Fast 125’ Skyler

The sea trial was pubblished on Superyacht 55 – Autumn 2017

Skyler was delivered to the owner last June. This is the third of Benetti’s 125’ Fast range powered by AZP C65 which is the most technologically advanced system on the market today and is flanked by a truly innovative, very efficient and performing hull drawn up at Azimut Benetti’s R&D department led by Giovanni Bizzarri. Extensive tank tests were carried out at Brodarski Institute in Zagreb.

Skyler, just like the other yachts from the Fast 125’ range sports a D2P hull – Displacement to Planing® with wave piercer so as to optimize and comprise the advantages of a displacing hull at low speeds with those of a planing one at high speeds. Both modes guarantee maximum on board comfort so much so that the yacht can cruise safely and efficiently in displacing mode over long hauls at 10 knots requiring only 250 litres per hour and it can also accelerate up to 22 knots.

We published the results of an in depth analysis in Superyacht issue number 51 by Andrea Mancini from Insean Rome city’s test tanks, and a report from a trial outing off Viareggio by myself on Iron Man which at the time (2016) was the very first model of the series.

Fast 125’ is built at Benetti’s historic yard in Viareggio. It is 38.10 metres long with a beam of 8.30 metres with four decks and a total of five guest cabins.

Stefano Righini’s impressive creativity stands out in delivering a streamlined silhouette accentuated by horizontal window like ports installed into a highly stylised original hull: a white trapezial shaped window installed up side down into the superstructure (near the stairs leading up to the upper deck) have become a distinctive easily recognizable element which personalises the yacht.

Rolls Royce’s project powers Skyler and all other Fast 125’ models with : Azipull Carbon 65 (AZP C65) which was also analyzed and commented by Andrea Mancini in the text mentioned earlier. Basically Azipull sports highly efficient engineering, it is reliable, considerably lighter than power houses of the same capacity thanks to lightweight materials used with carbon fibres taking the lion’s share. This considerable innovation also enhances better weight distribution while maintaining efficiency, manoeuvrability and easy access for maintenance purposes.

“Lightweight highly efficient engines are fundamental in reducing a modern yacht’s impact on the environment- commented Giovanni Bizzarri – we worked closely with Rolls- Royce Marine to develop excellent power houses for our new line of megayachts. The success of this joint work has been reconfirmed with facts: Skyler is the third of this series to have been sold and another three are currently being built. Another distinguishing feature is the superstructure which is all in carbon thanks to the excellent work carried out by our R&D department which translates into a superstructure which is 40% lighter than the same one built in fibreglass.

Skyler’s lower deck offers an ample beach club area and bar at the water’s edge. A garage hosting a tender and two water craft/jet skis which opens out on one side leaving added space for guests to enjoy.

The owner requested a hand crafted teak table with steel and cut glass inserts on the deck above. Forward of this there’s a comfortable seating area measuring two metres by five as well as two sun beds and pool.

Finally we come to the sun deck proper which is equipped with a bar section and stools, two L shaped settees and a dining zone with made to measure elements by Minotti.

The interiors were drawn up by Redman Whiteley Dixon with the yard’s team. Three options are available for the Fast 125’ models beginning with the “Air” configuration. In the case in point the owner a discerning yachtsman with plenty of experience, specially requested furniture from known designer brands among which we find Glyn Peter Machin, Sutherland, Minotti and Meridiani. Thanks to the Fast 125’s semi-wide body configuration, the owner’s suite situated in the bow area of the main deck runs full beam across with two terraces opening on each of the two sides. The result is an airy well lit interior with a panoramic view of the surroundings.

The interior decor features contemporary design styling, with clean even plain lines which underscore precious materials and fabrics adding sober elegance to every area. The entire layout has been devised to welcome and host up to ten guests in five cabins. These in addition to the owner’s suite, comprise three doubles, a twin into which a third bed can be installed. The crew cabins can host up to seven crew in four cabins, thereby offering guests detailed service and enhanced attention. Guest cabins and crew’s quarters are situated along the lower deck.

Thanks to Azipull, the engine room has been placed further astern, which means the garage is situated further forward almost amidships. It runs full beam across and acts as a noise dampener dividing the engine room from the guest area. A pair of MTU 12V 2000 M94 engines developing 2,636 HP linked to the two Azipull, deliver a top speed of 22 knots and a cruising one of 17.5 knots. The fuel tank capacity is of 30,000 litres which translates into a range of about 1,540 nautical miles at nearly 12 knots and almost 2,000 at econ speed of 10 knots. All told this is an excellent result and highlights Fast 125’s remarkable versatility.

For further information: Benetti

by Roberto Franzoni