Absolute is bursting with self-confidence and presents a firework display of new models. The young Italian shipyard has long since outgrown its early days and boss Patrizia Gobbi has followed in her father's footsteps. She is consistently pursuing her path in the old family tradition. Absolute currently produces eighteen models from 40 to 72 feet in length - we are sailing a 56 STY sports yacht. Absolute is one of the innovative European boat manufacturers and attaches particular importance to good design, high-quality materials and fine workmanship.
Apart from the slightly too angular cut edge of the engine compartment cut-out, there is nothing to criticise about the plastic finish on the outside and below deck of the test boat. The work of the furniture makers and upholsterers is pleasing, nothing disturbs the eye, the lines are right inside and out. The impression in the saloon is refreshing, not too modern, but stylish.
The test boat has three cabins plus one for the crew. Owner and guests have two spacious bathrooms with toilet and shower. The owner stays in a suite, which is arranged across the entire width of the boat under the saloon, while guests stay in the large bow cabin and the slightly smaller starboard cabin.
One floor up, the saloon with the helm station, dinette and galley is on the same level as the cockpit. The shipyard has installed the galley on the port side, where it acts as a bar and culinary centre between the two forward seating areas, the dinette opposite and the expansive bench seat and table in the cockpit. Light and air enter through the side windows and the transparent sliding roof, which turns the 56 STY into an open at the touch of a button when the glass front between the saloon and cockpit is still open. Sun worshippers can choose between the sunbed behind the cockpit bench and the sunbed on the foredeck.
The test boat is equipped with two 600 hp D11-IPS-800 diesel engines with IPS drives and additional joystick control. The latter helps to turn the boat on the spot and manoeuvre it in any direction at slow speed. In the harbour, the speed can be reduced to 2 kn when moving in trolling mode.
In this mode, the engines turn 600 rpm while the gearbox output speeds are lowered. We sail through the slow passages at the same speeds in normal mode at 6 knots to keep the waves generated by the boat at a low level. As the engine speed increases, the compressors become acoustically noticeable from 1400 rpm, while the 56 STY begins to glide at a speed of 13 knots. The transition from displacement to planing speed is associated with minimal trim, and from 1600 rpm or 16 knots you hardly notice that the bow is lowering.
Depending on the engine, Absolute offers the 56 STY with two differently sized fuel tanks. The standard tank capacity is 1700 litres. However, as our test boat is equipped with the more powerful D11-IPS-800, the tanks in the test boat hold 1900 litres. In terms of range, this means that our boat theoretically travelled just under 1040 nm at slow speed before the 15 % reserve was reached. At fast planing speeds, it runs most economically between 2000-2200 rpm (26-31 kn), and one tank of fuel is enough for just under 270 nm non-stop plus reserve. At full speed, a maximum of 39 kn logs on the GPS; both engines theoretically empty the tank after about 253 nm up to the reserve.
The Absolute 56 STY therefore fulfils our requirement of at least 270 nm radius of action plus reserve. That's good. We also rate the sound pressure as good, which does not exceed 76 dB/A in the closed saloon at full speed and levels off at 82 dB/A in the cockpit.
The turning angles of IPS drives are programmable and therefore dependent on the speed and engine revs, which also prevents any extreme manoeuvres. Only some slaloming is possible, whereby the boat swings easily and safely over the longitudinal axis. If you start from a standstill with the drives fully engaged, you move in a spiral and only later complete the full circle, which in the case of the test boat at full throttle has a diameter of an almost sporty 150-180 metres. In practice, this means that if you want to make even tighter turns, you have to throttle back the engines. Thanks to the transparent sliding roof and the windscreen, which is pulled slightly aft, you are not flying blind when turning to port. On the starboard side, you have to bend down a little to keep your view to the side.
Grey skies, wind force three to four and rough water are no particular challenge for our test boat. However, you have to "tighten the reins" a little on the two IPS 800s and switch to a calmer pace. The Absolute 56 STY is a cruiser and not a racer with which you can sweep over the waves as impetuously as a Formula 1 boat. You have to ease off the throttle and let both rev counters stabilise at 1600 rpm or a maximum of 1800 rpm. That's still 16 to 21 nm with waves that are over a metre high in places. It's not the height of the waves, but the short sequence and the transverse waves that demand a moderate ride.
A cockpit floor opening with hatch plus ladder provides convenient access to the engine compartment. In addition to the diesel tanks, it also contains the batteries, generator and other technical equipment. The engine compartment is spacious, which favours daily checks or service work.
The technical and electrical installations fit, except for the openings in the engine compartment ceiling in front of the engine compartment bulkhead, which are sealed with assembly foam. Foamed seals do not appear to be up to date and crumble. As a result, cables and hoses are no longer held in place and chafe against the untreated cut edges. - Absolute can do better, the boss promises us.
Manually operated and electric bilge pumps and fuel pre-filters with water alarm sensors are exemplary and contribute to safety. The diesel flow is controlled by solenoid valves as standard. The same applies to the main switch relays. The side decks are easy to walk on, and appropriately fitted handrails together with the sturdy railing provide support. A ladder is integrated into the hydraulically lowerable bathing platform, which is also easy to handle from the water.
Conclusion: a fine and cleanly finished motorboat with sufficient space in which you immediately feel at home.
