Outer Reef Yachts, whose boats are known for their globe-girdling cruising itineraries, has launched its 670 Azure Sport Yacht.

This bluewater-capable, owner-operator cruiser, which is the flagship of the builder’s six-model S Class lineup, starts with solid hand-laid fiberglass construction for the hull below the waterline. Above the waterline, PVC sandwich core is used for strength without added weight. All in, this 67-footer displaces about 99,000 pounds. The yacht is outfitted with ABT Trac 220 stabilizers with 6-square-foot fins to further enhance the ride over the long haul.

Power for the 670 Azure Sport Yacht is a pair of 985 hp Caterpillar C-12.9 diesels paired to a ZF transmission. (The standard spec is twin 500 hp John Deere diesels.) In addition to main engines, those passages are supported by two 20 kW Northern Lights gensets to ensure all of the hotel loads, including the MarineAir direct air conditioning, have the required juice when the only sight is the next horizon.

The 670 Azure Sport Yacht has two helm stations, one forward and to starboard on the main deck with a single helm chair and companion seat across, and a second, double-wide helm seat on centerline on the flybridge. Both helm stations have Stidd seats and Garmin multifunction displays. The flybridge also has an L-shaped settee seating to port and abaft the helm as well as room for a grill and tender stowage on the aft deck.

Accommodations include a full-beam (17’2”) owners’ stateroom amidships with a king-size berth, a walk-in closet, satin-finish teak bulkheads, doors and cabinets, and an en suite head with teak-and-holly sole and a shower. There is also a forepeak VIP with a queen-size berth and a guest stateroom to port with two bunks. The VIP has access to the guest head with a shower. There is also head access off the companionway.

On the main-deck, the entertainment-centric layout starts with the galley aft. A drop-down window helps create a seamless connection between the salon and cockpit. The Azure 670 Sport Yacht’s galley is set up with GE appliances, in microwave, electric cooktop, oven, undercounter refrigerator, trash compactor and garbage disposal.

In the cockpit, there are two bar stools and a countertop facing the galley further illustrating the indoor-outdoor connectivity. There is also a dining table under the flybridge overhang abaft the bar area with bench seating along the transom.

Stairs to starboard lead to the lower teak cockpit, while a second door provides access to the hydraulic swim platform, which lowers to let owners to launch a tender and water toys, as well as prep to go scuba diving and swimming.

For sun and breeze, accompanied by some quietude, the 670 Azure Sport Yacht has a foredeck lounge with U-shaped seating around a teak table. It’s a great spot for sundowners on the hook.

With its robust construction, long-range-cruising accommodations, reliable power and a layout conducive to family-friendly voyages, the Outer Reef Yachts 670 Azure Sport Yacht should make the short list for enthusiasts ready to aim for that second star to the left and head straight on till morning.

Take the next step: outerreefyachts.com

Quick Specifications:

• Length Overall: 67’6”
• Maximum Beam: 17’2”
• Draft: 5’
• Fuel Capacity: 1,000 Gal.
• Freshwater Capacity: 300 Gal.
• Displacement: 99,000 Lbs.

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Horizon Yachts’ Fast Displacement yacht series, penned by designer Cor D. Rover, is notable for its broad shoulders and high freeboard. These yachts carry measurable beam forward to enhance interior and exterior volume, with a wave-splitting bow design and admirable performance across a wide spectrum of speeds.

The latest launch in the series, which runs from 75 feet to 125 feet length overall, is the FD110 Tri-Deck. In profile, this yacht is nicely balanced across its three well-proportioned levels. Rover uses all available real estate not only to carry exterior lines evenly, but also to get the most out of the living and stowage spaces. Structural glass across all decks helps to lower the vessel’s profile visually while providing natural light inside.

As just one example of how large the interior feels, the salon has a whopping 87-inch TV in the after starboard quarter, and the screen seems small. Side sliding doors measuring 71 inches high provide ocean vistas from the formal dining space. Blackout curtains help control lighting and privacy.

A plush L-shaped sofa to port is accented by a tiered coffee table and several barrel chairs. Each seat has a view of the TV. Low-profile cabinetry housing the china divides the salon from the wood dining table that seats 10 on high-back, swivel chairs. With an open design concept, the entire area is airy, welcoming and set up for entertaining.

The interior is contemporary and warm, aided in part by washed wenge wood with oak and walnut accents. Want something different? The builder offers owners a high level of customization when it comes to woods, finishes, furnishings and the like.

Forward, the galley can be closed off during provisioning and meal prep, and then opened for service. That means closing not only the doorways, but also the center counter facing the salon, where an actuated opaque glass wall can be raised and lowered. Eight fridge and freezer drawers, along with a full-height refrigerator, allow plenty of space for provisions for extended voyages. A Miele four-burner cooktop and convection oven, a Wolf microwave and a dishwasher are here, with stowage that includes a 78-inch-high pullout pantry. A center island adds counter space for prep and plating.

An on-deck master stateroom is forward with a centerline king berth, a starboard sofa and, to port, a lighted vanity that doubles as a desk. This space is a whisper-quiet escape from the crowd. Rectangular side windows flank the berth, bringing in natural light and providing unobstructed ocean views. Forward is the his-and-hers head with a central rain shower.

Guest accommodations include four staterooms belowdecks that are accessed by a single staircase and foyer. Mirrored VIP staterooms with queen berths are amidships with 32-inch TVs and en suite heads. Hullside windows with portholes allow light into the lower deck. Stowage is in drawers, vanities, walk-in closets and nightstands.

The guest stateroom to port has twin berths that slide together for couples, an en suite head and a 32-inch flat-screen TV. A VIP guest stateroom is in the forepeak with a queen berth and an en suite head.

There are options for the stateroom locations, as well as crew quarters. Crew spaces can be abaft the engine room or forward of the guest staterooms, which means removing the VIP. In either configuration, there’s a captain’s cabin and two twin-berth cabins for crew, all en suite. Another nice touch is the yacht’s separate laundry room with a Miele washer and dryer, counter space for folding, and stowage for supplies.

The seemingly endless-space concept hits stride on the yacht’s aft deck. Surrounding a teak dining table are a transom bench seat and three cushioned sofas. A two-tiered bar with twin fixed bar stools to starboard is an elegant inclusion.

Up in the pilothouse on the sky-lounge deck, three Stidd helm chairs allow the captain and crew, or guests, to keep eyes on the operations. The helm console has four 24-inch Garmin GPSMap multifunction displays, Simrad autopilot, two Garmin VHF radios, PTZ cameras and more. Side doors lead to the deck wing stations for docking. Abaft the helm seats is a sofa for more guests to enjoy the bird’s-eye view of the surroundings.

Abaft the pilothouse—which can be closed off with pocket doors and a high-low privacy screen—is the sky lounge. Relaxing on the L-shaped sofa or barrel chairs, guests will find a cozy space for an afternoon nap or to catch the game on the 55-inch TV. A wine chiller is here, along with a unit housing a fridge, a freezer, an ice maker and a sink. A day head is in the after corner.

Out the aft doors is yet another lounge area with a sofa and a table, and room for personal watercraft on dedicated cradles. For more water-toy space, there is a 2,500-pound-capacity hydraulic swim platform, as well as a 2,500-pound davit. To make room for all that gear and tender management, Horizon put the hot tub forward of the pilothouse. Guests can relax under the sun on U-shaped settees or oversize sun pads with an awning for shade.

The top deck is dedicated to entertaining. A round sun pad is forward, with an L-shaped sofa under the integrated radar arch and hardtop. An after sun pad is set up for additional guests. A wet bar with a fridge and an ice maker reduces the number of trips below for refreshments.

When it comes to performance, the FD110 is powered by twin 1,900 hp Caterpillar C32A diesel engines that propel its 348,330 pounds up to 18.6 knots at wide open. Cruising at 14 knots, the engines burn 100 gph, providing an effective range of 763 nautical miles. The fast-displacement design lets the FD110 cruise comfortably between 8 and 16 knots. At 16 knots, range is about 600 nm. At 10 knots, the FD110 has an effective range of more than 2,000 nm. Dial it back to 8 knots, and the range jumps to more than 3,000 nm.

With striking lines, impressive spaces, efficient operation and a high level of customization, the Horizon FD110 Tri-Deck can take owners anywhere they want to point the bow, in comfort and luxury.  

Skyline Option

If owners prefer a different look and layout, Horizon offers the FD110 in a Skyline option. That version has an enclosed pilothouse and no upper deck. The overall displacement is reduced by about 20,000 pounds, and draft goes from 5 feet, 11 inches in the Tri-Deck version to 5 feet, 9 inches in the Skyline.  

Ready for Fun

Geared for owners who are active in watersports, or for a similar charter program, the FD110 can handle an array of toys: personal watercraft, paddleboards, underwater scooters and more. Access to the water is via the hydraulic swim platform, making it easy to jump on the toys and go.

A Hull of a Boat

Horizon’s bow design, called the High Performance Piercing Bow, doesn’t just push the water away; it slices through it. This feature, along with the hybrid hull shape and prop-tunnel design, improves the FD110’s fuel efficiency and range of cruising speeds.

Take the next step: horizonyachtusa.com

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Superheroes come in all shapes and sizes, and with different powers, such as super speed and teleportation. While the Princess X80 can’t turn back time by reversing the planet’s rotation, it does have some superpowers of its own. The newest and second entry in the X Class is characterized by what the British builder calls a “super flybridge.” That, combined with a reported 31-knot top hop and an optional 2,324-gallon fuel tank, means the X80 can actually teleport its owner and guests to another world.

Atop the “super flybridge”—which Princess says has more than 30 percent more space compared with other flybridge yachts of this length—there are four gathering spaces. Aft, there are two stern-facing L-shaped settees with two coffee tables (the portside sofa can also face forward). Forward in the portside corner, there is another L-shaped settee accompanied by four free-standing chairs surrounding a dining table. A wet bar is to starboard.

Moving inside, there is a sofa to starboard and a single centerline helm seat forward, with companion seating to port. Forward on the flybridge, there are two sun pads that can hold three guests each.

The main deck is dedicated to socializing, with a forward-facing C-shaped settee and a folding teak dining table in the cockpit. In the salon, an L-shaped settee and a coffee table are to port. An additional, smaller sofa is to starboard, with a 55-inch TV abaft it.

The galley is forward and to starboard. Here, there are Miele appliances, including a four-burner cooktop, a microwave/convection oven and grill, a full-height fridge, a freezer, a dishwasher and an ice maker atop wood soles. An additional dining space can be found forward of the galley, along with an L-shaped settee and free-standing chairs. There is also a day head on the main deck, located to port and across from the galley.

Accommodations belowdecks are for eight guests in four en suite staterooms. The master stateroom is amidships and full-beam, with a vanity to port and a sofa to starboard. Its head and the closet are abaft a double berth, mitigating noise from the engine room. Forward of the master are a twin-berth guest stateroom to port, a double-berth  guest stateroom to starboard and a forepeak VIP. An optional main-deck master comes with a private sun deck.  

Take the next step: princessyachtsamerica.com

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It’s a long way to go from California to Italy just to build a boat. Then again, Calex, delivered last year by Benetti, is a 220-foot fully custom build—60 feet larger than its owner’s previous superyacht, which was semicustom. It’s also an example of the degree to which an experienced owner will go to ensure the comfort of those accompanying him: not just family and friends, but also crew.

While a larger yacht naturally affords more indoor and outdoor space, this California resident wanted an abundance of both, prioritizing privacy and well-being.

Arguably the best example of this is the owner’s suite, which, in combination with a dedicated alfresco area, is more like a penthouse apartment. Giorgio Cassetta and his team at Cassetta Yacht Designers, which has styled numerous Benettis, penned 1,772 square feet on the upper deck for this, from amidships forward. The owner’s suite includes the master stateroom, an office, a double bath and a walk-in closet. Since the stateroom faces sole-to-ceiling glass forward, 180 degrees of changing views welcomes the owner each morning. The alfresco lounge lets the owner relax in privacy. Accessible from the suite via two curved sliding doors, the lounge has chaises, chairs and a gas fireplace. And, the raised foredeck forward can be the owner’s touch-and-go helipad.

Unwinding in the company of friends and family was also important in commissioning the yacht, whose beach club is one of the more cleverly private places aboard Calex. Beach clubs have become bigger indoor-outdoor areas, especially through the use of fold-down platforms. They enhance the feeling of having a large lounge atop the sea, but they present a problem when owners and guests want seclusion. So with Calex, a single gull-wing door fully aft swings up to yield access. The beach club is still sizable, in part thanks to the yacht’s 35-foot beam. Guests can watch sports on the TV, enjoy drinks from the bar and use the hammam. To take a dip, they can step out onto the swim platform and use the flip-down swim ladder. Boarding water toys is just as simple from the platform.

And boy, does Calex have toys—especially ones that will help guests burn calories. Stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, water skis, electric surfboards, electric foiling boards, a wakeboard and a surfboard are all available. Friends and family craving a little more speed can step aboard two personal watercraft capable of 65 mph. If the toys aren’t enough exercise, gym equipment and a yoga space are on the sun deck, with a nearby hot tub for a post-workout muscle soak.

All of the time and attention put into creating these areas would be for naught if the crew had subpar quarters. Time and time again, well-planned crew’s quarters contribute to stronger staff retention and a better yacht-ownership experience. Sixteen hands, led by Capt. Eddie Cooney, handle operations aboard Calex. While no one will blink to learn that Cooney’s cabin is on the bridge deck, near the wheelhouse and the ship’s office, they’ll definitely do a double take to see its design, along with that of the quarters for the rest of the crew belowdecks.

According to the Benetti Style Department, the owner had a singular focus for their area from the start of planning. The furnishings and decorative materials are similar to those in the two main-deck VIP staterooms and four guest staterooms (two doubles and two convertible twins) on the lower deck. Finally, and wisely, dumbwaiters connect the main-deck galley to the upper decks’ lounging spaces inside and out.

Calex also features sculptures and art pieces the owner has picked up amid his travels. The yacht casts a comforting spell, inviting guests to be as social as they wish throughout the five enclosed decks, as well as outside on the terrace-like areas and fully open sun deck. Movable deck furnishings make it easy to go from big, garrulous groups to cozier conversations. Simultaneously, Calex caters to more secluded downtime, especially for its owner. Ultimately, Calex is built for different needs, including those of the crew.

It’s a long way to go from California to Italy to get all of this. But, especially for this owner, it was worth it.  

Well(ness) Wishes

As much as the owner set aside space for health and wellness, he wanted the interior ambience of Calex to convey a sense of well-being too. Ivory-toned furnishings and warm woods, such as maple and American walnut, create a serene atmosphere, along with a dose of sophistication. The decor is by the Benetti Style Department and the owner’s team.

Engine Emissions

Calex is Benetti’s first fully custom yacht in this size range to comply with Tier III regulations. Tier III is an International Maritime Organization standard that reduces nitrous-oxide emissions by about 70 percent compared with prior regulations. Calex has a scrubbing system for exhaust gas from the main engines and gensets.

Charter Calex

Calex is part of the Northrop & Johnson charter fleet. The yacht is heading for the Caribbean this winter and the Mediterranean next year. A glass elevator and space-planning make the five enclosed decks accessible for wheelchairs. The weekly base rate starts at $680,000.

Take the next step: benettiyachts.it

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The Riviera Yachts 78 Motor Yacht’s sense of “wow” starts with a wave-battling, sharp bow with more than 6 feet of freeboard forward that also has a gentle flare. Then, there are the generously sized hull windows and gentle sheerline that splits to offer high deck railings. The sizable yacht’s main deck includes a fully covered after section, a salon that rivals fine apartments, and a bow lounge typically found on larger yachts. Topping it off is a flybridge deck with an extended aft terrace that offers great vistas or a private hideout.

In association with superyacht designer Luca Vallebona and the Riviera Design Group, the Australian builder set out to create more voluminous spaces, maximize stowage, maintain excellent lines of sight and wrap it all in a functional layout. Goals achieved.

Take the salon: A portside sofa complements the opposing side’s L-shaped sofa (with oh-so-soft pillows) and oversized ottoman while maintaining walking space. One way Riviera creates floor space is by tucking away items that are not always used. Riviera designed a table to hide within the portside sofa, so, after the cushions are moved, the table flips up and out from its base, becoming a dining table for six to eight guests. Additionally, the 55-inch flat-screen TV is not mounted in a credenza, but instead drops from overhead. When fully extended, it’s in line with the lower staircase’s railing, so it doesn’t impede the walking areas. The salon has 6-foot-7-inch headroom and side windows measuring more than 3 feet in height, enhancing the sense of space while offering ocean views and letting in natural light.

The galley is aft with an overhead cabinet along the starboard window, nestled next to the after corner fridge/freezer. There are clear sightlines from the aft deck through the salon, thanks to the absence of bulkheads. Rounding out the cooking amenities are an electric cooktop, options for hot or cold sparkling water at the sink, two ovens, a dishwasher, several fridges and a freezer compartment.

A drop-down electrical window aft, along with the sliding access door, seamlessly connects the salon, galley and aft deck.

The aft deck—16 by 13 by 7 feet—includes a transom sofa with an aft privacy screen, a perfect setup for cozying up with a good book. There is also a starboard-side, L-shaped settee with a walnut dining table. A portside credenza includes a wet bar, a grill, a lower fridge, an ice maker, Corian countertops and stowage.

Dual staircases lead down to the hydraulic swim platform, which not only lowers into the water for handling water toys and swimming, but also rises to clear the aft wash when running. It serves as an additional alfresco social space as well.

Up top, the enclosed flybridge is home to the yacht’s only helm station. This space is also a mini salon, another great social area. Guests can sink into the ultra-soft sofa across from the 44-inch TV. Add in the fresh breeze by opening the sunroof, aft door and side windows. Headroom here is an equally impressive 6 feet, 7 inches. An open-flybridge version is available.

The helm is laid out with four 24-inch Garmin multifunction displays, so the operator can keep eyes on all the vital data, navigation charts, radar, sonar, cameras and more at a glance. With so much glass around the flybridge, visibility is unobstructed in all directions.

Step through the aft door to the flybridge terrace for more alfresco relaxation space. Eat, drink and be merry at the portside corner wet bar, which has two stools (with latches underneath, preventing tipping when in transit). A U-shaped dining area here can be used as lounge seating as well. A half-awning shields some of the space from the elements. Aft space is sufficient for additional lounge chairs. An on-deck day head reduces the need to go below.

Belowdecks, the 78 Motor Yacht is geared for the cruising enthusiast’s family. There are four staterooms and three heads. Down the forward staircase from the salon, an atrium landing provides access to all the staterooms. The full-beam master is amidships with a lounge seat, as well as a head with a shower stall and a separate toilet space. There’s also a full-size office desk that brings new meaning to the phrase “remote working.” Two double-bunk staterooms are forward, with the VIP in the forepeak.

The 78 Motor Yacht is customizable, and Riviera is open to owner requests. Want to replace the pantry with another fridge? No problem. Change the layout of the salon? Sure.

I found that responsive handling comes standard. The 78 Motor Yacht is a graceful craft that reacts well to the single-lever controls, as well as to wheel input. Going hard over on the wheel doesn’t mean it’s a white-knuckle ride. There’s a gentle lean into the turns and an easy rise when hitting the wakes. In other words, this is an easy yacht for an owner-operator or a light crew.

Speaking with Chris McCafferty, international sales director at Riviera Australia, I learned that this yacht was ideal for its owner’s needs—which mirror a lot of owners’ needs in the global cruising community. “For this owner, we were able to check off all the boxes they had,” he said. Room for a cruising family? Check. A bluewater hull form and robust build? Check. Luxurious and homelike amenities? Check. Long range for extended cruising itineraries? Check. Inside and outside living? Check.

It appears that the Riviera 78 Motor Yacht does indeed check a lot of boxes. It makes me wonder: What will they think of next?

Power Up

The Riviera 78 Motor Yacht’s engine options include V-12 MAN diesels in 1,500, 1,800 or 2,000 hp. The yacht I got aboard had the 2000s, providing a 21.1-knot cruise while burning 126 gallons per hour at 1,800 rpm, equating to a 450-nautical-mile range. At wide-open throttle, the yacht hit 29 knots at 2,200 rpm at a cost of 203 gph, yielding a range of 385 nm. Pull back the throttles to 10 knots for a 43 gph burn and a 2,500 nm range. 

Form and Function

Creating multifunction spaces is a focal point for Riviera. For example, the garage door opens to a large stowage room for water toys, rods and secured containers. A staircase (not a ladder) ensures safe footing into the well. When open, the garage door houses a rain-shower head and lighting to illuminate the platform and area aft.  

Bow Lounge

Smart design allows for a foredeck oasis with a forward-facing, U-shaped settee, a wooden table, side lounge seats and access to the foredeck gear.

At the Con

Sitting in the Stidd helm seat and taking in the dash feels like commanding a spaceship. There are touchscreens for most all functions, and buttons for on/off controls. On the right of the seat is an extended platform that houses the throttles, joystick, autopilot and chart-plotter controllers.  

Take the next step: rivieraaustralia.com

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Beneteau’s Grand Trawler 62 has admirable fuel consumption and long range, but the most important number you need to know is 24. That’s how many wine bottles fit in this yacht’s chiller, and it might govern the range of your adventures more than something like mere diesel fuel.

The Beneteau Grand Trawler 62 itself is kind of like a fine French wine: robust and full of fun, but with hidden notes that become apparent upon closer examination. Take the cockpit, for example. Instead of the usual forward-facing settee, the 62 has an L-shaped settee with a folding table tucked into the forward port corner. Thus, the view is not of the salon, but aft through clear Lucite panels in the railing—a much more pleasant panorama. And set up against the house and protected by teak-slat “fashion plates,” the settee is out of the wind and sun. For boarding, easy steps lead from the hydraulic transom platform, which has a ladder that unfolds automatically when the platform is lowered.

Thoughtful details extend beyond creature comforts. In the cockpit, there are husky mooring bitts on each corner with warping winches and roller chocks. There’s also a tidy opening to stash stray lines so no one trips. Another welcome design element is the two separate stairways to the bridge, both gentle with good rails. One leads from the cockpit, while the other is just abaft the lower helm so the skipper can easily scamper to and from the bridge.

The Alpi-veneer, gloss-oak salon is light and bright, with a U-shaped sofa aft facing a pop-up TV. The galley is amidships for minimal motion, which should delight chefs balancing full pots. The galley, in keeping with European tradition, is separated with full bulkheads. They can have openings, and snack grabbers can get in via a sliding door. On Euro versions of this yacht, the galley bulkheads have glass windows. Amenities include a four-burner Siemens cooktop, a Miele dishwasher and a full-size Vitrifrigo fridge. A sliding door connects the galley to the side deck and makes provisioning easy. An L-shaped settee with a dining table is opposite the galley on the pilothouse level for casual meals.

At the helm, the skipper and a companion have upholstered bucket seats. Their raised position allows a commanding view through the forward-raked windshield, above triple Raymarine displays. Bow and stern Side-Power thrusters—with a “hold” feature for docking—pair with the Aventics joystick controller. (A mini helm station is in the cockpit.) A sliding door to starboard should make shorthanding easy, with another large bitt just outside. A settee for guests is tucked to port by the helm, enabling them to watch the action.

A curving stairwell next to the helm leads to the lower foyer, with the full-beam master stateroom located aft. The 62’s almost 18-foot beam is put to good use, and a nearly king-size island berth offers stowage underneath. Adding to this stowage are six drawers and lockers to starboard, and a vanity to port. Natural light is courtesy of rectangular hullside windows. The en suite head has a stall shower with a Lucite door and seat. There is 6-foot-8-inch headroom, and the space exudes luxury.

Next off the foyer is a twin-berth guest stateroom to port. The VIP stateroom is forward with an angled berth and an en suite head that doubles as a day head.

The flybridge is full-beam, with a U-shaped dinette, space for chaises aft, and a bar and grill abaft the twin helm bucket seats. A double-wide settee is to port, and a 6-by-11-foot sunroof opens in the fiberglass hardtop.

At the foredeck are sun pads, two 4-by-3-foot clamshell lockers for deck gear and fenders, and the anchor windlass stowed in a locker, as well as a snubbing capstan atop the coaming for dock lines. Teak-planked decks make for secure footing, and the 20-inch-wide side decks have high bulwarks—up to 4 feet, 2 inches forward of the helm—for safety when handling lines. There also are double-welded rails forward.

Power for the 62 is a pair of 730 hp MAN i6 diesels. The engine room is laid out for owner-operators: It has diamond-plate soles for security, the engines are a whopping 50 inches apart, and there is 5-foot-10-inch headroom. The 62 I got aboard also had a 7.5 kW Onan genset, which was equally serviceable. Access to the engine room is via the crew quarters, which have crisscross berths and separate shower and head compartments.

Underway in the Gulf Stream, we saw lumpy leftover seas with a few 4-to-6-footers mixed in, and the 62 ate it up. This yacht had an optional Quick MC2 X3 gyrostabilizer. Even when the captain put us beam on to the seas, the 62 remained as stable as a table. The most devout landlubber’s stomach could enjoy this ride, which, despite the lumps, was at just over 20 knots when desired.

The Grand Trawler 62 is the largest vessel in Beneteau’s power fleet, and the builder has raised its own bar for finishing and details. The yacht is delivered with a full set of dishes and flatware, so all owners need to bring is a toothbrush. And oh, yes, the 24 bottles of wine.

Grand or Swift

Beneteau debuted its Swift Trawlers in 2003. So far, 1,300 of the hulls have been built. The full- displacement Grand Trawler is aimed at the voyaging set, with a range of 1,045 nautical miles at 9 knots (burning 7.9 gph), although it can hit 20 knots when needed.

Details, Details

Small touches set the Beneteau Grand Trawler 62 apart and make it one of the more luxurious trawlers on the market. They include sea rails on all lockers to keep stowed food and gear in place, leather-wrapped interior handrails for security in a seaway, and leather drawer pulls like those found on larger yachts.

On an Even Keel

Quick is an Italian stabilizer company that’s been in the marine market since 1983 and that builds marine electronics, refrigeration, air conditioning and electrical systems. It established Quick USA to provide technical assistance. The Quick X3 gyro produces 3,900 newton meters (2,876 foot-pounds) of torque with a spool-up time of 10 minutes.

Take the next step: beneteau.com

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Outer Reef Yachts is sharing more details about its new 670 Azure Sport Yacht.

The defining design feature on this model is an indoor-outdoor galley and aft deck for guest relaxation and entertainment.

According to Outer Reef, this hull of the 670 Azure Sport Yacht is built for a young cruising couple. Exterior features include what the builder calls a “Serenity Foredeck Lounge,” and a hydraulic integral sports platform aft. The sports platform submerges into the water for launching equipment, tenders, fishing and more.

What is the Serenity Foredeck Lounge? It’s an optional entertainment zone on the foredeck of Outer Reef models, for owners who want additional privacy from traffic on the docks at marinas.

Where to learn more: go to outerreefyachts.com

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Australia-based Maritimo has launched the S75 Sedan Motor Yacht, a long-range, bluewater cruising boat.

Maritimo calls the above-waterline level the “Adventure Deck,” with 200 square feet of space for water-based activities, barbecues or lounging. The upper-cockpit deck space also has a lounge area and can offer weather protection, if the skies turn dark. The galley is positioned aft, to serve the indoor and outdoor spaces.

Inside, features include a 65-inch screen for movie nights on the hook, a guest lounge near the helm and an atrium-style stairwell to allow natural light into the accommodations level.

The master stateroom is full-beam with a king-size berth and a private head. Two other guest staterooms are forward and to starboard.

“You’ll notice that there are smooth molded finishes everywhere on the vessel—even in the engine room when you look up,” Maritimo Operations Director Phil Candler stated in a press release. “The main moldings are backed up with molded liners, which not only allow us to create sub-assemblies for synchronized production flow—it creates even more inherent strength in the vessel. We’ve added to our patented liner system, which affords even greater ocean-going capabilities and further minimizes any noise and vibration.”

Power is a pair of 1,150 hp Scania DI16 V-8 engines. Maritimo also offers an optional Rolls-Royce Power Systems MTU, with twin 1,625 hp 2000 Series V-10 engines.

How long did it take the Maritimo team to develop the S75? More than three years. The company says hundreds of thousands of hours went into the planning, development and pre-production.

Take the next step: go to maritimoamericas.com

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Bering Yachts has released the first images of the B76 Lemanja, which is the first custom design the yard has built smaller than 78 feet length overall.

Lemanja is designed for bluewater exploring and longer voyages, making it a top trawler choice. The yard says: “This boat has been constructed as a good house. Lemanja is surprisingly spacious and comfortable for her length. Her state-of-the-art design is optimized to provide the owner with full operation autonomy. With this homey feeling, you might even forget that you are traversing an ocean on a yacht.”

Accommodations are for six guests. The yard says it paid special attention to noise-reduction on board, stabilization systems and use of alternative power to reduce the yacht’s environmental footprint.

What’s the main power package? Twin Cummins QSL 9 engines for a maximum speed of 12 knots and a cruising speed of 9 knots. Range is reportedly more than 4,000 nautical miles.

Where to learn more: go to beringyachts.com

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The Armenian word lusine translates to “moon” in English. That’s why, aboard the 198-foot Heesen Lusine, lunar and celestial themes are everywhere, from wall features to the teak decking. A crescent moon, for instance, is in the middle of the helipad. Even the font of the yacht’s name runs from thin to thick, reflecting the moon’s four waxing and waning phases.

Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design in the Netherlands created the opulent, almost art deco interior, which Heesen says is by far the most complicated and expensive it has ever produced. Initially, the yacht’s owner was inspired by Heesen’s then-Project Ceres (which launched as Galactica), but he ended up developing a fully custom vessel. At 1,079 gross tons, and based on a Fast Displacement Hull Form by Dutch naval architecture firm Van Oossanen, Lusine is Heesen’s longest and biggest-volume steel-hull yacht to date. The overall design process was led by Frank Laupman’s team at the Dutch firm Omega Architects.

Lusine’s profile fuses contemporary and modern styling to stunning effect. While the bow is conventionally pointed, the superstructure is more angular and extends a little farther forward than usual. The high foredeck terrace is vast and capable of hosting quite a party. The bridge-deck wing stations are exaggerated to create much wider side decks, and there is a hint of a bird’s wing amidships in the superstructure relief that cleverly integrates all the upper three decks without actually breaking the horizontal sweeps of glass along the main and upper decks.

Not only is the craftsmanship throughout Lusine exceptional, but the level of detailed design goes way beyond the norm as well. For instance, almost every piece of furniture is custom-size, and the breathtaking parquet soles, rich joinery and intricate marquetry are made from rare woods, special stones, and unusual leathers and skins, such as stingrays and puffer fish. One of the biggest design statements is the yacht’s circular staircase and glass elevator connecting all four decks, with a contoured leather mural depicting sea, land, air and then star themes as guests rise from the yacht’s lower deck to the top deck.

Lusine’s main-deck gathering spaces are conventional enough. Entering from the cockpit seating and dining space, the main-deck salon has lounge and dining areas aft, with an amidships galley and pantry to port. A companionway to starboard leads to the formal, double-glass-door entrance and to a side-boarding ladder beyond. The double-pedestal, cornice-topped dining table has radial Macassar veneers inlaid with gold leaf, blue agate and sycamore. The custom chandelier above is from Preciosa.

Accommodations are for 16 guests in eight en suite staterooms: three with double berths on the upper deck and five with twin berths on the lower deck. The lower-deck staterooms can also be used by personal staff.

The 540-square-foot owners’ stateroom is aft on the upper deck, where many other yachts have a sky lounge. Views from here are fabulous, with a 180-degree panorama to the sides and across the upper deck’s aft lounges, dining area and hot tub. The whole space can be secured for owner privacy.

Forward on the main deck is the L-shaped VIP stateroom, conceived for close family. It has an en suite double-berth stateroom and an adjacent en suite twin-berth stateroom. Both open onto a starboard-side private sitting room, which connects to the yacht’s main lobby.

The crew complement is 15. A captain’s cabin is to port abaft the modern, paperless bridge, with the remainder of the crew cabins forward on the lower deck.

Lusine has room for three Boston Whaler tenders: a 270 Vantage, a 210 Dauntless and a 180 Dauntless. The smallest and largest are housed with various toys in a forward garage, which has hinge-up doors to either side of the bow. The 210 is kept in the stern garage with more toys.

For air arrivals, a touch-and-go helipad is on the after end of the top deck. Interestingly, the area around the mast base and at the top of the central staircase is enclosed to create an alternative foyer for guests arriving this way. The space includes a pilot’s cabin.

Propulsion is twin 2,575 hp MTU 12V 4000 M65L diesels, which reportedly deliver a top speed around 18 knots and an ocean-straddling 4,200-nautical-mile range at 13 knots. Twin Naiad fins provide stabilization, and onboard power comes primarily from twin 315 kW Zenoro generators. The yacht’s air conditioning is built to high-tropical specification.

Lusine embodies all the knowledge and experience that Heesen has amassed by delivering more than 80 metal motoryachts with an average length of 155 feet in the past 20 years. The yard consistently delivers around four big yachts annually—not tied to the four phases of the moon but stellar nonetheless.

Touchstone

A coffee table in the main salon contains a small slice of lunar meteorite. A few of these rare rocks have been found on Earth and matched forensically with samples brought back from NASA’s Apollo missions. Scientists believe that the rocks arrived in debris showers following crater-creating events. A meteorite with proven provenance is the closest thing to a moon rock that money can buy; the real ones are owned by U.S. government agencies. 

Now for Sale

Sadly, Lusine’s owner died right around the time the yacht was delivered. It’s now listed for sale “as new” with Burgess and is lying in the West Mediterranean. The asking price at press time was $82 million.

Ever Larger

Lusine is Heesen’s largest steel-hull motoryacht to date, but the yard’s largest project so far is the semi-displacement, all-aluminum, 263-foot, 1,700-gross-ton Galactica, which departed the Oss, Netherlands, yard in early 2022. Galactica is also reportedly the world’s largest and fastest motoryacht with a conventional shaft-line propulsion. Heesen says the vessel is capable of 29 knots, with four MTU 20V 4000 series engines.

Busy Builder

Heesen mostly builds semi-custom projects on common platforms. In recent years, most have been fast-displacement or semi-displacement hulls in steel/aluminum or all aluminum, but, occasionally, there’s a full-displacement steel/aluminum or all-aluminum project in the mix. Lusine is a good example of its steel-hull yachts.

Take the next step: heesenyachts.com

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