Tag: Horizon

Horizon PC60

Home Away From Home

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. 

Horizon Yachts’ FD Series

Horizon Yachts’ FD Series

Horizon’s Fast Displacement series is rapidly becoming the builder’s most in-demand model. Just look at the lineup: U.S. debuts of the FD75, FD92, and FD102. With a voluminous design, floor-to-ceiling windows, on-deck masters, and an advanced hull design with a piercing bow, they have clearly struck a chord with today’s yacht buyers. The FD75 (75’ LOA, 22’ 4” beam) is the smallest in the family designed with the owner-operator in mind but with crew quarters as well. It has a “semi” on-deck master two steps down. The FD92 Crowned Eagle (93’ LOA, 23’ 3” beam) is a tri-deck adaptation of the more standard sizes offered in the series which shows the builder’s commitment to customization. The FD102, called Tò-Kalòn, is another such example. At 101 feet, 9 inches, (25’ 3” beam) she fits precisely on her home dock in Fort Myers, yet offers 50 percent more volume than the owner’s first Tò-Kalòn, a more traditional design of the same length. horizonyachtusa.com

Return to the 2020 FLIBS PREVIEW

Horizon FD77

Horizon FD77

You’ll need to step aboard the Horizon FD77 to get a real feel for her size.

It was hot, like only a South Florida boat show can be. To dodge the unrelenting sun and crowded docks, I took cover inside the beach club of the new Horizon FD77. Settling into the corner sofa and looking out, I immediately understood why these spaces have become so popular in recent years. Being by the water’s edge was an instant revitalization. That was just the beginning. This was a yacht, I would soon learn, that you have to experience to truly grasp what the Fast Displacement (FD) series is all about.

Beamy Does It

Introduced three years ago with the FD85, the series has taken off. “But you need to get on board and touch and feel it,” says Elise Moffitt, Horizon’s U.S. marketing director. It’s a new concept, not only for Horizon but also for the industry.”

Lounge in comfort on the forward deck.

“New concept” translates to an unconventional look. Dutch designer Cor D. Rover, working with Horizon, approached the series’ design from the inside out, he says, beginning with the question of how far forward they could push the on-deck owner’s cabin and have it look acceptable. As a result, the 80-foot yacht carries a 23-foot beam, extremely wide for the length, which gives it a bit of a chunky look that takes some getting used to, but is a design that grows on you.

Size Matters

From the inside though, it is unquestionably spectacular. In the immense main salon, flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the side decks, the combination of glass, space, and volume is irresistible. The décor amplifies the light, airy feeling. “The layout is so open; we wanted the design to capitalize on that. We didn’t want to bring any heaviness into it,” says Moffitt about this Hull No. 1, which was built on spec for the American market.

It doesn’t get much more light-filled than the FD77’s main salon.

Horizon’s in-house team employed light American oak with accents of high-gloss walnut throughout, Carrara marble in the heads, Cambria quartz in the galley, and bright, white lacquer panels overhead. The floating staircase to the flybridge is enclosed in glass and, unusually, so is the ensuite in the on-deck master. At the stateroom’s entrance, there is a wall of clear glass to port, as a solid wall would have felt confining opposite the walk-in closet to starboard. Want some privacy? Flip a switch and the Polyvision glass instantly frosts over.

In addition to the décor choices, the salon also feels open because there is no dining table eating up space. “Most of our clients are getting away from doing formal interior dining; they tell us they may only do it once a month,” says Moffitt. Instead, there is a breakfast bar looking into the galley (which can be closed with privacy glass if needed), while the aft deck includes a 10-seat table that can be re-situated mid-deck as a full walkaround with more chairs.

Endlessly Customizable

Of course, that is just the layout of this hull; Horizon is incredibly accommodating when it comes to customization. “We can do so many different things on this boat,” says Moffitt. For instance, the beach club could be a tender garage, or it could be smaller if more storage or larger crew quarters were needed. This hull has an open bridge, but it could be enclosed, encompassing a skylounge as well. Want a country kitchen instead of an on-deck master? One FD owner chose that. “This series retains all the flexibility we have with our other series and people can really put their mark on the boat,” she adds.

A spacious aft deck is perfect for entertaining.

That’s how the FD87 was born, from an owner’s particular vision for the 85 that evolved into a whole new model. His legacy is seen on the FD77 in what Horizon calls “bump-outs,” overhangs on either side of the bridge with plug-ins for remotes that give the skipper excellent sightlines when docking. “Our owners have great ideas, and we like to incorporate them into other boats,” says Moffitt.

Storage was another consideration because the full-height salon windows give a true uninterrupted view not blocked by cabinetry. “We’re always coming up with creative solutions; it’s really important, says Moffitt. For instance, a 55-inch television folds down from the overhead, which frees up one of the aft cabinets for storage. A freestanding cabinet that runs along the back of the L-shaped sofa athwartships and behind the breakfast bars’ artistic mirror finish is additional storage. with Bahamas-bound clients in mind, Horizon ensured the galley was loaded with extra refrigeration, freezer, and pantry space.

More Space than Ever, More Speed than Ever

Although the 77’s beam is just three inches less than the 85 and 87, it’s a completely new hull, the product of five years of discussions with naval architect Donald Blount and tank testing. “People wonder why it is the same beam,” explains Moffitt. It’s just the evolution of the design; if we know we can get you 23 feet, why settle for 21 or 22?”

Enjoy stunning vista while you dine.

This is no ordinary motoryacht hull. The fast displacement design delivers lower resistance over a range of speeds, but there’s more to it. Rover and Horizon’s engineers developed a unique High-Performance Piercing Bow, a submerged protrusion with a sharp entry forward of the hull that lengthens the waterline. It cuts through underwater currents and dampens pitching to improve efficiency and comfort at slower speeds and performance at higher speeds.

In fact, the Horizon FD77 can reach 18 knots yet still has the amenities of a displacement hull, a true best-of-both-worlds scenario. So while the FD77 initially catches the eye for its beamy, bright interior, the performance becomes the real wow factor when clients learn what is going on below the waterline.

The series has struck a note globally with owners looking to get more from a smaller LOA. “When we introduced the FD87, I jokingly said that she is the smallest 150-footer we have ever designed, offering the same content mostly found around 150 feet, like five staterooms, including an on-deck master, a skylounge, a salon with floor-to-ceiling glass as well as a serious beach club,” says Rover. “For the FD77, the joke still counts; I would say she’s the smallest 140-footer we’ve done, but this one doesn’t need any crew.”

Make it Yours

With 139 gross tons of volume, it’s a lot of boat for an owner-operator though. Hull No. 1  includes a crew cabin with two sets of bunks between the beach club and engine room. These could be configured in any number of ways to suit an owner’s experience level. For example, if a crew couple assisted the owner, there could be a queen berth here instead, or if more crew space was needed, the quarters could take the place of the beach club. A true owner-operator could send the grandkids back there, making it the fifth guest stateroom.

A gorgeous master stateroom and head are fit for the most discerning of owners.

For anyone on the fence, Horizon has solved the “crew or no-crew” dilemma with an intriguing upcoming addition to the FD series. In development is the FD70 with all the views, volume, and performance in an easier-to-handle package. Like the FD77, I’m sure you’ll have to see it to believe it.

Specifications:

LOA: 80′ 6″
Beam: 23′
Draft: 5′ 2″
Displacement: 77 tons
Fuel/Water: 2,700/400 U.S. gals.
Power: 2x MAN V8 @ 1,200-hp Cruise/Max Speed: 12-15/18 knots
Range: 1,650 nm @ 10 knots Price: Inquire
Contact: Horizon Yacht USA (561) 721-4850
horizonyacht.com

By Kate Lardy, Southern Boating August 2019

Home Sweet Horizon

This Horizon FD87 is a floating home to a family of nine: four humans and five dogs

Boating isn’t in Travis Fox’s blood, nor has he honed his skills over a lifetime. You could say he was a late bloomer. But when he did embrace the sea, he did so with an unusual level of enthusiasm that converted his formerly landlocked family into liveaboards on the massive Horizon FD87.

When he and his wife and daughters chose to relocate from Virginia to Southwest Florida, a boat seemed like a natural part of the picture. They sought a house on a deep-water canal, where, as Fox says, “three-foot-itis quickly turned into forty-foot-itis!” The family took to cruising like Trump to Twitter, cutting their teeth on a 50-foot Azimut Magellano, which appeared to shrink every day they spent in The Bahamas. Perhaps due to the fact that their five dogs travel everywhere with them. “After two months, it was really tiny,” Fox laughs.

A larger boat was clearly in order, and the 2016 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show was the medium for an exhaustive search. Fox spoke with 18 builders but felt an instant connection to the drawings of the Horizon FD85, conceived by the same designer as his Magellano, Cor D. Rover. He was also impressed with Horizon.

The Fast Displacement Phenom

Horizon unveiled the FD series (for fast displacement) three years ago, focusing on functional living space, huge interior volume and the ability to exceed displacement speed. The FD85 was the first in the range to go into production, and while it’s a lot of boat for 85 feet, Fox wanted more. He took one look at the concept and asked Rover if he could add a sky lounge, beach club, country kitchen, and a foredeck lounge.

Fox and Rover sat down at the boat show with John Lu, president of Horizon, and Roger Sowerbutts, head of Horizon Yacht USA, and hashed out his wish list. Out of this collaborative effort was born a brand-new model, the FD87. A mere 12 months later, it was sea-trialed in Taiwan.

With a background in engineering and the ability to visualize, Fox had input into every facet of the design, something that was embraced by Horizon as Lu acknowledges that owners make the best designers. The sense of support Fox intuited from Horizon initially at the boat show manifested throughout the build and continued after delivery, making him a customer for life.

In fact, he enjoyed the process so thoroughly, he named the yacht Skyline as a tribute to her builder. “We did a lot of unusual things (with some uncertainty about their success) in the design phase,” says Fox. Now with 1,600 nautical miles behind them, he is enjoying the fruits of this labor and happy to report success on all counts and an extremely short punch list.

After a shakedown trip to Bimini, the family set off from Fort Lauderdale to cruise the Eastern Seaboard. At press time, the boat is in Mystic, Connecticut. The family’s having so much fun that they aren’t sure if they’ll ever return to land. “Skyline is intended to be a vessel we can run ourselves,” says Fox.

“She’s designed to be our home rather than a vessel people enjoy for a few days at a time. We designed her to be comfortable while at sea for long periods of time and focused on safety and ease of operation since we’re the crew.”

Working from home… err…boat

Fox has worked full time since taking delivery, using part of the sky lounge as his office. “The view is incredible, and it works great for video conferences and in-person meetings.” Because the pilothouse shares this space, the main deck is free to deliver both an on-deck master and a congenial galley that opens to the main salon or can be closed off with a partition that rises over the breakfast bar.

Fox’s wife also works from the yacht, and their teenagers are home-schooled, so a place to plug in a computer was essential. Thus, the salon’s dining table top folds in half and the whole thing moves to the side to make a console, so it opens up the space as well as provides a spot to pull up a bar stool and unfold a laptop.

It’s not all work and no play on board, though. Behind the helm in the sky lounge is a forward-facing, sit-down bar. “We debated whether three captain’s chairs and the wet bar behind was a bit excessive, but there’s always a waiting list for them while underway. Turning the captain’s chairs backward while in port (facing the bar) has worked out to be a nice option for creating another entertaining area,” says Fox.

Throughout all three decks, natural light plays a prominent role. The expansive salon features floor-to-ceiling glass, and Fox also specified oversized windows for the lower deck’s midship queen cabins. “We’ve found that family members in those suites feel comfortable spending an afternoon or evening in their suites when they want some privacy.”

Outdoor living is also a priority with the aft deck taking a sizable portion of the main deck. Forward, a Portuguese walkway accesses the foredeck lounge, which features cocktail tables, settees, and a sunpad—a favorite spot underway, reports Fox. At anchor, alfresco life moves to sea level with a bar, lounge area, and television in the transom’s inviting beach club.

Smooth Ride

While Skyline can reach 16 knots, Fox ran the 1,400 nautical miles to Connecticut at the yacht’s displacement speed of 11 to 12 knots, loving the fact that he could go the entire way on less than the tank’s 3,500 gallons of fuel. “The boat rode great at these speeds, too. Thanks to her wave-piercing bow, any pounding was minimal in a head sea,” he explains. “Her keel and shape kept her straight in following or quartering seas, and the stabilizers handled anything else.”

The bow he speaks of is a new development, a collaboration between Horizon’s engineers and Cor D. Rover they have named the High-Performance Piercing Bow. Similar to a bulbous bow but with a sharp entry, the underwater appendage cuts through currents and reduces pitching in a head sea. This works alongside the hybrid hull shape and tunnel design to provide low resistance, a smooth transition over a range of speeds and shallow draft.

Bump out, Show out

Another of Fox’s specifications, wing stations he calls “bump-outs,” have been a fantastic addition. “The complete visibility alongside fore and aft really makes docking a pleasure and safer as it almost completely eliminates blind spots,” he says. He also designed the rails surrounding the decks with Plexiglas, which gives a clear view in all directions for the helmsman as well as a clean aesthetic.

Finally, Fox adds, “We really like the crisp blue color of the hull. The boat just looks sharp. While we’re not really people who enjoy getting attention, the boat is an absolute showstopper.”

Inside and out, Skyline has fulfilled some very high expectations aesthetically, operationally and, perhaps most importantly, on a personal level. “Whether a game night in the main salon, movie night in the sky lounge or a quiet night on the aft deck with friends, it’s common to hear laughter throughout the boat as soon as you step on board,” says Fox. “Rather than being pretentious or formal, she’s comfortable and warm. For lack of a better way to say it, Skyline really has good ‘soul.’”

Specifications

LOA: 90′ 1″
Beam: 23′ 3″
Draft: 5′ 5″
Displacement: 209,440 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 3,480/400 gals.
Power: 2x Caterpillar  C18 ACERT
Cruise/Top Speed: 11/16 knots
Range: 1,640 nm at 10 knots
MSRP: $7.5 million  (base delivered)

Contact

Horizon Yachts
horizonyachtusa.com

By Kate Lardy, Southern Boating October 2018

Photos courtesy of Horizon Yachts and Jim Raycroft

Horizon Powercats PC60

With the Horizon Powercats PC60 (60’9″ LOA, 24’6″ beam), Horizon Powercats focused on designing an exquisite power catamaran with a high-end finish and ample lounging and entertaining options. The PC60’s appealing lines are reminiscent of a stylish motoryacht; from the side, it’s hard to tell that it has two hulls. Powered by Cummins QSM11 705-hp engines, the PC60 runs to a top speed of 23 knots, and at 18 knots, has a cruising range of 420 miles. She sleeps six guests in three staterooms with room for two crew in the fourth cabin. The PC60’s helm features a Stidd helm chair, a bench seat to starboard and sun lounge to port.

The extensive electronics package includes a full complement of Garmin equipment, Wi-Fi router, and a complete entertainment system. The interior appointments reflect a European style, and the eclectic wood combinations of satin and gloss ribbon cut walnut, light birch flooring, and plush soft furniture surfaces have a sophisticated feel yet remain relaxed and inviting.

The galley options include a Sub Zero full-height refrigerator/freezer, wine coolers, dishwasher, oven, and induction cooktop. The PC60 appeals to clients who have owned much larger motoryachts, fishing boats, trawlers, and lower-end power and sailing cats and offers a similar volume, deck space, accommodation, and amenities in less space resulting in half the annual running costs and improved attributes.

horizonpowercatamarans.com

Return to the Powercat Roundup

Horizon Yachts PC74

The Horizon Yachts PC74 (73’9″ LOA, 28’4″ beam) is in the series of luxury catamarans designed, engineered and built for cruising yachtsmen. The PC74’s design was optimized from data obtained from extensive tank testing and CFD analysis (computational fluid dynamics).

The PC74’s layout includes a gourmet galley, formal dining, grand salon, full-beam master stateroom with walkaround king bed, two ensuite VIP staterooms, a third ensuite guest cabin for couples or singles, and comfortable crew quarters for three. Powered by twin Caterpillar C18 ACERT 1,150-hp engines, this boat runs to a maximum speed of 22 knots.

horizoncatamarans.com

Return to the 2018 Miami Boat Shows 

Horizon FD Series

Two of yachting’s powerhouses join forces to advance the luxury, performance, and comfort of cruising motoryachts with the new Horizon FD Series.

There’s an increased interest in fast displacement hull forms these days, expanding both ends of a spectrum of operating speeds and efficiency choices owners want and need in their busy lives. If you attended the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in 2016, you probably saw—and perhaps even toured—the new Horizon Yachts’ Fast Displacement 85, or FD85, a collaboration between the CEO of Horizon Yachts, the renowned Asian yacht builder John Lu, and Cor D. Rover, a Dutch design studio known for its creative, elegant and well-thought-out contemporary motoryacht styling. The FD85 is Horizon Yachts’ first in a line of fast displacement yachts—hull No. 2 makes its European debut this month at the 2017 Cannes Yachting Festival September 12-17—that is planned to include the FD74 and the FD102.

The FD85 is very hard to miss. Crisp styling lines allow her to stand out among a plethora of boats too similar in design to catch the eye. The 23-foot, 3-inch beam carries well forward to a plumb bow, all riding on a fast displacement hull running surface that, once explained, proves to be most interesting. Inside, beautifully functional, high-volume living and entertaining spaces are on the main deck and five ensuite staterooms on the accommodations deck, plus crew quarters. Loads of natural light illuminate all of the spaces aboard, particularly the main salon where the side windows extend nearly to the level of the outside deck.

Recently, Southern Boating interviewed Lu and Rover, the driving forces behind Horizon Yachts’ new  Horizon FD (Fast Displacement) Series, to learn more about how the FD85 came to be.

Some say that a majority of today’s motoryacht owners prefer to cruise in the 12-to 15-knot range, a definite bump over the 9 knots that was considered respectable when trawlers were becoming a dominant market factor. Do you agree? 

“Yes, most of the old perceptions about motor yacht cruising involved single- or twin-engine trawlers,” said Lu. “However, after listening to our clients, we understood that they wanted the economy and comfort of slower speeds but also a little ‘extra’ available on the speed side. For many of them, time on board is special, and they want to get the most out of their trips/destination.

“As an example, trips to The Bahamas from Florida’s east coast can be as short as 55 miles, and at 9 knots that is just over 6 hours; at 13 knots, it is just over 4 hours for the trip, so this means in an 8-hour day you can cover 100 miles at 13 knots, while at 9 knots you can only travel about 72 miles. That is a big difference for most owners who nowadays have limited time on board their yacht and wish to spend that time relaxing and enjoying their destination,” he adds.

“In the past, going faster always meant burning a lot of fuel, and sometimes when the sea state was rough, easily damaging things like glassware in the galley, not to mention
the harmony between friends and family,” said Rover. “With today’s hull designs, a few extra knots of speed do not come at a high cost. Hulls have been optimized overall for better fuel economy, and bow designs have been improved to avoid slamming. The collaboration between the team of in-house naval architects at Horizon Yachts, the added expertise of the naval architects at Donald Blount & Associates, and our European design
office has produced the leading-edge performance and contemporary styling that characterizes the FD series, giving our clients the best of both worlds.”

It is interesting to note that Rover, while best-known for his design work, also has a background that includes mechanical engineering as well as naval architecture. “My aesthetic creativity, which now makes up 99 percent of our studio’s work, is a God-given talent that I discovered and matured over time. Nevertheless, as soon as you start
sketching, styling and sculpting any new yacht, big or small, it’s good to know how things work and why yachts stay afloat.

“For the whole Horizon FD Series, the quality of life on board is paramount. All the experience and client feedback that I collected over the years has been used in these designs, which encompass American and Australian standards of convenience and living space—something that is often underestimated in some European designs.

“As an example, the owners will sleep in a full-beam stateroom on the main-deck level, or just a few steps down. This concept, which is in the mainstream of our megayacht
designs allow stunning sea views and maximum privacy.”

Horizon Yachts has long been a leader in owner-influenced, semi-custom luxury yacht offerings. To what degree do owners have the ability to change the layouts of the new Horizon FD Series yachts?

“Our company is known for listening to our clients, and the Horizon FD series is a perfect example,” said Lu. “The FD85 was first introduced to the public at FLIBS in 2016 as an open-bridge, raised pilothouse model, and she garnered a lot of attention for her unique design, interior volume and flexible performance. Two clients at the show were keenly interested in the FD85 but had some specific requirements that weren’t featured in the model, so the Horizon team went to the drawing boards and developed the FD87 Skyline, which is an enclosed bridge with a stern beach club design, in response to those needs.

“Going beyond that, we added the FD87 as an official model to the FD series lineup because we felt she appealed to a different part of the client base looking for the enclosed bridge and/or beach club features. This all happened within a seven-week time frame, and we will be delivering the first FD87 Skyline model to her new U.S. owner in December of this year. On this same note of owner influence, we have also just drawn a cockpit motoryacht version of the FD series that will appeal to the crossover fishing and sport diving families that want the motoryacht comfort as well as the ability to catch their own dinner.”

Were new processes developed to increase performance/range, thus further cementing Horizon’s reputation for highest-quality yacht production?

“Our goal is always to enhance the safety and performance of the boat, which includes researching carbon fiber and how we can implement this into our yachts,” Lu said. “Atech Composites—Horizon’s own composites manufacturer—has years of experience designing and fabricating carbon fiber components for unmanned aircraft for Taiwan’s government. This material technology and processes has provided us with invaluable knowledge of carbon fiber and how we can relate it to yachts.

“We began applying carbon fiber to some of our custom yacht components several years ago, constructing large-scale units such as radar arches, hardtops and enclosed bridges. This was of great benefit, as carbon fiber has proven to help reduce weight and improve upon the strength of these components. We have increased our focus on utilizing carbon fiber and recently developed smaller components, such as pantograph doors for the pilothouse and tender garages, for the Horizon FD and E series; these components are lighter weight and thus easier for owners to use. Carbon fiber is something we will continue to pursue for the overall safety, comfort and functionality of our yachts for our owners.”

Before the end of the year, expect to hear more about the FD85 Skyline, as well as the FD74 and the FD102. When you merge the design, engineering, and craftsmanship of Horizon Yachts with the insightful and breathtaking styling of Cor D. Rover Design, the
results speak for themselves.

By John Wooldridge Southern Boating, September 2017

Horizon Rendezvous 2017

Thirty and Thriving

Horizon Yachts celebrates its 30th anniversary with a rendezvous that will long be remembered.

Most people celebrate birthdays in grand style, but I’ve always felt that anniversaries—especially ones of notable length—deserve to be celebrated with lavish affairs. Based on the extravagant and well-attended Bahamas Bash Owner Rendezvous held from April 26th to May 1st, which also commemorated the company’s 30th anniversary, Horizon Yachts is of the same mind-set.

Horizon Yachts’ four-day 2017 Owner Rendezvous in the Abacos, Bahamas, at the beautiful Abaco Beach Resort in Marsh Harbour, was the luxury yacht builder’s sixth such gathering and marked the largest turnout to date. More than 200 owners and guests attended, with 27 yachts ranging in size from 50 to 120 feet. The company’s first rendezvous was also held in the Abacos, so it was a joyous return to this stunning location for Horizon yacht owners and guests, some of whom traveled from as far away as Australia.

The festivities kicked off with a welcome floating “docktail” reception on the Horizon RP120 followed by hors d’oeuvres at the Promenade on shore, and dinner and dancing in the Resort Marquee. The next day, late-night revelers were able to sleep in before a private ferry took the group to Nippers Beach Bar & Grill for a pig roast, beach fun and the restaurant’s popular drinks. The rest of the itinerary was packed with activities on land—golf cart excursions, games, happy hours, and dock parties—and in the gin-clear Bahamian waters for fishing, snorkeling and sunning. Sunday’s Yacht Hop came with a twist—a “decorate your aft deck” contest that really brought out the owners’ creative sides.

As guests “hopped” from one yacht to another enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, they were greeted with “President Trump” as a stowaway; Ginger and the whole Gilligan’s Island gang; disco fever at Studio 54, and much more. The Horizon USA team got into the spirit, too, transforming into mermaids, Captain Jack Sparrow, pirate wenches, and other island-inspired characters.

The evening’s farewell Bahamian beach bash included prizes for the best decorated aft deck and a Junkanoo band for an authentic island-style celebration. “Augmented by The Bahamas’ renowned island hospitality, delicious food and gorgeous weather, the Horizon Yachts Global Owner Rendezvous was a great success,” said Horizon Yachts CEO John Lu, who also attended the event. “But more importantly, this event emphasized that having fun in beautiful places and with wonderful people is truly what makes boating so enjoyable.”

Just like all Horizon rendezvous, new relationships were formed between owners, and partying ended much too soon. Veteran yacht photographer Jim Raycroft and videographer Suki Finnerty took advantage of the famous Bahamian blue water as a backdrop to capture the memories, including a Horizon powercat raft-up and a promotional shoot of the new RP120 superyacht, the recently launched E98 motoryacht Do It Now and E88 motoryacht.

horizonyachtusa.com

L.N. Evans Southern Boating August 2017

Horizon E75

Based on feedback from Horizon yacht owners, the Horizon E75 was designed with a multifunctional and customizable layout to maximize space. The yacht debuting at FLIBS will be the skylounge version but is also available in an open configuration.

The deck features a bar with refrigerator and barbecue grill and an optional Jacuzzi. The forward deck is fitted with sunpads and a dinette for eight guests, while the main deck aft features a dinette and a teak table for eight. The lower deck on the Horizon E75 (75′ LOA, 18’6″ beam) features three staterooms, each with an individual head. The full-beam master suite features a walk-in closet as well as a his-and-hers ensuite with separate shower and tub. horizonyacht.com

Horizon PC52 Power Catamaran

The Horizon PC52 Power Catamaran is the little brother of the highly acclaimed PC60. Horizon launched not one, but two versions of its 60-footer last year, and they’re following that pattern with the PC52, which will be available in open flybridge and skylounge versions.

Debuting at the inaugural Taiwan Boat Show in May 2014, the Horizon PC52 was designed by Stuart Hegerstrom and his team at The Powercat Company, who are also responsible for the PC60. (See the boat review in the April 2014 issue of Southern Boating.)

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Like Horizon’s other motor yachts—both mono- and multi-hulls—the PC52’s hull, deck and superstructure are constructed using the company’s patented SCRIMP process, resulting in greater strength and resilience but at reduced weight. It’s available in a three-cabin layout with two master staterooms, or a two-cabin version with a VIP cabin forward and guest cabin aft. The aft galley features Corian countertops, four-burner electric range (with propane as an option), microwave oven, and full-height refrigerator with freezer. At the helm you’ll find a 15-inch touch-screen Garmin chartplotter, autopilot and radar with 24-mile range.

The flybridge area on both versions includes a bar area with hot and cold water and mini fridge. The PC52 will arrive stateside in time for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October, according to Horizon.

Specifications

LOA:51’6″
Beam:22′
Draft:34’3″
Fuel/Water: 800/250 U.S. gals.
Power: 2 x Cummins QSB 6.7-liter @ 550-hp
Base Price:Contact Dealer

Contact

horizonpowercatamarans.com

Southern Boating June 2014

Horizon PC60 Skylounge

New powercat reaches for the sky

Horizon Yachts’ powercat lineup leapt to the forefront at February’s Miami International Boat Show, showcasing two versions of its impressive PC60 model. Founded in Taiwan in 1987, Horizon has been known for some time as one of the Asia-Pacific region’s leading custom boat builders, turning out an impressive array of both mono- and multi-hulled yachts, with a bevy of awards to back up its reputation.

The latest PC60, dubbed the Skylounge version, boasts a fully enclosed flybridge that will appeal to buyers looking for a spacious, highly stable option for coastal cruising or, depending on engine selection, long-range passage-making. It’s well suited to island cruising with wide, uncluttered decks; a bridle to minimize swinging at anchor; and ample stowage fore and aft for copious amounts of water toys, and diving and fishing gear.

“The power catamaran market is expanding,” says Stuart Hegerstrom, founder/director of the Powercat Company, which represents the Horizon line of powercats designed in collaboration with Lavranos Marine Design and JC Espinosa Yacht Design. “We’re seeing people trading up from sailing cats and down from larger monohulls,” he explains. Horizon has sold nine PC60s so far and took two more orders at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2014. Hegerstrom says the appeal lies in the boat’s maneuverability, use of space, sleek profile, stability, efficiency, quality of build, and customization options. “The fit and finish are fully customizable,” he says. “You’re limited only by the structural bulkheads and your imagination.”

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Painstaking is the word he used to describe the process of designing the boat’s profile. “I did not want it to look like another boxy catamaran. Someone who’s spent this kind of money wants to feel that at least they’ve bought something that looks good.”

Southern Boating joined Hegerstrom aboard the PC60 Skylounge for the return trip from Miami to Fort Lauderdale, where the boat would dock until its next public appearance at the Palm Beach International Boat Show. This four-cabin, three-head layout includes guest staterooms to port and starboard, a master stateroom amidships on the main deck level, and a smaller aft cabin sized for children in the starboard hull, which could also be outfitted as a utility room. The starboard guest stateroom has a queen bed while its port counterpart is outfitted with twin beds that can also be converted into a queen. Settees in the saloon and Skylounge convert to double beds, providing a versatile range of accommodations for owners fond of entertaining. There’s a version of the PC60 Skylounge on the drawing board that features four queen staterooms—each with its own ensuite head. “That layout has the galley forward, a nice big saloon to starboard, and dinette to port,” Hegerstrom says. “And you cut away part of the main bulkhead, so visually, when you walk into the boat, you see all the way forward to the front windscreen. That would be the preferred charter version.”

Because catamarans can make use of their entire beam for living space by the very nature of their hull form, the volume of accommodations found on the PC60 rivals that of a much larger vessel. Hegerstrom says it measures up well against an 80-foot monohull in terms of living space, and its aft deck is comparable to single-hulled vessels in the 100-foot range. At 60′ 9″ LOA, it’s aimed squarely at a particular subset of owner-operators, says Hegerstrom. “The boat’s appeal and what we feel is an opportunity in the marketplace is the owner who previously owned an 85- or maybe 90-footer, and is tired of having four to five crew and the cost of running the boat, but isn’t prepared to give up the amenities and space—and could have it all in one package for a fraction of the cost.”

Room for provisions won’t be a problem as the PC60’s aft starboard galley is equipped with a top-notch Subzero refrigerator plus two freezer drawers, four-burner GE stove, a convection/microwave oven, and dishwasher, nine drawers, and four large cabinets. Just forward of the galley and down a short set of steps is an Ariston washer and dryer firmly ensconced in the starboard aft bulkhead.

The master stateroom—accessed via a starboard companionway—offers a panoramic view out the forward windscreen. The cabin itself is stuffed with thoughtful touches, including spacious cedar-lined closets, plentiful under-bed storage, and a split head to port with shower and full vanity forward (with swivel seat for shaving, hairdressing, etc.) and a toilet aft.

Ascending a starboard spiral staircase in the saloon leads to the yacht’s Skylounge, a highly livable space protected from the elements. With a full L-shaped settee and dinette table, 37-inch flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, and day head, there’s no need to scurry below when foul weather hits. The Skylounge’s aft sliding door has a built-in safety catch that stops it halfway—keeping it from slamming shut on a child or anyone else caught in transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. The sliding door on the boat’s main level that separates the saloon from the aft deck is similarly constructed; however, it needed to be completely locked while under way to keep it from sliding open. This very minor flaw has since been corrected, Hegerstrom says.

The helm station impresses with its elevated Stidd command chair and full suite of Garmin electronics. In an era in which helm seating sometimes resembles a couch, it’s nice to see a helm with a single seat that’s solely dedicated to the helmsman and the vital task of driving the boat, though Hegerstrom says an additional helm chair can be installed upon request. To port of the helm is a chart table with fully adjustable LED reading light—another welcome nod to the tried-and-true art of seamanship.

Though not protected from the elements, the flybridge’s aft deck is no afterthought. It sports a two-burner Gaggenau grill, plenty of storage and an ES1000 Steelhead marine davit. And it’s more than spacious enough for several deck chairs plus a table for alfresco dining.

It took several hours to get out into open water as we had to inch our way—along with dozens of other vessels—along Indian Creek to depart the boat show, but the go-slow time was a chance to put the PC60’s twin 715-hp Caterpillar engines and Side-Power bow thruster to good use. As we fell into line, the boat could be steered without even touching the helm. Just push one throttle forward while leaving the other in neutral to turn, then correct any over-steering with a tap of the thrusters. Easy.

After making the turn out into the Atlantic and getting clear of the chop stirred up by the boats around us, we settled into cruising speed, engaged the autopilot and sat back as the engines burned about 24 gallons of diesel per hour. Of course, we made the run as a light ship with fuel tanks half full, minimal crew and very little in the way of provisions, but still, the performance and fuel efficiency were impressive. “There’s far less resistance on two skinny hulls than one big hull,” explains Hegerstrom. “You’re pushing less water, so for a similar displacement it requires less horsepower to move the boat forward and get up to speed.” The ride was ultra-smooth: no spray kicked up onto the forward windscreen, and there was no need to walk around the edges of the cabin holding onto something for balance—even at 20 knots.

With the PC60 Skylounge, Horizon has managed to package the luxuries and amenities of a much larger yacht into a hull that two people can easily handle—no small achievement. For potential buyers open to options outside of the box of classic monohull yachts, Hegerstrom says it’s a no-brainer. We concur.

Specifications

LOA/LWL: 60′ 9″/52′ 6″
Beam: 24′ 6″
Draft: 4′ 9″
Weight (Displ.): 74,200 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 1,000/300 U.S. gals.
Power: Twin CAT C12A 715HP
Cruise/Top Speed: 18/23 knots
Range: 400NM @ 18 knots/900NM @ 9 knots
MSRP: $2.65 million

Contact:

info@horizonpowercatamarans.com

horizonpowercatamarans.com

 

 

Brian Hartz, Southern Boating April 2014

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