The first time I saw Bluegame’s BGX83 was at Boot Dusseldorf in January. It was the biggest boat on display at the immense indoor boat show, where it was an impressive sight. The second time I saw this new flagship model was in the water at Porto Carlo Riva marina in Rapallo, Italy, just north of Portofino, and it was there that I realized the BGX83 takes Bluegame’s crossover concept to new heights. That concept has been defined as the blending of a superyacht’s high-volume space and luxury with the agility, utility and seaworthiness of a smaller, high-performance motor yacht.
Luca Santella—Bluegame’s CEO and founder and a former world champion sailor—created the overall concept. Zuccon International Project designed the BGX83’s exteriors and did the space planning, while naval architect Lou Codega handled the technical platform and running surfaces. Zuccon’s team, along with Lissoni & Partners, gets credit for the various contemporary interior schemes.
As with the other models in this series (the BGX63 and BGX73), the BGX83’s defining feature is a long main deck aft. It has a fold-down bulwark to starboard that considerably boosts what is already a sizable beach club. The bulwark to port can conceal an optional crane that allows for a bigger tender. On the first BGX83, the owner uses a 13-footer in addition to a 15-foot tender.
From the aft deck, guests walk forward through sliding glazed doors to a sunken lower-deck lounge. Its hull windows are permanently screened for privacy, but allow for plenty of natural light. A corner sofa and coffee table are standard. This prime space could just as easily become a wellness area or media room.
An internal staircase connects with the main salon above. Or, guests can continue forward to the full-beam owner’s stateroom. It has a transverse king berth to port. The en suite can be screened off or left with its washbasin open to the bedroom.
The lion’s share of the hull volume can be specified for two or three additional guest staterooms. Opting for three more means having a galley up, with one of the staterooms outfitted with bunks. With two more guest staterooms, the galley and crew mess are on the lower deck instead of that bunk stateroom. Two cabins for as many as four crew are tucked into the forepeak.
But back to the lower deck aft. Stairs to starboard connect with an intimate cockpit above that has dining for eight people. Top-deck overhangs protect the wide side decks that lead to the foredeck lounge. If guests want even more privacy, there’s another sunpad up top on the flybridge.
Or, guests can relax in the salon, which has a lounge aft and a dining area (and, depending on the owner’s choice, perhaps the galley up). The galley has Miele appliances, a bar and three stools. There are 360-degree views from the salon and, more important, from the bridge. The lower helm has an explorer-style, forward-raking Portuguese windshield to reduce glare and spray, along with bench seating and a companion seat to starboard. A door opens to the port side deck for easy access.
This yacht’s planing hullform, paired with triple 900 hp Volvo Penta D13s and IPS1200 pods, produces a top speed around 30 knots and a fast cruise up to 28 knots. At just shy of half load, we managed 30.6 knots with Trim Assist on, and with the Humphree Interceptors and Sleipner Vector Fins active. Ultimate range at 23 to 28 knots is 410 to 450 nautical miles. At 10 knots, burning only 15 gallons of fuel per hour, the theoretical maximum range is 1,200 nm.
Off Rapallo in flat seas and calm winds, this yacht provided just the right amount of heel into impeccably graceful turns. Volvo Penta’s Joystick Driving mode gained us a few degrees of extra rotation on the pods almost instantaneously, for more pronounced heel and slightly faster course changes. It’s a fun way to drive when you’re feeling frisky.
From 10 to 28 knots, our BGX83 registered around 55 decibels at the lower helm. The master stateroom was below 60 decibels; a reminder that luxury is not always about what we can see. It’s also about the craftsmanship that’s applied when building the Bluegame BGX83.
Porto Carlo Riva
In 2018, a storm devastated this 400-berth marina in Rapallo, Italy. Scores of vessels were destroyed by 30-plus-foot waves that breached the breakwater. The marina has been rebuilt with capacity for up to 250 vessels up to 200 feet. The BGX83 looked right at home there.
Coming Next
Bluegame has a number of builds and launches in the pipeline. The BG64 makes its world premiere at the Cannes Yachting Festival. About a year from now, we should see the debut of the BG44, which will replace the original BG42. After that, watch for a BG84 with an open design that’s based on the same platform as the BGX83.
Watch the Docks
Four BGX83s have been sold. The first is Dutch-owned with a four-stateroom layout and a Lissoni interior. It will be at the Cannes Yachting Festival this month before heading to its home port in Malta. The second and third BGX83s also have four-stateroom layouts, with slightly darker interiors by Italy’s Zuccon International Project.
Take the next step: bluegame.it
