Reviews

Sanlorenzo SX112: ‘Crossover Queen’ coming to HK

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Sanlorenzo SX112: ‘Crossover Queen’ coming to HK

April 29, 2021
2:15 pm

A big step up from the SX88 and SX76, the new Sanlorenzo SX112 is the flagship of the Italian builder’s iconic crossover series, with the first hull in Asia scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong later this year.

The Sanlorenzo SX112 is the new flagship of the SX range

Sanlorenzo calls its SX series ‘crossover’ yachts because they combine the best features of explorers with the comfort of flybridge yachts. But a visit to the range’s new flagship, the SX112, shows that these yachts bridge more than just vessel types.

Like the SX88 and the SX76 before her, the 33m SX112 offers a ‘no barriers’ experience of life at sea. Bernardo Zuccon of Zuccon International Project has designed the exteriors of the entire SX line and has used no-nonsense, workboat-like features such as vertical bows, forward-slanted glass and long, open aft sections throughout the range. The look is strong, distinctive and modern without being radical.

Bernardo Zuccon designed the exterior of the SX112

While the exteriors of the SX range have a family resemblance that recalls seafaring traditions, the interiors were designed by Piero Lissoni, a man who has been determined to shake up the nautical world’s preconceptions ever since he became Sanlorenzo’s Art Director in 2018.

Lissoni begins his tour of the yacht with an announcement: “I don’t see why a yacht should be a compendium of all things associated with wealth – marbles, hides, exotic woods – because luxury and vulgarity often go hand in hand,” he says.

The large aft cockpit offers an infinity view

“I have asked yacht designers and I asked myself: Why do people who have beautiful homes have such vulgar yachts? I think that the source of this vulgarity more often than not comes from the shipyard architects who seem to think that wealthy owners want splashy materials. I don’t agree with that.”

SPACE IS SANCTUARY

After Lissoni’s words, it’s no surprise to board the yacht and find a space where nothing glitters but

everything shines in its own way. In the saloon, built-in pieces blend discreetly into the yacht’s structure while tatami and natural wood tones offer a subtle backdrop to design icons such as electric-blue Utrecht armchairs by Gerrit Thomas Rietveld and produced by Cassina.

On hull one, the main-deck saloon features designer furnishings

There are also B&B Italia couches, a Poul Kjaerholm PK-80 daybed and Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni’s classic Toio lamps produced by Flos.

“When I design a yacht, I approach it just as I would any other project, aiming to create something functional, comfortable and beautiful,” Lissoni continues. “It used to be that a yacht and everything aboard it had to be made by a yacht designer.

There’s a forward dining area beside an intimate seating area

“Outsiders like me have changed the rules by showing that a yacht can be a floating villa furnished with some of the most beautiful design pieces on the market today. We are modern people living in this day and age. Why not design an interior that reflects that?”

But Lissoni’s bold new approach to yacht interiors goes far beyond furnishings. Entering the yacht, you look straight through an open and airy space accented by a glass-enclosed swirl of a steel staircase that runs to all decks and disguises an engineering feat behind deceptively simple lines.

The spiral staircase is a practical and visual centrepiece

There is a living area aft and a dining area fore. There is no lobby and the bridge area is notably absent. In fact, Lissoni requisitioned the area with the best views from the captain and put it at the disposal of the owners and their guests.

The SX112 only has one helm and it’s on the fly deck. While this arrangement breaks with tradition, it makes for a main saloon that’s flooded with light and immersed in nature.

On the lower deck, Piero Lissoni has turned the spiral staircase into a work of art

Proceeding down the spiralling staircase to the lower deck leads to an alcove where tatami is used extensively, introducing an East/West mixture that represents another crossover on the SX112.

With its neutral colour, interesting texture and inherent soundproofing qualities, tatami is used extensively in the guest cabins that, on this hull, include an owner’s cabin aft and two VIPs.

The headboard in the owner’s cabin is under the large hull window

Walnut and Verde Alpi marble are other recurring materials while the chromed porthole frames are left visible, so the industrial-grade beauty of the yacht’s build technology shows through.

OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND

While it mixes features of flybridge yachts with explorers and blends Eastern vibes with Western icons, the SX112 really crosses over when it blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. A world opens up when you turn a handle concealed in the panelling of the owner’s cabin and find that it leads directly to the gym, beach lounge and a spectacular aft deck.

The aft lower deck features an interior beach lounge

Much, much more than a swim platform, this 90sqm expanse of free, open space is a private ‘beach’ whose size and airiness increase exponentially when the yacht’s side terraces are opened over the water.

Access to the water is easy, the sense of freedom and space is unlimited, and the owner literally has all of this at his or her fingertips at any time of the day or night. In keeping with his minimalist approach, Lissoni has furnished the SX112’s outdoor spaces with simple, linear pieces that are commercially available.

The enormous outdoor beach club makes the most of its drop-down sides

“In my opinion, everything that’s used aboard a yacht should be commercial because industrial designers are better attuned than nautical designers to how we live today,” he says. “On top of that, commercially available products are made from certified materials that only industries have access to. They can guarantee quality and durability.”

Lissoni paid as much attention to flow through the yacht as he did to its furnishings. The stern deck and the main deck aft connect both physically and philosophically. The stairs are straight and easy to walk up and the space, with loose furniture facing aft, is planned as a continuation of the stern, not as an introduction to the saloon.

The central staircase also leads to the upper deck

From there, it’s another quick hop up to the fly deck with its excellent views. Here, the space under the hardtop can be entirely enclosed to become a kind of cabana with a dining area, bar and the helm station.

LOOKING AHEAD

Much as Lissoni believes that a yacht should feel like a villa, we all know that they are complicated pieces of machinery. But with spaces such as a dining room where the bridge usually is and a gym and beach club where the engine room is often located, it’s hard to imagine where the SX112’s four Volvo IPS engines are tucked away.

The sole helm station is on the upper deck, which offers panoramic views

As it turns out, the engine room is accessed from a hatch on the stern deck and from a small door on the starboard side of the beach club. But even when the yacht’s fast displacement hull is launched at top speed, the pod’s smooth and quiet ride means that you’d barely know they were there.

The SX112 fills the bill for anyone who wants a yacht for living freely, in easy contact with the water and in great style. And Lissoni is looking forward to continuing in his work with Sanlorenzo.

The enclosed section of the upper deck looks out to an expansive aft deck

“I’m attracted by the difficulty of nautical projects, by the challenge of designing something that moves, that exists in nature and that is impacted by it. At the same time, I want to stay an architect first and foremost,” Lissoni says.

“I like being the outsider in the nautical world and I’d really like to convince my insider colleagues to have the guts to change. Look ahead to the future, not back on tradition.” The SX112 is that forward-looking yacht that crosses over boundaries to create a new style of life at sea.

Simpson Marine, under Sanlorenzo Asia, has sold the first unit into the region, which is arriving in Hong Kong by the end of theyear.
www.sanlorenzoyacht.com
www.simpsonmarine.com

Sanlorenzo delivers first 62Steel
Italian builder reveals two units of its new metal superyacht are already sold, with a third under construction.

Fairline finds sweet spot with Squadron 50

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Fairline finds sweet spot with Squadron 50

April 14, 2021
9:56 pm

The Squadron 50 sits in the ‘sweet spot’ of Fairline’s increasingly wide range, with the quick sale of the first unit in Hong Kong showing the potential of the British builder’s expanded regional partnership with Simpson Marine.

The first Fairline Squadron 50 in Asia looks at home in Repulse Bay

Soon after Simpson Marine’s representation of Fairline Yachts was increased to cover 10 countries and territories within Greater China and Southeast Asia, the regional dealer staged the Asian debut of the Squadron 50 at last year’s Thailand Yacht Show, just four months after the model’s world premiere at the 2019 Southampton International Boat Show.

Not long after, however, the ‘C-word’ started to spread around the region and the globe, with many Southeast Asian yachting markets retracting in the aftermath. It proved an inauspicious start for Fairline’s new relationship with Simpson Marine, but the Squadron 50 eventually arrived in Hong Kong late last year, where it was soon snapped up in the region’s most active yachting hub.

Fairline’s Squadron 50 has a top speed of 31-32 knots depending on the choice of Volvo IPS engines

The model’s quick sale didn’t surprise Fairline, whose range of yachts has spanned in size from the F//Line 33 to the flagship Squadron 68 since those models were also launched in 2019, but which is still dominated by multiple models within the 45-53ft range, the British builder’s heartland.

“The Squadron 50 has proven to be extremely popular, hitting our market’s sweet spot perfectly when it comes to size and features,” says Miles Moorhouse, Fairline’s Head of Marketing.

“It has a combination of large exterior and interior spaces, which means owners can enjoy their boat whatever the weather. It also has an array of options including flexible accommodation, galley up or galley down, and the choice of an aft crew cabin, all of which makes it perfect for customising to owner’s preferences.”

Fairline’s British heritage is emphasised by eye-catching cushions

Simpson Marine had represented the British builder in Hong Kong and the Philippines since June 2018, but in January 2020 the dealer announced its scope had increased to cover both territories plus Taiwan and seven Southeast Asian nations – Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.

SQUADRON REBOOT

An F//Line 33 and a Squadron 68 have since arrived in Singapore and Hong Kong, respectively. Meanwhile, scheduled deliveries to Hong Kong include a Squadron 53 in April to be followed a couple of months later by a Targa 45 GT, a model that had its world premiere at Boot Dusseldorf in 2020.

Both sit in and around Fairline’s sweet spot, where the Squadron 50 is the first of three new models sharing the same platform, along with the Targa 50’s Open and GT versions. The Fairline Yachts Design Studio is responsible for the design of these new models, which built on the brand’s well-established 48ft selection.

The roomy cockpit has a wide sofa and side gates to the swim platform

The new exterior styling includes an anthracite-coloured hardtop, which instantly differentiates the new 50ft range and provides a visual ‘trick’ to the eye, making for a sleeker, lower profile. “The Squadron 50 is a rebooted version of a classic Fairline, with new sporty accents,” Moorhouse explains.

Unlike Targa sports cruisers, the Squadron 50 offers a flybridge, a popular feature in Hong Kong and much of Asia. The yacht offers a relatively classic set-up, one that gives owners in Asia plenty of teak-laid outdoor areas to enjoy the region’s great weather.

The sheltered aft cockpit has a roomy sofa flanked by side gates that lead to the roomy bathing platform, just two steps down. Up front, the sleek foredeck offers a double sunpad with drinks holders.

The foredeck has a double sunpad and drinks holders

For larger groups, the flybridge is the place to be as it offers seating for at least six on an aft L-shaped sofa around a good-sized table, while the entertainment system provides the soundtrack and meals can be knocked up at the wet bar, which has a barbecue, fridge and sink.

Forward is a double bench seat to starboard and the twin-seat helm station to port, where most of the driving is done, certainly in Hong Kong.

The flybridge is built for entertaining, with plenty of seating and a wet bar

The Squadron 50 has the option of twin Volvo IPS650 or IPS700 engines for a top speed of 31-32 knots, as well as all the associated benefits of IPS such as user-friendly joystick controls, great manoeuvrability and performance, excellent efficiency and low emissions.

COOL INTERIOR

Inside, the tropical-spec air-conditioning has the desired effect in creating a cool interior that acts as a welcome refuge from time in the sun and offers the finish and detailing Fairline is renowned for.

The first unit in Hong Kong features high-gloss walnut joinery and the galley-down layout, so has a starboard sofa by the 32in pop-up TV

The first Hong Kong unit features a galley-down, two-cabin layout, which offers a great saloon with a large C-shaped sofa and adjustable table to port, as well as a starboard sofa that sits in front of the 32in popup TV. Large windows all around ensure the interior is well lit, although views are frustrated by the horizontal strips running along the middle of each side window.

All the seating features elegant white upholstery, while there are numerous other choices among Fairline’s four interior décor themes: St Tropez, Capri, Amalfi and Hamptons.

The forward part of the interior is raised and features the helm station to starboard and a companion seating area to port

The muted oak flooring contrasts with the high-gloss walnut joinery, as seen on the starboard cabinet and the raised forward area, where the helm station features the twin helm seats and the steering wheel in Italian leather.

To port, there’s a cosy L-shaped sofa with an elegant coffee table and nice views through the windscreen, as well as down the stairs to the galley and lower saloon to starboard, an area that can instead be used for a third cabin if specified. However, for owners who prefer more entertaining and dining areas, and only need two cabins for a family or two couples, this is an ideal layout.

The helm seats are finished in Italian leather

The lower saloon has an L-shaped sofa and adjustable table that makes a nice setting for breakfast or for indoor dining when it’s too cold or wet outside, while there’s also a 22-inch TV. The facing galley is well equipped with a Carrara white marble worktop, an oven, grill and hobs, as well as cupboards, eye-level lockers and a large fridge/freezer all finished in high-gloss walnut.

Forward is the VIP with sliding scissor berths, which has private access to a starboard bathroom that also doubles as the day head.

The raised corner lounge has good views, including down to the galley and lower saloon

Midships is the full-beam master cabin, which has a forward-facing bed and masses of drawers on each side, although there’s the option of a sofa to starboard by the ensuite bathroom. Both bedrooms feature New Zealand wool twist carpeting.

“The interior offers multiple spaces for modern entertaining, all featuring the handcrafted woodwork, luxurious touches and attention to detail Fairline is renowned for,” Moorhouse says.

Showing the atmospheric lighting to good effect, the lower saloon provides a nice area for breakfast and an indoor dining option

Having worked for the brand from 2008-2012 and re-joined in early 2016, Moorhouse is among Fairline’s longer-serving managers and sees a strong future for the brand in the region as Asia’s largest yacht dealership begins its second year overseeing its enlarged remit.

“The expansion of Simpson Marine’s coverage across the region delivers significant advantages for both Fairline and customers. Working in partnership with us, Simpson Marine has showcased its experience and knowledge of the region to match the right Fairline product to the customer’s exact boating requirements. The company’s extensive aftersales coverage then ensures owners are looked after efficiently and professionally,” he says.

The full-beam master suite is midships and features extensive drawer space on both sides, although a sofa can be fitted to starboard

“There is now a steady flow of exciting new Fairline motor yachts arriving in Asia, particularly in Singapore and Hong Kong, so we look forward to this continuing as regional travel restrictions lift and we begin to enter a post-Covid world.”
www.fairline.com
www.simpsonmarine.com

PREMIUM PACK

The Squadron 50 is available with Fairline’s first Premium Pack, a turnkey solution that offers owners an easy route to go boating. Highlights include high-capacity air-conditioning, Onan 11Kw generator, a submersible bathing platform with 400kg lifting capacity, Sleipner bow thruster, 21kg Ultra anchor with 50m stainless steel chain, Fusion entertainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, teak-laid flybridge floor, 12in Volvo GPS Map 8612 touchscreen display, blue exterior mood lighting, and wet bar complete with griddle, fridge, icemaker and sink.

Lavish launch of new Fairline in HK
Highlights include high tea and champagne served by The Peninsula..

Sunseeker Manhattan 55 leads ‘Famous Five’ to Asia

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Sunseeker Manhattan 55 leads ‘Famous Five’ to Asia

April 1, 2021
1:53 pm

The first of Sunseeker’s ‘Famous Five’ new models to be sold in Asia, the Manhattan 55 features a refined exterior along with a sophisticated interior styling and detailing that reflects the upgraded look and feel of the British builder’s new generation of yachts.

Sunseeker’s new Manhattan 55 on the run in San Diego, California

Sunseeker is swinging back into the yachting world’s spotlight with not one but five new models showcasing this spring. As per the new normal, the global premieres will be held online and will be supplemented with Asia-specific presentations reflecting the British builder’s new-look regional network, which includes NextWave as its distributor in the key market of Hong Kong.

In Poole, Sunseeker’s home base since the 1960s, the first units of each of the five new models have been in the water for a head-spinning mix of final fitouts, fine-tuning, testing, sea trials, video and photo shoots, and client visits.

The Manhattan 55 reaches 32 knots with twin 800hp Volvo Penta engines

Not only is Sunseeker simultaneously orchestrating five global debuts while most shipyards typically release one or two new models a year, but the builder’s new models are notably varied. They span in size and range from the Manhattan 55, Predator 55 EVO™ and 65 Sport Yacht to the immense 88 Yacht and 90 Ocean, the latter the builder’s most exciting new model of recent times.

The new Predator recently appeared at the Palm Beach International Boat Show, yet the first of the ‘Famous Five’ models out of the blocks was the Manhattan 55, which already has units as far as the US – the exterior photographs seen here are from California – and at least two orders from Asia.

Already, the 55 is following the success of its big sister, the Manhattan 68 that debuted last year and has at least four orders in this region.

Shown with the hardtop option, the Manhattan 55 has received multiple orders in Asia

“We’re delighted with the initial demand for the Manhattan 55 as owners and prospects are seeing the same advancements we made on the Manhattan 68,” said Douglas Culverwell, Sunseeker International’s Director of Distributor Development. “We expect many more sales across Asia and the rest of the world for the Manhattan 55 and other models among the ‘Famous Five’.”

As well as sharing the 68’s popularity, the 55 also features the same interior styling as its big sister. It’s part of a complete upgrade in interior design, décor and detailing that Sunseeker has incorporated in all new models since the Predator 60 EVO™ premiered in September 2019, reflecting the design influence of CEO Andrea Frabetti, who earlier that year became the first Italian to head the yard.

Structurally, the Manhattan 55 builds on the platform of the hugely popular Manhattan 52, although it’s quicker than Sunseeker’s fastest-selling model, reaching 32 knots with two Volvo Penta D13-800 engines.

The Manhattan 55 succeeds the popular Manhattan 52, which sold over 130 units including many to Asia

Subtle exterior upgrades include a second, thinner stainless-steel bowrail around the yacht that’s stronger, safer and more elegant than the guard wire it replaced. Aft, the air-intakes have been upgraded from composite to a lighter carbon-fibre weave, its dark offset matching the hull glazing.

AFT, FORE AND FLY

The yacht’s fun features start by the water, where the full-beam hydraulic platform offers access to a treasure chest of compartments as part of Sunseeker’s popular Beach Club package. The drop-down barbecue is a winner and benefits from being well clear of any interior spaces, in case you slightly burn the steaks.

When it’s play time, a wide beach seat folds down to let you watch the kids, rest after a swim or put on or pull off flippers with a lot more grace than if you were standing up. To starboard is a pull-up door, which doubles as an overhead shower along with providing access to a good-sized storage locker for anything from ropes and fenders to towels and toys.

The Beach Club package includes a barbecue, bench seat and overhead shower

To port is the door to the optional crew cabin with ensuite and space for a washer-dryer. Alternatively, this aft space can be used as a storage room. Heading up three steps and through the lift-up side gates brings you to the cockpit, which has a big C-shaped sofa and a foldout teak table.

Useful details include a small locker for lines by the cleat and optional capstan on each side. To port there’s a chest-height locker for a third helm station, where a Xenta joystick and other controls can be fitted.

The side decks lead to the foredeck, a relaxing area that combines a sofa with two loungers around a high-low table. It’s an ideal area for sunbathing, reading or intimate gatherings in the evening, when the built-in lighting and sound system can set the mood.

Aft view of the flybridge which has multiple social areas and a wet bar

The flybridge is accessed from the cockpit by a starboard stairway that’s topped by a see-through hatch, which shields the rain and even acts as a type of safety net in the case of accidental falls at the top of the steps. The stairs come out by the twin-seat, twin-screen helm station, where a wireless phone charger is among useful features.

Aft is a huge C-shaped sofa aft that comfortably fits six or more around a foldable table. Add a couple of loose chairs and you can have up to eight dining al fresco, which is made more appetising by the barbecue option in the portside wet bar. Below the seats are fitted speakers for an AV system that can play the same or different music to that in the foredeck or saloon.

Forward of the wet bar is a C-shaped sofa and a coffee table, although the best views are offered in front by the full-width sunlounger, which has convenient backrests on both sides. Shelter options include a foldable bimini or a hardtop with a sliding sunroof and which can also fit a bimini extension aft.

NEW MANHATTAN STYLE

Back on the main deck, the cockpit’s seamless connection to the galley and saloon is one of the highlights of the Manhattan 55. You only need to open the starboard cockpit door then watch as the galley ‘window’ automatically slides down at the push of a button, to see the interior open to the outside and create a huge communal area.

Once the galley window is lowered, a fold-out countertop makes an attractive bar

Furthermore, fold out the bar counter and you’ve got a solid reason to perch on the cockpit bar stools (optional) and relax with drinks and snacks.

Look inside and you’ll soon notice the showpiece ceiling, where LED lighting runs along perpendicular and diagonal lines and panels, as seen on the Manhattan 68. The overhead lighting is supplemented throughout the main deck and cabins by elegant wall lamps, also seen on the bigger model.

Almost disguised beneath the height of the bar and the raised saloon, the aft galley is a wonderment of design. Step inside and to the left and you’re surrounded on all four sides by surfaces and storage, both of which you can never have enough of in a kitchen.

The comprehensive galley is surrounded by storage and work surfaces

By the port window is a Miele oven and four-hob induction burner plus a double sink, while above is a wide bank of head-height cupboards plus extractor fan. Aft is a large prep area above an optional dishwasher, while forward is an elegant storage area for cups, crockery and glassware, lit from within.

Head back into the ‘hallway’ and the treats continue with a wine cooler and full set of drawers. As an option, this forward section of the L-shaped bar top can also remain open underneath to store two loose galley bar stools that turn the area into a breakfast counter.

To starboard, Sunseeker has designed a full-height corner unit with shelving, enclosed storage and more power points – coffee machine, anyone? Under the countertop are two large refrigerator drawers, plus there’s the option of an extra cabinet forward featuring another two fridge/ freezer drawers topped by an elegant serving area.

Up two steps from the aft galley, the saloon features a three-sided sofa facing an enormous 55in TV

Two steps up bring you to the saloon, where the large, three-sided sofa can comfortably sit six people and a designer table replicates the angular detailing of the ceiling. To starboard is a side cabinet with a huge, 55in TV and surround-sound system, while there’s also an ottoman that can be used for storage and moved to the starboard side of the table to complete a full dining set-up.

“Like the Manhattan 68, the 55 features elegant, sophisticated interior styling, yet which is clearly distinctive, for example, from the curvy, sporty interior of new Predators,” says Culverwell. “The detailing in both ranges has gone to another level in these new models.”

The helm station is up a step and features a leather bench seat with adjustable bolster and multi-functional steering wheel. The console has the option of two touch-screen Simrad displays, plus wireless charging, USB ports and a display for Sunseeker’s Cm8, which manages and monitors a range of systems from power, fuel, tanks and engine data to lighting, air-conditioning, AV and more.

CABINS AND STORAGE

Down the stairs and it’s straight ahead to the VIP cabin, which benefits from light through side windows and a deck hatch. There’s overhead storage, hanging cupboards and drawers on both sides, as well as ensuite access to the portside bathroom that doubles as the day head, shared with the twin cabin to starboard.

The master suite pictured features a dinette to starboard

The master suite is back down a couple of steps to midships, where this full-beam stateroom stands as another example of the huge upgrade in styling, décor and detailing that personifies the new Manhattans.

The entrance lobby brings you first to the ensuite bathroom to port, then it’s another step down to the bedroom, which benefits from great headroom and large windows either side. The bed faces a huge TV and soundbar, while beside them is a cabinet topped by elegant shelves with recessed lighting, ideal for books and other display items.

There’s storage all around, from the full-height cupboard on starboard to the huge cabinet that occupies the port side of the room and is packed with drawers, shelving and cupboards. Add in the bedside cabinets and there’s a place for everything.

In the master suite, starboard options include a dinette (pictured), sofa, chaise longue or the same cabinet as on port side

There’s room for even more storage, if you wish, as the space under the starboard window is offered in several arrangements including a mirror of the portside storage cabinet, a sofa, a dinette or a chaise longue, the latter three all including some storage below.

“The Manhattan 55 has taken a proven layout and really stepped it up another level in terms of practicality, finish and detailing, right throughout the yacht,” Culverwell says. “I can’t wait to see the first yachts arrive in Asia so people can hopefully see for themselves.”
www.sunseeker.com
www.sunseekerhk.com

Four Sunseeker Manhattan 68s for Asia
The first Sunseeker Manhattan 68 in Asia will soon arrive in Thailand before further hulls head for Singapore and Hong Kong.

Benetti Oasis 40M: Superyacht Sensation

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Benetti Oasis 40M: Superyacht Sensation

February 24, 2021
7:35 pm

Boasting double-digit sales around the world including orders in Asia, the popular Oasis 40M is the first model in Benetti’s exciting new range dedicated to spectacular outdoor living.

By Clare Mahon

Rebeca is the first Oasis 40M

The first unit in Benetti’s Oasis 40M line, Rebeca, is an open invitation to step in. Into the water, into the yacht or into a casual, relaxed lifestyle that couldn’t be more inviting.

Sensing there was a need for a different approach to on board living, Benetti contacted British design studio RWD and New York-based Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture with a brief that called for a yacht that would be open to the sea.

While RWD worked on the overall concept, exterior lines and layout, Bonetti/Kozerski began to plan the interiors with Benetti’s Interior Style Department, as the Azimut-Benetti Group handled naval architecture.

UK-based RWD worked on the overall concept, exterior lines and layout

The resulting yacht, the Oasis 40M, reflects a new take on an oceangoing lifestyle, one that’s dynamic, informal and elegant, and allows everyone on board to live life on the water to the full.

The exterior design that RWD created may have surpassed Benetti’s wildest dreams. Not only is the yacht open to the sea but it also literally opens onto the sea. It’s no surprise that a section opens out from the transom to become a swimming platform but side sections also fold down to make the entire aft deck a huge terrace on the water.

As the focal point of on-board life, the area is much more than a beach club – it’s an entire beach. When the whole area is open, the beam jumps from 8m to 11m and the entire area offers about 60sqm of waterfront living.

The beam expands to 11m with the fold-down sides

There are just a couple of steps up from the swim platform to the main beach platform, which features the glass-backed infinity pool, an adjustable sun lounger and an aft-facing C-shaped couch and table. There’s space for sunchairs on both sides and movement through the space is free and unencumbered.

NEW LIFESTYLE FOCUS

There are another couple of steps up to the main deck, where RWD avoided including an outdoor staircase to the upper deck, as is usually the case. The consequent feeling is of unlimited, boundary-free space. Curved glass doors open wide and welcome you to the main saloon, which seems more like a garden pavilion than an indoor space.

The swimming pool is a hub of the beach club

However, as architect Enrico Bonetti explains, the design objective wasn’t so much for a wow effect but to introduce a lifestyle of understated elegance and relaxation.

“Imagine a couple stepping aboard this yacht. He’s wearing beautifully made linen pants, a button-down shirt and excellent quality leather shoes, but without socks. She’s wearing a summer linen dress and sandals with low heels. Her hair is loose on her shoulders,” Bonetti says, describing the type of people he was designing for.

“They’re tanned, fit and clearly love the outdoors. Only if you look closely will you notice that he is wearing a priceless vintage watch and she has a very beautiful ring. These are the owners we imagined for the Oasis 40M.”

The beach club links seamlessly to the open interior

The owners Bonetti visualised for the Oasis 40 want a yacht that reflects their casual yet sophisticated lifestyle while remaining informal and comfortable. They are active so they want excellent access to the water, a gym and maybe even a wellness area.

More than sunbathing, they’re interested in enjoying the company they’re with and experiencing the places they travel to. Sure of themselves and of the quality of their lives, they don’t need to impress but they do want to enjoy.

LIGHT AND NATURAL

RWD’s design incorporates lots of glass so the interior is flooded with light and the view to the sea is always close. Blurring the boundaries between spaces, teak is used on the floors indoors and out. Bonetti/Kozerski used light colours in the interior but most notable is the absence of bling.

Teak flooring links the aft deck with the circular-themed saloon

The architects used leather instead of suede, stone instead of marble, and simple cotton and linen weaves in natural colours instead of velvets and damasks. These materials speak softly of quality and durability, transmitting an overall sense of self-assured calm.

The living area of the main saloon has a circular theme, evident in curved glass doors that open wide to the aft deck, curved couches and a round light source in the ceiling whose gilded backing glows like a sun.

The dining area benefits from full-height windows on either side

Forward, the dining area is flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows in a single, large pane of glass, while a small area preceding the lobby can be used as a study, gym or wellness space.

The full-beam owner’s cabin is also on the main deck and has the aft-facing bed to port. The entire starboard side is a private living area with a couch and armchairs. Moving fore, a large walk-in closet precedes the full-beam bathroom where a central shower divides the space into his and hers areas.

The full-beam, main-deck owner’s suite has an aft-facing bed to port by a huge window

The panelling throughout the suite is in rosewood and details are in brushed brass, but the real luxury is in the details that you perceive but might not even notice at first glance. As an example, the ceiling is lined in finely worked Foglizzo leather for a subtly beautiful effect that also has the practical bonus of soundproofing.

Leather also lines the treads of the stairs that lead down to the four guest cabins on the lower deck where the colour tones and level of finishing echo the master cabin except that brushed steel is used for accents instead of brushed brass.

The owner’s suite has a full lounge to starboard (above) and walk-in closet and bathroom forward (below)

UPPER DECKS

Guests can reach the upper deck via the lobby staircase or another staircase discreetly tucked away by the side passage. They can access the sundeck by a staircase enclosed on the starboard side of the upper deck. In a welcome change from the usual layout, there are no exterior stairways cluttering the aft and upper decks, so the outdoor areas are totally open and free.

The upper-deck skylounge has an L-shaped couch and stools to port, while on the starboard side is a bar and a large dining table by the long window. Aft, sliding glass doors tuck to the side to open the whole interior to the aft outdoor area, where there are relaxing sofas and plants to emphasise the connections with nature.

The upper deck has a skylounge with a large sofa, bar and dining table, plus an open aft deck with sofas

However, the real showstopper on the upper deck is the bridge. In keeping with the Oasis 40M’s dynamic and informal outlook on yachting, it was designed for use by both the owners and their crew. In an unusual layout, a central helm seat is flanked by Seastema integrated interface panels. The wheel feels quite small but it’s easy to use.

Adrian Chisnell, RWD’s Team Principal, explains: “We designed these yachts for an active, engaged owner who wants to be part of their yacht’s operation and who really wants to experience the areas that the yacht cruises to.

RWD designed the bridge for use by both the owner and Captain

“Since the Oasis 40M has an integrated navigation system, we’ve made the bridge an area where crew and guests can discuss plans for the day then enjoy participating in the yacht’s operation.”

An owner of the Oasis 40M could easily sit down in the beautiful leather helm chair and enjoy the thrill of commanding his or her yacht via the Seastema integrated interface while chatting comfortably with guests and crew.

On the upper deck, the foredeck offers another great outdoor area

“Guests really interact with their crew and do it differently than they would have even just a few years ago,” Chisnell continues.

“Now, often you have a crewmember who is also a water sports or yoga instructor, so they really spend some quality time with guests. This blurring of lines between crew and guest areas means that guest spaces increase, boundaries are less distinct, and all of the yacht is available.”

The sundeck includes a jacuzzi forward and covered dining area

Speaking of which, if all the yacht is available and the entire aft deck by the water is dedicated to living by the sea, where is storage for the tender and toys?

For that, RWD designed side-opening hatches that give access to a garage large enough for a 6m tender or for a smaller tender plus a jetski. That way, enjoyment of the aft-deck area can continue undisturbed, even if someone wants to run back to land to go shopping.

The aft sundeck has a long bar table with stools, bar and grill

With head-turning good looks while cruising and show-stopping features while at anchor, Benetti’s new Oasis 40M looks to be a yacht that will go beyond meeting a new set of needs to create a whole new set of seafaring expectations.

Rebeca was first shown to the public at the Genoa International Boat Show last October and by November a dozen units had been sold including four to the Asia-Pacific, confirming Benetti’s new series has hit a market sweet spot. If other owners want to enjoy this Oasis, they’d better move quickly.
www.benettiyachts.it

Sustainability: Motor Yacht Builders – Azimut-Benetti
Azimut-Benetti Group’s innovations include a 107m hybrid gigayacht, E-Mode propulsion, a displacement-to-planing hull and BCool engineering.

Prestige X70: Game Changer

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Prestige X70: Game Changer

February 18, 2021
12:01 am

Who needs side decks? The radical, widebody X70 is a pioneering design from Prestige with a major focus on outdoor living. Yacht Style puts the French builder’s new flagship to the test.

The X70 is the first model in Prestige’s new X-Line range

Let’s not pull any punches here. The X70 is, by some distance, the most radical boat that Prestige has ever built. Yes, the hull, engines and lower deck are familiar, as they’re shared with the 680 from the F-Line range and now its successor, the 690. However, from there on up, the X70 takes our expectations of how a flybridge cruiser of this size should look and flips them on their head.

On a normal 70ft flybridge, the split between interior and exterior living space is about 70/30, but on the X70 it’s more like 50/50, with the enormous cockpit gobbling up nearly half of the main deck on Prestige’s ground-breaking collaboration with Garroni Design.

The X70 was designed with long-time Prestige collaborator Garroni Design

As if that wasn’t unusual enough, the yacht doesn’t feature any side decks, so the saloon can breathe across the full width of the boat’s 5.3m beam. This is a clever trick because the boat is no wider than the one on which its platform is based, but between the oversized cockpit and width of the main deck, it feels far, far larger.

FLEXIBLE AND FUNCTIONAL

Another key point about the X70’s design is its flexibility. The boat we tested had an island sunpad aft in the cockpit and a dining table forward, but options include moving the dining table inside the saloon and having the island forward to give you some free space aft on the deck.

The extended cockpit can feature a dining table

Alternatively, if you want to carry a lot of toys, you can leave the cockpit almost completely open. The area is flanked by low, comfortable bench seats which can be partitioned by the weighted backrests that sit on the island. These aren’t fixed down but have heavily weighted bases, so you can leave them anywhere on any piece of furniture safe in the knowledge that they won’t budge at sea.

Underneath each side bench is dedicated stowage space for Seabobs, while you will find storage for the liferaft under a lid in the island. This may be a brave new world for Prestige, but it knows a thing or two about building practical craft.

Hull one’s cockpit also includes an island sunpad and facing sofas

How many 70-footers have you seen with double access to the flybridge from the cockpit? That’s what you get on the X70, although if you’d rather a wet bar in the cockpit, you can have one instead of the starboard staircase. With such a great entertaining area, it would be remiss not to have some way of knocking up some grub and keeping the beers cool and within easy reach.

The fantastic day space doesn’t stop with the cockpit. Peer over the ‘infinity’ transom and you’re looking over the standard-fit hydraulic bathing platform with built-in steps and a flip-down sofa facing the water.

The ‘infinity’ transom links the cockpit to the drop-down sofa and swim platform

There is also a water-resistant Fusion speaker and a slot-in overhead shower, a far classier solution to the usual pull-out hose. The designers have put every inch of this deck to good use and created one of the finest outdoor living areas in the class.

The flybridge isn’t as spacious as the deck below, but it’s no less versatile. Like the main deck, you can either leave the aft end open for free-standing furniture or install the same type of island that’s available downstairs.

The flybridge offers various layouts and options

The wet bar, located just aft of the dinette on the boat we tested, can be moved to whichever position you please and the standard hard top has a sliding fabric roof inside it, so the area can quickly be covered if the weather turns. In fact, the entire area beneath the hard top can be fully enclosed by screens that zip in and out of position.

The roof’s support struts, which converge in front of the upper helm, are in a bit of an odd position and could catch out taller skippers when they move in and out of the helm seat. It’s almost as if the engineers realised late in the day that the roof needed some extra support and these struts were the solution.

FULL-BEAM SALOON

Those familiar with Prestige will have quite the surprise when they step inside the saloon because the look and feel is hugely different from anything the French yard has done before.

The saloon is full beam due to the absence of side decks

In search of a more upmarket look and feel, the builder has teamed up for the first time with Italian designer Valentina Militerno de Romedis to create a décor and vibe that is more akin to the Azimuts, Ferrettis and Sunseekers of this world than anything we have seen before from Prestige.

The shipyard is open about the new direction it is taking the X-Line in terms of design and pricing strategy. The starting price is higher, but a lot of equipment that would ordinarily be an option aboard a Prestige is now standard, in line with the high-end brands the X70 aims to compete with.

The open galley is forward of the saloon (above); steps lead up to the raised helm station (below), where a side door leads to the foredeck

For example, electric drop-down windows come as standard in the saloon, as do automatic blinds throughout. The spacious galley is fitted with high-end Miele domestic appliances and the saloon furniture serves an aesthetic purpose as well as places to sit.

COMFORTABLE CABINS

The cabins are equally well appointed, especially the master, which sits on its own half deck forward. It’s a spacious, comfortable cabin tucked away from guests and at the opposite end of the boat to the machinery space, limiting disruption from the whirring of the generator or optional Seakeeper stabiliser.

The forwardmost of three or four guest cabins, the master suite has a forward-facing bed, sofa and desk

Guests have separate access to their cabins from starboard stairs in the saloon and there is the option of two or three further cabins. The four-cabin version with a full-beam VIP midship and a pair of identical twins forward of it is best if you’re looking to charter, but if you really want to offer guests a treat, the configuration with three full-beam double suites is an indulgent alternative.

Although the X70 shares the same 900hp or 1,000hp IPS engine options with the 680 and now 690, it’s quite different to drive. The X70’s extra weight and height breeds more lethargy from behind the helm and a driving experience that’s unengaging but serene.

The X70 shares the same hull as the new Prestige 690

Acceleration is measured and there’s a sense of detachment due to the superlight fly-by-wire steering, so it’s best to set a course and let the boat’s perfectly capable hull iron out any obstacles that come its way.

The added height gives it a tendency to wallow, so one of the Seakeepers (probably the larger SK18) would be a sensible addition from the options list. Not only will it help with stability when cruising at displacement speed but it will make life on anchor – a place where the X70 is likely to spend a lot of time – much more comfortable.

It’s not a boat that relishes being hurried, but a top speed just shy of 30 knots is par for the course for this style of craft and a cruising speed between 20-25 knots should reward you with a range of around 250nm. Drop it to single figures and you should be able to go around 750nm between fills, with 20 per cent left in reserve.

The big question is whether Prestige’s radical change of direction has paid off and the short answer is a resounding yes. The boat’s exterior styling will not appeal to everybody, but Prestige can play to more traditional tastes with a perfectly good ‘standard’ flybridge in the new 690, while doing something truly different with the X70 and to great effect.
www.prestige-yachts.com
www.asiayachting.net

Prestige 630 arrives in Hong Kong
Asia Yachting is organising viewings of a new Prestige 630 motor yacht in Aberdeen.

Custom Line Navetta 30: Nautical Style

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Custom Line Navetta 30: Nautical Style

February 11, 2021
11:44 am

The first Custom Line Navetta 30 shows there are beautiful ways to update nautical tradition without turning your back on it. By Clare Mahon.

The Custom Line Navetta 30 has an overall length of 28.4m

The Navetta 30 is Custom Line’s first project with an exterior by Filippo Salvetti and interiors by the world-famous Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel (ACPV) architectural studio, both firms giving a special imprint to the brand’s new entry model while respecting and updating the line’s heritage.

Successor of the Navetta 28, the 30 has an overall length of just 28.4m and a hull length just under 24m. Yet although the 93-footer is 15ft shorter than the Navetta 33, this wide-body yacht is just 8in narrower, with a hefty beam of 7.3m (24ft).

The Navetta 30 is the first Custom Line with a Filippo Salvetti exterior

Below the waterline, the Ferretti Group’s Engineering department used CFD techniques to develop a tapered hull shape with 30 per cent more volume than the Navetta 28 and better fuel economy.

With the naval architecture arranged, Salvetti began designing the visible parts of the exterior, masking the vertical connection between the decks with strong horizontal lines and continuous expanses of dark tinted glass. It’s an honest, no-nonsense approach that balances interior and exterior, private and convivial spaces in a functional and appealing package.

The Dual Mode Transom creates a large beach club

Boarding the yacht from a tender, the first feature that welcomes you is an aft platform with running boards that make access easy from the stern or either side.

The garage can accommodate a Williams Sportjet 435 tender and a jetski, and the door is fitted with the Ferretti Group’s patented Dual Mode Transom (DMT) that opens to launch the tender and become a beach platform. An innovative new feature is a flap that keeps the garage dry when closed and doubles as a launching and recovery ramp when open.

Stairs lead to the aft cockpit on the main deck

Symmetrical staircases lead up to the aft cockpit, which has a table, chairs and an extra deep couch that can double as a sunbed. Glass doors to the main saloon slide open wide to reveal a space where the designers’ quest for continuity and connection between all areas of the yacht is as immediately apparent as their good taste and painstaking attention to detail.

The saloon is furnished with freestanding pieces that Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel has designed for top Italian furnishing brands such as B&B Italia and Flexform, as well as structural pieces built to ACPV’s designs by Zago, a long-time Ferretti Group collaborator.

Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel designed the interior and furnishings

EMBRACING NAUTICAL TRADITION

Because of careful choices of materials, shapes and colours, ‘stylish’ aboard the Navetta 30 never overwhelms ‘nautical’. While you’re always aware you’re in a chic and modern interior, you don’t forget you’re at sea because you’re always surrounded by ocean views and because the interiors maintain a discreetly nautical vibe.

Walls are finished in brushed and textured fibreglass, a boatbuilding material resistant to the elements and easy to maintain. Window and door frames have rounded corners as per nautical tradition and are in natural teak, the timber that best expresses an idea of seafaring life.

The main saloon emphasises natural colours and materials

The midships stairwell to the upper deck is lined in a textured material that recalls carbon-fibre, another boatbuilding staple. Even the floor seems to be a continuation of the caulked teak used on the outer decks until you look more closely and see that it’s teak painstakingly inlaid with a thin strip of wenge – an imitation game that masks luxury as functionality.

Riccardo Menin, an architect and interior designer for Custom Line, says: “Antonio Citterio and Patricia Viel chose materials such as natural leather and real hemp cord that would recall the nautical tradition and would age gracefully with time. They wanted the yacht’s interiors to show the signs of the life they have ‘lived,’ not to stay as an untouchable showcase.”

The saloon leads to the galley, upper deck and master suite

At the forward end of the saloon, the portside door leads to the Ernestomeda-designed galley, which includes the crew mess. Protecting the privacy of owners and guests, the galley connects to the crew quarters forward on the lower deck, made up of a captain’s cabin and two with twin bunks, all with ensuite bathrooms.

The saloon’s starboard door leads to a hallway accessing the lower-deck stairs, the day head and the owner’s cabin forward. Like the main saloon, the full-beam owner’s suite gets plenty of natural light and views through large, continuous windows.

The owner’s suite has an office to starboard and huge windows on both sides

The shapes and materials are like the ones used throughout the yacht, but there is added luxury in details such as the bathroom mosaic made of tiny round tiles of recycled glass, an ecologically luxurious material that was created exclusively for this project.

The four guest cabins on the lower deck are all ensuite and comprise two VIPs with inward-facing double beds and two aft-facing twins, one that can convert to a double and be fitted with an additional Pullman bed. All guest cabins have portholes that can be opened to let in fresh air.

UPPER DECKS

The upper deck, accessed from the main saloon or aft cockpit, has a large outdoor area with an oversized teak couch, again purpose-designed for the Navetta 30 by ACPV. A dining table for 10 can fit comfortably in this space, but the showstopper is the spiral staircase in carbon-fibre and teak whose thin chrome balusters are lashed with rope.

The upper-deck saloon and aft deck, which has a 10-seat dining table

The sky lounge and al fresco space are united stylistically not only by the yacht’s characteristic teak flooring but also by teak panels mounted in the ceilings of both areas. Interspersed between the panels are small spotlights, which are used throughout the yacht.

These discreet pinpoints of light were developed for the Navetta 30 by ACPV with Metis Lighting and have a warm, dimming technology that allows owners to adjust them both in brightness and in colour temperature to create a specific mood and atmosphere, whatever the time of day.

The upper deck’s 32sqm ‘sunset lounge’ features furniture by ACPV

The upper deck’s fore area is easy to reach from the port side passage and if the outdoor areas already mentioned aren’t enough, there’s also the sun deck. Set low so that it doesn’t give the Navetta 30 a top-heavy look, the large deck has a second custom couch like the one on the upper deck, a grill, sink and fridge by the mast, and a forward bar for enjoying a sundowner or simply taking in the view from on high.

The bridge is on the upper deck and features six large Simrad touchscreens. Like all Navetta displacement models, the 30 is designed for covering long distances with low fuel consumption and has an impressive range of about 2,000nm at 10 knots. To assure comfort and reduce sound and vibration, the engine room has a ‘floating floor’, while ceilings have extra soundproofing.

The sun deck features a huge sofa aft and a bar area forward

With the Navetta 30, Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel has shown that nautical doesn’t have to be predictable and that there’s a happy medium between nautical and style. Their dash of new perspective coupled with Custom Line’s careful attention to fuel efficiency and comfort make the Navetta 30 an important new player on the water today.
www.customline-yacht.com
www.ferrettigroup.com

Ferretti Yachts 670 in Taiwan
In Kaohsiung, Ferretti Group and Amal Yachting staged the first of two handover events for the first Ferretti Yachts 670 sold in Taiwan..

MCY 70 Skylounge: New level of luxury

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

MCY 70 Skylounge: New level of luxury

February 3, 2021
1:07 pm

Asia’s first MCY 70 Skylounge has turned heads since its arrival in Hong Kong, where the model customised for the region shows why an enclosed flybridge provides year-round appeal. Words: Andrew Dembina. Photos: Asia Yachting.

The MCY 70 Skylounge on the run along Hong Kong Island’s south side

Asia Yachting kicked off 2021 in lively fashion as the regional dealer hosted the Asian ‘reveal’ of the MCY 70 Skylounge online from Hong Kong and continued private viewings of the eye-catching new model.

Like all Monte Carlo Yachts models, the Skylounge Collection is designed by Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard of Venice-based Nuvolari Lenard. The duo’s principal remit was to create an elegant enclosed flybridge, a rare feature on Italian-built motor yachts of this size, and also use it to house the yacht’s sole helm station.

Last year, Skylounge versions were released for the MCY 70 and MCY 76, two of three models (along with the 66) introduced in 2019 as Monte Carlo Yachts unveiled its ‘second generation’ of yachts for its second decade.

Regional dealer Asia Yachting brought the MCY 70 Skylounge to Hong Kong

Initially targeted at the US market, the MCY 70 Skylounge debuted at the Miami Yacht Show last February before the first model in the region arrived in October in Hong Kong, where it’s expected to have a similar appeal in a climate featuring cool temperatures in winter and extreme humidity in the summer. And as usual, Asia Yachting has specified options and customisations to appeal to local tastes.

TOP FORM

The range name highlights the yacht’s most special feature – its fully enclosable and beautifully outfitted skylounge that occupies most of the flybridge.

The spacious skylounge includes huge side windows, a retractable skylight, the sole helm station, and stairs to the saloon on the main deck

MCY’s Skylounge Collection was conceived to provide a new concept for international markets, a yacht that can be enjoyed all year round, with an internal stairwell connecting main and upper-deck interiors that can be sealed and easily heated or cooled.

For the new hull tailored for Asia, the ‘Extra Tropical’ air-conditioning option was one of the boxes ticked by Olivier Besson, CEO and founder of Asia Yachting, which represents the boutique, high-end Italian builder in Hong Kong and Macau, as well as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines.

The skylounge houses the yacht’s sole helm station

“This is one of the most important features that we know local owners appreciate,” he says. “Owners are keen to escape the high humidity we have in Hong Kong and in other parts of Asia. When you sit upstairs you feel as if you are inside, but because of the panoramic windows and the glass roof (a retractable skylight), you feel in touch with nature and the environment outside.

“When the yacht arrived, I was particularly impressed by the cosy feel of the intimate terrace at the back of the flybridge – great for two people or a couple to relax and have a private moment. It would be a good spot to enjoy a cigar.”

The aft deck of the flybridge is a cosy nook, like a balcony for the skylounge

The enclosed upper deck really does benefit from its surround glazing, whether seated on the long, roomy sofa or the lounging platforms either side of the leather central helm seat. The pilot has superb, uninterrupted visibility around the boat, and the control switches and screens are generously spaced – and why not? After all, this is the sole helm aboard, so freeing up more usable space below.

MAIN COURSE

The Skylounge line’s standard design allows indoor access between the flybridge and the main deck, although it can be customised like most other aspects of all MCY models. If desired, stairwell access can alternatively be positioned outside, from the cockpit.

Like so much of the interior and exterior design by Nuvolari Lenard, the spiral, reinforced glass inner stairwell is a talking-point feature that oozes both elegance and functionality – its transparency allows the perception of yet more space. But volume is not something the main saloon is short of, as there is no helm across this split-level area.

View of the main deck from the skylounge stairs

As such, Asia Yachting opted for a galley-up configuration to port of the upper level forward, facing the dining suite to starboard. This showpiece galley wants for nothing, with two sets of fridge-freezer

drawers, a cooking station, storage and dishwashing units that rival many high-end domestic kitchens.

“We took the galley-up option to make it a part of the décor and lifestyle for those aboard,” Besson says. “It’s a place where owners can chat to those on board easily, and people can stand around and share food and drinks in a relaxed, comfortable way.”

Next to the dining table is a thoughtfully-placed weather-tight door to the starboard side deck that leads to the bow or cockpit – handy for underway manoeuvres, carrying food or drink from the galley, or for simple access.

The large galley and dining area forward benefit from the absence of a lower helm station

A step down to the aft half of the saloon is a sitting area with a long, deep L-shaped sofa and armchairs covered with Hermès and Armani Casa fabrics, as is the case on seating throughout the boat. An oversized TV in the ceiling panelling can be lowered or concealed at the press of a remote-control button.

To port, just inside the cockpit doors, is a day head carefully concealed behind dark chocolate brown-coloured wooden louvred slats. This space can be alternatively configured as a storage room or for access below deck to crew quarters and storage for the water toys.

BACK AND FORTH

While the new Skylounge Collection focus may be on the interconnected indoor areas, the breezy, completely sheltered cockpit is another comfortable gathering or solo spot at a marine-teak dining table, with its elevated view out to sea over the swim platform at the stern.

The aft cockpit on the main deck

Shower facilities are concealed in cabinetry in one of the twin staircases that lead downward, while the rear platform provides access to the airy engine room, which also leads to the twin crew cabin that provides a buffer between the engines and master suite.

Up front, the large 124sqft (11.5sqm) foredeck is a signature MCY feature, an attractive, comfortable area distinguished by its central passageway. Lowered bulwarks allow great sea views from the sun pads, which are fitted with pop-up recliner back and head supports.

The yacht features a flexible foredeck

The semi-circular teak dining tables on each side are electrically adjustable and can be linked by an extension panel to create a substantial dining surface for up to 10 people. Asia Yachting opted for a bimini on the bow, which can be easily put up to offer shade to those on deck.

GET DOWN

A dedicated stairway at the aft of the saloon leads to the master suite via a corridor that’s also home to two washer-dryer machines on the lower deck. Light floods into the main bedroom area through the shipyard’s iconic and newly-enlarged overlapping circular windows, and the cabin makes full use of the midships beam of 17ft 10in (5.45m).

The master suite has private access and the shipyard’s iconic overlapping circular windows

The stateroom is comfortably and functionally self-contained, with walk-in wardrobe, large marble-clad modern bathroom, storage cabinets, dressing table-cum-desk and a sofa.

The guest cabins have separate access via another walkway from the forward end of the saloon. Two compact twin cabins feature berths that can be joined to make a double bed. The port twin has ensuite access to a bathroom, while the starboard version uses the same but with corridor access.

The VIP cabin is in the bow, forward of two convertible twin guest cabins

A VIP ensuite cabin at the bow has decent natural light from panel windows and plenty of hanging and storage space. Like everywhere else on board – including the engine room – headroom is notably generous.

Since Asia Yachting started staging private viewings of the new model, Besson says visitors “appreciated the new interior design that we made luxurious and bright, plus they liked the additional living space upstairs, which matches their needs for shelter and cool temperatures”.

Asia’s first MCY 70 Skylounge relaxes on the south of Hong Kong Island

Following the global launch of the MCY 70 Skylounge last February, the MCY 76 Skylounge made its world premiere at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October, with the yard indicating that an even bigger version is to follow.
www.montecarloyachts.it
www.asiayachting.net
Note: The original article appeared in Yacht Style Issue 57

MCY 70 Skylounge: Asian Premiere! O
Monte Carlo Yachts dealer Asia Yachting hosts the Asian Premiere of the MCY 70 Skylounge on Facebook Live and invites private viewings in Hong Kong.

Amadea shows masters at work

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Amadea shows masters at work

December 31, 2020
3:20 pm

Based in the UAE, the 106m Amadea is a masterpiece by designers Espen Øino and Francois Zuretti, builder Lürssen and owner’s representative Imperial, which describes her as “the most detailed superyacht ever built”.

Photos: © Imperial Yachts (Photographer: Guillaume Plisson)

Built by Windy under Imperial’s supervision, Amadea’s 11m custom Limo tender and 11m custom Open tender match the lines of the mothership and even feature miniature versions of the albatross sculpture

One of the nice things about visiting Amadea by tender is the views. Not from Amadea but from around it. Admittedly, a tender doesn’t offer the bird’s-eye perspective that the owner enjoys when he arrives or leaves by helicopter and looks down on Amadea’s iconic overlapping overhangs, shaped like hexagons and described by exterior designer Espen Øino as ‘clamshells’.

However, arrival by the 11m Windy Limousine tender – also designed by Øino – does allow you to see the 106m Lürssen build in all her glory before circling around and gradually closing in on the details.

The huge art deco-style albatross welded to the bow was created by sculptor and designer Willem Lenssinck

On both sides of this colossus, the standout features are the three angled, protruding balconies, each sheltered by the clamshell above. Rounding the bow allows you many angles of the art-deco albatross sculpture, whose beak points the way when Amadea glides over the seas.

The stern, 348ft away, is another beautiful sight, with the broad swim platform dominated by ‘AMADEA’ in backlit lettering, topped by the 10m see-through pool on the main deck. However, the tender arrives at a foldout platform on the starboard side, where guests are escorted to the meeting room before taking a lift upstairs to the main deck.

The vast swim platform is a good base for watersports and lounging by the sea

PYC-compliant, this 4,400GT superyacht can welcome up to 22 guests while cruising and 16 overnight in its eight suites. Based in the UAE since early 2020, Amadea was originally scheduled to appear at the Dubai International Boat Show, which has been twice postponed and is now set to be held from March 9-13, 2021.

Delivered to her owner in 2017, the yacht only made her public debut two years later at the Monaco Yacht Show though owner’s representative Imperial, also the Central Agency for her sale. The Monaco-based brokerage has been behind several of the leading superyachts launched in recent years including the 136m Flying Fox, 107m Lana and 82m RoMEA, all for charter.

In contrast, Amadea was designed for private use by an exacting owner and remains a tribute to immense attention to detail in all aspects of design and construction. Her pristine condition is also a testament to the dedication and professionalism of her crew – up to 36 on board at any one time – who have ensured she’s as good as new.

Espen Øino designed Amadea’s exterior

Julia Stewart, Director of Imperial, says: “Amadea is the most detailed superyacht ever built, with extreme care given to every single area or item on board. She is a masterpiece and it’s a source of pride for Imperial to be involved with a superyacht of this calibre.

“All clients who have visited her have been very surprised to find out she was delivered in 2017. She looks in better condition than some new deliveries in 2020. This is not by chance. We invest a lot of time and effort in her presentation and condition to exceed the expectations of demanding clients.”

HEAVYWEIGHT COLLABORATION

Amadea is another triumph by Monaco-based Øino and Germany’s Lürssen, arguably the world’s leading designer and builder of large superyachts respectively, who both also teamed up with Imperial on Flying Fox.

“Working with Espen is a real pride and joy on every superyacht project,” Stewart says. “Our collaboration is truly outstanding and always gives birth to something extraordinary.

Øino describes Amadea’s iconic overlapping overhangs as ‘clamshells’

“So, while Espen focuses his creativity on designing functional and breathtaking masterpieces, Imperial plays its part with our detailed construction management procedures built on thousands of hours spent at the yard, with the suppliers, with our clients, to make the dream a reality.”

Imperial also has a like-minded partner in Lürssen, which built Amadea in northern Germany, where her layout and details were kept very much under wraps. The steel hull has a huge 18m beam, significantly more than many other yachts of this length, while the decks are not made of steel but of aluminium.

Amadea also has an astonishing range of 8,000nm at 13 knots, powered by two MTU 20V 4,300kW engines and armed with 392,000 litres of fuel – that’s 392 cubic metres or more liquid than in a 25m by 10m swimming pool with a depth of 1.5m! There are also Quantum Zero Speed stabilisers for exceptional comfort at anchor or underway.

“Utmost quality, deadline respect and precise follow-up are the key guidelines of our construction management procedures. We learn from every yard we collaborate with and obviously Lürssen’s impressive record of luxury superyachts, especially those above 90m or 100m, speaks for itself,” Stewart says.

The Lürssen build has a range of 8,000nm at 13 knots

“As the most detailed yacht ever built, Amadea boasts unique finishing that immediately catches the eyes of visitors. All materials and furniture used on board were carefully made with outstanding attention. We can proudly say Amadea is the exact representation of one of our mottos: attention to all details.”

MAIN ATTRACTIONS

Stewart says Imperial’s relationship with Lürssen has “explored and reached new boundaries in yacht construction”, and Amadea’s 33ft-long pool is an example of fine design, craftsmanship and

engineering coming together.

It starts with steps down to four submerged bar stools, where guests can socialise with those lounging on the L-shaped sofas forward or those lazing in the sunbathing areas on either side. Or, of course, they can just enjoy the infinity view aft and the pool itself where further sunken steps lead to the deeper swimming area, which has a large, decorative mosaic inlay on the bottom.

The aft bridge deck and owner’s deck below both have bioethanol fire pits outside, while the 10m long swimming pool is the centrepiece of the main deck aft

The main-deck saloon is your likely welcome to the astonishingly ornate interior by Francois Zuretti. Based in Nice, just along the French coast from Imperial and Øino in Monaco, Zuretti started his career creating Middle Eastern palaces and royal residences. Since 1987, he has been designing superyacht interiors including Ambrosia for Ambros Young, one of Asia’s leading superyacht owners.

Amadea’s 2,700sqft saloon starts with entrances either side of a beautifully illuminated bar that faces forward to large lounges on each side and a two-deck atrium, formed by an oval cut-out in the ceiling that opens to the owner’s deck.

Forward are a games table and more sofas beside a hand-painted piano by Pleyel, the Paris-based piano builder founded in 1807 that has built for the likes of Chopin. The customised baby grand features 24-karat gold hardware from pedals to hinges and took 18 months to build.

Forward of the swimming pool, the main deck has a covered area with a games table, outdoor bar and other seating areas, and leads to the main saloon and atrium

The formal dining table seats up to 14 guests and stretches the width of the saloon, with doors opening to balconies on either side, while midships is the central staircase featuring red carpeting and a rectangular glass lift that connects the guest decks.

The forward part of the main deck is dedicated to five of the guest suites – two to starboard, two to port, and the full-width VIP cabin, which features two king-size beds. All bedrooms have dressing tables, desks, sofas and ensuite bathrooms, while the VIP cabin has a full lounge to starboard.

OWNER’S PARADISE

Above the main deck is the 92m-long owner’s deck, where the owner and guests can arrive by helicopter on the enormous forward helipad, which has a 12m D-value and can accommodate up to 3.5 tonnes take-off weight.

Situated on the 92m-long owner’s deck, the vast helideck has a 12m D-value and allows the owners to land and walk straight to their private chambers

From the elevator or stairs, a forward hallway leads to the ‘private chambers’ including a beauty centre to port and the owner’s office to starboard. The vast bedroom features a huge bathroom to port with tub, shower and separate spa, while to starboard is the enormous dressing room.

The full-beam stateroom offers magnificent views and features the forward-facing bed to port and lounge to starboard, both facing a large TV in the middle of the front window.

The stateroom has access to beautiful balconies on both sides, which offer comfortable, cosy nooks for peace and quiet with breeze and open views. Forward of the stateroom is the owner’s private retreat, a covered outdoor zone with lounging areas either side of a whirlpool.

Although the deck is designed for the owner to live autonomously and in total privacy if needed, the aft social areas are ideal for hosting guests and intimate dinner parties.

The aft end of the owner’s deck features a large, round dining table, a portside bar offering great sea views and lots of aft-facing seating

Aft of the staircase is a gym to starboard, while to port is an elegant dining room with round table, a central ‘degustation area’ featuring rare whiskies and cognacs, and a wine cabinet. (The main wine cellar is on the tank deck.)

The owner’s lounge features large sofas and a fireplace, while there’s also a games table, self-playing piano, library and fun views down to the main deck through the atrium. Outside, the huge covered aft deck has a round dining table for 10-12 guests, a bar with great sea views and aft-facing sofas around a bioethanol fire pit.

“On every deck, Amadea offers everything an experienced owner could imagine – ample spaces, tasteful outfitting and perfect use of space,” Stewart says. “She was designed and built so every single space, inside and outside, has a function. There are no lost areas.”

CINEMA, SUN DECK, WINTER GARDEN

External stairs lead up to the bridge deck, where the aft area offers another great outdoor area with a bioethanol fire pit and lots of seating and lounging space. The cinema lounge is arguably the bridge deck’s main attraction, featuring D-Box technology that moves and vibrates the sofas in time with the action on the screen. This multi-purpose room can also double as a conference room.

The deck also houses two guest cabins – a VIP suite to port and a double to starboard – while the forward part of the deck is dedicated to the officer’s and captain’s cabins, ship’s office and the wheelhouse.

The bridge deck provides a cosy place to unwind in the evenings

The sun deck boasts the best views on the yacht and lives up to its name with a large jacuzzi flanked by sunbathing areas, although the area can be covered by a bimini when needed. Forward are outdoor sofas, chairs and coffee tables, plus sun loungers to port. With a first-class AV/IT system, the sun deck is also suitable for events and parties as the jacuzzi can be covered by teak flooring and transformed into a stage.

However, the sun deck is also home to the enclosed winter garden, an indoor dining room draped and decorated with plants and featuring a custom-made dining table that can be extended for large numbers of guests.

“The main-deck dining table and the winter-garden dining table on the sun deck are outstanding creations and among fantastic masterpieces custom-designed for Amadea,” Stewart says. “Many key items have been designed for the yacht.”

WATER SPORTS AND WELLNESS

Those customised items include two Windy tenders – the Limousine version for guests and the 11m open version designed for the owner’s use, both featuring a miniature albatross figurehead. There’s also a Pascoe Beachlander and two Castoldi Jet Tender Solas rescue boats.

If the tender collection is impressive, the water toys are outstanding. Four Sea-Doo jetskis, four Seabobs, a jetpack and flyboard are among an incredible range of toys that also includes a 20m inflatable sea pool, an inflatable trampoline and an inflatable slide that connects to the bridge deck!

The lower-deck sea terrace is a nice place to relax after time in the spa

There are four sets of dive equipment, waterskis, wakeboards, paddleboards, other boards, kayaks, towable inflatables, PFDs, wetsuits, protective head gear, fishing gear … you get the idea!

To recover after a day of water sports and outdoor activity, Amadea offers a superb wellness area on the lower deck. A door on the port side of the main saloon entrance accesses stairs leading down to a

Finnish sauna, hammam, chromotherapy room and massage room.

And if you fancy even more R&R after all the relaxation, there’s a Moroccan-inspired lounge with comfortable daybeds, sofas and cosy cushions that opens out to a large sea terrace, offering waterside views, a cool breeze and the sounds of waves lapping.

“The whole spa area is fantastic and offers much more than anybody would expect prior to coming on board,” Stewart comments. “The spa and lounge with sea terrace are among so many areas to enjoy on Amadea, from the 10m pool to the huge interiors with two wide saloons or the cinema with D-Box seating. Amadea offers everything a superyacht owner could expect.”

While the ownership of such enormous vessels is a rarefied world, superyachts’ relevance to such owners has only heightened in the Covid-19 era due to the increased importance of seclusion, safety and family time, and the appeal of the great outdoors.

Night view of Amadea, which has been in the UAE since early 2020

“Yachts have long been considered as the safest place to be and during this period, superyachts have obviously gained in appeal,” Stewart says.

“When all luxury resorts and hotels closed their doors, when travelling became hugely difficult, the yachting industry immediately stood out as ultra-high-net-worth individuals were looking to escape the madness around the virus situation. This is still the case today.”

Amadea is a stunning tribute to the combined strengths of Øino, Zuretti, Lürssen and Imperial, the latter ensuring the sky-high standards involved in producing an eight-cabin yacht of this calibre are continued in its daily operations, overseen by a proven first-class crew.

“Imperial’s operational teams and the crew have maintained the vessel in pristine condition, like she was delivered yesterday. This is hard work day-to-day, but worth it,” Stewart says. “In fact, the real benefit for a future owner is they can buy a vessel in better condition than a new build just delivered.”
www.imperial-yachts.com

YLana Joins Charter Giants at Imperial
The 107m Lana is available for charter through Imperial, which now manages two of the world’s largest charter yachts..

Absolute Navetta 64: Marrying rational and romantic

Leave a Comment / Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Absolute Navetta 64: Marrying rational and romantic

December 24, 2020
3:43 pm

Scheduled to debut in Asia in 2021, Absolute’s new Navetta 64 has the clean, vertical exterior lines that characterise this distinctive range. However, on a design where logic and intelligence rule, a poetic touch shows that even the most rational of us appreciate the romance of life at sea.

By Clare Mahon

Dealer Absolute Marine has ordered a Navetta 64 scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong in late 2021

Absolute is the shipyard that uses unfailing logic to go the extra mile and make every aspect of life aboard as flexible as possible, but on the Navetta 64 they went the extra mile and a half.

A wide, submersible aft platform makes boarding the boat easy and welcomes you immediately to arguably the highlight of the yacht. Right in front of you, what’s typically a garage has been set up as a beach club, which in turn can become a fourth cabin.

The first full season of orders for the Navetta 64 have selected the optional beach club, where the sofa can be converted into a bed to form a fourth guest cabin with ensuite bathroom

The setup is another one of Absolute’s feats of logical thinking. Double sliding doors in smoked glass are fitted with an inflatable gasket so that they’re watertight when the yacht is in motion. Inside, a sofa has a convertible backrest that folds down to become a double bed.

Guests will find everything they need to use the space as both a beach club and a cabin – a sound system, fridge, an air-cooling system, storage spaces, TV and ensuite bathroom. The swim platform can also be shaded by a removable awning.

The interior beach club cabin is protected by watertight double sliding doors in smoked glass

This beach-club cabin is a real superyacht touch that allows owners and guests to enjoy a day on the water then sleep about as close as you can get to the elements while still staying dry.

The symmetrical steps that lead up to the aft cockpit are elegant and also handy while docking. The cockpit area, with a large table, banquette seating and lateral openings under the gunwale, connects seamlessly to the galley in the saloon and offers easy views onto the water.

The cockpit benefits from lateral openings under the gunwale and offers retractable sunshades

Cesare Mastroianni, Chief Commercial Officer and Vice President of Sales, says: “We are very careful about the quality of life aboard, of the functionality of the spaces we offer and how the user can experience them.”

The lattice-patterned inlay on the aft cockpit table already hints that the quality of finishing aboard the Navetta 64 is high. While Mastroianni is proud of the 64’s versatility and functionality, he also says that “a touch of Italian style doesn’t hurt”.

A TOUCH OF ITALIAN STYLE

The cockpit and saloon are on the same level and become a single space when the sliding glass doors are opened wide and a window is dropped down into the sideboard, an ideal set-up for preparing and serving a meal. The galley is fully equipped, while there’s even a wine cellar by the lower-deck stairs.

The main-deck interior features a dining table opposite the galley and a comfortable lounge, with floors in bleached oak and panelling in elm and Canaletto walnut

In fact, the saloon is furnished with pieces by Minotti and has spectacular, all-around views through large windows.

Floors in bleached oak and panelling in elm and Canaletto walnut set a colour palette where contrasts are discreet and light, and views through the floor to ceiling windows play the starring role. True to Absolute’s reputation for meticulous planning, the AC vents have been carefully placed to assure optimum air circulation without drafts.

The saloon is furnished with pieces by Minotti, while the raised pilothouse has a curved windshield, a portside settee and twin helm seats

The raised pilothouse is just a couple of steps up from the saloon and guests can watch the action from a portside settee or the second helm seat. Excellent visibility is assured by the raised position and the curved and continuous glass in the windshield.

The foredeck has a C-shaped couch around a table that can flip out and adjust in height. The adjustable head and back rests on the sunpads are another signature Absolute touch and can convert for sitting or lounging just by changing their placement.

The foredeck has a C-shaped couch, table and adjustable sunpads, and can be shaded by an awning

The whole foredeck area can be shaded by an awning mounted on removable carbon-fibre poles, a nice touch for those who want to enjoy the air and the view while avoiding the sun.

The large flybridge has lounging, dining and helming areas and is a space that a group can enjoy for an entire day. The aft lounging area can be furnished with Absolute’s new TF Terrace Atmosphere modular furniture where elements can be used variously as chairs, couches, chaise longue or tables, an ingenious solution that allows owners to set the scene depending on the occasion.

The flybridge, also available in an enclosed version, benefits from modular furniture

The wet bar under the hardtop comes complete with a fridge, sink and barbecue, and there is a dining table just across from it. The helm station is surrounded by seating so everyone can enjoy the ride. Furthermore, the whole flybridge can be closed off with a removable structure for protection from the elements.

OWNER FORWARD

Stairs off the pilothouse lead to three lower-deck cabins and a handy storage area. The full-beam owner’s cabin is fore with a centrally placed double bed, a desk and a settee. This cabin benefits from the largest windows that Absolute has used to date and gets great views thanks also to its slightly raised position.

Absolute’s biggest windows to date feature in the impressive master suite, which is situated forward and features a desk, sofa and a large, full-width bathroom in the bow

The VIP cabin is fitted with the same materials as the owner’s cabin and has a centrally placed double bed and a walk-in closet with a safe.

Its bathroom has a large sink that can be screened off by sliding doors or left visible from the cabin and separate cubicles for the shower and toilet. The twin cabin has direct access to a bathroom that can double as a day head.

The VIP suite to port benefits from a large midships window and has a walk-in closet forward and an elegant bathroom aft

While it might seem that every space on board has already been used to its maximum potential, this remarkable yacht still has a couple of tricks up its sleeve.

A secret compartment for storing the boat hook and an optional third docking station with a GPS display is hidden in the portside aft window. On the starboard side there is access to a crew cabin equipped with two seats and a table that convert to become a berth.

The raised pilothouse is a couple of steps up from the saloon and benefits from a side door

Of course, a yacht is not all about living spaces. Absolute were early adopters of Volvo Penta IPS pod drives and the Navetta 64 benefits from their smooth and vibration-free ride.

“We collaborate with Volvo Penta on their pod drives,” says Mastroianni with pride. “They have used our hulls to test new products and we have provided a constant flow of feedback. The IPS system combines ease of use with reduced noise, vibration and fuel consumption. We have been very happy with it.”

The Navetta 64 can be fitted with either twin Volvo Penta IPS1200 or IPS1350 engines

True to Absolute style, the engine room is orderly and intuitive, with a rational set-up that allows for easy access and maintenance.

The new model is set to make its Asia debut next year, after Hong Kong-based dealer Absolute Marine ordered a hull that’s scheduled to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Even the engine room is well designed, providing comfortable headroom for maintenance

After all, the Absolute Navetta 64 – and its fourth cabin with doors to the water – offer proof that even the most rational engineers appreciate the romantic beauty of a starry night at sea. With all the benefits of Absolute’s intelligent build philosophy and safe, solid construction methods, the Navetta 64 is a truly versatile yacht that combines poetry with practicality.

www.absoluteyachts.com

Absolute 60 Fly offers beach club
Following the success of the interior beach club on Absolute’s new Navetta 64, the Italian builder is offering the option on its new 60 Fly, scheduled to launch in mid-2021.

Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54: Speeding Beauty

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 54: Speeding Beauty

December 17, 2020
2:15 pm

Designed by Lorenzo Argento and Roberto Biscontini, the Italians behind Beneteau’s First Yacht 53, the new Oceanis Yacht 54 combines racing yacht pedigree with exceptional comfort on deck and down below. By Zuzana Prochazka

Photos: Gilles Martin-Raget (Running), Guido Barbagelata (Exterior), Nicolas Claris (Interior)

When Beneteau saw an opportunity to add a little thrill to cruising adventures, it repurposed the First Yacht 53 racer it introduced in 2019 and, with a few fashionable changes, reworked her into the new Oceanis Yacht 54. The result is a performance cruiser that sails like a racer, looks like a grande dame and joins the 62 in the French builder’s flagship collection of sailing boats.

Beneteau entrusted Milan-based Roberto Biscontini as naval architect with fellow Italian Lorenzo Argento handling the exterior and interior design, the pair reuniting after working on the First Yacht 53, which has received multiple orders in Asia through Simpson Marine.

‘The yacht is beautifully balanced. Once she finds her groove, you can take your hands off the wheel or steer with one finger.’

Biscontini’s two decades of America’s Cup experience influenced a balanced hull with a carefully positioned centre of buoyancy. The hull is modern and minimalist with a plumb bow, a vertical and open transom, a low coachroof, and a beam that’s carried all the way aft.

The construction combines fibreglass stringers fixed to an aluminium substructure. The hull is cored with balsa to the keel and the infused construction makes the 54-tonne yacht heavier than her racing predecessor but still light for a cruiser of this size.

ON DECK

The aluminium, deck-stepped Sparcraft rig has two versions: standard air draft at 78ft 9in or the performance mast that adds almost 6ft and 33 per cent more sail area.

L-shaped benches at the helms offer multiple seating areas

Sail combinations include a self-tacking jib or 105 per cent genoa – as used on our test boat – and a furling mainsail, although a classic, full-batten main is an option. The sheeting angles are tight and with the composite sprit, you can add a Code 0 or a full spinnaker.

There’s nothing on deck to catch a lazy sheet. Six pop-up wing cleats fold down neatly and the Lewmar windlass is mounted below deck. The bulwarks are high to provide good footing when heeling.

The two cockpit tables can be lowered and covered for larger lounging areas

Since the stanchions are mounted on top of these bulwarks, the lifelines are high as befits an offshore vessel. By contrast, the cabinhouse is low, almost more of a suggestion than a real structure, so the deck feels elongated and the forward visibility is exceptional.

There are also two choices of keel: standard at 8ft 2in and shoal at 6ft 7in, which is what our test boat had fitted. Combined with twin rudders, the Oceanis Yacht 54 is beautifully balanced. Once she finds her groove, you can take your hands off the wheel or steer with one finger.

Instead of one cockpit table, there are smaller tables on either side, allowing a central path

The cockpit is a stunner and superyachts have nothing on Argento’s layout. The social area is ahead of the wheels and out of the way of working crew. Instead of one cockpit table in the centre, there are smaller tables on either side, which allows for a clear path from the stairs to the transom.

Long sunpads on either side of the companionway and forward are great places to relax and sunbathe during the day or watch the stars in the evening.

The garage can store an 8ft inflated RIB

Twin-angled binnacles hold the wheels and slim dashboards with 12-inch B&G multifunction displays. Engine controls are on top of the binnacle rather than at knee level, which makes docking simpler.

The working cockpit is on a single level and the aft deck provides a great place to observe all the action but still stay out of the way. From here you can walk all the way to the bow with just a step up. It’s a very civilised way to reach the side decks – crawling over the cockpit coaming is a distant memory.

The garage is accessible via a cockpit hatch or transom, which can be lowered electrically to double as the swim platform

Four Harken winches manage the lines, which are led aft to the helms where the driver can manage them easily while sitting astride the small outboard seat. The aft garage is accessible via a cockpit hatch or when the transom is lowered electrically and can hold an inflated 8ft RIB or a deflated 9ft one.

LAYOUT & ACCOMMODATION

The Oceanis Yacht 54 is a semi-custom build, so you can personalise much of the interior by swapping in equipment like a bottle fridge, dishwasher or generator. You can also tinker with the furniture and add a navigation station in the forward port corner of the saloon.

The interior by Lorenzo Argento is available in walnut or oak (the latter is shown in this article); the two double guest cabins are aft of the stairs

The layout on our test boat included three cabins and three heads. The alternative layout is to forego the port head and elongate the galley, a good choice for those who want to entertain aboard, although it means both guest cabins sharing a bathroom. A crew cabin can be added in the forepeak.

Below, as on deck, the approach is minimalist, with necessary functionality tucked away discreetly. Beneteau’s Ship Control, a highly customised Schreiber digital switching system, reduces the number of visible switches and controls. Appliances are hidden and the seating is multifaceted so additional people can be accommodated for an elegant dinner.

The photos above show the layout without an ensuite bathroom for the port guest cabin (above), with the space used for an extended galley (below)

There are two steps that interrupt otherwise flat flooring. One step down is into the galley and the other is into the master stateroom forward. Here you’ll find a large island berth, a split head and shower, an impressive amount of stowage space, plenty of light from the hull windows, and ‘his and hers’ overhead hatches.

Our test boat had the darker walnut finish, while a light oak colour is also available. A detail worthy of mention is the double rail at the companionway that came in handy when we moved in and out of the boat in our gusty conditions.

The forward master suite has two skylights, an ensuite bathroom to starboard, plus masses of storage and hanging space

UNDER SAIL AND POWER

It’s a delight to report that, for once, we had the perfect conditions for a test sail. Warm sun, flat water and a breeze of 15-20 knots allowed us to really see what this yacht could do. In 17 knots of true wind, we made 9.1 knots at 65 degrees apparent wind angle.

When we hoisted the Code 0 and fell off to a beam reach, we topped out at 10.2 knots of boat speed and never reefed. She’s slippery and exhilarating. The one thing an owner will never be with this yacht is bored.

The Oceanis yacht 54 benefits from the First Yacht 53’s racing yacht pedigree

Turning a race boat into a cruising yacht can be tricky. The original is meant to sail fast and heel hard. We were on our ear almost right off the dock. This may appeal to some, but it can be a sporty ride for cruisers used to keeping their gear and bodies in place.

Our boat was fitted with the upgraded 110hp Yanmar turbo diesel and a straight shaft, although standard propulsion is an 80hp Yanmar with saildrive. The larger engine makes this big boat nimble, while the retractable Sidepower bow thruster helps in narrow fairways and tight slips.

The Oceanis Yacht 54 is one of Beneteau’s two new sailing yachts launched in late 2020, along with the Oceanis 40.1

Beneteau’s Dock & Go joystick steering system is an option with the 80hp engine, but with just a thruster, she’s quite manoeuvrable and turns on a dime. We motored at 9.2 knots and 3,300 rpm at wide-open throttle, while a more economical cruise can be found at 8.6 knots and 2,400rpm.

Given her racing origins, it’s no surprise that the Oceanis Yacht 54 is an exciting boat that delivers a fast cruise. With the beautifully redesigned cockpit and depowered rig, she’s classy and a slightly tamer option for cruisers who want to arrive everywhere first but in absolute comfort and style.

www.beneteau.com

www.simpsonmarine.com

Note: The original article appeared in Issue 56 of Yacht Style

Lagoon, Beneteau yachts on show in HK
Simpson Marine displays four Beneteau models and three Lagoon sailing catamarans.

Azimut’s magnificent Magellano flagship

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Azimut’s magnificent Magellano flagship

December 9, 2020
2:45 pm

UK-based Ken Freivokh returns with an exterior design for Azimut’s Magellano line, but the biggest surprise on the Collection’s new 25 Metri flagship is the remarkable interior by Italian Vincenzo de Cotiis. By Clare Mahon.

Ken Freivokh designed the Magellano 25 Metri, which joins the 43, 53 and 66 by Cor D Rover

Azimut may be one of the world’s leading builders of fast planing flybridge yachts, but that doesn’t mean it can’t build yachts with longer-range cruising in mind. With the fourth model in their semi-displacement Magellano series, Azimut’s navetta-style yachts are proving themselves to be unique. And the Magellano 25 Metri, with its timeless exterior design by Ken Freivokh and minimalist modern interiors by Vincenzo de Cotiis, could well be the yacht that takes longer-range cruising to a new level.

Following several models by Cor D. Rover, the Southampton-based Freivokh returned to design the Collection’s new 83ft flagship, having designed Azimut’s first modern navetta (‘shuttle’), the Magellano 74 launched in 2009.

The cockpit can offer an infinity aft view when the transom is lowered (below)

For the 25 Metri, Freivokh created a raised pilothouse design with the clean horizontal lines and straight bow of a contemporary trawler. Azimut applied its innovative carbon-tech construction techniques to make the most of the large interior volumes that Freivokh designed by using weight-saving carbon-fibre extensively in the superstructure.

The aft cockpit sets the tone for a yacht where views to the water are given top priority. With twin couches placed perpendicularly to the glass bulwark that encloses the aft section, the cockpit is spacious and comfortable, and the view is unobstructed by structures and furniture.

The transom can become a large swim platform

While at anchor, the transom can open horizontally to become a large bathing platform or slant down to the water for launching the tender or toys from the garage. Either way you are never shut off from the natural environment around the yacht and the sensation is of infinite space.

The foredeck is exceptionally well appointed and has furnishings that can adapt to different uses throughout the day. Depending on the height the tables are set at, the seating can be used as banquettes or as sunpads, making this a versatile open-air area that will be a key part of on-board life.

The foredeck can be set up with cushions on the coffee tables to form large lounging areas

The flybridge, accessible both from the pilothouse and from the aft cockpit, has an outdoor helm station and is also an excellent space for lounging and entertaining, with a dining table shaded by the hardtop and sunpads and a bar aft.

Freivokh’s raised pilothouse layout provided De Cotiis with an open, uninterrupted area on the main deck that has views straight through from fore to aft.

The flybridge has a clean aft area for loose furniture

DE COTIIS OFFERS FRESH VISION

Known for work that pushes the boundaries between architecture, design and art, De Cotiis approached all aspects of the 25 Metri from new angles, sculpting the spaces and furnishing them with organically shaped pieces in a colour palette that recalls the environment around the yacht.

With this interior, De Cotiis shows that yachts don’t have to be symmetrical to be balanced and that an element of surprise only adds to the beauty of on-board living. Much as his treatment of surfaces and furnishings aboard the 25 Metri is unexpected, it never jars thanks to a tranquil and unified colour palette of sea green, cream and brushed brass used throughout the yacht.

De Cotiis used marble, dark walnut, brushed brass, cream-coloured carpeting and bleached wood

Entering the saloon, the immediate sensation is of air and light. De Cotiis masked the yacht’s structural elements with mirror or clad them in curved and reflective materials so that they seem to disintegrate into the diffused light.

He also made sure that no element of the yacht’s decor was predictably square or rectangular by custom designing all the furniture in irregular shapes that flow instead of encumbering as so often happens when loose ‘design’ pieces are used.

By using faceted, organic shapes, De Cotiis created furniture that is functional but never obvious

He loves an imperfect, patinated effect, so even painted wood surfaces are left with a hint of the underlying material showing through for depth and a sense of history.

The dining table shows just how De Cotiis considered living aboard: its top can be rotated away from the centreline of the yacht so eight people can be seated at once, then shifted back to its usual position to reduce the space being used.

Separated from the saloon by a mirrored door, the bright, airy and elegant crew mess could easily be used as a continuation of the saloon, offering a casual spot with excellent views to the foredeck and beyond.

The dining table in the saloon can be rotated 90 degrees if there are extra dinner guests

Federico Lantero, Product Marketing and Communication Director of the Azimut-Benetti Group, explains why Azimut wanted to work with De Cotiis.

“When you’re on a yacht, you don’t want to feel ‘at home’. You want something more magical. We felt that Vincenzo De Cotiis would know how to create atmosphere and give the yacht personality,” he says.

De Cotiis was working on yacht design for the first time

“In Fano, where we have a shipyard, he became fascinated by fibreglass. He started picking up old, damaged pieces and working with them to bring out imperfections and new tonalities. Many of the surfaces in the saloon, like the bases of the tables and some wall panels, are the result of months of work with fibreglass to achieve the effects that De Cotiis wanted.

“It was a kind of philosophical research for him. The yacht is made of fibreglass, but often the material is covered up. He wanted to give the base material new nobility, to bring it out.”

De Cotiis purpose-developed an artisanal method for layering fibreglass

To create the effects De Cotiis wanted, different layers of fibreglass resin were dusted with metallic particles then sanded down. The Italian’s manual, handcrafted craft approach to fibreglass creates surfaces that are difficult to classify and lovely to look at while remaining durable, versatile and uniquely adapted for marine use.

It’s almost ironic that Azimut used carbon-fibre to build the superstructure and hardtop, concealing a material often used decoratively, while De Cotiis explored the decorative potential of fibreglass, a material that is usually considered so humble and bland that it is hidden.

CULTURED CABINS

De Cotiis works his magic again in the master cabin. Like all the guest accommodation, this full-beam cabin is on the lower deck, aft and built in a floating capsule to reduce potential vibration from the engine room.

The full-beam master suite features lush carpeting; interior fabrics are by Loro Piana Interiors

The large hull windows almost graze the waterline, bringing the sensation of being in nature to the forefront. The bed seems to float on a cloud of white carpeting and closet doors are practically hidden they’re so well integrated. The bathroom layout is unusual but functional, with twin basins to port and separate cubicles for the shower and WC.

Even the ceiling treatment – where irregularly shaped polygonal panels are set off with rays of brushed brass – is unexpected, interesting and elegant. The lighting has been designed for warm,

diffused effects.

The master cabin’s ensuite bathroom

Other guest cabins include two doubles to port and a starboard twin cabin with beds that can slide together to become a double.

All cabins have ensuite bathrooms and are furnished in the same colours and luxury materials used throughout the yacht.

The lower deck includes two VIP double cabins to port

Of course, owning a yacht is not all about fun and games. It takes some serious technology to assure comfort and efficiency aboard. Pierluigi Ausonio’s Studio P.L.A.N.A. provided the naval architecture for the 25 Metri’s dual-mode hull, whose double chines and skeg let it navigate smoothly even in rougher conditions.

At cruising speed, the hull runs on its broad upper chine then transitions at 16-16.5 knots to skim along, deflecting the water off its lower chine. Twin 1400hp MAN engines provide a top speed of up to

24 knots while the cruising range at 12 knots is 750nm.

The lower deck includes a flexible twin cabin (above) to starboard, as well as crew cabins forward

As part of its Green Efficiency Program, Azimut has been collaborating with Studio P.L.A.N.A. for new hull shapes and the 25 Metri bears witness to the results they are achieving. A timely touch in these days of the Covid-19 pandemic is the fact that this is the first yacht that can be fitted with Azimut-Benetti’s BCool sanitising system for renewing, refreshing and recirculating the air inside the yacht.

Lithium batteries can also be added so that the yacht’s hotel functions such as kitchen equipment, AC units and the Humphree fin stabilisers can be used for four-six hours by day or six-eight hours by night, even when the generators are off.

The Magellano 25 Metri is the first yacht fitted with Azimut-Benetti’s BCool sanitising system

In the Magellano 25 Metri, Azimut has created a yacht whose truly sophisticated interiors are backed by the kind of technology that will make it both efficient and pleasurable to use. The 25 Metri that isn’t a just place to display art and enjoy the latest technology – the yacht itself is a technological work of art.

And there’s more to come, with Freivokh and De Cotiis reuniting for the 30 Metri, to be launched in 2022.
www.azimutyachts.com
www.azimutyachts.hk

The original article appeared in Issue 56 of Yacht Style

Bali Catspace debuts in Asia

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Bali Catspace debuts in Asia

December 8, 2020
3:40 pm

One of three Bali sailing catamarans introduced in 2020, the 40ft Catspace features brand signatures like the retractable cockpit door and solid foredeck, plus a fun flybridge and up to 10 berths. By Richard Martin.

Hong Kong is home to the first Bali Catspace Sail in Asia. Photos: Christophe Breschi & Ludovic Fruchaud.

Conceived by entrepreneur Olivier Poncin, founder of France’s Catana Group, and designed by Lasta Design Studio, the new 40ft Catspace is the result of rapid progression within Bali since the catamaran brand was established in 2014.

Inheriting the elegant style and racy profile of other models in Bali’s fast-expanding range, which currently extends to the flagship 5.4 (55ft), the Catspace has a refined exterior, with soft lines and inverted bows flaring upwards.

Yet more notable is that Bali’s new ace in the pack achieves the remarkable feat of offering a flybridge and up to four double cabins and 10 berths, despite being the brand’s smallest sailing yacht.

The Catspace is the new entry model by Bali, the brand created by Catana Group in 2014

The first unit into Asia is set to be unveiled in Hong Kong by local dealer Asiamarine, the model having made her world debut indoors at Boot Dusseldorf in January 2020. So far, the sail cat has met the expectations of new owners and charter clients, says Boris Compagnon, the brand’s Sales Director.

“Our customers are looking for space, to live normally, without a feeling of compromise, comfort that includes autonomy in terms of air-conditioning, fuel and water, and a certain intimacy thanks to the multiplication of different living areas: lazing around, swimming or eating places,” he says. “The Bali Catspace answers all these requests in a 40ft package.”

FLYBRIDGE

A rare feature on a 40ft sailing catamaran, the flybridge is accessed by stairways on both starboard and port, the former leading to the helm station. Offset to starboard, the helm offers a 360-degree view of the sea, with the wheel, winches and engine controls within easy reach.

The flybridge has a portside bench seat offering great views for the skipper

The helm features a wide bench seat, suitable for a couple and fitting two friends at a squeeze, while there’s also a bimini for the skipper’s area.

The helm seating is mirrored to port by another bench seat, which offers a nice spot for forward views while cruising and to provide company for the skipper. Both bench seats have drinks holders in the inside armrest.

Behind, the rectangular, full-width sunbathing area is almost entirely ringed by padded backrests and big enough to fit a few people sitting up, or two adults lying down for a nap or to catch some rays. Aft of the sunbathing area is room for large solar panels, one of several options.

The flybridge has two double bench seats and lots of lounging space

In sailing mode, the Catspace is easy to handle with a small crew and is well balanced for sailing in the breeze. And even if speed is not its priority, it can be equipped with an optional asymmetrical spinnaker for better performance.

The Catspace is delivered with two 20hp Yanmars as standard, although the engines can be upgraded to 30hp saildrive transmission with fixed twin-blade propellers.

BALI FEATURES

Bali’s signature solid foredeck offers another open lounging area, which surprises with its space. As well as four sunpads arranged in front of the windscreen, there’s also a wide, sunken forward lounge

with C-shaped seating. Furthermore, sunpads line the bow, allowing for more people to join the party.

Bali’s signature features include a solid foredeck

Aft, the outdoor cockpit features a wide, forward-facing sofa along with the option of a gas grill or plancha in the starboard locker.

Bali doesn’t separate the cockpit and interior like most builders do, due to arguably the brand’s most iconic feature, the ‘tilt-and-turn’ cockpit door, which basically slides up into the ceiling like a garage

door.

Bali is well known for its ‘tilt-and-turn’ cockpit door, which can retract into the ceiling

In good weather – essentially when it’s warm and dry enough – the door can remain hidden in the ceiling and allow the entire main-deck interior benefit from the sea breeze and open views. Air circulation also benefits from the sliding windows on each side of the saloon, which is remarkably spacious for a 40-footer while cleverly making the most of the ‘open’ design.

An aft-facing L-shaped sofa and a long dining table dominate the port side, and loose chairs can be added for meals. There’s also a sofa to starboard, which means a large group of people can sit on all four sides of the seating area, a nice option for drinks after dinner.

The Catspace features a roomy L-shaped galley to starboard and navigation station to port

The lounge also has immediate access to another of the Catspace’s popular features, the towering 265-litre refrigerator/freezer on the starboard side. This leads forward to a spacious, open L-shaped galley with great views out of the panoramic windows, which also ensure the whole interior benefits from natural light.

To port is a forward-facing chart table and navigation station. While there’s no forward door to the foredeck, as there is in bigger Bali models, the middle of three forward windows can open, which allows for a through breeze and also communication between people ‘inside’ and those lounging in the foredeck.

FOUR CABINS AND 10 BERTHS

The Catspace lives up to its spacious moniker by offering up to 10 guest berths in four ensuite cabins, typically only found in sailing cats from 42ft or 45ft upwards. Beautifully decorated, modern and using high-quality materials, each cabin has its own bathroom with shower and toilet.

View from the forward starboard cabin and ensuite bathroom to the aft cabin

In the four-cabin option, both hulls have matching layouts, with the aft cabin featuring a forward-facing double bed and a bathroom beside the door.

The larger forward cabins each feature a raised, window-facing double bed that’s accessible on both sides up a couple of steps and has bedside ledges for your books, phone and anything else you need at hand. There’s also a fold-out bunk under the hull window – so providing three berths in each of the forward cabins – and a bathroom identical to those in the aft cabins.

View from the forward double on port side to the aft double cabin

A three-cabin version is also available, with the owner’s suite occupying the port hull. The double bed is aft and there’s a sofa, a desk or dressing table, a walk-in dressing room and a large bathroom in the bow with an enclosed shower.

The Catspace has another of Bali’s signature features in the stern, a platform connecting the two skirts that can carry a small tender or toys, then double as a swim platform once it’s clear. A watermaker, folding propellers and solar panels are among the yacht’s many options.

Each forward cabin has the option of a foldout single bed

Well-built and good value, this 40-footer is a real head-turner due to Bali’s user-friendly features, large interior volumes, fun flybridge and remarkable 10 berths, which increases potential charter business even for private owners, who can plump for three cabins if they wish.

And for owners looking for more choice, Bali is developing a sister model, the Catspace MY, which will become only Bali’s second powercat after the4.3 MY.
www.bali-catamarans.com
www.asiamarine.com

The original article appears in Issue 56 of Yacht Style

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