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Horizon Yachts: What do you know about them?

Discussion in 'Horizon Yacht' started by Lewis Card JR, Mar 30, 2007.

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  1. Lewis Card JR

    Lewis Card JR New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2006
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    Location:
    chattanooga,Tn
    I am looking at a 2001 82' Horizon MY and would love to have any input positive or negative.
  2. Loren Schweizer

    Loren Schweizer YF Associate Writer

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    Location:
    Coral Gables/Ft. Laud., FL
    Built in China, they're a lot of boat for the money.
    Nice joinery but then there's some 'small-boat' thinking, e.g., a bunch of compressors for the A/C instead of a chilled water system-- at least in the earlier boats.

    Horizon accounted for a big chunk of Cat 3412 production.

    A sistership, if you will, to the Hargrave/Monte Fino. I think the yards are down the street from one another.
  3. YachtForum

    YachtForum Publisher/Admin

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    Dec 22, 2002
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    Absolutely love 'em! Top of my list in this range for many reasons, including price, quality, style, lay-out, etc. Not to mention SCRIMP. We've reviewed a few of 'em. Hoping we can help sell a bunch of 'em so a good selection of pre-owned Horizons might be available in the future. ;)
  4. HKT Horizon

    HKT Horizon New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2006
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    Location:
    Phuket, Thailand
    Horizons are not built in China. They're based out of Taiwan. They're now the largest builder in Taiwan and has been ranked in the top ten largest yacht builder in the world for the past few years by Global Yacht Report.

    They build a great boat with beautiful joinery, finishing details, and technology. They offer great value as customization is possible especially with their larger boats. Great use of space overall, especially in the engine room. On their smallest model at 53 feet they have a full stand up headroom in between the engines. Very few boats can offer this at this size.

    I believe they have the largest SCRIMP facility in the world. They just recently went through a 30 million dollar expansion acquiring a 5 axis CNC machine and property to cope with their growing number of boats built each year. As of now they have built the largest yacht in Taiwan at 128 feet.

    Overall a great boat.
  5. RVN-BR

    RVN-BR Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2007
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    256
    Location:
    South Florida & Mediterranean
    OK, whats your relationship to Horizon? :)

    You boast it in your name, and you know a lot about them... not too common for ppl that arent building in Taiwan or working with them directly ;)

    But yeah, they are the biggest in Taiwan, also sold under the name Elegance in Europe.
  6. HKT Horizon

    HKT Horizon New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2006
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    Location:
    Phuket, Thailand
    You got me there. I happen to know so much about them because i sell them here in SE Asia.

    You may say I'm biased but I'm not trying to sell anyone here but just giving my opinion as a fellow boater.

    Cheers.
  7. reidsatsea

    reidsatsea New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2006
    Messages:
    28
    Location:
    Ft Liquordale
    Not sure if you are still looking but here is my 2c worth...

    If you had asked me a year ago what I thought of Horizon's, they would not have been able to print my response. Then, my experience with them was limited to a 1999 64ft Horizon that had been worked hard, put away wet and sold on to some sucker...
    It was not a happy experience.

    A year later, and wow how things have changed. We are now the happy Capt and Mate team on a 2005 76ft Horizon, and they have definitely stepped WAY up in my estimation.

    They have come a long way since the 1999 version, and they seem to be improving all the time. Our owner's were first timers when they had the boat built for them, and they say Horizon was incredibly helpful in helping them decide on features and allowing them to make changes. I know that doesn't help you buying used, but it gives you an idea of how hard they try.

    I'm not sure what improvements they would have made already by the time your 2001 model was built, but they're learning all the time.

    I certainly agree with the comment on their carpentry and joinery - it's amazing. I believe the woodworkers have limited access to power tools and most of it is done by hand, which only goes to show how talented they are.

    I must also agree with the comment about the aircon systems. The 1999 version had the individual units and they were a pain. They have since moved towards one or two large chillers which is a major improvement. What the 2001 has, not sure, but it might be something to bear in mind before buying. Due to their carpentry, making changes is not always easy. They build things well - cupboard bases and backs are glued AND screwed together - but this means that wiring and pipework is often impossible to get to.
    Our older Horizon had very few spare "spaces" for extra wiring, which made for frustrating refits.

    The hull design, unfortunately, makes for a wet boat. Anything over 3ft and we take water over the front - no matter how slow we take it.

    The CAT engines - on both boats - have been reliable, with parts always easily available. Better all-round access on the newer model makes servicing the engines a (relative) breeze. CATs might not be everyone's favourites but we have had no major hassles to complain of and we prefer them to some of the others we have had to work on.
    We have heard nightmare stories regarding generators on some of the older Horizons, and our 1999 had been refitted in that department.
    Our new boat does not have our first choice of gensets installed, but so far - touch wood - we haven't had too much trouble with them.

    One thing that I would make sure the 2001 has is STABILIZERS. They weren't even optional extras when the 64ft came out in 1999 and it needed them! The 76ft has them, and it makes the world of difference. I would imagine an 82ft without them would make for some rolly trips.

    Despite the "bad" points I've mentioned, we love the boat and feel Horizons to be good value for money. When we compare what our owners got for what they spent - especially when compared to other boats of similar size out there - we think they're a great deal. The interior is roomy and comfortable. The layout is well thought out and practical. The engine spaces are reasonably comfortable and accessible. And - most importantly - the crew quarters are GREAT!

    BTW - I only work ON a Horizon, not FOR them; and I do not receive any reward for recommending them!

    Hope this helps!

    Happy Sailing
    Drew Bricker likes this.
  8. DON GREER

    DON GREER Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2007
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    49
    Location:
    My port is Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
    I have been looking for another boat for the past year and have certain requirements being that I will skipper with my wife. I looked at the 68 Horizon at a recent Seattle boat show. Two things I would like to see on the 68 is a bath tub in the master and the elimination of the crew quarters for a pantry/storage room with workshop. This size of boat is well suited for the northwest of Canada. The only oth issue is the price given all the used boats that are currently on the market. It's hard for me to justify buying new under the circumstances but I am still considering.
  9. AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    Hi, I have not looked into the space available in this boat, but boats are rebuilt all the time when a buyer have special requirements. Get a quote from a yard and compare to the cost of a new boat, so you know if it is an option.
  10. Lewis Card JR

    Lewis Card JR New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2006
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    3
    Location:
    chattanooga,Tn
    2001 82' Horizon

    I am the one who asked the question about Horizons and I did buy it and am very pleaded with it. It is a very well built boat and a lot of boat for the money. It takes a little getting use to the funky light switch controlls but if that's my biggest problem I think it will be ok. The other short fall is the 6'9" draft but the newer ones are much less. I would reccomend a Horizon and if anyone ever has any questions I would be glad to help.
  11. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Location:
    Miami, FL
    this is obvioulsy a follow up to an old thread but the thread title is appropriate.

    A critical rule when looking at boats is not to paint all of a manufacturers products with the same wide brush... i really dont' care for broad statements like brand X is poorly built, or brand Y is better than Z. always keep an open mind as quality varires from model and year.

    recently I looked at smaller Horizon with a friend who is seriously looking for a boat in the 55 to 75' range. At first glance the Horizon was a good candidate and indeed had many nice features including a workable foredeck, ER intakes on the sidedecks, etc... None of us coudl figure out the split galley layout... The real galley on port had almost no counter space... yet the wet bar on stbd, but further aft had plenty of room. not convenient.

    ER is very well designed with all systems accessible, a big plus... Crew quarters aft were nice. However, having only 2 staterooms plus what is best describe as single berth in the companionway is a big problem on a 60+ footer...

    The killer though, was the number of stress cracks all over the boat. Every step going down to the swim platform had stress cracks, on both sides, and the foredeck was covered with stress cracks. Not gelcoat crazing, but stress cracks, some of them had been drilled to stop them... Very troublesome on such a recent boat.

    Again, maybe that particular boat has been abused and may not be representative of Horizon quality but it was not confidence inspiring.
  12. DON GREER

    DON GREER Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2007
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    49
    Location:
    My port is Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
    Good feed-back.


    I looked at a couple of new Horizons (68 and 82) recently and didn't notice any stress cracks to speak of but I have to admit that it was not a detailed look. We spent about an hour on each boat. The beam on the 68 makes it a bigger boat than most its length. I am after a sky lounge layout so Horizon fit the bill.

    In the end I liked the layout of the President Legend much better for my boating purposes. I am waiting on a price on a 76 with the new Volvo IPS systems installed. If the number come in where I expect the next step will be a trip to Taiwan.

    I’ve been looking for somebody that owns a newer Legend to get direct feed back.

    Cheers………