New crossover from the Spanish builder was designed for easy cruising and offers an excellent balance of spaciousness, luxury and autonomy
The Ultimate Crossover Yacht Experience
The slogan ‘Made for life’ actually says everything you need to know about the new Astondoa Ax8, as it more than well enough describes the design and purpose of the model. This yacht is perfect for long and comfortable cruising, offering spacious interiors with well-lit and pleasant spaces, and exterior with all the popular features of the current hit, crossover yachts.
Spacious exterior
Launched at the Astondoa headquarter in November 2023, the new Ax8 is the first model in the Ax series built on a completely new hull design, adapted to a slightly slower pace of cruising. Ax8 is visually striking, primarily thanks to her tall, mostly black superstructure, the tinted side glazing and the upper deck, with a prominent enclosed bridge.
The tall hull boasts a blunt bow ideal for lower cruising speed, with large rhomboid cabin windows. From the center of the hull, the top line begins to gently slope towards the stern, ending with the slanted sides of the stern platform.
The aft platform is very spacious, designed as a private swimming area, since a large part of it can be hydraulically lowered into the sea. Behind that system, there are the in-built stairs that allow elegant contact with the water. Four steps up, the spacious aft area of the main deck is separated by a glass panel, and furnished with a two-piece folding dining table and freestanding chairs.
This area is spacious enough to accommodate one other sofa. On the port side of the superstructure there are stairs leading to the upper deck, while wide side passages lead to the bow, with a semi-circular sofa for those who want to enjoy in the navigation from up close, and a small deckchair with an adaptable backrest.
Stylish & futuristic interior
The main deck interior, thanks to large side glazing and light fabrics gives a very airy feeling, starting with the salon, with its huge sofa on the starboard side, a low coffee table and a large LCD TV. There is also a semi-circular staircase that leads to the cabins in the hull. Three steps higher than the salon, the dining area on the bow boasts a large dining table seating eight, and another small table next to a small sofa in the right corner.
With spacious side windows (the port-side window opens to the side passage) and a concave windshield, this space enjoys the most light aboard, and is the heart of the interior living space, since a staircase leads from there to the galley, located in the below deck in the bow. A sophisticated glass staircase leads to the upper deck.
The bridge provides excellent visibility in navigation, and the futuristic control console with three large multifunction displays gives a nice impression of much larger ships. On the upper deck, behind the bridge, there is another smaller living room with an L-shaped sofa. Astern, there is a large terrace, ideally shielded from view, inspired by larger yachts.
The display of luxury and style continues in the three guest cabins, decorated in light colors with relief elements on the walls, and furniture with rounded edges that give the cabins a luxurious and somewhat futuristic feel.
All cabins boast spacious double beds and luxurious bathrooms, and the master cabin stretches across the entire width of the hull. The master cabin, in addition to the large double bed, has another bed located next to the large side window.
Comfortable cruising
Being a luxury yacht, the Ax8 is also very stable, cruising smoothly on our test, with some waves and wind up to 20 knots, without any rolling. With a cruising speed of around 15 knots at 2000 rpm, powered by two 1000-hp Volvo Penta D13 engines and IPS 1350, the new Astondoa consumes around 240 l/h, which should be enough for a range of up to 420 miles.
The maximum speed we achieved was 21 knots, with consumption up to almost 400 l/h. The IPS system and the double joystick (one astern) make docking extremely easy and precise, despite the hull length of 24.46 meters. Astondoa Ax8 is a great yacht for owners who want to spend meaningful moments at sea with friends or family, enjoying the excellent combination of spaciousness, luxury and convincing autonomy of this first model from the renowned Spanish builder’s new line.
Text Mlađan Marušić
Photos & video Astondoa
