Palm Beach 70: Flagship is a "beast in the water and a beauty in the harbour"
An evening test drive on a 23-metre yacht? Around a dozen people gladly accepted the invitation to the Palm Beach 70 - to escape the hustle and bustle of the trade fair in Cannes and get out on the water. The guests take a seat in the cockpit or on the airy upper deck and watch the hustle and bustle in the bay. The sun is already low. Some of them join their host, Mark Richards, who has taken over the classically styled helm on the flybridge and is heading out swiftly. "Pretty crowded here," he says, "choppy water." The Australian sailing professional and nine-time winner of the Sydney Hobart Race founded the Palm Beach brand, transferring his knowledge of the optimum hull shape to motor yachts. The number one landed in the water in 1996, a reminiscence of the lobster fishermen of Maine (USA). In 2014, Richards and the shipyard slipped under the roof of Grand Banks, where he has been running the business ever since.
The furniture "merges" with the hull
The PB70 is now the flagship of the Classic line, and this little excursion is intended to show what the Volvo Penta IPS engines, including the "V-Warp technology", have in store. The tapered V-hull, the extra-light carbon material and a design that "fuses" the furnishings with the hull make the semi-glider a modern yacht with a focus on stability, speed and economy in terms of diesel consumption. As one owner once put it: "A beast in the water, a beauty in the harbour."
The customers that the concept appeals to could live anywhere. "The PB70 is very popular in both America and Australia," confirms Richards, "but it's also a fantastic yacht for the Mediterranean." He is referring to "Mathilde's" owners, a couple with Australian roots who live on Mallorca for several months a year and wanted a suitable yacht for this purpose. "They raved to us about a wonderful summer on board," says Captain Richards, visibly satisfied.
Finally the bay clears, "Mathilde" picks up speed, accelerating from 11 to 13, then to 17 knots. The 33 tonnes are already bouncing lightly over the water. At this point at the latest, the passengers bid farewell to a peaceful journey into the sunset and put away their water bottles and valuables. A curious guest was allowed to take the helm: 20 knots, the IPS 1200 packets hum powerfully, their consumption is 175 litres per hour, very manageable compared to similar yachts. Spray sprays up to the flybridge. 27 knots, the almost six metre wide hull seems to take off, the cushioned loungers at the bow threaten to leave their position.
Palm Beach 70 achieves top cruising speed of 22 knots
"Mathilde" leans into the bend, hands gripping railings and table edges. For her dimensions, the lady produces a huge stern wave. Mark Richards keeps a straight face, everything is relaxed. A few spectators descend the narrow staircase and sit in the cockpit, wiping water splashes from smartphones, glasses and notebooks. Meanwhile, the boss is back at the helm. "33 to 34 knots are possible," he says, gradually slowing the 33-tonner down to 18 to 22 knots - the best cruising speed. Richards puts the ideal range at "19 to 24 knots". Depending on the engine, the yacht would travel between 788 and 933 nautical miles at 21 knots.
Time to take a look at the interior. The look is classic and modern at the same time, teak meets white. "Mathilde's" owners opted for the "galley down" layout, which means cooking on the lower deck, with the galley accessible via a few steps from the saloon and open-plan. Guests can see how the food is being prepared at all times, preferably from the small dinette opposite the helm station. If you want to have a small suite on the lower deck in addition to the master, VIP and twin, have the galley placed up here in the saloon.
Effortless mooring manoeuvres with the Palm Beach 70
The boss changes position again for the return to the harbour "I'm going down", he comments and a few moments later is sitting in the front of the saloon on the starboard side. He now radiates even more calm, the windscreen wipers sweep the last splashes of water from the glass. The PB70 is now chugging through the harbour basin at five knots. Reverse parking is effortless with the joystick and at a speed of 0.5 to one knot. The captain leans casually on his bench, his right arm hanging out of the open side window - like a joyride in a sports car. One last look over his shoulder. That's it, engine off and you're done.
"I love the boat," reveals Richards, smiling and listing: "She's fast, seaworthy, has a long range and is easy to handle." A yacht that you can take anywhere. Thanks to the relatively shallow draught of 1.15 metres, it is also possible to make flying visits to shallow bays. With a wave of his arm, the shipyard manager emphasises the "very good all-round visibility". But that's not all, there is another decisive advantage, obviously someone here speaks from experience: "The PB70 is a really good party boat."
Technical data
- Length over everything: 23,24 m
- Length (deck): 21,25 m
- Width: 5,83 m
- Draught (with IPS): 1,15 / 1,32 m
- Displacement: 32,6 t
- Hull material: GRP / Carbon
- Material structure: Carbon
- Motors: 2 x Volvo Penta IPS D13
- Engine power: 2 x 671 / 746 kW
- Speed (max.): 33-34 kn
- Speed (travelling): 27-28 kn
- Range: 788 / 933 nm @ 21 kn
- Guests: max. 7
- Fuel: 6000 l
- Water: 935 l
- Waste water: 400 l
- Construction: Palm Beach
- Exterior design: Palm Beach
- Interior design: Palm Beach
- Shipyard: Palm Beach, 2023
- Basic model: from 5 million euros
