Explorer Yacht Hanaa Keel Laying Celebrated at Antonini Navi

These days, 105-footers (32-meters) are nearly exclusively semi-custom yachts, with some close to being production yachts. In the latter case, the only customization is for furnishings, woods, stones, and other decorative features. Therefore, the explorer yacht Hanaa is special not just for being fully custom, but also for being an explorer-style project.

Equally special, Antonini Navi shipyard, in La Spezia, Italy, hosted the owner and some friends for a private ceremony this month to commemorate the keel laying. In fact, the owner had the chance to lay welds (above).

The ceremony was significant for Antonini Navi in more ways than one. Besides marking its newest project under construction, for example, the yacht Hanaa comes three years after it opened its doors. The shipyard’s founders purposely set out to offer yacht owners fully custom alternatives in a marketplace dominated by less choice. (Antonini Navi further builds military vessels, and its parent company has experience in the oil and gas industry dating back 70 years.) Although plenty of owners appreciate the time savings that comes with semi-custom construction, some still like to get quite involved in the design process. Others want to have a bigger say in the equipment, too.

The owner of Hanaa fits that profile, of course. Notably, he began working with Sergio Cutolo, head of the naval-architecture studio Hydro Tec. The owner specifically requested a long-range explorer in style and function, yet simultaneously one with more modern pleasure-yacht looks. Antonini Navi’s commercial expertise was among the reasons why the owner selected the shipyard.

The next steps for Hanaa include the hull and deck joining over the summer. Hot Lab, which is bringing the owner’s vision for the relaxation areas to life, expects fitting out to start in August. She will begin cruising in 2025. In the meantime, the shipyard is readying the keel for yet another project, code named Seamore 33.

Antonini Navi antonininavi.com

Hot Lab hotlab.it

Hydro Tec hydrotec.it