DARING TO BE DIFFERENT
THE FAST-DISPLACEMENT HULL FORM IS CATCHING ON WITH MORE BUILDERS. HORIZON YACHTS IS THE LATEST, INTRODUCING A DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT STYLE OF MOTOR YACHT TO GO WITH IT. THE NEW MODEL IS THE 26M, HORIZON FD85, WHICH WAS DEBUTED AT THE TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW IN MARCH.
Visitors to the recent Taiwan International Boat Show could not help but be impressed by the Horizon display. On display inside were some of their biggest models, including the first Horizon FD85 fast displacement motor yacht.
Rumoured to be sold to a Japanese client, the FD85 represents a whole new look for Horizon and is a total departure from its traditional model line up. However, Horizon has in the past not been afraid of introducing something different, such as their power cat range, sport fishing boat and their electric tender. The FD85 brings them into a different market that is growing around the world.
Contemporary style lines, creative interior spaces, tremendous interior volume, and
flexible cruising speeds – these are the core features of the new Horizon FD85. The FD85’s
exterior and interior layouts were designed to take full advantage the volume provided by her 7.1m beam, with separate areas for entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying the surroundings. A total of five en suite guest staterooms are on board — a full beam, on-deck master stateroom and four guest staterooms below deck – as well as crew quarters just forward of the engine room. The FD85 is a truly advanced, mid-range motor yacht that incorporates cutting-edge design with functional living and entertaining spaces
that are comparable to most 100+ yachts.
The hull configuration is the work of Dutchbased, Cor D. Rover Design and Horizon’s naval-architecture department. The FD85, powered by twin 1,136-hp Caterpillars, achieves a good range efficiently whether at 10 knots or 16 knots.
The FDH (Fast Displacement Hull) Form’ was development by the desire to develop a hull form that is efficient over the entire speed range and not only in a restricted speed interval around the maximum speed. The FDH applies to all yachts and performs better than conventional displacement and semi-displacement type hull forms at all speeds up to full ‘planing’ speeds. At semi-displacement speeds, the resistance values displayed by the FDH are reported to be considerably better than those of welldesigned hard chine hull forms.
Other benefits include significantly increased comfort onboard with better seakeeping and
wave reduction. Especially when compared to hard chine yachts, the FDH showed improved seakeeping behaviour and manoeuverability, as well as a reduced sensitivity to a sudden increase in displacement.
Owners can experience the distances of “slow” cruise speed while at higher knots. Perhaps to set her apart even further, the Horizon FD85 shows off a new, decidedly modern exterior style, far different than that of any of the yard’s other yachts. One of the most striking features are the massive windows throughout the yacht and the plumb bow design which is a special feature of the FDH design. Everything has been designed for the maximum efficient
use of space, without compromises the aesthetics of this radical design.
Another benefit of the Horizon FD85’s hull configuration, namely the vertical bow, is a reported 25-percent increase in living areas compared to similar-size yachts. Combine that with a 7.1m beam, and floorto- ceiling ports in the saloon and dining area and owners and guests should feel plenty comfortable onboard. The maindeck, full-beam master suite—unusual for this LOA—has the same size ports, too.
Guests are treated to two twins and two VIP staterooms below decks. Even with sunning, soaking, and alfresco dining areas spread out among her three decks, including on the raised foredeck, the Horizon FD85 does not forget about the crew’s needs. They have two entries to their quarters, one from the transom and one from the port side of the aft deck. Even with a raised pilothouse—fitted with heat-reflective glass—the FD85 has a helm on the flying bridge, because who doesn’t like taking the wheel out in the fresh air?
The two helms also allow easy passage from one to the other due to a staircase. Further providing easy passage, there are twin, solid stairways from the aft deck to the flying bridge. Many yachts in this size range have a set of floating stairs and while those are certainly suitable, some buyers and guests prefer a more secure-feeling fixed stairway. Like the rest of the builder’s lineup, the Horizon FD85 is a semi-custom model.
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