The NeoN Expedition Yacht Builder Directory: Top 25 Builders for Go-Anywhere Vessels

NeoN

May 27, 2026

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Disclaimer: All information compiled from publicly available sources as of May 2026. Contact details, addresses, and offerings change frequently. Verify directly with each builder before making contact. NeoN is not affiliated with any builder listed herein.

1. Nordhavn (Pacific Asian Enterprises)

Country: USA (built in Taiwan)
Headquarters: 25001 Dana Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629
Website: nordhavn.com
Contact: info@nordhavn.com / +1 (949) 496-4933
Founded: 1978 (Nordhavn line launched 1989)
Known For: The gold standard in expedition trawler yachts. Ranges from 41 to 120 feet. Ocean-crossing range, bulletproof construction.
Notable Models: N41, N51, N55, N60, N68, N71, N80, N96, N100, N120, N625

2. Cantiere delle Marche (CDM)

Country: Italy
Headquarters: Ancona, Italy
Website: cantieredellemarche.it
Contact: info@cantieredellemarche.it
Founded: 2010
Known For: World leader in the 24-50m explorer yacht segment. Steel hulls, Italian interiors, transoceanic range.
Notable Lines: Darwin Class, Flexplorer Series, RJ Line, Nauta Air, Acciaio

3. Damen Yachting / Amels

Country: Netherlands
Headquarters: Vlissingen, Netherlands
Website: damenyachting.com
Founded: Amels: 1918; Damen Group: 1927
Known For: Dutch engineering excellence. Limited Editions line for faster delivery. Serious expedition and support vessels.
Notable Lines: Amels Limited Editions, SeaXplorer, Yacht Support

4. Kleven (Green Yard Kleven)

Country: Norway
Headquarters: Ulsteinvik, Norway
Website: greenyard.no (Kleven division)
Contact: post@kleven.no / +47 70 01 91 00
Founded: 1944
Known For: Commercial shipyard turned expedition megayacht builder. Rugged offshore DNA. Builds some of the largest expedition yachts in the world.
Notable Builds: Ulysses (107m), Andromeda (107m), Multiverse (116m)

5. Lürssen

Country: Germany
Headquarters: Bremen, Germany
Website: luerssen.de
Founded: 1875
Known For: One of the most prestigious custom yacht builders. Builds the largest and most complex yachts on earth.
Notable Builds: Azzam (180m), Blue (160m), Dilbar, Kismet, O3

6. Feadship

Country: Netherlands
Headquarters: Haarlem / Kaag, Netherlands
Website: feadship.nl
Founded: 1949
Known For: The pinnacle of fully custom Dutch yacht building. No two yachts alike. Extreme personalization.
Notable Builds: Anna, Venus (Steve Jobs), Viva, Obsidian

7. Oceanco

Country: Netherlands
Headquarters: Alblasserdam, Netherlands
Website: oceanco.com
Founded: 1987
Known For: Bold, boundary-pushing designs. Sustainability leaders. Builds statement yachts for nonconformist owners.
Notable Builds: Black Pearl, Koru, Infinity, Alfa Nero

8. Benetti (Azimut Benetti Group)

Country: Italy
Headquarters: Livorno / Viareggio, Italy
Website: azimutbenetti.com
Founded: 1873
Known For: Italian craftsmanship and timeless Mediterranean styling. Custom and semi-custom. Part of the world’s largest yachting group.
Notable Lines: B.Now, Oasis, Custom, FB Range

9. Abeking & Rasmussen

Country: Germany
Headquarters: An der Faehre 2, 27809 Lemwerder, Germany
Website: abeking.com
Founded: 1907
Known For: Military-grade engineering meets superyacht luxury. SWATH technology pioneers. Unusually quiet, sophisticated builds.
Notable Builds: Aviva, Elandess, Secret, Cloudbreak

10. Nobiskrug

Country: Germany
Headquarters: Kieler Str. 53, 24768 Rendsburg, Germany
Website: nobiskrug.com
Contact: +49 4331 207-0
Founded: 1905
Known For: Fearless, avant-garde design. Works with visionary designers to create one-of-a-kind vessels.
Notable Builds: Sailing Yacht A, Artefact, Mogambo

11. Fincantieri / Vard

Country: Italy / Norway
Headquarters: Trieste, Italy
Website: fincantieri.com
Founded: 1959
Known For: Industrial-scale shipbuilding with luxury capability. Builds naval vessels, cruise ships, and expedition megayachts.
Notable Capability: Ice-class hulls, heli decks, expedition-scale private vessels

12. Bering Yachts

Country: Turkey
Headquarters: Antalya, Turkey (plus Bulgaria facility)
Website: beringyachts.com
Founded: 2007
Known For: Steel expedition yachts with serious range. Explorer DNA at more accessible sizes.
Notable Models: Bering 70, Bering 77, Bering 85, Bering 92, Bering 145

13. Fleming Yachts

Country: Taiwan / USA
Headquarters: Tainan City, Taiwan
Website: flemingyachts.com
Founded: 1985
Known For: Premium pilothouse motor yachts with semi-displacement hulls. Luxury meets long-range cruising.
Notable Models: Fleming 55, Fleming 58, Fleming 65, Fleming 78, Fleming 85

14. Selene (Jet Tern Marine)

Country: Taiwan / China
Headquarters: Zhongshan, China
Website: jettern.com
Founded: 1998
Known For: High-quality expedition trawlers. Strong dealer network in North America and Europe.
Notable Models: Selene 38, Selene 42, Selene 47, Selene 50, Selene 54, Selene 58, Selene 62, Selene 72

15. Kadey-Krogen

Country: USA
Headquarters: Stuart, FL, USA
Website: kadey-krogen.com
Founded: 1976
Known For: Full-displacement cruising yachts. Bulletproof, no-nonsense designs for serious ocean cruisers.
Notable Models: Krogen 39, Krogen 44, Krogen 48, Krogen 52, Krogen 58

16. Circa Marine

Country: New Zealand
Headquarters: Whangarei, New Zealand
Website: circamarine.co.nz
Founded: 2009
Known For: New Zealand-built expedition and patrol-style vessels. Rugged aluminum and steel construction.
Notable Models: FPB (Fuel Passage Boats) series

17. Inace

Country: Brazil
Headquarters: Fortaleza, Brazil
Website: inace.com.br
Founded: 1968
Known For: Brazilian shipyard building steel expedition yachts and commercial vessels. Emerging player in the explorer segment.
Notable Builds: Explorer yachts in the 25-40m range

18. Palmer Johnson

Country: USA / Europe
Headquarters: Sturgeon Bay, WI, USA
Website: palmerjohnson.com
Founded: 1918
Known For: Historic American builder. Sporty, performance-oriented yachts with long-range capability.
Notable Models: PJ 48, PJ 63, PJ 120, SuperSport series

19. Numarine

Country: Turkey
Headquarters: Istanbul, Turkey
Website: numarine.com
Founded: 2002
Known For: Performance expedition yachts. Aggressive styling meets long-range capability. Turkish quality at competitive pricing.
Notable Models: XP Series (26m to 37m), Flybridge Series

20. Outer Reef Yachts

Country: Taiwan / USA
Headquarters: Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
Website: outerreefyachts.com
Founded: 2005
Known For: Long-range cruising motoryachts. Strong focus on owner-operated vessels with global capability.
Notable Models: 620, 700, 820, 860, 880, 900

21. Aegean Yacht

Country: Turkey
Headquarters: Bodrum, Turkey
Website: aegeanyacht.com
Founded: 1978
Known For: Steel and wood traditional and expedition yachts. Strong heritage in Turkish boatbuilding.
Notable Models: Custom steel expedition yachts, gulets, sailing vessels

22. Alia Yachts

Country: Turkey
Headquarters: Antalya, Turkey
Website: aliayachts.com
Founded: 2008
Known For: Full-custom aluminum and steel superyachts. Growing reputation for quality and innovation.
Notable Builds: Samurai, Ruya, Alia 27m, Alia 60m series

23. Conrad Shipyard

Country: Poland
Headquarters: Gdansk, Poland
Website: conradshipyard.com
Founded: 2003
Known For: Polish shipyard building semi-custom and custom steel yachts. Strong value proposition.
Notable Models: C144 series, C133 series

24. SilverYachts

Country: Australia
Headquarters: Perth, Australia
Website: silveryachts.com
Founded: 2005
Known For: Aluminum fast expedition yachts. Lightweight, efficient hulls with impressive range and speed.
Notable Models: Silver Loft, Silver Fast, Silver Edge

25. Safehaven Marine

Country: Ireland
Headquarters: Cork, Ireland
Website: safehavenmarine.com
Founded: 1998
Known For: Extreme-weather and pilot boats. Recently entered the expedition yacht market with rugged, capable vessels.
Notable Models: XSV 17 Thunder Child, Barracuda series

How to Use This Directory

Define your mission — Weekend coastal cruising? Transatlantic passage? Polar exploration? Your mission determines your builder shortlist.
Set your size range — Expedition yachts range from ~40 feet (Nordhavn 41) to 400+ feet (Kleven, Lürssen). Know your budget and crew capacity.
Visit the yard — The best buyers fly to the shipyard, tour the factory, and meet the project managers. This is a multi-million-dollar relationship.
Hire a buyer’s broker — Most builders work directly with yacht brokers who can negotiate terms, arrange sea trials, and manage the survey process.
Plan for 2-4 years — Custom expedition yachts don’t happen overnight. Even “fast delivery” semi-custom builds take 18-36 months.

About NeoN

NeoN explores the future of adventure — reviewing the most futuristic and innovative yachts, RVs, and automobiles that are changing how we travel.

Website: theneoncab.com
YouTube: youtube.com/neoncab
Newsletter: listmonk.theneoncab.com

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