05 August 2020
Vanquish Yachts are currently building a new 24-metre powerboat, called the VQ80 Sportfish. The yacht is expected to serve as the chase boat for Project SkyFall, a 60-metre superyacht currently under construction.
designed to be fast, she combines sportfish functionality with the Vanquish brand’s typical design elements.
The project is a result of many months of R&D cooperation and direct contacts between Vanquish Yachts’ founder Tom Steentjes, the owner’s team, exterior and interior designer Guido de Groot and the naval architects at Studio Delta.
The hybrid elements of a luxury sportfish superyacht and a VQ powerboat will introduce high-tech sophistication into to the build, and will be equipped with every conceivable facility and layout option for the avid angler owner.
Power for this boat will be provided by a C32 marine engine, set to offer 4800 horsepower in total. The brand-new Caterpillars will in turn feed two surface drives that will drive the VQ80 at 51 knots in light load conditions.
With a range at 48–50 knots of 330 nautical miles, the best off-the-beaten-track fishing grounds come into play and no school of fish will be safe.
The deployment of Petestep’s hull technology will increase efficiency by over 15 percent in high speeds, allowing for an impressive top speed and operating range. The suspension effect of the Petestep deflectors will improved the VQ80’s performance and ride comfort.
When it comes time to cast lines, the boat will be kitted out with the very latest Garmin gear including fishfinders and chart plotters. Once the reel battle has been won, hydraulic doors open both port and starboard to safely haul the fish into the hold. A great deal of consideration has been given to storage for the catch as well as the widest range of fishing equipment and rods.
“It was a unique challenge to design a chase-standard boat with the best possible fishing cockpit and we were given carte blanche as long as key VQ elements such as the reverse bow were retained,” explains de Groot,
He continues, “The client has set out to create a very special sportfish that resembles nothing else on the water today.”
“We had to play a lot with the proportions in order to get the height right, especially with the tuna tower on top, part of which has been integrated into the superstructure,” he said.
The same applies to the spacious stern fishing cockpit, the upper line of which flows over the hull and blends with the engine room and cabin windows to generate a unified design signature as well as a true sense of swiftness.”
The interior will continue the cool exterior aesthetic with carbon-fibre finishing, lots of play with light features, dark faucets and an absence of wood finishes. The large saloon has an additional outside sitting area to relax or watch the angling action.
Good-sized refrigerators, large televisions, DJ panels and a wide selection of other entertainment facilities will provide a top-drawer after-fishing vibe.
Storage space has been subject to careful scrutiny in the luxury areas too in order to make life easy for owners and guests during extended stays. Overnight expeditions will be a pleasure thanks to the forward owner’s suite and two double guest cabins. Last but not least, a Seakeeper 26 will ensure maximum comfort at anchor.
The VQ80 SportsFish is due for delivery in spring 2023.