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Absolute 52 FLY Review (2022 Edition)

The Absolute 52 Fly arrives with a fresh look and a stunning three-cabin interior. Have we got a new leader of the pack on our hands? 

The 2022/2023 generation of Absolute flybridge boats are some of the best the Italian shipyard has ever designed. The 52 Fly may be sub-55ft but it feels huge on board and boasts an interior layout so effective it makes you wonder why other boats in this sector aren't using the same blueprint.

As with every other modern Absolute, it's only available with Volvo Penta IPS but this is what grants the designers so much accommodation space to play with on the lower deck and it should be good for a reliable 22-knot top speed and a cruising range of 250nm. We'll put those claims to the test on our upcoming sea trial. We caught up with the boat at the 2023 Miami Boat Show, where it had its global debut, to see how it stacks up. 

Absolute 52 FLY Key Facts

• LOA 54.987ft
• Max Speed 28 knots
• Status In Production
• Generations 3
• Yacht Type Flybridge
• Use Type Cruising

Test & Review Video

YachtBuyer Score

In this article:

Our Verdict

Rivals to consider.

• Specification

Our Scores Explained

Design & Build

This generation of Absolute flybridge has a distinctive look with oversized hull windows and fin-style open haunches that aim to maintain the connection between the cockpit and the water. The boats are not classically handsome but the look is more refined than it was a few years ago and there's no doubt that they have a distinctive look that is all their own. 

On board, the use of space is truly outstanding and the volume of the interior is astonishing. By arranging the owner's cabin on a mid-deck forward, you get both a wonderful space for the owner and guests are treated to a fabulous full-beam VIP amidships. 

Modular deck furniture is another feature of this generation of Absolute, adding great flexibility to the cockpit and flybridge. As standard, the decks are empty to fill with any furniture the owner desires but to make life easy Absolute provides some on request and it's as stylish as it is flexible. 

Absolute builds all of its boats using its Integrated Structural System (ISS). The interiors are cut and assembled separately to the hulls and dropped in once constructed, pre-prepared with wiring and plumbing. It's an efficient build method, which, according to Absolute, improves the accuracy of the build and maintains a more consistent level of quality. You can't be definitive about quality from the safety of a boat show berth but there is certainly a feeling of real cohesion aboard the 52 Fly and reassuring solidity in everything from the flooring to the way the internal doors clunk shut. It feels like a quality machine. 

Absolute pays attention to the little things that make life on board easier. It's small things like having a dedicated slot for the boat hook adjacent to the flybridge steps in the cockpit and the smart stainless steel hoop that slots into the bathing platform to give swimmers something to grab onto when they emerge from the sea. 

This will be an owner-run boat for the majority so ease of maintenance is key and to that end the machinery space is impressive. With both the generator and optional Seakeeper stabilizer space is a little tight at the entrance to the engine room but access to the engines and IPS pods is excellent and the quality and tidiness of installation are top-notch. The 52 Fly should be an easy boat to live with and look after. 

Absolute's range is an IPS-only zone so if you don't like the idea of pod drives the 52 isn't for you. That said, the integration of Volvo's pods is faultless and it's part of the reason why the designers have so much space to play with on the lower deck. 

Interior Accommodation

The interior is the 52 Fly's trump card, it's hard to compute quite how Absolute has managed to include three cabins and two bathrooms and endow them with so much space. There isn't a boat in the sector that uses the footprint as cleverly as this. 

The main deck salon is familiar Absolute with its aft galley, two-part sliding cockpit door, and a window section that drops into the counter to create a small bar area.  The galley is split with the counter, sink, hob, cooker, and a good amount of storage space to port and a full-height fridge/freezer and pantry to starboard. The detail is excellent. The soft rounding of corners, the subtle integration of a handhold into the edge of the galley counter, and the chest forward of the fridge/freezer that contains fiddled storage for all of the Absolute branded crockery and glassware. 

The 52 has a new lighting design throughout, with attractive waves of LED in the deck head above the cockpit and aft end of the salon. A new circular motif above the dinette cleverly mirrors the hard top on the flybridge.

The windows on both sides of the salon drop down to allow the natural breeze to run through the boat. We've seen this feature before on Absolutes and it means that on days that aren't too hot, you may be able to use these to ventilate the boat rather than firing up the air-con (and therefore the generator). 

The television is neatly hidden on a pop-up mechanism behind the sofa to starboard, opposite a large dinette with a hi-lo table that can easily switch from dining to coffee table height. 

The lower deck layout works brilliantly because by shifting the owner's cabin to a mid-deck forward, the VIP cabin can occupy the full width of the beam amidships. It's a similar layout to Absolute's own 56 Fly without the ensuite bathroom for the VIP cabin. This arrangement benefits the owner as much as their guests, though, because the space and comfort levels in the owner's suite are excellent. As are the views, thanks to those enormous hull windows. With the bed (2,000mm x 1,600mm) mounted aft on the centreline, the bow is full of bathroom and it works well, delivering a smartly finished ensuite that uses the geometry of the cabin intelligently. The attention to fine detail is excellent once again, right up there with the best in this sector. 

The VIP could be another owner's suite and, if you're sleeping on anchor or are tied to a buoy, it may be the place to sleep as you won't get the slapping of water on the hull that you do upfront. There is an intrusion towards the top of the bed that those 6ft or over will need to watch out for but apart from that it's a very easy cabin to move around inside and it's dotted with plenty of useful storage solutions. The lack of an ensuite may put some people off but the day head, shared with the twin cabin, isn't far away.

The twin cabin is well thought out. Headroom is good and, as standard, you get electric sliding berths (1,940mm x 670mm) that switch from twins to double at the touch of a button. Rival boats offer this but most as a cost option. It also has direct access via a small door to the void beneath the owner's cabin, offering excellent access to the bow thruster for those maintaining the boat and some very useful bag storage for those sleeping in this cabin.

The crew accommodation aft is just about spacious enough to work as an occasional cabin but very few of these boats will be run with the crew. The best option is probably to have the space lined out for storage but keep the bathroom so that those who've been for a swim can go to the toilet and have a shower without traipsing water through the interior of the boat. 

Helm Station

Absolute's helms were the best in the business before it came up with this all-new design for the 52 and, somehow, it's made them even better. The lower helm is particularly good thanks to its beautifully clean design with a pair of angled pods that direct the MFDs toward the skipper and create a driver-focussed, cockpit-like feel. The twin helm seats are adjustable and have a bolster section so you can stand at the helm and drive; the relationship between the adjustable steering wheel, throttles, and IPS joystick is absolutely perfect.

There is the option of a third control station in the cockpit is welcome but with the joystick at the lower helm positioned so closely to the side door, it's a brilliant spot to moor the boat from and the all-around view is excellent. There aren't boarding gates on either side of the cockpit but having them amidships on both sides makes it far easier for the skipper to help out handling lines if they need to. 

The upper helm isn't as stylish as the one downstairs but it has all of the same ergonomic touchpoints. A good example is the positioning of the throttles and joystick on the same molding but the latter is mounted higher so you can reach it more easily when standing up and throttles are set low so they are more comfortable to reach when seated out at sea. Positioning the navigator's seat outside of the skipper's means that they can move in and out of the helm without disturbing the driver, too. It's all very well thought out and near impossible to fault.  

The cockpit follows a familiar form with its modular furniture and open haunches though some updates are new for the 52. The lighting design in the overhang is fresh as is the small lip of the smoked glass and stainless steel that adds some protection to the open gunwales while maintaining the views out over the water. 

Absolute's supplied furniture is lovely stuff that can be arranged in myriad ways, either as single armchairs or, because the armrests can be removed, sofas and day beds. It's so much more flexible and comfortable than a fixed bench. The open transom also means that those in the cockpit have a great view over the hydraulic bathing platform and can easily keep an eye on people in the water. 

The side decks require a sideways shuffle to move along them as they aren't the widest in the class but with tall guardrails and toerails it feels perfectly safe to negotiate them. The 52 Fly has one of the best foredecks in the class. The side decks are linked by a passageway that splits the sofa and sun pad, which makes getting from one side of the boat to the other far easier. The sun pad has a clever hinged backrest that acts either as a headrest for sunbathers or creates a bench that faces aft to join the hi-lo teak table. The entire area can be shaded by a canopy that attaches to carbon fiber poles, which stow in the engine room. 

Flying High

The flybridge feels large in this sector. The overhang extends a long way back and is square in its design so there is lots of space at the aft end for yet more free-standing furniture. A hard top is an option but there is no sunroof available on this model, just the potential to add 1,320W solar panels to top up the domestic energy supply. The lighting motif on the underside of the top is the same as in the salon, which is a nice touch. As is the way the wet bar has been so neatly integrated into the aft end of the dinette sofa. It's a well-designed bar with built-in storage for the liferaft and a useful open shelf to stow towels and other loose items. The sink is standard but you'll need to add the fridge and grill to make the most of it.

Forward, there is a big dinette with a handsome teak table on a fixed pedestal and a good spread of sunbathing space adjacent to the two-person helm station. 

Value For Money

The base price of the 52 Fly at the time of writing is €UR 1.34M million ex VAT but as with most of its competitors, there are a few options that need to be added to get it to a turn-key specification.

The hydraulic bathing platform would be worth adding for functionality as would the hard top, with or without the solar panels. Unless the extra berth is going to be of use, selecting the crew cabin to be lined out with the addition of the bathroom would be an effective use of this space and endow the boat with a vast amount of dry, easily accessed gear storage. 

If you moor stern-to then the third control station in the cockpit is definitely worth thinking about, even with the view from both the lower and upper helms being so good. The Seakeeper is an expensive option but it does make a big difference to comfort levels when the boat is at anchor, so if you spend a lot of time doing that it's worth considering. 

Ultimately the 52 Fly is at the more expensive end of the market but it feels like a quality product through and through. 

It's impossible to come to a concrete conclusion about a boat without experiencing how it feels out at sea but the initial signs are very positive for the 52 Fly. Being a scaled-down version of the larger flybridge boats in the range is no bad thing because Absolute is on a roll at the moment and the three-cabin arrangement suffers very few compromises and sets the standard for space and comfort at this size of boat. The custom furniture arrangement on the deck allows for an impressive amount of customization for a boat in this sector, but you won't be disappointed with what Absolute offers either. The attention to detail is excellent throughout and there are so many small touches that will make the boat a real joy to live with. We're yet to drive it but in every other area, the 52 Fly is as good as it gets.

Reasons to Buy

• Voluminous interior
• Versatile deck spaces
• Quality and attention to detail
• Spacious flybridge

Things to Consider

• VIP cabin isn't ensuite

Naturally, the 52 Fly has a raft of rivals from competitor brands but look inside the Absolute stable first, shall we? The 56 Fly is the next rung on the Absolute flybridge ladder and the jump in price is around €200,000 so what are you getting for your money? Well, it's longer and wider so there is more space throughout, most noticeably on the flybridge and lower deck where you can get two crew berths instead of one and an extra bathroom for guests. Performance is likely to be pretty much identical, though the 52 could well be a bit punchier given it's lighter than the 56 but uses the same Volvo Penta IPS800 engines with 600hp. The question is, is the 56's biggest rival now the 52?

Outside of the Absolute stable, there is plenty to challenge the 52. Galeon's 500 Fly has been around a little while now but even the brilliantly versatile 52 Fly can get close the Galeon's outstanding beach club mode arrangement with drop-down terraces and a rotating transom seating arrangement that is a stroke of genius. It can, unlike the Absolute, also be had with a tender garage big enough for a Williams Minijet. Below deck, there are three cabins, including a full beam owner's suite amidships, a double VIP and a third cabin with a pair of bunks. It's available with a variety of Volvo Penta shaft drive engine options (D11 725s the pick) or IPS, though it's an expensive option. For sheer deck space, it's untouchable. 

Azimut's 53 isn't as functional as the Absolute but with exterior design by Alberto Mancini and an eye-popping Achille Salvagni interior, it's a cracking-looking boat. It's all sharp lines and subtle curves in comparison to the bombastic Absolute, which is a more acquired taste. Like the 53 Fly, the Azimut has a three-cabin, two-bathroom layout with space for a single crew member aft but the interior design really is like nothing else in the market. The 53 also runs on IPS but the larger D11 725hp blocks of IPS950 so its top speed is more in the region of 32 knots and it will cruise a bit more quickly, too. 

The Sunseeker Manhattan 55 (and its predecessor, the Manhattan 52) is one of the most popular boats that the Poole shipyard has ever produced. It's easy to see why given the mix of performance, style and interior space. Attention to detail and finish also took a marked turn for the better with the 55, too. Like the Galeon 500, it's available with IPS or shafts and will top out at around 32 knots. It's one of the more engaging boats in the sector to drive, too, as you expect of something wearing the Sunseeker crest. The layout is quite similar to the Absolute's, though there is more fixed furniture on the flybridge. It's a great all-rounder.  

Specifications

• Builder Absolute
• Range Flybridge
• Model 52 FLY
• Length Overall 54.987ft
• Beam 15.322ft
• Yacht Type (Primary) Flybridge
• Use Type (Primary) Cruising
• Cruising Speed Max Speed
• Fuel Capacity 476 Gallons
• Fresh Water Capacity 172 Gallons
• Engine Model 2x Volvo Penta D8-IPS800

Absolute 52 FLY Layout

The aft end of the flybridge is set up for free-standing furniture; the integration of the wet bar into the back of the dinette is a clever touch 

There is the option to spec your own furniture in the cockpit and on the flybridge but Absolute's is lovely 

A crew cabin is an option but you can have storage with the bathroom if the sleeping space is surplus to requirements 

Jack Haines

Jack is YachtBuyer's Reviews Director. He is a writer, editor and presenter with 15 years’ experience testing over 350 motorboats of all shapes and sizes, from 20ft RIBs to 120ft yachts (and even the Royal Navy Frigate HMS Sutherland ). 

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Absolute Yachts 48 Coupe Review

• By Phil Draper
• May 20, 2022

Absolute Yachts has spent the past several years focused on its Flybridge and Navetta ranges, but the Italian company started out building sports cruisers. With its 48 Coupe, Absolute comes full circle. This yacht is based on the builder’s 47 Fly platform, and it offers something a little different.

Instead of a conventional transom of opaque composites and perhaps a built-in sofa or sun pad, the 48 Coupe’s aft deck comes bare. There is tinted glass, stainless-steel railing aft for safety, and just one transom gate to starboard. All 102 square feet of “cockpit terrace” is essentially open to owner interpretation, and Absolute offers a range of modular deck furniture for the purpose. (Teak decking is one of the bigger options.)

Like the rest of this Absolute range, this latest model is more stocky than sporty—and that’s a good thing. Long, low and pointy is OK for speed, but not always for comfort. Absolute’s team believes that today’s tastes have moved on to comfortable cruising and quality time aboard.

Note that there’s no sunroof option with this model, principally because Absolute has started to embrace solar technology. The coach roof can carry up to 2.5 kilowatts’ worth of solar cells, part of which are inset into a thermally reflective glass panel that delivers light, but not heat, to the salon below. Half that kilowatt capacity comes standard. The other half is optional. With the full solar set, there should be enough power on a sunny day to run all the usual daytime utilities, save for the air-conditioning system, which needs either the main engines or generator. Then again, there is plenty of fresh air when all the doors are open and the picture windows on each side are lowered halfway down.

Absolute is keeping this model as simple as possible from a production standpoint. The contemporary interior layout and most of the decor are fixed. There’s a choice of aft-deck doors; the 48 Coupe I got aboard had the optional triple-section set that opens extra-wide. The main salon is laid out with an aft galley on the same level as the aft deck. Up a step are a lounge and booth-dining area amidships. The single helm seat and bridge are forward. The salon’s sole is a stained oak that’s optional in the staterooms. There’s 7 feet of headroom in the galley and at least 6 feet, 3 inches up by the prime seats.

Accommodations on the lower deck are three staterooms. There is a forepeak master, a location that makes for quiet should owners want to moor stern-to at the marina. The amount of space beneath the foredeck is pretty good because the bow sections are fairly full. The berth is set on a diagonal. There’s a closet to port, and the en suite shower is to starboard. Absolute makes use of sliding, or “pocket,” doors to conserve space.

The yacht’s two other staterooms are amidships. The one to port is a forward-facing, double-berth affair with a vanity desk or a washer/dryer cupboard, as well as a closet inboard that runs across the rest of the beam to starboard. A twin-berth stateroom is forward of that closet to starboard. Both guest staterooms share the portside shower, which doubles as a day head.

All of Absolute’s models have Volvo Penta IPS diesels. The 48 Coupe comes with twin 480 hp D6 diesels and IPS650 pod drives. Expect about a 28-knot top-end speed at 3,800 rpm, depending on load. This model will be most efficient skipping along at around 25 knots and 3,500 rpm, at which the fuel burn is around 1.6 gallons per mile. Given the fuel capacity of 423 gallons, that’s 10 hours’ worth of cruising time. At 20 knots, the motors will burn around 34 gallons per hour, providing a theoretical range of around 224 nautical miles with a 10 percent reserve. At 10 knots, the range would push out by another 40 nm or so, and at 8 knots, owners could conceivably run for around 500 nm.

Ergonomics at the helm are good whether the skipper is seated or perched on the bolster. Unusual for a boat this size, there’s full standing headroom at the wheel, as well as a side-deck door. Thanks to all that glass—and the absence of a tall fridge/freezer in the galley—the views from the wheel are virtually 360 degrees.

I ran Hull No. 1 off Varazze, Italy, which lies 20 miles west of Genoa. It’s a confidence-inspiring, stable yacht to pilot. To turn more sharply, disengage the coordinated turn function in Volvo Penta’s Active Ride Control system. Doing so will automatically limit any leaning through turns.

Absolute’s return to its roots seems to be successful. The 48 Coupe offers the comfort and luxury of the Flybridge and Navetta lines, but with a look and feel that sports-cruiser enthusiasts can embrace.

Docking Help

The first 48 Coupe has Volvo Penta’s Assisted Docking system. The IPS joystick not only vectors thrusts from the pods and a Sleipner proportional bow thruster, but it also references those with dynamic-positioning capability. The boat can go just about anywhere, including perfectly sideways. When I took my hand off the joystick, the boat held the same position and attitude—a great comfort to even the most experienced captains.

Safe and Secure

Raymarine’s DockSense technology helps prevent collisions by overriding steering and throttle commands. The system has three camera boxes, one on each side and one aft-facing. Their views appear together on one of the helm’s monitors, with a schematic radar view that references the gaps between the boat and any surface objects. Green, amber and red colors combined with audible beeps warn the skipper as the gaps narrow.

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This 52-Foot Cruiser Delivers Superyacht Amenities in a Compact Package

Features like two main suites, a sweeping bridge and twin helms give the absolute 52 fly real authority in the 50-foot flybridge segment., kevin koenig, kevin koenig's most recent stories, this 170-foot sportfishing superyacht is one of the world’s first—here’s a look inside.

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Absolute Yachts’ most recent model is the 52 Fly, which rolled out at the 2023 Miami International Boat Show. From the first step aboard, it was clear the Italian builder had sweated not only the details, but also pushed the genre ahead of its competition.

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The hull’s glazing, resembling a short, tanto-bladed knife and a vertical bow up front, also added to the contemporary design. Undulating LED lighting inlays in the cockpit overhang imparted a cool, sophisticated look to the space. At the same time, a starboard-side docking station spoke to this boat’s bona fides as a serious cruising machine.

The salon also had design touches that one might not expect to find on a 52-ft. semi-custom build. The aft galley had a four-burner Bosch cooktop and a six-foot-tall, stacked refrigerator and freezer that is useful for longer trips. The drawers all had chic leather tabs as handles, extending a beach-like, elegant vibe to the space.

The starboard-side helm was another place onboard that feels just a little bit different than the standard offerings in this size and class.

Twin Garmin screens were angled off in a small arc, as opposed to facing straight back, which gave them a slightly futuristic feel. Tightly stitched helix patterns in the seat-backs of the helm chairs pointed towards a high level of fit and finish.

A sturdy door next to the helm led to the side deck. Perhaps most important for the helmsperson, the Volvo Penta joystick control was maneuverable while standing on that side deck. The joystick and cockpit control station should make docking this boat easier than a conventional setup.

One of the other significant layouts was the flybridge. Absolute managed to make it look stylish and large, without appearing top heavy. The design included a large forward lounge surrounding the helm station, with back-to-front seats to port, and an L-shaped lounge extending back to the transom, with a center dining table. The side island with fridge can also double as a serving station. The overhead hardtop had an opening center window, and stereo speakers were embedded into the bridge.

Our final impression after a tour aboard: The Absolute 52 Fly was more than the sum of its parts. The boat was full-featured without looking crowded, but also highly functional. This 52-footer was clearly ready for a weekend cruise or extended voyage. The Italian builder proved that a well-conceived design makes for a well-rounded boat.

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Shipyard review: Absolute, Italy’s inland innovators

• April 22, 2021

Located over 100km inland of coastal cities like Genoa and yacht-building hubs like La Spezia and Viareggio, the Absolute facility is a self-contained hub of in-house innovation, automation, craftsmanship and friendly, family-style management. By Clare Mahon.

Absolute is situated outside Piacenza, situated 60km southeast of Milan in northern Italy

I’m driving around looking for the Absolute shipyard, my instincts and my navigation app at war. There’s not a body of water in sight. A green sea of freshly ploughed fields is all around me and the aroma is of farmland, not low tide.

Feeling I must be way off track, I pull over to see what’s wrong. Suddenly, a truck loaded with Volvo Penta IPS engines passes me. Follow that truck, I tell myself, and soon I’m there.

The entrance to the five-hectare production facility

Sergio Maggi and Marcello Bè founded Absolute in 2002 in an area outside of Piacenza where the other major industry is … tomato canning. After all, Piacenza is in northern Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, renowned for its local produce including ham, salami, cheese and pasta, as well as wine.

This, plus the fact the Med is about 100km south, make it an unusual location for shipbuilding, but Maggi and Bè are locals and wanted to stay close to their roots and the hardworking local talent.

Co-founders Sergio Maggi (above, centre) and Marcello Bè (below, far right) in meetings

The two had met while employed at Cantieri Nautici Gobbi, but when the company was sold, they decided to branch off and establish a yard of their own. Four years later, looking for ways to increase automation in their production lines, they asked former boss Angelo Gobbi to join them at Absolute.

“We started with nothing much more than a good first boat,” Maggi says. “Going forward, we had an idea of what we wanted, but we didn’t know how to get there. Angelo is our visionary. He had the knowhow and guided us to where we are today.”

Absolute is all about teamwork and efficiency, not ego. Gobbi happily joined his former employees as a partner and put his skills to work creating a state-of-the-art facility spread over almost 50,000sqm – imagine seven football pitches – where boats are built using an optimised production chain called Integrated Structural System or ISS.

A hull prepared for deck trimming

Hulls are hand-finished while their corresponding interior structures are precision cut by robotic arms using CNC technology. Dedicated teams then assemble the interiors in modules and lower them into the hulls.

After the interiors have been mounted and sealed, the hulls are taken out of their moulds and the running systems are installed. The organisation and automation are astounding, and the shipyard works around the clock.

GRP lamination

After the human workforce goes home, robots and computers take over, fetching supplies from a large and recently expanded automatic warehouse then setting them up for the next day’s work.

While Absolute is open to every kind of software upgrade and technological improvement, Maggi says that building a yacht will never be a fully automated or entirely industrial process.

Automated machinery in the warehouse

“We can try to organise delivery and production to the highest degree, but there will always be a lot of handwork involved in laying a hull and mounting running systems. We design everything in 3D and nothing is left to chance, but we will still always need humans to do quality control,” Maggi says.

It’s this blend of humanity and technology that makes Absolute Yachts special. Everything at Absolute is done in-house by a tightly knit team headed by management and ownership that are one and the same. “And we’re here all day, every day,” says Cesare Mastroianni, CCO and Vice President of Sales.

Giuseppe Bertocci (Head of Production), co-founders Sergio Maggi and Marcello Bè, Paola Carini (Administration & HR), Angelo Gobbi (President), Patrizia Gobbi (General Manager) and Cesare Mastroianni (CCO & Vice President of Sales)

The shipyard staff is like an extended family, but unlike most families, they work well as a team and seem to like each other. This all-in-it-together approach allows Absolute to move quickly and stay flexible.

“We have invested in our people,” says Mastroianni. “We don’t need to have a lot of meetings. Sometimes we just discuss ideas by the coffee machine.”

IN-HOUSE CREATIVITY

Maggi, who on top of being a co-founder also heads the design department, echoes Mastroianni’s words.

“We believe in staying independent and doing everything in-house. Yes, maybe you miss having people bring you new ideas from outside, but if you do that, you’re always trying to chase a new concept, looking for solutions to new problems,” Maggi says.

Absolute uses 3D printing and modelling in their yacht designs

“Absolute’s approach is more like adaptive evolution because the team that has created all the best features of previous yachts know which ones to apply to new models. We’re building on our experience and the suggestions we get from our owners and dealers.”

Absolute works with a ratio of about one stylist to three engineers. “The stylist does their part, then shows their work to the engineers and they take over the project,” Maggi says.

“This means we have a perfect synergy between our production and our style departments. They go hand in hand, and this helps us to guarantee quality. We don’t go for impact or extras – everything is functional.

The bodywork department

“Maybe an owner who’s looking for a status symbol won’t like what we do, but an owner who wants to live aboard and enjoy their yacht in safety and comfort will find what they’re looking for in an Absolute.”

Keep in mind that these are Italians, so style, even if it’s functional style, is always part of the package, as are bon vivant touches like wine cellars and stemmed glasses designed to adhere magnetically to tabletops. And in a yachting market that’s constantly changing, Absolute likes to stay a step or two ahead.

“We try to come up with two new boat designs per year because the market is changing all the time,” Maggi says. “It usually takes us about a year to develop a model, but in my head right now I’m thinking of four or five new projects – two we’ve just begun, two in the final stages of planning and one that’s still to come. The cycle is continuous and keeps us busy.”

Absolute’s quality department overlooks the factory floor

One thing that seems like it will never change is Absolute’s love for a certain propulsion system, Maggi confirms. “Volvo IPS forever! When we were designing our first model, we heard that IPS was coming and we contacted Volvo right away. I think we were the first to use them.”

From a builder’s point of view, Maggi loves how IPS works with industrial production methods and can be mounted in a smaller aft space. And he also likes the client comfort that comes with reduced noise and vibration, as well as the improved fuel consumption.

FROM LAND TO SEA

While Absolute’s ultra-sophisticated build technology seems to know no limits, the dimensions of Italy’s autostrada expressways pose some strict ones for a yard located quite some distance from the sea. Yachts over 52ft are divided into hull and superstructure before being trucked down to the open water, otherwise they wouldn’t fit through tunnels or under overpasses.

The superstructure of a 60 Fly is prepared to be lowered onto the hull

“We have a lot of experience in designing for the maximum possible size for overland transportation and we’re very quick at dissembling and re-assembling our yachts,” Mastroianni says.

“I can’t reveal any secrets, but over the years we’ve perfected a kind of plug-and-play system for re-joining the electrical and hydraulic systems between hull and superstructure. We can have a yacht up to 58ft ready to go in just 36 hours, whereas larger yachts are ready with all commissioning systems tested in 10 days.”

Just as Absolute’s production system is all in-house, its sales network is entirely run by their own dealers, which in Asia include Hong Kong-based Absolute Marine, whose orders for the city include the new Navetta 64, set to arrive in late 2021.

An Absolute Navetta 48 in the test pool

“We invest in the yard, its technology and in new models but we also invest in our dealers, backing them up and keeping them informed,” Mastroianni says. “We began working in the Far East in 2012 in China and then in Hong Kong. Later, we began working in Japan and Taiwan and lately in Singapore. We have recently appointed a dealer in Thailand.

“Thomas Woo [of Absolute Marine] in Hong Kong is one of our top dealers, both for the volume of boats that he sells and for the fact that he sells consistently well across our entire range. It’s a niche market, but he knows his business.”

The Navetta 73 is Absolute’s flagship – the first unit in Hong Kong was delivered in 2020

Boarding an Absolute yacht, you may find yourself curious about the unusual, volume-maximising lines, but rest assured that you’ll step back to shore impressed by the build quality and the planning and intelligence that have gone into getting the most liveability out of every millimetre.

SUNNY FUTURE

Absolute is constantly updating its range to keep on top of market trends and is still receiving acclaim for the Navetta 64 that debuted late last year, due in large to the innovative option of a convertible aft cabin beside the swim platform.

This year’s new models will be the 48’ Coupé and the 60 Fly, the former introducing a new series featuring solar power, while the latter offers the option of solar panels on the hardtop. 

Absolute 60 Fly features forward master The upcoming Absolute 60 Fly features a full-beam master cabin forward on the lower deck, following the designs on the Italian builder’s larger models.

Maggi says: “The 60 Fly will be a new reference point for flybridge yachts, a boat that will establish the parameters for this typology of yacht in the years to come.”

Not surprisingly for a shipyard that loves engineering as much as design, Absolute set up a mini solar energy plant to find the best type of solar panels to mount on its yachts, with the system to be rolled out on the 48 Coupè.

The master cabin on the 60 Fly is forward

Translucent solar panels in the roofing will produce energy for running the boat’s hotel systems while also letting light, but not heat, filter into the saloon. You can drop anchor, turn off your engine and generators, and enjoy the clean air and silence. Interestingly, Maggi says the Coupè design is more reflective of Absolute’s earliest ranges (Sport Cruiser, Sport Yacht, Sport Line) than the subsequent Fly and Navetta lines.

“The 48’ Coupè is the modern heir to our first boats, but things have changed in the meantime. Clients used to want something fast and glamorous, and didn’t really care about living on the water. Now, on top of moving fast, our clients want a comfortable boat where they can entertain and stay aboard for extended periods of time. Now, you need function and ease of use,” Maggi says.

Absolute 60 Fly features forward master Italian builder plans to debut 48 Coupé at Cannes Yachting Festival in September 2021

  “The Coupé still has a sporty soul and delivers on the water, but it’s also comfortable and sustainable. We designed extra-large windows that open and close like car windows, so there’s as much fresh air moving through the boat as possible. The aft section has openings in the gunwales and glass under the aft railing so you can see the water at all times.”

Ironically, the Absolute shipyard doesn’t have such views of the sea, but it does have a management team with a crystal-clear vision of what they want for their clients and how to deliver it. www.absoluteyachts.com

Sharly and Stephen Chun on their Absolute 58 Fly Sports car lover Stephen Chun and his wife Sharly are hands-on owners of an Absolute 58 Fly, which they keep between Aberdeen and Sai Kung, and take out up to four times a week.

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• The Absolute Sphere
• Technical Specifications

What if perfection had a shape?

A sphere encapsulates everything we know to be perfect. Absolute Navetta 75, the ultimate balance of excellence. Aim for the best.

Absolute Navetta 75 The Absolute Sphere

Perfection , harmony and absolute balance : like a sphere, the fleet’s flagship Navetta 75 embodies the excellence of Absolute boats to ensure a one-of-a-kind travelling experience .

Every detail on Navetta 75 is designed to make it unique and attractive.

Every detail reflects the shipyard’s signature style and sleek lines . Glass parapets and large windows offer un obstructed sea views; large rooms with high ceilings are designed on a single level to ensure ultimate comfort on board. The presence of covered walkways accessible from the inside provides unparalleled ease of use.

The aft cockpit is where the magic happens: designed as a terrace with open side gunwales and a glass rear parapet , it fulfils Absolute’s idea of a boundless cruising experience.

With modular, non-fixed furnishings, this area can easily change to suit the owner’s needs, ensuring an impeccable onboard experience from morning to night.

Thanks to a large aft platform, nothing will keep you away from the charm of the sea.

The flybridge also aspires to achieve the highest level of versatility and liveability : a large sundeck at the bow overlooking the sea; a majestic terrace at the stern to admire the horizon from the highest point, and, finally, a single space including a kitchen, a dining area and a helm station that forms the centre of the deck , for multiple onboard experiences.

The very high level of technology allows you to have complete control over mooring manoeuvres without sacrificing good times with friends. In addition, two stair cases make it easy for the crew to move wherever they are needed, ensuring privacy without interfering with guests.

Cosy rooms, large spaces and high quality Made in Italy finishes welcome you inside the Navetta 75.

Generously illuminated by large windows, the living spaces on the main deck are furnished with elegant sofas and sleek Absolute-style design elements . The kitchen area is also highly versatile, with a wall that opens onto the dining room and easy access to outdoor spaces. Once again, a combination of style, comfort and functionality make the boat owner and guests feel at home.

On a raised, intermediate level between the lower deck and the main deck, the bow master cabin is an oasis of privacy, quiet, and comfort : full beam , private access , premium furnishings and an en-suite bathroom . It encloses the perfect balance of cosy spaces and boundless panoramas.

The sleeping area on the lower deck is arranged as in larger yachts, with two double cabins with private bathrooms and a twin bed cabin that comfortably welcomes guests at midship .

Finally, the crew quarters at the stern are designed to ensure functionality and privacy, with private bathroom and kitchen .

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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The key to understand this project is all in its name “Sport Line” and its sports nature. You get on board through a small platform and then you enter the cockpit from the safe side passage, well protected by an enveloping gunwale.

The U-shape sofa with dining table hosts 6 people in true and full comfort. The kitchen with its special furniture helps to corroborate the on-board pleasant atmosphere with its hob, sink and fridge. The spaces on the deck are enriched by the second bow sundeck with adjustable backrests, which can also comfortably host 3 people.

A classical sliding companionway hatch protects the access to the lower deck, getting down two large steps you can access the dinette. At port side, you can find a second complete galley, to be used in case of bad weather, and towards bow there is the dining table with the sofa (if necessary, they can be converted into a double bed). Coming back towards aft, under the cockpit, you can find the second strong attraction of the project: the separate full-beam cabin with wide double bed and spectacular windows just above the waterline. Worthy of mention, the full-functional head and shower at starboard.

To continually improve its models, Absolute reserves the discretion to produce on its own boats all the suitable variations, also in waiver of the specifications contained in catalogues, price lists, technical files, internet websites, advertising, newspaper articles and in every other publication, without any prior notice: even if Absolute tries, its best to update the informative documentation, every type of quoted publication can not be considered a certain and updated source of the current executive specifications. Absolute boats are offered to the world market and for this reason they can be equipped with standard and optional equipment, different from Country to Country. The brands and the models of the appliances, audiovisuals, electro-mechanical, hydraulic, electronic, sanitary ware, thermo-technical devices, etc.. presented in catalogues, price lists, technical files, internet websites, advertising, newspaper articles, boat shows, visible on board of demonstrative boats, are n... Read more»

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