Review: Aicon 85' Flybridge Yacht

Aicon Yachts 85' Flybridge​

Ciao Bella!​

Review by Capt. Chuck Gnaegy​

A gleaming, precious new flagship, Aicon’s 85 Fly is its grandest yet; a brand new,
bella-elegante holiday yacht just introduced to compete in the ever-
growing mid-size yacht market.​

The Sicilian-Italian builder also features seven other sizes: the Open series from 62 to 82, and its Flybridge series from 54 to 75. Its two production bases: the Flybridge series built in Italy’s historic Giamorro; the Open series built in Villafranca Tirrena, a few miles east. Both open to the Mediterranean through the Tyrrhenian Sea and/or the Strait of Messina, at the toe of Italy’s boot on the northeast coast of Sicily. Its 300,000 sq.ft. production facility in Giamorro now has in-house equipment for the production of wooden furnishings and steel components for construction of its 54 and 64 motoryachts, and plans to invest $3.7 million in this yard alone. Yet its development plans call for further investment of $15.9 million, centering on this and other production facilities in Villafranca, plus an additional yard in Augusta-Siracusa for larger yachts – 100 and 130-ft. From its Giamorro headquarters, its staff is focused on customer service; with specialty headquarters in the Sicilian ports of Messina and Palermo, near the center of the Mediterranean’s key ports.

Aicon, unlike many other builders, initiates each building stage on its own, from production of their fiberglass molds; to complete interior construction, covering all aspects of the building process. A very clean, forthright design, she is modern, up to the minute but not extreme, a yacht that will surely stand the test of timeliness. The 85 Fly combines good taste with excellent workmanship and a forward focus. Aicon has been producing yachts since its architect-founder, Lino Siclari – who continues to serve as its president – debuted with an Aicon 56 at the 2001 Genoa Boat Show.

Though in many prior years he had received numerous accolades for yacht furnishings, this was his first entry with a completed yacht. But, what a nice surprise: The 56’s elegant coming-out party generated orders for 25 yachts. That same 56 was named Boat of the Year in the 40’- 60’ category at la Plaisance, in the Cannes Festival Internationale. Acceptance by the industry and a growing list of customers convinced Siclari to plan further models. He then appointed Marc-Udo Broich President and CEO of Aicon Yachts, LLC, while he remained chief of Aicon Yachts S.P.C. The company proudly harbors a supporting coterie of 23 major dealers, world wide.

From the rear cockpit, a curving staircase leads upward for access to the flying bridge and more cruising delights. Then the at-sea party is ready to begin, as the flybridge boasts a 4-person Jacuzzi pool and twin sunpads for ultimate relaxation. Meraviglioso! Overhead a soft-topped, folding sunroof opens or closes at the touch of a button to provide the exactly desired weather condition.

The open air dinette and teak luncheon table is surrounded by couches and rattan chairs, while across the aisle a serving bar, sink, mini-fridge and electric barbecue grill await the chef’s delights. Aft, to the stern of the yacht, the tender fits across beam-wise; ready for launch via a hydraulic davit.

Forward on the top deck, a large, six-person sofa – with its tinted plexiglas side screen – curls toward the upper helm. The tinting effects total privacy at the yacht’s sides. Aport, the upper helm is built in molded fiberglass, with full instrumentation duplicating the main helm below, plus a triple wide pilot’s seat so onlookers can be closely involved.

Going aboard via the aft deck, the bleached teak stripping on the deck accentuates the concise aspects of this design. Shaded by the overhanging flybridge deck, the cockpit, this aft outdoor retreat which the ladies will love, sports a folding teak table and chairs, excellent for outdoor dining or lounging. A full width weatherproofed couch of ultra-leather, facing forward, ends at stairways on both beams with teak steps down to the broad swim platform. Side deck walkways, with stainless steel handrails, lead the way to the bow, where wide sunpads offer the ultimate in a delightful tanning experience. Bellissimo!

Furnishings and decor in Aicon 85’s Salon may easily be the equal of any 4-star hotel or corporate living room. Sporty but elegant, it offers the combined straightforward appeal of masculine lines, plus resilient feminine edges on multiple couches and bolsters. Both sexes will appreciate the niceties of this sophisticated layout, stylistic but also precocious in its use of space allocations. Teak and oak woods with leather inlays, and soft-textured fabrics blend in light browns and off white tones, setting a relaxing mood. High windows allow plenty of outdoor light, while the furniture arrangement lends itself in conversational groupings. With its full beam sliding glass doors at the rear, the enormous visual open space includes a panoramic view aft and the ensuing scenery as well. Eccelente!

Set just forward of the salon and separated by cabinetry which holds formal cutlery and tableware, the glass-topped dining table seats up to eight diners in classic style. Its forward wall of thickly padded maple-brown panels help segregate the dining area without incursion into the salon, while passage to the galley is simplified.

Placed in an advantageous viewing position between the salon and dinette, the 42” pop-up LCD TV screen presents worldwide entertainment via satellite or DVD. Yet it also adds to the yacht’s visual spaciousness when retracted downward, for unimpeded views and conversation when stored. Bose systems include CD/DVD.

A veritable indulgence of stainless steel, oak, and teak floors symbolizes the galley’s ease of operation for the chef. Dual refrigerator-freezers, plus mellow onyx countertops, and wide preparation areas make meal planning an adventure rather than a challenge in this well laid out galley. With a microwave oven, grill, dishwasher, it is spacious, yet compact, offering all a dedicated professional food-lover could hope for. At starboard, stairs lead up to the flybridge and down to the nighttime living spaces.

Situated on the port side of the main deck, forward – Aicon’s main navigation module – the lower helm commands the ship’s course from a double-wide pilot’s chair in black leather, facing the most advanced technologic instrumentation on the ocean today. Large nav screens, compass, and all instrument monitors, with a leather wrapped wheel are all within easy reach, before the slanted windows set in heavy oak beams. To starboard, an L-shaped divan with a chart table provides space for all aboard to participate in the course planning. Placed at the bow area, the crew quarters – Captain’s cabin and a twin-berth crew cabin – offer a complete, compact galley and dinette as well as an entertainment and relaxation area.

On the lower deck, beam wide, the Master stateroom is placed just aft of center. Two large ports on each side – one opening – admit light and observation points from the stateroom. With a raised, king-size berth the room follows the straight-lined decor, with mellow oak and teak woods, plus padded and insulated wall paneling. TV with Dolby Sound furnishes entertainment. There are two wardrobes. Well lighted, the windows are also draped for night time and privacy in port. Molto comodo!

On the port side is a conversation area with breakfast table and stylish, high-backed easy chairs, while the opposite beam hosts a mirrored vanity with drawers.

Providing a double tub and hydro-jet shower, the Master Bath provides twin wash basins of the latest design in ovoid shape, facing a large mirror, set in polished teak wood, over a teak floor. There is an individual toilet and a bidet. Prezioso!

This Master’s separate, glass-enclosed shower/sauna is easily large enough for two. With seating on a specially waterproofed wood bench, it furnishes heat and pressure controls. There is also an opening port in the sauna. Flooring is specially treated teak.

For the VIP Suite, the designers chose the fore peak, where the spaciousness is a near match for the Master’s in size. Laid out in identical fashion, with the queen-size island berth raised on softened corners and an innerspring mattress, it also furnishes abbreviated seating along the sides, double reading lamps, and ample storage. There are twin hanging lockers. All wood paneling is teak and oak; there is a single opening port on each beam. Other furnishings include a vanity with mirror, plus a writing desk.

Nestled next to the VIP stateroom, the private bath also offers a bidet and toilet, plus roomy shower. Its double wash basin is the latest in style. Placed between the forward VIP suite and the Owner’s Suite, two guest staterooms are furnished with twin berths; each with a convenient bridge for conversion to double berths. Each has two opening ports for good daylight, plus ensuite heads/showers, hanging lockers and bedlamps. While somewhat smaller than the others, they are quite roomy, and furnished in the same fashion.

Aicon’s 85 Fly has allotted huge space to its engine compartment, featuring full 6’6” to 7 ft. overhead, and adequate walk-around room to service the big CAT C32 diesels and other equipment. Its V-shape keel with a deadrise of 13º at the transom gives it excellent drive power, so that cruising speed averages 27 knots, with a top speed reaching 30 knots. But even this fine yacht is merely the beginning of Aicon’s plans.

One thing is certain; Aicon is an innovative shipyard destined
to be on the move. Quanto Eccezionale!​

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Review by Capt. Chuck Gnaegy​

Specifications:

LOA: 86’11”
Beam: 21’1”
Draft: 3’9”
Draft w/ Propellers: 5’7”
Displ.: 183,000 lbs.
Fuel: 2,323 Gal,.
Water: 520 Gal.
Max Speed: 30 knots
Cruising Speed: 27 knots
Power: 2 x CAT C32 Acert 2 x 1.825 bhp
Building Material: Fiberglass

For more information contact:

Aicon Yachts
1535 S.E 17 Street
Suite 111
Fort Lauderdale, Fl 33316
954-713-8108
www.AiconYachts.com

Deck Plans: Top to Bottom...

1. Main Deck
2. Lower Deck