Yachts: displacement hulls are still the trend

Long live the calmness, the tranquillity, the stability and the ability to enjoy the sea again. Travelling the world on a yacht seems to be “antisocial” in the eyes of many, who, instead of admiring and envying, look on disapprovingly. Why not return to true sailing values and become a little more “politically correct” with boats that are less arrogant and much more pleasant and enjoyable to experience? This is what many of the largest of the world’s shipbuilders have started thinking - those capable of innovating even in the upper segments, those perhaps less affected by the crisis but with the same spirit of adventure that was present up until only a few years ago. Nowadays fewer resources are wasted and the focus is on more reliable materials and choices that last longer, because very large yachts, in other words the pleasure boats, need to last and must be fit for purpose. There are qualities that stupefy other than absolute speed. Design and project skill make a difference, and projects like those presented here are still able to innovate without being “antisocial”. Admiral, reborn after salvaging the generous Tecnomar, wants to preserve all the charm of the brand previously owned by Cantieri Lavagna and raise the bar even higher at the same time, aiming for a target superior than that reached during the times of their collaboration with Mariotti, whose largest launch reached more than 50 metres. Now potential ship owners will be able to choose from the offerings of the X Lence line, which features a range of vessels of 45, 57 and 65 metres, and the more ambitious C Force, the flagship of the 75-metre group of vessels. These concepts feature many ideas, but particularly

admired are the record-sized glass surfaces. The classic and modern blend beautifully on the Benetti FB253, a 61 metre gem with four decks and a sun deck, which was entrusted to the creativity of Natucci/Azimut-Benetti. As reflected in the name “Diamonds Are Forever”, this yacht aims to summarise the quintessence of ultra classical beauty. Overmarine Group's offerings are a more modern affair; they have launched their first displacement vessel, which measures 148 feet. They have also created a longer open hull vessel of 165 feet and one of 205 feet, still on paper. This masterpiece marks a change in the firm’s philosophy. Those who love yachting know that the name Mangusta has always been synonymous with high performance hulls and superstructures that bear the hallmark of Ligurian genius Stefano Righini, who added a touch of “coupé” to this unprecedented vessel, whilst keeping it sleek and solid where necessary, finishing off with portholes that reflect his typical style, which ship owners have fallen in love with over the decades. Canados amazed Cannes with their 120, winning more than one award for their innovative design amongst boats measuring more than 24 metres. Far Away, created by another icon of Italian design, Francesco Paszkowski, is an exception in this review because it is the only vessel measuring 36 metres that can plane. Lightweight fibreglass makes it the flagship of the flybridge line. The yacht features many innovations, such as sidedecks, a “beach-club” on the stern and a world-leading home automation system. The WallyAce 26 is shorter and unlike any of its counterparts, and only just registers as a pleasure craft. It is primarily a rare example of a Wally with a motor, as the firm usually focuses and excels in sailing yachts. It is different from every other yacht ever created, but has no extreme features as were seen on the Wally Power and the various island-yacht concepts. WallyAce is modern, rational, real and truly enjoyable. Its shapes are the secret of its uniqueness: the rounded and solid bow creates spaces never before seen below deck, whilst its overall width offers floor areas that match any comparison to longer vessels. Gyroscopic stabilisers such as those present on larger ships, a long waterline and only 5 litres per marine mile at cruising speed make this vessel particularly economical and useful in any operating condition, especially on long-distance cruises.

In apertura e in alto a sinistra. Benetti FB253 61mt, “Diamonds Are Forever”, raggiunge una velocità massima di 16 nodi, mantenendo la velocità di 12 nodi DAF e gode di un’autonomia oceanica di 4800 miglia nautiche. A bordo, la personalizzazione, secondo le richieste e i desideri dell’armatore, è totale. In basso a sinistra e in questa pagina. Canados 120, "Far Away" concepito negli interni da Francesco Paszkowski. Leggero, in vetroresina, è l’ammiraglia per il cantiere della linea flybridge.