I arrive at the harbour of Lengers Yachts in Muiden, and the Bluegame yachts immediately catch my eye: their design alone is something out of the ordinary. Today I board the latest version, the Bluegame BGX 60 designed by Luca Santella/Zuccon Studio. I enter the boat from behind and stand in the cockpit, which is open aft. Here the shipyard has installed a wet bar, dinghy crane, free-standing sun loungers and an automatic gangway that can also be used as a swimming ladder. Further forward, there is a large glass front, the sections of which can be slid over each other, and what you see behind it is a first-class aft saloon. Access is via a short staircase leading down from the deck. Sitting in this room and looking aft, I get the feeling of floating on the surface of the water. But that's not all, a few more steps forwards and you enter the owner's cabin. The bright room not only accommodates a large double bed, but also a seating and make-up area and a walk-in wardrobe. The owner can enjoy the view outside through large windows in the side walls. It almost goes without saying that there is also a spacious en-suite bathroom and a television on this level.
Need more information? You can find the BoatCheck of the Bluegame BGX 60 with technical data and more pictures in BOOTE issue 06/2021 from 19 May 2021 at newsstands or online at the Delius Klasing Shop.
One floor higher, on the middle deck, there are two staircases: one from the aft saloon directly to the upper saloon and the second from the aft deck to the upper cockpit. On this level, the designer also accommodated wide side decks and the foredeck with the king-size seat/lounger combination. This is where you want to stay and simply enjoy yourself. But the other areas also have their charm, of course: in the cockpit there is a comfortable sofa, free-standing chairs and table, all of which can be covered with a bimini. A wide stern door leads to the saloon, which has a seating area, chairs and table on the port side and a flat-screen TV set into the ceiling, which folds out at the touch of a button and provides the travelling companions with entertainment. To starboard is a galley that leaves little to be desired, and in the centre of the saloon (at the front) is the driver's seat. Before we take a seat there, however, we make a detour to the VIP cabin. Access is via a staircase right next to the driver's cabin. Once downstairs, the spacious guest cabin with double bed, ample storage space and en-suite bathroom also offers a high level of comfort.
Now to the driving: We cast off using the Volvo Penta joystick system, which not only has a control lever at the helm, but also outside. We cast off and set course for the IJmeer on the Utrechtsche Vecht. In between, we switch to the double single-lever control at the helm and let the Bluegame run straight on at idle speed. Outside, the wind is blowing at around 5 Bft and creates a hard choppy wave, but this has no effect on the course stability. To make the ride across the wave as stable as possible, we switch on the Gyroscope Sea Keeper 9 stabiliser, which noticeably reduces rolling. If you push the gear lever further forwards, the hull lifts out of the water without much trimming, and planing begins at around 16 knots, reaching its maximum at almost 31 knots (2300 rpm). Trimming is handled by an automatic system. Even at high speeds, the hull remains stable and balanced and generates little spray. The use of the Seakeeper also allows the Bluegame to run more smoothly in this situation. If you turn the rudder all the way to the stop when travelling at speed, the hull will lean slightly to one side and turn in fairly large radii. The steering of the two IPS drives always remains smooth and precise. The cruising speed? It is between around 17 and 24 knots, as consumption in this range is almost uniform at around 9 litres per second. With a tank capacity of 3000 litres, this results in a range of almost 300 nm plus 15% reserve. The Bluegame becomes a real long-distance runner from around 11.5 kn at 400 nm. Note: We sail with the optional motorisation of 2 x Volvo Penta IPS 1200, the shipyard installs 2 x IPS 900 as standard engines.
Need more information? You can find the BoatCheck of the Bluegame BGX 60 with technical data and more pictures in BOOTE issue 06/2021 from 19 May 2021 at newsstands or online at the Delius Klasing Shop.
The skipper and his co-driver sit on a double-shell bench seat on our test boat. If you are not enthusiastic about this solution, two single seats are also available. In order to find the right route using electronic charts and to monitor the engines and the boat's entire technology, the shipyard installs an easy-to-read "glass cockpit", which can also display images from the installed cameras (2 x in the engine compartment, 1 x cockpit). The split windscreen made of safety glass provides the usual "analogue view" towards the bow. It is ideally equipped with three windscreen wipers and defroster nozzles. Another special feature of the windscreen: unlike most yachts, it has an inverted angle of inclination (like a trawler), which gives the boat a ship-like character.
The two Volvo Penta diesels are located under the floor of the aft deck. Quick access is via a hatch in the floor and is facilitated by a ladder (like a bathing ladder). For larger jobs, almost the entire floor of the deck can be raised. You can see from the fire extinguishing system, the extra diesel filters and the firmly and cleanly laid pipes that things are also done professionally down there.
Need more information? You can find the BoatCheck of the Bluegame BGX 60 with technical data and more pictures in BOOTE issue 06/2021 from 19 May 2021 at newsstands or online at the Delius Klasing Shop.
The Bluegame makes a high-quality impression: this starts with the solid, ship-like fittings, continues with the deck shape with neatly recessed panoramic windows and ends with the chic, very comfortable interior.
