Effervescent can be defined as vivacious and enthusiastic. I think these words aptly describe Hull No. 1 of the Absolute 50 Fly. With twin 435 hp Volvo Penta IPS600 diesels, our 50 Fly danced across a scalloped sea off Cannes, France. Her fly-by-wire steering was set at a moderate rate, inspiring confidence during hard-over turns at her 24-knot cruise speed and 30-knot top end. During one straightaway, I turned back to see my fellow 11 guests sprawled about the flybridge, taking in the warm sea breeze and smiling.
CRUISING CAPABLE
Absolute says cruising comfort is the 50 Fly’s main objective.
WIDE BODY
The yacht carries a good part of her 14-foot-6-inch beam throughout her length, keeping interior spaces (the salon and three staterooms) and exterior spaces (the cockpit, flybridge and foredeck) voluminous. Still, the width does not detract from the yacht’s entry and overall performance, even at wide-open throttle.
BUILT FOR THE SEA
Safety is key on blue water. To that end, Absolute builds its boats for the sea with solid fiberglass hulls. Further supporting the structure is a grid stringer system with both longitudinal and transversal reinforcement. Plywood bulkheads and decks are fiberglass bonded to the grid, adding strength and creating a monocoque structure.
WEATHERPROOF
You will spend the majority of your time under the flybridge hardtop when operating this yacht. The spot offers unobstructed sight lines for almost 360 degrees. Just glance down the molded-in fiberglass steps for a look at the starboard corner when backing into a slip. On a foul-weather day, the lower helm offers protection with equally good sight lines. A door next to the wheel gives you side-deck access when short-handed, and a U-shaped dinette to port keeps your guests within earshot.
BE COOL
If you’ll be cruising your 50 Fly in warm climates, the yacht has two air-conditioning options: 48,000 and 60,000 Btu systems called Mediterranean and Tropical, respectively. At press time, these options ran about $31,635 and $36,408. In thinking about future resale, it’s probably worth the upgrade to the larger cooling setup.
AN INSIDE LOOK
A catty-cornered aft galley is a clever concept. It opens floor space and adds a sense of interior volume. The galley’s location, adjacent to the cockpit dining area via sliding glass doors, makes serving guests outside as easy as reaching guests inside at the U-shaped dining table forward.
The light oak salon sole and satin-finish Canaletto walnut cabinets, combined with 360-degree glass and wheat-colored, leather, U-shaped dinette seating, create an open feeling on the 50 Fly’s main deck. The expansive glass also provides a constant connection with the sea.
Her full-beam master is made possible by reduced engine-room space for pod drives. Three vertical hull-side windows and one porthole allow in natural light and provide relaxing views. The forepeak VIP has an ensuite head. The third stateroom (for the kids) offers twin berths.
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