The starting point for SAMY was neither the number of cabins nor a list of onboard features. Tony Castro Yachts began the project by asking a question rooted in naval architecture: what is the most efficient propulsion solution for a 68-metre yacht designed to spend significant amounts of time at sea?
From this premise comes a Sail-Assisted Motor Yacht in which sailing technology has not been added retrospectively to an already defined platform. The hull, superstructure and distribution of spaces were developed around a system of inflatable sails and retractable masts, making propulsion one of the elements that shaped the entire project.
This decision also has a direct impact on SAMY’s appearance. According to the British studio, the retractable masts help preserve cleaner exterior lines, reduce windage and limit the amount of permanent equipment on deck. The sails are designed to provide propulsion assistance across a wide range of wind conditions, working alongside conventional engines rather than replacing them entirely.
Sailing becomes part of the architecture
One of the most interesting aspects is the way the sailing system is integrated into the yacht’s architecture. The superstructure has been designed to accommodate the booms and allow them to rotate through 360 degrees, while the interior layout has also been developed around the presence of the sailing system.
The approach is therefore the opposite of a technological retrofit. On SAMY, the rig influenced the yacht’s form from the earliest stages, allowing the studio to prevent the masts, sails and auxiliary systems from becoming elements detached from the motor yacht’s overall silhouette. The same principle guides the integration of other energy sources. Solar capture surfaces and next-generation wind turbines are incorporated directly into the superstructure, with the aim of creating a coherent energy system rather than a collection of independent devices.
The projected result is significant. On a typical Mediterranean-to-Caribbean round trip, Tony Castro Yachts estimates fuel savings of at least 33,000 litres. This reduction could be used in two ways: either to decrease the required fuel tank capacity or to extend the yacht’s range while carrying the same amount of fuel.
68 metres without sacrificing motor yacht volumes
The integration of sailing technology does not, however, change SAMY’s vocation as a large yacht designed for cruising. The concept measures 68 metres in length, with a beam of 11.9 metres, a draught of 3 metres and an estimated volume of approximately 1,148 GT. Accommodation is provided for 14 guests in seven cabins, while the crew quarters are designed for 16 crew members plus the captain. Both the naval architecture and exterior design are by Tony Castro Yachts.
The distribution of spaces also follows the logic of a contemporary motor yacht. Aft on the main deck, a swimming pool forms the centrepiece of the beach club, accompanied by sunbathing areas and an outdoor dining space for twelve guests. The upper deck offers a second, more intimate area arranged around a Jacuzzi. The yacht also carries a nine-metre limousine tender, a six-metre RIB, four WaveRunners and a Nemo. These features confirm that sail assistance has not come at the expense of the functions normally associated with a superyacht of this size.
Sustainability measured over time
Tony Castro Yachts introduces another perspective on the project, one that goes beyond the immediate figures on fuel consumption. SAMY has been conceived so that it does not depend on a single technology or a specific fuel, allowing it to adapt as propulsion systems continue to evolve.
For Tony Castro, the lifespan of a yacht should itself be considered part of sustainability. The studio points to designs dating back to the 1980s that are still sailing and being used by their owners today. This perspective shifts the discussion beyond fuel consumption alone. According to the studio, designing a yacht capable of remaining relevant and technically adaptable for 50 years or more also means addressing the impact generated across the vessel’s entire lifecycle.
A motor-sailer conceived as a single system
SAMY therefore revisits the motor-sailer concept through contemporary technologies and requirements. The engines remain central to the yacht’s operation, while wind becomes a resource capable of making a tangible contribution to propulsion and range.
The key difference lies in the design method. The elements intended to reduce fuel consumption were not distributed across an already completed form; they actively contributed to defining that form. Hull, rig, superstructure and energy systems are treated as parts of the same architecture. For a 68-metre yacht, this is perhaps the most interesting aspect of the project. SAMY aims to retain the volumes, comfort and way of life associated with a motor yacht, while changing how the energy required to move it is generated and used.
