Yachts International — July-August 2017

august

2017

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Latin aLLure

Schaefer Yachts’ 560 enters a crowded flybridge market
with a zesty take on the luxury cruising lifestyle.

A

degree of gumption is involved anytime a big-name
builder squeezes a new model into a bulging niche
market. Triple that for an outfit like Schaefer Yachts.
The 24-year-old Brazilian yachtbuilder is internation-
ally known, but hardly a household name in North
America. Its first U.S. offering is a flybridge sport cruiser with a
fresh take on space and volume for less than $2 million.
“We conceived the 560 to fill a gap in our line between our top-
selling 500 model and our 640,” said Samuel Brito, CEO of Schaefer
Yachts USA. “The designer, Marcio Schaefer—a naval architect and
engineer who also happens to be the owner and chairman of the
shipyard—loves boating. It’s not very often you have an owner so
involved in the complete construction process of each boat.”
The 560 has open spaces for social gathering and entertaining.
A galley is aft on the port side—a location becoming popular in
interior design. Sure, the galley absorbs what might otherwise be
additional salon space, but it more than makes up for that loss with
natural light and 360-degree views.
Also aboard the 560 are fine woods, high-quality leathers and
lots of glass, all within a 16-foot-3-inch beam. Extending aft from
the salon, the alfresco main-deck entertainment area has a grilling

station at the stern. Belowdecks, a full-beam master stateroom is

amidships with a king-size bed, a sitting area, hull-side windows

and an ensuite head.

A pair of 625-horsepower Volvo Penta IPS800s give the 560 a zippy

yet economical 26-knot cruise speed with 31 knots at the top end. I

found her a pleasure to drive—responsive to the touch with good cut and

minimal slippage on the corners. And with the pods, she’s user-friendly.

There’s a lot to like about this luxurious Latina, which seems

well equipped for the American market. schaeferyachts.us

—Andrew T. Parkinson

High-quality leather, open spaces and lots of glass

highlight the interior of the Schaefer 560.

for The fleeT