As I pull away from Monaco’s Port Hercule, I come to a rapid realization: the new SAY 42 is fast.
Punch in the gut, hold-on-for-dear-life fast. In fact, it’s the closest thing I’ve experienced to a supercar on the seas — think stiffriding racer, while it’s bigger brother, the 52 (footer) is more of a grand tourer. The 42 launched a few years back but the 52 hit the water in 2025. Two forthcoming models — the all-new 32 and a 42 Sporty — are due for release in early 2026.
SAY Carbon Yachts’ ultra-lightweight vessels wouldn’t look out of place on the Formula 1 grid, and there’s a good reason for that. “Our founder Karl Wagner comes from the world of supercars,” says Carlos Vassallo, SAY’s head of global sales. Through his previous company, Carbo Tech, Wagner built monocoque structures for racing cars, motorbikes and road vehicles, even supplying the chassis that brought Sebastian Vettel his first F1 race win in 2008.
“Around 15 years ago, Wagner took ownership of a small shipyard in the south of Germany, and started designing and producing automotive-inspired yachts, to give the thrill of a supercar in the water,” Vassallo says.
The 42 and the 52 are easily identified by their sleek, raked silhouette and sharp, sculpted edges. Their aesthetic screams Lamborghini-inspired styling but the crisp, 100 percent carbon construction isn’t just for show: SAY claims its boats are 50 percent lighter than comparable models. Both the 42 and 52 are powered by two 6.2-liter Volvo Penta V8s, which churn out a thunderous 860 hp (diesel engines are also an option). Pulling away from port, reaching 50 knots feels instant and effortless.
Typically, with boats of this size, acceleration tends to be sure and steady, but with these yachts you get a supercar-like surge. The stiffness of the carbon construction and the unflinching ability of both models to rise above the waves and power along the top of the water is remarkable, but the real party piece is the handling.
Beneath the surface is SAY’s stepped ‘Petestep’ hull, which creates a cushion for the pair to ride on. Both are agile, but the 52 handles like a boat half its size, and does a better job of ironing out some of the lumps and bumps, with its design helping to minimize lateral G-force at high speed through fast turns.
On the inside, there’s lashings of carbon fiber trim, and all the kit you’d expect from a boat with a price tag starting at around $1.47m for the 42, and just over $2.35m for the 52. While the smaller of the two is more of a day boat or weekender, with a cabin for two, and a bathroom, the 52 offers a double cabin, an additional bathroom, a living room with a small galley, and an option for a second cabin.
At Monaco Yacht Show, where superyachts start to blend into each other, it’s no mean feat to stand clear of the crowd. For now, carbon fiber is still a rare sight on the water, but having already proved its value on the racetrack, it’s about to have its moment on the seas.
