For yacht owners seeking a different sort of performance chase boat that brings a certain degree of military pedigree and secret agent flair with it, the TYKUN X may just be the craft for them. With an uncompromising focus on balance between performance and seaworthiness, comfort & capability, and proven design with adaptable customisability, the resulting all-aluminium boat has stunningly hit all of its key developmental goals.

With the type’s first hull not just shown statically but also dynamically demonstrated at the recent Monaco Yacht Show, this 10.5-metre example showcased the model’s formidable performance & supreme practicality; combining Italian know-how and the unequaled Made in Italy philosophy with the MED Group’s extensive experience in a specialized sector. Indeed the Cervia-based shipyard has built & delivered hundreds of very purposeful high-speed aluminium vessels for both the armed forces and public administration ministries throughout the last 10 years.

Currently also including proposals for potential 8-metre & 12-metre variants, the TYKUN range’s concept and design were collaboratively developed by MED Group together with renowned architect Tommaso Spadolini & strategic advisor Benedetta Iovane who’s more widely known as The Luxury Yacht Lady. This shift from military projects towards superyachting made instant sense for MED Group CEO Marco Galimberti, exactly because most of the shipyard’s previous projects were indeed custom-built to fulfill a specifically purposeful role –the exact ethos which drives much of the bespoke superyacht chase boat sector. He shared, “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. We chose 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 high-end villa dayboat.”

With its carbon fiber hardtop being the sole exception, the rest of the TYKUN is entirely constructed using aluminium including its hull and superstructure. Being born from a hull already proven by military spec testing, the lightweight, easily reliable & sustainable material gives the TYKUN an impressive level of seaworthiness. On top of that, its high capacity for customization enables every aspect of its layout to be adapted for an owner’s specific needs.

Out on the water, the TYKUN’s remarkable capabilities quickly broke barriers faced by other chase boats and tenders. With four passengers and 400 litres of fuel on board (essentially half its full capacity), it easily tops 52 knots in normal flat conditions when equipped with the twin Mercury Verado 400 engine option; with the confirmed capacity to reach up to 55 knots with more powerful packages.

Fair-weather performance aside, it’s when the seas get rougher that the TYKUN truly sets itself apart from the competition. Even venturing out of Monaco into unpredictable sea waves running over a 2.5-metre swell, the X proved to be an absolute breeze to drive with no discomfort for its guests. Showing the full strength of its twin-stepped hull penned by architect Carlo Bertorello, a wide 25-40 knot cruising speed allows owners to pace it comfortably for both themselves & their guests with no reduction in stability or composure even in choppier conditions.

Drive her fast enough that her hull begins to plane and the X comfortably tackles seaways head-on even at 17 knots in comfort; when helmed down a touch to take the seas beam-on, she still runs comfortably at cruising speeds up to 27 knots with a fully dry ride even when launching off the occasional crest, her twin-stepped aluminium hull smoothly landing without a single creak.

However the TYKUN X only bares its full capabilities when run on the seas at wide open throttle. Even in that less smooth sea state, she still topped 42 knots and held it happily even when throttling from crest to crest, building her drivers’ confidence while putting wide smiles on the faces of lucky invited passengers. Her hull truly impressed with its grip, remaining fully controlled & predictable and fully controlled even when slaloming through those less-than-ideal conditions.

More than being just a grin-inducing wild rider though, the TYKUN is also a highly versatile guest platform with features optimized for guest transfers and adventurous days out at sea. These include a foam rubbing strake encircling the hull’s full length, drop-down bulwarks expanding cockpit space while at anchor, and a configurable layout comprising twin C-shaped sofas with two dinette tables that drop to form daybeds or sun pads on this first hull. The bow houses another generous sun pad, while beneath the foredeck there’s an interior cabin with a V-berth for overnight rest when required. There’s even a wet bar unit housed between the helm & cockpit seating with all the essentials needed for a complete onboard dayboat experience.

All this is expertly topped off by the X’s striking design penned by renowned Italian architect Tommaso Spadolini who enthused, “This project was a joy from the start,” . Marco Galimberti involved me in designing theTYKUN 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 MEDGroup. I just love this concept and the resulting design.”

A bigger sibling will soon be joining the TYKUN , with a XII model measuring 12 metres already in build and even larger models in the shipyard’s plans. Its highly adaptable flexibility is crucial not just in catering to material & colour customization, but even in fulfilling the exactingly specific wishes of each individual owner. As a chase boat or tender, following the mother ship’s style or incorporating other custom design elements are all part of the game here. Galimberti added, “If someone wants something different, we can do that. We have our Boutique line – the base TYKUN tenders and chase boats – and the TYKUN Atelier which allows you to customize your TYKUN for this reason.”

That’s not all: MED Group has already developed another TYKUN version powered by the same hydrogen fuel cell system as chase boats built for the 37th America’s Cup. Developed in partnership with TESYA Group which worked on those Bluegame chase boats, the hydrogen version has already been designed, engineered and pre-certified. One could even be ordered today & delivered in eight months. Further demonstrating the Group’s commitment to advancing sustainable maritime technologies, its TYKUN H1 hydrogen proposal also won the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show’s Blue Wake Award for Tenders / Water Toys.