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May-June 2011
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Otam 58 Hardtop
ROCKET SHIP
Striding confidently and effortlessly over the ocean at
55 knots with a rooster tail feathering gloriously
behind may just be the only way to travel… as we
discovered on the OTAM 58 Hardtop. By: Craig Barnett
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The athletically raked hardtop
protects occupants from the
gale created 55-knots.
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OTAM’s reputation for excellent high speed handling in heavy seas is well documented, though unfortunately on the day of our sea trial the skies were clear and the ocean calm.
So instead of putting this sporty Open performance cruiser through her paces in the rough
stuff, we had to satisfy ourselves with joyously carving swathes of white in the ocean while
airliners chalked long vapour trails across the blue heavens above. Dropping the hammers,
trimming the Arneson surface drives and converting the power of 3,340 horses into forward
motion, the yacht’s semblance to the sky travellers above was not lost on us… the Otam 58
HT is a true rocket ship!
Represented in the Gulf States by Matrix Marine, OTAM – or Organizzazione Tiguillo Assistenza Motoscafi to give it the full moniker – is a long established Italian shipyard. The
company first opened its doors on 19th July 1954 and is now headquartered in Genoa. The
yard currently offers one model range, the Millennium series, in five different sizes and formats: the 45, the 58 Open and 58 Hardtop, the 65 Hardtop and the mighty 80. The yard however does not stop at building thoroughbred performers, they also operate a unique ‘yacht
spa’ for their owners. The OTAM Wharf, located in Santa Margherita, Ligure (near Portofino) is a 70 yacht capacity facility available to owners in order to get maintain and refurbish
their craft, thereby preserving its residual value.
Launched in 2009 and based on the hull of the highly regarded 55 first presented in 1997,
the OTAM 58 Hardtop is a true expression of Italian passion for design, performance and
luxury. Its sleek dynamic profile exudes the sense of motion and speed even when it is stationary at the dock. The long tapered foredeck gathers in an aggressively styled high bow,
while the gunnels sweep back to an imminently social cockpit with a party-sized sunpad.
The sculpted cowlings on the hardtop hint at eye watering performance, while the athletically
raked superstructure cocoons occupants from the gale it generates when charging out to
one’s favoured anchorage.
The anchor itself, deployed and retrieved with the aid of a Lofrans’ electric windlass, is neatly
secured in the bow roller with the warp and chain stowed in a deep chain locker. Lifting the
locker’s also lifts a lid on the build quality and attention to details that OTAM incorporate into
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The huge aft sunpad contributes
to making this a platform for
the hard-partying jet set.
their craft; the hatch recesses feature drains connected to plumbing, these deposit water back
into the ocean, rather than into the locker. From the bow the shapely foredeck with excellent
non-slip arcs back toward the windshield, this again features drainage vents with stainless fascia’s that are complimented by the designer pop-up cleats and other deck hardware.
Returning to the cockpit along the exposed bulwarks, we noted three electronically actuated
skylights in the forward section of the hardtop, allowing a controllable breeze through the
cockpit when underway. To experience the full force of the apparent wind however, a large
sunroof panel slides back to open the helm and companion seats to the elements. The helm
position of the unit we tested featured an impressive custom steering wheel, positioned vertically in front of a semi-circular dash-pod above. Here, set in carbonfibre fascias, are the
nav and monitoring displays along with an array of gauges and switches for functions the
pilot needs to effectively helm. Another huge bank of switches for supplementary systems
sits above the companionway, indicating the sophistication of this yacht on which everything
appears to be electronically controlled.
The cockpit itself is sociable and well equipped to entertain a group of close friends. A huge
C-shaped banquette, sumptuously padded and upholstered in a silver marine-grade leatherette, served by an extendable diner occupies the portside, while a wet bar and al fresco galley are located to starboard. Behind this a huge sunpad sits over the hatch that rises
(electronically of course) to reveal the voluminous engine compartment. Here lurk the twin
CAT C32’s which each produce 1,670hp, around them are arranged in easy sight are their
life-support systems, all neatly plumbed and wired in.
Popping down the companionway to check out the accommodation deck, we find ourselves
in a comfortable contemporary salon. To starboard sits another C-shaped banquette, with a
retractable designer table that can lower to create a good-sized berth. To port a well equipped
galley ranges along the inside of the hull, and this is separated from the salon by a countertop/breakfast bar in which is concealed a pop-up LCD TV. As one would expect of a yacht
aimed at the upwardly mobile, the AV system aboard is ubiquitous and of high quality. Laid
out in a two-cabin format (a three-cabin version is also offered), the master stateroom, with
separate shower-room and head, is located in the forepeak. A double guest cabin is positioned
to port amidships, and a crew cabin sits on the portside. Proud of their ability to customise
the interior to the owner’s requirements, the décor options available are almost limitless.
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Otam 58
Hardtop
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LOA: 18.70M
BEAM: 4.68M
DRAFT (FULL LOAD): 1.29M
DISPLACEMENT (1⁄2 LADEN): 29.5 T
FUEL CAPACITY: 3,500 L
WATER CAPACITY: 450 L + 280 L
ENGINES: 2X CAT C32 1,670HP
PROPULSION:
ARNESON DRIVE ASD 14 L
Back up in the cockpit we’d by now maneuvered easily out of the tightest berth in the Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s marina and headed out to open water. As the yacht surged toward the
horizon, we remarked – at a volume hardly above normal conversation – at how smoothly
and quietly the engine package performed. As speed built and the modest rooster tail grew,
so solid is the OTAM 58 that we couldn’t find even a hint of a squeak or rattle anywhere
aboard. Quickly arriving at the 50-knot mark, the fouling on the hull and props denied us
the full 55-knot quoted top speed. To put this in perspective, a trip out to Sir Bu Naair Island
on a flat day could be achieved in an hour! Graceful and surefooted through high-speed
turns, the 58 HT demonstrated the impeccable manners one would expect of a pedigree of
this breeding.
Back at the marina, smoothing down our windswept hair with a ruefull smile we stepped
off the OTAM 58 HT using the passerelle that stows itself neatly in the transom. Looking
back we reflected on who would purchase such a yacht? If you’re a thrill-seeking entertainer,
who aims high for the stars and gets there fast while taking time to appreciation for the finer
things in life… we reckon this could well be the rocket ship for you.
•
MAX SPEED: 55-KNOTS
CRUISING SPEED: 50-KNOTS
CABINS: 2
CONTACT:
ALY OSMAN
17 AVENUE DE L’ANNONCIADE
MONACO - 98000
TEL: +377 977 01491 - FAX: +377 977 01491
A custom wheel steers the 58 HT,
while in the engine bay lurks two
big CATs with the power of 2,340
horses to drive it forward.
"AS THE YACHT SURGED TOWARD THE HORIZON, WE REMARKED –
AT A VOLUME HARDLY ABOVE NORMAL CONVERSATION – AT HOW
SMOOTHLY AND QUIETLY THE ENGINE PACKAGE PERFORMED..."
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