Absolute 60 FLY Review (2022 Edition) by NautiStyles

On Deck

Straight away, the beam-wide swim platform sets the tone. It’s huge. An extension of living space, easily big enough to throw out a few loungers and turn it into a beach club at anchor. The aft is open and airy, designed to give you that uninterrupted view straight off the back - great when you're hanging out in the cockpit.

There’s smart functionality layered in too. You’ve got cable master controls, shore power outlets, freshwater inlet, and a hydraulically controlled swim platform and passerelle - all tucked away but quick to access. The transom shower is cleverly hidden behind a flush panel. Capstans with electric winches on both sides support stern-to docking, particularly useful in tight Med-style marinas or Bahamian anchorages.

The bow area is well considered. Wide side decks lead forward under a bit of overhang - good handholds, smooth lighting integration, and a nice visual break up top. At the front, there’s a generous sunpad with reversible backrest and a stylish teak table that folds out between two lounge areas. Pop-up lights, drink holders, and receptacles for a bow sunshade are all in place. There’s a freshwater rinse, anchor windlass, a stainless steel Ultra anchor, and a deep chain locker that doubles up nicely for fender stowage. Even a stereo up front. It’s a sociable space that doesn’t sacrifice utility.

The flybridge is an area that Absolute does very well, and this one’s no exception. A wide-open aft section gives you the freedom to rearrange furniture - or bring up the modular units from the cockpit. There’s space for a life raft, and an electric sunshade overhead extends your shaded zone mid-day.

Forward, you’ll find a big U-shaped settee for up to eight guests. The wet bar includes a grill, sink, ice maker, and fridge - everything you need to stay put up here all afternoon. Storage under the seating is generous and well organized. The twin helm seats are flanked by all your expected upper-station controls - Garmin screens, joystick, bow thruster, searchlight, windlass counter, VHF, charging ports. Visibility’s excellent, especially on the port side where docking sightlines matter. Solar panels now span the flybridge hardtop - a trade-off from the older convertible setup, but worth it for the power they generate.

Inside there's glass everywhere, clean lines, and warm, home-style detailing. Absolute’s lighting work deserves a nod - the blue ambient strips, ceiling spots, and subtle accent lines make it glow, without being over the top.

The main deck layout offers flexibility. On this build, there's a cozy dinette opposite an L-shaped galley, which is nicely set up for long stays aboard. You get a Bosch four-burner flush cooktop, dishwasher, microwave-oven combo, deep sink, hidden vent hood, and a dual trash system. Storage is tight and practical, and there’s even Absolute-branded dinnerware set into soft-lined drawers. The fridge and freezer use secure lock closures - ideal for when you’re underway.

Just forward, a large flatscreen TV lifts out of the cabinetry opposite the salon seating. Storage runs along the base and under seat cushions. You can also reconfigure this entire space depending on your usage - convert it to more seating or extend the galley if you're more liveaboard-focused.

The helm station features two large Garmin screens, VHF, joystick and throttle controls, windlass counter, and Volvo Penta system monitor. The companion side door brings in fresh air and helps during docking. The chairs are beautifully styled - Italian through and through - and visibility is clean. You can run the boat comfortably from here for long passages.

Owner's Cabin

The owner’s suite sits slightly raised in the bow and has a real wow factor. Huge side windows bring in natural light, and the berth is rotated athwartships, giving you a stunning forward view - unusual for a bow cabin layout but very effective.

The suite includes a vanity, open shelving, deep drawers, and a proper hanging wardrobe with pocket door. Under-bed storage has been maximized with full-length drawers. There’s even a separate shoe locker and a hidden compartment that makes smart use of the hull volume. A large flat-screen TV is mounted on the forward bulkhead, and the room is sealed off with a solid door for extra privacy.

The ensuite head is exceptionally roomy. A large two-person shower with bench seating and a porthole, backlit mirrors, generous counter space, and a bidet toilet. Again, storage is cleverly handled with open cubbies and deep towel shelves. It’s elegant but still functional, even when underway.

Guest Accommodation

There are two more guest cabins down below, accessed via a multi-tiered staircase just forward of the helm.

Midships, the twin cabin is taller than expected for this part of the boat. Headroom is excellent, with a proper window, wardrobe, and enough volume to avoid feeling squeezed. This cabin shares a head with day access, which features a large shower, nice counter space, and full cabinetry.  

The starboard VIP is closer to a second master. Pocket doors seal off the space without rattling, thanks to rubber gasketing. There’s drawer storage under the berth, bedside tables with lockers, and a desk or vanity tucked along the hull. A wardrobe stands opposite. This cabin also includes hidden under-berth storage via a concealed hatch - ideal for bulk provisioning or luggage. The ensuite bathroom follows the master’s pattern: oversized shower, long counter, backlit mirror, bidet toilet and good airflow through an opening porthole.

Crew Accommodation

The crew cabin, accessed from the transom or the cockpit, is a smart use of space. On a 60-footer, it’s generous. You get twin bunks with individual portholes, a Seakeeper control panel, storage compartments, and a washer-dryer combo. The wet head is finished to the same standard as the guest areas, with a proper shower and decent elbow room. It drains cleanly and doubles up as a quick wash-down for the entire compartment.

If you’re running with a full-time captain or using the crew cabin as extra guest space or for kids, it’s a functional space. And with two access points - including from the cockpit - it’s easy to isolate from guest areas when needed.

The engine room can be reached through the crew area or a hatch in the cockpit sole. Inside, the space is neat, labeled, and accessible.

Power comes from twin Volvo Penta D11-IPS950s. Cruising speed is around 20 knots, with a top end close to 29 knots. There’s an Onan generator mounted centerline with batteries above, Dometic chiller system, fire suppression, and port and starboard fuel tanks with Raycor filtration. Separate filters are rigged for the generator and the mains.

Additional systems include a watermaker, Mastervolt chargers and inverters, Victron solar controller, cable master unit, and the hydraulic pump. A surveillance camera is fitted above, and ventilation fans are positioned in the corners. The layout is simple and efficient, which will be appreciated for ongoing maintenance.

The Absolute 60 FLY sits comfortably in that sweet spot for experienced owner-operators, though the dedicated crew space means it can just as easily be run with a captain. At 18.3 metres with a 1.43-metre draft, it’s an easy fit for most Med marinas and U.S. slips. With a fuel capacity of 2,800 litres and twin Volvo Penta IPS950s, the performance lands in a practical range - fast enough for extended hops, efficient enough for longer cruising.

The IPS drives bring with them a few known advantages - sharp manoeuvrability, especially useful when you're short-handed, and smooth joystick docking. But as with all pod systems, there’s a servicing curve. Each unit requires its own oil change, and parts like seals or gear sets can get pricey once wear sets in. Compared with shaft-drive boats, haul-outs for pod inspection and anode changes should be part of the yearly plan. While fuel savings and precise handling are often touted, the maintenance overhead does claw some of that back over time.

That said, Absolute’s onboard systems do help balance the equation. Solar charging lightens the load for hotel services, while the Seakeeper stabiliser earns its keep both underway and on the hook. The standard layout offers three cabins and three heads, plus a dedicated crew cabin, so there's real flexibility in how you use the boat - private cruising, family time, or hands-off with crew.

On annual running costs, a reasonable benchmark falls between 7% and 9% of the purchase price. Based on a base figure of €1,420,000, that works out to roughly €100,000-€130,000 per year, depending on how and where you cruise. That includes servicing, berthing, insurance, fuel, and ongoing maintenance, but not depreciation, upgrades, or financing.

Owners cruising actively - especially in warmer climates where the generator, air-con, and stabiliser will see frequent use - should expect to be nearer the top end of that range. Other rival yachts worth looking at would be the Pearl 63, Greenline 58 Fly and the Fairline Squadron 58.

Absolute’s 60 FLY hits a confident middle ground between style, practicality, and owner involvement. It’s unmistakably modern, but doesn’t lean too far into minimalism. From the oversized swim platform to the clever galley, convertible cockpit furniture, and super-bright owner's suite, this boat delivers across the board.