Darwin 86 Explorer: Built for Extreme Cruising Adventures

The 86-foot model is the third (and smallest) in the shipyard’s Darwin line of explorer yachts. Courtesy Cantiere delle Marche

Plenty of people order explorer yachts these days, but some owners intend to do more serious exploring than others.

In the case of the Darwin 86 Empire from Cantiere delle Marche, all indications are that the American owner fully intends to stick his bow into some challenging scenarios. Parts of the hull are built with bulletproof steel plates. The yacht has an ice belt at the waterline, along with reinforced rudders for icy conditions. The shipyard also installed what it describes as “a sophisticated anti-intrusion system” to further enhance security.

Interiors are by Alessandro Massari, with custom-made furniture and pieces from top brands such as Poltrona Frau and Poliform. Courtesy Cantiere delle Marche

All of those features help to put the exterior paint job into perspective. It gives Empire the look of a working boat as opposed to a comfortable cruising yacht—which is exactly what the owner and guests have on the inside. Interiors are by Alessandro Massari, with custom-made furniture and pieces from top brands such as Poltrona Frau and Poliform. The master stateroom spans the full beam amidships on the lower deck, with guest space in a VIP and two twin-berth staterooms that are outfitted with Pullmans. Crew quarters for a complement of four are forward on the main deck, connected to the wheelhouse for easy access. On the upper deck, there’s a gym (well-equipped for fitness enthusiasts, according to the shipyard), along with a relaxation area that connects to the outdoor deck.

Cantiere delle Marche says Empire has a top speed of 11.6 knots with a fuel consumption of about 38 gallons per hour. Cruising speed is 10 knots, with a range at that speed of 4,000 nautical miles. Power is a pair of 400 hp Scania engines. The yacht is also equipped with sodium-lithium-chloride batteries for energy efficiency.

Darwin Line: Traditional Explorer Style

Previous launches in the Darwin line include the 102-foot Galego in 2017 and the 102-foot Babbo in 2016. A flagship Darwin 115 is also available from Cantiere delle Marche, with all the models’ exteriors by Hydro Tec. The yard says the flagship model has a range of 5,000 nautical miles at a speed of 10 knots, with a top hop of 13 knots.

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