Avion Luxury International Airport Magazine
Superyachts, between nostalgia and efficiency
A market leader like Benetti has good reason to be proud: it has invested in research and development in order to optimise production, speed up delivery of its masterpieces to loyal customers and reduce waiting times. Obviously, the larger the yacht - a yacht of “naval” size - the more time needed to build it. But, with the new line of four models from 50 to 68 metres, Benetti, the star of the Livorno shipyards, has found a way to considerably reduce delivery times thanks to a unique new design system developed internally, which optimises the engineering stage and reduces production times - provided the customer has not “exaggerated” with his requests. The benefit is enormous, and the 68-metre Bnow, although offering highly customised interiors, reaches the market several months earlier than before and way ahead of the competition. The four models presented at Cannes were all highly rated for their sleek, modern lines. The central section of the third and fourth decks on the 56-metre, 63-metre and 68-metre models are strikingly similar. The 68-metre yacht, however, although offering many architectural similarities to the others, has a the clearly longer stern area, which provides a sun-drenched and wind-protected spot even during sailing and features a large open-air swimming pool. Riva aims to stun with innovative concepts, and its new flagship, with a name chosen intentionally - Dolcevita, delivers the best that modern constructive technologies can offer for the well-being of guests on board in terms of the sea-faring experience. With these 110-foot mega-yachts, on both the main and the increasingly appreciated lower deck, windows of record-breaking lengths and heights have been included, which gracefully embellish the ultra-sporty profile. Designed by Officina Italiana Design, the
design studio founded by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta, the yacht was presented to the world, not surprisingly, at the Grand Prix Historique of Monte-Carlo to pay tribute to a carefree era of traditions and modernity. In this Riva the incredible windows make it feel like a palace of crystal, a sea-going gem that achieves new standards of luxury without forgoing superior performance, such as the maximum speed of 26 knots. A flybridge yacht of this kind, with fibreglass planing hull and steel trims that embrace its splendid windows, has never been made so elegantly by an Italian shipyard. The patent for the partly immersed hangar in the stern is also unique and allows easy access to the generous space for the various “toys”, used both for fun and to get around, on this modern wonder of the sea. We conclude our review with a Turkish yacht that is able to please even discerning Mediterranean customers. Alia Yachts’ Virgen del Mar VI, is the result of the dedication of the Antalya shipyard, now 10 years old, which has built 10 yachts and superyachts of lengths up to 61 metres. The Virgen del Mar VI, some 31 metres, is known as a “pocket superyacht”, which demonstrates the incredible skill needed to build a 235-tonne yacht with surprising sea-faring abilities. Although retaining the option for customisation that has always distinguished the work of this shipyard, the Virgen del Mar VI was designed for long ocean voyages and offers a range of some 4,500 nautical miles. Designed by the British design studio RWD, this yacht of restrained design is appreciated for its level of “rational” detail, unique to its category. The interior spaces are enhanced to maximum effect, without forgetting comfort in the outside space, to create a yacht with global appeal suitable for private customers, thanks to a high level of personalisation, but also perfect for charters, due to the great advantage of its record-breaking range.