ZARKAVA and VALYRA: The Aga Khan’s 60-Knot Carbon Fibre Superyachts

A rare chance to experience two near-identical custom superyachts side by side

Filmed together in Palma, ZARKAVA and VALYRA are two exceptionally rare custom-built Hodgdon superyachts sharing the same 27 metre carbon fibre platform, low-profile Pininfarina styling and high-performance engineering package. Designed to accommodate four guests and two crew, the yachts are almost identical in layout and construction, offering a fascinating insight into one owner’s vision for ultra-fast luxury yachting.

And both were developed by one of the strongest design teams ever assembled for a yacht of this size. Naval architecture came from legendary performance yacht designer Donald L. Blount. Exterior styling was handled by Pininfarina, the iconic Italian design house best known for creating some of the world’s most beautiful sports cars.

The interiors were developed by renowned superyacht designers Redman Whiteley Dixon. Even so, the yachts are not completely identical.

ZARKAVA was delivered in 2010 and underwent a major refit in 2024.

VALYRA followed in 2013 and was last refitted in 2016.

There are also subtle differences in machinery, finishes and atmosphere onboard. But to really understand these yachts, it is important to understand the owner who commissioned them.

A rare chance to experience two near-identical custom superyachts side by side

Filmed together in Palma, ZARKAVA and VALYRA are two exceptionally rare custom-built Hodgdon superyachts sharing the same 27 metre carbon fibre platform, low-profile Pininfarina styling and high-performance engineering package. Designed to accommodate four guests and two crew, the yachts are almost identical in layout and construction, offering a fascinating insight into one owner’s vision for ultra-fast luxury yachting.

And both were developed by one of the strongest design teams ever assembled for a yacht of this size. Naval architecture came from legendary performance yacht designer Donald L. Blount. Exterior styling was handled by Pininfarina, the iconic Italian design house best known for creating some of the world’s most beautiful sports cars.

The interiors were developed by renowned superyacht designers Redman Whiteley Dixon. Even so, the yachts are not completely identical.

ZARKAVA was delivered in 2010 and underwent a major refit in 2024.

VALYRA followed in 2013 and was last refitted in 2016.

There are also subtle differences in machinery, finishes and atmosphere onboard. But to really understand these yachts, it is important to understand the owner who commissioned them.

A rare chance to experience two near-identical custom superyachts side by side

Filmed together in Palma, ZARKAVA and VALYRA are two exceptionally rare custom-built Hodgdon superyachts sharing the same 27 metre carbon fibre platform, low-profile Pininfarina styling and high-performance engineering package. Designed to accommodate four guests and two crew, the yachts are almost identical in layout and construction, offering a fascinating insight into one owner’s vision for ultra-fast luxury yachting.

And both were developed by one of the strongest design teams ever assembled for a yacht of this size. Naval architecture came from legendary performance yacht designer Donald L. Blount. Exterior styling was handled by Pininfarina, the iconic Italian design house best known for creating some of the world’s most beautiful sports cars.

The interiors were developed by renowned superyacht designers Redman Whiteley Dixon. Even so, the yachts are not completely identical.

ZARKAVA was delivered in 2010 and underwent a major refit in 2024.

VALYRA followed in 2013 and was last refitted in 2016.

There are also subtle differences in machinery, finishes and atmosphere onboard. But to really understand these yachts, it is important to understand the owner who commissioned them.

The Aga Khan’s vision for high-speed yachting

The late Aga Khan was known worldwide as a spiritual leader, philanthropist and patron of education and healthcare initiatives. Within the yachting world, however, he was also recognised as someone deeply fascinated by engineering, innovation and performance. He approached yacht building differently. Rather than simply commissioning larger and larger vessels, he treated his projects almost like technical laboratories. His objective with these Hodgdon yachts was not merely speed.

Plenty of yachts can travel quickly. The real challenge was creating a yacht that could travel at extremely high speeds while remaining smooth, quiet and comfortable for everyone onboard. That combination is incredibly difficult to achieve. Carbon fibre construction played a major role in making it possible.

Lightweight yet immensely strong, carbon fibre allowed Hodgdon to create a hull capable of handling extraordinary performance without excessive weight.

The yachts also use Kamewa waterjet propulsion instead of traditional propellers. Waterjets reduce vibration and improve high-speed efficiency while helping the yachts maintain shallow draft capabilities. Beneath the sleek exterior sit three MAN V12 engines. VALYRA uses triple 1,800 horsepower engines. ZARKAVA is fitted with slightly more powerful 1,900 horsepower units.

That additional power helps explain why ZARKAVA reportedly reaches around 60 knots while VALYRA tops out closer to 58 knots. Either way, these are astonishing figures for luxury yachts of this size. Even many modern performance yachts struggle to approach those numbers.

The Aga Khan’s vision for high-speed yachting

The late Aga Khan was known worldwide as a spiritual leader, philanthropist and patron of education and healthcare initiatives. Within the yachting world, however, he was also recognised as someone deeply fascinated by engineering, innovation and performance. He approached yacht building differently. Rather than simply commissioning larger and larger vessels, he treated his projects almost like technical laboratories. His objective with these Hodgdon yachts was not merely speed.

Plenty of yachts can travel quickly. The real challenge was creating a yacht that could travel at extremely high speeds while remaining smooth, quiet and comfortable for everyone onboard. That combination is incredibly difficult to achieve. Carbon fibre construction played a major role in making it possible.

Lightweight yet immensely strong, carbon fibre allowed Hodgdon to create a hull capable of handling extraordinary performance without excessive weight.

The yachts also use Kamewa waterjet propulsion instead of traditional propellers. Waterjets reduce vibration and improve high-speed efficiency while helping the yachts maintain shallow draft capabilities. Beneath the sleek exterior sit three MAN V12 engines. VALYRA uses triple 1,800 horsepower engines. ZARKAVA is fitted with slightly more powerful 1,900 horsepower units.

That additional power helps explain why ZARKAVA reportedly reaches around 60 knots while VALYRA tops out closer to 58 knots. Either way, these are astonishing figures for luxury yachts of this size. Even many modern performance yachts struggle to approach those numbers.

The Aga Khan’s vision for high-speed yachting

The late Aga Khan was known worldwide as a spiritual leader, philanthropist and patron of education and healthcare initiatives. Within the yachting world, however, he was also recognised as someone deeply fascinated by engineering, innovation and performance. He approached yacht building differently. Rather than simply commissioning larger and larger vessels, he treated his projects almost like technical laboratories. His objective with these Hodgdon yachts was not merely speed.

Plenty of yachts can travel quickly. The real challenge was creating a yacht that could travel at extremely high speeds while remaining smooth, quiet and comfortable for everyone onboard. That combination is incredibly difficult to achieve. Carbon fibre construction played a major role in making it possible.

Lightweight yet immensely strong, carbon fibre allowed Hodgdon to create a hull capable of handling extraordinary performance without excessive weight.

The yachts also use Kamewa waterjet propulsion instead of traditional propellers. Waterjets reduce vibration and improve high-speed efficiency while helping the yachts maintain shallow draft capabilities. Beneath the sleek exterior sit three MAN V12 engines. VALYRA uses triple 1,800 horsepower engines. ZARKAVA is fitted with slightly more powerful 1,900 horsepower units.

That additional power helps explain why ZARKAVA reportedly reaches around 60 knots while VALYRA tops out closer to 58 knots. Either way, these are astonishing figures for luxury yachts of this size. Even many modern performance yachts struggle to approach those numbers.

Fast, but remarkably quiet

One of the most fascinating aspects of these yachts is something you cannot immediately see. During the tour, the captain explained that the owner and design team took inspiration from helicopter engineering when developing the interior spaces. Typically, yacht interiors are built directly onto the hull structure.

In these yachts, however, the interior accommodation was effectively suspended inside the hull like a separate cocoon. The purpose was to isolate the guest spaces from vibration, pounding and structural noise caused by travelling at high speed through waves. The result is a surprisingly calm onboard experience.

That might sound difficult to believe given the performance capabilities involved. Most people associate lightweight carbon fibre boats with rattling interiors and harsh movement. But according to everyone who has experienced these yachts underway, that is not the case here. The sensation is reportedly closer to travelling aboard a high-speed train or aircraft.

That engineering achievement says a great deal about the level of thought and investment that went into these projects. The yachts are also fitted with zero-speed stabilisers, further enhancing comfort when anchored or operating at slower speeds. In many ways, these yachts feel like a bridge between luxury superyachts and aerospace engineering.

Fast, but remarkably quiet

One of the most fascinating aspects of these yachts is something you cannot immediately see. During the tour, the captain explained that the owner and design team took inspiration from helicopter engineering when developing the interior spaces. Typically, yacht interiors are built directly onto the hull structure.

In these yachts, however, the interior accommodation was effectively suspended inside the hull like a separate cocoon. The purpose was to isolate the guest spaces from vibration, pounding and structural noise caused by travelling at high speed through waves. The result is a surprisingly calm onboard experience.

That might sound difficult to believe given the performance capabilities involved. Most people associate lightweight carbon fibre boats with rattling interiors and harsh movement. But according to everyone who has experienced these yachts underway, that is not the case here. The sensation is reportedly closer to travelling aboard a high-speed train or aircraft.

That engineering achievement says a great deal about the level of thought and investment that went into these projects. The yachts are also fitted with zero-speed stabilisers, further enhancing comfort when anchored or operating at slower speeds. In many ways, these yachts feel like a bridge between luxury superyachts and aerospace engineering.

Fast, but remarkably quiet

One of the most fascinating aspects of these yachts is something you cannot immediately see. During the tour, the captain explained that the owner and design team took inspiration from helicopter engineering when developing the interior spaces. Typically, yacht interiors are built directly onto the hull structure.

In these yachts, however, the interior accommodation was effectively suspended inside the hull like a separate cocoon. The purpose was to isolate the guest spaces from vibration, pounding and structural noise caused by travelling at high speed through waves. The result is a surprisingly calm onboard experience.

That might sound difficult to believe given the performance capabilities involved. Most people associate lightweight carbon fibre boats with rattling interiors and harsh movement. But according to everyone who has experienced these yachts underway, that is not the case here. The sensation is reportedly closer to travelling aboard a high-speed train or aircraft.

That engineering achievement says a great deal about the level of thought and investment that went into these projects. The yachts are also fitted with zero-speed stabilisers, further enhancing comfort when anchored or operating at slower speeds. In many ways, these yachts feel like a bridge between luxury superyachts and aerospace engineering.

Exterior design inspired by automotive styling

It is impossible to look at ZARKAVA or VALYRA without noticing their dramatic appearance. The influence of Pininfarina is immediately obvious. Long, flowing lines. A low and aggressive profile. Minimal visual clutter. And a shape that feels closer to a high-performance grand touring car than a traditional yacht. Even today, more than a decade after delivery, the yachts still look futuristic.

That is partly because they were never designed around trends. They were designed around performance. The low profile reduces wind resistance. The sleek glazing creates exceptional visibility from the helm.

And the overall shape reinforces the idea that these yachts were built to move quickly and efficiently through the water. At the stern, the swim platform doubles as tender storage, accommodating a tender of around 4.5 metres. Above, the main exterior entertaining area provides generous sun pads and curved sofa seating. There is also a large retractable sunroof overhead, allowing fresh air into the helm area while travelling at speed.

The helm itself is particularly striking. Three elevated helm seats sit behind the expansive windshield, alongside a companion seat. The visibility and seating position create an experience that reportedly feels more like piloting an aircraft than operating a conventional yacht. Forward of the helm sits another sunbathing area where guests can relax while underway. Given the extraordinary speeds involved, that experience must feel utterly exhilarating.

Exterior design inspired by automotive styling

It is impossible to look at ZARKAVA or VALYRA without noticing their dramatic appearance. The influence of Pininfarina is immediately obvious. Long, flowing lines. A low and aggressive profile. Minimal visual clutter. And a shape that feels closer to a high-performance grand touring car than a traditional yacht. Even today, more than a decade after delivery, the yachts still look futuristic.

That is partly because they were never designed around trends. They were designed around performance. The low profile reduces wind resistance. The sleek glazing creates exceptional visibility from the helm.

And the overall shape reinforces the idea that these yachts were built to move quickly and efficiently through the water. At the stern, the swim platform doubles as tender storage, accommodating a tender of around 4.5 metres. Above, the main exterior entertaining area provides generous sun pads and curved sofa seating. There is also a large retractable sunroof overhead, allowing fresh air into the helm area while travelling at speed.

The helm itself is particularly striking. Three elevated helm seats sit behind the expansive windshield, alongside a companion seat. The visibility and seating position create an experience that reportedly feels more like piloting an aircraft than operating a conventional yacht. Forward of the helm sits another sunbathing area where guests can relax while underway. Given the extraordinary speeds involved, that experience must feel utterly exhilarating.

Exterior design inspired by automotive styling

It is impossible to look at ZARKAVA or VALYRA without noticing their dramatic appearance. The influence of Pininfarina is immediately obvious. Long, flowing lines. A low and aggressive profile. Minimal visual clutter. And a shape that feels closer to a high-performance grand touring car than a traditional yacht. Even today, more than a decade after delivery, the yachts still look futuristic.

That is partly because they were never designed around trends. They were designed around performance. The low profile reduces wind resistance. The sleek glazing creates exceptional visibility from the helm.

And the overall shape reinforces the idea that these yachts were built to move quickly and efficiently through the water. At the stern, the swim platform doubles as tender storage, accommodating a tender of around 4.5 metres. Above, the main exterior entertaining area provides generous sun pads and curved sofa seating. There is also a large retractable sunroof overhead, allowing fresh air into the helm area while travelling at speed.

The helm itself is particularly striking. Three elevated helm seats sit behind the expansive windshield, alongside a companion seat. The visibility and seating position create an experience that reportedly feels more like piloting an aircraft than operating a conventional yacht. Forward of the helm sits another sunbathing area where guests can relax while underway. Given the extraordinary speeds involved, that experience must feel utterly exhilarating.

A surprisingly practical interior layout

Despite their performance-focused design, both yachts offer a refined and highly practical interior arrangement. The main deck combines lounge, dining and galley spaces within a compact but elegant environment, finished with clean lines and understated detailing.

ZARKAVA features darker woods and marble finishes, while VALYRA adopts a lighter palette with coastal-inspired blues and whites.

Accommodation is arranged for four guests across two cabins, including a cleverly designed forward owner’s suite accessed through the ensuite to maximise privacy and space efficiency.

A generous VIP cabin provides additional sleeping flexibility, while separate crew accommodation for two is accessed independently from the deck.

Altogether, the layout reflects the thinking of experienced owners who prioritised intelligent design as much as performance.

A surprisingly practical interior layout

Despite their performance-focused design, both yachts offer a refined and highly practical interior arrangement. The main deck combines lounge, dining and galley spaces within a compact but elegant environment, finished with clean lines and understated detailing.

ZARKAVA features darker woods and marble finishes, while VALYRA adopts a lighter palette with coastal-inspired blues and whites.

Accommodation is arranged for four guests across two cabins, including a cleverly designed forward owner’s suite accessed through the ensuite to maximise privacy and space efficiency.

A generous VIP cabin provides additional sleeping flexibility, while separate crew accommodation for two is accessed independently from the deck.

Altogether, the layout reflects the thinking of experienced owners who prioritised intelligent design as much as performance.

A surprisingly practical interior layout

Despite their performance-focused design, both yachts offer a refined and highly practical interior arrangement. The main deck combines lounge, dining and galley spaces within a compact but elegant environment, finished with clean lines and understated detailing.

ZARKAVA features darker woods and marble finishes, while VALYRA adopts a lighter palette with coastal-inspired blues and whites.

Accommodation is arranged for four guests across two cabins, including a cleverly designed forward owner’s suite accessed through the ensuite to maximise privacy and space efficiency.

A generous VIP cabin provides additional sleeping flexibility, while separate crew accommodation for two is accessed independently from the deck.

Altogether, the layout reflects the thinking of experienced owners who prioritised intelligent design as much as performance.

Performance figures that still impress today

Even in today’s market, the specifications remain extraordinary. Both yachts feature carbon fibre construction, triple MAN V12 engines, Kamewa waterjet propulsion, zero-speed stabilisers, an approximate 400 nautical mile range at around 25 knots and accommodation for four guests alongside two crew members. Performance figures include:

VALYRA

VALYRA measures 27 metres (87 feet) in length and was delivered in 2013 before undergoing a refit in 2016. She accommodates four guests across two cabins alongside two crew members. Cruising speed is approximately 38 knots with a reported top speed of 58 knots.

ZARKAVA

ZARKAVA also measures 27 metres (87 feet) in length. Delivered in 2010, she most recently underwent a refit in 2024. Accommodation is arranged for four guests in two cabins with space for two crew members. Cruising speed is approximately 40 knots while top speed is reported at around 60 knots.

For context, many modern superyachts of comparable size cruise at speeds closer to 12–18 knots. Even performance-oriented yachts rarely approach these numbers while maintaining this level of onboard refinement.

Performance figures that still impress today

Even in today’s market, the specifications remain extraordinary. Both yachts feature carbon fibre construction, triple MAN V12 engines, Kamewa waterjet propulsion, zero-speed stabilisers, an approximate 400 nautical mile range at around 25 knots and accommodation for four guests alongside two crew members. Performance figures include:

VALYRA

VALYRA measures 27 metres (87 feet) in length and was delivered in 2013 before undergoing a refit in 2016. She accommodates four guests across two cabins alongside two crew members. Cruising speed is approximately 38 knots with a reported top speed of 58 knots.

ZARKAVA

ZARKAVA also measures 27 metres (87 feet) in length. Delivered in 2010, she most recently underwent a refit in 2024. Accommodation is arranged for four guests in two cabins with space for two crew members. Cruising speed is approximately 40 knots while top speed is reported at around 60 knots.

For context, many modern superyachts of comparable size cruise at speeds closer to 12–18 knots. Even performance-oriented yachts rarely approach these numbers while maintaining this level of onboard refinement.

Performance figures that still impress today

Even in today’s market, the specifications remain extraordinary. Both yachts feature carbon fibre construction, triple MAN V12 engines, Kamewa waterjet propulsion, zero-speed stabilisers, an approximate 400 nautical mile range at around 25 knots and accommodation for four guests alongside two crew members. Performance figures include:

VALYRA

VALYRA measures 27 metres (87 feet) in length and was delivered in 2013 before undergoing a refit in 2016. She accommodates four guests across two cabins alongside two crew members. Cruising speed is approximately 38 knots with a reported top speed of 58 knots.

ZARKAVA

ZARKAVA also measures 27 metres (87 feet) in length. Delivered in 2010, she most recently underwent a refit in 2024. Accommodation is arranged for four guests in two cabins with space for two crew members. Cruising speed is approximately 40 knots while top speed is reported at around 60 knots.

For context, many modern superyachts of comparable size cruise at speeds closer to 12–18 knots. Even performance-oriented yachts rarely approach these numbers while maintaining this level of onboard refinement.

Hodgdon Yachts and a history of innovation

Part of what makes these yachts so interesting is the shipyard behind them. Hodgdon is one of the oldest continuously operating family-run shipyards in the United States. Over more than two centuries, the company has built a reputation for embracing advanced materials and innovative engineering solutions. Many yacht enthusiasts know Hodgdon primarily for their luxury tenders. The yard has produced highly customised tenders for some of the world’s largest and most prestigious superyachts.

But projects like ZARKAVA and VALYRA demonstrate the depth of technical expertise that exists within the company. Building lightweight carbon fibre yachts capable of travelling at nearly 60 knots while maintaining luxury yacht comfort is an immensely demanding challenge. Few shipyards would even attempt it. Even fewer would succeed. That alone makes these yachts significant within the broader story of modern yacht design.

Hodgdon Yachts and a history of innovation

Part of what makes these yachts so interesting is the shipyard behind them. Hodgdon is one of the oldest continuously operating family-run shipyards in the United States. Over more than two centuries, the company has built a reputation for embracing advanced materials and innovative engineering solutions. Many yacht enthusiasts know Hodgdon primarily for their luxury tenders. The yard has produced highly customised tenders for some of the world’s largest and most prestigious superyachts.

But projects like ZARKAVA and VALYRA demonstrate the depth of technical expertise that exists within the company. Building lightweight carbon fibre yachts capable of travelling at nearly 60 knots while maintaining luxury yacht comfort is an immensely demanding challenge. Few shipyards would even attempt it. Even fewer would succeed. That alone makes these yachts significant within the broader story of modern yacht design.

Hodgdon Yachts and a history of innovation

Part of what makes these yachts so interesting is the shipyard behind them. Hodgdon is one of the oldest continuously operating family-run shipyards in the United States. Over more than two centuries, the company has built a reputation for embracing advanced materials and innovative engineering solutions. Many yacht enthusiasts know Hodgdon primarily for their luxury tenders. The yard has produced highly customised tenders for some of the world’s largest and most prestigious superyachts.

But projects like ZARKAVA and VALYRA demonstrate the depth of technical expertise that exists within the company. Building lightweight carbon fibre yachts capable of travelling at nearly 60 knots while maintaining luxury yacht comfort is an immensely demanding challenge. Few shipyards would even attempt it. Even fewer would succeed. That alone makes these yachts significant within the broader story of modern yacht design.

Are you searching for a genuinely rare superyacht?

While both yachts share the same remarkable platform and engineering pedigree, ZARKAVA has benefited from more recent upgrades. In 2017 she returned to Hodgdon in the United States for extensive works, including new engines, generators, waterjets and a full repaint, followed by an additional refit in 2024.

ZARKAVA is currently asking €1,750,000, while VALYRA is offered at €2,750,000. Whichever yacht ultimately changes hands, the future owner will acquire an exceptionally rare combination of carbon fibre construction, extreme performance and bespoke American yacht engineering.

In a brokerage market filled with increasingly similar designs, ZARKAVA and VALYRA stand apart because they were built with a very specific vision and executed to an exceptionally high standard. For buyers searching for something genuinely rare, they represent a fascinating and highly unusual opportunity within modern yacht design.

Are you searching for a genuinely rare superyacht?

While both yachts share the same remarkable platform and engineering pedigree, ZARKAVA has benefited from more recent upgrades. In 2017 she returned to Hodgdon in the United States for extensive works, including new engines, generators, waterjets and a full repaint, followed by an additional refit in 2024.

ZARKAVA is currently asking €1,750,000, while VALYRA is offered at €2,750,000. Whichever yacht ultimately changes hands, the future owner will acquire an exceptionally rare combination of carbon fibre construction, extreme performance and bespoke American yacht engineering.

In a brokerage market filled with increasingly similar designs, ZARKAVA and VALYRA stand apart because they were built with a very specific vision and executed to an exceptionally high standard. For buyers searching for something genuinely rare, they represent a fascinating and highly unusual opportunity within modern yacht design.

Are you searching for a genuinely rare superyacht?

While both yachts share the same remarkable platform and engineering pedigree, ZARKAVA has benefited from more recent upgrades. In 2017 she returned to Hodgdon in the United States for extensive works, including new engines, generators, waterjets and a full repaint, followed by an additional refit in 2024.

ZARKAVA is currently asking €1,750,000, while VALYRA is offered at €2,750,000. Whichever yacht ultimately changes hands, the future owner will acquire an exceptionally rare combination of carbon fibre construction, extreme performance and bespoke American yacht engineering.

In a brokerage market filled with increasingly similar designs, ZARKAVA and VALYRA stand apart because they were built with a very specific vision and executed to an exceptionally high standard. For buyers searching for something genuinely rare, they represent a fascinating and highly unusual opportunity within modern yacht design.