Bellini Astor 36 Review (2025 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The Bellini Astor 36 is a very sharp-looking piece of design. It’s Italian and marks a return to boatbuilding for Bellini. In the 1960s, they were producing wooden runabouts in the style of a Riva. Then through the 70s, they shifted into restoration, which is where they’ve stayed for several decades. But they’re back now, and this is their first new model. It launched at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2024. There’s talk of a 46, a 58 and a 60 in the pipeline, but the 36 is the beginning.

The finish is spray-painted rather than gelcoat. You’ve got a choice of five colours as standard, but you can spec whatever you like if you’re prepared to pay a bit more. It gives the boat a sleek, automotive look, matched by clean lines and a neat profile.

One of the key features on deck is the pair of drop-down balconies. Standard fit. When they’re down, they open up the aft cockpit beautifully. You can also fit carbon fibre poles and rope rails if you’d like more of a framed-off beach club feel. Boarding access comes via a concealed ladder or, optionally, a Bezen-type stair that can cantilever up or down, depending on whether you’re stepping into the water or onto a quay.

The inboard engine setup clears the stern of outboards, so you’ve got a full-beam bathing platform at the transom. There’s storage under the aft sunpad for paddleboards, fenders, or deck gear - and you’ve got shore power points integrated just beside.

The sunpad backrests are adjustable on a simple pivot mechanism. You can pull them forward to extend the sunbathing area or flip them over to create forward-facing seating when underway. The cockpit table folds out to twice its size and tucks neatly away when not in use. Supports drop down underneath for extra stability.

There’s an optional hard top, which gives good shade over the helm and outdoor galley area. Under the top, there’s a sink under a chopping board, a hob beneath a lift-up cover, a fridge and storage drawers. There’s space here to fit an ice maker or second fridge if you want to tailor it a bit further.

The feel as you move forward is very much centre console in style - easy movement either side of the helm. Up at the bow, you’ve got more sunbathing space and some removable seat cushions. These zip on or off depending on your preference, and you can fit higher rails if you want a little extra security when moving around.

There’s nice attention to detail throughout; colour-coded speakers, integrated deck lighting, and clean finishes that tie the whole look together.

The Astor 36 may be styled like a fast day boat, but the interior makes a strong case for weekending. Stepping down into the cabin reveals a beautifully finished space with a central double berth, excellent headroom forward of the bed, over 1.8m in much of the space and soft, curved wood trim with stainless accents that run consistently through the design.

There’s a sense of occasion here that most 36-footers simply don’t deliver. A bulkhead-mounted TV, overhead hatch with blackout cushion, opening hull windows, and LED feature lighting give the space a boutique apartment feel. The cabinetry is cleanly executed, with flush buttons and clever lift mechanisms throughout. A hanging locker provides wardrobe space for overnighting, while a compact galley area includes a concealed sink and a microwave for basic onboard meals. 

There’s a second sleeping area tucked aft beneath the helm. It’s more compact but well done, with enough space for kids, guests, or simply an extra berth when needed. There’s more storage tucked into this area too, and access is easy enough that it doesn’t feel like an afterthought.

The engine bay is accessed via a powered hatch controlled from the helm - enable the system, hit the ‘open’ button, and it lifts automatically. The layout is clean, and there’s decent access to all the key components.

This particular boat is fitted with Volvo Penta D4 300hp diesels on outdrives. Petrol options are available: twin V8s with 350 or 380hp, and Bellini says the top speed with those will be up to 43 knots. With the D4s, you’re looking at a top speed around 35 knots and a comfortable cruising speed in the mid-20s. That’s the range most owners will sit at day-to-day.

For this size and configuration, 150 to 250 nautical miles would be the typical range, depending on load and running speed.

There’s a generator installed here too, and still enough space forward in the engine bay to fit a gyro stabiliser if required.  

This is the first new model from Bellini in some time, and there’s real pedigree behind the name. The company made its name building and restoring wooden classics, and that craftsmanship shows in the detailing here.

The UK dealership is handled by Sabino Yachts, and with more models planned – including a 46, 58 and 60 – the Astor 36 sets the tone for what’s coming.

In terms of ownership, you’re looking at a boat that falls into familiar territory for servicing and upkeep. The diesel engines will require regular maintenance, the generator needs to be kept in check, and there’s the usual attention needed for hull care and exterior finishes. But systems are well laid out and access is good, so nothing here feels difficult to manage.

Running costs will vary depending on location, usage and storage choices, but as a guide, owners should budget somewhere between 6%-9% of the purchase price each year. That allows for berthing, fuel, servicing, insurance and the usual wear-and-tear items. For a twin-diesel sterndrive sportsboat with a 700-litre fuel capacity and a starting price around £475,000, those figures reflect a realistic ownership profile for this type of premium 11m (36ft) day boat. Models like the Fjord 38 Open or Pardo P38 share a similar ownership profile and could be worth a look.

The Bellini Astor 36 is a very nicely executed weekender – easy to run, smartly laid out, and with just enough style to stand out. It’s straightforward, but there’s a quality to the detailing that reflects the builder’s history.

It works as a fast day boat, but has the comfort for overnighting. And that’s not always an easy balance to strike. The deck layout is flexible, the interior’s better than expected, and performance is right where it should be for this type of boat.

A quietly confident return to the market – and a well-judged one.