Asani offers clever crew solutions and subtle touches alongside some genuine wow factor.
Benetti’s B.NOW family of semi-custom yachts is built on the Italian builder’s tried-and-tested platforms. It’s made them firm favorites with owners and crew alike for their proven engineering and high levels of personalization. Asani is the ninth hull in the 164-foot B.Now 50 series, with naval architecture by PierLuigi Ausonio and a streamlined three-deck exterior by RWD. It’s also the first to offer a new twist on the interior layout, courtesy of in-house evolution and an owner’s vision.
Asani’s North American owner stepped into the build when it was nearly complete and the interior by Benetti designer Mauro Izzo was fixed; the builder, however, had already made an attractive change to the layout. Asani is the first B.Now 50 to have the bulky and imposing HVAC ducting trunk relocated to the exterior, outside of the main deck formal dining area. The interior, already considerable at just under 500GT, feels even larger following this change.
“The main salon felt cramped before with the trunk imposing on the guest space, so this revisited layout is a huge improvement,” says Barbara Papini, Benetti’s head of media communication.
Forethought has also gone into crew circulation, with discreet service corridors and stairways to allow for free movement and direct access between the pantry and guest areas, greasing the wheels for quicker service. Capable of a 4,500-nautical-mile range when cruising at 10 knots, the B.Now 50 is designed for long-haul trips. It’s reflected in the integrated laundry and utility spaces that mitigate the need for frequent shore stops, and in the yacht’s storage and fuel (15,850 gallons) and freshwater (3,170 gallons) capacity, all with a view for efficiency.
A commitment to environmental stewardship is an ethos Asani’s crew and owner share, exemplified when the crew assisted with a conservation effort to release a rehabilitated turtle into Sardinia’s protected waters last November. On board, the crew adopt eco-conscious practices, from mindful purchasing to waste management aimed at reducing ocean pollution.
Nature-friendly finishes and functional materials were crucial owner requests when he appointed LASS Studio and Bergman Design House (just six months before the yacht’s August 2024 delivery) to personalize the interior. “The vision set forth by the owner was clear: to create an interior that embraces a tranquil, Zen-like atmosphere and emphasizes a profound connection to the water,” says Marie Soliman, co-founder of Bergman Design House.
The use of natural materials, such as rich timber and full-grain leather (including the brave choice of pale cream on the stair treads) brings a masculine feel. Leather even features on the wheelhouse dash. “When we were looking at a chase boat for the owner, we suggested matching the livery with the leather on the bridge as the owner really loves it,” says Captain Christian Stacey, who previously skippered the 224-foot Abeking & Rasmussen Starlust before joining Asani shortly before her delivery.
The yacht’s Technohull Alpha 40 is accompanied by a Williams Jet Tender RIB for use in the Mediterranean, and an Intrepid 327 Nomad for Caribbean cruising, both of which are stored in a large integrated tender garage forward on the main deck. It’s accessed through a double hydraulic hatch on the starboard side for quick operations, with further capacity for two jet skis and water toys.
Despite the limited time between purchase and completion, Benetti still achieved a few key bespoke elements. Asani is only the second hull to feature an outdoor rain shower on the master private balcony — echoing the owner’s request for more sensory experiences — with the first being specified by an Australian owner. The master suite also features an array of bespoke artworks, including a ceramic headboard by Ula Saniawa that needed to be installed piece by piece in situ, and a vibrant painting by Sougwen Chung created in collaboration with a robot.
On the lower deck are four en suite guest cabins: two VIPs and two twins that convert to doubles by sliding the beds together. A crew of 10, plus a dedicated chase boat driver for fishing expeditions, have six spacious cabins with good storage. Alongside a generous crew mess that feels more akin to a dining room is a separate crew lounge for off-duty relaxation.
The B.Now 50 series has been a hit for Benetti, with the 14th hull scheduled for delivery this month, and a further nine units under construction. One of its biggest draws is the signature Oasis Deck, conceived by Benetti in collaboration with British design studio RWD. Equipped with a bar, sunpads and a glass-encased infinity pool, it offers a 270-degree panoramic view astern and from the main deck lounge. More importantly, it features fold-out wings that expand the deck space to almost 1,250 square feet, with stepped access to the 387-square-foot integrated beach club for watersports and swimming.
The Oasis Deck concept first appeared in 2019 on the B.Now 40, of which 29 models have sold to date. “It’s been a big success, so we applied it to the B.Now 50 and it’s really taking off,” Papini says. It was a key feature for Asani’s owner whose goal was “to create a space where my family and friends could gather and relax.”
Up top, a 1,000-square-foot-plus sundeck includes a panoramic American bar shaded under a hardtop, and L-shaped sofas twinned with multifunctional coffee tables that rise and extend into dining tables. At the bow, a circular Jacuzzi and sunpads are sheltered from the wind by awnings.
While every yacht in the B.Now family has the option for diesel-electric propulsion, Asani’s owner opted for twin 1,400-horsepower MAN engines with a top speed of 15 knots — around 30 percent faster than the industry standard according to Benetti. CMC Marine electric fin stabilizers, which Stacey describes as “completely adaptive underway,” offer quick reaction times. The yacht is also equipped with at-anchor stabilizers to reduce roll for a smooth ride.