uncompromised saloon,” says Iain Smallridge, managing director of
Pearl Yachts. “There are outdoor dining areas on the aft main deck and
flybridge, plus the informal dinette adjacent to the helm and galley.”
The décor is exceptional. Designed, as are all the Pearls, by Kelly
Hoppen, the 80 on show features the “Studio” interior décor package
with white marble, walnut, natural linens, and stainless steel detailing –
one of three designed by Hoppen. “The design is traditional but
contemporary: clean lines and neutral nuances, creating a general
feeling of refinement,” she says. “We have inserted touches of cool gray
in what is now ‘my’ palette of colors from taupe beige, my trademark, to
create beautiful, relaxing interiors. You want that superyacht feel but
with a neutral tone to ensure the space isn’t too overbearing.”
Although the salon sofas are low and modular, with ottomans in the
center useful as extra seating or tables, the high and low windows make
it easy to see out while seated or standing. “We put a lot of effort into
how far to raise the pilothouse and how many steps were needed to
access the four cabins below,” says Dixon. “It turns out that too many
steps is a turn-off. We have enough to guarantee separation of spaces
and good visibility for the indoor helm and headroom for the twin guest
cabins below. For the master, we gain overhead height [under the salon]
by putting that cabin two further steps down.”
Miami is definitely this boat’s element. On the sea trial, a strong
northeast breeze has built a small chop, which the Pearl’s fine entry
and flare render negligible. In the vicinity of Bear Cut, where Key
Biscayne begins and the current and breeze are freshest, the cruising
speed is 28 knots: still nothing to rattle the dishes. The Pearl 80
displaces 55 tonnes so she is no skittish trifle, yet shoving the throttles
forward from idle quickly produces 26 knots; there is smooth
acceleration and a nice transition to plane in less than 10 seconds.
Technically, her top speed is 35 knots, but downwind with full water and
half fuel load she hits nearly 38. “Although it’s a sporty boat it is very
voluminous and we worked hard to make sure it’s not a big lump
pushing water,” Dixon says of the warped-V hull. Pulling into Miami
Beach Marina, where the current is notorious, the joystick mooring
control and bow thruster is a stress buster.
You can tell there’s real boat knowledge at the helm of this company.
Smallridge, a boat captain himself, started fitting out aft-cabin cruisers
on 40ft fiberglass hulls in Stratford-upon-Avon in the UK in 1998 with
partner John Yarnold. These models were successful but then the
recession happened. “I knew we had to change the business model and
focus on larger boats.” In 2002 they commissioned Dixon to design the
Pearl 55. In 2006, the Pearl 60 followed, and that, says Smallridge,
pushed them out of England. “We are a boutique
builder and you can’t build a handful of boats a year
in the UK and be profitable,” he says. With their
sights set on a 75 footer, they found a partner in
Heysea, based in Xiamen, China, which was familiar
with GRP construction and had space for a line of
semi-custom boats. While the hulls and decks are
assembled and the major machine components
installed in Asia, the yachts are delivered to the UK
for fitting out.
Now, with the Pearl 80, the company has branched
out to expand its market to the US. The build target
for the 80 is four to five units per year; No 2 launches
in March and No 3 in September. The 95 will follow
for debut in the US in 2018 while the 75 will be
retired, leaving an active range of 65, 80, and 95 feet.
It seems this pearl has room to grow.comfort
PHOTOGRAPHY: MARTIN BRENT