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Review: Horizon 70' MotorYacht

Discussion in 'Horizon Yacht' started by YachtForums, Feb 14, 2005.

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  1. Horizons 70' Motoryacht
    Something New This Way Comes...

    by Capt. Chuck Gnaegy

    Her lustrous lines seem to leap forward toward some unseen target, as the Horizon 70 MotorYacht – the builder’s latest product – revels in the advantage of superior volume for its size, yet caters to the owner’s individual comfort and preferences. Her streamlined hull – sloped and tweaked to an aggressive needle-nose, emphasizes a striking vision of focus; almost suggesting a racy sporting yacht.

    Yacht designer Greg Marshall, with a bright new idea sizzling in his fertile, creative imagination, went back to the drawing board to fashion Horizon’s brand new 70 motor yacht, and in the process gave birth to a completely new concept. This is a Horizon production yacht with a custom layout – one that can readily be labeled “semi-custom.” To bring this about, the Horizon in-house design team took advantage of the builder’s SCRIMP technology, which implements a vacuum bag lamination process to precisely control resin levels and eliminate air pockets in the fiberglass.

    (Initially developed by the U.S. Navy, SCRIMP – Seaman Composites Resin Infusion Molding – creates a uniform hull thickness which produces lamination strength twice as strong as hand-laid fiberglass. Tested by the U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center, its lighter, stronger hulls fare better in the continuous pounding of the sea).

    Horizon goes even steps further, adding two layers of biaxial fiberglass to the gel-coat before the vacuum bagging process, to deliver superior strength to its construction scheme and sidestep the print-through from fiberglass mats. The extra safety measure also allows Horizon-built vessels to comply with top marine standards, such as Lloyd’s Register (LR), Marine Coastguard Agency (MCA), High Speed & Light Craft (HSLC), and Det Norske Veritas (DNV), which can promote higher resale value, plus tax and charter benefits.
  2. Horizon’s 70-M/Y is dedicated to safety and comfort at sea. with a single-mold fiberglass yacht keel to waterline, for strength; foam coring above the waterline to reduce weight; plus foam-cored stringers. Watertight bulkheads and doors are installed in the transom, engine room, and pilothouse, in addition to a collision bulkhead forward at the chain locker.

    Before the 1990s there were no classifications or compliance codes established for high-speed, light craft. Since that time, the Class societies have worked with builders and naval architects to publish standards for private yachts, resulting in safety and quality levels unprecedented in the past, for craft of this size. The option is still one that few U.S. builders can offer. Horizon builds yachts from 62’ to 130’ in three separate state-of-the-art shipyards, with the Main yard in Taiwan certified for ISO 9002 and DNV standards. The engineering section employs an unprecedented 15 naval architects, engineers, and designers, using CAD computer programs to engineer Horizon yachts to the owner’s specifications.

    Yachts more than 70’ are constructed there, in a yard that has water tanks so massive they are capable to do initial hull testing, before rigorous sea trials. The company’s Vision yard builds yachts from 62’ to 70’ also meeting ISO and DNV standards, dedicated to professionalism. The third (SCRIMP) facility is a 300,000 sq.ft. yard – world’s largest of its kind – which services both the Main and Vision yards.

    The Custom design phase of the 70 M/Y starts from there: a superbly sea-worthy yacht with an interior fashioned to the owner’s needs. Full walk-around side decks – with hefty, 2-inch handrails – provide access to the cruising, living, and operational areas.
  3. A curved stairway leads from the back deck, with teak steps, to the party-prone upper helm area; shaded and weather-protected by the radar arch and navigational equipment, as well as a pair of Buell air horns. It sports a non-skid fiberglass deck, and a full helm with captain’s chair. Ample sunbathing room invites with sunpads, as well as a U-shaped settee with high-low table, a wet bar including sink, combo refrigerator w/ice maker and barbecue grill. Aft, on the flybridge, ample space is set aside for carrying a RIB tender, w/outboard, or a matching set of jet-skis...
  4. In highly finished mahogany woods, the bridge offers an adjustable helm chair with footrest facing the rounded instrument display, over an expansive stainless steel wheel. Both helm stations feature full instrumentation, with a complete set of engine gauges, monitors for all systems – navigation, radar, fuel and water management, bilge pumps, and blowers. Danforth compasses are central, as well as an Elbex closed circuit TV monitor with two cameras (aft deck and engine room).
  5. Satin finished light mahogany woods carry the welcoming design motif, from the half room-size mirror in the overhead with its distinctive rounded wood trim, to the beveled-edge coffee table, which can be elevated to act as a dining or gaming table. The open layout of the salon adds measurably to the aura of spaciousness, entered aft through a full-length sliding glass door, with the vista leading forward to the galley, separated by only a stand-up bar.
  6. The salon is, of course, the main recreational and social center of this handsome yacht, with a tasteful design motif and comfortable color harmony. Large, frameless windows – with 10mm safety glass – line both sides, providing marvelous sea and shore views; while a grand, deep-cushioned, L-shaped settee – in off-white ecru leather – faces an oversized Panasonic flat-screen TV at the port side.
  7. Just steps away from the galley and a wide serving bar, the dinette, forward on the main deck, is adjacent to the stairway down to the stateroom area. The sizeable galley could easily be called a country kitchen, with its walking and working space. Full size appliances allow eager chefs to star at their best, while capacious storage areas invite stowage of the finest provisions for day to day and party to party.
  8. Graceful curves sweep all corners of the fine cabinetry in the openness of the salon. A semi-circular dinette is swathed in luxurious, soft creamy leather, backed by varnished light mahogany. The ovoid table easily serves five to seven, with auxiliary chairs.
  9. Identical curved ceiling décor also adorns the master suite, which sports a striking island king size berth, bed tables, and a mirrored headboard. Storage beneath the berth is excellent for oversized items, holding plenty of volume, while to starboard a large armoire offers adequate space for a clothes display to meet any occasion.
  10. Adjacent to the bedroom, the master head features twin sinks inlaid with a curved wood face, set in marble or granite countertops and backsplash. Fixtures are top quality, chosen to accent to the owner’s tastes. Bed lamps add a colorful, homey touch. Between the two suites a washer/dryer combination is built in.

    The VIP stateroom, centered at the bow, is beam-wide, larger than in most yachts this size. Boasting a queen size island berth, comfortable head and shower, and plenty of clothes storage, its décor matches the yacht’s vanilla/lite-chocolate theme.
  11. Two wide staircases, with teak steps, lead from the spacious teak swim platform to the salon, which boasts its own hot/cold shower. The staircases enclose the crew quarters, which include twin berths, head/shower, couch, small galley, chair and table. A watertight engine room door, full size, opens in the center of the transom to reach the engine room.

    The aft deck – protected from the weather by an extended upper deck – overlooks the stern and provides comfortable seating and drink holders, as well as a table, for those who would rather relax and watch all the swimming action.
  12. Adjacent to the engine room, the control room displays all system monitors in a stand-up compartment, well organized for easy scanning, and highly unusual for a yacht this size. In all, a list of 75 controls, systems and individual equipment items are continually checked for optimum performance.
  13. A pleasurable walk-in with full head room, white finish, and fluorescent lighting, the engine room provides a convenient approach to the twin CAT 800 hp diesels, with overhead grab rails that allow movement even in a choppy seaway. Meticulous planning also brings easy accessibility to the engine blocks, fuel filters, and regularly maintained accessories. Those include dual Racor fuel filters/water separators, four engine start batteries, the Onan 27.5 kw generator, and battery chargers.
  14. Deck Lay-Outs...
  15. Horizon-70’s sleek craftsmanship displays its fine design elements, but barely hints at the volume of room supplied in this yacht. Horizon’s meticulous quality control and excellent manufacturing processes make this 70 M/Y an outstanding midsize megayacht.

    Story by Chuck Gnaegy.

    SPECIFICATIONS:

    LOA: 70’6”
    Beam: 18’9”
    Draft: 6’0”
    Freeboard: 7’8”
    Deadrise (stern): 12.3”
    Displacement: 99,200 lbs.
    Fuel: 1,720 gals.
    Fresh Water: 400 gals.

    For further information, contact:

    West Coast dealer:
    Emerald Pacific Yachts, Seattle, WA
    206-587-0660
    info@emeraldpacificyachts.com

    East Coast dealer:
    Horizon America, North Palm Beach, FL
    561-626-5615
    rjs@gilmanyachts.com
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