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After
a successful launch of their AR 233 Superleggera, Dutch
yacht manufacturer AR-Yachts is looking forward to an
exciting future in producing aluminium-hulled Alfa Romeo-engined
speedboats.
Their
current model, the AR 233 SL, is a 23 foot long Sealium-hulled
vessel. The first example has been fitted with the 200 bhp 20-valve
2.4 JTDM Alfa Romeo engine, and consequently weighs 1,100 kg
with a maximum speed of 35 knots. The list-price of the AR 233 SL
fitted with the 2.4 JTDM engine
is 150,000 euros including VAT.
Italiaspeed.com
called past AR-Yacht’s extensive workshop in Alblasserdam
near Rotterdam last week for a first acquaintance with the
AR 233 SL. Finished in Rosso Alfa with gold striping and a
white underbelly, the speedboat is undoubtedly an Alfa
Romeo: a perfect marine translation of the Carrozzeria
Touring aluminium sportscars produced during the 1930s and
1950s. At the same time it also brings forward Alfa Romeo’s
rich history of speedboat design and motorisation.
The
AR 233 SL’s light-aluminium skin is so perfectly crafted,
that at first glance the boat appears to be made from
polyester. Rippling in the lightweight hull is non-existent,
and the elegant shape truly belies the robust strength of the aluminium
construction.
The
design of the hull comprises no straight line, with a complex ‘Coke
bottle’ form running from concave to convex down the
length of the boat. It is a sculpture, reminiscent of the
classic boat designs from the 1950s using modern materials
and highly-skilled labour. Thousands of man hours were
applied to realise the first example, which has been named
'Christine'.
Christine's
multi-thousand euro Rosso Alfa paint job is perfect. By
total coincidence, the established company responsible for
painting the AR 233 SL is called ‘Klaver Yachtpainting’
(Klaver being Dutch for Clover) and uses an Alfa Romeo-esque
Quadrifoglio as their logo.
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