The Horizon Group held a traditional Chinese ceremony today to celebrate the start of construction of its latest new model – the Bandido 148 Explorer Megayacht.

The first steel for its hull was cut on November 17. Horizon Group used the occasion to announce it is entering a new era by expanding its current model lines to include the steel luxury megayacht market. Building at Premier Shipyard, a member of Horizon Group, the latest Bandido 148 Explorer is born from a close collaboration between Horizon Group-Premier team, its dealer Drettmann GmbH in Germany, and the designer Juan Carlos “J.C.” Espinosa. Following the success of the Premier 130 and Bandido 75, Horizon asked J.C. Espinosa to develop a larger Bandido model – a long-range megayacht with world-wide cruising capability in all types of weather, while affording luxury yacht comforts to all onboard.

To meet every need and assure superior sea-keeping, the Bandido 148 will be designed, built and certified to BV Classification, ICE Class as well as MCA LY2 Compliance. Powered by twin MTU 12V4000M60 1,800-hp engines, the 148 will have a maximum speed of 15.6 knots, a cruising speed of 12 knots and a range of 4,500 nautical miles. This megayacht will feature ABT’s TRAC stabilizers. Four 22-square foot fins driven by TRACSTAR technology will provide stability when at anchor or underway. While each yacht will receive a customized interior designed according to its owner’s requirements, the first Bandido 148 Explorer Megayacht houses an expansive interior in its rugged, though elegant, superstructure.

Accommodations are for eight guests in four staterooms on the lower deck amidships. Eight crews are housed in four cabins (all with private bathrooms) forward, plus laundry facilities and crew’s lounge. A full-beam master suite with king-size bed, office, and his and her baths with Jacuzzi is located on the main deck forward. Also on main deck are a large galley, full-beam dining salon and main salon. An additional dining area is on the aft deck. Besides the pilothouse and the captain’s stateroom, the upper deck features a large skylounge, an exercise room and a sauna, both which are designed with fold-down balconies.The vessel will further accommodate an atrium staircase connecting all levels plus an expansive flybridge with spa pool for ten, lounging areas, bar and dining amenities. Finally, the tender will be housed in a garage aft of the engine room and accessed via an hydraulic garage door off the transom.The first yacht to be built with a steel hull and aluminum superstructure by the Horizon Group, the Bandido 148 Explorer Megayacht is scheduled to deliver in 2010.

Specification:
LOA (Length Over All) : ………………………………………………. 148ft (45.00 m)
LWL (Waterline Length @ full load) : ………………………………… 128ft 7in (39.15 m)
Beam :……………………………………………………………………29ft ( 8.85 m)
Draft (To Prop Tip @ full load): ……………………………………….. 8ft 6in ( 2.60 m)
Air Draught (W.L. to Mast Light top @ light ship):……………………. 50ft 10in (15.50 m)
Displacement (half load): ………………………………………………848,800 lb (385t)
Engines : …………………………………………………2x MTU 12V4000M60 1,800hp@1800 rpm
Speed (Max/Cruise) :…………………………………………………….15.6/12 knots
Range : ………………………………………………………………….4,500 NM @ 12 knots
Fuel Capacity : …………………………………………………………..15,800 Gal (60,000 L)
Fresh Water Capacity :…………………………………………………..2,600 Gal (10,000 L)
Black / Grey Water Capacity : …………………………………………. 1050 /1580 Gal (4,000 / 6,000 L)
Ballast Tank : ……………………………………………………………7,900 Gal (30,000 L)
Generator : ……………………………………………………………… 2 x CAT 150KW
Shore Power : ……………………………………………………………Mastervolt 150KVA
Stabilizer :……………………………………………………………..22 Square Feet, 4 Fin w/STAR, ABT
Bow Thruster : ………………………………………………………….ABT 150HP Electrical
Stern Thruster : …………………………………………………………ABT 150HP Hydraulic
Windlass : ……………………………………………………………… 2 x Maxwell VWC 8000
Water Maker :……………………………………………………………Two 1800GPD, Idromar
Air Conditioning : ……………………………………………………… Marine Air Chill Water Sys.
Sewage System : ………………………………………………………..Hamann Norway Frame
Fuel Separator : ............. ………………………………………………Alfa Laval
Fire Control E/R : ………………………………………………………. Sea Fire FM200 / Fog Type
Fire Sprinkler Sys :………………………………………………………Optec Water Mist
Entertainment : …………………………………………………….… MediaMax central A/V
Monitoring : …………………………………………………………… Boning
Navigation & Communication : ………………………………………. Furuno
Classification : BV I HULL MACH Charter Yacht-Motor-S/A ICE Class 1D Unrestricted Navigation /
MCA LY2 ComplianceFor more information about Bandido 148, please contact with:Horizon Yachts East Coast – Roger Sowerbutts
E-mail:Roger@horizonyachtusa.com, TEL: 561-346-5966Horizon Group – Premier Yacht – James Fwu
E-mail:Premier@horizonyacht.com, TEL: +886-7-5716500#100