The Absolute Navetta 64 has unprecedented aft space that we have seen on large yachts before, but the new model from the Italian shipyard is balanced on all counts – with a harmoniously arranged interior, excellent performance and fantastic outdoor spaces
Italian Absolute announced Navetta 64 in January last year, during boot Düsseldorf, promising a world debut in Cannes eight months later. We all know what happened next – the pandemic canceled everything, including Cannes Yachting Festival, but Absolute have managed to debut their latest yacht at a private event in the Italian town of Varazze in early September.
The newest Navetta, which will be available for testing in Rovinj through Adriatic Wave, exclusive dealer for the Adriatic, is all about that aft. The beach club aft, according to the builder, is the most interesting part of the new model, seeing how it can magically be turned into an additional cabin. In our humble opinion, Navetta 64 has much more to offer than the beach club.
Absolute Navetta 64 is the latest in the Navetta range of her builder, and as such part of what made Absolute rise to the top. The Italian builder has in the past few years specialized for a specific type of multi-functional navetta-style yachts under 65 ft in length (20 m): since debuting the first model in the range, the mini-Navetta five years ago, they have not slowed down even a bit.
In addition to getting it right with the very fist model, which could be a study in pleasing the customer, Absolute have smartly continued to listen to both their customers and dealers, adding their suggestions to own ideas, and then turning thus created models into reality using nothing but finest techniques and materials.
All of this means that every new Navetta really has something new to offer – and dare we say, Navetta 64 has much more to offer than expected.
This proper evolution of the range charms at first sight. The railing is so fine it never distracts the eye, but serves its purpose. Made in top quality stainless steel, stylishly designed, it guarantees safety while strolling the deck, but doesn’t get in the way of the view.
The space that benefits most from that move is the main deck indoor lounge, whose windows – and we’ll come back to windows later – open onto the blue in all directions, including downwards, as there’s nothing to stop the roaming eye.
Absolute Navetta 64 layout
Toward the bow, a comfortable L-shaped sofa, a designer chair and a coffee table create a homey atmosphere… if your home was designed by Italian style masters. Aft on the main deck, the large galley is separated from the lounge by sliding glass doors and opens toward the cockpit. The cockpit and the galley are again separated by nothing but sliding glass, serving as the heart of daily life aboard.
The galley is U-shaped, equipped with an electric range and a microwave oven, as well as a fridge and a freezer. Galley-adjacent is the diner, with traditional seating and a teak table that seats six.
On the exterior, aft there is another teak table with more seating, which can be protected from the sun on three sides. These two spaces, the galley/diner and the cockpit, are where we guess most owners will spend most of the time, using the lounge only for fancy occasions.
The command post is placed half a step above the lounge and enjoys excellent visibility in all directions. Equipped with two seats, the command console uses Garmin 22’’ screens that, according to the builder, work extremely well with Navetta 64’ Volvo Penta engines.
From the command post, you can exit directly onto the deck via a dedicated door starboard, or continue toward the port-side master cabin on the bow, just like on Navetta 68 and 73.
This cabin is just as sophisticated as the lounge, decorated in the same fine wood and top notch fabrics and materials. Probably the best master cabin on any Absolute, it charms with overall quality and finishing, as well as details, like tiny bronze decorations, choice of wood and noble fabrics.
The luxury trend continues in the private head, which on the unit we tested was done in marble (option) and as wide as the hull. Absolute are especially proud of the master cabin windows, larger than those on previous models of the range.
The VIP is below deck, and reminded us of the master in almost every aspect – it even has a walk-in wardrobe and a head with sliding doors. The third cabin aboard is a double guest cabin, and the rest of the lower deck is dedicated to storage, with the largest storage space in the bow, like on trawlers.
Designers spent just as much time rethinking the exterior as they did for the interior, and the result of their efforts are nowhere more visible than on the fly deck. Just as large as we would expect from any Absolute, the fly is partially protected by an electric sliding hard top, and hosts a central command console, a small bar that serves just that deck and is visually very pleasing, and an independent element aft. The bow is an open lounge with seating and sun cushions, and can be protected by a bimini supported by a carbon structure.
Beach club
As we’ve mentioned, the most interesting part of the new Navetta is the beach club. Everyone’s favorite space is essentially a smaller copy of beach clubs found on very large yachts – designers, builders and everyone involved truly deserves an applause for pulling that off. Protected by watertight doors, the beach club was put through every torture Italian yacht building standard creators could come up with and passed with flying colors.
Miraculously adaptable into another small cabin, it is also the most romantic spot on the yacht, ideal for starry nights in good company. In addition to all of this, Absolute Navetta 64 somehow still has space for a double skipper’s cabin.
Superbly interesting at anchor, Absolute Navetta 64 is no joke in navigation, either. Seeing how Absolute has partnered with Volvo Penta ages ago, and has equipped every new model since with the industry favorite IPS, it comes as no surprise this latest model is blessed by the IPS, as well. And what a perfect pairing those two are: every turn we made was a true pleasure. We tested the 64 on a lovely day, on the calm Ligurian Sea, and found the newest Navetta as stable with Seakeeper 16 stabilizers as she is without them.
Absolute Navetta 64 range
Another detail that knocked us off our feet was fuel economy: no matter the speed, consumption per mile stays pretty much the same – at any speed between 15 and 25 knots, the 64 uses 12 to 13 liters of fuel per hour: for example, at 20 knots, fuel consumption is 260 liters per hour, while at 15 knots it’s 180 liters per hour. We reached 27 knots of top speed, but what we found more interesting was the mentioned linear fuel consumption.
This versatile yacht is perfectly balanced in every aspect, and is one of the most interesting models in her category. Absolute Navetta 64 is the perfect choice for demanding owners who cherish space, quality and reasonable fuel consumption.
Text Darko Šupuk
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