The term ‘quiet luxury’ feels out of place in the world of superyachts, yet it seems a fitting description for Benetti
Nothing articulates quiet luxury better than a 67m superyacht decked with seven opulent staterooms, a built-in lift, a dedicated spa and an expansive, al fresco lounge area. Sounds ironic? Yet, this pervasive—and confusing—assessment lingered as I stepped off Calex, a stunning custom-built superyacht made by Italian shipyard Benetti.
Just moments prior, Marco Valle, CEO of the Azimut|Benetti Group, had, with a mischievous grin, informed me of an adage the yachting industry takes to heart: “No cash, no splash.” If anything, the admittedly amusing aphorism offered quite the opposite observation.
Things only became clearer the next day when I had the chance to speak again with Valle. “People look at our yachts and all they see is the high life and the glamour,” he said. “No one sees the people behind them and the hard work it takes to make them possible.”
Effortless Elegance
It’s all too easy to miss the forest for the trees when inhabiting the world of luxury. Especially when aboard some of the finest vessels money can buy, crafted by a 151-year-old shipyard with indisputable flair. Benetti showed off three superyachts at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show, each with distinct personalities. Yet, all three exuded quiet grace and elegance.
Without the context provided by Valle, it would be easy to admire this subtle sophistication without recognising the effort that had made it possible. The vessels, and Benetti by extension, appear to possess a quality the Italians call sprezzatura; the ability to appear stylish and artful at no apparent cost or effort.
Take the shipyard’s custom-built 67m superyacht Kasper 7, for example. Sporting creatively whimsical interior spaces designed entirely by the owner, the superyacht took more than 3 years of development to ensure it met the precise specifications of the owner while retaining robust seaworthiness.
7 has a three-star certification from
SEA Index, the tool launched by Yacht Club de Monaco to measure yachts’ CO2 emissions. Photo by Jeff Brown
Aside from the bespoke layout of the vessel, the inclusion of two large circular windows near its dining area, I later learnt, proved especially difficult, requiring months of meticulous engineering to accomplish. Enter the space, however, and the windows appear to be a natural, effortless feature, flooding the room with natural light while providing a tangible connection to the open seas.
The same can be said about the more classically designed Asani. A newly built, 50m vessel from Benetti’s B.Now line, the superyacht boasts an expansive and made- to-measure 36sqm beach club that connects seamlessly to its interior spaces.
While some may chalk up Benetti’s knack for sophisticated design to its Italian sensibility, Valle said it’s the result of something more deliberate.
to guarantee a range of experiences on long cruises. Rendering by Benetti
“Innovating in design is far more important today than in the past,” he explained. “We have a new generation of clientele, one more inclined to travel and work remotely. The boats of today have to be designed to be more like a home, where people can spend time with family, and where the cruise itself is the most important part of the experience.”
Bigger And Greener
The next frontier, according to Valle, is sustainable innovation. As a member of the Azimut|Benetti Group, Benetti shares resources in research and development with its sibling brand, Azimut. While Azimut specialises in versatile yachts under 40m, Benetti’s fleet of energy-intensive superyachts and megayachts—some measuring well beyond 80m—heightens the urgency for advanced sustainable solutions.
“We are trying to be very concrete,” said Valle, adding that his company has invested heavily into eco-friendly technologies, such as new hybrid propulsion systems, and aims for minimally 20 per cent greater energy efficiency with each new launch.
The shipyard has also partnered with Eni Sustainable Mobility, a company that produces a biofuel made from waste raw materials and vegetable residues. The agreement has resulted in use of the biofuel for the group’s shipyard operations, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1,000 tonnes per year.
I asked Valle if the brand’s efforts indicate a concrete and increasing demand for sustainable solutions in the world of yachting. He shook his head. “We do it because we should.” So much for no cash, no splash.
This story first appeared in the December 2024 issue. Purchase it as a print or digital copy, or consider subscribing to us here
