyment. At approximately 70 feet, the yacht features sweeping lines and a unique frameless‑glass aft enclosure that integrates the wet bar and lounge, creating a seamless entertaining space. The full‑beam master suite amidships offers expansive views and an en suite head, providing residential comfort. Luca Bassani’s guiding philosophy emphasizes relaxed cruising rather than high speed, reflected in the hull’s optimized displacement form. Ideal for owners who value style, sophistication, and fluid indoor‑outdoor transition, the Wallywhy100 delivers a minimalist, loft‑like feel rarely seen in this size range. She provides enough performance to outrun weather but primarily invites guests to glide along in comfort and elegance.

Read the full review

• Hull optimized for displacement and semidisplacement cruising speeds
• Frameless‑glass aft screens integrate wet bar and lounge
• Full‑beam owner’s stateroom amidships with en‑suite head

Absolute Navetta 53

The Absolute Navetta 53 builds upon its popular 52‑foot predecessor with refined semidisplacement performance and enhanced livability. Twin Volvo Penta IPS650 engines deliver performance exceeding 24 knots, while wide walkaround decks and a hydraulic swim platform improve usability. Below decks, light oak veneers, drop‑down side windows, and eco‑conscious solar integration create a bright, residential ambiance. Her three‑stateroom layout, including a full‑beam owner’s suite, is complemented by flexible deck zones and strong natural light throughout. Designed for couples or families seeking autonomy and comfort, the Navetta 53 balances ease of handling with ample space and elegant design.

Read the full review

• Twin IPS650 engines provide 24+ knot top speed
• Salon features drop‑down windows and solar panels on hardtop
• Three‑stateroom layout with full‑beam master suite

Aquila 46 Coupe

Aquila’s 46 Coupe is a cutting‑edge semi‑foiling catamaran that delivers foiling‑assisted stability and performance. At approximately 46 feet, she combines twin 600 hp Mercury Verado V12 outboards with a semi‑foiling hull that lifts around 17 knots, smoothing the ride while boosting efficiency. Despite her slender profile, the yacht delivers exhilarating speeds—over 42 knots at max—and provides a spacious cockpit, comfortable salon, and forward lounging area. The open layout, optional electric davit, and fuel‑efficient foiling system make this cat a compelling choice for performance‑oriented day‑cruisers and owner‑operators.

Read the full review

• Semi‑foiling hull with Hydro Glide Foil System for lift and efficiency
• Top speed exceeds 42 knots; cruising at around 33 knots
• Voluminous cockpit, optional electric davit, open‑salon design

Riviera 6800 SY Platinum Edition

The Riviera 6800 Sport Yacht Platinum Edition embodies rugged Australian build quality paired with luxury. Its resin‑infused hull includes a watertight collision bulkhead for added safety. Featuring both three‑ and four‑stateroom layouts, the interior is entertaining‑ready and refined, with a full galley and hydraulic swim platform. Twin Volvo Penta IPS1350 engines provide a top speed of around 33 knots, and joystick steering aids maneuverability. Designed for owners who appreciate durability, entertaining‑ready spaces, and strong performance, this yacht balances comfort with capability at sea.

Read the full review

• Resin‑infused hull with watertight bulkheads
• Twin Volvo Penta IPS1350 diesels deliver 33‑knot top speed
• Choose three‑ or four‑stateroom layouts and a cockpit galley

Benetti B.Now 50M

The Benetti B.Now 50M is a 163‑foot ocean‑crossing trideck motoryacht designed for long‑range capability and social living. One standout feature is the Oasis Deck—a 1,250‑square‑foot beach club with glass‑fronted plunge pool and fold‑down terraces. The exterior, styled by RWD and engineered by Plana, combines steel and aluminum for both elegance and range. Accommodating up to 12 guests in five staterooms, including an owner’s suite with private terrace, she offers ample deck zones and entertaining areas. Twin 1,400 hp MAN V12s grant a top speed of 15 knots and a transatlantic range around 3,800 nm—ideal for global cruising with luxury.

Read the full review

• Oasis Deck includes beach club, glass plunge pool, fold‑down terraces
• Steel‑and-aluminum construction
• Five staterooms including owner’s suite with private terrace

Ferretti Yachts 670

The Ferretti 670 is an updated version of the popular 2019 model with enhanced light, visibility and layout flexibility. Twin MAN engines (1,000 hp or 1,200 hp) provide cruise speeds of 25to 28 knots and a top speed of 32 knots. The glazed superstructure enhances natural light and visibility, while belowdecks three staterooms accommodate six guests, including a full‑beam master suite. Adjustable layout options allow owners to choose between galley‑up or galley‑down configurations. The 670 is a sporty yet elegant choice for owner‑operators who prioritize performance without compromising luxury.

Read the full review

• Twin MAN diesels deliver 25 to 32-knot performance
• Nearly 360 degrees of glass for natural light and unobstructed visibility
• Optional galley‑up or galley‑down layouts with three staterooms

Pardo GT75

Pardo’s flagship GT75 is a 75‑foot sports cruiser showcasing triple‑engines and modern Italian styling. Developed by Zuccheri Yacht Design in tandem with Nauta Design, the GT75 combines sculpted exteriors with luxurious interiors and flexible layouts. A retractable glass roof allows the salon to open to the sky, while the interior offers customizable living zones designed for entertaining or family use. The GT75 balances speed and sophistication, making it ideal for owners seeking both thrilling performance and stylish comfort at sea.

Read the full review

• Triple‑engine setup for sporty performance
• Retractable glass roof and high‑gloss interior finishes
• Flexible layouts crafted by Zuccheri and Nauta for owner customization

Aquila 50 Power Catamaran

The Aquila 50 Power Catamaran merges catamaran stability with powerboat practicality in a 50‑foot package. Featuring a comfortable 21‑knot cruise speed and nearly 2,000‑nautical‑mile range, she is built for extended offshore passages. The hull design minimizes spray, and wide lounges on the foredeck, cockpit, and salon create versatile social spaces. Owner‑operators will appreciate the hydraulic tender garage and efficient layout, making the 50 Power Catamaran a standout performer in the long‑range cruising category.

Read the full review

• 21‑knot cruise speed with near‑2,000-nm range
• Spray‑reducing hull and spacious social zones
• Hydraulic tender garage and efficient layout for cruising

Sunseeker Predator 55

The Predator 55 is Sunseeker’s entry‑level performance cruiser, offering twin Volvo Penta IPS950 engines that deliver a top speed of 37 knots. At a cruising speed of 18 knots, onboard noise levels remain low at approximately 64 decibels. The yacht also features a versatile galley layout, tender garage, and sunroof, making it ideal for family outings and weekend escapes. A sporty profile and refined details position the Predator 55 as a strong choice for those seeking both dynamic performance and comfort.

Read the full review

• Twin Volvo Penta IPS950 diesels provide 37‑knot top speed
• Quiet cruising at approximately 64 dB at 18 knots
• Tender garage, sunroof and flexible galley arrangements

Princess Yachts S80

The Princess S80 is a sporty superyacht‑style cruiser with twin 2,000 hp MAN diesels enabling speeds up to 35 knots. She features an optional hardtop flybridge, dynamic exterior lines, and interior appointments that rival larger superyachts. The dual‑deck layout includes a spacious salon, full‑beam master suite, and multiple entertainment zones, making her a versatile vessel for high‑speed cruising with luxury onboard.

Read the full review

• Twin 2,000 hp MAN diesels for 35‑knot performance
• Optional hardtop flybridge and superyacht‑quality interior
• Dual‑deck layout with full‑beam master and entertainment areas

The post 10 Yachts Reviewed For 2025 appeared first on Yachting.

Benetti has launched the 144-foot M/Y Fortitude¹, the largest fiberglass model constructed at the builder’s Viareggio, Italy, shipyard.

M/Y Fortitude comes via a long-term collaboration between three key partners: Benetti, an experienced, and previous Benetti owner, and Cassetta Yacht Designers studio. The design team was responsible for the yacht’s exterior lines as well as its interior spaces.

The ceremonial slipway launch of M/Y Fortitude¹ represents the culmination of the vessel’s construction and the beginning of the yacht’s life at sea.

“The launch of M/Y Fortitude is the perfect example of our shipyard’s ability to interpret and translate the owners’ dream into tangible projects, delivering a Benetti that, in every detail, is an extension of their personality,” stated Daniela Petrozzi, sales director at Benetti, in a press release.

The interior design of M/Y Fortitude¹ focuses on natural light, which enters through the expansive use of glazing. One particular interior highlight is the white marble sole on the main deck, which works in concert with the light-toned color palette to create a welcoming, relaxed vibe.

Some of the yacht’s owner-driven highlights include a panoramic skylounge, a beach club and an aft main deck focused on entertaining and relaxation. 

The exterior of M/Y Fortitude¹ has highly customized outdoor decks including a large forward sun pad on the upper deck, designed for the owner to take in panoramic views.

M/Y Fortitude¹ is scheduled for delivery this summer.

The post Benetti Launches 44 M/Y <em>Fortitude¹</em> appeared first on Yachting.

Benetti has launched FB615, a 164-foot superyacht from the B.Now 50M family that showcases the builder’s Oasis Deck® design  This yacht is the result of a collaboration with British design studio RWD, marking their first full partnership on both exterior and interior design within the B.Now 50M line.

“Together with RWD, whose deep understanding of the B.Now philosophy made them the ideal partner for this project, including the interior design, we crafted a yacht that not only meets but exceeds the owner’s expectations, the result of close teamwork carried out in collaboration with Burgess as the client’s representative,” stated Daniela Petrozzi, Benetti Sales Director, in a press release.

This sentiment was echoed by Barry Gray, Technical Representative at Burgess, who noted: “The enormous success of the B.Now series reflects how this RWD design exceptionally delivers on the desires and needs of today’s modern yacht buyer. It has been a pleasure to work with our discerning client and the inimitable Italian powerhouse Benetti.”

The yacht’s design was tailored to the owner’s vision, with a focus on creating a balance between elegance and functionality. The interior is crafted to suit both family gatherings and intimate moments. 

This FB165’s design underscores a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, especially on the main deck, where the salon opens to the Oasis Deck®, pool and fold-down terraces.

Amy Whitaker, lead designer at RWD for the project, shared her experience: “Working on the interiors of FB615 has been an exciting journey. The synergy we created with the clients and Benetti enabled us to develop a unique interior that is a canvas designed to evolve over time with artwork and decorative objects.”

FB615 is expected to be delivered to its owners this summer.

The post Benetti Launches FB615 appeared first on Yachting.

Legacy, at its heart, is about a bequest. It’s the act of leaving something from the past that might affect the future. Legacy can be small or large, fleeting or long-lasting, woefully insignificant or deeply meaningful. The individuals whose legacies live on the longest tend to be remembered as visionaries, with deaths that mark a before-and-after line in all of our lives.

For people all around the world who love to enjoy the water aboard yachts, Paolo Vitelli’s death in December left that type of mark. The founder of Azimut Yachts who went on to build the globally dominant Azimut Benetti Group died following an accident at home in Italy. He was 77.

“He had an overabundance of excitement about creating boats and coming up with ideas about boats,” says Yachting Editor-in-Chief Patrick Sciacca. “There are people who have jobs, and there are people who have purpose. He had an energy that flowed off of him. He loved what he did. You could feel it.”

Vitelli was born in Turin, Italy, in 1947. At first, he attempted the nightclub business, but then used his earnings to rent a boat and explore the coast—an experience he loved so much, and repeated so often, that people started asking him how they could do it too. At age 21, Vitelli founded Azimut Srl as a charter business before he had graduated from college.

Soon, Azimut was a brokerage and then an importer of boats from Northern Europe and England. The business then evolved into construction with Italian style. Vitelli launched a series of Azimut builds in the mid-1970s, including his first model, the fiberglass AZ 43 Bali. In 1977, he premiered the AZ 32 with features that many people take for granted today, such as a raised wheelhouse and an opening sunroof. He didn’t think of these early boats as luxurious, but instead as ways to help people get on the water.

Vitelli next expanded the Azimut range up to the Failaka 105—at the time, the largest fiberglass boat ever built, ushering in an era of mass production for larger fiberglass yachts. Various hulls of the Failaka 105 were sold to prominent people worldwide, including a Middle Eastern prince and the Onassis family, putting Vitelli in a position to expand further.

In 1985, he acquired another Italian brand: Benetti. That shipyard had been turning out everything from commercial vessels to private yachts for more than a century, and had gained international fame with the 282-foot Nabila—at the time, the largest private yacht in the world. It had a futuristic silver hull that turned heads in every harbor and had been shown in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again, but it also represented a financial loss for Benetti, which ended up filing for bankruptcy after the delivery. Vitelli purchased what was left of Benetti, scooped up the yard’s reputation for innovation, and merged the businesses into Azimut Benetti Group.

That move laid the groundwork for the company that today reports revenues of about $1.3 billion and 20 percent share in the global mega-yacht market. Vitelli achieved that success by focusing on innovations, expansions and promotions throughout the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. He embraced competition at a time when all kinds of advancements were being made in powerboat design and systems creation, from transatlantic racing to sustainability.

In recent years, Vitelli was a vocal champion of eco-friendly powerboating. He talked frequently about how he cruised in the Mediterranean each summer and thought the entire coastline could be better protected for future generations to enjoy.

Vitelli thought about legacy in other ways too. In 2023, his daughter, Giovanna Vitelli, succeeded her father and became chairwoman of Azimut Benetti Group—a fact that Paolo Vitelli said made him immensely proud, as he was able to hand over the family-run company with no major drama, no significant restructuring and no intervention from banks. His vision of eco-friendly cruising remains core to the group’s plans, with work on HVO biofuel and hybrid technologies. Half of Azimut’s fleet includes low-emission yachts with four levels of electrification, such as full hybrid. Benetti offers hybrid versions of almost its entire range, and the B.Yond line achieves significant carbon-dioxide reductions compared to conventional yachts, as does the Azimut Seadeck series.

Giovanna Vitelli recently marked the quarter-century history of the group her father created by saying: “Twenty-five years at the top of the sector represent a true record within a record, a testament to our unwavering entrepreneurial vision, which is based on an organic, resilient and sustainable growth strategy aimed at creating durable value that lasts over time.”

She will now carry on her father’s legacy. Hopefully, for many more years to come.

The post Honoring Azimut Yachts Founder Paolo Vitelli appeared first on Yachting.

With its positively raked bow, vertical bridge windows, sweeping buttresses and striking fashion plates, the steel-and-aluminum Benetti B.Now 50M cuts a contemporary dash. The design of this 163-foot-9-inch trideck marries Plana naval architecture with an overall concept and exterior by UK-based studio RWD. The latter does not only the big shapes well, but also the detailing that so often makes the difference between a good yacht and a spectacular one.

One big feature makes this yacht design sing: the Oasis Deck option. The first few B.Now 50Ms didn’t have it, but the Oasis Deck will be on 15 of the 20 sold to date. They include Hull No. 9, Asani, which is the B.Now 50M that I got aboard.

The Oasis Deck has 1,250 square feet of beach club with a 270-degree panorama astern. There are multilevel terraces, fold-down wing decks, and a wide swim platform with a plunge-pool focus. The pool is no token either. It measures almost 12-by-9 feet with an all-glass aft wall that displays the yacht’s name and home port.

And that’s just one of the yacht’s outdoor entertainment zones. The bridge deck has lounging and sunbathing on a forward terrace, an alfresco dining space and more sunbathing space aft. Almost two-thirds of the sun deck has hardtop protection. There’s dining and sun-lounging space, a wet bar with stools and a hot tub forward. While Asani’s space planning was worked up between RWD and Benetti’s in-house team, its decorative inputs were chiefly conceived by two London-based firms: Bergman Design House and Lass Studio, both in close association with the yacht’s American owner. The idea was to create a neutral base, which is why the yacht has a light-dark contemporary vibe. Joinery is mostly oak, either light or stained dark. Calacatta marbles and leathers provide the principal contrasts. Furniture is mostly freestanding and comes largely from Interdecor Design.

In the main salon, there’s a more formal lounge aft with a dining area forward—a conventional layout compared to most of the other B.Now 50Ms. The sky lounge feels a bit more informal with an L-shaped sofa, big-screen TV, games table and two-stool bar.

The owner’s stateroom aboard Asani is rather special. It’s full-beam and forward on the main deck with a dressing room, a forward-facing king berth, corner sofas, a desk, and a marble bathroom with a freestanding oval bathtub in addition to the shower stall and twin basins. Electric sliding glass doors to starboard reveal a private 14-foot balcony with a deck chair, coffee table and rain shower. It’s the perfect spot for “me time.” I prefer this narrow style of balcony to the fold-down variety, which is more exposed.

Four guest staterooms are on the lower deck: two doubles and two convertible twins. A twin-berth cabin on the bridge deck can serve overspill guests, although Asani will reportedly use it to enhance service. Instead of running with 12 guests and 10 crew, the plan is for 10 guests, 10 crew and two private staff. Asani’s captain was previously with a 230-foot Abeking and Rasmussen, and the chief officer comes from an even bigger Lürssen.

The captain’s cabin is on the bridge deck, while crew quarters are forward on the lower deck, including a single-berth cabin for the chief officer. Crew areas have discreet access to all decks on the port side via stairs up and down to a professional main-deck galley. Fine dining is said to be especially important to the owner. There are pantries on the main and upper decks to enhance service even further.

Tenders are on the foredeck with high bulwarks for privacy. The fretted apertures look just like the line of hullside windows. There’s room for a 20-foot jet tender, an outboard-powered rescue RIB and a pair of Sea-Doos. Enclosed stowage is in the “adventure room” abaft the engine room and beneath the cockpit. It holds stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, Seabobs, wetsuits and diving gear.

Propulsion is twin 1,400 hp V-12 MANs, and straight ZF gearboxes and shafts. They reportedly provide a top speed of 15 knots and a sweet spot around 12.5 knots, with total fuel consumption at a little over 50 gallons per hour. Range is 3,800 nautical miles. The quoted eco-range is 4,500 nm at 10 knots, more than enough for ocean crossings.

As this issue went to press, Asani had just crossed the Atlantic Ocean to arrive in St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands for its first proper Caribbean winter season. The 3,300 nm passage took a little more than 13 days.  

In Demand

Benetti’s B.Now 50M is proving popular. No fewer than 20 of these steel-and-aluminum tridecks have been ordered, and nine are afloat. The yard is handing one over every three months. Benetti says it can build these yachts 30 percent faster than the industry average. Hull No. 1, Iryna, was delivered in January 2022. Hull No. 9, Asani, was delivered in September 2024. The next available build slot is for late 2027 or early 2028.

Winning Formula

The Oasis Deck concept has proved a triumph for Benetti and UK yacht design studio RWD. The name was first used for Oasis Class 40M and 34M composite trideck models, launched in 2020 and 2022, respectively. Both models are still selling well. Oasis Decks have since become options aboard the B.Now 50M model and its larger siblings: the 57M, 60M, 67M and 72M.

Maximum Capacity

The open foredeck garage and the owner’s balcony on the starboard side fall outside any of the calculations of gross tonnage. Maximizing usable space aboard is the name of the game when designing yachts less than 500 gross tons. Straying above that threshold would have a big impact on build regulations and operational requirements, adding significant cost.

Take the next step: benettiyachts.it

The post Benetti B.Now 50M Reviewed appeared first on Yachting.

The owner of the 116-foot Benetti Abbentures III has dropped his yacht’s asking price to $10.9 million. The brokerage team at FGI Yacht Group recently made a point of noting how many price reductions the owner has made in less than a year.

As of June 20, 2024, the asking price for Abbentures III was $14.9 million.

On September 9, 2024, it was down to $13.9 million.

By October 28, 2024, the price had dropped to $12.9 million.

As of February 5, 2025, it was reduced again, to $12.4 million.

In the days before the Palm Beach show opened, the owner was asking $10.9 million.

Abbentures III is a 2021 build. According to FGI Yacht Group, it was ordered from the Italian shipyard “specifically for North American use. Her furnishings and accessories are truly one-of-a-kind, reflecting her exclusive history of private family cruising between Florida and Boston.”

The five-stateroom layout can accommodate as many as 12 guests, and there are separate quarters for seven crew. Photographs on the FGI website show a light, bright interior décor with natural-tone woodwork and cream-colored soft goods.

Power is a pair of MAN engines with a reported stop speed of 15 knots and a cruise speed of 10 knots.

What are the other key specs on Abbentures III? The yacht’s beam is 24 feet, 7 inches, and it has a draft of 7 feet, 1 inch. Gross tonnage is 271.

Take the next step: contact a yacht broker at fgiyachtgroup.com

The post Once $14.9 Million, Now $10.9 Million appeared first on Yachting.

The brokerage team at HMY Yachts have listed the Benetti Vision 145 for sale with an asking price of $9.9 million.

The 2008 model named Justa Delia is Hull No. 10 of the Vision Series yachts designed by Stefano Righini and built by Benetti Yachts located in Toulon, France. The brokerage team said that the Italian yacht builder’s Vision Series yachts were designed for “quiet cruising in ultimate luxury.”

The vessel has recently completed an extensive refit in 2024, and has been consistently upgraded by just two previous owners. This refit includes a complete paint job, new electronics, engine service, generator overhauls and new lighting amid other interior and exterior upgrades.

Justa Delia sports a fiberglass hull, and is 145 feet long with 30.8 feet of beam and 8.9 feet of draft. She is capable of a 15-knot top speed.

The vessel can accommodate up to 12 guests in en-suite cabins and up to 10 crew in five additional en-suite cabins. A private retreat off the master stateroom and a sundeck make up her two after deck lounges.

Where is Justa Delia located? The yacht is currently lying in Charleston, South Carolina. 

Take the next step: contact the listing agent, Nicholas MacPherson, at (954) 591-5741 or via email at nmacpherson@hmy.com, 

Quick Specifications

• Length Overall: 145’
• Beam: 30’8”
• Fuel Capacity: 16,600 gal.
• Draft: 9’

The post For Sale: 2008 Benetti Vision 145 appeared first on Yachting.

Italian boatbuilding powerhouse Azimut Benetti has signed a partnership with Ogyre, which recovers plastic waste from the sea. The idea is to work on collecting plastic from the oceans, as well as to start a feasibility study for a new marine waste collection hub in Tuscany, Italy.

Goals include collecting 18,000 pounds of plastic from the seas in 2025 through the work of local fishing communities. At the same time, the feasibility study will explore how Ogyre could operate a marine waste collection hub in a way that involves institutions and the community, thus spreading a greater culture of respect for the environment.

The move by Azimut Benetti comes after numerous other actions to support sustainability in yachting. The group’s brands, most notably, have helped to reduce carbon dioxide emissions on yachts. The marine waste collection hub in Tuscany would be located between Livorno and Viareggio, both major boatbuilding regions in Italy.

According to Azimut Benetti, the partnership with Ogyre is intended to protect the oceans on a global level. The waste collection will be concentrated in three countries: Italy, Brazil and Indonesia, which are seriously affected by pollution.

The Mediterranean Sea’s semi-closed geography makes it more vulnerable to plastic accumulation, while in Brazil and Indonesia, there are highly contaminated rivers that transport large quantities of waste to the sea.

Ogyre collaborates with local fishing communities, providing them with equipment, logistical support, training and financial compensation. This operating model not only promotes the protection of the oceans, but also creates income opportunities and strengthens the resilience of coastal communities.

How much plastic is out there in the oceans, waiting to be collected? According to a World Wildlife Fund report, the Mediterranean has a density of microplastics that’s four times higher than the Pacific “plastic island.” Plastic makes up 95 percent of the waste present in the Mediterranean, in particular, along the stretch of sea by Tuscany, where sea currents are fed by the mouths of the Arno, Tiber and Sarno rivers.

Where to learn more: go to azimutbenetti.com

The post Azimut Benetti Partners with Ogyre appeared first on Yachting.

Paolo Vitelli, who founded Azimut Yachts and went on to create the powerhouse Azimut-Benetti Group, died December 31, 2024. According to local news reports, he suffered a fall at home in Italy. He was 77.

Vitelli was born in Turin, Italy, in 1947. His family included numerous entrepreneurs, but his father, seeing Vitelli’s performance in school, lacked confidence in him and once suggested that he manage a telephone company. Instead, Vitelli went to London, learned English and discovered the nightclub scene. He tried to replicate it in Italy by opening his own nightclub there.

The young Vitelli then used his earnings from that venture to rent a boat and explore the coast. He loved the experience and became such a frequent renter of boats that people started asking him how to do it.

So, when he was 21 years old, Vitelli founded Azimut Srl as a sailing and yacht-chartering business, before he had even graduated from his studies in economics and commerce. In later years, Vitelli described showing his father Azimut’s first balance sheet, making his father proud.

At first, Azimut Yachts was a brokerage and then an importer of boats, bringing models into Italy from shipyards based in Northern Europe and England. It was an era when the mass production of reliable, safe boats was still evolving on both sides of the Atlantic, with leaders in the modern recreational marine industry still establishing basic standards for how boats should be built. Vitelli’s timing upon entering the marketplace coincided not only with the public’s desire to have boats they could count on, but also with an increasing appreciation for Italian taste and style.

Vitelli launched a series of Azimut-built boats in the mid-1970s, including his first model, the AZ 43 Bali. It was built in fiberglass, a material that, by then, was beginning to dominate boatbuilding all around the world.

He followed that model in 1977 with the AZ 32, which captured boaters’ imaginations thanks to features that many people take for granted today, such as a raised wheelhouse and an opening sunroof. Back then, those types of features could be considered significant creature comforts. Years later, Vitelli told the Financial Times that “those early boats were for sending people to sea. They were not for luxury living.”

Still, those early successes encouraged Vitelli to expand the Azimut range, which was as small as 26 feet length overall and soon went up to the Failaka 105—at the time, the largest fiberglass boat ever built, ushering in an era of mass production for larger fiberglass yachts. Various hulls of the Failaka 105 were sold to prominent people worldwide, including a Middle Eastern prince and the Onassis family.

Vitelli had gained a solid foothold for exporting boats to North America and other parts of the world, including Southeast Asia and the Middle East—putting his company in a position to capitalize when a major opportunity emerged for expansion.

Acquisition of Benetti

Vitelli supercharged the future of his business in 1985 with the acquisition of another Italian brand: Benetti.

Viareggio-based Benetti had been turning out everything from commercial vessels to private yachts for more than a century, and had gained international fame with the launch of the 282-foot Nabila. At the time, Nabila was the largest private yacht in the world. It had a futuristic silver hull that turned heads in every harbor, and it had been shown in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again—but it also represented a financial loss for Benetti, which ended up filing for bankruptcy after the delivery.

Vitelli purchased what was left of Benetti, scooped up the yard’s reputation for innovation, and merged the businesses into Azimut-Benetti Group. That move laid the groundwork for the company that today reports revenues of about $1.3 billion and 20 percent share in the global megayacht market.

Achieving the current level of success took decades more work. Vitelli focused on innovations, expansions and promotions throughout the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. He embraced competition at a time when all kinds of advancements were being made in powerboat design and systems creation, with the need to stay at the forefront of technology and onboard enhancements remaining a constant factor.

For instance, in 1988—when numerous powerboat enthusiasts and builders were competing to cross the Atlantic Ocean—Azimut’s Atlantic Challenger powerboat made headlines for achieving the goal without needing to refuel mid-ocean.

Vitelli explained in a book about the Italian boatbuilding industry: “The purchase of Benetti gave Azimut worldwide resonance. It seemed to me the time to do something to consolidate and expand this reputation with a valid initiative in terms of communication and technology. I decided to launch a challenge to cross the Atlantic without refueling and win the prestigious award for the fastest Atlantic crossings, the Blue Ribbon.”

In the 2000s, Vitelli continued to make acquisitions, such as purchasing the Italian shipyard Gobbi. In 2009, Azimut-Benetti acquired the Brazilian yachtbuilder Intermarine. Vitelli added all the knowledge and capacity from those companies into Azimut-Benetti Group’s overall operations.

Vitelli also became among the more vocal champions of eco-friendly powerboating. He talked frequently about how he cruised in the Mediterranean each summer and thought the entire coastline could be better protected for future generations to enjoy. He explored the use of emerging technologies, from propulsion to high-performance hull design, and began to incorporate carbon fiber into the boatbuilding process as a way to reduce vessel weight for better fuel economy.

Benetti launched its first diesel-electric yacht in 2006: the 213-foot Ambrosia. In 2009, Azimut introduced its Magellano collection as an eco-friendly, long-range cruiser with bigger windows and guest spaces, more substantial galleys and extra stowage. The first model was the Magellano 74, marketed as a crossover yacht for all-weather cruising. Vitelli said at the time that the collection demonstrated “a trend away from show-off boats and an increase in the desirability of slower styles of yachts.”

Another advancement came in 2015, when the Azimut Fly 72 launched with an all-carbon superstructure, increasing volume and reducing weight in ways that continued to enhance the onboard experience along with efficiency underway.

In 2019, Vitelli revealed that he had been working with Siemens to develop a hybrid propulsion system with a goal of saving as much as 15 percent on energy use while allowing for silent cruising.

Creative thinking was also a constant element in discussions about how to design and construct larger models. Significant investments in shipyards and staff allowed Benetti to deliver three “gigayachts” in just 100 days during 2019, with each yacht being more than 325 feet long.

In 2021, Azimut’s Grande Trideck launched with not one, but four levels of cascading terraces, augmenting the trends in ever-expanding aft beach clubs. By 2022, when Hull No. 1 the Benetti B.Yond 37M appeared at international yacht shows—sporting Vitelli’s vision of combining a steel hull, long range, immense volume and four decks into just 121 feet of length overall—about a dozen contracts had already been inked for the model.

And, true to Vitelli’s earliest roots in the industry, recent years also saw the creation of the Azimut Charter Club, with a concierge service to help people book newer-model Azimuts for rental experiences. Just as he had started by renting boats himself, Vitelli continued to see value in helping today’s vacationers experience the cruising lifestyle.

“He had an overabundance of excitement about creating boats and coming up with ideas about boats,” says Yachting Editor-in-Chief Patrick Sciacca. “There are people who have jobs, and there are people who have purpose. He had an energy that flowed off of him. He loved what he did. You could feel it.”

A Legacy Built to Last

In 2023, Vitelli’s daughter, Giovanna Vitelli, succeeded her father and became chairwoman of Azimut-Benetti Group—a fact that Paolo Vitelli said made him immensely proud, as he was able to hand over the family-run company with no major drama, no significant restructuring, and no intervention from banks.

His vision of eco-friendly cruising remains core to the Azimut-Benetti Group’s future plans, with work being done on HVO biofuel and hybrid technologies. Half of Azimut’s fleet includes low-emission yachts with four levels of electrification, including full hybrid. Benetti offers hybrid versions of almost its entire range; in just the Benetti B.Yond line, among the 13 units sold, seven are hybrids. That B.Yond line achieves significant carbon-dioxide reductions compared to conventional yachts, as does the Azimut Seadeck series.

Less than a month before Vitelli’s death, Azimut-Benetti Group signed an agreement with Ogyre, aiming to collect 18,000 pounds of plastic from the seas during 2025 and launching a feasibility study about the future collection of marine waste.

Giovanna Vitelli recently marked the quarter-century history of the group her father created by saying: “Twenty-five years at the top of the sector represent a true record within a record, a testament to our unwavering entrepreneurial vision which is based on an organic, resilient and sustainable growth strategy aimed at creating durable value that lasts over time.”

Resilience and an entrepreneurial vision were themes that Paolo Vitelli often spoke about himself. About five years ago, he told Superyacht Times that he saw a kindred spirit in Phil Knight after reading the Nike founder’s memoir Shoe Dog: “He basically says that success is based on overcoming adversity through determination and teamwork. I can vouch that these are the exact same factors behind the success of Azimut-Benetti.”

Around the same time, Vitelli told Daily Nautica that his life story was similar to the stories of countless other entrepreneurial people who strived to build and create, moving from one idea to the next: “As happens to all real entrepreneurs, after having reached an objective, I thought of the next one, and the next. Now, close to retirement age, I love to still dream big.”

As of financial year 2023-24, Azimut-Benetti Group had a backlog of orders that should keep the shipyards Vitelli developed busy into 2029, with a 2024-25 revenue target of about $1.56 billion.   

Upon the news of Vitelli’s death, publications worldwide called him a “global leader,” the “yacht king” and a “titan” of the yachting industry.

“His passion made him very special in this industry,” said Yachting’s editor-in-chief. “He took a lot of joy in always looking to create something new that people hadn’t seen before.”

When will memorial services be held for Paolo Vitelli? Details had not been announced as of this writing. Tributes and additional information are expected in the coming days at azimutbenetti.com

The post Remembering Paolo Vitelli: Boatbuilding Icon, 1947-2024 appeared first on Yachting.

Cofina, a 2016 132′ Benetti, is currently listed with HMY Yacht Sales for $15.75 million

The superyacht accommodates 12 guests in six staterooms, plus seven crew. It previously chartered with a weekly base-rate range of $145,000 to $155,000.

“The Benetti Classic Supreme 132 is part of the Italian builder’s Class line of megayachts, with offerings from 93 to 145 feet LOA. All are constructed of fiberglass, and all bear naval architecture by longtime Benetti collaborator Stefano Righini. So, too, do they all feature interior design by François Zuretti of Zuretti Design, though owners work with the designer to personalize the look,” Yachting previously reported.

Cofina‘s cockpit has a forward-facing sofa with tables and custom chairs for enjoying salty breezes while the bridge deck has an L-shaped sofa shaded by a bimini top and a dinette with 12 chairs for alfresco dining. The foredeck is set up with a C-shaped settee with table, sun pads and hot tub, and all areas can be shaded when desired.

The sundeck has four lounge chairs, two sofas and a few more custom chairs that provide plenty of options to rest, relax and catch some rays. The superyacht also has a beach club and tender garage.

Inside, the salon has two sofas and a custom chair as well as a flat-screen TV. Natural light flows into the space via side windows illuminating the decor’s neutral palette, warm-hued hardwood soles and light wood paneling. Formal dining is forward and there is a bar in the yacht’s sky lounge, which also has an L-shaped sofa and chairs.

Cofina’s galley amenities include the following:

• Miele oven 
• Miele microwave
• Frigomar refrigerator
• Frigomar freezer
• Two ice makers
• Miele Wine coolers
• Miele dishwasher

Cofina is powered by twin 1,450 hp MTU diesel engines paired to ZF3551 gearboxes and five-blade propellers. This superyacht tops out at 17.5 knots with a 14.5-knot cruise speed. At 10 knots, range is reportedly 3,500 nautical miles. 

Some of Cofina’s navigation and electronics gear include:

• Furuno radar
• Raytheon radar
• Navis 3000 autopilot
• Northrop Grumman Gyrocompass
• Northrop Grumman compass
• Skipper depthsounder
• Sailor SatNav
• Furuno GPS
• Furuno weatherfax Nautex
• Furuno airman weather station, 2024
• Sailor 900 VSAT Satcom
• Two each VIP voiceover internet lines VSAT system, 2024
• Sailor 6222 and 6240 VHF Fixed
• Two Sailor handheld VHFs
• Vington SP-21 intercom
• Starlink streaming, Direct TV, Netflix etc

This superyacht has six en suite staterooms for 12 guests. The on-deck owners’ stateroom has a king-size berth with a private study and seating area located forward on the main deck. One VIP stateroom is located on the upper deck, granting amazing views from the queen-size berth. Two VIP staterooms and two guest staterooms are found belowdecks. Cofina also has accommodations for seven crew.

HMY Yacht Sales stated, “Cofina’ is an amazing opportunity to purchase a turn key 2016 132’ Benetti Classic Supreme. As a semicustom model, she has been built with a six-cabin layout perfect for large families or charter. A freshly updated designer refit both to the interior and exterior soft goods create an open feeling with natural light from oversized windows and original Stefano Righini design. Expansive exterior decks offer relaxed living areas which easily accommodate a party of twelve either at the bow or up at the massive sundeck.”

Where is Cofina located? The yacht is currently lying in Fort Lauderdale,FL.

Take the next step: call or text the listing agent, Jack Robertson, (772) 260-1364, HMY Yachts

Quick Specifications

• Length Overall: 132′
• Maximum Beam: 26.83′
• Max Draft: 7.33′
• Cruising Speed: 14.5 knots
• Max Speed: 17.5 knots
• Hull Material: Fiberglass
• Engine Make: MTU
• Engine Model: 12V 2000 M72
• Fuel Type: Diesel
• Combined Horsepower: 2,900 hp
• Range: 3,500 nm @ 10 knots
• Fuel Capacity: 11,307 Gal.
• Freshwater Capacity: 1,902 Gal.

The post For Sale: 2016 Benetti 132 Classic Supreme appeared first on Yachting.