Back to blogIKIGAI: When performance cruising reaches superyacht level

    IKIGAI: When performance cruising reaches superyacht level

    29 June 2026

    There are very few yachts that truly deserve the title world cruiser.

    IKIGAI is one of them.

    Built by JFA Yachts, designed by Judel/Vrolijk, and later comprehensively rebuilt by Vitters Shipyard, she brings together three of the most respected names in the international yacht industry. The result is an aluminium sailing yacht that combines performance, comfort, and reliability at a level rarely seen on the market today.

    This 25-metre performance cruiser was not designed for short holidays or weekend sailing. She was built for owners who want to cross oceans, explore new continents, and enjoy the comfort of a luxury yacht along the way.

    Following an extraordinary €5 million rebuild programme, IKIGAI is now ready for her next owner.

    Now available through an international online auction.

    Three leading names in the superyacht world combined in one yacht

    The pedigree behind IKIGAI is truly impressive.

    JFA Yachts is internationally renowned for building high-quality aluminium superyachts and expedition yachts. Judel/Vrolijk has spent decades creating some of the world's most successful sailing yacht designs, ranging from racing champions to luxury cruisers.

    And the story does not end there.

    Between 2018 and 2020, IKIGAI underwent a major rebuild programme at Vitters Shipyard in the Netherlands. The scope of the project was so extensive that Vitters referred to it internally not as a refit, but as a complete redevelopment under the project name Take Fife.

    Today, IKIGAI represents a rare opportunity within the international performance cruising market.

    Built to cross oceans

    Many modern sailing yachts combine comfort and performance. Only a select few are genuinely designed for long-distance global cruising.

    IKIGAI belongs to that select group.

    Her aluminium construction provides strength, safety, and durability for extended offshore passages. The yacht's design allows for efficient and controlled sailing, even with a reduced crew.

    Whether the destination is the Mediterranean, the Atlantic Ocean, or a complete circumnavigation, IKIGAI was created to make those journeys possible.

    Luxury accommodation without compromise

    Despite her serious sailing credentials, life on board is not solely about performance.

    The warm teak interior creates an inviting atmosphere, while the layout offers ample space for owners, guests, and crew alike.

    On board you will find:

    • A spacious owner's cabin

    • Three comfortable guest cabins

    • A separate crew cabin

    • Accommodation for up to eight guests plus two crew

    • A bright saloon with abundant natural light

    • Extensive storage for long-distance cruising

    The result is a yacht that feels equally at home crossing oceans as she does spending a summer in the Mediterranean.

    A rebuild rarely seen in the market

    What truly sets IKIGAI apart from comparable yachts is the scale of investment made over recent years.

    Key upgrades include:

    • Approximately €5 million rebuild programme by Vitters Shipyard

    • New rod rigging in 2022

    • New main engine in 2024

    • New generator in 2024

    • Continuous professional maintenance and ongoing improvements

    For a future owner, this represents a yacht that is technically prepared to an exceptional standard and ready for new adventures.

    Why buy through an auction?

    Purchasing IKIGAI through an auction offers transparency and certainty. All bids are visible in real time, allowing interested buyers to follow the process with complete clarity.

    Through YachtBid, the yacht is promoted internationally and reaches a network of buyers in more than 100 countries. In cooperation with Bright Auctions, the entire process is professionally managed.

    With more than 500 yachts sold and 85% sold within three months, YachtBid has established itself as Europe’s #1 platform for luxury yacht auctions.

    Step-by-Step auction process

    Register: Create your account via the Bright Auctions platform.

    View: Visit the yacht during one of the official viewing days in Palma de Mallorca.

    Bid: Place your bids online during the auction period.

    Complete: After the auction closes, finalise the purchase and arrange delivery.

    For more information, please visit our FAQ page:

    https://yachtbid.com/faq-yacht-auctions/

    Yacht details

    Builder: JFA Yachts

    Model: IKIGAI (JFA Yachts 82 SY)

    Type: Sailing Yacht

    Year: 2001

    Rebuild: Vitters Shipyard (€5 million programme)

    Length: 25.13 m

    Beam: 6.10 m

    Draft: 3.50 m

    Hull Material: Aluminium

    Engine: Yanmar 6LPA-STR2

    Power: 300 hp

    Fuel: Diesel

    Cruising Speed: 8 knots

    Maximum Speed: 12 knots

    Cabins: 3 guest cabins + 1 crew cabin

    Berths: 8 guests + 2 crew

    Location: Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    VAT: Not paid

    Starting Bid: €250,000

    Asking Price: €1,195,000

    Auction schedule

    Auction Opens: 24 August 2026, 17:00 CET

    Auction Closes: 31 August 2026, 19:00 CET

    Viewing days

    8 August 2026: 11:00 – 14:00

    29 August 2026: 11:00 – 14:00

    Location: Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    Contact

    YachtBid B.V.

    Arjen Hoeksma

    arjen@yachtbid.com

    +31 6 5329 9244

    An opportunity rarely found on the market

    The combination of JFA Yachts, Judel/Vrolijk, and Vitters Shipyard makes IKIGAI a yacht that is difficult to compare with anything else in her segment.

    She offers the performance of a serious offshore cruiser, the comfort of a luxury world cruiser, and the quality of a yacht that has undergone a comprehensive rebuild by one of the world's leading shipyards.

    For sailors looking beyond the next destination and searching for a yacht with proven capabilities, exceptional pedigree, and true global cruising potential, IKIGAI represents a rare opportunity.

    Visit the viewing days in Palma de Mallorca and discover why this remarkable aluminium sailing yacht is ready for her next chapter.