Review: Benetti's 213' - "Ambrosia"

Benetti's 213' "Ambrosia"​

... Nectar of the Gods! ​

by Capt. Chuck Gnaegy​

Ambrosia, food of the Gods, is an apt description of this excellent yacht,
though it’s the third this owner has ordered to indulge his favorite taste. Italy is
noted for its enjoyment of rich flavors, so carry the idea a step further...
and paint her as your consummate yacht. ​

The Build: This latest Benetti is a tasty effort indeed, flaunting a list of opulent materials that begins with solid cherry, teak, ash, maple burls, then blossoms into exotic mother-of-pearl, parchment, galuchat, goat skin, bamboo, buffalo hide, gold and silver leaf, as well as granite, alabaster, onyx and exotic marbles. Its foundation, however, is more than surface beauty; boasting the flawless build of this classic yacht, it is descended from a fabled history of excellence. Ambrosia is the 3rd Benetti yacht commissioned by Mr. Ambrous Young!

The Yacht: This six deck-level yacht, 213’ LOA by 41’ beam, is a design triumph of yachting achievement. Exterior stylist Stefano Natucci – noted for many other Benetti megayacht wonders, such as the 50m series Golden Bay, others including Altitude, Galaxy, Allegro, and half a dozen more – waved his magic wand here. Interiors are the work of yachting classicist Francois Zuretti, who also created the Art Deco theme of the owner’s previous Ambrosia, forerunner of this beautifully conceived effort. Founded in 1873, Benetti (a member/company of the Azimut-Benetti Group) is a world leader in the superyacht market with more than 100 years experience in shipbuilding. Benetti boats are manufactured in Italy, where the Group maintains shipyards in Viareggio, Livorno and Fano.

The Yard: Benetti History extends a long way, from 1873 when Lorenzo Benetti founded the shipyard. In 1914 it was expanded by Gino and Emilio Benetti to Fratelli Benetti shipyard, building a succession of steel hulled, diesel powered ships and sailing yachts. 1963 began its evolution of luxury yachts worldwide. With a series of financial expansions and new yachts, by 1997 it had broadened to 162,000 sq.ft. in Viareggio. That facility encompassed two new sheds, building yachts up to 230’ – two at a time. Soon, administrative offices were added for staff, captains and surveyors.

The Future: By 1998 Azimut-Benetti absorbed the Siar-Moschini shipyard on the Adriatic, in addition to its primary facility, to build hulls and superstructures, with a production area of 144,000 sq.ft. Today, after a year-2,000 acquisition of Lusben Shipyard in Viareggio – with an investment of €28,000,000 and the partnership of Fincantieri – the company has continued its expansive course. President Paolo Vitelli has devised a well structured and diversified concern with production in 7 separate yards, as Benetti specializes in luxury aluminum and steel yachts to 230’ LOA, while Fincantieri produces megayachts yachts over that length, the business combination has grown to even more of a force in the yacht world. The merger is expected to bring stiff competition to Dutch and German builders, who have held a lock on the 100-meter and-over yacht market for some time. Ambrosia is Benetti’s most technologically advanced project to date; its largest since 231’ Reverie in 2001. Azimut - Benetti is the world's largest yacht builder for yachts over 78’.

PWC Garage: The starboard garage door opens to reveal a pair of Kawasaki PWC’s, standing ready for blast off. Rolling cradles allow the PWC's to be moved about, or stored out of the way as needed. Each of the garage doors, port & starboard, are operated by two massive hydraulic cylinders. When closed, the garage door is sealed shut via a rubber strip that lines the perimeter of the door and subsequently locks down with a system of hydraulic pins, much like an armored safe.

Stern Platform: Ambrosia's hydraulically operated swim platform doubles as a dock when deployed. Five specially built fenders are attached on the aft section of the platform. They extend down to the water line to provide protection for low freeboard craft such as PWC's or Ambrosia's Venetian taxi (seen in the following picture). Security railings to port & starboard are removable to allow the door to fold upwards, seamlessly integrating into the hull.

Tender Garage: At aft starboard, as Ambrosia’s hull tender garage door rises, it reveals the ultimate convenience of a megayacht; storage and launch of its capable tenders; here a 28’ runabout – air conditioned and built by Vikal to resemble a Venetian taxi – eagerly awaits for instant trips to shore, or to other fine yachts either in port or at sea. Gantry cranes mounted to the garage cieling facilitate tender launching. Ambrosia also totes a 7.5 meter Tresco tender.

Radar Arch: Ambrosia's seven-tier mast rises skyward, as if to Press Through the heavens. Each level is a dedicated platform for radar and navigation equipment.

Observation Deck: The base of Ambrosia's mast is a 3-prong arch, which supports a central radar dome that is so massive, it doubles as a sunshade over the observatory deck seating. Top-of-the-world views abound for passengers, as well as an eye-in-the-sky view for the captain via Ambrosia's arch-mounted cameras. Tinted windscreens line the perimeter of the deck for safety and keeping turbulence minimized.

Heli/Pool Deck: A spectacular view from the sun deck is aided and abetted by its sparkling jet swimming pool, just forward of the ‘H’ helicopter landing target. All of the railings lining the heli deck are removed when a bird approaches. Seating a dozen or more, in striped lounges, Ambrosia takes its sun-dancing seriously, with multiple choices for seating and sunning. Water Polo, anyone?

Upper Aft Deck: Charm is the apt word for Ambrosia’s aft upper deck, where lovely outdoor parties and luncheons overlook the harbor in any exotic port. Heavily built teak tables are set with specially designed flatware and tableware. Seating is in Danish modern comfortable chairs. Choice is an option for sun or shade, while the ensign waves its courtesy approval.

Forward Deck Settee: A crescent shaped sofa for twelve is carved into the deck house forward of the bridge. With a split-oval dinette for serving up the catch of the day, it's arguably the best seat in the house... or is it? (read on)

Seafood Earning Station: If you're a fisherman, then you've found the best seat in the house! As if Ambrosia didn't have every conceivable feature already, she's able to put dinner on the table too. The fighting chair is located on the main aft deck, well above water level. At this level, Ambrosia's heli might come in handy for hoisting in a big catch!

Main Deck - Looking Aft: A night scene looking aft from Ambrosia’s main deck presents the wherewithal for a gigantic party, space for a jazz band, ballroom dancing, mix and mingle, or simply to entertain your audiences in the evening breeze. Also a wonderful space for midnight snacks in the open air, or daytime relaxation as well.

Main Aft Deck - Looking Forward: The same venue, from the opposite point of view, the upper deck looking forward provides a gaily lighted glimpse into the brightly arranged main salon. Gigantic glass sliding doors open to engulf one person at a time or the entire soiree, if it so moves. What a glorious circumstance for a reception.

The Bridge: Up high on the ultra-sophisticated bridge deck, every ship’s function and gear element is monitored, with a bank of 22” video screens which picture navigation, depths, course, and engine performance at a glance. Electronic switches and operations are also checked and double-checked, controlling the vessel’s position and heading by means of active thrust or position maintenance. Monitoring systems include night vision cameras on the fly deck; a Gyrocam incorporating inertial guidance gyroscopes and searchlights which can focus on an object up to 3 kilometers away.

Instrument Panel: Directing the physical location of the yacht is the sophisticated Konigsberg dynamic positioning system which provides automatic control and heading by the Brunvoll bow thruster and maneuverable azipods, which determine precise control in restrictive spaces. Quantum Zero Speed stabilizers enhance supervision of the vessel underway and in exposed anchorages by eliminating roll.

Skylounge - Looking Forward & Port: In the panoramic saloon, ease and quietude reigns, with cozy and comfortable sofas, deep-cushioned easy chairs, splashed with an overall light ecru-pink motif. At one end is the 42” plasma TV accessible to all. Cocktail and gaming tables, in cherrywood, are at beck and call, while overhead lighting is unobtrusively designed as small squares laid out in a checkered pattern.

Skylounge - Looking Aft: Looking aft from the port side, a wet bar divides the panoramic saloon from the Stargate. The arrangement of seating, tables and small study to port all lend to an elegant, relaxed atmosphere.

Skylounge Dining: Glamour exudes on the upper deck in the Stargate Room, a masterpiece orb of excitement and scrumptious taste, unique so far in yachting. The circular ceiling glistens with heavenly constellations of both northern and southern hemispheres, displayed with a thousand fiber-optics. Driven by electric motors linked to the vessel’s GPS, it revolves to show the heavens in place at that moment in the sky, over the yacht’s position. (No need to go outside to view the heavens). The glass-topped dining table seems to float over a lighted bas-relief of the moon’s surface – molded in glass – by artist Astolfo Turelli, based on satellite photos of the moon.