Yacht Class n°38 (sept-oct-nov 2024)

Arcadia Yachts

For some fifteen years now, the Italian shipbuilder Arcadia has been launching innovative boats in terms of design and naval architecture. The A96, with her adventurous chic look, offers plenty of living space, inside and out, so you can make the most of your time on the water, at sea and at anchor.

Written by : Christophe Varène – Photos : Alberto Cocchi

When the Italian shipyard Arcadia launched its first unit at the end of 2009, many observers were surprised – generally positively – by the unusual exterior design at the time: a hull with a high freeboard, a well-defended bow and superstructures with large areas of glass. All of which adds up to a chic cruising silhouette. The Arcadia A96 is another in a line that includes three other models: A85, A105 and A115. For the record, the shipyard, based in the magnificent Bay of Naples, just a few kilometres from Pompeii, also offers a short range of two more sporty models, the Sherpa 60 and 80. Designed in-house by the company’s architects, engineers and designers, the sophistication of the A96’s specifications is apparent almost at first glance, with a hull that has been very carefully crafted in terms of its waterline step, the right alternation of contrasting horizontal lines to break up the somewhat massive effect and, at anchor, its incredible transformation to open wide to the outside.

A stern with variable geometry

Let‘s start with the stern of this yacht, which offers no less than 415 m² of living space in its entirety. Embarking via the large aft platform, where the tender will be installed when sailing, and via the two side staircases, we discover a vast saloon well protected on the sides by the high bulwarks and above by the upper deck canopy: comfortable bench seating for ten passengers flank four low tables that can also be used as sunbeds. But when calling at secluded coves, the Arcadia A96‘s “wings” have to be spread out to open up the landscape and bring you closer to the sea. The same feeling prevails in the dining room and the interior saloon, which can then be accessed: thanks to the bay windows that can be fully retracted and the terraces that open out on either side, guests can enjoy their lunch as if they were outside. The galley is close by on the port side, and offers also a staircase reserved for the crew, who can move between the three levels without disturbing the passengers.

A soft and soothing decoration

Let’s stay on the main deck for a few more moments to appreciate the owner’s suite. You enter on the starboard side via an office area opposite a dressing room, then into the cabin, which takes up the entire width of the boat: central king-size bed, forward bulkhead covered with a bookcase and XXL TV screen, sofa, wide side bays and forward shower room. All the talent of interior designer Igor Lobanov comes into its own here, with a hushed, enveloping atmosphere using natural materials (wood, cotton, stone…) and soft, curving lines. A similar atmosphere prevails on the lower deck, where four guest cabins (two VIP and two twin) benefit from this soothing décor and their own private bathrooms. The crew quarters occupy the forward section, with a mess, a cabin for the captain and two others (with bunk beds) for a total of five crew members. Well insulated aft, the engine room houses four Volvo Penta IPS diesel engines (1050 as standard and up to 1350, as on the unit visited).

A convivial upper deck

Let’s go up two levels to reach the upper deck, the domain of open-air conviviality. The forward deck features a simple saloon with a coffee table and armchairs, as well as a crane for launching the tender and mooring gear. At the stern, a farniente area is included together with deckchairs and a table for star-studded dinners, in every sense of the word. In the centre, a saloon can be used for home cinema, with a soft, rounded bench facing a large screen. It is to be noted that the ceiling offers an original design. The glass panels that make up part of it are covered with spaced solar panels for a triple benefit: natural lighting of the living room, protection from the sun’s rays and energy production. This last point is also part of the philosophy developed by Arcadia in terms of eco-responsibility and environmental protection, and we can add to it the double-glazed walls (the enclosed gas provides thermal protection), the use of natural materials and the hull design that reduces fuel consumption.

A gentle cruising enthusiast

As the wheelhouse is located on the forward part of the upper deck superstructure, it’s time to address the question of performance. Here too, as part of its environmental approach, Arcadia promotes “slow yachting”, a way of experiencing the sea at a leisurely pace to savour the scenery, improve passenger comfort (also helped by the stabilisers) and consume in moderation. With her four Volvo Penta IPS1350 diesels, each developing 1,000 hp, the A96 approaches a top speed of 24 knots, but at slow speeds (10 knots), she is capable of covering more than 2,000 miles and criss-crossing many seas, starting with the Mediterranean. Isn’t Arcadia a region in the centre of the Peloponnese, in Greece?