The Fastest Superyachts: A Dive Into Pinnacles of Marine Engineering

When discussing speed on the water, it’s essential to recognize that published top speeds are often optimistic best-case scenarios. Various factors come into play, such as the weight of the vessel, water conditions, and skilled navigation. Fast boats are typically lightweight and streamlined, yet their performance can fluctuate over time as they age, gain weight, or swap hardware.

In this article, we’re not merely focused on numbers but on the distinctive characters of some of the fastest superyachts that have ever sailed the seas, exploring what makes each of them unique.

Understanding Speed Mechanics on Water

A common characteristic of the most rapid yachts is their relatively short and aggressive design. Weight and drag significantly hinder performance; therefore, propulsion systems often resemble those used in racing boats or military vessels. These yachts maximize speed through innovative combinations of waterjets, gas turbines, and powerful engines that put even the most powerful cars to shame.

Jet Ruban Bleu: 60 Knots

The Jet Ruban Bleu is a staggering 60-knot yacht that seems engineered more for speed accolades than luxury indulgence. At about 25 meters long, its construction is refreshingly straightforward—it integrates a singular motor-and-turbine setup providing 3,500 horsepower. This simple yet effective system stands out against a sea of overly complex machinery found in other vessels.

What truly sets the Jet Ruban Bleu apart is its impressive range of 3,000 nautical miles at 40 knots. This translates to an exhilarating experience—driving this yacht is more akin to navigating a high-performance hot rod than handling a traditional superyacht.

Oci Ciornie: 60 Knots

Next on our roster is the Oci Ciornie, another yacht reaching 60 knots, yet designed with an altogether different framework. Flaunting a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion system with twin MTU diesels and an Avco Lycoming gas turbine, it can cruise on diesel and summon extra speed from its turbines whenever necessary.

While it may lack the sheer size of the world’s largest yachts, the Oci Ciornie accommodates eight guests comfortably across three cabins, plus space for two crew members. This intricate blend of performance and hospitality offers a distinct experience in high-speed cruising.

Azimut Atlantic Challenger: 60 Knots

Straddling the line between luxury and speed, the Azimut Atlantic Challenger was conceived with the ambition of capturing the transatlantic speed record. Measuring around 27 meters, its aluminum monohull, designed by Pininfarina, pushes forth with a top speed of 60 knots. Its impressive setup includes four CRM diesel engines generating a staggering 7,400 horsepower.

Aimed at crossing the Atlantic without the need for refueling, it stands as a bold statement in performance-engineering, even if it didn’t clinch the trophy it sought.

Brave Challenger: 60 Knots

The Brave Challenger, recorded at 60 knots, is a larger vessel that maintains remarkable speed thanks to its CODAG propulsion system featuring three Rolls-Royce engines. Having first set sail in 1960, this yacht has seen a preservation-driven refit that speaks to its legacy and engineering prowess.

While many yachts can boast speed, the Brave Challenger offers something unique; its heritage as the oldest yacht in the 60-knot club adds a certain charm and authenticity to the experience of high-speed sailing.

Kereon: 62.3 Knots

Exceeding the previous entries, the Kereon pushes the limits with a top speed of 62.3 knots. Built for acceleration rather than luxury, it packs 6,300 horsepower from three CRM engines within a streamlined, performance-first framework. Measuring about 27 meters, it can comfortably house six guests along with two crew members.

What sets the Kereon apart is its reliance on diesel over gas turbines, embracing a philosophy that applies supercar attributes to the maritime realm, ensuring that its performance is equally thrilling in shorter sprints.

Galeocerdo (WallyPower 118): 65 Knots

The Galeocerdo, also known as the WallyPower 118, is a modern marvel that achieves a top speed of 65 knots. This yacht was meticulously designed, with wind tunnel testing ensuring optimal aerodynamics. It exemplifies a commitment to speed not just through raw power but through sophisticated design principles.

Incorporating gas turbine power and waterjets, the Galeocerdo showcases a level of engineering that blends leisurely cruising with high-speed exhilaration, making it feel like a prototype that just happens to be a yacht.

World Is Not Enough: 67 Knots

A name like World Is Not Enough leaves little room for subtlety. Capable of reaching 67 knots through a formidable combination of two Paxman engines and a hybrid fuel system, it produces over 20,000 horsepower. This vessel elegantly balances the size of a conventional superyacht with capabilities that defy expectations.

Bringing in a rich cruising range of 3,800 nautical miles at lower speeds reminds us that even the fastest yachts still engage with the vastness of the ocean.

Foners: 70.1 Knots

With a top speed of 70.1 knots, the Foners held the title of the world’s fastest yacht for over two decades, a remarkable achievement in yacht engineering. Known originally as Fortuna, it was built as a royal yacht for the King of Spain, featuring bulletproof aramid fiber, which adds an intriguing dimension to its character.

At 41.5 meters long, its history and pedigree cements the Foners as a living legend in speed records, conveying a sense of both opulence and formidable performance.

Bolide 80: 73 Knots

Topping the charts is the Bolide 80, which made waves upon its recent debut in 2023, achieving an astonishing 73 knots. Built with triple 2,000 horsepower 12V MAN diesel engines, it encapsulates the essence of modern yacht design.

Constructed from carbon fiber, this sub-25-meter vessel uses a multi-stepped planing hull, optimizing speed without sacrificing safety. With a cruising speed of 55 knots and a range of 345 nautical miles, the Bolide 80 represents the future of fast yacht design, blending cutting-edge technology with visceral speed.

This journey through the world of fast superyachts reveals a diverse collection of floating marvels, each with its own narrative and engineering feats that continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible on water.