The latest Y8 marks a decisive step forward for YYachts, evolving the brand’s very first model into a more capable, refined, and future-focused sailing yacht. For this new generation, the shipyard once again joined forces with Surge Projects, the Mallorcan studio led by Javier Jaudenes, known for blending timeless elegance with serious performance credentials.
Compared to its predecessor, the new Y8 features a noticeably broader stern and a mast positioned further aft—changes that significantly enhance its speed potential.
Drawing on extensive research and lessons learned from earlier projects, Jaudenes describes the yacht as the distilled essence of his team’s experience: quick, confidence-inspiring, and exceptionally safe in a wide range of conditions.
Above all, he says, the Y8 is designed to be enjoyable—a yacht that naturally puts its crew in a good mood.
While performance has been sharpened, the Y8 remains unmistakably a YYachts creation, carrying over a suite of brand-defining innovations. These include the transverse stern garage, a self-tacking jib for effortless short-handed sailing, discreet crew access from the cockpit, and a sleek, low-profile deckhouse. Carefully positioned windows flood the interior with natural light while minimizing heat build-up at anchor or underway.
Below deck, the gains are equally tangible. Interior volume has increased by around 20 percent compared to earlier Y8s such as Cool Breeze, Makai, and Vegas Baby, opening the door to a wider range of layout possibilities. Relocating the engine room beneath the saloon floor has lowered the yacht’s center of gravity, improving balance and translating directly into better sailing performance.
YYachts has also confirmed that the first 24-meter Y8 from the new series is now under construction, and it will debut with an advanced hybrid propulsion package from Yanmar. The system combines a conventional diesel engine with an electric drive, allowing owners to select the most appropriate mode for each situation.
In electric “silent mode,” the yacht runs on lithium batteries, delivering near-silent cruising with zero local emissions—free from vibration, exhaust fumes, and engine noise. Charging options are equally flexible, with energy supplied via shore power in port or supplemented by onboard solar panels. The diesel engine is compatible with HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), a renewable fuel capable of significantly reducing CO₂ emissions, and is managed through a modern touch display that provides intuitive control and real-time monitoring of propulsion, energy flow, and battery status.
According to the yard, the Y8 has been conceived for owners who value long-range capability, generous living space, and what it calls “understated elegance.” The exterior lines are clean and purposeful, while the interior is defined by brightness and a calm, contemporary atmosphere. Design and naval architecture are handled by Surge Projects, with interior styling developed by David Thulstrup in collaboration with the YYachts in-house team. Key dimensions include a 6.6-meter beam and a fixed-keel draught of 4.3 meters.
Summing up the philosophy behind the project, YYachts says the hybrid-powered Y8 proves that environmental responsibility and high-end yacht design are not mutually exclusive. Instead, advanced technology, efficient energy use, and timeless aesthetics come together in a sailing yacht that looks firmly toward the future—without sacrificing elegance or performance.
Photo: Yyachts
