Horizon 80

There was once a perception that anything built in Taiwan was, well... less than top shelf. While once upon a time this train of thought may have been reasonably justified, today's reality is far removed. Like its neighbour Japan, Taiwan's industries have progressed to the point that, in many fields, they are up there with the best.

Case in point: the Horizon 80. This Taiwanese-built luxury motoryacht is a prime example of the high-quality craft now built in Taiwan. Horizon Yachts is considered the cream of the crop, combining the latest in fibreglass manufacturing techniques with age-old timber craftsmanship.

The Horizon 80 certainly has looks and fittings comparable with the finest European-built motoryachts. However, it's the not-so-obvious features that make this boat a cut above the rest. For starters, the vessel has been built to comply with both international Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and Australian Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) survey requirements. Without going into too much detail, meeting these survey requirements is no easy task. Such features as watertight doors, lockable stainless steel porthole covers and a hull designed to withstand an impact of 4.0g at the bow are just a few of the things that help produce this extremely safe and seaworthy vessel.

Another hidden treasure is the hull layup. Horizon use a system known as 'SCRIMP'. This is a resin application method - originally designed by the US military - which uses a vacuum infusion system within the mould, thereby eliminating any air from the resin.

THE AUSSIE CONNECTION
Horizon Yachts Australasia is based at Newport Waterways at Scarborough, just 30 minutes north of Brisbane. The company's Managing Director, Ken Cougan, says: "The Horizon 80 has been designed specifically for Australian and New Zealand conditions. We found out what the local market wanted in a luxury motoryacht, then we went and built it.

"The Horizon 80 features a wide-body saloon with a spacious open plan. We also chose lighter coloured timbers and larger windows than you will find in a European-built boat."

Stepping aboard the Horizon 80, you can't help but be impressed by the luxury that surrounds you. Teak decks, high-gloss cherry timber, leather upholstery and quality carpets all contribute to the initial impact. And there's more to this vessel than just looks. Indeed, we weren't disappointed when we went up to the flybridge to cast off.

Many might think that manoeuvring an 80-footer around a cramped marina is a disaster waiting to happen and something that should only be attempted by seasoned skippers. Yes and no...

With 38hp hydraulic bow and stern thrusters I can honestly say that the Horizon 80 proved easier to manoeuvre than a Bertram 25 with legs. A touch on the thrusters to starboard and the craft crabbed sideways until we were clear of the berth, then working one thruster against the other we simply spun on our own length and were away. How easy is that!

As we pointed the boat to sea, the twin 1300hp V-12 MAN diesels took over from the thrusters and the silky smooth MMC electronic controls were given a nudge.

Once clear of the harbour we moved to the lower helmstation to be confronted by a dash that looked more like that on a Boeing 747 than a motoryacht.

A full complement of Raytheon electronics took pride of place, including radar, chartplotter, autopilot, VHF and loud hailer. There was also trim tab, stabiliser and searchlight controls, as well as Barrett radios and a full control panel and monitoring system. A closed circuit colour television allows you to monitor engineroom, afterdeck and flybridge while underway.

THAT'S POWERFUL STUFF
As we increased the power, it was difficult to believe there was 2600hp below - it was that quiet. The throttles went down and we were soon cruising at around 22kt on 2150rpm. At Wide Open Throttle (WOT) we hit 2350rpm and a top speed of 26.5kt. Not bad for an 80-footer, although I'm sure I could see $100 notes flying over the transom.

While the Horizon 80 planes with ease, it's a semi-displacement hull, so it's still happy cruising at slower speeds. Anywhere between 10-14kt is a comfortable and economical go-anywhere-anytime speed.

Doing the compulsory high-speed turns and manoeuvres on a relatively flat Moreton Bay was no test of the boat's seakeeping ability. Although I was happy as a pig in mud throwing an 80-footer around like it was a sportsboat, this is not what this boat is about. Indeed, an extended trip to the Whitsundays or perhaps Lord Howe Island would have been a far more appropriate test for this luxury motoryacht. Maybe next time...

With that in mind, we headed back to the marina to discover what other hidden treasures this eastern beauty had to offer.

VIPs PLEASE
This particular Horizon 80 has been designed with charter work in mind and boasts four VIP guest cabins forward.

These comprise two double and two twin guest cabins, each with ensuite. There is also a fifth guest cabin and a crew cabin aft. So configured, the Horizon can comfortably accommodate 12 people.

The forward cabins are accessed via a curved staircase on the port side, adjacent to the lower helmstation. The forwardmost cabin features an oversize double berth complete with Yachti-flex mattress ventilation, mirrored headboard and stylish bedding.

Timbers throughout are ribbon-cut cherrywood with a high-gloss finish - a beautiful, light-coloured timber with an elegant grain. Interestingly, all the timber throughout the entire vessel is milled at the Horizon factory. It's all solid timber too: you won't find any plywood hidden in a back cupboard somewhere.

The forward VIP cabin and the guest cabins feature Sony entertainment units, including flat screen television, DVD and surround sound speakers. There is even a sub-woofer under the bed, though don't ask me what that does when the volume is cranked.

The forward cabin also features ample storage, including side tables, drawers, cabinets and a huge hanging locker. There is also a neat make-up bureau with swing-out stool.

The ensuite adjacent to the forward cabin is quite spacious with excellent headroom. There is a separate shower stall with Grohe hardware, Sealand freshwater vacuum flush toilet and black marble countertop and splashback.

The marble flooring in all the bathrooms features titanium-coated stainless steel inlay, which has a stylish gold finish.

The cabin lighting is almost a work of art. There are several styles of lighting - including under-bed strip lighting - which allow the flexibility to create subtle mood lighting or bright reading light as required. Up to five different light settings can be saved for future use on different occasions.

All cabins feature Marine Air reverse cycle air-conditioning operated by a remote 96,000 BTU central compressor located in the engineroom - no noisy compressors running nearby while you're trying to sleep. There is also a Nutone central vacuum system and Desmi firefighting system linked to each cabin.

The next cabin aft is a twin cabin located to starboard. This cabin features two good-sized single bunks and plenty of storage. However, the ensuite features a toilet and wash basin only, so you'll have to get friendly with the neighbours if you want to shower.

Halfway down the forward companionway is a concealed watertight door. This door is cleverly hidden day-to-day, but can be locked in place during heavy weather. This is another requirement of the DNV survey.

At the aft end of the forward companionway you'll find two more VIP guest cabins - a double to starboard and a twin to port. These cabins are basically identical to those forward, although the twin cabin does feature a full ensuite with shower stall in this instance.

Heading back upstairs to the lower helmstation, I noted the solid timber handrail and lighting to each step. Cabinets at the top of the stairs house electric control panels. These panels are well laid out and access to wiring easy. All wiring is tagged and cable-trayed - very impressive.

Access to the foredeck is via pilothouse doors on either side of the helmstation. These manually-operated, watertight doors are constructed from aircraft-quality materials, and although they are extremely solid, the cam action on the stainless hinges makes them relatively easy to open.

Wide teak walkways around the foredeck provide safe and easy access to anchoring and mooring gear, which includes a Maxwell VW3500 windlass, 175lb stainless steel anchor and 270ft of anchor chain with a freshwater washdown.

Other features include heavy-duty 316 stainless cleats and fairleads with rollers.

The foredeck also features a large sunpad for those wishing to soak up the rays and plenty of storage compartments for fenders, ropes and the like.

ROOMS WITH A VIEW
Back through the pilothouse doors and we continue to work our way aft. Directly behind the lower helmstation on the starboard side is a beautiful handcrafted timber dining table with an exquisite inlay.

There were no chairs around the dining table during our review, although I got the impression that it could make passage around this area a little squeezy with a full complement of guests at the table.

Opposite the dining table is a compact yet extremely well-appointed galley. Features include a huge convection microwave, dishwasher, full-sized refrigerator, electric cooktop, exhaust fan, stainless sinks with garbage disposal and more. Stylish black marble benchtops are striking against the timber cabinetry.

The best word to describe the saloon is spacious. With no sidedecks aft of the pilothouse, advantage is taken of the vessel's full beam to create what has to be one of the largest saloons in this class.

With no bulkheads separating the saloon from the galley, dining or helm areas, it truly is a social layout. It doesn't matter if you're at the wheel, cooking up a storm in the galley or kicking back watching a DVD, you can all interact if you wish.

Another highlight of the saloon is the inclusion of huge side windows maximising the inside-outside feeling of this craft. Although you are warm and cosy inside, you can still keep an eye on conditions outside.

If any of your party are prone to seasickness, being able to sit inside but still keep an eye on the horizon can be an almost priceless feature. These windows are actually 10mm thick laminated glass, which meets survey requirements.

Seating in the saloon includes five-seater and nine-seater leather lounges as well as two single leather seats with footstools. The ceiling features a magnificent mirrored inlay with a strip lighting surround.

At the aft end of the saloon on the starboard side is the entertainment hub: a wet bar which incorporates a widescreen Sony television, DVD, 200-stack CD and stereo VCR. If that can't keep you entertained, I don't know what will!

ACTION STATIONS
Curved watertight doors produced in England provide access from the saloon to the afterdeck. This features a dining table for alfresco meals on warm summer evenings. Concealed at the forward end of the afterdeck is a Micro Commander cable remote helm, which enables the gears and thrusters to be operated from the cockpit. I dare say, with the remote in hand you could probably berth and even tie up this baby by yourself.

From the afterdeck you can either go up to the flybridge or down to the watersports deck. The watersports deck is where all the fun happens. Have a fish, don the scuba gear, do what you will. Twin transom doors provide access to the swim platform, so you can jump aboard the jetski or tie up the tender on the recessed pop-up cleats.

Cabinets at the forward end of the watersports deck house a sink with freshwater washdown and plenty of storage, and would be a good place to locate a fridge and an icemaker, if you ask me.

Centrally located on the watersports deck is yet another watertight door leading to the aft accommodation and the engineroom.

Stepping down from the watersports deck, you are greeted by a fully-equipped bathroom to port and a crew galley with laundry facilities to starboard. A crew cabin with two single bunks is located forward of the bathroom, while the fifth guest cabin is forward of the crew galley.

This fifth guest cabin could also be used as a skipper's cabin, or even a kids' cabin for that matter.

The commercial grade vinyl floor in this area means that anyone dripping wet from the watersports deck can enter the area to shower without worrying about wrecking the plush pile.

Engineroom access is also via this aft companionway, but, as you'd expect, entry is through another watertight and fire-resistant door.

We found the big V-12 MANs standing proud and shining like the day they were made in the heart of the craft. The spacious engineroom is an engineer's delight, with ample room to move about, full headroom and easy access to all essentials.

TO TOP IT OFF
With just one more area to visit, we headed back to the afterdeck to access the flybridge and boat deck. Big, wide teak treads and a sturdy stainless steel handrail ensured a safe passage to the flybridge. A sliding watertight hatch covers the staircase during nasty weather.

The upper helmstation on the port side of the flybridge features mirror controls for all gauges and electronics. A hardtop overhead provides good sun protection. However, if driving from the flybridge is a common occurrence, then a set of clears would be a smart investment.

The flybridge is an extremely social area, with ample seating (including removable padding) and an entertainment unit, with hotplate, barbecue, refrigerator and sink. There is also a sunpad aft of the hardtop overhang.

The boat deck on the aft end of the flybridge features a hydraulic davit with enough space adjacent to store a serious tender or a couple of PWCs.

As I go through my notes and write this review, it occurs to me that this is one very special boat. Indeed, it's hard to fault it at all.

The effort that has gone into the Horizon 80 prior to its construction has obviously been extensive, because the attention to detail is precise. The truth is, if I was given a blank cheque and asked to build the best 80ft luxury motoryacht money can buy, it wouldn't be a lot different to this.

HIGHS

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