European motor boats 2018: 5 models to "live" on the water

Azimuth S7

In the 45-foot category, nominees for the European Powerboat of the Year title must first and foremost be able to live on the water. Here, we are looking for the possibility to spend several days on board and with several people. Once again, the layout of the spaces and their distribution on the various decks, but also the performance of the boat, play an important role in the jury's decision criteria.

Steeler NG 52 S Offshore

The Steeler NG 52 offshore has a straight, tulip-shaped bow at the top, specially patented by the yard to reduce fuel consumption (better angle of penetration into the water). Very high, it protects the occupants from projections and, under the bridge, frees up living space. With Yanmar LY440 HP engines and a top speed of 26 knots, fuel consumption is reduced by 25% compared to models of the same size. This is also due to its aluminium construction, which makes it lightweight.

Light is at the heart of the construction of this 15.70 m long boat with numerous glazing and mostly without pillars (hull, roof, foredeck, wheelhouse...), which makes it a very bright boat. The distinctive feature of the Steeler NG 52 S Offshore is undoubtedly its wheelhouse roof, which can be raised or lowered to adapt to weather conditions and different sailing areas. On board, everything has been designed to make life easier in cruising: hydraulic bathing platform, ingeniously hidden bimini in the cockpit saloon, hatch in the gangways to receive fenders, sunroof, protected propellers for shallow water, tender garage, pilot bench in the centre of the boat which converts into a saloon element..

Finally, under the bridge, there is a choice of two or three cabins and the same number of bathrooms. The galley can be located in the wheelhouse or under the deck and the cockpit saloon can easily be transformed into a large sunbathing area.

Bénéteau GT 50

The WG 50 is the largest sport-cruiser in the range (15.78 m) and presents many innovations and innovations such as its dual configuration (hardtop or sportfly), its Ship Control home automation system and its lounge separated from the cockpit by a galley window.

The main deck of the GT 50 is fully decompartmentalized, with a cockpit and the large saloon as one, thanks to the galley window that opens up the space for an interior/exterior space. Unlike the other models, the GT 50 is the first model in the range to offer a real living room, which can be completely separated from the cockpit by the glass door. In the cockpit there is a large sun lounge/bathing area, an outdoor kitchen and a grill on the bathing platform, as well as a tender garage.

Access to the lower deck is from a few central steps and leads to the kitchen. In this space, two configurations are proposed: three cabins or two cabins and lounge and two bathrooms.

The sport-cruiser is offered with the IPS 600 propulsion system and its hull promises a good seaworthiness and controlled energy consumption. Finally, the GT 50 is the first model of the Bénéteau group to be equipped with Ship Control technology, a home automation system that manages both on-board comfort (air conditioning, lighting, Hi-fi) and control elements.

Fairline Targa 63 GTO

The Targa 63 GTO is a 19.96 m yacht designed by the Italian designer Alberto Mancini and built by the Dutch shipyard Vripack. This elegant and sporty yacht offers many relaxation areas, starting with this very large deck saloon at the bow cut off from two large sunbathing areas. The cockpit is also not to be outdone, with a sunbathing area on the outside, overlooking the bathing platform, from which the tender garage can be accessed. The cockpit has been designed to live outside, with a glass space that is completely open to the inside.

On board, there are many innovations such as these windows that disappear completely into the superstructure or this panoramic glass roof, including a sliding sunroof, which links the Open and GTs.

On board, the layout options are numerous: kitchen on the main deck or under the deck, 3 cabins including a superb owner's cabin in the centre of the boat with its own bathroom and an extra toilet (which can be replaced by the kitchen) or 4 cabins (2 double beds, 2 twin beds and 2 bunk beds).

Azimuth S7

The S7 is the latest model in Azimut Yacht's S range and has sporty lines and a carbon fibre construction - which coupled with three Volvo IPS engines - gives it exceptional performance for a 21m yacht. Available in two versions, Coupe and Sportfly - the S7 also offers a layout that combines private and open spaces, but also an innovative layout. Like the kitchen, installed on the front, on the main deck. Another new feature is the continuity of the spaces (interior/exterior) thanks to the four-panel glass window.

The 19m2 owner's suite once again introduces a new layout with the bathroom integrated directly into the cabin, but separated from the sleeping area by a 1.70m partition. Under the deck there are three more cabins (one double and two with two single beds) and two more bathrooms. A crew cabin completes all the amenities.

The triple IPS 1050 propulsion technology coupled with three engines of 800 hp each propels the yacht at a maximum speed of 35 knots. With a reduced technical area, the living space gains in surface area. This results in a surface area under the bridge dedicated to the 13 m long development.

Note the beautiful swimming platform with tender garage which can contain a 3.25-metre annex and a jet ski. In terms of technology, the S7 is not to be outdone with the ECS (Enhanced Cruising Solutions) program, which makes driving and life on board easier.

Sunseeker 66 Manhattan

Manhattan 66 is the largest model in the range (20.81 m) and has the same features as the smallest model (Manhattan 52). The idea is to maximize the space and thus to let the light flow into the boat: cockpit window, hull glazing, pillarless glazing at the level of the superstructure. The layout of the main deck is based on the creation of a generous and open space, with many spaces to be found: lounge and sunbathing on the foredeck, large cockpit, fitted kitchen and large lounge, bathing platform with tender garage and grill, or flybridge with every comfort.

The crew cabin with twin beds has private access from the aft bathroom platform and has a private bathroom and many storage spaces. The rest of the lower deck is occupied by four spacious cabins as the galley is installed in the saloon.

Equipped with two MAN 1000hp/1200hp drive shaft engines or Volvo Penta IPS-1200, the Manhattan 66 has a cruising speed of 25 knots and a maximum speed of 34 knots.

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