on 3 Dec 2020
Famed Italian yard releases first look of the retro-styled superyacht
A rendering of the new Motopanfilo 37M from Benetti, features classically-inspired exterior styling
On December 2, Italian superyacht builder Benetti presented two new products: the Motopanfilo 37M in its Class category and the 67-metre new custom yacht FB284. The introduction of the new models follows on a few months from the presentation of the Oasis 40M and the Diamond 145.
The Motopanfilo 37M features a retro styling that recalls the kind of interiors and design of Benetti’s early yachts in the Mediterranean of the 1960s and 70s. Francesco Struglia designed the yacht’s exteriors while Claudio Lazzarini and Carl Pickering handled the interiors.
Motopanfilo is an Italian word used in the early 60s to describe large motoryachts synomous with the glamorous lifestyle of socialites, royalty, businessmen and entertainers.
The interiors of the Motopanfilo 37M are use classic styling touches, with expansive use of glass and mirrors
In a presentation, Pickering said that the aim of the design was to create the feeling of being on a boat, not in a floating luxury apartment or house. “We wanted to revel in nautical tradition,” the designer said. The first 37-metre in the Motopanfilo series will have bright, open interiors, accentuated by mirrored bulkheads designed to create the feeling of floating over the water while on board. “There will be an incredible sense of space for a yacht of 37 metres,” Pickering said.
The observation pod above the Sundeck of the Motopanfilo 37M
The stern is a classic rounded shape, with bronze painted trim that resembles the old mahogany cap rails used to protect bulwarks. Just above the sundeck on the Motopanfilo is a small observation pod, featuring a sunpad wrapped in a clear railing to allow for superb sea views.
The Motopanfilo 37M also features guest spaces for up to 10 people, and four crew cabins for seven crew. The new displacement yacht is projected to have a top speed of 16 knots, with a range of approximately 3800 nautical miles at 10 knots.
A rendering of Benetti’s new custom build, the 67-metre FB284
Also presented was the latest yacht in Benetti’s fully custom range, the 67-metre FB284, christened Project Rinascimento (Italian for Renaissance). This new project features six decks, with exterior design by Giorgio Cassetta, while Benetti will handle the interiors. FB284 is being built on an evolution of the 63-metre platform used to launch Metis. The platform is also the basis of two 65-metre projects in build, and the FB278 Project Fenestra, a 67-metre yacht in build.
Giovanna Vitelli, Azimut-Benetti Group vice president, noted that this year, though challenging, had been a great sales moment for the company. Chief Commercial Officer Sebastiano Fanizza said that the yard had sold 12 yachts over the past year. Benetti now builds yachts ranging from composite boats at 29 metres up to steel and aluminium built yachts of more than 100 metres. The company maintains sales offices in Fort Lauderdale, Dubai, London and Hong Kong.
