SPORTY SEAS
6/3/2008 12:39:10 PM by Javier Salas
Jump aboard the new Marquis 50 Sport Coupe to find out what all the buzz is about and why you should look into investing in this prime example of nautical brilliance.
Photos courtesy of Marquis Yachts
Put Nuvolari-Lenard together with the Marquis Engineering & Design Team, and in the case of the 50 Sport Coupe, the result is a stunning yacht that combines the Italian styling seen on the Nuvolari Lenard-designed Marquis 70 tri-deck with American sun-culture chic and futuristic raceboat visions for a 50-footer like none other.
What’s best is that Nuvolari-Lenard was allowed to fully flex their creative muscle because the exterior lines, including the hull, deck and superstructure of the new 50 LS are created utilizing 3D multi-piece molding technology. This adds significantly to the builder’s ability to craft perfect curves and other unique shapes that are otherwise unattainable. In addition, the 3D technology allows for more consistency, increased overall yacht strength and improved hull fine-tuning for the seakindly ride one would expect from a larger yacht.
“We use a state-of-the-art multi-part mold that’s pulled apart by hydraulic cylinders so we can attain details in the hull, deck and superstructure that would be impractical to create with traditional molds,” explains Dick Nocenti, director of marketing for Marquis Yachts. “This allows for the softened exterior lines and distinguishing side contour.” By fine-tuning everything at the design phase, the boatyard was able to build Hull #1 in a less costly and more time-efficient manner with less waste. Additionally, they made sure the yacht exceeded NMMA and European CE “A” ocean specifications. At the helm is Volvo’s easy-as-pie IPS joystick mated to triple Volvo diesels with IPS drives, ensuring that docking this nimble 50-footer is a dream.
While express cruisers continue to be a top choice of boaters worldwide, such a fully open layout can limit a boat’s versatility in extreme weather conditions including the sometimes unbearable summer heat in South Florida, the chilly days and nights of a winter cruise up north or the endless Caribbean rain during hurricane season. The solution is the sport coupe with its sizeable power sunroof expertly equipped with sunshades. Open it and the large side windows for plenty of light and a great breeze unparalleled in this yacht class. At the same time, there’s great comfort in knowing that should temperatures rise high or clouds form overhead, there’s no need to cut the day short. Even when fully enclosed, the amount of glass in the salon allows for an indoor-outdoor feel that can be enhanced by leaving the full-width glass doors to the aft cockpit open.
Adding even more to the expansive feel is ample headroom. The salon has been placed on the same level as the aft cockpit, galley and helm area for easy mobility aboard. To further increase versatility and useable space aboard, the transom lounge expands and retracts at the touch of a button.
The sophisticated interior starts at the salon that utilizes Zebrano or cherry joinery, Brazilian cherry flooring and upmarket fixtures. A large U-shaped settee with coffee/cocktail table is to port with twin oversized club chairs and a high-end home theatre entertainment system to starboard. Just forward is the U-shaped galley that, while compact, is laid out to prepare full meals, not just lunch and snacks. Opposite is the state-of-the-art helm station. The ergonomic helm seat is designed to keep the driver comfortable for long voyages. With vacations and retiree liveaboards in mind, there are three substantial staterooms below.
The island berth master in the bow features an urbane en suite with separate stall shower. There’s also plenty of storage space beneath the bed as well as in closets, cabinets and drawers. This is key when vacationing or if the owner wishes to leave a full complement of clothing and other essentials aboard so that the yacht is always ready to go. Guests are accommodated in a VIP cabin to port with a private entrance to the head with separate stall shower and a twin berth cabin to starboard that works equally well for adults or for children aboard. In addition to the spacious aft deck, there’s a lavish sunpad on the bow for the sun-worshipers onboard or for just riding up forward and enjoying a fresh sea breeze.
In the end, the Marquis 50 Sport Coupe utilizes the latest in construction technology and manufacturing processes to create a yacht that is as burly below the waterline as it is beautiful above. With the current strength of the Euro versus the U.S. dollar, American builders are more competitive on pricing than ever, making brands such as Marquis more attractive than ever in the global marketplace.