By Andy Adams

In the February 2020 issue of Canadian Yachting magazine, we featured our review of the Neptunus 750 Flybridge, the company’s flagship yacht. The boat had been bought by a gentleman from Newfoundland and we reviewed it just before it was to be delivered.

We learned later that the boat did not leave immediately after delivery. The story is that the new owner reconsidered the beautiful big open flying bridge layout. Their boat would be based out of Newfoundland, running in the spectacular scenery of “The Rock”, but in the Atlantic and often in cold or inclement weather. So, on second thought, they decided that it would be better to enclose the flying bridge. They sat down with Neptunus Yachts to engineer what they wanted.

The end result is a new, fully enclosed flying bridge and it is seamlessly integrated into the 750. In fact, Neptunus has always offered a 750 SkyLounge with an interior staircase, but this is the first time somebody has ordered the 750 Flybridge with a full enclosure. I think more Neptunus 750 buyers will choose this option when they see this yacht.

Design and construction

Neptunus is a semi-custom builder who works with this proven Gregory C. Marshall-designed yacht platform and then they can modify the vessel as the owner desires, to achieve the yacht of their dreams. And really, when you are buying a 75-foot yacht, you are buying your dream boat, so make the dream come true!

The team at Neptunus carefully dismantled everything from the original flying bridge, then weighed every piece they removed and all of the new components. The new enclosed bridge was carefully engineered for the additional weight to compensate and maintain both the trim and performance.

It is very interesting to discover that the new performance figures show almost no change in data despite the additional weight, but we can tell you there's a huge difference in comfort. Life in the enclosed flybridge is almost silent at all speeds! We were chatting with Jan Willem de Jong, Neptunus’ Managing Director as we cruised out of the harbour area, just speaking in normal tones. When I looked down at the instruments, I realized the 750 was already up to 20 knots at 50% of engine load. There was just no sense of speed in the relatively calm waters that day.

I couldn't believe how comfortable we all were. Of course, the enclosed flybridge is fully climate controlled and in the 23-degree Celsius temperatures under full sun, we couldn't have been more comfortable. Jan moved the throttles up to 80% where we found ourselves doing 30 knots and carving some fast turns to crisscross our own wake. There was no drama and almost no engine sound. We could barely feel it when we crossed our own wake. The new enclosed bridge delivers supreme comfort with all weather capability. For the waters off Newfoundland, the new owners made a great decision.

Layout and details

In our previous Neptunus 750 Flybridge review, we mentioned that the boat was 75 feet six inches long overall and the beam was 18 feet 11 inches. The new enclosed bridge puts that wide beam to great use and it features six feet eight inches of headroom. As you enter through the regular sized cabin door, there is a credenza to your right that provides lots of useful storage and houses a refrigerator as well. Ahead is the companion seat and the sweep of windshield glass across the helm console.

Three huge windshield wipers and non-reflective warm gray finish on the roof mullions are just part of what makes the enclosure so attractive. Port and starboard side windows slide open and you could leave the cabin door open when running if you want. There is also an opening sunroof panel that’s screened. The door into the enclosed area has a latch to hold it open. You can have lots of air circulating through the spacious bridge if the weather is right.

The generous glass areas all around make the port side L-shaped seating especially nice. Guests have a grand 360-degree view and a handsome table for drinks or food. The soft gray, genuine leather upholstery is just sumptuous!

At the helm are side by side Pompanette seats that have armrests and big flip down footrests for long distance comfort. The console is big, beautifully organized and the cabinetry is upholstered in a complimentary gray material with French stitching. The engine information screen is in the centre as is the compass. A pair of 12-inch Raymarine displays let you keep the information you happen to want, at the ready. The yacht has twin VHF radios, separate autohelm and depth screens, centre-mounted wheel and the throttles and tabs on the binnacle top.

In normal use, you would run on autohelm. The steering wheel is more for low speeds and docking, plus there is a Yacht Controller System and proportional thrusters, so docking is very simple and effective. Jan prefers to dock and handle the boat himself, often operating the yacht alone, using the Yacht Controller System as though the 750 was a huge toy!
Wait…the open area on the flybridge is still here!

As spacious as the enclosed bridge is, about two thirds of the original massive flying bridge is still there but again, totally re-done. The staircase still comes up from the aft deck on the starboard side, which very convenient and comfortable even in rough seas. Now when you go up to the flybridge, aft of the enclosed area, you will find a refreshment console with an ice maker and sink opposite a large L-shaped couch with storage under the seats.

The bridge overhang protects this space from rain and direct sun, yet you still have the choice of an open-air bridge. Rails and handholds are strategically placed and aft of that is quite a large, totally open deck back to the rail. The test boat had a pair of classic deck chairs and hassocks around a folding table and there was still plenty of room to walk about or stand. The huge flying bridge space we loved so much in the previous review of the Neptunus 750 is still there and just as gracious a space for entertaining or lounging as before, but with the added comfort and accommodations of the enclosed flybridge.

Other features of the Neptunus 750

We gave the heading “Downtown elegance anywhere you choose to go” when we reviewed the Neptunus 750 Flybridge previously and that certainly applies to the yacht equipped with this new option…maybe even more so.

As Neptunus Yachts’ flagship, this yacht is 75 feet long with three deck levels, four staterooms, three heads (plus crew quarters and another head), all powered by twin Caterpillar C32 ACERT engines producing 1,600 hp each, delivering a 26 knot cruise and a top speed of 34.1 knots. That’s almost 40 mph! Pretty amazing performance for 128,000 lbs of yacht!

This is a yacht that can take your family and guests to distant or remote places to vacation in downtown elegance and with every convenience.

Swim platform and cockpit

Board the Neptunus 750 either from the generous hydraulic lift swim platform, (now carrying a PWC) or via the wide and secure side decks. There are Pantographic cabin side doors port and starboard, but generally you will come through the spacious cockpit and enter by the curved glass salon doors.

The styling theme reflects the fluid curves of the waves as the symmetrical and flowing layout of the salon invites you in. Gorgeous curving couches on the port and starboard sides make the most of this almost formal living area. Centred and well forward is a bar with three stools and in the centre of the bar is a large screen television on an electric lift. The TV also serves as a subtle room divider when you leave it up because the galley lies just beyond that.

The social flow of the 750s layout is perhaps its most appealing feature. It’s all about entertaining after all, and the galley features huge, home size Elkay sinks with Grohe faucets that are high-end and elegant. The galley has lots of counter space and cupboards over the sink. All appliances are fabulous home-sized equipment with JennAir double door refrigerator, four JennAir drawer refrigerators / freezers, Fisher Paykel drawer dishwasher, JennAir convection microwave and a four-burner ceramic stove plus oven. And that’s not all!

As you proceed forward past the galley, there’s a built-in wine cooler on starboard and the port side is a matching cabinet for your crystal. Don’t forget, there are ice-makers and other refrigerators onboard as well. And there is no problem running all this equipment – the Neptunus 750 includes two Northern Lights generators; a 12 kW and a 20 kW.

Unifying the interior design is high gloss cherry wood cabinetry. We wrote that even the door edges, are polished to an amazing high gloss and many of the doors and carcases are curved. These feel strong yet light. Neptunus makes their cabinets and finishes them in coat after coat of varnish, so they can be touched up, or repaired if need be. The wood working on the 750 makes a real statement about the craftsmanship that you'll find throughout the boat.

Lower helm – a moment of sadness

Now that the owners have the enclosed flybridge to operate the Neptunus in any weather, I’m sad to say I suspect the lower helm will rarely be used. What a pity! This has an absolutely magnificent sweeping dashboard finished in the high gloss cherry wood and with mappa burl on the dashboard face. The helm seat itself is wide enough for three people and it has a flip seat back. Face forward when running and flip it to face aft to convert to a dining area. The seats look right over the helm and through the windshield. The glorious high gloss dining table will be a great place for family and friends to dine or enjoy the ride. It’s a clever use of space, but not compromised in any way.

There are no compromises in the staterooms either. The Master stateroom is up on the main deck level which is a major feature for a 75-footer. The Master is full beam with a big dresser on the starboard side, generous cabin side windows, a big hanging locker lined with aromatic cedar and a shaped Queen berth. Down one step is a second hanging locker and the home-sized en suite head. You could live aboard for long periods of time in complete comfort.

Family and guests are treated almost as well. Down the curving companionway stairs is a foyer with a Bosch Axxis washer and separate dryer. Then, there is the day head which includes an MSD, private shower stall, designer sink and beautiful, classic ceramic tiles plus a mirrored ceiling for added light and portholes as well. There is another cabin here that would be ideal for two then, down another step are port and starboard double cabins. The portside cabin shares the day head while the starboard cabin has a private head with shower stall. Both include Cedar lined hanging lockers plus big storage drawers under the berths, mirrored headboards and storage in the sides as well.

Throughout the Neptunus 750 Flybridge you find furniture quality woodwork, mirrored ceilings in the heads, real granite counters and marble finishes. The decorating is in the best of taste and with nothing you would call a compromise. Every part is spacious, elegant and comfortable. That even includes the crew cabin!

That has a private head, TV, dinette and more. For our previous review and additional details on the Neptunus 750 including performance comments, just go to (https://www.canadianyachting.ca/boat-reviews/72-power/5478-neptunus-750-flybridge) This is a yacht that will certainly get you thinking. But, we have no second thoughts about the Neptunus 750 with the fully enclosed flybridge – it’s simply magnificent!

SPECIFICATIONS
Engines: Twin Caterpillar C32 ACERT diesels, 1,600 hp each, 32.1 litre V12 diesel, 5-blade Nibral propelers

RPM SPEED IN KNOTS
650 8.3
1,000 10.8
1,200 12.0
1,400 14.7
1,600 21.1
1,800 24.9
2,000 28.1
2,200 31.2
2,355 34.1 max

SPECIFICATIONS
Length OA: 23 m / 75’6”
Beam: 5.77 m / 18’11”
Displacement: 128,000 lbs
Fuel capacity: 5,488 L / 1,450 gal
Water capacity: 1,325 L / 350 gal
Waste capacity: 757 L / 200 gal

Price: Approximately $4,500,000 USD
Boat and price supplied by Neptunus Yachts, neptunusyachts.com