Horizon V80 Yacht Review

The V80 is known for its ability to comfortably accommodate their touted capacity of eight persons at night it its staterooms with no issues. It can also seat these eight people comfortably for dinner or they can convene in any area of their choice, like the main deck dining table, the foredeck sunning pavilion, the dining area in the aft-deck is also convenient for groups, as well as the pilothouse dinette and the fishing cockpit.

Accommodations

The Horizon is well versed in quality designs that are flexible and simple, as is seen in the numerous fascinating vessels they have built. The V-series is one of these vessels and is very impressive. Horizon is very good in customizing its models and living up to their motto: ‘Define your Horizon’. The V80 is a good example of this customization technique put into action. With its beautiful fabrics and smooth finishes chosen by the interior designer (Orange Coast Yachts), and any other customization the owner wants to add, the V80 is transformed into a remarkable vessel. Buyers can choose a design of their choice and are allowed to follow the construction step-by-step; they can also drop by Horizon’s facilities in China to monitor the procedure.

Construction

Horizon vessels use different coring types and laminate fabrics assembled using a version of SCRIMP resin infusion. With the V80’s listed displacement of 136,687 pounds, weight is important to Horizon therefore they use “fiber precut technology” to reduce excess material, thereby reducing weight.

Performance

At the Horizon factory, you can easily see why the V80 is able to reach an impressive speed of 25 knots; advanced construction procedures are used together with optional 1,622 horsepower Caterpillar C32s. The V80 is light when increasing in speed but feels substantial when facing swells. The V80 was tested amidst swells which were brought about by the offshore breeze from the Northwest to the Santa Barbara channel.

The V80’s semi-displacement hull form was efficient below WOT but when it came aboard it took just a little spray. The sounds were reduced by the underwater exhaust with low speed bypasses; the main parts are sometimes disturbed by very large swells which cause some noise but the noise reduces when the boat regains its regular running attitude.

The helm moves the vessel remarkably well considering its size. The hydraulic bow and stern thrusters helped to make maneuvering at close range possible. The sightlines were not clear from the elevated pilothouse helm due to obstructions, but Orange Coast Yachts improvised using a wireless Yacht Controller. Anglers can use this boat for their piscatorial experiments. Even though it is not a competition boat, the angler can still make use of the rod holder, tackle locker, rod stowage and light transom baitwell used for the vessel. Large fish will need to be boated from the swim platform because the fishing cockpit is aimed more at accommodating a PWC.

LOA: 82’0″
BEAM: 20’6″
DRAFT: 5’9″
DISPL: 136,687 LB
FUEL: 1800 GAL
WATER: 300 GAL
TEST POWER: 2/1150hp hp Caterpillar C18 ACERTs