Akhir 44 Yacht Series Revived by Cantieri di Pisa

Two years after new ownership took over, Cantieri di Pisa is bringing back one of its most historic, and successful, superyacht series. The Akhir line is returning with one model so far, the Akhir 44 yacht.

Cantieri di Pisa began building boats in 1945, rising to international standing in the 1990s. Its Akhir line was especially prolific in that period despite its introduction in the 1970s. “Akhir” is the Arabic name for the brightest star in the Eridanus constellation. The shipyard long had a penchant for naming all of its series after stars in that constellation, the sky’s sixth largest. Overall, Cantieri di Pisa has more than 700 yachts and military vessels to its name.

Cantieri di Pisa Akhir 118 megayacht; Cantieri di Pisa has had a tumultuous history — an Akhir 118 in an undated photo

Although the last Akhir launch was more than two decades ago, the series still holds high name recognition. In fact, Cantieri di Pisa considers it a brand within the brand. It therefore is blending some of the immediately recognizable stylistic features with more modern ones. Specifically, the deckhouse of the Akhir 44 yacht remains quite sleek, while the bow retains its sharp, shark-line look. Yet another classic characteristic is the long black strip of windows low along each hull side. Add in the horizontal air intakes aft by the cockpit and lots of black and white overall, and the nod to the past is complete. The contemporary touches include a hardtop over the sundeck and generally smoother, sleeker shapes.

Additionally, the Akhir 44 yacht construction will be carbon fiber composite. Antonio Luxardo, the head of design, has penned a hull for better fuel efficiency and performance. The shipyard calls it an EHPH Power Fin hull, anticipating a 35-knot top speed. Cruising speed, meanwhile, should be 30 knots, with triple 2,600-hp MTUs.

Though the series is semi-custom, Pulina Exclusive Interiors envisions all staterooms, including the master suite, below decks. This in turn frees up the main deck entirely for socialization and relaxation. For instance, the formal dining area closes off from the saloon with sliding panels, but once they’re open, the one large, continuous space becomes a viewing gallery for the chef’s “show” (above). A large window into the galley practically encourages the chef to put on an inspiring performance. Additionally, a floating stairway comprised of glass and metal is both practical and pretty (below), easily the center of attention in the saloon.

When construction begins, the first Akhir 44 yacht will occupy one of six construction slots at the yard. Two of those slots are presently occupied. Firstly, an 80 Veloce should launch in six months, a carbon fiber yacht of 80 feet (24 meters) expected to hit 60 knots. Secondly, a steel-hulled 123-foot (37.5-meter) explorer is in build for launch in summer 2026. She’ll have a fiberglass superstructure.

The in-build yachts do not represent the future, though, of the yard. The Akhir 44, along with the Polaris 48 yacht series and Saturno 56 series, do, all coming since Enrico Gennasio acquired Cantieri di Pisa in 2021. A businessman with holdings in manufacturing and real estate, Gennasio restored its operations after several years of tumult. Yard troubles began in 2010, when it shut down operations. Fellow yacht builder Mondomarine acquired it five years later. But, Mondomarine laid off 30 employees in March 2017, and later entered bankruptcy liquidation. A bankruptcy court awarded Cantieri di Pisa to a Genoa-based company, but it never renovated the facilities nor launched any yachts, despite holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony in 2019. In January 2021, Tankoa Yachts announced it would acquire the yard, but weeks later pulled its intent, partly due to the run-down facilities.

Since acquiring the shipyard, Gennasio says he’s invested €6 million (about $6.65 million) to expand and modernize it. Cantieri di Pisa currently occupies about 538,200 square feet (50,000 square meters). It also has a refit area, covering 258,334 square feet (24,000 square meters). The maximum LOA it can build is 184 feet (56 meters).

Cantieri di Pisa cantieridipisa.com

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