For many superyacht owners, time has become the ultimate luxury. Busy schedules and changing ownership patterns have shifted the focus away from spectacle and towards flexibility, with owners preferring to travel more easily between destinations, adapt plans at short notice and maximise time spent actually enjoying the yacht.
“What we’re seeing is that speed is no longer a technical preference, but a lifestyle decision,” explains Anders Kurtén, CEO of brokerage firm Fraser. “Owners are choosing planing yachts because they allow more flexibility - shorter passages, later departures and the ability to adapt plans without sacrificing enjoyment.”
Rather than travelling at a fixed displacement pace, planing yachts rise and skim across the surface, cruising comfortably at higher speeds for extended periods. In practical terms, that means shorter passages, expanded itineraries and the freedom to link destinations such as Corsica and Sardinia in little time.
The following four yachts for sale with Fraser demonstrate how performance can support very different cruising styles, from family-focused Mediterranean island hopping to exhilarating 60-knot thrills.
Genesis
LOA: 43.1m
Builder: Italyachts
Asking price: €4,990,000 (VAT paid)
At 43.1 metres, Genesis is proof that planing performance does not require compromise on volume. Built by Italyachts in 2011, she combines 343GT of internal volume with a triple-engine setup that delivers serious pace.
Powered by three 2,400hp MTU engines, she reaches a top speed of 33 knots and cruises comfortably at 30 knots, fast enough to make popular Mediterranean passages feel effortless, and zero-speed stabilisers ensure comfort both underway and at anchor.
Her appeal, however, lies in the generous deck spaces, including a large sundeck with a Jacuzzi, flexible dining and lounging areas forward and aft, and a substantial swim platform. A full repaint in 2021 and an upgraded entertainment system in 2022 ensure she feels fresh and contemporary.
Accommodation is arranged for nine guests in four cabins, including a full-beam master spanning her 8.4-metre beam, plus a VIP, double and twin cabin. Separate quarters house seven crew.
“Genesis is ideally suited to owners who enjoy extended time on board with family and guests, while still benefiting from the excitement and time-saving advantage of swift cruising,” says her broker, Daria Pop. “Among the high-performance planing yachts, she stands out as one of the most compelling value opportunities available. For many owners, she really does have it all.”
YB
LOA: 28.5m
Builder: Azimut
Asking price: €4,400,000
This 28.5-metre Azimut S10 was built in 2019 and comprehensively refitted in 2024, offering a near-new experience.
Powered by MTU M96L engines, YB reaches 32 knots and cruises at 25 knots, allowing owners to link destinations with ease while maintaining comfort.
Her expansive flybridge features sunpads, seating and a bar, making it a natural entertaining hub. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the saloon with light, while a well-equipped galley and open-plan layout encourage relaxed, sociable cruising.
Accommodation for eight guests includes a master, two doubles and a twin, with separate quarters for four crew.
Her broker, Alain Auvare, notes: "YB appeals to experienced owners who value confidence, refinement and capability as much as speed."
Astrimare II
LOA: 26.8m
Builder: Sanlorenzo
Asking price: €6,400,000
According to Astrimare II’s broker, David Legrand, this yacht’s performance supports short-notice outings and spontaneous weekends away. “The SL 86 Astrimare II is a yacht that genuinely encourages use,” he says. “She’s designed to be enjoyed often, not occasionally.”
Built in 2024, her twin MAN engines deliver a top speed of 30 knots and a cruising speed of 27 knots, while stabilisation ensures comfort both underway and at anchor.
Inside, oversized windows and a wide main saloon create a bright, open atmosphere. The layout flows seamlessly between interior and exterior spaces, encouraging informal, relaxed cruising rather than highly structured itineraries.
Accommodation is arranged for eight guests across four en-suite cabins, including an owner’s suite across the full 6.4-metre beam, a VIP and two twins. A Williams SportJet tender housed in the garage expands exploration opportunities once at anchor.
Valyra & Zarkava
LOA: 26.5m
Builder: Hodgdon
Asking price: €2,750,000 each
If the previous yachts represent speed as flexibility, sisterships Valyra and Zarkava represent speed as exhilaration. Valyra was built in 2013 and refitted in 2016, and Zarkava hit the water in 2010, with the most recent refit in 2024.
Constructed by Hodgdon Yachts, these 27-metre carbon-composite planing yachts were conceived by experienced owners with a clear performance vision. Their advanced vacuum-infused hull construction ensures strength, lightness and reduced vibration.
Triple MAN V12 engines driving Kamewa waterjets deliver top speeds of 58-plus knots, with 60 knots reported in optimum conditions, with a cruising speed sitting around 37 knots.
Despite the headline numbers, the onboard experience remains comfortable. There is a modern lounge in the main saloon, while accommodation is for just four guests in two staterooms, creating a more exclusive, owner-focused arrangement.
“These sisterships are for owners who view speed as a way to unlock access and opportunity,” says her broker, Anton Farber. “They offer an exceptional blend of performance and refinement that’s genuinely rare.”
To learn more about these high-performance yachts for sale, contact Fraser for full details and availability.
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