Making Waves

Five of the season's most interesting launches were put through their paces in the Mediterranean, with each yacht bringing something new to the water.

- Giacomo Barbaro, Howard Walker, Julia Zaltzman, Kevin Koenig and Michael Verdon

TEST-DRIVING A CAR is one thing, but finding the right watercraft is altogether more challenging. This cheat sheet is here to help, the result of first runs on a handful of new releases ranging from Dominator’s 35ft Midi Ilumen M35 to the 171ft Baglietto T52. Each was selected not just for being new to market but also for helping to advance the industry in some description, whether through cuttingedge propulsion, more-efficient hull shapes or forwardlooking interior design. Anchors aweigh.

Baglietto T52

After stepping aboard Baglietto’s newest T52 at its yard in La Spezia, Italy, we were instantly taken with the 1,400-sq-ft flybridge, reportedly the largest on any 171-footer, connected to the foredeck lounge via a retractable staircase.

Also noteworthy: five generously sized social areas across the exterior of the Francesco Paszkowski design.

Co-designer Margherita Casprini’s vision for the interior, meanwhile, matches dark-oak floors with a single wood and stone—teak and Botticino marble—for a pared-back aesthetic that’s highlighted by stainless-steel accents and custom furniture.

At sea, the model is distinguished by Baglietto’s first hybrid propulsion system. The boat cruises the harbour at 10 knots with neither generator noise nor engine vibration, though the T52 can transition to full diesel at any time. The two MTU 16V2 engines deliver a 17-knot top speed with a range of about 2,000 nautical miles, but in electric-diesel mode the range extends to 5,500 nautical miles. The T52 can also stay in electric mode at anchor, powering the house systems at 23kWh for 10 hours.

Dominator Midi Ilumen M35