Benetti’s ‘Contigo’ Charter Yacht Has a Extended Aft Deck for Sports

The definition of bliss, we’re told, is being in a state of total happiness and joy. A perfect description then for the feeling you get while lounging on the “oasis” back deck of the 133-foot charter superyacht Contigo while anchored off palm-fringed Rose Island, east of Nassau in the Bahamas.

All around, the water is a kaleidoscope of aquamarine blues and Pantones of turquoise, while just off the beam, are sandy beaches and swaying palms of the island. Hard not to kick back, relax, and drink in these blissful surroundings.

For two days I’m tasked with living the life of being a guest on Contigo, a Benetti Oasis 40M superyacht, experiencing the kind of pampering one might expect for the $255,000 per week it costs for charter.

I’d taken tours of multiple charter superyachts during various boats shows, from Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale to Cannes. But I’d never experienced what it’s like to actually stay on board, enjoy that pampering, and see whether it justifies the non-trivial financial outlay.

Contigo made the perfect introduction to the charter lifestyle. Delivered last summer, it’s hull number 16 in Italian shipyard Benetti’s popular Oasis 40M superyacht series. The exterior lines, with that high plumb bow and endless glass, come from the drawing board of Britain’s Redman Whitely Dixon studio.

As the name suggests, the defining feature is the yacht’s oasis-like beach club, with its expansive, power-down terraces on each side. The almost 900 square feet of teak-decked space—unprecedented among 133-footers—features a glass-sided Jacuzzi, multiple sun pads, and a large rear-facing sofa for watching the water action.

We arrive to the boat on Contigo’s navy-hulled 42-foot Scout tender. It comes with its own captain and is typically towed behind the yacht. It’s fast, thanks to the twin 600 hp Mercury Verado V-12s outboards.

AJ Blackmon, CEO of Miami-based Ikonic Yachts, is the host for the trip. He also oversees Contigo’s charter schedule. Blackmon also helped the yacht’s owner, a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur, acquire the Benetti in France last October, sight unseen.

“The owner never stepped aboard before buying,” says Blackmon. “He loved the design and the layout. But it was that Oasis deck that sealed the deal.”

On our short trip, the oasis deck stays in full fun mode, with a huge inflatable floating extension tethered to Contigo’s swim platform. This extension features a large, netted pool in the sea to keep the kids safe, inflatable sunpads and shades, and a dock for the yacht’s three Sea-Doo Spark personal watercraft, foiling e-boards, and stand-up paddle boards.

The interior is the work of New York-based architects Bonetti/Kozerski, best-known for designing high-end Manhattan penthouses, hotels, and fashion stores. Their first venture into yachting was with the first Oasis 40M in 2020.

The sleek, if somewhat bland, “hotel-style” look of the interior spaces combines gloss-white walls, off-white fabrics, and cool gray accents that are complimented by golden oak flooring. Call it charter-yacht-safe.

Accommodations-wise, Contigo can sleep up to 14 guests in six cabins. I’m allocated one of the two roomy VIP cabins, with a double bed, a wall of closets, big hull window, and an impressively spacious bathroom. The walk-in shower is a highlight, courtesy of its waterline window looking out on a sea of blue.

Charterers, however, might fight as to who gets dibs to the full-beam primary suite, with its oversize windows, his-and-hers work spaces, and morning coffee/reading area. The ensuite features an oversize shower that doubles as a searing-hot steam room. Steps away, a massage room.

We use the Oasis deck as it’s meant to be used, riding the Sea-Doos around the bay. Fishing, snorkeling, or scuba diving from the Scout tender are possibilities, but everyone defers for lunch.

Chef Rusty Johnson conjures up the gourmet feasts for two days, with one standout being his trademark huevos rancheros breakfast. He tells me that his first maritime chef position was aboard the megayacht of a well-known Mexican telecom billionaire, who jetted him down to Mexico City so he could learn the recipe for the dish from his mother.

Later, a sunset cruise on the Scout is followed by Chef Rusty’s dinner of Wagyu beef rubbed in his secret chipotle seasoning,. Then it is a quick dip under the stars in Contigo’s top deck Jacuzzi pool before turning in.

The following morning, after more water toy action, the crew raises the anchor and we meander back to Nassau. Powering Contigo is a pair of 1,400 hp MAN V12s that can deliver a top speed of 20 mph. With close to 12,000 gallons of fuel, the boat has a range of around 4,000 nautical miles. For our trip, we run at 17 mph with barely a whisper from the big diesels.

While it’s too late for the Bahamas this year, Contigo is starting its summer charter season in the Mediterranean, based in Imperia, Italy. The yacht is also currently for sale with a €26 million (about $29.4 million) asking price. If it stays with the owner, it’ll be shipped back across the Atlantic in the fall for more blissful adventures in the Bahamas.