Each J Craft Torpedo heritage boat takes over 8000 hours to hand-build and now the latest design has been revealed as the elegant M/Y Acheron.

For over 20 years, Swedish-based J Craft has created some of the world’s most beautifully crafted classic wooden boats and have now revealed their latest hand-built Torpedo model, the 42′ M/Y Acheron.

Described as a “runabout fit for a king, with the style of Brigitte Bardot and the technological sophistication of James Bond,” J Craft’s latest Torpedo features a rich lacquered wood exterior with contrasting white leather upholstery. It is also the first Torpedo to boast the new generation twin Volvo Punta IPS 650 engines, marking the introduction of the first-ever Torpedo RS.

Built on Sweden’s island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea, J Craft draws on the island’s strong seafaring heritage spanning over 1,000 years and leans on the presence of skilled artisans to construct robust, maneuverable boats like M/Y Acheron that can withstand the extreme elements of the far north.

A favorite amongst billionaires (they own 5 of the 26 J Craft’s built to date), the Torpedo’s are equipped with the most up-to-date technology, but design-wise harken back to the stylish wooden boats of the 50’s and 60’s, each built by hand and requiring over 8000 work hours each to complete over approximately one year.

With a range of 350 nautical miles (648 kilometers) and a top speed of 50 knots (90 km/h), the J Craft Torpedo is designed to handle the high-seas and rough conditions of Europe’s northernmost waters and is just as much at home bracing the Baltic seas during extensive sea-trials as it is on the lakes and inshore waters of the Hamptons or cruising the coastal waters of the Amalfi coast.

It is also said to be one of the most stable boats on the market, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride for passengers. Much of this can be attributed to the Volvo IPS drives. Designed in conjunction with the Torpedo, the pod-mounted, forward-facing propellers can move through 360 degrees, making cornering easy, safe, and comfortable.

At low speed, when maneuvering in tighter spaces, the Torpedo is controlled by the IPS joystick, allowing the boat to move backwards, forwards, sideways, and even turn in its own length, all with delicate, finger-tip control.

In terms of entertaining, M/Y Acheron is well equipped with a fridge, ice-maker, sink, and induction hob while below deck, an internal lounge area, wet room, and sleeping quarters for four guests + the captain means guests can stay overnight in comfort.

As bespoke builds with no two J Craft’s the same, the options are almost limitless when it comes to designing a new boat, whether it be adding an extended Bimini over the aft for more shade over the sunpad, an additional sprayhood and full cabrio for bad weather or opting for the cutlery package designed by His Majesty Prince Carl Philip Bernadotte of Sweden himself.

For those looking to order their own J Craft Torpedo boat, prices start at €1.2 million (depending on customization requests), although J Craft have revealed their order book is already filled for 2021, so you might have to put your “la dolce vita” plans on hold for at least another year or so until you can call one your own.

Amels Holland has revealed interior shots and a walkthrough of their latest 60m Amels 200 designed by Tim Heywood and Laura Pomponi of Luxury Projects.

Amels Holland has recently given insight into the third build of their new Amels 200 Limited Edition superyacht, designed in collaboration with yacht designer Tim Heywood (exterior) and Laura Pomponi of Luxury Projects (interior).

As an Amels Limited Editions, clients benefit from a yacht currently in-build but with the additional benefit of customizing certain aspects of the build, minimizing the delivery time from several years down to as a little as a few months.

“The Amels 200 is inspired, like all my work, by nature,” explains British designer Tim Heywood. “The design echoes a cruising swan ruffling her feathers. The sweeping profile lines are enhanced by the twists in the surfaces, which give her an enriched and interesting form with light and shade effects to each deck level. She is unique and original and exceeds my wildest expectations.”

Working with Amels Holland for the first time, Ancona-based Laura Pomponi of Luxury Projects chose a palette of natural woods, leather, and fabric for the interior spaces, contrasting with the glossy touch of liquid metal finishes and bronze profile detailing of the exterior.

Utilizing over 382sqm of living area divided over four guest decks, the new Amels 200 design accommodates 12 guests and features four guest cabins on the lower deck. Taking an elevator to the bridge deck, the VIP Suite offers an additional private space complete with its own dressing room and ensuite and a lounge adjacent to the VIP suite.

On the Main Deck, the Owners suite is styled in a combination of leather and wood veneer finishes and features a substantial fold-down balcony that extends 130sq ft (12sqm) almost the entire length of the side beam.

Above, the Sky Lounge can be accessed by either the central elevator or the staircase and is a multi-functional air-conditioned living space that features a massage room and lobby that leads out to the Jacuzzi.

Currently still under construction as demonstrated by the walkthrough with Jorrit Pilaar, the third Amels 200 build is expected to be delivered in the Spring of 2021.

Tankoa Yachts has launched the third hull in the Italian shipyard’s 50 meter All-Aluminium Series – the Darth Vadar looking “M/Y Olokun.

In a technical launch at their boutique yard in Genoa, Italy, Tankoa Yachts launched the third hull in their 50 meter (164ft) all-aluminum series.

With a layout similar to her predecessors, M/Y Olokun was started on spec before being sold in March 2020 and designed by Francesco Paszkowski with interiors by Casadio Miami/London, a US-based studio with a focus on luxury residential, aviation, and marine design.

Featuring fold-down terraces in the owner’s suite on the forward main deck, the semi-displacement hull also has a side-loading tender garage in the stern and a spacious beach club in the transom.

Where M/Y Olokun differs from the previous two hulls is a change to the design of the main deck aft, which has been dedicated exclusively to an enormous lounge for relaxation, with the dining room moved to the upper deck. Meanwhile, the forward master stateroom features a private study that can be converted into an extra ensuite cabin when needed.

“S501 hull number 3 was started on spec and the owner came into the project quite late during construction, but as a boutique shipyard we wanted to offer him maximum flexibility to tailor the yacht to his personal needs,” said Tankoa Yachts CEO Vincenzo Poerio as he shared on the design process of M/Y Olokun. “The second cabin connected to his own suite on the main deck is a good example. It meant cutting a hole in the bulkhead and re-routing all the wiring so his private office could be converted into a cabin.

M/Y Olokun will now undergo full yacht systems testing and have the interior outfitting completed before sea trials and final delivery later this year.