Welcoming the Westport 135 Yacht Series

The morning of November 6 saw a flurry of activity at the Westport, Washington shipyard of Westport Yachts. The launch of its latest megayacht was simultaneously an end and a beginning. Specifically, it marked the end of the Westport 125 semi-custom series and the beginning of the Westport 135 yacht series.

Since its unveiling several years ago—hull number one, Black Gold, saw delivery in 2016—the 125 has received strong interest. Existing Westport customers were the inspiration for its creation, as you might expect. But, the reason wasn’t simply to add another model, or even replace one. For many years, the builder offered the Westport 130 as the next step up from the Westport 112. Although multiple owners of 112s liked the overall design and layout of the 130, they hesitated buying her. Daryl Wakefield, president of Westport, shared at the time,” some clients are just not yet ready to jump to a trideck.” The Westport 125 yacht configuration solved the problem, a raised-pilothouse design nearly the same LOA as the 130.

Westport 135 yacht (ex-Westport 125 hull 9, last one)

So, why replace a still relatively new series? The Westport 135 yacht accommodates the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) fuel-treatment system dictated by international emissions regulations. The extra length affords more room for the large tanks that hold the fuel additive, which otherwise would have crowded the engine room and possibly taken floorspace from guest areas. But, the new megayacht model retains a shallow-water-friendly draft, since many Westport clients like cruising the Bahamas. Additionally, she offers buyers something that the 125 introduced, and that neither the 130 nor the 112 had, that being a beach club (bottom).

The shipyard isn’t revealing details about the interior design for the new launch. Regardless, the semi-custom megayacht accommodates an owners’ party of 10, including in a main-deck master suite. Five crewmembers and a captain stay aboard as well. Notably, the standard wood from Westport for the crew area is anigre.

Westport 135 yacht (ex Westport 125 hull 9)

Sea trials and final outfitting are taking place soon. Delivery will follow within the next several weeks as well, allowing the owners to take the yacht to warm waters for an inaugural cruising season.

Westport Yachts westportyachts.com