Craftsmanship Meets Vision
ISA Yachts has announced a significant milestone with the sale of their first UNICA 45M Steel unit to an American client. This achievement represents the culmination of meticulous planning and innovative design thinking from both Enrico Gobbi’s TEAM for Design and Palumbo Superyachts’ technical department.
The displacement superyacht boasts impressive credentials—a robust steel hull paired with a lightweight aluminium superstructure, specifically engineered for transatlantic voyages. With a fuel capacity exceeding 60,000 litres, the vessel demonstrates ISA’s commitment to creating genuine ocean-crossing capabilities while maintaining the highest standards of luxury and comfort.
What truly distinguishes this yacht from competitors is its harmonious integration of expansive spaces with pioneering design solutions. The extended external decks flow seamlessly into interior spaces through strategically placed large windows, creating an unprecedented connection between natural elements and crafted luxury. The vessel’s profile features fluid, balanced lines that taper elegantly toward both bow and stern, complemented by a sophisticated lighting system that accentuates its sleek silhouette after dusk.
A Haven of Tranquility and Opulence
The stern area of the UNICA 45M Steel exemplifies thoughtful spatial design across three descending levels that graduate toward the water. This thoughtful configuration creates distinct zones for various leisure activities—from sunbathing areas to a striking swimming pool. Perhaps most impressive is the infinity cockpit, bordered by glass balustrades that eliminate visual barriers between guests and the surrounding seascape.
“The design philosophy behind the UNICA 45M Steel revolves around creating spaces that feel both grand and intimate simultaneously,” explains Enrico Gobbi, whose firm has masterfully orchestrated the yacht’s aesthetic language.
The interior arrangements prioritise comfort without compromising on sophistication. The main deck features a well-appointed gym to starboard, adjacent to the owner’s suite. This private sanctuary encompasses several distinct zones—a comfortable lounge area, a dedicated desk with vanity features, a walk-in wardrobe that would satisfy the most discerning fashion enthusiast, and a spacious bathroom featuring dual sinks. Oversized windows flood these spaces with natural light, reinforcing the yacht’s philosophy of blending interior comfort with exterior awareness.
Dining aboard the UNICA 45M Steel offers versatility through dual options—a formal dining arrangement on the main deck for sophisticated entertaining, complemented by an alfresco dining space on the upper deck. Both areas accommodate up to twelve guests comfortably, ensuring the vessel is well-suited for both intimate gatherings and larger social occasions.
Exceptional Spaces For Unparalleled Experiences
The upper deck presents another dimension of the yacht’s thoughtful design with its expansive bow area. This multi-functional space serves as both a sunbathing retreat and an entertainment zone, offering flexibility depending on guests’ preferences and weather conditions.
Perhaps the most spectacular feature is the fly deck, stretching an impressive 16 metres in length. This crowning space offers multiple sunbathing areas, a conversational lounge complete with comfortable sofas and armchairs, a dining table for casual meals with panoramic views, a fully-equipped bar with dedicated stool seating, and a circular jacuzzi perfectly positioned for enjoying the surrounding vistas.
Accommodation below deck maintains the vessel’s commitment to luxury with four double cabins. Three of these are designated as VIP spaces with double beds, while the fourth offers twin beds for additional guests. Each cabin features private bathroom facilities, ensuring privacy and comfort for all passengers.
The yacht’s professional operation is supported by nine crew members housed in four double cabins below deck, with the captain enjoying separate quarters adjacent to the bridge for optimal operational efficiency. This thoughtful segregation ensures service remains discreet yet readily available throughout voyages.
Engineering Excellence For Global Exploration
The technical specifications of the ISA UNICA 45M Steel reveal its serious capabilities as an ocean-going vessel. Powered by twin CAT C32 engines generating 970 kW each, the yacht achieves a maximum speed of 15 knots with a cruising speed of 14 knots for everyday operation.
Most impressive is the vessel’s range—exceeding 4,000 nautical miles when travelling at 10 knots. This remarkable autonomy positions the UNICA 45M Steel as an ideal platform for extended voyages and global exploration rather than merely short coastal hops between marinas.
The technical systems aboard reflect contemporary best practices in marine engineering, with redundancies built into critical systems to ensure reliability during extended passages far from shore-based support services.
Craftsmanship Traditions Meet Forward-Thinking Design
The UNICA 45M Steel represents a balanced approach to yacht design—honouring traditional craftsmanship while embracing contemporary aesthetics and technological advances. The vessel’s exterior lines manage to be both timeless and modern, suggesting this design will age gracefully rather than appearing dated after a few seasons.
Material selection throughout reflects careful consideration of both durability and beauty. The steel hull provides strength and security in challenging sea conditions, while the aluminium superstructure reduces weight where appropriate without compromising structural integrity.
Interior finishes, while customisable to the owner’s preferences, demonstrate ISA Yachts’ understanding of luxury materials that perform well in the marine environment. Woods, metals, fabrics and stones are selected not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their ability to withstand the unique challenges of seafaring environments.
The Future of Luxury Yachting
With this significant sale, ISA Yachts further cements its position among the elite shipyards producing world-class superyachts. The UNICA 45M Steel emerges as a compelling example of how thoughtful design can create vessels that satisfy practical requirements while delivering extraordinary experiences.
The scheduled 2027 delivery date reflects the meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship that will go into building this vessel. For the American owner, this represents not merely the acquisition of a luxury item but rather the commissioning of a bespoke maritime residence capable of accessing the world’s most spectacular destinations in supreme comfort and style.
As the superyacht market continues to evolve, vessels like the ISA UNICA 45M Steel demonstrate how the most forward-thinking shipyards are responding to clients’ desires for yachts that offer genuine capability alongside refined luxury—crafting vessels that serve as both serious tools for global exploration and floating showcases for exceptional design and engineering.