Inside Benetti Livorno: 150 Years of Italian Yacht building Excellence

Few names in yachting carry the weight and heritage of Benetti. Founded in 1873, the yard celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, a milestone that underscores not just longevity, but a reputation built on delivering some of the most recognizable superyachts on the water.

A Storied Legacy, A Modern Vision

During our visit to Benetti’s vast Livorno facility, we were welcomed by Australian and New Zealand Sales Manager Matthew Walford, who walked us through the shipyard’s history and evolution. His presentation highlighted Benetti’s ability to stay at the forefront of innovation while maintaining the hallmarks of Italian craftsmanship that have defined the brand for a century and a half.

The showroom itself sets the tone: detailed scale models, immersive displays, and a narrative that connects Benetti’s past to its future. Among the highlights were introductions to the new B. Loft 58 and 65 concepts, fresh interpretations of sustainable long range cruising, and the evolution of the Oasis 42, a design first unveiled at Cannes 2025 that builds upon the global success of the Oasis 40.

Precision and Scale in Action

Walking the production halls at Livorno reveals just how meticulously the yard operates. For a steel and aluminum shipyard, the first impression is how remarkably clean and organized the spaces are. Every shed is laid out with precision, reflecting processes refined over 150 years.

During our visit, the sheds were alive with activity, housing multiple hulls from the highly popular B.Now series, Benetti’s fast track custom line that has become a favorite for owners seeking proven designs with personalized layouts. The ability to manage so many complex builds simultaneously, while maintaining such order and cleanliness, speaks volumes about Benetti’s organizational mastery.

Beyond New Builds: A World Class Refit Division

What many do not realize is that Benetti also operates a dedicated refit yard within the Livorno complex through its subsidiary Lusben. This side of the business is less publicized but equally impressive. With its own dedicated sheds and technical teams, Lusben offers owners the ability to modernize, upgrade, or extend the life of their yachts within the same infrastructure and quality systems that serve new builds.

For clients, this means Benetti is not only a builder but also a long term partner, capable of supporting their yacht throughout its lifetime.

Why It Matters?

Benetti’s strength lies in its balance: the heritage and craftsmanship of a 150 year old shipyard, combined with a modern, forward looking approach to yacht design and production. From the innovative Oasis and B.Yond series to a refit capability that ensures continuity of care, the Livorno yard embodies experience, organization, and vision.

At Ahoy Club, visiting facilities like Benetti allows us to deepen relationships with the teams who will be responsible for our clients’ projects. More importantly, it gives us the insight and confidence to guide new build and refit clients toward the solutions that best fit their needs.

Next Steps

Whether you are considering a new build or a refit, Benetti offers a rare combination of heritage and innovation. To learn more about how Ahoy Club works with owners throughout the process, Get in touch with a member of the team