3 Hot Yachts You Need to Know
The boats that caught my attention this summer, and why they should be on your radar.
The Summer brings about a natural inquisition in me. I ease up on writing and get to scouring the market for any brands, models or concepts that pique my interest. With Fall on the horizon, summer’s over, and I’m ready to share.
Today, I’ve got a mixed bag for you: a new competitor to the Lamborghini 63, a new look for American lake boaters and the closest thing leisure boaters can get to a military-grade battleship.
WILDER 60 (FROM WIDER YACHTS) – From Super Yacht to Sport Yacht
Standard Specifications
Length Overall: 61 feet (18.6 meters)
Construction: Aluminum
Maximum Speed: 40 knots
Propulsion: Twin MAN V8 1300 engines (2,600 HP) with surface drives
Build Location: Fano, Italy
Price & Build Time: Contact me
Why It's Unique
The WiLder 60 represents Wider's new "wild side”. If you’ve never heard of Wider, they’ve been all over the market in the last 10 years, going from building small 30+foot day boats, to 50m+ super yachts, then introducing a large catamaran. At the moment, the “wild side” of Wider is solely represented by this 60-foot all-aluminum model which has been promoted ambiguously for some time. I started following the project a few years ago, when renders surfaced on a random Instagram page attached to the Wider name. Since, the project had been relatively quiet, until this week at the Cannes Yachting Festival when people finally started talking about more than the Instagram page.
I had an instant emotional connection with the hull shape, which shares a good mix of soft, welcoming edges and modern, edgy accents. If I had to define the DNA, the style is a happy middle ground between Solaris and Maori. Beyond aesthetics, the aluminum hull allows for its 2x MAN V8 1300 to reach up to 40 knots, a decent top speed for a 60’ vessel, yet a bit less than I’d expected. The real operational value comes with its 3’ 7” draft (7” less than the Lambo 63) allowing you to take the fun all the way to the beach, while traversing just about any route between the US and the greater Bahamas. The specs make this out to be the perfect Bahamas day boat.
The interiors are striking; certainly an ode to the super yacht side of the business. They present a 2 and 3 cabin layout, but while I haven’t dug deep into the build process, I’m sure further adjustments are available per buyer need. Same goes for the top deck, where the all-aluminum hull will allow for customizations at the helm, bar and seating areas.
Market Positioning
If you’re searching for a 60 foot day boat, you’ll look at the Vanquish 58 as a direct aluminum competitor, the Maori 64 as a larger comp with surface drives, and a Wallypower58 if you need something ultra-modern.
WiLder will position this project as a day boat built with a super yacht pedigree, which should attract experienced owners. Oddly enough, the entire competitor list has the same super yacht pedigree. Vanquish, Maori and Wally all sell the big stuff, and the Lamborghini yacht is built by the Italian Sea Group, the same hands behind Admiral and Tecnomar.
Why You'd Buy
You buy a WiLder 60 if you like the concept of the Lamborghini 63, but need a more classic yachting style. To be clear, “classic” in this context is very positive. The WiLder 60 offers a quiet confidence in its profile, fit & finish, while still including daring design features (like the engine exhaust grates) that make it unique.
I see this boat doing really well for those with vacation houses anywhere in the Bahamas island system. Anyone looking for the biggest boat with the shortest draft will find a great solution with the WiLder 60.
Production occurs in Fano, Italy, a major hub on the Adriatic sea.
FLYNT 26 INBOARD - The Fresh Water Game Changer
Standard Specifications
Length Overall: 24.8 feet (7.56 meters)
Construction: Composite polyester
Cruising Speed: 30 km/h (16 knots)
Propulsion: 1 Mercury V8 350HP w/ stern drive OR 1 Mercury 400HP outboard
Build Location: Raalte, Netherlands
Price & Build Time: Contact me
Why It's Unique
The Flynt 26 could be the movement I’ve been waiting for: the first modern Eurostyle day boat small enough for inland American freshwater markets. All the major European brands build too big for the majority of these markets, where 30 feet is a giant. At 26 feet, Flynt has a real premium player at a good size, next to the likes of Pavati, Malibu and Nautique. Until now, if you don’t want that modern “wake surf” look, where do you turn? Cris Craft? Cobalt? Flynt could be the answer, with a custom atelier process to match or exceed what you can get from the big 3. Now, the real question, does the market want it?
The engineering quality should bulster demand, designed by the famed Vripack yacht design studio out of the Netherlands. Vripack is responsible for some of the world’s top projects, including “Special One” (the largest sportfish in the world), the Wajer 38, Alia’s Al Waab, Evadne’s “Rock”, and many more.
Market Positioning
Flynt positions its 26 as the sophisticated alternative to American lake boats. How did a Dutch brand build such a targeted product? The Flynt founders developed their craft as Cobalt dealders in Europe, before creating what they felt the top of the market needed next.
The pricing reflects the positioning, premium but not outrageous, especially when compared to similarly-sized American competitors. The Nautique Paragon 25 can easily notch over $500,000, with simpler—yet well spec’d versions—starting about $350,000. The Flynt 26 inboard ranges from €248,000 (~$290,000) to €385,000 (~$447,000).
Production occurs in the Netherlands, so buyers are subject to US import duties.
Why You'd Buy
You buy a Flynt 26 when the edgy wake surf style doesn’t do it for you, and you don’t want to waste your money on features and options tailored to a different use case. If you’re not spending your time surfing or doing water sports, why pay for a boat who’s engineering is based on those activities?
For lake use, the 26's size is perfect, large enough for serious entertaining but small enough for easy handling and reasonable operating costs. Flynt also provides its owners with a management app—similar to the service app provided by Wajer to its clients—which provides Flynt full connectivity for system management and provides owners with valuable day-to-day reporting.
RAFNAR 1200 - Icelandic Innovation Goes Recreational
Standard Specifications
Length Overall: 39 feet (12 meters)
Construction: Fiberglass or Aluminum
Maximum Speed: 50+ knots
Propulsion: Outboard
Build Location: Virginia, USA
Build Time: Contact me
Why It's Unique
One look and you either love it or hate it. Regardless of your feeling, there is more to this boat/brand than meets the eye.
The 1200 Leisure takes Rafnar’s proven (and famous) “ÖK Hull” technology and adapted it for recreational use. The ÖK Hull isn't just marketing, it's physics. The unique design creates a naturally occurring suction between hull and water, preventing bow rise and retaining a perpetual planing position. The hull is renown among global coast guard organizations, search & rescue operations and military groups, and has been in production for over 7 years. If it sounds overengineered for the leisure market, it probably is, but no one will ever argue with a ride that’s “too smooth”. At 39 feet, the 1200 is the sweet spot for serious RIB cruising while maintaining the revolutionary hull characteristics that deliver an 82% reduction in hazardous slamming compared to traditional hull designs.
Beyond the hull, the aesthetic range from an edgy custom sport boat to a full-grade military weapon, based on buyer interest. If you like that “military look”, this is as close as you’ll get to the real thing. You may even be able to get the real thing…
And the most unique element? They are built right here in the United States of America. No tariffs. No shipping delays. No transport fees. You can touch your build after a quick flight to Virginia.
Market Positioning
Rafnar’s true positioning is as a high-performance government/commercial vessel with extreme stability, but they’ve converted their utility into leisure to compete with industrial RIB companies like Goldfish, and even with true leisure brands like Technohull, Skipper or Anvera. They are not the fastest, but they aim to be the most stable with an industrial feel. You’ll get a well-outfit Rafnar 1200, US-built, for about $650,000.
Why You'd Buy
You buy a Rafnar 1200 because you value stability, strength and a vessel that can brave any element you put in front of it.
Rafnar’s US outfit is also open to reasonable leisure and performance customizations. You’re welcome to request the engine package you prefer, create stylish color combinations, add bars, lounge benches, up/down tables, and more. Your Rafnar will be a workhorse with some premium finishings and a few lifestyle options to match.
Yet while the product has substantial build quality, the true advantage of Rafnar against its competitors is its proximity to home. In today’s volatile global climate, a build unaffected by tariffs, delays, and currency fluctuation may be the piece that finalizes your decision, and it’s a perfectly reasonable conclusion.
Three Paths to Excellence
I wrote about three boats that each represent a different area of the market. The WiLder 60 is new competition in an extremely competitive segment. The Flynt 26 Inboard might have the power to redefine the American lakes. The Rafnar 1200 Leisure is battle-tested and built in the USA.
Although they’re all different, they share a new perspective on existing segments. While most builders chase Instagram aesthetics and mass appeal, these three focus on delivering genuine value to specific buyer profiles.
With a brand new boating season upon us, staying in tune with the movements of the market will guarantee you make the best buying decision for you, your family and your wallet. Contact me for deeper information on any of these options, or submit the form below to get an email response.
Interested in learning more about any of these builders?
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About the Author
Reed Nicol is a licensed yacht broker with experience in all corners of the marine industry. He’s worked as an executive and sales director in yacht manufacturing and distribution, has structured commercial charter operations, and designed and executed notable refits. Read more about Reed’s marine journey, his love of helping 1st time boaters and his entrepreneurial spirit here.
Reed Nicol [Licensed FL Yacht Broker #11926]
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