Atlantis 55

Itallion stallion

Itallion Stallion The Atlantis 55, from one of the world's top boatyards, is a leader not a token mediocrity, notes a gobsmacked David Lockwood at the level of sophistication at the cutting edge of yacht design.

If imitation is the greatest form of flattery then the Italians must be doing something right. After all, just about every designer from the bathrooms to kitchens, cars to boats uses Italianate styling these days. But what do you get when you go straight to the source, to Italy's most successful boatbuilder and one of the biggest in the world, to a range of modern motoryachts that even the Italians consider cutting edge?

Enter Atlantis. While we have been wooed and wowed to varying degrees by Italian styling in many boats, Atlantis is the real deal, the pacesetter, the one to follow. Here, you will find Italian styling that is at once contemporary, canny and clever rather than token, tried hard or, well, imitation.

And here, on the Atlantis 55, the first of the smart Italian craft that Trade-a-Boat has tested, the effect was profound. The jaw-droppingly sassy Atlantis 55 is at once saucy and chic, but also well behaved offshore so you can head away after that waterfront lunch appointment. Who said Italian design and practicality are mutually exclusive?

Building about 220 boats a year, the Atlantis factory in Sariano di Gropparello, Piacenza, measures a not inconsiderable 64,000 square metres of which half is under cover. But I'm told the yard is struggling to keep up with demand and will probably move and/or expand soon. As with most high-end boatbuilders, Atlantis relies increasingly on robotics and CNC cutters, but it also has automated gelcoat equipment and infusion technology for what are, still, handmade boats.

If you know something about Italian motorboats, you will appreciate where Atlantis is coming from. The Azimut-Benetti Group formed the company in 2001 following the acquisition of Gobbi, which was always a well-finished boat. In the last five years, Atlantis sales have jumped from Euros 20 million to 72 million. So, as I said, the Italians must be doing something right.

ATLANTIS RANGE
After considerable investment, Atlantis is now one of the hottest new kids on the block. Its range of boats was intended to slot in under the parent company's Azimut line, however, such has been the reception that Atlantis is going bigger and making a name for itself as a stand-alone badge. I hear 60 and 70-footers are on the drawing board.

As it stands now, the Atlantis range begins with a 315 sportscruiser and ends with this, the flash flagship, the 55, which was released in 2004. Such was demand that a second set of moulds was soon made and, interestingly, despite the greatest demand being in the Med', Atlantis is also now making inroads into America, trumpets the local dealer.

The designer of the 55 is, I'm told, Stefano Righini, who is also behind the stunning "S" Series of Azimuts that this writer has previously fallen head over heels with. In some ways, however, the Atlantis represents the next step in Italian design. Instead of dark wenge wood, for example, there is lime-washed light timber and the custom stainless steel work, such as the pedestals for the dining tables, is plain exclusive.

A handful of Atlantis motoryachts has now found its way to Australia. The owner of the 55 tested here is a Gold Coast boater with a family who had stepped out of a SeaRay and, due to the harsh Queensland sun, was looking for a boat with more shaded outdoor living space. Answering his call, the 55 is an especially capable dayboat with huge single-level decks graced with abundant seating, convenient amenities like fridges and barbecues, and topped with a big hardtop.

Need I tell you, the 55 also has that Italian must-have, the electric sunroof, but because the boat was designed as a hardtop from the outset there's at least 180cm of headroom over the helm. This compared favourably with some competitors whose helm stations behind raked windscreens and low-slung roofs are for sitting only.

On the construction front, the hull and deck are vacuum-bagged and built from composites, with a unique stringer system that allows Atlantis to use large, seemingly unsupported sections and create a truly open-plan layout without comprising strength. The boat is built to CE category Class B, which means it's designed for offshore voyages where conditions up to, and including wind Force 8 (40kts on the Beaufort scale) and significant wave heights up to, and including, four metres.

In respect of engines, the 55 had a beautifully laid-out engine room home to twin Caterpillar 715hp C12 diesel motors fitted with vee drives that reduce their impact on the accommodation space. Servicing space is still pretty good around the motors and access to all the engineering items - which were located in this same space – has been enhanced considerably with access to the engine room from the tender garage and not just the daydeck hatch.

For pre-departure checks, I noted the overflow bottles for the engines' cooling systems were easy to see back aft, I could get to the generator without much issue, there were glass covers on the sea strainers for at-a-glance inspection, and good access via the tender garage to the air-con units and hydraulic pumps back aft. The boat's reasonable but not long-range 2000lt fuel capacity is carried in wing tanks, there is an automatic fan-forced ventilation system to keep the Cats cool, a fire-fighting system and wiring diagrams provided as per CE standards.

However, the supplied waterpump which lets you drain out ambient water from the engine room, should it accumulate in between the floor grid, goes beyond the call of duty. The 650lt water capacity is surprisingly generous for liveaboard work, too, catering for at least a week away.

LAID OUT FOR LIFESTYLE
There's a lot in this boat that reflects the Med' way of boating, but a good deal of protection, too. Our tour started at the transom, on the big swim platform, near the groovy swim ladder and deck shower. There are twin (optional) electric capstans for reeling in the aft mooring lines and an Opacmare passerelle for loading passengers (much loved when stern-to mooring in the Med'). Here, the passerelle is more likely to be used by the (grand) kiddies as a springboard.

The Atlantis 55 also has an electrically operated aft garage that, in this instance, housed a 2.7m Gemini RIB with 15hp outboard. Above which is another must-have: the jumbo aft sunpad for four traced by gleaming stainless steel rails. The cockpit rear awning was added here for more shade.

Walkaround decks traced by moulded toe rails and a solid bowrail with lifeline lead forward. The cleats and fairleads are chic Italian designer numbers and the windlass is a heavy-duty number with, wait for it, automatic saltwater wash during retrieval. There is a sunpad on the foredeck, drinkholders and deckrails, but I couldn't find any tracks to keep the cushions locked in place when driving at speed. Looking back from the bow, the boat is raked and rearing to go like a racehorse with its ears pinned back - a real Italian stallion, but inside the cockpit there's a lot of practicality by way of generous undercover seating finished in groovy blue-metal coloured vinyl upholstery.

GREAT ENTERTAINER
Under the hardtop, big windows enhance the views, there's abundant head and shoulder room wherever you go, while the plush seating doubles as two separate casual lunch areas. The aft L-shaped lounge with headrests set around a table can handle eight people, while converting to a second internal sunpad, and there's provision for four more to sit and eat at a table behind the windscreen. The latter area doubles as co-pilot or navigator seating.

The amenities centre between the two seating areas includes griddle, sink with hot and cold water, Corian food-prep space, icemaker and fridge. The floor, meanwhile, is all practical hard-wearing teak that can be acid-washed after a big party - at least one boat-share operator has told me teak is easier to clean than bare GRP or carpet. Snap in carpets down below and satellite television are two extras being fitted locally.

The helm, meanwhile, is an expectantly racy number with more than a whiff of the motorsports about it. Among the good gear is a spread of recessed VDO gauges, Raymarine E120 with radar, chartplotter and sounder and separate Tridata display revealing depth in a big font - important when boating on the Gold Coast's skinny waterways - plus ZF electronic shifts, SeaStar hydraulic steering, a remote for the Sony sound system, trim tabs, leatherbound wheel and more.

The huge cruising and entertaining deck boasts brilliant environmental control through a combination of tropical-strength (an optional upgrade) air-con, the electric sunroof and especially groovy electric side-opening vent windows. Despite an abundance of glass, the boat's not stuffy thanks also to special UV-resistant glass overhead that cuts 85 per cent of the heat. At night, trick LED lights take over. Such are the details on the Atlantis 55.

DESIGN LINES BELOW
I suspected something dazzling was hiding below decks when our trusty pint-sized photographer, Ellen Dewar, vanished for longer than normal. She eventually emerged beaming, apologising for taking so long with the interior shoot because "I just don't get to see that many boats with an interior like this." Indeed.

Moving away from the dark timbers that have been de rigueur, the Atlantis 55 has lime-washed joinery that extended to the floors where, to soften the impact, the owner had custom Berber carpet fitted. The light-coloured liners, groovy angular lines of the furniture, and custom glass and stainless steel fittings all contribute to a wonderful Italianate ambience that seduces like Sophia Loren. Well, you get the idea. All very sexy.

Descend the steps and you set foot in the saloon/dinette and galley where you can't miss the portside U-shaped lounge before two casual glass drinks tables engineered to make an architectural statement. Grab the supplied custom spanner and the trick timber infill and, presto, the tables on stylish stainless steel pedestals become a trendy dining setting. Opening portlights remind you that you're in a boat.

The galley opposite boasts supplied Atlantis crockery, crystal tumblers and silverware all locked away in custom holders and ready to serve. Amenities range from an oversized fridge with stainless steel facia to a top-loading freezer, two-burner Ceran cooktop with potholder (if it's okay with Italian aesthetes why hasn't every boat got a pot holder?) to a trendy rectangular sink set in black Corian counters.

There is a microwave oven, designer up and down lighting, and storage strewn throughout the saloon areas and in the galley by way of, among other things, the evergreen Lazy Susan. But the LG television linked to surround sound was on the small side.

Accommodation is split either side of the saloon, which enhances privacy, and ranges through three cabins and three heads. The cabin immediately aft of the saloon with two single beds is best described as compact and for the (grand) kids. The communal day/kids head alongside has Vacuflush loo, designer glass vanity and washbasin, extra-trick bathroom fittings and a big mirror.

The VIP guests cabin and en suite is a comely number in the bow, with an island berth dressed with a silk-look bedspread, lime-washed timber hanging and side lockers, big mirror and more. The door handles and all the fittings are just uber chic.

The aft owner's stateroom, away from the chine slap, features an offset double bed and suitably huge hanging locker. All cabins have separate entertainment systems and trick lighting, while the en suites feature Tardis-style circular Plexiglass shower screens with minimalist massage showerheads recessed in the headliner. Trendy.

STALLION POWER
We swung at anchor and enjoyed the static appeal of the Atlantis 55 for some hours, whereupon I noted the quietness of its 17kVa (upgraded) Kohler generator - the biggest possible gennie for this boat - linked to a Vetus split exhaust. But the best bit was to come: cruising in the South Pacific before the high rise... a la Gold Coast style.

With twin C12 Caterpillars and vee drives, but no tunnels in the relatively light 22,000kg hull - the Princess V53 is shorter and considerably narrower but weighs as much, as does the Maritimo 52 tested this issue - the Atlantis 55 wasn't hanging around. On the pegs, pronto.

The key figures were 24kts at 1800rpm, 26kts at 1900rpm, 27.8kts cruise at 2000rpm and 28 to 29kts at 2100rpm or maximum continuous. Top speed was 32.7kts, which when you compare the top speed of the Maritimo 52, underscores the performance benefits of a low-profile sportsyacht compared with a flybridge.

While the boat doesn't rip through the bends like some of its competitors, and you have to crane your neck to maintain vision in the turns, it's a refined and definitely speedy ride. On and off the pegs, the Atlantis is a leader. While I'm not sure whether lime-washed joinery is going to make a big comeback, it wouldn't surprise if local boatbuilders pick up on some of the clever design features. I loved it and hope Atlantis is here to stay. Ciao bella.

HIGHS