THE ABSOLUTE NAVETTA 52 shows all the ingredients of a real “Made in Italy” boat. Usually, this phrase refers to design, but with this yacht it means also technology, expertise and a long tradition. Boats are evolving as Owners around the world are changing their minds about spending time on the sea. The reasons are partly the new mentality developed since the financial crisis, as well as being more conscious about the pleasure of spending time in a quiet atmosphere, on a boat that’s able to sail fast if necessary, but above all in total comfort and safety. These elements form the basis of the Navetta 52 project by Absolute, the Italian yard that is very well known for the high quality of the advanced projects it has offered to the market since it began building in 2002. During the sea trial of the new Navetta 52 on a quiet day in Varazze, Italy, we soon discover that everything Absolute promised on paper is true at sea. This is not a fast boat, not a nervous boat to drive carefully, but it is a boat that offers a huge interior volume with the right balance of outside areas, low fuel consumption at a reasonable speed, six beds in three very comfortable cabins, two bathrooms, a lot of natural light from the numerous windows (oblò) and an interior helm station as well as an outside station on top. This is a boat of 52ft with the space and details typical of bigger boats, equipped with two Volvo Penta IPS 600 and electronics that allow the Captain to manoeuvre very easily in small places, such as from the port for this test. Helping to make this a very easy-to-handle boat that’s safe and pleasant in situations