CL Yachts CLX96

The X Factor

CL Yachts shakes things up with its first X series yacht CLX96.

It’s an X boat, a crossover. It’s a Sea Activity Vessel (SAV). It’s a…there are a lot of unusual monikers attached to CL Yachts’ newest and most striking model, the CLX96 —for this is an unusual yacht.

The 97-footer has a workboat-inspired deckhouse, an extra-long beach platform for tenders and toys, and the oomph to surpass 25 knots. It is also chic and luxurious with
a multitude of transformable features and a few surprising spaces. “Like an SUV, it’s a vehicle that does it all; that’s what we’re trying to offer,” says Hans Lo, deputy director of CL Yachts.

Design Inspiration

The design of CL Yachts’ first X series model the CLX96 comes from the creative mind of Jozeph Forakis, a Milan-based product designer responsible for everything from cell phones and furniture to lighting and watches. It was his award-winning VIP interior décor for the Leonardo AW609 Tiltrotor aircraft that caught the eye of Martin Lo, director of CL Yachts.

“Martin and I have known each other for a long time. We reconnected in Hong Kong around 2016, and, unbeknownst to me at that time, they were reconsidering the yacht program, thinking how they could get a fresh perspective and bring new energy to it,” says Forakis. “Martin gave me permission in the first phase to go crazy with the concepts. And I ended up doing seven distinct concepts, (each one) progressively more challenging from a technical point of view.” The design ultimately chosen came from the more challenging side of the design concept range.

“Martin got this concept right away; he was the one who really made the decision to go with it,” Forakis continues. “Then we started to develop a second phase and when we presented it to everybody internally, it caused some waves. There were people who really liked it and people who were really against it. ‘It was too different; too new; the world wasn’t ready,’ they said.”

By Design

The most conspicuous design divergence on the CLX96 is the reverse angle deckhouse, which is symmetrically angled forward and aft. The styling is more than a design exercise though. The double reverse shape helps maximize the internal living space while reducing heat and glare inside. It also offers structural advantages that allow the window mullions to be reduced to mere inches, hence opening up the views from within, which span nearly 360 degrees.

To keep with the distinctive profile, the stairs to the fly deck from the main deck aft blend with the angle and go up in the opposite direction than the norm, from forward to aft. There’s a functionality aspect here too.

“When you’re underway, this reverse angle of the stairs makes it easier to go up and down with the trim of the boat, which is around three degrees,” explains Forakis.

The exterior also sports an unusually large Portuguese bridge and a next-level foredeck lounge. CL Yachts has given these spaces unique monikers as well. In front of the bridge is the Terrazza Portoghese with dimensions akin to a generous terrace. “This is an additional socializing or privacy space,” says Forakis. “It’s a sizable boat, but the idea is not just more space, but diverse types of spaces throughout, so people can congregate in small or large groups or find a little bit of alone time if they want.”

It overlooks the foredeck, dubbed the Piazza del Sole. “The idea is a cocktail lounge in the round; that’s why we call it piazza,” he says. The tables can descend and be covered by cushions to make an ample sunbathing area with adjustable backrests, and the lounge can be covered with a bimini. It’s one of several spots on board that has dual uses.

“Transformation and multifunctionality are a theme throughout the whole boat,” says Forakis. Take, for instance, the aft deck. “We decided to do something a little bit different compared to the normal table here,” he says, as he shows us how each of the three seats that make up the settee can slide open to create a lounge on which to stretch out.

The main alfresco dining table is found on the fly deck above, along with all the must-haves: a bar, grill, and chaise lounges. The outside deck flows effortlessly into the skylounge/pilothouse just forward.

With the house’s aft and side windows lowered, the deck is one giant fresh-air space, or with the windows up, the wheelhouse becomes weathertight.

Moving from the exterior to the interior on the fly deck and on the main deck below is aesthetically seamless with the deck’s teak planks lining up perfectly with the teak sole inside.

As it Lays Out

The main salon, dining area, and galley are joined in an open-plan layout, but one where each zone is defined by structural moldings. From the aft sliding door, you can see all the way through the front windshield with the Champagne Lounge underneath. This cozy spot has a wraparound settee at just the right height for views out and a cocktail table with built-in cooler for a Magnum-size bottle and side drawers fitted with flute-size holders.

The overall brightness of the deck is augmented with tri-fold glass doors that fully open next to the dining table to starboard. “It’s been engineered so the owner can have it on starboard or port or both as an option,” says Forakis.

Belowdecks on the CLX96, there are essentially two masters. The true one is forward, over the widest part of the teardrop-shaped hull and with a full-beam his-and-hers ensuite forward. Sculpted Corian wraps around the king-size berth and forms the top of a vanity before swooping down to become the base of a settee.

“I just love the material,” says Forakis. “It’s futuristic, it’s functional, it’s seamless.” Behind the berth is a feature wall of walnut strips over black glass, a reflective material that the designer prefers over “kitsch” mirror.

A skylight hovers above the berth and big windows frame the room, but there is another view out too. The 65-inch television on the forward bulkhead is connected to a high-resolution camera mounted at the bow that brings the panorama of the horizon inside.

The VIP aft is nearly as gracious, and to mirror the master, there is also a skylight. But this one is virtual, hooked up to a camera at the top of the mast to project the sky to those in bed. Between these spacious staterooms are two identical ensuite twin cabins, both of which, not surprisingly, convert into doubles.

Power Sports

Beyond all this interior sophistication is the other half of the SAV concept: the sea activity part. The more than 13-foot-long beach platform—large enough for a tender, PWC, Seabobs, and other toys—helps with that mission. It’s fitted with an 800-kg davit in a deck hatch as well as a motorized Z-lift platform that lifts up, over, and down into the water.

The CLX96 also has the chops to get from point A to point B expeditiously, powered by reliable twin 1,900-hp Caterpillar C32 ACERTs. “Of these crossover boats, we are probably the fastest; their top speed is what we cruise at,” says Panu Virtanen, vice president of CL Yachts in Fort Lauderdale. That would be 22 knots, with 25 being CLX’s advertised top speed, though the captain on board tells us he’s had her up to 27. The hull is a brand-new, RINA-certified, CFD-analyzed design by naval architect Earl Alfaro, optimized to cruise at 65 to 80 percent of the engine load and able to transition from semi-displacement to planing mode with minimal changes in dynamic trim.

We take her offshore Fort Lauderdale and with the east wind pushing us we easily reach
25 knots at the max 2,350 rpm. The yacht is equipped with both fins and gyrostabilizers, and our ride is smooth in the choppy seastate using only the fins. Helping achieve this swiftness is a composite structure that uses no small amount of carbon fiber to bring the stiffness necessary to support the upper deck while keeping weight to a minimum, as explained by the structural engineer, Albert Horsmon.

Revealed to the public for the first time at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the CLX96 stood out among the packed docks of yachts. In an industry where copycat designs are rampant, it’s refreshing to see something innovative and she got a lot of well-deserved attention.

It seems those early naysayers were wrong—the world may indeed be ready. CLYachts.com

-by Kate Lardy

Formula 387 Center Console

Fish and Play

Formula’s 387 center console comes in two styles, but they share the love of fishing and the need for playtime.

Formula has re-entered the center console market with vim and vigor, meaning its enthusiasm and positivity with the introduction of the 387 CCF and 387 CCS has fishermen and their families realizing they can both have fun out on the water—together.

“It was the [Formula] family’s idea to do the sport and fish styles,” says Abe Haines, product specialist for Formula Boats. “They actually put a team together. There were three of us that went out and did almost two years of market studies. We went on fishing charters, we walked docks, we saw what was docked at people’s houses…we knew we were going to build a center console, but we didn’t know where we were going to build it or how fishable we’re going to build it. So that two years of research showed us the market’s trend, and we decided thirty-eight feet was a good place to start. It left us room to go bigger or smaller depending on how it was received.”

What that did was allow owners to choose one style with more fishing features or one designed for more sandbar/family cruising options. What didn’t change was Formula’s recipe for a solid, performance hull, the FAS3Tech. The double-stepped hull is a proven offshore design and with a touch of flare, keeps the deck dry.

“We got into some four footers one day, and it wasn’t real enjoyable fishing, but we had to
do it. We wanted to see how the boat performed in real conditions,” says Haines. “It’s pretty heavy for this size of boat, but it handles great and it’s smooth. We were getting good splash-ups; it wasn’t real windy, so the water wasn’t blowing back in, but the cockpit stayed dry.”

“I think my first indication of this boat when I ran it for the first time about a month ago as Hull Number One is how solid it was,” says Vic Spellberg, our captain for the day. “We’ve had to do nothing as far as rattles and squeaks and things of that nature. It’s just solid. It reacts at higher speed right away. It reacts to the helm, trim, and tab adjustments immediately and has performed with the triple Mercury 450R engines with no issues for more than one hundred-twenty-five hours.”

The boat was launched in Miami prior to the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and was taken through the paces to test her skills. Over in Bimini, she fished the deep drops for more than a week before heading back across and south to the Keys and the fishing grounds off Key West. It wasn’t hard to put on those first 125 hours. After arriving back in Miami, the crew was still impressed with her handling and stability.

We were out on the Formula 387 CCF, the fishing model, and were up on plane and running 52 mph at 6,000 rpm within a minute. Yes, it was a beautiful day and there wasn’t a four-foot chop, but without feeling a thing, we were “hauling the mail.” The more popular Mercury Racing 450 outboards powered us out, but there are options.

“Fuel economy would tell you a fisherman is going to put four-hundreds on it,” says Haines. “They’re just a little better for where your shift range is and the fuel economy.” An owner can choose from the standard triple 300 Verados to dual 600 Verados, and now, the new Verado 5.7L V10s, all with Mercury Joystick Piloting.

At the helm, Spellberg found everything he needed. The helm comes standard with twin Raymarine Axiom XL 16 GPS chartplotters for the Sport model, while twin Garmin 8616 16 chartplotters are standard on the Fish model. Owners have a choice of either brand and up to three displays.

On our boat, triple Garmin 16s were at play. “Everything at the helm is within easy reach,” Spellberg says, including the bow thruster that is integrated into the joystick, a new feature, and controls for a Seakeeper 3 gyrostabilizer system. The options list goes on, but standard features are excellent, such as the cockpit refrigerator, bow seating with power table, and ReFLEX decking on the helm pad for the Sport model. The Fish model adds aft cockpit fish boxes with macerators, a YETI Tundra 35 pull-out cooler, and GEMLUX deluxe outriggers. Needless to say, the Formula 387 is ready to go out of the box. Customize it to your desire with a variety of color graphics and décor, not to mention stereo and speaker setups.

Whether fishing or taking a family outing, comfort is key. Triple helm seats with folding armrests, mezzanine seating in the cockpit along with a flip-down bench at the transom, and forward-facing twin sun lounges with flip-up armrest with drink holders up in the bow are just the beginning. The bow can also accommodate additional seating forward of the lounge with a power-adjustable table, though the fishermen will want to keep that area open as a walkaround.

Not always considered a comfort zone, the center console cabin on the Formula 387 is roomy (6-foot, 4-inch headroom) with filler cushions for a nearly queen-size bunk. When that’s not in use, a table for two fits in and is great for holding snacks and sizable enough for card or board games. The cabin also features a 32-inch HDTV as well as a small galley area with a microwave oven, sink with cutting board insert, drawer for utensils and plates, and a pull-out refrigerator stacked between the sitting area and the head with sink and shower. There’s plenty of storage with enough room for fishing rods.

There are around 30 drink/rod holders (even the gunwale for the tuna door has drink holders when flipped open), seven dual USB charging ports, spring-loaded wireless phone chargers, and storage in cabinets, floor boxes, and along the side walls. As mentioned, options abound from air conditioning to stabilization to FLIR thermal cameras to radar, but with the standard gear, the Formula 387 CCF and CCS gives you all the flexibility to turn the key and go.

As a performance boat company that is focused on the on-water lifestyle from fishing to water sports to family cruising, these two new models fit nicely into the Formula Crossover series and satisfies those who want more than the standard fishing or day boat. Formula Boats

-by Steve Davis

Grand Banks 85

Speed to Spare

Grand Banks 85 Sky Lounge raises the bar for long-range cruisers.

The new Grand Banks 85 continues the builder’s departure from the classic form long the hallmark of the brand for more than half a century. Following in the wake of the GB60 in 2017, which took the company in a new direction of style, construction, and performance, the Grand Banks 85 not only raised the bar, but broke new ground in producing a fuel-efficient, fast, long-range cruiser, arguably unlike anything else in this size.

It starts with CEO Mark Richards and his design group utilizing his experiences from decades of competitive ocean racing to develop what the builder calls its V-warp running surface. Essentially, the mission to achieve speed hinges on reducing wetted surface that, in turn, requires less energy to move the boat through the water while maintaining a constant running attitude for overall efficiencies and fuel economy.

So confident that I would recognize these attributes with my hands on the wheel, Richards left me at the helm while I ran the boat some 70 miles in the ocean from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades to the St. Lucie Inlet in Stuart.

Hull No. 1 is powered by a pair of 1,000-hp Volvo Penta IPS 1350s that deliver a top speed around 26 knots. Throttled back to a loafing 20.7 knots, the diesels burned 57 gph, which translated into a range approaching 1,000 nautical miles. Drop the speed conservatively to 10 knots, and the range practically triples.

Running angles are modest, averaging two to four degrees, and because the single fiberglass fuel cell is sandwiched between the master stateroom and the crew quarters, the COG is constant.

Although the ocean was relatively flat, I sought the wakes of several southbound yachts and massive sportfishing boats throwing plenty of wash that enabled the Grand Banks 85 to pour through easily without fuss or spray. The Humphree All Speed stabilization fins and the trim tab interceptors did the job. A Seakeeper SK16 also is available.

Take the Wheel of the Grand Banks 85

It is fun time at the wheel. So much so that I used the Garmin autopilot for less than 20 minutes and enjoyed the handling and response that resembled the attitude and behavior of a fine automobile. Visibility in the enclosed skybridge is as generous as a fully open bridge, another version offered by Grand Banks. But I am sold on the Enclosed Bridge because even after more than three hours at the wheel, I felt like I was in a luxury car. The front windshield consists of three large glass panels framed with thin mullions. Side and aft bulkhead windows drop down and the carbon fiber hardtop includes an opening sunroof to flood the interior with natural light and ventilation.

One thing I noticed missing was mechanical noise because all I could hear was the soft sound of the water as we motored along. The helm is to starboard with carbon fiber trim surrounding the electronic console neatly outfitted with a bank of navigation equipment, a nine-inch Volvo engine instrumentation display, an engine room camera, and vessel management gear. The compact and adjustable teak steering wheel is a shipwright’s work of art and easily reached standing or seated in the wide helm lounge. A second helm seat is to port. Long runs on this boat would be easy to do. Abaft the helm area is an L-shaped lounge and coffee table, while the port side features a Silestone countertop console with stowage, Isotherm refrigeration, a stainless steel sink, a Miele dishwasher, and a Jura coffee machine.

A sliding teak door opens to the aft deck, which features a grippy fiberglass sole finished with Moondust Awlgrip and a 29-inch stainless steel railing atop a two-and-a-half-inch toe kick. An L-shaped lounge at the bulkhead and a varnished teak table offers alfresco dining possibilities complemented with the port-side console containing a Kenyon electric grill, an Isotherm refrigerator, and a Vitrifrigo icemaker.

Clever Features

Wide teak steps lead from the skybridge down to a foyer on the main deck. A door immediately to port provides access to the side deck. Opposite is the galley that is bathed with natural light through the three-pane windshield with another door to access the starboard-side deck. This is a nice touch because it is convenient for loading provisions for the galley without having to carry them aboard from the stern.

Another clever feature is a recessed compartment at the door that reveals a set of engine controls and the SidePower DC bow thruster, which makes for easy handling and grabbing a spring line when approaching a dock. The galley is well-equipped with a full-height Liebherr refrigerator, an undercounter freezer, a Miele oven, an induction four-burner cooktop, a Panasonic microwave, an Asko dishwasher, a stainless steel sink, ample cabinetry with dedicated drawers for stowage, and a huge pull-out pantry from the varnished teak sole to the ceiling. A built-in screen, one of several located throughout the yacht, monitors the engine room.

The aft wall of the galley doubles as the forward wall in the formal dining area with a teak table that seats six. A credenza to port features a Silestone countertop, stowage drawers, and a wine chiller. A half wall separates the dining area from the massive salon with a U-shape lounge, a pair of coffee tables and chairs, and an entertainment system with a Smart TV. Natural lighting enters through the large salon windows and the teak joinery throughout richly gleams. The woodwork is flawless including aptly placed overhead grab rails, banisters, doors, and cabinets.

A door opens to the teak aft deck with another teak dining table, a wet bar, an electric barbecue, a refrigerator, and an icemaker. Two steps lead to the integral teak platform that is seven feet long with room for an inflatable tender and private access to the crew quarters, and dual machinery compartments.

Custom Touches

Belowdecks, the Grand Banks 85 accommodations include three or four staterooms, all with ensuite heads. A full-beam master suite also is available, and crew quarters with two private sleeping areas are among the best I have seen in this size yacht. According to Richards, Grand Banks devoted some 140,000 man-hours to build the first hull with an endless array of custom treatments, including a full-size piano keyboard in the owner’s stateroom, as well as electric service to handle shore power needs as the boat travels from the U.S. to Australia and the Med.

Mechanical and plumbing systems including chilled water Dometic air conditioning are neatly installed in a well-lit area beneath the companionway sole. Two engine rooms each with a Fischer Panda genset are insulated to reduce noise and provide excellent accessibility for daily checks, maintenance, and service. A utility room supplies space for accessories such as a Miele washer and dryer, swim and dive gear, as well as kayaks and other bulky gear. A Victron inverter/charger 8,000-watt/100-amp 24 vdc is integrated into the AC system for use of selected AC equipment without the need to run the generator.

Construction is top notch. The vacuum-infused hull with E-glass and carbon fiber is cored with foam composites and stitched multi-axial fabrics and vinylester resins. Above the waterline, the deck and superstructure are fully infused with carbon fiber to reduce weight. Bulkheads and fixed cabin furniture throughout the interior are structurally bonded to the hull and deck for strength which also results in the obvious quietness while running in the ocean. Grand Banks has definitely produced a grand slam with the Grand Banks 85.

-by Peter Frederiksen

Scout 377 LXF

Distinctive Flair
The new Scout 377 LXF adds more luxury and technology to the S-Class family.

The first thing I noticed about the Scout 377 LXF is the profile. There’s no mistaking that Carolina flair that sweeps down from bow to stern. The boat whispers with confidence, “Don’t worry, I can handle rough seas.”

“It keeps the deck really dry,” says Len Renné, president of Seven Seas Yacht Sales in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “Even in the Intracoastal when it’s like a washing machine, you won’t see people sitting in an open bow, but you will in a Scout because they’re not getting wet.”

Step Aboard

The Scout design is distinct with its sheer line settling evenly just aft of the helm that creates a comfortable level cockpit coaming for fishing or for entertaining. I’m looking at the new 377 LXF (there’s a fishing and sport version), and as I step aboard through the port-side dive/tuna door, it’s easy to see the cockpit is nicely set up for either activity. It’s not overly huge, but cozy with an aft-facing bench molded into the back of the helm seats (with two inductive phone charger holders) and a large, centerline, slide-out cooler with a seat cushion tucked in the transom.

Whether fishing or entertaining, a summer kitchen is a must when boating, so atop the slide-out cooler under cover in the transom is an optional grill along with a cutting board and sink. If an owner decides to forgo the summer kitchen, a comfy forward-facing bench seat with a large cooler underneath is standard.

Anglers will appreciate the port-side lighted, aerated baitwell with clear top and frontside to check on bait without opening it. Swimmers will enjoy the starboard transom walk-through door opening onto a fully walkable swim platform with Esthec decking and a built-in swim ladder. There’s plenty of room because the engine rigging is out of the way, neatly cabled within flexible conduit for a clean look, no connections to accidentally uncouple.

While we’re on the swim platform, this model had twin Mercury 600-hp Verados, but triple Mercury 400-hp Verados are the standard setup. “It works really well with the six-hundreds,” says Renné. “It’s amazing, the power, but the nice part when you’re fishing is when you have three or four motors back there and you’re dragging lines; you usually have to cut two motors off because you get so much whitewater back there. These have very little slip, so the wash behind you is almost clean water. The fish can see your baits pretty well.”

Back in the cockpit, I notice that the hardtop protects the aft-facing bench completely, so to continue coverage back to the transom, an electrically retractable SureShade is an option.

Scout designed the new 377 LXF as a luxury center console that blends performance, style, and innovation for a comfortable ride that is functional and has all the conveniences for today’s families. This model can easily fit the “crossover” description, but as Renné says, “I would say we cater a little bit more to the families, and the wives, and keeping them happy, but it’s a die-hard fishing boat if you want to die-hard fish it. However, we’ve got a lot of amenities on here to keep everybody happy.”

Interested in buying a Scout Boat? Check out our Brokerage section!

At-Home Comfort

The 377 LXF is part of the S-Class family, Scout’s highest level of luxury. Beyond the carbon-epoxy construction and Scout’s highest-performing, dual-stepped hull technology, the systems, the electronics, even the upholstery show an air of sophistication.

From a technological point of view, one creature comfort is the Zipwake trim-control system to control pitch and roll when underway. Add to that the optional Seakeeper 3 stabilizer system, and you have a stable ship for those with an inclination to seasickness.

Solar panels come with it to help keep the system charged up, but it’s the innovative lithium-ion battery with battery management system that really does the trick. It eliminates the need for a generator as well as the noise that goes with it when at anchor. There’s also plenty of power for the air conditioning, electric grill, lights, stereo, and TV.

“It’ll invert to one-ten and has solar panels on the roof, so you really don’t even have to plug the boat in,” says Renné. “…The boat does have shore power and it will charge everything and keep everything running, but basically all you’re running is a battery charger. …This is the largest model Scout has done without a generator, and it’s working well.”

At the bow, the comfort level comes in the form of two lounge seats with molded back/head rests port and starboard and a large centerline lounger with armrests ahead of the console. As with most seating, there’s an abundance of storage underneath, and one cool feature is the optional electric Esthec dinette that lowers out of the way into the deck, lifts to seat height to make a sunpad, or extends up to table level. Cupholders, stereo controls, charging ports for phones, and the optional Med-style canopy complete the perfect area for socializing and relaxing.

Then there’s the spacious cabin below for weekenders or a quiet spot away from the action. There’s room to seat four around a side-mounted table and with the filler cushion, the space quickly turns into a lengthy double berth. A 32-inch TV is standard, as is a six-gallon water heater in the head that makes the built-in ceiling rain shower a refreshing way to clean up and warm up, even if you’re taller than six feet. There’s a small counter area with a microwave along with air-conditioning and heating controls and sound-system controls. The electrical panel here is easily accessible and protected from the elements.

“You can put the kids down here and let them play games or whatever, and from a couple’s perspective, you’ve got plenty of room,” says Renné. “It’s a great little island-hopper. We have a lot of customers that might sleep on the boat for two nights and get a hotel one night, but most of them find it’s pretty comfortable.”

Comfort carries on in the design of the helm. The helm sports three heated seats with flip-up bolsters that face a dash with a centerline wheel and all the controls within easy reach. Two Garmin 8612 displays are standard, but this model was decked out with the three Garmin 8616 displays as well as the optional radar and FLIR camera setup. In front of the wheel sits the VesselView diagnostic display with a wireless phone charger to port and the Zipwake control panel to starboard.

Another cool feature on board is the anchor camera that displays at the helm. The anchor is out of sight under the bow, so a camera is installed just below it.

“When you drop it, you can see your scope and how much anchor you’ve got out,” says Renné. “And then when you pull it up, you can see it coming in and when you go to leave, you can make sure there are no swimmers underneath the bow.”

The Scout 377 LXF checks a lot of boxes that not only give the basics for fishing, entertainment, and family fun, but does it with luxurious style and sophisticated technologies. The S-Class is Scout’s most superior line, and the new 377 LXF fits like a glove. Scout Boats Website

-by Steve Davis

Riva 76 Bahamas

Sense of Style

The Riva 76 Bahamas is a dayboat on steroids that impresses with its attention to detail and a movable hardtop unlike most any other.

It’s rather difficult for a yacht to set itself apart at the Cannes Yachting Festival, where the glitziest new offerings from Europe’s top builders convene on a picturesque and cinematic setting to strut their stuff and find new owners. However, the Riva 76 Bahamas was able to do exactly that this year, which is a feat that many serious boaters should take notice of when she comes to the domestic market next year.

It should come as no surprise that this boat is super-stylish even from afar. The impression one gets when first laying eyes on her is that of a machine that was born to move. Her sharp hullside glazing runs nearly the entire length of the boat, flicking forward like a switchblade. Layered upon that is a ruler-straight shearline with knee-high guardrails that require deckhands to have sure footing. A sharply raked and elegantly rounded superstructure has major elements done in carbon fiber—something that somehow makes itself apparent before any investigation into the materials is done. The cumulative effect of all these design elements is a boat that looks like an arrow freshly loose.

Fascinating Features

Stepping aboard, one is met by all the necessary accoutrements for a dayboat in this size and class but with a few extra details that make this model sing. The teak-soled, hydraulic swim platform is not overly large but is big enough for swimmers to comfortably congregate there. A Williams TurboJet 325 tender was housed in a garage that had a massive sunpad above it. After all, what would an Italian dayboat be without a sunpad that dominated the aft portion of its main deck?

For the fairer-skinned among us (including yours truly), there were stowable carbon fiber poles that can prop up a sunshade, though a part of me suspects this feature was added as an afterthought for the American market to keep our dermatologists from needing to see our cardiologists too frequently.

Among my favorite features on this boat, and, truth be told, at the entire Cannes show, were the stainless steel vents atop the aft of the gunwales to port and starboard. They provided a visual growl and hearkened to the Italian sports car world with which Riva and its parent company Ferretti are so closely aligned. (Ferretti’s CEO Alberto Galassi is married to a Ferrari; a woman, not a car.)

The rest of the cockpit featured lounge seating, a large, aft-facing bench seat to starboard and a smaller, more geometrically cut one to port. One small step up on the teak sole led to a C-shaped dining settee to starboard with room for eight guests. A full-service console to port with a refrigerator, sink, and barbecue, plus extra stowage serviced the area. The fit and finish in this space, and throughout the boat, is exemplary. The leather is soft and supple with expertly measured and delicate stitching. Teak accents throughout the deck lend the air of a classic to this new boat.

What is far from classic about the 76 is a fascinating feature just above the forward portion of the main deck. The carbon fiber hardtop is hydraulic and lifts completely off the superstructure to move forward and fit snugly over the bow. This effectively transforms the boat from an express to an open, and in my 14 years covering this industry, I can’t recall having seen anything quite like it. I’m not a massive fan of too many moving pieces on a seafaring vessel, but from what I could tell, all the machinery and joints here looked and sounded dependable and sturdy.

Quick Getaway

I don’t suspect owners of the 76 Bahamas will spend too many nights aboard. This boat strikes me as best used as a very posh way to get from Miami to Baker’s Bay and then spend the night on land. However, the accommodations level is actually quite lovely. An amidships master benefited from those hullside windows, and natural light flowed over the island king and glinted off the testosterone-charged stainless steel accents and rich, dark leather upholstery. The head even had about seven feet of headroom, which I certainly was not expecting on a yacht this sleek. A forepeak VIP had similar stainless and leather styling, and good, natural light, but wasn’t blessed with quite nearly as large a head compartment. Sacrifices must always be made.

Where that statement is most true on this boat is in the crew’s quarters. It is rather tight. I had to squeeze down the ladder in the cockpit to access it, and once there, I managed a few deep breaths before making my way topside. I’m not typically claustrophobic, but that space got to me.

The engine room was, thankfully, less cramped, with six feet of headroom and dual access through the crew’s quarters and through a hatch in the cockpit. The garage eats up some space here, but access to the gensets was workable, and the twin 1,550-hp MAN V12 engines and Racor fuel filters were easily serviceable.

With that propulsion unit, the 76 Bahamas tops out at 32 knots and should cruise around 28. A burlier engine option, twin 1,800-hp MAN V12s, offers a top end of 37 knots with a cruise of 32.

Regardless of engine choice, this yacht is an excellent platform as an upper-end dayboat with an option for overnights. Her exterior and interior styling stand out, and the two play with each other well to create a real personality for this boat. Her onboard features are impressive as shown with the moving hardtop but certainly not ending there. And her performance is right in line with what one would want for a fun time on the water. You can do it all on board this Riva, and you can do it all day too. Riva Website

-by Kevin Koenig

Looking to entertain on board? Check out this recipe from Southern Boating

Two Oceans Marine and HMY Yacht Sales Launch All-New Express Cruiser Models

Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing and HMY Yacht Sales, Inc. (HMY), one of America’s largest yacht dealers and brokerage firms, are thrilled to announce the launch of a revolutionary outboard Express Cruising model line — ECLIPSE. The 505 and 605 models represent an all-new concept, engineering, and design. Complete with a vast array of only the finest materials and equipment, your expression of on-the-water luxury and exclusivity is now available in two distinctive models, plus a premium SHADOW Performance Package upgrade.

ECLIPSE is an entirely new concept that will transform the way the yachting industry looks at Express Cruisers.

Build Quality and Execution: Michael Peters’ renowned expertise in yacht design in collaboration with Silver Arrows automotive influence together, bring advanced technology and innovation to ECLIPSE, but it is all for naught without a world-class builder. That builder is Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing. “Our focus has been pleasing the demanding customer requirements of custom builds for decades. That focus and attitude are on a different plane of existence than that of a production-oriented builder,” said Mark Delany, Owner, and CEO, of Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing. Each ECLIPSE will be hand-built with their custom-level production attitude in mind and will showcase Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing’s motto: A Distinct Difference.

Performance: ECLIPSE models are engineered to achieve stunning performance, speed, and seakeeping ability within the Express Cruising segment. This is all made possible by the patented Michael Peters SVVT hull, mated with revolutionary Mercury 600hp V12 outboards.

Luxury, State-of-the-Art Design Influence: Interior design and technology seen in automobiles will now be standard on ECLIPSE SHADOW Performance Package models. “Silver Arrows Design creates a revolutionary experience that includes accented interior layouts, instrumentation, ergonomics, surround view cameras, and overall interior structure,” said Hak Soo Ha, Owner, Silver Arrows Design.

HMY Yachts, named the exclusive dealer for ECLIPSE, has appointed industry veteran Dave Jirikovic as Brand Manager for this exciting new product. Dave has previously collaborated with Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing, effecting the launch of the Two Oceans Power Catamaran line for HMY in 2021.

“Every ECLIPSE delivered will be under the watchful care of HMY Yachts while delivering an ownership experience that will be second-to-none,” said Tim Derrico, Director of Sales, HMY Yacht Sales, Inc.

For more information about the ECLIPSE 505 and 605 models, please visit: HMY.com, or contact an ECLIPSE Specialist at 561-448-8500.

Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS – 2022 FLIBS Preview

Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS

The new Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS, the largest in the GLS series of sport luxury bowriders which span from 34 to 50 feet, will make her debut at FLIBS. The 50 GLS (52′ 4″ LOA, 14′ 6″ beam) features bow seating, dinette seating accompanying an ample exterior galley, and a generous cockpit complete with dual beach doors. The accommodations level features a forward queen-size berth and a head with a separate shower. The 50 GLS is powered by triple Mercury 600 Verados. MarineMax acquired the Oconto, Wisconsin, yacht builder in 2021, and has been expanding the company’s product offerings. cruiseryachts.com

Horizon Powercats PC60 – 2022 FLIBS Preview

Check out the new and enhanced Horizon Power Catamarans PC60 making her debut at FLIBS. Equipped with 800-hp MAN engines, the four-stateroom yacht features an expanded flybridge deck with a dayhead and storage for a 17-foot, 100-hp tender aft.

The PC60 (61′ 7″ LOA, 24′ 6″ beam) comes with Garmin 8622 multifunction display screens at the helm, and this new design has VEEM propellers a ording a 29-mph top-end speed. The Powercat Company plans to share details of its new PC68 model, which will launch in January 2023. Available in an open salon or on-deck master layouts, the four-stateroom PC68 boasts innovative deck spaces including a walkthrough Portuguese deck forward. horizonpowercatamarans.com

Marlow Yachts Voyager 100 – 2022 FLIBS Preview

Marlow Yachts Voyager 100 V

Marlow Yachts will debut Voyager 100 Hull No. 2, a yacht that features six staterooms, a five-person hot tub, and a custom skybridge with a carbon-fiber hardtop and a radar mast. The Voyager 100 has a country kitchen with a large island and a formal dining room with seating for eight people. The living space includes a designated captain’s cabin and separate crew accommodations that sleeps three people. Thanks to CAT C32 diesel engines, the Voyager 100 is capable of speeds up to 29 mph. To make it easier to maneuver the 102-foot yacht (22′ 6″ beam) around the docks, Marlow includes 75-horsepower bow and stern thrusters. marlowyachts.com

Formula 387 CCF/CCS – 2022 FLIBS Preview

Formula 387 CCF/CCS

Formula presents the best of both worlds for fishing and sport boat enthusiasts with the new Formula 387 Center Console Fish (38′ 7″ LOA; 12′ beam) and 387 Center Console Sport (38′ 7″ LOA; 12′ beam). Making their debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, both have the option to power up with triple Mercury Verados, Mercury Racing 450Rs, or Mercury Verado 600 outboards. The new center consoles are built on Formula’s rich offshore heritage to give you the flexibility from all-out Fish to all-out Sport—and all points in between with performance, styling, and features for the ultimate center console experience. The helm boasts a standard electronics suite that includes twin Garmin or Raymarine 16-inch widescreen color chartplotters with depth sounder and 1,000W CHIRP B175M transducer, Mercury DTS with 7-inch SmartCraft VesselView, Mercury Joystick Piloting, and Bennett trim tab system. formulaboats.com

Mystic Powerboats M5200 – 2022 FLIBS Preview

Mystic Powerboats M5200

Mystic Powerboats has launched its largest center console to date, the luxurious M5200. The new model joins its smaller siblings, M3800 and M4200, in the Florida builder’s lineup. The 52-footer (14′ beam) is powered by quad 600-hp Mercury Marine V12 Verado outboards and can achieve speeds of 80 mph. On board, there is ample seating for 11 people, three luxurious lounge chairs, an enclosed head locker with a separate shower compartment, a forward cabin with a dinette table that converts to a berth, and an aft cabin. The M5200 has a dry weight of 26,500 pounds. mysticpowerboats.com

Ocean Alexander 28E – 2022 FLIBS Preview

Ocean Alexander 28E

Ocean Alexander will debut the 28E in Fort Lauderdale, the second yacht in the Explorer series. The 28E (91′ LOA, 21′ beam) shares the same running profile hull as the 27R and offers a modern exterior and spacious interior, all designed by Evan K. Marshall. An extended swim platform provides the owner and guests with plenty of lounge space and ample storage for water toys. The 28E has a full-beam on-deck master suite and can accommodate eight guests as well as four crew members. The cruiser is fitted with twin 1650-hp MAN V12s diesel engines and has a top speed of 23 mph. oceanalexander.com

Grady-White Adventure 218 – 2022 FLIBS Preview

Grady-White Adventure 218

Grady-White boasts its new Adventure 218 has the widest beam (8′ 6″) in the 21-foot class. Designers packed a lot into the Adventure 218 (23′ 3″ LOA) while maintaining the walkaround concept. Highlights include a cushioned helm, fish boxes behind the helm seats, and two integrated swim platforms aft. For family water sports activities, Grady-White offers an optional retractable ski pylon that wasn’t available on previous walkaround boats. The cabin has plenty of room for overnighting, and a covered head is to starboard. Two side windows and a forward hatch provide fresh air. Grady-White included two insulated fish boxes (246 quarts total) and storage for up 10 fishing rods. Anglers can also add a 31-gallon livewell. gradywhite.com

Hinckley Picnic Boat 40 S – 2022 FLIBS Preview

Hinckley Picnic Boat 40 S

With new SilentJet technology, the Picnic Boat 40 S (42′ LOA, 12′ 10″ beam) puts a fresh perspective on the most successful Hinckley series ever built. The SilentJet combines the silent running characteristics of electric propulsion and water jets while also allowing for diesel-powered performance. The completely automatic system seamlessly transitions between electric and diesel power depending on throttle input from the operator. The oversized battery eliminates the need for a loud generator. As a diesel-electric hybrid system, SilentJet reduces fuel consumption and noise pollution associated with diesel engines. The new JetStick 4 system on the Picnic Boat 40 S with water jets offers easy operation for all experience levels. Unlike propeller or outboard-driven vessels, Hinckley’s JetStick allows unlimited proportional control. hinckleyyachts.com

Regal 38 FLY – 2022 FLIBS Preview

Regal 38 FLY

The Regal 38 FLY has the same layout as its sistership, the 38 FXO, but the newest model swaps outboards for twin sterndrives from Volvo Penta. By moving the engines into the 38 FLY (39′ LOA, 12′ 3″ beam), Regal now offers a full swim platform to complement the entertainment areas. Sun lovers will love the spacious sunpad on the bow, while those wanting shade will appreciate the entertainment area in the stern with a refreshment center. Below, the aft stateroom has a full-size king berth that can be converted into twin berths. The 38 FLY has a separate head and shower, which is not common on a 38-footer. regalboats.com