When a shipyard known for bold, high performance power cats ventures into the superyacht realm, the result demands attention. New Zealand’s Voodoo Yachts has just done exactly that with the unveiling of its new flagship design, the Voodoo XF450, a 36.3 metre hydrofoil assisted catamaran that could redefine what it means to combine speed, range, wellness and comfort at sea.

A Bold Step Up

Voodoo Yachts has a history of producing fast, capable boats built for adventure. Their recent work includes models like the XF75 expedition foiler, a 22.8 metre craft that delivered an impressive 50.9 knot top speed and covered 1,170 nautical miles in 36 hours on a trans Tasman run, a testament to the maturity of their foil hull platform.

With the XF450, the yard is boldly scaling that proven foil assisted platform into what they call “the largest and most advanced yacht the company has ever designed.” At 36.3 metres and with a 10.5 metre beam, the yacht carries a light volume of 450 GT, offering both generous space and planned efficiency.

Voodoo frames the XF450 as a response to growing demand for adventure driven power cats that do not force a compromise between high speed, long range and luxury.

Design and Capabilities: Speed, Range and Luxury

The XF450 draws on the same hydrofoil assisted architecture that powers Voodoo’s smaller models. Reduced drag means higher speeds, smoother cruising and significantly better efficiency. The projected cruising speed is around 30 knots, paired with a long and extremely competitive range.

Two configurations are available: an open flybridge model and an enclosed flybridge model. Central to both versions is the full beam beach club, designed as a transformative lifestyle zone, not just an aft area.

This beach club opens on three sides to merge indoor and outdoor living seamlessly. It includes a bar and lounge, a wellness studio that can be arranged for yoga, fitness or massage, and access to luxurious amenities such as a sauna or hammam, cold plunge, shower and dayhead. The large aft deck allows for extra toys and tenders, supporting long range adventure cruising.

For owners seeking even more capability, the yacht can be equipped with an optional helipad, including a refueling system for uninterrupted exploration.

Interior Ambience: Wellness Meets Elegance

Voodoo Yachts partnered with Christian Oliver Design to craft the interior aesthetics. Their approach blends natural materials, soft palettes and sculpted surfaces to create a living environment that feels luxurious, warm and grounded.

One of the most remarkable features is a three deck light well, a vertical architectural spine that brings natural light from the top deck down to the beach club. Filled with greenery and anchored by a dramatic hand carved dark timber panel and stone bar, it creates a tranquil, wellness focused heart of the yacht.

Accommodation includes five cabins, centred around a full beam owner’s suite offering panoramic 180 degree views. Additional cabins maintain the same serene design language, while crew quarters support up to eight staff members. Clever storage solutions ensure wellness equipment and personal belongings can be stored elegantly and discreetly.

From Proven Foils to Superyacht Scale

What gives the XF450 credibility is its foundation in real world performance. The yacht is not an experimental leap but rather a scaled and refined evolution of Voodoo’s proven foiling systems.

The Voodoo XF75 has already demonstrated exceptional offshore reliability, with ranges of up to 1,200 nautical miles at 30 knots and up to 3,000 nautical miles in slow displacement mode. These achievements prove the structural and hydrodynamic principles behind Voodoo’s designs are not theoretical, they work in challenging environments.

Trans Tasman passages and Pacific runs by earlier Voodoo models have reinforced this confidence. The XF450 builds on that track record with superyacht scale comfort and ambition.

What the XF450 Signals for the Future of Exploration Yachts

The XF450 represents a major shift in how explorer style superyachts may evolve. Owners increasingly desire vessels that are fast, efficient and comfortable, while also supporting wellness, active living and seamless indoor outdoor transitions.

The combination of a hydrofoil assisted hull, extensive lifestyle spaces, wellness amenities, optional helipad and sophisticated interiors makes the XF450 an embodiment of this new direction.

Technical details are still emerging, but based on Voodoo’s engineering history, expectations are high. The yacht promises a rare blend of speed, endurance, sustainability and luxurious design.

For owners who want adventure without sacrificing comfort, the XF450 offers an exciting vision of the next generation of long range power catamarans.

Written by: Linh Giang Nguyen
Published on: 2nd December 2025