Sapphire 55' Planing Launch
Built by Barton McGill Marine, this Dibley design is unique in that to require what the owners requested, Dibley "turned the design spiral inside out and has come up with a vessel that has both an innovative refreshing layout as well as distinctive superstructure"
Images courtesy of Barry Thompson, Launch and Motor Yacht Magazine
Designed in 2002 the design emphasis for Sapphire was to create a boat with an internal volume that belied the boat's exterior dimensions. This was achieved by Dibley's use of long flowing lines throughout the interior and accommodation areas resulting in an air of spaciousness seldom achieved in sports cruisers of similar size.
To achieve the look, Dibley elected to put the upper flybridge in a mezzanine setting suspended over the accommodation below and accessed by a spiral stairwell built into the main saloon.
Images courtesy of Barry Thompson, Launch and Motor Yacht Magazine
The net effect is stunning, allowing those on the flybridge to feel a part of activities below while adding to the overall feel of grandeur and space.
The feeling from upstairs is similar to that of an atrium setting. Beautifully performed and extremely comfortable.
Images courtesy of Barry Thompson, Launch and Motor Yacht Magazine
Images courtesy of Barry Thompson, Launch and Motor Yacht Magazine
Images courtesy of Barry Thompson, Launch and Motor Yacht Magazine
Images courtesy of Barry Thompson, Launch and Motor Yacht Magazine
Images courtesy of Barry Thompson, Launch and Motor Yacht Magazine
Reviewed in Launch and Motor Yacht, May 2000
LOA 17.50 m (57'-5")
SPECIFICATIONS AND PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS
Beam 5.12 m (16'-10")
Draft 1.40 m (4'-7")
Designed Displacement 19,000 kg (41,890 #'s)
Power 2 x 430 HP Scania's
Max Speed 30 knots
Cruise Speed 24 knots
Fuel Capacity 2,240 litres (592 US gal)
PO Box 2836
Wakatipu
Queenstown, 9349
New Zealand
Tel +64 (0)275 933 692