We sea trial the brand-new Absolute Navetta 68 on a warm summer day.
Absolute Yachts’
Indeed, the watchword remains space that, intended to offer guests absolute comfort, translates into the desire to spend a long time on board, whether in the port, at sea or at anchor. And this is a thought that perfectly summarizes the concept that Absolute proposes to boat owners with its Navetta models.
Testing the Absolute Navetta 68, we find out a renewed attention not only to design but also to interior and exterior details that further embellish this new model, which is an unmistakable sign that the shipyard is aiming even higher.
The same feeling accompanies us in the dinette, an open space that encloses a U-shaped galley, a table for 8 and a large saloon with double sofa and pop-up tv screen. Here, getting close to the forward helm station, we find out the great functionality of this configuration. The galley, in fact, can easily serve both the interior and the exterior while the saloon is enveloped by large lateral windows that, in addition to flooding it with a great amount of natural light, also offer a unique view on the sea. A remarkable solution is offered by the handrail on the side-deck, whose railing-shaped structure does not obstruct the view. Designed by Minotti, furnishings are extremely elegant.
The interior
Out of the port, we realize that, inside the boat, the engine noise is really minimal. And this is confirmed when we start our speed and consumption test.
From when we get the boat on plane, at 14 knots and 1,800 rpm, to when we reach the top speed at little less than 2,400 rpm, the noise produced by the two IPS 1200 engines seems not to change. From the dinette, we notice that the noise it equal to around 72 decibels. Navetta 68 is silent and the navigation inside her is comfortable.
Although the top speed – 25 knots – is undeniably interesting for a boat for which sportiness is definitively not the main characteristic, the best is shown when sailing at cruising speed. Planing at 20 knots is a pleasure, as is sailing at a displacement speed of 10 knots. The latter is the perfect speed for long-range cruising and night sailing since fuel consumption is really low – less than 6 liter per mile – and guarantees a range of almost 600 nautical miles.
During our test, the sea is flat and we decide to intercept the wake of the other boats to test the hull performance. Then, we make some concentric circles crossing our wake. The turn radius is astonishing for a boat like this. The Absolute Navetta 68 cuts through the waves without problems and maneuvers remain always soft.
Climbing
Steering the boat from here is equally pleasant. The feeling at the helm, with the wind in our hair, is very similar to the one you can get on a sporty fly, even if both the size and the boat type are very different.
While returning to the port, we explore the night area on the lower deck. The version we have tested is equipped with two double cabins, a twin-bedded cabin and a large storage compartment. Moreover, a crew zone with two berths and one bathroom has an independent access from the stern.
The master cabin is positioned forward and on a higher level than the other cabins. Furnished with a large central bed, it benefits from the light entering from the windows on each side. Decorated with fine materials, including the sophisticated upholstery behind the headboard, the cabin has a large en-suite bathroom that, equipped with a double washbasin and an extra large shower box, has nothing to envy to the services of a 5-star suite.
Few steps lead to the rest of the cabins. The VIP one in the stern, very similar to the master cabin, is equipped with a private bathroom. The other cabin, located on the starboard side of the boat, has instead two beds. The bathroom is accessible from the corridor and can also function as a day toilet.
The Absolute
Silent and easy-to-steer, she has good performance at both planing and displacement speed, always guaranteeing high-level comfort to her guests. To cover many miles without using too much fuel will be easy and gratifying on this yacht.
On board the Navetta 68, transfers will be therefore not only useful to reach your destination but, as stops at anchor, will become an integral part of the “cruising” experience you can enjoy with this excellent yacht.
Engines : 2x D13-IPS 1200
Test Conditions: calm sea, fuel 50%, water 30% and 9 passengers on board
RPM | Speed | Fuel Consumption (l/h) | Fuel Consumption (l/nm) | |
600 | 5 | 10 | 2 | |
1,000 | 8.1 | 36 | 4.4 | |
1,200 | 9.8 | 58 | 5.9 | |
1,400 | 11 | 86 | 7.8 | |
1,600 | 12.5 | 128 | 10.2 | |
1,800 | 14.5 | 173 | 11.9 | Planing speed |
2,000 | 18.3 | 229 | 12.5 | |
2,200 | 21.5 | 278 | 12.9 | |
2,370 | 25 | 330 | 13.2 |
LOA | 20.52 m |
Waterline Length | 17.54 m |
Width | 5.62 m |
Draft | 1.72 m |
Weight | 53 t |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 3,500 l |
Water Tank Capacity | 910 l |
Engines | 2x D13-IPS 1200 or 2x D13-IPS 1350 |
Via F. Petrarca 4
Loc. I Casoni – Gariga
29027 Podenzano (PC) – Italy
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