Reviews

Benetti, Motopanfilo, 37M, superyacht, Francesco Struglia, Carl Pickering, Lazzarini Pickering, Cannes Yachting Festival

Benetti Motopanfilo 37M: Floating in Time

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Benetti Motopanfilo 37M: Floating in Time

January 6, 2022
3:40 pm

Inspired by nautical traditions and the romance of life at sea, Benetti turns back time with the Motopanfilo 37M. By Risa Merl.

The Motopanfilo 37M is Benetti’s newest Class yacht

In a time when everything seems to run at a hectic pace, Benetti has embraced the idea of slowing down with its new Motopanfilo 37M motor yacht. Not in terms of speed, mind you – she cruises at a respectable 15 knots – but in terms of style.

Debuting at the Cannes Yachting Festival last September, the new 37m ‘Class’ model from Benetti takes inspiration from the Italian shipyard’s glamorous navettas of the 1960s and ’70s, which were loved by royalty and rock stars alike. As such, the starting point for Motopanfilo 37M was the desire to reinterpret the traditional features of iconic Benetti styling in the name of new classicism.

Francesco Struglia designed the exterior

“The brief was to conceive a new yacht that would incorporate the characteristics of Benetti motor yachts from the 1960s,” says Francesco Struglia, who studied the evolution of the lines of the builder’s models from this period to create the Motopanfilo 37M’s distinct exterior.

“I liked the clean shapes of that time when the phase of pushed fibreglass began. The yachts were shaped with enormous charm because they were the result of experience, accumulated over the years, in solving certain construction problems. They told a story full of value and meaning. Hence the idea to start from ultra-clean shapes, free from the ostentation that has piled up over the years.”

The exterior was inspired by 1960s navettas

CURVES AND WINDOWS

Struglia captures this by creating an exterior with balanced proportions and continuity between the hull and superstructure, which are connected by an angled piece of fibreglass set amidships that defines the profile. Classic fashion plates are interpreted in a new way, with a bronze piece running along the handrails, up the angled fibreglass and onto the ceiling of the aft deck overhang.

The stern, Struglia says, is a modern reinterpretation of a classic round stern. The Motopanfilo does not have a canoe stern, but she does possess generous curves that give a nod to this styling.

The iconic beach club with cabana

“The reinterpretation of the round stern required an in-depth study and is paradoxically the most modern element of the entire concept,” says Struglia, who was also inspired by automotive design. “Owners who appreciate a certain type of car will immediately recognise elements that refer to Bentley and Rolls-Royce.”

An element that separates the Motopanfilo 37M from Benettis of the past is the overall volume, as today’s yachts are much roomier. Struglia was challenged to play with the yacht’s volumes while staying under 300GT.

Covered aft deck on the upper deck

To balance the increased volume with elegant, classic lines, Struglia lengthened the forward hull windows, so they almost reach the bow’s apex. Furthermore, as today’s owners demand large windows, expansive glazing dominates the main and upper decks.

Once onboard, there’s a clear sensation of being in close contact with the sea thanks to these massive windows, which due to modern R&D in glass construction, is another design element that separates the yacht from Benettis of yesteryear.

NAUTICAL ELEMENTS

For the interior design, Lazzarini Pickering Architetti was tasked with creating living areas recalling nautical traditions.

Lazzarini Pickering Architetti handled the interior

It wasn’t the first time that the Rome-based design duo had worked with Benetti on an interpretation of the past, having worked on the 52m Sai Ram launched in 2004 – “one of the first superyachts to offer contemporary interiors in a style dominated by the classic”, according to Carl Pickering.

For the Motopanfilo 37M, the emphasis was on creating a boat that feels like a boat, not an apartment at sea.

Aft view of main-deck saloon shows the ‘ribs’

“The interior design had to embody the elegance of classic motor yachts, seen through a contemporary lens,” Pickering says. “Benetti wanted to re-propose the dream of a past that regales us with nautical stories and myths, moving away from the trending approach in modern yacht design, which is to build boats that are like villas on the water.”

To bring in classic nautical elements, Lazzarini Pickering looked at architectural features reminiscent of the past, like beams that could physically extend the lines of sight. Curved beams run up along the ceiling along the yacht’s width on each deck.

The master suite is forward on the main deck

In the saloon, white lacquered beams run across the wood ceilings, while this pattern is transposed on the upper and lower decks, where wooden beams are situated on white ceilings. Pickering has described the feeling created by these beams, or ribs, as “standing inside the belly of a whale”.

Portlight-shaped lighting fixtures add to the feeling of nautical heritage, as does the white leather cladded mast feature in the central staircase that runs from the lower to upper deck and is designed to look like a mast that would be seen in a sailing superyacht.

The lounge on the upper deck

Design motifs of the 1960s and ’70s are seen in the use of mirrored surfaces and rounded furnishings, like the curved sofas in the main saloon, which Pickering says encourage conversation and relaxed living. Mirrors are used skilfully to expand the space, such as those set into the window frames, effectively reflecting the sea and sky and opening the space further.

The interior materials are otherwise kept simple, with light woods, white leather and neutral-coloured soft goods, all conceived to highlight the yacht’s architectural lines. It’s a subdued sort of glamour, not one overly busy with crystals or gold.

VIP cabin on the lower deck

“We believe that nowadays true elegance is not the sum of details such as golden taps but comes from a feeling you can convey by giving the space a certain structure,” Pickering says.

All fabrics on board are by Loro Piana Interiors and the saloon is adorned in outdoor-grade soft goods to encourage the space to be lived in all day, even in a damp bathing suit after splashing in the sea.

ON DECK AND ON TOP

Outdoor living was a major focus of the design, and there are myriad places to enjoy life alfresco including the spacious sun deck and bow lounge, both of which can have spa pools.

A spa pool in the bow of the upper deck

The beach club captures the feel of a classic beach cabana with a collapsible, accordion-style bimini top that protects the swim platform from the sun and adds an element of privacy.

A noteworthy bonus area for outdoor living is the observation deck, set just above the sun deck. “Built around the central mast, this space would have been a small flybridge [on classic yachts], designed to accommodate a small group of guests,” Struglia says.

The sun deck is partially covered

“On the Motopanfilo 37M, it takes a whole new shape. It’s an intimate retreat, designed for two people to relax. Here, privacy is absolute.”

It might not be impossible to stop time entirely, but with the Motopanfilo 37M, it’s possible to suspend it at least and enjoy a different style of yachting, as Pickering attests.

The private observation deck on top of the sun deck

“By creating a yacht suspended in time, inspired by 1960s glamour, we brought back to life a story full of charm when the large pleasure boats of the time were the object of desire.”

Benetti’s new Motopanfilo 37M has already proven to be popular, with at least four hulls sold so far, proving there is taste in the market for a classic-contemporary yacht that celebrates the glamorous history of yachting without denying owners any of the modern comforts expected today.

www.benettiyachts.it

Azimut-Benetti tops Global Order Book; Asian builder No. 3
Italy’s Azimut-Benetti Group has topped the Global Order Book for superyachts for the 22nd successive year, ahead of fellow Italian yard Sanlorenzo and Taiwan’s Ocean Alexander.

Brokerage: Victorious makes bold statement in Hong Kong

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Brokerage: Victorious makes bold statement in Hong Kong

December 20, 2021
5:23 pm

Victorious is a 97ft Hong Kong-based Horizon whose vibrant outdoor areas hint at the wondrous world of colours and materials throughout the customised interior, which includes a Moulin Rouge-themed master suite, Italian marble bathrooms and a gold-leaf jacuzzi. By Lindsay Varty.

Victorious is a customised Horizon 97 RPH

Victorious is the passion project of its first and only owner, who commissioned Horizon to build the 97ft motor yacht in 2010. Reliable build quality was important in the choice of the Taiwanese shipyard but so was its willingness to allow the owner to redesign the interior and create something entirely unique.

A fibreglass displacement yacht with a top speed of 22 knots and a range of 800nm at 10 knots, Victorious features the sleek lines of the 97 Raised Pilothouse series and an extra-long flybridge that leads forward to the enclosed helm station.

Each outdoor zone is lit up by splashes of colour, but it’s the interior that truly reflects the eccentricity of the owner, who collaborated with a British designer to create an indoor vision of fashion, fun and glamour.

The yacht is for sale through Camper & Nicholsons

Earlier this year, after over a decade of boating on the yacht, the owner appointed Camper & Nicholsons as the central agent for the sale of Victorious, which has an asking price of US$3.45 million and retains her captain and a crew of six, who have kept the yacht in excellent condition.

“Victorious is a bold and forward-thinking design that has maintained its appeal and continues to be as full of vivaciousness and value today,” says Karen Ball, a Hong Kong-based Sales Broker for the global brokerage house. “The owner wanted to create a statement customised interior that reflected his passion for design and fashion aboard a globally recognised masterpiece.”

FUN IN THE SUN

While the swim platform is relatively conventional, two staircases lead to the spacious, teak-laid aft cockpit that introduces guests to the eye-catching yellow, orange, red and burgundy colour combination also used on other outdoor areas.

The aft-deck sofa continues the outdoor colour scheme

The four colours are used on the cushions of the cockpit sofa, which is accompanied by an oblong glass dining table and four red-and-burgundy dining chairs, the latter giving a hint of the artistic furnishings and décor inside.

A curved portside staircase leads up to the flybridge, where the highlights include a mosaic-tiled bar complete with fridge and hidden cooking station, while the bar stools are finished in red, burgundy, orange and yellow – same colours, different order. Facing the bar is a huge C-shaped sofa with two glass tables, which provides another area for alfresco dining.

Forward is a bubbling jacuzzi with built-in lounge seating, another reason that makes the flybridge the perfect place to enjoy sundowners while savouring 360-degree sea views. The jacuzzi comes with a hard covering, which neatly disguises it and can even create extra seating space for larger parties.

The extended flybridge features a mosaic-tiled bar to port, lounging area to starboard and forward jacuzzi

Aft of the social area, the flybridge has been extended compared to the regular 97RP design, which on Victorious creates space for a crane plus tenders and toys such as an AB Rib with 25hp Mercury outboard.

Back on the main deck, side passages lead to the foredeck where a fitted sunpad and sofa in the signature outdoor colours offers a quiet area for sunbathing and relaxing in the sea breeze.

PREPARE TO BE DAZZLED

From the aft cockpit, a tinted glass sliding door leads into the saloon, where guests suddenly feel transported into another world, one full of whimsical luxury and grandeur, where neon lights and striped Victorian sofas set the tone for what’s to come.

The saloon introduces a customised interior that covers a wide range of colours, textures and lighting

Aside from the two TVs and storage units built into the faux alligator-skin walls, the saloon furnishings are all moveable, allowing for guests to rearrange the room as they wish, whether it’s to gather for afternoon tea or sing karaoke under the flashing disco lights.

Forward are two ocean-themed sliding doors, with the port one leading to the brightly lit, pristine white galley.

The blue dining room is forward on the main deck

The starboard door leads to the lower-deck staircase and onward to the sea-blue dining room, which features a modern glass table and vintage French chairs with upholstered New York-themed backrests, providing a memorable dining experience.

Furthermore, the sophisticated TV system enables the room to double as a conference space should business be brought on board.

MOULIN ROUGE BOUDOIR

Victorious has three en-suite staterooms on the lower deck, providing accommodation for up to six guests. Each cabin has its own themed design, carefully crafted to wow and bewilder guests.

The full-beam master suite has a chaise longue, red velvet curtains, crimson carpets and a four-poster bed

The true pièce de résistance is the master stateroom midships, where owners can enjoy a wild and wonderful Moulin Rouge-themed boudoir, complete with chaise longue, crushed red velvet curtains, plush crimson carpets and an elegant king-sized four-poster bed with long black draping.

To top off the magnificence of the large cabin, a gold-leaf, mosaic-walled jacuzzi in the en-suite bathroom gives owners a chance to relax like royalty, with the rare marble flooring – used for all three en-suite bathrooms – flown in from Italy.

The master cabin’s en-suite bathroom features his and hers areas either side of a gold-leaf jacuzzi bath

His and hers toilets and wash basins flank the jacuzzi, allowing for owners to have their own personal space while getting ready.

In the VIP suite, the stunning baby-blue bubble design on the walls provides an ‘under the sea’ sensation as guests lay back on crisp bedsheets and enjoy the sound of the waves around them. As with each of the rooms, a hidden TV at the end of the bed can pop up with just a click of a button, should late night movies be on the cards.

The baby-blue VIP suite features an eye-catching bubble design

The guest cabin forward features gold bronze walls and purple crushed velvet curtains with a hidden built-in vanity unit beside a long porthole. The double bed can be lifted and efficiently stored into the wall, then replaced by a sofa to transform the cabin into a theatre room or games room for children.

“The interior features bold, beautiful, original designs with exquisite materials that deliver a rich and unique environment,” Ball says. “Victorious is a truly unique yacht, which is searching for a new owner full of life and imagination and who isn’t afraid to stand out from the crowd.”

http://www.camperandnicholsons.com

VICTORIOUS
Luxury Motor Yacht for Sale | 29.56m (96ft 11in) | Horizon Yachts | 2010

New and Improved: Fairline upgrades fun-filled F//Line 33

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

New and Improved: Fairline upgrades fun-filled F//Line 33

December 16, 2021
4:06 pm

Two years after the launch of its 33ft dayboat, Fairline has tweaked and tinkered with the design to return with an updated version driven by customer demand. Meet the new and improved F//Line 33, with hard top option and aft sunbed. By Olivia Michel.

Fairline’s fastest boat, the F//Line 33 is ideal for one or two couples or a family, but has a daytime capacity of eight

The common adage, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, may sound familiar to most, but the saying is distinctly alien in the yachting industry where builders and designers are constantly refining proven models in a bid to create an even better version.

In the case of Fairline’s F//Line 33, the original model – which premiered at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2019 – was certainly not broken, proving both popular and very fast, hitting 48 knots with the most powerful engine options. Regional dealer Simpson Marine imported the first unit in Asia last year.

The hard top is a popular new option

Based on consumer responses, Fairline had decided by early 2020 that the boat could be slightly improved and started developing the new model, which was ultimately premiered at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival in September.

“All changes were 100 per cent driven by customer feedback,” explains Miles Moorhouse, Fairline’s Head of Marketing. “With all boats you are constantly tweaking the design and listening to your customers. Our ability to react to market demand is critical and a hand-made project like this means you can make changes.”

A C-shaped sofa replaces the two facing bench seats

An array of small but significant edits have helped the model reach new heights, but the original concept remains the same.

Penned by Italian designer Alberto Mancini and inspired by classic 1960s car design, the 33ft fibreglass vessel is a sexy day boat that offers much more than a quick cruise to the nearest lunch spot.

The aft sunpad is a major new feature

Generous onboard spaces, sleek lines and a revolutionised driving experience makes the F//Line 33 stand out among the brand’s other models. “It looks very different from a traditional Fairline,” Moorhouse notes. “This is very much a weekender boat.”

OPTIMISING SPACES

The new F//Line 33 is based on the same hull but with variations to the design of the main deck. Original features such as a forward sunbed and aft dining area are retained but with a slightly modified design to better serve their purpose.

The hard top has an electric sunroof over the twin helm

Optimising the outdoor experience became a clear priority for the revised layout of the model. This has been realised in the form of details such as a new portside wet bar with options to add a fridge, electric griddle and icemaker to enhance al fresco entertaining for six guests.

Starboard seating is now arranged in a C-shaped sofa to starboard around a teak-topped table, with the aft backrest doubling up as a headrest for an additional two-person sunbed.

There are now sunpads fore and aft

Having just one walkway, to port, instead of two creates more socialising area. Moving to an open-transom format also offers easier access to the water for guests wanting to spend extra time outdoors.

Perhaps the most obvious and popular alteration is the inclusion of a hard top option, with Fairline declaring that it has been chosen on every new order.

The interior dinette can convert to a bed

Below deck, interiors are surprisingly spacious given the compact size of the dayboat. The layout incudes a convertible forward dinette, day head and midships cabin.

The dinette with a nifty high-low table and an ultra-modern mirror TV also ensures that the lower deck is as cosy and comfortable as the spaces above. The low cabin offers a serene sleeping space with a double bed, justifying Moorhouse’s preference to call it a weekender rather than a basic dayboat.

The cosy double cabin midships

The new interior also has increased storage space and a host of new options such as a cooking hob and sink, ensuring that even when it’s raining outside, onboard dining can still involve more than pre-packed picnics.

EASY TO DRIVE – AND CONFIGURE

Fairline initially created the F//Line project to attract a new audience, reflected in the model’s energetic performance.

There are now twin helm seats instead of a bench

Moorhouse describes the desired demographic as slightly younger than ‘big boat’ buyers, maybe even people new to boating. For some, the F//Line 33 is their first luxury boat. The driving experience is key to the specific consumer market.

Despite being able to reach impressive speeds depending on engine choice, the F//Line 33 “has built a reputation as a good sea boat that lands softly” and is decidedly “easy to handle,” according to Moorhouse. He describes the F//Line 33 as “confidence giving” due to its user-friendly set-up.

The F//Line 33 is designed to be easy to drive

In the new version, an increased helm width makes room for two 12in Garmin navigation screens where before there was just one.

As well as being easy to drive, the F//Line 33 is easy to personalise. Fairline’s excellent online configurator allows potential clients to see how they’d like their boat to look, such as with or without a hard top, inboard or outboard engines, and the best colours for the hull, upholstery and interior.

The interior now has the added option of a sink, hob and tableware storage

Moorhouse says the online configurator is invaluable to the purchasing process of the new F//Line 33. “People’s knowledge of the product is great by the time they visit. It works well for clients from around the world, who can use the configurator to build their ideal 33. It’s a powerful tool.”

Looking ahead, Moorhouse says “there is scope to expand the F//Line”, suggesting that although the 33 may be one of the brand’s most refined models, there could be more to come from the new range.
www.fairline.com
www.simpsonmarine.com

British builder Fairline Yachts has announced a new CEO, while a former CEO will return to the company as Chairman from January.

Prestige elevates F-Line flagship with X-Line flair

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Prestige elevates F-Line flagship with X-Line flair

December 7, 2021
4:22 am

Yacht Style sea-trialled the Prestige 690 with Brand Director Erwin Bamps and designer Camillo Garroni during the model’s world premiere at Cannes, where the French builder’s F-Line flagship showed off a comfortable ride, expanded flybridge with designer furniture and luxurious interior upgrade.

The Prestige 690 features the 680 hull and the hardtop of the X70

Early-morning sea trials at the Cannes Yachting Festival are always a pleasure but for the Yacht Style team’s exclusive test of the new Prestige 690, there was a bonus – two, in fact.

Not only were we joined by Erwin Bamps, Brand Director of Prestige, but we were doubly surprised to also be accompanied by Camillo Garroni of Garroni Design, the Italian studio that has designed every Prestige model since the brand launched as an offshoot of Jeanneau in 1989.

The upper helm station has twin seats

Before taking the brand’s new F-Line flagship out of Vieux Port, it was helpful to see her berthed alongside the pioneering X70, the model that launched a radical new range for Prestige last year, with the first unit in Asia recently arriving in Hong Kong through Asia Yachting.

Both the 690 and X70 are based on the same hull as the former 680, which was designed to accommodate the Volvo Penta IPS propulsion system.

The Prestige 690 succeeds the 680 as the brand’s F-Line flagship

While the X70 features a radical redesign of the main deck – where there are no side decks – as well as flybridge and beach club, the 690 represents a more conventional upgrade as it assumes the role of the new F-Line flagship.

The 690 generally follows the signature exterior style that has helped make Prestige a world leader in the production of mid-sized flybridge motor yachts. However, one design trait it has borrowed from the X70 is the hard top featuring forward-angled side supports and curved forward struts, as well as an electric sunroof.

The flybridge has a dining table for six, huge wet bar and a C-shaped sofa by the helm

As the yacht heads out of the port, we all make our way to the teak-covered flybridge, which is among the yacht’s standout features. It has been extended aft compared to the 680 and now covers 22sqm (236sqft), putting it among leaders in its class, where the brand competes with global heavyweights like Azimut, Ferretti, Sunseeker, Princess and Absolute.

In fact, the entire flybridge has been redesigned, with the port position of the stairs among the few similarities to the 680. Instead of mostly fitted seating and lounging areas, the layout has been completely reconfigured.

Roda furniture is an option for the aft part of the flybridge

The covered forward area features a dining table set lengthways and six chairs, opposite a long wet bar to starboard that includes a barbecue, sink and fridge.

For the aft half, Prestige offers an island sunpad in the standard configuration. However, the option shown on the unit in Cannes features elegant Roda outdoor furniture – a sofa to starboard, a chair and a low table, all secured to the floor by a simple bolt system. Depending on the arrangement, the furniture is free to face the clear aft balustrade, which is another difference to the 680.

The Prestige 690 offers owners a lot of options

“The whole point is to give owners the ability to arrange the furniture as they like, depending on how they wish to use it that day or for that particular cruise or season,” Bamps says. “The 690 has far less moulded and fitted furniture because we want to have people start thinking differently and more freely.”

EASY PERFORMANCE

The upper helm is to port and features twin carbon-fibre seats with armrests – rather than the bench seat on the 680 – and is accompanied by a C-shaped sofa to starboard. The standard engines are twin 900hp IPS1200s, although we were happy to hear that the unit in Cannes had the 1,000hp IPS1350 options.

The Prestige 690 comfortably topped 30 knots

As we took the wheel, we appreciated how easy it was to read the information displayed on the two large screens and how comfortable a motor yacht the 690 is to pilot.

In relatively calm morning conditions, we were able to twist and turn at leisure and managed to exceed 31 knots, faster than our hosts had predicted. However, the yacht’s comfortable cruising speeds are in the range of 18-20 knots at 1,800-2,000rpm, when it provides far more reasonable fuel consumption.

The yacht also benefited from the optional Seakeeper 18 gyro stabiliser, which was operating soon after we left the port and is especially useful at anchor, where it dramatically reduces roll. In addition, the joystick proved very efficient in controlling the IPS pods and managing manoeuvres leaving and entering the Old Port.

In addition, the 690 also benefits from Groupe Beneteau’s new SEANAPPS technology, which enables owners to monitor their boat in real time, plan and schedule maintenance services, and consult the maintenance log through a dedicated mobile App.

The foredeck sunpad can be partly sheltered by a folding bimini

Other outdoor areas include the foredeck, which has a fitted three-person sunpad that can be partly sheltered by a folding bimini. The hexagonal-topped backrests on the forward sofa are among notable styling upgrades.

At the other end of the boat, the aft cockpit is relatively conventional, with a sofa and teak table, while the area can be shaded by an electric sun awning that slides down between the two aft struts.

The aft sunpad suspended above the swim platform is an attractive option

Prestige offers the appealing option of an aft sunpad that’s behind the sofa and ‘suspended’ above the swim platform. Aside from being a nice place to lie down with a book, it’s also a great for watching over family and friends playing in the water, which also helps with safety.

FINE FINISHING

Heading inside, the main deck retains the general layout of the 680, although the décor, materials, finishing and details have been notably elevated and reflect the fine furnishings introduced on the X70. “The interior finishing is very different from the 680,” Bamps emphasises.

The interior decor and detailing reflect the luxurious finish introduced on the X70

Grey oak is the standard interior woodwork, although wenge is among options, while nubuck or leather are among fabric choices.

The open aft galley is to port, where there’s lots of storage above and below, plus plenty of working space on countertops on all four sides. The galley links nicely with the dining area opposite, where an adjustable glass dining table and L-shaped sofa are supplemented by foldable dining chairs.

The saloon is up a step from the galley and dining area

Up a step, the main saloon has a large C-shaped sofa and coffee table to port and there’s even space for a facing sofa beside the stairs to the guest cabins midships.

As well as large windows on both sides, there’s also a sliding door to starboard, which is useful for the driver and for passenger access to and from the foredeck.

The largest saloon looks forward to the retractable TV

The double helm station sits atop low cupboards, while to the left are higher cupboards that also contain the pop-up TV in a refreshing forward location compared to it typically interrupting a side window.

To port are the private steps – a Prestige signature – that lead down and forward to the master suite, which has a high ceiling and plenty of light from long hull windows.

The master suite is forward and can be among three full-beam staterooms

A forward-facing bed measuring 1.98.m by 1.60m (6ft 5in x 5ft 2in) flanked by bedside tables faces a large TV, while there’s even an overhead skylight with opening hatch with electric shade.

On the port side, by the stairs, are a chaise longue, dressing table and low cupboard topped by shelves, while forward is the walk-in closet with shelving, and the bathroom. To starboard is a long storage cabinet.

The master features a chaise longue, dressing table and en-suite bathroom in the bow

The saloon stairs to the guest cabin lead down to a hallway that divides the VIP cabin midships from either two twin cabins forward or another full-beam guest stateroom with en-suite bathroom, depending on the choice of the three or four-cabin version. There’s also an option for an aft twin crew cabin that’s accessible from the swim platform and has direct access to the engine room.

Overall, the Prestige 690 is certainly not as radical an overhaul of its predecessor as the X70, but it has benefited from a handful of selected features and finishes introduced on the latter while also showing off a couple of tricks of its own.
www.prestige-yachts.com
www.asiayachting.net

Asia Yachting hosts exclusive Prestige show
The regional dealer hosted the Prestige Exclusive Day and Asia Yachting Brokerage Boat Show over three days at Lantau Yacht Club in Hong Kong.

Y focus on carbon: Custom Tripp 90 by YYachts

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Y focus on carbon: Custom Tripp 90 by YYachts

November 19, 2021
8:36 pm

Specialising in luxury carbon sailing yachts from 70-100ft, Germany’s YYachts has launched its custom-built Tripp 90, which features an exterior by Bill Tripp and a richly detailed interior by Winch Design – and will be followed by the Y9 model in 2022. By John Higginson.

Designed by Bill Tripp, the US-flagged Prevail is a custom build by YYachts

As Bill Tripp walks the deck of Prevail during its world premiere at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival, he’s proud but also a little excited.

That’s because the American naval architect is looking ahead to a potential trip to the Caribbean, where he has been invited to join the owner for some sailing on the custom-designed Tripp 90, which was showcased in Cannes alongside the Y7, an earlier design by the American that helped YYachts establish its reputation.

Prevail has a carbon hull, superstructure, mast, boom and sails, and a flush deck with sustainable Lignia wood

After Prevail was launched by YYachts from its shipyard outside Greifswald on Germany’s northeast coast, Tripp was among those involved in sea trials in the Baltic Sea, when he says conditions were “a little too calm”.

However, Prevail’s owner, an American with strong ties to Europe, has already spent quite a bit of time on his carbon-fibre performance cruiser in the Mediterranean, with Tripp saying the 90ft sloop has clocked 18 knots and should be able to get up to about 25 when it really gets to stretch its legs.

Bill Tripp designed the Y7, Y9 and Tripp 90

Provisional plans are for Prevail to stay in Mallorca in Spain before heading across the Atlantic to the likes of the Caribbean and New England, where Tripp himself is based in Connecticut.

“The owner has already spent a lot of time on the yacht in the Med and really enjoyed it. We advised that he enjoy the boat for a while, then we’ll spend a little time fine-tuning it for racing,” says Tripp, who says the owner’s 2022 plans include the Caribbean 600 in Antigua in February and potentially the Rolex Middle Sea Race around Sicily in October.

The American-owned yacht will be used on both sides of the Atlantic

“It’s primarily a cruising boat built for bluewater sailing, but will do some racing. The owner may bring the boat back to Europe later next year and he also plans to cruise around the world. We’re just delighted he’s happy with the yacht.”

YYACHTS’ CARBON TRIP

The owner’s previous boats included a design by Tripp, who has close ties to YYachts, which Michael Schmidt founded in 2015 to build fast luxury sailing yachts made of carbon, which is stiffer and lighter than fibreglass but more expensive.

Michael Schmidt, founder of YYachts

The yard, also known as Michael Schmidt Yachtbau, is focused on streamlined designs, easy sailing and a clean, minimalist deck. Its semi-custom models start from the Y7, a Tripp-designed 70-footer with a Norm Architects interior that has proved its best-selling model, with about a dozen units already sold.

It was followed by the Y8, an 80-footer drawn by Italian Lorenzo Argento with five sales, while next year’s new builds will include the first Y9, a semi-custom model sharing much of the naval architecture and exterior design of the Tripp 90 but with a wide range of interior layouts.

Twin helms control the self-tacking jib and hydraulically operated boom-rolled mainsail

This September, YYachts was proud to show Prevail at Cannes, where it was the second-longest yacht in the Sailing Area in Port Canto. It’s also the latest product of the YC custom division, whose portfolio includes the Explorer 72 Eugen Seibold, designed for scientists to conduct climate and marine research, and fitted with an advanced hybrid diesel-electric drive and large battery bank.

FLAGSHIP SUPREME

With an overall length of 97ft 8in and a beam of 22ft 4in, Tripp 90 is currently YYachts’ flagship and the best advert so far for the yard’s capabilities. Tripp Design handled the naval architecture, exterior and layouts, while the owner chose UK-based Winch Design for the interior, with Prevail marking the third collaboration between the two design studios.

Three B&G touch screens above the coachroof

Prevail uses carbon for the hull, superstructure, mast, boom and sails, while the rig includes a self-tacking jib and hydraulically operated boom-rolled mainsail. Tripp says the hull shape is optimised to sail at 12 degrees, while the yacht also features a lifting keel, a challenging feature to integrate and disguise in the interior design.

Like all YYachts boats, the Tripp 90 is designed for short-handed sailing, with the 55-tonne yacht able to be handled by the three crew, all sailors. The flush deck features YYachts’ sustainable Lignia wood, which looks great, doesn’t get hot and is an eco-friendly alternative to teak.

The clean aft deck hides a lazarette

The surprises start aft, where a lazarette door hidden in the expansive deck folds up to reveal a huge storage space that can house an inflatable 3.5m RIB, along with a lot else. Just in front is a smaller liferaft locker that can deploy automatically in emergencies.

“I think the hardest part of putting together a project like this is to make the technology invisible,” says Tripp, who worked on his first carbon boat in 1985 and whose carbon designs include a 165-footer.

Bill Tripp with Dirk Zamedack, Managing Partner of YYachts

“Fortunately, the shapes of boats now make them faster and allow us to make the layouts more interesting.”

Situated well forward of the stern, each of the two steering wheels are backed by a full navigation station with controls, displays and throttle, while further in front are a pair of winches with power buttons at foot height. The sailing stations are flanked by thick coamings that also frame the roomy lounging area, comprising large C-shaped sofas and adjustable tables.

Carbonnautica steering wheels

Aft of the coamings, two steps lead to the side decks that run past the distinctive coachroof to a massive flush foredeck, where there’s a wide well for the self-tacking jib just forward of the mast. The area is peppered with skylights for the cabins below, while instead of fitted sunpads, there are flexible sun loungers that can be picked up and put anywhere. The bowsprit houses the anchor.

SALOON OF TWO HALVES

Both the aft and central cockpit areas can be covered by biminis and lead to the interior, which is quite the show-stopper. Winch Design worked closely with the owner to create a stylish, timeless ambience, with stylistic inspirations from the US east coast and mid-century Scandinavia.

Studded, curved steps down to the distinctive, split-level ‘saloon of two halves’

“One of the most magical moments is when you realise how homely and comfortable Prevail feels as soon as you step inside,” says Joost Roes, Senior Project Manager and Designer at Winch Design.

As you descend the steps, you’re struck by three things. Firstly, the large windows around all four sides of the coachroof, which combine with the large ceiling skylights to provide the interior with plenty of natural light and expansive views.

Winch Design handled the interior, which features a raised dining area to port

Secondly, the materials and detailing, which are above and beyond what you’d typically find on a sailing yacht, even of this size.

A rich yet tasteful combination of finely finished woodwork, beautifully stitched leathers, stainless-steel detailing and recessed lighting ensure your eyes continue to explore, whichever room you’re in. Look out for the use of bare carbon, a nod to the exterior.

Beautiful cabinets aft of the dining area (pictured) and saloon

Among woods, the owner selected a flamed Anigre, which was stained to contrast with the oak floor, while there are accent timbers such as Macassar and walnut, and feature panels in rosewood. The colour combination of these natural timbers and leathers alongside upholstery in whites, greys and blues works well.

Tripp himself is a fan. “When you go down below, you’re immediately hit with the smell of wood and leather. It’s a wonderful environment, a completely different world. You feel like you’re in a luxury hotel, a place you really want to stay in.”

The saloon enjoys natural light through the coachroof, hull windows and skylights

Thirdly, it’s different. Having the engine room underneath the saloon has contributed to a split-level layout – not fore and aft, but port and starboard.

To port, the raised dining area has an extendable table and bench seating, where diners are almost at eye level with the coachroof windows and enjoy a clear view outside through the cockpit.

The yacht features stunning woodwork, leatherwork and detailing

The lounge is down two steps to starboard and features a beautiful leather chair and an L-shaped sofa that can convert into a daybed. The sofa fits snugly under the long hull window, yet its inward view is of the back of the dining-table seating.

CABINS AND MORE

However, it’s worth remembering Prevail was not designed for repeat production but solely for its for its owner, a keen musician who wanted a versatile layout for entertaining guests, while also enabling people to retreat from a party, resulting in the creation of separate relaxation areas.

Forward of the saloon is a semi-private office space with chaise longue

For example, ahead of the saloon and down three steps is a semi-private ‘snug’ or office, which has a desk, a daybed, an amplifier and hanging space for the owner’s guitar.

To port is the twin en-suite guest cabin, which like all the guest areas, features top-end detailing such as stainless-steel door handles and leather-wrapped cupboard and drawer handles.

The master suite is forward, with the bed to port

The master suite is forward and has a forward-facing double with bedside tables to port. To starboard is a vanity table and a couch – the third sofa along this side of the boat – while the elegantly finished twin-sink bathroom is in the bow.

Looking aft from the bedroom to the other hallway shows the long sight lines the designers sought to incorporate.

The master has a desk and sofa to starboard, and twin-sink bathroom in the bow

Aft of the saloon and down several steps leads starboard to the blue-and-white galley and port to the VIP double. In the stern is the crew quarters, which include a double cabin for the skipper and his wife, a single cabin, crew mess and access to the engine room.

All in all, it’s a remarkable yacht and a refreshingly personal one that succeeded due to impressive teamwork during a testing time for international collaborations.

Aft of the saloon, the galley is off a hallway that can see though through to the master suite forward

“Prevail shows that everything is possible when selecting the right partners,” says Roes of Winch Design. “We’re very proud of what we achieved together with the Tripp and YYachts teams.”
www.yyachts.de
www.fls-yachts.com

Yacht Style Issue 62: The Superyacht Issue
Yacht Style Issue 62 features Top 100 Superyachts of Asia-Pacific 2022, seven yacht Reviews, Simpson Marine, Lantau Yacht Club, Ferretti Group’s Stefano de Vivo, Rolex Middle Sea Race, SailGP, Cannes and Monaco shows, Jeanneau Merry Fisher owner Kevin Quek, interviews with HSBC’s Jyrki Rauhio and Cirrus Aircraft’s Zean Nielsen, and lifestyle articles on IL PICCO residences and Art Works Group.

Azimut Grande Trideck coming to Asia

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Azimut Grande Trideck coming to Asia

November 13, 2021
1:37 am

Distinguished by its sea view terrace overlooking the water, Azimut’s Grande Trideck has wowed boat show audiences from Cannes and Monaco to Fort Lauderdale, while the first sale in Asia has already been confirmed.

Alberto Mancini designed the sporty exterior of a 125-footer, which has a ‘D2P’ hull

Azimut’s new Grande Trideck has been kept busy. Following her world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September, the Italian builder’s new 38m flagship mixed with megayachts at the Monaco Yacht Show later that month and then made her American debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show at the end of October.

Meanwhile, in a boost for yacht lovers in Asia, the first unit in the region is set to arrive in Singapore in 2023 following a sale to an existing Azimut owner who’s upgrading from a smaller Grande. Among the Trideck’s double-digit global sales, the Singapore order was secured by Marine Italia, which also represents the brand in Hong Kong, Macau, Guangdong province and Taiwan.

Aft view of the signature sea view terrace

“A key feature of the Trideck is how the design team have focused their attention equally on both the interior and exterior spaces,” says Paul Grange, COO of Marine Italia and co-founder of the Hong Kong-headquartered company with Thomas Woo.

“The interior layout provides clients with great flexibility to have luxury private dining rooms, comfortable saloons and entertainment rooms according to their preference.

The foredeck leads down to a working area

“As an example, it can have up to six en-suite cabins, but the Trideck for Singapore will feature a custom interior layout with four guest cabins, with the other spaces used for the family’s requirements.”

GRANDE’S INCREASING APPEAL

The Trideck marks the regional dealer’s third superyacht sale for Singapore this year, following a Grande 32 Metri and a Benetti Oasis 40M in collaboration with Benetti Asia.

Mancini describes the four outdoor aft areas as ‘cascading terraces’

They’re just one part of a strong run of sales by a company announced in September as Azimut’s second-most successful dealer over the past year, behind only US giant MarineMax.

Grange estimates there are about 30 Grande superyachts in Greater China and Southeast Asia, with over half of those in Hong Kong where new models delivered over the past year range from the 25 Metri to two units of the 35 Metri, the brand’s former flagship.

The beach club sits below the raised sea view terrace

Although the 35 Metri has a fourth ‘level’ that’s effectively an aft extension of the flybridge’s hard top, the Trideck is a true tri-deck design. In fact, the builder promotes it as a ‘Three Decks + One’ due to the signature sea view terrace at the aft end of the main deck.

With an overall length of 125ft 5in, the Trideck is 10ft 7in longer than the Grande 35 Metri and features an exterior by Alberto Mancini, who designed the Grande S10 launched in 2019 and has effectively succeeded the late Stefano Righini who had collaborated with Azimut since the late 1980s.

The beach club has 2m of headroom

The Trideck has an 8m (26ft 2in) beam and a sub-300GT volume, but feels bigger due to some clever design work. For example, the voids in the bulwarks either side of the beach club not only provide window-like views but also prevent the area being considered as internal volume.

Once the transom folds out, the full-height beach club offers over 320sqft of space, which includes a day head, an enclosed wet bar, an outdoor shower and lockers for water toys such as scuba diving gear and Seabobs. There’s further storage below, via a deck hatch.

The sea view terrace is five steps up from the main deck

The beach club is sheltered by the similarly sized sea view terrace, arguably the yacht’s most distinguishing feature. Up five starboard steps from the main deck, it offers a lofty platform that overlooks the water on three sides and has an enormous C-shaped sofa that offers a variety of sea views.

As well as sheltering the beach club, the sea view terrace also disguises the private patio outside the saloon doors.

The private patio is outside the main saloon

The clever design, which Mancini used on the Grande S10, ensures privacy from prying eyes on the docks while moored stern-to, and on the Trideck the patio is big enough to fit a large, foldable table for eight. This area also benefits from bulwark cut-throughs that are covered by plexiglass to provide wind shelter.

The aft upper deck offers outdoor dining for up to 12

Azimut describes it as a private patio because the main alfresco dining area is aft on the upper deck. And what an area it is, with a huge table set lengthways that’s wide enough to sit two people at one end and can extend to fit 12. There’s also a bar to port and a corner sofa by the stairs up to the sun deck.

The sun deck is a gorgeous area, dressed on hull one with three sun loungers aft, as well as gym equipment. The covered central area features a circular lounge with two curved, facing sofas and a cabinet housing a TV that can rise and rotate. Forward is a tall bar with stools offering great panoramic views, including overlooking the forward barbecue.

The sun deck has a central lounge with TV, a bar with tall stools and barbecue forward

FLEXIBLE INTERIORS

With Grande sales driving an increasing amount of the company’s business, the Trideck was developed to satisfy demand for larger yachts, yet it was also designed to appeal to a newer, less traditional generation of owners – or clients who simply want more choice in how their yacht is configured.

Achille Salvagni has designed the interiors of all the current Grande models, but the Trideck is the first without a formal dining area on the main deck, based on the feedback that most clients typically eat outdoors unless the weather prevents them from doing so.

Achille Salvagni designed the interior, which features a main-deck saloon dedicated to lounging

Instead, the main saloon is classic Salvagni, with a huge J-shaped sofa, two coffee tables and two circular chairs, all custom designed and offering plenty of space to walk through or around the lounge, enjoying the full-height windows.

Salvagni is renowned for his curved furniture and lamps, and use of light, pastel colours, although the latter is offset by glossy dark-mahogany cupboards on each side. Rounded and oblong shapes and

cut-outs decorate the ceiling.

Aft view of the saloon, showing the bar at the entrance

With your eyes glued to the furniture and views, you can even miss a trick or two coming in. For starters, there’s a wide mahogany bar tucked inside the sliding door at the entrance, positioned to serve both the indoor and outdoor areas.

However, less expected is the enormous 72-inch TV that slides out of the aft starboard corner and turns the saloon into a roomy media hub.

The master suite is forward on the main deck

The starboard hallway for guests leads past the galley to the full-beam master suite, which starts with a dressing area with cupboards on two sides, while a seemingly floating curved desk and two chairs sit below the large window.

The bed is set on the port side and faces forward to the bathroom, where the sliding mirrored door housing the TV is flanked by stunning drawers that Salvagni designed to replicate the shape of samurai armour.

Drawers are inspired by Samurai armour; the bathtub is made of composite

Salvagni designed the bathroom for the door to remain open, when possible, as it offers an attractive view of a beautiful round tub that gives a spa-like ambience and sits beside the shower to port side.

This sense of a wellness area is deepened by textured Cardoso stone for the flooring and a smooth version for the twin-sink countertop.

Staircases by Salvagni

The guest hallway also houses the stairway that links to both the lower and upper decks but also allows Salvagni to show off some of his most beautiful design work, playing right into his love of curves and organic shapes.

The lower deck has two aft VIP cabins featuring the Samurai-themed drawers and two guest cabins, all with en-suite bathrooms.

The VIP cabins have the same designer drawers as the master suite

UP AND AWAY

Although there are side decks on the main deck, there are none on the upper deck, which means the upper lounge is almost full-beam. The standard layout includes a large semi-circular sofa and a rounded coffee table on the port side, plus chairs, table and retractable TV to starboard.

When desired, the lounge doubles as the indoor dining room, with the table elevated and expanded with the addition of extra leaves. Azimut does offer owners the option of having a formal dining area in this room – as it does in the main saloon – although most owners have chosen the standard upper-lounge layout.

The table in the upper lounge can be raised and expanded with the addition of extra leaves

Forward is the ‘sixth cabin’ in the six-cabin version, the room featuring elegant leather cases hanging below the port window. However, owners can also choose to use this space as a combination of both a captain’s cabin and an upper pantry that’s connected by stairs to the main galley below.

“The Trideck’s innovative layout and flow create a seamless luxury environment, but also offers plenty of separate spaces for owners and guests to enjoy the yacht the way they want to,” Grange says.

The pilothouse has plenty of companion seating

The impressive pilothouse has side doors that lead to the foredeck, which is a gorgeous outdoor area centred around a circular jacuzzi surrounded by flexible seating and sunpads, providing an infinity view over a forward seating and sunbathing area protected by a low screen.

As well as enjoyable outdoor spaces and stylish indoor areas, the Trideck offers an eco-friendly ‘hotel mode’ as an option, with lithium ion battery packs able to power onboard systems for up to four hours during the day or up to eight hours at night, when demands are reduced.

The foredeck with jacuzzi is forward of the pilothouse

The Trideck also offers impressive performance for a yacht of this size. As well as extensive use of carbon-fibre in the superstructure helping to reduce weight, the 125-footer features the second generation of the ‘D2P’, the displacement-to-planing hull with wave piercer initially developed for the Grande 35 Metri in collaboration with P.L. Ausonio Naval Architecture.

Improvements have been significant because despite being over 3m longer and 30 tonnes heavier than the 35 Metri, the Trideck has significantly less consumption up to 15 knots and similar economy for faster speeds.

Hull one is fitted with 2,600mhp MTU engines

Fitted with either 2,400mhp or 2,600mhp MTU engines, the new hull offers two ‘peaks’ for fuel efficiency, one at displacement speed and one at fast cruising, so satisfying demands for both types of navigation.

“One of the key features of Azimut Grande is that it offers superyacht levels of comfort and volume but still with full planing performance. In the case of the Trideck, that’s speeds up to 24 knots,” Grange says.

The Trideck ‘peaks’ at both displacement and fast cruising speeds

“However, for long-range cruising at slower speeds, she can still offer a range of nearly 2,000nm, which shows the efficiency and versatility of the design – equally at home as a fast weekend cruiser or as a long-range luxury cruiser.” As with many aspects of the Trideck, the choice is yours.

www.azimutyachts.com

www.azimutyachts.hk

Azimut to launch two new Grande models in 2022
Following the launch of its 38m flagship Trideck this year, the Italian shipyard plans to add the 26 Metri and 36 Metri models to its Grande Collection.

Bluegame BG72 builds on strong platform

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Bluegame BG72 builds on strong platform

November 5, 2021
3:54 pm

For its newest model, Italy’s Bluegame has combined the huge aft platform and lower-deck saloon of its ground-breaking BGX series with the open style of its BG range. Welcome aboard the BG72, which offers the best of both worlds from a brand that’s growing fast in Asia.

The Bluegame BG72 showed at Cannes, Genoa and Monaco

For the BG72’s world premiere at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival, Bluegame’s newest model was nestled with a BG42, BGX60 and BGX70 among an imposing selection of Sanlorenzo yachts ranging from the SX76 to as big as the SD126, a 38m superyacht with a volume of 314GT.

Although towered over by flybridge and trideck models from their sister brand, Bluegame boats sat proudly in the heart of the Jetée among the show’s leading exhibitors, with Azimut and Ferretti Group models along to the left, Princess and Sunseeker to the right.

The BG72 shares the same Lou Codega-designed hull as the BGX70

Having then shown at the Genoa International Boat Show, the BG72 even leveraged off Sanlorenzo’s muscle to appear at the Monaco Yacht Show, where she was the smallest boat on display in the world’s premier superyacht show.

In the same way Bluegame’s recent rebirth has been propelled by its mother company, so the brand is fast emerging in Asia under Simpson Marine, which has been Sanlorenzo’s exclusive partner in Asia since 2015.

The huge platform is even bigger than on the BGX70

After also taking on Bluegame last year, the region’s biggest dealer brought the high-profile BGX70 to Hong Kong to kick-start the brand’s presence, which has proved its worth. The company now has similarly high hopes for the BG72, which has many of the BGX70’s attributes but with an open-style main deck.

Nick Stratton, Sales Manager for both Sanlorenzo Asia and Bluegame Asia, says: “The BG72 shares aspects with the BGX70 like the iconic profile, plus the huge platform and the aft lower-deck saloon, which aren’t seen on any other brands. The beam and the social spaces, especially on the magnificent stern platform, provide a new way of life at sea.

Biminis can cover the main deck’s fore and aft areas

“However, like all models in the BG range, the BG72 has a spacious, bright and airy main deck. It’s a great boat, with enhanced circulation between the lower and main deck, and even more light in the lower saloon. Owners love the modern styling, and we expect it to be equally popular as the BGX70.”

BLUEGAME’S GROWTH IN ASIA

It’s a bold statement considering Simpson Marine has announced sales of three BGX70s, a unit of the BGX60 that debuted in late 2020 plus one and two hulls respectively of the open-style BG62 and BG42 that kick-started Bluegame’s rebirth three years ago.

Sanlorenzo had previously owned the brand founded by Luca Santella until the financial crisis of 2008 led to it being put on the shelf in 2012. The two-time Olympic sailor later became Design Development Manager at Sanlorenzo and worked with Zuccon International Project on the SX range.

Like the rest of the BG series, the BG72 has an open design

After Santella revealed designs showing how Bluegame could help ‘extend’ the SX concept to models smaller than the SX76, Sanlorenzo Executive Chairman Massimo Perotti moved to revive the brand.

“When Sanlorenzo re-introduced Bluegame as part of its portfolio, it marked a rebirth of an attractive niche brand for a specific kind of customer, but now the brand is growing very quickly worldwide and that also includes Asia,” Stratton said. “Bluegame takes advantage of Sanlorenzo’s quality and expertise in build, but addresses owners looking for smaller sizes.

Knowing Sanlorenzo’s reputation, customers feel confident about Bluegame, so growth is significantly quicker than introducing a totally new brand to the market.

View from the forward end of the platform

“It’s a brand that innovates, is different but also bespoke. The yachts look trendy and streamlined, have a very pleasant circulation and feel of spaciousness.”

While the BG42 and BG62 were updates of former Bluegame models, it was the BGX70 that made the brand a true influencer in the motor yacht world. Sanlorenzo’s SX88 and SX76 featured extralong swim platforms just a few steps from a clear-backed cockpit, providing more living space close to water level. However, the two-deck BGX70 took the concept to a new level.

Designed by Santella with Zuccon and with a hull by Lou Codega, it made the platform even longer and included an aft saloon on the lower deck, which also housed the guest cabins. The more conventional main deck features an aft cockpit, enclosed saloon, galley and helm, as well as an open foredeck.

REARRANGED LOWER DECK

The saloon benefits from light through the sliding doors and see-through stairways

The BG72 shares the same 18ft-wide Codega hull, housing the Volvo Penta IPS drives under the aft deck, but it’s a lot more different to the BGX70 than initial glances suggest. Among changes are an almost completely reconfigured lower deck with an aft master suite option, a completely new main deck befitting BG’s open style, while even the bow area has been redesigned.

In fact, even the huge platform has been lengthened aft, with the BG72 more than 3ft longer overall than the BGX70. Furthermore, instead of only starboard stairs to the main deck, there are also stairs to port.

The saloon features a lounge to starboard and a dining area to port

The hull shown at Cannes, Genoa and Monaco features the standard aft-saloon option, while the owner chose distinctive materials and colours, including Canaletto walnut wood plus leather and fabrics in light and blue tones.

Compared to the BGX70, the entrance is now on the port side, while the room itself has been extended and rearranged. In the absence of enclosed dining on the main deck, a dining area has been included on the port side, where it sits alongside the semi-enclosed, L-shaped galley.

The master suite is in the bow and has an aft-facing bed

The lounge is to starboard and has an improved layout, with an L-shaped sofa allowing views aft of the platform and water. There’s also room for chairs by the sliding glass doors, which provide more natural light than on its predecessor.

The central corridor leads to a hallway accessing the three en-suite guest cabins, starting with twins port and starboard. Forward are the stairs and the owner’s suite, which has an aft-facing bed against a mirrored bulkhead and an elegant bathroom to starboard.

The master suite’s elegant en-suite bathroom is to starboard

The BG72’s alternative lower-deck layout replaces the saloon with the master suite, which would offer the owners stunning views and the opportunity to wake up looking over the water to the horizon. In this option, the saloon, galley and a twin cabin are positioned midships, with the VIP suite in the bow.

BREEZY MAIN DECK

Accessible from either the exterior aft stairs or internal stairs up to the helm, the main deck has an open design that starts aft with a triple sunpad that’s not covered by the hardtop but can be by an attached bimini.

The main deck has a wide sunpads, facing sofas and wet bar forward

The sunpad looks forward to a sofa to port and an L-shaped sofa and expandable table to starboard, all offering a pleasant covered social area. There’s also the option of some informal alfresco dining as there’s a wet bar just forward of the sofas.

The impressive pilot house has a reverse-angle windscreen and is enclosed on three sides, while the aft doors can shut when the room needs to be fully enclosed, whether for privacy or bad weather.

The pilothouse can be fully enclosed

The double helm seat sits under a slatted sunroof and faces a nice display with three large Garmin screens, central throttle, joystick control and smart docking as part of the IPS system, which is renowned for fuel efficiency. Like the BGX70, the BG72 reaches 28 knots with twin 900hp IPS 1200s and 30 knots with the 1,000hp IPS1350s.

There’s easy circulation throughout the main deck and high bulwarks ensure safe passage to the foredeck, which features flexible furniture comprising a sofa and a large sunpad. As with the aft sunpad, this area can also be covered in a bimini, while the sunpad itself disguises the entrance to the twin-bunk crew cabin.

The foredeck features a sofa and a flexible forward sunbathing area

However, there’s one more sunbathing area, up on the roof of the hardtop. Accessed by a steep stairway forward of the port sofa, the simple sun deck features four adjoining sunpads across the hardtop, just aft of the sunroof.

There’s more to come from this brand next year with the BG54, which features many elements from the BG72’s open main deck and again shows a brand with a strong DNA that’s more than solely an extension of Sanlorenzo.

The ‘sun deck’ on top of the hard top offers another sunbathing area

“Bluegame is the brand of the future for an active, younger, curious and lifestyle-focused owner,” Stratton says. “We believe the brand will keep growing in Asia and are awaiting eagerly its new models to join our expanding fleet in this region.”

Bluegame is well supported by Sanlorenzo, but the little sister is growing up fast and starting to make a name for herself.

www.bluegame.it

www.simpsonmarine.com

Sanlorenzo, Bluegame stage debuts at Fort Lauderdale show
Sanlorenzo’s line-up at the Fort Lauderdale show includes the world premiere of the SL106A, while Bluegame stages the US debut of the BGX70.

Absolute 60 Fly: Silence is Green

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Absolute 60 Fly: Silence is Green

October 28, 2021
2:11 pm

Showing its focus on a greener future, Absolute has included solar power on the first hull of its 60 Fly, a model with a clear cockpit and aft flybridge designed for modular furniture, as well as a memorable master suite located forward on the lower deck.

By Clare Mahon

The Absolute 60 Fly debuted at Cannes before showing at Fort Lauderdale

You’ve got to hand it to them: the team at Absolute Yachts never rests. Just about a year after launching their Navetta 64, they’re at it again with the new 60 Fly, one of the Italian builder’s two world premieres at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival.

While the volume-maximising lines that characterise the shipyard’s look remain the same, there are lots of pleasant surprises aboard this new yacht. And one of them is completely intangible.

The cockpit is visually connected to the large swim platform, which is 5m wide and 2m deep

The Absolute 60 Fly continues the inland shipyard’s tradition of engineering for comfort, performance and quality of life at sea. Starting from a beach platform that’s over 2m long and almost 5m wide, you can sense the 60 Fly is going to have what it takes to make a great vacation.

With a hydraulically operated up/down mechanism, the platform is large enough to be furnished with lounge chairs, making it as suited for sunbathing as it is for swimming and launching the tender and toys.

The cockpit is clear of fixtures, accommodating modular furniture

Steps lead up from the beach platform to the aft cockpit where the chrome rails have glass panels under them, so the two areas are in direct visual communication. Due to modular furniture designed in-house and first used aboard the Navetta 64, the aft cockpit can be arranged to taste, ideally with the couches facing sideways over the water.

As the furnishings can be removed completely, use of the cockpit is flexible and adaptable according to different needs and uses throughout the arc of a day.

The cockpit shown when set up for dining

The cockpit is shaded by the overhang and can be fitted with privacy screens while the entire beach area can be shaded by a concealed awning, keeping the whole area private even in a crowded bay.

FORWARD AND ABOVE

Covered side passages lead to the foredeck, which is furnished with a couch, table and sun pads. Closer inspection of the sun pads reveals that they have headrests that easily flip around to become backrests in case the seating arrangement planned for this area calls for two couches.

The foredeck has a sofa, table and flexible sunpads

Breezy and open, the foredeck is perfect for lounging by day, enjoying a drink in the evening or even dining. This area can also be shaded by an awning.

From the yacht’s name you know the fly deck is going to be important – and it doesn’t disappoint. A stairway leads up from the port side of the aft cockpit. Like in the cockpit, the aft section of the fly can be set up with modular pieces according to need and taste, while the aft enclosure is in transparent glass so it doesn’t feel enclosed at all.

The flybridge’s aft area is free for loose furniture

Under the hardtop there’s a bar with a sink and grill to port and a U-shaped couch with an inlaid teak dining table to starboard. The helming area is convivial, with two seats by the wheel, sun pads right next to it and a banquette across the way. This is clearly a boat that is a pleasure to use in company.

SOLAR-POWERED SILENCE

But the best part of the flybridge isn’t visible even when you’re on it. Absolute’s engineers have been testing solar panel setups at their shipyard in Podenzano for the past couple of years. They finally found an arrangement that meets their standards and have installed it on the hardtop of the first hull of the 60 Fly, which will offer it as an option.

Solar panels have been fitted on hull one of the Absolute 60 Fly

Cesare Mastroianni, CCO of Absolute, explains: “We test everything in-house. Even the glass we used under the railings was crash-tested at the shipyard in the presence of RINA-certification technicians. We had wanted to provide a certain amount of renewable energy aboard our yachts, especially for running them in hotel mode with the engines and generators off, so we began testing solar panels a couple of years ago.”

The system installed on the 60 Fly produces 1.5kW, enough to run the fridge, water heater, entertainment system and more for hours without using the generators. Owners and captains can monitor energy consumption on the Garmin screens, so they always know how much energy is being used – and how much is left

Systems can be monitored at the main-deck helm, which has a side door

“Although the solar power on this model is not enough for running the AC, we installed windows and portholes that can be opened for natural air circulation through the yacht,” Mastroianni adds. “With this setup you can enjoy time at anchor in total silence with zero emissions, a real plus.”

AIRY INTERIOR

All this and we haven’t even visited the inside yet. The galley is to port as soon as you walk into the saloon, with a dining table to starboard. Drawers fitted for storing plates and glasses are concealed under the furnishings and open easily and silently with Absolute’s elegant leather drawer pulls.

The aft galley to port is opposite a dining table

The entire saloon has floors in roughly finished walnut and is on the same level as the aft cockpit, so with the large sliding glass doors open, indoors and outdoors are like one continuous space.

The window behind the couch in the comfortable living area opens for natural air circulation and there is an up/down TV.

The saloon benefits from huge windows all around

The twin-seat helm operates a Volvo Penta IPS propulsion system with joystick control that’s operated via intuitive Garmin touchscreen monitors. Absolute was an early adopter of this energy-efficient, low-vibration propulsion system as it chimed with their values of intelligent consumption and onboard comfort.

FORWARD MASTER

There are just five steps down to the full-beam master cabin, which is one of the yacht’s standout features due to its location fore on the lower deck.

The elegant master suite has large forward windows

The centrally placed bed is backed by a panel of velvet and gets excellent views through large panes of glass that include opening portholes for natural air circulation.

This is no plain vanilla interior: textured walls, dark and light contrasts and tactile, luxurious finishes abound. In the master bath, also full beam and fitted in stone, a testament to Absolute’s careful engineering is the way the shower floor follows the yacht’s hull shape, to the benefit of draining water quickly and efficiently.

The master suite’s dressing table to starboard

The en-suite VIP amidships is just as elegant and well-appointed as the master. Intriguingly, a secret door at the back of its large closet conceals … a large storage space.

Built where Absolute used to place a twin cabin, this space can be used for provisions, extra toys and equipment or anything else a seafaring family might want. An additional twin cabin has a bathroom that can also be used as a day head.

The VIP cabin to starboard has an inward-facing bed and en-suite bathroom aft

But there is still another cabin aboard, the two-person crew cabin accessed from the transom. Its separate access route guarantees privacy for the owners and guests, although could also make it a bone of contention for those who want to go out at night and sneak back in the wee hours undetected.

The Absolute 60 Fly has all the characteristics of intelligent construction, engineered systems and well thought out spaces that you expect from this shipyard with the added, yet intangible, plus of green efficiency. While the 60 Fly may not be the largest yacht in the Absolute fleet, it represents a big step towards their greener future.

http://www.absoluteyachts.com

Absolute to stage US debuts of 48 Coupé and 60 Fly
Italian builder Absolute will display its two newest models at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, having premiered the duo at the Cannes Yachting Festival.

Riva 68’ Diable tops new Open models

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Riva 68’ Diable tops new Open models

October 21, 2021
3:51 pm

Presented at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival, the new 68ft Open with built-in hard top is a blend of sportiness, liveability and classic Riva elegance.

Shown in Shark grey, the Riva 68’ Diable features a sporty exterior

The helm station is equipped with Simrad Command control, monitoring and navigation systems and has two 16in touchscreen monitors (the standard version only has one), including the engine panel in the innovative wide version from MAN-Boening.

One of Riva’s two world premieres at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival, the 68’ Diable is a typically stylish addition to the iconic brand’s Open range. At 20.7m in length with a beam of 5.3m (over 17ft), the Diable is notable for its hard top, a new option introduced this year for the [48ft] Dolceriva and 56’ Rivale but otherwise not seen on the sleek Open range, even on the 76’ Bahamas and 88’ Florida.

Diable’s design has been led by Mauro Micheli, Chief Designer of Officina Italiana Design, the Bergamo studio that has designed all Riva yachts since 1994. Working on the project with Ferretti Group’s Product Strategy Committee and Engineering Department, Micheli is proud of how the hard top has been integrated into the superstructure.

The Diable reflects Riva’s new focus on hard tops for its Open models

“Let’s say that Diable is an Open that goes beyond the characteristics of its range, making a strong nod to the Sportfly range,” said Micheli, who co-founded Officina Italiana Design with Sergio Beretta, its CEO.

“The hard top is not merely aesthetically attractive but also functional as the superstructure it creates protects the cockpit area, providing guests with shelter from sun and spray underway. Also, the large side openings allow more air to circulate in the covered area but can also be closed when necessary.”

Riva has worked with Officina Italiana Design since 1994

Made of carbon-fibre and composite, the hard top is fitted with air-conditioning, while options include a sunroof featuring a two-way opening mechanism, forwards and backwards. An automatic bimini system aft can be extended to shelter the sofa and chaise-longue area in the cockpit, while additional shelter is provided by awnings over the open side area and the entire stern section.

SPORTY STYLE
The overall exterior styling reflects the new design direction charted by Officina Italiana Design, a sportier interpretation of luxury. The windshield made with spherical crystals features a slight counter-curvature that has become a typical Riva hallmark.

Forward view of the hard top covered area

Like all the models in Riva’s Open range, the 68’ Diable features functional design elements in mahogany and polished stainless steel. They include the aft wings and a mahogany band on the garage door, the steel side handrails around the superstructure and the solid-mahogany low table in the cockpit.

In the stern, the swim platform is integrated into the hull sides, forming a seamless whole that rises into the cockpit. The steps on the port side of the stern are partially submerged when the swim platform is lowered, revealing others in the hull and creating a convenient way to enter and leave the water. The garage can contain a Williams SportJet 345 tender and a Seabob.

The central area has two L-shaped sofas

The cockpit furnishings include two big sunpads, one at the water’s edge and another in the form of a chaise-longue. The entrance to the crew area, with a single cabin and separate bathroom, is on the port walkway in this area.

The central area contains two facing L-shaped sofas, with the port one acting as a dining area accommodating up to six people. On request, the dining area can be doubled up to include both port and starboard sides.

The lower-deck lounge

A 49in TV can be fitted behind the second helm station, while a convenient icebox is positioned behind the pilot seat.

The helm station, featuring carbon panels and premium polished steel trim, is equipped with both pilot and co-pilot seats. Safety is a special focus for Riva, as demonstrated by several functional details such as the positioning of the life rafts under the starboard sofa.

The master suite is midships

The lower deck features three guest cabins arranged around an open space containing a galley and a dinette for versatility and convenience.

The master cabin is midships, the twin cabin to port and the VIP forward, each with their own bathroom. The starboard bathroom is also used as a day head and the understairs area can be fitted out as a small laundry.

The VIP cabin (pictured) is in the bow, while the twin is to port

The materials used for the interiors include gloss-effect chocolate-coloured wengé wood on the first unit, paired with mirrored and satin-finish surfaces, both matt and gloss-effect steel and lacquer, and leather in shades of blue, white, and light and dark grey.

PROPULSION AND TECHNOLOGY

The first unit is fitted with a pair of MAN V12 V-drive engines rated 1,650mhp each, which provide a top speed of 40 knots and a cruising speed of 34 knots. The standard option is two 1,550mhp MAN V12 engines for a top speed of 37 knots and a cruising speed of 33 knots.

The Diable can reach 40 knots with 1,650mhp MAN V12s

The electro-hydraulic steer-by-wire system developed in partnership with XENTA offers a slew of benefits including greater comfort and steering precision due to outstanding rudder manoeuvrability and finely tuned turn optimisation in all sea conditions, even at high speeds.

A Seakeeper NG9 can be installed for comfort at anchor

The manoeuvring joystick includes docking mode functionality for easy handling in confined waters, such as when mooring alongside, with lateral movement obtained by the combined action of the main propellers and the proportional bow thruster.

In addition, the DPS (Dynamic Positioning System) keeps the boat in the same position even in strong winds or currents, ideal when waiting to moor or refuel, or for a bridge to open. The new model is fitted with Humphree dynamic trim interceptors, while a Seakeeper NG9 can be installed for comfort at anchor.
www.riva-yacht.com
www.ferrettigroupasiapacific.com

Riva adds Hard Top to 56’ Rivale
The 56’ Rivale becomes the second model in Riva’s iconic Open range to include a hard top option, with the first unit already delivered to America.

Aquila 54 hits the sweet spot

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Aquila 54 hits the sweet spot

October 13, 2021
6:19 pm

Judging by overwhelming global sales including into Asia, the new Aquila 54 has hit the sweet spot for a powercat, with large outdoor and interior spaces including a vast beach club, cockpit bar and full-beam master suite, all complemented by the brand’s renowned performance. By Dominic Salandre.

The aft platform can carry a 14ft tender, deployed by a crane that slides out of the cockpit roof

Since 2012 and its first power catamaran, Aquila has come a long way quickly, with the ongoing 44 Yacht and 36 Sport models establishing themselves among the world’s best-selling power catamarans. This success is due in part to Lex Raas (Leader, Issue 61) and the brand’s partnership between US-based MarineMax, the world’s biggest boat dealer, and builder Sino Eagle.

However, with the simultaneous launch of the 54 Yacht and flagship 70 Luxury, Aquila took a big leap by releasing its two biggest models at the same time, both again designed to prove as attractive to monohull owners as catamaran fans.

While the 70 Luxury (Review, Issue 59) is a semi-custom offering with furniture and fittings from exclusive brands, the 54 was designed to be a production yacht, albeit with a range of finishes and options from an enclosed or open flybridge and galley up or down to a wide choice of cabin layouts including a full-beam master.

The central aft platform can be lowered to create a full-beam beach club

Yet despite being a huge step up from the brand’s previous flagship, the 48, the new 54 Yacht has generated quite remarkable sales according to figures shared privately by Aquila, although the company chooses not to publicise the numbers due to being a listed company.

However, of the several dozen sold, we know at least one has been ordered for Asia, with regional dealer Simpson Marine expecting a delivery to Thailand in the first half of 2022.

BIG STEPS UP

From the first glance, the Aquila 54 is eye-catching. At over 54ft in length with a 25ft-plus beam, the size is impressive, especially with the addition of the flybridge and hardtop that reaches a height of 24ft 4in.

Starboard stairs lead to the flybridge

Surprisingly, the 54 Yacht clearly distances itself from the design of the 44 Yacht by displaying lines more reminiscent of the 36 Sport or even the 32 Sport, with thin stems and a very slender and sophisticated line. She also boasts vast glazed surfaces, both on the hull and on the main deck.

The symmetrical stern includes two sugarscoops and a larger, central high-low platform. The latter can accommodate a 14ft tender, which is cleverly deployed by a retractable crane that slips in and out of the cockpit roof and can be operated remotely.

Behind the back of the aft bench seat is a useful compartment to store mooring lines or other items, while other features include an integrated, retractable swim ladder and a large storage box on each

side to stow water toys.

The outdoor galley is a key feature on the open aft deck of the flybridge

Wide, deep steps – which double as aft-facing bench seats – lead to the cockpit, which includes a long bench seat and large table. To port, a door opens upwards to reveal a staircase leading to a crew cabin with two single beds, bathroom, desk and porthole, although the room could be used by guests if the boat is owner operated.

The 17in-wide side decks lead to the solid foredeck, which has two double sun loungers with folding backrests, while forward are two sofas. The bow is well secured by quite high pulpits, while two deck hatches access a huge storage locker for fenders or mooring lines.

The foredeck is accessed from the flybridge and side decks

The flybridge is a real attraction. Our trial model featured the enclosed version with an L-shaped bench seat and adjustable table aft of the helm station, with sliding doors both aft and to the starboard side deck that leads to the foredeck. The aft deck has an outdoor galley and space for chairs, tables and sun loungers.

FIRST-CLASS COMFORT

Back downstairs is one of Aquila’s signature features, the cockpit bar, with two bar stools facing a fold-out countertop and the aft galley courtesy of a lifting window.

The cockpit bar has become an Aquila signature feature

Inside, the large, U-shaped galley benefits from great light and is packed with storage spaces, while the saloon has a C-shaped sofa and folding table to port plus a sofa to starboard.

The version we trialled was the three-cabin layout with the full-beam owner’s suite, which has a king-size bed (2.04m x 1.95m), bathroom with two sinks, separate toilet, separate shower, vanity/office area and a real walk-in closet.

Again, there’s plenty of storage space and lots of natural light, and although the extra-large shower is a huge plus, having it as the access to the washing machine was unusual.

The galley is packed with storage spaces

Each guest cabin occupies a good chunk of each hull and has a queen-size bed (1.98m x 1.63m), bathroom, small desk and, once again, lots of storage space.

The boat is also a technological winner. In addition to the numerous TV screens, cleverly hidden in the furniture or in the ceiling, the interior is packed with USB sockets and wireless charging stations for smartphones, and the lighting is almost all LED and indirect.

The saloon has a three-sided sofa to port around an adjustable table, a TV and a long sofa to starboard

The interior style is modern and tasteful, with light-colour wood, understated fabrics and meticulous finishing, while a certain degree of customisation is available upon order.

SOLID CRUISER

Built partly in infusion, the 54 offers very good stiffness, a characteristic reinforced by the thickness of the nacelle. The two hulls benefit from real research work. Unlike some powercats that are simply adaptations of sailing models, the Aquila 54 was designed from the start as a motorboat.

The full-beam master suite is forward of the saloon and has windows on three sides

Like the 70, the hulls feature bow bulbs, a design inherited from commercial vessels that allow the boat to maintain a better pitch. Under way, this element also brings more comfort, especially in chop, as the bulb attacks the wave before the rest of the bow.

The bow itself is sharp as a sword and has an angle of only 15 degrees. The hull features two solid inverted chines that will repel spray and improve course keeping. In addition, the air cushion effect generated by the tunnel and excellent weight distribution give the boat a very nice attitude under way and, above all, excellent comfort for all aboard.

The starboard guest cabin in the three-cabin layout

Aquila offers three different propulsion options from twin 380hp Volvo Pentas to 550hp Cummins engines, although the 480hp Volvo Penta D8s on our test model represented an excellent compromise to move the 30 tonnes this boat displaces when laden.

From the flybridge helm, which offers great visibility and two screens, the Aquila 54 is very easy to manoeuvre due to the twin engines, ensuring easy departure from the marina. The helm is smooth and the vessel surprisingly very responsive.

The helm is in the flybridge skylounge

Remaining perfectly flat, the Aquila takes off quickly and cruises at about 16 knots at 2,800rpm, which is relatively economical. With these engines, the top speed is about 22 knots, going up to 25 with the 550hp Cummins. The boat turns while completely flat without oversteer, as with some competitors, although on the performance side, it’s the two-hull stability that naturally provides the most comfort.

Range is one of the model’s strong points, since at a speed of eight knots, you can cover around 1,000 miles. If that’s not enough, two 360-litre fuel tanks can be added.

The Aquila 54 Yacht shares similar lines to the flagship 70 Luxury

Along with the flagship 70, the CE A-certified 54 opens the doors to real offshore cruising for Aquila, which confirms its dominant position as the leading powercat-only builder as it moves seamlessly into larger yachts.
www.aquilaboats.com
www.simpsonmarine.com

Aquila 70 bridges best of both worlds
Designed to be as sleek and fast as a monohull motor yacht, the Aquila 70 also offers the enormous living areas of a large powercat, while luxurious, semi-custom interiors and advanced technologies further open the doors to a new level of clientele.

Bali 4.2 packs signature features into 42ft

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Bali 4.2 packs signature features into 42ft

October 6, 2021
4:03 pm

A world premiere at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival, the Bali 4.2 sail cat slips between the Catspace and upcoming 4.4 to offer remarkable living spaces, highlighted by an expansive foredeck, flybridge lounging and the remarkably roomy saloon created by the signature ‘Bali door’. By Emmanuel Van Deth.

The 4.2 is among five sailing models Bali has launched in the past two years

It has been seven years since Bali began to make a name for itself by debuting its first models at the 2014 Cannes Yachting Festival. The DNA of the brand remains unchanged: maximum volume and pleasure, ease of use and disappearance of the internal/external divide on demand.

As for the new models, they’re being rolled out rapidly. Aside from the flagship 5.4, the other five sailing yachts in the current range have all been released in the last two years. After the Catspace Sail (Review Issue 56) premiered at Boot Dusseldorf last year, the Bali 4.8 (Review, Issue 59) and 4.6 followed.

This year, the French shipyard has splashed the 4.2, which had its world premiere at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival, while the 4.4 is the next addition to the modern fleet.

Bali performance is inherited from parent company Catana Group

Comparing the new 4.2 to predecessors like the 4.1 and 4.3, there have been few changes to the coachroof: the nacelle is still topped by a large roof overhang. The hulls have numerous openings integrated into a black reveal – note the double function of longitudinal reinforcement and rain shield. The hulls feature bows that are stubby and inverted.

However, for those who feel the different Balis look too alike to be easily identified, you should be able to recognise the 4.2: it’s currently the brand’s only model with a spreader-less rig. The aluminium mast is slightly bigger in fore-and-aft section to ensure optimum stiffness with a pair of cap-shrouds and lowers.

The French builder’s 4.2 measures 42ft 2in in length

This formula has the advantage, at comparable weight and cost, of simplifying the setting-up of the standing rigging and improving aerodynamics. Some might suggest that the windage of a Bali is large enough that airflow through the rig might not make much difference … well, it does.

EXPANSIVE DECK SPACE

It’s tricky to explain the aft cockpit as it’s really an integrated part of the nacelle. On the 4.2, the iconic lifting ‘Bali door’ is 11ft wide and 7ft 2in tall and opens or closes the living space on demand, depending on the conditions. In closed mode, there’s enough room to move around outside and even enjoy the bench seat.

The 4.2 has two large sugarscoops, joined by an uninterrupted platform, overhung by tilting stainless steel davits. This is also where you access the engine compartments, where the liferaft is stowed and there are lockers here, too. On the starboard side, a plancha-style barbecue can be fitted.

Options include a plancha-style barbecue in the aft cockpit

The flybridge is accessed by steps moulded into both sides. Like the side-decks – minimum 2ft wide – moving about on deck is made safe by numerous handrails and guard wires.

The sail manoeuvring station, lower down, is equipped with a battery of clutches and three winches. The two on the outside are cleverly angled to receive the gennaker or spinnaker sheets. The whole system is operational and intuitive. Only the port winch is a little bit far away.

The helm bimini is somewhat low when standing, but this helps maintain the mainsail area, which remains easily accessible. The bench seat can accommodate two adults, then there’s the central lounge pad and the aft sundeck, allowing for a total of six people up top.

Classic Bali features include the forward door and the solid foredeck

The enormous solid foredeck features a huge, almost full-beam sunbathing area plus a sunken cockpit with table that connects to the forward saloon door. The total deck area is 852sqft, almost 80sqm, which is 10 per cent more than competitors’ models of this length.

Anchoring operations are well managed with a recessed and integrated bow roller, a large chain locker and a powerful windlass. A cut-out is provided in the deck to monitor the anchor and chain. A very deep locker has been moulded out under the benches. A 5ft 5in watertight door provides direct access to the nacelle, while an 8in sill protects the interior from any unwanted water ingress

OPEN INDOORS

When all the doors, the forward hatch and the lateral bay windows aft are open, the living area does not give the feeling of being inside, which is one of the major appeals of Bali models.

When the ‘Bali door’ is raised, the interior enjoys extra space, natural light and ventilation

In a few seconds, however, the saloon can be enclosed. The headroom is generous, varying between 6ft 6in and 6ft 10in.

Six people can sit at the dining table – two sizes are available – without feeling crowded and eight people would still have elbow room. To starboard, there’s the option of two comfortable lounge chairs or a sofa and forward is the huge, 326-litre refrigerator/freezer unit.

Forward, down a small step, is the chart table to starboard, the foredeck door and the galley to port. The excellent galley has an L-shaped countertop forward and a long counter with sink in the centre, with enormous storage space under both.

The large fridge has a 326-litre capacity

The model presented to us in Canet-en-Roussillon, Bali’s home on France’s south coast, featured the three-cabin version with the port hull dedicated to the owner, while a four-cabin version is also available. Four wide steps on each side lead down to the hulls.

The owner’s suite includes a bench seat and a dressing table/desk, with the bathroom forward. The bed is 5ft 7in wide and it’s the same in the other aft cabin, while the bed in the forward starboard cabin is 5ft 1in wide. The two guest cabins have their own head and sink but share a shower. The forepeaks can also be fitted out, with a berth to starboard and head to port.

Situated forward of the saloon, the roomy galley features counters and storage on three sides

SETTING SAIL

During our sea trial, there was no wind as we cleared port, but we had a residual swell out of the southeast, so we began by testing the engines. Our test boat was equipped with the optional 45hp Yanmars rather than the standard 30hps.

The upper deck provides plenty of lounging space

I set the speed of both engines to 2,200rpm, which gave a boat speed of just over seven knots with a consumption of 6.4 litres per hour. Counting a safety reserve of 15 per cent, the Bali 4.2 could cruise over 600 miles at this speed.

No matter how hard the Bali is sailed, whether into waves or with them on the quarter, it’s clear that the careful structure, deep hull ribs and integral deck ensure solid rigidity – and the absence of squeaking.

In the three-cabin layout, the port hull is dedicated to the owner’s suite

Passage through the water is smooth when sailing, without the nacelle making contact. The wind eventually settled in and the gennaker was unfurled to accompany the main. Despite the swell trying its best to unhook the sails from the wind, the Bali managed to make four knots in the little six-knot breeze, although obviously more wind is needed for the 4.2’s fine hulls to demonstrate their potential.

On the other hand, good passage though the water bodes well for comfortable passage making and we appreciated the direct, rather soft feel to the helm. The self-tacking jib and the double-purchase system for the mainsheet are simple and work perfectly.

The 4.2 is among Bali’s six sailing models from 40-54ft

For its 42ft length and 23ft-plus beam, the 4.2 offers remarkable space and comfort. It’s almost like being at home, with its huge social areas, spacious galley and comfortable cabins, while a rigid, safe platform and fine hulls will allow for nice sailing in medium airs.
www.bali-catamarans.com

Bali Catspace Sail in HK: Walkthrough by Asiamarine
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Sanlorenzo 62Steel: Living on Cloud 9

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Sanlorenzo 62Steel: Living on Cloud 9

September 21, 2021
8:40 pm

Among world premieres at the 2021 Monaco Yacht Show, the 62Steel is Sanlorenzo’s second-biggest model, distinguished by an aft infinity pool, three-sided beach club and a stunning owner’s deck with an expansive bedroom facing a private pool and sunbathing area. By Clare Mahon.

Cloud 9, hull one of the 62Steel; Photos: Guillaume Plisson

The numbers are impressive: 61.5m LOA, 11.8m beam, 1,300GT volume and five decks if you count the tank deck. Cabins for 12 guests and accommodation for a generously sized crew of 13 or 14. That all adds up to plenty of space to give Cloud 9, the first Sanlorenzo 62Steel, real nirvana potential.

The exterior lines were designed by Sanlorenzo’s technical and style departments. With long, continuous panes of dark glass that contrast elegantly with the white steel hull, the yacht is slender and elegant with a hard chine at the bow to deflect water from the foredeck.

Open aft decks include the beach club, main-deck pool, owner’s deck and bridge deck

Boarding Cloud 9 feels like walking into a garden on a sunny day. The spaces are vast, open and welcoming. On the main deck, an infinity pool with large lateral sun pads beckons and after a dip you could sit under the cabana, shaded by linen curtains that sway in the breeze.

The indoor and outdoor spaces are so well integrated you almost don’t realise that what looks like a cabana is partly the main deck’s aft cockpit and partly the entrance to the main saloon, in this case set up with a long dining table so guests can enjoy the breeze and a meal at the same time.

The swimming pool on the aft main deck has an infinity view and a glass bottom

Symmetrical staircases lead down from the sun pads to the beach club. Sometimes beach clubs can feel like an afterthought, enjoyable once you get to them, but a bit cut off from the rest of the yacht. Not so aboard Cloud 9, where the stern sections of the lower and main decks are connected both physically and visually, so they feel like one continuous space.

Even the bottom of the pool on the main deck is glass, so it acts as a skylight and gives the beach club beneath it a kind of under-the-sea sensation. As if that wasn’t enough, this already large yacht has a transom and side platforms that open to add an extra 40sqm of space on the water. There’s room for a crowd.

The beach club includes waterside balconies (above) and a hammam (below)

And this beach club doesn’t have to do double duty as a tender garage because there are symmetrical garages midships with their own side-opening hull doors that house a 9m tender, a service tender and toys such as jetskis. With a bar, fitness equipment and a hammam, this beach club is close to sybaritic perfection.

ENTERING A NEW WORLD

Back on the main deck, the dining area at the entrance is subtly divided from the rest of the saloon by a glass wall embedded with a unique metal mesh to give it visual appeal. Silvery grey surfaces shimmer while the colour palette is neutral and never jarring, played out in luxurious natural materials like grey oak, macassar ebony and pale Jerusalem limestone.

The interior is by Francesco Paszkowski in collaboration with Margherita Casprini

“Creating the interior design was an exciting process,” says Francesco Paszkowski whose studio penned the interiors in collaboration with Margherita Casprini. “Our long-standing collaboration with Sanlorenzo allowed us to create interiors with a distinctly contemporary feel.”

While many pieces of loose furniture are by top Italian furniture manufacturers such as Minotti, other pieces were made to measure by the specialised artisans at Yachtline. The designers also created niches and shelves for displaying artwork and other collections.

The formal dining area is forward of the saloon on the main deck

Proceeding fore on the main deck past the comfortable main living area, you arrive at the lobby where a staircase winds around an elevator that leads to all five decks.

Fore on the main deck are six en-suite guest cabins, one of which can do double duty as a massage room. All the guest cabins are fitted with soft and luxurious materials and have carefully crafted details such headboards in suede and walls covered in silk velvet.

OWNER’S PARADISE

Everybody is well provided for aboard Cloud 9, but the owners are even more so. A generous half of the upper deck, over 200sqm, is for the couple’s private suite. The apartment starts with a large living area followed by a study.

The interior of the owner’s deck includes a private lounge

The original owners (the boat has since been listed for sale) tailored the layout to meet their different needs: she chose to have a proper dressing room and a bathtub in her large bathroom. He chose a more conventional closet and was happy with a smaller bathroom with just a shower.

While a couple can go their own separate ways getting dressed and ready, they converge again in the cabin area proper where a centrally placed bed is backed by a glass partition wall.

The stunning master suite forward benefits from a large skylight

The full-beam sleeping area is lit by a large skylight over the bed and looks out over the vast and open foredeck. The highlight of the stunning forward view is a glass-backed counter current pool that nipped a bit of headroom from some of the guest cabins below but allows the owners to have a swim at their own leisure and in complete privacy.

Thanks to a telescopic mast that disappears when not in use, the 140sqm foredeck is so completely open and unencumbered you could use it as a putting green.

The master suite has a welcoming view of the private foredeck

Aft on the upper deck is a cosy home cinema and game room and a large outdoor dining area with a bar. The yacht is ideal for warmer climates as the overall design prioritises outdoor deck spaces over larger indoor areas.

The aft section of the bridge deck can be set up for sunbathing and dining. Proceeding fore, the captain’s cabin is right by the bridge where the yacht is controlled via a Team Italia integrated I-Bridge.

The owner’s deck offers alfresco dining aft and there’s a similar area on the bridge deck above

With touchscreens that manage all nav-com equipment on board, this system can be modified to meet different yachts’ customisation requirements. In fact, the bridge aboard Cloud 9 was purpose developed to respond to the yacht’s ergonomics and technical space.

While the captain’s cabin is on the bridge deck, the rest of the crew have their quarters, mess and galley on the lower deck. All crew pathways including staircases are kept separate from guest areas to protect privacy on a model that shows what it’s like to live on Cloud 9.

www.sanlorenzoyacht.com

www.simpsonmarine.com

Note: The original article appeared in Issue 61

Sanlorenzo premieres Asymmetric duo and SD118
The Italian builder staged the world premieres of its SL90A and SL120A at the Cannes Yachting Festival alongside the SD118, which has already sold at least 13 units.