Absolute Navetta 52

When I received the assignment to sea trial the Absolute Navetta 52, I started thinking about how I would begin this story.

When I received the assignment to sea trial the Absolute Navetta 52, I started thinking about how I would begin this story. I could have made a cheesy reference to my favorite vodka brand (disregard the slight variation in spelling), or some correlation to absolute zero or an absolute value. But since I’m neither a scientific geek (no offense, and I look forward to your cards and letters) nor a math whiz, I was relegated to wait until my time aboard to think up a snappy intro.

To my surprise, the time aboard the Navetta 52 was an absolute delight. Thanks to the hull design, layout and upper/lower helm stations, this is a “go anywhere, anytime” yacht.

Like a hot knife through butter

A lot of the magic happens down below, in the hull. The most prominent feature of the Navetta 52 is the plumb, or axe bow. A departure from your typical flared bow, the axe bow premise is being utilized more and more, from larger yachts down to the smaller scale vessels. Its purpose is to be wave piercing, recognizable by the vertical stem with sharp entry and high freeboard, somewhat like an axe.

I can make more similes on how this style works, like how it cuts the seas “like a hot knife through butter,” but it really does. I noticed this firsthand as we headed out the inlet into a confused sea of steep 3- to 5-footers on the nose. Seeing the slop, we opted to run from the lower helm station, knowing it could be a wet ride for any boat venturing offshore.

True to form, we took the Navetta 52 into the sea square on the bow, battling through the white caps. First impressions were that this is a quiet boat, easy for three of us to hold a normal conversation in the cabin. Not only does the axe bow cut through the sea, it also has a level of buoyancy that keeps the pointy end up.

This was also proven on the return trip, as we had a beefy following sea to run. I was on the con, adjusting the speed to stay on the backside of one wave, but also nudging the throttle a little to see how the 52 would run over a wave. Over we went, and the axe bow did exactly what it’s designed to do: drive into the wave in front, part the ocean in a near-biblical experience, throw green water up and out (thanks to the large chine) and easily come back up to do it again. I noted that there was no pounding, jarring of teeth or creaks from the hull. Rather, it had a gentle entry, a nice recovery and was easy on the passengers. Looking aft at the remnants of the wave, the wake line remained straight and true.

I had some time on the wheel to run around a bit, get a feel for the responsive steering and also lay beam-to in neutral towards the sea. The 52 handled the side force well, with some rocking but not a snap-roll effect one might expect. I had to inquire, but no, the boat is not stabilized. The stability is more due to the design of the hull.

Comfortable cabins

Don’t let the sharp bow fool you. The 52 hull is broad with a 15-foot beam. That equates to ample living space below. Forward in the peak is the VIP, and Absolute has put a slant on things, mainly the berth. It’s not centerline but turned about 45 degrees, allowing for walk-around access (making up the berth is easier) and also offering better line-of-sight out of the side windows. It also aligns the berth with the pop-up TV on the starboard side.

Mid-ship is the full-beam master suite, with center berth, desk with vanity, walk-in closet and leather sofa. The accompanying master head is fitted with a shower stall, basin sink and portholes. To starboard is a third stateroom with twin bunks.

All of the stateroom’s cabinets, trim and bed frames are finished in matted Canaletto walnut wood. The beds have dark brown leather headboards and ivory-colored leatherette covers the walls and ceilings. With good head clearance, smart lighting features and plenty of elbowroom, retreating to your bunk at the end of the day will be a treat in itself.

“The 52 Navetta is a showcase of exceptional style and livability for this exciting new class of yacht, and not to mention a fabulous pairing for Volvo’s IPS system,” states Ron Silvia, vice president of sales at Jefferson Beach Yacht Sales (866-490-5297, JBYS.com)

Luxury touches

The main deck offers an open feel, while subliminally defining individual areas. There’s the aft deck with long settee and teak table covered by the flybridge overhang. Wide aft doors herald the entrance to the salon. To port is the galley, which is almost camouflaged, as cabinets and the full-sized fridge/freezer are finished with Canaletto walnut satin wood. With the fridge tucked in the aft corner under the flybridge staircase, the remaining real estate makes for a nice L-shaped galley, with everything within easy reach. Our test boat was outfitted with luxury brands, including a Miele four-burner electric cook top and a deep stainless sink with Paini faucet to the right. Under the Corian countertop is a Miele dishwasher and convection microwave oven. This reflects the shipyard’s philosophy to always purchase the best new models of appliances on the market.

Up two steps is the lounge area, with a large, U-shaped leather sofa with foldout hi/lo table to port — perfect for afternoon cocktails. Across is a two-seat leather sofa that fronts a cabinet containing a hidden flat screen TV. Drop the tinted window Venetian blinds and you have a mini theater with plush seating. The leather tray ceiling with recessed grabrails is a nice touch.

Forward to starboard is the lower helm. Compact in size but fully-featured and fitted with leather wrapping and carbon inserts, it’s perfect to run the 52 from down here during bad weather or just to be in close proximity to guests. A twin helm seat allows for an extra set of eyes to keep watch or take in the sights. The console can house two 12-inch multi-function displays, a Volvo Penta 7-inch engine monitor, autopilot, tab controls and switches. To the right of the adjustable steering wheel are the throttle controls, joystick and bow thruster stick.

Easy to handle

From a functional standpoint, it’s nice to see a helm door that allows the captain easy access to the side decks to grab a line. With all of the controls and superior exterior access, the Navetta 52 can easily be single-handed or effortlessly run by a cruising couple.

Absolute designed the ship-like twin forward windshields vertically, which not only reduce glare and protect the interior from harmful sun rays, but also have a great look from the outside, thanks to the overhang brow.

Venturing outdoors shouldn’t be an adventure in its own right. The 52 is a full walk-around yacht, with side overhangs from the flybridge deck. Forward is a large sunpad and a comfortable bench seat. Harold Del Rosario, of Absolute North America, and I spent about 30 minutes sitting here and discussing the yacht on our ride towards the ocean. It’s a great vantage point away from the salon for a private conversation or a spot to sit at anchor and catch the sunset.

As mentioned, the Absolute Navetta 52 knows how to handle the seas, which is in part due to the engine package. With twin Volvo Penta D6 IPS 435-hp engines/drives, the 52 cruises around 14 knots, with wide-open measuring up to 25 knots. I wanted to confirm these figures, but we were dealing with a sloppy sea state. I’m confident the 52 can meet the expected specifications.

Up top on the flybridge deck, L-shaped settees — perfect for everyone to be with the captain — flank the center helm. Center span is a U-shaped settee with table, across from the portside serving station/wet bar with grill, sink and fridge. I’m ready to get on the Absolute Navetta 52 again. Perhaps this time with an Absolut on the rocks. Cheers!