Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

ICE 66 rs: here’s how perfection is made. First sailing impressions and exclusive images

 ICE 66 rs: boat tour and first sailing impressions

It is not possible to approach a vessel of this caliber without first considering its genesis. Presented in mid-2021, when the world was still in the midst of a pandemic, the new ICE 66 rs project brought together a stellar team. The renowned Farr Yacht Design, a firm that needs no introduction, is responsible for the hull lines and naval architecture. They collaborated with another internationally significant name: Lucio Micheletti, the creative genius behind the interior and exterior design. This incredible partnership has produced true masterpieces, such as the award-winning S/Y CANOVA, the legendary Baltic 142.

With these premises, I decisively climb aboard the new ICE 66, just as the sails are being delivered and rigged for the first time.

The following article is an exclusive preview, a gift from ICE Yachts to The International Yachting Media.

Ice 66 RS at night

The new ICE 66 rs in detail

The first heart-stopping moment happens even before climbing on board. It is impossible not to notice how the new ICE 66 rs is a completely different sailing yacht compared to its predecessors. The lines are not just beautiful; they are decidedly modern, luxurious, and innovative. This boat resembles no other.

The stern is simply huge, resembling that of an 80-footer, and it features one of the cleanest designs I have ever seen. The deckhouse is remarkably sinuous, rising with uncommon delicacy and beauty, while its side moldings appear to be shaped by the wind, almost like those of a modern supercar.

Continuing towards the bow of the ICE 66 rs, just after the mast, we find a simple yet clean expanse of (eco-friendly) teak decking that further enhances the overall elegance Lucio Micheletti has bestowed upon the exterior of this yacht.

Descending below deck, I am struck for the second time. The overall view of the salon of the new ICE 66 rs is breath-taking. Here, different types of woods and fabrics play off each other in an environment where nothing is left to chance. Sublime color combinations, enhanced by unprecedented material workmanship, create an ambiance that, despite benefiting from nearly six meters of beam, manages to extend the natural boundaries of sight beyond their physical limits.

Two opposing sofas, though massive, fail to diminish the beauty of the initial void that, masterfully, finds a wonderful conclusion with that central furniture piece, which alone synthesizes Lucio Micheletti’s skill in concealing function with forms of sublime beauty.

The suite that the ICE 66 rs reserves for its owner is yet another clear example. Here, the bow tapers significantly, yet once again, this design of tone-on-tone, warm colors that gradually cool as they ascend, remarkably expands the spaces. The King Size bed is centrally placed and adorned with changes in elevation and exquisite lighting, highlighting woodworking craftsmanship that I haven’t seen in a long time.

The galley forms a U-shape around the carbon fiber mast, intentionally left exposed, seamlessly blending with the surrounding environment and reflecting its forms on its glossy surface. Onboard the ICE 66 rs, the work surfaces seem endless from every angle, as do the large storage volumes. Expertly concealed within high-quality furniture are refrigerators, induction cooktops, and such a quantity of cabinets and lockers that undoubtedly equip the ICE 66 rs for long summer cruises (or ocean crossings), earning it the full title of a blue water cruiser.

ICE 66 rs Sea Trial

We leave the harbor while the sailmakers are still hoisting the mainsail, the boat packed to the brim, clearly set up for pure cruising. The ICE 66 rs sails around 6 knots with the engine just above 1300 RPMs, its hull smoothly gliding through the water, leaving barely a trace. I ask Roberto Innocenti, my close friend and captain, to accelerate a bit to understand our cruising speed under motor. He pushes the throttle forward, and at 2400 RPMs, we reach ten and a half knots. I glance back at the wake, still clean, the stern refusing to dip—promising signs indeed. We’ll see…

It takes quite a while for the sailmakers to hoist the mainsail, the lock acting up. Meanwhile, the legendary thermal wind of the Gulf of La Spezia, which reliably gives us 10-12 knots nearly every day, like clockwork, starts to fade. Fortunately, the jib quickly sets, a perfect 103% and ideal for simple cruising.

We turn off the engine when there’s very little true wind, the gauge optimistically showing 4.9/5 knots. We bear away, and to our surprise, the boat heels, creates its apparent wind, and immediately accelerates. In no time, we’re above 5 knots, then hitting 5.7, but it’s time to tack.

Ice 66 rs upwind

We’re inside the breakwater, on a close reach, exiting by Portovenere. To avoid sailing too close to the red beacon at Punta Santa Maria, we need to be fast. Mentally noting the standard but optimistic 90° angles, we tack and change sides. I’ve done this tack a thousand times; it’s usually impossible with just one tack when there’s little wind, especially with the mussel buoys… Yet, the ICE 66 rs effortlessly tacks without slowing down, disregarding the lack of wind signs on the water, and swiftly sets on the new tack at an incredible angle, accelerating to over 5 knots again.

We smoothly navigate past the mussel farms, the boat gliding like a train, passing by other sailboats and drawing astonished looks from fellow sailors who are almost stationary with their sails dangling. Damn, this ICE 66 rs sails like a dream.

ICE 66 detail

Reluctantly, I step off the boat and switch to the support boat to launch the drone. It takes off just as they’re hoisting the gennaker on the ICE 66 rs, a large, red sail spanning 450 square meters of beauty. Once again, I’m skeptical; we’re behind Palmaria and there’s less pressure here.

Yet, the sail catches the wind, and I see on my monitor that the boat begins to move—first slowly, then gaining speed as it creates its own apparent wind. I position myself beside it, flying at the same speed as the ICE 66 rs. The GPS on my drone reads 11/12 km/h, approximately 6 knots—amazing. Shifting the drone to the stern, I observe the wake, which inexplicably remains flat and clean.

It’s a magic that only a design studio like Farr Yacht Design could make possible, a magic that I must, indeed want to, experience again when there’s more wind because I am now certain that this ICE 66 rs has many more surprises in store.

Conclusions

With this yacht, ICE YACHTS undoubtedly takes a big step forward, raising the bar even higher in terms of expectations. The ICE 66 rs is a sailing boat that manages to be both easy to handle and incredibly fast, stable, and precise at the helm—a true pleasure to sail.

Beautiful inside and out, the ICE 66 rs sets a new course that, I am certain, will receive acclaim from all owners seeking an exclusive vessel—one that stands out and delights the senses whenever you lay eyes upon it.

ICE 66 rs: Technical Specs

LOA

19.90 m

LWL

18.50 m

Max Beam

5.70 m

Draft

3.35 m

Displacement

26 tons

Mainsail

152 m2

Jib

124 m2

Gennaker

454 m2

ICEYACHTS.IT

 

Facebook
Twitter
X
Pinterest
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Email

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Language switcher

Browse categories