Tricon Marine just announced the Argos Gulfstream – a limited-edition series of luxury, offshore performance yachts that boast unsurpassed details and amenities never before offered in vessels of similar size and class. The first model – the 92-foot Argos G92 – will make her debut at the upcoming Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which takes place October 29 to November 2, 2009. Construction is also underway on the 100-foot Argos G100 model, scheduled for launch in 2010.
Available in 80-foot to 120-foot models, the Argos Gulfstream features a sumptuous and spacious master stateroom SkySuite with 270-degree panoramic views. The ship’s multipurpose split-level sun decks offer infinite possibilities for entertainers and sports enthusiasts alike – they can host large social gatherings, carry tenders up to 22 feet, and offer helipad capabilities. In addition, the Argos Gulfstream offers trans-oceanic cruising range, while offering high-speed performance to 33 knots.
The Argos Gulfstream is crafted under a limited-production guarantee, a first for the luxury yacht industry. Only three hulls across the entire series will be built each year, providing owners with the utmost distinction in ownership and superior investment value.
Christos Livadas is Chairman and CEO of Tricon Marine. A deeply passionate yachtsman for more than a decade, Mr. Livadas researched and purchased multiple luxury yachts prior to founding Tricon and eliminating the many tradeoffs inherent in motor yacht ownership.
“The Argos Gulfstream eliminates compromises and the cookie-cutter look that characterizes so many luxury yachts today. She combines speed and range, seaworthiness and beauty, style and spaciousness,” comments Mr. Livadas.
With a standard crew-forward arrangement, the ship’s layout completely separates her owner from crew operations. Her design provides the crew with direct access from their quarters to all day-to-day work areas, including the pilot house and galley, eliminating the need for the yacht’s crew to pass through the owner’s living or social areas.
“Owners will be delighted by the Argos Gulfstream’s level of privacy, which is not available on any other yacht under 120 feet,” explains Mr. Livadas. “Equally impressive is her spectacular master SkySuite and flexible split-level sun deck, which ranges from 800 to 950 square feet depending on the Argos Gulfstream model. Owners can use the sun deck for entertaining or convert it to a boat deck capable of transporting large tenders or a variety of leisure toys. These design features, coupled with the boat’s technical capabilities, ensures that the Argos Gulfstream commands a competitive position in its class.”
The Argos Gulfstream features an industry-first in her class: an unconstrained second-deck master SkySuite stateroom. Positioned amidship and high above deck, the SkySuite is secluded, maintaining a level of owner privacy that is simply not available on other vessels of comparable size. Expansive windows provide breathtaking 270-degree panoramic views and ample natural sunlight.
The SkySuite is styled with warm beige tones. The headboard framing the king-sized bed doubles as the back wall of the suite’s expansive walk-in closet, allowing natural light to flood the dressing area. Handcrafted sapele mahogany wood cabinets wrap the starboard side of the room. The cabinets feature a comfortable work area as well as a sophisticated entertainment system, equipped with a concealed 52-inch flat-screen television.
Separate his and her heads provide privacy and luxury. Located on opposite sides of the suite, they are joined in the center by a luxurious shower. Light-colored granite flooring and countertops are a sharp contrast to the elevated sinks laced with dark granite.
The expansive sun deck on the Argos Gulfstream is ideal for soaking up the sun while relaxing on large sunbeds. It is also an inviting space for hosting all types of social events – from al fresco dining and business meetings to parties on the open deck, which accommodates more than 30 guests.
When not in use for social activities, the sun deck transforms to carry leisure toys or large tenders (up to 22 feet), which can be loaded or offloaded using the fixed crane installed at the aft of this deck. Owners can also choose to add helipad capabilities. As with the SkySuite, the sun deck offers unsurpassed privacy without intrusions from the ship’s crew.
In addition to the SkySuite stateroom, the Argos Gulfstream models offer three well-appointed guest staterooms and crew quarters for four. A wide range of additional custom layouts are also available
Concept and design of the Argos Gulfstream series was carried out by the company’s internal design team, with naval architecture led by internationally renowned architect, Howard Apollonio.
Purpose built for challenging seas and frequent Gulf Stream crossings, the Argos features a unique profile, giving her a low center of gravity and significantly reduced roll. Her proprietary semi-displacement hull provides trans-oceanic range and high-performance speed.
Extensive tank testing was completed at the British Columbia Marine Research Institute, where more than 60 trial runs were made using multiple hull configurations, 10 to 35 knot speeds and multiple sea states to ensure safety, efficiency and performance. The hull was specially tuned for a soft ride into six-foot seas at speeds exceeding 20 knots. Carefully optimized V angles, soft chines and streamlining lend the Gulfstream a natural lift while reducing bow wave, pounding, drag, and roll, which provides a distinctively fast, smooth and quiet ride.
A broad range of engine options are available, from 600 hp to 2400 hp to meet owners personal performance preferences, including high-horsepower packages that offer speeds of up to 33 knots. When equipped with C-32 1650 hp Cats, the Argos Gulfstream delivers a top speed of 25kt+, with a 2,800 nautical-mile range at passage-making speed of nine knots.
The Argos series of yachts is constructed at Tricon Marine’s shipyard in Zhuhai, China, an hour ferry ride away from Hong Kong and a short drive from Macau. Tricon is the first wholly-owned and operated North-American shipyard in China specializing in custom and limited-series mega-yacht builds. The recently completed, half-million square foot state-of-the-art facility is limiting build-slots to a maximum of three yachts in simultaneous production for the next few years to ensure a very high level of quality and that no construction detail is overlooked. Tricon’s shipyard currently accommodates the largest composite yacht construction in China with current production capabilities of yachts to 145 feet in length and expanding to 180 feet.
News
September 17, 2009Christie’s Wine Auctions Re-launch in Asia
