Silent 76, the other way of sailing

Changing point of view. Apply the concepts of comfort and ease of use of a motor boat to a sailboat. Or, reversing the concept: borrowing the sensations that sailing gives with the rationality typical of those who design a motor boat. The result of this new concept you have before your eyes is Silent 76. The first sailboat from a famous shipyard, The Italian Sea Group, which brings together established Italian yachting brands such as Admiral and Tecnomar, which are appreciated worldwide. The sailing project was born five years ago when John Costantino became “chairman,” with the intention of combining his passion with business.We board Gigreca, the first example of the Silent 76 in Marina di Carrara. We are guided by Claudio Corvino, a naval architect with a past in Oyster and present as commercial manager of the sailing project. Before we set sail Corvino explains that this is the first step in a line of sailboats, Admiral Sail, in fact in planning we find the line of sailing superyachts, Wave 38 – 48 – 60 signed by Philippe Briand.

HOW TO SAIL AND MOTOR SAIL
We get into the cockpit, they turn on the engine — or rather the two 150-horsepower Yanmar engines, “This way,” Corvino says, “sailing becomes safer if one engine is acting up.” First hint of contamination of the world of motoring with that of sailing. We also understand why the boat is called “Silent”-the engines can hardly be heard, no vibrations. We leave the harbor by operating the joystick that controls the two engines and the 15 kW bowthruster. All easy, one person does the maneuvering. We push the engines and reach 14 knots and then settle on 12 knots of cruising speed. Second clue to sail/engine contamination, speed. time has come to try the boat by sailing, knowing full well that this is a cruising boat, but we are curious to see how it performs. With a 10-knot breeze, virtually no heel, Gigreca sails on 5/6 knots. When the wind then picks up to 15 to 20 knots we stretch to nine knots on the slack and when we tighten upwind we keep to 7 knots. Let’s talk a bit about the sail plan and appendages. The mast is an aluminum Max Spar with the mainsail rollable in the boom and a self-tacking j ib (I’m told you can fit a jib at 110% to make the boat more blazing). For those who want to increase performance and boating comfort, a carbon mast version is also provided. The boat is fairly neutral at the helm and responds well with its long single rudder despite a shallow draft torpedo bulb, not even three meters deep. Convenient for entering bays with a 23-meter, usually relegated to stay far away from the coast.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT ON DECK
The third clue to the contamination between sail and motor we have when we dwell on the deck layout. Three sunbathing areas, forward and on the large aft platform. But the novelty is in the sundeck on the deckhouse, which is easily reached by steps. At the stern, a large garage allows accommodation for a 3.2-meter tender and a jet ski. The cockpit is all about easy sailing: two helm wheels with a console where you control everything and a sheltered area, a true open-air lounge. Let’s talk about the sheltered area, and here, here is the other hint of contamination that may turn some sailing purists’ noses up. The entire cockpit up to the stern is topped by a transparent “hard top” that is futuristic in design. The fact remains that from a practical point of view it is very convenient and useful. The hard top contrasts the lines of the boat, which are sharp and clean, without forcing.

WHAT’S IN THE BELLY OF SILENT 76
To find out what a shipyard like Admiral can do in the sailing world, you have to go below deck and visit the interior. Marble and stone dominate with dark wood trim. But don’t be frightened. Thanks to the use of materials such as Slate Lite that give the appearance of stone, but without excessive weight penalty everything stays within the 45 tons of the design. The layout is unusual for a sailboat: salon/living room on the starboard side and a longitudinal galley/cambuse on the opposite side. A few steps away is the aft master cabin and two additional guest cabins. The VIP suite is forward of the salon. The crew cabin is in the extreme bow, with a sleeping cabin, bathroom with shower and a washer/dryer. This is Gigreca’s layout, designed to meet the needs of the owner. But the client can customize the interior style, change the layout and some of the bulkheads. “The goal,” says Corvino, “is to make each boat like a customized product.” And to create, each time, a different sailboat from what we have seen so far. www.admiralsail.it

SILENT 76 DATA SHEET
Overall length m 23.15
Maximum width m 5.90
Draft m 2.93
Displacement kg 45,000
Upwind sail sup. sqm 250
Water tanks l 1,360
Fuel tanks l 1,800
Cabins 4 (8 guests) + 1 crew
Engine 2x 150 hp
Max motor speed 14 knots
Velocity. motor cruise 12 knots
Admiral Sail Design
GRP Construction – Composite
Builder The Italian Sea Group