Oceanic 90 STS

CAPRIO’S FIRST IMPRESSION: If the Oceanic 90 STS doesn’t give you a serious case of wanderlust, check your pulse. This modern interpretation of an expedition-style workboat treats our eyes, as well as our bodies.

Expedition yachts may be slightly overdressed progenies of their working ancestors, but they are shippy enough to stir a wanderer’s soul. Think of them as kin to super-luxurious 4x4 pickup trucks. The Oceanic 90 STS, built by the Italian yard Cantiere Navale di Ostia-Canados, certainly tickles my fancy.

In spite of her vertical topsides and upright superstructure, the 90 STS looks sleek, because her posture suggests forward motion. Look at the way her bow stretches forward, as though she were impatient to make landfall. In addition to the look this element creates, the tremendous amount of reserve buoyancy in the bow sections keeps the yacht from burying in big head seas. The visually complementary chine slaps down spray and adds to the bow’s volume.

She wears her superstruc- ture the way a British motoring enthusiast wears his traditional cap, protecting the windows as the cap protects a roadster driver’s eyes. The breaks in each coachroof mirror those of the sheerline, giving the 90 STS a pleasing harmony. Interrupting the topsides’ acreage with long, relatively narrow windows adds to the yacht’s sleek appearance.

Oceanic Yachts designed this boat to extend living space indoors and out. The afterdeck stows a 6.5-meter diesel-powered tender, and when it is launched, the entire area converts to a comfortable outdoor saloon that may be sheltered by a pullout awning. The transom garage has room for a pair of PWCs.

On the same level and through doors to the main saloon, we find a spacious lounge, dining area, and all the way forward the centerline helm. One flight up takes us to the owner’s suite. It gives the occupants a fabulous view from inside or from the private balcony aft. Accommoda- tions for six guests in three staterooms are on the lowest deck.

Although hull No. 1, which launched in August and appeared at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September, has straight-shaft propulsion, pods are optional. In the DiElec mode, the captain may select pure diesel power for top speed or cruise at 9 knots via its Auxilia 80-kW electric motors fed by Kohler generators.

Style, a shippy character, and diesel-electric propulsion make the 90 STS one fine package.

Oceanic Yachts, +39 06 5633 9732; www.oceanicyachtsshipyard.com

LOA: 91'2" BEAM: 23'0" DRAFT: 6'6" DISPL.: 156,000 LB. (LIGHT SHIP) WATER: 528 GAL. FUEL: 2,958 GAL. STD. ENGINES: 2/1,950-HP CATERPILLAR C32 ACERTS, PLUS AUXILIA 80-KW ELECTRIC MOTORS TOP SPEED: 27 KNOTS CRUISING SPEED: 23 KNOTS PRICE: UPON REQUEST