Reviews

Beneteau Oceanis 37.1, Asia, cruiser, Asiamarine, Nextwave, Simpson Marine

Beneteau’s versatile, voluminous Oceanis 37.1

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Beneteau’s versatile, voluminous Oceanis 37.1

November 6, 2024
10:49 am

The French builder’s new offering is a versatile cruiser that offers volume and performance, while retaining ease of use – a hallmark of the line since 1986. Words: Craig Hurst; Photos: Julien Gazeau / Beneteau

The new and multi-awarded Oceanis 37.1

The new Oceanis 37.1 that premiered at the 2023 Cannes Yachting Festival is a versatile cruiser that is easy to sail and use, while also being quite spacious and very comfortable. It has garnered accolades and been nominated for several prestigious awards in the US, Britain, Europe and Asia – including the Yacht Style Awards – and won Best Exterior Design under 50ft at the 2023 China Yacht Awards.

The APAC premiere for the 37.1 was in March 2024, through First Marine at the Japan International Boat Show in Yokohama, and the Australian premiere by Flagstaff Marine took place at the Sydney International Boat Show in August.

The hull is flared with a rib to give it fluid lines, greater power and stability

This year, Asiamarine became the new Beneteau sailing yacht distributor in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. NextWave is the new dealer for Beneteau’s motor yachts. Simpson Marine was the dealer in Asia for almost 40 years and will still help look after the hundreds of Beneteau buyers in the region.

According to Beneteau: “Renewing a model is always a challenge particularly when it is one of the best sellers on the market, which the Oceanis 38.1 was in its nine years on the water. The brief [naval architect] Marc Lombard and Nauta Design were given contained two key features: greater volume and improved performance.”

For easy handling, the rigging is brought back to the two aft winches

The new 37-footer capitalises on the innovations of the seventh generation of Oceanis cruisers, which it completes. The eighth model launched since 2017, the Oceanis 37.1 has all the line’s hallmarks plus it offers eco-friendly solutions such as an optional electric motor or sustainable Iroko-wood slatted cockpit floor.

Iroko is an African wood that replaces teak. Made in a new assembly process, called Iro-Deck, perfected by Beneteau, it can be installed for the cockpit decking and provide uniform colour, excellent sustainability, and rule out the risk of cracks in solid-wood decks.

The cockpit decking features Iroko, an African wood that replaces teak

The deck is open and easily manoeuvrable, especially without the traditional back stays – a layout used successfully on the Oceanis 30.1 and Oceanis 34.1. The double spreaders on the Oceanis 37.1 provide excellent performance.

The sensation of space continues around the central table in the extremely open cockpit that’s more than 3m long. For bathing at anchor, the helm seats can be lifted and the wide walkway opens onto a lowered bathing platform, providing safety for a pleasant swim.

The 3m cockpit features a table for socialising while at anchor

For easy operating when shorthanded, the rigging is brought back to the two aft winches. Only the halyards remain grouped around the coachroof. All the instruments, including a seven-inch plotter, can be found on the starboard helm console.

The hull is flared with a rib, giving it fluid lines below water and allowing it to achieve greater power and stability. This also improves the hull rigidity, controls the weight well, and provides greater volume inside the bow.

The interior volume features a saloon that’s nearly as large as on a 40-footer

The interior volume is remarkable, creating a generous space in the saloon that’s nearly as large as on a 40-footer. Offset to port, the saloon features a sofa for relaxing and a comfortable table for six that faces the lengthwise galley.

The forward cabin has a view of the horizon through two large portholes in the hull. In the two-bathroom version, a spacious double bed is positioned starboard against the hull. The stern has been optimised for comfort – in the standard version, there is a king-size double bed and a huge sail locker that can be accessed from inside or out.

The spacious forward cabin has a large bed and two large portholes for viewing the horizon

Also in the standard version, a self-tacking jib makes cruising easier. Meanwhile, the First Line version with its square-top mainsail and furling genoa increases the sail area by 22 per cent.

The Oceanis 37.1 is available with an electric engine with a 12kW pod drive and 10 kilowatt-hour batteries, enough for a cruising range of two hours at 5 knots between two charges, all emission-free and in eco-friendly silence.

The lowered bathing platform in action

The new Seanapps app helps sailors indulge in their passion for boating. With the touch of a finger, they can easily connect, monitor and order services for their boat – from routine maintenance to requesting a wash or fuel, or even a minor or more urgent repair in some markets.

beneteau.com

asiamarine.com

Sunreef’s eco-conscious super-cats in demand

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Sunreef’s eco-conscious super-cats in demand

October 22, 2024
10:37 am

Two Sunreef 100 Eco yachts commissioned by repeat owners will feature composite integrated solar panels and other high-tech green solutions.
Words: Craig Hurst; Images: Sunreef Yachts

Sunreef 100 Eco sailing catamarans feature solar panels integrated into the hull

Sunreef Yachts was recently commissioned to build two Sunreef 100 Eco superyachts, both sailing catamarans ordered by repeat customers. One of the commissioned vessels is scheduled to be delivered to Europe in late 2025, and the other to the Americas in 2026.

The Polish shipyard is pioneering a sustainable revolution in the superyacht world, with a growing global interest in large, eco-responsible catamarans.

The Sunreef 100 Eco was designed to provide an emissions-free cruising experience in complete silence and luxury. Using green high-tech solutions developed in-house by Sunreef, both 100 Eco catamarans will feature composite integrated solar panels, maximising solar power generation.

With custom-engineered batteries and state-of-the-art electric engines, the Sunreef 100 Eco is designed to offer hours of e-motoring with no fumes or vibrations, and offer a smooth experience under sail, while the yacht’s hydro-generators will provide a steady supply of green energy. These elements help achieve a 2,000-nautical-mile range for the 100 Eco.

EXPANDABLE OCEAN LOUNGE

One of the catamaran’s standout features is her invisible aft garage that can stow a jet ski and a collection of water toys. Another key feature is the vast Ocean Lounge combining the aft platform and fold-down balconies. Dedicated to sunning, lounging and watersports, the lounge provides direct access to voluminous toy storage and diving gear.

With cutting-edge green tech and imposing living space, the Sunreef 100 Eco is the essence of sustainable superyacht design. This bespoke all-electric luxury craft joins Sunreef’s Eco range of sail catamarans alongside the 50 Eco, 60 Eco, 70 Eco and 80 Eco.

The vast Ocean Lounge combines the aft platform and fold-down balconies while providing direct access to toy storage and diving gear

Fitted with twin 270kW electric engines, the Sunreef 100 Eco offers a sustainable yachting experience with ultralight, high-performance batteries as well as Sunreef’s proprietary solar power system. Because of the shipyard’s award-winning technology, the craft can welcome up to 242.5sqm of composite-integrated solar panels, generating up to 46kWp.

THE ECO ETHOS

Following the Sunreef Yachts Eco philosophy, the 100 Eco offers a variety of responsibly sourced or recycled finishing materials and an ultramodern, energy-saving air-conditioning system.

Sunreef’s Eco catamarans are the result of a 360-degree approach to eco-responsible cruising. They offer cutting-edge green propulsion solutions, naturally-sourced finishing materials, smart energy management, and new technology that includes the proprietary composite-integrated solar power system produced in-house to power the Polish builder’s newest range of solar catamarans.

Their design also incorporates wind-generators, non-toxic bottom paints, green composite structures, as well as state-of-the-art watermakers and water-saving systems.

Sunreef’s electric catamarans have the option to be equipped with ultramodern hybrid propulsion systems. Besides significantly reduced CO2 emissions, hybrid engines take eco cruising to the next level by combining the best of electric motoring with the advantages of thermal (heat-generated) engines.

The Sunreef 100 Eco is designed to offer hours of e-motoring

Hybrid engines not only offer reliable propulsion, but can also be used to recharge the yacht’s battery bank for even more energy-efficiency. Relying on wind as an essential source of propulsion is the most natural way to think about yachting. Sunreef’s sailing range of electric catamarans offer top-quality rigging and fully recyclable performance sails.

Wind can be a precious support when it comes to motoryacht propulsion. The shipyard’s range of eco-friendly power yachts can be fitted with high-performance kites to also harness wind propulsion. Frequently used for towing large container ships, kites are an extremely powerful support for leisure craft.

HULL OPTIMISATION

When under electric motor propulsion, all Sunreef yachts are energy efficient due to advanced hulls designed in tandem with realistic computer simulation scenarios at the shipyard. Here adjustments to the hydrodynamics and aerodynamics are part of the development of every model’s hull.

Engineers are constantly optimising hulls for more energy efficiency, seaworthiness and performance in various sea conditions.

The aft garage is invisible

WEIGHT EFFICIENCY

Weight optimisation is crucial for energy-efficient yachts; Sunreef’s Eco catamarans can be built using light carbon fibre to reduce the overall yacht weight and increase the energy efficiency. Carbon is used for masts, booms, and structural reinforcements.

Light lithium battery banks on board are smartly placed to minimise the impact on the yachts’ movement at sea, and solar panels installed are the world’s lightest solar-power system.

ENERGY AND WATER MANAGEMENT

To reduce energy consumption on board, Sunreef’s yacht range features well insulated interiors, using sustainable insulation materials, helping maintain stable temperatures in interior living spaces, which can retain heat and cold equally well. The silent smart air-conditioning system is battery powered.

Smart energy management is essential on board an energy-efficient yacht. To be able to maintain all house loads and air-conditioning throughout the day with only a minimum use of the generator, a yacht needs to find the perfect balance of energy production and consumption.

Sunreef Eco catamarans achieve that due to smart engineering and very efficient lithium battery packs that can be easily recharged across the globe in varying voltage ranges. A special eco mode is currently being developed by Sunreef’s R&D department for even less energy consumption.

The catamaran was designed for emissions-free cruising in complete silence

Fresh-water generation is essential for sustainable cruising. Thanks to highly efficient watermakers and an advanced purification system, Eco yachts can enjoy unlimited access to fresh water, helping avoid the use of plastic bottles on board.

The yacht’s boiler can be heated with the help of heat obtained from solar panels or an inverter-powered heater, and a rain-collection system saves water for washing the deck.

LINEN AND BASALT

Sunreef’s Eco catamarans can feature basalt and linen-bases in the production of hulls, superstructures and yacht furniture. A hard, dense rock of volcanic origin, basalt is a sustainable base ingredient.

Basalt fibre not only outperforms glass fibre in terms of strength but is also environmentally safer to produce as no greenhouse gases are released during its fabrication process. It presents no toxic reaction with air or water, is non-combustible and is explosion-proof.

Linen fibre is another natural component used in the Eco range building process. Produced from flax, the strongest and stiffest natural fibre, it is non-toxic, safe to produce and has a minimal carbon footprint.

Sunreef uses fine responsible materials including fabrics, cork and reclaimed teak

OTHER SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

For its ecologically-conscious yacht design, Sunreef uses fine responsible materials without any compromise on luxury. Eco catamarans reduce the use of animal skins by offering a variety of natural fabrics and alternatives to genuine leather. Interior floors can feature advanced hardwood flooring systems or reclaimed teak salvaged from old houses, boats or other wooden structures.

Compressed paper-based materials can be used for countertops to obtain weight-efficient, solid and practical surfaces. This innovative solution not only provides for a luxury finish but is also very easy to repair, as scratches can be quickly removed by applying heat.

Cork-based decking is also an option, a green and fully recyclable alternative to traditional teak. Reusable and recyclable non-PVC-based synthetic teak is also offered for decking.

Non-toxic, silicon-based hull-bottom paints provide efficient protection against marine growth while offering a very low surface roughness. Slick, impermeable and highly durable, they significantly reduce drag, which leads to increased performance as well as smarter energy management.

Sunreef’s electric sailing catamarans offer top-quality rigging and fully sustainable performance

Sunreef’s Eco sustainable yachts offer fully recyclable sails, pairing great performance and a responsible approach to the environment. Recycled sailcloth gains a second life, transforming into durable bags and accessories.

“The Sunreef 100 Eco is an outstanding electric superyacht,” Francis Lapp, Sunreef’s founder and President, told Yacht Style. “She combines massive living space with smooth sailing and modern green tech.

“She would be a great pick for the Asia-Pacific, especially in Australia and New Zealand, where Sunreef gains more and more attention. We have a strong local dealership there, and we feel the customers are genuinely interested in our new catamarans.”

sunreef-superyachts.com

sunreef-yachts-eco.com

Gulf Craft elevates Nomad flagship

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Gulf Craft elevates Nomad flagship

October 8, 2024
7:32 pm

On board Gulf Craft’s new Nomad 101 in Australia, an impressive expedition-style yacht becomes apparent, with a comfortable, functional layout and long range.
Words: Kevin Green; Photos: Gulf Craft

The 101 is the flagship of the Nomad range

Comfortable cruising around the Asia-Pacific requires much of a luxury yacht. A high degree of self-sufficiency, both in terms of fuel and catering is necessary, while the region’s tropical environments require shade and protection.

Thankfully, the tri-deck Nomad 101 provides it, along with a clutch of expedition-style essentials, such as large storage for watersports gear while providing ample comfort for up to 10 guests.

With a superyacht-level owner’s suite added in for good measure, the Nomad 101 is a desirable vessel. The hull I’m touring, Bluestone, is in charter – for now. When I spoke with the owners, they told me that although they were very happy with the build and the vessel’s operation, they had listed the Sydney-based yacht with Flagship International Brokers for AU$14.5 million (about US$9.8 million).

The Nomad 101 looks stunning in Sydney

CLASSIC DESIGN

British naval architect Andrew Wolstenholme’s penchant for a classic hull shape – flared bows and high bulwarks – combined with contemporary topsides, has shaped the Nomad range since its first launch, the Nomad 65, at the 2015 Dubai International Boat Show.

That distinctive aesthetic was evident in the later 95 model, and now in the 101. Wolstenholme has explained that his combined aims for the range are “comfort and safe handling at sea.”

Fine forward sections give the fibreglass hull a comfortable ride in head seas, and the modified round bilge form with stabiliser fins smooths offshore motion.

Foredecks on two levels offer secure privacy with panoramic views

“The addition of the spray chine defines the lifting surface and gives my hulls a performance close to that of a planing hull at higher speeds, without the hard ride,” said Wolstenholme.

The semi-displacement hull is capable of 21 knots but aims at the lower teens for cruising. Owners and guests enjoy ample privacy, with four levels, fore and aft cockpits, plus areas such as the Portuguese walk-around on the upper deck and a water-level beach club below.

HOME TO THE MAIN FOCUS

The main deck on the Nomad 101 combines relaxation with fun. The owner’s suite is forward, giving panoramic views from its elevated position while aft is the saloon and aft deck lounge.

The aft main deck is spacious with good practicalities – oversized cleating all round, and large capstans for stern-to berthing.

Behind this is easy access to the swim platform and a dinghy garage that doubles as a beach club with Gulf Craft-made teak furniture. The garage is large enough to hold a triple-seat jet ski along with the zippy Williams TurboJet 325 tender, and its door works as a sunshade when open.

Teak-clad stairs take me up to the main-deck cockpit, which features practical details such as large capstans for easy stern-to berthing.

Wide and tinted sliding doors lead into the 35sqm main saloon. Cream tones, including on cabinetry, combine with dark wood flooring to set a contemporary yet comfortable ambience. Interiors incorporate a range of sustainable materials called for in the creative brief.

The wide hydraulic platform and equally large dinghy garage create a genuine beach club on the 101

Cream lounge fabric Piñatex, a natural textile derived from pineapple-leaf fibre is used along with other natural fibres including hemp, linen and wool. ‘Serene’ interior trim, developed by the Dutch design firm Phantom Studio, layers delicate tones and textures to imbue surroundings with a sense of calm.

As I relax on the vast and sumptuous L-shaped couch, tall vertical bulkhead windows reveal clear views across the marina. Forward of here is the dining area with an inlaid stone-topped table that seats 10. Here, a wood-veneer ‘feature wall’ between the saloon and galley also works as a sound-dampening bulkhead when underway.

Another sliding door reveals the 8sqm main galley, where a sturdy mechanical pantograph door gives crew access to wide side decks.

Dutch firm Phantom Studio installed plenty of sustainable materials

Siemens appliances are used throughout, including a four-burner hob, oven, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and microwave. The longitudinal galley has ample room for the chef and hostess to prepare food on the long quartz benchtops, with a deep sink inboard and panoramic sea views outboard.

Other utilities, such as the laundry and crew quarters are in the aft section of the lower deck, together with a spacious captain’s cabin, fully-equipped mess and ablutions. All are done well, and make me wish the same had been so back in the 1990s, during my time as a superyacht engineer.

Protected nooks with tables and chairs across decks make taking in the sea air manageable in all but severe weather conditions

Adjoining this area is the engine-room door and inside there’s good access around the twin MTU V12 shaft drives (or the twin CAT C32 ACERT option) for servicing. Other main systems are the twin Caterpillar 45kVA generators and the watermaker.

Beyond the galley on the main deck is a 25sqm foredeck that sits ahead of the owner’s cabin, where a stateroom gives 270-degree views and a lounging balcony forward. Inside, there’s a large, double walkaround bed with desk and chaise longue, a sturdy door to the starboard deck, and ample hanging storage in two full-length wardrobes.

Vast windows throughout the Andrew Wolstenholme-designed hull create an airy ambience on this 100-footer, yet the interior is nicely shaded because of the near-vertical bulkheads

A composite stone made of recycled plastic bottles and quartz was chosen for the hard surfaces, while underfoot, the deep wool carpet helps keep the space quiet.

Curved cabinetry includes space for an elevated 55in TV and entertainment hub. Privacy is ensured via electric blinds all around. In the bathroom, marble cladding contrasts stylishly with the lightwood cabinetry and a large shower cubicle.

The airy owner’s suite on the main deck, decorated in calming tones, with several sustainable materials used

All four guest cabins are in the lower deck, along with the crew cabins, providing privacy to the owner above. All cabins have en-suites. The VIP forepeak cabin would be my pick, best enjoyed at a secure berth as it will feel motion when underway.

UPPER DECK

An internal staircase leads to the bridge deck with the 16sqm Sky Lounge behind it. This is also a perfect relaxation place with unhindered views, and part of 35sqm of exterior upper-deck space.

At the helm station, the layout is well done: 19in Garmin screens are divided between navigation and operations on one side, and engineering and chain counters on the other. There is an electrohydraulic steering wheel, Humphree stabiliser management, thruster levers, the control panel for the Interceptor tabs and a main power cut-off switch.

The helm has deck access to the Portuguese bridge; ideal for the skipper during tight berthing

An extensive CCTV system allows the skipper to monitor the engine room and other critical operational spaces. The twin MTU V12-2000s have dedicated data screens, and there’s a captain’s office up here as well.

Beyond, stairs lead up to the flybridge, where there’s another helm forward to starboard with two Garmin 17in screens, throttles and thrusters. Behind is the aptly named Sky Lounge with study, teak flooring and moveable furniture should you feel like dancing.

The bottom line? The Nomad 101 is aptly named because it’s a yacht that offers it all.

nomad.gulfcraftinc.com

gulfcraftinc.com

yachtsourcing.com

The Swan 108 can do it all

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

The Swan 108 can do it all

October 2, 2024
12:09 am

This first Swan Maxi to hit the water showed a balance between comfortable family cruising, excellent bluewater seakeeping and racing prowess that Finnish builder Nautor Swan is well known for in its fleet of luxury sailboats.

Words: Risa Merl; photos: Nautor Swan

The Swan 108 was required to offer elegance and strength with comfort and safety

The first Swan 108, dubbed Fancy by her French owners, was created with the aim to, “seamlessly blend the virtues of speed with elegance, strength, reliability, and, above all, to create a hull that ensures the comfort and safety for both the owner and guests while sailing in conditions likely to be encountered while cruising middle-distance passages,” said naval architect Germán Frers, who designed the hull of the Swan 108.

True to Nautor’s Swan’s racing pedigree, the Swan 108 delivers the exceptional performance one would expect from this renowned shipyard

Exterior design came from the Milan-based Micheletti + Partners and the interior was created in-house by Nautor Swan, with a team headed by designer Misa Poggi. The concept for the Swan 108 had just been announced when the owners of hull one connected with the Finnish builder.

The Swan 108 has a traditional steering circuit to replicate the ease of smaller boat sailing

Craving more space and comfort for their family of seven, the owners were looking to make a sizable step up from their previous yacht, a Beneteau Oceanis 62. The notion of taking on a nearly 20m leap in LOA between boats was made with the simultaneous idea of having a crew to help with the day-to-day running of the boat.

With the guidance of the owner’s representative and yacht project manager Ulysse Harin, the owners consulted with all the top builders of high-end cruiser/racer sailing yachts to find a builder that offered proven design while allowing the owners to make customisations that would best suit their needs.

Curved windows filter natural light into a main saloon

They were drawn to the Swan Maxi line, which blended sailing performance and comfort. Fancy’s owners are a large family, both in number, with five children in tow, and also in stature. “The owner and his son are both two metres tall – and his son is only 16 years old, so he’s going to get bigger,” said Harin.

Rich burgundy accents and furnishing with pops of colour are found throughout the interior

The in-house design team at Nautor Swan partnered with structural engineers to optimise deck stiffeners, allowing ceiling heights in all main living areas to offer more than 205cm of clearance. It’s customisations like these that will be appreciated by Fancy’s owners as well as her charter clientele, as the yacht is also on the charter market.

The Swan 108 boasts many design firsts for the overall Nautor Swan fleet. This includes a new aft design, which sees an entire portion of the aft deck lift up and lower down to sea level to create an 18m swim platform that can be set up as a beach club.

“This isn’t just the transom opening,” said Vanni Gaigani, head of product marketing for Swan and Maxi Swan yachts. “The whole mechanism was designed by us and fully built in Finland.”

Fancy’s owner views the mast as a piece of art and requested it be visually prominent in the saloon

The Swan 108 is also the first to feature a sleek new coachroof style designed by Micheletti + Partners. Also notable is the placement of the mast, which sits on top of the coachroof, rather than in front as might be seen on other yachts. Likewise, while many large luxury sailing yachts hide the mast away inside a box or tuck it behind a bulkhead in the interior, Fancy’s mast is on full display, as per her owner’s request.

The curved windows in the coach roof above help natural light filter down into the main saloon, which is bright in its material choices. The owner’s brief for the interior was simple: space, light and luminosity. Poggi and the team at Nautor Swan achieved this by mixing light and dark colours and a variety of textures to create a sense of spaciousness and interest.

“Light colours and materials are used on the verticals, contrasted by a grounding earthy colour of the lower furniture components and floor,” said Heini Gustafsson, senior project architect, styling, at Nautor Swan.

“Part of Swan DNA is to use real wood veneers, which was appreciated by the owners,” Gustafsson added.

The interior design team also created a selection of four interior motif examples, which, if chosen by future owners of the Swan 108 series, will save time and money over creating a more customised interior.

Options abound in the layout of Swan 108 as well. A standard configuration, which is seen on Fancy, has master cabin and VIP forward, while two twin-bed cabins are aft of the main saloon, adjacent to the crew quarters. A variety of cockpit configurations are on offer as well.

While racing wasn’t their ambition for Fancy, as experienced sailors and racers, the owners put a priority on performance.

High-performance under sail was paramount for the owner family of Fancy

Fortunately, both Nautor Swan and longtime collaborator Germán Frers are known for crafting high-performance sailing yachts. Frers utilised computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis to optimise the hull design to provide a smooth ride even in heavier conditions.

“We wanted to replicate the feeling of steering a small boat even in this size,” Gaigani said. To meet this aim, the Swan 108 was outfitted with a traditional steering circuit that gives realistic feedback to whomever is at the helm, which in the case of Fancy will often be her owners.

Fancy’s sail plan also meets the goal for joyful sailing, with North Sails providing a total sail area of 1,448sqm, while Hall Spars provided the carbon spars and the rigging is ECsix by Future Fibres.

Nautor Swan sailing yachts are largely designed in Italy, built in Finland, and now will have an enhanced presence in Asia. Simpson Marine, Asia’s largest yacht dealership, is the exclusive representative in Asia for Nautor Swan.

Whether the Swan 108 is plying the waters of the Mediterranean or Asia, her sleek design, exquisite sailing performance and thoughtful customisations are sure to get her noticed.

nautorswan.com

simpsonmarine.com

Pearl Yachts rewrites design rules with new premiere at Cannes

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Pearl Yachts rewrites design rules with new premiere at Cannes

September 25, 2024
5:55 pm

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

Words: Lucie Gardiner; photos: Pearl Yachts

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

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

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

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

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

The bow’s foredeck relaxation and dining area

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

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

The raised pilothouse is a signature feature of the Pearl 82

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

pearlyachts.com

Evolution of the 620 perceptible in new flagship Lagoon 60

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Evolution of the 620 perceptible in new flagship Lagoon 60

August 22, 2024
12:02 am

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

Words: Norbert Conchin; Photos: Lagoon and the author

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A LENGTHY DEVELOPMENT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EASE OF USE AND VERSATILITY

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

The platform and stairs provide easy access to the water

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

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

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

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

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

POWER AND STABILITY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

catamarans-lagoon.com

asiamarine.com

Miles of style aboard the Azimut Verve 48

Leave a Comment / Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Miles of style aboard the Azimut Verve 48

August 1, 2024
8:05 am

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Integrated Raymarine screens and commands at the fingertips makes controlling simple

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

azimutbenetti.com

marineitalia.asia

Ferretti Yachts INFYNITO 90 is a bow to the future

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Ferretti Yachts INFYNITO 90 is a bow to the future

July 25, 2024
4:26 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

Freestanding cockpit furniture is from top Italian brands

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

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

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

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

Interior design by Ideaeitalia is available with classic and contemporary options

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

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

A glimpse of the expansive saloon, bathed in light

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ferretti-yachts.com

ferrettigroupasiapacific.com

‘God of Water’ makes waves with its 68

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

‘God of Water’ makes waves with its 68

July 3, 2024
3:18 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aquitalia’s best-seller in Singapore

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.yihongyachts.com

www.aquitaliayachts.com

www.rafflesyacht.com.sg

Bluegame’s big multihull

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Bluegame’s big multihull

June 25, 2024
10:04 pm

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

Words: Risa Merl; Photos: Bluegame

The BGM75 includes a clean aft deck

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE CHOSEN ONE

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

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

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

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

Foredeck tables can be lowered and covered

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

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

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

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

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

FULL-BEAM MASTER

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

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

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

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

An elegant dining area mixes an integrated sofa and chairs

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

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

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

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

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

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

www.bluegame.it

www.simpsonmarine.com

Corsaro’s super second coming

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Corsaro’s super second coming

June 12, 2024
11:52 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

FLYBRIDGE PIONEER

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

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

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

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

Cleaner lines are a signature of the new Corsaro

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

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

The spacious cockpit has a fitted sofa and loose furniture

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

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

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

Plenty of entertainment space punctuates the flybridge

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

RICH INTERIOR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunreef’s 60 Power Eco

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Sunreef reveals 60 Power Eco

June 6, 2024
11:14 am

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

Words: Claire Lim; Photos: Sunreef Yachts

The 60 Sunreef Power Eco premieres at Cannes Yachting Festival 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The 60 Sunreef Power Eco has plenty of deck space

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

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

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

The aft and flybridge desks offer pockets of outdoor privacy

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

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

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

www.sunreef-catamarans.com

www.hongsehmarine.com.sg

www.nextwaveyachting.com