Offshore 87 Yacht Review
Posted 2015/10/02 at 17:22 in Yacht Reviews
Since 1983, the builder has been carving out a name for itself with long range vessels. The 87 Motor-yacht is the latest of approximately 360 Off shores, ranging from lengths of 52 to 92 feet, and now cruising the entire world. Being a semi-custom built vessel, the 87 ‘s layout is designed to allow for modifications according to each customer’s own tastes and needs. The engines on this vessel are some of the smallest offered, but anyone wishing more speed can choose from a variety of diesels up to 1,600 horsepower.
LOA: 87’0″
BEAM: 21’6″
DRAFT: 5’10”
DISPL.: 194,000 lb.
FUEL: 3,600 gal
WATER: 460 gal
TEST POWER: 1,150-mhp Caterpillar C-18 ACERT diesel inboard diesels
OPTIONAL POWER: various Caterpillar C32 ACERTs, MANs and MTUs to 1,900 mhp
TRANSMISSION: ZF550A / 2.517:1
PROPELLERS: 34×40 5-blade Nibral
GENERATORS: 2/Northern Lights 30-kW
WARRANTY: 1-year limited on entire boat, 5 years on hull and stringer structure, three years for osmosis
BASE PRICE: $7,453,000
PRICE AS TESTED: $7,567,000
| RPM | KNOTS | GPH | RANGE* | dB(A) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 8.0 | 5.0 | 5472 | 65 |
| 1250 | 9.5 | 16.0 | 2035 | 66 |
| 1500 | 11.0 | 30.0 | 1259 | 66 |
| 1750 | 12.3 | 48.0 | 877 | 68 |
| 2000 | 14.0 | 74.0 | 647 | 69 |
| 2250 | 15.3 | 102.0 | 512 | 69 |
| 2350 | 16.4 | 120.0 | 467 | 70 |
Construction
Like other Off shores, the 87 is built conservatively with focus on strength and seaworthiness instead of weight. Her hull bottom is solid FPR laminate that is hand-laid at the established Kha-Shing yard in Taiwan.
The keel starts at the foot of the stem and extends to approximately 10 feet forward of the props and then abruptly disappears. It is designed to ensure great tracking and running-gear protection, without affecting maneuverability. The sides of the hull are hand-laid with Corecell in order to produce a flawless gelcoat finish. This vessel is not built with weight in mind as she comes in at a 194,000 pounds, nor is weight a leading factor in the production of this vessel.
Corecell is also utilized on all deck and superstructure components. Cored areas and some small parts are vacuum bagged; hardtop, hatches cabinets and doors are infused.
Corecell is a structural foam core material using a SAN polymer base for high toughness and impact resistant abilities. It has an extremely reliable processing for high quality parts.
Off shore stresses the use of high quality lamination materials including Cook gelcoat, Hypoint 90 catalyst, Cymax bi-directional and unidirectional fabrics. Using vinyl-ester resign is used for outer laminates and isopthalic resin for inner laminates.
Three-cabin, Three-head Design
A full beam mid-ship master with a private companion way, a fore-peak VIP and large guest cabin to port with a single berth. A four-cabin version is also available, offering more flexibility for owner taste and needs. Under normal circumstances, if an owner wanted more hanging locker space and a second washer/dryer, they would have to go all the way aft of the engines to the lazarette/crew quarters to used the washer/dryer or hanging lockers.
Off shore has pushed the starboard bulkhead in the full beam master head forward and changed, what is normally the head for the guest stateroom, into the space needed by the owner. This was done by reconfiguring the guest stateroom into a smaller space, as this owner rarely travels with two couples.
Performance
William B. Luther, designer of the 87’s hull, designed the hull to operate at speed length ratios between 2.0 and 3.0, which is speeds up to 25 knots depending on the installed horsepower. In a test with 1,150 horsepower CATS, the boat came in at the lower end of that range.
Bill Crealock who designs are best known for sea-kindliness, comfort motion and very fine handling in heavy weather. As Luther worked with Crealock, this has caused the 87 to benefit from this amazing legacy.
During a sea test, she was taken off shore into very steep 3 and 4 footers and experienced not a thud or jar. Some credit goes to the combination of a moderate beam, good entry and deep forefoot but without being so deep as the vessel will wander.
Concave hull sections in the aft part of the hull along with modest keel will produce good tracking. The 87 is a vessel that perfectly reflects its builder. All added up this shows a quietly and effectively build vessel that is undeniably successful. Off shore never looked so good!
