OFF THE GRID: DR. A AND HIS NEW “GAME CHANGER,” THE PC60 SYNERGY

New York Times’ best-selling author and health and lifestyle medicine advocate Dr. Wayne Andersen marries his focus on wellness with life off the beaten path aboard his Horizon Powercat.

Dr. Wayne Andersen (Dr. A) is sitting in the semi-enclosed flybridge of his PC60 Synergy, the brilliant turquoise of the crystalline waters that surround him reflecting in his sunglasses. The breeze outside is balmy, yet the water glass on the table is perfectly chilled. It is the ultimate expression of “peaceful solitude,” the noticeable silence interrupted only by the gentle lapping of the water against the hulls below.

 

Delivered this past spring, Synergy models the silent efficiency of Horizon’s new-generation power catamarans with its Victron advanced power package paired with a Termodinamica variable speed A/C system. Augmented by solar power, alternators charge the boat’s battery package, which necessitates generator use for one or two periods per day in hot climates, and about one hour per day on cooler days.

Not only does this system save on fuel and noise, it allows for interior comfort as well as peace of mind while cruising “off grid,” something Dr. A put to the test soon after taking delivery.

 

The Bahamas are his favorite cruising grounds and, yearning for the solitude he used to enjoy in places like Staniel Cay and the lower Exumas years ago, he was eager to explore the lone Ragged Island chain in the Jumento Cays.

“They warned me, ‘Don’t go down there unless you are fully self-sustainable, because there is nothing there,’” he says of this idyllic yet remote area in the southwestern region of The Bahamas. “In that environment, we make our own water and our own power. We brought plenty of provisions in the freezer and there were lots of fresh fish and other sea creatures to catch every day. We spent eight days and saw but two other people the entire time.

“In fact,” he laughs, “I don’t even know if I want you mentioning this because we need to keep people out of the Jumentos!”

FOR THE LOVE OF SAILING

The former critical care physician-turned-lifestyle-medicine-advocate discovered sailing while on fellowship with the University of Miami in the Surgical Critical Care facility at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Florida. “I took my first sailing course at the Coconut Grove Sail Club and loved it so much I rented a 19ft sailboat and headed straight to the Keys – after just one lesson!”

After his fellowship, Dr. A purchased his very first boat at the Miami boat show: a 35ft Allmand. “I remember being so excited that we left the marina at three o’clock in the morning and headed for The Bahamas. The only equipment I had was a compass and an RDF! [Radio Direction Finder]”

Soon, Dr. A was hooked on sailing. When he and his wife got married, he asked her, “Do you want to buy a house or a sailboat?” A boat was the obvious answer and they purchased a 44ft F&C and sailed it along the U.S. eastern seaboard from Long Island to Newfoundland.

The sailing dream continued, and Dr. A and his wife also became familiar with sailing catamarans, having chartered them from time to time in Providence Island to accommodate their daughters and their friends. “Sailing cats, however, don’t sail worth a crap,” he says. “You’re not going anywhere on them.”

THE POWERCAT DIFFERENCE

One day, while moored in Warderick Wells in the Exumas aboard his 54ft Moody Cutter, Dr. A noticed a Horizon PC60 cruising past. “I could instantly tell that this boat was made for serious cruising.”

Dr. A met Horizon Power Catamaran Founder & CEO Richard Ford and the two formed an instant connection over their mutual sailing backgrounds and enjoyed long discussions about how sailing influences the style and usability of the power catamaran.

“Richard is a proper sailor, he knows what a proper yacht should have,” says Dr. A.

Drawn to the idea of being able to get to his favorite destinations quickly, Dr. A commissioned a Horizon PC52 and says he loved the shallow draft, the ease of watersports and the flexibility to host their daughters and friends. Confident that the power catamaran was the right fit for his family, he partnered with Richard Ford to build a PC60.

“It was the perfect partnership,” he says. “I worked with Richard on the options and the design of the exterior spaces and the helm, and then worked with Leigh on the interior layout and finishes.” Dr. A says he particularly loves the double STIDD helm chair and the flexibility of the flybridge to be enclosed during inclement weather.

PERFECT SYNERGY

Stepping from a PC52 into his new PC60, Dr. A says there are so many features he loves about the bigger boat, from the copious amounts of storage to the capability to house a large tender with a 100hp engine. “It changes the dynamic to where we can base the PC60 just about anywhere and take day trips on the big tender,” he says.

“The flybridge is my favorite space,” says Dr. A. “It’s like my own private office, fully air conditioned and with all of the comforts of home, but with such an incredible view.

“Still being in business and being able to communicate daily without having to go to certain places for a signal is essential,” he says. “I’m currently preparing for an international conference and had Zoom calls this morning with the team in England, all thanks to the Starlink capabilities on this boat. Even down in the remote areas where we like to cruise, we are able to communicate like we are next door.”

Dr. A says he loves how the mood of each space changes throughout the day. “At night, it’s party time,” he says. “We go up on the foredeck, turn off the onboard lights and play a game with the sky – one point for a plane, three points for a satellite and five points for a shooting star. The first person to fifty wins! Every night is a magical evening with laughter and memories.

“Then, when day time rolls back around, being surrounded by beautiful blue water allows the exterior of the boat to shine.”

There is a classic Jimmy Buffet song, First Look, that describes not being prepared for one’s first glimpse of the Caribbean and Bahamas. The song resonates with Dr. A and his family, he says.

“My kids grew up here; every free moment we had we would be sailing through the Abacos and Exumas. It is the most special place to be together with family and friends.”

 

 

It Wasn’t a Sprint… It Was a Marathon!

After eight years of Horizon Power Catamarans Owner’s Rendezvous, there was only one thing left to improve this epic annual event:  Make it longer!

This year, the Horizon Powercat family gathered in the Abaco Islands in the northern Bahamas for six days to make new connections and memories. Twelve Horizon power catamarans (PCs) and 75 owners and guests enjoyed the near week-long celebrations, delicious food, and, of course, the lighthearted camaraderie that defines this annual event throughout the scenic anchorages and marinas of the Abacos.

Day 1

After the lines were thrown and all 12 PCs were cozily settled onto the dock at Hope Town Inn & Marina, the welcome dinner party awaited all those dressed in their finest island attire. After a dinner filled with laughs and smiles, the sandy dance floor opened to carry the night away with the local band.

 

Day 2

With the first full day of this year’s Rendezvous landing on Cinco de Mayo, the group celebrated accordingly, and the day began with a delicious and refreshing Richie’s Ritas margarita class.

After all coolers and dinghies were prepared, guests set out for the first stop of the day: a scenic lunch at the Abaco Inn. Everyone enjoyed Mexican-style food and drinks while taking in the views of the Atlantic waves crashing on white sands below.

It was then back in the dinghies and off again to end the day relaxing on the beautiful sandbars of Tahiti Beach.

 

Day 3

A charity cornhole tournament around the resort-style pool at Hope Town Inn & Marina made for a competitive and fun start to Day 3.

 

After the PC60 Synergy was awarded bragging rights for the cornhole tournament, everyone retreated back to their respective boats to start prepping for the infamous Pimp Your Ride competition. The creative juices were flowing in the attempt to claim one of the three elusive prizes; Most Creative, Most Unique, and Funniest. Faced with detailed themes like Despicable Me, Star Wars, and El Día de los Muertos, the judges had their work cut out for them, but in the end, the PC60 High Option won Most Creative; the PC68 Omakase won Funniest, and the PC60s Brokedown Palace and Oasis jointly claimed the title of Most Unique. After peeling off the costumes, wigs, and face paint, everyone met back on the dock for the signature Rendezvous potluck dinner with fresh stone crab and South African sausages.

 

Day 4

With all the boats getting a bit of dock cabin fever, today was the perfect day for the highly anticipated Raft Up. Heading out of Hope Town Inn & Marina, the herd of cats collected again to tie up together just off the beautiful beaches of the Tilloo Cay National Reserve.

 

Once all 12 PCs were gracefully and skillfully rafted together, the Captain’s Cocktail Competition got  underway. With every boat crafting up something both beautiful and delicious, it was a near impossible task for the judges. The PC60 Fruition won the coveted prize for Best Presentation, and the combined efforts of the PC60s Brokedown Palace and Kairos garnered the award for Best Taste.

Day 5

After the commotion of the Raft Up, today was a day of relaxation—and there was no better way to relax than with lunch at the famous Pete’s Pub. Gathering at the iconic bar and grill on Little Harbor was the perfect setting to win some great prizes and raise more money for the children of the Hope Town Primary School.

 

Day 6

The final day of the 2024 Rendezvous began bright and early with the annual fishing competition. The radios were buzzing with the cheers of fish being caught by hungry powercats. Some even thought they had the competition won, until the PC60 Brokedown Palace ended all speculation by landing their first ever white marlin, easily claiming the Longest Fish trophy. The PC60 Synergy beat out the fishing enthusiasts aboard the PC52 My Best Life by one pound to take home the Heaviest Fish trophy.

 

Being the final night, it had to end in style. With beautiful Hope Town as the backdrop, owners arrived at the private island of Johnny’s Cay and enjoyed a final dinner together with live music and dancing in the sand.

 

The 2024 Horizon Power Catamarans Owner’s Rendezvous was yet another fun-filled gathering of longtime and first-time Horizon Powercat owners. It may have been a marathon event, but one certainly worth attending! Check out stories and photos from Rendezvous of years past here.

Repeat PC60 Owners Dish on Their New PC60 Build

The next-generation Brokedown Palace will continue tradition as a “home away from home” for island adventures.

The owners of the Horizon PC60 Brokedown Palace live what one would call the “perfectly balanced life.” That is, one spent largely aboard their Horizon Powercat in a tranquil Bahamian anchorage or marina with their two dogs – read more about Tuffly and Lily Muffin in our Dogs of the Rendezvous showcase – visited often by their grown children and plenty of friends, and traveling back and forth to the “mainland” occasionally when work duties call.

 

Going to leave this broke-down palace

On my hands and my knees I will roll, roll, roll

Make myself a bed by the waterside

In my time, in my time, I will roll, roll, roll

 

Named for the Grateful Dead ode of the same name, the family’s first PC60 Brokedown Palace was their “bed by the waterside.” Boasting a four-stateroom, three-bathroom layout and a large salon, the first PC60 offered a perfectly acceptable layout. But, like every boat owner, the owners are always on the lookout for the next boat. And, as is often the case with The Powercat Company, an opportunity came along that seemed, according to the owners, “like a fever dream.”

The original Brokedown Palace featured an open salon layout, while the new PC60 will offer an on-deck master.

Although they were not considering a new build, Richard Ford presented the family with an on-deck master PC60 that was nearing completion but still had room for interior décor selections. The rest, as they say, is history; the owners decided to make the switch from their open salon PC60 to the new on-deck master PC60, collaborating with The Powercat Company to make the new boat their own.

“I never thought we would build a boat, but Richard is just that good at what he does,” notes the owner. “Also working on the build with Leigh [Ford] has been a complete pleasure. She has helped make it seem easy, and she has such great taste that it makes you feel confident.”

Once the owners moved ahead with their new build, a trifecta sale was triggered that resulted in a PC52 owner upgrading into the original open salon PC60 Brokedown Palace, and a new owner purchasing the aforementioned PC52 – a truly serendipitous turn of events.

The owners have now turned their eyes to their PC60 build, which is scheduled to deliver in January 2024, and are already making plans to head out to their favorite cruising grounds in the Florida Keys and Bahamas where they like to spend their time fishing, snorkeling, spearfishing and exploring aboard their “home away from home.”

One of their favorite parts of spending extended time down in the islands is connecting with other Horizon Powercat owners, sharing “food, drinks and parts.”

“We light up when we have a friend around the corner and can catch up on what other people have done or where they are going next,” says the owner. “Us Horizon Powercat owners, we’re always ready for a good time.”

The family also enjoys participating in the annual owners’ rendezvous fun! Always an award winner, this year, Brokedown Palace won Most Unique in the Pimp My Dinghy contest and also impressed the judges with their Dancing Bear Jello Shot.

 

 

Ready to step into that multihull lifestyle? Contact Richard Ford today at (954) 803-8102 or email [email protected].

An Owner’s New Spot for Taking His “Time Out”

A chance meeting led to this owner’s exciting Horizon PC52 live-aboard where he enjoys taking a “Time Out.”

It was pure chance – or maybe some would call it fate – that the owner of the Horizon PC52 Time Out found our power catamarans at just the right moment during the 2021 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The owner was searching for a larger liveaboard, having paused the build on his beach house, and had decided to make the leap from monohulls to a power catamaran design. However, after viewing several catamaran builders at the show, he was beginning to rethink that decision.

“I was disappointed in the fit and finish of all three brands,” he says. “When I saw the Horizon Power Catamaran display, I figured, why not take a look? The difference in build quality really jumped out; that’s when I decided if I stayed with a power catamaran, it would be a Horizon.”

Built in 2015, Time Out features an enclosed flybridge and three-stateroom layout.

Thus, fate turned into the purchase of a pre-owned three-stateroom PC52 that he named Time Out in honor of the dock bar at his previous lake home in North Carolina – a hang-out spot to watch sporting events such as Monday Night Football, March Madness, and the Masters with friends.

“It’s [also] where we all gathered whenever our spouses put us in proverbial ‘time out’ or we just needed to get away from everything for a few hours. I have since sold that house, so I thought it would be fitting to carry the name to our Horizon,” says the owner.

The owner travelled with Horizon Power Catamaran CEO Richard Ford and sales associate Jason Ford, to officially deliver the boat to its new home in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. They stopped every few days to play golf, a passion of the owners that he felt, “was a great dry run for how I plan to use the boat for the next couple of years.” He also spoke highly of the purchase and delivery experience with our team, stating, “The Horizon family has been outstanding! The service, vendors, [everyone] did a great job getting the boat ready on a short turnaround.”

When he’s not enjoying his home port of Kiawah Island, the owner plans to explore up and down the East Coast, while also visiting some of his favorite coastal golf courses. In the winter, they plan to cruise Time Out to the Bahamas and BVIs to enjoy some dive trips and, of course, a few rounds of golf as well.

Ready to step into that multihull lifestyle? Contact Richard Ford today at (954) 803-8102 or email [email protected].

The Godfather: The story of a serial Horizon yacht owner

There is one owner that has quietly been building boats with the Horizon Group for the last three decades. Some call him “The Godfather of Horizon.”

The series of serendipitous encounters and introductions that forms every long-lasting relationship is often too complex to discern. Yet those relationships that stand the test of time are forged by mutual goals and paved with manifestations often shrugged off as coincidence. Within the creation of these relationships is usually a delightful story that unfolds.

Alec Hammond likes cars. He likes driving them – like roadtripping in his 1965 Ford Mustang convertible through the narrow and winding lanes of Norway. He likes collecting them – taking his pair of 1965 Jaguar E Types out for a spin to a charming English pub in the Cotswolds on a summer’s evening or meandering through the vieux villes of France in his 1937 Alvis Speed 25. He also likes racing them – whether it’s hitting the Daytona International Speedway in his 1965 Ford Shelby Mustang or competing for the Cup in the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

But Alec has another passion – perhaps one stronger than his affinity for motor cars – and that is his love for boats. Alec’s first boat was a 34ft wooden Storebro Royal Cruiser. “It wasn’t good for going to sea,” he says, “but we did anyway.”

At the time, Alec was building his business, Oxford Products, Ltd. – a leading supplier of bicycle and motorcycle accessories – and was traveling regularly to Taiwan to meet suppliers. Word got out that Alec was keen on boats and he was invited to the boatbuilding mecca of Kaohsiung, Taiwan where, during one exploratory visit, he was introduced to the ex-quality control manager for Ka Shing Enterprises – a young man with a fledgling shipyard named Horizon. Alec struck a deal with the young John Lu to build boats that could be imported into the U.K.

Alec went to a restaurant one evening during his visit and ran into one of the few other non-Chinese patrons – none other than the designer of Alec’s Storebro Royal Cruiser, John Lindblom. More introductions were made and Lindblom penned Alec’s first boat built by Lu.

“We imported the first boat, booked a space in the London Boat Show, and reserved the dock at Chelsea Harbour,” says Alec. “We got the boat in from Taiwan, equipped it in Southhampton, and set off for the passage from east up the English Channel en route to London. It was a gorgeous, crisp winter morning, with a bit of a chop in the sea. My son was below sleeping, I was driving the boat, said suddenly he came running up and said ‘Dad, there’s some water below!’ Sure enough, there was water rushing in from the front. We had hit a 45 gallon drum, end on, like we had been torpedoed. So, our first sail was for an insurance company,” Alec laughs. “John came over, the boat was recovered and refitted and we forged ahead.”

Business between the two continued, and Alec imported and sold several of John’s early builds. One sale happened to be to a dealer in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), who inspired Alec to spend a holiday on a charter boat in the islands.

“I had never been to that part of the world before and it was paradise,” says Alec. It was too good to miss.”

So, Alec asked John to build him a 64ft monohull and send it to Miami, and at the same time asked his girlfriend Barbara to quit her job and sail off into the sunset with him, and the couple established a charter business in the BVI aboard their new Horizon yacht, Virgin Venture.

“The boat came out, we brought it to the Bahamas and we went out on charter. We ran one as crew, then decided to build a second one, Virgin Venture Two, and put crew on the first one so we could run the second one.”

The experience, while exhilarating, was also exhausting, and Barbara and Alec soon decided that they had had their fill of the charter business and sold Virgin Venture One and Two.

“Going back and forth between Miami and the BVI took us through The Bahamas, which we thought were beautiful, so we decided it was time to discover that area of the world,” says Barbara. “To do that, we needed a boat.”

With the BVI being a catamaran haven, Alec and Barbara had come to know Richard Ford, who was selling Africat catamarans at the time. They did a deal with Richard to purchase one. “When we bought the 42 Africat, it was the only powercat that we liked on the market. It wasn’t finished to the quality we liked and indeed the quality we had enjoyed with our Horizons for many years. We wanted more of a luxury powercat, so we shopped around to different builders in America and visited yards in Maine, etc… but the plans weren’t really going anywhere.”

Then an idea struck, and Alec reached out to John Lu.

Armed with design and renderings for the ideal luxury power catamaran, Alec and Richard flew to Taiwan to meet with John and his team. “John could see the potential and the deal was done; the Powercat would be built by Horizon and marketed under the Horizon brand. That was the start of The Powercat Company.”

The very first Horizon Powercat was the Hammond’s own PC60, Blue Horizon. Their second was the PC60 Ptolemy. Ptolemy was Hull 10 of the PC60 model – which by this time was flanked by the PC52 and the PC74 models – and the Hammonds collaborated with Richard to incorporate new technology such as MAN 800hp engines to allow for efficient cruising.

In 2022, the Hammonds commissioned their next power catamaran.

Oasis was christened during an intimate ceremony at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. As Hull 26 of the PC60 model, she represents a very special build for the Hammonds, who run the boat themselves and therefor incorporated everything they might want in this latest and greatest powercat build. Equipped with MAN 800hp engines, Oasis is equipped with a Victron Lithium Phosphate battery bank which enables many hours of quiet non-generator time while at anchor – even with air-conditioning running. Large solar panels and alternators allow rapid recharging of the house bank.

Configured with a four-cabin layout, Oasis has been fitted with a dayhead on the flybridge along with a private area that could house crew if desired.

“We wanted a name that represents what the boat is to us – an oasis,” says Alec, who describes his role as the Chairman of the Board of his company as a “semi-retirement,” while his son serves as Managing Director. “It’s our winter home from which we can change our view whenever we want. She’s a sanctuary for us.”

Despite having been involved in the builds of the first three Horizon yachts and having sold the first John Lindblom and JC Espinosa-designed Horizons, Alec carries his nickname of “The Godfather of Horizon” – a moniker bestowed by John Lu – with humility.

“Yes, we were instrumental in Horizon’s story, but really by accident. If you look after people, they stay,” he says. “Horizon makes that easy.”

Ready to step into that multihull lifestyle? Contact Richard Ford today at (954) 803-8102 or email [email protected].

Why Buy A Power Catamaran?

The Horizon Powercat Difference

Monohulls have been holding the spotlight for decades; it’s about time catamarans appeared from their shadows. And for a good reason. It is easy to see why there has been an increased demand for more than one hull in recent years. The multihull market is constantly evolving with its offerings, and the popularity of power catamarans has surged within this segment.

At Horizon Power Catamarans, we fill this demand with our longstanding passion and expertise reflected in our premium-level cruising catamarans. Aside from why you should choose a catamaran from us, it is right to tell you why you should choose one regardless.

 

SHALLOW DRAFT

There are numerous benefits to cruising on a power catamaran. Firstly, where you can take them, with a much shallower draft than monohulls, you can slide into those idyllic cruising grounds of The Bahamas and Caribbean cays without worrying about your draft. You can also put your mind at ease about how far you go because power catamarans have less resistance through the water, therefore a better fuel efficiency when cruising. When it comes to efficiency at HPC, we take it one step further and use Tank Test simulation and Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) analysis to ensure the maximum efficiency of each hull.

 

INTERIOR VOLUME

The two hulls of a catamaran provide voluminous accommodation and hosting spaces, with much more usable space below the waterline than a monohull. The open-plan salons with large wraparound windows onboard all our catamarans are perfect for 360-degree panoramic views. The spacious deck space makes for ideal hosting areas for large groups, and all our models have ample space for comfortable living and cruising. Whether you want a semi-enclosed or open flybridge configuration like the PC52, larger entertainment areas our PC60 offers, or the brand new PC68 boasting multiple layouts including an open salon or on-deck master suite, we can also build fully customizable to fit your specific needs, an example being our Horizon PC74.

 

 

STABILITY

With a power cat, you get a smoother ride to your location of choice due to the reduced chance of rolling from the ocean swell. Our catamarans have regularly been voted one of the best power cats for rough seas. Sea trials have proven that power catamarans have improved maneuverability and stability. We carry out extensive sea trials to ensure that the finished product is completely ready for cruising.

For overall stability, HPC hulls undergo resistance and wave-encountering tests to maximize stability and security at sea. The materials are also inspected at each build stage to ensure high-quality control. Regarding structural integrity, HPC carries out Non-Destructive Testing (NDC). These innovative and high-quality testing methods ensure that each fully customizable HPC is built with the highest quality and attention to detail.

 

MULTI-PHASE SUPPORT

Once we have converted you to this type of cruising, we don’t leave it at that. Our founder Richard Ford oversees each build personally, of which has been 55 hulls so far and counting. From every detail of the interior layout and design, to the implementation of the latest state-of-the-art technologies and systems, to the shakedown cruise and systems training, the Horizon Power Catamaran team provides a concierge-level service that is unparalleled.

Ready to step into that multihull lifestyle? Contact Richard Ford today at (954) 803-8102 or email [email protected].

DOGS OF THE RENDEZVOUS SHOWCASE

It is our pleasure to introduce you to the first annual Dogs of the Rendezvous Showcase! They may be the furriest guests of the Horizon Power Catamaran Owners Rendezvous , but these canines take their crew roles very seriously. We stepped aboard to chat with a few to learn their stories:

MEET ANGUS

Angus is a flat-coated retriever who has been boating since he was eight weeks old. He first got his paws wet aboard a PC52 before his owners moved up to a brand new PC60, Quintessence. With nine years of boating experience, Angus says his favorite parts of the day are relaxing on the aft deck settee after his morning dockwalk and assisting with docking and em-“barking” operations.

MEET TUFFLY

Tuffly is a nine-year-old labradoodle who has spent her whole life boating. Her name derived from the words “Fluffy” and “Tough”, Tuffly might look like she’s never broken a nail on her yacht but she’s as serious a boat dog as they come. She’s been spending the last few months in The Bahamas aboard her PC60, Brokedown Palace, and her favorite pastimes include dolphin and turtle spotting. When she’s not keeping watch on the dinghy ride or in her favorite lookout position on the top deck while her powercat is underway, Tuffly is relaxing on the aft deck enjoying a pawsitively good life.

MEET LILY MUFFIN

The second canine resident aboard the PC60 Brokedown Palace, Lily Muffin has a dark and storied past that is best left at sea, she says. Nobody knows how old she is, but this Lhaso Apso decided to leave the bark side behind and joined the yacht two years ago. A bit set in her ways, Lily Muffin isn’t quite as seasoned at sea as her bunkmate Tuffly, but she does find joy in running up the steps to the flybridge and then demanding that the hoomans retrieve her and carry her back to the main deck. And when it’s time to go ashore, Lily Muffin commands the dock like it’s the Chanel catwalk in Paris.

MEET LOLA

Lola is a Mini Australian Labradoodle who took to the sea as a pup and never looked back. This eight-year-old sailor is happiest in the water, but her second favorite spot is curled up with her hoomans on the sofa in the main salon of her PC52, Passion. Lola is enthusiastic about docking and em-“barking” operations, and she patrols her yacht with the seriousness of a seasoned Captain. Lola is a real salty dog who is simply enjoying the yacht life.

MEET BIGS

Though small in stature, Bigs has a commanding presence and takes his role of Captain of the Aft Deck aboard the PC60 Mangata most ferociously. Bigs enjoys running on the beach and if his hoomans happen to cross paths with a large, monstrous and most certainly poisonous creature, Bigs will be the first on the scene to assess and defend.

AURORA THE EXPLORER

Aurora The Explorer:

The Next Cruising Chapter for a Popular PC52 With 50 years of boating experience under their belts, Marian and Robin Wade have no plans to slow down anytime soon, especially when aboard their prized Horizon PC52, Aurora.

Offering plentiful interior space and access to shallow waters, multihulled yachts are a popular vessel of choice for many Australian boaters. Marian and Robin Wade are such owners. The couple has always preferred multihulls over monohulls, and has spent decades cruising, fishing and exploring the coast of Queensland from their home port of Hervey Bay.

When it came time to purchase a new vessel, the Wades canvassed the boat shows and the pre- owned Horizon PC52 stood out among the rest. “With three cabins including a spacious master stateroom and ensures for all of our family and friends, the PC52 suited our needs perfectly,” says Marian. “She is a very high quality build and is in impeccable condition.”

The Wades opted to keep the yacht’s original name, and Aurora became part of the family. The Wades own multiple businesses, including a sawmill, cattle property, cane fields and various rental properties, but they will never turn down an opportunity to relax aboard their capable bluewater PowerCat.

“We both adore the water, and enjoy heading up the creeks and crabbing. It’s a great way to take a break from work. The stress just melts away.”

From Hervey Bay, Marian and Robin enjoy cruising close to shore and up to Fraser Island, fishing and simply soaking up the many benefits of the boating lifestyle.

Cooking on board is simple and pleasurable, according to Marian. “Nothing fancy, just barbecue the fish, boil the crabs in salt and pair it with a salad.”

And, while their cruising has been mostly local, they have acquired the expertise and confidence to handle offshore conditions.

In fact, Horizon Yacht Australia Director Mark Western joined the Wades aboard their PC52 as they traveled north to the Horizon Owners’ Luncheon in the Whitsunday Islands in 2021, and provided guidance and expertise that gave them the skills to comfortably navigate Australia’s sometimes unpredictable waters.

“We came back home on our own and it was quite choppy, but our boat is very stable and has great seakeeping ability, so we were totally at ease.”

Looking ahead, the Wades’ have plenty of exploration planned aboard Aurora. Their cruising plans consist of visiting Lady Musgrave Island off the city of Bundaberg and witnessing the turtle season, as well as the reefs and diverse marine life this unique region is blessed with.

“This year, we are also hoping to spend a month in the Whitsundays and explore the islands,” Marian says.

Now that they’ve become part of the Horizon family, the Wades say they would thoroughly enjoy the experience of overseeing the construction of their own Horizon.

“It would be great to move up to a 60 or 65 and be involved in the build process at the Horizon factory.

“We’ve built houses over the years, and we’d love to work our ideas into our own Horizon. The Horizon Yacht Australia team is so helpful; Mark, Erica, Tony, Rachael and Craig — nothing is too much trouble for them. They would be there every step of the way.”

Happy Cruising, Marian and Robin! And, yes, when you’re ready for that new PC60 or perhaps a new PC68, Horizon will indeed be there to assist through the entire process!

Ideal Isolation

Horizon PC Series Owners Make Friends and Memories While Self-Isolating in The Bahamas.

Alec and Barbara Hammond are the owners of the Horizon Power Catamaran PC60, Ptolemy. Built in 2015, Ptolemy is the second Horizon PC60 for these repeat Horizon yacht owners, who commissioned the four-stateroom yacht to suit their retirement lifestyle. When the COVID-19 pandemic began spreading across the globe and The Bahamas closed its doors to visitors in late March 2020, the Hammonds decided to hunker down aboard their 60ft power catamaran and enjoy the enhanced solitude of their favorite cruising grounds.

 

CRUISING LOG: SOLITUDE AND COMRADERIE IN STANIEL CAY
“After two months in mostly solitary isolation in the Ragged Islands in the ‘deepest corner’ of the Bahamas, we are beginning to turn towards the north and are now in the Exuma Islands,” writes Alec. “We spent a few days in our favorite anchorage at Big Farmer’s Cay where, once again, no other cruising boats were to be seen.”

 

 

 

Ptolemy then moved on to the popular Big Major’s anchorage at Staniel Cay where they were the sole vessel in the sheltered anchorage that normally hosts 25 to 30 boats at anchor during the height of the season. They wouldn’t be alone for long, however.

“We have been keeping in touch with three Horizon Power Catamarans on their 1,200-mile passage from the Virgin Islands to Fort Lauderdale,” says Alec.

Since everyone had been self-isolating on their boats for several weeks, the Hammonds decided to take the opportunity of having the beautiful Staniel Cay anchorage to themselves and host a pot luck evening. It was a sight to see, as the three Horizon PCs slipped into the anchorage and a semi-Horizon PowerCat Rendezvous between two PC60s, a PC65 and the Horizon Power Catamaran PC74 flagship, Seaglass took over the scenic destination. Sunset cocktails, a delicious potluck dinner, and flowing drinks and frivolity ensued! The trio resumed the journey the next day, “some, I’m delighted to say, were nursing raging hangovers!” says Alec.

CRUISING LOG: BAHAMIAN HOSPITALITY & THE LITTLE THINGS
“We stayed another twenty-four hours nursing our own hangovers and then slipped onto the fuel dock at Staniel Cay Yacht Club where we were welcomed by an old local friend, Brooks, who had also slipped in for fuel,” writes Alec.

But getting diesel during the limited service and supply situation created by the COVD-19 pandemic would turn out to be a bit more drama than originally anticipated. For five long hours, Ptolemy sat at the dock as the dockmaster tried to get the pump to work without success. Luckily, the pump was fixed by the next day and the dockmaster messaged the owners so Ptolemy could return to fill up with 400 gallons of fuel and head to the Staniel Cay Marina dock for the night.

“We continue to enjoy the company of sharks under the boat most of the time. When we see them in the underwater lights at night, we think of them as our guard dogs!!”

 

For so many people around the world, being unable to enjoy those small things that are so often taken for granted has become the very thing everyone misses the most. This night at the Staniel Cay Marina would be the first night Ptolemy was not on anchor somewhere for close to three months. While the marina, bar and restaurant were officially closed, the staff arranged for a lovely steak dinner to be delivered to the boat.

“Whilst most folk back home, or wherever they may be during this awful time, can get restaurants or bars to deliver or maybe go to a drive-by window for a meal, this was the first dinner not cooked on board by Barbara for more than eighty days, so it was quite something to celebrate and enjoy!”

The Bahamian spirit that so defines these amazing cruising grounds was prevalent, and Nettie Miller, who is part of the Staniel Cay Marina management, personally delivered a package of mail and medication to them. “The lovely Debbie, who sent the package from Oxford Products back in the U.K., had slipped in a couple of magazines to keep a sad old classic car nut happy,” writes Alec. “Thanks Debbie!”

The delicious steak dinner leftovers made for another satisfying lunch the following day. “Being a sensible chap,” says Alec, “I didn’t eat the fat from around the edge, instead coated it in mustard and fed it to the nagging black-headed gulls, which is always entertaining!”

CAPTAIN’S LOG: NATURE’S SPLENDID RETREAT
“So, are we stir crazy?” writes Alec from Ptolemy’s mooring at the stunning Cambridge Cay anchorage in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. “Well, not really, but we are beginning to think that we have done enough quarantining and isolating and are feeling the ‘tug’ of home, family and friends.”

Following the weather windows as they appeared, the Hammonds slowly made their way toward Fort Lauderdale, Florida via New Providence and the Berry Islands for scheduled service and maintenance, during which the Hammonds made plans to stay with friends in Maine before their return to the U.K.

“Obviously we are very mindful of COVID precautions and will do everything we can to limit exposure,” says Alec. “If the second spike that some predict becomes a serious reality, we may just turn around and disappear back into The Bahamas!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ready to step into that multihull lifestyle? Contact Richard Ford today at (954) 803-8102 or email [email protected].