The days of haze seem to blight Hong Kong more and more. So it was with relief and joy that we went out for a test drive of the Atlantis 50 on a clear, beautiful morning. As one of the first summer days for Hong Kong, getting out on a boat like this almost demands some fun in the sun and a good anchorage. For this is a boat that will appeal to the daytripper or overnighter who wants a luxurious yet comfortable option to explore hidden bays and inlets.

The 50 is the first of what will no doubt be several new boats to arrive in Hong Kong from the Atlantis brand, a member of the Azimut-Benetti Group. Jebsen Marine, the new boat dealership of Jebsen & Co., one of southern China’s largest trading groups,and Hong Kong dealer for Atlantis, is ensuring that the Atlantis 50 is sure to make a splash in these parts.

Going onboard the 50, one of the first things you notice is the tremendous feeling of openess that runs through the boat. The layout from the helm station to the rear swim platform is one, continuous space. Sunlounges, a wet bar, the helm station, companion way and swim platform all seem to combine into one space without boundaries. In terms of style and design, it’s an interesting achievement.

The generous swim platform can also double as a lift, with a set of controls on the aft port side allowing the overhang section to drop down to pick up a jetski. The 500-kilogramme limit on the platform should be enough to cover most small jetskis.

The hard top of the Atlantis 50 mostly consists of glass windshields, which together give an almost dome-like quality to its exterior appearance. The suntop roof retracts, letting in cooling breezes while underway and helps to maintain the feeling of open space for both driver and passengers. A very handy feature is the built-in sunscreen technology in the rooftop glass – as the sun comes out, the glass darkens, keeping out some of the heat while maintaining a light, airy feel. Additionally, the glass in the roof of the Atlantis 50 is designed to keep out over 97 percent of UV radiation, a definite bonus for those with fairer skin, or hoping to avoid sunburn on a day out.