A purpose-built outboard performance cruiser, the Eclipse 505 Shadow pairs a Michael Peters stepped hull and triple outboards with custom interiors and luxury accommodations.
The 505 Shadow takes a different approach to the high-performance express cruiser concept, combining triple 600 hp Mercury V-12 motors with the accommodations and finish of a small custom yacht. Designed from the outset around outboard propulsion rather than adapting an inboard hull to outboards, the Eclipse has the reduced maintenance, shallow draft and service advantages of outboard power with a two-stateroom, two-head layout and generous entertaining space.
The stepped hull gives the 505 serious performance credentials, with a top speed approaching 50 knots and a cruising speed of 35 to 37 knots, according to the builder. At that pace, range is about 260 nautical miles with a safety reserve, enough for island hopping in the Bahamas or cruising ports of call along the East Coast. The standard equipment list includes a Seakeeper gyrostabilizer, Humphree interceptors, a Northern Lights generator and ElectroSea systems, with U.S. components used throughout. HMY Yacht Sales, the exclusive Eclipse distributor, provides service and support.
Customization is another defining characteristic of this model. Conceived for two couples or a family, the 505 Shadow allows owners to tailor the interior and cockpit to their preferences. According to Doug Black, product manager for the Eclipse program, the company has a strong commitment to evolution, from Hull No. 1 through Hull No. 6, which is scheduled for delivery this fall. The early 505 Shadows were placed into a demo program, allowing the boats to accumulate meaningful hours of real-world cruising experience. Feedback the builder received led to refinements on subsequent builds, while HMY invested in retrofitting the demo fleet with those same upgrades.
For buyers who are seeking something different from the familiar names in the performance-cruiser segment, the Eclipse 505 Shadow offers an intriguing combination of speed, yacht-style accommodations, outboard convenience and a genuinely custom approach.
Behind the Build
The combination of the Michael Peters Yacht Design SVVT hull and Design Unlimited’s custom interiors brings advanced technology and innovation to the Eclipse 505 Shadow. Each Eclipse model is hand-built by Two Oceans Marine Manufacturing in Cape Town, South Africa, adding another level to the craftsmanship in the yacht’s construction.
