AB YACHTS RETURNS TO THE VENICE BOAT SHOW 2026 WITH AB 80 AND AB 100
AB Yachts, a brand from Next Yacht Group specialized in the construction of high-performance yachts, announces its participation in the Venice Boat Show, scheduled to take place at the Arsenale della Serenissima from May 27 to 31, 2026. This is a strategic event for the Viareggio-based shipyard, which will bring two models representative of its design philosophy to the Lagoon: the AB 80, launched last April and presented for the first time at the show, and the AB 100, an iconic 30-meter planing yacht capable of combining extreme speed, comfort, and technological innovation.
Participation in the show also comes at a particularly significant moment for Next Yacht Group, which continues to garner international recognition. The Maiora 36 Exuma M/Y Angiola was recently honored, right here in Venice, at the 2026 World Superyacht Awards as the best model in the “Semi-Displacement or Planing Motor Yachts 35m to 39.9m category” marking the third consecutive year that a yacht built by the Group has received this prestigious award.
“The Venice Boat Show is an important event for us in a context that is becoming increasingly central to the international yachting industry,” comments Giorgio Mattei, Deputy Chairman of Next Yacht Group. “AB Yachts is experiencing a phase of strong growth and consolidation, supported by continuous investments in technology, performance, and innovation. With models like the AB 80 and AB 100, we aim to offer unique sailing experiences that meet the new demands of contemporary owners, combining speed, comfort, and maximum customization.”
The star of the show at the dock will be the debut of the AB 80, a new 2025 model that further expands the brand’s range and reinterprets its distinctive values in a contemporary key: speed, minimalist design, and technological innovation. At over 25 meters in length, the AB 80 is designed for owners who wish to experience the sea in total freedom, whether as a luxury day-boat or for longer cruises, with extremely short travel times. Thanks to its composite construction, MJP waterjet propulsion, and three MAN V12 engines delivering 2,000 horsepower each, the yacht reaches a top speed of 54 knots and a cruising speed of 45 knots, while ensuring a smooth, quiet, and vibration-free ride. Designed with a strong focus on conviviality and livability, the model offers highly customizable layouts, spacious indoor and outdoor lounge areas, four guest cabins, and a stern garage capable of accommodating tenders and jet skis. The open-roof lounge and large sunbathing areas further emphasize the connection with the sea and the outdoor experience, a hallmark of the AB Yachts philosophy.
Alongside it, the AB 100, a composite-hulled yacht equipped with waterjet propulsion, capable of reaching 50 knots in the standard version and up to 60 knots in the Superfast configuration. A model that “stands out from the crowd,” perfectly encapsulating the AB Yachts approach: high performance, absolute comfort, and a continuous connection to the sea thanks to bright, quiet, and vibration-free spaces. The interiors and exteriors, fully customizable to the owner’s specifications, accommodate up to 9 guests in 4 cabins, plus 4 crew members in two dedicated cabins.
