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Maiora 35 Exuma Reviewed

• By Phil Draper
• May 31, 2024

The first Maiora I ever reviewed was an 80-foot flybridge called Max & Ale , back in the mid-1990s. It had a dark, high-gloss, flame-cut mahogany interior with a lot of bright, canary-yellow upholstery. That yacht had a personality, plain and simple.

More recently, I got aboard Pesa II , which is a Maiora 35 Exuma , and I wondered what kind of personality a yacht with the model designation Exuma might have. Despite all my years of getting on boats, I have never visited the Bahamas—a massive omission for someone in my deck shoes, I know. But alas, it’s all too true, for now at least. My online search led me to the Bahamian musician Tony McKay, also known as Exuma, who is currently my go-to life soundtrack. Soon, I was reading up on the island chain that runs southeast of Nassau down to Great Exuma. Pals with years of experience cruising those shoal waters tell me the Exumas are some of the most idyllic islands in the world, especially if you like scuba diving. But you do need the right boat to get the most out of them, with a shoal draft and good speed.

Pesa II is just such a yacht. This 115-foot composite trideck launched last May with a striking, silver-metallic livery and an unusual general arrangement.

Approaching from the stern, guests step aboard at the swim platform. Curved “palazzo steps” extend across the transom. While the cockpit is conventional enough—it has a sun pad and booth-sofa island, as well as stairs to the deck above—what lies beyond is far from ordinary. You could say this yacht is almost a wide-body, or even that it has partial asymmetry. At the main-deck level, it has a sizable salon with a single, well-protected side deck to port and a full-beam owners’ stateroom forward, plus a few other surprises.

The salon aboard Pesa II has three zones. An L-shaped sofa is to port, with a dining table for eight to 10 guests forward, and a pair of armchairs and a coffee table to starboard. The views through picture windows make the whole space feel special.

Above, the upper deck is accessed via stairs that arch between an amidships lobby to starboard, and a pantry and the main galley to port. The upper deck is a supremely flexible entertainment space. It has outdoor sun loungers and an inside sky lounge, which, on Pesa II , has a sofa to starboard and formal dining forward to port. There’s also a three-monitor bridge console with a centerline pilot seat flanked by double bench seats, all upholstered in a diamond-stitched cream leather.

Side doors access wing stations and, ultimately, the foredeck terrace. Beyond those side doors, the whole deck space can be opened up to the elements via a sliding sunroof, drop-down side glazing and the aft-deck doors. The Maiora team calls the space a “fly on demand” because it almost becomes one enormous flybridge.

This design is most unusual for also providing a smaller wheelhouse forward on the main deck. It has doors on each side that access the working foredeck, and a dogleg staircase to port that connects with the crew area belowdecks. The crew space has a galley and mess to port, a captain’s double-berth cabin to starboard, and two twin-bunk cabins on each side of the fo’c’sle.

The owners’ stateroom has a forward-facing super-king berth with a vanity/desk to port and a corner sofa to starboard. Its en suite and walk-in closet are forward. Pesa II ’s guest accommodations are belowdecks: four double-berth staterooms accessed from an amidships lobby. The aft stateroom’s double berths convert to twins, and one of the staterooms aboard Pesa II has a Pullman berth. The other two guest staterooms are amidships, one of them a larger VIP. Both have double berths, and the VIP’s berth is positioned for great views of the outdoors.

There’s an organic feel to Pesa II ’s interior, which Maiora’s creative team worked up with the yacht’s owners. A big-block parquet sole with matte oaks and bleached-walnut veneer detailing sets the tone. The sky lounge has a teak sole. The color palette throughout the yacht features whites, creams, fawns and taupes, as well as bright marbles for tables and bathrooms. It’s a soft, contemporary vibe that, to my eye, has a hint of the late 1960s and early 1970s in the low-furniture choices. Virtually everything is curved, ribbed, rounded or radiused. All of the mirrors are irregular shapes, and they bounce around the natural light that comes through the glazing.

And then, there’s performance. Despite the yacht’s near-plumb bow, which maximizes the waterline length at displacement speeds, everything below the waterline is aimed at planing performance. There’s a V-hull form with spray rails and chine flats. Power is triple 2,000 hp MTU 12V 2000 M96X diesels paired to triple MJP water jets. The two outer jets are steerable, and the center one serves as a booster.

Maiora’s quoted top speed is normally 35 knots, but Pesa II ’s top-end is a couple of knots slower. This yacht is available for charter, and it has “night mode” lithium-ion batteries that supply hotel loads without running the engines—a great feature, but one that adds significant battery weight. Thus, Pesa II ’s top speed is 33 knots, with a fast cruise around 27 knots.

More speed is possible with bigger engines. The third Maiora 35 Exuma has triple 2,600 hp Caterpillar diesels and a reported top speed of 42 knots. As for range, Pesa II should manage around 1,250 nautical miles at 10 knots.

Water-jet-propelled vessels have their advantages. They not only allow for a relatively small engine room aft, but they also are highly maneuverable. They have far less vibration and are ideally suited to shoal-water cruising, with no protruding props or shafts. The maximum draft on Pesa II is just 4 feet, 7 inches, and that’s at a full-load displacement of 375,000 pounds. Yachts with water jets can also deliver a crash stop, which normally means hauling up within not much more than a boat length from any speed.

For tenders, there are two garages aboard the Maiora 35 Exuma. One is aft beneath the cockpit for an 11-foot-6-inch service tender or two PWC, while the other is a “dry” transverse space for a 21-foot main tender. That’s a good-size ride to head out in for some exploring, but with so much to enjoy on board the Maiora 35 Exuma, most owners and guests won’t be gone for too long.

The First Exuma

The first Maiora 35 Exuma, Lady Nina , was delivered in 2020 to Central American owners. It is now based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was exhibited at the most recent Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. It has a darker, contemporary interior, and triple 1,925 hp Cats for a top speed of 35 knots.

Jet Experts

The Next Yacht Group has more experience with water-jet installations than most other yacht builders in the Maiora 35 Exuma’s size segment. This group has been delivering such craft consistently for well over 30 years.

What’s in a Name?

The Maiora name comes from the Latin phrase ad maiora, which roughly translates as “toward greater things.” A new range of Exumas is being worked up by architect Marco Casamonti, whose first project with the Next Yacht Group is the AB110 expected to debut later this year.

Made in Italy

Formerly known as FIPA Italiana Yachts, the Next Yacht Group is headquartered in Viareggio, a resort city on Italy’s west coast that is home to many of the nation’s best-known yacht builders. The group includes the Maiora, AB and CBI Navi brands. Maioras are built in Viareggio, while Maiora Exumas and ABs are built in nearby Massa. The CBI Navi brand is reserved for custom metal vessels.

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Meet ‘Lady Nina,’ a 115-Foot Carbon-Fiber Yacht That’s as Fast as It Is Stylish

Depending on where you're going, this high speed planing vessel can cut your travel time in half., rachel cormack.

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Maiora has become somewhat of a front runner in the field of fast, fiberglass yachts. The Italian yard, which is an offshoot of Fipa Group , has delivered a spate of breakneck vessels since it was founded in the ’70s. its latest 115-footer, known as Lady Nina , features a high-speed planing hull and promises to cut your travel time in half.

The first in Maiora’s new Exuma series, the vessel features the yard’s signature carbon fiber construction with both interiors and exteriors designed in-house. She was built for a repeat client from the Americas and debuted at the Genoa Boat Show earlier this month. Naturally, her unique form garnered a lot of attention.

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Lady Nina was named after an archipelago in the Bahamas and, fittingly, navigates shallow waters with ease. She’s unusually fast for her size thanks to her fast planing hull, which sees her ride on top of the water instead of pushing through it like a displacement yacht.

Maiora Yachts

On top of that, AB Yachts —a pioneer of water jet propulsion that is also part of Fipa Group—made sure Lady Nina had plenty of (efficient) grunt. The vessel sports three 1,925 HP Caterpillar C32 Acert engines that are mated to two MJP steerable waterjets and a central booster jet. This allows Lady Nina to reach a top speed of 35 knots with next to no vibration and cover some 1,600 nautical miles. If you’re looking to get from Florida to the Bahamas in half the time, this is your gal.

To top it off, Lady Nina offers luxurious interiors fit for marine connoisseurs. The expansive main salon opens up onto an airy aft deck that spans roughly 645 square feet and is perfect for al fresco entertaining. She can sleep a total of 10 guests across a stately full-beam master suite, three guest cabins and a VIP suite that’s located on the lower deck. The real pièce de résistance, however, is the refrigerated tequila rack that is integrated into one of the side columns between the main salon and aft deck. Did somebody say salud?

Rachel Cormack is a digital editor at Robb Report. She cut her teeth writing for HuffPost, Concrete Playground, and several other online publications in Australia, before moving to New York at the…

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Second 35m Maiora 35 Exuma launched

Maiora Yachts , a brand of Next Yacht Group , has lowered the second hull of its Maiora 35 Exuma line into the water in Viareggio, Italy.

The 35-metre model was commissioned by an owner with a love of the outdoors and follows on from the first model, Lady Nina , which was launched in 2020.

The 300GT yacht shares the same vertical bow, open stern and deck configuration as its sistership, which includes a pilothouse forward of the main deck master cabin, where the owner intends to take the helm on occasion, as well as a secondary helm station on the upper deck. 

Glass is used extensively throughout the vessel with floor-to-ceiling windows in the main saloon that extend forward to the master suite. Above, sliding doors allow the upper deck to be closed off as an air-conditioned dining space, or opened to create a 130-square-metre flybridge, with a "moon-roof" that opens near-fully and glass side panels that drop down.

Accommodation is for up to 11 guests in five cabins, comprising a full-beam master cabin and four VIP cabins, with room for five or six crew. Her "guest-oriented" interiors are fully bespoke and make use of natural materials with efforts to eliminate any barriers between the yacht and the surrounding landscape.

This particular owner opted for three MTU 2,000hp engines powering three water jets and delivering a top speed of almost 35 knots. For owners looking for speed, Maiora offers a more powerful 2,600hp propulsion package.

Comfort was a key area of focus for the Maiora 35 Exuma and the model benefits from advanced soundproofing measures and the installation of an automated longitudinal and lateral trim control system and two gyro stabilizers, to reduce rolling in all possible sea conditions. She is also quiet too, fitted with a Lithium battery package that can power the hotel load for silent nights at anchor. 

There is also provision for a large tender in excess of 6.5 metres, which is stored in a side garage, while a secondary garage aft carries a 3.5-metre service tender and various toys.

The new Maiora 35 Exuma is expected to make her debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival later this year. 

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Review of Maiora 23

Basic specs..

The hull is made of fibreglass. Generally, a hull made of fibreglass requires only a minimum of maintenance during the sailing season.

The boat is equipped with 8+3 berths and 2000.0 liter fresh water capacity.

The boat is typically equipped with dual inboard MTU diesel engines at 1360 hp (1013 kW). The speed is 28.0 knots.

The fuel tank has a capacity of 8000.0 liters (2113 US gallons, 1759 imperial gallons).

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

Maiora 23 holds one CE certification:

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Maiora 23 is about 893 kg/cm, alternatively 5004 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 893 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 5004 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

The l/b ratio for Maiora 23 is 3.97.

Sorry, we do not have sufficient statistical information available for this boat to provide a significant reliable analysis.

Curiosities

Maintenance.

This section is reserved boat owner's modifications, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what you have done.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Maiora 23 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

2015 maiora 84 | never rest • sold

‘Never-Rest’ is an 84’ Maiora launched in 2015, she is one of the Maiora’s 24S series, a high-speed, durable luxury motor yacht.

Maiora has been building yachts out of fiberglass for 50 years and earned a reputation for quality and safety. The Maiora design team has a reputation for building solid, well-engineered yachts. The boat is constructed with a RINA & CE A -Certification rating. CE- A ratings have the most rigorous building codes. These are the codes that demand a construction method to sustain heavy wind and wave heights

Never Rest was the third Maiora yacht built by an American yachtsman from North Florida. Never-Rest is a great example of a collaboration between a seasoned American yachtsman building his third yacht with longtime friend /Captain’s supervision. She had one owner since new and was used as a day cruiser along the panhandle of Florida. The guest staterooms have hardly been slept in, the galley is lightly used, and the soft goods look new. The exterior teak and brightwork are in above-average condition.

The yacht’s safety features include high bulwarks, walk-around side-decks, and euro-transoms sugar-scoop design that allows easy access around the yacht. The dingy/crane storage in the bow locker helps keep the weight low and the bridge deck free and clear of a bulky tender.

The upper semi-enclosed bridge can be climate controlled with reverse cycle a/c or side windows can be removed for a more open-air feel. This area is special, as there is an enclosed head and sink so the helmsman and guests do not have to go up and down stairs to use the bathroom. The bar, settee, and lounge area are all enclosed with a bridge deck-level panoramic view. An ideal area for families wanting a kids’ area that is separated from an adult lounging area.

Aft of the enclosed bridge is a sundeck large enough for a sunchairs and grill with accesses to the aft-deck via molded stairwell with handrail.

With Never-Rest is a rare find with two midship, full beam master staterooms,  and two separate staterooms forward. She is designed to accommodate 8 guests or a partnership of two families,  all with equal cabins. Although never chartered, Never-Rests’ twin master cabin layout, high-quality joinery, and quality engineering provide luxury and endurance, capable of safely chartering through the Caribbean at 24 kts. Her bow and stern thrusters are a real bonus for any captain or owner-operator with a limited crew on deck.

Crew quarters are accessed forward of the large bow locker via the deck hatch allowing both crew and guests privacy from each other. The engine room is clean and intelligently designed, with good access to the main engines and generator including a separate pump room and a separate room for machinery. The CAT 32 Acerts have always been professionally maintained and have less than 1000 original hours.

Currently, there is no better value for quality-built yachts when comparing age, price,  condition, and location in the US. Never-Rest is sure to please with her impeccable condition and solid engineering. Never-Rest will be on display at the Palm Beach boat show from March 23 to 26.

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NOT FOR CHARTER *

This Yacht is not for Charter*

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AURORA yacht NOT for charter*

27m  /  88'7 | maiora | 2004.

Owner & Guests

• Previous Yacht

Special Features:

• Cruising speed of 27 knots
• Sleeps 8 overnight
• Able to access shallow bays and coves

The 27m/88'7" motor yacht 'Aurora' (ex. Sefira) was built by Maiora . Her interior is styled by design house Roberto Del Re and she was completed in 2004. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Maiora.

Guest Accommodation

Aurora has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 8 guests in 4 suites. She is also capable of carrying up to 4 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience.

Range & Performance

Aurora is built with a GRP hull and GRP superstructure. Aurora comfortably cruises at 27 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 31 knots. Her low draft of makes her primed for accessing shallow areas and cruising close to the shorelines.

*Charter Aurora Motor Yacht

Motor yacht Aurora is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht.

Aurora Yacht Owner, Captain or marketing company

'Yacht Charter Fleet' is a free information service, if your yacht is available for charter please contact us with details and photos and we will update our records.

Aurora Photos

NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Specification

M/Y Aurora

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Maiora 42 Exuma

Exterior surfaces and interior dimensions that amplify the same philosophy of the thirty-five metre Exuma. An explosion of distinctive features on a single vessel: draft, manoeuvrability, and the absence of vibrations typical of waterjet technology; interior dimensions allow large suites to satisfy every guest on board.

One of a kind

Every vessel produced by Maiora is unique. Each yacht is one of a kind because every owner is one of a kind. Maiora offers customisation of every single detail and limitless configuration.

The flybridge is home to a climate-controlled sky-lounge that can be transformed into an open area thanks to an "infinity" full opening, slidinga door, lowerable windows, and a retractable moonroof.

Maiora offers the possibility to choose the blend of interior and exterior spaces. As well as a long or short cockpit connected to the sea by a wide infinity staircase or a dedicated beach area. The layout of each Maiora vessel can also be configured to suit individual needs.

It is possible to choose between a fully equipped beach area at sea level or a stern enclosed by a wide infinity staircase, which gives access to a garage for custom management of toys when opened.

Motorisation

Truly thrilling sportiness in terms of propulsion. The Exuma line’s waterjets offer unique performance including a maximum speed of 34 knots, a low draft (1.38 m) which allows shallow anchoring near the beach, and extreme manoeuvrability.

An explosion of distinctive features, unlikely to be found collectively on a single vessel: low draft, manoeuvrability, the absence of vibrations typical of waterjet technology, impressive exterior surfaces and internal dimensions, and spaces dedicated to all kinds of toys. A 42-metre vessel capable of satisfying even the most exacting clients.

Technical data

Construction.

• Hull COMPOSITE
• Superstructure COMPOSITE
• Length Overall (L.O.A.) 41.50 M / 136’2”
• Beam 7.90 M / 25’11”
• Max Draft 1.33 M / 4’4”
• Displacement at full load 190 T / 418,878 lb

Tank capacity

• Fuel capacity 30,000 L / 7,925 US gal
• Water capacity 3,500 L / 925 US gal
• Main engines [3] MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines, 2600 hp/each (1472 kW @2450 RPM)
• Transmission [3] MJP waterjets (2 steerable + 1 central booster)
• Stabilizers [2] SEAKEEPER 35

Performance

• Max speed 34 knots
• Cruising speed 29 knots
• Range ~ 1,600 NM at 10 knots

Accommodation

• Guests up to 12 in 5 cabins
• Crew up to 9 in 5 cabins

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107 Maiora 2007 Yacht for Sale

Asking price: €3,100,000.

• Yachts for sale
• motoryachts
• 107' Maiora

Last updated Aug 21, 2024

107' Maiora 2007

Maiora 33 DP Built by FIPA group

Private yacht with permanent crew onboard.

1 Master cabin, 1 VIP Cabin, 2 Twin cabins

The main deck includes a lounge, a dining-room, a bathroom, the galley and office area in the bows.  On the upper deck are the modern bridge, while the flying bridge houses the second control station, an area with a table and cushions for sun-bathing, and a platform for the tendering.   The salon includes two sofas with coffee tables and a large TV  that may be concealed in a suitable cabinet when not in use, separating the living room from the dining room where there is a big table seating ten with round rattan-core armchairs. Forward,  is the large galley, conceived for long cruises with much storing space . The Maiora 33 iDP offers maximum privacy with four cabins in the lower deck.  Astern there is Master stateroom covering the whole width of the hull, with en suite bathroom – Jacuzzi , walk-in closet, small sofa and vanity. Forward there are two twin-bed cabins with en suite bathrooms and, near the bow below office,  is the VIP stateroom.   All cabins are equipped with Air Condition and TV/DVD/CD player.  

The crew quarters are in the bow area and include 2 cabins and 2 bathrooms. Access is by way of the galley and the comfortable crew dinette on the main deck. The enclosed wheel station, fitted with the most modern equipment and electronics, is amidships, on an intermediate deck between the main deck and the flying bridge.   

Equipment: Generators 2 x 33 kW Kohler,Bow /Stern Thruster, Air Condition  BTU 180000, 3.80 m inflatable tender with Yahama 40 HP 2strokeOutboard Engine, , Tubes; banana; waterskis, Snorkelling and fishing equipment. 

New navigational electronic from 2022. Huge investment in refit 2022.

Perfect condition, well maintaned and servised yacht, Just finished refir , class reneved.

Low consumption  speed 20 Kn/ 1730 rev,/ 530 Lit both engines 

Very impresive . 

Ready to set sail

Denison Yachting is pleased to assist you in the purchase of this vessel. This boat is centrally listed by Dami Boats.

Denison Yacht Sales offers the details of this yacht in good faith but can’t guarantee the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of this boat for sale. This yacht for sale is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal from that yacht market without notice. She is offered as a convenience by this yacht broker to its clients and is not intended to convey direct representation of a specific yacht for sale.

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107' Maiora HIGHLIGHTS

• Yacht Details: 107' Maiora 2007
• Location: Split, Croatia
• Engines: MTU
• Last Updated: Aug 21, 2024
• Asking Price: €3,100,000
• Maximum Speed: 27 kn
• Max Draft: 7' 9''

107' Maiora additional information

• Cruising Speed: 20 kn
• Beam: 22' 2''
• Hull Material: Fiberglass
• Fuel Tank: 1 x 16000|liter
• Fresh Water: 1 x 2500|liter

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Grand Soleil 65LC review: One of the most stunning new designs

• Toby Hodges
• August 27, 2024

The Grand Soleil 65LC is one of the most stunning new production yachts available, but who is it for? and, most importantly, what’s it like to sail?

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

Granted, the sight of Grand Soleil’s president Gigi Servidati sailing the beautiful Grand Soleil 65LC off Portofino arm in arm with his partner, tanned and clad in white linen, screams Italian cool. It’s picture poster stuff, sailing’s equivalent of an Italian supercar pinup from a lifestyle photoshoot.

But that’s not what draws my eye. However well Grand Soleil has perfected such a chic theme, we’ve seen this type of imagery before. Rather, there’s a certain angle of photography showing the yacht’s lines that hooks me – the aft quarter shot – everything else becomes peripheral. Show me those flared sections.

Sexy lines sell. And the Grand Soleil 65LC boasts the blend of qualities that befit a pure performance cruiser: contemporary powerful lines mixed with a look that stands out yet should age well. It has a little of the Advanced Yachts 66 to it – another Italian model that perfected the wraparound raised coachroof look (also by Nauta Design) and has stood the 10-year test of time handsomely. But then it adds the modern kick-ass beam, together with a very subtle chine leading to those distinctly flared aft sections… Oof!

‘The aft quarter hooks me. Show me those flared sections…’ Photo: Alberto Cocchi

When the GS 72 launched two years ago, these lines stood out. That Matteo Polli has managed to replicate it on a more ‘manageable’ size without losing any of the wow factor shows a young designer at the top of his game. The GS 65 is, naturally, an evolution, using the same powerful, sporty design.

Polli explains how the hull form “maintains the pronounced V in the bow and low wetted surface of the Grand Soleil 72 for less resistance, greater dynamic stability when heeling and better performance in light airs”. It’s a design he optimised for a broad wind range, “from lightship in racing conditions up to full load in cruising mode.”

The Grand Soleil 65 is one of the most stunning new production yachts available. Photo: Alberto Cocchi

And the overall beam of the Grand Soleil 65LC is only 20cm less, at a formidable 5.95m (viewed stern-to from the dock, the transom stops you in your tracks). It contains much of the same features as the GS 72, including the same genset and watermaker, but with that brings its own challenges, Polli explains. As the lightships and loaded displacement is a larger range on the GS 72, the attention to weight and wetted surface area becomes stricter on the smaller yacht.

Again it’s offered as a Long Cruise (LC) or Performance (P) model, with the variations found in the coachroof – or lack thereof – and internal layouts. Whichever version you choose, it’s quite a minimalist deck and cockpit. Helms aft leave a roomy cockpit, with very long, wide benches – you can seat 10 around the long central table – so the higher coachroof coamings and backrests of the LC make a lot more sense for cruising, offering at least some comfort and protection. It can also house a large sprayhood.

The lines and layout of the LC do it for me personally, however the orders so far are split evenly between the Long Cruise and Performance models – across both the 72 and 65 designs.

A modern powerful shape, the 65LC carries its wide beam right aft. The coachroof oozes style, with coamings extended to encompass the long cockpit. Photo: Alberto Cocchi

Turning it on

You can perhaps sense my eagerness to sail this boat. Following a long, hot and humid, windless Mallorcan morning, just as I was beginning to fear we might not get a chance to experience this 65 LC properly, the sudden arrival of a moderate breeze from the west-northwest was highly welcomed. The uncalibrated wind instruments were not working, but the white caps forming further out in Palma Bay suggested the breeze was in the teens, and at the upper end of that in gusts. With full sail set and a lively amount of heel on, it felt special to lean onto those powerful aft sections and surge to weather. We clocked a steady 9.5 knots upwind, and could nudge into double figures by footing off a little.

You may notice that the mast is comparatively far aft. This increases the jib’s sail area and also brings the boom further aft –  “more sail without raising the centre of effort,” Polli told me. This also increases the headsail options, including a removable inner stay, and a shorter bowsprit for the same gennaker area. The 65 LC comes with a self-tacking jib as standard, although the test boat had a more conventional slightly overlapping jib.

It was an increasingly rare pleasure to again sail a performance yacht of this size with a single rudder. This high-aspect blade is mounted comparatively far forward, acting as a foil with plenty of grip. That said, and for a yacht with such a balanced sail plan, I found that upwind leg a little heavy on the helm. The 65 LC carries a significant amount of sail for her relatively light displacement so playing with the sail and weight trim more should help (we had 10 aboard, a mixed ability crew and in cruising mode).

Form and function: the clean decks see lines led underdeck. Photo: Alberto Cocchi

A shimmering halo surrounded the bright afternoon sun, which, together with the breeze ruffling the sparkling seas, made for distinctly pleasant conditions. The wind freshened up more as we approached the lighthouse at the bay’s western point of Cala Figuero. It was now 15 to 18 over waves with clear white caps, the GS 65 still clocking 9 to 9.5 upwind with full sail. We could push up to 10 knots in the gusts if we dropped off a few degrees, but even when close-hauled I noted we were not pointing particularly close, tacking through almost 100°.

This is perhaps explained by the wider angle of the headsail sheets, which is reportedly 12° rather than the 8° of the Performance version. The coachroof on the LC version finishes before the mast, with the jib tracks pushed out to the side decks, where the roof on the Performance model extends past the mast and carries the tracks on top and further inboard.

significant beam buys space for large aft cabins and a tender garage below a very open transom. Note how the teak deck wraps up the coamings to soften the visual line of the coachroof. Photo: Alberto Cocchi

As with the GS 72, the project was spearheaded by veteran racer and boatbuilder Franco Corazza, who stressed how good the coachroof line is for a raised saloon boat – seated at either helm under sail, you can still clearly see the bow. That said it’s very much a Med-style performance cruiser deck, where streamlined looks come above cruising practicalities and comfort. This is particularly noticeable at heel.

Article continues below…

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Reaching machine

We were gifted a lovely, long, early evening leg back from the lighthouse. The wind was blowing off the island over clear, flat water so it was easy to see each bullet of breeze approaching our aft quarter. With a deep reaching A0 set and pulling from a furler midway along the bowsprit, we averaged 9-10 knots in the lighter breezes, up to 11 in the gusts.

Heat it up a little and you can feel the power. The Grand Soleil 65LC has a potent amount of sail area and relies on the form stability of her powerful hull shape for righting moment. So while it can harness light breezes and puffs, loads should be respected (and the temptation to carry too much sail avoided!).

Signature Nauta styling. The saloon table can seat eight. Photo: Alberto Cocchi

It was certainly enjoyable sailing, but perhaps not the fully exhilarating ride her shape promises. I also found the winch setup a little unusual, particularly for the mainsheet. It’s led neatly each side through the deck to clutches right by the helms and winches further aft. Although these are within reach for those wanting to sail short-handed – or when the trimmer is in contact with the helmsman – the winches are right in the quarters. Here you’re also conscious of the significant beam and flat deck space to cross, and a lot of open transom behind.

The mainsheet is a reverse T system, led to a single point as on the test boat, onto a winch on a central plinth, or to a captive winch. You can also opt for a recessed and powered traveller. Mastbase halyard winches help keep the cockpit clean, plus there are tailing lockers. But with a completely open transom I’d worry about lines trailing overboard, and the pushpit rail is only 2ft high so I’d want a third guardwire higher up.

The styling on deck is slick, especially the way the teak deck rises up on the coachroof coamings to help lower the visual line. The tender garage is low but provides enough room for a dinghy up to 3.1m, and there’s deck access from above for stowing fenders. The sail locker is also generous, with a heads and pipe cot within, yet still plenty of space for spare warps, sheets and sails.

The galley is at the same eye-level as the saloon. Photo: Alberto Cocchi

Semi-custom step-up

The GS 65 and 72 are available as this ‘LC’ model, though they’re different beasts to the smaller LCs in Grand Soleil’s range (more suited to their ‘Long Cruise’ name). “Over 60ft the concept and the owners change,” Corazza explains. He oversees these more semi-custom builds, in a separate facility to Cantiere del Pardo’s main production site.

A composite sandwich build, with composite main bulkheads and interior furniture all foam-cored, produces a light displacement of 26.5 tonnes on the GS 65. The hull is built by vacuum-infusing Vinylester resin into biaxial glassfibre (in one shot), with unidirectional carbon used for reinforcement. The infusion is all done in-house.

It’s an impressive, semi-custom approach. “It’s why we bought Adria Sail,” says Corazza, referencing the quality and experience of the Fano shipyard which has built custom yachts for a variety of Italian brands. Next up is a Grand Soleil 80 which will really see the brand kick ahead with this new semi-custom range.

Inviting master cabin has good headroom right up to the forward end of the nice low berth and plenty of stowage. Photo: Alberto Cocchi

The LC version of the 65 provides a generous amount of natural light to the semi-raised saloon and the natural teak veneer finish looks smart (also available in Alpi and natural oak). It’s offered with three or four cabins and a midships galley, while the Performance version sites the galley aft.

As well as the 270° views it brings, a prime benefit of the LC’s raised saloon format is that the generator and tank space is all contained below the saloon sole. This also helps to maximize the space of the two aft cabins as no technical/engine room is needed between them.

Here we see the volume gains the flared sections and all that beam brings. Indeed, these aft cabins can be chosen with doubles or twins and have wider berths than the master cabin (they are noisier though, particularly under engine).

The aft cabins can be doubles or twins with lots of natural light and a good feeling of space. Photo: Alberto Cocchi

The port side has separate day-head access, but this is via the shower – somewhat unconventional considering those in the optional fourth cabin will likely need to use this heads too. Although there is space for a crew berth in the large sail locker, the fourth cabin option makes a wiser choice for those wanting to keep a crew for any length of time. This Pullman features good sea-going berths opposite the mast base, tall locker space and is aside the galley, though it’s also right next to the owner’s cabin so lacks segregation.

The standard layout sees a dinette area rather than this fourth cabin. As well as providing a mess area, this could also benefit those wanting extra office space (he writes, while working on his kitchen table…), as the navstation is an aft-facing affair that adjoins the saloon sofa berth. Opposite, the U-shaped galley has a relatively compact but practical format with good work surface and refrigeration space, even if it lacks the finesse of customised crockery or glass stowage.

Optional Pullman cabin. Photo: Alberto Cocchi

The test boat costs €2.8m without sails, but with a high level of equipment included. Which is a lot of money. It’s a very appealing and well-done package, with a high-end stylish interior that maintains the Italian chic theme, but it’s not quite premium finish quality. Some joinerwork didn’t line up, floorboards creaked underfoot etc (Grand Soleil says it is changing the sandwich floorboards because owners don’t like the flexing). I’m sure such areas will keep improving as the brand pushes more into this semi-custom sector.

Grand Soleil 65LC specifications

LOA: 21.60m / 70ft 10in LWL: 18.50m / 60ft 8in Hull length: 20.10m / 65ft 11in Beam: 5.95m / 19ft 5in Draught: 3.50m / 11ft 6in Displacement: 27,500kg / 57,320lb Ballast: 7,200kg / 15,837lb Water: 840lt / 185gal Fuel: 825lt / 181gal Sail area: 278m2 / 2,992ft2 Sail area/displacement ratio: 29.2 Disp/LWL ratio: 117 Design: Matteo Polli & Nauta Design Builder: grandsoleil.net

If you enjoyed this….

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Looks-wise, this boat had me at first glance... Take my money! In terms of performance, the GS 65LC carries plenty of sail and form stability so should suit fast Med cruising if handled respectfully. While I’d like to sail it with fewer people, with working wind instruments, and with Matteo Polli aboard to get his thoughts on best trim (weight and sails), I have a lot of faith in the design and designer and therefore the yacht’s potential to please. As far as build quality is concerned, it’s impressive, especially for a long-established mainstream brand that is used to producing smaller yachts in high volumes. The decision to use a specialist yard has paid off, although some finish quality could be improved if it’s to compete against premium brands. And the style: it’s one for us dreamers. Just hand me a linen shirt and beam me aboard on the Italian Riviera.

A Skeptic’s Take on Sailing the Mediterranean on a 1,250-Passenger Cruise Ship

Oceania cruises’ recently relaunched “ riviera” is smaller than mega-ships that carry thousands, but it can still feel like a big cruise ship to some. one writer reveals what surprised her most about the experience..

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Even at full capacity, the Riviera delivered a more intimate feeling, small-ship experience.

Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

“I know why this cruise is 10 days,” my husband half-joked as we wandered the Riviera shortly after boarding in Athens. “Because it takes that long to figure out where everything is.”

Indeed, with a capacity of 1,250, the ship seemed large to my husband and me; we have typically sailed on ships with 500 passengers or fewer .

While Oceania Cruises bills itself as small-ship luxury, I would characterize it as medium-size. Whatever the definition, we were a bit hesitant. But we decided to give it a whirl because of Oceania’s reputation for outstanding service and cuisine, as well as Riviera’s very appealing itinerary this past July through the Greek islands and Türkiye.

And, I have to admit, even at full capacity, Oceania delivered a true small-ship experience, with bonuses that usually only larger ships can offer. Those included multiple gourmet dining options, an almost overwhelming choice of excursions, live entertainment, and plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces to socialize or tuck away. And all within a casually elegant, adult-focused, intimate atmosphere.

Most importantly, there was never a need to play that annoying game of running out early to claim a pool lounger. There was also plenty of availability for last-minute spa treatments and, for those of us who are bad at planning ahead, a wide range of adventurous, small-group, and more traditional excursions (for an added fee) that we could book up to the 11th hour.

The writer managed to avoid the crowds in Santorini by opting for an early morning excursion that had her already leaving crowded Oia by 10:30 a.m., when more visitors starting coming in.

Courtesy of Dawid Tkocz/Unsplash

The itinerary

Our 10-day sailing from Athens to Istanbul had daily stops, starting in the popular (read crowded) islands of Santorini and Mykonos. But we managed to avoid most of the congestion with the excursions we booked through Oceania. For instance, in Santorini, we took an 8 a.m. tender boat from where we were anchored off Fira to the northern end of the island to wander through the postcard-perfect, cliffside town of Oia before it got too crowded. The streets of Oia were filling up by 10:30 in the morning, about the time we got on a coach and headed to a private wine tasting and traditional lunch back near Fira.

We skipped the crowds in Mykonos with a private boat tour that took a small group of us to explore the ruins on the island of Delos, the famed birthplace of the twin gods Apollo and Artemis and one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. After exploring the ruins, we hopped across the bay to play in the cool waters of the Aegean Sea.

Next up: Crete and Rhodes, where the crew showed their true small-ship colors by pulling off a seamless last-minute pivot in schedules after Greek tour operators announced a countrywide, one-day strike, swapping stops in Rhodes and Bodrum, Türkiye, without even a hiccup in the excursion schedules.

From there we wandered off the big ship path, not seeing another cruise ship for the next five days, until our final stop in Istanbul.

Türkiye was truly the highlight for us. In Bodrum, we explored the 15th-century Bodrum Castle before hopping on a traditional gulet for an afternoon cruise to two coves where we swam, enjoyed a few beers, and laughed at the ice cream boat that went by.

On the Turkish island of Bozcaada, a destination mostly frequented by locals, we wandered the cobblestone streets and open-air markets before settling down on the marina to sample raki, an anise brandy similar to ouzo, and Turkish appetizers like pumpkin seed–stuffed grape leaves and “atomic” (very spicy) yogurt. In Istanbul, where we had a full day and overnight, we skipped the traditional tours and instead took a boat ride down the Bosphorus and enjoyed a relaxing final afternoon by the pool before disembarking to spend two more days on our own to explore the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the city’s famed spice market, and Grand Bazaar.

Oceania puts a strong focus on its culinary programming with optional tours to venues such as open-air food markets like this one in Kusadasi, Türkiye.

Courtesy of Tom Hermans/Unsplash

The food and excursions

Oceania is known for its culinary focus, both on and off the ship. And while I wouldn’t dare try to verify or deny its claim to have “the finest cuisine at sea,” I would agree that it may have the finest food with none of the upcharges that have become common for specialty restaurants on cruise ships.

We had amazing pad thai at Red Ginger, a tender filet at Jacques (named after executive culinary advisor chef Jacques Pépin), perfect gnocchi at Toscana, steak and potatoes at Polo Grill, and a delicious beef bourguignon over noodles in the Grand Dining Room. More casual fare is always available at the outdoor Waves grill and the indoor-outdoor buffet-style Terrace Café, which hosted a special Greek night with a wide range of local dishes, including gyros, moussaka, hummus, fresh fish, spanakopita, and a parade of olives, lamb, and baklava.

For true foodies, there is a broad range of intimate culinary-focused excursions plus a cooking school aboard with daily classes led by two master chefs who focus on the local as well as favorites from the ship’s gourmet restaurants.

On Santorini, we sampled one of the small group excursions Oceania offers in partnership with the culinary travel company Food & Wine Trails. Our expert local guide took us to the Boutari winery, whose founder, Yiannnis Boutari, was a pioneer of the Greek wine industry. After a private tour, we sampled the wines during a traditional lunch of Greek salad, tomato fritters, and lemon chicken. Maybe I’ve been living in Albuquerque too long, but I had no idea Santorini produced a crisp, light white wine that is perfect for any meal on a hot summer day.

From Kusadasi, Türkiye, while history buffs like my husband opted for a day tour to the ancient Greek city of Ephesus and the temple of Artemis, chef instructor Stephanie Hersh, who worked for 14 years as the executive assistant to Julia Child, led a small group of us through the nearby village of Kirazli for lunch and cooking demonstrations at a small boutique hotel, Kirazli Sultan Konak. Along the way we wandered through the village, stopping to sample watermelon and cucumbers at a roadside stand.

Before sitting down to a veritable feast at the hotel, we learned more about the dishes and spices that influence local foods, such as the dried chilies used as a staple of local cuisine, tarhana soup, and had hands-on lessons in rolling stuffed grape leaves and shaping Turkish dumplings, or manti.

There is no jockeying for position around the Riviera’ s pool, where there is room enough for everyone aboard.

Built in 2012, the Riviera is one of the company’s older vessels; it was refreshed with lighter, more contemporary decor in 2022. And like its sister ships, it offers what the company markets as “the luxury of space.”

Indeed, we never had a problem finding a pool chair or a place to sit at one the bars, dining or lounge areas.

The ship has a wide range of cabin sizes, from the 2,000-square-foot owner’s suite to the 174-square-foot inside staterooms. We stayed in a 291-square-foot Concierge Level veranda stateroom, which had a seating area, private teak-floored veranda, and an oversize bathroom with a spacious shower and more drawers and cabinets than we could fill. The Concierge Level also gives you access to a private lounge stocked with snacks and coffee, as well as three free bags of laundry during the trip, garment pressing on arrival, a welcome bottle of champagne, and a complimentary in-room minibar.

In addition to six restaurants, there were several bars, including our favorite outdoor pool bar, Waves, and the piano lounge, Martinis. There were musical reviews and comedy shows in the Riviera Lounge; late night dancing at the top deck lounge, Horizons; a shopping area; small casino; large spa and fitness center; golf center; tennis court; and shuffleboard and table tennis.

With so many venues, it just never felt crowded, even with a full ship. In fact, at times, many of the public spaces felt almost empty.

We also discovered one more bonus of a larger ship: a lot more stairs to climb if you opt to avoid the elevator to help burn off those delicious meals.

To book: Itineraries vary by season. Seven-day sailings between Athens and Istanbul this fall and next year start at $1,999 per person, based on double occupancy.