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YYachts Y7, the evolution of a sailing yacht shaped by experience

The new YYachts Y7 evolves an established concept with carbon construction, a 21.99-metre length, new layouts and handling designed for short-handed sailing

YYachts refines the Y7 together with judel/vrolijk & co, revisiting the deck, interiors and onboard organisation while retaining lightness and simplicity

The new Y7 from YYachts comes from a design that did not need to be reinvented, but refined. More than 20 yachts from the previous generation have already been delivered and are sailing around the world, giving the German shipyard a substantial base of experience from which to reconsider details, ergonomics and onboard organisation. The result retains the model’s essential philosophy while introducing a series of changes intended to make both sailing and life on board feel more natural.

Nearly 22 metres without unnecessary complication

With an overall length of 21.99 metres, extending to 23.80 metres with the bowsprit, the Y7 sits in a size range where performance and comfort can easily lead to increasing operational complexity. YYachts has instead kept short-handed sailing at the heart of the project.

Its carbon epoxy construction helps limit light-ship displacement to approximately 31.8 tonnes while creating a rigid structure without unnecessary weight. This affects not only performance but also the loads on the equipment, contributing to a sailing yacht that remains easier to manage.

The deck evolves around movement on board

One of the most tangible changes can be found in the cockpit. A new asymmetric entrance and increased space between the helm stations and winches open up the walkways and create a clearer distinction between operational areas and spaces reserved for guests. A U-shaped sofa on the starboard side also expands the area dedicated to relaxation.

It reflects the approach behind the evolution of the Y7: rather than simply adding more features, the designers have reconsidered where essential elements should be placed. The crew companionway is discreetly integrated into the cockpit and provides direct access to both the cockpit and helm stations, helping separate crew movements from those of the owner and guests.

Technical spaces find a new place below deck

The same search for order continues inside. The engine room has been moved from beneath the saloon floor into a dedicated technical space with two access points, including direct entry from the crew area.

It may appear less striking than a new exterior profile or a redesigned interior, but in everyday use it can influence maintenance, technical management and the separation between different areas of the yacht. Changes such as this are where the experience gained from previous Y7s becomes particularly relevant.

A substantial sail plan, even for lighter winds

The sail plan includes a 180 m² mainsail and a 126 m² self-tacking jib, with additional options including a 147 m² 105% jib, a 320 m² Code 0 and a 500 m² gennaker. Naval architecture and structural engineering are by judel/vrolijk & co.

The combination of sail area, controlled displacement and carbon construction follows a philosophy already central to the previous Y7: keeping the yacht responsive in lighter winds while allowing owners to enjoy sailing without turning every passage into a complex operation. Standard draft is 3.50 metres, with a 2.95-metre shallow-draft alternative available.

The interior does not impose a single way of living on board

Interior design brings together the YYachts design team and Danish architect David Thulstrup. The new model offers increased interior volume and, more importantly, a broad choice of configurations.

The standard arrangement includes an owner’s cabin with an en-suite bathroom and two twin guest cabins. From this base, owners can add a workspace in the saloon, create an aft VIP cabin or specify a walk-in wardrobe for the owner’s suite. Another configuration provides three twin cabins in addition to the owner’s accommodation, while further layouts connect the galley directly with the crew area.

The atmosphere can also vary considerably. YYachts presents interior interpretations including Milano, with warmer contemporary tones, Baltic, with a lighter and more natural character, Sugi Ban, built around darker contrasts, and Glacier, defined by cool, pale shades. Personalisation therefore extends beyond materials to the overall identity of the spaces.

Simplicity as a design decision

YYachts expresses one of its central principles through the phrase keep it simple. By limiting onboard equipment to what is genuinely needed, the yard aims to reduce complexity, potential failures and maintenance requirements.

On the Y7, this philosophy is combined with full 3D engineering of the modules, including technology and wiring, together with extensive possibilities for individual customisation. Simplicity here is not about doing without, but about making a sophisticated yacht easier for its owner to understand and manage.

A yacht for owners who still want to sail

The Y7 is equipped with a 110 kW Yanmar 4LV150 engine and SD15 Saildrive, carries approximately 850 litres of fuel and the same amount of fresh water, and holds CE Category A classification. Yet the technical figures explain only part of the concept.

In a segment where increasing size and equipment can gradually distance owners from actually sailing their own yacht, YYachts continues to develop the Y7 around the idea that a nearly 22-metre sailing yacht can still be, first and foremost, a yacht to sail. Comfort, customisation and well-organised spaces gain importance without pushing the experience under sail into the background.

Whether crossing longer distances or moving between anchorages in the Mediterranean, this combination of substantial dimensions and deliberate simplicity may be what best defines the character of the new Y7.

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YYachts, Y7

21 August 2026
© MED Yachting Editorial Team
YYachts Y7, the evolution of a sailing yacht shaped by experience
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