8 images

The 7 superyacht concepts that got everyone talking in 2023

7 December 2023 • Written by Dea Jusufi

What makes a superyacht concept stand out? When the only limit is a designer's imagination, the results can sometimes be extreme – but more often than not, a pioneering design comes to the fore. BOAT takes a look at what set apart this year's most impressive entries...

1. Aeolus

Length: 131m
Designer: Giles Taylor, Oceanco, Lateral Naval Architects and Njord by Bergman
Standout feature: Eco-minded interiors

Named after the Greek god of wind, Aeolus takes after its elemental namesake with a fluid, organic exterior design. A beam of 18 metres and gross tonnage of 6,200 has allowed for a number of multi-functional areas, including "pod-like" spaces that prioritise privacy and more open areas with sweeping views through large glass windows. This project's interiors focus on sustainable “biomaterials”, including vegan leather made from cactus and organically certified cotton.

2. Pegasus

Length: 88m
Designer: Jozeph Forakis, Lateral Naval Architects
Standout feature: A world first in construction

Pegasus was presented in February as the world’s first "3D-printed" superyacht. Mirrored glass and a tiered superstructure allow the vessel to blend in with the surrounding landscape, while the interior centres around a multi-level "Tree of Life" hydroponic garden, designed to provide guests with fresh food and air purification. Aft, an open beach club with Jacuzzi can transform into a solarium.

3. Dunes

Length: 83m
Designer: Feadship, Studio De Voogt
Standout feature: A never-before-seen mast design

Dunes' unconventional design (meant to mimic undulating waves of sand) is paired with eco-minded features that include a signature cooling mast design, extra-capacity storage batteries, a new type of fuel cell and a radical propulsor. According to the shipyard, if built Dunes would eliminate up to 95 per cent of the potential negative environmental factors associated with operating a superyacht.

4. Aware

Length: 80m
Designer: Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design
Standout feature: Clever use of onboard space

Unveiled in September, this ready-to-build superyacht proposal focuses on maximizing onboard space within the yacht’s slim, limited structure. Open-plan, flexible layouts prevail, seen best in the beach club which has head heights of three metres, fold-down terraces and integrated sliding glass partitions. The Dutch studio has a number of award-winning yachts in its portfolio, including the 60-metre Heesen yacht Lusine and the 77.2-metre Pi.

5. Vesper

Length: 65m
Designer: Golden Yachts, Phathom Studio
Standout feature: The loft-like owner's cabin

October saw the reveal of Vesper, a project "more akin to an architectural residence than a typical 65 metre superyacht". This is realised most clearly in the owner's cabin, which spans a two-level apartment and includes a his-and-hers en suite, a wardrobe and a large open-connect lounge with an adjoining study. Pantograph doors lead to a private balcony with an infinity-edged spa pool, rock water wall and an outdoor lounge area.

6. Project Stardust

Length: 63m
Designer: Tankoa Yachts, Giuseppina Arena, Abbasli Design Studio
Standout feature: An unusual crow's nest

This celestial concept was unveiled at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show with the help of yachting influencer Denis Suka (also known as The Yacht Mogul). Tankoa explained the yacht's namesake – by night, exterior decks are illuminated by a collection of twinkling lights that turn the yacht into an "interstellar spaceship". Another unique feature is the observation deck-crow's nest hybrid, which creates an open-air setting for enjoying while underway or at anchor.

7. MVY

Length: 58m
Designer: DRIFT Energy, ShadowCAT
Standout feature: Environmental potential

Short for "Most Valuable Yacht" (referring to its green credentials), this megawatt-class support vessel will be capable of generating, storing and delivering energy by itself. Turbines will capture the kinetic energy of the vessel and store it onboard as "green hydrogen", to be later offloaded at a designated port. According to the company, this concept has the potential to abate a gigatonne of CO2 by 2050.