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.
Queensland, Australia, builder Maritimo is looking to take over the world. Its global expansion strategy, of course, includes the U.S., and to that end, they will show three new models at FLIBS. The brand new X50 sports coupe (52’ 7” LOA, 14’ 11” beam) continues the success of big sister X60 with an innovative aft cabin that opens directly onto the swim platform. The hull coming to Fort Lauderdale uses the space as a beach club with ensuite, but it also could be configured as a twin stateroom or tender garage. The other two U.S. premieres are from the M series of fully enclosed flybridges. The models on display, the M51 and M59, have been extensively restyled inside and out. maritimo.com.au
Princess will be out in full force in Fort Lauderdale with 14 models on display but just one is brand new to the North American market, the F45 (47’ 1” LOA, 13’ 11” beam). In the F Class of flybridge yachts, the F45 boasts an extended top deck with helm, a large dining area and extra seating that converts to a sun lounger. More alfresco living space is found a deck below with a unique feature: The L-shaped seating around the folding teak table is on an electric sliding mechanism that extends the cockpit space. Accommodations in two ensuite cabins are generous as well, including a full-beam owner’s suite. Four other Princesses will be making their show debuts: the sport yachts V50, V60, and V78, and the larger motoryacht Y85. princessyachtsamerica.com
One can’t deny that the Italians do boating with a certain enviable style. Case in point: Ferretti’s new 720 (73’ 2” LOA, 18’ 5” beam) makes its world debut in Fort Lauderdale and has villa-like appeal with huge windows surrounding the open plan main deck and flanking the full-beam master below. The foredeck is for sunning while the flybridge has 325 square feet of entertainment space, much of it under the shelter of a hard top that comes in three versions: fixed window, built-in-bimini, or adjustable louvers. Aft, a wide swim platform holds a tender of up to 13 feet or chaise lounges when it’s launched. The first hull will include twin MAN V12 engines for a 32-knot top speed and 28-knot cruise. www.ferretti-yachts.com
Marlow spared no effort or expense in building its largest yacht ever, Ice, the first Marlow Voyager 100 (100’ 5” LOA, 22’ 6” beam). Built of Kevlar and carbon fiber using Marlow’s proprietary Full Stack Infusion process, the hull is as strong as they come. Specifications are top of the line, such as cupronickel piping, custom climate control, and systems like waste heat recovery and tender refueling. There are even backups to the backups for all essential systems. The engine room is expansive with eight-foot headroom to allow full access to the Baudouin engines, chosen for their access to key internal components that would normally require the engine to be removed. Topping out at 22 knots and capable of 2,900 nm at 10 knots, they also deliver the quietest operation Marlow has witnessed in all their years. marlowyachts.com
When it comes to yachts under 100 feet, cold-molded boats are the last vestige of true custom boatbuilding. Take Privateer, for instance, a 67-foot (18’ 2” beam) sport yacht from Jarrett Bay. While built for fishing, it defies all traditional sportfisherman design cues with a trunk cabin, an interior helm station, and no bridge. These were all owner requests. Full headroom below was an important consideration for the tall client, thus the trunk cabin. The engine room also is exceptionally capacious. For backing down on fish, instead of tower controls, there’s a pop-up helm station on the mezzanine. A rocket launcher replaces the fighting chair, an integrated swim platform eases the launching a kayak, and a plethora of other details gives the owner a one-of-a-kind boat. jarrettbay.com
For its newest debut, Cruisers has mixed it up. The 38 GLS (38’ LOA, 12’ 6” beam) is a hybrid of sorts, melding a bow rider, outboard propulsion, and a luxury cruiser befitting the Cantius line. Although the swim platform is now crowded with three 300-hp Mercury Verados (allowing for 53-mph speeds), Cruisers has a clever solution—a slice of the bulwark lowers on the starboard side to create a beach platform that extends almost four feet over the water. The open-plan cockpit is designed for entertaining with a bow lounge with optional shade cover, bar, two midship dinettes and an opening sunroof. For extra shade aft, a SureShade retractable awning is an option. cruisersyachts.com
Vicem Yachts’ new 67 Cruiser (70’ LOA, 18’ 1” beam), poised for a world debut in Fort Lauderdale, isn’t reinventing the wheel. Designed for extended voyages at sea, it is built using an age-old construction technique and has a traditional profile and classic interior—and it’s all wonderfully nautical. The strong, yet lightweight hull is constructed of cold-molded mahogany using West System epoxy. The interior is finished with impeccable craftsmanship featuring Vicem’s signature book-matched veneers. Belowdecks are two king-berth master suites and a double guest cabin, plus separate quarters for two crew aft. The long flybridge offers plenty of alfresco space up top and effectively shades the main aft deck. Twin 600-hp Volvo Penta D8 diesels using conventional shaft drives allow for a 16-knot cruise and a 20-knot top speed. vicemyachts.com
Absolute’s Navetta 68 (67’ 4” LOA, 18’ 5” beam) certainly lives up to its name—loosely translated as “little ship” in Italian. Infused with Italian style, the main deck flows seamlessly from the wheelhouse through the salon and galley to the cockpit with retractable windows that open each area up to the next. The lower deck stands out for what could be considered dual master staterooms, a surprisingly spacious master forward and an amidships VIP that rivals it for size. Two more twin cabins complete the accommodations with the bonus of a sliding berth in the port cabin that forms a double bed if needed. Outdoors is a hydraulic swim platform aft and a substantial lounge on the foredeck, topped by a good-size flybridge—lot of boat for her 67-foot frame. absoluteyachts.com
Unveiled last year under Cheoy Lee’s new division CL Yachts, the CLB 72 (76’ 11” LOA, 19’ 10” beam) has proven successful with two hulls sold so far in 2019. CL Yachts returns to the show this year with Hull No. 4 dressed in a fresh interior look with different colors, finishes, textiles, stones, and countertops. Targeting a new generation of younger buyers, the CLB 72 is on trend with the largest windows that the RINA classification would certify and makes driving easy with joystick-controlled Volvo Penta drives. The show also gives a sneak peek at the next step up in the range; a model of the CLB 88 will be on display as the yacht nears completion for a FLIBS 2020 debut. clyachts.com
You’ll need to step aboard the Horizon FD77 to get a real feel for her size.
It was hot, like only a South Florida boat show can be. To dodge the unrelenting sun and crowded docks, I took cover inside the beach club of the new Horizon FD77. Settling into the corner sofa and looking out, I immediately understood why these spaces have become so popular in recent years. Being by the water’s edge was an instant revitalization. That was just the beginning. This was a yacht, I would soon learn, that you have to experience to truly grasp what the Fast Displacement (FD) series is all about.
Beamy Does It
Introduced three years ago with the FD85, the series has taken off. “But you need to get on board and touch and feel it,” says Elise Moffitt, Horizon’s U.S. marketing director. It’s a new concept, not only for Horizon but also for the industry.”
Lounge in comfort on the forward deck.
“New concept” translates to an unconventional look. Dutch designer Cor D. Rover, working with Horizon, approached the series’ design from the inside out, he says, beginning with the question of how far forward they could push the on-deck owner’s cabin and have it look acceptable. As a result, the 80-foot yacht carries a 23-foot beam, extremely wide for the length, which gives it a bit of a chunky look that takes some getting used to, but is a design that grows on you.
Size Matters
From the inside though, it is unquestionably spectacular. In the immense main salon, flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the side decks, the combination of glass, space, and volume is irresistible. The décor amplifies the light, airy feeling. “The layout is so open; we wanted the design to capitalize on that. We didn’t want to bring any heaviness into it,” says Moffitt about this Hull No. 1, which was built on spec for the American market.
It doesn’t get much more light-filled than the FD77’s main salon.
Horizon’s in-house team employed light American oak with accents of high-gloss walnut throughout, Carrara marble in the heads, Cambria quartz in the galley, and bright, white lacquer panels overhead. The floating staircase to the flybridge is enclosed in glass and, unusually, so is the ensuite in the on-deck master. At the stateroom’s entrance, there is a wall of clear glass to port, as a solid wall would have felt confining opposite the walk-in closet to starboard. Want some privacy? Flip a switch and the Polyvision glass instantly frosts over.
In addition to the décor choices, the salon also feels open because there is no dining table eating up space. “Most of our clients are getting away from doing formal interior dining; they tell us they may only do it once a month,” says Moffitt. Instead, there is a breakfast bar looking into the galley (which can be closed with privacy glass if needed), while the aft deck includes a 10-seat table that can be re-situated mid-deck as a full walkaround with more chairs.
Endlessly Customizable
Of course, that is just the layout of this hull; Horizon is incredibly accommodating when it comes to customization. “We can do so many different things on this boat,” says Moffitt. For instance, the beach club could be a tender garage, or it could be smaller if more storage or larger crew quarters were needed. This hull has an open bridge, but it could be enclosed, encompassing a skylounge as well. Want a country kitchen instead of an on-deck master? One FD owner chose that. “This series retains all the flexibility we have with our other series and people can really put their mark on the boat,” she adds.
A spacious aft deck is perfect for entertaining.
That’s how the FD87 was born, from an owner’s particular vision for the 85 that evolved into a whole new model. His legacy is seen on the FD77 in what Horizon calls “bump-outs,” overhangs on either side of the bridge with plug-ins for remotes that give the skipper excellent sightlines when docking. “Our owners have great ideas, and we like to incorporate them into other boats,” says Moffitt.
Storage was another consideration because the full-height salon windows give a true uninterrupted view not blocked by cabinetry. “We’re always coming up with creative solutions; it’s really important, says Moffitt. For instance, a 55-inch television folds down from the overhead, which frees up one of the aft cabinets for storage. A freestanding cabinet that runs along the back of the L-shaped sofa athwartships and behind the breakfast bars’ artistic mirror finish is additional storage. with Bahamas-bound clients in mind, Horizon ensured the galley was loaded with extra refrigeration, freezer, and pantry space.
More Space than Ever, More Speed than Ever
Although the 77’s beam is just three inches less than the 85 and 87, it’s a completely new hull, the product of five years of discussions with naval architect Donald Blount and tank testing. “People wonder why it is the same beam,” explains Moffitt. It’s just the evolution of the design; if we know we can get you 23 feet, why settle for 21 or 22?”
Enjoy stunning vista while you dine.
This is no ordinary motoryacht hull. The fast displacement design delivers lower resistance over a range of speeds, but there’s more to it. Rover and Horizon’s engineers developed a unique High-Performance Piercing Bow, a submerged protrusion with a sharp entry forward of the hull that lengthens the waterline. It cuts through underwater currents and dampens pitching to improve efficiency and comfort at slower speeds and performance at higher speeds.
In fact, the Horizon FD77 can reach 18 knots yet still has the amenities of a displacement hull, a true best-of-both-worlds scenario. So while the FD77 initially catches the eye for its beamy, bright interior, the performance becomes the real wow factor when clients learn what is going on below the waterline.
The series has struck a note globally with owners looking to get more from a smaller LOA. “When we introduced the FD87, I jokingly said that she is the smallest 150-footer we have ever designed, offering the same content mostly found around 150 feet, like five staterooms, including an on-deck master, a skylounge, a salon with floor-to-ceiling glass as well as a serious beach club,” says Rover. “For the FD77, the joke still counts; I would say she’s the smallest 140-footer we’ve done, but this one doesn’t need any crew.”
Make it Yours
With 139 gross tons of volume, it’s a lot of boat for an owner-operator though. Hull No. 1 includes a crew cabin with two sets of bunks between the beach club and engine room. These could be configured in any number of ways to suit an owner’s experience level. For example, if a crew couple assisted the owner, there could be a queen berth here instead, or if more crew space was needed, the quarters could take the place of the beach club. A true owner-operator could send the grandkids back there, making it the fifth guest stateroom.
A gorgeous master stateroom and head are fit for the most discerning of owners.
For anyone on the fence, Horizon has solved the “crew or no-crew” dilemma with an intriguing upcoming addition to the FD series. In development is the FD70 with all the views, volume, and performance in an easier-to-handle package. Like the FD77, I’m sure you’ll have to see it to believe it.
Cruisers Yachts 46 Cantius is filled with family-friendly amenities.
The new Cruisers Yachts 46 Cantius was at the end of the inside dock at Lauderdale Marina in Fort Lauderdale, facing the side of a 100-foot yacht just across the channel that left about a 20-foot width for boats to get in and out. It would be artistry to maneuver the 46-foot Cantius out from its space and into the Intracoastal. But with eyes on the bow and the stern and a “slow is pro” approach—and a fender on the rail just in case—the Volvo Penta D6-IPS600 engines with individually steerable pods made the twist out of the berth possible with about two feet to spare—and without the need of the fender.
It Starts With Power
The luxury of the 46 Cantius is more enjoyable knowing the engines are extremely efficient with up to 30 percent reduced fuel consumption for a longer cruising range and less carbon dioxide emissions, quiet, and easy to maneuver through the electronic vessel control system that monitors and connects the entire propulsion system. The central command station is to starboard and displays digital controls, including joystick docking, throttle and steering wheel control, and integrated glass touchscreens that show the system’s vital signs. “Volvo Penta partners with Garmin, so it’s a glass helm,” says Matt VanGrunsven, director of marketing for KCS International. “From your propellers to your steering to your autopilot to your chartplotter/radar, it’s all a Volvo Penta product. Volvo is the only diesel propulsion product we offer.”
A view from the central command station inside the Cantius 46!
The helm is simple and organized with a comfortable bolster helm chair and large front and side windows as well as sliding doors aft that provides 360-degree visibility. The boat isn’t operable remotely through digital switching, so manual switches are clearly labeled on the helm’s desktop, while the throttle and joystick are along the right armrest. A nice feature on the left side of the desktop is a cell phone charging pad (there’s also one aft) that keeps the phone charged and close by.
The 46 Cantius didn’t show any faults cruising at 32 mph—no squeaks or rattles. The hull is a new design for speed and stability, although a mount is built into the huge engine room for an optional Seakeeper stabilizer. There’s plenty of room to service the engines, and a generator and air conditioning are standard.
Comfort Below
To the left of the helm, a short stairway leads to accommodations below. The VIP cabin forward features a full-size island berth with generous storage underneath. A long shelf and cozy seating line the outer hull shape with large windows on each side to illuminate the room in natural light. The head is accessible from the cabin as well as from the passageway.
One of the main features that makes this yacht stand out is the midship, full-beam master suite. For a yacht this size, the suite’s smart design and clean lines with a walnut finish provide a comfortable, warm, spacious area with a port-side lounge, ample drawers and counter space to starboard, plenty of storage, a combination washer/dryer in its own closet, and an ensuite head with a separate glass shower stall, a vessel sink, and designer fixtures.
Feel at home in the spacious master suite.
Room Above
On the main deck, it’s the sliding glass doors between the salon and the cockpit that really expand the space, especially for entertaining. Built with three sections, the center can open separately or the starboard and center sections can slide to port to create a large living area inside and out. Forward, a step-up salon features an L-shaped dinette that comfortably seats four (and can convert into a bunk if necessary) and offers breathtaking views. The raised area also allows for the extra headroom in the master suite. Just aft is a fully equipped galley with a dual burner cooktop, stainless sink, microwave below the counter, and plenty of cupboard space. Opposite the galley, the entertainment center with a large TV, audio and lighting controls, and a stainless steel refrigerator/freezer underneath probably resembles the living room at home.
Large front and side windows offer exceptional views from the main deck.
A starboard-side lounge completes the interior seating. The upholstery is a sail-white, ultra-leather material wrapped around a foam cushion that is specifically designed not to absorb or hold water. It has a synthetic backing instead of plywood to prevent mold and rotting. The Amtico flooring is a thin, lightweight, durable product that doesn’t absorb moisture and won’t damage even if a knife is dropped. There is an option for the owner to choose custom colors, but currently, a light charcoal or walnut finish are the themes.
The cockpit has plenty of entertainment space due to the positioning of the grill on the transom. There’s ample seating for alfresco dining and abundant storage under the seats. The transom is barbecue central with a refrigerator and a wide, full-beam swim deck. A large storage locker next to the grill holds all dockside connections, and an integrated, port-side swim ladder with protective cover is attached to the submersible aft section of the deck.
A day boat, a coastal cruiser, or a weekender, the 46 Cantius has all the amenities for family comfort and entertaining. “The 45 was a great family boat and the top seller, so Cruisers had a high mark to overcome…. The 46 has brought it to the next level,” says Jeff Eldon, of Silver Seas Yachts in Fort Lauderdale. “The mid-cabin master, opening the salon up and having it on one level, and the ability to have it stabilized makes this the perfect family boat.”
Cheoy Lee launches a new breed of yachts, and it begins with the CLA 76f.
The “old dog, new tricks” cliché doesn’t apply to Cheoy Lee. For nearly 150 years, they have been building supremely seaworthy vessels, but steady does not mean staid. This old builder has some new tricks. “Cheoy Lee has been around forever,” acknowledges Panu Virtanen, vice president of the North America office. “But there are new buyers now, a younger crowd that looks at boating differently.” So the venerable Hong Kong shipyard has launched a new division called CL Yachts to reach this next generation for whom “boating needs to be fun and effortless,” says Virtanen. The CLA 76f is one of the first embodiments of this philosophy.
Big Changes
A successor to the Cheoy Lee Alpha 76, it features the same Michael Peters hull, but above the waterline, everything has changed. This is no evolved model. It’s a whole new yacht. Step into the main salon and one of the tenets of the CL Yachts brand is readily apparent—the design is on trend. The light, bright, open-plan main deck has 360-degree views through extra-large windows.
Intan Nioridwan of Singapore-based Atolla Design says he strived for a clean, simple style. “We used a combination of wood and good quality leather to let people experience the feeling of high-end warmth and relaxation.” Glossy, medium-toned walnut complements the creamy upholstery, carpet and Majilite overheads that feature decorative bands of stainless steel. These strips are part of the plan. “The design has horizontal aspects to widen the area everywhere, like wood grain, granite and marble patterns, even headboards,” says Nioridwan.
The lounging and dining space is generous thanks to an arrangement that places the galley, lavished in “Silver River” granite, next to the helm all the way forward. It is raised so chefs are not only part of the main deck action but also preside over it. Undercounter Sub-Zero drawers hold refrigerated and frozen items rather than upright appliances to keep the all-around view.
The main salon provides sweeping views.
The Master Stateroom is built for a King or a Queen.
The best part? A private beach club.
Crewed or owner-operators would be hard-pressed to find fault at the helm.
The modern interior is spacious and light-filled.
Experience Shows
The advantages of 150 years of shipbuilding experience show in the operation’s second precept: user-friendliness. It’s all done properly, with wide side decks and a foredeck laid out for easy line handling. A ZF remote control with a 25-foot lead plugs into the port side of the flybridge or starboard on the main aft deck for docking.
If you’re more of a stay-out-of-the-way, fair-weather boater, you can find your user-friendliness in the convenient wine cooler next to the interior dining, or the propane barbecue up top or read all the A/V electronics mounted on racks in a salon cabinet that slide out for easy access. Above all, boating must be comfortable for the young clients in CL Yachts’ sights. Motion control is a major factor.
A Seakeeper gyrostabilizer and Zipwake active interceptors hold the CLA 76f steady from the anchorage to high speeds. Interior comforts include an ensuite for each of the four staterooms whose shower stalls are impressively sized. The amidships master stateroom commands the full beam and by placing the bed athwartships to starboard, it has an incredible amount of floor space.
Exterior comforts are found at a very pleasant foredeck lounge with seating and sunpad as well as up on the flybridge with dining and wet bar under a hardtop with an opening sunroof. Both of these areas can also escape the sun by a sunshade that attaches to lightweight carbon fiber poles.
Engine Room
The engine room is a true revelation for a yacht of this size. The two Caterpillar C18s appear petite within the capacious room, leaving loads of space so everything is accessible and serviceable. As Virtanen puts it, you feel like you’re on a little ship in here. Cheoy Lee has always sourced all major equipment and components in the U.S., so servicing and locating spares on this side of the world is straightforward.
The old Alpha had a tender garage; the new CLA 76f has a crew cabin for one instead—a nicely finished mini apartment with a microwave, refrigerator and good-sized head. The tender mounts on the swim platform which integrates a two-stage lift by TNT. In addition to flush, it drops below the waterline to ease swimmers into the water or to load the tender, which can be driven right up on it. Underway, it is raised; the extra height offers safe clearance in a following sea.
Each model line from CL Yachts is a unique concept with different architects, designers and, in the case of the first two models, propulsion types. What ties together the brand is the structural integrity of the builds, says Virtanen. The resin-infused composite hull couples with a foam-cored monocoque structure. Careful engineering and extensive use of carbon fiber provides a light but strong structure so the boats operate more efficiently.
For the CLA 76f, this means a 29-knot top speed. That’s the advertised max at least. During a sea trial off Port Everglades in one- to two-foot seas, she reached 30.7 knots with 82 percent water and 27 percent fuel. Consumption at 9.6 knots was a total of just 13 gallons an hour between both engines.
This is only the beginning for CL Yachts. After debuting the CLA 76f and CLB 72 last fall, it began work on the fleet’s third model: the ultra-spacious CLB 88 which will premiere in Miami next February. Something completely different will come after that—a 95-foot next-generation explorer.
“This is what CL Yachts is all about,” says Virtanen, “all new designers, all new vision, from one of the oldest builders in the world.”
By Kate Lardy, Southern Boating May 2019
ABOUT THE CLB 72
At the debut of CL Yachts’ other new model, everyone touring the CLB 72 had the same question for Panu Virtanen: “Can I take this cheese knife on display here and cut the counter?” This seeming destructive streak among boat show attendees was really just curiosity.
The galley is covered in opaque black Fenix NTM, which uses nanotechnology to heal itself thermally of accidental light scratches. It’s one of several innovative materials used thanks to the fresh perspective of Carmen Lau, an up-and-coming Hong Kong designer.
She chose the dark galley finish as a focal point and contrast to the light-hued main deck that features the largest windows classification society RINA would allow. Another spot that highlights her creativity is the master, which she arranged to show off huge hull windows and created an etched glass feature wall between the stateroom and head that frosts at the press of a button.
Howard Apollonio took a similarly fresh look at the hull design and started from scratch to optimize it for Volvo IPS1350 engines. In keeping with CL Yachts’ ethos of fun, easy boating, the joystick-controlled drives negate the need for thrusters, so there is no need to worry about hydraulics. House power is simplified too; a Decision-Maker 3500 Auto Parallel system senses the load automatically to transfer or share it between two 24kW Kohler gensets.
This first hull is under contract and two more are sold, but Lau is working with CL Yachts on two further spec builds. It will be interesting to see what she comes up with next.
Grand Banks offers its new GB60SL with an enclosed flybridge for maximum cruising comfort.
Lighter and stronger. Faster and more fuel efficient. Today, nowhere are these key pillars of contemporary boatbuilding more evident than in the new Grand Banks 60 Skylounge. The GB60SL follows closely on the heels of the first of the new Grand Banks 60 series—an
open flybridge that debuted in 2017—and is based on the same proven hull. (An aft cabin model is on the boards and available as well.)
“The new Grand Banks 60 is taking Grand Banks in a whole new direction in terms of appearance, performance and construction techniques,” says Grand Banks Yachts CEO
Mark Richards, who came to the company with its acquisition of his well-regarded Palm Beach Yachts brand.
For Grand Banks and Palm Beach designs, it’s all about reduced weight plus additional strength, which results in outstanding running and fuel performance efficiencies. The
new Grand Banks 60 was the first collaborative effort between the design teams of both brands, and it resulted in an all-around better performing yacht with a fresh appearance.
It ain’t your daddy’s Grand Banks…
The new GB60SL differs dramatically from the large Grand Banks yachts of the 1990s, like the 58 Classic, a heavily built (100,000 lbs.), 11- to 12-knot boat meant to cruise at 8 knots to achieve a 1,400-nm cruising range. That was then. But when the advances of leading-edge materials and contemporary boatbuilding methods are fused with the traditional luxury and accommodations of a Grand Banks, the resulting yacht excels in both expected and unexpected ways.
Welcome to now. The deck and superstructure of the GB60SL are fully cored, with PVC foam core and Corecell in areas of specific application, sandwiched between skins of stitched, multiaxial carbon fiber, bonded with infused vinylester and epoxy resins, and supported by infused composite panels to create a robust grid system.
“The new GB60SL structure is fifty percent carbon fiber but from the rub rail up. We don’t use carbon fiber in the hulls, which is due to Mark’s desire to keep some weight lower,”
says Grand Banks Yachts Global Marketing Director George Sass. By keeping the majority of hull structure weight and major machinery and tankage low, the GB60SL designers
have optimized the center of gravity to better control handling underway across a wide band of conditions.
Power Up
Standard power is twin 900-hp Volvo Penta D13 diesels (or an optional pair of 1,000-hp Volvo Penta D13 diesels) turning shaft drives or a brace of optional 900-hp IPS 1200s.
Depending on the engines selected, the GB60SL is capable of 36-knot top speeds and cruising ranges of approximately 1,100 nm at 21 knots or 2,500 nm at 10 knots.
Optimal control was not overlooked. The fuel-efficient twin 900-hp Volvo Penta D13s are mated to Twin Disc MGX 5095A QuickShift marine transmissions. Twin Disc EC300 Power
Commander Electronic Controls and Twin Disc Express Joysticks control not only the main propulsion straight shaft drivetrains, but also the Twin Disc BP300 bow and (optional) stern thrusters, and they combine to give the helmsman fingertip control at low speeds
for precise maneuvering capabilities around crowded docks or tightly packed slips as well
as instant throttle response in open waters.
A touch on the Express Positioning button engages the system to automatically hold the
GB60SL in the desired, GPS-located position and heading. This feature is a definite benefit
when waiting for a bridge in tricky winds and currents or when shorthanded and necessary for the helmsman to leave the helm momentarily to tend to lines and fenders.
The GB60SL is a large, comfortable yacht that can be owned and operated by a knowledgeable cruising couple. The width and interior volume makes extended stays practical for owners and their family members or guests, and its design is capable of exploring waters not often frequented by other 65-footers with deeper drafts.
Fly or Sky?
There are some interesting comparisons to note between the flybridge and the skylounge models. Both have three large staterooms and two full-size heads, fitted and finished with Grand Banks’ hallmark craftsmanship and style. Guests overnight in the spacious forward VIP stateroom and enjoy accommodations usually reserved for owners. The master stateroom is located amidships to port with ensuite head. To starboard is the second
head and single cabin with another cabin aft amidships separated from the engine room by a full-beam utility room. It’s on the main deck level where changes get interesting.
“The lower helm station is eliminated on the Skylounge version of the GB60, bringing the galley forward with added storage and transforming the larger salon seating into two
sitting areas with facing settees to starboard, essentially creating separate relaxing and dining areas,” says Sass. Large windows bathe the main salon and the large, U-shaped galley with an abundance of natural light and clear views all around, perfect for family and friends to relax.
Interior Delights
The galley is shaped well for use underway, but its real appeal has a lot to do with the large-area Silestone counters. An electric induction cooktop is standard as is a single-drawer dishwasher, large single bowl Franke stainless steel sink with designer faucet, a microwave/convection oven, and two refrigerators plus a freezer from Isotherm. Hand-selected and finished Burmese teak hardwoods and veneers add golden warmth to every interior detail. A teak and stainless interior stairway to starboard opposite the galley
leads up to the enclosed skylounge, and its see-through design adds appeal to the contemporary open plan of the salon.
For those who wonder if a skylounge-style flybridge is right for them, consider that it’s a comfortable place from which to operate the boat in temperatures hot or cold, it’s well
protected from high winds and intense sunlight, and it offers twin Stidd helm seats with a magnificent view of the waters all around for safety.
Window Down
On temperate days, the two side windows as well as the window in the aft bulkhead open or close at the touch of a button and along with two overhead hatches, provide abundant natural ventilation. The designers included an enclosed dayhead to starboard for convenience as well as an L-shaped settee to port that can serve as a berth for the off watch on overnight runs. For those who want to take in a bit of sun, there is outdoor seating on the boat deck, on which Grand Banks furnishes a Steelhead ES1000 Davit plus an AB Alumina 12 ALX RIB with a 30-hp Yamaha outboard.
Grand Banks also offers a full suite of Garmin electronics as an option, including a pair of 8617 MFDs, an autopilot, the GMR Fantom 4 open-array radar, AIS 600, and much more. For those who want to run offshore in stable comfort, a Seakeeper SK9 or Sidepower Vector Fins is available.
To my eye, it is evident that Grand Banks is delivering a design that hearkens back to the days when balance and proportion were prerequisites for a desirable yacht that would be visually pleasing over decades. With a large and well-protected enclosed flybridge, an extended boat deck that helps shelter the aft deck from the elements, and wide side decks with high bulwarks and handholds, the GB60SL is obviously a well-thought-out ocean-going yacht.
What do you do with a line of yachts that have been in production for more than 19 years and has proven to be a success for just as long?
If you’re David Marlow, you re-sharpen your pencil, make improvements in some standard (and not-so-standard) places and reintroduce it to the masses. He has done just that with the new Marlow Yachts 70E Mk2.
It is said that beauty is only skin deep, but an in-depth look proves that beauty takes different forms and runs deep throughout this yacht.
Interior Space
Marlow’s initiative to add more interior space and utilize it without sacrificing exterior deck size is simple, yet ingenious. For example, the access staircase from the forward main deck to the lower accommodations was moved to the port side (typically found on the starboard reaches), which allows access from the lower deck to the flybridge to stay along one side without having to cross through the galley area.
The side build-outs behind the salon seating are narrower due to the adjustment of the intake/exhaust airflow from the engine room. Instead of vents running along the side of the house, adjacent within the salon walls, Marlow turned them 90 degrees to create vertical plenums and positioned them in the aft corners behind the curio cabinets. The move freed up space behind and under the salon furniture that increased the usable space and footprint within the salon without changing the dimensions.
Now, there’s more space to move about the salon, and one would never guess the vent piping is there. In addition, the exterior vent blades have been designed to maximize air input yet minimize rain and moisture intrusion. The salon is decked out with a starboard-side sofa, twin port-side chairs and a high-gloss teak coffee table with drawers built into the base.
The Galley
A gleaming and spacious kitchen will impress chefs and guests alike.
The pencil was surely sharpened a few times with the redesign of the country kitchen. Sure, it still contains an oversized dinette seating area and remarkable counter space, but it’s been flipped. Instead of a dinette/table forward next to the lower helm with the galley aft, the galley is now forward with the dinette placed behind it. Marlow’s bold thought process for this significant design, change is to give those tending to the meals and galley duties a panoramic view as they work.
A departure from so many yachts that have galleys midship to accommodate feeding from a central location, this update actually keeps the work area segregated from the other social places on board yet serves perfectly as its own socializing area thanks to the openness, voluminous counters, and center island. Everyone can pitch in at mealtime.
Under the windshield along the countertop to the left is a dual-basin ceramic sink, and a five-burner Schott Curan induction cooktop with pot guides is to the right; a Dacor convection oven is below. The U-shaped counter workspace design runs along the starboard side above four Sub-Zero fridge/freezer drawers. Additional fridge/freezer drawers are found port side and under the large walk-around center island, which also houses a Fisher & Paykel dishwasher. Depending on cruising style and destinations, there’s room for cold provisions as well as dry goods thanks to the cabinet and drawer storage.
Just aft on a raised platform is the U-shaped dinette settee with twin-post teak table. A commanding forward view is still offered without having to be situated at the front window. The galley is finished to match the rest of the interior: grain teak hardwood cabinetry with satin finish, teak and holly flooring, carpeting, and white ceiling panels. It’s not an afterthought workspace but an inviting area with full views and classy styling. The owner chooses the layout with this custom builder, and Marlow invites clients’ imaginative ideas.
Exterior Access
As with most Marlow yachts, there’s full exterior access, from the generous aft deck to the covered side decks and a Portuguese bridge and foredeck. Fully non-skid decks ensure safe footing, and high bulwarks and railings make for secure transiting. The generous aft deck offers transom seating, a large high-gloss teak table and room for additional chairs and is protected by the flybridge overhang. The spacious foredeck is large enough for a party to mingle or a few lounge chairs and is slightly crowned with holes in the aft corners for proper drainage. Access to the Lewmar windlasses, anchors and chain lockers is on a raised deck at the peak.
The Portuguese bridge is also redesigned. Instead of a center door to the foredeck with separate seating on either side, Marlow created two smaller doorways, port and starboard, that allow for a large center settee to be the focal point and with split fiberglass tables, the space is now a centered, open-air lounge and dining area.
Below-decks
Ample headroom and luxurious appointments are just a few of the features in the master suite.
Access to the staterooms is via the forward port-side curved staircase, with a roomy landing and hallway. The staircase incorporates storage cabinets with curved doors and is enhanced with teak paneling. There’s room underneath the staircase for a washer and dryer, and a large hatch in the hallway deck provides access to a lower machinery space where the hot water heater, pumps, filtration, plumbing, and other gear not required in the engine room are located.
An open space with plenty of light awaits in the main salon.
Finished in bright paint and with teak grate floor panels, the space also works well for dry storage. “Grand” describes the midships, full-beam master stateroom. A walk-around, center king berth, vanity/desk, more drawers and lockers than may ever be needed, flat-screen TV, and six large, rectangular portholes create a distinctive retreat. The ensuite private head has his/her sink basins and a well-sized shower stall with seat. A large mirror, opening portholes and glossy ceiling adds to the brightness. A VIP stateroom is nestled in the bow with a center island berth, overhead hatches, and ensuite head with shower stall. Two additional staterooms, one with side-by-side berths and the other with upper/lower bunks, complete the guest accommodations.
The Engine Room
Marlow has made some significant changes that may not seem obvious, but below deck and aft through a side deck staircase or via the transom door are the crew quarters and access to the engine room forward and lazarette aft. Marlow designed a dedicated mechanical room on the port side that houses the twin Cummins Onan 21.5 kVA generators. Complete with workbench, watertight door and tempered glass windows for visual inspections, it is a well-insulated and quiet space.
The lazarette allows access to the steering gear, twin Glendinning shore cable systems with custom Marlow-built metal guide channels that support cable movement, deck drain manifold, and more. Embedded arms that extend from the hull structure carry the large transom door aft a few inches, and hydraulic actuators tilt the door up for access between the lazarette and swim platform. It’s one solid, well-designed piece of machinery.
The stand-up engine room houses the fully accessible CAT C18 diesel engines. These powerplants give the 70E Mk2 an impressive ride and cut of speed as I experienced firsthand on my sea trial. Flexible drive couplings reduce any vibration, and Marlow’s Velocijet Strut Keels protect and support the shafts. Embedded between the fuel tanks is the “condo box,” as Marlow puts it, that houses the Seakeeper gyro. It’s forward of the engines on the centerline with a glass insert for viewing.
Marlow asserts the results are better with it positioned as close to center on both axes. It’s part of his current modus operandi: “Things work well; I want to make them work better.” To remove the Seakeeper, the ceiling of the box is the salon floor, and there’s a lifting block and slide in the salon ceiling to get it up from its base and out the aft doors. Now that’s some forethought.
Top it Off
Up close and personal.
The enclosed Command Bridge is fitted with twin helm seats, room for three multifunction displays and side space for charts, guides, etc. The observation seating aft offers an L-shaped settee and high-gloss teak table. A first for Marlow Yachts is the addition of a private captain’s cabin with head and shower and desk area. Out the aft door to the flybridge deck is another L-shaped settee with table and fridge and room to store a tender or other water toys on deck thanks to the sleek davit. With a sharp pencil, Marlow has redesigned a tried and true yacht and made it even better. The Marlow 70E Mk2 is the next generation graced with beauty that goes to down the bone.
The new Maritimo X-60 was inspired by adrenaline-fueled offshore racing, but zen-like spaces foster memorable moments.
You think you know Maritimo until you get to know the Maritimo X-60.
Maritimo, a premier Australian boat manufacturer, is owned by legendary boat builder Bill Barry-Cotter. He started Mariner Cruisers in 1966, founded Riviera Yachts in 1980, sold Riviera in 2002, created Maritimo in 2003. The first Maritimos were enclosed flybridge cruisers—the M-Series—and the cruising motoryachts that feature signature floating internal stairways with enclosed skylounges and the helm aloft are still in production.
They also offer the S-Series, a line of stylish sedans, but Barry-Cotter and his family don’t just build pleasure boats. They also build world-renowned, international offshore powerboat racers, and it’s through the design, build and racing processes that keep them informed about new technology in engines, equipment, and materials that can transfer to recreational boats.
A spacious console with plush seating.
Maritimos are shaft driven with small shaft angles to provide fast, efficient performance. Barry-Cotter’s son, Tom, an accomplished offshore racer, boat builder and designer himself, is an integral part of the Maritimo team. He developed design ideas to showcase Maritimo’s strengths that differ enough from the M and S series boats that they designated a new X-Series. The first of these new models, the X60, debuted at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show in Australia this past spring, and U.S. models appeared in the 2018 Newport and Annapolis boat shows as well as the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
Welcome to the Beach Club
The X60 Maritimo might look like a highly stylized version of their S-Series sedans, but her sleek exterior belies the extraordinary versatility of her layout and design. I stepped aboard her swim platform with Tom Barry-Cotter, whose concepts and ideas were central to this project. The swim platform is wide with a seemingly standard transom, and twin staircases lead up to the cockpit. Then, with the touch of a button, the entire transom gently lifts and raises like the hatchback of a luxury car. One would expect this to lead to a tender garage (which is an option), but this X60 has an aft “Beach Club.” A stairwell leads down to port for easy access to this aft cabin. Inside along the swim platform is a finished bar area where one can sit and look out at the water with a cocktail.
There’s ample space for entertaining.
Welcome to the Club.
A full-size head complete with a separate shower is to port, and a large flat-screen TV graces the forward bulkhead above another cabinet complete with a wet bar and fridge. An internal stairway leads up to the main salon with engine room access along the way. This beach club design is impressive and unlike anything I’ve seen previously on a vessel this size. The proximity to the water, access through the transom and the cabin and view astern create a different perspective in this unique social area. Details like pullout bar stools, ample storage, ambient lighting, and an actuator system that lifts and seals the transom doorway round off the cabin.
What makes this boat “Xtra” special is that the beach club is one of three aft cabin options that buyers have on the X60. It can alternatively configure as a stateroom with ensuite head, private internal stairway and the ability to open the hatchback for fresh air and direct access to the water. Picture lying in bed on a temperate night while the waves gently lap, and your view out the open transom is the moonlight’s reflection on the horizon. Spend sunny days in folding lounge chairs on the swim platform outside the stateroom. Lower the hydraulic swim platform slightly into the water to create a wading pool effect. Imagine setting a small table with chairs in the shallow water to have a cocktail, appetizers or a meal while your feet dangle in the water. The possibilities are endless.
Garage Space
Another option utilizes the aft cabin as a tender garage and water toy area. The stairwell and access to the transom remain. The head and shower stay to make a great day head and changing room. When wet guests return from swimming, they enter through the transom, take a warm shower and change privately, then ascend the internal stairway to the salon. A large RIB (3.2 meters) stows concealed to starboard. The remaining cabin area wraps around the tender garage with ample room for SCUBA tanks, compressors, inflatable water toys, bicycles, beach furniture, and more. There’s also room to cradle a PWC on the swim platform.
Maritimos have a reputation for large, uncluttered engine rooms, and the X60 is no exception. Headroom, easy access to both sides of the engines, and other critical functions will satisfy captains and owners. The space is so large, they could build in additional storage for deck furniture and not compromise functionality.
Comfortable Livability
Up the stairs, the main salon is decked out with comfortable seating on both sides and twin helm seats forward to starboard. The X60 has Maritimo’s signature aft galley with a large pop-out pantry, an island and folding doors that join the cockpit. Cockpit seating with a teak table creates an outdoor gathering area protected by an overhang. Additional cockpit amenities include an electric grill, sink, icemaker, and refrigerator. A second seating area with a table adjacent the galley is an option. There is excellent continuity between the salon, galley, and cockpit creating a large entertaining area or segmented gathering spaces.
A sleek and sophisticated master suite awaits belowdecks.
There is ample headroom and storage space in the engine room.
An open galley area means plenty of space for entertaining.
Ahead of the galley to port is a slightly raised lounge area with dining table that offers excellent visibility underway. Dual opening skylights overhead create a light, airy feel that highlights the contemporary furnishings and finely finished wood. Visibility from the helm is good all-around whether seated on the twin adjustable helm seats or standing. On the foredeck, a cushioned seating area just ahead of the windshield makes it a useful congregating spot. A large sunpad further forward adds to the appeal.
A full-beam ensuite master centers the yacht below deck. A twin bunk cabin is forward to starboard with head to port. The bow cabin optimizes the space with an angled island berth and separate entrance to the port head. An alternate layout expands the master by replacing the bunk cabin with a larger master head; owners have the choice of four layouts down below. Customization and versatility are what makes the X60 unique—and X-citing.
