During the Fort Lauderdale boat show, the Azimut Benetti Group’s Benetti Vision 145 superyacht Checkmate made its world debut.
The 43.6m superyacht Checkmate is hull No 18 in Benetti’s Vision series and the top in the Class Range. She stands out from the white yacht pack with a striking black-and-white two-tone colour scheme.
The black-and-white paint job – along with the name, Checkmate – is a reference to the owner’s great passion for chess, a theme that recurs throughout the yacht. Checkmate’s overall exterior concept and design is by Stefano Ringhini while the interior concept and design is by Francois Zuretti with décor by Joan Brown Interiors. The superyacht’s interior combines Madrona burl and cherry woods, neoclassical carvings and fine marble to create a refined yet dramatic ambiance.
The exterior offers exceptional outdoor entertaining spaces with a large sun deck designed to accommodate a solarium, dining area, barbecue, and lounge area, while the upper deck features an indoor/outdoor dining space, opened to the elements via sliding doors.
Checkmate accommodates up to 10 guests in four guest and one owner’s stateroom; 10 crew members are also accommodated for in four cabins plus a captain’s cabin.
The Italian yacht builder also took the opportunity of the Fort Lauderdale boat show to announce its reorganisation plans, which has been in the works under the guidance of recently appointed Azimut Benetti Group CEO Ferruccio Luppi.
The Azimut Benetti Group will be putting extra attention on the US market with regards to Benetti’s sales and after-sales operations, with a goal of better supporting the yacht owner throughout the lifecycle of a yacht. A new after-sales service department is staffed by 23 professionals under the coordination of Alessandro Gallifuoco as Quality and After Sales Manager. Meanwhile, Benetti’s management of sales, marketing, and customer satisfaction has been entrusted to Fabrizio Scerch, the Americas Country Manager of Azimut Benetti USA as of this September, with Tommaso Bilotta and Alberto Perrone da Zara as the Americas Area Manager and Benetti Sales Director, respectively.