Horizon Polaris Brief

Horizon Polaris Luxury Yacht Charter & Superyacht News

2013 Taiwan ‘Yacht of the Year’ and 21st ‘Taiwan Excellence’ Awards for Horizon Yachts

April 09, 2013

Horizon is delighted to announce they have been honored with two awards for new models this year: the 2013 Taiwan ‘Yacht of the Year’ for the EP148 motor yacht Horizon Polaris as well as the ‘Taiwan Excellence’ award for the RP110 yacht.

Horizon EP148 Yacht Horizon Polaris

Horizon EP148 Yacht Horizon Polaris

“We are extremely honored to receive these two awards,” said Horizon CEO John Lu. “It is a testament to our strength as a yacht builder, and we will continue to improve upon our technology, build processes and quality within our luxury yacht collection.”

The Taiwan “Yacht of the Year” Award, given by the Taiwan Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) since 1952, is presented each year to the most innovative yacht built in Taiwan.

Horizon RP110 Yacht

Horizon RP110 Yacht

Organized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Taiwan, the “Taiwan Excellence” Award is presented to Taiwanese products that exhibit the best of R&D, design, quality and marketing.

In 2011 and 2012, the Horizon P130 (example is motor yacht Angara) won both “Yacht of the Year” and “Taiwan Excellence” awards, a great honor for Horizon and the P series.

Below is a selection of the magnificent charter yachts built by Horizon.

Newly launched first 115-foot Expedition Yacht TANGO 5 by Horizon

March 29, 2013

After the last year’s premiere of the Horizon EP148 luxury yacht Polaris, Horizon’s flagship and largest explorer constructed to date, Horizon has recently launched the second-largest model in the EP series: the 115-foot expedition yacht Tango 5. Built for a first-time Horizon owner in Singapore, superyacht Tango 5 represents the largest luxury vessel Horizon has sold in the Singapore yacht market and is customized not only to suit her owner’s avid fishing as well as diving lifestyle, but also to meet the requests of the true ocean adventurer.

Newly launched Horizon EP115 expedition yacht Tango 5

Newly launched Horizon EP115 expedition yacht Tango 5

There’s no such thing as the perfect boat, every yacht and every buyers are unique, therefore Horizon believes in customizing each yacht and the Tango 5 yacht is one of those yachts truly build to owner’s dream in every single aspect. With a 7 feet extended spacious cockpit and commercial dive compressor to complete owner’s diving enthusiasm. The large spacious cockpit contain a large build in live bait well and protected by a sliding bimini for fishing manic. If opening the door to swim platform and the sea is only few steps away.

Tango 5 Yacht - side view

Tango 5 Yacht - side view

Luxury yacht Tango 5 is built to BV classification, which requires compliance with stringent construction standards and involves a multitude of classification surveys to ensure an extremely safe and high degree of seaworthiness. She also features a steel hull that renders her ideal for worldwide cruising, even in remote locations, and incorporates an array of global travel-approved equipment such as ABT bow/stern thrusters; ABT zero speed stabilizers; two 50KW generators; watermaker; custom Furuno navigation package; forward davit; tender.

EP115 superyacht Tango 5 - aft view

EP115 superyacht Tango 5 - aft view

With her twin MAN D2842 engines, the Horizon EP115 superyacht Tango 5 cruises at 10 knots and reaches a max speed of 13 knots, and her range is over 3,000 nautical miles at cruise, thanks to her bulbous bow and efficient hull design.

Yet there’s more to the 115-foot expedition yacht Tango 5 than her tough exterior and mechanics – Tango 5, like all models within the Horizon EP series, offers comfort, luxury and a slew of amenities on board. Built on a 25’beam, Tango 5 provides incredible interior volume and supports a spacious five stateroom layout, large crew quarters, and extensive entertaining and relaxing areas throughout the yacht.

Aboard EP115 Yacht Tango 5

EP115 Yacht Tango 5 - Exterior

Tango 5 yacht’s owner has hired a professional interior designer who also design the Aman group hotel to work together with Horizon interior design team who always ready to listen to the needs of Horizon clients. Tango 5 main deck opens with an expansive salon that incorporates centrally-located sofas, a coffee table and a table and chairs, each of which are within an ideal viewing position for taking in the scenery or a movie on the hi/lo TV. If a movie is the activity of choice, the custom audio system will not disappoint – it delivers cinema-quality sound and can be controlled from an iPad or iPhone in the salon as well as in the skylounge dining and master stateroom.

Horizon EP115 Yacht Tango 5 - Wheelhouse

Horizon EP115 Yacht Tango 5 - Wheelhouse

Moving forward and to port, the fully-equipped galley includes a private stairwell down to crew quarters along with a dumb waiter for easily transferring items to or from the skylounge pantry, and a cleverly-located day head is to starboard.

The master stateroom is found on the main deck of superyacht Tango 5 and features a master office, copious storage spaces, King bed, and an en-suite master bath complete with his & hers sinks, water closet, rain shower and Jacuzzi tub.

Tango 5 Yacht - Galley

Tango 5 Yacht - Galley

Located below deck are four guest staterooms and crew quarters, dedicating the mid-ship and forward area solely to accommodations. Mirrored Queen VIP staterooms are aft mid-ship, with dual hanging lockers, fold-down TVs and en-suite heads; forward of these are port and starboard twin guest staterooms that can be converted to Queens – the starboard stateroom includes a custom Pullman berth for more flexible sleeping arrangements – and offer hanging lockers, en-suite heads and TVs.

Superyacht Tango 5 - Dining

Superyacht Tango 5 - Dining

The crew quarters are completely forward and private from the guest staterooms – to port is the crew lounge with a dinette and appliances, a second twin bunk crew cabin with en-suite head, and a crew head. Across from the lounge to starboard is a twin bunk crew cabin, captain’s cabin with desk and en-suite head, and a third twin bunk crew cabin.

Moving up to the skylounge, this is an area that has been customized for formal dining but has also been thoughtfully designed to function as a salon with a built-in sofa, swivel TV and dayhead. A pantry on the port side has been equipped with all the appliances necessary to make it a secondary staging and serving area, and the inclusion of the dumb waiter allows food and dishes to be moved between the galley and pantry without disturbing guests. The enclosed pilothouse is forward on this deck, complete with a sofa, chart area, leaning post and two helm chairs for navigating.

Luxury yacht Tango 5 - Salon

Luxury yacht Tango 5 - Salon

Functionality is not lost as moving from interior to exterior areas – the flybridge provides an area perfect for entertaining with a bar, BBQ, icemaker and refrigerator, and guests can lounge on the sunpads or relax at the end of the day in the hot tub. The Tango 5 yacht’s aft bridge deck is another space that can be enjoyed while cruising or at the dock, and guests can convene together for meals or a night of cocktails at the large dinette on the aft deck.

One of the many custom features found on board the expedition yacht Tango 5 is the addition of a cockpit, which the new owner plans to use for fishing and diving while he explores the waters of Asia with his family and friends.

Tango 5 Yacht - Stateroom

Tango 5 Yacht - Stateroom

Luxury yacht Tango 5 was launched and sea trialed in January of this year and spent two months undergoing extensive testing and BV class surveys before delivering to her new owner in March. She will make her world debut in April at the 2013 Boat Asia Show in Singapore, where her outstanding build quality, long-range capability and impressive features are expected to draw much attention throughout the show.

Below is a gallery for the stylish charter yachts built by Horizon.

New 115-foot Horizon Expedition Yacht EP115 Sold

October 08, 2012

Currently in build, the Horizon Group is delighted to announce that its new 115-foot expedition yacht EP115 has been recently sold to an owner in Singapore. The 115-foot Horizon long-range explorer yacht EP115 is due to be delivered to the new owner in March 2013. She will become the largest luxury vessel Horizon has delivered on the Singapore yacht market.

The new Horizon motor yacht EP115

The new Horizon motor yacht EP115

The solid yet stylish 115-foot Horizon expedition yacht EP115 is the newest addition to the Horizon EP series and has a full-displacement steel hull with a bulbous bow and fiberglass superstructure – while she is the second Horizon yacht built with a steel hull (the Horizon EP148 motor yacht Horizon Polaris was the first), she is the first one with a composite superstructure.

To ensure the safety and stability of the vessel, the new 115-foot Horizon expedition yacht EP115 is built and certified to BV (Bureau Veritas) Classification Society Rules (yacht and steel ship rule) and features double rudders and ABT thrusters for easy maneuvering. In addition, the new 115-footer is powered with twin MAN 2842 LE410 engines and at 10 knots has a range in excess of 3000 nautical miles.

Horizon EP115 superyacht - rear view

Horizon EP115 superyacht - rear view

The Horizon design team worked closely with the new owner to customize some certain areas and aspects of the yacht, ensuring that the new 115-footer Horizon luxury yacht EP115 will be perfectly suited to the owner’s requirements – features include a custom interior décor, extended cockpit for fishing, customized dive area with a commercial dive compressor and modified bow area to store a 19-foot dive tender and 14-foot rescue boat.

The new 115-foot Horizon explorer EP115 is the first long-range expedition yacht Horizon has built and delivered in her size range, and she will make her world debut at the 2013 Boat Asia Show.

Below is a gallery for the outstanding charter yachts constructed by Horizon.

The new virtual tours for Horizon 105 superyacht and the E88 yacht Arabella II

October 03, 2012

In order to provide an enhanced online experience of its luxury yacht collection, the respected Taiwan-based builder, Horizon Group, has developed the virtual yacht tours. Recently presented are the tours for the Horizon P105 superyacht as well as the E88 motor yacht Arabella II. Both of these mix up with existing virtual tours for the EP148 luxury yacht Horizon Polaris, the RP120 superyacht Muses, the RP97 Summer Wind, the E84 Virginia, EP77 and the E56 Evolution to provide an in-depth look at some of Horizon’s current models.

Virtual tour for Horizon P105 superyacht

Virtual tour for Horizon P105 superyacht

The virtual tours are available on the Horizon website; when visiting the Model Series page, it is advised to choose the series and the specific yacht one wants to view, then click on the virtual tour button at the top of the page to begin the tour.

These new virtual tours provide a full screen that allows to view the yacht as if one was on board. It is also possible to move through different areas of the yacht by clicking on the red circles either in the virtual tour or on the layout of boat provided on the right-hand side of the screen.

Virtual tour for the E88 motor yacht Arabella II

Virtual tour for the E88 motor yacht Arabella II

The Horizon Group invites everybody to experience its new virtual tours.

Below is a gallery for the splendid charter yachts constructed by Horizon.

Chairman of Mainland China’s National Tourism Administration hosted by Horizon EP148 superyacht Horizon Polaris

August 15, 2012

On August 9th, the Taiwan-based builder Horizon was delighted to welcome Mr. Shao Qiqei, chairman of Mainland China’s National Tourism Administration, together with 60 other guests from the mainland provinces’ Tourism Bureau’s as well as the media on board the Horizon EP148 motor yacht Horizon Polaris. The chairman and guests were personally received by Horizon Group CEO Mr. John Lu, presenting their flagship. Horizon Polaris superyacht is Asia’s largest Ice-classed private luxury vessel.

Horizon EP148 luxury yacht Horizon Polaris

Horizon EP148 luxury yacht Horizon Polaris

During his visit, Chairman Qiwei acknowledged Taiwan–built yachts as world-renowned and noted his delight in finally experiencing first-hand the Taiwanyacht industry. Chairman Qiwei also commended the progress of Taiwan’s yacht building industry and expressed his appreciation of the Horizon EP148 luxury yacht Horizon Polaris’ high level of quality, impressive craftsmanship and advanced technology.

Chairman of Mainland China’s National Tourism Administration aboard Horizon Polaris superyacht

Chairman of Mainland China’s National Tourism Administration aboard Horizon Polaris superyacht

China’s yacht market is currently being developed, but the market needs more support,” said Horizon Group CEO Mr. Lu during talks with Chairman Qiwei. “Clients buying luxury yachts should be encouraged to enjoy this new lifestyle.”  Mr. Lu also noted that increased Chinese tourism can encourage policies to become more ‘yachting friendly’ and help move the Chinese yacht market forward. “I hope that by promoting cross-strait tourism, we can pave the way for a Chinese yacht market where Taiwan-built yachts are in high demand,” added Mr. Lu.

Two day seatrial successfully completed by Horizon EP148 luxury yacht HORIZON POLARIS

August 10, 2012

Boasting all the comforts and styling of a luxury vessel, the Horizon EP148 motor yacht Horizon Polaris also features long-range cruising capabilities as well as extraordinary performance and reliability. Launched earlier this summer, Horizon Polaris superyacht has successfully completed five sea trials. This Horizon flagship is specially created for worldwide exploration.

Horizon EP148 motor yacht Horizon Polaris
Among these sea trials was a journey to Pong Hu, an island off of Taiwan, with an extended 2-day cruise crucial to examining the EP148 Horizon Polaris superyacht’s durability and operational performance.

Throughout the EP148 luxury yacht Horizon Polaris sea trial, professional QC engineers from all departments conducted rigorous and extensive testing on all mechanical systems – including stability tests, speed tests, vibration tests, zero stabilizer tests, turning radius tests, steering tests – as well as tested all facilities and equipment on board for successful operation.

Horizon Polaris superayacht - Wheelhouse
The EP148 Horizon Polaris superyacht’s performance was outstanding during her sea trial with a maximum speed of 16 knots, and she offered a cruising range of 3000 nautical miles at 10 knots.

The Horizon EP148 motor yacht Horizon Polaris brings an entirely new level of meaning to superyacht and raises the bar for comfort, quality and safety when exploring destinations around the globe.

Successful Horizon EP148 superyacht HORIZON POLARIS

August 03, 2012

It has been a great success for the new Horizon EP148 motor yacht Horizon Polaris since her debut at the 2012 Horizon Open House in June, where members of the media, VIP guests as well as Horizon owners were able to enjoy the Horizon Polaris superyacht by Horizon Yachts for the first time.

Horizon EP148 motor yacht Horizon Polaris

Horizon EP148 motor yacht Horizon Polaris

The EP148 luxury yacht Horizon Polaris was originally slated to be displayed at the 2012 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in October; however, due to an increase in recent sales activity with European and Asian clients, Horizon decided to keep her at the shipyard to further explore the recent interest as well as allow clients to sea trial her in Taiwan, if required.

Superyacht Horizon Polaris

Superyacht Horizon Polaris

Horizon luxury motor yacht Horizon Polaris

Horizon luxury motor yacht Horizon Polaris

Luxury yacht Horizon Polaris by Horizon Yachts

Luxury yacht Horizon Polaris by Horizon Yachts

Horizon EP148 superyacht Horizon Polaris running

Horizon EP148 superyacht Horizon Polaris running

Horizon Polaris superyacht by night

Horizon Polaris superyacht by night

Horizon Yachts Open House a Great Success

July 06, 2012

Running from June 26 to 29, the Horizon Yachts Open House saw the respected luxury yacht builder Horizon Group sell four new build Horizon yachts. This successful event was held at the shipyard in Kaohsiung Taiwan, with hopefully more sales to follow.

Horizon Yachts Open House a Huge Success

Horizon Yachts Open House a Huge Success

The event was held to celebrate 25 years of luxury yacht manufacturing and the launch of the new EP148 superyacht “Horizon Polaris” – the largest Asian build Ice Class private yacht to date.

Horizon EP148 explorer yacht HORIZON POLARIS

Horizon EP148 explorer yacht HORIZON POLARIS

The week started with welcome dinners for owners, guests, media and Horizon Partners and was followed up with daily sightseeing and factory tours culminating in the Open House event on Thursday evening attended by over 500 people and where 9 new Horizon yachts valuing over $74M USD were on display.

Beautiful Horizon yachts on display during the event

Beautiful Horizon yachts on display during the event

The common theme of comments from those who attended the factory tours at Horizon was “we never realized the size of Horizon Yachts facilities and the technology being used”, one client commented that “it is unbelievable to see this level of growth and depth of commitment of a yacht manufacturer in today’s market.”

Horizon yachts by night

Horizon yachts by night

The evening events were spectacular with live bands, modern and traditional dancing and light shows highlighting the new Horizon Yachts on display. The weather cooperated in every way with warm temperatures, a slight breeze and no rain, after the previous two weeks of rain this was a very welcome turn of events, as John Lu the Horizon CEO stated “we must be doing something right”…

Horizon Yachts Open House event by night

Horizon Yachts Open House event by night

The new Horizon EP148 Ice class explorer yacht Horizon Polaris held center stage and was surrounded by the E54, E84 (an example can be superyacht VIRGINIA), E88, CC80, PC58, P110 yacht and the RP120 (an example is motor yacht MUSES), each showcasing Horizon’s quality, flexibility and commitment to defining the details in yacht building.

Horizon EP148 motor yacht HORIZON POLARIS successfully launched

April 27, 2012

The renowned Taiwan-based builder, Horizon Yachts, is proud to announce that they have recently launched and successfully sea tried the new EP148 motor yacht HORIZON POLARIS. Designed by the collaborative efforts of the Horizon R&D team, USA designer J.C. Espinosa, as well as interior design consultant Birgit Schnaase of Germany, the HORIZON POLARIS is the largest flagship constructed by Horizon and Asia´s largest BV Ice classed private yacht.

Horizon EP148 luxury motor yacht HORIZON POLARIS

Horizon EP148 luxury motor yacht HORIZON POLARIS

Measuring 148 feet in length, the luxury yacht HORIZON POLARIS is built for any cruising destination with a steel hull, aluminum superstructure and bulbous bow.

“The EP148 HORIZON POLARIS is a superyacht milestone for Horizon and one that we are extremely proud of,” said Horizon CEO John Lu.  “She is a no-compromise, ocean-going expedition yacht that embodies Horizon’s growth and success over the last 25 years.”

Long-range luxury and style is the focus of the EP148, which features a 29’ beam that allows for a spacious, ingeniously designed layout on all four levels.

EP148 superyacht HORIZON POLARIS offers comfortable accommodations with five en-suite staterooms, captain’s quarters and office in the pilothouse and large crew quarters for 8 on the lower deck.

The on-deck master stateroom utilizes the full-beam space in a functional, well-appointed layout that includes a king bed; walk-in wardrobe; owner’s pantry, sizable master bath and ample room left to spare.

Below deck, four mirrored guest staterooms – port and starboard VIP staterooms aft and port and starboard twin guest staterooms mid-ship – offer substantial and elegant living spaces that will draw no complaints from guests.

Horizon´s megayacht HORIZON POLARIS provides numerous areas for entertaining and relaxing, both inside and out – the open flybridge is an ideal spot for lounging on the sun pads, warming up in the hot tub or enjoying cocktails around the full bar, while the skylounge offers a place to unwind with the gym and a spa room, which includes a sauna and shower. When watersports are on the agenda, the tender garage and bow deck davit are available for worry-free retrieval of water toys.

Powered with twin MTU 12V4000 M60 1760HP engines, the new EP148 yacht HORIZON POLARIS reaches a top speed of 16 knots and has a range of over 4,200 nautical miles at 9.5 knots.

HORIZON POLARIS is currently preparing for a cruise through the rough seas around Taiwan in early June, and will be unveiled for the first time at the Horizon Yachts Open House on June 28th in Taiwan. Afterwards, she will showcase in Monaco Yacht Show in September and display in the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in October 2012.