Benetti's shipyard in Viareggio, Italy, witnessed the launching event of the seventh unit in the Diamond 44M series, christened Papa Joe. The celebration paid homage to maritime tradition, upheld by the historic Italian yard for generations, as the vessel made its entry into the water through a slide launch like the famous Benettis of the past.
For those out of the loop, the slide launch is one of the oldest nautical traditions in which the yacht basically slides down a dedicated area sloping toward the water. An 184-foot (56-meter) inclined slipway perpendicular to the water at the Viareggio shipyard facilitated the grandiose launch, which was accompanied by a flurry of confetti.
As mentioned, the 145-foot (44.1-meter) yacht is a Diamond 44M model, which is the flagship of the Benetti Class semi-custom series. It was built as a family recreational watercraft for a private owner who wants to make it his home away from home.
The exquisite, imposing external lines of the vessel come from the drawing boards of leading yacht designer Giorgio Maria Cassetta, while the opulent interiors, defined by a contemporary, sophisticated, yet welcoming ambiance, were meticulously designed in-house by Benetti's Interior Style Department.
With a beam of 30 feet (9 meters), Papa Joe boasts a generous 471-gross-ton volume. The spacious living quarters offer accommodation for up to 12 guests across five staterooms and a crew of seven in five crew cabins.
As requested by the owner, the superyacht boasts an elegant style with rich details and luxurious amenities like an elegant beach area, a cinema room, and a hydromassage pool. At the same time, the vessel exudes a homey vibe, with every detail tailored to perfection to make those on board feel welcome and comfortable.
Actually, the owner's personal touch is one of the elements that sets this semi-custom yacht apart. The owner's contribution is evident in the use of Rosewood Santos veneer accents that contrast the main essence of the oak paneling, the bold color choices, and the harmonious interplay of light and neutral tones.
Pops of color like turquoise and brown in the master suite, burgundy-plum in the salon, and a peculiar shade of Levanto red for a marble table on the upper deck contribute to the feeling of "home away from home," adding calm and tranquility to the spaces.
Photo: Benetti
The layout was carefully thought out to make the most of the spaces and ensure maximum comfort for those on board. Starting from the transom, there is an elegant beach club area fitted with a lounge sofa and a bar. A sliding glass door blurs the lines between interior and exterior spaces and allows guests to enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding ocean.
The owner's lavish master suite is located on the main deck, which also includes a roomy, formal dining area and a private office furnished with a large desk. Complete privacy is ensured by different passages for the crew and guests, created in part by the Rack Room on the main deck, which integrates all the electronic and audio-video components and doubles as a service passage for the crew.
The upper deck houses an area dedicated to the captain of Papa Joe, comprising the wheelhouse and a private cabin, as well as a spacious skylounge and a cinema room where guests can enjoy relaxing film nights and stunning sea views towards the stern. An area for sun pads and a custom hydromassage pool can also be found at the bow of the upper deck.
Besides dedicated spaces for entertainment, relaxation, and socialization, Papa Joe also includes a spacious garage for a 20-foot (6-meter) tender and two jet skis to allow guests to truly enjoy the water in exciting ways.
In terms of construction, the new Diamond 44M yacht boasts a GPR hull and superstructure. It is powered by twin MAN engines that propel it to a top speed of 15 knots with a range of 3,800 nautical miles (7.037 km).
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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