Building on its tradition of fast, high-tech boats, Baglietto introduced a new open yacht, the 105 Hard Top, at the Cannes Festival International de la Plaisance this autumn. Built for a Greek owner by the La Spezia shipyard, Astarte has an aluminum hull designed by naval architect Francesco Paszkowski that delivers a top speed of 40 knots.

As evidenced by the other sleek rocket ships lining the docks at the show, today’s open yacht market is growing increasingly crowded. But Astarte stands out. Unlike the myriad semi-production fiberglass models available, she is a completely custom offering. So far, she is the only 105-foot open Baglietto has planned, although a 115-footer with the same exterior profile is under construction for a summer 2005 delivery.

Astarte’s most dramatic feature is her hard top, made of a specially fabricated glass that admits light but not heat. Smoothly integrated into the aluminum superstructure, it enhances her futuristic appearance. The yacht is mechanically as well as aesthetically high-tech. A silver sunshade extends from the roof on mechanical arms to shade the  aft deck, and the salon doors fold open at the push of a button.

In contrast to the space-age exterior, the interior is contemporary in style. The owner brought in designer Danielle Chopard, who created an elegant, almost minimalist, look for Astarte’s living spaces. The salon décor continues the silver-and-blue color scheme from the exterior, but tempers it with a teak sole and darker wood cabinetry. On most open models, a dining table separates the salon and pilothouse, but here the table is incorporated into the lounge seating. Instead, a low central cabinet containing a pop-up plasma TV sets the boundary.Forward, the pilothouse is fitted with two helm chairs upholstered in brown leather, with a small sofa to port. The high-tech- looking silver helm console holds an appropriately sophisticated array of electronics, including an SCS Mare multifunction control screen and video security monitor with 360-degree scanning capability. Pantograph doors lead out to the side decks.

Stairs from the pilothouse access the accommodations below, where cabins for a maximum of four crew lie just forward of the engine room. They adjoin the ample-sized galley, which features brown Corian counters.

In an innovative lower-deck layout, the VIP stateroom is opposite the galley, and a smaller guest cabin lies forward to starboard. Both are outfitted with ensuite heads and twin beds plus a Pullman berth for added flexibility. Simple and elegant in décor, the staterooms feature limed oak woodwork inset with rectangular splines, and shoji screens cover the portholes.

The master suite, decorated in the same scheme, is unusually large for a 105-foot open yacht: It incorporates an office/wardrobe room that is equal in size to a guest cabin. More closets are located in the stateroom, as well. The king-size bed on centerline faces a wide-screen TV on the bulkhead opposite. The master bath, in the bow, includes a toilet and shower, twin sinks and two large cabinets for towels.Astarte’s exterior deck spaces are equally spacious. The foredeck holds an enormous sun pad, as well as a tender storage compartment that conceals a Zodiac RIB, a Sea-Doo and a silver davit painted to match the yacht. The aft deck not only offers twin sun pads, but also an alfresco seating area served by a wet bar. Twin molded stairs lead down to the large swim step.

With its sculpted exterior and its clean, elegant interior, Astarte expresses one owner’s vision of the ideal open yacht. It won’t be at all surprising if this 105-footer proves contagious for others with open dreams of their own.

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Baglietto at 39 0187 59831. www.baglietto.com