Why Perini Navi defined large sailing yachts
Before Perini Navi, a sailing yacht above 40 metres required a crew large enough to physically handle the sails — a limitation that made large sailing superyachts impractical for private use. Fabio Perini's innovation was an automated captive-winch system that allowed a single crewman to control sails that would otherwise require a team. This engineering breakthrough made 50, 60, and even 90-metre sailing yachts viable as private vessels — and created a market category that Perini Navi has dominated for four decades.
The yard has delivered over 60 sailing superyachts, including some of the most recognisable names in the fleet: Maltese Falcon (88m, 2006 — the pioneering DynaRig vessel), Seahawk (60m), Sybaris (70m), and the series of 56-metre ketches that form the backbone of the Perini Navi brokerage market. Each vessel combines the romance of sailing with the practicality of modern systems — these are yachts that genuinely sail, not motor yachts with masts.
The 56-metre class: Perini Navi's market anchor
The 56-metre ketch is the most commonly available Perini Navi on the brokerage market, with multiple hulls delivered between 1998 and 2015. This series represents the sweet spot of the Perini range: large enough for extended blue-water cruising with full owner comfort, manageable enough for a crew of 10–12, and engineered to the yard's full specification including automated sail handling, air conditioning, and tender garage.
Brokerage pricing for the 56-metre class typically ranges from €8 million (older hulls requiring refit) to €18 million (recent deliveries or vessels with comprehensive refits). These yachts are particularly popular with experienced sailing owners who want the capability to cross oceans under sail — the 56m class has a proven track record of Atlantic and Pacific crossings, Caribbean seasons, and extended Mediterranean cruising.
Perini Navi pricing on the brokerage market
| Model / Size | Typical age range | Asking price |
|---|---|---|
| 38–42m sloops | 1990–2010 | €4M–€9M |
| 47–50m ketches | 1995–2012 | €6M–€14M |
| 56m ketch class | 1998–2015 | €8M–€18M |
| 60–70m custom | 2005–2018 | €15M–€28M |
| Maltese Falcon (88m) | 2006 | POA (est. €50M+) |
The Italian Sea Group era
Since the 2021 acquisition by The Italian Sea Group, Perini Navi has stabilised operationally. The yard's Viareggio facility handles vessels up to 60 metres; the La Spezia facility manages larger builds. TISG has invested in updated engineering systems and supply chain integration while maintaining the Perini Navi design philosophy and automated sail-handling technology that defines the brand.
For buyers, the TISG ownership provides greater confidence in after-sales support and spare parts availability — a concern during the administration period. New build enquiries can be directed through the Perini Navi website. For the broader sailing yacht market, see our sailing yachts for sale page. For Italian builders, see Italian yachts for sale.