ICE 62 TARGA, the Italian Blue water cruiser revolution

Difficult not to be enchanted when admiring the new Ice 62 Targa. This sailboat, admirably built by an Ice Yachts that moves the bar of quality ever higher, redefines in one fell swoop both the “Blue water cruiser” and “Easy sailing” concepts.

With the launch of this unit, Ice also shakes up the cards in a market that, unquestionably, sees both Nordic and high-end Italian yards remain more than a step behind in the race towards innovation and performance. Capable of superlative performance, made possible thanks to the genius of the legendary Umberto Felci and a construction studied down to the smallest detail, the new Ice 62 Targa also features a decidedly intriguing design.

On board comfort is the watchword. After all, this boat was created with the aim of being manoeuvrable by just one person, so it is hardly surprising that everything can be handled directly from the control console.

From here it is possible to make turns, trim the jib, mainsail, gennaker, backstay, kicking strap and the various settings (to be set according to the type of sailing ahead).

Without forgetting the quality of the materials. The glass-carbon hull is simply a spectacle for the eyes, enhanced by a full carbon deck and a T-Top, also in carbon, which gives a decidedly sporty look to the livery, very clean at the same time.

And again, the fin made of double Weldox steel with very high mechanical performance, or the hydraulic lifting system (by the Cariboni company) with 2.30/ 3.90 variable draft that allows for racing performance at sea while guaranteeing agile entry into port.

In short, in the Ice 62 Targa all the best of the yard’s production has been synthesized with the precise aim of offering a unique experience at sea in terms of performance and comfort, combined with a touch of class and elegance that makes this boat simply amazing.

Sea Trial

There are two of us, the owner and I, and it is only because I already know it is possible that I am not surprised that one person is enough to steer it. And yet it is, and it is in the most natural way possible.

We start testing the engine, a 195 HP Yanmar, which I immediately bring up to 1800 rpm reaching 9.2 knots, a remarkable economical cruising speed for a boat of this size. At 2400 rpm the speed is 10.8 knots. The Ice 62 Targa sails really well, linear and cleanly slicing through the waves with great purity, without a hint of drag. Accelerating further, at 2900 rpm, I touch 12 knots. Then we look at each other, the wind has picked up and I can’t wait to sail.

We’re sailing upwind, and I’m doing it all by myself simply by operating the buttons on the console in front of me.

Of course it takes a bit of getting used to operating the large control panel but, once you have memorized the commands, it is priceless to move around with such simplicity, which is also an important safety factor.

The Ice 62 Targa moves constantly at a higher speed than the wind. With a 6-knot true wind, the boat sails at almost 7 knots: most blue water cruisers are stationary in these conditions …

Then the wind increases a bit and, with it, so do our speeds. What doesn’t change though is the behaviour of the boat, always predictable, never nervous. With a true wind of 8/10 knots we constantly sail above 9 with peaks of 10 knots to windward: what a boat guys!

We spread out and unroll Code zero, again without leaving the console. The 360 square metres of surface open up to the wind and … and it’s like putting on the turbo. The boat takes off and, in a flash, we are flying at over 13 knots. The stern wake is that of a speedboat and, up to 90/100 degrees, we always travel like this.

Bearing away further we recover more normal speeds, 9/10 knots even if we bear away a lot, but it’s clear that here you need an A2 to run fast. Yes, I know it’s not a racing boat, but man, it makes you want to …

I reluctantly give up the helm and go below deck, there are no creaks, there’s just the wind and the sound of the bow slicing through the waves. Poetry.

The ICE 62 Targa in detail

Let’s get down to the technical side of things and try to describe the main features of this boat.

I suggest starting with the absolutely modern design, gorgeous in the chrome colours of the glass-carbon hull, with an inverted bow (scimitar-shaped) with a 1.3 metre long carbon bowsprit, which leaves room for water lines and appendages characterized by a variable draft, from 2.30 to 3.80 metres.

What’s more, the boat is fitted with double rudder blades, bow and stern thrusters that can be retracted for easy mooring, which is essential for solo sailors. The engine, a 195 hp Yammar has enabled us to sail up to 12 knots. Not bad at all.

Carbon is the watchword. As mentioned, it is found in the hull, to make it strong and withstand the stresses of the sea (combined, however, with fibreglass to soften the structure), and again in the deck, to lighten the structure and lower the centre of gravity, or in the canopy, on which, among other things, a solar panel support and the electrically-controlled mainsail traveller are installed. And again in the chainplates, the rudders, the rig and the bimini, which together with the maxi dodger create a perfect synthesis of how the deck of a sailing yacht should always be designed.

When sailing, you can exploit a sail area of 240 square metres and a gennaker of 360 square metres, all designed to ‘catch’ the wind immediately and without compromise, which means all the necessary thrust at high speeds but also minimal displacement when sailing upwind, thanks to the hydraulic lifting by the Cariboni Company.

The stern section accommodates two dedicated helmsman’s seats with precisely two carbon-fibre rudders for the best possible control while defying the heavy aerodynamic loads to which the boat is subjected when underway: among other things, under the seats there is a convenient locker for storing everything you need at hand and a raft.

It is precisely when you are at the helm that you realize how beautiful it is. Elegant, sophisticated, absolutely practical both when single-handed and with large crews, this boat has everything you need. Wide benches, very comfortable backrests, and the size of the cockpit itself, absolutely spacious and therefore liveable, but also eye-catching thanks to the Felci Yacht design that embellishes an already unparalleled line.

This quality is also evident below deck, where there are no less than three cabins, two heads and a large galley. Here, too, the attention is maniacal: the idea is to make the hull lose weight thanks to lightened panels and innovative solutions, without, however, ever setting aside fine finishes or refined carpentry work.

It is hard to imagine setting limits on this boat on which, in all this, there is also space for 1040 litres of water and 800 litres of fuel, which if we think of long navigation alone or in company are fundamental, as is the large garage, comparable to that of a 70-footer, where a 3.1-metre tender can be accommodated. In a nutshell, superbly oversized.

Fast, exciting, practical, beautiful. This sailboat has marked a turning point in the “blue water cruiser” category by showcasing all the Italian character of something that has always seemed the prerogative of other countries, and which makes Ice Yachts a new reference point at international level.