Which yacht is best for you? As always, it’s all about personal choice. Some people choose a yacht on its characteristics (incidentally the FD85 has won 2 awards, most recently for "Best Asian Built Yacht"). Some people choose their yacht based on its power credentials and the fast displacement hull of the FD85 delivers speeds of up to 16 knots.
If your priority is guest accommodation then the Horizon FD85 offers well-appointed accommodation for up to 10 guests with its 5 cabin layout option. Some of its rivals, including the Arcadia A85 and Horizon FD87, share the same 10 guest sleeping capacity, making them excellent choices for those seeking to enjoy their yachting experience with family and friends. The FD85 benefits from a full-beam master cabin with an en-suite bathroom, a walk-in wardrobe and a dressing table is a standout and all cabins have dedicated en-suite bathrooms for family or guest convenience. The Sunseeker 86 and Sanlorenzo SL78, although designed for slightly smaller groups of 8 guests in 4 cabins, still offer an exceptional level of comfort for family getaways.
When it comes to cruising speed, the Horizon FD85 has been designed for those not in a hurry, with the slowest cruising speed of the group at 15 knots and a top speed of 16 knots. The Horizon FD85 emphasizes stability and comfort over outright speed and its target audience will be those who enjoy the journey over the destination. The title for the fastest cruising speed goes to the Princess Y85 which has an impressive cruising speed of 30 knots powered by its twin 1,900hp MAN V12-1900 engines and can reach a top speed of 32 knots. This is closely followed by the Sanlorenzo SL86 with a notable cruising speed of 27 knots and top speed of 32 knots.
Each yacht also brings unique features to the forefront. The Numarine 26 XP impresses with its extensive range of 3,500 nautical miles, ideal for long voyages. The Outer Reef Yachts 900 Motoryacht, Sanlorenzo SX88, Arcadia A85, Princess Y85 and Princess X80 all feature shallow drafts for yachts of this size, allowing them to navigate waters inaccessible to deeper vessels. The performance of the Princess Y85 is especially impressive, with a top speed of 32 knots and cruising speed of 30 knots. The Numarine 26 XP has an impressive gross tonnage of 149GT, the largest of the competitors here.
Despite stiff competition, the Horizon FD85 stands out with notable features and design elements. These yachts cater to a wide range of preferences and needs, making the choice a matter of personal taste and specific requirements in the world of luxury yachting.
When considering a new (or indeed used) yacht, it’s certainly important to wonder about the alternatives in the Horizon FD Series range or indeed its competitors. Browse our hand-picked selection of 13 competing models.