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SuperYacHt report

Twenty-four naval architects. A thousand employees. Twenty-seven

acres of manufacturing space. These are among the reasons why Horizon Yachts is able to offer seven different yacht series from 14 to 49.7 metres, and has become the fifth-largest custom-yacht builder in the world in terms of volume. And, they also explain how the builder can move quickly to adapt to both market trends and customer requests.

Such was the case with Andrea VI, hull number one of the RP110 series. “We were very involved in every detail of the design and construction of the boat,” the owner of Andrea VI says. “The ability to customise and to make changes is one of the benefits of working with Horizon. Our captain was project manager on the build, which greatly helped in solving issues as they arose.”

The 33.53-metre motor yacht, a raised-pilothouse design, grew out of the 29.57-metre RP97. Customers liked the stylish profile and roomy configuration of the RP97, but a few clients said they’d like her even better if she offered a bit more volume. When Horizon unveiled the RP110, she quickly became one of the Taiwanese builder’s most popular models, seeing five hulls commissioned pretty quickly.

What’s more, each of those yachts is distinctly different from the next. Indeed, from her general arrangement to her interior accoutrements, Andrea VI has features you’d never expect to see of a yacht of her size. It’s all in keeping with Horizon’s customers embracing the opportunity to infuse their yachts with their own personality. The active cruisers who commissioned Andrea VI took to that with aplomb. Being the owners of a 25-metre Horizon E82, they were already comfortable with the idea of special requests, and with working alongside Horizon’s team.

The arrival of grandchildren in the family meant that there was no longer room for everyone to cruise together in the E82. The ability to have four staterooms (some buyers have opted for five) solved the most pressing problem. One of the more unusual facets about Andrea VI’s arrangement, though, is the

“The ability to CUSTOMISE and make changes was one of

the BENEFITS”

Above and right: While no photos are available of

Andrea VI’s flying bridge, this sistership illustrates

just how different layouts can be. Andrea VI skips the

hot-tub and has a central support aft for the hardtop

that contains a day head.

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Above: The owners worked with Marty Lowe to create a

“lighter and more airy feel, with an eye toward a

Nantucket beach house”. Left: No traditional aft-deck

table here; rather, the owners wanted a

lounge-like atmosphere. Right: Walkaround decks (and stylish ones at that)

ease the crew’s job. Far right: The forward galley

area is the spot where the family gather in

the morning to plan the day ahead.

Above right: The wheelhouse has some

useful observation seats.

“We wanted a lIghTEr and more AIry feel, with an eye toward a Nantucket beach house”

placement of all staterooms below decks. This includes the master. Increasingly, designers and builders of superyachts starting around this LOA are situating the owner’s stateroom forward on the main deck. That was certainly possible for the owners of Andrea VI. In fact, the owners of the second RP110, Carnival Liberty 3, opted for it. But, Andrea VI’s owners really wanted a big country kitchen on the main deck. Since they’re American, you may not be too surprised at this. It’s worth noting, though, that the arrangement has more to do with how the family like to eat together as much as possible. This dining spot, along with a more formal table aft by the salon and an alfresco area on the flybridge, is where most meals are taken.

Also worth noting is the configuration of the country kitchen. It’s bigger than many aboard similar yachts. It’s also arranged like an upside-down ‘L’, with the longer section running fore and aft along the port side. The appliances are grouped together here, tucked away from the healthy sized prep island and dining area. “A perfect day starts with the family and guests assembling here for breakfast to plan the day’s activities,” the owner says.

What you won’t find aboard Andrea VI is an aft-deck table. Given how essentially every superyacht on the water has one, it may seem strange. If you take a good look at Andrea VI, though, you’ll see that the owners have instead created a wonderfully welcoming alfresco lounge, with enough seating for the full family to gather together. It’s also in perfect proximity to the bar, just to port inside the sliding doors to the salon. Should the grown-ups want to have a little time away from the youngsters, they can walk up to the foredeck, where a seating area is complemented by two tables. It’s tucked in at the foot of the sunpad.

Another creative change comes on the flybridge. The base of the hardtop support contains a handy day head. Yacht-watchers are accustomed to seeing this aboard far larger superyachts.

Yet another practical idea up here is how meals are prepared. Many a flying bridge contains a grill, and

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Andrea VI’s deck is no exception. The difference is in how the grill is installed – or, rather, not installed. Usually, grills are positioned outboard, close to the dining table. Aboard Andrea VI, it’s a roll-out piece of equipment, contained when not in use in a custom cabinet aft by the tender. The owner and chef like the idea of it being movable, because it prevents cooking smoke from blowing over the family when seated.

There are several other practical aspects to Andrea VI, like the EZ2CY enclosure for the flybridge. You’ll find iPads throughout the yacht to control AV and display navigation information. The owner was heavily involved in the selection of helm electronics, ensuring that large display screens were included. VIPs get a stateroom with private access from the country kitchen. The owner’s stateroom – full beam, below decks – has so many drawers, even beneath the bed, that a single hanging locker suits them better than a walk-in wardrobe. Besides, a walk-in wardrobe would have meant eschewing the his’n’hers head, and that was a trade they just weren’t willing to make.

Neither was trading good-size crew’s quarters for a tender garage. The Williams DieselJet tender sits aft on the flybridge, which enables a captain’s cabin and two singles plus a crew mess to go aft of the engineroom.

Andrea VI was a 16-month build, and Horizon spent three years designing the RP110 series. From sea trials, which were said to be rough, the double-chine hull, created jointly by Horizon and Donald L. Blount & Associates, has performed well. So, what’s next for Horizon? Following the delivery of six yachts over the summer, it has been focused on nine in build. No doubt there’s a good deal of customisation going on across them all. Number three of the RP110 series is being delivered to Australia this autumn.

And for Andrea VI? “We spend summers in New England and winters in Florida, Bahamas and Caribbean. With the new boat we will explore more of the islands of the Caribbean,” the owner says. The intimately customised yacht makes for an intimately customised life on the water. SyW

Above: The owners opted for abundant

drawer storage versus a walk-in wardrobe, to

preserve the his’n’hers head they so wanted.

Above left and far left: The beachscape mural

isn’t just for looks, it hides a washer and dryer.

Left: The high-quality finish extends to the

ensuite heads. Right: The two queen guest

staterooms are differentiated by their

colour schemes.

The yacht makes for an INTIMATEly customised cruising lIFE

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ThE SpECS Andrea VI

MASTER CABIN: The owners wanted a big galley so placed

the full-beam master below.

AFT DECK: An alfresco lounge replaces the more common aft dining table.

FOREDECK: The seating area with two tables and sunpads

is very family orientated.

GRILL: A custom cabinet contains the roll-out grill when not in use.

BRIDGE: The owner helped select the navigation and communication equipment.

HARDTOP: Even the styling of the hardtop aboard Andrea VI is fully customised.

VIP: Private stairway access via the galley to

the main salon.

GALLEY: Huge, and able to accommodate

a large party.

SPLIT LEVEL: The seating area is one step up from

the tender and crane.

ENGINEROOM: Contains the two easy-to-access 1,416kW Caterpillar diesels.

SALON BAR: The grown-ups have their own corner away from the grandchildren.

TENDER: The owners choose to keep the RIB on the flying bridge instead of the garage.

Length overall 33.53m (110ft 0in)Beam 7.62m (25ft 0in)Draught 1.83m (6ft 0in)Displacement 120 tonsEngines Twin 1,416kW (1,925hp) Caterpillar C32AsGenerators Twin Onan 50kWBerths Owners: 2. Guests: 8. Crew: 4Fuel capacity 21,000 litres (5,500 US gal)Fresh water capacity 3,100 litres (800 US gall)Hull/superstructure Composite

Exterior Espinosa Inc.Interior Marty Lowe Interior Design

PERFORMANCE Top speed 23 knotsRange @ 10 knots 2,000 nautical miles

EQUIPMENTTenders 5.2-metre Williams DieselJetOther equipment Dive gear and bicycles

CONTACTHorizon YachtsNo. 8, Kuang Yang Street, Hsiao Kang, Kaohsiung, 81260 Taiwan. Tel: +886 78 60 7770. Email: info@horizonyacht.com. Website www.horizonyacht.com

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