Cheers 46, pictured here, is the first Benetti Veloce 140, which is also the first of the Benetti Fast Displacement series. LOA: 137’8” (42 meters).
You may recall that the Benetti Fast Displacement series was announced last fall. The Azimut Benetti Group Research and Development division worked with Stefano Righini for the concept. Pierluigi Ausonio Naval Architecture Studio created the hull form. It blends elements of round-bilge (full-displacement) designs with ones of planing designs. It further incorporates a bulbous bow fashioned much like a wavepiercer. Benetti refers to the hull form as D2P, a.k.a. Displacement to Planing. It claims it’s 30-percent more efficient than conventional planing hulls. Benetti also tapped Rolls Royce for its Azipull propulsion system. The Rolls Royce Azipull is an azimuthing pulling propeller, not a conventional azimuthing thruster. It’s well-matched to vessels intended for speeds exceeding 20 knots.
The all-fiberglass Benetti Veloce 140 employs twin MTU 12V 4000 M93L diesels. Benetti says her top speed at one-third load is 21 knots. Under 70 percent load, she sees a reported 16½-knot speed at fuel stop power. (“Fuel stop power” is the power an engine can deliver during a specific period corresponding to its application, and at a specific speed and under specific ambient conditions. The fuel is limited so that the engine cannot be overloaded. Some international marine standards do permit engines to be overloaded in emergency conditions.) Benetti also says the Benetti Veloce 140 sees a 500-nautical-mile range at that speed. At 12 knots, range should be 1,250 nautical miles.
This first Benetti Veloce 140 was commissioned by a Brazilian owner. The buyer previously owned an Azimut 116, also christened Cheers 46. The new Cheers 46 bears interior design by Redman Whiteley Dixon, with additional contributions especially outside by Joao Armentano. The latter has worked with the owner previously. Cheers 46 features tay, a straight-grained African wood. It’s stained a light gray, complemented by darker-grey-stained Tabu soles. (Tabu is a brand name for a number of sustainable woods characterized by their grains.) Tones of silver and white, each on lacquered surfaces, also characterize the decor.
Each Benetti Veloce 140 can be customized in terms of decor and layout. Cheers 46 has nearly all staterooms, including the master, below decks. Two doubles and two twins with pullmans are for guests. One extra guest stateroom is on the upper deck, where you’d normally find the captain’s cabin. The typical main-deck location for the master is instead occupied by a gym. It spans the 27’9” (8.5-meter) beam. The gym further has a balcony, for light and air, plus a massage area.
Dining aboard Cheers 46 takes place aft on the upper deck, though another table is on the main ft deck, too. All of the furnishings here and inside the skylounge are loose, for flexibility. Sure to be put to good use fully forward on this level is a hot tub. Another pool is on the sundeck. Each is complemented by seating and sunning arrangements.
Of course, the Benetti Veloce 140 also has a beach club/tender garage. Eight crewmembers are further housed aboard. (The suggested standard arrangement features seven berths.)
We’ll have a Megayacht News Onboard feature on the Benetti Veloce 140 following the boat show.
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