It was blowing a gale the day the Horizon PowerCats navigated “The Devil’s Backbone” and arrived on North Eleuthera, but, once comfortably nestled into their slips at the Romora Bay Resort and Marina on Harbour Island, the 13 beautiful catamarans in attendance paid no notice, their owners and guests immediately taking to the docks to mix and mingle with friends old and new.
After a three-year hiatus, the 2022 Horizon Power Catamarans (HPC) Owners’ Rendezvous unofficially kicked off on the Wednesday evening with the celebratory christening of a brand new PC65, Hideout. Attendees gathered on the dock for a champagne toast to the owners, who had moved up from their Horizon PC60 to this new build, for which they specified a Sea Torque Boss shaft system and VEEM propellers to achieve a top-end speed of 27.4 knots on their new yacht. Guests enjoyed the signature fresh stone crab, champagne and Taiwan beer during the christening and continued the merriment with a shared potluck dinner on the dock well into the evening.
The first official day of the HPC Owners’ Rendezvous dawned bright and beautiful as the catamarans were cleaned and prepared for their Rendezvous appearance. The Horizon PowerCat team spent this time greeting each boat and checking on any service or maintenance needs – one of the many examples of the attention to service and detail that distinguishes the HPC brand from its competition. In the afternoon, the Romora Bay Resort extended a gracious welcome to the Horizon attendees with a steel drum band and Bahamian conch fritters washed down with tropical Goombay Smashes at the dockmaster’s office. Well rested and ready to celebrate, the guests donned their tropical attire for the opening cocktail party and Welcome Dinner on the resort’s terrace, for which The Power Catamaran Company founder and CEO Richard Ford set the tone for fun with his pre-dinner welcome speech. Sponsored by AssuredPartners, the evening continued well past dessert with live music and dancing.
The seriousness of the occasion was palpable early on Day Two, as owners and guests bustled about the docks carrying bags and boxes and scurried to and from their golf carts huddled in whispered conversations. It was the day of the Pimp My Golf Cart Contest and worldwide recognition as well as bragging rights for at least twelve months were on the line. Led by Spencer Lloyd of AssuredPartners, the team of judges carefully critiqued each golf cart entry, paying particular attention to the award-winning characteristics of uniqueness, fun and creativity. Creativity, fun and uniqueness were indeed the words of the day as each cart – decked out in full regalia – lined up for a fast and furious scavenger hunt around the island. The raucous parade – ranging from astronauts to aliens, lifeguards to lobsters, mermaids to dinosaurs, and pimps to parrotheads – created quite a stir as each cart and its colorful occupants rampaged through Dunmore Town completing tasks and competitions in as civilized a manner possible. Back at the resort, the frivolity continued late into the afternoon with an impromptu pool party before the guests retired to their yachts for a quiet evening.
Laughter echoed off the docks early the morning of Day Three, as owners gathered on their neighbor’s aft deck to sip coffee and recount stories of the previous day before tending to the preparations for the raft-up and beach barbecue. Despite the blue skies and brilliant sunshine, the aforementioned winds had forced a change of venue for the last two days of the Rendezvous, however the change was to no one’s disappointment as the revised venue was just as spectacular as the original. By mid-morning, each catamaran left its slip and cruised the few miles to the beach at Man Island.
Here the spectacular orchestration of the annual raft-up was on full display and managed by the Horizon Power Catamaran team with excellent precision, as Richard Ford greeted and boarded each PowerCat as it arrived and seamlessly helmed it into position as the crew set the anchor and adjusted the fenders. Within just one hour, all thirteen yachts were beautifully lined up and the guests tendered ashore for an afternoon barbecue of burgers, South African sausages, and plenty of beer, rose and champagne for all. After lunch, it was time for the cocktail competition for which three self-proclaimed experts in the field visited every yacht for a formal presentation and tasting of that yacht’s signature cocktail. Music and conversation continued as guests mingled from yacht to yacht and savored the waning sunshine before each PowerCat broke away from the raft up and set anchor for the night. That evening, a brilliant beach bonfire inspired dancing under the blanket of stars well into the wee hours.
The sun rose quietly on Day Four and the peacefulness of waking in a beautiful anchorage inspired a morning swim followed by a hearty breakfast. Guests took to the water on this day, some taking part in the official fishing tournament and others spending the day swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing before heading back to their berth at Romora Bay. Once the day’s catch was recorded, everyone relaxed before gathering on the resort’s terrace for wine and cocktails and a slideshow of photos and videos captured during the previous days. The highly anticipated awards ceremony prefaced the dinner with the Horizon PC52 My Best Life taking home both the largest and the heaviest fish trophies as well as the Most Unique golf cart award for its Jurassic Park themed cart. The PC65 Cell Fish won the Most Creative category for its Under the Sea-themed golf cart and the PC60 Brokedown Palace won the Funniest golf cart award for its Pimp Palace themed cart. As for the cocktail competition, the sobered judges presented the two cocktail awards – both of which coincidentally were margaritas – to the PC60 Vitality for Taste and to the PC60 Mangata for Presentation. The PC52 Cut and Run won the Scavenger Hunt, and after dinner nobody, including the HPC team itself, was spared from the blooper-specific “C’mon Man” awards!
“The 2022 Horizon Power Catamarans Owners’ Rendezvous brought together a group of fantastic owners for four days of fun, relaxation and enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures, which is what being a Horizon PowerCat owner is all about,” says The Power Catamaran Company CEO Richard Ford. “Despite the weather forcing us to abandon our original plans to cruise the Devil’s Backbone and spend the last two days in Spanish Wells, all of our owners and guests were content to relax and enjoy each other’s company no matter where they were. We thoroughly enjoyed hosting this amazing event for our owners and their guests and look forward to next year!”
The christening ceremony kicked off the 2022 Horizon Power Catamaran Owners’ Rendezvous
Surrounded by Horizon Power Catamaran (HPC) owners and guests of the 2022 Horizon Power Catamaran Owners’ Rendezvous, a brand new Horizon PC65 was recently christened by her owners in Harbour Island, Bahamas. The event marked the unofficial start of the fourth Horizon Power Catamaran Owners’ Rendezvous, which saw 13 power catamarans from 52 to 65 feet and their owners and guests in attendance for the five-day event.
Christened Hideout, the new PC65 had recently arrived in the U.S. and the owners made their shakedown cruise to The Bahamas for the Rendezvous. Hideout is a four-stateroom yacht with an on-deck master configuration, with a VIP king and a queen cabin in the starboard hull and a twin ensuite in the port hull. A spacious aft deck leads into the main salon, which features an expansive galley opposite a large L-shaped sofa. The semi-enclosed skylounge above offers a bar, additional lounging and a dayhead aft of the helm.
The PC65 is the second Horizon yacht for the experienced owners, who moved up from their PC60 and specified a Sea Torque Boss shaft system and VEEM propellers to achieve a top-end speed of 27.4 knots on their new yacht. The move to the PC65 has provided a lot more interior space, as well as the flybridge, which accommodates both their 14ft tender and a SeaDoo jetski.
The owners worked with the Vision shipyard Design Center and Leigh Ford of HPC to execute a stunning contemporary interior, which features a cross grain acacia wood with stainless steel accented inlays complemented by an open-pore teak floor. Storage is maximized throughout the catamaran, with drawers and cabinets efficiently designed into every available space. The owner’s custom diamond design element is also tastefully executed in the detailing in both the interior and the nameplate.
As the owners took delivery of their new yacht, we asked about the origin of the yacht’s name. “You know the saying, ‘once an adult, always a child’?” says the owner. “As a child in a large family I always loved having my hideout. This is our hideout.” The owners plan to cruise The Bahamas and Florida’s Gulf Coast aboard their new yacht.
For more information on the new PC65 or any Horizon Power Catamaran, please contact Richard Ford at +1 (954) 803-8102 or email [email protected].
The spacious Horizon PC68 model is offered in multiple configurations, with the option for an Open Salon or On-Deck Master layout
Following a record-breaking year of sales, with the milestone 50th hull sold, Horizon Power Catamarans proudly announces the newest addition to its popular series of power catamarans. Positioned at the head of the multi-hulled PowerCat (PC) range that begins with the entry-level PC52 and includes a PC60 and a custom PC74 flagship, the new, ultra-spacious Horizon PC68 model has been meticulously planned to meet and exceed the cruising needs of discerning boaters.
Multiple new design features define the new PC68, which offers a four-stateroom layout with the option for an expansive open-plan salon or an on-deck master stateroom forward. The spacious aft deck hints at the interior volume provided by this model’s 24ft 6in beam, and features an innovative folding stern section allowing for a variety of seating configurations as well as convenient walkthrough access to the Hi/Lo swim platform.
Ease of access is prioritized throughout the design, and walkaround side decks on this level lead to a lounging space forward, with an enviable Portuguese deck seating area with convertible Hi/Lo dinettes situated three steps above. Horizon distinguishes itself from the competition with its build quality, after-sales service and options for customization, and Horizon PC68 clients are offered the choice of an open bridge or enclosed skylounge design upon which they can build their ideal layout. The extended flybridge on this model allows for a variety of layout options while comfortably accommodating a 17ft, 100hp tender. The skylounge and boat deck comprise plentiful seating and lounging, a dayhead with shower, BBQ station, chest freezer, and a bar to port with fridge doors and a Scotsman icemaker. Forward of the helm, an innovative raised hatch and door accesses the aforementioned Portuguese deck.
The PC68’s on-deck master stateroom configuration option sees a full-beam master with wraparound windows furthest forward on the main deck, with the salon and galley with large island bar positioned aft. Steps within the master access the large ensuite with dual basins below. A convertible twin ensuite shares the port hull, while to starboard a VIP king ensuite is positioned forward with the second convertible twin ensuite aft.
Alternately, the open-plan configuration offers an expansive salon area, with a large seating and entertainment space furthest forward. This layout sees all of the staterooms positioned below, with two king ensuite staterooms forward in the hulls and two convertible twin-to-king ensuite cabins aft to port and starboard, respectively.
Defined by award-winning advanced composites SCRIMP system construction that yields the most durable, lightweight hull marrying a perfect glass-to-resin ratio, with rigorous testing by the Horizon shipyard’s pioneering Non-Destructive Methods, the Horizon PC68 is fitted with twin MAN 850hp engines as standard to guarantee quiet, stable and efficient cruising. Uniquely, the options for client customization extend well beyond soft goods and interior layout.
“The power catamaran design is extremely popular among experienced yacht owners who appreciate the comfort, stability and interior volume that the twin hull design affords, as well as the shallow draft for exploring the idyllic cruising grounds of The Bahamas and Caribbean,” says Richard Ford, founder and CEO of Horizon Power Catamarans. “We are particularly enthusiastic about the new PC68, as it brings to the market next-level design and engineering in a sophisticated and spacious package that will be appreciated by our discerning clientele.”
The first Horizon PC68 will feature an open-plan salon and will make its global debut at the 2023 Horizon Yachts Open House in Taiwan, followed by a U.S. debut at the 2023 Palm Beach International Boat Show.
For more information on the Horizon PC68 or to visit Horizon Power Catamarans at the 2022 Palm Beach International Boat Show on Ramp 2, Slips 206-208, please contact Richard Ford at (954) 803-8102 or email [email protected].
Presently, the most popular in the Horizon Power Catamarans series, hull 24 of the PC60 is on debut at FLIBS 2021. The owners christened this custom yacht ‘Mangata” which is Swedish for ‘Moon light on the water’.
This yachts’ 24ft beam comes into its own as you enter the salon and experience the expansive open living space with island galley. To achieve the unique rich wood color, Horizons’ craftsmen presented an exquisite Crown Cut Walnut. This complimented the owners choice of Polarstone countertops and handmade starburst marble galley bar front. The attention to detail of this owners interior choices extended to the creation of the custom ottoman and ceiling inlays.
Down 5 stairs to starboard, enter into the master stateroom. Turning aft, is a large comfortable head and shower with undermount his and her basins, with ample storage and elegant lighting. Moving forward the owner has a side by side Miele washer and separate dryer, together with hanging closets and drawers for personal items. The owners stateroom is appointed with a king bed and a beautiful large hull window. Fully airconditioned for balmy summer months, but an opening hatch & ports gives one the option to allow the cool fresh air through the boat if preferred.
To port, there is a VIP guest king stateroom forward and an aft Twin stateroom that can convert to a queen. Both cabins have their own en-suite head with separate shower. Numerous accents and customization can be found throughout this magnificent yacht, with the owners use of tile, fabrics and hard wood floors. Both staterooms and both shower/ heads offer opening ports and hatches with plenty of natural light.
Large opening double doors lead out to the incredible aft deck rivalling any 100ft motoryacht with built in Wet Bar, icemaker and fridge. The dining table has a custom Hi-Gloss starburst teak top and can accommodate 8-10 guests with ease, with additional lounge seating aft.
The comfortable stairway takes you up to the new extended PC60 Flybridge that can now uniquely accommodate up to a 17’ Luxury Tender with 115Hp engine. complete with fresh water wash down, BBQ Station and Chest freezer. Forward into the air-conditioned flybridge there is a walk behind bar with fridge and sink to port. To Starboard a comfortable L-shaped Sofa with dining table that can move to coffee table level. A fabulous lay flat lounger to starboard, and a bench seat to port offer ample seating while under way. The impressive helm console boasts triple 22” Garmin screens making this area a navigators dream.
The awesome visibility from the helm coupled with bow and stern thrusters make maneuvering this yacht a piece of cake. While docking or anchoring the captain can switch to his Dock Mate remote and do this from the bow or the stern.
Powered by Twin 700HP Cummins and the new 5 blade Veem Propellers, produces a comfortable cruise at 21 while topping out at 27 m/p/h.
HORIZON VOL. 56
HORIZON LIFE
OWNER EXPERIENCE
After owning and cruising aboard monohulls for decades, these owners built their first Horizon Power Catamaran. But theirs is no ordinary PowerCat; this PC52 is the first to feature a skylounge and internal stairs.
Q. How does your boating story begin?
A. We started boating in 1985, around the same time we started dating. It was on a 14ft aluminum haul with a pull-start motor on the back and we spent our days cruising the Kankakee River and buzzing around the Great Lakes. Over the years we owned a couple of pontoon boats, but didn’t really graduate until we purchased a 43S Azimut in 2011. Then we moved on to a 62S Azimut, which broke down around Mackinac Island and we had to slowly motor around to Walstrom Marine. That is where we found our next boat, a 60ft Hatteras.
Q. How did you hear about Horizon Power Catamarans?
A. We attended a couple of boat shows up and down the east coast of Florida and always passed by the Horizon Power Catamaran tent. We finally toured the PC60 and were amazed with the beam, which allowed for an open layout and generous interior space. For the next few years we always stopped by the booth. We finally had a sea trial and that’s all it took. We were really impressed.
Q. Was your intention always to build and customize your own boat?
A. We originally started off looking at the preowned catamarans that were available but they didn’t have everything on our wish list. So, we talked with Richard at Horizon PowerCat and started the design process. For her, it was the bathtub; we absolutely had to have a bathtub. The enclosed skylounge and the internal stairs were also a must. It gets chilly during the summer nights on the Great Lakes, so we wanted an enclosed skylounge with internal stairs so we didn’t have to go outside to get upstairs and we could fully enjoy the entire boat during different weather conditions. We didn’t want to have to go outside to get upstairs every time. For him, the mechanics were a high priority, so the added features like the Seatorque Boss drive system and Veem Propellers were important.
Q. How was the build process?
A. The build took about a year, and it was fun and went smoothly, although the choices were overwhelming at times! We definitely had a team behind us. We would do some research and Leigh would do her research and then we would come together and go over the different ideas and options. Sometimes Heidi and Leigh would even come together with the same ideas. For him, working with Richard and the yard helped immensely. Austin and his team helped so much with the stairs and the bathtub – things we could have lived without but didn’t want to. While COVID-19 restrictions kept us from attending the launch, at the same time we didn’t feel the need to. The communication between everyone was exceptional. We trusted them to build a gorgeous boat and they did. From working together with Richard and Leigh at Horizon PowerCat to working with the yard, it was a great experience overall.
Q. What was your initial reaction when you got to see your yacht for the first time?
A. Wow! It felt almost surreal, like we were walking onto someone else’s yacht. The pictures don’t do it justice. It was quite an experience, from the planning and decisions to actually seeing the boat when you walk onboard. We always owned used boats, but with this build there was so much anticipation. We were so pleased with the workmanship, the woodwork – which was phenomenal – and all of the thoughtful extras that came with the boat. We were also floored by the tremendous hospitality and all the wonderful gifts on the christening day. It was our first christening, and our friends Ray and Judy were so happy to be a part of the experience too.
Q. What are your cruising plans?
A.Florida and Bahamas, particularly the Florida Keys for this winter. We always go by car and every time we wonder what it would be like to arrive by boat. Well, now we can! Then next summer we will take her north up the east coast and into the Great Lakes.
“A year of intense planning, measuring, technical drawings, photos, floor and wall samples, fabrics, tiles, batteries, generators, pumps, systems, floor plans and more, completely consumed our life while we went through the ‘Christmas List’ of choices and options for our newly-planned Hull 22,” says the owner of the brand new Horizon PowerCat PC60. Christened Homarus in a private ceremony held in Florida, this latest PC60 was commissioned for experienced owners who knew exactly what they wanted on their sixth boat.”
Avid cruisers with commercial fishing experience, (hence the name HOMARUS, the Latin genus of lobster) the owners paid particular attention to the mechanicals of their new yacht and worked with the Horizon team on numerous customizations to accommodate their plans to live aboard year-round, including the installation of a state-of-the-art Dometic Spot Zero watermaking system as well as the latest lithium battery technology.
The owners specified a four-stateroom layout comprised of a full-beam master suite on the main deck, a VIP on suite and twin cabin in the starboard hull, and a twin on suite in the port hull. On the main deck, the owners redesigned the standard galley/bar arrangement in the salon and incorporated a large seating area opposite.
The air-conditioned and enclosed flybridge has been specified with a bar and dayhead opposite a seating and dining area. Space for a stationary exercise bike was also fitted in this space. A BBQ grill and freezer on the boat deck extends the al fresco entertaining options.
Powered by twin Cummins diesels of 705hp each, which afford a range of 551nm @ 18 knots, Homarus will cruise throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean, up the East Coast of the United States and into Canada and back. Upon taking delivery, her owners said, “The incredible detail that has made our vessel a masterpiece could not have been achieved without the meticulous attention by all of the Horizon people, from the office support to the craftsmen. The workmanship in all ways is flawless. The functions impeccable. Living aboard this gem has been a life changer and we pinch ourselves every day that we are spending our days in our sweet new home on the water.”
For more information on the PC60 or other Horizon Power Catamaran models, please contact Richard Ford at +1 954 803 8102 or email [email protected].
