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Still basking in the afterglow of crossing to the Bahamas on Regal’s new 38 FXO this past fall, we recently received another message from Jeff Littlefield, Regal’s marketing manager, announcing its new 38 Fly. What? Another 38 flybridge model so soon? He invited us on board to spend the day getting to know this new “fly guy”…err…gal.
The sun wasn’t out for our journey from Miami to Boca Chita Key, but it wasn’t a problem for us. The 38 FXO and the new 38 Fly have the exact same layouts, so our party of six rode comfortably inside the salon which features an L-shaped seating area opposite the starboard-side helm station with a 22-inch MFD. Aft of the helm is another cozy bench with a convenient storage area behind it. A small, but well-equipped galley completes this space that can be enclosed with a sliding door during inclement weather. Both models provide the perfect platform for entertaining.
So what is new on the 38 Fly? “The transom, and obviously, the sterndrive. We’re just using Volvo and their system,” says Thomas Medri, regional sales manager for Regal in Canada, who was our captain for the day. The 38 Fly (38’ 9” LOA, 11’ 11” beam) is powered by twin Volvo V8 430 EVC2 Joystick Catalysts with the option of twin Volvo D4 diesel 300s. “You get the driving joystick, you have your docking modes, you know it’s dual station with the fly, but you have full control…. (Overall), it means this is much quieter,” he adds.
With the engines now placed inside, there is room for a full swim platform which can be used for easy access to and from the water or just for lounging in the sun. “You get this massive swim platform which is just inches off the water,” Medri says. “It’s a game changer for families.”
Families, or large groups, will get the most enjoyment from this boat. “People love these for their kids and stuff, too,” he says. “There’s just so much space.
“Storage on this boat is unreal,” he adds. “Even places you can’t see. I mean, it’s behind that backrest. It’s under the seat. It’s under that mattress. We’ve got storage in the steps down here.” Yes, there’s even storage in the top two steps that lead to the accommodations below: one full-beam cabin forward with an island queen-size berth (that lifts to provide even more storage space) and another cabin amidships with a queen that can split into twins. Both have large windows that illuminate the rooms in natural light and share a full head to starboard and a full shower to port.
The sun came out around lunchtime, giving us the opportunity to slide open the salon door and push the button to retract the window separating the galley from the aft cockpit creating a seamless indoor-outdoor space. Capt. Medri put on his chef hat and heated up the grill at the wet bar/entertainment center forward on the cockpit to make burgers for lunch. There was plenty of room to cook everything for this party of six, and some enjoyed the meal alfresco, while others dined in the salon under the cool air from the air conditioner.
When it was time to head back to Miami, I made my way up to the flybridge because there was no way I was going to miss the opportunity to take in the view from anywhere else. Although a bimini comes standard, it was not raised. Capt. Medri piloted from the starboard-side helm station featuring dual 16-inch screens. I sat behind him on the comfortable L-shaped settee that has a table hidden underneath the seat. Just take it out when you want to dine up top.
The bow boasts a huge sunpad where I could have relaxed for the ride back, but I already had my feet up on the flybridge with the wind blowing through my hair. Nothing beats that boating feeling.
Medri agrees. “There’s a lot of people that still just want that wind in their face when they boat, but they also want the amenities that Regal brings you with that galley up or head down below, or open atrium,” he says. “And the ability to just come up here and just get that boating feeling that you grew up with is awesome.”
Head on over to Regal Boats and design your own today!
The GLS series continues its powerful, entertainment-centered yacht line with the 34 GLS. The 34 GLS’s cockpit features two cockpit L-shaped seating areas. The portside seating has an adjustable backrest while the larger starboard side seating converts into a large, aft facing sunpad. The lower salon features an aft stateroom, a dinette that converts into a berth, fridge, and microwave.
COCKPIT
The 34 GLS’s cockpit features two cockpit L-shaped seating areas. The portside seating has an adjustable backrest that when flipped in the aft facing position, makes a companion seat. On the larger starboard side, the aft backrest can flipped into the forward position to create a large aft-facing sunpad. There is also a personal, aft-facing seat on the port side to comfortably watch swimmers.
ENGINES
The 34 GLS OB is powered by twin or 300 Mercury Verados. The joystick piloting allows you to navigate with ease at the top speed of 46 mph or cruise at 37 mph with the 600 hp option.
GALLEY
The galley features a fiberglass inlay sink, fridge, grill, and storage.
HELM
The helm aboard the 34 GLS is impeccably designed with Simrad electronics and joystick piloting.
BOW SEATING
The bow seating features a table that easily converts into a sunpad, Rockford Fosgate speakers, and multiple cupholders. An optional foredeck shade keeps your guests nice and cool.
LOWER SALON
The lower salon features a dinette that converts into a spacious berth. The lower galley is compete with a fridge, microwave, and TV.
AFT STATEROOM
The aft stateroom aboard the 34 GLS features a custom sized berth, and personal reading lights.
HEAD
The 34 GLS head features a sink, toilet, and standing shower. Storage hidden behind the mirror and underneath the sink allow you to tuck away personal items.
Horizon Power Catamarans Hosts 5th Owners’ Rendezvous
Thirteen Horizon Power Catamarans with their owners and guests gathered for a celebration in Harbour Island, Bahamas
It was blowing a gale the day the Horizon Power Cats navigated “The Devil’s Backbone” and arrived on North Eleuthera in the Bahamas, but once comfortably nestled into their slips at the Romora Bay Resort and Marina on Harbour Island, the 13 beautiful catamarans in attendance paid no notice, their owners and guests immediately taking to the docks to mix and mingle with friends old and new.
After a three-year hiatus, the 2022 Horizon Power Catamarans (HPC) Owners’ Rendezvous unofficially kicked off with the celebratory christening of a brand-new PC65, Hideout. Guests enjoyed the signature fresh stone crab, champagne, and Taiwan beer during the christening and continued the merriment with a shared potluck dinner on the dock.
The first official day of the HPC Owners’ Rendezvous dawned bright and beautiful as the catamarans were prepared for their Rendezvous appearance. The Horizon Power Cat team spent this time checking on any service or maintenance needs—one of the many examples of the attention to service and detail that distinguishes the HPC brand from its competition. In the afternoon, the Romora Bay Resort extended a gracious welcome to the Rendezvous attendees with a steel drum band and Bahamian conch fritters washed down with tropical Goombay Smashes at the dockmaster’s office. Ready to celebrate, guests donned their tropical attire for the welcome dinner on the resort’s terrace, for which The Power Catamaran Company founder and CEO Richard Ford set the tone for fun with his pre-dinner welcome speech. Sponsored by AssuredPartners, the evening continued well past dessert with live music and dancing.
On day two, owners and guests bustled about the docks carrying bags and boxes and scurried to and from their golf carts huddled in whispered conversations: It was the day of the Pimp My Golf Cart Contest. Led by Spencer Lloyd of AssuredPartners, the team of judges carefully critiqued each golf cart entry, paying particular attention to the award-winning characteristics of uniqueness, fun, and creativity. Decked out in full regalia, each cart lined up for a scavenger hunt around the island. The raucous parade, ranging from astronauts to aliens, lifeguards to lobsters, and mermaids to dinosaurs, created quite a stir as it rampaged through Dunmore Town completing tasks and competitions.
Photo Credit: Superyacht Creative
Laughter echoed off the docks early the morning of day three as owners gathered on their neighbor’s aft deck to sip coffee before tending to the preparations for the raft-up and beach barbecue. Despite the blue skies and brilliant sunshine, the aforementioned winds had forced a change of venue for the last two days of the Rendezvous. By mid-morning, each catamaran left its slip and cruised the few miles to the beach at Man Island.
Photo Credit: Superyacht Creative
Here, the spectacular orchestration of the annual raft-up was on full display and managed by the HPC team with excellent precision, as Ford greeted and boarded each Power Cat as it arrived and seamlessly helmed it into position as the crew set the anchor and adjusted the fenders. Within just one hour, all 13 yachts were lined up and the guests tendered ashore for an afternoon barbecue of burgers, South African sausages, and plenty of beer, rosé, and champagne. After lunch, it was time for the cocktail competition for which three self-proclaimed experts in the field visited every yacht for a formal presentation and tasting of that yacht’s signature cocktail. Music and conversation continued as guests mingled before each Power Cat broke away from the raft-up and set anchor for the night.
Guests took to the water on day four, some taking part in the official fishing tournament and others spending the day swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing before heading back to their berth at Romora Bay. The highly anticipated awards ceremony prefaced the dinner with the Horizon PC52 My Best Life taking home both the largest and the heaviest fish trophies as well as the Most Unique award for its Jurassic Park-themed golf cart. The PC65 Cell Fish won Most Creative for its Under the Sea-themed golf cart and the PC60 Brokedown Palace won Funniest for its Pimp Palace-themed cart. As for the cocktail competition, the sobered judges presented the two cocktail awards—both of which coincidentally were margaritas—to the PC60 Vitality for Taste and to the PC60 Mangata for Presentation, and the PC52 Cut and Run won the Scavenger Hunt.
“The 2022 Horizon Power Catamarans Owners’ Rendezvous brought together a group of fantastic owners for four days of fun, relaxation, and enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures, which is what being a Horizon Power Cat owner is all about,” says Ford. “Despite the weather forcing us to abandon our original plans to cruise the Devil’s Backbone and spend the last two days in Spanish Wells, all of our owners and guests were content to relax and enjoy each other’s company no matter where they were. We thoroughly enjoyed hosting this amazing event for our owners and their guests and look forward to next year!”
Leopard 46 Powercat, the second model in the series, does not disappoint.
Only two years after the launch of the Leopard 53 PC (a completely re-thought powercat model at the time), Leopard Catamarans introduced the Leopard 46 PC, a smaller—but equally impressive—sistership. The two were parked side by side at the recent Miami boat show, and I was urged to visit one right after the other to compare.
“You’ll see that the 46 feels nearly as large as the 53,” says Franck Bauguil, Leopard’s vice president of yacht sales and product development. “They’re remarkably similar despite the seven-foot difference.”
I took his advice and toured the 53 PC first. It’s significant and stout and lacks for nothing in terms of comfort. Then I stepped aboard Hull No. 1 of the 46 PC and realized Bauguil was right. The 46 PC borrows design elements from her bigger sibling and does wonders with her 46-foot by 24-foot platform.
South African builder Robertson and Caine have been building catamarans for 30 years and with that kind of longevity, they’ve seen and done it all. Like most cat builders, they’ve taken sailing cats in the past and modified them for power. With the 53 PC and the 46 PC, they took another tack and designed these two for power applications from the keels up. It makes a difference.
Untraditional Design
Three steps bring you from the swim platforms to the aft cockpit, most of which is taken up by a large dinette. This is a design departure because most cats have ample seating and lounges here. The factor for more gating structure is the result of the enormous engine room hatches on either side that can’t be topped with furniture, so the dinette is tucked in between. Also, it’s expected that other than dining, most outdoor entertaining will be done on the flybridge, so why duplicate the spaces?
There’s still lots of space behind the dining settee to walk from one side to the other or manage the tender. Davits are offered, but the optional hydraulic platform is more versatile and creates a teak beach at the waterline.
Starboard-side steps lead up to the flybridge, or you can walk up either side deck to the bow where you’ll find twin sunbeds and plenty of room to work the windlass.
Spacious Living
The Leopard 46 PC is available with three or four cabins and a matching number of heads. The owner’s version places the master along the entire starboard hull with a longitudinal bed aft, a desk amidships, a large closet (it can’t be called a locker), a head with twin vanities, and a huge shower in the bow. (FYI: For those who like spacious bathrooms, this head takes up nearly a quarter of the LOA so you won’t feel hemmed-in.)
The breaker panel sits alongside the steps down to the master cabin, so the owner doesn’t have to go far in the middle of the night to turn systems on/off or to check on the state of the batteries. A lower helm is optional and may be interesting to those who venture often into more challenging climates.
The salon redefines “open layout.” Not only is the aft galley well integrated into the salon itself, but also the forward door brings the outside in with a fresh breeze and plenty of light. Leopard’s traditional forward cockpit has been taken over to make a larger salon. However, you still have the twin lounges where you can hold happy hour when the sun is beating down on the aft cockpit as you swing on the hook.
The surrounding windows in the salon seem larger than on previous models and are made of tempered glass which, besides strength, offers better clarity. Lounge areas include the L-shaped settee to port with a straight sofa to starboard, just behind the optional lower helm. (There is no specified companion seat.)
The galley has a two-burner Kenyon induction cooktop and a Bosch convection oven below. The refrigerator/freezer are household-sized, and there are options for an icemaker, microwave, and dishwasher. To starboard is a serving area with cutlery and dish lockers, an integrated bottle locker, and space for an icemaker or bottle cooler all topped with ample counter space so the chef never has to work alone. The aft glass door opens to nearly 50 percent creating a seamless transition to the aft cockpit which is perfect when serving a meal.
Leopard notes that this series highlights “powerboat styling,” including more indirect lighting, larger hull windows that result in brighter cabins below, wider staterooms, cleaner lines, and a finish in matte greige that is very popular on motoryachts in this class. “The 46 borrows heavily from the innovations brought to the 53,” says Katie Baker, yacht sales marketing manager. “The focus is on luxury and comfort.”
There’s also an easy-living flow aboard this model that connects the sunbeds on the bow with the salon, and the galley with the aft cockpit, all within just a few steps and two doors. You can’t get this much space on a monohull motoryacht of the same length, and the stability of twin hulls means no gyrostabilizer is necessary to keep everyone comfortable day and night.
Fantastic Fly
The cockpit may be focused on dining, but the entertainment star is the flybridge where everyone will want to lounge and take in the fabulous views. To port is a companion bench for three, amidships is a U-shaped dinette that will accommodate up to eight with additional chairs, and aft is a large sunpad for up to three. Starboard aft is open space that can be used for extra lounge chairs and just ahead is a galley module amidships with a sink and an optional fridge and a grill.
There’s a lower helm on this model to starboard equipped with twin 16-inch Axiom Raymarine MFDs and autopilot, Yanmar engine controls and displays, and a bench. Sightlines down the starboard side are excellent so you’ll want to dock on that side, if possible. Visibility forward is good, but the aft is blocked as it is on all flybridge models; however, Leopard offers two optional cameras (forward and aft) that integrate into the MFDs. Docking with the backup camera is only a matter of getting used to it just like in your car.
Because the 53 PC and the 46 PC were parked next to each other, it was easy to compare the size of their respective flybridges. To my eye, they were nearly identical. Bauguil confirmed that one is just a bit smaller than the other, but it speaks volumes that you can hardly see the difference even with such a close comparison.
Fully Loaded
I tested the 46 PC with the upgraded 370-hp engines in 15 knots of breeze on very lumpy waters just outside Government Cut in Miami. We had a crowd aboard with 15 on the flybridge alone, and both the water and fuel tanks were 70 percent full so the boat was heavily loaded.
We came up on plane at 15-16 knots and went up to 22.4 knots at 3,660 rpm (wide open throttle) where the boat burned 38.6 gph. We found a more efficient cruise at 17 knots and 3,200 rpm burning 20 gph. With 489 gallons of onboard fuel, expect an approximate 400-nautical mile range at cruising speed depending on conditions.
The bows have a narrow entry to easily split the oncoming water, but they’re stepped above to create greater interior volume and more comfortable cabins. The propellers are ensconced in tunnels to improve speed, and the Yanmar diesels are contained within soundproof engine rooms that are farther from the living spaces to reduce noise and vibration.
The 46 PC is very maneuverable as you’d expect with engines set so far apart. However, it’s a lot of boat so although it’s not strictly necessary, some may find peace of mind with
the optional bow thruster.
A Lot to Recommend It
Bauguil says Leopard is in the process of fleshing out its powercat line so the 46 PC doesn’t replace a model, it just adds to the offering. Approximately 50 percent of the upcoming Leopard 46 PCs will go into charter while the other 50 percent will be sold to private owners.
If you’re in the market for a new yacht, consider a powercat and perhaps add the Leopard 46 PC to your shortlist. If you’d like to try before you buy, keep an eye out for one in charter at an exotic destination via The Moorings. You won’t be disappointed.
Sea Tow® Shares Top Ten Tips to Consider Before Leaving the Dock
Boating Industry Sees a Record Number of Boat Sales and Boaters on the Water
Southold, NY – May 17, 2022 – The boating industry has seen a record number of new and existing boaters on the water. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the leading trade association representing North American recreational boat, marine engine and accessory manufacturers, 2022 is expected to be another strong year for new boat sales, which are projected to surpass 2021 totals by as much as three percent.
Sea Tow anticipates another busy summer on the water in 2022. In an effort to ensure that a great day on the water is experienced by the boating community it serves, Sea Tow shares its top ten tips boaters should consider before heading out on the water.
Have a checklist. Before leaving the dock, have a pre-departure checklist to review all critical systems (i.e.: engine check, battery levels, fuel levels, etc.).
Don’t solely rely on the fuel gauge. Boaters should keep a fuel log so they know how much fuel their boat uses, when they last filled up, how many hours the boat has run, and how much fuel is left.
Follow the rule of thirds. Be sure to have enough fuel to allow for: 1/3 of fuel to head to the destination, 1/3 of fuel to head back to the dock and 1/3 of fuel “just in case.”
Check the charts. Review the intended voyage plan and be aware of sandbars, shallow areas, channel and buoy locations, etc. so the boat doesn’t run aground, and there are no surprises.
Carry extra lines and fenders. Both are needed when rafting up with friends or when tying up at a waterfront restaurant.
Safety first. Boaters should inform passengers of their boat safety rules such as where life jackets are located and that they must remain seated while the boat is underway. This helps to avoid distracting the captain during the voyage.
Keep two anchors aboard. You never know when one might get away, so always have a spare and make sure it’s the appropriate size for the boat and where the hook will be dropped.
When in doubt, slow down or stop. Trying to figure things out while underway can often lead to hitting something or running aground.
Be courteous. Boaters should always watch their wake and wave when fellow boaters pass by. It’s one big community on the water, so be a good neighbor and be friendly!
Always have a backup plan. It’s often said “when the unexpected happens” because no one ever plans on needing help on the water. Having an on-water assistance membership with Sea Tow is guaranteed peace-of-mind that if anything happens out on the water, someone is standing by to come help.
“At Sea Tow, we are big advocates of getting out on the water and having fun, and we want boaters – new and salty – to do so confidently,” said Sea Tow President, Kristen Frohnhoefer.
“Our captains are your resource on and off your boat, on and off the water. They know the local waters and can help with navigation assistance, tides and weather, anchorages and even mishap prevention tips. No one plans for something to go wrong on the water so it’s important to take the proper steps before you push off,” she continued.
With a Sea Tow membership, boaters pay one annual rate and receive the most comprehensive member benefits available in the market. Sea Tow has boats on the water to service with 24/7 dispatch. Sea Tow offers its members free boat towing in their home area, unlimited dock-to-dock towing on all boats, alternatives to towing such as battery jumps and fuel delivery, and nationwide offshore coverage, along with additional paid on-water services such as boat salvage and recovery, vessel for hire, and environmental response.
Sea Tow, recognized throughout the marine industry as Your Road Service at Sea®, has been on the forefront of on-water assistance since 1983, with more than 500+ ports nationwide including the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The member-driven, franchise-based concept, coined by Captain Joseph Frohnhoefer, was established in Southold, NY, when the United States Coast Guard ceased response to non-emergency assistance calls. Today in addition to on-water assistance, the franchise network handles salvage and recovery missions, and responds to natural disasters, environmental hazards and oil spill cleanups.
The Windy SR44 SX is a catch no matter how you look at it.
First impressions have a big impact. When I walked up to the Windy SR44 SX, the first thing that caught my eye was the huge booth-style seating arrangement on the aft deck. Its width makes the deck appear expansive as it does for the helm station under the equally large T-top. A quick scan from bow to stern showed me a well-balanced, Feng Shui-like deck, and the twin Mercury V12 600 Verados off the stern murmured their underlying power. Needless to say, my first impression was: “Wow! This is really nice.” I immediately wanted to go out and play.
Balance Underway
We powered up out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and reached 33 mph without hesitation and into a three- to four-foot chop on the nose. Handrails served their purpose, but the boat didn’t once shiver, rattle, or feel overwhelmed.
“What’s good for us right now is that the wave period is pretty good,” said Capt. Michael Cohen, noting that it was about a four- or five-second period. “If it was a little closer, it would be a lot rougher out here…. I wouldn’t want to push it much further as this is the comfortable speed for these conditions.”
Once past the outside channel markers, we turned off a few degrees and settled in around 30 mph. “The active trim for the engines is on as well as the auto trim tabs,” said Cohen. “The active trim on the engines is looking for your best fuel economy. It’ll go up and down as you run. The trim tabs are for your ride, your running angle.”
Every boat is affected by wave action, but what surprised me most was when we turned beam to and then downwind, the boat rode like she was on a cushion, as if she melded with the wave angles and moved along with them, even though we were still running at 30-32 mph. We weren’t bouncing. It caught me by surprise and I was impressed—again.
The planing hull has a fast transition to speed as evidenced by the fact that we were up to 33 mph inside the channel before I knew it. The near-plumb bow begins its angle to the waterline about three-quarters of the way down which gives the appearance of a bow-up attitude.
“It helps to have that bow-up attitude when you’re taking those waves so that you don’t worry about stuffing the bow,” said Cohen. The SR44 SX has a monohedron V-hull (constant from the transom forward) with a 20- to 24-degree deadrise, and the sharp keel gives the boat tight handling and incredible linear speed without sacrificing stability. Even into the waves, the boat kept dry. The turning radius was tight, and the waves didn’t hinder or shove the hull aside. She’s a solid boat, and I felt a strength within her that she could safely navigate any condition.
Entertaining Qualities
As I mentioned, the Windy SR44 SX has a well-balanced deck, and she really is as big as she looks. There’s a large sunpad at the bow, at least six-and-a-half-feet long, and an optional version includes fold-up backrests to sit up facing forward. Wide walkways on each side provide easy access around the boat, but one reason the cockpit seating is so huge is that it extends all the way to the starboard-side gunwale. It eliminates that walk-thru to the swim platform but provides wider access on the port side.
The cockpit’s booth-style seating arrangement comfortably fits 10, and the aft section spans all the way to the swim platform which makes for a huge sunpad. The adjustable backrest allows for forward- or aft-facing seating.
“Once you actually sit in this massive lounge area, you can easily put ten to twelve people around the table,” said Cohen.
For more room to move in the seating area, the oversized, handcrafted table folds in on itself to reveal 10 cupholders as well as a handrail to steady your movements. The table on this boat had a fixed mount, but a hydraulic one that lowers to seat level to make the sunpad even bigger is an option.
“Social seating is one of the paramount things in Windy’s design,” added Frank Ferraro, director of marketing at Nautical Ventures, the U.S. distributor. “European boats put a lot of emphasis on social areas.” It shows.
An entertainment center sits between the cockpit lounge and the helm with plenty of room to use the grill, grab some refreshments out of fridge or ice from the icemaker, or use the sink. A handrail is mounted below the counter and with a modified leaning post backed to the lounge backrest, it provided plenty of support when we were underway.
With the amount of space on deck, I didn’t even think about the accommodations below. A couple of steps down lead to the head with separate shower to starboard and a galley to port with more than six feet of headroom. A centerline double berth is in the forward cabin with windows that align with the hull-side windows for a view beyond the deck and to provide additional lighting. A cordless pleated shade acts as a privacy door. Aft in the guest cabin are two single berths.
At the Helm
The boat’s width also equates to an expansive helm dash, and that’s with room to port for the companionway to the cabin below. Three 16-inch Garmin MFDs fit across the top, and there is plenty of space on the angle for the centerline steering wheel, the Next Gen Digital Throttle for the Merc 600s, Joystick Piloting with Skyhook, and controls for the Humphree trim tabs, Side-Power bow thruster, and Fusion stereo system.
On this boat, the VesselView engine display monitor is located up with the other screens, so only two Garmin MFDs were installed. Toggle switches for the wipers, horn, lights, anchor, etc., are there as a redundancy as everything to control and monitor the boat and its systems is available through the MFDs, including the sunshade that extends from the T-top over the entire lounge area.
Three large helm seats have bolsters, and a helm-wide footrest makes sitting more comfortable. Owners can customize the upholstery with color choices as well as the woodwork both for accents and flooring.
Some Surprises
Two more features up on deck stood out to me. First, I was impressed with the anchor setup on the bow. The anchor is stowed in its own compartment while underway, and its hefty anchor arm electrically deploys out over the bow when needed. A separate compartment aft is the chain locker that has additional sections on each side for fender and line storage.
“Some other manufacturers have an opening in the hull, but we like this setup better because a lot of people are worried about water coming in with all this metal,” said Cohen, as he points out a freshwater outlet in the compartment. “When you’re bringing in the chain, you can easily wash it down as well as the anchor arm. With the anchor deployed, the cover has an opening that folds back to accommodate the arm so you can close the hatch.”
The other feature is hidden under the aft cockpit. With the outboards, Windy designed
a garage that electrically opens to reveal space for inflatables, roll-up swim mats, Seabobs, etc. The surprise comes when you unlatch that compartment floor to access an even deeper compartment for more storage and access to the mechanical equipment, such as the generator and the hot water system. It’s a clever design.
From the swim platform to the bow, the Windy SR44 SX definitely made a lasting impression.
The Horizon PC60 is built with comfortable cruising in mind.
“We have owned and operated six boats in the last eleven years, all power, mostly monohulls,” recalls one owner aboard his new PC60. “Like Goldilocks searching for the perfect mattress, we have gone through five different brands, sizes, and styles. But one day, we struck up a conversation with a Horizon Power Catamaran owner, saw his beautiful vessel, and signed to build our own a month later. Love at first sight!
“A year of intense planning, measuring, technical drawings, photos, floor and wall samples, fabrics, tiles, batteries, generators, pumps, systems, floor plans, and more completely consumed our life while we went through the ‘Christmas List’ of choices and options for our newly planned vessel,” he says. Christened in a private ceremony held in Florida, this latest PC60 was commissioned by experienced owners who knew exactly what they wanted on their sixth boat.
All Hands on Deck
The semi-custom Horizon Power Catamarans are designed by both the builder and the owner to make their boat a dream come true.
When I became a charter captain in the BVIs awhile back, it was on a sailing monohull. I was then transferred to a sailing catamaran and entertaining six passengers became a lot easier, not because of personalities, but because of the room—everyone could have their own space if desired. When a beam goes from 16 feet to 24 feet, the boat becomes a really comfortable platform from which to explore the islands or the coast in any location.
Boating around the Virgin Islands is pretty benign, but what about sailing farther afield? When I spoke to Richard Ford, CEO and founder of The Powercat Company, the exclusive distributor for Horizon Power Catamarans, he mentioned that one purpose in the design is to withstand tough, irregular sea states.
“What is different about the Horizon is the highly refined and efficient semi-displacement symmetric hull designs that are developed from extensive tank testing and offer an unmatched stable, soft, and smooth ride on a level platform, particularly in rough conditions,” he says.
The PC60 has symmetrical semi-displacement hulls with “planing wedges” aft that produce lift. The keel begins in the middle of the hull to enhance tracking and protects the prop and rudder. The result is performance and seakeeping so that it can outrun a storm that moves at 15 to 18 knots average.
Different Designs
The PC60 is not new, but with each build, The Powercat Company and the new owners continue to improve the design and create interior layouts that keep the yacht fresh and innovative. New materials, new techniques, and the latest technologies along with the engineering, craftsmanship, and quality of Horizon Yachts’ construction methods, make the powercats a solid investment and a boat that has the volume of much larger yachts.
Ask the owners of Mangata, who took delivery at the 2021 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. They transitioned from sportfishers to the powercat to cruise in the Bahamas and beyond. The design showcased an open salon and an expanded enclosed flybridge. The PC60 also has an open flybridge option as well as a main-deck master, but these owners chose two large staterooms in the portside hull and a master suite that utilizes the entire starboard hull. That leaves a huge main-deck entertainment area with a spacious raised “living room” under the big windows that look forward over the bow.
In this open plan, the galley is to starboard while a long settee is to port along with a service bar aft and additional countertop space forward atop a refrigerator. Speaking of which, the galley’s Miele 30-inch refrigerator/freezer has a satin wood finish to match the interior design.
On Mangata, accommodations are luxurious, and with the master occupying one hull, the king-size walkaround berth, dressing area, head with double sinks, and separate shower offer plenty of space to call it a night. To port, an ensuite VIP cabin with a king berth is forward and a queen cabin is aft. A large head with shower serves the aft cabin as well as a day head.
The open aft deck is protected by the flybridge above and large curved steps access the swim platform on each hull with enough room for divers, snorkelers, swimmers, and the toys as well as hot and cold freshwater showers recessed into the aft coaming. The aft deck includes a high-glass, fixed-height wood table that seats six, and a comfortable curved settee along the transom is a perfect spot to watch swimmers off the stern.
On the Fly
Teak treads line the circular stairs to port that lead up to the flybridge. When Magnata took her test ride after the Fort Lauderdale show, it was understandable why everyone was on the flybridge—the perch with a 360-degree view. The enclosed portion of the bridge has large windows, and the aft section is fitted with vinyl windows that zipper closed or roll up depending on the weather. Then there’s the comfort—raised double bench seating on each side of the STIDD helm chair face forward with the starboard side able to configure into a large lounge/daybed to stretch out. An L-shaped sofa offers room for at least eight along the starboard side aft, and a wet bar is to port.
The flybridge continues aft with a large deck that has an entertainment center with a barbecue and refrigeration and plenty of room for sun lounges or a 17-foot tender with a 100-hp outboard, of which a davit is positioned to starboard.
The PC60 is comfortable for an owner-operator, and there are multiple layout options to personalize the boat for comfort and lifestyle, in which case the PC60 easily becomes a home away from home, or in the case of one owner, just home.
The latest version of the Palm Beach 52 is born from the love of a stylish profile.
I remember back in my sail racing days on San Francisco Bay how cool it was to see the classic, sleek, powered-up profiles of some sailboats as they headed upwind under full sail and tightly trimmed. The Etchells and Star keelboats come to mind, but so do the J-Class America’s Cup boats I’ve seen in many an epic photograph and painting. There’s just something about that powered-up look.
A similar feeling is true with the traditional Maine lobster boat design, although not looking all that sleek, the vessel has a strong, yet graceful appearance to it. That was the profile that caught the eyes of Australian Mark Richards while he was sail racing off the U.S. Northeast coast.
Richards is a professional yachtsman who has competed around the world. He also has a knack for yacht design; he learned the trade as a young shipwright apprentice and was instrumental in many sailboat designs through collaborations with John McConachy on America’s Cup boats, Bob Oatley and the maxi sailboat designs, and naval architect Andy Dovell.
It was with Dovell that Richards captured that lobster boat style in a design intended to be a “sailor’s powerboat,” the PB38. It was lighter, had a softer ride, and used half the fuel than its lobster boat inspiration. From that first mold, Richards, now CEO of GB Marine Group, parent company of Palm Beach Motor Yachts, improved each Palm Beach model to give owners superior quality, efficiency, maneuverability, and comfort—all encompassed in the latest version of the Palm Beach 52.
The Soft Ride
It begins in the hull design, where a boat really makes its mark. In their desire to build that sailor’s powerboat, Richards and Dovell created an entirely new hull design.
Starting with the PB38 and refined with each build, the evolution of the V-warp hull developed into a sharpened V-bow entry to slice through the water ahead of a semi-displacement form that flares amidships to roll away the water and then continue to a low deadrise aft. The result is buoyancy, stability, additional lift, reduced drag, and that soft Palm Beach ride.
“One of the things about planing boats…is that you have to get over the ‘hump,’ that transition speed between displacement and planing,” says Hank Compton, managing director for GB Marine Group in Stuart, Florida. “You can’t see anything over the bow as the boat reaches speed, and it’s terrible on fuel economy. We don’t have that. You can physically run this boat from forward detent all the way to wide open throttle and there’s no uncomfortable place.
“We’ve got a very shallow dead rise aft, say about eight degrees, which gives you a lot of lift because you have a big, flat section aft,” he adds. “In addition to that, you get a lot more stability because the design utilizes the entire bottom. …The V-warp hull is like a planing hull, but not. It’s more of a displacement hull, but because we have such a fine entry, all that lift aft, and because we’re light, the boat moves smoothly from hull speed to plane speed. …It’s one reason why our ride is so comfortable.”
Another reason the ride is so comfortable is the boat is built with all the bulkheads and fixed furniture fused to the hull. That makes for a solid, level platform. “Like all of our boats, it’s infused with e-glass,” says Compton. “And the deck up through the hardtop is infused carbon fiber, which really keeps the weight down and the center of gravity low.”
Power Center
In addition to the hull and upper structure designed to keep the center of gravity low, the Palm Beach 52’s standard twin 600-hp Volvo Penta IPS 800s are installed in the center of the boat, which, by design, helps balance the boat.
“The other thing we did that a lot of people do not do, especially with pods, is we keep the engine locations in the same spot whether you get pods or shafts, and we offer both,” says Compton. “But we don’t move the engines. We feel like the engine location in the center of the boat as low as you can get is by far the best location. And then we have a carbon fiber jackshaft on the back of the engine that runs back to the input of the pod. …I think people really like the performance of the pods, and I can confirm that we’re getting roughly twenty-five to thirty percent better fuel efficiency with the pods versus the shafts.”
The 800s will take her up to 32 knots, but as Compton mentioned, there’s the option for shaft drives with twin Volvo D11 engines. Owners also have the choice of twin Volvo Penta IPS 950s that will reach speeds up to 34 knots.
Traditional Layout
The aft deck has a traditional Palm Beach layout with an aft-facing L-shaped settee against the cabin sole to starboard and a countertop with sink atop a fridge to port. A forward-facing transom settee with room for three at a teak table makes for a nice entertainment area. Owners have the option to configure the aft deck, including the awning, which can setup as fixed or removable.
“The upside to the fixed one is you get the downlights,” says Compton. “You can run thirty to forty knots, and it’ll stay secure.”
The fixed swim platform is accessible from both sides of the aft deck and the transom has a wide counter-like top that can serve as a counter, but it flips up to reveal a barbecue and storage area. “A lot of people put fenders and lines in this storage box because it drains into the main deck drain,” says Compton. “Some people insulate this and make it a cooler box.”
The height of the transom from the ample swim platform is another key element: It serves as a riser for the outboard engine on the tender. That’s right, there’s a tender garage behind that transom and under the aft deck that fits an 11-foot tender with a 20-hp tiller outboard.
Looking forward from the aft deck is a walkway on each side of the cabin to provide easy access to the anchor and the large sunpad on the bow.
Inside the cabin, the layout is nothing short of stylish. Classic teak woodwork surrounds cushioned seats that have living room coziness, especially with the starboard twin facing settee option. To port, a long L-shape settee with a teak table seats four.
The elevated helm is forward to starboard with a matching forward-facing helm seat to port. Between the two, steps lead down to the accommodations, and in this model, the galley, which has a cathedral-type feeling because it’s open to the top of the cabin headliner. There is an option for a galley up, but you’d lose the port helm seat, and with the ceiling-less galley down, it’s easy to still be part of the conversation, yet allow for some out-of-the-way space.
“We’re probably fifty/fifty up galley versus down galley, but my personal opinion is that the down galley works quite well with this boat because it’s still open,” says Compton. “It’s not like you’re stuck in the hole.”
Personal Preferences
On this boat, the cabinets, the trim, the panels, the doors, the flooring (even in the heads), and the helm all have that rich, golden, soft, warm teak that is strong and durable. Matched with white headliners, counters, and seat cushions, the look embodies sophistication. Owners can customize colors, fabrics, fixtures, fittings, and upholstery when building their boat.
The ensuite master cabin forward features a raised centerline queen berth, while the beds in the ensuite twin cabin midship to starboard can slide together to make another queen. There’s plenty of storage everywhere, including under the companionway floorboards.
The Palm Beach 52 has two models, sedan and flybridge. “These owners have done one thing a little bit differently with the flybridge on this boat,” says Compton. “They have gone for a double Stidd seat (standard is two separate seats) and got the joystick control in the armrest. They also made this hardtop about three feet longer than standard.” What that did was extend the deck living area all the way aft. Normally, the aft section is open and has a small entertainment center/wet bar. Now with the enclosure, the entire flybridge is a sitting area, and the owners added air conditioning for more comfort.
“I think this model is a good combination of modern design, modern building, and the classic look,” says Compton. “It’s the most fun boat you can drive, I guarantee it. It really is like driving a sports car that looks like a Rolls (Royce), and that’s the beauty of it—you can have the best of both worlds.”
A boating couple upgrades to Marlow Yachts’ 70E MKII.
Dreams! We all have them at times. They can help us deal with reality by taking us away for a few moments and putting us somewhere more desirable. For boaters, dreams can place us on a superyacht in a faraway exotic destination or put us at anchor in a tropical paradise watching a blazing sunset, cocktail within reach.
Dream Weaver
Real dreams don’t just go “poof” and turn into a reality on their own. They take planning, foresight, determination, and more. Did I say planning? That’s exactly what the owners of the newest Marlow Yachts 70E MKII did (MKII is second generation). They did their homework and are now living their dream.
Unbeknownst to them, this dream started many years ago. As a boating couple, they had seven boats over the 20 years of cruising through life together. Each one taught them the likes/dislikes, dos/don’ts, and finer features they would someday desire. They scoured boat shows to learn as they went, compiled spreadsheets with the data they found, and kept asking questions. For five of those years, they owned a Marlow 62 that “we absolutely loved.” So, when shopping for a larger yacht, they kept comparing other brands to their Marlow, eventually deciding to build the Marlow 70E.
Which begged the question: Why a fiberglass hull versus a steel hull? “The Kevlar construction and the strut keels were big selling points, very safe,” he says. Of note, Marlow uses its own patented Velocijet strut keels that not only protect the propellers but encases the twin shafts and reduces drag. The owner also explains that they will be doing warm water cruising, so building to an ice class was not necessary.
Part of their dreamscape is to explore the world. “We plan to cruise a great deal, to the Bahamas and Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, along the West Coast, and eventually, summer in Alaska,” says the owner, who is originally from Alaska. Adding onto their list is heading across the Pacific to Hawaii, the islands of Fiji, Christmas Island, and farther.
The owners were also impressed with the fine craftsmanship within the structure, from the joinery, wood finish, and overall layout. Key to the Marlow is that they could customize the yacht to their needs and not be shoehorned into a preset layout.
Built for Purpose
When you build a long-range cruiser to cross large expanses of open ocean, you have to step up the capabilities, redundancies, and backups. Marlow obliged the requests.
Fuel capacity was increased to 3,700 gallons, thanks to custom fiberglass tanks. The twin 1,200-hp MAN V8 diesel engines were chosen for their fuel efficiency over top end speed. Setting an 8-knot speed, the 70E delivers a range of approximately 3,000 nautical miles, sufficient to get to Hawaii from California.
If speed is the need, then this yacht delivers. Riding on board to get a feel for the velvety smooth ride and grab some running numbers, the 70E topped out at 25.6 knots wide open. I’m sure the minds at Marlow will squeeze a little more top end out of her when they perform their final tuning. Nonetheless, that is an impressive speed for a 125,000-pound yacht.
Another custom feature (and great idea) are the engine oil containers. Making for easy oil changes, Marlow built two 55-gallon containers in the swim platform for fresh oil and used oil. No more lugging jugs through the crew quarters to the engine room. Oil changes can be performed cleanly, as needed, anywhere. Discard the used oil when back in port.
Even with the twin upgraded 24kW Kohler generators, upgraded Fireboy fire and safety control system (strobe/sirens are mounted throughout), and Yacht Controller remote engine controls, there’s plenty of room to get around the engines for fuel filters and ancillary system access.
A mechanical room below the stateroom flooring houses hot water heaters (close proximity to the showers for fast hot water), and pumps as well as additional dry storage space.
Stability and control is from the custom hydraulic ABT TRAC system with oversized stabilizer fins, 50-hp bow and stern thrusters, and windlass. Three hydraulic crash pumps are at the ready, able to ship 240 GPM overboard in an emergency.
From the Top Down
You might think that all of this makes the home comforts play second fiddle, but you could not be more wrong.
Operational control is from the fully enclosed command bridge, customized with a separate office and day head. As an owner/operator yacht, the husband and wife team will share wheel time but also need to be on top of the navigation and other duties, so why not have an office or nav room right by the helm? This also offers the best seat in the house without being confined to the typical desk setup in the lower master stateroom.
The corner table with L-shaped settee lowers to become a berth, keeping this cruising couple close by during extended night transits.
Garmin electronics is the preferred package, with three multifunction displays at the centerpoint of the helm. A custom interior lighting package with red, white, and blue lights helps to maintain night vision.
Even with full walkaround side decks, the main deck salon is spacious with port and starboard full-length sofas covered in white Ultraleather. A custom teak coffee table has twin ottomans that store beneath and have removable cushioned tops that flip to trays and offer storage in the bases. A hide-away 65-inch LED TV is forward in the bulkhead.
The owners’ big request was a large, workable galley. Planning to be on the hook often or just desiring a home-cooked meal, proper meal prep is mandatory.
Running along the starboard side, there’s counter space around the modular sink station, located next to the stove top (with pot holder clamps). Six undercounter fridge/freezer drawers are well suited for provisioning.
The oversized yet walkaround island with customer-chosen granite countertop is centrally located. Appliances are upgraded, including the overhead microwave, lower oven, and two dishwashers. Pantry space is deep and most have pull-out shelves.
Under the forward windshield is a cozy L-shaped settee with teak table. A convenient port-side deck door offers access for provisioning or grabbing forward dock lines.
As for dock lines, “he” handles those when docking as “she” is commanding the 70E when pulling into slips. A lot of experience is wrapped around this dream, as he has his captain’s license and she is getting hers. This couple knows what they are getting into.
The aft deck provides twin staircases to the swim platform, side boarding gates, a large teak dining table, and a transom bench. The foredeck sports a Portuguese-style bridge with access doors from the side decks. Doubling as a fender/line storage box, the center seat is a great spot for catching the sunset and cold cocktail.
Although planned for cruising by the owners, the yacht will have family and friends on board for various legs of their transits and they wanted comfortable accommodations for all.
Designed with three staterooms with ensuite heads, ample head and elbow room was key to maintaining the open feel the rest of the yacht represents. Midship is the full-beam master with a king berth, his-and-hers private heads with a large center shower stall, and tons of walkaround space. Full-size port and starboard drawers, closets, and lockers provide maximum clothing storage.
Adding to the accommodations is a forward VIP and starboard twin-bunk guest stateroom, both with heads and shower stalls, storage, and TVs.
More Niceties
To support their extended cruising plans and range, other customized components were included, such as a storage room on the aft deck for fenders, lines, and cleaning gear, nicely sized aft crew quarters that can double as storage, custom drawer latches and hardware, and diesel heaters for cabin heat. With an oyster-white hull, this 70E stands out from all angles.
Marlow has built other 70E models, with an open flybridge (enclosed on three sides), lower helm station, resized galleys, 220v service for European owners, larger engines (1,800-hp) for speeds of 30-plus knots, and more.
“It was such a positive experience through the build process,” say these owners regarding Marlow’s desire to deliver their dream yacht. “They are above a ten, two thumbs up. The Marlow is an exceptional value for the buck. We would buy another!”
Sōlace Boats and Volvo Penta team up to create a new platform for fun.
When I saw the new SOLACE 415CS center console for the first time, I immediately noticed two things: no outboards and the massive size of the aft deck…and swim platform! It’s true. I’m so used to seeing center consoles with outboards and a transom that encloses the cockpit, but this was totally different—almost like the deck just extended out into the water, which it did.
You might think that’s not very safe when underway, but SŌLACE boats are designed with a meticulous attention to detail. There’s a large centerline sunpad with an adjustable backrest and a swing-away door on each side that closes tightly against the sunpad’s frame to create a transom when running. When open, the doors fit neatly out of the way alongside the gunwale, and the aft deck becomes one huge entertainment area, and good for fishing, too.
“There’s more usable transom area on the boat because of the way it’s designed,” says Todd Albrecht, president of SŌLACE Boats. “Most of it is the swim platform, and you’re not always using it when you’re running, but you might be diving, you might be snorkeling, you might be sitting at a sandbar; because all of that swim platform area is the same level as the boat, the same level as the deck, it’s now usable space.”
Where are the Engines?
Besides offering a place to sit and catch a few rays on the Solace 415CS, that huge aft sunpad is also the cover for Volvo Penta’s innovative Aquamatic Sterndrive D6-DPI diesel engines. This model has twin 440-hp engines, one of the most powerful drives for the recreational market, but it’s not just the powerplant, it’s the entire package.
The propulsion system, including the controls, is designed as a comprehensive solution from the props to the multifunction displays (MFD) to optimize speed, acceleration, torque, maneuverability, fuel efficiency, and comfort in use. The Aquamatic sterndrive went through extensive updates, including a smooth, silent hydraulic clutch that, when matched with Volvo Penta’s trademark counter-rotation DuoProp propellers, results in greater maneuverability at low speeds. The sterndrive has improved reliability for longer service intervals as well as additional sensors for monitoring and diagnostics.
On top of that, “Our fuel consumption is dramatically reduced,” says Jens Bering, vice president of marine sales for Volvo Penta of the Americas. “Compared to outboards in the same boat, we have a fifty percent increase in range, and that’s no small number.” Fuel consumption is reduced by up to 42 percent at cruising speeds over comparable outboard configurations.
At the helm, the Electronic Vessel Control System connects and manages the internal communications between the propulsion system and the throttle, joystick, dynamic positioning, and glass cockpit controls for simpler operation, even informing operators with diagnostics through the On-Board Maintenance Assistant. It’s all part of Volvo Penta’s Easy Boating philosophy, which shows off cleverly in the placement of the joystick and the Garmin GRID 20 remote device. They’re both integrated into the helm chair armrests. Like having the television remote control within reach, you don’t have to get up out of the seat to control the boat’s direction or access the Garmin MFD menu to configure screen displays.
The technology at the helm and in the engines is awesome, at least for those of us interested the “operation of things,” and so is the way the boat rides. “It didn’t matter how we had the boat loaded with all the gear and all the people and everything else, it just seemed to be a little bit more consistent in how it ran or how it was floating,” says Albrecht. “With that said, with the weight further forward and not hanging on the transom, the boat just feels a lot more solid as it comes back into the water after a wave. When it comes back down, the boat has a much better feel and in big water,
it feels like a bigger boat.”
If the family and your fishing buddies appreciate the ride, they’ll certainly enjoy the reduced noise when underway. “What stood out most to me was how quiet these engines run,” says Albrecht. “I give a lot of credit to the in-house design team on how they made not only the engine box, but also how they routed the intake air so that we didn’t have a lot of sound escaping.” Volvo did its part on the engines, and Soundown added the right noise reduction solution. “Whether it’s cruising down the Intracoastal or cruising forty miles an hour, it is truly the quietest experience I’ve ever had, inboard or outboard.”
Where’s the Fun?
As if talking about the technology isn’t fun, we all know a center console is a versatile platform for fun in the sun with its shallow draft and its ability to fish one day and take the family to the sandbar the next. The Solace 415CS is a day boat that is highly maneuverable with plenty of storage, and some have small cabins for a bathroom break or for the kids to nap. With the fuel efficiency of the Volvo Penta sterndrive inboards, a trip to the Bahamas and back from Florida isn’t a stretch. “It’s how we sized the fuel tanks on this project,” says Bering. “It was all about going to the Bahamas, have fun in the Bahamas, and come back again on one tank of fuel.”
The boat incorporates a wealth of family and fishing features, including a carbon-fiber superstructure, one-piece dive door with integrated stairs, fully opening electric windshield, and the versatile aft seating arrangements on deck. Built-in air conditioning and a cabin with enclosed shower and head are just part of what makes the 415CS an innovative family boat that has the flexibility for any waterborne activity.
There was concern that because of the large sunpad in the middle of the cockpit, fishing would be cumbersome. Well, it’s a center console, so you can walk completely around the boat from the stern to the bow and back, and with a fish on, that’s important. Yes, there is a hullside “tuna” door to port, but there’s also that huge swim platform. What a spot to bring on a catch! There are no engines to nab your line or obstruct landing the fish. Outriggers and rocket launchers are mounted on the hardtop, and rod holders line the gunwale from stern to bow. There’s mezzanine seating behind the helm that faces the action, and underneath is a huge tackle/storage cabinet. Fish boxes set within the deck, and recessed seating atop coolers in the bow are removable when tournament fishing to allow room to lean against the rail.
Family fun is accentuated by the seating as well. Besides the recessed forward seating in the bow, a centerline sun lounge ahead of the console seats three and is made with memory foam. Lift up the mezzanine seating overlooking the cockpit to find a food prep center with sink and faucet, and grill. The cockpit sunpad provides a huge area to hang out, and the incredibly large swim platform is a launch pad for everything water sports. Speaking of which, the swim platform keeps the sterndrives under wraps from swimmers, and the ability for the drives to tilt up allows the boat shallow access to the beach or sandbar.
“We wanted to solve some commonly seen missed opportunities within the center console market,” says Albrecht, stating the importance of “increased versatility with the transom, extended range, less fueling time at the dock, quieter cruise, improved maneuverability, and more.” This is a fun, comfortable boat with the technology and open space to get the most out of day on the water. solaceboats.comvolvopenta.com
One of our Southern Boating partners, BoatTEST met with Boyd Tomkies, the president of BRIG USA. BRIG is based in Kharkiv, Ukraine, one of the hardest-hit areas during Russia’s attack on the country. BRIG builds about 4,000 rigid hull inflatable boats annually and has had to shut down operations to keep its employees safe. A handful of employees are living at the BRIG factory and have taken up arms to protect it. Showing the familial nature of the marine industry, BRIG distributors throughout Europe are taking in the factory employees and their families until the fighting is over. To help the BRIG refugees, please donate to the BRIG Family Foundation here.
Aquila steps into the realm of the semi-custom with the debut of a luxurious 70-footer.
Catamarans are having a moment. The double-hulled approach has been steadily winning over cruisers weary of the roll for years now; meanwhile, the pandemic has inspired more people to take to the seas in a safe bubble of family and friends. There are arguably few better ways to do this than on the expansive platform a catamaran hull offers.
Enter the new Aquila 70, which makes the very best of first impressions. “When you step on board the boat, you feel like you could actually live on board the boat, or spend extended periods of time on board; it feels like home,” says Alain Raas, Aquila brand manager for MarineMax, the exclusive worldwide distributor of the yachts.
What greets those passing through the sliding glass cockpit doors is villa-like living with a sumptuous sectional sofa and armchair by Natuzzi Italia, a formal dining area, bamboo silk rugs underfoot, and a chic sit-down bar facing the open plan galley. In fact, the only nautical consolation is a sleek and discreet helm station tucked into the starboard corner that practically blends with the stylish galley just behind it.
The bi-level master stateroom forward brings an even bigger wow factor. Spanning the full 27-foot beam, the vast bedroom area with king berth stretches between the hulls while its ensuite and dressing area dip into them.
This is the first hull of the new flagship model, which made its debut at the Palm Beach boat show last March and was recently sold. It has served as the showpiece for the brand and prompted orders for three more hulls, each customized for its owner. This marks a major shift for Aquila, which until now has only produced production boats from 28 to 54 feet.
“We sell the 70 all over the world. It’s a different type of clientele,” Raas says. “They have different specifics that they’re looking for, whether it’s a family owner-operated boat or if they’ve got a captain and crew on board, or just a captain full time, or if they’re looking to put it into a charter fleet. There are a lot of different options that can be selected on the 70, whether you want galley up, galley down, three, four, five, or six staterooms.”
The configuration of Hull No. 1 certainly appeals to the American market. It seems tailor-made for cruising the Bahamas with its flybridge open to the temperate elements and a congenial layout where owners and crew can co-exist. All guests are treated like VIPs, accommodated in two generous cabins—one in each hull—with queen berths that face the large windows. The starboard hull aft also houses something any experienced boater will appreciate: a utility room with pantry, laundry facilities, workspace, and dayhead. If an owner desired an extra guest cabin or galley below, this is where it would go. Aft in the port hull, the crew quarters with bunks, ensuite, and a petite navigation desk, are accessed via a separate entrance from the cockpit. The level of finish makes it also suitable for guests.
While these eminently livable accommodations hog the spotlight, interestingly, they are not the yacht’s best quality. “We wanted to focus on speed and efficiency, which is really one of the hallmarks of the Aquila 70,” says Raas. Thanks to a careful choice of interior materials that keep her weight down and a tank-tested catamaran design, she tops out at close to 29 knots. At a 24-knot cruise, the catamaran burns 77 gallons per hour, a stark savings over an equivalent length monohull, which can run twice that. Pare it down to 11-and-a-half knots and you’re looking at sipping about 30 gallons per hour—and that’s total, between both 1,000-horsepower Volvo Penta D13 engines.
Aquila is relatively new on the boat scene. Formed in a partnership between MarineMax and Sino Eagle Group, an advanced composites specialist in Hangzhou, China, Aquila Power Catamarans only entered the market nine years ago, but has quickly developed a reputation for quality builds. “[The 70] has carbon fiber bulkheads so everything is carbon resin infused in terms of the bulkhead, and the hull of the boat is vinylester resin infused, a step above polyester resin infusion,” says Raas. “It’s a harder product to work with but for longevity and durability, the boat is going to perform and stand up much longer than some of our counterparts just because of the quality of the resins that are being done.”
She’s also quiet. The engine rooms (one in each hull) are under the cockpit, accessed from a watertight door aft in each hull, so the machinery’s rumble doesn’t resonate to the salon. Guests inside won’t hear or feel close to anything underway. In fact, Charlie Helgeson, a broker with MarineMax, says that’s the selling point when he gets prospective clients off the dock and on the water. “It’s one thing to just hear a sales professional talk about how great the boat performs, but when you get this boat out there, what’s most impressive is how quiet it is,” he says.
The engine rooms can also be accessed via gas-hinged hatches in the deck, allowing for maintenance work without anyone tramping through the interior. It’s one of many examples of thoughtful design. Helgeson points out more: the easily accessible AC breaker panel in the utility room overhead and even the way the televisions in the guest cabin overheads don’t stop at 90 degrees when they swing down, instead reclining to 100 degrees for the best viewing angle from the berth.
The brains of the boat, as Raas describes it, is the C-Zone system. From a touchscreen on the interior or flybridge helm, the user can intuitively control everything from lighting, electronics, and cameras to pumps, generators, and black water valves. It can also be linked wirelessly with an iPad or iPhone for full control of the systems from anywhere on board.
The user-friendliness extends to the tender stowage aft. A remote-controlled platform fitted between the hulls lowers on an incline to deploy or recover a custom 14-foot catamaran dinghy. “It’s a one-person operation. You don’t have to mess with cranes,” Raas says.
It’s hard to believe, given the 70- by 27-foot dimensions, but parking the big boat is another easy operation, thanks to wing systems with Volvo joysticks that integrate the hydraulic bow thruster, props, and rudders.
As I spoke with Raas, Hull No. 3 was in build for a client and he anticipated the fourth sold hull to get underway shortly, as soon as the engineering work was done for its unique layout. It shows the lengths the team is willing to go to customize each 70, which is the first in Aquila’s “Luxury” division and a sign of the good things to come from the brand.
“Our production boats are great, but for me, it’s the 70. She’s definitely a step up for Aquila heading in the direction where we want to be headed,” says Raas. “Overall, she’s a great boat.”
Pursuit’s Sport Series center consoles have all the amenities for a day on the water.
Center consoles are known for their maneuverability and fishing prowess, but they’ve become much more in recent years. The Pursuit Sport Series is a perfect example of how center consoles have evolved into comfortable, versatile platforms for any adventure.
Newest in Pursuit’s popular Sport Series is the S 358, its first 35-foot center console, that nicely balances the series with the S 428, Pursuit’s largest and flagship model on one end, and the modest, yet robust S 268 on the other. The range shares a lot of similarities, but each has its own personality.
Born to Fish
The S 358, like her bigger sisters, the S 428 and the S 378, boasts a wide-open cockpit with plenty of room to bait and catch and haul in some big fish. Anglers will find 12 rod holders standard around the gunwale fore and aft, and with the optional hardtop rocket launcher and Taco Grand Slam 390 extending outriggers, the fish will feel they’re at a smorgasbord. A 32-gallon recirculating lighted livewell with Oceana blue finish and a clear lid contains lots of bait, and the in-floor insulated fish boxes with diaphragm pump-outs port and starboard hold your catch. Tackle drawers are nearby in the portside helm seat base.
A big fishing advantage of a center console is that anglers can move around the entire boat to keep working the catch. Wide walkways on either side of the helm have coaming and rails along the gunwale for safety, and built-in coaming boxes forward keep fenders and dock lines secure while under the gunwales aft, holders keep rods and long gaffs safely stowed.
The same features carry on in the S 378 and S 428, but with the additional length of the 42, there are three fish boxes, two in the floor and a 68-gallon insulated transom box with a 36-gallon recirculating livewell on each side. On all three models, the patented foldaway transom seat opens the cockpit for unobstructed fishing off the stern. Fresh and raw water washdowns are located hull side at the transom to starboard with a hot/cold shower to port next to the transom door. Speaking of which, the door opens to access the engines from a wraparound platform and includes a flush-mount pullout ladder for swimmers.
Time to Entertain
With the catch boxed up and the washdown complete as well as one or two fillets ready to grill, the cockpit easily transforms into an entertainment area with a few simple moves. Chances are the mezzanine aft-facing seating and the transom seat were folded away to clear the cockpit for fishing, but when folded out, six can sit comfortably around a removable pedestal table. The entertainment center supports the mezzanine seating aft of the helm seats and includes a grill, insulated storage box, sink, and cutting board. Pursuit is all about function and versatility, and it shows in the S 358’s mezzanine seating. The starboard side folds up to keep working the grill while the portside seating can remain down for guests. The refrigerator is conveniently located underneath the grill with the door opening out in the starboard walkway.
A really cool feature on the S 378 and S 428 is that the mezzanine seating is motorized and slides into the cockpit space with the push of a button. On the 378, the entertainment center moves with the seating and on the 428, the seating moves away from the entertainment center, both creating a separate, walk-through galley area behind the helm. Another special feature on the 428 that creates even more entertainment space is when the starboard cockpit hull side opens outward to form a beach deck. Yep, with the push of a button.
Comfortable seating and hanging out with family and friends aren’t confined to the cockpit. There’s a huge bow on the other end with wraparound and lounge seating to stretch out and relax. Electrically activated backrests on the port and starboard sides of the wraparound seating create a forward-facing lounge while the centerline console seating reclines and has armrests. Dine alfresco or play games on the custom fiberglass table that electrically raises and lowers…yep, with the push of a button. A filler cushion atop the table makes for a large sunpad, and an optional Mediterranean-style sunshade helps keep the sun at bay if necessary. The bow has its own audio controls and plenty of drink holders as well as storage under the seats.
The Centerpiece
The fishing, the entertaining, and the adventures are all guided from the center console. Helm controls are ergonomically designed within reach for fluid operation. The dash accommodates dual 16-inch displays, but the optional, factory-installed Garmin electronics package interfaces with the twin Yamaha Digital 425 XTO engine package, including integrated digital electric steering, Helm Master EX, and joystick controls for seamless connection. Similarly, the packages are also available with the triple engines on the 378 and the quadruple setup on the 428 with room for 22-inch displays on its dash. The three models have some great options, too, including SiriusXM satellite and weather, Garmin radar, and FLIR night vision cameras. Compass, trim tab control, and bow thruster joystick controls are standard.
The seating is just as comfortable at the helm as it is at the bow and in the cockpit due to the adjustable triple helm seats that each have individual armrests, bolsters, footrests, and air conditioning vents. The molded fiberglass, full-beam hardtop connects with a custom windshield system with tempered glass, an electrically actuated center vent, and windshield wiper with freshwater washer. It not only protects from weather but provides a solid base for electronics and outriggers on top. The sliding hatch supplies ventilation as well as access to the gear above. When the sun gets a little intense on the aft deck, an optional retractable sunshade mounted in the hardtop provides plenty of cover with, you guessed it, a push of a button.
Adding to the comfort level, an optional Seakeeper 2 gyrostabilizer will keep the rock and roll steady. On the 378, a Seakeeper 3 is an option, and on the 428, a Seakeeper 6 stabilizer is standard.
The Finishing Touch
One of the most beneficial features of the Pursuit S 358, and probably the most appreciated, is the well-appointed cabin with a private head. Not too many 35-foot center consoles can boast this feature with macerator head, opening portlight with screen, and Corian countertop with sink and pullout faucet/shower wand for hot or cold water use. There’s ample headroom, and the port and starboard hull windows provide plenty of light, including in the head. The forward seating area converts into a berth, and a 28-inch LED TV along with the optional microwave are quite convenient. This area is also where the main distribution panel is located, accessible yet out of the way.
Innovations abound in Pursuit’s Sport family, and the new S 358 is the balance point of the series. Intuition, imagination, flexibility, craftsmanship, and listening to ideas has made the Sport Series a favorite for all those looking for a boat that adapts to any adventure on the water.
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