In the realm where the sea meets the sky, a testament to design brilliance and innovation has emerged from the esteemed collaboration between two titans of the maritime world—Pininfarina Nautical and De Simoni Yacht Design. This collaboration has birthed the CAT56 catamaran, a jewel of maritime artistry and Austin Parker shipyard’s inaugural venture post-acquisition by the visionary Baris Nalcaci. With its regal dimensions, spanning 17 meters in length and 7 meters in width, the CAT56 is a marriage of spacious comfort typical of a catamaran, infused with the grace and athleticism of higher-category yachts. This blend of elements has given rise to a sprawling and luxurious layout, encapsulated within a streamlined profile that ensures graceful berthing in marinas, making navigation a seamless pleasure.
From a stylistic standpoint, the CAT56 embodies a spirited elegance reminiscent of superyacht design—a true testament to the DNA of both Pininfarina and De Simoni Yacht Design. The defining feature, a striking long hull window, graces the CAT56, creating an iconic design that elegantly bridges the boat’s interior and the vast expanse of the open sea. The exterior of the vessel boasts a thoughtfully designed cockpit, offering direct communion with the sea, its furniture carefully chosen for both functionality and style. An alluring flybridge beckons on the hull, offering a spacious sunbathing area, a well-equipped wet bar, and the helm station. The layered design accentuates the superstructure, allowing the azure light of the sky to filter into the living room, evoking the ambience of opulent superyachts.
Yet, beyond its visual splendour, the CAT56 embodies the vision and dedication of its creators, exemplified by the words of Daniele Mazzon, Head of Transportation Design at Pininfarina: “CAT56 is the result of the collaboration between Pininfarina Nautical and De Simoni Yacht Design and standouts for its sporty and elegant design. While creating CAT56, we focused on the spaces and the onboard experience, designing a boat that seamlessly connects interior and exterior spaces and allows for comfortable navigation.”
This visionary endeavour was set in motion with the acquisition of Austin Parker, a pivotal turning point that marked the advent of a new era for the shipyard. The acquisition not only injected fresh financial resources but, under the astute guidance of Baris Nalcaci, ushered in a solid foundation of industrial experience that would pave the way for the production of the new catamaran and further elevate existing offerings with state-of-the-art technologies. Fulvio De Simoni, CEO of De Simoni Yacht Design, aptly expressed, “We have taken into great consideration, at every stage of the project, the industrialization and production systems with the aim of constantly improving the quality of the product.”
Stepping into the heart of the CAT56 reveals a world of luxury and opulence, with spacious, well-lit areas gracing its interior. The salon, an epitome of refined living, houses an open-plan kitchen and a living area that gracefully extends into the expansive cockpit, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. The finishes, crafted to perfection, showcase superior quality compared to boats in the same segment, defined by refined materials that envelope the onboard atmosphere in a cocoon of comfort. Moreover, the CAT56 unfolds a full-beam owner’s cabin in the forward expanse, embracing an open-space design adorned with a walk-in closet area and a desk, a haven of tranquillity amidst the tumultuous seas. Two guest cabins, each boasting dedicated bathrooms, and a crew cabin, further enhance the vessel’s offerings. The CAT56, set to commence production in September, marks the initiation of an exciting journey—a pioneering model in a forthcoming range of boats envisioned by Pininfarina Nautical and De Simoni Yacht Design for Austin Parker.
As the tides of innovation surge, the CAT56 stands as a beacon, promising to redefine luxury and elegance in the world of maritime excellence, inviting all to set sail into a realm where grace, comfort, and adventure converge.
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Article edited by Karl Webber