ABSOLUTE NAVETTA 73: ENGINEERING OF BEAUTY

The fourth “Absolute Dealer Meeting”, a real “family reunion” of Absolute Yachts dealers from all around the world, was the occasion for us to visit the new flagship of the Italian yacht builder. We indeed climbed on board the boat that, currently in an advanced state of construction, is scheduled to be launched at the next fall boat shows.

If it is true that every new model encapsulates the progress achieved by a shipyard throughout its life, the new Navetta 73 perfectly describes Absolute’s real essence and guidelines.

Over the last few years, the so-called “Absolute Global Project” has quickly become the official slogan of Sergio Maggi and Marcello Bè‘s creations. The commitment to offer a global navigation experience in all bodies of water all around the world and provide the same performance in any weather and cultural condition has deeply influenced each aspect of Absolute Yachts’ production process.

The long experience gained by Absolute’s founders in the historic Gobbi shipyards, the family dimension of the modern Podenzano-based production site along with the direct supervision of the company over each working stage have resulted in the development of the so-called ““Integrated Structural System” (ISS).

The acronym defines an innovative building technology where fiberglass hulls are reinforced by a multidimensional grid covering the entire length and beam of the boat.

All the other components, such as floors, bulkheads, ceilings and furniture frame are affixed with fiberglass supports to create a unique strong structure that guarantees the highest level of safety and resistance to external elements.

The Navetta 73 should be considered as the natural evolution of the previous “Navetta 52” and “Navetta 58“.

Design innovations and traditional beauty of the range are now proposed in a more elegant 73-foot version.

High bulwarks and impressive superstructures are streamlined by the sharp edges of the bow design. Always in the bow, dark-coloured windows seem to dig their own location in the topside and, together with a series of small round portholes and windows in the stern, interrupt the otherwise majestic vertical development. After all, the whole Absolute’s “Navetta” line features an innovative unmistakable style, where great volumes, liveability and innovative design are the hallmarks of boats that manage to combine beauty and functionality.

Beyond the handrail, the main deck externally stretches over two different levels: that of the cockpit and lateral passages and the fore one, a little raised compared with the first.

Bounded by some sliding glazed surfaces – that can create a unique open space with the living area – and a central sofa in the stern, the cockpit is wide and unencumbered. Two side descending passages lead to the swimming platform that, large and highly functional, promises moments of absolute contact with the sea. This zone gives instant access to the engine room and crew cabins, all positioned in the bow.

Entirely sheltered by the fly bridge, the cockpit includes two lateral passages that lead to the fore deck, where an additional external environment welcomes guests around a table enveloped by two counter-posed sofas and a large sun pad. Furthermore, a stair, cleverly located on the left and served by railings, leads to the flybridge.

If the Navetta 73 is a triumph of spaces and considerable heights in the cabins, the size of this zone is actually astonishing. The area indeed stretches over 55 walkable square metres (the size of a normal two-room apartment) and includes an external pilot station in the bow section and an elegant wet bar opposite the table. The latter is surrounded by some chairs and a sofa.

The aft section houses two large sun pads and a surprising shower just behind the stair. Intentionally encumbered, this area is totally customizable in terms of furniture. The sun roof covering the flybridge  contributes to offer the best space versatility.

Interiors are another strength of this boat where Absolute guidelines find their highest expression: quality, innovation, safety, beauty and, above all, respect for the environment.

Spaciousness is the main player in interior environments: they all feature considerable heights and large volumes, in addition to some environmental arrangements to the benefit of the owner’s privacy.

In this respect, we can say that the Navetta 73, despite her spaces and furniture that are worthy of larger superyachts, has the same management costs and environmental impact than a trawler of just over 20 metres.

The living area shows very high windows that, together with the large glass sliding door in the cockpit, flood the saloon with natural light.

In the stern section, a first lounge is elegantly furnished with two sofas, a comfortable armchair and an asymmetric marble table.

Opposite this lounge, a high cabinet houses a large tv that contributes to complete this relaxation area. Approaching to the bow, a dinner table promises pleasant meals and is counter-posed to the entrance stairs of the lower deck.

The pilot station is separated from the rest of the main deck thanks to a room entirely dedicated to the galley: an environment that the crew can easily reach thanks to external passages without interfering with guests’ relaxation moments.

From the perspective of a discreet guests-crew separation, an inner stair leads from the inner pilot station to the second deck on the flybridge while a sliding door puts it in contact with the galley.

The driving console includes four touchscreen monitors that digitize all steering functions even though an analog push-botton panel positioned on the left side of the dashboard guarantees additional safety and functionality.

The lower deck houses five cabins and five bathrooms, including those reserved for the crew. The Master Cabin is positioned in the bow, in a raised deck totally separated from the rest of the cabins below deck.

The cabin is indeed directly accessible from the pilot station. Bright and equipped with a kingsize bed, it is luxuriously furnished with natural elements, such as wood, crystal, leather, Calacatta marble and precious details like Venetian-glass handles in the washbasin that prove the high-quality of interior finishes.

The bathroom is as large as a standard cabin and, equipped with a double marble washbasin and a large separated shower box, provides the owner’s cabin with very comfortable services. Two small wardrobes on each side of the bed and a large walk-in closet (really uncommon on boats of this size) on the left complete the spaces reserved for the boat’s owner.

An inner stair leads to the main deck and the remaining night zone. A first double cabin is equipped with a walk-in closet and a full-beam bed. Opposite it, on the starboard side, a second cabin with twin beds completes the central zone of the boat.

The Vip cabin in the stern can be considered as a second owner’s cabin since it replicates the same size, accessories and attention to details than the first one.

The large use of refined woods and elegant furniture along with the presence of huge walk-in closets in the night zone confirm what mentioned above: we are dealing with spaces, construction quality, special arrangements and comfort levels normally worthy of larger boats.

Moreover, Absolute has been a pioneer in implementing Volvo’s IPS propulsion system. The new flagship couldn’t be an exception and is therefore powered with twin D13-IPS1350 Volvo Penta 1000 Hp engines.

The system guarantees the best performance and efficiency combined with low levels of noise, vibrations, emissions and fuel consumption.

Thanks to a user-friendly joystick, the system also ensures great handling but, in this first model, the shipyard has preferred to install a system of bow and stern thrusters in order to test the real needs of the boat. A 4,000 l fuel tank and a 1,000 l water one guarantee long-range cruises.