World premiere of stunning new Hudson Bay Yachts at 30th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show
by Paul Wilson 16 May 2018 05:22 UTC
24-27 May 2018
Hudson Bay 540 interior © Facheris Design
With a proud history dating back to 1977 Australia's iconic Clipper Motor Yachts is poised to reach a major milestone at this year's 30th Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show with the world premiere of two of its very latest models during its 40 year celebration of the brand.
The newly minted Hudson Bay 540 and its smaller sibling the Hudson Bay 390 arrived on the Gold Coast just two weeks before the start of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show and are currently being readied for their unveiling.
They are the first of an exciting new European inspired model range which the company says will position it at the forefront of the international long range luxury cruiser market.
Their creating comes after months of intensive research, focus groups, one on one interviews with current and prospective owners and design workshops held in Australia, Asia and the USA.
Clipper Motor Yachts Managing Director, Brett Thurley, said the company was entering an exciting new era in its growth and development.
"To land these two motor yachts here on the Gold Coast was the culmination of a two year journey from concept to completion and we are extremely confident that they will resonate well with the boat buying public," he said.
"They are extremely large volume vessels and have interior design and layout elements that are reminiscent of an upscale city apartment.
"We have listened well to those that own our motor yachts and those that don't, so the culmination of that feedback is in the overall design of these new models."We have managed to build in enormous volume internally and externally yet have the boats perform at speeds up to and exceeding 20 knots for those that want that speed up their sleeve.
"We will always keep the core elements inherent in the Clipper DNA such as walk around decks, semi-displacement- keel protected hull design, shaft drive diesel technology, long range economical cruising capacity and exemplary seakeeping ability, however we have given the range a massive step change in styling and aesthetic direction for the future.
"This has been done at a visual, engineering and design level so the new range of Clipper Motor Yachts, encompassing both flybridge, sedan bridge and sedan vessels will be cutting edge contemporary compared with the Clipper's of the past."
Thurley said the new Hudson Bay 540 and 390 were the first vessels in the company's range that had evolved since Patrizio Facheris Yacht and Product Design Studio based in Florida, USA was commissioned to work with Clipper.
Patrizio Facheris has more than 30 years industry experience and is renowned for its luxe design work on vessels ranging from tenders to state-of-the-art superyachts.
The Hudson Bay 540 has 'house size' proportions and features a unique ensuite design in the full beam master with the individual shower and toilet cubicles located port and starboard and then the vanity units and main bathroom located behind a three quarter high bulkhead which forms the bedhead. Owners can walk through the bathroom behind the bedhead and access it from either port or starboard.
In addition there is a lazarette and engine room access from the transom with full head height once you enter the lazerette.
The 540 comes with dual Cummins or Volvo powerplants and follows the traditional Australia/New Zealand design bent with a large cockpit, rear galley, hinged hopper windows at the rear of the saloon which open up to expand the indoor and outdoor spaces into one usable living and entraining area. "The windows and sunroofs are large and both vessels are perfectly suited to the Australian climate and lifestyle," said Thurley.
The 540 comes with three cabins and can sleep a total of 8.
The smaller Hudson Bay 390 comes as a single or two cabin layout and is driven by a single engine. It also has large volume living spaces, a domestic sized pantry, large cockpit and a seamless indoor/outdoor layout.
Both boats being displayed at SCIBS have already been sold.
"Patrizio is the epitome of Italian design and flair and has been working with major USA and European builders and owners for more than 20 years so his expertise, passion for elegance in design and ability to achieve excellence is well recorded and now evidenced in our first new models," said Thurley.
"To have Patrizio and his team partner with us on this journey to produce truly world class, bluewater cruising motor yachts is exciting."