The new life of Sounion II, a 32-meter Benetti from 1969 refitted in Campania

The 31,6-metre superyacht built by the Benetti shipyard and launched in 1969 underwent its latest refit, lasting seven months and giving it a new lease of life.

Carried out in a shipyard in Naples (likely S&Y Sea & Yachting of Torre Annunziata), the work also included – at the owner's request – minor reconfigurations of Sounion II's internal layout, which now includes a main deck lounge optimised for an open plan, a new dedicated study and an open-air cinema mounted on the sundeck.

The renovation of Frederic Mechiche's original interiors was overseen by English designer Anouska Hempel—named one of the world's top 100 interior designers by Architectural Digest—who, using neutral tones and contrasting black, created a slightly Asian-inspired atmosphere. With the addition of furnishings of varying styles and materials, including valuable antique Louis Vuitton trunks, the overall result is an elegant and refined vintage feel in keeping with its traditional exterior.

Hempel described his inspiration as a fusion of Eastern and Western influences, designed to highlight Sounion II’s distinctive presence among other superyachts at sea, declaring her “beautifully unique” through this intersection of cultures, history and design.

The latest refit also included engineering upgrades to several systems, including the yacht's air conditioning, navigation, and watermaker, continuing the previous year's work, which included installing a new 5G Wi-Fi system.

The yacht has an interior volume of 169GT and is classified by Bureau Veritas. Powered by twin reconditioned 750 hp Volvo diesel engines, she reaches a top speed of 13 knots and a cruising speed of 11,5 knots. Her range is 2.900 nautical miles at 11 knots. Sounios II will be exhibited at the upcoming Cannes Yachting Festival.

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