The Italians had a clear goal in mind when they commissioned their first catamaran design from Californian designers John Reichel and Jim Pugh. The 72-foot (almost 22 metre) long cat was to be suitable for both extended cruising trips and regattas, which in the equation means plenty of space, fast hulls and a powerful rig. With its name AC72, the catamaran alludes to the America's Cup racing machines of the same name, emphasising its sporting aspirations, although the abbreviation is made up of the brand name and the English word for catamaran - Advanced Catamaran.
Spacious room concepts for maximum comfort
A key feature of the AC72 is its spacious saloon, which according to the shipyard is unrivalled in this cat category. The open-plan design enables a seamless transition to the large cockpit and creates a uniquely airy feeling of space. The so-called "Aft Beach" - a stern area that extends over the full width of ten metres and serves as a spacious lounge and bathing platform - is particularly emphasised. A separate forward cockpit is also provided for moments of peace and privacy. The flybridge of the AC72 offers additional living space in the fresh air, with the best view. The central helm station with two steering wheels is located up here. All halyards and sheets also converge here on the centreline and on four winches.
Technical innovations for safety and performance
The centreboards are a key element of the high-performance twin-hull design. These enable a shallow draught for exploring shallow waters without compromising on sailing performance and upwind characteristics. The hulls with pronounced chines have been optimised by Reichel/Pugh to minimise drag and maximise interior living areas. According to the experienced maxi designers, the deck planing and bow shape ensure good manoeuvrability and valuable buoyancy reserves, as well as reducing wind resistance. According to Marco Tursini, the AC72 is the ideal cat for sailors of all experience levels, with or without a crew. With its first performance cruiser catamaran, Advanced Yachts is positioning itself as a competitor to established manufacturers such as Gunboat, HH and McConaghy.
Individual customisation options
In order to meet the different needs of potential owners, the shipyard offers the AC72 in three different layouts and equipment variants. Regardless of the chosen configuration, the team led by Marco Tursini and Antonella di Leo promises an exclusive ambience with Italian flair and clear design. The hulls are constructed as a sandwich of GRP and epoxy on a foam core, while the deck and superstructure of the 21.75-metre catamaran are made of carbon fibre, just like the mast and boom.
The Italian shipyard with offices in Milan was founded in 2010 by Marco Tursini and his wife Antonella die Leo. The couple launched three sailing yacht models on the market: A66, A80 and most recently the A60. A total of seven yachts have been delivered.
Martin Hager
Editor in Chief YACHT
