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The first Benetti Oasis 40M is a spectacular innovatively-styled superyacht that offers an unconventional layout devoid of all physical and visual barriers. Plus an astonishing 90 sqm beach area that promises fun and relaxation aplenty by Désirée Sormani- ph. Courtesy by Benetti Yachts

biettivo 50” is how Benetti refers to its mission to deliver long lasting, highly reliable designs and products. That philosophy also underpins the new Oasis 40M. Penned by the hugely respected British superyacht design studio RWD, the craft’s exterior lines clothe a plumb bow, a windscreen with full-height wheelhouse glazing and automotive-inspired style accents. But the Oasis 40M’s real wow factor lies in the symbiotic relationship it creates between its guests and nature. “The Oasis 40M is the result of our desire to create a new onboard lifestyle and way of living both sea and boat,” says Giovanna Vitelli, vice-president of Azimut-Benetti. This new concept was a dream come true for American former offshore powerboat champion, Tim Ciasulli, who bought the first in the series. The Oasis 40M boasts an astonishing beach area and a unique layout devoid of physical and visual barriers: 90 sqm of multifunctional space where guests can chill out or have fun. With two side wings open, this space spans 11 metres in width. It is dominated by a central sunbathing island and a C-shaped sofa and a coffee table. The big draw, however, is the seven square metre infinity pool, which also has a hydromassage function. A discreetly-tucked-away outside side stairway provides access to the sun deck, an additional area of 90 sqm with a big 12-seater rectangular table, a second circular Jacuzzi forward, and an infinity bar and seating aft. There are no visual impediments aboard to block views of the surrounding world and the eye is constantly drawn to the ever-present sea. The interior décor is the work of the New York-based Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture studio, on its debut outing in the yachting world. “Eclecticism is important to bring in new ideas based on contamination between sectors,” says Giovanna Vitelli. “These are very open architects, stimulated by different worlds and experiences”. Indeed, the layout differs from the traditional one. Two large white and grey sofas arranged in an arc welcome guests into the main saloon. The dining area is amidships and behind the forward bulkhead an elegant bar cabinet opens like a chest to reveal a highly evocative backlit onyx panel. Bonetti/Kozerski chose an organic design with minimalist detailing, neutral colours and materials that include Calacatta and Vagli marble, teak, rosewood and white lacquer work. They used natural light, big glazed surfaces and glass doors to enhance the sense of effortless continuity with the exterior. Teak flooring helps blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces too. The designers’ biggest challenge was the fact that there was no set backdrop or context, says Enrico Bonetti: “So we imagined a causal and refined couple of owners. Then we looked at many Benetti yachts and saw that the interior scenery changed from one space to another”. However, the Oasis has a clean, simple aesthetic and exceptional coherence to its look. The architects even designed most of the furniture, but mixed in here and there are designer pieces included at the owner’s request, most notably the Gio Ponti D.859.1 table by Italian firm Molteni &C. The lady owner also chose the different types of marble used and all of the upholstery - most of the fabrics are by Dedar. Rebeca’s master suite is full-beam with the bed on the port side and a lounge area to starboard. It is an elegant space that hums with a discreet kind of luxury, an impression achieved using myriad details and the different patterns chosen for the fabrics and leather headboard trim. Expansive full-height windows on both sides allow natural light to filter inwards and become part of the interior décor. The suite is completed by a central corridor leading to a his and hers dressing room and bathroom. There is also a multipurpose area which aboard Rebeca been kitted out as a gym, but can also be used as an extra guest cabin or private office. The futuristic wheelhouse is quite astonishing. The bridge is designed as a functional space that delivers a genuinely a new cruising experience, thanks to 180 degree full-height windows and comfortable seating for six. The traditional helm station is replaced by a futuristic-looking carbon-fibre bridge console with ceiling-mounted screens. Developed by Benetti and Seastema, it offers exceptional military-technology-derived software integration. The ergonomic captain’s chair is by Besenzoni with the controls arranged on two small peninsula-shaped panels – almost like extra armrests. The Oasis 40M’s hull efficiency is also superb, delivering a top speed of 18 knots and a cruising speed of 11. Rebeca is now available for charter through Burgess – we envy her lucky future guests!

www.benettiyachts.com

The astonishing 65 sqm beach area aboard Rebeca has two side wings which once opened out, extend its width to 11m. With a unique layout devoid of physical and visual barriers, the multifunctional space grows to 90 sqm – great for chilling out or having fun. Opening page, the superyacht Rebeca has as many al fresco areas as a 50m

The Owner Tim Ciasulli

im Ciasulli, founder of Planet Honda, holds four offshore powerboat-racing world speed records, once hitting upwards of 180 mph. Ciasulli is equally passionate about Italy, the sea and, of course, yachts. In September, he took delivery of his latest dream boat: Rebeca, the first Benetti Oasis 40M. Ciasulli spoke with us via video call to share his and his wife Rebeca’s experiences so far. Mr. Ciasulli, why did you choose the Oasis 40M over other Benettis? I wanted to work with a shipyard that shared the same core values that my wife and I believe in: integrity, passion and accountability. And that’s Benetti! I’ve always been a pioneer in my life so when we saw the boat, the casual lifestyle it offered and the dramatic change from the very classic Benetti yachts – we said this is the boat! But this yacht is the antithesis of your passion for speed…. Yes, I got four speed world records in the ‘80s! (Using his smartphone, he shows us a room full of trophies. Then he points to a picture of him passing in front of the World Trade Center in New York). It was two days before 9-11… we set a speed world record there, and that is the most significant to me... I spent part of my life going fast, and sadly I’ve lost many friends, and I probably wanted to slow down, but I also have a five-engine boat the same colour as Rebeca. We are going to tow her behind us. She runs 100 mph. So, when I want to reach a port 30 miles away, I can easily be there in 20 minutes. What do you most appreciate about onboard life? The most striking difference with this boat is the blurred lines between inside and outside. From the moment I get out from bed and put my feet on the teak floor and look through this big window in the stateroom, I’m already outside—and I like being outside. Also in most yachts, you can’t sit in the back underway, or not for very long, because there is a fair amount of spray and the exhaust doesn’t smell good. On this boat, there is no smell of fuel and no noise.

I wanted to work with a shipyard that shared the same core values that my wife and I believe in: integrity, passion and accountability. And that’s Benetti! I’ve always been a pioneer in my life so when we saw the boat, the casual lifestyle it offered we said this is the boat!

As the yacht started on spec, did you ask Bonetti/ Kozerski Architecture for changes? It was a very bold move for Benetti to hire Enrico Bonetti for the interior, as he had never done a boat before. I think that is why it turned out incredible. He is a genius - the way he looked at space. On the Oasis, the spaces and volumes are huge, so you feel like you are on much larger boat. Not a 40m but a 50m! Some of the changes that we made regarded storage. We added some. We also took a design cue from the round circular light in the saloon. I’m in the automobile business and it reminded me of a wheel. So, we put a round mirror that you see as you walk into the master bathrooms and the closets. That turned out to be a great design element. It really tied everything together.

her. When people see the steering position, they say, “Wow, we haven’t seen anything like that!” But the biggest “Wow!” comes from captains who have been running my old-style boat where there aren’t floorto-ceiling windows. My crew love to be in that room. We enjoy sitting up there, too, watching the captain navigate. In Portofino, it was very easy to back the boat in… I was impressed.

Did Mrs. Ciasulli get involved in the interior design? Oh yes, my wife chose some of the fabrics, leathers and the colour palette. She wanted to touch all the materials and make sure they all match. Benetti made it very, very easy: they have everything in their showroom.

What are your plans for the coming months? We want to spend a little time along the coasts of Sardinia and Elba. The coast in Italy is spectacular! We love exploring.

When Benetti delivered Rebeca, you sailed her from Viareggio to Portofino (for the private event). What was the reaction when you arrived into the harbour? I felt like a rock star! Everybody was taking photos of my boat: if I had a dollar for every picture, I could buy a 50m Oasis! That was totally a part of the fun.

What was your reaction when you first stepped aboard? When we saw her in Viareggio, it was like, WOOOOW! … I was speechless. Did you sit in the captain’s chair and drive the yacht? That helm station is really futuristic…. Yes, absolutely! And it’s very, very easy to manoeuvre

Above, the five-engine boat Mr and Mrs Ciasulli will use as chase boat has the same livery colour as Rebeca. She runs at 100 mph. Opposite page, the owners on the day they took delivery in Viareggio

A gorgeous night-time shot of Rebeca at anchor off Santa Margherita Ligure in Italy. The Oasis 40M (133’11’’ ft) has a superbly efficient hull that delivers 18 knots at full throttle and a cruising speed of 11. Rebecca is available for charter through Burgess

Above, an aftward view of the saloon which melds into one large space with the beach club, a fact underscored by the use of teak underfoot. Below, right, the sky lounge on the upper deck also connects to the cockpit. Bottom, left, another al fresco area forward – a cosy and absolutely private corner. Facing page, top, the sun deck with bar and stools overlooking the stunning sea; below, the saloon again - the architects even designed most of the furniture, but mixed in here and there are designer pieces included at the owner’s request, most notably the Gio Ponti D.859.1 table by Italian firm Molteni &C.

Exterior Design Adrian Chisnell – RWD’s team principal

enetti gave us the space to innovate, particularly by saying forget what we knew about, forget tradition, forget everything we had done before and start with a clean slate, with a younger client in mind, with families in mind, to change our relationship with the sea. The Oasis range encapsulates a new philosophy focused on enjoying your yacht. The guiding principle in developing the Oasis 40M centred around fostering an unforced symbiosis with nature for her active owners and their guests. It was about designing a yacht that enabled them to have an effortless and boundless connection with their surroundings

while on board, leading to unique, unforgettable experiences. The only way to allow a real, boundless and intimate relationship between the guests and the ocean was to create a spectacular multi-purpose beach terrace – unique in this category of yacht and a benchmark for this class going forward. From a design perspective, it was crucial that the beach area have an unimpeded flow, unlimited by other elements of the layout and seamlessly connected to the main saloon. That’s why we moved the tender and toys to side and forward garages. This meant that every inch of space at the stern could be dedicated to limitless enjoyment of the surroundings, close to water, out of the wind and with a feeling of openness to the natural environment. The entire area is clad in teak and centres on a large stunning infinity pool. We also devised two fold-down platforms on either side that transform the beach area to a 90 sqm expanse of living space. When the platforms are lowered, the area becomes a wonderfully open, spacious lounge and terrace almost at water level. On this yacht, you experience the sea in a new way. The lifestyle aboard is both dynamic and relaxing. The Oasis 40M is a game changer.

Interior Design Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture

rom the beginning, the idea with the Oasis design was to develop an unconventional, semi-custom yacht aimed at younger owners with a more informal and adventurous lifestyle. We wanted to create a yacht that had the same contemporary spirit or ambience as a loft, in terms of both style and usability. So, we divided up the spaces in a very unconventional, integrated way. The internal layout is cleaner and more coherent than traditional yacht interiors where the materials and finishes change from one space to the next. The fact that we had never worked on a yacht before means that we came to the project with no cultural or professional preconceptions. We approached every problem with a fresh mind. From the beginning, it was very clear to us that, even though this yacht was going to be used as a home, we should try to give a special connotation to all the elements we designed to constantly remind guests that they are on a very special moving vehicle. We also focused on the connection between internal and external spaces to enhance that bond with the sea. For example, we introduced a lot of reflective surfaces, such as some of the wall panelling which has a high gloss lacquer finish, reflecting both sea and sky, bringing the surroundings inside and making the boat feel much bigger. We also abandoned the traditional division of spaces, preferring a more cohesive layout based on a consistent rhythm that guides people through the spaces. The owners added personal touches to the décor, finishes and

even the layout: they asked for some minor changes, based on their previous experience as boat owners. They added some storage space, as there is no such thing as too much storage space on board. They also asked to move the circular element from the saloon to the master stateroom, hence the round mirror that you see as you walk into the bathrooms and the closets. It’s a great design element that ties everything together. We try not to use known brands, so we designed a lot of the freestanding furniture, such as the chestnut wood dining table in the sky lounge, which unusually is arranged longitudinally to one side. When choosing fabrics as well as the colour palette, our goal was to underscore that idea of blurred connection between outside and inside. Several materials and colours from outside have been brought inside, so when you see the same surface continuing, the space you are in is going to feel even bigger. This yacht is unique. We worked with Benetti and RWD to create something truly different. It’s not trying too hard to look different but it is.

Above, the master suite: the round mirror that can be seen as you walk into the bathrooms and the closets is a great design element that ties everything together, and was inspired by the owner’s passion for cars. Facing page, above, the sun deck is a vast seafront terrace with a large table, BBQ and Jacuzzi

The Shipyard Giovanna Vitelli Vice-President of Benetti

asis is not just the name of a model but a whole new yacht market segment. As its moniker suggests, this is a holistic boat concept that will allow occupants to fully and independently live the seafaring life. It also takes some inspiration from crossovers and explorers but goes beyond their limits with even richer content and extra glamour. The build of this Oasis began on spec but the owner really liked the proposal the yard had developed and the New York studio Bonetti/Kozerski, as the lady owner is a great fan. We chose designers from other sectors because we feel they bring the added value of an approach uninfluenced by set-instone thinking. That can yield unusual results and genuine innovations. Our Group loves trying out collaborations with architects from other sectors, particularly if they have been successful in several other areas, such as the hotel, automotive and residential sectors as is the case with Bonetti/Kozerski. I think that design innovation is the key ingredient in creating the perfect emotional experience that our clients are looking for nowadays. For the Oasis 40M we chose a studio we knew could design a craft that really would break with tradition. Having collaborated with prestigious clients such as fashion designer Donna Karan and boutique hotel owner Ian Schrager, Bonetti/ Kozerski proved the perfect partner, creating a sophisticated yet casual-chic ambience for the yacht, which is exactly what we had in mind. We really like so many parts of this design, starting with the beach area, which is an absolute first on a craft of this size. There is also a pool that is unique for a yacht of this size too and was designed by RWD with the yard. The wheelhouse is fascinating too as it is a multipurpose space where the captain, owner and guests can enjoy the cruise and plot the course together from a new vantage point. Then, of course, there are other relaxed, informal, comfortable interior areas, where natural light becomes a décor element in its own right, underscoring that desire for oneness with nature. The Oasis breaks with nautical convention yet also retains Benetti and Made in Italy elegance and tradition. We wanted to reveal the Benetti brand’s more glamorous side and so gave it an adventurous look to mirror a new concept of onboard living. It is designed for modern international owners with a very active, dynamic, casual lifestyle who also have sophisticated tastes. The Oasis 40M is a hugely successful model: 12 were sold off the plans before it was even officially presented last October.

Rebeca is the very first example of the hugely successful Oasis range of which 12 have already been sold. The stunning wheelhouse has circular full-height windows and a futuristic-looking bridge console by Benetti and Seastema. Made from carbon-fibre, it employs software integration based on military technology and ceiling-mounted screens. An ergonomic captain’s chair by Besenzoni is flanked by small peninsula-shaped control panels