Benetti FB801 M/Y VICA: fiberglass weds aluminum for complete comfort and flexibility

FB801 M/Y VICA – 50 meters long – is the first Benetti vessel built using two different techniques: the hull is in fiberglass, while the superstructure is in aluminum. With a concept of flexible moulding the superyacht meets the client’s different customizing needs. A yacht for the Mediterranean, with ample open air spaces – a spacious open deck astern, and forward with the upper deck and an enormous sun deck.

Exterior lines are characterized by fashionable full height windows that not only fill the interiors with natural light but also streamline her profile. A unique feature of the VICA are the three hatches in the hull. The first is laterally placed towards the stern for launching and recovering the tender; the second serves as a bathing platform; the third opens into the lower deck lobby giving air and light to an otherwise closed area.

Another unique feature for vessels of this size is an automatic gangway down to sea level, exclusively for the owners use
FB801 M/Y VICA – designed to fall under 500 gross tons – is a state of the art Benetti yacht, with the latest in on-board comfort and extensive and pleasurable outdoor areas: a complete Mediterranean yacht.

VICA has four decks linked by a central staircase that opens onto elegant lobbies that in turn provide access to the rest of the living areas. In addition to the four decks we have the under lower deck with the engine room, service areas, holds, and laundry.

Her internal layout is classic, with four guest cabins on the lower deck, the owner’s suite forward on the main deck, and an additional cabin on the upper deck.
The large main salon greets guests on the main deck, and is visually separated from a more intimate zone with a grand piano, karaoke, an American style corner bar and sofa, and from another more intimate area with lounge chairs, coffee tables and extra wide plasma TV screen. Moving forward, we first enter the foyer with staircases leading to the other decks, leading in turn to the ample professional galley to port and the owner’s apartment to starboard. The suite features a large study and a full beam cabin with an exclusive private terrace complete with a gangway leading down to the sea. The suite features his and her bathrooms, complete with shower and bathtub, and separated by a walk-in closet.

The four guest suites are on the lower deck, the after two with queen size beds and the forward two with twin beds, and are separated by the lobby. Here we also have an exterior terrace that expands when opening the hatch, giving light and air to the interiors. Completely separated from the guest area are the six cabins for the twelve members of the crew.
The dining room features a large oval table for twelve guests in the upper deck salon. On the same deck we find another guest cabin and forward, the captain’s cabin, next to the bridge. The showpieces of the upper deck are the open air spaces: while the stern deck is quite spacious, the foredeck is exceptionally spacious, with an enormous divan and two chaise lounge next to the Jacuzzi, allowing guests to pass the whole day at sea in total privacy, both on this deck and on the sunbathing deck.

The sun deck, dedicated exclusively to life in the open air, features a second Jacuzzi surrounded by a large sunbathing area, a luncheon table and a bar with barstools where you can enjoy a drink at any time of the day or night. Forward of this area, the other leisure area can be transformed into a touch and go helicopter pad. VICA’s owner didn’t opt for this feature, but the ship’s structures are ready to host the weight of a small helicopter to ferry guests aboard.

The interiors are all designed by Benetti, under the guiding hand of the architect Mariarosa Remedi and in collaboration with the owner’s personal interior designer.
Atmosphere and décor follow the home feeling style and are the primary inspiration for all the ambients with the exception of the foyer, where we have the notable stairway in wrought iron and the sundeck skylight that inundates the lower deck with natural light.

The interiors are warm and classic, with a predominant use of cherrywood, both smooth and satin finished (for the cabins), with detailing in rosewood. Lighting is very suggestive, completely supplied by LED, and the interior illuminated alabaster columns have dynamic light temperature controls via iPad.

Technically, the Benetti FB801 M/Y VICA maintains her classic configuration, with a fiberglass displacement hull propelled by two CAT C32 Acert developing 970 kW each, guaranteeing adequate performance for her 498 gross tons. Thanks to this configuration VICA has a cruising range of 4,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots, but can easily reach her top speed of 15.5 knots or cruise at 14 knots with her engines working at 85% of their maximum load.

The M/Y VICA guarantees a comfortable hull ride, practically without vibrations and noise which have been reduced thanks to a special elastic link between the engines and propellor shafts.

The Naiad stabilization system is also perfect for the typical mooring habits of the owner, usually at anchor and rarely in port.