Otam 90 GTS Review (2024 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The Otam 90 GTS is built in Genoa, with production limited to three or four boats a year, each finished to a level well beyond normal production standards. This example works as a chase boat for a superyacht fleet, and that use case drives much of its layout. Otam will build whatever the owner wants, inside and out, and this owner has gone all in on open deck space and social use. The result is a full cockpit layout with no aft doors, no deck saloon, and no compromises on party space.

There is a stern garage sized for a four metre tender, accessed from the transom. Hull and deck are Kevlar, with a carbon fibre hard top to keep weight down. That focus on lightness runs through everything. Even the paint tells a story. The grey topsides colour did not exist before this boat. It was developed by Awlgrip for the owner, with heavy metallic content, and now exists under the name Sexy Me, taken from the boat itself. Titanium rails appear around the deck, chosen for weight, colour, and sheer intent.

Forward, the bow area carries adjustable seating and sunpads that convert between lounging and seating. The table here adjusts in height, and a cabana deploys to shade the space. Hardware quality stands out everywhere, from the hinges to the mechanisms, all heavy duty and built to last. The anchor handling gear sits forward with a concealed windlass, stainless chain, pop-up winches, and retracting cleats that sit flush when not in use. A titanium stem mask wraps down to the waterline to protect the bow during anchoring.

The windscreen is a single piece and heavily sculpted. Carbon fibre appears again in places you would not expect, including wiper arms and fuel filler hinges. Engine air intakes are built into the sides and upper structure, feeding the large engines below. Speakers are spread everywhere across the exterior, wrapping the entire deck in sound.

Side decks lead forward, and escape hatches from the lower cabins vent discreetly onto the foredeck. The overall look has real presence. The owner describes it as an aquatic Bugatti, and standing on the bow, that analogy makes sense.

The interior reflects its role as a chase and party boat rather than a long range cruiser. Accommodation exists, but the focus sits firmly on social space, detail, and finish. Entry from the cockpit leads into a wide, open interior zone with glazing along the sides and a sliding roof above. Alternative layouts exist, including fully open sides, but this owner chose enclosed glass for climate control and comfort.

The helm sits forward under the largest opening roof Otam could fit. Seating wraps across the front of the cockpit, creating a shared driving and social zone. The helm itself is serious kit, with Arneson drive controls, separate trim systems, and a Boning monitoring system. Engine controls are bespoke and unapologetically mechanical. Above, an F1-style halo structure frames the helm. It is air-conditioned to protect the instrumentation from heat and moisture, with visible vents to manage airflow. Carbon fibre trim appears throughout.

Below, the interior palette comes straight from the owner. Wood, bronze, and stone repeat throughout the boat, carried with precision from space to space. A wine cooler and ice maker reinforce the party brief, while dedicated storage holds crockery securely even at speed. Everything is built in place on board so lines align perfectly across panels, doors, and bulkheads.

One entire room is dedicated to the audio system. Servers, amplifiers, and control hardware fill the space, supported by independent air conditioning so the system remains climate controlled even when the rest of the boat is shut down. This area alone underlines the intent. The sound system is closer to a DJ installation than marine audio.

A day head sits forward, alongside more catering storage. Headroom throughout exceeds two metres, another owner requirement, and it shows in how relaxed the spaces feel despite the performance focus.

Owner's Cabin

The aft owner cabin runs the full beam, and it's large and well finished. The layout works well for blasting down the coast, heading ashore for the evening, then sleeping aboard before an early departure.

Control iPads manage systems such as audio and onboard functions. Storage runs along both sides, and the en suite includes a separate shower. The same material palette continues here, with careful alignment of joinery lines and a consistent feel that ties the whole boat together.

Guest Accommodation

Forward of the owner cabin are the guest spaces. The VIP cabin lies forward, with hanging lockers, AV equipment, and a strong sense of finish. As with the rest of the interior, everything is built in situ, with panels and lines lining up precisely from one surface to the next. This level of alignment speaks directly to Otam’s low-volume build approach.

A second guest cabin sits nearby, again with generous headroom and its own en suite. Storage is practical rather than excessive, reflecting the boat’s role.  

Crew Accommodation

Crew accommodation exists in two parts. A small forward crew space provides two berths and a compact head. Further aft, a larger crew zone sits beneath a dual-purpose deck area. This space converts depending on use. In party mode, the floor lifts to create a flat platform where DJ decks can sit, turning the cockpit into a full entertainment zone with overhead speakers and lighting.

In cruising mode, the floor lowers to give access to a crew mess and galley. The galley includes oven, hob, dishwasher, extensive cold storage, and additional lockers. The main crew cabin includes two berths and a separate head with shower. The setup suits a crew of two, which fits how this boat operates alongside larger yachts.

Engine access comes via the cockpit, leading into a properly serious machinery space. Power comes from twin MTU 16V2000 M96L diesels, each rated at 2,600 horsepower. Total output exceeds 5,000 horsepower. Contract speed was 42 knots. On trials, the boat reached 44 knots. Cruising speed sits around 38 knots, with a high-speed range between 340 and 380 miles.

A Seakeeper 26 stabiliser is aft, reinforcing that comfort matters even on a boat built for speed. Drive comes via Arneson ASD15A1S surface drives, running largely out of the water to reduce drag. Shafts, drives, and access around the engines are excellent, with clear walkways and multiple escape routes.

Generators sit outboard, and the tender garage occupies the aft section, sized for the four metre tender. Large air intakes feed the engines from multiple points around the superstructure, essential given the power involved.

Otam builds very few boats each year, and that shapes ownership from day one. Warranty support and servicing centre on the Genoa yard, with specialist work handled either in-house or through approved technicians rather than a wide dealer network. That suits owners already used to superyacht-style support, but it does mean planning ahead for servicing, parts, and downtime, especially with bespoke items like custom paint, audio systems, carbon structures, and titanium hardware.

Since Otam now sits under the Tankoa Yachts umbrella, long-term backing looks stronger than many boutique performance builders, with deeper engineering resources behind the scenes. Even so, this remains a low-volume, highly custom product. Surface drives, high-output MTUs, and specialist materials demand experienced crew and proactive maintenance rather than casual marina fixes. Insurance, resale, and running costs follow the same logic. This boat rewards owners who know exactly what they want and are comfortable managing something built to order rather than off the shelf.

Owners weighing alternatives in this space would also look closely at the Pershing 8X for its blend of speed and production polish, or the Riva 90' Argo, though its brief leans further toward cruising than pure chase-boat use.

It is easy to argue that the money could buy something bigger, with more cabins or longer range. That misses the point. Buyers of the Otam 90 GTS want something built exactly for their purpose, with near one-off levels of detail, materials, and performance. This boat delivers speed well into the mid-forties, comfort at rest, and a level of craftsmanship that comes from building only a handful of boats each year.

The Bugatti comparison fits. Other cars may offer more seats or similar pace, but very few combine presence, intent, and execution in quite this way. For owners who want the best version of exactly this idea, the Otam 90 GTS sits in a very small club.