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A couple years ago, I saw my first Maestro, an example from a distinctive line by Italian builder Apreamare. Some folks never forget a face, but it’s the lines of yachts that make strong first impressions on me.
Fast forward to the Monaco Yacht Show last fall: What had caught my eye on that first Maestro stirred my imagination when I was introduced to the new Maestro 82-its styling: a bold, no-nonsense profile more reminiscent of a patrol boat than the sweeping lines and curved windows of many current Italian yachts. Not only does this look set the Apreamare apart from others visually, it creates a superyacht sensation aboard a more modestly sized cruiser.
This series of cruising yachts is Apreamare’s answer to those who want more, in terms of space and creature comforts, while retaining the performance attributes of the company’s original gozzo series. The Maestro 82 is the latest addition to the line, joining the 51 and 65. A big part of the impression made by the 82 is the vertical pilothouse windshield-it not only improves the helm lines of sight, it creates more usable space on both the main deck and upper decks. The large windows in the hull and superstructure lend an open and spacious feeling unrivaled in its size range.
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In fact, this Maestro has an upper deck that stretches nearly 60 feet, a phenomenal achievement on an 82-foot yacht. This creates a large outdoor living space, with room for a helm to port plus a three-guest companion seat on centerline and a spacious sunpad forward. Aft is another sunpad that serves as a removable cover for a circular whirlpool spa. Between the forward and aft pads is a large settee, a table and chairs to port, and a bar to starboard, all shaded by a fiberglass top.
The top is supported on centerline by a swept-back T-post and balanced at the after corners by stainless stanchions for an unobstructed view. Antennae are mounted forward on the top, leaving room aft for a large accordion-fold section that can be opened when guests prefer sun to shade. Hatches cover stairways to the main deck both forward and aft. All this, and there’s still room abaft the spa for a tender and davit.
Apreamare worked with a more conventional hull shape on the Maestro, moving away from the rounded gozzo stern to a flatter transom. The result is room for a PWC in a small stern garage, as well as two crew cabins and a head abaft the engineroom.
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Forward of the engineroom are four guest staterooms. The fullbeam master stateroom with its king berth is located amidships for maximum comfort. To starboard is a huge head made to feel larger still by its big hullside windows and oversized shower. To port is a sitting area, again flooded with light from matching hullside windows, as well as a walk-in locker with stowage for extended cruising. On centerline forward is a spacious vanity.
At the bow is a VIP stateroom with an island queen berth, en suite head and two hanging lockers. A circular glass hatch above the berth not only provides light, air, and escape, but also creates an aesthetic focal point for the room thanks to its joinery and the indirect lighting surrounding it. Port and starboard are two additional staterooms with en suite heads. The starboard features twin berths and a compact locker. The port, a bit larger, has a twin/queen convertible berth, a larger locker and head, and a small desk.
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The main deck is where the Apreamare Maestro 82 really shines, and the pilothouse is the icing on this cake. Vertical windows in a full semicircular array provide great sightlines. Everything one could want is here: a companion settee to port, a navigation desk to starboard, and a day-head aft to add to the captain’s comfort. The centerpiece, though, is the helm, a raised pod that can accommodate two large multifunction displays and up to six small ones, all within easy view of the fully adjustable leather captain’s chair on centerline. If you don’t feel in command here, you never will. A door closes off the pilothouse for night operation or for guest privacy when desired, at the base of the stairs to the main deck.
Down three wide, comfortable steps from the semi-raised pilothouse are the galley, dining area, and salon. There’s a stainless-framed glass door opening directly from the galley to the port side deck, and a matching guest entry door lies to starboard. The galley is large enough for one chef or two friends, suitable to the size and complement of the yacht, and is nicely equipped with commercial-grade stainless appliances, white cabinets, and dark granite countertops.
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The salon and dining area are, in reality, a single large room, but joinery and lighting in the overhead visually define two distinct areas. The dining area holds a large square table for seating the eight guests in pairs on its four sides. Opposite the table is a wide buffet to provide a serving area as well as china and glass stowage. Additional stowage is built into the bulkheads forward and outboard of the table.
The salon has a settee and loveseat to port, and a matching settee to starboard. A flat video screen rises from behind the starboard settee, so it is easily viewable from both areas. Glass doors open to the aft deck, where another settee and table allow overflow dining for larger parties, sheltered by the extended upper deck. Outboard of the settee are fiberglass boxes that keep mooring bitts and capstans out of sight.
The superyacht feel continues at the other end of the main deck with a forward guest area. Here, a spacious circular sunpad and two small settees are built into the forward trunk. There’s also a raised platform at the stem to watch dolphins as they ride the bow wave.
The accommodations are suitable for four couples or a large extended family, and extensive outdoor areas allow everyone to have their own space. Depending on engine selection, the Maestro 82 will run all day at 25 knots or more and is capable of a sprint for harbor at over 30 knots when necessary. For more extended cruising, its length enables an easy cruise in displacement mode at 10 to 12 knots.
The Apreamare Maestro 82 is a great all-around yacht with the feel of a much bigger boat. And its sharp good looks will make an impression that will stay with you, too.
