Abeking & Rasmussen’s new 70 m semi-custom platform Aruby combines the quality of a fully custom yacht with a delivery timeline shortened by around one year. In this interview, Björn Benecke, Sales Manager Yacht Department, explains how the future-fuel-ready concept was developed, why owners still enjoy extensive scope for personalisation, and how changing customer expectations have influenced the design.
What motivated the yard to develop a “ready-to-build” yacht concept such as “Aruby“? Is this primarily a response to changing market dynamics and client expectations, or was it also intended as a strategic expansion of your portfolio?
Björn Benecke: We’ve actually had this concept in mind for years, really. But we were extremely busy and focussed on fully-custom projects. At the same time, we see ourselves as a boutique yard, and so special care for our customers is in our genes.
„Aruby 70“ is really our answer to the modern owner’s desire for quality without the typical development lead times. She’s a turnkey path to ownership – ready-to-build, with no prior new-build experience needed. From our clients’ perspective, “Aruby” answers a clear demand: the confidence of a full-custom German build, combined with the efficiency of a pre-engineered foundation. The quality and workmanship will be like all the other Abeking yachts.
Can you quantify how much the delivery timeline is shortened compared with a fully custom superyacht project? How much time can owners potentially save from contract signing to delivery?
Benecke: By using a pre-engineered, proven platform, we save approximately a year of pure development time. This lets owners skip the complexities of assembling a new-build team while still enjoying the individualized experience and interior design freedom that A&R is famous for. It‘s hard to directly compare the delivery timelines of a fully custom superyacht project with the build time of “Aruby 70”. The build time also depends on the total workload of the shipyard in general at time of contract signing.
How much room for individualisation remains for an owner choosing a yacht based on the “Aruby“ platform? To what extent can owners influence the technical specification, and how much flexibility is there in terms of interior design and layout?
Benecke: Actually, there‘s a lot of room for design freedom regarding luxury interior and loose deck outfitting – backed by the expertise of the design studio, Reymond and Langton. Every surface, finish, and furnishing can be tailored to our client´s personal taste and finished to the renowned A&R standard. The colour of the yacht for example will also be executed to client´s wishes. Technically “Aruby 70“ will be built to her pre-developed platform and specification.
Aruby’s propulsion system is described as “future-fuel ready”. Could you elaborate on the technical concept behind this, and who is supplying the key propulsion components?
Benecke: A&R developed a patent for a tank top to store “future-fuels” without losing too much space in the hull. We will build the hull and the related plumbing to this standard to be prepared for “future-fuel” engines as soon as they are available and reliable. Either during the build phase or during a refit at a later stage. These structural differences compare to diesel driven yachts cannot be changed easily at a later stage.
What performance parameters was the yacht designed around, particularly in terms of cruising and top speed?
Benecke: We designed the yacht for effortless long-range elegance (4,500 nautical miles) – she cruises comfortably at 12.5 knots, which is great for fuel-efficient and relaxed passages, can hit a spirited 16.0 knots when you want to reach an anchorage quickly or make it to sunset.
For which cruising areas and operational profiles was “Aruby“ conceived? Are there particular destinations or use cases the concept is especially suited for?
Benecke: With this yacht, you can go almost anywhere – the classic yacht destinations like the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Europe, the USA, and of course also Oceania or Asia. She will be built for world-wide cruising, without having an ice class notification.
“Aruby“ is said to follow the idea of “New Luxury”. How would you define this concept, and how is it reflected in the yacht’s design and onboard experience?
Benecke: I would define “New Luxury” as a shift away from traditional notions of visible opulence towards a more personal and effortless experience concentrated on privacy, autonomy, and well-being. It is about giving guests the freedom to shape their time onboard according to their own preferences, while enjoying a highly attentive yet discreet level of service. “Aruby” offers a wide range of possibilities regarding living onboard a yacht.
With “Aruby 70“, this philosophy is reflected in both the design and the onboard experience. The layout has been conceived to support seamless transitions between different aspects of modern living – whether that means enjoying fine dining, unwinding in the spacious Beach Club, or focusing on remote work in dedicated office facilities. Smart self-service solutions further enhance guests’ independence, allowing them to enjoy greater privacy and convenience, while the crew remains highly efficient and intentionally in the background. The result is an experience that feels intuitive, relaxed, and deeply tailored to contemporary lifestyles.
We prepared ourselves for this specific project by interviewing many yachting experts e.g. Captains and Crew and we rely on the experience of Reymond Langton Design regarding semi-custom superyachts. Our aim is to fulfil the expectations of a really wide audience with this layout.
From your perspective, how have the expectations and requirements of yacht owners evolved over time? What do today’s generations of owners seek compared with previous ones?
Benecke: Over the years, yacht owners’ expectations have evolved for sure. While previous generations often focused on formal luxury and highly structured onboard service, today’s owners are also looking for experiences that are more personal, flexible, and seamlessly integrated into their everyday lifestyles. The request for high quality and reliable technical solutions are still the same.
Owners want a yacht that can adapt to different scenarios – whether it is spending quality time with family, entertaining friends, or operating successfully on the charter market. This is why intelligent layouts and multifunctional spaces have become increasingly important. Generous guest accommodation, multiple social areas, and an owner‘s suite of substantial proportions allow for a high degree of flexibility and comfort.
Equally important is the growing emphasis on wellness and experiential living. Spacious Beach Clubs that create a direct connection to the water, spa and wellness facilities, fitness and sports options, as well as a broad range of water activities, have become essential components of the onboard experience. Dining habits have also changed. Alongside traditional fine dining, many owners appreciate more informal and autonomous experiences, such as thoughtfully designed self-service concepts that offer privacy, convenience, and flexibility throughout the day.
Have you already seen concrete interest from potential clients in the “Aruby“ concept, and how has the market responded so far?
Benecke: When we first unveiled “Aruby 70“ to the market in March this year, during the Palm Beach International Boat Show, there was indeed already a great deal of interest. Many partners in the yachting industry were wondering what it was all about and why we were suddenly offering a semi-custom yacht. As it is difficult to explain this in detail at a trade fair, we visited brokerage firms in London, Monaco and the USA in person to present our concept face-to-face. This was very well received and led to some exciting discussions. We came away from these meetings with some additional detailed feedback, which we will take into account for the construction of the first “Aruby 70“ and some layout changes and options. In fact, we have already received several enquiries regarding the construction of the first vessel and are very much looking forward to discussing the details further with the first “Aruby 70“ client.
Interview: Anna Wroblewski
