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Luxury yacht brands cater to the discerning tastes of millionaires and billionaires seeking the ultimate in opulent boating experiences. Privately owned, these lavish vessels come outfitted with lavish furnishings, private crews, and top-tier amenities, ranging in size from small 35-ft sport yachts to giga yachts over 220 feet designed by renowned luxury yacht brands like Sanlorenzo, Sunseeker, and Ferretti.
From shipyards in Italy to prestigious builders worldwide, this guide explores the most luxurious yacht brands renowned for their impeccable design, craftsmanship, and commitment to ensuring every need is exceeded onboard, be it cozy interiors, advanced navigation, or iconic motor and sailing yachts that exemplify nautical luxury.
Feadship
Feadship is a global leader in the construction of high-quality custom superyachts, ranging from 50-100+ meters in length. Established in 1949 as a marketing partnership between six Dutch shipyards and a naval architecture firm, Feadship now operates four shipyards in the Netherlands, with the Royal De Vries and Royal Van Lent yards being the primary builders.
Notable Feadship Yachts
- The 85-meter Ecstasea, delivered in 2004 to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
- The 110.5-meter Anna, launched in 2018, is the largest yacht ever built by a Dutch shipyard.
- The 78.2-meter Venus, launched in 2012, featured groundbreaking advances in the use of glass on a superyacht.
- The 83.5-meter Savannah, launched in 2015, was Feadship’s first hybrid yacht featuring diesel-electric power.
- The 73.6-meter Sherpa, launched in 2018, was Feadship’s first expedition-style yacht.
- The 51-meter Promise, launched in 2018, was Feadship’s first ice-classed yacht.
Feadship offers new custom superyacht construction in steel and aluminum, as well as dedicated charter and comprehensive refit services. They have their own in-house design and engineering team, De Voogt, and conduct regular research and development for design and technical innovation.
| Unique Feadship Offerings | |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Authenticity | Owners can have their older Feadships inspected and certified by the builder. |
| Feadship Heritage Fleet | Established in 2013 to support owners of Feadships 30 years old and older. |
Feadship is a Dutch-based yacht manufacturer founded in 1949, known for building technologically advanced superyachts. They specialize in luxury motor yachts and superyachts, combining technology and aesthetics for the best sailing experience. Some of their top yacht models include Highlander Yacht, Symphony, Najiba, Lady May, Azteca, and Arrow.
Feadship yachts are considered among the leading yacht brands in the world, known for their technological advancements and craftsmanship. They are a combination of two Dutch shipyards, De Vries and Royal Van Lent, that came together in 1949. Feadship specializes in custom-built displacement motor yachts ranging from 70 to 282 feet, using steel and aluminum for construction. With over 200 yachts gracing the world’s oceans, Feadship is a global leader in premium quality displacement motor yachts, launching an average of 5 major craft annually.
Lürssen
Lürssen is a renowned German shipbuilding company that specializes in constructing luxury yachts. It has built numerous high-profile superyachts, including A+, ALAIYA, AVANTAGE, Azzam, Dilbar, and many others. In 2016, the Hamburg shipyard Blohm+Voss became a part of the Lürssen Group. Blohm+Voss has also constructed luxury yachts such as A, GRACEFUL, GRAND OCEAN, LADY MOURA, and MAYAN QUEEN IV.
Origins and Evolution
Lürssen was founded in 1875 by Friedrich Lürssen and initially built racing rowboats and the world’s first motorboat in 1886. Under the leadership of Otto Lürssen, the company expanded into speedboat and motor yacht development, setting speed records in the early 1900s. After World War II, Gert and Fritz-Otto Lürssen took over the company, ushering in a new era by building innovative yachts like the 55m Pegasus II and 71m Carinthia VI.
In the 1980s, the 4th generation Lürssens joined the company, and it focused on custom luxury superyacht production, acquiring additional shipyards. Lürssen is now one of the most powerful shipyards, producing some of the largest and most advanced superyachts in the world, including the 180m Azzam and 156m Dilbar.
Facilities and Capabilities
Lürssen has production facilities across 8 sites near Bremen, Rendsburg, and Hamburg, with dry and floating docks up to 320m long. The company specializes exclusively in custom luxury superyachts ranging from 50-200m in length, collaborating with leading naval architects.
| Lürssen’s Approach | |
|---|---|
| New Build Process | Preview, design, engineering, innovations, and manufacturing |
| Sustainability Focus | Emphasizes sustainability as part of their business practices |
| Engagement | Provides news, media, events related to their yachts and company, active social media presence |
Benetti Yachts
Benetti’s Yacht Collections
Benetti Yachts offers a diverse range of luxury yacht models, catering to various preferences and requirements of discerning yacht owners. Their collections include:
- Motopanfilo 37M: A sleek and stylish yacht designed for comfortable cruising.
- Class 44M: A sophisticated and elegant yacht that combines cutting-edge technology with timeless Italian design.
- Oasis 34M and Oasis 40M: These yachts feature the innovative “Oasis Deck” concept, which creates an open-air lounge area that brings you closer to the sea. The Oasis 40M won the prestigious World Superyacht Awards in 2024.
- B.Yond 37M and B.Yond Limited Edition: Designed for those seeking a unique and personalized yachting experience, these models offer customization options to match individual preferences.
- B.Now 50M, 60M, 67M, and 72M: A series of yachts that combine advanced technology with luxurious amenities, catering to different size requirements.
- B.Century 55M, 62M, 68M, and 75M: This collection comprises five models ranging from 55 meters to 75 meters in length, designed to meet the needs of luxury yacht owners seeking a high-end, customizable yacht with a timeless, clean, and well-balanced design.
- Full Custom Models: For those seeking a truly bespoke experience, Benetti offers the option of fully customized yachts tailored to individual specifications.
Sustainability and Innovation
Benetti Yachts is committed to sustainability and innovation, incorporating hybrid yacht technology and eco-friendly practices into their designs. The “Oasis Deck” concept, featured in the Oasis 34M and 40M models, redefines the stern area, creating an open-air lounge that brings you closer to the sea.
Noteworthy Benetti Yachts
One of Benetti’s latest and most impressive yachts is the B.Century 75M, a 75-meter superyacht with the following specifications:
- Length Overall: 72.0 m / 236′ 3″
- Maximum Beam: 12.80 m / 42′ 12″
- Maximum Draft: 3.5 m / 11′ 6″
- Range at 12 Knots: 4,500 nm
- Interior Design: Benetti Interior Style Department
- Exterior Styling & Concept: RWD
- Accommodation for Owner & Guests: up to 16
- Accommodation for Crew: 17 Persons
- Available Propulsion Systems: Diesel Mechanical, E.Mode Hybrid (auxiliary electric engines)
This superyacht features a brand-new “Oasis Deck” design philosophy, an elegant and modern Italian-English exterior styling, and a chic and minimalist interior design created by the renowned New York firm Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture.
Another notable Benetti yacht is the Diamond 44M M/Y “PAPA JOE,” which was launched using the traditional slide launch method, celebrating Benetti’s nautical tradition.
With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and personalization, Benetti Yachts continues to push the boundaries of luxury yachting, offering discerning owners a truly exceptional experience on the high seas.
Amels
Amels offers a diverse portfolio of new-build superyachts, including both semi-custom Limited Editions and Full Custom projects. The Amels fleet is considered the company’s greatest achievement, reflecting decades of high-quality builds and a legacy of proven naval architecture, technology, and experience.
Limited Editions Range
The Amels 60 and Amels 80 are award-winning, next-generation semi-custom designs that are popular for both charter and private use. These models stem from a legacy of over 40 successful, timeless Amels Limited Editions, with each Classic model individually personalized to meet owners’ specific needs.
- Amels 60: A 60-meter semi-custom motor yacht design.
- Amels 80: A new 80-meter superyacht from Amels’ Limited Editions range, with deliveries starting from 2025. It features exterior design by Espen Øino and interior design by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design.
Full Custom Creations
Amels also builds one-off Amels Full Custom creations in the 80 to 110-meter segment, offering a truly bespoke experience for discerning yacht owners.
Refit and Maintenance Services
Amels provides 25 years of first-class refit experience at the Netherlands’ largest superyacht hub, catering to both Amels yachts and other brands. Amels Refit has an impressive reference list, with the yard in Vlissingen able to accommodate the largest superyachts over 200 meters in length.
| Amels Refit Capabilities | |
|---|---|
| Facilities | State-of-the-art facilities at the largest superyacht hub in the Netherlands |
| Expertise | 25 years of experience in refitting and maintaining superyachts |
| Capacity | Can accommodate superyachts over 200 meters in length |
Captains of Amels yachts have praised the Bridge Deck as a ‘Captain’s dream Office’, the quality of refit work, and the overall solidity of the boats.
Parent Company: Damen Yachting
Damen Yachting, the parent company of Amels, has the largest luxury yacht building shipyard in the Netherlands, as well as other yard locations across Europe, offering state-of-the-art capabilities for both new build and refit projects.
Conclusion
The world of luxury yachting is a realm of opulence, where discerning owners seek the finest vessels to indulge their passion for the sea. From the Dutch precision of Feadship and Amels to the German engineering prowess of Lürssen and the Italian artistry of Benetti, these esteemed brands have etched their names as icons of nautical grandeur. Each brand offers a unique blend of design, craftsmanship, and innovation, catering to the diverse tastes and requirements of those who seek the ultimate in luxury and exclusivity on the open waters.
Whether it’s the cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, or the personalized touch of bespoke creations, these luxury yacht brands continue to raise the bar, redefining the boundaries of opulence and setting new standards in the art of superyacht construction. As the world’s elite seek ever more extraordinary experiences, these renowned names stand as beacons of excellence, promising unforgettable journeys across the vast expanse of the oceans.
