Rosetti’s RSY 38 EXP Raises the Bar on Explorer Yacht Design

In the last several years there has been a steady, unmistakable shift taking place in the yachting community, where lounging away lazy summer days off the Côte d’Azur is giving way to a more active enjoyment of the world around us. Driven by a growing interest in exploring parts unknown rather than relishing the familiar, explorer yachts have emerged as the fastest-growing category of luxury watercraft worldwide.

Built to travel the most remote parts of the ocean while tackling rough seas with aplomb, explorer–or expedition–yachts typically exchange some level of luxury for greater fuel and storage capacity, and a superseaworthy, possibly ice-strengthened hull design. Rosetti’s new 38m Explorer delivers worldwide range without skimping on luxury.

Stretching a full 38 metres in length and riding on a wide 8.85-metre beam, the 432-gross-ton 38 Explorer is not a small yacht–which is also evidenced by its 700-square-metre layout. But what sets this vessel apart is what it does with all that real estate, and that’s where things get interesting.

With its classically proportioned exterior profile, the 38 is a four-deck yacht with an expansive stern swim platform that, with its starboard-mounted passarelle, welcomes all aboard. Wide enough to stow a tender, the platform terminates on each end with graceful steps leading to the main deck. Between them, the entire aft end of the vessel serves as an inviting beach club.

Ascending the steps up to the main deck cockpit, there’s an expansive sunpad butted up against a broad, forward-facing settee from which to enjoy the views under the protection of a full hardtop. A wide promenade to starboard provides convenient access to a day head, while a matching promenade to port leads forward to the spacious bow lounge, with twin facing settees and a second even larger sun pad.

Stepping through the twin sliding doors of the full-glass aft bulkhead leads into the salon. Enormous windows along both sides work with the cockpit closure to flood the space with natural light by day, while tasteful lighting accents the alternating glossy and opaque lacquers throughout the salon.

At the forward end of the salon, a 150-bottle wine cellar welcomes guests to the main dining space, with floor-to-ceiling windows on each side assuring wonderful views. A small seating area to starboard is the perfect spot for an after-meal cocktail, while to port a wide staircase leads below to guest accommodations on the lower deck.

Farther forward still, a small lobby faces a wide doorway to the master stateroom at the forward end of the main deck. The full-beam owner’s suite provides a spacious sleeping area, very large his-and-hers bathrooms, a generous walk-in wardrobe, a private office, and a private balcony.

On the lower deck, there are four guest cabins–two doubles and two twins–each with its own private ensuite head and generous storage space for clothing and personal items.

The forward portion of the lower deck is crew accommodation with three cabins, the crew mess, a huge galley, and an extensive pantry, including almost 3,000 litres of fridge-freezer space for long ocean cruises.

From the main deck, one can head to the upper level, with the bridge and captain’s quarters up front and the aft two-thirds devoted to guest enjoyment. A comfortable upper deck lounge features a full bar, a seating area around a smaller table, and an enormous U-shaped settee. Step outside, and another expansive outdoor deck awaits, which can be configured as sunning space or accommodate a tender, with a compact crane in the aft starboard corner.

Powered by twin MAN D2868 diesel engines, the Rosetti 38M can cruise for more than 5,000 nautical miles between fill-ups thanks to the efficiency of its round-bilge displacement hull and bulbous bow. An extended skeg and electric CMC stabilizers ensure comfort in most sea conditions, allowing this luxurious explorer yacht to go just about anywhere–and get there in superlative comfort.