De Antonio D46 Open
Spanish yard De Antonio has made a name for itself with its distinctive range of outboard-powered craft, but surely it would have to switch to inboard diesel power for its latest 46ft sportscruiser? Apparently not – lift up that large rear sunpad and lurking underneath are no less than four Evinrude G2 outboard engines of 300hp each. I’ve never been strong at maths but even I can work out that adds up to 1,200hp in a boat weighing less than 13 tonnes.
We haven’t yet had the chance to experience what this feels like but judging from the wide-eyed expression of the French journalist I saw stepping off the D46 after a quick spin, it clearly made an impression. He kept muttering something about a top speed 47 knots before stumbling off in search of a double espresso.
Even when safely lashed to the pontoons at the Palma Boat Show, the D46 looked faintly unsettling. The topsides are so tall, so flat and so vertical that they have a kind of brutalist appeal that fans of modern architecture will appreciate but boating purists may shy away from.
Step on board and you can instantly feel the benefits of retaining that broad beam all the way down to the waterline. The cockpit is set up for sun-drenched day boating with four large sunpads spread across the main deck, although with no guardrails or toerails on the sidedecks, the one on the foredeck is best left to the surefooted. Venture below decks and you’ll be amazed at how much space there is. The show boat had three cabins and two heads, including a full-beam master amidships, but it can be configured with two doubles and a lower dinette, or even one master with a vast open-plan saloon. Given the edgy exterior looks, it was rather nice to find plenty of wood down here, adding some warmth to the straight edges and stark lines that dominate the exterior styling.
Those petrol engines mean it’s unlikely to be chosen for its longrange cruising abilities but if you’re looking for something that offers the pace of an Axopar, the style of a Fjord and the overnight accommodation of a Fairline, there’s very little to match it.
Contact De Antonio. Tel: +34 934 676 036. Web: www.deantonioyachts.com