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FEATURED YACHTS
MAGELLANO 74
SAN LORENZO SL100
BURGER – SYCARA IV
FEADSHIP – TRIDENT
BERTHING POOL
ARABIAN GULF MARINA GUIDE
A CALL TO ARMS?
EXPERT ANTI-PIRACY ADVICE
A DECADE OF DESIGN
16 PAGES, 6 DESIGNERS
INTERVIEWED,
6 YACHTS COMPARED
N° 18 - March-April 2010
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
PRODUCTION ZONE
Spanish Fly – a yacht to stimulate the senses
ASTONDOA’S
96 GLX
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Astondoa 96 GLX
SPANISH FLY
Astondoa’s new mid-range yacht is an intriguing fusion
of traditional craftsmanship and modern design, huge
spaces and intricate details. By Craig Barnett Photos: Astondoa/Khaled Termanini
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The white carpets, headliner and
furniture serve as a backdrop
against which the dramatic grain of
the Olivatto wood is highlighted
March-April 2010
After 96 years of yacht production, 3,000 vessels to their credit, a range that stretches
from 40ft to almost 200ft, and production currently approaching 100 units a year, Astondoa is a yard that boasts some impressive figures. Numbers however do little justice to
the quality of yachts the company has created on the Spanish Costa Blanca. Over the last
century the Astondoa yard has been presided over by the family of the same name. Initially created by Jesus Astondoa Martinez in 1916, his son Jesus Astondoa Sanataria succeeded him, before currently being presided over by Jesus Astondoa Diazo de Ottos, and
his brothers Iñigo and Covadonga – all grandsons of the founder. While boasting a rich
heritage and fascinating history, the yard is determined to press forward with their continuous development, and has recently released a new model to bolster their mid-range
offering – meet the 96 GLX.
The distinctive lines of the Astondoa 96 GLX came from the boards of their inhouse design team. In the Astondoa 96 GLX they have successfully combined a sense of sport with
an element of dependability, fused sensation with soul, and mixed the modern with traditional. The hull is a solid looking affair, rather than a rapier sharp super-sport model,
with the beam carried well forward into a flared bow that converges at the last moment.
This endows the yacht with the appearance of a resolute bluewater cruiser. Topped however with a sleek swept-back superstructure, tinted screens and wing tipped flybridge,
the 96 GLX looks athletic and every part of her 28-knot top speed. This delicious juxtaposition of design continues throughout the yacht.
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The oversized flybridge and large aft deck provide a surfeit of space for entertaining, making it a yacht to be enjoyed with friends. With the large central hot-tub and sizeable
wet bar, one would be forgiven for thinking the 96 GLX is a party boat designed purely
for the youthful generation, or certainly those young at heart. Enter the saloon however,
and the quality of joinery is of a standard that will be appreciated by mature owners who
yearn for the true craftsmanship of yester-year.
As is customary on an open yacht, outdoor space is split into three distinct areas. The foredeck offers a secluded spot upon which to repose, offering a triple pad for sunbathers.
Here a C-shaped banquette, served by a solid wooden table and retractable parasol, is
also cut into the coachroof – the perfect place to retire with a good book when the sun
reaches its zenith. The aft deck , with a heavy natural teak topped table that can seat ten
when utilizing the sofa and freestanding deck furniture, is the place for casual al-fresco
dining or an evening cocktail reception. As the aft deck is also fully shaded by the flybridge
above, it will also make a suitable haven to escape the Gulf sun as the temperatures rise.
The way the designers have maximised space on the flybridge, the Astondoa 96 GLX sim-
Inlays, columns and alcoves all
contribute to the subtle art
deco theme that runs
throughout the yacht.
THE LUSTROUS OLIVATTO GLOWS GOLD,
WITH THE SWIRLING GRAIN PAINSTAKINGLY MATCHED
TO CREATE ITS OWN RORSCHACH-ESQUE IMAGERY
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The owner’s suite runs full beam and the curved entrance is
flanked by the en-suite and a sizeable dressing room
ply begs to be used for playing in the sun. Stretching to the transom it takes full advantage
of the available length and, by overhanging the bulwarks to port and starboard, every inch
of available beam is utilized. The result is an entertainment platform that offers space aft
for freestanding sun loungers, a large circular hot tub in the centre, and a sofa to starboard
that balances the companionway to port. A large wet bar in the centre is flanked by two
teardrop counters that conceal a number of fridges and icemakers, while further forward
resides a circular banquette and dinette for ten people. Commanding a forward view, the
helm position takes advantage of the shade provided by the substantial hard-top.
The yard’s dedication to combining quality and modernism is further evident in the form
and finish of the flybridge furniture; the curved teardrop counters are topped with heavy
natural teak work-surfaces, and a curvaceous pod encloses the instruments at the helm
which boasts three customized leather sports seats. The outcome is a breezy modern
space, grounded by solid carpentry, with a hint of art décor styling. While everything is
subjective, the Astondoa 96 GLX features one of the finest flybridges on a sub-100ft yacht
your correspondent has had the pleasure of reporting on.
Accessing the saloon from the aft deck, the smoked glass patio doors glide open electronically. Inside is further evidence of how Astondoa benefits from being one of the only
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Astondoa
96 GLX
LENGTH HULL - 28 M (91.8FT)
BEAM - 6.81 M
DRAFT - 2.38 M
FUEL CAPACITY - 10000 L
WATER CAPACITY - 3700 L
ACCOMMODATION - 12 BERTHS
ENGINES - 2 X MTU
16V2000 2000HP
CERTIFICATION - CE B
DISTRIBUTED IN THE GCC BY:
AURORA YACHTS
P.O.BOX 119651 DUBAI - U.A.E.
TEL.: +971 4 332 8651
FAX: +971 4 332 8652
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEB: WWW.AURORAYACHTS.AE
yards in the world to also own a high-end furniture production company. Where many
yards install and assemble interiors built for them by contractors or suppliers, their own
talented craftsmen create Astondoa’s. This allows the brands clients to customise their
own interior - completely.
For the interior of Krista - the yacht that will be on display at the 2010 Dubai International
Boat Show – the owners have elected to highlight the rich Olivatto wood with an ivory
carpet, soft furnishings and leather headliner. This simple colour scheme allows the magnificent cabinetwork to take centre stage. The lustrous finish glows gold and is positively
tactile as the swirling grain is painstakingly matched to create its own Rorschach-esque
imagery. Vertical bands and precise marquetry are included to lend a touch of French
art décor, a theme that continues in the furniture throughout the yacht.
In terms of layout the 96 GLX is adheres to custom; the saloon and open plan dining area
are served by a galley to the portside, while a companionway to starboard leads forward
to the bridge. The inclusion of watertight doors in the superstructure allows access to
both the pilothouse and galley for discreet crew movement. Both aforementioned spaces
are finished in the same materials, and to the same standard, as the yacht’s public areas.
Amidships, aft of the pilothouse, two companionways lead down to the accommodation
deck – forward for the guest cabins and a separate one aft for the owner’s suite to enjoy
even greater privacy.
At the foot of a meandering staircase the owner’s suite, which opens up to the full beam,
is available in a number of different configurations. On Krista the owner has opted for
the bedchamber to run full beam, while an ensuite and large dressing room flank the curved entrance – a feature that resonates with the art décor alcoves that appear elsewhere.
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Astondoa have two primary interior
designs for the 96 GLX, the classic as
featured in this article and an
alternative ultra-modern design
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Flanked by a companion banquette and table to starboard, the helm can be accessed
through a door leading to the bulwarks and the crew accommodation aft.
The guest accommodations are equally well appointed with a twin cabin, each featuring
an ensuite and additional Pullman bunk if required, located on either side of the passageway that leads to the spacious VIP suite in the bow.
Crew accommodations are accessed through the transom, where a small laundry room,
and two cabins nestle – a larger one for the skipper and first mate and a more intimate
version for the steward and deckhand. This area also provides access to the voluminous
engine room that houses the 96 GLX’s twin MTU-16V 2,000hp engines, the generators,
AC units and other required systems. Bedecked with shining stainless paneling that reflect the gleaming stainless air-intakes, it’s a well-considered space for engineers to practice in. In performance terms the Astondoa achieves a respectable top speed of 28-knots
and cruises at 24-knots with a range of 450-miles.
To our mind the Astondoa 96 GLX is fresh and modern yacht, yet maintains enough tradition to protect against premature dating – an important consideration in terms of residual value. Her surfeit of outdoor entertainment areas is sure to appeal to customers in
the Arabian Gulf, and the superb fit and finish of here interior places her right in the top
end of yachts to consider in the sub-100ft sector. As one famous denim brand’s advertising
slogan once read, ‘Quality never goes out of fashion’ and if there’s one thing that separates
the 96 GLX from other models, it is her build quality… and that flybridge of course. •
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