Cantiere delle Marche: Four Explorer Yachts, Four Interpretations of the Same Design DNA

Four yachts built over the same period, similar in size yet markedly different in layout and intended use. This is the common thread that emerges from Cantiere delle Marche’s latest deliveries: the Deep Blue 115 Octopus, the Nauta Air 108 Tartaruga, the Nauta Air 110 Ammonite and the RJ102 Mon Coeur. Measuring between 31 and 35 metres, they all share the same principles of structural strength, long-range capability and seaworthiness, while interpreting their owners’ cruising programmes in distinctly different ways.

What links these four explorers is not so much their appearance as their design philosophy. The shipyard explains that every layout, technical solution and space arrangement was developed in response to the owner’s requirements rather than from a standard production template. This approach is particularly evident when comparing the two Nauta Air models: although they belong to the same family, the 108 and the 110 were designed for different cruising programmes and feature substantially different interior arrangements.
The RJ102 Mon Coeur marks the entry of the RJ series into the 31-metre segment. At 31.66 metres in length, she was developed together with Francesco Paszkowski while preserving the proportions and character of the larger yachts in the range. One of the project’s most distinctive features is the absence of a sundeck: the functions normally located on an additional deck have instead been integrated into the upper deck, which accommodates the dining area, sunbathing spaces, bar and Jacuzzi. Interiors by Giorgio M. Cassetta were designed for extended cruising by a couple, with generous living spaces dedicated to a limited number of guests. The yacht accommodates up to nine people in four cabins and offers a range exceeding 4,000 nautical miles at 10 knots thanks to twin Caterpillar C18 IMO Tier III engines and a fuel capacity of 37,000 litres.

The 32.6-metre Nauta Air 108 Tartaruga bears the signature of Nauta Design for both exterior and interior styling, while Hydro Tec is responsible for the naval architecture. The layout prioritises bright interiors and continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces, with five guest cabins for ten guests, the owner’s suite forward on the main deck and a spacious sundeck. Technical features include a Dynamic Positioning System, designed to automatically maintain the yacht’s position in areas where anchoring is restricted. Her range exceeds 4,000 nautical miles at the economical cruising speed of 10 knots.

At 33.1 metres, the Nauta Air 110 Ammonite shares the same technical platform, displacement, propulsion package and performance characteristics as Tartaruga, while offering a different internal layout. The main deck saloon is dedicated exclusively to lounging, while the upper deck includes a gym and a panoramic skylounge. Here too, the yacht offers a range of more than 4,000 nautical miles, confirming the oceangoing vocation of the series.

The largest of the four is the 35-metre Deep Blue 115 Octopus, developed from the original Acala project. According to the shipyard, the interest generated by that first explorer led to the creation of a genuine family of yachts, which now also includes two Deep Blue 141s currently under construction for delivery in 2027 and 2028. Designed by Horacio Bozzo, with interiors by Giorgio M. Cassetta, Octopus retains the defining features of the Deep Blue range, including the flared bow, extensive glazing and generous outdoor areas with a cockpit swimming pool, beach platform and dedicated tender garage. Carrying 45,600 litres of fuel, she has a range of 4,500 nautical miles at 10 knots and accommodates ten guests in five cabins, served by a crew of seven.

Comparing the four yachts highlights how, despite sharing Hydro Tec naval architecture, Caterpillar C18 IMO Tier III engines, an economical cruising speed of 10 knots and a construction philosophy focused on long-range navigation, each explorer yacht has been developed with its own distinct identity. It is a clear demonstration of the semi-custom approach that defines Cantiere delle Marche’s production.

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