Italian yard Maiora, a brand of NEXT Yacht Group, has unveiled a 42-metre superyacht model called the Maiora 42 Exuma. The design was first revealed to a selection of press at the yard's Viareggio facilities, where Maiora also announced that the first unit had already been sold. Italian designer Giorgio M. Cassetta and fashion designer Elie Saab (under the direction of Carlo Colombo of A++) have been selected for the exterior and interiors of this brand-new project.
Said to "break free" from traditional yachting concepts, the Maiora 42 Exuma eschews design tropes such as lower deck guest cabins, "oversized and underused" main saloons and cramped crew spaces. Highlights include a fully glazed upper deck (for 360-degree views) and a private outdoor area dedicated to crew breaks.
A four-deck layout sees up to 12 guests accommodated across four VIP cabins, which join the owner's suite on the main deck. A separate sleeping and living area characterises the owner's cabin, featuring a private bar corner, two walk-in dressing rooms and a his-and-hers en suite.
Interiors are bright and welcoming, with living areas distributed across the decks rather than concentrated in a main saloon. This airy design is developed further with two terraces (on the main and upper deck) and an open-space lounge on the upper deck, where the sightlines stretch from bow to stern.
Statement pieces from the Elie Saab Maison collection have been weaved throughout, complemented by bespoke works from the fashion designer "specifically for the yachting environment". Materials used include Mystic Ocean marble, light bronzed mirrors, teak ceilings and "high-resistance" fabrics and finishes for longevity.
Outdoor liveability, meanwhile, is often defined by the upper deck – with traditional layouts said to "suffer" from the presence of bulky equipment such as the helm station and technical areas. All functional interference has been removed on the Maiora 42 Exuma, resulting in a fully glazed (and panoramic) level designed for relaxation, complete with fold-down terraces and a glass-bottom pool that filters light through to the lower deck.
Inside the saloon is the main dining area, while the bow has a circular sunbed area that is remotely adjustable, allowing guests to follow the sun's path through the day.
The lower deck is almost entirely dedicated to crew and services, with the exception of a separated, multifunctional space that can be configured as a gym, massage room, media room or a sixth cabin with bathroom. A larger dumbwaiter will be installed here for simultaneous service across all decks.
There is also the option to have a panoramic glass elevator connecting three decks, a feature typically found on much larger yachts.
Cassetta said that the idea for the exterior design came to him almost immediately. "The vision of this high-performance gentleman's yacht took shape in a quick sketch," he explained. "It was a challenge to create a balance between lightness, interior volume and generous heights while maintaining a clean and refined look."
"When onboard experience is designed properly, the yacht becomes transparent to the eyes of the owners," said Sebastiano Fanizza, CEO of Next Yacht Group. "From this seed, the Maiora 42 Exuma was born, inaugurating a new era of living at sea that surpasses outdated conventions to embrace a yachting idea that finally puts people – not old logics – at the heart of the project."
Key specs include a 8.9-metre beam and a top speed of 30 knots (when opting for the triple MTU package).
The first Maiora 42 Exuma is scheduled for delivery in 2027.
Earlier this year, Maiora celebrated the unveiling of another new model – the M|36. The design team aimed to create a yacht that is “a natural extension of the sea” with a close connection between the interiors and exterior spaces.
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