At the 2005 Cannes Boat and Yacht Show in France, Benetti announced plans to produce a new 24-meter line in composite at its Fano, Italy, facility under the name Legend. The decision raised some eyebrows at the time. By lopping six meters off its smallest model, the 30-meter Tradition, it looked as though Benetti was going head-to-head with the likes of Ferretti and its 881 flagship. However, rather than simply making life difficult for the competition—although they might relish the opportunity—the members of Benetti’s marketing team were responding to a niche in the market and the all-important 24-meter rule.

Benetti’s research showed that there was a demand for smaller, traditional yachts with displacement speed, long range and all the comforts and luxury of its larger models. The 24-meter rule provides a number of interesting options to yacht owners, which are worth exploring further. The Benetti Legend has an overall length of nearly 26 meters (85 feet), but a load line length of 23.98 meters, thus allowing the vessel to be registered either above or below the 24-meter mark, the point at which international regulations governing charter (i.e. commercial) yachts become more stringent. Registering a yacht for private use below 24 meters means the owner can sail it himself—a plus for U.S. owners who tend to be more hands-on than their European counterparts. On the other hand, the vessel can be registered for charter, giving an owner favorable leasing terms plus VAT exemption on the purchase of the yacht, on fuel and on maintenance and running costs. By registering the yacht above 24 meters, the owner additionally can benefit from a commercial tax exemption on crew salaries.

With in-house naval architecture and exterior styling by Stefano Righini, the Benetti branding is evident in the family resemblance to its larger composite cousins. But softer, more organic lines provide for a contemporary profile, and if you isolate the superstructure, it resembles the streamlined head, fins and tail of a dolphin. Modern design details include the shallow indents cut into the bulwarks to allow better sea views and more light into the salon and forward owner’s suite.

Interior design is by François Zuretti. By providing a classic and more modern design template, the Legend series concept allows owners to personalize the décor to suit their tastes. The first hull in the series was fitted out in contemporary style with light tulipwood (yellow poplar) joinery. The first impression is one of plentiful space and light, thanks to the studied layout and large windows. There is also more than adequate stowage space, starting with the side cabinet that forms the first few steps of the stairway to the open top deck and extending to the generous wardrobes in the guest cabins. Two full-size pantographic doors to port and starboard provide exterior access for the crew from the galley and for guests from the lobby. The galley itself is spacious and well-appointed, but to my mind could benefit from an optional serving hatch to the dining and lounge area. (Click image to enlarge)

With the owner/captain in mind, the master suite is located on the main deck for quick and easy access to the bridge. The bathroom, complete with tub, is on a slightly lower forward level and easily could have appeared dark and poky. Instead, four large overhead skylights turn the room into a sunlight-filled space.

"We were at pains to maximize the beam in relation to the 24-meter length overall," explains Giovanna Rivetti, director of the Benetti yard in Fano.The result is that belowdecks, the Legend accommodates up to eight guests in a VIP cabin and two singles furnished with a standard and a queen-size bed (what the Italians call una piazza e mezza, literally "a place and a half"), so they can sleep three people if need be. Taking advantage of the full beam, the VIP cabin is actually larger than the owner’s cabin, but it has a smaller bathroom and lacks the tub. Natural light and sea views on the lower deck are provided by large, new-look portlights. With a reduced crew in mind once again, there are two cabins for three crewmembers and a small galley-dinette in the enlarged lazarette (the tender and toys are stowed on the open top deck) with direct access to the engine room. Besides the conversation area on the main aft deck, the principal alfresco social space is on the top deck and offers ample dining, seating and sunbathing areas plus a full-size bar and grill protected by an electrically operated semi-rigid bimini top.

"I don’t believe that Green Star notation should be left up to the owner to decide," says Rivetti. "It is up to the industry to impose these environmental standards."

The new Legend is a compact, yet comfortable and capable yacht that with its bulbous bow has a range of 1,500 nautical miles at 10 knots. The 24-meter registration option, combined with a simple yet intelligent interior layout, means that it can function either as a small charter vessel with crew or as a "bare" boat with the owner taking the helm himself and his family and friends as deckhands. This is an attractive fillip to offer clients and one that is bound to appeal to potential owners on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond.

Contact Benetti at +39 0584 3821. www.benettiyachts.it