Photo: CRN/ Vripack
Though the luxury yachting industry has suffered a slowdown over the past few years, it has successfully managed to ride the storm if we are to look at the results in the sales sector and the year-on-year growth rate. New yachts are being built at a dizzying pace for the lucky rich of the planet who can afford to pay millions to get their hands on new luxury toys.
A new custom superyacht has just been unveiled by Italian shipyard CRN and is shaping up to be an extraordinary watercraft with completely bespoke design, naval architecture, engineering, and construction. Commissioned by a sailing yacht enthusiast, the new vessel is called Project Thunderball and is the result of a collaboration between Dutch and Italian yachting professionals at CRN, Nauta Design, and Vripack.
The new in-build 230-foot (70-meter) superyacht actually represents the first collaboration between the three and has been described as one of their most "demanding" undertakings yet. That's because it is being built for a seasoned yacht owner who has had a number of yachts over the years, so they know exactly what they want. Project Thunderball will be their largest yet, and the brief demands a highly technical and capable yacht able to support diving, sailing, and fishing. The owner also specified they wanted to avoid the "floating palace" look and feel and decided on a limited number of decks and a profile similar to Lürssen's superyacht V2V.
Construction on the new five-deck motoryacht began earlier this year, and its delivery is scheduled for the summer of 2026. With a beam of 36 feet (11 meters) and a gross tonnage of 1,100, Project Thunderball will be able to accommodate up to twelve guests and fifteen crew members.
The exterior design of the steel and aluminum yacht is characterized by a low profile, with a classic elongated bow, smooth sheer, and sleek lines reminiscent of a sailing yacht. Also, it seems the new design takes design cues from the vintage lines of F100, the first explorer yacht designed by CRN in 1983. As such, it will boast a very simple look, but it will be rich in details. According to Vripack, this will be one of the most efficient hulls they have ever designed, carefully crafted for comfortable maneuvering and efficient cruising.
CRN also mentions that the design "fully reflects the owner's vision and requirements for a pleasure ship suited to long, pleasurable, contemplative cruises."
The interior envisioned by Nauta Design will blend traditional and contemporary styles while also incorporating elements of the sea. Artwork and color will play a key role onboard, as the owner specifically requested each of the six staterooms onboard to have a different color scheme.
There will be no lack of luxury amenities onboard either, with some of the key features including a spa, a gym, and a lower deck swimming pool with a built-in cold bath system. A winter garden will also be part of the design, situated in the central area of the sundeck.
Since the owner is a passionate sailor, the superyacht will also be accompanied by a smaller sailing yacht. Apart from that, Project Thunderball will also carry two 29.5-foot (9-meter) tenders on the bow, as well as various water toys like kiteboards, paddleboards, and surfboards.
Upon delivery in three years' time, the Project Thunderball superyacht will cruise in the Mediterranean and between the Bahamas and Florida. The owner plans to use it as a base for spearfishing, sailing, and diving.
The new in-build 230-foot (70-meter) superyacht actually represents the first collaboration between the three and has been described as one of their most "demanding" undertakings yet. That's because it is being built for a seasoned yacht owner who has had a number of yachts over the years, so they know exactly what they want. Project Thunderball will be their largest yet, and the brief demands a highly technical and capable yacht able to support diving, sailing, and fishing. The owner also specified they wanted to avoid the "floating palace" look and feel and decided on a limited number of decks and a profile similar to Lürssen's superyacht V2V.
Construction on the new five-deck motoryacht began earlier this year, and its delivery is scheduled for the summer of 2026. With a beam of 36 feet (11 meters) and a gross tonnage of 1,100, Project Thunderball will be able to accommodate up to twelve guests and fifteen crew members.
The exterior design of the steel and aluminum yacht is characterized by a low profile, with a classic elongated bow, smooth sheer, and sleek lines reminiscent of a sailing yacht. Also, it seems the new design takes design cues from the vintage lines of F100, the first explorer yacht designed by CRN in 1983. As such, it will boast a very simple look, but it will be rich in details. According to Vripack, this will be one of the most efficient hulls they have ever designed, carefully crafted for comfortable maneuvering and efficient cruising.
CRN also mentions that the design "fully reflects the owner's vision and requirements for a pleasure ship suited to long, pleasurable, contemplative cruises."
The interior envisioned by Nauta Design will blend traditional and contemporary styles while also incorporating elements of the sea. Artwork and color will play a key role onboard, as the owner specifically requested each of the six staterooms onboard to have a different color scheme.
There will be no lack of luxury amenities onboard either, with some of the key features including a spa, a gym, and a lower deck swimming pool with a built-in cold bath system. A winter garden will also be part of the design, situated in the central area of the sundeck.
Since the owner is a passionate sailor, the superyacht will also be accompanied by a smaller sailing yacht. Apart from that, Project Thunderball will also carry two 29.5-foot (9-meter) tenders on the bow, as well as various water toys like kiteboards, paddleboards, and surfboards.
Upon delivery in three years' time, the Project Thunderball superyacht will cruise in the Mediterranean and between the Bahamas and Florida. The owner plans to use it as a base for spearfishing, sailing, and diving.
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