Last month, it was launches, new designs and first sightings that caught the eyes of BOAT's readers. Garnering the most attention, however, was the breaking news that Lürssen had sold its latest mammoth new build: a 122.5-metre codenamed Project Elusive. Moran Yacht & Ship announced the yacht's sale, simultaneously revealing that construction is already underway, with delivery scheduled for 2030. Anticipation builds for her first sighting...
Shipyards around the globe celebrated new build launches during August, including US yard Delta Marine's metallic bronze explorer and the first unit from Italian yard ISA Yachts' speedy 38.8-metre Viper 130 series. Away from the milestones, news broke of two incidents during the month, including a fire and a capsizing.
BOAT crunches the numbers and brings you the yachting stories that generated the most clicks in August 2026...
1. 123m Lürssen superyacht Project Elusive sold with 2030 delivery
Moran Yacht & Ship announced the sale of Project Elusive: a new 122.5-metre Lürssen superyacht which is currently under construction at the yard's facilities in Bremen, Germany.
The project marks the latest Lürssen new build signed by the brokerage firm, with previous collaborations including the 141.6-metre Nord, the 122-metre Kismet and the 115.1-metre Ahpo.
Read More/123m Lürssen superyacht Project Elusive sold with 2030 delivery2. 25m Oyster sailing yacht Viva la Vida capsizes during Hamilton Island Race Week
The 25.2-metre Oyster sailing yacht Viva la Vida capsized off the coast of the Whitsunday Islands, Queensland, during participation in the 2026 Hamilton Island Race Week, Australia's largest offshore keelboat regatta.
According to an official statement from the British shipyard, on Friday 21 August, the vessel struck what was believed to be a rock or a reef at low tide while sailing a downwind leg at pace, with her spinnaker deployed. The yacht sustained severe damage to the lower part of her keel, resulting in the loss of her bulb and ultimate capsizing.
Read More/25m Oyster sailing yacht Viva la Vida capsizes during Hamilton Island Race Week3. 30m Amer motor yacht Angiola sinks off the coast of Capo Ferro, Sardinia
The 29.6-metre Amer motor yacht Angiola sank off the coast of Capo Ferro, on the Italian island of Sardinia.
According to local reports, the yacht began taking on water on the evening of 11 August, after a fire broke out in the engine room, allegedly due to engine failure. All 14 passengers on board – comprising guests and crew – were safely transferred to nearby vessels without injury.
Read More/30m Amer motor yacht Angiola sinks off the coast of Capo Ferro, Sardinia4. Hull of 83m Feadship project seen for first time en route to outfitting
The bare hull of an 83.3-metre Feadship new build, known only as Project 832, was seen for the first time en route to outfitting.
According to exclusive BOATPro data, the yacht entered construction in September last year, with Feadship de Voogt Naval Architects responsible for her naval architecture. Little else is confirmed about the new build, though BOATPro anticipates a volume of 2,707GT, a beam of 13.4 metres and a draught of 3.8 metres.
Read More/Hull of 83m Feadship project seen for first time en route to outfitting5. Delta Marine launches 46m explorer yacht Zembra for global adventures
US yard Delta Marine launched its 46.3-metre explorer yacht Zembra from its shipyard in Seattle.
Commissioned in 2023 for experienced owners, Zembra was designed for transoceanic travel and "deep-sea exploration", shaped by the owners' desire to share remote destinations with their family and friends. Her adventurous design includes a dedicated helicopter landing area on the sundeck, a two-person ICON A5 amphibious aircraft and a three-passenger U-Boat Worx submersible for deep-sea exploration.
Read More/Delta Marine launches 46m explorer yacht Zembra for global adventures6. Sunseeker launches first 29m Manhattan 94 ahead of Cannes debut
British shipyard Sunseeker announced the launch of the first unit from its Manhattan 94 yacht series, formerly known as the 94 Yacht.
The 28.6-metre new build hit the water at the yard's facilities in Poole and is currently undergoing rigorous sea trials ahead of her global debut at the 2026 Cannes Yachting Festival, where she will be the shipyard's largest yacht on display. The model represents the latest evolution of Sunseeker’s design and engineering and is crafted as a “sanctuary at sea”.
Read More/Sunseeker launches first 29m Manhattan 94 ahead of Cannes debut7. Marco Ferrari unveils 115m exploration-focused superyacht concept M/Y 115
Italian designer Marco Ferrari unveiled his latest superyacht concept in August: the 115-metre M/Y 115, designed to combine long-range exploration with comfortable cruising.
The 5,000GT concept pairs a hybrid propulsion system with a 7,000-nautical-mile range, an owner's deck with a private helipad and a six-person submarine capable of dives to 1,000 metres.
Read More/Marco Ferrari unveils 115m exploration-focused superyacht concept M/Y 1158. 90m Feadship superyacht Project 828 Milky Way delivered
The 89.6-metre Feadship new-build superyacht Project 828, also known as Milky Way, departed the shipyard for delivery to her owner.
Though most details remain private, Feadship shared that the secretive yacht originated from a client's design brief seeking a "highly flexible, multi-use onboard environment that supports active living and relaxation". Following her delivery, she made her first stop in Poole, UK.
Read More/90m Feadship superyacht Project 828 Milky Way delivered9. Fast Naan: First Viper 130 yacht launched ahead of Cannes debut
ISA Yachts, a brand of Palumbo Superyachts, launched the first unit from its 38.8-metre Viper 130 model, Fast Naan, mere weeks ahead of her global debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival.
The planing yacht was sold to an American client two months after the full Viper line was unveiled by ISA Yachts in May 2024, and is the second yacht in the owner's fleet alongside the 42-metre Columbus Crossover model from ISA's sister brand, Big Naan.
Read More/Fast Naan: First Viper 130 yacht launched ahead of Cannes debut10. Steeler Yachts unveils 27m tri-deck Ocean Explorer 88 yacht model
Rounding off August's biggest yacht news is Dutch shipyard Steeler Yachts' unveiling of a new addition to its portfolio of explorer yachts.
At 26.7 metres, the Ocean Explorer 88 builds on the yard's existing Ocean Explorer platform – which comprises the Ocean Explorer 67, 72 and 85 – as the new flagship of the line and the first with a tri-deck configuration.
Read More/Steeler Yachts unveils 27m tri-deck Ocean Explorer 88 yacht model