On Board TYKUN X

On Board TYKUN X: The All-Aluminum, Made in Italy Chase Boat
That Hits 55 Knots

The key to any performance chase boat or tender is balance – balance between performance
and seaworthiness; balance between comfort and capability; balance between proven design
and customisability. This focus on balance is what has driven the development of the allaluminium TYKUN X, and the result is a stunning success.

The first hull was not just shown but demonstrated at the Monaco Yacht Show, offering a glimpse into the supreme practicality and formidable performance this 10.5-metre model offers. The TYKUN X combines Italian know-how and Made in Italy philosophy with prodigious experience in a rigorous sector.
Behind TYKUN is Cervia-based MED Group, a shipyard that has spent the last decade building hundreds of specialist high-speed aluminium vessels for public administration and the armed forces.
The concept and design of the TYKUN range – which also currently includes proposals for 8- metre and 12-metre versions – was developed by MED Group in collaboration with renowned architect Tommaso Spadolini and strategic advisor Benedetta Iovane (also known as The Luxury Yacht Lady). For MED Group CEO, Marco Galimberti, the move from military projects to superyachting wasn’t as big a leap as you might think, not least because the nature of the shipyard’s previous projects meant that most were custom-built to meet a specific role or
purpose – the epitome of the custom superyacht chase boat ethos. “More than 90 percent of our business has been military, so in 2024 we decided to try applying our knowledge to build something for superyachts that is different to what’s offered currently,” enthuses Galimberti.

“Wechose aluminium – it’s more complex, but it allows us to handcraft each boat for high performance and high safety. That makes it ideal for moving between anchorages or as a highend villa dayboat.”

Hard runs on high seas

Apart from the carbon fibre hardtop, everything else on the TYKUN – including the hull and the
superstructure – is built in aluminium. “It’s lightweight, it’s reliable, it’s easy to repair, and it’s
recyclable,” Iovane explains. “Most of all, you have a high level of customisation, so depending
on an owner’s needs every aspect of the layout can be modified. Also, the TYKUN is born from
a military hull, so it is already tested in those vessels, and it’s incredible – the seaworthiness is
second to none.”
It shows. Take the TYKUN out of the harbour and you quickly realise that the limits other chase
boats and tenders face present no barriers to the TYKUN X.

In nominally flat conditions with four passengers and 400 litres of fuel on board (essentially at half load), the TYKUN has already topped 52 knots with the twin Mercury Verado 400 engine option and will achieve more if you opt for a more powerful package, with confirmed performance reaching up to 55 knots.
But while calm-weather performance is good for general use, it’s when things turn ugly that the TYKUN truly stands out from the competition. Taking her out of Monaco into a confused sea with unpredictable waves running over a 2.5-metre swell proves the point – TYKUN X is an absolute breeze to drive, and just as comfortable for guests. Thanks to its wide cruising range between 25 and 40 knots, TYKUN X allows owners to choose the most comfortable pace for themselves and their guests, while remaining stable and composed even in rough sea conditions: a true strength of TYKUN’s twin-stepped hull, designed by architect Carlo Bertorello.

Bring her onto the plane and she’ll tackle the seaway head-on at 17 knots in comfort; go helm
down a touch to take the seas beam-on and the X will happily run at a cruise speed of 27 knots
while providing a dry ride even on the occasion she does launch from a crest. The aluminium
twin-stepped hull lands comfortably without a single creak, and the ride in these conditions
remains as dry as cruising on a mirror-like lake.

On Board TYKUN X

The TYKUN X’s capabilities are really seen when you run with the seas on the quarter and open
the throttles wide. Even in that confused sea state, she climbs to 42 knots and is happy there as
you throttle from crest to crest, building your confidence and bringing smiles to your passengers’
faces. It inspires confidence, even when the weather turns. The hull also grips admirably in turns,
and she remains predictable and fully controlled even when slaloming in less-than-ideal
conditions.

Platform for relaxation

Of course, the TYKUN isn’t designed just to be a grin-inducing wild rider – she’s also built as a
multipurpose guest platform. That means features suited to guest transfer and days out on the
water, including a full-length foam rubbing strake encircling the hull; drop-down bulwarks that
extend the cockpit space while at anchor; a configurable cockpit layout that, on the first hull,
includes twin C-shaped sofas with twin dinette tables that drop to create daybeds or sun pads;
a generous sun pad in the bow; and an interior cabin that offers a head as well as a V-berth under
the foredeck for overnight use when needed. There’s also a wet bar unit between the helm and
cockpit seating that can deliver sink, fridges, grill – essentially, whatever you want to complete
the onboard dayboat experience.

On Board TYKUN X

All this has been expertly combined in a striking design penned by renowned Italian architect
Tommaso Spadolini. “This project was a joy from the start,” beams Tommaso Spadolini. “Marco
Galimberti involved me in designing the TYKUN line, and right away I recognized the potential
of this collaboration. Once completed, the project generated so much enthusiasm that a client,
for whom I had previously designed a 50-meter yacht, immediately decided to purchase the first
unit. Part of the layout was then developed according to his specific needs, to create his ideal
tender. I also designed alternative versions for different uses, all based on the extraordinary
military-derived hull developed by MED Group. I just love this concept and the resulting design.”
Storage is also considered, from a warps and fenders locker under the rear sofa, accessed by
hydraulic hatch, to more storage under the forward sunpad, and a handy niche as part of the aft
cockpit sofa that would be perfect for Seabobs and other small toys or towables. The TYKUN X
can also cater to more varied conditions with the addition of clears that can be zipped and
clipped in around the hardtop frame to create an enclosed helm area protected from wind and
weather.

Custom creation

The TYKUN X will soon be joined by a bigger sister, with a 12-metre XII model already in build and with the shipyard planning larger models. The flexibility of the shipyard is key, however, not just in terms of materials and colour customisation, but also in terms of meeting the exact demands of each individual owner.
“In our military work, we only do one-off projects – every build is different, and for us this is
normal,” Galimberti states. “We don’t do industrial production – for example, this year we have done 14 different projects because public administration and the Italian army all wanted different requirements met. Essentially, for us every boat we have produced since 2015 is already custom! This is our attitude, and this is the reason we chose to do the TYKUN series.”

On Board TYKUN X

As a tender or chase boat, he continues, following the style of the mother ship or creating other custom design elements are part of the package. “If someone wants something different, we can do that,” he says. “We have our Boutique line – the base TYKUN tenders and chase boats – and the TYKUN Atelier, which allows you to customise your TYKUN, for this reason.”

Future perfect

It doesn’t stop there – MED Group has already developed a version of the TYKUN that uses the
same hydrogen-powered fuel cell propulsion system as the chase boats built for the 37th
America’s Cup. “We partnered with TESYA Group, who worked on the Bluegame chase boats
for the last America’s Cup, and we have already designed and engineered the hydrogen version
as well as getting it pre-certified,” says Galimberti. “An owner could order one today and take
delivery in eight months. In fact, our TYKUN H1 hydrogen proposal won the Blue Wake Award
for Tenders/Water Toys at the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show, recognising our commitment to
advancing sustainable maritime technology.”

On Board TYKUN X