Reviews

YYachts, sailing, yacht, fast, carbon, Bill Tripp, Tripp 90, Winch Design, Cannes Yachting Festival, Y7, Y8, Y9, 2021, custom, Michael Schmidt, Joost Roes, Lorenzo Argento

Y focus on carbon: Custom Tripp 90 by YYachts

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Y focus on carbon: Custom Tripp 90 by YYachts

November 19, 2021
8:36 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bill Tripp designed the Y7, Y9 and Tripp 90

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

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

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

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

YYACHTS’ CARBON TRIP

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

Michael Schmidt, founder of YYachts

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

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

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

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

FLAGSHIP SUPREME

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

Three B&G touch screens above the coachroof

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

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

The clean aft deck hides a lazarette

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

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

Bill Tripp with Dirk Zamedack, Managing Partner of YYachts

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

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

Carbonnautica steering wheels

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

SALOON OF TWO HALVES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The yacht features stunning woodwork, leatherwork and detailing

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

CABINS AND MORE

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

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

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

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

The master suite is forward, with the bed to port

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Azimut Grande Trideck coming to Asia

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Azimut Grande Trideck coming to Asia

November 13, 2021
1:37 am

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

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

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

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

Aft view of the signature sea view terrace

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

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

The foredeck leads down to a working area

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

GRANDE’S INCREASING APPEAL

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

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

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

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

The beach club sits below the raised sea view terrace

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

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

The beach club has 2m of headroom

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

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

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

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

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

The private patio is outside the main saloon

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

The aft upper deck offers outdoor dining for up to 12

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

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

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

FLEXIBLE INTERIORS

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

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

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

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

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

cut-outs decorate the ceiling.

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

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

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

The master suite is forward on the main deck

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

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

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

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

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

Staircases by Salvagni

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

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

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

UP AND AWAY

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

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

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

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

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

The pilothouse has plenty of companion seating

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

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

The foredeck with jacuzzi is forward of the pilothouse

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

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

Hull one is fitted with 2,600mhp MTU engines

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

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

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

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

www.azimutyachts.com

www.azimutyachts.hk

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

Bluegame BG72 builds on strong platform

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Bluegame BG72 builds on strong platform

November 5, 2021
3:54 pm

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

The Bluegame BG72 showed at Cannes, Genoa and Monaco

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

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

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

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

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

The huge platform is even bigger than on the BGX70

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

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

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

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

BLUEGAME’S GROWTH IN ASIA

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

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

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

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

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

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

View from the forward end of the platform

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

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

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

REARRANGED LOWER DECK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BREEZY MAIN DECK

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

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

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

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

The pilothouse can be fully enclosed

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

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

The foredeck features a sofa and a flexible forward sunbathing area

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

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

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

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

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

www.bluegame.it

www.simpsonmarine.com

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

Absolute 60 Fly: Silence is Green

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Absolute 60 Fly: Silence is Green

October 28, 2021
2:11 pm

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

By Clare Mahon

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

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

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

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

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

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

The cockpit is clear of fixtures, accommodating modular furniture

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

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

The cockpit shown when set up for dining

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

FORWARD AND ABOVE

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

The foredeck has a sofa, table and flexible sunpads

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

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

The flybridge’s aft area is free for loose furniture

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

SOLAR-POWERED SILENCE

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

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

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

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

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

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

AIRY INTERIOR

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

The aft galley to port is opposite a dining table

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

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

The saloon benefits from huge windows all around

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

FORWARD MASTER

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

The elegant master suite has large forward windows

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

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

The master suite’s dressing table to starboard

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

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

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

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

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

http://www.absoluteyachts.com

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

Riva 68’ Diable tops new Open models

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Riva 68’ Diable tops new Open models

October 21, 2021
3:51 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Riva has worked with Officina Italiana Design since 1994

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

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

Forward view of the hard top covered area

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

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

The central area has two L-shaped sofas

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

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

The lower-deck lounge

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

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

The master suite is midships

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

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

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

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

PROPULSION AND TECHNOLOGY

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

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

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

A Seakeeper NG9 can be installed for comfort at anchor

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

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

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

Aquila 54 hits the sweet spot

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Aquila 54 hits the sweet spot

October 13, 2021
6:19 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BIG STEPS UP

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

Starboard stairs lead to the flybridge

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

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

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

side to stow water toys.

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

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

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

The foredeck is accessed from the flybridge and side decks

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

FIRST-CLASS COMFORT

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

The cockpit bar has become an Aquila signature feature

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

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

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

The galley is packed with storage spaces

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

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

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

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

SOLID CRUISER

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

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

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

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

The starboard guest cabin in the three-cabin layout

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

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

The helm is in the flybridge skylounge

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

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

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

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

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

Bali 4.2 packs signature features into 42ft

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Bali 4.2 packs signature features into 42ft

October 6, 2021
4:03 pm

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

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

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

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

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

Bali performance is inherited from parent company Catana Group

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

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

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

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

EXPANSIVE DECK SPACE

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

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

Options include a plancha-style barbecue in the aft cockpit

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

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

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

Classic Bali features include the forward door and the solid foredeck

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

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

OPEN INDOORS

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

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

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

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

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

The large fridge has a 326-litre capacity

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

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

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

SETTING SAIL

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

The upper deck provides plenty of lounging space

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Sanlorenzo 62Steel: Living on Cloud 9

September 21, 2021
8:40 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ENTERING A NEW WORLD

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

The interior is by Francesco Paszkowski in collaboration with Margherita Casprini

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

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

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

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

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

OWNER’S PARADISE

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

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

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

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

The stunning master suite forward benefits from a large skylight

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

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

The master suite has a welcoming view of the private foredeck

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

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

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

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

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

www.sanlorenzoyacht.com

www.simpsonmarine.com

Note: The original article appeared in Issue 61

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

Ferretti Yachts’ epic new flagship

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Ferretti Yachts’ epic new flagship

September 17, 2021
4:00 pm

Cover star of Issue 61, Ferretti Yachts’ new five-cabin flagship 1000 features a remarkable flow between its outdoor areas from beach club to flybridge to foredeck, while IdeaeItalia’s interiors focus on natural light, colour and great views. And keep an eye out, as the first hull in Asia will arrive early next year. By Clare Mahon.

The Ferretti Yachts 1000 debuted at Venice before showing at Cannes

Ferretti Yachts’ new flagship is about much more than just building a bigger boat. In developing the Ferretti Yachts 1000, the Italian shipyard did a complete re-think on spaces, connections and ideal uses.

The brief was for a 30m yacht, large enough to offer a luxurious living experience yet not so large that size would become a limitation. Design had to be versatile and with the qualities that would meet the needs of a variety of markets. Selling points were to be privacy, easy access to outdoor areas and functional beach-to-fly connections.

And while much anticipation surrounded the model’s Cannes Yachting Festival appearance this September, I was able to see the first hull in all her glory at this year’s Venice Boat Show, where she drew a crowd as she made her official world premiere.

Filippo Salvetti designed the exterior

Due to the buzz the launch generated – and the subsequent line of eagerly waiting people – I had some time to check out the exterior lines penned by Filippo Salvetti that complement his work on the brand’s 670, 720 and 500 models launched in 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively.

And the lines on the 1000 are as simple as black and white. Long, continuous, horizontal lines of black glass contrast with the white hull and end in curves that pick up the bow shape. The semi-wide body construction makes her look like a compact unit with a very high freeboard.

Birds’ eye view shows the flow from cockpit to fly to foredeck

The bridge is just a low wedge whose roof also acts as side coamings for the fly, an arrangement that integrates the upper deck into the yacht’s lines, so avoiding that ‘extra piece on top’ effect.

UPWARDS AND ONWARDS

Boarding aft, the first thing you notice is a row of loungers built into the transom facing the water. Centrally placed between symmetrical stairs that lead up to the aft cockpit, the effect is a bit like an amphitheatre overlooking the hydraulically operated up/down aft platform.

The infinite-view cockpit overlooks a huge swim platform with a row of sun loungers

Add that the loungers can be shaded by an awning and you get a take on the beach club that creates an open and breezy space where you really can enjoy a day in and on the water. Another thing you notice is that the Ferretti Yachts 1000 blends spaces that on many other yachts are separate and distinct.

The aft cockpit has a glass enclosure aft, so is in direct visual connection with the beach platform. While the cockpit is fully shaded by the overhang, its seating faces sideways instead of forward, so guests look over the water and not into the yacht. There’s even a large glass insert in the fashion plates to keep the views open.

The cockpit has a flexible table and facing sofas

While on many yachts the natural progression of spaces seems to be from the aft cockpit into the saloon, two symmetrical staircases invite you directly up to the fly deck where a large and open aft area can be furnished to the owner’s taste.

The hardtop and parts of its structure are in weight-saving carbon-fibre, a first for Ferretti, and the bar and dining area under it can be shaded to a varying degree by opening and closing slats in the hardtop.

The hardtop covers a dining table, bar and helm, while the aft flybridge is free to furnish

The teak flooring continues in a curve up to the upper helm station, a nice touch that shows the quality of the workmanship aboard.

Due to the semi wide-body design, the interiors are built all the way out to the hull sides for about half of the yacht’s length. There is no side passage from the main deck to foredeck, but that doesn’t mean the area is difficult to reach. In fact, you can walk the entire length of the yacht from the beach platform to flybridge to foredeck in a continuous line and always stay outdoors.

The multi-level foredeck can be covered by a bimini

All deck spaces flow easily one to the other. Passage to the foredeck is via symmetrical side passages from the fly that converge by a large sun pad in front of the bridge and then continue down to a C-shaped seating area. The foredeck is another large outdoor area that can be enjoyed all day.

KEEP IT LIGHT

Outdoor deck spaces are key, but indoor spaces are just as important. The interiors are available in two different moods created by IdeaeItalia, the design studio that first worked with Ferretti Yachts on its entry-level 500 released last year.

Aft view of the saloon, which benefits from the cockpit’s infinity view

The Classic mood is based around a palette of warm, neutral tones, Contemporary is brighter and more colourful, while both feature tasteful Minotti furniture.

The saloon is on the same level as the aft cockpit and is set up with large living and dining areas. A sectional sofa in the living area faces a freestanding flat screen TV and is separated from the dining area by a built-in sideboard.

The saloon offers great views; sliding doors are an option beside the dining table

Elegant as the furnishings may be, the real star of the show are the yacht’s surroundings, with views enjoyed through long, uninterrupted panes of glass. Owners can choose to have sliding doors installed by the dining table for an even closer connection to the outdoors.

Fore of the dining area, the yacht becomes wide body with the owner’s suite, which is situated fore on the main deck and is even wider than the saloon. With ample storage spaces, a study and a settee, this is a real suite with a centrally placed bed and a full-beam bathroom just two steps down from the sleeping area.

The master suite is wider than the saloon and has a full-beam bathroom

The bathroom has double sinks in marble and separate shower and toilet areas, while there are opening portholes in the long windows for natural air circulation. The lower deck features four guest cabins, all en-suite and all luxuriously appointed.

The crew area has accommodation for four plus the captain, so assuring everyone on board lives well. All crew pathways are to starboard so guests can enjoy their privacy, but both crew and guests have access to the beating heart of the yacht: the bridge. As well as a Poltrona Frau helm seat, a seating area allows guests to watch the operations of the boat via its Naviop-Simrad touchscreens.

The lower-deck hallway leads to two guest cabins forward and two aft

Top speeds of 24 or 28 knots are possible depending on the engine option, while other options include a gyroscopic stabilising system.

If we take our yacht tour full circle and head back to the aft platform, we see that the transom door flips up to reveal a garage large enough for a Williams Dieseljet 445 tender, jet-ski and Seabobs. When all of these are in the water, the garage becomes a beach club, but there are so many ways to enjoy this yacht that you might not even need it.

One of four spacious guest cabins on the lower deck

While Ferretti Yachts’ new flagship has been a star at shows from Venice to Cannes and the Ferretti Group Private Preview in Monaco, it will also be seen in Asia soon, with the region’s first hull due to arrive in Taiwan in early 2022.
www.ferretti-yachts.com
www.ferrettigroupasiapacific.com

New Models 2021: Ferretti Group
In the second chapter of Yacht Style’s special feature on this year’s New Models, we focus on Ferretti Group’s five world premieres.

Swan 58 proves “fit for purpose”: Germàn Frers

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Swan 58 proves “fit for purpose”: Germàn Frers

August 26, 2021
2:56 pm

It’s very hard to ‘improve’ a Swan design, especially when the last one in line came from the drawing board of the inestimable Germàn Frers. But it is possible.
By Guy Nowell.

The Swan 58 was launched earlier this year

The first time I raced across blue water, it was from Hong Kong to San Fernando in the Philippines. I now wish I had taken more notice of the boat I was on, which was a Swan 53.

I have crossed the South China Sea many times since then and have discovered that few – if any – of the boats involved offered the seaworthiness, comfort and performance of that Swan. Indeed, some of them should never have gone out of sight of land at all.

The 58 is among over 90 Swan models designed by Germàn Frers since 1981

Nautor’s Swan, the chaps that build boats all through the dark and freezing winter in Finland, and then roll them out come springtime when the sea ice thaws, have now added a Swan 58 to their collection. And if you think it looks like a grown-up version of the Swan 48 launched in 2019, you’d not be wrong.

“They were both designed at the same time, but the forward sections are a little softer in order to make the upwind ride more comfortable when it’s blowing force 5-6 offshore,” says Germàn Frers, who turned 80 in July.

This boat is specifically designed to be more comfortable crossing an ocean. Swan calls it the ‘Bluewater Concept’.

The Swan 58 premieres at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival

“The devil is in the details, because that’s how you design to be fit for purpose,” adds the Argentine, who has been designing for Swan since 1981 and is responsible for all the brand’s current yachts apart from the ClubSwan models.

“There’s no sense in drawing a flat-out race boat and then trying to dress it up as a family cruiser. The new Swan 58 is designed to be easily handled by two people when cruising or to be raced by a full crew, and to be as comfortable a living space as possible when crossing oceans.”

A SAILOR’S BOAT

Step on board and stand at the helm, and the first thing you see is an almost obsessively clean deck space stretching away 58ft to the bow.

The symmetrical cockpit has L-shaped sofas and foldable tables on both sides

The hatches are flush, the running rigging has all disappeared so that you can’t step on it, the sprayhood has vanished into its ‘garage’, and the profile of the coach roof is so subtle as to be all but invisible.

Nevertheless, the ropes are still easily accessible, the winches are close to the helm, the liferaft is housed in its very own cockpit locker, and the anchor is stowed on the integral bowsprit. It’s a boat on which there’s a place for everything and everything has its place. You’re never going to be writing a letter to Mr Frers asking: “Why on earth did you put that, there?”

Frers’ elegant design includes a sleek coach roof that almost blends into the deck

Swan never strays from its tagline, ‘Performance, Quality, Elegance’. This boat is laid out to be an efficient racer as well as a long-distance cruiser, with twin wheels, twin rudders and plenty of working space in the cockpit, which has twin tables and generous L-shaped benches.

The cockpit can change in a moment from race control to social centre for cocktails or dining, or even a sleeping space when the weather suits. Five carefully-positioned electric winches make for easy sail handling, the wheel pedestals are equipped with full instrumentation and a plethora of storage lockers provide more than ample storage. There’s absolutely no excuse for untidiness on this deck!

The transom folds down to create a large swim platform and garage access

One step back from the helm and the lazarette opens to reveal sufficient space for a 3m inflatable tender, as well as access to the steering gear. Open this impressive space the other way, by dropping the transom, and you have a swim platform that would be the envy of many much larger boats.

INTO SWAN SOUL

Let’s go below, where Italian architect Misa Poggi has created a warm interior with a couple of interesting layout options, particularly for the navigation station, along with a choice of décor ‘moods’: Swan Soul, Scandi Vision or Velvet Vibe.

Both hulls one and two feature the Swan Soul décor by Misa Poggi

The companionway is closer to a stairway than a ladder, with wide treads swept up at the ends, and from there the distance to the forward saloon bulkhead is fully 5.3m (17ft 5in) away. This a big saloon, but it has been divided in a practical fashion, so nobody is going to be thrown a long way in a lurching seaway.

Deckhead grab rails and extra-deep fiddles around horizontal surfaces facilitate safe movement. The galley includes a fridge (plus a second one if required), freezer, microwave, dishwasher, icemaker and so on – and provides an abundance of storage space. There are separate boiling water and mineral water taps, so no need to bring plastic bottles on board.

The layout options include a fourth cabin to starboard (above) or a full navigation station (below)

The saloon table, like its siblings in the cockpit, performs transformer tricks and can be reconfigured any number of ways.

Opposite the table, a fore-and-aft sofa doubles as a pilot berth, and the position and orientation of the chart table is just one of the layout options, which include a fourth cabin to starboard opposite the galley.

The saloon table can be folded for coffee or games and expanded for dining

The owner’s cabin is, of course, number one. We’ve come a long way from the humble, cramped V berth shared with wet sails (more about the sail locker, later). Here, there’s a full king-size bed, a vanity table or desk, and an en-suite bathroom that’s the same as in the Swan 90. Spacious.

The aft cabins in the quarters can be configured as twin berths or doubles, and all berths are provided with lee cloths – we’re going ‘blue water’, remember. When the breeze dies in the middle of the Atlantic, the Volvo D3-150 engine, which also features in the Swan 65, will push you along at 7.5 knots for 1,500nm thanks to some over-generous tankage.

The starboard sofa includes a hinged, fold-down backrest with table

There’s one more optional cabin. The sail locker is accessed through the foredeck and is big enough for sails (of course), a pipe cot, head and sink. Further forward still is the anchor locker, complete with electric windlass, 100m of chain and a dedicated chain box that keeps everything in the right place and everything else clean.

THE ELEGANCE OF SWAN

In 1966, Arthur Beiser wrote, “of all the elements that go into a proper yacht, the one that should never be compromised is beauty”. The Swan 58 does not disappoint, even if the days of overhangs, narrow beams and full-length keels are long gone.

The owner’s suite has an aft-facing bed, storage on both sides, en-suite bathroom and a vanity table cum desk

Today, yacht designers have vastly more sophisticated design tools and mathematical models at their disposal, but an eye for a good line is still a prerequisite for a good design. Frers has been drawing Swans for four decades, creating over 90 different models spanning 36-131ft, every one of them with a version of that distinctive silhouette that says ‘Swan’.

The most recent yachts benefit from huge amounts of interior light coming in through hatches, coachroof windows and hull windows, giving the feeling of being inside a much larger, luminous, well ventilated yacht. So, why 58ft?

Germàn Frers: “The Swan 58 is designed to be easily handled by two people when cruising or to be raced by a full crew”

Frers explains: “The final length was settled after a thorough study of the interior volume as required to fit three full-size en-suite cabins plus a possible fourth, a comfortable saloon, ample galley, together with the space necessary to fit all the complements and machinery required by today’s high standards of living, and the necessity to accommodate an eventual temporary crew member.”

It’s just not possible to be all things to all men: even the concept of a perfect racer/cruiser is a contradiction in terms. But think of a fast, powerful yacht that can take you anywhere in comfort and style, kitted out in a practical fashion, and you may well be thinking of the Swan 58. Get your name on the waiting list.
www.nautorswan.com

Rolex Fastnet Race: ClubSwan 125 Skorpios takes monohull line honours
In her first race, the ClubSwan 125 Skorpios took monohull line honours in the 49th Rolex Fastnet from Cowes to Cherbourg, with owner Dmitry Rybolovlev competing in his first offshore race.

Jeanneau Yachts 60 doubles up at Cannes

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Jeanneau Yachts 60 doubles up at Cannes

August 18, 2021
2:26 pm

The Jeanneau Yachts 60 strengthens the French builder’s flagship range of sailing yachts by offering Classic and Cruiser models, both of which will be on show at the Cannes Yachting Festival.

Classic version of the Jeanneau Yachts 60; Photos: Jean-Jacques Bernier, Jerome Kelagopian, Choose Your Boat

Always driven by innovation, Jeanneau entrusted its new 60 to two great names in yacht design, French naval architect Philippe Briand and English stylist Andrew Winch, the builder’s faithful partners on multiple previous designs.

Since 1978, Briand has created yachts to match the dreams and expectations of his customers, with over 12,000 sailboats built to his designs, which include at least 120 production models. Winner of dozens of awards, the London-based Frenchman is justifiably renowned in his field, notably in the design of fast hulls.

Philippe Briand designed both Jeanneau Yachts 60 models

From the outset, the Jeanneau Yachts 60 asserts itself with a rare elegance through a powerful inverted bow, an evolving bilge and an integrated delphinière, although Briand himself typically focuses on the freedom offered by his designs.

“Sailing for me is like another world. Everything is different at sea,” he says. “In this world, money no longer exists. The value is the wind, the waves, the sun: if you can use them well and master them, you become very rich, very rich in freedom. It’s a privilege to visit. It offers the possibility of escaping your normal world and be in another place.”

The Cruiser version has a shorter mast and smaller sails

A proud successor to the 57, itself a success story around the world including Asia, the 60 displays a modern and minimalist character, yet one that offers multiple versions, layouts and options.

“The Jeanneau Yachts 60 is truly an à la carte boat, both inside and on deck,” says Francois-Xavier Debeaupte, Jeanneau’s Product Marketing Manager. “You can choose from a multitude of deck options, masts and up to 19 interior layout versions.”

CLASSIC OR CRUISER

The Cruiser version has a hard top over the cockpit

During a full day of trials in the Mediterranean Sea, we had the opportunity to sail aboard the first two Jeanneau 60s – the sportier Classic model and the more cruising-oriented Cruiser. Two philosophies with several versions of deck fittings, other fittings and sails.

For example, hull two, a Cruiser model, features an arch and a hood fitted with Lexan, which gives excellent forward visibility as if we had glass. A hard top protects the entire cockpit and features a canvas sunroof that can be electrically opened.

The covered cockpit on the Cruiser version

Designed for a more demanding clientele in terms of luxury, the boat has the option of a pop-up wet bar equipped with a plancha, a sink and a 30-litre fridge. It’s concealed within the aft bench and is just one of many good features on board.

On the first hull, the Classic version, the performance mast is 1.5m higher than the basic furling mast, with a ‘canoe’ or full-batten mainsail. It is equipped with a self-tacking staysail, a 119% genoa and a code 0.

The Cruiser version has an aft bench/outdoor galley

The upwind surface area increases from 127sqm to 173sqm of sail area. As there’s no arch, the deck is more streamlined. Instead, the Classic has a retractable hood and a bimini for the helmsman. The cockpit is open to the rear for an even more streamlined deck, without an aft bench/outdoor galley.

On both yachts, we particularly appreciated the sloping side decks first seen on the Sun Odyssey range and which offer a comfortable walkway without steps or obstacles. On the other hand, the storage lockers can be awkward to access because the cushions need to be removed.

The garage door folds down to become a swim platform

The tender garage is clever because it allows you to store the dinghy in the direction of the boat, while deploying or retrieving it is easy due to a swim platform that can tilt 10 degrees at anchor.

MULTIPLE INTERIOR OPTIONS

For the interior, Jeanneau has increased space and created more refined interior options. Two varieties of wood are offered: open-pore varnished teak or open-pore varnished light oak, each with matching floorboards.

Shown in light oak, the saloon features a C-shaped sofa and a table to port

The upholstery selection includes five new fabrics and five leathers by Foglizzo. Three different cabin styles are available – Sand, Macchiato and Royal Blue – to personalise the headboards and trim around the beds.

The saloon features a very large C-shaped sofa to port and an adjustable table. The starboard side can feature an open area with loose chairs or a fitted sofa with several other design options.

A full-beam owner’s cabin aft is among options

The full-beam galley is forward of the saloon and situated by the entrance to either two guest cabins or a full-width owner’s cabin. Layouts include three, four or five guest cabins, with the option of a large owner’s cabin aft or forward. If selecting the full-beam owner’s cabin aft, there’s the option of two symmetrical cabins forward, each with an en-suite bathroom.

In the forward owner’s cabin, the bed is installed against the bulkhead, away from the front of the boat so it’s more comfortable to sleep at sea or at anchor. A sofa and storage are starboard, with the en suite bathroom forward. In this version, there can be two guest cabins aft, with the starboard double one as the VIP.

The option of two forward cabins, which can be combined

The forepeak also offers the option of an extra guest cabin with double bed, a skipper cabin with single bed and en-suite bathroom, or a sail locker.

Winch, an avid sailor, says: “When you’re given a brief, it’s always exciting to do something new and here we were given the brief to develop the new future of the Jeanneau Yachts line. It is a game of chess in one’s mind to make space where there is no visible space, to look for opportunities, to maximise the pleasures and comforts, while focusing on attention to detail.

The saloon with a teak finish and different starboard furniture

“The Jeanneau Yachts 60 is about comfort, it is about practicality, it is about space and it is about light. Furthermore, the design options available are enormous, so you can personalise the yacht to be your own design, to fit like a glove for you and your family. Ultimately, we want people to feel relaxed, happy and safe.”

At sea and in a real wind of 10 to 15 knots, we were able to appreciate the sporty spirit of the 60, whose weight has been reduced compared to other older models. With a well-cleared deck and a full range of electronic equipment, the yacht is easy to handle with a small crew or even alone.

The forward owner’s suite layout, with sofa to starboard

Options include a deep or shoal keel and either a 110hp or 150hp Yanmar engine, not to mention the various options for sail sets. The Jeanneau Yachts 60 is another winning fusion of the talents of Briand and Winch, but with plentiful options to ensure you can make it your own.
www.jeanneau.com

Jeanneau presents diverse line-up at Cannes
The premiere of the Jeanneau Yachts 60 will be a highlight of the French builder’s wide-ranging display at the Cannes Yachting Festival, spanning the sailboats at Port Canto to the motorboats at Vieux Port.

Sunseeker 88 Yacht showcases interior evolution

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Sunseeker 88 Yacht showcases interior evolution

August 5, 2021
3:50 pm

Sunseeker’s 88 Yacht offers a fresh interior layout including a brand-first forward galley, a new array of luxury materials, lighting and detailing, plus the much-anticipated X-TEND™ sunbed system.

The 88 Yacht will premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival

Launched online in May as one of Sunseeker’s ‘Famous Five’, the 88 Yacht has enjoyed lively early demand, selling at least nine units well ahead of the model’s scheduled world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival from September 7-12.

The 88 Yacht is entering a strong space in the market for the British builder as it succeeds the 86, which sold an astonishing 56 units around the world, with about 15 per cent sold in Asia, from Hong Kong to Japan.

Also a sub-24m CE-classified yacht, the new 88 is based on the hull shape and under-water naval architecture of its predecessor, so shares the same overall length (86ft 7in), beam (21ft 3in) and similar performance.

The 88 Yacht is one of this year’s ‘Famous Five’

With twin 1,950hp MTU 12Vs, its top speed of 28 knots is just below that of the 86, reflecting the notable increase in volume and weight, with the new yacht over 12 per cent heavier.

Boasting a new superstructure, hardtop and completely reconfigured main and lower decks, naval architecture is about all the 88 shares with its predecessor, give or take some similarities in the flybridge and foredeck layouts.

“It’s a complete reconfiguration. You can’t even compare the two, really,” says Douglas Culverwell, Sunseeker International’s Director of Distributor Development. “It’s a completely new utilisation of the space.”

The yacht can reach 28 knots with a pair of MTU V12 engine options

Even the hull glazing has changed and now features one large strip covering the master and guest cabin hull windows, almost connecting to a higher strip for the forward VIP, which benefits from much larger windows. There’s also glass integrated into the bulwarks to allow for expanded sea views from either side of the dining area.

OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS

However, one of the most fun features distinguishing the 88 Yacht is that it’s one of the first two Sunseeker models – along with the 90 Ocean from the ‘Famous Five’ – to feature the brand’s revolutionary X-TEND™ aft sunbed system.

This optional but popular feature appears to be the garage door before it starts performing its party tricks at the touch of a button. The X-TEND™ offers various options, starting with an inset panel folding down to create a wide sunbed above the swim platform.

The X-TEND™ system can be raised to face the cockpit

When the whole X-TEND™ is raised horizontally, it reveals and shelters an interior ‘toy cupboard’ by the swim platform that includes storage racks, a low foldout bench and a hatch locker and charging points for two Seabobs. Other clever features in the area include a deck fitting to port that allows a carbon-fibre shower to be installed.

The swim platform is big enough to carry up to a 4.6m Williams or similar-sized tender and provides starboard access to the comprehensive crew quarters including two cabins with twin bunks.

However, the X-TEND’s™ most dramatic option is when it’s raised horizontally and the outside panel is folded out, this time becoming a backrest facing the cockpit. The central pair of glass balustrades can then be opened outwards to allow access to the X-TEND™, effectively extending the cockpit’s social area.

The X-TEND™ also acts as cover for the toy cupboard

The X-TEND™ and the aft glass balustrades with teak handrail are part of a new-look cockpit featuring free-standing furniture such as facing sofas that allow for sea views. Other cockpit layout options include a standalone dining table and chairs, and a traditional aft sofa with fitted table.

All options benefit from the cockpit’s integrated privacy screen, which electrically slides down to shield guests from either the glare of the sun or prying eyes when berthed stern-to. Other features include a sink, fridge and optional ice maker to starboard, plus a docking station to port.

FLYBRIDGE & FOREDECK

Port stairs lead to the flybridge, covered by a newly designed single-piece black hard top that can include either a retractable canopy or a Besenzoni-designed system of tilting slats. For further cover, an extendable sunshade can cover the aft deck, which features a clear glass balustrade.

The 88 Yacht features a new single-piece black hard top

To port, a stylish new outdoor galley is a fresh attraction and features an electric barbecue, four water-cooled drawer fridges, ice maker and recessed sink with lift-up tap unit. The styling hints at what’s to come inside, with diagonal detailing on the exterior, stainless-steel inserts and integrated LED lighting, which is seen throughout the flybridge and creates ambient lighting in the evening.

Opposite the bar, the standard configuration includes a foldable teak table and a large C-shaped sofa connected to an aft square sunpad.

This still leaves room for the option of a RIB and crane, while other aft layouts include a new Sunseeker-designed spa tub with adjacent sunpad or an L-shaped sofa with table and space for sun loungers. There’s even a choice to extend the main C-shaped sofa and include two extendable tables.

As viewed from the saloon, the aft cockpit offers an infinity view

Forward is the twin-seat helm station to starboard, a J-shaped sofa to port and even a snug sunpad under the windshield.

The foredeck is another well designed outdoor area. Accessed by steps either side, the area is slightly raised, which improves the views from the C-shaped sofa and the triple sunpad, which has adjustable backrests and carbon-fibre drinks holders. The bow area can be covered by a parasol, while other options up front include a single or dual-anchor set-up.

REFINED INTERIOR

X-TEND™ aside, the most dramatic changes are inside. From the cockpit, you enter the saloon through curved sliding doors and enter a new world for Sunseeker. The brand’s interior design language has evolved since Andrea Frabetti took over as CTO then CEO in 2019, but new models launched since the Italian designer took the helm had all been sub-70ft until this year.

The saloon has a light ceiling and carpet, and features a three-sided sofa facing the TV

The 88 Yacht shows Sunseeker’s interior upgrades on a superyacht scale and are shown in an elegant, refined network of controllable lighting, designer furniture, cabinetry with a choice of six to eight lacquered finishes, stainless-steel detailing, luxurious materials and artistic touches.

The saloon and dining area have a headroom of 2.1m yet even more notable is the expansion of these social areas compared to the 86 due to the galley’s new forward location beside the helm, a first for Sunseeker.

On hull one, the relaxing saloon is framed by beige carpeting and a white-panelled ceiling with feature lighting. To port is a designer coffee table and an enormous three-sided sofa, which faces a low cabinet with a fixed TV as a centrepiece. A large, circular light on the bulwark in the aft port corner is an artistic feature and a design replicated in mirrors in the master and VIP suites.

Full-height windows on both sides provide the dining area with light and views

Forward, the dining area’s more formal ambience is symbolised by wood flooring and a dark eucalyptus ceiling that features recessed lighting around a large rectangular inset that overlooks the table below. A feature ceiling light with four lamps adds further grandeur to the dining area.

On both sides, the dining area offers natural light and open views through full-length windows and the bulwark glazing, while there’s also the option of sliding doors to starboard.

As well as the light-versus-dark flooring and ceiling, the visual separation of the saloon and dining area is underlined by an elegant dual-height storage unit that runs the width of the forward end of the sofa. As well as providing a surface for lamps and ornaments, it provides storage for crockery and a glass-doored display for glassware.

Aft view through the dining area and saloon, an area significantly extended compared to the 86 Yacht

That concept moves to another level in the starboard corner, where a triangular cabinet showcases hanging champagne flutes, while a feature bookcase above has recessed lighting that illuminates artwork and ornaments.

“The level of detail on this boat is exceptional,” Culverwell says. “The hardware has all had an overhaul. It’s all brand-new.”

Sunseeker offers an alternative, less-formal layout for the main deck. This features the sofa to starboard, while forward, the dining table is placed lengthways to port and two chairs and a coffee table sit to starboard, where guests can enjoy open views through the sliding doors.

FORWARD GALLEY

The new-look forward area includes an elegant day head by the stairs and then it’s into the helm station and galley, a zone that can be sealed off with sliding doors.

The helm station shares the same forward space as the newly placed galley

Situated starboard, the slightly raised helm features twin adjustable leather seats and two 24-inch Simrad screens but has been refined to incorporate lesser-used – or less-urgent – dials and buttons into Sunseeker’s CM8 control and monitoring touchscreen system. Behind the seats is a pantograph door to the side deck and there’s a port-side version in the galley.

Beside the helm are a pair of stools and a comfortable breakfast bar that faces a countertop with fridge-freezer drawers below, accessible from the galley side.

The galley’s main L-shaped countertop runs under the windshield – where you’ll also find three lift-up lockers – and along the port side, where the hobs, oven, microwave and dishwasher are among the fittings. Aft, just before the door to the dining area, is a full-height fridge freezer.

The galley includes a bar, optional TV and incredible views

A large TV on the aft bulkhead and a wine cooler are among many options in the galley area, which is designed for crew but can also be used by the owners and guests.

“For an owner-operator, this would be quite a nice place to have a coffee or quick breakfast in the morning and watch the news on the TV,” Culverwell says. “It’s a dual-purpose area, suitable for crew and for owners and guests to visit or use. And what’s nice is that those working in the galley enjoy the same views through the windshield as the skipper.”

SUMPTUOUS SUITES

The lower deck is accessed by an exquisitely finished staircase that leads down to a lobby accessing all four guest cabins, which each have a TV and en-suite bathroom. Heading aft towards the master suite, the lobby has full-height storage to starboard, suitable for bed linens and towels, while appliances such as a washer-dryer or a fridge can be fitted under the staircase.

The forward-facing king-sized bed in the full-beam master suite midships is set slightly port of centre

In contrast to the 86, where the master was between the forward VIP and guest cabins, the owner’s suite now occupies the prime position midships and features a forward-facing king-size bed, an enormous TV and a storage cabinet to port.

The spacious starboard area features a beautiful, leather-wrapped desk cum vanity table, flanked by drawers and a low cupboard. The forward bulkhead features a console below a large round mirror, replicating the circular wall light in the corner of the saloon. An alternative for the starboard area is an L-shaped sofa, coffee table and a smaller vanity table.

Aft is a beautiful walk-in dressing room with hanging space, drawers and open shelving. This room leads into a huge bathroom that spans three-quarters of the beam, has a walk-in shower at the far end and insulates the bedroom from the engine room.

The master suite’s starboard area (above); the en-suite bathroom (below)

The lower-deck lobby leads forward to two almost-symmetrical twin cabins, then onto the stunning VIP suite in the bow. The VIP may prove the yacht’s most talked-about cabin and could even be an owner’s choice for the master suite (which it is in the optional five-cabin layout with two double cabins in lieu of the midships master).

The VIP suite has its own lobby, which includes three steps up to a hallway that features a stone-top counter below a large circular mirror – there it is again – as well as a port door to the en-suite bathroom.

The remarkable VIP suite features the same luxurious finish as the master suite

The bed is hidden from view by an etched-glass screen at the forward end of the hallway, which leads starboard to a gorgeous desk unit with vanity beside a long hull window with porthole. Aft is a walk-in dressing room, a rare feature on a VIP suite in a yacht of this size but fitting for a room that could be the master.

Forward is the aft-facing double bed, which faces a 55-inch TV and is backed by a similar bulkhead design as the master suite, sharing the same level of finish and detailing.

“It’s really a VVIP suite or a second stateroom,” Culverwell says. “It’s like a hotel suite because of the overall space and multiple areas.”

The VIP suite features a desk and walk-in wardrobe to starboard; an etched-glass screen separates the bedroom from the entrance hallway

The 88 Yacht was launched alongside the 90 Ocean, yet there’s even more to come from Sunseeker this year with the 100 Yacht, as the Poole shipyard continues to focus on innovation across its entire range.
www.sunseeker.com
www.sunseekerhk.com

Sunseeker premieres for Cannes
The world premiere of the all-new 90 Ocean will be a highlight of Sunseeker’s display of its ‘Famous Five’ new models at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September.

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