Platform engineering—using the same basic hull form and powertrain, but with different interpretations above and belowdecks—can speed up the development of new yacht models. Sunseeker Yachts is using this technique in the 55-foot range with the Superhawk 55 sport cruiser that debuted in 2023, the 55 Sport Yacht coming later this year, and the Predator 55, which is the new entry-level model in the Predator lineup.

This Predator 55 should not be confused with the old Predator 55 or the 55 Evo model that Sunseeker built from 2020 until recently. This Predator 55 is a true sistership to the Predator 65 and 75 that are now part of the builder’s lineup.

Like the Superhawk 55, the Predator 55 is pulled along by twin Volvo Penta D11-725s and IPS950s. Those diesels max out at 2,550 rpm, producing a top speed of about 37 knots at half-load. There’s about a 1-knot difference in top speeds between the two, with the Predator being slower because of the extra superstructure weight and glazing.

I got aboard Hull No. 2 of the Predator 55 just after its UK debut at the Southampton International Boat Show, when the boat had to be moved in deteriorating weather back to Sunseeker headquarters. It’s not a long trip from the western end of the Solent across Poole Bay, but the sea was getting lumpy as the windspeed edged up over a building tide. We’d also have to deal with running into darkness. The main concern was the lobster-pot markers, which can foul a prop or worse.

In those conditions, the best we could do was just under 35 knots. According to our numbers, the 55 will run all day at 2,000 rpm and around 25 knots with a range of 250 nautical miles. At 30 knots, fuel burn is similar, just under 2 gallons per mile for an ultimate range of 230 to 240 nm. During most of my time on board, we maintained a comfortable 18-knot cruise in 5-foot seas. The 55 heels into turns, a reminder that Predators are meant to be sporty and driving them should be enjoyable. A Seakeeper gyrostabilizer and Trim Assist are there for skippers who want them.

On the main deck, a sofa, table and sun pad are forward. In the cockpit, there are two sofas: an L-shaped booth to port and a long one with its back to a central transom sun pad. Steps on each side connect with the hydraulic swim platform and the garage at the stern.

Inside, the main salon can be configured as a lounge or as a half-lounge, half-galley. The starboard-side helm has good visibility forward and to the sides, with a one-piece windshield and reasonably slender A and B pillars. There are two Aras helm seats, along with an opening side window and the sunroof framed in carbon fiber for more light and fresh air.

The lower deck—accessed from a centerline staircase that descends beneath the windshield—has two en suite staterooms in the standard layout. The full-beam owner’s space is amidships with a forward-facing double berth, stowage to port and a full-height closet. To starboard, there’s either stowage with a vanity or a breakfast booth. The forepeak VIP stateroom also has a double berth. Owners can choose a third stateroom (with bunks), a lower lounge or a lower galley. Headroom on the lower deck is about 6 feet, 6 inches where it counts in the master and VIP.

On the Predator 55 that I got aboard, the owner had chosen the galley-up, three-stateroom layout with a fetching shark-gray gelcoat hull, light half-gloss oak veneers, a white-oak sole and, most strikingly, smoky blue doors on the galley cabinetry. A wide spectrum of styling combinations are available for owners to personalize their yachts.

There have been 34 Predator models during the past 30 years. Some of the older ones topped out above 40 knots, but these newest designs prioritize comfort as well as function. They still have top speeds between 35 and 40 knots, super-sweet lines, and a satisfyingly sporty feel at the wheel, and they add a lot to like in the relaxation areas.  

Above or Below

One of the big options for Sunseeker Predator 55 owners is the ability to have the galley up or down. With the galley-down arrangement (shown above), accommodations are two staterooms. If owners go with the galley-up setup, the lower deck can be ordered with a third guest stateroom or a lower lounge. 

Key Features

One of the Predator 55’s notable traits is that it’s a quiet ride. With all the doors closed at 18 knots, we measured 64 decibels at the helm, about the level of normal conversation. Also notable is the yacht’s tender garage, which accommodates a Williams Turbojet 325 tender. The Volvo Penta IPS powertrain can come with Active Ride Control, a Dynamic Positioning System, Joystick Docking and a Glass Cockpit.

Take the next step: sunseeker.com

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There are two key trends among today’s boaters. First, more families are embracing a multigenerational boating lifestyle, and second, versatility is in high demand. Even the most hardcore anglers now want some form of cruising comfort, while cruisers want to be able to hang with friends at the local sandbar or head out for dinner on the water after a day of island hopping. They might also enjoy snorkeling or diving, or grilling at sunset with cocktails, with several generations of family and friends along for the ride.

With all of that in mind, Regal introduced its SAV line of Sports Activity Vessels. When the 38 SAV became the bestselling boat in the company’s 55-year history, the team knew they were onto something. Regal’s latest model is the 50 SAV, which was introduced at the 2024 Miami International Boat Show. This boat packs a ton of fun features into a package that feels larger than its 50 feet.

Stepping aboard Hull No. 4, my first impression was openness. With the fold-down terrace door extended on one side away from the dock, and with easy boarding via dive doors in both gunwales, the beach-club vibe was in full effect. The fisherman in me admired the pressurized livewells in the transom, a nice touch to keep baits from sloshing in rough seas. I also liked the easy-to-clean synthetic teak decking underfoot. Options including a teak rocket launcher and 18-foot Gemlux outriggers rounded out the fishing side, with 55-inch in-deck macerated fish boxes for the catch of the day or miscellaneous items like fenders and dock lines. With the terrace doors closed, the cockpit measured a touch over 62 square feet and seemed even larger.

Moving forward, the two rows of four adjustable custom seats beneath a carbon-fiber hardtop provide comfy, shaded seating for a crowd. The entertainment island in the after section of the mezzanine is the heart of the action, just as everyone gathers around a backyard grill at home. Beneath hidden covers are a pair of 48-volt smokeless grills and a sink with a faucet and cutting board. Below is a pair of drawer refrigerators (or one fridge and one freezer, owner’s choice) with utensil stowage in between. On each end of the island are tip-out trash containers, a handy touch for any kind of onboard entertaining. Above the island is a 16-inch Garmin multifunction display to keep everyone informed and in the action.

The forward two seats have 9-inch Garmin displays integrated into flip-up pods in the armrests, which Regal calls “Garmrests.” These devices mean there is no need to reach forward to use any of the three 22-inch multifunction displays if you want to change course on the autopilot, plot a new waypoint, check the radar or change the volume on the music. Everything is literally at your fingertips.

Heading belowdecks via teak floating steps to the salon, I found a V-berth forward and a king berth aft, tucked beneath the helm deck. With 6 feet, 6 inches of headroom and 6-foot hullside windows, the salon feels like a much larger space.

There’s also some interesting tech at work. Regal’s LivePower system integrates a 48-volt lithium-ion battery bank with an inverter and a 5-kilowatt diesel generator to keep things topped off power-wise. There’s no need to flip circuit breakers constantly and wrestle with shore-power cords when leaving the dock. And with the boat’s integrated digital switching, owners and guests have full control of the vessel’s systems. Set the lighting, lower the terrace platforms, extend the cockpit sunshade, change the tunes and more via touchscreens.

When it’s time to get up and go, the 50 SAV shines. Regal offers two power options: triple 600 hp Mercury or quad 450 hp Yamaha engines. With the triple Mercurys, we saw a time to plane of five seconds with virtually zero bow rise. With the Humphree Interceptors in auto-trim mode, the Regal topped out at just over 49.5 knots at 5,850 rpm. Slowing to a cruising speed of 30.4 knots, consumption was 60 gallons per hour. With 700 gallons of fuel, that’s a range of more than 360 miles at cruise speed with a 10 percent reserve, more than enough to run from Miami to the Abacos and beyond.

Regal’s long history of boatbuilding is evident in its new flagship. The 50 SAV is also a standard-bearer for the next generation of Sports Activity Vessels, blending innovation and flexibility, as well as luxury and performance. Bring plenty of friends to enjoy a variety of good times on the water.  

Mercury Rising

The 600 hp Mercury V-12 engines have fixed powerheads with steerable gear cases, allowing them to be mounted much closer together on the transom. A two-speed automatic transmission reduces time to plane and provides additional low-end torque. Digital controls with integrated steering and a bow thruster are standard, as is Mercury’s SmartCraft joystick control.

A Legacy Brand

In 1969, Paul and Carol Kuck founded Regal Boats, introducing a 17-foot tri-hull, a 14-foot ski boat and a 21-foot cuddy cabin, and defining a new standard in boating. Today, the company retains its focus as a family boatbuilder, with the second and third generation of Kucks in key management positions and 40 different models from 20 to 50 feet length overall currently in production.

Take the next step: regalboats.com

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Go far. Go fast. Go in style. The Uniesse Exuma HTC5p aims to change the outboard luxury cruiser game by letting owners do all three of those things at once. This 56-foot express cruiser with quad 600 hp Mercury Verado V-12s has details like impeccably welded stainless-steel hinges on the cockpit hull door and hand-stitched leather upholstery from Milanese leathersmiths. This is a tactile boat that invites guests to touch everything. There are bullnose-edged calacatta marble galley countertops, quarried in Tuscany since Roman times (and more exclusive than Carrara marble). There are mosaic-lined tile showers that subtly change sea tones. The anchor roller assembly is as rugged as what you’ll find on salvage tugs, but as beautiful as Tiffany jewelry. The leather-lined wheel lets owners feel the surge of those four V-12 outboards.

From outside, this yacht’s look is inspired by Italian race cars: swept-back hardtop with raked windscreen, swoopy side windows. This Uniesse is seemingly going 100 mph at anchor. Owners and guests step aboard through a cockpit side door or via the transom platform. Uniesse designed the HTC5p specifically for the Mercury motors, with all of the rigging hidden below the swim platform so everyone can walk from side to side safely. And the engines’ lower units tilt out of the water for corrosion protection without impinging on the transom space.

The cockpit has twin L-shaped settees with tables in the after corners for at-sea entertaining. A pair of consoles against the house conceal twin Elag ceramic grills, a sink, an ice maker and twin fridge drawers. A custom SureShade telescoping cockpit awning stretches to the stern for sun protection, and a clever Besenzoni passerelle under the cockpit door unfurls steps that lead down into the water for swimming, as well as up to dock level for easy boarding.

In the salon, there’s an average 6 feet, 5 inches of headroom, a wraparound windshield with no mullions, windows that extend from the overhead to the couch, and a sunroof with shades. This is clearly the primary entertaining area, with a U-shaped high-low dinette to port facing a pop-up TV that rises from the hand-stitched leather console.

The skipper and companion have ergonomic, adjustable seats with good side bolstering, set abaft a low, wide black dash that neither blocks the view nor reflects in the windshield. The HTC5p that I got aboard had a brace of 22-inch Garmin multifunction displays along with Yamaha system digital panels, and a Mercury joystick with Skyhook technology for holding station, a great feature when awaiting bridge openings.

The stairs next to the helm lead to a lower foyer, which serves as a galley with 24-inch-wide marble countertops, 6-foot-5-inch headroom and bright lacquered cabinetry. The Miele cooktop and convection oven are supported by a full-size fridge and a wine chiller.

Forward, the owner’s stateroom is a serene haven, with side windows and an overhead hatch for light above the 60-inch walk-around island berth. The private head has one of the mosaic-lined and book-matched marble showers, a glass vessel sink and an electric toilet.

Just abaft the galley to starboard is a guest stateroom, with twin berths that can be joined to form a double. The VIP is tucked aft to port, with 7-foot-6-inch headroom, an angled queen berth, and enough stowage for extended cruising. A day head is off the foyer and serves both guest staterooms, also with a mosaic-tiled shower and electric head.

The mold work on the Uniesse is impeccable, with the boat built to RINA Class A and US Coast Guard standards. One detail is particularly notable: The yacht’s fuel tanks are sealed from the rest of the boat. A separate hatch allows removal of the roto-molded tanks, which are held in place by custom Uniesse brackets. The compartment is fully ventilated overboard.

As for the boat’s model name, the small “p” after Exuma HTC5 should be a capitalized and underlined “P” for Performance. From the land of Ferrari and Lamborghini, this 44,000-pound Italian stallion simply hauls. Flat out at 6,400 rpm, this yacht hit 50.5 knots while I recorded just 72 decibels of sound. That’s quieter than Christmas morning at my house. Conversation in the salon was at normal levels (65 decibels), and the Mercury instruments said the V-12s were barely breathing hard.

I poked around belowdecks while the hammers were down and didn’t recognize the actual speed until I saw the long, white wake. The Exuma rises flat without vision-stealing bow rise, jumps onto plane at about 17 knots and never looks back. At a mile-eating 30 knots, the engines sip fuel at 80 gallons per hour, giving the HTC5p an easy 335-nautical-mile range. Even after a 45-knot hard turn, the Exuma rolled into a gentle bank that wouldn’t disturb even the most nervous guests.

This impressive import made me want to throw a linen jacket over my shoulder like an Italian film director, grab some friends and go have fun.  

Grade A

Registro Italiano Navale is a recognized independent standard that rates boats for safety, seaworthiness and construction. The RINA Class A rating means a yacht is self-sufficient and capable of extended voyages in winds over 40 knots and sea heights above 13 feet. 

Sizing Up

Uniesse has unveiled its next new model: the Raptor 112 Super Yacht. It’s a yacht with five staterooms, including an on-deck master with four en suite VIP staterooms belowdecks. There also are three crew cabins. Power will come from MTU, which the builder says should give the 230-gross-ton yacht a 25-knot top-end speed and a 21-knot cruise speed, with a range of 580 nautical miles at cruise. Uniesse says the Raptor 112 will also be built to class for unrestricted navigation.

Buttons to Boats

Dating back to 1940, Uniesse was once famous for making buttons. The Scaraburri family was a leading producer of wooden buttons in Europe. In 1987, the boat-loving brothers of the third generation decided to take their woodworking skills into boatbuilding. 

Power Play

Each of the four 600 hp Mercury Verado V-12s on this yacht has a steerable lower gear case (so the engine doesn’t move to turn) as well as service-friendly access to normal check and filler points atop the engine. The engines also tilt out of the water without moving the powerhead.

Take the next step: uniesse.com

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Tiara Yachts plans to introduce its 56 LS at the Miami International Boat Show in February. The 56 LS expands the builder’s Luxury Sport series, which now stretches from 34 to 56 feet length overall. This series is designed for outboard propulsion, and the 56 will be the Michigan-based builder’s first quad-engine model.

“The Luxury Sport formula has been a successful one for Tiara, elevating the day-yachting experience with versatile social zones and luxurious amenities. The 56 LS builds upon that foundation. Everything is amplified on this boat,” Tiara Yachts CEO Tom Slikkers said in a press release. “I’m confident our customers are going to be just as excited as we are about this addition to our portfolio.”

Equipped with four 600 hp Mercury Verado V-12s, this yacht is expected to have a top speed of nearly 50 knots, making it one of the fastest Tiaras ever built. Pair that with the 21 degrees of deadrise at the transom, and this 56-foot cruiser should get on plane quickly and handle chop with ease.

Social spaces from the stern to the bow are accented with thoughtful design elements. The cockpit is flanked by foldout terraces, expanding the beam by nearly 6 feet and increasing the space around the modular lounge area. The idea is for owners and their guests to be able to use that space in various ways.

Andrew Bartlett, director of design at Tiara, says a goal for this model is to give fans of the Luxury Sport line even more of what they want. “Our LS line has been a favorite of our customers, and we’re eager to showcase this new addition to our portfolio,” Bartlett stated in a press release. “Our customers will find multiple features on board that allow them to enjoy the water, entertain family and friends, and comfortably stay overnight. As outboard models continue to have a resurgence in the boating industry, we’re excited to introduce another Tiara to the market.”

Accommodations for up to four people are belowdecks. Amidships, the full-beam master stateroom has a centerline berth and en suite head. The VIP stateroom is forward, in the bow, also with a centerline berth and en suite head.

The 56 LS is a vessel equally ready for entertaining guests or cruising on extended itineraries, or for owners to do a bit of both at the same time.  

Take the next step: tiarayachts.com

The post Introducing the Tiara Yachts 56 LS appeared first on Yachting.

The OS label on the Pursuit OS 325 stands for offshore, but it could also have been AAF for all-around fun. This sporty, stout, outboard-powered express boat is equally adept as a platform for families or for a quartet of anglers to chase their pelagic of choice where the water depth has a comma in it.

The molded hardtop is paired to husky powder-coated supports. Three sides are enclosed with tempered glass windows. (Standard side curtains extend the protection.) Heavy-duty double windshield wipers and an electrically operated vent window also help to make life pleasant on the bridge deck. The folding bolster helm seat is adjustable, swivels and, like other upholstery, has Dri-Fast foam with mesh backing. The skipper has a fold-down platform to add height, and the dash (on the OS 325 that I got aboard) has a pair of 16-inch Garmin multifunction displays.

Power is twin 350 hp Yamaha V-6 outboards (300 hp is standard), which gave us integrated digital electronic control and steering (a joystick is optional) and engine displays on the Garmin MFDs. We also had a joystick for the 3 hp Lewmar bow thruster.

With the 350s, the OS 325 topped out at nearly 46 knots. At a 29.1-knot cruise speed, fuel burn was 26 gallons per hour, providing a 302 nautical-mile range.

The Pursuit name is known for fishing machines, and the OS 325 suits that description. It has 12 rod holders (including nine on the hardtop) and a lighted 32-gallon transom livewell. A bait center with tackle trays, lure tubes and drawers is tucked into the cockpit space that also has a Kenyon grill and sink. The cockpit is fishing-friendly with a side door that opens inward for boating big fish (or an even bigger diver). A pair of nearby fish boxes (24 and 27 gallons) have overboard discharge.

And while anglers may feel as if they get top billing, families aren’t shortchanged. There’s wraparound seating with a table opposite the helm, as well as dual folding settees in the cockpit with a removable table. The sliding door next to the helm reveals a surprisingly civilized cabin with a V-berth around a high-low table that forms a berth supplemented by another 6-foot-wide berth tucked under the cockpit. The enclosed head has 6-foot headroom with a shower and sink. A galley across has a microwave, Kenyon cooktop and fridge drawer.

The Pursuit OS 325 is one of those boats that’s able to delight anglers and families alike.  

Built for the Blue

The OS 325 is built with a five-year hull-and-deck warranty. It has a hand-laminated hull with vinylester resins and a foam-filled structural grid of infused fiberglass for rigidity. The transom is built with five-ply, resin-infused glass the builder calls a Pursuit Transom Reinforcement Grid. All through-hull fittings are bronze, with the hull-deck joint mechanically fastened and through-bolted at cleats.

Design Details

With a 20-degree transom deadrise, full-length strakes and wide chine flats, the OS 325 pops onto plane quickly, throws spray aside, and is comfortable offshore in waves and chop. The transom is designed to hide all outboard rigging, providing a walk-across transom.  For family safety, the 12-inch-wide side decks have 24-inch welded stainless-steel rails from bow to cockpit.

Something Bigger?

The OS 325 is the entry point in Pursuit’s Offshore lineup, which also includes 35-, 40- and 45-foot models.

Power at Sea

The OS 325 has an optional 5 kW Fischer Panda generator that not only powers the various appliances when away from shore power, but also provides cabin air conditioning. A bonus is the reverse-cycle bridge deck AC for the skipper and guests. A separate 16-gallon diesel tank powers the genset.  

Take the next step: pursuitboats.com

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2017 Tiara Yachts 53 Coupe – Newport Beach, California

“This Tiara Yachts 53 Coupe express cruiser is a head-turner at the docks with sporty lines accented by a raked windshield and a piercing Navy Blue hull.” Galati Yacht Sales has this California-based Tiara C53 listed at $1.349 million.

“The yacht’s split-level bridge deck is nearly as bright as the outdoors, with a white-accented color palette, teak soles, windows from the ceiling-to-settee level, an electric sunroof and butterfly sliding glass doors aft. Bamboo White Chilewich wall coverings throughout, not only warm the interior, but also create an inviting textured effect.”

2020 Azimut Atlantis 51 – Utopia – Lewisville, Texas

“Azimut Yachts’ Atlantis 51 is an express cruiser aimed at families looking for a vessel with home-like cruising comfort, multiple entertainment spaces and admirable performance. MarineMax currently has Utopia, a 2020 Azimut Atlantis 51, listed for $1.199 million, which represents a $100,000 price reduction.

Utopia’s sleek lines are accented by a raked windshield, which is accented further by elongated and tinted hullside windows that visually lower the yacht’s profile.

A shallow 4-foot, 3-inch draft makes the 53-footer beach- and sandbar-accessible, while twin low-hour (191) 600 hp Volvo Penta D8 diesels push Utopia to a reported 35-knot top hop and a 32-knot cruise speed. It’s also outfitted with a Seakeeper NG6 gyrostabilizer to make the ride as stable as a table.”

2018 Sunseeker Predator 68 – Gravitas – Miami, Florida

“It’s not every day that prospective owners have the chance to purchase a zero-hour used yacht, but that’s exactly what’s available with Gravitas, a 2018 Sunseeker Predator 68.  The supersize express cruiser is listed with Allied Marine for $2.195 million; however, the 68-footer has two brand-new 1,200 hp MAN diesels with a full engine warranty from the manufacturer.

A powerful combination of design elements come together in the Predator 68 with stylish, sleek lines, 38-knot performance and a variety of onboard entertainment spaces–inside and outside.

Done with your morning swim and looking to catch some sun? Take your pick between the foredeck sun pad or the cockpit sun pad. The cockpit has alfresco dining space for everyone aboard at a U-shaped settee and fixed folding table. The grill makes serving the aft dining space a breeze.”

2016 Zeelander Z55 – Fancy – Dania Beach, Florida

This Dutch-built Zeelander Z55 listed with Atlantic Yacht and Ship at an asking price of $1.745 million looks like a little ship. From its proud bow to its robust, heavy-duty hardware, this express cruiser seems ready to roam.

And roam it can. Power is a pair of 900 hp Volvo Penta IPS1200 diesels that reportedly gives this 55-footer a 32-knot cruise speed and a 38-knot top hop.

Fancy, as this Z55 is called, is all about connecting guests on board to sea and each other. Nearly 360 degrees of glass create a constant connection to the sea, bring in light to the salon and helm and provide unobstructed sightlines for the skipper. Need more natural light? There is a retractable sunroof over the helm and dinette. 

2021 Axopar 37 XC Cross Cabin – Coronado, California

“The Axopar 37 XC Cross Cabin is fast, fun, adventurous and capable. Listed with Jeff Brown Yachts, the asking price is $369,500.

With a reported top-end speed of 47 knots, the Axopar XC Cross Cabin is a fast and responsive vessel. Powered by twin 300 hp Mercury V8 outboards, this boat turns heads as it dices a seaway. Cruising speed is about 31 knots. Dial it back to 3,500 rpms and roughly 28 knots, and range is about 280 nautical miles. 

Open the pilothouse’s sliding doors, sunroof and Gullwing doors and guests can enjoy an open- air environment while blazing across the water. Relax on the foredeck sun pads, or in fold-down cushioned seats on the roomy aft deck. As guests take a swim, enjoy a few drinks from the wet bar. Shower off on the aft deck before heading in for a short lunch break to cool off. 

2012 Riva 56’ SportRiva – Gabriela – North Miami, Florida

“The Riva 56′ SportRiva is a yacht where Italian elegance and luxury meets innovative design. The focus of the 56′ SportRiva’s design is on the huge curved windscreen glass,” Yachting previously reported. “The windscreen panels extend across and up and over the lower helm and what looks like a secondary windscreen above is purely a contrasting decorative panel. The flybridge has its own prominent reverse-angle windscreen that challenges the flowing lines and adds a hint of aggression to the style but you reap the benefits of this screen out at sea when traveling at speed.”

Now step aboard Gabriela, a 2012 Riva 56′ SportRiva.

2018 Pershing 62 – Behike – Fort Lauderdale, Florida

“Gilman Yachts currently has Behike, a Pershing 62, listed for sale with an asking price of $1.75 million. This 2018 hardtop express cruiser is known for its combination of luxurious appointments and 45-knot speed.

“As for cruising, hold onto your hats. Like all Pershing yachts, the 62 goes like the ballistic missile that is her namesake,” Yachting previously reported. “Her standard pair of 1,550 hp MAN diesels mated to Arneson ASD 14 surface-piercing drives propelled the 62 to a 45-knot top end and a fast cruise of 36-plus knots, according to Pershing. At these speeds, those MANs would burn well over 100 gph, but hey, one has to put 3,100 horses to work occasionally, right?””

2008 Sea Ray Sundancer 60 – Three Sons – Washburn, Wisconsin

Three Sons, a Sea Ray Sundancer 60, is listed for sale with Atlantic Yacht & Ship and has an asking price of $769,999. The 2008, 34-knot-plus express cruiser has cruising accommodations for six within its three-stateroom layout.

Three Sons is powered by twin 1,100 hp MAN V-10 diesels, which is the same propulsion setup Yachting experienced during our initial sea trial of the Sea Ray Sundancer 60.

“With the luck of the draw, winds and seas were such that running offshore would have been at best unpleasant. Even the Intracoastal Waterway was stirred up, but the 60 had no problem slicing through the chop,” Yachting previously reported. “Her two 1,100 hp electronically controlled, common-rail MAN diesels reached maximum turns in approximately 30 seconds without hesitation and I recorded a maximum speed of 34.8 knots.”

2013 Riviera 5000 Sport Yacht – Optimist – West Palm Beach, Florida

“Gilman Yachts has listed Optimist, a 2013 Riviera 5000 Sport Yacht, with an asking price of $649,000. The express-style cruiser has a two-stateroom, two head, layout that can sleep seven thanks to a convertible sofa in the lower salon that converts into a Pullman berth forming upper and lower bunks.

One of this yacht’s highlights is the helm-station experience. Yachting has previously reported how well Riviera designed the double-leather-seat helm space on the 5000 Sport Yacht, including its sightlines: “Two forward-facing windows have uncluttered views and are served by decently sized wipers. Add the long side windows and the open after bulkhead, and you have a near-flawless, 360-degree line of sight.” Additionally, there is a retractable sunroof in case the skipper wants to bring breezes and more natural light into the salon. The helm is also set up with a Garmin electronics suite, including multifunction GPS, displays, radar, autopilot and more. There is also joystick driving and a Skyhook vessel-positioning system.”

2021 Riva Dolceriva – Epica – Huntington, New York

The 48-foot Riva Dolceriva Epica, listed with Allied Marine, is for sale and is asking $1.9 million. The 2021 build has only 175 hours on its Volvo Penta diesels, has a 40-knot top hop and has two staterooms for cruising with family and friends.

The outside spaces aboard this yacht include two sun pads that flank the teak-sole cockpit. Immediately forward and to port is a four-person L-shaped settee and a table that folds out to create a larger dining space with the three-person bench sofa to starboard. The helm is forward and to starboard.”

The post 10 Used Express Cruisers Available Now appeared first on Yachting.

The Tiara Yachts EX 54 adds a second model to the builder’s EX series, which started with the flagship EX 60. The trademark of this series is each yacht’s flexibility, which is especially evident in the cockpit.

For entertainment-centric owners, the EX 54 has a lounge-module option with solid-surface countertops, a drawer-style refrigerator and an optional ice maker.

For angling aficionados, there is an adventure module that includes a sink with a cutting board, an optional livewell, five rod holders at the transom, an insulated cooler tub, tackle stowage with dividers, and an electric grill to cook the catch of the day.

There is also a glass patio module. In this setup, there is a laminated glass bulkhead, a high-gloss teak countertop, and adjustable ottomans that can lock into place. The ottomans are covered in Ultraleather, with four color options: Whitewater Beige, Lighthouse White, Coast Dolphin Gray and Sea Cliff Gray.

In all versions, the EX 54 has three staterooms, accommodating six guests for extended cruising. The owners’ stateroom is amidships, spans the yacht’s full 15-foot-11-inch beam, and has a queen pedestal berth and an en suite head with a separate shower stall. The room also has ocean views via hullside windows flanking the space. Additional amenities include a 50-inch smart HDTV, 18,000-Btu Webasto air conditioning, a settee to starboard (a great place to read a book on the hook), a cedar-lined hanging locker and a backlit mirror.

Like the owners’ stateroom, the forepeak VIP has a queen berth. There are hullside windows and a skylight, and a 32-inch HDTV. The VIP has access to a head that also serves as the day head. A third stateroom is abaft and to starboard of the VIP with bunk berths for kids.

The main- deck interior has an L-shaped galley aft and to starboard with direct access to the cockpit. Across is a dining table that, at first glance, looks like an L-shaped layout. However, the companion helm seat to port slides forward to create a U-shaped scenario, increasing seating for another guest or two.

The helm is forward and to starboard, with two 22-inch Garmin GPSMap 8622 displays (a third is optional), a Stidd helm seat, and side-deck access via a sliding pilothouse door.

Power is a pair of Volvo Penta IPS950 diesels.

Clever Design

There are foldout terraces to port and starboard, increasing usable cockpit space. They have Herculan synthetic teak soles, and each side has an integrated boarding door.

Take the next step: tiarayachts.com

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Italia yachts—a builder known for its high-performing sailing yachts—is entering the powerboat market with its 43 Veloce, which is set to debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

“Athletic” is a word that comes to mind when taking in this vessel’s profile. A razorlike stem looks purpose-built to dice a seaway, while the ever-flowing, curved shape in the hullsides hints at the 43 Veloce’s performance potential.

To that end, this 46-footer has not two, but three different propulsion options, including triple 400 hp Mercury Verado outboards, twin 380 hp Yanmar diesel sterndrives, and twin 440 hp or 480 hp Volvo Penta IPS diesels paired to pod drives. The builder projects a top-end speed of 35 to 39 knots with the inboard options, and the mid-40-knot range with the outboards. The outboard version and the sterndrive option also allow extra stowage for toys and gear when compared with the IPS-powered model.

Accommodations in all three versions are two staterooms and a single head belowdecks. A forepeak owner’s space with a queen berth and an amidships guest stateroom with twin berths are standard, but an amidships master or twin berths amidships with a forward lounge are also available.

Outside, the cockpit has U-shaped seating around a teak table that lowers to form a sun pad. Just forward is seating for six with a teak table—all protected under the yacht’s hardtop. Fold-out decks increase cockpit real estate and create a beach-club vibe when the sun pad is set up.

With the 43 Veloce, Italia Yachts has created a dayboat with intriguing lines, luxury, speed, and a healthy set of options for owners to stylize the ride to suit their on-the-water lifestyle. It’s a yacht that has mass-appeal potential.

Command and Control

The Italia Yachts 43 Veloce’s two-seat helm station is notable for its open-air arrangement and unimpeded side-deck access. The single-piece windshield is raked, adding to the yacht’s sporty lines without reducing headroom. Helm electronics options are from Garmin, with tunes from Fusion.

Take the next step: italiayachtsinternational.com

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Streaking down the Côte d’Azur off Cannes, France, at an average top-end speed of 36.3 knots, I found myself lost in the fun. The 71-foot Azimut Yachts S7 handled more like a sports car than a vessel displacing more than 100,000 pounds. 

We carved S-turns and figure eights into the relatively calm Mediterranean blue this early morning, and I pondered the combination of factors that give this sizable sport yacht its smile-inducing, confidence-inspiring performance and handling.

First is an efficient planing hull form by Azimut and P.L. Ausonio Naval Architecture, penned to reduce hydrodynamic drag and aided by strakes placed for optimized lift. Transom deadrise is a stability-enhancing 13.8 degrees, with about 18 degrees of deadrise amidships. A near-plumb bow—something of an Azimut trademark these days—helps carry overall volume forward while creating a cleaver to cut through a tempestuous sea state. I used it to try to write my name in the Med.

Second is Azimut’s liberal use of carbon fiber to reduce weight on the S7. Its superstructure, flybridge, mast, transom and platform, and the after section of its deck, are made of the material. The carbon fiber reduces top weight by about 30 percent and helps lower the center of gravity, which, in turn, helps with that lively driving experience. Azimut says the use of carbon fiber also helps reduce roll momentum by up to 15 percent. See how this is all coming together?

The third and final piece of the S7’s performance puzzle is triple 800 hp Volvo Penta D13 IPS1050 diesels that are Tier III-compliant and coupled to pod drives. Azimut says the S7 is “eco-sporty,” adding that this propulsion setup reduces fuel consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions by 20 to 30 percent compared with similar-size craft with straight shafts.

During my time on board, the S7’s engines consumed 86.1 gallons per hour at 2,000 rpm and a 28.9-knot average cruise speed, almost 2 knots above Azimut’s 27-knot published cruise speed. At cruise, the S7 has about a 304-nautical-mile range with  a 10 percent fuel reserve on the yacht’s 1,004-gallon tank. At the yacht’s 36.3-knot top hop, fuel burn jumps to 123.1 gph and range drops to 266 nm. Slide the throttles back to 1,800 rpm and a 24.8-knot cruise speed, and consumption drops to  64.7 gph while range climbs to around 347 nm.

This sport fly is speedy, and it looks the part too. Designer Alberto Mancini drew the S7’s lines. At first blush you might think this vessel is an express cruiser, but on closer inspection the sleekly integrated flybridge comes into view. Sweeping is a descriptor that comes to mind when looking at the S7 in profile. From the squarish stem moving aft, there is a flow to the yacht that’s almost sharklike in form: narrower forward, rounded and wider in the midsection and then just enough taper aft to accentuate the lines. Hullside windows stretch from amidships forward, elongating the profile, while glass in the superstructure aids in visually lowering it. The superstructure’s raked design helps as well. Extensive hullside glass ensures water views from all four staterooms.

Yes, this yacht has four staterooms, in a size range where many other yachts have only three. The full-beam master is amidships with an athwartships berth. There’s also a true walk-in closet, a vanity and a pop-up TV. The en suite head has a rain shower, and all the drawers are of the soft-close variety. I spent time here during my time on board, and the stateroom was whisper quiet, aside from water running across the hull. The view out the hullside windows here is tough to beat.

Up three steps and off the companionway are the guest accommodations, with one stateroom each to port and starboard. The one to port has side-by-side berths and an en suite head, which is also the day head. Across from here is a stateroom with bunks; let’s call it the kids room. The VIP stateroom is forward with an en suite head. There is also a crew cabin, although I expect most US owners to be owner-operators.

There’s a subtle elegance to the S7’s interior design, which comes from a company called Yachtique. This is a new collaboration with Azimut Yachts, but not with the builder as a whole. Yachtique is known for its work on superyachts, including with Azimut’s sister company, Benetti. Expanding the relationship enables Azimut to bring large-yacht interior sensibilities to relatively smaller builds. Interior woods include a dove-tone tay wood and Canaletto walnut on the furniture. Leather and neutral-tone  fabrics work in concert, creating a relaxed and sophisticated feel that the builder calls  “residential chic.”

This ambience is particularly evident in the salon. Surrounded by glass—and with natural light coming in at all points—the salon’s sense of space is palpable, helped by the fact that the low-back, cream-tone, U-shaped settee to port doesn’t obstruct the glass. In fact, because the  bulwark is open here, there are clear water views. There are also two fold-out high-low tables. Just forward is a U-shaped, Miele-equipped galley, which is a slight departure from the current trend of aft galleys on a lot of yachts. The layout works because there is also a Kenyon grill in the cockpit, and because the cockpit has an L-shaped settee to port, directly abaft the salon’s sofa. When the sliding door is open, the cockpit and salon are an integrated entertaining space.

That kind of continuity is also evident from the aft-deck sun pad to the foredeck lounge to the ground-tackle setup. The yacht is a lesson in feng shui: Everything has its place for optimal flow.

Sometimes a yacht’s mission can be nebulous, but the Azimut Yachts S7 has a clear purpose: This is a luxury performance yacht with superyacht-level interior design and a smart, functional layout that keeps everyone connected with the environment, while simultaneously limiting the yacht’s environmental impact. As far as I’m concerned, this yacht is a win-win.    

The Full Range

The Azimut Yachts S7 is the latest in the Italian builder’s S-class series. The lineup also includes an S6, S8 and S10. This line is intended to appeal to yachtsmen who like the style of a sport-fly yacht, but who are also looking for a length overall closer to 60 to about 95 feet.

Alfresco Fun

The Azimut S7 has three alfresco zones for guests to spread out and chill: A four-person sun pad over the tender garage is accessed via the hydraulic swim platform, the flybridge has U-shaped seating aft and a lounge next to the helm, and the foredeck has a lounge and a sun pad.

Helm It Your Way

The Azimut S7 has two helm stations: one on the main deck forward and to starboard, and one on the flybridge. Each station has Volvo Penta controls, a joystick and Garmin multifunction displays. The S7 heels moderately inboard on hard-over turns, but views at both stations are clear.

Take the next step: azimutyachts.com

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Yachts are flashy by nature. Their luxurious comforts, by design, shout flair and opulence. The Fairline Yachts Phantom 65, however, shows off in a subtler way. From stern to bow, this sport-bridge model has hidden features that can transform spaces in big and small ways.

Take, for example, the quietude of the cantilevered teak table in the cockpit. It connects the transom seating with the starboard-side, L-shaped settee to create an alfresco dining area big enough for all guests to enjoy. The two settees can also become one with a sliding hideaway connector from the transom settee, and diners can add the two stools from the indoor dining space, should guests drop by for dessert.

Also inside is a U-shaped settee to starboard with a high-gloss table that can raise for meals or lower to become a coffee table—all on the same level as the cockpit and galley, which is aft in the portside corner. The galley’s location, combined with an electrically powered fold-up window to starboard and a sliding-glass door that hides behind the portside stairs, creates one interconnected socializing space for entertaining and serving.

Forward and a step up, the salon has two settees: one that’s U-shaped and to port, and a two-seater to starboard. The portside seating can be accompanied by a coffee table or a replica of the dining area’s versatile table. To starboard, a TV rises from the console.

Lighting is another design priority aboard Fairline’s Phantom 65. Hullside windows on either side of the salon measure 93 by 36 inches, providing unobstructed views. Both are tinted and covered with UV-reduction film, as are all windows on this yacht, including the single-piece windshield. The sunroof above the salon allows for more natural light. For evenings on board, the Phantom 65 has intimate white mood lighting throughout most spaces.

More subtle touches are on the foredeck, which can serve as a private gathering space at marinas where the yacht will dock stern-to. Fairline maintains a clean look here by hiding the windlass and anchor chain in the deck. Abaft that working area are two sun pads that can be elevated with backrests, and a U-shaped settee with a teak table that can be lowered out of sight.

Belowdecks, Fairline offers four layouts: three with three staterooms (one with a day head, one with an extended VIP and one with a utility room) and a four-stateroom setup. Hull No. 7, which we got aboard, had the portside utility room with an additional full-height fridge/freezer, an ironing board and stowage. In the extended-VIP version, the forepeak stateroom’s head replaces the utility room and serves as a day head. In the day-head layout, the utility room becomes a fourth head. The four-stateroom option places a stateroom with bunks in the same space.

In every layout, there is a twin-berth guest stateroom to starboard that can convert to a double. The master spans the full beam amidships with a sofa to port and a vanity to starboard. Additional drawers can replace the portside sofa.

The Phantom 65 has a pair of two-seat helm stations: one to port on the sport bridge and the other to starboard on the main deck. Both stations are equipped with Garmin electronics and are sized for three 16-inch multifunction displays. The Phantom 65 also has the builder’s F-drive software, which monitors all of the yacht’s systems.

Powered by twin 1,622 hp C32 Caterpillar engines, the Phantom 65 topped out at 36.2 knots and 2,300 rpm, with a fuel burn of 178 gallons per hour. Considering the yacht’s 1,103-gallon fuel capacity and a 10 percent reserve, range is 202 nautical miles at top hop. Dial back to a cruising speed of 26 knots at 2,100 rpm, and fuel burn drops to 99.8 gph. Range pops up to 258 nm. The Phantom 65’s engine room is accessed from a cockpit hatch. Everyday checks are accessible from the entry point.

Fairline’s Phantom 65 is a yacht with no need to shout about its high quality and style. The shipyard’s thoughtful design and construction, combined with the yacht’s performance metrics and versatile features, speak quite beautifully for themselves.

Made to Fit

The Fairline Phantom 65 has an aft garage that’s sized to accommodate an 11-foot-3-inch Williams Sportjet 345 without having to deflate the tender or remove its steering wheel. This garage also has a hydraulic winch and a roller system for easier launching and retrieval of the tender.

Quiet Design

Fairline designed the master stateroom with no water pipes running beneath it, helping to reduce noise. Water from the master’s head travels aft, while water from the forward heads moves forward. Noise is also mitigated by the master’s 6 1⁄2-inch-thick after bulkhead, which is built with sound-deadening materials.

Take the next step: fairline.com

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