On 11 July 2026, the Tankoa Yachts shipyard launched the motor yacht ‘Spirit’ in Genoa. ‘Spirit’ was built under the project designation T52 Vitruvius. The 52-metre-long one-off yacht has now been launched in Genoa. The ceremony took place in the presence of the owners, invited guests and shipyard staff. In keeping with tradition, a clergyman blessed the vessel before the godmother smashed the champagne bottle.
Design and layout of the Tankoa
The London-based firm Vitruvius Yacht Design, led by Philippe Briand and Veerle Battiau, is responsible for the hull design and exterior styling. The design brief for the interiors was drawn up by the Italian studio FM Architettura. The concept focuses on natural light and unobstructed views. A split glass door at the stern opens in two sections. Fixed glass panels flank the opening on either side. Full-height, continuous glazing runs along both sides of the vessel. This design allows for sweeping views whilst underway and in port, regardless of whether the side platforms are extended or retracted.
Accommodation and layout
“Spirit” can accommodate twelve guests in six cabins. The crew occupy five cabins with a total of nine berths. The interior design features natural materials, soft textures and understated details. This design enhances the sense of tranquillity and spaciousness on board. Light, space and the surrounding waters are the defining elements of the living concept.
Wellness area and outdoor decks
A unique selling point of the ‘Spirit’ is its wellness-focused beach club. At its heart is a spacious fitness room with a spa area, which remains available for use even whilst the yacht is underway. The room opens directly onto a spacious aft terrace. This connection allows for a seamless transition between exercise, relaxation and contact with the sea. A shallow pool at the stern and fold-out side platforms further expand the range of uses.
The Tankoa’s drive system and performance
The 52-metre yacht reaches a top speed of 17 knots and cruises economically at 15 knots. A full-hybrid propulsion system from the manufacturer E-motion combines conventional diesel engines with electric motors and batteries. During the development and construction phase, Tankoa and Briand carried out extensive optimisation studies. These focused on the hull shape, weight distribution and overall dynamics to improve efficiency. The Dutch consultancy firm van Cappellen Consultancy provided support with noise and vibration damping. According to the shipyard, this is intended to ensure a high level of comfort whilst underway.
Completion and delivery
Once the sea trials and technical tests have been completed, the yacht is handed over to the owner. Vincenzo Poerio, Managing Director of Tankoa Yachts, explains: “A launch is always a special moment. It is the culmination of many years of hard work. It is a privilege to share this experience and all the emotions that go with it with our clients and everyone involved in the build. Spirit demonstrates Tankoa’s ability to turn an ambitious, highly personalised vision into reality through quality craftsmanship and close collaboration with the owner, his design team and our team.”
Technical Specifications for ‘Spirit’
- Length: 52 m
- Model name: T52 Vitruvius
- Guest cabins: 6 (serves up to 12 people)
- Crew cabins: 5 (serves 9)
- Maximum speed: 17 knots
- Cruising speed: 15 knots
- Drive: Full hybrid system (E-motion)
- Exterior design: Vitruvius Yacht Design (Philippe Briand, Veerle Battiau)
- Interior design: FM Architecture
- Place of construction: Genoa, Italy
About Tankoa Yachts
Tankoa Yachts is an Italian shipyard based in Genoa. The company sees itself as a boutique shipyard and specialises in bespoke superyacht projects. The shipyard brings individual client designs to life, working in collaboration with external design studios. The focus is on vessels between 50 and 90 metres in length.
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