Horizon 84

Horizon Yachts is no minnow in the motoryacht manufacturing world. As Taiwan's biggest and most upmarket boatbuilder, the company rolls out around 30 stylish craft per year. Because they are custom-built, rarely will you find two the same.

The attraction of the latest Horizon motoryacht lies in its clean, uncluttered, lines - it's a vessel that's as kind to the eye as it is on the body.

The fourth to be imported by Horizon Yachts Australasia, this 84 was built to demanding Det Norske Veritas (DNV) classification for High Speed and Light Craft. The boat complies with Uniform Shipping Laws codes 2C for 12 persons offshore and 1D so you can carry 40, yes 40, passengers in partially smooth waters.

UP TO NAVY SPECS
In keeping with its mini-ship status, there is a GMDSS distress and safety system, fuel/air shut-offs and sprinklers in all cabins. The big, well-ventilated engine room is covered with diamond alloy deckplate and double sound, heat and fire insulation. A colour camera in the engine room can show flames or leaking hydraulic fluid, god forbid.

Watertight bulkheads are fore and aft of the motors. There are oil, temperature and high-water alarms, intake blowers with automatic sensors, a fresh-water tap, oil changing kit, Sea Recovery watermaker, and numerous air-conditioning units.

Hallmarks of a serious cruising boat are the chain locker with 120m stacking capacity, back-up electric winch, windows designed to withstand severe impact, and weathertight pilothouse doors.

The hull, a semi-planing design ranging from 39° of vee at the bow to 12.4 ° at the transom, is made of solid fibreglass below the waterline and foam-cored decks above.

The certifications and survey compliance for Australian and New Zealand waters add about $500,000 to the price, but at the end of the day, you have an income-generating vessel with an enhanced resale value anywhere in the world.

SOLID INVENTORY
Not only do the boat's big stabilisers make for a surefooted ride, but you get a very dignified cruise at 10kt. Flat out, the twin 1300hp MANs delivered 24.5kt on the GPS. Fuel consumption at full revs? According to the MAN specs sheet, 257lt/hr aside.

Twin 17.5kva Onan generators run the 144,000BTU air-conditioning system, and there are separate gear-oil tanks, sump tanks, holding tanks, a 1500lt water tank, and four fuel tanks that can jointly carry 7700lt.

The lighting is all 24V and there is a 10-station intercom. Twin shorepower inlets, shore phone and cable television connectors keep you, well, connected while in dock.

You can drive the 84 from the flybridge or the protected pilothouse, both of which have a plug-in remote control and lots of serious skipper-type technology.

DESIGNS ON FUN
The Horizon 84 is big on outdoor space with a large boarding platform, a yachtfisher style cockpit called a watersports deck, an aft entertaining deck off the saloon, an extended flybridge, and sidedecks from the pilothouse to the foredeck. There's a sporty RIB and crane, and room to tote water toys.

I started my tour on the watersports deck where the liveaboard amenities include a foldout teak table for informal meals, a big freezer, sink with hot/cold water, and a pull-out fish box allowing access into the lazarette.

The flight deck extending aft of the flybridge offers brilliant viewing from the big jacuzzi, while the blue and white upholstered lounges can seat 10 people with the helm lounge big enough for a trio. An amenities centre features a sink with hot/cold water, large icebox, garbage bin, Miele electric barbie, a stainless steel prep area and a two-burner ceramic cook top.

A wonderful lockable stainless steel door can be pulled over the moulded steps leading down to the entertaining deck off the saloon.

A permanent lounge and loose chairs are set around a big table on the aft deck, but behind the saloon doors, I spied an interior reminiscent of a Versace hotel foyer.

PLAY UP OR LAY DOWN
Huge panoramic windows, lots of high-gloss cherrywood joinery and cream leather lounges sets a sophisticated ambience, while a complex lighting system allows you to match mood with occasion.

There's a wetbar with marble floor, granite counters and icemaker and alongside, an entertainment centre with the TV linked to a home cinema system. A 200 CD Sony stacker is hooked up to bridge and aft deck speakers.

Opposing leather lounges, twin oval coffee tables and a couple of tub chairs allow 10 people to converse without adversely affecting the thoroughfare to the forward galley and dining area, where the table is big enough to seat six to eight, or feed the boat's capacity 40 guests buffet-style.

The U-shaped galley, conveniently positioned across to port, features double stainless steel sinks, full-sized fridge, electric cooktop with extractor fan, microwave, dishwasher, marble counter and lots of neat storage. It works well at sea, especially when you apply the stabilisers.

A sweeping stairwell leads from the saloon to the aft cabins which are complemented by a kitchenette, forming a sort of self-contained apartment. The starboard cabin has twin single beds, TV/DVD with surround sound, hanging lockers and drawers. The head is huge and includes a separate shower stall and Vacuflush loo.

Here too is the boat's laundry, long-term fridge/freezer, provision cupboards, and separate crew quarters.

The master cabin, VIP guest's cabin and third cabin are forward of the galley down a stairwell.

The full-width owners' cabin boasts an island berth with ventilated inner-spring mattress, a mirrored bedhead, double walk-in wardrobes, a make-up table and work station, all in a forest of warm cherrywood joinery.

The ensuite boasts a spa bath with titanium and gold trim, marble floor and vanity top, Vacuflush loo, and a dazzling array of lights and mirrors.

The VIP guest's cabin in the bow also has an island double berth, lined and lit full-length hanging lockers, custom-cut mirrors and fancy lighting.

The third cabin comes with a separate entertainment system, air-conditioning controls and a big ensuite which includes a full shower stall.

CLASS CRUISING
Clear of the pen and laden, the Horizon idles at 6kt in gear, quietly thanks to underwater exhausts. Cruising at 11kt at 1400rpm will see each motor produce maximum torque and consume 68lt/hr of diesel.

Leaving 10 per cent of the 7700lt fuel supply in reserve, the boat's theoretical cruising range is more than 560nm in about 51hr.