Recently the yachting industry gathered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the 60th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, October 30 – November 3, 2019. Celebrating over 30 years of yacht building, Horizon Yachts showcased brand-new yachts designed for the next generation of yacht owners and debuted FD77 Open and FD77 Skyline yachts, an FD87 Skyline, and an E56 sport yacht.
Designed in collaboration with Cor D. Rover and noted for the voluminous interior and proprietary High-Performance Piercing Bow and hull design, the FD Series now spans 77 to 125 feet in length. A next-generation series, in both design and technology, has seen impressive sales in the three years since it was first introduced, with 18 FD Series yachts already sold to buyers in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Both an Open and a Skyline version of the latest model in the series – the FD77 – debuted at the show, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the design and layout differences between the two.
Embodying the versatility and space that characterizes the FD Series, the FD77 Open (Hull One) has been specified for the American market and features a four-stateroom layout with an on-deck master and beach club – a unique addition for a yacht of this size. The spacious master stateroom features a full-height walk-in closet, large ensuite and a seating area with a sofa and desk. Three additional ensuite staterooms on the lower deck comprise of two VIPs – one forward and another to port – alongside a twin that converts to a double.
Enhanced by large sections of glass and a folding glass door in the salon that captures the casual elegance of an oceanfront retreat, the FD77’s interior is highlighted by a pleasant contrast of lights and darks; with satin Light American Oak offset by high gloss Walnut accents, and a mixture of materials and textures – from leather and colorful soft goods to white lacquer overhead paneling and natural Carrera marble stonework. Intended to take advantage of the yacht’s 23ft beam and large windows, the interior layout features an extended salon and breakfast bar that is incorporated into the galley island.
This first FD77 showcases a spacious open bridge with a fixed windshield, and a walkaround deck on this level provides welcome separation between the multiple entertaining areas on the bridge deck, allowing for ease of transition between the aft area – which houses the davit and tender – the dual side wing stations that facilitate safety and visibility while docking, and the forward seating area, which offers built-in seating and sunpads for relaxing at anchor.
Also, on display was the FD77 Hull Three, which has been specified with a Skyline (enclosed bridge) configuration. Incorporating many of the same exciting features as the FD77 Open and intended for ease of operation, the FD77 Skyline offers four staterooms, including an on-deck master suite. The spacious master features large windows that bring copious natural light into the interior, a large en suite, and a seating area with a sofa and built-in vanity with drawers. Three additional guest staterooms are found below deck – one VIP cabin at the bow, one large guest cabin amidships, and a twin cabin. The extended main salon features a bright and contemporary décor with functional amenities, such as the innovative convertible dining table that offers formal dining and folds into a breakfast bar to maximize space. The galley can be separated from the salon via privacy doors and a Hi/Lo island partition.
On the upper deck, the FD77 Skyline’s enclosed skylounge features a dayhead and a relaxed dinette area with low coffee tables. Doors to port and starboard provide access to the walkaround side decks while the boat deck aft offers an inviting bar and grill area. The FD77 Skyline also offers a spacious beach club, which is but one of the many innovative features incorporated into a yacht of this size.
Offering a five-stateroom layout with an enclosed skylounge on the upper deck, the new FD87 Skyline incorporates superyacht amenities into its voluminous design. Within the 23’ 3” beam, guests are welcomed into the light and airy main deck salon, highlighted by oak woodwork and featuring an ingenious convertible dining table that easily folds up into a breakfast bar when formal dining is not needed. The forward galley can be separated from the salon via privacy doors and a Hi/Lo island partition while the full-beam master stateroom is situated furthest forward. Crew quarters and four spacious guest staterooms outfitted in elegant Light American Oak reside on the lower deck while the upper deck features a comfortable enclosed skylounge aft of the helmstation.
The exterior areas of each Horizon FD Series yacht are maximized, and the foredeck area aboard the latest FD87 Skyline has been designed with a settee and dinette, sprawling sunpad, and large u-shaped seating area forward to accommodate not only cocktail hour but sunbathers as well as those who wish to enjoy the unobstructed views. Aft of the enclosed skylounge on the upper deck, a bar with stools, a dinette and lounging area and a barbecue invite al fresco relaxation. A fully equipped beach club and Hi/Lo swim platform are standard.
Rounding out the showcase for the entry-level yachtsman, the Horizon E56 combines performance and interior amenities for sporty luxury on the water. The classically styled yacht boasts a sleek exterior profile that hints at her under-the-water performance, which is augmented by bow and stern thrusters and a CAT C12.9 850HP engine package. Accommodating guests in a full-beam master stateroom amidships, a single stateroom to starboard and a VIP forward on the lower deck, the E56 has been designed and fitted throughout to accommodate owner operation, from the interior and flybridge helm stations to the dual main deck aft docking stations. Commissioned as the third Horizon in six years for her owners, the E56 on display, OMA, has been specified with an inviting interior décor in which mirrors and a multi-level deck design add to the feeling of height and spaciousness. Exterior deck areas are maximized, from the large main deck aft and sprawling foredeck sunpad, to the flybridge fitted with a wraparound settee and teak dining table.
For more information on these next-generation yachts, please visit www.horizonyachtusa.com.