Bellini Astor 36 Review: Strikingly Italian

When you hear that the newcomer Bellini comes from the shores of Lake Iseo, you will probably immediately understand why their first model, Astor 36, is already special and different. When you hear that the Bellini family owns the largest private collection of Riva boats in the world and that the head of the development team is no other than Norberto Ferretti, you will definitely understand that Bellini yachts aren’t just a new product, but an act of culture – an homage to Italian shipbuilding and design.

Born on Lake Iseo

Founded in 1960, the Bellini shipyard has maintained a unique approach in which design is not subordinated to trends, but finds inspiration in family tradition and passion for beauty and functionality. 

Behind the impeccable aesthetics of the Astor 36 lies some serious engineering, brimming with the latest technological solutions, lifting long stays at sea to a new level of comfort and safety. The first thing we noticed about the Astor 36 was the elegant hull with a tall bow and sides, sloping for smooth passage through waves and overall smoothness of navigation. For the hull, Bellini used the vacuum resin infusion method which ensures exceptional robustness, while reducing both weight and fuel consumption.

Performance at sea

The unit we took for a ride was powered by two 300-hp Volvo D4 diesel engines, and we reached the cruising speed of about 25 knots in 18 seconds, while our top speed was 33 knots and we achieved it in 37 seconds, all with full fuel and water tanks and five adults on board, in favourable sea conditions.

Bellini Astor 36 is an extremely agile boat that gives a lot of pleasure in navigation, executing turns with extreme precision – as hard as you may try, you will not be able to throw Astor 36 off balance.

The command post enjoys panoramic visibility, as it is placed on an elevated central part of the deck. The control panel is designed intuitively, with perfectly placed switches, while the stylish steering wheel boasting the Bellini logo deserves a special mention. 

The unit we tested had a hard top (option), and it was so beautifully designed we would suggest all buyers to include it in their package. 

Seamless space and folding terraces

Bellini Astor 36 is delightful from the very first step aboard, displaying the many innovative, brilliant design solutions in the most exciting manner possible, from the stylish brackets for quick installation and removal of fenders to invisible speakers in the colour of the hull. 

The folding side terraces (standard) deserve special praise, as when lowered, they allow the aft to become a large, cohesive space by the water, ideal for leisure and socializing. The open space concept continues along the entire deck, and the side passages connecting the two ends of the deck are so well designed they create the impression of continuous space and communication.

Inside the Astor 36

The interior boasts standing height and is divided into the bow section with a double bed, a bathroom with a separate toilet and shower, and the aft cabin, with a transversely placed double bed. 

The materials selected for the interior emphasize the feeling of spaciousness and are sophisticated enough to make owners spend long periods at sea. The unit we tested was equipped with an air conditioning system, a generator and a retractable gangway we found quite useful and safe to use.

Every detail aboard, from discreetly hidden ventilation openings to perfectly placed LED strips that create an intimate atmosphere at night, demonstrates the attention and experience invested into this project. 

Bellini Astor 36 is brilliant at what matters most: providing that extraordinary feeling every time you step on it. The emotions it evokes are not something we can easily measure or define with excel spreadsheets, but most certainly add that intangible value that makes everyone fall in love with boats at first sight.

Bellini Astor 36 is not just a vessel that will take you from point A to point B, but a ticket to a world where time slows down, and beauty and harmony are the only destination to reach. 

Battista Bellini said it best: in their family, shipbuilding is not just something they do, but their legacy: ‘It is something we feel, not just do’. Bellini Astor 36 more than confirms he believes those words.