A leap made by Benetti in partnership with the hugely influential architect Fernando Romero and his studio FR-EE, both renowned for translating historic, social, economic and environmental contexts into contemporary urban destinations.
The quirkily-named Se77antasette is major break from the classic and rather rigid horizontal stacked deck approach. This is a revolutionary design clothed in flowing lines which are combined with complex marine-inspired vertical structures to create harmonious connections between the various decks, design features, and surrounding environment.
The result is that the yacht looks like a living thing completely at one with the natural world around her. All visible exterior instrumentation has been carefully hidden – even the radar is concealed in a glass dome.
There is an emphasis on conviviality in the interiors. The most impressive spaces are the large saloon perfect which is as ideal for family use as for receptions, a high tech studio/office, the dedicated meeting room area and the art gallery.
The stern deck has three complete openings and converts to a huge seafront terrace and exclusive spa area where guests can really relax and rest. The leitmotif aboard is versatility: the spaces can be easily adapted for different uses.
The double-height central area, for instance, provides a visual link between the decks and opens near-unprecedented space for a yacht of this size. The saloon can be converted into an open dining area for family breakfasts or use a screening room or a theatre.
The master suite forward on the main deck is really a 100 sqm apartment with a further 140 sqm of al fresco deck space that includes a private pool the floor of which can rise up to create a helipad. The master bedroom has a wooden bed at its heart with comfortable sofas to the sides while a large area of the suite can also be used as a very private, high tech office.
Aside from the master suite, Se77antasette’s 14 guests have two VIP staterooms and four guest staterooms at their disposal on the lower deck. All are bright and elegant.
The VIPs have floor-to-ceiling sliding glass panels which open onto a private terrace which telescopes out from the side. The guest cabins amidships, on the other hand, also have a glass panel with a wave-like structure that can be used as table and seat.
The dome-like observatory on the top deck is Se77antasett’s most intimate and original space. Here 8.5m sheets of glass curve to create the yacht’s signature profile and by night the dome doubles as an augmented reality screen, providing guests with the yacht’s position as well as astonishing views of the starry night sky overhead.
Propulsion is provided by five variable speed Caterpillar generators, 4xC32 (1048 ekW @ 2300 rpm) and one C18 (563 ekW @ 2100 rpm), coupled with two twin counter-rotating screws pods, driven by permanent magnet motors.
Se77antasette has a red-line speed of 16 knots and can go for 5,000 miles at 12 knots.
Fernando Romero said of the yacht: “Settantasette is the result of an analysis of Benetti’s DNA and thinking further on the possibilities that new technologies have enabled, allowing us to create an entirely new yachting experience… This extraordinary collaboration has seen FR-EE and Benetti successfully merge our collective expertise to create a state-of-the art superyacht, a new art form for the 21st century.” Art and the future: 77 looks set to be the lucky number for both.
