Reviews

Fairline, Phantom, 62, Chris Gore, F//Line 33, Squadron, Simpson Marine, Asia, Hong Kong, Cannes Yachting Festival, Genoa International Boat Show, Boot Dusseldorf

Fairline Phantom flying into Asia

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Fairline Phantom flying into Asia

April 19, 2023
1:24 am

Arriving in Asia in spring through regional dealer Simpson Marine, Fairline’s Phantom 65 is the stunning first model in the British builder’s new sportsbridge series, adding a surprisingly large flybridge to a winning layout while still offering sporty performance.
Words: John Higginson; Photos: Fairline

The Phantom 65 introduces Fairline’s new sportsfly series

Following the launch of the F//Line 33 in 2019, Fairline’s introduction of the Phantom 65 late last year represents the Oundle shipyard’s second new series in three years. While the F//Line 33 provides a sexy offering in the luxury dayboat sector, the first Phantom is a sleek sportsfly that acts as a bridge between the brand’s Targa 65 GT cruiser and full-flybridge Squadron 68.

All three share the same hull, although the Phantom 65 is most like the Targa 65, with the addition of a sportsbridge-style upper deck and a staircase from the cockpit. It shares almost the same layouts on the main and lower decks, yet is distinguished by Fairline’s fresh interior décor seen on the upgraded Squadron 68 and to be included on other new models.

The flybridge is surprisingly large

Simpson Marine delivered one of the first hulls of the new Squadron 68 to Thailand last year, while a Phantom 65 for Hong Kong marks the first unit in Asia since the model premiered at the Cannes Yachting Festival last September and was displayed at the Genoa International Boat Show then Boot Dusseldorf’s return in January.

Fairline was proud to announce that the newcomer outperformed predictions during sea trials when fitted with the optional 1,622mhp Cat C32s. A top speed of 35 knots was expected, but hull one reached 37 knots with full water, fuel and a tender on board, then topped 38 knots during later media sea trials.

The Phantom 65 cuts a sleek figure

“It’s at least two knots faster than predicted, but while top speed is good, it’s more important for us to see an increase in the fast cruising speed, because that’s what owners want,” says Chris Gore, Fairline’s Head of Sales for EMEIA (Europe, Middle East, India and Africa) and Asia-Pacific.

“The sportfly market has grown hugely and a lot of orders for the Phantom have been by Targa owners. The Phantom’s flybridge space and some of the new features, like the extended VIP suite, transform the experience, without going to a full flybridge. We’ve tried to keep it as sleek as possible.”

PHANTOM COMES BACK TO LIFE

The Phantom 65 is Fairline’s first sportsfly offering, but it’s not the first time the builder has used the name. In 1974, the launch of the Phantom 32 led to a range that was produced for over 40 years. The current Phantom 65 is based on its Targa sister ship, so most of the outdoor and indoor furniture retains the distinctive angular corners and diagonal sides.

Phantom 65 with the optional sportsfly bimini

However, there are several upgrades, adjustments and new options on the new model, where the aft platform has a 400kg-lifting capacity and the garage can house a Williams 345 SportJet, compared to space for the 325 TurboJet on the Targa 65.

The garage door incorporates a useful fold-out bench and there’s a lift-up flap for a shower, while the starboard steps raise up to allow access into a single crew cabin with a slide-out mattress.

Symmetrical staircases lead to a teak-floored cockpit that features a large island sunpad for two to three people, part of a moulded structure that also includes a forward-facing sofa flanked on both sides by 45-degree ‘corners’.

The garage can house a Williams 345 SportJet, while the platform can lift 400kg

To starboard is an L-shaped settee and an angular folded table that can fold out into a larger, triangular table linking both sofas. When needed, low stools kept in the saloon can be used around the cockpit table.

On the foredeck, the Phantom replicates the Targa’s distinctive horseshoe design, with a C-shaped sofa extending forward on both sides to sunbathing areas flanking a centreline walkway. A central table and drinks holders on the sides and in the aft corners offer plenty of space for beverages and snacks.

The foredeck features a sofa fronted by sunbathing areas both sides of a walkway

However, it’s the sportsfly deck that distinguishes this model and Fairline has done a great job, managing to disguise a surprisingly roomy flybridge within the exterior’s sporty, curvy lines. Of interest to owners in Asia, Fairline offers the option of a bimini that can cover almost the entire sportsbridge and fold away neatly by the low-set windscreen.

Compared to a lot of sportfly models based on existing sport cruiser models, the flybridge on the Phantom 65 is very spacious. It starts aft with a full-width L-shaped sofa and a foldable table, an area that could easily sit six people. The port end of the sofa has a scalloped shape, so can be used as a chaise longue.

The cockpit sunpad allows aft views, while the garage door features a fold-out sofa

On the port side is a two-panel wet bar with grill, sink, fridge and icemaker, while forward is a C shaped sofa that can be filled in with cushions to create a full-length double sunpad.

The twin-seat helm to port – which allows the skipper to look back down the stairs – has an adjustable/tilt wheel with powered steering, allowing responsive, fingertip control. There are two Garmin screens plus a smaller GPSMAP® touchscreen by the wheel, where there’s also a useful little locker for electronics and a USB cable for charging a phone.

NEW-LOOK INTERIOR

Aside from the flybridge, the biggest difference compared to the Targa 65 is the fresh interior decor. Structurally, there’s a similar indoor-outdoor feel, as the main door slides under the flybridge stairs to port and the starboard window drops out of sight to create an almost completely open aft entrance.

Opening the sunroof allows more natural light and ventilation

As well as oak flooring inside, the unit we viewed featured satin walnut woodwork, while the builder offers other options by its in-house studio working in collaboration with Salt Design, which was founded in 2020 by Andrew Pope after he spent almost 25 years with Fairline.

On the main deck, most woodwork is only used up to waist height, such as in the open, J-shaped galley to port. The full-height fridge-freezer illustrates this, featuring fluted doors – dark walnut on the bottom door and a light colour on the top door, matching the white marble countertop and overhead storage above the cooking area to port.

The saloon features textured upholstery, natural-fibre carpeting and sofas on both sides

The dining area to starboard has a C-shaped sofa, loose stools and a fixed-height dining table that can fold out on both sides. The table looks better folded out, as it reveals the matching grain of adjacent wenge leaves and a gorgeous central strip of natural quilted maple.

A six-inch step leads up to the saloon, which is visually distinguished by natural-fibre carpeting and light, textured upholstery. Furniture includes a C-shaped sofa and an angular, glass-topped coffee table to port facing a two-seat sofa to starboard. Natural light from the big side windows is supplemented by an opening sunroof featuring three glass panels.

To starboard, the helm station has two fixed-height helm seats on top of a storage cabinet and offers views through a one-piece windscreen. The console includes three Garmin monitors, GPSMAP® and a shallow locker with engine controls and hooks for keychains. As on the new Squadron 68, the Phantom 65 offers a side door, which could prove a popular option.

The twin-seat lower helm, shown without the optional side door

The saloon features Garmin’s Fusion® Apollo audio system and speakers, which are also present in the aft cockpit, sportbridge and master suite. A Sonos upgrade is available.

ROOMS TO CHOOSE

Accessed by the carpeted forward staircase, the lower deck is based on the Targa 65 and includes a full-beam master suite midships, flexible twin cabin to starboard and VIP in the bow. However, there’s now more flexibility as the port side can be used as a fourth cabin, utility room, day head or the en-suite bathroom (with day head access) for an extended VIP suite.

There’s a nice continuity of design as all cabin doors feature a mid-height, horizontal strip of quilted maple, as featured in the indoor dining table.

The full-beam master suite has a starboard bureau with drawers each side of a vanity table

Down three steps that also lead to a washer-drier in the hall, the master suite has a king-sized bed with slim bedside tables, which are big enough as the lamps are fixed to the aft bulkhead. To port is a sofa, forward is a TV with fluted panelling above and below, while to starboard is a large bureau with drawers on both sides of a vanity table.

The starboard area leads aft to a corner dressing room with a full-height, L-shaped storage. The en-suite bathroom occupies the rest of the beam aft of the bedroom and the cabinetry features the angular design seen elsewhere on the yacht, while the shower includes a fixed bench seat.

Forward view from the port hallway of the extended VIP suite

The starboard guest cabin has twin beds that can be electrically converted into a double, while a bed length mirror on the port bulkhead increases natural light and the feeling of space. Forward is a full-height wardrobe and en-suite bathroom. An angled TV can be fitted on the aft side of the cupboard.

The standard VIP suite has an aft-facing double, cupboards on both sides and en-suite to port. In the extended VIP layout, the bedroom door is to port, where there’s bathroom access and a long storage cabinet. At the foot of the bed is a vanity table with large bulkhead mirror beside a Samsung TV with fluted panelling above and below.

VIP suite’s vanity table, large mirror and Samsung TV

Fairline is in a happy place right now, ramping up its production by about 60 per cent last year to catch up with a strong order book for models ranging in size from the F//Line 33 to the two big newcomers: the Phantom 65 and upgraded Squadron 68.

Next up is the Squadron 58 featuring two cockpit balconies and the Targa 40 cruiser with a drop-down starboard bulwark, set to debut at this September’s Cannes Yachting Festival and Boot Dusseldorf in January 2024 respectively. However, the Phantom 65 is currently Fairline’s newest model and the pioneer of a sportsbridge series that fits seamlessly into the brand’s portfolio.

The sportbridge is discreetly layered into the superstructure

“There has been a fantastic response to the Phantom 65 so we’re really happy,” Gore says. “Fairline’s segment is the 30-70ft range, and we don’t need to push outside of that; we just need to keep being really good at what we do.”

www.fairline.com

www.simpsonmarine.com

Sanlorenzo’s new SD starlet

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Sanlorenzo’s new SD starlet

April 12, 2023
2:46 am

The third Sanlorenzo SD yacht with a Zuccon exterior and Patricia Urquiola interior, the sumptuous SD90 is the new entry model for the Italian builder’s high-volume semi-displacement series and will join its big sisters as part of the brand’s growing fleet in Asia.
Words: John Higginson; Photos: Sanlorenzo

A Sanlorenzo SD90 is set to arrive in Asia in 2024

The Sanlorenzo success story in Asia shows no signs of slowing down. Almost all models from its Yacht ranges – SL, SD, SX and SP – are present in or sold to this region. Even the radical 40-knot, triple-waterjet SP110, the first model in the new smart performance series, was sold by Sanlorenzo Asia soon after the model’s world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival in France last September.

The SD90, the new entry model for the semi-displacement range, was another world premiere at Cannes before the model was also displayed at the Genoa International Boat Show in Italy later that month and this year’s Boot Dusseldorf in Germany.

In February, Sanlorenzo Asia – represented by Simpson Marine – announced that an SD90 had been sold to Asia, with delivery scheduled for next year. It’s the latest successful sale in the region for an SD series focused on big volumes and long range.

“We’re proud to welcome the SD90 into the fast-expanding Sanlorenzo fleet in Asia,” says Nick Stratton, Sales Manager of Sanlorenzo Asia. “The SD range of ultra-voluminous yachts with extensive cruising range has enjoyed remarkable success in Asia, an area so diverse in terms of cruising grounds and unspoiled islands and archipelagos to visit.

“The series has been incredibly successful and is crucial to the further growth of the brand presence in Asia, especially with owners spending more time on board and enjoying the time to go even further on their yacht. An SD yacht can bring their owners anywhere they like, in total comfort and safety, qualities often attributed to larger superyachts.”

SANLORENZO SD IN ASIA

Asia is already home to three units of the SD126, the current flagship of the semi-displacement series. However, the SD90 is the newest of three recent SD models with interiors by Patricia Urquiola, the Spanish architect and industrial designer based in Milan.

Bernardo Zuccon designed the exterior of the SD90

A world premiere at Cannes in 2019, the SD96 was the first Sanlorenzo yacht to feature an Urquiola interior and was followed by the SD118 in 2021. Sanlorenzo Asia has sold three hulls of each, with two units of the SD96 already delivered and one coming later this year, while three units of the SD118 are in build, with the first set to arrive this summer.

Like most Sanlorenzo models, the SD90 features exterior design by Zuccon International Project, spearheaded by Bernardo Zuccon, while Philippe Briand helped design the hull having also worked on the SD96. With the optional 1,150hp CAT C18 engines, the SD90 has a top speed of 17 knots but more importantly, it has a significant range of 1,200nm.

“The world of navettas is fascinating, as romantic as it is complex, because it’s linked to a person who chooses to live at sea for a considerable amount of time, for whom time is not a limitation but a luxury,” Zuccon says. “Such owners need spaces and opportunities often greater than those of boats of the same size but typologically different.”

The aft cockpit showcases furniture by Patricia Urquiola

The SD90 is the little sister of the SD96, but not by much. A 90-footer classed as a CE yacht due to a sub-24m hull length, the SD90 is 5ft shorter, 2ft thinner and just over 10 per cent lighter in terms of displacement. However, the SD90 has an expansive beam of 7m (23ft) and a volume of 155GT, remarkable considering the yacht has an open flybridge, among notable differences to the SD96.

URQUIOLA INTERIOR

Urquiola, for one, was delighted to work on a smaller model following her work on the interiors of the SD96 then SD118. It may be smaller than her series sisters, but it’s worth noting the SD90 has over 60 per cent more volume than the SL90A, a planing-series yacht that can reach 29 knots.

“After designing the first two boats in the SD line, I really loved the fact we went back to a smaller size instead of a larger volume,” she says of the SD90. “The design is very complex. Inside you find something deeply technological alongside something deeply artisanal.”

The saloon’s coffee table can be transformed into a dining table

All the furniture aboard the SD90 shown in Cannes and Genoa, and captured in photos, is by Urquiola and features environmentally friendly, recyclable materials, starting in the aft cockpit with the wide sofa, chairs and round coffee table, the later featuring Cimento®, a cement compound.

Cimento® is also used for the ceiling in the elegant saloon, where the forward bulkhead is made of recycled glass, the light Warli carpet is made of natural flax fibre, and the white Dedar curtains are made of recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

Urquiola’s themes on SD90 also include transformability and this is quickly evident when you see the sliding concertina doors moved across to the starboard side, tucked away and covered by ribbed panelling made of FSC-certified American oak, a textural surface seen throughout the interior.

The saloon is airy enough with the aft doors put aside, yet in addition, a large glass door on the port side can slide forward to provide a wide opening beside the lounge. In the aft port corner, the ribbed oak panelling is again seen around a cylindrical, ‘floating’ fridge that doubles as a drinks table supported by a full-height pole. It’s a gorgeous piece of design.

The aft doors can be hidden away to starboard, while a port door can slide open

The beautiful facing angular sofas designed by Urquiola for Cassina fit well with the shape of the room and flow of people, while the drop-down TV is hidden in a ceiling panel just before the forward bulkhead. Overall, the shapes and choices of furniture, natural materials and soft colours provide a soothing, spa-like vibe.

Furthermore, the designer’s emphasis on flexibility is evident in the freeform coffee table, which can transform into a dining table. An alternative saloon layout features an oval dining table aft and the lounge forward.

The ribbed oak panelling covers the port-side door to the galley and the full-height cupboards to starboard. The hallway leads to the lower-deck stairs and a day head featuring a washbasin made of Agglotech® terrazzo, a sustainable material made of marble chips, cement and water that’s used in all the bathrooms and the galley countertop.

MASTERFUL CABINS

Forward is the beautiful master suite, which occupies the full beam of the yacht and is filled with natural light from head-height windows that wrap around both sides and forward.

The owner’s suite occupies a full-beam space forward on the main deck

After passing the walk-in dressing room, the bedroom is dominated by an aft-facing bed in Elmo leather from Sweden, while to port is a cosy dressing table offering the owners sea views through a wide window, plus there’s masses of storage. The ribbed oak panelling and Cimento® ceiling match the saloon, while the carpet is again made from recycled PET.

Down three steps on the starboard side, the curved en-suite bathroom is another triumph of design, topped by a high ceiling and clever lighting. There are movable vertical mirrors above each side of twin sinks in a long, curved cabinet made of Agglotech®, while the double shower with L-shaped seating and the enclosed toilet are to port.

The jolly cabin can be an entertainment room or cabin

The lower-deck stairs, flanked by an industrial-style mesh grill, lead first to the ‘jolly cabin’, which embodies Urquiola’s focus on transformability. Sliding ‘pocket’ doors mean the multifunctional guest area can be open to the hallway, while the single beds can be arranged as an L-shaped sofa, so creating an entertainment, games or children’s room.

If an extra cabin is required, the beds can be arranged as two singles or pushed together to form a double, with the moveable lamps on the bedhead placed accordingly. To port, double doors allow access to a stunning en-suite bathroom.

White ribbed oak panelling is used in the starboard guest cabin

There are two fixed guest cabins midships, each with an inward-facing double bed, a TV that can be concealed in the centreline bulkhead, forward cupboards and an aft bathroom featuring the same mirrors as in the master en-suite as well as Agglotech® washbasin, cabinet, floors and shower walls.

OUT IN FRONT, UP ON HIGH

Outdoor areas include the foredeck, which is accessed by wide side decks well protected by high bulwarks and overhangs. The photographed unit on display was configured with a completely flat foredeck dressed in sunpads, although the forward floorboards can also be moved to allow access to the technical area.

A sunbathing area in front of the wheelhouse connects to a flexible foredeck area

From the foredeck, six steps lead up and aft to a sunbathing area forward of the enclosed wheelhouse, where guests can lounge on fitted sunpads.

The main outdoor social area is the enormous flybridge, which is accessed from the aft cockpit by concealed stairs to starboard. Essentially, the entire area aft of the T-top pillars is free of any fixtures, so the options are endless.

Aft view of the flybridge, featuring a full-width sunbathing lounge

In the Urquiola Special Edition, an enormous sofa-cum-sunbathing area spans the entire width of the aft end of the upper deck. Further forward, a curved sofa and several chairs surround a round coffee table that can rise and expand to become an oblong dining table.

The forward section is covered by a T-top and includes two symmetrical cabinets, with the starboard one housing a wet bar with induction hob, sink and fridge. The upper helm is to starboard and has a comfortable sofa with rounded backrest that can fit three, while to port is an almost identical sofa for companion seating.

Forward view of the flybridge, most of which can be dressed with loose furniture

Forward, a sliding door opens to reveal four steps down to the semi-raised pilothouse, which features a Besenzoni helm seat facing two pairs of Simrad screens, and is refreshingly light both in terms of colours and natural illumination.

The pilothouse also has stairs down to the galley, which is well lit by a long, mid-height window and has Miele appliances, six hobs, twin sinks, double, full-height fridge-freezer and overhead storage.

Forward are stairs down to the crew quarters, which includes a crew mess with C-shaped sofa and a foldable table, two twin-berth cabins, two bathrooms and the laundry facilities. Aft, the garage can house a 4.3m (14ft 1in) tender up to 600kg.

The semi-raised pilothouse is refreshingly light

As with the eco-friendly materials used, Sanlorenzo has paid great attention to the yacht’s equipment and systems, with the Eco air-conditioning system, energy-efficient light fixtures, high-performance thermal and acoustic insulation, and Eco Mode stabilising fins examples of the brand’s focus on high quality and low consumption.

Sanlorenzo is working with Siemens on a hybrid version, the SD90/s, which will offer emission-free cruising with electric motors and lithium batteries along with the option of traditional propulsion. However, the first model into Asia will be the SD90, which is currently being tailored.

“The owners of the SD90 coming to Asia will enjoy a detailed customisation process for their beautiful yacht, making it truly theirs,” says Tom Allen, a Simpson Marine Sales Manager in Hong Kong. “We are looking forward to seeing her delivered to the city early next year.”

www.simpsonmarine.com/manufacturer/sanlorenzo

Note: The original article appears in YACHT STYLE Issue 70

Jeanneau’s premium day boat debutant

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Jeanneau’s premium day boat debutant

April 6, 2023
6:17 pm

As Jeanneau’s new motorboat flagship, the DB/43 is the first model in a new premium day boat series from the French builder, which is determined to deliver ‘more than you expect’ in a sector best known for partying. Words: John Higginson; Photos: Jeanneau

The DB/43 pioneered a range that also includes the DB/37

The DB/43 is not only the start of a new premium day boat series for Jeanneau. It’s also the new flagship of Jeanneau’s new-look portfolio of motorboats, with the DB Yachts series effectively replacing the historic Leader line of open inboard models launched in 1985.

As such, the Cap Camarat series – which began in 1982 and currently offers open day cruisers from 18-39ft – now acts a ‘feeder’ range to the more luxurious DB Yachts range headed by the DB/43, Jeanneau’s most expensive motor yacht.

For enclosed motorboats, the growing popularity of outboards on larger models and the increasing size of the Merry Fisher range – now stretching from 19-41ft following the launch of the 1295 Fly – has led to the recent discontinuation of the NC series of ‘weekenders’.

The DB/43 features a Michael Peters hull and a Garroni exterior

Today, Jeanneau’s revised motorboat portfolio comprises the DB Yachts, Cap Camarat and Merry Fisher ranges, plus three Merry Fisher Sport models.

DESIGN HERITAGE

The introduction of a new motorboat series and the discontinuation of two others in only a couple of years could appear like quite a shake-up at a company steeped in history, with several model ranges boasting decades of history and over 250,000 Jeanneau motorboats and sailing yachts built since 1957.

However, there has been significant market research behind the creation of the DB Yachts series and strong continuity on the design side. For starters, Michael Peters Yacht Design is responsible for the superb V-shaped hull on the DB/43 as well as the DB/37 that premiered at Boot Dusseldorf in January, with both available with outboard or inboard engines.

The foredeck can be covered by a canopy

The Florida studio has collaborated with Jeanneau for over three decades and is behind today’s larger Cap Camarat models including the series-flagship 12.5 WA (Walk Around), having also worked on the former NC and Leader ranges.

Garroni Design is arguably best known for its work on all Prestige models since the brand emerged as an offshoot of Jeanneau in the late 1980s. However, the Italian studio now headed by Camillo Garroni also has over three decades of history with Jeanneau and collaborated with Peters on recent Leader and NC designs, while it also designed Cap Camarat and Merry Fisher models in the past.

Garroni was entrusted to handle the exterior and interior design of the DB Yachts series, whose tagline is ‘More Than You Expect’. It’s designed to provide all the sexy, fun-loving style and outdoor spaces of day boats but with added versatility and family-friendly comfort, especially in the cabins.

The foredeck features a sunpad for two or three at a squeeze

“The DB/43 is Jeanneau’s entry into the premium day boat market, so we wanted to have maximum space outside, which was a strong reason for the terraces that extend the beam of the boat when you’re moored,” says Vincent Piel, Jeanneau’s long-time Powerboat Product Marketing Manager.

“It’s a totally open design, but guests are well protected from the sun because we have a proper roof, which we think will make it popular in Asia. But it’s not only a day boat. As we say, it’s ‘more than you expect’. Like on every Jeanneau, we offer a lot of comfort and space inside.”

TERRACE TIME

Garroni cited the automotive world among inspirations for the muscular, sporty exterior of the DB/43, which can carry 12 passengers during the day and at least four overnight in the two lower-deck cabins.

The foldout terraces expand the beam of the aft deck to 18ft 6in

The inboard version with twin 380hp Volvo D6 DPI engines has an overall length just shy of 43ft and a joystick control as standard for ease of handling, especially in port, while the faster outboard version has an almost 46ft LOA with three 300hp Yamaha engines or the 300/350hp Mercury Verado options.

During media sea trials, the inboard version proved surprisingly responsive, very manoeuvrable in curves and was a real pleasure to drive, reaching a top speed close to 34 knots. Options include a Seakeeper 3 gyro stabilisation system.

On the inboard version, the DB/43 starts aft with a large, hydraulic platform that can be lowered into the sea and fit a swim ladder to port. It’s a step up to the main deck, where the boat’s most visible party trick is the drop-down sides, which can each be fitted with a safety line and a swim ladder.

The fold-down balconies are about 5ft long and 3ft wide

Jeanneau included a portside terrace on the Cap Camarat 12.5 WA and one to starboard on the new Merry Fisher 1295 Fly, but the DB/43 marks the brand’s first time offering a pair. And when the aft bulwarks are lowered, the lateral space is expanded by 6ft to create a three-sided beach club with a whopping wing span of 18ft 6in, compared to the standard beam of 12ft 6in.

FLEXIBLE FURNITURE

The central island sunpad-cum-sofa is the first of three modular pieces of furniture – including the dining table and forward sofa – that can fold up, down, forward or back for different configurations.

When the sunpad’s backrest is in the aft position, it offers a deep aft-facing sofa and a forward-facing sofa that’s suitable for dining and during navigation. The backrest can be pushed forward to make a longer aft-facing lounger or even flat to create one large sunpad.

Next party trick? At the touch of a button hidden under a lift-up step to port, most of the sunpad can be electrically raised to reveal storage space for water toys and the like. There’s also a wide storage locker under the aft cushion and more storage under the forward end of the sunpad.

The galley allows those in the kitchen to face guests in the dining area

The main table has a fixed central section with four drinks holders and two foldable leaves on top. When the top leaves are folded out, the full-size dining table can host up to eight guests, four on each facing sofa, and even 10 with a foldable chair at each end.

Folding both leaves aft reveals the engine-room deck hatch below and creates room for the forward sofa to slide aft along the deck. When you then fold the backrest aft, it creates a forward-facing sofa with plenty of leg room facing the wet bar.

This is a good configuration when more seats are needed during navigation or if the outdoor galley becomes the focal point of any social gathering, which is a frequent occurrence. The forward-facing sofas are also ideal for watching the drop-down 43-inch TV, hidden in the ceiling above the galley. And yes, there’s storage under the forward sofa.

SUMMER KITCHEN

The large, user-friendly Corian-topped galley or ‘summer kitchen’ doubles as a huge bar counter, with a pop-up lamp and an integrated bottle holder on each side.

Forward view of the galley area, which can double as a bar countertop

The galley is arranged for the chef to cook from the forward side and have an aft view of the social areas. A two-piece panel folds aft to reveal space for a two-hob electric cooktop and a grill, while two lift-out panels cover the sink. Below is lots of space for storage, a fridge and an icemaker (or another fridge).

Turn forward, look down below the helm seats and you’ll see an air-conditioning/heating unit, which can be used along with canvas enclosures to control the cockpit temperature.

The twin helm seats to starboard and a companion seat to port offer supercar-like ergonomics – a Garroni signature – and have separate fold-down and forward footrests. The three seats face a beautiful, curved windshield, while the electric sunroof above offers extra ventilation. There’s also a starboard bulwark door by the captain’s chair for dockside access.

The helm console includes two 16-inch Raymarine screens, while onboard technology includes Groupe Beneteau’s Ship Control®, which centralises all electrical systems on an MFD, as well as the company’s complementary Seanapps system, so owners can monitor boat information on a smartphone app.

DB/43 is a family-friendly entry into a day boat market known for a fun-loving clientele

Jeanneau describes the DB/43’s curved hardtop as the largest on the market for a boat of this size. The structure distinguishes itself from some competitors by being full beam and extends aft far enough to cover the dining area, while an integrated bimini can extend the shade beyond the sunpad.

On each side of the helm area, three steps lead up tight side decks to a foredeck featuring a large sunpad big enough for two or three people. The lower section includes a fold-up backrest to create a two-person sofa that faces a small, cushioned seating area in the bow.

A small table can be erected to create a cosy place for cocktails or a romantic dinner for two, while the whole foredeck can be covered by a sky canopy.

MORE THAN YOU EXPECT

Downstairs, the air-conditioned lower deck features a bright, modern decor based on light oak and offers two cabins and up to two bathrooms.

The full-beam midships cabin has a double bed and a sofa or single bed

Midships is a the full-beam, low-ceilinged cabin with a forward-facing double bed to port and a sofa to starboard that can be used as a single bed, while the forward cabin has an aft-facing double bed. Both cabins share a starboard bathroom with separate shower, while to port is a kitchenette with sink, fridge, microwave and lots of storage.

In an alternative layout, the forward cabin has en-suite access to the starboard bathroom, while the midships cabin has both a double and a single bed, with occupants using day head access to a second bathroom to port, in place of the kitchenette.

Each cabin features long hull windows, a television, air-conditioning and lots of storage, a signature of a brand that has always made the most of every cubic foot of its boats, even as it moves into the more rarefied air of luxury day boats.

The forward double cabin has en-suite access to the starboard bathroom

“The DB/43 is a perfect boat for socialising, for parties with friends or business associates during the day or evening,” Piel says. “However, nobody would expect a 43ft day boat to have such comfort inside. It still has all the privacy, storage and comfortable accommodation a Jeanneau owner would expect.”

www.jeanneau.com

www.boatlagoonyachting.com

Note: The original Review appears in YACHT STYLE Issue 70

CL Yachts’ new CLB65 is built for boaters

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

CL Yachts’ new CLB65 is built for boaters

March 30, 2023
5:09 pm

The new CLB65 isn’t the flashiest vessel in its class, but it’s among the most practical for a couple that wants to cruise. Yacht Style steps aboard.
Words: Michael Verdon; Photos: CL Yachts

CLB65 has a top speed of 30 knots with the optional 1,000hp engines

One of two CL Yachts models that premiered at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show last October, CLB65 is a completely different proposition to the flagship CLX96 that debuted alongside it. For starters, it’s for buyers keener on island-hopping than doing a non-stop, 1,000-mile voyage.

I’d consider owners of this motor yacht to be boaters rather than yachties, for one big reason: CLB65 can be handled by a couple with many sea miles under their belts, although CL Yachts has included a captain’s stateroom at the rear of the boat.

With an almost 20ft beam, CLB65 is much wider than many competitors

Even though it’s the baby of the CL Yachts portfolio, the interior size is impressive since it’s built on the CLB72 sistership’s hull. Along with the 65ft 9in overall length is a 19ft 10in beam, which is 2-3ft wider than many European-built models of similar length. That adds up to a lot of extra living space.

The exterior areas offer generous spaces with smart layouts that should please any cruising couple. The aft cockpit has a table and lounge, while the two side walkways lead to a lounge and sunbed in front. This bow area is significant because it’s divided between socialising and the working end for anchoring. The high stainless rails are designed for moving around safely in choppy seas.

The foredeck has sunpads either side of the VIP cabin skylight

The flybridge also has plenty of room to roam, with a hardtop, upper helm station, two separate lounging zones, outdoor grill and open area at the rear. The deck can easily accommodate 10 to 15 guests.

There’s also an outsized swim platform at the stern for either carrying a tender, or just providing easy access to the water. It’s about 4ft deep and spans almost the full beam of the hull, so three or four guests in bathing suits could use it as another place to hang out, at least in calm seas.

The aft cockpit features a corner TV and stairs to the flybridge

Hull number one at Fort Lauderdale was powered by twin Volvo Penta 1050s with IPS drives. This standard engine option will deliver a top end of about 27 knots, which given the IPS manoeuvrability, is highly respectable. If you want a bit more oomph at top end, upgraded Volvo IPS 1350s are also available.

A BOAT FOR BOATERS

My first impressions of the interior, with its galley aft, side aft cabinets and forward saloon, were mixed. The white upholstery and other materials, mixed with the walnut woodwork, were nice, bright and functional, but basic compared to some of the brand’s Italian and British competitors.

The flybridge starts with an L-shaped sofa and outdoor grill

But then it hit me: this boat doesn’t have to be flashy or ultramodern. It has to be practical for that boating couple wanting to use it as a second home on the water. It doesn’t need the Italian marble, the leather-clad walls or mirrored insets to appeal to that real-boater couple, who might well be embarrassed by the excess anyway.

There was a nice sense of simplicity about the main deck, especially in the open-plan saloon forward and dining area starboard of the aft galley. Due to the rear opening window and cockpit door, both interior and exterior can be joined for dining, so two groups can eat simultaneously if there are a lot of guests.

CLB65 is CL Yachts’ first model with an aft galley

The galley has a convection stove, large fridge, freezer and sink, with windows that give the chef an ocean view. Just forward, portside, is a large lounge with a C-shaped sofa and a table beside an electric up/down window.

To starboard, the raised helm platform with two seats allows a measure of privacy for driving the yacht, which offers excellent navigation, due to the large windows and easy-read consoles on the dash.

The comfortable, three-sided sofa in the saloon

Behind the helm is a storage cabinet with a white top that matches the rest of the interior. You could spend many hours in this saloon, either under way or at anchor. The design firm Interiors by Carmen created two interiors for the boat, the walnut version we viewed and another with hickory.

LIGHT & BRIGHT

On the lower deck, the three staterooms are divided into a VIP forward, a midships master suite, and a twin cabin, all with en-suite bathrooms.

Starboard view of the full-beam midships master suite

The master is a handsome combination of walnut cabinets, drawers and trim, with a queen-sized bed placed in the centre. The en-suite features two stylish round sinks, large toilet, and an enormous glassed-in shower with enough space for a wood bench for seating. Details like this emphasise the 65’s liveability.

Considering it’s in the bow, the VIP is also generously sized, with the bed in the centre and cabinetry around. The head, while not as large as in the master, also has a glassed-in shower area (again with wooden bench seat) that delivers on the sense of space. To port, a twin guest cabin with en-suite bathroom rounds out the accommodation.

The en-suite VIP cabin in the bow benefits from a skylight

From the crew cabin accessed from the swim platform, I had a chance to peek inside the engine room, and while it was clean and tidy, headroom was tight, which is slightly problematic if you’re a cruiser who likes to do preventative maintenance. Still, all things considered, it’s a minor problem considering the smart layout of the rest of the yacht.

With its conventional profile and staid interior, CLB65 isn’t the flashiest new boat on the water, but then again, who wants that? The folks who want this boat will appreciate the generous spacing in both the exterior and interior, plus the down-to-earth layout that will make it easy for a cruising couple to navigate.

www.clyachts.com

Note: The original article appears in YACHT STYLE Issue 70

Absolute’s flagship Navetta 75 sets new peak

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Absolute’s flagship Navetta 75 sets new peak

March 23, 2023
3:29 pm

One of Absolute’s two Generation 2023 models, the brand’s new flagship Navetta 75 has many remarkable features including an enormous flybridge, multi-functional cockpit, and four guest cabins including two full-beam staterooms.
Words: Clare Mahon; Photos: Absolute

Absolute’s Navetta 75 debuted in late 2022

You’ve got to hand it to Absolute Yachts. While the usual yachting catchwords such as ‘sleek’ and ‘streamlined’ don’t apply to its boats, the most significant ones like ‘smart’ and ‘spacious’ do – and in spades. And its new flagship, the Navetta 75, is the latest data-driven evolution of the Absolute species.

Absolute – represented in Hong Kong by Absolute Marine – really exists in a category of its own. While other shipyards may talk about family feeling when it comes to defining the aesthetics of their line-ups, Absolute doesn’t even have to mention it. The look of their vessels is so unique and distinctive that spotting one of its yachts in port or on the water is as easy as pie.

Absolute’s Navetta models provide great space and volume

The exterior look is defined by lines that maximise volume while their interiors prove – in a very stylish and Italian kind of way – that achieving an excellent quality of on board life is a precise science.

Absolute’s facility is located outside Milan and this landlocked position has significant impact on the shipyard’s production. From an exteriors point of view, the finished vessels need to be transported over land to the water, so they must be engineered to fit under autostrada overpasses and through tunnels.

The swim platform is overseen by the infinity cockpit and extendable sun shade

Larger vessels like the Navetta 75 – which has a 22.8m LOA and a 5.6m beam – are constructed in two pieces, with the hull and superstructure then joined at the launch site using a closely guarded process. As for the interiors, the shipyard is close to Italy’s largest design and furniture production districts, so after the numbers have been crunched, a certain sense of style comes in to play with beautiful results.

BACK, FRONT AND UP TOP

Beginning a tour of the Navetta 75 from one of its least glamorous areas, the crew quarters, is an excellent introduction to the types of intelligent solutions that make this shipyard’s production stand out.

Crew area with head, mini galley, washing and drying machines, convertible daybed and enclosed cabin

Accessible from the hydraulic beach platform by raising the portside staircase that leads to the aft cockpit, this area – often treated as an afterthought by other shipyards – has been so carefully engineered that it can provide space for three crew and still include a mini galley, separate washing and drying machines, and a head that’s also a passageway to the engine room.

The captain has a berth inside a small, separate cabin, while two further crew can sleep on a bed that doubles as a couch by day and an additional bunk that folds down over the dining table. The whole space gets light, air and natural ventilation from a large window in the transom and side portholes. All of this in just a few square meters, which is the essence of Absolute design.

The swim platform accesses the common or crew area

The ‘look carefully and look twice’ theme continues in the aft cockpit. Enclosed by a glass railing so you can see on and around the beach platform, the breezy area is furnished with the same ingenious and surprisingly chic modular pieces that Absolute has used aboard other successful models.

Base elements can be used singly as chairs and poufs or joined to become couches, with backs and armrests slotted in as required. Owners can set up the furniture in various configurations according to their changing needs and everything can be packed away and stored easily.

The cockpit’s modular furniture can be set up as three two-seat sofas and two three-seat sofas

Open the countertop of the cockpit bar and you’ll find a supplemental helming station, a real boon when docking in a tight space. Even the foredeck is planned for flexible use, with a table that can fold out to double in size and sun beds that can become couches.

The Navetta line, which starts from the 48, features spacious flybridges as its crowning glory. The 75’s upper deck includes an open-air helm station fore, a covered dining area, a long, slender outdoor galley and bar to port, plus a lot of free space aft for owners to arrange as they please, ideally using more of the modular pieces used in the aft cockpit for maximum flexibility.

The enormous flybridge has sun loungers, L-shaped sofa, covered dining, helm and more seating forward

Even the hard top offers options. It can have a sun curtain in the middle or it can be fitted with solar panels to provide enough current to switch the generators off in hotel mode. This is a real dawn to dusk (and beyond) area where guests can eat, chat, sunbathe and enjoy helming if they want.

FLEXIBLE AND FUNCTIONAL

The interior is also elegant, luxurious and very well thought out. The saloon features large windows and excellent ceiling height, and offers ample living and dining areas. Look closely at the large mirror behind the dining table and you’ll find another Absolute brainstorm: when raised, it reflects the surroundings and gives the saloon an infinity effect; when lowered, it reveals the galley.

Forward view of the saloon, dining area and galley (shown in ‘open’ mode)

The galley, located just aft of the bridge, shows Absolute’s commitment to flexible solutions and practicality. If a crewmember is cooking, the galley can be separated from the saloon for guests’ privacy, but if cooking is part of the party, the mirror lowers into the bulkhead, so galley and saloon become visually connected.

Top-of-the-line Miele appliances and smooth, linear cabinetry make the galley just as elegant as the rest of the interior. Add that the area has excellent air circulation due to doors on both sides, and it just might be that the mirror is more often down than up, but it’s always nice to have the choice.

Absolute signatures include the master suite forward on the lower deck

The full-beam owner’s cabin is fore, just five steps down from the raised bridge and has a central double bed, desk and plenty of storage. Furnishings are linear and tasteful, and contrasts of light and dark colours, and textured and smooth surfaces keep the visual interest level high. The en-suite bathroom is also full beam and has double marble sinks, a large shower and additional storage.

The three other lower-deck cabins are reached from the starboard saloon stairway and furnished to the same level of luxury as the rest of the yacht. At the bottom of the stairs is the day head that’s also shared by the twin cabin to starboard, opposite the en-suite double cabin to port.

The midships VIP suite is also full beam

Midships, the full-beam VIP cabin has a central bed, desk on the starboard side and an ingenious bathroom to port. The sink and vanity are part of the cabin, placed under a large window that converts to become a mirror at the push of a button. What look to be closet doors on either side of the sink lead to separate toilet and shower compartments.

Absolute Yachts was an early adopter of Volvo Penta’s IPS pod propulsion systems and helming one of their yachts will make you a believer, too. Joystick controls make manoeuvring as easy as child’s play, while the system increases fuel efficiency and reduces noise and vibration. And since these systems can be mounted further aft than conventional shaft drives, there’s more space for the cabins on the lower deck.

Elegant dressing area in VIP suite

A navetta-type yacht is about luxury and there’s more to a luxurious experience at sea than fittings and finishes. This is why the Navetta 75 has room for a crew of three and why footfall through the yacht has been planned so carefully. To keep guest and service paths separate, crew can access areas such as their cabin, the galley, the bridge and the flybridge helm without passing through guest areas like the saloon.

While anyone who boards the Navetta 75 will appreciate the detail and quality of furnishings and fittings at first glance, by the time they step back on land it will be the planning, engineering and smart solutions that have them hooked. Absolute is the shipyard that proves time and again that it’s all in the numbers, even when you’re talking about luxurious living at sea.

www.absoluteyachts.com

Note: The above article first appeared in YACHT STYLE Issue 70.

Custom Line’s bright new star coming to Asia

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Custom Line’s bright new star coming to Asia

March 9, 2023
5:53 pm

Designed by Francesco Paszkowski and Margherita Casprini, the Custom Line 140’ is the Ferretti Group brand’s powerful, voluminous new flagship, with an Asia-based client already securing one of the first units.
Words: Risa Merl
Photos: Ferretti Group

Francesco Paszkowski designed the exterior

The mark of a truly successful flagship is not to simply build the largest yacht in a series but to improve liveability, functionality and innovation – all adding to the owner’s enjoyment of the final product. This is exactly what Custom Line has aimed to do with its new flagship.

With the Custom Line 140’, the Italian builder sought to achieve the speed and high performance that its Planing Line yachts are known for, while also delivering comfortable and quiet cruising. Beyond this, the yard sought to eke out as much living space as possible on the 42.6m, four-deck superyacht, which has a volume of nearly 400GT.

The transom door opens out to create a large beach club

“We want guests to feel like they’re on board a 50m yacht in terms of the volume, superyacht-level systems and comfort,” says Pier Francesco Boschi, the model’s Project Manager who gave a tour of the first hull during its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Yachting Festival, before it moved on to the Monaco Yacht Show.

Exteriors are by Francesco Paszkowski Design, following up its work on the Custom Line 106’ and 120’, while Paszkowski created the interiors in collaboration with Margherita Casprini and the Custom Line Atelier.

View of the vast aft cockpit and the main saloon

Francesco Paszkowski says: “We aimed to design a yacht that could meld the comfort of a flybridge with the sporty prowess of a coupé. As a result, we incorporated styling cues from the car world and luxury residential sector but also did some meticulous research to enhance the forms and volumes.”

The new flagship is already proving popular around the world, with a unit sold to Asia late last year due to be delivered at the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard in Ancona by the end of this year. Custom Line has two ranges – the sporty, speedy Planing Line and the displacement-hull Navetta Line, which is ideal for long-range cruising.

Aft view of the expansive cockpit and stairs to the beach club

Carbon-fibre and composite materials were utilised to lessen the 140’s weight and add to her performance attributes, while she also has a draft of less than 8ft, allowing for cruising in shallow waters. Cruising over the waves at 18 knots and able to top 21 knots, the 140’ meets the need for speed while also offering comfortable seakeeping as well as a special focus on sound dampening.

Stefano de Vivo, CCO of Ferretti Group, says: “With the utmost attention to guest well-being during navigation, the Custom Line 140’ enjoys incomparable acoustic comfort because of a targeted study of the different noise sources and their positioning in the yacht.”

Forward view of the saloon, which features Minotti sofas

De Vivo highlights the adoption of ‘floating’ flooring, the use of specific anti-vibration materials and additional insulation between the bulkheads and ceilings as just a few of the innovative solutions.

With a sleek and powerful profile, the yacht’s exterior lines are evocative of the Custom Line family, with a few touches that make the yacht stand out from her predecessors. “A stylish detail is the painted aluminium handrails with Y-shaped uprights,” De Vivo says of the distinctive handrails that frame the bulwark cut-outs.

A WORLD OF WINDOWS

The model is also notable for generous windows on the main and upper decks, as well as in the hull sides. The dark, taut lines of this expansive glazing add interest to the exterior.

A sculpture and an elegant stairway are artistic features in the main-deck lobby

Paszkowski adds: “Aside from adding a dynamic flair to the side of the vessel, the windows also meet another guiding principle behind the project: increasing contact with the sea by keeping any barriers between interior and exterior as minimal as possible.

“The large windows play an important role. They emphasise contact with the sea and increase the amount of natural light flowing into the interiors. The upper and sun decks are the best example. With floor-to-ceiling glazing even around the sides of the interior, there is plenty of contact with the sea.”

The owner’s suite is forward on the main deck

The designers also wanted the yacht to have a holistic flow, with indoor and outdoor spaces merging into one. On the aft main deck, the door leading into the main saloon completely opens, and the floor is flat so there’s no step up or down to go inside, both of which create an open feeling.

Stretching over four decks, the yacht has spacious interiors. The goal, De Vivo says, was to “offer ever larger and more sophisticated indoor and outdoor spaces that maximise the liveability on board and guarantee the owner privacy and relaxation, while enhancing contact with the sea”.

The owner’s suite has a fold-out balcony to starboard

A strong example of this is forward on the main deck, where the 47sqm owner’s suite takes advantage of the 8.4m beam and includes a fold-out balcony for a pure connection with the water. The optional folding terrace is built into the hull and is designed so the owner can operate it without assistance from the crew.

“The owner’s suite allows the owners to have a quiet space to spend time between relaxation and fun, always with a sea view,” De Vivo says.

CONTEMPORARY HARMONY

The entry to the master suite feels grand, with a chaise longue positioned by a big bay window and two walk-in wardrobes. Forward, the master bathroom is full width and has a large bathtub. Counters are in grey and gold Orobico marble and the ceilings are lacquered.

Forward view of the aft upper deck

To ensure a holistic design, the owner requested that wood feature in the bathroom floor to match surfaces in other parts of the yacht. The guest cabins are on the lower deck, which has two mirror queen cabins, a twin with a Pullman berth and a double cabin – all of which have en-suite bathrooms. Etrusco marble is used in the guest bathrooms.

The interiors are contemporary cool, with geometric shapes and bold lines as details in the built-in furnishings and ceilings. Light-stained woods, reflective materials, leather details, mirrored surfaces and backlit wall panels feature throughout the yacht, giving a consistent feel.

Forward view of the upper-deck skylounge with sliding glass doors on both sides

The headboard in the master, for instance, has vertical strips of wood laid over a mirrored surface, which gives the illusion of more space.

“We chose just a few materials to create a harmony of contemporary style throughout the yacht,” Paszkowski says. “Oak floors combine with gloss lacquered surfaces and hard leather for the ceilings. The result is an elegant, contemporary décor in light shades for the main fabrics, sometimes contrasted by dark hues.”

The beautiful bow lounge on the upper deck

Custom-made furniture is combined with pieces from Italian brands, such as the Minotti sofas in the main saloon and upper deck. The armchairs in the owner’s suite are by Casamilano, while the desk in the owner’s office is by Flexform. Door handles are by Italian brand Olivari and bathroom fittings are by Zazzeri.

Privacy was an important aspect of the design, allowing divisions between crew and guest areas, including an interior crew stairway that leads up to the 70sqm sun deck. A spa tub is aft, the centre of the sundeck is covered for partial shade, and windscreens forward help protect from strong breezes.

Aft view of the magnificent sun deck

“On a future Custom Line 140’, we’d love to add a little bar and seating forward to enjoy the fabulous views,” Boschi remarks.

In addition to the sun deck, De Vivo’s personal favourite space on board is the beach club. “The beach area at sea level is large and spacious. It can be freely furnished and has been designed for the owner and guests to have fun and relax. It’s a real plus,” he says. The beach club and garage layout can be altered to expand the beach club.

The expansive glazing and windows are showcased by internal lighting at night

Bigger, better and bolder is an apt summary of Custom Line’s cunning new flagship, as Paszkowski concludes.

“The 140’ represents a natural evolution of the Planing range. We tried to combine new design elements for the range, restyled with the functionality and technical expertise that has typified the success of Custom Line over the years.”

www.customline-yacht.com

www.ferrettigroupasiapacific.com

Jeanneau elevates Merry Fisher range with new flagship

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Jeanneau elevates Merry Fisher range with new flagship

February 21, 2023
11:52 pm

The exciting new Merry Fisher 1295 Fly – is by some length – the new flagship of Jeanneau’s most popular outboard range in Asia. By Valencia Tong.

The Merry Fisher 1295 Fly has an LOA over 41ft

On a sunny day at the 63rd Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), Jeanneau’s Merry Fisher 1295 Fly was extremely popular among visitors. In fact, it even earned a nomination included in the Best of Show awards, which was later broadcast in a one-hour programme on Fox Sports.

During FLIBS, the 41ft 2in yacht was constantly packed with new groups of people. The excitement was palpable when a family of four hopped onto the yacht.

The saloon is forward of a full-beam galley

The two young children dashed straight into the bright, open saloon and towards the sofa, while the parents looked relaxed, envisioning themselves sipping cocktails in the galley. Add in the comfortable, cosy cabins downstairs and it looked like they were at home. I smiled as I waited for my turn to inspect the new leader of the Merry Fisher range.

MAJESTIC MERRY FISHER

The overall length of the Merry Fisher 1295 Fly is more than 7ft longer than the 1095 and to reflect this, there are a host of new features and areas that clearly separate it from the former series flagship.

Triple 300hp engines provide the power

Firstly, it has three engines, not two, while the flybridge has a full seating area for up to five guests. The foredeck is a properly developed social area with integrated sun loungers.

Inside is a full-beam aft galley, more comparable to those seen on larger flybridge motor yachts. There’s almost 47 per cent more fuel, giving another indication of the step up in scale.

The cockpit has an L-shaped sofa

Equipped with triple 300hp Yamaha outboard engines, the Merry Fisher 1295 Fly looks powerful, sleek and modern. On the starboard side of the aft deck, the stainless-steel ladder with teak treads hung off the fold-down side, gleaming under the sun.

To get aboard, the starboard transom platform and gate can be used, while the portside opening gate is another option. The cockpit has an L-shaped sofa and flexible table, and blends seamlessly with the galley, blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. The choice of material for the table includes wood or fibreglass.

Merry Fisher firsts include a drop-down side platform

One feature that makes this range flagship stand out is the electronically controlled starboard terrace, which acts as a platform extending outwards towards the ocean. It provides more space for entertaining family, friends and guests, can also serve as a dedicated spot for suntanning or reading, and is the best place for jumping into the water.

Accessed by stairs from the cockpit, the flybridge provides a comfortable environment for unwinding while enjoying the sea view and is dominated by a J-shaped sofa to port and a smallish table.

The fun flybridge features a J-shaped sofa, table, fridge, helm station and full-width sunpad

There’s plenty of space to store cold beverages, with a refrigerator near the table and cup holders next to the seats.

The forward part of the three-sided sofa has a flexible backrest, so can be converted into companion seating while underway or whenever a forward view is wanted. On the starboard side, the helm features a minimal, no-nonsense control panel and is fitted with a Garmin display. Forward is a full-width sunpad, sheltered by the windscreen.

The foredeck includes a sunbathing area with backrests, plus seats in the bow

The cleverly designed foredeck is also ideal for sunbathing and reading, offering an integrated, three person sun lounger. The soft, supportive material of the sunpads makes it a perfect excuse for couch potatoes to continue their sedentary activity … outdoors! Whether it’s taking a nap under the sun or sitting there watching family members or friends swim, paddleboard or kayak, this is an ideal spot.

EXTENDED INTERIOR

The neutral, cream colour tone of the interior looks sophisticated and turns the attention of whoever is in the saloon to the ocean view.

The full-beam aft galley is another Merry Fisher first

The aft galley is equipped with kitchen equipment such as stove and sink. The countertop is extremely glossy and chic, while there are also electrical sockets for charging.

Even when you’re preparing food or drinks in this area, there’s still also plenty of space to entertain. Forward in the main lounge, the light-coloured wood and the fabrics of the C-shaped sofa to port accentuate the airy feeling of the space.

The saloon features a C-shaped sofa, a dining table and an adjustable helm seat

The natural light from the large windows enlivens the saloon, where people hang out, enjoy their food and engage in conversation.

To starboard, the large door next to the helm seat makes a difference when docking shorthanded, allowing easy access to the side deck. Moreover, the dual GPS screens, joystick and autopilot technology ensure the skipper has everything he or she needs.

The lower helm benefits from a starboard door

The model features Groupe Beneteau’s Seanapps technology, which has been included on all new Jeanneau yachts since September 2021.

The system allows the owner to monitor data about the yacht through a smartphone app. They include safety information such as the GPS position, battery level, tank levels, bilge levels and engine data; trip information such as distance covered, speeds and depth; as well as temperature and humidity inside.

The master cabin with en-suite bathroom is in the bow

Jeanneau’s team did a great job maximising the use of the space while leaving enough room to create a clear corridor that leads to the stairs to the lower deck.

The centreline stairs descend to a lobby that leads forward to the master stateroom with an en-suite bathroom, while to port is the bathroom shared by day guests and both guest cabins, which sit side by side midships. The wooden floor creates a natural ambience, while the soft, warm glow from LED lights along the edges of cabinets gives the interior space a modern twist.

One of the two midships guest cabins, which share a bathroom

The master stateroom has a large island berth and enjoys a lot of natural light from two side windows and a wide forward window, which all help to illuminate a beautiful, serene space. The reflection from the mirror above the headboard makes the space look larger. Facing the bed is a TV on the starboard side, while the en-suite is on port side and has a separate enclosed shower.

The guest cabins each have a large window and a mirror to help create a feeling of more space. The familiar glow from the LED lights again creates a relaxing, ambient environment. With three comfortable cabins, the Merry Fisher 1295 Fly is well equipped for three generations of a family or up to three couples to enjoy time away.

The yacht can store boards and other water toys

Options like the Seakeeper 3 (SK3) gyroscopic stabiliser and the hydraulic retractable gangway are available to improve the quality of the boating experience. There are also options to install tropical-strength air-conditioning (36,000BTU), yet another reason why the new series flagship could prove as popular in Asia as other Merry Fisher models.

www.jeanneau.com

Beneteau’s dynamic new sailing flagship

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Beneteau’s dynamic new sailing flagship

February 16, 2023
3:16 pm

The new flagship of Beneteau’s sailing models, the Oceanis Yacht 60 has already secured multiple sales in Asia, as Italian designers Roberto Biscontini and Lorenzo Argento take their collaboration to the next level. Words: Norbert Concin Photos: Gilles Martin-Raget (Exterior) & Nicolas Claris (Interior)

The Oceanis Yacht 60 features hull design by Robert Biscontini

Having kick-started the Oceanis Yacht series with the former 62, Beneteau followed up in 2020 with the Oceanis Yacht 54, the ‘Yacht’ designation differentiating the top-of-the-range offshore cruiser models from the rest of the Oceanis series, now ranging from the 30.1 to the 51.1.

During a test sail off Barcelona, we were seduced by the 54’s performance and manoeuvrability, which make it suitable for a family or a short-handed crew – the same thing a lot of the time.

The elegant hull has a length of almost 58ft, while LOA is closer to 62ft

The Oceanis Yacht 60 we discovered at the Cannes Yachting Festival last September is different because of its even more elegant silhouette. Its size and the lines of the rigid bimini cap give it a more imposing stature, more modern, racier, while early sales to Taiwan by Simpson Marine indicate its suitability for Asian waters and popularity among regional sailors.

Like its smaller sister, the hull design of the Oceanis Yacht 60 is from the drawing board of Italian Roberto Biscontini, who also designed the First 53, the biggest model in the First range.

Both helming areas have everything to hand

Beyond the pure performance, the balance under sail of these boats when under way creates a freedom for the yachtsman in the sense that one can achieve superb average speeds without being a great racer or even without pushing it, while your companions enjoy a comfortable ride.

The moderate angle of heel on all points of sail gives the impression of safety and serenity, which is what a ‘yacht’ is all about. But what else is needed to achieve this coveted status?

A DELIGHTFUL CENTRAL COCKPIT

As you step aboard, via a hydraulic gangway, the wide deck gives a natural ease of movement, helped by very accomplished ergonomics.

The cockpit can be covered by a retractable awning

Lorenzo Argento, the Italian interior and exterior designer, has created modular relaxation areas that can be used in any situation. Under the rigid bimini, whose soft top can be retracted to enjoy either the sun or the stars, a central cockpit has been designed to provide easy circulation.

On either side of a main aisle, two tables can seat 10 people for dining or can be lowered at the touch of a button to become a lounger. Two further sun loungers are installed in this space under the retractable roof, while there are two more forward of the mast.

The symmetrical L-shaped sofas are partially protected

A beautiful aft deck completes the ‘relaxation’ areas, which avoid any mixing with the sailing zones. The sailing equipment is all grouped together at the helm stations so there’s no need to let go of the wheel for setting, trimming or reducing sail. Note that moving from one end of the deck to the other is accomplished without having to step over any coaming.

With stairs leading from the bathing platform and well-hidden steps on the side decks, moving around is simple and safe, even for the shortest of distances, giving the feeling of being in a flush-deck space.

INTERIOR OF HIGH STANDING

This ease of movement is confirmed by the gentle, wide companionway leading down to a very spacious interior, which includes a saloon, dining area and central galley across the width of the boat. The three en-suite and bathrooms are located at the ends of the boat.

Lorenzo Argento handled the interior design

The interior can be fitted out in walnut for a very intimate atmosphere or in oak, for a brighter effect, while the layout has been designed to make every move smooth and easy.

During our visit aboard, there must have been a dozen of us – including Argento – in the saloon, and no one was in each other’s way. The semi-circular chart table and its bucket seat allow the owner to enjoy life on board with friends.

The sofa and curved chart table are starboard of the main dining area

The full-width galley, separated into two zones, has comprehensive work areas and equipment. On one side, there are plus-sized refrigeration facilities and on the other, the cooking and serving station bring the culinary possibilities closer to what you’d find ashore.

Each cabin has its own bathroom with separate shower. A door from the saloon transforms one of the aft cabin bathrooms into a toilet for day guests.

The starboard side of the elegant, full-width galley

The owner’s suite forward is very spacious and bright, with four hatches in the deck. Its forward-facing island bed is forward of the en-suite bathroom and away from prying eyes, reinforcing the private aspect of the yacht, while the storage space includes a full wardrobe.

EQUIPMENT THAT MAKES A YACHT

These living areas and storage spaces – except for the wine cellar, which is a touch on the small side – contribute to the comfort expected on a larger boat. Nevertheless, it’s because of the sum of the equipment, the standard of finish, and the coherence of the whole that one recognises a real ‘yacht’.

Situated in the bow, the well-lit master cabin has a forward-facing bed

Beneteau has also provided an exhaustive list of options to set up your Oceanis Yacht 60 according to your expectations and sailing programme, all in accordance with the brand’s Premium service, which accompanies you through the moment of handover.

Judging by this model, nothing is missing to create a comfortable onboard experience. Air conditioning, multimedia, quality upholstery and bedding, high-end blinds, a dishwasher and a washing machine provide almost every comfort you could wish for and most of what you need.

The master en-suite buffers the bedroom from the saloon

On the technical side, the Ship Control and Seanapps systems allow the skipper and/or owner to manage the onboard equipment both onboard and from a smartphone, improving safety and reducing concerns. The choice of in-mast furling – the AST system developed in association with Harken – eliminates the effort involved in tacking and trimming the sails, and limits heeling.

This, combined with the bow and stern thrusters that assist with port manoeuvres, are all part of the ‘easy sailing’ concept that the brand has been promoting for many years to encourage access to boating for even novice sailors.

The aft garage can house a 2.8m RIB, while the forepeak can have a crew cabin

And because every detail is important, the garage allows you to effortlessly launch and recover a 2.8m RIB with an electric winch. There’s even a skipper/hostess cabin in the forepeak, yet another feature that shows all bases are covered and is another boost to its popularity in Asia.

www.beneteau.com

www.simpsonmarine.com

Azimut’s dynamic new “compact superyacht”

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Azimut’s dynamic new “compact superyacht”

February 9, 2023
2:41 pm

Designed by Alberto Mancini and Achille Salvagni, the five-cabin 26M is the new entry model for Azimut’s Grande range of superyachts, with highlights including a first use of ZF’s Pod 4600 propulsion system, a 50sqm flybridge and the aft Deck2Deck™ Terrace.

Alberto Mancini designed the exterior of Azimut’s new Grande 26M

Azimut has started 2023 on a roll, with parent company Azimut-Benetti celebrating a 23rd year atop the builder rankings in the Global Order Book for 24m-plus superyachts. Azimut’s new Grande superyachts are playing their part in the builder’s colossal order book, with well over 20 units sold of the 26M alone, including an order for Hong Kong that’s scheduled to arrive this year.

The Grande 26M and the Grande 36M were world premieres at the Cannes Yachting Festival in the south of France last September before the former headed the builder’s collection at the Genoa International Boat Show in Italy.

Both models feature exterior styling by Alberto Mancini and interiors by Achille Salvagni, who both worked on the shipyard’s 38m flagship Grande Trideck that debuted in 2021.

Mancini also designed the Grande 36M and flagship 38m Trideck

And both the 26M and 36M are additions to Azimut’s Low Emission Yacht collection, which the builder defines by using at least 20 per cent less fuel than comparable yachts of a similar size, including shaft-line models with hard-chine hulls.

The designation now applies to over half the models in the brand’s portfolio and over the next three years, Azimut-Benetti plans to invest €130 million in R&D in the development of new products, cutting-edge technologies and sustainability.

Included is a growing focus on reducing fuel consumption and emissions by combining innovative propulsion systems including hybrid and electric, increasingly efficient hulls, and extensive use of carbon-fibre to reduce weight. All three all evident on the Grande 26M.

CARBON TECH, LARGE POD

On the 26.1m superyacht, carbon-fibre was focused on the transom and aft platform, and upper parts of the yacht including the superstructure, flybridge, rollbar and hard top. The use of carbon reduced the weight of the laminated components by up to 30 per cent and lessened the natural ‘roll’ momentum by up to 15 per cent, according to Azimut.

The foredeck is forward of the semi-raised wheelhouse

Like all Azimut’s Grande, Magellano and S models, plus its 60ft-plus Fly models, the 26M features hull design by Pierluigi Ausonio Naval Architecture and Azimut’s R&D department. However, the 26M stands out as Azimut’s first model to feature the new POD 4600 propulsion system developed with ZF.

Compared with the pod systems already available on the market, ZF’s new POD 4600 system was developed to increase efficiency on larger boats for the first time. The pods pivot, so eliminating the need for a rudder and the associated drag to achieve excellent manoeuvrability and high speeds.

On the Grande 26M, the pods are paired with two 1,550hp or 1,650hp MAN V12 engines, with the yacht reaching 28 knots. It’s the same top speed as the Grande 26M launched in 2018, which uses two 1,900hp MAN V12s to power a model 2ft longer, 1ft wider and almost nine tonnes heavier.

The foredeck has facing sofas plus a large sunbathing area

An additional benefit of the POD 4600 system is higher torque at low speeds for easier manoeuvring, while the system is also ‘hybrid ready’, as Azimut continues its quest for lower consumption and emissions.

MANCINI’S GRANDE ERA

The 26M is also part of an ongoing update of Azimut’s Grande series incorporating exterior designs by Mancini. Still in his early 40s, the in-demand Italian first worked for Azimut on its new Fly and S models before stepping up to design Azimut’s biggest-ever yacht, the Trideck.

He has since followed that with designs for the Grande 26M and 36M, with the 27M and 32M in the portfolio drawn by the late Stefano Righini.

Mancini incorporates aspects of car design into his yacht design, which has been moulded by working with some of the industry’s leading lights including Riva designer Mauro Micheli of Officina Italiana, Ken Freivokh, Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard.

The Deck2Deck™ Terrace is created by raising the garage door to main-deck height

Mancini’s work on the 125ft Grande Trideck featured the lauded ‘Sea View Terrace’, an open deck positioned aft of and a little higher than the cockpit, so it sits atop the beach club below. The designer has continued the concept on the 86ft Grande 26M with the Deck2Deck™ Terrace, created when the teak-clad garage door is raised to main-deck height, expanding the cockpit to over 18sqm.

When extended aft, the walkaround table seats up to eight guests in an alfresco dining area with an uninterrupted 270-degree view over the water. Otherwise, the typical cockpit layout features two facing sofas, enabling clear views aft through the clear balustrade and down to the swim platform below, which offers access to the garage.

Mancini said: “The project was driven by the enthusiasm to create a compact superyacht, with five cabins, an enormous flybridge and a larger cockpit than usual for the category, which we wanted to extend to give the yacht a fully-fledged dining area overlooking the water.”

Azimut says the 50sqm same-level flybridge has “never been seen before on a yacht this size”

The outdoor areas continue forward, where both side decks lead to a large foredeck. The bow area is split into two social areas, with a sofa in front of the wheelhouse facing another sofa with an adjustable backrest, while forward is a large triple sunpad.

The oversized flybridge is another winning outdoor area and stretches aft almost as far as the main deck, with Azimut stating that the top deck’s 50sqm (540sqft) of space on the same level has “never been seen before on a yacht this size”.

Forward view of the flybridge, dressed in loose furniture

The fixtures include a dining table to port and a long sofa that continues all the way forward to create an L-shaped lounge around a coffee table, beside the twin-seat helm station. There’s also a bar area starboard of the dining table, but otherwise almost the aft half of the deck is clear for loose furniture.

SOFT AND WARM

The interiors are classic Salvagni, whose work is seen on the entire Grande collection and most of the Fly models from the Azimut 60 upwards. The shapes and hues are soft and warm, with the saloon welcoming guests with oak flooring and full-height windows.

Achille Salvagni has designed the soft, warm interior of the Grande 26M

The saloon features three sofas to port around a coffee table, plus two chairs to starboard, while forward is a dining table for eight under an artistic, blue ceiling lighting system. To starboard, the hallway leads to the galley, a day head, lower-deck stairs and wheelhouse before continuing forward to the gorgeous owner’s suite.

Forward of the saloon, the dining area is flanked by full-height windows

The full-beam, three-level suite starts with cupboards either side of the entrance. It’s then two steps down to the main bedroom, which features full-height glazing on both sides, a freestanding desk to starboard with an expansive view, and a large forward-facing bed set to port and accompanied by rounded bedside tables and lamps.

Forward of the bed is a mirrored bulwark with a hidden TV screen, while to starboard, a couple of steps lead down to an open dressing area that leads into the bathroom. There are a further four en-suite guest cabins on the lower deck, which benefits in size from the smaller engine room required due to the POD 4600 propulsion system.

The master suite is forward on the main deck

Two mirrored VIP suites are set just aft of midships, each with an inward-facing double bed and an aft bathroom that also acts a sound buffer from the engine room. Forward is a double cabin to starboard opposite a twin cabin to starboard.

On the main deck, just aft of the stairs to the lower deck, is the entrance to the galley, which has a light, clean design. The port side of the galley leads forward to a staircase to the lower-deck crew quarters, which includes a single and a double cabin, shared bathroom and an L-shaped dinette.

The master suite has full-height windows on both sides

The galley’s port stairway also offers crew access to the semi-raised wheelhouse, where two helm seats face three Raymarine screens and technology includes Active Trim Control, in which Humphree interceptors automatically help the yacht plane and reach optimum trim. Onboard technology also includes an AHU air-extraction system, which continuously exchanges and purifies the air on board.

Ticking most boxes, the 26M offers a fresh entry model for Azimut’s acclaimed Grande range, which continues to benefit from Mancini’s innovative exterior design, a cutting-edge hull, forward-thinking technology, and light, airy interiors that are as warmly welcoming as they are stylishly outfitted.
www.azimutyachts.com
www.azimutyachts.hk

Fast start for Benetti B.Now 50M

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Fast start for Benetti B.Now 50M

December 21, 2022
4:49 pm

Following a remarkable early order book, the B.Now 50M has been described as the ‘most popular 50m model in history’. But whereas hull one Iryna has a traditional aft deck, most subsequent orders have chosen the Oasis Deck® option.

The B.Now 50M debuted at the 2022 Monaco Yacht Show

A world premiere at the 2022 Monaco Yacht Show, the B.Now 50M is the first in a family of four steel B.Now models, which also includes the 60M, 67M and 72M. UK-based studio RWD designed all four and each is available with a traditional aft deck or the Oasis Deck®, which was pioneered by the shipyard’s Oasis 40M and rolled out on the new Oasis 34M.

Benetti announced in Monaco that a staggering 16 units of the B.Now 50M had been sold as of late September, also stating that B.Now construction times are 30 per cent shorter than market standards due to advanced construction technology and hull engineering solutions.

The stunning early sales figures make the 499GT, four-deck superyacht “the most popular 50m model in history”, according to Sebastiano Fanizza, Benetti’s Chief Commercial Officer.

British studio RWD designed the exterior of the B.Now 50M as well as its 60M, 67M and 72M sisters

“It’s elegant, it’s dynamic, it’s a 50m steel yacht, it’s a Benetti designed by RWD,” Fanizza says. “That’s all I need to start a discussion with a buyer.”

Iryna, hull one, shows the steel and aluminium hull by P.L.A.N.A and RWD’s clean, sporty exterior lines to good effect. Andrew Collet, RWD Project Manager, admits: “B.Now has automotive design cues, stripped-back surfaces. There’s no fuss or unnecessary details; everything you see is there for a reason.”

TRADITIONAL OR OASIS

The vast exterior spaces include an aft beach area with a glass-walled pool, an enormous forward lounge on the upper deck, and an open sun deck. About 40 per cent of the yacht’s ‘walkable’ living space is outdoors, according to Azzurra Beani, Benetti’s Project Manager for the B.Now 50M.

Iryna, the first B.Now 50M, features the traditional aft deck

When viewing from a dock or boarding, it’s the beach club that first welcomes you and Iryna features the model’s traditional aft deck. As well as the pool, the beach area includes an internal zone that can be accessed through a gullwing hatch on the starboard side as well as a stairway from the main deck.

The covered area includes a sauna and a service area complete with shower, while a drop-down side platform to starboard can expand and open the beach club to offer sea views, breeze and access to the water.

However, the Oasis Deck® option for the aft area has been chosen for the majority of the first 16 orders, according to Beani.

CGI of the Oasis Deck® option on the B.Now 50M

With the Oasis Deck®, the aft deck starts with a flat swim platform and a wide swimming pool, which is flanked on each side by four steps up to the main part of the beach club. On both sides, the curved bulwarks can drop down, so everyone on the two main lounging sofas, in the pool or any sunbeds can enjoy a 270-degree view of the sea.

A four-step central stairway then leads up the main deck, which starts with an aft cockpit with bar and seating area that feels connected to the rest of the beach club – or Oasis Deck®. “The Oasis Deck® option spans a remarkable 150sqm of outdoor area, which is a lot compared to any other 50m yacht,” Fanizza says.

DETAILED BUT RELAXED

The main deck starts with a partially covered aft deck or cockpit. On Iryna, the area features two curved sofas and two chairs around an oblong coffee table, with guests able to enjoy views of the pool and sea.

On Iryna, the aft main deck overlooks the pool

All the indoor and outdoor social areas, furniture and décor can be customised and outfitted by each owner, as it was on Iryna.

The interior, which RWD designed in collaboration with the Benetti Interior Style Department, starts with the saloon, with Iryna’s owner choosing a sofa and two chairs on port facing a TV on starboard side. Forward is a short hallway and then the formal dining area, which has full-height windows on either side.

Forward view of the saloon, hallway and formal dining area

On Iryna, interior claddings and ceiling panels are made with a variety of woods including silk coloured frisé maple and a smoked oak featuring contrasting dark shades. The ceilings feature tanned ivory leather, while the recesses are treated with satin-finish sheet palladium, the platinum family’s most precious metal.

The colourways in each setting play on ivory, brick and moka nuances, from the walls to the dark honey coloured silk and bamboo carpet.

The dining area is forward of the main saloon

Iryna’s owner, who upgraded to the B.Now 50M from within the Azimut-Benetti family, has added to the décor with nautically themed works of art including several beautiful and valuable maps.

A starboard hallway leads past the staircase to the owner’s suite, which has an integrated private balcony with sliding glass door, an indoor seating or coffee area, a large dressing room and en-suite bathroom, and a luggage area in which every detail is personalised.

The master suite has an integrated balcony with a sliding door

“It’s basically a private saloon for the owner,” Beani says. “The philosophy of the yacht is to live outside, so even when you’re inside in the master suite, you can completely open the verandah door and have the room fully open to the outdoors.”

A midships elevator links the lower, main and upper decks, while there are separate interior stairways for guests and crew. The lower deck features four nicely designed en-suite guest cabins midships, while in the bow are the crew quarters, which include four twin cabins, a captain’s cabin, laundry area and a good-sized crew mess.

OUTDOOR LIVING

The upper deck features two of the yacht’s largest outdoor areas including a vast aft deck that guests can reach from the main deck by an external staircase to port.

The aft upper deck leads into the skylounge

Aft is a long sofa facing an oblong coffee table and two chairs, while forward in the covered area is a large dining table arranged lengthways that can seat up to 10 people. The area can even become a cinema because of a pop-up TV to starboard.

The alfresco dining area leads into an elegant skylounge, where there’s a chair and a huge L-shaped sofa to starboard around a wooden table with fish carvings, while to port is a large TV. However, the room’s winning piece is a gorgeous map of the world on the forward bulkhead.

The skylounge features another ornate map

Forward is a gym with private shower, the ship office and the wheelhouse, which features standing room only by the wheel, a helm chair on each side, three console screens and five stand-up monitors.

The deck’s other outdoor space is forward of the wheelhouse, where the enormous open foredeck features two L-shaped sofas facing a large sofa cum sunbathing area.

The bow lounge features elegant sofas and sunpads

Upstairs, the large sun deck has a covered central dining area with a media space, an uncovered aft area with sunbeds and a large barbecue, plus a forward bar counter offering impressive views. The garage is located forward on the main deck and can house a 6.25m tender, a jetski, a rescue boat and four Seabobs.

Fitted with twin 1,400hp MAN V12 engines, the B.Now 50M has a top speed of 15 knots and a range of 4,500nm at a speed of 12 knots, with a fuel capacity of 60,000 litres.

Forward view of the sun deck

However, like all B.Now, B.Century and B.Yond models and Benetti custom yachts, the B.Now 50M is available with the E Mode Hybrid system, which offers a variety of operating modes that mix the use of diesel engines, electric engines, diesel generators and advanced lithium-ion batteries.

Based on annual use of 400 hours under way and 600 at anchor, the shipyard says fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) can be reduced by up to 24 per cent and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by up to 85 per cent, according to data supplied by the B.Yond 37M’s E-Mode Hybrid system.

The sun deck bar offers sensational sea views

Traditional propulsion or hybrid? Traditional aft deck or Oasis Deck®? Even if your mind is made up and the production time is impressive, there’s a huge backlog of orders, which is why B.Now 50M’s big sisters are becoming increasingly popular in the wake of the world’s most popular 50m yacht.
www.benettiyachts.it

Prestige’s asymmetrical X60 is surprisingly different to her big sister

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Prestige’s asymmetrical X60 is surprisingly different to her big sister

December 8, 2022
3:36 pm

Set to arrive in this region in 2023 through Asia Yachting, the new Prestige X60 is full of surprises, including just how different she is to her big sister. By John Higginson.

The X60 is the second model in Prestige X-Line

Prestige’s new X60 has a hard act to follow. Her elder sister, the X70, was a revolution for both the market and the French builder, renowned for its classic F-Line and S-Line ranges up to the 690 and a world leader in the 40-60ft motor yachts sector.

The X70 broke the mould, shaking things up with its forward-raked windscreen, infinity cockpit and widebody superstructure, a radical new concept executed by Italy’s Garroni Design, which has designed all Prestige models since the brand emerged as a Jeanneau offshoot in 1989.

A full-beam saloon and no side decks were among major points of difference for the X70, while the upgraded furnishings, décor and details elevated the image of Prestige, which has also rolled out the new interior styling on its 690 flybridge motor yacht.

The X60 is also by Garroni Design

The four-cabin X70 was a remarkable start for the X-Line, which has now widened its range with the three-cabin X60, a model that shares many of the winning features of the flagship yet is surprisingly different in so many ways.

Erwin Bamps, Brand Director of Prestige since November 2018, explains: “The X60 is the second model in the X-Line, so it had to be coherent with the concepts we introduced on the X70. These include greater connectivity, meaning the easy level of circulation around a monohull boat, while inside there’s a higher level of finishing and finesse, and a richness of materials.

“On the X70, it was possible to use the full beam for the main-deck interior because of its proportions. However, on the X60, we chose an asymmetric design with one side deck, which offered the best solution to gain interior space on the main deck and yet give accessibility from the aft cockpit to the foredeck.”

The beach club features a drop-down sofa

From afar, the X60 is recognisable as an X-Line model, with a reverse windscreen and dark wheelhouse roof, although new touches include replacing the hard top’s side supports with double carbon poles.

The iconic beach club is reassuringly similar and features a hydraulic swim platform with built-in steps to port, a hot and cold shower, as well as a fold-down sofa that allows guests to sit and lounge comfortably by the water.

The large infinity cockpit has multiple furniture options

Like on the X70, the oversized teak platform is overlooked by aft-facing seating and an infinity cockpit, so guests enjoy views of the sea and beach club through the clear glass balustrade.

FUN FOREDECK, FAB FLYBRIDGE
Once you reach the main deck, however, the differences to the X70 start to become apparent. Most notable is that the X60 isn’t a full widebody but instead has one side deck, to port.

The X60 features one side deck, to port

This passageway leads to the foredeck, which is one of the X60’s signature features and can also be accessed by a short starboard side deck starting by the indoor helm. A world away from the flat foredeck on the X70, the X60 features a beautiful sunken bow lounge, with seating and sunpads plus drinks holders on both sides of a movable octagon-shaped teak table.

The central pads on each side include a fold-up backrest, while the forward two pads on both sides can be removed to reveal four storage lockers. For cover, a canopy can be erected using four poles inserted into deck holes.

The clever sunken foredeck lounge

“The foredeck is not just for sunbathing but a proper outdoor social area, like you have in the cockpit or flybridge. It gives you another entertainment space for people to meet, to have a drink,” Bamps says. “If you have six or eight people, groups can split up around the boat and find their own space when they want to.”

The flybridge, accessed by starboard stairs from the cockpit, spans an area of 26sqm (280ft), which Prestige says is 30 per cent bigger than the flybridge on the comparably sized 590 F-Line flybridge model.

The large flybridge has a huge wet bar

The area covered by an electric sunroof features an athwartships dining table and chairs by Roda Teka.

Forward is a fitted L-shaped sofa to starboard, while to port is an outdoor galley with a grill, fridge, sink and storage, and a twin helm station with Garmin screens, autopilot and VHF. Unlike the X70, there are no stairs to the foredeck.

The aft area is clear for loose furniture

The aft flybridge area is clear of fixtures but includes, as standard, an island lounger with movable, weighted backrests, while options include sunbeds or two island loungers either side of a drinks table.

BREEZY INDOOR-OUTDOOR LIVING
On the main deck, there are also furniture options for the aft cockpit, with an island lounger again the standard option.

However, the X-Line’s features include an extra-long cockpit and although it’s not as noticeable on the X60, there’s enough room to complement the island lounger with an optional dining table and loose chairs, offering another alfresco dining area and increasing the social options.

The saloon features a sliding door to port

In contrast to Prestige’s F-Line and S-Line models, which have an aft-galley layout, the X-Line is more in line with larger luxury motor yachts by having the galley forward.

Along with the starboard side deck, the saloon on the X60 is among the major differences compared to the X70, although both models feature interiors designed with Italian Valentina Militerno de Romedis.

Instead of the saloon spanning one side of the hull to the other, the inclusion of a side deck on the X60 reduces the relative indoor space, although Prestige has offset this by including a sliding glass door to port, meaning the saloon is truly open to the sun and breeze on two sides.

The X60 focuses on indoor-outdoor living

Prestige says the semi-widebody design provides interior width not found on another 60ft monohull, yet that feels slightly undermined when you enter the interior, as the private staircase to the master suite – a brand signature – reduces the width of the living area by a metre or so.

“On the X60, we couldn’t use the full beam for the interior because the staircase to the top would have been too steep and you’d lose too much space on the flybridge if you had two accesses,” Bamps says. “However, the sliding side door in the saloon combined with the two sliding doors aft allow you to sit inside yet feel as though you’re outside.”

SOFT INTERIOR LUXURY
The saloon includes two beige Duvivier sofas: a two-seat version to port and an L-shaped one to starboard, where there’s also a foldable table.

The galley has high-low storage cabinets

The full-height glass door and window to port are complemented by large windows starboard and forward, so guests can enjoy panoramic views including through to the windscreen as well as plenty of natural light.

The interior features hardwood oak flooring and Walnut woodwork, and the detailing is top-drawer, in line with the X70. To starboard, aft of the slightly raised helm station, is an open, three-sided galley, which has a three-zone induction cooktop, microwave/grill and – a personal favourite – two high-low storage units that can electrically descend to provide a flush countertop when needed.

To port is more storage, a fridge-freezer and another Laminam ceramic worktop, while forward is a raised L-shaped sofa, offering companion seating for the skipper and a nice cosy snug for reading, with great views outside and inside the boat.

The port side offers a raised corner sofa

The raised helm has a dark-leather bench seat and includes a joystick as part of the Zeus drive package, the option of two 12-inch or 16-inch standalone screens, and a full-height door to the short side deck.

CABINS SUPREME
However, Prestige’s upgraded fabrics, finishes and detailing are arguably best showcased in the stunning guest cabins, led by the magnificent full-beam master suite, which features super-soft carpeting and beautifully combines soothing natural colours with wood, velvet and a variety of tactile surfaces.

The full-beam master suite

Accessed by a wide staircase and situated midships – not in the bow, as on the X70 – the master has a forward-facing bed, a sofa to port and storage on both sides, with the whole room benefiting from huge hull windows plus port holes on both sides. The mood lighting including above, behind and below the bed is discreet and elegant.

Forward is a TV flanked by two sliding doors. The starboard one leads to a bathroom with a Corian countertop and plenty of mirrors, while the port one accesses an elegant walk-in wardrobe, with both rooms having access to the central rain shower.

The TV is flanked by doors to the wardrobe and bathroom

The two guest cabins are reached from the stairs beside the lower helm and the VIP could be a contender for best in class. The double bed, which can ‘scissor’ into singles, sits lower than is usual for a cabin in the bow, feeling more like a conventional cabin than one squeezed too far up into the forepeak.

The room also benefits from a skylight and, like the master, is beautifully finished and well equipped, featuring wardrobes and storage on both sides, a gorgeous standalone vanity to port, and an en-suite bathroom to starboard.

The forward VIP suite is among best in class

The bathroom can be used as the day head and potentially shared by those staying in the port-side guest cabin, which has twin beds that can slide together and the option of an en-suite bathroom to replace the VIP cabin’s port cupboard.

Although designed with owner-operators in mind, the X60 is a big yacht so there’s a comfortable crew cabin aft of the engine room, which houses twin 600hp Cummins engines that provide comfortable performance, with a top speed of 25 knots and a cruising speed of 20. Onboard technology includes Groupe Beneteau’s Ship Control and Seanapps systems.

The first X60 in Asia arrives in 2023

The first unit in Asia has already been secured by Asia Yachting and is scheduled for a mid-2023 arrival to the delight of Tanguy Tertrais, the Hong Kong-based APAC Sales Director for Prestige and Jeanneau.

“We’re really looking forward to having one more X-Line unit in this part of the world,” Tertrais says. “We strongly believe the X-Line perfectly suits the demand here, with reinvented space on board for greater volume and a design that’s more open to the sea.”
www.prestige-yachts.com
www.asiayachting.net

Excess 14 embodies DNA of sporty catamaran brand

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Excess 14 embodies DNA of sporty catamaran brand

December 1, 2022
1:23 pm

As the latest model by the young Groupe Beneteau brand, the twin-helm Excess 14 is the best example yet of the company’s DNA, delivering the ‘sensations of sailing’ and a sporty vibe with a bright interior and creative accommodation options. By Geoffroy Langlade.

The standard rig includes a square-top mainsail and overlapping genoa, while a Code 0 is optional

Excess has been fine-tuning its designs since it entered the market in 2019 with the launches of the Excess 12 and Excess 15. The latter remains the flagship of the young brand owned by Groupe Beneteau, whose portfolio includes Lagoon, the world’s most prolific pleasure catamaran builder with about 600 units a year.

However, Groupe Beneteau created Excess to help fill a gap in the market between luxury cruising cats and – at the other end of the spectrum – the stripped-down, high-tech racing cats.

Skippers can enjoy the sensation of sailing

Excess doesn’t claim to offer racer-style performance, but is instead focused on giving owners the feeling of sailing fast, stating that catamarans should not be restricted to a choice between comfort or sensations. As such, the signature helms at the aft end of each hull offer wind in the hair, sea spray and the sound of lapping water, all while staying connected to family and friends in the cockpit.

After using modified Lagoon moulds for the hulls of the Excess 12 (38ft hull) and 15 (47ft hull), the builder then developed the all-new Excess 11 (36ft hull), with the accomplished entry-level model debuting at Boot Dusseldorf in January 2020.

The Excess 14 features naval architecture by VPLP

All three models have since made it to Asia-Pacific. The first Excess 12 in Australia arrived in late 2020, while last year, Asia’s first Excess 11 was delivered to Japan and an Excess 15 sailed to New Zealand.

Back in France, Excess consolidated all its learnings and developments into its newest and most ambitious model yet – the Excess 14. The hull and exterior were again designed in collaboration with VPLP Design, renowned for its work in sailing monohulls and multihulls and a specialist in ocean racing, while Italy’s Nauta Design handled the interior.

Like all Excess models, the yacht has a helm station at the aft end of each hull

The Excess 14 had its world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2022 and enjoyed a lot of attention for her sleek, sporty look and colourful touches, with bright orange popping up on the outdoor upholstery, steering wheels, ‘Excess 14’ logo and even the trim of the genoa.

“The Excess 14 is the pure concentration of the Excess DNA,” says Thibaut de Montvalon, the company’s Brand Director and former Managing Director of Groupe Beneteau Asia-Pacific based in Hong Kong.

The Excess 14 is designed for owners with a sporty lifestyle

“It’s a boat that’s fun, that’s lively. It’s a cruising catamaran with outstanding lines that have benefited from an understanding of ocean racing. And it required profound naval architectural work to come up with many innovative solutions, both in the charter and owner versions.”

With full-scale production starting next year, the first unit for Asia is scheduled to arrive in Japan by the end of 2023. Other Asia-Pacific deliveries include to Tahiti, also late next year, then to both Australia and New Zealand in the first half of 2024.

PURE EXCESS
The Excess 14 has a 44ft hull and an overall length starting from about 46ft, depending on the bowsprit and any stern appendages. It has a beam of almost 26ft and is just 7in slimmer than the flagship 15. The model therefore enters the very competitive 45ft catamaran sector populated in Asia by experienced competitors such as Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, Leopard and Bali.

The yacht features asymmetric hulls

First off, a major point of difference is the twin helms, an Excess signature inspired by monohulls. Each helm station has a Garmin screen and a bench seat, offers a good view of the sails and limits the length of the lines to offer more sensations to the helmsman.

Hervé Piveteau, Product Manager of Excess, says: “We put a lot of effort into reducing weight, optimising the sail area to weight ratio, and gains in the structural design. However, it’s not only about performance but about sensations.

“Our objective is that the skipper steering the boat will have the same sensations as they would have on a monohull. It’s all about sailing sensations.”

At anchor, the foredeck can be dressed with sunpads

On the Excess 14, all manoeuvres from the mast are handled on starboard, where two Harken winches also trim the genoa, while there’s just the winch for the genoa on port side. Both helms have direct contact with the deeper rudder blades, which increase the draught to 4ft 10in.

The rig includes a forward-stepped mast, low boom and a composite bowsprit, along with a square top mainsail and large overlapping genoa as standard, which provide an impressive sail area to displacement ratio. There’s even an optional Pulse Line package, which increases the upwind sail area from 123sqm to 135sqm.

The wide cockpit features a huge aft bench, dining area and chaise longue

Built in foam sandwich with carbon reinforcements, the Excess 14 includes a lower freeboard to reduce windage and an increased bridgedeck clearance for better passage through the water, while the hulls were designed asymmetrically with inverted and inclined bows to reduce interference drag.

LIGHT & BRIGHT
In terms of outdoor social areas, the cockpit features a wide sofa aft, an L-shaped sofa and a dining table to port, plus a facing settee or chaise longue to starboard. The foredeck is clean, but can be set up with a couple of sunpads with adjustable backrests. There’s also the option of a flybridge-style ‘skylounge’ on top of the coachroof, but this can only be used at anchor due to the low boom.

The indoor dining area in the saloon and alfresco dining area in the cockpit

Nauta Design worked on the interior, which is noticeably bright due to the clear, ‘untinted’ windows all around the saloon. There’s also the option for a through-breeze due to a pair of rectangular portholes at the front and one to port, above the cooking area.

“With Nauta, the goal was to maintain volume and good headroom, all this in a warm and bright-as ever interior design,” says Piveteau, who has been with Groupe Beneteau for over two decades. “We made no compromise on the internal comfort, whether it’s the headroom, volume of the cabins, the size of the berths, even the volume of the fridges.”

The interior starts with a full-width galley

The L-shaped galley to port also includes twin sinks and plenty of storage below and above, while there’s refrigeration and more storage on the starboard side. The dining table, an L-shaped sofa and loose chairs are forward, while to port is a pull-out chart table with storage underneath.

Accommodation options below include a symmetrical four-cabin ‘charter’ version, with each room boasting an en-suite bathroom with separate shower, while options include a crew cabin in each of the forepeaks.

In the three-cabin version, the master suite occupies most of the starboard hull

The three-cabin version includes a large master suite on the starboard side with an office in the middle and a bathroom forward. Further forward still is a utility room that can be used as a walk-in wardrobe or storage room for water sports equipment and gear, or can be set up with twin beds, ideal for a family with kids.

“This extra room gives the owner huge volume and a unique storage area that can become an extra cabin, offering fantastic versatility,” Piveteau says. “And the charter version with four ensuite bathrooms with separate showers and space for two crew cabins is a first for a 44-footer.”

The forward utility room can be a walk-in wardrobe, storage room or twin cabin

However, Piveteau ultimately doesn’t believe Excess is in competition with other cruising catamaran builders, believing that the bold newcomer is steering its own path in the multihull market.

“The Excess 14 is not a cruising catamaran,” he says. “It’s more of an attractive sailboat with two hulls. This is what we call the Excess DNA.”
excess-catamarans.com

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