Performance has been the operative word for AB Yachts for more than 30 years. It’s built a reputation for fast yachts that buyers like for their style as much as their speed. With the AB 95 yacht series, which just debuted last month, triple 2,000-hp engines and a central booster promise a 50-knot top end. At the same time, the Italian shipyard aims for a level of peaceful attraction throughout the three decks.
Available in flying bridge and “racing car” editions, the AB 95 yacht is a 93-footer (28.5-meter) with design by Archea Associati. Marco Casamonti, the studio’s creative director, says the intention was to achieve balance “between design and functionality, performance and comfort.” Although it might sound like an obvious statement, fast yachts in general haven’t always delivered a comfortable experience for owners and guests. “The new AB 95 is designed for those who demand high sporting performance on the open sea without compromising on the premium quality of interior and exterior spaces that seamlessly flow into one another,” Casamonti adds.
For instance, the choice of teak for the interior flooring and stairways is a good example of the indoor-outdoor connection. The wood lends warmth, too, to a soothing interior of tones and textures. Primarily, soft Italian leathers characterize the furnishings from the saloon to the staterooms. Light-toned ceilings keep the ambience light and bright, especially with the sunlight streaming in through the windows. At nighttime, the atmosphere remains bright, thanks to integrated LED strips.
Yet another way the AB 95 yacht creates a seamless flow is a creative solution in the main saloon. What looks like a highly styled cocktail bar, clad in black, is actually also the galley. American owners especially will like this for hosting parties or just casual days of cruising. Notably, it’s also a practical solution. Typically, AB Yachts, like a lot of Italian builders, situates the galley below decks. Moving it up a level allows adding another guest stateroom, for five total cabins including the master suite.
Relaxing days at anchor and while underway surely will be spent primarily on the flying bridge. Here, AB Yachts and Archea Associati paid extra attention to space planning, since flying bridges characterize all of the megayacht models. Specifically, just as is the case with the galley, they got creative. The revere-angled wheelhouse windows allow extending the flying bridge farther forward. As a result, the area in front is almost like a balcony over the water.
From a sunning and observing area close to the water to this open-air perch and carbon fiber stairways leading up to it, the AB 95 yacht is a stylistic gem. Owners, their families, and their friends who especially are avid flying-bridge fans will appreciate the design details. That is, if they can resist the rush of speed from the 6,000 horsepower beneath their feet.
AB Yachts abyachts.com
Archea Associati archea.it
More About the AB 95 Yacht
LOA: 93’4” (28.45 meters)
Beam: 22’4” (6.8 meters)
Draft: 4’5” (1.35 meters)
Guests: 10 in 5 staterooms
Engines: 3/2,000-hp MANs with a central waterjet booster
Range: approx. 440 nautical miles at 35 knots
Builder: AB Yachts
Stylist: Archea Associati
Naval Architect: Archea Associati
Interior Designer: AB Yachts