The new yacht from the Custom Line planing line based on the model designed by Francesco Paszkowski Design studio makes its début at the 2019 Venice Boat Show. 

Custom Line has introduced another masterpiece for their gallery of yachting works of art: Custom Line 106’. The new designer planing yacht showcases a different view on timeless yachting with absolute brilliance. It boasts many factors of excellence and distinction, first and foremost its unmistakable design and expert organisation of the large volumes and spaces, all for the benefit of yachting comfort and life on board. 

With its 32.82 m (107’ 8”) length and 7.30 m (23’ 11”) width, the Custom Line 106’ is a product of the partnership between the Francesco Paszkowski Design studio, Ferretti Group’s Engineering Department and the Product Strategy Committee led by Mr. Piero Ferrari. 

The design of the lines on the bottom and the hull help it to replicate and build upon the outstanding hydrodynamic performance of the brand’s updated planing range. 

The profile is sleek and powerful: taut lines run from the stern to the forward area, generating a spectacular alternation of materials and colours in the light structural surfaces and dark tinted windows. 

The hull windows are broad and ample, while a sense of direct contact with the sea is offered by the full-length deck windows, further expanded by their convex shape. 

The style of the interiors, developed by Francesco Paszkowski in collaboration with Margherita Casprini, continues in the same vein as Custom Line’s new planing vessels: it explores greater formal balance and there are distinctive, strong colour contrasts in the furnishings and coverings. 

EXTERNAL AREAS 

The new yacht is distinguished by 220 m² of exterior floor surfaces, all interconnected. Making a comeback is the revolutionary concept of the flybridge being directly connected to the bow through a spacious port walkway, while the starboard walkway leads to the cockpit, from which the flybridge is reached using the port stairway. 

To the stern is an advanced version of the patented DMT – Dual Mode Transom system. It features two sliding doors that cover the stairs when the vessel is in motion, thus providing an unbeatably clean-cut appearance. When the ship stops, they slide inside the hatch so that guests can climb up. From the garage, a Williams DieselJet505 tender and a three-person jet ski can be lowered into the water. 

The flybridge is surrounded by steel lifelines and protected by two large side windows. It spans a huge 53 m² and is entirely furnished with free-standing items: sun beds with sofas and cocktail tables are placed on the first unit. In addition to this area, there is a bar with grill, sink and fridge starboard before reaching the access to a private balcony. On the port side is the external helm station with a seat for the pilot and one for the co-pilot. The foredeck of the flybridge offers another area that can be configured as one likes at the yacht owner’s disposal, with the possibility to create a spa area with whirlpool tub. The entire space is covered by a hard-top incorporating two skylights to increase the brightness of the area. 

Another distinctive element of this yacht is the forward area, further expanded and divided into three separate and independent areas. The raised central island is like a private sunset lounge, consisting of a large C-shaped sofa with reclining backrests and two coffee tables in the centre facing two separate sun pads. The bow area is enriched with another two large sun pads and offers an unprecedented view of the sea, spanning a total of 36 m² of usable surface area. In keeping with Custom Line tradition, this area includes an additional garage for a Mini Jet Williams 2.80 or a compact three-person jet ski. Bimini tops or canopies can be fitted to provide shade in all external areas. 

MAIN DECK 

The cockpit boasts an extra-large convertible sofa with an adjustable backrest facing a bar unit with a fridge and an ice maker on the starboard side. The moorings on both sides are covered by a teak bench that can be used as an additional seat. The entrance to the engine room is located on the port walkway. 

The interiors of the main deck bask in the natural light provided by large floor-to-ceiling windows that increase the sense of continuity with the sea, creating a single lounge area with the cockpit when the large floor-to-ceiling French door is totally closed. An open space of 40 m² with heights exceeding 2 m creates a living area with L-shaped sofa, armchairs and low furnishings situated before the dining area with table and chairs, designed to accommodate 10 people. 

Upon request, the central window starboard can be opened completely with an electric mechanism. The support columns used on the Custom Line 120’ can also be found here, with lighting, audio and air conditioning systems on them. 

A bulkhead partition conceals floor-to-ceiling storage compartments. Two bronze mirror sliding doors separate the flows between the starboard guest area and the port service area. On both sides there are two doors providing access to the external walkways. 

Going starboard and after passing the day head, stairs lead down to the guest area of the lower deck, whereas moving forward, you come first to the owner’s study before reaching the full-beam master cabin in the foredeck, measuring 6.50 m in width and providing the owner with spacious storage room, two dressing rooms and a large bathroom with dual facilities and a central shower. In the first unit, an optional panoramic terrace has been added. It swings open and provides the owner with a private area directly in contact with the sea. 

The port side of the main deck leads to the galley, the crew area and the raised helm station. This houses the integrated bridge, developed with Naviop-Simrad. It is a single direct interface providing total control of the yacht’s functions, complete with touchscreens seamlessly installed in the instrument panel. 

LOWER DECK 

A large lobby separates the four large standard cabins on the lower deck: two VIP cabins amidships and two twin ones forward, all with separate bathrooms. The beds in the VIP cabins face the bulwark to make the most of the views straight out over the water at sea level, while an additional Pullman bed can be fitted in each of the two twin cabins. 

The crew area located in the foredeck consists of a captain’s cabin with separate shower and two double crew cabins, each with its own bathroom, to accommodate a total of 5 members. A spacious dinette with L-shaped sofa, galley and laundry room are at their disposal. 

ENGINES AND TECHNOLOGY ON BOARD 

Custom Line 106′ is equipped with two 2217-Mhp MTU 16V 2000 M86 engines, allowing the yacht to reach a cruising speed of 20 knots and a maximum speed of 23 knots (preliminary data). Alternatively, it is possible to ask for twin 2638-Mhp MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines, which can reach a cruising speed of 22 knots and a maximum speed of 26 knots (preliminary data). 

It is equipped with electro-hydraulic stabilizing fins, offering both underway and zero-speed modes. On request, gyroscopic stabilizers can also be fitted for maximum comfort at anchor. 

Like the other recent Custom Line models, the 106’ comes with innovative VOTIS system built in collaboration with Videoworks that allows an iPad to be used to operate the entertainment system installed in the lounge on the main deck, meaning that the various remote controls can be replaced by a single device. This technological solution can be extended to all of the different parts of the maxi yacht and it can also be used in conjunction with the owner’s personal devices. 

M/Y “Metis”, a custom 63-meter yacht with steel hull and aluminium superstructure, was delivered to her German owner and long-lasting customer of Yacht Moments, introduced to the shipyard by Kurt Lehmann. Carbon, polished steel and bleached oak embellished with leather inserts are the main materials chosen for this yacht.

The interiors, designed by UK studio Bannenberg & Rowell, who worked in partnership with the Birgit Otte Interior Atelier, are designed in a modern style. The exteriors are the work of Giorgio M. Cassetta.

The custom gym on the Fly Deck, the “touch and go” helipad and the over 160 sq. m owner’s apartment with two double beds and an outdoor terrace all contribute to make “Metis” a unique Benetti model.

“Metis” has been delivered to its owner in Livorno. She is a 63-meter long custom yacht with a very elaborated interior design. In his role as consultant to the owner, Kurt Lehmann of Yacht Moments has been in charge of the project management and praised Benetti for the great work that had characterized the entire “Metis” design and construction period: “Benetti confirmed once again its name as icon of timeless Italian style and excellence in megayacht construction. The highly skilled Benetti’s technicians and engineers and the artisans who worked for the shipyard have created an amazing yacht. The dedication of everyone in communicating and exchanging views with the captain and owner was remarkable.” Yacht Moments have also been responsibly involved in the conception and development of this stylish custom superyacht project – always taking care of the completion of the owner’s ideas, demands and inspirations. Notably the additional upper gym-deck has been developed by Yacht Moments and perfectly realized by Benetti and Giorgio M. Cassetta.

The exteriors are the result of the collaboration between Benetti and Giorgio M. Cassetta who, through a painstaking design, sought to maximise the dynamic proportions of a yacht that has an impressing long bow with vertical straight edge. “Metis is a modern and timeless yacht, which displays large volumes behind flowing lines and innovative features, such as the private deck. The design is simple, yet characteristic of Benetti,” said the Italian designer.

The interiors are the result of the collaboration between German studio Birgit Otte Interior, based in Wolfersdorf, and Bannenberg & Rowell, an English studio directed by Dickie Bannenberg and Simon Rowell. The London-based duo, famous for devising creative solutions based on bold shapes and geometric motifs, with an eye-catching design and a fine finish, were given a great deal of leeway in the design. Dickie Bannenberg, who is thrilled with this project, commented: “Metis‘ unique layout has freed us from what I call ‘the tyranny of alignment’, allowing us to unlock new corners and views of asymmetric designs.” This approach in particular is reflected in the beach club, where the rooms are rotated by about 30° compared to traditional layouts and offer a new view over the sea through the transom and the side doors.

The novelty of this particular rotation also characterizes the main salon and the upper deck salon, challenging conventional expectations and perceptions.

The originality of “Metis” is also evident in the full-beam owner’s suite, which features a lounge and offers a breathtaking 180-degree view thanks to the full-height glazed surfaces on the private bow deck. The design of this room is based on a contemporary range of wood finishes using smoked oak, carbon and polished steel combined with calacatta and coffee brown marbles. The bold, geometric shapes can be found in the stainless steel bed frames, furniture and finishes. A private lounge is also available in the babysitting cabin, which has a terrace overlooking the sea.

In the Group’s fiftieth anniversary year, Benetti, icon of style and elegance in the history of luxury yachting, wins another challenge and launches three giga yachts in just 100 days.

After the two launches on December 18 and February 5, the 108-meter FB275 now hits the water and brings to an end a busy and productive season, during which Benetti was fully focused on an exceptional endeavour: building 3 yachts over 100 meters in parallel and launching them in the space of just 100 days.

This remarkable achievement was made possible by an ambitious business plan involving major financial investments (in infrastructure, organisation, not to mention workers and shipyard safety). The expansion of Benetti’s Livorno shipyard in particular, with the construction of two latest generation industrial sheds (at a cost of over €18 million), significantly increased the Company’s production capacity.

This challenging project has been used by the shipyard to fine tune its production processes still further, guaranteeing the highest standards of quality and reliability in all phases of construction: from design, to engineering and finally delivery.

The launch of the three giga yachts is an achievement that upholds to perfection the tradition forged by Benetti brand, in a history of successful challenges built on the insight of the founders, starting from the early ‘900 transition from building cargo ships to focusing on pleasure craft.

After the second world war, Benetti began series production of steel explorers, that can be regarded as the first true yachts ever built, becoming the go-to shipyard for crowned heads and successful businessmen. And then there was the Nabila, the largest and most sophisticated yacht of its time, as well as the launch of the Classic line, which for the first time concentrated all the features found on much bigger yachts in just 36 meters. This was followed by the acquisition of the storied Cantiere Orlando to increase production capacity and the construction of the Ambrosia in 2005, the first diesel-electric yacht, which brings us to this last decade and the signing, in a particularly complicated period for the industry, of 4 contracts to build giga yachts, one already delivered and three launched in the space of 100 days, including the world’s biggest hybrid over 5500 GT.

This remarkable achievement extends the Azimut|Benetti offering still further and the Group is now the only shipbuilder in Italy, and one of very few worldwide, to offer a product range that spans from the smallest 12-meter Atlantis to yachts over 100 meters long built by Benetti. The breadth of the offering and the complementary nature of the two brands, Benetti and Azimut, represent formidable assets and the owners have no intention of changing this.

There could have been no better way for Azimut|Benetti to kick off its 50th anniversary year, a milestone reached by the Group after confirming its position, for the nineteenth time, as the world’s leading builder of mega yachts and reporting brilliant results for fiscal 2017/18 (with value of production standing at €850 million and Adjusted EBITDA at €55 million). This success is

confirmed by excellent performance reported by the other Group companies: Fraser Yachts, Lusben, Yachtique and the Marinas, a segment in which construction work is advancing rapidly on the tourist port in Malta.

Looking ahead, and specifically at Benetti, for 2018/19 the Company forecasts a 75% year-on-year increase in units under construction (from 12 to 21). In fact, planned production for the coming 12 months, including both the Viareggio and Livorno shipyards, totals 32 yachts from 29 to 100+ meters in length. Of these, a full 17 are planned for delivery in 2018/19.

The product range is concurrently being extended, with 3 fiberglass yachts under development and 4 new B.NOW models from 50 to 68 meters also at an advanced stage of design. Production work on the first one will start in May 2018.