We already knew that the Magazzù MX-11 Coupé was a beautiful and elegant boat, a glance is enough to realize that. But that she was also able sail under any sea conditions was something we had to test.
For our sea trial, we chose to “fly” from Genoa to Monaco on board this “super RIB” which didn’t bat an eyelid even when faced with two meter high waves and which, after almost 100 miles at sea, left us the desire to cover at least as many.
The Genoa Boat
It’s late to cover all the 100 miles that separate us from our destination, so we decide to spend the night at the Marina di Varazze. We hasten to load and stow all our bags (they are not few since we have been out for three days) and, after a refueling stop, we are ready to set sail.
The sea is perfect and, sailing at a speed of 30 knots, we reach our first destination in less than an hour. The only difficulty consists in dodging the many boats which enter and leave the port.
It has been a long day at the boat show and, after an unmissable fish dinner, we go to sleep.
There are three of us on board and, after retracting moorings, we enjoy the most evocative moments of the day. The light of the rising sun timidly starts to illuminate a sea that, at the mouth of the port, offers only a few waves coming from afar.
We accelerate and head for Monaco. The shortest route envisages to coast every cape that stands between us and our destination. Weather forecasts exclude that the situation remains quiet and call for a rough-very rough sea with residual waves coming from the west.
As we leave the
I’m not at the helm, mine is not the first turn but, from the bow and in the shadow, I see a high wave coming. I think it is 1.5-2 meters high. We are sailing fast, so I bend my legs to brace for impact and….and nothing, we land softly, just a few meters after the wave, as if there is an airbag between the hull and the surface.
It seems incredible but we have just performed a really nice “jump”.
Claudio Magazzù, who represents the second generation of the shipyard together with her sister Tina and his brother Renato, is on board with us. Claudio is an aeronautical engineer and gives us some explanaitations as to why this boat reacts so well to the impact with the water.
One of the reasons is that the hull “steps” which cut across the hull line are deep. Their function is to support the hull when the boat is on plane, deflecting water from the hull surface and letting air come in. This principle results into the creation of some air cushions that make the impact with the hull significantly softer.
The “steps” of the MX-11 are deep and specially designed to maximize this effect and we are appreciating their efficiency.
The sun
At Capo Noli, the horizon is fully visible and the sea gets worse. Here, the bottom level is higher, the intervals between waves become shorter and the wave motion is more confused. I don’t waste time and I take the helm. I want to see how the boat does in such conditions.
So, I fasten the safety lanyard and, given the good performance achieved so far, I dare. I think I can go on sailing at 20 knots at least, so I adjust the throttle accordingly.
The movement I exert on the helm goes automatically, I try to face the wave from the loof. In such conditions and at this speed, the Magazzù MX-11 shows an excellent course stability but, as the helm moves and the angle of incidence of the hull changes, the situation becomes different.
The boat becomes as manoeuvrable and responsive as a go-kart.
Claudio makes a very clear comparison, the one between airliners and fighters which, after all, travel like us through fluid dynamics. The former are designed to be stable yet hard to maneuver; the latter, instead, are made deliberately unstable in order to be able to maneuver in very tight spaces.
The secret
Having calibrated my feeling with the boat, I can have fun playing with waves. I go up and down with great naturalness without never slowing down and, despite having to maneuver, I do not deviate from the ideal route. I spend an hour this way, I don’t get tired. I’m still having fun.
Meanwhile, the north wind blowing from the mountains finally starts to lower the waves.
Now, I can speed up to cover our last miles at 35 knots.
Comfort is great, I do not feel the cold air on my chest and, protected my the steering console, I enjoy my comfortable driving position. The deck remains perfectly dry, despite the wind.
My two travel companions start to enjoy navigation, one sitting in the stern, the other lying on the cabin bed: he is even sleeping, totally undisturbed.
We finally arrive in Monaco. The city is ready to host the Super Yacht Show. In a quay crowded with many incredible yachts, we leave the keys to the driver who, with the Magazzù MX – 11 Coupé, will accompany many of the boat show visitors.
Looking at the clock, we make the last point of the our travel: three hours of navigation, at an average speed of 25 knots. Not bad in such sea and weather conditions. I even feel rested and ready to face a long day at the boat show.
This MX-11 Coupé is a great inflatable boat, I’m sorry to leave her.
The starting point for a description of this boat is inevitably represented by its lines. Sleek and elegant, they are never too aggressive. The Mx-11 Coupé is not only eye-catching but is also able to continue to draw attention with a delicate balance of forms, colours and materials.
Another important strength lies in the attention that the shipyard has devoted to the design and creations of the details, including the smallest ones. To realize that, it is sufficient to stop and observe some special solutions like the side stainless steel gratings for engine ventilation, whose holes recall the logo of the shipyard.
The MX-11 Coupé combines a fascinating look, excellent seaworthiness and wide living spaces, both on and below deck, where we can find a comfortable cabin equipped with separate bathroom.
Moreover, the MX-11 we have tested is equipped with a beautiful carbon hard top that can extend towards the stern. This allows to cover even the central part of the cockpit and, therefore, the area that houses the wet bar positioned just behind the console, the removable dining table and the C-shaped seat placed next to the stern sun pad.
The result is a luxury open-space lounge where the guests can enjoy full protection from the sun. If, on the contrary, you want to sunbathe, the Magazzù MX-11 Coupé offers two sunbathing platforms. The forward one has a classic configuration with a very large pad.
The aft one, instead, deserves a separate discussion. Within just 11 meters, in fact, Magazzù has managed to create a true beach area, where the stern platform and the sun pad form an area where the contact with the sea is precious, elegant and unique.
The attribute
If we could, we would even add the acronym “GT” because the boat also proved to be very comfortable and funny at sea, despite the harsh conditions and the long distance we covered.
Moreover, considering that the Magazzù MX-11 is also a cabin cruiser, we could define her as a true all-around that has no problems ix excelling in the multiple uses which she is designed for.
Even if the first reason why people choose Magazzù is that they fell in love with these boats at first sight.
Magazzù MX – 11 Coupé : technical specs
L.O. A | 11.00 m |
L.H. | 9.90 m |
Max Beam | 3.80 m |
Water | 360 l |
Fuel | 2 x370 l |
N° Pax | 18 |
Engines | max 900 HP |
Speed | up to 60 kts |
Propulsion |
Sterndrive or outboard
|
Homologation | CE – B cat. |
Magazzù Yachts
Via libertà 58
90143, Palermo
Phone +39 091.22.37.15
info@magazzu.com
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