If you look at series-built motoryachts in the 90- to 100-foot (27.4- to 30.5-meter) size range, you’ll find a number of offerings. What you won’t find, though, is a lot of variation. Sure, customers can choose interior woods and other soft goods. Some builders even let customers move non-structural bulkheads. But the general arrangements are largely the same. While being mindful of tradition, Hatteras Yachts took a few different approaches with the newest model in its Motor Yachts series, the M90 Panacera. She boasts some pleasant surprises for you and your guests as well as your captain and crew.
One of the arguments used to explain why yachts are similar is lack of room. With an LOA of 91’9” (27.95 meters), the Hatteras M90 Panacera obviously can only do so much. Or so you think. The in-house naval architects didn’t go out, they went up, literally. They created an atrium topped with three significant skylights (top and above). It’s a signature design feature that premiered on the M75 Panacera, but far grander here. In fact, the headroom is akin to an adult standing on the shoulders of another adult. In combination with the long ports forward and to each side, the light, bright atmosphere guarantees guests will look forward to casual meals here.
You can appreciate the atrium skylight design even outside. Hatteras noted the trend toward larger ports in as many places as possible. Speaking of which, the two stacked ports below decks denote the master suite. It spans the full beam (22’6”, or 6.86 meters).
Yet another trend Hatteras brought onboard the M90 Panacera: a fold-down balcony. Situated to port off the saloon, it’s actually an optional feature. However, Hatteras decided to incorporate it on hull number one, built on spec and premiering at this month’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. It’s surprising to see a builder embrace an option for a stock yacht. It’s equally surprising to see a balcony on a megayacht measuring this length. Since it’s such a pleasant surprise, we fully expect several buyers of the M90 Panacera to request it. There’s a lot of talk these days about bringing the outside in. Though it’s used to the point of sounding cliché, it rings true in this yacht’s case.
As much as megayachts are made for owner and guest comfort, crew need to be happy, too. Hatteras was more than mindful of this in creating the proprietary HattCON. In brief, it integrates navigation control, systems monitoring, all onboard lighting, climate control, and a host of other functions into four dash displays. Three are upright touchscreens, while an in-dash monitor with traditional controls comes in handy in sloppy seas. It’s the type of seamless integration expected of far larger megayachts. It also has a safety lock, a fingerprint reader with a backup digital passcode, to prevent yacht theft. In addition, HattCON puts a 10-inch display in the crew’s quarters and one in the galley. Furthermore, auto-dimming touchscreens for lighting and climate control mount in each stateroom. So, too, do iPads offer fingertip control over music and movies.
The next time someone argues there’s nothing truly new in the yachting market, point him or her toward the Hatteras M90 Panacera. She doesn’t reinvent the wheel. But she doesn’t have to, either.
Take a look around more of the yacht. Click the images for larger views.
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