Mini superyacht for Australia

While Australia produces an enviable range of both power boats and yachts, we are not known internationally for competing in the very exclusive "superyacht" field.

But that could be about to change with local semi-bespoke yacht builder Buizen taking the wraps off it latest, and largest yacht, the Buizen 52 -- which is being hailed as the world's most exciting compact superyacht.

Buizen Yachts MD Steve Howe says his company has never built to a price-point but always to an outcome and the new Buizen 52 heralds an exciting new era for the company. The yacht promises new levels of building excellence while keeping to Buizen's time proven safety, ease of sailing, luxurious comfort and safe ocean passage making.

The yacht was built using state-of-the-art techniques including CNC cutting technology, vacuum infused composite hull construction and CAD design for both the interior and exterior. The yacht is nearly 23 per cent larger in interior volume than the company's popular Buizen 48 but is just 1.5 tonnes heavier because of the vacuum-infusion process that makes it lighter, stronger and faster.

Howe says the 52 is built from the DNA of the 48 in terms for its ocean-cruising capability, quality and ease of handling but that the introduction of new state-of-the-art technology has enhanced the building process and produced an even better outcome.

"The interior fit-out is going together with millimetric precision," Howe says, "And the quality of the hand-crafted furniture and joinery and the bespoke nature of the semi-custom design means there is no compromise in this boat whatsoever."

The new Buizen 52 was designed as a joint exercise between Anthony Starr Design and Peter Lowe Naval Architects -- best known for their superyacht designs and collaborations. They have brought superyacht style to a smaller package and Howe has no hesitation in calling the 52 a 'pocket superyacht'.

"The brief was to have a contemporary European superstructure along with a superyacht deck, interior design, style and finish," Howe says, "The external styling and amenity, sailing function and systems design, together with its beautiful interior layout and finishes, sets this yacht apart from any other semi-custom, semi-production yacht built in Australia and, quite possibly, the world."

The Buizen 52 will be launched later this year but Howe is happy to arrange viewing for potential customers prior to the yacht hitting the water. A team from Buizen Yachts will be at the Sydney International Boat Show to promote the new yacht.