Few shipyards are as closely associated with speed as AB Yachts. Founded in 1992 in Viareggio, the Italian builder has spent more than three decades refining one idea: luxury yachts that cruise at speeds most motor yachts never reach – without giving up comfort, space or Italian style.
Who is behind AB Yachts?
AB Yachts is based in Viareggio, one of the most important yachtbuilding centres in the world, and is today a brand of Next Yacht Group – the same group that builds Maiora yachts. While Maiora focuses on spacious, long-range cruising, AB Yachts is the group’s performance specialist. According to YachtBuyer, the yard has delivered more than 40 superyachts above 24 metres so far.
Waterjets: the engineering behind the speed
The defining technical feature of AB Yachts is its use of waterjet propulsion instead of conventional propellers. Waterjets draw water in beneath the hull and expel it at high pressure, which brings several advantages for a fast yacht:
- very high top and cruising speeds on planing hulls
- precise manoeuvring, even at low speed and in tight marinas
- a shallower draft, allowing access to bays that larger yachts cannot reach
- no exposed propellers, which makes swimming and water sports around the stern safer
Combined with lightweight composite construction and powerful engine packages, this platform allows AB Yachts to deliver performance figures that are rare in the 25 to 40-metre segment.
The current AB Yachts range
The model line-up ranges from compact performance yachts to genuine superyachts. Two models illustrate the brand’s philosophy particularly well:
- AB 80 (approx. 25 m): triple MAN V12 engines with MJP waterjets, a top speed of around 54 knots and a cruising speed of around 45 knots, four guest cabins and a stern garage for tender and jet skis.
- AB 100 (approx. 30 m): a planing yacht for up to nine guests in four cabins, reaching around 50 knots in its standard version and up to 60 knots in the “Superfast” configuration.
Above these sit the AB 110 and AB 130, and the yard has announced its largest project to date, the AB 166 at almost 50 metres. In addition, AB Yachts has developed special editions together with Brabus, combining the yard’s performance platform with Brabus’ distinctive design language.
Who is an AB yacht for?
AB Yachts appeal to owners who want to spend more time at their destination and less time getting there. In the Mediterranean, a cruising speed of 40 knots or more turns long transfers – for example from the Côte d’Azur to Corsica, or between the Balearic Islands – into short hops. At the same time, the interiors follow the Italian approach to luxury: open layouts, large windows and a strong connection to the sea.
When considering a high-performance yacht, buyers should also weigh the practical side: fuel consumption at high speeds, crew experience with waterjet systems, and service availability in the intended cruising area. These factors have a significant influence on operating costs and long-term value.
Conclusion
AB Yachts stands for a clear and consistent concept: Italian luxury combined with uncompromising speed. For owners who value performance as much as comfort, the Viareggio yard remains one of the most specialised addresses on the market.
Interested in AB Yachts or other performance yachts? Book a private yacht advisory session with MUTINYQUE.
