Italian boatbuilders Absolute received an important accolade at the Boat Show 2015 in London: Best Motor Boat in the Trawler and Aft Cabin category. They are naturally very chuffed; years of innovation and design have paid off. Absolute were early adopters of the Volvo IPS drive system, and have made full use of the space savings made available. IPS drives are more powerful and more efficient than conventional shaft drives of the same size, and take up less space than the equivalent-power shaft drives.

All this space is made available to the passengers and crew (while the owner trousers the fuel-cost savings), and the general impression of this vertical-knife-bowed stubby trawler is that of a 70ft boat, not the more compact 58ft-er she really is.

Intimate dining with a view

“Trawler” is more of a term to describe its shape than a job-description. No fisherman needs to shift at 29kts, or even cruise at 10kts – the Navetta 58’s most efficient cruising speed.

Eschewing the normal salesman’s grandiloquency, Absolute say of her: “She is a real boat.” That makes you sit up and pay attention: so much that is out there isn’t fit to be more than a couple of miles from shore in anything like poor weather, so it is interesting to look at what they say she can do.

“Navetta” can be taken to mean “nice little ship” and she does seem more the ship than the boat, albeit boat sized.

Stylish ensuite luxury

Safety starts with getting on board without a ducking or worse and access is from the stern, or either side directly onto the side passages behind the high bulwarks and protection gunwale along the entire edge of the main deck and flybridge; handrails are available along all passages, the deck is in teak and non-slip surfaces without steps up to the side pilot door.

Safety is even more emphasised by the great visibility from both helm of stations, by the two independent accesses to the engine room and by superior manoeuverability in all conditions of use.

She looks strong, sturdy, yet on the inside, like the best praline chocolates, all is luxury and comfort.

Owner’s suite with views on both side

She is high. Ceilings throughout, from the owner’s cabin to the crew quarters and the engine room are the highest in the category, and all this vertical space makes it easy to offer decks without steps and doors and passageways like those in a home. Windows and portlights provide views on all sides and the feeling of even more space. Despite the modest length, a lot is squeezed in without conveying any impression of being squeezed. There are three double cabins, plus two singles for the crew, all with private heads and a full complement of the appliances you normally leave behind on shore as well as generous wardrobes and modern multimedia gadgets to help you while away the long passages this boat is capable of making.

The upper deck has space for a couple of loungers in addition to the built-in dining/lounge just aft of the helm station which has an excellent view of the main deck forepeak and its sunpads and forward-facing sun lounge. Main deck right aft is the cockpit, a wide lounge and a table capable of seating all the guests leading forward through a disappearing bulkhead to the saloon, then up a couple of steps to the galley and dining area, the indoor helm station and the companionway down to the three cabins, all en-suite.

Specifications
LOA: 17m (55.09ft)
Beam: 5m (16.05ft)
Max Speed: 28.5kts
Cruising Speed: 10kts
Engines: 2 x IPS 600 or IPS 800
Fuel Capacity: 2,400 liters
Water Capacity: 600 liters
Builder: Absolute
Website: www.absoluteyachts.com

Story Credits
This article was originally published in Yacht Style