While construction work continues of the platform for the 40 metre UP40 and hulls are being delivered for commissions, Antonini Navi has announced a new partnership with architecture studio Sculli for the construction of the XPD88, a 28 metre full custom expedition yacht.

The design, the first in a new line of explorers, adds another important step in the shipyard’s brilliant growth in the construction of custom vessels. Indeed it was created to fulfil every single need of the owner, who chose to rely on the experience and skills of Antonini Navi, specifically because they are capable of building a unit with high performance and safety, without overlooking style and beauty.

Sculli studio is specialised in the design of high-end expedition yachts and has been working, since the 1990s, with some of the most important shipyards in the world, contributing to the launch of many of the best known units on the superyacht market with characteristic and extreme designs with a definitive personality.

“Antonini Navi – explains Simone Antonini, CEO for the shipyard – demonstrates that it has a winning business formula. XPD88 completes and solidifies the range launched by the shipyard, with its full custom production, made completely to measure. This goes alongside the range of superyachts whose 40 metre platform is currently under construction, and to the construction of vessels on third party commission, which only a few months ago delivered three hulls and metal superstructures. This new design is the result of the creativity of a designer (the architect Mauro Sculli) who was introduced to us by the client and with whom we had never worked with before, this shows how flexible Antonini Navi can be.”

Built in steel, the XPD88 is 28 metres long overall and will be type-approved as a pleasure unit. It has ample spaces, unusually for a width of 8.5 metres, and for its strong style: it has been created to enjoy the sea and the experience of slow cruising, with rooms usually found in larger yachts, like the large garage to the stern, the laundry and ironing room, the large refrigerator near the kitchen and the spacious accommodation for the crew.

The upper deck will be dedicated to the owner, with separate and well defined routes for the crew, so as to guarantee maximum privacy for the passengers on board. The design also has three propulsion solutions (traditional diesel, hybrid, and diesel hybrid), promoting environmental sustainability and at the same time saving money over the long term.

“The XPD88 – notes Aldo Manna, partner and sales manager for Antonini Navi – is an ambitious and atypical design with a strong personality. The years of experience in the construction and sales of explorer and expedition yachts in northern Europe helped me to contribute effectively to the development of the design, together with our technical office and the architect, Mauro Sculli. The XPD88 will open the doors to a new market for Antonini Navi, metal pleasure yachts, which in these last few years has seen exponential growth, especially abroad. I am confident of the project and hope it will be the first in a long series.”