world's smallest yacht

Szymon Kuczynski World Record for the Smallest Yacht around the Globe Solo and Non-Stop

Szymon Kuczynski secured a new world record for the smallest yacht to circumnavigate the globe singlehanded and unaided, when he returned to Mayflower Marina in Plymouth on Thursday 17th May.

Szymon, who set sail last year from Plymouth on August 19, completed the circumnavigation in 270 days, 10 hours and 29 minute. The World Sailing Speed Record Council recognizes a similar feat by Alessandro di Benedetto (FRA/ITA) in 2009-10 who sailed a 6.5m (21ft 3.9in) Mini yacht around the world in 268 days, 19 hours, 36 minutes, 12 seconds.

The solo sailor took a classic route round the three famous capes of Africa, Australia and South America . Szymon had been living in a space of just four square metres for over 9 months and accomplished this trip without ever making any stops to ports.

In 2013, he sailed back and forward across the Atlantic Ocean on his self-built, 5m long yacht, “Lilla My” as part of a ‘Call to the Ocean’ race.

And in 2014, Szymon finished his round the world trip- “Maxus Solo Around”- taking the Pasat Route, making stops at ports along the way.

About the boat

The sailboat was manufactured in the Northman shipyard in Poland. The Maxus 22, which is normally used for in-land sailing and close-shore waters, has been adjusted for such and ocean challenge, by changing most of it’s construction.

The hull and rigging have been strengthened and the interior of the yacht has been limited to the essential appliances. The cabin can be hermetically closed, and the hull can still remain floating on the water, even in case of an accident and a complete water flooding inside.

Szymon Kuczynski Journey Statistics 

Time:  270 days, 10 hours, 29 minutes. Miles travelled: 29 044. Average speed:  4,5 kt. Maximum speed: 14,9 kt. Books read: 143.

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The man who went around the world on the smallest yacht in the world.

Serge Testa and Acrohc Australis

Serge Testa is the man who went around the world on the smallest yacht in the world.

A 3.6 meter boat and a man who dared to go around the world in it, a record that has not been broken to this day

How he decided to take such a trip and what his micro-boat was like: “ A little ambition, a little imagination and a lot of patience can go a long way”

Serge Testa was born in 1950 in an Italian family in France, he spent his childhood in Brazil. His passion for his travels led him to Australia, where he fell in love with the sea and sailing.

The first experiment was not very successful: the wooden sloop that Testa was studying at sea was too deteriorated and sunk. Serge was not discouraged and continued to practice sailing, while trying to build ships. It is no wonder that one day the idea of ​​sailing around the world matured in his head, and necessarily on a yacht of his own design.

TESTA FIRST: BUILT A 33 FEET SLOOP TO TRAVEL THE WORLD IN RELATIVE COMFORT. HOWEVER, AFTER CALCULATING YOUR FINANCES, IT WAS FOUND THAT YOUR REMAINING MONEY WAS NOT ENOUGH TO SAIL WITHOUT HAVING TO TAKE A FORCED REST TO EARN THE DAILY BREAD.

Then Serge sold “too big a yacht” to go back to a smaller version in a few years. Furthermore, this ship was to be the smallest ship ever made in such a risky undertaking.

Although Serge later denied his initial plans to set a record for a solo circumnavigation yacht, there is some evidence to the contrary: Before the first sheets of metal appeared on his studio floor, the future designer had studied the statistics of long-distance travel in very small boats with some detail.

In 1965 the Englishman John Reiding managed to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a 12-foot boat. His Bermuda sloop Sjo Ag (“Sea Egg”) covered the distance from Plymouth to Newport in 67 days. And a year later, the Irishman Will Verity in 67 days made a successful transatlantic voyage on the 12-foot sloop Nonoalca, now west to east, from American Lowerdale to the port of Trailly in Ireland.

In the early 1980s, the American Wayne Dickenson sailed in 142 days from Point Allerton in Massachusetts to the Irish coast on the 2.7 (8 ft 11 “) of the Teardrop of God. A year later, the Briton Eric Peter sailed from Las Palmas to Guadalupe in 46 days on the just 1.8 meter (5ft 10.5 “) Toniky-Noo.

As for the Pacific, it was the first time John Reiding had crossed it on a small yacht. His Sjo Ag successfully sailed from San Diego on the west coast of the USA to New Zealand, but moved to Australia and disappeared in the Tasman Sea without a trace. American Jerry Spice was more fortunate: In 1981, he traveled 108 days from Long Beach (California) to Sydney, Australia, with brief stops in Hawaii, Fanning Atoll, Fiji and New Caledonia. By the way, on this trip, the 10 feet from him. (3.05m) Yankee Girl showed great speed: 70 nautical miles with an individual record of 130 miles in 24 hours!

“The children” already managed to set their first transoceanic records, now they had to dominate the routes around the world. Furthermore, the first application of this type had already been made.

“I had no plans, all plans existed only in my head”

Its general concept: a boat of minimum size, with the greatest possible survivability and seaworthiness. The material – aluminum for ship structures, quite strong and not too expensive (anyway, his money was enough only for 200 kg).

Serge immersed himself in work, and dozens of times changing various elements of the keel. The contours of the yacht were literally a hunch: every detail had to look good, and together they had to create a harmonious image of the ship, giving it quite good seaworthiness.

Acrohc Australis yacht overview, specifications and design

Maximum Length (LOA): 3,607 m (11 ft 10 “) Maximum beam: 1.68 m Hull material: 3mm aluminum Weight: 350 kg Ballast: 120 kg Reserve water: 100 lts Fuel: 20 lts

THE RESULT WAS SO ORIGINAL A DESIGN THAT EVEN THE MOTHER OF THE FUTURE TRAVELER REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE IT AS A REAL BOAT.

It was she who gave him something in the first part of the name: Acrohc (thing, thing) in her native Italian dialect. The second part of the name, Australis , was added patriotically by Sergio himself.

THE BOAT’S CAB WAS SO SMALL THAT IT WAS ONLY POSSIBLE TO BE IN A NARROW BED, IMPOSSIBLE AT FULL HEIGHT BECAUSE OF ITS ROOF UNDER IT. BUT EVERYTHING THAT WAS NEEDED WAS LITERALLY WITHIN ARM REACH.

Unsinkable was guaranteed by six entire hermetically sealed lockers, which the creator of it proudly called “watertight compartments.”

Stability was ensured by a 5-foot keel weighted with ballast of ploin. A special horizontal plate was attached to the middle of the keel to reduce drift with a significant slope.

Serge paid special attention to the possibility of steering the ship without leaving the cockpit. To do this, he installed an additional rudder (inside), as well as a complete system of six winches, thanks to which the sails could also be controlled from the inside.

Once the berth was dismantled, it was possible to sit and do a fairly tolerable observation directly in the field, while the small side windows (rather than even the observation holes) allowed you to look to the horizon from time to time on both sides.

To help with his solo journey, he designed an unusual bow thruster, which could also be adjusted directly from the cockpit.

The challenge was to ensure that the superstructure was completely watertight, with additional holes for the ends of the running rig. The test coped with this with the help of special nylon bushings, which then served it faithfully almost to the end of the world.

THE ACROHC AUSTRALIS EQUIPMENT WAS COMPLETED WITH A FOUR HP OUTBOARD ENGINE, WHICH LATER ALMOST CHALLENGED ITS TITLE OF THE WORLD’S SMALLEST TRAVELER.

According to the hull measurement rules, when recording micro-ship achievements, your LOA must take into account the length of all stationary (as well as towed) fences without exception. Thus, with the official record length of 3.6 meters (without retractable bowsprit and removable rudder), the ‘Australian Stuff’ achieved the undesirable addition of 56.3 cm at the expense of protruding engine mounts and solar panels and ‘grew’ up to 4.17 meters. Who knows, if the Guinness inspectors had treated him less condescendingly in due time, Serge Test’s record would have improved as early as 2003.

Launched on June 9, 1984, Acrohc Australis immediately demonstrated excellent performance without the aid of an engine. Even with relatively calm sea, it could reach speeds of up to 5 knots and could go with a strong base wind.

Now they both had to pass the test by ocean …

“It was no more dangerous than going around the world in a great ship …”

When she left Brisbane and moved slowly north along the Moreton Bay shoreline, few people knew that she had started her famous journey around the world. Serge shared his plans only with his family, suggesting that the final decision to continue the journey would be made only upon reaching Darwin, if he could.

The first day was marked by a landing on the ground. Fortunately, neither the keel nor the hull as a whole were damaged, giving the novice traveler a chance to see the successful design of the ship, which turned out to be as ‘strong as a tank’. During the next four months of sailing around the extreme northeast of Australia, he had to test the strength of the ship more than once, and at the same time, to improve his navigation skills, learn to calculate and determine the place. by visual landmarks.

The start of the trip was more like a cruise that took place in quite favorable weather conditions. The ship behaved well and her skipper got used to being alone and gaining confidence in the eventual success of the endeavor she had conceived.

Arriving in Darwin in early November, Serge spent almost two months in final preparation for his next trip. Acrohc Australis underwent the most meticulous inspection, the box was cleaned and repainted, the rigging was tight and all movements were carefully checked. Now he had a long journey out of sight of the coast, so Testa acquired a sextáte and several books in which he hoped to learn to work with the tool himself. After sailing for a few days with his family in Brisbane, he returned to Darwin after Christmas and already on January 1, 1985 he set sail for the Coconut Islands.

HE ENCOUNTERED THUNDERSTORMS, IN WHICH THE WIND WAS 60 KNOTS, AND FOLLOWED IN HURRICANE. THE SUN DESPAIRING, BURNING THE SKIN AND STRANGE MOISTURE, FOR WHICH IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH SEA WATER, THE WHOLE BODY IS COVERED WITH PAINFUL ULCERS.

But even in unbearable conditions, he managed to expand his knowledge in navigation, having learned to determine the place at the height of the sun at noon with an accuracy of 5 nautical miles.

The first week the weather really spoiled Acrohc Australis , but then the wind got stronger again and it turned into a multi-day storm luckily along the way. Even on the extremely sturdy sails, the little one would literally fly over the waves, traveling 100 miles or more in one day, but then … the autrail failed, so Serge had to stay behind the helm the entire time.

THE MISSING CHRONICA DE SUEÑO GAVE ROOM TO HALLUCINATIONS – IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN, HE HEARD THE ROOSTER SONG AND THE VOICES OF THE CHILDREN.

Fortunately, after a few days, the wind dropped to moderate and on the 29th day of swimming Serge saw the mountains of Mauritius rising directly from the ocean. Having gained a bit of strength in Port Louis and then spent three weeks at the hospitable Saint-Pierre on Reunion Island , he set sail for Madagascar in mid-May.

This was followed by repairs and a relatively quiet passage to Durban , where Serge waited more than three months for winter storms. Only in the “spring” of October for these latitudes Acrohc Australis moved around the Cape of Good Hope . Unfortunately, the calculations for a long period of time favorable this time have not been justified. On the same approach to Cape Town , the ship faced a series of violent storms. The bow thruster failed again and Serge had to spend several days in a row at the helm.

CHRONIC FATIGUE MADE YOU JUST SLEEP AT HER STATION TO WAKE UP ON THE COAST.

Fortunately, the ship was not seriously injured or damaged, and during the tide the ship was taken to the depths. However, the rest of November and the entire month of December, the test had to be carried out in Cape Town for the preventive inspection, cleaning and painting of the hull. Participants in Whitbread’s round-the-world race, whose next stage he was preparing to depart from Cape Town , couldn’t believe the little Acrohc was also traveling the world. But soon even the most desperate skeptics were convinced of Serge’s determination: the new year 1986 marked the beginning of the assault on the Atlantic Ocean.

The trip took the traditional route of navigation through Santa Elena (where the traveler had to stay for three weeks waiting for a bank transfer) and Ascensión . This was followed by a 52-day run to the Brazilian coast , at the end of which the accompanying storms were replaced by a strip of calm. In low winds, the autoruder did not work well enough, and the sole skipper had to hold the rudder nearly twenty-four hours a day, keeping an eye on the compass.

At night, the need to look in and listen to the darkness was added, so as not to get under the stern of a passing ship. With one of these ocean giants , he miraculously lost less than 100 meters, and on another occasion, worried about the nearby engine noise, Serge in vain looking for a source of danger – rather than the approaching ship had to split up with a casualty -planes in flight …

After a grueling transoceanic transition, Brazilian Natalya had only three days to rest: local authorities refused to issue a visa and Testa had to take a course for French Guiana. He spent the next two months navigating the southern Caribbean islands , trying to stay off the Colombian coast for fear of pirate drug traffickers.

The attack was happily avoided, but the miniature boat was constantly shaking in 20-30 knot winds.

ONE OF THE MOST SENSITIVE HITS THIS TIME WAS THE LOSS OF THE “TOILET” BUCKET, WHICH TURNED THE SHIPPING OF NATURAL NEEDS INTO A TRUE ACROBATIC TRICK.

In May, Acrohc Australis was moored in Puerto Azul , where Serge decided to wait for the satellite navigator to sail across the Pacific , although due to the limited power of the solar panel, it could hardly be activated for half an hour a day.

It was not until the end of August “that the ship” passed through the Panama Canal and headed for the Galapagos . This stage was so painful that Testa was about to interrupt his trip around the world. With mostly weak and unpretentious winds, his ship was held hostage by the opposing Peruvian current (Humboltov). His attempt to cross a difficult section with the engine was unsuccessful, he simply refused to work.

Also, as he moved south, the hull became increasingly filled with seaweed and clams. This significantly slowed the turtle’s already slow speed, for which he had to spend a few hours a day overboard, scraping in vain in an attempt to dispose of the unwanted “passengers”. He was so exhausted that he didn’t even indulge himself with the equator crossing vacation, but he still didn’t give up. On the 34th day of swimming in the rain cover the contours of the nearby land seemed vague, and the next day in a suddenly revived motor «Shtuchka» entered the port of San Cristóbal, one of the easternmost Galapagos Islands.

Test spent most of the three days here searching for methyl alcohol for the stove. After resupplying food and water, he moved further south. The Acrohc Australis road ran through the Marquesas , Tuamotu sea to the pearl of French Polynesia , the fabulous Tahiti .

A month and a half trip in the Southern Ocean literally enchanted Serge, allowing him to truly experience the beauty of solitary wandering. And it’s no wonder: these waters have long been a special draw for boaters. It is no coincidence that this is where Bernard Moiseyesse sought out his Joshua, refusing to win the Golden Globe race in exchange for the opportunity to continue his unity with the Ocean.

He arrived in Tahiti in December and Testa was able to enjoy a well-deserved vacation, combining it with relaxed sightseeing on the magical island. Here he also met the new year 1987, which was destined to be the last year of his trip around the world.

The final phase took more than four months. Acrohc Australis returned to its coasts of origin through the dispersal of islands in the South Seas . The satellite navigator made life much easier, allowing, in Serge’s own words “to sleep with both eyes closed,” but the swimming was not entirely serene.

In the approaches to the Cook Islands there were numerous microthreads in the rear of the mainsail, so the sail had to be careful, taking the reefs or going down even in moderate winds.

As she passed through the Tonga archipelago, she was stranded in the tide of Atat Atoll, and also in a real coral reef trap. Her captain had to manually carry the anchor through the shallow water to pull the boat step by step into the clear water.

The planned landing at Norfolk Testa had to be abandoned: the wind increased sharply and the main anchor had to break away to clear the rocks on the lee coast in time. In addition to that, Serge managed to contract a staphylococcal infection, the treatment of which took a long time and the rest of the already few forces.

However, at the beginning of May, the little Acrohc Australis passed the Moreton Island crossing, officially closed the world and on May 16, 1987 she arrived in her native Brisbane .

A JOURNEY OF ALMOST THREE YEARS WAS COMPLETED WITH SUCCESS. HOWEVER, DIRECTLY AT SEA DURING THIS LONG PERIOD OF TIME, HE SPENT “ONLY 500” UNFORGETTABLE DAYS.

That is the number that Serge Testa immortalized in the title of a book about his journey that made him famous.

‘I’m surprised that my record hasn’t been broken yet …

Serge hasn’t tired of wondering about it for over 30 years. However, he himself did not want to repeat the circumnavigation on a smaller ship. A few years after his legendary voyage, he and his brother built a Polynesian ship and crossed the Pacific Ocean. Thus (obviously, following the example of Tura Heyerdahl) the Testa brothers were going to show that America was open long before Columbus and not from the East but from the West.

However, the expedition failed and the ship had to leave off the coast of Japan. This did not discourage Serge: in the following years he still sailed a lot, and in the early 1990s (already with his wife Robin his) he built a 60-foot boat. Charming steel sloop. On this yacht, the Testa couple sailed around the world in 1993-97 with much more comfort than the Acrohc Australis would ever allow.

Serge Testa with his boat thirty years later

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Practical Boat Owner

• Digital edition

Why I’m crossing the Atlantic in the world’s smallest yacht

• Alison Wood
• September 23, 2022

Andrew Bedwell can't even sit straight in his 1m boat, let alone stand, yet he plans to spend 60+ days at sea in his microyacht, sailing solo and eating cold squares of dehydrated beef 

What’s inspired this world record microyacht attempt?  

I’ve always dreamed of breaking the world record for the smallest vessel to cross the Atlantic . Big C is just over a metre long, and the current record is held by US sailor Hugo Vihlen, whose boat Father’s Day was 5ft 4in. The plan is to do exactly the same route as he did. Leaving in May 2023, I’ll be sailing the northern route from St John’s Newfoundland back to the UK. 

What was the last sailing challenge you did? 

I took a 21ft Mini Transat up into the Arctic – it was a prototype with a canting keel – around Iceland towards Greenland, through Denmark Strait and back home to the UK. I raised money for my daughter’s school. Now I’ve gone for a bigger project but in a smaller boat .

Andrew Bedwell with Big C , his transatlantic microyacht

What’s the appeal of microyachting? 

I love the simplicity of microyachting. I like the unusual side of life; sleeping in my van or on the mountainside in bivvy bags with my 9-year-old daughter. I don’t need luxuries, and this boat here obviously hasn’t got any of those. 

Inside Big C . Andrew’s daughter has illustrated the hatch

What does your daughter think of your voyage? 

She thinks it’s just a brave thing to do. She’s drawn pictures on my boat. I want this challenge to show her that she should be able to get out and do things. If you don’t go for it, you’ll never know what could have been. It might not work but we’re going to go as far as we can.

Is it typical for a microyacht to just have twin headsails?

No, it’s not typical, but there’s no room for a mainsail on here, and the boat is designed to sail dead downwind . It’s tried and tested. We’ve got spare sail if we need it, but it’s a simple system and not a lot can go wrong. 

Who designed the boat?

Tom McNally. Unfortunately he died of cancer. That’s why he named the boat Big C . He was a microyachter. In 1993 he broke the record in a 5ft 4½inch boat [which was trumped the very same year by Hugo Vihlen in a boat half an inch shorter!]. Tom designed and started building this boat so we’ve got great confidence in the boat’s design. All we’ve done is brought it up to date. 

How far have you gone on Big C to date?

Not so far, initially, because it’s really difficult to get a downwind boat in and out of the harbour. We’ve only done about 10 miles in it, but you know what? That’s probably more than a lot of the other people have done before attempting to break the record. When Tom McNally and other microyachters have had a go they’ve literally gone to the quayside, put the boat in, maybe done some last-minute modifications, then shot off! You often find it’s the more quirky people who do this kind of challenge. 

With twin headsails but no mainsail, Big C can only sail downwind

Just how seaworthy is Big C ?

We’ve made the boat so it’s actually quite lightly ballasted so it reacts to the waves really well. Big, big rolling seas are no issue at all. With breaking waves, the boat can still contain itself. The whole hull is about 12mm thick everywhere so it is absolutely solid and designed for the job. It’s a complete safety cell.

Small is actually sometimes better in a big sea state. We see big container ships breaking up in the middle because they’re on the peak and the trough and basically on the peak of the next wave. With Big C , we can actually fold the boat away – by which, I mean, we take the outriggers up against the mast – so if we know that we’ve got a big weather system coming through, we can get the hatch down, buckle up and sit it out.

It’s going to be like the best fairground ride! A lot of people pay for that kind of thing at Alton Towers. It’s not going to be pleasant but then no real record attempt will be too pleasant! 

Will the boat invert then right itself?

If we get storms, that’s what the boat is designed to do. Tom didn’t want Big C to be too deep drafted because that gives it a very odd motion when it’s sitting in the waves. Yes, this will roll, but because it’s actually quite light, as soon as the wave passes it will pop to the top. It won’t stay inverted or anything like that. 

How much air do you have inside?

We can actually manage the way that the air is getting in and out of the boat. We’ve got about 40 minutes of air in there so we’ve got two dorade vents on the front that can rotate. We’ll have one into the wind and one away from the wind, and then there’ll be butterfly flaps (they’re not on there yet) so the wind can pass through but if a wave hits them they’ll just snap shut . 

What will you eat?

Pemmican – it’s what Amundsen ate on his Antarctic expeditions. My version is beef drippings, beef and raisins – all dehydrated. My wife and I made it. I’ll have two slabs a day. 

Will you have satellite communications?

We’ve got an Iridium Edge Solar, which has been used up into the Arctic and down in the Antarctic, and that’s a very small self-contained solar beacon that will be mounted on the deck. Internally we’ve got a class B AIS transponder, then we’re going to have an AIS receiver – two separate units so that if one fails I have backup. There’ll be a fixed VHF, handheld VHF and then obviously EPIRBs . There’ll be as much in there as we can carry. There are so many different companies creating amazing products but we’re limited by space . 

How long will the Atlantic crossing take?

With perfect conditions it would take 60 days, but we’ve modelled the voyage over the last 20 years and worked out that I’ll probably be sitting through around 20 days of storms with the sea anchor out.

Where will you sit and sleep?

I’ve got a little hammock that sits on deck so I can actually put my legs up. I can stand up for a lot of the time. I’ve got exercises I’ve been given by a physiotherapist, and I can stretch myself up against the rig. When I’m asleep I’ll need to curl up into the foetal position at the bottom of the boat, but in inclement conditions I’ll just be harnessing myself in and sleeping upright. I’ve got a beanie hat that’s got this special foam in so my head won’t rattle around in the cage… did I say ‘cage’? I mean cockpit!

• Follow’s Andrew’s preparations and adventures on Facebook at Big C Atlantic Challenge  

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

First look: Spirit 30 – Spirit’s smallest ever yacht

• Rupert Holmes
• November 11, 2021

The all-new Spirit 30 is the smallest yacht ever produced by the well regarded British yard which specialises in modern classic wooden yachts. Rupert Holmes reports

The sleek classic style of all Spirit Yachts is guaranteed to turn heads and the Ispwich-based yard’s smallest new model for many years, the spirit 30 is no exception.

The Spirit 30 follows the well-proven format of a light displacement, modern hull shape below the water allied to a performance rig and sails. It’s a combination that delivers speeds which belie the boat’s modest dimensions.

During the commissioning sail, for example, the Spirit 30 recorded 6.8 knots of boat speed close-hauled and 10 knots off the wind in 18-20 knots of breeze.

Yet this is civilised vessel with a self-tacking furling jib and all sail controls led aft for easy single and short-handed sailing. The first example is an open day sailer with a large cockpit, although there are also plans for a version with a cuddy and basic overnight accommodation.

Auxiliary power is from a Torqeedo Cruise 4.0FP electric pod drive. This offers a 16-mile range at five knots with the standard battery and a maximum speed under power of 6.5 knots.

The wood epoxy composite construction is one of the most sustainable options for building a new boat, requiring far less noxious resins and plastics than conventional fibreglass structures.

Typically three layers of timber are epoxy glued together, creating an extremely stiff, yet very light, monocoque structure. A protective outer layer of glass cloth and epoxy is then applied, which enhances waterproofing and provides impact resistance.

Spirit 30. Photo: Spirit Yachts / Waterline Media

Spirit Yachts has gone a stage further than usual with this boat, using flax fibres and bio resins for the outer layer. The result is what the company says is its most sustainable yacht to date and plans to roll out the same materials to the larger boats in the range.

The Spirit 30 is offered with a choice of fixed or lifting keels and the boat is light enough to be towed on a road trailer. The first example is scheduled to be exhibited at the Dusseldorf boat show in January 2022.

Spirit 30 specifications:

LOA: 9.15m 30ft 0in LWL: 6.5m 21ft 4in Beam: 1.9m 6ft 3in Draught: 1.6m 5ft 3in Displacement: 1,700kg 3,750lb Builder: www.spirityachts.com Base price: £250,000 ex VAT

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

The best small cruising yachts in 2023

• Theo Stocker
• September 29, 2023

Despite bigger yachts dominating the new boat scene in recent decades, there are still any number of builders making new smaller cruisers. Here's our pick of the best small cruising yachts in 2023

We have seen a surprisingly large number of builders going against the grain to bring small cruising yachts to market in the last year or so, ranging from trailer0-sailers to smaller traditionally-styled options. Here, we’ve rounded up 4 of the best small cruising yachts launched in the last year.

Typically this size of yacht appeals to those who are looking for a day sailer or weekender and will often offer reduced draught in able to allow you to go creek crawling or nose your way into otherwise hard to get to anchorages.

The best small cruising yachts 2023

Once you’ve seen one, Bente yachts are unmistakable. We revisited the brand’s first boat, the Bente 24 , a couple of issues ago, which has been around for 10 years or so. The brand then launched the striking Bente 39 which was immensely innovative, but the company ran into financial difficulties. Now under new owners and a more stable footing, a third model has been launched, which I can’t wait to test sail. The Bente 28 is unlike any other 28-footer.

The hull is cutting edge with wide transom, double rudders and full bows providing a powerful hull form as well as volume below. Construction is polyester GRP foam sandwich, with the basic version being heavier hand lamination, and the more expensive Edition version being vacuum infused. While this is a boat designed to be fast, it’s a long way from a wild racing boat.

Displacement is a not outlandish 3.2 tonnes and draught is 1.6m (there’s an option for a 1.95m performance T-keel with lead bulb that’s 100kg lighter), so it fits well within the scope of a sensible cruising boat.

The Tide 25, built by MFH in north Germany – began its life as a Dehler SQ25, but the mould was sold off when that company hit hard times. Plumb bows and stern with a long hull chine, bevelled deck edge and twin rudders put her on trend, and maximise performance under sail and accommodation on board.

On deck, she has a large cockpit with benches forward and four decent lockers. Under the cockpit sole there’s access to what would be engine space for a diesel inboard, now housing batteries for the electric motors.

Opt for the sport version, and you’ll get beefed up deck hardware and a minimalist fit out, with the mainsheet traveller across the transom, while the comfort version has a smaller main with the mainsheet coming to a fixed point on the cockpit sole forward of the helm. The rig has aft-swept spreaders and no backstay.

The fact that the accommodation of the Pointer 30 is designed around a Nespresso machine, enshrined in glory, tells you a lot about this boat. It was conceived as a comfortable, fast and stylish weekend cruiser that you can take your friends down to for a coffee before a nice sail to somewhere for lunch. This is a boat that knows what it is about. Tea drinkers, don’t worry; there’s still a gas hob to boil a kettle.

The sail area isn’t vast, but this looks to be an easily driven hull. A below-deck furler setting a genoa that sheets to tracks on the coachroof is standard, with a self-tacker being optional.

The fixed bowsprit houses a bow roller, and a tack point for furling offwind sails – the gennaker takes her offwind sail area up to 100m2, set from an aluminium twin-spreader rig with adjustable backstay. She has a powerful kicker, but no traveller for the main, which is sheeted to a raised plinth in the cockpit sole.

Below deck the layout is simple, clean and quietly stylish. Headroom is restricted, dictated by the low freeboard and elegant lines.

To port, the heart of the boat is the ‘coffee bar’ on a shelf in the moulded hull liner, next to a small dinette-style table with two leather swivel armchairs. The forward of these chairs spins round to face a neat lift-top desk (though the drawer below isn’t large enough for a chart).

Swallow Yachts 32

Aimed at sailors who may have owned larger yachts before but want to downsize, Swallow Yachts owner Matt Newland explained that he ‘wanted to build a boat that was fun and easy to sail, simple to maintain and had timeless looks with as low an environmental impact as possible.’

Though not a true launch-and-sail trailer sailer, a four-by-four will still be able to tow the 32 on her own trailer, as boat and trailer come in at under 3.5 tonnes, and within the 2.9m overhang limit.

With a keel-down draught of 2.8m, a fine entry at the bow and broad aft sections, this boat promises to be a good performer. You can sail with the lifting keel in any position for shoal waters, but lift it all the way and you’ve got a draught of just 40cm for creek crawling and drying out.

Newland has tried to draw lines that are timeless rather than trendy while a retractable bowsprit, backstayless carbon rig and square-top mainsail ensure she is right up there in terms of her contemporary design and latest tech.

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14 Great Pocket Cruisers in 2023

• By Victor Tan
• Updated: July 20, 2023

Pocket cruisers and mini yachts are generally vessels under 50 feet in length overall, and can include express cruiser designs, flybridge yachts as well as either monohull or catamaran hull forms. They are cruising boats easily handled by a small, or even shorthanded, crew. Pocket cruisers generally have wave-taming hull designs and have the ability to take on sporty seas, offer comfortable accommodations belowdecks with one or two staterooms for extended voyages, “homelike amenities,” and the ability to cruise as slowly or as quickly as an owner desires with inboard- and outboard-power options. These pocket-cruising boats have the range for longer voyages , can pull up in skinny water at the sandbar thanks to shallow drafts, and head over the horizon where cruising adventure awaits. Pocket cruisers are true multitasking yachts. When it comes to family and couples cruising, it’s hard to beat a well-built and well-equipped and pocket cruiser.

Best Cruising Boats Under 50-Feet

The following 14 pocket cruisers and mini yachts are all vessels we’ve seen, been aboard, and tested. They are listed in no particular order.

• Hood 35 LM: high-tech, family-friendly pocket cruiser
• Galeon Yachts 375 GTO: mid-size boat with plenty of below-deck space
• Aquila 42: sleek power catamaran ready to entertain
• Azimut Verve 42 : small, yet mighty yacht ready for open water
• Hinckley Yachts 35: luxury picnic cruiser with range
• Beneteau Gran Turismo 45: sleek cruising yacht with all the amenities
• Solaris Power 48 Open: eye-catching power yacht with 360-degree views
• Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS: luxury cruiser yacht with powerful outboard options
• Back Cove 34O: modern outboard power combined with classic Downeast styling
• Picnic Boat 40: speedy and fuel-efficient vessel with great looks
• Aquila 36: comfortably seat up to 20 guests for fun on the salt
• Boston Whaler 350 Realm: multitasker built for fishing and entertaining
• MJM 35z: sporty, aesthetically pleasing, cruising-conscious features and elegant lines
• Greenline 39: sturdy-looking lines and environmentally-friendly power

When Android co-founder, Rich Miner, wanted a new family-friendly pocket cruiser , he turned to a custom-penned C.W. Hood design and a Lyman-Morse-built 35-footer, which has a timeless Down East profile matched to seriously modern technology under the hood.

This yacht looks like a traditional, cold-molded Down East dayboat, but actually, it has everything, from Hamilton HJX Series water-jet drives to a planned Sea Machines autonomous command-and-control system . Top speed: 40-plus knots.

Quick Specifications

Galeon yachts 375 gto.

Even the remnants of Hurricane Ian, couldn’t dissuade the Galeon Yacht 375 GTO from its cruising mission. The small yacht’s wave-splitting hull form is paired to torque-filled 600 hp Mercury Verado outboards , giving this fun-in-the-sun boat a 47-knot top hop.

The 375 GTO is a speedster, to be sure, but it’s also so much more. Just about every aspect of the main deck seating is transformable and multifunction, from the aft seating to the alfresco dining abaft the helm, and beyond. It also has a family-size and eminently cruise-worthy belowdecks space for four guests, all while providing a foredeck entertaining lounge too.

The Galeon Yachts 375 GTO ticks all the boxes for an easy-to-handle and sporty cruiser.

Aquila 42 Yacht Power Catamaran

Following the success of its 44-, 54- and 70-foot power catamaran models, Aquila has launched the stable-as-a-table, owner-operator-ready Aquila 42 Yacht Power Catamaran .

The Aquila 42 is the entry point into the builder’s yacht line and is noteworthy for its ability to accommodate anywhere from a two- to four-stateroom layout, depending on the owner’s cruising requirements. There are alfresco spaces to manage the sunset cruise with friends and family, including a foredeck lounge area that can be accessed via centerline steps from the flybridge. The Aquila 42 is available with several Volvo Penta diesel-engine options .

Azimut Verve 42

Want to cruise from Florida to Bimini in about an hour? The Azimut Yachts Verve 42 can do that thanks, in part, to triple 450 hp Mercury Racing outboards and a hull designed to dice-and-slice a seaway. Top hop: 45 knots. The Verve 42 also has style for miles with a fine entry, raked hardtop, and a razorlike sheerline accented by sweeping hull glass from bow to stern. It’s striking.

With accommodation for a family of four, the Verve 42 is also solid under the hull tokeep everyone safe on those passages. The Verve 42’s hull is built of fiberglass and uses vinylester resins for blister protection. The yacht’s deck and hardtop are comprised of carbon fiber for strength without added weight. This all means that the Azimut Verve 42 is built to CE Classification Type A , making it suitable for sea voyages where winds can exceed 45 mph and seas to 13 feet.

Hinckley Yachts 35

The Hinckley Yachts 35 takes everything that yachtsmen like about this pedigreed-brand’s classic profile and infuses today’s modern outboard power to create 40 knots of sheer fun wrapped in sheer luxury.

This 35-foot Hinckley is built on a Michael-Peters-penned hull form with a fine entry, wider-than-average chines and a moderate deadrise. While the boat is built to sprint when desired, it’s also a relatively economical cruiser. For instance, a comfortable 24-knot cruise the Hinckley Yachts 35 has a 276-nautical-mile range.

It also has a tech-build thanks to vacuum-infused carbon-fiber composites and epoxy resin. An integrated interior structure is infused with the hull adding rigidity. The hull is then post-cured in an 80-foot oven, further strengthening the structure.

Beneteau Gran Turismo 45

The Beneteau Gran Turismo is the flagship of the builder’s four-model GT series, which also includes 32-, 36- and 41-foot models.

The Gran Turismo 45 ’s cruise-centric layout includes two staterooms and two heads belowdecks, as well as a galley down. There is also a dinette for meals and a settee for rainy-day lounging. Entertaining guests and enjoying the sun is the primary mission of the main deck.

Solaris Power 48 Open

The Solaris Power 48 Open was the first powerboat from this longtime builder known for its sailing yachts, ranging from 40 to 110 feet length overall. The Solaris Power 48 Open is notable for its wave-slicing plumb-bow design, high freeboard forward and 32-knot-plus speed. Power is twin 480 hp Volvo Penta IPS650 diesels.

The high freeboard keeps the deck dry and help creates sizable volume belowdecks with an average 6-foot-6-inch headroom. This enables real estate for either one or two staterooms. With the single-stateroom setup, there is a forepeak master stateroom while an L-shaped settee converts to sleeping accommodations for family or occasional guests. Interior wood options are oak or walnut.

Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS

Outboard-power cruising aficionados will appreciate the triple-engine options for the Cruisers Yachts 42 GLS . The 42 GLS we got aboard had the triple 400 hp Mercury Verados , which produced a top hop of 45 knots, but triple 450 hp Verados are available. Triple 350 hp Mercury Verados are the standard engine option. No matter the power arrangement, this express cruiser can easily be used for wakeboarding and tube towing. The 42 GLS is designed to handle the rough stuff too, with a fine entry and 21-degree transom deadrise.

For cruising enthusiasts, the 42 GLS has a master stateroom with an athwartships and a nearly queen-size berth, and the lower salon’s U-shaped dinette converts to a queen-size berth for the kids.

Back Cove 34O

Combining modern outboard power with classic Downeast styling, the Back Cove 34O touts award-winning standards with cruising in mind. The 34O is equipped with twin 300 hp Yamaha outboards, engines that allow the Newport International Boat Show’s 2018 Best Powerboat Under 35 Feet winner to travel up to 214 nautical miles at 24 knots on a 250-gallon fuel tank.

Belowdecks, the 34O has an island double berth and a split-head arrangement with the toilet to port and a separate shower stall to starboard. On the main deck, a U-shape dinette to port accommodates four or more guests on the Back Cove Yachts vessel. The 34O’s galley is equipped with a Cuisinart microwave, a two-burner Kenyon electric cooktop and a Vitrifrigo fridge and freezer.

Picnic Boat 40

Hinckley Yachts unveiled its first Picnic Boat more than two decades ago. Now, after two previous, sub-40-foot models, the Maine-based boatbuilder has developed its largest and most advanced model to date: the Picnic Boat 40.

Twin 480 hp Cummins diesel engines paired to twin Hamilton 322 jet drives propel the yacht to a 30-knot cruising speed and 34 knots on the pins. With optional twin 550 hp Cummins diesels, cruise and top-end speeds jump to 35 and 38 knots, respectively.

There is an L-shaped settee with a table and a wet bar on the main deck to port. The helm station is forward and to starboard with a benchseat for two. There is also a companion seat across from the helm. Belowdecks, there is 6-foot-2-inch headroom, and the dinette table drops to form a California-king berth for overnights and weekending.

Aquila Power Catamarans started its line with 44- and 48-footers, and now the builder’s Aquila 36 takes the line into the midsize market.

The 36 features a single, main-living area from bow to stern, helped in part by the vessel’s 14-foot, 7-inch beam. The boat can comfortably seat up to 20 guests for fun on the salt. Several Mercury Verado engine options are available for the Aquila 36, including twin 250-, 300- and 350-hp four-strokes. With the 350s, the Aquila has a top-end speed of 37 knots.

Other notable features include a fiberglass hardtop, a dinette, a cooktop, a fridge, a sink and a smokeless grill. Belowdecks, there are two staterooms with nearly queen-size berths, en suite heads and 6-foot-6-inch headroom in each.

Boston Whaler 350 Realm

From fishing and entertaining guests to diving and overnight cruising, Boston Whaler ‘s 350 Realm is a multitasker. And it’s fast, too. It’s powered with either triple 300 hp or triple 350 hp Mercury Verados. The 350 Realm can reach a top speed of 46 knots.

At the helm, two Raymarine displays provide vital navigation data. The captain can take in the displays’ view from a doublewide helm seat. There’s a flip-down platform for standing when needed and a footrest when desired.

There is a V-shaped berth that converts into a double berth with a filler cushion. The separated head has a VacuFlush MSD and a hot-and-cold shower. Owners also have the option to add a microwave and a flat-screen TV.

The MJM 35z can reach a top speed of 44 knots and a cruising speed of 33 knots on its optional 350 hp Mercury Verado outboards; twin 300 hp outboards are standard on this MJM Yachts vessel. Additionally, the 35z can travel up to 304 nautical miles on its 250-gallon fuel tank.

The 35z has a flush-deck layout and to port is space for an electric grill, a baitwell, a sink, an ice maker and a fridge. There are two Stidd helm seats—one for the helmsman and the other for a copilot—that rotate to face the rest of the seating aft. In the cabin is V-shaped seating forward that can be converted to a berth.

Owners also have the option of adding a Seakeeper 3 gyrostabilizer and a full-length Bimini top to shade the cockpit.

Greenline 39

Greenline Yachts ‘ vessels are aptly named for their environmentally friendly means of moving about; the Greenline 39 is no different. The Slovenian yacht manufacturer produces two types of this model: hybrid and solar.

If owners opt for the latter, the 39’s four solar panels atop the salon power all of the vessel’s systems for three hours. With the power of the sun, the 39 can achieve a max speed of 6.5 knots and a cruising speed of 4 knots. The hybrid type uses those same panels to help power a 220 hp Volvo Penta D3 with a Mahle electric-drive system. Owners have the option of replacing the standard engine with a 370 hp Yanmar 8LV diesel.

Belowdecks, scissor berths provide accommodations for long weekends.

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The World’s Smallest Yacht

The yacht company Hyperlien takes pride in this mini sea vehicle. Janus Huang, the Design Director at Hyperlien Yacht, who has also gathered numerous international design awards, notes that even though an old car like a Mini may appear quite “small” from the outside, its interior space can be compared to vehicles that are twice its size in the market. He believes that this yacht stands out in a similar manner with its style. As you may agree, wheels tucked into the far corners of the car increase the interior space, and certain equipment, either stacked on top of each other or sharing the same position, maximizes the interior volume.

According to Janus Huang, perhaps the 8.5-meter space should be maximized to the fullest, but users require an infinite space. Therefore, when creating the Hyperlien yacht, relatively open spaces were designed, drawing inspiration from Huang’s valid notion.

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Small but perfectly formed 5 pocket superyachts for sale

Even in the superyacht world small can be beautiful, for while the larger yachts steal the public's attention, 'pocket' superyachts offer far lower running costs. What's more, as they are able to reach those small, isolated coves along the shoreline, they prove that size can be in inverse proportion to fun. Here we present a random selection of five pocket superyachts on the market today.

Nel Blu 2001 23.95m 2 million

The 23.95m motor yacht Nel Blu was built in 2003 by Sanlorenzo. This sleek looking flybridge motor yacht with an equally sleek cherrywood interior accommodates nine guests in a master suite, VIP stateroom and two twin cabins plus a Pullman berth.

Twin 1,400hp Caterpillar engines power Nel Blu to a cruising speed of 22 knots and maximum speed of 25 knots.

She is listed for sale by Marco Vandoni at Ocean Independence who comments. 'The key points about Nel Blu are that she has less than 1000 hours on her engines and we have recently announced a 300,000 price reduction by a keen seller.'

Happy Fish 2008 23.5m $3.65 million

This 23.5m motor yacht Happy Fish was solidly built by Hatteras in 2008 for serious fishing and cruising.

Happy Fish features four guest cabins for a total of eight guests, plus a crew cabin for two. She is very well equipped with electronics and factory extras and comes with full engine warranties until December 2012.

Josh Gulbranson at Fraser Yachts has Happy Fish listed for sale.

Lizzi 2008 22.86m 2.39 million

Built in 2008, the 22.86m Lazzara 75 LSX motor yacht Lizzi was the first yacht in the world to be fitted with four Volvo IPS drive engines. She sleeps up to eight guests in four cabins and is capable of speeds up to 25 knots.

Kevin Bonnie at International Yacht Collection has Lizzi listed for sale and comments, 'The two twin cabins are convertible which allows a cabin configuration of either two doubles and two twins or four doubles which is quite exceptional.'

AY74 2011 22.8m 3.7 million

Delivered by Acico Yachts in 2011, the 22.8m motor yacht AY74 was designed for long-distance cruising with four guest cabins and a crew cabin. She offers a haven of laid-back relaxation for experiences and adventures with family and good friends. The interior design and exterior craftsmanship have created a perfect balance of aesthetic beauty and physical well-being.

With natural oak floors and minimalist lines, the concept sets a new standard in luxury. Built with purpose and personality, on board there is a feeling of an eco-friendly hotel, an aura of charm, where everything simply feels right.

AY74 is listed for sale by Jimmy Broddesson at bluewater.

Komboloi 2008 22m 1.95 million

The 22m Komboloi was delivered in 2008 and is a fine example of a San Lorenzo 72. She has had very little use and has been professionally maintained by her crew and an attentive owner.

Komboloi comfortably sleeps eight guests in four well-appointed cabins, one of which can be turned into an office opening onto the hallway. She boasts a customised interior and several material upgrades.

She is listed for sale by Gregory Gheraia at Yachting Partners International who says of her, 'She is only four years old, sparingly used with just 300 engine hours and in immaculate condition thanks to a very fastidious owner.

'Fast and beautifully customised, Komboloi has just had a 200,000 price reduction bringing her to a very competitive asking price of 1.95 million, VAT paid. She's one to be seen and soon.'

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Maverick GT Electric Jet Ski: “The World’s Smallest Yacht”

The more time you spend looking at zippy watercraft, the more you realise not all jet skis were created equal. Take, for example, the Maverick GT Jet RIB and Energy Platform. As the latest brainchild of polymath Nico Sell – Founder & CEO of  T3MP3ST Energy Platform – the Maverick GT jet ski is both a groundbreaking piece of technology and a vehicle born for good old fashioned excitement.

Sell lives up to her surname as a serial tech entrepreneur, having recently sold her latest company Wickr to Amazon earlier this year. She also happens to be a self-described “white-hat” hacker who’s big into action sports like snowboarding and – you guessed it – tow-in surfing.

RELATED : Hyundai Creates Epic Dune Buggy That Can Transform Into a Jet Ski

Suffice it to say, the mission was a success. The two-seat Maverick GT houses a 350-horsepower H3X 3-D-printed electric engine capable of achieving approximately 70mph (112 km/h) at top speed with enough torque to navigate surf up to 100 feet (30 metres) – making it the perfect big wave companion. Capable of converting into a boat by attaching to a custom-designed RIB, it boasts a range of 50 miles to 100 miles (80 kilometres to 160 kilometres).

For now, they have to rely on its current 100-kWh modular battery. Roughly the same size as those found within a Tesla Model 3, the batteries are designed to be swapped in and out of the Maverick GT’s carbon fibre body, allowing the jet ski to be used for extended periods. The recharge time to 80% is 45 minutes, with the bonus functionality of offering power to cars, trailers, and even homes if necessary.

“I built the jet ski to solve this problem for myself,” explains Nico Sell.

The forward RIB section – which the ski slides into – is being constructed by a rigid-hulled inflatable manufacturer in France, offering an additional pair of 25-horsepower motors. Depending on your needs, it can come in a barebones tow-in version for hauling surfers, a party version with eight seats, or a fishing version.

Complete with its advanced electronics, fly-by-wire steering, and digital display, this bad boy even features a “cinema” mode, to record all of your surfing or fishing action. Sell really wasn’t kidding when she referred to it as the “world’s smallest yacht.”

The Maverick GT jet ski alone will set you back $150,000 (AU$209,500). The full RIB package, on the other hand, comes at a rather hefty price of US$500,000 (AU$698,600).

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A Brief History of Superyachts

And how they explain the world..

Tim Murphy January+February 2024 Issue

James Clapham

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When the US targeted Russia’s oligarchs after the invasion of Ukraine, the trail of assets kept leading to our own backyard. Not only had our nation become a haven for shady foreign money, but we were also incubating a familiar class of yacht-owning, industry-dominating, resource-extracting billionaires. In the  January + February 2024  issue of our magazine, we investigate the rise of American Oligarchy—and what it means for the rest of us. You can read all the pieces  here .

The luxury yacht may be the world’s most exclusive form of transportation. But there are only a hundred-some that meet the definition of a gigayacht—a pleasure craft 295 feet or longer. Their opaque ownership records offer a glimpse of modern wealth and power: Over two dozen are linked to Gulf royals, businessmen, or states, and 20 to citizens (past or current) of the former Soviet Union. At least 23 have reportedly belonged to Americans, including founders of Microsoft, Netscape, Amazon, WhatsApp, and Snapchat. The widow of a German retailer who thrived under Hitler owned one; a UK tax exile and a Formula 1 dad still do. Yugoslav strongman Tito’s old yacht makes the list; Dominican dictator Trujillo’s does too. Take a cruise through the history of the vessels and their—somewhat—more modest sister ships.

1895: Nineteen years before World War I, the future King Edward VII of England punches his nephew, Kaiser Wilhelm II, in the face, after the German’s 121-foot yacht, Meteor II , defeats the royal Britannia in a race off the Isle of Wight.

1954: Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis ushers in an era of postwar one-upmanship with his 325-foot Christina O . It features a pool that converts into a dance floor, furniture made from whale foreskin, and pornographic carvings.

1963: During his final birthday party aboard the presidential yacht Sequoia , JFK chases future Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee’s wife, Antoinette, into the bathroom and gropes her. “I guess I was pretty surprised, but I was kind of flattered, and appalled, too,” she says later. The ship’s visitor logs are destroyed after Kennedy’s assassination.

1984: King Fahd of Saudi Arabia builds the record-breaking 482-foot Prince Abdulaziz .

1987: Sen. Gary Hart (D-Colo.) drops out of the presidential race just before photos emerge of him with model Donna Rice aboard the yacht Monkey Business .

1988: Donald Trump acquires Nabila , which previously belonged to the Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi and was featured in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again . He renames it Trump Princess , adds a disco, and changes the helipad’s “H” to a “T.”

1991: After one of Trump’s casinos files for bankruptcy, he sells Trump Princess to his bank—which flips it to a Saudi prince. A new yacht, the Trump Princess II , which he boasted would be “something in excess of 400 feet long, closer to 500 feet,” is never built.

British publisher Robert Maxwell’s body is found in the Atlantic Ocean, where he had been cruising on a 180-footer named for his daughter—the Lady Ghislaine . The vessel is eventually resold to Anna Murdoch, Rupert’s second wife.

1994: At a cocktail party on the oligarch Petr Aven’s yacht in the Caribbean, Boris Berezovsky meets Roman Abramovich, calling him a “nice boy who wanted to discuss commercial projects.” He and Abramovich begin working together to acquire Sibneft, a Russian state oil company.

1997: Construction ends on The Limited and Victoria’s Secret owner Les Wexner’s ­316-foot Limitless . The project was overseen by his good friend Jeffrey Epstein.

1999: Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison buys the 191-foot Izanami from a Japanese seller. He changes the name to Ronin , he said later , after “the local newspapers started pointing out that Izanami was ‘I’m a Nazi’ spelled backwards.”

2001: Months before Enron files for bankruptcy, former CEO Jeffrey Skilling asks a company executive for advice on finding a yacht broker. “This industry is known for crooks and thieves,” he warns Skilling.

2002: House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas) promises to strip “corporate kingpins of their ill-gotten gains,” after scandals rock Enron and WorldCom. “We’re coming after the yacht.”

2003: DeLay charges donors $500,000 a pop for tickets to a yacht cruise.

2005: Ellison shoots down rumors he issued orders midconstruction to have his newest yacht, the 454-foot Rising Sun , extended to outdo Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s recently launched 414-foot Octopus .

Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-Calif.) pleads guilty to federal bribery charges after being caught living rent-free on a yacht, called the Duke-Stir , that was moored in Washington, DC, and owned by a defense contractor.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s 531-foot Dubai surpasses Prince Abdulaziz as the world’s longest yacht.

2006: Media mogul Barry Diller reveals the world’s longest sailing yacht, the 305-foot Eos , whose prow features a 9-foot-tall sculpture of his wife, Diane von Furstenberg.

2007: Diller opens a Manhattan corporate headquarters­­ at a Frank Gehry­–designed building that itself has been likened to a sailboat . It’s across the street from where Eos ties up.

2008: George Osborne, the No. 2 official in the UK’s Conservative Party, relaxes on Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska’s yacht while vacationing with his family in Greece. He denies an accusation that he solicited funds, explaining in a statement that they discussed “Russian history” and drank tea.

2009: As his marriage falls apart, Tiger Woods retreats to a 155-foot yacht called Privacy .

2010: Abramovich’s new ship, Eclipse , surpasses Dubai as the world’s longest yacht. The 533-foot vessel features a submarine, anti-missile systems, and lasers to thwart paparazzi .

2011: During an unsuccessful suit seeking $5 billion he believed Abramovich owed him from the sale of Sibneft, an exiled Berezovsky claims that his former partner helped purchase the yacht Olympia for Vladimir Putin. When the BBC publishes a supporting account from another Russian businessman five years later, Abramovich’s lawyers dismiss the allegation as “a rehash of speculation and rumours.”

2012: As GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney faces criticism for holding investment funds in the Cayman Islands, his campaign invites donors to party on Cracker Bay . The ship, owned by the founder of The Villages retirement community, flies the Cayman Islands’ flag.

2013: UAE leader Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan launches the 593-foot Azzam , surpassing the Eclipse .

2014: The Wall Street Journal reports that Ellison has basketball hoops on “at least two of his yachts” and had someone follow in a smaller boat “to retrieve balls that go overboard.”

2016: Allen’s Tatoosh drags its anchor through a protected zone in the Cayman Islands, destroying 14,000 square feet of coral.

2017: After leaving office, Barack and Michelle Obama retreat to the South Pacific aboard David Geffen’s yacht, where they’re joined by Oprah, Tom Hanks, and Bruce Springsteen.

Abramovich’s business partner, Eugene Shvidler, blocks views of the Statue of Liberty while anchoring his 370-foot Le Grand Bleu in New York Harbor for a month.

Addressing the national Boy Scout Jamboree, Trump tells an anecdote widely assumed to allude to sex parties on a yacht belonging to the developer of the Levittown suburbs. “You’re Boy Scouts, so I’m not going to tell you what he did,” he said. “But you know life.”

Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) buys a yacht and on the same day votes to cut taxes on yachts.

2018: Rupert Murdoch is airlifted to UCLA after collapsing on a yacht trip with his fourth wife, Jerry Hall. “He kept almost dying,” a source tells Vanity Fair .

Republican Florida Gov. Rick Scott designates a billionaire donor’s marina as a special anti-­poverty opportunity zone.

Someone unties Seaquest , a superyacht belonging to Trump administration Secretary of Education (and billionaire) Betsy DeVos, causing it to crash into a dock on Lake Erie.

Businessman Jho Low, who financed The Wolf of Wall Street , is accused of taking part in a $4.5 billion scheme to siphon Malaysian state development funds and using some to purchase a $250 million yacht.

2019: Actress Lori Loughlin is arrested in a college admissions bribery scheme . Her daughter, USC student Olivia Jade, is vacationing in the Bahamas— on a yacht belonging to USC board of trustees chair Rick Caruso.

Following an investigation into corruption in the Nigerian oil industry, the US government auctions off businessman Kolawole Aluko’s Galactica Star , six years after Jay-Z rented out the vessel for Beyoncé’s 32nd birthday. A former Enron unit attempts to claim a portion of the proceeds.

Clarence Thomas visits an Indonesian preserve for Komodo dragons with billionaire Harlan Crow on the conservative megadonor’s Michaela Rose .

ArtNet reports that a $450 million (reputed) da Vinci that was supposed to be in an Abu Dhabi museum has been spotted hanging in Mohammed bin Salman’s personal yacht, Serene .

Kylie Jenner holds her 22nd birthday party on Low’s yacht, now under new ownership.

2020: “[I]solated in the Grenadines avoiding the virus,” Geffen writes on Instagram from Rising Sun , which he purchased in 2010. “I’m hoping everybody is staying safe.”

Steve Bannon is arrested off the coast of Connecticut by US Postal Police while aboard the fugitive Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui’s 150-foot Lady May .

Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. dresses up as a character from the TV show Trailer Park Boys for a costume party aboard a NASCAR mogul’s yacht. He later posts a photo of himself to Instagram with his fly unzipped and his arms around his wife’s assistant.

2021: NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre testifies that he took refuge on Illusions , a Hollywood producer’s yacht, after the Newtown and Parkland mass shootings. “I remember getting there going, ‘Thank God I’m safe, nobody can get me here.’”

During a bitter divorce, the Daily Mail reports that Tatiana Akhmedova, wife of the Russian Azerbaijani billionaire Farkhad Akhmedov, hired a team of British special forces veterans to seize his yacht, Luna , in an effort to enforce a Marshall Islands court ruling. They settle instead, and he keeps the boat.

Port Azure , dubbed the world’s first harbor designed exclusively for megayachts, opens in Gocek, Turkey. It bills itself as a place where “problems big and small go away.”

2022: Amid reports a historic bridge will be dismantled so Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ newly built Koru can leave Rotterdam’s shipyards, residents threaten to pelt the sailboat with eggs . The city changes plans.

A Ukrainian mechanic is arrested in Mallorca for attempting to sink a vessel owned by his boss, a Russian arms dealer.

Biden promises oligarchs he’s going to “take their ill-begotten gains” after the invasion of Ukraine. “We’re going to seize their yachts.”

Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder avoids a congressional subpoena on the team’s misogynistic culture while cruising the Mediterranean on his yacht, Lady S .

Missing Russian superyachts are spotted waiting out sanctions at Port Azure.

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) criticizes Joe Biden for vacationing in Delaware while vacationing on a luxury yacht in Italy.

After sailing through Fiji on his yacht Aquarius , briefly retired Disney CEO Bob Iger tells friends he misses his wife and is bored with life.

New York Republican congressional candidate George Santos brokers a $19 million deal to sell a superyacht called Namaste to a Long Island car dealer.

Bankrupt crypto exchange FTX reveals in court filings that founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s hedge fund once spent $2.5 million on a yacht, which a top executive named Soak My Deck .

2023: Bezos takes possession of Koru . The $500 million, 417-foot sailboat comes with a bust that resembles his fiancée Lauren Sánchez—and its own second, 246-foot “shadow” support yacht with crew quarters and a hangar for the helicopter she pilots.

After divorcing Jerry Hall, Rupert Murdoch vacations on the Christina O with Abramovich’s ex-mother-in-law.

As TV and movie writers and actors strike, the Wall Street Journal reports that Iger, now back at work, has been regaling visitors to his Burbank office about the new, longer yacht he’s building.

Measuring Contest

Iconic gigayachts through the years

1931: Sea Cloud , Marjorie Post: 359 ft.

1981: Atlantis II , Stavros Niarchos: 380 ft.

2003: Octopus , Paul Allen: 414 ft.

2005: Rising Sun , Larry Ellison: 454 ft.

2010: Eclipse , Roman Abramovich: 533 ft.

2013: Azzam , Sheikh Khalifa: 593 ft.

Illustrations by Anthony Calvert

The Few, The Loud

Some famous faces aboard gigayachts

Steven Spielberg reeled out his anchor off Cannes.

A part of Katy Perry got stuck exiting a dinghy on her way to Barry Diller’s yacht.

Mohammed bin Salman purchased his yacht, Serene , just hours after he saw it.

Jerry Jones made a draft pick aboard his Bravo Eugenia to deepen the Cowboys’ bench.

Mariah Carey was engaged to a gigayacht owner, before the fantasy ended.

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Billionaires are getting ready for summer with wildly spectacular superyachts

• Superyachts, the most expensive asset  a billionaire can own, are pushing the boundaries of luxury.
• The boats, which cost eight or nine figures, are getting larger and include more features than ever.
• From massage rooms to basketball courts, here's what the world's richest want on board.

For many wealthy boat owners, a private spa is a must-have on board. A sauna is a nice touch. A Jet Ski or two makes days at sea way more fun. And if you don't have someone on board who can whip up a Michelin-star-worthy meal , you might as well stay on land.

In the world of massive yachts , there's no such thing as too much. After all, if someone spends eight or nine figures to design the vessel of their dreams — or at least $500,000 a week to charter one — more is more.

"Yachting. It's not rational; it's emotional," Ralph Dazert, the head of intelligence at SuperYacht Times, told Business Insider at the Palm Beach International Boat Show, where dozens of superyachts — often defined as vessels over 30 meters in length — were on display.

And while there are certain classic features, such as jacuzzis and bars, what superyacht owners want is evolving, insiders at the show said. That might mean more crew members, more space for helicopters, or more water toys, but might also include manicure salons and putting greens.

"The bar of what is the baseline expectation has increased exponentially just over the last four or five years," Anders Kurtén, the CEO of brokerage Fraser Yachts, said. Clients are "spending more time on the boat and really wanting to extend the lifestyle they lead on the shore."

A lot of this can be chalked up to the pandemic. Superyacht purchases and charters spiked as life and luxury travel on land screeched to a halt. While the market has moderated slightly, the number of superyachts on order — 1,166 as of September, according to Boat International's Global Order Book — is still above pre-pandemic norms.

"What the pandemic really showed is that the appetite for being out there at sea, sort of living the marine lifestyle, is still as valid as ever," Kurtén said.

That means there's a lot of money on the water. The total value of the 203 superyachts over 30 meters delivered last year was $6.4 billion, according to data from SuperYacht Times. New custom builds from the world's most prestigious shipyards — Lurssen, Feadship, Oceanco , Benetti — can run into the hundreds of millions. Even used superyachts at the Palm Beach show cost as much as $75 million.

And it's not just traditional buyers like retired wealthy couples looking for a place to relax or celebrities looking for a place to party away from the paparazzi. New clients are often younger and have families, so want areas to work and watch movies . They also want pricey water toys, access to fitness equipment, or even pizza ovens for picky eaters.

"This would've never happened in the nineties," said Giovanna Vitelli, the vice president of the Azimut Benetti Group, the world's biggest producer of superyachts. "You would go with your beautiful woman, Champagne — the idea of yachting was much more showing off with your jacuzzi and things like that."

Pure opulence has made room for function.

When Benetti's Nabila set sail in 1980, its 50-person crew, gold-and-diamond-encrusted interiors, and lavish parties captured headlines and even inspired the Queen song "Kashoggi's Ship."(Seven years later, Donald Trump bought Nabila for $30 million , renaming her the Trump Princess.)

"Life on board was considered very formal — big formal dining rooms, boats were high on the water, you would be segregated from the rest of the world," Vitelli said, remembering another client who insisted on a replica of the Sistine Chapel above the dining table.

But the ostentatious, palatial-like interiors that used to be highlighted in yacht brochures have made way for lists of more functional features .

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Rather than esoteric novelties like an extra-large safe for rifles that one builder had to construct per a Russian yacht owner's request , the superyachts on display at the Palm Beach show featured basketball courts, saunas, and ice baths.

Owners want elevators and luxury gyms. Pampering options, be it a massage room, manicure station, or a professional-grade facial machine, are a dime a dozen. Some bathrooms have fancy Toto toilets, which can cost around $20,000.

Sterns (that's the back of the boat) used to be built high to guard guests' privacy. Now, they're built as "beach clubs" — an open swim platform.

And what good is a massage room if no one on board can give one? Many superyachts can hold twice as many crew members as guests, if not more. One broker, representing a boat that didn't have a masseuse, said it could be quite a "tricky" issue because if a charter wants one, they have to find someone who can massage guests and "pull their weight with the crew."

"It's not uncommon to look for a deckhand who can also mix a martini, play an instrument, maybe entertain the guests with singing, and ideally even give a massage," Kurtén said.

Of course, a crew comes at a cost . Most are considered full-time employees, requiring salaries and benefits like health insurance. Captains, first mates, and chief engineers often make six figures a year. That's without tips; a charter guest will typically spend six figures on gratuities for the crew who worked during a weeklong vacation.

For the superrich, there must be room for toys.

It's not just the onboard amenities that count. What's known as "toys" in the industry — water slides, eFoils, Jet Skis, and underwater scuba diving jets — are popular, and costs range from merely hundreds of dollars (banana boats) to millions ( submersibles , which are still popular despite the recent tragedy).

" Tenders and toys, the sky seems to be the limit," Kurtén said. "More is more."

Of course, if you can't fit all those toys in the yacht's storage space, you can just use another boat. Jeff Bezos' support yacht is a superyacht in itself, measuring 75 meters and costing tens of millions of dollars. (His main yacht, Koru , cost a reported $500 million.)

Support yachts are also faster, meaning the crew can get to a destination first and set up the Jet Skis, seapools, and the like, Dazert said. "By the time the owner arrives on the main yacht, everything's set up, and he can go and have fun."

Even tenders, the smaller vessel that brings guests from the ship to the shore, are getting glow-ups. The Nero, a 90-meter beauty available to charter for about $500,000 a week and modeled after J.P. Morgan's 1930s ship, has custom-built tenders to match the design. The most expensive ones often cost seven figures. Nero has three.

"It used to be a tender was a tender," Jeffrey Beneville, who handles yacht insurance at NFP, told BI. "Now they're called limousine tenders. Think of an incredibly luxurious gondola that's got a hard top so nobody's hair gets mussed when they're being dropped off at the Monaco Yacht Club ."

One thing that clearly hasn't changed in superyachting: showing off. If the boat next door at the marina has an indoor-outdoor cinema, it's natural to want one too. Ditto a wine cellar or helipad.

"It's a bit of a celebration of your success in life, of wealth," Vitelli, whose company is behind the Lana yacht Bill Gates chartered for a birthday party three years ago, said. "You push it a little more."

And that's a boon for yacht makers and brokers catering to the superrich.

"Our job is to make clients' dreams come true," Kurtén said.

Watch: Inside the world's biggest cruise ship that just set sail

• Main content

The Best New Small-Ship Cruises to Book in 2024

A uthentic. It was Merriam Webster's top searched word for 2023 and one that has dominated the travel vernacular in recent years. And while many would not necessarily associate the word with ocean cruising , the growth in popularity of small-ship cruises-particularly sailings with 500 guests or fewer-indicates that in the cruising world, passengers are seeking a more intimate, less crowded, and yes, arguably more authentic sailing experience.

Take expedition cruising , for example. As the number of adventure-focused ships and yachts has exploded in recent years, these cruises are no longer just about extreme voyages in polar regions. They are also about offering a deeper look into the culture, food, history, and environmental fragility of remote wonders of the world.

Although there isn't a huge number of new small ships being introduced, there are a few notable vessels that have either recently launched or are launching this year with a focus on the idea that smaller is not just better, but more sustainable, too. These new small-ship cruises bring with them some exciting and more immersive new itineraries to destinations both warm and wintry that have us ready to pack our bags and sail away.

Sea Cloud Cruises' "Sea Cloud Spirit"

• Suggested itinerary: Reset your mind and body on an eight-night sailing through Spain's Canary Islands and on to Morocco on a special cruise featuring experts in restorative health. Pricing starts at $4,895 per person.

What's more authentic-and sustainable-than setting sail on a tall ship where the sails are hoisted up each day by hand? Although not technically new (it was launched in 2021), the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit and its two sister ships, Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II , are upping their game in a push to introduce Sea Cloud Cruises' unique product to North American travelers. The German company has traditionally catered to German and British passengers. As part of its effort to expand its reach and appeal, Sea Cloud is adding wellness programs with daily onboard yoga and guest fitness gurus, in addition to special food- and wine-focused sailings with well-known chefs making appearances. Sea Cloud Spirit , the largest of the three-ship fleet with 69 cabins, was meticulously designed to pay homage to the original Sea Cloud , which was the world's largest private sailing yacht when Wall Street broker Edward Francis Hutton had it built in 1931 for his wife, Marjorie Merriweather Post.

The Sea Cloud Spirit combines the experience of decades of traditional seamanship with the modern-day luxuries of a private yacht. Cabins range from 172-square-foot single cabins to 300-square-foot balcony suites with soaking tubs. There's a large fitness center and spa, which has a steam room, sauna, and thermal area for two; indoor and outdoor lounges; and a main dining area, plus a more casual bistro. The action, however, is out on deck, where passengers can stargaze at night or simply gaze in awe at the impressive sails blowing in the wind.

Atlas Ocean Voyages' "World Navigator"

• Suggested itinerary: Go searching for Arctic wildlife on a 12-night cruise from Reykjavík, which sails along the eastern coast of Greenland and to Longyearbyen in the Svalbard archipelago, one of the world's northernmost inhabited areas and home to polar bears, reindeer, arctic foxes, and other Nordic wildlife. Pricing starts at $6,499 per person.

World Navigator , which sailed its maiden voyage in Antarctica this past November, is the third vessel to join the fleet of one of the newest players in small-ship expedition cruising, Atlas Ocean Voyages. The company's 100-cabin expedition yachts are almost identical and provide a hybrid of sorts between traditional expedition and luxury cruising. Cabins are spacious, almost all with balconies, desks, and seating areas. The bathrooms have glass-mosaic tiled showers with rain showerheads, wall jets, and even benches.

Everything on the ship-including the sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows-is designed to provide maximum views. The ships also have spacious pool decks with two hot tubs, a fitness center overlooking the sea, a spa, and water toys like kayaks and paddleboards. There's even extreme camping gear for those willing to brave an overnight under the stars in Antarctica. During North American winters, all three of Atlas's expedition yachts sail in Antarctica. With the addition of World Navigator , the company is launching more Arctic Circle cruises during the North American summers while also adding a host of new epicurean and cultural expeditions in South America, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and northern Europe this year.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's "Ilma"

• Suggested itinerary: Spend a little extra time in port on a 10-day sailing from Barcelona to Lisbon, which has three overnight stays, in Palma de Mallorca and Malaga in Spain, and in Lisbon, Portugal, one of Europe's oldest cities. Pricing starts at $10,600 per person.

Another newcomer to luxury small-ship cruising is the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which debuts its second ship, the Ilma , this year. With 224 suites, the ship is larger than the original Ritz-Carlton yacht, the 149-suite Evrima , which launched in October 2022. On the Ilma , all the suites will have private terraces, including a two-story suite with soaking tub; the coveted, 1,000-square-foot owner's suite has a private outdoor whirlpool. Even the smallest suites are not all that small, at 300 square feet, and come with a personal concierge and 24-hour room service. The yacht boasts what Ritz-Carlton says is the highest ratio of space per guest at sea.

And you can expect to find the same meticulous service standards that you would find at Ritz-Carlton resorts throughout the world as the line aims to impress hotel guests seeking a luxury hotel experience at sea. Onboard are five dining venues, including S.E.A., a European tasting experience designed by chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua, the three Michelin-starred restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton in Wolfsburg, Germany; Talaat Nam, featuring Southeast Asian cuisine and a sushi bar; and Mistral, a casual come-as-you-are alfresco grill with a Mediterranean-inspired menu. Light bites are served at the marina at the aft of the ship, where you can also hop on a borrowed paddleboard. Oh, and did we mention there are two outdoor pools, too?