WIDER 32 Express Cruiser Yacht Review

The Wider 32 is a new Italian boat. Its overall appearance is a bit odd and not what most are accustomed to seeing. However, this vessel is an amazing boat. The brainchild of Tilli Antonelli, founder of Pershing Yachts, its bizarre structure certainly deserves to be given a closer look; as Mr. Antonelli certainly knows what he is doing when it comes to yachts. 

CONSTRUCTION

Just a little reminder of the spectacular Wilder 42, the first model of Mr Antonelli after he left Pershing, with its hydraulic gun wales protruding outwards as a double for the cockpit area; the outriggers used to control and maintain stability. The new 32’s outlook is not designed to turn heads but is designed with different range of innovative ideas; an adjustable bimini, a reversible helm seat, hidden cooktop in the cabin and hinged coamings at the stern for side boarding.

The more time you spend on the Wider 32 shows you that your first assumption that the 32 is a strange and quirky boat, was actually wrong. The 32 is a practical and efficient boat designed by Fulvio de Simoni, whose designs are proving themselves to be a true form function.

The ax bow, although very fashionable, helps to heighten the internal volume and waterline of the boat and also holds the boat firmly together. The anchor is strangely old fashioned like a 1940s Chrysler Newport with its low-level windows and a below 7 feet folding windscreen; it is hidden in the stern and has a super yacht style.

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Wider 32 has many exterior color schemes and can be combined in various ways to match the tender in the main yacht; the cockpit upholstery and the color of window tint are not left out of the combination. The cockpit can easily be adjusted; the cushions can be laid back into a long sunbed and the aft bench has seatbacks that can slide down and away. There is also stowage space available in every corner. When the bimini is not in use, it retracts into the space beneath the rear seats; other seats in the cockpit also have these spaces under them. The extra lockers house a life raft, full-size cockpit table and a full length swimming ladder. There is also an enormous central locker beneath the cockpit sole.

The cabin is also practical, as can be seen by the microwave, sink and big locker hidden by the starboard cabinet, as well as the electric cooktop which uses a 600-watt inverter in case a generator is not wanted. At bedtime, the back rests on the settee can be removed and placed against the hullsides to free up space; telescopic steel supports are used under hinged extensions to create full berths. The head and shower stalls are forward within the wide bow of the boat and makes it look as large as a guest head located on a 40-footer.

PERFORMANCE

The standard engine package is a pair of new Volkswagen-based V6TDIs Mercury diesels which are very smooth, light and more efficient than the regular diesels or the old tech QSD previously used. The deep-V hull design is appropriate for the power plant; its quick speed and easy planning gives you a fantastic driving experience leaving you feeling like Don Aronow, if only for a few moments.

We recorded 38 knots, which felt fast and was pretty impressive for a boat of this size. She maneuvered perfectly in the water off the Cannes avoiding sprays with her fine entry and leaving behind no splash on the deck.

LOA: 31’6″
BEAM: 9’10”
DRAFT: 3’0″
DISPL.: 11,700 lb.
FUEL: 132 gal.
WATER: 40 gal.
STANDARD POWER: 2/260-hp Mercury TDI 3.0L V-6 diesels w/ Bravo One drives