Yachting news, Friday, 30 October 2026

Ferretti back to growth in the third quarter

Ferretti Group's order intake rose 6.6% and net revenue 13.6% in the third quarter compared with the same period last year, a return to growth after a difficult first half. The group credits stronger demand after the European autumn shows. However, it has lowered its profit outlook once again.

Fort Lauderdale, day three: Oyster goes power and Westport goes bigger

Oyster has shown the P60, a 19.4 m bluewater power catamaran concept drawn with Berret Racoupeau and its first purpose-built boat of the type. She has two or three guest cabins and cruises at 8 knots. Westport has unveiled the 52 m 172 Endeavour, with a 25-knot top speed, Verge Yacht Design interiors and an extended aft main deck that can carry a 12 m tender. The Pearl 100 and Hatteras 77 had their world premieres.

On the brokerage side, the 50 m Christensen Silver Lining has come to market with Northrop & Johnson at $27.95 million.

Benetti sells the fifteenth Motopanfilo 37M

Royal Yacht International has sold hull 15 of Benetti's Motopanfilo 37M, a modern take on the yard's 1960s designs, and it is due for delivery in summer 2027. Francesco Struglia drew the exterior and Lazzarini Pickering Architetti the interior. A big fold-down transom opens into an outdoor dining area. RYI says it is the firm's second Benetti new-build deal this month. Benetti now has 39 superyacht projects in development.

Inside Tankoa's hybrid Spirit

The finished interiors of Tankoa's 52 m Spirit, formerly Project Secret, have been revealed. She was launched in Genoa in July and shown at Monaco in September. Vitruvius Yachts designed the exterior and FM Architettura of Ancona the interior. She takes 12 guests in six cabins. The beach club has a gym, spa and infrared sauna that can be used while she is under way. Full-hybrid propulsion gives a 15-knot cruise and 17 knots flat out. She is listed for sale at €42.5 million.

Brokerage: Unbridled and Invictus change hands

The Trinity motor yacht Unbridled, built in 2009 and refitted in 2019, has been sold, with Kevin Merrigan of Northrop & Johnson acting for the seller. She was last asking $22.95 million and sleeps 16 guests. Her range is 5,900 miles at 12 knots.

The 29 m Sanlorenzo SD96 Invictus, delivered in 2022 with interiors by Patricia Urquiola, has also sold from a last asking price of €7.55 million. Maël Fiolet of Camper & Nicholsons acted for the seller and Konstantin Desyatnik of Swell Yachting for the buyer.

America's Cup: the French work on their starts in Naples

La Roche-Posay Racing Team was the only crew sailing an AC75 in Naples on 28 October; the other two teams sailing that day were out in stronger breeze in Cagliari and Auckland. In a fickle breeze that never gusted beyond about 6.5 knots, the French logged just over an hour and a half of foiling over eight runs. Late in the day they tried their first pre-start manoeuvres and a mock start. Trimmer Florian Trittel said the crew are still working out who does what before and during a race. A second foil-arm camera and apparent ride-height sensor checks suggest new instrumentation is being installed.

Diary dates: SSL Gold Cup in Rio and the Med Channel Race

The SSL Gold Cup finals start on 19 November at Marina da Glória in Rio de Janeiro, on the 2016 Olympic waters. Forty national teams have qualified, and the last three places will be decided at a Pan-American qualifier from 12 to 15 November. All crews race identical SSL 47s, with Robert Scheidt captaining the home team, and the final is on 13 December.

Looking further ahead, entries are open for the 2027 CIC Med Channel Race, starting from Marseille on 21 March. Class40s sail about 916 miles via Corsica, the Strait of Bonifacio, Sardinia and the Balearics; the Sun Fast 30 OD course skips the Sardinia loop and is about 720 miles. It is the only Mediterranean round of the 2027 Class40 national championship.

Loggerhead Molly released off the Algarve from Portimão

A 120 kg loggerhead turtle called Molly has been returned to the sea about ten miles off the Algarve after some 20 years in human care. She was rescued in Ireland with injuries to both front flippers and lived at Dingle Oceanworld until vets reassessed her chances. She came to Zoomarine's Porto d'Abrigo rehabilitation centre in May. The Portuguese Navy's NRP Orion took her out on Wednesday morning from the naval support point in Portimão. Porto d'Abrigo was Portugal's first marine rehabilitation centre and has received around €1 million this year to modernise.

Free online session on nautical tourism networks

NERA and the Algarve tourism bodies are running a free online session on 10 November, from 14:30 to 16:00, on how businesses and public bodies can work together in nautical tourism. The speaker is Gisela Sousa, who coordinates Portugal's Nautical Stations Network at Fórum Oceano. It is the second of the Nature & Nautic Sessions, which are EU co-funded; registration in advance is required.

Talk on the Algarve's sea forts at the Museu de Portimão

Historian Valdemar Coutinho will explain why so many coastal fortresses went up along the Algarve in the 17th century, in a talk at the Museu de Portimão at 17:00 on Saturday 7 November. It is the last 2026 session organised by the museum's friends' group.

Brussels proposes new rules for marina concessions

The European Commission's proposed Public Procurement Act would bring the 2014 Concessions Directive, which governs marina and boatyard concessions across the EU, into a single regulation. The draft gives more flexibility on durations and extensions and judges bids on more than price, with weight given to environmental and innovation goals. It also promises fair treatment for investments not yet paid off. European Boating Industry says several of its ideas are in the text but wants further changes. The Council and Parliament still have to agree it, and it would apply two years after adoption.

US extends cruising licences to Maltese yachts

US Customs has added Malta to the list of countries whose pleasure vessels can get a US cruising licence, with effect from 29 October. A port director can issue a licence for up to a year. Owners of Malta-flagged yachts planning a winter in US waters should take note.

Saudi Arabia licenses its first marina operator at KAEC

The Saudi Red Sea Authority has issued the first marina operator licence in King Abdullah Economic City to Emaar The Economic City for Bay La Sun Marina, which takes 57 boats. The licence comes under new rules on berthing, services, staff qualifications, rescue equipment and emergency planning. It follows last week's new rules for small charter boats.

Marina moves in Jesolo and Ibiza

Balmaris has bought 51% of Porto Turistico di Jesolo near Venice, a marina of more than 600 berths on the Sile river. Stefano Marzotto's Marvit keeps the rest. The partners plan to upgrade the yard and add hospitality and boat dealerships.

In Ibiza, Ports de les Illes Balears has awarded Astilleros Amilibia a €737,000 contract to replace two floating pontoons at Sant Antoni de Portmany. The work should take about four months.