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All-new Pearl 82 All-new Pearl 82 at Cannes Deck on all-new Pearl 82 Interiors on all-new Pearl 82 All-new Pearl 82 premieres at Cannes

Pearl Yachts rewrites design rules with new premiere at Cannes

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Pearl Yachts rewrites design rules with new premiere at Cannes

September 25, 2024
5:55 pm

With the all-new 82 just unveiled at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival, Pearl Yachts continues to push the boundaries with its winning combination of space, style and performance.

Words: Lucie Gardiner; photos: Pearl Yachts

The all-new 82 revealed a semi-walkaround deck that’s a first in its class

Following the remarkable success of the Pearl 72, UK-based Pearl Yachts premiered its all-new Pearl 82 at Cannes Yachting Festival, setting new benchmarks for success. This 25m raised-pilothouse yacht redefines luxury within its size class, offering an array of features and design innovations typically reserved for much larger vessels.

With exterior and interior design once again the result of a deft collaboration between Bill Dixon and Kelly Hoppen CBE, the Pearl 82 seamlessly blends performance, style, and comfort, pushing the boundaries of yacht design in her class.

The Pearl 82 stands out with its innovative main-deck master suite – a rare offering in this size class – alongside four additional en-suite staterooms and well-appointed crew cabins. This allows the yacht to comfortably accommodate up to 10 guests.

Bill Dixon, the mastermind behind the Pearl 82’s sleek exterior, describes the design challenge as one of balancing signature Pearl features with new, class-leading innovations: “As with every Pearl design, the challenge is to pursue a class-leading, feature-led design,” he said. “Without a doubt, the Pearl 82 is a stand-out design in the 80ft market.”

The bow’s foredeck relaxation and dining area

One of the most notable features of the Pearl 82 is its semi-walkaround deck, a first in its class. This design not only enhances the flow between the yacht’s various outdoor spaces but also provides direct access from the master suite to a private main-deck forepeak terrace. This secluded outdoor area, accessible from both the master suite and the flybridge, offers a retreat that is private and connected to the surrounding seascape.

Further enhancing the yacht’s versatility are the two aft-deck configurations: Riviera and Veranda. The Riviera layout offers sunpads aft of the dining area, perfect for sunbathing, while the Veranda option provides adaptable seating that can pivot between a picnic setting and a more intimate patio arrangement. Both configurations feature fold-down bulwarks, extending the cockpit area and creating a seamless connection with the environment.

The raised pilothouse is a signature feature of the Pearl 82

“The design had to retain the defining features of a Pearl yacht, while balancing a sporty profile with a large interior volume and extensive glazing,” said Dixon. “The hull design is a development of the renowned hulls of the latest Pearl models. The 82 was further optimised utilising computational fluid dynamics.”

The integration of large windows throughout the hull and superstructure ensures that natural light floods the interior spaces, creating a bright and airy atmosphere that enhances the connection with the surrounding environment.

The foredeck lounge, accessible from both the main deck and the flybridge, beckons guests with ample sunbathing and lounging spaces around a central cocktail table. This area can be protected by a foredeck bimini, electric shades, and a variable hardtop that offers three settings: full shade, adjustable louvres, and full sun.

Inside, the Pearl 82 continues to impress with its luxurious interior, designed by Kelly Hoppen CBE. Hoppen’s vision for the Pearl 82 was to create a space that feels both opulent and inviting, with an emphasis on seamless indoor-outdoor living. “What I wanted was a place that could be anywhere. It could be on land or at sea. It could be New York, it could be Paris, it could be London…” Hoppen said.

The Pearl 82’s saloon features an open-plan layout with dining area for 10 guests, stylish bar and lounge

The saloon features floor-to-ceiling windows that maximise the sense of space and flood the area with natural light. The open-plan layout includes a dining area for 10 guests, a stylish bar, and a lounge area that invites relaxation. The materials used – such as richly grained timber, onyx, and soft furnishings in neutral tones – create an atmosphere of sophistication and comfort.

The main-deck master suite is another highlight, featuring a king-sized bed, ample storage, and a luxurious en-suite bathroom. This full-beam stateroom is bathed in natural light thanks to expansive windows that offer uninterrupted views of the horizon. A private stairway leads directly to the forepeak terrace, providing a secluded retreat for the owner.

The advanced hull design by Bill Dixon ensures smooth and efficient cruising

The Pearl 82 is not just about looks; it also delivers impressive performance on the water. Owners can choose from three propulsion options, all featuring twin MAN V12 engines, with power outputs ranging from 1,650hp to 2,000hp. These engines enable the yacht to reach top speeds between 28 and 33 knots, depending on the configuration, and the advanced hull design ensures a smooth and efficient cruise.

pearlyachts.com

Evolution of the 620 perceptible in new flagship Lagoon 60

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Evolution of the 620 perceptible in new flagship Lagoon 60

August 22, 2024
12:02 am

The successor to the best-selling 620 model passes the test with flying colours in the crystal-clear waters off Menorca, Spain, before it premieres at Cannes in September.

Words: Norbert Conchin; Photos: Lagoon and the author

Lagoon’s new flagship nods to its 620 predecessor with creative new updates

Lagoon, the world leader in cruising multihulls (with 7,000 built since 1984), didn’t use all its most creative ideas during the euphoria that gripped when Covid-19 struck. Now that the market is tougher, the manufacturer is pulling out all the stops with two new sailing catamarans, the 43 and the 60, each to be presented at the upcoming Cannes Yachting Festival (Sept 10-15, 2024).

It was the larger of the two catamarans, now the flagship of the “standard” range, that we got the chance to discover in the crystal-clear waters off the northern end of Menorca, Spain.

Replacing the former first-in-class model was never going to be an easy task. In this case, the shadow of the 620 was hanging over the 60. Lagoon sold 169 units of the larger 620, before the Premium version of the model launched, and it was a great success.

Back in March in Bordeaux, where all Lagoon yachts over 50ft are built, we were able to see for ourselves, at the first presentation of the Lagoon 60, how all the key points of the 620 had been taken up and, of course, optimised to meet today’s requirements. Now we got to see them in action.

Brand manager Thomas Gailly and product developer Bruno Belmont welcomed us to Fornells Bay, Menorca.

The Lagoon 60 was anchored in Menorca, with the Lagoon staff staying on board

There we were, in conditions very close to those of proper cruising: the Lagoon 60 was anchored here, with the Lagoon staff staying on board. The large catamaran had just completed a long sea trial, and the crew had been asked to report back to the shipyard on all sensations, good and bad. The aim, of course, being to fine-tune this new catamaran before the big commercial launch in September.

As soon as we step aboard, the evolution from the 620 is immediately perceptible – it’s surprisingly easy to climb the steps up to the cockpit, or rather the beach club. Gailly and Belmont set out the positioning baseline “Openness, fluidity, comfort, generosity: the Lagoon 60 is a dream stage”.

Beyond the marketing language, the figures confirm the XXL ambience on board: a 36sqm cockpit with pivoting terrace, a flybridge equally as vast, a 20sqm owner’s suite, cockpit accessible via a forward door, and saloon space of over 20sqm. Such features are virtually unheard of in this size range.

The cutter rig’s staysail and genoa are on the station – plus a code 0

A LENGTHY DEVELOPMENT

Numbers alone would be insufficient to describe the particularities of this new model. Belmont told us that it took two years of development to reconcile satisfactory performance under sail with the ultimate in yacht comfort.

It wasn’t easy to fit the immense space of the cockpit-terrace-lounge on the same level as the forward cockpit. As for the central bay window, it opens out to its full width, and the aft beam has been done away with to allow an unobstructed view over the water.

The whole architecture is designed to stiffen the platform, making it more resistant to torsional forces. The return to a forward-stepped rig offers a number of advantages: a more forgiving and powerful sail plan in light choppy weather, a more open saloon thanks to the elimination of the mast compression post, and a flybridge that’s now perfectly unobstructed.

The Lagoon 60’s flybridge is huge, one of the largest in its class

The decreed specifications were clear: the Lagoon 60 had to remain a simple catamaran, easy to manage and more be energy-efficient.

For the powertrain, Yanmar was asked to develop a special 150hp motor with sail-drive transmission, an arrangement that saves space and is more reliable than a V-drive.

As for the chilled-water air-conditioning, it consumes 25 per cent less energy – it is designed to run all night on the lithium battery bank. With two 125A alternators on each engine, the generator only needs to run for eight hours out of every 24 to meet substantial on-board ‘hotel’ requirements.

EASE OF USE AND VERSATILITY

All the technical aspects have been designed to optimise on-board comfort, along with ergonomics and modularity. In these latter areas, the 60 boasts features directly inspired by the premium Lagoon SIXTY/SEVENTY range.

The platform and stairs provide easy access to the water

It’s easy to get around on board, thanks to a carefully thought-out circulation system. The 45-degree flybridge companionway, with wide steps where you can pass one another, and the single-level floor are much appreciated.

The aft terrace, with its large modular table and fold-down wings – facilitating boarding when alongside the dock – is a success. As for the full-width bathing platform, it’s a must-have feature. The saloon is equally convincing, especially in the galley-down version. The space includes a counter/bar, half outside and half inside, where all the guests on board can meet for a snack, that is simply brilliant. The table and sofa are very comfortable and enjoy an unobstructed sea view.

The sunbathing area forward on the flybridge is extremely pleasant. Under the hard top, the immense space is modular to the owner’s taste, with options available from the catalogue. The choice of four or five cabins is determined by whether to have the galley down or up. The owner is pampered with a suite that has direct access to the aft deck.

Storage space is both plentiful and spacious, and finishes, such as the oak Alpi, are of the highest quality. The options guide for customising finishes and choosing accessories runs to no less than 150 pages.

The aft cockpit, a veritable terrace, offers an unobstructed sea view

POWER AND STABILITY

All this comfort, of course, comes with a high displacement (34 tonnes as opposed to 30t for the Lagoon 620 and 28.2t for the Fountaine Pajot Samana 59). With an upwind sail area of 233sqm, the sail area-to-weight ratio is 6.85sqm/t (7.67sqm/t for the Lagoon 620 and 7.23sqm/t for the Samana 59).

Would the Lagoon 60 be equipped to cope with the light air on the day of our test, though? “It’s not just the power to weight parameter that dictates the performance of a cruising catamaran,” warned Belmont. “The hull form and the prismatic coefficient also play an important role.”

It all depends on what you’re looking for: long, exhilarating sailing at over 20 knots, or a comfortable average speed in most conditions? On the face of it, the Lagoon 60 ticks the second box.

With sails set, our multihull headed off on a slight swell. We kept a close eye on the GPS to keep track of the acceleration, and the Lagoon 60 eventually settled down at 8 knots, despite a true wind that wasn’t exceeding 10 knots.

The catamaran moved at 8 knots on the GPS with 8 knots of true wind

The power offered by the gennaker also helps stabilise this flattering speed, as the hulls smoothly ride the waves. Even in these light conditions, we could see that this big catamaran, once it gets going, is a good performer. Underfoot, you can also feel that the structure is perfectly rigid.

When it’s time to drop sail, you have to go up to furl the main in the beautiful Lorima canoe boom; it’s just a shame that a furling boom isn’t (yet) included in the catalogue of options.

Last but not least, the stern-mounted engines are particularly discreet, which is an undeniable asset when it comes to maintaining an average speed of eight knots in the absence of any breeze.

A modern cruising catamaran is a platform that is becoming increasingly complex as buyers demand ever more comfort. Lagoon’s designers are well aware of this evolution and have succeeded in combining ease of use with great comfort.

The Lagoon 60 benefits from the experience gained with the Premium range: and with just a few more feet, it’ll be a superyacht.

catamarans-lagoon.com

asiamarine.com

Miles of style aboard the Azimut Verve 48

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Miles of style aboard the Azimut Verve 48

August 1, 2024
8:05 am

The Azimut Verve 48 shows what happens when an Italian shipyard sets out to design a boat that suits the needs of the American market: a boat that fits the bill for a much broader cast of owners.
Words: Clare Mahon; photos: Azimut

The centre-console weekend cruiser, Azimut Veuvre 48, with its sleek silhouette and additional dropdown deck space, at rest

The new Verve 48, an upgrade on the previous Verve 47, is a 15m centre-console weekend cruiser that’s sure to let the good times roll far beyond the shores of Italy, and America.

The design team that created the Azimut 48 is both Italian and American, with a fast-moving planing hull that is designed by the Florida-based naval architect Michael Peters combined with exterior and interior design by the Rome-based architect Francesco Struglia.

Peters specialises in speedboats and has patented the hull shape used for the Verve 48, a classic deep ‘V’ fore, jazzed up by two transverse steps and a ventilated central tunnel aft – amounting to a stepped ventilated tunnel that increases the longitudinal stability of the boat in high-speed turns and other potentially tricky situations, as well as cutting drag, which improves fuel efficiency.

The bow provides another pocket of space for relaxing or socialising, just forward of the helm

The combination of this technology with three supercharged 600hp Mercury Verado V12 outboards means that the Verve 48 can reach speeds up to 50 knots, excellent for a quick hop to multiple destinations or a spontaneous fast change of backdrop.

Compared with the previous Verve 47, which was powered by four 450hp Mercury outboards, the Verve 48 is said to have fuel consumption reduced by 15 per cent at cruising speed and noise reduced by up to 10 decibels, two numbers that point to a much improved on-board experience.

With this Azimut power pack, swoosh is what you will feel, and thanks to Struglia’s zippy design, swoosh is what you see around you, too: the most notable aspect of the Verve 48’s exterior is an upward jag of dark hull glass that contrasts with the white exterior like the brand logo on an athletic shoe. Also distinctive, the slender new hard top has a strongly raked windscreen.

While the Verve 48 has its roots in the American concept of a centre console outboard, its reinterpretation in an Italian interlocking key configuration gives it a sporty elegance and a degree of lifestyle comfort that sets it apart and says: “Let’s go,” or maybe that’s should be, “Andiamo”.

Integrated Raymarine screens and commands at the fingertips makes controlling simple

Boarding the boat from the aft platforms next to the outboards you find a stern area that’s large and becomes larger with a drop-down bulwark on the port side that gives a welcome boost to the boat’s 4m beam. A swim ladder gives easy access to the water in a spot that’s away from the engines for extra safety and peace of mind.

The cockpit, with wet bar and galley, makes a useful relaxation space

The cockpit layout has an L-shaped seating arrangement around a convertible table that can be used for dining, as a base for sunpads or can even drop down to become flush with the deck flooring, leaving the space free for fishing or even dancing.

The centre console with three seats offers space from cockpit to helm for socialising

Does dancing aboard sound silly? Well, Azimut doesn’t think so because the Verve 48 comes with all the equipment you need for an on-the-water party: the helming position is backed by an outdoor galley/wet bar that can be set up with a sink, fridge, ice maker, grill and hotplate.

A drop-down flat screen is concealed between the outdoor galley and the helm and a full set of JL Audio marine speakers – including subwoofers to overcome the engines’ low-frequency noise – are standard. Even the rope LED lights used aboard have edgy (RGB) colour effects.

Easy access to the three reduced-decibel 600hp mercury V12 engines is a plus

For more relaxed moments the large foredeck is set up with comfortable sunpads and a C-shaped couch which can all be shaded by an awning. Just add food, drink and friends and memorable moments are practically guaranteed.

While the Verve 48 may be party-ready, running a boat is serious business. The centre console has a row of three seats arranged in front of three integrated Raymarine screens that offer an excellent place both to helm the boat and to watch it being done. The look is clean and modern and the technology is efficient and easy to use, with information and commands for all systems at your fingertips.

The Verve 48 is part of Azimut’s Carbon Tech Generation and sees extensive use of carbon fibre in the upper parts of the boat like the deck covering and the hardtop. By using this lighter-weight yet durable material, Azimut has maintained a low centre of gravity that helps to reduce roll and offers better stability and easier handling. The Verve 48’s hard top is available with a tempered glass insert, that opens, to let in light and air even at anchor.

A useful indoor dining space (close to second galley) converts into another sleeping area

More than a dayboat, the Verve 48 is a weekend cruiser and just a few steps down from the helming station is access to the lower deck area. Here, there is a second galley and a comfortable dinette with L-shaped seating around another table that can adjust in height to become an extra berth.

A contemporary white and grey colour palette is used throughout the boat to good effect, especially in the forward owner’s cabin with its centrally placed bed and textured headboard.

The roomy owner’s cabin is placed forward on the lower deck

There is a second twin cabin under the helm station and a well-appointed shared bathroom with a bowl sink and a separate shower. All lower-deck areas have opening portholes for natural air circulation in addition to AC.

Naval architect Michael Peters has patented the hull shape, a classic deep ‘V’ fore

The Verve 48 offers just about everything you can ask for from a weekend cruiser. On top of good times on the water, Azimut has planned for carefree endings, too: the Verve 48 has synthetic decking painted to look like weathered teak with white caulking. Just hose it down and you’re ready to go home, with minimal effort.

With its Michael Peters design and equipment by Mercury, Raymarine and JL Audio, the Azimut Verve 48 undoubtedly has an American accent. But the added touch of an Italian builder and designer have made for a boat that is as versatile, practical and fun to use.

azimutbenetti.com

marineitalia.asia

Ferretti Yachts INFYNITO 90 is a bow to the future

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Ferretti Yachts INFYNITO 90 is a bow to the future

July 25, 2024
4:26 pm

When touring new yachts it’s not often that you’re advised to go straight to the bow, but with the innovative design of the 26.97m INFYNITO 90, this is indeed the perfect place to begin.

Ferretti’s INFYNITO 90 counts a reimagined bow as one of its innovations

Built by Italian yard Ferretti Yachts, part of the Ferretti Group, the INFYNITO 90 introduces a groundbreaking foredeck space that re-imagines how a yacht’s bow should be enjoyed.

The All-Season Terrace, as the bow area is dubbed, is an enclosed haven with a covered roof, featuring strategic cut-outs that still invite expansive views and fresh sea breezes. This innovative design, accessed externally via the side decks, or via a starboard-side door from the interior, turns the bow into quite a space of sanctuary.

The INFYNITO 90’s foredeck space re-imagines how a yacht’s bow can be enjoyed

“The All-Season Terrace forms a ‘new world’ within the boat, one that ensures total privacy and is sheltered in all weather conditions by an extension to the superstructure,” said exterior designer Filippo Salvetti, about the bow area, which can be fitted out according to the owner’s preferences.

Freestanding cockpit furniture is from top Italian brands

That includes at least three options for how the space can be laid-out. As a luxurious lounge, the bow features a spa tub surrounded by wrap-around sunpads, or make it an alfresco sports bar, thanks to a C-shaped bar with a raisable TV screen. Sofas could also be positioned beneath an opened terrace roof that lets the sunshine pour in.

The All-Season Terrace layout options include a spa tub surrounded by sunpads

In all three versions, a pass-through window set between the main deck interior and the All-Season Terrace fully lowers, opening the main deck interior to the bow.

In another step towards flexibility, what’s found behind the pass-through window on the main deck can also vary greatly. On hull one, there’s a grand dining area where eight comfortable chairs are placed around a glass-topped oval table.

Interior design by Ideaeitalia is available with classic and contemporary options

The galley can also be conceived as a ‘show kitchen’ with high bar stools set at the counter to watch the chef in action. But for owners who prefer to keep the galley and chef hidden away, another option is to have a smaller, enclosed galley with the forward main deck used as a master stateroom instead of a dining area.

Looking aft, the space merges with the open-plan galley at the centreline and the main saloon and beyond to the cockpit.

A glimpse of the expansive saloon, bathed in light

Below deck, choose between three or four guest cabins, including an amidships master cabin. For fitness lovers, one room can be transformed into a private gym.

For the first time in Ferretti Yachts’ history, the INFYNITO 90 also boasts an enclosed upper deck skylounge. Surrounded by expansive glazing, this space offers panoramic views and a direct connection to the upper deck cockpit.

Open plan designs open up views to wide sea views on the upper-deck terrace

Huge windows run the length of the deck in the skylounge – and the main deck saloon below as well – letting in light and views of the water.

The interior design, crafted by Ideaeitalia, offers two distinct aesthetics. In the classic option, warm colours and subtle contrasts evoke the timeless elegance of Italian design. But fresh hues and bold contrasts inspired by the yacht’s outdoor spaces are available for those choosing the contemporary styling.

Both feature bespoke pieces from top Italian furniture brands made specifically for the project.

The INFYNITO 90 doesn’t just look to the future in design, she also sails into sustainability. Among the eco-friendly solutions are solar panels on the superstructure and an energy bank of power lithium batteries that can provide up to eight hours of zero-emission and silent operation at anchor.

Smart as well as stylish: The yacht ticks many boxes to reduce environmental impact

Green materials include natural and bamboo fabrics, regenerated leather, and ecological water-based paints that reduce the yacht’s environmental impact, as well as sustainable wood – FSC 5-certified lamellar teak is used throughout the exterior spaces.

From its innovative All-Season Terrace to its eco-conscious design, it’s easy to see why this vessel is turning heads. In the INFYNITO 90 is a yacht that dares to be different.

ferretti-yachts.com

ferrettigroupasiapacific.com

‘God of Water’ makes waves with its 68

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

‘God of Water’ makes waves with its 68

July 3, 2024
3:18 pm

Following the Europe debut of the Aquitalia 78 at last year’s Cannes Yachting Festival, the brand made its Asia debut at the Singapore Yachting Festival by unveiling the first Aquitalia 68 to feature a Pulina-designed interior.
Words: Robert Stedman; Photos: Raffles Yacht / Aquitalia

Made in China, the Aquitalia 68 made its Asian debut at the recent Singapore Yachting Festival

Founded in 2005, the Yihong Yachts shipyard in Zhangzhou near Xiamen is one of China’s biggest yacht manufacturing facilities and has more than 200 employees. Production includes Aquitalia luxury yachts and the Sea Stella series, while the yard also builds catamarans, lake boats, shuttle boats, floating homes and steel-hull yachts up to 60m.

Until recently, Yihong focused on the yachting market in China, where it’s one of the domestic leaders. Still, the company has also sold boats to the UAE and other places in Asia such as Japan and South Korea.

However, last year marked a turning point for the Aquitalia Yachts brand, which is now going global following dealer appointments in Asia (Raffles Yacht, also international advisor), Europe (LKW Pavic) and the US (United Yacht Sales).

Since September 2023, Aquitalia has exhibited at several major shows, starting at the Cannes Yachting Festival with the Europe debut of the Aquitalia 78 before heading to the US to exhibit at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

The first Aquitalia 68 in Singapore, Legend cruises into ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove at the 2024 Singapore Yachting Festival

Most recently, Yihong made its Southeast Asia debut at the Singapore Yachting Festival, where it displayed an Aquitalia 68 and introduced the brand with new dealer Raffles Yacht. Both Yihong and Raffles Yacht support The International SeaKeepers Society, Asia, as part of their commitment to ocean sustainability.

Originally the Chinese shipyard was the OEM for Aquitalia, which was founded in Florence by a group of naval architects. Yihong acquired the brand in late 2008. In China, the Aquitalia brand is known as Shui Shen, which translates as the God of Water.

Aquitalia’s best-seller in Singapore

The Aquitalia 68 was launched in 2016. Since then, the company has built some 40 units and still have half-a-dozen or so hulls in production for this year. Besides the 68, Aquitalia produces other models such as the 64, 78, 85 and the flagship 95, as well as a 72 powercat, a model whose design has now evolved to a 75.

The Aquitalia 68’s exterior has pleasing lines. You can’t help but think of a sophisticated, racy ‘Italian’ when you look at her.

“We like our yachts to reflect the essence of the water, so in terms of the look, we use a lot of flow in the shape of the boat,” says Michelle Ye, Yihong Yachts’ CEO and Chairwoman, who was in Singapore for the model’s Southeast Asia debut.

As flowing as the exterior lines are, the Aquitalia 68 has an expansive 20ft beam, which makes it almost 3ft wider than a similar-length yacht from a leading Italian builder. The beam is notable in the conventional aft cockpit and more so on the flybridge, which has a curvy sofa wrapped around the aft end and starboard side, while a double sunpad forward rounds off the lounging space.

The foredeck has a double sunpad surrounded by outward-facing seating; the aft cockpit makes the most of the boat’s 20ft beam

The beam is also notable when you step inside the spacious saloon. Furthermore, the Aquitalia 68 in Singapore is special. Legend is a charter-friendly version of the model and the first to feature a new interior by Italian studio Pulina Exclusive Interiors, which incorporates the brand story with the 68-footer.

“The interior, especially in the new design by Pulina, reveals the relations between water and nature in the design language,” Ye said.

“The Aquitalia 68 offers spacious areas because the beam is wider than most similar-size competitors. This allows the boat to offer more open area for the designer and owner to utilise the space. This is important as open space is popular for this size of yacht.”

The lower deck features three beautifully appointed cabins and three bathrooms. Set down a couple of steps from the lower-deck lobby, the full-beam master suite is vast, with a huge sofa to starboard combining with the bedside to create its own social area during parties. Aft of the bed is the bathroom to port and a walk-in wardrobe to starboard.

The full-beam master is enormous, with high ceilings and a walk-in wardrobe and bathroom aft of the double bed

At the aft end of the yacht, accessible from the swim platform, is crew quarters with two bunks and a head. There seems to be only one feature missing from this Italian-inspired luxury vessel and that’s a hydraulic swim platform. Upon enquiry, it’s revealed that it wasn’t requested by the owners of the hull in Singapore, who will charter the yacht, but is available as an option and is included on most orders.

The boat’s load displacement comes in at a very respectable 46 tonnes and there are twin Volvo Penta D13-800 engines installed in a spotless, soundproof, full-height engine room. Depending on sea conditions, the engines provide a cruising speed of around 14 to 15 knots, which isn’t super-fast but fine for a day out on the water. With such a large hull, Aquitalia has also thankfully included a bow thruster for added manoeuvrability.

Legend was commissioned for a group of owners seeking to share and charter the customised Aquitalia 68

With its robust build, Italian design and quality finishes, the Aquitalia 68 represents a unique opportunity in today’s luxury yachting market. It also proves that ‘Made in China’ can be a positive thing.

“We have an in-house design team and are a more boutique-style brand, so we can tailor a boat’s interior design and layout to the client’s needs,” Ye says. “Usually, customisation is only offered by European brands on larger yachts or superyachts, but with us, the owner can enjoy this kind of service from the size of the Aquitalia 68.”

And with a price tag from US$2.2 million, Legend is a real bargain for what you get, with the base price rising to about US$2.7 million for a full-spec version including a second helm, upgraded engines, hydraulic swim platform, passarelle and the likes. With large outdoor and indoor spaces, and interior décor elevated by the new Pulina collaboration, the Aquitalia 68 just might be a real ‘God of Water’.

www.yihongyachts.com

www.aquitaliayachts.com

www.rafflesyacht.com.sg

Bluegame’s big multihull

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Bluegame’s big multihull

June 25, 2024
10:04 pm

Represented in Asia by Simpson Marine, Bluegame has joined the multihull world with the BGM75, bringing together Philippe Briand, Bernardo Zuccon and Piero Lissoni to collaborate on the brand’s biggest yacht to date.

Words: Risa Merl; Photos: Bluegame

The BGM75 includes a clean aft deck

Moored stern-to quayside, it’s apparent that the new 22.7m BGM75 from Bluegame isn’t your typical multihull. Sitting lower in the water and with a narrower beam than a typical catamaran, you nearly have to do a double take to confirm that, yes, she does have two hulls beneath her.

Philippe Briand of Briand Yacht Design, which handled the boat’s naval architecture, says: “This is an evolution of the monohull, rather than an evolution of a sailing catamaran.”

Case in point, BGM75’s main deck doesn’t tower over the water the way that other catamarans do. Her midsection between the two hulls hovers only 90cm above the surface. It’s just enough clearance to allow her to reap the performance benefits of a multihull platform while keeping her profile low and sleek.

The reason for the difference, Briand notes, is that some powercats have simply been sailing catamaran platforms repurposed as motoryachts; not, like the BGM series, designed from the outset to maximise the benefits of a multihull motoryacht.

“So far, there aren’t too many powercats purposefully designed as a powercat,” he says.

Philippe Briand was the naval architect for the BGM75, which has a beam of 8.15m

Briand explains that sailing cats need to sit higher in the water to afford for slight heeling while underway, but a powercat doesn’t need this same provision. As such, the Frenchman was able to lower the decks and eke out as much space as possible when designing the BGM75 from scratch.

“What I like in life is a challenge,” he adds. “I like to design something that doesn’t exist yet but, of course, makes sense.”

THE CHOSEN ONE

Luca Santella, Bluegame’s founder and Head of Product Strategy, explains why Briand was selected, going on to cite the multiple benefits of a narrow catamaran platform, from performance and comfort to exterior aesthetics and interesting layout options.

“Between the five designers, Philippe gave the strongest answer to our brief,” Santella says. “His idea to have a narrower cat was fantastic. It felt like we didn’t have to compromise, which is rare when starting a new project.”

Another reason for choosing a catamaran over a monohull is comfortable seakeeping. Two hulls mean the yacht is more stable and less susceptible to rolling, and utilising a narrower platform maximises this, says Briand. This enhanced stability can also help to quell seasickness.

“Seasickness is actually a matter of acceleration – it’s amplitude multiplied by the speed,” Briand says. “A monohull has a big amplitude but low speed of rolling, and a wider catamaran has a small amplitude and quick-rolling reaction, which can also be bad for seasickness. But the BGM75 is in-between a cat and a monohull, so it has a moderate amplitude and a limited rolling period for added comfort in any sea state.”

Foredeck tables can be lowered and covered

In addition to the naval architecture, Briand Yacht Design presented a full concept, which changed slightly in terms of style and exterior lines after longtime Sanlorenzo collaborator Zuccon International Project stepped in to help shape the exterior to look like a natural addition to the Bluegame range.

The BGM75 has bountiful outdoor living spaces for its size, and the aft main deck features an interesting seating area with a modular settee with a wooden base so can sit one way looking aft, forward or starboard. There’s also a bow lounge and expansive flybridge with a bar area, cooktop and comfortable loose furnishings.

Lissoni & Partners designed the interior, which includes a helm-free saloon

The flybridge is protected by a fixed hardtop that has a shape reminiscent of a hull of a yacht – wide at the back and narrower at front. The ceiling of the hard top is finished in a teak-like wood that mimics the teak on the deck below. Santella says that for the Asian market, they could enclose the flybridge in plexiglass windows for protection from the elements.

The flybridge is covered but open, with six-seat dining and a triple-seat helm station forward

FULL-BEAM MASTER

Lissoni & Partners – another long-time Sanlorenzo collaborator – was called in to create the yacht’s interiors. An advantage of a multihull is, of course, enhanced volume, due to its beamier body and two hulls. While the BGM75 is narrower than other cats, at well over 8m it’s still wider than a monohull of the same length.

“Space-wise, it’s like a 30m monohull, in terms of volume and what you can offer to the clients in the layout,” Santella says.

It was important to Santella that the BGM75 have a special owner’s cabin. “Considering our level of product, we didn’t want an owner staying down in one of the hulls.”

By lowering the floor of the main deck to be close to the water, the design team was able to carve space for guest accommodation out of the space between the two hulls at the forward end of the main saloon.

An elegant dining area mixes an integrated sofa and chairs

Steps lead down from the saloon to an owner’s enclave where a cabin stretches the width of the superstructure. This nearly full-beam cabin is akin to what you might find in a monohull.

“So far in the cat market, you’ll find cabins in the hulls, but not in the space between the hulls,” says Santella. An en-suite bathroom is separated from the bedroom by tempered glass walls, which gives the illusion of space while still offering privacy.

The first unit has three cabins. In addition to the forward owner’s cabin, there are two cabins in the port hull, while the starboard hull holds a day head and galley that’s connected to the crew mess and crew cabins.

Port view of the stunning full-beam owner’s suite, which has a sloping forward bulkhead, aft-facing bed, and bathroom and walk-in wardrobe to port

Zuccon also consulted on the general arrangement and provided a layout option that has four cabins with the galley on the main deck. Lissoni & Partners designed the cabins to have a neutral and natural feel, with walls adorned in a stone-like surface, complemented by walnut joinery. In the guest cabins, the beds sit up on elevated wooden bases.

There are already plans to expand the fleet, with a BGM65 due to launch in 2025 followed by a BGM85 in the future. With the BGM series, Bluegame is on a mission to prove that two hulls are better than one.

www.bluegame.it

www.simpsonmarine.com

Corsaro’s super second coming

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Corsaro’s super second coming

June 12, 2024
11:52 pm

An upgrade of the model that had its world premiere in Hong Kong to launch Riva’s current Flybridge series, the 102’ Corsaro Super is having a similarly strong impact in Asia.
Words: Risa Merl; photos: Riva

An upgrade of the original 100’ Corsaro, the 102’ Corsaro Super

Classic Riva iconography conjures up images of Hollywood legends like Brigitte Bardot lounging on a gleaming runaboat moored off the south of France. But it’s Asia where the new-era Riva yachts are making waves today. By this time next year, there will be three new 102’ Corsaro Super yachts plying these waters.

From the shaded flybridge and spacious beach club to its sophisticated interior, every aspect of the 30m flybridge motor yacht reflects the Italian brand’s commitment to blending traditional Riva elegance with cutting-edge design.

The original 100’ Corsaro – the first model in Riva’s current Flybridge series – made its debut in Hong Kong in 2017, with two more units later arriving in Asia. Now, the new 102’ Corsaro Super is taking the region by storm.

The first 102’ Corsaro Super in Asia arrived in Taiwan last year, with delivery facilitated by Amal Yachting. Two more hulls in this series will be heading to Hong Kong, with the first arriving this year and the second coming next year. Both have been sold by Starship Yachts, which also sold the original 100’ Corsaro and has been the Ferretti Group’s Hong Kong dealer for decades.

FLYBRIDGE PIONEER

Crafted from fibreglass with carbon-fibre elements, the 102’ Corsaro Super builds upon its predecessor with refined features and extended dimensions. Stefano de Vivo, Ferretti Group’s CCO, notes the new model’s focus on enhancing proximity to the sea, achieved through enlarged windows and low-slung bulwarks.

“With the 102’ Corsaro Super, we aimed to further improve the yacht and the experience on board, meeting the needs of our owners, who increasingly desire greater contact with the sea,” De Vivo says.

Officina Italiana Design, which has designed for Riva for three decades, took a holistic approach to modernising the exterior to create a cleaner and more fluid appearance. By incorporating subtle changes such as painting the flybridge hard top entirely black, lowering the stern and extending the aft living areas, the design team achieved a sense of forward movement and enhanced visual appeal.

Mauro Micheli, Officina Italiana Design’s co-founder and Chief Designer, says: “We started by keeping the severity, sportiness and elegance of the 100’ Corsaro’s original lines but also refined their signature styling cues, giving them a cleaner look.”

Cleaner lines are a signature of the new Corsaro

However, according to Sergio Beretta, the studio’s co-founder and CEO, the updates went beyond aesthetics, with the yacht still satisfying the sub-24m load line length.

“The yard wanted a restyling of a much-loved model, but the fact that RINA set new parameters for boats under 24m led us to do more important thinking than just refreshing the lines of a model,” Beretta says. “These subtle modifications have produced an entirely new craft.”

The spacious cockpit has a fitted sofa and loose furniture

The design studio sought new design solutions to update a popular model, especially in the aft area. “We flattened the shape of the stern and lowered it,” Michelli says. “The result was a sort of terrace, creating an additional aft space the 100’ Corsaro didn’t have.”

The 102’ Corsaro Super introduces an outdoor beach club, paying homage to the ample sunpads found on classic Riva day boats. Just a few steps below the main-deck cockpit, the beach club boasts a large settee on the transom.

The 35sqm beach club features a 15sqm high-low swim platform. There’s a seamless flow between the beach club and main deck, so guests can feel connected and interact easily whether lounging at water level or enjoying the views from the dining area on the aft main deck

Plenty of entertainment space punctuates the flybridge

Despite the addition of the beach club, the 102’ Corsaro Super retains a garage, accommodating a Williams DieselJet 445 tender. Launching the tender is facilitated by lifting the transom and sliding the aft swim platform below the waterline, flooding the garage. The redesign of the stern not only enhances the yacht’s amenities but also reshapes its exterior, creating a sleek and graceful profile.

RICH INTERIOR

The interior of the 102’ Corsaro Super, also created by Officina Italiana Design, is a study in refined luxury, for which Riva is renowned. The indoor living areas showcase premium materials and exquisite craftsmanship.

Forward view of the interior, which starts with the dining area and leads to the lounge and the large TV on the bulkhead

Gleaming wood, supple leather and sleek, stainless-steel accents create an atmosphere of understated elegance, while marble accents add a touch of opulence. Carefully curated furnishings from top Italian brands further elevate the interior, ensuring both comfort and style for discerning owners and guests.

Exuding glamour synonymous with a classic Riva, the interior also has a touch of masculine appeal due to chrome metal finishes, matte Canaletto walnut joinery, black and white leather panels, and tinted glass. The richness of the interior stems from the thoughtful use of wood, stainless steel and leather. Notably, the rising cost of stainless steel, which increased by 300 per cent in the past few years, underscores the exclusivity of these materials.

The saloon offers two layout options, as well as the choice to add fold-down bulwark balconies on either side. The main-deck master suite boasts redesigned and extended 2m-long windows, providing breathtaking views. Below deck, four en-suite guest cabins ensure comfort and privacy for all aboard.

The full-beam owner’s cabin first appeared on the 100’ Corsaro. “In the 102’ Corsaro Super, we wanted to maintain this layout, improving it even further by enlarging the glazing,” De Vivo says.

Efforts to maximise natural light throughout the yacht led to the redesign of hull windows and the incorporation of larger windows in the owner’s cabin. This presented technical challenges for the naval architects, who worked to ensure structural integrity while enhancing the connection to the sea.

Starboard view of the full-beam owner’s suite, with a forward-facing bed, accessed from the saloon by a hallway

Rivas are known for their thrilling performance as well as their good looks. In the standard version, the yacht is equipped with a pair of MTU 16V 2000 M96 engines, with a power output of 2,435hp each, for an expected maximum speed of 26 knots and 23 knots cruising.

Alternatively, a pair of MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines with a power output of 2,638hp each can be installed to give a cruising speed of 24 knots and a top speed of 28 knots.

The 102’ Corsaro Super has proven to be another fruitful collaboration between Riva, Officina Italiana Design and Ferretti Group’s Strategic Product Committee led by Piero Ferrari. But more than this, the design team were able to take a much-loved yacht in the 100’ Corsaro and create something that stands out on its own.

“The 102’ Corsaro Super is a yacht undoubtedly created in the Riva tradition – you can feel it immediately,” Beretta aptly states. “We’re delighted with the result because we succeeded in retaining the Corsaro’s elegance while crafting redesigned lines that have turned it into a completely new boat.”
riva-yacht.com
ferrettigroupasiapacific.com

Sunreef’s 60 Power Eco

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Sunreef reveals 60 Power Eco

June 6, 2024
11:14 am

Sunreef’s selection of Eco catamarans cruising at sea just keeps getting bigger, although its newest model is its smallest solar-electric powercat to date.

Words: Claire Lim; Photos: Sunreef Yachts

The 60 Sunreef Power Eco premieres at Cannes Yachting Festival 2024

Sunreef plans to premiere its 60 Sunreef Power Eco at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival on France’s south coast from September 10-15. The Polish shipyard, which also has a growing production facility in the UAE, has long used Cannes and the Monaco Yacht Show a couple of weeks later as its main events to debut new yachts, and this year will be no exception.

The shipyard started showcasing its current New Beginnings range at Cannes in 2018 when it unveiled the Sunreef 80 and 60 sailing cats, adding the 50 (2019) and 70 (2021) in subsequent years. In parallel, the 80 Sunreef Power that premiered at Cannes in 2019 kickstarted the modern powercat range – using completely different hulls to the sailing cats – and was followed by the 60 Power and 70 Power, unveiled at Cannes in 2021 and last year respectively.

As if this wasn’t enough, Sunreef splashed its first 100 Power in late 2021, with the yacht eventually appearing on the cover of Yacht Style’s Multihull Issue in 2022 and finally making its public premiere at last year’s Palma International Boat Show.

The Eco range sport a wafer-thin ‘solar skin’

However, Sunreef’s post-Covid focus has been on rolling out its Eco range, which offers the classic models listed above – and even larger sailing cats – with the shipyard’s green tech.

Most obviously, this includes its wafer-thin ‘solar skin’ that can wrap around hull sides, the superstructure, hard top and even the mast, while it also includes custom-engineered batteries and electric motors to produce silent, emission-free cruising and operations. Hydrogeneration systems, ultra-efficient air-conditioning, and even wind turbines are among options.

Eco models have also been led by the sailing side, with the 80 Eco just missing out on a premiere at the Dubai International Boat Show in early 2022, instead debuting at Cannes later in the year. At Cannes last year, the 80 Eco was joined by both the 70 Eco and 60 Eco sailing cats.

On the powercat side, the 80 Power Eco had its world premiere at Cannes last year with Athena Too. The yacht was actually launched after Sol, which had made its way across the Atlantic and was used for the model’s US premiere at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October.

The most recent Eco model on the water is the 60 Sunreef Power Eco, the smallest Eco powercat to date. Like other Eco models, it offers the shipyard’s revolutionary solar-power system, with photovoltaic cells built into the hulls, superstructure and flybridge hard top. The green energy generated powers both the yacht’s propulsion and onboard appliances, with electric motors fed by an ultralight battery bank for vibration-free cruising.

The 60 Sunreef Power Eco has plenty of deck space

Special features include a large hydraulic swim platform that can carry a tender and double as a ‘private beach’, plus there’s an aft garage for water toys. However, it’s the cockpit and its large table for alfresco dining that better reveal the sheer expanse of the cat due to its whopping 35ft-plus beam. The wide-open space is also felt on the foredeck terrace.

Forward of the windscreen is a sunken lounge including an L-shaped sofa and a table to port, as well as sunpads to starboard, all surrounded by clean deck space that allows people to gather, socialise and admire the view.

A large flybridge offers plenty of room for customisation. Proposed layouts include a bench-seat helm forward, wet bar to port and a dining table placed athwartships, which is moved slightly forward if the owner takes up the enticing option of a spa pool and sunpads spanning the aft end of the top deck.

The aft and flybridge desks offer pockets of outdoor privacy

Although not represented in this article, the saloon in the 60 Power Eco can be customised but is otherwise offered in two basic layouts, all arrangements benefiting from natural light from both the skylight and panoramic glazing.

The choice of galley-up or galley-down – or galleys up and down – can influence the cabin arrangement in the hulls. Without a lower galley, the yacht can offer up to six en-suite guest cabins – three on each side – as well as two en-suite crew cabins, each in the forepeak.

Otherwise, a galley can replace the starboard midships cabin, while a master suite option replaces the two aft cabins in the port hull. The options are almost endless, one reason Sunreef has become so dominant in its sector.

www.sunreef-catamarans.com

www.hongsehmarine.com.sg

www.nextwaveyachting.com

True Blue Dutch Beauty

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

True Blue Dutch Beauty

May 30, 2024
7:03 pm

Custom designed by Guido de Groot and built by Van der Valk for a Hong Kong owner, the all-aluminium Blue Jeans is a tailor-made 34m masterpiece.

On a tour around Europe, Blue Jeans visited London

There are few more exciting challenges for a shipyard than an owner telling you to impress them. This happened during the build of Blue Jeans, a sleek and very blue motor yacht built by Van der Valk in southern Netherlands and based in Hong Kong since early 2023.

At her home in Aberdeen Marina Club, the all-aluminium yacht is easily recognisable due to sporty, dynamic lines and a hull in a custom deep-blue metallic paint developed with Alexseal, with the new coating named ‘Blue Jeans’.

The 33.74m tailor-made raised pilothouse is an attractive addition to Asia’s resident superyachts and an eye-catching testament to Van der Valk, the Dutch shipyard that specialises in bespoke 25-40m builds and offers semi-custom ranges including the BeachClub line.

The builder clearly rose to the Hong Kong client’s challenge, judging by the smile on his face as he took delivery in late 2022 before the yacht’s maiden voyage took in Belgium, France and the UK, where some iconic photos were captured in front of London’s Tower Bridge.

However, it’s worth noting that the custom build is a true-blue team effort, with Van der Valk collaborating with two Dutch studios, Guido de Groot Design on the exterior and interior, and Diana Yacht Design for naval architecture.

A maximum speed of 28 knots, and cruising at 25 knots were owner requirements

Van der Valk described the project as both enjoyable and challenging. So challenging that it also billed Blue Jeans as one of the most complex superyachts it has created to date. Building the yacht during the Covid pandemic added an extra challenge to the project, as the shipyard tried to keep the owner as involved as if he was able to physically visit the yard.

The owner required the shipyard to create a fast vessel able to reach 28 knots and cruise for longer periods of time at 25 knots. To achieve this, Van der Valk worked with Diana Yacht Design to develop a semi-displacement hull with a hard chine V-shape, propelled by two 2,600hp MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines. Two tunnels over the propellers were designed to make space for bigger props and increase efficiency without increasing the draft.

The engine girders were strengthened to support bigger engines, while the gearbox and drivetrain were modified to transfer that extra power to the propellers. Using larger-diameter propellers improved efficiency and enabled power to be used optimally. To help create the space for the expansive engine room, the 4m aluminium tender is stored sideways in the aft garage. Created inhouse, the fully-custom tender matches the mothership and has a 50kW Torqeedo 50 electric outboard engine connected to a 40kWh BMW i3 battery pack.

SHARP EXTERIOR

While much of Diana Yacht Design’s impressive work is hidden below the surface, Guido de Groot’s exterior work is not only notable but a star attraction. The Dutch design studio was tasked by the owner to create a sleek-looking yacht yet one with plenty of interior and exterior entertaining space and lots of headroom, which required a tall flybridge and raised bow.

As well as the exterior, Guido de Groot Design handled the interior of Blue Jeans

It’s hard not to stare when you’re in the presence of such a stunning superyacht, which looks fast and slim yet houses expansive volumes that include ceilings that rise to almost 2.5m in the saloon. The blue used on the hull and flybridge base is an attention grabber, while the client’s request to not have any hint of white was achieved by a silver-grey flybridge structure and blackout surfaces on the glass.

The dark glazing used all along the main deck, in strips along the bottom of the bulwarks and for the long hull windows even helps Blue Jeans appear as a widebody yacht from some angles.

The outdoor areas include a long cockpit, which includes square loungers side by side and facing coffee tables and loose chairs, making the covered area more suitable for relaxing, cocktails and nibbles than alfresco dining.

Two symmetrical side decks lead to the foredeck, where innovative design presents guests with a C-shaped sofa, a pop-up table and a sunbathing area integrated into the forepeak, with Diana Yacht Design helping create a flush surface by locating the anchoring equipment below deck.

The naval architect’s influence extended to the sun deck, as it worked for the first time on designing a retractable dive board, which is integrated near the aft end of the port bulwark.

ASIAN FUSION INTERIOR

At the brainstorming stage, the forward-thinking client asked Van der Valk and Guido de Groot Design to surprise and impress him with interior concepts. The shipyard presented a range of options and was thrilled when he opted for the most intricate and radical, which included incorporating beautiful natural materials.

A day head and showers for day guests have been incorporated

With the design scheme reflecting a fusion of Northern European and Asian styles, the interior includes a wide variety of materials including multiple marbles, metals and woods. Liquid metal was used for walls and doors, copper accents are seen on walls, light fixtures and furniture, while reconstituted teak is used in wooden trims for the walls and ceilings.

Letting natural materials speak for themselves was a core ethos of the project, although some metals proved particularly challenging to integrate. The use of liquid metal was new to Van der Valk, which created bespoke panels onto which the alloy was poured and transformed into a pattern prior to solidification.

The overall layout of Blue Jeans was designed around the need for multi-functional use and to accommodate multiple generations of the owner’s family, so is equally suitable for large groups on day trips and extended voyages.

From the cockpit, large sliding doors open to welcome guests to an interior that starts with a hallway and counters in White Carrara marble. Forward is a quite stunning saloon, offering stunning views and natural light through tall windows and sliding glass doors on both sides.

LIGHTING UP

The saloon has sliding doors, fold-down balconies to each side and Barrisol LED ceiling

The saloon is also illuminated by one of the yacht’s signature interior highlights, a fully lit Barrisol ceiling, attractively arranged in diagonal square panels lined by copper detailing that gives guests another reason to cast their eyes above.

Recessed lighting is used cleverly throughout the interior, from shelves in the day head to the dining area.

The saloon is laid out in a ‘walkaround’ design, with custom Poltrona Frau sofas and chairs set in a long rectangle around marble-topped coffee tables. The seats can be moved to make the most of the outdoor views, such as when the sliding doors are opened or even placed outside on the drop-down balconies. The furniture can even be rearranged or partially removed to make space for a dance floor.

To cater to groups of day trip guests, having enough areas to shower during the day was a requirement. To meet that demand, the day head accessed by the starboard hallway doubles as a shower area, while the large bathroom on the lower deck in-between the two guest cabins can be used by day guests.

The dining area is bathed in natural light

On the main deck, the starboard hallway leads forward past the door to the galley and onto the formal dining room. This magnificent space offers spectacular views and daylight through long windows on both sides but also four large, square skylights, which are positioned directly above the round, eight-seat Fletcher Capstan dining table that can be downsized to a smaller table for playing games.

Forward in each corner are symmetrical doors to full-height wine fridges that flank a long, dark counter in Nero Marquina marble, with storage cabinets above and below. Grey Fior di Bosco marble is used for a hip-high cabinet in the aft port corner.

From the saloon, the port hallway accesses the stairs down to the lower deck, which lead first to the full-beam master suite midships. The room features a sofa along the port side, a desk and storage on starboard side, and a forward-facing bed flanked by grey, textured liquified-metal doors.

The port door leads to the walk-in shower featuring a striped bench, while the starboard door leads to the twin-sink bathroom and walk-in wardrobe, with both rooms featuring rare Lapis Lazuli Blue marble.

The airy owner’s suite

The guest cabins include a twin and a double aft and fore of a shared bathroom to starboard, while the VIP to port has an en-suite bathroom. Forward, accessed from the galley, is the crew area including a crew mess and two en-suite cabins, each with twin bunks. Blue Jeans has won multiple awards, although the biggest reward is an owner’s smile after seeing his challenge met.

www.vandervalkshipyard.com

Riva’s stunning new Diva

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Riva’s stunning new Diva

May 2, 2024
1:23 pm

Designed to get tongues wagging, the 82’ Diva is the new starting point for Riva’s growing Flybridge line and the iconic brand’s first model to feature drop-down sides – just one of this Italian beauty’s remarkable features.
Words: Clare Mahon; Photos: Ferretti Group

The 82’ Diva can reach 31 knots with the upgraded engine options

Riva is already the yachting brand most closely associated with divas, at least with those from the Dolce Vita era. So, when the brand launched a model called the Riva 82’ Diva, the yachting paparazzi snapped to attention. Does this flybridge yacht have what it takes to make her a star? We took her out for a spin to see.

A first look at any diva starts with her figures and the 82’ Diva has an overall length of 25.3m, a 6.1m beam and 2.05m draft. Since this is a special kind of diva, we’ll also look at how fast she runs. With her standard twin MAN V12 1800 engines, she has a top speed of 29 knots and a cruising speed of 26, which rise to 31 knots and 27 respectively with the upgraded 1,900hp versions.

The yacht is produced at the La Spezia shipyard for Riva’s 76-130ft models, with the first Diva enjoying her red carpet moment last September when she debuted at Cannes – at the Yachting Festival not the Film Festival. It was also our occasion to see her up close and in person, so to speak.

The 82’ Diva is a proud addition to the portfolio of Officina Italiana Design, founded in 1994

Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta, founders of Officina Italiana Design, are the designers behind the yacht’s interior and exterior, working in collaboration with the Ferretti Group’s Strategic Product Committee led by Piero Ferrari and its Engineering Department.

The Diva’s exterior looks are eye catching, with sporty lines and a gunmetal-grey hull that seems to be pierced by a lobster claw of glass that breaks up the line of the flybridge and keeps the look light and airy. You can tell from afar that the Diva is part of Riva’s stable by the trademark turquoise bootstrap painted just above the waterline.

WATERSIDE AND UP

Riva is known for being extremely attentive to build quality and as soon as board you can sense that the Diva is a cut above. The aft swim platform is dominated by a large sunpad, which sits on top of the hidden door to the tender garage.

The 82’ Diva is the first Riva to feature drop-down cockpit bulwarks, which expand the space around the central sunpad

The width of the large platform can be increased by a hefty 3m due to side bulwarks that fold down to become additional waterside settings. The opening bulwarks are a Riva first and they’ve proved such a hit that they’re likely to be incorporated into many more models to come.

Symmetrical staircases lead up to the cockpit, where twin couches face each other and look out – across a teak table embossed with Riva’s signature logo – over to the water. Even the fashion plates have large glass inserts to keep the view free and clear.

Protected side passages lead from the cockpit to the foredeck where two more sunpads and a couch form a long C-shaped social area. The flow is easy and natural, with any one of these outdoor spots looking like an ideal setting for a bit of glamour in the sun and fresh air – just grab your sunglasses.

The 82’ Diva is the smallest model in Riva’s Flybridge range, joining the 90’ Argo, 102’ Corsaro Super, 110’ Dolcevita and 130’ Bellissima

SIGNATURE FINISHES

Riva’s signature logo adorns everything from table tops and thresholds to doorknobs and even windows, but the quality of finish and materials used aboard is also distinctive. The living area of the saloon is on the same level as the cockpit, giving the Diva an indoor/ outdoor continuity that’s easy to love.

Officina Italiana Design has selected luxurious materials like walnut and leather to give the interior an atmosphere with a bit of gravitas that contrasts with the sea views that flood in through the large, single-pane windows. The dining area is up a couple of steps from the living area, setting it apart without cutting it off from the rest of the communal space indoors.

The saloon offsets light-coloured sofas with dark cabinetry

Another notable feature of the main-deck interior is the helm station, which has three Simrad touchscreens to starboard and sits beside a fully equipped galley to port. All this in a single area that on many yachts would be dedicated to the bridge and the bridge alone.

While this combination of cooking and helming may seem strange at first, it can work because rarely are people cooking and helming at the same time, although there’s plenty of space for both.

The dining area sits aft of the galley, which neighbours the helm station and shares views through the large windscreen

A large window can separate the galley from the dining area, but just drop it down and you get a show kitchen where culinary talents can be demonstrated in a galley that offers views as good as the ones the captain enjoys.

CLASSY CABINS

On the lower deck, the accommodation includes two en-suite twin cabins and a full-beam VIP suite fore that receives extra illumination from a large skylight.

Midships and down a couple of steps from the other guest cabins is a full-beam owner’s cabin that has stunning views through large hull windows set just above water level. There’s plenty of storage in a full wardrobe and the whole cabin has a broody, dramatic air due to liberal use of dark leather and walnut.

The full-beam master suite midships has an en-suite bathroom with twin sinks

Did a Hollywood diva once quip that the fastest way to end a marriage was to have to share a bathroom sink? Well, there’s no danger of that aboard the 82’ Diva, as both the owner and VIP bathrooms have double sinks in Corian or Statuarietto marble, as well as excellent natural light to help get the hair and makeup just right.

Also on the lower deck, with separate access through a dedicated companionway, is a crew area for three, ensuring guests will be able to enjoy privacy and a good level of service when they’re aboard.

FLYING HIGH

No diva goes yachting to sit around inside, and the 82’ Diva has a flybridge that’s the perfect setting for those wind-in-your-hair moments. With almost 40sqm of space, the flybridge has a large aft area that can be set up with loose furniture and an outdoor galley and bar that lets the good times roll.

The VIP cabin in the bow benefits from a long skylight

A carbon-fibre hard top with a large glass insert shades and protects a dining area that has the upper helm station right next to it. While all these features are lovely and liveable, the standout feature on the flybridge could well be the immense sunpad that occupies the entire fore section, an excellent place to lounge under the sun – or the stars.

So, the 82’ Diva looks the part, but can she perform? Just spend a few minutes underway with her, especially at the outdoor helm, and you’ll be ready to sign her up. She handles easily and smoothly, and Simrad screens displaying up-to-the-minute info on all her systems make her a joy to direct.

Best of all, you can share the thrill of running her with an audience of friends and family. Because a yacht, no matter how glamorous she looks, is about time spent in good company, enjoying that special on-the-water dimension – otherwise, it’s curtains.

Board the Riva 82’ Diva and you’ll be thinking it’s the yacht that’s the protagonist; spend some time aboard and you’ll be feeling like a star. Need I say more? It’s a wrap.

www.riva-yacht.com

www.ferrettigroupasiapacific.com

Azimut’s fresh Fly 72

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Azimut’s fresh Fly 72

April 11, 2024
4:30 pm

Alberto Mancini’s exterior design ensures Azimut’s new Fly 72 fits well with the Italian shipyard’s modern family of flybridge models, but there’s a completely fresh look and feel in the interior following a first collaboration with Fabio Fantolino.
Words: Clare Mahon; Photos: Azimut-Benetti

Azimut’s new Fly 72 features an Alberto Mancini exterior

When Giovanna Vitelli picked up the phone to call architect and designer Fabio Fantolino, the Azimut-Benetti Group Chairwoman knew what she was looking for: another decisive step in the updating of Azimut’s offerings.

An upgrade of the Azimut 72 designed by the late Stefano Righini with interiors by Carlo Galeazzi, the new Fly 72 is among Azimut’s latest models to feature an exterior by Alberto Mancini – now responsible for most new S, Fly and Grande series designs. However, for the interiors, Vitelli wanted to work for the first time with Fantolino, despite the fact he had never worked on the design of a yacht.

“They sought out my studio for the interiors after they had carefully examined our styles and analysed the market sectors that our work would appeal to,” Fantolino recalls. “They were looking to upgrade on elegance.”

The cockpit is well sheltered and features a C-shaped sofa and a large table

The upgrade the Azimut-Benetti Group is reaching for with the revamp of its product line is sweeping. Objectives also include lighter, more energy-efficient yachts for a greener, more sustainable approach to life at sea.

With the new model part of Azimut’s Carbon-Tech Generation, Pierluigi Ausonio’s PLANA studio designed the Fly 72’s naval architecture with a hull in GRP and large areas of the superstructure and the beach platform in weight-saving carbon-fibre.

Up top, the carbon-fibre-laminated flybridge is 30 per cent lighter than it would have been if fully built in fibreglass, says the yard. The overall reduction of weight improves fuel efficiency and keeps the boat’s centre of gravity low, always a plus for a planing yacht’s comfort and manoeuvrability.

OUTDOOR SPACES

Mancini has been penning the exteriors of most of Azimut’s new Fly, S and Grande yachts and the consistency of his work has brought a real family feeling to the shipyard’s new offerings. “I always try to create a dialogue between traditional and modern, land-based and seafaring,” Mancini says.

The flybridge has a C-shaped dinette to port, outdoor galley, helm station and sunpads

While the yachts he has designed for Azimut have long sweeps of glass that bring lots of light into the interiors, Mancini never designs what he calls “glass shoebox yachts” and always keeps his lines fluid, especially when designing a flybridge yacht that’s sporty in its essence.

“As a designer, I feel I should coax owners back into a more seafaring world because it’s important not to forget that we’re at sea and have to respect it.”

To access the sea, the transom has a high-low swim platform with a fold-down ladder. The hydraulic gangway is telescopic, while the garage can store a 4m tender and a jetski, plus there’s an additional storage locker for toys such as Seabobs and diving equipment.

The roomy flybridge has an open aft deck

Up the steps, the aft cockpit has a comfortable C-shaped sofa and a table in synthetic stone. Shaded by the flybridge overhang, the area also has a wet bar that can be closed off to keep a clean look.

A starboard staircase leads to the large flybridge, which has an open aft section that owners can set up as they wish to make the most of the views through a glass balustrade topped by a slender stainless steel rail.

The carbon-fibre hard top has an opening central section and shades an area with couches, a table and a full outdoor galley. The helm station has Raymarine touch screens, while the area around it can be set up with a table or sun pads.

The foredeck has a C-shaped couch, while forward is a large sunbathing area

The foredeck is also exceptional and benefits from the extra space provided by the trapezoidal bow shape. Couches and sun pads can be shaded by a hydraulically operated bimini without the fuss of mounting awnings on poles. And the bow’s accentuated flange means water is deflected off the foredeck, so no surprise splashes.

FANTOLINO’S SURPRISE

However, it’s all change inside, after Fantolino responded positively to Vitelli’s request to design the Fly 72’s interiors. “When someone calls your studio, you know they’re looking for your style. Her thoughts on the project and Azimut’s objective for the yacht matched ours. From there, we had an optimal working relationship and made a great team,” he says of his first yachting project.

Fabio Fantolino’s yachting debut has resulted in a light, open and warm interior

“It was a challenge, but being an architect is always a challenge. When you’re called to work in a new sector, it’s always a pleasure because it’s a new world, a new opportunity to express yourself. I’m always pushing my design comfort zone; that’s the joy in my line of work.”

Fantolino and his studio started the project with a market analysis, and were surprised at what they found. “We didn’t expect the nautical world to be so isolated from the rest of the design world. It seemed niche and maybe a bit exclusive up to about 10 years ago, then the design world accelerated, and trends changed,” he says.

“The world of transversal design moved ahead while nautical design dropped back. It didn’t look niche anymore. It just looked old and wasn’t keeping pace.”

Aft view of the saloon shows large windows on both sides offering grand sea views, plus an easy connection to the cockpit

Fantolino’s goal was to bring the worlds of nautical and transversal design closer together and create an interior where elegance and refinement would also be luxurious.

“Our approach was to update the nautical language with new colours, materials, shapes and combinations. Aboard the Fly 72, we synced luxury design with yacht design and international design by using contradictions, giving contemporary lines to classic materials or creating contrast between straight and curved lines or matte and glossy surfaces.

“The hard part is finding the sweet spot between contrast and comfort in a smaller space because you must also have balance and equilibrium. We wanted to avoid a puzzle of overlapping areas so the space would feel larger and more open.”

The midships galley connects to all the aft and fore areas

WALKING INTO WOW

Large and open is what you feel immediately when you enter the saloon and find long windows in uninterrupted panes of glass, soft shapes, interesting textures and muted colours. Fantolino’s studio also designed all the furnishings, from the lamps to the couches and tables, but that wasn’t enough for Fantolino.

“Aboard a yacht, the exterior is always nearby, and you don’t want to distract from the views, but you still want a wow effect when you enter the interior,” he says. The wow is the galley, which Fantolino recalls as being difficult to design.

“But it was also the spot that gave us the greatest satisfaction as it gives personality to the interior. Working with a single focal point was important because on a yacht everything is physically close to you. Guests should enjoy being inside, so designers must lighten things up. That’s more difficult in a smaller space.”

The dining table to starboard

The galley’s design, with its serving station dressed up in coloured wood, is impressive. Its central location with the dining area across from it makes it a convivial, social area and fits the way we live today, especially when we’re on vacation. Fore of the galley is the helm and a tight crew dinette or games table to port.

STYLISHLY CONSISTENT

Lower-deck accommodation features a VIP cabin fore with a centrally placed bed that benefits from the extra width provided by the trapezoidal bow. The full-beam owners’ cabin is midships and has large, single-pane hull windows in structural glass, a central bed and lots of storage. A TV is concealed behind a magic mirror at the foot of the bed and there’s even a safe in the closet.

The full-beam master suite and other three guest cabins reflect the look of the rest of Fantolino’s interior

There are two further guest cabins, while a separate crew area can sleep two. The look throughout is consistently stylish, due also to the fact that Fantolino has thought of everything, right down to the taps in the bathrooms.

“Chromed faucets are not in fashion anymore,” he says of a small detail that can make a big difference. “Maybe in the nautical world, nobody realised the market was looking ahead and that people didn’t want the same old thing.”

Interiors aside, Fantolino admits to enjoying his time spent aboard the Fly 72 during sea trials, even if he wasn’t focused on the power and performance supplied by the twin 1,400hp MAN V12 engines.

The master suite’s day bed doubles as seating for the vanity table

“It was a lovely experience to work in this new world, as it’s very different from anything we had done before. You can learn about managing the storage spaces and how to work within the limitations of materials, and I thank Azimut for helping us to avoid some errors,” he admits.

“The hardest part about nautical design is making a smaller space feel light. The design and quality of materials need to impress, and there are limits on the materials you can use, but within those limits you can still take a lot of steps to lighten the feeling. That said, the experience of being aboard the yacht on the water was even better than I thought it would have been. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

www.azimutyachts.com

www.marineitalia.asia

Galeon’s 560 Fly expands beach mode

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Galeon’s 560 Fly expands beach mode

April 4, 2024
2:56 pm

Renowned for its drop-down sides and iconic waterside bar to port, Galeon’s flybridge range enters new territory as the 560 Fly introduces alfresco dining on the starboard side.
Words: John Higginson; Photos: Galeon

Tony Castro designed the 560 Fly’s shapely exterior

It’s coming up to nine years since Galeon debuted the 500 Fly at the 2015 Cannes Yachting Festival, where its drop-down sides and waterside bar provided not just a wow factor but expanded the ways guests could enjoy life on the sea on a 50ft boat.

MarineMax, the world’s largest yacht distributor, was quick to spot a good thing and four months later announced it was the shipyard’s US dealer. The move helped transform Galeon – now producing about 350 boats annually – into one of the leading brands in one of the industry’s most competitive segments.

Also in 2016, Asiamarine started representing Galeon on the other side of the Pacific and today is the brand’s official representative in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand, while overseeing a regional network of dealers in other markets.

The 560 Fly fits between the 500 Fly and 640 Fly

Since debuting the ‘beach mode’ concept on the 500 Fly, Galeon has continued to add layer upon layer of innovation in all areas of its flybridge yachts, which now range from 40-80ft. The design still feels ahead of its time, while the brand’s competitors in the flybridge sector have generally been slow to respond.

The line’s two largest models – the 680 Fly and flagship 800 Fly – don’t feature drop-down sides, but otherwise fold-down bulwarks have become a staple of new Galeon flybridge models, such as the 400 Fly (Review, Issue 56), 640 Fly (Review, Issue 64), and the new 440 Fly (Review, Issue 74) and 560 Fly that debuted last year.

The 560 Fly is Galeon’s second-largest model to feature the wings, yet the brand’s ‘transformer’ DNA has moved to a new level on the newcomer, with both the main deck and flybridge offering functionality, flexibility and space that hasn’t been seen on a monohull this size to date.

CASTRO DOES IT AGAIN

First things first. Among an overall length of 58ft 6in, the model has a 53ft 5in hull with a 15ft 10in beam, which expands to 22ft 4in when in ‘beach mode’.

The swim platform’s integrated steps, cockpit stairs and flybridge stairs are all to port

Tony Castro, who has been designing for Galeon since 2001, has created a muscular exterior, with a tall band of dark glazing running from fore to aft along each hull side. Above, the saloon glazing is topped by a curvy superstructure, which is matched by flowing side supports for the hard top. Even before you board the 560 Fly, you feel like it offers ‘a lot of boat’.

The hydraulic aft platform can carry a RIB or tender and sets the tone for the fun to come with its ability to descend into the water while an integrated ladder to port unfurls to provide access for guests. The transom incorporates a fold-out sofa that’s good for putting on flippers or watching over kids in the water.

The drop-down bulwarks include large glass inserts and a boarding gate

Port side stairs lead to the cockpit, which is covered by the flybridge overhang and features a large table on two fixed pedestals and an L-shaped sofa that reaches round to starboard. Stairs, again to port, lead to the flybridge.

The top deck has an open aft area that can include a couple of sun loungers, but otherwise Galeon has provided a fully fitted master class in maximising seating and lounging space on the fly.

Flanked by the hard top supports, the two-part outdoor galley includes an L-shaped set-up to starboard with a grill, sink, fridge and storage. To port is another wet bar, with either a fixed countertop or fold-up double grill atop storage and an ice maker. Both sides allow the cook or anyone grabbing drinks to face and converse with other guests.

The flybridge has helm and companion seating, mirror dinettes, a full-beam galley and an open aft deck

Forward, the main social area features not one but two C-shaped dinettes that mirror each other. Each has a dining table that can fold out to adjoin the other and create one large dining table with seating on all four sides. It’s a remarkable option, although it’s advisable for anyone planning to sit at the forward end to visit the head first.

The transformations don’t stop there. The forward backrest of each sofa can be moved aft, necessary to create the bench-seat sofa for the helm to starboard. To port, moving the backrest creates matching companion seating that faces a long sofa under the windscreen. Throughout the fly, there’s storage under almost all the seating.

Backrests can be added to the foredeck sunpad

Look over the windscreen and you’ll see the foredeck, where a sofa faces a large sunpad that can fit backrests to create aft-facing seating and even has a small fold-up backrest at the forward end.

OPENING SALOON

Back to the cockpit and you’re at the heart of what makes this model different to any Galeon before. Even before the drop-down sides are lowered, they still allow access to the boat from either side due to an integrated boarding gate in the bulwark. When the sides are down, integrated glass allows you to see the water look through the floor.

The port bulwark allows access to the brand’s iconic waterside bar, where two stools can be inserted into the side deck and a foldout bar provides a platform for drinks and snacks. A huge open window allows easy conversation between the outdoor bar and those in the U-shaped galley and rest of the saloon.

The saloon’s large starboard door slides forward to allow the seats and table to be folded out

The rest of the saloon is not so easy to define on the 560 Fly because a sliding door on the starboard side can completely open the aft half of the saloon, giving a clear view over the water when the bulwark is down.

This is already appealing but Galeon has gone a major step further by enabling the dinette to expand outside to provide alfresco dining for four. The starboard side of each seat can fold down to create facing bench sofas either side of a table that also unfolds to double its size. To port, a waterside bar; to starboard, waterside dining. It’s a winner.

An enormous fridge-freezer and a U-shaped galley to port face a convertible dinette

With three sides of the aft half of the saloon open to the outside, Galeon has broken new ground in indoor-outdoor living in the sub-60ft flybridge sector. In fact, the enormous footprint and lack of barriers creates such a large sense of space that it’s easy to forget there’s more to explore inside.

It’s two steps up to the forward – or indoor – half of the saloon, where Galeon still manages to fit a C shaped sofa around a large table, which can electronically lower to seat height and be covered and converted into a double bed for extra guests. To starboard is a two-seat sofa that’s backed by a high low 50-inch TV. Both sides have large windows that can be covered by electrically actuated shades.

The saloon offers indoor dining on a high-low table, plus a 50-inch TV behind the starboard sofa

The starboard helm includes a bench sofa, while to port is storage below the large one-piece windscreen that also illuminates the central companionway and the hallway on the lower deck, which houses all the accommodation.

CREATIVE CABINS

Midships, the full-beam master stateroom has an en-suite, while the guest cabin to starboard and forward VIP cabin share a bathroom to port. The entrance to the master stateroom passes the door to the bathroom, which benefits from a massive hull window that even extends to the walk-in shower.

The full-beam master suite is midships

Two steps lead down to the bedroom, where the double bed faces a 50-inch television and is flanked by hanging cupboards in both aft corners and massive hull windows.

A hip-height storage cabinet – including a small fridge – runs along the starboard side, while to port is a desk cum vanity table beside a thick-cushioned seat, forward of which is a pull-out, two-level bottle drawer! There’s additional storage under the bed, under the TV and above the bedhead.

The guest cabin has a hanging cupboard and two single beds, with the inward bed able to be pushed across to create a double. The room also benefits from a huge hull window.

The forward VIP also benefits from huge hull windows

The VIP suite is impressively spacious considering its bow location and offers over 7ft of headroom at the bottom of the bed. It’s naturally bright due to big side windows and three skylights including a central opening hatch that provides the option of fresh air.

On both sides of the bed – which faces a 32-inch TV on the aft bulkhead – there’s storage integrated into stylish, curved joinery, which includes a hanging cupboard to starboard. To port is a vanity table with swingout stool, and the door to the bathroom, which is like the owner’s and has a huge window spanning across to the walk-in shower.

The 560 Fly (above) debuted in 2023 with the 440 Fly, the latter coming to Asia through Asiamarine

All the cabins feature smooth joinery, lots of recessed lighting and a nice variety of textures, especially evident in the attractive bedheads. And there’s even a twin crew cabin aft with access from the swim platform. Galeon’s forward-looking focus on flexibility and functionality shows no signs of slowing down.

http://www.galeonyachts.pl

http://www.asiamarine.com