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The 245FLX from Sea Pro Boats is a deep-V hull “Sandbar Boat” that can host the family or go offshore fishing with buddies and still be easy to trailer. Instead of a leaning post, the 245FLX (23′ 9″ LOA, 8′ 10″ beam) has two captain’s chairs that swivel 360 degrees, a full-length transom bench, and port and starboard stern seats. The 245FLX is designed for up to 350 horsepower with options from Mercury, Suzuki, or Yamaha. Standard features include a fiberglass hardtop with an integrated windshield, power steering with a tilt helm, a 12-inch Simrad MFD, and Audison marine audio system. seapromfg.com
A good yacht seamlessly blends the indoors and outdoors, and the D50 Coupé (48′ 10″ LOA, 14′ 5″ beam) from De Antonio delivers. Borrowing features from its sister, the D50 Open, the Coupé’s sliding glass doors and retractable awning let sunlight and fresh air into the cabin. De Antonio provided spacious lounge areas in the cabin, bow, and on the transom overlooking a large swim platform. Belowdecks can be configured for two or three richly appointed cabins and one or two heads with separate showers. De Antonio offers the D50 Coupé with Mercury power including twin, triple, and quad outboards packages to a max 1,800 horsepower. deantonioyachts.com
The aluminum Vandal 46 Explorer is proof a boat doesn’t have to be made of fiberglass for performance and fun. Built from high-strength 5083 aluminum, the foil-assisted catamaran is powered by twin Yamaha 425 XTO outboards with a 40-knot top speed and a range of 240 nautical miles. The SAF 2205 stainless steel foil reduces fuel consumption by up to 30 percent. Space isn’t lacking on the 46 Explorer (46′ LOA, 14′ beam), especially on the main deck with a protected helm and cockpit. The flybridge and upper helm provide additional seating and can hold a 10-foot RIB. Vandal can customize the catamaran and will offer two berths on future models. vandalmarine.com
The venerable Yellowfin 36 Offshore got a major update for 2024. Yellowfin extended the console, adding a forward lounger with insulated stowage below to complement the in-floor fish box. The lounger, which includes additional rod holders, and the U-shaped bow seating offer a roomy area to hang out. In updating the helm, Yellowfin added a windshield, new upholstery, and removed exposed hardware. The 36 Offshore (36′ 8″ LOA, 10′ beam) now has a new-look transom with the builder removing a door and redesigning the livewell on the twin-engine model. Other improvements include better bilge access and handrails added to each side of the leaning post. yellowfin.com
The all-new DC 306 is Pursuit Boats’ sixth dual console and builds upon its smaller 29-foot sibling. Pursuit integrated a hardtop with a full windshield on the DC 306 (31′ 11″ LOA, 9′ 11″ beam). The starboard console has an electric marine head with a 9-gallon holding tank and a sink, while the port console can hold rods. Folding seats on the transom and port tuck away after enjoying a meal on a removable table. The bow features molded seats with flip-down armrests. Pursuit packed the twin-engine DC 306 with fishing-friendly features, including a 26-gallon insulated livewell, fish boxes, 12 rod holders, and tackle stowage in the port seat base and backrest. pursuitboats.com
Fairline’s first sportbridge yacht, the Phantom 65, is already collecting honors for design excellence. Inspired by the popular Targa 65, Fairline set out to deliver a clean and modern design with the performance its yachts are known for. Highlights include a wet bar for alfresco dining on the skybridge, and the sunroof opens above the salon on the lower helm. Buyers can configure the Phantom 65 (65′ 4″ LOA, 17′ 2″ beam) for three or four cabins and three ensuites and a tender garage at the stern that fits an 11-foot RIB. With twin Caterpillar C32-1622 diesel engines, the yacht cruises at 30 knots with a range of 240 miles. fairline.com
The newest addition to the Tiara Yachts’ EX lineup is the EX 54, which carries over the popular features from the EX 60 flagship model including a customizable aft cockpit, twin terraces, and a disappearing bulkhead. The EX 54 (54′ 3″ LOA, 15′ 11″ beam) offers flexible salon seating and an all-new glass patio module provides clear views off the stern. Below, the EX 54 has three private sleeping accommodations for six adults and includes two heads. Tiara Yachts is equipping the model with twin 950-hp Volvo Penta IPS2 engines and Joystick Plus Control. The glass cockpit features Garmin electronics, assisted docking, and a 360-degree surround view camera. tiarayachts.com
World Cat’s 260DC-X dual console is the next-generation replacement to World Cat’s most-popular model ever, the 255DC. Innovations on the 260DC-X (25′ 6″ LOA, 9′ beam) include a swivel cooler seat with cushion that stows under the captain’s seat and swings out for a convenient starboard-side seat. A 50-inch transom bench seat folds down for a wide aft deck space and an expanded casting deck. The stern allows for easy on-and-off boarding. Versatile seating features include an optional bow table that can be removed, converting the area to a lounge space with an optional filler cushion. Standard power is twin 150-hp Yamaha outboards. worldcat.com
Grady-White’s new ruggedly luxurious Canyon 386 is perfectly suited for anglers and families looking to spend time on the water. Drawing from Grady’s flagship Canyon 456, the Canyon 386 (36′ 6″ LOA, 9′ 3″ beam) has an extra-wide beam allowing the addition of a fourth adjustable deluxe helm chair to be placed strategically behind the full-height wraparound windshield. Inside the spacious console is a cherry dinette table that converts to a berth, a full galley, and a separate enclosed head with sink, china head, and a stand-up shower. Anglers will appreciate the dual 35-gallon livewells, a 291-quart insulated refrigerator/freezer fish box, and a lean bar with rod holders, knife and plier holders, and a Corian countertop. Air conditioning and a Seakeeper 5 gyrostabilizer are standard. gradywhite.com
The new 357 LXF S-Class is Scout Boats’ latest addition to its luxury center console line. The epoxy-infused 357 LXF (35′ 3″ LOA, 10′ 9″ beam) joins Scout’s S-Class of luxury boats over 33 feet. Standard features include a swim platform with Esthec decking, a 60-gallon fish box, and a raw and freshwater system with a 25-gallon tank. The helm includes three captain’s chairs with heated seats and flip-up bolsters protected by a hardtop. Other notable features include an anchor camera in the bow and a key fob for the remote-controlled lights. Belowdecks, Scout included a cabin with a forward berth and a head with a toilet, sink, and faucet. scoutboats.com
Fountaine’s Pajot Power 67 is all about living in the lap of luxury.
Not only is the world going to the cats, it’s also angling toward powercats where everything is a pushbutton affair and no sails need to be raised. Because the power segment is growing quickly, some builders are reformulating sailing models into powercats. This is the case of the Fountaine Pajot Power 67, which is based on the Alegria 67 sailing cat that was introduced a few years ago. The FP Power 67 aspires to playing in the realm of superyachts and is targeted at a discerning clientele used to a bit of luxury.
By the Numbers
Everything about the Power 67 is big. In terms of square footage, the flybridge is 345, the aft cockpit is 388, and the foredeck is 527 square feet or about two-thirds of the size of a pickleball court. The hydraulic swim platform is 70 square feet and can carry more than 1,000 pounds. And the master stateroom is 236 square feet with seven feet of headroom. The whole boat feels like Papa Bear’s chair.
On Deck
The Power 67 is mindboggling when you stand on deck. With a 32-foot beam, there’s acreage of teak as far as the eye can see, all bordered by a high stainless steel rail that adds security when underway.
The foredeck alone is the worth the price of admission. Accessed via the wide side decks or through a door that leads from the salon, the foredeck is pure decadence. To port, there’s a two-person hot tub (optional) and to starboard is recessed seating in the form of a straight sofa and L-shaped settee. There’s also access to the master cabin, and the bows contain optional twin crew cabins each with a head and sink. The forward deck is rigid rather than a trampoline, providing plenty of space for loose furniture like deck chairs or bean bags that make great lounging pods.
Since the center of activity on a catamaran is usually the aft cockpit, Fountaine Pajot dialed this one in. Come up the swim steps and take it in. A wide seat along the transom is nestled between a storage space to port and a summer kitchen to starboard where you’ll find a refrigerator, a sink, and a propane plancha grill. An electric shade connects the hardtop above to the transom backrest providing both privacy and a respite from the sun. The port forward corner is home to a dining table large enough for 8-10 people, and there’s a massive sofa to starboard just behind the circular stairs that lead to the flybridge.
Speaking of the flybridge, this is the third sumptuous outdoor space aboard and it doesn’t disappoint. The stairs end right behind the starboard helm and a dash binnacle that holds twin multifunction displays, engine screens, autopilot control, joystick, and throttles. You can sight down the starboard side when docking, but optional cameras are available as is another docking station in the aft cockpit.
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To port is a forward-facing sunbed and behind that is a U-shaped dinette. Another outdoor galley with a grill, sink, and fridge means you don’t have to run down each time you want cold drinks or a snack.
Just aft of all this is a walk-through with a sunbed on either side. High railings will keep occupants of these pads onboard even if they fall asleep and roll around. Most of the flybridge is covered with a hardtop that has an opening fabric sunroof in the middle. All the way aft on the bimini are two solar panels to help charge batteries and increase energy autonomy at anchor.
If you need another outdoor place to retreat from others on board, there’s the massive swim platform. It’s roughly 15 by 5 feet and lowers to the waterline where it makes a great teak beach to relax or don your snorkel gear.
Accommodations
A boat of this size has quite a few options in terms of layout. You can specify four or five cabins (each ensuite) as well as two locations to situate the galley. Our boathad the galley up on the main deck in the port aft corner of the salon. A sofa was in the forward port corner across from the lower helm. An L-shaped settee was placed starboard aft.
If owners opt for the galley down, there are twin L-shaped settees aft and the forward sofa becomes a wet bar while the galley moves down to occupy the space of one of the port hull cabins. The galley up has a five-burner cooktop (that can be propane or induction), a double sink, loads of storage, and a large central island which houses refrigerator drawers. For distance cruising or crewed charters with numerous guests, there’s also another freezer down in the hull for extra provisions.
The helm is more of a navigation desk than an actual helm station and has engine throttles and autopilot control. There’s no wheel here, but when it’s time to dock or maneuver, the captain will drive from up top anyway, so this area is more for tweaking navigation on passage than close quarters maneuvering.
Two things of note in the salon. The first is what looks like a compression post in the middle, which is odd on a powerboat and may be there to simply support the flybridge above. The second is a thing of beauty—the door that leads to the forward cockpit. It’s massive, watertight, and impressively designed.
The aft cabins each have direct access to the cockpit and are a mirror image of each other. The starboard hull on our boat had this aft cabin as well as the master stateroom forward. At nearly 400 square feet, this owner’s suite has a desk, a large head with his-and-hers sinks, and its own dedicated access to the foredeck as mentioned above. The bed is athwartships and faces the outboard hull window so you can wake up each morning to a beautiful view or watch the pop-up TV hidden in the bulkhead below.
Performance
Per company reps, this cat is all about distance voyaging and living in the lap of luxury. Because she offers the equivalent living space of a 75-foot monohull powerboat, she’s also likely to see some single hull boaters becoming cat converts. Standard power is provided by twin 300-hp D6 Volvo Penta diesels, but the boat in Miami was upgraded to 480-hp engines.
With the larger propulsion package, expect top speeds of 18-20 knots depending on load and conditions. That’s not bad given that this boat has a displacement of more than 100,000 pounds. At a 10-knot cruise, she’ll burn around 9 gph giving her a range of nearly 1,100 miles. If you slow to 8 knots, you can explore up to 1,700 miles in any direction.
Overall Impressions
Fountaine Pajot’s powercat range now includes four models with the Power 67 being the flagship. About 20 feet longer than the next model down, the Power 67 seems to leave the door open for a 50-something model in between, but rumor has it that an 80-footer is next on the drawing board. If the Power 67 is this posh, I can’t wait to see what the bigger sister will bring. (Fountain Pajor Power 67 specifications found below.)
The Sunseeker Ocean 182 is a masterpiece of space, innovation, and elegance.
The Sunseeker Ocean 182 is a yacht that redefines luxury and space on the water. With an impressive 2,060 square feet of interior space spanning three decks, this vessel offers an unparalleled experience for those seeking the utmost in comfort and sophistication.
Her interior embodies the floating penthouse concept. With floor-to-ceiling sliding doors and windows on both sides, the main deck offers an unobstructed view. The spiral staircase has floating stair treads adding to the sense of spaciousness. The semi-open galley is well-equipped with Miele appliances and provides ample space and storage. The upper deck can be fully enclosed for a third indoor living space or left open for alfresco experiences. It’s also home to the helm console, freeing space on the main deck for lounging and socializing.
The loose furniture concept allows for a blank canvas for customized specifications on both the main and upper decks. Whether it’s large U-shaped sofas or comfortable lounge seating in the main salon, owners can tailor the yacht’s interior to their preferences. Every inch of the yacht is finished to an immaculate standard, complete with ambient mood lighting, stainless steel trim, and specially designed feature bulkheads.
The Ocean 182 can accommodate up to eight guests in a four-cabin configuration, each with an ensuite. The owner’s cabin, positioned amidships, offers a luxurious escape, while the forward VIP cabin provides an equally lavish experience for guests. Additionally, the crew is well accommodated with four berths, a dedicated crew mess, and a day head.
Her exterior is designed to maximize outdoor space. The Beach Club, with its retractable sea-stair and bathing platform, provides easy access to the water. It can accommodate a tender and Jet Ski. The foredeck offers a social space with multiple seating arrangements, making it ideal for group gatherings.
Powered by twin MAN V12 1650 or 1900 shaft engines, the Ocean 182 can comfortably reach a top speed of 27 knots. At a cruising speed of 12 knots, the yacht boasts an extended range of 1,100 nautical miles, ideal for longer journeys.
Setting Sail with the Maritimo S75: A Yacht Review
Distances are not only vast around the shoreline of Australia, but unlike the U.S., they are often unpopulated. So, self-sufficiency and resilience are perquisites for motor cruising. The inability to find a safe haven often means staying offshore and to do that you need a sturdy hull and decent range. From its inception, by industry legend Bill Barry-Cotter, this ethos was embedded in the shaft-driven hulls of Maritimo, and the latest is not only the largest at 75 feet but also the most advanced. Let’s dive into this Maritimo S75 luxury yacht review.
Australian builder Maritimo’s S75 is its latest, largest, and most advanced offering.
I saw this during its launch at the May 2023 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show in Australia. “The global launch of the S75 heralds the start of Maritimo’s twentieth anniversary celebrations and what could be more fitting in our twentieth year than releasing this grand vessel, the epitome of everything that is Maritimo,” said Managing Director Tom Barry-Cotter, who has successfully stepped into his father’s shoes at the helm of this Gold Coast-based yard. Also, as we go to press, a flybridge version has just splashed (the M75).
My first impression of the S75 is its striking and sleek profile, thanks to nearly 75 feet of waterline, including the vast 194-square-foot Adventure Deck. Some reverse shear along the topsides also enhances the look, while the tall hull is stylishly punctuated with elongated dark windows that match the targa bar, housing radar and satellite domes, clearly making a sporty statement even at rest. Of course, style without substance is not much good offshore, so there’s a solid glass hull underwater and an elongated keel, both for stiffness and linear stability.
Adventure
Reviewing Maritimo’s S75 Hull No. 1 allows a great understanding of what this vessel is capable of. Hull No. 1 is a general-purpose vessel with large cockpits to suit Australia’s mild outdoor climate. The S75’s signature feature is the Adventure Deck, a huge teak-clad swim platform with a hydraulic aft section to float a heavy tender. It includes a wet bar with electric barbecue in the forward bulkhead that also has an access hatch to the crew cabin.
A step above this area, with transom doors on each side, is the aft cockpit. Completely shaded by the flybridge overhang, it’s ideal for diners around the transom couch and inner dinette table with bench.
Yet more lounging space is found by walking along the deep side decks, their tall guardrails guiding me safely to the bow where a double sunbed dominates. Also installed is an oversized Australian-made horizontal Muir windlass/capstan combined with an equally large Ultra anchor, which should give peace of mind at rest.
The S75 salon roof has been designed for storage, enabling the sedan hardtop to be accessed from the upper cockpit deck via a wide stairway and hatch with davit.
Vast Salon
The low-slung S75 conceals its bulk well, but the salon reveals it in all its glory when entered via the sliding door that opens into the rear galley, adjoining the cockpit dinette. Ahead of the galley is the amidships lounge and offset to starboard is the steering console, with all parts seamlessly blending into this vast space. The U-shaped galley takes up the entire aft section which allows several people to work here. It’s extensively equipped with two large freezer drawers, microwave, and a separate oven with four-plate electric hob, all by Miele.
A step up on the paneled vinyl floor to the carpeted lounge gives the ambience of a much larger vessel, thanks to that generous beam and tall windows placed at eye height when resting on the couches that surround the area. The dark wood gloss finish is understated and contrasts with the cream leather furnishings. Forward is the staircase down to the three cabins, naturally lit by the overhead front salon window.
The console is a well-equipped with Twin Disc EJS joystick and throttles. The EJS controls the fore and aft thrusters. Given the windage, controlling the shaft drives and thrusters with a simply operated joystick system is ideal for most owners.
On Hull No. 1, the essentials including tabs, the hydraulic wheel, and Garmin smarts (twin 24-inch glass screens, radar, and autopilot) were all ergonomically laid out in front of the two bucket seats.
Reviewing Maritimo’s S75 Accommodations
The central stairway leading below benefits from the atrium-style layout of the salon windows which gave natural light as I stepped down. Here, a lounge has been optioned instead of a fourth cabin, which created an airy, convivial area.
Located deep in the hull, using the almost 20-foot beam, the owner’s suite is outstanding with several furniture options including a vanity table and benches with cedar-lined cabinetry. The cabin is a large space with more than six feet of headroom and without any impinging bulkheads around the king-size berth. Elongated hull windows let in light with two opening portholes to increase natural airflow.
The ensuite bathroom behind the berth uses the entire beam to create a vast ablutions area with twin sinks, freshwater flush electric head, and a generous shower at the far end to starboard.
Also impressive is the bow cabin because instead of the usual location in the middle, the queen berth is offset to starboard, creating a walking space around it. Finally, the third cabin with its two bunks and rather small portlight finishes off this practical accommodation layout.
Hull and Systems
The hull build is completely solid GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) below the waterline. Rigidity comes from a monolithic GRP liner that is molded longitudinally all the way to the forward cabin—a Maritimo patented technique to enhance hull integrity. Similarly, the decks also have a liner as well as the superstructure, which enhances both rigidity and insulation while creating a monocoque structure intended to last. Deep bilges are another plus to manage any water incursion without losing stability.
Scania 1,150-hp engines were fitted to the review boat, running straight shafts to five-bladed Nimbral Veem propellers. Options include Rolls-Royce Power Systems MTU, which is available in the 2000 Series V10 1,625-mhp per side. Electrical power comes from twin Onan 22.5kW generators. When at rest, twin ARG 250 T gyros can be deployed, with one in the engine room and the second behind on the Adventure Deck.
At Sea
Reviewing the Maritimo S75 had a perk; taking it to its natural element—offshore. Behind the wheel, I felt the long southerly Pacific swells beneath the stiff hull as I accelerated toward the eastern horizon, and with 10,000 liters (approximately 2,640 U.S. gallons) fully loaded, the S75 can reach those far horizons.
The motion was heavily dampened and the natural trim—thanks to shaft drives putting engine weight inboard—negated the need for tabs (at least without a full cruising load).
Turning was predictable, as the S75 hull didn’t heel into turns but neither did it slide; it tracked flat and predictably. I then sought out my wake to test the joinery and other bulkheads, which didn’t complain when the swell crashed into the hull before running obediently off the flared bows as we reached a top speed of 28 knots. All done with aplomb on this most impressive 75-footer.
The Riviera 46 Sports Motoryacht scratches a lot of itches in an expertly dialed-in package that leaves little to criticize.
The Palm Beach International Boat Show is one of my personal favorites. It’s not too big, it’s not too small, and it offers easy accessibility to the surrounding town in a way that sets it apart from nearly every other major show. In that sense, it was the perfect venue for the Riviera 46 Sports Motoryacht to makes its American debut. This is a mid-sized cruiser that is as versatile as she is well-thought-out—a solidly built entry from the much-admired heavyweight of Australian boatbuilding.
The Riviera 46 is the baby in a line of Sports Motoryachts (SMYs) that also includes a 50, 58, 64, 68, and 72. These yachts are ostensibly convertibles, but not really. I have fond memories of once reeling in sailfish after sailfish aboard a Riviera 51 in Costa Rica, but these aren’t tournament-fishing boats. However, they are well equipped for some bottom bashing, as the Aussies call it colloquially. This is, thanks to a very workable cockpit that has an in-transom livewell and beefily hinged tuna doors to either side. Any catches can be cleaned and grilled at the sink and barbecue forward and to port, while the same space to starboard has a drop-in freezer and an icemaker. A large hydraulic swim platform acts as an extension of the cockpit space when at anchor and enjoying water sports and can easily hold and launch a tender for when island hopping is on the agenda.
Know Your Customers
Forward of the cockpit is an alfresco mezzanine deck that can either be enclosed in Isinglass or left open. A folding teak dining table to port services a bench, while a mirroring bench to starboard is also at play. The latter lounge space abuts a fold-up window accessing the aft galley, so it’s the best place to sit if you want to be first up when the appetizers start coming out. That aft galley is a nearly ubiquitous design on boats in this size and class these days, but it was the Australians who popularized the laid-back, functional, and versatile layout. The alfresco mezzanine design creates a well-protected indoor-outdoor space good for socializing either underway or on the hook, and it also effectively adds about 30 percent more space to the main salon. It’s an ingenious design touch that shows how well Riviera understands the layouts on its SMY series and also how its customers use the boats. The builder is well-known for seeking out client feedback and taking it seriously when penning new models, and this mezzanine deck is a good example of the fruits of that labor.
The 46 SMY’s salon benefits from having the helm on the flybridge—a staple of the range—in that it feels larger than it has any right to be. Wood options are either walnut or oak in high-gloss or satin—choose wisely, as there is wood seemingly everywhere in the space. That aforementioned galley has a counter running along the aft bulkhead offering ample prep space. There is an induction cooktop to starboard and a sink forward. It’s a relatively spartan galley but one with everything you need to whip up something delicious, and the fit and finish, from the way the cabinets softly close to the smart grooves that run along the interior edge of the counter, is high quality. A second indoor dining settee is forward and to port to handle dinner duties during especially inclement weather.
On the Fly
The Riviera 46 SMY is built on the same platform as the builder’s popular 465 SUV, which is an express cruiser model. What sets the SMY apart is its flybridge, which really opens the boat up for entertaining, with an entire extra deck. The SMY will also appeal to captains who prefer to drive from up top, either for the sightlines or for the chance to get some respite from their guests. The flybridge is accessed via a sturdy interior staircase in the aft of the salon, a grippy climb that will be safe even in a seaway. Up top the helm features twin Pompanette captain’s chairs, Volvo Penta controls, Garmin screens, and an elegant C-Zone system that does wonders to reduce dashboard clutter. A forward lounge area is perhaps the best place to be on the boat when underway and converts into a berth if needed. If someone is sleeping up top, the flybridge can be fully enclosed by Isinglass. There is also a hardtop overhead providing shade, which is supported by thick aluminum tubes crafted with expert welding. It’s details like this that show how much experience Riviera has accumulated in its workforce at its sprawling yard in Queensland, Australia. Notably, the builder fosters one of the industry’s strongest apprentice programs, helping to bring local youths up through the ranks to become expert boatbuilders, and sometimes company leaders.
Fast and Efficient
With the optional 725-hp Volvo Penta IPS 950s, the Riviera 46 can hit a respectably zippy 34-knot top end with an efficient fast cruise of about 29 knots. At that pace, she burns 59 gallons per hour. Less powerful 600-hp Volvo Penta IPS 800s come standard. Either propulsion package will reside in an engine room with solid 360-degree access to all major service points and a reliable 13.5-kW Onan generator forward. Fire-resistant, transverse, GRP fuel tanks can hold up to 660 gallons, while water capacity is 132 gallons.
Riviera added sound and vibration dampeners around the engine room to make the 46’s ride as quiet as possible, a trait that will likely be appreciated most down below on the accommodations level. At 46 feet, 11 inches length overall, the SMY is just a tad too small for a full-beam amidships master, but the forepeak master layout should do just fine. Twin overhead hatches offer good natural light that really opens the space, and an ensuite head with enough room for American elbows is a real asset. Mirroring guest staterooms with twin berths are amidships, and benefit greatly from the not insignificant hullside glazing that fills them with natural light. The two cabins share a dayhead. Besides the convertible berth on the flybridge, both the salon and mezzanine also have convertible berths, meaning this boat can easily handle a large overnight crowd so long as nobody is too picky.
The sleeping arrangements are a good microcosm for this 46 and the Australian boating ethos in general. The emphasis here is to put forward a well-designed vessel that can get you out on the water enjoying nature while spending time with friends and family—and do it all in a package that isn’t gaudy but leaves nothing to be desired. There’s good reason I left Palm Beach having this Riviera 46 SMY marked down in my notes as one of my very favorite boats at one of my very favorite shows.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but when I stepped aboard the Hargrave 116-foot Romeo Foxtrot, the pictures I saw prior to my visit quickly went silent. The real-life visual in front of me spoke volumes as the colors, textures, design features and accents, and even the lighting blended into a work of art. Join Southern Boating on this luxury yacht review and you’ll soon understand.
“As the lead designer on this project, my primary goal was to create a yacht with uncompromising amenities and luxurious comfort,” says Shelley DiCondina, president and lead designer of Yacht Interiors by Shelley in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and designer of Romeo Foxtrot’s interior. “Our first mission was to design a floor plan that’s function was beyond reproach…to create a luxury vessel that has thoughtful gathering areas that are beyond comfortable, feels intimate for long conversations and relaxing, and is easily accessible for crew to deliver discrete service.”
Stepping Aboard the Hargrave 116 Romeo Foxtrot: A Luxury Yacht Review
That’s just how Romeo Foxtrot emerged from the yard. As I said, walking into the main salon gave me an entirely new perspective. First, what appeared in pictures as a skinny, elongated salon and dining area turned out to be quite the opposite. Nearly floor-to-ceiling windows made the space feel much wider, and contemporary accents along with furniture choices made for a large cohesive room with distinctive social areas. It was then I realized the windows were so big because the headroom was unusually tall—seven feet, two inches to be exact.
Exotic walnut-based veneers, marble, wood, and tile are used extensively to create a refined, luxurious feel throughout the interior. Light sand tones everywhere are blended with splashes of browns, ocean blues, patterns, and gleaming glosses. With those interior design attributes and the “picture” windows letting in an abundance of natural light, there’s a spaciousness that lets you breathe yet keeps you wrapped in a cozy, comfortable frame of mind.
Experience the Pinnacle of Seafaring Luxury Living Spaces
The main-deck salon on Romeo Foxtrot has an oversized, plush sofa with matching chair and a coffee table with a wood grain-style runner designed within. Across to port, four seats surround a smaller, raised table with similar features as the coffee table. Each seat is a contemporary design with a velvety backrest that seems to change its mood as the light plays upon it. A bar with sink and mirror-backed shelves is snug in the starboard aft corner while a large-screen television is mounted in the port aft corner. Between them, glass sliding doors open out to the cockpit to expand the room outside with a U-shaped sofa and beautiful glossy table aft. Folding chairs add seating for nine or 10 to enjoy a delightful alfresco meal protected from the elements by the upper deck.
Stairs on each side of the cockpit lead down to the swim platform and beach club, but more on that in a minute.
Turning back into the salon, a modern design element on the headliner wraps down between the windows to separate the salon and dining area, as does the turn from carpet to a beautifully engineered wood floor. Centered along the forward bulkhead is a wide interior circular stair to reach the upper and lower decks. To port is access to the galley and to starboard, a corridor leads to a day head and, eventually, the master stateroom. But before that, with picture windows on each side, is a magnificent dining table.
“The dining table is called a ‘Live Edge Table’ of raw teak,” explains DiCondina. “We could not get the width of the table we required so we had the shipyard cut the plank down the center and flip the ‘live edge’ of the plank to the inside. The table was then laid up with gray-toned acrylic poured to create width on the inside. This way, the raw edge is on view in the center of the table to enjoy. The other benefit is that the table perimeter is smooth and makes for easier table setting and use. We then designed a very clean, simple stainless steel banded base with sub deck that bolted to the floor. The ‘Live Edge’ plank trend is a sophisticated nod to the organic vibe designers are embracing—earthy and starring Mother Nature; whether it’s looking out the windows at the sea or admiring the simple beauty of a plank of wood.”
It’s a stunning piece of artwork that seats 10 and is an exquisite example of how Yacht Interiors by Shelley fuses modern design with timeless luxury. It’s a cornerstone to the experience of this luxury yacht review.
Continuing that theme, forward on the main deck is the master stateroom. The spacious full-beam suite features two private heads and two walk-in closets to offer unparalleled indulgence and comfort. The modern element used between the salon and dining room is also used here and focuses the king berth as the room’s centerpiece. Above the headboard and surrounding the very large TV opposite as well as on the dresser drawers is another striking design made with an exotic ALPI veneer. It is also used in the dining room and salon although of differing color shades from silver to walnut. A seating area is to port, and large windows on both sides let in the natural light and provide a visual worth, well, more than a thousand words.
The last space of the main deck is the galley with a center island and all the appliances that create an efficient place for meal prep and service. There’s even a cozy breakfast settee with table in the corner for guests to keep the chef company or go over the day’s menu.
Comfort is one of the benefits of Romeo Foxtrot’s design, and it’s evident in the accommodations belowdecks. Four ensuite guest cabins, all with king-size berths, are designed with separate showers and the same accents found throughout the yacht with marble, silver, and veneers as well as each suite with its own blend of colors. Wide windows above the berths keep the suites bathed in natural light.
The yacht fits eight crew on the accommodations deck forward with access from the galley above to avoid unnecessary interaction with guests. Beside an L-shaped settee with table, full head, and a small galley space, the quarters are also laundry central with two full-size washers and dryers. There’s also a washer/dryer closet in the guest accommodations space for delicate clothing or for a quick wash of bathing suits and such.
The captain’s quarters are on the upper deck just off the wheelhouse. “I think it’s amazing,” says Capt. Chris. “I always say having a captain’s cabin off the pilothouse is a safety feature. The night watch just has to knock on my door almost instantly. He doesn’t have to run down below trying to look for me.” Leaving the helm can be risky in an emergency situation and having the captain within feet can really make a difference.
An Extraordinary Tri-Deck
Romeo Foxtrot has three full decks, including the accommodations level, the main deck, and the upper deck. There’s also the added entertainment space of the spa/sun deck that tops off the yacht’s sleek exterior design. Her spa tub, bar area, and entertainment center with grill make the deck a favorite hang-out.
Go ahead and include the beach club off the stern that has a fold-down teak deck for water sport launchings, a full bar, and a steam room for six, and with the huge sunpad on the main deck’s bow—the choices are endless to find a private spot, or socialize with a loved one or with family, or entertain all your friends. Add the ocean, and the yacht is a mecca for fun in the sun.
There’s no need to worry about what keeps this yacht on the move. Twin Caterpillar C32 engines push Romeo Foxtrot ahead nicely at a cruising speed around 12 knots which will take her between 1,000 and 1,200 miles. At eight knots, that distance almost doubles. She also has Northern Lights generators and a watermaker that produces up to 1,800 gallons of water per day.
“I feel very comfortable as far as she handles,” says Capt. Chris, noting that the yacht is well-balanced and responsive. The stabilizers really help too. “Going across to Greece, we had this really big beam sea and the wind was blowing. I thought, ‘Oh, this is going to be miserable,’ but it wasn’t bad at all. She handles very well.”
Luxury Yacht Review Final Thoughts: Romeo Foxtrot
The interior design is also key in the owners’ comfort as well as the crew’s. “I love the way the boat is laid out,” adds Capt. Chris. “When you walk through it, everything flows. Everything continues one onto the other, which I like…. The elegance is in the simplicity of the layout.” The beauty is being on board and enjoying every moment whether at the dock, cruising to a new destination, or anchored in a cove. Romeo Foxtrot definitely offers that and more.
-by Steve Davis
ROMEO FOXTROT SPECIFICATIONS – A LUXURY YACHT REVIEW FINALE
