Forward of the TV breakfront with its Absolute Black Granite top, Barchetta’s formal dining room exudes a scripted, classique eminence. Its heavy glass-topped table seats ten revelers in high-style dark mahogany chairs, upholstered in fine fabrics. Glass ware and tableware sparkle under a custom fabricated overhead light. Large windows all around add light, or visual stimulation of the sea or seacoast to the diners. Roman drapes may seal off the sun, or outside view.

Stepping into the main salon, Art Deco reigns supreme, with rococo statuettes and flavorful emblems on walls and tables. Here, comfort and spaciousness are keys, abetted by fine-grained cherrywood wall covering with inlaid black resin and glass artworks for custom lighting. The 20’ x 28’ room would do justice to many a country club drawing room for comeliness with decorum. Centered is a vast conversation area with deeply upholstered couches, easy chairs and oversized cocktail tables. Cordoned off, the forward section holds a broad breakfront cupboard for glassware storage and also the 42” plasma TV which rises on command.

Madura Gold granite countertops, stainless steel, and satin-finished cherrywood cabinetry sport a flair seldom seen in a ship’s galley. However, Barchetta is also totally committed to fine meal preparation, with the latest innovations in cookware ranging from professional grade, double refrigerator-freezers and dishwashers to a view that would have guests offering to help with clean up duties.

Barchetta’s office reverts more to business style, showing straight grained cherrywood paneling on walls and cabinetry. The desk and chair also reflect standard propriety, to a degree. However, Art Deco paintings and sculpture are immediately served up in the fairy motif, as is the magnificent overhead lighting treatment.

At forward on the main deck, the full beam Master Suite grants magnificent ocean and interior views with a spacious and spectacular living arrangement. Swathed in delicious cherrywood wall coverings and illuminated by dark pink highlights, the master is complete with vanities and dressers. It features walk-in closets, both his & hers, separated on beam sides of the room. There is a small conversation grouping at one side and a 42” TV with the complete entertainment package facing the king-size island berth.

On the ‘hers’ side of the master bathroom, a decorative Art Deco tub welcomes the bather with its porcelain white lining inside the carved black granite oval and its fanciful fixtures. Presenting a cherrywood vanity with Absolute Black Granite countertop and floors, it also offers wide mirrors and a medicine cabinet. Art Deco symbolism decorates the walls.

Between the his/hers baths, a fine example of the Art Deco treatment and technique is illustrated here in the master stateroom shower. A water nymph prances playfully as water droplets dance across her naked silhouette. Fixtures and shower heads were chosen with particular care to match the frolicsome scene. The shower is easily capacious enough for two.

Extremely spacious for a VIP stateroom, the main suite – near beam-wide – is located on the lower deck, slightly abaft amidships and is decorated with ultimate taste. Sporting an island berth with recessed illumination above, it features a loveseat, vanity, walk-in closet and a conversation area.

Heads/showers for VIP guests are only slightly less sumptuous than the master. Ornate and mellow decor includes Black Gallaxy granite countertops as well as matching wall motifs.

Completing the list of 5 separate guest staterooms, two offer twin berths but are no less comfortable than one of the three queen berth staterooms. Fabrics and wall coverings are of equal quality, while the bed table and a storage cabinet also follow en suit with Black Galaxy granite countertops. Floors are fully carpeted. Each stateroom has hanging lockers and an ensuite head.

Barchetta’s mammoth, walk-around engine room houses the twin MTU 12V 4000 series diesel engines, which drive the yacht to cruise at 11-17 knots; with VEEM 5-blade propellers; as well as twin 99kW Northern Lights generators; Village Marine 2000 gpd watermakers; and a 100hp American Bow Thruster.

Technical innovations for this magnificent yacht include a DeviceNet monitoring system that allows Christensen to monitor the yacht underway, simplifying troubleshooting if and when necessary; WiFi accessibility through satellites for each stateroom’s audiovisual choices; plus an entertainment system which offers 600 DVDs and 20,000 musical selections.

Barchetta is the first Christensen 157' to be available for charter. Reservations can be made through Churchill Yacht Partners at $200,000 per week in Mexico or the Caribbean. It's difficult at best to rent a Barchetta (or little red Italian sports car)... but if Enzo was still with us, we're pretty sure he would ante up!

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Review by Chuck Gnaegy.

SPECIFICATIONS:

LOA: 157’
Beam: 29’6”
Draft: 8’3”
Material: Composite
Displ.: 820,000 lbs.
Fuel: 14,500 gals.
Water: 2,000 gals.
Power: 2x MTU 12V400 Series
Cruise Speed: 14 knots
Max Speed: 20 knots
Accom.: 12 passengers in 6 cabins, 9 crew

For further information contact:

Christensen Shipyards
4400 S.E. Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661
360-695-3238
www.christensenyachts.com

Deck Plans - Left To Right;

1. Flybridge Deck
2. Bridge/Skylounge Deck
3. Main Deck
4. Lower Accommodations