NATALY // Benetti Yachts

The new megayacht Nataly slipped into the water at 12.30 today. On hand for the traditional christening were the commander, for the occasion representing the owner, the London studio Redman Whiteley & Dixon that designed both the

interiors and the external lines — represented by Ann Brown, Toby Ecuyer and Justine Redman — and the entire Benetti team that had followed the boat’s construction over the years. This was an important occasion for the Livorno shipyard which, thanks to the ship lift at its historic Morosini quay, can launch mega yachts of significant size.

The automobile world has often drawn inspiration from the shape of seaworthy boats, incorporating the work processes and the way smooth surfaces are interrupted to create not just structural and functional tensions but true and proper paths for the eye to follow. With this new mega yacht, Nataly, those forms have been reworked, both inside and out, by the London designers Redman Whiteley & Dixon and are now returning to the sea. With its 65-meter overall length, this boat shows what harmony of style can be achieved when a single party handles both interior and external design. The form draws the eye and the boat is immediately perceived as both new and seaworthy, safe and fast, anchored in reassuring traditions. The designers say “what we are very good at is perfecting each and every detail, giving life to the owners’ visions and desires, following an intimate path that starts with that spark — the idea — and continues through to the launch, and even beyond”.

The hull has been designed by Benetti engineering and the particular bow presents an unusual distribution of the volumes, without the bulb that is normally used on such boats to improve consumption and speed. The underbody, too, has been designed by Benetti engineering. To achieve the best seakeeping characteristics, tests were performed at the Marin (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands) basin in Wageningen, one of the best-equipped facilities in the world, an international benchmark for naval and pleasure craft where keel performance can be evaluated even under extremely rough water conditions. This boat offers other firsts as well: five hatches and hidden anchors integrated into the side of the hull which are practically invisible when sailing. The boat is powered by twin Caterpillar 3516B 2292 mhp (1685 kW) V-16, 78 liters, 1600 r.p.m. engines with a power rating suitable for continuous industrial operation. With propellers designed in-house, the engines power the boat to a peak speed of 16 knots and, at 85% power, the cruise speed is 15 knots. At the slower, fuel-saving speed of 12 knots, the 160,000-litre tanks ensure a sailing range of 5,000 nautical miles, greater than the conventional oceanic range. Both when at anchor and when sailing, stability is ensured by a Quantum QC2200 Zero Speed stabilizer system. This yacht has an integrated wheelhouse and a Best entertainment system distributed to each cabin, now the standard for even the smallest Benetti yachts.

Nataly‘s layout boasts four decks: from the top, these are the Sun deck, with a large outdoor living area and swimming pool, the Bridge deck, Main deck and Lower deck with guest and crew cabins. The main deck plays a starring role with its luxury dining room where the large square table is much more than the most important piece of furniture in the room, its shape is the dominating force in a room dedicated to social pleasures. Behind it, obviously, lies the large professional galley with chestnut and stainless steel walls and black granite finish. The boat has separate paths for the crew and guests to move about. The bow section of the deck is the owner’s domain with a large cabin, study, his&her bathroom and a changing room. The large aft cockpit provides access both to the swimming platform on the lower deck and, over a unique stainless steel staircase, to the upper deck. The outside stairways are made completely of stainless steel and even the cockpit is enhanced by an imposing stainless steel, oval handrail. In the center of the boat, the lower deck has six guest cabins: four double and two twin. The crew area covers the entire bow with galley, dinette, and eight cabins. Besides the engine room, the stern also hosts a garage with a jet ski, and everything needed for water sports. The area is served by two hatches: one aft, the other starboard. Below this deck, there is a fifth, lower deck. The tanks take up most of this deck but it also has an area where the crew can relax as well as the laundry and A/V room.

The deck is the other prime zone on this yacht, its well-lit living zone looking out over the sea has two large windows that can convert it into a single environment. The commander’s cabin is also on this deck, outfitted with every comfort and just as refined as the rest of the boat. At the extreme bow on the Main deck, there are two tenders, on the port and starboard sides, near the side hatches.

Nataly‘s interior is decorated in a sober, modern style with prime quality wood and stone. The walls are chestnut with walnut frames and Macassar ebony inserts, while the furnishings are made of walnut, Macassar ebony, Zebrano and natural teak. The floors are oak. The bathrooms are furnished in cedar and wenge. The stones are opaque and glossy travertine, veined statue-grade marble, black Port St Laurent marble, slate and black granite used in combination to achieve truly subtle elegance.

The M/Y Nataly will be delivered to its owner in June for its inauguration cruise in the Mediterranean.