Review: Benetti's "Domani"

An ultimate dining experience begins with dramatic presentation in Domani’s ovoid-scallop-swept dining room. Immaculate curves sweep the ceiling and floor plan, centering on the circular table, seating six to ten. A ceiling of starlights circles overhead, while a large bank of draperied windows adds additional drama. Walls all around feature dark-finished walnut cabinetry.

The dining area looking aft over the stern offers an experience few yacths can match... a 270 degree, panoramic view of the water passed, or the current harbor of anchorage.

An easy comparison can be made in this galley – to a professional kitchen in a very exclusive club. Vast areas of Carrera and Gold Ochre marble countertops set the stage for food preparation, with angular traffic designs and lavish use of fine wood cabinetry. Lighting in this area is superb; reflected in wide, mirrored cabinets. Twin freezer/refrigerators, plus convection/microwave ovens, and flat cook-tops complete the arrangement.

The galley as seen from an elevated perspective...

Providing access to the staterooms below, the magnificent stairway curves its way down. Following the theme of walnut and light tan, the stairs swoop along the hull-side with banisters and step lights for night time safety.

Under a huge white glassine dome, the king size island berth is set within its own circular area, accented by gold-tone fabrics and dark wood cabinetry, for a striking combination. Twin bed tables with drawers also hold silver-plated lamps. There is a vanity and dressing table, desk, as well as dual walk-in wardrobes encased in cherry wood. The plasma TV/entertainment center also matches the size of that in the salon.

The study is connected to the master suite, three steps down into a strongly masculine room that echoes the wood/leather/ecru carpet theme. Here also is a coffee table and generous leather couch. It is the perfect hideaway for the owner who wishes to spend time with favorite classics. Vast areas of protected shelf space are relegated to books, but owners’ options provide variable solutions for specialized tastes.

With identical cabinetry for incidentals, verde giada and stark white granite countertop, and silver-designed sink, His bathroom offers a very large magnifying shaving mirror. The actual bath is a glass enclosed shower, with a geometric patterned black and grey marble floor.

An extravagant Domani touch adds separate baths/heads. Hers features a large, mirrored, dressing table/vanity with overhead lighting. Creamy Valencia marble in a spare, gold ochre Honey Onyx shade is used on wall spaces and flooring; while her bath embraces a light azure ceiling and walls. Her tub is a full size hydro-massage Jacuzzi, enclosed with floor to ceiling glass and stainless steel framing.

Slightly smaller, but still the picture of a luxurious hotel suite, the VIP room boasts a queen-size island berth ensconced in cherrywood walls and Venetian folding shades. Overhead starlights lend soft illumination to the cream-white carpet and ceiling theme.

VIP alternate angle...

Deep-finished cherrywood is accented by the cream-white marble top of the wide vanity/mirror and sink. Ample incidental storage is provided in drawers below. The VIP shower is a double-wide glass enclosure.

Domani’s staterooms, in addition to the Owner’s suite, include four cabins on the deck below – two with queen-size berths plus two with twin berths and also a supplementary extra berth, so that it combines sleeping accommodations for up to ten guests. This twin-berth guest room is commodious as well, with vanity, chair, and private head/shower.

Full electronics panels are grouped in a side room below. Note the waterproof passage bulkhead forward.

A wider view of the engine room reveals the space organization of engines and components.

Typical of Domani’s excellent planning, generators and other equipment allow room to work in and around.

Not shown are crew’s quarters, which total five. The Captain’s cabin is situated on the upper deck, just aft of the wheelhouse, with a queen-size berth, classic woodwork, a large window, entertainment area, and head/shower. The Engineer’s cabin is on the lower deck. Crew’s quarters include bunk berths, head/shower, a refrigerator/freezer, and a laundry area with two washers and dryers.

All things considered, Domani is an exquisite yacht, a showpiece that is certain to expand the Azimut/Benetti reputation worldwide.

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Story by Capt. Chuck Gnaegy.

Techinical Specifications:

Builder: Benetti Shipyard – Viareggio, Italy
Construction Material: Composite
Length Overall (LOA): 43.60 m 143’00
Maximum beam: 30’04
Maximum draft: 8’11
Full load displacement: 390 tons
Fuel capacity: 67,000
Fresh water capacity: 11,000
Main Engines: 2 x CAT 3508-B 970 Kw @ 1835 rpm C rating
Maximum Speed: 15 knots
Cruising Speed: 14 knots
Long range speed: 12 knots
Range at 12 knots: 4,000 n.m. approx.
Generators: 2 x 104 Kw each. Northern Lights
Bow thruster: Vosper
Watermaker: Village Marine 2,500 USG /day
Stabilizers: Vosper
Propellers : Five blades Benetti design
Air-conditioning system: Condaria
Exterior Styling & Concept: Stefano Righini
Interior Design: François Zuretti
Accommodation for Guests: 10 persons
Accommodation for Crew: 8 - 10 persons
Classification: Lloyd’s Register of Shipping – MCA compliant – Marshall Islands

For more information, contact:

Benetti Yachts
Via Coppino 104,
55049, Viareggio Italy
http://www.****************

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