Growing affection for high-end luxury power boats boasting a noble and nostalgic design has inspired the new 54 Daybridge from award-winning boat-builder Belize Motoryachts.
This distinctive and elegant blend of classical charm, state-of-the-art marine technology and high-performance hull reflects Belize’s relentless pursuit of perfection and its passion to source the best, no matter where in the world it exists.
Designed in Australia by iconic Riviera, the Belize 54 Daybridge makes her Spanish premiere at the 2014 Barcelona International Boat Show from October 15-19.
Riviera chairman and owner Rodney Longhurst, who purchased the Belize brand in 2012, said this opulent pleasure boat reflects an age of timeless tradition, individuality, style and refined character – yet maintains serious sea-keeping performance.
“The Australian-owned 54 Daybridge has the ability to transfix an entire bay of modern craft when she glides in,” he said. “And she has an impeccable blue water pedigree that is proven to handle the tough Australian offshore conditions.
“Riviera has for a very long time been popular in the Americas and now Belize is rapidly gaining the same international reputation and recognition.”
Long before you step aboard you get the impression that the 54 Daybridge is in a class all of its own – her sleek geometric lines, sweet sheer, shippy bulwark, shapely hatches and portholes and, of course, the substance to her stainless steel rails and cleats, are among the many features appreciated by boating aficionados around the globe.
And when you do step aboard, a delicate balance of European charisma and Australian practicality helps you appreciate the thoughtful design consideration that has gone into ensuring Belize 54 Daybridge owners enjoy ‘the ultimate boating experience’.
Belize and Riviera’s team of international designers and engineers have purposed every inch of available space to incorporate sophisticated styling, palatial appointments, clever storage concepts and ultramodern technology.
The 54 Daybridge’s large teak-deck swim platform raises and lowers hydraulically to grant easy access to the transom’s electric door garage, where there is space for a three-metre tender and outboard that can be easily launched or retrieved without getting your feet wet using the built-in electric winch.
Above the garage, a hatch lifts to reveal an aft-facing electric BBQ centre which is sure to impress the most discerning chef, with grill, sink, solid surface bench top, stainless steel splashback and helpful LED lighting.
Stepping through either of the two wide transom doors, you begin to appreciate the unique indoor/outdoor characteristics of the Belize 54: her expansive cockpit features a comfortable, forward-facing lounge and a hi-lo folding table that converts to a daybed. Forward, to starboard, is a cockpit bar with fridge and icemaker, while at the portside breakfast bar, the Euro-designed stools pivot for convenience.
“A large glass awning window opens to connect the bar and galley as one – this is the place to enjoy a lazy breakfast or to drink in a sunset,” said Riviera and Belize international sales director Chris McCafferty.
“In effect, the opened glass awning window affirms the 54’s port galley as the key entertainment hub of the boat and harnesses the full potential of the 54 Daybridge’s rear bulkhead of toughened, architecturally curved glass that fills her interior with a sense of light, space and liveability,” he said.
Two-pack polyurethane finishes accent and protect key surfaces throughout the boat, including the galley where no less than Miele badges the induction cooktop, combination oven and microwave, and Vitrifrigo the two capacious chiller drawers and separate freezer drawer.
“To starboard is the heart of the saloon, a large L-shaped lounge and dinette where opening side windows allow natural ventilation,” said Mr McCafferty. “When the temperature calls for it, the saloon, galley and helm – as well as the below-deck staterooms – are all air-conditioned.”
In the saloon, panels of rich walnut, polished timber-finish flooring and soft-touch leathers are used in a contemporary palette to create a warm and inviting ambiance, with an added bonus of contributing to excellent acoustics. Entertainment to the saloon is via a large LCD TV that rises elegantly at the touch of a button and integrated with a Bose 35V media centre, including Blueray and iPod dock.
The main command console of the 54 Daybridge is inspiring in its design and maintains the elegant sophistication of this 6-star pleasure yacht – all key critical navigation electronics, engine instrumentation and vessel controls are within easy reach of the central high-backed Treban Italian leather electric helm seat fronting a high quality sports steering wheel, providing excellent visibility of two 15.4-inch multifunction display screens.
“Alongside the helm and companion seats is a forward-facing three-seater lounge starboard, and a two-seater lounge facing aft … so everyone can share in the driving experience. At anchor or under way, fresh air can be introduced to the helm and saloon via a central overhead hatch.”
Mr McCafferty said the sense of light and space flows through to the below-deck atrium and generous accommodation, which includes a full-beam master stateroom with walk-around queen-sized island bed and innerspring mattress, bedside tables with drawers finished in timber and leather, large lounge, plush carpets with quality underlay, a fixed 24-inch TV/DVD and opening portholes within large portlight windows for cross ventilation. Fresh air filters into the master ensuite courtesy of an opening porthole, complementing the level of opulence created by satin-varnished teak floors and elegant Grohe tapware.
“The VIP guest stateroom is every bit as elegant as the master and occupies the entire forward bow section,” he said. “There are fixed portlights to port and starboard, a central round deck hatch overhead, make-up vanity bureau with fold-out seat and mirror, hanging lockers as well as its own 24-inch TV/DVD. The VIP ensuite, which doubles as the dayhead, also boasts luxurious bathroom appointments, large frameless glass shower stall, non-slip satin-varnished teak floors as well as its own round deck hatch and opening porthole and, of course, even more innovative storage concepts.
“The plushly carpeted guest cabin to starboard has full-sized upper and lower beds, cedar-lined hanging locker, bedside table and drawers as well as its own opening porthole and circular deck hatch – it’s another great example of the Belize belief system of going first-class all the way.”
The inviting daybridge of the Belize 54 is accessed via an elegantly curving, teak-tread staircase from the cockpit. Every bit as sociable as the main saloon, this comfortable sky lounge has a large L-shaped lounge to port with teak hi-lo table that can drop to create a second sun-pad. Opposite is a large wet bar with sink and drawer fridge, as well as a second-station helm console with all essential navigation aids, a wind-deflecting windscreen, a 15.4-inch Raymarine touchscreen display and a bimini that easily folds away and stores out of sight behind the windscreen.
Also located at the daybridge helm is one of three cutting-edge and convenient CZone digital switching control panels, just one example of the fact the 54 Daybridge is bristling with clever and convenient technology. The innovative CZone makes it easier than ever to stay well informed and in full control of your boat … so you can concentrate on enjoying it.
“CZone enables you to control power equipment such as lights, pumps and navigation electronics … when and how desired,” said Mr McCafferty. “At the push of a button, the boat’s system can be transformed from “Dock Mode” to “Cruise Mode” to easily prepare for a day at sea. There’s also “Entertain Mode” to get the party started as well as “Service Mode”, which shuts down all power and systems.
Another example of how Belize and Riviera are at the forefront of the marine industry’s future is the fact the Belize 54 is powered by Cummins Zeus 600 pod drives (442kW / 2 x 600hp), which deliver whisper-quiet noise levels, impressive fuel efficiency, high top-end speed and, of course, the convenience of joystick control for slow-speed manoeuvrability and precise docking.
Indeed a skipper – either solo or with a novice crew – can simply push and twist the joystick in the required direction to make the boat respond immediately, pivoting in place or tracking sideways into a berth that’s just long enough to fit the vessel. The Belize 54 Daybridge has three joysticks – at the main helm, at the daybridge helm and in the cockpit.
With the twin Cummins Zeus 600s, the 54 Daybridge has a top speed of 30 knots (under full load), a cruise speed of 24 knots and a cruising range of 304nm at 21.1 knots (with 10 per cent fuel reserve).
“The Belize 54 Daybridge – a sister to the Belize 54 Sedan – makes her Spanish premiere at the 2014 Barcelona International Boat Show at Port Vell from 15-19 October at the stand of Belize and Riviera dealer, Internacional Marina Subur.
Belize Motoryachts 54 Daybridge
Fresh original design blends traditional charm with the latest marine technology
Free-flowing space from expansive cockpit to luxurious raised helm
Opulent interior – 3 staterooms/2 bathrooms
Full-beam master stateroom with ensuite
3 x joystick controls
High-performance hull with keel
Cummins Zeus pod drives x 2 (442kW x 600hp) – top speed of around 30 knots, cruising range of 304NM at 21.1 knots
Engineering excellence – hull constructed in ISO-certified yard
5-year structural warranty.
photos: riviera.com.au