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MYS 2026: Abeking & Rasmussen on ARUBY and the Evolution of the Owner Brief
At this year’s Monaco Yacht Show, Superyachts.com sits down with Abeking & Rasmussen’s sales director to discuss a particularly interesting moment for one of Germany’s best-known shipyards. With more than two decades at A&R, including time spent on the shipyard floor before moving into sales, the conversation offers a perspective shaped by both the technical realities of yacht building and the changing expectations of clients.
A key talking point is ARUBY, A&R’s first series yacht, introduced as a 70-metre ready-to-build concept. For a shipyard with such a strong reputation for highly individual, fully custom yachts, the project marks an interesting addition to its portfolio. The conversation explores why the timing was right for A&R to introduce a more defined offering, and how a ready-to-build yacht can sit alongside the freedom and individuality of a fully custom project.
That raises another important question for a shipyard rooted in customisation: how do you offer greater certainty around build times and costs without compromising the individual approach that clients expect? It is a balance increasingly relevant across the superyacht industry, particularly as owners look for greater clarity while still wanting a yacht that feels entirely their own.
Explorer yachts also feature in the conversation, reflecting the continued interest in vessels designed for longer-range cruising and greater flexibility. With more owners considering how far and how differently they might use their yachts, the appeal of additional range, storage and capability has become increasingly visible across the market.
"Clients are asking anything from A-Z for everything"
"Clients are asking anything from A-Z for everything"
Björn Benecke