7 New Yachts Challenging Conventional Boat Design, From Aluminum Day Boats to Solar-Paneled Cruisers

Baglietto T52

After stepping aboard Baglietto’s newest T52 at its yard in La Spezia, Italy, we were instantly taken with the 1,400-square-foot flybridge, reportedly the largest on any 171-footer, connected to the foredeck lounge via a retractable staircase. Also noteworthy: five generously sized social areas across the exterior of the Francesco Paszkowski design. Codesigner Margherita Casprini’s vision for the interior, meanwhile, matches dark-oak floors with a single wood and stone—teak and Botticino marble—for a pared-back aesthetic that’s highlighted by stainless-steel accents and custom furniture.

At sea, the model is distinguished by Baglietto’s first hybrid propulsion system. The boat cruises the harbor at 10 knots with neither generator noise nor engine vibration, though the T52 can transition to full diesel at any time. The two MTU 16V2 engines deliver a 17-knot top speed with a range of about 2,000 nautical miles, but in electric-diesel mode the range extends to 5,500 nautical miles. The T52 can also stay in electric mode at anchor, powering the house systems at 23 kWh for 10 hours.

Dominator Midi Ilumen M35

British poet Lord Byron famously declared Montenegro’s fjord-like Bay of Kotor to be the world’s “most beautiful encounter between land and the sea”—an idyllic (and ideal) testing ground for Dominator’s new $1.3 million Midi Ilumen M35, which the Italian yard designed as a petite doppelgänger for a client’s 90-foot Ilumen 28M. Its billing as a 35-foot “mini-superyacht” sounds pretentious, but the details demonstrate a yacht-like quality: hand-laid teak decks with splashes of mirror-polished stainless steel and a chic reverse-angle windshield.

Likewise, inside the cabin are Astana Gray–marble surfaces and hand-stitched Alcantara bulkheads. But the M35 jettisons any superyacht comparison with its 43 mph top speed, thanks to twin 300 hp Volvo D4 turbo diesels that also propel it to a range of 300 nautical miles at 25 mph. The M35 handles well in moderate seas, the turning precise if a bit light. In all, this Midi is correct to consider itself a maxi.

80 Sunreef Power Eco

A legitimate breakthrough in all-electric motoryacht design, the 80 Sunreef Power Eco’s 80-foot by 39-foot dimensions create an airy interior with the usable space of many 100-foot models. Instead of needing to plug in somewhere to recharge, the 80 Eco relies on thin shock-resistant solar panels within the hulls, superstructure, and hardtop—anywhere absorbing sunlight—that replenish the 330 kWh battery banks connected to twin 180 kw motors. The four-cabin cat also has a smart energy-management system to monitor features such as its low-draw air-conditioning.

On the water, it’s pleasant, silent, and slow. At 8 knots, it can run for eight hours, with a range of 64 nautical miles. The top end is 12 knots, though Sunreef was cagey about how long a charge lasts at that speed. “In electric, it’s less about knots and more about watts,” says the captain. For those with range anxiety, Sunreef recently announced the new 77-foot Ultima, a sleeker design with diesel-electric propulsion.

Riva 82 Diva

It’s hard to beat running a Riva throttle-down along the French Riviera, which is how we experienced the 82-foot Diva. The model delivers on the brand’s promise of a muscular profile along with a sporty ride—31 mph, with the upgraded 1,900 hp MAN V12s and full load of fuel. (With a light load, it tops out at 35.7 mph.) Despite displacing 85.4 tons, the Diva handles like a day boat, conveying an unmistakable joie de vivre to the upper helm during hard-over turns.

High-gloss Italian wenge gives the interior a contemporary sophistication, but it’s anything but conventional. A mirrored hallway between the staterooms not only enhances natural light but also imparts a playful, fun-house sensibility, and the exterior is all about open space: Foldout platforms widen the stern by 10 feet, while the 430-square-foot flybridge is the largest in its class. There’s even a lounge on the foredeck, which is where we happily retire after finally ceding the helm.

Wallywhy150

Wally powerboats tend to be svelte sea creatures, known for their performance and futuristic appearance. The new Wallywhy150 veers sharply from that mold, at least aesthetically, with its extremely wide body. Yet it still manages to reach a top end of 22 knots, laudable for a 79-footer displacing 93.6 tons at a light load.

During our sea trial off the coast of Venice, Italy, two impressions resounded. First, the unusually quiet navigation, even in the aft salon, positioned in proximity to the three Volvo IPS 1350 engines. Second, the innovation of the interior, which features a main suite in the bow with 270-degree wraparound windows. As for the exterior, it’s defined by large spaces for socializing and water sports, including a drop-down transom. In fact, the boat is designed to replicate the experience of a seaside villa, a sensation subtly aided by Humphree stabilizers and a Seakeeper 26 gyro for balance.

Jeanneau NC37 With Hybrid Volvo Penta Drives

While the Jeanneau NC37 is a perfectly nice express cruiser, the sea trial I recently ran aboard her in Cannes, France, was much more about the propulsion system than the boat itself. Volvo Penta partnered with the French builder to debut its new hybrid drives as it ventures into the increasingly cluttered electric-propulsion market. This system matches twin 60-kW electric motors to 320-horsepower Volvo Penta D4s. It’s an attempt to have the silence and relatively small ecological footprint of an electric motor paired with the speed and reliability of diesel engines. And it works pretty well. I ran the NC37 at about 5 knots under full electric power as we slalomed out from the Cannes Yachting Festival through the forest of megayachts moored in the Baie de Cannes. When we passed the big boats, I was able to push the throttle forward, and with a satisfying kuh-chunk the diesels automatically engaged once the engines hit 1,500 RPM.

Aided by the electric motors, the Jeanneau ripped forward going from 6 to 30 knots in 13 seconds before maxing out at 33—the acceleration was powerful enough that I felt G forces pinning my back to the helm seat. The hull also sliced easily through the whitecaps caused by early morning gusts. Out in the bay, on the leeward side of a protective island, I tossed the boat into idle to see what the electrically powered joystick could do. For me, this was the highlight of the new hybrid package. It turns out the electricity gives the joystick real oomph, with a faster response time and a more muscular feel than you get with the regular Volvo joystick controls. These traits will make slow-speed maneuverability and docking much easier, taking the stress out of running in crowded marinas, often with tidal currents and wind to make docking even more challenging. The bottom line of this collaboration? It is the first time a hybrid installation has been accomplished by integrating all systems, and whenever this boat comes to market, everything will be covered under a single warranty. Boaters, especially newbies, will also feel more comfortable as captains of their own vessels, while the boats will have a smaller carbon footprint.

Bekkers Azur 45HT

Bekkers is a brand-new boatbuilder hailing from Holland that debuted its very first hull, the 45HT, at the 2023 Cannes Yachting Festival. Taking aim at some of the most acclaimed dayboat makers in the world, the new 45-footer is built out of aluminum, so both the exterior and exterior can take different forms during the customization process. That’s important because customers in this bracket demand customization. The boat displays quality fit and finish throughout, from the stainless steel accents to the leather-wrapped steering wheel. There is also a nice sense of proportion on the upper deck and down below in the cabin. On our sea trial, the 45HT offered solid and controlled turns, while the hull gripped the water’s surface despite swells that growing swells. The sightlines from the helm were tight, though, and the hardtop seemed like it was too low. I needed to duck down to see out the sides when making turns. I also thought the boat was a bit underpowered with twin 440-horsepower Volvo Penta IPS600s, with a top speed of 27 knots. I walked away from the Bekkers with the sense that the bones are here for another respectable entry into the Dutch dayboat market, but there is room for improvement.