Benetti, Viareggio's Superyacht Builder Since 1873

A century and a half on the Viareggio waterfront

Lorenzo Benetti founded the yard in 1873 when he took over a shipyard on the Viareggio basin, building wooden working boats. Over the twentieth century the yard moved into pleasure yachts and, by the 1970s, into very large ones. Nabila, the giant motor yacht completed for Adnan Khashoggi around 1980 and later owned by Donald Trump as Trump Princess, made Benetti famous worldwide.

Azimut founder Paolo Vitelli bought Benetti in the mid-1980s, and it has been the large-yacht arm of Azimut Benetti Group ever since. The company works from Viareggio, Livorno and Fano, and it has won the Showboats International award for the world's top shipyard multiple times.

How Benetti builds, from Oasis to full custom

Benetti splits its work into semi-custom series and full custom projects. Semi-custom lines share hull and engineering platforms but allow owners to tailor layout and interior, which shortens build times and supports resale. Full custom yachts are one-off projects, some well beyond 100 meters.

The Benetti Oasis 40M is the model we cover. First shown at the Genoa Boat Show in 2020, it introduced a fold-down stern terrace and an open aft deck that brings guests closer to the water, an idea that has since spread across the industry. Other series have included Motopanfilo, inspired by mid-century Italian motor yachts, and the B.Now and B.Yond families. Benetti also partnered with car designer Henrik Fisker in 2015 on a concept series.

Brokerage, class and ownership costs

Most Americans buy Benettis through large superyacht brokerage houses rather than a dealer, and many yachts spend their winters in Fort Lauderdale or the Caribbean and their summers in the Mediterranean. Benetti's brand recognition makes brokerage easier, and semi-custom series like the Oasis have strong liquidity because buyers can compare sister ships.

Budget realistically. Annual running costs for a 40-meter yacht, including crew, insurance, dockage and maintenance, typically run around 10 percent of the purchase price per year, sometimes more. A refit history and class status matter more than age.

• Class society status and any outstanding recommendations
• Flag state and compliance if the yacht will charter
• Main engines, generators and stabilizer overhaul history
• Paint condition, often a six-figure item
• Crew turnover and maintenance management records