and a top speed of 22 knots. Benchmarking
against competitors’ yachts of the same size
suggests it is around a third more economical to
sail, according to Ansalone. “Boats that do
30 knots,” he shrugs unapologetically, “it’s not
our business.”
Hull No 3 has sophisticated Selmar black and
grey water treatment systems, while nearly 2kW
of solar panels built into the hardtop give it
the ability to operate silently in an anchorage,
with no need to fire up the generator. “The
solar panels are enough to run everything
except for the air conditioning and the induction
hob,” says Ansalone. “But if you want to stay
inside with the air-con on, you might as well be
in the oice.”
Arcadia knows that the Sherpa’s workboat
looks and extreme use of space are not for
everyone, and it finds that owners are younger
than average, and more experienced, with four
or five yachts already behind them. “We launched
something new on the market and it is not
appropriate to compare it with traditional
mainstream yachts,” says Pellegrino. “But those
who really are looking at our products’ details will
clearly understand each feature and the
philosophy behind them.”
The owners so far seem to echo that. One says:
“The line is so peculiar... at the beginning I looked
at it with doubts, but after getting on board and
imagining all I could do with it, I fell in love with
it and so did my family.”
The success of the €1.75 million design has
emboldened Arcadia to go bigger with the
concept. The next in the Sherpa range has the
working title “7x” – not, Pellegrino is at pains to
point out, because it is a crossover boat, but
simply because they haven’t yet decided exactly
how long it will be. This one is being designed
with Milan-based Hot Lab, but will resemble its
little sister. “I love this product!” Pellegrino
exclaims. “It is the evolution of Sherpa – the
layout will be similar, with an enormous aft deck
of 65 square metres, but she’ll have a sky lounge
with a 35 square metre terrace.”is room for a plush dinette to port, facing a long
cabinet containing an induction hob, fridge,
dishwasher and other necessaries. It is functional
and cosy but the wraparound windows that can
be part lowered to let in air are what really make
this space. And herein lies the key to the boat’s
second defining characteristic: a desire to
connect with the elements around it.
The low bathing platform is one part of this,
and the open spaces, which put the emphasis
on fresh air, another. Arcadia has gone several
steps further, though. Tank testing at the UK’s
National Physical Laboratory has resulted in a
highly efficient semi-displacement hull. The
twin Volvo Penta IPS 600 engines propel the
boat at a comfortable cruising speed of 12 knots
for a lean fuel consumption of 43 litres per hour,resembles glass at first glance. There’s also a
narrow twin with a dayhead, although this cabin
can be converted into a seating area for the main
cabin if desired. Dimensions here are more akin
to those found on a sailing boat of the same size
- comfortable but not lavish.
Though it is marketed as a dayboat, several
owners cruise in comfort overnight. Arcadia aims
to provide a “cocoon” for its owners, and this is
reflected in feedback. “I love to have people on
board during the day but in the evening and in the
night I prefer to stay only with my family,” says
one. “It is really my private island of relaxation to
recharge the battery,” adds another.
Upstairs, the flybridge helm station makes for
an exhilarating experience thanks to its height
and unparalleled visibility around the bow. There
Minute attention to detail gives the well-appointed owner’s cabin the finish of a larger yacht, complete with white leather panelling and a marble-trimmed shower