Dubai 2025 Boat Show Preview

The 2025 Dubai boat show is scheduled from the nineteen to 23 February. The 2025 edition of the Dubai boat show will feature over one thousand brands, and two hundred plus of boats at the show, with some of the most exciting brands, products and world-premiers all split in six different areas; Super Yacht Avenue, Equipment and Supplies, Watersports, Marina Displays, Dive Mena and Dive Pool, and Supercar Avenue. The 2025 Dubai boat show will feature superyachts, small fishing boats, latest dive equipment, and all possible marine equipment.  World debuts will come from Gulf Craft's Majesty 100 Terrace and a mystery debut of about twenty meters, and the Sunreef Ultima 55.

www.boatshowdubai.com

The Dubai boat show was started in 1992 as a modest event focused on the local United Arab Emirates maritime industry. With Dubai becoming the cosmopolitan city of the Middle East, the boat show eventually grew in size and popularity, with this growth further fueled with the growing of yachting in the gulf area, in the early noughties, a popularity which reached full circle by the end of the first decade of the new millennium.  Today the Dubai boat show gets over thirty thousand visitors in a five day event, reaching both these numbers in its last 2022 and 2023 editions.  The Dubai boat show was cancelled for both the 2020 and 2021 Covid-19 pandemic years.

New Model: Windy 29 Huracan

Windy present the new 29 Huracan, a sport cruiser sport boat classic in layout but modern in design looks. The 29 Huracan continues Windy collaboration with Espen Øino for exterior lines and follows an interior as designed by Design Unlimited, following the work on the 40 Camira. The Windy 29 Huracán is a modern looking sport cruiser combining a spacious, safe, and social cockpit with a fantastic design language creating a unique appearance that radiates both luxury and sportiness. The 29 Huracan features a traditional cockpit layout with aft sun-pad, L-shaped settee dinette, and helm station to starboard with companionway settee the other side to port. Lower deck accommodation is the traditional forward V-shaped, with a galley on entry and shower head opposite. This versatile new model can be powered with either Volvo Penta or Yanmar inboard engines.  The Windy 29 Huracan is standard powered by a single Volvo 440hp, with optional power coming for a Yanmar 370hp and or petrol gas Volvo 430hp. 

Technical Data:

LOA - 8.91 m (29.2ft)

Beam - 2.70 m

Draft - 1 m with drive, 0.55 m with drive up

Displacement - 3.45 t unloaded

Fuel Capacity - 400 l

Water Capacity - 115 l

Max Persons - eight

Accommodation - two berths

Engines - single Volvo V8 430hp *petrol gas, D6 440hp, Yanmar 8LV-Z 370hp

Propulsion - duo prop stern drive Volvo DPI for D6 440hp, Yanmar ZT370

Speed - 43 knots max with Volvo 440hp

Construction - resin infused fiberglass

Project - Espen Oino exterior and naval architect, Design Unlimited interior

Certification - CE B

www.windy.no

Project: WiderCat 76

Wider was founded on the principle of innovation in technology design, and the WiderCat 76 project embraces this philosophy to deliver the allure of a superyacht with the agility of a smaller yacht. Under construction at the Wider Vision Hub, the new shipyard in Fano, the WiderCat 76 has been shaped by Luca Dini with the precious collaboration of the Wider Centro Stile for the interiors, together with the the expertise of the Wider Engineering Department.  WiderCat 76 striking lines include features not only designed to make a style statement but also to deliver practical benefits, such as bulwark and superstructure angles that maximise light for the interior and promote the seascape view from inside; or the layout that offers beachside chic living with huge saloon, generous lower galley, spacious main deck master with direct access to the forward cockpit and terrace, and acres of deck space to embrace the best of outdoor living on the water.  The new WiderCat 76 is bringing a redefined interior concept, highlighting once again the versatility of the shipyard.  The large master suite – which boasts a queen bed, corner sofa, and ensuite that features a shower with panoramic views – is joined by a VIP and two double guest ensuite cabins on the lower deck, ensuring a high level of comfort and privacy. Outside, the WiderCat 76 offers a huge upper deck with closed helm station, dining area protected by a hardtop, two sofa zones, and a forward conversation nook with sofa and freestanding seating. Aft on the main deck there’s an expansive cockpit with sofas and alfresco dining table, foldable swim platform, and forward there’s a second cockpit with twin C-shaped sofas and coffee table. The WiderCat 76 is to be powered by twin 620hp FPT engines, and will also feature a 116 kwh battery bank to supply its domestic load and make it generator free as possible.  The first unit of the WiderCat 76 is currently in build with a target launch date for later on this date.

www.wider-yachts.com

New Launch: Jarrett Bay 68 Sportfisherman Hull #64

Jarrett Bay has launched hull 64, a new 68 Sportfisherman which comes from a repeat client, who commissioned the innovative 56 Open Convertible Hull#67 which launched in 2022.  Unlike its smaller sister, this new Jarrett Bay 68 Sportfisherman Hull#64 also titled m/y Renegade is a conventional custom sportfish yacht, which gets sophisticated when looking skin deep and into its technical details.   Jarrett Bay 68 Sportfisherman Hull#64 features a four double cabin three heads layout, with a master stateroom to starboard side midship, forward VIP suite, and two bunk cabins which share a head to port side.  The main cabin deck is all for living space, with a welcome L-shaped saloon and C-shaped dinette to port side, and L-shaped galley, with island breakfast area to starboard.  Defying convention?  You have to go into the engine room, as hull #64 is powered by twin Cats 2450hp engines, but also its massive twin 25kw generators and three Seakeeper gyro stabilizers are something you might find in sportfish yachts of at least four meters more in length.

Technical Data:

LOA - 20.98 m (68.9ft)

Beam - 6.14 m

Draft - 1.72 m

Displacement - 36287 kg dry, 50802 kg loaded

Fuel Capacity - 8517 l

Water Capacity - 1135 l

Accommodation - eight guests in four cabins

Engines - 2 x Cats C32B 2400hp

Propulsion - direct line shaft

Speed - 44 knots max, forty knots cruise

Construction - cold moulding with jig method, okoume plywood, fiberglass and epoxy resins

www.jarrettbay.com

Project: Cayman 380 WA

Cayman announce the project for a new 380 WA model.  The Cayman 380 WA comes from a design of Studio Satura, with the Rome firm taking the first job for the Tuscania located Italian yacht builder.  Since 2018 and the launching of the F920 flagship Cayman yachts have been designed by Ferragni.  The 380 WA is to be the new entry level of all Cayman Yachts range, and while she may seem only two foot shorter to the 400 WA, she also comes with a hull length just under ten meters, to come under Italian Natante small boat registration.  The Cayman 380 WA is to be presented at the Naples Nauticsud boat show to be held from eight to sixteen February, who is having a revival of sorts, what was some time ago, Italy's second largest boat show.  Although for Cayman, it is not the first time they debut a model at the show, as they did launch the S600 at Naples in 2023.

www.caymanyachts.it

Ocea New Web Site

Ocea presents its new web site.  Ocea was started in 1987 as Roland Joassard and Fabrice Epaud buy the 1934 Pouvreau shipyard.  In 1990 Ocea expands more as it buys the 1917 founded Union and Travail shipyard in Les Sables D'Olonne, which is followed by a third acquisition in 1995 as it purchases the Le Bastion shipyard.  Expansion does not stop and in 1996 Ocea buys a site in Saint-Nazaire and another in 1999 at Fontenay-le-Comte.  In 2000 Ocea debuts in yachting as it starts building its first 30 meter Classic yacht as commissioned by an experienced owner with design by Michel Joubert and Bernard Nivelt.  Ocea has thus far  delivered ten yachts till the end of 2023 from 23 to 47 meters, six fully custom and four from the semi-custom 108 Commuter in between 2004 to 2023.  Besides yachts it is worth to note that Ocea has delivered over 350 ships.  Currently Ocea offers three models in its Commuter series from 33 to fifty meters, while its custom series currently offers five projects for a length up to ninety meters.  Ocea new web site is available in French and English language and takes you around with the following buttons; Ocea Commuter, Ocea Full Custom, Build with Ocea, The Fleet, Ocea Shipbuilding, News and Events, Aluminium Great's Merits, and A Sustainable Approach.  Ocea is also present on social media hub Linkedin with a bottom page button link.

www.ocea-yachts.com

Production History (semi-custom only);

Commuter 108 2004-23 (4)

Ocea Classic 100, its first yacht launched in 2002

Project: Columbus Crossover 47

Columbus Yachts announces the sale of the first 47-metre Crossover, to a European client, with the super yacht completion set for 2027.  The Columbus Crossover 47 combines contemporary aesthetics with practicality to offer a unique experience, where every detail responds to the balance between luxury and functionality.  The Crossover 47 is to be built in steel with aluminium superstructures, with design for exterior lines and naval architecture by Hydro Tec studio, with interiors by Hot Lab.  The Columbus Crossover 47 is a perfect example of flexibility and functionality, designed to maximize comfort on board and enhance every space. From the stern, equipped to accommodate a tender weighing up to three tons that can be transformed into an oasis for relaxation, with a jacuzzi, sunbathing area and direct access to the sea, with folding gunwales to expand the usable surface area and offer an unobstructed view of the surrounding landscape, to the large sun deck, protected by a generous hard top, in the Columbus Crossover 47 every element is designed to adapt to the needs of the owner and his guests. The exterior is characterized by modern and muscular shapes, with a prevalence of taut and angled surfaces with the concentration of volumes in the bow area, typical of explorer super yacht. The hull is displacement, with a bulbous bow and flat and forward sections. Crossover 47 is an extremely flexible superyacht, for example the cockpit can accommodate not only a large tender with a crane built into the aft of the upper deck, but also a swimming pool with convivial and relaxation areas. The interiors of the main deck offer a spacious lounge area and a table that can accommodate up to twelve people. Continuing towards the bow, on the port side we find the pantry and then a roomy professional galley. The layout, designed to accommodate up to twelve people, consists of four cabins positioned below deck; two double and two twin with twin beds and pullman bed, and a full-beam master stateroom on the main deck, with central bed, wardrobe, vanity desk, office and double bathroom with central shower. The upper deck is furnished with a six-seater round outdoor table, which can expands up to ten seats, and internally a lounge/entertainment area. At the bow the helm station. On the sun deck, in addition to spacious sunbathing and relaxation areas, a large bar and a second swimming pool have been planned. The nine-people crew finds accommodation in four double cabins set up below deck and the captain’s cabin on the upper behind the pilot house. The Crossover 47 is powered by twin Caterpillar 1300hp each that allow a maximum speed of fifteen knots and a cruising speed of twelve knots, with a 5,000 nautical miles range at ten knots.

www.columbusyachts.it

New Model: Ferretti 940

The first unit of the brand new Ferretti Yachts 940 was launched last January fifteen at the Cattolica shipyard. The first Ferretti 940 will remain in Italian waters, testifying the strategic role of the domestic market for the Ferretti Group. The new Ferretti 940 is a replacement to the Zuccon designed 920 after the delivery of 38 units and a production run of seven years. The Ferretti 940 is a stylistic departure to the previous model, with Filippo Salvetti bringing the style of the 860 into this large unit, with floor-to-ceiling glazed surfaces being part of the design element of the main deck.  In substance though the 940 carries a lot of the outgoing 920 more then it wants you to see, see the broken S-shear line and the way the semi wide-body is integrated into the main deck. With a length overall of 28 meters, the Ferretti 940 offers a five-guest cabin layout, with the interiors designed by Ideaeitalia.  The first Ferretti 940 is furnished with freestanding furniture and offers incredible versatility of use. The glass parapet, establishes continuity with the stern platform, creating the perfect area for sharing experiences with family and friends. Once inside the almost thirty-square-metre salon, entered through large sliding glass doors, is decorated on this unit in the brand’s Classic mood, which taps into warm, earthy elements and is designed to bring the owner the pleasure of an elegant, inviting and uncluttered environment. The area contains a large living space, furnished on this first unit with an L-shaped sofa facing a storage unit and a sliding TV, plus a centrally positioned dining table seating eight. The hallway forward of the galley leads to the new Raised Pilot House, featuring a single-piece windscreen with no central pillar for better visibility. The main deck is also home to the full-beam owner’s suite, which takes full advantage of the widebody hull concept and, on this unit, features the use of prized Silver Roots marble for the desktop on the starboard side, on the forward wall behind the sofa, and in the bathroom; the full-beam bathroom is in the bow. The extensive glazing is a striking new feature, including a floor-to-ceiling window in the dining area that floods the space with natural light, thanks in part to an external parapet designed so that it doesn’t obstruct the view. In this first unit, the floor-to-ceiling glazing features a sliding door to provide direct access to the starboard side walkway. The outdoor area forward contains a large sun-pad, a generous C-shaped sofa and a table. The wide walkways provide easy access to the mooring area. The more than generously sized flybridge is the perfect place to share al fresco lunches and dinners while revelling in the beauty of the marine environment. The guest area on the lower deck provides a total of three VIP cabins and one guest cabin with sliding beds. The first Ferretti 940 is fitted with twin Man 2000hp engines, reaching a top speed of 25 knots and a cruising speed of 21 knots.  Ferretti has so far sold four units of the 940, before the launching  of hull one, with the first three ordered following project presentation during the 2024 Cannes boat show.

Technical Data:

LOA - 28.97 m (95.1ft)

Beam - 6.78 m

Draft - 2.30 m

Displacement - 86 t unloaded

Fuel Capacity - 

Max Persons - twenty

Accommodation - ten guests in five cabins, four crew in two cabins

Engines - 2 x Man V12 2000hp, V12 2200hp

Propulsion - line shaft

Speed - 25 knots max 21 cruise Man 2000hp, 

Project - Filippo Salvetti exterior, Ideaeitalia interior

www.ferretti-yachts.com

Project: Crosswait Badco 50 Gameboat

Crosswait is currently building its largest build to date, with the Badco 50 Gameboat.  A hardcore sportfish yacht commissioned by Bad Company Fishing Adventures, Badco 50 Gameboat will be a tender fishing yacht of sorts to be carried by a Damen BC 175 53 meters support super yacht.  Nothing has been left to chance on the Crosswait Badco 50 Gameboat, with design fully focused on sportfishing coming from Blunt and advisory coming from custom boat specialist Brooks Smith.  Constructed in light weight composite with extensive use of carbon fibre the Crosswait Badco 50 Gameboat is to weight in around fifteen tons, and powered by twin Man 850hp is estimated to have a top speed up to 44 knots.  Badco 50 Gameboat will have an interior designed for simplicity with a functional salon and split galley, and lower deck with single split bunks to each side, single head and shower all the way forward and dedicated massive storage room for rods and tackle. Fair to say the Crosswait Badco 50 Gameboat is a weapon dedicated to fishing performance without compromise.

www.crosswait.com

Karim Aga Khan IV 1936 - 2025

Prince Karim Al-Husseini better know as the Aga Khan IV or Karim Aga Khan has left for the better World in Lisbon, Portugal, on 4 February 2025, at the age of 88.  The billionaire philanthropist and spiritual was reported to have passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, his charity the Aga Khan Development Network announced.  Aga Khan IV was the 49th imam of Isma'ilism from 1957 until his death in 2025.  He held the position of imam and the title of Aga Khan after succeeding to the position at the age of twenty upon the death of his grandfather, Aga Khan III.  Aga Khan IV was also known by the religious title Mawlānā Hazar Imam by his Isma'ili followers.  Beside being a multiple yacht owner, Aga Khan yachting feats are his Blue Ribbin record, sponsoring Italy's first America's Cup challenge, and creating one of the most beautiful important Mediterranean yacht marinas with Porto Cervo in Sardinia.  Aga Khan debuted Italy in the Americas Cup when he challenged for the Old Cup in the 25th edition of 1983, co-sponsoring the challenge with Giovanni Agnelli and under the tutelage of his 1967 founded Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.  With Azzurra boat number I-4 the Italian debuted will take fourth position in the Louis Cup, and start the love of Italy and Italians for the Americas Cup.   Azzurra challenged again for the cup in 1987, with Azzurra III boat I-10 and Azurra IV boat I-11, arriving seventh in the round robin stage.  His Americas Cup Challenge will be the inspiration to further Italian Americas Cup challenges, but most important three Italian Americas Cup finalists in 1991, 2000, and 2021.  Aga Khan also created and founded Porto Cervo, with five other partners, considered since the sixties as one of most luxurious and natural settled marinas in the World.  Porto Cervo started its construction in 1962 and in 1964 was completed in its first phase, and was followed by other important investments from Aga Khan IV in Sardinia, from the re-opening of the old Venafiorita airport then renamed to Costa Smeralda, to the founding of Alisarda airline in 1963 which will become Meridiana in 1991 and then Air Italy in 2018.  For us motor boaters though Aga Khan biggest feat is Destriero which was specifically build to beat the Atlantic Ocean record of three days and secure the Blue Riband.  In 1992 Destriero crossed the Atlantic, without refuelling, twice, first westbound and then east-bound.  Her eastbound voyage from the Ambrose Light to Bishop Rock, Isles of Scilly, a distance of 3,106 nautical miles which Destriero will do at an average speed of 53.09 knots, will be held in the record time of 58 hours, 34 minutes and 5 seconds.  Despite this Destriero was denied the Hales Trophy, because she was classed as a private yacht and not a "commercial passenger vessel". Destriero did, however receive the Virgin Atlantic Challenge Trophy, awarded by former record-holder Richard Branson for the fastest crossing by any vessel, and the Columbus Atlantic Trophy sponsored by the Costa Smeralda and New York Yacht Club for the fastest trans-Atlantic round-trip.  Destriero still holds the fastest Atlantic crossing record till today.  Unfortunately the faith of the Fincantieri build Donald L. Blount designed 68.19 meters triple 20,000hp gas turbine engines powered super ship will get lonely as she was laid up in HMNB Devonport dockyard, Plymouth, England for ten years, and then removed in February 2009, taken to Lürssen ship yard and then unfortunately scrapped on second May 2023.  Aga Khan IV owned various yachts over the years, with these having one thing in common, being fast and named for his horses, the rest was different with his yachting ownership starting with three Baglietto's and then going into various Donald L. Blount designs.  One of his first yachts was a 1963 Baglietto Majorca 22-meter titled m/y Amaloun and this being the fastest of three Majorca's made which was unfortunately lost to a yard fire.  Following this Aga Khan will commission two other Baglietto's a Minorca 20m in 1964, and 14m in 1967 titled m/y Silver Shark what was the first Italian pleasure boat commissioned with turbine jets.  Current Aga Khan yachts include the 1983 Lurrsen 46.6 meter m/y Shergar, the 2010 Hodgdon 26 meter m/y Zarkava as designed by Donald L. Blount, her slightly smaller 25 meter 2013 build sister-ship titled m/y Valyra, and his latest build the m/y Alamshar the 2014 delivered Devonport 49.9 meter as designed by Pininfarina and naval architecture by Donald L. Blount and Associates.