racing yacht top speed

• Subscribe Now
• Digital Editions

6 of the fastest boats you can buy right now

• Top stories

Serial boat owner and adrenaline junkie Elliott Maurice picks out 6 of the fastest boats available on the market…

A rarefied segment of the boating industry is dedicated to creating some of the fastest boats in the world. They’re the Bugatti Chirons and Koenigseggs of the seas. Builders of these boats work to extreme tolerances, using exotic materials and construction methods usually found in the aviation industry.

Of course, at this level, low volume production and the aforementioned construction methods combine to create an exclusive product with an even more exclusive price tag. These super high-performance boats will be hugely impractical for most purposes, when compared to a typical leisure vessel, and the skipper will need significant ability to get the most out of it.

In reality any boat capable of speeds more than 60 knots (69mph) is very fast indeed. Given the hugely changeable nature of water compared to tarmac, this is akin to driving a car at around 120mph.

Most of the fastest boats use race-derived hulls with roots dating back to the 1980s when the ‘Go-Fast boat’ became synonymous with the glamor and excesses of the time. TV shows like Miami Vice , with Don Johnson catching drug dealers in his iconic Wellcraft 39 Scarab , helped make these boats extremely popular.

In reality, high performance offshore boats of this type were extensively used by cartels to run drugs into Miami, with the DEA commissioning a fleet of Blue Thunder powercats to help combat the problem.

Fast forward to today, some of the fastest boats are capable of exceeding 180mph with specialist engines and are in fact faster than the boats in Class 1 Offshore racing, where horsepower is limited to twin 1,100hp.

This list is by no means exhaustive – there are also a number of phenomenal offerings out there from legendary builders like Nortech, Sunsation, Donzi and Fountain.

6 of the fastest boats you can buy

Goldfish 46 Bullet

World’s fastest RIB

Top speed: 85 knots (99 mph) Price: $1.2million

Starting with one of the most revered names in the world of performance RIBs, Norwegian yard Goldfish Boats build exceptionally capable open water powerboats. They are also the fastest Ridged Inflatable Boats on the market today.

The 46 Bullet is the fastest of them all – with triple 500hp V10 Mercury outboards 85 knots is achievable. Around $1.2 million will put you in the driving seat of this exquisitely built boat with a carbon superstructure, state of the art electronics and custom racing seating for six.

Perfectly capable of cruising for hours in excess of 60 knots in challenging conditions, the Goldfish is capable of holding its own in rough water against almost any offshore powerboat challenger.

Article continues below…

Fastest boat: The current holder and contenders for the world water-speed record

Mystic M5200 yacht tour: On board the 70-knot, 2,400hp Bentley GT of the seas

Outerlimits SV50

World’s fastest production monohull

Top speed: 156 knots (180 mph) Price: $900,000

At 50ft 1in LOA and only 9ft in the beam, this rocket ship is a pure raceboat in design, with five steps in the hull and staggered engines to keep the driver as close to the centerline as possible.

At the 2023 Lake of the Ozarks shootout an SV50 with enclosed cockpit and twin 2,000hp engines ran 180.47 mph on a 1km run making it the fastest production monohull on the water.

More impressive is that a standard boat with twin Mercury Racing 1,350/1,550hp can easily top 140mph. However, this is a boat requiring an exceptional skill to drive, with handling characteristics as aggressive as its outright speed suggests. Starting at around $900,000 the SV50 is the ultimate in its class.

MTI Pleasure 52

Top speed: 156 knots (180mph) Price: $2 million

Another brand known for its offshore race winning boats, MTI produces nothing but high-performance boats. From its V series center consoles to its outboard -powered cats, this semi-custom builder doesn’t make a boat that does less than 80mph.

The 52 Pleasure is the fastest of the breed, with a full race version available using the same hull. With twin 1,750hp Mercury racing engines, this boat can achieve over 180mph.

With full custom options, MTI have even built a Lamborghini-inspired 48 footer to match the owner’s Lamborghini Aventador. Fitted with Aventador style tail lights and dashboard, the boat even had a matching covered starter button.

Needless to say, all this glamour doesn’t come cheap. You can expect a starting price of around $2 million for this level of exotica.

Cigarette 515

The most legendary go-fast boat

Top speed: 113 knots (130mph) Price: $2.2 million

No go-fast boat comes with as much pedigree as the Cigarette. Founded by the legendary Don Aronow, Cigarette Boats dominated offshore racing worldwide for over a decade, so much so that the brand name has become synonymous with offshore racers.

Still built in Florida, the brand has development ties with Mercedes AMG and Mercury Racing alike. As the largest high-performance boat in the range, the 515 offers peerless attention to detail and quality alike.

It is not the fastest production monohull, with a top speed of just over 130mph achievable with twin staggered 1,350/1,550hp Mercury Racing engines. It is, however, the best riding and one of the most capable offshore powerboats for handling rough water.

Its carbon fiber, vacuum bagged construction helps to justify its $2.2 million starting price and above all, it is the ultimate Cigarette boat.

Photo: Tom Leigh

Mystic C4000

Top speed: 108 knots (125mph) Price: $699,000

Mystics founder John Cosker is responsible for some of the fastest offshore raceboats in the world. Throttling his American Ethanol 50ft Catamaran, he hit 204mph this year setting the record on the Lake of the Ozarks sprint course.

Mystic will custom build a race winning boat for you on request, however Mystic now has a range of three high performance center consoles, with the C4000 outboard cat being the fastest production boat in the range, equipped with twin 500hp Mercury Racing outboards.

The C4000 will top 125mph and cruise in the upper 80s. With a bias on cruising comfort, the C4000 is a tuned down version of the Mystic race boat, with the tunnel compression reduced to hold the boat down rather than create the less controllable lift of the 180mph capable race hull.

The engines are also mounted on hydraulic jack plates to further trim the hull and keep the boat glued down in rough water. At just under 44ft the luxuriously appointed Mystic C4000 can offer performance akin to a light aircraft over distance – think Miami to Bimini in under an hour in the right conditions.

The Mystic is designed to run at speed confidently by most owners without the extreme characteristics of boats at this performance level. Options like a full cockpit sunshade, premium stereo and open transom make the C4000 as comfortable for lounging at a sandbar as it is running at blistering speed in open ocean.

Midnight Express 43 Open

The fastest center console boat

Top speed: 78 knots (90mph) Price: $1million

The center console market has exploded over the past few years, with a ceneter console now available for almost any boating application. The high-performance end of the spectrum has a handful of sublime builders.

However, the fastest arguably goes to Midnight Express 43, when running 5x 500hp V10 outboards. Capable of over 90mph, the 43 can also accommodate up to 20 people in comfort and 9 people at speed in luxurious quilted ultra leather bolster seats.

So good is the hull on the Midnight Express that Miami-Dade County DEA used the 39ft version as its high speed response boats. With its all-carbon superstructure and air-conditioned helm, the 43 is an extremely desirable boat, and over 100 units of this $1 million dollar boat have been sold to date.

Hardy 50DS tour: £2M Passage-Making Monster

Maserati tridente: the first maserati-branded motor boat, and it’s electric, witness appeal after reports of a motor boat collision, latest videos, watch: parker sorrento sea trial: 50-knot cruiser with a killer aft cabin, watch: virtue v10 sea trial: €272k weekender, how to mark your anchor chain: 6 top tips from our expert, watch: galeon 560 fly sea trial – the best galeon flybridge you can buy.

Sail GP: how do supercharged racing yachts go so fast? An engineer explains

Head of Engineering, Warsash School of Maritime Science and Engineering, Solent University

Disclosure statement

Jonathan Ridley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

View all partners

Sailing used to be considered as a rather sedate pastime. But in the past few years, the world of yacht racing has been revolutionised by the arrival of hydrofoil-supported catamarans, known as “foilers”. These vessels, more akin to high-performance aircraft than yachts, combine the laws of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics to create vessels capable of speeds of up to 50 knots, which is far faster than the wind propelling them.

An F50 catamaran preparing for the Sail GP series recently even broke this barrier, reaching an incredible speed of 50.22 knots (57.8mph) purely powered by the wind. This was achieved in a wind of just 19.3 knots (22.2mph). F50s are 15-metre-long, 8.8-metre-wide hydrofoil catamarans propelled by rigid sails and capable of such astounding speeds that Sail GP has been called the “ Formula One of sailing ”. How are these yachts able to go so fast? The answer lies in some simple fluid dynamics.

As a vessel’s hull moves through the water, there are two primary physical mechanisms that create drag and slow the vessel down. To build a faster boat you have to find ways to overcome the drag force.

The first mechanism is friction. As the water flows past the hull, a microscopic layer of water is effectively attached to the hull and is pulled along with the yacht. A second layer of water then attaches to the first layer, and the sliding or shearing between them creates friction.

On the outside of this is a third layer, which slides over the inner layers creating more friction, and so on. Together, these layers are known as the boundary layer – and it’s the shearing of the boundary layer’s molecules against each other that creates frictional drag.

A yacht also makes waves as it pushes the water around and under the hull from the bow (front) to the stern (back) of the boat. The waves form two distinctive patterns around the yacht (one at each end), known as Kelvin Wave patterns.

These waves, which move at the same speed as the yacht, are very energetic. This creates drag on the boat known as the wave-making drag, which is responsible for around 90% of the total drag. As the yacht accelerates to faster speeds (close to the “hull speed”, explained later), these waves get higher and longer.

These two effects combine to produce a phenomenon known as “ hull speed ”, which is the fastest the boat can travel – and in conventional single-hull yachts it is very slow. A single-hull yacht of the same size as the F50 has a hull speed of around 12 mph.

However, it’s possible to reduce both the frictional and wave-making drag and overcome this hull-speed limit by building a yacht with hydrofoils . Hydrofoils are small, underwater wings. These act in the same way as an aircraft wing, creating a lift force which acts against gravity, lifting our yacht upwards so that the hull is clear of the water.

While an aircraft’s wings are very large, the high density of water compared to air means that we only need very small hydrofoils to produce a lot of the important lift force. A hydrofoil just the size of three A3 sheets of paper, when moving at just 10 mph, can produce enough lift to pick up a large person.

This significantly reduces the surface area and the volume of the boat that is underwater, which cuts the frictional drag and the wave-making drag, respectively. The combined effect is a reduction in the overall drag to a fraction of its original amount, so that the yacht is capable of sailing much faster than it could without hydrofoils.

The other innovation that helps boost the speed of racing yachts is the use of rigid sails . The power available from traditional sails to drive the boat forward is relatively small, limited by the fact that the sail’s forces have to act in equilibrium with a range of other forces, and that fabric sails do not make an ideal shape for creating power. Rigid sails, which are very similar in design to an aircraft wing, form a much more efficient shape than traditional sails, effectively giving the yacht a larger engine and more power.

As the yacht accelerates from the driving force of these sails, it experiences what is known as “ apparent wind ”. Imagine a completely calm day, with no wind. As you walk, you experience a breeze in your face at the same speed that you are walking. If there was a wind blowing too, you would feel a mixture of the real (or “true” wind) and the breeze you have generated.

The two together form the apparent wind, which can be faster than the true wind. If there is enough true wind combined with this apparent wind, then significant force and power can be generated from the sail to propel the yacht, so it can easily sail faster than the wind speed itself.

The combined effect of reducing the drag and increasing the driving power results in a yacht that is far faster than those of even a few years ago. But all of this would not be possible without one further advance: materials. In order to be able to “fly”, the yacht must have a low mass, and the hydrofoil itself must be very strong. To achieve the required mass, strength and rigidity using traditional boat-building materials such as wood or aluminium would be very difficult.

This is where modern advanced composite materials such as carbon fibre come in. Production techniques optimising weight, rigidity and strength allow the production of structures that are strong and light enough to produce incredible yachts like the F50.

The engineers who design these high-performance boats (known as naval architects ) are always looking to use new materials and science to get an optimum design. In theory, the F50 should be able to go even faster.

• Engineering
• Aerodynamics

Director of STEM

Community member - Training Delivery and Development Committee (Volunteer part-time)

Chief Executive Officer

Finance Business Partner

Head of Evidence to Action

672 Wine Club

• Motorcycles
• Car of the Month
• Destinations
• Men’s Fashion
• Watch Collector
• Art & Collectibles
• Vacation Homes
• Celebrity Homes
• New Construction
• Home Design
• Electronics
• Fine Dining
• Benchmark Wines
• Brian Fox Art
• Chase United
• Disneyland Resort
• Gateway Bronco
• Royal Salute
• Sports & Leisure
• Health & Wellness
• Best of the Best
• The Ultimate Gift Guide

The 13 Fastest Superyachts in the World

These boats prove that size doesn't have to mean slow..

• Share This Article

When American businessman John Staluppi embarked on his yachting journey, it was to break records. He wanted his first yacht to be the first boat over 100 feet to exceed 30 knots, or 34.5 mph. He achieved it with the 118-foot For Your Eyes Only, delivered in 1985. It was also the first motoryacht in the US to have a combination of MTU diesel engines with water-jet propulsion.

His second yacht would smash all previous records. Delivered by Heesen in 1988, Octopussy fulfilled the Bond enthusiast’s aim to break the then 50-knot barrier with a top end of 53.17 knots (61 mph)—a speed that every other shipyard at the time said couldn’t be done. Octopussy  immediately entered the record books as the world’s fastest yacht.

“That record was important to me because when you pull into any place there’s always a bigger boat or a prettier boat, but there aren’t many people who can say, ‘Hey, this is the fastest yacht in the world,’” Staluppi told Robb Report .

Heesen’s latest delivery, the 197-foot Ultra G , is one of the Dutch yard’s fastest projects these days, with a propulsion package totaling 22,000 horsepower, including four water jets that deliver a top speed of 37 knots (42.57 mph).

Of course, 43 mph is a paltry number compared to many of the yachts on this list, including the new Bolide 80. That Italian stallion, which will make its debut at the Monaco Yacht Show, runs at a blistering 84 mph. It shows that speed, even in the large motoryacht category, is very much alive.

Here are 13 of the fastest motoryachts, past and present, that have ever been on the water.

1. Bolide 80 | 84 mph

Victory Marine calls the Bolide 80 its first “Hyper Muscle Yacht,” which will be part of a limited-edition series from 60 to 170 feet. Designer Brunello Acampora and his tema of engineers pulled out all the stops on this 80, creating a full-carbon-fiber boat with more than 6,000 horsepower. The multi-stepped hull helps propel the Bolide to its top speed of 70 knots (84 mph), while accomplishing the seemingly impossible task of burning about half the fuel of a much smaller flybridge motoryacht at lower cruising speeds. The designer took care to give the Bolide a streamlined profile, with aerodynamic shapes to reduce resistance. The interior includes the captain’s cabin, a full-sized galley, open salon, and a forward owner’s area with a bedroom, en suite and wardrobe area. It will make its global debut at the Monaco Yacht Show.

2. ‘Foners’ | 80.56 mph

Clocking a thrilling 70.10 knots (80.56 mph), the 136-foot Foners has maintained pole position as the world’s fastest superyacht for over 20 years. Powered by two 1,280hp MAN engines coupled to three Rolls-Royce 6,700 hp gas turbines driving three KaMeWa water jets, the all-aluminum boat is less about piercing waves and more about parting the seas. Delivered in 2000 by Spanish shipyard Izar as the King of Spain’s royal yacht, no expense was spared, including a superstructure lined with Aramid fiber for the express purpose of bulletproofing the interior.

3. ‘World Is Not Enough’ | 77.1 mph

You need to only look at the 007-inspired name to know that World Is Not Enough is another rapid racer commissioned by John Staluppi, this time with an opulent interior designed by his wife Jeanette in partnership with Evan K Marshall. Delivered in 2004 by Millennium Super Yachts, the 139-footer is powered by two Paxman diesel engines and two Lycoming gas turbines to produce a staggering 20,600hp and a breathtaking 67 knots (77.1 mph). When not leaving other boats behind, World Is Not Enough has a cruising range of 3800 nautical miles at a comfortable speed of 10 knots.

4. ‘Galeocerdo’ | 74.8 mph

Wally founder Luca Bassani designed the 118-foot Galeocerdo to maintain speed in rough seas. Launched in 2003 by Rodriquez Yachts, the boat racks up an eye-watering 65 knots (74.8 mph), thanks to its three Vericor TF50 gas turbines, each driving a Rolls-Royce KaMeWa water jet. Another performance-enhancing feature is the lightweight titanium exhaust system designed to resist the extreme temperatures generated by the gas turbines. Wind tunnel tested at the Ferrari facility in Maranello, Italy, the boat generates 16,800hp and a 45-knot (51.8-mph) cruising speed that’s faster than most motoryachts running flat out. It also enjoys a highly futuristic exterior design.

5. Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 | 72.5 mph

When Italian supercar brand Lamborghini teamed up with yachting stalwart The Italian Sea Group, the end result had to be style and performance. The Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 is all about the power of ‘63’. Designed and built to celebrate the year 1963 when Ferruccio Lamborghini founded his car company, the 63-footer delivers a whiplashing top speed of 63 knots (72.5 mph). And naturally, it’s one of just 63 in the series that will ever be made. Built out of carbon fiber, it’s fitted with two MAN V12-2000HP engines. MMA fighter Conor McGregor took delivery of hull number one in 2020, which reportedly cost $4 million.

6. ‘Chato’ | 71.9 mph

Back in the mid-1980s, passionate Baglietto customer and leading US Porsche and VW dealer Baron John von Neumann, commissioned a new 85-ft. speed demon from the Italian builder. The entrepreneur was tired of his 34-knot (39-mph) Baglietto getting creamed from Monaco to St. Tropez by faster cruisers. With a hull design by the legendary Alcide Sculati, the all-aluminum Chato came with MTU’s latest 3,480hp V16s coupled to KaMeWa waterjets. Weighing 60 tons, and packing almost 7,000 hp, the military-looking superyacht with its battleship-gray paint and bright-red diagonal hull stripes, hit an astonishing top speed of 62.5 knots (71.9 mph) during sea trials. Chato is currently for sale in the South of France for $715,000.

7. ‘Oci Ciornie’ | 69.04 mph

Oci Ciornie’s Vripack-designed interior may take inspiration from aircraft designs, but it’s the boat’s naval architecture by Don Shead and the combination of two 1,800hp MTU 16V 2000 M90 engines, a 4,600 hp AVCO Lycoming gas turbine and Arneson surface drives that put it on this list. Delivered in 1998 by Palmer Johnson with an aluminum hull, the 82-foot boat thrusts through water at 60 knots (69.04 mph), giving all eight guests the waterborne ride of their lives.

8. ‘Destriero’ | 68 mph

The numbers almost defy logic. With a length of 224 feet, the all-aluminum superyacht Destriero is massive. Now add a trio of GE Aviation LM1600 gas turbines totaling an insane 60,000 hp and the incredulity only increases. Flat out, Destriero could scythe through waves at a staggering 59 knots, or 68 mph. Back in 1992, just one year after its launch, the Fincantieri-built rocketship showed its chops by challenging the famous Blue Riband trans-Atlantic speed record. Averaging 53.09 knots for the 3,106 nautical-mile run, Destriero shattered the record, only to be denied the trophy for being classed as a private yacht and not a commercial passenger vessel. Sadly, today the iconic yacht lies largely abandoned at one of Lurssen’s yards in Germany, awaiting rescue.

9. ‘Ermis²’ | 65.59 mph

Some yachts feature slippery hull designs, others are propelled by rockets, but the McMullen & Wing-built Ermis² is one of the fastest yachts on the superyacht circuit thanks to its lightweight materials. Built from a combination of carbon/epoxy, aerospace grade carbon fiber and titanium, the 123-foot boat taps out at 57 knots (65.59 mph.) Delivered in 2007, its 10,944 horsepower comes from three MTU 16V 4000 M90 engines. Designed inside and out by Rob Humphreys, its classic looks disguise the speed demon within.

10. ‘Why Not U’ | 63.3 mph

Why Not U is a yacht that comfortably cruises at 47 knots (54.1 mph)—a speed most owners only dream of reaching. When time is of the essence, the boat cranks up its Vericor TF40 gas turbine engines to max out at 55 knots (63.3 mph). Delivered by Overmarine in 2001, Why Not U ’s 4.3-foot draft makes it well suited for cruising shallow waters, while its sunbathing areas allow guests to catch some rays traveling at the speed of light.

11. ‘Alamshar’ | 52 mph

Alamshar is another custom collaboration between Donald Blount and Pininfarina commissioned by Aga Khan IV, this time with interiors by Redman Whiteley Dixon. It was reportedly built for an estimated $200 million at the Devonport shipyard in Falmouth, United Kingdom, and took 13 years to complete. When it was eventually delivered in 2014, Alamshar’s top speed of 45 knots (51.78 mph), generated by twin Rolls-Royce Marine engines and three waterjets, seemed worth the wait.

12. ‘Moon Goddess’ | 51.78 mph

Exterior designed by Espen Øino with an interior by Franco Zuretti, the all-aluminum Moon Goddess is a 115-foot yacht with a turquoise hull that matches the color of its oversized leather sunpads. When cruising at 30 knots (34.52 mph) or tearing up the oceans at 45 knots (51.78 mph), most other boats just catch a glimpse of sea spray that the planing yacht leaves in its wake. It’s powered by twin MTU 16V 4000 M90 diesel engines with twin water jets, which generate a combined 7,498 hp.

13. ‘Azzam’ | 35.7 mph

At a staggering 590 feet bow-to-stern, the Lurssen-built Azzam earns the title of world’s longest privately owned gigayacht. But with its remarkable-for-the-size top speed of 31 knots (35.7 mph), it’s also the fastest. Twin 12,000hp MTU V20 turbo-diesels do the day-to-day powering at up to 18 knots (20.7 mph). But crank up the twin GE LM2500 gas turbines, coupled to four Wartsila waterjets, and there’s a staggering 94,000hp on tap. Of course, like Azzam ‘s original owner, it helps if you own a few oil wells: At max speed, the yacht reportedly burns 13 tons of fuel an hour. Launched in 2013 at a reported cost of some $600 million, Azzam accommodates 30 guests pampered by up to 80 crew.

Read More On:

More marine.

This Speedy 70-Foot Power Catamaran Is Designed to Cut Through Rough Waters

New Zealand’s Thrilling Win Gets the America’s Cup Off to a Rip-Roaring Start

This Revamped 161-Foot Trinity Superyacht Could Be Yours for $16 Million

Rescuers Find Remaining Missing Aboard the Sunken ‘Bayesian’ Superyacht 

Meet the Wine Club That Thinks Differently.

Receive editor-curated reds from boutique California producers four times a year.

Give the Gift of Luxury

Latest Galleries in Marine

10 Must-Haves That Will Make Your Yacht Trip Even Better

6 Electric Surfboards That’ll Help You Ride the New E-Foil Wave

More from our brands, victoria’s secret fashion show 2024 models casting announcements, live updates: tyra banks, gigi hadid and more, chinese tennis star zheng qinwen has ‘yao ming’ u.s. marketing potential, esther mcgregor on starring in two venice titles with ‘room next door’ and ‘babygirl,’ and how ‘obi-wan kenobi’ helped rekindle her relationship with father ewan, a long night out during art basel yields run-ins with collectors, celebs, and art world power brokers, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors.

The 20 Fastest SuperYachts in the World

By Alex Holmes

Updated on August 14, 2023

Yachts were always associated with leisure, comfort, and luxury, floating gently in a gorgeous location or cruising unhurried to the next, but somewhere along the way, something changed. Yachts started becoming faster and more powerful, and their owners more obsessed with these characteristics than anything else. But that’s the way with every kind of vehicle these days, isn’t it?

Mankind is obsessed with speed. That’s a given. And it applies to everything, including superyachts, which, despite their size, can achieve impressive speeds over water.

Whether that speed is actually needed is debatable, but one can’t ignore that there are quite a few capable yachts out there and that the competition for the fastest superyacht in the world is a fierce one, as in everything that involves the man’s thirst for speed.

The following superyachts manage to blend both the need for speed and the craving for luxury. But these are above everything else, the fastest yachts in the world right now.

Let’s have a look.

• 20. Cara Montana – 45 knots

Cara Montana is a smaller yacht, manufactured in 2019 by a shipyard based in Genoa, called Otam. It’s a gorgeous maritime vehicle which spans only 25.9 meters in length, but is beautiful and powerful enough to impress.

Powered by twin MTU engines, outputting a total of 5,200 hp together, and equipped with twin surface drives, Cara Montana is able to reach a top speed of 45 knots, or just under 52 mph.

• 19. Alamshar – 45 knots

Completed in 2014 after a waiting time of 13 years spent in the manufacturing process, the Alamshar yacht can reach 45 knots, thanks to its twin Rolls-Royce Marine engines and three waterjets.

The naval architecture of the vessel was made by Donald L. Blount & Associates, the exterior design by Pininfarina, and the interior by Redman Whiteley Dixon. The whole project was put together by the Devonport shipyard in Falmouth, United Kingdom.

The Alamshar is 50 meter long, and costed a jaw dropping $200 million, paid by Aga Khan IV, for whom the custom yacht was made.

• 18. Moon Goddess – 45 knots

Another lovely vessel from the superyacht world is the Moon Goddess. It’s on the smaller size, being only 35 meter long, but it’s capable of reaching 45 knots. The ship was built by Danish Yachts, with the naval architecture and exterior designs made by Espen Øino, a superyacht design icon.

The Moon Goddess can take up to six guests in three posh cabins, two twins and one for the owner, plus a crew of five. It’s propelled to a cruise speed of 25 knots, or the maximum of 45, by twin MTU 16V 4000 M90 diesel engines which generate a combined 7,498 hp.

• 17. Shergar – 45 knots

The acclaimed German shipyard Lürssen built Shergar in 1983 to be among the fastest yachts in the world. Decades later, it still holds its own among better and more technological advanced vessels.

Equipped with two MTU 12V 396 TB83 diesel power plants, and two Allison 571-KF gas turbines, the Shergar is capable of cruising at 40 knots and reaching a top speed of 45 knots.

• 16. Seafire – 46 knots

Seafire is a super yacht manufactured by AB Yachts, an Italian shipyard known for some impressive vessels. This one is among their fastest, able to reach a top speed of 46 knots.

The 42 meter super yacht is powered by a setup of three MTU 16V M94 units and three waterjets, giving it the possibility to cruise at an impressive speed of 43 knots, only 3 below its top speed.

• 15. Octopussy 007 – 53.2 knots

Built back in 1988 by the renowned Dutch shipyard Heesen Yachts and carrying a little of James Bond in its name, the Octopussy 007 is a 43.5 meter super yacht that can accommodate up to 10 guests and 7 crew members.

The vessel is powered by three MTU diesel engines that deliver 10,440 hp together, propelling the Octopussy forward at a cruising speed of 25 knots and a top speed of 53.2 knots.

It was on display at multiple boat shows around the world, and it changed owners for the last time in 2021. The naval architecture was done by Mulder Design, the exterior by Gerhard Gilgenast, and the interior by Art Line and Joachim Kinder Yacht Design.

Inside, it comes with 5 posh and extremely comfortable guest cabins, 1 master, 1 twin, and 3 double.

• 14. Daloli – 54 knots

The Daloli, also known as Pandion, built by Heesen Yachts, is a 36.5 vessel that enters the category of super yachts and impresses with a top speed of 54 knots, the equivalent of just over 62 mph.

The ship has a crew capacity of 6 and can host up to 8 passengers. There’s four cabins in total on its three decks, and the sheer beauty of its design can be seen both inside and on the outside.

It’s a real beauty, and a fast one as well.

• 13. Why Not U – 55 knots

Originally named Nobody, the Why Not U was designed in 2001 by Overmarine as a deluxe super yacht that’s capable of getting his 9 guests and 3 crew to their next dream destination with a top speed of 55 knots. The power comes from a setup of Vericor TF40 gas turbine engines.

When it comes to living on it, it offers an impressive range of amenities on its teak decks. There’s several dining spots, entertainment and lounge rooms, sun bathing areas, and plenty more to be had on board of this stunning super yacht.

• 12. Ermis² – 57 knots

The 37.5 meter super yacht Ermis², manufactured from special materials by the New Zealand shipyard McMullen & Wing, is among the fastest vessels out there, capable of a top speed of 57 knots, which is just a little over 65 mph.

The ship came out in 2007, but is still among the most innovative yachts in the world given the mix of composite materials, aerospace grade carbon fiber and titanium for its lightweight body.

That low weight, combined with the 10,944 hp outputted by the three MTU 16V 4000 M90 engines, allow this stunning yacht to reach that max speed of 57 knots.

• 11. Chato – 57 knots

Chato is another small sized and powerful super yacht. It was built in 1986 by Baglietto from aluminium and was equipped with twin MTU 16V 396 TB94 diesel engines, which push it to a cruise speed of 35 knots and a max speed of 57 knots.

Chato is only 25.79 meters long, and that helps with a lower weight and a smaller profile under the surface of the water.

• 10. Azimut Atlantic Challenger – 60 knots

The Azimut Atlantic Challenger strays away from the usual design of luxury yachts, but that only because it was built for a very different purpose, which was to win the Blue Riband award, an unofficial accolade given to a ship for making the fastest transatlantic crossing.

Unfortunately, the Azimut Atlantic Challenger failed to win, but it remained one of the fastest super yachts in the world, currently holding the 10th position, with a top speed of 60 knots.

It was built in 1988 by the Italian shipyard Benetti, with the exterior designed by Pininfarina. It’s a 26.82 meter aluminum monohull vessel and is powered by four CRM diesel engines, capable of outputting a combined 7,400 hp.

• 9. Jet Ruban Bleu – 60 knots

The French built Jet Ruban Bleu is on par with the Azimut Atlantic Challenger and two other super yachts, at least when it comes to the top speed. They can all do 60 knots.

Jet Ruban Bleu is 25 meter long, was designed by Gilles Ollier and Coste Design & Partners and created by Multiplast. It was outfitted with a single MTU engine capable of 3,500 hp alone.

• 8. Oci Ciornie – 60 Knots

Oci Ciornie was a super yacht project that was realized by American shipyard Palmer Johnson, the Dutch Vripack, and the well known naval architect Don Shead in 1998.

The vessel features an aluminum hull, and uses two 1,800 hp MTU 16V 2000 M90 engines, a 4,600 hp AVCO Lycoming gas turbine, plus Arneson surface drives. This combination propels the Oci Ciornie with a top speed of 60 knots.

The ship is able to carry up to eight guests in a master suite, a double cabin, and a twin room. There’s a nice and streamlined deck that features a superb saloon and outside areas for relaxation, while the interior takes inspiration from aircraft designs.

• 7. Brave Challenger – 60 Knots

With the same 60 knot top speed of the above ships, the Brave Challenger is to be lauded, since it’s much older, being built back in 1960. The project was completed by Vosper Ltd in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, with the intention of becoming a Brave Class fast patrol boat. It was only later that the ship was converted for private use.

The Brave Challenger is powered by three Rolls-Royce Proteus gas turbines, which output a total of 13,500 hp, which combined with the only 31 meter length and lower weight, can push the boat to the top speed of 60 knots.

• 6. Kereon – 62.3 Knots

The Italian yard AB Yachts, the one behind Seafire above at number 16, built in 2004 one of the fastest super yachts in the world, the Kereon. It’s capable of hitting a top speed of 62.3 knots, and that thanks to the three CRM diesel engines that produce a good 6,300 hp.

Since the total power is so low in comparison to others on this list, it makes sense that a shorter length of 27 meters and a performant hull design are at play to aid in reaching those speeds.

The ship has a very sporty aesthetic, all metallic silver, and can cruise at 50 knots for about 900 miles.

• 5. Gentry Eagle – 63.5 knots

Gentry Eagle was a special project done by Vosper Thornycroft in 1988 for the legendary Tom Gentry, who achieved almost everything he could achieve in terms of powerboat speed records during his lifetime, including the coveted Blue Riband. The vessel, capable of 63.5 knots, helped him win the Blue Riband in 1989, with a record time of 62 hours and 7 minutes.

Gentry Eagle’s design was done by Grant Robinson and Peter Birkett, with the interior by Robin Rose. In 1992, the ship became a private super yacht.

• 4. Galeocerdo – 65 Knots

Galeocerdo is a very futuristic looking ship, with sleek lines and a hull designed to maintain high speeds in rough sea conditions. It measures 36 meters in length, and is capable of hitting 65 knots.

The vessel was built in 2003 in Italy, by Rodriguez Yachts and is powered by three Vericor TF50 gas turbines, each tied to a Rolls-Royce Kamewa water jet. The total power output rises to a whooping 16,800 hp.

• 3. Destriero – 66 knots

Destriero was launched back in 1991 by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri. It has a length of 68.18 meters and features a design made by Pininfarina and Donald Blount. This ship was again built with the sole purpose of winning the Blue Riband by breaking the old record of crossing the Atlantic.

She did it in 1992, after it crossed the ocean twice without refueling, setting a new record of 58 hours, 34 minutes, and 5 seconds. but the Blue Riband award was denied for her, since it’s awarded only to passenger vessels and not private yachts.

What allowed Destriero to set a new record was the power of 54,000 hp, given by the Codag engine and the three GE Aviation LM1600 gas turbines, pushing the ship to a max speed of 66 knots, or 76 mph.

• 2. World Is Not Enough – 67 Knots

The Dutch superyacht World Is Not Enough, built in 2004 by Millenium Super Yachts, comes second place with a top speed of 67 knots. The vessel is powered by two Paxman diesel engines and two Lycoming gas turbines, which give an output of 20,600 hp, and a good 3800 nautical miles cruising range at a cruising speed of 10 knots.

With its 42.4 meters of luxury and beauty, World Is Not Enough can accommodate up to 10 guests and 7 crew members in five extravagant cabins, offering plenty of comfort and areas for relaxation. The vessel features formal dining spaces, indoor bar, and al fresco dining and lounge areas on all decks, for the ultimate pleasure away from civilization.

• 1. Foners – 70.1 knots

The Foners is currently the fastest super yacht in the world, with a 70.1 knots top speed, keeping the first spot since its delivery back in 2000. The power behind its top speed comes from two MAN engines and three Rolls Royce gas turbines, combining together to output a whooping 21,380 hp.

Her cruising speed is 12 knots, and allows her to reach a range of 1,800 nautical miles.

But of course speed isn’t everything here, as the eye is impressed a lot when stepping on board. Built by the Spanish shipyard Izar, Foners comes with splendid interiors, formal dining rooms, and plenty of space on the decks for al fresco dining. Its 6 crew and up to 8 guests can be accommodated on board, in luxurious cabins.

These are the fastest super yachts in the world, a competition that keeps on going, dominated for the last two decades by the Spanish vessel Foners.

As technology progresses, it will be interesting to see how it holds up against newer yachts.

About Alex Holmes

With over 10 years of experience in media and publishing, Alex is Luxatic's director of content, overlooking everything related to reviews, special features, buying guides, news briefs and pretty much all the other content that can be found on our website. Learn more about Luxatic's Editorial Process .

2 thoughts on “The 20 Fastest SuperYachts in the World”

Bolide by VICTORY DESIGN is now by far the fastest yacht; speeds up to 76 knots have been recorded by this 80ft full carbon pleasure Yacht, powered by three MAN V12 2000 diesel engines.

Leave a Comment

More from luxatic.

The 15 Best Small Planes That You Can Buy Right Now

By Adrian Prisca

These are The 15 Fastest Planes of All Time

By Thom Esveld

20 Best Electric Motorboats You Will Surely Love

The 15 Biggest Planes in the World

The 10 Longest Range Private Jets in the World in 2023

By Victor Baker

The 15 Best Personal Submarines For Superyacht Owners

These Are The 25 Biggest Yachts in the World!

The 20 Best Airlines in the World Right Now

Sailing in Style: The World’s Most Beautiful Yacht Charter Destinations

20 Largest Explorer Yachts in the World

Best Luxury Yacht Brands: 25 Shipyards Which Build The Best Superyachts

By Brody Patterson

24 Incredible Celebrity Yachts You Will Surely Love

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

Samurai: The record-breaking racer refitted as a superyacht

Once a record-breaking racing yacht, the newly refitted Samurai is now a sleek performance cruiser that honours her history without compromising on speed – or style.

“Commence lowering tables,” comes the order from the captain. “Lowering tables,” comes the response from the deckhand, and the cockpit tables are folded and stowed. This is not part of the starting sequence for typical racing yachts, especially ones that average speeds in excess of 20 knots. But then Samurai is far from typical, either in her original build or in her freshly refitted cruising incarnation.

As Mari-Cha IV , the 42.4 metre schooner’s sole purpose was to set speed and distance records over offshore courses with all sails handled manually (two teams of grinders and trimmers working 21 winches on deck). Delivered in 2003 to her former owner, Robert Miller, she accomplished her goal with such feats as breaking the transatlantic record right out of the box, making the crossing in six days, 17 hours, 52 minutes (a record that was only broken in July 2016 by Comanche ) and setting a sailing record of 525 miles in one 24-hour period.

She also won the Rolex Transatlantic Challenge, broke the Guadeloupe to Antigua record and the Hawaii Pacific Ocean record, where Mari-Cha IV sailed 2,070 miles in just over five days, smashing the old record by 32 hours. But fame is fleeting; this former superstar was sold and eventually put out to sailing’s equivalent of pasture — a slovenly backwater berth.

Mari-Cha IV was so purpose-designed by Philippe Briand , Clay Oliver and Greg Elliott that there was just one spartan cabin below for the owner. The crew – and there would be 25 aboard to race – slept hot-bunking on pipe cots wedged fore and aft of ballast tanks and huge boxes housing hydraulic rams that canted her keel up to 40 degrees either side. The shallow underbody, more like a surfboard than a sailing yacht, and the towering schooner rig made her a theme park ride capable of 40-plus knots. She was a rocketship.

Times and ideas change. Now, those in search of speed records favour foiling multihulls or trimarans. Monohull fans favour smaller boats in the super maxi class. Even though Mari-Cha IV was state-of-the-art in composite building in 2003, a comparable sloop today weighs about 20 tonnes less. When a specialist sailing yacht broker, Will Bishop, of Yachting Partners International , began sounding out potential owners who might be interested in turning the boat into an exciting cruiser, racing purists cried “heresy”. “Of course, none of them were stepping forward to rehab the boat,” he says.

And then, from an unlikely corner – classic cars, to be precise – came an interested party with a singular vision. Her history as Mari-Cha IV needed to be preserved and honoured, he said, and the best way to do that was to show how she could be a no-compromise cruising experience. He rejected sketches that showed the yacht’s rig and deck modified, including one with a deck saloon. Respecting the original profile was paramount and that meant maintaining the twin towers of carbon fibre that carried 893 square metres of sail.

Out of sight would be desired modifications to power the winches, allowing the boat to be sailed with 10 crew, and a lifting keel to access more harbours. The big challenge would be fitting in a cruising interior, a galley, watermaker, sewage treatment and air-conditioning without wrecking Mari-Cha IV ’s performance.

The owner and Bishop began by tracking down Elliott to shepherd the numbers and hiring British firm Rhoades Young to take care of the styling and interior design. Jonathan Rhoades and Dick Young have probably designed more lightweight sailing yacht interiors than any other company. What the firm often doesn’t receive enough credit for is its contribution to exterior styling. For this project, it was key to add mod cons without destroying Mari Cha IV ’s stealthy profile.

“Truth be told, Samurai is all about ‘the experience’. No one else seemed to get it,” says Rhoades. “The owner wanted a new superyacht. What drew him to this project was the pedigree. He had tonnes of photos of Mari-Cha IV racing. He wanted a ‘blowing-[your]-socks-off experience’. What he’s done is create a completely new animal.”

Bishop agrees. “I’ve sold nine sailing yachts in two years. People want performance more than anything. Today, owners are designing boats for superyacht regatta racing. That used to be an afterthought. Mari-Cha IV was not only beautiful but she accomplished her mission; the owner felt she just couldn’t be allowed to rot.”

Max Riedl, of Cornelsen & Partner, a project management firm with an impeccable history of refits and new builds, says he was “worried about making [ Samurai ] a compromise between a racer and a cruiser and being very bad at each job”. But the owner, he says, had a vision. “He saw this as a modern Endeavour in that the original mission would be honoured.”

In modifying the boat, weight was the critical driver – and unrelenting master, says Elliott. As the one who knew the most about her original engineering, he was brought on as the numbers man and designer of a new lifting keel for Samurai . When the owner said he wanted to keep the yacht’s profile, he meant the entire profile, including the pair of 45.1 metre masts that gave Mari-Cha IV her unprecedented power.

“The weight budget was where we began. That rig,” he says, pointing skyward, “is made for a certain load, a certain righting moment. Keeping the rig and changing the keel from a deep canting foil to a lifting vertical foil gave us an equation without much room for error or interpretation.”

The team refined the plan and made more interior room by removing the hydraulic rams that forced the original keel from side to side for stability. The mezzanine-level nav station was cast aside to provide an atrium entrance to Samurai ’s saloon. Cockpit coaming was added to make a safe seating area for guests during sailing and to shelter alfresco dining when moored.

The modifications to the carbon structure were extensive owing to the complexity of incorporating the new lifting keel and the interior, so leading composite specialist Gurit was brought in to rigorously scrutinise and design the whole process. Once the plan for Samurai was organised, the refit went to bid with several yards. While Royal Huisman ’s price wasn’t the lowest, the owner chose the yard in April 2014 because of its reputation and brand pedigree.

Royal Huisman for a carbon fibre racing yacht refit? Project director Ronald van Hulst laughs at the question. “We’ve been doing a lot of bits and pieces in carbon fibre and our sister company, Rondal, is a carbon fibre expert – and not just masts. We make parts for other Dutch yards such as doors and hatches and arches.”

On deck, it’s easier to point out what isn’t original to Mari-Cha IV than what is: the cockpit tables and huge C-shaped sofas. The wheels, the masts and booms are all original, as are the winches and the steering gear. The aft pod of winches has been relocated further aft but they (and those at the base of the main mast) are the historic lot, though they are now motorised.

Samurai ’s ‘stealth fighter’ look is highlighted by her new suit of black 3Di sails from North, a perfect application of the company’s moulded sail process utilising carbon, Aramid and Dyneema fibre. Engineered to assume the perfect flying shape when hoisted, they appear to present a single, shiny, smooth surface to the air, not unlike a hard wing sail.

The transition from a carbon tube to a yacht with a master and four guest cabins naturally increased the displacement of Samurai , and her difference from lightship to fully loaded is a modest additional eight tonnes. “Where you put the weight is just as important as the amount,” says Elliott, and getting the “yacht look” without massive weight was a puzzle that involved everyone. “I gave them the bottom line of how much weight they could add to the boat and it was up to them to allocate it,” he says.

Royal Huisman weighed the whole structure monthly as a check on the material weights coming on or off the boat. Flexiteek (850.5kg) set into the deck and cockpit provides the non-skid finish, while entertainment electronics account for two tonnes. Samurai ’s captain Alec Rhys, a veteran of Whitbread Round the World Races, came up with a way to save 249.5kg in the galley by creating a half-pipe and roller system for managing the cooktop and oven instead of using a standard gimballed stove.

Likewise, the crew created a clever anchor management system that weighs next to nothing (49.9kg versus 598.7kg for a powered anchor deployment system) and disappears for racing. Samurai ’s carbon hull is skimfilled and painted with a custom silver paint rather than fully faired. It saves weight but, more importantly, the owner didn’t want to hide that the “boat had a past”.

While Samurai will do some racing, her mission is primarily family cruising. The owner’s brief to the designers was as unusual as the concept itself. “I asked them for Samurai temple meets Portofino beach house,” the owner explains as we punch upwind on a 30-mile race course without so much as a drop of spray spoiling the conversation. “Notice I said Samurai temple, not palace.”

The interior is calm and uncluttered and much larger than you might expect, but Samurai is far from a stripped-out racing machine. Within the weight budget, there is room for both cosiness and flair, which is reflected in the silk wall panels, an ancient Japanese warrior’s armour and a 16th century Edo period sword.

“If a man does not have history, he does not have a future,” says the owner. “We adore history. Look at the place that Japan held in the world during that time. They were the fiercest feudal culture and yet, at the same time, supremely disciplined and creative. The history of the Samurai is clear – he had to be the best at every moment and live by an unbreakable code of honour.”

Rhoades Young and Royal Huisman collaborated on the Samurai ’s new general arrangement; a largely symmetrical layout that Rhoades says is really the only one possible. “On a boat you have so many levels and shapes and intrusions… symmetry and order make people comfortable and feel at home.”

In Samurai ’s saloon, the fan-shaped panels of 2D curved glass in the superstructure create a strong design element repeated with a floor covering that looks like tatami but is actually a synthetic fibre that is softer under foot and beautifully bound in waterproof leather borders. Port and starboard L-shaped sofas serve for lounging or dining with multifunctional tables made by overall fit-out contractor Greenline Yacht Interiors .

Managing director Gianluca Ascheri adds: “Building the interiors of Samurai was a tremendous challenge, and extremely complicated, considering such dramatic engineering requirements. There were no compromises; we had to achieve an interior with specific luxurious levels and characteristics, yet extremely light, strong and tough. All this within a net space that was not enough to contain it, and that therefore required special custom methods of construction to reduce the thicknesses and dimensions.”

With virtually no tween-deck space to work with, the designers had to be clever with the lighting plan for Samurai . “We obviously had no space for can lights in the overhead,” says Rhoades. “We relied on ambient lighting spilling out of reveals and secret places and used dark corners to create shadow and thus blur the edges of rooms to make them seem larger.”

Rhoades Young undertook its own weight studies to create a balance between spaces requiring durability and sound dampening and those where more delicate materials could be used. Lighting choices and how the electrical supply was distributed were factors. “What do the black boxes weigh and how many cables must you run?” asks Rhoades. “If you choose the right equipment and smart cable runs, you will offset the weight of a piece of furniture. Everything was on a spreadsheet, including the screws and glue.”

Of course, Samurai is a superyacht with Baccarat crystal, Jasper china, Christofle silver and the odd Philippe Starck candelabra. “We really went round and round about the china, then I asked them what they had allowed as luggage weight per person. They told me 80 kilos. I said we will tell everyone to pack light. If we reduce that to 60 kilos per person, there is room for my 200 kilograms of crockery,” the designer says.

So, at the end of the process, was there a penalty to be paid for the ancient armour or the bone china? Apparently not. According to its captain, the boat is “still a weapon to sail”. On the yacht’s delivery from the Med to the British Virgin Islands for her first regatta, the crew – all serious racing sailors – pushed Samurai hard to make their rendezvous with the owner.

As sailors are inclined, they kept track of each helmsman’s top speed recorded during his or her watch. The winner of the first Atlantic crossing was Xanthe Bowater, the youngest crew member, who is also an Olympic class windsurfer. She topped the chart by surfing Samurai to 36 knots, just five knots off Mari-Cha IV ’s best.

“I knew what I wanted to achieve, and this great team found a way to work for the final objective,” says Samurai ’s owner as we return to port. “The only thing they didn’t anticipate was the speed at which we sail.”

First published in the August 2016 edition of Boat International

More about this yacht

More stories, most recent, from our partners, sponsored listings.

15 Fastest Boats In The World | 2023 Edition

What are the world’s fastest boats? Keeping track of the world’s fastest cars is easier; when it comes to boats, things get a little more tricky. Various vessels travel on the water, varying in size, shape, and how they move. Humans have been concerned with speed since the invention of the wheel.

Also, people’s need for speed and excitement has led to the creation of speed boats that can go so fast that they almost sear the waterbed. The twenty-first century has created some of the world’s fastest boats. Most modern speed boats can reach a speed of up to 100 miles per hour, with some exceeding 170 miles per hour. Continue reading the article to learn about the 15 fastest boats in the world as of 2023. With further ado, let’s begin.

Lamborghini 63 – 69 MPH

The yacht “Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63” is more than just an exercise in style and design; she also represents cutting-edge luxury speed boats. The Lamborghini 63 yacht’s advertised top speed is 60 knots, which equates to an impressive 69 miles per hour .

In the world of yachts, this is a fast boat. At cruising speed, it consumes about 100 gallons of fuel per hour, giving it a range of about 360 nautical miles.

Vestas Sailrocket 2 – 70 MPH

The Vestas Sailrocket 2, designed by Paul Larsen, is one of the most extraordinary and fascinating boats, setting a new world speed record of 70 mph in 2012.

The empty weight of the Vestas Sailrocket 2 is 275 kg. It measures 12.2 m long and 12.2 m wide, with a total wing area of 22 m2. The Vestas Sailrocket was made to break the B-class’s speed record for sails between 150 and 235 square feet.

HMCS Bras d’Or – 72 MPH

HMCS Bras d’Or (FHE 400) is a Canadian hydrofoil that served the military from 1968 to 1971. During sea trials in 1969, the ship exceeded 72 mph , making it the world’s fastest unarmed warship.

From 1960 to 1967, the vessel was built for the Royal Canadian Navy as part of a project to test anti-submarine warfare technology on an ocean-going hydrofoil.

Outerlimits SV-52 – 100 MPH

Outerlimits Power Boats has a large selection of high-speed power boats. The SV-50, SV-52, SL-44, SL-52, and even catamarans like the 43CAT and 48CAT are among their fastest boats. One of their quickest speedboats is the SV-52.

It was made to work well at high speeds and is known for its smooth ride and soft landings, even in rough and choppy waves. The cockpit features twin helm controls and a typical GPS chart plotter. Most models also have a half-cabin where you can store extra gear or get much-needed shade from the sun and sea.

This 52-foot-long beauty can reach over 100 mph in even the most severe conditions. It has a fuel capacity of 250 gallons and can comfortably seat up to four people.

South Bay 925CR – 114 MPH

The South Bay 925 CR is the fastest pontoon in the world. Brad Rowland’s South Bay 925 CR set a new world record with a speed of 114 mph.

It includes superior Garmin GPS navigation. Its length of 27 feet and beam of 8 feet make it ideal for someone who does not require a large speed boat.

The South Bay 925CR comes standard with a Manual Sport Arch, a 4-speaker Bluetooth stereo, and interior and exterior LED lighting. If you want to create the perfect party atmosphere, you can even use underwater LED lights.

Fountain 47 Lightning – 115 MPH

The Fountain 47 Lightning, as its name suggests, is speedy. The Fountain 47 Lightning has a top speed of 115 miles per hour . Its size is 47 feet, and it can seat up to four people. Its incredible speed is due to the twin Mercury Racing 1,075 HP engines.

The fuel tank has a capacity of 340 gallons and a Fuel Vapour Detection system. The Fountain 47 Lightning comes with a Garmin GPS, LED push-button switches on the navigation dashboard, and Vessel View instrumentation.

Cigarette Racing Team 50 AMG GTS – 135 MPH

The cigarette-shaped 50 AMG GTS is regarded as one of the world’s fastest electric speedboats. It is powered by a 2200 HP AMG electric engine, which also powers the world’s most powerful and fastest electric car, the SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive.

This supercharged electric speedboat is powered by a lithium-ion battery with 3,456 lithium-ion cells. The powerful battery pack can store power at 400 volts and provide a maximum driving current of around 6,000 amps.

This daring speedboat has two chargers with a total charging rate of 44 kW, a full charge that takes only seven hours, and a top speed of 135 mph .

The Nor-Tech 5200 Roadster – 150 MPH

The Nor-Tech 5200 Roadster is a huge boat that can accommodate up to ten people. The 5200 Roadster may reach speeds above 150 mph . The 5200 Roadster features 5400 HP engines and a 400-gallon fuel tank, making it one of the most potent boats on the water. In addition to its unrivaled speed, the Roadster is the pinnacle of luxury boating.

A comfortable sun couch, a swimming platform with a boarding ladder, and video monitors are included. The Roadster also has a cutting-edge sound system and aft-facing seats with coolers. Nor-Tech can also provide a variety of combinations to meet our engine specifications.

Mystic Powerboats C5000 Turbine – 160 MPH

Mystic Powerboats of Florida manufactured the Mystic Powerboats C5000 turbine. Powered by two 1850 HP engines, it has a total engine power of 1850 HP and can achieve 160 mph with ease. The C5000 is believed to be one of the world’s most powerful speedboats.

The C5000 is more than 51 feet long and has technology like a GPS, plotter, navigation center, and log speedometer. The radio, CD player, and cockpit speakers are a few more features that will make your trip more fun. This ultra-quick catamaran also features cockpit air conditioning.

Skater 46 Pleasure – 165 MPH

Skater 46 Pleasure is a fast and powerful boat. The Skater 46 Pleasure has two Teague Custom 1500 HP engines. The Skater has dual fuel tanks with a full capacity of 1,000 gallons. It can easily cruise at over 100 mph for long periods and is made to land smoothly in stormy weather.

The Skater 46 Pleasure is one of the fastest motorboats available today, with top speeds of nearly 165 mph. Its roomy design may accommodate up to five people. Its clever design lets you feel the thrill of speed while still being able to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Lamborghini Aventador Super Veloce – 180 MPH

Lamborghini’s Aventador Super Veloce is a 52-foot custom-built speedboat powered by a 1550-horsepower engine capable of reaching up to 180 mph . The ship’s features include custom LED lighting and carbon fibre accents.

The speedboat has a six-person cockpit with customized buttons and dials that look like car dashboards. For example, the “Race” and “Pleasure” keys switch between the boat’s top speed and easygoing pace.

Spirit Of Qatar – 244 MPH

This vessel is now the world’s fastest catamaran and ranks fifth on the list of fastest boats. The Spirit of Qatar is a catamaran capable of reaching an insanely high speed of 244 miles per hour , thanks to using a pair of Lycoming turbines that together produce 9,000 horsepower (212 knots). The Spirit of Qatar, with its 50-foot length and plenty of turbine power, is a real show-stopper.

Problem Child – 262 MPH

The Problem Child is the fastest nitro drag boat in the world. Its nickname, ironically, comes from its super-fast speed capacity. Eddie Knox’s Problem Child is the world’s fastest drag boat, powered by an 8000 HP motor.

How fast can the world’s fastest boat go? It can reach up to 262 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds. Isn’t it incredible? 

The Problem Child is the ultimate water-speed machine. This speedy monster appears to fly over water and is known to leave behind a wall of water as it races through the water at speed exceeding 250 mph.

Bluebird K7 – 276 MPH

The Bluebird K7, one of the oldest and fastest hydroplanes of the twentieth century, is regarded as a speedboat pioneer. In this incredible hydroplane, Donald Campbell set records for the fastest water speeds in the 1950s and 1960s. 

Between July 1955 and December 1964, he set seven-speed records. Surprisingly, the Bluebird K7 managed to reach 276 mph in 1964. Unfortunately, Campbell died in 1967 while attempting to set a speed record of 300 mph.

Between October 2000 and May 2001, the Bluebird’s wreckage was recovered. Campbell’s daughter officially presented the recovered wreckage of the Bluebird to the Ruskin Museum. The Bluebird Project is said to be conducting trials to restore the Bluebird K7 to Scottish waters.

Spirit Of Australia – 317 MPH

Would you believe Ken Warby built the Spirit of Australia in his backyard, which holds the world record for the fastest speed of 317.6 miles per hour ?

The wooden speedboat is powered by Westinghouse J34 jet engines, also used in planes and combat jets. The Spirit of Australia is also permanently displayed at the Australian National Maritime Museum.

Many people have tried and failed to break Warby’s world water speed record. However, Warby built the Aussie Spirit as a successor to the Spirit of Australia.

The Bottom Line

We’ve compiled a list of the fifteen fastest boats in the world, ranked by their highest miles per hour. In boats, jet and turbojet engines are mounted on a solid hull that cuts like a razor through the water. Currently, the jet-powered Spirit of Australia holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest boat in the world, clocking in at 317.6 mph.

Of these 15 fastest boats in the world, let us know which one you liked the most.

Related Posts

How Fast Do Racing Sailboats Go?

Last Updated by

Jacob Collier

August 30, 2022

Speed thrills, and in a sailboat, it thrills even more. Sailboat racers like to push their boats to the limit. But just how fast do racing sailboats go?

Sailboats come in a variety of shapes and sizes. If you are a speed enthusiast, you must wonder about the maximum speeds of different sailboats and if larger sailboats can go faster than smaller ones.

Racing sailboats usually skim over the water at around 15 to 20 knots. For comparison, the average speed of a traditional sailboat is only around 5 to 8 knots. Some custom-designed boats can reach record-breaking speeds of up to 50 or more knots.

Since sailboats don't rely on internal power for speed, many factors determine the speed of a sailboat, and every sailboat has different top speeds.

Experienced sailboat sailors believe that several factors influence the top speed. The size and shape of the boat, sails, and skill level all play a crucial role in determining the speed of a sailboat. Even more than the internal factors, external factors such as the waves and the wind can greatly boost or hinder sailboat speed.

Table of contents

‍ What Influences Sailboat Speed

Sailboats have different shapes and sizes, and different sailboats can reach different speeds. There are many internal factors, such as those related directly to the boat, and external factors, such as weather, ocean currents, etc., that influence the speed of a sailboat.

Boat Size and Length

The most crucial thing that plays a role in speed is the sailboat's length and overall surface area. What does size have to do with speed, you ask? For a sailboat to go fast, you need to maximize the propulsion by the wind and keep drag and resistive forces to a minimum.

As the sailboat moves through the water, it generates waves. One wave that is created among others constantly rides with the boat. It has its peak just in front of the bow, while its trough is at the stern. If this wave is long enough, it can act as a wall of water to the boat.

The aerodynamic shape of the bow is designed to push up and rise above this wave. This allows the boat to lift the bow out of the water and rise above the water surface. As the bow rises, the stern gets pushed down into the water. This reduces the drag and also allows the boat to glide above waves.

But this wall of water creates resistance for the boat, and the sailboat requires power and momentum to break through this resistance. A larger sailboat has more momentum, which allows it to break through the barrier easily. This makes it possible for the larger boat to go faster.

You might think that a smaller boat is lighter and will offer less resistance and drag. Yes, this is true, but a smaller boat generates multiple small waves, which offer more resistance. Lightweight boats are also more susceptible to wind shear and tend to veer off course.

Different boats have different hull designs. The hulls are designed to be narrow and precisely engineered for racing sailboats to offer minimum resistance. It makes sense that a boat with a hull like a bathtub will not even come close to a sailboat with a narrow and streamlined hull.

The hull design also plays a vital role in the speed of a sailboat. A hull built for speed will have a straight line from the lowest point to the aft, and the aft will be wider. This design makes the boat stable and allows it to reach higher speeds.

On the other hand, a boat with multiple curves on the hull and a narrow transom will not be as fast. The reason for the hull playing a vital role in speed is simple. It needs to cut through the water to ensure the least resistance.

There are three major hull types for sailboats.

As the name implies, monohull sailboats comprise one hull. These boats offer high levels of stability, making them extremely difficult to capsize. The hull is designed to cut through the water, which keeps the boat stable, and allows it to pick up speed. The hull can be raised out of the water if you need to go faster. Monohull boats are traditionally designed to sail below 10 knots.

A catamaran, more commonly known as a cat, comprises two hulls running side by side. These hulls are similar in size. Cats are significantly faster than monohulls and can reach between 15 knots and even go more than 50 knots.

The Trimaran is also known as the double outrigger. Trimarans have three hulls, which means they offer more stability and are extremely buoyant. The three hulls allow the boat to gain speed because it rises above the water surface with little resistance. Tamarans can reach speeds of up to 20 knots.

Skill Level

Sailboat racing has become a highly competitive sport. When it comes to speedboats, you can use engine power to hit maximum speeds, but it takes a lot of skill and experience to get your sailboat to move at speeds three times the wind.

The amount of training, skill, and experience you have is crucial to how fast your racing sailboat goes.

The only propulsion you have on a sailboat is the wind. With a good wind in your sails, your boat will move much faster. Both types of winds, apparent and true, play a crucial role in your sailboat's performance. The stronger the true winds, the faster the boat will move.

Waves play a crucial role in your boat's performance. They influence the speed and determine your and your vessel's safety. Calm and serene water can quickly turn aggressive and furious without prior notice.

If the waves are strong enough, and you don't know how to navigate through them, they can easily capsize your boat. Depending on their direction, they can also significantly increase or decrease the speed of your sailboat.

When the medium you are running on, water, is moving fast, your boat will experience a significant increase in speed. You can think of it as walking on a travelator. If you are walking in the same direction as the travelator, your speed will be increased. But, if you decide to walk in the opposite direction to the travelator, you will look weird and will be considerably slowed down.

Going Faster Than The Wind

Two types of winds influence the speed of a sailboat; these are true wind and apparent wind. To understand these better, let us look at an example. Imagine you are riding a motorcycle when there is no wind. As you pick up speed, you begin to feel the wind in your face; this is called apparent wind. It is the air pressure you feel while moving through the still air.

Say you are riding at 20 mph on your motorcycle; the wind you will feel on yourself will be 20 mph. Now let's add true wind to the equation. Say the wind is naturally blowing at 20 mph, and you are heading in the same direction as the wind. The wind pushing you and the apparent wind will cancel each other out if they are perfectly reverse-parallel to one another.

The sails experience the same apparent wind you felt while on the motorcycle when you are on the sailboat. The sails are designed to put the apparent wind to use and help propel the boat further. As you increase your speed, the apparent wind grows stronger, which leads to more wind in your sails.

How Fast do Racing Sailboats Go?

Now that we know the factors that influence sailboat speed, let us look at how fast racing sailboats go. If you are a traditional sailboat sailor, you will be lucky if you can hit 10 knots. But with racing sailboats, you can achieve over 15 knots, and many racing sailboats can hit 20 knots. The fastest anyone has ever achieved on a sailboat is 65.45 knots , a world record.

Related Articles

Positions on a Racing Sailboat

How Fast Do Catamarans Go?

Are Small Sailboats or Big Sailboats Faster?

Born into a family of sailing enthusiasts, words like “ballast” and “jibing” were often a part of dinner conversations. These days Jacob sails a Hallberg-Rassy 44, having covered almost 6000 NM. While he’s made several voyages, his favorite one is the trip from California to Hawaii as it was his first fully independent voyage.

by this author

Most Recent

What Does "Sailing By The Lee" Mean?

Daniel Wade

October 3, 2023

The Best Sailing Schools And Programs: Reviews & Ratings

September 26, 2023

Important Legal Info

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

Similar Posts

How To Choose The Right Sailing Instructor

August 16, 2023

Basics Of Sailboat Racing Explained

May 29, 2023

Cost To Sail Around The World

May 16, 2023

Popular Posts

Best Liveaboard Catamaran Sailboats

December 28, 2023

Can a Novice Sail Around the World?

Elizabeth O'Malley

June 15, 2022

4 Best Electric Outboard Motors

How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England?

10 Best Sailboat Brands (And Why)

December 20, 2023

7 Best Places To Liveaboard A Sailboat

Get the best sailing content.

Top Rated Posts

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. (866) 342-SAIL

© 2024 Life of Sailing Email: [email protected] Address: 11816 Inwood Rd #3024 Dallas, TX 75244 Disclaimer Privacy Policy

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Best performance yachts: Our pick of the top options

• Toby Hodges
• March 10, 2023

Toby Hodges takes a look at all the nominees and the winner of the performance yachts 2022 category in the European Yacht of the Year Awards

The European Yacht of the Year awards is the most thorough and impartial awards programme – the winners here are widely considered the best yachts of the year . As such the boats nominated by the jury in the performance yachts category can be considered the best of the best.

This year’s shortlist had the full range. From the more conventional definitive style of performance cruiser to the contemporary French interpretation of a lightweight planing cruiser – and even a new brand of sports  catamarans  for the thrill seekers.

Three Italian pure performance yachts and two very different yachts built in Slovenia made for a varied and exciting Performance Yachts category.

Best performance yachts

Winner best performance yachts 2023 – beneteau first 36.

Where once we could assume a cruiser-racer was a fairly standard format design, over the last decade it’s been much more the sexy, perormance yachts the Italian yards specialise in. But as French yards like Pogo and JPK have proven, there’s growing enthusiasm for lightweight planing yachts – and the First 36 is the first real production yacht in that spirit.

Here’s a yacht that puts the focus firmly back into sailing. The First 36 has been kept inviting and approachable – unlike many yachts that can plane, the look is modest, not aggressive. It’s uncomplicated, unfussy and the result is a pleasure for all to sail. It’s more about what you can’t see, the design and engineering, which should ensure longterm demand.

The small, fiddly heads compartment and lack of tiller options are perhaps the only real detraction from an otherwise brilliant collaboration by Seascape and Beneteau, from concept to build quality.

It was their goal to keep this area of the market relevant and prove a mainstream brand can do it, rather than only niche specialist yards. To create a mass produced yacht at this weight and to this foam-cored quality and one that can bring so much fun is a feather in the cap of the First brand.

Grand Soleil 40

The Grand Soleil 40 is an archetypal Med cruiser-racer, and an absolute delight to sail – a feature I’ve learned that Matteo Polli designs tend to share (he also drew the Ecoracer). We sailed the race set up with ORC keel (an IRC version is available too) and six winches, an extended bowsprit and a taller mast. It was one of my most memorable trials of the season in 10-12 knots, with the deep and forward positioned rudder giving plenty of control and lovely direct steering.

The three cabin interior can have one or two heads and different galley options, the cabins are a good size with modest stowage, and it’s all tastefully styled by masters Nauta.

Italia yachts 12.98

At 5ft longer and from the board of Cossutti (who Polli once worked under), the Italia Yachts 12.98 is another cruiser-racer in the same grain as the GS40, but with a markedly different looking white interior. We sailed the ‘Bellissima’ cruising version, which 80% of customers have opted for.

Italia’s yard is now in Fano and its one-shot infused vinylester build looks impressive. However, the deck lacks some refinement and practical stowage, while the three cabin interior isn’t voluminous by today’s standards.

This is a slippery yacht that has a lovely, light feel on the single rudder – the interior styling will be the deal breaker for most.

Solaris Yachts on the other hand has perfected its recipe, tripling its yard size to cater to demand for its sexy Acebal-designed performance yachts.

The Solaris 50 we tested in 2015 and which won this award was arguably the turning point that propelled the brand’s popularity. The owner of the new 50 we tested previously had the original 50 and a 58 and confirms this replacement has nearly the same space as the 58, yet is faster, more powerful and stable than its predecessor (we easily matched 7-8 knot winds under gennaker).

It heels onto its chine and accelerates well, while twin rudders provide ample control. The design prioritises helming experience but the yard needs to come up with a better helm seat option. The interior is well executed, especially the spacious forward owner’s cabin.

The Elan E6 is a big 47-footer, high and beamy and one that leans more towards spirited cruising with generous accommodation over racing. That said, extensive options allow you to tailor it either way, including foam cored furniture and a taller carbon mast for those looking for extra oomph.

It’s a fine collaboration between Humphreys Yacht Design, Gurit, Pininfarina and Elan, while an impressive standard spec includes a carbon sprit and six winches.

The E6 is fun to sail at various angles and gives a nice, sporty feel on the helm – it likes to heel but has plenty of grip and tracks well.

The cockpit is deep and comfortable, with good optional protection and there’s ample deck stowage. A really smart three (or four) cabin interior shows a high standard of construction, finish and styling. It is bulky and you pay for the size in weight, but it looks good and Elan knows how to build a great boat for the price.

Best performance yachts 2022

Winner best performance yachts 2022 – jpk 39fc.

Along with fellow Brittany yard Pogo, JPK has redefined the modern performance cruiser: stiff, stable and efficient to the max. For the keen sailor who wants to get the utmost enjoyment out of hands-on cruising, the JPK 39 is a superb design (and to my eye, an appealing one too), while the yard has done a nice job with the vacuum-infused construction and interior fit-out. The two-cabin version we sailed had plenty of stowage too.

It looks different, behaves beautifully and stands up to its canvas, is designed to sail efficiently with a loaded displacement, and has a deck set-up to encourage you to trim it to your heart’s content. My only slight negative is the unnerving mess the cockpit can become as there are so many control lines.

This lightweight blast will best suit experienced sailors and those comfortable with short-handed sailing. And it guarantees smiles.

Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/European Yacht of the Year

One such sports catamaran is the IC36, an exciting first offering from a new Czech brand that’s packed with fresh thinking. The first turbo version of this cruising catamaran (Independence) is built using a carbon fibre crossbeam, bowsprit, boards and rudders, epoxy hulls, plus a custom Pauger rotating mast, which all serve to keep weight below three tonnes.

It provided some spirited sailing, particularly when fetching at a measured pace of 10-13.5 knots with the code 0. The direct feel of tiller steering while seated in the low rotating bucket seats was a highlight.

The finish quality in the hulls is first class and there is somehow space for up to eight berths. The coachroof features a retractable bimini and removable vinyl side panels and solar panels, while the cockpit table, which includes an exterior galley, is also removable.

In fact the IC36 can be dismantled to 2.55m beam to make it legally trailable. It has so many options and ideas – too many perhaps – all reflected in the price.

Monohull enthusiasts will share our congratulations to J-Boats for its elegant new flagship. The J/45 won the hearts of the jury and made for a long drawn out decision against the JPK. In the end the two yachts will appeal to different sailors and tastes.

J has stayed true to its roots, yet still managed to bring a current, classy new offering. The unmistakable Alan Johnstone lines have been paired with a contemporary, warm European interior designed by Isabelle Racopeau, while much focus has been paid to the joinerwork and the invisible quality. We saw the two cabin version, which has an excellent technical cabin in place of the second aft cabin.

The J/45 is designed to still perform when loaded with cruising gear. True to J’s reputation, it was a witch upwind and could outpoint anything else during our trials. The compromise is that it won’t plane easily like a JPK or Pogo.

The Solaris 40 is another looker from Soto Acebal and the blue steel metallic hull colour of the test boat made the powerful hull shape really stand out.

We liked the recessed traveller, direct steering to the twin rudders, neat folding helm seats, clutches integrated into the coamings and the easy access to the side decks. However, the jury found the cockpit with its short benches and deck design a little too flat and minimalist.

The interior is smart and contemporary, again offered with two or three cabins with two heads it makes good use of the space.

One of the yachts I was looking forward to sailing most was the Pogo 44, and the only one shortlisted that I didn’t manage to! A collision with the photographer’s RIB shortly before my scheduled trial put it out of action.

However, my colleague Rupert Holmes did a full Pogo 44 test and report on it for Yachting World and describes the 44 as designed to thrill and unlike any other pure cruising yacht of its size. The stability from the beamy hull and deep lifting keel combines brilliantly with the ability to sail fast easily and in comfort. However some jury members didn’t like having to rely on an autopilot to use winches.

The interior is like a loft apartment, with so much natural light – it’s minimalist yet comfortable, spacious and practical for cruising.

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

• 2024 BOAT BUYERS GUIDE
• Email Newsletters
• Boat of the Year
• 2024 Freshwater Boat and Gear Buyers Guide
• 2024 Boat Buyers Guide
• 2024 Water Sports Boat Buyers Guide
• 2024 Pontoon Boat Buyers Guide
• Cruising Boats
• Pontoon Boats
• Fishing Boats
• Personal Watercraft
• Water Sports
• Boat Walkthroughs
• What To Look For
• Watersports Favorites Spring 2022
• Boating Lab
• Boating Safety
• Ultimate Boating Giveaway

Boat Test: 2024 Brabus Shadow 1200 ­Sun-Top

• By Kevin Falvey
• August 29, 2024

Brabus Marine’s Shadow 1200 Sun-Top is a high-performing sport yacht with style, luxury and performance that makes it at once a booster of ego and an arouser of envy. Fans of supercars will recognize luxury upfitter Brabus. Each Brabus offering begins with a top-quality foundation. In this case, that foundation is the already successful Axopar 45 XC.

We tested out of the port of Palma on the Spanish isle of Mallorca in the blue, blue waters of the Mediterranean. Powered by triple Mercury Racing 400R outboards, we hit 63 mph and raced from idle to 30 mph in 9.2 seconds. The hull’s twin steps share credit for this 47-foot, 18,000-pound boat’s speed and acceleration. The minimum planing speed I recorded was 18 mph—a good feature in any boat, if very rough seas are encountered.

In maneuvers, the Shadow 1200 delivers a runabout’s agility, requiring just a light touch at the wheel. As I charged into ever-faster turns as part of testing, the boat provided sure-footed exhilaration rather than nerve-wracking trepidation. I spent three days with this boat but did not experience any real seas during testing, though I can attest that the 1200 cut easily through the steep chop that developed with the afternoon breeze. The performance stated took place carrying a half-tank of fuel and a crew of six. This is a boat that can handle open water and a big crowd. Joystick control and a thruster make docking easier.

My assessment of the Shadow 1200 Sun-Top’s layout and outfitting? Quantifying a vibe, an emotional response to a product, proves fraught with pitfalls. It is so personal. I’ll simply suggest that this boat proves ­greater than the sum of its parts.

A look at the market supports my assertion. The Nimbus Weekender 11 ($799,091 fully loaded with twin Mercury V-10 400 Verado outboards) offers much of the Shadow 1200’s attributes, though at 40 feet and rated for 800 hp, it’s smaller. Wellcraft’s 435 ($1.17 million with triple 350 Mercury V-10 Cold Fusion White outboards, with joystick), though luxurious, similar in size, and with a swankier cabin, lacks the racy vibe of the Shadow 1200, as well as its more-versatile multi-activity layout. Intrepid, the builder who pioneered personalization of production boats, offers the high-performing, highly versatile Panacea 438 (builds average $1.5 million, our source states, with up to triple ­Mercury 600 outboards). A full-cabin model, the Intrepid ­offers an open aft cockpit versus the Shadow 1200’s walkaround layout. In short, the Shadow 1200 ­Sun-Top is a unique offering. Let’s look closer.

Interior and Accessories

The Shadow 1200 Sun-Top features a walk-around cabin layout that makes anchoring and docking easy, and provides a separate social and lounging area in the bow. Enter this cabin from either the helm or the winglike forward doors port and starboard. That’s functional and unique. Open the companionway and the wing doors together to create great flow between exterior and interior. Essentially, you gain a separate lounge area when the cabin is not being used as a berth. There’s an enclosed head in here, as well as the convertible V-berth, tables and a separate sofa. The 1200 Sun-Top we tested debuted with special Brabus Red leather upholstery that’s beautifully stitched and tufted. This striking upholstery, together with matching Sun-Top ­pipework and a hull that gleams in Phantom Grey paint, makes an impressive visual statement. The so-called 1-second wow factor that  Brabus strives for has been achieved.

There’s more magic in the Shadow 1200 ­Sun-Top’s topside layout. The helm, rendered in black, with a recessed catchall for small items and a brow above the flush-mounted screens, ­offers a ­commanding position of control. Visibility proved good, and switches and controls fell naturally to hand. The windshield deflects windblast and looks great with its raked black frame and the integral outline-style-font Brabus logo that creates a shadow of itself as the light shines through it. (Can you say “detail”?) Three high-backed performance chairs offer seating. Overhead, the Sun-Top provides light, air, function, protection and style with its retractable sunroofs and roof racks.

Aft of the helm is a wet bar that, thanks to ingenious cushions and when not in use, serves as a leaning post for a second row of crew behind the helm chairs. Aft of that, there are balcony doors—hinged portions of the cockpit sides that expand the space and social opportunities. A sprawling settee for four to six people resides under the aft-most section of the sun top. Farther aft, the cockpit is offered in three configurations.

Read Next: Brabus Shadow 900 XC

Choose the aft bench plan for a large, open activities cockpit and stern-facing seating. The U-sofa option expands seating and adds a table here. Most remarkable is the aft cabin option, which provides a double berth within and sun lounge on top. Fender boxes port and starboard prove convenient, and one conceals the grill. All versions offer excellent boarding access and ­access to the custom-painted outboards.

Seeking an adventure boat that will turn heads as fast as it achieves plane when you hit the throttles? Sea-trial the Brabus Shadow 1200 Sun-Top.

How We Tested

• Engines: Triple 400 hp Mercury Racing 400R outboards
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/15″ x 18″ 4-blade Ventera, ­stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.60:1 Fuel Load: 200 gal. Water on Board: 20 gal. Crew Weight: 1,000 lb.

High Points

• This flawless paint job takes weeks to prep for and execute, and it shows.
• High performance meets high adventure.
• Great variety of deck plans.
• Turns to port require looking out through the sun top to see what’s on your course.
• Chains, gates or doors are needed between the cockpit and the boarding platforms.
• I’d like a bigger fuel-tank option for even more range.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

Brabus Marine – Bottrop, Germany; brabus.com

• More: 2024 , 40-50ft , boat tests , Boats , Brabus Marine , October 2024 , outboards , Performance Boats

Boat Test: 2024 Monterey Elite 30

Boat Test: 2024 Fjord 39 XP

Boat Test: 2024 Jeanneau NC 895 Sport Series 2

Hydrogen Power for Boats

2025 Alumacraft Competitor 205X

2025 Alumacraft Trophy 185X

2024 Alumacraft Timeline: Two Groups of Boaters x One Day Out on the Water

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Boating may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site.

Copyright © 2024 Boating Firecrown . All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.