Horizon FD87 Review (2019 Edition)

The FD87 exudes a strong presence, with a design by Cor D Rover that leans towards a scale and style reminiscent of brutalism, featuring substantial sections of deck and superstructure punctuated by expansive glass elements.

Volume is a key focus for Cor D Rover's design philosophy, resulting in an exceptionally spacious yacht both inside and out. Few yachts of similar length can rival the FD87 in terms of interior space, boasting five well-appointed cabins and a generously sized deck salon.

Intelligent Hull Design

The FD's striking appearance is complemented by a robust hull design, utilising the fast displacement form commonly seen in larger superyachts. This design maximises hull speed through increased lift, although its effectiveness diminishes on smaller yachts due to their inherently lower hull speeds, resulting in marginal speed enhancements.

Horizon has dedicated significant effort to optimize the performance of the fast displacement design. The hull has been extended with a wave-piercing bow, extending forward at the waterline to increase hull length and speed while enhancing the upwind ride by reducing slamming. 

Moving aft, variable chines, a keel for stability, and a tunnelled section for the propellers contribute to the FD87's performance by allowing a shallow drive angle. This combination of features results in remarkable performance for the FD87, surpassing the typical maximum displacement speed of a yacht of its length by achieving speeds of up to 16 knots, comparable to those of larger yachts. 

Skyline Option

The upper deck, resembling a pilothouse, offers customisation options, with the Skyline version being particularly favoured by buyers. This version provides an enclosed layout, offering distinct advantages appreciated by discerning owners.

The Skyline design offers an enclosed upper deck blending elements of a pilothouse and lounge. With Horizon's emphasis on customisation, it can be tailored to suit various preferences. The helm, typically featuring three seats across its broad dash, remains consistent. Beyond that, the design possibilities are endless, ranging from an owner's study to a private lounge or family area.

Despite being enclosed, the Skyline design can create an open atmosphere, thanks to large sliding doors leading to the raised aft deck. Additionally, for a flowing indoor-outdoor experience, the side windows can be lowered at the touch of a button.

Grand Salon

The upper deck features stairs leading down to the aft deck and, by the helm, down to the salon. To truly appreciate the size of the FD87, the salon offers the best perspective. It's remarkably spacious, flanked by large sections of glass and sliding doors on either side of the dining table. The combination of deckhead height, a single-level sole, expansive glass, and clean interior styling enhances the overall sense of volume, creating a grand yacht atmosphere.

With the huge side doors open or closed, the view from the dining table is breathtaking, thanks to cutaway bulwarks providing an uninterrupted seascape.

Adjacent to the salon, the galley stands out as another highlight. It's one of the largest in its class and can be enclosed, left open, or equipped with a screen for added flexibility. Additionally, a well-designed bar area allows guests to enjoy food and drinks in a casual setting around the galley.

Main Deck Master

As demonstrated by the Sirena 88, yachts of this size can effectively incorporate a main deck owner’s stateroom, providing a notable feature typically found on larger yachts.

The FD87's owner's cabin offers a serene retreat, with expansive windows set into the bows. Our test yacht featured a small sofa and dressing table, but the layout and furnishings are fully customizable. The ensuite is located forward, and although there is no dedicated walk-in wardrobe, ample storage space is available.

While it may not offer the same level of luxury as the Sirena 88 with its private foredeck and dressing room, the FD87 still provides a highly satisfactory cabin experience.

Guests & Crew

What stands out is the size and features of the guest cabins located below deck. A VIP cabin is situated forward, beneath the owner's cabin, accompanied by two spacious double cabins amidships and a twin cabin to port. Each cabin has its own ensuite and offers ample space. Horizon offers flexibility in layout and cabin configurations, including the option of a large VIP cabin instead of the two double cabins.

Access to the crew quarters is available via the port deck or the transom, featuring a double berth for the captain and an additional bunked cabin.

The FD87's design accommodates only a single helm station, making the Skyline version more practical than the Open variant for those intending to utilize the yacht extensively. During longer or nighttime passages, the captain will likely prefer the protection and warmth provided by the enclosed helm station. Relying solely on an outdoor helm, even if well-protected, presents significant limitations.

The enclosed Skyline helm area we observed provides excellent visibility in all directions, along with flexible layout options ranging from a single seat to triple stations. It accommodates quadruple display screens and allows easy access to the raised side decks.

The raised deck area's walkaround design and connection to the helm are extremely practical and convenient. Towards the forward section, there's a spacious forward cockpit seating area, accompanied by sun pads extending forward. Behind the pilothouse, there is a section that feels like a private owner's deck. Similar to the interior, it can be customized to match your yachting preferences. It offers ample space for a bar, lounge, and dining area, connecting to the Skyline lounge through sliding doors.

Despite having a full lounge on the raised deck, there is still room for a tender and crane, making this area highly functional. Access to the main deck from above is straightforward, where the crew will handle fenders and lines. The deep and wide side decks provide ample space and ensure safety.

Aft Deck Considerations

The main deck aft is exceptionally spacious, offering room for various guest seating and bar setups. Often an underutilised space on many yachts, Horizon's wide selection of layouts for the aft deck allows owners to create a space they will truly use and enjoy, making it worthwhile to consider this area carefully. Incorporating a privacy screen is advisable for added comfort while in port.

With the right layout, you can have a large deck to relax on, which connects to a lively transom area featuring a cosy waterside bar, resembling a beach club experience tailored to this yacht's size.

It's undeniable that this Horizon yacht feels substantial. With five excellent cabins and two distinct tiers of lounge and deck space, it provides ample usable area. At a base price of €6,000,000, it's fair considering it's in line with the market rate for a five-cabin yacht, although it also positions it against most major European brands.

Horizon's dedication to customization and crafting unique experiences for its owners positions it as a highly valuable builder for a specific clientele. However, such customisation inevitably adds to the base price, as do essential deck specifications like teak, which add warmth to the yacht.