A vision splendid
Italian boat builder Filippetti Yacht has launched the F93, a versatile model that Maria Roberta Morso found both sporty and extremely comfortable.
Written by Maria Roberta Morso
Photography by Maurizio Paradisi
07 March 2017
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Do you dream of a yacht specially designed for a large family instead of a young couple? Need more cabins to have all your friends or children and grandchildren on board all at once? Just ask Filippetti Yacht. You will find it is very different to many other medium-sized shipyards producing yachts in the 20–35-metre range.
All boats built by Filippetti Yacht, no matter the size, can have all the functionality you need because the Filippetti team works with each owner to create a yacht that entirely fulfills their vision. This capability puts a level of engagement (and fun) into the process of buying and building a motor yacht that is almost impossible to find with production yacht builders.
The F93 I recently visited has been shaped according to her owner’s requests in terms of layout, interior and exterior arrangements, and decoration. Being so flexible in production is not an easy task, however. It belies great experience to handle and fulfill different requests while keeping building standards high. But carving out a niche is something that Filippetti Yachts has aimed for since its inception. The brand was established quite recently, in 2009, but is firmly based on Fausto Filippetti’s extensive experience in the yachting industry.
In 1980, Filippetti founded the Cantieri Navali dell’Adriatico with Tilli Antonelli, producing their first vessel in 1981. Four years later, the young shipyard launched the first Pershing 45 in collaboration with the yacht designer Fulvio De Simoni.
Then, in 1998, Fausto Filippetti became Pershing’s distributor and exclusive dealer for Italy and France, which contributed to the brand’s international success. Ten years later, when the dealership closed, Filippetti started his own shipyard and launched the Daemon 75, the first of a series of high-performance open yachts.
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Filippetti Yachts has a good reputation. It is internationally known for doing things properly and the workmanship throughout the yard is second to none,” says Giovanni Filippetti, the brand founder’s son, who welcomed us on board the F93.We pride ourselves on offering our clients a made-to-measure project, and we encourage extensive customisation,” he adds. “We offer suggestions for the choice of materials, fabric, marble and wood, but each owner can tailor the yacht with any layout, style, material or detail he wishes. As for engine configuration, we prefer not to offer limitless choices because our engineers determine the best propulsion solutions in relation to hull shape, displacement, etc.”
A planing yacht with 75 tonnes of unladen displacement, the F93 features twin MTU 16V 2000 M94 engines delivering 2,638hp. This allows the yacht, at wide open throttle, to reach a top speed of 41 knots. We would expect the F93 to be within the 35-knot range for medium-range cruising, and it has the capacity to carry 8,300 litres of fuel, which gives her a noteworthy range at more economic speeds.
Designed in collaboration with Fulvio De Simoni, the F93 is the first unit in a new line of flying bridge yachts intended to provide top-end comfort and performance. De Simoni’s athletic interpretation of a planing flying bridge’s exterior shows that owners don’t have to deny themselves elegant and sporty lines when they decide to choose a beamy and roomy yacht.
Filippetti strives to build yachts that are both practical and beautiful. They feature extensive open spaces that provide outdoor entertaining areas without compromising the elegance of their exterior lines. On the F93, large social and private spaces are spread across two decks, plus a flying bridge.
At the opposite end of the same deck is a large cockpit with a dining table that can comfortably accommodate 10 people. With its glass top with rounded corners and edges, and a stainless steel structure, the dining table gives the whole area a touch of sophistication.
As the cockpit is entirely protected by the flying bridge’s overhang, the owner decided to have just one dining area outside. The galley is on the lower deck, near the crew quarters. From the galley (accessed via a staircase located at the aft end of the saloon), all meals arrive directly to this outdoor dining area. When the large glass door is wide open, the exterior and interior lounging areas become a unique social area, with a low, central cabinet encompassing a large a TV the only element dividing the cockpit and the saloon.
CRAFTED WITH CARE
“As you look around, you can see that this yacht is the peak of craftsmanship at all levels,” Giovanni says as we step into the large and airy saloon. “From the overall design to outfitting, how the wood, leather, fabric and details have been worked, you see how much care we dedicate to our product. This yacht is a showcase of our skills.”
The saloon is a wide and light, open space lined with large windows. The decor throughout is unmistakable contemporary with flat-panel joinery, squared shapes and concealed lighting. The choice of fine materials, colours and subtle detailing imparts a cool and smart ambience.
An exquisite zebrano wood – which features black veins on an almost white background – enriches cabinet doors while stainless steel framing creates irregular patterns. Glossy, dark, lacquered surfaces on furnishings and walls highlight the light cream leather of an L-shaped sofa, while an attentively designed white ceiling encompassing an LED lighting system by Cantalupi gives an airy feel. At night, the recessed lights trace a subtle and striking glow.
To port, a large L-shaped bar equipped with fridge and wine cellar is the right place to savour an aperitif, an informal meal or snack.
If the cockpit is quite conventional with its alfresco dining, the flying bridge is an eye-opener and true entertainment space. Despite not being huge, Filippetti has succeeded in creating a highly enjoyable area encompassing all the functions you would find on larger yachts.
A solarium hosting four beautiful chaise lounges has been created aft, while the deck’s central area features a lounging-dining area to port and a wet bar with barbecue to starboard. As the owner asked not to have a hard-top weighing down the yacht’s silhouette, a four-poster bimini is easily available when needed. To minimise encumbrances on the flying bridge, a retractable crane to load and unload the owner’s favourite toy, a golf cart, has been integrated into a piece of furniture. The well-appointed flying bridge also includes a second helm station to starboard.
The night quarters are on the lower deck, and the F93 offers a four-cabin layout with the master suite located amidships, making full use of the 6.80 metre beam. This has allowed the designer to install a queen-size bed and a sofa bed to starboard. Two TVs have been installed, and can be viewed from the bed or sofa.
A woven fabric in a warm shade of grey delineates the bed’s headboard, while a darker fabric has been used to upholster the stern bulkhead. It is soft to the touch and, as well as being a highly decorative material, it dampens all noise. Like Aladdin’s flying carpet, at night the bed seems to float over a beam of light as there is no support structure in sight.
The ensuite bathroom to port features the same sophisticated decor and glossy, lacquered surfaces as the master cabin and saloon. Mosaic tiles line the shower, while zebrano panels, large windows and oak flooring create a fresh and relaxing environment.
“The owner decided to give each cabin its own colour theme,” Giovanni explains as we enter a large double cabin whose queen bed has been positioned athwartships. The forepeak is reserved for an airy double guest cabin with large side windows. A smaller twin for young guests or children is located to port.
In terms of technical equipment, the F93 is second to none in its category. Arneson surface drives coupled to twin MTU engines provide sporty performance, while marine exhaust mufflers decrease the noise impact from the powerful engines. Sound-insulating materials have been used throughout the yacht to dampen both noise and vibration.
Boat rolling underway and at anchor is significantly reduced by a Seakeeper gyroscopic stabiliser, which makes you forget nausea and avoids the yacht being tossed about in heavy seas.
After visiting the new F93, I can attest that Filippetti Yacht is indeed serious about cruising the Italian way: in full safety, comfort, luxury and style.
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