NEWS - First Icon 54 for WA

New Zealand’s Formula Cruisers have announced the sale of the first Icon 54 luxury bluewater cruiser into West Australia.

Icon 54, hull no.9, features the extended, fully enclosed flybridge introduced on the latest 54 delivered to NSW recently.

The owners of Icon 9 are keen to expand their cruising options from the usual weekends at Rottnest Island, and have plans to explore places farther afield such as The Kimberley.

Auckland-based Formula Cruisers said its reputation for producing the highest quality boats with excellent seakeeping ability is perfect for the rough conditions off Australia’s West Coast, as is the impressive fuel efficiency of the Icon 54, which will be put to good use on the long passages planned for this boat.

The extended flybridge with forward helm featuring an aft bulkhead with electric dropdown window suits the owners’ plans for long-range cruising and provides a fourth cabin option.

With the focus being on family cruising, the decision was made to include the standard cockpit dayhead as opposed to the large rod locker as seen on recent boats more focussed on gamefishing.

Being a semi-production boatbuilder, Formula Cruisers said it provides the versatility of allowing each owner the opportunity to customise their boat to suit their individual needs.

“The owners of Icon 9 have been in discussion with us for some time and appreciate the overall build quality and reliability of the Icon 54. However, the final decisive factors in their decision to build a Formula were the changes we made to the latest Icon 54 and our guarantee of delivery”, says Troy Woods, Formula’s sales and marketing manager. “A huge effort was put into these changes to the 54 and it is great to see that effort being rewarded with these latest sales.”

Formula Cruiser’s said its representative in WA, Seagreen Marine, is looking forward to showcasing this boat when she arrives.

“We are thrilled to have an Icon heading to the region, as we know the strengths of the Icons and their suitability to the WA market,” said Bob Lushey, Seagreen Marine general manager.

Meanwhile, read the test on the Icon 54, hull no.7 delivered to NSW, in a forthcoming issue of Trade-a-Boat magazine. Stay tuned.

FAST FACTS
Formula Icon 54

Material: GRP
Type: Warped-plane variable-deadrise monohull
Length overall: 17.8m
Hull length: 16.4m
Beam: 5.65m
Draft: 1.2m (max)
Weight: 24,000kg
Fuel: 4000lt
Water: 1000lt
Engine: 2 x MTU Series 60 diesel
Rated HP: 825hp (each)
Cruise speed: 25kts
Max speed: 32kts-plus