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With a production history spanning 26 years, Auckland's
Formula Cruisers has worked hard to establish itself as a
premium builder of semi-production motor yachts and sports.
While it is naïve to suggest builders of luxury vessels are
'recession-proof', Formula Cruisers has effectively turned the
other cheek and invested in its brand, writes Steve Raea.
With a shift to new and
larger premises within
Hobsonville’s marine
precinct, and a concerted
push into the Australian
and US markets, 2008 will
stand out as a year of strategic growth for one of
our most respected yards. At a time when many
production boatbuilders have hunkered down
and consolidated, Formula Cruisers, through the
leadership and management of naval architect
and business manager Grant Senior, has taken
an altogether different tack.
Rather than ‘stick to its knitting’, Formula Cruisers
is on the verge of releasing concept designs that
will see its luxurious Icon range of motor yachts
and sports fishers expanded to include 62’,
68’ and 75’ options. Formula Cruisers has also
appointed dedicated sales agents in Queensland
and Perth to represent its business in Australia
and Asia, and in support of this, displayed its
flagship Icon 54 at both the Sydney International
and Sanctuary Cove Boat Shows.
Senior says he can’t recall a period in his eight
years at the helm of Formula Cruisers when there
has been so much enquiry, but also concedes
getting that enquiry onto paper hasn’t got
any easier.
“We had very strong interest at both the Sydney
and Sanctuary Cove shows with the Icon 54
and we see this as potentially our strongest
export market. But we’re also making a push
into the US where the Kiwi dollar represents
outstanding value.”
Senior says the move to larger premises at
Hobsonville means Formula Cruisers can now
accommodate up to six boats on the production
floor at any one time and introduce larger
models to the Icon range. It has also allowed the
business to take on additional work as contract
laminators for the Sea Nymph range of fibreglass
runabouts.
Formula’s focus, however, is firmly on the luxury
end of the market.
“We see potential in expanding the current Icon
range to 75 feet and we’re very close to releasing
full design drawings for an extended Icon 62
based on the existing Icon 54 and two completely
new boats – the Icon 68 and the Icon 75.”
Formula’s current flagship, the Icon 54, has been
in production now for nearly three years and
has found a steady market with five boats in the
water and a sixth dedicated sports fisher due for
launching early this year.
During its time in production, the Icon 54 has
undergone some subtle design changes that
have collectively resulted in considerable gains in
internal volume but without any noticeable impact
on exterior lines and styling.
Formula’s latest launching, Icon 54 number
five, brings these design changes together in
a package that introduces a fresh new interior
layout ideally suited to the warmer Australian
climate and the Aussie’s penchant for extended
limits game fishing.
Launched in October, this new Icon is the first
to feature an internal flybridge staircase, which
has allowed Senior to include enclosed toilet and
showering facilities in the starboard forward corner
of the cockpit where the exterior flybridge stairs
would normally be located.
Senior says this is a design option that’s available to customers at
no
additional expense and allows for the placement of an automatic washing
machine and dryer to further enhance the boat’s ability as a long-term
liveaboard
option.
“What it means is that crew don’t have to walk through the boat and
down
into the forward accommodation to use the head or shower and makes the
cockpit fully self-contained.
“You could say it draws an effective demarcation between the cockpit and
saloon, which is an important consideration for some owners, who prefer to
keep the fishy thing outdoors for obvious reasons.”
The other notable change in the latest boat, says Formula Cruisers sales
and marketing manager Troy Woods, is the optional replacement of the front
saloon windscreen with a solid fiberglass screen. This again, says Woods, is
a
design option more likely to appeal to Australian clients and serious off-shore
game fishers because it is both survey compliant and will keep the boat
cooler and ensure faster and more efficient performance of the onboard air
conditioning system.
“It has also allowed us to build in a bank of additional storage lockers
and
chest height cupboards where the windscreen dash would normally protrude
back into the main saloon.”
While these changes are optional and at no additional cost, the Icon 54 has
also undergone some subtle design changes to the hull to add additional
internal volume and headroom.
A US-trained and qualified naval architect, Grant Senior says length overall
has
increased two feet, which has allowed the boat’s freeboard height to
be raised
accordingly. This in turn has resulted in greater headroom throughout the boat.
Senior also says the beam has increased from 16”6’ to 18”7’ – creating
noticeably more internal volume and particularly in the forward guest cabin
which now boasts a true walk-around island-style double berth with masses
of locker storage built into both sides of the hull.
The good life
There is no doubt that the Formula Icon 54 is a superb vessel on every level,
with a build quality and an attention to detail that can only be achieved from
a semi-production build process that takes 10 months to complete from
start to finish.
From high-gloss cherry veneers and walnut burr cappings to rich natural
textiles and fabrics, the Icon 54 is unashamedly luxurious throughout and
equipped with the very best fittings and appliances to create a stylish and
extremely comfortable living environment.
Even with the internal flybridge staircase, the saloon has lost none of its
spaciousness due to the clever semi-circular stairway design, exiting well
forward of the helm station, which in this boat is optioned at the aft end
of the
flybridge.
The saloon focal point is the large U-shaped dinette to port, richly
upholstered in leather with a matching settee
opposite. A large richly-lacquered dining table
takes centre stage and, when not required, lowers
almost to floor level.
Storage is a feature of the Icon 54 and wherever
space allows, the designer has added a
cupboard or drawer to very practical effect.
The settees are an excellent example, with
slide-out drawers under each. Space has also
been maximised around the foot of the flybridge
staircase with a nifty corner bar setting utilising
what could easily be dead space.
While this boat has been optioned with solid
fibreglass where others have had a large saloon
windscreen, the interior is light and airy with a
large aft window and three picture windows on
each side of the saloon giving uninterrupted views
around the boat from the central dining table.
Senior has spent a lifetime on boats and his
yachting pedigree is apparent in a galley design
set up to workable in any seaway and equipped
with domestic appliances. Features include
Corion countertops and a plethora of underbench
and overhead cupboards, drawers
and lockers specifically designed for crockery,
pans, cutlery, cups and glasses. A nice touch
is the large galley window, which electronically
lowers into a recess to bring the cockpit and
galley together.
He says the Icon’s been designed with live aboard
comfort in mind and to this end has been fitted
with a Bosch domestic four-burner hob with oven
and grill under, ice maker, F&P dish-drawer and a
single round stainless steel sink. A large brushed
stainless steel fridge and freezer unit is fitted
opposite the galley to port.
The galley floor and central companionway
has been laid in high-gloss cherry and holly to
complement the expansive use of teak and
holly on the cockpit sole and transom boarding
platform.
The boat is faithful to Icon 54 traditional threecabin
layout, which features an owner’s stateroom
to port with full walk-around queen-size berth and
private and beautifully appointed en suite with
separate shower stall.
The guest cabin is forward in the bow and also
features a generous walk-around double-berth,
while a twin-berth cabin aft to starboard provides
dedicated overnight facilities for two couple and
two singles. The forward double cabin and twin
centre cabin share a bathroom that faithfully
replicates that in the master cabin.
The immediate and overriding impression of the
accommodation is one of spaciousness and
extreme comfort. Each cabin has inner-sprung
mattresses with ample drawers and hanging
lockers, opening hatches and ports and individual
thermostat control for heating and air conditioning.
This boat was also fitted with the optional soft
furnishings package, which includes colour
co-ordinated bedding and scatter cushions for a
sophisticated designer look.
Those who appreciate quality joinery will savour
the attention to detail and the solid cappings
designed to take the knocks and ensure easy
maintenance. The enclosed fly bridge with clears
aft is luxurious and stylish, with wrap around
ultra-leather seating forward, air-conditioning and
heating and the owner’s choice of forward or aft
helm station.
This example featured the aft helm station, which
is essentially a single GRP-moulded unit in crisp
white with grey trim and brimming with the latest
Raymarine E-series instruments including a
closed-circuit video facilities monitoring the bow
and twin MTU Series 60 825hp engines.
Helm seating is by way of two fully-adjustable,
Navigator helm seats. Despite being aft, driver
visibility has not been comprised, with a clear
view forward and aft. Refinements continue
up top with a mini bar, 12-volt fridge, and
separate thermostat control for heating and airconditioning.
With the option of being fully-enclosed (with the
use of expansive clears) or open, the flybridge
in the only place to be underway. Additional
comforts include a large curved teak bench seat
behind the helm and a rear flybridge bimini for
additional sun protection. Matching overhead
opening hatches ensure good through ventilation
when under way.
With more than 11m2 of usable space, the
expansive cockpit is brimming with useful features
and options that extend to a fitted stainless steel
gas barbeque, various live bait tank and fish
storage options, rear passenger settee and a large
and secure boarding platform and quality stainless
hardware designed to cope with the loads of a
25-tonne vessel.
Woods says Formula Cruisers is close to
completing an Icon 54 configured exclusively
for off-shore game fishing that features stunning
stainless steel tuna towers, each equipped with
their own compliment of big-screen electronics.
He says the Icon series has always been faithful
to the adage that most buyers are likely to want to
enjoy the full mix of boating options whether it be
diving, fishing or simply cruising.
“We have design options that cater exclusively for
deep sea fishing but in standard trim we prefer
to cater for the widest possible user base. To this
end we do not compromise cockpit layout by
putting in gear and equipment that favours any
one boating activity over another.”
But that said, standard fittings include a full
stainless steel rocket launcher, recessed rod
holders in the cockpit combings and dedicated
rod storage in recessed lockers. The boat is also
fully plumbed with deck wash and live bait tank
facilities.
Performance is guaranteed, with twin MTU Series
60 825hp engines and ZF drive train delivering a
top speed of better than 32 knots and comfortable
and relatively efficient cruising at 18 to 25 knots.
The Icon 54 now carries 4000 litres of diesel for
extended cruising range and 1000 litres of water
to match.
Woods says it’s important to note that all cruisers
in the Icon series are equipped to a very high
standard straight off the factory floor.
“When you purchase an Icon you purchase a true
turn-key package that includes everything you
need for safe, reliable and comfortable cruising.
Big ticket items like bow thruster, full electronic
instrumentation, air conditioning, gen-set, shore
power and battery inverters are all included in the
base price.
“If you shop around and compare apples with
apples you’ll soon establish that for the quality,
finish and industry-leading 10-year warranty, a
Formula Icon represents outstanding value in
comparison to similar-sized imported production
yachts.”
Formula Cruisers has built its reputation on quality
build and design innovation and this new Icon 54
with its internal flybridge staircase and additional
cockpit facilities continue that tradition.
While perhaps pitched at the Australian market,
the new configuration adds to the genuine live
aboard capability of the yacht, and will no doubt
appeal to retirees considering selling up and
enjoying apartment-style living on the water.
For more information contact Formulah
Cruisers at 09 416 4836, or email
mail@formulacruisers.com |
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