The Best Yachts of 2015

The last few years has been a period of great turmoil due to dramatic political developments and their impact on the course of the world’s economic climate. But the downward signs now seem to be reversing according to the levels of the purchasing of vessels and the global shipbuilding industry is now demonstrating huge optimism at present and high confidence for the future.

It has been a very rare thing in the past for the European and American yacht industries to be on a par with their boat design and, more importantly, technology but things are changing and there has never been a more exciting time to own a yacht than now.

Because of the huge amount of excellent models on the market today, we have limited our choice of boats for review to the four American and six European motor boats mentioned below. Each vessel is reviewed on their own merits so there are no winners or losers, we just want to demonstrate the handling, comfort levels and ease of navigation and to whet your appetite to dream of your favourite model. The choice is all yours.

JEANNEAU VELASCO 43F

The holdover

Upgrading last year’s model, the Velasco 43, the new and enriched compact Velasco 43F is improved both outside and inside and is much more attractive as a whole. The increased size of the panes in the superstructure, the improved forward living room with the placement of new tiltable layers, the sliding door for the governor on the side and the new awning on the flybridge enhance the features of the new model. It is also equipped with two spacious cabins and two bathrooms on the lower deck.

Specifications

Overall length: 13.7 metres

Maximum width: 4.13 metres

Displacement: 10.7 tonnes

Capacity of fuel tank: 2 x 585 litres

Number of cabins: 2

Engine: 2 x 380 hp

PRINCESS V48 OPEN

One step ahead

This is a boat that you would be happy just to gaze at, let alone own! The compact hull and sizeable glass panes mounted on an elegant superstructure are the best assets of this new model. A sizable stern, a handy deck, two living rooms (one on deck and one inside) and two well-equipped cabins guarantee comfortable living. As for navigation and propulsion: two diesel Volvo engines provide you with 435 hp each, more than enough to manage the 14.3 tonne vessel to give a maximum speed of 34 knots while the IPS system promises precision handling.

Specifications

Overall length: 15.8 metres

Maximum width: 4.11 metres

Displacement: 14.3 tonnes

Capacity of fuel tank: 1,325 litres

Number of cabins: 2

Engine: 2 x 435 hp

CHRIS CRAFT CORSAIR 36

Concentrating on detail

If we had to choose one US shipyard that is closest to European standards it would definitely be Chris Craft. The American school of thought requires that their vessels should have a refined aesthetic air about them with a standard classical design to make them truly timeless. The perfect example is the Corsair 36, a well designed 11 metre model with a robust hull giving precise navigation and an ergonomically designed deck that is lined with leather and wood, materials that add luxury to both the cockpit and the living quarters. On the lower deck there is a comfortable living room that can be converted into a double bedroom, a three berth cabin, a fully fitted kitchen and a full bathroom.

Specifications

Overall length: 11 metres

Maximum width: 4 metres

Displacement: 7.2 tonnes

Capacity of fuel tank: 1,080 litres

Number of cabins: 1

Engine: 2 x 370 hp

BOSTON WHALER 420 OUTRAGE

Born in the USA

This vessel boasts a robust appearance with a style resembling a fishing boat. It responds well on the water to a very high performance, expecially in adverse weather conditions. The Boston Whaler is a great improvement on the previous model, the 420 Outrage, with its powerhouse of four outboard engines of 300 hp each. The compact fuselage and cockpit superstructure is designed to give a dynamic and robust visual effect. The main deck includes a well-appointed cockpit with three individual seats, a living room and fishing areas on the bow and stern. Although limited in size, the lower deck has a practical ergonomic design with a bathroom, a fully fitted kitchen and a living room that can be converted into a double bedroom.

Specifications

Overall length: 13 metres

Maximum width: 3.96 metres

Displacement: 9.9 tonnes

Capacity of fuel tank: 2,272 litres

Number of cabins: 1

Engine: 4 x 300 hp

MAGNUM 44 BANZAI

Ignoring the limits

The introduction of a new Magnum is a special moment for the shipbuilding industry. Not because US boats are the most commercially successful in their class or that they are necessarily the best, it’s purely because they have a rich history of myth and adventure accompanied by the highest standards and performance that you will see in any boat. The introduction of the Magnum 44 Banzai has certainly shaken and woken the industry with its performance and design. The 44 has two decks: on the main deck is a state of the art cockpit, a comfortable seating area and a place to sunbathe while on the lower deck is a living room, a luxurious cabin, a kitchen and a full bathroom. As for performance, the two Caterpillar engines combine with high surface area propellers to offer a maximum speed of 48 knots.

Specifications

Overall length: 13.41 metres

Maximum width: 3.73 metres

Displacement: 15.4 tonnes

Capacity of fuel tank: 1,514 litres

Number of cabins: 1

Engine: 2 x 715 hp

REGAL 42 SPORT COUPE

Family-oriented

With this new model, the American company has put great thought to luxury but concentrates more on practicality and safety. This becomes obvious when you see the innovative applications that make living in the two decks of the Regal 42 Sport Coupe so enjoyable. This vessel has a compact hull connected to a high performance superstructure with embedded glazing that not only provides rich, natural light inside but also gives the boat a stunning style. What deserves a special mention is the electric sunroof that gives the interior a feeling of openness and wonderful fresh air. The 42 Regal Sport Coupe boasts two living rooms (one outdoors and one inside) and a sunbathing area on the main deck and two cabins with en-suite bathrooms, a kitchen and an additional living room on the lower deck.

Specifications

Overall length: 12.92 metres

Maximum width: 3.96 metres

Displacement: 9 tonnes

Capacity of fuel tank: 1,255 litres

Number of cabins: 2

Engine: 2 x 600 hp

ATLANTIS 50

The Italian job

The new Atlantis continues the brand’s reputation with its extraordinary blend of luxury and practicality, making living on two decks an enjoyable experience. The Atlantis 50 has a modern design with a curved superstructure that sits securely and comfortably on its spindle. The impression of this vessel on the observer is heightened by the tetragonal glass panels that are embedded in the hull, giving the boat an extraordinary beauty. Six people can live comfortably on the two decks. The main deck hosts an ergonomic cockpit, a seating area and sun mattresses both in the forward and the aft section. There are two choices of layout for the lower deck: either two cabins with en-suite bathrooms or three cabins with two bathrooms.

Specifications

Overall length: 16.30 metres

Maximum width: 4.42 metres

Displacement: 20.92 tonnes

Capacity of fuel tank: 1,700 litres

Number of cabins: 2 or 3

Engine: 2 x 600 hp

PERSHING 62

In pursuit of perfection

The design of this vessel gives huge appeal to any potential owner, but the new Pershing 62 has so much more to offer than just looks. The Italian shipyard has endowed the new model with both practicality and performance whilst giving it an entirely new look. This model can confidently inflict a sense of awe and fear into its competitors. Approaching the boat from the outside we can see that it is extremely solid with a compact hull attached to a coupe-shaped superstructure that is constructed almost entirely of glass with a useful sunroof. Venturing inside, there is a spacious main deck with sunbathing areas on the bow and stern, two sitting areas and a cockpit. The deck below boasts a kitchen, a dining room, three cabins with en-suite bathrooms and a crew cabin. The maximum speed is, wait for it, 43.5 knots! All due to the powerful engines and the large surface area of the propellers.

Specifications

Overall length: 18.94 metres

Maximum width: 4.80 metres

Displacement: 33.3 tonnes

Capacity of fuel tank: 3,200 litres

Number of cabins: 3

Engine: 1,381 hp

NIMBUS 405 FLYBRIDGE

Focusing on substance

The constructional simplicity of a typical mid-range boat combined with the complex footprint of a Flybridge has resulted in the formidable new Nimbus 405 that more than holds its own amongst the comparable competition. Staying true to Swedish design, the new model displays in a simple yet convincing way the new construction standards of the shipyard. Despite the fact that they have chosen to maintain a low profile for this vessel, it still manages to justify its “new” tag. Its naval appearance won us over on first impressions and the highlight of the Flybridge is the solid hull and massive superstructure. On the main deck the large glass surfaces offer extensive natural light to both the living room and the practical and user-friendly cockpit while the positioning and size of the rooms ensure comfort of use and movement for the passengers. On the lower deck are three double bedrooms.

Specifications

Overall length: 13.16 metres

Maximum width: 3.95 metres

Displacement: 8,950 tonnes

Capacity of fuel tank: 2 x 500 litres

Number of cabins: 3

Engine: 2 x 300 hp

FJORD 48 OPEN

Boldness and charm

A new dimension for enjoyment of the open sea is the Norwegian shipyard, Fjord’s middle model call the 48 Open. Just one glance is enough to tell us that this model goes beyond the classic design that we have always been used to. Without wasting space or unnecessary luxury, the 48 Open has two comfortable yet practical decks with a modern yet sporty layout that you would find on any high-performance boat. The large sunbathing mattresses dominate the main deck and at the front are the living room and the cockpit while  the lower deck accommodates two cabins. The 48 Open’s robust spindle, turbocharged engines and powerful Volvo propulsion system showcase her modern technology. There are two choices of propulsion: total power of 870 hp with two engines giving a top speed of 30 knots or 1,305 hp with three engines giving a top speed of 40 knots.

Specifications

Overall length: 15.28 metres

Maximum width: 4.81 metres

Displacement: 12.1 tonnes

Capacity of fuel tank: 2,080 litres

Number of cabins: 2

Engine: 2 x 435 hp or 3 x 435 hp