top speed of a super maxi yacht

672 Wine Club

• Motorcycles
• Car of the Month
• Destinations
• Men’s Fashion
• Watch Collector
• Art & Collectibles
• Vacation Homes
• Celebrity Homes
• New Construction
• Home Design
• Electronics
• Fine Dining
• Benchmark Wines
• Brian Fox Art
• Disneyland Resort
• Raffles Hotels & Resorts
• Sports & Leisure
• Health & Wellness
• Best of the Best
• The Ultimate Gift Guide

The 13 Fastest Superyachts in the World

These boats prove that size doesn't have to mean slow..

• Share This Article

When American businessman John Staluppi embarked on his yachting journey, it was to break records. He wanted his first yacht to be the first boat over 100 feet to exceed 30 knots, or 34.5 mph. He achieved it with the 118-foot For Your Eyes Only, delivered in 1985. It was also the first motoryacht in the US to have a combination of MTU diesel engines with water-jet propulsion.

His second yacht would smash all previous records. Delivered by Heesen in 1988, Octopussy fulfilled the Bond enthusiast’s aim to break the then 50-knot barrier with a top end of 53.17 knots (61 mph)—a speed that every other shipyard at the time said couldn’t be done. Octopussy  immediately entered the record books as the world’s fastest yacht.

“That record was important to me because when you pull into any place there’s always a bigger boat or a prettier boat, but there aren’t many people who can say, ‘Hey, this is the fastest yacht in the world,’” Staluppi told Robb Report .

Heesen’s latest delivery, the 197-foot Ultra G , is one of the Dutch yard’s fastest projects these days, with a propulsion package totaling 22,000 horsepower, including four water jets that deliver a top speed of 37 knots (42.57 mph).

Of course, 43 mph is a paltry number compared to many of the yachts on this list, including the new Bolide 80. That Italian stallion, which will make its debut at the Monaco Yacht Show, runs at a blistering 84 mph. It shows that speed, even in the large motoryacht category, is very much alive.

Here are 13 of the fastest motoryachts, past and present, that have ever been on the water.

1. Bolide 80 | 84 mph

Victory Marine calls the Bolide 80 its first “Hyper Muscle Yacht,” which will be part of a limited-edition series from 60 to 170 feet. Designer Brunello Acampora and his tema of engineers pulled out all the stops on this 80, creating a full-carbon-fiber boat with more than 6,000 horsepower. The multi-stepped hull helps propel the Bolide to its top speed of 70 knots (84 mph), while accomplishing the seemingly impossible task of burning about half the fuel of a much smaller flybridge motoryacht at lower cruising speeds. The designer took care to give the Bolide a streamlined profile, with aerodynamic shapes to reduce resistance. The interior includes the captain’s cabin, a full-sized galley, open salon, and a forward owner’s area with a bedroom, en suite and wardrobe area. It will make its global debut at the Monaco Yacht Show.

2. ‘Foners’ | 80.56 mph

Clocking a thrilling 70.10 knots (80.56 mph), the 136-foot Foners has maintained pole position as the world’s fastest superyacht for over 20 years. Powered by two 1,280hp MAN engines coupled to three Rolls-Royce 6,700 hp gas turbines driving three KaMeWa water jets, the all-aluminum boat is less about piercing waves and more about parting the seas. Delivered in 2000 by Spanish shipyard Izar as the King of Spain’s royal yacht, no expense was spared, including a superstructure lined with Aramid fiber for the express purpose of bulletproofing the interior.

3. ‘World Is Not Enough’ | 77.1 mph

You need to only look at the 007-inspired name to know that World Is Not Enough is another rapid racer commissioned by John Staluppi, this time with an opulent interior designed by his wife Jeanette in partnership with Evan K Marshall. Delivered in 2004 by Millennium Super Yachts, the 139-footer is powered by two Paxman diesel engines and two Lycoming gas turbines to produce a staggering 20,600hp and a breathtaking 67 knots (77.1 mph). When not leaving other boats behind, World Is Not Enough has a cruising range of 3800 nautical miles at a comfortable speed of 10 knots.

4. ‘Galeocerdo’ | 74.8 mph

Wally founder Luca Bassani designed the 118-foot Galeocerdo to maintain speed in rough seas. Launched in 2003 by Rodriquez Yachts, the boat racks up an eye-watering 65 knots (74.8 mph), thanks to its three Vericor TF50 gas turbines, each driving a Rolls-Royce KaMeWa water jet. Another performance-enhancing feature is the lightweight titanium exhaust system designed to resist the extreme temperatures generated by the gas turbines. Wind tunnel tested at the Ferrari facility in Maranello, Italy, the boat generates 16,800hp and a 45-knot (51.8-mph) cruising speed that’s faster than most motoryachts running flat out. It also enjoys a highly futuristic exterior design.

5. Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 | 72.5 mph

When Italian supercar brand Lamborghini teamed up with yachting stalwart The Italian Sea Group, the end result had to be style and performance. The Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 is all about the power of ‘63’. Designed and built to celebrate the year 1963 when Ferruccio Lamborghini founded his car company, the 63-footer delivers a whiplashing top speed of 63 knots (72.5 mph). And naturally, it’s one of just 63 in the series that will ever be made. Built out of carbon fiber, it’s fitted with two MAN V12-2000HP engines. MMA fighter Conor McGregor took delivery of hull number one in 2020, which reportedly cost $4 million.

6. ‘Chato’ | 71.9 mph

Back in the mid-1980s, passionate Baglietto customer and leading US Porsche and VW dealer Baron John von Neumann, commissioned a new 85-ft. speed demon from the Italian builder. The entrepreneur was tired of his 34-knot (39-mph) Baglietto getting creamed from Monaco to St. Tropez by faster cruisers. With a hull design by the legendary Alcide Sculati, the all-aluminum Chato came with MTU’s latest 3,480hp V16s coupled to KaMeWa waterjets. Weighing 60 tons, and packing almost 7,000 hp, the military-looking superyacht with its battleship-gray paint and bright-red diagonal hull stripes, hit an astonishing top speed of 62.5 knots (71.9 mph) during sea trials. Chato is currently for sale in the South of France for $715,000.

7. ‘Oci Ciornie’ | 69.04 mph

Oci Ciornie’s Vripack-designed interior may take inspiration from aircraft designs, but it’s the boat’s naval architecture by Don Shead and the combination of two 1,800hp MTU 16V 2000 M90 engines, a 4,600 hp AVCO Lycoming gas turbine and Arneson surface drives that put it on this list. Delivered in 1998 by Palmer Johnson with an aluminum hull, the 82-foot boat thrusts through water at 60 knots (69.04 mph), giving all eight guests the waterborne ride of their lives.

8. ‘Destriero’ | 68 mph

The numbers almost defy logic. With a length of 224 feet, the all-aluminum superyacht Destriero is massive. Now add a trio of GE Aviation LM1600 gas turbines totaling an insane 60,000 hp and the incredulity only increases. Flat out, Destriero could scythe through waves at a staggering 59 knots, or 68 mph. Back in 1992, just one year after its launch, the Fincantieri-built rocketship showed its chops by challenging the famous Blue Riband trans-Atlantic speed record. Averaging 53.09 knots for the 3,106 nautical-mile run, Destriero shattered the record, only to be denied the trophy for being classed as a private yacht and not a commercial passenger vessel. Sadly, today the iconic yacht lies largely abandoned at one of Lurssen’s yards in Germany, awaiting rescue.

9. ‘Ermis²’ | 65.59 mph

Some yachts feature slippery hull designs, others are propelled by rockets, but the McMullen & Wing-built Ermis² is one of the fastest yachts on the superyacht circuit thanks to its lightweight materials. Built from a combination of carbon/epoxy, aerospace grade carbon fiber and titanium, the 123-foot boat taps out at 57 knots (65.59 mph.) Delivered in 2007, its 10,944 horsepower comes from three MTU 16V 4000 M90 engines. Designed inside and out by Rob Humphreys, its classic looks disguise the speed demon within.

10. ‘Why Not U’ | 63.3 mph

Why Not U is a yacht that comfortably cruises at 47 knots (54.1 mph)—a speed most owners only dream of reaching. When time is of the essence, the boat cranks up its Vericor TF40 gas turbine engines to max out at 55 knots (63.3 mph). Delivered by Overmarine in 2001, Why Not U ’s 4.3-foot draft makes it well suited for cruising shallow waters, while its sunbathing areas allow guests to catch some rays traveling at the speed of light.

11. ‘Alamshar’ | 52 mph

Alamshar is another custom collaboration between Donald Blount and Pininfarina commissioned by Aga Khan IV, this time with interiors by Redman Whiteley Dixon. It was reportedly built for an estimated $200 million at the Devonport shipyard in Falmouth, United Kingdom, and took 13 years to complete. When it was eventually delivered in 2014, Alamshar’s top speed of 45 knots (51.78 mph), generated by twin Rolls-Royce Marine engines and three waterjets, seemed worth the wait.

12. ‘Moon Goddess’ | 51.78 mph

Exterior designed by Espen Øino with an interior by Franco Zuretti, the all-aluminum Moon Goddess is a 115-foot yacht with a turquoise hull that matches the color of its oversized leather sunpads. When cruising at 30 knots (34.52 mph) or tearing up the oceans at 45 knots (51.78 mph), most other boats just catch a glimpse of sea spray that the planing yacht leaves in its wake. It’s powered by twin MTU 16V 4000 M90 diesel engines with twin water jets, which generate a combined 7,498 hp.

13. ‘Azzam’ | 35.7 mph

At a staggering 590 feet bow-to-stern, the Lurssen-built Azzam earns the title of world’s longest privately owned gigayacht. But with its remarkable-for-the-size top speed of 31 knots (35.7 mph), it’s also the fastest. Twin 12,000hp MTU V20 turbo-diesels do the day-to-day powering at up to 18 knots (20.7 mph). But crank up the twin GE LM2500 gas turbines, coupled to four Wartsila waterjets, and there’s a staggering 94,000hp on tap. Of course, like Azzam ‘s original owner, it helps if you own a few oil wells: At max speed, the yacht reportedly burns 13 tons of fuel an hour. Launched in 2013 at a reported cost of some $600 million, Azzam accommodates 30 guests pampered by up to 80 crew.

Read More On:

More marine.

This New 72-Foot Yacht’s New Hybrid Propulsion System Is the First of Its Kind

Axopar Just Unveiled Two Electric Boats Capable of Reaching Thrilling Speeds

This New Solar-Electric Catamaran Comes With a Massive, Fold-Down Beach Club

These Otherworldly New 142-Foot Superyachts Were Inspired by the Moons of Mars 

Meet the Wine Club That Thinks Differently.

Receive editor-curated reds from boutique California producers four times a year.

Give the Gift of Luxury

Latest Galleries in Marine

The AX/E 22 and AX/E 25 in Photos

Phobos and Deimos Superyachts in Photos

More from our brands, assouline marks 30th anniversary in paris at maxim’s, caitlin clark playoff possibility heats up sun ticket offering, trilith institute announces slate of educational film and tv courses – film news in brief, rare celtic helmet thought to be 2,400 years old excavated in poland, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors.

• AMERICA'S CUP
• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

100-foot supermaxi Andoo Comanche returns to Australia

Related Articles

Inside The Wild World Of Super-Maxi Yacht Racing

The world’s fastest and most advanced sailing seafarers head to the Caribbean to compete in the yachting world equivalent of F1.

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Pinterest

I hit the tarmac in Sint Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles revved up to partake in the yachting world equivalent of Formula One for the weekend. Hopping onto a screaming machine taming the forces of nature to barrel along billionaire style. For it was the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta and I was going racing aboard a super-maxi yacht .

Held annually this is one of the highlights of the yacht racing world’s calendar, drawing the best boats and crews from all over the world to pit their machinery and knowhow against each other during a long weekend of hard racing, hard partying and camaraderie—all on one of the most welcoming islands in the Caribbean.

The super-maxis are the ultimate racers of the yacht world and are governed by a set of rules which describe them as monohulls of more than 100 feet in length, with a keel and no limit on the number or type of “appendages.” Pure bucket-list stuff, where if you have to ask what it costs you clearly have no idea what you are getting into. At the end of ancient maps, uncharted waters were simply marked with mystical creatures and the notation, “here be dragons.” Well that is where I was headed. And fast.

Installed at the newly-opened Morgan Resort & Spa in this Dutch West Indies idyll, I inhaled deeply of the view; and pondered what a view it was, out over turquoise waters and clear blue skies gusting 25-plus knots of wind. For things were about to go super-maxi off the beaches of Sint Maarten, in the form of a ride aboard one of the most legendary racing yachts on the water today—Leopard 3.

At a touch over 100 feet, this carbon fiber/Nomex-hulled missile can shoot through the water at over 40 knots when at full tilt downwind. Fully rigged with over 15,000 square feet of thermo-formed carbon composite sails on her 154-foot carbon fiber mast and rigging, she is an extreme machine that has won everything from the Rolex Maxi Cup to Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, set trans-Atlantic speed records, and carried her racing crew of 20-plus souls to victory across the globe.

Designed by the legendary Farr Yacht Designs based out of Annapolis in Maryland, she is wide—22 feet at the widest point of her beam—and perfectly suited for fast offshore racing with more than a few tricks up her sleeve. Her “appendages” include a keel that cants up to 40 degrees, stabilizing her as if 200 extra crew members were sitting on the rail, and twin asymmetric lifting dagger-boards located either side of the mast to perfectly balance the sail forces when racing at full tilt.

The days of ex-NFL linebackers with 22-inch biceps grinding the winches of racing yachts are mostly behind the likes of Leopard 3, which features hydraulic winches, but the combination of almost military discipline and ballet-like choreography among its professional racing team are a delight to behold. The Captain and tactician calling the moves with precision timing, and an otherworldly sense of the wind down to the second, divining increases and decreases in invisible forces as if Merlin himself were aboard as the team trims sail to maximize speed at all moments.

The real key to the deployment of this technological wizardry is the team which employs it. As with Formula One, two things are necessary in spades—enormous amounts of money, and enormous amounts of skill and experience on the team. One begets the other, but it also pays for the eye-watering expenses of maintaining the boat and crew in peak condition with every carbon sail, titanium nut and bolt, and carbon fiber piece in optimal race-ready condition. Like life, things wear out, break, and go amiss.

I’ve been on boats that have snapped masts, lost sails, hell, almost sank. And for mere mortals if this happens you go bankrupt. But in the world of billionaire yacht-racing, you just Fedex a new carbon fiber mast half way around the world overnight, and have it fitted to keep you racing the next day. I saw Larry Ellison do this at Antigua Race Week one year when his yacht Sayonara snapped its mast—and it says everything you need to know about sailing super-Maxi style.

Read This Next

Inside Motor Valley, Home Of Italy’s Most Iconic Automakers

Hennessey’s New Roadster Is The ‘World’s Most Powerful Manual’ Hypercar

Paris Hilton Stars In Agent Provocateur’s Autumn/Winter 2024 Campaign

This French Beach Hotel Is A Mid-Century Style Stunner

13 Movies About Publishing and If They’re Realistic

By SNIPdaily

6 Ways To Look Younger In 30 Days

By Family Proof

New Orleans district attorney’s progressive policies face blowback from Louisiana’s conservative Legislature

Jessica Michael Davis’ Escaping Ohio Scores Distribution Deal With Gravitas Ventures

By MovieMaker Magazine

McLaughlin Wins IndyCar’s Second Race At Milwaukee As Power Blows Big Opportunity

By American Cars And Racing

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world

The Register

• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

The Register is the definitive guide to the largest, fastest and most iconic superyachts in the world. BOAT International’s list of the top 25 largest yachts in the world profiles the biggest, most innovative and most notable motor and sailing superyachts on the water today.

Find a breakdown of the 50 largest sailing yachts in the world and the 50 largest luxury yachts built in the US . For yacht owners with a passion for the exploration, there is the top 20 expedition yachts – superyachts that meld luxury yacht amenities with explorer yacht capabilities – and for those with a need for speed, we present the top 20 fastest superyachts plying the oceans.

From our partners

Sponsored listings.

How Fast Does A Super Maxi Yacht Go?

Table of Contents:

The International Maritime Organization (IOR) has set upper and lower rating limits for sailing yachts, with the highest limit being 21 meters (70 ft). A yacht designed to exceed this limit is known as a maxi. The 41.5-meter Foners is currently the world’s fastest superyacht, capable of reaching top speeds of 70 knots, equivalent to 80 miles per hour. The 100ft supermaxi, built for performance racing, is set to be called the fastest monohull in the world after clocking a thrilling 70.10 knots (80.56 mph).

Nautors Swan is building its first ClubSwan 125 for owners who enjoy racing while still indulging in luxury. Comanche, a 100 ft (33 m) maxi yacht, was unveiled by the shipyard. It was designed in France by VPLP and Guillaume Verdier and built in the United States by Hodgdon Yachts for Dr. James H. The Foners is currently the fastest super yacht in the world, with a 70.1 knots top speed. The power behind its top speed comes from two MAN Yachts, with mega-yachts and ocean sport boats being the fastest, cruisers, and deck boats falling second.

The 26.82-meter aluminium monohull can reach a top speed of 60 knots under the power of four CRM diesel engines offering 7,400hp. In 2003, Mari-Cha IV set a new west-east transatlantic record with a total time of 6 days, 17 hours. In 2017, Comanche set a new Transpac record, covering 484.1 nmi in 24 hours for an average speed of 20.2 knots (37.4 kmh).

In 2019, Esimit Europa 2, the world’s fastest 30 metre super Maxi yacht with maximum speed 35 knots was launched and christened in Cannes. Wild Oats XI, a carbon fiber Nomex-hulled missile, can reach speeds of 11-14 knots in 7 knots of breeze at certain wind angles.

📹 How Fast Can a Foiling Sailboat Actually Go?!?!?

Despite several years of foiling behind us now, most of the world’s sailing records are still held by non-foiling boats. But if foiling …

What is the top speed of super yachts?

The 13 Fastest Superyachts in the WorldBolide 80 84 mph. … ‘Foners’ 80.56 mph. … ‘World Is Not Enough’ 77.1 mph. … ‘Galeocerdo’ 74.8 mph. … Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 72.5 mph. … ‘Chato’ 71.9 mph. … ‘Oci Ciornie’ 69.04 mph. … ‘Destriero’ 68 mph.

When American businessman John Staluppi embarked on his yachting journey, it was to break records. He wanted his first yacht to be the first boat over 100 feet to exceed 30 knots, or 34.5 mph. He achieved it with the 118-foot For Your Eyes Only, delivered in 1985. It was also the first motoryacht in the US to have a combination of MTU diesel engines with water-jet propulsion.

His second yacht would smash all previous records. Delivered by Heesen in 1988, Octopussy fulfilled the Bond enthusiast’s aim to break the then 50-knot barrier with a top end of53.17 knots (61 mph)—a speed that every other shipyard at the time said couldn’t be done. Octopussyimmediately entered the record books as the world’s fastest yacht.

“That record was important to me because when you pull into any place there’s always a bigger boat or a prettier boat, but there aren’t many people who can say, ‘Hey, this is the fastest yacht in the world,’” Staluppi told Robb Report.

How fast does a super yacht go?

How Fast Does a Superyacht Go?. A superyacht is often defined as a vessel over 100ft (approximately 30m). The impressive length of a superyacht means that it is very difficult to achieve high speeds. However, there are several superyachts that can reach speeds of over 60 knots. M/Y FONERS is the fastest yacht in the worldand she can achieve 70 knots for short periods of time. On average, the max speed of a superyacht is around 30 – 35 knots.

How Fast Can a 100 hp Boat Go?. The relationship between boat speed and boat horsepower all depends on the weight of the boat. A very lightweight, small yacht powered by 100hp will travel at much higher speeds than a heavier vessel. On an average boat, 100hp can achieve around 30-40 knots.

What are the Top 10 Fastest Superyachts in the World?. #1 M/Y FONERS. FONERS has held the title of world’s fastest yacht for over two decades, with a top speed of 70 knots. Built for the Spanish royal family by Izar shipyard, she was delivered in 2000.

Who owns the fastest yacht?

The fastest yacht in the world reaches a record-breaking top speed of around 70 knots. The Milennium 140World Is Not Enoughhas retained the title of the world’s fastest yacht since she was delivered in 2004 to her owner and one of the most public superyacht owners in the world, John Staluppi. Incredibly for a superyacht of this size,World Is Not Enoughis a fully fledged and superyacht at 42.4m, complete with advanced audio-visual systems and accommodation for 10 guests in 5 luxurious cabins.

The superyacht achieves its racing speeds by virtue of an all-aluminium build, V-shaped hull, and two 18VP185 Paxman Diesel engines providing 5300 hp each combined with twin Lycoming TF40 turbine jet engines able to generate a total power of 20.000 HP. The resulting effect is an extremely streamlined, exhilarating and comfortable feel as the yacht cuts through the water, offering minimal noise levels and vibration as she does.

In joint first place at a similar top speed of roughly 70 knots is the 41.5mFoners(ex Fortuna). Possessing a colourful and intrepid history,Fonerswas built in 2000 by Spain’s Astilleros Bazan yard for then-Spanish King Juan Carlos I as a gift by businessmen in the Balearic Islands, and has since been renounced by the royal family in a display of austerity. Powered by two 1280 HP MAN engines and three Rolls Royce 6,700 HP gas turbines driving three KaMeWa water jets,Fonerswas the fastest superyacht in the world upon delivery until World Is Not Enough matched her high-octane abilities in 2004.

How fast is a private yacht?

Most motor yachts are displacement vessels so their speed is around 1.3 times the square root of their waterline length, so a 40 metre (131ft) yacht does about 14 knots cruising.

How fast is the maxi yacht?

Talk is that the Bob Oatley-owned maxi can top 30 knots and even break the elusive 24 hours for the trip to Hobart.

However, that is unlikely this year because of the tough southerly conditions forecast early on.

But that hasn’t stopped 27-year-old Jackson from dreaming about the prospect, as she and crewmates spend the week fine-tuning the yacht in readiness for Boxing Day.

What is the fastest type of yacht?

The 85 mph-plus Bolide 80 is the world’s first Hyper Muscle Yacht. But the futuristic interior is just as outrageous.

In the Miami Vice era of muscle boating, the idea of mixing luxury with the ocean sounded crazy. The real-world Don Johnsons, with baby-blue T-shirts and white-linen blazers, loved looking dapper at 100 mph, but the only bling on the boats were the gold chains flapping around their necks. Everything else broke off the wavetops.

Italian designer Brunello Acampora started his Victory Marine studio 37 years ago at the height of the go-fast craze. He has now completed a back-to-the-future 81-foot yacht that is lightning-fast—sea trials showing a top end of 86.5 mph—but light. Acampora’s Bolide 80 achieved that speed by combining carbon-fiber construction, a stepped planing hull, and 6,000 hp.

With the 80, the designer is not exactly throwing sustainability to the winds—but he’s not embracing it, either. Any yacht with 6,000 hp is clearly not eco-friendly. But, counters Acampora, the Bolide (Italian for “fireball”) is more sustainable than traditional motoryachts in its class. The 80 consumes half the fuel at 50 knots that a similar-sized flybridge would use running at 25 knots. “You get from point A to point B in half the time, using half the fuel,” he tells Robb Report during a tour at the Monaco Yacht Show.

Can a super yacht cross the Atlantic?

Can mega yachts cross the Ocean?. Yes, mega yachts and superyachts can cross the Atlantic or the Pacific Ocean. We know it would take a superyacht around 10 days to cross, but the Pacific Ocean is a larger body of water for superyachts to cross but it is possible to do so. When yachts are traveling from the US to areas such as Fiji or the Islands of Tahiti, the boats will sail across the Pacific Ocean.So you can cross the ocean in a motor yacht, but as stated above, you’ll need to ensure you have the right vessel for the job.

Can superyachts handle rough seas?. Superyachts are designed to handle adverse weather while on a yacht crossing. Different superyachts will come with different ratings on the range they are capable of and what sort of seas they can handle. However, the captain will often change the course of the vessel to avoid large storms or possible dangerously rough seas.

How big of a yacht can you cross the Atlantic Ocean in?. For comfort and safety, yachts crossing the ocean should be a minimum of 30ft. This size boat allows you to travel securely across the Atlantic Ocean. When yachts cross the ocean, it’s important to have enough fuel, supplies and food for those on board, which means that the larger the boat, the better your journey.

Can super yachts handle rough seas?

Motoryachts, especially superyachts and megayachts handle rough sea really well. When it comes to handling rough seas, luxury motor yachts come to the forefront with their exceptional seaworthiness and stability. Superyachts and megayachts, with their larger size and weight, offer a smoother ride in choppy waters. The deep-V hull design found in these larger yachts helps them cut through the waves with ease, reducing the impact of a rough sea. Additionally, these boats often feature advanced technology and stabilisation systems that further minimise uncomfortable motion.

Catamarans are notoriously uncomfortable once the sea is getting too wild. When it comes to yachts and rough conditions, certain types are more prone to discomfort than others. Catamarans, for example, are often cited as being particularly uncomfortable during rough seas. This is due to their design – catamarans feature two parallel hulls that sit above the water. While this design can provide increased stability in calmer waters, it can pose problems when the sea gets choppy. Because the hulls are separate, rather than being connected like a traditional single-hulled yacht, the boat can bounce around more, leading to a rougher ride. Of course, the severity of discomfort will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of the catamaran, the strength of the waves, and the experience of the captain. However, if you know you’re headed into rough waters, it’s worth bearing in mind that a catamaran may not be the most comfortable option.

Monohulls will tilt drastically in bad weather conditions. Monohull yachts are generally considered the most uncomfortable in rough weather conditions. This is because monohulls are more susceptible to tilting or heeling dramatically when the waves become choppy, leading to a much more unstable and uncomfortable ride for those on board. In some cases, the boat may even list to one side or the other, causing occupants to struggle to maintain balance and potentially leading to seasickness. In contrast, multihull yachts such as catamarans are generally considered more stable and comfortable in rough conditions, as their wider hulls and lower center of gravity help them to better withstand the effects of wind and waves..

How long can a super yacht stay at sea?

Motor Yacht vs. Sailing Yacht. For sailing yachts, distance is not an issue as such since these vessels are not fuel dependent. With the right sailing conditions and an experienced skipper, a well-maintained, fully stocked, seaworthy sailing yacht could cruise on for a good couple of months. The average pace for a 30-foot monohull is between 4 and 6 knots, while a catamaran will likely achieve twice that speed.

How far can a yacht travel when it must rely on its fuel tank? As a general rule, the larger the motor yacht, the larger the fuel tank, and the more impressive the range. For example, a 35-foot (10.5-metre) motor yacht with a 100-litre tank can cover about 400 nautical miles. A 75-foot (23-metre) vessel that can accommodate an 11,000-litre tank, on the other hand, will usually reach 1,500 nautical miles. The most accurate way to determine a yacht’s performance and general seaworthiness is a series of tests called “Sea Trials”. These trials assess a vessel’s speed, maneuverability, equipment, and safety features.

Yacht Size and Hull Shape. Irrespective of the theoretical range, how far a yacht can travel also depends on the size and shape of its hull, as not all vessels are designed to withstand the same cruising conditions.

Can yachts outrun pirates?

The speed at which the yacht moves is also important. The maximum speed of many superyachts is limited to 17 knots, while pirate skiffs can reach 35-40 knots.

You can protect your yacht by ordering interior covers for large windows, or by covering glass with a special ballistic film, which Goldie describes as a «food film that makes the windows bulletproof».

Barbed wire, strobes and sound alarms are used to reduce the risk of attack.

How fast is the Conor McGregor yacht?

But he’s certainly still the richest mcgregor recently showed off his new 63-foot 3.6 million dollar technomar for lamborghini 63 speedboat for his 45. Million instagram followers the lamborghini 63.

How fast is the Lamborghini yacht?

Tecnomar For Lamborghini 63 Specifications. The motor yacht Tecnomar For Lamborghini 63 is produced by the brand Tecnomar since 2022. The Tecnomar For Lamborghini 63 is a 20.00 meter designer motor yacht with 2 guest cabins and a draft of 1.60 meters which can reach speeds of up to 63 knots. The yacht has a fiberglass / grp hull with a CE certification class (B) and can navigate no further than 200 miles offshore. The base price of a new Tecnomar For Lamborghini 63 is not currently published, please contact the itBoat team for pricing details.

Let us know whether you want to get a fast deal by selling instantly for cash or list your yacht on favorable terms. Leave a request and get a free valuation of your Boat.

Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 yacht is a luxury speed boat by Lamborghini’s super sports cars and the Italian Sea Group. With a maximum weight of 24 tons, she achieves an impressive speed of 60 knots thanks to its twin MAN V12 engines, each producing 2000HP. This 63-foot motor yacht falls into the ultralight boat category. The classification in the range could not be granted without the extensive use of carbon fibre.

📹 Sailing a record slayer – is this the world’s fastest offshore yacht?

Exclusive: full tour of the ClubSwan 125 ‘Skorpios’. Toby Hodges sails aboard on the eve of the Fastnet Race, for which it will be …

Related Articles:

• How Long Is A Super Maxi Yacht?
• How Much Is A Super Maxi Yacht Worth?
• What Is A Super Maxi Yacht?
• How Many Super Maxi Yachts Are There?
• How Many Super Maxi Yachts In The World?
• How Fast Can A Super Yacht Go?

Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

You may also like

How To Put A Sail On A Canoe?

How To Make Your Snorkel Mask Not Fog?

How Old Is Snorkel Ops?

How To Choose A Snorkel Vest?

How To Pack For A Canoe Camping Trip?

How To Deal With Pirates When Sailing?

Add comment, cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

What Are The Best Kayak Accessories?

Which Cruise Lines Go To Tahiti?

Which Is Better Disney Cruise Or Royal Caribbean?

Latest comments.

• kikky811 on When Is The Best Time For A Disney Cruise?
• familyoftacticaldroids309 on Are Disney Cruise Lines All Inclusive?
• user-ve4vk5no5o on Does The Us Navy Still Use Frigates?
• kevinbryer2425 on Does The Us Navy Still Use Frigates?
• davidfence6939 on Are Disney Cruise Lines All Inclusive?

Tip of the day!

Who Invented The Diving Suit?

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.

Leave a Comment

More from luxatic.

The 15 Best Personal Submarines For Superyacht Owners

By Victor Baker

The 20 Best Airlines in the World Right Now

By Adrian Prisca

The 10 Longest Range Private Jets in the World in 2023

24 Incredible Celebrity Yachts You Will Surely Love

Best Luxury Yacht Brands: 25 Shipyards Which Build The Best Superyachts

By Brody Patterson

20 Best Electric Motorboats You Will Surely Love

By Thom Esveld

These are The 15 Fastest Planes of All Time

The 15 Biggest Planes in the World

These Are The 25 Biggest Yachts in the World!

The 15 Best Small Planes That You Can Buy Right Now

Sailing in Style: The World’s Most Beautiful Yacht Charter Destinations

The Longest & Shortest Runways in the World!

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Maxi 1000: Quick, seaworthy and solidly built

• Graham Snook
• June 9, 2022

If you’re looking for a quick and comfortable cruiser that is full of great features with solid build quality, few boats can rival the Maxi 1000, as Graham Snook discovers

Product Overview

Anna-Leigh and Alex Cox have both sailed for many years but Gemini , their Maxi 1000, is the couple’s first yacht. They also own a Sunseeker 31 motorboat, but Anna-Leigh’s yearning to return to sailing won over and they now use either boat when work allows, often cruising the Solent or beyond.

As a first yacht for coastal and offshore cruising, the couple have fallen on their feet with Gemini ; the Maxi 1000 has a good pedigree. Her designer was Pelle Petterson, Swedish Olympic medalist and skipper of America’s Cup challengers.

Being made redundant during a global pandemic might not be the best time to buy your first yacht, but it happened at just the right time for Anna-Leigh and Alex. ‘We never thought we’d be able to own a yacht like Gemini , at least not at this stage in our life,’ smiles Anna-Leigh.

‘After more than 20 years with the same company I was made redundant and Alex was looking to expand Raw Bean [his coffee business], so I joined the company and we bought Gemini . We love her, she’s a great boat!’

A deep forefoot prevents excess slamming to windward. Photo: Graham Snook

The Maxi 1000 was a development of the Maxi 999 that was produced between 1985 and 1992 when the 1000 started production. The model remained in build for 10 years with more than 1,000 built.

Gemini was hull no. 1042, launched in early 2002 and was one of the later boats. Having reached 20 years old, Gemini hides it well; a few loose areas of caulking on the weathered teak decks and scratched detailing of stickers around the coachroof windows show the extent of her life so far.

Covid delays

Anna-Leigh and Alex bought Gemini in 2020, but they weren’t able to collect her from Fowey until spring 2021. ‘We were really lucky though,’ explains Alex. ‘Although because of Covid and the regulations, we weren’t able to visit the boat, Gemini ’s previous owners Pete and Ali Siddall would go down and check on her, they really looked after us well.

‘We couldn’t have asked for a better seller. When we eventually left Fowey they came out and waved us off, taking photos which they then sent us.’

Although they have sailed for years, Gemini is Anna-Leigh and Alex Cox’s first yacht. Photo: Graham Snook

There was a light breeze when I joined Alex and Anna-Leigh at Swanwick, a far cry from the couple’s first date when Alex had borrowed a friend’s yacht to impress Anna-Leigh, only for it to blow a gale – the less said about that trip the better, but they are living happily ever after now.

Gemini was moored stern-to and boarding was easy. The Maxi 1000 has a long bathing platform with a ladder and a step in the transom. Despite having a radar pole fixed to the step, there was plenty of foot space – one more step and I was in the cockpit.

The Maxi 1000 shares a lot of family features with her previous models; sleek with a pleasing sheer line and wedge-shaped coachroof. After the 1000, bows became more vertical and hulls broader.

Petterson has been clever with the design, keeping the freeboard at a sensible height but sloping her decks up gently going inboard to increase the headroom below.

As standard the 1000 was fitted with a 7/8ths fractional rig and a self-tacking jib, which Gemini still has. The couple have found that the furling No2 genoa (28m2) suits their sailing, giving her the extra sail area the self-tacking jib lacks in light winds. Her Lewmar 40ST winches make short work of either sail.

She also has two jib tracks on the inboard edge of the deck; the forward set allows a jib to be sheeted within the shrouds while the genoa passes outboard.

Gemini has the optional teak deck, which adds to her desirability. Photo: Graham Snook

Friendly conditions

In the conditions we had, 6-10 knots true, we weren’t going to be pushing her limits. On the wind (32-35º apparent wind angle) we had an apparent wind speed of up to 14 knots and she was sailing well.

Making between 5.2-5.9 knots in the gusts, she would start to feel pressed but remained comfortable and responsive; a few more knots breeze and the genoa might have needed a turn taking in or switched to the self-tacking jib, but as we only had a short beat up Southampton Water it was soon time to bear away.

At 60º AWA the wind was dropping 7-10 knots but we were getting 5-5.4 knots through the water. Gemini has Whitlock wheel steering; its rod connections keep the steering slack-free with responsive control.

Sadly, the breeze decreased more, at 90º in 6 knots she was making just over 4 knots, but by the time we were sailing at 120º AWA in 3.6 knots apparent, it was more drifting with control than sailing.

It was time to put the kettle and the engine on, and head back. Gemini has the optional full teak deck and she looks all the smarter for it. There are a few places where it’s worn or been sanded to a depth where the caulking sealant has come adrift, but the fastenings holding the deck are still well-hidden by their wooden plugs.

Lewmar 40ST winches make it easier to sail shorthanded. Photo: Graham Snook

She has a detachable mainsheet on a short traveller in the cockpit, enabling the cockpit table or a cockpit cover to be easily fitted.

Stowage in the cockpit is excellent with a cavernous locker to starboard and deep lazarette lockers beneath the helm’s seat and to port.

Moving below, Gemini has wide companionway steps over the engine compartment. The forward section is removable to give good access to the front of the engine. One is instantly struck by the amount of solid wood on show; on the whole, it has aged well.

The Maxi 1000 was available with a teak or an American cherry wood interior, the latter having a more interesting grain pattern.

Below decks

Immediately to starboard is the heads. If you’re entering the boat with soaked oilskins you can get changed in here and then leave the wet kit in the locker to the rear without having to drag it through the boat. Once dry, it can be left in the oilskin locker outboard of the chart table seat, so it’s on hand when you need it.

The chart table is a good size, and what looks like a squeeze is a comfy navigation station. The lid overhangs the table and has a good chunky laminated solid-wood surround with a grab handle forward in the semi-bulkhead.

The locker beneath the chart table has the bin and there’s a drawer beneath that. There is a handy cubby hole outboard, beneath the chart table, and the switch panel is above. Instrument space is a little limited but otherwise, it works well.

The aft end of the saloon has over 6ft of headroom. Photo: Graham Snook

Opposite, to port, is the L-shaped galley. It has high fiddles and a good grab handle aft of the large double stainless-steel sinks. Above the stove are deck-level lockers with smoothly sliding doors.

Her original 90-litre water capacity was increased by her former owner to 260 litres for trips away to the Isles of Scilly. There is a good line of drawers and a locker beneath the sinks and a pan locker below the stove.

Headroom below is good, with 1.83m+/6ft+ in the galley, aft cabin and rear of the saloon.

Moving forward, the wedge-shaped coachroof takes away headroom from the forward end of the saloon down to 1.68m/5ft 6in and the forward cabin to 1.6m/5ft 3in.

In the saloon are five deck-level bottom-hinged lockers. Where there would be a sixth on the starboard side is an open-fronted locker with a solid wood fiddle. The lockers have solid wood louvred fronts and weighty solid-wood frames.

Two hatches provide plenty of ventilation in the aft cabin. Photo: Graham Snook

With all this wood it could have easily felt like the inside of a coffin; thankfully though, the Maxi 1000 has a white GRP inner liner which forms the supports for the forward and aft berths, the saloon seat bases, and chart table seat.

Not only does this make the workflow of building the yacht more efficient, it also lightens the lower areas of the yacht.

In these seat bases, one finds lockers that can be accessed from the top and inboard without having to lift cushions or crew. It’s especially handy as Gemini is sensibly fitted with lee cloths, which would further add to the faff of getting into the lockers were it not for these locker doors.

She has a bench seat to starboard and U-shaped seating to port, which has a nice feature that allows the bunk base to slide out to create a double berth. This gives Gemini three decent-sized double berths.

Still in good nick

At 20 years old, Gemini is still in great condition. There are some battle scars in her woodwork and watermarks in her floorboards, but it’s nothing some sandpaper and varnish couldn’t put right.

She has lots of nice little details, such as the raised deck outboard of the helm or the plastic edging around the inspection hatches on the floorboards that seal the edges and stop them from binding and squeaking.

The chart table has plenty of stowage. Photo: Graham Snook

In the forward cabin, there are bottom-hinged doors to access the under-berth stowage without having to lift the bunk cushions. The long vee berth has an infill, but there is no other floor space in the forward cabin, so with the insert in place, as you would do with sheets on the berth, there’s no room to get changed unless you do so in the saloon or lying down. Not an issue with children, but it might not be ideal for you or any guests you invite onboard.

The berth is 2.09m/6ft 10in long with a maximum width of 1.77m/5ft 9in, but at shoulder height it is only 1.44m/5ft 9in.

Alex and Anna-Leigh have found the aft cabin makes the better owner’s cabin on board. It’s easy to see why, it feels huge. While the berth isn’t the widest (at 1.6m/5ft 3in) headroom is 1.83m/6ft and the space above the berth is unusually generous too. I kept expecting to bump my head but it never happened.

The aft cabin also has both shelf and locker stowage outboard. Locker ventilation is great thanks to the louvred doors. There are reading lights and the main light switch can be reached from the berth. The cabin also benefits from two hatches that open into the cockpit for increased ventilation.

Beneath the berth are the batteries and there is also access to the engine and to the saildrive gearbox.

Opposite the aft cabin is the heads, again there is good headroom here. The shower pulls out of the heads and there are mirrored sliding lockers outboard.

The plinth for the toilet is quite high. The toilet has a fold-down cover that stops the toilet from getting wet and gives a good seat for those having a shower. The toilet roll holder is sheltered in the locker under the sink, also in there, you’ll find a drawer for even more stowage.

Louvred doors provide good ventilation to the lockers. Photo: Graham Snook

The Maxi 1000 is a good-looking boat that will find favour with those who like yachts with attractive lines and are happy to have a pretty boat rather than a roomy boat.

She harks back to a time before impractical plumb bows when yachts were more parallelogram in profile than brick. Her narrow beam does restrict her accommodation and interior comfort by modern standards, but she’s a more comfortable sailing yacht because of it.

Looking for rivals, I was struck by the good value the Maxi 1000 offers. The quality of her woodwork was good, but compared to other Swedish-built yachts or yachts of a similar quality she was considerably cheaper, almost a third in some cases.

Although her interior woodwork wasn’t pristine, she is two decades old and the quality of the joinery was better than many yachts built today.

Finding a yacht the same age and price that offers excellent coastal cruising, build quality and clever design features along with the ability for club racing, is a hard task.

For those with deeper pockets, there’s the Finngulf 33, Arcona 340 or the Hallberg Rassy 34. If you’re looking for more performance, there are yachts like the Elan 333 or X-Yacht 332, J105 or the newer Dehler 34, but as YM caters for cruising sailors I’ve suggested three rivals that are similar but with a twist…

Alternatives toi the Maxi 1000

There was an option for a deep performance keel

For a more modern alternative, without having to spend half as much again as a good Maxi 1000, the Dufour 34 is similar in ethos to the Maxi 1000 and within roughly the same price bracket. The 34 model was launched after the Maxi in 2003, and developed into the 34 Performance.

In 2010 it evolved to become the 34e; gone were the aft helm seat and step in the transom. Instead, she gained an open transom with raised aft deck, liferaft locker and fold-down bathing platform, while forward was a larger steering wheel.

Like the Maxi 1000, she’s a nippy 33ft coastal cruiser with the comfort of two separate cabins as standard and a large cockpit that enables her to be used for cruising or racing. Her hull is sleek, well-proportioned and easily driven. She has a single spade rudder and her standard draught was 1.5m/4ft 11in. There was an option for a deep performance keel (1.9m/6ft 2in) to allow her to reach her full performance potential.

A wheel bisects the aft end of the cockpit and got bigger as she became the 34e. Nowadays a boat like her would have twin wheels. The steering was smooth and the large wheel made helming enjoyable.

Below decks, the layout is very similar to the Maxi 1000, even if it doesn’t match the Maxi’s quality; instead of one-piece laminated surrounds to the galley and chart table Dufour uses corner pieces and has an ‘assembled’ feel rather than the crafted feel of Swedish boats.

The use of darker mahogany veneers is also more apparent on board. The berth size is good and, unlike the Maxi, there is room to stand in the forward cabin and there is hanging and shelved stowage in the forward cabin too.

The saloon has a bench seat on each side, with the chart table to starboard. The heads is opposite the galley and there’s the option for a second aft cabin. As the 34 is a newer design and was launched when the Maxi was ending her production cycle, one should expect to pay more.

An easily driven hull shape gives the 346 good directional stability. Photo: Bob Aylott

The centre cockpit Moody 346 is a good option for those wanting more interior space while still retaining good sea-keeping. It comes at the expense of performance, but the 346 is certainly no slouch – far from it.

Just under 250 Moody 346s were built since its launch in 1986, and some also featured twin keels.

On deck, the 346 can’t compete with the large aft cockpit of the Maxi 1000 or the Dufour 34, and the downsides of the centre cockpit may outweigh the benefits; the raised position increases rolling motion. It’s also smaller and there are more steps to move around the boat from here, whether you’re heading to the saloon, or mooring up or boarding from aft.

However, there is decreased pitching, a large aft cabin and greater owner privacy. Indeed, it is below decks where the 346 makes up ground.

For many, the privacy and space offered in the separate aft cabin is what persuades them to choose a centre-cockpit design. The galley is a longer L-shape and has more countertop space, but much of it is along the corridor to the aft cabin where the headroom is reduced by the cockpit’s shape.

It is the cosy aft cabin that steals the show here though, especially for a sub 35ft yacht. Not only does it have a large double berth outboard to port, but opposite there is also an L-shaped sofa.

While her interior might feel a little dated now, the 346 remains well made and practical, and can offer many miles of comfortable coastal cruising to anyone who chooses to buy one.

Most of the Westerly Storm 33s have tiller steering. Photo: Lester McCarthy

Westerly Storm 33

For those who like the idea of a 33ft cruiser with a touch of speed, but can’t stretch to the Maxi 1000, a cheaper alternative is the Westerly Storm 33.

The Storm was Westerly’s 1986 take on a performance cruiser and it sold 141 of them. After seven years, it (along with the company) was revamped. She became the Regatta 330 and another 15 were built.

The Storm holds true to Westerly’s values: tough British-built boats with solid joinery that sailed well. The majority have tiller steering, making them quick to respond and rewarding to sail.

The cockpit is a good size and while the coamings are low, they are sloped making them very comfortable when sitting out of the cockpit. Forward, the companionway has a teak grated bridgedeck, and steps below; this gives those operating the coachroof winches more room and provides stowage for the liferaft.

Her interior quality still shows today, although it’s clear that after more than 35 years interior design has evolved while the amount of solid wood has decreased. The lack of a forward anchor locker has increased the space and size of the forward cabin, and it has lockers and floor space to show for it.

The saloon is a good size as is the L-shaped galley, but what she gains forward she loses in the smaller aft cabin and heads. Westerly Yachts remain a popular choice with cruising couples and those with small families and the Storm is no different; she was designed for the British coastal waters and has all you need to enjoyably navigate them.

Expert Opinion

A yacht built by the old Nimbus boat yard and designed by Pelle Petterson is, without doubt, a winning combination of well thought out design and substantial construction standards. As a result, these boats always hold their value.

Of the yachts I’ve surveyed, very few had serious structural problems, but there are a few issues you need to be aware of. Port light fittings within the saloon can allow moisture into the normally very well finished internal joinery and laminate.

Many topsides were moulded in a dark blue pigment and while reasonably colour-fast for around five to 10 years, many do end up with the typical chalking and fading that many dark coloured gel coats suffer with. It can be quite noticeable where repairs have been previously undertaken.

Some 1000s had teak decks overlaid onto the main working GRP decks and as with several other yachts of this age, it’s very important to evaluate the condition and watertightness of the deck as replacement costs will always be expensive.

If you’re considering the wing keel option, take a close look at the hull to keel joint condition and obviously the internal fastenings. It’s not uncommon for yachts of this age to need the fastenings properly checked. It is also important to pay attention to the rudder blade condition as moisture absorption is frequently an issue as well.

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

Enjoyed reading this?

A subscription to Yachting Monthly magazine costs around 40% less than the cover price .

Print and digital editions are available through Magazines Direct – where you can also find the latest deals .

YM is packed with information to help you get the most from your time on the water.

• Take your seamanship to the next level with tips, advice and skills from our experts
• Impartial in-depth reviews of the latest yachts and equipment
• Cruising guides to help you reach those dream destinations

Follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram.

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Black Jack 100: On board the light airs supermaxi chasing Sydney Hobart glory

• November 26, 2019

Black Jack 100, originally Alfa Romeo, is a Reichel Pugh design that was launched in 2003 and famously and repeatedly duelled with Wild Oats XI for Sydney Hobart line honours. After several years racing in Europe, the iconic 100-footer has been rebooted and has her sights on the Hobart trophy once more. Crosbie Lorimer reports

“I always told Peter you never want to buy a 100-footer and eventually he ignored me. But now we’re all pretty happy that we’re here!”

The words of Mark Bradford, the easy-going skipper of the recently reminted Black Jack 100 (previously Esimit Europa 2 and originally Neville Crichton’s Alfa Romeo ), say something of the trust that underpins the ten-year relationship he has enjoyed with Peter Harburg, owner of a number of yachts carrying the Black Jack name.

The last big jump the Black Jack team made, from Harburg’s original Reichel Pugh 66 to a Volvo 70, was much less significant in terms of resources and expertise required than the leap to a 100-footer has been. The principal difference – costs aside – lies with the size and experience of a team required to crew a winning supermaxi.

More winches can be powered using latest tech hydraulics. Photo: Crosbie Lorimer

In that respect Bradford’s original reservations were not without grounds: “We used to sail those boats with 10-13 crew and we built a very strong team, but now we’ve got a crew of 20 and it’s a different scale of exercise altogether.”

One factor that has gone a long way to addressing that challenge is the calibre of the team that Harburg and Bradford have drawn together to complement the core of Black Jack regulars. The Volvo Ocean Race , America’s Cup and Olympic luminaries aboard Black Jack 100 include Tom Slingsby, Tom Addis and Chris Nicholson.

For any Australian supermaxi owner – and indeed for a good number of international owners – winning line honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is the Mount Everest of yachting ambitions. In 2017 there are potentially five supermaxis vying for that honour, including Black Jack 100 ’s sistership and multiple Hobart winner Wild Oats XI , and Jim Clark’s powerful Comanche .

Article continues below…

Revolver: Bruce Ritchie’s gentleman’s racer blends traditional and modern craftsmanship

“I wasn’t expecting this,” said Michael Ritchie when his 83-year-old father Bruce showed him the lines he had drawn up…

Video: Comanche – Matthew Sheahan gets aboard the world’s fastest monohull

Setting the start line ends in your chart plotter two days before the race may seem a little over eager,…

Over recent years the supermaxi arms race to secure the John Illingworth Trophy for first boat to cross the line off Hobart’s Battery Point has focused on powerful rigs and displacement-cheating foils to make the most of the rugged conditions for which this tough ocean classic is renowned.

Surprisingly, however, the average windspeed for this race is only 11 knots, reflecting the often lengthy light air transitions that typically follow southerly fronts, not to mention the capricious Derwent River’s dreaded night-time closedown, and leaving a potential loophole for Harburg’s new boat.

Black Jack 100 is two tonnes lighter than Wild Oats XI – shallower in draught, too, by some 700mm. That offers Harburg’s team an opportunity to exploit those light air punctuations in the 630 miles that lie between Sydney and Hobart, without having to make the costly hull and foil modifications that have seen Wild Oats XI dubbed the ‘Swiss Army knife’ in her quest to stay competitive with her more modern rivals.

Tom Slingsby is clearly impressed with this approach: “ Wild Oats is trying to match  Comanche a bit more in the breeze and it’s left a pretty big opening for the light air performer. That’s where these guys have optimised, and it’s a good move,” said Slingsby during Audi Hamilton Island Race Week in August 2017.

Weight loss

In her former guise as Alfa Romeo , Black Jack 100 won line honours in Hobart in 2009, but much has changed in the years since.

“We essentially bought a boat with a tungsten bulb, a two-year-old mast and a good hull – everything else was near enough original,” said project manager Alex Nolan. He describes the core objectives of the upgrade: “The big thing has been reducing weight and simplifying systems to be more user-friendly.”

The forward lifting rudder control panel can be accessed by the traveller trimmer or by another crew member on the rail. Note the emergency stop button under the instrument panel on the steering pedestal. Photo: Crosbie Lorimer

The weight loss strategy has been extensive with a total rewiring of the boat, including distributing the previously centralised hydraulics manifolds to a series of outlying hubs, reducing metres of wiring and hose, helping to shed several hundred kilos of weight in the process.

“We’ve added five sailing hydraulic rams and powered three more winches and overall we are still lighter in the hydraulics package,” said Nolan.

Replacing the original removable bowsprit with a fixed sprit has also saved weight in the bow by reducing the amount of structure required, a change that went hand in glove with moving the forestay forward and increasing the J measurement for bigger headsails.

The pit winches, which were originally top handled, are now powered and the tack lines are held with hydraulic rams located in a false cavity in the coachroof, freeing up winches. The same cavity holds the topmast deflector lines and jib sheet inhaul/outhaul lines. Photo: Crosbie Lorimer

Against the wind

The most significant change, however, has been the rebuilding of the forward rudder to integrate a lifting mode for downwind sailing. The Wild Oats XI team replaced their original forward rudder with a centreboard and added lifting daggerboards, but for Black Jack 100 the need to capitalise on upwind conditions made the complexity and expense of this lifting rudder an obvious investment.

With barely more than a couple of training sessions under her keel, Black Jack 100 showed immediate form on her first outing in the Land Rover Sydney to Gold Coast Race, remaining within close sight of old rival Wild Oats XI for the entire two days of the mostly light wind 380-mile race.

That promising form continued into Audi Hamilton Island Race Week with Black Jack 100 only losing out to the Oatley family’s all-conquering silver machine when heavier breezes closed out the last two days of the regatta at the end of August.

The instrument readouts on the central mainsheet winch console only display information on tack loads and positions. All sailing-related readouts are shown on instruments on the mast or at the helm. Photo: Crosbie Lorimer

Not only does Black Jack 100 ’s early form suggest that she will give her rivals a run for their money in the race to Hobart. Her crew are not lacking in motivation either – the late Sir Jack Brabham, the legendary Formula One racing driver after whom the boat is named, inscribed three words on a bulkhead of his friend Peter Harburg’s previous boat. It simply read: “Get after them!”

Specification

LOA: 30.5 m (100ft) Beam: 5.2 m (17ft) Draught: 5.1 m (16.7ft) Displacement: 26.5 tonnes (58,423lbs) Mainsail area: 360 m 2 (3,875 sq ft) Downwind sail area: 1,126 m 2 (12,120 sq ft) Upwind sail area: 593 m 2 (6,383 sq ft) IRC rating: 1.917

First published in the January 2018 edition of Yachting World.