Belize Motoryachts, the new Australian owned-and-designed luxury marque, has celebrated the much-anticipated arrival of its limited edition, semi custom motor yacht Belize 52 with two intimate launch events in Queensland and New South Wales.
Both events – the first held at a private home on the Sovereign Islands in Queensland, the second at the newly opened offices of LDM (Luxury Design Motoryachts) at The Spit in Mosman, Sydney – were Caribbean themed, reflecting the origins of the Central American Belize brand name. While the weather unfortunately overplayed its hand, conjuring up a Caribbean-like tempest on Sovereign Island, the launches were well patronised by an exclusive gathering of yacht owners and boating aficionados, including the proud new owners of two super yachts Belize 52, who claimed the yacht “far exceeded expectations”.
First unveiled at this year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, the Belize 52 superyacht is the realisation of a dream started by respected Australian yacht builder, Wes Moxey and Lee Dillon, who in 2010 embraced their combined total of 60 years experience in luxury boating to create a flawless, elegant 52’10” cruiser that delivers on quality, finish, design, performance and internal volume. Constructed via artisanal means by the Taiwanese ISO certified ship-builder, Kha Shing, the limited edition Belize 52 yacht(a total of nine yachts are scheduled to be built by 2012) comes in two variations: a single-level, sports yacht style Hardtop, and split-level Day Bridge.
Though inspired by the old world luxury details and timeless style of the automotive and boating industries of the 1920s and 1930s, the Belize 52 yacht is thoroughly modern in performance: twin Cummins 600hp diesel engines deliver a speed of 30 knots, with a cruising range of approximately 400nm.
The luxury yacht Belize 52 is carving out a new niche for itself and has been received with rave reviews by experienced boating media and existing owners alike. The response has been “overwhelming”, according to Belize Motoryachts managing partner, Wes Moxey. “People knew the yacht Belize 52 was going to be different and special,” he says, “but so far the boat has exceeded all expectations in terms of design, finish and volume. Our clients have said that the internal volume of the boat exceeds their expectations, especially aspects such as the master stateroom that runs the full beam of the boat. The boat feels incredibly substantial in scale: the handrails are big and ship-like, the bulwarks and the wide side decks make moving around the exterior of the yacht very easy and comfortable. Everything is well proportioned and feels substantial. Then there is the saloon and connection to the large cockpit and all the little design details and different fittings that are a credit to the vision and eye of Belize Motoryacht co-founder, Wes Moxey.
Speaking after the launch, Wes Moxey credited the Belize’s success as “attention to detail, level of quality and craftsmanship”. “Everything is considered”, Moxey says, “right down to the kettle, toaster and sandwich maker which all come standard in the galley and each has a dedicated storage position in the overhead galley cupboards. Everything has its place, and everything is secure in place.”
Moxey and Dillon are quickly discovering the Belize 52 is appealing to a different segments of the luxury boating market – enthusiasts that have owned various other boats from production to traditional, even sail boat owners that are now wanting to move into powerboating for all of its convenience, but want something different and bespoke to reflect their individual tastes, as well as all the modern technology. “For boat owners that have had two, three or four boats, it’s not actually until you step on a boat like this that you appreciate the 60 years of experience we have focused into this one boat”, says Lee Dillon. “Clients that have expressed interest in the Belize are those people that are well educated boatowners and know what they want in a new boat. When they get on board the Belize they say, “I get it.”
Belize Motoryachts are currently in the midst of finalising two more private sales of the 52, and there is considerable interest from dealers in Europe and the United States.
