Meet the 170-Foot Superyacht Starring in the Latest Season of ‘Below Deck Mediterranean’
Benetti’s “Akira One” was delivered in 1998, but has been treated to two meticulous refits.
The star of the latest installment is Akira One, a 170-footer that Benetti delivered in 1998. It is currently up for charter at Fraser Yachts, with rates starting at 176,000 euros, or roughly $203,000, per week.
The first hull in the Italian yard’s famous Golden Bay series, Akira One features an elegant exterior by naval architect Stefano Natucci and a sophisticated interior originally executed by Luxury Projects Zuretti Design. Despite spending nearly 30 years on the water, the yacht looks fresher than ever. It was meticulously refitted in both 2012 and 2022, with the latter work including a fresh interior by Zuretti Design.
The main deck salon.Thomas Gerasopoulos
Housed within the steel hull and aluminum superstructure, the luxurious living quarters include two lounges, a formal dining area, and six en suite cabins for up to 12 guests. The full-beam owner’s suite sits on the main deck, offering a private study and a generous en suite with a large hot tub. One double cabin is situated on the upper deck, while two VIPs and two twins are positioned on the lower deck.
Heading outside, the sundeck is outfitted with a hot tub, BBQ station, and sunbeds for catching rays. Below that, the upper deck features an alfresco dining area for 10. A few more steps down, the aft deck is home to a plush lounge that leads to a large swimming platform, where seafarers can enjoy the myriad water toys.
As for grunt, Akira One is powered by twin MTU engines rated at 2,226 hp, enabling a top speed of 18 knots, a cruising speed of 14 knots, and a range of 3,000 nautical miles. She is also equipped with zero-speed stabilizers that ensure comfort and stability at sea and anchor.
All of that will be on show in the Below Deck spin-off. Season 11 follows captain Yawn, chief stew Aesha Scott, bosun Nathan Gallagher, and deckhand Joe Bradley as they spend eight weeks sailing Akira One around Croatia, dealing with demanding guests, unpredictable weather, and other dramas. It kicked off with a bang, too, with the first episode on June 8 showing Yawn crashing Akira One into a dock. Episodes of Below Deck Med air on Bravo every Monday at 8 p.m. Each of the 10 episodes will also be available on Peacock the following day.
Click here to see more photos of Akira One.
