Bluewater uses a new helm layout on the 680: the wheel is to starboard, rather than amidships for better visi­bility when docking. There's also an ek!ctrk:ally raised electronics panel.

, •

PMV TESTED

For long-range cruising and eve n liveaboard capability, you can 't beat big motoryach ts. T hey offe r ex pan-

sive saloons, luxurious accommoda tio ns, upper and lower helm sta tio ns, and galleys big e no ugh to keep

any Galloping Gourmet happy, ye t they' re not so big tha t you n eed a professio nal crew to handle them .

Li ll , to make everything fit, they usually must have multiple stacked decks connected by interior stai rways

and hallways. This can lead to a h igh freeboard and can also pose accessibility problems fo r owners and

' r \ . ~ circumvent th ese disadvantages in its new 680, Bluewater simply put m ost of these great mo tor-

'de ht C'alures o n o n e level- and did it a t a pri ce it claims is so m e $200,000 be low the co mpe titio n.

4 POW R & MOTORYACHT J LV 1997

BllI l'WaLerS are famoll ~ rO I I II~'II H· I­a ti v Iy low profil .. . llld II,,· bHO i no exception. Thi, IItI( '(' ta t ' room, three-head mOICll .1( hi II,1b the bulk of her inl I iell (111.1 ,i ll g le level and a pa ir (If ( 11111111111~ diesels-instead of q,III ' IIIClIll,-within the confines of III I h ull . Not only does this "state-100m-up" design allow plenty oflight through large, rectangular windows (instead of portholes), but it makes it easy to walk throughout the yacht.

The 680 is actually an expanded ver­sion of the company's 640. Where did Bluewater put the extra four feet? In the massive swim platform, which is now a P"VC elevator than ks to a stan­dard TNT lift. The platform's stainless steel gates swing out or lift out com­pletely, so you can actually drive a PWC on and offwith ease. The plat­form is convenient for boarding, too, with open access on either side of the railings. Two molded-in fender lock­ers are also here , a long with a hot/ cold shower, making it a perfect stag-

ing area for watersports. This feature, combined with the fact that you can actually beach the 680 bow-first and walk down to land via a bow ladder, gives her a watersports edge few big motoryachts can match.

Once you 're ready to shove off, you need on Iy walk up six molded steps to the largest flying bridge/ lounge area I've ever seen on a yacht this size. Ex­cluding the helm, this space is about 30 feet long and runs full beam­great for entertaining . And there's seating for at least 12 people: three jump seats, an aft sunpad, a flat-bed lounge with a back that tilts up electri­cally, and more seating alongside the optional four-person hot tub.

"Vhile I appreciated the wide-open spaces up top , I would have liked to see a few overhead grabrai ls in th e hardtop to help guests move around. Also, deck shoes are required here­though th e no n kid is a'y o n bare feet, iL' 'Ii ppery wh n we L.

A we Lbar wi Lh pLional icemaker sits

just behind the electrically adjusted, two-person helm benchseat and across from a second lounge seat for two to port. The helm 's layout is new; the tilt wheel is to starboard rather than amid­ships as on the 640 for better visibility when docking alongside. Bluewater did , however, re tain the company' s famous electrically raised electronics panel. Push a button, and the console rises to reveal a full array of electronics (Raytheon is a factory option) . When you don't need them, the electronics and panel retract into the helm for the ultimate in theft prevention.

How's this for another neat trick: vV"hen you' re out in open water, simply pick up the handheld contro ll er for the optional Raytheon Raypilot 650

autopi lot, walk back to the tilt-back lounge seat, and drive th e boat from there. As you approach your anchor­age, return to the helm, and send your crew forward via molded ste ps on either side that lead to the foredeck. At 14 inches, the recessed side decks are

The 680's

"stateroom-up" design allows plenty of light

through the large, rectangular

windows.

The forward stateroom boasts a double berth that raises hydraulically to reveal plen­ty of stowage. Opposite top: The saloon's leather sofa can sleep additional guests when needed. Bottom: Note the PWC eleva­tor, the rails are completely removable to allow you to drive rigbt up onto the platform.

plenty wide, and hip-high bowrails sur­round the entire area for a secure feel­

ing and extra safety. Once the anchor's down , the crew

can enter the cabin via a starboard slid­

ing d oo r that leads directly into the saloon . H ere, in addition to a leather

su ite head with faux-marble cou nter­tops, go ld-tone fixtures, and roun d acryli c shower stall-a very luxurious presentation. And since it's 0 far re­moved from the rest of the yacht, th is stateroom is also very private.

Moving aft through the saloon yo u

STO M FITTED : · Il c d s prc uds • Blankets - Shee ts

-M attl'e ss Pad s n y thitlll l s Possible, And We Ship An:yw h erel

WI T H A S IMPL E PAP,.:R TEMPLA 'I' E, HA ND C RAFT MATTItE SS CO.

She sliced through steep six-footers

at 15 knots with no pounding. AN llANO-TAILOR AN INNt: RSP JU NG MATTllESS

T O F IT ANY S IIAP E NEEDED .

For More Information, Or To Contact A Representative In Your Area:

(So. East Florida & West Florida) (Mid Atlanta - Annapolis)

(North East Atlantic City to Boston) (Southern & Northern California)

(Northwest Portland - S eattle)

1 800 241-7751 Fax (714) 241- 8316

A=Kl["=i~~. 531 E. Goe t z · Sun t n Ann , Cn 92707

FREE INFORMATION CIRCLE 35 ON THE READER SERVICE CARO

sleeper sofa, rocking recliner chair, TV, VCR, and hidden washe r and dryer, is a lower helm station and electrical pan­

els neatly hidde n behind a roll-top cover. Walk three steps down , and you reach a circular stairway to the forward stateroom, which has a cente rline dou­

ble berth that raises via a hydraulic lift to reveal cavernous stowag . The suite also features Lh ree c10se Ls and a n e n

THE WHALEBACK 4 8 ' LOllg Rnllge • Liveaboard • 7lmuler Yacht

THE WHALEBACK 48' is an intrepid transocean trawler with luxuriant li vabili ­ty few 60 footers enjoy, still of a size and agili ty that is easily hand led by a couple. With her ballasted full displacement hull, the Whaleback takes you confidently and comfortably to your destination with fuel economy every knot of the way.

III[ KROGEN 42 '

KADEY­KROGEN YACHTS ~

TH E KR OGEN 4 8·

Kndey-Krogell Yachts, I IIC., 799 Brickell Plaza, SlIile 701 , Miami, FL 33131 Td. (305) 577-6140 Toll Free (800) 247-1230 Fax (305) 577-6062

I Will MOTORYACHT .I L1 LY 1997

co m t' to a dining ta bl e for four ,

across from th e huge U-sh a ped ga l­ley. For prac Li cali ty, the ga ll ey has an oak so le instead of carpet, a nd iL'S got a ll th e a pplia nces yo u could ask for, including d ishwashe r, u-a h compact­o r, fu ll-size GE side-by-side re fri gera­tor-freezer ( 11 O-vol t a.c. o n Iy), and central vacuum system.

Abaft that, th e re's a d o ubl e gu es L

Moving? PLACE LABEL HERE

Name

Address

City State Zip

Simply a ttach the ma iling labe l fro m the cover of this magaz ine and write

in your new address

Mail to :

Power And Motoryacht PO Box 57542

Boulder, CO 80322-7542

PMY TESTED: BLUEWATER 680 Base price: $872,550 with 2/450-hp Cummins 6CTA diesel inboards Optional power: 2/380-hp Crusader 502Xl gasoline inboards Standard equipment: 15-kW Westerbeke genset; upper and lower helm stations; 1,600-Ib.-capacity TNT transom lift; Sony audio entertainment system; 2/ Panasonic lVs; VCR; 4-burner Princess cooktop; 110-volt GE refrigerator and microbake oven; Marine Appliance ice maker

Construction: hand-laid FRP w/Kevlar and Kledgecell in bow; Nytex, Kledgecell , and balsa coring in deck; Coremat coring in hull sides; FRP-encapsulated wood stringers; 6 subfloor bulkhead compartments

SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 69'0" Beam: 14'6" Draft: 2' 10" Maximum headroom: 6'8" Weight: 50,000 Ibs. (dry) Fuel capacity: 600 gal. Water capacity: 200 gal.

PMY TEST RESULTS Engines: 2/450-hp Cummins 6CTA diesel inboards; Transmission: Twin Disc; Ratio: 2.0:1; Props: 24x28 4-blade Michigan Wheel bronze; Steering: Teleflex Sea Star; Controls: Mathers MicroCommanders; Trim tabs: Bennett; Optional equipment: Bluewater hot tub ($11,640); 4-station Charles intercom ($1,325); fu ll Raytheon electronic-navigation package with 2/Standard Communications VHF radios and Sony

RPM MPH KNOTS GPH MPG RANGE DECIBELS

1000 8.5 7.4 3.8 2.24 1,208 57 1250 10.0 8.7 6.0 1.67 900 60 1500 11.3 9.8 9.6 1.17 633 60 1750 12.8 11.1 14.2 0.90 485 63 2000 16.0 13.9 20.2 0.79 428 68 2250 18.4 16.0 27.2 0.67 364 68 2500 20.8 18.0 37.0 0.56 303 69

backup video camera ($28,460) 2800 25 .3 22.0 50.8 0.50 268 68

Conditions: Temp.: 80 0; humidity: 80%: wind: 10 knots: seas: one foot; load: 1/3 fuel, full water, 5 persons, moderate gear. Speeds arc twoway averages, measured

wjStalker radar gun. GPH measured w/DZL fuel flow meters. Range: 90% of advertised fuel capaCity. Decibels measured on A scale. 68 dB is the level of normal conversation.

cabin to po rt across from a day h ead (with optional shower). And way aft, vo u enter the private owner's suite, which boasts a king-size berth (which lifts e lectrically fo r access to the star­

board e ng ine), a n L-sh ap e van ity/ o ffice, a nothe r TV a nd VCR, and a walk-in closet aft. There's an en suite head with shower as well , making this

' pacious stateroom well equipped for \i \·caboards. And unli ke many motor­\. Ichts that provide an escape hatch aft, II 680 has a fu ll sliding doo r that

It .Ids directly out to the swim pla tform. All of these ame nities come a t the

Ils t of some performance. Twin 450-p umm ins diesels drove our 680 to

l Op speed of25 mph , respec table ., a near-70-footer, as is h er maxi-

1111 1111 fue l consumption of 50 gph. I lurning rad ius, however, may be

t wides t of any yach tin her class. tins t th at, there's li ttl e h ee l to

I' (' [ guests or th e ir drinks . As for I!-\ h-wa te r h a ndling, we ran our

I ' lraight into steep six-footers as it d Miami 's Government Cut,

and she sli ced through th e m at 15 knots with no pounding.

Heading downsea, she showed some tendency to ste rn-steer, but only once did he come close to taking some water over the bow. (,While your nat­

ural reaction would be to slow down in this situation, on the 680 yo u should actually speed up to raise the bow.) In addition , she showed excellent stabili­

ty in a beam sea; he r short r ighting moment is direc tly re lated to her low

profile, th e d eep set of he r e ngines, a nd th e low placement of her single 600-gallon [-uel tank.

So what's the new 680 rea lly all about? Ease of use, primatily, tllanks to ",~de-open spaces, push-button opera­tion , and home-style amenities. And all

ofthis aboard a yacht tllatdoesn' t have to stack tlle decks to provide full motor­

yacht accommodations. D FaT mOTe irifo'rmation contact Bluewa­

ter, Dept. PMY, 811 E. Maple, MOTa, MN 55051 . 'a- (320) 679-3811. Fax: (320) 679-3820. (Or ci-rcle Reader Service No. 259)

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It cuts the light. It cuts the heat. It cuts out peeping eyes. And it comes in mod­els to fit virtually any hatch or portlight. Good-looking and marine-grade to stay that way. From the people who invented SKYSCREEN. We'd like to send you further information.

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JULY 1997 POWER & MOTORYACHT 69