Absolute 47 (2011-)

Brief Summary

Absolute was founded in 2002 by a couple of Italian yachting veterans, Sergio Maggi and Marcello Bè, building first the Absolute 25 and 45. Since that time they have dropped the 25, and lengthened the 45 to 47 in 2007. Now the company has a total of 10 different boats in their line ranging from 40' to 70'.

Specifications

Length Overall	47' 10'' / 14.60 m
Beam	13' 8'' 4.19 m
Dry Weight	N/A
Draft	N/A
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	N/A
Bridge Clearance	N/A
Fuel Capacity	248 gal. 940 L
Water Capacity	79 gal. 300 L

Engine Options

Tested Engine	Currently no test numbers
Std. Power	Not Available
Opt. Power	2 x 370-hp Volvo Penta IPS500 2 x 435-hp Volvo Penta IPS600

All Absolute yachts are designed to go to sea, a point of pride for the company. But the people running Absolute are also realists. They know that the market, particularly in Europe, wants sleek, beautifully-styled boats that are au courant with the latest decor and fashion. Indeed, the Absolute factory is located just a few miles southeast of Milan, one of the two main fashion capitals of Europe.

Builders Maggi and Bè are trying hard to build boats to even higher standards of perfection in a country where the bar is already in the stratosphere. That takes courage and expertise. These men believe in luxury but not in glitz. They believe in speed, particularly if it can be done efficiently. To this end, when Volvo Penta came along with the IPS system a few years after Absolute was founded, they jumped on this more efficient system.

Absolute 47

The Absolute 47 is a hardtop express that is nearly 49' LOA and 47' on deck. It has a beam of 13' 8" a draft of under 3'. It is a two stateroom vessel and both have en suite heads with separate shower stalls. The boat has two, large U-shaped settees, one below opposite the galley, and the other on the bridge deck on the port side, which is so often the case.

The hardtop has a massive sunroof that is powered open, but while closed, has skylights to let in light. Aft of the settee on deck is a huge sun pad, below which is a garage for an inflatable tender. Below that is the engine room.

Accommodations

The Absolute 47 follows the template used by most express boats in this range by having the mid-cabin full beam, en suite with standing headroom. Where it is different from many others is that its queen bed is set on the diagonal. This trick gives added headroom at the foot and also makes the cabin look bigger than it actually is. This can be either the master or the VIP.

Power and Performance

Standard power on the 47 is the Volvo Penta IPS600, which uses the 435-hp Volvo Penta diesel engine, one of the few marine diesels on the market that was designed specifically for boats instead of trucks. The folks at Absolute tell us that with the IPS600s she will cruise in the low 30s and has a WOT speed in the mid 30s. We have not tested this boat, but based on our tests of other express cruisers of about this size, weight and purpose, we would say that those speeds should be attainable.

Since most boats in this size range have about the same layout, and since they also pretty much use the same engines and equipment, the big differentiator will be in her fit-and-finish, styling details, quality of systems installations, and over-all ergonomics and utility. If and when we test this boat we will be able to drill down deeper into those subjects.
Since pictures are worth a thousand words, and the best way to get a feel for this boat's finish work is to see for your self, we are offering you a video and a gallery of photos.

Absolute History

Few boat builders have come so far so fast as has Absolute, which along the way became a public company. Here is a brief history of the company's meteoric rise-

2002.

Sergio Maggi and Marcello Bè, two well-established names in the world of yachting, set up Absolute.

2003.

Absolute 25 and 45, future winners of important international awards, are launched.

2005.

Plans are made for a yacht over 50 feet with a hardtop. The sales network is expanded. Production rises by 35%.

2006.

The new flagship, Absolute 56, is launched. The yacht-building yard is expanded and all the construction stages are optimized.

2007.

The 250th vessel enters the water. Absolute 47 and 52 are received with acclaim at Cannes.

2008.

Absolute wins the Brand Management prize at the Nautical Marketing Awards. Two new models are being created: Absolute 43 and 70, the company’s new flagship.

2009.

Prize to Absolute 70 for the best interior layout for sport yachts below 24 meters. Absolute 64 is first presented.

2010.

Entrance to the flybridge market. First presentation of the Absolute 43 Fly and Absolute 50 Fly at the autumn Boat Shows.