The freshest new superyacht concepts for 2018 and beyond

For our design special edition of Boat International, we spoke to the world’s most prominent superyacht designers to see what new designs they have up their sleeves. Here’s what we found…

What is it?

A chiselled 58 metre motor yacht from the renowned London-based design studio Bannenberg & Rowell.

Why we love it

The sharp, angular lines catch the eye, with a pair of fins atop the superstructure concealing the satellite domes when viewed from sea level, but it is the interior layout that really sets this design apart. The dining area is situated aft of the saloon to give sea views on three sides while enjoying a meal. What’s more, the main deck tender garage allows Project XS to store and launch a much larger dayboat than usual.

What is it?

Styled to appear slimmer than she is, Aurora is the latest 140 metre concept from the boards of world renowned studio Nuvolari Lenard.

Why we love it

Balancing sleekness and interior volume is a common challenge for briefs in the 100 metre plus size bracket. The designers have pulled this off with aplomb and retained star features like an infinity pool and superyacht beach club in the stern.

What is it?

A sharply styled 90 metre concept from Dutch studio Vripack, aptly named after the razor-taloned, keen-eyed bird of prey.

Why we love it

The open-plan interiors, designed to imbue a feeling of warmth, include a private family deck for the owner and a 20-seat cinema, as well as a spectacular spiral staircase that runs all the way to the sundeck. This comfortable atmosphere influenced the radically retro exterior, which Vripack describes as “neo-classical”. The warm white hull is topped with a superstructure clad in swathes of unvarnished wood and set with green glass.

What is it?

Frank Neubelt’s 100 metre design with a massive swimming pool positioned, unusually, as the centrepiece of the foredeck.

Why we love it

There are some enviable al fresco spaces on board, including a beach club with sunbathing spaces and a spa pool. But that superyacht swimming pool has an interesting attribute: it can be craned off and replaced with a containerised system to house substantial toys, such as submarines, sailing boats and hovercrafts that may come in useful for entertaining between long passages (Planet 300 is envisioned with a 10,000 nautical mile range at 14 knots).

What is it?

The Delta Marine design team conceived this 72 metre as a stylish explorer with a generous wellness area and a helicopter.

Why we love it

Taking advantage of the ability to mould concave and convex shapes in composite, the graceful superstructure flows around vast expanses of glass, augmented with judicious use of black paint. The graceful lines conceal six decks, with a structure inspired by the mast of a U boat. The lower decks are more casual with a great pool on the aft main deck, close to the water and the beach club, with an incremental transition to more formal spaces on upper decks.

What is it?

Innovative materials, cutting-edge technology and futuristic design combine in this 80 metre addition to Philippe Briand’s Vitruvius Yachts collection of explorers.

Why we love it

Briand’s striking design would be built from Krion — a mineral-resin composite that is hardwearing, antibacterial and easy to repair. Science aside, Noble Path balances a radical, futuristic form that appears to lean backwards with classical elements such as latticework in the superstructure, which draws on the Arabic architectural tradition of mashrabiya. More than 1,900GT of interior space allows guests to spread out over five decks, but the best view is reserved for the owner — looking out over the foredeck.

What is it?

An elegant superyacht design inspired by an ancient Polynesian canoe, this 115 metre is the latest brainwave from the team that brought us Jubilee – namely Igor Lobanov and Oceanco — while Achille Salvagni conceived the interiors.

Why we love it

Lobanov is renowned for his out-there exteriors and he certainly hasn’t held back here, with a dramatically curved bow and transom, as well as trick windows consisting of tiny dots that allow views out, but stop prying eyes from seeing in. Salvagni’s achingly cool interior adds another layer of intrigue — who else would have thought to fit teak stalagmites in the upper saloon?

What is it?

A supercar-inspired take on the 26 metre Otam fast planing yacht collection, by design duo Alessio Riccobaldi and Niccolò Pasquini, aka R+P Architecture.

Why we love it

Gullwing windows over the helm are guaranteed to turn heads wherever you cruise. When closed they allow for spectacular views at speeds of up to 45 knots, but when the anchor’s down and the windows are open, a seamless indoor-outdoor layout, with sunpads and sofas aplenty, really comes into its own.

What is it?

Born of the recently forged partnership between ISA Yachts and Team For Design Enrico Gobbi, this design is a glimpse at the next generation of the yard’s successful GT collection.

Why we love it

Every inch as sporty as the cars that share those famous initials, the GT50 is described as a “coupé of the sea” — a title reflected in its gently curved foredeck and sweeping superstructure arch. But the star of the show is undoubtedly the glass-sided spa pool, situated just above the beach club and guaranteed to catch the eye of anyone stepping on board.

What is it?

The Italian commercial yard’s determined push into the superyacht sector continues with this new sub-500GT globetrotter.

Why we love it

The exterior balances dynamic lines, penned by Tommaso Spadolini, with a reassuring sense of ruggedness, backed up by a transatlantic range at ten knots. Inside, contrasting light and dark elements in both the woodwork and the soft furnishings form the basis of a chic decorative palette. This theme starts in the saloon and is carried through to all five of the guest cabins.