Absolute’s 52 Fly, the third model of its upgraded flybridge planing series, debuted at the 2023 Miami International Boat Show before having its European debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival. This new model, which follows the 60 Fly and the 56 Fly models in lineage, packs a lot more comforts and upgrades into a length of just over 55ft.
Sometimes you have to rub your eyes and take a leap of faith when shipyards talk about their line’s “family feeling”, but there’s no mistaking an Absolute. Built inland at a shipyard that’s much closer to Italy’s car manufacturing hubs than it is to the sea, each Absolute yacht takes a trip along the country’s famed Autostradas Before you get anywhere near open water.
The size constraints posed by tunnels and overpasses along this unusual maiden voyage combines with the shipyard’s desire to get the most out of every inch of space to dictate the Absolute look: sturdier and more voluminous than sleek and sexy. From the dock it may not be love at first sight, but there’s no denying these yachts have the kind of beauty that comes from the inside.
To give the boat a look of forward thrust, Absolute’s in-house design team has created lozenge-shaped glass inserts in the hull, picking up and repeating their lines and angles in the hard-top supports and along the sides of the boat. The 52 Fly has a compact and unified appearance that offsets its volume maximising features.
OPEN TO ELEMENTS
The 52 Fly continues the shipyard’s tradition of engineering for comfort, performance and quality of life at sea.
Absolute’s new high-low beach platform is a sure sign that the company has what it takes to create great water experiences. This platform has a hydraulically-operated mechanism that allows for safe and easy water access. It also provides a convenient space to store a tender.
The V-shaped hull was specifically designed for the Volvo Penta D8 IPS800 engine. There are symmetrical stairs leading up to the cockpit, where the glass panels provide a clear view aft.
“Our new terrace cockpit has a glass transom and open gunwales, so has a real open-air feel,” says Cesare Mastroianni, Absolute’s Vice President of Sales and CCO. “And thanks to modular furniture first used aboard the Navetta 64, you can change the setup throughout the day.”
You can create a variety of seating and side tables by joining pieces together to form sofas or single seats. Slot in armrests and rearrests, or add or remove cushions.
This updated version also features a box that you can use to store things like swim fins for drying while keeping them out of sight. A curved LED light rope in the ceiling, and a panel with texture under the docking stations add the design flair that you would expect from an Italian boat.
FRESH AER INDOORS
The aft cabin galley is located on the same floor as the aft helm and makes it easy to prepare a good meal while in company. Simply open all of the doors, and drop the windows to make the galley/cockpit a convivial, single space. A serving station which doubles as bar is nominally dividing the spaces. “You have all the space and utensils to really cook,” Mastroianni says.
On the port side, there is a large refrigerator-freezer. A C-shaped area with plenty of room for provisions is located to port. There are also storage units designed for cutlery and dishes. There’s even a wine cellar tucked under the helm seat.
Absolute is always improving their product. So, when you walk into the saloon, it’s like a family boat, but with the right family. Detailing like dark veneer profiles and leather drawer pulls contrasts with the light woods in the panelling to add a touch stylish luxury.
The ceiling lights of the galley and cockpit are curved to form a circle that extends over the seating area. This subtle distinction marks the different functions and uses of the saloon.
You can see couches on each side and a retractable television, but the height of the ceiling and the feeling of openness you get from the large, glass surfaces are what really stand out. But it’s more than a feeling. The boat’s windows are operated by an electrical system, similar to car windows. This allows air to circulate throughout the vessel with the simple push of a switch.
A ceiling with sophisticated lacquered details contrasts beautifully with the wood flooring that is textured with a mesh texture to increase safety. The 52 Fly is as much fun to be aboard for the helming experience as it is the cooking.
“This is a family boat that experienced yachtsmen can use on their own, without extra help from crew,” Mastroianni points out. “There’s a crew cabin if you need it, but more experienced owners will manage the boat themselves and use the crew cabin for an extra guest.”
The two-seater helm is part of the saloon. It has a sleek futuristic look with Garmin displays flush mounted in the console. Like all of Absolute’s models, the 52 Fly has a full-height side door by the lower helm and owners have docking commands at the main helm station, on the fly and in the aft cockpit.
As if this weren’t enough, the IPS system comes with easy-to-use joystick commands, while assisted docking is optional.
MASTERFUL ACCOMMODATION
The chic continues on the lower deck where there are three well-appointed guest cabins: a full-beam VIP midships, a twin and a full-beam owner’s cabin fore.
The VIP has the same level of luxury and elegance as the master bedroom. Seeing how the VIP shares a bathroom with the twin, a family may prefer to keep the aft cabin and twin for themselves and host any guests in the owner’s cabin for privacy.
All cabins come with memory foam mattresses and opening portholes to allow natural airflow. The twin-cabin comes with beds which can be combined into a double. In a nod to the needs of family use, there’s a washing machine hidden behind the panelling in the lobby.
The crew cabin with en suite has its own transom entrance. This boat could be used by guests, or teens who wish to sneak aboard the boat at an improbable time without disturbing their parents.
MOVING FORWARD
The Absolute never forgets the foredeck. On the 52 Fly, a couch is arranged around a dining table which can be adjusted in height to accommodate coffee or meals. There are large sun pads, drink holders and lights that pop up from the flush deck when they’re needed. Fenders can easily be stored in storage lockers. An awning can cover the entire area.
Any boat with ‘fly’ in its name is going to have something important going on up top and the 52 Fly doesn’t disappoint. The same modular pieces can be used to set up the aft section and the glass enclosure at the rear.
Backing the C-shaped seating arrangement under the hardtop, there’s a full wet bar that owners can choose to set up as an outdoor galley complete with a fridge, icemaker and grill. The helming position on the port side has two comfortable seats and sun pads next to the wheel.
A typical Absolute touch is the flip-back headrest on the teak table. It becomes the backrest for one of the banquettes. There’s also the option of having solar panels installed on the hard top to provide enough energy to run the boat in hotel mode in total silence.
Absolute has been a leader in IPS technology, and it continues to improve. Fuel efficiency and reduced vibration and noise are well documented benefits of this system.
The 52 Fly, fitted with twin IPS800 engine, can take off at 12-13 knots and cruise at 20-22 knots. It consumes only 200 litres per hour of fuel, and reaches a top speed of just over 29 knots.
The solidity and sturdiness suggested by the exterior lines aren’t an illusion: this is a boat that knows her stuff when it comes to handling easily and performing safely.
The 52 may be the youngest of the Fly family but it is an Absolute. Find out more about what’s inside and you’ll soon be seeing the engineering and ease of use more than the exterior look that runs in this family.
As the saying goes: to love the Fly 52, you must first know her inside-out. That is the only way to truly love her.
www.absoluteyachts.com
Absolute is the source of all images.
The original version of this article appeared on yachtstyle.co
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