There will be dozens of boats vying for your attention on the docks at this year’s Miami International Boat Show, and as always, Yachting’s editors have set out to provide a glimpse at the handful of new models 45 feet LOA and longer you won’t want to miss.
First up is the Aicon 52, launched hot on the heels of the Aicon 56 (On Board, December 2002). Designed by Fulvio De Simoni, the new yacht fits well in the line from this Italian yard, which made its name constructing interiors for other notable builders. The 52 has plenty of room for entertaining, with a flying bridge deck, a spacious cockpit and a wide open saloon. Guests will have a choice of seating, at the large settee in the saloon or the dinette area amidships. The lower helm station is to starboard and has a black dashboard with a race car-like design. Fit and finish should be crisp and clean, with the same quality joinery and attention to detail we found on the 56. A queen berth is forward in the master stateroom, and the yacht has two guest cabins and two heads with side by side singles. Standard are 675 hp Volvos. Watch for a 64 to make her debut soon. Aicon Yacht USA, (954) 786-0211; www.aiconyachts.com.
When Cabo Yachts changed its largest sportfisherman offering from a 47-footer to the new 48-footer, it was enough to reconfigure the design from a two- to a three-stateroom layout with two heads. The cockpit, designed for serious anglers, is a no-nonsense 144-square-foot arena with two large fishboxes. Hatches are secure with full-length piano hinges and emptied via a macerator. A handy feature will be the cabinets that flank the cockpit and are almost as long as the cockpit itself. The live well is built into the transom. Once the rods are stowed, retreating to the smartly appointed saloon with L-shape settee, full galley and dinette to starboard should be a joy. When steaming to the grounds, the entire crew should be accommodated on the flying bridge’s two settees, helm and companion chair. Cabo Yachts, (760) 246-8917; www.caboyachts.com.
Based on the preliminary drawings and spec information we’ve seen, the new Carver 590 has a sleek profile that’s a bit of a departure for the builder. The pilothouse has a sweptback façade that culminates at the flying bridge. The radar arch follows the break of the saloon windows. Inside, there are four staterooms, including a full-beam master with a private head and a bathtub. The VIP has an island queen berth and direct access to the centrally located day head, which accommodates the rest of the guests. Staterooms are reached via portside steps that lead to a common foyer. Fuel will be handled by twin 400-gallon tanks, and diesel options range from 480 to 900 hp. Carver Yachts, (920) 822-1600; www.carveryachts.com.
Horizon 62
The Horizon 62 Motoryacht is just one of the latest launches from this top-end yard. She complements the recently launched 58, 76 and 82, as well as the stunning new 92. Like her siblings, the 62 packs a lot of room into the accommodation plan and is finished with an attention to detail often associated with more expensive yachts. Hulls are built using the patented Scrimp process, interiors are finished with exotic woods, and all machinery is easily serviced in the United States. The yard has built more than 300 boats and translates its production savvy into a lower base price for the buyer versus a higher margin for the builder. The 62 has wide walkaround side decks, an impressive, oversize main saloon and a full-beam owner’s suite in the middle of the lower deck. The flying bridge provides plenty of room for sunning, lounging and entertaining. West Coast, Carl French Yacht Sales, (206) 223-9333. East Coast, Gilman Yachts, (561) 626-1790; www.horizonyachting.com.
Johnson 87
The latest launch from Johnson Yachts is a big 87-footer with a 23-foot, 6-inch beam. That’s a lot of width for an 87-footer, and it shows in the voluminous interior, which Johnson managed to create without sacrificing side decks. One of the 87’s most stunning features is the forward on-deck master stateroom with a 180-degree panoramic view. The master head is forward and includes a circular tub and spa. The space required for those amenities means less room for the galley, which is tucked into the port side, unlike country kitchen-style designs. Three additional staterooms are below and forward of the engineroom, with crew quarters abaft the after engineroom bulkhead. The builder expects a top speed around 25 knots. Johnson Yachts, (954) 463-5233; www.johnsonyachts.com.
Ocean Odyssey 57
The Ocean Odyssey 57 is the second in the Odyssey motoryacht line produced by Ocean Yachts. Ocean is a leader in designing functional and attractive interior layouts. The larger 65-footer in the line maximized accommodation space (“Fine Blend, December 2002), and we expect the 57 to be no different. This Odyssey shares similar lines with the 65, though the enclosed bridge looks slightly smaller, as would be expected. She shares the hull design of the 57 Super Sport, which was introduced in October at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show. Both yachts have a beam just shy of 17 feet. Headroom in most areas will be 6 feet, 5 inches. Engine options range from 800 to 1,050 hp. Preliminary specifications from the builder suggest the 57 will weigh around 71,000 pounds, a healthy displacement that should be beneficial when the waters churn. Ocean Yachts, (609) 965-4616; www.oceanyachtsinc.com.
Seavana 60
Seavana Yachts is a new American company that has set out to build its 60-footer, designed by naval architect Bill Dixon, in the United Kingdom. One highlight on the preliminary spec sheet is a garage that, according to the manufacturer, can house a RIB and convert to a crew cabin. We look forward to seeing it in person. The master stateroom spans the beam and has a king berth. The VIP also has a king sleeper. All three staterooms have heads with separate stall showers. The flying bridge deck has a sunpad and a settee, and the dinette is near the lower helm station. Her hull is a modified-V. The look is most certainly European, though the fiberglass hardtop is a departure from across-the-pond styling. An array of Caterpillar engines is available. Seavana Yachts, (631) 858-0358; www.seavana.com.
Silverton 48
Silverton Marine has been a staple in the cruising industry for more than 30 years. It has steadily increased its market share in the cruising segment, and many of its original 34-footers still ply North American waters. The new 48 convertible is a larger version of the recently launched 38 and offers style and speed for those who prefer the lines and performance of a convertible. Some owners might be tempted to dress her in fish attire, which is fine, though Silverton says the boat addresses the needs of its family cruising fans, as well. The Donald Blount design displaces approximately 37,000 pounds, has a three-stateroom, two-head layout and offers diesel engine options to 825 hp. Silverton Marine Corp., (856) 825-4117; www.silverton.com.
Viking 56
The new Viking Yachts 56 Convertible will replace the 55 convertible, which was the genesis of today’s refined Viking look. Viking built 115 55s before discontinuing the model in favor of the new 56. Her cockpit has a fishbox, live well, prep station, step cooler and freezer. The teak interior will have the same high-gloss UV-resistant coating as the rest of the Viking line. She has a three-stateroom layout with the choice of a centerline forward berth or an offset double with an adjacent single, which creates a fine setup for overnight canyon runs with fishing chums. Depending upon engine choices, expect a cruise speed around 35 knots and a top end near 40 knots, according to the builder. Viking Yachts, (609) 296-6000; www.vikingyachts.com.
Viking SC V58
The new Viking Sport CruiserS V58 fills the gap between the V50 and the V65 in this line of sleek, European designs built to U.S. specifications. One of the risks with express cruisers is that in a few years’ time, they will look like yesterday’s trend, but that’s not so on the V58. The designers created a timeless profile with yachtlike touches such as a teak helm deck, a fiberglass-framed windshield and an aggressive sheer. The company offers Volvo and MAN diesel options, with speeds ranging from 34 to 40 knots, according to the builder. The interior is plush with a high-gloss finish, a semicircular settee in the saloon, a teak-soled galley and concealed appliances. Three staterooms should accommodate six adults comfortably. Viking Sport Cruisers, (609) 296-6000; www.vikingsportcruisers.com.
Westport 98
The latest addition to the Westport line is the new 98, built with the same craftsmanship and quality as the Westport 112 and 130. The Pacific Northwest yard can accommodate custom requests, and richly finished designer interiors offer understated elegance throughout. The 98’s raised pilothouse should offer a superb line of sight and easy access to the flying bridge. There are several on-deck entertainment areas, including a flying bridge and afterdeck. The lower deck carries four staterooms and crew accommodations. Expect a 20-knot cruising speed, according to the builder. Westport Yacht Sales, (954) 316-6364, (206) 298-3360; www.westportyachtsales.com.
