Maiora, a brand of the Next Yacht Group, officially presented, in Viareggio, their new 42 Exuma, a yachted created to revolutionise the on-board experience by putting the essence of ocean living at the heart. The setting of the presentation was the Maiora Deck Lounge, the iconic shipyard, which was recently renovated and opened to the public for the first time, an elegant 800m2 room created to provide owners with a fully immersive and unforgettable experience dedicated to innovation and excellence.

Pushing the envelope and creating a new paradigm for luxury yachting, the 42 Exuma comes from directly observing daily life on board and authentically responding to the needs of owners and their guests. A vessel that leaves behind the constraints of traditional yachting: from the passenger cabins on the lower decks to the often underused and overly large main saloons, through to the small space available for the crew. Even the upper deck, the most used part of a vessel of this size, has been rearranged compared to the traditional layout, providing the owner and their guests with an exclusive space, free from forced cohabitation with operational and technical areas, creating a new idea of privacy and liveability.

“When the experience on board is designed correctly – explains Sebastiano Fanizza, CEO of Next Yacht Group – then the yacht becomes all but invisible to the eyes of the owner. From this idea stems the 42 Exuma, inaugurating a new era of ocean living, overcoming anachronistic conventions to embrace an idea of yachting that finally puts the person, and not old ideas, at the heart of the design. It is a paradigm shift similar to that between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Spaces created, not in response to static logic, but to be truly enjoyed, shared, and experienced. We chose to push the envelope of the conventional approach, redefining the balance between aesthetics, function and well-being on board, to place experience and quality of life, back at the heart of it all.”

A new example of on-board living

Designed by a Maiora team in partnership with designer Giorgio Maria Cassetta, for the exteriors and ELIE SAAB for the interior, this 42-metre yacht provides a new living model covering four decks, and that can comfortable accommodate up to 12 passengers in the four VIP cabins and the owner’s suite, as well as 9 crew members in five cabins. The interiors are luminous, accentuated by the extensive use of windows, and the main rooms have open and ample spaces. The entire length of the vessel can be walked thanks to the walk-around deck on the upper deck, while both the main and upper deck have collapsible terraces. At the heart of the yacht is an open space lounge on the upper deck, provided an uninterrupted view from stem to stern.

The Exterior

The exterior of the 42 Exuma introduces a new concept of dynamism, defined by extremely streamlines horizontal surfaces, large runs of windows and fluid proportions that visually connect the interior with the exterior. The architecture is a balance between form and function, with a profile that exudes speed, even in roads, and full use of natural light to illuminate life on board at all times of the day. The overall result is a boat with a transparent, open layout, where the external decks appear to cross through the shell of the hull, highlighting the continuity with the surrounding seascape.

“Maiora 42 Exuma – notes Giorgio Maria Cassetta – began quickly, and almost instinctively. From my first meeting with the Maiora team, the vision of this high performance, gentleman’s yacht could be clearly seen from the first sketch. It was a challenge to create a balance between lightness, interior space and generous height, while keeping a clean and refined aspect. The most significant innovation by the shipyard was in the layout. We moved the guest cabins to the main deck, dedicating the lower deck to services and leaving the upper and sun decks completely free and dedicated to the passengers. For us, this boat is not just a technical design, but an emotional object, a dream come true, where every detail has been curated to provide a unique and refined experience for every aspect of life on board.”

The Interior

The interior includes a refined selection of pieces from the ELIE SAAB Maison collection, enhanced by custom elements designed specifically for yachting. Luxury materials like London Fog marble, bronze mirrors and teak floors and ceilings combine to create a timeless design, that is also functional for life at sea (highly resistant finishing and fabrics).

“Our partnership with Maiora – says Elie Saab Jr., CEO of the ELIE SAAB Group – represents a strategic expansion of the ELIE SAAB lifestyle in the yachting sector. After our success in interiors, home furniture, hospitality and luxury real estate, this evolution was both natural and intentional. The 42 Exuma is not only a yacht but a bold declaration of our vision: to create immersive and elegant spaces where design, precision and comfort come together. With this launch, we are bringing ELIE SAAB to the water, translating our heritage of artistry and aesthetic sophistication to a new, contemporary frontier for luxury.”

The main deck

The new living model that makes this yacht stand out is based on the destination of spaces on the main deck. Created to provide a more fluid, open and contemporary on-board experience, the aft access immediately reveals this new design philosophy: an ample sun lounge under which are located a number of water toys. The cockpit has two levels, with collapsible lateral wings that directly overlook the water and a social eating space. Along the central corridor, the four passenger cabins are generously sized, with a regular layout providing comfort and functionality without compromise. The wardrobes in each cabin are large and the full height windows make the rooms bright and welcoming.

Moving on towards the central lobby is the specially designed detail for managing space on board: a double trunk creates a distinct separation between areas for passengers and for the crew. In addition, there is the option of installing a glass panoramic lift, designed to harmoniously connect the three decks without modifying the layout. Having the guest cabins on the main deck and the option of installing a lift, are options that are usually reserved for yachts over 60 metres.

To the bow is the full beam master suite, which is elegantly divided into separate night and day areas, and a private corner bar, two walk-in dressing rooms and two his and hers bathrooms. The wheelhouse is strategically located away from the main saloon, providing privacy for the owner and guests without compromising visibility and control during navigation, and can be integrated with a supplementary steering area on the upper or sun decks. Completing the layout is an exterior area reserved for the crew, created to provide a private and protected space for them to enjoy their breaks out in the open.

The lower deck

The lower deck often has a layout that provides the crew with small, uncomfortable and not very functional spaces. Providing more comfortable and better organised spaces becomes not only an ethical choice, but also a strategic one, to create a loyal crew and thereby achieve more professionalism and a higher level of services on board. On the 42 Exuma, the lower deck is almost completely dedicated to the services and the crew.

Alongside the ample cabins and spacious crew mess is a separate refrigerating room and a pantry, while the laundry room has an ironing station and clothes rail. There is also a large dumbwaiter in order to serve all passengers at once. There is also a multifunctional space that can be configured into a gym, massage room, media room, or sixth cabin with bathroom. Adjacent to the engine room is the garage which can accommodate a 6-metre tender and two jet skis.

The upper deck and sun deck

In this model, the upper deck has been completely reconfigured and allocated for relaxation in the open air, without functional interference or features: an exculsive space that is used to its full potential, for the complete benefit of the owner. A proper panoramic living area that is fully glassed in and can be opened on all sides so that, with the collapsible terraces, it is a natural extension of the exterior, a seamless open space where the boundaries between inside and outside dissolve. Making it even more captivating, the integrated pool with transparent bottom to the stern, allows light to pass through to the deck below.

The saloon is host to the main dining area, surrounded by light and transparency. The total absence of invasive structural elements not only creates an uninterrupted vew from stem to stern, expanding the feeling of space and reinforcing that connection to the marine environment, but it also provides owners with full customisation options: a space that can be completely personalised according to the tastes and desires of each individual. To the bow, instead, is an exclusive circular cushioned sun bed, that can be adjusted by remote control to follow the movement of the sun throughout the day.

Lastly, even the 80m2 sundeck is completely dedicated to relaxing and outdoor living, another fully customisable space with an uninterrupted view of the horizon, enhancing the on-board experience.

Engines

The 42 Exuma has two engine options, both providing performance higher than average for yachts of its category: 2 x 2000 HP Volvo Penta IPS 40 engines, reaching a maximum speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 16 knots, and 3 x 2600 HP MTU with MJP, pushing the vessel to a maximum speed of 30 knots (28 knots with full load), and a cruising speed of 26 knots. The first unit of the 42 Exuma has already been sold, and is under construction. Delivery is scheduled for summer 2027.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – MAIORA 42 EXUMA

Overall length: 42.49 m

Maximum width: 8.90 m

Draught at full load (with waterjets): 1.55 m

Gross Tonnage: 430 GT approx.

Autonomy (IPS): 2100 nm at 10 knots

Autonomy (MJP): 1800 nm at 10 knots