Absolute Navetta 68 Review (2019 Edition)

The Navetta range is a standout example of merging flybridge and trawler design, showcasing a bold and innovative approach. While the Navetta 68 may not boast the same elegance as its predecessor, the focus here is on modernist strength rather than charm, especially evident in its exterior aesthetics. Inside, however, the yacht benefits from meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship, evident across its four-cabin layout, featuring a galley positioned aft.

Hardworking Design

The Navetta's tall exterior design offers several advantages internally, including class-leading headroom throughout the interior. The raised foredeck ensures ample space for the cabin below, while the glass-clad superstructure provides breathtaking views. Additionally, the expansive flybridge with its full-beam overhangs promises ample deck space and safety.

Designed for long-distance cruising, the Navetta 68 features a semi-displacement hull form, allowing for smooth navigation through waves and efficient planing at speeds of around 30 knots, powered by pod drive IPS technology. Despite its capability to cruise comfortably at varying speeds, the yacht can also accelerate swiftly, outpacing many flybridge models.

Interior Space

The spacious interior of the Navetta 68 is a result of its wider-than-average beam and aft-mounted Volvo Penta IPS engines. This generous layout accommodates four spacious cabins without compromising on comfort, complemented by ample storage space, making it one of the most accommodating yachts in its size category.

The cabin layout features the master suite positioned forward and the guest quarters amidships, each offering private access, ensuring ample space, privacy, and luxury.

Located forward and accessible through the entrance just beyond the lower helm, the owner's cabin exudes the ambiance of a main deck master suite, a hallmark of larger yachts. Although not situated on the main deck, its placement only a few shallow steps down imparts a sense of elevation and sophistication, accentuated by expansive windows offering excellent natural light and scenic views. The ensuite bathroom, positioned in the bow section, boasts elegant finishes with white marble and walnut accents.

The guest cabins are accessed via a well-appointed stairwell and lobby area, with the latter featuring a convenient wine cooler, ideal for hosting evening gatherings. Positioned aft and spanning nearly the full beam, the VIP suite offers luxurious accommodations, while two twin-berth guest cabins are located forward. Although slightly smaller than the master suite, the VIP boasts exceptional privacy and is finished to the same impeccable standard, featuring a desk, large windows, and a blend of textured whites with natural and gloss woods. For an enhanced sense of spaciousness, the sliding door of the ensuite can be removed to open up the port side and the hull window.

Both twin-berth guest cabins are ensuite and exhibit the same level of sophistication as the VIP suite. Two oversized portlights in each cabin add a touch of nautical flair, with the option for the twin berths in the port cabin to convert into a double bed at the touch of a button.

Stowage Space

Storage solutions throughout the cabins are exceptional, with Absolute going a step further by incorporating a separate utility and storage room adjacent to the guest lobby. This room offers ample space for storing provisions, bedding, wet-weather gear, towels, and other essentials for extended cruising. Additionally, a secondary door provides access to a rugged storage compartment suitable for heavier items such as ropes, engine spares, deck furniture, and fenders. This feature adds significant value and convenience to the yacht's layout.

Another noteworthy feature in the guest area is the use of sliding doors, which are cleverly concealed in recesses to optimize cabin space and ease of access. This design choice greatly enhances the ergonomics of the space, particularly in the twin berth cabins, where maneuvering around open doors is no longer necessary. According to Absolute, this design also helps minimize rattles and noise, further enhancing the overall onboard experience.

Social Space & Light

Accommodating eight guests, the open-plan deck salon of the Navetta 68 flows seamlessly on one level. Positioned aft, the galley design incorporates a dedicated dining area, allowing the forward lounge to offer ample space for relaxation.

While conventional seating surrounds are often favored, the decision to opt for an L-shape layout to starboard opens up the port side, providing unobstructed views through the expansive full-height glass panels. This thoughtful design promotes a sense of relaxation and spaciousness, further enhanced by the oversized side-deck door that fosters a strong connection with the surrounding seascape.

To port, a low-level sideboard features a pop-up TV and generous storage space, mirroring the same level of craftsmanship and quality found throughout the cabins. This addition contributes to the warm and inviting ambiance of the expansive salon area.

The lower helm area maintains connectivity with the salon through a large hatchway, which can be closed off for privacy during night passages.

Galley & Dining

The aft galley layout is highly functional, featuring a U-shaped worktop, oven, hob, cabinet fridge and freezer, and ample storage space, including a set of smart walnut drawers facing the dining table. Its aft positioning facilitates service to the cockpit area, with the galley's retractable window creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow, ideal for serving and bartending.

While often overlooked, interior lighting plays a crucial role in onboard comfort. Throughout the Navetta 68, lighting elements are seamlessly integrated into the overall design, with strips adorning ceilings, cabinetry, and under berths to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The inclusion of a soothing blue night light encircling the helm adds a touch of elegance to the interior ambiance.

The lower helm boasts a sleek design, resembling a mini pilothouse adorned in black vinyl and walnut finishes. Positioned ahead are two black leather pilot seats facing a touchscreen dashboard and triple display pods. Situated relatively forward, the helm offers a panoramic view ahead, facilitated by a single-piece curved windscreen, complemented by surrounding side sections. 

The upper helm is equally impressive, albeit for different purposes. Serving as the social hub of the boat during daytime excursions, it's the primary steering station for shorter trips, offering seating that wraps around each side of the central helm station, allowing everyone to participate. The console itself is well-designed, featuring display pods rising above the steering wheel and throttles.

Throughout the Navetta 68, you experience the robustness and structure of a trawler yacht, albeit a sizable one, combined with the intricacy typical of a luxury yacht.

When viewed from the stern, the yacht appears remarkably large, resembling an 80-foot vessel, with expansive tiers of decks elegantly ascending. Onboard, the deep and wide side decks, shielded by tall bulwarks and the flybridge overhang, facilitate effortless navigation around the yacht. These bulwarks are adorned with sturdy rails, providing an added layer of safety, and twin bulwark gates aid in guest boarding alongside, although regrettably, they are available as optional additions. The overall ambiance exudes a sense of security and impeccable organization.

The aft cockpit benefits from the galley's positioning aft, creating a bar area and facilitating convenient serving for its teak dining table. On the other hand, the forward cockpit boasts a spacious U-shaped sofa and a teak table supported by robust stainless steel telescopic legs, enabling it to integrate with the forward sunpad, forming an expansive lounging area. Completing this exceptional space are the deep deck stowage compartments, adding to its practicality and appeal.

Flybridge Offerings

The expansive deck area on the upper level is immediately apparent, with a sprawling flybridge that accommodates various amenities. Towards the aft, there is an open section designated for free-standing furniture, complemented by a lounge and dining area. Positioned forward are twin sofas encircling the helm, all of which are sheltered by a hardtop covering the dining and helm sections. For added flexibility, a sunroof allows for ventilation and natural light, while a pull-out canopy swiftly provides shade over the aft lounge area.

Overall, the flybridge offers ample space, exceeding the needs of the yacht's designated eight guests. A well-appointed bar area caters to the needs of guests and their companions.

The flybridge boasts an impressive finish, further enhanced by Absolute's selection of teak furniture. Although our test boat featured a full teak deck, this was available as an optional extra. Additionally, the flybridge is equipped with a range of lockers and storage units, ensuring practicality and organization.

Crew & Engineering 

Returning to the main deck, access to the hydraulic bathing platform is facilitated by two transom gates, which also serve as the tender launch system. From this area, the crew quarters can be reached, featuring two single berths on each side and an ensuite. Continuing through the crew area, you'll find a well-finished and easily accessible engine bay, providing ample space around the twin Volvo Penta IPS 1200 engines.

The Navetta range undeniably commands a premium price tag, yet it undeniably delivers on quality. Its exceptional standards of fit, finish, design, and engineering set a benchmark, while its spaciousness remains unmatched in its class.

The need to purchase certain optional extras may be the only aspect open to debate. While it's common for additional features to be available, it would enhance the experience if Absolute included more items in the standard specification list, like teak decking for the flybridge, deck furniture covers, and a second seat for the lower helm.

Among the more notable and typical extras are a gyro stabiliser, hydraulic bathing platform, and flybridge hardtop.