Superyacht builder Palmer Johnson and Bugatti have teamed up to create the Bugatti Niniette 66, the first in a new series of yachts between 50ft and 80ft.

Bugatti and Palmer Johnson first discussed a joint project in early 2015. The brief was to create an innovative sports yacht based on the strengths of the two companies, while echoing the design DNA of Bugatti. After the first renderings of the yacht were presented, a number of potential buyers – among them several current Bugatti owners – expressed interest in the project and asked for a closer connection between the design of the yacht and the Chiron. “The challenge was to create an experience and a persona as much as a yacht, from streamlined luxury, sophisticated style and unprecedented quality. For owners of tomorrow, Niniette will lift your expectations of life even higher,” says Timur Mohamed, CEO of Palmer Johnson.

The 20-metre Niniette combines a slender main hull with two sponsons. “This construction also allows for a wider build compared to other yachts in this class, thus offering the experience of a much larger yacht,” adds Mohamed. The extensive use of carbon fibre also adds to the yacht’s structural rigidity, while at the same time reducing weight and increasing efficiency.

“The Niniette is a genuine member of the Bugatti family,” says Etienne Salomé, design director at Bugatti. It features a spacious open deck with a Jacuzzi, sunpad and champagne bar, flanked by two social areas on the side. Dominating the space is the central fire-pit.

Below, the salon seating area is full of natural light, with a master double suite. The interior finish, of course, will be custom designed for each owner. Reaching a top speed of 44 knots, and with a shallow draught of 1.3 metres, Bahamas friendly cruising is possible for the weekend.

The limited edition Bugatti Niniette 66 is named after the speedboat Niniette, a one-off yacht built by Bugatti in 1930 for Prince Carlo Maurizio Ruspoldi.