If upon seeing the first FD85 on American shores, you think to yourself, “This looks nothing like a typical Horizon,” that’s part of the point. Far more contemporary in styling, she especially features far more glass to create a commodious sensation inside. Along those same lines, the FD85 is far more voluminous, too, than other megayachts her size. Better yet, though, she’s a better performer, with a hull made for efficient cruising at both low and high speeds.
The decidedly modern profile comes from the drawing boards of Cor D Rover Design, representing a first-time collaboration. The modern look matches well with a modern approach to performance. The FD85 has what Horizon calls its High Performance Piercing Bow (HPPB), from its own naval-architecture team. In brief, traditional bow configurations concentrate on improving performance at either slow or fast speeds. By contrast, the HPPB addresses the full speed range. The shipyard says initial tank tests and computer modeling proved it worked. Whether you select the twin MAN or Caterpillar propulsion, you should see a 17-knot top end and 1,770-nautical-mile range at 10 knots under half load.
What also works is the above-mentioned sensation of space. The FD85 is indeed beamy, spanning 23’3” (about 7.07 meters). Between that and the large ports, the feeling is particularly strong in the on-deck master. Yes, you read that correctly: an 85-footer with a main-deck owner’s suite. The depth of the glass (see top, too) allows you to lie in bed and take in the views to either side. A skylight overhead brightens the room even more. Since every Horizon is semi-custom, dramatic differences can—and do—occur here and elsewhere aboard. The buyer of the FD85 hull number one, for example, requested dark, rich woods and three skylights running athwartships in his master suite.
The glass effect benefits all in the saloon and dining area. It’s nearly floor to ceiling. The larger size of the relaxation spaces is particularly noticeable here. Horizon says the FD85’s plumb bow lends 25 percent more usable space than typically flared bows. (On a related subject, the LOA of the FD85 is 85’5”, or 26.07 meters.)
Look closely at the starboard-side glass, and you’ll see it’s actually a sliding door. Designer Rover decided to maximize the indoor-outdoor living concept wherever possible. For the same reason, the main aft deck does not have fixed dining, a typical feature of Horizon motoryachts and indeed other motoryachts. Instead, it serves as a lounge, complete with icemaker, refrigerator, and sink, on this particular yacht, which is hull number three of the series. If you prefer loose furnishings for dining, you can surely opt for that—starting with hull number nine, since Horizon is sold out through that number.
Mirror-image VIPs, along with another VIP and a twin stateroom, round out the guest accommodations. Even with a total of five staterooms, the Horizon FD85 still includes crew’s quarters fully aft for two. Again, the hull configuration makes it all possible.
Plenty of builders create models for overseas markets, but not all will go the extra mile in terms of the decor of the so-called stock boat. They’d rather play it safe. Not Horizon. Its in-house design team came up with this decorative lighting design in the anigre-paneled stairway leading to the guest staterooms. In addition, look back at the saloon photo above, and take note of the herringbone-patterned walnut sole.
Even with a raised pilothouse, the FD85 still features a full flying bridge. The deck has the amenities you’d expect, like a bar with a television, a grill, dining, sunning, and space for a tender. Opt for a hot tub aft, too, if you so wish. That grill, by the way, cranks up from a covered stowage spot when needed. Why? Salt air is murder on equipment like this, so Horizon created protection to make it last as long as possible.
With features like a day head just inside the aft-deck doors, the Horizon FD85 is a well-thought-out entertainer and family-friendly yacht. Furthermore, she packs quite a lot into her seemingly small size, proving that LOA is not a limiting factor. Add in crew-conscious features like a “doghouse” technical crawlspace tucked aft of the master, and a strong emphasis on efficient performance, and the FD85 shows why so many hulls sold thus far.
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