Semi-custom yachts are very much the best of both worlds — combining the relatively short lead times of production building with much of the flexibility associated with full custom projects. We take a closer look at the top yards from around the world that are raising the bar.

Previously exclusively building in composite, the British builder recently announced it was moving into metal. It has teamed up with Dutch yard Icon Yachts to build a 49 metre aluminium superyacht called the Sunseeker 161. Announced at the Monaco Yacht Show, the Sunseeker 161 represents the British company’s first foray into metal built yachts and is set to launch in spring 2021.

Founded in 1967, Palumbo Group has made huge inroads into the superyacht world in recent years, with both custom and semi-custom projects. Production has ramped up since the 2016 acquisition of ISA Yachts with new-build projects taking shape in Ancona (pictured above). The yard also has an extensive network of refit and maintenance facilities stretching from Tenerife to Malta.

Ferretti produces fibreglass flybridge yachts measuring up to 29 metres. The Italian builder has recently been busy refreshing its entire fleet, which is now nine models strong, including the 960, 920, 850, 780, 720, 700, 670, 550 and 450. The 20.2 metre 670 yacht made its debut in June last year as parent company Ferretti Group celebrated its 50th anniversary in Venice.

Turning heads in Italy since 1842, the sexy lines of a classic Riva runabout define the golden age of yachting. In 2014, the dayboat pro launched its new line of Riva Superyachts, built in aluminium and steel and ranging from 50 to 100 metres. Currently under construction in Ancona, the first Riva 50M will become the flagship of the Riva range when it hits the water. Though this new 50 metre flagship is a far cry from the size of early Rivas — this one will host 12 guests and carry its own Williams Dieseljet 625 tender and two Jet Skis — its styling is inspired by Carlo Riva’s Caravelle line from the 1960s and 70s.

Wider is a shipyard intent on pushing boundaries, as proved by its transforming tenders as well as its high tech and efficient diesel-electric propulsion systems. The Wider 165 Project Cecilia (pictured) launched last year, while the yard’s first launch, 47 metre Bartali, won a World Superyacht Award as well as scoring a RINA nod for eco-friendliness.

Not wanting to be pigeonholed, semi-custom Asian builder Horizon Yachts offers a wide range of yacht styles as standard and encourages customisation within each, adapting them to different markets. The first FD77 model is currently nearing completion at the Taiwanese yard while construction is well underway on the first model of the yard's FD102 series.

Performance sailing yachts put this Finnish builder on the map, but it’s no slouch in the ever popular racer-cruiser sailing superyacht segment. The third and fourth units in the Swan 78 range are well underway while the second Swan 98 was recently sold. On top of this, the yard recently unveiled the Maxi Swan 120 model and is currently expanding its boat building facility signalling the yard has no plans to slow down.

With a background in crafting navy ships, this Italian yard specialises in planing, light aluminium alloy yachts ranging from 35 to 50 metres, but it also has a trick up its sleeve with steel and aluminium yachts in the 40 metre-plus range.

Vacuum infusion technology is this Turkish builder’s specialism, used to construct high performance motor yachts from 19 to 32 metre. The yard has already launched two models in the 32XP range, with another approaching an imminent launch. Meanwhile, in October, the yard announced it had sold a further three hulls of its 26XP superyacht series following “hugely successful” autumn boat shows.

Value for money is the business model for this UAE builder, which aims to create high quality superyachts at a more reasonable price: its Majesty range is the perfect example. Last year, Gulf Craft presented a Majesty 100 and Majesty 125 at the European boat shows, while its 53.34 metre flagship Majesty 175 yacht is due to launch later this year.

Design studio Nuvolari Lenard brings big boat ideas to the Monte Carlo Yachts range. The boats make excellent use of space, from the clever interior layout to sizeable sundecks and welcoming bow seating areas. Each yacht in the MCY range, from 20 to 32 metre, is built at the Monfalcone yard. This includes yachts customised to the tastes and lifestyles of their owners, from Asia to America.

The Italian builder — born in 1873, so one of Europe’s oldest shipyards — has a varied selection in its semi-custom line-up, ranging from fast to full displacement motor yachts. It recently launched its biggest ever build - the 107 metre FB 277 while delivering the fourth unit of its Mediterraneo 116 series and the 69 metre Spectre to owners John and Jeanette Staluppi.

Looking to shake up the traditional yachting market, Dynamiq came on to the scene offering a new, transparent way for owners to order yachts online, with every detail able to be customised and priced before your eyes. The aluminium yachts between 27 and 45 metres are themselves novel, offering a simpler approach to yachting, with superyacht features in smaller sized boats, to offset costs, and a fast speed with oceangoing range.

This American builder consistently turns out its range of semi-custom superyachts, on time and on budget. Westport range includes four proven models; the 34 metre Westport 112, the 38 metre Westport 125, the 40 metre Westport 130 and the 50 metre Westport 164.

Based in Plymouth since 1965, this British yard manufactures many of its components itself. Princess produces hundreds of yachts a year in a range spanning 22 models, from drive-it-yourself to the semi-custom M Class.

Building since 1977, Ocean Alexander has incorporated its early Taiwan roots into US manufacturing. Its range now spans 10 yachts, including the first yacht in its Revolution series, the OA 90R. The yard has described the 27 metre, three decked yacht designed by Evan K Marshall as “a yacht unlike anything we’ve ever built."

Founded in 1999, this Austrian headquartered company specialises in yachts measuring between 19.75 metres and 40 metres, which are "bespoke through and through" and feature Italian styling and design. The company first entered the superyacht scene in September 2008 with the launch of its first 29 metre luxury yacht and has since captured attention with the introduction of its Illumen 28 metre model. Last year it launched two units in the series, Cadet V and Zalanka. Despite sharing the same semi-displacement hull form and design combination (Alberto Mancini for the exteriors and Luca Catino for the interiors), the two projects remained individual, with Zalanka featuring five cabins and Cadet V carrying four.

Otam’s seven-strong range of semi-custom Milliennium yachts in open and hardtop versions includes the 45, 50, 58 Open, 58 HT, 65, 80 and 100 models. The Italian builder recently revealed that its latest fast planing yacht, the 26 metre Otam 85GTS, has reached the halfway point in construction.

Cantiere delle Marche launched its Darwin 102 Galego (pictured) last year and has since signed a contract for its first Darwin 112. The yard also recently revealed a new explorer yacht series called the Flexplorer. The yard has begun construction on the first 39.4 metre Flexplorer, which is due to be delivered to the owner in 2020

Consistently a top scorer in the Global Order Book for the number and total length of yachts in build, Azimut-Benetti knows how to deliver popular semi-custom and production yachts. The new flagship is the Azimut Grande 35 Metri (pictured), a wide-body raised pilothouse yacht that gives owners the option of adding a third level as an additional sundeck.