DARING TO BE DIFFERENT
A brand new addition to Horizon’s Fast Displacement series, the new Horizon FD87 Skyline motor yacht is notable for its avant-garde outline appearance, multi-functional design and the benefits in speeds. Barry Thompson went to Taiwan to check out the first FD87 and the second in the new FD85 Series to be launched.
Skyline, while based on the new FD85 Series is a very different boat when it comes to layout, but retains the bold unique and very distinctive styling of the new series. One of Horizon’s most noticeable attributes is they are prepared to listen to their clients as to what it is they want and that the yacht they are asking for, is a full reflection of their lifestyle. This is so true of Skyline, which was built in less than 12 months with a completely personalised interior.
At 27.45m LOA, Skyline is 1.38m longer than the standard FD85. This has been achieved by adding the extra length at the transom, which also increased the waterline length by almost half a metre. Half load displacement is also up from 89 tons to 95 tons. Construction is ABS/DNV type approved fibre/resin and sandwich core built in a one-piece mould using the SCRIMP process for improved strength and with less weight.
Her design, co-developed by Cor D. Rover and the Horizon team, was inspired by a client’s lifestyle request that evolved into a new model for the FD line up. Travis and Tina Fox, the owners of hull one, began their build process in early 2017 and took delivery in January this year.
As a new model design evolves and clients become involved in the process, changes to the original drawings are inevitable. Such is the case of the FD87 Skyline motor yacht, a brand new addition to Horizon’s Fast Displacement series. The FD87 now joins the FD74, FD85 and FD102 models that comprise the builder’s latest series which may well extend to a new FD122 in the not too distant future.
Cor D. Rover, who designed the Fast Displacement (FD) series in partnership with Horizon’s in-house naval architecture team, returned to the drawing boards to collaborate with the team on the design for the FD87 Skyline. Debuting a cool blue hull and contrasting white superstructure Skyline has an enclosed bridge as well as Horizon’s new High Performance Piercing Bow (HPPB).
Massive Volume
Springing from the eye-catching FD85, the FD87 Skyline retains many of the FD85’s unique features, including an expansive 7.07m beam, spacious full beam on-deck master with four further guest staterooms and two crew cabins on the lower deck. Stunning g floor-to-ceiling windows in the saloon and dining areas inviting an abundance of natural light within the interior. The transition from the aft deck at the saloon door is completely smooth with no step.
On the main deck, the Foxes opted for convertible main saloon and formal dining areas to suit their lifestyle. The main saloon sofa has a sleeper function for extra bed space, and the formal dining area can be rearranged as a breakfast bar as needed, thanks to multi-functional furniture. Port and starboard opening doors provide a nice flow through of fresh air but also ease of access to the side decks.
While the FD85 has a port side galley, the FD87 has a full country kitchen forward, so the feeling of space when you walk into the saloon is even more impressive. The galley can be partitioned off with doors or left completely open. The floor to ceiling windows take full advantage of the extensive volume and you get the feeling your walking into a penthouse, with separate entertaining areas to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
In place of the raised pilothouse found on the FD85, the FD87 Skyline boasts a fully enclosed bridge with access to a Portuguese walkway leading forward to the bow and an inviting seating area. The enclosed bridge provides additional indoor entertaining and lounging areas while allowing for an extended boating season in colder climates. There is a bar area, desk, dinette and dayhead compliment the fully equipped helm, and outdoor spaces, such as the boat deck with Jacuzzi and forward seating and sun pads, ensure the Foxes will be soaking up the sun and relaxing in comfort.
A newly popular design for the U.S. market, the FD87 Skyline also features a spacious beach club and swim platform aft. These provide a perfect spot for relaxing close to the water or enjoying watersports activities. Fitting a beach club into a boat this size meant the tender garage was compromised and the tender is now stowed externally. A crane on the upper aft deck looks after raising the tender.
HPPB
In its continuous pursuit of improvement, the Horizon team have debuted a new bow design in the FD85 Series. Described as a “High Performance Piercing Bow” (HPPB), this design saw across-the-board hydrodynamic improvements in both tank and CFD testing. While alternative bow designs that feature protrusions work more efficiently at either high or slower speeds, the HPPB brings both efficiencies at slower speeds and performance at higher speeds.
The HPPB increases the length of the waterline and reduces the entrance angle of the bow wave. This also enhances ride comfort in head seas by dampening the motion while benefitting the performance across the range.
The HPPB is a combination of a high performance piercing bow, coming back to a hard chine forward and soft chine with tunnel aft. The hull design delivers lower resistance and a smooth transition in all speed ranges for more efficient cruising.
“The evolution of this enclosed bridge FD87 and the speed with which it all came together represents a true partnership between the client, the architect and the shipyard,” says Horizon CEO John Lu.
The FD87 Skyline is fitted with Trac stabilisers, 2 x Onan 27kW (50Hz) generators, CAT C18s @ 1136hp each, and a 13170-litre fuel capacity. According to the performance figures, this will yield a nearly 2,000nm range at 9 knots. Maximum speed is 17 knots, with an ideal cruise around 13-14 knots. The other power option is twin MAN 1200hp.
The owners were very much involved during the build process, firming up the interior and exterior design, specifying their AV/NAV equipment, and reviewing engineering details. “ We’re continually impressed by the willingness of the Horizon team to incorporate our ideas into the design”, said the Foxes.
The Foxes customised Skyline to suit their family’s lifestyle from the interior design to the layout and beyond. A modern yet comfortable Italian oasis is the design theme behind their FD87. It features light Anegre for the main wood with lacquer accents and beautiful neutral stones, and each room, including the “cigar lounge” enclosed bridge in Walnut, with pops of colour throughout making each space unique.
Observations
The FD87 is an incredible boat, both in style and design. It represents another step forward for Horizon Yachts, now the largest motor yacht builder in Taiwan and 10th on the world superyacht builder’s list for 2017.
The FD85 Series, with its variants, has proven an exceptional success with a number of boats in build or under development, including an FD85, and FD87 and in the design stages is an FD90, all for Australian clients. Every layout is unique to its owner, something that production builders are unable to offer. This is a strength of Horizon Yachts and one that seems to be bringing them more and more customers, especially for the larger motor yachts. In fact, the FD85 Series boat heading for Australia has been designed with a helicopter touch & go pad on the hardtop and the FD90 has provision for a small mini-sub across the aft lower deck. As designer Cor D. Rover says, “Just about anything is possible!”
The volume of the FD87 Skyline is outstanding thanks to the HPPD bow shape, offering about 25% more than a conventional boat of this size. I doubt you would find a better engineered or finished boat anywhere in the world and all at a very realistic price.
Specifications
- Boat Design Name: Horizon FD87 Skyline
- Year Launched: 2017
- Builder: Horizon Yachts
- Designer: Horizon Yachts
- LOA: 27.46m
- LOH: 23.78m
- Beam: 7.07m
- Draft: 1.65m
- Displacement (Dry): 95 tonnes
- Max Speed: 17 knots
- Construction: GRP (SCRIMP)
- Fuel Capacity: 13170 Litres
- Water Capacity: 1500 Litres
- Engines Make/HP: 2 x Caterpillar C-18 ACERT 1136hp
