Yacht Reviews – Yachting https://www.yachtingmagazine.com Yachting Magazine’s experts discuss yacht reviews, yachts for sale, chartering destinations, photos, videos, and everything else you would want to know about yachts. Thu, 18 Jan 2024 18:15:22 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/favicon-ytg-1.png Yacht Reviews – Yachting https://www.yachtingmagazine.com 32 32 Azimut S7 Reviewed https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/yachts/azimut-s7-reviewed/ Fri, 26 Jan 2024 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/?p=61804 The Azimut Yachts S7 is a sport-fly design with 36-knot speed, a high-tech build and flexible entertaining spaces.

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Azimut S7
The Azimut Yachts S7 is the latest in the Italian builder’s S-class series. Giovanni Maigarini

Streaking down the Côte d’Azur off Cannes, France, at an average top-end speed of 36.3 knots, I found myself lost in the fun. The 71-foot Azimut Yachts S7 handled more like a sports car than a vessel displacing more than 100,000 pounds. 

We carved S-turns and figure eights into the relatively calm Mediterranean blue this early morning, and I pondered the combination of factors that give this sizable sport yacht its smile-inducing, confidence-inspiring performance and handling.

First is an efficient planing hull form by Azimut and P.L. Ausonio Naval Architecture, penned to reduce hydrodynamic drag and aided by strakes placed for optimized lift. Transom deadrise is a stability-enhancing 13.8 degrees, with about 18 degrees of deadrise amidships. A near-plumb bow—something of an Azimut trademark these days—helps carry overall volume forward while creating a cleaver to cut through a tempestuous sea state. I used it to try to write my name in the Med.

Azimut S7
The salon’s ribbed ceiling and opaline lighting add to the S7’s “residential chic” interior vibe. Giovanni Maigarini

Second is Azimut’s liberal use of carbon fiber to reduce weight on the S7. Its superstructure, flybridge, mast, transom and platform, and the after section of its deck, are made of the material. The carbon fiber reduces top weight by about 30 percent and helps lower the center of gravity, which, in turn, helps with that lively driving experience. Azimut says the use of carbon fiber also helps reduce roll momentum by up to 15 percent. See how this is all coming together?

The third and final piece of the S7’s performance puzzle is triple 800 hp Volvo Penta D13 IPS1050 diesels that are Tier III-compliant and coupled to pod drives. Azimut says the S7 is “eco-sporty,” adding that this propulsion setup reduces fuel consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions by 20 to 30 percent compared with similar-size craft with straight shafts.

During my time on board, the S7’s engines consumed 86.1 gallons per hour at 2,000 rpm and a 28.9-knot average cruise speed, almost 2 knots above Azimut’s 27-knot published cruise speed. At cruise, the S7 has about a 304-nautical-mile range with  a 10 percent fuel reserve on the yacht’s 1,004-gallon tank. At the yacht’s 36.3-knot top hop, fuel burn jumps to 123.1 gph and range drops to 266 nm. Slide the throttles back to 1,800 rpm and a 24.8-knot cruise speed, and consumption drops to  64.7 gph while range climbs to around 347 nm.

Azimut S7
Foredeck real estate has morphed from a work area to a prime rest-and-relaxation space. Giovanni Maigarini

This sport fly is speedy, and it looks the part too. Designer Alberto Mancini drew the S7’s lines. At first blush you might think this vessel is an express cruiser, but on closer inspection the sleekly integrated flybridge comes into view. Sweeping is a descriptor that comes to mind when looking at the S7 in profile. From the squarish stem moving aft, there is a flow to the yacht that’s almost sharklike in form: narrower forward, rounded and wider in the midsection and then just enough taper aft to accentuate the lines. Hullside windows stretch from amidships forward, elongating the profile, while glass in the superstructure aids in visually lowering it. The superstructure’s raked design helps as well. Extensive hullside glass ensures water views from all four staterooms.

Yes, this yacht has four staterooms, in a size range where many other yachts have only three. The full-beam master is amidships with an athwartships berth. There’s also a true walk-in closet, a vanity and a pop-up TV. The en suite head has a rain shower, and all the drawers are of the soft-close variety. I spent time here during my time on board, and the stateroom was whisper quiet, aside from water running across the hull. The view out the hullside windows here is tough to beat.

Up three steps and off the companionway are the guest accommodations, with one stateroom each to port and starboard. The one to port has side-by-side berths and an en suite head, which is also the day head. Across from here is a stateroom with bunks; let’s call it the kids room. The VIP stateroom is forward with an en suite head. There is also a crew cabin, although I expect most US owners to be owner-operators.

Azimut S7
Note the glass closet and vanity in the master. The berth faces the starboard hullside window. Giovanni Maigarini

There’s a subtle elegance to the S7’s interior design, which comes from a company called Yachtique. This is a new collaboration with Azimut Yachts, but not with the builder as a whole. Yachtique is known for its work on superyachts, including with Azimut’s sister company, Benetti. Expanding the relationship enables Azimut to bring large-yacht interior sensibilities to relatively smaller builds. Interior woods include a dove-tone tay wood and Canaletto walnut on the furniture. Leather and neutral-tone  fabrics work in concert, creating a relaxed and sophisticated feel that the builder calls  “residential chic.”

This ambience is particularly evident in the salon. Surrounded by glass—and with natural light coming in at all points—the salon’s sense of space is palpable, helped by the fact that the low-back, cream-tone, U-shaped settee to port doesn’t obstruct the glass. In fact, because the  bulwark is open here, there are clear water views. There are also two fold-out high-low tables. Just forward is a U-shaped, Miele-equipped galley, which is a slight departure from the current trend of aft galleys on a lot of yachts. The layout works because there is also a Kenyon grill in the cockpit, and because the cockpit has an L-shaped settee to port, directly abaft the salon’s sofa. When the sliding door is open, the cockpit and salon are an integrated entertaining space.

That kind of continuity is also evident from the aft-deck sun pad to the foredeck lounge to the ground-tackle setup. The yacht is a lesson in feng shui: Everything has its place for optimal flow.

Sometimes a yacht’s mission can be nebulous, but the Azimut Yachts S7 has a clear purpose: This is a luxury performance yacht with superyacht-level interior design and a smart, functional layout that keeps everyone connected with the environment, while simultaneously limiting the yacht’s environmental impact. As far as I’m concerned, this yacht is a win-win.    

The Full Range

The Azimut Yachts S7 is the latest in the Italian builder’s S-class series. The lineup also includes an S6, S8 and S10. This line is intended to appeal to yachtsmen who like the style of a sport-fly yacht, but who are also looking for a length overall closer to 60 to about 95 feet.

Alfresco Fun

The Azimut S7 has three alfresco zones for guests to spread out and chill: A four-person sun pad over the tender garage is accessed via the hydraulic swim platform, the flybridge has U-shaped seating aft and a lounge next to the helm, and the foredeck has a lounge and a sun pad.

Helm It Your Way

The Azimut S7 has two helm stations: one on the main deck forward and to starboard, and one on the flybridge. Each station has Volvo Penta controls, a joystick and Garmin multifunction displays. The S7 heels moderately inboard on hard-over turns, but views at both stations are clear.

Take the next step: azimutyachts.com

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Fairline Phantom 65 Reviewed https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/yachts/fairline-phantom-65-reviewed/ Fri, 19 Jan 2024 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/?p=61810 The Fairline Phantom 65 is a sport-bridge yacht with 36-knot speed and luxe finishes.

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Fairline Phantom 65
Fairline offers four layouts: three with three staterooms (one with a day head, one with an extended VIP and one with a utility room) and a four-stateroom setup. Courtesy Fairline

Yachts are flashy by nature. Their luxurious comforts, by design, shout flair and opulence. The Fairline Yachts Phantom 65, however, shows off in a subtler way. From stern to bow, this sport-bridge model has hidden features that can transform spaces in big and small ways.

Take, for example, the quietude of the cantilevered teak table in the cockpit. It connects the transom seating with the starboard-side, L-shaped settee to create an alfresco dining area big enough for all guests to enjoy. The two settees can also become one with a sliding hideaway connector from the transom settee, and diners can add the two stools from the indoor dining space, should guests drop by for dessert.

Also inside is a U-shaped settee to starboard with a high-gloss table that can raise for meals or lower to become a coffee table—all on the same level as the cockpit and galley, which is aft in the portside corner. The galley’s location, combined with an electrically powered fold-up window to starboard and a sliding-glass door that hides behind the portside stairs, creates one interconnected socializing space for entertaining and serving.

Fairline Phantom 65
The Fairline Phantom 65 is notable for its 36-plus-knot speed and sport-bridge design. Courtesy Fairline

Forward and a step up, the salon has two settees: one that’s U-shaped and to port, and a two-seater to starboard. The portside seating can be accompanied by a coffee table or a replica of the dining area’s versatile table. To starboard, a TV rises from the console.

Lighting is another design priority aboard Fairline’s Phantom 65. Hullside windows on either side of the salon measure 93 by 36 inches, providing unobstructed views. Both are tinted and covered with UV-reduction film, as are all windows on this yacht, including the single-piece windshield. The sunroof above the salon allows for more natural light. For evenings on board, the Phantom 65 has intimate white mood lighting throughout most spaces.

Fairline Phantom 65
The Fairline Phantom 65 has a sunroof with a pneumatic seal, helping to keep the salon dry and quiet. Courtesy Fairline

More subtle touches are on the foredeck, which can serve as a private gathering space at marinas where the yacht will dock stern-to. Fairline maintains a clean look here by hiding the windlass and anchor chain in the deck. Abaft that working area are two sun pads that can be elevated with backrests, and a U-shaped settee with a teak table that can be lowered out of sight.

Belowdecks, Fairline offers four layouts: three with three staterooms (one with a day head, one with an extended VIP and one with a utility room) and a four-stateroom setup. Hull No. 7, which we got aboard, had the portside utility room with an additional full-height fridge/freezer, an ironing board and stowage. In the extended-VIP version, the forepeak stateroom’s head replaces the utility room and serves as a day head. In the day-head layout, the utility room becomes a fourth head. The four-stateroom option places a stateroom with bunks in the same space.

Fairline Phantom 65
With handmade woodwork, the Phantom 65’s interiors have curved edges rather than 90-degree corners. Courtesy Fairline

In every layout, there is a twin-berth guest stateroom to starboard that can convert to a double. The master spans the full beam amidships with a sofa to port and a vanity to starboard. Additional drawers can replace the portside sofa.

The Phantom 65 has a pair of two-seat helm stations: one to port on the sport bridge and the other to starboard on the main deck. Both stations are equipped with Garmin electronics and are sized for three 16-inch multifunction displays. The Phantom 65 also has the builder’s F-drive software, which monitors all of the yacht’s systems.

Fairline Phantom 65
Owners can choose a canopy fixed with four carbon-fiber poles at the bow of the Fairline Phantom 65. Courtesy Fairline

Powered by twin 1,622 hp C32 Caterpillar engines, the Phantom 65 topped out at 36.2 knots and 2,300 rpm, with a fuel burn of 178 gallons per hour. Considering the yacht’s 1,103-gallon fuel capacity and a 10 percent reserve, range is 202 nautical miles at top hop. Dial back to a cruising speed of 26 knots at 2,100 rpm, and fuel burn drops to 99.8 gph. Range pops up to 258 nm. The Phantom 65’s engine room is accessed from a cockpit hatch. Everyday checks are accessible from the entry point.

Fairline’s Phantom 65 is a yacht with no need to shout about its high quality and style. The shipyard’s thoughtful design and construction, combined with the yacht’s performance metrics and versatile features, speak quite beautifully for themselves.

Made to Fit

The Fairline Phantom 65 has an aft garage that’s sized to accommodate an 11-foot-3-inch Williams Sportjet 345 without having to deflate the tender or remove its steering wheel. This garage also has a hydraulic winch and a roller system for easier launching and retrieval of the tender.

Quiet Design

Fairline designed the master stateroom with no water pipes running beneath it, helping to reduce noise. Water from the master’s head travels aft, while water from the forward heads moves forward. Noise is also mitigated by the master’s 6 1⁄2-inch-thick after bulkhead, which is built with sound-deadening materials.

Take the next step: fairline.com

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CL Yachts CLB65 Reviewed https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/yachts/cl-yachts-clb65-reviewed/ Fri, 29 Dec 2023 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/?p=61616 The CL Yachts CLB65 is a 24-plus-knot motoryacht with a bluewater build and an ageless design.

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CL Yachts CLB65
The beam is maintained well forward, enhancing overall volume. Courtesy Lightseed Studio

The CL Yachts CLB65 pairs traditional good looks and a timeless profile with impeccable planning for short-handed cruising by owner-operators. It’s also the first CL Yachts model with an aft galley, a design choice that underlines a clear objective: entertaining.

Seaworthy touches can be found in spots such as the cockpit, where a joystick control station is concealed in each cabin side to make docking painless, and where husky warping winches are on each stern quarter to take the muscle out of line handling. But at the same time, the entire after bulkhead of the yacht’s house is glass that folds up or hinges to the side, opening the salon for alfresco living. With the galley aft, the chef can pass food to the casual dining settee to starboard or across the cockpit bar to the outdoor table. Inside, a U-shaped couch is forward with a cleverly designed coffee table that morphs into a laptop desk.

The decor is also designed to look timeless and, for owner-operators, to be easily maintained. Off-white bulkheads are accented by exquisite joinerwork. The wraparound galley has Corian counters, a Bosch four-burner cooktop, a Vitrifrigo stand-up fridge, two under-counter drawer fridges and a convection oven.  Stowage reaches into the farthest corners, and dishware is secured in a dedicated pull-out drawer. A wine chiller is accessible from the salon or cockpit.

CL Yachts CLB65
Low-back salon sofas mean great views for guests. The aft-galley setup is a first for CL Yachts. Courtesy Lightseed Studio

At the helm, there’s a double-wide Stidd seat abaft dual 17-inch Garmin multifunction displays. The list of standard electronics spans three pages and includes Fantom 54 radar and VHF radios. Four cameras (aft, on the side decks and in the engine room) share the monitors, and the entire package is duplicated on the flybridge. Other controls include the Volvo Penta IPS joysticks, a CZone electrical panel and Volvo Penta active Interceptor trim tabs. Next to the skipper, a pantograph watertight door opens to the side deck.

The side decks are comfortably wide at 20 inches with high coamings capped by 40-inch-high rails for safety. They lead to a sitting area on the foredeck with a couch and chaises, ideal for a private moment at anchor or when Med-moored. A stout Maxwell windlass handles the 200 feet of chain rode.

Another interesting detail is that the CLB65 is built on a shortened version of the CLB72 hull, so this yacht has the nearly 20-foot beam of the longer yacht. Designed by Howard Apollonio, this hull design is noted for its comfortable seakeeping ability. Construction is of exceptional quality, with multiaxial E-glass using blister-preventing vinylester resin. Carbon fiber is used in load-bearing areas, and the CLB65 is built to the RINA class that starts with the original drawings and continues with regular inspections during construction.

CL Yachts CLB65
Natural light, white bulkheads, neutral tones and light-wood soles create a sense of airiness in the staterooms. Courtesy Lightseed Studio

When it comes to accommodations, the CLB65 takes full advantage of that wide beam. The full-beam owner’s stateroom is precisely amidships for minimum motion at sea. Its king-size berth is offset to allow for two full-height closets, bureaus and a vanity. The master’s head (with a one-piece ceramic sole) has Euro-style his-and-hers sinks with Grohe faucets, while the stall shower has a wall spray and a rain shower. Hidden outside in the companionway is a full-size GE washer-and-dryer setup.

The forepeak VIP has an island queen-size berth, a cedar-lined closet, hidden lighting and a vanity. Its en suite head also has the ceramic sole and stall shower. Off the center corridor is the en suite guest stateroom, with twin berths that convert to a double. On the CLB65 that I got aboard, a utility room abaft the engine room was optioned to become an en suite crew cabin.

Up top, the flybridge is accessed via gentle stairs. There are two wraparound seating areas, along with a dining table, a fridge, an ice maker, a grill and a sink. Much of this area is shaded by the fiberglass hardtop that is integral to the radar arch.

CL Yachts CLB65
Twin 800 hp Volvo Penta IPS1050 diesels give the CLB65 a 21-knot cruise speed and 24.4-knot top-end speed. Courtesy Lightseed Studio

The engine room showcases CL Yachts’ commercial shipbuilding experience with rails around the engines for safe underway checks, space to access all systems, and meticulously labeled wiring and plumbing that is secured to high standards. A shiplike electrical panel fills the forward bulkhead, and oil and water filters are at knee level. The 27 kW Onan genset sits on a raised platform, and a Delta-T system reduces moisture. The CLB65 I was aboard also had the optional Seakeeper gyro, CMC at-rest stabilizer, Blue Water watermaker and Besenzoni passerelle.

Power for the CLB65 is a pair of 800 hp Volvo Penta IPS1050 diesels, which provided fingertip precision for maneuvering and docking, and a surprising turn of speed. This yacht hit 24.4 knots and settled into a 21-knot cruise at a cost of about 50 gallons per hour, a testament to Apollonio’s slippery hull form when moving 40-plus tons of luxurious fitments.

With beautiful lines, impeccable detailing, a robust build and solid performance, the CL Yachts CLB65 is worth a look for owner-operators who want timeless styling, cruising adventures, and at-sea entertaining with friends and family.

Volvo Penta Interceptor System

Conventional trim tabs raise or lower a yacht’s bow when running, or correct heel from wind or weight. Volvo Penta Interceptors, part of the company’s Electronic Vessel Control setup, have an auto mode to adjust the boat to its most favorable running angle. But unlike hinged trim tabs, Interceptors drop vertically to create the same effect. They’re built with corrosion-free materials, so they do not require protective anodes.

What Is RINA Class?

RINA (Registro Italiano Navale) is an international classification society for boatbuilding safety in design, construction and maintenance. RINA’s team starts by approving yacht-design drawings, and then monitors vessel construction and provides periodic surveys to maintain a yacht’s RINA status. 

Take the next step: clyachts.com

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Ocean Alexander 32E Reviewed https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/yachts/ocean-alexander-32e-reviewed/ Fri, 15 Dec 2023 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/?p=61514 Long range, 21-knot speed, fine finishes and a seakindly hull define the Ocean Alexander 32E.

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Ocean Alexander 32E
At 7.1 knots, the Ocean Alexander 32E’s range is 2,430 nautical miles. Top-end speed: 21 knots. Courtesy Drone Genius/Larson Group

When I arrived at the marina, I asked the dock master where the Ocean Alexander 32E was moored. He grinned and said, “Oh, you’ll see it.”

He was right. The 32E didn’t so much float as tower head and shoulders over most other boats in the marina. Think Arnold Schwarzenegger at a debutante ball, or Kilimanjaro above the plains of the Serengeti. This is a yacht for grand adventures on the seven seas.

The 32E’s profile is forward-loaded, tapering aft from a tall plumb bow. It’s clear that the two decks aft, off the bridge and salon, are designed for alfresco living, with a beach club at the transom. The swim platform is full-on watersports, with a 2,500-pound crane to handle tenders from about 16 to 18 feet long, as well as personal watercraft. There’s also room here for toys and dive gear. Both hull sides butterfly out to expand the yacht’s beam from just under 22 feet to 27 feet. The air-conditioned beach club provides a lounge for guests to watch the action in comfort.

On the main deck, the salon has defined zones for entertaining, including leather U-shaped Poltrona Frau couches from Turin and a formal dining area for 10 guests, with electric sliding doors on each side for fresh air.

Ocean Alexander 32E salon
The salon is notable for its leather Poltrona Frau furniture and formal dining for 10—ocean views included. Courtesy Drone Genius/Larson Group

The enclosed galley is pure gourmet, arranged around an island that allows two chefs to prep, cook and plate without crowding. Equipment includes a 30-inch, five-burner Wolf cooktop and a Fisher Paykel fridge, and there are Berwyn quartz counters.

A companionway leads to the owner’s main-deck stateroom. It spans the yacht’s beam (no walkaround side decks) with a king berth and two walk-in closets. The head has a free-standing hot tub, a heated stone sole and twin vanities. The lower deck has four en suite staterooms for guests. The VIP is forward with a queen berth and a love seat. Two mirrored staterooms are abaft the foyer with queen berths, and there’s a guest stateroom to port with twins.

Ocean Alexander has a long-standing mantra that “happy crews make happy owners,” which is why the 32E has a crew space abaft the engine room. Access is safe in all weather scenarios with 24-inch-wide side decks. There is an en suite captain’s cabin and a high-low bunk stateroom with a head for crew. The mess has a kitchenette with a sink, a microwave and a fridge, and a washer and dryer are provided for the crew.

What Ocean Alexander calls the bridge deck, I see as a sky lounge with an outdoor component. It stretches full beam from the four-person hot tub (wrapped by a sun pad) aft to the forward helm. Along the way is a Poltrona Frau sofa facing a full bar to starboard with four swivel stools and sole-to-ceiling windows. A day head is convenient to the deck and the sky lounge.

Ocean Alexander 32E stateroom
The master has a king berth and two walk-in closets, and the head has a heated sole and a free-standing tub too. Courtesy Drone Genius/Larson Group

The helm, as expected from a builder with a long history of producing oceangoing yachts, has a trio of 24-inch Garmin touchscreen multifunction displays for navionics as well as a closed-circuit camera feed from the engine room and on deck. A Garmin remote is built into the armrest of the skipper’s pedestal seat. Two husky pantograph doors lead to the single-level foredeck, with a forward-facing dinette/lounge and a convertible sun pad that faces fore or aft.

Standard power for the 32E is twin 2,000 hp MAN V-12 diesels, and they live in an impressive engine room. The engines are separated by a diamond-plate walkway with safety rails, and there is access to all sides. Outboard are a pair of 40 kW Kohler gensets with equally good access. The 32E sets a benchmark for color-coded, secured piping and electrical runs. Delta-T intake and exhaust fans have vents in the cabin sides, rather than the hull, because Ocean Alexander expects the 32E to shoulder through big seas. The engine beds are welded stainless steel surrounding large structural stringers. There’s a smart lube-oil-change system for the mains and the gensets, and a Gulf Coast fuel-polishing system should ensure clean food for the diesels in faraway ports.

This 32E is also outfitted with Side-Power Vector zero-speed stabilizers, a 53 hp bow thruster and a 42 hp stern thruster. The Dometic air conditioning is rated for extreme tropical climates, with heating designed down to 40-degree water temps. The 50 hz Atlas Marine Power Converter allows automatic marina connections anywhere in the world, and the aerospace-designed Octoplex provides sensors and controls for the ship’s systems and lighting.

Ocean Alexander 32E side deck
This side-deck design creates privacy for the main-deck master stateroom. Courtesy Drone Genius/Larson Group

Underway, the Ocean Alexander 32E is going to cause immediate cravings for anyone who has dreamed of anchoring off the volcanic peaks of Moorea or nudging a glacier to get thousand-year-old ice for a gin and tonic. This yacht exuded power and strength from the moment the bow touched the Gulf Stream, and I found myself glancing at the fuel gauge to consider how far the 3,600-gallon capacity might take us. On the pins, the 32E topped out at 21 knots, in case owners need to outrun a squall. That’s impressive speed for a yacht with a 274,233-pound displacement. Dropping back to 800 rpm and 7.1 knots (the MANs will last forever), the yacht has a 2,430-nautical-mile range. That’s about the distance from New York to Panama or Los Angeles to Honolulu.

The stabilizers held the yacht rock-steady in the lumpy Gulf Stream, and departing from and returning to the marina was fingertip easy with the thrusters. The 32E that I got aboard also had optional engine controls on each after corner for even easier docking.

Creating such a solid ride starts with the 32E being built tough. It has an infused-fiberglass hull and closed-cell structural foam with unidirectional carbon-fiber reinforcement on stress areas, such as stringers. There is a reinforced collision bulkhead forward, and watertight bulkheads are forward of and abaft the engine room.

Ocean Alexander 32E
From the open-cockpit design to the beach club, hot tub and foredeck lounge, outdoor living is center stage. Courtesy Drone Genius/Larson Group

Owners of this yacht could throw a dart at a world map to choose their next waypoint. The Ocean Alexander 32E is ready to go.

Meet the Designer

Yacht designer Evan K. Marshall says he grew up with a stack of Yachting magazines in his closet and doodled boats on his notebooks in school. Marshall introduced the split-level owner’s stateroom to yachts. From his office on the River Thames in England, he produces innovative designs for builders from Ocean Alexander to Hatteras Yachts and more.

Robust Reinforcement

Ocean Alexander reinforces the 32E’s hull and deck with straight aircraft-grade aluminum beams that are reportedly 10 times stiffer than wood or fiberglass, but that help keep the yacht’s overall weight low for safety and seaworthiness.

MAN Power

The 2,000 hp MAN diesels on the Ocean Alexander 32E are Tier 3 compliant for Environmental Protection Agency emissions standards, and they have a MAN gold-standard warranty for 60 months. A V-12 designed for luxury yachts, this four-stroke engine has strong torque to 2,100 rpm and displaces 24.2 liters (1,476 cubic inches).

Take the next step: oceanalexander.com

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Azimut Magellano 60 Reviewed https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/yachts/azimut-magellano-60-reviewed/ Thu, 07 Dec 2023 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/?p=61448 A modern profile, long range, 26-knot speed and a three-stateroom layout define the Azimut Magellano 60.

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Azimut Magellano 60
The Magellano 60’s semidisplacement hull form allows it to run long at 9 knots or sprint at 26 knots. Courtesy Azimut Yachts

I find myself in need of the Hogwarts Sorting Hat to properly categorize Azimut’s Magellano 60. Judging by much of the specification sheet and the accommodations plan, it seems like a mainstream flybridge motoryacht. But it’s not. Strictly speaking, the Magellano 60 is a semidisplacement model, but then again, these designs aren’t normally quite so sprightly. Azimut uses the term “crossover” for its Magellanos. It fits.

Longtime designer Ken Freivokh’s work with Azimut on its newer and bigger Magellanos is masterly. His designs have a timeless quality and an elegance that’s so often missing from models with big diesels and top speeds closer to 30 knots than 20.

Azimut Magellano 60
Note the way the furniture is positioned to help maximize views out the large windows. Courtesy Azimut Yachts

The 60 marks a new entry-level size for the Magellano range, with the older 43 and 53 Magellanos gone, and the 8-year-old Magellano 66 remaining as the last of the older series to be drawn by Cor D. Rover. The more recent Magellano 25M (an 82-foot raised pilothouse) and Magellano 30M (a 97-foot trideck) are by Freivokh. They share the same design DNA, with bluff bows and signature wooden battens on the after corners of their superstructures.

Outdoor spaces aboard the Magellano 60 include a foredeck terrace with booth seating and sun pads, a big flybridge beneath an optional hardtop, and a generously sized cockpit with a glazed transom panel and a full top-deck overhang for proper shade. Azimut calls the aft deck an “infinity terrace” with bi-fold doors that open to extend the salon. Furniture in the cockpit includes a table and two facing sofas, which means guests look out at the sea rather than back into the boat. There’s also a two-stool bar to port that shares its countertop with an aft galley when the drop-down window is open.

Azimut Magellano 60
Entertainment spaces, hull form and design accents work together to create a timeless look. Courtesy Azimut Yachts

Inside, the decor is by Azimut’s in-house team, with clear influences from bigger sisterships that have 1950s-inspired schemes by Milanese-based architect Vincenzo De Cotiis. Beyond the galley and up one step are a lounge area amidships, a C-booth sofa to port and a pair of two-seat sofas on either side of a coffee/dining table to starboard. The overall palette is light-stained oak veneers and off-whites—all remarkably soothing. The salon views are superb too, particularly to starboard, where the biggest picture window measures a whopping 8 by 5 feet.

Beneath the raked aft windshield, the lower helm has two Aras bucket seats with the wheel inboard, prioritizing access for the skipper. Immediately to port is a dogleg staircase that leads to the deck below.

This is essentially a three-stateroom, three-head yacht with two showers. There are no other layout options. The owner’s space is amidships with en suite facilities to port. The VIP is forward and shares its portside en suite with the twin-berth stateroom across the companionway. A separate day head is there as well.

Azimut Magellano 60
Light-stained oak and off-white accents create a welcome reprieve after a long day of sun and salt. Courtesy Azimut Yachts

Power is also one choice only: a pair of 730 hp i6 MAN diesels. With them spinning at their maximum 2,350 rpm, and with the Seakeeper gyrostabilizer engaged, the Magellano 60 had consistent speeds of around 26 knots at half-load. There’s no obvious hop-up onto plane, but I felt a distinct step change passing through 1,600 rpm. Azimut calls the semiplaning hull geometry “dual mode,” which means it is efficient at displacement as well as faster cruise speeds up to 20 knots. According to my data, the yacht will run all day at that speed, which equates to 2,000 rpm. Allowing for a 10 percent reserve, there’s a working range of around 330 nautical miles. Ultimate range could be near 600 nm at 10 knots.

The Magellano 60 is surprisingly nimble too. The hull happily self-levels once the speeds push up into double digits with a 3-degree, bow-up attitude. The wheel remains light but precise, and it will turn this vessel surprisingly quickly. Although I had a calm day and minimal swell during my time on board, I found that the yacht felt most comfortable with the manual trim tabs fully up. They should come into their own in lumpier beam or quartering seas, when the gyro is probably best kept off.

Azimut Magellano 60
Glass in the hull and main deck, the extended flybridge and cut-down bulwarks enhance the 60’s profile. Courtesy Azimut Yachts

Those engines, incidentally, are hooked up to V-boxes, and the shafts run out via half-tunnels, which help reduce the draft to a Bahamas-friendly 4 feet, 6 inches at full load. The space for the engines beneath the yacht’s cockpit sole is compact, but the machinery area does not encroach beneath the salon, which makes for a particularly quiet boat. I recorded just 67 decibels at the lower helm at 20 knots, 72 decibels in the owner’s stateroom and 62 decibels in the VIP.

There is an option to specify the lazarette as a single-berth crew cabin. Either way, this space has its own entrance from the port side of the hydraulic swim platform.

Like other newer Magellanos, the 60 that I got aboard had a striking custom paint job, this one a blue-green metallic hull. Italians call it ottanio. Americans call it teal after the duck. A light-gold boot top set it off. The standard specification includes white gelcoat.

The Azimut Magellano 60 premiered at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September. Once production hits stride, the builder expects to deliver one every two weeks.

Sustainable Diesel

The Azimut Magellano 60 I got aboard ran on hydrogenated vegetable oil instead of diesel. The claims for this sustainable fuel include emissions reductions from 60 to 90 percent, depending on the raw materials used during the refining process. Thanks to a deal with Italian producer Eni Sustainable Mobility, all Azimut owners can request delivery of new boats with HVOlution biofuel in the tanks.

Formidable Flagship

The Azimut Magellano 60 is the start of the builder’s four-model Magellano range. On the other end of the range is the 97-foot, 6-inch Magellano 30 Metri. The 30 Metri is notable for its ability to hold more than 3,800 gallons of fuel while consuming about 15 percent less than traditional hard-chine planing hulls. Twin 1,500 hp MAN diesels give the 30 Metri a reported 16-knot cruise speed and a 20-knot top hop.

Take the next step: azimutyachts.com

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Sunseeker Superhawk 55 Reviewed https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/yachts/sunseeker-superhawk-55-reviewed/ Fri, 01 Dec 2023 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/?p=61406 The two-stateroom, 37-plus-knot Sunseeker Superhawk 55 is the series' biggest and most luxurious yacht to date.

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Sunseeker Superhawk 55
The Superhawk 55 marks Sunseeker’s return to its open-cruiser roots. Courtesy Sunseeker International

I was more excited than usual as our crew cruised away from Sunseeker’s site at West Quay Road. I have done this run many times, and it’s invariably a joy, but this time, I was aboard the builder’s Superhawk 55. It’s the first open cruiser the British yard has built in ages, and it’s a return to what made Sunseeker world-famous.

Beyond being home to Sunseeker, Poole Harbour’s claim to fame is being Europe’s largest natural harbor. That morning, it felt like it. We chugged out through the navigation channel traffic, past the majestic Brownsea Castle, and past the sloping lawns and exclusive terraces of Sandbanks, some of the most expensive real estate in England. Finally, we reached the Poole Bar Buoy and open water.

Throttles opened. Worth the wait? Absolutely yes.

Sunseeker Superhawk 55
Flip up the transom sun pad to make backrests and to create seating around the cockpit’s fold-out table. Courtesy Sunseeker International

The twin 725 hp Volvo Penta IPS950-D11 diesels max out at 2,550 rpm, which, during my runs at about half-load in a gentle breeze and very little swell, gave us a top-end speed of 37 to 38 knots. Sunseeker says the hull form is completely new. It strikes a great balance between planing efficiency and a rewarding driving experience. The Superhawk 55 easily sliced the wave crests we generated, and the yacht heeled satisfyingly into the turns, especially with the wheel hard over. Having the driving position on centerline is a definite bonus.

Allowing for a 10 percent reserve, expect a range of 200 to 225 nautical miles. According to my numbers, this yacht will run all day at 2,000 rpm and around 25 knots.

And the Superhawk 55 will look great doing it, outside and inside. Despite its considerable volume, this yacht still looks long and low, from the swim platform to the bow, probably helped by what appears to be one continuous hullside window to break up the freeboard. Note too how the superstructure sits within the hull rather than on top of it.

Sunseeker Superhawk 55
The hydraulic swim platform lowers for easy tender launch and retrieval. Courtesy Sunseeker International

The cockpit occupies the full 16-foot-2-inch beam aft. Side decks are accessed via a pair of pantograph doors that flank the helm. Those side decks run forward from just abaft amidships, and they include three shallow steps to reach the foredeck terrace. The 54-square-foot windscreen is an impressive single pane with double curvature. The standard open layout includes just the arch mast, but as of this writing, all but one owner has chosen the hardtop option.

The cockpit layout is intended to be versatile, making the Superhawk 55 a weekender or a party boat. The essentials include a sofa-sun pad and a table with leaves aft. There’s a wet bar abaft the triple-seat raised bridge. A pair of L-shaped sofas can slide back and forth, or in and out, on rails. That means they can be pushed to the sides when more room is needed, or closer together for meals at the table.

Sunseeker Superhawk 55
A new hull form helps get the yacht on plane quickly, creating a confidence-inspiring helm experience. Courtesy Sunseeker International

Another dining spot is belowdecks. The lower deck has an amidships salon with a galley to port and a dinette-sofa to starboard. There are doors to the two en suite staterooms, one each fore and aft. The headroom in the main salon enhances the perception of luxury. While the headroom is better in the forward stateroom than in the aft one, both staterooms are broadly the same in terms of space and views.

As for decor, Sunseeker offers five veneers and a dozen lacquers. The Superhawk 55 I got aboard had what felt like a darker vibe: piano black and stained oak.

No matter the interior styling, this is a relatively quiet boat. While running the yacht flat out, I recorded 73 to 75 decibels at the helm, in the salon with the cockpit hatch open, and in the aft stateroom. Sixty-five decibels, which I recorded in the forward stateroom, is the level of normal conversation.

Sunseeker Superhawk 55
The Superhawk 55’s garage accommodates a 9-foot-2-inch Williams MiniJet 280 tender. Courtesy Sunseeker International

For heading ashore, a garage is aft, big enough to hold a 9-foot-2-inch Williams MiniJet 280 tender. A drawer above the garage could hold underwater scooters or fenders.

The first Sunseeker Superhawk 55 was unveiled at Boot Düsseldorf in January, and Sunseeker expects to deliver 25 to 30 of these performance boats this year alone. Apparently, I’m far from the only yachting enthusiast who has long been waiting for this model.  

Hawk History

Sunseeker’s first real “hawk” was the Tomahawk 37. Then, in no particular order, came the Thunderhawk 43, Hawk 27, Mohawk 29, Hawk 31 and Tomahawk 41. Over the years, there also were several Superhawks, namely the 34 (famous for the River Thames chase sequences in the James Bond film “The World Is Not Enough”), the 40, the 43, the 48 and the 50 that had surface drives and topped out around 50 knots. There’s also the current 60-plus-knot Hawk 38, which is a dayboat with a center console and outboards. Most of the older Hawks topped out at 40 to 46 knots.

Sunseeker Superhawk 55
The interior layout includes two similar-size staterooms, both offering ocean views. Courtesy Sunseeker International

That’s Not Teak

Sunseeker has virtually stopped using wooden decking. This Superhawk 55 had a light surface made of Sikafloor Marine-595 Antarctica throughout the main deck. The mock white caulking creates striking patterns.

Flag Salute

The Superhawk 55 has Union Jack homages in its transom gates, in the LED framing in the skylight between the salon and windscreen, in the salon’s headliner and in the stitching on the back of the pilot seats. A similar tribute is in the taillights on newer British-built Mini Coopers.

Take the next step: sunseeker.com

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Review: Galeon Yachts 440 Fly https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/yachts/galeon-440-fly-reviewed/ Tue, 28 Nov 2023 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/?p=61392 The 25-knot Galeon Yachts 440 Fly is thoughtfully designed with the cruising family in mind.

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Galeon 440 Fly
The Galeon 440 Fly’s cockpit has sides that fold outward, increasing the yacht’s beam by nearly 6 feet. Courtesy Galeon Yachts

Designer Tony Castro penned the Galeon Yachts 440 Fly, a yacht that looks long, lean and fast, even at rest. And beyond the vessel’s sleek profile is a nicely appointed two- or three-stateroom, two-head layout with multiple entertainment and lounging areas—far more creature comforts than you’d expect to find aboard a boat with such a slender appearance.

Castro achieved this sleight of hand in two ways: First, he covered the topside windows with a black slash that runs nearly the length of the yacht to bring light into the staterooms. The slash also lowers the visual height of the topsides considerably. Second, he surrounded the flybridge with glass. You’d expect the Venturi windscreen forward, but he also used glass on the sides, essentially making the bridge invisible. Squint at the 440 Fly, and you’ll see an express cruiser with no bridge, and yet the flybridge is sizable.

There’s also a lot going on in the cockpit, starting with the outdoor cooking features (optional but essential) built into the transom. Both cockpit sides butterfly outward to create terraces, expanding the cockpit’s width from less than 14 feet to 19 feet. These terraces have glass sections that offer side viewing from the cockpit seats when the 440 Fly is underway. When the sides are down, there are wonderful views into the water.

Galeon 440 Fly interior
Interior wood options include dark walnut or beechwood gray (seen here). Both come in a matte finish. Courtesy Galeon Yachts

Triple folding doors open the salon fully to the cockpit, with a settee to port facing a dinette with a reversible back to add to the cockpit seating. Up two steps is the galley-helm level. The galley is to port with a clear rail that protects the countertop and with a window that lowers electrically for fresh air.

At the helm is a diamond-stitched, bolstered double-wide seat abaft a free-standing dash that holds twin Raymarine multifunction displays and the Volvo Penta engine panel. An oversize side door allows easy access to the side deck. The 440 Fly that I was aboard had Side-Power bow and stern thrusters, which got us off the dock easily in a strong breeze. The skipper also has a great view through a one-piece windshield.

The 440 Fly that I toured had the two-stateroom layout. The VIP forward has 6-foot-7-inch headroom, and a queen-size berth or scissor berths that come together to form a nearly king-size width. The en suite head has a stall shower that stretches 5 feet in length and more than 2 feet wide.

Galeon 440 Fly stateroom
The master stateroom’s slightly offset berth allows space for the vanity and cabinets seen here. Courtesy Galeon Yachts

Aft, the master stateroom has a nearly king-size berth slightly offset to provide space for rows of lockers to port and a vanity to starboard. There’s also an en suite head with a stall shower.

The flybridge is another surprise, if only for the double-fold table that could easily seat a dozen guests (with a couple of folding chairs). Steps to the bridge are gentle and have good handholds for safe transit. A wet bar, a grill, a fridge and a sink create a third cooking station. Forward is a duplicate setup of the lower-helm controls and another double-wide seat, with an L-shaped settee opposite for guests.

On the foredeck, a sun pad large enough for three guests morphs into lounges with folding backrests or into a forward-facing seat. Double-welded rails surround the foredeck, while the narrow side walkways are deep for security.

The 440 Fly that I got aboard had the standard twin 480 hp Volvo Penta D6 direct-shaft diesels and a 12 kW Fischer Panda genset tucked into a sound shield. (Twin 600 hp diesels are optional.) Access to the engine room is via a cockpit hatch, with a ladder leading to a walkway between the engines. There’s not a lot of room, which will require extra caution when the engines are hot, but the normal service checks are all easily reached.

Galeon 440 Fly
With optional 600 hp diesels, the Galeon 440 Fly should hit 30-plus knots. Courtesy Galeon Yachts

With a half-tank of fuel, this 440 Fly topped out just shy of 25 knots, though I suspect we could have bettered that a bit by tinkering with the Lenco automatic trim tab controls. The diesels consumed 46 gph with the hammer down, and the noise level at a comfy 16-knot cruise was 78 decibels (65 decibels is the level of normal conversation). Most sound was the bow wave resonating through the open helm door. With that door closed and the cabin buttoned up, the sound dropped to 70 decibels, about the same as classroom chatter. With the door open or shut, there was no problem talking across the salon.

Handling? Just plain fun. The 440 Fly is responsive to power helm input. On the Intracoastal Waterway, it was a joy to spin donuts and cross this yacht’s wake at full throttle. Despite typical Gulf Stream chop offshore, we had no need to use the windshield wipers. The 440 Fly throws spray out flat to the side.

The Galeon Yachts 440 Fly is a delightful addition to the builder’s flybridge lineup, which also includes a 400 and a 500. With full service and parts from the MarineMax dealer network, this flybridge yacht is ready for cruising with family or good friends.

Under the Hood

The Volvo Penta D6 diesel is adapted from the manufacturer’s truck engine, which is known for solid power, strong torque and high reliability. An in-line six-cylinder, 5.5-liter, 336-cubic-inch block puts out 480 hp using common-rail fuel injection, dual overhead camshafts and a turbocharger.

Swim Platform Plus

The 440 Fly’s hydraulic swim platform lowers into the water for swimming, or to stow and launch a tender or personal watercraft. There are two ways to enter the water: With the platform up, a folding ladder can be used. When the platform is lowered, stairs automatically emerge.

Take the next step: galeonyachts.us

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Prestige Yachts M8 Review https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/yachts/prestige-m8-reviewed/ Fri, 17 Nov 2023 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/?p=61356 Prestige Yachts' second catamaran, the voluminous 65-foot M8, lets owners customize onboard spaces.

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Prestige Yachts M8
Powered by twin 600 hp Volvo Penta D8 diesels, the 65-foot Prestige Yachts M8 has a top speed of 20.5 knots. Jean Francois Romero

How fitting it was that Prestige Yachts introduced its new M-Line flagship, the M8, at Portopiccolo, a picturesque yachting village outside Trieste, Italy. Formerly a quarry, the cliff-side area had been chiseled into a clean site rife with eye-catching vistas, much like the French builder’s 65-foot power catamaran and its nearly 3,000 square feet of usable real estate.

Take, for starters, the M8’s 344-square-foot cockpit. Apart from flybridge-bound stairs to port and a wet bar to starboard, this space (as well as most of the yacht’s living areas) is an open deck with modular furniture. This setup allows owners to choose how they spend their time, whether watching sunsets on the hook or relaxing underway. Aboard Hull No. 1, which will debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show this month, there were four movable square-shaped sofas and two accompanying side tables.

Prestige Yachts M8
Across its 29-foot beam, the Prestige Yachts M8 has almost 3,000 square feet of usable real estate. Jean Francois Romero

Aft-deck space is further enhanced by the M8’s versatile swim platform (14 feet, 5 inches by 4 feet, 11 inches) that Prestige describes as a “balcony on the sea.” When it wasn’t overlooking the smooth waters of the Adriatic Sea, the 1,102-pound-capacity platform lowered into swimming-pool mode at the push of a button, allowing access to the garage, dinghies and water toys.

The M8’s modular-furniture concept continues in the salon, where there is 6-foot-6-inch headroom, and on the flybridge. Between both spaces, the only fixed furniture is the 538-square-foot flybridge’s three-person sun pad to starboard, abaft the staircase leading to the salon. The flybridge also has a wet bar with a grill abaft a two-seat centerline helm station with two 22-inch multifunction displays. To port, there is a dining table with seating for eight; aft and to starboard, there is another lounging area with an L-shaped sofa to starboard and two-person aft-facing seating on centerline with room for two loose tables.

Prestige Yachts M8
The M8’s furniture is provided by four brands: Reflex Angelo, Pininfarina, Roda and Foglizzo. Nicolas Claris

As for this hull’s 511-square-foot salon, it had two free-standing chairs to starboard, a sofa on centerline and another to port. The salon connects to the cockpit via an opening centerline window with a service bar that has a wine chiller for 18 bottles, a sink and stowage. Forward and to port, there is a dining area with a table for six, and the galley is to starboard (a galley-down layout is also an option). Appliances are by Miele, including a three-burner cooktop, a microwave and a dishwasher, and there is a 132-gallon, triple-door fridge/freezer by Fisher & Paykel. This M8 also has the optional Surround View system by Garmin to make maneuvering in tight spaces easier; its console is nestled between the galley and centerline stairs leading to the owner’s stateroom. Owners can also opt for a lower helm station with a pedestal seat for all-weather cruising.

The 323-square-foot foredeck lounge is where the M8 diverts from its free-standing-furniture style the most. A sun pad consumes nearly the entire width of this space. Down two steps and forward, there is forward-facing straight-line seating on centerline across from an aft-facing C-shaped settee.

Prestige Yachts M8
Like most of the Prestige Yachts M8’s living areas, its 511-square-foot salon is open to owner interpretation. Nicolas Claris

Accommodations can include four or five staterooms, with options for a VIP suite that consumes the portside hull and the galley down in the starboard hull. The 323-square-foot master stateroom is forward and nearly spans the yacht’s 29-foot beam, with its athwartship berth across from a console with a rising TV. There’s also a head with his-and-hers sinks to port, and a customizable space to starboard for a gym, a lounge, a gaming area or whatever else the owner wants.

Power for the M8 is twin 600 hp Volvo Penta D8 diesels. With the throttle all the way to the pins, I observed a 20.5-knot top hop as the diesels burned a combined 63.4 gallons per hour at 2,900 rpm. At 7.7 knots, reported range is 1,583 nautical miles; at 17 knots, it’s reportedly 350 nm. Turning the M8 felt smooth, running like it was on rails, and the wheel was real-time responsive to input.

Prestige Yachts M8
The M8’s 323-square-foot foredeck lounge has a sizable sun pad and two settees for relaxing with a great view. Nicolas Claris

The Prestige Yachts M8 is worth a look for power cat enthusiasts seeking adaptability, customization and a notable master stateroom that’s akin to one inside a small apartment. This new flagship has plenty of potential to be a desirable home on the water.

Luxurious Furnishings

The M8’s furniture is provided by four brands: Reflex Angelo, Pininfarina, Roda and Foglizzo. Regardless of where I decided to lounge while on board, there was always a place to get comfortable and take in the views.

Prestige Yachts M8
At a steady 7.7 knots, the Prestige Yachts M8 can reportedly travel for 1,583 nautical miles. Jean Francois Romero

Access Anywhere

In addition to two stairways leading to the flybridge (one in the cockpit, one in the salon), the Prestige M8 has two side-deck doors. One is forward and to port, and the other is aft and to starboard. A portside day head is accessible from the side deck.

Sun-Powered Anchorage

Hull No. 2 of the M8, which debuted at the Cannes Yachting Festival last month, has the optional “Silent Mode” package: 10 lithium batteries powered by 258 square feet of solar panels, which should allow two hours of silent operation sans generators and with zero emissions.

Take the next step: prestige-yachts.com

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Maritimo S75 Reviewed https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/yachts/maritimo-s75-reviewed/ Fri, 10 Nov 2023 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/?p=61320 Maritimo's largest Sedan model yet, the S75, is an ocean-ready cruiser with a nearly 800-nautical mile range.

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Maritimo S75
Note the davit option on the salon’s hardtop. Courtesy Maritimo

Maritimo’s sedan line has a new flagship: the S75, which joins the S60, S55 and S51 in the Australian builder’s overall lineup of Sedan, Flybridge and Offshore Yachts.

Rest assured, bigger does not mean bulky. The Maritimo S75 has a striking, sleek profile with nearly 75 feet of waterline, including the 194-square-foot space that Maritimo calls the Adventure Deck. Some reverse sheer along the topsides enhances the look, while the tall hull includes elongated, dark windows that match the targa bar, housing radar and satellite domes. All of these design elements help the S75 make a sporty statement, even at rest.

Maritimo S75
The S75’s helm-console setup is ideal for navigation in offshore swells, unlike a flybridge that can sway. Courtesy Maritimo

Of course, style without substance is not much good offshore, so there’s a solid glass hull underwater and an elongated keel, for stiffness and linear stability.

The S75’s signature feature is the Adventure Deck, which has a teak swim platform whose hydraulic after section can float a 2,204-pound tender. The deck also includes a wet bar with an electric barbecue in the forward bulkhead (there’s an access hatch here to the crew cabin too). A step above this area, with transom doors on each side, is the cockpit, which is shaded by the flybridge overhang. A couch and a dinette are here for alfresco relaxation or meals with friends and family.

Maritimo S75
The galley is aft with an island bench for meal prep. There is a front bar section for serving drinks. Courtesy Maritimo

A walk along the yacht’s deep side decks with tall guardrails ends at the bow, where a double sun bed dominates the space. At the business end of the bow are an oversize Muir windlass and capstan, and a 132-pound Ultra Marine anchor. The S75’s hardtop can be accessed from the upper part of the cockpit, a feature that allows part of the salon roof to be used for stowage.

Or, go from the cockpit into the salon by using a sliding door that opens into the galley, which is aft. Forward of the galley is a lounge, and the helm is to starboard. The U-shaped galley has Miele appliances: two freezer drawers, a microwave and an oven with a four-burner electric cooktop. In the nearby seating area, windows built at eye level allow for great views from the couch. The dark-wood, high-gloss finish is understated and contrasts with the cream-colored leather furnishings.

Maritimo S75
Top hop: 28 knots. Courtesy Maritimo

The helm console has a Twin Disc EJS joystick and throttles (the EJS controls the yacht’s forward and aft thrusters). Hull No. 1 also was equipped with two 24-inch Garmin screens, radar, autopilot and more, all ergonomically organized.

A staircase forward in the salon leads down to the yacht’s three staterooms. The atrium-style design of the salon windows adds natural light in the stairway, which on Hull No. 1 leads to an optional lounge (instead of a fourth stateroom). The owner’s stateroom has 6-plus-foot headroom, a king-size berth, elongated hullside windows, opening portholes and an en suite his-and-hers head. The forepeak stateroom has a queen berth offset to starboard, with space to walk around it. The third stateroom, with two bunks and a portlight, is ideal for kids.

Maritimo S75
The yacht’s lounge is elevated for clear views while seated. Courtesy Maritimo

Underway, fully loaded with 2,641 gallons of diesel, this supersize express cruiser didn’t need trim-tab action to handle the swells. Turning was predictable and confidence-inspiring, and the S75 tracked well. We saw a top-end speed of 28 knots with the standard 1,150 hp Scania diesel powerplants humming in the engine room.

The Maritimo S75 has long range, admirable performance, interior luxury and outdoor spaces that are open to interpretation. The hardest thing to decide about the S75 is where to go first.

Maritimo S75
The master stateroom’s quietude is helped by the en suite head, buffering the area from the engine room. Courtesy Maritimo

Performance Highlights

A cruising speed of around 22 knots gave us an optimum 80 percent engine load and fuel burn of 74 gph, allowing a 785-nautical-mile range. Without needing trim tabs, we accelerated to a maximum speed of 28 knots. Noise was minimal at 68 decibels, which is 3 decibels above the level of normal conversation.

Heavy Iron

The standard Scania 1,150 hp engines run straight shafts to five-blade Nibral Veem propellers. Optional engines include twin 1,625 hp MTU 2000 Series V-10s. Electrical power comes from a pair of 22.5 kW Onan generators. At rest, twin ARG250T gyrostabilizers can be deployed for added stability.

Maritimo S75
Alfresco dining is protected. Courtesy Maritimo

One Solid Hull

The S75’s hull is solid fiberglass below the waterline. Rigidity comes from a monolithic GRP liner that is molded longitudinally all the way to the forward stateroom—a Maritimo-patented technique to enhance hull integrity. The decks also have a liner, as does the superstructure, enhancing rigidity and insulation while creating a monocoque structure intended to last. Deep bilges manage water incursion without losing stability.

Take the next step: maritimoamericas.com

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Horizon Yachts FD110 Trideck Reviewed https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/yachts/horizon-fd110-trideck-reviewed/ Fri, 27 Oct 2023 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.yachtingmagazine.com/?p=61267 Mansion-type volume, a seakindly hull form and a 3,000-nautical-mile range define the Horizon Yachts FD110 Trideck.

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Horizon Yachts FD110 Trideck
The Horizon Yachts FD110 Trideck top hop is about 19 knots. Courtesy Horizon Yachts

Horizon Yachts’ Fast Displacement yacht series, penned by designer Cor D. Rover, is notable for its broad shoulders and high freeboard. These yachts carry measurable beam forward to enhance interior and exterior volume, with a wave-splitting bow design and admirable performance across a wide spectrum of speeds.

The latest launch in the series, which runs from 75 feet to 125 feet length overall, is the FD110 Tri-Deck. In profile, this yacht is nicely balanced across its three well-proportioned levels. Rover uses all available real estate not only to carry exterior lines evenly, but also to get the most out of the living and stowage spaces. Structural glass across all decks helps to lower the vessel’s profile visually while providing natural light inside.

As just one example of how large the interior feels, the salon has a whopping 87-inch TV in the after starboard quarter, and the screen seems small. Side sliding doors measuring 71 inches high provide ocean vistas from the formal dining space. Blackout curtains help control lighting and privacy.

Horizon Yachts FD110 Trideck lounge
This lounge and hot tub with a view are just forward of the pilothouse. Courtesy Horizon Yachts

A plush L-shaped sofa to port is accented by a tiered coffee table and several barrel chairs. Each seat has a view of the TV. Low-profile cabinetry housing the china divides the salon from the wood dining table that seats 10 on high-back, swivel chairs. With an open design concept, the entire area is airy, welcoming and set up for entertaining.

The interior is contemporary and warm, aided in part by washed wenge wood with oak and walnut accents. Want something different? The builder offers owners a high level of customization when it comes to woods, finishes, furnishings and the like.

Forward, the galley can be closed off during provisioning and meal prep, and then opened for service. That means closing not only the doorways, but also the center counter facing the salon, where an actuated opaque glass wall can be raised and lowered. Eight fridge and freezer drawers, along with a full-height refrigerator, allow plenty of space for provisions for extended voyages. A Miele four-burner cooktop and convection oven, a Wolf microwave and a dishwasher are here, with stowage that includes a 78-inch-high pullout pantry. A center island adds counter space for prep and plating.

Horizon Yachts FD110 Trideck alfresco space
The main-deck alfresco space is protected from the elements. Courtesy Horizon Yachts

An on-deck master stateroom is forward with a centerline king berth, a starboard sofa and, to port, a lighted vanity that doubles as a desk. This space is a whisper-quiet escape from the crowd. Rectangular side windows flank the berth, bringing in natural light and providing unobstructed ocean views. Forward is the his-and-hers head with a central rain shower.

Guest accommodations include four staterooms belowdecks that are accessed by a single staircase and foyer. Mirrored VIP staterooms with queen berths are amidships with 32-inch TVs and en suite heads. Hullside windows with portholes allow light into the lower deck. Stowage is in drawers, vanities, walk-in closets and nightstands.

The guest stateroom to port has twin berths that slide together for couples, an en suite head and a 32-inch flat-screen TV. A VIP guest stateroom is in the forepeak with a queen berth and an en suite head.

Horizon Yachts FD110 Trideck interior
Warm wenge, oak and walnut are the wood choices on this FD110. Note the vistas from the dining table. Courtesy Horizon Yachts

There are options for the stateroom locations, as well as crew quarters. Crew spaces can be abaft the engine room or forward of the guest staterooms, which means removing the VIP. In either configuration, there’s a captain’s cabin and two twin-berth cabins for crew, all en suite. Another nice touch is the yacht’s separate laundry room with a Miele washer and dryer, counter space for folding, and stowage for supplies.

The seemingly endless-space concept hits stride on the yacht’s aft deck. Surrounding a teak dining table are a transom bench seat and three cushioned sofas. A two-tiered bar with twin fixed bar stools to starboard is an elegant inclusion.

Up in the pilothouse on the sky-lounge deck, three Stidd helm chairs allow the captain and crew, or guests, to keep eyes on the operations. The helm console has four 24-inch Garmin GPSMap multifunction displays, Simrad autopilot, two Garmin VHF radios, PTZ cameras and more. Side doors lead to the deck wing stations for docking. Abaft the helm seats is a sofa for more guests to enjoy the bird’s-eye view of the surroundings.

Horizon Yachts FD110 Trideck master stateroom
The main-deck master has a king-size berth. Courtesy Horizon Yachts

Abaft the pilothouse—which can be closed off with pocket doors and a high-low privacy screen—is the sky lounge. Relaxing on the L-shaped sofa or barrel chairs, guests will find a cozy space for an afternoon nap or to catch the game on the 55-inch TV. A wine chiller is here, along with a unit housing a fridge, a freezer, an ice maker and a sink. A day head is in the after corner.

Out the aft doors is yet another lounge area with a sofa and a table, and room for personal watercraft on dedicated cradles. For more water-toy space, there is a 2,500-pound-capacity hydraulic swim platform, as well as a 2,500-pound davit. To make room for all that gear and tender management, Horizon put the hot tub forward of the pilothouse. Guests can relax under the sun on U-shaped settees or oversize sun pads with an awning for shade.

The top deck is dedicated to entertaining. A round sun pad is forward, with an L-shaped sofa under the integrated radar arch and hardtop. An after sun pad is set up for additional guests. A wet bar with a fridge and an ice maker reduces the number of trips below for refreshments.

Horizon Yachts FD110 Trideck alfresco area
This alfresco area is abaft the sky lounge. Courtesy Horizon Yachts

When it comes to performance, the FD110 is powered by twin 1,900 hp Caterpillar C32A diesel engines that propel its 348,330 pounds up to 18.6 knots at wide open. Cruising at 14 knots, the engines burn 100 gph, providing an effective range of 763 nautical miles. The fast-displacement design lets the FD110 cruise comfortably between 8 and 16 knots. At 16 knots, range is about 600 nm. At 10 knots, the FD110 has an effective range of more than 2,000 nm. Dial it back to 8 knots, and the range jumps to more than 3,000 nm.

With striking lines, impressive spaces, efficient operation and a high level of customization, the Horizon FD110 Tri-Deck can take owners anywhere they want to point the bow, in comfort and luxury.  

Skyline Option

If owners prefer a different look and layout, Horizon offers the FD110 in a Skyline option. That version has an enclosed pilothouse and no upper deck. The overall displacement is reduced by about 20,000 pounds, and draft goes from 5 feet, 11 inches in the Tri-Deck version to 5 feet, 9 inches in the Skyline.  

Ready for Fun

Geared for owners who are active in watersports, or for a similar charter program, the FD110 can handle an array of toys: personal watercraft, paddleboards, underwater scooters and more. Access to the water is via the hydraulic swim platform, making it easy to jump on the toys and go.

A Hull of a Boat

Horizon’s bow design, called the High Performance Piercing Bow, doesn’t just push the water away; it slices through it. This feature, along with the hybrid hull shape and prop-tunnel design, improves the FD110’s fuel efficiency and range of cruising speeds.

Take the next step: horizonyachtusa.com

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