Features
BENETTI: RETRO ELEGANCE
Benetti brings back the 1960s with the 37M Motopanfilo, a thoroughly modern design inspired by the shipyard’s classic motor yachts.
Yachts
Motopanfilo translates as ‘motor yacht’, a word that in the 1960s was linked to Benetti’s large, luxury yachts. Back then, the various Benetti panfilo such as the Delfino, Gabbiano and Mediterraneo were associated with high society, royalty and celebrities. Famous owners included Prince Rainier of Monaco and David Bowie, who spent his holidays on the Tyrrhenian Sea hosting the likes of Mick Jagger, Robin Williams and Michael Caine on board. For 2022, Benetti has brought back the carefree life with its 37M Motopanfilo, a yacht that combines modern style with classic touches.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
The original 1960s Motopanfilo had clean, elegant lines, free from ostentation, – a look that Francesco Struglia, in collaboration with Benetti, recreated for the 37M. From her shallow angled bow, a near horizontal line stretches aft, broken only by a classic Benetti superstructure pillar that aft, is enhanced by a bronze strip. Dark glazing defines the hull, as does the black 45-degree superstructure arch that sweeps up from the cockpit to the 37M’s observation deck.
INTERIORS
To match the Motopanfilo’s classic exterior design, Benetti brought in the Lazzarini and Pickering studio to style the 37M’s interior spaces. Here, open and bright areas are emphasised by the large windows enabling guests to be in constant visual contact with the sea. To keep the 1960’s feel, Lazzarini and Pickering turned to the skills of Loro Piana Interiors. Established back in 2006, the studio has been working with the finest materials, creating exclusive techniques specially developed for furnishing and décor. The 37M is therefore dressed in materials and fabrics that are rich in colour, texture and warmth.
“There are many values that unite Benetti and Loro Piana Interiors,” said Giovanna Vitelli, Vice President of the Azimut|Benetti Group. “First of all the craftsmanship for the product and the taste of timeless elegance. This is precisely the stylistic code of the new Benetti Motopanfilo 37M, which collects the nautical heritage of our past and projects it into the future. A perfect combination therefore with the Loro Piana Interiors style”.
Claudio Lazzarini and Carl Pickering, were equally as complementary about the Italian studio: “Loro Piana Interiors expresses the artisan sense of industry, which is an essential and unique component of Italian design and products that best combine research, design and quality. Taking on new challenges and developing new technologies with extraordinary elegance and great attention to quality is the perfect expression of Italian savoir faire.
The original 1960s Motopanfilo had clean, elegant lines, free from ostentation, – a look that Francesco Struglia, in collaboration with Benetti, recreated for the 37M.
Luxury is now a widely abused term, but we are convinced that Motopanfilo 37M and her design express a new meaning for this word in the yachting world. She is a unique boat created by Benetti and Loro Piana Interiors, two Italian companies that express what luxury and the Italian ‘lifestyle’ really mean”.
Materials chosen for the 37M mix summer vibes with classical nautical weaves. Linen, is used for its naturally textured surface, with Connemara, a full-bodied and resistant linen, being used for the upholstery and the bedspreads. A Papeete pattern is used for the sommier and cushions with stripes of Millwood, Devondale and Darjeeling linens adding shades of blue to the white panelling.
The Monaco connection: Famous owners included Prince Rainier of Monaco and David Bowie, who spent his holidays on the Tyrrhenian Sea hosting the likes of Mick Jagger, Robin Williams and Michael Caine.
CONCLUSION
Benetti’s tradition of building adventurous yachts continues with the 37M Motopanfilo. A striking, elegant and modern hull design hides a summery interior that does indeed transport its Owner back to the 1960s.
It’s a winning combination and the reason why two 37Ms were sold before its Cannes Yachting Festival debut last September.
