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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.