US Investor’s $70M Superyacht Is a Mind-Blowing Italian Masterpiece

Although built two years prior, this Benetti yacht rose to fame after Todd Chaffee acquired it in 2021. The American venture capitalist and philanthropist had all the traits of the classic superyacht owner yet hadn't actually owned one before Artisan. However, he and his wife had enjoyed chartering luxury yachts for nearly a decade, so they weren't newbies by far when it came to floating mansions.

After a long search, it was love at first for Chaffee when he laid eyes on the 206-foot (63 meters) Benetti. His favorite quality was the perfect blend of elegance, spaciousness, and performance. He even renamed it Artisan (it had been previously known as Metis) in honor of its exceptional design and of the hard-working team that brought it to life.

The finance mogul enjoyed Artisan in full privacy for the first two years with his family and friends, many of whom considered the time they spent onboard as the most fun they've ever had. Eventually, he decided to share it with charter customers, but not for cheap. One week onboard this beauty, currently cruising in the South of France, costs no less than $644,000.

Finally, he did what all superyacht owners end up doing: Chaffee put Artisan on the market after less than three years of ownership. The asking price isn't public, but Artisan was reported to be worth somewhere around $70 million. And it's fully worthy of that price, if not more.

Artisan is the 27th-largest yacht built by one of the most prestigious and prolific Italian shipyards (some even say that Benetti is Italy's greatest). Like many other of its sister ships, it became an instant award winner, securing the World Yacht Trophy for "Best Exterior Design" in 2019 and the World Superyacht Award in 2020.

Giorgio Cassetta of Cassetta Yacht Designers created Artisan's superb exterior lines, highlighting the vertical bow and unusually long foredeck. The spectacular interiors bear the signature of another iconic name, Bannenberg & Rowell. The result is a superyacht that looks and feels vast, boasting exceptionally large living spaces fitted with the most luxurious amenities.

The master suite, for instance, covers no less than 160 square meters (1,722 square feet). In addition to the majestic bed, this sumptuous apartment comes with two interconnected bathrooms, two dressing rooms, an office, and a lounge area.

The forward-facing windows offer amazing panoramic views, but that wasn't enough. The suite also connects to a private terrace with a cozy seating area and private sun loungers for the owner. This setup turns the entire forward deck into the owner's intimate playground. The owner also has private access to the helipad, which is mostly used as a generous entertainment area.

Outside, the aft bridge deck is another spectacular area on board. This 14-meter-long (45.9 feet) space houses a sophisticated bar, numerous sun loungers, and a large jacuzzi. Below, on the upper aft deck, Artisan integrates one of its most luxurious features. It's an advanced heating system that turns the exterior area into a winder garden where guests can dine and enjoy the outdoors any time of the year.

The overall interior design stands out due to an ingenious twist. Bannenberg & Rowell rotated all the traditional living space by 30 degrees. Apparently simple, this shift makes the onboard experience even more fascinating – even the views are different thanks to this unconventional arrangement.

As you'd expect, this sumptuous floating mansion boasts an incredible array of precious materials and unique décor items. Oak in various finishes combines with stainless steel and cream-colored leather to create a sophisticated, contemporary look.

The bar dominating the upper salon is a work of art by itself; it's made of rare white marble, with polished steel adding a refined frame. It's not the only eye-catching piece in the salon. There's also a high-gloss grand piano doubling as a unique decorative piece.

No modern superyacht would be complete without a gym. Artisan flaunts its gym up on the sun deck. It's a climate-controlled space that includes a yoga studio. On the same deck, guests get to enjoy an observation lounge with great views and a balcony aft.

Artisan's beach club is more than what you typically find onboard yachts this size. It opens on three sides and ensures enough room for a bar and a lounge, but there's more. The same 30-degree offset that makes the yacht's interiors so unique turns the beach club into a special place. Here, with a single glance, guests can admire two sea views. This unique perspective is what makes Artisan a masterpiece.

Equipped for fun family vacations, Artisan includes a children's playroom and a nanny cabin in its cabin configuration. The nanny's cabin can also double as a massage room. In all, Artisan can accommodate up to 12 guests in seven cabins. Its large garage stores two luxury tenders and a collection of fun toys, including a large inflatable seawater pool.

Performance-wise, it promises a 5,000-nautical mile (9,260 km) range, with twin MTU engines propelling it at 15 knots (17 mph/27.7 kph).

Whoever becomes Artisan's new owner is bound to feel lucky. This majestic build has the potential to become one of the most iconic Benetti superyachts of all time.