Itama Yachts, founded in Italy by Mario Amati in 1969, matched timeless style with the latest engineering. The sleek, powerful, blue-and-white boats became an instant hit with jetsetters and sportsmen on the Italian Riviera. The company's latest and largest offering, the $4 million SeventyFive (above), continues that tradition with new technology and style to spare. The 75-ft. motoryacht features high bows, a spectacular curved profile and a distinctively sleek structure created by a slim central roof.

An enormous carbon fiber and glass windshield and retractable canopy covers the cockpit, and large sliding sofas can be joined to form a vast horseshoe seating 12 people on deck. The layout includes three cabins and three baths below, as well as a twin crew cabin. Elegant materials are employed throughout, including natural teak and steel, wooden parquet floors, linen lacquered wall paneling and mosaic tiling for the bathrooms. With its twin 1823 hp MTU engines the yacht boasts peak speeds of up to 43 knots.

Back in April we reported that despite the economic crisis Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich planned to complete work on the 557-ft. Eclipse, the world's largest and most expensive privately owned yacht. Now the ocean-going behemoth has been launched on its maiden voyage to test operational systems before the finishing touches are applied, at a reported final cost of close to $500 million according to the London Daily Mail. As the all-white megayacht glided out of the Blohm & Voss shipyard (above) in Hamburg, Germany the other day, it dwarfed a navy destroyer it passed along the way.

The Eclipse, which features a military-grade missile defense system, armor plating and bullet-proof windows, will literally eclipse the recently-debuted $350 million, 531-ft. Dubai owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the Emir of Dubai. The ship also has a submarine that can be launched underwater and dive to a depth of 160 ft. that doubles as an escape pod, as well as two helicopter pads. Abramovich already owns several other superyachts, including the 377-ft. Pelorus, the 282 ft. Ecstasea and the 160 ft. Sussurro, which cost him $25 million a year to maintain, and apparently plans to keep them all.

The CODE-X high-tech hybrid powerboat is one of the more avant-garde motoryacht designs we've come across. If it goes into production with anything like these killer looks and the performance promised, the Swiss company stands to make a mint. The CODE-X is billed as "Formula 1 performance meets solar power." It features a flexible solar hybrid propulsion system enabling both quiet, environmentally friendly cruising in ports and coastal areas as well as high speed racing on open waters courtesy of a pair of Ilmor Marine 710 hp V10 Formula 1 engines.

A touchscreen on the dash lets you switch in whole or part to a bank of photovoltaic modules supplying electric motors and/or lithium batteries. With the gas engines going the CODE-X can do 90 knots while on full solar power it can only hit 9, but is practically silent. The boat also features a GPS-controlled Virtual Anchor system to keep it stationary regardless of the wind speed or water current, as well as a Kevlar/carbon shell with phototropic-shaded screens and windows.

[via JamesList]

Magnum Marine's wicked new $8.95 million 80-ft. speedboat (above) has lines like a supercar, which is hardly surprising since legendary Italian styling house Pininfarina, known for Ferraris and such, did the design. Florida-based Magnum, founded in 1966, is dedicated to making "sexy, high-end speedboats on a grand scale." The hand-laminated, high performance craft is powered by twin 2400 hp MTU diesels producing a top speed of about 60 mph. Even at that velocity its deep-V hull "cuts through the waves like a knife, making for a smooth, comfortable and quiet ride even in adverse sea conditions." The boat's interiors are extremely spacious and features tons of teak, large open spaces and two VIP cabins with en-suite baths, copious living and dining areas and crew accommodations.

[via JamesList]

Feeling Lucky? The 112-foot Lucky Seven yacht just got a million dollar price cut. The yacht sleeps eight guests in four staterooms (with two cabins for crew plus a captain's cabin). The motor yacht was built by Westport in 2002 and has a large salon with a walk-behind, step down bar located aft to portside and a formal dining area in the forward salon. The aft deck has a large U-shaped seating area with a varnished wood table. The full-beam master stateroom includes his and her baths and the VIP stateroom is forward and separate from the other cabins. The flybridge is designed for lounging with a large hot tub, gas grill at the bar with five bar stools and a dining area. The yacht comes with a Novurania tender and a pair of Waverunners. Once listed at $6.29 million, Lucky Seven is now listed at $5.29 million.

[via Boat International]

The $130 million Maltese Falcon may be a bit beyond most people's means, but for $150,000 a week you can get a taste of ultra-stylish superyacht sailing with the 143-ft. Ohana (above), also built by Perini Navi and available for charter via global online luxury marketplace JamesList. The all-aluminum high-performance craft features accomodations for 10 guests and 7 crew in her clean, modern interior. Standout features are an enormous fly bridge with abundant sun cushions and a large sunken aft cockpit for dining and lounging. The yacht, which has a top speed of 13.5 knots, will be based in La Spezia this summer for charters in locales like Greece, Croatia and Italy.

The world's largest, best designed, and most expensive sailing yacht, the famous 289-ft. Maltese Falcon, has been listed for sale via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for $130 million. Built by Perini Navi for venture capitalist Tom Perkins in 2006, it remains the ne plus ultra of sailing superyachts, a masterpiece of technology and design, and was recently featured on the cover of Luxury Toys: Top of the World. Her revolutionary sailing system - the DynaRig - set a new milestone in yachting history: three self-standing and rotating masts hosting 15 sails for a total sail area of 25,791 square feet for unrivaled, performance maneuverability and record-shattering speed; she can complete Atlantic crossings in ten days.

The yacht's incomparable interior is ultra-luxurious with a rich contemporary décor, and whimsical touches such as a statue modeled on a vintage Bugatti - a reference to the real Bugatti Perkins sold to help finance the yacht's construction. The interior finds its zenith in the atrium where the three decks are united by a circular stairway surrounding the main mast creating a spiraling effect, enhanced by natural light cascading from the top to the lower decks through transparent floors. The main deck is a wide open space featuring a main saloon, an enormous aft cockpit, two separate studio areas and a majestic dining room.

Twelve guests berthed in five lower deck staterooms and one inimitable owner's cabin on the upper deck with a private cockpit, a protected sun bathing area and direct access to the ultramodern wheelhouse at the heart of the whole vessel offer uncompromising comfort. An updated Art Deco feel is achieved using leather, steel and light-colored wood. One of the guest staterooms is a full beam master with a king berth, a separate full beam dressing room and a private gym on the lower deck. The other four guest suites can convert into two enormous VIP suites each with en suite baths. There are also facilities for 16 crew to look after the guests.

Australian yacht builder Azzura Marine has just launched its new $1.5 million Marten 49, a sleek-lined, super-stylish cruiser-racer with a carbon fiber hull, bulkheads and deck. Designed for maximum flexibility, maneuverability and luxury, the 49-ft. yacht's innovative hydraulic lifting keel improves performance when racing and reduces draught for accessibility to harbors and anchorages when cruising. The yacht, billed as the ultimate dual purpose vessel, features a teak interior with a master cabin equipped with a double bed, separate en-suite bath and shower, two guest cabins, a comfortable saloon and fully-equipped galley.

A $26 million yacht with Versace interiors owned by cab driver-turned-fertilizer king Tamir Sapir - who lives in Manhattan's famed Duke-Semans mansion (above) - was seized by customs officials in Miami this week over trophies made from the skins of endangered animals. The yacht, named the Mystère, was found to contain zebra skins, a jaguar skin rug, Bengal tiger and African lion heads, cigar boxes covered in elephant hide, a reticulated python cigarette holder, and large carved ivory tusks, the Miami Herald reports.

Sapir, an emigré from Russia whose $1.4 billion fortune is now mainly invested in real estate, will get the yacht back minus the gruesome décor after paying a $150,000 fine. Sapir bought the historic seven-story Duke-Semans mansion across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art from Doris Duke's relatives for $40 million after a single walk-through, and is now said to be spending $10 million on renovations including - get this - a gallery for his world-class collection of ivory. He is ranked at No. 522 on Forbes' Richest Americans list.

Australia's biggest luxury boat builder, Riviera, has gone into voluntary receivership. The company operates a boat building facility at Coomera on the Gold Coast in Queensland and exports to more than 30 countries around the world. But like many other yacht builders Riviera has had trouble selling its yachts in the economic downturn. The company fired employees and closed its production line for three weeks recently but is still in crisis. The company may be put up for sale or may go through a restructuring process. Riviera employs 550 people and workers are still at their jobs. Riviera is planning to exhibit in the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show on the Gold Coast from May 21 to 24.

Yacht lovers are finding that this is definitely the season to buy. The deals just keep coming. The latest is a $2 million price cut on the 123-foot Muse. Muse is the second in the 123 sports Flybridge series from Palmer Johnson and was built in 2006. The yacht accommodates eight guests overnight in a master suite plus three double cabins and cruises along at 14 knots with speeds up to 23 knots.

The elegant interior is ornamented with hardwood details in a large open area that includes the salon and main dining area. The sycamore dining table offers seating for eight guests and there is is a relaxed cluster of sofas and cozy arm chairs. Dining and cocktailing options also abound outdoors on the main deck where there is an outdoor bar and additional seating. The sundeck includes another table for eight, a webar, barbecue and fridge as well as a Jacuzzi and ample lounging areas.

The master cabin on the main deck has his and hers cedar wood closets, a sofa, writing desk and en suite bathroom and the VIP suite, on the lower deck offers a similar retreat. Muse chartered for as much as $98,000 a week last year during July and August (the charter site features more photos). This yacht is now listed at $11.9 million.

[via Boat International's Brokerage News]

The 164-ft. Heesen superyacht Man of Steel (above) is for sale via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for $50 million. Built in 2008, the tri-deck ship with helipad takes its name from the use of hot rolled steel threaded seamlessly and worked in elegantly throughout the yacht. The main stairway floats off of the wall, supported on a steel column, while the stairs themselves are created out of steel with carpet inserts. Steel is also a notable element in the reveals of the maccasar ebony cabinetry. That and the floating glass floor over a bed of black river rock encountered upon entering the yacht mark it as one-of-a-kind among ultra-luxury cruisers.

The full-sized glass owner's suite has 240-degree views and a bed that rotates to take them all in. The owner's balcony contains a private negative edge spa and its own sundeck. The lower level and "pop-culture" themed family room are Moroccan-inspired with bright colors and a specially-commissioned Bisazza tile mural. Key elements of the modern Art Deco-inspired salon space include maccasar ebony, period-correct sterling silver, crystal, and a platinum color scheme. Asian and Zen influences can be seen in the custom platforms for the furniture, the square proportions of the cushions, and the glass encased black river rock floor.

Check eBay next week for an online auction. The 19 leading luxury tourism companies in New Zealand (New Zealand Luxury) are coming together to offer an amazing travel deal for the starting bid of only NZ$1 (only 50 cents in the United States). Each participant is estimated to have donated NZ$1,500 (US$855) worth of travel goods and services for this effort – for a total value of NZ$33,000 (almost US$19,000).

So, what does the winning bid get you?

Come out the other side of this 10-day auction a winner, and you'll fly on a private jet to New Zealand, stay in private villas and upscale hotels for four weeks and dash around the country on helicopters and in chauffeur-driven cars. You'll even get to hit the water on a private yacht.

The largesse from the top bid will go to the Untouched World Charitable Trust, the non-profit arm of the Untouched World clothing brand – which is kicking in NZ$2,000 (more than US$1,000) in apparel for this auction.

Save the planet, and treat yourself as you demand to be treated!

She's been a popular yacht on the charter scene since her launch in 2006 but now Talisman C is for sale. The 178-foot yacht built by Turkey's Proteksan Turquoise can accommodate 12 guests in a master suite, three double and two twin cabins with room for a crew of ten. The yacht has a formal dining room, gymnasium, sundeck with a Jacuzzi and a nightclub-like bar area. She cruises at 14 knots. This yacht is listed at 27 million euros.

Australian luxury yacht builder Oceanfast is offering its new 157-ft. semi-custom superyacht for sale at $22 million with a July delivery. The sleek fiberglass hull ship has a top speed of 16 knots and 4,000 nautical mile range at a cruising speed of 12 knots via twin diesel engines, and can accommodate 10 guests and 10 crew. A teak lined aft deck leads into a full beam saloon surrounded by huge windows offering panoramic ocean views. The large teak lined external deck can be used for intimate dining or a larger party in combination with an indoor-outdoor lounge area connected via fully opening bi-fold doors.