Cantiere delle Marche unveils Mat, the second Flexplorer 146

The second Flexplorer 146, named Mat, whose sale was announced by CdM at the end of 2021, was completed in 2024, allowing the owner to enjoy the first summer season aboard. This new vessel, the shipyard explains, remains faithful to the Flexplorer concept embodied by the first unit, Maverick, but features significant differences in equipment, layout, and accommodations, as well as a different deck configuration, offering adaptability and flexibility to meet the needs of every owner.

“With the Flexplorer line, Cantiere delle Marche demonstrates its exceptional ability to transform a semi-custom explorer yacht into a fully customized one. We provide base designs (Flexplorer, RJ, Deep Blue, RAW, and Darwin) to guide owners in the style and character of their yacht, giving them the freedom to personalize every aspect. In the case of the Flexplorer, owners can even vary the number of decks, demonstrating the extremely high level of customization in terms of design, naval architecture, and naval engineering. This high level of customization is what truly defines our concept of semi-custom,” says Vasco Buonpensiere, CEO and co-founder of Cantiere delle Marche. “This range is giving us great satisfaction both commercially and, above all, because it is helping to strengthen our reputation in the yachting community, consolidating our position as a world leader in the construction of explorer yachts.

Mat has a more streamlined profile than Maverick, as it has only three decks, compared to the four of Maverick and Flexplorer No. 3, which will be launched at this year's World Yacht Show. It also features another first for the series: it is not equipped with the characteristic A-frame crane present on both Aurelia (Flexplorer 130) and Maverick, as the owner has opted for the invisible crane, already introduced on the RJ series explorer yachts, to move the large tender and numerous water toys. This crane – explains the shipyard's note – is integrated into the thickness of the Sun deck overhang and, when necessary, extends outward for launching and hauling. Once the operation is completed, the crane arm retracts completely into its housing, freeing up the vast aft deck, equipped with folding bulwarks, which thus transforms into a spacious lounge area just steps from the sea.

Mat was designed by Hydro Tec, which is also responsible for the yacht's naval architecture and engineering. The elegant and functional interiors were created by Nauta Design.

The new explorer has a gross tonnage of 482 GT, offering ample social and private spaces for the owner and up to ten guests spread across three decks plus a spacious sun deck. A crew of nine manages the yacht's operations. Measuring 44,50 m long, 8,60 m wide, and displacing 451 tons, Mat is equipped with 65.000-liter fuel tanks that power two Caterpillar C32 engines, each producing 746 kW. This configuration allows for a top speed of 15,4 knots and a range of over 5.000 nautical miles at 10 knots.

Protected by an elegant hardtop, the sun deck features a fully equipped bar and an outdoor kitchen with a large dining table. A panoramic hot tub is located aft.

The upper deck is primarily dedicated to dining areas: a compact superstructure houses a panoramic dining room that opens onto a terrace with an additional dining area and a lounge area shaded by an awning. The captain's cabin and the helm station are located forward.

Mat has an asymmetrical layout with a widebody configuration to starboard. The main salon is a bright and elegant space with large panoramic windows. The interior design maximizes light thanks to the extensive use of bleached oak and white upholstery, with blue accents in the cushions, artwork, and decorative elements. Also inside, proceeding forward, you reach the owner's suite, featuring a study, walk-in closet, and a spacious bathroom.

The central section of the lower deck houses four guest suites, while the crew quarters are located forward, with cabins for six people, a crew mess and direct access from the galley via a dedicated staircase.

“Mat represents an evolution of the series, with customizations that enhance its aesthetics and functionality. Unlike Maverick's four-deck configuration, Mat has a three-deck layout, favoring a more streamlined profile and generous interior and exterior spaces,” comments Sergio Cutolo of Hydro Tec, adding, “This exterior design, combined with a more traditional interior layout, optimizes space without compromising the explorer yacht character. Mat has a stair configuration designed to improve circulation between decks while ensuring a high level of privacy. Furthermore, the hidden crane is fully integrated into the sundeck and remains invisible when not in use, ensuring clean lines and extra space. This is a stylistic and functional choice made by the owner.”

The Flexplorer 146 Mat, the seventh yacht resulting from the collaboration between Cantiere delle Marche and Nauta Design, "embody[s] a philosophy of aesthetic purity and effortless lightness," continues CdM. "Her interiors are spacious, inviting, and perfectly balanced in their proportions. The large windows throughout the guest areas create a strong connection between interior and exterior. The use of natural materials lends a refined, tactile feel. The minimalist aesthetic, combined with light, harmonious tones, offers a serene and comfortable environment, while natural light enhances the welcoming atmosphere."

The owners, already CdM clients, wanted easily reconfigurable spaces with furnishings such as sofas and tables that could be easily rearranged or modified according to their needs. To achieve this, the project minimized structural elements, keeping the space as free as possible. A neutral color palette was chosen, offering the owners the opportunity to personalize the interiors with furnishings, fabrics, and accessories without compromising the yacht's overall aesthetic harmony. Nauta chose a refined combination of white surfaces and light woods for a contemporary and serene look. All fixed furniture and bulkheads are made of bleached oak, while the flooring features natural flamed oak.

Another requirement was to create a dedicated area for welcoming guests on board. Therefore, the main deck was strategically divided, transforming the saloon into a large, open lounge that connects directly to the outdoor area. Meanwhile, the upper deck was designated for both indoor and outdoor dining, creating a natural division of space that optimizes functionality and comfort.

Artificial lighting played a key role in defining the design, with integrated indirect lights and strategically placed spotlights providing subtle illumination at key points, such as tables and sofas. This approach emphasizes the textures and materials used, enhancing the warmth and welcoming atmosphere of all the spaces.

The full-beam master suite, located forward on the main deck, includes a private study and walk-in closet. The large hull windows, both in the cabin and study, provide abundant natural light and frame breathtaking views. Functional and aesthetically refined, the suite guarantees absolute privacy and comfort.

The main deck also includes a pantry, a day head, and a dramatic sculptural staircase connecting the lower, main, and upper decks, becoming a distinctive visual element and facilitating movement between the levels. Further aft, the galley is equipped with professional appliances. A dumbwaiter connects the galley to the upper and sundeck decks, ensuring impeccable guest service.

On the lower deck, the four spacious en-suite guest cabins feature large windows. The crew quarters, technical spaces, and a laundry room are also located on the same deck, positioned between the engine room and the guest cabins for maximum comfort and soundproofing.

At the stern, an area dedicated to the beach club and garage houses gym equipment and space for water toys and bicycles.

On the upper deck, in addition to the wheelhouse, the captain's cabin, and another day head, is the formal dining room with a rectangular table set between two large panoramic windows. The exterior of this deck features a large dining table seating ten, perfect for al fresco dining and socializing, with an outdoor seating area.

From a structural standpoint, the shipyard continues, efforts were made to minimize the impact of the structures on the hull and superstructure to maximize interior space. The superstructure was designed to harmonize the interior layout with the position and size of the large windows.

The transverse structure, in keeping with the shipyard's approach, optimizes interior space by increasing volume thanks to frames spaced 500 mm apart, offering greater design flexibility for future modifications. A technical bridge below the guest area connects the engine room to the crew quarters, ensuring easy access to systems and tanks.

The hull was optimized using CFD analysis to reduce interference between appendages such as rudders, stabilizers, and air intakes. The bow profile and weight distribution influenced the naval architecture, with lines designed to maximize hydrodynamic efficiency and interior volumes.

Mat is equipped with two pairs of electric stabilizer fins that improve stability and course holding without interfering with the propellers. While underway, the rear fins operate at minimum speed to reduce turbulence, while at anchor they operate in sync for optimal stabilization. Finally, the explorer is equipped with independent electric rudders, managed by advanced software that works in synergy with the stabilizers to further improve cruising comfort and seakeeping.

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