New Horizon FD87: A Family’s Journey Towards their Dream Yacht Skyline | Horizon Yacht USA

New Horizon FD87: A Family’s Journey Towards their Dream Yacht Skyline

NEWS | January 05, 2017

New Horizon FD87: A Family’s Journey Towards their Dream Yacht Skyline New Horizon FD87: A Family’s Journey Towards their Dream Yacht Skyline New Horizon FD87: A Family’s Journey Towards their Dream Yacht Skyline New Horizon FD87: A Family’s Journey Towards their Dream Yacht Skyline

Upon taking delivery of their first yacht in December 2014, Travis and Tina Fox, along with their daughters Kilyn and Taylor, met their orientation captain on board in preparation for their maiden voyage home. “This is a nice starter boat,” the captain commented of the 50-foot yacht; they “looked at him like he had two heads,” says Travis, as surely 50 feet was plenty of yacht for them. The captain wagered $100 that within two years of that date they would be buying a bigger boat; an idea they thought would never come to fruition.

For two years, the Foxes enjoyed all of the experiences that came with their yacht – cruising hundreds of miles in the U.S. and Bahamas, exploring uninhabited islands and spending quality time together, as well as with family and friends – and felt a great sense of achievement at all they had accomplished. Yet it became clear that the Foxes were outgrowing their 50-foot yacht and needed something larger to suit their family adventures and cruising lifestyle (and so the captain was right after all - Travis assures us he’s emailed the gentleman to happily admit defeat). 

As fate would have it, on December 20th, 2016 – exactly two years later – the Fox family took the first steps on their next adventure: a new build Horizon FD87 “Skyline”, a customized enclosed bridge based on the popular FD85 model with some exciting new features. During their research for a new boat the Foxes were already familiar with the exterior styling of designer and naval architect Cor D. Rover, so when they entered the Horizon Yachts display at the 2016 Ft Lauderdale Boat Show and were greeted with three new Cor designs for Horizon (the FD74, FD85 and FD102), they knew they were in the right place.

In 2017, “Skyline” will debut a cool blue hull and contrasting white superstructure, calling to mind the pristine Caribbean waters meeting a clear sky.  A spacious 23’3” beam, stunning floor-to-ceiling windows in the salon and dining areas, and incredible views from the on-deck master create an aura of peaceful serenity on the ocean for its owners. The five en suite staterooms and two crew cabins, beach club, bow seating and enclosed bridge with Portuguese walk-around complete the design, leaving nothing to be desired in both form and function. A true partnership with the client, architect, and shipyard is evident in the evolution of this enclosed bridge FD87 and the speed in which it all came together.

After gathering and analyzing feedback from the show, including that from the Foxes, the open bridge FD85 morphed into an additional model—an FD87 Skyline enclosed bridge co-developed by Cor and the Horizon team. CEO John Lu loved the Foxes’ creative “Skyline” concept so much that he asked if the name could become a permanent part of the Horizon brand, and so the Horizon FD87 Skyline model was officially born. This model offers its own set of unique features; instead of a raised pilothouse like the FD85, she offers a full main deck level and enclosed bridge with Portuguese bridge forward and a spacious boat deck. Additionally, the aft beach club – a newly popular design for the U.S. market ­– provides a great spot for relaxing, watersports and other water activities, and the large bow area, just forward of the Portuguese bridge, is ideal for entertaining guests or lounging in the sun.  

Horizon Yachts is already anticipating the delivery the gorgeous Skyline to the newest members of the Horizon family; in the meantime, we look forward to providing updates throughout the build process – stay tuned into our website and social media pages to track her progress! For more information, please contact us at 561-721-4850 or [email protected].