Series stars: Standout semi-custom yards

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.

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.

The Italian high performance yacht builder makes open and coupé fibreglass and aluminium yachts that are as sexy as they are swift. Its offerings have been inching up in recent years and will soon include the new 43 metre flagship, the Pershing 140 – hull No 1 (pictured) is in the final stages of production at Ancona for an early 2019 launch.