40 YEARS
OF INNOVATION
Four Decades of J&J Design's Maritime Innovation
2024
Island Cruising Concept (ICC)
One of 2024’s highlights was Beneteau Group’s Island Cruising Concept (ICC)—a fully electric 45-footer designed for sustainable vacationing in the calm, short-passage waters of the Eastern Mediterranean. Beneteau defined the brief, Lombard Studio supplied the monomaran hull, and J&J delivered the deck and interior design, full engineering (including hybrid-electric systems), tooling, and prototype builds.
Leveraging our extensive experience with Greenline and BMW/Tyde, we created a cost-efficient production-ready system powered by 48-V lithium batteries, dual 10-kW Fisher Panda pods, and a range extender. The deck was prioritized for daytime living; the interior optimized for four cabins.
Two prototypes were tested in Croatia and the Caribbean. One also completed a November offshore passage from Slovenia to Genoa, proving 8-knot sustained cruising under electric power. Both boats ran full charter seasons without technical issues and were well received. The ICC is now in production as the Jeanneau Sea Loft 480.
Aquila Sailing Catamarans
We also began a major new collaboration with Aquila, the global leader in power catamarans, as they enter the sailing market. J&J is developing their first three sailing catamarans (44, 50, and 63 feet), with launches planned from 2026 onward.
Sailing catamarans have now surpassed monohulls in global sales, becoming the only expanding sector in sail. Aquila aims to lead by offering simplicity, comfort, and performance—balancing ease of use with the quality and value their brand is known for. Time will tell how the market responds.
2023
This year, J&J Design contributed to one of the most exciting marine innovations on the water: the TYDE/BMW all-electric foiling boat. With a displacement of over 10 tons and a 13.5-metre hull, it is likely the largest electric foiler currently operating. J&J handled the detailing, engineering, tooling, and construction of the ICON demonstrator, featuring a full-carbon superstructure and extensive use of ultra-light, ultra-strong sandwich glass materials.
Designed by BMW DesignWorks, ICON debuted at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, offering celebrities a silent, wave-free “flying” experience—accompanied only by a bespoke soundtrack from Oscar and Grammy winner Hans Zimmer. The launch drew exceptional global attention, including 2.2 million views on Supercar Blondie’s YouTube channel within a month
J&J’s collaboration with Catana on the new YOT outboard catamaran range also reached major milestones. The first model premiered at the 2023 Cannes Boat Show to enthusiastic reviews, while the upcoming YOT 41 is nearing completion for early-2024 testing.
For Wiszniewsky Yachts, J&J designed the new outboard-powered W43. Built by one of Poland’s leading shipyards—renowned for producing thousands of boats for top global brands—the first W43 was unveiled at Boot Düsseldorf 2024 to strong professional acclaim.
J&J additionally advanced sustainable boating with the Kerkyra 6.5, an electric roto-moulded catamaran made from fully recyclable materials. Built by Slovenia’s Roto, this market-ready model delivers accessible, zero-emission boating at a high manufacturing standard.
2022
This year, J&J Design advanced a wide range of innovative projects while helping shape several new marine brands. Among them was the XO DFNDR 9, the latest addition to the Finnish builder’s rugged aluminium explorer line—each carrying J&J’s design DNA. Versatile and built for all conditions, the 9-metre model impressed both professionals and owners, earning the 2023 UK Boat of the Year award and strong international sales.
The launch of Limitless marked another major achievement. Built in Turkey and tailored for the US market, the brand required top-tier performance, refined design, and a suite of modern comfort features. Its first model, the 45-foot Limitless XLV, delivered on all fronts, becoming a standout success at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. Larger models are now in development, all powered by Mercury’s latest V10 and V12 outboards.
In the fast-growing multihull sector, French builder Catana partnered with J&J to develop its new outboard-powered powercat range, YOT. The first model, the YOT 36, sets the brand’s identity: practical, fast, feature-rich deck layouts paired with comfortable interior spaces—ideal for Mediterranean cruising.
One of the year’s most ambitious undertakings was the start of the TYDE/BMW electric foiling program. Working alongside founders Tobias Hoffritz and Christoph Ballin, J&J contributed design, naval architecture, and composite studies. In 2022, the team built and tested a 13-metre electric foiling monohull in Slovenia, featuring advanced carbon construction, dual forward-facing props, i3 BMW battery systems and Torqeedo 100 kW motors—further refined through extensive flight-control testing with Pixel-sur-Mer technology.
2021
The second model of Saxdor range is the ten meter 320. Her program versatility, splendid performance and seaworthiness combined – and pleasing to the eye – won clients all over the world. Second instant bestseller: the Saxdor 320 found hundreds of buyers within weeks after presentation. The design, naval architecture and engineering came from J&J.
2020
The year started with J&J participation at the Rossinavi design challenge for an innovative 50 m yacht. Our project was called Green Explorer presenting a series of design and technological innovations:
this world girdler carries the ambition of being the most green megayacht on the planet. Equipped with electric Azipod drives, with a Lithium battery bank of over 1 MWh capacity and clean exhaust microturbine generators with no noise or vibration the Green Explorer is exceptionally environment-friendly.
The design features a private full-view owner section forward, an open/closed bridge/steering area and a vast aft deck with easy deployed range of water toys. The project won the Rossinavi Challenge Award.
The year was marked also by the creation of a new powerboat brand which in less than a year became the fastest growing boating company worldwide: Saxdor. First model of this Finnish brand, the 200, is an innovative multi-use family friendly 20 footer, which also won the sympathies of personal watercrafts (sea scooters).
2019
A new mini-cruise ship concept was developed by J&J with a series of innovations. Designed for sensitive (and most beautiful) cruising grounds on the planet the mini-cruise ship can sail in a fully-electric mode and features no-vibration, no-noise and highly reduced emission microturbine generators. Large area photovoltaic roof, 10 modular identical cabins and excellent sea or shore access make this 24 m vessel an ideal vessel to improve the convenience of the guests and the responsible boating aspects.
9 m Elektra is a full-electric zero emission superyacht-tender design. She enables full limousine comfort and planning speed capacity for short ship-shore travels or exploring excursions – with improved no-noise, no-vibration comfort for the guests and full respect for the environment.
2018
10 m Greenline NEO is a new Greenline concept in two aspects : she is outboard-powered and fully electric or optionally propulsed by 4-stroke outboards. Combining fine waterlines and low planing speed drag (for full electric version) with seaworthy high speed capacity for high-power petrol outboards was a new area of naval architecture for J&J.
2017
Ocean Class 65, built by Greenline, set new standards in offshore performance coupled to increased comfort and owner convenience. Debuting in Cannes 2017 Ocean Class 65 represents the flagship of the Greenline range. The S.A.F.E. stern platform for outboard powered boats is a major innovation and improvement of boating safety and experience. The lifting system was developed by our partner Opacmare, and S.A.F.E. was unveiled at METS 2017 in Amsterdam.
The Bavaria R range was enhanced by the new Bavaria flagship: the 17 m R55 was developed and built to be saluted at first presentation in Duesseldorf in January 2018 with 14 sales.
2015
The first design for the largest German builder Bavaria (after 6 years, J&J was sole supplier of design to this yard from 1992 to 2008 with 87 new models in both sail and power arena) is a 40 feet flybridge motoryacht, the first of the new »R« series range. New in production technology, both GRP and assembly, novel in lower and main-deck accommodation and coupled to a sporty, seaworthy hull of superior handling she has all the ingredients for a successful future. The Bavaria R40 was launched in May 2016.
2014
The new Shipman 59, designed jointly with Guillaume Verdier and Doug Peterson (»old« gang working together again…) is a new Shipman in many ways: open full-beam salon with increased hull and side windows, an integrated arch in the cockpit creating a second protected steering station at the companionway, and new epoxy/carbon infusion production technique.
2013
The PRESTIGE 680 is a 21.45-metre flybridge yacht built around light, space and easy movement. With a 5.30 m beam, panoramic saloon glazing and flexible 3–4 cabin layouts (plus crew), she cruises at about 25 knots and tops out at 30. A 350 nm range enable real island hopping, while joystick control keeps docking stress-free. Inside, a bright saloon and galley-aft main deck flow to the cockpit; large hull windows bring daylight to the cabins. The flybridge adds a second openair living room, and the foredeck lounge plus side decks make moving around the boat safe and natural for guests.
2012
Azimut Atlantis 34 and later 43 represent a new era in production technology for the world’s third largest boatbuilder. The full integration of design (supplied by Neo Design and developed by J&J), product and production process engineering (both J&J) brought important reduction of assembly manhours, better value stream, increased quality and shorter order to launch lead time.
2011
Aquila power catamarans conceived by MarineMax in Florida and built by Sino Eagle Yachts in China defined the vacational poweryacht design for families or charter guests. Unsurpassed level of comfort and convenience enabled the sales to fly off the ground and currently the new flagship of the range is on design desk at J&J.
2010
Green Pad® connected all the information of a Greenline yacht , from engine data to hybrid system, batteries, photovoltaic roof or navigational instruments via a GreenBox to an iPad. This simplified the life on board and made the use of a Greenline convenient and fun.
2009
A new range of large motoryachts for the Beneteau Group was opened with the highly acclaimed and awarded Monte Carlo yachts 76 where Nuvolari/Lenard provided the interior and exterior styling. The innovative build and assembly system engineered by J&J took the assembly work out of the hull and shortened the production time in an important way while increasing the quality and reliability – and improving the working conditions.
2008
A new range of environmentally sustainable, comfortable boats of unbeatable convenience and value came to the market right at the onset of the economic crisis: Greenline Hybrid. Greenline 33 Hybrid became world’s best selling 10 m boat on the market and won 21 Boat of the Year or design awards. A range of 4 models was developed and 550 boats were sold to 28 countries.
2004
Skagen 50 was conceived as a compact, long-range “small ship” for experienced owners from both sail and power backgrounds: strong, safe, easy to handle, and comfortable for two couples on extended cruises, with generous fuel and stores. She ran happily at 8,5 kn consuming only 16 l/h, yet could sprint to 25 knots powered by Caterpillar or Yanmar diesel engines. A low center of gravity and a sacrificial keel gave exceptional directional stability; the deck was secure and easy to move around, with simple access to shore, dinghy, and the sea. Being named UK Boat of the Year in 2007, the client demand quickly outpaced production—setting the template for the modern fast trawler.
2002
J&J conceived and designed a new range of carbon deckhouse, shorthanded performance cruisers. High tech materials, 3D design and engineering and new build methods brought carbon technology to production world. Over 50 of those yachts were built. Shipman 50 and 63 have won the European Boat of the Year Award.
1992
The work for Bavaria began in late 1992: J&J was exclusive supplier of concepts, design and engineering of all products, sail and power, made by the yard until 2008. Sales rose close to 3000 % during this period and Bavaria became the world’s most profitable boatbuilder. An efficient mixed-model chain was developed achieving assembly times way under the current industry levels. In 2006 the Bavaria 50 was sold (and produced) 370 times.
1989
Prestige 41 was the first design of a long and successful range of motoryachts created by J&J and Studio Garroni, now approaching 3 decades of life and going stronger than ever.
1988
The first design for the world’s largest sailboat builder, Jeanneau, unsinkable Sun Way 21, became an icon of small boat world, won the Boat of the Year award in Paris and sold close to 1000 times.
1986
Elan 43 came with a new modular interior system where clients could pick the version best suited to their program: from 2 to 4 cabins. The system found broad use throughout the industry and the system was further developed by our office to current status where in addition to layout flexibility most of the work is taken out of the boat during production.
1983
The J&J Design No.1, Elan 31, set a new standard for a comfortable cruising sailboat with good performance. More than 900 were built (together with the extended version, Elan 33) and Elan 31 R won the ¾ Ton IOR world championships in production boat class.