There is a common thread running through the entire Spirit project, the new 52-metre yacht launched by Tankoa Yachts at its Genoa shipyard: the relationship with the sea not as a backdrop, but as the very substance of the design. The ceremony took place on 11 July in the presence of the owners, the shipyard’s management, guests and the team behind the build, and concluded, in keeping with tradition, with the blessing of the yacht, the christening performed by the godmother and celebrations held within the shipyard.
Spirit is a fully custom project that embodies Tankoa‘s boutique philosophy. Previously known as Project Secret and under construction since 2022, the yacht was commissioned — according to Boat International — by a Canadian owner, introduced to the yard by Albert McIlroy of Optimusnavis. The owners selected the Italian shipyard to bring to life a concept developed by Vitruvius Yacht Design, relying on Tankoa‘s ability to transform highly personalised requirements into a bespoke yacht. Naval architecture and exterior design bear the signature of the studio led by Philippe Briand and Veerle Battiau, while the interiors are the work of Francesca Muzio, founder of the Italian firm FM Architettura. The overall concept places three elements at its centre: the relationship with the sea, privacy and onboard wellbeing.
A lifestyle-oriented yacht
The project will be familiar to readers of these pages: in June 2025, when Vitruvius unveiled its details while the yacht was still under construction, the brief set out by the owners — a couple with deep roots in the worlds of business and art — was as ambitious as it was precise: to create the most sophisticated, lifestyle-oriented yacht under 500 gross tons on the market today. A design challenge played out in the balance between the efficiency of the aluminium hull and a general arrangement capable of accommodating, within that tonnage limit, everything required for life on board without compromise.
The yacht accommodates up to 12 guests in six cabins, while the crew of nine is housed in five cabins. Every space has been conceived to maximise natural light and create visual continuity between interior and exterior areas. It is here that the project reveals its most distinctive trait: the extensive glazing. The aft glass door, opening in two sections, and the full-height windows along the hull sides provide uninterrupted sea views, both underway and at anchor, whether the fold-down side platforms are open or closed.
Among the yacht’s defining features is the beach club, conceived as a fully fledged wellness area. The space revolves around a large gym and spa zone, which can also be used while cruising and opens directly onto the aft terrace. The swimming pool and fold-down side platforms further enhance the versatility of this area, shaping an environment in which fitness, relaxation and direct access to the sea coexist seamlessly. The interiors follow the same design philosophy: a refined palette of natural materials, textured surfaces and understated detailing allows light and the surrounding seascape to become the true protagonists of life on board.
The technical details
From a technical standpoint, Spirit reaches a top speed of 17 knots and cruises at 15 knots. The project benefited from the expertise of van Cappellen Consultancy in optimising acoustic insulation and vibration control, while Tankoa carried out an extensive programme to refine the hull, weight distribution and the yacht’s overall dynamics in order to improve efficiency and performance. Propulsion is provided by a full-hybrid system developed by E-Motion, integrating conventional engines, electric motors and batteries.
“A launch is always a very special moment because it represents the culmination of years of work and the commitment of everyone involved. It is a privilege to share this emotion with our clients and with all those who contributed to building the yacht,” said Vincenzo Poerio, CEO of Tankoa Yachts. “Spirit demonstrates Tankoa’s ability to turn an ambitious and highly personalised vision into reality, thanks to outstanding craftsmanship and the close collaboration between the Owner, the design team and the shipyard.”
Following her launch, Spirit now enters the final outfitting phase, with sea trials and technical testing scheduled ahead of delivery to her owner, expected by the end of the year.
