Motoryachts are generally over 35 feet in length and built for leisure purposes. The diversity and variety among this category of vessel is as expansive as our library of motoryacht reviews. European style, classic or cruiser-friendly—browse our collection or articles and reviews of the latest motoryachts to find the right boat for you.
The Ocean Alexander 100 is undergoing a redesign since its successful debut in 2014. With world-renowned Evan K. Marshall as the designer, the OA 100 (100’2″ LOA, 23′ beam) has the feel of a megayacht. The innovative use of aluminum I-beams allows for an open interior that lets in natural light. Owners and guests will also enjoy the incredible views at sea.
The Ocean Alexander 100 offers features found on larger yachts, including a newly designed main deck with an on-deck master stateroom. With 10 guests in 5 ensuite cabins and with an enclosed skylounge, the owner has design flexibility for entertainment and guest spaces, and in main areas such as the galley, access to staterooms, crew accommodations, and maintenance areas of the yacht. oceanalexander.com
One word describes the Vicem Custom 65′ Flybridge at FLIBS: spacious. With her 65-foot LOA and 18’5″ beam, there’s sufficient interior volume for owners to choose from two- and three-cabin designs. Configurations offer a luxurious galley-up or galley-down choice, with a convertible office or a dinette below.
The galley-up version offers a below-deck layout with three cabins plus an additional berth accessible from the VIP cabin for eight guests. Powered by twin Volvo Penta D11 625-hp engines, the 65′ Flybridge is equipped for long voyages and offers a cruising range of 915 nautical miles at 10 knots, with a top speed of 19 knots. Designed by Vicem’s in-house design team, the 65′ Flybridge has a classic look and offers a quiet, smooth ride. vicem.com
With room for 10 people and a six-person crew, the new Westport W125 is steeped in luxury. The yacht features a full-width master stateroom on deck forward with his-and-her baths. Four ensuite guest staterooms enjoy natural light and outside views thanks to hull windows of toughened, laminated glass integrally molded into the hull. The integrated stern boarding area and veranda dining opens up to the main deck salon and formal dining area.
The main deck galley is secluded from guest view and includes a casual breakfast nook dinette. Private crew quarters forward on the lower deck include a captain’s stateroom, two crew double staterooms and a crew’s mess. Powered with twin 2,600-hp MTU diesel engines, the W125 (125′ LOA, 26’2″ beam) cruises around 20 knots. westportyachts.com
The iconic European builder debuts Rivamare (39′ LOA, 11’6″ beam) with a distinctive, double-curved, laminated, crystal window at the cabin level and an eye-catching windscreen consisting of five double-curved, laminated, crystal glass sections set in a stainless-steel frame. An innovative stern beach area incorporates a hatch with built-in mahogany steps that swings open to a large surface; two specially designed ergonomic sunpads can be positioned over the hatch. The cockpit is furnished with a large C-shaped sofa set around a folding table in mahogany and stainless steel, and can be protected by a retractable Bimini. Engineers and designers created a luxurious open interior space consisting of a galley, head with separate shower, and bow living area that converts into a double bed. riva-yacht.com
Cutting through the waves at speeds up to 40 mph or cruising at an economical 35 mph, the new Princess 49 (50’2″ LOA, 14’3″ beam) is a joy to captain. The yacht combines the latest IPS pod drive system with a new modified deep-V hull, providing ease of handling and maneuverability.
The social flybridge arrangement includes a twin helm seat, convertible L-shaped sofa and generous seating aft. The spacious deck salon comes alive with light from the panoramic windows and has an ingenious aft-galley layout, which can be fitted with a full-height fridge/freezer. Below deck there’s a full-beam owner’s stateroom, a forward guest cabin with the option of scissor berths and a generous two-berth starboard cabin. princessyachts.com
The new Maritimo M64 has a full-beam ensuite king master, fully-enclosed flybridge, walkaround decks, bi-fold doors, and an enclosed stairway between the bridge and lounge. The M64 (63’11” LOA, 18’7″) can be customized to the buyer’s preference to include a three cabin, three head configuration—ideal for giving teenage children or guests their own space—or four cabins and two heads.
For the exterior choose from the popular Euro-style transom, retain the traditional Maritimo island transom or order a sportfishing transom. Other custom details range from handcrafted timber detailing and convertible berths to relocatable tables and a wet bar. maritimo.com.au
Based on feedback from Horizon yacht owners, the Horizon E75 was designed with a multifunctional and customizable layout to maximize space. The yacht debuting at FLIBS will be the skylounge version but is also available in an open configuration.
The deck features a bar with refrigerator and barbecue grill and an optional Jacuzzi. The forward deck is fitted with sunpads and a dinette for eight guests, while the main deck aft features a dinette and a teak table for eight. The lower deck on the Horizon E75 (75′ LOA, 18’6″ beam) features three staterooms, each with an individual head. The full-beam master suite features a walk-in closet as well as a his-and-hers ensuite with separate shower and tub. horizonyacht.com
The Ferretti 850 is one of two model introductions this year by Ferretti Yachts. The yacht’s strikingly bold profile and sharp angles give it a strong and aggressive personality. The main deck enhances the yacht’s dynamic presence thanks to a single-glazed window that cuts across the entire superstructure. The profile is completed by the flybridge with its optional fore-and-aft hardtop over the raised pilothouse. The Ferretti 850 (85’4″ LOA, 20’7″ beam) offers generous space below deck for owners and guests. The airy master stateroom was designed in the style of the main deck salon. The lower deck hosts two spacious VIP cabins, one amidships on the port side and the other forward. A fourth starboard cabin is fitted with twin beds. All the cabins have ensuite heads and separate shower. ferretti-yachts.com
Cranchi launches the Cranchi E56 F, part of the new Evoluzione line. It’s the second yacht that was developed with famed Italian architect Christian Grande. This collaboration resulted in new furniture designs and materials on the E56 F (56’5″ LOA, 15’10” beam) giving the yacht a modern feel. The E56 F will be available with a hardtop or an arch. Powerplants are two Volvo Penta IPS D11/800 engines, or buyers can upgrade to 725-hp Volvo Penta IPS 2 2xD11/950 engines. With room for 14 passengers and a 490-gallon fuel tank, the Cranchi E56 F can be out on the water for extended periods of time.
The new Hatteras 70 MY boasts the same tough lineage of its bigger sisters and calls for leisure and pleasure at every corner.
An Italian-designed, contemporary motoryacht filled with natural light and lots of social areas and open spaces, the new Hatteras 70 MY is made for entertaining. With its iconic Hatteras construction and battleship-strong hull, it’s also made to take you, and a good number of your friends, just about anywhere you want to go in safety and comfort.
The combination of modern-but-classic good looks, panoramic windows, creative use of space, and ocean-straddling performance could set this Hatteras apart in the world of luxury motoryachts. But actually, the 70 is the trimmed-down little sister of the 100 Raised Pilothouse that Hatteras introduced in 2014, with the same lines and features on a slightly reduced scale. All this is not by accident. “Our motoryachts aren’t like anybody else’s motoryachts,” says John W. S. Ward, Hatteras president and CEO. “Our goal is to create a definitive family of motoryachts to differentiate ourselves from all the other players in this category.”
Five-star-worthy cabins offer privacy with a view.
Serve lunch alfresco on the aft deck’s high-gloss teak table.
Relax on the inviting lounges on the aft deck of the flybridge deck.
Some serious suntanning awaits on the large sunpads at the bow.
The full-beam king master is spacious, simple and elegant.
Mix a cocktail at the wet bar just aft of the helm and keep the captain company.
Freshen up in the contemporary head before stepping out again.
The intimate U-shaped dinette on the flybridge is ideal for happy hour.
Food prep in the country kitchen will delight the chef.
The casual dinette calls for breakfas
Much of the sense of being on a much larger yacht comes from the 70’s 21-foot beam, which opens up the interior while making the boat more stable both underway and at the dock. And its low draft of just 4′ 6″ opens up cruising to The Bahamas, the Keys or other choice spots where the water is thin.
Living aboard is easy. The yacht has four staterooms, including a full-beam midships master worthy of a five-star hotel, two staterooms forward and a private VIP in the bow. Then there’s the crew’s cabin below, with its own head and work area. (The 70 is designed to be run by the owner or by crew.) A dayhead is on the main deck opposite the galley.
Step aboard the 70 from a wide and deep swim platform and go up five molded fiberglass steps to the aft deck protected by the extended boat deck above. (Or board the yacht from gates on each side if the 70 is tied up at a high dock.) The aft deck can be enclosed, but the evening I was there it was open with a warm breeze simply begging guests to sit down at the high-gloss teak table and enjoy a glass of wine or appetizer. The table is mounted on two stainless steel pedestals, while a molded bench seat along the transom and three chairs forward can sit six or more guests comfortably. A bar with sink and fridge completes the entertaining motif here.
Two sliding doors open wide to the salon and the main deck, all on the same level as the aft deck. The open, fresh look extends all the way through the salon and country kitchen to a casual dining area forward with a large window overlooking the bow and whatever’s ahead. Simply put, the main deck of the Hatteras 70 is elegant, sophisticated and filled with light coming from frameless windows lining both sides and from a creative one-piece wraparound windshield.
Entering the salon, a low, light-colored, L-shaped lounge with throw pillows is on the starboard side, with a cocktail table and club chair completing one of the many social areas on the yacht. Across on the port side, a 40″ dropdown TV dominates a first-class entertainment center with a home theater surround sound system and DVD player.
Moving forward, the L-shaped country kitchen is on the starboard side, with an island countertop bar large enough for six or eight people. All the open space allows the chef to stay in touch with everyone on this deck, and guests also enjoy uninterrupted views in every direction. All the way forward, a U-shaped dinette surrounded by windows on three sides offers a casual dining area—a perfect spot for lingering over coffee in the morning or something stronger at night. There are two small tables here, with two extra chairs.
A pantograph door on the starboard side by the galley opens to the wide, protected side decks and to the bow, where another social area with three large sunpads is nestled up in front of the window above the dinette. Additional bench seating, port and starboard, can hold even more guests.
Reach the accommodation deck below from curved stairs on the port side opposite the galley, where there’s enough extra space for half a dozen of your best friends to sleep over—if you so desired—then enter the luxurious master stateroom turning aft. Cedar-lined storage is under the king-sized bed as well as in the walk-in closet. With an all-white countertop and two sinks, the master head is light, contemporary and upscale. An all-glass door opens to the shower, which features a marble bench seat.
Two guest cabins are forward across the hall from each other. The one to port features two single berths, while the one to starboard offers a full-sized berth. Both cabins share a head with shower on the starboard side. All the way forward, a large VIP stateroom takes advantage of the wide beam in the bow for walkways around the queen-sized berth. The vanity in the ensuite head has a stone countertop; the shower has a frameless glass door and includes a seat.
While the accommodations deck lives up to the legendary Hatteras standards of first-class fit and finish, I think my favorite spot on the new 70 is all the way up top on the flybridge, which is protected by a standard fiberglass hardtop. The helm is offset to starboard a bit, with two 15″ Garmin touchscreen displays, a systems monitor and other electronics. Two matching, adjustable helm chairs promise comfort and great views. Just aft of the helm is a wet bar with three stools, a fridge and icemaker. On the port side, a U-shaped lounge with a high-gloss teak table awaits guests for cocktails or casual dining. There’s a large cabinet with a single electric grill behind it. All the way aft two lounges beckon guests for sunning or relaxing. If this area is used as a boat deck, you can mount an optional 1,500-pound davit here.
Ever since Willis Slane, a dedicated marlin fisherman, built the first Hatteras in 1959 to tackle the turbulent waters off Cape Hatteras, the company has earned a worldwide reputation for producing tough sea boats. The 70 is laid up with a solid fiberglass hull, resin-infused hull bottom, and synthetic foam core in the stringers, bulkheads, hull sides, and decks. The hull itself is convex to reduce pounding.
Hatteras president Ward intends to take advantage of that seagoing heritage by getting people on board the 70 and other new boats in rough conditions, so he has opened a new sales center with slips at Pier Sixty-Six in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “If they go out on a rough day,” he says, “we think they’ll buy the boat.”
Next up for Hatteras: A new 90 motoryacht, with the same lines as the 70 and the 100. No doubt she’ll be just as tough and chic, but decide for yourself—she’ll be ready for the 2017 Miami International Boat Show.
— By Peter A. Janssen, Southern Boating Magazine April 2016
Hargrave’s new 101 epitomizes the company’s mantra of class, timelessness and larger than life.
Here’s the quickest way to really understand the new Hargrave 101 or, rather, to understand Hargrave Yachts. In general, builders of luxury yachts are faceless entities.
But when you stop by the Hargrave dock at a boat show, you’ll see a smiling guy with a badge that says “Mike Joyce.” Joyce is Hargrave. Oh, sure, there was a Jack Hargrave that designed great yachts, but he’s long gone and Joyce had the business acumen and, ahem, the large “huevos” to turn that name into one of the most recognizable builders in the marine industry.
Saying that Joyce is the driving force behind every Hargrave is like saying that Niagara is a waterfall. Standing on a Hargrave yacht talking to a potential customer, Joyce suddenly whips out a notepad and scribbles something. “Sorry,” he says to the client, “I just saw something I think we can do better and wanted to remember it.” Every new Hargrave benefits from everything Joyce and his dedicated team have learned from every past Hargrave.
More than 50 percent of Joyce’s Hargrave owners are on their second Hargrave, and some are on their fourth. Buying a Hargrave is like joining a family—owners stay in touch even when they live thousands of miles apart. And that’s because of Joyce, who believes in treating his clients right. As a two-time Hargrave owner said, “There’s one reason I keep buying Hargraves and that’s because Mike never says ‘no.’ His answer to everything I wanted, including some difficult changes, was always, ‘Sure, we can do that.’”
Which brings us to Cutting Edge, the perfectly named and newest 101′ Hargrave. She draws on Jack Hargrave’s sensibilities for elegantly classic lines that, unlike many trendy designs, will remain timeless and in vogue for many years.
Cutting Edge has a raised pilothouse, a layout that makes sense to allow the crew to run the yacht in privacy while the guests enjoy the living areas of the yacht—and what living areas! Everyone’s initial impression of Cutting Edge is of immense space and room. Start with the aft deck that seems too large to be on a 101-footer, with its curved settee, dining table that easily seats all guests, and full bar with stools. All of this is shaded by the boat deck overhang making this perfect for alfresco meals or leisurely sundowners.
Step through an electric sliding door to access a spacious salon that includes a formal dining area for eight. Much of the impact is because Hargrave took advantage of the full 21′ beam by eliminating side decks—the result is striking. The other part of the equation is the 7′ headroom, which, as Joyce notes, “is the most important dimension to give a sense of openness.”
The interior is by Shelley DiCondina of Interiors by Shelley in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She specified a striking glossy walnut interior with zebrawood inlays that is both subtle and traditional. Some of the loose chairs and tables pick up that zebrawood theme and, with a full bar in an aft corner, this is the yacht’s “living room.”
A passageway to starboard leads past an opulently finished dayhead and the steps up to the pilothouse, ending in the forward country galley that has become a hallmark of Hargrave designs. It’s a very American, very democratic arrangement that provides a superb galley for the chef and a comfortable U-shaped dinette. This is where guests are likely to gather for casual breakfasts and lunches, and the area is flooded with light from the windshield.
The galley is a delight, from the marble center island to every possible GE and Sub-Zero appliance to the mother-of-pearl mosaic backsplash. What most visitors miss is the huge pantry in the passage opposite the outside door. This easily handles the supplies for extended stays aboard, and the door allows groceries to be loaded without having to pass through the living areas.
Stairs from the salon lead to an elegant foyer, with the double-door master cabin just aft. Once again, the full 21-foot beam has been used to deliver a suite, not just a cabin, with a centerline king berth and twin walk-in closets. The full-beam his-and-hers head is aft, divided by a spacious shower, again with marble and walnut accents. I had to admire the two seats with a table tucked under the windows in the master suite, thinking they would be lovely for croissants and coffee in the morning or a last snifter of brandy in the evening.
Two additional cabins open off the foyer, and both are similarly sized with king-sized berths and ensuite heads. The one difference, and a clever one, is that the starboard cabin is easily converted to twins by removing the nightstand, sliding the berth apart, and then replacing the nightstand between the two berths. It’s the perfect solution to have three couples as guests, or provide room for kids.
The VIP cabin is separate, with access from the galley to a private cabin in the forepeak and, like the others, it has a king berth, large ensuite head and excellent storage. The crew has exceptionally pleasant accommodations aft, which are finished to the level of guest areas, with a captain’s cabin, a double crew cabin, and a lounge with mini galley. Happy crews equal happy owners.
The pièce de résistance aboard Cutting Edge is the upper deck, which combines the flybridge with an expansive area for entertaining and lounging. The helm is forward to starboard, with a double companion seat opposite for guests who want to see where they’re going. Most, however, are likely to gather around the two L-shaped settees that are shaded under the fiberglass hardtop and served by a full wet bar with four stools. Something most visitors won’t notice is that the tables are on sliders so, even if you’re the innermost guest, you can get up without making everyone move—a thoughtful touch. The large whirlpool spa has one side wrapped by a varnished teak counter with stools for guests who choose to stay dry. Opposite is an outdoor galley with a Firemagic grill for alfresco dining.
Aft is the 17-foot AB tender, launched via a Quicklift davit. Once the tender is in the water, this huge area is more ballroom than boat deck. Set out an array of sun loungers, or have a cocktail party for 25 of your friends. The bridge is air-conditioned and, with a soft enclosure around the hardtop, is suitable for all-weather enjoyment.
Power for Cutting Edge is a pair of Caterpillar C32A diesels of 1800-hp each. A pair of 32kW Northern Light gensets provides plenty of power, and the yacht has a long list of equipment including HPS bow and stern thrusters, and Naiad zero-speed stabilizers.
It’s no surprise that Hargrave owners are repeat customers, because Mike Joyce and his team are creating beautiful yachts that are custom tailored to each owner. Well-built, beautifully designed and outfitted, each Hargrave is unique because, well, Joyce just can’t say no.
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 101′
Beam: 21′
Draft: 5′ 8″
Weight: 105 tons
Fuel/Water: 3000/600 U.S. gals.
Power: 2x 1600-hp Caterpillar C32A diesels
Cruise/Top speed: 16/24 knots
Range: 550 nm @13 knots
MSRP: call for price
CONTACT Hargrave Custom Yachts
1887 W. State Rd. 84
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
(954) 463-0555 hargravecustomyachts.com
— By Chris Caswell , Southern Boating January 2016
David Marlow’s newest and smallest Explorer offers an excellent platform for those whose cruising desires have no bounds.
As with the man, the yachts that bear his name have a tenacious quality to them. Even while sitting at the dock, with all her lines secured to cleats as the most gentle of urgings occasionally create a barely perceptible tug on them now and then, the Marlow 49E seems to be saying, “C’mon! Kick those engines over and let’s get out of here and go places!”
The smallest of any of the Marlow Yachts to slip down the ways at the factory near Xiamen, China, the 49E embodies all the qualities, heritage and horizon-chasing DNA of her larger sistership predecessors.
Roominess is a priority aboard with generous dimensions afforded at the lower helm—note the hand-crafted wheel—and casual dining area that doubles as a work space. Photo: jlambertphotos.com
Shoji-inspired overhead storage in the master stateroom reflects the Asian influence. Photo: jlambertphotos.com
The well-apointed salon is permeate with rich hardwoods the evoke an classic era of yacht building. Photo: jlambertphotos.com
The open galley is ideal for socializing yet can be closed off from the salon. Photo: jlambertphotos.com
That sturdy construction is a hallmark of the Marlow Explorer 49E series. Built to ISO, ABYC, Unrestricted Navigation, Lloyd’s, and Det Norske Veritas standards. Photo: jlambertphotos.com
Indeed, one step aboard confirms her well-built and sturdy construction. “Here, grab a hold,” said the resolute David Marlow, the man behind the brand, as he wrapped both hands around the shiny, stainless steel, transom railing and gave it a good push and tug. I followed his lead—there wasn’t the slightest give in the robust rail. A quick examination of its almost artistic crafting—the way its oval shape conformed to my hands and the almost non-existent weld seam—had already piqued my interest as to what else I would discover during my visit.
That sturdy construction is a hallmark of the Marlow Explorer series. Built to ISO, ABYC, Unrestricted Navigation, Lloyd’s, and Det Norske Veritas standards, the hull is Kevlar infused using vinylester resins and sandwiched with ATC Core Cell. Below the waterline, the 49E offers twin Velocijet strut keels for a more stable, steady ride and added protection for the running gear. Designed and handmade by Marlow workers, all doors close with authority. All the hardware, including every hinge and latch, is of superior quality. The proprietary, frameless, tempered and laminated windows are overbuilt, and there is absolutely no flexing of any decking or sole throughout. “You can’t put a price on quality,” said Marlow. “It is something that goes into each and every boat we build, without compromise.”
To attain that goal, Marlow and his crew set rigorous standards for everything aboard the 49E, and that includes the fine and exacting fit and finishes of all the woodwork with, for example, the grain on the rope locker matching that of the cap rail. In fact, looking at the way all the repetitive veneers line up and how my eye followed the pattern of the as-perfect-as-can-be valences in the main salon and the very impressive hand crafted wheel at the main deck’s helm station, I had to ask him how it was done. “We made the investment in our own mill and do not buy any finished lumber,” replied Marlow as he described how he and factory supervisor Michael Huang travel to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar to find just what they are looking for. “We had to pull those fallen logs, and only the best ones, out of the forest with elephants. It’s the only way to do it,” he said. “Imagine that, helping to build boats with elephants!”
Roominess is a priority aboard the 49E; after all, she is a boat built and designed to travel. Whether enjoying the ample space outdoors up on the Portuguese bridge, in the generous dimensions afforded the lower helm station, having an alfresco meal at the aft deck’s finely finished table, being topsides on the bridge deck, or traversing the boat’s wide walkways, you are going to find that these areas take full advantage of every inch of available space.
“Having to adapt all that we usually provide on our larger boats, especially in the living accommodations and engine room areas, was something we kept in mind when designing and planning the 49E,” he said. Whether you opt for either the two or three stateroom layout, you will find generous space is provided for both comfort and for extended time away from your home port and plenty of essential storage areas.
Attention to detail is evident in the little things such as those recessed interior handrails leading down to the staterooms; the distinctive overhead design found in the main salon; and the stainless steel engraved bell up on the bridge deck. It can also be seen in the thought given to the honeycombed and veneered granite tops for added weight saving as well as in the fuel fill stations located on both port and starboard sides with special catch basins for spill protection and readily accessible shut offs. It just reinforces the notion that if the right kind of attention is paid to a lot of little things, they add up to big ones. As far as her engine room goes, well, I’m a hands-on kind of guy and I found all the critical maintenance areas, including pumps, switches, equipment spaces, sea chest—and any other place I would need to access—to be free and clear, thus eliminating any knuckle-busting, elbow-slamming, head-jamming situations.
That aforementioned factory is also part of the Marlow success story, and one that can be seen not only in this build, but also in all the Marlow boats. When he first laid out the property, there was nothing there. Now, it’s a state-of-the-art, green facility whose prime directive is to manufacture the best product he and his staff can imagine. In fact, back in 2006, the plant was honored with a World Superyacht award for the dedication shown in protecting the environment. “For example,” he said, “we take the shavings from our lumber mill, put them in our oven and use the heat generated to provide warm water to the factory. In addition, the leftover ash is used to fertilize the surrounding land.”
It took four years to bring the 49E to fruition and by all indications, it was time well spent and worth waiting for. “It’s the pride of ownership that all of us here at Marlow have, from the designers and dreamers to the people on the line. It is what we put into the 49E and into each and every other vessel that bears our name, ” he shared.
In a boat this size, you can’t afford to miss a step. By all indications, the 49E, with its sturdy build, proven seaworthiness, redundant systems, and enormous capability to travel, will be seen in ports far and wide. Indeed, before Marlow stepped aside to entertain some prospective owners, he told me of a 49E now traveling to Australia via the North Atlantic route to Iceland and Greenland, then over to the Mediterranean for the winter. After that, the plan is to travel to the western coast of South America.
If a long-legged, extended trip is on your life’s bucket list—or even something not so lofty—you will want to give the Marlow 49E more than just a cursory look. It will be worth your while.
CONTACT Marlow Marine Sales
4204 13th Street Court West
Palmetto, FL 34221
(941) 729-3370 marlowyachts.com
SIDEBAR:
Ten Bucks for a Tin Canoe
“I had my first burgeoning boatbuilding business at the age of 13 or 14 when I was building canoes out of old tin from chicken barn roofs that had blown off during storms,” remarked David Marlow in a smooth baritone voice as he and I sat aboard the 49E. He smiled broadly, recalling his formative years, ones that would lead him to become the driving force behind Marlow Yachts.
“I guess I just had an eye for it,” he said of those early times, growing up on the west coast of Florida that became crucial to shaping his nautical career. Years later and firmly entrenched in the marine industry, he took note of the marine architecture of many designers including Donald Blount, Michael Peters and especially that of Doug Zurn.
Marlow’s vision of a no-nonsense, comfortable yacht design with the ability to provide outstanding creature comforts, dependable and redundant systems for extended time away from the dock, as well as excellent sea-keeping characteristics—all wrapped up in eye-pleasing, well-built packages—came to fruition when the first Marlow Explorer, the 65C, with marine architecture by Zurn, made her debut at the 2001 Miami International Boat Show.
The Bavaria Virtess 420 Coupe appeals to families—no matter what stage of life they’re in.
It has been said that there’s a boat for everyone and a person for every boat. For anyone who has attended boat shows and seen the varieties of boat designs, sizes and layouts, it’s not exactly a stretch of the imagination to realize that there are in fact, many boats that meet a buyer’s needs. Infrequently if ever, though, have I felt a boat could easily transition to the changing needs of families: couples become parents, babies become teens, and parents become couples again. As it turns out, the Bavaria 420 Virtess is an exception to that line of thinking.
As the company’s moniker suggests, Bavaria Yachts is based in Germany, and the factory-direct company has been building boats for nearly 40 years. Its product lines include both mono- and multi-hull sailboats, and two motoryacht lines. The Sport line offers sizes 29 to 45 feet, and the Virtess line—first launched in 2012—comes as both a 42′ Flybridge and 42′ Coupe. Bavaria has earned a reputation in Europe as one of the top-producing builders, but it wasn’t until the 2014 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show that they entered the U.S. market and introduced the Virtess 420—even without the U.S. introduction they’ve already built some 40 hulls. It was there that the Bavaria Virtess 420 Coupe—or more specifically, its swim platform, transitional cockpit furniture and rooftop sunpad—turned my head.
Dirk Boehmer, Bavaria Motor Yachts USA national sales director, welcomed me to its U.S. Sales and Service headquarters at Harbor Town Marina in Dania, Florida, just south of Fort Lauderdale. Additional factory direct sales offices are in Annapolis, Maryland; Mystic, Connecticut; Atlanta, Georgia; and San Diego, California.
The built-in stairway automatically extends when the swim platform is lowered.
The German-engineered Bavaria 420 Coupe has sexy Italian lines in its styling.
The retractable hardtop makes indoor dining an alfresco experience.
Enjoying drinks and snacks on the aft deck of the Bavaria 420 coupe.
An aerial view of the Bavaria Virtess 420 Coupe.
“Before you board, take a look at this,” Boehmer said while he lowered the swim platform into the water. I wasn’t sure why he was so enthralled with the hydraulically lowered swim platform since they’re not a new concept, but then I noticed the telescoping stairway extending automatically as the swim platform lowered. Now that is new, I thought, and at the same time I realized it makes every other builders’ standard swim ladder look so last decade, maybe even pre-millennium. Then Boehmer raised the platform back up, and the stairway neatly tucked into the platform deck. So clever, and so cool.
Another sensible option that goes hand-in-hand with that coolness is the movable cockpit furniture. Two loveseat-sized sofas and a table slide via channels in the deck for multiple arrangements and open up the cockpit area. When you’re at anchor and enjoying the water, slide the sofas around to face each other so that the entire back area is open to the water—and those playing in it.
Teenagers seeking personal space on board the 420 Coupe will undoubtedly climb the cockpit ladder and claim the rooftop sunpad, which you don’t see from the dock. Be careful of the ladder handhold—it’s a necessary safety feature but the sturdy rail protrudes a bit, and I bumped into it twice while moving around the cockpit. There’s another sunpad on the bow equally spacious for sunning or stargazing.
Inside the salon, a comfy settee and table for six is to starboard and directly across from the standard pop-up TV. There’s room for two at the helm, and headroom throughout is ample—even for Boehmer’s 6’4″ height there’s room to spare. Directly across from the helm, the galley to port offers built-in garbage containers, a double sink, microwave, cooktop, fridge, and a dedicated space for a serving tray with storage underneath. Teak is standard for the sole, although this particular model has DuraDeck synthetic teak inside and out, a robust, durable option for families.
German engineering is as evident below deck as it is above with efficiency of design and space utilization. A few steps forward and down from the salon, three cabins accommodate six comfortably—ideal for a family or three couples on a long cruising weekend. (Don’t forget that this is only a 42-foot boat.) The ensuite forward master with an island queen bed offers more than adequate storage, while the two guest cabins each have two twin berths—they can be combined for a full-size berth—and share the other head, which also serves as a dayhead and is accessed from the hallway.
One of the benefits of buying a boat from a factory-direct builder like Bavaria is that there are no dealer mark-ups added to the price. According to Boehmer, all of their models sized 36 feet and larger are extremely price competitive compared with other boats in the same class and size. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that while production efficiency has been scrutinized and maximized, any customization changes will reduce the cost savings and add to the price. Boehmer says that depending on requested changes, they may be accommodated at the factory but implemented after delivery in the U.S. All Bavaria Motor Yachts come with a full two-year warranty, whether sold in Europe—a compulsory requirement there—or in the U.S.
My sea trial out of the Dania Cut-Off Canal and past container ships being loaded at Port Everglades gave me time to explore the Virtess 420 Coupe’s conversation areas and imagine that if I was lucky, my sea trial might last a little longer than expected. The only thing that would make the day even better would be to have my whole family with me, and on this boat there would even be room for the cousins, too.
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 44′ 7″
Beam: 13′ 10″
Draft: 3′ 8″
Weight: 24,250 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 317/108 U.S. gals.
Power: 2x Volvo Penta IPS 600 diesels @ 435-hp each
Cruise/Top speed: 25/34 knots
Range: 250 nm @ cruise
MSRP: $763,291 as equipped; $630,563 base price (delivered to Fort Lauderdale and prepped)
The story behind the creation of Adventure Us II is a great illustration of Hargrave’s custom prowess and their dedication to clients. Perhaps most notable in the exterior is the yacht’s extended enclosed area on the upper deck—a variation from typical Hargrave Sky Lounge models—which was a request from the owners who wished for a large entertaining area to accommodate all family members, including children and grandchildren. The interior design received thorough input from the owners who had a true vision for their yacht. Throughout the years, Adventure Us II owners had compiled a binder with details of décor, furnishings, wall treatments, tiles and more, influenced by Art Deco, they envisioned for their vessel. The dining salon for example was designed around a glass etching from the 1920s of an elegant Parisian woman, which bright springtime tones of melon, lime and coral became the inspiration for the color pallet carried throughout the yacht. Hargrave craftsmen chose rich black walnut with gold leaf embellishments for the main salon to starboard and its walk-up bar. Forward of the main salon is the galley. With its sweetgum burl cabinetry the galley exudes glamour. Its starboard side also doubles as a side entrance to the staircase to the flybridge and guest area. The on-deck master suite allows for lots of natural light and has three large closets, including a walk-in closet, a hat, purse and accessories closet. The master bath boasts grey emperador marble and warm deep brown wood paneling, continuing with the Art Deco theme. The lower deck three guest staterooms were designed with certain family members in mind. The port stateroom has youthful colors of coral rose, peach and hot pink with three twin beds. The starboard stateroom has a full walk-around queen size bed with a more masculine tone of plaid rusts and honey. The captain and crew quarters are spacious and boast the same delicate finishes as the rest of the boat.
MJM launches the MJM 50z, its largest model yet with innovative spaces for more time aboard.
For five full years, Bob Johnstone, the legendary founder of MJM Yachts, didn’t want to build his new 50-footer. In fact, he didn’t want to build anything larger than the 40-footer he introduced in 2009. “I thought it was the perfect all-around boat,” he says. “Small enough to be easily managed solo, comfortable enough to live on for a month or more. Who needs a bigger boat?” Other people liked the 40-footer as well. In fact, Johnstone has sold 57 of them at more than $1 million each.
But then Johnstone and his wife, Mary (the Mary of Mary Johnstone’s Motorboat, or MJM), did even more cruising on their own 40 and thought that it would be nice to have more—and larger—private spaces on board for relaxing, reading and working (Johnstone uses the boat as his office). And the MJM 50z, which he calls “a more livable cruising boat,” was born.
View of below deck from the helm on the MJM 50z
the galley down shares space with a large settee and table, which converts to a double berth and can be enclosed for a private second stateroom
Entering the Salon/Galley arrangement on the MJM 50z
the forward master offers touches found in homes on land such as a private work area with a reading chair.
Conversation areas flow easily from helm to cockpit
The new MJM 50—officially a 50z for designer Doug Zurn—is more than just a larger 40z. The use of space both inside and out is innovative to say the least. The 50z also happens to be the lightest, fastest, most fuel-efficient, seaworthy (with an ISO Category A offshore certificate) and seakindly (with a standard Seakeeper gyro-stabilizer) in its size category. It’s also easy to maneuver, with Volvo’s IPS pod drives and joystick control, and its low profile means you won’t have to wait for a ton of bridges if your cruising plans call for the ICW.
All this didn’t happen by accident. Johnstone has believed in creating innovative, lightweight, high-performing hulls ever since he co-founded J/Boats with his brother, Rod, in 1977. The Johnstones have sold more than 11,000 J/Boats since then. When he wanted to make what he called the ultimate powerboat in 2002, Johnstone formed MJM and teamed up with Zurn, definitely a kindred spirit. Zurn had already designed the 38-foot Shelter Island Runabout, a long, low, narrow, head-turning performer for Billy Joel that caught Johnstone’s fancy. To build his new boat, Johnstone turned to Mark Lindsay of Boston BoatWorks, who had more than 30 years experience building high-tech offshore racing sailboats. Boston BoatWorks uses a proprietary epoxy composite pre-preg, oven-cured, vacuum-molding system to create light, strong and stiff boats. Within a year, MJM launched its first boat, the 34z. The line also now includes the 29z, 36z, 40z, and the new 50z.
I’ve known Zurn since his Billy Joel days, and he walked me through the MJM 50z in Miami. Zurn designed the standard 50z with two 435-hp Volvo D6 diesels and IPS 600 pod drives that produce a top speed of 33.8 knots. But Johnstone wanted to offer a faster boat, so this one has a third engine and pod. The results are spectacular. Top speed with triples jumped to 40.3 knots. The surprise was the 50z with three engines burns less fuel than the same boat with two.
Zurn says the efficiency comes from the boat’s light weight and narrow beam. The slender, deep-V hull—the transom has a 19-degree deadrise—slices through the waves while the chine flats direct water outward. It’s a long, low boat with exceptionally clean, timeless lines, a touch of Carolina flair forward, and a gentle rise and fall of the sheer.
Below, the interior is light and, despite the narrow beam, open and spacious. The master stateroom forward, with classic Herreshoff panels on the walls, has standing headroom even for me at nearly 6′ 2″. The island berth is a full 7 feet across at the head and 6′ 6″ long, with four storage cabinets underneath—there’s also storage under the sole to hold full-size luggage. But the real appeal is a combination desk and dressing table to port, with an inviting big, plush reading chair. Instead of just a sleeping area, the master also can serve as a private working or relaxing space during the day. The master head to port is large and bright with a shower (complete with seat) behind a glass door. A matching head is across on the starboard side; it serves as a day head or as an ensuite if the boat is configured for a second stateroom.
Johnstone calls the galley and salon area in the middle of the boat a “great cabin” to accentuate its spaciousness. The galley to port is well equipped for weeks or even months of living on board, with tons of storage, including four large lockers under the teak-and-holly sole—it’s covered with clear gloss Awlgrip for easy maintenance. On starboard, an L-shaped settee faces a table that can be lowered to create a double berth at night. The innovation here is the ability to convert this area into an enclosed, private second cabin. Three wooden side panels weighing 12 pounds each can be stored upright in a pocket in the forward bulkhead. When deployed, the panels lock together and fit into anchors in the sole and a recessed channel overhead creating a totally enclosed second stateroom. Johnstone says this assembly takes about 10 minutes.
Moving aft, two unusually wide teak stairs lead up to the bridge deck and cockpit, which are all on the same level. The bridge deck is protected by a fixed overhead and Strataglass side panels; more panels can be dropped aft to enclose the bridge deck fully. Sight lines in all directions are excellent. The captain has a doublewide Stidd seat; the navigator has another Stidd seat to port. Dual 15-inch Raymarine plotter screens are centered at the helm; a Volvo EVC display is on the right.
What’s unusual here is that the bridge deck also serves as an extra social and sleeping area. A U-shaped settee aft of the captain’s seat faces a telescoping table; this can convert to a large double berth. On the port side, a straight settee converts to a single. A large hatch on the bridge deck opens to four teak steps down to the standard Seakeeper 9 gyro-stabilizer that’s mounted on a special structural grid.
An optional Bimini can cover the boat’s exterior social area, the cockpit. A wet bar and fridge are on the port side, while a two-person, aft-facing settee is to starboard. You climb on and off the boat here via doors on either side, plus a transom door in the stern quarter leads to the gently curved swim platform. A large bench seat all the way aft can hold five and faces a beautiful, teak table mounted on two fixed stainless steel pedestals. Two large hatches open in the cockpit for easy access to the engines and the standard Northern Lights 9kW genset.
Johnstone says the next version of the 50z, an express model, will have more of a glass-enclosed bridge deck. After that? For now, he won’t say. But if there is another MJM beyond the 50z, you can bet it will be fast, fuel-efficient and have lots of livable space for easy cruising.
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 55′ 3″ Beam: 15′ 0″ Draft: 2′ 11″ with twin IPS; 3′ 10″ with triple IPS Weight: 35,850 lbs. Fuel/Water: 520/170 gals. Standard Power: 2x (or optional 3x) 435-hp Volvo Penta IPS 600 pod drives Cruise/Top speed: 25/33.8 knots twin Volvos; 35/40.3 knots triple Volvos MSRP: $1,750,000 for twins; $1,910,000 for triples
