Australian semi-custom yacht builder Salt Yachts will make its brand debut at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival in September, positioning itself as “the extension of the superyacht experience.”
Formed to “redefine the luxury dayboat and performance chase boat category,” Salt Yachts’ first concept is the A44, a 44-foot (13.53-metre) motor yacht with a 4-metre beam, combining offshore performance with cutting-edge design. Designed by superyacht captain Craig Lindsay and built to Australia’s rigorous Commercial Vessel Standards, the A44 has already attracted strong early interest. With two decades’ experience in the Mediterranean and Australia, Craig has drawn on his time as a captain and owner’s representative for new builds and refits to create a model that blends day boat and support craft features.
“I wanted to design the ultimate superyacht chase boat in full commercial survey that would also appeal to the recreational market,” Craig said. “After years at the wheel of European day boats, I took the best features from the segment and refined the impractical ones.” From his Gold Coast base, Craig has noted a trend towards Mediterranean-style day boats among younger owners, favouring comfortable seating, speed between anchorages, watertoys, and hassle-free entertaining, with the option for overnight stays. To realise his vision, Craig worked with naval architect Peter Hogbin of Aurora Marine Design to ensure compliance with commercial regulations, then collaborated with superyacht designer Misha Merzliakov, who brought 20 years’ experience in vessels up to 120 metres. Together they refined every detail over three years, blending Craig’s practical insight with Misha’s superyacht aesthetics.
The A44’s advanced hull features a flared plumb bow, tumblehome aft, and hard-chined warped plane design for ride comfort, reduced spray, and confident handling. Twin shaft drive propulsion with recessed tunnel-mounted props offers efficiency and shallow-water capability. With bold, minimalist lines, the A44’s topside highlights include a carbon fibre hardtop with sunroof, spacious aft deck, swim platform, protected main seating, and a bow lounge accessible via the saloon. Below deck are a galley, an enclosed shower/toilet, and accommodation for up to four guests, finished with premium materials. At the helm, the skipper benefits from unobstructed visibility and state-of-the-art systems: concealed auto-deploy anchor, gyro stabilisation, auto-deploy stern ladder, underwater lighting, bow/stern thrusters, and multiple joystick controls for precise handling.
With a draft under 1 metre, the A44 can access beaches with ease. Built to Australian AMSA Survey for 2C (12 guests + 2 crew) and 1E (18 guests + 2 crew), it meets CE Category B standards for Europe. Construction uses DuFLEX composite panels, making the vessel strong, light, and quick to build, under one year. Craig has assembled a top-tier build team led by Mark Wise of Wise Boatbuilding. A third-generation builder whose family began crafting Moreton Bay cruisers in the 1920s, Mark now operates from Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, the largest marine precinct in the southern hemisphere.
Powered by twin Yanmar engines from 485hp to 550hp (or owner’s choice), the A44 is also being explored in a hybrid version for silent 8-knot cruising, using Safiery battery systems to eliminate the need for a generator. Unveiling the A44 in Cannes, Craig says, is both a leap of faith and a strategic move. “Cannes is Europe’s premier on-water show. It’s the perfect place to launch and show what sets our boat apart.”
Among 640 exhibitors, Craig will represent Australian innovation at Stand PALAIS055 inside the Palais des Festivals, with an AV presentation, CAD renders, and a scale model. “The Salt Yachts A44 is more than a tender, it’s the compact superyacht package, designed for performance and comfort.”
