Features
BLUEGAME’S BGX 70: DISRUPTING THE NORMAL
Bluegame’s BGX 70 is the 70-foot Sport Utility Yacht that thinks it’s a superyacht.
Yachts
For almost two decades Bluegame has amazed the yachting world with its creations courtesy of the revolutionary ideas of Luca Santella. A keen sailor, Santella competed in the Seoul and Barcelona Olympics with the Tornado Class and Flying Dutchman Class before founding Bluegame. The Italian then came up with the SUB (sport utility boat) idea, way back in the mid-2000s after a request from a South African owner who wanted a sport fisher with a centre console. The Bluegame 47 was born along with a lot of interest in Santella’s designs from other shipyards.
After being introduced to Sanlorenzo’s Massimo Perrotti, they both hit it off creatively and Bluegame moved to Ameglia in 2007 where it became an offshoot of the Sanlorenzo brand. Following the tough times after the global financial crisis, Santella moved across to work on the Sanlorenzo SX crossover/explorer line and with that model’s success, came Perrotti’s renewed interest in the SUB.
Perrotti wanted to create the SX but in a smaller LOA and the natural progression was to bring back the Bluegame brand with Santella at the creative helm. The resultant popularity of the BG 42 and BG 62 centre consoles proved that the SUB idea was sound and with it, the larger BGX line was created to cater for those wanting a superyacht feel in essentially a sports hull.
It’s essentially a superyacht beach club but in a 70-footer.
CROSSOVER
The BGX 70 is the first model in the BGX range with a length of approximately 22 metres and a deck width exceeding 5 metres with the X signifying the yacht as a ‘crossover’. Style wise, it continues Santella’s SUB idea but with a look courtesy of Zuccon International Project and Louis Codega’s naval architecture. All three are legends in their own rights and together, they’ve excelled in the creation of the BGX 70.
SPORTS STYLE
Although it’s 70 feet long, the BGX has a sporty look. Some describe it as a sports trawler (or even a torpedo boat), which is understandable when you look at the bow and the ‘centre console’ with its reverse rake windscreen. It’s a handsome, masculine shape, but it’s also hugely versatile.
Despite the rugged exterior, there are huge open areas on board that smoothly flow into the cozy interiors. There’s very little to the BGX’s superstructure and the panoramic glazing of the deckhouse and saloon gives the whole yachts an extraordinary lightness with wonderful all-round visibility. While the hull is made of fiberglass, its center of gravity is well balanced, and the vacuum infusion superstructure underlines the robust character of the BGX 70.
Big yacht thinking: The BGX 70 features a distinctive layout never seen before in a 70-foot yacht.
BEACH CLUB AND SALON
We got to know the BGX 70 better at the Cannes Yachting Festival (those were the days!) and it was immediately obvious that we were stepping on board a remarkable yacht. The BGX has a spacious stern area of almost 20m2, plenty of room for a pair of sun loungers, tables and poufs. It’s essentially a superyacht beachclub but in a 70-foot yacht – there’s even a bar with a grill on the port side and high bulwarks, which hide two hydraulic crane beams. These lift the water toys and the 3.8 metre tender on board when needed.
The beach club and salon are separated by a sliding partition, again, similar to that of a much larger yacht. In addition to its impressive size, it has a complex shape which when closed creates the illusion of a glass dome, allowing not only a large stream of light to penetrate but also maintaining an unforgettable view.
Sitting on comfortable sofas and armchairs around the perimeter of the salon, you can appreciate the calm colours of the interior. It uses neutral tones and natural materials to harmonise perfectly with the sea views.
The space saved by using the IPS system is added to the interior volumes – this is one spacious yacht.
UNEXPECTED LAYOUT
From the salon, we pass into the living area which has several layouts. In all cases, the master suite occupies the central part of the lower deck and thanks to it’s full-beam layout, it’s perfect to not only sleep in but thanks to its Due to its office desk, it’s a great place to work, too.
Forward is the VIP, which features a double bed, bathroom with all amenities and several closets for storage. Thanks to the BGX’s trawler shape, the cabin is not at all cramped and it makes the most of the rounded bow. The Bluegame’s clever design also allows for another cabin. Located adjacent to the master suite, it can also function as a private lounge or study for the owner.
Moving around the BGX 70 is also clever, as there are no corridors on deck. The master suite can be accessed through the salon, while the VIP cabin and an additional double can be accessed via a separate staircase close to the bow. In some ways, this layout resembles a catamaran, where access to each of the residential areas is carried out via a separate staircase from the main deck.
OUTDOOR LIVING
A significant part of the main deck is dedicated to outdoor seating areas. At the bow there is an extensive area with sun loungers, sofas and tables with adjustable height, which of course can be accessed with ease thanks to the ‘centre console’ layout.
AT THE HELM
The forward helm station on the main deck is equipped with three 12-inch Garmin monitors. They display not only the navigation maps, but also engine readouts. The reverse rake of the windscreen and the well-thought-out arrangement of the struts provide the captain with excellent visibility while keeping glare to a minimum.
FULL AHEAD
The engine compartment is accessed through a large hatch in the aft platform. Although it is small in size, it has enough space for a pair of Volvo Penta IPS 1200 turbo diesels each putting out 900 hp. The maximum speed of the BGX 70 is 28 knots, and the cruising speed is a decent 25 knots. But most importantly, the space saved by using the IPS system is added to the interior volumes – this is one spacious yacht. Engine options include a pair of Volvo Penta IPS 1350s with 1,000 hp each. This slightly moves the speedo gauge up to 30 knots and cruising with 2000hp means a 27-knot trot.
| BGX 70 SPECIFICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| LOA: | 21,86 m |
| Draught: | 1,60 m |
| Beam: | 5,60 m |
| Engines: | 2 x Volvo Penta IPS 1.200 D13 (opt) 2 x Volvo Penta IPS 1.350 D13 |
| Fuel: | 4,200 ltr |
| Displacement: | 40,000 kg |
| Fresh water: | 1,000 ltr |
| Max Speed: | 28 knots |
| Cruise speed: | 25 knots |
| Max passengers: | 16 |
| Shipyard: | Bluegame, Italy |
CONCLUSION
The BGX 70 really shakes up the industry. Here, Italian style mixes with world-class innovation and a clever layout that makes it feel like a far larger craft. Santella, Zuccon and Lou Codega have joined forces to create a modern icon: a sport utility yacht with the heart of a superyacht.
