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M/Y Solafide 52M Returns to Sea After Lusbens Refurbishment: Enhanced Modernity, Technology, and Reduced Consumption
Multiple upgrades have addressed all the owner’s wishes, with a comprehensive restyling of the interiors, optimised fuel consumption and new stabilizer fins.
After eight months of work culminating in the yacht’s technical launch and sea trials in May, M/Y Solafide (formerly M/Y Vianne), the 52-metre steel and aluminium Mega Yacht built by Benetti in 1995, has now been returned to her owner with new onboard systems and new interior design. A team of almost 100 were involved in the refit, working in synergy with the boat’s crew.
The maintenance work was supervised by Lusben, with interior restyling by Yachtique – the Azimut|Benetti Group interior design division – to give the yacht a more modern look and feel, while keeping her original spirit alive. The refit has also delivered excellent results in terms of performance, with efficiency improvements to the onboard systems and engines, as well as a reduction in fuel consumption and noise pollution.
The majority of the work was on the interiors, with materials and finishings chosen according to the wishes of the owner, with whom Lusben and Yachtique were always in direct contact. The changes were precisely adapted to the yacht’s look, while retaining elements of and references to Benetti tradition. The furniture and interior architecture have been preserved, withhold the original oak wood punctuated by ribbed detailing and adding hand worked raffia details.
The varieties of wood and the color palette chosen for the interiors reference natural elements, such as the carpet in shades of ivory hand cut to create a design reminiscent of waves. Muted white and ivory color tones adorn the walls, which are clad in alternating fabrics and leather. The owner’s Cabin, complete with suite, dressing room, study, and dedicated bathroom, has also been given a complete makeover, with Yachtique opting for delicate wall coverings and fabrics, raffia features and leather, revisiting the decor with paler colors that contrast with the dark brown leather-weave headboard. The same set is reprised in the guest area on the lower deck, featuring an alternating cotton and linen herringbone motif in grey and powder blue. The Owner’s bathroom and VIP Cabin bathrooms have been rebuilt completely. Hand-picked slabs by the owner in Carrara Marble are inspired by the existing ribbed finishes of the oak wood; the Yachtique designers translated those particular decorative finishes with laser-cut ribbed finishes in the Carrara marble.
The interior makeover also included the replacement of the lighting with low energy impact LED technology, along with significant improvements to the switch panels, current transformers and air conditioning technology.
Turning to the exteriors, the new decor makes clear reference to maritime tradition, with two-tone chevron texturing in grey and white.
In addition to these changes in styling and decor, the owner also asked for upgrades to the engine room systems. Now fitted with zero-speed electric fin stabilizers by CMC Marine – delivering high performance and silent running – plus new generators and engines and a new air conditioning system, Solafide promises guests even higher standards of comfort. The most appreciable result of the work, however, isn’t only a question of comfort, but also of sustainability: the new upgrades significantly reduce consumption and emissions, delivering excellent performance while reducing the energy required to achieve it.
Gianni Paladino, Lusben Commercial Director, announced: “This was a major refit experienced side-by-side with the owner and the Yachtique design team every step of the way. We are confident this is the first stage in a project that will involve further major work at our shipyard in the coming years too. We can’t wait to be able to continue this collaboration, not least because this storied Benetti yacht is absolutely captivating”.
Paolo Simoncini, Lusben Viareggio Site Director, commented: “As work progressed, the owner was very enthusiastic and receptive to our ideas and decided to add to the list of work initially agreed. We nevertheless delivered on time while ensuring the highest standards of quality and attention to detail. The credit for this goes to the entire work team and to Gianluca Maggiorelli, who coordinated the project managers and, despite the delicacy of the yacht, was able to put the owner’s wishes into practice and complete work according to the planned timeline”.
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