Pre-Loved - Five Star

Out of the multi-award-winning Horizon yard in Taiwan, Moonraker

is a Horizon E73 Skylounge in as-new condition. And when I say “as new” I mean it literally. The vessel was purchased new as a former demonstrator in November last year and to date has only fractionally more than 50 hours logged — most of which no doubt, when it was still being displayed.

E73 SKYLOUNGE
Horizon describes the E73 Skylounge (E stands for elegance) as the marque’s most striking vessel, and the company’s most the popular model in Australia. The company goes on to say, “The Horizon E73’s generous beam ensures spacious comfort throughout, making the E73 the perfect choice for comfortable coastal cruising and exploring exotic offshore destinations.” Certainly it’s marketing speak, but I have been onboard and can ensure you the company has understated the truth when it suggests the E73 offers “comfortable coastal cruising”.

This is a vessel coming out of a yard that since 2006 has won awards like Best Asian Superyacht Builder or Best Asian Motor Yacht Builder no less than eight times. In fact in 2010, when Moonraker was launched, the company won Best Asian Motor Yacht Builder (51-80 feet). See the significance? At 73 feet Moonraker may well have been that boat. I am clearly not the only one who thinks “comfortable” does not do it justice.

With four commodious cabins — a king-sized stateroom, a queen-sized VIP cabin plus two more featuring twin king-singles; one located in the forward accommodation area and one located privately to aft that can double as a crew cabin — no guest of yours will find their slumber compromised. Naturally all these sleeping chambers are serviced by en suites.

CHEF’S PARLOUR
Foodies will be delighted to discover the potential offered by the E73’s kitchen. Spacious in the extreme, this chef’s parlour is impressively appointed with Miele appliances, including the oven and the stove, a full-sized domestic stainless steel French-door fridge, dual stainless steel sinks, and all the other amenities one would expect to find at home.

If this seems like overkill for a boat think again, it’s a galley designed to cater to a host of amateur food critics in three separate dining areas. Still if the cook feels a bit stretched there is always the outdoor barbecue area in which to call in backup.

And once all the hard work is done the Moonraker
is perfectly appointed to kick back and relax in perfect luxury. An indulgent lounge is the ultimate retreat with Foxtel on tap via the Bose home theatre system and a selection of perfectly conditioned wines only an arms-length away. The stresses of delivering as ‘the host with the most’ will be a distant memory in moments.

ALL AT SEA
Of course Moonraker is about much more than entertaining. This Horizon E73 is at least at home at sea as it is in the bay. The extensively optioned bridge, with its touchscreen Raymarine electronic navigation system,
Satellite communication system, CCTV and even an underwater camera, ensure all the necessary data is on hand as needed. With twin Caterpillar C32 diesels, each outputting 1550hp, and an extended 7000lt of fuel in the tank few destinations are out of reach.

This 50-tonne motoryacht will happily and economically cruise the coast all day long at 8kts, yet if needed, at your command she’ll leap up and lope off at 20 to 27kts and eat up the miles. With easy docking in mind a wireless Yacht Director allows the skipper to direct the vessel from the best possible vantage point, while calling on the hydraulic bow and stern thrusters at the flick of a joystick as required.

A package like Moonraker presents a rare opportunity to acquire one of Oceania’s finest cruising motoryachts in showroom condition, and at a pre-loved price. There is far too much detail to cover in these two pages, I haven’t even touched on the extensive outdoor lifestyle options — enormous swimstep, high-speed jet tender and the like — so a personalised inspection is a must to get a true taste of the quality on offer.

Again, to quote the company: “It’s debateable if this large cruiser can be classified as a Super Yacht, but it certainly has all the features found in such a class. There is no going without…”

Grant Torrens International Marine says: “We are proud to offer Moonraker to the market as central agents. This 2010 Horizon E73 Skylounge Motor Yacht is by far the best Horizon we’ve seen. Optioned with an extensive inventory and transferrable warranties, this vessel is must-see for any new boat buyer. We handle shipping anywhere in the world and can provide quotes almost immediately if required.”

The boat is located on the Gold Coast. For more information, contact Grant Torrens International Marine — phone (07) 5577 2299 or email: sales@granttorrensmarine.com.au

(QuickSpecs)
HORIZON E73 SKYLOUNGE MOTOR YACHT
MOONRAKER

YEAR BUILT: 2010
MATERIAL: GRP
TYPE: Monohull
LENGTH OVERALL: 22.25m
BEAM: 5.8m
DRAFT: 1.73m
WEIGHT: Approx 50 tonnes
ENGINE: 2 x 1550hp Caterpillar C32 turbo-diesel
FUEL: 7000lt
WATER: 1500lt

From Trade-a-Boat Issue 429, July-Aug 2012. Story by Jeff Strang. Photos by Murray Rix; Supplied.