B.Now 50M
The Benetti 79 is a 78-foot luxury expedition yacht produced by iconic Italian yacht-building company Benetti Yachts between 2002 and 2005. Built on a steel hull with an aluminum superstructure, this vessel may look like a sleek and stylish cruiser, but it boasts explorer-like characteristics that the truly adventurous will love. This blend of the luxurious or sophisticated with the rugged and reliable has come to be known as the Navetta class, and the 79 may just be the finest one ever built, blending classic looks that hark back to the best of mid-century yachting with the sort of ultra-modern ride that will delight cruising connoisseurs.
The upper-level on this yacht is split between a teak-lined al-fresco sundeck to aft and a sheltered area at the front, while an enclosed and climate-controlled wheelhouse is perched on a mezzanine level. At the rear of the bridge there is room for a full-beam set of sunpads, or even an optional jacuzzi spa-pool, while across the center there is space for a trio of teak-framed sofas lined in sedate, marine-grade upholstery, surrounding a pair of bespoke coffee tables. At the front you will encounter two stand-alone wet-bar stations with a grill, an ice-chipper, a sink and plenty of chilled storage, along with a starboard side set of outdoor helm controls. Heading into the wheelhouse you will encounter cherrywood surrounds, a map-desk, comfortable piloting seats and a dashboard set up with hand-held VHF, bow thruster controls, Raymarine display screens and extras including GPS, a Geonav plotter and autopilot.
Two outdoor spaces on the main deck provide places to soak up the views and spot passing pods of dolphins or deserted islands. There is a neat foredeck lounge with a forward sofa, accessed via wide and sheltered side-decks, while to aft there is a cockpit with room for a circular dining table. The stately main-deck salon is entered via teak-lined doors with framed glazing, while glossy cherry surrounds, plush carpeting and white leather or upholstered sofas await. A U-shaped lounge boasts coffee tables and armchairs, while at the very front of the main deck there is a formal dining room with a circular table ideal for extravagant multi-course banquets. These will be prepared at a port-side galley hidden behind mirrored bulkheads, where a double steel sink, a Bosch microwave and a ceramic AEG hob are joined by Frigomar chilled storage and dark Corian work surfaces.
The lower deck is actually split between two separate areas with independent staircases to enhance the feeling of privacy down here. A full-beam owner’s stateroom to stern boasts a king-sized bed, a side-sofa, a work-desk, a full-height, timber-lined closet and a bathroom with a teak sole and a walk-in shower. There is space for two more en-suite staterooms on this level, while a crew quarters or additional sleeping space for three more guests sits up by the bow, complete with facilities including a mini-galley and dinette lounge.
Powered by two 750HP MAN diesel engines, you can expect top speeds to hit a maximum speed of 14 knots at full-throttle. More importantly for a vessel in this class, however, is the cruising range. Stick to an economy pace of just 10 knots and you will enjoy a range of well over 3,000 nautical miles, making this Navetta the perfect choice for extended blue-water voyages.
