Revealed at the show’s Design & Innovation Hub, the project draws on the legacy of the Naumachos 82 while reinterpreting the “pocket explorer” for a new generation of yacht owners.
A Heritage Revisited
When Hydro Tec launched the Naumachos 82 in the mid-2000s, it disrupted expectations by presenting a yacht with long-range autonomy in a compact format. That approach became a reference point for the emerging explorer market. With Vagrant, Sergio Cutolo, founder and president of Hydro Tec, wanted to carry that same spirit forward into the present day.
With Vagrant we celebrate not only our thirty-year history, but also the enduring legacy of the pocket explorer."
Founder and President
Hydro Tec
Sergio Cutolo partnered with designer Arthur Colle to ensure Vagrant spoke to a younger wave of clients entering the explorer market. Colle highlighted three guiding principles behind the project: reintroducing defining features such as the funnel, shaping a superyacht suitable for all generations, and carrying forward Hydro Tec’s design DNA. Together, their collaboration aimed to create a concept that looks to the future while honoring the past.
A Central Funnel Reimagined
One of the most striking aspects of Vagrant is its central funnel. Originally a technical necessity, it has been reinterpreted as a defining architectural and stylistic feature. Colle explained how the team embraced its scale: “The funnel was too big, too bulky, and we didn’t really know what to do with it. But instead of shying away, we turned it into something integral. It became the staircase, the crow’s nest, the bar, and ultimately a part of the structural design.”
This approach reduced the load on lateral supports, enabling the main deck saloon on board the explorer yacht to open up with floor-to-ceiling glazing and sliding doors that dissolve the boundary between interior and exterior. The result is a sense of continuity between spaces, with panoramic views forming part of the overall experience.
While modern in execution, Vagrant carries design references from earlier eras. Symmetry and a gentleman-style helm station nod to maritime traditions, while exposed engine air intakes and other detailing draw on 1970s retro-futurism. The mix reinforces Hydro Tec’s approach of balancing heritage with forward-looking creativity.
Interior and Lifestyle Spaces
Inside, the motor yacht adopts an open-plan layout with flexible furniture and features designed for adaptability. The main saloon emphasizes informality, with wide sightlines and a wine cellar tucked below the staircase. Above, the upper deck is imagined as a multipurpose “social and wellness club” that can serve as a gym, dining space, or lounge. This flexibility underscores the project’s intention to meet varied lifestyle needs within a compact explorer format.
From a technical perspective, Hydro Tec has proposed a conventional diesel propulsion system, with hybrid integration available if specified by the owner. Vagrant’s dimensions include a length of 35 meters, a beam of 7.6 meters, and a draft just under 2.99 meters to comply with regulatory limits. Performance is oriented toward efficiency, with a projected top speed of around 13 knots rather than emphasis on outright speed.
By revisiting the compact explorer idea with contemporary design language and adaptable spaces, Hydro Tec has positioned Vagrant as both a nod to its past and a potential marker of where the segment is headed. While the yacht remains at concept stage, its presentation in Monaco reinforced the studio’s continuing role in shaping the form and function of yachts built for adventure.
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