Benetti 67m Superyacht Calex

The Benetti Superyacht Calex Is a Bastion of Bliss

In the late 1800s, spending time on board any floating craft meant lots of work. Boats moved either by sail, oar, or steam, requiring a great deal of manual effort. Most boats of that time were used for fishing, trade, or other errands of economy. That is not to say that early sailors did not enjoy their time on board, but idle time was not the primary purpose of most voyages.

That all changed in the late 1880s as Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach put their heads together in Stuttgart, outfitting a little boat with their “longcase clock” single-cylinder engine. From that day forward, the face of yachting began to change, embracing pleasure as a major pursuit.

Benetti Shipyards

In 1873, Lorenzo Benetti founded Benetti Shipyards in Viareggio, creating a stir with his early sailing yacht designs. The first three decades saw Benetti launch over thirty boats, including five schooners, three tartanes, thirteen brigantine-schooners, eight navicellis, and three cutters. 

From the first sailing yachts to a long line of famous power yachts like Delfino, Gabbiano, Mediterraneo, and Nabila, Benetti yachts have been at the forefront of design, luxury, and quality. Today, after 150 years in the industry, Benetti continues to deliver meticulously constructed power yachts that capture smiles and approving glances wherever they sail. 

The 67-meter Benetti Calex was finished and delivered in 2022 to a California owner just in time for this milestone celebration, adding another accomplishment to an impressive list of remarkable yachts born under the Benetti marque. While there are so many fabulous Benetti yachts, few can compare with the peace and calm of this fully custom, superbly designed and outfitted superyacht.

Benetti Calex By the Numbers

Every detail on this casual, 67-meter beauty is bespoke, built just for this owner. The 10.8-meter beam and a 3.10-meter draft define the 1249 GT vessel volume’s steel hull and aluminum superstructure, embracing five enclosed decks plus a sun deck. Calex is capable of carrying 12 guests in 7 cabins, served by 16 crew. The stylish exterior went from vision to metal via Giorgio Cassetta of Cassetta Yacht Designers. The interiors were polished and perfected by Benetti’s in-house Style Department in complement with the owner’s design team. 

Calex is powered by 2 1876 hp MTU 16v 4000 M53 engines, resulting in a maximum speed of 16 knots and a range of 4400 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots. The first fully custom Benetti of this size in compliance with Tier III engine emissions regulations, Calex is outfitted with scrubbers for exhaust from the main engines and gensets that reduce nitrous oxide emissions by 70 percent. 

At First Glance

Calex’s white hull presents distinguishing features in the near-vertical bow and extra-long forward deck that contribute to an overall casual, laid-back style. Each deck is underlined with a glossy black bar edging the stern, emphasizing the number of levels through the contrast. The bow is large enough to be used as a touch-and-go helipad.

Glazing amidships in sets of one, then two, and finally three very vertical windows make a design mark on the main deck. Just below, one offset series of three large horizontal windows plays into the exterior look of the hull, preceded by a set of four widely spaced dots of glazing, followed by three quickly spaced dots. The overall effect suggests a minimalist Swiss design ethos, softening the crispness with large wraps of sole to ceiling glazing on the main and upper decks, washing around a forward curve with an effortless sweep aft. 

Tender garages to both port and starboard deftly conceal the craft in the bow. One holds an 8-meter 38-knot Scorpion tender, the other an AB VST 21 32-knot outboard, plus a rescue tender. A swing-down terrace to starboard off the recessed beach club level delivers sea breezes and sunshine. A single gullwing door opens to descend the two steps to the beach club. Both open to the sea, yet private and protected, it no doubt proves one of the most popular spaces on the yacht.

The Main Deck

Boarding the yacht from the beach club, guests ascend pale teak stairs, matched port and starboard, to the aft main deck, where a lounge area is fitted with cream sofas accented in dark wicker, served by low white marble top tables on dark wood bases. A sculpted tension awning for shade arcs from the overhang of the deck above to posts rising from the stern.

Further forward, glass doors open to the main saloon dressed in crisp contrasts of cream furnishings and dark walnut and maple wood trim in smooth, satiny curves. Lush textures and fabrics from Loro Piana Interiors are gracious accents. A massive three-sided sofa to port, plushly covered in cream, cradles a dark wood low table. Two cushy cream barrel arm side chairs man the fourth side. Wide planked teak underfoot is pale and clean, continuing through the short entry to the dining area as two sideboards in cream lacquer stand sentry to port and starboard. 

Athwartships, a large dark rectangular dining table for twelve offers views out both port and starboard glazing, with abundant table-height storage chests to port and starboard. A silvered Mondrian-style lighting fixture shines coolly above it all. Further forward, a dark wood paneled wall with starboard hall leads on.

Forward of the dining area, the galley and day head offer convenience and separation from the forward cabins. A dumbwaiter connects the galley on the main deck to the upper deck for smooth service. 

The VIP cabins are matched, side to side, with ivory built-ins trimmed in that sensuous satin curve of dark wood. Cream leather headboards stitched in rectangular pillows add to the box-in-a-box construction used throughout the yacht to silence noise and vibration at 12 knots, ensuring guests enjoy peace and quiet in addition to an excellent night’s sleep. 

Baths crisply carved of crema marfil and white statuary marble are graced with silver hardware and large lighted mirrors. Large glass showers offer brilliant views through large windows with quickly available shades. 

The Upper Deck Owner’s Suite

Accessing the upper deck, either via stair or the central glass elevator travelling to all five decks, the owner’s personal space spreads over 160 square meters. The master embraces a dual bath, private office, walk-in wardrobe, and a 180-degree view through two curved automatic sliding doors. Seating and relaxation areas to port and starboard of the centered bed offer exceptional views.

Stepping out onto the exterior foredeck, a private lounge area with chaises, armchairs, table, and gas fireplace invites blissful conversation or quiet relaxation. The space cannot be viewed from upper decks due to a perfect layout that ensures complete privacy on board. Fully forward, the raised helideck space provides private arrival and departure for owners.

To stern, a beautifully arranged collection of cream furnishings, again accented with sublimely smooth walnut and maple curves, invites social gatherings. Television, games table, and bar ensure all bases are covered. 

Further aft through sliding glass doors, an open area dining table offers a refreshing repast, while a posh lounge area awaits pre or post-dining chats. 

The Bridge Deck

Five active touchscreens and console by Telemar look out onto the horizon as captain and crew pilot Calex to the next idyllic destination. A pair of white chairs trimmed in dark wood and a nav/observation table provide excellent views of operations. 

The captain’s cabin is spacious and similarly outfitted in the fabrics and style of the yacht, as is the ship’s office. There is also an outdoor lounge with bar, sofas, TV cabinet, and barbecue with pantry, revolving around the captain and the wheelhouse.

The Lower Deck

Four guest cabins, two double cabins and two convertible twin cabins, are midships on the lower deck, completely separated from the crew area, built with box-in-a-box noise and vibration-reducing construction. Fully forward, the crew quarters with galley, crew mess, and laundry maintain privacy with separate stair access. Thoughtful design of crew quarters ensures improved staff retention and a better ownership experience.
The guest cabins are beautifully outfitted in the same cream and dark wood interior treatment, with exquisite marble baths and gleaming chrome hardware. All have large media screens and beautiful fabrics, textures, and details.

The Sun Deck

Arriving at the sun deck, either by stair or glass lift, the alfresco stern deck is perfect for a sundown cocktail or light meal. Three beautiful cream sofas gather around a low table. Fully forward, a circular jacuzzi pool is front and center, with curved white sofas flanking each side. Curved wood tables handsomely carry food and beverages. Exercise equipment under the hard Bimini top might just deliver the best treadmill, yoga, or weight workout views guests have ever experienced. 

The Beach Club

With the privilege of privacy, the beach club also invites adventure. On board, guests are invited to visit the hammam, the bar, or watch the large media screen. On the water, guests can indulge in active water sports with SUPs, kayaks, water skis, mono skis, electric surfboards, electric foiling boards, wakeboards, surfboards, sea bobs, or Yamaha wave runners, in addition to a clutch of inflatables. Spa services the yacht is equipped to offer on board include massage, reflexology, facials, manicure/pedicure, waxing, hair, and makeup. 

Truly Custom

In addition to all the details provided by Benetti, the owner’s collection of strategically-placed treasures and sculptures from distant ports further defines the elegance on board Calex. Poised to deliver a most relaxing, enjoyable, engaging itinerary, heightened through contemporary art, sublime color palette, lush textures, and thoughtful lighting, this yacht is hard to beat.
Available for charter, the award-winning design and layout presented by Calex is ready for adventure. The question is where to go. Whether it is The Exumas, The Abacos, Grenada, or Jost Van Dyke, there is nothing but fabulous with regard to choice. The next question is when. Obviously, the sooner, the better!