When Outer Reef Yachts introduced its new 63–foot pilothouse yacht at this year's Newport International Boat Show, it had no shortage of interest.
A steady stream of couples boarded to have a look. And why not? The 63 has features and finish standards at the top of its class. And with a sophisticated, ship–like profile, the boat is likely to gain its share of the larger, semi–displacement market.
OUTER REEF YACHTSThe Outer Reef 63’s upper cockpit is nicely shaded by the overhang of the deck above.
Outer Reef Yachts is a unit of American Global Yacht Group, which also sells the Molokai Strait series of full–displacement steel–hull vessels and the Newport Sport Motor Yachts line of large, semi–custom yachts. The Molokai Strait series are intended as true blue–water voyagers, while the Outer Reef boats are aimed more at coastal cruising.
The 63 has a wide range of features that will appeal to cruisers, from spacious cabins and abundant storage to standard features that include stabilization and a bow thruster.
The new boat has an overall length of 63 feet and 1 inch and a beam of 16 feet, 9 inches. With a displacement of 73,000 pounds, the 63 draws about 4 feet, 10 inches, which means shallower destinations can stay on the itinerary.
Equipped with the standard C-9 ACERT diesels from Caterpillar, developing 503 horsepower, the 63 will cruise comfortably at any speed, from a long-range cruise of 7 knots all the way up to 15.4 knots (speeds north of 20 knots are attainable with the optional C-12 engines). At the lower speed, the 63 can cruise 2,500 miles (no reserve) on a single tank of fuel, and at the top end, it will burn about 48 gallons per hour.
The Outer Reef 63 has a base price of $1.7 million, which includes a basic allowance for appliances and decorating but not for electronics. Hull number one, which was equipped with a full electronics suite and tender, was listed at $1.95 million.
ON DECK
You can board the 63 three different ways, depending on how it is moored. Stern–to, you simply step onto the teak swim platform and walk through a transom door into an open cockpit, one of the visible differences from the Outer Reef 58. This cockpit is perfect for fishing, watersports or sunning. A hatch in the sole leads to an enormous lazarette. As with all hatches on the 63, this one is fully finished, with gaskets and dual gas struts. At the forward bulkhead of the cockpit is a fully dogged hatch to an inner chamber that can be used as crew quarters, extra storage or work space. On hull number one, a small amount of the space was taken up by two 150–gallon supplemental fuel tanks.
OUTER REEF YACHTSThe open saloon features plenty of room.
From the outer cockpit you step up to the main deck, which is protected by an overhang from the boat deck above. Nicely cushioned benches lined the aft bulkhead, and there was enough room to install a small dining table here, too.
Along the forward bulkhead, which is the entrance to the salon, a stainless steel ladder to starboard runs up to the boat deck, and to port there is room for a wet bar or cabinets. Wide, covered side decks lead forward to the wing doors of the pilothouse and then forward to the Portuguese bridge.
DOWN BELOW
Step through double doors into the salon, and you can settle down in the warm, teak–finished atmosphere, maybe in one of the leather armchairs to starboard or stretched out on the L–shape settee to port. Either way, they're positioned so you can enjoy watching a movie on the large, flat–panel TV built into the bulkhead that separates the salon from the raised galley forward.
OUTER REEF YACHTSThe galley is on the pilothouse level and features full-size appliances and granite counters.
The teak woodwork is finely crafted and hand–rubbed to a light finish. Large windows on both sides and aft further brighten and balance the salon. Overhead handholds ensure security in a seaway.
A few steps up the starboard passageway take you to the galley, where the honey–finished teak is complemented by dark marble surfaces and stainless steel appliances. Although the 63 isn't intended for ocean crossings, the galley has the capability to let owners be fully self–sufficient for long periods of time, with lots of storage and prep space, in addition to a dishwasher, trash compactor, a large range and oven and a full–size refrigerator. A wide, deep stainless steel sink against the port bulkhead has a large window right above it.
While the galley is on the same level as the pilothouse and a fully separate space, the two could be further isolated with the fitting of a door – perhaps a slider – between them.
Inside the pilothouse, there is the usual settee and table aft and to port and the helm centered forward, with a Stidd chair and a large, teak, destroyer–style wheel. Three large windows forward and large windows to either side give the helmsman tremendous visibility. The dash panel has room for several large screens, and there are flat surfaces on both sides for laptops and printers, along with storage for charts and room for computers below the helm.
