Reviews

Prestige, X60, X70, Review, Yacht Style, Erwin Bamps, Tanguy Tertrais

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

Sanlorenzo’s seriously smart performer

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Sanlorenzo’s seriously smart performer

November 24, 2022
12:21 pm

The super-sleek SP110 is making waves around the world with its triple waterjets, 40-knot top speed and 4ft draft, but Sanlorenzo’s first ‘Smart Performance’ sports yacht is as notable for its efficient propulsion and energy systems, and attractive atrium-style interior. And it’s coming to Asia, with a sale already secured by Simpson Marine.

Bernardo Zuccon designed the shark-like exterior

Exterior designer Bernardo Zuccon says the knife-like profile of the SP110 was inspired by the great white shark. Sanlorenzo Art Director Pierro Lissoni says “one feels its architectural power” when inside the atrium-style interior. Tilli Antonelli, Product and Development Manager of Sanlorenzo’s SP line, describes the shipyard’s first Smart Performance model as an “elegant, powerful, absolutely unique yacht” and a “major driver of innovation”.

Certainly, Sanlorenzo’s quest for innovation shows no signs of slowing down with the SP110, its first open coupè and its fastest yacht to date.

In fact, the two-deck design is so far removed from the SL, SD and SX flybridge yacht ranges that it’s reaching a new sector of owners, including one who switched to an SP110 from a sailing boat. Sanlorenzo Asia, represented by Simpson Marine, secured a sale in this region soon after the model’s world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival.

Marco Arnaboldi designed the hull

Upon closer inspection, it’s a model that possesses plenty of the shipyard’s DNA along with plenty from Antonelli, an industry pioneer behind brands such as Pershing and Wider. His influence is evident in the choice of three MJP waterjets, which work with triple 2,000hp MAN V12 engines to produce a top speed of 40 knots or even 43 knots with the 2,200hp options.

They’re impressive figures for a superyacht and a credit to hull designer Marco Arnaboldi – another member of the SP110’s all-star design team – who optimised the 108ft-long, 27ft-beam planing hull for use with hydrojet propulsion.

Another key contributor to efficiency is the use of lightweight materials, with a fibreglass hull topped by a superstructure in carbon and epoxy. The hull design, waterjets and light materials all contribute to a super-shallow draft of just 1.3m at full load, so you can pretty much go wherever there’s water.

The three MJP waterjets

“The waterjets give the yacht its very shallow draft, incredible comfort and flexibility in navigation, with full respect for the environment,” Antonelli says. “This is what characterises SP110 and its originality.”

LEAN AND GREEN

In an era with increasing focus on fuel emissions and a huge push for greener propulsion and operational systems, even Sanlorenzo Chairman Massimo Perotti admits that the high-speed SP110 may be a more niche offering than more voluminous models from the well-established SL, SD and SX series.

But that’s where the ‘Smart’ in Smart Performance comes in. Sure, the SP110 can seriously shift when it needs to, but Sanlorenzo says its performance is matched by impressive efficiency, the driving force behind the boat’s fractional propulsion system.

Solar panels cover the forward half of the roof of the SP110

To improve efficiency at slower speeds, the yacht can use just one engine or only the two outer engines, which is each paired with a steering waterjet as opposed to the central thruster.

“Personally, I think the best performance in terms of economy is at 10 knots, with the two side engines running at about 800-900rpm and consumption at about 110-112 litres per hour,” Antonelli says.

Furthermore, the SP110 incorporates a solar-electric energy system to help power onboard systems. High-efficiency 6kW monocrystalline solar panels cover the forward half of the roof and work with a package of lithium batteries to potentially run hotel functions for a few hours each day without the use of generators.

The foredeck offers access to a concealed working area

On a summer day in Mediterranean waters, over 60kW a day can be produced, which can run hotel loads for 4hrs based on an average of 15kWh. However, the deckhouse roof offers more than just solar panels, also featuring a full-width sunbathing area and even a cleverly disguised helm station that can fold down flush into the black superstructure.

OUTDOOR SURPRISES

While Antonelli is focused on the Smart Performance line, the SP110’s exterior and interior designers, Bernardo Zuccon and Piero Lissoni, are common to many of Sanlorenzo’s other series and models. In fact, Zuccon admitted it was a “complex task” finding the balance between the SP110’s dynamic performance and the need for elegant, comfortable outdoor and indoor spaces.

“While respecting the stylistic features that historically characterise this type of boat, such as the aerodynamic and extremely organic surfaces, with Tilli Antonelli we arrived at a compromise: a dialogue between dynamism and liveability not normally perceived on boats of this size,” said Zuccon, whose parents Gianni and Paola founded Zuccon International Project.

The tender is stored below the deck forward of the fold-out platform

Outdoor social areas include the foredeck, which includes a five-person sunbathing area and a further island sunpad forward, while all the technical equipment is neatly hidden in the forepeak under a foldup cover. Just below, the top section of the almost-vertical bow can lift forward to deploy the retractable anchor.

However, the main outdoor zone is the vast aft cockpit or terrace, an area whose increasing importance on Sanlorenzo models was highlighted by its significant size on the SX series and which has been replicated on smaller models by sister brand Bluegame.

On the SP110, the aft terrace is an almost square space measuring about 7m by 7m, so offering about 50sqm of space for outdoor furniture, water toys and whatever else an owner might wish to use it for. It also includes not one but two party tricks, starting with the 5m-wide aft transom folding out to become a waterside swim platform and reveal integrated steps leading down to it.

The swim platform can fold out to reveal integrated steps

However, unveiling the hidden tender is even more fun to watch. Firstly, three thin, long panels – one on each side and one aft of the outdoor furniture – open to allow a three-sided davit to electronically rise to an almost vertical position, where it looks like the posts and crossbar of a football goal.

After that, a roughly 5m by 2m deck panel pivots up and forward to reveal the tender, which is hoisted in the air, moved aft and then lowered into the water by the moving davit.

LIGHT AND BRIGHT

If the exterior makes it obvious that Sanlorenzo is entering a new sector with the SP110, the sliding aft doors show the shipyard is also not standing still with interior design.

View of the atrium-style interior

Having already worked on the interior of the SX88, Piero Lissoni was appointed as the company’s in-house Art Director in 2018, the year of Sanlorenzo’s 60th anniversary. Since then, he has overseen many of the interior layouts of the builder’s models but the atrium-style design of the SP110 interior may be one of his finest works yet.

Whether you’re standing on the aft terrace, swim platform or even the dock, you have a clear view through to both the lower lounge and the main deck above.

Forward view of the saloon and dining area

Both decks are connected by what Lissoni describes as a “hyper-technological staircase” to starboard and both are far more relaxing, comfortable and welcoming than the minimalist exterior might suggest.

Antonelli is full of praise for the connectivity of the outdoor and indoor areas. “The SP110 is designed to be social,” he says. “When one guest is reading a magazine on the main deck, another is watching a movie in the lower lounge and others are sunbathing or playing on the aft deck, they can all communicate. They’re in separate areas, but they’re all connected.”

Starboard view of the dining area, which has sliding doors each side

Inside, Lissoni themes include long sight lines, big windows, large openings and clear deck spaces that can be dressed by owners how they wish. Sanlorenzo prides itself on its customisation, which is illustrated by the interior of hull one, Almax, being notably different to the furniture layouts on the model’s original deck plans.

In essence, the main deck is designed to start with an open saloon, while forward is a dining area flanked by huge sliding doors on both sides for a pleasant cross breeze and beautiful sea views.

Aft view of the saloon and upper window above the aft doors

On Almax, a port side door leads to a day head and a large galley to starboard, while forward is a zen-like helm station, with a single, adjustable helm seat and a simple sofa and foldable table to starboard. To port is the staircase to the crew quarters, which has a captain’s cabin and two twins.

On the lower deck, the interior starts with a lower lounge in a design reminiscent of the larger Bluegame models. However, instead of three steps down from the aft platform, it’s five on the SP110, so there isn’t the visual connectivity to the aft deck you might hope for.

Starboard view of the lower lounge on Almax

Like the main saloon, the lower lounge can be dressed and laid out to the owner’s taste. On Almax, this includes a bar and leather chair to starboard, and a carpeted side to port with sofas facing the mirrored wall, which features a cleverly disguised TV screen.

The lower lounge has aft and port sofas

A central hallway leads first to identical VIP suites on each side, each with a forward-facing bed and en-suite bathroom, while forward to port is a flexible guest cabin, also with en-suite.

The master suite is on starboard side and features an inward-facing bed, with an elegant walk-in wardrobe aft and the en-suite forward.

The owner’s suite to starboard

Lissoni, for one, is confident of the success of the Smart Performance line. “The SP110 is the first of what will genuinely be a new generation ofyachts.”

www.simpsonmarine.com/manufacturer/sanlorenzo

Lagoon 51 spearheads catamaran leader’s green focus

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Lagoon 51 spearheads catamaran leader’s green focus

November 16, 2022
11:27 am

With a lighter structure, forward mast, shorter rig and overlapping genoa, the Lagoon 51 is even livelier on the water than her predecessor, while also introducing the new emphasis on solar power that will characterise the brand’s future models.
Words: Francois Tregouet. Photos: Gilles Martin-Raget & Nicolas Claris

Designed to be more ecological, more accessible and more connected, the Lagoon 51 unveiled in 2022 further refreshes the brand’s midsize offerings following the release of the 55 last year.

This year, the doors of the International Multihull Show at La Grande Motte had barely closed when the pontoons opened, releasing the 51’s ‘world premiere’ hull for a delivery trip southwest to Canet-en-Roussillon under the command of Bruno Belmont, aka ‘Monsieur Lagoon’!

While the milestone of the 6,000th Lagoon was passed in early 2021, and the fact that the 600 new catamarans scheduled to leave the three dedicated factories this year won’t be enough to satisfy an extremely dynamic market, no one at the world’s biggest pleasure cat builder is resting on their laurels, releasing a model that marks a huge step forward in their eco-friendly offerings.

The platform for the Lagoon 51 is based on that of the former 50, although the mast position has been significantly shifted, among many changes and aspects explained by Belmont, Groupe Beneteau’s Sailing Product Development Manager and the spiritual father of the first Lagoons as well as Sense monohulls and Excess catamarans.

Belmont’s abundant yet realistic creativity, and ability to anticipate expectations and analyse the evolution of uses make him more than just a designer. He’s a ‘visionary’ according to naval architect Marc Van Peteghem, who along with VPLP partner Vincent Lauriot-Prevost, continues to handle naval architecture of all Lagoon models, long after the trio met while studying in Southampton.

Inventing the boat that doesn’t yet exist but that will be a great success tomorrow is Belmont’s rare talent and a precious one for Group Beneteau. Many shipyards are now trying to move towards more eco-responsible boats, but it was back in 2006 that Belmont created Groupe Beneteau’s 12-strong working group on sustainability, although the crisis of 2008-09 halted the project.

The topic is more relevant than ever, while Belmont remains uncompromising in his research and standards. When he realised a major supplier of fabrics made from recycled fibre was importing the ‘green’ textiles by flying them across the Atlantic, he immediately switched to a company more holistic in its approach.

SOLAR SHIFT, MAST MOVED

For the Lagoon 51, the new leap was just as dramatic, with solar panels generating 3,020W integrated into the coachroof and hard top. This power output is enough to supply all the electricity needed on board – excluding air-conditioning – under way and at anchor.

The bonding of the Solbian flexible panels has been meticulously executed, but although the panels are guaranteed for five years, only time will show the hardiness of the most curved areas. With similar impact, a brutal assessment was made of the choice taken a decade ago to shift the mast aft to the centre of the coachroof.

The large self-tacking solent and the short boom had their advantages, but the only solution to increase the sail area and thus improve performance under sail was to go for a taller rig. This didn’t benefit seakeeping, as pitching is the enemy of multihulls.

So, back to a mast stepped on the median beam, at 40 per cent of the overall length aft of the bow. On the scales, the light displacement has reduced by 1,000 kg or five per cent compared to the 50. With the structure lightened by 750kg, a rig that’s more than 6ft feet shorter and an overlapping genoa, the Lagoon 51 is designed to be livelier on the water than her predecessor.

However, following the stormy conditions endured at the boat show, just 36 hours later the sea was like a millpond, so we set out by putting the twin 80hp Yanmar engines to the test. The power is evidence that the Lagoon 51 tries to offer standard equipment that’s more suitable for more users than offered elsewhere, when an attractive ‘from’ price rarely coincides with what clients need.

The Lagoon 51’s owner’s layout, which includes four cabins, a dressing area and three bathrooms, is the standard version.

As we waited for the thermal breeze promised by the forecast for the early afternoon, we made a direct course at eight knots, with the engines at 2,200rpm each consuming 5.2-5.5 litres per hour and giving a range of over 750nm. From the flybridge, Belmont was enjoying a 360-degree view, so we took the opportunity to have a look all around the boat.

CAR STYLING, BETTER ACCESS

As well as volume and interior comfort, the Lagoon 51 features a strong focus on exterior design. Former car designer Patrick le Quément – now associated with VPLP for a new life in boating – works on every detail. A bow angle, a topside line, a bimini radius: nothing escapes him.

With his very elaborate coachroof, it’s clear that under his impetus, the Lagoon range in general and this new 51 in particular has become yet more elegant, with the angle cut at the back of the side windows our only reservation.

The concern for a more harmonious catamaran was something shared by all those involved in the project. For example, in cooperation with Lancelin rope manufacturers, the halyards are now of the same shade, having formerly been too brightly coloured. They can be identified by a relevant number of strands of appropriate colours for each of the reefs – one, two or three – or in the axis for the halyards, for example.

These are details compared to the attention paid to access and circulation. This starts at the transoms, with easier access for stepping aboard due to their shape and positioning, which brings them closer to the dock. Their size is also more welcoming and there’s no need to jostle when getting off the dinghy – three people can stand together without getting in each other’s way.

Only two steps up and the cockpit and the entire nacelle are immediately accessible because the sugarscoops are slightly higher off the water and the thickness between the underside of the bridgedeck and the cockpit sole has been reduced.

This benefits the cockpit, whose vast surface area is divided into three zones. An adjustable plancha grill is next to the aft bench seat, a lounger occupies the starboard side, and an L-shaped bench seat surrounds the table on the port side. Part of the seat can be shifted forward to enlarge the table when at anchor, for instance, but this hinders direct access to the flybridge.

Once inside, with the bay window closed, engine noise reduces, and everything is a luxury and a pleasure. Thankfully, the cumbersome mast support-strut in the saloon of the 50 has disappeared.

Furthermore, the owner’s hull is even more luxurious, with its vanity/dressing area fitted as standard. As for the port hull, it offers three berths in the standard version. The furniture and decor, signed by Italy’s Nauta Design, is as warm as ever, and the materials are plush. We really liked the large opening hatch by the mast foot. This will be an important source of natural ventilation at anchor.

SOLID PERFORMER

Eventually, the wind picked up as we got in sight of the Pyrenees and it was time to hoist the sails. A little trip onto the bimini to help the battens clear the lazy jacks indicates that a less perilous solution needs to be found, although as Belmont handled manoeuvres, it appeared to be child’s play. Halyards and sheets all come back to the central helm station with the optional electric winches.

From up there, you have an ideal view of the sail plan. Under the Code 0, our speed was oscillating between 7.8 to 8 knots, which was the true wind speed. Admittedly, we were on a heading at 60 degrees off the apparent, but even under genoa, we were pleasantly surprised to exceed seven knots at 55 degrees off the wind.

The return to a more forward-set rig clearly influences the new sail-plan distribution. With Lagoon consulting the suppliers and even seeking the expertise of an external design team, the mast no longer has aggressive diamond stays for the genoas but two sets of aft-swept spreaders.

While being lighter, the profile of the mast divides the canvas better and offers more adjustment possibilities. As for the sails, they have been entrusted to Elvstrøm, renowned as master sailmakers, while owners can request sails made from recycled materials, another Lagoon initiative.

The 51 is the start of a new direction for Lagoon. There’s a real awareness of the ecological impact of leisure boating, with 80 per cent of the carbon footprint of a boat coming from its use.

Sailing, natural ventilation rather than air-conditioning, more solar panels, no or less use of a generator, are all positive signals from this new model, which maintains the brand’s reputation for comfort and quality of finish.

The next major evolution will concern the engines, with a move to hybrid then electric. Lagoon still needs to address the question of energy storage, according to Belmont, who is keen to see nanotechnologies revolutionise the battery market.

In the meantime, the new 51 pays attention to its weight, lines, accessibility and life on board, with Lagoon creating an ever more refined cruising experience.

www.cata-lagoon.com

www.simpsonmarine.com

Bluegame keeps it social on BG54

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Bluegame keeps it social on BG54

October 24, 2022
9:38 pm

Launched this year and among Bluegame’s line-ups at the Cannes, Genoa and Fort Lauderdale shows, the BG54 is an evolution in the Italian builder’s walkaround series, providing a convivial atmosphere and enticing social areas by the water.
Words: Clare Mahon. Photos: Bluegame.

The BG54 can reach 30 or 35 knots depending on the Volvo Penta IPS engines

Founded by Luca Santella in 2004 and acquired by Sanlorenzo in 2018, Bluegame has recently been creating one successful new design after the other.

As an architect and Olympic sailor, Santella knows the importance of getting the most out of every millimetre aboard a boat and he knows how to do it beautifully.

The BG54 has shown at this year’s Palma, Cannes, Genoa and Fort Lauderdale shows

At 54ft, the new BG54 is not large, but its smaller size becomes a catalyst for conviviality due to a clever set-up that brings all aboard together without throwing them on top of one another.

Basically, everyone aboard can enjoy fun at sea whether they’re cooking, helming, sunbathing, playing in the water or just shooting the breeze.

The sunroof adds a third social level

Built in GRP, the boat has simple, clean exterior lines. The white hull has a wraparound black rubber fender, an open stern and strongly slanted bridge glass that combine to give it a purposeful, no-nonsense look.

The dark-grey hard top contrasts with the hull and establishes the boat’s colour scheme: white and grey accented by black, with plenty of natural teak to add a touch of luxury. Light-grey teak caulking lightens the look of a yacht that offers a surprising amount on space once you get on board.

The BG54 is among Bluegame’s ‘open’ BG series

“The BG54 feels far bigger than it is because of the clever open layout and the enormous aft deck,” says Simpson Marine’s Nick Stratton, Sales Manager for Sanlorenzo and Bluegame in Asia.

“Approaching the yacht from the dock, it can easily be mistaken for a much larger yacht. This, the practical layout, durable build and high-end finishing are what buyers are looking for.”

OPEN AND SOCIAL

You encounter the BG54’s first notable feature before you even board. The hydraulically operated gangway can be raised to dock height or lowered into the water to be used as a swimming ladder.

A huge swim platform has become a Bluegame standard

Even the swim platform can do more than you might expect. On top of offering excellent access to the sea, three-quarters of it lowers into the water so launching and hauling toys is easy.

As the beach platform and open stern are on the same level, you get a remarkably large, free and open area. Set it up with loose furniture, use it for storing water toys or invite a group of friends. There’s plenty of space for all.

The aft galley is a signature feature

Another surprise is concealed in an elegant row of natural teak cabinets just aft of the cockpit. Open them up and you’ll discover an outdoor galley that can be equipped with a sink, grill, fridge and icemaker.

It’s just three steps up to the cockpit, so preparing drinks or cooking a meal are an integral part of the boat’s social life.

Symmetrical steps with retro-illuminated teak treads lead to the airy cockpit under the hard top, with seating on four sides and a teak table that can fold out to double in size.

The main cockpit offers seating on all four sides

As well as being open on three sides, the cockpit is lit from above by a transparent hatch that leads to the sunroof, but it can be enclosed with Strataglass® clear vinyl shielding to shelter it from the elements.

An awning can be set up for extra shade and owners can choose to have heating, air-conditioning and even a dropdown flatscreen TV installed in the hardtop. With adaptability like this, owners are sure to get the best use from the BG54, whatever the weather.

“Customisations for Bluegame owners relate to how they envisage using the yacht. Do they want shade just at anchor or also underway? Further to the completely covered cockpit, there are a range of shade options using luxury canvas,” Stratton says.

The helm station has a carbon-fibre sofa on top of a locker

“Depending on how the client wants to use the yacht, we can upgrade sound systems, add outdoor TVs or fit larger barbecues. Part of the Bluegame journey is getting to really understand what the owner wants from the boat and then working together to deliver that.”

MOVING FORWARD

With the helm station just barely separated from the cockpit seating area, driving the boat is a social activity and all aboard can enjoy watching how the BG54 functions. The helm seat is actually a small couch made in elegant black carbon-fibre and perched on top of a locker.

The sunroof ladder is forward of the cockpit

There’s excellent visibility all around and the reverse windshield keeps direct light off the boat’s navigational equipment, which includes two Garmin touch screens to display navigation info and keep you updated on running systems and easy-to-use IPS joystick controls.

Carbon-fibre slats in the roof let light in and air circulate freely, while to port of the helm, a ladder leads up to the roof where sun worshippers can get all the rays they crave.

The sunroof offers a simple sunbathing area

Side passages to the foredeck are wide, while high bulwarks keep all aboard safe. A handrail runs along the coachroof, with winches, cleats and fairleads concealed under a hatch at the forepeak.

The hatch to the anchor chain locker is flush to the deck. All these details keep the look of this technical space clean, so it can also double as a guest area with a couch and sun pads.

The foredeck is accessed either side of the reverse-screen wheelhouse

Making the most out of every inch makes the BG54 a ‘larger’ smaller-sized boat and assures that everyone aboard finds the spaces they need.

“At this size, Bluegame’s designers have worked hard to utilise the space as best as possible, but there’s always room to adapt,” Stratton confides.

The foredeck has a forward-facing sofa and sunpads

“For example, we worked on a proposal with a client in Southeast Asia who wanted to use the yacht for diving, so we designed a custom dive storage area by adding extra showers, dive compressors and so on.”

CABINS AND MORE

Head down the companionway by the helm and you’ll see that the BG54 is much more than a day cruiser.

The spacious lower deck has an elegant galley to starboard

A wall of darkened mirror helps make the stairs seem wider than they are and gives a sense of airiness to the lower galley, which has a convection cooktop, microwave oven, fridge and dishwasher.

Fore is a full-beam en-suite cabin that can be the owner’s cabin in the three-cabin layout or a VIP in the two-cabin version.

The forward cabin has access to the day head to port

Aft of the galley, owners can choose between having a rather grand full-beam en-suite cabin or two twins that share a bathroom. Clean, modern furnishings keep the spaces stylish throughout the lower deck, all the way down to the bowl basins in the bathrooms.

But sometimes you don’t want to do it all yourself and that’s why the BG54 even has an en-suite crew cabin aft. Space for this extra helping hand, a real boon when you just want to relax with your friends and family, is available because of the IPS propulsion system.

The midships area can be a full-beam master suite or two guest cabins

This win-win Volvo Penta technology gives you more than a smoother, vibration-free ride that’s more energy efficient. In addition, its smaller dimensions allow the engines to be placed further aft, leaving more room for guests and crew.

In fact, the BG54 doesn’t really have an engine room; it has an open-air engine locker under the aft deck. A smaller inspection hatch can be opened manually or a larger cover can be hydraulically operated. No matter what size of job you need to do, you’re breathing and moving freely, not in a dark, cramped and enclosed space.

The BG54 already has a very strong order book

Sturdy, seaworthy and practical, but also convivial and safe, the BG54 packs a lot of qualities into 54ft and puts them into a stylish package. Whether you use it as a day boat or as a home for coastal exploring and island hopping, this newcomer has a lot to offer.

http://www.bluegame.it

http://www.simpsonmarine.com

CL Yachts embraces X factor on CLX96

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

CL Yachts embraces X factor on CLX96

October 14, 2022
10:29 pm

CL Yachts unveiled its pioneering flagship CLX96 in Hong Kong, where the Jozeph Forakis creation showed off its remarkable mix of inventive design and sturdy, working-boat heritage. Words: Guy Nowell. Photos: CL Yachts / Lightseed Studio.

CLX96 can top 25 knots at full load

YACHT STYLE was invited to view the revolutionary CLX96 in Hong Kong, where company principals showed off the superyacht soon after its launch from the shipyard and before its journey to the US for her world premiere at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in Florida.

“We recognised the need for a new category of yacht, designed to appeal to a new generation yet built to the uncompromising standards of our experienced owners. We call it a luxury performance Sea Activity Vessel, or SAV,” said Martin Lo, Director of CL Yachts, who spoke earlier in the year to YACHT STYLE about the evolution of the CLX96 design (click for interview).

Note the reverse-angle windscreens and plumb bow

The designer for both interior and exterior is Milan-based Jozeph Forakis, who brought to the project an entirely fresh approach, uncluttered by preconceptions, while Americans Earl Alfaro and Albert Horsmon handled naval architecture and structural engineering respectively.

Even before you step on board the yacht, there’s a strong impression of practicality, encased in a stylish profile. The reverse angles on the superstructure are practical in reducing internal heating and reflections yet are also a nod to CL Yachts’ expertise and relentless innovation in yacht building.

The spacious aft cockpit leads into the saloon

The plumb bow is an efficient use of waterline length to generate interior volume, but also reduces pitching, and the combined effect is of a no-nonsense vessel that can take you anywhere in the world and is ready to start 30 minutes from now. So, let’s go!

INTERIOR WITH A DIFFERENCE

Step on board straight into the aft cockpit, and a visitor is going to look straight through the internal social area and see that this boat is almost transparent. Indeed, from the cockpit through to the bow is one clear, uninterrupted line of sight.

The main-deck interior offers a clear view all the way forward

Forakis is extremely proud of this key design note. Many attempts have been made to ‘bring the outdoors in’, but few have succeeded so well. The main deck is a one-piece experience, giving an impression of a great deal more than 96ft of boat under your feet.

The interior begins with a lounge area, segues into the formal dining, passes seamlessly through the galley and bar, and concludes with the Champagne Lounge, before passageways outside lead to the circular-themed Piazza del Sole, otherwise known as the foredeck.

Aft view of the dining area and saloon

The divisions between each area are all the same height, giving the effect of one uninterrupted space, enhanced by the enormous side windows (truly floor to ceiling), opening three-panel glass doors on either side of the saloon, and the reverse-angle windshield forward.

A steeply raked window here would be pretty much standard, but would also project wasted space below it, and act as a sun trap – not so welcome in the tropics.

The Champagne Lounge uses space typically used by a helm station

You won’t see any clunky air conditioning cabinets in this indoor space, as the vents have been cleverly and elegantly incorporated into the window mullions, which are also a structural feature of the vessel.

PIAZZA AND TERRAZZA

There’s a watertight door forward and to starboard of the galley that provides easy access from the galley to the Piazza del Sole, which offers variable configuration seating and sunpads. It’s the perfect spot for ‘something cold’ before an alfresco lunch.

The Terrazza Portoghese and Piazza del Sole outdoor areas

It’s an elegantly presented space, and the plumb bow allows all the anchoring, windlass and line-handling equipment to be pushed forward and entirely out of the way. It is, indeed, efficient design.

Staying outdoors and returning to the stern, CLX96 incorporates a huge beach club deck that doubles as tender storage.

The enormous swim platform includes a Z-lift

The area also includes an ingenious hydraulic Z-lift system that can position a section of the aft deck above or below water with steps either up or down, becoming either a boarding platform when moored stern-to or a boat lift when completely lowered.

On the flybridge, you’ll find an impressively large Sky Deck with fixed and flexible seating, dining table, grill and bar facilities. With three large, electrically operated windows (port, starboard and aft) the Sky Lounge can convert from fully open-air to fully enclosed and weather-tight, so allowing the yacht’s single helm station to be located here and free up even more space on the main deck.

The Sky Deck includes the indoor Sky Lounge and sole helm station

But wait! There’s yet another social space, forward of the Sky Lounge. Called the Terrazza Portoghese, it’s named for its proximity to the forward-sloping windows of the helm station, shaded by the overhang of the Portuguese bridge. More flexible seating here invites guests to watch the sun go down, with a glass in hand, and the prospect of a quiet night in a secluded anchorage.

ROOMS WITH A VIEW

Speaking of which, CLX96 offers four en-suite cabins on the lower deck. Forward, at the yacht’s widest part, the full-beam owner’s stateroom has a huge skylight directly over the king-size bed and a 65in TV that connects to an external bow camera, so you can lie in bed and see where you’re going.

Located forward, the master suite has a king-size bed under a huge skylight

The VIP cabin midships is also full beam and has a virtual skylight with a ceiling-embedded screen connected to an external camera pointing to the sky. In fact, the VIP could easily be mistaken for a master on any other boat, while two doubles (or twins – they convert) complete the set.

Forakis is an accomplished interior designer. In common with the public areas on the main deck, the décor of the accommodation area is calm, restrained, immensely tasteful and absolutely first class. Every cabin or suite sports vast amounts of storage space. Ladies, take note. Feel free to bring extra swimsuits and more floaty dresses.

The full-beam VIP suite midships features a virtual skylight

CL Yachts has sold models into Asia, although its primary market is North America and it’s evident in the design of CLX96. Side decks, gangways, stairways and even the space between internal units are just that little bit wider, making moving around the boat easy and comfortable. And of course, the galley fridge is oversized and then some!

CLX96 is either a ‘bold departure’ from previous CL Yachts models or a ‘brave new start’ in a radically different direction: take your pick.

The widest part of the hull is forward

The important thing is that CL Yachts have presented an edgy but elegant yacht to appeal to a new generation of owners, but steeped in its parent company’s reputation for strong, seaworthy design, and quality engineering and construction.

http://www.clyachts.com

CRN’s 62m Rio offers rainbow living

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

CRN’s 62m Rio offers rainbow living

September 27, 2022
1:29 am

Built by CRN at the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard in Ancona, the 62m Rio is fun, colourful, breezy and bright – and among the standout world premieres at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show.

Omega Architects designed Rio’s exterior

Four decades after Duran Duran released the hit single Rio (“Her name is Rio …”), CRN launches a 62m yacht of the same name. Custom designed for an owner looking to “share the cruising experience with family and close friends”, Rio truly delivers.

She has spent her first summer season in the Mediterranean and more than lived up to her owner’s expectations ahead of the yacht’s much-anticipated world premiere at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show.

Featuring four social decks plus a technical deck, Rio offers plenty of space for up to 12 guests, with her outdoor and indoor areas similarly colourful, spacious and inviting.

Her name is Rio

Colourful cabins in an array of blues, yellows, reds and greens include a magnificent master suite on the upper deck, known here as the owner’s deck.

There’s a stunning full-beam VIP forward on the main deck and another full-beam VIP on the lower, where there are two more roomy doubles and a twin. And it’s quick and easy to get around Rio, with an elevator serving all levels.

OMEGA, PULINA STYLING

Built as Project C138 at the Ferretti Group Superyacht Yard, the 1,218GT megayacht was launched this January before being delivered and leaving Ancona in May.

The beach club includes a big swim platform

Dutch studio Omega Architects created the exterior of the sporty-looking looking steel and aluminium build, which features flowing hull lines and a near-vertical bow. The aft main deck profile shows Omega founder Frank Laupman’s signature arches, which protect the deck and assure privacy while framing superb views from the side and stern.

Outdoor areas include a bow lounge with a spa pool and clear deck space for exercise or parties, while the sun deck has a huge spa pool and cinema zone aft of the wheelhouse. However, we’ll start at the beach club, where the big swim platform can be dressed with outdoor furniture and toys.

The wellness lounge has a hammam, shower and racks of colourful water toys

Inside is the wellness lounge, which can be accessed from the swim platform through a rising central door or from the main-deck saloon by stairs.

As well as a hammam and shower, the wellness lounge has a range of water toys, a large TV that doubles as an interactive whiteboard for games and other entertainment, and a corner snug by the stairs.

The forward garage has double access

And if you’re looking for the big toys, an 8m Pascoe Beachlander tender, 4.2m rescue tender and two Sea-Doo Spark jetskis are stored high above the water in a garage towards the bow of the main deck, while there’s also a 14m Sacs Rebel 47 luxury RIB.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS

On the main deck, the aft cockpit offers an enormous covered lounging space with a wide aft sofa, smaller sofas on either side, coffee tables and fuschia-coloured poufs.

The aft cockpit offers an enormous lounging space overlooking the water

Like the beach club, it offers a hint of the lively colours that await behind the sliding glass door to the saloon, where the styling by Italy’s Pulina Exclusive Interiors is on show.

American walnut is used for the floors, while the walls are in white lacquered oak. However, the owner requested “bright, colourful spaces and a happy atmosphere for the younger family members to enjoy”, so white tones and natural materials are set off by pops of colour and vivid décor inspired by exotic motifs.

The saloon starts with a bar and leads to a formal dining area

The saloon starts with a stylish American bar, bar stools and lounge chairs, with the area acting as a chilled hangout zone before the room widens for the formal dining area and a large sofa facing an 83in TV. Full-height windows light up the dining and lounging area and offer spectacular views.

Further along, the central lobby features the elevator and an elegant staircase in bleached pickled oak, while white-leather wall coverings with continuous stitching give a smooth quilted look.

A TV lounge is forward of the dining area

A corridor leads past the large galley and to the full-beam VIP suite, grand enough to be considered a second master. The hallway leads past a huge walk-in wardrobe and into the main bedroom, featuring white tones and bright-blue profiling.

A forward-facing, king-size bed is flanked to starboard by a cosy coffee area, and to port by a desk; at the owner’s request, there’s a workspace in the three largest cabins. Forward are two symmetrical bathrooms.

COLOUR BELOW

Down from the main-deck lobby to the lower deck, there’s a fully equipped gym to starboard and four en-suite guest cabins, each with white lacquered-oak staved walls spiced up with dashes of colour for the wall panels, profiling and furnishings. Crema d’Orcia and Calacatta Vagli Oro marbles grace the guest bathrooms.

The lower deck includes one of Rio’s two VIP suites

Aft is the full-beam VIP, lit up by shades of red and brown, and featuring a forward-facing bed and a desk on starboard, while to port is a walk-through wardrobe leading to a twin-sink bathroom.

To port, playful pastel greens are the theme for a twin cabin with a Pullman bunk, a room ideal for youngsters. Forward are two identical double suites, each lined in green/blue with pops of yellow.

The twin cabin also has a Pullman bunk

All the cabins and guest areas include smart-automation technology allowing guests to control air conditioning, curtains, lighting (including brightness) and all AV equipment.

The spacious crew quarters are in the forward part of the lower deck and include a huge crew mess with seating for at least 15, a pantry and seven neatly finished cabins.

SKY LOUNGE & PARTY ZONE

The upper deck features the vast master suite and is termed on Rio as the owner’s deck, but it would be a pity to think family and friends couldn’t enjoy its three enormous and very distinct social spaces.

The upper deck offers alfresco dining aft

The partially covered aft deck features a full-beam row of sofas and chairs that face the yacht’s main alfresco dining area, where there’s a custom-made round teak table. To port is an American bar with barbecue in exquisite Irish Green marble with bright-green veining.

The area can also transform into an open-air party zone with DJ console, while a custom-designed RGB lighting installation completes the effect.

With the console connected to the ship’s Domotics system, the audio can be broadcast throughout the yacht, indoors and out, in a controlled way. The area is a natural hub, with stairs to both the main and sun decks, side walkways to the vast bow lounge and direct access to the most spacious interior zone.

The sky lounge is the most spacious room on the yacht

Automatic sliding glass doors unveil the huge sky lounge, which has masses of space between the sofas and chairs lining each side of the room.

Full-height windows offer breathtaking views and lots of natural light for this standout social zone, which can also be used as a cinema, games room or meeting room.

The master suite is forward on the upper deck

Forward, the hallway to the owner’s suite features hand-painted artworks depicting a jungle full of colourful animals, with the bespoke pieces created at the owner’s direction.

The blue-themed owner’s suite starts with a chaise longue and vanity desk to starboard, while there’s an antique-blue leather top on the shelves and storage running around much of the room.

The owner’s bathroom offers spectacular views

Calacatta Vagli Oro marble on the walls and Crema d’Orcia marble floors. Its unique feature is a spectacular tub by the windows for enjoying the view from the comfort of a warm bath.

Forward, the fully custom king-size bed features a white-leather headboard with a 3D effect from the vertical petrol-blue leather inlay. To port, the study area has a desk that can rotate 90 degrees into an L-shape, so a sea view is also on offer.

Forward of the owner’s suite is the stunning bow lounge

The owner’s suite also has a forward view of the striking open-air bow lounge. Offering 1,240sqft of deck space, the area is centred around a teak spa pool, which is recessed for privacy from the helm station and to be out of the wind when cruising. If required, a canopy can protect it from the sun.

Otherwise, this vast outdoor space can be dressed with poufs, chairs and sun loungers, cleared for yoga and fitness sessions, or provide a stunning dance floor under the stars at night.

The sun deck has an aft pool, sunbathing and lounging areas, plus a bar

Meanwhile, the sun deck or wheelhouse deck offers a spacious outdoor zone with a pool, integrated sun pad along one side, sofas and an American bar with a similar Irish Green marble top to the bar on the deck below.

Like most of the outdoor areas, the area is highly versatile and can become a fully equipped open-air cinema or karaoke lounge, with a big screen and projector that slide down from the ceiling.

At night, the sun deck can become a cinema

However, this yacht truly makes her mark in the day, when her light, bright interiors, knockout views, and lively outdoor zones make you realise why yachting is so much fun. So, if you’re looking for 62m of fun in the sun and colour all around you, head for Rio.

www.crn-yacht.com

Sanlorenzo’s SD118 is a remarkable balancing act

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Sanlorenzo’s SD118 is a remarkable balancing act

September 21, 2022
11:27 am

The Italian builder’s SD118 has already received multiple orders in Asia through regional dealer Simpson Marine, with the semi-displacement model offering enormous volumes and potential for customisation as well as clever use of asymmetric design.
Words: Clare Mahon

The Bernardo Zuccon design features an almost-vertical bow

Shown again at the Cannes Yachting Festival after her debut in 2021, Sanlorenzo’s SD118 balances a classic exterior design with a new interpretation of interior spaces that turns expectations for yacht interiors on their head. In fact, this 36m yacht is built in durable GRP and has an almost 8m beam and a volume of 290GT due to an innovative design solution that lets the skylounge steal the show from the main saloon.

Bernardo Zuccon, son of Gianni and Paola Zuccon who founded the Italian design studio Zuccon International Project, penned the yacht’s exterior. This second-generation yacht designer is more than a chip off the old block; he’s a talent in his own right as shown by his clean, horizontal lines for the SD118.

Note the two-level foredeck, with the lower area accessible from the master suite

Classic, but with modern verve thanks to an almost vertical bow, the yacht has three decks plus a sun deck that’s well integrated into the whole, leaving the yacht looking light. Zuccon remarks on how this yacht is a development on Sanlorenzo’s SD line of semi-displacement yachts.

“The SD118 project is a further step along the path that we embarked on with the SD96 and confirms my deep commitment to this type of navetta yacht. The term navetta calls to mind a romantic time when people headed off to sea for the pleasure of navigation more than for a desire to arrive in a destination, a time when people enjoyed the voyage and their onboard lifestyle,” he says.

“I wanted to stay true to certain aspects that characterise navetta yachts in general and the SD line in particular. However, I also wanted to continue my research into new ways of enjoying life at sea, which is why I chose to use an asymmetric layout aboard the SD118.”

The sun deck can be set up for sunbathing and casual dining

In fact, while the port side of the upper deck features a side deck that leads continuously from stern to bow, the starboard side is widebody. But more on this unusual yet very practical and space-maximising layout later.

APPEAL IN ASIA

Simpson Marine’s Nick Stratton, Sanlorenzo Asia Sales Manager, confirms that multiple units of the SD118 have been sold in the region, the first of which is due to arrive in the summer of 2023.

“Sanlorenzo is without doubt the top Italian yacht brand and the appeal to buyers here lies in their low production numbers, high quality and excellent service,” Stratton says.

Staircases are key to Sanlorenzo’s artistic interiors

“The SD range, while also being popular among new yacht owners, has a strong appeal to existing yacht owners. Characteristics of this range are economical cruising speed, long-range ability, wider beam and more interior and exterior volume. These tend to meet the demands of owners who have owned yachts before and have a very clear vision of what they want and how they will use the yacht.”

Boarding the SD118 from water level when it is at anchor is like conquering a private island. It’s also a very easy conquest, due to fold-out side terraces that open off the transom. With the terraces open, the entire stern area converts to become a 20sqm beach platform suspended just above water level.

The aft sides lower to form a three-sided beach club

The transom itself has a hydraulically operated central section that lowers into the water, so launching toys and other craft stored in the garage is quick and easy.

Beside the terraces, there are shelves for storing scuba gear, sunscreens and the like. From this very enjoyable platform area, symmetrical staircases lead up to the aft cockpit where the yacht begins to reveal her vocation for easy, relaxing life at sea.

INTERIOR CUSTOMISATION

The cockpit has a fixed couch that faces the saloon through sliding glass doors that open wide, but from there the possibilities for personalising the yacht become almost endless, as Stratton confirms.

The aft cockpit offers a large social zone with the option for loose furniture

“There are few limits to what can be achieved, especially at this size range,” he says. “As brand representatives, our enjoyment comes from spending time with owners, really understanding their requirements and then, through the design phase, bringing these ideas to life.”

Sanlorenzo’s customisation process foresees five stages through which the builder develops a personalised space plan that identifies the customer’s ideal number, size and type of cabins, while also delineating special-purpose areas for sport, entertainment or relaxation needs.

The saloon culminates in elegant, curved staircases to the upper and lower decks

“We have a variety of different SD118 layouts in the discussion phase, some with more cabins, some with less, or they have bigger galleys, Jacuzzis, gyms, spa rooms and so on,” Stratton says.

On top of the choice of layouts that Sanlorenzo offers, part of the beauty of the SD line is that there’s also a choice of top designers for interior fittings.

Photos show a Patricia Urquiola interior

Owners can opt for interiors by a wide range of designers including Bernardo and Martina Zuccon, Daniel and Michel Bismut, Guillaume Rolland from Liaigre and Patricia Urquiola, who has already collaborated with Sanlorenzo on the interiors of their SD96. Access to such world-class studios assures owners of beautiful, chic and customised results.

OWNER’S SUITE SUPREME

Fore on the main deck, past the galley and the lobby, lies the owner’s suite. With a large walk-in closet, this full-beam cabin has a walkaround bed placed slightly to port, leaving plenty of room for seating to starboard and an office area overlooking the water to port.

The main-deck owner’s suite features an inward-facing bed

The bathroom has separate toilet and shower compartments divided by a sliding glass door, while a central corridor leads to a private staircase that runs directly from the cabin to the forepeak.

Usually an out-of-the-way area used primarily by crew for storage, the forepeak is easily accessible and very enjoyable as an owner’s outdoor getaway that can be set up for reading, sunbathing or simply enjoying a priceless moment of peace and quiet. From the forepeak, owners can continue straight up to the upper deck where the yacht’s social spaces really hit their stride.

The office in the full-beam owner’s suite

SKYLOUNGE

On most yachts, the main-deck saloon is the largest space and the social centrepiece, but the SD118 has a skylounge that steals the show. Zuccon’s design for the upper deck has an innovative asymmetrical layout where a port-side passage leads fore to aft, but to starboard the interiors are built out to the side of the yacht.

Aft view of the skylounge and the covered aft upper deck

Zuccon calibrated interior weight distribution so the SD118 is well balanced, even though this large living space is asymmetrical. Add that the portside gunwale folds down to become a balcony and you have a skylounge that is extra-wide during navigation and feels practically infinite when the yacht is at anchor, with the balcony down and the sliding glass doors open.

An additional exterior foredeck lounge area in front of the bridge and an aft dining area shaded by the sun-deck overhang make the upper deck a space that invites all aboard to stay all day and well into the evening.

The skylounge on the upper deck has open doors to the portside walkway

The sun deck, with its breezy views from on high, is the icing on the cake of a yacht that already offers all the outdoor spaces, both private and convivial, that you could ask for. This area can be set up for sunbathing and casual dining under the hardtop.

LOWER DECK

Further guest accommodation on the lower deck includes two spacious VIP cabins and two doubles, all of which are en-suite and can be appointed to suit the owner’s taste and needs. In fact, as per Sanlorenzo’s customising options, these spaces can be set up as something other than cabins such as a massage room or a gym.

Lower-deck cabins can include two VIPs and two more doubles

The crew area, also on the lower deck, has cabins for up to five, enabling a two-to-one guest-to-crew ratio that assures comfortable, luxurious long-term stays. All work paths are to port so crew can go about their tasks without disturbing guests, a setup that assures privacy and the best onboard experience for all.

True to its navetta yacht typology, the SD118 was created to navigate at length in total autonomy. Combined with the MTU and Cat engine options, the efficient hull design developed by in-house by Sanlorenzo helps give the yacht a 3,000nm-plus cruising range at 11 knots.

The first Sanlorenzo SD118 in Asia will arrive in 2023

That creates broad horizons, anything from island hopping to getting away from it all, for owners that want to cruise to their heart’s content while enjoying all the comforts this yacht offers.

The Sanlorenzo SD118’s large interior volumes, top-notch roster of interior designers and long cruising range have made it a huge market success, proof that this asymmetrical yacht has balanced all the key elements that yacht owners are looking for. And soon, thanks to Simpson Marine, you’ll be able to see what’s so right about asymmetry with your own eyes.

www.simpsonmarine.com/manufacturer/sanlorenzo

Absolute 56 Fly: Flexible, functional … fantastic

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Absolute 56 Fly: Flexible, functional … fantastic

September 16, 2022
12:16 am

Absolute’s new 56 Fly debuted at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival, but before that, Yacht Style jumped aboard the model’s first unit in Hong Kong, where it appeared to cover all the bases for most owners due to its remarkable versatility. Words: Guy Nowell.

The 56 Fly was among Absolute’s two world premieres at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival

Among Absolute’s two world premieres at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival, the 56 Fly is a new offering from a company that lives halfway between Lake Garda and Genoa, and a long way from any navigable water. Never mind.

Absolute has been producing quality motor yachts with a dash of that much-vaunted Italian flair since Sergio Maggi and Marcello Bé founded the company in 2002.

Asia’s first Absolute Fly on the run in Hong Kong

Each Absolute learns from the model that went before. This is very apparent in the appearance of the boats and the 56 Fly is no exception, developing its pedigree from both the Fly and Navetta lines, and presenting something that is both ‘new’ and grounded in experience.

Step aboard, either via the slide-away passarelle or up the steps from the swim platform and there’s much to explore on all three decks, while there’s the option of driving from either the lower helm or the flybridge.

Absolute Marine represents the Italian builder in Hong Kong

On the move, the 56 Fly proves to be an exceptionally well-mannered boat. We were in the Tat Hong Channel on a beautiful calm and blue-sky day, so the biggest waves to contend with were our own wake, which we crossed and recrossed without even noticing, pushed along by a pair of Volvo D8-IPS800 engines.

In a tight turn, the boat shows no inclination to slip or slide. From a standing start, the boat planes at a little over nine knots, which translates into remarkably good fuel consumption. Absolute quotes 8.3 litres/nm at an optimum cruising speed of 19 knots and 2,500rpm.

The cockpit has a clear aft balustrade

For travelling in and around any of the regular near-metropolitan cruising areas in Asia, you’ll never suffer from range anxiety. Coastal cruising over longer distances is achievable too when your range is 550nm at 10 knots.

SUN AND SHADE

Starting with the outdoor areas, the cockpit is a big social space, with modular and movable furniture than can be configured as you wish, while it also benefits from the clear aft balustrade introduced on other recent Absolute models.

The flybridge has modular seating aft, a covered wet bar, dining table and seating, plus a forward sofa and sunpad

The next space to explore is the flybridge, which seems to offer everything. There’s modular movable seating aft, a grill/galley/bar unit immediately forward so that you won’t have to go too far for a refill, a covered table and sofa seating to starboard, even more sofa seating adjacent to the two-seat helm position, and forward sunpads, too. There are at least 15 places to sit or lie on the flybridge alone.

It’s hot today, so we head down, step inside and soak up some cool! The galley is immediately inside the saloon, properly positioned to serve both the cockpit and the lounge and dining areas, and is fully equipped with name brand appliances, and even a wine fridge under the pilot seat.

The interior has an aft galley with excellent storage, plus great views all around the saloon

The driving position provides excellent visibility for both helmsman and co-pilot, and there’s immediate deck access via a side door to starboard.

Social space on the foredeck has become an ever more popular feature on motor yachts. Once the province of the crew and the anchor windlass, the foredeck is now ‘usable space’ and constitutes a valuable contribution to onboard functionality.

The saloon has a full C-shaped sofa and a facing two-seat sofa behind the twin-seat helm

The pointy end of the Absolute 56 Fly offers sofa seating, casual dining and convertible sunpad configurations, with a shade sail that can be erected in mere moments.

In fact, if you count the all the seating and sunpads in the four social areas – cockpit, saloon, foredeck and flybridge – there are at least 30 seats and places to park yourself, and that’s just sitting or lying down. This boat could happily host a 40-guest function without even thinking about it, so it’s a party boat, too!

MASTERFUL CABINS

Right beside the helm is the companionway to the accommodation, and we are really unsure which is the master suite and which is the VIP. They are both sufficiently big and luxurious.

Situated forward and up a couple of steps, the master suite has a desk to port, a hanging wardrobe starboard and a large en-suite in the bow

In fact, the full-beam master is in the bow, where it’s apparent that the vertical stem design is not merely fashion; it is practical, too, allowing the suite to go ‘all the way’ forwards where a swept bow would have reduced the available space.

The master suite is the main beneficiary of the boat’s enormous hull windows, making the space the opposite of dark-and poky, and there are opening ventilation ports as well. The VIP suite is also full beam, with a practical separate shower/toilet arrangement, and in the space between the two suites is a further twin cabin and a third bathroom.

The full-beam VIP suite midships is like a master suite

The décor in the lower deck is restrained and elegant, with both dark and light wood tones echoing the finishes of the surfaces and bulkheads. The effect is delightful and stylish.

Absolutely every available space has been turned into storage, so bring luggage! A weekend on board could involve swimming, hiking, lazing, cocktails and formal dinners – and Mademoiselle can be ‘best dressed’ for every occasion!

DESIGN THEMES

Interestingly, interior spaces, including the suites and cabin, are designed on an uninterrupted flat surface. There are no steps, meaning you’ll never stub a toe, nor will you ‘miss a step’. It’s an important design feature, and very much understated.

Modular seats arranged as three two-seat sofas

There’s no doubt that Absolute build good-quality boats. You can tell by touch – the touch of the surfaces, and the touch on the helm.

They are built using Absolute’s Integrated Structural System, or ISS, which is a custom optimised modular process that ensures superlative quality control at all stages of construction, from hull to fit-out to interiors.

Cockpit seating arranged as two three-seat sofas

The exterior design of all their boats is highly distinctive, unlike many brands that use multiple designers. The oversized hull window panels are echoed in the saloon windows, which drop down to really “let the outdoors in”. The bulwarks have been replaced with railings which make the sides more visually transparent, and the cockpit sides are perforated for a similar effect.

At the end of the day, so much is a matter of taste. Ask yourself, ‘what do I want to do with my boat?’ because there’s no such thing as ‘perfect’.

The twin-seat helm benefits from the breeze and access offered by a side door

Sure, there are certain criteria that must be met – floating and moving are two of them – but if you’re looking for a day out on beautiful beaches, a coastal cruise, a weekend or overnight marine glamping experience, a party boat for sunset cocktails with umpteen friends, or even a quiet dinner venue – social or business – then look no further. And the Italian style is included!

www.absoluteyachts.com

www.absoluteyachts.com/en/absolute_dealer/absolute-marine/

Gulf Craft’s majestic new Tri-Deck

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Gulf Craft’s majestic new Tri-Deck

September 1, 2022
1:48 pm

As part of Gulf Craft’s 40th-anniversary celebrations this year, the UAE builder staged the premiere of its Majesty 120, which has sold multiple units on both sides of the Atlantic and features a fun-filled sun deck, a Cristian Gatto interior with three indoor lounges, and an energy-saving heat-recovery system.

The Majesty 120 officially debuted in 2022

After last year’s lavish premiere of the Cristiano Gatto-designed flagship Majesty 175, the world’s largest composite production superyacht, Gulf Craft was able to start the shipyard’s 40th anniversary in 2022 with the official debut of the Majesty 120 at this year’s Dubai International Boat Show.

The 37m tri-deck with an 8.1m beam was the largest yacht on display at the ‘Superyacht Avenue’ in Dubai Harbour, making its debut as host venue as the show was held for the first time since 2019. In fact, the first Majesty 120 was slated to premiere at the 2020 edition of the Dubai show, but plans were scuppered by the pandemic that led to a three-year gap between editions.

Gulf Craft’s in-house design team handled naval architecture and exterior

Despite the lack of boat shows reducing international exposure for the Majesty 120 over the past couple of years, five hulls have been sold, with three based in the Mediterranean and two more across the Atlantic in Florida.

Kostas Christodoulou, Gulf Craft’s COO, says the combination of the shipyard’s in-house design studio and the ongoing partnership with Italy-based Cristiano Gatto Design, responsible for the interior, has helped the Majesty 120 appeal to superyacht owners in various continents.

The aft garage carries a large tender and can be converted into a beach club

“The Majesty 120 has an incredibly detailed hull continuously studied through multiple CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulations, so the vessel has a very low fuel consumption and increased speed. Meanwhile, our long-term partnership with the renowned Gatto Design team holds strong appeal for clients,” Christodoulou says.

“There’s a great synergy between Gulf Craft and Gatto Design where innovation, client satisfaction and refined luxury all come together to create a Majesty Yacht. Working with Cristiano underlines Gulf Craft’s push to reach more of a varied clientele with interiors that touch upon international aesthetics, rooted in Middle Eastern charm.”

OUTDOOR FUN

Gulf Craft handled naval architecture and the striking exterior of the Majesty 120, with the angular lines and reverse wheelhouse reflecting the new DNA of the brand’s superyachts and continuing design themes introduced on the Majesty 140, which debuted in 2019 and also features a Gatto interior.

The forward area of the upper deck offers a sofa and sunpads ahead of the wheelhouse

Built in GRP and carbon-fibre in Gulf Craft’s main facility in Umm Al Quwain, the 200-tonne Majesty 120 has an impressive volume of 290GT. Machinery includes twin 2,600hp MTU engines and Kohler generators, yet she only draws 2m, allowing her to navigate shallow waters.

Outdoor guest areas start aft, where the wide garage can become a beach club once the tender is moved to the water and furniture is put in its place. If more space is needed for water toys, two jetskis can also be stored in the foredeck and deployed by a crane.

The large sun deck features a jacuzzi and sun pads at the forward end

The aft cockpit on the main deck is completely covered and offers alfresco dining for 10 people around a large table, plus a wet bar to starboard by the saloon doors. Outdoor stairs to port lead up to the upper deck’s aft cockpit, which is only partially covered by the overhang. Again, portside stairs lead up and this time bring you to the outdoor social area on the Majesty 120 – the sun deck supreme!

Gulf Craft says the sun deck is 30 per cent larger than on yachts in its class and it’s easy to believe. It starts aft with a free area that can fit several sun loungers. The central area covered by the hard top includes a large L-shaped seating area to starboard, while to starboard is a long bar with three stools. The crowning glory is forward, where steps lead up to a jacuzzi flanked by large sunbathing areas.

The aft end is a clear area that can fit three sun loungers

There’s another outdoor area, forward of the wheelhouse on the upper deck, where there’s a wide C-shaped sofa and two tables facing a large sunbathing area.

INTERNATIONAL INTERIOR

For the interior, Gatto and his team worked to a brief that called for a minimalist design to cater to international tastes, resulting in a clean, contemporary look. The indoor areas include an upper-deck saloon, which has a large L-shaped sofa facing aft to a bar and TV on either side of sliding doors to the aft deck.

The upper-deck saloon has a large L-shaped sofa facing a TV and a bar on either side of sliding doors to the aft deck

On the main deck, guests are greeted by a large, carpeted saloon that can be symmetrically laid out with a chair, long sofa and curved coffee table on each side as well as an aft-facing sofa that includes a pop-up television in the backrest. Forward is the formal dining area, delineated by wooden flooring and both this area and the lounge are flanked by huge, one-piece windows that bathe the entire saloon area in natural light.

The door to port leads to the pantry and the main galley, which also includes a dining area for crew. The starboard door leads to the lobby and the sumptuous full-beam owner’s suite, which starts with a hallway flanked by a walk-in wardrobe to port and drawers below a big window to starboard.

Aft view of the main saloon, which features a forward sofa with a pop-up television

The main bedroom has a ‘floating’ forward-facing king-size bed and bedside tables, while there are sofas on both sides and a desk-cum-vanity table in the aft port corner. The bed faces an elegant, open-style bathroom with twin sinks and large mirror, while there’s an enclosed head to starboard and a large shower to port, both rooms finished in marble.

The lower deck has an interesting, asymmetrical layout, with the stairs leading down to a port-side guest lounge, a child friendly room that includes an L-shaped sofa under two hull windows facing a TV on the bulkhead as well as a desk-cum-vanity aft facing a window with porthole.

Forward view of the dining area, which is forward of the saloon

The guest lounge leads to the four en-suite guest cabins, comprising a twin to starboard, VIP stateroom in the bow and two double cabins side by side midships. The yacht also has accommodation for up to seven crew.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

Aside from the engines and generators, electrical power is used for all onboard equipment and systems, whether it’s the fin stabilisers, thrusters and steering or the balconies and passarelle. The 120 is the first Majesty superyacht to have all-electrical systems, which reduces noise and maintenance, yet one technological advancement stands out.

The owner’s site has a ‘floating’ king-size bed, sofas on both sides and a desk-cum-vanity table in the aft port corner

The Majesty 120 is the first Gulf Craft model and first production yacht of her size to feature a heat-recovery system. On most yachts, heat produced by the air-conditioning chillers and generators is typically dispatched to the sea through heat exchangers, but on the 120 it’s used to warm water and even specific cabins when needed.

“On top of energy saving, the heat-recovery system on the Majesty 120 gives the opportunity to have more advanced temperature control in the cabins,” Christodoulou says. “With a closed circuit of hot water existing in parallel to the chilled water circuit, the fan coils can adjust individually the temperatures of any room either over or under the ambient.

The full-beam owner’s suite starts with a starboard hallway that accesses a walk-in wardrobe

“It’s a very important feature during late spring or mid-autumn in the Mediterranean or winter in the Middle East and parts of Asia, effectively expanding the cruising and charter season.

During those seasons, while ambient is about 23-25°C, some passengers like to have cooler cabins than this and others want warmer cabins. On the Majesty 120, this can be achieved with the minimum-possible energy.”

The lower deck includes a port-side lounge that accesses four guest cabins

The European debut of the Majesty 120 at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival will widen the audience for this key model from a thriving shipyard with a stated ambition of becoming one of the world’s top five superyacht builders by 2025.

majesty.gulfcraftinc.com

www.gulfcraftinc.com

Fountaine Pajot’s new Aura marks new era

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Fountaine Pajot’s new Aura marks new era

August 25, 2022
12:30 am

Debuting at this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival, Fountaine Pajot’s Aura 51 heads a new generation of eco-friendly models from the La Rochelle builder. However, it’s also notable for its performance, integrated cockpit and saloon, relaxing outdoor areas and remarkable accommodation options. By Emmanuel Van Deth.

The Aura 51 marks a new eco-friendly focus for Fountaine Pajot

The heart of the cruising catamaran market, hovering in recent years at the 45ft mark, now seems to be increasing a little in size. The 50ft sector, which can be sailed without the help of a crew, is becoming fiercely contested, as shown by the almost simultaneous launches earlier this year of Fountaine Pajot’s Aura 51 and the Lagoon 51.

In La Rochelle, we had the chance to discover hull one of the Aura 51, another design for Fountaine Pajot by Berret-Racoupeau, which succeeded Joubert/Nivelt about a decade ago, designing the Helia 44 launched in 2012.

Although relatively heavy, the Aura 51 performs well under sail in all conditions

The brand’s current generation, with its inverted bows, was led by the Saona 47 in 2017 and quickly bolstered by the Astrea 42 and Alegria 67 in 2018, the Elba 45 in 2019 and the Samana 59 in 2020, while last year the Tanna 47 was announced and the Isla 40 made her debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival.

The new Aura 51, set to premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival this September, picks up on all the same codes and is very successful because of that.

The control position is split on most Fountaine Pajot catamarans

The superstructures are lighter due to the pronounced deck camber, the coachroof with a cap that barely protrudes in front of the mast foot and the bimini, which is refined and covers practically the entire cockpit. The only notable evolution of this latest generation is the slope of the bows, now reversed.

MANAGEABLE BY A COUPLE

The 50-55ft range is where a cruising multihull not specifically designed with ‘short-handed’ sailing in mind can demand a professional crew. The Aura 51 retains the dual forward manoeuvring station and aft helm station used on all the manufacturer’s models from 42ft and above.

Manoeuvring station in front, helm station behind

From here, the helmsman remains in contact with those in the aft cockpit, even galley, as well as the flybridge. A flybridge means a raised boom. Here, the gooseneck remains anchored relatively low, but the cut of the mainsail raises the boom significantly at the clew end.

The cars for the sheets of the overlapping genoa sit on tracks set well inboard – the port sheet passes under a false deck to reach the manoeuvring station.

There are three winches and two banks of clutches. Halyards, sheets, traveller lines: everything can be adjusted from this station except the port gennaker (or spinnaker) sheet, which requires a dedicated winch on the deck, near the return block.

The flybridge has a C-shaped sofa and a double sunpad forward

The entire coachroof and flybridge are bordered by an impressive area of solar panels – up to 2,000W – which have been specially cut to cover the space. Otherwise, the flybridge is a great lounging area, offering a wide C-shaped bench seat and forward sunbathing area.

The foredeck also offers a large C-shaped seating and lounging area, plus two large trampolines. The chain locker is cleverly topped by a wooden cover, which serves as a small table. There are plenty of lockers forward of the mast, but their use is hampered by the upholstery.

The foredeck features lots of seating and a wooden table that covers the windlass storage

The two forepeaks offer very large volume and can be fitted out as crew berths. As for the side decks, they’re wide and perfectly clear.

The aft cockpit is particularly welcoming with a large table capable of seating 10 guests and surrounded by an L shaped sofa and a bench seat, while there’s also a day bed to starboard and a wide aft sofa with a gas grill to starboard, plus a compartment for the liferaft. The two sugarscoops link with a central hydraulic platform that can carry up to 200kg.

THAT FEELING OF GLIDING

The model we tested was equipped with the optional 75hp motors. These larger engines make manoeuvring even easier. It’s very straightforward to make a U-turn on the spot and to hold yourself alongside the dock or a pontoon with the help of a spring or bow/stern line.

Berret-Racoupeau handled the design

On clearing the harbour, we were picked up by an ideal 11-16 knot northwest wind. The Aura 51 immediately demonstrated her excellent capabilities under full mainsail and genoa, settling at a speed of 8-9 knots with the wind on the beam.

The Incidences D4 sail wardrobe – not included in the manufacturer’s options – and the folding propellers provided a welcome turbo effect. During a more pronounced gust, the GPS even indicated 10 knots. The sail plan adapts easily to sailing close to the wind, especially the overlapping genoa with its sheeting point set well inboard.

The Aura 51 performed well in good winds

At speeds below 5-6 knots, the relatively short skeg keels won’t eliminate all the leeway, but above a Force 3, you’re able to make a course a little sharper than 50° without stalling. Under gennaker, the Aura 51 was able to maintain an average speed of over 10 knots. These performances are excellent considering the displacement and the level of comfort observed.

Comparing the specifications of the Aura 51 and the former Saba 50, the displacement has increased 15 per cent from 15.7 tonnes to 18.1 tonnes, while the sail area has increased 9 per cent to 154sqm (1,658sqft). Despite the Saba’s higher sail-to-weight ratio, the Aura is certainly faster than her predecessor.

The aft platform can support a 200kg tender, while at anchor it serves as a beach club

The smoothness of the helm and the good view over the water and the rig obviously contribute to the sailing pleasure. You don’t feel any spectacular acceleration but rather an impression of power and serenity that invites you to continue heading offshore.

WIDE OPEN INTERIOR

In addition to the numerous solar panels that surround the flybridge, the main innovation to be found aboard the Aura 51 is the extra-wide opening between the cockpit and saloon that creates one large covered social zone.

The expansive saloon opening is among the Aura 51’s main innovations

The bay windows comprise three large panels that retract next to the helm station, offering a potential opening of 7ft 6in across.

On the port side, the galley unit extends outward and supports an additional window. Due to the central island design, the chef doesn’t get in anyone’s way and can work almost outside. This ‘inside/outside’ configuration works superbly. To top that, the galley is particularly well-equipped with storage space, while additional refrigeration can be ordered.

The saloon has good height and is well lit by large windows and skylights

The saloon is suitable for taller sailors, with over 7ft of headroom near the entrance, and is very bright due to big windows on three sides and large skylights. The finishing everywhere is neat, without playing the bling card. The saloon extends on the starboard side and features an L-shaped bench seat facing an angled corner sofa forward.

Our test model had a coffee table, but in the absence of a ‘proper’ chart table, the multi-function, electrically-operated high table option – including an extra bed – would seem more judicious, if only to provide a desk when needed.

The saloon has an L-shaped sofa and another corner couch

The watchkeeping and navigation aspects have been catered for by the shipyard using the central lounger, which offers a view of the sail plan as well as power outlets for plugging in a tablet.

CABIN OPTIONS GALORE

Down below, the accommodation options are truly impressive and can include a six-cabin version for 12 guests, comprising three doubles with en-suite bathrooms on each side.

The aft cabins, including the master suites in the Maestro versions, can access the cockpit via a hatch

Layout options also include three owner versions. The Aura 51 we tested had the Maestro five-cabin version comprising a master and double to port and three doubles to starboard.

Otherwise, the symmetrical four-cabin Double Maestro features a master and a guest cabin in each hull, while the four-cabin Full Maestro has a giant master occupying the whole port hull and three doubles to starboard.

All cabins have window-facing beds and en-suite bathrooms

In every layout, each cabin has a window-facing bed, an en-suite bathroom and more than 6ft 6in of headroom, while the aft cabin in each hull has access to the cockpit via steps and a hatch.

With well over 100 units ordered off plan, the new model is already assured of a strong commercial career and its popularity is well deserved.

Comfortable, carefully finished and boasting impressive performance, the Aura 51 is already established as one of the leading options in the increasingly competitive 50ft cruising catamaran sector.

www.fountaine-pajot.com

Fairline’s flagship Squadron 68 shows Asia appeal

Reviews / yachtstyle2020

Fairline’s flagship Squadron 68 shows Asia appeal

August 18, 2022
3:57 am

The British builder’s upgraded flagship has already debuted in Asia ahead of the model’s official world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September – when another hull is set to arrive in this region through Simpson Marine.

Asia’s first new-edition Squadron 68 in the Gulf of Thailand; Photos: Simpson Marine

Fairline was one of the first yacht builders to reveal its line-up for this year’s Cannes Yachting Festival, announcing that it would stage not one but two world premieres from September 6-11. The British builder will unveil its all-new Phantom 65 at the six-day show, while its other debutant will be the upgraded edition of its flagship Squadron 68.

The Oundle shipyard displayed the original Squadron 68 at the last pre-Covid edition of the Cannes show, in 2019, when its other global debuts included the F//Line 33. Last year, Fairline released a reconfigured, hard top version of the F//Line 33, while this year it’s the turn of its flagship model to re-emerge new and improved.

The model features new hull glazing and a streamlined hard top with sliding sunroof

The 2022 edition of the Squadron 68 includes a modernised exterior, but the main changes are the hard top and sunroof, a fresh interior layout with multiple lower-deck options, as well as new materials and lighting.

Paul Grys, Fairline Yachts’ CEO, says: “Having taken onboard feedback from customers to further improve the Squadron 68, we’re confident buyers will fall in love with it as much as we have.”

The model’s Asia premiere was held three months before its world premiere, with Simpson Marine displaying the first unit in the region in Pattaya in June. The dealership then handed over the yacht to its owners, with the family-and-friends celebrations including a scenic cruise around islands near Pattaya, where the boat is kept at Ocean Marina Yacht Club.

Simpson Marine is awaiting a second hull in Asia

The Squadron 68 in Thailand tops 30 knots with the standard 1,150hp Cat C18 engines, a solid return for a yacht with a dry weight of 43 tonnes, while Fairline also offers 1,622hp Cat C32 engines for a couple of extra knots.

STREAMLINED RESTYLE

The new hull glazing reflects the design also seen on the Phantom 65, the first model of the brand’s new sportbridge line. A thin black line runs from the swim platform before widening around the midships hull windows before a thinner band of glazing continues to a forward point. The new shape of the glazing reflects better the shape of the superstructure and hull.

The Pattaya-based hull includes the aft electric sunshade integrated into the hard top

The new hard top does the same. Instead of thin struts, the hard-top mast features elegant forward-raked supports that extend the flow of the aft superstructure on the main deck, highlighted on each side by Fairline’s recognisable triple-fin signature.

The original Squadron 68 was a tall-looking boat, but the new glazing and hard top disguise the height with a sporty, dynamic profile that benefits from exterior lines going in consistent directions.

Its features become apparent as you board the hydraulic high-low swim platform, which has a 500kg capacity so can carry and deploy a Williams TurboJet 325, for instance. Symmetrical stairways lead up to the aft cockpit, which has a C-shaped sofa and teak dining table, plus two bar stools by the galley window, which can flip up into the ceiling.

The cockpit has a large C-shaped sofa, teak dining table, bar stools and new tri-fold saloon door

As we move along the starboard side deck, we’re shown the side door by the lower helm, a new and important option according to Howard Prime, Simpson Marine’s Country Manager for Thailand.

“The starboard side door is a key new feature,” Prime says. “It means you can ventilate the helm really easily, but also those at the helm can get out to the side deck far more easily than having to walk out the back first.”

KEEPING COVERED

The foredeck is an elegant and flexible social area, with a C-shaped sofa and a table facing a very wide sunpad area. The aft part of the sunpads contains a fold-up backrest that creates a two-seat sofa that faces the table for a more rounded social gathering. The unit in Thailand includes the optional sky canopy for the foredeck, a useful extra in Asia.

The foredeck sky bimini

The flybridge has always been a key highlight of any Squadron and the new 68 retains the excellent original layout. There are three separate social areas, starting behind the port-side stairs where modular seating can be arranged to face aft through the clear balustrade.

On the starboard side, there’s a wet bar behind a large three-sided sofa that’s cleverly angled to face across to the forward port corner, where there’s a similar but smaller seating set-up in reverse. The twin-seat helm station is to starboard.

The flybridge includes a central dining area (above) and forward lounge (below)

Hard top aside, the biggest change in the flybridge is above, where Fairline has replaced the slatted sunroof with a 3m by 2.3m sliding fabric sunroof, which offers much better ventilation and light when opened. An integrated electric sunshade can extend cover aft, while an optional sky canopy supported by poles can cover the entire aft flybridge.

SUMPTUOUS INTERIOR

The new edition also comes with the option of a tri-fold saloon door into the interior, where Fairline has changed things extensively while the wood options remain impressive.

The aft galley neighbours the dining area, which has a leather sofa and stools

The hull in Thailand features high-gloss walnut and maple, while other options include satin walnut and lighter choices like satin oak or high-gloss oak. Flooring is in oak and available in white, smoked and Nero versions, while interior mood lighting is among other options.

The beautiful timber flooring and hand-crafted cabinetry is seen as soon as you step inside. The galley on the port side has a new design that maximises workspace and increases the fridge/freezer capacity, while there’s the option of a dishwasher below the sink.

Aft view of the saloon, with woodwork is in high-gloss walnut and maple

The dining area is to starboard and includes an adjustable table, an L-shaped leather sofa and matching low stools, which fit under the table when not in use.

Walk forward and the switch from timber flooring to carpet signifies entry into a saloon dominated by a large C shaped sofa and a foldable, high-low dining/coffee table on a slightly elevated floor to port. This main lounging area faces a starboard two-seat sofa and a retractable television. Both saloon sofas are available in a range of fabrics.

The high-low saloon table is also foldable

The forward area includes the twin helm seats to starboard and companion seating in the form of a cosy, forward-facing corner sofa port side of stairs to the lower deck.

OPTIONS APLENTY

The steps arrive at the lower-deck lobby before a U-turn takes you to the owner’s suite midships. The full-beam stateroom features a king-sized bed, bureau and drawer storage to starboard, and a large port-side sofa.

The master suite has a sofa to port and bureau to starboard, while aft are the walk-in wardrobe and bathroom

Forward, the en-suite guest cabin to starboard has more width than in the previous model plus the option of an electric-bed conversion to switch between twin berths and a double bed. The VIP suite is in the bow and features hanging cupboards on both sides.

There are four options for the room port side of the staircase, including the utility room selected for the unit in Thailand. Alternatively, the area can be a day head, a fourth guest cabin with bunk beds, or even part of an extended VIP suite.

Fairline’s options list is immense, and Asia’s first unit is well specced, with tropical-strength air-conditioning plus television and movies running on a built-in wireless router. There’s also an integrated Sonos audio system with three Sub stages, flush-mounted speakers, roaming speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers, as well as mobile waterproof Bluetooth add-ons.

The en-suite VIP cabin in the bow includes wardrobes on both sides

Simpson Marine is already looking ahead to the arrival of a second Squadron 68, potentially as early as September, as the multi-brand dealership continues to build the profile of a shipyard it represents across Greater China and Southeast Asia.

“Each Fairline has a sleek, attractive exterior and features beautiful woodwork and attention to detail. However, they’re also well-built and very seaworthy, with robust hulls, so they get lots of compliments from crew and clients on their handling,” Prime says.

“Fairline is deservedly renowned as one of the top British builders and its range of models from about 30-70ft covers a very popular market segment and are great value considering the quality.”
www.fairline.com
www.simpsonmarine.com

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