The design team wanted to “disrupt” the superyacht sector with a contemporary interior and unusually large open space at the rear of the boat. We step on board.
This is a Benetti designed by a Bonetti. Enrico Bonetti, in fact.
Bonetti’s one half of the New York-based architecture firm of bonetti/kozerski. Together with business partner Dominic Kozerski, the duo created the striking, light-filled interior of the 112-foot Benetti Oasis 34M superyacht Grateful, one of the headliners at the recent Palm Beach International Boat Show.
The designers are best-known for their work in high-end residences, fashion stores, and hotels. (Their latest project is the just-opened Tod’s flagship store on New York’s Madison Avenue.) They came up with Grateful’s bold interior style without ever having ever set foot on a yacht before.
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“We wanted something disruptive, something that would change the rules of yachting. That allowed us to explore designers who are not part of the traditional yachting world,” Sebastiano Fanizza, Benetti’s chief commercial officer told Robb Report.
Before the 34M, the designers were hired along with RWD (Redman Whiteley Dixon), who were tasked with the exterior, to develop the 34M’s bigger brother, the 131-foot Oasis 40M.
Like the 40M, the Oasis 34M features RWD’s innovative “Oasis Deck” design, with its vast aft beach club area and opening, wing-like bulwarks along the sides. The combined area is over 800 square feet. Add to this a glass-edged infinity pool overlooking the oversized swim platform that gives bathers unobstructed 270-degree views.
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“The Oasis 34M is all about outdoor space, and bringing the outside in. So the feeling inside is that of an open loft, with lots of light and a lack of formality,” says Kozerski during a walk-through of Gratefulat the show.
Launched in early 2023, Grateful was being displayed at PBIBS for two reasons. First, it’s for sale via Fraser Yachts and, secondly, Benetti wanted to showcase its design thinking to prospective clients. The yacht is hull number three. The next available build slot, according to Benetti’s Fanizza, is hull #23, due in early 2026, making the 34M the group’s most successful model.
Grateful makes a bold statement with its towering, glass-filled hull, near-vertical bow and dramatic upper deck with its own extensive glass and curvy, upright windshield. The yacht’s other key feature is a port-side opening tender garage which frees up space at the stern.
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Stepping onto the teak-decked swim platform, Kozerski points out the Benetti’s surprise-and-delight deployable Transformer deck. At the touch of a button, the platform cantilevers outwards and can be adjusted to become a perfect high-dive board, or lower into the sea to launch Grateful’s fleet of Seabobs and kayaks.
The entire aft deck makes the perfect outdoor entertaining area, with its sunpad-ringed pool, varnished teak bar, comfy sofa and even a fire pit.
Another press of a button opens the full-width, curved sliding-glass doors that lead into the light-filled salon. Bleached oak floors and curved sofas in neutral beiges add to the light, airy feel. Instead of a formal dining room, a circular glass table with seating for 10 sits at the end of the salon.
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Close by is the galley, which is one of Bonetti’s favorite spaces, largely because of the countertop surfaces. “We used gray and black Serizzo granite from Italy. It’s a very humble and durable material that’s often used for sidewalks,” he says.
Just forward of the salon is Grateful’s unpretentious owner’s suite, with its oversized hull windows and light oak flooring. Bonetti and Kozerski increased the feeling of space by designing a walkaround bathroom with twin entrances, and glass enclosures for the shower and toilet.
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On the lower deck, the yacht has four additional sleeping cabins, with two matching en suite doubles, and two twin-bedded cabins, all entered via a central staircase. Each of the bathrooms features more of those “humble” materials: This time, stone chips are glued together in a traditional Venetian style.
Up in the sky deck, there are big soft sofas for movie nights and sliding glass doors that open onto an expansive shaded deck with freestanding sofas and chairs. Forward on this level is Grateful’spilothouse, also defined in designer Poltrona Frau leather in light and navy blue. The yacht’s steering wheel looks as if it came from a Ferrari.
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Up on the sky deck are multiple sun-lounging pads, a forward bar with 360-degree views of the ocean, and a long dining table for 10 made to resemble a vintage sailing yacht’s teak grating. Close by are a barbecue grill and an outdoor kitchen.
Built for comfort rather than speed, Grateful’s pair of 1,380 hp MTU diesels can push the yacht to a top speed of 16 knots. Throttle back to 10 knots and its range extends to over 2,700 nautical miles before having to refuel.
It is listed for $15.9 million.
