Salt Yachts: The Down Under day boat with its sights set on Cannes

Salt Yachts A44 © Salt Yachts

Craig Lindsay © Salt Yachts

Australian semi-custom yacht builder, Salt Yachts will make its brand debut at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival in September, aiming to stand out from the competition as the extension of the superyacht experience.

Salt Yachts was formed to "redefine the luxury dayboat and performance chase boat category".

Designed by superyacht captain, Craig Lindsay and built to Australia's rigorous Commercial Vessel Standards, the first concept from Salt Yachts, known as the A44, is a 44-foot/13.53-metre motor yacht with a generous 4-metre beam that combines offshore performance with cutting-edge design.

At the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival, Craig will present a preview of the Salt Yachts A44 ahead of its launch — a design that has already attracted strong interest from early buyers.

Craig has worked in the yachting industry for two decades and has helmed a vast range of vessels in the Mediterranean and Australia. For the Salt Yachts A44 project, he has applied his experience as a captain and owner's representative on new builds and refits to develop a model that blends the best attributes of day boats and support craft in one platform.

"I wanted to design the ultimate superyacht chase boat that is in full commercial survey that would appeal equally to the recreational market as a high-end day boat," he explained.

"After many years at the wheel of European day boats and examining the market in detail, I found that some parts of their designs worked, while others were impractical. So, I drew on the luxury features and practical functions of the models in this segment for inspiration for the Salt Yachts A44."

The trend towards Mediterranean-style day boats has gained traction in key yachting grounds, including Australia.

Based on Queensland's Gold Coast, the Australian boat building and refit hub where he is currently offering Superyacht Refit Management & Relief Captain Services, Craig has observed a new wave of younger owners looking for a different style of vessel.

"There is a definite transition from overnight boating, where accommodation space and interior volume is the priority, to day boating, involving groups of friends onboard with plenty of comfortable seating, a burst of speed between anchorages, watertoys on board - all with hassle-free entertainment and catering, while still having the ability to accommodate owners overnight or for the weekend.

To render his vision of the ideal superyacht chase/day boat, Craig started the process with naval architect Peter Hogbin of Aurora Marine Design to get an appreciation of the Commercial Rules the vessel would need to conform to, and how to incorporate these standards into the design concept he had in mind.

Once the initial hull and layout were decided, Craig then worked in collaboration with Superyacht Designer, Misha Merzliakov to undertake a thorough assessment of the vessel and refine the details.

With his 20 years' experience from designing vessels up to 120-metres and prior experience working on yacht refits with Craig, Misha embraced the challenge.

The Salt Yachts A44 took on a bespoke identity as every detail was carefully considered by the pair; a perfect blend of practicality from Craig and superyacht aesthetics from Misha.

"It has been a three-year process," Craig continued. "I have worked with designers, superyacht owners, shipwrights, material suppliers and other specialists to hone the various aspects of the design and functionality.

"We believe the Salt A44 will capture the imaginations of a new generation of owners looking for aesthetics, practicality and performance."

The advanced hull design features a flared plumb bow and tumblehome aft, combined with a hard chined warped plane hull for superior ride comfort, reduced spray, and confident handling even in offshore or choppy conditions. Twin shaft drive propulsion with recessed tunnel-mounted props ensures efficient performance and shallow water capability.

Crafted with clean lines and a minimalist, architectural aesthetic, the Salt Yachts A44 embodies Australian style: bold, confident and connected to the water.

Topside, the Salt Yachts A44 impresses with its carbon fibre hardtop with sunroof, spacious aft deck and swim platform, a generously protected main seating area, and an inviting bow lounge accessible via the saloon - perfect for entertaining or unwinding in style.

Below deck, the Salt Yachts A44 boasts a fully equipped galley, enclosed shower and toilet, and luxurious accommodation for up to four guests in air-conditioned comfort, all finished with premium materials and refined detailing.

At the helm, the skipper enjoys unobstructed visibility and total control, supported by a suite of state-of-the-art systems including a concealed auto-deploy anchor, gyro stabilisation, an auto-deploy stern ladder, underwater lighting, bow and stern thrusters, and multiple joystick control stations delivering unmatched handling precision even in tight marinas.

With its shallow operational draft of under 1m, the Salt Yachts A44 is the go-anywhere adventure craft that will deliver guests right onto the beach. As an offshore-capable, commercial vessel, it will be built to rigorous Australian AMSA Survey for 2C (12 guests + 2 crew) and 1E (18 guests + 2 crew) - which is CE Category B equivalent for Europe.

Construction using the DuFLEX composite panel system will make the Salt A44 light, strong and durable, as well as considerably cutting down build time, which Craig estimates will be under one year.

Craig has selected an exceptional team of tradespeople, including Mark Wise, director at Wise Boatbuilding, who he has worked closely with for over a decade. A custom builder and refit specialist, Mark is a third-generation boat builder whose family history goes back to the 1920s specialising in Moreton Bay cruisers from their slipway on Breakfast Creek, Brisbane.

Today based at Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, within the Gold Coast Marine Precinct - the largest of its kind the southern hemisphere, Mark leads a talented team of shipwrights, interiors and superyacht finishing experts.

Designed as a twin shaft drive motor yacht, the Salt Yachts A44 is specified with Yanmar engines starting at 485hp up to 550hp, or can accommodate an owner's preference of engine brand.

"We are also currently exploring a hybrid option which would enable silent cruising at 8 knots. The boat will be fully run on batteries using Safiery, an Australia tech brand, and not require a generator for silent, fume-free mooring and swimming.

Unveiling this Australian-designed (and made) luxury motor yacht in Cannes is a large leap of faith and a logical decision, according to Craig.

"The Cannes Yachting Festival is Europe's premier on-water show. It attracts the latest brands and buyers from around the world. It makes sense to launch the Salt Yachts A44 concept in that environment, among competitors in its segment where we can show yachting enthusiasts what differentiates our boat from the rest.

"The Salt Yachts A44 aims to set a new benchmark for superyacht tenders and day boats. Cannes is the perfect backdrop."

Among 640 exhibitors at this year's show, this ambitious, yet easy-going superyacht captain will wave the flag for Aussie ingenuity with a stand in the Palais des Festivals comprising sophisticated AV presentation, CAD renders and to-scale model.

He aims to connect with his international network and visitors to the show with one resounding message: "Salt yachts A44 is more than a yacht tender - it's the extension of the superyacht experience, designed for both high-performance and the ultimate in comfort. It's the total compact superyacht package."

At the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025, Salt Yachts will be located inside the Palais De Festivals at Stand PALAIS055.

www.saltyachts.com.au