Exclusive Look Inside Benetti Yachts Motopanfilo 37 'Legend'

*All Images by: Benetti Yachts*

Benetti Yachts just released new images of the sixth unit in their Motopanfilo 37m line! Provisionally known as ‘BMP007’ during its launch from the Viareggio facility in December 2023, this impressive vessel has now been named M/Y ‘Legend’.

‘Legend’ is a modern interpretation of the classic 1960s Benetti Navetta boats that combines timeless aesthetics with contemporary features, seamlessly blending classic elegance with modern convenience to meet the needs of today’s clientele.

In this article, Nautical Network invites you aboard M/Y ‘Legend’. We’ll explore the newly released images from Benetti Yachts, uncover the yacht’s beauty, delve into its essential technical specifications, and explain the subtle whale-skeleton connection.

Italian architects Claudio Lazzarini and Carl Pickering explained their vision of the Motopanfilo with this guiding sketch. Determined to recreate the symbols and memories of the past, they combined these elements with new innovations.

Lazzarini and Pickering successfully created an elegant classic motor yacht through a contemporary lens, introducing a seamless flow between interior spaces and outdoor decks, and incorporating natural elements into the design.

In December 2020, Benetti Yachts, the world-renowned Italian superyacht builder, unveiled the rebirth of one of their most popular models—the Motopanfilo. Inspired by Benetti’s 60-foot “Navettas,” this modern take on timeless elegance has resulted in what is arguably the most distinctive design in the Benetti fleet.

The first Motopanfilo model was launched in the 1960s, quickly becoming a must-have for socialites, royalty, and famous personalities in the business and entertainment world. It symbolized a status that only the wealthy and famous could afford.

Giovanna Vitelli, vice president of the Azimut-Benetti Group, explains, “The Motopanfilo series was the name given to the first leisure yachts in the 1960s. They were owned by Princess Grace and Prince Rainier early on, followed by rock stars like David Bowie in the 1980s. At the time, they were true objects of desire.”

Today , the Motopanfilo takes the spotlight again with a modern twist. While the new Benetti Motopanfilo is unmistakably modern in design, its roots are firmly anchored in the original model. The Italian superyacht builder harmoniously meets the high expectations of today’s clientele while retaining the spirit of its glorious past.

At first glance , ‘Legend’ captivates with her bronze-painted bulwark line that rises boldly, encircles the roof, and continues towards the stern, adding a discreet yet confident stylistic element. The stern lines gently descend towards the water, embracing the hull in a compact, striking design.

For ‘Legend’, as for the previous units in the line, Benetti entrusted Francesco Struglia with designing the exterior lines, while Lazzarini Pickering Architects handled both the interior and exterior spaces.

Struglia’s exterior styling harmoniously joins the hull and superstructure, creating a silhouette composed of sharp lines and elegant, elongated shapes. These contours enhance the yacht’s external beauty and play an integral role in the design of various spaces, such as the below-deck areas where the cabin walls follow the hull’s curves.

Standout features of this grand vessel include a generous Hamptons-style beach club located at the water’s edge. This large swimming platform features a pull-out bar and a stylish fabric canopy, providing cooling in multiple ways on the hottest days.

On the sun deck, a custom ‘grand piano’ sun pad, produced at the owner’s request and designed by Lazzarini Pickering Architects, adds a touch of luxury. The color palette of nautical whites and blues, complemented by Loro Piana fabrics and malachite accents, ‘adds another layer of luxe,’ according to the shipyard. Additionally, the Cocoon-style observatory deck atop the yacht offers a private retreat for two, providing a special spot to enjoy sweeping views over the horizon in total tranquility.

Stepping through the expansive glass windows, ‘Legend’ welcomes you with an interior that remains true to the allure of the 1960s, exuding elegance that transcends changing fashions. The Motopanfilo 37M features large, light-filled spaces, constant visual contact with the sea, and broad terraces that descend to the water’s edge.

Lazzarini and Pickering chose Alpi teak as the primary wood for the interiors, applying it to the walls and flooring. For this unit, the architects and shipyard collaborated with Loro Piana Interiors, dressing ‘Legend’ in classic summer fabrics such as linen in shades of white, blue, and malachite. These bright shades are complemented by wood and other elements, such as marble.

The most unique feature of the interiors is found on the main deck. This deck is designed to suggest the skeleton of a whale, “with the bones producing a sort of spatial rhythm,” according to the shipyard. This architectural element recalls traditional beams, dematerializes the bulwarks, and allows extensive lateral glazing to contain the space, creating an open ambiance undisturbed by furnishings.

The layout includes a large main deck owner’s suite forward and four guest suites on the lower deck, all with double beds. From the lobby, a spiral staircase takes guests up through two decks to the skylounge on the upper deck. The spacious main deck salon features sliding glass panels and many reflective details, further enhancing the connection between the inside and outside.

Powered by two V12 MAN engines delivering a top speed of 17 knots, M/Y Legend offers excellent seakeeping thanks to an efficient hull. Designed by Pierluigi Ausonio Naval Architecture in collaboration with the Azimut Benetti Group R&D Department, the hull optimizes fuel consumption and guarantees an impressive range.

M/Y Legend is equipped with a Selective Catalyst Reduction system, reducing environmental impact in line with IMO Tier III exhaust gas emissions standards. The yacht also features a double-capacity desalination plant for extended offshore anchorage, a fuel purification system for refueling in exotic locations, a Starlink system for constant internet access, and an upgraded package of Miele professional appliances for seamless chartering. Furthermore, ‘Legend’ is built to meet the charter requirements of the REG Yacht Code.

Length overall: 120 ft 9 in Beam max: 25 ft 3 in Draft max: 6 ft 5 in Gross Tonnage: 298 Hull and Superstructrure: GRP Full load displacement: 230 tons Fuel tank capacity: 9,246 gals Fresh water capacity: 1,056 gals Guest Cabins: 5 cabins for 10 people Crew Cabins: 4 cabins for 7 people

Main engines: 2 x MAN V12 rated 1,029 kW / 1,213 kW Generators: 2 X Kohler 70EFOZDJ – 70 kW Bow thruster: 2 x CMC TP75 (52 kW) Stabilizers: CMC LR090 electric stabilizer Max speed: 17 knots Interior designer: Lazzarini Pickering Architects Exterior designer: Francesco Struglia / Benetti Naval architecture: P.A.N.A / Azimut Benetti R&D dept. Builder: Benetti Classification: RINA Charter — Cayman Island Charter ready

The Benetti Motopanfilo 37m yacht will be on display during the Cannes Yachting Festival in Cannes, France on September 10-15, 2024.