Life Looks Better on the Adriatic Aboard ZATARA II
Walking through the yachts at the 2026 Croatia Yacht Show (CROYA), our team saw plenty of beautiful boats. ZATARA II caught our attention for the way she brings people together. This 27.6-meter Sanlorenzo SL90A was our favorite motor yacht under 30 meters, thanks to her generous outdoor spaces and inviting layout. She immediately brings to mind slow afternoons on the Adriatic, good company, and nowhere else you need to be. Croatia lends itself to these wonderfully unhurried days, and ZATARA II offers an inviting way to enjoy them.
An Open Invitation to Enjoy Croatia
When we saw ZATARA II at the 2026 Croatia Yacht Show, her exterior made a memorable first impression. Her long, clean lines and distinctive asymmetric design give her a contemporary profile, while expansive windows bring a sense of openness to her overall look. Elegant yet understated, she feels right at home against Croatia’s sparkling blue waters.
Sun-Lovers’ Favorite Spots on ZATARA II
ZATARA II makes it easy to settle into life at sea. Her asymmetric design creates a wonderful sense of space that offer plenty of room to soak up the Croatian sunshine. The flybridge is a highlight, with an open lounge and an elevated sunbathing area where guests can relax together and enjoy sweeping views of the Adriatic. Direct access from the flybridge to the bow sunbathing area makes it easy to move between sunny spots, while the aft deck offers another welcoming setting for drinks and conversation. Whether you’re catching some sun or gathering with friends, ZATARA II gives everyone room to enjoy the moment.
Live in the Moment Aboard ZATARA II
After a day exploring the coast, retreat to ZATARA II’s contemporary interior. She accommodates 8 guests across 4 cabins, including a full-beam master suite on the main deck. With Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik among her charter locations, she offers an inviting starting point for discovering Croatia’s historic waterfronts, island villages, and turquoise swimming spots.
Lionel Messi is adding another yacht to his fleet, and this one is a real head-turner. The football star’s new Sunreef ULTIMA 88 power catamaran is now under construction and will soon bring a new level of luxury to his Balearic yacht charter offerings.
The ULTIMA 88, to be called the MIM OCEAN 10, will join Messi’s existing fleet of three Bali catamarans: the MIM OCEAN 1,MIM OCEAN 2, and MIM OCEAN 3. These smaller multihulls already cruise the stunning Balearics, letting guests explore the Spanish islands from the comfort of a private yacht.
The ULTIMA 88 will become the first Sunreef yacht in Messi’s MIM OCEAN fleet, marking an exciting addition to his growing yachting venture. Messi has also expressed his enthusiasm for the yacht’s design and features, particularly the opportunity to spend time aboard with his family.
A Peek Inside Lionel Messi’s New Yacht
The MIM OCEAN 10 puts a fresh spin on the classic catamaran. Her sleek, sporty exterior has the look of a power yacht, while the multihull design offers plenty of room to spread out. A shallow draft also makes it well suited to exploring the Balearics, including the quieter coves around Mallorca and Ibiza.
There will be plenty of space to enjoy the sunshine outdoors, while the aft area is designed to bring guests closer to the water, with a dedicated jet ski garage. Inside, the yacht is expected to feature 5 luxurious cabins, including a full-beam owner’s suite. With its sleek design and generous space throughout, the ULTIMA 88 is shaping up to be an exceptional yacht for exploring the Mediterranean.
Why Charter the MIM OCEAN 10 in the Balearics, Spain?
There’s something special about exploring Spain by yacht. You can spend the morning anchored off a quiet cove in Mallorca, then cruise towards Ibiza for an evening ashore. With the Balearics’ beautiful coastline just beyond your deck, the journey becomes part of the holiday. The upcoming Sunreef ULTIMA 88 looks set to take that experience up a notch. With its striking design and next-level luxury, it’s one to keep an eye on if you’re dreaming of a Spanish yacht charter.
Can’t wait for MIM OCEAN 10? You can still get a taste of the Balearic lifestyle aboard the smaller catamarans in Messi’s existing MIM OCEAN fleet. They’re a great way to explore the islands while we wait for this gorgeous new Sunreef to make its debut. Get in touch with Boatbookings’ charter experts to reserve your stay on the new boat or explore your options, and start planning your own Spanish yacht escape.
Unveil Every Shade of Croatia on the Bali 5.8 FARBEN
The deep blue of the Adriatic Sea, the turquoise waters of hidden coves, the lush green trails winding through its islands, and the golden hues of a Dalmatian sunset. Croatia has every color imaginable, and there’s no better way to discover them than aboard the Bali 5.8 luxury crewed catamaran FARBEN.
Some of our charter experts recently stepped aboard this stellar catamaran at the 2026 Croatia Yacht Show (CROYA). The experience only cemented what we already knew: FARBEN is a fantastic way to explore Croatian waters, earning her this week’s coveted title of Boatbookings’ favorite boat. At nearly 18 meters long, with 4 ensuite cabins and a spacious bow area, this Bali 5.8 offers plenty of room to discover Croatia in comfort. It’s an apt choice of name, too; FARBEN means “colors” in German.
A Colorful Welcome Aboard FARBEN
Our chat with the energetic crew reassured us that our guests would be in great hands. The captain was born and raised in Split, while the chef took home the top spot at the 2026 CROYA Chef Competition. Both gave us a real sense of how much they want to share their homeland with guests, whether through the yachting itinerary, hiking and other activities ashore, or the food served at the dinner table.
Our walkthrough revealed a warm and inviting interior, with panoramic windows surrounding the main salon, cozy cabins, and an impressive master suite. But what really won us over was the spacious foredeck, which combines sunbathing, lounging, and dining areas, all finished with warm teak and plush cushions. We could easily imagine whiling away the hours here as FARBEN cruises from one Adriatic destination to the next.
Why FARBEN Is the Yacht to Choose for Croatia
FARBEN is one of those yachts where everything comes together beautifully. With the relaxed luxury of a catamaran and a crew who know and love what they do, she was an easy pick for this week’s favorite.
The trend toward electrifying yachts is accelerating and will bring huge benefits to charterers, including lower cost, less pollution, and quieter cruising
If you’ve been around boats, you know the sound and smell of diesel engines. They are almost synonymous with yachting. But while diesel engines and generators are currently the norm, electification is beginning to change the yachting industry for the benefit of us all.
Electrification is no longer a niche idea. From hybrid propulsion systems to fully electric yachts, nearly all yacht manufacturers are actively developing electrified yachts. This is in response to dramatic technology and cost improvements and the acknowledgement that electification will bring huge benefits to yachting: lower cost, less pollution, reduced noise and vibration, and more torque when needed. And, importantly, you can now cruise quietly and avoid hearing the roar of generators all night if you want air conditioning!
The Sunreef ECO 80
What Is Yacht Electrification?
Yacht electrification refers to electric propulsion and onboard energy systems (including solar panels and battery packs) that ultimately will replace traditional diesel engines and generators. This can take several forms:
Hybrid yachts use diesel generators to drive electric propulsion motors, often complemented by solar panels and battery storage. This setup allows for fully emissions-free operation within battery range, while still offering the extended cruising capability of a traditional diesel yacht. Electric motors also deliver instant torque, improving maneuverability, particularly at low speeds and in tight marinas.
Fully-electric yachts, powered entirely by batteries, solar, and wind. Technically, some fully electric yachts can cruise forever without using a drop of diesel.
Electric onboard systems, such as air conditioning, hair dryers, and other onboard electronics that are powered by batteries and renewable sources, as opposed to diesel generators
All of these reduce fuel consumption, emissions, noise, and operating costs while improving the onboard experience.
A Sunreef Catamaran quietly under motor
One of the most immediate benefits of electric propulsion is silence.
Electric motors provide:
Near-noiseless cruising
Reduced vibration
A more peaceful onboard environment
Guests notice the difference instantly, as they can speak normally and hear nature while cruising. It also provides benefits at anchor, where generator noise has long been a key issue aboard traditional yachts. You can again hear the gentle sound of water lapping against the boat while sleeping in your cool cabin!
The Current Status of Yacht Electrification
While electrification is advancing quickly, the industry is still in its early stages. Market Reports World reports that in 2024, about 18% of newly chartered yachts were electric or hybrid-powered, up from 11% in 2022. While we don’t have data yet for 2025, our visits to yacht shows, such as the Monaco Yacht Show, make it clear that the industry is moving quickly in this direction, for all of the benefits mentioned above.
At present, most electric yachts are hybrids. This reflects the reality of current battery limitations, especially for long-range cruising. Battery technology is advancing rapidly, however, and solid-state batteries are just around the corner and expected to be in mass production in 2027. These batteries will double the range of electric yachts, improve charging time, and greatly reduce the risk of fire. Look for many more electric yachts when solid-state batteries are plentiful.
A Silent Yachts Power Catamaran
Fully Electric Yachts Are Available NOW
Boatbookings features several all-electric charter yachts, including SILENT DREAM and 100% from the industry-leading Silent Yachts line. Sunreef Yachts, renowned for its luxury sailing and power catamarans, has launched its innovative ECO series, which can cruise without diesel thanks to solar panels seamlessly built into much of the yacht’s exterior, paired with electric motors and large battery storage. Voyage Yachting also offers fully electrified catamarans, including the sleek Voyage Electric 480.
Soel Yachts also offers an all-electric power catamaran, and superyacht leaders, including Benetti Group and Lurssen, offer hybrid propulsion options that provide fully-electric operation when needed. Electrification is impacting all types of yachts, and new options are arising, including hydrofoils, that cruise with incredible smoothness. Please see our selection of electric yachts available for charter here.
What This Means for Yacht Charter Clients
For charter guests, electrification brings a new kind of luxury:
Cleaner, quieter cruising
Silent nights at anchor
A modern, forward-thinking yachting experience
Lower fuel costs
As more hybrid and electric yachts enter our charter fleet, sustainability will become an increasingly visible part of luxury charters.
Think Electric for your next charter!
Boatbookings is proud to be a leader in sustainable yachting since our founding in 2006! We have a wide variety of electrified yachts available for charter, and we will be happy to recommend the right one for your next charter. Please contact us to find the electric yacht that’s right for your needs.
Boatbookings Charter Experts are in constant contact with captains, boat owners and clients all over the world. We got together recently to discuss trends in the yachting business that we’re seeing for 2026. Here are the headlines!
More, bigger, quieter, cleaner catamarans and motor catamarans
This is not a new trend, but it shows no signs of slowing. People love catamarans! They are more fuel-efficient, rock less (helps prevent seasickness), can sail in shallow waters, have comfortable living spaces, cabins, and galleys, and generally provide for a superb charter. When Boatbookings was founded 20 years ago, catamarans were the exception, and sailing yachts were the rule. This has completely reversed itself.
As we’ve previously written, we love the Bali catamarans for their easy access to the foredeck, inside/outside salon, quality finishings, and overall fabulous experience. More about the advantages of Bali Catamarans.
Motor cats.Powered Catamarans are everywhere, and no longer look like a catamaran that is missing its mast! We have Power Cats in every key port, offering comfort, luxury, fuel efficiency, and quick, easy cruising to your destination.
And the catamarans are getting bigger! We’re seeing many more 50-60 foot cats in all ports, normally by Lagoon or Bali. Each foot of additional length effectively provides triple the added space, as it’s a three-dimensional boat. You won’t believe the difference in useable space between a 45- and 50-foot catamaran! We also see a lot more 70- and even 80-foot catamarans, specifically from famed luxury catamaran builder Sunreef. These truly are superyachts in catamaran form. Discover our top-rated Sunfeef yachts.
The beginning of the end of noisy, smelly generators and diesel motors
Propulsion and electrical systems of yachts of all sizes are undergoing a silent revolution. Instead of the diesel-powered props that have been standard in nearly all yachts for the past 100 years, newly installed motors are increasingly electric. They have much greater torque and are far quieter.
These motors need to be powered by electricity, of course. Increasingly that electricity comes from solar panels, wind turbines, and propellers that act as turbines when you’re sailing. This electricity is then stored in on-board batteries that have come down dramatically in price over the past 10 years. These boats normally have a backup generator, but often it doesn’t need to be used at all, making the boat completely self-sufficient and zero-emissions! No more coughing from the fumes when you’re snorkeling around the boat.
We’re beginning to see yachts that have enough battery capacity to run the air conditioning through the night, so the noise and rumble of the generator are completely eliminated. Bliss!
The constant search for unique, unspoiled, charter destinations
While the French Riviera, Alamfi Coast, Greek Islands, and the BVI never disappoint, we’re seeing increasing demand for more exotic locations. Our top new recommendation is Raja Ampat, for its extraordinary diving, unspoiled islands, and unique culture. We also continue to see increased interest in Tahiti/Bora Bora, which is a convenient, direct 8-hour flight from LA or San Francisco.
More updates coming soon – please contact us if you’re interested in any of the above destinations or yachts!
