Atlantis 34

The Atlantis 34 is the entry-level offering from the Azimut Benetti Group. The Italian boatbuilder has five collections ranging all the way to the Grande superyachts and Benetti custom line measuring 47 metres in length. Yet this modest sportscruiser, a 2013 Motorboat of the Year in its class, flaunts the same five-star fit and finish you will find on multi-million-dollar sister ships twice its size.

Even for big guys, the cockpit, legroom, headroom and interior remain agreeably comfortable — a real feat considering the boat’s footprint — and we judged it to be accommodating for a family of four or a getaway couple. Indeed, this is a big little boat that seems to grow around you, with the feeling of spaciousness enhanced by the on-trend hull glazing above and below decks.

The generous on-board space leads to a 10-person capacity and there’s a lot of hauling grunt from the twin auto-derived 220hp Volvo Penta D3 diesel engines (32 knots top speed). With a generator among other key options on the boat we tested, you also derive onboard autonomy away from dock in this floating, boating Italian apartment.

The Atlantis 34 is available only with, and it is designed specifically around, Volvo Penta’s 220hp D3 diesel engines. You can get a base boat landed for about $390,000, Sydney-based 5 Star Motor Cruisers says. But our test boat obviously had some goodies to enhance onboard liveability.

The Mase 4.5kW diesel generator is a smart addition, with a microwave oven to increase the dinner options, cockpit griddle for cooking lunch, and a full bedding and bathroom package to add to the sense of luxe afterwards. The cushions on the foredeck create a plush sun bed, while a windlass gives push-button anchoring. There isn't a forward deckwash but not many boats this sized include one.

Upgrades include black and grey water tank level indicators and electric loo, additional porthole in master cabin, dinette conversion into double berth, and electric trim tabs. Full teak decks and a bow thruster are welcome, leaving just electronics (as per owner’s specifications).

A rear Euro awning extension will boost shade in the cockpit and we’d add a cockpit fridge or portable cooler (a 12V Waeco with a nearby charge plug), too. That said, the open moulded space intended to carry a liferaft under the cockpit lounge would make a great party icebox. But for these little custom additions and navigational electronics it was a nicely spec’d boat ready to cruise and weekend away.

"There are six competitively priced models in the Atlantis range, but the 34 is the ideal boat for weekend excursions. The large cockpit offers a bar and grill, a cockpit table that doubles as a sun lounge next to a chaise lounge, and above you have a large opening sunroof.

"Below decks, a galley, bathroom and the large living spaces have long windows each side, allowing natural light and ventilation. Sleeping arrangement is for four passengers,” Redford told BoatPoint and boatsales as we set foot aboard.

At the blunt end, the integrated boarding platform is nice and deep — a destination in its own right — with a nearby flip-up ‘boot’ for fenders and lines, the requisite swim ladder (look for the tricky retaining clip) and deck shower. Steps lead straight to the portside walkaround deck and a gate opposite grants access to the cockpit.

The seating is at once plush, supportive and finished with a nice grade of textured non-slip, non-stick Italian Stemar vinyl. The U-shaped lounge and lunch dinette convert into a daybed and, with the addition of full covers, a summer kids’ bed. A wide rear-facing chaise is otherwise the pick on the possies to relax under the hardtop. Though rear-facing it’s not a bad co-pilot seat when underway.

The Atlantis 34 footer is about as small as you can go with its quasi hardtop arrangement. The centre section opens and slides back manually, creating a concertina effect with the canvass infill, and a fair-weather wind-in-your-hair drive, especially when driving on the elevated footrest with your head out the top.

Strataglass clears were to be fitted by 5 Star to the open side windows for complete weather protection and an even more practical sportscruiser-come-sportyacht during the cool season. The moulded amenities centre behind the helm seat includes a handy griddle and sink with hot/cold water, plus storage space. You could probably locate a small 12V fridge in the storage cupboard below.

Full marks for the supportive bow rail with intermediate wire, moulded toe rails and concealed windlass that together provides safe accessing and lounging on the foredeck. The sun-pad cushions on tracks remained in place during our drive and the integrated drink holders were a nice touch.

Where most sportscruiser this length consider their aft or mid-cabin the kids’ domain, this full-beam aft arrangement is so well done its entirely deserving of stateroom status. There’s a door for complete privacy (unlike the usual pull-across curtain,) storage space and trick Italian mood lighting.

The convertible dinette in the bow creates a second double bed. Otherwise, it’s a really nice place for up to eight people to sit. Why you would have that many indoors is another question, but the space is there. A DVD/TV on a wall bracket would be a useful addition for silencing kids.

The luminosity gained by the hull windows and clever use of mirrors adds to the sense of head and shoulder space. The rich walnut joinery, light and neutral soft furnishing palette, and two-pack cupboards create a very smart interior. Guests from bigger boats won’t snub your invitation and removable edged carpets will help the post-party clean up.

Between the two cabins is a separate bathroom with Italian fittings, floating porcelain sink, electric toilet and handheld shower. It has an upmarket finish commensurate with a much bigger boat. The rubber seal on the door is just one thoughtful detail.

The compact galley opposite is handy to the companionway. You get a two-burner electric stove with pot holders (for cooking the pasta), microwave oven, and fridge and, with the dinette in place, you can seat a family of four for breakfast or dinner below decks.

Italian lighting, double-door catches to prevent rattles, insect screens on all opening ports, and a good amount of storage space add to the weekending appeal. There’s plenty of room for your clobber, stores, games and so on. Given the expected use for up to a long weekend, the refrigeration, amenities and 185 litres of water will suffice.

Although you could drink a coffee in the time it takes the engine-room hatch to lift on its actuator, the drama is worth waiting for. There’s a surfeit of servicing room around the D3 engines and generator, labelled seacocks, aluminium fuel tanks with sight gauges, easy oil checks, accessible batteries, labelled water pump and a dedicated handheld worklight. More thoughtful stuff.

With keyless ignition and electronic engine-monitoring displays, the twin 2.4 litre electronic Volvo Penta common-rail diesel engines are the latest thing. They were coupled to sterndrives spinning Duoprops for snappy acceleration and grip. 

Driving pleasure sure is a big part of this boat’s appeal. 

A leather-bound wheel, auto-like helm pod and low-glare dash add to the sporty feel, while due consideration has been given to both the seated and standing helm positions for drivers of all heights. Wipers are provided, too.

Low sound levels, comfy passenger seating, nimble off-the-wheel handling, and great sight lines make this just an excellent sportscruiser for big-city waterways. Smooth cruise was clocked around 26-27 knots at half load, where the Atlantis 34 seemed to relish the busy and potentially bouncy harbour. 

But during circuits and exuberant driving, the Atlantis 34 didn’t bang or ship a drop. The hull is a beauty, balanced and in trim or fine fettle, with 18 degrees of deadrise at the transom and nothing untoward when applying the Lenco tabs and cranking the wheel.

A bow thruster makes docking a snap back at that inner-city marina berth. Do dinner ashore or whip-up a speedy pasta with vongole below decks, take the top off a Pinot grigio, and create your own la dolce vita.

If not obvious from the well-proportioned external lines then the "unmistakable imprint of Italian style" strikes home once aboard. To borrow a line from Porsche: "The ergonomic architecture integrates you into the vehicle." Or vessel as it were. A five-star sportscruiser that's hard to fault.