For a start, you don’t have to climb a step to pour yourself into the king bed. The floor is flush so there’s maximum headroom as you walk around the bed. The finishes, from the wall lamps to the draw interiors, are all of the highest quality, and combine to create a sumptuous haven. There’s also the chaise lounge adjacent to the portlight, reminiscent of liner cabins, and an age when sea travel connected the continents. Should you desire it, there is TV and interface capability with the boat’s entertainment hub.
The ensuite’s appointments – with Corian countertops and splashbacks, china sinks, wooden finishes, clear toughened glass and non-slip FRP floor in the shower – are not only stylish but practical for use at anchor or underway.
The VIP stateroom in the bow has a similarly luxurious standard of finish. Its queen island berth, like the bed in the owner’s stateroom, lifts up on hydraulic rams, allowing the storage of those bulky ubiquitous wheeled bags.
There is a big hanging locker to starboard, and a circular hatch for ventilation and light.
The third or guest stateroom to starboard has been redesigned from the E56 to fit two single beds side by side instead of bunks. It’s still quiet and private like the larger staterooms, and again has generous locker and drawer storage.
The VIP stateroom has direct access to the second bathroom, which has a teak grate shower floor, Corian countertops and recessed lockers with chrome rails to prevent the contents being dislodged.
These days, engine rooms are on designers’ hit lists as they try to squeeze extra space into the staterooms. Horizon manages to deliver both spacious accommodation, and a fully-fledged, serviceable engine space.
The non-slip aluminium grating lets you walk right between the big Cat engines taking you to the main switching panel. There is full headroom and access around the Cats. All wiring is colour-coded for easy identification. The Onan 17.5kW generator has a sound shield, plus there is sound and heat insulation in the engine room’s bulkheads and ceilings.
The twin cats develop 715hp each, pushing the XO’s 23 tonnes along at 10 knots at 1080rpm, consuming a very respectable 20 litres per engine per hour.
At the designated cruising speed of 20 knots registering 2000 rpm, fuel consumption was 79 litres per engine per hour, giving a cruising range of 400 nautical miles.
The best speed we saw during the test was 26.5 knots, which seemed slower given the XO’s armchair ride.
Really, this boat combines the best of two design dynamics. Horizon is the market production leader in producing effective custom models to individual owners’ exacting requirements. And the XO, specially engineered to capitalise on Australia’s open-air, adventurous lifestyle, can do it all with Horizon’s enviable engineering and construction pedigree.
www.hmya.com.au
