Fourth launch in four months highlights CdM’s sustained production pace and growing success in the explorer yacht segment.
Cantiere delle Marche has celebrated the launch of Ammonite, the latest Nauta Air 110 explorer yacht and the shipyard’s fourth launch in just four months, underscoring the company’s exceptional momentum and unwavering commitment to delivering world-class explorer yachts. Ammonite is part of the Nauta Air series, developed in close collaboration with Nauta Design for experienced owners seeking a refined explorer yacht that combines timeless aesthetics with genuine long-range cruising capabilities. The series is defined by its clean, uncluttered design, where form and function exist in perfect balance.
Behind her elegant profile lies a robust steel hull and highly dependable engineering systems, ensuring safe, comfortable, and confident navigation to even the world’s most remote destinations. Designed from the outset as a true oceangoing explorer, Ammonite offers the reliability, autonomy, and seaworthiness that have become hallmarks of Cantiere delle Marche.
Both the exterior and interior have been designed by Nauta Design, creating a seamless and cohesive design language throughout the yacht. This approach delivers a harmonious blend of style, functionality, and comfort, defining Ammonite‘s distinctive character. Naval architecture and engineering have been developed by Hydro Tec, whose expertise ensures efficiency, performance, and seakeeping.
“We are particularly thrilled to announce the launch of this yacht because the Owner of the Nauta Air 110 Ammonite is Marcus Blackmore who, apart from being a visionary entrepreneur and benefactor, is a true sailor and explorer himself,” says Vasco Buonpensiere, co-founder and CEO of Cantiere delle Marche. “Together with his wife, Caroline, he has spent decades competing at the highest levels of international sailing, racing and cruising aboard three Southern Wind yachts, all bearing the name Ammonite. Their adventures have taken them across some of the world’s most remote and untouched cruising grounds, including the far-flung archipelagos of the Pacific Ocean, where a true appreciation for reliability, self-sufficiency, and seamanship is essential. From day one, the partnership between CdM and the Blackmores felt like a natural fit, built on a shared vision and a like-minded approach to life at sea.”
The project also marks another collaboration between Nauta Design and Marcus and Caroline Blackmore, following the sailing yachts the studio previously designed for the experienced yachtsmen.
“Working with Marcus and Caroline Blackmore again has been particularly rewarding for us,” says Guido Valtorta, Nauta Design co-Director. “Over the years, we have developed a relationship based on a shared appreciation for timeless design, functionality, and a genuine passion for life at sea. Their extensive sailing experience and refined aesthetic sensibility always bring depth and purpose to the design process.”
“With the Nauta Air 110 Ammonite, we wanted to preserve the spirit and elegance of the sailing yachts we designed for them while embracing the capabilities of a contemporary explorer yacht. The result is a vessel conceived for long-range cruising, yet one that remains closely connected to nature and to the timeless values of yachting.” “For the interiors, Marcus and Caroline provided very precise references. In general, they asked for spaces combining elegance with exceptional roominess. While the generous volumes of the Nauta Air 110 platform naturally provide an abundance of space, elegance has been achieved through a warm, welcoming and fresh ‘beach house’ atmosphere, featuring natural materials, soft textures and understated detailing. Their brief resonated strongly with both their own experience and our long-standing background in sailing yacht design, where an intimate connection with the surrounding natural environment is always a defining element.”
Ammonite in short
The following data will help you form a clear understanding of the key characteristics of Ammonite, of her generous volume, dimensions, and equipment that make her a true oceangoing explorer yacht.
- Exterior design
Nauta Design - Interior design
Nauta Design - Naval architecture & engineering
Hydro Tec - Length overall
33.07m - Length at waterline
29.63m - Beam
7.55m - Draught (full load)
2.35m - Displacement (full load)
250t - Fuel tanks
42 970 litres - Fresh water
6 480 litres - Black/grey water
8 400 litres - Engines
2 x Caterpillar C18 Acert IMO TIER III 533kW - Generators
2 x 57kW Nanni Energy - Max speed
13 knots - Range
at 10 knots 4 000nm - Accommodation
Owners & guests 10 (+2 pullman berths) in 5 cabins, Crew 5 in 3 cabins
With the launch of Ammonite, Cantiere delle Marche once again demonstrates its leadership in the explorer yacht market, delivering yachts that combine robust engineering, long-range capability and refined Italian design. Conceived around the experience of owners who have spent a lifetime exploring the world’s oceans under sail, Ammonite represents a seamless blend of expedition capability, understated elegance and authentic seafaring spirit.
