The People of China are not known for their love of boating. Somehow yachting has just not found its way into their hearts. Those that do own boats, generally use them as static summer homes or places of entertainment where sleeping cabins have been converted into gaming rooms and fitted with gambling amusements and Mar Jong tables. Those yachts are often small and the desire to embrace the concept of superyacht ownership, is unusual among the Chinese.
That maybe about to change now that Benetti has sold the 65-metre custom built superyacht FB270, into Asia. When launched she will be the first Benetti yacht built under China Classification Society and Lloyds Registry rules.
Benetti builds on success
Benetti continues to build on its success in the Asia Pacific area. Hard on the heels of the recent sales of a Mediterraneo 116, Fast 125 and 50M custom along with the prize won by “Spectre” as “Best Custom-Build Yacht” at the Asia Boating Awards, FB270 confirms the Shipyard’s winning streak on the Asian market by announcing the Italian Shipyards first superyacht to fly the Chinese flag, with a certificate issued by the China Classification Society.
Benetti belongs to the Azimut|Benetti Group, the largest private-owned luxury sailing group in the world. Founded in 1873, it is the oldest Italian shipyard who speciality is in luxury yachts. It has become an icon of an Italian timeless style where every yacht is unique and developed around its owner. The shipyard designs, builds and sells vessels in composite materials from 29 to 45 metres and boats in steel and aluminium from 45 to more than 100 metres.
With delivery due in the first half of 202, FB270 is a custom yacht with a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure. The design features an innovative layout for the living area and a 160-square-meter apartment for the principle.
Design
The exteriors of FB270 are designed by the talented Giorgio M. Cassetta. Layouts are by Benetti Basic and Executive Design Department while the hull lines are by Pierluigi Ausonio. The interiors present colourways reminiscent of the sea, beaches and tropical islands, with a design developed entirely in-house by Maria Rosa Remedi of the Benetti Interior Style Department with full consultation and guidance of the buyers team to achieve a unique and iconic interior suited to her intended use.
Special features that set FB270 apart from similarly sized yachts include the service bathrooms on every deck and a wealth of technical spaces and storage areas. Special care has been taken to separate crew flows from the guest areas to ensure maximum guest privacy.
Mr. Fu Buming, Port Administration Chief at the Department of Commerce of Hainan province says, “Hainan is striving to become an international tourist centre, in accordance with the state’s general guidelines and requirements, in order to further develop the city as a first-class port tourism destination with a window to display world-class yachts and innovation within the global yachting industry.”
Evolution taking place
Peter Mahony, General Manager Benetti Yachts Asia, commented: “The sale of FB270 shows that an evolution is taking place and that a market will adapt to its new environment if an open mind, hard work and can do attitude is shared by all parties involved. Following extensive work between China Classification Society, Benetti and Lloyds Register who will also provide class on this yacht, we are delighted to have confirmed this new build order”.