Promotional Feature

July 22, 2025 – Published in Design & Decor Autumn-Winter 2022 issue

The prestigious realm of superyachts with Yacht Pride

Spotting a deluxe yacht gliding elegantly through the sea often generates awe, curiosity, and perhaps, a little envy. These luxury boats are possibly unattainable for many, yet they are still fascinating. But have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes when a yacht is being newly built or refitted?

Kenneth Coleiro and his brother Louis are the sole owners of Yacht Pride in Italy, forming part of the Coleiro Group, which has been in the paint business for nearly 50 years. Their venture—based in Viareggio, Tuscany—specialises in painting superyachts with lengths of 30m and over. 

Yacht Pride has a far-reaching presence in the superyacht domain in Italy.

“We’re currently working on 34 new builds, making us one of the largest paint companies in Italy,” declared Kenneth confidently. “Our warehouses are equipped with high-quality spraying facilities. The present workforce comprises around 400 specialised workers, including in-house subcontractors. We provide regular training to keep them all abreast with the latest technology and applications, combining our courses with leading yacht paint suppliers, such as Jotun, Alexseal, Awlgrip/International, DuPont, Boero, and PPG.”

“We have an impressive list of yacht builders and refitters with whom we collaborate directly, namely Overmarine Mangusta, The Italian Sea Group, Next Yachts, Seven Stars, CNM, Benetti, Azimut, San Lorenzo, and, for refits, Italyachts and Lion Yachts. Additionally, we are being approached by more yards in Croatia, Turkey, and Montenegro for joint ventures to assist with yacht finishings.”

So, what happens onboard when a new superyacht is being constructed?

The sheer number of people who need to collaborate on a new build includes painters, electricians, carpenters, welders, designers, and other subcontractors, all working on a deadline while trying to stay out of each other’s way. Meetings are held at the yard to devise efficient schedules. Painting is done in stages, and the painters are the first to enter the construction—and the last to leave.

Kenneth described the process. “The painter starts off by sandblasting the surfaces of the yacht, which are then primed for protection. Numerous other contractors enter the scene, the construction starts, and everyone gets to work in coordination with each other. In the meantime, fairing is initiated, which involves filling and levelling the exterior surfaces and covering the steel plates and welds to ensure a smooth alignment throughout, according to the yacht’s design.”

The proximity of Yacht Pride’s premises to the famous Carrara caves meets yacht owners’ demands for the iconic Carrara marble to be featured on a wall or table onboard. Exterior wood floors are normally made from teak, the supply of which is in danger of running out, with no feasible replacement available. The interiors reflect the vision of the designers. 

The extensive surface area of a yacht requires around 40 painters per vessel. With regards to the type of paint, superyachts tend to follow the trends in the automotive sector, with more metallic finishes and pearlescents now preferred over solid colours. 

It takes one year to complete a superyacht new build when it first arrives at the yard as a metal structure.

“Selecting the most capable paint subcontractor is vital. If a mistake is made, it would be next to impossible to reverse. Recovering the damage not only costs millions but also affects the launch date, which might make owners reject the yacht. When a superyacht is tailor-made to the owner’s personal tastes—with the interiors matching their private jet’s design, for example, or their home in Miami—who else is going to buy it?”

With extensive tasks, long hours, and a vast team of people—often working at heights—onboard safety is also a major issue. 

The yard employs full-time inspectors to minimise accidents, which can often be tragic in such an environment, putting the project on hold for investigations to be carried out.

Refits on a superyacht are normally concluded within four months.

“Refits can entail upgrading interiors, renovations, servicing 

engines and generators, and re-painting the dismantled parts,” Kenneth stated. 

“Yachts enter the yard at the end of summer and need to be ready for next season, which starts around May. In a refit, the captain is normally present onboard to oversee the work, unless a refit management company is engaged.”

“We have carried out refits on the Dubai Royal superyacht fleet, including MY Dubai, MY Smeralda, and MY Dubawi. At present, work has commenced in Croatia on a 40-year-old, 149m-long vessel, once the largest yacht in the world for many years. Apart from a complete re-paint, which will include re-fairing of several areas and removal of corrosion, this superyacht will undergo a major refit.”

Kenneth is president of Navigo Malta, an important player in the yachting world.

Navigo started off in Tuscany in 2007. It is an international network of nautical companies, offering a point of reference within the yachting industry. It boasts 400+ members, mainly yacht builders and subcontractors. Among various benefits, Navigo works towards devolving research and technologies for companies and promoting internationalisation. It offers courses for captains and crews, recruitment training, and consultancy and marketing advice for innovations.

Kenneth is passionate about this organisation. “For several years, Navigo has managed the Versilia Rendezvous, a renowned superyacht show in Viareggio, and it is now one of the most prominent organisers for B2B events for crews and suppliers in the yachting world. Navigo also works with the Guardia Costiera and is fast becoming a vital presence in this demanding industry. Our aim is to bring Malta onto the scene in which our country will benefit. I was recently in Capri—which, I note, is beautiful—but I still prefer Malta ten times over. With a wider variety of ports and services, our islands have so much more to offer to the yachting industry!”

One of Navigo’s significant annual events is YARE (Yachting Aftersales and Refit Experience), which Kenneth is seeking to eventually host in Malta. The three-day networking event assembles its professional members and presents informative workshops, forums, and guided tours, as well as social activities and dinners for extra interaction. Suppliers also have the opportunity to mingle with the 120 invited captains and hold one-to-one, 15-minute meetings with as many as 25 captains of their choice in one day to introduce their company’s services to them.

Yacht Pride certainly has an impressive portfolio.

“This year alone, we have already launched over ten new builds exceeding 30m from various yards. Our most recent was a Mangusta 165 Rev, a 50m vessel with four Rolls Royce 2,600hp engines and four Kongsberg-Kamewa waterjets, reaching a maximum speed of 34 knots. We also launched Mangusta 33m, Oceano 50m, and a 44m also from Overmarine.”

“A new joint venture with Windrose, a Spanish refit company, allows for emergency repairs when needed urgently, widening our scope of operations. As Yacht Pride, our intention is to increase refit centres worldwide. We are, in fact, carrying out close negotiations in Miami to further expand our customer support hubs.”

Yacht Pride will, unquestionably, advance into limitless horizons!