Keel Laid for 48m Custom Baglietto Explorer Yacht Ahead of 2028 Delivery

A global cruising ambition takes shape

First unveiled at the 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the fully custom project was commissioned around the owner's ambition to explore destinations worldwide. Built with a displacement steel hull and aluminium superstructure, the yacht has been designed for Ice Class 1D certification, supporting navigation in high-latitude waters. The milestone marks the transition into construction following an extensive design and engineering phase.

While the custom yacht has been engineered for demanding cruising conditions, its onboard arrangement places equal importance on guest comfort and access to the surrounding environment. A panoramic main-deck saloon enclosed by 360-degree glazing will offer uninterrupted views, complemented by transparent staircases connecting the decks. Interiors by Satura Studio will incorporate warm, natural materials, while the positioning of the engine room on an under-lower deck allows for an uninterrupted lower-deck layout. Outside, the yacht will feature a sundeck and beach club, providing dedicated spaces for relaxation during extended voyages.

One of the motor yacht's defining features is a custom launching system designed to accommodate a 10m tender. Developed in collaboration with Besenzoni, the arrangement takes inspiration from the hauling equipment used by Italian shipyards between the 1940s and 1960s. A retractable platform will allow the tender to be lowered directly into the water and safely recovered, providing a practical solution for an owner planning to cruise in remote destinations. The system forms part of a wider design approach focused on making the yacht suitable for extended periods at sea.

Powered by four Volvo Penta diesel engines connected to a pod propulsion system, the 48m explorer yacht will have a cruising speed of 10 knots and a transatlantic range of 5,000 nautical miles. The yacht will incorporate Volvo Penta's IPS Professional Platform, featuring dual power input technology and an Eco Mode that automatically optimises engine operation according to cruising conditions.

The latest keel laying adds to Baglietto's expanding construction portfolio, with 24 yachts currently under construction or on order, according to YachtBuyer MarketWatch.

Among the builder's notable deliveries is the 55m custom superyacht C, delivered in 2021 with exterior design by Horacio Bozzo and interiors by Hot Lab. Built entirely in aluminium, the yacht was developed for family cruising, with an infinity plunge pool, a large beach club, gym and sauna, alongside a 4,500nm cruising range.