What happens when a sailor designs a motor yacht for another sailor? He creates something unprecedented, the sports utility yacht - a format based on the SUV that can go anywhere on the water even in adverse conditions, can carry many toys and is somewhere between a fisherman, commuter, walkaround, chase boat and day cruiser in terms of styling and use. This is what happened with the Bluegame 62.
However, the concept behind the 18.80 metre long GRP glider with centre console is by no means new. Bluegame was co-founded in 2005 by Italian sailing professional and two-time Olympian Luca Santella. When he was skippering a 50-foot sailing yacht, the owner asked him to design a motorised 55-footer. This had to be elegant, safe and practical and serve him once a year for fishing trips. The result - "Luja" - looks not unlike the current BG 62 and impressed with its high level of functionality. The demand was high.
Bluegame 47 and 60 surprised with a wealth of variants
Backed by an investor, Bluegame launched two models on the market in 2009, which Sanlorenzo produced and marketed. The Bluegame 47 and 60 surprised with their wide range of variants, with changes possible to both the deck layout and the interior.
Whether it was the many options is unclear. In any case, Bluegame disappeared into oblivion and Santella, a classically trained architect, designed the highly successful SX line for Sanlorenzo.
In 2018, the shipyard honoured a purchase option for Bluegame and breathed new life into the patient together with Zuccon. The hull lines with the characteristic deep V and high bow were still supplied by the American naval architect Lou Codega.
Seaworthiness as one of the highest requirements
Santella has always attached great importance to seaworthiness: "We make Bluegame for ocean and water sports enthusiasts. The hull with the high bow is robust and can withstand heavy seas, while the open aft deck delights sporty, active owners."
One drastic change is the switch to IPS units from Volvo Penta. "We wanted a drive with excellent consumption and efficiency, low noise and vibration levels and compact dimensions," says Santella, explaining the decision and adds: "Bluegame yachts are primarily used by owners and their families, but without a captain. Joystick control on the open sea or in the harbour - that's exactly what IPS offers us."
Two options for motorising the Bluegame
Bluegame lists two options for the twin motorisation: the IPS pods from the 1200 series transmit 588 kilowatts each, while the 1350 series transmits 735 kilowatts each to the counter-rotating twin propellers. This enables the Bluegame 62 to reach a whopping 38.5 knots, a good three knots less with the small standard propulsion package. In both cases, space is saved in the hull due to the elimination of the shaft system. In the lazarette, accessible via the rear of the aft sunbathing area, the Sanlorenzo offshoot can realise a crew cabin for one person on request.
It goes without saying that architect Santella prioritises form over function. Together with Bernardo Zuccon, he redesigned the exterior of the Bluegame 60 and extended the bathing platform. It lowers for the most part, leaving a walkway at the side from which an additional staircase leads into the water or ashore - both extras. The Italian creative team accentuated the already striking steering position with the black colour scheme and the carbon T-top that floats freely towards the rear. Teak steps lead up to the roof, which can be used to store surfboards or other toys and can be transformed into a fourth (!) sun lounger with optional cushions.
The slanted forward-facing windows - they want to say: we can take on any weather - create space for two twelve-inch Raymarine displays, which can be operated standing up or from the carbon fibre bucket seat. Next to the single seat, a companionway leads into the open galley with a dining area for four, which is characterised by gleaming white fronts and warm oak wood. The five-metre-wide owner's cabin behind it and the guest cabin in the bow have the same design. Only FSC-certified wood, LEDs, formaldehyde-free furniture and non-toxic, sustainable leather are used. Unlike its predecessor, the Bluegame 62 has an immovable layout both inside and out. Lengers Yachts, Sanlorenzo and Bluegame dealer for Germany, lists the striking SUY for a starting price of 1,575,000 euros.
