A85S expansive spaces and innovative solutions upcoming 2017 Cannes yachting festival
Having revolutionised the international nautical market since 2010 with a string of yachts designed to deliberately blur the confines between interior and exterior, the ARCADIA YACHTS yard looks set to astonish the sector once again with the new A85S, a boat that delivers an incredibly generous amount of guest space for its 25.9-metre length.
The layout and functional aspects of the living space aboard the A85S are the result of a deliberate evolution of the yard’s construction processes. The linear design of the superstructure and vertical line of the bow guarantee optimal use is made of every single inch of available space, both interior and exterior. The perfect case in point is the exceptionally generous living area which is significantly larger than that found on other yachts of the same dimension and, in fact, results in around 100 square metres of communal space on the main deck alone.
The uniqueness of the ARCADIA YACHTS philosophy in general and the A85S in particular springs from a desire to place people at the centre of each new project. This changes the whole meaning and experience of seafaring which becomes much more than just an opportunity to luxuriate in the gentle rocking of the waves and the warmth of the sun. Instead it allows all aboard to enjoy exceptionally close contact with the surrounding environment.
At 25.9 metres (84’11”) in length, the A85S has a maximum displacement of 75 tonnes. It also sports twin 730 hp MAN diesel engines which guarantee a maximum speed of 18 knots. The new yacht cruises confidently at 16 knots too. Equally, it can cruise in displacement mode at the slightly lower speed of 12 knots to allow those aboard to experience an even greater sense of connection with the sea, savour the sea breeze on their faces and enjoy the most pleasurable part of any cruise: simply being underway. The A85S has a range of approximately 850 nm @ 12 knots.
DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN MAN AND NATURE
All ARCADIA yachts are inspired by our desire to put the owner at centre stage, to create spaces that will cocoon him and his guests whilst still allowing all aboard to fully experience and live the natural land and seascape all around.
The A85S both reflects and further refines the yard’s philosophy by offering a total and truly immersive experience of nature.
This is exactly why the A85S features the innovative sky-lounge concept which can convert to a third entirely enclosed deck, complete with Up & Down side windows that rise all the way up to the hard top at the touch of a button. This makes the whole of the upper deck much more flexible and usable in all kinds of weather. The space can be climate-controlled in very hot climes or in foul weather or left open to the air to allow occupants enjoy the wonderful scent of the cool sea breeze in summer. A significant departure from the usual offerings on the market as this particular space really can be utilised 365 days a year.
The A85S is, in short, a boat built entirely around people and the sea, but also centring around transparency, lighting, the constant interplay of interior and exterior, huge deck and interior spaces, and meticulously selected materials and finishes.
DESIGN AND LAYOUT
In design terms, the A85S is simple and sober in style, featuring a harmonious mix of interior and exterior areas with the confines between the latter blurred to the point of barely existing. The enclosed spaces, in fact, seem to meld with the surround nature and sea. The heady scent of the sea, its soft sounds and reflections off the water flood the interior, creating the feeling that it is one with the elements.
The sky lounge is home not simply to the high-tech bridge but also a large convivial area which, as already indicated, can be enjoyed right throughout the year by owner and guests.
ARCADIA has also created a large C-shaped sofa and an adjustable-height table forward on the main deck which transforms this particular space into a large sunning area.
The deck house is almost entirely comprised of double-glazed reflective glass, lending the interior a bright airiness. Automatic blinds on the ceiling and side windows offer the owner and his guests complete privacy in port or even riding at anchor out in a bay. The A85S’s main saloon is extremely cosy and also has an eight-seater dining table forward which can be served directly from the galley, thanks to a vertically sliding hatch. There is even a separate day add for visiting guests.
The elegant winter garden leads to the spacious aft-deck lounge which is 8.5 metres in length and has a nicely-sheltered cockpit with a second table that’s perfect for suppers and dinners as well as a large sunning area further aft. The exterior aft deck is itself well-sheltered and offers guests an excellent alternative to the interior. In fact, it is somewhere they can spend much of their time. The imposing size of the aft deck allows both owner and guests to enjoy the sea as fully as possible and to feel surrounded by it, thanks to the presence of two side balconies that further enhance the sense of communion with the world around them.
The A85S is ideal for welcoming a large number of guests and, as such, for enjoying holidays with close friends and family. There are four cabins on the lower deck, including a spectacular 32 square metre master suite amidships with an en suite bathroom complete with a spacious wellness area. The roomy VIP stateroom forward has a double bed and also a walk-in closet. The remaining two guest cabins are twins. Additionally, there are quarters for four crew in the forward section of the A85S. The crew and technical areas are noteworthy and include a tender garage capable of stowing a four-metre-plus craft and a two-seater jet ski. ARCADIA YACHTS meticulously studied and designed the crew walkways through the yacht to guarantee absolute privacy to owner and guests at all times. .
Furnishings from the leading Italian designer brands have been used through the A85S’s interior with plentiful individual stand-alone pieces that make a modular layout workable.
NPL HULL AND PERFORMANCE
One of the A85S’s strongest attributes is, without a doubt, its exceptionally modest fuel consumption, which is an impressive 30-50% lower than other yachts of comparable dimensions. The same applies to its running costs. These results were delivered by its semi-planing NPL hull. The latter was developed after extensive testing by the National Physical Laboratory in England to ascertain the optimal hull form and also the most hydro dynamically efficient length-beam ratio. Combined with the particularly light ARCADIA superstructure, this advanced hull delivers strikingly efficient performance figures even with modest horse power.
AUXILIARY POWER FROM SOLAR PANELS
ARCADIA’s unique philosophy not only celebrates but also respects the natural environment. This ethos is expressed in practical form by the solar panels integrated into the superstructure. These actually reduce generator use so that guests can luxuriate in the sounds of nature – waves lapping, birds calling – while riding at anchor. Extensive use of leading-edge thermal-insulating glazing is further evidence of the yard’s commitment to its green principles too.
New generation photo voltaic cells are set between the outer and inner surfaces of the double-glazed solar panels fitted to most of the superstructure. This advanced, eco-friendly system of 36 sqm of panels, each comprising hundreds of photo voltaic cells, yields a power output of 3.5 kW. This is enough energy to to power many different electrical appliances and units, including fridges, water pumps, WCs, lights, A/V and electronics while the batteries recharge.
Given the fact that air-conditioning is often superfluous because of the large apertures in the winter garden and the way the sky lounge can be opened up, the A85S’s energy requirements are often met for the entire day by the solar panel system alone rather the generators. The result is a significant saving in diesel, slashed pollutant levels and zero emissions.
