Moonen Shipyards has signed a letter of intent to build a 77-footer (23.4-meter) styled by Nick Mezas Yacht Design, a year after presenting that same design to attract first-time yacht buyers.
In summer 2012, Moonen unveiled new yacht and megayacht designs, all of which were smaller than its 84 Alu Series, and which included the Mezas project pictured. Emile Bilterijst, Moonen’s managing director, explained the reasoning this way: “We have had several enquiries from entry level owners, and it is vital that we do not price ourselves out of this area.”
Termed the Moonen 24M Mallorca (with 24M representing the LOA in meters), the plumb-bow project still needs to go to contract and be finalized in terms of exact specifications. However, the Moonen 24M Mallorca is intended to employ a fast-displacement, round-bilge hull form and will be built entirely in aluminum. Power will come from twin Volvo Penta IPS 1200s, pod propulsion putting out 900 hp apiece. The initial estimate for top speed at half load is 20 knots, with cruise speed around 16 knots. Best range is expected to come at 10 knots: 1,000 nautical miles. A shallow draft close to five feet (1.55 meters) will permit the Moonen 24M Mallorca to access a variety of skinny-water anchorages, too.
The four-stateroom arrangement below decks, with two twins and a VIP for guests, plus an open floorplan on the main deck make the Moonen 24M Mallorca equally attractive to families and couples that like to cruise with friends. A sundeck helm station complements the main wheelhouse, and a hardtop is both sporty and practical. Note, too, the double-O ports along the hull side, representing the distinctive logo of Moonen Shipyards.
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