Marco Valle, CEO of Benetti, says while yacht ownership has often been associated with older individuals, the brand has seen growing interest from a younger demographic. “There is a changing mindset and an increasing appreciation for the yachting lifestyle among younger, affluent individuals in Asia. Today, we are seeing buyers in their thirties and forties entering the [yacht] market, driven by their entrepreneurial success and a desire to enjoy the luxury and freedom that yachting offers.”

Millennial yacht buyers look for what Valle describes as designs that redefine the onboard hospitality experiences for themselves and their guests, and a “more convivial and less formal onboard lifestyle”, he says. “This group have higher expectations of the experiences and facilities onboard, compared to other buyers.”

The Veranda deck is one of Benetti’s new designs that speaks to these desires and demands. It is a reinterpretation of the traditional main deck lounge, which is the uppermost deck, between the bow and the stern. This design opens up the main deck space on three sides, creating a flow and an indoor-outdoor look and feel between the lounge and the stern.

The Veranda deck was unveiled at the 2023 Monaco Yacht Show, a marquee event in luxury yachting; it will be seen on the Motopanfilo 45m, part of a Benetti series that pays homage to the yachts of the Sixties.

Meanwhile, two privately owned yachts designed by Benetti, Alunya and Fantasea, showcased the Oasis deck, which was originally released earlier in 2023; both yachts are the B.Now 50m model. The Oasis deck has a hydraulic terrace that opens on both port and starboard sides (respectively the left and the right of the vessel, while facing the bow, or front), which extends the length of the deck. It is designed to enhance contact with the sea—an infinity pool is located just steps from the water’s edge. “Guests can enjoy this chic, private oasis at any time of day, while the even larger space created by opening the platform is ideal as an open-air relaxation area,” says Valle.

Other new Benetti designs launched on the occasion of the Monaco Yacht Show include large areas created with entertaining and socialising in mind, which will be introduced on the Project Life 85m, a new addition to Benetti’s megayacht fleet. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to pour into the interiors and provide views of the moving landscape outside, including from the revolving lounge at the centre of the main salon. “The set-up enables [the owners] to relax and host larger groups of guests while onboard, making their yacht their home away from home,” says Valle. The Project Life 85m has meeting spaces on its decks; in the post-Covid era, he adds, there is an increased interest in dedicated workspaces or offices on board; yacht owners want to have the flexibility to conduct business affairs while enjoying their time at sea.

Addressing the needs of the yacht’s occupants is always an important consideration. Clients in Asia want kitchen equipment and space that allows them to whip up a cosy meal for themselves and their guests—or customised steamers for dim sum. They also need a strong extraction system to keep the cooking smell out of the yacht. The different experiences guests seek, particularly during long stays on board, became the inspiration for the B.Yond 55m. It has five decks, with one dedicated to staff. It is created to allow for separation and privacy between guests and crew—something that is particularly sought-after in the Asian, Middle Eastern and South American markets, says Vitelli.

“I think we’ve been really good ... at reinventing something classical but with a modern twist,” says Vitelli, who adds that presenting the market with something modern attracts a new generation of clients. “You can’t live in the memories of the past—you need to take all of it into the present and into the future.”

But old-school owners should still be able to find what they’re looking for on a luxury yacht, she adds.

“A client of mine said to me recently: ‘Thank you—this is my best memory machine. This is a place where the family—grown-up children and their children—can come, and we all reconnect.’”

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