Sixty-seven metres with sea views. Designed by RWD for the exterior and by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design for the interior, this flagship vessel offers a privileged vantage point. Tailor-made, of course
by Mariateresa Campolongo – Credits Breed Media – Jeff Brown
Seeing Lady Estey in the flesh, even amid the inevitably hectic atmosphere of a boat show, allows one to appreciate something that, on paper, might otherwise be overlooked: the extent of the
bespoke work carried out on a platform as distinctive as Benetti’s B.Now 67M with Oasis Deck. The design basis is well known, with its open stern that has redefined the relationship between yacht and sea, but here the impression is that the customisation has gone far beyond the simple choice of materials or furnishings. The exteriors, designed by RWD, retain the clean lines and horizontal strength typical of the range, whilst the interiors, developed with Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, offer a markedly different atmosphere from the original concept, which featured a light colour palette.
// For Lady Estey’s project, Benetti worked closely with RWD
on the exterior design, with SINOT YACHT ARCHITECTURE
& DESIGN on the interiors, and with Engage Maritime,
which has represented a first-time superyacht owner, providing support every step of the way. //
Upon boarding, the layout’s quality is immediately striking. There is never the impression of a ‘cramped’ space, but rather of areas designed according to a precise hierarchy. The main saloon, adorned with a grand piano, flows naturally into the Oasis Deck, whilst the stern retains the dramatic impact that has become the hallmark of the range.
The bespoke staircase is one of the most distinctive features of FB287: it bridges the transition from the dark tones of the living areas to the brightness of the stairwell, which is clad in Calacatta marble with metallic inlays.
The layout is traditional, with the lounge aft and the dining room forward. Still, it is reinterpreted through bespoke furnishings and a central bar integrated into a custom-made unit crafted from Lasa marble with a stainless-steel interior.
The B.Now 67M is designed to blend indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly. Similarly, the interiors of the FB287 also showcase a unique style, customised to the owner’s exact specifications.
// The FB287 features a host of bespoke touches: from the rectangular lift to the striking CENTRAL STAIRCASE in marble with a glass balustrade, wider corridors for guests, custom- made fire doors for the cabins, and bespoke SWIMMING POOLS. //
Continuity between interior and exterior is ensured by matching, for example, the shades and width of the internal oak floorboards to those of the external teak decks, and by using materials for the interior ceilings similar to those used externally. This consistency reinforces the philosophy of harmonising indoor and outdoor spaces that is characteristic of the B.Now line.
// Benetti B.Now Lady Estey, 67 meters long and with a maximum beam of 11.2 meters, accommodates 14 guests in 7 cabins assisted by 17 crew members distributed across 10 cabins. //
There are numerous custom features on board the FB287: from the rectangular lift to the central marble staircase with a glass balustrade, wider guest corridors, fire-rated doors for the cabins, and the swimming pools. The balustrade is a fully bespoke glass feature – handcrafted and refined after numerous attempts to achieve the desired texture and pattern – that becomes a defining detail, a design signature.
Besides the infinity pool on the Oasis Deck, there’s a spa pool on the observation deck and a 40-centimeter-deep owner’s bath at the bow, featuring a waterfall effect flowing toward the stern.
Barche has visited Lady Estey with Davide Siggia, a designer at Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design, who identified ‘flow’ as the project’s key concept: the same materials, details and atmosphere throughout the vessel, without creating overly pronounced hierarchies among the master cabin, guest cabins and communal areas. The idea was not to flaunt superiority but to create a consistent sense of luxury in every space. For this reason, in contrast to the original, lighter concept, the owner requested, from the outset, a design language based on darker, lacquered materials, with extensive use of steel and woods such as Makassar, and a clear finish for the darker surfaces and bleached sycamore for the lighter ones. The steel inlays have also been designed to be as continuous as possible, reducing visual interruptions and contributing to a sense of compactness and material consistency whilst walking along the deck.
The vessel features a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure, with a full-load displacement of 1,250 tonnes. Benetti and Pierluigi Ausonio Plana designed the naval architecture. Its international tonnage is 1,300 gross tonnes.
Moving upwards, you discover some truly fascinating features. The observation deck, in addition to offering a commanding view of the horizon, features a spa-style pool that becomes a privileged vantage point: immersed in the water, with your gaze sweeping towards the horizon, you can clearly sense the intention to transform the deck into an experiential space, not merely a contemplative one. Here, the connection with the sea is direct, almost physical, and the elevation becomes an added bonus.
The gym has been designed as a large open space, while ensuring privacy for the treatment area. To this end, a double-panel sliding system has been installed, which, when necessary, allows the massage and beauty area to be separated from the rest of the gym.
Going down to the lower deck, you come to another key area of the project: the wellness zone. The gym has been designed as a large open space, while ensuring privacy for the treatment area. To this end, a double-panel sliding system has been installed, which, when necessary, allows the massage and beauty area to be separated from the rest of the gym. A door leads into the spa area, which features a hammam, shower and sauna – a layout specifically requested by the owner, who oversaw every detail of the design. The original design also included the option to open up to the outside, a feature that will be incorporated into a future vessel; here, however, the preference was for a more intimate and secluded atmosphere. The upper deck, entirely dedicated to the owner, also conveys a distinct sense of privacy and control over the space.
The maximum speed is 16.3 knots, with a range of 4,500 nautical miles at 12 knots. The engine room houses two Cat engines, each rated at 1,350 kW.
// Benetti has developed a range of BESPOKE solutions to meet the requirements of a client seeking a highly personalised interior design that reflects their VISION. //
The forward suite, the office and the private saloon aft form a self-contained suite, a sense reinforced by the absence of a staircase connecting this area directly to the aft main deck. It is a choice that is physically apparent as one walks around the yacht: the functions are separate, yet without any sense of rigidity. Overall, Lady Estey demonstrates how far a semi-custom platform can be pushed to create a truly personal experience without losing the original model’s identity.
BENETTI, AZIMUT BENETTI BRAND
Via Michele Coppino, 104
I-55049 Viareggio
T. +39 0584 3821
www.benettiyachts.it
PROJECT
Benetti Shipyard • Pierluigi Ausonio Studio Plana (naval architecture) • RWD (concept + exterior design) • Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design (concept + interior design)
HULL
L.O.A. 67m • Max width 11.20m • Max draft 3.10m • Hull and superstructure Steel/Aluminium • Full-load displacement 1,250 t • Fuel tank volume 110,000 l • Water tank volume 30,000 l • Master cabin and 6 guest cabins for 14 people • Crew: 10 cabins for 17 people
MAIN PROPULSION
2x CAT 3512E • 1,350 kW • 3x CAT C7.1 generators – 150 ekW • Schottel bow thruster 200 kW • Nayad Dynamics stabilisers • Maximum speed 16 knots • Range at 12 knots 4,500 nm
CLASSIFICATION
Lloyd’s Register – Cayman Islands
(Benetti Lady Estey – Estey, the first lady – Barchemagazine.com – Excerpted from Barche. July 2026)
