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Meta Description: Tankoa Yachts launches the 51.5m custom superyacht Spirit in Genoa. Designed by Vitruvius and FM Architettura, it features hybrid propulsion and extensive wellness amenities.
The historic slipways of Genoa witnessed the birth of a highly anticipated bespoke maritime project this July, as boutique Italian shipyard Tankoa Yachts officially launched the 51.5-meter custom motor yacht Spirit. Previously known within the industry under the build name Project Secret, the launch of this sophisticated vessel marks a significant achievement for both the builder and the collaborative design teams involved.
Commissioned in 2022 by a discerning Canadian owner, the launch ceremony was steeped in maritime tradition. The event featured a formal blessing and the godmother's christening, attended by an intimate audience of shipyard management, the dedicated build team, and the proud owners. However, beneath the ceremonial fanfare and the elegant lines lies a vessel of profound technical and architectural significance. Spirit is a fully custom aluminum superyacht that successfully pairs advanced hybrid propulsion with an expansive, wellness-focused layout—all while meticulously remaining under the crucial 500 Gross Tonnage (GT) regulatory threshold.
The Vitruvius Pedigree and the 500 GT Challenge
In the modern superyacht sector, maximizing interior volume and usable deck space while staying under the 500 GT mark is one of the most rigorous architectural balancing acts. Crossing this specific tonnage line triggers a cascade of stringent commercial maritime regulations, significantly increased crewing requirements under STCW guidelines, and substantially higher operational costs. To navigate this challenge without compromising on the vessel's capability, the owner enlisted Vitruvius Yachts, led by the renowned naval architect Philippe Briand and Veerle Battiau, to handle both the exterior lines and the underlying naval architecture.
The resulting design is a masterclass in spatial efficiency and sleek, purposeful restraint. Constructed entirely from marine-grade aluminum, Spirit features the signature long, low-profile stance that Vitruvius is celebrated for. The strategic use of aluminum not only keeps the overall displacement low but also allows for a slender, lightweight superstructure characterized by broad, sweeping bands of glazing. This philosophy ensures that the yacht does not merely look visually balanced on the water; it actually provides over 250 square meters of exterior terrace space—an exceptional and highly sought-after footprint for a 52-meter vessel in this class.
Engineering: The E-Motion Hybrid Advantage
Underneath its refined exterior, Spirit is a highly optimized, forward-thinking machine. During the crucial engineering and development phases, Tankoa conducted extensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies on the hull form. By carefully analyzing weight distribution and overall hydrodynamics, the shipyard was able to maximize the hull's efficiency, significantly reducing drag and fuel consumption before the first piece of metal was ever cut.
The centerpiece of the yacht's technical prowess, however, is its full-hybrid propulsion system, developed in collaboration with E-motion. This sophisticated setup seamlessly integrates twin conventional MAN D2862LE489 diesel engines—producing 1,449 horsepower each—with advanced electric motors and high-capacity battery banks. This hybrid architecture offers a highly versatile, multi-modal operational profile tailored to the owner's cruising itinerary.
At full throttle, Spirit achieves a maximum speed of 17 knots. For standard transits, she cruises comfortably at 15 knots. However, when dialed back to an economic speed of 12 knots, the hull's efficiency and the hybrid system yield a formidable 4,000-nautical-mile range from her 48,600-liter fuel tanks, making her highly capable of long-haul, uninterrupted ocean passages. Furthermore, the robust battery banks allow for zero-emission anchoring and silent low-speed maneuvers. This eliminates exhaust fumes and generator noise while anchored in pristine bays, fundamentally enhancing the onboard experience.
To guarantee this serene environment, Tankoa enlisted the Dutch acoustic experts at van Cappellen Consultancy to oversee noise and vibration suppression throughout the build. Their rigorous acoustic engineering ensures that the mechanical footprint of the vessel remains virtually imperceptible to the owner and guests, even while underway.
Intentional Living: Wellness and Connection to the Sea
The interior architecture, penned by the Ancona-based studio FM Architettura, abandons traditional, enclosed yacht layouts in favor of open sightlines and a deep, continuous connection with the surrounding seascape. The design mandate was clear: the interiors must serve as a calm, understated frame for the ocean outside, prioritizing natural light and fluidity.
The yacht accommodates up to 12 guests across six luxurious staterooms. This includes a spectacular main deck master suite that boasts a private fold-out balcony, allowing the owner to step directly out over the water in complete privacy. Below deck, nine crew members are accommodated across five well-appointed cabins, ensuring exceptional service capabilities for a vessel of this size.
The defining architectural feature of Spirit, however, is located at her stern. The beach club is explicitly designed around a holistic wellness philosophy. Rather than a simple, utilitarian swim platform, it is centered around a spacious gym and spa area that remains fully operational even while the yacht is underway. Key features of this aft wellness hub include a stern plunge pool seamlessly integrated into the deck, and fold-down side platforms that significantly widen the footprint of the beach club. These platforms allow guests to move effortlessly between training, recovery, and swimming. Furthermore, a massive two-section glazed stern door, flanked by fixed glass panels, floods the interior gym and spa spaces with natural light, ensuring the area feels open and inviting regardless of the weather.
The Boutique Advantage: Market Implications
The successful launch of Spirit solidifies Tankoa's reputation as a nimble, highly capable boutique shipyard. Unlike larger, serialized production yards that rely on fixed platforms, Tankoa has demonstrated its ability to execute highly bespoke owner visions without imposing rigid constraints. The integration of a complex E-motion hybrid system within a sleek, sub-500 GT platform sets a formidable new benchmark for the 50-meter market segment.
This launch reflects a broader trend among Ultra High Net-Worth Individuals (UHNWIs) in the superyacht market. Today's owners are no longer willing to compromise between sustainability and luxury. They demand extensive onboard volumes, cutting-edge interior wellness spaces, and genuine environmental mindfulness—all wrapped in a highly customized package.
Next Steps and Delivery
With her launch complete, Spirit is currently entering her final outfitting and commissioning phase in Genoa. Over the coming months, she will undergo rigorous technical testing and comprehensive sea trials in the Mediterranean to validate her hybrid systems and acoustic profile. Following the successful completion of these trials, she will be handed over to her Canadian owner later this year, ready to embark on her inaugural cruising season.
Stay tuned to NAVIS for more updates on this evolving story, including full sea trial results and an exclusive interior tour once the vessel is delivered.
