31m CDM superyacht owned by UK entrepreneur Steve Rigby launched

Italian yard Cantiere delle Marche (CDM) has announced the launch of the sixth unit in the Darwin 102 series, christened Haze². 

The 30.8-metre model is the successor of Extra Yachts' 26.2-metre Haze, which was owned by World Superyacht Awards judge Steve Rigby. The British entrepreneur began his relationship with CDM following a tour of a Darwin 106 during the 2022 Cannes Yachting Festival.

"All Darwin models share the same ocean-going, expedition-ready DNA, yet each one is tailored to reflect its owner’s needs and lifestyle," explained Vasco Buonpensiere, CDM co-founder and CEO. "A seasoned sailor with both sailing and motor yachts in his past, the owner had a clear vision of what his next yacht should be."

The yacht has a striking metallic grey hull and bold blue superstructure

UK-based studio Lawson Robb is responsible for the Haze²'s interior, as well as that of her predecessor. Speaking to BOAT International, Lawson Robb's director and creative lead, George Wolstenholme, described the owner's previous yacht as more of a "fairweather craft". "Now, he has expanded [...] and sunk his teeth into something that can take him further afield," said Wolstenholme.

In this spirit of expansion, exterior refinements have been made to the CDM model, including "developed window systems" that give a "wraparound glass feel while avoiding punched portholes", as well as a concealed tender crane in the style of the yard's RJ line. Exterior design and naval architecture are owed to Italian studio Hydro Tec.

Interiors are fully custom, with the owner's brief detailing the need for intimate areas suitable for entertaining and remote work. Renderings reveal a soft, muted palette with pops of colour (particularly reds and oranges) incorporated throughout.

Onboard highlights include a sundeck Jacuzzi flanked by sunpads and aft deck tender storage. The yacht will serve as both a private and charter yacht and will be classed accordingly.

CDM has eight yachts currently under construction, according to BOATPro. The Ancona-based shipyard recently celebrated the launch of its 46.9-metre flagship, named RJ.