Yachting news, Saturday, 31 October 2026

Ferretti cleared to build 100 m yachts in Ancona

Ferretti Group has won approval to enlarge its Ancona Superyacht Yard so it can build yachts of up to 100 m, up from 90 m. The authorisation, signed on 21 October, is the first at the port under the special economic zone single-permit scheme and took 54 days to approve. The work should take about six months and cost almost €3 million. The 80,000 m² yard is one of the group's key sites, and Ferretti puts the initial benefit to the local economy at around €30 million.

Fort Lauderdale: Pearl's hybrid flagship and Princess X90 on show

The third day of the Fort Lauderdale show brought the first Pearl 100 Hybrid, with hybrid propulsion as standard. Managing director Ian Smallridge says she can run silently on electric power for short hops and keep hotel loads on batteries for 10 to 12 hours. Dixon Yacht Design drew the exterior and naval architecture and Kelly Hoppen the interior. Princess brought the second hull of its 27.1 m X90 for her US premiere; she sleeps ten, with a main-deck master suite.

At the show, Ferretti's chief executive Stassi Anastassov urged the industry to stop relying on small, incremental changes and to plan for 2030. He called the US market vital and said builders must understand American needs, such as draught limits and day-boat use, rather than compete on discounts. The 92.8 m Oceanco Draak is the largest yacht at the show, which closes tomorrow.

Third Benetti Motopanfilo 45M sold, with a blue hull

An Italian entrepreneur has bought the third Benetti Motopanfilo 45M through Kora Marine, for delivery in late 2028. She will be the first of the series with a blue hull. The 45.6 m flagship of the Motopanfilo range has an exterior by RWD and interiors by Valentina Zanier. Her Veranda Deck opens the main saloon on three sides to the aft pool and beach area. She sleeps ten guests in five cabins, with a top speed of about 15 knots and a range of 4,100 miles at 10 knots.

Mulder sells the first 37 m Mulder 122

Mulder Shipyard has sold the first of its new Mulder 122 series to an experienced American owner, with Ken Bracewell of BR Marine Group handling the deal. She is in build at Zoeterwoude-Rijndijk for delivery in summer 2027. A stretched development of the yard's ThirtySix, she has a Van Oossanen fast displacement hull, interiors by FM Architettura and room for 12 guests. Twin MAN engines give 17 knots flat out, and she meets IMO Tier III and US EPA Tier 4 emissions rules.

New chief executive at Camper & Nicholsons

Benjamin Bensahel, previously chief commercial officer and head of sales, has become chief executive of Camper & Nicholsons. He takes over from Paolo Casani, who is stepping down after nearly ten years in charge and who saw through the firm's sale to Sea Expandary Group earlier this year.

America's Cup: Ratcliffe–Ainslie boat dispute set for trial in 2028

The Admiralty Court in London has rejected an application by INEOS Racing for an early trial of certain preliminary issues in its case against Sir Ben Ainslie's Athena Racing. At stake is ownership of the AC75 that raced as INEOS Britannia, now renamed GB1 and being fitted out in Naples to sail for the Challenger of Record, the Royal Yacht Squadron. Mr Justice Andrew Baker's order sets a 14 to 18-day trial from 12 January 2028, more than six months after the regattas end. It is one of four legal actions around the 38th America's Cup, in three countries.

IRC 2027 rule published

The RORC Rating Office has published the 2027 IRC rule, which takes effect on 1 January, or 1 June in countries where certificates run from June to May. The changes are mostly clarifications. Sail-setting rules now refer directly to the Offshore Special Regulations and the Racing Rules, and the requirements for rigging and setting storm sails have been tightened. Changing a hull's beam will now reset its age date. There is also a new definition of the tack point and clearer wording on stored power for moveable ballast and appendages.

Albufeira halts work on the Algarve desalination plant

Albufeira's mayor, Rui Cristina, has ordered a halt to work on the Algarve's desalination plant, which is being built on land and at sea at a cost of more than €50 million. He says the project breaches the municipal master plan. He insists he is not against the plant, but wants its outfall lengthened so that brine is released deeper and further from the coast. Developer Águas do Algarve expects the main phase of work to run until early 2028. The environment minister has promised to resolve the embargo and said the work will go on.

Pendry Barbados opens a 110-berth yacht club

Pendry Hotels & Resorts is opening a private yacht club on the west coast of Barbados ahead of its first Caribbean resort, due in 2027. The marina has 110 berths for boats up to 24 m, and a dedicated dock team to look after boats and crews. Members get a clubhouse with showers, a pool and bar, and use of the resort's spa, sports and dining. The wider development includes about 80 rooms and suites and 46 residences.

Tarbert slipway project moves to its next phase

At Tarbert Harbour on Loch Fyne, foundation and coastal protection work on the £2.2 million slipway project is preparing the site for its next stage, with work running until March 2027. Rock armour is going in on the seaward side, and about 3,900 tonnes of stone arrived in September. When finished there will be a launch and recovery system able to lift boats of up to 25 tonnes, a kayak pontoon and 30 more parking spaces. Charles Brand of Northern Ireland holds the £1.6 million contract.

Maine marina group sold as a going concern

Port Harbor Marine, which runs three marinas and six sales sites in Maine and Massachusetts, has been sold after a confidential process run by Marina Brokerage Advisors. The sale includes Spring Point and Breakwater marinas in South Portland and Jordan Bay Marina on Sebago Lake, with more than 2,400 wet berths, rack and indoor storage spaces between them. The business was founded in 1974 and had been employee-owned since 2018.

New summit on the superyacht berth shortage

Superyachts are growing faster than the marinas and yards that serve them, and the first Yacht Infrastructure Summit will tackle that gap at Metstrade in Amsterdam on 18 November. It is organised by SuperYacht Times and Marina World with Safe Harbor. Topics include what makes a superyacht marina viable, the business case for new refit yards and who will pay for them. Speakers come from Red Sea Global, D-Marin, ICON Yachts, Balmaris and Lazard, among others.