48 SEA MAGAZINE / MAY 2016

SPECIFICATIONS> LOA 85 ft., 3 in. > BEAM 23 ft., 3 in. > DRAFT 5 ft., 7.5 in. > DISPLACEMENT (light) 191,800 lbs. > FUEL 2,700 gal. > WATER 400 gal. > POWER Twin CAT C18 or C32 Acert > PRICE See dealer

BUILDERHorizon Yachts, Taiwan, horizonyacht.com

WEST COAST DEALERSOrange Coast Yachts, Newport Beach, (949) 675-3844; Alameda, Calif., (510) 523-2628; orangecoastyachts.comEmerald Pacific Yachts, Seattle; (206) 587-0660; emeraldpacificyachts.com

SNAPSHOTBY MIKE WERLING

HORIZON FD85FULL DISPLACEMENT DONE FASTER

R ECENTLY UNVEILED AT the Taiwan International Boat Show, the Horizon FD85 is a different kind of vessel. Billed as a fast-displacement (hence, FD) motoryacht, the FD85 takes cruising, entertaining and hosting

seriously.Starting at the plumb bow, which is intended to increase efficiency and

onboard space, and continuing all the way to the expansive aft deck (to the swim platform, really) the focus is on social spaces and comfort. A minimum of eight people can enjoy an alfresco meal on the aft deck, and there’s an eight-person dining table inside, too, between the chef-worthy galley and the salon. Floor-to-ceiling glass sections provide great views and deliver copious natural light to the salon, dining area and master stateroom.

On the flybridge, accessible from the aft deck via twin staircases, a dozen or so folks can enjoy drinks and the view at the bar, on the settee and in the hot tub. Yep, there’s a hot tub on the flybridge deck. A dinghy davit and space for the tender occupy the far aft section of the flybridge, which extends over the lower aft deck to provide shade and cover from any adverse elements.

Belowdecks are four staterooms (plus crew quarters), all with en suite heads that feature separate shower stalls. The master stateroom is all the way forward

on the main deck, tucked away in its own area to give the owners a retreat from the other eight to 10 guests.

Horizon designers were serious about the entertainment aspect of the yacht, providing tons of space for it, and using a combination of built-in and floating furniture to encourage configurations that fit a given group.

Twin helm stations — one on the flybridge and one in the pilothouse, which includes an L-shaped settee and a table, just a few steps down from the fly — guarantee a comfortable driving experience no matter the conditions. In nice weather, we’ll assume that the captain will want to be part of the action on the flybridge and enjoy the breeze blowing through his hair, given the yacht’s 16-plus knot top speed.