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Interior Designer: IPYD – Ira Petromanolaki Yacht Designers

Refit Shipyard: Spanopoulos Shipyard

Project Management: Maritime Ventures Cyprus and Navinco

Photography: Studio Reskos

IPYD has completed a comprehensive refit of the 54 metre Benetti motor yacht M/Y SOJO, originally launched in 1984 and refitted at Spanopoulos Shipyard in Athens. The project reflects a careful balance between original heritage and contemporary refinement, retaining the yacht’s classic Benetti lines while introducing a brighter, warmer and more inviting onboard aesthetic.

The studio approached the refit with a focus on light, comfort and timelessness. Interiors have been reimagined with refined materials, understated detailing and distinguished Italian furniture pieces, reinforcing a quiet yet confident design identity. Natural light has been amplified through subtle material choices, while rich woods and tactile leathers introduce depth and softness, creating an atmosphere that is both elegant and intimate.

Across the main and upper salons, contrasting finishes define distinct environments without disrupting visual harmony. Each cabin follows the same philosophy, offering private retreats shaped by calm tones and thoughtful textures. The result is a considered spatial flow that maintains the yacht’s classic presence while enhancing liveability.

The exterior experience has also been central to the refit. The sundeck now features generous lounging areas, an integrated bar, Jacuzzi and touch-and-go helipad, all configured for relaxed days at anchor and effortless guest circulation. Exterior lines remain faithful to Benetti’s original profile, ensuring that the renewed interior and the yacht’s iconic silhouette feel inherently connected.

What defines the SOJO transformation is the balance of opposites: classic architecture with contemporary softness, spacious openness with personal comfort, and sophistication delivered without excess. By respecting the yacht’s 1980s DNA while upgrading its material and sensory qualities, IPYD has created a vessel that feels both grounded in its history and entirely suited to modern cruising.

M/Y SOJO now offers an environment where the sea remains the primary backdrop, open spaces, reflective surfaces and uninterrupted horizons guide the onboard experience. The refit reinforces the pleasure of time on the water, inviting guests to enjoy a lifestyle of quiet elegance, unforced luxury and enduring serenity.