Página 129 - N & Y Magazine - Número 10

SUPERYATES
129
[TRADUCCIÓN] English translation | русский перевод
On Board ASTONDOA 72 GLX
Competing in the world
With her length of 22 metres, a spacious flybrid-
ge, oodles of interior space and an original fore-
deck layout, the Astondoa 72 GLX is a competi-
tive temptation for owners in search of a luxury
cruiser designed to suit their specific needs.
Dolors Pinart Photos: Alberto Cocchi
Translation: Futuramos
You can’t write about a yacht built at this Alicante-
based yard without mentioning the firm’s origins
almost a century ago, the year 1916 to be precise, in
the northern Spanish town of Portugalete and its track
record of around 4,000 launches. Some might say that
the artisanal roots of this family-run business could have
been squandered once it relocated to the Costa Blanca
in 1978, but they’d be far be from wrong. The present-
day working philosophy of Astondoa is centred around
highly-specialised custom builds, internationally-
renowned woodwork and state-of-the-art technology,
from in-house five-axis CNC machining to the use of
cutting-edge construction technology. Such expertise is
fully illustrated, especially once you head inside, by the
Astondoa 72 GLX, the subject of this issue’s sea trial. In
her 22 metres, the yard showcases its design and archi-
tectural know-how whilst adopting modern solutions
that we can appreciate in the vertical hull windows, the
design of the flybridge and how it extends aftwards, and
the panoramic frameless side windows on the main deck.
More time-honoured is the solution given to the struc-
tural support of the flybridge from inside, featuring an
archway midships which is used as a dividing bulkhead
between the galley and the main deck space. Found here
are a bookcase and drawer unit which add to the sensa-
tion of two clearly-defined spaces with huge windows
to enjoy sea views. This deck is characterised by its ex-
cellent headroom, revealing the design team’s work in
optimising the volume available.
Main deck
This deck is accessed directly from the aft cockpit and
there is just one step separating the saloon from the di-
ning area and helm station. A clever feature, although
increasingly common in the majority of today’s boats,
which highlights great construction expertise and a
truly owner-friendly design concept.
The covered space offers a living area with a large sofa
to starboard and armchairs opposite, separated from the
dining area (at the owner’s request) and behind which
is concealed the galley. The only drawback resulting
from this layout is a small blind spot here. The com-
partmentalisation of the interiors does not interrupt the
perspective towards the stern, so you feel as if you’re in
an open space. To port, a full-height backless bookcase
defines the functional borders without hindering ster-
nward sightlines from the helm station, which is also
located on this side.
In the middle, flanked by two huge panoramic win-
dows, the dining area features an eight-seater glass ta-
ble, next to the galley with an central island finished in
zebrawood, a material that is also used on other pieces
of furniture, such as the coffee table in the saloon or the
bedside tables in the cabins.
Nevertheless, throughout the boat, both on bulkheads
and wardrobes or drawer units, the interior designer
Cristiano Gatto has opted for grained wood panelling,
alternating the direction of the stripes to avoid an over-
bearing visual impact.
The white ceilings and walls in the cabins, where
wood is only used on the furniture, decisively contribute
to achieving a bright and airy atmosphere.
The helm station, with similar finishes and a large
front section housing all the screens and controls, fea-
tures an double leather sofa designed by Astondoa, just
like all the woodwork and furniture. A pantograph door
to the side leads out onto the deck from here. The saloon
seemingly forms a single unit with the cockpit, because
thanks to the overhang of the flybridge that covers it
totally and the large glass door into the saloon, there is
practically no indoor-outdoor division. Also worth no-
ting are the twin staircases from the swim platform to
the main deck, between which the garage door marks
out a fully-fledged beach club.
The Astondoa 72 GLX offers huge outdoor spaces for
relaxation. For example, the cockpit houses a spacious
and comfortable sofa along with a large table for alfres-
co dining. What’s more, in front of the helm station
windshield the yard has placed a further chill-out area,
accessed from the side walkways and composed of two
enormous sunpads and two tables. In short, a privileged
space where you can worship the sun whilst underway or
comfortably unwind when at anchor.
Flybridge
This is the third living area in the open air. Totally adap-
table to the owner’s wishes and accessed by a staircase
from the cockpit, Astondoa has conceived the flybridge
as not just an outdoor space to use whilst underway, but
also an out-and-out daytime area. To achieve this, not
only has floorspace (actually more than on the 82-footer
in the same range) been maximised by extending the fly
to cover the entire cockpit, but also three well-defined
sections have been created. In the centre is a relaxation
space with huge sofas, whilst the fore section houses the
second helm station, where a large sunpad to starboard