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Review: Lazzara 68-S

Discussion in 'Lazzara Yacht' started by YachtForums, Dec 28, 2004.

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  1. Lazzara 68-S
    A Supermodel With Curves...

    by Capt. Chuck Gnaegy​

    At Lazzara Yachts, forward-streaming tear-drop windows sweep into the sleek design lines of Lazzara’s latest yacht introduction, the L-68 Sport, available as an open flybridge or hardtop version. But the accelerating super-model look only hints at her inside story. This sporty yacht boasts more interior volume than most any other yacht in her class. She’s immediately recognized and welcomed into the exotic Lazzara fold in the spirit of speed, comfort, performance, and contemporary fashion.​


    The Lazzaras, a family dedicated to advancing the engineering of modern yacht building, are backed up by three generations and almost 50 years of pioneering yacht design and production. In the early 1950s, founder Vince Lazzara forever changed the face of yacht construction worldwide: He built the first large fiberglass sailing yacht, and followed with several successful ventures in sailing yachts -- Columbia (once the world’s largest fiberglass boat builder), SeaRover houseboats, and the very popular Gulfstar motorsailers and trawlers, which eventually merged with Viking Yachts.

    Then in 1991 – Dick and Brad Lazzara created Lazzara Yacht Corporation. Within two years the first Lazzara 76’ motor yacht cruised off the assembly line, inaugurating the series that was to become legendary for its dedication to perfection and avant-garde designs. Customers even today cite the company for its attention to detail, and attention to its customers, who typically reveal exclamations of endorsement.

    Engineering parameters too, are cited, as early evolutionary technology advances careened through the fiberglass-building industry. What started with workers applying layers of fiberglass and epoxy with paint rollers inside hull blanks, became open contact fiberglass molding, then closed contact molding, injection molding and ultimately… impregnations.

    Picture Caption: Entertainment for up to a dozen passengers on the flybridge is compliments of a sporting 70 sq.ft. sun pad. At the bow, double sunpads invite a placid meeting with Old Sol, running or at rest. The flybridge features day and night comfort under the soaring radar/navigation arch. Twin oval-curved couches with Corian tabletops face each other just aft of the twin helm chairs. An outdoor grill and sink add to the amenities, while aft a bevy of sunpads stretches beam to beam.
  2. “In some production companies,” says Dick Lazzara, “open contact molding is still predominant. We vacuum-bag everything – that includes huge 100-foot structures – we use inter-directional material, stress engineering, and have a history of developing a lot of different materials. In the seventies we were involved with a company that developed tri and bi-axial fiberglass. We’re an engineering-oriented company, always looking to improve the product.”

    In their development days, the Lazzaras also devised methods and traffic patterns to build a yacht in 50% less time, merging the yard staff’s efforts with the many sub-contractors, a process they call “Horizontal Integration.” Along with modular furniture and interior components, sub-contractor-packaged electronics, trim and navigational gear installations are synchronized on pre-arranged schedules to maximize efficiency, saving time and money.

    Each new construction, from the initial 74’ to larger models such as the 80’, 94’, 106’ brought new methods and ideas to the company, and the Lazzara’s are still looking forward. “We’ve had some patents in the molding process,” Dick Lazzara explains, “ but now we’re working on the effects of using automation and robotics, with five-axis routers. I’m suggesting that the use of computers and robotics are raising the quality level. That’s exciting to us because if we were a larger company we wouldn’t have the freedom to do it.”

    Technological advances are a primary part of the Lazzara business plan. Dick cites his early background, fostered by his father Vince, plus the inspiration and influence of Olin Stephens, Phil Rhodes, Bill Tripp Sr., and Charlie Morgan, giants in boat design. For years he designed both sail and power boats.

    Picture Caption: The lower aft deck offers seating for six, just above the broad aft-swim platform. A huge weather-proof couch and Corian-topped table offer the outdoor party crowd a perfect place to play. Up top, the full-featured upper helm faces a console of nav/radar/systems screens, weather and glare protected, with a 360-degree scope of the total sea environment.
  3. Later, while designing the megayachts his family produced, to advance production management through research and innovation, he created a break-through hull mold. Made up of 64 individual parts, the master, used in different configurations, can revise the length, beam, or dead rise of the yacht being built. It can create longer, beamier hulls, cockpits, and superstructures. Yet, no single piece of this extraordinary mold weighs more than 300 lbs., so yard workers can readily make changes, or break down the mold and ship various components to where they may be needed, to any site in the world. Since the same mold is used for different design models, production space, storage, manpower, and time is saved. A Lazzara 80, for example, takes a mere eight months to build, while most companies need a year or more for a yacht of comparable size.

    His design development of the LSR drive system utilizes an enclosed propeller shaft component with a skeg projecting to the same depth as the propeller blades and drive units. Placed forward of the propeller, working in conjunction with a horizontal channeling system or shrouded shaft, it directs the water flow to the drives. The channeled stream produces less turbulent flow, achieving more response from the drive units than ordinary systems. Added to that, high tensile stainless steel is used for the shaft component and skeg to protect the system. Shorter rudders in this arrangement turn out the same maneuverability, and result in a shallower draft. The advantages of a 5’ draft (or even less, as the 68’s 4’2”) are notable, for instance, in the Bahamas.

    Dick’s integrated shipboard information system – ISIS-- computerized program monitors a 64-point check of engines, pumps, stabilizers, etc., and logs the data similar to an airplane “black box” to trace prior functions. Data from each yacht is downloaded directly to the yard, where it is checked every week by on-staff technicians to catch potential problems. Those records can be invaluable if a look back is needed.

    Another constant follow-up is Lazzara’s Seacheck program, wherein engineers do annual surveys of all operating data and compare them to each yacht’s operating efficiency; a program buyers enthuse over!

    Picture Caption: The transom garage door rises hydraulically and a PWC or self-launching tender deploys at the push of a button. The tender is on rails, angled about 15 degrees up toward the bow of the launch. When you press the button, it deploys faster than depth chargers.
  4. To be certain new owners know how to use all this equipment, Lazzara requires the owner, captain and crew – before delivery of the yacht – to take a five-day course at Lazzara University. They receive hands-on instruction about operation and maintenance of the vessel’s systems and equipment they will use on board. After school, each yacht is furnished an owner’s manual with detailed drawings and descriptions. That’s the Lazzara style, placing its status among the elite in American yacht building; it leads to peace of mind for all involved.

    The results of that philosophy of easy use and innovation are readily apparent in the new 68 sport. As an example -- boarding, which for many yachts involves a clumsy mechanism on rollers, is no longer a tricky maneuver. On the L-68, the push of a button activates a boarding stairs module, which hydraulically extends from the side of the hull.

    Picture Caption: Docking is made simpler with an innovative bow AND stern thruster system. No more shouting, dock walloping, red faces, and upset crew. On the roomy stern deck, the party atmosphere is always abuzz, as sound systems invite favorite listening, and water players reach the wide swim platform down attractive molded-in staircases port and starboard.
  5. Boarding the Lazzara 68 Sport, inside the striking streamlined hull, the beam-width salon gleams its welcome, fashionably conceived in light almond with cherry-wood decor. Highly finished wood cabinetry for bookcases and sound equipment accompany the plush seating. Inviting L-shaped couches and thickly cushioned barrel arm-chairs in surround a sturdy, California-style cocktail table, while to starboard is 42” plasma TV entertainment center.
  6. Circular staircases lead up the flybridge and below to staterooms. Window arrangements – those lovely tear-drops – sweep in plenty of daylight to the classic furnishings, all reflected in the grand ovoid ceiling mirror. Forward is the dining room arrangement seating six. With its fine, restrained décor, the salon offers opportunities for restful reflection and relaxation, as well as room for a birthday celebration or holiday party with the whole family and friends.
  7. Just steps away from the dinning area is a large galley boasting complete, full-size appliances, built-in countertop cooking surfaces, plus a marble-topped food-prep island, with sink. There is a microwave and conventional oven, plus a double-door refrigerator/freezer, and dishwasher, along with generous pantry, drawer & storage space.

    A handy central food prep island, with sink, has access to all appliances, with a clever breakfast nook for quickie snacks day or night.
  8. A curved breakfast nook and table complete the cozy arrangement. An additional 15” plasma TV keeps the kitchen staff clued in all the sports scores. At the center, forward stairs lead down to the staterooms.
  9. To starboard on the main deck, the pilot/helm area faces the broad, tempered-glass windshields, and combined hooded navigation instrument panels. The adjustable, leather-covered helm chair affords a total view of all instrumentation and the foredeck as well.
  10. Below and starboard is the media room, with settee, featuring a 27” LCD TV, and game computer for the restless. By simply accomodating a small office into the 68, the Lazzara's just one-upped many yachts twice the size.
  11. Below, the indulgent master stateroom, reached through a foyer, also provides plenty of daylight through large ovoid window ports, as well as lamps and overhead star lighting. Luscious cherry-wood lockers, an armoir, bookcases and mirrored dressing tables, as well as a plush chaise lounge and entertainment center offer the finest in comfort, surrounding the massive king-size island berth.

    Picture Caption: Not shown is a large walk-in closet, as well as a linen closet.
  12. The master suite head presents double sinks in marble countertops with gracefully modern fixtures, plus a grand glassed-in shower and full bathtub, with light-patterned granite tile floors.
  13. Two VIP staterooms, port and starboard, are fashioned in the restrained almond color, offering comfortable double berths, with clothes lockers and dressing table, plus private bath/head/showers.
  14. A fourth stateroom forward is nicely furnished with stacked Pullman berths, dresser, and clothes locker. This is the starboard VIP...
  15. For stowaways, a stacked v-berth, with comfortable Pullman berths, staggered and aligned for seating headroom, provide a place to hide during the voyage. A deck porthole and flat screen TV are supplied to keep the free-loaders in touch with the surroundings... and the world.
  16. A precocious model, the Lazzara 68 offers space for everything a cruising or partying family can love, including a copious master stateroom with his/her heads and shower/tub, plus three more large staterooms with ensuite heads. A splendid concept, she is a yacht to be loved by all who go down to the sea, for family adventures, couples cruising, or wild and wooly party times. A big plus – it proudly carries the Lazzara name and heritage.

    Article written by Capt. Chuck Gnaegy and Carl Camper

    Specifications:

    LOA: 70’
    Beam: 18’2”
    Draft: 4’2”
    Displacement: 92,000 lbs.
    Engines: 2x CAT C-18 @1015 hp
    Fuel Capacity: 1,300 gals.
    Water: 300 gals.
    Holding tank: 100 gals.
    Height to arch: 23’
    Deadrise at transom: 12.5 degrees

    For more information, contact

    Lazzara Yachts
    5250 West Tyson Avenue,
    Tampa, FL 33611
    813-839-0090
    www.*****************
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