A volley of horn sounds is followed by resounding laughter in the steering position and the neighbouring saloon. The grin on Gennaro Candida De Matteo's face is particularly big. The AB 100 has just stopped during a trip to the Cannes Yachting Festival The first waterjet model from Sanlorenzo, the equally powerful SP110. At just under 50 knots. Candida De Matteo is a former Sanlorenzo manager and the new CEO of Next Yacht Group, the parent company of AB Yachts, which previously traded under the founding name Fipa and unites the Maiora and CBI Navi brands under one roof in Viareggio. AB has been perfecting models from 80 to 140 feet for three decades for use with water jet propulsion and dominates the rankings of the fastest yachts over 24 metres without turbines.
The fascination for the Italian high-speed gliders lies not only in their high speeds. Pumps pass on the power of the three MAN diesels of 1471 kilowatts without the frictional loss of a gearbox and make use of the element that is available in abundance: Water. It is sucked in from the underside of the fuselage, compressed and expelled through a nozzle according to the recoil principle. It is directed via the outlet direction of the two outer jets. They flank the booster, which switches on at 600 revolutions per minute. AB salesman Rudolf Berglehner explains: "When travelling slowly from bay to bay, only two engines are running; the Seakeeper then ensures sea comfort." The German, who lives in Tuscany, adds: "Common rail technology has made the operation of waterjets significantly easier and more efficient."
The unimagined efficiency sphere of Waterjets
Waterjet formats not only excel in sprints, they also stop in record time and, thanks to the thrust reversing blade, in just a few yacht lengths. Even under full load. A bonnet with a 90-degree bend then sits in front of the jet and directs it towards the bow. The shipyard captain has by no means exhausted all the elements of the exhibition choreography. He goes into a full circle from a standing position, which feels like a donut with a jet ski. He performs slides or steers hard at over 40 knots. You always feel safe, even if your worried gaze initially falls on two coffee tables surrounded by sharp-edged rings. Well, if you're in the centre of the lounge during the high-speed turn, you should be prepared for a slide - in an airy, industrial flat environment with free-standing furniture and a single fixed sideboard.
This second AB 100 bears the addition "Elegance" in rose gold letters on the transom. This does not correspond to the yacht's name, but is due to the fact that this model was built without an owner as a demonstration model. This becomes clear on the lower deck amidships in the owner's cabin. The grey Alcantara lining on the walls and ceilings is reminiscent of sports cars and is accentuated by the cognac-coloured leather upholstery of the built-in furniture. Rudolf Berglehner responds to the astonished looks: "I can understand anyone who finds it too dark. I'm currently supervising the construction for a client who wants everything white." The slogan "Art is Life" is emblazoned above the bed, formed by plastic pipes stuck vertically into the wall.
Elaborate interior for AB Yachts
Marco Casamonti from Archea was commissioned by the shipyard to design the interior. It was no coincidence that the Florentine architecture studio, which he co-founded and which operates globally and also manages hotel projects for GB Invest Holding, the new majority shareholder of the Next Yacht Group, was chosen. These include the Principe di Piemonte and Excelsior in Viareggio. Berglehner points to the television behind the mirror in the VIP cabin on the port side and emphasises: "We wanted to show an interior that is new for AB Yachts and is very lavishly furnished. In general, all materials can be changed."
Two double cabins face each other amidships, each with single beds and portholes in the window wedges that can be opened to relieve the air conditioning. The bathrooms are adorned with Corian surfaces and fittings in rose gold. The decision in favour of quartz composite and a rejection of marble goes without saying: "Everything has to be extremely light. If you don't keep to the weight, the performance changes. One tonne more weight means one knot less speed." The AB 100 is suspended from the crane at 90 tonnes, which is 23 tonnes less than the 2.50 metre longer SP110. In the AB production facility in Massa, foam cores form the basis of the built-in furniture and panelling, which in turn enclose composite layers and veneers. Hardly any noise or vibrations can be heard in displacement mode. "Due to the high speeds, large forces and torsion act on the hull. The cabins stand on resilient foundations," says Berglehner about the composite shell, which is created using sandwich and vacuum technology with carbon fibre reinforcements.
Waterjets bring advantages
The list of Waterjet advantages can also be extended - and some people are amazed - to consumption. Because per distance travelled, this is unbeatable. The combination of jet propulsion and a draught of just 1.30 metres results in the best possible efficiency at high speeds and therefore an apparent contradiction: at 50 knots, the AB 100 burns 25 litres of diesel per nautical mile, which is around four litres less than at 25 knots. Even though it could theoretically travel from Saint-Tropez to Portofino in just under three hours at 44 knots, the total consumption during the test drive was a whopping 900 litres - based on an hourly fuel consumption. The AB 100's transom section contains gensets from Marine Jet Power, which manufacture their impellers from stainless steel. And according to the Swedish manufacturer, they even crush small stones or grains of sand should they get into the three intake tunnels with the 500 litres of water.
Transformer stern for spectacular dinghy rides
Yachts with waterjet drives do not develop long-distance efficiency without further ado; the entire hull must be adapted to this. No one knows this better than Marco Arnaboldi, who co-founded AB Yachts in 1992, became technical director after the sale to Fipa in 2001 and has been running his own design office in Viareggio for twelve years. Of course, his studio also continues to develop the AB models beyond the successful propulsion system. The 100 aft, for example, features a beach area with seating facing the lake, behind which more than just a hospital door opens. To lower the tender into the water, the bathing platform extends a good metre aft and upwards, together with the stern wall.
Whoever says AB Yachts has always had to say speed and now also innovation and expansion. Production in Massa and the portfolio have recently been expanded to include the 120 Beach.
Test video
Technical data
- Shipyard: AB Yachts, 2022
- Length over everything: 30,50 m
- Width: 6,80 m
- Depth: 1,30 m
- Displacement (full): 90 t
- Material: GRP/CFRP
- Motors: 3 x MAN V12 mod.
- Engine power: 3 x 1471 kW
- Waterjets: 3 x Marine Jet Power
- Speed (max.): +50 kn
- Speed (travelling): 44 kn
- Range @ 44 knots: 550 nm
- Fuel: 11 300 l
- Water: 2000 l
- Gyro stabiliser: Seakeeper 26
- Guests: 9
- Crew: 4
- Construction: Studio Arnaboldi
- Exterior design:AB Yachts
- Interior design: Marco Casamonti
- Class: CE "A", RINA C
