Delphia 11 Flylounge: sea trial, video, and full review of a revolutionary yacht

Delphia 11 Skylounge: The Sea Trial

Cruising slowly, savoring every moment, and becoming one with the surrounding landscape: this is the beating heart of the Delphia 11 Skylounge, a vessel that embraces the concept of “mindful cruising” and elevates it to a true lifestyle.

Specifically designed for displacement cruising, this spacious yacht takes advantage of its generous waterline length to glide effortless through the water, much like giant superyachts do. The result is an experience that brings back the romance and pace of a sailboat, but without any of the inevitable technical hassles. Bow and stern thrusters make the boat exceptionally easy to handle—even during the trickiest docking maneuvers—making it virtually foolproof for beginners as well.

Put to the test in Venice’s chaotic and complex boat traffic, the hull displayed an enviable poise. Despite the heavy, continuous wake, the level of comfort onboard remained exceptionally high, proving its outstanding structural stability.

With these premises, steering from the prime position of the flybridge becomes an immersive experience: the scenery glides slowly past your eyes while, completely stress-free, you sit in the front row admiring your surroundings.

Setting the pace for this test was a vigorous, reliable 150 horsepower Yanmar engine—the ideal powertrain for those who want a reassuring power reserve. However, the yard offers plenty of alternative setups, ranging from an even more economical 57 horsepower engine up to a maximum 250 HP engine that promises impressive top speeds. A 100% electric powertrain is also available.

Analyzing the performance while underway makes the promise of “mindful cruising” tangible:

• 5 Knots (The Contemplation Pace): The Delphia 11 Skylounge posts record numbers, consuming just half a liter of fuel per nautical mile. This translates to unbeatable operating economy and exceptionally low environmental emissions.

• 7 Knots (The Sweet Spot Cruising Speed): At the speed preferred by true cruisers, the yacht tracks through the water as if on rails. Stability increases further, roll and pitch stay to a minimum, and fuel burn remains negligible: just 7 liters per hour, or exactly 1 liter per mile. With these numbers, horizons expand, allowing you to cruise virtually anywhere without a worry.

• 10 Knots (Power Reserve, Safety): The slow, contemplative soul of the Delphia 11 Skylounge does not compromise safety. Should you need to pick up speed to quickly escape bad weather or reach a destination in a hurry, this boat easily throttles up to 10 knots—or even faster with the 250 HP engine option.

Exterior Spaces: FlyLounge, Bow, and Aft Area

The Delphia 11’s exterior living space is designed to enjoy the marine environment to the fullest at any time. The aft area welcomes us with a large swim platform, ideal for swimming or serving as a true outdoor cooking station. By lifting a dedicated hatch, you reveal a neat gas barbecue grill, a sink, and the perfect workspace to cook up great meals.

The cockpit features a comfortable U-shaped settee complete with a folding leaf table, allowing five to six people to dine comfortably.

Moving forward toward the bow is effortless thanks to two wide, symmetrical side decks. Here, you find a dedicated relaxation zone dominated by a massive forward-facing settee designed like a large chaise lounge, seating two or three guests who are pampered with side beverage tables. At the tip of the bow, a bowsprit features two seats—guaranteed to be the most popular spot for jumping into the water.

The Flybridge (hence the name of the FlyLounge version) offers a boundless layout. Moving forward on this deck, you’ll find a central sunpad (brilliant), the helm station, a forward-facing lounge bench, and a large wrap-around sofa around a central table. It is truly an enormous amount of space, which can also be fully shaded with a practical protective bimini top to ensure maximum comfort and relaxation while underway.

Interior and Layout: Brightness and Clever Solutions

The Delphia 11 is a smart boat built to be enjoyed 365 days a year. Crossing the threshold into the Main Deck, you immediately appreciate the balance between interior and exterior spaces. To starboard sits an elegant, fully equipped L-shaped galley, while to port is a large six-person U-shaped settee with a folding leaf dining table.

The helm station indoors is elevated, granting the captain 360-degree visibility thanks to large panoramic windows.

Below deck, the yacht boasts remarkable modularity, offering configurations ranging from one to three cabins with up to two heads. The layout chosen for our test is my personal favorite: two cabins and two heads. It is the perfect setup for a family of four looking to travel the world in total comfort.

The Master Cabin is huge: it features a large walkaround double bed that lets you sleep with your head facing forward, along with endless storage solutions. Natural light floods in through hatches and large hull windows. The en-suite master head is spacious and includes a separate shower stall.

Similarly, the generous VIP Guest Cabin boasts an exceptionally large double bed, ample wardrobe space, and its own private head.

An Electric Heart, Too

In addition to the aforementioned 150 HP Yanmar engine, the yard offers great freedom of choice in the engine room. Options start from a budget-friendly 57 HP diesel powerplant up to 250 HP.

However, as a testament to the project’s green and modern soul, an advanced 100% electric propulsion system (Torqeedo Deep Blue 50i) is available, offering silent cruising with zero vibrations.

Conclusions

The Delphia 11 is a practical, remarkably spacious vessel capable of delivering safe and enjoyable voyages. If you are dreaming of long sunset runs, unforgettable anchorages, and record-low operating costs, this is undoubtedly the yacht for you.

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