Motor Boat & Yachting – August 2019

and Venetian blinds. Light sycamore makes up the bulk of
the woodwork and it lends brightness to an interior that is
already endowed with a generous supply of natural light
thanks to those massive saloon windows.

DOWN BELOW
There isn’t as much natural light on the lower deck but
intelligent use of indirect artifi cial lighting offers inviting
warmth. The full-beam master suite feels huge and is without
obstructions on the fl oor or overhead until you get close to the
aft end. There is space for a stylish vanity station in the entrance
hall and the walk around bed is fl anked by a sofa and chest of
drawers. Those elevated details spring out down here, like the
rose gold wraps on the drawer and cupboard handles and the
chunky, leather-encased handhold that runs from fl oor to ceiling
on the bathroom bulkhead. Inconsequential on their own maybe
but combined with the feel of the bits that you come into contact
with they really make a difference. The bathroom is lovely and
features a washbasin seemingly carved out of the Corian counter,
subtle down-lighting, and a shower cubicle large enough to
include a seat.
Guest accommodation comprises a VIP ensuite forward and
a twin cabin to starboard, which also has an ensuite, though it
plays the part of day heads too. The VIP is obviously the pick
of the guest cabins but the twin is as well fi nished as the double

cabins and has a decent amount of natural light thanks to its

attractive round portholes. For crew there is a well-appointed

twin cabin aft, with shower and toilet, accessed via a door in

the transom. It’s compact, so not ideal for long periods at sea,

but will do the job for the occasional overnight stay.

Both helms stations suffer the same pitfalls of not enough

adjustment and driving positions that do little to engage the

person at the helm. This is a boat set up for cruising that will

spend most of its life on autopilot, but it wouldn’t hurt to add

some adjustment to the seats so the helmsman can sit closer to

the major controls. The annoyances melt away once cruising

though – the meaty yet refi ned MAN 1,200hp V8s effortlessly

driving the 66 through the water with very little to disturb the

peace on board. Even at its 26-knot cruising speed, sound levels

remain well below 70 decibels and there is such effortlessness to

its progress that long journeys won’t feel a chore.

Though 30 knots is a perfectly achievable top speed it’s the low

to mid twenties where the boat feels most comfortable, and at a

laid-back cruise of 22 knots the engines are using a combined

293 litres per hour. It’s worth pointing out that these fi gures were

achieved with half load and 14 people on board (the joys of a

group press sea trial) but it’s to the credit of the 66 that its living

spaces coped so well with such a number of bodies on board. If

time is of the essence then a 29-knot cruising speed will return

nearly 200 miles of range with a 20% reserve and, even

In places it really does feel like a scaled down superyacht

Headroom is excellent in the
master and the fl oor space is fl at

The lobby area into the master

suite includes a vanity station

The VIP cabin has extended

windows and opening ports

The twin cabin lacks

headroom but storage

levels are good

The bathrooms are fi lled

with classy detailing