Astondoa As8 Review (2020 Edition)

Founded in 1916, this Spanish yard prides itself on making custom-made yachts between 15-33m (50-110ft). Each yacht is bespoke with Astondoa’s team working in tandem with owners. No two are quite the same, partly due to everything being done in their factory in Alicante. A great example of this level of customisation was in 2009 when Astondoa painted a ship to match the owner's helicopter perfectly in colour and style.

All the carbon fibre work is done in-house, along with the furniture, stainless steel, and other components. This level of self-reliance means there should be a high level of control and consistency in the builds. The detailing is lovely throughout.

Astondoa's semi-custom approach allows for a flexible deck layout. For instance, you can have split tables, a fixed table, a sun pad, or a transom bench facing different directions in the cockpit. The flybridge on the boat we saw has open space at the aft end. However, the layout is entirely customisable - whether you want additional seating, a dining area, or even a hot tub.

Inside, the As8 breaks from modern trends by positioning the galley forward. This leaves an enormous lounge area aft for socialising and relaxing. The forward galley might not feel as spacious as those located amidships or aft, but it sits conveniently next to the helm. This setup is good for owner-operators on long passages so everything is within easy reach.

In the saloon, because of the forward galley, there is a lot of space dedicated to the lounging area aft. There’s a big L-shaped sofa and enough space for an armchair with the seating positioned for optimal viewing of the television. The mix of materials is impressive: oak with both dark and light tones, and ebony flooring, it all feels very stylish. Forward, the boat features a sizeable square dining table. If you prefer a round or alternative shape, customisation is an option.

Galley

The forward galley arrangement is cleverly designed. A partition door allows you to close it off from the helm for privacy if the crew needs to use it, and there's a side door for easy access. The proximity to the helm means grabbing supplies will be easy if you need to stay close when on passage.

It could get warm fairly quickly, however, given it's right beneath the vast glass sections of the windscreen. The air-con will be working hard on warm days. The layout features a big wrap of counters, which double as a bar with some stools tucked underneath. Storage is plentiful, including under the counters, plus a dishwasher and a full-height fridge and freezer.

One downside is that the upper storage, where the ventilation is, obstructs the view for taller people so you find yourself ducking to see aft. An open-plan option is available, which would help make the space more sociable - I'd probably go for that unless you want the privacy from the crew. 

Owner's Cabin

The owner’s cabin has a big cupboard and a hanging wardrobe, but no walk-in wardrobe. The floating chaise longue, underlit for a great effect, hovers over the deck, inviting you to throw yourself down and look out over the water.  

There's a large TV mounted on the wall behind, a lovely big bed and there’s still easy movement around the cabin, thanks to the flat floor from the entrance to the bathroom. A lovely bureau with jewellery storage, drawers, and additional hanging storage on the other side. The lighting, with backlighting behind the wardrobe and spots in the ceiling, is nicely done, too. You get control of the blinds, lighting, and chargers right by the bed on both sides.

The bathroom space is remarkable, especially for a yacht of this size. While you might miss out on some wardrobe space, the luxurious feel of the bathroom makes up for it. Twin sinks, huge storage underneath, and tasteful black towel rails add to its charm. The marble finish is lovely, and the shower cubicle is massive, featuring a rain shower head and windows on both sides. 

The forward VIP cabin has a clever layout. Unlike many yachts, you don't walk straight into the end of the bed when you enter. Instead, there's an open floor space in front of the door. This makes the room feel more spacious and gives a practical area to get changed without bumping into each other. The starboard side has a private ensuite with a separate shower cubicle, rain shower head, and beautiful marble detailing. Storage is excellent, with big hanging lockers on either side and drawers underneath the bed - no need to lift the mattress to access your stuff. The headroom is towering, and while there's no skylight, the hull windows on either side make for a bright and airy space.

The starboard double cabin is a nice-sized room with space around the bed for easy access. The large hull window keeps the space naturally lit so it never feels gloomy. This cabin has a television, a bureau, and storage above, alongside a private bathroom tucked behind a door.

Opposite the double, the twin cabin is good for kids or guests who aren't a couple. It also has a private bathroom, so everyone has good levels of privacy.

Crew Accommodation

There are two crew cabins on board with a single cabin and twin bunks as standard. As an option, you can have another bunk in the single cabin. This area is also where the washer/dryer is fitted and there's a split toilet/shower room for the crew to use. It's helpful that there is direct access to the engine room from here, too, as well as via a quick access hatch inside the cockpit.

The upper helm has a fixed bench and there isn't much adjustment available, which would be a welcome improvement. The As8 is a twin 1,900hp boat that tops at about 32 knots and cruises comfortably at 25 knots. It's designed for leisurely cruises rather than sharp manoeuvres.

The helm station feels a bit like Princess's with its two-tone colour scheme, and it looks like it hovers over the bottom of the dash. The carbon fibre detailing is brilliant and there are a couple of cup holders for the skipper. A smart feature is the retractable screens, which disappear into the dash automatically. There's also a deep storage locker on the side for stashing your phone or sunglasses. Overall, it’s a great arrangement up here.

Now, the lower helm. While we haven't driven this boat yet, it’s clear this area could use some refining. The setup includes the usual triple MFDs, throttles, and thrusters, all nicely displayed. However, the placement is less than ideal. The wheel is fixed and so is the bench, which sits much lower than the wheel itself. When seated, you're too far away from everything, so some adjustments are necessary.

The helm's position tucked in the corner provides a good view forward with no blind spots. But, looking aft requires twisting around or poking your head out the side window. Cameras do offer a view, but it doesn’t compare to the more central helm positions on some of the boat's rivals which provide a better all-round view.

The smoked glass that tilts in towards the cockpit from the transom is a cool touch that gives the boat a striking look from the stern. As you would expect on a boat of this style, there is a hydraulic bathing platform to launch/recover the tender.

Now on to the cockpit, which you can access via the starboard side when the passerelle is out. Both sides feature covered mooring gear sections that house sturdy gear with big cleats and winches. 

This particular As8 has a split table setup, though you could opt for a fixed table and sun pad or a transom bench facing inward. This particular arrangement, with people facing outwards rather than in, is a layout that more yards are adopting. Over to the starboard side, as part of the flybridge stairs, you’ll find a third docking station equipped with twin throttle controls and thrusters. It’s a practical addition that should make stern-to mooring easier. 

Side Decks & Foredeck

The side decks on the Astondoa As8 have some nice details, such as boarding gates on both sides allowing you to disembark when you're alongside a high pontoon. You can see from the side decks the enormous amount of glass Astondoa has used to make sure the interior feels open and light. 

The foredeck is a genuinely impressive living space and the amount of comfortable seating here is particularly welcome. There’s a bit of a step up into this area, but it’s worth it. Pop-up lights, cup holders, and a pram hood that pops up at the touch of a button to provide shade make this a lovely space to relax. While it's more about lounging, it’s not ideal for dining as the backrest sits quite far back. However, the table is substantial, not just a token drinks table. Forward, you've got pure sunbathing space with a backrest allowing people to face into the boat if they fancy a bite to eat up there.

The quality of the build is evident in lovely details like the integrated fairleads in the bulwarks, a tasteful teak grate covering the cleats when not in use, and all the stainless steel and carbon fibre.  

Flybridge

Astondoa's Italian distributor went for a minimalist approach on the flybridge on the tour boat, leaving it as a big, open space. This gives you the flexibility to tailor it to your liking. Whether you want another dining table, sunbathing lounges, or a mix of both, it's your canvas. As it stands, the empty expanse feels like it really needs some personal touches to make it an inviting area.

Tucked away discreetly is a shower for cooling off without making a trip down to the bathing platform. The optional hard top, a popular choice, has a vane-style sunroof and beneath it, you'll find a massive bar area with loads of countertop space and a grill. We'd prefer the grill positioned next to the sink for easier cleaning. The setup includes two fridges and an ice maker, so it’s well-equipped to serve your guests gathered around the split tables. These tables, like the ones in the cockpit, are flexible - easy to navigate between when closed and big enough for dining when open.

Forward, the flybridge features not one, but two helm benches. This allows plenty of seating for guests to enjoy the journey while looking ahead. 

The As8’s engine room is accessible through a hatch in the cockpit or through the crew cabin. Despite housing two big MAN 1,900hp V12 engines, there's still plenty of room to get around. These engines aren’t small by any stretch, and the space is filled with the usual equipment you'd expect on an 80-footer. Two large generators dominate one side and the hydraulic fin stabilisers should keep everything smooth at high speeds, with the option to add gyroscopes for belt-and-braces stability at lower speeds.

Astondoa has made the inspection of main components straightforward, despite there being so much equipment in here. It's an engine room that is well-specced and thoughtfully designed.