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South Florida businessman Steve Hudson is using his new Lazzara 75 to help keep his priorities straight.
by Kenny Wooton
photography by Pamela Jones
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08/01/2007
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He started looking at express-style boats in the 45- to 55-foot
range, but generally wasn’t impressed with what he saw. Then he had a
conversation with Dick Lazzara about a boat the company was developing: the LSX
Quad 75. At first, the boat was a bit larger than he wanted. But he found
Lazzara’s business and personal ethics to be in line with his own and he warmed
up to the idea. He was also intrigued by the promise of the new Volvo Penta IPS
drives the boat was designed around.
Top: The aft deck of the LSX Quad 75 is perfect for intimate dining or
world-class sun worshipping. Bottom: The full-beam master is spacious and
well-appointed. (Click images to enlarge)
"I said, ‘OK, Dick; if it does all you say it’s going to
do, I’ll buy Hull No. 2,’ and we did the deal on a handshake," says Hudson.
"I didn’t know the price; I didn’t know what it would do. But I did know
whatever it was, Dick would certainly deliver on that handshake."
A year later, he walks around the boat just as a new father
would, pointing out with pride the features and modifications he and Jeannie
made to personalize it. For instance, Hull No. 1, a spec boat that had its debut
at last year’s Fort Lauderdale boat show, was fitted out with a modern European
interior. Steve and Jeannie spec’d their interior out with softer, more
traditional American hues—blues and whites.
The LSX Quad is a four-stateroom yacht with a bright, spacious
salon with a retractable sunroof on the bridge deck, a minimalist glass helm
integrated into the space and a spacious galley and dining area amidships
and down. The central companionway between the guest staterooms has
electronically opaqueable glass which, when in the see-through mode, allows an
open, full-beam feel in what is typically a narrow, confining space.
The Hudsons made few alterations to the base boat. They did
spec out one of the guest staterooms with convertible twins for the kids.
The shower stall in that stateroom has a small lip at the base to permit
them to bathe the
children. The master aft and VIP forward are elegant
spaces with a mix of leather and joinery befitting the finest Italian
builds. They had Lazzara build baby gates at several key points below and on
either side deck, and they added a glass panel under the helm to keep their
curious toddlers from toddling into trouble. They plan to install an aft-facing
closed-circuit camera and upgrade the audio system.
But the feature that makes the yacht unique and has attracted
the most attention is its power plant.
"All the technology Volvo Penta has put into it is what really
excites me," he says.
The LSX Quad 75 is the first yacht equipped with four Volvo
Penta IPS drives. The IPS features out-drives with forward-facing props paired
with diesel inboards. It offers quieter, more economical operation, quicker
acceleration and it takes up less space on the boat than conventional diesel
systems of similar horsepower. The compactness of the system allows for more
than 10 feet of additional accommodations space in the yacht, according to
Lazzara.
The propulsion system is integrated through a single joystick
control for precise low-speed maneuvering. It will move the boat directly
sideways.
"It takes some getting used to," Hudson says of the joystick
control, "but once you do, you could run a slalom course in reverse."
What role will he play with IYC under the Trinity
ownership?
"Merely a consultant," he says with a chuckle. "Actually, after
the acquisition, I’m the only one who won’t have a job."
But he has plenty to keep him occupied with his real estate
operations and his drive to make deals. No matter what, though, the new
Lazzara will keep things in balance.
"Through boating, my parents were able to spend that much more
time with their kids," he says. "That’s what I want to do with my kids as they
get older."
Lazzara Yachts at
813-835-5300. www.lazzara.com
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