Established in 1945, the Cantieri di Pisa shipyard has ridden the history of yachting for nearly eight decades. It rose to fame in the 1960s when it introduced a series of motor yachts named after the stars in the Eridanus constellation, yachts with an inimitable style that became wildly successful and cemented the yard’s reputation. Notable among them were the Polaris and Super Polaris cruisers, two of the most prestigious luxury boats of the Dolce Vita era and a historical symbol of Italian yachting.

The two classic Polaris have now inspired the creation of a new series of steel and aluminum yachts that bear the same name and are characterized by high versatility. The yacht builder has just revealed renders of the first model in this new line – the Polaris 48, an avant-garde vessel designed for long-range cruising and optimized for low fuel consumption.

Aimed at modern yachtsmen who want to enjoy both luxury travel and worldwide exploration, the 157-foot (48-meter) Polaris 48 boasts an impressive beam of nearly 30 feet (9 meters) and integrates all the comforts needed for long-distance cruising, including spacious exteriors with multifunctional terraces, luxury amenities, and ample storage space to support extended voyages.

According to the yard, the new vessel “has been designed so that the size of the external environments allows the creation of large, convivial and multifunctional terraces overlooking the sea, hosting various amenities to discover unreachable bays and loading suitable stowage to long stays on board.”

Fresh from a company-wide rebranding after Enrico Gennasio’s industrial group Alfagomma took over the historic brand in 2021, Cantieri di Pisa is focusing on improving the efficiency of its boats for greater speed and more efficient fuel consumption.

As such, the new yacht will have what Cantieri di Pisa calls an Eco High Power Hull (EHPH) – a displacement hull designed with extra emphasis on lowering fuel consumption and maximizing range. Powered by a pair of 1,650 hp V12 MAN engines, Polaris 48 will offer seafarers a range of around 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km) at ten knots and a top speed of 16 knots. Moreover, the shipyard is also exploring hybrid propulsion for the new line.

Antonio Luxardo, Cantieri’s chief designer, will sign the exterior lines of the new yacht, while Optima Design will be responsible for naval engineering. As for the interior design, the Parisotto+Formenton studio was entrusted to style the living quarters of this first unit.

One of the highlights of the design is the fact that it has two generous open deck areas aft that allow for a deep connection to the surrounding water and make the most of anchorages. A total of about 1,615 square feet (150 square meters) of flexible space can be configured for waterside relaxation.

The upper deck is designed for lounging and socializing, with plenty of space for loose furniture like couches, chaise longues, and sun pads that can easily be moved around and configured as the owner desires. The aft main deck, meanwhile, boasts openings on all sides and can be fitted with a jacuzzi. What’s more, gunwales fold out to extend the relaxation space, and the area can also serve as a generous tender garage, with enough room to stow three tenders, including a 26-footer (8-meter) and two PWCs.

As for the interior configuration, Polaris 48’s main deck spans 2,150 square feet (200 square meters), and apart from a luxurious convivial space, it also houses the owner’s master suite and a VIP cabin. Four additional guest staterooms and separate living quarters for eight crew members are located on the lower deck. However, the accommodation layout is flexible to suit the owner’s needs.

The spacious upper deck includes a formal dining area amidships and a bar, plus the large terrace at the stern that allows for uninterrupted sea views. Two stairways from the open terrace lead down to the beach area.

For the interior spaces, design studio Parisotto + Formenton focused on creating a modern look but drew inspiration from the shipyard’s historic Akhir line, especially in terms of materials used, which include pickled teak, carbon fiber, bronze, glass, and brass. The large open spaces are filled with natural light thanks to the extensive glazing, and a neutral color palette of brown and white creates a warm atmosphere.

The revived Polaris line marks a new era for the Pisa-based yard, and according to plans announced by the company, the Polaris 48 will be followed by Polaris 38 and Super Polaris 60 models. “The new line is made up of boats of different types and materials compared to the brand’s historical production but with immediately recognizable lines that tap into its traditional values,” commented Antonio Luxardo.