At a virtual press conference held on December 2, Benetti presented two new products: the Motopanfilo 37M in the Class category and the 67-metre Custom yacht FB284. Let's take a close look at the new Motopanfilo.
This elegant yacht inspired not only by the legendary “navettes” of the Sixties but the glamour, freedom of expression and creativity synonymous with those times. A yacht permeated by immense charm that tips its hat to the 1960s Motopanfilo style epitomised by Benetti, but without any sense of nostalgia or vintage intentions.
This model’s evocative and timeless style was described by Francesco Struglia, the designer of the yacht’s exteriors, and Claudio Lazzarini and Carl Pickering from Lazzarini Pickering Architetti, the firm of architects engaged to design the interiors.
The first thing that catches the eye when looking at the new Motopanfilo is the exterior volume. The midship construction elements that linked the hull and superstructure and created the visually harmonious single form that is the essence of the original Motopanfilo have been preserved. The tapered silhouette with its clean-cut lines, and austere, elegant contours, appears almost like a beautifully-crafted protective shell that envelops and cossets all those within it.
The interiors are by the renowned Lazzarini Pickering architectural firm, which was also behind Benetti’s 2004 Sairam, the first superyacht to introduce modern interiors at a time when classic styling was still predominant.
In seeking to rediscover and reinterpret many of the traditional elements of the original motopanfilo in the name of a new style of classicism, the designers came up with the concept of the interior as the skeleton of a large whale, with its framework providing a rhythm to the space. From here, the idea evolved to delineating the various spaces through an architectural approach that reimagines traditional beams as structural rib bones and essentially dematerialises the walls. It is left to the vast lateral windows to contain the space, and the effect is one of immense spaciousness and openness, which even the furnishings cannot detract from. Artful use of mirrored surfaces to frame the windows expands the perception of interior space and amplifies the views of the sea and sky outside.
The structural rib bones give order and sense to the interiors, defining the different zones and providing punctuation points to mark the use of different materials and allow for interesting décor and functional interpretations.
The Motopanfilo, a 37-metre displacement yacht made in composite, encapsulates how to transport classic tradition stylishly and unerringly into the future.
The displacement hull can reach a maximum speed of 16 to 18 knots, depending on the motor capacity selected.
Credits: Benetti
The 85m explorer yacht Victorious has been launched at the AK Yachts facility in Turkey. This explorer, whose building process had been postponed for 14 years, can accommodate up to twenty guests in ten cabins and has a 200-square-meter beach club, gym, hammam and massage room. Powered by two Caterpillar (3512B) 1,495hp diesel engines, Victorious is capable of a top speed of 15 knots and cruises comfortably at 13 knots. Her interior was designed by the famous H2 Yacht Design (UK), andJonny Horsfield, the company’s founder noted “From starting a project to delivering some drawings and information to the shipyard could take 12 months on a normal build… we had to redesign the whole boat in three or four months.” AK Yachts was founded in 2017 in Turkey. Their main focus is building exceptional quality yachts with uncompromised value. Credits: H2 Yacht Design
April 9, 2021
Ocean Eco 90 Explorer is solar-assisted electric long-range cruiser with the added feature of extra space on the upper deck. At 27.5m, this yacht has an impressive 14m beam; the lower deck houses four cabins for guests and three for the crew.Her estimated cruising speed is 8–10 knots and top speed is 16–18 knots. See new images of the interior below.OE 90 main saloonOE 90 main saloon OE 90 master cabin OE 90 master cabinOE 90 master cabin at nightAlva Yachts was founded in Germany in early 2020 by Mathias May and Holger Henn. It was built on the former PICA yachts, which has launched more than 40 boats. Credits: Alva Yachts
April 9, 2021
The 300m scientific exploration vessel Earth300 has been presented by Iddes Yachts' founder Ivan Salas Jefferson and is equipped with 22 state-of-the-art laboratories and a “science sphere” on the aft deck. This giga yacht can accommodate more than 400 people, including 160 scientists, 20 experts-in-residence, 20 students, 40 VIP guests and 165 crewmembers.Of course, this futuristic yacht was designed for emissions-free sailing and will be powered by nuclear tech known as molten salt reactors (MSRs).The project is supported by an impressive number of partners, including IBM, RINA, Triton Submarines and EYOS Expeditions.Iván Salas Jefferson, the Iddes Yachts founder and naval architect, has worked for leading Dutch naval architecture studios such as De Voogt (Feadship) and the Oceanco bespoke superyacht builder. Iddes Yachts was founded in 2012 and offers experience project management services supported by the design and naval architecture studio.Credits: Iddes Yachts
April 9, 2021
The 52m Amels 180 Limited Editions Grace is going back to the shipyard in the Netherlands where she was originally built for a refit. Grace was delivered in 2009. Eleven years on and Grace is now returning to Vlissingen for a four-month refit which will see a number of works take place, including a technical upgrade, a complete hull respray and interior modification.“It’s wonderful to see Grace back at the yard,” says Damen Yachting Sales Manager Michel Coens, who knows the yacht well from her time at the yard during the original build. “Being able to welcome yachts and their crew from the fleet back to our yard is always a great honour. There is a real sense of pride in welcoming back one of our own and also having the opportunity to once again shape a yacht to the owner’s wishes.”Damen Yachting, a division within the Damen Shipyards Group, was created in 2019. The division combines the pedigree and heritage of Amels yachts with a growing portfolio of SeaXplorer yachts and Yacht Support vessels.Credits: Damen Yachting
April 8, 2021
The latest Pearl 62 has been delivered to its new owner in the UK. This unit, hull number 4, is the first with Kelly Hoppen’s Luxury interior design style. The Pearl 62 is available with either Luxury or Modern interior styles, both composed by world-class interior designer Kelly Hoppen MBE. The Pearl 62 is a family yacht. She has four guest cabins. The full beam owners’ cabin is accessed via a private stairway and features a large, centrally placed bed, a desk, a reading corner and his and hers closets. Two twin cabins can both convert to doubles. The VIP cabin is fore and has a large, centrally placed bed, a dressing table, his and hers storage and an en-suite with a walk-in shower.The saloon has large glazed areas that sweep upwards so that the interiors are bathed in natural light.The full-length flybridge is accessed via a staircase on the starboard side of the aft cockpit. This large and versatile space has a helm station with joystick controls and Garmin touch screens with controls for everything from the yacht’s anchor to its Fusion entertainment system. Next to the helms there is comfortable seating that can convert to become sun pads. A hardtop with an opening central section is optional, but a wet bar with a cool box, sink and BBQ grill is standard. Volvo IPS propulsion gives the Pearl 62 optimal performance and efficiency characteristics, while joystick controls with dynamic positioning system and an integrated Garmin touch-screen display make helming and accessing all of the yacht’s systems easy and intuitive.UK-based Pearl Yachts was founded in 1998 with the aim of designing a range of luxury motor yachts offering voluminous interiors, combined with opulence and design excellence. Pearl’s fleet consists of the all-new Pearl 62, the Pearl 80, and the Pearl 95.Credits: Pearl Yachts
April 8, 2021