English
Italian styling is admired for being trend setting and innovative. When it comes to complex mechanical things such as a boat, however, style is incomplete when it doesn't come with substance. Fortunately, both are in ample supply on our Cranchi Atlantique 48. The model from one of Italy's oldest builders performs as well as it looks. But the real beauty of the Atlantique 48 is beneath the skin. It's in the systems, behind the access panels and running throughout the boat. Cranchis are known for their ruggedness and redundancy. Their hulls are solid fiberglass throughout; no coring or other materials are used. Cranchi laminated Kevlar reinforcement in critical areas. The hull and deck use monocoque construction, a technique that's more common to aircraft. All of the rigidity is in the outer shell. The result is a strong and quiet boat. Comfort, Creativity You have to look closely around the Atlantique 48, but you'll find numerous entry points for getting to the boat's systems. For example, a pair of freshwater tanks is under the berths in the starboard guest stateroom. A bulkhead panel at eye level in the same stateroom comes off to reveal the entire backside of the lower helm station. All of the wiring and electronics are readily accessible without requiring you to be a contortionist. There are two chilled-water air-conditioning units, each of which is capable of cooling the entire cabin. Multiple bilge pumps, both manual and automatic, are on the list of redundant safety features. There's even a fuel dipstick in the engine compartment as a backup system for the gauges at the helm. Creature comforts are plentiful aboard the Atlantique 48. The main saloon and cockpit area can be made into one living space, thanks to wide sliding doors. The bridge overhang extends aft to the lazarette to shade the cockpit. As a standard feature, Cranchi provides air-conditioning outlets for the cockpit so you can control the climate on deck no matter what the weather. The saloon features a C-shaped sofa with a dining table to port and a two-person sofa along the starboard side. A hidden plasma-screen TV is built into the cabinetry behind the smaller sofa and rises to the occasion for entertainment. The seat of the opposite sofa comes out and splits into a bench that can be moved to the dining table. In the forward part of the saloon, the galley is to port and the lower helm station is to starboard. The galley has all the appliances you'll need to make everything from a simple snack to a sit-down dinner. Storage and Stuff There are three cabins on the lower deck of the Atlantique 48. The master is forward and has a pedestal berth at its center, along with a private head. A second head, which is identical in size and features, serves the other two cabins. The cabin on the starboard side has twin berths that convert to a king with a filler cushion. The port guest cabin has twin berths with a nightstand that extends between them halfway down from the headboard. All of the cabins features an audio system. Storage is abundant and generous throughout the lower deck, from hanging lockers to drawers. There are even compartments in the companionway sole that serve a dual purpose. When you take out the storage bins, you gain access to mechanical systems. To secure your valuables, there's even a safe in the master suite, hidden away at the back of a closet. Up and Out Because of the cockpit overhang, the Atlantique 48's flybridge is exceptionally long and spacious. A large seating area aft can be converted into a sunpad. There's a two-person sofa at the port front corner that faces the doublewide helm seat. The flybridge seating has a feature not often found but should be on every boat. There are plenty of convenient grabrails for passengers to hold onto when the seas get bumpy. A Bimini top comforts you on hot days. The Atlantique 48 has a lazarette compartment that can be used either for storage or configured as crew's quarters. As the latter, it's an air-conditioned space that includes a berth, sink and toilet. There's even a window that opens for ventilation. The passarelle on our Atlantique 48 can be used to handle a tender or personal watercraft stowed on the swim platform. It's operated by a hand-held wireless remote control. A point worth mentioning here is that all of the deck railings are made in sections so they easily can be replaced if damaged. The bow pulpit is one piece and can be taken off without having to disassemble any of the side railings. Stable, Smooth Our vessel is equipped with the much stronger new Volvo Penta D9-575 diesels. The pair is rated at a total 1,150 hp, which gives the boat power to spare. Acceleration from a standing start is smooth and strong, as it is from mid-range speeds. The boat further turns like a speed-boat. I expected some rolling because of the size of the superstructure, but lateral stability was excellent. Cranchi's extensive use of lightweight composites above deck is the reason for this. The servo assist steering is very easy yet quite sensitive. Overall, the Atlantique 48 is a smooth and sensible ride in an attractive package.