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MAXI DOLPHIN 65' BY LUCA BRENTA: “THE DESIGNER'S POINT OF VIEW"

Over the last ten years our studio has had the opportunity to re-think and re-design many of the most established features of the modern yachts. Sail plans, deck layouts, superstructures, interiors, hull lines, propulsion systems - but also many lesser details such as anchorage methods, portholes, ventilation, etc. have all been re-evaluated in terms of the weight, the appearance and the functionality to be used for cruising. Assisting us in this effort during the last decade have been various professionals and craftsmen not only from ItaIia but also from New Zealand, U.K. and U.S.A.
 
The Maxi Dolphin 65’ by Luca Brenta project was originally conceived starting from a request of a not very large yacht in which we could attempt to apply as many as possible concepts originally studied for the larger fast cruisers. In the same time the limited edition production setted up by Maxi Dolphin let to control the construction costs to be competitive in order to have an economic comparison with serial yachts, not so innovative and remarkable. Working with Maxi Dolphin, a Boatyard that knew and appreciated our studio, was important in order to work without big problems of budget and construction quality and to manage external suppliers. The design brief we ìmposed to ourselves for this project described an high quality yacht for an Owner that need few cabins and large open space, a yacht to be used in Mediterranean See or in similar climates but absolutely safe in any case, a yacht impressive for performance and look and easy to handle and to manage. The Maxi Dolphin 65’ by Luca Brenta has three twin beds cabins, a large dinette, a crew cabin and a tender garage; the sail plan is conceived for easy sailing.
 
As on our larger cuisers the sail plan of the Maxi Dolphin 65’ by Luca Brenta has a large mainsail and a 7/8 rigging. The carbon fibre mast is without runners and sweep back; the furling jib hydraulic unit has an internal hydraulìc piston (a custom designed feature developed for other our larger yachts which proved very efficient for tensioning the forestay, thus reducing forestay sag). The mainsail controls, mainsheet, cunnigham and vang are all hydraulically controlled; the reefling system is managed with a single line while the long battens mainsail with lazy jack make manoeuvring very simple, even for a single-handed yachtsman. The genoa of the Maxi Dolphin 65’ by Luca Brenta - without overlap - is slightly larger than the self-tacking genoas used until now. In fact, a new hydraulics system for the genoa sheets has been installed aboard the yacht, to eliminate the transverse track typical of self-tacking in front of the mast thus increasing the genoa sail area. Furthermore this solution applied with two traditional longitudinals rails, allows to furl partially the jib and to control the genoa either with touch button, using the rams, or directly on the primary winches; this is quite a novelty never seen before. Maxi Dolphin 65’ by Luca Brenta can use a large gennaker mounted on a two metres carbon fibre bowsprit or a new sail - the “code zero” - mounted on a furling system, which after being redesigned for cruising, has been proved very efficient. As for our most successfull projects, the guidìng concepts have been to make operations as simple and as safe as possible, to dedicate plenty of space to life on deck and to pay attention to the details; a lot of lines (halyards or sheets) are below deck in order to increase living space and the overall look is typically “Brenta design”. At the bow the extendible bowsprit, the integrated furling unit and hidden-away anchor combine to provide a clean area that is normally crowded with equipment. The small coach-roof is provided with a fold-away spray hood to protect the cockpit seats equìpped with an external table. Behind the steering wheels there is the sundeck and the bathing platform. A 3.80 metres rib custom with inboard 90 Hp jet engine is housed in the transom garage, that can be opened by means of two hydraulic pistons. Special attention has been paid to the design of the steering pedestals, the windows, the exterior table and the controls for the hydraulic systems.
 
The experience gained worklng on the interiors of other larger yachts was our starting point for the interior design of the Maxi Dolphin 65’ by Luca Brenta. The general concept was to adapt the same features to a different layout and methods of construction. The final effect is a relaxing yet seaworthy interior to suit the yacht’s dimensions and the market’s demands. The main source of inspiration were racing yachts, which are designed to reduce weight to a minimum. Here the minimalism is reflected in the decor, but one should not forget that we are speaking about an high-tech yacht instead of a luxury villa. Hence, the hull structure is well visible with an high level of finish of the teak and the steel fittings; carbon fibre has been used for is surface finish and leather for a natural feeling; large window space ensures a sensation of contact with the sea.
 
The visible parts of the structure demanded a high level of interior finish and an innovative solution for joining the bulkheads has been used. We decided to build the hull using a male mould with most of the structural elements incorporated so to provide a high quality internal finish for fixing the remaining structural parts. The finished structural network has been used to attach the interior furniture as a separated “floating element” anchored with flexible mounting. The composites are of prepreg epoxy resin with generous use of carbon fibre. Fibreglass and kevlar have been used for the external skin because it is more susceptible to impact and abrasion.