The latest addition to the Navetta range from Italian builder Absolute brings sophistication to the trawler market.
Navetta in Italian means “little ship,” and the Absolute Navetta 68 fulfills this description. There are vertical pilothouse windows and a chunky, full hull design with a nearly vertical bow. But there’s also a hardtop over the flybridge—a classic trawler trait—along with many features that create options for entertaining.
Up top, the hardtop protects the flybridge helm and dining area, with an opening section to let in the sun as desired. A curved windscreen keeps the breeze to a minimum, while the flybridge’s after section is open to the sun. For dining, there is an electric barbecue, and the helm is a sociable area with settees around it. A single seat at the helm offers a commanding view, and twin displays provide navigation and other information.
Also out in the elements is a seating and sunbed area forward of the pilothouse on the main deck. This area can have a screen fitted for sun protection. All the way aft on the main deck, the cockpit has a translucent screen for privacy in a harbor.
One level down, the salon has an aft galley to serve the cockpit dining table and the inside one, which is opposite the galley with eight seats. The galley has marble tops and a handrail along the front of the counter just in case of a rogue wake. The salon has a TV that comes out of the plinth to starboard. Deep windows allow great views outside, with the bulwarks cut down by the windows to enhance the view. Forward, a portable screen allows the helm to be closed off for privacy.
The lower helm has three main electronic displays above the dash, with sightlines that are good (but not as good as the ones up on the flybridge). There are seats for a skipper and mate, and a joystick should make maneuvering easier. A bow thruster can be used as well, as can trim control.
Down below, by way of a curved stairway, are four staterooms. Hull windows provide a magnificent sea view from the bed in the master stateroom forward, where there’s also a full-beam head and lockers. The raised deck at the bow of the 68 allows the master to be at a higher level than usually is possible on a yacht of this length.
Abaft the master are two twin-berth staterooms, one of which converts to a double. These twins share a head. Amidships is a VIP stateroom with a head that occupies a considerable part of the port side; the head has sliding doors that allow a full view of the sea when open.
Two crew cabins aft have access through a transom door. They share a head. Access to the engine room, in an unusual setup, is through this head; the lazarette houses a washing machine and freezer.
The twin 1,000-hp Volvo Penta D13s couple to IPS drives. (A pair of 900-hp Volvo Penta engines is also an option.) The 18-foot, 5-inch beam allows for the two generators to be installed at the sides, and full headroom allows for easy access.
The 68’s hull shape has a flat run aft with a small vee to provide directional stability. This shape is combined with a strong chine that helps to deflect water away from the hull. Absolute says the maximum speed is just above 30 knots; cruise speed is 20 knots.
With the Navetta 68, Absolute has produced a vessel that combines little-ship looks with family yacht creature comforts. It’s like a trawler with a dash of Italian spice, for those who have adventurous taste.
PHOTOS | Have a closer look at the Absolute Navetta 68 in the gallery below:
Specs
LOA: 67ft. 4in.
Beam: 18ft. 5in.
Draft: 5ft. 9in.
Displacement: 106,000 lbs.
Construction: Fiberglass
Engines: 2 x 1,000-hp Volvo Penta D13 IPS1350 (or 2 x 900-hp Volvo Penta D13 IPS1200)
Speed (cruise): 20 knots
Fuel: 925 gal.
Water: 240 gal.
Info: absoluteyachts.com
