In the world of luxury boating, it takes more than sleek lines and powerful engines to make a lasting impression. It requires vision, determination, and the ability to deliver yachts that resonate with a lifestyle as much as they do with craftsmanship. Omaya Yachts, a Bulgarian brand born under the umbrella of the family-owned Elica Group, is doing just that.
Founded in 2024 by CEO and co-founder Kaloyan Radulov, Omaya Yachts has already positioned itself as a name to watch on the international stage. While the OMAYA Yachts brand was launched in 2024, the shipyard behind it was founded back in 2019. The debut model, the OMAYA 50, premiered at the Cannes Yachting Festival, immediately drawing attention for its bold design, expansive living spaces, and innovative features.
CEO and co-founder Kaloyan Radulov, Omaya Yachts
For Radulov, showcasing at Cannes was the culmination of years of preparation. “We didn’t want to be another dreamer in the industry,” he explained at the launch. “Having the infrastructure to fulfill our orders after launching plans was a priority. When we launched the brand, we already had four dealers on board, the moulds and first hull completed, it was important we took the time to get the design right before launching”.
The OMAYA 50 stands apart with an unrivalled beam of 8.4 metres, giving it liveable space of more than 150 square metres across the lower and main decks. The flybridge offers panoramic views and generous entertainment zones, while the interior can be customised to suit private owners or the charter market. Options include a master cabin spanning an entire hull, spacious guest cabins, and dedicated crew accommodation.
Technology is another defining feature. The debut hull integrates GARMIN’s EmpirBus system for seamless control of lighting, entertainment, security, and temperature. Navigation and safety are bolstered by Raymarine electronics, including Fishfinder, Radar, Satellite TV, and stereoscopic docking cameras. Systems such as DockSense and Sentinel’s remote monitoring ensure peace of mind for owners.
But Omaya Yachts is not just about building boats, it’s about creating a brand with values rooted in quality and community. “This yacht represents the values of the whole Elica Group, with a focus on quality and the client relationship as they become part of the Omaya family,” said Radulov.
Radulov himself has become a face of this new generation of yacht entrepreneurs. Named to Forbes Bulgaria’s 30 Under 30 list in 2024, he is recognised not just for his role in Omaya Yachts but also for his wider community engagement. Through initiatives like Teenovator, a high school entrepreneurship programme, and the non-profit Future for Silistra, he mentors young people and supports projects that enrich his hometown. “Investing in the next generation is crucial for our collective future,” he said. “To thrive, we need to take care of our communities, enrich them so they can prosper and encourage growth”.
Back at the shipyard, progress has been steady. Work has already begun on the second OMAYA 50 hull, and larger models, a 62ft and an 80ft, are on the drawing board. With a growing dealer network now numbering six worldwide, Omaya Yachts is ensuring that owners are supported no matter where they are.
Market expansion is clearly on the agenda. Partnerships such as the appointment of Horizon Boat Sales in the UK, DIWO Yachts in France, The Multihill Company in the US and Mirgi Yachts in Turkey have shown how Omaya Yachts is carefully building its presence in key regions. The question now is: will Omaya Yachts look to Australia and the Pacific, regions with strong boating cultures and growing interest in luxury catamarans?
For a young brand, Omaya has achieved in a short time what many take decades to build: a compelling identity, a technologically advanced product, and an ambitious leader. If the OMAYA 50 is a sign of things to come, the yachting industry may well have a new heavyweight on its hands.
Q. Omaya Yachts is a relatively young brand, what inspired you to launch it in 2024?
The idea was born back in 2019. As an experienced manufacturer, I knew we shouldn’t announce a brand until we were fully prepared to deliver on it. We invested the time to build the right infrastructure and ensure we could stand behind the name. By 2024, the timing felt perfect — power catamarans were gaining global popularity, yet the segment still had room for strong new players.
Q. The OMAYA 50 made an impressive debut at Cannes. What has the reaction from the market been so far?
The response has exceeded even our expectations. Our creative partners described the OMAYA 50 as a “new-gen powercat,” and the market confirmed it. Visitors were genuinely taken aback by the layout and atmosphere onboard — many told us immediately, “This is our boat.”
The press coverage was also overwhelming. More than 20 journalists turned up for a press call at Cannes Yachting Festival, and many of them toured the boat with their cameras, eager to share the story with their readers. That level of attention is a clear sign that the OMAYA 50 has made a strong and successful debut.
Q. What were the biggest design priorities when developing the OMAYA 50?
We wanted to create a true liveaboard experience — generous space, effortless movement around the yacht, and uncompromised comfort. At the same time, performance and efficiency were non-negotiable. The OMAYA 50 offers 156 sqm of living space, multiple social areas, maximum speeds of 17kn or 22kn (depending on the engine) and fuel consumption as low as 35 litres total at cruising speeds. It’s a balance that makes the boat irresistible for both private owners and charter clients.
Q. How does Omaya Yachts balance luxury with practicality for private owners and charter operators?
Luxury is no longer about gilded finishes — it’s about comfort and space. We’ve curated colours, textiles, and played with the natural light to create an atmosphere where people feel instantly at ease. True luxury means having room to breathe, move, and spend quality time with family and friends, without compromise.
Q. Technology seems to play a big role in the OMAYA 50, how important is innovation to your vision?
With technology comes simplicity in operation, maintenance, and ownership. We partner only with the best suppliers to guarantee safety, reliability, and peace of mind for our clients. This also ensures that wherever our yachts travel, we can provide responsive and seamless
Q. The brand already has plans for 62ft and 80ft models. Can you tell us more about these future developments?
Expanding the line was a natural step. In line with our corporate philosophy to work on large-scale projects and thus become close to our selected customers, the decision was not hard for OMAYA to also decide to pursue developing the product line to larger models. Larger models allow us to showcase the full potential of catamaran design and how intelligently these spaces can be used. The design briefs for the 62ft and 80ft models are ready, and work will begin very soon. These yachts will elevate the OMAYA philosophy to an even greater scale.
Q. How has your family’s Elica Group background influenced Omaya Yachts’ philosophy?
Having the strength of Elica Group behind us has been invaluable. It allowed us to adopt structures and processes that many younger companies often overlook — from accounting and HR to marketing, design, ERP integration, and quality control. That backbone frees us to focus fully on innovation and client experience.
Q. You’ve been named in Forbes 30 Under 30 and are active in youth mentoring programmes. How do these experiences shape your leadership?
Working with young people and volunteers has been transformative. It’s often more challenging to hold the attention of teenagers for 90 minutes or keep volunteers motivated for a year than to manage a company team. These experiences have humbled me, reshaped my leadership style, and made me more self-aware. They push me to grow continually — and for that I’m grateful.
Q. Omaya Yachts has appointed dealers in Europe and the UK. Are there plans to expand into Australia and the Pacific markets, and if so, when might we see an Omaya yacht here?
Yes, expansion into Australia and the Pacific is part of our strategy. We are still finalising the detail and hope to have more news within the next month or so.
Q. Finally, what does success look like for Omaya Yachts over the next five to ten years?
Success means establishing OMAYA as a leading, high-quality builder of power catamarans. We want to be known as reliable commercial partners and forward-thinking innovators who help shape the future of the industry.
For more information about Omaya Yachts – visit their website https://www.omaya-yachts.com/
