Bugatti Sets Sail with Carbon-Fiber Yachts for the Ultra-Rich

Built by renowned American-Monegasque shipyard Palmer Johnson, the new Niniette range is built on a hull made of carbon fiber, tinted blue like so many special edition Bugattis and offset by titanium and wood trim.

"Niniette" was the nickname of Ettore's daughter Lidia, which the founder also used on some of the racing boats he designed back in the 1930s. The vessels will be offered in three sizes, measuring 42, 63, and 88 feet, respectively, from bow to stern, with lines inspired by classic Bugattis like the Type 57 C Atalante and the Type 41 Royale.

Though Palmer Johnson isn't saying what engines will go below deck, likely won't be Bugatti's 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 engine. We're sure that Bugatti's VW Group sister company Man SE will gladly fit it with a pair of large turbodiesels, though. Then again, a V12 from Motori Marini Lamborghini might be more suitable. Whatever the motivation, the shipyard – which normally builds much larger vessels – says the mid-range PJ63 should top out at 38 nautical miles per hour, which is equivalent to over 43 mph.

This being a Bugatti, it won't come cheap. Prices start at €2 million ($2.2m), and the PJ63 Niniette pictured here is quoted at €3.5 million ($3.8m). Each one will be made to order according to the buyer's specifications, and ought to keep the EB marque's ultra-wealthy clientele satisfied while they await the arrival of the forthcoming new Chiron supercar.

This isn't the first time we're seeing a high-end European automaker dip its toes in the water with its own motorboat design. Jaguar designed its own speedboat concept to accompany the XF Sportbrake, Mercedes-AMG has partnered with Cigarette racing boats, Porsche Design has dabbled in boat design, and Audi designed a hybrid trimaran a few years back. Ben Walsh penned a speedboat inspired by the Veyron Sang Bleu, but that one wasn't officially sanctioned by the factory.