Style that Goes for Miles

These new passagemakers combine sleek yacht looks with

seaworthy hullforms designed for far-flung adventures.

Grand Banks 76 Aleutian RP

This just-launched addition to the venerable builder’s Aleutian line—and the new flagship of the Grand Banks fleet—shares its exterior appearance and functionality with the other models in the series. Aleutians are intended for long-range cruising, but they also offer a good turn of speed when needed. They each have the classic, salty look of a true bluewater yacht, although with softer, modern corners.
This 76’7″ raised pilothouse model tops out at 23.8 knots with a pair of Caterpillar 1,105-horsepower C18 Acert diesels and cruises at 18.5 knots. Fuel capacity is substantial at 2,845 gallons. According to Grand Banks, the Aleutians provide better performance than models produced in past years. But at the same time, they burn less fuel than their predecessors. The 76 Aleutian RP features the same proven Tom Fexas hull seen on the other Aleutians. New on this model is the contemporary interior styling, a beautiful complement to Grand Banks’ famous hand-craftsmanship. grandbanks.com.

Horizon EP69

Founded in 1987, Horizon Yachts is one of the world’s largest motoryacht builders. In recent years the company has taken its expertise with luxury cruisers and applied it to a line of vessels designed for long-range voyaging called the EP Series. The goal was to combine the functional features, fuel efficiency and ride of an expedition-type craft with the amenities of a stylish, comfortable motoryacht. The EP series is made up of three models, including the new EP69, making its U.S. debut in Seattle this fall. With a length overall of 69’5″, it couples considerable fuel tankage (2,360 gallons) with a 20-foot beam that makes for roomy living spaces and accommodations. There are three staterooms (each with ensuite head), crew quarters with mess, and a huge saloon with a lower helm station. Power is supplied by a pair of 560-horsepower MAN D2876 diesel engines. horizonyacht.com.

NISI 2400

A real head-turner when it debuted at U.S. boat shows last winter, the NISI 2400 doesn’t look like a traditional long-range cruiser—and it doesn’t run like one, either. In fact, performance is the most appealing feature of the NISI 2400, a 78-foot motoryacht with a 19-foot beam. Unlike many trawler-style passagemakers, the NISI runs on an innovative hull that’s a hybrid of sorts, a blend of a planing hull form with a full-displacement running bottom. When powered by triple Cummins QSC-8.3 engines coupled to Zeus pod drives, the NISI can produce 28 knots at WOT on 1,800 horsepower, yet is incredibly seaworthy, particularly when compared to other planing hulls.
Built in China by NISI Yachts, this boat has a range of 1,500 nautical miles when running at a cruising speed of 9 knots. High-tech construction techniques keep weight down to improve performance, yet the NISI 2400 is no lean machine. There is a luxury interior with high-quality finishes and good accommodations, including four staterooms and crew quarters. nisiyachts.com.

Outer Reef 70

Outer Reef Yachts recently added this 70-footer to its line of bluewater cruisers, a series that ranges from 58 to 115 feet. Built in Taiwan, Outer Reef boats are built on tough displacement hulls, each designed for comfortable passages in less-than-ideal conditions. If you’re looking to do 30 knots despite large swells marching in from the horizon, the 70 is sure to be up for the high-seas adventure. Employ the stabilizers and the boat should run flat with hardly a hint of roll. With a pair of 500-horsepower Caterpillar C-9 diesels and 2,000 gallons of fuel, the Outer Reef will cruise nicely at 8.7 knots with a range of close to 2,500 nautical miles. The new 70 strongly resembles its smaller sibling, the Outer Reef 63, with its wraparound side decks and Portuguese bridge. Unlike the 63, the 70 doesn’t have an aft cockpit—the builder chose to devote more square footage to the aft deck and the saloon. Accommodations include a full-beam master stateroom, VIP cabin forward and third cabin amidships. A lucky owner in Australia took delivery of Hull #1. outerreefyachts.com.

Symbol 48 Long Range

According to Symbol Yachts, the new 48 Long Range Classic Pilothouse, just launched in Taiwan, is best suited to owners who plan to cruise for a full 50 percent of their time aboard. Featuring a bulbous bow, this new motoryacht was designed for serious offshore work. With an LOA of 52’3″ and a beam of 15’10″, the basic dimensions of this model resemble those of Symbol’s 48 Classic, but the Long Range edition has a different hullform that has been fine-tuned to offer a comfortable and stable ride in blue water. Propulsion choices also vary between the two models. Symbol’s Long Range model is offered with twin or a single diesel for maximum efficiency. With a 270-horsepower Cummins and 900 gallons of fuel, it is capable of cruising at 8.5 knots with a range of 1,800 nautical miles. A 50-hp Yanmar wing engine is offered as well.
The new Symbol 48 Long Range will offer a choice of interior plans and slightly altered accommodations from the 48 Classic, including amidships master stateroom and additional seating on the flybridge. The 48 Long Range model will make its U.S. debut at Symbol Yacht Sales in Warwick, Rhode Island in 2012. symbolyachts.net.

Vicem 78 Cruiser

Vicem Yachts, Turkish builder of custom boats constructed of cold-molded mahogany with classic lines and beautiful finish, recently introduced this 82-footer with a 21-foot beam. Based on a hard-chine planing hull with 8 degrees of deadrise aft and a fuel capacity of 2,168 gallons, the 78 Cruiser is powered by two 900-horsepower MAN engines that produce a top-end speed of 17 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots. At cruise speed, range is 525 nautical miles.
Unlike some earlier Vicem models, this one does not have the builder’s trademark high-gloss woodwork inside. Instead, the mahogany is satin-finished for a more contemporary look. The 78 also has the clean exterior lines we’ve seen on recent models from Vicem, including the 54 IPS. Notable features include the standard hardtop for the flybridge, the extended swim platform and oversized windows in the saloon. The 78 can accommodate 12 guests and a crew of three. vicemyacht.com.