Following on the heels of its first GT yacht—the GT50, launched a little more than a year and a half ago—Palm Beach Motor Yachts has launched the GT60, which increases the series’ length overall, performance and comfort quotient on board.
Like its sistership, the GT60 has Down East-inspired lines, tumblehome and a warped, semidisplacement hull form. The yacht’s straight sheerline, raked trunk cabin, single-piece curved windshield and radiused hardtop create a sense of motion, even when the yacht is stationary.
Hull No. 1, seen here, has a traditional blue hull accented by a cream-tone hardtop, superstructure, teak joinery, decks and the like. But Hull No. 2, going to an Australian owner, will be sans rails and will have a metallic-black paint job and a thoroughly modern interior.
One thing that remains unchanged from the GT50 is the hull bottom. Having seen Palm Beach’s running surface in action, I appreciate the level attitude as the yacht hits stride. Palm Beach yachts maintain that attitude throughout the engines’ rpm range.
The GT60′s optional power is twin 1,000 hp Volvo Penta IPS1350s. (Twin 725 hp IPS950s are standard.) With the 1350s, the builder reports a 35-knot cruise speed with a 75 gph fuel burn. Considering the yacht’s 845-gallon fuel capacity and a 10 percent reserve, the GT60 should have a range of 355 nautical miles at cruise. Top-end speed is reportedly 40 knots.
Hull design is part of the performance formula, but so is construction. The yacht’s superstructure and deck are vacuum-infused carbon fiber to reduce weight. The hull is infused fiberglass.
The GT60 is off to a strong start with seemingly global appeal. Could a 70-footer be far behind?
Take the next step: palmbeachmotoryachts.com
