The Italian shipyard Absolute has made a good name for itself since it was founded around 12 years ago, standing for innovation and high-quality boats. You can choose from a total of 14 models from 12 to 22 metres in length - and a luxurious and comfortable trawler, the Navetta 58, which offers six berths in three cabins, and if you tick the crew cabin option when ordering, you even have two more berths. The expansive flybridge is always included in the price.
In Italian, the name Navetta has something to do with transport, and the translation "space shuttle", for example, fits the latest creation made of glass, fibre-reinforced plastic, the finest fabrics and precious woods. "Space shuttle" stands for the latest technology and innovation. It is no coincidence that the Navetta 58 has been nominated for the important "European Powerboat of the Year 2015" award.
The Navetta 58 is a top-of-the-range trawler that can fulfil the highest demands. The workmanship inside and out is of the finest quality and the space on offer is lavish in places, such as in the three bathrooms, about which our test report says: "LARGE, luxurious space". The three cabins are no less pleasant. The forward cabin and the port cabin are reserved for guests. The owner has a cabin under the saloon floor that extends across the entire width. Each cabin has its own bathroom and the port cabin has a day bathroom. The saloon is visually divided into two sections: The helm station to starboard, the galley behind it and the dinette opposite; the saloon section with two sofas and a cocktail table is next to it.
The saloon and cockpit are separated by a large glass front. In the cockpit, a bench seat and table invite you to relax, and if that's not enough, you can go to the bow and the bow bench seat with sun lounger via the comfortable and safe side decks. A safe staircase leads to the belle Etage. Upstairs, there are also seating and lounging options as well as a table where you can relax or enjoy a meal with friends at sunset. The aft part of the flybridge is open.
Even a technician can be enthusiastic: In the engine compartment, the engines are each protected from contaminated diesel by two fuel pre-filters. The special feature is that two filters have been installed to the right and left of the stern entrance in the engine compartment so that everything can be handled safely even in heavy swell when the alarm sensors on the control positions have made themselves known. This is exemplary and is rarely seen.
CONCLUSION
Absolute has created a boat that can be used 365 days a year. The eye-catching design, the prevailing safety on board and the high-quality equipment make the Navetta 58 a special experience on the water.
Everything in the engine compartment is sensibly organised and easily accessible for servicing and inspection. In addition to the stern entrance, the engine compartment can also be accessed from the cockpit via a floor hatch with ladder.
Only IPS drives from Volvo Penta are used for propulsion, making the Navetta 58 easy to handle. The joystick makes it easy to manoeuvre the boat in any direction; the bow thruster is only necessary in strong crosswinds.
Due to the drives, the chapter on extreme manoeuvres is omitted because nothing extreme happens. If you crank the rudder fast enough and counter-steer in time, you only cause the test boat to sway slightly over its longitudinal axis, nothing more. To keep the waves generated by the boat at an acceptable height, we sail the slow passages at 800 rpm or a speed of 7 knots.
That is also the speed needed to cover distance. One tank of fuel is then sufficient for a theoretical range of over 900 nm plus 15% reserve. At fast planing speeds, 2200 rpm is recommended, where the test boat is travelling at a speed of 24 knots and the fuel lasts for just over 260 nm plus reserve in one go. This means that the Navetta 58 also fulfils our minimum requirement for fast motor yachts, for which we demand a range of at least 270 nm plus reserve.
As Poseidon was relaxed on the test day, little can be said about rough water sailing. The hull coped well with its own waves and those of other yachts. It can be assumed that it also knows how to handle larger calibres with ease. Thanks to effective sound insulation, we measured a pleasantly low maximum sound pressure level of 72 dB/A in the saloon and 84 dB/A in the cockpit.
We recommend the automatic trim tabs (extra) instead of the manually operated ones. They react quickly and act like stabilisers, which noticeably improves the overall ride comfort. Just this much: when cornering over port, the saloon roof swings into the field of vision due to the design and obstructs the view. With the automatic trim tabs, the angle of inclination is reduced and the view to the side is improved.
The fact that the trim tabs also have a positive effect on speed is another pleasant side effect - because in terms of range, it could be a decisive 12 nautical miles more at cruising speed (24 knots). Foresight at the saloon helm does not require any support from trim tabs during the start - this is optimally maintained with and without. Absolute equips the Navetta 58 ready to sail and gives the customer the opportunity to create "their own boat" via a list of accessories.
Data sheet: Absolute Navetta 58
Shipyard: Absolute S.p.A
Type designation: Absolute Navetta 58
CE category: B - Outside coastal waters
Material of hull and deck: Plastic
Length: 17,00 m
Width: 5,00 m
Displacement: 29,00 t
Price: 1.142.400,00 €
