If there was any doubt that the Canadian economy is booming along nicely, you only need to travel to Niagara-on-the-Lake where Neptunus Yachts are built. There was only one spot open on the shop floor when we arrived there in late April and that was because a completed yacht had just been moved out for delivery. Neptunus competes in the international forum of larger yachts with their line starting at 55 feet and going up to 70 (at least for now). While the company's hull designs are set and the cabin superstructure is as well, within those parameters, it is possible to do a wide range of interior and equipment customization. After all, when you're buying a million to three and half million-dollar yacht, you want it your way!
At the present time, its 62 MotorYacht is Neptunus’ most popular model. A decade ago, they sold a mere 10% to 15% of their production in Canada, but now, with our solid economy and low interest rates, Neptunus is selling over half of all its yachts in the domestic market. Good for Canada!
The 62 MotorYacht seems to us, to be about the size where a boat really becomes a “yacht”. When you move up to 62 feet you have a lot of room to play with.
Across the transom is a very large, hydraulically operated swim platform which acts as a secure berth for the tender; in this case a Caribe RIB with 40 Mercury. A touch of the remote control button and the whole works goes up and down on massive hydraulic mechanisms concealed on the transom above the stern thruster.
We liked the real teak inlays in the swim platform, (that allow water to pass through so the platform goes down with less resistance) cockpit and steps. It's very handsome and yacht-like. A hardtop overhangs the aft cockpit for sun protection and has recessed lighting for night. This yacht also has underwater lighting at the transom for night swimming and just watching the fish–very cool.
The cockpit has a Miele electric grill and sink on the port side right by the immense sliding glass cabin door; the aft bench seat faces forward to a glossy finished cherry wood table for casual dining outside.
A hatch here lifts for access to the engine room. You descend seven steps into the engine room and the 12 volt light switch is handy as a backup, but large fluorescents are the primary lighting. The C18 Caterpillar diesels are white as is almost everything else, so this is a bright and workable engine room. The fuel filter and polishing systems are easily accessed, the raw water system is also out in the open and set up so the starboard engine can be a crash pump should an emergency occur. Emergencies are less likely, however, thanks to the Kevlar lay-up that Neptunus uses on this yacht, both for strength and puncture resistance.
The bridge is accessed by a wide staircase with teak trimmed steps running up the starboard side and directly ahead is a refreshment center split port and starboard with refrigerator, space for an icemaker, sink and a grill.
The aft few feet of the bridge deck is left open in case an owner wants to fit davits. Ahead is a sweeping seat and glossy finished table great for entertaining and outdoor dining. There is vast storage underneath the seats.
The helm is to starboard with two deeply upholstered bucket seats; the companion seat is a double size bench. A neat feature are dual throttle and thruster controls; one to port, one starboard for docking. All the electronics are to each owner’s specifications but the controls are straightforward and simple to use.
Another really nice feature on the bridge deck is the large sun pad that lies ahead of the helm but aft of the venturi wind deflector. Underway, this spacious area is sheltered from the wind but open for tanning, making it especially comfortable.
The bridge will be the favourite place in the daytime, but the cabin is a real home away from home.
Remembering that Neptunus approaches each interior willing to dramatically alter the layout and finish to owner specifications, our test boat was fairly typical of how a 62 interior is finished.
The huge sliding glass door has a screened section with muntin bars to prevent people from accidentally walking through it. As you enter, there is a conversation pit to starboard with attractive overhead lighting and cavernous amounts of storage under. A freestanding table is a convenient feature. Opposite on the port side, were two tub chairs flanking an attractive storage table with an immense sliding drawer that could be used for record albums, file folders and so on. On top was a neat little cabinet for the many remote controls that manage the yacht’s entertainment systems.
The entertainment center is forward from that and the test boat had been fitted with a flat screen Toshiba and a Bose surround sound system. Generous side glass, the off-white headliner and open layout help the Neptunus 62 feel even larger than it is.
Serious cruising chefs will adore the galley that is raised two steps and is full beam over the master stateroom. On the port side are large counter tops with storage under and a concealed Subzero freezer plus a wine cooler.
To starboard is the cooking area with real granite counter tops, “InSinkErator” food waste disposal in the double stainless steel sink, a Miele dishwasher, AEG convection oven and matching AEG ceramic stovetop. Over that is a GE Profile Spacemaker microwave and range hood combination. The Subzero refrigerator had plenty of features like a rollout bottle rack; there also was large corner cupboard for toasters, coffee makers, pots and pans and a rollout trash locker.
Forward under the vast windshield glass is a wraparound dinette table that could seat eight people or more in comfort around the beautifully finished table with its book-matched carpathian elm veneered top. Without the interior helm option, the dinette is just spectacular.
The electrical panel is in the companionway down into the cabins. At the bottom is a cabinet enclosing the separate washer and dryer and turning forward is a double berth guest cabin to starboard. This includes a flat screen TV, cedar-lined hanging locker and abundant storage under the berth. European style doors allow the guest cabin to share the main head with the VIP stateroom forward.
The VIP cabin has large two cedar-lined hanging lockers, flat screen TV, opening deck hatch, side portholes and separate access into the main head.
The heads all have been finished with marble tile flooring, composite counter tops and a Raritan head. The stateroom head features a large, spacious, enclosed shower stall.
Just aft of the companionway is a day head for added convenience. Further aft is the master stateroom that is full beam. This is remarkably bright and airy thanks to three large portholes on either side; the center one opens for ventilation. There is a king-sized berth, mirrored bulkhead, and this owner had chosen port and starboard cabinetry with dresser drawers and a very large cedar lined hanging locker. Of course, there's another flat screen TV! The master head is a bit larger and has a mirrored ceiling (as the others do) to add light and a feeling of spaciousness. This has another fully enclosed shower stall.
All this (and far more that we don’t have space to list) is powered by the twin direct drive Caterpillar C18s at 1,015 HP each. Turning massive 4-blade props, the factory lists cruising speed as 2,050 rpm at 28.5 knots (33 mph) and a top of 33 knots (38 mph) at 2,310 rpm. With a weight of about 85,000 lbs., that is pretty amazing!
No wonder Neptunus is doing so well in the Canadian market.
To see if this boat is available, go to http://www.boatcan.com to check listings!