Steve Jobs designed his superyacht for utmost silence and Oceanco megayachts now come with quieting technology as standard
Published on Mar 18, 2026 at 12:01 AM (UTC+4)
by Molly Davidson
Last updated on Mar 17, 2026 at 1:44 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
Superyachts have long been about size, spectacle, and serious horsepower.
But increasingly, the real luxury is something far less obvious.
Silence.
And it turns out Steve Jobs understood that long before it became a trend.
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Steve Jobs wanted a superyacht so quiet you couldn’t hear the engines
When Steve Jobs helped design his yacht Venus, he reportedly had one unusual priority: silence.
The Apple co-founder was deeply involved in the vessel’s design before his death.
And one of the key goals was reducing the constant hum of engines and onboard machinery.
The idea was simple.
A yacht that felt peaceful rather than mechanical.
For years, that kind of calm required extensive custom engineering.
However, shipbuilders are now starting to build that experience directly into new yachts.
Dutch shipyard Oceanco, known for headline-grabbing vessels like Jeff Bezos’ Koru, Gabe Newell’s Leviathan, and Nancy Walton’s Kaos, is partnering with engineering giant ABB to create a new generation of ultra-quiet megayachts.
Two new yachts currently under construction will feature ABB’s integrated electric propulsion and power system.
The setup combines Azipod electric propulsion with an onboard DC Grid, power and energy management software, and battery energy storage that manages how electricity flows across the vessel.
The result should be noticeably smoother sailing.
Less vibration underfoot, quieter cabins, and gentler maneuvering into marinas all contribute to a ride that feels less like a machine and more like a floating retreat.
Oceanco is making quiet luxury part of the standard yacht package
Oceanco has long built some of the largest private yachts on the water.
However, the definition of luxury is beginning to shift.
Instead of simply going bigger, shipbuilders are focusing more on how a yacht actually feels to live aboard.
The new vessels will use dual 4.2MW Azipod propulsors alongside ABB’s DC Grid platform, a PEMS power and energy management system, battery storage, and remote diagnostics.
Together, the systems help distribute energy efficiently while also reducing noise and vibration throughout the yacht.
At the same time, the technology improves efficiency.
Battery storage allows the yacht to smooth out energy demand, reduce generator running hours, and support hybrid propulsion or alternative fuels.
Oceanco hasn’t confirmed which projects will debut the system yet, but one possible candidate is Project Y727, the 420-foot flagship announced at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2025.
Either way, the direction is clear.
The kind of whisper-quiet comfort Steve Jobs once had to design from scratch is quickly becoming something future superyacht owners may simply expect as standard.
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With roles at TEXT Journal, Bowen Street Press, Onya Magazine, and Swine Magazine on her CV, Molly joined Supercar Blondie in June 2025 as a Junior Content Writer. Having experience across copyediting, proofreading, reference checking, and production, she brings accuracy, clarity, and audience focus to her stories spanning automotive, tech, and lifestyle news.
