In February, it was new builds that caught the eye of BOAT's readers, as shipyards around the world unveiled their latest creations to the industry. Taking the top spot this month was another Lürssen new build – following the sighting of the yard's 109-metre O3 in January – as the 102-metre superyacht Jassj officially hit the water in Germany.
Other breaking yacht news that spent time in the spotlight included three launches in the Netherlands, among them the first yacht ever constructed by young shipyard Leapher Yachts, and the new companion vessel to Gabe Newell's 111-metre Leviathan. Elsewhere, news broke of the sad destruction of a 2022 Ferretti.
BOAT crunches the numbers and brings you the stories that generated the most clicks in February 2026...
1. 102m Lürssen superyacht Jassj launched
Lürssen's 102.4-metre superyacht Jassj, previously known as Project Jassj, was launched from the German yard's Rendsburg facilities, marking the first time the yacht has been seen since she was technically launched in 2023.
Despite remaining shrouded in secrecy, the full-displacement, steel and aluminium motor yacht is known to feature interior and exterior design by British design studio RWD, with accommodation for 22 guests in 11 cabins and a crew of 37.
Read More/102m Lürssen superyacht Jassj launched2. First look inside third 80m Bilgin 263 superyacht Al Reem
Turkish shipyard Bilgin Yachts offered a first look inside the third unit from its Bilgin 263 series, Al Reem, which was delivered last year.
The previously secretive 80-metre motor yacht builds on the success of sisterships Tatiana and Leona, though, according to the yard, she represents the "most highly customised" and offers almost 100GT more interior volume. Al Reem is said to embody her owner's strict philosophy of “less is more", brought to life by interiors from H2 Yacht Design.
Read More/First look inside third 80m Bilgin 263 superyacht Al Reem3. Watch: 30m Ferretti 1000 motor yacht H&CO destroyed following crash in Elafonisos, Greece
The 30.1-metre Ferretti 1000 motor yacht H&CO was destroyed following a crash in Elafonisos, Greece, on 11 February.
Full details of the incident remain under investigation, though local media outlets reported that the yacht had suffered a mechanical failure and began taking on water. The country was reported to have also been suffering from severe weather at the time of the incident.
Read More/Watch: 30m Ferretti 1000 motor yacht H&CO destroyed following crash in Elafonisos, Greece4. In pictures: 109m Lürssen superyacht O3 on sea trials
German shipyard Lürssen shared new images of its latest superyacht project, O3 (ex Project Shackleton), on sea trials, simultaneously confirming her length as 109 metres.
Curated for exploration, O3 has been built with an ice-classed hull, cargo-carrying capacity and a heli-hangar on her original spec sheet. Steel and aluminium comprise the build, which is expected to feature a total volume of more than 6,000GT and accommodation for up to 20 guests.
Read More/In pictures: 109m Lürssen superyacht O3 on sea trials5. Second Amels 80 superyacht Netto II launched in the Netherlands
Dutch shipyard Damen Yachting launched the second Amels 80 superyacht Netto II from its facilities in Vlissingen, the Netherlands.
The 80-metre new build follows the first in the series, Pangea, which was delivered last October. However, she is set apart from her sistership with a custom "dolphin blue" metallic hull, platinum bootstripe and white superstructure.
Read More/Second Amels 80 superyacht Netto II launched in the Netherlands6. 49m Amer 499 yacht reaches construction milestone
Following the news that its flagship yacht, the 74-metre Amer 74, was moved to outfitting, Amer Yachts announced that the 49.5-metre Amer 499 yacht, hull 499/11, had also begun outfitting works.
According to BOATPro, the superyacht entered construction in December 2023, born from a collaboration between the Italian shipyard and designer Antonio Luxardo.
Read More/49m Amer 499 yacht reaches construction milestone7. Oceanco relaunches 93m Draak as new support vessel to 111m Leviathan
Dutch shipyard Oceanco relaunched the 92.8-metre superyacht Draak (ex Tranquility and Equanimity)from its facilities in Zwijndrecht following a comprehensive rebuild.
The superyacht, which was originally delivered in 2014 by the yard, has been transformed into the new companion yacht for Leviathan, the 111-metre Oceanco superyacht delivered last year to Gabe Newell - American video game developer and the owner of Oceanco.
Read More/Oceanco relaunches 93m Draak as new support vessel to 111m Leviathan8. 83m Feadship superyacht Project 829 seen for first time en route to outfitting
The 82.5-metre Feadship superyacht Project 829 was spotted for the first time in transit through Gouda, the Netherlands, en route to outfitting.
Little is known about the new build project, though BOATPro notes a full displacement steel hull, a beam of 13.4 metres and a volume of 2,408GT. Her newly unveiled exterior lines have been confirmed to have evolved from the boards of Harrison Eidsgaard.
Read More/83m Feadship superyacht Project 829 seen for first time en route to outfitting9. 32m Maxi Edmond de Rothschild offshore racing trimaran Gitana 18 launched
French sailing team Gitana announced the launch of its new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild offshore racing trimaran, Gitana 18. The 32-metre was first unveiled in early December at the team's shed in Lorient, Brittany, before hitting the water for the first time on Valentine's Day (14 February).
Gitana 18 succeeds the 2017-launched Gitana 17, building on her strengths with a "bold and assertive" new architectural design as the 28th boat in Gitana’s maritime saga, which is soon to celebrate 150 years of racing.
Read More/32m Maxi Edmond de Rothschild offshore racing trimaran Gitana 18 launched10. Leapher Yachts launches first 61m explorer yacht Horizon II
New Dutch shipyard Leapher Yachts launched the first superyacht from its facilities in Tolkamer, the Netherlands: the 61-metre explorer yacht Horizon II (previously known as Project Lazarus).
The yacht has been developed as a "true long-range explorer"; constructed with a polar-classed steel hull, she is expected to traverse high-latitude regions, offering 40 days of autonomy at sea while still carrying the luxury qualities of a superyacht.
Read More/Leapher Yachts launches first 61m explorer yacht Horizon II