Charting New Waters: Navigator Examines the Explorer Yacht Trend

Given the increased demand to venture beyond the beaten track, Navigator talks to the shipyards about the rising demand for explorer yachts and their latest offerings.

Offering designs with boundless cruising capabilities, yacht builders are expanding the possibilities for exploring remote destinations in ultimate luxury. But what is an explorer yacht? How does it differ from a traditional superyacht or even an expedition yacht? For the latter, the terms are interchangeable, both referring to long range ocean-going yachts that can be operated in diverse weather conditions. While all expedition yachts could be classed as explorers, not every explorer can be considered as an expedition yacht, which has the added capabilities of an ice-class hull for those looking to explore higher latitudes, helipads, additional storage for greater autonomy, and improved range. What explorer, expedition, and superyachts do have in common is an unparalleled level of luxurious comforts, providing owners with a sumptuous retreat, whether cruising the French Riviera or the Northwest Passage.

While some of the most famous explorer yachts are large in length and gross tonnage, including the 414’ (126.6m) OCTOPUS and the 466’ (141.6m) NORD, smaller explorer yachts have become more popular, with pocket explorer yachts sized between 78’ (24m) and 146’ (45m) accounting for almost 70 percent of the explorer market.

One of the original explorer yacht specialists, Cantiere delle Marche (CdM) have been building compact yet long-range explorer yachts for over a decade. This isn’t long in terms of yacht building, but the yard’s courage to explore a market that didn’t really exist when it started out has proved to be its success. Indeed, CdM has conquered the luxury explorer market with its Flexplorer line. Possessing all the seafaring comfort typical of explorers with a robust and rugged exterior and functionality combined with the sophisticated, luxurious attributes of a superyacht, the Flexplorer line ranges from 132’ (40m) to 146’ (45m) and offers generous interior and exterior spaces for both guests and crew, as well as all the storage required for long range cruising supplies, water toys, and sports equipment. At 146’ (44.3m), the recently launched Flexplorer 146 MAVERICK is equipped with a 22mm “ice-belt” above and below the waterline to ensure safe navigation at high latitudes. “MAVERICK’s owners have fully embraced her capabilities and will soon be embarking on a journey through the Northwest Passage, with plans that extend far beyond, including a world tour that will take them to the most remote corners of the planet,” says Vasco Buonpensiere, CEO and Sales & Marketing Director. CdM currently has 17 models in build, including the RJ155 (the line’s flagship), two Flexplorer 146 models with interiors by Nauta Yachts and Winch Design, and a 154’ (47m) one-off design by Giorgio M. Cassetta.

The Italian shipyard Sanlorenzo has also ventured into explorer-style yachts, recognizing that their younger client demographic is united in their love for exploring independently. “Our clients come from diverse backgrounds and nationalities ranging from seasoned adventurers to luxury enthusiasts seeking unparalleled experiences on the seas,” says Ferruccio Rossi, Sanlorenzo’s Executive Director and General Manager. Combining Sanlorenzo’s unmistakable elegance with large, articulated spaces and the latest technologies has allowed the shipyard to transform what has historically been a commercial vessel into a sophisticated superyacht designed to allow complete autonomy to explore far-off locations. Their 500EXP model has a range of 4,000 nautical miles and the ability to carry a helicopter or a seaplane, a submarine, and large tenders. “The amazing aesthetic and its living and sailing qualities are certainly among the strengths of this successful model, but the resolutely original feature of the 500EXP is the touch-and-go helipad, which is unique in a yacht under 500 gross tonnes,” says Rossi. Having launched 11 units and with two in build, the Sanlorenzo 500EXP is a proven success. “Several of our explorer yacht owners have circumnavigated the globe many times; one of the first 500EXP to be delivered has been used by her owner throughout the Far East, where due to the lack of ports, the helipad has come into its own,” says Rossi.

For those looking to dip a toe in the water, Numarine’s entry-level pocket explorer Numarine 22XP is the smallest of the Turkish shipyard’s seven XP trawler-explorer models. “The 22XP and 26XP are both composite, but nevertheless, their explorer credentials include a hull design that provides a balance below the waterline for stability in rough sea conditions, such as winds in excess of Force 8,” explains Numarine CEO Ömer Malaz. “The mid-sized models in our XP range include the 32XP, 37XP, and 40MXP, with steel hulls and composite superstructures, and the 45XP with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure, which is the largest of the XP line.”

Catering for the larger side of the explorer yacht market with their SeaXplorer line, Damen Yachting delivered their first SeaXplorer 58, PINK SHADOW, in 2023. Built for adventure and exploration, PINK SHADOW has a 5,000 nautical mile range at 11.5 knots, an ice-class hull and 30 days of autonomy. She also carries a wide range of toys, including two multi-role tenders, motorcycles, and vehicles for both road and off-road use. An infinity-edged pool, lounges, jacuzzi, and bar enhance her luxury exploration amenities, while an observation lounge can be turned into a snug cinema room and a sheltered deck area into a cabana lounge and bar. Her crew accommodations also include room for an extra two expedition leaders or scientific researchers.

“Our clients vary in age, gender and nationality, but all seem to share the same desire for boundless cruising ability,” says Enrique Tintore, Design Manager for the SeaXplorer range at Damen Yachting. “They usually have a purpose behind their builds – they want to explore and they want to experience all that the ocean can offer and to do so without limitation,” says Tintore. “However, they also wish to minimize the operational impact of their yachting ventures on the environment and to contribute to scientific research and environmental studies while doing so. This trend is particularly evident in those who have purchased yachts from our Amels 60 series, which feature hybrid propulsion.” Damen Yachting will deliver the first SeaXplorer 60 to her owner later this year. “The SeaXplorer 60 features Hybrid by Amels technology, which powers her at seven knots on electric propulsion alone,” says Tintore. “This not only reduces her carbon footprint but allows her to cruise in some of the planet’s most remote and pristine areas with minimal ecological impact.”

Yachting philanthropy, particularly in the explorer yacht segment, is of vital importance for scientific research and Damen Yachting’s “Love Our Oceans” campaign supports all its owners with any scientific or environmental initiatives they wish to undertake. Fortunately, the explorer type of vessel usually attracts clients with a certain attitude towards sustainability and yachting philanthropy. Many owners in the Damen Yachting fleet have offered their yachts, time, and resources to facilitate scientific research and help advance environmental initiatives. “Carl Allen, owner of the yacht support vessel AXIS, which is part of the Allen Exploration Fleet, has made it his personal mission to invest in philanthropic excursions and raise awareness of plastic pollution,” says Tintore. “Tommy Allen is another name to mention. Founder of the exploration company Five Oceans Global Solutions, Allen’s recently launched 174’ (53.3m) Damen Yachting support vessel has been built for marine exploration and environmental conservation, and probably the best-known yacht research laboratory is onboard the Amels-built GENE MACHINE.”

It isn’t just the larger explorer vessels that get involved in environmental initiatives. “I am always happy to hear from our explorer owners who have taken their vessels on scientific missions,” says Sanlorenzo’s Ferruccio Rossi. “We had one collecting ice samples from the Alaskan fjords, for example, and another has been involved in initiatives to protect the Great Barrier Reef.”