A new superyacht named after a famous Beatles tune and described by the builder as a “complex and challenging” project is to be handed over to its owners next month.

The 44.1-m new build, codenamed AY54 and christened Hey Jude by its owners, was launched by New Zealand’s Alloys Yachts at its Auckland yard earlier this month.

At just under 500 gross tonnes, Hey Jude slipped into the water in front of more than 300 employees, VIP guests and the yacht’s owners.

Designed by Australia’s Sam Sorgiovanni with an interior by Redman Whitely Dixon, Hey Jude is the first Sorgiovanni-designed yacht that the yard has built.

Managing director Tony Hambrook commented that the design team, along with the owner’s representative David McQueen and yacht Captain Paul Maguire, were a “confident team of vast experience - able to make decisions and action developments based on their extensive knowledge of the owners and of the boat building process”.

McQueen said in that working with Alloy Yachts had been “an absolute pleasure”.

“The professional team made this project a satisfying experience that we hope to be able to repeat,” he added.

Alloy Yachts said it is presently actively working with brokers and potential owners to secure its next contract.

“The staff and management at Alloy Yachts are looking forward to a long summer break after completing such a complex and challenging project,” the yacht builder added in a statement.