By Michael Verdon, Julia Zaltzman, and P. Ramakrishnan
Sailing Towards Sustainability
For a growing number of younger sailors, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword but the chief driver behind their new builds. Designers and shipyards understand that their vessels must now be the bleeding edge of green technology.
“The wonderful thing about sailing is that you can move a 50-ton vessel in style across the Atlantic without using fossil fuel,” says Anders Berg of Dixon Yacht Design, highlighting sailing’s windharnessing advantage over powerboats. A younger, more tech-savvy clientele has emerged, with “different expectations that are catalysing new technologies.”
“Our demographics changed tremendously after we started building hybrid boats,” notes Seth Hynes, president of HH Catamarans, a producer of luxury sailing cats from 44 to 88 feet. “We’re now looking at mostly younger buyers—families taking sabbaticals or first-time owners living off the grid.”
Hybrid propulsion has significantly lowered emissions compared to conventional diesel power, while solar panels designed into the exterior and lithium-ion batteries recharged by the spinning of the props are becoming integral to the latest generation of bespoke sailing yachts. Green technology is also trickling, albeit more slowly, into production sailboats.
In a reverse trend, designer Bill Tripp has seen motoryacht owners gravitate toward sailing vessels. “About a third of new clients at Y Yachts owned powerboats,” he explains, adding that the tech transfer represents a “seismic shift” during his 47 years as a naval architect: “There are great opportunities now for owners who approach this reflectively.”
One of Tripp’s clients is building a 70-foot “pure-electric” world-cruising sailboat with zero fossil-fuel components. But that remains rare. “Sailing’s still waiting for its Tesla moment, when batteries are light and powerful enough to make a boat independent,” he adds.
Nobody believes the demand for increased sustainability will fade. “It’s accelerating,” says Berg, citing a recent clean-sheet project he designed around emerging technology rather than trying to pigeonhole alternative-propulsion components into a traditional hull. “This new generation of owners want things nobody asked for five years ago,” adds Tripp. “They want, and will eventually get, perpetual-motion machines.”
Gigayacht
Kismet
The latest and largest Kismet is the third yacht of the same name for Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan. At 400 feet, it’s 88 feet longer than its predecessor, though it shares flash features such as a basketball court on the helipad, video walls, wild chandeliers, and a silver jaguar inlaid into the bowsprit. The interior by Reymond Langton is tastefully flamboyant. The full-beam, two-level owner’s apartment is accented in gold, tempered by the fireplace, marbled bathrooms, dressing rooms, and enormous skylight above the bed. Other over-the-top features include a cryotherapy chamber, a Bogányi grand piano on the upper deck, and a “Tron Corridor” with a dance floor that flashes pink and blue. The cinema may claim the Khan prize for coolest feature: Under the 150-inch television is a Nemo Lounge, a window to whatever is swimming outside.
Motoryacht
Wally
Wallywhy150
As the latest addition to the Wally fleet, the Wallywhy150 is a stunning 79-foot motoryacht that advances the design principles established by its predecessors. Studio Vallicelli Design was tapped to come up with the luxurious interiors, collaborating with the Wally-Ferretti Group team to create this cutting-edge vessel. Showcasing an ingenious layout that prioritises accessibility and flexibility, the Wallywhy150 features a master cabin on the main deck with expansive panoramic views and a unique split-level saloon that flows effortlessly onto an aft terrace—an embodiment of Wally’s signature “terrace-on-the-sea” concept. It also offers direct access to the sea at cockpit level, sans stairs—effectively a loft floating above the water.
Wally, a distinguished brand under the aegis of Ferretti Group, has consistently set the benchmark for innovation, seamlessly blending advanced technology with contemporary design. Engineered for stability and speed, the Wallywhy150 boasts a cruising range of 400 miles, powered by three optional Volvo Penta IPS1350 engines capable of reaching 23 knots. With its impressive interior volume and adaptability for various uses, this motoryacht promises an extraordinary experience. As founder Luca Bassani intended, the essence of Wally lies in its audacious reimagining of what a yacht can be, ensuring it resonates with discerning owners worldwide. Without a doubt, the Wallywhy150 is a zippy model to add to the collection.
Megayacht
Ultra G
This Heesen, one of the fastest yachts in its class, is powered by MTU diesels with a total of 22,000 hp, connected to four water jets, that deliver a top speed of 37 knots. Speed is essential for the angling-obsessed owner to reach cruising grounds 100 miles offshore. But even with a fishing platform and an angler’s lounge (with screens showing live underwater feeds), the owner refers to Ultra G as a fast superyacht rather than a sportfisherman. That’s one reason why we chose this 197-footer—its speed doesn’t compromise comfort. The other is the Harrison Eidsgaard interior, which features a full owner’s bridge deck with an aft-facing suite, private terrace, and whirlpool. The yacht’s media room includes a cinema and games table, and in addition to the requisite sauna and steam room, the wellness area boasts a snow room. A surprising architectural highlight: the central staircase that winds through a glass-topped atrium.
Floating Residence
Ulyssia
Soon in the near future, Ulyssia, a residential yacht like no other, is set to redefine the meaning of luxury living at sea. Designed by the renowned Espen .ino and constructed by Meyer Werft with interiors by FM Architettura, this 1,050-foot behemoth will comprise 133 one- to six-bedroom residences for purchase, ranging from penthouses to duplexes and more, all with uninterrupted sea views and private terraces, and 22 guest suites for rent for visiting guests.
On board, cutting-edge technology and world-class leisure, entertainment, and health and fitness amenities further enhance the opulent experience. It would be easier to note what the Ulyssia won’t offer, as its facilities encompass a dive centre, spa, hair and beauty salon, medical centre, indoor and outdoor pools, walking track, multiple restaurants and bars, wine cellar, gourmet market, padel and pickleball courts, conference rooms, golf club and simulator, art studio… the list goes on. Residents aboard the Ulyssia can relish private voyages to iconic destinations and remote locales, making up a vibrant community of discerning individuals who can positively impact the regions they explore. (Ulyssia plans to partner with charitable organisations to introduce its residents to different marine conservation projects around the world.)
Environmental concerns are also addressed through design and engineering measures to minimise Ulyssia’s carbon footprint. With a commitment to sustainability, philanthropy, exceptional service, and unmatched lifestyle, Ulyssia is positioned as a beacon of innovation in the luxury yacht sector, inviting individuals to “live without boundaries.”
Sportfisherman
Special One
Royal Huisman’s 171-foot Special One is the largest and most heavily customised sportfisherman ever. Studio Vripack did its best to define the vessel as a serious offshore battlewagon, with a dramatically long forefoot, high bulwarks, six decks, and signature tuna tower on top. In profile, it looks like a conventional sportfisherman on steroids. In the stern is an oversized angler’s cockpit, complete with the requisite fighting chair. Four tiered aft decks give spectators a view of the action, while the tuna tower is designed for spotting pelagics many miles away. Despite the interior luxuries, this vessel is no pretender: It’s equipped with live-bait wells, rod holders, fish freezers, tuna tubes, and a bait-and-tackle room. On the foredeck, an outdoor cinema screen and studio-quality speakers provide a postcatch respite from fishing.
