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Today’s semi-custom shipyards deliver high-quality motor yachts that take just months to build from lay-up to launch.
by Louisa Beckett
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03/01/2007
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While it may seem that the Italians have cornered the open
market, some exciting new entries hail from other parts of the world. Last fall,
Lazzara Yachts of Tampa, Florida, unveiled what was probably the most closely guarded
secret project in the yachting industry: the Lazzara LSX Quad 75. This radical
23.4-meter open is powered by four Volvo Penta IPS 600 engines, which provide
balanced handling and improved fuel efficiency along with sporty performance.
The compact engine installation still allows room for four staterooms below,
including a full-beam owner’s suite with his-and-hers heads. Warren Yachts
of Australia recently launched its S87 Sport Yacht series to instant acclaim;
the shipyard is already producing them at a rate of five per year. The
26.4-meter S87 is offered with a generous four-stateroom lower-deck layout or a
three-stateroom version where the owner’s suite encompasses nearly the entire
front half of the yacht. Slated to debut in 2007 is the 36.6-meter Warren S120,
a hybrid motor yacht with open lines and a small flybridge complete with upper
helm hidden high in its superstructure.
 Warren S120. (Click image to enlarge)
Combining sporty performance with generous interior accommodations
and headroom high enough for a pro basketball player, flybridge motor yachts
are probably the most popular type of semi-custom vessel on the water
today.
 Sunseeker 90. (Click image to enlarge)
Once again, European styling dominates this category. British
shipyards, in particular, have taken the flybridge market by storm in recent
years. England’s largest recent entry is the Sunseeker 90 yacht.
This elegant 28-meter vessel is topped by a large flybridge that’s ideal for
entertaining. Well-thought-out space planning enables the three-person crew to
gain access to all parts of the yacht without disturbing the guests. The owner
can select from a range of power options up to a fire-breathing total 3,600
horsepower and can personalize the yacht’s interior color scheme, fabrics and
lacquers. The rest of the yacht is tamper-proof, but the trade-off is enormous.
Build time for the Sunseeker 90 is five months from start to finish, and the
base price starts at just $6.2 million.
Fairline Squadron 74. (Click images to enlarge)
Fairline, another major
semi-custom player from the United Kingdom, relaunched its 22.7-meter flagship
flybridge cruiser at the Southampton Boat Show last September. Now labeled the
Squadron 74 Custom, this yacht is offered with a wider range of layouts for the
full-beam owner’s suite. A private office, separate his-and-hers baths or a
single, enlarged bath are all available in » the 2007 model. In
addition, desirable equipment that was formerly optional—including air
conditioning, an upgrade Bang & Olufsen entertainment system and underwater
lights—is now on the standard items list.
Custom Line 97. Semi-custom motor yachts can be either contemporary or traditional
in style—unlike opens, which are a uniformly modern-looking
breed. (Click images to enlarge)
Due out this spring, the new flagship of the Princess fleet of
British-built performance yachts is the 95 motor yacht. This 29.3-meter
flybridge model is designed to reflect the latest developments in interior
luxury yacht styling and noise-suppression technology. MCA large-yacht
certification is available to owners who plan to offer her for charter
operations. Thanks to the 11-year-old relationship between Princess and
Viking Yachts, this luxurious vessel
will make a 2009 debut in the United States as the Viking Sport Cruisers 95.
There, she will be supported by Viking’s extensive service organization.
 Viking Sport Cruisers 95. (Click image to enlarge)
Canadian shipyard Neptunus
Yachts, which still proudly recalls its Dutch
boatbuilding heritage, produces some of the most innovative flybridge models in
North America. Neptunus plans to introduce the new 70 SkyLounge model at the
2007 Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show. Designer Gregory C. Marshall created this
22.6-meter model, featuring a very comfortable, climate-controlled helm and
entertainment lounge on the spacious sun deck. With twin 1,550-hp Caterpillar
C32s, the Neptunus 70 SkyLounge cruises at 28 knots and tops out at 33.
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