B.Neos 40M: The sailing yacht-inspired motor yacht prioritising silence over volume

With the launch of its new B.Neos 40M series, Benetti is attempting something unusual: translating the proportions, simplicity and quiet operation of a sailing yacht into a modern motor yacht platform. Developed in collaboration with UK studio Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design (MMYD) and Italian studio FM Architettura, the 40.6-metre model places efficiency, openness and hybrid propulsion at the centre of the onboard experience. Emily Dawkins gets the scoop...

How does one define the superyacht experience? Is it by the luxury of the interiors? By the opulence and glamour of life on board? By the six-star levels of crew service? Or could it simply be... Silence? According to Benetti, it became the starting point. Rather than pursuing ever-greater volume and amenity counts, their latest project focuses on restrained design and a closer relationship with the sea.

Derived from the Greek word néos, meaning "new", the B.Neos series introduces hybrid propulsion as standard – a first for a sub-300GT displacement yacht from the yard. The concept combines low-profile exterior lines inspired by sailing yachts with quieter, lower-emission cruising intended to appeal to a younger generation of owners.

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Credit: Benetti

"We started by thinking about a new type of customer," explained Benetti's head of product, Sebastiano Vida. "Not the owner seeking maximum volume, but someone looking for a different onboard experience."

The approach marks a notable departure for Benetti, a yard more commonly associated with high-volume displacement yachts such as the 107.6-metre Luminosity at 5,844GT. With B.Neos, however, the focus shifted from maximising internal volume to refining proportions and reducing visual mass. "We took inspiration from sailing yachts because of their long, low lines and functional use of space," explained Vida. "The priority became what really matters on board, rather than redundancy and opulence."

That shift in thinking is immediately reflected in the yacht’s profile. Best known for high-performance sailing yachts with yards including Vitters, Royal Huisman and Baltic Yachts, MMYD brought a distinctly sailing-influenced approach to the exterior design. The result is a long, low silhouette with a plumb bow, flowing sheer line and reduced superstructure height – a deliberate departure from the layered profiles typical of many contemporary motor yachts.

"The yacht has a very pure, balanced and timeless look," said MMYD creative director Angus Blair. "We tried to keep the lines as simple and clean as possible, without unnecessary design elements."

Large expanses of glazing have been integrated throughout the superstructure to maximise natural light and strengthen the connection between interior and exterior spaces. Timber slats break up the glazing visually while adding texture to the otherwise monochromatic exterior palette.

The pursuit of lower proportions also influenced the yacht’s engineering. According to Blair, the engine room was repositioned further forward to reduce aft deck height and create a closer relationship with the water. This arrangement enabled the creation of the glass-enclosed "Sea Atrium", a flexible indoor-outdoor living area connecting the main saloon to the beach club.

At 2.4 metres high and centred around an elongated pool, the Sea Atrium forms the social heart of the yacht. Sliding glass sections allow the space to operate either as part of the interior or as an open-air deck environment, depending on climate and use.

Interior design by FM Architettura follows the same philosophy of informality and flexibility. Open-plan living spaces replace more traditional compartmentalised arrangements, with the main deck arranged around a relaxed dining and lounge area connected to a "family kitchen" positioned forward.

"Our idea was to go back to basics," said FM Architettura founder Francesca Muzio. "When I say back to basics, I mean back to the love of the sea – where people go because they want to be immersed in nature, travel and have privacy with their friends and family."

Furniture is deliberately low-profile and residential in character, paired with warm neutral tones and textured finishes intended to create a more relaxed atmosphere than the formal interiors often associated with large motor yachts. The arrangement also reflects changing owner priorities, with spaces designed for more casual entertaining and reduced crew formality.

Residential touches reinforce the informal atmosphere on board. The main saloon includes a dedicated "DJ corner" centred around a retro record player, paired with a self-service bar intended to encourage relaxed entertaining with minimal crew formality. Forward, the multifunctional "family kitchen" can operate as either an everyday social hub or a more theatrical dining space for Teppanyaki-style dinners.

Throughout the yacht, spaces are designed to adapt according to use rather than serve a single fixed function – a principle borrowed from contemporary residential design and sailing yachts alike.

A significant layout change sees the wheelhouse relocated to the main deck, allowing the entire upper deck to become a private owner’s apartment. Forward, the suite benefits from panoramic views and a private terrace, while the aft portion can either remain private or open to guests as an additional lounge, office or dining area.

Guest accommodation for eight is arranged across four equal-sized lower-deck cabins – an uncommon approach in this size category and one intended to provide parity between guest spaces. Practical details have also been carefully integrated into the design, with mooring equipment concealed within aft deck seating to preserve clean sightlines and reduce visual clutter.

The emphasis on comfort and quiet operation extends to the technical platform. Powered by MAN V8-800 Smart Hybrid engines, B.Neos offers several operating modes, including silent electric hotel mode, diesel-electric cruising and a boost setting for manoeuvring and higher-performance demands.

Benetti claims the yacht achieves a 30 per cent reduction in energy consumption compared with comparable vessels, while the onboard air-conditioning system is said to also reduce energy use by up to 60 per cent.

"The philosophy of the yacht is to be balanced, consistent and efficient," Vida said. "It’s not about the size of the engine room – it’s about the quality of the onboard experience."

B.Neos is also among the first models to be integrated into Benetti’s new "Peace of Mind" ownership programme, which combines technical support, operational management and service packages into a five-year ownership structure.

At 40.63 metres and 296GT, the model targets one of the market’s most active size categories while remaining below several regulatory thresholds that can complicate private cruising.

When asked if there's more on the horizon for B.Neos to expand, Vida concluded: "We have options on the table, but we want to see how it goes. Size-wise, when you start growing or scaling a design, you find different expectations and different customers, so we need to understand the response. The reaction to B.Neos 40M has already been very positive."