Palm Beach just started building its new flagship, a Palm Beach 70, at its factory in Malaysia. The new 70 is scheduled to be launched later this year, and the company has already sold the first two hulls.
The Palm Beach lineup now has six models, from 42 to 65 feet. The new 70 will have more interior volume than the 65, particularly in the midships master stateroom and the other guest staterooms, although the company emphasizes that the boat’s interior can be completely customized to fit the individual owner’s desires. One of the first hulls features four staterooms and four heads.
Mark Richards, the Palm Beach Motor Yachts founder and CEO, said the 70 is the result of customers’ requests. “The initial genesis of the 70 came from customer demand,” he said, “yet we were able to combine these particular requests with our high standards of performance, hull efficiency and aesthetics.”
The 70 will have Palm Beaches’ signature semi-displacement warped hull that cuts through the water smoothly and efficiently. It keeps the bow in the water, even coming on plane, so there is no feeling of going over a hump, as there often is in traditional deep-V hulls.
The boat also will have a relatively shallow draft of just 3’6” with Volvo IPS1350 pod drives, meaning you can cruise comfortably in the shallow waters of the Bahamas, for example, or the Chesapeake, without excessive worry.
The company has made good use of Richards’ experience in racing sailboats. An Australian, he’s one of the best sailboat racing captains in the world, having won the grueling Sydney-Hobart race a record eight times. Throughout the Palm Beach line, he emphasizes using less weight and stronger, high-tech materials to give the boats a smooth, seaworthy performance. Richards also keeps the CG low to so the boats are safe and comfortable.
The 70 has all the beauty and clean lines that the company is known for, with graceful curves and a gorgeous tumblehome. I tested the first Palm Beach in the United States eight years ago and was impressed with its impeccable fit and finish and impressive ride. That boat was named the Best New Powerboat at the Newport International Boat Show. Two years ago I tested the 65 on Long Island Sound and was still in awe of its stunning looks and smooth performance.
The new 70 is available as an express or an optional flybridge version. The company predicts a cruising speed of 33 knots with standard 1,000-hp Volvo D3 IPS1350 engines and drives, and a top speed of 38 knots. For more:
D13 Volvo diesels.
D13 IPS1350 pod drives. 1000 hp.
Pbmotoryachts.com
