In spring 2012, Horizon Yachts USA showed the CC105, a custom yacht that features long-range, independent cruising capabilities and surprising volume for a yacht with a 105-foot LOA and 26-foot beam.

Story Ryan Swift Photos Scott Pearson

Horizon Yachts is one of Taiwan’s premier builders, and certainly, its most visible. The company has enjoyed several recent successes. At a stylish open house celebrating its 25th anniversary and introducing its flagship explorer (the EP148 Polaris), the company sold several boats from its raised pilothouse, catamaran and yacht collections (a RP 120, a PC58, and an E54, E62 and E66). Horizon has quite a range with 26 models and eight series. But one of the first successes was a 105-foot long-range exploration yacht featuring the design of Greg C. Marshall, whose creations include the famed explorer yacht Big Fish. The first of his 105’s, Calixas, was launched as part of a series in 2006. While it is no longer in production, buyers can order one as part of Horizon’s newly designated Custom series. The newest CC105, on display at the 2012 Palm Beach International Boat Show, towered over the surrounding boats, attracting quite a bit of attention.

The CC105 is a full-displacement yacht featuring high freeboard that is clearly meant for some serious, independent cruising. Horizon builds its yachts to Det Norske Veritas (DNV) standards, and the company has not been shy about investing in the latest technology (at a recent press conference in Taiwan, Horizon Yachts USA’s Roger Sowerbutts said recent investments amounted to $9 million).

One thing that buyers will surely appreciate is the CC105’s amount of internal volume. This 105-footer feels much larger than it dimensions would suggest, with a layout that mimics a superyacht, albeit with smaller individual rooms. Observed from the outside, the CC105 combines the looks of traditional superyachts with that of expedition yachts. The high freeboard is there, ensuring a good bit of safety in bigger seas, but there is an unusual sleekness to this explorer’s exterior lines. The forward rake on the windscreens offers beautiful visibility for the captain, or even an owner/operator. Wing stations complement the Portuguese bridge, and the forward roof features secure walkways from the bridge down to the working bow area, past a sunpad big enough for two. It certainly goes to making the crew’s life easier, especially if a crewman is required to do double duty as look out and being at the bow when anchoring somewhere new. The round, split porthole-style windows in the forward area of the main hull are slightly jarring compared to the rest of the lines of the yacht, but the effect on the interior is hard to dismiss. All that light makes the dining area feel like a room on the sea, rather than a dark place to hide.

Going on-board and entering from the aft deck, one steps into a main salon area that is smallish, but comfortable. A C-shaped settee is paired with a low coffee table, creating a relaxed lounging spot close to the aft deck. On the starboard side, one finds a passageway that connects a series of social spaces right up to the main stateroom, which is full beam and has hatchway access to the forward bow area, in accordance with DNV requirements.

The main salon is partitioned, with the settees closed off against a full-service bar station complete with discrete crew access to the main galley area. Here, designers performed a clever trick—the port-side galley can open up to serve the salon bar area forward, or a set of sliding doors aft provides access to a secluded dining area.

The dining room is of particular interest to owners wishing to entertain business clients. In a style that recalls Japanese shoji, the dining area’s sliding doors can open up to the passageway to enhance the space, or they can be shut, creating a private chamber suitable for up to eight guests to dine and converse. It is in the dining room that the first set of large, round windows comes into play. With the blinds fully opened and doors apart, the dining room is flooded with light, while brilliant views have been created for those seated at the table. In some beautiful location, with blue seas and tranquil surroundings, it is a magical place to enjoy a fine meal. With blinds closed up during the evenings, the fine fabrics and wood paneling make this an intimate place for a gourmet meal with friends or a place to discuss a proposal.

Heading forward from the dining area, just ahead of midships, is the full-beam master cabin. The bed faces forward and is aligned slightly off-center, allowing for the placement of a sizeable vanity/desk area to starboard with a small seating area to port. The master bathroom is forward of this, and features a small step down to his-and-hers basins on either side, with a sunken bathtub providing secluded luxury at sea. The master cabin also benefits from another set of those large round windows. They can be easily be covered for privacy, or opened up to allow in light and wonderful views. If ever there were a place for a remote office, this would be it.

Throughout the main deck, cream fabrics are matched against dark walnut woods or wengé, with countertops and flourishes in colored marble. Tasteful and interesting, if slightly conservative, the décor says much about this yacht. Eschewing electronically operated sliding glass doors to the aft deck may seem rough and tumble, but also makes sense if one expects to be in a remote location for a while.

Taking the central staircase or the aft deck stairs up to the top deck, guests find a more compressed space, but one that is still very comfortable and kitted with windows that afford excellent views. This is the spot for people hoping to enjoy a bit more outdoors feel while onboard. The interior space’s smaller size has yielded a much larger covered aft deck where a small settee and round table offer a respite from inclement weather while still providing magic vistas. Another wet bar service space can be used to tend to the needs of guests both inside and on the upper aft deck. A skylight feature has also been incorporated, which makes the upper deck interior very bright indeed.

Up top, one finds all the necessities of flybridge living, including Jacuzzi, barbeque and wet bar, seating for six, and a davit for lowering tenders. The Jacuzzi has been thoughtfully positioned forward and surrounded by sunpads. But what really intrigues is the addition of an observation pod on the radar arch above the flybridge. The climb up the crow’s nest is a bit of a handful, but once on top, you are about four-and-half stories above the waterline—a great place to be and an unusual vantage point for a yacht just over 100 feet. For wildlife buffs, the photographic opportunities from here would be perfect while sitting quietly at anchor in some far-flung locale.

One of the great aspects of a yacht that first time buyers may overlook is the crew quarters. A happy crew stays on longer and does a much better job, and this makes a huge difference to the owner experience. On the CC105, this has been accounted for quite nicely. Spacious cabin spaces, large work areas below decks and aft, plus plenty of stowage space add up to good working conditions all around. The captain is also well looked after, with a good-sized cabin just aft of the wheelhouse (which accounts for the shrinkage of interior space on the upper deck).

For power, the CC105 runs on twin Caterpillar C-18s, exceeding a 3,000-nautical-mile range at nine knots. Given the large volumes and displacement characteristics, this would be a great yacht for exploration. Such options make this long-range expedition yacht a good fit for owners wishing to see and do more with their yachts. ■

Cecile Gauert contributed to this article, published in an earlier version in Asia Pacific Boating.

For more information, contact Horizon Group USA, Ph: +1 561-721-4850, or visit horizonyacht.com

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LOA: 105ft. 8in. (32.2m)
LWL: 93ft. 1in. (28.38m)
Beam (max): 25ft. 9in. (7.81m)
Draft: 7ft. 6in. (2.3m)
Construction: Fiberglass
Finish: White gelcoat paint
Engines: 2 x Caterpillar C18 Acert 600 hp @ 1,800rpm
Generators: Twin Onan 50KW
Propellers: 4-Blade S Grade ZF
Fuel capacity: 6,316 gal. (23,900L)
Freshwater capacity: 1,320 gal. (5,000L)
Speed (max/cruise): 13/10.5 knots
Range at cruise: 3,000 nm
Stabilizers: ABT with STAR
Classification: DNV, compliant with MCA LY2
Builder: Horizon’s Premier yard