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The largest market share in the universe of 60- to 90-foot motor
yachts belongs to semi-custom builders who offer their customers an escape from
the one-size-fits-all mentality of purely production boats. Often, these boats
form the initial rungs of the ladder for those owners who dream of someday
building a totally custom yacht, but find themselves currently lacking the time
or the expertise to take on a multiyear yacht design and construction project.
Other customers are often those seeking a second yacht to park behind their
second home or are stepping down from a larger yacht with many crew. Such owners
are in search of a relatively simple purchase, but one that allows some degree
of individuality. Helping customers express their personality on the water is
what this marine industry segment is all about. Semi-custom boat builders typically tend to be prudent about
the extent of customization they offer in order to keep to the production
schedule on which their business plans – and profits – are based. Many of their
units are committed to their cadre of dealers who often select from a
pre-planned range of options and colors considered desirable for particular
geographic markets. Diversions from the printed list of standards and
options have opened tempting but sometimes dangerous waters for builders; some
have learned the
hard way that their standard models, production schedules and pricing structures are best left intact. Some builders will
quietly negotiate certain extras or modifications on a project-by-project basis
in face-to-face discussions with customers. Readily available semi-custom motor yachts in the 60- to
90-foot range run the gamut from sportfishing convertibles to sedan cruisers, trawler/expedition types and fast sport yachts. The selection presented here by
no means represents all semi-custom builders, but it provides an enticing
sampling of interesting new quality products within the category. Among the
dozens of equally interesting boats not listed here are smaller products by
builders whose big yacht products frequent the feature pages of
ShowBoats. These include builders like Azimut, Cheoy Lee, Hatteras,
Horizon, Viking and West Bay SonShip. In general, the larger the yacht, the greater the flexibility
of layout. In the case of fiberglass yachts, this discussion is limited to yacht
customizations that stop short of relocating bulkheads or other changes that
might involve custom tooling. Given that exclusion, many semi-custom builders
offer a broad scope of alternatives in exterior colors, interior woods,
countertop surfaces, loose furniture and options in hardware, power and
machinery. With that many choices, a semi-custom boat buyer who wants to
differentiate his or her yacht from any other on the high seas can be assured
that various option combinations will distinguish it at least in some aspects of
design, and perhaps in areas of operational efficiency, comfort, range and
performance as well. Not a purely custom yacht, maybe, but close enough to merit
the designation of "unique" that puts these boats in a class all their
own.
Aicon
Aicon’s three Sicilian shipyards produce sporty fiberglass yachts between 50
and 84 feet. The company promotes its 64-footer as a boat designed and built
specifically for the North American market, with an emphasis on interior
spaciousness and an open, informal look. Natural lighting falls through shapely
windows on fine woods, fabrics and leathers throughout, while accents of
stainless steel and frosted glass reflect the modernist appeal of Italian
design.
 Aicon. (Click image to enlarge)
The lower deck accommodation can incorporate either a
three-stateroom, three-head arrangement or a four-stateroom, three-head option.
A full-beam master is standard. There is a compartment aft of the machinery
space that’s big enough to accommodate two, possibly three, crew.
Marc-Udo-Broich, who heads the company’s Fort Lauderdale office, notes that
buyers can make just about any change they wish, providing it doesn’t compromise
the three-piece fixed tooling system that produces the interior, deck and bridge
molds. USA contact: 954-713-8108. Bertram
This Miami yard builds sportfishing yachts descending from a long
line of tournament champions renowned for strength and performance, although
Bertram now flattens the deep-V hull a bit aft to improve running down-sea.
Their semi-custom 63-footer, the Bertram 630, has the option of a three- or
a four-stateroom layout, each with a VIP in the bow. The ample galley is up and
ergonomically designed. A pair of 1,500-hp MAN diesels are standard. Power
options are 1,570-hp Cats or 2,000-hp MTUs for 40-knot top speed.
 Bertram. (Click image to enlarge)
Since Ferretti acquired Bertram, there have been many changes,
but one obvious big-boat feature to trickle down is the stairway to the
flybridge. "We can handle most customer requirements," says Bertram’s Jose
Millan, noting that Bertram buyers tend to be high-profile, experienced
yachtsmen who know what they want in a sportfish boat. Even the most demanding
customer, however, is discouraged from requesting any change that might detract
from the 630’s performance at sea. USA contact:
305-633-8011.
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