Adler II has been shrouded in secrecy since her launch in 2005. Her predecessor was a 36 metre Baglietto built in 1987 and capable of reaching 40 knots with her central gas turbine.

This new Adler is some five metres larger with a composite construction by Vector Marine. Her two Paxman engines work with her twin waterjets to generate a combined output of 10,500hp, pushing her to a top speed of 50 knots. Her highly aerodynamic, futuristic design is by Gary Grant.

Builder: Vector Marine
Length Overall: 41.45m
Propulsion: Twin Waterjets
Maximum Horsepower: 10,494hp

The Baia Atlantica 78 series has spawned seven hulls over the past 13 years, but Sur L’Onde 2 stands out as the fastest of the bunch. Sporting a twin 2,030hp MTU 16V 2000 M91 engine set up, this open motor yacht tops out at 51 knots, earning herself a place in our top 20.

Builder:Baia
Length Overall: 24.3m
Propulsion: Twin diesel engines
Maximum Horsepower: 4,060hp

The first, and to date only, model in the Magnum 80 series, Mamimo II was launched in 2007 by the Florida-based yard. Sporting exterior styling by renowned automotive design house Pininfarina, she zips along at a top speed of 52 knots thanks to a hefty pair of MTU diesel engines. This luxurious open yacht can accommodate up to six guests in the utmost comfort.

Builder: Magnum Marine
Length Overall: 24.08m
Propulsion: Twin screw

Everything about the Nor-Tech 80 Sport Yacht screams high speed, from the name to the blue, white and gold racing livery. This is more than backed-up by the powerful twin screw MTU drivetrain, which can propel this 24.38 metre open motor yacht to a top speed of 52 knots. The largest yacht that the Florida-based yard has built to date, the 80 Sport Yacht can accommodate up to eight guests.

Builder: Nor-Tech Power Boats
Length Overall: 24.38m
Propulsion: 2x diesel engines

The largest of four models from AB Yachts on our list of the world's fastest superyachts, Swift was launched in 2014 as part of the AB116 series. Powered by triple 2,400hp MTU 16V 2000 M94 diesel engines, she more than lives up to her name, with a blistering top speed of 53 knots recorded.

Builder: AB Yachts
Length Overall: 36.25m
Propulsion: 3x diesel engines
Maximum Horsepower: 7,200hp

Built in aluminium by Dutch yard Heesen to a design by Gerhard Gilgenast, Octopussy was commissioned by American entrepreneur John Staluppi with the aim of breaking through the 50-knot barrier. Delivered in 1988, she fulfilled his aim by topping out at 53.17 knots, becoming the fastest superyacht in the world at the time.

Builder: Heesen
Length Overall: 43.62m
Propulsion: Triple MTU16V diesel engines
MaximumHorsepower: 10,440hp

The most recently launched yacht to make it onto our list, Spectre hit the water at AB Yachts' Viareggio facility in May 2016 as hull number one in the AB100 series. Her triple 1,900hp MAN diesel engines combine with MJP water jets to make a breathtaking top speed of 54.3 knots possible. Creature comforts haven't been compromised either, with a marble dining table and a 75-inch television both fitted on board.

Builder: AB Yachts
Length Overall: 30m
Propulsion: Triple diesel engines and water jets
Maximum Horsepower: 5,700hp

Why Not is one of the fastest yachts in the world, with a maximum speed of 55 knots. Part of the Overmarine Mangusta 108 series, she was designed by Andrea Bacigalupo and Stefano Righini.

Launched in 2001, her engines set her apart from other yachts in the series. The twin Lycoming gas turbines, combined with her three waterjets, generate 8,770hp of output and sound like a plane taking off. And when you open her throttle, she really does fly through the water, with a colossal top speed of 55 knots.

Builder: *Overmarine
*Length Overall: 33.5m
Propulsion: Triple waterjets
Maximum Horsepower: 8,770hp

Pershing has so far launched 10 hulls in its hugely successful Pershing 115 series designed by Fulvio de Simoni. Of these, five are fitted with a Vericor gas turbine combined with a central booster, generating an extra 5,100hp. This allows them to reach 55 knots compared to 40 knots in the standard model.

Launched in 2005, Mistral 55 _(pictured above) was the third hull in the series and the first to feature the gas turbine, but the fastest recorded speed in the Pershing 115 fleet belongs to another 2005 launch, _Azzam.

Builder: Pershing
Length Overall: 35.37m
Propulsion: CODAG
Maximum Horsepower: 12,500hp

The popular AB92 series (pictured above) has spawned five hulls over the past decade, but one stands out for its sheer speed. Seafire hit the water in 2009 boasting a triple Caterpillar C32 engine set-up, which means that this 28.2 metre yacht can hit 56 knots with the throttles pinned down. And when you're not blasting along at top speed, the four spacious cabins mean there's plenty of room for eight guests to relax.

Builder: AB Yachts
Length Overall: 28.2m
Propulsion: 3x diesel engines
Maximum Horsepower: 5,475hp

An all-aluminium speed machine from Italian yard Baglietto, Chato makes it into the top ten of our definitive list of the world's fastest superyachts. Launched in 1986 and refitted just three years later, this 25.79 metre planing yacht is part of the Baglietto 26MWJ series. On board accommodation is for up to six guests, but what will be far more interesting to adrenaline junkies is her engine set-up — twin MTU 16V 396 TB94 units mean that Chato can cruise comfortably at 35 knots and hit 57 knots flat out.

Builder: Baglietto
Length Overall: 25.79m
Propulsion: 2x MTU diesel engines

Designed by Rob Humphreys and built by McMullen and Wing, Ermis²_ _uses cutting edge technology to be both very strong and very fast, reaching a top speed of 58 knots.

Ermis²_ has_ a carbon-fibre construction made using the VIP (Vacuum Infusion Process) technique. This process of driving resin into the laminate creates an ultra-lightweight hull able to withstand extreme loadings of up to 2.2G while traveling at speeds over 55 knots. Indeed every component of the interior and exterior design was critically analysed and custom built to save weight. Ermis² is powered by three MTU 16V 4000 M90 series engines, each rated at 3,698hp. With her Kamewa jet drives, her total power output is a superlative 11,000hp.

Builder: McMullen & Wing
Length Overall: 37.56m
Propulsion: Triple waterjets
Maximum Horsepower: 11,094hp

The fastest yacht in the Otam 80 series, Black Bullet was launched in 2005 by the Italian yard sporting exterior design by Umberto Tagliavini. Her four Caterpillar C32 diesel engines propel her to a top speed of 58 knots and eighth place on our list of the world's fastest yachts. On board accommodation is for six guests and two crew, but with performance this thrilling you'll want to get behind the wheel yourself.

Builder: Otam
Length Overall: 25.5m
Propulsion: 4x diesel engines

Prolific naval architect Don Shead teamed up with American yard Palmer Johnson in 1998 to create Oci Ciornie. This aluminium-hulled speed machine was fitted with twin 1,800hp MTU 16V 2000 M90 engines, a 4,600hp AVCO Lycoming gas turbine and Arneson surface drives for a staggering top speed of 60 knots. Her interiors can accommodate up to eight guests in three cabins consisting of a master suite, double cabin and twin room with a pair of pullman berths.

Builder: Palmer Johnson
Length Overall: 25m
Propulsion: CODAG
Maximum Horsepower: 8,200hp

Originally called Mercury, Brave Challenger was built by Vosper for the Greek shipping tycoon Stavros Niarchos. Capable of hitting 60 knots, she's one of the fastest yachts in the world.

Brave Challenger was designed by Peter du Cane, with an interior by Cäsar Pinnau. She has an aluminium superstructure with an aluminium and mahogany hull, her classic lines have evolved during refits in 1989 and 1999.

Although she was launched back in 1960, her performance remains impressive. She has three gas turbines which, working with surface drives, generate 13,620hp and allow a maximum speed of 60 knots. She also has two conventional engines for easier manoeuvrability at low speed. Brave Challenger is usually berthed in Southampton, UK.

Builder: Vosper
Length Overall: 31.4m
Propulsion: Triple waterjets / Twin screws
Maximum Horsepower: 13,620hp

Launched in 2004 by Italian yard AB Yachts, Kereon blasts through the waves at a top speed of just over 62 knots. This punchy performance is made possible by a triple 2,250hp CRM diesel engine set-up fitted to a fast planing hull designed by naval architect Angelo Arnaboldi. Inside Kereon can accommodate up to six guests in three cabins, while her 12,000 litre fuel tank means a maximum range of 900 nautical miles is possible at her fast cruising speed of 50 knots.

Builder: AB Yachts
Length Overall: 27m
Propulsion: 3x diesel engines
Maximum Horsepower: 6,750hp

Gentry Eagle was built by the late Tom Gentry, who set nearly every powerboat speed record in existence. His passion to win powerboating's most coveted honour, the Blue Riband for the fastest passage across the Atlantic, drove him to design and build the 34.1 metre, 11,500 horsepower Gentry Eagle, capable of 64 knots.

In 1989, he finally won the Blue Riband. His record time of 62 hours and seven minutes beat Richard Branson's previous record by an astonishing 23 per cent. Gentry Eagle was relaunched as a yacht in 1992.

Builder:Vosper Thornycroft
Length Overall: 34.1m
Propulsion: Single surface drive / Twin waterjets
Maximum Horsepower: 11,560hp

The sleek lines and futuristic design of Wally's Galeocerdo is the result of an exhaustive research and development programme. Luca Bassani, the founder of Wally, wanted to create a very fast boat able to maintain high speeds in rough seas. Following tank testing at the SSPA facility in Goteborg, Sweden, and wind tunnel testing at the Ferrari facility in Maranello, Italy, the design of Galeocerdo was born.

Galeocerdo, is driven to a top speed of 65 knots by three Vericor TF50 gas turbines, each driving a Rolls-Royce Kamewa water jet. The titanium exhaust system is lightweight while extremely resistant to the high temperatures generated by the gas turbines.

Builder:Rodriquez
Length Overall: 36.0m
Propulsion: Triple Waterjets / Twin Screws
Maximum Horsepower: 16,800hp

World is not Enough is the second fastest yacht in the world. She was built by Millenium Super Yachts, a company set up by American businessmen and yacht owners John Staluppi and John Rosatti to build the fastest and most beautiful yachts in the world.

Designed by Dutch naval architect Frank Mulder, World Is Not Enough is one of the very few yachts to have reached more than 65 knots, topping out at 67 knots. She is propelled by two Paxman diesel engines and two Lycoming gas turbines, producing a staggering 20,600hp. But she is not just about speed — her interior, designed by Evan K. Marshall, can accommodate 10 guests in settings as luxurious as any of the yachts featured on this list.

Builder: Millennium Super Yachts
Length Overall: 42.4m
Propulsion: Triple Waterjets
Maximum Horsepower: 20,600hp

Built by Izar at Spain’s Astilleros Bazan yard with naval architecture by DLBA, Foners was launched in 2000 as the King Juan Carlos of Spain's royal yacht.

Originally called Fortuna, Foners was described by Javier Arce, head of Izar, as a "formula one prototype”. She is propelled by two 1,280hp MAN engines and three Rolls Royce 6,700hp gas turbines driving three Kamewa water jets, all of which combines to deliver a world-beating top speed of 70.1 knots.

When trimmed back to 12 knots, she can deliver a maximum cruising range of 1,800 nautical miles. Currently owned by the Balearía Shipping Company, Foners is based in the Spanish city of Dénia.

Builder: Izar
Length Overall: 41.5m
Propulsion: Triple Waterjets
Maximum Horsepower: 22,660hp