12 must-see boats at the 2017 Southampton Boat Show

Motor Boat & Yachting's run down of what we think are twelve of the most important new models on display at the 2017 Southampton Boat Show . Sunseeker 76 Yacht - Stand C080 [caption id="attachment_85521" align="alignnone" width="630"] Sunseeker 76 Yacht[/caption] The all-new 76 Yacht offers some significant improvements over the 75 that it replaces. Sunseeker claims the 76, despite being the same length as the 75, has 25% more deck space, which is most noticeable on the foredeck where there is a large dinette with twin sunpads split by a central walkway. This increase of room on deck also allows space for a larger tender like the Williams 445. On the lower deck, small tweaks in the layout of the four-cabin, four-heads arrangement delivers more space in the bathrooms and a crew cabin with a double bed and mess area. The flybridge is much the same, though it extends further aft leaving space for sunbeds or a hot tub. Two MAN V12 engine options are available with either 1,400hp or 1,550hp, both offering muscular performance, the latter topping out just shy of 35 knots. Contact Sunseeker London. Tel: +44 (0)20 7355 0980. Web: www.sunseeker.com Princess 55 Princess 55 - Stand E055 [caption id="attachment_85523" align="alignnone" width="630"] Princess 55[/caption] This new 55 is likely to replace the 56 and sit between the 52 and new 62 in Princess’s flybridge range, which now runs from the 43 up to the 68. The flybridge features two main seating areas, the aft one a spacious dinette arranged around a large teak table, and forward a U-shaped seating area that doubles up as a sunbathing space. The main deck has an aft-galley layout with a couple of shallow steps up to the saloon, which has sociable opposing seating. To port is the dinette with a handmade coffee table that, as an option, converts into a dining table forward. Up front, a twin helm allows guests a prime spot next to the skipper when the boat’s on the move. Below decks, the master cabin spreads across the full 16ft (4.87m) beam of the 55 and includes a generous double berth, dresser, breakfast dinette and a well-finished ensuite bathroom. VIP guests are looked after in a double forward with its own ensuite access to the day heads, which is shared with the twin guest cabin. As an option, you can specify electric sliding berths to quickly transform the cabin into a double. The crew cabin may seem surplus to requirements for some, but it’s well equipped with a single berth and separate bathroom. No doubt it can be left as a storage void if it’s not required. In the engineroom, there’s the option of MAN R6 800s or the 800hp D13s from Volvo Penta, both of which should propel the Princess 55 over 30 knots with ease. Contact See website for dealers. Web: www.princessyachts.com Sealine C430 Sealine C430 - Berth M204 [caption id="attachment_85526" align="alignnone" width="630"] Sealine C430[/caption] Flexibility is the name of the game with Sealine’s new mid-range C430 coupé. There are three different IPS engine sizes including IPS400, 500 and 600, and a trio of alternative cabin layouts below decks. The base-level IPS400 option may struggle to shift the C430’s weight with a full compliment of cruising stores on board, so we would recommend opting for the 370hp IPS500s or the 435hp IPS600s. A standard cabin layout comprising a full-beam master amidships and double VIP in the bows are both served by almost identically sized ensuite bathrooms, but this can be replaced by a three-cabin arrangement with the master moved to the bows and either two doubles or a double and a twin amidships. On deck, the hydraulic bathing platform is supplemented by a transom wet bar and the foredeck seating area has an optional sunshade and pop-up lights. The starting price just under £400,000 is competitive, too. Contact See Sealine website for dealers. Web: www.sealine.com Bénéteau Swift Trawler 35 Bénéteau Swift Trawler 35 - Berth M100 [caption id="attachment_85525" align="alignnone" width="630"] Bénéteau Swift Trawler 35[/caption] Launched in 2009, the Swift Trawler 34 has been one of Bénéteau’s most popular and successful models of recent times. So the new Swift Trawler 35 arrives at Southampton with high expectations and the challenging task of improving a design that already makes the very most out of what a 35ft (10.66m) hull has to offer. The exterior apes the Swift Trawler 30 and sports a rounded, modern look. A welcome feature borrowed from the entry-level model is the split transom that extends cockpit space out to the bathing platform with flip-down squabs on the inside of each gate providing extra seating space. The ST34’s quirky mast has been replaced by a simple radar arch and although the fixed seating on the flybridge looks much better, there may not be as much space to store a tender up here, which was one of the previous model’s best features. The interior is much the same, with a double cabin forward and a bunk cabin to port, though the bathroom now has a separate shower. Contact See Bénéteau website for dealers. Web: www.beneteau.com Fairline Squadron 53 Fairline Squadron 53 - Berth M214 [caption id="attachment_85529" align="alignnone" width="630"] Fairline Squadron 53[/caption] Though its official launch was at the Düsseldorf Boat Show back in January, the Squadron 53 will make its formal UK debut at Southampton. In our test of the 53 in June 2017 , we were impressed with the quality of finish, the versatility of the layout and the spaciousness of the interior. In a bid to preempt customers’ needs and disturb the production line as little as possible, Fairline offers the 53 with the galley forward or aft on the main deck, or tucked away on the lower deck. With the galley out of the way, the lower deck has space to accommodate four cabins, though even with the galley down there is space for three generous cabins and a day heads. A good range of engine options come from Volvo Penta in the shape of the 675hp or 725hp D11s and a top-spec pair of 850hp CATs. Contact See Fairline website for dealers. Web: www.fairline.com Hardy 65 Hardy 65 - Berth M238 [caption id="attachment_85531" align="alignnone" width="630"] Hardy 65[/caption] Four years after the Hardy 62 made its debut at Southampto n, it returns bigger, brighter and reborn as the boat it always should have been. The original 62 was every inch the flagship Hardy in look, finish and seakeeping but when it comes to splashing £1.75m, customers expect a bit more panache, and that’s where the 65 comes in. The 62’s gloomy traditional interior is out and a fresh décor of Alpi cabinetry and Wenge flooring is in, all illuminated by improved natural light thanks to larger hull windows. Interestingly, Hardy has decreased engine size from a pair of 1,200hp MAN diesels to the R6 800hp motors, knocking top speed down from 33 knots to around 25 knots. In truth, 25-knot performance is more than adequate for a boat of this style, which is likely to spend a lot of time at displacement speeds. It’s still a fearsome rough-weather performer but now boasts an interior that’s bang up to date. Contact Hardy. Tel:+44 (0)1473 639674 Web: www.hardymarine.com Cockwells Duchy 35 Cockwells Duchy 35 - Berth M200 [caption id="attachment_85533" align="alignnone" width="630"] Cockwells Duchy 35[/caption] The 35 is the third and largest model in the Cockwells Duchy range of handcrafted semi-production wheelhouse cruisers. With single or twin-cabin layouts and a generous bathroom with separate shower, the 35 propels the Duchy range out of the realm of weekenders and offers space for extended stays on board. The cockpit and wheelhouse offer flexible living spaces with twin sliding hatches and a side door adjacent to the helm ensuring natural light and ventilation are in abundance. Though the hull is GRP and created in a semi-production fashion, the interior is entirely handcrafted and can be customised according to the wishes of the owner. The semi-displacement Andrew Wolstenholme hull should provide sure-footed seakeeping and is teamed with a pair of 270hp Nanni diesels for an estimated top speed of 25 knots. Prices start from £390,000 for a twin-screw version but a single-shaft model is available for £360,000. Contact Cockwells. Tel: +44 (0)1326 377366. Web: www.cockwells.co.uk Trader 42 Signature Trader 42 Signature - Berth M135 [caption id="attachment_85534" align="alignnone" width="630"] Trader 42 Signature[/caption] The Signature version of the Trader 42 makes its show debut and includes ‘over 120 enhancements focused on comfort, ease of use and refinement.’ Trader’s traditional blue, white and red livery has been replaced by a strikingly modern combination of grey with orange upholstery. Some things never change though, and that includes the Category A-rated Tony Castro hull and an aft-cabin layout with one or two guest cabins as an option. You can choose between a convertible soft top, hardtop or flybridge layout. Two Cummins 6.7 QSB 380s with joystick control combine the props and thrusters to create IPS levels of fingertip manoeuvrability. A top speed of 25 knots with the optional twin 480hps comes with optional fin stabilisers for the first time. Contact Trader Motor Yachts. Tel: +44 (0)3332 401696. Web: www.tradermotoryachts.com Fjord 36 xpress Fjord 36 xpress - Berth M236 [caption id="attachment_85536" align="alignnone" width="630"] Fjord 36 xpress[/caption] The new Fjord 36 xpress will have its global launch at the Cannes Yachting Festival but there will also be one at the Southampton show for UK punters to look around. Until now, Fjords have only been available with diesel inboards but the 36 xpress packs two Verado 350s for a claimed 46 knots. Outboards also allow for more space in the cockpit and a number of different layout options. The standard specification loses the aft sunpads in favour of a large under-deck locker but buyers can also opt for an extra row of seats and a table to create a sociable aft dinette. Below decks, the 36 xpress has an open cabin with a good-sized double bed, a small fridge and storage area, and a separate heads compartment with a pull-out shower. The Fjord 42 will also be at the show. Contact Inspiration Marine. Tel: +44 (0)2380 457 08. Web: www.fjordboats.com Alfastreet 23 Cabin Alfastreet 23 Cabin - Berth M016A [caption id="attachment_85547" align="alignnone" width="630"] Alfastreet 23 Cabin[/caption] This must surely be one of the most versatile 25ft boats on the market. There is a displacement version available with petrol, diesel or hybrid power on a choice of three different drives (pod, saildrive or outboard), a planing version capable of 40 knots on sterndrives or jets, two distinct trim options and a very smart optional hardtop that covers the entire cockpit and is height adjustable. Even the cabin roof can be raised and lowered to increase headroom and ventilation. An added benefit is that at the end of the day, you simply lower the hardtop completely via a remote control so the boat is left totally sealed from weather and intruders. It’s a nice-looking machine, and there’s even space in the cabin for the occasional night’s kip. Great little package. Contact Boat Showrooms. Tel: +44 (0)1932 260261 Web: www.alfastreet-marine.com Prestige 520 Prestige 520 - Berth M512 [caption id="attachment_85550" align="alignnone" width="630"] The Prestige 520 will run alongside the 500 in Prestige's flybridge range[/caption] The new 520 sports clean, handsome exterior lines that echo the Garroni-inspired styling of the other models in Prestige's flybridge and yacht ranges. A foredeck living area with adjustable sunpads and a sunshade makes the very most of the available deck space and there is the option to have either a tender garage – large enough for a Williams jetRIB – or a crew cabin. The tender garage is a rare feature on a flybridge boat of this size and its additional storage capacity will ensure that the hydraulic bathing platform remains clear of obstructions. The interior layout includes Prestige’s trademark separate-access master cabin, which offers excellent levels of privacy with stairs from the saloon leading directly down to the owner’s sleeping quarters. Generous headroom and plentiful natural light firing in from the topside windows will no doubt boost the feeling of space in this area. Guests are looked after in a VIP ensuite forward or a twin cabin that shares its bathroom with the VIP. The versatile flybridge features folding and sliding backrests to flip between seating and sunbathing space and a sizeable wetbar tucked aft of the helm seat. As standard, a bimini provides shelter overhead but there is the option to specify a hardtop if preferred. Vovlo Penta IPS600 is the only engine option, offering joystick manoeuvrability, and should deliver a 26-knot top speed. The Prestige 460 will also be making its show debut. [caption id="attachment_85554" align="alignnone" width="630"] The Prestige 460 makes it UK debut at the 2017 Southampton Boat Show[/caption] With IPS engine options of either twin 370hp or 435hp, the 460 fashions a reworked deck and accommodation layout to its 450 predecessor, resulting in a larger saloon and roomier master cabin amidships. Comfortable L-shaped cockpit seating leaves space below for an optional crew cabin and the tender can be launched from the hydraulic bathing platform. On the flybridge, a single helm sits adjacent to dedicated sunbathing space forward with a generous dinette at the aft end served by a wetbar. Contact Ancasta. Tel: +44 (0)2380 450000 Web: www.ancasta.com

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