New Yachts: Absolute's 58 Fly

The first thing that caught my eye on Absolute's 58 Fly was the expanded use of glass in her hull sides. Many of Absolute's previous flybridge models had a pair of trapezoid-shaped hullside windows amidships and a second set of similar-size windows flanking the forepeak stateroom.

The 58 Fly has what look to be wider, quartz-crystal-shaped hullside windows, plus a ­second stretch of glass — looking like a knife blade with serrated edges — forward to within a few feet of the bow. I estimated it to be almost double the amount of glass I’d seen on those earlier models.

In addition, the glass in the yacht’s superstructure surrounding the salon ­extends from about side-deck height to the salon headliner. The result is a vessel with an aggressive appearance, an apparently lower profile and a sense of expanded interior volume, as opposed to a yacht that has more white fiberglass in her hull and superstructure.

That is not to say the 58 Fly lacks strength or backbone. Quite the opposite. I’ve tested a few Absolutes and have always found them to be stout out on the brine.

This yacht starts with a solid fiberglass hull form. Supporting that is the builder’s Integrated Structural System (ISS), which is a grid of longitudinal and transverse supports spanning the hull’s length and width. Soles, bulkheads and ceilings are fiberglass bonded to the ISS, creating a monocoque structure.

Power for the this flybridge cruiser comes from twin 600 hp Volvo Penta IPS800 diesels, offering a reported 26-knot cruise speed and a 32-knot top-end. With nearly 360-degree viewability, ­side-deck access from the helm and joystick driving capability, the 58 Fly should make close-quarter maneuvering and shorthand cruising a breeze.

For the growing cruising family, the Absolute 58 Fly has a three-stateroom, three-head layout. The master suite is full-beam with an en suite head and a queen-size berth. There is also room to add a washer/dryer here. The forepeak VIP has a double berth, facing diagonally from starboard to port, plus an en suite head. Abaft the VIP is a third stateroom with side-by-side bunks and an en suite head. Secondary access to the head is via a companionway door.

A crew berth is available via the transom, but most American owners are expected to use the space for stowage.

Italian style. Stout build. Admirable performance. Family-friendly. With the 58 Fly, it looks like Absolute has done its homework. All you have to do is step aboard and add water.