The radical new 85-foot yacht from Arcadia shows how new design ...

SPOTLIGHT ARCADIA 85 

146 

STYLE AND 

SUBSTANCE 

WORDS DAG PIKE 

The radical new 85-foot yacht from Arcadia shows 

how new design can also add new fucntion and 

new performance 

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There are many new projecTs in The world of moTor yachTs ThaT seT ouT 

To be differenT. buT jusT being differenT isn’T enough. There have to be good, 

practical reasons for being different, and it is not enough just to introduce a new style that will 

catch the eye. If a new concept is to succeed, then it must work well and look good, otherwise 

it will fall by the wayside. 

The new Arcadia 85 certainly looks different with its stealth-like appeal, but would it meet 

the demands of modern motor yachting out on the water? That was the challenge of this new 

concept, and a sea trial in the waters of Genoa was to provide the acid test. On this sea trial, 

the Arcadia ticked nearly every box, and it is a testament to the creators of this new concept 

that they have introduced new thinking into a challenging market. The design is certainly 

different and anyone with a sense of tradition might be offended by the style, but this concept 

makes a great deal of sense – it performs well and points the way to a newer, greener concept 

of yachting. 

You will not break any records with the Arcadia 85 because is has a modest speed of a little 

over 18 knots. What you get in return is a great deal of practical comfort, a style that follows 

the modern minimalistic concept, and a fuel economy that will certainly not hurt your pocket. 

For the modern yachtsman, who is no longer looking for high speeds, or who is converting 

from sail to power and values the ability to cruise in comfort and style, the Arcadia 85 could 

be the answer. 

looking The parT 

The 85 certainly stands out in the 

marina, with its unique style of dark, 

hard-edged superstructure contrasting 

to the unusual shape of the white hull. 

The angular nature of the superstructure 

runs almost to the bow, and its shape 

is dictated by the need to accommodate 

the flat glass panels that make up most 

of its sheathing. In the Arcadia, this use 

of a glass superstructure has been taken 

one stage further, as these glass panels 

incorporate solar panels that can produce 

a whopping 4 KW of electric power in 

bright sunlight; enough to power the 

lights, the fridge and most of the basics 

of living on-board without recourse to a 

generator or shore power. 

This is the green side of the 85, but the glass panels do more than just provide electricity. 

The glass has a new type of double glazing that has insulating properties equivalent to a 

thick brick wall. Consequently, the air-conditioning in hot weather will be more effective. In 

cold weather, heat remains inside. During the daytime, the mainly glass superstructure allows 

wonderful outside views. At night, a more intimate atmosphere can be created by pressing the 

buttons that automatically cover all windows with concertina blinds. 

The glass panels of the superstructure are supported by a structure that is constructed from 

stainless steel, which is covered with composites to give it rigidity. At a height of two metres, 

the sides angle in and then meet in a flat roof section. This gives enormous headroom in the 

interior, stretching up to over three metres (nearly ten feet). Combine this with the effect of the 

extensive glass superstructure, and you have an almost cathedral-like interior that sets the 

Arcadia well apart from its competitors. This interior is lower at the fore-end, as the deck level 

rises towards the bow. But there is a great feeling of comfortable space throughout the interior. 

hull games 

This is the dramatic feature of the 85 but the technology starts in the hull shape, which is 

based on a semi-displacement hull with a pronounced chine that both generates lift and keeps 

the spray down. At the bow, below this chine and the near vertical rounded stem there is a fine 

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entry so the yacht rides well in waves. Above the waterline the hull curves out into the topside 

to generate interior space with protection offered by rubbing strakes along the hull. The stern 

has an angular look with the transom combined with a bathing platform that lifts to open up the 

large stern garage. 

The Arcadia has a very different but pleasing shape. It has a purposeful look accentuated 

by the sculpture-like mast structure that is balanced by the satcom dome aft. With the 

superstructure extending well forward, the helm station is just three metres from the bow. 

This takes some getting used to when driving the yacht, but the benefit is that it adds another 

three metres to the superstructure, which is reflected in the huge cockpit space. Nearly half of 

the deck area is taken up by this cockpit, which becomes the focus of life on board when the 

weather is fine. Much of the area is covered by the superstructure extension, leaving just the aft 

sun beds open to the sun. The side supports 

are part of the angular look and the access 

to the engine compartment is housed in one 

of these supports, with a small bar in the 

other. 

From the moment you walk on-board, the 

Arcadia welcomes you. The open space of 

the cockpit is huge but embracing and where 

you might normally expect to find the saloon 

doors there is more open space and it is only 

when you continue to walk forward that you 

eventually find the saloon doors, one sliding 

door on each side. From here you enter the 

lounge, a large glassed area that still feels 

like the open cockpit. Forward from here, 

the superstructure closes in to enclose the 

galley and the lower deck access. It then 

opens up again into the dining room and the 

helm station. In the dining area, there are 

further wide side doors that slide aft so large 

areas of the superstructure can be opened 

up in fine weather. 

These doors, combined with wide 

passageways and handrails in the right 

places make movement around the yacht 

safe and easy. It is evident that a lot of 

thought has gone into the development of 

this yacht. Even though it breaks away from 

convention, it all makes a lot of sense. 

Another departure is that all of the furniture 

at deck level is off-the-shelf furniture that 

can be moved to vary the layout and to 

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change the mood. Apart from the galley 

and the bulkheads, virtually the only fixed 

item is the helm. Even the helm seats have 

been fashioned from standard office chairs, 

but like the rest of the furniture they look 

very elegant and functional. The helm 

itself is fashioned from a plinth moulding, 

with all the displays and controls carefully 

integrated into the panel. It works well with 

minimal reflections but it could be improved 

by locating the two navigation screens 

alongside each other. The visibility forward 

is good, but there is no view aft. For stern 

mooring there are two options; use the plugin 

control station aft or conjure up the aft 

CCTV camera screen on the displays. 

inTeriors on walkabouT 

Down below the mood changes from the 

open spaces of main deck level into a more 

intimate atmosphere. By using light colours 

and low furniture there is a wonderful feeling 

of space and the master suite is breathtaking. 

The style is still minimalistic and 

there are too many hard edges. But the 

décor is stunning, with colour introduced 

in the fabrics and cushions. The full-width 

master has space for dressing tables and 

a chaise plus generous side lockers, while 

its full-width bathroom aft is warmed by the 

use of dark marble inserts and there is the 

option of fitting a spa bath. 

The two twin cabins and the VIP cabin 

forward are equally smart and inviting and 

they all have ensuite bathrooms, with no shortage of storage space. There is the option of a 

five-cabin version where the master stateroom is split to form two doubles. The crew are less 

well off, restricted to two double bunk cabins in the bow with access from under the forward 

sunbed – not an ideal arrangement. 

The reason why there is so much space in the staterooms becomes evident when you visit 

the engine compartment. The two, six-cylinder MAN diesels are very compact and they drive 

forward to a U-drive gearbox before the propeller shaft runs aft. The two 20 KW generators fit in 

comfortably and the range of pumps are fitted to a shelf above. It is very neat and everything is 

readily accessible. A rear door in the compartment leads into the garage where there is space 

for a 4.2 metre tender or a smaller tender and a jet ski. 

sea performance 

On the sea trial, there was no wind but the aftermath of a storm was evident in the confused 

swell that provided a good test sea. The ride was very comfortable, with the rolling down 

to a minimum thanks to the fin stabilisers. 

These are zero-speed stabilisers, promising 

a comfortable night at anchor. Running 

into the head seas, the hull cushioned the 

ride extremely well, even when running at 

maximum speed. It was a very impressive 

performance that demonstrated how semidisplacement 

hull design has developed in 

recent years. There was no sign of spray 

being generated, although some could be 

expected in stronger winds. The fact that 

none of the furniture was secured was a 

cause for concern, but the comfort of the ride 

suggested that it might not be the problem 

that was feared. Harbour manoeuvring was 

equally impressive. 

So often, new designs and concepts fall 

down when it comes to a sea trial or in the 

practical operating features. The Arcadia 85 

maintained its composure during every test 

we put it to and came up smiling at the end. It 

marks a new departure in semi-displacement 

motor yacht design and the innovation 

developed for this design works well. The 

current 85 has good green credentials, 

but if you want to go greener then a motor/ 

generator and extensive batteries can be 

added. But that adds a cost of around ten 

percent of the price, so it is unlikely to 

be a popular option. The Arcadia 85 is a 

motor yacht that challenges convention but 

produces a practical solution and you end 

up falling in love with the concept. 

www.arcadiayachts.it 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – ARCADIA 85 

LOA 25.9m 

LWL 24m 

Beam 7.15m 

Draught 1.65m 

Displacement 68tons 

Engines 2 x 730 hp MAN diesels 

Drive type U-drive gearboxes to shafts and propellers 

Speed (max/cruise) 18/16 kts 

Range at 15 knots 500 nm 

Fuel capacity 6000 litre 

Bow thruster Rodriquez marine 35 KW 

Generators 2 x 20 KW Kohler 

Watermakers (Manf, litres per day) N/A 

Freshwater capacity 1600 litre 

Communication/navigation electronics Raymarine 

Entertainment systems Samsung and Bang &Olefsen 

Owner and guests (number) 8 

Crew (number) 4 

Construction Composites 

Classification RINA 

Naval architect (name/company) Francesco Guida 

Interior designer (name/company) In House 

Builder/year Arcadia Yachts/2009 

Price guide €3.8 million ext VAT 

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