15 Best Luxury Yacht Builders and Shipyards in the World

5. Azimut/Benetti

Insider Monkey Score: 5

Azimut Yachts began in 1969 when Paolo Vitelli established Azimut Srl and began chartering sailboats. In 1970, the ‘Amerglass’ yacht brand chose the company to distribute its boats in Italy. Azimut extended its operations in 1979, beginning with the design of new yachts. Benetti yachts producing company is an Italian shipbuilding and boatbuilding enterprise headquartered in Viareggio, Livorno, and Fano. The company experienced financial troubles from 1980 until 1984, when it was purchased by Paolo Vitelli, the owner of Azimut, and renamed Benetti Shipyard. In 1988, Benetti built a ship to compete for the transatlantic Blue Riband award, but its efforts were unsuccessful.